Effects of climate and site characteristics on Scots pine growth

Scots pine is a highly diverse species, extended across Europe from Scandinavia to Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey. It is also a valuable species, used in many commercial monoculture plantations in Great Britain and particularly in Scotland. Because of the diversity of growing environments and its commercial importance, it is necessary to identify the combination of significant factors affecting the observed variability of growth. Temperature, mainly during the growing season, is quite commonly considered as the most important factor in knowledge-based or empirical models. However, in highly oceanic climates like that of Scotland, the impact of temperature may have a less significant impact on growth. Here we argue that other factors, such as incoming winter solar radiation, frost, drought and management also have a significant effect on the growth of Scots pine. In addition, we argue that the already developed Ecological Site Classification knowledge-based model, used as a forest management tool in Great Britain, should be updated to incorporate our findings. Furthermore, we discuss the need to include management impact and possibly more physiological based components in its growth modelling routines, as these would allow the introduction of the effect of winter solar radiation.     

Shape ontogeny and variation in the sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti 1777)

Shape ontogeny of Diplodus puntazzo was studied during the larval and metamorphosis phase (2.6–33.0 mm total length (TL)) by means of geometric morphometrics. Additionally, shape comparison was performed between newly settled wild individuals of D. puntazzo (11.0–18.0 mm TL) and reared of the same TL range. Results clearly demonstrated that shape ontogeny of D. puntazzo is not continuous during the studied period, but it is characterized by the presence of two inflection points (at 6.2 and 11.4 mm TL), which define three phases of significantly different rates of shape development (P<0.05). Spline diagrams demonstrated that shape ontogeny mainly correlated with the development of fins, caudal peduncle, snoot and the ventral abdominal profile. Concerning the comparison of reared fish with wild fish, morphometric analysis revealed a significant effect of fish origin on the shape of D. puntazzo (Wilks' λ=0.147, P<0.001). Shape differences between the two populations were mainly demonstrated at the caudal peduncle and at the ventral profile of the abdominal area. Combined with the results of shape ontogeny, spline diagrams showed that shape differences between the two populations were related to the comparatively more advanced ontogenetic state of reared fish, at the studied size range.     

Elimination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plum pox virus</Emphasis> through in vitro thermotherapy and shoot tip culture compared to conventional heat treatment in apricot cultivar Bebecou

The effectiveness of in vitro thermotherapy (explants at 35–37°C for 20 days) in obtaining propagating material of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivar Bebecou that is free of Plum pox virus (PPV) was compared to a conventional heat treatment technique (potted plants at 30–35°C for 8 weeks). An improved protocol for in vitro thermotherapy was combined with shoot tip culture. The protocol is 5.8 times more effective than conventional thermotherapy while taking half the time and is likely to have a high commercial impact for nurseries.     

A survey of tobacco viruses in tobacco crops and native flora in Greece

The most important tobacco producing areas in Greece were surveyed for virus presence, from 1997 to 2000. Tobacco seedlings or plants showing virus-like symptoms were randomly collected from seedbeds or fields, respectively, and tested by ELISA, and/or mechanical inoculation onto indicator plants. Potato virus Y (PVY), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were detected in all sampling areas, with TMV mainly found in oriental varieties. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) consisted a serious endemic virus in Northern Greece (Thrace, Central and Eastern Macedonia), whereas Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) was mainly found in regions, where alfalfa was cultivated in the vicinity of tobacco crops. Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) was detected in several areas but always in very low incidence (<0.01%). Surveys were also conducted to assess the potential reservoir hosts of PVY, CMV and AMV among weeds collected from highly infected tobacco fields from 1998 to 2000. Among 3450 samples tested for PVY, plants from 17 species in 10 families were found infected. For CMV, 2891 weed samples were tested and 19 species in 12 families were positive. Assays for AMV infection were made on 961 samples and 12 species in 9 families were identified as hosts of this virus.     

Factors affecting the success of resynchronization protocols with or without progesterone supplementation in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence the success of resynchronization protocols for bovines with and without progesterone supplementation. Cow synchronized and not found pregnant were randomly assigned to two resynchronization protocols: ovsynch without progesterone (P4) supplementation (n = 66) or with exogenous P4 administered from Days 0 to 7 (n = 67). Progesterone levels were measured on Days 0 and 7 of these protocols as well as 4 and 5 days post-insemination. Progesterone supplementation raised the P4 levels on Day 7 (p < 0.05), but had no overall effect on resynchronization rates (RRs) or pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). However, cows with Body Condition Score (BCS) > 3.5 had increased P/AI values while cows with BCS < 2.75 had decreased P/AI rates after P4 supplementation. Primiparous cows had higher P4 values on Day 7 than pluriparous animals (p = 0.04) and tended to have higher RRs (p = 0.06). Results of this study indicate that progesterone supplementation in resynchronization protocols has minimal effects on outcomes. Parity had an effect on the levels of circulating progesterone at initiation of the protocol, which in turn influenced the RR.     

