Eine Infiltrationsmethode zur Messung der hydraulischen Leitfähigkeit im Felde

An infiltration method for measuring the saturated hydraulic conductivity under field conditions A new field method to measure the hydraulic conductivity under field conditions, developed by Reynolds and Elrick (1985), is presented and compared with a laboratory method using 100 cm³ cylinder cores.     

Atmosphärische Deposition von Bioelementen in Agrarökosysteme 1. Mitteilung: Deposition von Bioelementen mit dem Niederschlag

Atmospheric deposition of bioelements in agrar-ecosystems 1. Report: Deposition of bioelements by precipitation The bioelement deposition by precipitation was measured in 1977–1981 in Göttingen (Niedersachsen). The bioelement concentrations and the deposited quantities are in good agreement with the results of other authors. The mean pH-values of the collected precipitation water in 1980 and '81 in Göttingen was 4,60. The difference to the pH-values measured by Ulrich et al. (1979) in the Solling is explained by the different geographical locations of the ecosystems in connection with the transport of dust and variations in the composition of the soils of the areas. From the view of plant nutrition and soil acidification the contribution of the deposition by precipitation is insignificant for agriculture. Only about 6% of the typical annual Ca-leaching from loamy soils are caused by the H⁺ input by precipitation. The rest is caused by other influences, especially the soil respiration.     

Enantioselective analysis of methyl-branched alcohols and acids in rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) stalks

The enantiomeric compositions of 2-methylbutanol (1), 4-methylhexanol (2), 2-methylbutanoic acid (3), and 4-methylhexanoic acid (4) present in rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) stalks were determined. Enantiodifferentiation was achieved via multidimensional gas chromatography using heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl)-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral stationary phase. For all compounds the enantiomeric ratios were in favor of the (R)-enantiomers. The alcohols (1 and 2) exhibited generally high excesses of the (R)-enantiomers, the ratios varying slightly from batch to batch. For the acid (3) a rather narrow range averaging 65% (R):35% (S) was observed. The procedure applied to isolate the volatiles (vacuum headspace technique, simultaneous distillation--extraction, liquid--liquid extraction) had no significant impact on the enantiomeric ratios. The study describes for the first time a plant used as food material in which 2-methyl-branched volatiles are not nearly exclusively present as (S)-enantiomers. This information enlarges the current regulatory knowledge regarding the classification of these important flavor compounds as "natural" on the basis of their enantiomeric ratios.     

Biodegradation measurements confirm the predictive value of the O:C‐ratio for biochar recalcitrance

Suitable predictors of degradability are sought to support the identification of biochars with large potential to increase C sequestration in soils. We determined the biodegradation of 9 chars from hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis in two agricultural soils. The 200‐ and 115‐day degradation correlated strongly with the O:C‐ and slightly with the H:C‐atomic ratio of 9 and 14 biochars, respectively. Highest temperature treatment and ash content did not show similar correlations.     

Collagen fiber architecture of the periodontal ligament in equine cheek teeth

The objective of this study was to examine the spatial arrangement of the fiber apparatus of the equine periodontium which is supposed to meet two contrary requirements: (1) to attach the tooth firmly and elastically to the alveolar bone; and, to be appropriately remodeled and reconstructed in order to facilitate the prolonged eruption of the tooth. Specimens of periodontal ligament were obtained from the buccal and lingual/palatal aspects of the first molars from the maxilla and mandible of 12 horses. The animals were assigned to three age groups. Histological sections were prepared from three specific horizontal levels of the periodontal ligament and examined with conventional and polarized-light microscopy. At the gingival level, collagen fascicles (diameter > 200 microm) were densely packed. Their spatial alignment was the same in all age groups. The architecture of the collagen fiber apparatus differed at the middle and apical levels in the three age groups. There was a clear distinction between fibers, bundles, and fascicles. Bundling of collagen fibers, density of the fiber arrangement, and collagen fascicles with an alveolo-cemental orientation increased with age. The collagen fiber apparatus of the equine periodontal ligament is highly adaptive, responding continuously to the dynamic changes in the periodontal environment. Site-specific arrangements and age-dependent structural variations are assumed to maintain tooth support as the reserve crown gradually decreases in length with progressive dental attrition. Most of the age-dependent changes to the periodontal ligament in teeth examined in this study occurred at the apical level. The apical region of young teeth had no periodontal attachment, while the roots of older teeth were firmly attached to the alveolus. When evaluating periodontal ligament development, the individual tooth's 'dental age' should be considered rather than the animal's age to account for individual tooth eruption times.     

