Potentiation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Copper by Polyphosphate on Biofilm-Producing Bacteria: A Bioinspired Approach

Adhesion and accumulation of organic molecules represent an ecologically and economically massive problem. Adhesion of organic molecules is followed by microorganisms, unicellular organisms and plants together with their secreted soluble and structure-associated byproducts, which damage unprotected surfaces of submerged marine structures, including ship hulls and heat exchangers of power plants. This is termed biofouling. The search for less toxic anti-biofilm strategies has intensified since the ban of efficient and cost-effective anti-fouling paints, enriched with the organotin compound tributyltin, not least because of our finding of the ubiquitous toxic/pro-apoptotic effects displayed by this compound [1]. Our proposed bio-inspired approach for controlling, suppressing and interfluencing the dynamic biofouling complex uses copper as one component in an alternative anti-fouling system. In order to avoid and overcome the potential resistance against copper acquired by microorganisms we are using the biopolymer polyphosphate (polyP) as a further component. Prior to being functionally active, polyP has to be hydrolyzed to ortho-phosphate which in turn can bind to copper and export the toxic compound out of the cell. It is shown here that inhibition of the hydrolysis of polyP by the bisphosphonate DMDP strongly increases the toxic effect of copper towards the biofilm-producing Streptococcus mutans in a synergistic manner. This bisphosphonate not only increases the copper-caused inhibition of cell growth but also of biofilm production by the bacteria. The defensin-related ASABF, a marine toxin produced by the sponge Suberites domuncula, caused only an additive inhibitory effect in combination with copper. We conclude that the new strategy, described here, has a superior anti-biofilm potential and can be considered as a novel principle for developing bio-inspired antifouling compounds, or cocktails of different compounds, in the future.     

Fertiliser and irrigation effects on wood density at various heights for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis>

This study examined the combined effect of 19-years of nitrogen fertilisation and irrigation on the basic density along the stems of Pinus radiata (D.Don). The sample trees came from two treatments in the Biology of Forest Growth experiment: the control (C no treatment) and the irrigated and liquid fertilised (IL irrigated from age 10 to 29, liquid fertilised from ages 10 to 17). The mean basic density at breast height in the IL trees was significantly less (P < 0.05) than the C trees (430 and 471 kg m⁻³, respectively). However, the mean density of the entire bole was not significantly different. Basic density decreased with height, with the density near the tips of the trees being only 80% of the density at breast height for both treatments. The relative rate of the decrease was different between treatments. The density of the C trees decreased steadily with height while the IL trees held a relatively constant density for about half their total height. The results show the importance sampling at several different heights when considering the effects of various treatments on wood basic density in Pinus radiata.     

Growth and survival of termite-piped Eucalyptus tetrodonta and E. miniata in northern Australia: Implications for harvest of trees for didgeridoos

The most common canopy trees in the savannas of northern Australia, Eucalyptus tetrodonta and E. miniata are also two of the most common species harvested to make didgeridoos, the traditional musical instrument of northern Australian Aboriginal peoples now experiencing high demand from international markets. Most of the trees of the area naturally have hollow cores, or pipes, due to termite activity, but little is known of the relationships of the cores to size of tree, tree growth or survival. In a wooded savanna of northern Australia, 267 individual trees with known growth and survival rates were cored to determine degree of termite-piping. Generalized linear modelling and multi-model inference showed that frequency of piping increased with diameter (dbh) tree for E. tetrodonta, but >85% of E. miniata trees were piped regardless of dbh. Growth (dbh increment) and survival (4-year) were size-dependent. Survival of both species decreased strongly with degree of piping (pipe ratio). For any given diameter, the growth rate of E. miniata trees was independent of pipe ratio, but for E. tetrodonta trees decreased strongly with pipe ratio. From modelled data, a 10-cm tree with pipe ratio of 0.60 was very vulnerable, growing at 0.0 cm year⁻¹ with 46% survival rate, whereas a 40-cm tree, even with large pipe ratios (0.80), grew 0.05 cm year⁻¹ with 98% survival rate. Traditional methods of tree harvesting remove only those smaller hollow trees that are already suffering low growth rates and are likely to die before reaching maturity, whereas current large-scale commercial methods also remove trees with higher growth and survival rates—those trees most likely to contribute to sustainable tree populations. Incorporating traditional selection and harvest methods into current commercial operations would help ensure longevity of this source of livelihood for indigenous peoples of the region.     

Predicting seed admixture in maize combining flowering characteristics and a Lagrangian stochastic dispersion model

The seed purity problem has received very low attention in maize coexistence studies, and has not been considered in prediction tools that simulate pollen flow and out-crossing between maize fields. To fill this gap we developed the Seed Admixture Model (SAMETH) able to predict seed admixture dispersion combining flowering characteristics (pollen shed, silks exertion) with a Lagrangian stochastic dispersion model. The model was tested with a dataset obtained from 20 fields in 2007 and in 2008, whose seeds were mixed with 1% of a homozygous blue-kernelled hybrid. The model was first calibrated with data from 6 fields and then validated with the data from the remaining 14 fields. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was performed to test the consequences of different pollen quantities released by the admixture and the commercial hybrids. The measured seed admixture ranged from 0.7% to 6% and the model was able to simulate the seed admixture with r² = 0.83. The sensitivity analysis showed that the model was sensitive to the absolute released pollen quantities but it was still able to predict seed admixture rather accurately. Because of its reliability, the model could become a useful tool for case study scenarios that involve seed admixture and for which field implementations would be too complex and time-consuming.     

