RFLPs of the rRNA genes in the genusPhaseolus

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the rRNA genes were investigated among 20 genotypes ofP. vulgaris, P. coccineus, P. polyanthus, P. microcarpus, P. glabellus, P. acutifolius, P. maculatus, P. oligospermus andP. lunatus. Detection of the polymorphisms was performed nonradioactively with a digoxigenin-labeled rDNA probe. RFLP-based phylogenetic trees for the rDNA of the species studied were computed with several distance matrix and parsimony methods. The estimated molecular relationships within the genusPhaseolus coincide, on principle, with the classical taxonomical investigations. Hence, RFLP analyses of the rRDA have been proven useful for systematic studies in the genusPhaseolus.     

Die Interpretation von K/Ca-Austauschkurven mit Hilfe einer einfachen GAPON-Gleichung

The interpretation of K/Ca exchange isotherms by a simple GAPON equation K/Ca exchange isotherms of various soils can be described by a GAPON equation, where the coefficients being fitted to the measured values by iteration. The resulting values for the “labile potassium” are very similar to those of exchangeable K, whereas only 5–25% of the cec is involved in the short-term K/Ca exchange.     

Variability in soils and vegetation associated with harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) nests on a Chihuahuan Desert watershed

The effects of harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) nests on the density and cover of spring annual plants and on soil characteristics were measured at three locations characterized by different soils and dominant vegetation on a desert watershed. There were few differences in vegetation and soils associated with harvester ant nests at locations at the base of the watershed where brief periods of flooding and sediment deposition occur at periodic intervals. At mid-slope locations, there were significant increases in total nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and cover (biomass) of four species of spring annuals at the edges of nest disks when compared with reference sites. The spring annuals that exhibited increased cover were species that increase biomass as a function of available nitrogen. At a clay-loam, Scleropogon-Hilaria, grassland site, there were significant reductions in the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, significant increases in nitrate and total nitrogen, but a significant increase in cover in only one species of annual plant. The data demonstrate that the effects of ants on soil properties and vegetation vary with site location and soil type.     

Differences between wheat cultivars in acquisition and utilization of phosphorus

In an attempt to evaluate whether breeding and selection for high yielding capacity changed the P requirement of modem wheat cultivars. the response of two wheat cultivars to different levels of P supply was investigated. A traditional cultivar (‘Peragis’) and a modern spring-wheat cultivar (‘Cosir’) were cultivated in a C-loess low in available P and high in CaCO₃ in 120 cm high PVC tubes. In addition and for comparison, nutrient solution experiments were also conducted. Shoot growth, root growth. P uptake. P translocation and P distribution within the shoot at different developmental stages were compared. The grain yield of the modern cultivar ‘Cosir’ was higher at limiting and non-limiting P supply and. therefore, this cultivar can be considered as more P-efficient than the traditional cultivar. Grain yield reduction at low P supply was mainly due to an inhibition of tillering and thus lower number of ears per plant, whereas the number of grains per ear was hardly affected. Reduced tillering at low P supply could not be related to P concentrations in the shoot meristematic tissues which were generally much higher than in other plant tissues and kept at an elevated level even at limiting P supply. Root branching (1^st order laterals) was reduced at limiting P supply in ‘Cosir’ but not in ‘Peragis’ which, generally, had lower numbers of laterals at the beginning of tillering. From the results it can be concluded that the main factors contributing to the higher P efficiency of the modern cultivar ‘Cosir’ are (i) efficient use of assimilates for root-growth characteristics which enhance P acquisition: enhanced root branching and thus smaller mean root diameter and longer root hairs, (ii) an efficient P uptake system, (iii) efficient remobilization of P from vegetative plant organs to the grains, and most importantly (iv) lower P requirement for grain yield formation because of lower ear number per plant but higher grain number per ear.     

Die Puppengewicht-Eizahlrelation der Forleule (Panolis flammea Schiff.)

Ohne Zusammenfassung Mit 2 Abbildungen.     

Antioxidant capacity of oat (Avena sativa L.) extracts. 1. Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation and oxygen radical absorbance capacity

