Der Einfluss der Reifedifferenz von Korn zu Restpflanze auf den optimalen Erntezeitpunkt und die standortgerechte Sortenwahl von Energie- und Silomais

Maize production trials carried out in eastern middle of Germany from 1999–2008 were used for statistical analysis of the optimum date for silage maize ripeness. The Knowledge about difference in ripeness between grain and residual plants at the harvest were used for exactly choice of cultivar under drought conditions for silage and energy maize. The Silage maize Ripeness Index (the ratio of dry matter content of maize grains to dry matter content of residual plants) is more suitable for the leading of plant development, the determination of harvest date and the choice of cultivar as the dry matter content of the plant. The analysis is cheaper as well as not so material and time-consuming with a better financially results in food-, milk- and methane production in comparison to the dry matter content of the silage maize of different hybrid maize populations and environments. Ensilage optimum and yield maximum correspond with the physiological ripeness of silage maize and are close to the grain dry matter content of 64%, to the dry matter content of starch of 33% and a ripeness index from 2.55 to 2.9 for parameter of quality and quantity. Only under these conditions it is possible to reach the optimal ripeness of 33 to 35% in the whole plant silage maize. But under suboptimal conditions the harvest is carried out, if SRI had a maximal value. In dependence on the Silage maize Ripeness Index (SRZ) and (SRI) parameters of silage and energy maize were predicted differential development of ripeness and yield. The aims of silage and energy maize are similar. The Silage maize Ripeness Index (SRI) is, for whole plant maize, better than the Whole Plant Maize Ripeness Index (SRZ) for the choice of a hybrid in Germany. The dry matter content of grain in interaction with the dry matter of residual plants are better than dry matter content of the whole plant maize as ripeness indicator in the production of silage and energy maize at the harvesting time. SRI is also universal suitable for use as a standard in scientific trials and for better characteristic of cultivar types and environmental influence.     

Dynamisches Reife- und Analyse (DRA)-System im Maisanbau

The Dynamic Ripeness and Analysis (DRA)-System in maize cultivation describe with the phenological ripeness, stress and selection indicator, the Silage maize Ripeness Index (SRI), the differentiated ripening development in the whole maize plant in addressing the most dominant ripening, growing and environmental conditions at the time of harvest period. The SRI is the quotient of ripeness of grain and residual plant. In addition to fix the correct optimum or agro-eco-efficiently harvest time. The SRI is also capable of the location suitability of the variety to characterize the ripeness specific type of variety as well as the environmental and cultivation conditions to quantify. The consistent use of the DRA-System by the maize growers leads to the desired momentum of ripeness, harvest and choice of varieties parameter. Only few environmentally stable maize varieties with the greatest variety and resistance performance for all utilization from the supposed varieties oversupply reach a consensus economic and ecological if the genotype for sowing corresponds to the phenotype for harvest. When the reference point of ripeness (SRI 2.8), there are only minor, ripeness-specific differences between the types of use (gas, fattening, grain and milk). Associated with the ripeness difference decrease the ripeness degree, better plant health, higher palatability and structure activity in the dairy cow feeding receiving maximum amounts of absolute ground fodder (healthy residual plant), which ultimately leads to a maximum milk production at a lower metabolic load of animals.     

Maisernte nach Maß

The consistent appropriate selection of environment-stable varieties, the range of plant without ear up to maximal ripeness ratio of grain to residual plant are the cardinal question in maize cultivation respecting the ripeness, growing and environmental conditions. By permanent control of the ripening process in the pre-harvest period up to ripeness maximum possible ratio of grain to rest plant (real time of harvest) and its detection by the Silage maize Ripeness Index (SRI) as phenological performance, selection and stress indicator the environmental performance potential of all varieties can be exploited, in all years, as well as each location and in all directions of use. The plant without ear as a concrete expression of the reduction of biomass production caused by drought stress and the careless cultivation of unstable varieties provide the base inevitably for drastic, estimated losses with regard to quality, yield, as well as extensive risks in environmental, consumer and animal welfare. Ripe different maize with green, vital and active photosynthesis residual plant with 22?% dry matter is in the field of physiological ripeness of grain by 63?% up to the agro-eco-efficient ripeness point and the interface of all use directions. Silage and energy maize with the SRI of 2.8 and still green residual plant should be continued in the interest of the effectiveness of the high-performance feeding up to the maximum possible ripeness ratio. The establishment of the plant architecture in the form of high maize high of about 225 cm is better for improve the yield potential compared to compact. Such differences were indifferent and not pronounced at the quality indicators. By phenotyping of the production levels in maize, also the risks of all kinds are estimated preventable in addition to the appraisal of quality and yield. In addition an assessment of ripeness, growing and environmental conditions of the crop year can be on the other hand same range based on the SRI retroactively. Interfaces, as the agro-eco-efficient ripeness point, for the coupling of other crop models, a selection index for breeding objectives of all use directions (performance, resistance and food value) as an environmental variable and standard for trial basis have been created with this Dynamic Ripeness and Analysissystem (DRA). The efficiency of the entire production branch is also ecologically to justify itself according to maximize success in each direction of use maize.     

