Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Extruded Products Made from Two Oat Lines with Different β‐Glucan Concentrations

The impact of extrusion on physical and sensory properties and on the in vitro bile acid (BA) binding was examined for N979 and Jim oat (Avena sativa) lines with 8.1 and 4.8% β‐glucan, respectively. Based on hardness and edibility of products made from Jim oats, moisture concentrations of 16–25% and temperatures of 165–180°C were selected for N979 extrusion. Jim‐based cereal had a significantly greater (P < 0.05) expansion ratio than did N979‐based cereal at most moistures. N979 cereal was browner, but not harder, than Jim cereal. Extruded products from N979 and Jim oats had 5.29–5.99% and 3.38–3.94% β‐glucan, respectively. Changing extrusion temperature or moisture content did not affect β‐glucan concentration in the products. N979 cereal made at 165°C and 16% moisture had greater BA binding than at other conditions, and had crunchiness comparable to cereals made at other conditions. BA binding of Cheerios brand breakfast cereal was close to that of N979 cereal made at 180°C and 18% moisture, but lower than cereals made at other conditions. Cereals made from Jim and N979 oats were browner, harder, coarser, and crunchier than Cheerios breakfast cereal. Proper processing and preparation techniques should be considered when producing extruded products from high β‐glucan oats.     

Absorption of potassium,sodium, calcium,and phosphorus by two date palm cultivars and the effect of Gibberellin treatment

Experiments were conducted to avaluate the K, Na, Ca, and P uptake by seedlings of two date palm (phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars, Khedhri and Sekkeri as well as the effect of gibberellin (GA₃) treatment, Khedhri cultivar showed a typical hyperbolic curve of absorption of K,N, end low concentration of Ca (up to 5mM) but at higher Ca concentration, there seems to be another phase of absorption. Sekkeri cultivar exhibited similar but lower absorption rate of K and Ca while Na seems to be extruded at lower substrate concentration. The rate of P uptake by Sekkeri was irregular. Applied GA₃ slightly stimulate Na uptake by Sekkeri cultivar but at 10^–4M GA₃ enhancement of both Ca and P accummulation in both cultivars was observed.     

Effects of irrigation water quality on loquat plant nutrition: Sensitivity of loquat plant to salinity

An investigation was conducted to study the possible use of municipal wastewater for watering loquat plants, and to determine the effects of this water on nutrient status of two‐year‐old loquat plants (Eriobotriae japonica L.) during two complete vegetative cycles. The plants, grafted on franco and Anger stocks, were planted on major soils of the area of La Marina Babea. Plants (grafted on franco stock), irrigated with this wastewater, suffered from foliar necrosis, and all of them died at the end of the experiment, whereas only 12.5% of the plants watered with municipal drinking water died at the same period of time. The Anger stock proved to be much more resistant to salinity than the franco stock. Therefore, medium quality waters (wastewater and saline water) can be used for the irrigation of loquat trees grafted on Anger stock, without causing damages on plant nutrition.     

Screening of field performance of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes against cabbage root flies (Delia radicum l. and d. floralis (fall.); Diptera,Anthomyiidae)

Finnish isolates of Beauveria bassiana (8 isolates), Metarhizium anisopliae (7), Tolypocladium sp. (2), Paecilomyces farinosus (2), P. fumosoroseus (1), Steinernema feltiae (3) and Bacillus thuringiensis ('Muscabac') were tested for efficacy against mixed populations of Delia radicum and D. floralis under field conditions in 1986–90. All pathogens were applied preventatively, the fungi as aqueous conidial or mycelial suspensions, dry conidia or dry mycelial powder. In only two of the nine experiments did B. bassiana or M. anisopliae give some control. In 1986, B. bassiana SF85–2 and Tolypocladium sp. SF85–4 (both at rate 1.2 x 10⁹ conidia plant‐ 1), and ‘Muscabac’ (25 g 1^?1, 1 dl plant^?1) reduced the number of pupae by 80%, 60% and 50%, respectively, as compared with untreated and chemical (isophenphos) controls. In 1990, M. anisopliae SF86–39 at rate 1.6 x 10⁹conidia plant^?1 and 1.5 x 10⁸ CFU plant^?1 and S. feltiae SFS‐22 (35000 plant^?1), increased the yield of cauliflower 2.2, 1.8, and 2.3‐fold, respectively, as compared with the untreated control, but these yields were only 19%, 15% and 19% of those of the chemical (diazinon) control. Paecilomyces isolates were ineffective in the 1986 experiment in which they were included. Our results suggest that it is difficult to find efficient control agents among the fungal and nematode species tested for use as biopesticides against cabbage root flies, but that the potential of M. anisopliae against these pests deserves further study.     

