The first occurrence of leaf mold of tomato caused by races 4.9 and 4.9.11 of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passalora fulva</Emphasis> (syn. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fulvia fulva</Emphasis>) in Japan

Tomato leaf mold caused by Passalora fulva was found on two tomato varieties carrying the Cf-9 gene in Japan, in 2007. The isolates obtained from Chiba and Fukushima were identified as race 4.9.11, and those from Gunma were races 4.9 or 4.9.11. This is the first report in Japan of tomato leaf mold caused by P. fulva strains that can overcome the Cf-9 gene.     

Flowering behaviors of the inflorescences of an alien plant (Plantago asiatica), an alpine plant (Plantago hakusanensis), and their hybrids on Mt. Hakusan,Japan

In the subalpine zone on Mt. Hakusan, Japan, Plantago asiatica, an alien plant, and Plantago hakusanensis, a native alpine species, grow sympatrically along with their putative hybrids. Here, their flowering behavior, which affects the frequency of hybridization and the colonizing ability of P. asiatica and its hybrids, is described. The flowering behavior of each species and of two F₁ hybrids from different seed parents was determined based on the position of the flower in the inflorescence by using a generalized linear mixed model. The percentage fruit set of individually bagged inflorescences was calculated to corroborate the assumptions of the opportunities for self‐pollination. All the flowers were protogynous; however, many P. asiatica anthers dehisced before browning of the stigma in the flower and the sex presentations in the inflorescence were asynchronous. The percentage of fruit set was high. Consequently, P. asiatica has the opportunity for self‐pollination within the flower and in the inflorescence. In contrast, the P. hakusanensis anthers dehisced after browning of the stigma in the flower; their sex presentation was synchronous in the inflorescence, showing negligible opportunities for self‐pollination, and the fruit set was low. Accordingly, in the field, P. hakusanensis might require pollination among the inflorescences for seed production and be actively outcrossed, while P. asiatica is able to outcross in the early flowering phase. Therefore, P. asiatica and P. hakusanensis have opportunities for hybridization. The F₁ hybrids exhibited intermediate flowering behavior and produced fruits, demonstrating the potential to reproduce by selfing.     

Confirming the authenticity of the geographical origin of Naruto dried wakame Undaria pinnatifida using stable nitrogen isotope ratios

In aquatic ecosystems, the stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) of wakame is affected by the δ¹⁵N of its nitrogen source. Thus, the δ¹⁵N of wakame is thought to differ between those grown in different aquatic ecosystems. To confirm the authenticity of the geographic origin of Naruto dried wakame (DW), we conducted δ¹⁵N analysis. The δ¹⁵N (mean ± σ) of Naruto DW model samples (n = 72) was 11.1 ± 1.9 ‰. The δ¹⁵N confidence range of Naruto DW from the model was 5.3–16.9 ‰ (mean ± 3σ). The δ¹⁵N values of the DW model of Chinese (n = 23) and South Korean origin (n = 22) were 4.2 ± 1.4 and 1.6 ± 2.3 ‰, respectively. Within the δ¹⁵N confidence range of Naruto DW, two model samples of Chinese DW and one model sample of South Korean DW were found. From those results, DW of Naruto origin was able to be distinguished from DWs of the Chinese and the South Korean.     

Experimental inoculation of beagle dogs with Ehrlichia species detected from Ixodes ovatus

Three beagle dogs were inoculated with mice spleen/liver homogenate infected with Ehrlichia species detected from Ixodes ovatus (EIO) and one dog was used as a control. All three infected dogs did not show clinical signs of disease except for mild pyrexia throughout the 41-day study period. Splenomegaly was observed from Day 7 post-inoculation (p.i.) in two of the dogs. Hematological and biochemical abnormalities included mild thrombocytopenia, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and increased C-reactive protein values. One of the dogs' splenic aspirate sample was PCR-positive for Ehrlichia Day 7 p.i. and another dogs' blood and bone marrow aspirate sample was PCR-positive Day 41 p.i. Sequence analysis of the PCR products showed 100% homology with the 16SrRNA partial gene sequence of Ehrlichia sp. HF565. Antibody titers to EIO were observed in all three experimentally infected dogs starting from the first week p.i. and cross-reactivity with Ehrlichia canis was detectable in one of the dogs starting Day 7 p.i. These data suggest that infection of dogs with EIO is possible, though is probably of low pathogenic importance. Cross-reactivity of EIO infected dog serum with E. canis raises the likelihood of false E. canis seropositive dogs.     

