Soil respiration, N2O, and CH4 emissions from an Andisol under conventional-tillage and no-tillage cultivation for 4 years

No-tillage (NT) management is a promising method to sequester soil C and mitigate global warming caused by agricultural activities. Here, we report 4 years of continuous soil respiration rates and weekly nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions in NT and conventional-tillage (CT) plots in a typical Japanese volcanic soil. Overall, the soil respiration, N₂O emission, and CH₄ uptake decreased significantly in the NT plot. A difference in soil respiration and N₂O emission between the two plots began after the tillage treatment and the incorporation of crop residues and fertilizers, whereas the CH₄ uptake did not vary significantly during the fallow period after the treatments. The N₂O emission was higher from the CT than from the NT plot during the fall. The overall lower CH₄ uptake in the NT than in the CT plot likely resulted from a combination of decreased soil gas diffusivity and higher mineral N content at the soil surface. Higher soil respiration and N₂O emission occurred in the NT plot in the summer of 2003 and were plausibly caused by an increase in the soil moisture content that resulted from lower temperatures during July and August; the higher soil moisture must have accelerated the decomposition of organic matter accumulated in the topsoil. These results indicate that NT management is generally effective for the mitigation of the total GWP by reducing soil respiration and N₂O emission in temperate regions; however, NT management may increase rather than decrease these emissions when fields experience cool summers with frequent rainfall.     

Transgenic apple (Malus x domestica) shoot showing low browning potential

Transgenic apple shoots were prepared from leaf disks by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the kanamycin (KM) resistance gene and antisense polyphenol oxidase (PPO) DNA. Four transgenic apple lines that grew on the medium containing 50 microgram/mL KM were obtained. They contained the KM resistance gene and grew stably on the medium for >3 years. Two transgenic shoot lines containing antisense PPO DNA in which PPO activity was repressed showed a lower browning potential than a control shoot.     

Detection of changes in taste of japonica and indica brown and milled rice (Oryza sativa L.) during storage using physicochemical analyses and a taste sensing system

Changes in the taste of japonica, hybrid, and indica brown and milled rice, stored for 10 months at low (5 degrees C, 65-70% relative humidity) and room temperatures were observed by physicochemical analyses and a novel method using a taste sensing system. During storage, some properties increased or decreased while others were fairly constant. The main taste components of cooked rice such as sweetness (sucrose) and umami tastes (glutamic acid and aspartic acid) were reduced during storage, whereas glucose and fructose increased. The increase of fat acidity and consequent decrease of the pH value of the cooking solution may contribute to the off-taste of cooked stored rice. A taste sensing system with 10 lipid membrane sensors was also used to classify new and old rice samples using principal component analysis. Fresh and room temperature stored japonica and indica rice could be clearly distinguished; however, it was not possible to differentiate the samples stored at low temperature.     

Effect of roasting on properties of the zinc-chelating substance in coffee brews

ApV is a brownish polymer with zinc-chelating activity in brewed coffee. We investigated in this study the effects of roasting on the zinc-chelating, reducing, and antioxidative activities of ApV from light-, medium-, and dark-roasted coffee. We also discuss the effect on the zinc-chelating activity of adding milk to the brewed coffee. The chelating activities of ApVs were evaluated by the tetramethyl murexide method. As the intensity of roasting increased, the yield of ApV increased, and the brown color and molecular weight of ApV respectively became darker and higher. Increasing the degree of roasting also decreased the zinc-chelating activity of ApV. The reducing activities of ApVs estimated by the indophenol method were stronger than those of ascorbic acid. Both the antioxidative activity estimated by the ABTS assay and the reducing activity of ApV increased with roasting. When milk was added to instant coffee and its ApV was prepared, the zinc-chelating activity of ApV was not changed.     

Usage of analgesic in a murine model infected latently with pseudorabies virus

Butorphanol tartrate (BT) was injected into mice before injection with acetylcholine in a murine model infected latently with pseudorabies virus. The analgesic effect and its influence on virus reactivation were observed. Mice preinjected with BT showed suppression of screaming, moving and excitation and the same level of movement after excitation as mice injected with PBS. In the group injected with BT i.p., one mouse died and another developed diarrhea with increased virus excretion. These results showed that BT has analgesic effects by both injection routes, s.c. and i.p.; however, BT induced death as a side effect, especially with i.p. injection. The injection route for BT should therefore be investigated further.     

Uptake of calcium and magnesium by buckwheat from limestone

Liming is a most fundamental agricultural practice for acid soils. Calcium and magnesium are necessary elements for plant growth. Strong acid soils, in addition to possible magnesium and/or calcium deficiency, may supply toxic amounts of trace elements to the plant. Soil testing has become an important factor for it indicates the need of lime and fertilizers. With advances in soil chemistry, many testing methods have been suggested and are being used. Advances have been made in the measurement of soil acidity, for instance, the “lime potential” theory of Schofield and Taylor (1,2) may provide basic information on that problem. In recent years there have been radical changes in the concept of exchangeable aluminum associated with the problem of soil acidity (3,5,5).