The chemical synthesis of tetrodoxin: an ongoing quest

This contribution reviews all the synthetic work on tetrodotoxin that has appeared in the literature through June 2011.     

Recycling of sewage sludge to grassland: a review of the legislation to control of the localization and accumulation of potential toxic metals in grazing systems

The recycling of sewage sludge or biosolids to grassland is strategically important in the European Union (EU) and its use is tightly regulated to control the risk of pathogen transfer to animals and the food chain. Sewage sludges not only contain valuable concentrations of beneficial nutrients, but also elevated concentrations of potentially toxic metals (PTM) compared with average background concentrations in the soil. The EC and UK regulations refer to six PTM, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Hg, with provisional regulations for Cr, that have to be controlled to prevent detrimental effects on soil and animal health. Despite these regulations, there is still a danger that grazing animals may ingest elevated concentrations of PTM. Biosolids may adhere to herbage after the surface application of sewage sludge to grassland. The repeated surface application of sewage sludge to grassland can lead to elevated concentrations of PTM at the soil surface that may be ingested, together with soil and herbage, by grazing ruminants. This may lead to accumulation of Cd or Pb in liver or kidney. The risk to the human food chain is considered to be low, but the impact on the environment is still unknown. There is little information, for example, on the amount of soil and PTMs that may become incorporated into conserved grass. At present EU and UK legislation and voluntary codes of practice have been developed to protect animal from pathogens in sewage sludge and to minimize any potential risks from accumulation of PTM. The background and implementation of the legislation are examined in this review, and the source and mechanisms of accumulation of PTM by the grazing animal are evaluated.     

The Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula L.) fruit: an analysis of its chemical constituents

The edible fruit tissue of Indian laburnum fruit (Cassia fistula L.), a member of the leguminosae family, was analyzed for certain organic compounds and mineral nutrients. Of the nine macro- and micronutrients studied, K was the most highly concentrated such that 100% of the US Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for adults could be met by the consumption of about 100 g of the fresh fruit. Na contents in pulp and seeds are relatively low. Ca content at 827 mg per 100 g of dry matter is one of the highest of any fruits, and could contribute towards the RDA requirement of 800 mg of Ca for adults per day. The fruit is a good source of Fe and Mn, and their concentrations are considerably higher than those found in apple, apricot, peach, pear, and orange. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and lysine constituted 15.3, 13.0, and 7.8% of the total amino acids respectively in the pulp. In the seeds the same amino acids constituted, 16.6, 19.5, and 6.6%. The relatively high energy content of the fruit at 18 kJ/g could enhance the daily energy requirement of people in need of adequate caloric intake. The results of the present study demonstrate that the Indian laburnum fruit could be a source of some important nutrients and energy for humans.     

Complementary physical and chemical treatments as an alternative to fungicide use to control postharvest decay incidence and fruit quality of Montenegrina tangerines

Heat treatments affect the germination and development of pathogens and enhance the ability of fruits to resist infection after harvest. In the present work, the effects of heat, in combination with other alternative decay control methods, were studied on ‘Montenegrina’ tangerines along with the effects on the cuticular surface of the fruit. Different treatment combinations using hot water (60 °C), brushing, and immersion in chloride dioxide, imazalil, sodium bicarbonate, and hand-applied carnauba wax were used. The tangerines were then put in cold storage for 20 days at 5 °C and retrieved to ambient conditions for 7 more days. Fruit samples were analyzed for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, epidermal color, weight loss, and decay incidence; an analysis of fruit surface was done through scanning electron microscopy. Heat treatments significantly reduced the number of tangerines with decay symptoms and enhanced the efficacy of the tested products. Carnauba wax significantly increased the number of rotten fruits, exerting a protective effect on the fungi by covering their structure. Sodium bicarbonate in combination with heat exerted a good control on decay incidence. The heat treatments partially removed the hyphae and spores of pathogens on the surface and also melted the cuticular waxes that cover stomata and cracks, reducing possible entry points for pathogens.     

