A new method to estimate the spatial correlation between planned and actual patch spraying of herbicides

Precision Agriculture - On/off patch spraying based on weed maps is used in site-specific weed management. Two prerequisites for realising patch spraying are accurate weed detection and targeting...     

Penicillium expansum: consistent production of patulin, chaetoglobosins, and other secondary metabolites in culture and their natural occurrence in fruit products

Penicillium expansum is known for its destructive rot and patulin production in apple juice. According to the literature, P. expansum can, among other compounds, produce citrinin, ochratoxin A, patulin, penitrem A, and rubratoxin B. In this study the qualitative production of metabolites was examined using TLC (260 isolates), HPLC (85 isolates), and MS (22 isolates). The results showed that none of the 260 isolates produced ochratoxin A, penitrem A, or rubratoxin B. However, chaetoglobosin A and communesin B were produced consistently by all 260 isolates. Patulin and roquefortine C were produced by 98% of the isolates. Expansolides A/B and citrinin were detected in 91 and 85% of the isolates, respectively. Chaetoglobosins and communesins were detected in naturally infected juices and potato pulp, whereas neither patulin nor citrinin was found. Because most P. expansum isolates produce patulin, citrinin, chaetoglobosins, communesins, roquefortine C, and expansolides A and B, foods contaminated with this fungus should ideally be examined for chaetoglobosin A as well as patulin.     

Interactions between populations of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa Dana and the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe holothuriae Humes in mixed cultures of live feed for fish larvae

Copepods are considered high quality live feed for fish larvae due to their large within species size span, swimming pattern triggering hunting behaviour, and complete biochemical profile. In a continuous cultivation system aiming at the planktonic calanoid Acartia tonsa an intruding harpacticoid frequently appears. We experimentally evaluate how the interaction from the semi‐benthic Tisbe holothuriae is affecting our cultures and ask whether the two copepod‐species are expected to pose competitive exclusion or co‐exist long‐term. This is pursued by establishing ~40 days mono‐ and mixed copepod cultures reared in a stationary setup (S) theoretically advantageous for T. holothuriae and a rotating setup (R) with organisms kept in suspension by use of a plankton wheel, theoretically advantageous for A. tonsa. The carrying capacities of A. tonsa in either mono‐ or mixed cultures are not affected whether the copepods are subject to S or R treatment. Only exception is the S‐setup containing mixed culture were A. tonsa obtains a significantly lower carrying capacity compared with A. tonsa alone in R‐setup. The mono‐ and mixed cultures of T. holothuriae are, however, highly negatively affected by the R setup compared with S setup. A long‐term solution to limit the presence of T. holothuriae is to apply turbulence level in a classical stagnant tank setup to an extend that suppress T. holothuriae and simultaneously allow algae in suspension as food for A. tonsa, make their eggs sediment as well as minimize risk of benthic‐predation on eggs.     

Co-operative or coyote? Producers’ choice between intermediary purchasers and Fairtrade and organic co-operatives in Chiapas

Coffee producers in many parts of the world have the option of either becoming a member of and selling their coffee to a Fairtrade and organic co-operative, or selling it to a “coyote”, the Central American nickname for intermediary purchaser. This study investigates why different producers make different choices, looking at both material and immaterial costs and benefits of the two choices. A qualitative study from Chiapas (Mexico) finds that a main reason for not choosing the co-operatives is the production requirements that follow organic certification. A survey on production costs confirms that members of an organic co-operative have more work hours than non-members in the same area. A probit analysis indicates that both coffee plot size and number of working household members influence the producers’ decision on sales channel. However, the study also finds that aspects not related to the organic production requirements can affect the choice, such as the level of trust in co-operative leadership, and the co-operatives’ payment systems.     

Comparison of subjective and objective test evaluations for use of Mycobacterium phlei-adsorbed serum in a dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of paratuberculosis in cattle.

Use of a dot-ELISA with serum adsorbed with Mycobacterium phlei or with nonadsorbed serum was compared. In addition, results attained using visual observation were compared with those obtained using a densitometer. Infection status of cattle was determined by results of culture of feces from a number of cattle with various degrees of exposure (low prevalence and test-negative) and disease manifestation (clinical suspect vs subclinical infection). Two paratuberculosis-negative herds, fecal culture-confirmed clinically suspect cases of paratuberculosis, and cows from 2 paratuberculosis-infected herds with diagnosis confirmed on the farm (low infection rate) were tested. Significant (P less than 0.05) increase in the dot-ELISA response was found in cattle with heavy M paratuberculosis shedding when nonadsorbed and adsorbed sera were used, compared with the response in cattle that were fecal culture-negative or were shedding M paratuberculosis at lower amounts. Paratuberculosis was diagnosed by visual determination in 29 of 44 (65.9%) of fecal culture-positive, clinically suspect cattle when nonadsorbed serum was used. Results of the visual test were negative in 85 of 93 (91.4%) of the fecal culture-negative cattle when nonadsorbed serum was used. However, when using M phlei-adsorbed serum, the sensitivity of the visual determination decreased to 34.1% (15/44), and the specificity increased to 97.8% (91/93).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Examination of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose and the enolone ascopyrone P, metabolites of the anhydrofructose pathway of glycogen and starch degradation, for their possible application in fruits, vegetables, and beverages as antibrowning agents

