Screening mycorrhiza species for plant growth,P and Zn uptake in pepper seedling grown under greenhouse conditions

We screened the mycorrhizal species for an inoculum protocol would green pepper seedling production and compensate for nutrient deficiency. Three greenhouse studies (on three successive years) were conducted under nursery conditions using five arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and their mixture. The AM fungi, Glomus mosseae, G. clarum, G. caledonium, G. intraradices and G. etunicatum propagated on maize roots were used. The AM fungi were inoculated to seed stages and half of the seed stages inoculated plants were re-inoculated at the seedling stages. In Experiment I, plants were harvested once and in Experiments II and III, plants were harvested twice at different developmental stages.     

Previous exposure advances the degradation of an anthropogenic s-triazine regardless of soil origin

Purpose

Previous investigations—field samplings and laboratory experiments—support the hypothesis that the degradation of s-triazines is enhanced in previously exposed as compared to pristine soils in terrestrial environments. Despite this, bottlenecks of soil sampling and various soil modification practices in microcosm studies have made it difficult to guarantee that previous contamination history enhances contaminant degradation regardless of soil origin in terrestrial ecosystems. We test the hypothesis that the degradation of simazine (2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine) is enhanced in previously exposed soils as compared to pristine soils in 10 l buckets at the mesocosm scale.

Materials and methods

We collected soil at three separate sites consisting of a previously exposed and a pristine field. At every field, soil was collected at three separate plots and simazine degradation (days 0 and 65) and the response to atzB degrader gene primers (days 0 and 110) were followed. We analyzed the results using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Previous exposure and field site were assessed as fixed factors and initial simazine concentration and abiotic soil conditions as covariates.

Results and discussion

After the 65-day exposure, remaining simazine concentrations depended on previous exposure but not on collection site. The response to atzB gene primers was positive in all mesocosms where simazine degradation had been rapid. Soil moisture, pH, and organic matter content were insignificant. If soil moisture was not included in the ANCOVA model, previous exposure did not appear as a significant factor.

Conclusions

The results support the hypothesis that simazine is degraded more rapidly in previously exposed soils as compared to pristine environments, provided that degradation genes are available. Previously exposed soil might be used to enhance the degradation of simazine in recently contaminated terrestrial soils, supposing that the central requirements for microbial growth are adequate.     

Eco-geographic distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer isauricum</Emphasis> P.H. Davis and threats to the species

Wild Cicer species are considered as useful genetic resources for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses due to limited resistance in cultivated chickpeas. As a wild perennial species in the genus Cicer L., Cicer isauricum P.H. Davis is an endemic species to Turkey and endangered status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. Here we report on its eco-geographic distribution and environmental stresses that affect the species, and advocate for its in situ and ex situ conservation. A new population of the species was discovered in Geyikbay?r?, Güllük Mountains in Antalya, Turkey. Cicer isauricum not only suffers from significant biotic stresses such as ascochyta blight [Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr.], pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) and broomrape (Orobanche sp.), but is also subjected to drought and heat stress in its habitat. Infection with ascochyta blight in natural habitats was diagnosed by molecular techniques, and pod borer and broomrape were observed only phenotypically. PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region of genomic DNA from cultured fungal isolates, yielded sequences with 100% nucleotide identity with the corresponding sequence in GeneBank for Didymella rabiei Kovachevski (anamorph: A. rabiei). The pathogen may have co-evolved with C. isauricum in the newly discovered site. Because C. isauricum is exposed to drought and accompanying heat stress in its natural habitat, it appears able to tolerate heat stress up to 45 °C during podding stage and terminal drought in late summer from its woody, deep rooting. C. isauricum bears multiple flowers per axil, a potentially useful trait in cultivated chickpea. In conclusion, C. isauricum is a potential genetic source for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, in need of greater protection due to its endangered status.     

Recognizing the Interest of Forest Owners to Combine Nature-Oriented and Economic Uses of Forests

Protecting biodiversity within separate set-aside conservation areas has not been effective enough to halt its loss. Thus, new approaches to conserve biodiversity alongside production are needed. The non-market values of a forest may play an essential role when the forest owner decides the use of their land. However, so far the service offerings other than related to timber production, have been scant. The mismatch between decision support services offered and the service interests of forest owners may result in the objectives of forest owners remaining unfulfilled. The aims of this study were to explore the links between family forest owners’ forest management preferences and their objectives for the forest and secondly their preferences for decision support services. Data were collected in a postal survey in the Northern Karelia region, Finland in spring 2014. Data consist of 298 survey answers that were analysed using multi-variate analyses. Two typologies were combined: clustering of forest ownership objectives and the preferred forest management style. We found that the forest owner’s objectives were demonstrated by their preferred way of managing the forest. Opinions about different decision aid services varied between cluster groups. The groups emphasizing nature values considered biodiversity related information about their forest more necessary than other groups. They were also less satisfied with the usability of the forest management plan. Forest advisory services should better acknowledge the prevalence of multiple objectives also among forest owners who are interested in timber selling. Developing services for forest owners with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, information needs and objectives is important.     