Measurement of platelet aggregation in ovine blood using a new impedance aggregometer

Background: Whole blood platelet aggregometry (impedance) is an important method to investigate platelet function disorders. Examination of hemostatic function in sheep is important with respect to their role as an animal model of human disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and optimize selected methodological aspects (anticoagulant, agonist concentration) of impedance aggregometry in ovine blood using the new Multiplate 5.0 analyzer. Methods: Blood samples were collected in hirudin anticoagulant from 40 clinically healthy sheep. Samples from selected sheep were collected in citrate, with or without the addition of calcium chloride. The agonists adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, ristocetin, arachidonic acid, and thrombin receptor‐activating peptide (TRAP) were added in several concentrations to induce aggregation. Results: Based on maximum aggregation values and internal precision, no significant difference was found between ADP concentrations of 3–10 μmol/L and collagen concentrations of 3–5 μg/mL (P>.05). The lowest interindividual variation of approximately 3–4‐fold was seen with 4 and 5 μmol/L ADP and 4 and 5 μg/mL collagen. Ristocetin, arachidonic acid, and TRAP did not induce significant aggregation at any concentration. Aggregation results were significantly lower when measured in citrate‐ vs hirudin‐anticoagulated blood, regardless of the presence of calcium chloride. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the multiplate impedance aggregometer is suitable for the measurement of platelet aggregation in sheep using optimal agonist concentrations of 4–5 μmol/L ADP and 4–5 μg/mL collagen. Hirudin‐anticoagulated blood is the preferred sample material.     

Concentrations and uptake of macronutrients by oat and pea in intercrops in response to N fertilization and sowing ratio

Intercropping is of increasing interest in temperate-arable farming systems. The influence of nitrogen (N) fertilization and sowing ratio on concentrations and uptake of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) by oat and pea was assessed in three substitutive intercrops on a fertile soil in eastern Austria. N decreased Ca in oat grain and increased P in pea grain as well as Ca and Mg in oat residue and Mg and P in pea residue. Intercropping did not affect nutrient concentrations of oat grain, whereas a lower pea share in intercrops increased P in pea grain. In residue, Ca, K and Mg concentrations were higher in oat and Ca and K partly lower in pea with a lower share of each crop. The oat-dominated intercrops could partly achieve a slightly higher total grain nutrient yield than pure stands at no or low N; however, these benefits diminished with a higher pea share and N input. In comparison to pure stands, higher residue nutrient yields were obtained by intercropping in all sowing ratios and fertilization levels. Consequently, oat–pea intercropping can be a strategy for increasing the macronutrient yield of grain and especially of residue for ruminant feeding.     

Interpretation of lysimeter weighing data affected by wind

Weighing lysimeters are valuable devices for measuring water‐balance components with high temporal resolution and high accuracy. However, some older lysimeter facilities still operate with lever‐arm‐counterbalance weighing systems that are sensitive to disturbances, e.g., forces exerted by wind. Filtering and averaging are commonly used for processing noisy raw data. We studied some data of a lever‐arm weighing system and performed additional experiments in order to (1) determine the measurement accuracy of the current weighing scheme (facility, and measuring and averaging procedure) regarding wind effects, (2) describe the oscillation behavior, (3) test the mechanical performance of the system, and (4) adapt the averaging procedure with respect to improved interpretation of the weighing data. The measurement accuracy for a wind velocity < 5 m s^–1, measured in 10 m height, was ≈ ± 0.4 kg (equivalent to ± 0.14 mm); at a higher wind velocity, the accuracy was three times lower, but there was no linear relationship. Additional experiments showed that the weighing system is oscillating with more or less irregular amplitudes. A loading–unloading experiment delivered proper results of the measured loads. The mechanical system reacted immediately, and no directional effects were found. However, small changes of < 1 kg could hardly be determined due to the oscillations. A time series of raw data measured every 2 s served as basis for improving the averaging method. A moving average from 64 values was computed representing the currently used method, and serving as reference. With this procedure an accuracy of ± 0.38 kg could be reached. Averaging 150 values led to an accuracy of ± 0.28 kg (0.1 mm) for a wind velocity < 5 m s^–1.     

