Characteristics of Rice Cultivars with Implications for Crawfish Double Cropping1

Twenty-five domestic rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were evaluated in a simulated rice/crawfish double cropping system in southwest Louisiana during 1983 and 1984. Wide variation was observed among cultivars in parameters believed to be important for maximizing productivity in such a system. Mean maturity ranged from 99 (Labelle) to 118 days (Starbonnet), while height ranged from 76 (Bellemont) to 130 cm (Della, Nato). Significant differences in grain yield response were observed, with yields ranging from 4,101 (Bluebelle) to 6,665 kg/hectare (Newbonnet). Straw dry matter production varied greatly, from 3,831 (Bellemont) to 9,170 kg/hectare (Della), and was positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.64; P = 0.0001). Ratoon biomass production was negatively correlated with both grain yield (r = -0.39; P = 0.0001) and maturity group (r = -0.69; P = 0.0001). Plant senescence at grain maturity also varied greatly and appears to be a factor in post-harvest ratoon capability. Early or very early maturing cultivars with both proven grain production and good ratooning capability appear best suited. Cultivar selection should be based upon individual farm situations and currently employed agronomic practices.     

Das Arten- und Biotopschutzprogramm in Bayern und seine Auswirkungen auf die Forstwirtschaft

Zusammenfassung Das bayerische Arten- und Biotopschutzprogramm (ABSP) wird seit 1984 auf der Basis der naturr?umlichen Gegebenheiten erarbeitet und jeweils landkreisbezogen dargestellt. über die H?lfte der 71 bayerischen Landkreise ist vollst?ndig bearbeitet. In der ersten Arbeitsphase wurden nur die innerhalb der Naturschutzverwaltung zug?nglichen Datenquellen ausgewertet. Neuerdings werden in Absprache mit der Obersten Forstbeh?rde verst?rkt forstliche Informationen eingearbeitet. Bereits herausgegebene ?ltere B?nde werden aktualisiert. Das Programm hat keine unmittelbare Rechtswirksamkeit. Die Forstbeh?rden und Waldbesitzer sind aufgerufen, die im Programm dargestellten Ziele des Arten- und Biotopschutzes zu unterstützen. Diese umfassen u. a. die verst?rkte fachliche Zusammenarbeit, die Erhaltung und F?rderung von Sonderstandorten, Alt- und Totholz, die Reduktion der Wilddichte und die Vermehrung der Waldfl?che.

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Bavaria's program for the protection of species and biotopes, and its effects on forestry

Summary Bavaria's program for the protection of species and biotopes (ABSP) is being worked out since 1984, by counties, on the basis of given natural environmental conditions. Work has been completed for more than half of the 71 Bavarian counties. During the first phase of the work, only data sources of the nature conservation authorities were evaluated. More recently, also forestry-related information is increasingly incorporated in agreement with the State's top forestry authorities. Already issued volumes are updated. The program has no direct legal status. Forestry authorities and woodland owners are called upon to support the program's objectives of species and biotope protection. Such are, amongst others: increased professional cooperation; preservation and promotion of special sites, old timber and dead snags; reduction of game animal population densities; and increase of woodland areas.

     

Efficacy of AHR-13268, an antiallergenic compound, in the management of pruritus caused by atopic disease in dogs.

Twenty-nine pruritic, atopic dogs were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy of an investigational antiallergenic compound, AHR-13268. Fourteen dogs were evaluated by a veterinary dermatologist (at intervals) and the owner (daily). Fifteen dogs were evaluated only by the owner. The mean (+/- SE) owner scores for pruritus, erythema, and lesions with placebo treatment (higher score = worse signs) were 3.24 (+/- 0.12), 2.73 (+/- 0.12), and 2.61 (+/- 0.09), respectively. With drug treatment, the corresponding scores were 2.89 (+/- 0.12), 2.50 (+/- 0.12), and 2.25 (+/- 0.09). Scores for pruritus and lesions (but not erythema) were significantly better with drug treatment than with placebo treatment. Investigator scores showed similar trends, but the differences were not great enough to be statistically significant. Overall, 11/29 (38%) owners reported their dogs had moderate or better improvement from drug capsules, and 4/29 dogs (14%) improved on placebo capsules. A variety of adverse effects were reported following both drug (9/29 dogs) and placebo (8/29 dogs) capsule administration, but were mild and well tolerated. Results of this study indicate that AHR-13268 has potential for empiric treatment of allergic inhalant dermatitis in some dogs.     