Effects of feed intake and water hardness on fluralaner pharmacokinetics in layer chickens

BackgroundFluralaner is a novel drug belonging to the isoxazoline class that acts on external parasites of domestic animals. It is used systemically via drinking water, especially against red poultry mite in layer chickens. Fluralaner is frequently used in layers infected with D. gallinae. However, no study to date has investigated the effects of feed intake and water hardness.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effects of variable water hardness and feed intake on the pharmacokinetic profile of fluralaner.MethodsLayer chickens were divided into four groups (n = 8): fed + purified water (Group 1), feed restricted + purified water (Group 2), feed restricted + hard water (Group 3), and feed restricted + soft water (Group 4). After administering a single dose of the drug with drinking water, the blood samples were collected for 21 days. Fluralaner concentrations in plasma samples were determined by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max), time to reach maximum plasma concentration (t_max), area under the concentration–time curve values (AUC_0-21d), half-life (t_1/2), and other pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.ResultsAlthough the highest maximum plasma concentration (C_max) was determined in Group 1 (fed + purified water), no statistically significant difference was found in the C_max, t_max, t_1/2, MRT_{0-inf_obs}, Vz/F_obs, and Cl/F_{_obs} parameters between the experimental groups.ConclusionsIt was concluded that the feed intake or water hardness did not change the pharmacokinetic profile of fluralaner in layer chickens. Therefore, fluralaner could be used before or after feeding with the varying water hardness in poultry industry.     

Transgressive segregations for yield criteria in reciprocal interspecific crosses between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. reticulatum</Emphasis> Ladiz.

Wild Cicer species are considered to be more resistant for biotic and abiotic stresses than that of the cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Alien genes conferring resistance for biotic and abiotic stresses can be transferred from wild Cicer species to the cultivated chickpea but success in interspecific hybridizations has already been achieved with only two wild Cicer species. The current study was undertaken to compare fruitful heterosis in F₂ and F₃ for yield and yield criteria and to identify transgressive segregation in F₂ and F₃ in reciprocal interspecific crosses between C. arietinum and C. reticulatum Ladiz. We define fruitful heterosis as a useful parameter that can be used instead of residual heterosis. Considerable fruitful heterosis in F₂ and F₃ was found for number of seeds, pods per plant, biological yield, and seed yield. Maximum values of most of the characteristics in F₂ and F₃ were higher than that of the best parent indicating that superior progeny could be selected for yield from transgressive segregation. Progeny selection should be based on number of seeds, pods per plant, and biological yield since these characteristics had the highest direct effect on seed yield. The narrow sense heritability was found to be the highest for 100-seed weight. It was suggested that the cultivated chickpea could be used as female parent in interspecific hybridization to increase yield and yield criteria since progeny in F₂ and F₃ had better performance when it was used as female. In conclusion, interspecific hybridization of wild and cultivated chickpea can be used to improve yield and yield components and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses as well.     

Gene effects of Cicer reticulatum on qualitative and quantitative traits in the cultivated chickpea

The gene effects of Cicer reticulatum on both double‐podding as qualitative traits and yield criteria as quantitative traits in interspecific hybridization with cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum) have not yet been elucidated, despite the easy acquisition of hybrid progeny between two species. This study sought to answer three questions concerning qualitative and quantitative traits in reciprocal crosses between C. arietinum and C. reticulatum. (i) Is there a similarity in the gene effects of flower colour, pigmentation and double‐podded traits in reciprocal interspecific crosses? (ii) What are the expressivity and penetrance of the double‐podded trait in interspecific crosses? (iii) Which heterosis predicts the occurrence and the extent of transgressive variation? The materials for this study were F₁, F₂ and F₃ progeny derived from a reciprocal cross between C. arietinum and C. reticulatum. As qualitative traits, purple flower colour, pigmentation and single‐podded traits in C. reticulatum were governed by a dominant single gene. Purple flower colour and pigmentation were detected to be linked traits as all progeny had the same phenotypes. As quantitative traits, yield criteria in progeny which were double‐podded had higher values than the single‐podded counterparts. Expressivity and penetrance of the double‐podding trait were superior in progeny derived from C. reticulatum × C. arietinum. The results showed that fruitful heterosis was more useful than residual heterosis in F₃ as residual heterosis was mostly negative and fruitful heterosis was suggested in self‐pollinated species such as chickpea that lacks inbreeding depression. Interspecific transgression was significant with respect to chickpea improvement because it represented a potential source of novel genetic variation.     

Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal gland axis in mice inhaling toluene prior to low-level long-term exposure to formaldehyde

We studied the change in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis upon adding prior toluene inhalation to our previous formaldehyde inhalation experiments to determine whether short term exposure to relatively high levels of toluene triggers multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Data come from immunocytochemical, morphometrical and RT-PCR measurements. Four groups of adult female mice were exposed to differing concentrations (0, 80, 400, and 2,000 ppb) of formaldehyde for 16 hr/day, 5 days/week for twelve weeks, after the mice were exposed intranasally to 500 ppm toluene per mouse for 6 hr/day, for 3 days. We found that the number of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)-immunoreactive (ir) neurons was up-regulated according to the amount of formaldehyde as well as inhalation of formaldehyde alone in our previous experiment. The proportion of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-ir cells increased according to the formaldehyde concentration, though there was no significant difference between the 400 and 2,000 groups. The number of ACTH-ir cells was higher in the 400 group than in the other groups (0, 80, and 2,000). Expression of ACTH-mRNA was also up-regulated according to the quantity of formaldehyde. The sinusoid in the anterior pituitary showed more dilatation in the 400 and 2,000 groups than in the control group, especially in the 2,000 group. We propose that exposure to toluene prior to inhalation of formaldehyde has no effect on the HPA axis and as a trigger of MCS, although greater sinusoid dilatation was found in the anterior pituitary gland at higher concentrations of formaldehyde.