Mobility of Iron and Manganese within Two Citrus Genotypes after Foliar Applications of Iron Sulfate and Manganese Sulfate

Seedlings of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) and Carrizo citrange (C. sinensis L. cv. Washington navel x Poncirus trifoliata)] were grown in plastic pots containing a sand: perlite mixture and watered with a modified Hoagland No 2 nutrient solution throughout the experiment. Three-months-old plants were divided in three groups and sprayed with 0.018 M iron sulfate (FeSO₄ ^.7H₂O), 0.018 M manganese sulfate (MnSO₄ ^.H₂O), or deionized water. Two months later, plants were harvested and divided into top leaves that grown after the treatments, basal leaves that existed prior to the treatments, stems that partially came in contact with the spray, and roots. The manganese (Mn) spray resulted in a significant increase of Mn concentrations in top leaves, basal leaves, stems and roots of sour orange, and in top leaves, basal leaves, and stems of Carrizo citrange. The iron (Fe) spray significantly increased the concentrations of Fe in the stems and basal leaves of both genotypes. For both genotypes, transport of Mn from basal (sprayed) leaves to top (unsprayed) ones was found. However, the results of this experiment did not give any evidence neither for Mn translocation from sprayed tissues to roots nor for Fe transport from sprayed tissues to unsprayed ones (top leaves, roots). Mn and Fe were found to be relatively mobile and strictly immobile nutrients, respectively, within citrus plants after their foliar application as sulfate salts.     

Influence of Plant Phosphorus and Iron Concentrations on Growth of Soybean

Growth responses to phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) are commonly assessed based on element concentrations to which plants are exposed. Such data offer little insight about responses to the concentration of P and Fe actually accumulated in plants. In this study, soybean (Glycine max Merr., cv. ‘Biloxi’) was grown on nutrient solutions to induce varying P and Fe concentrations in plant tissues. Leaf P and Fe concentrations were correlated at lower concentrations. However, under high P treatments there was an apparent excess of accumulated P based on plant response. These results were interpreted to indicate that these plants could accumulate P in excess of the amount required for normal physiological activity. There appeared to be no excess accumulation of Fe so that correlations between leaf Fe concentration and leaf area and plant mass were significant for all data. Root mass did not correlate significantly with either leaf P or Fe concentration.     

The Progress of Composting Research in Florida

? Studies undertaken since 1966 at research institutions in Florida illustrate the continuity of academic investigations into the effects of compost utilization. Crops that were tested — and continue to be analyzed presently — include citrus, tomatoes, peppers, container grown ornamentals, turfgrass, and trees and shrubs.     

Weed hosts ofParatrichodorus allius and tobacco rattle virus in the Pacific Northwest

The ability of several weed species to serve as hosts for tobacco rattle virus (TKV), the causal agent of corky ringspot disease of potato (CRS), and its nematode vector,Paratrichodorus allius, was investigated in greenhouse studies. ViruliferousP. allius multiplied on 24 out of 37 weed species tested, indicating they were suitable hosts of the vector. However, only 11 of these weeds were infected with TRV, as determined by ELISA. The nonhost status of a given weed species was not changed whether the viruliferous vector population originated from CRS problem fields in WA, OR, or ID. Several weeds served as hosts for the vector and virus including kochia, prickly lettuce, henbit, nightshade species (black, hairy, and cutleaf), common chickweed, and annual sowthistle. Virus-freeP. allius acquired TRV from the three nightshade species, volunteer potato grown from TRV-infected tubers, and prickly lettuce, and subsequently transmitted the virus to ‘Samsun NN’ tobacco indicator plants. Thus, some weeds may play a role in the epidemiology of CRS by perpetuating TRV and its vector in a problem field.     