褐稻虱Nilaparvata lugens (Stal)和白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera(Horvath)对异性鸣声的趋性

 为探求稻飞虱鸣声在预测预报和物理防治上应用的可能性,室内引诱试验结果表明:1)褐稻虱和白背飞虱的鸣声是性成熟个体用以识别、联络同种异性,刺激性兴奋,完成交尾的求偶信号,其沿固体介质(寄主植株)传播,试虫可感觉距离在60—80cm 以内,45cm 以内较为敏感。2)性成熟的雄性及未交尾的雌性个体均常主动鸣叫,在听到异性鸣声时,雄虫表现为兴奋、骚动并积极循鸣声寻觅雌虫;雌虫亦以鸣声相和但很少移动。3)求偶鸣声具有种的专一性,两种飞虱均只对同种异性鸣声敏感。4)以相应的鸣声录音代替活虫,其引诱效果无显著差异。     

Rice yield and soil carbon dynamics over three years of applying rice husk charcoal to an Andosol paddy field

Rice husk charcoal (RC) produced from the pyrolysis of rice husk (RH) can be one of the cost-effective biochars for use in rice-based farming systems. This study investigated changes in rice yield and soil carbon sequestration over three years of RC application to an Andosol paddy field. The treatments were RC application at 0.02, 0.2, and 2 kg m^?2 (RC0.02, RC0.2, and RC2, respectively), RH application at 0.2 kg m^?2 (RH0.2), and a control with no RC or RH application (CONT). The results showed that RC2 increased culm length by 4% and straw weight by 14% on average over the three years. These increases in plant growth coincided with a higher level of silicon uptake by the rice plants, although they did not significantly affect grain yield. The soil carbon content was progressively increased by RC2 over the three years, whereas it was not significantly affected by RC0.02 or RC0.2. A considerable amount (>72%) of the applied carbon with RC2 remained in the soil by taking account of its downward movement below the 10 cm layer of the paddy field after three consecutive years of RC application. We conclude that rice husk charcoal application to Andosol paddy fields is an effective option for increasing carbon sequestration. Furthermore, the increase in silicon uptake by rice plants suggests that rice husk charcoal can also be functioning as a silicon fertilizer.     

Efficacy of adding chemical and microbial additives to silage on beef cattle performance: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The effects of different additives on farm-scale silage quality and beef cattle performance are inconsistent. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of chemical and microbial additives to silage on beef cattle performance. Systematic searches were performed using databases and scientific journals, and 42 articles were selected. Data for all variables were grouped into subgroups according to the additive type. For dry matter intake and average daily gain, the data were also grouped by forage type due to greater comparison numbers. The treatment mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (p < 0.05) were analysed using a random-effects model. The use of homo- and heterofermentative microbial inoculant mixtures and chemical additives (Ch) increased the average daily gain of beef cattle fed maize/sorghum silage. Homofermentative microbial inoculant (Ho), Ch, and a mixture of microbial inoculant and chemical additives also increased the average daily gain of beef cattle fed temperate grasses. Only Ch increased dry matter intake. Ch increased feed efficiency, and Ch and Ho increased carcass weight. The evaluated additives improved the silage fermentation process mainly via pH and ammonia nitrogen reduction. Overall, this meta-analysis demonstrated that silage additives improved the ensiling process and beef cattle performance, with better results with Ch use. Due to the aerobic stability and microbiological profile analyses being carried out more in laboratory-scale silos, more studies are needed to determine these silage parameters after opening the silo at the farm scale.     

Laboratory and field susceptibility of blueberry spanworm (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) to conventional and reduced-risk insecticides

Blueberry spanworm (Itame argillacearia Packard) is a key insect defoliator of wild blueberry, an important crop in north-eastern North America. We evaluated the susceptibility of blueberry spanworm to several reduced-risk insecticides in laboratory and field experiments. Two populations from two Canadian provinces were studied in the laboratory. Both were highly susceptible to flubendiamide, spinetoram and deltamethrin, although there were inter-population differences, and flubendiamide was slower acting. Flubendiamide, spinosad, spinetoram, and methoxyfenozide demonstrated good suppression of economically damaging populations of blueberry spanworm larvae in the field.     

褐稻虱Nilaparvata lugens(Stl)和白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera(Horvath)对异性鸣声的趋性

为探求稻飞虱鸣声在预测预报和物理防治上应用的可能性,室内引诱试验结果表明:1)褐稻虱和白背飞虱的鸣声是性成熟个体用以识别、联络同种异性,刺激性兴奋,完成交尾的求偶信号,其沿固体介质(寄主植株)传播,试虫可感觉距离在60—80cm 以内,45cm 以内较为敏感。2)性成熟的雄性及未交尾的雌性个体均常主动鸣叫,在听到异性鸣声时,雄虫表现为兴奋、骚动并积极循鸣声寻觅雌虫;雌虫亦以鸣声相和但很少移动。3)求偶鸣声具有种的专一性,两种飞虱均只对同种异性鸣声敏感。4)以相应的鸣声录音代替活虫,其引诱效果无显著差异。     

