Determining a critical nitrogen dilution curve for sugarcane

Adequate measurements of the nitrogen (N) concentration in the aboveground biomass of sugarcane throughout the growth cycle can be obtained using the critical N dilution curve (CNDC) concept, which provides an N‐nutrition index (NNI). The aim of this work was to determine the CNDC value for Brazilian sugarcane variety SP81‐3250, establish the critical concentration of N, and determine the NNI in the aboveground biomass throughout the cane plant and first ratoon crop cycles. The study was performed in three experimental areas located in São Paulo, Brazil, during the crop cycles of 2005/2006 (18‐month cane plant) and 2006/2007 (first ratoon). The plant cane crop was fertilized with treatments of 40, 80, or 120 kg N ha^–1 and a control treatment without N. After the plant cane harvest, rates of 0, 50, 100, or 150 kg N ha^–1 were applied to the control plot and the 120 kg N ha^–1–treatment plot in a split‐plot experimental design with four repetitions. Throughout both sugarcane cycles, measurements of aboveground biomass were used to determine the dry‐mass (DM) production and N concentration for each treatment. CNDC varied between the growth cycles, with a higher N concentration observed in the initial stages of the first ratoon and a lower N dilution observed throughout the plant cane cycle. The NNI value indicated excessive N storage in the initial stages and limiting concentrations at the end of the growth cycle. CNDC and NNI allow for the identification of the N‐nutrition variation rate and the period in which the nutrient concentration limits the production of aboveground biomass. The equations for the critical N (Ncr) level obtained in this study for plant cane (Ncr = 19.0 DM^–0.369) and ratoons (Ncr = 20.3 DM^–0.469) can potentially be used as N‐nutritional diagnostic parameters for sugarcane N nutrition.     

ESTIMATING SHORT- AND MEDIUM-TERM AVAILABILITY TO CEREALS OF NITROGEN FROM ORGANIC RESIDUES

Overused soil resources and the build-up of organic residues from industrial processes have resulted in increased risk of environmental contamination. Recycling of organic residues from industry by incorporation into agricultural soil, can provide valuable organic amendment as well as supply nutrients to crops. The effect of applying organic amendments to an agricultural sandy soil on the nitrogen nutrition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and residual effects on the growth of a following maize crop (Zea mays, L.), were assessed under semi-controlled environmental conditions and were compared to nitrogen mineralization prediction obtained from an aerobic incubation. Six different organic residues (composted municipal solid waste, secondary pulp-mill sludge, hornmeal, poultry manure, the solid phase from pig slurry and composted pig manure) were added to a Cambic arenosol, incubated or used in pot experiments, to evaluate and try to predict the availability to crop plants of nitrogen released from these materials. Poultry manure was the most effective amendment in making nitrogen available and enhancing nitrogen uptake by wheat plants resulting in greater dry matter yield. The dried solid phase from pig slurry and hornmeal were also beneficial to wheat growth. There was a greater recovery of nitrogen (N), from organic materials studied, by a maize crop. Poultry manure was the residue that provided a greater residual effect on N supply to maize.     

Doppler and Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography of Testicles in Adult Domestic Felines

The objective was to characterize the vascular patterns of testicular blood flow of adult cats, measuring the systolic velocity (SV), diastolic velocity (DV), resistance index (RI), gate time (wash‐in) peak enhancement and output time (wash‐out) of the contrast and addition of tissue fill characteristics. Forty‐five adult cats were selected, and the echotexture, echogenicity, size, contours and margins of testicles were assessed via ultrasound. By Doppler were evaluated the blood flow and determined of vascular index in testicular artery (SV, DV and RI) and via contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography determine the time for phases: wash‐in, wash‐out and peak enhancement. Sonographic findings presented normal. Testicular artery was observed in the spermatic cord with tortuous patter and showed monophasic‐patterned waves and low vascular resistance and with systolic peak evident. Values of indices vascular were as follows: SV = 6.73 cm/s, DV = 2.8 cm/s and RI = 0.54 for left testicles; and SV = 6.23 cm/s, DV = 2.77 cm/s and RI = 0.53 for right testicles. Contrast filled the subcapsular vascular structures and after a few seconds, a homogeneous moderate enhancement of the parenchyma, with parenchymal vessels still distinguishable and after the peak phase, a rapid homogeneous decrease in echogenicity. Values of time for contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography were as follows: wash‐in = 8.78 s, peak enhancement = 21.62 s and wash‐out = 75.36 for left testicles; and wash‐in = 10.76 s, peak enhancement = 21.50 s and wash‐out = 81.81 for right testicles. Doppler and contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography of the testicles in healthy adult cats was easily implemented and may provide baseline data for this organ to allow the use of these techniques as a diagnostic tool for evaluating testicular abnormalities in sick cats.     

Taxonomy, phylogeny and identification of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with pome and stone fruit trees in South Africa and other regions of the world

Species of Botryosphaeria are well-recognized pathogens of pome and stone fruit trees. The taxonomy of these fungi, however, has been confused in the past. Recent taxonomic changes to the Botryosphaeriaceae further influence the literature pertaining to these fungi. This study reviews the taxonomic status of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with fruit tree diseases, identifies them in South Africa and elsewhere, and develops a reliable identification technique for them. Comparisons were made using DNA sequence data from the nuclear ITS rRNA operon and anamorph morphology. These analyses distinguished six clades amongst isolates associated with fruit tree diseases, corresponding to Neofusicoccum ribis (=  B. ribis ), N. parvum (=  B. parva ), N. australe (=  B. australis ), B. dothidea , Diplodia mutila (=  B. stevensii ) and ' Botryosphaeria ' obtusa (the genus Botryosphaeria is no longer available for the fungus known as B. obtusa , but a new name has not been proposed yet). Isolates from fruit trees in South Africa were grouped in the N. australe and ' Botryosphaeria' obtusa clades. This is the first report of N. australe from fruit trees. PCR-RFLP analysis using the restriction endonucleases Cfo I and Hae III distinguished the major clades. However, two groups of closely related species, N. ribis and N. parvum , and N. australe and N. luteum (=  B. lutea ), had identical RFLP profiles. Using RFLP, it was shown that ' Botryosphaeria ' obtusa is the dominant species on fruit trees in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. These results and methods will be useful in future epidemiological studies and disease management of Botryosphaeriaceae from fruit trees.     

Bacterial canker of cherry trees, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus avium,</Emphasis> in South Africa

Laboratory and nursery experiments were conducted to identify the causal agent of a needle blight of Pinus wallichiana, a species native to the Western Himalayas. The pathogen was identified as Myrothecium verrucaria, on the basis of morphological, cultural and molecular characterization. BLAST analysis of ITS sequences of the pathogen revealed maximum sequence identity of 99% with M. verrucaria. The sequence is the first of this fungus from P. wallichiana. Phylogenetic analysis grouped all M. verrucaria isolates in a single clade; M. roridum and M. inundatum clustered in separate clades. The pathogen grew optimally at 25 ± 1 °C on oat meal agar, pH 5.5. Inoculation experiments with M. verrucaria demonstrated pathogenicity on Pinus halepensis, Cedrus deodara and Cryptomeria japonica, in addition to Pinus wallichiana.