Microbial activities in a histosol: Effects of wood ash and NPK fertilizers

Mineralization of organic matter and microbial activities in an intensively cultivated acid, N-rich peat soil planted with Salix sp. cv. aquatica were examined for 3 yr. The soil was amended with wood ash or NPK fertilizers providing N as ammonium nitrate or urea. The wood ash amendment (10 tons ha^?1) increased soil pH from 4.6 to 5.5 and increased markedly all microbial activities measured, resulting in increased mineralization and N availability, and in loss of 9% total soil N during the first year. The addition of ammonium nitrate caused a corresponding though less pronounced increase in N mineralization. Cellulose decomposition increased in all amended soils, reaching rates 53–86% higher than in non-amended soil. Potential N₂ fixation (C₂H₂ reduction) by free-living organisms was increased by the ash-amendment. Potential denitrification rates were positively correlated (r = 0.98) with the presence of water-soluble organic-C, which was more abundant in ash-amended and non-amended soils than in the soils fertilized with N.     

Evaluation of Information on Wild Berry and Mushroom Markets in European Countries

The income-generating dimension of berry and mushroom picking is important in many European countries or regions of countries, predominantly for rural livelihoods. Due to the role and economic potential in the utilization of non-wood forest products (NWFPs), there is a need, and also an increasing interest in, monitoring their market volume and values both at national and international levels. There is a wealth of information from different sources at the national level, but at the international level there is a need to harmonize the information. It is a major challenge for international data collection efforts to balance the need for harmonization of statistics without losing interesting information. This paper presents and analyses statistics on the quantity and value of two groups of marketed NWFPs: (1) mushrooms and truffles, and (2) fruits, berries and edible nuts. The statistics came from the State of Europe’s Forests 2007 report and its country reports. Our paper describes the shortcomings of the statistics and identifies potential explanations for the limitations. The results from this study reveal that the usability of data on marketed mushrooms and berries varies a lot between countries. In general, the data are incomplete and not comparable among countries. Another challenge is the consistency of information on production, trade and consumption flows. Based on a Finnish example, balance sheets can be used to control the consistency and derive missing sub-components of trade flows. A regional case study of Nordic and Baltic countries and the Russian Federation illustrates potential from national household and operator surveys for complementary information.     

Epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in guide dogs in Finland

Background

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are common multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in dogs. In 2012–2013 three dogs of the Guide Dog School of the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired were found to be MRSP positive. Guide dogs have regular contact with each other during their first year of life and prolonged contact when in training. Since dogs are placed in different parts of Finland after training, there is a risk for national spread of MDR bacteria. In this study the prevalence of MRSP and MRSA, as well as the risk factors for MRSP were determined in the Finnish guide dog population. MRSP isolates were investigated using molecular methods and compared to the earlier isolates.

Results

Out of 132 tested dogs 4 were MRSP positive thus giving the prevalence estimate of 3% (95% CI: 1–8%) for MRSP in the target population. MRSA was not detected (prevalence estimate 0%, 95% CI: 0–3%). Risk factors associated with MRSP were being a breeding bitch (OR = 8.4; 95% CI: 1.1–64.1, P = 0.012), the number of veterinary visits (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.0–1.5, P = 0.025) and number of antimicrobial courses (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.0–2.55; P = 0.035). Identified MRSP isolates belonged to five different sequence types (ST45, 71, 402, 403 and 404). All ST71 isolates carried SCCmec II-III, while the SCCmec type of the ST45 and ST402 (a single locus variant of ST45) isolates were non-typeable with the method used.

Conclusions

MRSP and MRSA had low prevalence in the studied dog population despite the close contact between dogs, and the MRSP population was heterogenic. Antimicrobial therapy and veterinary visits are risk factors for MRSP even among a small case group.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0129-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.