Storage deterioration in gamma-irradiated and unirradiated Indian potato cultivars under refrigeration and tropical temperatures

Summary Experiments with ten potato varieties revealed that soft rot due toErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica is the major factor causing 30 to 70% losses during 2 to 4 months storage at tropical temperatures (27 32 C). Sodium hypochlorite wash or increased ventilation did not reduce the incidence of soft rot. Storage at 10–15 C markedly reduces soft rot but accelerates sprouting. Gamma irradiation at 10 krad completely suppresses sprouting regardless of storage temperature. Storage of irradiated potatoes under tropical temperatures is not feasible due to bacterial spoilage. However irradiated tubers can be stored with reduced losses (7 to 30%) for 5–6 months at 10–15 C. Irradiation also eliminates the egg and early larval stages of the tuber moth,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), a serious pest of stored potatoes in tropics. Irradiation followed by storage at 10 C thus offer an alternate method for potato storage in tropics.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe von Versuchen mit zehn indischen, im Handel bedeutsamen Kartoffelsorten wurde von 1971 bis 1975 durchgeführt, um die Verluste nach der Ernte zu bestimmen, die auf verschiedene Faktoren w?hrend der Lagerung von gammabestrahlten und unbestrahlten Knollen unter tropischen (28–32 C) und kühlen (4, 10 und 15 C) Bedingungen zurückzuführen sind. Einzelheiten über die Muster im Versuch 1975 sind in Tabelle 1 angegeben. Die Knollen wurden in einem⁶⁰Co-Bestrahlungsger?t bestrahlt und in weitmaschigen Jutes?cken eingelagert. Die Ergebnisse sind in den Tabellen 2 bis 9 und den Abb. 1–3 dargestellt. Bei tropischen Umgebungstemperaturen wurde die Bakterien-Nassf?ule, verursacht durchErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica, als der Hauptfaktor befunden, der bei eingelagerten Produkten im Verlauf von 3 bis 4 Monaten Verluste von 50 bis 70% brachte. Das Waschen der Knollen in Natriumhypochlorit-L?sung (200 mg verfügbares Chlor pro Liter) oder Verbesserung der Lüftung durch Lagerung in Harassen verminderte das Vorkommen von Nassf?ule unter diesen Bedingungen nicht (Tabelle 5). Die mengenm?ssigen Verluste infolge Auskeimens. Ausschwitzens und Veratmung w?hrend der viermonatigen Lagerung bei Umgebungstemperaturen schwankten von 8 bis 13%. Obwohl die Gammabestrahlung bei 10 krad das Auskeimen bei allen Sorten vollst?ndig unterdrückte, ist die Lagerung von bestrahlten Knollen bei tropischen Umgebungstem-peraturen wegen der hohen bakteriellen Verderbnis nicht m?glich. Nassf?ule kann durch Lagerung der Knollen bei 10 oder 15 C bedeutend verringert werden; bei diesen Temperaturen wird jedoch das Auskeimen beschleunigt, die Knollen werden nach 3 Monaten Lagerung schrumpfig und unbrauchbar. Allein das Gewicht der abgenommenen Keime verursacht einen Verlust von 8 bzw. 16% des Anfangsgewichts der Knollen nach 3 bzw. 6 Monaten Lagerung (Tabelle 6). Eine Kombination von Bestrahlung, gefolgt von Lagerung besonders bei 10 C, scheint eine Alternative zu bieten, und die Lagerverluste auf ein Mindestmass herabzusetzen, obwohl die Verluste im allgemeinen gr?sser als die unter der konventionellen Kühllagerung bei 2–4 C beobachteten sind. Je nach Sorte und Jahreszeit schwankten die gesamten mengenm?ssigen Verluste bei bestrahlten Knollen w?hrend sechsmonatiger Lagerung bei 10 oder 15 C zwischen 7 und 30% gegenüber 5 bis 18% bei unbestrahlten Knollen und 2–4 C Lagertemperatur. Verwendung von Sorten mit besseren Lagerungseigenschaften und Auswahl gut verkorkter und gesunder Knollen für die Bestrahlung kann die Lagerverluste bei 10 bis 15 C weiter verringern. Bestrahlung bei 10 krad eliminierte auch die Eier und frühen Larvenstadien der KartoffelmottePhthorimaea operculella Zel., die eine der zerst?rerischten Sch?dlinge bei eingelagerten Kartoffeln in den Tropen ist (Abb. 1).