Evaluation of non-chemical seed treatment methods for the control of Phoma valerianellae on lamb’s lettuce seeds

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The aim of the present study was to identify seed treatment methods for eradicating Phoma valerianellae from lamb`s lettuce seeds in organic vegetable...     

„VitiMeteo Plasmopara“ – Prognosemodell zur Bekämpfung von Plasmopara viticola (Rebenperonospora) im Weinbau

Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is the most important disease of European grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in humid climates. On the basis of weather data the forcasting model “VitiMeteoPlasmopara” calculates the most important steps of the life cycle of downy mildew. A growth model for the simulation of leaf development is integrated in the pure forcasting model for downy mildew. “VitiMeteoPlasmopara” was elaborated by the Swiss Research Station ACW, Changins-Wädenswil and the State Institute of Viticulture and Enology Freiburg in Germany. Since 2003 the system is scientifically tested in Switzerland and Baden-Württemberg and applied in practice. Once or twice a day, the actual results of the forecasting system are visualised on the Internet. “Vitimeteo Plasmopara” is used to forecast downy mildew in Switzerland and in the south of Germany (Baden Württemberg), comprising approx. 42,000?ha of grapevine (15,000?ha CH, 27,000?ha D), and about 100 weather stations located in the area. The forecasting system is widely used by both advisory service and growers. It has proven a very useful tool to estimate the epidemiological situation and it allows the definition of spray intervals in relation with the epidemics. The open structure of the database allows the use and the integration of weather data into any other expert software moduls to forecast the development of other fungal diseases, pests or completely other models, for example irrigation models. “VitiMeteo Growth ”, a vine growth model, “VitiMeteo Insects”, a model for pests and “VitiMeteo DataGraph”, a software to analyze and present weather data, are already developed. The expert software moduls are summarized under designation “VitiMeteo Suite”.     

Effect of species grouping and site variables on aboveground biomass models for lowland tropical forests of the Indo-Malay region

Key message

This study assessed the effect of ecological variables on tree allometry and provides more accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) models through the involvement of large samples representing major islands, biogeographical zones and various succession and degradation levels of natural lowland forests in the Indo-Malay region. The only additional variable that significantly and largely contributed to explaining AGB variation is grouping based on wood-density classes.

Context

There is a need for an AGB equation at tree level for the lowland tropical forests of the Indo-Malay region. In this respect, the influence of geographical, climatic and ecological gradients needs to be assessed.

Aims

The overall aim of this research is to provide a regional-scale analysis of allometric models for tree AGB of lowland tropical forests in the Indo-Malay region.

Methods

A dataset of 1300 harvested trees (5 cm ≤ trunk diameter ≤ 172 cm) was collected from a wide range of succession and degradation levels of natural lowland forests through direct measurement and an intensive literature search of principally grey publications. We performed ANCOVA to assess possible irregular datasets from the 43 study sites. After ANCOVA, a 1201-tree dataset was selected for the development of allometric equations. We tested whether the variables related to climate, geographical region and species grouping affected tree allometry in the lowland forest of the Indo-Malay region.

Results

Climatic and major taxon-based variables were not significant in explaining AGB variations. Biogeographical zone was a significant variable explaining AGB variation, but it made only a minor contribution on the accuracy of AGB models. The biogeographical effect on AGB variation is more indirect than its effect on species and stand characteristics. In contrast, the integration of wood-density classes improved the models significantly.

Conclusion

Our AGB models outperformed existing local models and will be useful for improving the accuracy on the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical forests. However, more samples of large trees are required to improve our understanding of biomass distribution across various forest types and along geographical and elevation gradients.

     

On the use of phloem sap δ¹³C as an indicator of canopy carbon discrimination

In this study we measured δ13C in various carbon pools along the basipetal transport pathway in co-occurring Pinus pinaster and Acacia longifolia trees under Mediterranean climate conditions in the field. Overall, species differences in photosynthetic discrimination resulted in more enriched δ13C values in the water-conserving overstory P. pinaster relative to the water-spending understory invasive A. longifolia. Post-photosynthetic fractionation effects resulted in differences in δ13C of water-soluble organic matter pools along the plant axis with progressive depletion in δ13C from the canopy to the trunk (～6.5‰ depletion in A. longifolia and ～0.8‰ depletion in P. pinaster). Regardless of these fractionation effects, phloem sap δ13C in both terminal branches and the main stem correlated well with environmental parameters driving photosynthesis for both species, indicating that phloem sap δ13C has potential as an integrative tracer of changes in canopy carbon discrimination (Δ13C). Furthermore, we illustrate that a simple model based on sap flow estimated canopy stomatal conductance (G(S)) and phloem sap δ13C measurements has significant potential as a tool for estimating canopy-level carbon assimilation rates.