Flowering and podding characteristics on the main stem of soybean grown on varying levels of phosphate nutrition 1

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) plants normally abort a high percentage of flowers and pods. This study was conducted to determine the effect of P nutrition on flower and pod abscission in soybean. Williams 82 soybeans were established in hydroponic culture in the greenhouse at four levels of P (0.45 mM, 0.20 mM, 0.10 mM or 0.05 mM), and main stem flowers and pods were counted every two days from flowering to maturity. The two highest P treatments had similar flower production, pod production, pod abortion, seed weight and seeds per pod, but the 0.20 mM P treatment had 20% lower dry matter production and 19% lower seed yield. At P supplies of 0.10 or 0.05 mM, flower production, pod production, flowers per node, pods per node, seed yield, seed number and weight per seed were less (P < 0.05) than at 0.20 mM. Flowers produced per main stem node and seeds per pod were largely unaffected by limited P. Plants supplied 0.10 or 0.05 mM P aborted more flowers and pods than did those supplied 0.45 or 0.20 mM P. At P supply of 0.05 mM, flower, pod and total abortion was 80%, 49% and 90%, respectively. Flower and pod production were 50% and 78% less, while plant dry weight, seed yield and weight per seed were 83%, 90% and 23% less, respectively for the 0.05 mM P treatment compared to control. The data indicate that the primary effect of limited P on reproductive growth of soybean is to increase flower and pod abortion.     

Influenza in commercial broiler breeders.

Influenza was detected in a flock of broiler breeders during routine serological monitoring. Although there were no clinical signs, egg production may have been affected in hens on one story of a two-story breeder house. Intensive measures were taken to avoid transmission to other farms. Two months after the flock was found to be serologically positive, sentinel hens were placed in the flock, and they became serologically positive 1 month later. In spite of this evidence for virus being present in the flock, no detectable transmission to any other farm occurred.     

Production of a single-chain variable fragment antibody against fumonisin B1

The selection of synthetic antibody fragments from large phage libraries has become a common method for the generation of specific antibodies. The technique is particularly valuable when antibodies against small, non-immunogenic molecules (haptens) or highly toxic substances have to be produced. In addition, haptens are usually coupled to protein carriers, bearing the risk that the free hapten is not detectable. Here, a single variable chain antibody (scFv) against the highly toxic mycotoxin fumonisin B1 has been produced. The hapten was coupled via a linker to biotin. Using this conjugate and a naive scFv library, it was possible to circumvent both the necessity of immunization and the risk of a disguised hapten. The scFv obtained after three panning rounds was found to bind specifically to both free fumonisin B1 and fumonisin-biotin conjugate. Also fumonisin B2 was bound by the scFv. Modeling of both scFv and fumonisin B1 molecule revealed a good fitting of structures. The antibody obtained can potentially be used for developing a rapid and affordable immunoassay for detection of food contamination and can be applied in immunoaffinity chromatography, usually carried out prior to HPLC analysis of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed.     

Insect resistance in potatoes: sources,evolutionary relationships,morphological and chemical defenses,and ecogeographical associations

Summary The past 25 years, 1686 potato accessions, representing 100 species in the genus Solanum L., subgenus Potatoe, section Petota, were evaluated for field resistance to one or more of the following insect pests: green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer); potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas); Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); potato flea beetle, Epitrix cucumeris (Harris); and potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris). Accessions highly resistant to green peach aphid were identified within 36 species, to potato aphid within 24 species, to Colorado potato beetle within 10 species, to potato flea beetle within 25 species, and to potato leafhopper within 39 species. Resistance levels were characteristic within Solanum species. Insect resistance appears to be a primitive trait in wild potatoes. Susceptibility was most common in the primitive and cultivated Tuberosa. Insect resistance was also characteristic of the most advanced species. The glycoalkaloid tomatine was associated with field resistance to Colorado potato beetle and potato leafhopper. Other glycoalkaloids were not associated with field resistance at the species level. Dense hairs were associated with resistance to green peach aphid, potato flea beetle, and potato leafhopper. Glandular trichomes were associated with field resistance to Colorado potato beetle, potato flea beetle, and potato leafhopper. Significant correlations between insect score and altitude of original collection were observed in six of thirteen species. Species from hot and arid areas were associated with resistance to Colorado potato beetle, potato flea beetle, and potato leafhopper. Species from cool or moist areas tended to be resistant to potato aphid.Abbreviations EBN Endosperm Balance Number     