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Résumé Une série d'essais portant sur dix variétés commer-cialement importantes, cultivées en Inde, a été réalisée de 1971 à 1975, pour évaluer, après la récolte, les pertes provoquées par différents facteurs pendant la conservation de tubercules irradiés et non irradiés et placés dans une ambiance tropicale (28–32 C) ou réfrigèrée (4, 10 et 15 C). Le détail des échantillons étudiés en 1975 est donné dans le tableau 1. Les tubercules ont été traités au Cobalt 60 et stockés dans des sacs de jute à grandes mailles. Les résultats sont présentés aux tableau 2 à 9 et figures 1–3. Dans une ambiance tropicale, la pourriture bacté-rienne provoquee parErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica est principalement responsable de 50 à 70% des pertes au cours de 3 à 4 moins de stockage. Le lavage des tubercules dans une solution d'hypochlorite de sodium (200 mg litre de chlore libre) ou l'amélioration de la ventilation en conservant dans des caisses de bois à claire-voie ne réduit pas l'importance de la pourriture sous ces conditions (tableau 5). Les pertes de poids provoquées par la germination, la transpiration et la respiration pendant 4 mois de conservation à température ambiante se situent entre 8 et 13%. Bien que l'irradiation gamma à 10 krad supprime totalement la germination de toutes les variétés, la conservation des tubercules irradiés dans une ambiance tropicale est irréalisable en raison des pertes élevées d'origine bactérienne. La pourriture humide peut être fortement réduite par une conservation à 10 ou 15 C. Cependant, à ces températures, la germination est accélérée, les tubercules se rident et sont inutilisables après 3 mois de stockage, les pertes de poids dues à la germination représentant 8 à 16% après respectivement 3 et 6 mois de conservation (tableau 6). La combinaison de l'irradiation et d'un stockage à 10 C permet de minimiser les pertes bien qu'en général, elles soient plus élevées que celles observées à 2–4 C. Suivant la variété, la saison, les tubercules irradiés perdent en 6 mois de conservation, à 10 ou 15 C, 7 à 30% de leur poids contre 5 à 18% pour les tubercules non irradiés stockés à 2·4 C. L'utilisation, pour l'irradiation, de variétés de bonne conservation choisies parmi celles dont les tubercules se cicatrisent bien, permet à 10 15 C, de réduire les pertes. L'irradiation à 10 krad élimine également les ocufs et les larves précoces de teignePhthorimaea operculella (Zeller) qui est un des insectes qui provoque le plus de dégats dans les stockages de pommes de terre sous les tropiques.

     

Demographics,societal aging,and meat consumption in China

Drawn on the data col ected by surveying 1 340 urban households from six cities in China, this paper estimates the impacts of demographic structure and population aging on household meat consumption, b...     

Elastic moduli of living epithelial pancreatic cancer cells and their skeletonized keratin intermediate filament network

In simple epithelia, such as living epithelial pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1), unusual amounts of keratin filaments can be found, which makes these cells an ideal model system to study the role of keratin for cell mechanical properties. In this work, the elastic moduli of Panc-1 cells and their extracted in-situ subcellular keratin intermediate filament network are determined and compared with each other. For this, the living adherent cells and their extracted keratin network were probed with local quasistatic indentation testing during large deformations using the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). We determined the elastic modulus of the skeletonized but structurally intact keratin network to be in the order of 10 Pa, while the living cell elastic modulus ranged from 100 to 500 Pa. By removing microfilaments, microtubules, membranes and soluble cytoplasmic components during keratin network extraction, we excluded effects caused by crosslinking with other filamentous fibers and from the viscosity of the cytoplasm. Thus, the determined elastic modulus equals the actual elastic modulus inherent to such a keratin filamentous network. In our assessment of the effective mechanical contribution of the architecturally intact, skeletonized keratin network to living cell mechanics, we come to the conclusion that it plays only a very limited role. Evidently, the quantitative dominance of keratin in these cells does not reflect a strong influence on determining the cell's elastic modulus. Instead, keratin like other filamentous structures in the cell's scaffolding, e.g., F-actin and microtubuli, is one part of a greater whole.