Can sulfur fertilisation improve the effectiveness of trap crops for diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)?

BACKGROUND: The effect of sulfur fertilisation on chemical constituents of yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.), was studied with regard to its potential use as a trap crop for the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Two types of B. vulgaris var. arcuata were used: the G‐type, resistant to P. xylostella and proposed as a ‘dead‐end’ trap crop, and the P‐type, not resistant to P. xylostella and used as a control. RESULTS: In G‐type B. vulgaris, sulfur fertilisation increased the content of the dominant glucosinolate (S)‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethylglucosinolate by 20%. Sulfur fertilisation did not significantly change levels of the saponins 3‐0‐β‐cellobiosylhederagenin and 3‐0‐β‐cellobiosyloleanolic acid, known to act as feeding deterrents for P. xylostella larvae. In P‐type B. vulgaris, the same levels of sulfur fertilisation did not change the glucosinolate content significantly. Two‐choice oviposition preference tests with B. vulgaris plants showed that P. xylostella laid 144% and 45% more eggs on G‐ and P‐type plants with sulfur fertilisation respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The studies suggest that sulfur fertilisation could increase the effectiveness of G‐type B. vulgaris as a trap crop for P. xylostella. The effect of plant sulfur fertilisation on P. xylostella oviposition preference is associated with a quantitative glucosinolate increase, but other compounds could also be involved. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chlorophyll fluorescence as affected by some superficial defects in stored apples

Summary

Chlorophyll fluorescence, skin coloration and surface contour were measured for apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit with and without common storage and handling surface defects. Defects included C0₂ injury in ‘Empire’, bitter pit in ‘Jonagold’, superficial scald in ‘Cortland’, ‘Law Rome’, ‘Gala’ and ‘Red Delicious’ and bruising in ‘Cortland’. Measurements were made along a transect established on the fruit surface. The fluorescence parameters, minimal fluorescence (Fo), maximal fluorescence (Fm) and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm, where Fv = Fm - Fo) were relatively similar around the circumference of undamaged control fruit. Skin colour was not found to influence chlorophyll fluorescence. With the exception of bruises, there were marked changes in fluorescence in the areas where surface disorders or damage had developed. C02 injury and bitter pit reduced Fv/Fm, whereas superficial scald did not. However, scald symptoms were accompanied by a reduction in Fo and Fm. The reduction in Fo and Fm became more marked as scald symptoms intensified during post-storage holding at 22°C. Chlorophyll fluorescence may have some potential for sorting fruit having superficial defects.     

Disodium-fosfomycin pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in post weaning piglets

Disodium-fosfomycin pharmacokinetics has been studied in different species after oral, intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. At present there are neither documented clinical experiences of the use of fosfomycin in pigs nor any published studies in weaning piglets, although it is a period of high incidence of infectious diseases. The pharmacokinetics and the bioavailability of sodium fosfomycin were studied in post weaning piglets after intravenous and intramuscular administration of 15 mg/kg of body weight. Plasma concentrations were measured by a high-performance liquid ms/ms. After IV administration the area under the fosfomycin concentration:time curve in plasma was AUC_(0–12) of 120.00 ± 23.12 μg h/ml and the volume of distribution (Vd) of 273.00 ± 40.70 ml/kg. The elimination was rapid with a plasma clearance of 131.50 ± 30.07 ml/kg/h and a T_1/2 of 1.54 ± 0.40 h. Peak serum concentration (C_max), T_max, AUC_(0–12) and bioavailability for the IM administration were 43.00 ± 4.10 μg/ml, 0.75 ± 0.00 h, 99.00 ± 0.70 μg h/ml and 85.5 ± 9.90% respectively. Different authors have determined a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) ranging from 0.25 μg/ml for Streptococcus sp. and 0.5 μg/ml for Escherichia coli. Considering the above, and according to the values of plasma concentration vs time profiles observed in this study, effective plasma concentrations of fosfomycin for sensitive bacteria can be obtained following IV and IM administration of 15 mg/kg in piglets.     