Development of an assessment key and techniques for field screening of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivars for resistance to blister blight

Blister blight caused by the biotrophic fungus, Exobasidium vexans Massee, is the most problematic foliar disease of tea in Sri Lanka. A reliable and accurate method is needed for field assessment of severity of the disease for epidemiological studies, formulating disease control strategies and crop improvement programmes. A field assessment key with 0–6 scores was developed for blister blight, considering the lowest (0) and highest (>30%) limits of disease severity observed in the field and different stages of symptom development. The key was validated by six raters, 3 experienced and 3 inexperienced. The field assessment trials made using the key were accurate and precise (R² > 0.80). The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), calculated using the disease severity levels obtained using the assessment key, was used to combine multiple observations of disease progress into a 0–9 susceptible scale. Ascending numbers in the scale represent increasing susceptibility. The new scale was proposed to discriminate blister blight resistance in tea accessions/cultivars in field screening. Screening trials for validation of the susceptible scale, conducted using tea cultivars of known resistance or susceptibility levels and newly developed accessions of tea, at three locations, revealed that the 0–9 scale is simple to apply, offers a fine discrimination of blister blight resistance levels, and allows objective evaluation.     

The use of herbage nitrogen status to optimize herbage composition and intake and to minimize nitrogen excretion: an assessment of grazing management flexibility for dairy cows

A framework for managing rotationally grazed pastures for dairy cattle which enables the cows’ energy and protein requirements to be met while simultaneously limiting the amount of N excreted in order to reduce N losses is described. The first objective is achieved by ensuring that lamina mass and the N concentration of herbage do not limit herbage intake or feeding value. The second objective is achieved by limiting N fertilizer supply or increasing the interval between defoliations to reduce the N concentration of herbage. Lower and upper thresholds for the N concentration of herbage and lamina mass were estimated from published data. The method is illustrated using two vegetative regrowths (beginning and end of spring) in a cutting experiment with two fertilizer treatments, 0 or 120 kg N ha^?1 (?N and +N), and early or late cutting. Decreasing N supply led to a reduction in grazing management flexibility, i.e. the defoliation interval ranges which were compatible with the required sward characteristics (minimum lamina mass and N concentration of lamina) for herbage intake and to meet the protein requirements of dairy cows. Aiming for the upper threshold N concentration of herbage increased the minimum interval between defoliations only for the +N treatments. Nevertheless, grazing management flexibility remained the highest for the +N treatments.     

The use of an aspirated sieve to remove insects, mites and pesticides from grain

A series of experiments examined the removal of insects, mites and insecticide residues from grain passed through a grain-cleaner comprising a de-awner and aspiration chamber and a sequence of inclined, reciprocating sieves. The cleaner was evaluated for its ability to remove adult insects from 1 kg grain samples by comparing the removal of 30 and 200 insects of each of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) using 1.0 and 2.0 mm sieves. Pest-free samples were reliably produced using a 2.0 mm sieve at the cost of a loss of about 4.5% in weight of dockage or cleanings removed. Cleaning produced a 90% reduction in live mite numbers but populations partially recovered afterwards, although still reaching only one-fifth of the uncleaned controls. After cleaning, 90% alive and dead Glycyphagus destructor were recovered from the cleanings but only 30% of Acarus siro were in the cleanings with a further 10% in the prime grain, leaving about 60% unaccounted for. Removal of about 1.6% dockage or cleanings resulted in a loss of approximately 20% of pesticide in half of the tests using etrimfos and pirimiphos-methyl emulsifiable concentrates and dust at 2 and 4 mg/kg.     

Responses of SUB1 rice introgression lines to submergence in the field: Yield and grain quality

Prolonged submergence is a major constraint to rice production, affecting over 15 million ha in South and Southeast Asia and causing an annual yield loss of over US$ 600 million. This is because all the modern high-yielding rice varieties are sensitive to complete submergence. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL), SUB1, associated with submergence tolerance, was mapped on chromosome 9 and recently bred into popular rainfed lowland rice varieties sensitive of complete submergence, using marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC). Here, we assessed the impact of introgressing SUB1 into three rice varieties popular in farmers’ fields of South and Southeast Asia, Swarna, Sambha Mahsuri, and IR64, under control conditions as well as following submergence in the field. Under control conditions, no differences were observed between Sub1 introgression lines and their recurrent parents in grain yield or quality aspects. Submergence substantially delayed flowering and maturity, and reduced grain yield, shoot biomass, harvest index, and yield components across cultivars. The reduction in yield was more drastic in the sensitive varieties, particularly when submerged for longer duration (17 d). The significant decline in grain yield was mainly attributed to reductions in grain filling, number of grains per panicle, and grain weight. The SUB1 QTL is effective in conferring tolerance of submergence for about 12–17 d, depending on floodwater conditions. Sub1 introgression lines showed a yield advantage of up to 3.8 t ha⁻¹ and slightly better grain quality after submergence compared with their parents. Apparently, the introgression of SUB1 into popular varieties did not have any negative impact on their performance under control conditions but considerably enhanced their yield and grain quality following short-term submergence.     

