Insektizide und phytotoxische Wirkung von Steinkohlenflugasche

Zusammenfassung  Im Rahmen eines Umweltgutachtens wurde die phytotoxische und insektizide Wirkung von Steinkohlenflugasche untersucht. Als Testorganismen dienten die Pflanzen Tropaeolum majus (Kapuzinerkresse) und Lepidium sativum (Brunnenkresse) sowie die Vorratsschädlinge Plodia interpunctella (Dörrobstmotte), Tenebrio molitor (Mehlkäfer) und Sitophilus granarius (Kornkäfer). Gezeigt werden konnte, dass die verwendete Steinkohlenflugasche bei einem aus der Literatur entnommenen theoretischen täglichen Flugstaubniederschlag von 1 g/m² keine phytotoxischen bzw. insektiziden Eigenschaften aufwies. Selbst eine zehnfach erhöhte Dosis von 10 g/m² hatte innerhalb von 2 Tagen keine erhöhte Mortalität von Dörrobstmottenlarven bzw. über einen Zeitraum von 12 Tagen keine erhöhte Mortalität von Mehlkäfern (alle Entwicklungsstadien) zur Folge. Für Kornkäfer ergab sich eine leichte Erhöhung der Mortalität auf 2 % innerhalb von 12 Tagen nach einer Dosierung von 5 g/m². Die Mortalitätsrate von Kornkäfern erhöhte sich nach Applikation von 125 mg Flugasche auf eine Fläche von 50 cm² innerhalb von 12 Tagen von 6 % in der Kontrolle auf 14 %. Eine mit Diatomeenerde zur Positivkontrolle durchgeführte Versuchsreihe hatte hingegen bei gleich hoher Dosierung eine 100 %ige Abtötung aller adulten Kornkäfer zur Folge. Starke Pflanzausfälle waren erst bei einem komplett aus Flugasche bestehendem Substrat zu verzeichnen. Nur geringfügig waren die Wuchsleistungen der verwendeten Pflanzen ab einem Flugascheanteil von 50 % im Substrat beeinträchtigt.

Serum amyloid A and TNF alpha in serum and milk during experimental endotoxin mastitis

A cross-over study was conducted to investigate the effect of intramammarily infused lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the acute phase reaction in early (EL) and in late (LL) lactation. Nine cows received intramammary injections of 100 microg of Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS during EL and LL. The severity of each cows systemic and local signs and change in milk appearance were recorded and scored throughout the experiment. Systemic and local signs were found to be more serious in EL cows. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was detected in milk but not in serum. Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations increased both in serum and in milk. The milk TNF alpha concentrations peaked at 8 h post-challenge (PC). SAA concentrations started to increase at 8 h PC, and peak concentrations were seen at 32 and 48 h PC in milk and serum, respectively. The milk TNF alpha and SAA seemed to be correlated, being on average higher in EL. Serum SAA concentration was not correlated with milk TNF alpha or SAA, nor with the severity of local or systemic signs, but was correlated with changes in milk appearance.     

Clinical comparison of isoflurane and sevoflurane anaesthesia in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The objective of this study was a comparison of the volatile anaesthetics isoflurane and sevoflurane in terms of their clinical effects in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) (n=12 each). Induction of anaesthesia was performed in a body chamber with an anaesthetic concentration of 4.0 Vol.% at an oxygen flow of 500 ml/min for isoflurane and 8.0 Vol.% at an oxygen flow of 1000 ml/min for sevoflurane, respectively. Anaesthesia was maintained via nose cone with an anaesthetic concentration of 2.8 to 3.2 Vol.% at an oxygen flow of 200 ml/min for isoflurane and 5.0 to 5.2 Vol.% at an oxygen flow of 400 ml/min for sevoflurane. Those anaesthetic concentrations ensured reflex status conform with surgical tolerance. In spite of its higher blood-gas coefficient induction time was slightly faster for isoflurane. Recovery time was significantly longer in the isoflurane group than it was in the sevoflurane group. Both inhalants caused respiratory depression. Respiratory rate was lower in sevoflurane animals compared to isoflurane. The animals were positioned on a heating pad immediately after induction, thus a decrease of the body temperature could be prevented. Both inhalants can be recommended for usage in gerbils. Sevoflurane showed no clinical benefit compared to isoflurane.     

Recurrent tongue tip constriction in a captive giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).