Phosphorus‐enriched soils of urban and suburban Nanjing and their effect on groundwater phosphorus

Neither the phosphorus (P)‐rich soils in urban areas nor their environmental implications have been adequately studied. This study investigated soils of typical urban function zones in Nanjing/China, like park, residential areas, school yards, campus as well as suburb vegetable land and garbage filling sites, and meantime ground water in situ. Typical soils were also experimentally leached for P leaching evaluation. All studied soils were enriched with P with enrichment ratios varying from 2 to 10 for total P and 5 to 22 for NaHCO₃‐extractable P, as compared with the original parent soils. The C : P ratios also indicated strong enrichment of P in urban soils. In urban areas the maximum P layer appeared as buried under different depth while in suburban soils as epipedon. The various morphology of P distribution suggested different soil formation patterns, which were related to the land use history. Groundwater P was significantly correlated with the maximum extractable P content of P in soil profiles and even better with the weighted average P content of the whole profile or P content of the soil layer at or close to groundwater table. Dissolved P in experimental leachate was comparable with that of groundwater but higher than environmentally acceptable level. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between solution P and different extractable P forms of the studied soils. Simple P tests can provide an evaluation of the potential risk of urban soils in discharging P to water system.     

Mode of inheritance of zinc accumulation in maize

The present study was undertaken to investigate the genetic nature of zinc (Zn) accumulation in the ear‐leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) plants. Fourteen inbred lines were evaluated. Out of which, five inbreds were chosen, two high Zn accumulators (Rg‐5 and Rd‐2), two low Zn accumulators (Rg‐8 and G‐307) and a moderate one (K‐64). These five parental inbreds were utilized to obtain all possible ten F1 hybrids (in one direction), 10 F2, 10 Bl, and 10 B2. All genotypes were planted and Zn was estimated at 50% tasseling stage. Zinc accumulation in the present genotypes was found to be genetically controlled and affected by additive genes. Significant values were obtained for the General Combining Abilities (GCA) but not for the Specific Combining Abilities (SCA) and the high Zn accumulating parents were the best general combiners. Four genes were found to be the minimum segregating factors in the (high x low) crosses for Zn accumulation.     

Ertragsreaktionen von Zuckerrüben in den internationalen organischen Stickstoffdauerdün‐Gungsversuchen (IOSDV) Rauischholzhausen und Wrocław‐Swojec

Gegenstand der Untersuchungen sind zwei Dauerfeldversuche, die im Jahr 1984 in Rauischholzhausen (Deutschland) und im Jahr 1996 in Wroc?aw‐Swqjec (Polen) mit vergleichbarer Methode und Zielstellung angelegt wurden. Ausgewertet wurden hier die Zuckerrübenerträge im Mittel der dreijährigen Rotation der Jahre 1997–1999 in Abhängigkeit von organischen und mineralischen Düngungsmaßnahmen. Die erzielten Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung der organischen Düngung für die Ertragssicherung im Zuckerrübenanbau. Die untersuchten organischen Dünger Stalldung, Stroh und Biokompost verbesserten die Ertragswirksamkeit mineralischer N‐Gaben.

Die ertragssteigernde Wirkung organischer Dünger war bei fehlender oder niedriger mineralischer N‐Düngung größer als bei hohen N‐Gaben. Auf stark lehmigem Sandboden (Wrozlaw) wurden höhere Ertragseffekte erzielt als auf schwerem Lehmboden (Rauischholzhausen). Die Blatterträge wurden durch die angewendeten Düngungsmaßnahmen stärker beeinflußt als die Rübenerträge. Stroh und Biokompost zeigten die gleichen Ertragseffekte wie Stalldung.     

