Uptake and fate of triticonazole applied as seed treatment to spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Following seed treatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with ¹⁴C-labelled triticonazole at a dose of 1·8 g kg^-1 seed, the uptake of radioactivity by shoots and roots was investigated from the two- to three-leaf stage up to the beginning of the booting phase, 80 days after sowing. Triticonazole equivalents taken up by wheat plants reached 5·7% and 14·6% of the applied dose in the shoots and the roots, respectively. Between the two- to three-leaf stage and the beginning of the booting phase, the concentration of triticonazole equivalents in the shoots decreased from 2·5 to 0·15 μg g^-1 fresh weight. This was attributed to uptake of triticonazole by roots not keeping pace with shoot growth and increased retention in the roots of triticonazole taken up. The main factor limiting the uptake of triticonazole by the roots may be the rapid growth of the uptake-active apical root parts out of the dressing zone which had formed in the soil. Distribution of triticonazole equivalents taken up by the main shoot showed a decreasing concentration gradient from the oldest to the youngest leaf. An increase in the seed treatment dose was investigated as a way to increase the concentration of triticonazole in the shoots, but its influence remained limited. © 1998 SCI     

Protective Effects Against Erwinia amylovora Induced by hrp Mutants in the Whole Plant are Only Partially Mimicked in Cultivated Cells

A virulent strain of Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight of Maloideae, and two of its non-virulent hrp mutants (a secretory and a regulatory mutant) were inoculated into apple cell suspensions either alone or in mixed inoculations. In single inoculations, death of 4- to 5-day-old apple cells occurred only when the concentration of the virulent strain of E. amylovora reached a threshold inoculum concentration of 10⁴CFUml^–1, while high concentrations of the hrp mutants were unable to kill apple cells. When mixed inoculated with the virulent parental strain, both hrp mutants protected apple cells from death caused by the virulent strain. The protective effect was associated with a decrease in the population level of the virulent strain and it was dependent on the non-virulent to virulent inoculum concentration suggesting a competition between the non-virulent mutant and the virulent strain. However, no differential protective ability between the two types of mutants could be noticed, contrary to previous results obtained with apple seedlings or apple flowers in which the regulatory mutant was significantly more effective than the secretory mutant. In conclusion, inoculation of apple cell cultures with E. amylovora does not seem to be a model suitable for investigating mechanisms leading to protection.     

Effects of high and low inspired fractions of oxygen on horse erythrocyte membrane properties, blood viscosity and muscle oxygenation during anaesthesia

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether a period of hyperoxia or after a period of hypoxia produced changes attributable to reactive oxygen species in anaesthetized horses.Study designProspective randomized experimental study.AnimalsSix healthy (ASA I) geldings, aged 4.5–9.5 years and weighing 510–640 kg^?1.MethodsAfter 30 minutes breathing air as carrier gas for isoflurane, horses were assigned randomly to breathe air as carrier gas (CG0.21) or oxygen as carrier gas (CG1.00) for a further 90 minutes. After an interval of 1 month each horse was re-anaesthetized with the other carrier gas for the 90 minute test period. Ventilation was controlled throughout anaesthesia. Arterial blood was sampled to measure gas tensions, lactate, cholesterol, vitamin E, 4-hydroxy-alkenals, 8-epi-PGF_2α, half haemolysis time, half erythrolysis time, and erythrocyte membrane fluidity. Muscle blood flow and oxygenation were evaluated by near infrared spectroscopy and coloured Doppler.ResultsAfter the first 30 minutes horses were hypoxemic. Subsequently the CG1.00 group became hyperoxaemic (PaO₂～240 mmHg) whereas the CG0.21 group remained hypoxaemic (PaO₂～60 mmHg) and had increased lactate concentration. No significant changes in vitamin E, 4-hydroxy-alkenals, or 8-epi-PGF_2α concentrations were detected. During the 90 minute test period the CG0.21 group had increased resistance to free-radical-mediated lysis in erythrocytes, whereas the CG1.00 group had slightly decreased resistance of whole blood to haemolysis. CG0.21 induced a progressive muscle deoxygenation whereas CG1.00 induced an increase in muscle oxygen saturation followed by progressive deoxygenation towards baseline.Conclusions and clinical relevanceDuring isoflurane anaesthesia in horses, the hyperoxia induced by changing from air to oxygen induced minimal damage from reactive oxygen species. Using air as the carrier gas decreased skeletal muscle oxygenation compared with using oxygen.     

