Estimating Foliar Nitrogen Concentration of Heather (Calluna vulgaris) from Field and Laboratory Spectra

Regional botanical surveys supported by field experiments suggest that atmospheric nitrogen deposition threatens the balance between species and causes loss of biodiversity within plant communities. Methods are required to monitor the nitrogen status of vegetation at a landscape scale and therefore the potential for ecological change. Remote sensing has the potential to monitor a number of plant biophysical and chemical variables, but its application to monitor the nitrogen status of native vegetation remains limited and untested. Using field spectroscopy, canopy reflectance measurements were taken from two heathland field sites and heather (Calluna vulgaris) plants grown in a greenhouse. The nitrogen concentration was determined through destructive sampling and chemical analysis. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify the wavebands most associated with nitrogen concentration and despite high variation in the selected wavebands between the three datasets, most of these wavebands were associated with nitrogen and protein absorption features within the spectral region 1,990–2,170 nm. Results highlight the potential of remote sensing as a bio-monitoring technique to estimate foliar nitrogen status in native plants.     

Influence of altitudinal variation on the content of phenolic compounds in wild populations of Calluna vulgaris, Sambucus nigra, and Vaccinium myrtillus

This study deals with the effect of altitudinal variation on the content of phenolic compounds in three traditional herbal plants, which are also consumed as food in Central Europe. Herbs of Calluna vulgaris (L.) HULL, flowers and fruits of Sambucus nigra L., and berries of Vaccinium myrtillus L. collected in the Naturpark Solktaler (Austria) were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). Identification and quantification of the constituents in the polar extracts (methanol 80%, v/v) were achieved by means of RP-HPLC-PDA and/or LC-PDA-MS analysis with external standards. 3,5- O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid was identified in flowers of S. nigra for the first time. Rising concentrations of flavonoids and especially flavonol-3- O-glycosides with adjacent hydroxyl groups in ring B in C. vulgaris and S. nigra with increasing altitude were observed. Anthocyanins from the berries of both S. nigra and V. myrtillus occurred in decreasing amounts with rising altitude. C. vulgaris showed the best radical scavenging capacity based on the DPPH assay.     

Distribution and genesis of Fahlerden (Albeluvisols) in Germany

Fahlerden dominate large areas of the young and old moraine landscapes of N and E Germany. Fahlerden (part of Fahlerden corresponds to Albeluvisols) and their transitional subtypes are supposed to have a higher intensity of clay illuviation than Parabraunerden (Luvisols). Besides this macroscopic feature reflecting periglacial influence, micromorphological features such as lenticular platy microstructure, vesicles, and fragments of clay coatings in Bt streaks document the initiation of Fahlerde genesis, which began in the Late Glacial. A model of Fahlerde genesis chronologically connects sedimentological and periglacial processes, vegetation development, and soil‐forming processes like decalcification, clay illuviation, and humification. The classification criterion of larger differences in clay contents between E and Bt horizons to distinguish Fahlerden from Parabraunerden needs to be reconsidered, because most Fahlerden have developed in stratified parent material in periglacially influenced landscapes. The interpretation of a soil data base listing data of both soil types distributed in Brandenburg demonstrates that the difference in clay contents between E and Bt horizons may even be smaller in Fahlerden than in Parabraunerden.     

Fractional Composition of the Compounds of Some Typomorphic Chemical Elements in Soils of the Barents Sea (Khaipudyr Bay) Coastal Area

Eurasian Soil Science - Information on different compounds of elements, such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, and Mn, contributes to our understanding of the genesis of poorly studied soils of northern...     

Flavonoid glycosides of Barbarea vulgaris L. (Brassicaceae)

Seven flavonoid derivatives were for the first time isolated from aerial parts of an alimentary and medicinal plant of the Brassicaceae family, Barbarea vulgaris L. The products were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic NMR ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, HMQC, HMBC) and FAB-MS data. The occurrence of flavonoids in this plant is interesting for their important nutritional properties and for chemotaxonomical pourposes.     

