Mercury's magnetosphere after MESSENGER's first flyby

Observations by MESSENGER show that Mercury's magnetosphere is immersed in a comet-like cloud of planetary ions. The most abundant, Na+, is broadly distributed but exhibits flux maxima in the magnetosheath, where the local plasma flow speed is high, and near the spacecraft's closest approach, where atmospheric density should peak. The magnetic field showed reconnection signatures in the form of flux transfer events, azimuthal rotations consistent with Kelvin-Helmholtz waves along the magnetopause, and extensive ultralow-frequency wave activity. Two outbound current sheet boundaries were observed, across which the magnetic field decreased in a manner suggestive of a double magnetopause. The separation of these current layers, comparable to the gyro-radius of a Na+ pickup ion entering the magnetosphere after being accelerated in the magnetosheath, may indicate a planetary ion boundary layer.     

Basaltverwitterung und Bodenentwicklung seit dem mittleren Tertiär auf Lanzarote,Kanarische Inseln (Profil Malaya Chica)

Basalt Weathering and Soil Development since the Middle Tertiary on Lanzarote, Canary Islands - The Profile Malaya Chica A polygenetic soil on tertiary (miocene) basalt in the north of Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain) was examined. Soil development was reconstructed, which took place in a semiarid climate since the end of the tertiary period. The interpretation of field and laboratory results (carbonate, grainsize distribution, oxalate and dithionithe soluble oxides, CEC, clay minerals, micromorphology) explained the history of development. Since the miocene at least seven consecutive phases of soil development took place induced by erosion, volcanic and colluvial sedimentation and/or climatic changes.     

Soil mapping for land‐use planning in a karst area of N Thailand with due consideration of local knowledge

For the development of sustainable land‐management systems in the highlands of N Thailand, detailed knowledge about soil distribution and soil properties is a prerequisite. Yet to date, there are hardly any detailed soil maps available on a watershed scale. In this study, soil maps on watershed level were evaluated with regard to their suitability for agricultural land‐use planning. In addition to common scientific methods (as underlying the WRB classification), participatory methods were used to exploit local knowledge about soils and to document it in a “Local Soil Map”. Where the WRB classification identified eight soil units, the farmers distinguished only five on the basis of soil color and “hardness”. The “Local Soil Map” shows little resemblance with the detailed, patchy pattern of the WRB‐based soil map. On the contrary, the “Local Soil Map” is fairly similar to the petrographic map suggesting that soil color is directly related to parent material. The farmers' perception about soil fertility and soil suitability for cropping could be confirmed by analytical data. We conclude that integrating local soil knowledge, petrographic information, and knowledge of local cropping practices allows for a rapid compilation of information for land‐evaluation purposes at watershed level. It is the most efficient way to build a base for regional land‐use planning.     

Growth and Survival of Blackslip Pearl Oyster Larvae Fed Different Densities of Microalgae

This paper reports on an experiment to determine growth and survival of blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.), larvae fed a 1:1 mixture of Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO and Pavlova salina at six different densities (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 × 10³ cells ml^-1. Larval growth and survival were assessed every four days over a 20–day period. Exponential and logistic regression models were fitted to the growth and survival responses, respectively. Overall growth of larvae fed 5 × 10³ cells ml^-1 was significantly greater (p > 0.01) than growth of larvae reared at other algal densities. The optimal food ration for maximum larval growth was 20 × 10³ cells ml^-1, which resulted in larvae with antero-posterior shell length of 230 m after 20 days. These larvae were significantly larger (p > 0.05) than those in all other treatments at the end of the experiment. Survival of larvae fed 0, 1 and 2 × 10³ cells ml^-1 was significantly lower than that of larvae in all other treatments at the end of 15 days (p > 0.01). Maximal survival (8%) over the 20 day period was shown by larvae fed 10 × 10³ cells ml^-1, while lower survival was shown by larvae fed 2 × 10³ cells ml^-1 (2%) and 1 × 10³ cells ml^-1 (0%).     

