Relationships between shoot and root characteristics of white clover cultivars differing in response to phosphorus

Root dry weight and the relationship between shoot and root characteristics for 119 white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivars and breeding lines were examined at five (40, 120, 200, 400, and 500 mg P/kg soil) phosphorus (P) levels. There were significant (P<0.01) differences among cultivars for root dry weight and root/shoot ratio. Instantaneous root/shoot ratio decreased with increasing P supply up to 200 mg P/kg, and then increased again from 400 to 500 mg P/kg soil. Allometric analysis indicated that root growth relative to shoot growth increased with increasing P supply. There was a significant (P<0.01) cultivar x P level interaction such that for the cultivars, the root/shoot ratio was either unaffected, increasing, or decreasing with increasing level of P supply. However, root/shoot ratio appeared to be unrelated to the functions used to describe the P response of the 119 cultivars studied. Shoot characters such as dry weight, leaf number, and stolon length were most closely correlated with root dry weight at the moderately low P levels of 120 and 200 mg added P/kg, where average P response was 9 and 24% of yields at 500 mg P/kg soil, respectively, rather than at the higher P levels. Root/shoot ratio was significantly correlated (r>0.6) with root dry weight over all P levels but not with any of the measured shoot characters (‐0.2> r <0.3).     

The effects of sub-seed placement of liquid N and P fertilizer on the growth and development of bulb onions over a range of plant densities using primed and nonprimed seed

Phosphates-of-ammonium “starter” fertilizer solution was injected below onion seeds at sowing on a fertile sandy loam soil given basal N, P and K applications. Bulb crops were grown from primed and non-primed seed drilled at six sowing rates to give a threefold range of plant density. Irrigation and nitrogen application were monitored to ensure that plants remained unstressed throughout growth. The starter fertilizer resulted in increased P and N and reduced K content during seedling growth. In both an early-sown and a late-sown experiment, shoot growth was accelerated by starter fertilizer and shoots became approximately 50% heavier than those without starter. Growth curves showed that this was equivalent to a 3-3.5 d advancement of growth. Starter fertilizers resulted in 1-2.5 d advancement of crop maturity as shown by the date of 50% foliage fall-down. In the later sown experiment, starter fertilizer reduced the percentage of non-maturing ‘thick-necked’ bulbs. Bulb yields were not significantly increased by starter fertiliser. Data showing similar enhancements of seedling growth on other soils are also discussed. Seed priming advanced the date of seedling emergence but had no significant effects subsequently. Increases in plant density advanced the date of crop maturity and increased total bulb yields.     

Imaging diagnosis and clinical presentation of a Chiari malformation in a Thoroughbred foal

A newborn Thoroughbred foal was presented to the clinic with ambiguous neurological deficits, spinal anomalies and a soft tissue swelling dorsal to the lumbar vertebral column. The foal was alert but unable to rise and stand. With radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a lumbar dysraphic anomaly, cerebellar herniation and coincidental skeletal abnormalities were documented. Finally, a meningomyelocele was defined and, in context with the cerebellar herniation through the foramen magnum, the foal was diagnosed to have a Chiari malformation. The MRI examination corresponded best with the post mortem findings. Although 3‐dimensional imaging methods have been considered superior regarding full and detailed assessment of the congenital malformation, radiography and ultrasonography also provide essential information to diagnose dysraphic lesions at reduced costs and efforts. A Chiari malformation should be considered as a differential diagnosis in foals with neurological deficits.     

Clinical efficacy of local administration of ceftiofur in a Staphylococcus aureus infection in tissue cages in ponies

Ceftiofur concentrations in an infected and uninfected environment were compared and the efficacy of locally administered ceftiofur was evaluated in an experimental infection with Staphylococcus aureus in tissue cages. Eight ponies had tissue cages (TCs) implanted s.c. on each side of the neck. Into one of the cages 150 mg of ceftiofur was administered and fluid samples were taken to determine ceftiofur concentrations. After 1 week the other TC was infected with S. aureus and subsequently treated with 150 mg ceftiofur administered locally into the TC once daily for 21 days. Samples of fluid were taken to determine ceftiofur concentrations and for bacterial counts. Ceftiofur concentrations did not differ significantly in the infected and uninfected environments after single dose of 150 mg of ceftiofur. Concentrations were considerably in excess of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the S. aureus strain used. A marked decrease of viable bacteria in tissue cage fluid (TCF) occurred. In five of seven ponies; however, the infection was not eliminated and abscess formation occurred. Therefore, local application of ceftiofur alone is not advisable for infections with S. aureus in secluded sites in horses, but should be used only with adjunctive therapy.     

