A field study of the impact of different irrigation practices on herbicide leaching

Agricultural practices, such as subsurface drainage, irrigation and tillage, may significantly affect pesticide leaching and, consequently, the risk of groundwater contamination. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of different irrigation systems on herbicide leaching to shallow groundwater through direct monitoring at the field scale in northern Italy over a 3-year period. Concentrations of the herbicide terbuthylazine (TBA) and its metabolite desethylterbuthylazine (DES) were monitored on 10 farms cropped with maize and irrigated by sprinkler, basin and border systems. Considering the results grouped according to the different irrigation systems, the mean TBA and DES concentrations was lower than the arbitrary non-health based legal limit of 0.1 μg/L using sprinkler and border systems, while it was 0.19 and 0.30 μg/L respectively for TBA and DES using basin systems.However, since many factors other than the irrigation systems can contribute to pesticide leaching and in a field study it is impossible to discriminate between all the different variables, the concentrations of both compounds were simulated with and without irrigation using the model MACRO 5.1 in order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of irrigation on leaching. First, the groundwater table depth, which was measured daily in all fields, was used to calibrate the model and thus achieve a good soil hydrology calibration. To assess the performance of the model the root mean squared error (RMSE) was used. RMSE ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 m, showing that a satisfactory hydrology calibration was obtained. Afterward, the solutes were modelled and the results showed that under non-irrigated conditions, concentrations of both compounds would be very low. These findings validate the hypothesis that careful selection of agricultural practices, such as the type of irrigation, can reduce pesticide leaching.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 38 HORSES WITH SEPTIC ARTHRITIS/TENOSYNOVITIS

Septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in the horse can have life‐threatening consequences. The purpose of this cross‐sectional retrospective study was to describe ultrasound characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in a group of horses. Diagnosis of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis was based on historical and clinical findings as well as the results of the synovial fluid analysis and/or positive synovial culture. Ultrasonographic findings recorded were degree of joint/sheath effusion, degree of synovial membrane thickening, echogenicity of the synovial fluid, and presence of hyperechogenic spots and fibrinous loculations. Ultrasonographic findings were tested for dependence on the cause of sepsis, time between admission and beginning of clinical signs, and the white blood cell counts in the synovial fluid. Thirty‐eight horses with confirmed septic arthritis/tenosynovitis of 43 joints/sheaths were included. Degree of effusion was marked in 81.4% of cases, mild in 16.3%, and absent in 2.3%. Synovial thickening was mild in 30.9% of cases and moderate/severe in 69.1%. Synovial fluid was anechogenic in 45.2% of cases and echogenic in 54.8%. Hyperechogenic spots were identified in 32.5% of structures and fibrinous loculations in 64.3%. Relationships between the degree of synovial effusion, degree of the synovial thickening, presence of fibrinous loculations, and the time between admission and beginning of clinical signs were identified, as well as between the presence of fibrinous loculations and the cause of sepsis (P ≤ 0.05). Findings indicated that ultrasonographic findings of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis may vary in horses, and may be influenced by time between admission and beginning of clinical signs.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Ferula glauca L. (F. communis L. subsp. glauca) growing in Marche (central Italy)

The essential oil obtained from different parts of Ferula glauca L. (formerly considered as a subspecies of F. communis) growing in Marche (central Italy), was analyzed for the first time by GC-FID and GC-MS. The major volatiles were (E)-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide in leaves, alpha-pinene, myrcene and germacrene D in flowers, alpha- and beta-pinene in fruits, (E)-beta-farnesene, myristicin and elemicin in roots, respectively. The differences in composition detected with respect to F. communis, made the volatile fraction a reliable marker to distinguish between them, and confirm the botanical data at the base of their discrimination. Furthermore, the oil was assayed for its antimicrobial activity by the broth microdilution method. B. subtilis was found to be the most sensitive microorganism, with the lowest MIC values.     

