Genetic effects on total phenolics, condensed tannins and non-structural carbohydrates in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) needles

Carbon allocation to soluble phenolics (total phenolics, proanthocyanidins (PA)) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC; starch and soluble sugars) in needles of widely planted, highly productive loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) genotypes could impact stand resistance to herbivory, and biogeochemical cycling in the southeastern USA. However, genetic and growth-related effects on loblolly pine needle chemistry are not well characterized. Therefore, we investigated genetic and growth-related effects on foliar concentrations of total phenolics, PA and TNC in two different field studies. The first study contained nine different genotypes representing a range of genetic homogeneity, growing in a 2-year-old plantation on the coastal plain of North Carolina (NC), USA. The second study contained eight clones with different growth potentials planted in a 9-year-old clonal trial replicated at two sites (Georgia (GA) and South Carolina (SC), USA). In the first study (NC), we found no genetic effects on total phenolics, PA and TNC, and there was no relationship between genotype size and foliar biochemistry. In the second study, there were no differences in height growth between sites, but the SC site showed greater diameter (diameter at breast height (DBH)) and volume, most likely due to greater tree mortality (lower stocking) which reduced competition for resources and increased growth of remaining trees. We found a significant site?×?clone effect for total phenolics with lower productivity clones showing 27-30% higher total phenolic concentrations at the GA site where DBH and volume were lower. In contrast to the predictions of growth-defense theory, clone volume was positively associated with total phenolic concentrations at the higher volume SC site, and PA concentrations at the lower volume GA site. Overall, we found no evidence of a trade-off between genotype size and defense, and genetic potential for improved growth may include increased allocation to some secondary metabolites. These results imply that deployment of more productive loblolly pine genotypes will not reduce stand resistance to herbivory, but increased production of total phenolics and PA associated with higher genotype growth potential could reduce litter decomposition rates and therefore, nutrient availability.     

Intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality in response to elevated [CO2] at two sowing times under rain-fed and irrigation treatments

In order to investigate the intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality response to elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration (e[CO₂]), eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)cultivars were grown at two CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) (current atmospheric, 389 CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹vs. e[CO₂], FACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment), 550  ±  10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹), at two water levels (rain-fed vs. irrigated) and at two times of sowing (TOS₁, vs. TOS₂). The TOS treatment was mainly imposed to understand whether e[CO₂] could modify the effects of timing of higher grain filling temperatures on grain quality. When plants were grown at TOS₁, TKW (thousand kernel weight), grain test weight, hardness index, P, Ca, Na and phytate were not significantly changed under e[CO₂]. On the other hand, e[CO₂] increased TKW (16%), hardness index (9%), kernel diameter (6%), test weight (2%) but decreased grain protein (10%) and grain phytate (11%) at TOS₂. In regard to grain Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations and some flour rheological properties, cultivar specific responses to e[CO₂] were observed at both sowing times. Observed genetic variability in response to e[CO₂] in terms of grain minerals and flour rheological properties could be easily incorporated into future wheat breeding programs to enable adaptation to climate change.     

Persistence of an oilseed rape transgene in the environment

Transgenic bromoxynil (BX)-resistant spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) was grown commercially in Canada only for two crop seasons – 2000 and 2001. We investigated the persistence of suspected BX-resistant oilseed rape volunteers in a 64-ha wheat field in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2007, 7 years after the BX-resistant cultivar BX Armor was grown. A small oilseed rape volunteer population, estimated at less than 100 plants, was observed in three main areas or patches in the field. These patches were located in low-lying areas that were too wet to plant or spray with herbicides in 2007. Viable seed was collected from 35 mature volunteers and F₁ progeny screened with BX at 280 g ai/ha in the greenhouse. Progeny of all of the volunteers were visually rated as BX-resistant; the presence of the Oxy 235 transgene in leaf tissue of progeny of all volunteers was confirmed by PCR analysis. This study has documented the longest persistence of oilseed rape volunteers in Canada. Volunteers were not observed in 2008 or 2009, because of drought conditions in spring of both years. Results support the findings from previous studies that persistence of volunteer oilseed rape populations in western Canada is generally ephemeral or transitory in the absence of seed bank immigration. However, this study shows that oilseed rape transgenes can persist in the environment for a number of years even after all cultivars with the conferred trait are removed from the market.     