Occurrence of a new race 2.9 of leaf mold of tomato in Japan

Leaf mold symptoms were found on tomato varieties carrying the Cf-9 resistance gene against Passalora fulva, the causal agent of leaf mold, in Japan in 2008. Disease symptoms and morphological characteristics of the isolates were similar to those of P. fulva. After inoculating a set of tomato differentials with the isolates, all isolates were identified as race 2.9 of P. fulva, previously unreported.     

Subsurface discharge and suspended sediment yield interactions in a valley head of a small forested watershed

Sediment hield caused by hydraulic agents is believed to be one of the most important geomorphic processes in headwaters. Observations of shallow groundwater levels and suspended sediment yield were used to develop relationships between subsurface discharge and sediment movement in a valley head of a small forested watershed in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Drainage capacity of the soil was closely correlated with subsurface soil movement in the valley head. An increase in subsurface discharge associated with an increase in the drainage capacity of the soil depended heavily on the discharge of fine-grained particles originating from the soil. Clogging created by the fine-grained particles in the soil caused a decrease in subsurface discharge associated with the decline in the drainage capacity. In addition, neither the drainage capacity of the soil nor subsurface discharge changed because of the sediment unavailability within the subsurface flow system. Accordingly, as shown by the changes in the drainage capacity of the sedimentary soil, subsurface discharge and suspended sediment yield from the valley head showed strong interactions.     

Calibrating view angle and lens distortion of the Nikon fish-eye converter FC-E8

Recently, an inexpensive digital camera that can equip with a fish-eye converter lens, FC-E8, has been available from Nikon. The converter has more than 180° view angle and lens distortion. The objectives of the present study were to develop a procedure for calibrating the view angle and lens distortion of the fish-eye converter, and to examine the effect of the calibration on light environment estimates. Based on unpublished data provided by the Electric Image Technical Center of Nikon, a 12-order poly-nomial expression for the calibration was derived. The expression enabled us to calibrate the view angle and lens distortion for all selectable resolution digital images. Using a Nikon Coolpix 990 digital camera with the fish-eye converter, 105 hemispherical photographs were taken in 15 stands, and then the canopy cover and weighted openness were measured as the light environment estimates. The calibrated estimates were significantly higher than uncalibrated ones, but the differences were comparatively small, with the average differences being 0.658% for canopy cover and 0.344% for weighted openness. A strongly positive correlation between calibrated and uncalibrated estimates was observed. Both slope and intercept of the regression lines of the calibrated estimate against the uncalibrated one were significantly different between canopy cover and weighted openness, suggesting that the calibration effect would be different among light environment estimates. In conclusion, we should pay attention to the view angle and lens distortion of the fish-eye converter in estimating light environments using the Coolpix digital camera.     

Shifting cultivation on the tidal floodplains of Amazônia: impacts on soil nutrient status

Studies of the impact of traditional agroforestry practices on soil nutrient status in the Amazon Basin have largely been limited to upland sites, many of which are oligotrophic. However, rural population density in Amazonia is highest on the floodplains of the major rivers and shifting cultivation has been practiced on the floodplains for millennia. We established a slash-and-burn cultivation plot and an untreated forest plot in tidal floodplain successional forest in the Islands of Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil, and sampled soils (0–10 cm) during four phases of the agroforest cycle (n = 9 in each plot for each sampling period): (1) prior to clearing, (2) following burning, (3) harvest one (rice at four months), and (4) harvest two (sugar cane at 15 months). During the course of this pilot experiment, background temporal variability in SOC, total N and available mineral nutrient pools (P, K, Ca, Mg) exceeded treatment effects, suggesting that soil nutrient pools in this environment are well-buffered against the effects of shifting cultivation. These results contrast markedly with those reported for Amazonian upland sites where nutrient pulses and declines associated with the agroforest cycle have been demonstrated and may restrict the potential for low-input, continuous cultivation. Physical limitations imposed by flooding and fluvial erosion, rather than nutrient constraints, restrict the potential of agricultural intensification in the tidal floodplains. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Indigenous genetic lineages of Fagus crenata found in the Izu Peninsula suggest that there was one of refugia for the species during the last glacial maximum

Regions believed to be refugia are known to have lineages indigenous to the regions. The Izu Peninsula, where genus Fagus existed during the last glacial period, was focused on to survey chloroplast DNA of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) that grew there. DNA sequence analysis of chloroplast genome regions of about 14 kb revealed two new haplotypes, O and E-1, in F. crenata populations in the Izu Peninsula and adjacent regions. Both haplotypes were conceivably derived from haplotype E. The result of the genetic analysis in this study in combination with the result of pollen analyses performed in the past clearly showed that refugia for F. crenata existed in the Izu Peninsula, and that F. crenata now in growth are lineages indigenous to the region.