Flow-microcalorimetry measurements of aerobic and anaerobic soil microbial activity

Heat output can be used as an indicator of microbial activity and is usually measured in a microcalorimeter with closed ampoules. In long-term experiments particularly, interpretation of the data is hindered by the changing environment in the closed ampoules because of O₂ consumption and CO₂ enrichment. We used a combination of a flow-microcalorimeter and a gas chromatograph to measure the heat flux and CO₂ and N₂O production rates under controlled conditions. Simultaneous detection of the heat output and CO₂ emission allowed calculation of the calorimetric: CO₂ (Cal/CO₂) ratio. A mean ratio of-435 kJ mol^-1 CO₂ was detected in six different soils amended with glucose and incubated under aerobic conditions. This ratio indicated that CO₂ was the end-product of catabolism. In wet 10–12 mm soil aggregates of a gleyic vertisol amended with glucose, values of-285 kJ mol^-1 CO₂ under an aerobic and-141 kJ mol^-1 CO₂ under a N₂ atmosphere was determined. These findings indicated that fermentative metabolism occurred. The Cal/CO₂ ratio was not affected when enough NO _inf3 ^sup- was available and denitrification processes (N₂O production) were possible.     

Determination of phospholipid- and lipopolysaccharide-derived fatty acids as an estimate of microbial biomass and community structures in soils

Several soils subject to different cultivation and management practices were examined by analysis of fatty acid profiles derived from phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides, using an improved sequential method which is capable of measuring ester-linked and non-ester-linked phospholipid fatty acids (EL-PLFA, NEL-PLFA, respectively) and the hydroxy fatty acids in lipopolysaccharides. A good correlation was obtained (r>0.90) between the soil biomass and total EL-PLFA in the soils investigated, which ranged from forest soils to a variety of agricultural soils. Elucidation of the composition of the community structure was an additional task. Eukaryotes can be differentiated from bacteria by the presence of polyunsaturated and -hydroxy fatty acids, both of which were much more abundant in the OF layer of the forest soil than in the remaining samples. A relatively low proportion of monomethyl branched-chain saturated fatty acids was obtained in the forest OF horizon, these being indicators for Gram-positive bacteria and actinomycetes. Various subclasses of proteobacteria produce and mid-chain hydroxy fatty acids, which occur primarily in agricultural soils. The ratios between monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids seem to be very useful parameters of soil environmental conditions. In addition, on the basis of the differences in composition of the NEL-PLFA and hydroxy fatty acids of lipopolysaccharides, clear indications for the community structure of various soils were obtained. In the forest soils much more abundant anaerobic micro-organisms and relatively less abundant proteobacteria were present than in the other soils. In the cultivated soils, however, the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria was considerably higher. Furthermore, eukaryotes appeared to be pre-dominant in the soils once used for a manure deposit site.     

Die Beeinflussung der Bodenlösung durch Saugkerzen aus Ni-Sintermetall und Keramik

Influencing soil solution by suction cup material (Ni, ceramics) The influence of suction cup material (ceramics, Ni) on the chemical composition of the soil solution was tested in the laboratory by percolating soil solutions of different concentration (pH ～ 4.0). Ceramic cups of P 80 material can be used for the collection of soil solution and its determination for the concentrations of H, Na, K, NH₄, Ca, Mg, Mn, Al, S, Cl and NO₃. They can't be used to determine P-concentrations. The cups must be prepared and preconditioned by leaching large amounts of equilibrium soil solution which should not be oversaturated with respect to the solubility product of AlOHSO₄. The changes in the concentration of extracted soil solution when it passes through the cups depend upon the extracted volume. The lower the volume, the greater are the changes. Sintered Ni-cups show many severe disadvantages (decreasing permeability, insufficient resistence against acid solutions, large variability among single cups), and can only be used for cases where Na, Ca, K, and S are to be determined. Ceramic cups of the type ‘Czeratzki’ are comparable with those of P 80. However, they can only be used, when the concentrations don't vary too much and large amounts of water can be extracted.     

Ergebnisse und Probleme beim Nachweis von Teilprozessen apomiktischer Samenbildung bei Gräserbastarden

Zusammenfassung Ausgehend von Erkenntnissen über die Evolution der Apomixis wurden verschiedene Wege zur experimentellen Entwicklung neuer apomiktischer Futtergräser beschritten. Bei den Versuchen, über Rekombination Apomixis zu entwickeln, sind 9 Gräserbastarde von insgesamt 4300 F₁-Art- und Gattungsbastarden selektiert worden, für die sich Hinweise auf Apomeiose bzw. Parthenogenese ergeben hatten. Mit den vorliegenden Untersuchungen wird die Art der Samenbildung von F₁ bis F₄ näher analysiert.Bei 3 Bastarden der KombinationFestuca gigantea ×F. arundinacea wurde parthenogenetische Eizellenentwicklung mittels einer neuen Methode zur Stimulation der Embryoentwicklung durch Auxinbehandlung sicher nachgewiesen. Dagegen waren die Hinweise auf Apomeiose durch somatische und meiotische Instabilitäten vorgetäuscht. Fehlinterpretationen und Probleme beim Nachweis von Apomixis und deren Teilprozesse werden diskutiert. Zur Entwicklung und Manipulierbarkeit der Apomixis sind geeignete Nachweismethoden für die einzelnen Teilprozesse apomiktischer Samenbildung von entscheidender Bedeutung.