Milled oat groat pearlings, trichomes, flour, and bran were extracted with methanol and the fractions tested in vitro for antioxidant capacity against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and R-phycoerythrin protein oxidation in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The oxidative reactions were generated by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) HCl (AAPH) or Cu(2+) in the LDL assay and by AAPH or Cu(2+) + H(2)O(2) in the ORAC assay and calibrated against a Trolox standard to calculate Trolox equivalents (1 Trolox equivalent = 1 TE = activity of 1 micromol of Trolox). The antioxidant capacity of the oat fractions was generally consistent with a potency rank of pearlings (2.89-8.58 TE/g) > flour (1.00-3.54 TE/g) > trichome (1.74 TE/g) = bran (1.02-1.62 TE/g) in both LDL and ORAC assays regardless of the free radical generator employed. A portion of the oat antioxidant constituents may be heat labile as the greatest activity was found among non-steam-treated pearlings. The contribution of oat tocols from the fractions accounted for <5% of the measured antioxidant capacity. AAPH-initiated oxidation of LDL was inhibited by the oat fractions in a dose-dependent manner, although complete suppression was not achieved with the highest doses tested. In contrast, Cu(2+)-initiated oxidation of LDL stimulated peroxide formation with low oat concentrations but completely inhibited oxidation with higher doses. Thus, oats possess antioxidant capacity most of which is likely derived from polar phenolic compounds in the aleurone.     

Nitrogen and Its Effect on Growth, Nutrient Status and Parasite Attacks in Beech and Norway Spruce

In permanent observation plots across Switzerland, nitrogen (N) concentration in the foliage of mature beech has increased by 15% and phosphorus (P) concentrations in beech and mature Norway spruce decreased by 12 and 13% respectively between 1984 and 1995, leading to increased N:P ratios. Modelled N deposition was correlated with stem increment in both beech and spruce, with indications of P limitation in some beech plots. Experimental application of 0-160 kg N ha^-1> yr^-1> over four to five years caused nutrient imbalances in various afforestation plots comparable to those observed in the permanent observation plots. The changes in the trees caused by N treatment led to increased attacks by parasites such as Apiognomonia errabunda, Phomopsis sp., Phyllaphis fagi in beech and Botrytis cinerea, Sacchiphantes abietis and Cinara pilicornis in Norway spruce. The results suggest current N deposition in Switzerland induces significant changes in the forest ecosystem.     

Differentiation of refined and virgin edible oils by means of the trans- and cis-phytol isomer distribution

The differentiation of nonrefined (e.g., cold-pressed) and refined edible oils is an important task in food control because of the higher commercial value of the former. Here, we explored the suitability of the relative abundance of cis-phytol as a marker for authentication of nonrefined edible oils. Phytol, the tetramethyl-branched, monoenoic alcohol, is found widespread in nature as a part of chlorophyll. In chlorophyll, only trans-phytol is found. In this study, we present a method for the analysis of the phytol isomers, considering that traces of cis-phytol (contributing 0.1% to the phytol content) can be determined next to trans-phytol. For this purpose, phytol was gathered with the unsaponifiable matter from the oil, trimethylsilylated, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. With this method, 27 samples of edible oils (16 refined and 11 nonrefined edible oils) were analyzed for the abundance of cis-phytol relative to trans-phytol. In the nonrefined oils (e.g., olive oil, rapeseed oil, maize oil, and sunflower oil), cis-phytol contributed 0.1% (n = 3) or less (n = 8) to the phytol content. In contrast, the refined olive oils (n = 4) contained a share of 1.3-3% cis-phytol; the refined rapeseed oil (n = 3) contained a share of 0.7-1.0% cis-phytol; and the refined sunflower oil (n = 4) contained a share of 0.3-0.9% cis-phytol. Only one refined pomegranate kernel did not contain cis-phytol. The phytol concentration was not suited to distinguish nonrefined from refined oils. In contrast, our data suggest that the virtual absence of cis-phytol can be used as a marker for nonrefined (e.g., cold-pressed) edible oils.     

Root‐growth characteristics contributing to genotypic variation in nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape

A 3‐year field experiment was carried out to determine the significance of root‐growth characteristics contributing to N‐uptake efficiency of two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in N efficiency. Two N treatments were applied, and the core and minirhizotron techniques were used to study root‐length density and number of living roots, respectively. Fertilizer‐N supply increased shoot dry matter, grain yield, total N uptake, and total soil N_min contents particularly in the top soil. Although significant differences occurred in all parameters between years, the interactions between years and cultivars were mostly not significant. Compared to cv. Capitol, the N‐efficient cv. Apex was characterized by a higher grain yield at N0 and a higher N uptake during reproductive growth. This genotype also had a higher root‐length density and more living fine roots particularly in the topsoil layer. Root growth of this genotype was especially high from beginning of shooting to beginning of flowering, while shoot growth and N uptake during vegetative growth were comparatively low. Our results suggest that N‐efficient cultivars can be characterized by a high investment in root growth during the vegetative stage with a comparatively slow shoot growth and N‐uptake rate until beginning of flowering, which, however, continues during reproductive growth. High root production only during reproductive growth seems to be less effective to achieve high N efficiency, because this may lead to a shortage of assimilates for seed filling. High root‐length density at vegetative stages may thus be advantageous for N uptake and reproductive growth and could be a useful morphological character for the selection and breeding of N‐efficient cultivars.