Pharmacokinetics of intravenously and orally administered pyrimethamine in horses.

Single-dose pharmacokinetic variables of pyrimethamine were studied in horses. Pyrimethamine (1 mg/kg of body weight) was administered IV and orally to 6 adult horses, and plasma samples were obtained at frequent intervals thereafter. Plasma pyrimethamine concentration was assayed by gas chromatography, and concentration-time data were analyzed, using a pharmacokinetic computer program. The IV and oral administration data were best described by 3-compartment and 1-compartment models, respectively. The median volume of distribution at steady state after IV administration was 1,521 ml/kg and the median elimination half-time was 12.06 hours. Mean plasma concentration after oral administration fluctuated between a maximal concentration of 0.18 microgram/ml and 0.09 microgram/ml (24 hours after dosing). Bioavailability after oral administration was 56%.     

Evaluation of the use of subcutaneous implantable vascular access ports in feline blood donors

OBJECTIVE:To compare the ease and effects of collecting blood from cats by use of subcutaneous totally implantable vascular access ports (VAPs) with collection via conventional jugular phlebotomy. DESIGN: Prospective randomized experimental study. ANIMALS: 8 healthy cats. PROCEDURES: Cats in the port group (n = 4) underwent monthly blood donation by use of VAPs and manual restraint, and cats in the nonport group (4) underwent monthly blood donation by use of conventional jugular phlebotomy and sedation, for 6 months. RESULTS: Postsurgical VAP-related complications developed in 3 cats and included port erosion (n = 1), disconnection of the port from the catheter (1), and seroma formation (1). Blood was successfully collected 24 of 24 and 20 of 20 times in the nonport and port groups, respectively. Results of bacterial culture of blood were negative in 22 of 24 and 15 of 20 nonport and port collections, respectively. No differences in RBC morphology were observed between groups. Mean blood collection and total donation times were significantly longer for the nonport group. Collection time was more variable in the nonport group, and cats were less tolerant of handling during venipuncture, compared with cats in the port group. Blood collection required a mean of 2.4 persons for the nonport group and 2.1 persons for the port group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Positive results for blood collections via VAPs were increased donor acceptance, decreased number of personnel required, and decreased collection time. Drawbacks included contamination of blood products and port-related complications.     

Frequency of 2n pollen in diploid hybrids betweenSolanum phureja Juz. & Buk. andSolanum chacoense Bitt.

Summary Solanum phureja (PP)xSolanum chacoense (CC) hybrid families (PC) were evaluated for pollen fertility and frequency of 2n pollen in two seasons in Morocco. PP clones produced high frequencies of 2n pollen, whereas CC clones produced none. The percentage of plants with 2n pollen ranged from 2 to 63% among 20 PC families and was consistent in some PC families over two growing seasons, whereas others varied between fall and spring growing seasons. The expected ratio of 2n to non-2n pollen-producers within a PC family based on a single recessive gene model [i.e. 1∶0 with CC homozygous dominant (PsPs) or 1∶1 with CC heterozygous (Psps)] was observed in only 5 of 20 progenies. Narrow sense heritability was 0.71, allowing gain from further selection. Only clones producing more than 10% 2n pollen exhibited more stable expressivity across seasons. Scientific Journal Series Article 17811 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station supported in part by the US Agency for International Development, contract no. 608-0160, IAV Morocco Project.