The effects of nutrient solution sterilization on the growth and yield of hydroponically grown lettuce

Two methods of removing bacteria from hydroponic nutrient solution [ultraviolet (UV) radiation and submicronic filter] were evaluated for efficiency and for their effects on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production. Both methods were effective in removing bacteria; but, at high intensity, the ultraviolet sterilizer significantly inhibited the production of plants grown in the treated solution. Bacterial removal by lower intensity UV or a submicronic filter seemed to promote plant growth slightly, but showed no consistent, statistically significant effect.     

The structure of bovine secretory component

Bovine secretory component (SC) has been cleaved with trypsin into a series of fragments and their N-terminal amino acid sequences have been determined. The close homology with the known sequence of human SC has enabled the sequential order of the fragments to be deduced. The results indicate that bovine SC consists of a single glycosylated polypeptide chain (Mr 74,000) folded into five globular immunoglobulin-like domains. A protein (Mr 94,000) has been isolated from detergent solubilised bovine epithelial membranes from liver, intestine and mammary gland. This membrane protein is specific for the binding of J-chain linked IgM and IgA dimers. It can be proteolytically cleaved into a water soluble SC-like portion and a detergent soluble hydrophobic portion. Bovine SC is therefore most likely to be the extracellular part of an epithelial receptor which mediates the transport of IgA dimers to mucosal surfaces. The various tryptic fragments from bovine SC have been shown to differ in their relative binding affinities for IgM and IgA dimers. The results imply that the first three domains of bovine SC are most involved in binding and domains 4 and 5 play subsidiary roles. Computerized prediction and modelling methods have been used to deduce possible tertiary and quaternary structures for SC. There are good indications that the molecule has an elonaged "zig-zag" structure stabilized by longitudinal inter-domain contacts. A model of SC bound to IgA dimer is presented.     

Waldschutz gegen Borkenkäfer: Der Beitrag von Duftstoffmeteorologie und Populationsdynamik

Zusammenfassung Mit theoretischen Modellen kann die Effektivität verschiedener Ansätze (z. B. Fallenzahl und-abstand, Ködermenge und-abgaberate) für den Einsatz von synthetischen Pheromonen in Pest-Management-Systemen verglichen werden. Das GAUSS-sche Modell, das von einer Normalverteilung der Konzentrationsabnahme um eine Lockstoffquelle ausgeht, wurde benutzt, um fürT. lineatum die lockwirksame Reichweite und die Konkurrenzsituation von Naturköder und Falle abzuschätzen. Bei 100 000 /ha und 2 Wochen Flugdauer ergeben sich für (+)-Lineatin (Reaktionsschwelle 0,1 ng/m³, Produktion 6,43 ng//d, Produktionsdauer 3 d/) mittlere Tagesraten von 128,6 g/ha bzw. eine Gesamtproduktion von 1,929 mg/ha. Die lockwirksame Reichweite x_max beträgt je nach Wetterlag für 1T. lineatum- 20–40 cm, für Fallen mit 1 CONREL-Faser (Abgaberate 10 g/d [+]-Lineatin) 13–16m. Für eine 10fach höhere lockwirksame Reichweite sind nach dem Modell etwa 100fach, in der Praxis nach verschiedenen Autoren sogar 200fach stärkere Köder erforderlich.In Freilandversuchen über die Relation von Fangleistung und Beifängen unterschiedlicher Fangsysteme waren die Coleoptera (bes. Rhizophagidae und Staphylinidae) am häufigsten. In Trichterfallen lagen die Beifänge mit 9,2% deutlich höher als in Schlitzfallen (1,2%). Das Giftpolter hatte demgegenüber das größte Beifangspektrum; hier traten auch Ordnungen auf, die von anderen Fangsystemen nicht betroffen waren.Massenfang kan prinzipiell in Holzhöfen und Waldbeständen erfolgreich durchgeführt werden. Allerdings ist das Problem der Beifänge noch ungelöst und die Relations von potentieller Vermehrung der Borkenkäfer und maximal möglicher Populationsreduzierung durch Fallenfang unbekannt. Zudem kann eine nach Massenfang geringere Populationsdichte im Folgciahr durch zunehmende Reproduktionsraten oder durch ersatzweise Einnischung (competive displacement) anderer Borkenkäferarten ausgeglichen und damit der Forstschutzeffekt zunichte gemacht werden.

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Bark beetle control: contribution of pheromone meteorology and population dynamics

The use of semiochemicals in pest management systems of bark beetles is viewed in relation to optimization of resources investment, comparing beetle numbers in univoltine, requisitegoverned woodboringTrypodendron lineatum (Oliv.) with multigeneration bark inhabitingIps typographus (L.). The efficiency of different numbers of and distance between traps and pheromone load of dispensers was analysed using steady state models and comparing results with published and own field data. Competition between traps and beetle-infested logs, attractive distance and overlap of pheromone plume was compared forT. lineatum using models which assume a GAUSS distribution of concentration decrease around a pheromone source. For (+)-lineatin (reaction threshold 0.1 ng/m³, production 6.43 ng//d, duration of production 3 d/), 100,000 /ha and a flight period of 2 weeks, daily mean production is 128.6 g/ha. Attractive distance x_max is 20–40 cm for 1T. lineatum- and 13–16 m for a trap with 1 CONREL-dispenser (mean release rate 10 g/d (+)-lineatin). A 10-fold increase of attractive distance x_max needs a 100-fold increase of pheromone release rate according to the model, and 200-fold according to field experiments.In field experiments, Coleoptera (esp. Staphylinidae and Rhizophagidae) were the most abundant non-target trap catches. Insecticide-treated trap logs had the widest range of non-target insects including orders that were not affected by the non-insecticide trapping systems. Mass trapping can be successful in logging areas and/or forests. However, the exclusion of non-target insects still is an unsolved problem and we still have only limited knowledge on potential population increase of beetles and maximum reduction that can be achieved by trapping. Also, population levels reduced by mass trapping can be compensated by increasing reproductive effort of the succeeding generation and/or competitive displacement by secondary bark beetle species.

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Mit 5 Abbildungen und 2 Tabellen

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Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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Nach einem Vortag bei der Fortbildungstagung des Hessischen Forstvereins in Solms/Lahn am 23. Mai 1991.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr.G. Wellenstein zum 85. Geburtstag.