Correlated effects of exotic pollen‐fertility restorer genes on agronomic and quality traits of hybrid rye

In CMS (cytoplasmic male sterility)‐based hybrid rye (Secale cereale L.) breeding, effective pollen‐fertility restoration is an essential prerequisite for achieving maximum grain yield on the one hand and for minimizing ergot (Claviceps purpurea) infestation on the other. Restorer genes for the CMS‐inducing ‘Pampa’ cytoplasm derived from landraces collected in Iran and Argentina are used by breeders for achieving this goal. Here, restorer genes from four germplasm sources (‘Altevogt 14160’, ‘IRAN III’, ‘Trenelense’ and ‘Pico Gentario’) were analysed by producing three‐way cross hybrids between an elite CMS single cross and pollinators with and without a given restorer gene. Materials were evaluated on large drilled plots for restorer index (RI), grain yield, plant height and other traits in six environments. In experiment 1, a restorer gene from ‘Altevogt 14160’ was used. Seven pairs of marker‐selected carrier and non‐carrier backcross lines served as pollinators. In experiment 2, the pollinators were 17 backcross line pairs from the other three germplasm sources. These lines were grouped as high (RI > 67%) and low restorers (RI < 30%), respectively, using testcrosses with a highly diagnostic CMS tester. Hybrids carrying an exotic restorer gene suffered from a significant grain yield reduction by 4.4% and 9.4% and were 9.3 and 4.8 cm taller in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Thousand‐kernel weight was reduced, whereas quality traits were only slightly affected. For all traits, significant genetic variance existed among the testcrosses to the presence vs. absence of a given exotic restorer gene. This offers a chance for the breeder to reduce or ultimately overcome the presently observed performance reductions brought about by exotic restorer genes.     

Wet-chemical silvering of inert polyethylene terephthalate yarn in a spool dyeing apparatus

Inert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarns, which were spooled crosswise onto a cylindrical dyeing bobbin, were silvered successfully with a wet-chemical method by using a newly developed one-bath method on a laboratory scale. In order to characterize the silver coating such as design, homogeneity, and crack formation, the surface morphology (SM) was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical compositions of the surface (percentage of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, silicium, and silver) were investigated with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Furthermore, the testing of textile-chemical and textile-physical properties such as the washing-fastness, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity was carried out.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of the extracellular matrix in normal mitral valves and in chronic valve disease (endocardiosis) in dogs

This study aimed to characterize the composition and distribution of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components in normal canine mitral valves (MV) and in chronic heart valve disease (CVD).MV of 50 dogs (normal (n = 9), mild (n = 13), moderate (n = 17), severe (n = 11) CVD) were investigated macroscopically, histologically (H.-E., picrosirius red) and immunohistochemically (collagen I, III, IV, V, VI, elastin, laminin, fibronectin, heparan sulphate).In normal MV, ECM components were expressed in a typical layered pattern. In mild CVD, basement membrane components (laminin, collagen IV, fibronectin) were increased. Advanced CVD was characterized by myxomatous nodular lesions displaying a marginal and a central region comprised mainly of collagen I, VI and fibronectin in the former and collagen I and III in the latter. Collagen IV and laminin appeared multifocally in marked CVD.In conclusion, not only an accumulation of proteoglycans, but also a distinctly altered expression of basement membrane components, and collagens characterizes CVD.     

Soil organic matter composition and soil lightness

Relationships between soil lightness, soil organic matter (SOM) composition, content of organic C, CaCO₃, and texture were studied using 42 top‐soil horizons from different soil types located in southern Germany. SOM composition was determined by CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, soil color was measured by diffuse‐reflectance spectrophotometry and given in the CIE L*a*b* color coordination system (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, 1978). Multiple‐regression analysis showed, that soil lightness of top‐soil horizons is principally determined by OC concentration, but CaCO₃ and soil texture are also major variables. Soil lightness decreased with increasing OC content. Carbonate content had an important effect on soil lightness even at low concentrations due to its lightening property. Regressions between soil lightness and organic C content were strongly linear, when the soils were differentiated according to texture and CaCO₃ content. The aryl‐C content was the only SOM component which correlated significantly with soil lightness (r_S = –0.87). In the linear regressions carried out on the different soil groups, soil aryl‐C content was a more significant predictor for soil lightness than total OC content.     