Multiple-disease resistance in Vicia faba: Multi-environment field testing for identification of combined resistance to rust and chocolate spot

The aim of this work was to identify Vicia faba germplasm resistant both to rust and chocolate spot. A collection of 43 accessions of V. faba previously identified as chocolate-spot resistant was evaluated for rust and chocolate spot resistance in Egypt and in Spain. The genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analyses allowed the selection of 11 accessions resistant to both diseases in those locations. These 11 accessions were evaluated for rust in an additional field trial in Spain, all performing better than the susceptible check. The joint analysis of the 11 accessions in the four field trials where they had been evaluated revealed no significant effects either for genotype, environment or the genotype × environment interaction. They are hence promising sources of resistance, both for their low severities and their stable responses across the studied environments. This collection was also tested under controlled conditions against the Egyptian and the Spanish isolates of rust present in the field trials further underlining the stable performance of these genotypes. Finally, the effect of previous infection with chocolate spot on rust resistance was assessed under controlled conditions and no influence of it was found.     

Biological response of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), to various regimes of chemical and biorational insecticides

The chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a new invasive pest in the USA, is an economically important pest of certain vegetable, ornamental and fruit crops in southern and eastern Asia, Oceania and parts of Africa. These crops cannot be protected from the pest without resorting to the use of chemical insecticides. In order to forestall or delay the development of insecticide resistance in S. dorsalis, we continued our focus on the discovery of insecticides with different modes of action for rotational use. In this study we evaluated candidate insecticides to control S. dorsalis on ‘Jalapeno’ pepper, Capsicum annuum L.; these materials belong to different IRAC mode of action classes as follows: (i) 4A – neonicotinoids, i.e., imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and dinotefuran, (ii) 5 – spinosyns, i.e., spinosad and spinetoram, (iii) 3A – pyrethroids, i.e., β-cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, ζ-cypermethrin and λ-cyhalothrin and (iv) 8D – borax mixed together with orange oil and detergents in the TriCon^® formulation. In addition we evaluated the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Botanigard^®) alone and in combination with the borax formulation at ½ of their usual rates of application. Each of the 3 neonicotinoid insecticides when applied either as a single foliar spray or as a soil drench significantly suppressed both adults and larvae for at least 10 days; indeed imidacloprid did so for 15 days. Dinotefuran was more effective as a foliar spray than as a soil drench. Spinosyns applied as a single foliar spray, significantly suppressed both adults and larvae through 15 days after treatment (DAT). None of the 4 pyrethroids provided significant suppression of either adults or larvae. The borax formulation suppressed adults and larvae through 10 DAT. B. bassiana significantly suppressed only the larvae at 5 DAT and not at 10 DAT. This study brings the number of insecticides known to be effective against S. dorsalis to 10 and these belong to 7 different modes of action classes. The use of such insecticides in rotation belonging to different classes will help delay the development of insecticide resistance in S. dorsalis.     

The nitrogen response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the field: nitrogen uptake and yield, harvest index and nitrogen concentration

Summary The response of potato to different rates of nitrogen supply ranging from 0–40 g m⁻² N was studied in five field experiments near Wageningen. NL (52⁰ North). In total two late potato cultivars and two sites were used during successive seasons. The results are summarized in a set of regression equations separately for total crop and tubers. The relation between nitrogen taken up (g m⁻²) in the total crop and total dry matter production (g m⁻²) could be described with the exponential equation: 1942–1900 * 0.93^X (r²=0.953, n=62). Nitrogen concentrations in the dry matter increased linearly with nitrogen uptake. Harvest indices for dry matter and nitrogen tended to decline with increase in N uptake. Cultivars differed only in the effect on N on tuber dry matter concentration. The relation between nitrogen uptake and nitrogen supply could be fitted with quadratic regression models. but coefficients were influenced by site and season.     