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Results and problems in proving sub-processes of apomictic seed formation in grass hybrids

Summary Taking into consideration items of knowledge on the evolution of apoximis, different experimental attempts were made to develop new apomictic fodder grasses. From experiments trying to develop apomixis by recombination nine grass hybrids with indications for apomeiosis or parthenogenesis were selected out of 4300 interspecific and intergeneric F₁ hybrids. The present study was undertaken to analyse more fully the mode of seed formation in F₁ to F₄.In three hybridsFestuca gigantea ×F. arundinacea, parthenogenetic development of egg cells could be confirmed using a new method of stimulating the embryo development by treatment with auxin. On the other hand, the indications for apomeiosis proved to be caused by somatic and meiotic instabilities. Misinterpretations as well as problems in detecting apomixis and its sub-processes are discussed. Development and manipulation of apomixis depends decisively on the availability of suitable methods for the proof of the individual sub-processes of apomictic seed formation.

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Mechanisms of resistance to fungicides in field strains of Botrytis cinerea

Field strains of Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr, the causal agent of grey mould diseases, were collected from French vineyards between 1993 and 2000. Several phenotypes have been characterized according to the inhibitory effects of fungicides towards germ-tube elongation and mycelial growth. Two types of benzimidazole-resistant strains (Ben R1 and Ben R2) could be detected; negative cross-resistance to phenylcarbamates (e.g. diethofencarb) was only found in Ben R1. Benzimidazole resistance was related to point mutations at codon 198 (Ben R1) or 200 (Ben R2) of the beta-tubulin gene. Most dicarboximide-resistant strains were also weakly resistant to aromatic hydrocarbon fungicides (e.g. dicloran) but remained sensitive to phenylpyrroles (e.g. fludioxonil). These resistant field strains (Imi R1) contained a single base pair mutation at position 365 in a two-component histidine kinase gene, probably involved in the fungal osmoregulation. Three anilinopyrimidine-resistant phenotypes have been identified. In the most resistant one (Ani R1), resistance was restricted to anilinopyrimidines, but no differences were observed in the amino-acid sequences of cystathionine beta-lyase (the potential target site of these fungicides) from Ani R1 or wild-type strains. In the two other phenotypes (Ani R2 and Ani R3), resistance extended to various other groups of fungicide, including dicarboximides, phenylpyrroles and sterol biosynthesis inhibitors. This multi-drug resistance was probably determined by over-production of ATP-binding cassette transporters. The hydroxyanilide fenhexamid is a novel botryticide whose primary target site is the 3-keto reductase involved in sterol C-4 demethylations. Apart from the multi-drug-resistant strain Ani R3, three other fenhexamid-resistant phenotypes have been recognized. For two of them (Hyd R1 and Hyd R2) fenhexamid-resistance seemed to result from P450-mediated detoxification. Reduced sensitivity of the target site could be the putative resistance mechanism operating in the third resistant phenotype (Hyd R3). Increased sensitivity to inhibitors of sterol 14 alpha-demethylase recorded in Hyd R1 strains was related to two amino-acid changes at positions 15 and 105 of this enzyme.     

Veränderung des Scher- und Kompressionsverhaltens von Ap-Horizont-Material aus Löß-Parabraunerden durch Kalkung

Change of shear resistance and compressibility of Ap-horizon material from loess-derived Parabraunerde Standardized artificial bodies prepared from soil material of a loessderived parabraunerde-Ap-horizon were tested with respect to their shear resistance and compressibility. The noncalcareous material was enriched with lime (2 stepts), soil humidity changed (3 steps) and the normal pressure increased (4 steps). Liming generally caused an increased initial shear resistance and led to a lowering of compressibility. The effect of lime is interpreted as an result of flocculation of the clay particles at the points of contact between silt grains in the soil matrix. The problems of transferring those results to the field are discussed.     

Analysis of Mammalian Masticatory Mechanisms: Progress and Problems

Direct measurement of bone movements and muscle activation in mammalian mastication is now possible. Early results indicate that the patterns are quite variable and depart from the stereotyped versions sometimes reported. Most mammals masticate unilaterally; only a few chew simultaneously on both sides. Orbital movements are complex and three-dimensional. While most muscles are active during the reduction phase, it is difficult to define phases by sharp transitions of activity. The fascicles of pinnate muscles differ in fiber architecture and physiology; they tend to function at different times and with distinct mechanical advantages. Interspecific diversity and marked responses to food consistency and size, still preclude generalizations. Improved methods for comparisons among orbits, for correlation of forces and excursions, and automated correlations of movements, forces and electromyograms are beginning to be available and need to be more generallv applied to analysis.