Identifying equine premises at high risk of introduction of vector-borne diseases using geo-statistical and space-time analyses

The identification of premises that may play an important role in the introduction or spread of animal diseases is fundamental to the development of risk-based surveillance and control programs. A combination of geo-statistical and cluster analysis methods was used to identify geographical areas and periods of time at highest risk for introduction of the African horse sickness virus (AHSV) into the Castile and Leon (CyL) region of Spain. Risk was estimated based on the predicted premises-specific abundance of Culicoides spp., a vector for AHSV, and on the frequency of equine introductions from outside regions. The largest abundance of Culicoides spp. was observed between May and September in the northern region of CyL. Six significant (P-value <0.01) space-time clusters of equine premises were found, at which presence of Culicoides spp. was predicted and live equidae were introduced from outside CyL. The clusters included 37 equine premises and took place between April and December. These results will contribute to updating plans for prevention of AHSV introduction and spread in Spain. The methodological approach developed here may be adapted and applied to design and establish risk-based surveillance and control programs for Spain and other European countries.     

Dual-purpose Guzerá cattle exhibit high dairy performance under heat stress

The present study evaluated the heat stress response pattern of dual-purpose Guzerá cattle for test-day (TD) milk yield records of first lactation and estimated genetic parameters and trends related to heat stress. A total of 31,435 TD records from 4,486 first lactations of Guzerá cows, collected between 1986 and 2012, were analysed. Two random regression models considered days in milk (DIM) and/or temperature × humidity-dependent (THI) covariate. Impacts of −0.037, −0.019 and −0.006 kg/day/THI for initial and intermediate stages of lactation were observed when considering the mean maximum daily temperature and humidity to calculate THI. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 to 0.35 throughout lactation and THI values, suggesting the possibility to expect gains from selection for such trait. The variable trajectory of breeding values for dual-purpose Guzerá sires in response to changes in THI values confirms that the genotype × environment interaction due to heat stress can have some effect on TD milk yield. Despite the high dairy performance of Guzerá cattle under heat stress, estimated genetic trends showed a progressive reduction in heat tolerance. Therefore, new strategies should be adopted to prevent negative impacts of heat stress over milk production in Guzerá animals in future.     

Productive behavior in growing kid goats and methane production with the inclusion of chokecherry leaf (Prunus salicifolia)

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Currently for the reduction of methane (CH4) emissions are using fodder rich in condensed tannins, however, not yet known exactly how they act in the rumen...     

Nanoparticles in the management of brown eye spot in coffee

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Brown eye spot (Cercospora coffeicola) is one of the main diseases of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and represents a serious phytosanitary problem for the crop....     

Introgression of Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21 for resistance to bacterial blight in thermosensitive genetic male sterile rice (Oryza sativa L.) for the development of two-line hybrids

Bacterial blight (BB) of rice caused by X. oryzae pv. oryzae is a major production constraint in commercial hybrid rice production in the Philippines because most of the parental lines used in hybrid production do not carry resistance genes against the pathogen. In this study, three bacterial blight resistance genes, Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21, were introgressed to a temperature-sensitive genetic male sterile (TGMS1) line. A three-way cross of AR32-19-3-3/TGMS1//IRBB4/7 (PR36944) was made to produce 1,364 F₂ plants carrying various combinations of Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21. Individual plants were characterized for reaction to bacterial blight PXO61 (race 1), PXO86 (race 2), PXO99 (race 6) and pollen sterility. Of 144 F₂ plants demonstrating resistance against PXO61, PXO86 and PXO99, 22 exhibited highly resistant phenotypes with mean lesion lengths ranging from 0.37–2.97 cm. Analysis of disease reaction identified 20 potential TGMS F₂ plants containing Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21 while 78 plants with Xa4 + Xa7. Phenotypic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses confirmed PR36944-450, PR36944-473 and PR36944-700 as homozygous for Xa7 and Xa21 and highly resistant to all three Xoo races. Fertility of PR36944-450 and PR36944-700 was restored at permissive temperature in a growth chamber. BB-resistant TGMS lines should facilitate breeding two-line hybrids in the tropics.