Seed dormancy and germination of Ficus lundellii and tropical forest restoration

We investigated seed dormancy and germination in Ficus lundellii Standl. (Moraceae), a native species of Mexico's Los Tuxtlas tropical rain forest. In an 8-h photoperiod at an alternating diurnal (16/8 h) temperature of 20/30 degrees C, germination was essentially complete (96%) within 28 days, whereas in darkness, all seeds remained dormant. Neither potassium nitrate (0.05-0.2%) applied continuously nor gibberellic acid applied either continuously (10-200 ppm) or as a 24 hour pretreatment (2000 ppm) induced germination in the dark. Germination in the light was not reduced by a 24-h hydrochloric acid (0.1-1%) pretreatment, but it was reduced both by a 24-h pretreatment with either H(2)O(2) (0.1-5 M) or 5% HCl, or by more than 5 days of storage at 40 degrees C (4.5% seed water content). In a study with a 2-dimensional temperature gradient plate, seeds germinated fully and rapidly in the light at a constant temperature of 30 degrees C, and fully but less rapidly in the light at alternating temperatures with low amplitudes (< 12 degrees C) about the optimal constant temperature. The base, optimal and ceiling temperatures for rate of germination were estimated as 13.8, 30.1 and 41.1 degrees C, respectively. In all temperature regimes, light was essential for the germination of F. lundellii seeds.     

Cellulose content as a selection trait in breeding for kraft pulp yield in Eucalyptus urophylla

? The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using cellulose content, measured by the diglyme-HCl method, as a selection trait in breeding programs for kraft pulp yield in Eucalyptus urophylla.

? A total of 275 trees from sixty-two families were sampled from a thinned progeny trial of E. urophylla in northern Vietnam to evaluate cellulose content from breast-height increment cores. Among those, twenty unrelated trees were felled to evaluate cellulose content and pulp yield from breast-height disk samples.

? The regression of pulp yield of disk samples on cellulose content was strong either from disks (R ² = 0.83) or increment cores (R ² = 0.69). There was no significant difference in cellulose content between the provenances. The narrow-sense within-provenance heritability of cellulose content was 0.50 and the coefficient of additive genetic variation was 3.9%. Genetic correlations between cellulose content and growth (0.28–0.45) or wood basic density (?0.02) were not significantly different from zero.

? Breast-height increment core cellulose content measured by diglyme-HCl method is under strong genetic control and can be used to rank trees for pulp yield in E. urophylla plantations. Selection for increased cellulose content would have only minor effects on growth and wood basic density.

     

Influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding granule-bound starch synthase I on amylose content in Vietnamese rice cultivars

Amylose content is one of the most important factors influencing the physical and chemical properties of starch in rice. Analysis of 352 Vietnamese rice cultivars revealed a wide range of variation in apparent amylose content and the expression level of granule-bound starch synthase. On the basis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at the splicing donor site of the first intron and in the coding region of the granule-bound starch synthase I gene, Waxy gene, alleles can be classified into seven groups that reflect differences in apparent amylose content. The very low and low apparent amylose content levels were tightly associated with a G to T in the first intron whereas intermediate and high amylose was associated with a T genotype at SNP in exon 10. The correlation between the combination of T genotype at SNP in the first intron, C in exon 6, or C in exon 10 was predominant among low amylose rice varieties. Our analysis confirmed the existence of Wx^op allele in Vietnamese rice germplasm. The results of this study suggest that the low amylose properties of Vietnamese local rice germplasm are attributable to spontaneous mutations at exons, and not at the splicing donor site.     

Estimates of nutrient discharge from striped catfish farming in the Mekong River,Vietnam, by using a 3D numerical model

A simulation was carried out by using a 3D numerical model for estimate the nutrient level discharged from striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus intensively farming in the Mekong River, Vietnam. The simulated period was dry season from April 24, 2007, to April 27, 2007. Both dissolved and particulate forms of nutrients were simulated. A real status of water environment and scenario of discharge after applying fishpond effluent for irrigation of rice field were estimated in My Hoa Hung fish farm, An Giang Province. Simulated results were verified by observed data. Our results showed that nutrient levels at farming area in dry season were temporarily high and local. Applying waste water from the fishpond for irrigation of rice field could greatly reduce nutrients level in the fish farming area, the nutrient levels were 77 % for total nitrogen and 73 % for phosphorus. Therefore, recycling nutrient from fishpond effluent for irrigation of rice field illustrated an effective technology for pollution reduction which is a crucial issue to enable sustainable development of intensively farmed striped catfish.     

Soil and Rice Responses to Phosphate Fertilizer in Two Contrasting Seasons on Acid Sulfate Soil

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are characterized by low pH, aluminum (Al), and iron (Fe) toxicity and are typically deficient in phosphate (PO₄). The application of phosphorus (P) fertilizer could help reduce the level of exchangeable Al and Fe, thereby improving the rice growth and yield. Five levels of P (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅)/ha) were tested with rice varieties MTL560 in the wet season and MTL480 in the dry season. The optimum rate of P was 60 kg P₂O₅/ha for rice in the dry season and 80 kg P₂O₅/ha in the wet season. Soil testing showed at the start of the season that there was sufficient P in the soil. At the end of the season there was a reduction in soil Al and Fe in plots that had P rates above 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. It is therefore likely that P application reduced Al and Fe toxicity through precipitation and formation of Al-P and Fe-P compounds, which boasted yield, rather amending a soil P deficiency.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Oxidation from Concentrates Issued from an Attrition Process of Polluted Soil Using the Fenton Reagent and Permanganate