Antioxidant activity of processed table beets (Beta vulgaris var, conditiva) and green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

It has been shown that thermal processing of tomatoes and sweet corn results in increased antioxidant activities despite the loss of vitamin C. Until now, it is unclear whether this positive effect of thermal processing occurs with all crop produce. Therefore, analysis of a root vegetable (beets) and of a legume (green beans) was undertaken to address this question. Antioxidant activity of beets processed under typical commercial processing conditions remained constant despite an 8% loss of vitamin C, a 60% loss of color, and 30% loss of dietary folate. There was a slight but significant 5% increase in phenolic content of processed beets. In contrast, vitamin C and dietary folate content of green beans remained constant, whereas a 32% reduction in phenolic compounds occurred after typical commercial processing conditions. The antioxidant activity of green beans was reduced by 20%. These findings along with previous works suggest that the effects of thermal processing vary with the respective produce crop type. It also reinforces the concept that optimal health benefits may be achieved when a wide variety of plant foods (fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and preparation methods are incorporated into the diet.     

Chemical components with health implications in wild and cultivated Mexican common bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Common bean effects on health have been related to its dietary fiber content and other active compounds. This study assessed the content of flavonoids, coumestrol, phenolic acids, galactooligosaccharides, and phytic acid in wild and cultivated Mexican common bean seeds (raw and cooked) and that of flavonoids, coumestrol, and phenolic acids in germinated bean seeds. The presence of isoflavones in raw bean seeds was not confirmed by the UV spectra. Quercetin, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and vanillic acid mean contents were 10.9, 52.3, 10.1, 9.6, 5.4, and 18.2 microg/g, respectively; raffinose, stachyose, verbascose, and phytic acid mean contents were 8.5, 56.3, 5.5, and 11.5 mg/g, respectively, in raw seeds. All compounds were affected by autoclaving, and germination resulted in a de novo synthesis of flavonols, phytoestrogens, and phenolic acids. The impact on health of common bean seed is affected by dietary burden, specific compounds content, and processing. On the other hand, germinated bean seed or beans sprouts may be sources of antioxidants and phytoestrogens.     

Phytoextraction of Cadmium and Phytostabilisation with Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) is a tall (1.0?C2.0 m) high biomass perennial herb which accumulates considerable amounts of metals on contaminated sites. An outdoor pot experiment was conducted on a sandy, slightly alkaline soil of moderate fertility to study the uptake of cadmium and the distribution of Cd in plant tissues of A. vulgaris. Cadmium was applied as CdCl₂ (a total of 1 l solution of 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg Cd l^?1) to 12-l pots with a height of 25 cm. HNO₃- and water-extractable concentrations of Cd were correlated with the applied Cd at 2-cm soil depth, but were not correlated at 20-cm soil depth, suggesting that Cd was either not mobile in the soil or completely taken up by mugwort roots. The Cd concentrations in different organs of A. vulgaris and litter increased with increasing soil contamination. Leaf/soil concentration ratios (BCFs) up to 65.93?±?32.26 were observed. Translocation of Cd to the aboveground organs was very high. The leaf/root Cd concentration ratio (translocation factor) ranged from 2.07?±?0.56 to 2.37 ± 1.31; however, there was no correlation of translocation factors to Cd enrichment, indicating similar translocation upon different soil contamination levels. In summary, A. vulgaris is tolerant to the metal concentrations accumulated, has a high metal accumulating biomass and accumulates Cd up to about 70% in the aboveground parts. Both a high phytoextraction potential and a high value for phytostabilisation would recommend mugwort for phytoremediation.     

The migration capacity of stable strontium in soddy-podzolic soils of the Russian Northwest (Data of simulation experiments)

The scope of stable strontium migration in the light-textured soddy-podzolic soils was determined in columns in a series of simulation experiments. The amount of leached strontium was found to depend on its initial content in the soils, the humus content, and the volume of percolated moisture. The artificial enrichment of soils with strontium increases the losses of this element due to its leaching. However, strontium is not completely removed even upon repeated water percolation.     