A male giant anteater (Myrmecophage tridactyla) was treated twice for tongue tip constrictions. Clinical signs were partial anorexia, soft stool, bleeding from the mouth, and intermittent lingual discomfort. In the first presentation, wood fibers constricting the distal part of the tongue were detected by endoscopy and were removed. In the second presentation, bands of collagenous fibers were identified and resected. Dietary elements were responsible for both cases: elongated wood fibers were present in peat, which was included as a supplement to improve stool consistency, and collagenous fibers originated from fascias of lean meat, which served as a protein source in this diet. Preventive measures included sieving of the peat to eliminate long fibers and grinding of the meat, respectively, prior to diet presentation. A homogenous diet, utilizing cellulose rather than peat and dry cat food rather than meat, will avoid tongue tip constriction as described in these cases.     

Retrospective study of tetanus in 20 dogs: 1988-2004

The case records of 20 dogs that were treated for tetanus between 1988 and 2004 were reviewed. Young, large-breed dogs were most commonly affected. Twelve dogs had a likely source of infection identified. All dogs were treated with intravenous antibiotics and supportive care, such as muscle relaxants and sedation for muscle tremors and rigidity. Sixteen dogs received tetanus antitoxin. The mortality rate was 50%. Complete recovery in survivors required approximately 1 month.     

Analysis of Genetic Variation Among Accessions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pueraria montana</Emphasis> (Lour.) Merr. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">lobata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pueraria phaseoloides</Emphasis> (Roxb.) Benth. based on RAPD Markers

Pueraria montana var. lobata and P. phaseoloides originating from tropical Asia and parts of Oceania are ecologically and economically important legumes that are used as green manure, cover crop or forage plants. Conservation and use of plant genetic resources require an understanding of the extent and distribution of genetic diversity in any given region. In this study, genetic variation of five P. montana var. lobata and 16 P. phaseoloides accessions was analysed developing a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker methodology for Pueraria species and thereby creating basic data for follow-up research and the development of conservation strategies. Seeds were collected from native populations in Bac Kan Province, a mountainous region in Northeast Vietnam. P. montana var. lobata presented a high level of variation with 54.3% of the detected markers being polymorphic, whereas P. phaseoloides exhibited an intermediate to high level of variation (45.5%). The P. montana var. lobata accessions clustered in congruence with their eco-geographical origin. For P. phaseoloides no correspondence between sampling sites and genetic differentiation was found. Inter-population differentiation was measured as Jaccard's similarity coefficient (JSC). Mean JSC amounted to 0.35 in P. montana var. lobata and 0.52 in P. phaseoloides. Results are compared to other genetic studies of herbaceous legumes and conservation strategies are suggested.     

Anti- and prooxidative properties of gallic acid in fenton-type systems

The anti- and prooxidative properties of gallic acid in Fenton-type systems containing H(2)O(2) and Fe(III) were examined in pH 3-10 reaction media and at reaction temperatures of 20-50 degrees C. Although it is a free radical scavenger, gallic acid may exhibit prooxidative properties, as it promotes the production of hydroxyl radicals due to iron chelation. The overall effect is prooxidative if the ratio of the concentrations of gallic acid and Fe(III) in the reaction medium is smaller than 2. If the ratio is greater than 2, the overall effect of gallic acid presence is antioxidative due to free radical scavenging properties. The dependence of rates and of apparent activation energies of gallic acid consumption on pH in Fenton-type systems was also examined, and it is concluded that the rate-determining steps in acidic and alkaline media are different, the overall rate of gallic acid consumption being lowest at pH 7.     

Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbes and Biocontrol Agent for Plant Nutrition and Protection: Current Perspective

ABSTRACT

Phosphate-solubilizing microbes (PSM) are widely distributed in the rhizosphere and helps plant to acquire phosphates from soil. The availability of phosphates in soil are governed by several factors among which the proton exchange capacity has been regarded to be the most important factor involved in cation complex formations with soluble phosphates making them unavailable to plants, thereby disturbing the phosphorus cycling events found in arable soils. PSM solubilizes the cation complexes and thereby improves the functioning of phosphorus cycle in soil. In addition to involvement in biogeochemical cycling events, PSM have been also found to have antagonistic potential against several plant phytopathogens. These biocontrol microbes represent the most abundant groups of soil microflora. Among which some nutrient solubilizers have been used for effective biocontrol of important plant diseases. This review article shows contributions of different plant growth promoters used in nutrient and disease management practices in agriculture.

Abbreviations: P (phosphorus), PSM (phosphate-solubilizing microbes), PSB (phosphate-solubilizing bacteria), PSF (phosphate-solubilizing fungi), PGPM (plant growth-promoting microbes), PGPB (plant growth-promoting bacteria), SAR (systemic acquired resistance), ISR (induced systemic resistance), TCP (tri-calcium phosphate), HCN (hydrogen cyanide), IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), ^aPhosphorus [(SSP) single super phosphate, RP (rock phosphate), PM (poultry manure) and FYM (farm yard manure)], PAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase), ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry), DAPG (2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol) and NMR (¹H nuclear magnetic resonance).