Taking the pulse of forest plantations success in peri-urban environments through continuous inventory

Urban expansion increases the need for, and pressure on, green areas. Reforestation projects in the rural–urban fringe represent an opportunity for enhancing the environmental quality of peri-urban spaces and a means to contribute to cities carbon neutrality policies. Yet, relatively little information exists regarding the long term (10–25 years) survival and growth rate in urban and peri-urban plantations. This paper reports and discusses the results achieved by a reforestation in the peri-urban space of Rome (Italy), 25 years after its establishment. The plantation has been periodically surveyed between 6 and 24 years of age by means of continuous inventories, with the aim of monitoring growth dynamics. Permanent sample plots have been investigated and stratified by tree species composition (broadleaves vs. conifers, single vs. multispecies) for data analysis. On the whole, plantations show suitable results in terms of rate of growth, carbon storage and uptake, especially in coniferous and mixed stands. The average stand volume of the forest plantation, currently ranges from one-and-a third to one-and-a-half times the average values estimated for natural high forest stands of the same age and species groups at country level. The species groups exhibit differential growth patterns over the observed period, that are mainly due to differences in the ecological traits of the planted trees. Ten years after the establishment, the average annual value of carbon uptake in conifer and mixed species group exceeds 10 Mg CO₂ equivalent ha^?1 year^?1, a figure corresponding to 4 times the value of deciduous broadleaves (oaks and other species) and 1.5 times the value of evergreen oaks. Twenty years after the establishment, the average annual carbon uptake peaks to 25 Mg CO₂ equivalent ha^?1 year^?1 in the mixed species group, exceeds 15 Mg CO₂ equivalent ha^?1 year^?1 in the conifers, and ranks between 6 and 12.5 Mg CO₂ equivalent ha^?1 year^?1 in the groups dominated by broadleaved species. Overall with a surface area just under 300 ha, the carbon uptake level of the Castel di Guido reforestation allows to offset the 0.04% of CO₂ emissions of the city of Rome. Although the spatial coexistence of even-aged plantation blocks characterized by a range of ecological traits, is expected to ensure a more continuous carbon sequestration, being less susceptible to damage of any kind, the current lack of silvicultural management may also lead to degradation processes, by triggering e.g. fuel accumulation and, by consequence, forest fires. In this line, recommendations are provided in order to improve the ecological and functional efficiency of the investigated reforestation. The field experiment demonstrates, ultimately, the capability of the continuous forest inventory to take the pulse over several decades of tree species performance and carbon uptake levels in urban and peri-urban reforestations.     

Efficacy of different steam distribution systems against five soilborne pathogens under controlled laboratory conditions

The efficacy of three steam application techniques (steam injection, iron pan and sheet steaming) was evaluated against five soilborne pathogens under controlled laboratory conditions. Injection and pan steam systems proved to be efficient and feasible alternatives to traditional sheet steaming for suppressing Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici at 60% moisture field capacity in sandy-loam soil. Injecting steam was the best technique to suppress F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici, F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani, F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici. The mycelia of R. solani and P. capsici were very sensitive to heat and were effectively killed by injection of steam and by the pan steam system at 80% and 40% moisture field capacity.     

Fertilizing Properties of Potassium Feldspar Altered Hydrothermally

The material obtained through hydrothermal alteration of K-feldspar rock in alkaline conditions is a potential source of soluble potassium (K), but agronomic testing is needed to verify its capacity to supply K to crops. A (NH₄)₂SO₄-based bioassay was used to test the capacity of the material to supply K to tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growing in a mixture of silt loam, peat moss, and sand. Potassium chloride (KCl) and unaltered K-feldspar rock powder also were tested for comparison. The fresh weight and K composition of the plants increased as doses of KCl or hydrothermal material increased, but not with increases in K-feldspar rock. Development of stem lesions, which develop as symptoms of K deficiency in the presence of (NH₄)₂SO₄, were eliminated by KCl or hydrothermal material but not by feldspar rock. A beneficial effect may occur due to the calcium (Ca) supplied or with adjustment of soil acidity by the hydrothermal material. The hydrothermal material is a K fertilizer at least as effective as KCl since it yields the same or better plant weight.     

