Phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone distribution into tissue fluids in the horse

The clinically recommended dose rate of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg) was administered intravenously as a single dose to five Welsh Mountain ponies. Distribution of phenylbutazone and its active metabolite oxyphenbutazone into body fluids was studied by measuring concentrations in plasma, tissue-cage fluid, peritoneal fluid and acute inflammatory exudate harvested from a polyester sponge model of inflammation. The ready penetration of phenylbutazone into inflammatory exudate was demonstrated by the relatively high mean value for C_max of 12.4 μg/ml occurring at a time of 4.6 h and a mean AUQ)_24 of 128 μg-h/ml. A high mean exudate: plasma AUCo_24 ratio of 0.83 was recorded. Plasma: exudate concentration ratios for phenylbutazone were initially greater than and subsequently less than one; the slower clearance from exudate was indicated by approximate t_½β values of 4.8 and 24 h for plasma and exudate, respectively. These findings may help to explain the relatively long duration of action of phenylbutazone, in spite of a plasma elimination half-life of less than 5 h. Lower values of C_max and AUC_0–24 for phenylbutazone passage into peritoneal fluid (6.3 μg/ml and 45 (μh/ml) were recorded, and a limited number of sampling times indicated a similar degree of penetration as into tissue cage fluid. Mean concentrations of oxyphenbutazone in all fluids were lower than phenylbutazone concentrations at all times, but ready penetration of the metabolite into body fluids, especially into inflammatory exudate, occurred suggesting that oxyphenbutazone may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect. The hyperaemia of acute inflammation and the high protein levels in inflammatory exudate may both assist passage of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone into exudate. The slower clearance of both compounds from exudate, periton?ceal fluid and tissue cage fluid than from plasma is similar to previous reports for other drugs.     

Sickness, mortality and the buller steer syndrome in a western Canadian feedlot

Objective To determine if an association existed between sickness, mortality and bullers in a western Canadian feedlot.
Design A retrospective epidemiological study.
Animals 78,445 male cattle that entered a 24,000-head feedlot in western Canada from 1991 to 1993.
Procedure Animal health records for bullers were collected and analysed to see if they were at greater risk of sickness and mortality than other steers, and to see if pens with a high prevalence of bullers also had a high prevalence of sickness and mortality.
Results The prevalence of bullers increased with increasing age of cattle on arrival at the feedlot (R = 0.36; P < 0.001). Sickness and mortality decreased with increasing age of cattle on arrival. However, sickness and mortality in bullers relative to other steers actually increased with increasing age on arrival suggesting an interaction existed between sickness and bullers. Bullers were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to get sick and to die than other steers. In all cases, there was a strong temporal association between sickness and bullers, with sickness and bullers mostly occurring within the first 30 days of the feeding period. On average, pens of cattle with a high prevalence of bullers did not have a correspondingly high prevalence of sickness or mortality.
Conclusion This study suggests that sickness is an effect modifier of dominance behaviour and therefore bullers in feedlot steers. Bullers should always be checked for signs of sickness and treated accordingly. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of sickness on dominance behaviour in pens of feedlot cattle.     

The effect of site of application on the performance of glyphosate on Agropyron repens and barban, benzoylprop-ethyl and difenzoquat on Avena fatua