Protein structures of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) alpha-amylase inhibitors

Two nucleotide sequences for genes that encode alpha-amylase inhibitor 4 (alphaAI-4) from white kidney bean (WKB) cv. 858, designated gene alphaAI-4 (Accession No. ), and alpha-amylase inhibitor 5 (alphaAI-5) from black bean (BB), designated gene alphaAI-5 (Accession No. ), were determined. Genes alphaAI-4 and alphaAI-5 encode 244 amino acid prepro-alphaAI-4 and prepro-alphaAI-5 polypeptides that are 93 and 95% identical with alpha-amylase inhibitor l (alphaAI-l; Hoffman, L. M.; Ma, Y.; Barker, R. F.Nucleic Acids Res. 1982, 10, 7819-7828), 40 and 43% identical with red kidney bean lectin, and 52 and 55% identical with arcelin l of wild-type bean. The high degree of sequence similarity indicates the evolutionary relationship among these genes. PCR analysis of genomic DNA purified from six genotypes of Phaseolus vulgaris showed very similar band patterns in 2% agarose gel, another indication of the conserved size homology among these genes. Proteolytic processing sites were located between Asn77 and Ser78 for pro-alphaAI-4 and pro-alphaAI-5. A bend next to Asn77 in three-dimensional model structures of alphaAI-4 and alphaAI-5 proinhibitors indicates that the proteolytic cleavage is necessary to remove the conformational constraint for activation to the mature protein. Mature WKB alphaAI-4 was composed of four subunits (2alpha2beta) and had a molecular weight of 50000 determined by multiangle laser light scattering and 56714 determined by laser-assisted time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

Amelioration and reforestation of sulfurous mine soils in Lusatia (Eastern Germany)

In Germany nearly 1.550 km² have been claimed by brown coal mining until now. Mine soils formed of carboniferous and sulfurous overburden are classified as “sulfurous mine soils”. They remain vegetation-free for decades and may be cultivated only after soil amelioration. The objective of amelioration is a sustained improvement of soil reaction. Lime requirement for the achievement of a certain pH-value is calculated from acid-base-balance (SBB). Lime fertilizers and base-rich brown coal ashes are used for amelioration. As ashes have serveral advantages,their application is recommended. The ameliorative application of lime fertilizer or brown coal ash should be incorporated intensively into the soil to a depth of 60 cm, better 100 cm. Amelioration includes a mineral fertilization with N, P and K. Afforestations with Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra, Larix decidua, Larix eurolepis, Tilia cordata, Quercus rubra and Quercus petraea on ameliorated mine soils show surprising good results. Multi-species stands have very positive effects on soil formation. Raw humus is formed under pine and larch, and under deciduous trees moder and mull with higher bioactivity and better development of water and nutrient balance in the topsoil are found.     

Quality evaluation of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) by near-infrared spectroscopy

The legal method (polarimetric measurement) for the determination of sucrose content and the wet chemical analysis for the quality control of sugar beet uses lead acetate. Because heavy metals are pollutants, the law could forbid their use in the future. Therefore, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a procedure to replace these methods. However, there are alternatives to lead clarification, such as the use of aluminum salts, which have been applied at many sugar companies. The real advantage of NIRS is in speed and ease of analysis. The aim of this study was to determine simultaneously the concentration of several components which define the industrial quality of beets. The first objective was the determination of sucrose content, which determines the sugar beet price. The standard error of prediction (SEP) was low: 0.11 g of sucrose/100 g of fresh beet. NIRS was also able to determine other beet quality parameters: brix, marc, glucose, nitrogen, sodium, potassium, sugar in molasses (i.e. sucrose in molasses), and juice purity. The results concerning brix, marc, sugar in molasses, and juice purity were satisfactory. NIRS accuracy was lower for the other parameters. Nevertheless, RPD (ratio standard deviation of concentration/SEP) and RER (ratio concentration range/SEP ratio) show that NIRS might be used for the sample screening on nitrogen, potassium, sodium, and glucose content.     

