Broadcast application versus band application of polyolefin‐coated fertilizer on green peppers grown on andisol

Green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) field experiments were conducted in Northeastern‐Japan in order to evaluate the effects of band and broadcast applications of a polyolefin‐coated fertilizer (POCF) on yield of green pepper grown on Andisol in comparison with conventional, rapidly available fertilizers (RAF). POCF broadcast treatment produced the best yield while POCF band treatment and RAF treatment gave similar results. At the POCF treatments similar or better nutrient uptake was observed than in the RAF treatment resulting similar or better fresh and dry matter productions and consequently similar or higher fruit yield. Thus, by using POCF, labor and energy costs and environmental loading can be reduced without any yield decrease. Among the relatively cold field conditions roots could not reach the POCF band quickly, that caused slower early plant development and eventually lower yield than in comparison with the broadcast application. The very low pH of the soil solutions, having taken from the POCF band throughout the growing period, provided a further possible explanation for the inferiority of band application method. According to these results for green peppers grown on Andisol in Northeastern Japan the broadcast application of POCF is a more effective fertilization method than the band application.     

Preference of cattle grazing conterminous monocultures of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) with contrasting regrowth durations

This study conducted four experiments to assess preference of cattle between centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides; CG) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum; BG) under manipulated vegetation conditions. In each experiment, three Japanese Black cows (Bos taurus) were individually allowed to graze four plots of conterminous monocultures of CG and BG (30 min for each 10 × 10 m plot). Vegetation of the plots was the combinations of two patch sizes (coarse and fine; 5 × 10 m and 5 × 5 m, respectively) × two relative availabilities of the grasses (CG_tall/BG_short and CG_short/BG_tall). Tall and short patches were created by varying regrowth durations after cutting, and almost always offered a clear CG–BG contrast in availability (height and mass) and quality (digestibility and protein) with the trade‐off relationship. Cows always preferred or equally selected CG to BG, with the preference being affected by the relative availability of grasses in three of the four experiments but not by the patch size at all. Test of intake rate maximization on both short‐term and daily bases indicated that cows chose between the grasses to simultaneously enhance daily potential intake of dry matter, digestible energy and protein. The results strengthen the value of CG as a forage.     

Low-dose recombinant canine interferon-γ for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: An open randomized comparative trial of two doses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the minimum effective dose of recombinant canine interferon-γ (rCaIFN-γ) for the treatment of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). Thirty-four dogs with AD from 17 animal hospitals in Japan were administered half or one-fifth of the approved rCaIFN-γ dose of 10 000 units/kg, three times a week for 4 weeks, followed by once weekly for an additional 4 weeks. Pruritus, excoriation, erythema and alopecia were evaluated and scored by the investigators on weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12. The efficacy rate (number of excellent cases + number of good cases/total number of cases) at week 8 in the 2000 units/kg group was 36.4% for pruritus, 36.4% for excoriation, 45.5% for erythema and 36.4% for alopecia. In contrast, in the 5000 units/kg group, the efficacy rate was 64.3% for pruritus, 57.1% for excoriation, 78.6% for erythema and 78.6% for alopecia. The efficacy rate of the 5000 units/kg group was high for all signs evaluated and comparable to that of the 10 000 units/kg group reported in a previous study. The results of this study showed that 2000 units/kg of rCaIFN-γ is less effective than 5000 units/kg to treat dogs with AD, and the efficacy of the 5000 units/kg dose is comparable to that of 10 000 units/kg at week 8.     

A case of intestinal mucormycosis in a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

A 3-year-old female common marmoset was euthanatized because of wasting. Grossly, a perforating lesion was present in the jejunum and hemorrhagic lesions in the cecum and colon. Histopathologically, these gross lesions were a perforated jejunal ulcer and necrotizing colitis, respectively. Necrotizing colitis was characterized by extensive mucosal necrosis along with numerous ribbon-shaped aseptate hyphae. These aseptate hyaline hyphae were positively stained with PAS and GMS, and reacted immunohistochemically with the antibody against the family Mucoraceae. This case was diagnosed as intestinal mucormycosis. This is the first report on mucormycosis in a common marmoset.     

Three cases of idiopathic sterile pyogranulomatous inflammation of epidural fat in miniature dachshunds

Progressive ataxia and paralysis in three Miniature Dachshunds were found to be caused by idiopathic sterile pyogranulomatous inflammation of epidural fat between T5 and L4. All dogs were managed by hemilaminectomy and removal of epidural compressive material. Surgical findings and histopathological evaluation were necessary to diagnose epidural pyogranulomatous inflammation. A dog did not regain motor and sensor function after the surgery. Two dogs had exhibited improved neurological function after the surgery, but they recurred. Oral cyclosporine treatment was useful for their long remission. Idiopathic sterile pyogranulomatous inflammation of epidural fat can be considered to be a cause of thoracolumbar myelopathy in dogs.     

Inter-varietal variations of rutin content in common buckwheat flour (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.)

Summary To improve the quality of buckwheat flour, we investigated the effect of the cropping season on the rutin content in various cultivars of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.). Thirty cultivars of buckwheat were grown under both long day conditions (the summer cropping) and short day conditions (the late summer cropping). The inter-varietal variations and the effect of the cropping season on the rutin content were examined. The rutin content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results show that the average rutin content in the late summer cropping was about half that of the summer cropping. There were wide inter-varietal variations of rutin content in the summer cropping. The differences in rutin content in the late summer cropping were less pronounced. Rutin content was closely correlated with the flowering period in summer (r=0.735^***). The later flowering cultivars produced a higher content of rutin than the earlier flowering cultivars in the summer cropping. The differences in the cumulative solar radiation received in the two seasons seems to be a reasonable explanation for this increase in the rutin content of the buckwheat flour. The rutin content of early flowering cultivars, which are suitable for long day conditions, is positively correlated with yield in the summer cropping. However, the rutin content in the intermediate and late summer ecotype cultivars, which are suitable for short day conditions, shows no correlation with yield in the late-summer cropping. In conclusion, there are wide inter-varietal variations of rutin content in buckwheat flour and the rutin content increases under long day conditions.     

Characterization of CMS and maintainer lines in indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) based on RAPD marker analysis

Total DNA from WA type CMS lines: Zhenshan 97 A, Longtepu A and theirmaintainers Zhenshan 97 B, Longtepu B wasextracted by CTAB method. One hundredprimers were used for screening RAPDmarkers to distinguish CMS line (A) andmaintainer (B) plants at seedling stage.Results showed that under the conditions of37 ^°C annealing temperature and1.5 mM MgCl₂ concentration, in Zhenshan97 A, Longtepu A there was a 1600 bp DNAfragment in product amplified by primerOPA12, while in Zhenshan 97 B, and LongtepuB no 1600 bp fragment was found. The 1600 bpfragment was also found in DA type CMS lineXieqingzao A, but was absent in XieqingzaoB. Also in the restorer line, Minghui 63the 1600 bp fragment was absent. In F₁and F₂ generation of Zhenshan97A/Minghui 63, all plants investigated hadthe 1600 bp fragment. When mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) was isolated from the three CMS (A)and their B lines and amplified by OPA12,results showed that the 1600 fragment wasfound in all the three A lines and wasabsent in the three B lines. In DA typeXieqingzao A, two other fragments (700 bp,1000 bp) were also found except the 1600 bp.These results indicate that the 1600 bpfragment derived from CMS mitochondrial DNAcan be used as a RAPD marker to distinguishA and B plants at seedling stage, and thefragments (700 bp, 1000 bp) can be used todistinguish WA and DA cytoplasms.