This study was conducted to determine the optimal conditions for PAH degradation from highly contaminated attrition sludge (PAC) using a Fenton process or successive permanganate (KMnO₄) oxidation and Fenton processes. The following parameters were studied to optimize the Fenton oxidation process: the amounts of reactants based on the stoichiometric oxidant demand (SOD), the reactant addition protocol and number of doses, and the solid/liquid ratio (S/L). The results showed that the following conditions were optimum: TS?=?30%, 7.5 times SOD, H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ ratio?=?10, and added five times during 60 min, which allowed the degradation of 43% of total 27 PAHs from the PAC. Successive Fenton and KMnO₄ oxidation processes were also tested. PAH degradation using a sequential Fenton process followed by KMnO₄ oxidation (or KMnO₄ followed by Fenton) was higher than for the use of Fenton or KMnO₄ treatment alone. Up to 71% of the total 27 PAHs were degraded when using a combination of both processes. It appeared that the sequential treatment is a viable method for the significant degradation of 27 PAHs from PAC (t value?>?2.77).     

Removal of Copper,Lead, Methylene Green 5, and Acid Red 1 by Saccharide-Derived Spherical Biochar Prepared at Low Calcination Temperatures: Adsorption Kinetics,Isotherms, and Thermodynamics

Spherical biochar derived from saccharides (glucose, sucrose, and xylose) was prepared through two steps: pre-hydrothermal carbonization at 190 °C and calcination at low temperatures (200–325 °C). The spherical biochar was characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and X-ray diffraction. The result indicated that the spherical biochar exhibited low S _BET (15–22 m²/g), but abundant superficial active oxygen-containing functional groups. The spherical biochar possessed a negatively charged surface within solution pH 2.0–11. The adsorption process of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and methylene green 5 (MG5) was strongly dependent on the solution pH and reached fast equilibrium at approximately 60 min. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q°_max) exhibited the following order: glucose-biochar > sucrose-biochar > xylose-biochar prepared at 300 °C. The selective adsorption order of glucose-biochar was Cu²⁺ (0.894 mmol/g) > Pb²⁺ (0.848 mmol/g) > MG5 (0.334 mmol/g). The electrostatic attraction played a determining role in the adsorption mechanism of pollutant cations. The adsorption of anionic dye (acid red 1) on the spherical biochar was negligible because of electrostatic repulsion. The spherical biochar can serve as a newer and promising adsorbent to remove toxic pollutant cations from water media.     

Study on Effects of Different Medium Compositions on Growth and Seedling Quality of Two Tomato Varieties Under Greenhouse Conditions

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of different medium compositions on physicochemical properties and the growth of two tomato varieties. Five treatments were applied, combining medium composition with rice husk ash (RHS) and coconut fiber (CF) with the following proportions: 1/3 Peat moss + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T1); 1/3 Vermicompost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T2); 1/3 Cattle manure compost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T3); 1/3 Chicken manure compost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T4); 1/3 Hog manure compost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T5). The results demonstrated that between pH, electrical conductivity (EC) value, and nutrient content in the media, there was a significant difference that led to different concentrations of total macro- and micronutrients in the shoots of both varieties. In addition, the root weight, shoot weight, and root volume were affected by medium composition for two varieties in seedling stage. A mixture of cattle manures composted with RHS and CF under the rate (1:1:1 by volume), respectively, gave the highest value of germination rate, plant height, leaf number, and plant biomass. Medium composition significantly influenced the germination rate and elongation of seedlings, specifically for each tomato variety. Therefore, cattle manure compost as a medium supplement improves seedling quality and growth of the two tomato varieties.     

Frequent use of colistin-based drug treatment to eliminate extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> in backyard chicken farms in Thai Binh Province,Vietnam

Reports of livestock infections with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E) are increasing. Based on interviews conducted over a 6-month period, we found that veterinarians in the Vietnamese province of Thai Binh prefer to prescribe colistin-based drugs (CBD) in chicken farms. We aimed to clarify whether CBD use selects for strains of colistin-resistant ESBL-E. With the cooperation of seven local households, we detected ESBL-E in chickens’ feces after treating chickens with CBD. Phylogenetic groupings and the presence of CTX-M/AmpC genes were determined, and the multi-antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was analyzed. Our results showed that ESBL-E presented in seven chickens’ feces from two households. Seventy-two percent of ESBL-E isolates harbored CTX-M9 and the phylogenetic group A; the colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of all isolated ESBL-E ranged from 0.064 to 1 μg mL^?1. Moreover, ESBL-E isolates were used to experimentally select for colistin resistance, and the effect of commercial CBD on ESBL-E was investigated. The results showed that an ESBL-E strain with a colistin MIC of 4 μg mL^?1 was able to grow in media with CBD. Although CBD treatment was effective, in vitro experiments demonstrated that ESBL-E can easily acquire colistin resistance. Therefore, restrictions on colistin use are necessary to prevent the emergence of colistin-resistant bacteria.     

Relationship of wood composition to growth traits of selected open-pollinated families of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus urophylla</Emphasis> from a progeny trial in Vietnam

Lignin and cellulose contents and wood basic density were related to diameter at breast height (DBH) in six fast-growing and five slow-growing families from a combined progeny test and seedling seed orchard of Eucalyptus urophylla grown for 10 years in northern Vietnam. The mean cellulose content of the fast-growing families was significantly higher than that of the slow growing-families (40.0 and 37.1%, respectively), and for individual trees cellulose content was significantly correlated phenotypically with DBH. Wood basic density was significantly lower in the fast-growing group than in the slow-growing group (0.506 and 0.535 g cm⁻³, respectively), and was significantly negatively correlated phenotypically with DBH. The lignin contents were not significantly different between groups. Cellulose content and wood basic density were not correlated. The main conclusion is that there is no obstacle to combining high growth rate with high cellulose content, for plantation of forests intended mainly for pulpwood.