Water use by tamarillos (Cyphomandra betacea) within a sheltered orchard environment

The transpiration of Tamarillos (Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.), Sendt.) grown in a sheltered orchard was measured periodically through a season. A series of excision experiments provided daily water uptake data which agreed closely with rates calculated on the basis of equilibrium transpiration and projected canopy area. Comparative porometer and leaf water potential measurements indicated that the excised trees functioned normally over the measurement periods. Shelter apparently reduced the influence of advection on evaporation with the result that transpiration was strongly dependent on net radiation.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) collection from Calabria (Italy)

Eighty-seven Phaseolus vulgaris landraces, still cultivated in Calabria (Italy), were investigated in order to study the patterns of common bean genetic diversity in this region, to better understand the evolutionary development of beans in Europe and to properly manage these genetic resources. Four American accessions and five Italian varieties were also included. Different markers, such as 12 microsatellites, seed traits, phaseolins and 100-seed weight were combined with different statistical approaches. For each microsatellite, expected (H _e ) and observed (H _o ) heterozygosities, polymorphism information content (PIC), probability of identity (PI) and homozygosity were calculated. Furthermore, in Calabrian group of bean landraces, total (N _a ) and private (N _pa ) number of alleles, observed (H _o ), expected heterozygosities (H _e ) and allelic richness (AR) were calculated. Genetic distances among landraces were estimated using Nei’s coefficient and a cluster analysis using the UPGMA algorithm was performed. The results clearly indicated that: (1) Calabrian germplasm showed a high level of diversity (H _e  = 0.595); (2) Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools were clearly distinguished in Calabrian germplasm, with the Andean gene pool predominating (83 %); (3) Calabrian landraces were largely hybridized within and between the gene pools. A model-based approach, using the STRUCTURE software, was adopted. Six groups, including 4 of Andean origin and one of Mesoamerican origin were identified. Even more interesting, a small group (8 %) showed a distinct genetic structure, in which interspecific hybridizations with runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) could have occurred. Nevertheless, a relatively high proportion of Calabrian bean landraces (12.6 %) was derived from intra and interspecific hybridizations.     

Trace Elements in Tephra Soils of Mounts Kupe and Manengouba (Cameroon)

Eurasian Soil Science - Increasing demographic pressure in the area around the Mounts Kupe and Manengouba (Cameroon) is leading to increased agricultural activities with potential heavy metal...     

Sleeping Beauty (SB)转座子介导增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP)体内转染鸡胚胎

为了探索转座子介导技术在鸡胚中的转染效果,本研究采用鸡蛋开窗法将Sleeping Beauty (SB)单质粒转座载体pT2-SV40-EGFP-SB11注射至孵化36 h鸡(Gallus domes ticus)胚盘中,同时设开窗不注射组和不开窗组.利用体视荧光显微镜和RT-PCR方法检测增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP)表达率,并比较不同阶段的胚胎成活率、孵化率以及蛋重变化.结果表明,EGFP在鸡胚胎中获得较高的表达率(40％～89％);开窗组和不开窗组在胚胎发育早期蛋重变化差异不显著(P＞0.05),而后期开窗注射组的蛋重比例显著低于不开窗组(P＜0.05);三组胚胎的成活率和孵化率在整个发育过程中变化显著(P＜0.05).本实验初步证明了经改良的鸡蛋开窗法可用于鸡胚转基因研究,并初步建立了SB转座子介导外源基因在鸡胚中转染方法.     

