Cation treatment and drying‐temperature effects on nonylphenol and phenanthrene sorption to a sandy soil

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mono‐ and polyvalent cations on sorption of the two hydrophobic compounds nonylphenol (NP) and phenanthrene (Phe). To this end, exchange sites of a sandy soil were saturated with either Na⁺, Ca²⁺, or Al³⁺ and excess salts were removed by washing. The samples were then sterilized and either stored moist, dried at room temperature, or at 20°C, 60°C, or 105°C in a vented oven. Saturation with Na⁺ led to an increase of dissolved organic C (DOC) concentration in the soil water extracts, whereas the polyvalent cations Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺ decreased it. The ¹H‐NMR relaxometry analyses showed that Al³⁺ restricted the mobility of water molecules that are confined within the SOM structure to a higher extent than Ca²⁺ or Na⁺. According to contact‐angle (CA) analyses, cation treatment did not significantly change the wetting properties of the samples. Batch sorption–desorption experiments showed no clear salt‐treatment effects on the sorption and desorption equilibria or kinetics of NP and Phe. Instead, the sorption coefficients and sorption hysteresis of NP and Phe increased in dry soil. With increasing drying temperature the CA of the soils and the sorption of both xenobiotics increased significantly. We conclude that structural modifications of SOM due to incorporation of polyvalent cations into the interphase structure do not modify the sorption characteristics of the soil for hydrophobic compounds. Instead, increasing hydrophobization of organic soil constituents due to heat treatment significantly increased the accessible sorption sites for nonpolar organic compounds in this soil.     

Influence of nitrogen nutrition,daylength and temperature on contents of gibberellic and abscisic acid and on tuberization in potato plants

Summary In water culture experiments, plants grown under inducing climatic conditions (20°C and 12 h) and continuous supply of N had a relatively low ABA and a high GA content in the shoot. These plants failed to form tubers. The combination of these same climatic conditons with interruption of the N supply led to an increase in the ABA and the simultaneous decrease in the GA content, i.e. a high ABA/GA ratio. Coincidently tuberization occurred. Restoration of the N supply cáused an inversion of the ABA/GA ratio and was often accompanied by regrowth of tubers. Under non-inducing climatic conditions (30°C or 18 h) interruption of the N supply still increased the aBA content but failed to decrease the GA content. Under these conditions tuberization was not observed. The results indicate that N nutrition, like photoperiod and temperature, may control tuberization in potato plants mainly by changing the ABA/GA ratio.

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Zusammenfassung In Wasserkulturversuchen wurden der Einfluss von kontinuierlichem und diskontinuierlichem N-Angebot bei unterschiedlicher Temperatur (20°C bzw. 30°C) und Tagesl?nge (12 bzw. 18 Std.) auf den Gehalt an Abscisins?ure (ABA) und Gibberellins?ure (GA) im Spross und auf die Knolleninduktion untersucht. Die Pflanzen (S. tuberosum cv. Ostara) wuchsen in Klimakammern. Bei kontinuierlichem N-Angebot wurde die NO₃-Konzentration der N?hrl?sung st?ndig h?her als 1 mM gehalten, w?hrend bei diskontinuierlich-N das N-Angebot periodisch für 6 Tage unterbrochen wurde (3 Tage+N und 6 Tage-N). Die unterschiedlich mit N ern?hrten Pflanzen wurden im Abstand von 3 Tagen geerntet und in den Sprossen die ABA- und GA-Gehalte untersucht. ABA wurde gaschromatographisch und GA mit dem Salathypokotyltest bestimmt. Bei kontinuierlichem N-Angebot wurde die Knolleninduktion auch bei induktiven Klimabedingungen (12 Std. Tagesl?nge und 20°C) verhindert. Die Wachstumsrate der Sprosse blieb hoch. Unterbrechung des N-Angebotes (diskont. N) verminderte die Wachstumsrate der Sprossen und führte zu Knolleninduktion. Bei kontinuierlichem N-Angebot waren in den Sprossen die ABA-Gehalte niedrig und die GA-Gehalte hoch (Abb. 2). Unterbrechung des N-Angebotes führte zu raschem Anstieg der ABA-Gehalte und Abfall der GA-Gehalte (ABA/GA=1,5). Gleichzeitig mit dieser Verschiebung trat Knolleninduktion auf. Nach erneutem N-Angebot kam es durch Abnahme der ABA- und Zunahme der GA-Gehalte wieder zur Umkehrung dieses Verh?ltnisses (ABA/GA ∼0,8). Ein überh?htes N-Angebot unmittelbar nach der Induktion führte zum ‘Durchwachsen’ der Knollen (Abb. 3), offenbar die Folge des ver?nderten Phytohormonverh?ltnisses. Im Langtag (18 std.) oder bei konstant hohen Temperaturen (30°C) unterblieb auch nach Unterbrechung des N-Angebotes die Knolleninduktion. Unter diesen Bedingungen stieg zwar der ABA-Gehalt an, der GA-Gehalt jedoch ebenfalls, wodurch sich das ABA/GA-Verh?ltnis nur leicht erh?hte. Auffallend war, dass auch nach Unterbrechung des N-Angebots im Langtag die Wachstumsrate der Sprosse hoch blieb, und bei hoher Temperatur die Wurzelentwicklung stark beeintr?chtigt war (Abb. 5). Die Versuchergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass für den Anstieg der ABA-Gehalte im Spross bei Unterbrechung des N-Angebotes die Wurzeln eine zentrale Rolle spielen. Dagegen scheint der GA-Gehalt des Sprosses eng mit der meristematischen Aktivit?t der Sprosspitzen korreliert zu sein. Umweltfaktoren, die besonders das Sprosswachstum f?rdern (kont. N; hohe Temperaturen), k?nnten auf diesem Weg das ABA/GA-Verh?ltnis verkleinern und dadurch die Knolleninduktion verhindern.