Replacement of Shortening in Yellow Layer Cakes by Corn Dextrins

Shortening in a conventional yellow layer cake was replaced by maltodextrin (MD), amylodextrin (AD), octenyl succinylated amylodextrin (OSAD), or mixtures (MD+AD and MD+OSAD). The physical and sensory characteristics of the shortening‐free cakes were investigated. The specific gravity and viscosity of the cake batter, and the volume index of the baked cake were significantly reduced by MD, whereas the cake with added AD or OSAD showed a higher volume index than the control cake containing the shortening. An equivalent mixture of MD and AD, or MD and OSAD, however, produced cakes with a volume index and color defined as ΔE*(ab) that was similar to the control cake. Sensory evaluation revealed that the cakes containing AD or OSAD had significantly higher firmness than the control, but the cakes containing a mixture of MD and AD had firmness, springiness, and overall flavor scores similar to that of the control cake. According to instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA), MD addition, either alone or mixed with AD or OSAD, reduced firmness, whereas AD addition made the cake significantly firmer. When the shortening‐free cakes were stored for eight days at 4°C, TPA revealed greater changes in cake firmness and adhesiveness for MD alone. Cakes made from mixtures of dextrins (MD+AD and MD+OSAD) showed textural change with storage similar to that of the control cake, although the MD+AD cake remained softer than the control.     

Utilization of municipal organic wastes in agriculture: where do we stand,where will we go?

Generation of organic waste is increasing worldwide and strategies for its environmentally sound use must be developed and optimized. Regulations in European countries and the USA differ largely with respect to requirements of organic waste quality and the quantities of pollutants which can be added to the soil. Research has shown beneficial effects regarding the improvement of soil fertility. Enrichment of total metals in soil was attributed to long‐term sludge application but the effect on bioavailability of metals must be further clarified. A number of organic pollutants, such as hydrophobic persistent organic contaminants and surfactants, are known to accumulate in organic wastes. However, the former interact strongly with organic matter in the sludge‐soil‐plant system and systemic plant uptake is generally assumed to be minimal. Surfactants may cause adverse environmental impacts when they enter sewage systems in high loads and accumulate in sludge. Surfactants and some of their metabolites are not readily biodegraded in non‐aerated environments. Due to their toxicity and estrogenic activity, of nonylphenol for example, more research is needed to optimize analytical techniques and to trace their behavior in soil. Some options to cope with the risks of huge amounts of organic waste and also some benefits are presented: (1) further limitation of standards for pollutants and reduced application rates; (2) improved treatment of sewage sludge to reduce the total and bioavailable portions of both heavy metals and organic pollutants; (3) adaptation of waste application rates to soil properties such as sorption capacity for pollutants; (4) harmonization of analytical protocols for organic contaminants, i.e. surfactants and metabolites, enabling a more thorough monitoring of the wastes which are to be applied onto soils.     

Evaluation of preflooding effects on iron extractability and phytoavailability in highly calcareous soil in containers

Previous pot cropping and laboratory incubation experiments were consistent with field observations showing that temporary flooding before cropping can increase the availability of soil Fe to plants. To study the effect of temporary flooding on changes in soil Fe phytoavailability we used 24 highly calcareous, Fe chlorosis–inducing soils to carry out a pot experiment where peanut and chickpea were successively grown after flooding for 30 d. At the end of the cropping experiment, the preflooded soil samples exhibited higher concentrations of acid oxalate‐, citrate/ascorbate‐ and diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Fe (Fe_ox, Fe_ca, and Fe_DTPA, respectively) than the control (nonflooded) samples. Also, Fe_ox and Fe_ca exhibited no change by effect of reflooding of the cropped soils or three wetting–drying cycles in freeze‐dried slurries of soils previously incubated anaerobically for several weeks. Leaf chlorophyll concentration (LCC) in both peanut and chickpea was greatly increased by preflooding. The best predictor for LCC was Fe_ox, followed by Fe_ca and Fe_DTPA. The LCC–soil Fe relationships found suggest that the Fe species extracted by oxalate and citrate/ascorbate from preflooded soils were more phytoavailable than those extracted from control soils. However, the increased phytoavailability of extractable Fe forms was seemingly limited to the first crop (peanut). Flooding dramatically increased Fe_DTPA; however, high Fe_DTPA levels did not result in high LCC values, particularly in the second crop. Therefore, this test is a poor predictor of the severity of Fe chlorosis in preflooded soils.