Comparing forms and solutions of the single root soil water extraction model

Different forms and solutions of the single root model (SRM) arise from: assumed functional relationships between the radius of the SRM soil cylinder and the rooting density (L_r); averaging modes of hydraulic conductivity (K); steady-state or steady-rate flow assumption; and methods of evaluating the root geometry factor (B). SRM forms and solutions, in particular B approximations, were evaluated by analytical comparison and by performance, when incorporated into a water uptake simulation model for oats. The approximation of B as a constant, or as an exponential function of rooting density (B′), had only a small temporary effect on soil water extraction rates and potentials at the soil—root interface. A combination of B′ with exponential rooting profile estimation is proposed as an optimal SRM form for water uptake analysis. It is shown (in appendices) that: (1) assuming SRM steady-state flow to originate on average from the volumetric middle of the SRM soil cylinder is nearly equivalent to the assumption of a steady-rate flow; and (2) utilizing a geometric mean K for the SRM soil cylinder may cause soil water extraction rates to be underestimated.     

Sulphur amino acid content and nutritive value of pea and cauliflower crude protein as influenced by Sulphur deficiency

Cystine concentrations (g/16g N) in plant tissue declined more under S deficiency conditions than methionine. In N-balance trials with rats the negative effect of S deficiency on S amino acid composition of peas and cauliflower resulted in a corresponding decrease of the biological value of the protein.     

Formation of 5-methyl-4-hydroxy-3[2H]-furanone in cytosolic extracts obtained from Zygosaccharomyces rouxii

Formation of the flavor compound and precursor 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3[2H]-furanone (HMF, norfuraneol) was demonstrated in cytosolic protein extracts obtained from Zygosaccharomyces rouxii after incubation with a number of carbohydrate phosphates. 4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3[2H]-furanone was produced from d-fructose-1,6-diphosphate, d-fructose-6-phosphate, d-glucose-6-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, d-ribose-5-phosphate, and d-ribulose-1,5-diphosphate. Enzyme assays revealed d-fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, phosphohexose isomerase, d-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity in the cytosolic extracts. Model studies showed the spontaneous formation of HMF from d-ribulose-5-phosphate. It is assumed that d-ribulose-5-phosphate is generated in cytosolic extracts by the action of the investigated enzymes from the carbohydrate phosphates and is then chemically transformed to HMF. The hypothesis was proven by the production of HMF in solutions containing commercially available enzymes and [6-(13)C]-d-glucose-6-phosphate.     

Serial abdominal radiographs do not significantly increase accuracy of diagnosis of gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction due to occult foreign bodies in dogs and cats

Abdominal radiographs are commonly used in dogs and cats that present with gastrointestinal signs. When initial abdominal radiographs are equivocal for the presence or absence of gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction, follow‐up abdominal radiographs may be recommended. Based on our review of the literature, no published study has been performed to evaluate the clinical utility of serial abdominal radiographs in such cases. The purpose of this study is to determine whether follow‐up abdominal radiographs increase diagnostic accuracy for mechanical obstruction. A prospective cohort study was performed on client‐owned dogs and cats with clinical concern for gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction and initial abdominal radiographs inconclusive for the presence of obstruction. Follow‐up abdominal radiographs were performed between 7 and 28 h of the initial radiographs; an abdominal ultrasound performed within 3 h of the follow‐up study served as the gold standard. A total of 57 patients (40 dogs and 17 cats) were recruited; 19 of 57 cases (11 dogs; 8 cats) were mechanically obstructed, all with nonradiopaque foreign bodies. Four blinded reviewers (2 radiologists, 1 radiology resident, 1 criticalist) separately assessed the initial and the combined initial/follow‐up radiographic studies for diagnosis of mechanical obstruction; for each observer, there was no significant change in accuracy (P = .058‐.87) for the diagnosis of mechanical obstruction. Given the lack of significant increase in diagnostic accuracy using follow‐up radiographs in cases of occult gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction, other diagnostic options (eg, abdominal ultrasonography) could be considered when survey abdominal radiographs are inconclusive for the diagnosis of mechanical obstruction in dogs and cats.     

Die Grundlagen des natürlichen Erdbeeraromas

Due to its abundance of taste and odour compounds the strawberry becomes more and more popular. But what makes the flavour of this fruit so extraordinary? Scientists from the Technische Universität München (TUM) provide an answer. They succeeded in the elucidation of the formation pathway of a key aroma chemical of strawberry fruit on the molecular level.     