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Résumé L'apport continu et discontinu d'azote aux plantes cultivées en hydroponie et exposées à des températures de 20°C et 30°C, à des longueurs de jour de 12 et 18 heures, a été examiné en relation avec la teneur d'acides abcissique (ABA) et gibberellique (GA), dans les pousses ainsi que l'effet sur la tubérisation. Les plantes (S. tuberosum cv. Ostara) ont été cultivées en chambre de croissance. Par l'apport continu d'azote, la concentration de la solution nutritive en NO₃ a été maintenue constamment au-dessus de 1 mM. Tandis que par l'apport discontinu d'N, il a été observé un arrêt d'apport d'azote pendant 6 jours (3 jours+N et 6 jours-N). Les plantes soumises aux différents traitements ontété récoltées à intervalles réguliers de 3 jours. L'ABA et le GA ont été dosés à partir des tiges. L'ABA a été dosé par chromatographie en phase gazeuse et le GA avec l'aide du test de l'hypocotyle de salade. Par l'apport continu d'azote, l'induction de la tubérisation n'a pas eu lieu, même par des conditions de climat favorables (longueur du jour 12 h et 20°C). Le taux de croissance des tiges était très élevé. L'apport discontinu d'N diminuait la croissance des tiges en déclenchant la tubérisation. Lors d'apport continu d'azote, les teneurs en ABA dans les tiges étaient basses et celles en GA élevées (fig. 2). L'interruption d'apport d'N provoque un accroissement rapide de la teneur en ABA et une diminution de GA (ABA/GA=1,5). Ce changement était en relation avec la tubérisation. Par un nouvel apport l'ABA diminuait et le GA augmentait, et la relation a été inversée (ABA/GA∼0,8). Un surdosage d'N sit?t après la tubérisation a provoqué la germination des tubercules (fig. 3), probablement en raison du changement des relations entre les phytohormones. Par jour long (18 h) ou par une température constante de 30°C, il n'y eut pas de formation de tubercules, même après un arrêt de l'apport d'N. Par ces conditions, la teneur en ABA augmentait, et celle de GA également; le rapport de la relation ABA/GA n'a été que légèrement élevé. Par jour long, la croissance des tiges restait élevée même après avoir interrompu l'apport d'N. La croissance des racines était fortement perturbée par températures élevées (fig. 5). Les résultats d'essais démontrent que les racines jouent un r?le important sur l'augmentation du taux d'ABA dans les tiges, lors de l'arrêt d'apport d'N. Par contre, il semblerait que le taux de GA est étroitement corrélé avec l'activité méristématique des sommets des pousses. Les facteurs du milieu qui favorisent la croissance des tiges (N continu, températures élevées) pourraient par cette voie diminuer la relation ABA/GA et ainsi empêcher toute tubérisation.

     

Schmallenberg virus—Two years of experiences

In autumn 2011, a novel species of the genus Orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup was discovered close to the German/Dutch border and named Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Since then, SBV has caused a large epidemic in European livestock. Like other viruses of the Simbu serogroup, SBV is transmitted by insect vectors. Adult ruminants may show a mild transient disease, while an infection during a critical period of pregnancy can lead to severe congenital malformation, premature birth or stillbirth. The current knowledge about the virus, its diagnosis, the spread of the epidemic, the impact and the possibilities for preventing infections with SBV is described and discussed.     

