Development of the IRGA enclosed-chamber system for soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> efflux measurement and its application to a spatial variation measurement

A new system was developed for measuring soil CO₂ efflux. The chamber in this system contains a small infrared CO₂ gas analyzer. This system does not need air tubes or pumps for circulating air, so it is expected to offer the advantages of mobility and durability. This system was verified by a comparison with measurements made by using a closed-dynamic-chamber (CDC) system. The spatial variation in the soil CO₂ efflux in a broadleaved deciduous forest was measured using the new system. The soil CO₂ efflux at sampling locations 50–70cm apart varied within a range of 60%–150%. This variation was smaller than the variation due to differences in soil characteristic reflected in different moisture conditions, etc.     

Forest soil and litter as filtering media for suspended sediment

A series of two filtration experiments were conducted to evaluate the filtration function of forest soil experimentally. The first experiment evaluated the differences between the filtration capabilities of the A₀ horizon and A horizon, and the effect of overstory species on the filtration function of the A₀ horizon. Undisturbed A₀, A and A₀+A horizons were collected for the filter mediums with cylindrical samplers. Leaves ofQuercus serrata, Quercus myrsinaeforia, Sasa senanensis Pinus densiflora, Chamaecyparis obtusa, andCryptomeria japonica were also packed in the samplers. Various suspended sediment concentration of water were sprayed at constant intensity on the surface of samples. Filtering coefficients were not affected by SS concentration in all samples, and the order of filtering coefficient was: A₀ horizons>A₀+A horizons>A horizons in undisturbed forest soil samples, andQuercus serrata>Sasa senanensis>Quercus myrsinaeforia>Pinus densiflora”Chamaecyparis obtusa>Cryptomeria, japonica in leaf samples. These results led to the conclusion that SS from managed forests can best be prevented by buffer zones where a thick A₀ horizon is maintained. The second experiment evaluated the effect of turbid water supply rate on the filtration capacity. Undisturbed A horizons and four leaf types,Quercus serrata, Pinus densiflora, Chamaecyparis obtusa, andCryptomeria japonica were used as filter mediums. Filtering coefficients were inversely proportional to supply rate of turbid water in all samples.     

Breeding of white-grained wheats for Japan

The possibility of breeding white-grained wheats tolerant to pre-harvest sprouting under Japanese humid weather conditions is discussed. New genetic dormancy sources, such as, AUS1408, 8019R1 and RyuuMai7, were evaluated for seed dormancy in different weather conditions. Some white-grained dormant wheats showed a strong dormancy similar to that of red-grained dormant wheats in a greenhouse trial, in the field their dormancy expression was much less than the red wheats. Three populations involving crosses with these new sources for winter wheat breeding were examined under repeated selection for seed dormancy. Some dormant white-grained lines, as judged under glasshouse conditions, were developed. Again the level of dormancy in these lines was not sufficient compared to red dormant varieties in field trial. In order to develop truly superior dormant white-grained materials, one population involving crosses with two dormant varieties, AUS1408 and 8019R1, was examined under repeated selection. From these materials we succeeded in breeding lines that had not only a good dormancy but also showed adaptation to Japanese weather conditions, including earliness, scab resistance and good seed appearance. However again the dormancy of these lines in field trial was not sufficient compared to that of red wheats and there was not a clear difference for seed dormancy between breeding lines and their parents. We conclude therefore that more work involving the use of new genetic sources or new breeding techniques, will be necessary for breeding advanced lines that maintain a sufficient tolerance to PHS in humid Japanese weather condition. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Forestomach developmental failure in an 11-month-old Japanese Black steer with severely retarded growth and chronic ruminal tympany

This study reports findings from the pathological examination of the forestomach of an 11-month-old Japanese Black steer with severely retarded growth (41% of expected weight) and chronic ruminal tympany. The ruminal papillae were weakly formed (0.3–0.5 cm long) and unevenly distributed. The cellulae and cristae reticuli were underdeveloped; the cristae were 0.4–0.7 cm in height and milky white. The keratinized layer in the stratified squamous epithelium was thickened. Ruminal pH was 5.25, and ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration was 11.7 mM. The steer’s severely retarded growth was considered to be caused by malnutrition due to developmental and functional failure of the forestomach.     

Polymeric procyanidins as radical-scavenging components in red-hulled rice

The extracts from white-, black-, and red-hulled rice were prepared by sequential extraction with six different polar solvents, and their radical-scavenging activities were measured by methods using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH*) and tert-butyl hydroperoxyl radical (t-BuOO*). The extracts prepared with highly polar solvents, methanol and deionized water, exhibited higher DPPH* and t-BuOO* scavenging activities in all three cultivars. In addition, the acetone extract from red-hulled rice exhibited a high DPPH* and t-BuOO* scavenging activity, while no such activity was detected for the acetone extracts from white- and black-hulled rice. The major components responsible for the radical scavenging in the acetone extract from red-hulled rice were identified as procyanidins by acidic hydrolysis, vanillin assay, and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. GPC analysis of the acetylated procyanidins revealed that the average molecular weight is about 5000, in a range of about 500-18,000.     

Reaction of manganese peroxidase ofBjerkandera adusta with synthetic lignin in acetone solution

The reaction of manganese peroxidase (MnP) of the white-rot fungusBjerkandera adusta with synthetic lignin dehydrogenation polymer, DHP) in acetone medium was investigated. Gel-permeation chromatography of the DHP treated by MnP demonstrated depolymerization of syringyl DHP in the reaction mixture containing 70% acetone; moreover, concomitant repolymerization occurred to give highly polymerized products. Guaiacyl DHP was only repolymerized by MnP in the same acetone solution without giving degradation products. Addition of ascorbic acid to reaction mixtures containing acetone resulted in preferential depolymerization of syringyl DHP.Part of this report was presented at the meeting of Kansai Branch, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry in Kagawa, October 1996     

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in private-household cats in Japan

The present study is the first national investigation of intestinal parasites in private-household cats in Japan. A total of 942 faecal samples were collected from private-household cats. Giardia species was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and other intestinal parasites were identified microscopically. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 10.1%; two protozoan parasites (Giardia species and Cystoisospora species) and five helminths (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Taenia species and Spirometra erinacei) were detected. The total prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was significantly higher in cats aged ≤ 6 months old than in cats older than 6 months because of a significantly higher prevalence of Cystoisospora species and T cati. The total infection prevalence was higher among outdoor cats as a result of the significantly higher prevalence of T cati and S erinacei. Sex and faecal condition were not related to intestinal parasite infections. Regional differences were observed in Cystoisospora species and A tubaeforme.