Oral biology and disorders of tusked mammals.

Tusked mammals can be terrestrial or aquatic. Many of these magnificent animals are kept in captivity all over the world. Functions of tusks vary as much as the species in which they occur. Dental anomalies and disorders of tusks and the rest of the dentition in these mammals were discussed, with an emphasis on the elephant. The tusk anatomy, with its large, conically-shaped pulp, makes it an ideal tooth for partial pulpectomy treatment in trauma cases where the pulp is exposed. Surgical techniques for tusks have been developed and were discussed. Oral tumors occur, but are rare.     

Genetic and physical mapping of photoperiod insensitive gene Ppd-B1 in common wheat

Photoperiod response is a major determinant of duration of growing stages in wheat. Conscious selection for these photoperiod response genes in plant breeding programs will yield genotypes with better adaptation to diverse environments. To provide a starting point for the development of molecular markers useful for the selection process, genetic maps around the photoperiod insensitive gene Ppd-B1 were built employing three segregating populations. Of 25 markers that were selected for the Ppd-B1 region, only two could be mapped across all three populations. In pairwise comparisons, the extent of transferable markers ranged from three to eight. Recombination frequencies of markers distal to Ppd-B1 were more homogeneous than those of proximal markers. This finding suggested a closer proximity of Ppd-B1 to the markers that were mapped distal to breakpoint 0.83 in the physical map of chromosome 2BS. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Population decline in the epiphytic orchid Aspasia principissa

The population dynamics of the epiphytic orchid Aspasia principissa, growing in the moist tropical forest of Barro Colorado Island, Panama, were studied from 1997 until 2004. Using growth analysis, projection matrix analysis, elasticity analysis, and different types of simulations, we identified the components of the life cycle with the strongest effect on population growth rate (λ), and related differences in vital rates to environmental variation, mainly in precipitation. Such information, which is almost completely lacking for tropical orchids, is essential for the efficient conservation of these frequently rare and endangered plants. Elasticity analysis indicated that the population growth rate (λ), which averaged 0.92, was primarily affected by survival, and much less affected by growth or by sexual reproduction. Simulations, which included different levels of pollinator limitation, showed that complete pollination would raise λ to such an extent as to allow long-term persistence of the population. Pollinator limitation per se, however, is presumably not responsible for the currently observed population decline. Instead, we discuss a possible link between low λ and (a) a long-term decline in precipitation and (b) recent increases in forest dynamics: variation in annual rainfall significantly affected both recruitment and growth rates of smaller orchid individuals, while the hypothesised increase in the rates of branch and tree falls would increase mortality rates in this epiphyte.     

Resistenzeigenschaften im Gersten- und Weizensortiment Gatersleben 26. Prüfung von Gersten auf ihr Verhalten gegenüber Gerstengelbmosaik-Virus (barley yellow mosaic virus)

Zusammenfassung Weitere 74 Gersten aus der Gaterslebener Kollektion wurden auf Anfälligkeit bzw. Resistenz gegenüber dem Gerstengelbmosaik-Virus (barley yellow mosaic virus) geprüft. Neun Herkünfte aus Ostasien, 32 besonders frostresistente Land-und Zuchtsorten und weitere 23Hordeum-Sippen waren virusanfällig (Tab. 1). Unter zehn Ragusa Abkömmlingen besaßen drei absolute Resistenz und weitere fünf Teil-Resistenz (Tab. 2).

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Resistance in the gatersleben barley and wheat collection. 26. Testing of barley for reaction to barley yellow mosaic virus

Summary Nine barleys from East Asia, 32 varieties with high frost-hardiness and other23 Hordeum taxa (H. agriocrithon, H. spontaneum andH. vulgare) were classified as susceptible to this virus (table 1). Of ten progenies of Ragusa three were found with a high degree of resistance, further five included most resistant as well as some susceptible plants (table 2).

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. 26. (barley yellow mosaic virus)

, , (barley yellow mosaic virus). 74 , : 9 — , 32 — — 23 — (. 1). 10 Ragusa — — (. 2).

     

Phytoestrogens modulate binding response of estrogen receptors alpha and beta to the estrogen response element