Geomorphic features of a badland (biancane) area (Central Italy): characterisation, distribution and quantitative spatial analysis

The biancana landscapes, rather common in several Italian areas, have a very complex morphology. Different geomorphic features often occur along the same hillslope. From a morphological survey of an experimental site in southern Tuscany, the forms were classified, and their distribution analysed. Spatial analysis of the biancane provided insights into the range of forces responsible for their formation and evolution. The results confirm an evolutionary trend from an original gently sloping surface to a complex biancana landform, emphasising a trend from the taller bean forms to the terminal soufflé-like and cone forms. The presence of scarp and sliding forms in the most sloping areas and along the residual surfaces supports the hypothesis of a process influenced by base level, acting initially by small mass movements. Spatial analysis did not reveal any systematic trend in the variability of the erosional features along the slopes. Variographic analysis showed that selected morphological attributes are spatially auto-correlated over a short range, suggesting that the erosive processes responsible for morphogenic evolution of biancane act mostly on a local scale. The strong geometric anisotropy detected in directions parallel to the main jointing systems also indicated a broader scale tectonic control of biancane evolution, probably in an early stage of their formation.     

The metamorphosis of supernova SN 2008D/XRF 080109: a link between supernovae and GRBs/hypernovae

The only supernovae (SNe) to show gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) or early x-ray emission thus far are overenergetic, broad-lined type Ic SNe (hypernovae, HNe). Recently, SN 2008D has shown several unusual features: (i) weak x-ray flash (XRF), (ii) an early, narrow optical peak, (iii) disappearance of the broad lines typical of SN Ic HNe, and (iv) development of helium lines as in SNe Ib. Detailed analysis shows that SN 2008D was not a normal supernova: Its explosion energy (E approximately 6x10(51) erg) and ejected mass [ approximately 7 times the mass of the Sun (M(middle dot in circle))] are intermediate between normal SNe Ibc and HNe. We conclude that SN 2008D was originally a approximately 30 M(middle dot in circle) star. When it collapsed, a black hole formed and a weak, mildly relativistic jet was produced, which caused the XRF. SN 2008D is probably among the weakest explosions that produce relativistic jets. Inner engine activity appears to be present whenever massive stars collapse to black holes.     

Field assessment of a pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system applying different spray volumes: duty cycle and forward speed effects on vines spray coverage

Precision Agriculture - The pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system is the most advanced technology to obtain variable rate spray application without varying the operative sprayer parameters...     

Efficacy of a single administration of a spot-on solution containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% in eliminating Dirofilaria repens microfilariae in naturally infected dogs

In the past decade reports of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis, caused by the mosquito-transmitted nematode Dirofilaria repens, increased in number in several countries in Europe, along with a rise of human cases. Given the merit to the new approaches for the control and treatment of this infection, the present study evaluated the efficacy of a single application of the spot-on formulation containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% (Advocate(?), Bayer Animal Health) in the elimination of D. repens microfilariaemia in naturally infected dogs. In September 2009, 18 dogs with a natural infection by D. repens were enrolled in the study. In October 2009 all the dogs were treated once with Advocate(?) and the presence/absence of circulating MF and skin lesions after treatment was evaluated monthly until April 2010. From November 2009 to April 2010 15 dogs scored negative for D. repens while one dog remained negative till March 2010 when it died. Two dogs had a recurrence of microfilariaemia in December 2009 and January 2010 respectively. Nine infected dogs showed skin lesions at the beginning of the trial, which disappeared after treatment in 7 dogs, whereas the other two symptomatic dogs did not show any dermatological improvement until the end of the trial even though they scored negative for D. repens microfilariae. This study demonstrated that a single dermal administration of Advocate(?) is effective in eliminating microfilariae of D. repens and likely has a certain degree of activity in killing subcutaneous adult worms as well. This study demonstrates the efficacy of Advocate(?) in the treatment of dermatitis caused by D. repens. Also, these results are of importance towards further control programs aiming to reduce the number of bites infectious for mosquitoes and the risk of infection for both humans and dogs.