Nodulation and root growth increase in lower soil layers of water‐limited faba bean intercropped with wheat

Below‐ground niche complementarity in legume–cereal intercrops may improve resource use efficiency and root adaptability to environmental constraints. However, the effect of water limitation on legume rooting and nodulation patterns in intercropping is poorly understood. To advance our knowledge of mechanisms involved in water‐limitation response, faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown as mono‐ and intercrops in soil‐filled plexiglass rhizoboxes under water sufficiency (80% of water‐holding capacity) and water limitation (30% of water‐holding capacity). We examined whether intercropping facilitates below‐ground niche complementarity under water limitation via interspecific root stratification coupled with modified nodulation patterns. While no significant treatment effects were measured in intercropped wheat growth parameters, water limitation induced a decrease in shoot and root biomass of monocropped wheat. Likewise, shoot biomass and height, and root length of monocropped faba bean significantly decreased under water limitation. Conversely, water limitation stimulated root biomass of intercropped faba bean in the lower soil layer (15–30 cm soil depth). Similarly, total nodule number of faba bean roots as well as nodule number in the lower soil layer increased under intercropping regardless of water availability. Under water limitation, intercropping also led to a significant increased nodule biomass (48%) in the lower soil layer as compared to monocropping. The enhanced nodulation in the lower soil layer and the associated increase in root and shoot growth provides evidence for a shift in niche occupancy when intercropped with wheat, which improves water‐limited faba bean performance.     

Does root-sourced ABA play a role for regulation of stomata under drought in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

The Andean seed crop quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is traditionally grown under drought and other adverse conditions that constrain crop production in the Andes, and it is regarded as having considerable tolerance to soil drying. The objective of this research was to study how chemical and hydraulic signalling from the root system controlled gas exchange in a drying soil in quinoa. It was observed that during soil drying, relative g_s and photosynthesis A_max (drought stressed/fully watered plants) equalled 1, until the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) decreased to 0.82 ± 0.152 and 0.33 ± 0.061, respectively, at bud formation, indicating that photosynthesis was maintained after stomata closure. The relationship between relative g_s and relative A_max at bud formation was represented by a logarithmic function (r² = 0.79), which resulted in a photosynthetic water use efficiency WUE_Amax_/gs$\text{WU}{\text{E}}_{A_{\text{max}}/g_{\text{s}}}$ of 1 when FTSW > 0.8, and increased by 50% with soil drying to FTSW 0.7–0.4. Mild soil drying slightly increased ABA in the xylem. It is concluded that during soil drying, quinoa plants have a sensitive stomatal closure, by which the plants are able to maintain leaf water potential (ψ_l) and A_max, resulting in an increase of WUE. Root originated ABA plays a role in stomata performance during soil drying. ABA regulation seems to be one of the mechanisms utilised by quinoa when facing drought inducing decrease of turgor of stomata guard cells.     

The importance of reduced light intensity on the growth and development of six weed species

Crops limit light for photosynthesis and growth of weeds. We studied the effect of reduced light on performance of six weed species [one invasive species (Amsinckia micrantha), three common species (Veronica persica, Capsella bursa‐pastoris, Viola arvensis) and two less common weeds (Anagallis arvensis and Scleranthus annuus)]. In two glasshouse experiments, six light levels were achieved aiming at 0%, 20%, 50%, 80%, 90% and 95% reduction of light and corresponding with daily light integrals (DLI) of 12.4, 9.63, 7.13, 2.74, 0.95 and 0.69 mol m^?2 day^?1 in experiment 1 and 21.2, 18.0, 10.7, 3.71, 1.64 and 1.20 mol m^?2 day^?1 in experiment 2. The number of leaves was strictly controlled by DLI. Chlorophyll content index, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), stomatal conductance, flowering and dry matter were strongly reduced when DLI was reduced to 0.69–3.71 mol m^?2 day^?1 for all species. Threshold DLI for flowering was ca. 3.71 mol m^?2 day^?1 for S. annuus, V. arvensis, A. arvensis and V. persica, while C. bursa‐pastoris deviated by flowering at DLI of 0.95 mol m^?2 day^?1. This may explain why C. bursa‐pastoris is common in the seedbank of Danish arable soils in spite of intensive farming with well‐fertilised and dense crops.     