Binding of estrogen receptor (ER) to estrogen response element (ERE) induces gene activation and is an important step in estrogen-induced biological effects. Here, we investigated the effects of some dietary phytoestrogens such as the isoflavones genistein and daidzein, its metabolite equol, and the coumestane coumestrol on the binding rate of ERalpha and ERbeta to ERE by a nonradioactive real-time method, the Biacore Technology. ERalpha and ERbeta were able to bind to ERE immobilized on the surface of a sensor chip even in the absence of estrogens. 17beta-Estradiol and phytoestrogens induced an increase in ER binding to ERE in a concentration-dependent manner. 17beta-Estradiol was a more potent activator of binding than the phytoestrogens studied. The concentrations of 17beta-estradiol inducing an increase in the binding response of ERalpha and ERbeta to ERE by 50% (EC(50)) as compared to unliganded ER were 0.03 and 0.01 microM, respectively. Regarding the efficacy of activation of ERalpha, from the most to the least effective compound, the sequence and the EC(50) were as follows: 17beta-estradiol (0.03 microM) > coumestrol (0.2 microM) > equol (3.5 microM) > genistein (15 microM) > daidzein (>300 microM) and for ERbeta 17beta-estradiol (0.01 microM) > coumestrol (0.025 microM) > genistein (0.03 microM) > daidzein (0.35 microM) > equol (0.4 microM). The ratios EC(50)alpha/EC(50)beta were calculated to be for 17beta-estradiol, 3; coumestrol, 8; equol, 8.8; genistein, 500; daidzein > 850. These ratios indicate that genistein and daidzein preferentially activate the binding of ERbeta to ERE. The endogenous hormone 17beta-estradiol as well as coumestrol and daidzein metabolite equol activate the binding of ERbeta to ERE only slightly more effectively than the binding of ERalpha to ERE. Thus, the effect of daidzein can be changed from a specific activator of ERbeta to an activator of both ER isotypes alpha and beta in humans who are able to convert daidzein to equol. While the results of the measurements with ERalpha were in line with the binding affinities of compounds tested for ER, there was a distinct difference between our results and the binding affinities of phytoestrogens for the ERbeta. This leads to the conclusion that phytoestrogens differ not only in their binding affinities for the ER, but also in their potential to increase the rate of receptor binding to the ERE.     

Plant availability and leaching of (heavy) metals from ammonium‐, calcium‐, carbohydrate‐, and citric acid‐treated uranium‐mine‐dump soil

Remediation of an uranium‐mine soil from Settendorf (East Germany) includes phytoextraction under conditions which make its heavy metals more plant‐available but less leachable. A second way is active inhibition of heavy metal uptake by the plant. In a pot trial with Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.), planted and unplanted soil samples were daily irrigated with deionized water or aqueous solutions with a total of (g (kg soil)^–1) CaCl₂ (0.26 Ca), NH₄Cl (1.39), casein, sucrose, citric acid (13), and an extract of rape (B. napus L.) shoots (13 DW) in a phytotron for 26 d. Water‐irrigated plants were also treated with a 50 mM citric acid solution (10.5 g (kg soil)^–1) 6 and 7 d prior to harvesting. Total elements in plant tissue and soluble elements in aqueous extracts from control and postharvest soils were determined by ICP‐AES. Supplements of NH , and the NH ‐generating casein and rape extract reduced soil pH during nitrification, and increased plant uptake of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Citric acid at 50 mM adjusted soil to pH 4.5–6.0 and enhanced uptake of all elements. Long‐term application of sucrose and citric acid increased pH and inhibited uptake of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Contemporarily, leaching of heavy metals and humic substances was lowest with Ca and NH and highest with sucrose and citric acid amendments. It is concluded that Chinese cabbage grown for chelate‐assisted phytoextraction should be supplied with Ca and NH to obtain a high plant biomass on soil with a low hazard of leaching. Metal uptake should be stimulated by application of chelator 7 d prior to harvesting. Undesired uptake of heavy metals by Chinese cabbage determined as food should be inhibited with carbohydrate amendments. Long‐term application of NH or chelator, which reduces the solubility of certain elements but increases their uptake moderately, is recommended as a tool for continuous phytoextraction technologies.     

Composition,quality control,and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of long-time stored dill (Anethum graveolens L.) seeds from Bulgaria

The essential oil of long-time stored seeds of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) from Bulgaria was analyzed by physicochemical methods, gas chromatography (GC), GC-mass spectrometry (MS) (achiral and chiral phases), and olfactometry, and its antimicrobial activity was tested by using different strains of microorganisms. More than 40 constituents of the essential dill oil, obtained from seeds stored for more than 35 years, could be identified as essential volatiles, responsible for the pleasant fresh (D-limonene) and spicy (D-carvone) odor of a high quality. As aroma impact compounds, D-carvone (50.1%) and D-limonene (44.1%) were found. Antimicrobial testings showed high activity of the essential A. graveolens oil against the mold Aspergillus niger and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans.     

Phosphat-Düngerbedarf von Getreide und Zuckerrüben im südniedersächsischen Lößgebiet

Phosphate fertilizer requirement of cereals and sugar beets on “loess soils” in the Southern part of Lower Saxony (F.R. of Germany) In the years 1984 to 1986 105 P-fertilizer experiments with winter wheat, winter barley and sugar beets were carried out on “loess soils” in the Southern part of Lower Saxony (F. R. of Germany). The mineral P fertilization applied as “Triplephosphat” varied between 0 and 250 kg P₂O₅/ha. Soil test values (P-H₂O method) of the sites ranged from 6 to 38 and were on the average 18 ± 8 mg P/kg. Besides the P-H₂O-extraction the following methods were used: CAL, DL, NaHCO₃ and EUF. In no case P-application increased yields of cereals and sugar beets, although in 1986 there was no P fertilization for three years. Results of plant analysis (0.3–0.6% P i. dm) also showed a sufficient P-status. Furthermore an increase of P content of soils (+20 mg P-H₂O/kg on average) by a fertilizer rate of 1500 kg P₂O₅/ha did not effect yield in the following years. Thus, on these fields with P levels of 5 mg P-H₂/kg soil (5 mg P₂O₅-CAL/100 g) and more a P fertilization corresponding to the P removal by the crop rotation of sugar beets and 2x cereals of about 180 kg P₂O₅/ha in three years is recommended, if crop residues remain on the field. At P levels higher than 12–14 mg P-H₂O/kg soil P fertilization can be below P-removal or omitted.     