The anhydrofructose pathway describes the degradation of glycogen and starch to 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose (1,5AnFru) and its further conversion to the enolone ascopyrone P (APP) via the transit intermediate ascopyrone M. The two products, 1,5AnFru and APP, were examined in this study for their effects in controlling the browning of selected fruits, vegetables, and beverages. The results showed that 1,5AnFru had an antibrowning effect in green tea and was able to slow turbidity development in black currant wine. APP proved to be an antibrowning agent comparable to kojic acid. It showed an antibrowning effect in a range of agricultural products, such as various cultivars of apple, pear, potato, lettuce, and varieties of green tea in an efficacy concentration range from 300 to 500 ppm. Mechanism studies indicated that, like kojic acid, APP showed inhibition toward plant polyphenol oxidase and was able to decolor quinones.     

Single versus double testing of meat-juice samples for Salmonella antibodies,in the Danish pig-herd surveillance programme

In Denmark, a national serological surveillance-and-control programme for Salmonella in pigs has been in operation since 1995. The programme is based on the Danish mix-ELISA and uses double testing (two ELISA-wells used per sample) of meat-juice samples taken in relation to slaughter. All herds are classified monthly into one of the three levels; the classification is based on the percentage of positive serological results in the previous 3 months. In connection with evaluation of the programme in 2001, we investigated whether single testing (testing in one well only) could be expected to be sufficiently precise compared to double testing. Data from the year 2000 were used, and mathematical modelling. Single testing was simulated by randomised selection of one of the two results in the double testing. A slight increase in the prevalence of Salmonella-positive samples (1.02-1.09 times more through the four quarters of the year 2000) was found in the simulated single testing, as compared to the double testing. Around 0.5% of the herds would be allocated to another herd level in single testing-almost equal numbers one level up and one level down. No herd being seronegative in double testing would be allocated to levels 2 or 3 (herds with >40 or >70%, respectively, serological reactors) in single testing. The prevalence of "false-positive" diagnoses (positive in single testing and negative in double testing) and inversely defined "false-negative" diagnoses varied from 4.2 to 8.7% and from 3.2 to 4.5%, respectively, through the four quarters of the year 2000. The probability of allocating a herd to a wrong level due to sampling error was on the average 6.2 (varying from 1.66 to over 100) times higher than the probability of allocating a herd to a wrong level due to the test inaccuracy introduced by going from double to single testing. This is, however, an average; a herd with a true prevalence close to one of the level border cut-offs (40 and 70% weighted seroprevalence, respectively) would have a higher risk of being allocated to a wrong level than a herd with a true prevalence far from the level border cut-offs. The results are based on the current Danish sample sizes in the surveillance scheme, which implies that 60, 75 or 100 samples are taken annually in a herd, depending on its size. Other sample sizes would produce other results.     

Serologic reactions against Salmonella in samples from broiler parent stock with and without preceding colibacillosis: a case-control study.

In the Danish Salmonella Control Program, eggs from broiler parent flocks are surveyed by serologic analysis every 4 wk for antibodies against Salmonella lipopolysaccharide O-antigens 1, 4, 5, 9, and 12 (Mix-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and 6 and 7 (Infantis-ELISA). The antibody response is measured in percentage optical density (OD%) of a strong positive reaction, and the cutoff value has been determined to be 40 OD%. Two or more reactors above 40 OD% will place the parent flock under suspicion. There has been concern about possible cross-reactions between Salmonella spp. and other Enterobacteriaceae, e.g., Escherichia coli, because a high specificity of a Salmonella antibody test is desirable. Moreover, false-positive Salmonella results have economic consequences and impede planning the production. A case-control study based on cases of clinical E. coli infections (colibacillosis) from two Danish hatcheries, supplying about 62% of the Danish broiler production, is described. In order to eliminate a possible bias from age and season, the controls were matched on age of the birds and on time of submitting the samples. This study shows that flocks with preceding colibacillosis did not have higher salmonella reactions than matched flocks without a preceding colibacillosis. This observation was confirmed in longitudinal studies.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Taenia saginata cysticercosis in cattle.

Serum IgG response of cattle with cysticercosis caused by Taenia saginata was studied in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) where a T. saginata metacestode surface extract was used as antigen. In experimentally infected calves, a sharp rise in specific antibody levels was found 3-4 weeks after the infection followed by a logical level of detection corresponded to about 25 cysts. The ELISA was employed in cattle herds where cysticercosis outbreaks had occurred and also in supposedly uninfected herds. Significantly increased antibody levels were found in the herds with massive cysticercosis cases. The test was not adapted for individual diagnosis as some animals of the uninfected herds, especially within the older age groups, had elevated antibody values. The ELISA was, however, useful in the investigation of outbreaks to determine the extent and pattern of the infection in the herd. The rate of decline in antibody levels in these herds was studied by follow up sampling. The increased antibody levels in the infected herds were also reflected in colostrum-fed calves. This observation was employed to estimate the time of infection.