Reaction of 25 Apomictic Apple Rootstock Selections to Inoculation with Mixtures of ’latent’ Viruses

Malus sieboldii, M. sargenti and most hybrids showed sensitivity to inoculation with mixtures of ‘latent’ viruses from apple cultivars. The main symptoms were chlorotic leaf spots and leaf distortions combined with severe stunting in many seedlings. There was no reaction in the M. hupehensis group and Bittenfelder Seedling except for stem pitting or stem grooving symptoms in two hybrids. It is suggested that the same sensitivity reaction to apple ’latent’ viruses which leads to incompatibility when apple rootstocks are budded may also cause virus symptoms in apomictic species rootstocks. This would seem to apply especially to the M. sieboldii and M. sargenti groups, but probably not to the M. hupehensis group.     

Seasonal variations in location and population structure of endophytes in buds of Scots pine

We studied the location and distribution of a bacterial isolate, a Mycobacterium sp., in buds of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Using a probe specific for the 16S rRNA of the Mycobacterium sp., the bacterium was found by in situ hybridization in the meristematic tissues of 40% of all bud samples examined. Because we had previously found other bacterial and fungal endophytes in the meristematic tissues of Scots pine buds, we studied their occurrence in buds during shoot development and dormancy. Using probes targeted to the 16S or 18S rRNA of the endophytes Mycobacterium sp., Methylobacterium spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Rhodotorula minuta, endophytes were found in association with growing tissues, with Methylobacterium spp. being the dominant species. Endophytes were detected in abundance before elongation or differentiation of a bud, but once a tissue was fully developed, endophytes were no longer detected. Metabolic activity of the endophytes was suppressed at the onset of, and during, dormancy of Scots pine, but recovered before the following growing season.     

Das Käferkreuz bei Klosterneuburg

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Comment on "Disentangling the drivers of β diversity along latitudinal and elevational gradients"

Kraft et al. (Report, 23 September 2011, p. 1755) analyzed two data sets and concluded that "there is no need to invoke differences in the mechanisms of community assembly in temperate versus tropical systems to explain these global-scale patterns of β diversity." We show that their conclusion is based on inappropriate data and inadequate methods of analysis.     

Improvement of phytoremediation effects with help of different fertilizer

Abstract

Phytoremediation is increasingly used to remediate metal contaminated soils. However, in order to provide technically efficient phytoremediation of contaminated sites the plant yield and metal uptake have to be enhanced dramatically. The aim of the study was to find appropriate combination of plant species and fertilizers capable of improving yields of the plants and stimulate a transfer of metals to more available to the plants forms. Wheat Triticum vulgare was used for the phytoremediation research. To increase yield of crops and enhance mobility of metals in the rhizosphere the soils were amended with three fertilizers (urea, horse manure, and “ispolin”). Short-term (36 d) vegetation test showed that concentrations of heavy metals in the plants grown in contaminated soil (from site 2) were significantly higher than those in the plants grown in clean soil (from site 1). Growth of wheat resulted in a decrease of Cd content in the soil. Amendment of the contaminated soil with urea enhanced the effect and the decrease of Cd concentration in the soil was more significant. The best effect was demonstrated after application of ispolin: concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the rhizosphere decreased 1.2–1.4 times as compared with those in the initial contaminated soil (the decrease was statistically significant).     

Effect of anesthesia duration on the quality of recovery in horses undergoing elective and emergency surgeries using the same anesthetic protocol

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of anesthesia duration on the quality of recovery in horses. The medical records of horses that were anesthetized and underwent surgery for elective and emergency soft tissue and orthopedic conditions from 2013 to 2019 were reviewed. Horses included in the study (N = 305) fulfilled the following requirements: all had the same premedication/induction protocol and the same balanced anesthesia for maintenance and were anesthetized by the same, experienced Board-certified anesthesiologist. A standardized anesthetic recovery score was completed for all horses to evaluate their recovery and the following interactions were assessed: age, body weight, breed, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, type of surgical procedure, occurrence of hypotension, use of dobutamine, number of additional doses of xylazine/ketamine after isoflurane discontinuation, anesthesia duration, post-anesthetic sedation, and end-tidal isoflurane concentration during maintenance and at the time of transfer to the recovery room. These interactions were assessed based on the quality of recovery score using logistic regression. Duration of anesthesia (P = 0.021) and age (P = 0.003) negatively affected the quality of recovery. The odds of a worse recovery score were increased by 1.20-fold (1.03, 1.41; lower and upper limits) for every additional 30 min of anesthesia duration, while the odds of a worse recovery score were increased by 1.09-fold (1.03, 1.16) for every additional 1 y of age. In conclusion, the results of this retrospective study indicate that increasing the anesthesia duration negatively affects the quality of recovery in horses undergoing routine and emergency surgical procedures.     

Principles for Sustainable Governance of the Oceans

Pressures being exerted on the ocean ecosystems through overfishing, pollution, and environmental and climate change are increasing. Six core principles are proposed to guide governance and use of ocean resources and to promote sustainability. Examples of governance structures that embody these principles are given.     

Recent decline in cod stocks in the North Sea–Skagerrak–Kattegat shifts the sources of larval supply

Cod stocks in the North Sea, including the Kattegat and the Skagerrak, have declined dramatically since the 1970s. Occasionally there is a high recruitment of juveniles in Kattegat/Skagerrak, without leading to the rebuilding of adult cod stocks despite reduced fishing mortality. In a biophysical model of egg and larval drift, we examined the potential importance of extant and historical spawning grounds for recruitment of cod in the Kattegat/Skagerrak seas using data of spawning stock biomass from the 1970s and from today's reduced stocks. The results suggest that Kattegat in the 1970s relied on largely locally retained (83%) larvae with little annual variation in recruitment. Kattegat also provided a substantial proportion of larvae recruiting in Swedish Skagerrak (72%). This is in contrast to present conditions where the Kattegat spawning stock has been reduced by 94%, and Kattegat only provides 34% of locally retained larvae and 30% to Swedish Skagerrak. Instead, the protected area in the Öresund and the Belt Sea are expected today to provide most larvae recruiting in Kattegat. Also, the inflow of larvae from the North Sea to Skagerrak and Kattegat can be significant although highly variable between years, with a positive correlation to the North‐Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO). The rebuilding of healthy spawning areas in the Kattegat may be key for restoring local cod stocks in both Kattegat and along the Skagerrak coast. This poses a management challenge if cod with local ‘Kattegat’ adaptations, e.g., in terms of egg density and migration patterns, are lost or reduced to non‐resilient densities.