Soil N transformations after application of 15N‐labeled biomass in incubation experiments with repeated soil drying and rewetting

The effects of repeated soil drying and rewetting on microbial biomass N (N_bio) and mineral N (N_min) were measured in incubation experiments simulating typical moisture and temperature conditions for soils from temperate climates in the post‐harvest period. After application of in vitro ¹⁵N‐labeled fungal biomass to a silty loam, one set of soils was exposed to two drying‐rewetting cycles (treatment DR; 14 days to decrease soil moisture to 20 % water‐holding capacity (WHC) and subsequently 7 days at 60 % WHC). A control set (treatment CM) was kept at constant moisture conditions (60 % WHC) throughout the incubation. N_bio and N_min as well as the ¹⁵N enrichment of these N pools were measured immediately after addition of ¹⁵N‐labeled biomass (day 0) and after each change in soil moisture (day 14, 21, 35, 42). Drying and rewetting (DR) resulted in higher N_min levels compared to CM towards the end of the incubation. Considerable amounts of N_bio were susceptible to mineralization as a result of soil drying (i.e., drying enhanced the turnover of N_bio), and significantly lower N_bio values were found for DR at the end of each drying period. Immediately after biomass incorporation into the soil (day 0), 22 % of the applied ¹⁵N was found in the N_min pool. Some of this ¹⁵N_min must have been derived from dead cells of the applied microbial biomass as only about 80 % of the microbes in the biomass suspension were viable, and only 52 % of the ¹⁵N_bio was extractable (using the fumigation‐extraction method). The increase in ¹⁵N_min was higher than for unlabeled N_min, indicating that added labeled biomass was mineralized with a higher rate than native biomass during the first drying period. Overall, the effect of drying and rewetting on soil N turnover was more pronounced for treatment DR compared to CM during the second drying‐rewetting cycle, resulting in a higher flush of mineralization and lower microbial biomass N levels.     

Ertragssimulation mit “Ceres Wheat” an Grundwasserböden gemäßigter Klimazonen. Teil 2: Verifizierung des geänderten Modelles “Ceres Wheat”

Calibration of the simulation model “Ceres Wheat” under conditions of soils with shallow watertable and temperate climate. Part 2: Verification of the modified model “Ceres Wheat” The Ceres Wheat yield model has been adopted to soils under wet conditions and to humide climate. The basic assumptions of the modified model have been checked. The simulated results of the soil water balance, the plant development and the nitrate losses by drain discharge give fairly well agreements to field data from a Calcaric Fluvisol (Speicherkoog, Schleswig-Holstein). The modification improves the model and leads to the opportunity to simulate special aspects in agronomical and ecological advices.     

The derivation of grassland vegetation types on the basis of site and land use characteristics

This study derives grassland communities from site, climate and land use characteristics, allowing yield estimation within the framework of model scenarios. Based on the dominant species, about 450 relevés, primarily of extensively used grassland from four regions of the North-East German lowlands, were classified into vegetation types using a cluster analysis. These types were then reclassified to known phytosociological communities. The relationship between the vegetational composition and the abiotic explanatory variables were verified by a discriminant analysis. The water supply level proved to be the most important factor influencing grassland vegetation. The impact of historical land use (especially the persistence of formerly sown species) reduced prognostic quality.     

A catena in northeast Brandenburg (Bölkendorf): Soil biota,root growth and soil structure

Typical for the morainal landscape of NE‐Germany are catenas with pronounced gradients of abiotic factors, such as soil texture and organic matter content. For adequate management of these regions, their ecology must be better understood. In this context, the biological interactions in soil play an important role. The present study is based on the hypothesis that the gradients of abiotic factors across the catena are reflected in soil biota, i.e. earthworms and microarthropods, and root growth.

Sampling was carried out at selected positions across the catenary sequence of Boelkendorf, Brandenburg, for earthworms, Collembola and roots in April 1994. The soil physical analysis comprised measurements of soil bulk density and penetration resistance.

A positive correlation between earthworm abundance, numbers of Collembola and root growth at different catena positions was found. The top position especially, a calcaric regosol with low organic matter content, was markedly different with respect to soil biological and physical characteristics. High bulk densities and high soil resistance in the subsoil coincided with low earthworm densities, low microarthropod numbers and impeded rootability of the soil.