Fine-scale spatial genetic structure of sycamore maple (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer pseudoplatanus</Emphasis> L.)

Knowledge of SGS in plants is vital to understand the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations and to plan conservation strategies. Some of the major factors that can affect spatial genetic structure (SGS) in plants are the level of gene flow, spatial arrangement and life stages of individuals within populations. Applying six highly variable microsatellite markers, we investigated the effect of these factors on spatial genetic structure selecting two natural populations of sycamore maple, which is an insect-pollinated, autotetraploid and an indigenous hardwood species in Germany and in other central European countries. The two study populations had different shapes (“compact” and “elongated”) and tree densities. Significant SGS extended to ~180 m in the elongated population and to ~35 m in the compact population. Juvenile plants of the compact population showed significant SGS up to 40 m. Estimate of Sp statistic in high-density population was almost double of that in the population with low density. Gene dispersal distance in the low-density population was about 9 times higher than in the population with high density. The similar level of significant SGS in both adult and juvenile plants suggested minimal or no effect of life stages of individuals on SGS in the sycamore maple population. The data presented in this study can provide guidelines for seed collection and to establish populations for the conservation and management of genetic resources of the species.     

Water sorption mechanisms of commercial wood adhesive films

As water moves inside the wood, the gluelines might act as barriers that are potentially leading to local moistening. Even low amounts of water may influence the mechanical performance of glued wood products. Dynamic vapor sorption analysis was performed to assess the sorption processes of six commercial wood adhesives. Vapor sorption isotherms were compared with vapor uptake dynamics. Phenol–resorcinol–formaldehyde showed high moisture uptake of 18 %, while vapor diffusion speed was low. Fish glue showed a water uptake of 45 % at otherwise moderate vapor uptake speed. Melamine–formaldehyde resin gained 22 % water, and polyvinyl acetate absorbed 10 %. The latter was also the fastest vapor absorbing adhesive. Polyurethane only absorbed 3.5 % of moisture at medium uptake speed. Mechanisms of water diffusion seem to be driven by (1) the available free volume in the polymer and (2) the interacting ionic groups of the polymer chain. While the free volume could be linked to the accumulated moisture, the ionic group interaction might determine the measured vapor diffusion dynamics.     

Carbendazim,at concentrations used on pasture for facial eczema control,reduces development of Trichostrongylus colubriformis when sprayed onto infected sheep faeces

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether the fungicide, carbendazim, as applied to pastures for controlling facial eczema (FE), would inhibit development of the free-living stages of the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

METHODS: Two studies were conducted, using sheep faeces containing eggs of T. colubriformis. In the first, the faeces were either exposed or not to an application of carbendazim sprayed at the recommended rate for FE control. After spraying, dishes containing the faeces were incubated at 20°C for 14 days, and the resulting third-stage infective larvae (L3) extracted by baermannisation and counted. In addition, naturally infested pasture was also sprayed, and the number of L3 present 7 days later was assessed by cutting herbage samples and extracting larvae by soaking in water and baermannisation. In the second, the faeces were incubated at 20°C for 0, 3 or 7 days before being exposed to no, one or two applications of carbendazim. After further incubation for 14, 11 or 7 days, L3 were similarly extracted by baermannisation and counted.

RESULTS: In the first study, there was a 74% reduction in the number of T. colubriformis larvae recovered from faeces exposed to carbendazim compared with faeces not exposed, but there was no reduction in the number of L3 recovered from herbage. In the second study, faeces incubated for 0 or 3 days prior to exposure to a single application of carbendazim yielded 98% or 89% fewer larvae, respectively, than faeces not exposed. Faeces incubated for 7 days prior to exposure yielded similar numbers of larvae to faeces not exposed.

CONCLUSION: Treatment of pastures with carbendazim for FE control is likely to result in reduced development of the larvae of T. colubriformis, and by inference those of other species, where the application coincides with the presence of freshly deposited faeces containing eggs and developing larvae. However, no effect of treatment on L3 was indicated. The significance of this for on-farm nematode parasite control remains to be determined, as does any potential for strategic applications of carbendazim to pasture aimed at reducing numbers of parasite larvae on pasture. The latter should not be contemplated without due consideration of the implications for the development of anthelmintic resistance.     

Drench-and-shift is a high-risk practice in the absence of refugia

Abstract

AIM: To examine the effect of an anthelmintic treatment to lambs, followed immediately by a shift onto pastures with differing levels of larval contamination, on the development of anthelmintic resistance, in order to support recommendations to farmers regarding drench-and-shift practices for sustainable worm control.

METHODS: Newly weaned Romney lambs (n=72) were dosed with third-stage infective larvae (L3) of two nematode parasite species, Teladorsagia (=Ostertagia) circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, comprising benzimidazole-resistant and -susceptible isolates, calculated to yield, after treatment with albendazole, a 95% reduction in faecal nematode egg count (FEC). Once infections became patent (Day 0), lambs were randomised into nine groups of eight animals, treated with albendazole at the manufacturer's recommended dose rate, and moved to individual pastures each previously prepared to have one of three different levels of parasite larval infestation (Treatment 1 = low contamination, Treatment 2 = medium contamination, and Treatment 3 = high contamination), and grazed on those pastures before receiving a second treatment with albendazole at Day 47. Anthelmintic resistance status in each group of lambs was measured using FEC reduction (FECR) and egghatch assays (EHA) after the first anthelmintic treatment, and FECR after the second treatment.

