Physiological actions of dinoterb,a phenol derivative: 2. Effects on isolated plant mitochondria and chloroplasts

Dinoterb, a contact herbicide, affects respiration and photosynthesis of mitochondria and chloroplasts. On mitochondria, at low concentrations, it acts as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation; at higher concentrations, it inhibits the electron transport chains, probably before cytochrome c. On chloroplasts, dinoterb has a stimulatory effect on oxygen uptake in the reduced dichlorophenol-indophenol→methyl viologen couple; however, it is also an inhibitor of the Hill reaction and its site of inhibition is located before plastoquinone, near photosystem II.     

The influence of temperature and photoperiod on growth and development of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Germination, growth and flowering were investigated in Parthenium hysterophoms (Asteraceae), a species introduced to Australia and at present occurring as a weed in central Queensland. Combinations of day/night temperature regimes from 15/4 to 36/31 and day length of 10, 13 and 16 h in controlled conditions were examined to find the effects of any environmental restraints to growth and development. Results showed that individuals are able to germinate, grow and flower over a wide range of temperatures and photoperiods and established plants can survive at least one mild frost of — 2. We conclude that the potential distribution of P. hyslerophorus in Australia is much wider than at present. Future distribution of the species may be limited seasonally by the inability of seed to germinate in soils of low water potential and by the inability of seedlings to establish and grow at low light intensities.     

Field experiments to investigate long-term effects of repeated applications of MCPA, tri-allate, simazine and linuron: II. Crop performance and residues 1969–78

In four field experiments begun in 1963, each of four herbicides was applied to plots planted wilh the same crop each year. The annual treatments were: MCPA at 17 kg/ha to barley (Hordeum sativa Jess) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at growth stage 15. tri-allate at 17 kg/ha pre-emergcnce to barley and wheat, simazine at l7kg/ha pre-emergence to maize (Zea mays L.) and linuron in two applications of 084 kg/ha pre- and post-emergence to carrots (Daucus carota L.). MCPA did not affect growth or yield of either barley or wheat. In general tri-allate also did not aftect the crops although wheat yield was depressed in 1978, wheat 1000 grain weight was reduced in 1972 and barley germination percentage was increased in 1973. Simazine did not influence the height, yield or appearance of maize. Linuron normally produced no effect on carrot yield, density and size. However, in 2 years when the post-emergence application was late, density but not yield was lower than in control plots. There was no accumulation of residues of any of these compounds in the soil. Rates of loss were similar to those predicted on ihe basis of laboratory experiments. In a fifth experiment these herbicides were applied twice per year (3 times in the case of linuron) at double the rales above on each occasion to bare plots. These applications ceased in 1968 (1969 for MCPA) but residues were monitored until 1972 except in the case of MCPA. Disappearance rates were similar to those in the cropped plots and residues were largely confined to the top 10 cm. The plots treated with MCPA had developed an enhanced ability lo degrade il prior to 1968. This persisted for 5 years after the final application.     

Corynebacterium equi in cattle and pigs

Summary The cervical lymph nodes of pigs, the retropharyngeal and submandibular lymph nodes of cattle and faecal samples from both animal species were examined for the presence of Corynebacterium equi. The organism was recovered from 19 (35 per cent) of 54 porcine cervical lymph nodes and from 0 of 54 bovine retropharyngeal and submandibular lymph nodes. Fifteen (50 per cent) of 30 bovine faecal and 11 (35 per cent) of 31 porcine faecal samples yielded C. equi.     

Precocene II metabolism: Comparative in vivo studies among several species of insects,and structure elucidation of two major metabolites

Several species of insects, exhibiting varying responsiveness to the juvenile hormone antagonist precocene II (6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene), were challenged topically with a tritiated preparation of the title compound. Metabolism of [³H]precocene II was subsequently examined by withdrawing hemolymph samples from treated animals at appropriate time intervals and characterizing the extractable radiolabel chromatographically. Quantitative (or qualitative) differences observed between the respective metabolic profiles were found not correlative with specimen sensitivity to precocene. Production of two heretofore unreported metabolites, identified by spectral and chemical means as O-β-glucosides of 6- and 7-monodemethylated precocene II, was demonstrated in both sensitive and insensitive species. No evidence for the presence of a hemolymphborne, biologically effective “activated metabolite” produced in vivo by precocene-susceptible insects could be found. The latter finding may well argue for in situ bioactivation of precocene at the target tissue(s) by these sensitive insects.     

The effect of some Frescon analogs on the aquatic snail,Lymnaea stagnalis: II. Correlation of neurotoxicity to Molluscicidal effectiveness

Although the molluscicide Frescon is a strong neurotoxin to the Lymnaea stagnalis central nervous system in vitro, it is probable that the exposure of the whole animal to this molluscicide fails to result in central nervous system abnormalities: Frescon does not appear to reach the brain in sufficient quantity to disrupt its normal activity. However, only those Frescon analogs found to be neurotoxic were molluscicidal, suggesting some related mode, if not site, of action. Frescon and its analogs may act by affecting excitable tissues other than the nervous system (e.g., the snail musculature) by altering certain functional and/or structural membrane properties.     

Anesthesia in ophthalmic surgery

Ophthalmic surgical patients can be routinely anesthetized without complications if the surgeon has a thorough understanding of the effects of anesthetic agents on ocular physiology. The regulation of intraocular pressure is important for successful ophthalmic surgery and can be greatly affected by the anesthetic procedure. Agents utilized to intentionally decrease intraocular pressure are often employed for intraocular procedures. These agents have profound systemic effects that must be anticipated. Adverse drug interactions between sympathomimetic mydriatics and halogenated inhalation anesthetics also must be considered.     

An Approach to Forecasting the Incidence of Potato and Cereal Aphids in Scotland1

Many potato and cereal infesting aphids in Scotland are either completely cr partially anholocyclic. This makes forecasting their first appearance and abundance on crops difficult, when compared with holocyclic species such as Aphis fabae Scopoli. This paper describes an analysis of the early movement of nine aphid species, commonly found on potatoes and cereals in Scotland, in relation to winter and early spring climate. Data on their early movement have been extracted from the catches in three of the sjx.12–2.rn suction traps now operating in Scotland in cooperation with the Rothamsted Insect Survey. The particular importance of early spring temperature has been established. The extension of this work to develop a predictive forecast of summer activity of anholocyclic aphid species is discussed. En Ecosse, une forte proportion de pucerons des pommes de terre et des céréales est entièrement ou partiellement anholocyclique. Ceci complique la prévision sur le moment de leur première apparition et sur leur abondance par rapport aux espéces holocycliques telles qu'Aphis, fabae. Cette étude concerne les déplacements précoces de neuf espéces de pucerons retrouveés fréquemment sur les pommes de terre et les céSreales. Les données sur les deplacements ont été obtenues à partir de trois des six piegès à succion de I2,2 m installes en Ecosse en cooperation avec le « Rothamsted Insect Survey », Il est apparu que la température printanière revêt une importance particuliere. Les recherches se poursuivent dam le but d'établir des prévisions sur le développement estival des espèces anholocycliyues de pucerons.