Butterfly dispersal in farmland: a replicated landscape genetics study on the meadow brown butterfly (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Maniola jurtina</Emphasis>)

Context

Anthropogenic activities readily result in the fragmentation of habitats such that species persistence increasingly depends on their ability to disperse. However, landscape features that enhance or limit individual dispersal are often poorly understood. Landscape genetics has recently provided innovative solutions to evaluate landscape resistance to dispersal.

Objectives

We studied the dispersal of the common meadow brown butterfly, Maniola jurtina, in agricultural landscapes, using a replicated study design and rigorous statistical analyses. Based on existing behavioral and life history research, we hypothesized that the meadow brown would preferentially disperse through its preferred grassy habitats (meadows and road verges) and avoid dispersing through woodlands and the agricultural matrix.

Methods

Samples were collected in 18 study landscapes of 5 × 5 km in three contrasting agricultural French regions. Using circuit theory, least cost path and transect-based methods, we analyzed the effect of the landscape on gene flow separately for each sex.

Results

Analysis of 1681 samples with 6 microsatellites loci revealed that landscape features weakly influence meadow brown butterfly gene flow. Gene flow in both sexes appeared to be weakly limited by forests and arable lands, whereas grasslands and grassy linear elements (road verges) were more likely to enhance gene flow.

Conclusion

Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of greater dispersal through landscape elements that are most similar to suitable habitat. Our spatially replicated landscape genetics study allowed us to detect subtle landscape effects on butterfly gene flow, and these findings were reinforced by consistent results across analytical methods.

     

Metaphase-I analysis of a Triticum aestivum x T. monococcum hybrid by the C-banding technique

Summary The meiotic pairing behaviour at metaphase I of a Triticum aestivum×Triticum monococcum hybrid has been studied by means of the C-banding technique to ascertain the homology between the chromosomes in the A genome of the two species. The technique allowed the A and B genome chromosomes and the 2D, 3D and 5D chromosomes to be identified. Differences in the level of chromosome pairing in the A genome were noted. The T. monococcum 4A chromosome did not pair with any of the T. aestivum chromosomes in any of the metaphase I cells analysed. Two reciprocal translocations between the 2B and 2D chromosomes on one side and the 2A and 3D on the other side have been identified. The usefulness of the C-banding technique in the study of chromosome homology among species related to wheat is discussed.     

Influence of plantation site and wastewater sludge fertilization on the performance and foliar nutrient status of two willow species grown under SRIC in southern Quebec (Canada)

Salix discolor Mühl. (Sd) and Salix viminalis L. (Sv) were planted under short-rotation intensive culture (SRIC) on three unirrigated abandoned farmland sites with different drainage conditions, one well-drained (S₁) and the other two poorly-drained (S₂, S₃). One dose of dried and granulated sludge equivalent to 150 (T₁) kg of “available” N ha⁻¹ was applied to some plots in the spring of the second season while others were left unfertilized (T₀). The aims of the experiment were (i) to investigate plant response (growth and productivity) to plantation site conditions and sludge application; (ii) study nutrient status by foliar analysis. Over three seasons, growth in height and aboveground biomass were greater for S. viminalis than for S. discolor on all sites. S. viminalis planted on poorly-drained site 2 had the highest biomass yield (45.28 t ha⁻¹). Both species showed best height and diameter growth on poorly-drained sites. For both species, best performances were obtained on wastewater sludge fertilized plots. Comparative foliar analysis suggested that unfertilized sandy soil (S₁) and low foliar nitrogen concentration and content were limiting factors in the performance of the two species. Soil nitrate concentration increased as a result of sludge application. Heavy metal accumulation from sludge does not represent a risk to the environment. It was concluded that S. viminalis had the best productivity on clay sites, and that a moderate dose of dried and pelleted sludge (150 kg of “available” N ha⁻¹) may be a good fertilizer during the establishment of willows in SRIC, and may reduce nitrate leaching.     

