Micro-scale modelling of carbon turnover driven by microbial succession at a biogeochemical interface

The detritusphere is a very thin but microbiological highly active zone in soil. To trace the fate of litter carbon in the detritusphere we developed a new 1D dynamic mechanistic model. In a microcosm experiment soil cores were incubated with ¹³C labelled rye residues (δ¹³C=299‰), which were placed on the surface. Microcosms were sampled after 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 84 days and soil cores were separated into layers of increasing distance to the litter. Gradients in soil organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass and activity were detected over a distance of 3 mm from the litter layer. The newly developed 1D model simulates both the total carbon and the ¹³C carbon pools and fluxes, so that it was possible to include the ¹³C data in model optimisation. The special feature of the model is that it operates with two decomposer populations; the first one is assumed to be dominated by bacteria (initial-stage decomposer) and second one by fungi (late-stage decomposer). Moreover, in the model the DOC pool is divided into two sub pools. Each DOC pool is consumed by one of the decomposer populations. After parameter optimisation the model was well suited to simulate the experimental data. The model explained 92% of the observed variance. The model output provides a comprehensive insight into the carbon cycling within the detritusphere. The simulation results showed among others that after 84 days about 10% of total litter C was transferred to the soil organic matter (SOM) pool. Only 3% was located in the microbial biomass. From the evolved CO₂ 71% was litter-derived and 29% was soil-derived. From the litter-derived CO₂, 69% was directly formed in the litter layer. The remaining 31% was transported to soil before mineralisation. Our study shows that a combination of experimental work and mathematical modelling is a powerful approach to provide a comprehensive insight into the small-scale carbon turnover in soil.     

Genetic Mapping of Pathogenicity and Aggressiveness of Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum) Toward Wheat

ABSTRACT Gibberella zeae is the major fungal pathogen of Fusarium head blight of wheat and produces several mycotoxins that are harmful to humans and domesticated animals. We identified loci associated with pathogenicity and aggressiveness on an amplified fragment length polymorphism based genetic map of G. zeae in a cross between a lineage 6 nivalenol producer from Japan and a lineage 7 deoxynivalenol producer from Kansas. Ninety-nine progeny and the parents were tested in the greenhouse for 2 years. Progeny segregated qualitatively (61:38) for pathogenicity:nonpathogenicity, respectively. The trait maps to linkage group IV, which is adjacent to loci that affect colony pigmentation, perithecium production, and trichothecene toxin amount. Among the 61 pathogenic progeny, the amount of disease induced (aggressiveness) varied quantitatively. Two reproducible quantitative trait loci (QTL) for aggressiveness were detected on linkage group I using simple interval analysis. A QTL linked to the TRI5 locus (trichodiene synthase in the trichothecene pathway gene cluster) explained 51% of the variation observed, and a second QTL that was 50 centimorgans away explained 29% of the phenotypic variation. TRI5 is tightly linked to the locus controlling trichothecene toxin type. The two QTLs, however, were likely part of the same QTL using composite interval analysis. Progeny that produced deoxynivalenol were, on average, approximately twice as aggressive as those that produced nivalenol. No transgressive segregation for aggressiveness was detected. The rather simple inheritance of both traits in this interlineage cross suggests that relatively few loci for pathogenicity or aggressiveness differ between lineage 6 and 7.     

Creatine-kinase test (CK test) as a selection criterion to estimate stress resistance and meat quality in pigs

The problems of pale, soft exudative muscle in pigs (PSE) and death during transportation are discussed. Both phenomena are caused by a hereditary disturbance of the energy metabolism of muscle and excessive production of lactate during exertion (exertional myopathy). An enzymatic test (CK test) for the estimation of hereditary proneness to exertional myopathy in the live breeding animal is described. Phenotypic correlations between CK values and parameters of meat quality are r=–0.4 (N=357 pigs). The heritability of CK values is h²=0.3 (N=3601 pigs). The scope and limitations of the CK test as compared with other test methods are discussed. It is concluded that the CK test is useful as a selection criterion for breeding schemes.