Grain legume pre-crops and their residues affect the growth, P uptake and size of P pools in the rhizosphere of the following wheat

Legumes have been shown to increase P uptake of the following cereal, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of legume pre-crops and their residues on the growth, P uptake and size of soil P pools in the rhizosphere of the following wheat. Three grain legumes (faba bean, chickpea and white lupin) were grown until maturity in loamy sand soil with low P availability to which 80?mg P kg^?1 was supplied. This pre-crop soil was then amended with legume residues or left un-amended and planted with wheat. The growth, P uptake and concentrations of P pools in the rhizosphere of the following wheat were measured 6?weeks after sowing. In a separate experiment, residue decomposition was measured over 42?days by determining soil CO₂ release as well as available N and P. Decomposition rates were highest for chickpea residues and lowest for wheat residues. P release was greatest from white lupin residues and N release was greatest from faba bean residues, while wheat residues resulted in net N and P immobilisation. The growth of the following wheat was greater in legume pre-crop soil without residue than in soils with residue addition, while the reverse was true for plant P concentration. Among the legumes, faba bean had the strongest effect on growth, P uptake and concentrations of the rhizosphere P pools of the following wheat. Regardless of the pre-crop and residue treatment, wheat depleted the less labile pools residual P as well as NaOH-Pi and Po, with a stronger depletion of the organic pool. We conclude that although P in the added residues may become available during decomposition, the presence of the residues in the soil had a negative effect on the growth of the following wheat. Further, pre-crops or their residues had little effect on the size of P pools in the rhizosphere of wheat.     

Growth,P uptake in grain legumes and changes in rhizosphere soil P pools

In soils with low P availability, several legumes have been shown to mobilise less labile P pools and a greater capacity to take up P than cereals. But there is little information about the size of various soil P pools in the rhizosphere of legumes in soil fertilised with P although P fertiliser is often added to legumes to improve N₂ fixation. The aim of this study was to compare the growth, P uptake and the changes in rhizosphere soil P pools in five grain legumes in a soil with added P. Nodulated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) and narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) were grown in a loamy sand soil low in available P to which 80 mg P kg⁻¹ was added and harvested at flowering and maturity. At maturity, growth and P uptake decreased in the following order: faba bean > chickpea > narrow-leafed lupin > yellow lupin > white lupin. Compared to the unplanted soil, the depletion of labile P pools (resin P and NaHCO₃-P inorganic) was greatest in the rhizosphere of faba bean (54% and 39%). Of the less labile P pools, NaOH-P inorganic was depleted in the rhizosphere of faba bean while NaOH-P organic and residual P were most strongly depleted in the rhizosphere of white lupin. The results suggest that even in the presence of labile P, less labile P pools may be depleted in the rhizosphere of some legumes.     

A possible relativistic jetted outburst from a massive black hole fed by a tidally disrupted star

Gas accretion onto some massive black holes (MBHs) at the centers of galaxies actively powers luminous emission, but most MBHs are considered dormant. Occasionally, a star passing too near an MBH is torn apart by gravitational forces, leading to a bright tidal disruption flare (TDF). Although the high-energy transient Sw 1644+57 initially displayed none of the theoretically anticipated (nor previously observed) TDF characteristics, we show that observations suggest a sudden accretion event onto a central MBH of mass about 10(6) to 10(7) solar masses. There is evidence for a mildly relativistic outflow, jet collimation, and a spectrum characterized by synchrotron and inverse Compton processes; this leads to a natural analogy of Sw 1644+57 to a temporary smaller-scale blazar.     

The use of vitamin D3 to improve beef tenderness

An experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that short-term oral administration of dietary vitamin D3 to beef cattle before slaughter would increase beef tenderness through greater calcium-activated calpain activity in postmortem aged skeletal muscle. Thirty continental crossbred steers were allotted randomly to three treatment groups housed in one pen. One group served as a control; two other groups were administered boluses with either 5 x 10(6) or 7.5 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D3 daily for 9 d. Cattle were slaughtered 1 d later. The longissimus lumborum was excised from each carcass 72 h postmortem and steaks removed at 3, 7, 14, and 21 d postmortem. The semimembranosus muscle (top round) was excised from each carcass 72 h postmortem and steaks removed at 7, 14, and 21 d postmortem. Blood plasma calcium concentration of cattle treated with 5 or 7.5 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D3 was higher (P < .05) than that of controls. Strip loin and top loin steaks from cattle fed supplemental doses of vitamin D3 had lower (P < .05) Warner-Bratzler (W-B) shear values at 14 d postmortem but were not significantly different from controls at 3, 7, or 21 d (strip loins) or 7 or 21 d (top rounds). No significant difference in strip loin steak tenderness was observed by sensory panel at 14 d postmortem (P < .17) between steaks from control and vitamin D3-treated steers. At 14 d postmortem, strip loin and top round steaks from cattle fed 5 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D3, but not from those given 7.5 x 10(6) IU, showed more proteolysis (P < .05) than did steaks from control cattle, based on Western blotting analysis. Therefore, the use of supplemental dietary vitamin D3 given daily for 9 d before slaughter did improve tenderness (lower W-B shear values) of 14-d postmortem aged beef. Increased proteolysis seems to be the mechanism of tenderization.