Ferric pseudobactin 358 as an iron source for carnation

The influence of the siderophore produced by plant growth‐promoting Pseudomonas putida strain WCS358, pseudobactin 358 (PSB358), on chlorophyll synthesis and iron(III) reduction in carnation cultivars Lena and Pallas grown in hydroponics was studied. Ferric pseudobactin 358 (4 μM) stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in cv. Lena, but not in cv. Pallas. FeEDDHA stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in both cultivars. Differences between the two carnation cultivars in the utilization of FePSB358 as an iron source are correlated with differences in iron efficiency reactions of the two cultivars: Fe‐deficient plants of cv. Lena produced more and longer root hairs than Fe‐deficient plants of cv. Pallas, and the ferric reducing activity of cv. Lena was higher than that of cv. Pallas.     

An Outlook on the Localisation and Structure-Function Relationships of R Proteins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum</Emphasis>

The co-evolution of plants and plant-pathogens shaped a multi-layered defence system in plants, in which Resistance proteins (R proteins) play a significant role. A fundamental understanding of the functioning of these R proteins and their position in the broader defence system of the plant is essential. Sub-project 3 of the BIOEXPLOIT programme studies how R proteins are activated upon effector recognition and how recognition is conveyed in resistance signalling pathways, using the solanaceous R proteins Rx1 (from S. tuberosum spp. andigena; conferring extreme resistance against Potato Virus X), I-2 (from S. lycopersicon; mediating resistance to Fusarium oxysporum) and Mi-1.2 (from S. lycopersicon; conferring resistance to Meloidogyne incognita) as model systems. The results obtained in this project will serve as a model for other R proteins and will be translated to potential applications or alternative strategies for disease resistance. These include the modification of the recognition specificity of R proteins with the aim to obtain broad spectrum resistance to major pathogens in potato.     

The BIOEXPLOIT Project

The EU Framework 6 Integrated Project BIOEXPLOIT concerns the exploitation of natural plant biodiversity for the pesticide-free production of food. It focuses on the pathogens Phytophthora infestans, Septoria tritici, Blumeria graminis, Puccinia spp. and Fusarium spp. and on the crops wheat, barley, tomato and potato. The project commenced in October 2005, comprises 45 laboratories in 12 countries, and is carried out by partners from research institutes, universities, private companies and small-medium enterprises. The project has four strategic objectives covered in eight sub-projects. These objectives relate to (i) understanding the molecular components involved in durable disease resistance, (ii) exploring and exploiting the natural biodiversity in disease resistance, (iii) accelerating the introduction of marker-assisted breeding and genetic engineering in the EU plant breeding industry, and (iv) coordinating and integrating resistance breeding research, providing training in new technologies, disseminating the results, and transferring knowledge and technologies to the industry.     

Rooting patterns and fine root biomass of Pinus pinaster assessed by trench wall and core methods

Variability of fine root (diameter < 2 mm) distribution was investigated in four 55 to 56-year-old Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) stands using a combination of trench wall observations and destructive sampling. Our objectives were to assess patterns of fine root distribution, to estimate tree fine root biomass and to explore interactions with understorey vegetation in a gradient of relevant site conditions. Results showed that root density decreased with soil depth in all stands, and variability appeared to be highest in litter and subsoil layers especially where compacted soil layers occurred. Roots were clustered in patches in the top 0–50 cm of the soil or were present as root channels at greater depths. Cluster number, cluster size and number of root channels were comparable in all four stands. Overall fine root biomass at depths of 0–120 cm ranged from 2.7 to 7.2 Mg ha⁻¹ and was highest for the two driest stands. The use of trench wall records made it possible to reduce the variability of these estimates. Understorey species represented as much as 90% of the total number of fine roots in the upper layers, and the understorey formed a considerable proportion of the total ecosystem biomass, suggesting that understorey species are likely competitors for nutrients in this ecosystem. Further studies should focus on the interaction of the understorey and pine roots and the ecological significance of clustered roots and nutrient distributions.     

The Results of Using Faecal Culture as Confirmation Test of Paratuberculosis‐seropositive Dairy Cattle

A total of 15 822 cattle aged 3 years and older, belonging to 378 randomly selected herds, were tested for paratuberculosis using an absorbed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); 3.3% tested positive. This percentage was lowest for the group of cattle aged 3–4 years (2.3%) and highest for cattle with the age of 5–6 years (4.5%). The mean Sample to Positive (S/P) ratio of seropositive cattle vaccinated against paratuberculosis was higher (0.75 ± 0.33) than that of seropositive, non‐vaccinated cattle (0.58 ± 0.26). Faecal samples of 422 ELISA‐positive cattle were cultured for the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, 12% of these were contaminated. The percentage of non‐contaminated samples with positive culture results was 17.3%, with a substantial difference between vaccinated (1.7%) and non‐vaccinated cattle (20.2%). Of the positive cultures, the number of colonies varied from 1–10 (22% of cultures), 11–100 (22%), to more than 100 (55%). The percentage of ELISA‐positive, non‐vaccinated cattle tested culture‐positive was positively correlated with the magnitude of the S/P ratio. This percentage varied from 12% (S/P ratio 0.3–0.5) to 58% (S/P ratio > 1.1), a result that might have implications for interpretation of the test. In this study, the percentage of ELISA‐positive cattle with positive faecal culture results was limited and these individuals were mostly moderate to heavy shedders.     

