Distribution of free and glycosylated sterols within Cycas micronesica plants

Flour derived from Cycas micronesica seeds was once the dominant source of starch for Guam's residents. Cycad consumption has been linked to high incidence of human neurodegenerative diseases. We determined the distribution of the sterols stigmasterol and β-sitosterol and their derived glucosides stigmasterol β-d-glucoside and β-sitosterol β-d-glucoside among various plant parts because they have been identified in cycad flour and have been shown to elicit neurodegenerative outcomes. All four compounds were common in seeds, sporophylls, pollen, leaves, stems, and roots. Roots contained the greatest concentration of both free sterols, and photosynthetic leaflet tissue contained the greatest concentration of both steryl glucosides. Concentration within the three stem tissue categories was low compared to other organs. Reproductive sporophyll tissue contained free sterols similar to seeds, but greater concentration of steryl glucosides than seeds. One of the glucosides was absent from pollen. Concentration in young seeds was higher than old seeds as reported earlier, but concentration did not differ among age categories of leaf, sporophyll, or vascular tissue. The profile differences among the various tissues within these organs may help clarify the physiological role of these compounds.     

Analysis on pedodiversity and spatial subset representativity—the German soil map 1:1,000,000

Knowledge about spatial soil variation in terms of measured pedodiversity, as well as the spatial distribution of soils in terms of spatial subset representativity, offers the possibility to estimate the quality and variance within a soil map. Additionally, it can help to identify representative sample locations. Demonstrated at the German soil map at a scale of 1:1,000,000, this study describes a methodology to analyze the distribution of taxonomical pedodiversity using the Simpson index and a new approach to derive representative spatial subsets based on a modified χ²‐test (χ_m²), which can be used as monitoring areas. To analyze the spatial composition of the soil map and to detect differences in the underlying mapping schemes of the German soil map 1:1,000,000, three different spatial data structures were studied: (1) the entire soil map, (2) the soil map segmented into geomorphological regions, and (3) the soil map segmented into the Federal States of Germany. Representative patches of varying sizes were statistically derived for all spatial subsets as well as the entire soil map ranging from 20 km × 20 km up to 70 km × 70 km. The results show that the measured pedodiversity is linked to both the geomorphology as well as the political borders of the Federal States. On the one hand, this reveals the uncertainty of measuring pedodiversity on the basis of soil‐class maps as the spatial representation of pedodiversity is influenced by the different mapping traditions and methods applied in the 16 Federal States of Germany. On the other hand, it allows the analysis of the aggregation schemes of different landscapes. The presented approach helps to understand large soilscapes and to compare different soil maps of different states and countries as well as to enhance the soil map with additional information. Furthermore, the representative patches can be used to select soil‐monitoring areas.     

Chronic toxicity of fenoxycarb to the midge Chironomus riparius after exposure in sediments of different composition

Background, aim, and scope  

Fenoxycarb is an insect growth regulator widely used to control a variety of pests. As a juvenile hormone analogue, it interacts with the natural hormones involved in insect development, inhibiting metamorphosis to the adult stage. Adverse effects of fenoxycarb on non-target organisms have been repeatedly observed and its rapid dissipation from water to the organic fraction of the sediment is known. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of fenoxycarb on the development of sediment-dwelling larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius after exposure to spiked sediment.     

Effects of Cultivation after Planting on Yields of Seed Cotton

Abstract

Experiments carried out over several seasons showed that, on a soil prone to crusting, cultivations after the establishment of a cotton crop only increased yields in a season of low rainfall. This yield increase appeared to have been due to enhanced entry into the soil of the limited effective rainfall. In one season of high rainfall, deep cultivation significantly reduced yields.     

Plant Diseases

Abstract

Following declining numbers in some areas in the 1980s, Mute Swan numbers have shown a marked increase in recent years. In some areas, such as the Wylye Valley in Wiltshire, this increase has been accompanied by complaints of damage caused to farming and fishing interests. The population dynamics of this population of Mute Swans is described, including its habitat preferences, and these findings are related to possible management options. As the Wylye catchment already receives immigrants from unknown sources, culling and translocation are not appropriate solutions to prevent agricultural damage. A combination of scaring, repellents and the provision of alternative food sources could provide the most successful long‐term management. Whilst different techniques may be needed to resolve the fishing problem, it is considered that integration of selected management options is most likely to provide maximum benefit.     

Spider mite control and resistance management: does a genome help?