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Kurzfassung Die Probleme des blassen, weichen, wässrigen Fleisches (PSE) und des Transporttodes der Schweine werden diskutiert. Beide Phänomene beruhen auf einer erblichen Störung des Muskelenergiestoffwechsels und übermässiger Lactatproduktion bei Belastung (Belastungsmyopathie). Es wird über ein enzymatisches Testverfahren (CK-Test) berichtet, das die Schätzung der erblichen Disposition für Belastungsmyopathie bei lebenden Zuchttieren erlaubt. Phänotypische Korrelationen zwischen CK-Wert und Merkmalen der, Fleischqualität betragen r=–0,4 (357 Schweine). Die Erblichkeit des CK-Wertes erreicht h²=0,3 (3601 Schweine). Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des CK-Testes werden, im Vergleich mit anderen Testverfahren diskutiert. Der CK-Test scheint als Selektionsmerkmal für Zuchtprogramme geeignet zu sein.

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Resume Les problèmes de la qualité de la viande et de la mortalité des porces en cours de transport sont discutés. Les deux phénomènes sont causés par un défaut héréditaire du métabolisme de l'énergie, du muscle et d'une production excessive de l'acide lactique sous la contrainte (myopathie de contrainte). Un procédé de test enzymatique (CK-test) est décrit qui a permis d'estimer la prédisposition héréditaire pour la myopathie de contrainte chez l'animal reproducteur vivant. Les corrélations phénotypiques entre les valeurs, du CK-test et les critères de la qualité de la viande sont égales à r=–0,4 (portant sur 357 porcs). L'héritabilité de la valeur CK est h²=0,3 (portant sur 3601 porcs). Les possibilités et limitations du CK-test en comparaison avec les autres procédés de test sont discutés. Le CK-test semble utilisable comme critère de sélection pour les programmes d'élevage.

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Riassunto Si discutono i problemi della qualità della carne e della mortalità durante il transporto. I due fenomeni sono causati da una alterazione ereditaria del metabolismo muscolare e da una eccessiva produzione de lettati durante lo sforzo (miopatia da stress). Si descrive un test enzimatico (CK-Test) che ha permesso di stimare la predisposizione ereditaria alla miopatia da stress nell'animale riproduttore vivo. Le correlazioni fenotipiche tra i valori de CK-Test ed i criteri della qualità della carne sono r=–0,4 (357 maiali). L'ereditarietà del valore CK è di h²=0,3 (3601 maiali). Si discutono le possibilità ed i limiti del CK-Test in relazione ad altri tipi di test. Sembra che il CK-Test sia utilizzabile come criterio di valutazione nei programmi di selezione.

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This article was originally written in German. Copies of the German version may be obtained free of charge by writing to: Mr. J. Rodesch, Commission of the European Communities, DG XIII, Bâtiment Jean Monnet, Rue Alcide de Gasperi, Kirchberg, Luxembourg.     

Untersuchungen zum Bodenlufthaushalt in einem Bodenbearbeitungsversuch. 2. Gasdiffusionskoeffizienten als Strukturmaße für Böden

Investigation of the soil gas regime in a tillage experiment: 2. Apparent diffusion coefficients as a measure of soil structure In a soil tillage experiment with nursery stock on three different soils the apparent diffusion coefficients for CO₂ were measured using soil cores of different depths at different times. Not-tilled, herbicide treated plots were compared with rototilled plots. The relationship between the relative apparent diffusion coefficient and the air content may be described by an exponential regression function D_s/D_a = 0.0085 · e^6.8E_L, if all measurements are taken into the calculation. By dividing into different soil textures different regressions are obtained for the three studied soils: a sand, a silt and a clay loam. In many cases it is possible to show by the changing D_s(E_L) regression changes of the soil structure with depth or as a result of tillage. In all these cases the soil of the not tilled plots turns out to be better structurized than that of the tilled ones, demonstrated by higher D_s-values at equal E_L. The interpretation of the differences is being tried with the aid of soil pore tortuousity and continuity. Finally the measured D_s(E_L) relationships are applied to characterize the soil gas regime for two seasons, using CO₂ concentration profiles of the soil air on a day in summer and fall, respectively. It is shown, that CO₂ production reaches farther down in summer than in fall.     