Slow responses of understory plants of maple-dominated forests to white-tailed deer experimental exclusion

We examined the response of understory plants in mature maple-dominated forests of southern Québec, Canada, following about 30 years of high deer densities, using a deer exclosure experiment. An exclosure and a paired control of 625 m² each were established on six sites in 1998. An exclosure and a paired control of 16 m² were added at each of the same sites in 2003 but under a recent canopy gap to determine if light could enhance plant responses. We measured plant richness and abundance, and aboveground biomass of different plant groups for 8 years in the understory plots and for 3 years in the canopy gaps. Four herbaceous species were also monitored individually in the same plots. No significant differences between treatments were found in plots under forest cover, except for lateral obstruction at 0–50 cm height which was higher in the exclosures. Under canopy gaps, however, tree seedling and total plant abundance were higher in deer exclosures than in control plots. Trillium erectum recovered partially as individuals were taller, had larger leaves and more frequently produced a flower or a fruit in the absence of deer browsing under forest cover. To a lesser extent, Erythronium americanum and Maianthemum canadense also exhibited signs of recovery but were still at the single-leaf stage after 8 years of recovery. In general, the different plant groups exhibited little recovery following deer exclusion, possibly because of the low light levels that prevailed in the understory of undisturbed maple-dominated forests. The higher latitude of the present study could also contribute to the slow recovery rates of the different groups of plants compared to studies conducted in northeastern USA. Variability among sites and years had an effect on detection of statistically significant differences. Trends are however appearing over time, suggesting that many understory plants are recovering very slowly following deer exclusion. Our results emphasize the importance of studying large herbivore–forest interactions on different groups of plants, but also on specific species, and under different latitudes to be fully understood.     

Smallholder Agroforestry in Rwanda: A SWOT-AHP Analysis

The perception of Rwandan government officials, NGOs, and extension specialists about smallholder agroforestry adoption as a strategy for smallholder farmers in Rwanda was investigated using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis framework combined with the analytical hierarchy process. Results indicate that smallholder agroforestry is viewed positively as a suitable strategy for Rwandan smallholder farmers. The most important positive features were the potential for increased agricultural output from agroforestry and a favorable policy environment in Rwanda supporting sustainable agriculture. Results also indicate that there needs to be better coordination of various efforts to promote agroforestry and stronger extension services for smallholder farmers. Carbon offset markets and other environmental service markets were seen as a potential opportunity for smallholder agroforestry. However, the results also indicate that there is substantial uncertainty and skepticism concerning how such markets would benefit smallholder farmers who adopted agroforestry.     

转基因抗虫棉对农户生产行为的影响分析

以河北主产棉区340个农户2002-2003年的问卷调查和关键人物访谈为依据,分析了转基 因抗虫棉对农户生产行为的影响。结果表明,转基因抗虫棉的应用影响或改变了农户的植棉意向、抗 虫棉种子选择,棉田害虫防治及植棉技术需求等生产行为。     

Plant transposable elements,with an emphasis on grass species

Transposable elements are presents in all known genomes so far, and have the faculty of changing their genomic location and/or number of copies within the genome. They are mobile endogenous genetic elements, with a large variety of structure and transposition mechanism. In crops, they compose the major part of the nucleic DNA, up to 80% in some cereals like maize and wheat. Despite their omnipresence, they are largely unknown and uncharacterized within the Poaceae family. In this review, we describe a possible classification of the elements present in this family, some of their known transposition mechanism, their known activity and possible action in crops, and their possible origin.