Long-Term Acid Load and its Consequences in Forest Ecosystems of Saxony (Germany)

Between 1993 and 1995 a system of six intensive monitoring stations in representative stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies), sessile oak (Quercus robur) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were installed in forests of Saxony (Germany), they are integrated in the European Level II - Programme. As a complementary system, and in addition to the annual nation-wide forest decline survey, 280 sites within the forest soil condition survey (European Level I - Programme) have been examined since 1992. The results of deposition monitoring show that until 1997 the acidity in precipitation and troughfall still was very high, despite of strong reductions in industrial emissions between 1989 and 1992. The annual fluxes (hydrological year 1996) of sulphur in throughfall ranged between 16 and 77 kg-ha^-1, whereas the fluxes of total inorganic N varied between 17 and 46 kg-ha^-1. The forest soils show high degrees of acidification with only low base saturation. In most cases the nutrient status of the soils has to be improved in the course of a regeneration programme in order to rebuild more natural forest ecosystems.     

Microbial diversity in three floodplain soils at the Elbe River (Germany)

Microbial communities in floodplain soils are exposed to periodical flooding. A long-term submerged Eutric Gleysol (GLe), an intermediate flooded Eutric Fluvisol (FLe), and a short-time flooded Mollic Fluvisol (FLm) at the Elbe River (Germany) with similar organic carbon contents (C_org) between 8.1% and 8.9% were selected to test the quality of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), soil microbial carbon (C_mic), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO₂), and C_mic/C_org ratio to characterize and discriminate these soils with microbial parameters.The three floodplain soils can be differentiated by C_mic and by total PLFA-biomass. Due to the different flooding durations and the time since the soils were last flooded C_mic and PLFA-biomass increase in the order GLe<FLe<FLm. Both parameters correlate significantly (r=0.999;p<0.05). The C_mic/C_org ratios are low in comparison to terrestrial soils and revealed the same ranking over the three soils like C_mic. Contrary, qCO₂ and BR are highest in GLe and lowest in FLm according to inundation regime. The diminished C_mic, high BR, and high qCO₂ values in GLe seem to be an unspecific response of aerobic soil microorganisms on the long flooding period and the resulting short time for developing after last flooding as well as the low pH value. Different plant communities and their residues may influence the microbial diversity additionally.The PLFA profiles were dominated by the group of saturated fatty acids that together constituted almost 62-72% of the total fatty acids identified in the soils. In GLe all groups of PLFA, inclusive monounsaturated fatty acids, are lowest and in FLm highest, while in FLe the PLFA fractions show an intermediary amount of the three soils. The FLm had most of the time aerobic conditions and revealed therefore the highest C_mic, PLFA-biomass, especially monounsaturated fatty acids, C_mic/C_org ratio as well as relatively low BR and qCO₂ value. These indicate that microorganisms in FLm are more efficiently in using carbon sources than those in GLe and FLe.All 26 identified PLFA were found in FLe and FLm, while the polyunsaturated fungi biomarker 18:2ω6,9c could not be detected in GLe. In this long-time submerged soil the environmental conditions which microorganisms are exposed might be disadvantageous for fungi.     

The Soil Skeleton as a Source for the Short-Term Supply of "Base Cations" in Forest Soils of the Black Forest (Germany)

Ferrimagnetic minerals of anthropogenic origin derived from fossil-fuel combustion, appear not only in industrial areas but also in topsoils of areas remote from the main sources of pollution. Mineral magnetic studies of fly ashes emitted by power plants burning hard and brown coal and of soil profiles from some Polish national parks in different regions were carried out. Magnetic parameters of topsoils from national parks are quite similar to those in flyashes. Structure, shape, and magnetic granulometry of the magnetic particles in the fly ashes and in the magnetically enhanced uppermost organic soil horizons point to a common origin. This fact as well as the ability of ferrimagnetic minerals to be transported within dusts or aerosols suggest that ferrimagnetic particles of anthropogenic origin can be responsible also for magnetic enhancement in soils of areas remote from the main sources of their emission. Industrialdust deposition can be easily traced in these areas using magnetic methods, which are very sensitive, fast, and cheap. They can, and should, be used in the future as one of the routine methods of soil monitoring.