Introgression of Two Drought QTLs into FUNAABOR-2 Early Generation Backcross Progenies Under Drought Stress at Reproductive Stage

FUNAABOR-2 is a popular Ofada rice variety grown in a large area under rainfed upland condition across western states of Nigeria. We used the combination of phenotypic and marker-assisted selection(MAS) to improve grain yield of FUNAABOR-2 under drought stress(DS) at the reproductive stage via introgression of two drought quantitative trait loci(QTLs), qDTY12.1 and qDTY2.3. Foreground selection was carried out using peak markers RM511 and RM250, associated with qDTY12.1 and qDTY2.3, respectively, followed by recombinant selection with RM28099 and RM1261 distally flanking qDTY12.1. Furthermore, BC1 F2-derived introgressed lines and their parents were evaluated under DS and non-stress(NS) conditions during the 2015–2016 dry season. Overall reduction of grain yield under DS compared to NS was recorded. Introgressed lines with qDTY12.1 and qDTY2.3 combinations showed higher yield potential compared to lines with single or no QTL under DS, indicating significant positive interactions between the two QTLs under the FUNAABOR-2 genetic background. Pyramiding of qDTY12.1 and qDTY2.3 in the FUNAABOR-2 genetic background led to higher grain yield production under DS and NS.     

Contribution of Leafy Vegetable Sauces to Dietary Iron,Zinc, Vitamin A and Energy Requirements in Children and Their Mothers in Burkina Faso

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Improved leafy vegetable (LV) sauces, with amaranth, sorrel, and Ceylon spinach/spider plant leaves were formulated from traditional recipes to assess their...     

Fighting parasites and predators: How to deal with multiple threats?

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although inducible defences have been studied extensively, only little is known about how the presence of parasites might interfere with these anti-predator adaptations. Both parasites and predators are important factors shaping community structure and species composition of ecosystems. Here, we simultaneously exposed Daphnia magna to predator cues (released by the tadpole shrimp, Triops, or by a fish) and spores of the yeast parasite Metschnikowia sp. to determine how life history and morphological inducible defences against these two contrasting types of predators are affected by infection. RESULTS: The parasite suppressed some Triops-induced defences: Daphnia lost the ability to produce a greater number of larger offspring, a life-history adaptation to Triops predation. In contrast, the parasite did not suppress inducible defences against fish: induction (resulting in smaller body length of the mothers as well as of their offspring) and infection acted additively on the measured traits. Thus, fish-induced defences may be less costly than inducible defences against small invertebrate predators like Triops; the latter defences could no longer be expressed when the host had already invested in fighting off the parasite. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our study suggests that as specific inducible defences differ in their costs, some might be suppressed if a target prey is additionally infected. Therefore, adding parasite pressure to predator-prey systems can help to elucidate the costs of inducible defences.     

Steam Pretreatment of Rice Hulls to Release Fermentable Saccharides: An Approach to Improve Recovery of (Hemi)Cellulosic Sugars Through Multivariate Design

The conversion of rice hulls into fermentable saccharides was explored through steam pretreatment employing 2.5% SO₂. The interaction between temperature and time was assessed by means of the response surface method to achieve optimum contents of C6-sugars in water-insoluble solids (WIS) and C5-sugars in the liquor. Pretreatment carried out at 218 °C for 2.3 min released liquor containing 55.4 g/L of sugars (29.1 g/L of xylose). In parallel, the WIS was subjected to enzymatic saccharification using different solid and enzyme loads via an experimental design: assays using 22.0% WIS and 20.0 filter paper units (FPU)/g led to 90.6 g/L of glucose, corresponding to a yield of 86.4% and an overall yield of 72.4%. The data reported are the highest ever found for such raw material, making it attractive to compete with conventional lignocellulosic biomass.     

Marine migrations in anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta). Fjord residency as a possible alternative in the continuum of migration to the open sea

Partial migration is a common phenomenon in many fish species. Trout (Salmo trutta) is a partially migratory species where some part of the population migrate to the marine environment, while another remains in freshwater. In the years 2008 and 2009, a total of 159 wild sea trout smolts were tagged with acoustic and PIT‐tags in the river Villestrup (Denmark) to study the initial postsmolt marine behaviour within a fjord system. We found that the strategies of the sea migrants vary: some stay in the fjord, while others migrate to the sea, suggesting that partial migration occurs even in the marine environments. Overall, a total of 53% of the tagged smolts migrated from the fjord to the sea, and 47% stayed (or potentially died) in the fjord. The ratios of fjord‐resident versus sea‐migrating postsmolts were consistent at the study times, and no differences between the early and late migration periods of the smolts were observed. The individual's size or body condition at the time of tagging did not affect survival or the migratory decisions in the fjord. High overall initial survival (74%) was found 30 days after the fjord entry. We suggest that within a continuum of migration to sea, there is a migratory decision point when sea trout postsmolts encounter a fjord system. At this point, postsmolts will assess the possibility of migration versus the alternative of fjord residency.