Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and two plant-parasitic nematodes on<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Musa</Emphasis> genotypes differing in root morphology

In this study, the effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and two migratory endoparasitic nematodes on Musa plant growth, including the root system, were examined. In addition, the AMF-nematode interaction was studied. Seven Musa genotypes with different root systems were selected. Based on their relative mycorrhizal dependency, two genotypes (Calcutta 4 and Obino l'Ewai) were selected for AMF-nematode interaction studies. The experiments were performed under greenhouse conditions. Mycorrhization with Glomus mosseae resulted in a significantly better plant growth even in the presence of nematodes. The effect of AMF on the root system was genotype-dependent and seemed to be related to the relative mycorrhizal dependency of the genotype. The nematodes also affected the root system, decreasing branching. Nematode population densities were significantly reduced in the presence of AMF, except for Pratylenchus coffeae in Obino l'Ewai. In the root system, it appeared that the decreased branching caused by the nematodes was counterbalanced by the increased branching caused by the AMF.     

Lethal critical body residues as measures of Cd,Pb, and Zn bioavailability and toxicity in the earthworm<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia fetida</Emphasis>

Background. Earthworm heavy metal concentrations (critical body residues, CBRs) may be the most relevant measures of heavy metal bioavailability in soils and may be linkable to toxic effects in order to better assess soil ecotoxicity. However, as earthworms possess physiological mechanisms to secrete and/or sequester absorbed metals as toxicologically inactive forms, total earthworm metal concentrations may not relate well with toxicity. Objective  The objectives of this research were to: i) develop LD₅₀s (total earthworm metal concentration associated with 50% mortality) for Cd, Pb, and Zn; ii) evaluate the LD₅₀ for Zn in a lethal Zn-smelter soil; iii) evaluate the lethal mixture toxicity of Cd, Pb, and Zn using earthworm metal concentrations and the toxic unit (TU) approach; and iv) evaluate total and fractionated earthworm concentrations as indicators of sublethal exposure. Methods  Earthworms (Eisenia fetida (Savigny)) were exposed to artificial soils spiked with Cd, Pb, Zn, and a Cd-Pb-Zn equitoxic mixture to estimate lethal CBRs and mixture toxicity. To evaluate the CBR developed for Zn, earthworms were also exposed to Zn-contaminated field soils receiving three different remediation treatments. Earthworm metal concentrations were measured using a procedure devised to isolate toxicologically active metal burdens via separation into cytosolic and pellet fractions. Results and Discussion  Lethal CBRs inducing 50% mortality (LD₅₀, 95% CI) were calculated to be 5.72 (3.54-7.31), 3.33 (2.97-3.69), and 8.19 (4.78-11.6) mmol/kg for Cd, Pb, and Zn, respectively. Zn concentrations of dead earthworms exposed to a lethal remediated Zn-smelter soil were 3-fold above the LD₅₀ for Zn and comparable to earthworm concentrations in lethal Zn-spiked artificial soils, despite a 14-fold difference in total soil Zn concentration between lethal field and artificial soils. An evaluation of the acute mixture toxicity of Cd, Pb, and Zn in artificial soils using the Toxic Unit (TU) approach revealed an LD₅₀ (95% CI) of 0.99 (0.57-1.41) TU, indicating additive toxicity. Conclusions  Total Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in earthworms were good indicators of lethal metal exposure, and enabled the calculation at LD₅₀s for lethality. The Zn-LD₅₀ developed in artificial soil was applicable to earthworms exposed to remediated Zn-smelter soil, despite a 14-fold difference in total soil Zn concentrations. Mixture toxicity evaluated using LD₅₀s from each single metal test indicated additive mixture toxicity among Cd, Pb, and Zn. Fractionation of earth worm tissues into cytosolic and pellet digests yielded mixed results for detecting differences in exposure at the sublethal level Recommendation and Outlook  CBRs are useful in describing acute Cd, Pb, and Zn toxicity in earthworms, but linking sublethal exposure to total and/or fractionated residues may be more difficult. More research on detoxification, regulation, and tissue and subcellular partitioning of heavy metals in earthworms and other invertebrates is needed to establish the link between body residue and sublethal exposure and toxicity. Keywords: Bioavailability; Cd; critical body residues; earthworms; metals; Pb; soil; Zn An erratum to this article is available at .     

