Behaviour of metamitron and hydroxy-chlorothalonil in low-humic sandy soils

The behaviour of the herbicide metamitron and of the main transformation product, hydroxy-chlorothalonil (HTI), of the fungicide chlorothalonil was studied to assess the risk of leaching from low-humic sandy soil. The adsorption of metamitron corresponded to a K_om value of about 60 dm³ kg⁻¹ (moderate adsorption). The half-life of metamitron in soil at 15 °C was only three days, presumably due to adaptation of the micro-organisms. In the autumn, the residue of metamitron in the soil profiles corresponded to less than 1% of the cumulative dosage. The half-life of chlorothalonil at 15 °C was about 12 days and about 45% of it was transformed to HTI. The adsorption of HTI to the soils corresponded to a K_om value of 260 dm³ kg⁻¹. The incubation study (15 °C) showed the transformation of HTI in the soils to be very slow. The amounts of HTI remaining in the soil profiles in the autumn corresponded to 4 and 16% of the cumulative dosage of chlorothalonil. In winter, the HTI residue decreased by 40% relative to the autumn level. Occasionally, HTI could be detected in the upper ground-water level (at a depth of about 1 m), at an average concentration of 0.1 to 0.2 µg dm⁻³. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

A new method for bovine embryo production: a potential alternative to superovulation

Eight cows were used to study the feasibility of transvaginal ultrasound-guided puncture of follicles as a method for the collection of immature oocytes for embryo production in vitro. In six trials at intervals of seven days, 104 oocytes were collected. After in vitro maturation and fertilisation the 104 oocytes were transferred to the oviducts of sheep. Six days later, 75 oocytes were recovered by flushing the oviducts. Twenty-four per cent of the recovered oocytes/embryos had developed into transferable and viable morulae and, or, blastocysts. The data show that this non-surgical and repeated collection of immature oocytes can be used successfully for the in vitro production of bovine embryos. The procedure may produce yields of embryos comparable to those obtainable by conventional superovulation procedures.     

Effect of Thermal Energy Intensity on Time and Rate of Nitrogen Accumulation by Maize (Zea mays L.)1

The effect of thermal energy intensity (TEI) on the rate of nitrogen (N) accumulation by maize from a Hamerly clay loam soil (Aerie Calciaquoll) was examined with and without supplemental irrigation. Soil- and air-TEI expressed as cumulative growing degree days (GDD) was determined from hourly temperature measurements taken within each plot at soil depths of 0.05-, 0.15-, and 0.3-m and at a height of 1.2-m above ground surface. A daily mean TEI (GDD per day) was calculated for each growth period. Estimates of time coefficient(s), k, in uni- and diphasic tanh[k(time)] functions, plotted against mean TEI for the periods; 1) planting to emergence, 2) emergence to eighth leaf, 3) eighth leaf to time(s) of maximum N accumulation rate, (t₀), 4) planting to t₀, 5) emergence to t₀, 6) first diphasic maximum accumulation rate (t₀₁) to 50 % silking, and 7) silking to second diphasic maximum accumulation rate t₀₂ showed several linear relationships. Uniphasic time coefficients were modelled as functions of air-TEI. The first diphasic time coefficient, k₁ was modelled as a function of pre- and post-emergent soil-TEI. Attempts to model k₂, the second time coefficient of the diphasic model were unsuccessful; however, this time coefficient was linearly related to TEI for the growth period ‘t₀₁, to 50 % silking’ and curvilinearly related to k₁.     

Studies on the sterile-male technique as a means of control of Adoxophyes orana (Lepidopt., Tortricidae). 1. Problems of mass rearing (crowding effects)

Almost all larvae ofAdoxophyes orana F.R. mature if they are individually confined in vials. In gregarious culture, 2 or 4 larvae per vial, growth is retarded and many larvae die because of frequent fighting. This aggression results from the biggest larvae holding other larvae off the food. Retarded development was not due to optical or olfactory causes, but to food deprivation. In mass rearing the setback can be partly overcome by adding plastic strips that increase the cover for the larvae in rearing boxes.Samenvatting Massakweken vanAdoxophyes orana zijn noodzakelijk voor de ontwikkeling van een steriele-mannetjesprogramma ter bestrijding van deze plaag. In kweken in buisjes werd een agressief gedrag van de opgroeiende rupsen waargenomen wanneer zich meer dan 1 rups per buis bevond. Hierdoor werd de groeisnelheid vertraagd en trad bij 4 larven per buis veel sterfte op (Fig. 1 en 2, Tabel 1). Deze groeieffecten hadden geen optische of olfactorische oorzaak. Wanneer de larven meer ruimte kregen nam wel de mortaliteit af (Tabel 3) maar niet de groeivertraging (Tabel 4). Verstoring van de larven beïnvloedde hun groei nadelig (Tabel 5 en 6). De groeivertraging is echter voor het grootste deel te wijten aan hongeren (Tabel 7) doordat in de kweek de grotere larve de toegang tot het voedsel ontzegt aan de kleinere.In massakweken kan de hieruit voortvloeiende groeivertraging en mortaliteit worden verminderd door plastic strips in de kweekbakken te plaatsen waardoor het aantal schuilplaatsen voor de larven toeneemt.     

Surgical treatment of acquired inguinal hernia in the horse: a review of 51 cases

During a seven year period, 51 cases of acquired inguinal herniation in 50 stallions were treated surgically. In 25 cases the herniated loop was ileal, in the other 26 it was jejunal. In cases of strangulation, the vaginal ring was enlarged by incising the peritoneum and transverse fascia. Closure of the superficial inguinal ring was advisable to prevent the hernia recurring. In all cases unilateral castration was performed. Laparotomy was carried out in 33 cases; 22 required intestinal resection and in four cases a bypass was made. Follow-up at least six months postoperatively indicated that surgery had been successful in 76 per cent of the cases treated.     

Assessment of glomerular filtration rate in dogs with renal insufficiency: analysis of the 51Cr-EDTA clearance and its relation to the plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined with the single injection 51Cr-EDTA clearance in 48 dogs with renal disease and the results were compared with the plasma Creatinine (PC) and plasma urea (PU) levels. The superiority of PC values over PU values for the assessment of the GFR is represented by the power functions PC = 78.2 CR(-0.67) mmol per litre and PU = 10.3 Cr(-0.52) mmol per litre, in which Cr is the relative glomerular filtration rate. The higher correlation between PC and Cr (r = 0.834) than between PU and Cr (r = 0.693) also demonstrates this superiority. An extended two compartment analysis of the 51Cr-EDTA plasma disappearance curve is not essential for diagnostic purposes.