Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in Slovenia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish samples harvested along the Slovenian coast. Shellfish samples of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were collected along the Slovenian coast at four locations (Se?a, Piran, Strunjan and Debeli Rti?) between 2006 and 2008. Samples were examined and analysed for the presence of V. parahaemolyticus by conventional and molecular methods. The presence of Vibrio in the samples was examined by conventional methods on plate grown bacterial cells before and after enrichment in alkaline saline peptone water (ASPW). PCR methods were used for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus-specific toxR and tlh genes and of the virulence-associated tdh and trh genes. Out of 168 samples examined, 24 were positive for toxR and tlh genes by PCR from enrichment broth. Five out of 62 (8.1%), 4 out of 32 (12.5%) and 15 out of 74 (20.2%) samples were positive in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Colonies of V. parahaemolyticus were isolated from only one sample positive for V. parahaemolyticus by PCR.     

Impact of Tillage and Herbicides on Weed Density,Yield and Quality of Cotton in Wheat Based Cropping System

Conservation tillage may improve yield of cotton in addition to improvement in soil quality if practiced for longer period. However, the practice may not be productive in short-term particularly when severe weeds are infesting the crops such as Cynodon dactylon, Conyza canadensis, Tribulus terrestris, and Cyperus rotundus, etc. Recent studies indicate that conventional tillage (CT) is more productive than zero tillage (ZT)/reduced tillage (RT). Performance of cotton under three tillage systems, viz., ZT, RT and CT; and five herbicides, i.e., haloxyfop-R-methyl 10.8 EC (108 g a.i. ha^?1), lactofen 24 EC (168 g a.i. ha^?1), haloxyfop 10.8 EC + lactofen 24 EC, hand weeding, and weedy check were evaluated during 2010-2011 at Gomal University, D.I. Khan, Pakistan, to explore the best management option for effective weed control, enhanced yield and quality of cotton grown after wheat. The results revealed that hand weeding and Haloxyfop as post emergence alone or in combination with Lactofen reduced weed density to the minimum irrespective of the tillage systems. Excessive rainfall and cooler temperature limited cotton growth and yield in 2010. The adverse weather conditions had more adverse effect on boll weight under ZT and RT than CT. Haloxyfop + lactofen produced higher seed cotton yield in RT than ZT, however, it could not exceed CT. Broad-spectrum herbicides × CT produced the highest number of bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield. Fiber quality and net returns were also the highest in broad-spectrum herbicides × CT. In conclusion, broad-spectrum herbicides under CT were more productive in wheat based cropping system on silty clay soil of D.I. Khan.     

Effective Bioremediation of Endocrine-Disrupting Phthalate Esters,Mediated by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> Strains

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) is a class of refractory organic compounds, widely used as additives or plasticizers in plastic industry. PAEs are ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting pollutants and can be degraded by microorganisms. The present study described the assimilation of four PAE mixture (dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl, and dibutyl phthalate) by two bacillus species: Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus, isolated from different agricultural soil and their consortium. Among which, the optimal degradation of 82–96% was achieved by B. thuringiensis. This is the first report on the metabolic breakdown of four basic PAE mixture. The optimum conditions for biodegradation were found to be pH 7, temperature 30 °C, inoculum size 10 mL, and concentration 400 mg/L. Moreover, the respective biodegradation followed the first-order kinetic model. Our results proffered supplementary confirmation of the wide spectrum of PAE utilization by B. thuringiensis and suggest the possibility of applying it for the remediation of PAE contamination waste.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Use of Carbon Microspheres for Removal of Different Dyes from Aqueous Environments

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Sustainable groundwater quality has become a major concern for the agro-based country like Bangladesh. Integrated approaches of various irrigation water quality...     

Incorporation of rice straw mitigates CH4 and N2O emissions in water saving paddy fields of Central Vietnam

This study evaluated the effects of rice straw and water regimes on CH₄ and N₂O emissions from paddy fields for two rice growing seasons (summer 2014 and spring 2015). Water regimes included alternating wet–dry irrigation (AWD) maintained at three levels (–5 cm, – 10 cm and –15 cm) in comparison to continuous flooding irrigation (CF). Rice straw (5 t ha^–1) was incorporated into the top soil (0 – 15 cm), distributed and burned in situ. Results showed that using burned in situ rice straw was found to reduce seasonal cumulative CH₄ emission (24–34% in summer; 18–28% in spring), N₂O emission (21–32% in summer; 22–29% in spring) and lower rice yield (8–9%) than rice straw incorporation into top soil. AWD methods reduced the amount of CH₄ production (22.6–41.5%) and increased N₂O emission (25–26%) without any decrease in rice yield. Rice straw incorporation into the top soil with AWD had higher water productivity (23–37%) than rice straw when burned in situ with CF. The results conclude that AWD and rice straw management can be employed as mitigation strategy for CH₄ and N₂O emissions from paddy fields in Central Vietnam.     

分层序列法在林分收获调整中的应用(英文)

分层序列法是一种多目标决策方法，本文将其用于山西省管涔山森林经营局千秋沟林场落叶松经营类型的森林收获调整．结果表明：使用该法，决策者可将对不同目标的要求落实到合理的水平上；该法求解简单，是进行森林收获调整有力的数学工具     

Gap evapotranspiration and drainage fluxes in a managed and a virgin dinaric silver fir–beech forest in Slovenia: a modelling study

The monthly water balance in gaps in a managed Dinaric silver fir–beech forest and a virgin forest remnant located in SE Slovenia was modelled using a capacity water balance model for two growing seasons. Two gaps of different size (ca. 0.07 and 0.15 ha) were selected in each forest and plots for soil moisture monitoring were established in each gap (2–4) and in the surrounding forest (2–3). We report on the modelled actual evapotranspiration (AET) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) and drainage fluxes (DF) from the rooting zone at the plots. Precipitation over the 2001 growing season (May–October) was considerably drier than average and that for 2002 growing season was wetter than average. Modelled AET for the 2001 growing season varied between 88% and 96% of PET for the managed forest plots and between 90% and 100% for the virgin forest plots. The values for the gap plots varied between 87% and 100% at the managed forest site and between 92% and 96% for the gaps in the virgin forest site. Monthly AET values declined to 57–59% of PET at plots in the centre of the gaps in the managed forest site and to 63–74% in the gaps in the virgin forest site (July), indicating that the highest drought stress occurs in gap centres. For 2002 growing season, AET for all plots was 100% of PET. Modelled DF values in 2001 were 13–35% of rainfall for plots in the gap centres and 12–16% for plots in the forest at the managed forest site. On an average, gap DF values were 20% (154 mm) higher than the forest plot values. DF values in 2002 were similar for all plots at the managed forest site, 31–33% of rainfall. At the virgin forest site, 2001 growing season, DF values varied between 12% and 30% of rainfall at the forest plots and between 12% and 32% at the gap plots. In 2002, DF values for all plots in the virgin forest site varied between 24% and 38% of growing season rainfall. The varying development of vegetation and forest in the gaps of the virgin forest remnant resulted in more variable evapotranspiration and DF during the drought year 2001, with values not as clearly related to distance from the gap centre as in the managed forest site.