Antagonism of pheromone response of Ostrinia nubilalis males and implications on behavior in the laboratory and in the field

The antagonistic effect on the pheromone response and catabolism of male European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis, by several trifluoromethyl ketones is reported. (Z)-11-Tetradecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-14:TFMK), the most closely related analogue of the main component of the pheromone, elicits a remarkable disruptive effect on close approach and source contact of males flying to a source baited with mixtures of the pheromone and the antagonist in 5:1 and 10:1 ratios. In this experiment, the male displayed an erratic flight track with frequent counter turns and intersections with the plume. In the field, the TFMK significantly lowered the number of males caught when mixed with the pheromone in a 10:1 ratio in comparison with the natural attractant. The compound was also a good inhibitor of the antennal esterase of the insect with a IC(50) value of 0.28 muM. The homologous (Z)-10-tridecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, with one carbon less in the chain, also elicited an antagonistic effect in the wind tunnel, but in the field, the results were not conclusive. The effect induced was lower than the one displayed by Z11-14:TFMK including the activity as the esterase inhibitor (IC(50) value of 7.55 muM). The saturated tetradecyl trifluoromethyl ketone, tetradecyltrifluoropyruvamide, and (Z)-11-2-thiatetradecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone resulted completely inactive. The results obtained in conjunction to the previously shown low toxicity to mice by related trifluoromethyl ketones provide new important data for the putative utilization of these chemicals as new pest control agents.     

Stability of creatine monohydrate and guanidinoacetic acid during manufacture (retorting and extrusion) and storage of dog foods

The stability of creatine monohydrate (CrMH), crystallised guanidinoacetic acid (GAA‐C) and granulated GAA (GAA‐G) in a moist retorted and a dry extruded dog food formulation during production and storage was investigated. Commercial food mixtures were supplemented with CrMH, GAA‐C or GAA‐G. Uniformity after mixing and retorting or extrusion was determined based on replicate samples (moist n = 8, dry n = 10). Storage stability was evaluated at 25°C/60% relative humidity for 15 months and 40°C/75% for 6 months. Foods with CrMH were analysed for creatine (Cr) and creatinine (Crn), whereas GAA‐C and GAA‐G foods were analysed for GAA concentrations. Coefficients of variation (CV) for uniformity of the additives after mixing of moist and dry pet food formulations were below 15%, and the CV was lower in processed mixtures. Recoveries after retorting and extrusion were higher for GAA‐G (79 and 99%) and GAA‐C (89 and 86%) compared to CrMH (36 and 85%) foods. In moist CrMH food, Cr concentrations re‐increased by 54% whilst Crn concentrations decreased by 39% after storage at 25°C for 15 months. With total molar Cr + Crn remaining stable throughout storage, Crn and Cr appeared to effectively interconvert. Storage of the extruded CrMH food at 25°C for 15 months resulted in a 63% decrease in Cr and a 39% increase in Crn concentration. The decrease in Cr concentration was larger at 6 months storage at 40°C compared to 15 months storage at 25°C. Both GAA‐C and GAA‐G moist and dry foods were stable during storage (<10% decrease). This study showed that GAA is highly stable during production and storage of moist and dry canine foods whilst CrMH is relatively unstable, particularly during storage. The latter makes it difficult to establish a guaranteed Cr content in finished moist retorted and dry extruded foods with CrMH.     

Pandemics of focal plant disease, a model

ABSTRACT An analytical model of a pandemic, initiated by a single focus and spreading over a continent, is developed using foci as the smallest units of disease and fields as the smallest units of host. A few generalizing assumptions lead to a parameter-sparse model that may answer general questions on pandemics in a qualitative manner. For pandemic spread of disease during one season, a 'within-season velocity of pandemic spread,' C, is expressed as a set of integral equations. Reduction of inoculum during the off-season is expressed by a 'survival ratio' of inoculum, epsilon. The effect of the off-season is a 'push-back' of the pandemic front over a distance Deltah. It will be shown how Deltah is related to C and epsilon. The mean pandemic spread over successive years is calculated as the 'polyetic velocity of pandemic spread,' V, which depends on C and the push-back distance. The concept of 'pandemic effectiveness' is parameterized. Relations between the two velocities of pandemic spread and several model parameters are studied. Somewhat unexpectedly, velocities of pandemic spread depend only in a very limited way on field density represented by the 'cropping ratio' zeta. This implies that our model and methods will also apply to situations with inhomogeneous field distributions. The effect of parameter values on rates of severity increase are analyzed. Finally, generalizations of the model are developed and their applications discussed.