Residual nitrogen effect of clover-ryegrass swards on yield and N uptake of a subsequent winter wheat crop as studied by use of N methodology and mathematical modelling

The residual effect of 2-year-old swards of clover-ryegrass mixture and ryegrass in monoculture on yield and N uptake in a subsequent winter wheat crop was investigated by use of the ¹⁵N dilution method and by mathematical modelling. The amount of N in the wheat crop, derived from clover-ryegrass residues was 25–43% greater than that derived from residues of ryegrass which had been growing in monoculture. Expressed in absolute values, the N uptake in the subsequent winter wheat crop was 23–28 kg N ha ⁻¹ greater after clover-ryegrass mixture than after ryegrass in monoculture. Up to about 54 kg N ha⁻¹ of the N mineralised from the clover-ryegrass crop was calculated to be leached, whereas only 11 kg N ha⁻¹ was leached following ryegrass in monoculture.     

historical review of pig testing programs in Denmark

Until1887pig breeding in Denmark wasbased upon the export to Germany of heavy pigs,weighing from120to150kg.To satisfy thismarket the old native Danish Landrace breed wascrossed with Middle White and Berkshire boarsimported from England in order to produce stillfatter pigs.In1887the importation of Danishpigs became prohibited by Germany and ourfarmers had to change over to the production ofbacon for the English market.This change over was not an easy one.Forthe production of bacon,a comple…     

The Level II aggregated forest soil condition database links soil physicochemical and hydraulic properties with long-term observations of forest condition in Europe

Key message

Aggregated, consolidated, and derived soil physicochemical data of 286 ICP Forests Level II plots were completed with soil hydraulic properties for integrated use with forest monitoring data. Database access should be requested at http://icp-forests.net . Metadata associated available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/apps/georchestra/?uuid=153e599e-6624-4e2b-b862-8124386ea9cd&hl=eng

Context

The ICP Forests database is one of the most comprehensive forest ecosystem datasets in Europe and contains the accumulated results of more than two decades of harmonised forest monitoring all over Europe.

Aims

The aim of this paper is to share knowledge on the ICP Forests Level II soil data for broader use among forest scientists.

Methods

After standard analysis, quality checks, aggregation, and calculation of derived variables (e.g. nutrient stocks, base saturation, C:N ratio, and water retention parameters), data have been gathered into a static database (AFSCDB.LII.2.2), which will be updated to new versions as soon as new measurements become available.

Results

The database provides a basis for the combined evaluation of up to 130 unique soil variables of 286 plots with dynamic data on tree growth, ground vegetation, foliar chemistry, crown condition, tree phenology, leaf area index, ozone injury, litterfall, soil solution chemistry, deposition, ambient air quality, and meteorological data assessed on the same plots.

Conclusion

The unprecedented comprehensiveness and level of detail in this newly aggregated database may overcome existing restrictions so far impeding the realisation of large-scale forest ecosystem studies in Europe.

     

QTL analysis of resistance to powdery mildew in hop (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Humulus lupulus</Emphasis> L.)

Hop with powdery mildew [HPM: caused by Podosphaera macularis (Wallr.) U. Braun & S. Takam.] results in significant losses in hop production by reducing yield and quality. One means of increasing yield and quality is the production of resistant hop lines. Breeding for resistance can be significantly improved and accelerated by use of marker-assisted selection. The objective of this preliminary study was to identify QTLs and markers for genetic resistance to HPM. A bi-parental mapping population between the resistant line “Newport” and susceptible line ‘21110M’. Phenotypic data was scored under controlled greenhouse conditions. Significant differences among offspring were observed and disease resistance did not follow a distinct binomial distribution, suggesting quantitative genetic control. Genotyping-by-sequencing resulted in approximately 375 K SNP markers, which were filtered down to 2263 markers mapped to 10 linkage groups. Interval Mapping identified four QTLs with one on linkage group 1 and three located on linkage group 6. Composite interval mapping identified three QTLs, all located on linkage group 6. Mixed linear models identified 15 markers associated with expression of resistance to HPM. Three of these 15 SNPs were also identified in QTL-CIM analysis. Evaluation of the scaffolds containing the significant SNP markers identified seven putative genes—several of which appear involved in disease resistance in other plant species. The SNP markers identified in this study still require validation in unrelated populations prior to implementation in breeding programs.     

Comparison of antioxidant potency of commonly consumed polyphenol-rich beverages in the United States