Impact of waterlogging and temperature on autumn growth,hardening and freezing tolerance of timothy (Phleum pratense)

Precipitation has generally increased in Norway during the last century, and climate projections indicate a further increase. The growing season has also become longer with higher temperatures, particularly in autumn. Previous studies have shown negative effects of high temperatures and, depending upon temperature conditions, contrasting effects of waterlogging on hardening capacity of timothy. We studied effects of waterlogging on seedlings of timothy (Phleum pratense, cv. Noreng) under three pre-acclimation temperatures: 3°C, 7°C, 12°C, and in autumn natural light in a phytotron at Holt, Tromsø (69°N). After temperature treatments, all plants were cold acclimated at 2°C for three weeks under continued waterlogging treatments. Freezing tolerance was determined by intact plants being frozen in pots at incremental temperature decreases in a programmable freezer. Waterlogging resulted in a higher probability of death after freezing, and a significantly reduced regrowth after three weeks at 18°C, 24 hrs light in a greenhouse. Increasing pre-acclimation temperatures also had a clear negative effect on freezing tolerance, but there was no interaction between temperatures and waterlogging. The results indicate that waterlogging may have negative implications for hardening of timothy and may contribute to reduced winter survival under the projected increase in autumn temperatures and precipitation.     

Verrucosamide,a Cytotoxic 1,4-Thiazepane-Containing Thiodepsipeptide from a Marine-Derived Actinomycete

A new cytotoxic thiodepsipeptide, verrucosamide (1), was isolated along with the known, related cyclic peptide thiocoraline, from the extract of a marine-derived actinomycete, a Verrucosispora sp., our strain CNX-026. The new peptide, which is composed of two rare seven-membered 1,4-thiazepane rings, was elucidated by a combination of spectral methods and the absolute configuration was determined by a single X-ray diffraction study. Verrucosamide (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity and selectivity in the NCI 60 cell line bioassay. The most susceptible cell lines were MDA-MB-468 breast carcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.26 µM, and COLO 205 colon adenocarcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.4 µM. Also isolated along with verrucosamide were three small 3-hydroxy(alkoxy)-quinaldic acid derivatives that appear to be products of the same biosynthetic pathway.     

Etwas über flüssige Mittel gegen den Hausbock (Hylotrupes bajulus)

Ohne Zusammenfassung Mit 1 Abbildung.     

Home range and seasonal movement of taimen,Hucho taimen,in Mongolia

Gilroy DJ, Jensen OP, Allen BC, Chandra S, Ganzorig B, Hogan Z, Maxted JT, Vander Zanden MJ. Home range and seasonal movement of taimen, Hucho taimen, in Mongolia.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 545–554. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract –  Taimen, Hucho taimen, is the world’s largest salmonid and a prized sport fish. We used radio and acoustic telemetry to characterise movements of adult taimen in an extensive river system, the Eg–Uur, in north‐central Mongolia. Forty‐six taimen were tagged with transmitters (27 radio, 17 acoustic and 2 radio‐acoustic combined) and tracked from 2004 to 2008 using mobile surveys and fixed receivers. The mean home range of individual taimen tracked for an average of 2.4 years was 23 km (N = 41, range = 0.5–93.2 km). Of the fish with over 10 relocations (N = 16), 90% remained within a range of 38 km. Four distinct movement patterns were observed: (i) restricted core home range, (ii) core range with seasonal departures, (iii) core range with separate seasonal range and (iv) home range transfer. Movement was greatest in May and June (spawning and postspawning period) with another peak period of movement in September and October (water temperature cooling).