Modelling carbon dynamics in mixed grass–red clover swards

Growth and carbon dynamics in mixed grass–red clover leys were simulated using a growth model for pure stands based on radiation use, allocation within plant and loss of biomass. The model and its parameter values were taken from previous applications of the model to pure swards of grass and red clover grown in the same experiment at the same sites and years.     

Muscarinic Receptors in Equine Airways

The distribution of muscarinic receptors in equine airways was investigated using autoradiography. Frozen sections of tissue from six different levels in the bronchial tree, from the trachea to the distal bronchioles, were incubated in vitro with 1.5 nmol/L of the muscarinic receptor antagonist 1-[N-methyl-³H]scopolamine methyl chloride (³H-NMS). In addition, the subtype pattern of muscarinic receptors was investigated in equine tracheal smooth muscle using radioligand binding with methoctramine, tripinamide, 4-DAMP-methiodide and pirenzipine as competitors against the binding of 1.3 nmol/L ³H-NMS. The autoradiograms showed specific labelling indicating a high density of muscarinic receptors in smooth-muscle tissue in all levels of the airway tree investigated. Besides muscle tissue, subepithelial glands were the only structures specifically labelled. The dominating subtypes in tracheal smooth muscle investigated with radioligand binding studies were found to be M₂ and M₄, as both methoctramine (pK _d = 8.5) and tripinamide (pK _d = 8.6 and 6.7 for two different sites) showed high affinity. The density of the M₃-muscarinic receptor subtype was low, but this subtype could be detected with statistical significance when methoctramine was used as the competitor against ³H-NMS binding.     

Cassini measurements of cold plasma in the ionosphere of Titan

The Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) Langmuir probe (LP) sensor observed the cold plasma environment around Titan during the first two flybys. The data show that conditions in Saturn's magnetosphere affect the structure and dynamics deep in the ionosphere of Titan. The maximum measured ionospheric electron number density reached 3800 per cubic centimeter near closest approach, and a complex chemistry was indicated. The electron temperature profiles are consistent with electron heat conduction from the hotter Titan wake. The ionospheric escape flux was estimated to be 10(25) ions per second.     

Carbon and nitrogen budgets of nematodes in arable soil

Summary The amounts of C and N that pass through the nematode biomass in four cropping systems, barley without and with N fertilization, grass ley and lucerne, has been estimated. The nematodes were sampled at the field site of a Swedish integrated research project Ecology of Arable Land: The Role of Organisms in Nitrogen Cycling. The nematode biomass was lower (200 mg dry weight m^–2) in the annual (barley) than in the perennial (grass and lucerne, 350 mg dry weight m^–2) crops. For respiration, the nematodes used 4–71 O₂m^–2 year^–1 corresponding to C liberation of 1.3%–2.0% of the carbon input to the soil. A higher relative contribution by bacterial-feeding nematodes to the C and N fluxes and a higher turnover rate of the nematode biomass is an indication of more rapid nutrient circulation in the annual than in the perennial cropping systems.     

Type and time of autumn tillage with and without herbicides at reduced rates in southern Sweden: 2. Weed flora and diversity

The design of integrated weed management (IWM) systems is essential in order to reduce the use of herbicides for crop production. By combining different weed management practices, herbicides may be used at lower doses than normally recommended, while still maintaining acceptable weed population levels. The purpose of this study was to develop tillage strategies, with and without herbicides at reduced rates, appropriate for different weed populations. The influences of type and time of stubble cultivation, harrowing and mouldboard ploughing on the weed flora were followed during 1988–1994 in eight long-term field trials situated in southern Sweden. Spring-sown barley (Hordeum distichon L.) and oats (Avena sativa L.) dominated the crop rotations. Herbicides were either omitted or used at ca. 50% of a full dose. The perennial species Sonchus arvensis L. was favoured by omittance of ploughing but was better controlled by late ploughing not preceded by stubble cultivation; the reduction in the latter treatment being 74%. Stubble cultivation succeeded by ploughing reduced biomass of Elymus repens (L.) Gould. by 90% compared with ploughing solely. Early ploughing reduced the biomass of the species by 50% compared with late ploughing. The species Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. was highly favoured by early ploughing followed by late autumn harrowing, the biomass of the species being six-fold higher than in other treatments. Compared with other treatments, stubble cultivation favoured four annuals but efficiently controlled three others, while omittance of ploughing favoured six annual and two perennial weed species. Late ploughing not preceded by stubble cultivation favoured four annual and one perennial species, while early ploughing was more efficient than late ploughing in controlling two of the annual species. Influences of treatments on weed species were frequently moderated by interspecific competition resulting in inconsistent response at different sites. Herbicides reduced the number of species by three, from 11 to eight species, averaged across sites and tillage systems. Influences of treatments on diversity were not consistent, since weed floras differed between sites and since some of the species responded inconsistently to tillage and herbicides. This study shows that by utilizing appropriate tillage strategies it is possible at many sites to maintain acceptable weed population levels, although herbicides are used at 50% lower doses than is normally recommended. The timing and type of tillage have to be chosen for being as efficient as possible to the most troublesome weed species at a site.     