The microbiological and chemical composition of silage over the course of fermentation in round bales relative to that of silage made from unchopped and precision-chopped herbage in laboratory silos

The composition of baled silage frequently differs from that of comparable conventional silage. A factorial experiment was conducted with three wilting treatments (0, 24 or 48 h) × three ensiling systems [unchopped grass in bales, unchopped grass in laboratory silos (LS), precision-chopped grass in LS] × six stages of ensiling to (i) confirm that the fermentation of unchopped grass in LS could be used as an adequate model for baled silage fermentation, (ii) quantify the differences between baled silage and silage made from precision-chopped herbage across a range of dry-matter contents and (c) quantify the fermentation dynamics within the various treatments. The onset of fermentation as evidenced by the accumulation of fermentation products and the decline in pH were slower ( P  < 0·05) in baled silage compared with silage made from precision-chopped herbage. Furthermore the pH ( P  < 0·001) and overall concentration of fermentation acids ( P  < 0·01) were lower while ammonia-N concentration was generally higher in baled silage, making it more conducive to the activities of Clostridia , Enterobacteria and yeast. Numbers of Enterobacteria were higher ( P  < 0·001) in baled silage in the early stages of ensilage and persisted in baled silage at the end of the storage period. The implications of a slower onset of fermentation in baled herbage are greater in farm practice, as the fermentation would be further restricted by a more extensive wilting of the herbage prior to ensiling.     

Nutritional and chemical evaluation of raw seeds ofCanavalia gladiata (Jacq) DC. and C.ensiformis DC: The under utilized food and fodder crops in India

In India, the seeds ofCanavalia gladiata andC. ensiformis have traditionally been eaten by the aborigines, but they are less popular among the civilized people. The data on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of these seeds are not readily available. The proximate composition, mineral composition, the contents of total (true) proteins, seed protein fractions, profile of seed protein amino acids and certain antinutritional factors were analysed and reported in the present study. The seeds ofC. ensiformis contain more crude protein, crude lipid and minerals like Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe and Mn than doesC. gladiata. Both albumins and globulins together constitute the major bulk of seed proteins. In both the species ofCanavalia investigated, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, isoleucine+leucine, tyrosine+phenylalanine and lysine are the major amino acids of seed proteins. The presence of certain antinutritional factors (total free phenols, tannins, lectins, L-DOPA, trypsin inhibitor activity) is also reported for both species ofCanavalia.     

Compatibility of potatoes to contrasting seasonal conditions,to high temperatures and to water deficit: The association with time of maturation and yield potential

Summary Genotypic variation in the adaptation of potatoes of several maturity classes to the specific climatological conditions of the autumn season, to the high summer temperatures and to water deficit, was studied. Late-maturing cultivars exhibited the highest yielding potential both in the spring and autumn seasons but specific compatibility of cultivars to the autumn was detected. The late-maturing cultivars were more susceptible to high temperatures than were the early ones. However, there were significant differences in susceptibility to high temperatures among cultivars of the same maturity class. Susceptibility to water deficit was similar in the various maturity classes, but there were differences in the susceptibility to drought among cultivars of the same maturity class. High yielding potential generally resulted also in acceptable tuber yields under conditions of water deficit. High temperatures in combination with a water deficit aggravated yield losses, especially in the late-maturing cultivars. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 2782-E, 1989 series.     

Production,Characterization and Biocompatibility of Marine Collagen Matrices from an Alternative and Sustainable Source: The Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Collagen has become a key-molecule in cell culture studies and in the tissue engineering field. Industrially, the principal sources of collagen are calf skin and bones which, however, could be associated to risks of serious disease transmission. In fact, collagen derived from alternative and riskless sources is required, and marine organisms are among the safest and recently exploited ones. Sea urchins possess a circular area of soft tissue surrounding the mouth, the peristomial membrane (PM), mainly composed by mammalian-like collagen. The PM of the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus therefore represents a potential unexploited collagen source, easily obtainable as a food industry waste product. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to extract native collagen fibrils from the PM and produce suitable substrates for in vitro system. The obtained matrices appear as a homogeneous fibrillar network (mean fibril diameter 30–400 nm and mesh < 2 μm) and display remarkable mechanical properties in term of stiffness (146 ± 48 MPa) and viscosity (60.98 ± 52.07 GPa·s). In vitro tests with horse pbMSC show a good biocompatibility in terms of overall cell growth. The obtained results indicate that the sea urchin P. lividus can be a valuable low-cost collagen source for mechanically resistant biomedical devices.