Sorption of HOC in soils with carbonaceous contamination: Influence of organic‐matter composition

Detailed information about structure and composition of organic sorbents is required to understand their impact on sorption capacity and sorption kinetic of organic pollutants. Therefore, the chemical composition of organic material from 18 geosorbents was investigated by solid‐state ¹³C nuclear‐magnetic‐resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Structural parameters such as aromaticity, polarity, and alkyl‐C content were related to the Freundlich sorption exponent (1/n) and the sorption coefficient . The geosorbents included three natural and four combusted coals (carbonaceous material), three Histosols, five mineral soils from Germany containing inputs of technogenic carbonaceous material, derived from industrial activities, and four non‐contaminated mineral soils from Germany. Equilibrium sorption was measured for five hydrophobic organic compounds and analyzed with the solubility‐normalized Freundlich sorption isotherm. With increasing maturation degree, the proportion of polar constituents decreases from the natural soils to the coals. In contrast to the non‐polluted mineral soils, the soils with technogenic input are characterized by high aromaticity and low polarity. A positive correlation between sorption coefficient and aromaticity was found. The Freundlich exponent (1/n) is negatively correlated with the aromaticity, denoting an increase of adsorption processes with increasing aromaticity. Likewise, the contribution of partitioning decreases. This sorption mechanism predominates only if the organic matter in the samples contains a high proportion of polar compounds.     

Auswirkungen des Agroforestry-Anbausystems auf den Mineralstickstoffgehalt und das Matrixpotential in einer Parabraunerde sowie das Wachstum von Acer Pseudoplatanus

Effects of the agroforestry land use system on mineral nitrogen content and water potential in a Haplic Luvisol and on growth of Acer pseudoplatanus Results from three years are presented for an agroforestry system with Acer pseudoplatanus without (bare soil, treated with herbicides) and with undercropping, which was either Lolium perenne or Trifolium repens. The soil, a Haplic Luvisol derived from loess, had been intensively cultivated by agricultural crops before. Without undercropping leaching of nitrate was observed especially in the first, but also in the following years of the experimental period. This is due to the low and late N-demand of trees. Remaining contents of mineral nitrogen in the soil were sufficient for an optimal tree growth. With Lolium perenne as undercrop the mineral nitrogen content in the soil decreased in 0–60 cm depth as a result of N-uptake already in the first year. Leaching was observed from 60–90 cm depth. In the following years mineral nitrogen contents of the soil remained low, and were not sufficient for an optimal tree growth. Tree growth was further affected because of competition for water between gras and trees. With Trifolium repens mineral nitrogen in the soil was much higher than the demand for trees and undercrop due to symbiontic N-fixation by clover with subsequent mineralization. Although low water potentials were recorded similar to gras, competition for water did not diminish tree growth. Hence, optimal tree growth is guaranteed, but leaching of nitrate cannot be avoided. For all treatments leaching of N occured also in early spring. Up to now, there was no difference of tree growth between bare soil and Trifolium repens as undercrop, tree growth was much affected by Lolium perenne as undercrop.     

Einfluss von mechanischen Ber��hrungsreizen auf das Wachstum von K��chenkr?utern im Topf

For a compact growth of many potted plants you often have to use chemical growth inhibitors. Various species of herbs tend to an undesirable extension growth too. In general, the use of chemical inhibitors is prohibited in the production of potted herbs. For several years at the State Horticultural College and Research Institute Heidelberg there is employed an alternative method of mechanical stimulation treatment for a compact growth of potted plants. The greatest reduction of elongation was obtained, when the plants were treated with breaks in the early morning. In 2009 and 2010, the employees of the trial station proofed the effect of mechanical stimulation (Thigmomorfogenesis) to a large assortment of organically produced potted herbs. Green and red varieties of basil, parsley, coriander, chervil, lemon balm (2009) and four different varieties of mint (2010) were stimulated with a machine one week after beginning culture continuously 108 times per day. Compared to the untreated plants all mechanically stimulated herb species and varieties showed a tendency or significantly reduced elongation growth and therefore more stability. Depending on species and varieties the quality of these plants was visibly improved.     

输送形式对小麦辐照剂量分布的影响

以10MeV输出能量、4.3kW功率、218Hz扫描频率的电子束处理小麦,研究小麦在常规水平式输送带上和上倾斜式输送槽中被照射后的剂量分布和剂量均匀度系数。结果表明:当上倾斜角为3.3°、小麦流层厚度为50mm时可获得理想的剂量分布和合理的剂量均匀度系数。与现有的商业化辐照谷物杀虫处理装置相比,不但辐射能得到充分的利用,而且生产效率几乎相同。     

华北平原不同粮作模式下作物水分利用

利用田间定位试验的研究方法,对在华北地区通过种植模式调整实现农业节水的潜力进行了研究.通过系统比较3种不同种植模式单季和周年作物水分利用效率以及水量平衡方程,获得如下结论:1)冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟常规模式(对照)具有显著产量优势,但水分利用率较低,对地下水消耗较大,不利于本地区农业的可持续发展;2)与对照相比,春玉米一熟模式可以实现最小灌溉或者零灌溉,充分利用自然降雨的同时,还有助于地下水的恢复,但周年产量降低较多(降低41％),考虑到粮食安全的需求,该模式不适宜在当前推广;3)与对照相比,两年三熟模式3年总灌溉量降低48％,产量降低11％,节水效果明显,水分利用效率显著提高,该模式进一步完善后可适当推广.本研究结果为在华北平原地区兼顾粮食安全基础上拓展节水农业提供了新的思路,对发展可持续性农业做了有益探索.