Sprouting capacity from intact root systems of Cirsium arvense and Sonchus arvensis decrease in autumn

Perennial weeds are often controlled by mechanical means, which aim at stimulating axillary and adventitious buds to sprout. This happens when the apical dominance of the main shoot is removed by defoliation or when the underground system is fragmented. By repeating the measures, the result is a depletion of storage compounds, which weakens the plants and reduces their capacity to grow and reproduce. However, timing is critical. Earlier research has indicated that emergence from fragments of Sonchus arvensis cease during a period in autumn, while the seasonal pattern of sprouting in Cirsium arvense appears to be inconsistent. We studied the emergence pattern of defoliated plants with undisturbed root systems, from late summer to early spring. Potted plants grown outdoors were exhumed at regular intervals, put under forcing conditions for 4 weeks, after which shoots above and below soil level were counted and weighed together with the remaining root systems. In both species, the number and weight of emerged shoots decreased during a period in the autumn. In C. arvense, underground shoots were constantly produced during the same period, while fewer underground shoots were present in S. arvensis. For the latter species, apical dominance does not fully explain the effect; thus, endodormancy might be involved. Root weight increased until withering and did not explain the lack of emergence. Our results suggest an impaired sprouting capacity of undisturbed root systems of C. arvense and S. arvensis during September–October, which has implications for the timing and method of control of these species.     

Influence of Harvest Time and Stubble Height on Weed Seedling Recruitment in a Green Cereal

A long-term field experiment was conducted in southern Sweden to evaluate the effect of harvest before crop ripeness on weed infestation. In addition, two stubble heights, 10 cm and 30 cm, were compared. The aim was to determine the potential of the treatments in weed regulation. The harvests were performed on three occasions: milk-ripeness (I), which is the normal harvest time for a green cereal, yellow-ripeness (II) and binder-ripeness (III). In control plots, harvested at full ripeness, herbicides were used in all years. Weed density initially increased exponentially in all treatments except for the control, but had a tendency to level off after 4 years. In all years weed density was higher when harvest was delayed and the stubble was high. Harvest at milk ripeness (I) favoured short-season annuals such as Stellaria media (L) Vill and worked against late-maturing species such as Polygonum tomentosum (Schrank). Weed density differed between the treatment plots during the last year of the experiment. In the treatment harvested at stage I combined with low stubble height, weed density was only slightly higher than in the control. Thus, when harvesting a green cereal, herbicides can be avoided.     

Effects of carprofen on renal function and results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses in anesthetized dogs that had low blood pressure during anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of IV administered carprofen on indices of renal function and results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses in dogs anesthetized with acepromazine-thiopentone-isoflurane that had low blood pressure during anesthesia. ANIMALS: 6 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: A randomized crossover study was conducted, using the following treatments: saline (0.9% NaCl solution)-saline, saline-carprofen, and carprofen-saline. Saline (0.08 ml/kg) and carprofen (4 mg/kg) were administered IV. The first treatment was administered 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia and immediately before administration of acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg, IM). Anesthesia was induced with thiopentone (25 mg/ml, IV) and maintained with inspired isoflurane (2% in oxygen). The second treatment was administered 30 minutes after onset of inhalation anesthesia. Blood gases, circulation, and ventilation were monitored. Renal function was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR), using scintigraphy, serum biochemical analyses, and urinalysis. Hematologic analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was conducted, using ANOVA or Friedman ANOVA. RESULTS: Values did not differ significantly among the 3 treatments. For all treatments, sedation and anesthesia caused changes in results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses, a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure to 65 mm Hg, an increase of 115 pmol/L in angiotensin II concentration, and an increase of 100 seconds in time required to reach maximum activity counts during scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carprofen administered IV before or during anesthesia did not cause detectable significant adverse effects on renal function or results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses in healthy Beagles with low blood pressure during anesthesia.     

Distribution,structure and function of Nordic eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystems: implications for coastal management and conservation

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Effects of meloxicam on renal function in dogs with hypotension during anaesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of meloxicam on renal function in dogs anaesthetized and rendered hypotensive with acepromazine-thiopental-isoflurane. ANIMALS: Eight healthy beagles, four males and four females, 25.6 +/- 19.3 months old and weighing 12.8 +/- 2.0 kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Either meloxicam suspension at a dose of 0.133 mL kg(-1) (0.2 mg kg(-1)) or 0.133 mL kg(-1) saline solution (control), were given by mouth (PO) in a randomized, cross-over fashion. The treatment or control was given 3 hours before anaesthesia. Dogs were sedated with intramuscular acepromazine 0.1 mg kg(-1). Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous thiopental, followed by tracheal intubation and maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen and air, delivered using a semi-closed breathing system. Renal function was quantified using serum biochemistry, urinalysis and glomerular filtration rate measured by scintigraphy. Analysis of variance or Friedman anova were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Values (mean +/- SD) for mean arterial blood pressure did not differ significantly between treatments but was low (54 +/- 7 mmHg) during anaesthesia. Glomerular filtration rate did not differ significantly between treatments or over time, and results of urine and serum analysis were within reference ranges after meloxicam treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Meloxicam caused no adverse effects on renal function when given to healthy dogs anaesthetized and rendered hypotensive with acepromazine, thiopental and isoflurane.