The effect of site of application was studied on the performance of barban, benzoylprop-ethyl and difenzoquat agaínst Avena fatual, and of glyphosate against Agropyron repens (L,) Beauv. In all cases, performance was increased when the herbicide was applied towards the leaf or plant base. In general, treating the youngest, fully expanded leaf gave the best performance. Thus for plants at growth stages 12, 13 and 14 (Zadoks, Chang & Konzak, 1974) a greater reduction in foliage weight was obtained when the first, the first or second, and the third leaves were treated respectively. Lengthening the drying time of the herbicide solution also helped to increase the efficacy of difenzoquat. The amount of epicuticular wax varied considerably between different areas on the leaf and it is suggested that this could be an important factor in determining herbicide performance. Influence du site d'application sur l'efficaeité du glyphosate contre Agropyron repens ainsi que du barbane, du benzoylprop-éthyle et du difenzoquat contre Avena fatua. L'influence du site d'application sur l'efficacité a étéétudié pour le barbane, le benzoylpropéthyle et le difenzoquat contre Avena fatua (L.) ainsi que pour le glyphosate contre Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Dans tous les cas, l'efficacité a été accrue quand l'herbicide a ésé appliqué vers la base de la feuille ou de la plante. En géneral le traitement de la plus jeune feuille complétement développée a donné le meilleur résultat. Ainsi, pour des plantes aux stades de croissance 12, 13 et 14 (Zadoks, Changet Konzak, 1974). une réduction plus importante du feuillage a été obtenue lorsque, respectivement, la première, la première ou la seconde. et la troisième feuille ont été traitées. L'augmentation de la durée du séehage de la solution herbicide a aussi aidéà accroïtre l'efficacité du ilifenzoquat. La quantité de cire épicuticulaire variant considérablement selon les différentes régions de la feuille, il est suggéré que ceci pourrait ètre un facteur important susceptible de modifier l'efficacité de l'herbicide. Der Einfluss des Applikationsortes auf die Wirkung von Glyphosat gegen Agropyron repens und von Barban, Benzoylprop-äthly und Difenzoquat gegen Avena fatua Es wurde der Einfluss des Applikationsortes auf die Wirtung von Barban. Benzoylprop-äthyl und Difenzoquat gegen Avena fatua (L.) und von Glyphosat gegen Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv, untersucht. In allen Fällen war die Wirkung verbessert, wenn das Herbizid in die Nähe des Blattgrundes oder der Pflanzen-basis apptiziert wurde. Im allgemeinen wurde die beste Wirkung durch Behandlung des jüngsten, voll entwickelten Blattes erzielt. Daher wurde bei Pflanzen im Entwicklungsstadiurn 12, 13 und 14 (Zadoks, Chang und Konzak, 1974) eine stärkere Erniedrigung des Blattgewichts erreicht, wenn das erste, das erste oder zweite, bzw, das dritte Blatte behandelt wurde. Durch Verlängerung der Antrocknungszeit der Herbizidlösung wurde ausserdem die Wtrksamkeit von Difenzoquat verbessert. Die Menge an epikutikulärem Wachs war zwischen den versthiedenen Blattbezirken recht verschieden und es wird angenommen, dass diese Tatsache ein wichtiger Faktor ist, der die Herbizidwirkung bestimmt.     

Field trials with the controlled drop application of barban and difenzoquat for the control of wild oats (Avena fatua L.) in spring barley