Monitoring of subaqueous depots with active barrier systems for contaminated dredged material using dialysis samplers and DGT probes

Background, Aims and Scope  Disposal of dredged material in subaqueous depots is increasingly considered an economic and ecologically sound option in managing contaminated dredged material. The concept of subaqueous disposals capped with active barrier systems has been developed to minimize this risk of contaminant release. As such a depot represents a permanent installation within a sensitive ecosystem, it requires a thorough monitoring concept. It is the goal of this work to develop such a concept regarding general considerations and results of laboratory and field investigations. Methods  In addition to the state-of-the-art techniques developed for other under-water constructions, this monitoring concept is developed with particular respect to the chemical isolation of the dredged material from the overlying water body. It comprises the use of seepage meters, dialysis samplers, and DGT gel probes for determining the migration of selected target solutes. The capability of the dialysis samplers is demonstrated by comparing field results with model calculations. The appropriateness of DGT probes to assess the impact of humic substances on trace metal speciation and on copper toxicity is demonstrated with the aid of laboratory experiments. Results and Discussion  The experimental results show that, by using dialysis samplers, the temporal changes in concentration-depth-profiles of heavy metals in the pore solution can be monitored. Additionally, the application of DGT probes facilitates the in situ detection of labile species of a metal in the presence of dissolved humic substances, which serves to reflect its toxicity. Conclusions. Three subsequent monitoring phases are distinguished on the basis of both general considerations and the findings from field results: A hydraulic phase that is characterized by compaction and pore water expulsion, a geochemical phase in which the demobilization of pollutants can occur due to substantial changes in the physico-chemical conditions (pH, EH), and a steady-state-phase where pore water flow and geochemical conditions are approaching their minimum. Recommendations and Outlook  The monitoring concept suggested here provides a versatile tool to assess the chemical isolation of subaqueous sediment depots and other contaminated sediment sites. This is of great importance as subaqueous disposal is increasingly considered a future management strategy as space for upland disposal is limited and treatment, in general, proves to be too costly.     

Light Weight Aggregates made from Dredged Harbour Sediments

Goal  

Annually, 400.000 m₃ harbour sediments are dredged to maintain the water depth in the harbours of Bremen and Bremerhaven. The sediment contains organic and inorganic pollutants and hence is deposited on a landfill. Because of the limited capacity of that landfill alternative treatment techniques are investigated. This study aims to evaluate the production of Light Weight Aggregates (LWA) from harbour sediments with respect to the product quality and environmental aspects of the use of the LWA.     

A bayesian model for the analysis of lactation curves of dairy goats

This article aims to determine the effect of certain covariates, such as season of kidding, parity, and time of kidding on the characteristics of the lactation curve of Saanen dairy goats. Characteristics investigated are peak milk yield, time of peak milk yield, total milk production, persistency, and the relationship between fat and protein in milk composition, as well as between lactation curves of the same animal in successive years. The analysis is carried out using a hierarchical Bayesian approach, together with Wood’s model, to model lactation. Posterior distributions of quantities of interest are obtained by means of the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. These clearly illustrate the significant effect of especially parity, but also season and time of kidding on the characteristics of the lactation curve. Total and peak milk yield increase with increasing parity up to about the third or fourth parity, while peak yield is later for first than for later parities. The analysis also enables estimation of lactation characteristics of untested animals, prediction of future characteristics and identification of exceptional animals.     

Affinity maturation of the humoral immune response: A Bayesian approach

This article considers statistical modeling of a simplified version of Darwinian evolution which involves only two genes encoding one molecule. In particular, we consider a process known as affinity maturation that is carried out in the germinal center reaction (GCR). We use a statistical model, developed earlier, that enables us to tease apart the effects of mutation rate and selection in B cell populations undergoing an immune response. Standard classical statistical approaches that use large-sample theory may lead to misleading conclusions when sample size is very small. The data collection in many biological systems, including the immune response of vertebrate organisms, is both time consuming and often results in relatively small datasets. Therefore, this article takes a Bayesian perspective that produces finite-sample estimates of the mutation rates and is flexible in extending the models to more complicated processes. The method is illustrated using sequence data obtained from Gen bank that carried the experiment over two years.     

Genetic diversity assessment of Ethiopian tetraploid wheat landraces and improved durum wheat varieties using microsatellites and markers linked with stem rust resistance

A set of 77 markers was used to describe the genetic diversity in a group of 58 tetraploid wheat accessions. Analysis was performed using 31 neutral SSR markers, 31 SSR/STS markers linked with reported major stem rust resistance genes and 15 SSR markers linked with QTL identified for resistance to Ethiopian stem rust races of Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. et E. Henn. (Pgt),including Ug99. The material consisted of 32 (Triticum durum s.l. incl. T. aethiopicum Jakubz., Triticum turgidum and Triticum polonicum) landraces and 22 registered T. durum varieties from Ethiopia that were released 1966–2009 and four T. durum varieties from ICARDA. A total of 720 alleles were detected. Considering the three marker sets, the mean number of alleles was higher for major stem rust resistance gene linked markers (9.9) followed by neutral SSR markers (9.2) and markers linked with QTL for stem rust resistance (8.5). Dendrograms derived from UPGMA analysis grouped the accessions into two major clusters. The principal component analysis based on the combination of the three marker sets formed three groups. The 1st group was composed of all the improved varieties, whereas the 2nd and the 3rd group contained the landraces. All the landraces that formed the 3rd group were susceptible to Ethiopian stem rust races of Pgt including Ug99. The information on the extent of the genetic diversity of the improved varieties obtained in this investigation will be helpful for developing appropriate breeding strategies to broadening the genetic base of durum wheat varieties in further breeding programmes.     