The complete genome of the two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, has been reported. This is the first sequenced genome of a highly polyphagous and resistant agricultural pest. The question as to what the genome offers the community working on spider mite control is addressed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Landscape-scale assessment of tree crown dieback following extreme drought and heat in a Mediterranean eucalypt forest ecosystem

Mediterranean regions are under increasing pressure from global climate changes. Many have experienced more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and heatwaves, which have severe implications for the persistence of forest ecosystems. This study reports on a landscape-scale assessment investigating potential associated factors of crown dieback in dominant tree species following an extreme dry and hot year/summer of 2010/11 in the Northern Jarrah Forest of Western Australia. Analyses focussed on the influence of (i) geology, (ii) topography, (iii) climate, and (iv) fire history. The results showed that trees on specific soils were more likely to show canopy dieback. Generally, trees on rocky soils with low water holding capacity were found to be affected more frequently. Other explanatory factors identified that dieback occurred (i) on sites that were close to rock outcrops, (ii) in areas that received a slightly higher amount of annual rainfall compared to the surrounding landscape, (iii) on sites at high elevations and (vi) on steep slopes, and (v) in areas that were generally slightly warmer than their surroundings. These results expand our understanding of how landscape-scale factors contribute to the effects of an extreme drought and heating event in Mediterranean forest ecosystems, and give indications of where changes are likely to occur within the landscape in the future. The analogues with other Mediterranean climate regions make the results of this study transferable and a starting point for further investigations.     

A study of the ecological variability in yield of selected clones of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) from the coffee-breeding programme in Kenya

Summary

Cherry yield of eleven elite clones of Arabica coffee was evaluated over a five-year period at three locations in a continuing study to detenriine the extent and influence of Clone X Environment interactions on coffee breeding lines developed in Kenya. Clone mean yield comparisons indicated a better performance of all the improved clones compared with the Standard. In analysis of variance (ANOVA) significant main effects and non-significant Clone X Environment interactions (P<0.05) were found. Interactions were however, further investigated using ecovalence values, the Eberhart and Russell (1966) regression model as well as the Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction effects (AMMI) model. The clones were then clustered according to their response patterns using principal components and cluster analyses to obtain a delineation of ecological districts and more accurate predictions of clone performance. The main effects for clones reflected breeding advances with the standard variety having the smallest mean. Improved materials from the hybridization scheme appeared to do better than their pure-line counterparts with clones 8,3,1 and 2 being the most advanced of the 11 clones. Similarly, the main effects for the environment reflected the overall site/year quality with Kiambu having the best production conditions particularly due to the favourable weather in 1983. This indicates that the coffee growing upper zone may be favourable for the clones especially when they are raised by top-working old coffee. Makuyu environments had the least interaction effects.     

In vitro propagation of ‘Arka Ravi’ chrysanthemum on growth regulator-free medium harbouring endophytic bacteria

Summary

To develop a micropropagation protocol for the elite chrysanthemum cultivar, ‘Arka Ravi’, in vitro cultures were established using surface-sterilised nodal microcuttings (1.0 – 1.2 cm) on semi-solid MS medium. Microbial contamination was observed in 22% of cultures during the initiation phase. Cultures that were devoid of obvious contamination were transferred to culture bottles containing MS medium supplemented with 30 g l^–1 sucrose, 2.5 g l^–1 Phytagel^® and either benzyl adenine (BA) or kinetin (KIN) supplied at 0, 1, 5, 10, or 20 µM, and were monitored, over eight in vitro passages, for their growth and microbial association. Shoot-tip and nodal microcuttings yielded a single shoot, coupled with rooting, in medium devoid of BA or KIN which was the best medium for continuous micropropagation. Rooting was inhibited with increasing concentrations of BA or KIN, and one or more shorter shoots with condensed internodes were induced, resulting in low rates of propagation. Culture indexing (i.e., testing the medium and tissue from visibly clean cultures using enriched bacteriological media) revealed quiescent endophytic bacteria associated with 80 – 100% of such cultures. Three distinct colony morphotypes were isolated and were identified as Ralstonia, Enterobacter, and Methylobacterium spp., based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences. These endophytes did not interfere with normal micropropagation, but tended to grow actively and outgrow older cultures, especially at higher cytokinin concentrations. Stable micropropagation of ‘Arka Ravi’ chrysanthemum for ≥ 2 years, with their resident endophytic bacteria in a covert form, was achieved on basal MS medium with > 90% shoot growth and rooting, a four-to-five-fold propagation rate at each 2 – 3 week sub-culture cycle, and with > 90% establishment of rooted plantlets ex vitro. These results suggest that in vitro cultures of chrysanthemum often harbour endophytes with no obvious indications of their presence or with possible hidden effects during micropropagation.