Barban was applied at 10 1/ha in 1974, and barban and difenzoquat at 5, 15 and 45 1/ha in 1975 using rotary atomizers to produce uniform drops within the range of 150-350μm. These applications were compared with those from a conventional sprayer at 125-2251 1/ha. In 1975 control of Avena fatua in barley with difenzoquat at 45 1/ha was equal or superior to, and at 15 1/ha little different from conventional applications. Control with barban at 45 1/ha and 15 1/ha was slightly poorer than that achieved conventionally. It is suggested that this poorer control was due to a reduction in crop competition; slight crop injury was caused by the oil solutions used for the controlled drop applications of barban. Control with both herbicides at 5 1/ha and (in 1974) with barban at 10 1/ha was inferior. The drop size used had little effect on the level of control except at the lowest volume rate where there was a slight advantage in favour of smaller drops. An optimum volume rate of between 15 and 45 1/ha is suggested for the controlled drop applications of these herbicides. Essais au champ de traitements avec des gouttelettes de dimension contrôlée avec le burbane et le difenzoquat, pour lutter contre la folle avoine (Avena fatua L.) duns l'orge de printemps Le barbane a été appliquéà 10 1 ha en 1974 et le barbane et le difenzoquat à 5, 15 et 45 1 ha en 1975 au moyen d'atomiserus rotalifs pour produire des goutlelettes de taille uniforme comprise entre 150 et 350 μm. Ces traitement one été compares avec ceux d'un pulvérisateur conventionnel opérant à 125 225 1 ha. En 1975, l'efficacnté contre Avena fatua dans l'orge avec le difenzoquat à 45 1/ha a étéégale ou supérieure, et à 15 1/ha peu différneté, de celle obtenue avec des traitements conventionnels. L'efficacité du barbane à 45 1/ha et à 15 1 ha a été légérement infériure à celle des traitements conventionnels. II est suggèré que ces résultants moins bons sont dus à une rèduction du pouvoir compétitive de la culture, laquelle a subi de légers dommages provoqués par les solutions huileuses utilisées pour les traitements au barban avec contrôle de la dimension des gouttes. L'efficacité a été inférieure avec les deux herbicides à 5 1/ha et (en 1974) avec le barnane à 10 1 ha. La talle ges gouttelettes utilisèe n'a eu que peu d'influence sur le degrè d efficacité, excepté avec le volume de bouillie sur le degré le plus faible oú un léger avantage s'est manifesté en faveur des plus petites gouttelettes. II est suggéré que le volume optimal de bouillie se situe entre 15 et 45 1/ha, pour les traitements à dimension de gouttelettes contrôlée, avec ces deux herbicides. Feldversuche mit Barban und Difenzouquat zur Bekämpfung von Flughafer (Avena fatua L.) in Sommergertste bei Applikation definterer Tröpfchengrössen Mit Hilfe von Rotationszertäubern die Tröpfehen im Bereich von 150-350 μm erzeugen, wurden 1974 10 1/ha Barban und 1975 Barban und Difenzoquat mit 5, 15 und 45 1/ha appliziert. Dises Behandlungen wurden mil konventionellen Spritzverfahren bei Brühemengen von 125-225 1/ha verglichen. Die Flughaferbekämpfung in Sommergerste war 1975 mit 45 1 ha Difenzoquat genauso gut oder sogar besser, als mit dem konventionellen Verfahren: bei 15 1 ha gah es geringe Unterschiede. Bei 45 und 15 1 ha Barban war der Bekämpfungserfolg geringfügig schlechter als ben herkömmlichen Verfahren. Es wird angenommen, dass die schlechtere Wirking in der verminderten Konkurrenz der Kulturpflanzen tag; an der Sommergersle traten durch die Ölformulierungen, die für die Applikation definierier Tröpfchengrössen verwendet wurden, leichte Schäden auf. Die Bekämpfung war nieht ausreichend, wenn beide Herbizide mit 5 1 ha, und Barban mit 10 1 ha (1974) eingesetzt wurden. Die Tröpfehengrösse hatte nur eine geringe Auswirkung auf den Bekämpfungserfolg, mit Ausnahme der kleinsten Brühemenge, bei der kleine Tröpfchen etwas besser wirkten. Für die Applikation definierter Tröpfchengrössen werden für diese Herbizide Brühemengen zwischen 15 und 45 1 ha empfohlen.     

An experimental, tractor-mounted, very low volume uniform-drop-size sprayer

The design, construction and performance of an experimental tractor-mounted machine to apply herbicides to small field plots is described. The machine has five spray units, each with five rotating discs. Uniform sized drops in the range from 150 to 350 μm can be produced with lipophilic, hydrophilic and emulsifiable formulations. Spray volumes can be varied from 5 to 120 1/ha. A preliminary assessment of the physical performance of the machine is presented.     

Burial depth and cultivation influence emergence and persistence of Phalaris paradoxa seed in an Australian sub-tropical environment

Emergence and persistence characteristics of Phalaris paradoxa seeds in no- and minimum-till situations and at different burial depths were studied in a sub-tropical environment. Three experiments were carried out using naturally shed seeds. In the first experiment, seedlings emerged from May through to September each year, although the majority of seedlings emerged in July. In the second experiment with greater seed density, cultivation in March of each year stimulated seedling emergence, altered the periodicity of emergence and accelerated the decline of seeds in the seedbank compared with plots that received no cultivation. The majority of seedlings in the cultivated plots emerged in May whereas the majority of seedlings in the undisturbed plots emerged in July. Emergence accounted for only 4–19% of the seedbank in both experiments over 2 years. Seed persistence was short in both field experiments, with less than 1% remaining 2 years after seed shed. In the third experiment, burial depth and soil disturbance significantly influenced seedling emergence and persistence of seed. Seedlings emerged most from seed mixed in the top 10 cm when subjected to annual soil disturbance, and from seed buried at 2.5 and 5.0 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Emergence was least from seed on the soil surface, and buried at 10 and 15 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Seeds persisted longest when shed onto the soil surface and persisted least when the soil was tilled. These results suggest that strategic cultivation may be a useful management tool, as it will alter the periodicity of emergence allowing use of more effective control options and will deplete the soil seedbank more rapidly.     