Effects of N sources and methane concentrations on methane uptake potential of a typical coniferous forest and its adjacent orchard soil

After removal of the above-ground plant debris three different soil layers were taken from a typical coniferous forest and its adjacent orchard in Numata City, Japan. The potentials of soil CH₄ uptake at two initial CH₄ concentrations were studied under aerobic conditions in the laboratory, along with inhibition of soil CH₄ oxidation by urea-N or KNO₃-N addition. Due to long-term N inputs, the CH₄ uptake of the upper mineral layer of the orchard soil was 25.4% and 87.7% lower than that of the surface forest soil at 2.4 and 12.6 l l^–1 CH₄, respectively. Methane uptake of the forest soil decreased with increasing soil depths at two CH₄ levels. However, maximal CH₄-consuming activity occurred in the 9- to 23-cm depth of the orchard soil at 12.6 l l^–1 methane. Nitrogen additions in the form of KNO₃ or urea at the rate of 200 g N g^–1 soil substantially reduced soil CH₄ uptake in the upper and sub-surface mineral layers at both sites, except that the addition of KNO₃-N had no apparent inhibitory effect on the CH₄ uptake in the 9- to 23-cm depth of the orchard soil. A strong inhibitory effect of NO₃^– addition on the CH₄ uptake, in contrast to NH₄⁺, occurred in the surface forest soil. The use of KNO₃-N, as compared to urea or urea plus a nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide), resulted in a lower potential to cause inhibition of CH₄ oxidation in the 0- to 23-cm depth of the orchard soil.     

Do enchytraeid worms and habitat corridors facilitate the colonisation of habitat patches by soil microbes?

Due to their high abundance and ubiquitous existence, microbes are considered to be efficient colonisers of newly established habitats. To shed light on the dispersal mechanisms of soil microbes, a controlled microcosm experiment was established. In these microcosms, the dispersal of microbes from a source humus patch to originally sterile humus patches (embedded in a mineral soil matrix) was followed for 16 months, applying 16S and 18S ribosomal DNA-based PCR-DGGE molecular methods. Specifically, the role of enchytraeid worms and habitat (humus) corridors as possible facilitators of microbe dispersal was studied. The results showed that enchytraeid worms function efficiently as vectors for horizontal dispersal of saprophytic fungi in soil. Some of the fungi also proved to disperse through the corridors by vegetative growth, although this dispersal was inefficient as compared to dispersal with the enchytraeids. Virtually no saprophytic fungi were able to disperse through the mineral soil matrix in the absence of both enchytraeid worms and corridors. Unlike soil fungi, the dispersal of soil bacteria was not affected by any of the studied factors. The results of the present experiment provide direct evidence of the crucial role of soil fauna in aiding the horizontal dispersal of soil fungi. The role of enchytraeids as a functionally important species in boreal forest soils is further emphasized, since bringing microbes into contact with new resources is likely to enhance the rate of decomposition in soils.     

Evidence of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emission and gaseous nitrogen losses through nitrification-denitrification induced by rice plants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with a specially designed apparatus consisting of an upper and lower chamber where the treatment with rice was carried out (treatment 1). The apparatus also had a single chamber where treatment 2, without rice plants, was carried out. The scope of this study was to elucidate the influence of rice plant growth on gaseous N losses as N₂ and N₂O produced by nitrification-denitrification in a flooded soil fertilized with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (with 56.50 atom% ¹⁵N). Gas samples were withdrawn weekly and analyzed for (N₂ + N₂O)-¹⁵N losses by mass spectrometer and for N₂O by gas chromatograph. The gaseous (N₂ + N₂O)-¹⁵N losses of the treatment with rice plants were significantly (P =0.01) higher than those of the treatment without rice plants, as were the amounts of N₂O emitted. Rice plants facilitate the efflux of N₂ and N₂O from soil to atmosphere, as about half of the total gaseous ¹⁵N loss as N₂ and N₂O was found in the upper chamber. The proportion of N₂O-¹⁵N to (N₂ + N₂O)-¹⁵N in the upper chamber was 10.56%, much higher than that of the lower chamber in treatment 1 and the headspace of treatment 2.