Factors affecting dystocia and birth weight in Grati cattle in Pujon, East Java

This paper discusses factors affecting dystocia and birth weight in Grati cattle in three villages in the Pujon district, East Java. Records of birth weight, dystocia score, village, season, parity, sex, artificial versus natural service, and age and weight of dam, were obtained from 268 parturitions. Village and weight of the dam had a significant effect on birth weight but not on dystocia. Parity had a significant effect on dystocia score. More abnormal births occurred with AI using exotic bulls. Calves from an abnormal birth were on average more than three kg heavier. First parity births combined with Al with exotic bulls had a particularly high incidence of dystocia. It is concluded that farmers in Pujon can reduce the incidence of dystocia in heifers by using local bulls only.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on Sow Performance and mRNA Expression of Myogenic Markers in Skeletal Muscle of Neonatal Piglets

The effects of dietary β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during gestation on reproductive performance of sows and the mRNA expression of myogenic markers in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs were determined. At day 35 of gestation, a total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, at third parity) were randomly assigned to two groups, with each group receiving either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 4 g/day β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate calcium (HMB‐Ca) until parturition. At parturition, the total and live litter size were not markedly different between treatments, however, the sows fed HMB diet had a decreased rate of stillborn piglets compared with the sows fed the control (CON) diets (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets from the sows fed HMB diet tended to have an increased birth weight (p = 0.08), and a reduced rate of low birth weight piglets (p = 0.05) compared with piglets from the CON sows. Nevertheless, lower feed intake during lactation was observed in the sows fed the HMB diet compared with those on the CON diet (p < 0.01). The relative weights of the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle were higher (p < 0.05) in neonatal pigs from the HMB than the CON sows. Furthermore, maternal HMB treatment increased the mRNA levels of the myogenic genes, including muscle regulatory factor‐4 (MRF4, p < 0.05), myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1, p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary HMB supplementation to sows at 4 g/day from day 35 of gestation to term significantly improves pregnancy outcomes and increases the expression of myogenic genes in skeletal muscle of neonatal piglets, but reduces feed intake of sows during lactation.     

Detection of Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) using fungal culture and a generic fungal PCR

AIMS: To describe the methods used at the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL, Ministry for Primary Industries) to identify Paranannizziopsis australasiensis.

METHODS: Skin biopsy samples from two adult male tuatara were submitted to the AHL in March 2014. Approximately half of each sample was processed for fungal culture and incubated on mycobiotic agar containing cycloheximide at 30°C. Following morphological examination of the culture products, DNA was extracted from suspect colonies. PCR was used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of fungal rRNA using primers ITS1 and ITS4. Positive amplicons were subjected to DNA sequencing and the results were compared to published sequences. In addition, DNA was extracted from the remaining skin samples and the same PCR was carried out to compare the results.

RESULTS: After 7 days of incubation, colonies morphologically resembling P. australasiensis were observed. DNA extracted from these isolates tested positive for P. australasiensis by PCR and DNA sequencing. Samples of DNA extracted directly from the infected skin samples tested negative for P. australasiensis using the generic fungal PCR.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Isolation and identification of P. australasiensis was carried out using a combination of fungal culture and molecular testing available at AHL. Results were available in significantly less time than in the past, when isolates had to be sent overseas. PCR and sequencing of fungal isolates is a valuable tool for identification of species that have few, if any, unique macroscopic or microscopic features to aid identification. Further sampling from captive and wild New Zealand reptiles will provide important information on the epidemiology of P. australasiensis, and the conservation and management implications for tuatara and other native reptile species.     

Outplanting Wyoming Big Sagebrush Following Wildfire: Stock Performance and Economics

Finding ecologically and economically effective ways to establish matrix species is often critical for restoration success. Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis) historically dominated large areas of western North America, but has been extirpated from many areas by large wildfires; its re-establishment in these areas often requires active management. We evaluated the performance (survival, health) and economic costs of container and bare-root stock based on operational plantings of more than 1.5 million seedlings across 2 200 ha, and compared our plantings with 30 other plantings in which sagebrush survival was tracked for up to 5 yr. Plantings occurred between 2001 and 2007, and included 12 combinations of stock type, planting amendment, and planting year. We monitored 10 500 plants for up to 8 yr after planting. Survival to Year 3 averaged 21% and was higher for container stock (30%) than bare-root stock (17%). Survival did not differ among container-stock plantings, whereas survival of bare-root stock was sometimes enhanced by a hydrogel dip before planting, but not by mycorrhizal amendments. Most mortality occurred during the first year after planting; this period is the greatest barrier to establishment of sagebrush stock. The proportion of healthy stock in Year 1 was positively related to subsequent survival to Year 3. Costs were minimized, and survival maximized, by planting container stock or bare-root stock with a hydrogel dip. Our results indicate that outplanting is an ecologically and economically effective way of establishing Wyoming big sagebrush. However, statistical analyses were limited by the fact that data about initial variables (stock quality, site conditions, weather) were often unrecorded and by the lack of a replicated experimental design. Sharing consistent data and using an experimental approach would help land managers and restoration practitioners maximize the success of outplanting efforts.