A number of different beverage products claim to have antioxidant potency due to their perceived high content of polyphenols. Basic and applied research indicates that pomegranate juice (PJ), produced from the Wonderful variety of Punica granatum fruits, has strong antioxidant activity and related health benefits. Although consumers are familiar with the concept of free radicals and antioxidants, they are often misled by claims of superior antioxidant activity of different beverages, which are usually based only on testing of a limited spectrum of antioxidant activities. There is no available direct comparison of PJ's antioxidant activity to those of other widely available polyphenol-rich beverage products using a comprehensive variety of antioxidant tests. The present study applied (1) four tests of antioxidant potency [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), free radical scavenging capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)]; (2) a test of antioxidant functionality, that is, inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by peroxides and malondialdehyde methods; and (3) evaluation of the total polyphenol content [by gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)] of polyphenol-rich beverages in the marketplace. The beverages included several different brands as follows: apple juice (3), a?aí juice (3), black cherry juice (3), blueberry juice (3), cranberry juice (3), Concord grape juice (3), orange juice (3), red wines (3), iced tea beverages (10) [black tea (3), green tea (4), white tea (3)], and a major PJ available in the U.S. market. An overall antioxidant potency composite index was calculated by assigning each test equal weight. PJ had the greatest antioxidant potency composite index among the beverages tested and was at least 20% greater than any of the other beverages tested. Antioxidant potency, ability to inhibit LDL oxidation, and total polyphenol content were consistent in classifying the antioxidant capacity of the polyphenol-rich beverages in the following order: PJ>red wine>Concord grape juice>blueberry juice>black cherry juice, a?aí juice, cranberry juice>orange juice, iced tea beverages, apple juice. Although in vitro antioxidant potency does not prove in vivo biological activity, there is also consistent clinical evidence of antioxidant potency for the most potent beverages including both PJ and red wine.     

Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging,computed tomography,and arthrography to identify artificially induced cartilage defects of the equine carpal joints

While articular cartilage changes are considered to be one of the initial events in the pathological cascade leading to osteoarthritis, these changes remain difficult to detect using conventional diagnostic imaging modalities such as plain radiography. The aim of this prospective, experimental, methods comparison study was to compare the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography, computed tomography (CT), and CT arthrography in the detection of artificially induced articular cartilage defects in the equine carpal joints. Defects were created in the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joint using curettage by a board‐certified equine surgeon. Normal articular cartilage thickness varied from a maximum of 1.22 mm at the level of the distal aspect of the radius to a minimum of 0.17 mm in the proximal articular surface of the third carpal bone. Regarding cartilaginous defect measurements the remaining cartilaginous bed range from a maximum of 0.776 mm in the partial thickness defects, and 0 mm (defect reaches the subchondral bone) when total thickness defect were made. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed followed by CT arthrography and magnetic resonance arthrography after antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal intraarticular contrast administration. All images were reviewed by two board‐certified veterinary radiologists, both of whom were blinded to the location, presence of, and thickness of the cartilage defects. A total number of 72 lesions in nine limbs were created. Mean sensitivity for localizing cartilage defects varied between imaging modalities with CT arthrography showing the best sensitivity (69.9%), followed by magnetic resonance arthrography (53.5%), MRI (33.3%), and CT (18.1%) respectively. The addition of contrast arthrography in both magnetic resonance and CT improved the rate of cartilage lesion detection although no statistical significance was found. Computed tomographic arthrography displayed the best sensitivity for detecting articular cartilage defects in the equine antebrachiocarpal and middle‐carpal joints, compared to magnetic resonance arthrography, MRI, and CT.     

Body and claw measurements and pressure distribution under the claws in calves of different cattle breeds

In 58 female calves of the three breeds German Holstein (GH), German Brown (GB) and German Red (GR) the body weight and height were determined at the age of 79 to 188 days. At the right front limb and the left hind limb the following claw measurements were taken: dorsal border length, diagonal length, heel length and height, angle of the dorsal border and hardness of the claw horn. Furthermore, the punctual pressure under the medial and the lateral claw of the right front limb and the left hind limb were determined using an electronic measuring system. The GH calves weighing 136.8 kg were heavier than GB, which was the tallest breed with 106.2 cm height at the sacral bone. GR calves were the smallest (99.1 cm) and weighed 121.1 kg. The length of the diagonal and the angle of the dorsal border were smaller at the hind limb of all breeds which resulted in a smaller area of ground surface for the claw of this limb. The GR calves had the longest and flattest claws. The GB showed the highest pressures per cm2 at the front limb with 25.6 N/cm2 under both claws as well as at the hind limb with 26.7 N/cm2. The AR had the smallest pressure load with 20.8 N/cm2 at the front limb and 20.2 N/cm2 at the hind limb. The animals showed a larger relative weight load and area of ground surface on the medial claws of the front and hind limbs than on the lateral claws. The highest pressures were found underneath the rear part of the medial claw in all breeds. GB calves showed the highest average pressures (33.3 N/cm2 at the front limb) while GR calves had the lowest (26.3 N/cm2 at the hind limb). GR calves had the highest claw hardness at all measuring positions.     

Genotype effects of milk protein polymorphisms on milk production in East Friesian dairy sheep

The frequencies of milk protein variants alphas1-casein, alphas2-casein, beta-casein and beta-lactoglobulin were determined in 182 milk sheep from 7 flocks in Lower Saxony and Saxony. The genotype effects of these polymorphic milk protein variants on milk performance traits were estimated for 173 ewes using a test day model with fixed regression.The model included the fixed effects of colour variant of the breed, region, lambing season, lambing year, lactation number and number of lambs born. The herd and animal effect were treated as random and the days in milk as linear and non-linear covariates. The milk protein variants of alphas1-casein and beta-casein showed a significant relationship to protein content and the variants of beta-casein to milk fat content. Milk fat yield was significantly associated with the milk protein variants of alphas2-casein, whereas the other milk performance traits were not significantly correlated.