Genotype × environment interactions and simultaneous selection for high oil yield and stability in rainfed warm areas rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.) from Iran

Partitioning of the genotypes by environment interaction (GEI) is important in order to determine the nature of the GEI. The objectives of this study were to assess the presence and nature of GEI for nine agronomic traits of rapeseed cultivars, and to identify cultivars with favorable levels of stable oil production. Nine rapeseed cultivars, including seven open pollinated and two hybrids, Hyola308 and Hyola401, were grown in ten environments under rain-fed warm areas of Iran. The GEI was significant for all traits and was partitioned into components representing heterogeneity due to environmental index and the remainder of the GEI. Among the all traits with a highly significant heterogeneity, the largest amount of heterogeneity removed from the GEI was for seeds per pod and seed weight. We found GEIs for both oil content and seed yield were largely influenced by differences in correlations among pairs of cultivars (86.8 and 71.4% of the GEI sum of squares, respectively), suggesting that crossover GEIs (i.e., change in genotype rankings among environments) are present. The mean correlation of each cultivar with all other cultivars ([`(r)]<sub>ii<sup>￠</sup></sub> \bar{r}_{{ii^{\prime}}} ) ranged from 0.53 to 0.83 for oil content and 0.86 to 0.96 for seed yield. A comparison was done of the significance of Sh-σ<sub>i</sub><sup>2</sup> (stability variance derived from total GEI) and Sh-S<sub>i</sub><sup>2</sup> (adjusted stability variance derived from residual GEI) assignable to each genotype for oil content and seed and oil yield. Based on Sh-σ<sub>i</sub><sup>2</sup>, three cultivars were unstable for oil content, whereas six cultivars were unstable for seed and oil yield. The removal of heterogeneity revealed that one unstable cultivar for oil content and three unstable cultivars for oil yield were judged to be stable. All cultivars with [`(r)]_ii^￠ \bar{r}_{{ii^{\prime } }}  ≤ 0.63 were labeled unstable for oil content, whereas all with [`(r)]<sub>ii<sup>￠</sup></sub> \bar{r}_{{ii^{\prime } }}  ≤ 0.94 were considered unstable for seed yield. The relationships between [`(r)]_ii^￠ \bar{r}_{{ii^{\prime } }} and Sh-σ_i² were significant (P < 0.01) for oil content and seed yield. The results of rank correlation coefficients showed significant positive correlations of Yield-Stability statistic (YS_i) with oil content and oil yield. Cultivars such as Option500 and Hyola401 were identified as having stable, high levels to seed yield and oil content.     

Effect of pollination intensity,frequency and pollen source on fig (Ficus carica L.) productivity and fruit quality

Yield and fruit quality in fig (Ficus carica L.) are highly dependent on cultural practices especially caprification (pollination). However, this technique remains not well controlled in Tunisia. This study was conducted during two successive years, 2009 and 2010, to investigate different pollination conditions, i.e. number of caprifigs and repetitions of caprification on fruiting of two cultivars Bouhouli (San Pedro type) and Zidi (Smyrna type). In addition, the efficiency of four pollen sources was evaluated to identify the most effective pollinator for female cultivar Zidi. The following parameters were recorded: fruit number per shoot, fruit set, productivity, fruit characteristics and vegetative growth.     

High vero cell density and rabies virus proliferation on fibracel disks versus cytodex-1 in spinner flask