Combined effects of rearing density and tank colour on the growth and welfare of juvenile white sea bream Diplodus sargus L. in a recirculating water system

Appropriate rearing conditions for successful farming of white sea bream Diplodus sargus L. have not yet been studied in depth, while one of the major problems is the species increased aggressiveness. Given the known effect of density and background colour on fish growth, welfare and social behaviour, the present study aimed to investigate whether the two factors combined could favour D. sargus performance. Juveniles (17.37±0.06 g) were reared in white, light blue and black tanks under low (7 fish tank⁻¹ or 1.96 kg m⁻³) and high (28 fish tank⁻¹ or 7.79 kg m⁻³) density for 87 days. Water quality was not affected by experimental treatments. The best overall performance (growth, food utilization, body protein content, liver fatty acids) was achieved under low density and white or light blue tanks. Increased incidence of social interactions was indicated in fish under high density or when reared in light blue and black tanks. The present results clearly suggested that the use of black tanks should be avoided. On the other hand, stocking D. sargus at a density of up to 7.79 kg m⁻³ may be feasible because productivity was greater even if growth was slower. In this case, however, the use of white tanks is highly recommended.     

Effect of citric acid and glycine addition on acrylamide and flavor in a potato model system

Acrylamide levels in cooked/processed food can be reduced by treatment with citric acid or glycine. In a potato model system cooked at 180 degrees C for 10-60 min, these treatments affected the volatile profiles. Strecker aldehydes and alkylpyrazines, key flavor compounds of cooked potato, were monitored. Citric acid limited the generation of volatiles, particularly the alkylpyrazines. Glycine increased the total volatile yield by promoting the formation of certain alkylpyrazines, namely, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, and 2,5-diethyl-3-methylpyrazine. However, the formation of other pyrazines and Strecker aldehydes was suppressed. It was proposed that the opposing effects of these treatments on total volatile yield may be used to best advantage by employing a combined treatment at lower concentrations, especially as both treatments were found to have an additive effect in reducing acrylamide. This would minimize the impact on flavor but still achieve the desired reduction in acrylamide levels.     

Sonographic evaluation of the uterus in Holstein-Friesian cows without and with disturbances of the puerperium during the first 14 days postpartum

The aim of this study was to investigate if, compared with transrectal manual palpation, B-mode sonography provides additional information about the uterine structures and contents of Holstein-Friesian cows without and with disturbances during the early puerperal phase, that lead to a more precise diagnosis. The examinations were carried out once per cow either during the first four days p. p. (contraction phase, KPH) or on days 5 to 10 (desquamation phase, DPH) or on days 11 to 14 (regeneration phase, RPH) in 57 cows with undisturbed (UP) and 69 with disturbed puerperal phases (GP). The mean size of the uterus measured by transrectal palpation was 0.94 to 1.51 points (on a 6-point scale, p < 0.05) larger throughout the examination period and the fluctuation was 1.29 and 0.92 points (on a 4-point scale, p < 0.05) higher in GP cows compared with UP cows during the KPH and RPH, respectively. During the KPH, contractility of the uterus was 0.56 points (on a 3-point scale, p < 0.05) lower in GP cows compared with UP cows. Sonographically the cross sectional area of the most caudally located caruncle was 0.47 to 3.53 cm2 bigger (p < 0.05) in GP cows than in UP cows. The GP cows showed in the KPH a 0.21 cm thinner (p < 0.05) endometrium compared with the UP cows. In the DPH and RPH, the echogenicity was 1.63 and 1.04 points (on a 4-point scale, p < 0.05) higher and the intraluminal diameter of the uterine body was 0.49 to 0.67 cm greater (p < 0.05) in GP cows compared with UP cows, respectively. By means of dicriminant analysis 96.7% and 91.7% of the animals of the GP and UP group, respectively, where classified correctly during the DPH, whereas in the other two phases these proportions were between 70.0% and 87.5%. The results show that B-mode sonography is an additional valuable method for a more accurate differentiation of uterine involutionary processes between cows without and with disturbances of the puerperal phase.     

Composition of Antioxidants and Amino Acids in Stevia Leaf Infusions

Stevia, a non-caloric natural sweetener with beneficial properties and considerable antioxidants and amino acids, is increasingly consumed as an infusion. This work evaluates the influence of the conditions (temperature: 50, 70 or 90 °C and time: 1, 5, 20 or 40 min) applied to obtain Stevia infusions, on antioxidants (total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity) and amino acids. The total concentration of the eleven amino acids found was 11.70 mg/g in dried leaves and from 6.84 to 9.11 mg/g per gram of Stevia in infusions. However, infusions showed higher levels of certain amino acids (alanine, asparagine, leucine and proline), and greater values of the three antioxidant parameters in comparison with dry leaves. Temperature had more influence (minimum values at 50 °C and maximum at 90 °C) than time in the case of antioxidants. At 90 °C there were no important increases in the extraction of antioxidant compounds after 5 min; each gram of Stevia had 117 mg trolox (total antioxidant activity), 90 mg gallic acid (total phenols) and 56 mg catechin equivalents (flavonoids). Varying the temperature and time conditions no notable differences were observed in the concentrations of the majority of amino acids. However, the infusion treatment at 90 °C for 5 min was the best, as it gave the highest yield of 8 of the 11 amino acids. Therefore, with respect to the compounds analyzed in this study, the best way to obtain Stevia leaf infusions is the same as the domestic process, almost boiling water for a short time.