Soil freeze-thaw cycle experiments: Trends, methodological weaknesses and suggested improvements

Although freeze-thaw cycles can alter soil physical properties and microbial activity, their overall impact on soil functioning remains unclear. This review addresses the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on soil physical properties, microorganisms, carbon and nutrient dynamics, trace gas losses and higher organisms associated with soil. I discuss how the controlled manipulation of freeze-thaw cycles has varied widely among studies and propose that, despite their value in demonstrating the mechanisms of freeze-thaw action in soils, many studies of soil freeze-thaw cycles have used cycle amplitudes, freezing rates and minimum temperatures that are not relevant to temperature changes across much of the soil profile in situ. The lack of coordination between the timing of soil collection and the season for which freeze-thaw cycles are being simulated is also discussed. Suggested improvements to future studies of soil freeze-thaw cycles include the maintenance of realistic temperature fluctuations across the soil profile, soil collection in the appropriate season and the inclusion of relevant surface factors such as plant litter in the fall or excess water in the spring. The implications of climate change for soil freeze-thaw cycles are addressed, along with the need to directly assess how changes in soil freeze-thaw cycle dynamics alter primary production.     

Otter Lutra lutra L. mortality and marine oil pollution

Following an oil spill at Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, Shetland, at least 13 otters died. Post-mortems on five corpses showed that they had died of haemorrhagic gastroenteropathy, associated with ingested oil. The primary cause of oil ingestion seems to have been grooming of the fur. A survey of the polluted coasts revealed that otters were still present throughout most of the area.     

Heavy metals in fluids and tissues of fetal calves and in young calves of nursing cows exposed or not exposed to anaerobically digested wastewater sludge

Fetal fluid, diaphragm muscle, heart, kidney, and liver from 14 four- to five-month-old calf fetuses were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Fe. The same tissues and bone were examined from postparturient calves 30, 60, and 120 days of age. Weaned calves (8 to 9 months old) were necropsied and diaphragm muscle, heart, kidney, liver, brain, and bone were analyzed. Additional calves from cows exposed or not exposed to anaerobically digested sludge were placed in a feed yard at weaning for a feeding period of 150 days and then were killed and necropsied. Heavy metal content of the aforementioned tissues was compared with the same tissues obtained from peer calves weaned, killed, and necropsied 150 days earlier. Zinc, Cu, and Fe were up to 11 times higher in fetal livers than in control or exposed postparturient calves. These concentrations declined after birth and stabilized at approximately the concentrations observed in adult cattle at about 12 to 14 months of age. Cadmium accumulated to a greater extent in kidneys and livers of exposed calves than in control calves. However, the accumulation did not produce a detectable effect upon the functional or morphologic characteristics of the organs examined. Other metals were present at low levels and were generally not remarkably different in control and exposed animals.     

Detecting and quantifying marijuana metabolites in serum and urine of 19 dogs affected by marijuana toxicity

Veterinarians diagnose marijuana toxicity based on clinical signs and history, or in conjunction with an over-the-counter (OTC) human urine drug screen. With the legalization of recreational marijuana use becoming more prevalent in the United States, a more accurate test to aid in the diagnosis of canine marijuana toxicity is needed. We collected urine and serum samples from 19 dogs with confirmed or suspected marijuana toxicosis from multiple veterinary hospitals and analyzed them with a novel UPLC-MS/MS method. Calibrations from 0.1 to 100 ng/mL and QC materials were prepared. Samples were extracted, purified, and eluted with solid-phase extraction. Urine samples were tested with an OTC human urine drug screen. The limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) ranges for marijuana metabolites in serum were 0.05–0.25 ng/mL and 0.1–0.5 ng/mL, respectively. In urine, the LOD and LLOQ ranges for the metabolites were 0.05–0.1 ng/mL and 0.1–0.5 ng/mL, respectively. In serum, median and range of metabolite concentrations (ng/mL) detected included: THC, 65.0 (0.14–160); 11-OH-Δ⁹-THC, 4.78 (1.15–17.8); 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-THC, 2.18 (0.71–7.79); CBD, 0.28 (0.11–82.5); and THC-glucuronide, 2.05 (0.72–18.3). In the 19 urine samples, metabolite: creatinine (ng: mg) values detected included: THC, 0.22 (0.05–0.74); 11-OH-Δ⁹-THC, 0; 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-THC, 1.32 (0.16–11.2); CBD, 0.19 (0.12–0.26); THC-COOH-glucuronide, 0.08 (0.04–0.11); and THC-glucuronide, 0.98 (0.25–10.7). Twenty of 21 urine samples tested negative for THC on the urine drug screen. All 19 serum samples contained quantifiable concentrations of THC using our novel UPLC-MS/MS method. Utilizing a UPLC-MS/MS method can be a useful aid in the diagnosis of marijuana toxicosis in dogs, whereas using an OTC human urine drug test is not a useful test for confirming marijuana exposure in dogs because of the low concentration of THC-COOH in urine.