To achieve higher titer of rabies virus higher density of host cells will need. In this study, capability of FibraCel disks packed in 500 mL spinner basket versus Cytodex-1 in 500 mL spinner flask was investigated for propagation of Vero cells and PV rabies virus proliferation. Minimal Essential Medium (MEM) + 10% Foetal Calf Serum (FCS) and Virus Production- Serum Free Medium (VP-SFM) +4 mM L-glutamine were used in growth phase and MEM+ 0.2% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and VP-SFM were used in virus production phase. Adapted Vero cells grown in VP-SFM were used in all SFM experiments while batch and stepwise perfusion modes were applied and compared in growth stage. The highest Vero cell density were achieved in the trials with 10 g FibraCel disk in stepwise perfusion mode equal to 6.12 x 10(6) and 5.87 x 10(6) cells mL(-1) in MEM and VP-SFM, respectively while with 2.73 g Cytodex-1 lower density equal to 4.2 x 10(6) and 4.0 x 10(6) cells mL(-1) were achieved. The highest titer of rabies virus and overall virus production rate were resulted in VP-SFM and on 10 g disks equal to 2.9 x 10(7) Fluorescent Focus Unit (FFU) mL(-1) and 0.14 FFU/Cell/h, respectively versus 1.7 x 10(7) FFU mL(-1) and 0.08 FFU/cell/h on cytodex-1 in similar conditions. The second harvest of virus was also satisfactory in experiment with 10 g disks (1.7 x 10(7) FFU mL(-1)) in compare to Cytodex-1 (0.51 x 10(7) FFU mL(-1)). An equal surface area at 6600 and 12000 cm(-2) were provided in all comparable trials with seeding density of 12.5 x 10(3) cells cm(-2). Adapted Vero cells grown in VP-SFM were used in all SFM experiments while batch and stepwise perfusion modes were applied and compared in growth stage.     

Trace elements accumulation in soil and rice plants irrigated with the contaminated water

We carried out a study to see the effect of contaminated water of Nullah Dek on fine rice paddy and straw yields and trace elements accumulation in different parts of rice plants and soil. A site was selected near the bank of Nullah Dek at Kot Pindi Das in the District of Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The water of this nullah is contaminated by industrial effluents carrying different micronutrients. This water was employed to grow rice crop. Water samples were collected before transplanting and during the season with 15 days interval for analysis from 20 July to 1 November 2002 from a spot near village Shamke. Three fine rice varieties, viz. Super Basmati, Shaheen Basmati and Basmati 2000 were transplanted. These rice varieties were grown up to maturity. Paddy and straw yields data were recorded. Six composite soil samples from three random spots were collected from the experimental site before the start of the study to see the status of trace elements in soil. After the harvest of rice crop, soil, paddy and straw samples were analysed for Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. The chemical analysis of Nullah Dek water showed that total salts concentration was greater than the safe limit, i.e. electric conductance (EC) > 1.0 dS m⁻¹. Even sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was very high, but there was no problem of high residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were present but within safe limits. The water of Nullah Dek remained within permissible limits of irrigation from onset of rainy season till 15 October. There was an increase in EC, SAR and trace elements concentrations after 15 October but within safe limits. Soil analysis revealed its saline nature, devoid of sodicity. Among trace elements, the zinc ranged between deficiency (<0.5 mg kg⁻¹) and adequate limits (>1.0 mg kg⁻¹). Copper, Mn and Fe were present in adequate amounts. After the harvest of rice crop there was a slight decrease in pH, EC_e and SAR at both the depths, while the concentrations of all trace elements were slightly increased with more in upper layer than the lower layer. Shaheen Basmati produced the maximum paddy yield followed by Basmati 2000 and then Super Basmati. The chemical analysis of paddy samples indicated a sufficient accumulation of zinc (1.68–1.78 mg kg⁻¹), copper (1.38–1.45 mg kg⁻¹), iron (6.12–6.37 mg kg⁻¹) and manganese (2.22–2.42 mg kg⁻¹). Analysis of rice straw also showed sufficient accumulation of zinc (27.50–28.50 mg kg⁻¹), copper (20.0–20.50 mg kg⁻¹), iron (270–280 mg kg⁻¹) and manganese (2.38–2.41 mg kg⁻¹).     

Biosystematics relationships among Marrubium L. (Lamiaceae) species in Iran

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Marrubium L., is a problematic genus of Lamiaceae family with approximately 40 taxa that some of its species grow in Iran. In the current study, we studied...