Methods of assessing the incidence of Armillaria root rot across viticultural areas and the pathogen's genetic diversity and spatial–temporal pattern in northern Italy

Armillaria mellea (Vahl:Fr.) P. Kumm. is the causal agent of root rots of numerous perennial woody plants, including grapevine. In grapevine, A. mellea infections cause reduced plant vigour, poor grape quality and, in the last stage of the disease, plant death. No post-infection control agents are available for use against this disease. Disease management programmes rely solely on prophylactic measures. Therefore, knowledge of the distribution pattern of the disease over time, disease incidence and actual losses due to the disease across geographical areas is crucial. We evaluated the use of aerial photographs, surveys of growers’ experiences and field assessments to estimate the incidence of Armillaria root rot in a viticultural area (140 ha) situated in the Piana Rotaliana region (Italy). Results of the 4-year assessment were that 25% of the vineyards (36 ha) were infected by Armillaria, 2% of the cultivated vines exhibited disease symptoms and 0.25% of the vines died each autumn. The causal agent was almost exclusively A. mellea but, in two cases, Armillaria gallica was also isolated. The genetic diversity of the Italian population, according to IGS sequencing and somatic incompatibility testing, was very high, suggesting multiple pathogen introduction sites and the slow, vegetative underground spread of the fungus. Fungal clones were found within individual vineyards. Even if, within a particular area, the disease is spreading very slowly and crop losses are limited (one vine out of 400 dies each year), an effective agronomic plan for the prevention of infections should be implemented.     

Insulin resistance and abomasal motility disorders in cows detected by use of abomasoduodenal electromyography after surgical correction of left displaced abomasum

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between insulin concentrations and myoelectrical activity of the abomasum in cows with a left displaced abomasum (LDA). ANIMALS: 14 dairy cows with an LDA at the onset of lactation. PROCEDURE: During surgical correction of an LDA, 3 pairs of electrodes were placed in the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract (abomasal body, pars pylorica, and duodenum) of each cow. Electromyographic recordings were obtained once per day for 7 days. Samples were collected and tested to determine concentrations of insulin, glucagon, cortisol, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids. RESULTS: All 14 cattle had high glucose and insulin concentrations at the time of admission, independent of ketosis. Concentrations of glucose and insulin decreased slowly after surgical treatment and were associated with a progressive increase in abomasoduodenal myoelectric activity. The 14 cows were allocated into 2 groups (suspected insulin-resistant cattle, n = 7; suspected non-insulin-resistant cattle, 7) on the basis of persistent hyperinsulinemia during the postoperative period. Seven days after surgery, the abomasoduodenal myoelectric patterns were still significantly lower for the insulin-resistant cows, compared with patterns for the non-insulin-resistant cows. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Insulin resistance appears to be common in cows with an LDA. Analysis of results of this study reveals that abomasal atony in cows with an LDA depends on persistence of high serum concentrations of insulin. Results of this study could provide an explanation for a pathogenetic factor of LDAs and the frequent relapses of cattle affected by this condition.     

Computed tomographic dimensions of the normal adult equine eye

There are limited data on whether the dimensions of the equine eye and its internal structures change with bodyweight in horses. The aim of this study was to identify whether the size of the equine eye and its individual structures varied in a predictable manner with bodyweight, and to examine the reliability of computed tomography (CT) scans in the measurement of the equine eye. Ninety horses which had undergone CT examination of the head for non‐ocular disease were included. All measurements of the eye were performed twice on all eyes by the same operator to quantify intra‐operator agreement, and in 10 cases were also performed by a second operator to quantify inter‐operator agreement. Agreement was excellent for all but the rostrocaudal measurement of the anterior chamber, which was fair. The following variables correlated significantly with bodyweight: anterior‐posterior size of the globe (correlation coefficient: 0.586) and posterior segment (correlation coefficient: 0.554); the latero‐medial size of the globe (correlation coefficient: 0.452), anterior chamber (correlation coefficient: 0.504) and posterior segment (correlation coefficient: 0.455); and the orbital fossa diameter (correlation coefficient: 0.219). The lens size and anterior‐posterior distance of the anterior chamber did not correlate significantly with bodyweight. These results suggest that overall eye size and the size of the orbital fossa change with the bodyweight of the horse, but lens size remains consistent, and that CT measurements of the internal structures of the eye are repeatable and reproducible. This information aids in interventional procedures for ocular pathology and assessment of normal anatomy.     

Cladosporium cladosporioides‐complex infection in a mixed‐breed dog

A 3‐year‐old female mixed‐breed dog was referred with a 2‐day history of serious dyspnea, coughing, lethargy, anorexia, and a low‐grade right anterior lameness. At presentation, the dog had an increased respiratory rate, dull heart and lung sounds, and cyanotic mucous membranes. It was hyperthermic and slightly dehydrated. Laboratory findings showed mild neutrophilia with a left shift, while serum biochemistry variables were in the normal range. However, urinalysis revealed mild proteinuria and rare erythrocytes and leukocytes on sediment examination. Thoracic radiographs showed a diffuse mixed interstitial and alveolar pattern with an air bronchogram, while appendicular radiographs showed a right humeral interrupted brush‐like periosteal reaction. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Cytology from a fine‐needle aspirate of mediastinal lymph nodes revealed a pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis with numerous fungal hyphae. Culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar isolated dark fungal colonies with microscopic features consistent with Cladosporium spp. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region identified the fungus as a species of the Cladosporium cladosporioides‐complex.