Einfluß einiger Klima- und Anbaufaktoren auf die Ertragsbildung der Reissort e ‘IR-8’ in Cuba I. Standweite und Stickstoffdüngung

Zusammenfassung In einem dreijährigen Versuchsprogramm (1970–1973) bei Havanna/Cuba wurde der kombinierte Einfluß von Standweite (7×7, 8×8, 10×10, 20×20, 30×30, 40×40 cm Pflanzenabstand) und Stickstoffdüngung (Ammoniumsulfat — 0, 60, 120, 180 kg/ha N) auf Entwicklung und Ertragsbildung der Reissorte IR-8 geprüft.Erhöhte Bestandesdichte beeinträchtigte die Entwicklung der Einzelpflanzen (geringere Bestockung und Rispenbildung, kleinere Blätter, niedrigere Kornproduktion), steigerte jedoch nachhaltig die Produktivität des Pflanzenbestandes, mit zunehmenden Werten für Gesamtzahl an Bestockungstrieben und Rispen, Gesamtblattfläche, Stoffproduktion und Kornertrag pro Bodenflächeneinheit. Vegetatives Wachstum und Blattflächenentwicklung folgten mit guter Annäherung den Standardwerten aus dem Herkunftsland (International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippinen). In dichten Beständen (hundert und mehr Pflanzen je m²) waren Rispenzahlen und Kornertrag jedoch bedeutend höher als auf den Philippinen. Höchsterträge bis zu 15 t/ha an Rohreis wurden mit Beständen von 150 bis 200 Pflanzen je m² erreicht.Die Stickstoffdüngung hatte geringeren Einfluß als die Standweite. Ertragsfördernde Wirkung zeigte sich nur bei hoher Dosis (120–180 kg/ha) und blieb insgesamt niedriger als die von den Philippinen berichteten Werte.

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Effect of some climatic and agricultural factors on yield formation by the rice variety IR-8 in Cuba I. Population density and nitrogen fertilization

Summary A three-years' investigation programme (1970–1973) near Havana/Cuba checked the influence of population density (seedling distance — 7×7, 8×8, 10×10, 20×20, 30×30, 40×40 cm) and nitrogen fertilization (ammonia sulphate — 0, 60, 120, 180 kg/ha N) on the development and grain yield formation of the rice variety IR-8.Increasing plant density affected the development of the individual hills (lower, tiller and panicle numbers, smaller leaves, lower grain production), but increased considerably the productivity of the whole population, with ascending values for tillering capacity, total leaf area, dry matter production, and grain yield per unit of land area. Vegetative growth and leaf area development followed, with fair approximation, the standard values published by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines, place of origin of this variety. With high population density (100 and more hills per m²), panicle numbers and grain yield (t/ha) proved to be much higher than the comparable levels reported by IRRI. Highest outstanding grain yields, up to 15 t/ha of paddy, were produced by populations with 150–200 hills per m².Nitrogen fertilization had less influence than population density. Grain yield was increased only by high dosis (120–180 kg/ha N), and the favorable effect always remained lower than the standard values reported from the Philippines.

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IR-8 . I.

, (1970–1973), (7×7, 8×8, 10X×10, 20×20, 30×30, 40×40 ) ( 4 2052/XXIV 0, 60, 120, 180 / N) IR-8. ( , , ), , , . , , , ( .-. , , ). (100 ²) , . , 15 / , 150 200 . , . (120 180 /) , , , .

     

Amelioration of Magnesium Deficiency in a Norway Spruce Stand (Picea abies) with Calcined Magnesite

Norway spruce has shown needle yellowing and defoliation symptoms on manysites of the Bohemian Forest in north central Austria since theearly 1980s. A forest amelioration experiment was set up toevaluate the response of spruce to magnesite based fertilizerswith different solubilities. Response variables were a crownvigor index, diameter growth, nutrient contents in needles,soil solution chemistry, and soil chemistry. Soil solution atfertilized plots showed an immediate response in base cationconcentrations, nitrate concentrations and pH-values.Fertilization increased the pool of exchangeable cations in theupper 15 cm of the soil and reduced levels of exchangeable Al. Themagnesium and calcium content of the needles of dominant trees wasgreatly improved. Fertilization has increased the mineralizationrate of soil organic matter. Diameter growth, as a measure of treevigor, showed a pronounced positive response with a time delay of5 years. Our results demonstratethat magnesite based fertilizers are a viable option to improvethe nutritional status of spruce forests on granitic bedrock.