Zum Einfluß organischer Bodenbedeckung auf den lateralen Transport von Isoproturon auf der Bodenoberfläche

On the Effect of Organic Surface Cover on Lateral Transport of Isoproturon on Soil Surface The losses of the herbicide isoproturon with the surface runoff and the sediment loss have been measured by means of rainfall simulations on microplots (0.5 × 1 m²) with different mulch materials and increasing soil cover percentages (wheat straw vs. rape leafs). Soil cover by straw showed no significant effect on the runoff discharge, but the total loss of isoproturon increased between 22 and 37%. Soil cover by rape leafs diminished the runoff by between 13 and 61%, the reduction of isoproturon loss was in the same range. It was shown, that the different influences of different mulch materials on runoff and soil loss can lead to different pesticide losses. Therefore, the only giving of “mulch” without specification does not describe such experiments sufficiently.     

Uptake Studies on a Fluorescein-Labelled Seed Oil Adjuvant in Abutilon theophrasti, Sinapis arvensis and Beta vulgaris

Though adjuvants are abundant in almost every pesticide solution, their mode of action is still not completely clear. Studies on their way through the cuticle are quite difficult due to a lack of radiolabelled surfactants. In this study we want to present the results of an experiment conducted to evaluate the mode of action of an ethoxylated soybean oil (ESBO) adjuvant. To evaluate the route of ESBO through the cuticle it was labelled with fluorescein and applied to one leaf of different test species (Abutilon theophrasti, Sinapis arvensis and Beta vulgaris). Treated leaves were harvested and rinsed with either deionised water, methanol/water or chloroform. The fluorescein content of washed leaves and the solution in which they were washed were analysed with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with an UV detector. Results lead to the assumption that ESBO passed through the cuticle. If this holds true, ESBO was able to reach the underlying cell tissue where it might have been metabolised or even translocated to other plant parts. Though a lot of research has to be conducted on the mechanism and mode of action of adjuvants, this study gives an approach to investigate the behavior of foliar applied adjuvants.     

Bestimmung der Dichte von Boden-Aggregaten durch Messung des Auftriebs

Apparent Density Determination of Soil Aggregates by a Submergence Method A submergence method using water and a water protective spray adherent for mantling the aggregates is presented as a method for the rapid determination of apparent density of soil aggregates but also of larger samples of soil fabrics. An electronic scale accelerates repeated determinations. By this method also the increase of volume by swelling can be measured.     

Using the modified agricultural non-point source pollution model in German watersheds

The modified agricultural non-point source pollution model (AGNPSm) was used in this study to predict runoff volume, peak flow rate, and sediment yield in three different watersheds in Germany. It is a distributed parameter soil erosion model which uses simple approaches to hydrological and sediment calculations. Simulations were carried out in the Glonn G1 (1.2 km²), and Glonn G2 (1.6 km²), and the Salzboede (81.7 km²) watersheds in Germany. Runoff volume was predicted reliably in all three watersheds. Sediment yield predictions were excellent in the Glonn G1 and acceptable in the Glonn G2 watersheds. There were some uncertainties in the sediment yield calculations for the Salzboede watershed. This study shows that a less complex soil erosion model such as AGNPSm is able to produce reliable assessments of non-point source pollution for planning purposes.