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF FERTILE SPARTINA TOWNSENDII (S.L.) ON THE CHESHIRE SHORE OF THE DEE ESTUARY I. FIELD TRIALS ON SPARTINA SWARD

Summary. Trials with dalapon, paraquat and fenuron in 1963 and 1964, and with bromacil and amitrole-T in 1964, were carried out on mature Spartina sward. Dalapon, paraquat and fenuron all gave complete kill on some plots in 1963. In 1964, paraquat gave variable results and lower percentage kills than in 1963, whereas dalapon and fenuron were more consistent. Fenuron allowed a greater degree of regeneration than dalapon and was uneconomic at the high dose (60 lb/ac) required for complete kill. Dalapon gave the best results and with 100 lb/ac there was 98–100% kill 2 years after treatment. At 50 lb/ac results were initially good, but there was more regeneration in the second season after spraying. Bromacil at 5 and 20 lb/ac and a mixture of 5 lb/ac bromacil and 4 lb/ac amitrole-T maintained more than 99% kill lor 2 years after application.
La lutte chimique contre les formes fertiles de Spartina townsendii (s.l.) sur la cóte du Cheshire dans l'esluaire de la Dee I. Essais au champ sur des pelouses de Spartina     

Genetic relationship between races of Pseudomonas syringae pv.pisi and cultivars of Pisum sativum

Isolates of Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi from the UK and overseas were categorized into six races on the basis of their reactions to a range of differential pea (Pisum sativum) cultivars. Race 2 was predominant among the isolates examined and this probably reflects its relative international importance. A previously uncharacterized race (race 6) was virulent on all cultivars tested. Resistance to races 1-5 was widespread in commercial cultivars and breeding lines with more than 75% showing resistance to one or more races. A preliminary study of the inheritance of resistance indicated that for races 1, 2 and 3, resistance was controlled by different dominant genes. The genetic basis for the relationship between races of P. syringae pv. pisi and pea cultivars was explained in terms of a gene-for-gene relationship involving five matching gene pairs. With further clarification of the genetics of resistance this host-pathogen association will meet most of the requirements of a model system for the study of the genetic and molecular basis of pathogenicity and host specificity.     

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF FERTILE SPARTINA TOWNSENDII (S.L.) ON THE CHESHIRE SHORE OF THE DEE ESTUARY

Zusammenfassung. Die chemische Analyse von am naturlichen Standort behandelten SpartinapRanzen ergab, dass Paraquat sowohl in nach der Behandlung weiterwachsenden Pflanzen als auch in solchen deren oberirdische Teile vernichtet worden waren, in die unterirdischen Teile abgeleitet wurde. In Labortests konnte die Translokation von einem paraquatbehandelten Blatt in andere Sprosse derselben Pflanze nachgewiesen werden. In Gewachshausversuchen, in welchen Paraquat in 4 Entwicklungsstadien zwischen Keimung und Blute angewandt wurde, nahm die Empfindlichkeit gegenuber 2,25 kg/ha Paraquat mit zunehmendem Alter der Spartina pRanzen ab. Diese zunehmende Widerstandsfahigkeit hing weder mit der Entwicklung des Rhizomsystems noch mit dem Blutenansatz zusammen. Solange keine neuen Untersuchungsergebnisse vorliegen, sollte daher Paraquat nicht zur Vernichtung reifer Spartina rasen verwendet werden. Dagegen scheinen Versuche zur Vernichtung von Keimlingen und sehr jungen Pflanzen, die in offene Stellen der Vorkustenzone eindringen, erfolgversprechend.