RESULTS: Egg-hatch assays demonstrated significant differences between treatments. The concentration of anthelmintic required to kill 50% of the eggs (LC₅₀) for Treatment 1, comprising the least contaminated pastures, was significantly higher than for Treatments 2 and 3 on Days 33 and 40. Treatment 1 also had a significantly lower FECR at the final anthelmintic treatment, and significantly lower FEC than the other two treatments from Days 26 to 47.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that the populations of T. circumcincta and T. colubriformis in lambs treated with anthelmintic had significantly higher levels of albendazole resistance at the end of the grazing period in lambs moved onto pastures with relatively low levels of parasite contamination than those moved onto pastures with relatively higher contamination, confirming drench-and-shift onto ‘clean’ pasture as a high-risk practice for the selection for anthelmintic resistance. While this does not necessarily preclude the use of this practice it does emphasise the importance of taking appropriate remedial action to minimise the risk.     

Parainfluenza type 3 virus in cattle with upper respiratory disease

Abstract

Extract

Parainfluenza type 3(Pl₃) virus has been associated with upper respiratory disease of cattle in many countries (Hoerlein et al., 1959 Bögel, K. 1961. Virologische Undersuchungsbefunde bei Kalbern mit respiratoris-chem Syndrom unter besonderer Berucksichtigung der Parainfluenza 3 Myxovirus. Mh. Tierheilk, 13: 129–129. 162. [Cited by Jolly, R. D., (1967), N.Z. vet. J., 15: 43–4.] [Google Scholar]; Bögel, 1961 Campbell, R. S. F. 1972. “Virus diseases of cattle. Virology and Virus Disease”. In Proc. No. 16 of Course for Veterinarians, 132–132. University of Sydney.  [Google Scholar]; Reisinger, 1962 Carter, Margery E. and Hunter, R. 1970. Isolation of parainfluenza type 3 virus from sheep in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 18: 226–227. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; Jolly and Ditchfield, 1965 Curtis, R. A. and Sutton, R. H. 1972. Chronic granular rhinitis (nasal catarrh) of cattle. N.Z. vet. J., 20: 125–125. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). However, PI₃ virus has not been isolated from cattle with respiratory disease in New Zealand although a serological study found that 89.3% of cows had significant levels of antibody against PI₃ virus (Pastier and Hansen, 1966). In most cases infections are subclinical, and there is little evidence to suggest that PI₃ virus is an important cause of disease in New Zealand cattle (Jolly, 1967 Fastier, L. B. and Hansen, N. F. 1966. The occurrence of antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and parainfluenza 3 viruses in sera from New Zealand cattle. N.Z. vet J., 14: 27–32. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). This communication records an outbreak of upper respiratory disease in cattle from which PI₃ virus was isolated.     

In vitro activity of almond skin polyphenols for scavenging free radicals and inducing quinone reductase

Observational studies and clinical trials suggest nut intake, including almonds, is associated with an enhancement in antioxidant defense and a reduction in the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Almond skins are rich in polyphenols (ASP) that may contribute to these putative benefits. To assess their potential mechanisms of action, we tested the in vitro effect of ASP extracted with methanol (M) or a gastrointestinal juice mimic (GI) alone or in combination with vitamins C (VC) or E (VE) (1-10 micromol/L) on scavenging free radicals and inducing quinone reductase (QR). Flavonoid profiles from ASP-M and -GI extracts were different from one another. ASP-GI was more potent in scavenging HOCl and ONOO (-) radicals than ASP-M. In contrast, ASP-M increased and ASP-GI decreased QR activity in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Adding VC or VE to ASP produced a combination- and dose-dependent action on radical scavenging and QR induction. In comparison to their independent actions, ASP-M plus VC were less potent in scavenging DPPH, HOCl, ONOO (-), and O 2 (-) (*). However, the interaction between ASP-GI plus VC promoted their radical scavenging activity. Combining ASP-M plus VC resulted in a synergistic interaction, inducing QR activity, but ASP-GI plus VC had an antagonistic effect. On the basis of their total phenolic content, the measures of total antioxidant activity of ASP-M and -GI were comparable. Thus, in vitro, ASP act as antioxidants and induce QR activity, but these actions are dependent upon their dose, method of extraction, and interaction with antioxidant vitamins.     

Effects of additions of organic matter on the penetration resistance of glacial till for the entire water tension range

Hardsetting soil properties are undesirable in agricultural soils because they hamper crop production by limiting seedling emergence and root growth via increased mechanical soil resistance at low moisture contents. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of additions of organic matter on the penetration resistance of a hardsetting soil for the entire water tension range. Investigations were carried out on Saalian glacial till, which is used as a reclamation substrate in post-lignite-mining reclamation. Proportions of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% by mass of organic matter (OM) were used. The remoulded samples were saturated under a constant load of 2.4 kPa to achieve bulk densities equivalent to a soil depth of 15–20 cm via water-induced consolidation. Subsequently, the mixtures were adjusted to water tensions between 10⁰ and 10⁷ hPa and penetrated using a small cone penetrometer. Compared to 0% OM, the addition of 1% OM led to a very small but significant (P < 0.01) increase in the bulk density, while between 1% and 4% OM bulk density was seen to decrease in a linear fashion. At moisture contents greater than field capacity, penetration resistance values were consistent with the observed changes in bulk density, leading to an increase in the samples containing 0–1% OM to critical values for root-growth and a decrease for samples containing 2% and more organic matter reaching to values non-critical for roots. At moisture contents smaller than field capacity, penetration resistance values were inversely related to the bulk density, supporting the concept that the type of organic matter added contributed to soil cohesion. Modeling the relation between water tension and penetration resistance using a sigmoidal equation showed a high consistency between the observed data and the model.