多重聚合酶链反应检测环境中产气荚膜杆菌

产气荚膜杆菌根据产生4种主要毒素（α－β、ε、τ－毒素）可分为5种类型A－E型。在该研究中依据产气荚膜杆菌的5种毒素基因的序列，设计了5对PCR引物，建立了多重PCR方法，该方法可以快速区分5种类型的产气荚膜杆菌。并对68份环境样品（生活污水、生物肥料）进行检测和基因分型，共检出55株产气荚膜杆菌，其中A型产气荚膜杆菌50株，占总数的90％以上，B型、C型、D型只占5％，未检出E型产气荚膜杆菌，所有的分离株没有发现带有肠毒素。结果表明，目前环境中主要存在的菌型为A型菌，其他菌型的产气荚膜杆菌很少，而多数是非致病性产气荚膜杆菌。     

PCR-based monitoring of recent isolates of tobacco blue mold from Europe reveals the presence of two genetically distinct phenotypes differing in fungicide sensitivity

Bioassays testing the fungicide sensitivity against metalaxyl of Peronospora tabacina isolates collected in German tobacco fields in 2005 revealed the presence of two phenotypes, resistant and sensitive. DNA fingerprints using SSR and minisatellite primers allowed separation of the samples into two groups. The differences in amplification patterns coincided with the sensitive and resistant reaction of the isolates in metalaxyl bioassays. New primers were developed which allowed PCR-based detection of P. tabacina and differentiation of the metalaxyl-sensitive and the metalaxyl-resistant phenotype, respectively. Screening of recent blue mold isolates from Germany and other European countries for metalaxyl sensitivity with leaf disk bioassays coincided completely with the PCR-based identification of the two phenotypes. In Germany, exclusively resistant isolates were found between 2002 and 2004. These still dominate. Since 2005 the co-occurrence of sensitive isolates has been shown. No similar monitoring has been done in any other European country. However, we found the resistant phenotype reaction in a French isolate of 2004 and in two out of three Italian isolates in 2007. Two isolates from Poland and Bulgaria in 2007 were sensitive to metalaxyl. For all 58 isolates tested since 2002 the metalaxyl bioassay-based resistance type and the PCR-based tests for sensitive and resistant genotype coincided. Using genotype-specific primers for future population studies may help to trace the sources of the pathogen from which yearly propagation starts.     

The prevalence of antimicrobial susceptibility of veterinary pathogens isolated from cattle and pigs: national antibiotic resistance monitoring 2002/2003 of the BVL

The national antimicrobial resistance monitoring determines the current quantitative resistance level of life-stock pathogens, in order to permit the evaluation and surveillance of the distribution of resistances on a valid basis. During the examination period from June 2002 to July 2003, a total of 1849 pathogens was collected, following a representative German-wide pattern in collaboration with 29 laboratories. The selection of examined bacterial strains included different specimen causing respiratory diseases in fattening pigs (Pasteurella multocida, Bordetella bronchiseptica) and cattle (Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica), respectively, as well as strains causing mastitis in dairy cows (Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli). Determination of the in-vitro susceptibility (minimal inhibitory concentration) to at least 17 antimicrobial agents was performed centrally by the BVL using the microdilution broth method. The findings approximately match results of an analogous study conducted in 2001, and correspondingly revealed significantly lower resistance-values in comparison to data published for Germany so far. No correlation could be established between the incidence of resistance and differing stock densities. By means of the resistance monitoring data gathered by the BVL, the risk potential of antimicrobials applied in Germany can be reliably defined. This valuable information about the epidemiological situation of resistance in Germany can be helpful to veterinarians as a decision guidance when choosing appropriate means of therapy. Accordingly, the results stated by the BVL are apt to provide an important contribution to improving the safety of food-animal products. The experiences obtained from the monitoring also show that valid data about the antimicrobial susceptibility can only be raised on an interdisciplinary approach (federal agencies, county diagnostic laboratories, universities, industry). Currently, the BVL put into practice a study with an extended spectrum of bacterial species and indications.