A test for interaction between brown trout (Salmo trutta) and inanga (Galaxias maculatus) in an artificial stream

Abstract –  The interaction between brown trout ( Salmo trutta ; fork length (FL) range 255–390 mm) and inanga ( Galaxias maculatus ; FL range 55–115 mm) was tested during summer through autumn in an artificial stream consisting of a single run-riffle-pool sequence with a natural food supply. Each experimental trial lasted for 15 days, and consisted of two brown trout and 50 inanga collected fresh from a nearby stream, with each species given prior residence in four replicate tests, totalling eight trials in all. In addition, two control trials (each 10 days), with 50 inanga in each, were run. Brown trout almost exclusively occupied the pool, whereas inanga occupied all habitat types, although in different proportions, when tested with and without brown trout. The proportion of inanga in the pool was appreciably lower in the experimental trials with brown trout than in the control trials with no brown trout; prior residence had no significant effect on inanga habitat use. Mortality of inanga attributable to predation by brown trout ranged from 0 to 40% with a mean of 14.5 ± 4.7%. The results suggest that habitat use and survival of inanga populations in small streams can be adversely affected by brown trout.     

The effects of straw disposal and depth of cultivation on the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of winter wheat on a clay and a silt soil

Abstract. Experiments were conducted for one year on two different soil types. On a clay soil straw was either (a) burnt, (b) baled leaving the stubble, or (c) chopped and spread. The soil was tine cultivated to depths of 5, 10 or 15 cm or ploughed to 20 or 30 cm before winter wheat was sown conventionally. In addition, a direct-drilled crop was sown after each straw treatment. On a silt loam soil the direct-drilled, tine cultivated to 15 cm and ploughed to 30 cm treatments following burning or chopping and spreading straw were repeated.
Tine cultivation incorporated less straw than ploughing, decreased plant establishment and early growth but did not decrease yield. Direct-drilling through chopped straw decreased yield on the silt loam but not on the clay soil. Short straw (< 5 cm) was easier to incorporate than longer straw. Ploughing was the most efficient method of straw incorporation because it inverts soil. Early effects on crop growth and nutrient uptake following straw incorporation were transient and associated with large amounts of straw in the seeded layer of soil.     

Hepatitis contagiosa canis (H.c.c.)--2 cases in Austria

Two cases of H.c.c. which occurred in winter 1987 in Vienna are described. Case one was a female Chow-Chow, 8 weeks of age, that died from the peracute form of the disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and direct immunofluorescence. Case two, a 9-month old female Kuvacz, showed clinical signs of the subacute form of H.c.c. She was hospitalized and therapy was successful. The disease was diagnosed by the typical clinical signs and the raise of antibodies in paired serum samples. Etiology, clinical signs and immunology of H.c.c. are discussed.     

Nephrolithiasis resulting in intermittent ureteral obstruction in a cow

Bilateral nephrolithiasis with intermittent ureterolithiasis was diagnosed in a 7-year old Holstein cow. Two episodes of ureterolithiasis resulted in severe azotemia which resolved after spontaneous movement of the stone. A third episode of obstruction one year after the initial episode resulted in rupture of one kidney, necessitating euthanasia. The histopathological examination of the kidney was diagnostic for chronic pyelonephritis. Corynebacterium sp. was cultured from a nephrolith. In this case it is believed that the chronic pyelonephritis predisposed to the calculi formation.     

Uterine clearance mechanisms during the early postovulatory period in mares

Uterine response to inoculation with Streptococcus zooepidemicus organisms, 51Cr-labeled 15-microns microspheres, and charcoal was evaluated in 9 mares (4 resistant and 5 susceptible to endometritis) to determine mechanical and cellular clearance rates during the early postovulatory period. Mares were inoculated at estrus prior to ovulation during estrous cycles 1, 3, and 5. Uterine swab specimens for aerobic and anaerobic bacteriologic culture and serum for progesterone determination were obtained on postovulation day 3 during estrous cycle 1, on the day of ovulation during estrous cycle 3, and on postovulation day 5 during estrous cycle 5. Immediately thereafter, the uterus was irrigated with 50 ml of sterile physiologic saline solution containing tracer amounts of 125I-labeled human serum albumin. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was isolated from 10 of 15 (67%) uterine specimens collected from susceptible mares and incubated aerobically. Escherichia coli also was isolated from 2 of the 10 specimens incubated aerobically. Anaerobic bacteriologic culture of specimens from all mares yielded no growth. Chromium-labeled microspheres were recovered twice from 2 susceptible mares, on day 0 and day 5. Charcoal was retained in 5 specimens collected from 3 susceptible mares. Bacteriologic culture of specimens from resistant mares did not yield growth. On day 0, chromium-labeled microspheres and charcoal were recovered once from 1 resistant mare. Mares susceptible to endometritis accumulated more fluid within the uterine lumen after ovulation than did resistant mares (mean +/- SEM, 52.73 +/- 15.22 ml and 7.41 +/- 1.96 ml, respectively; P less than 0.01). From this study, it appeared that uterine cellular and bactericidal mechanisms are dysfunctional during the early postovulatory period. However, there appeared to be no disruption of the mechanisms responsible for mechanical clearance of materials inoculated in the uterus.