Die Anwendung von Triphenyltetrazoliumchlorid zur Schnellprüfung der Keimfähigkeit bei Samen vonCoffea arabica L.

Zusammenfassung Durch Anwendung des TTC-Schnelltestes wurde versucht, ein praktisch brauchbares Keimprüfungsverfahren für Kaffeesamen zu entwickeln. Es wird eine Routinemethode zur Keimprüfung mit TTC vorgeschlagen, die mit isolierten Embryonen von Kaffee arbeitet. Dieses Verfahren wurde an 4 verschiedenen Samenproben von Kaffee überprüft. Die Übereinstimmung der Ergebnisse aus den Keimprüfungen, die vergleichend unter natürlichen Bedingungen vorgenommen wurden, mit denen des TTC-Testes war gut, so daß eine praktische Anwendung des Verfahrens für den Kaffeeanbau gerechtfertigt erscheint.

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Application of triphenyltetrazolium chloride for rapid testing of the viability of seeds fromCoffea arabica L.

Summary Using TTC we tried to develop a useful method for testing the germination capability of coffee seeds. A routine test method for germination using TTC is suggested, which works with isolated embryos of the coffee seeds. This method was tested with 4 different samples of coffee seeds and compared with the germination of coffee seeds at natural conditions. The agreement of the results from both germination tests was very good. Therefore the application of the test with TTC is proposed for the practical coffee farming.

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-- Coffea arabica L.

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Habitat-suitability modelling to assess the effects of land-use changes on Dupont’s lark Chersophilus duponti: A case study in the Layna Important Bird Area

Habitat-suitability modelling is being increasingly used as a tool for conservation biology. Although studies at large spatial scales are more appropriate for reserve design and management, there is a scarcity of published work on local, high-resolution applications of such models. In this work we develop high-resolution habitat models (1 ha) and study habitat preferences (focal points) of Dupont’s lark Chersophilus duponti, an endangered shrub-steppe passerine, in the partially overlapping Special Protected Area for birds (SPA) and Important Bird Area (IBA) of “páramos de Layna” (NW Spain), to assess both the adequacy of the reserve’s limits and the effect of land-use changes on the species’ population size. Both analytical approaches show that the Dupont’s lark favours flat areas characterized by small shrubs with bare ground, so that, for example, a conversion of dry crops to shrubs promoted by agri-environment schemes under CAP could increase the population size up to 80%. Although the IBA and SPA are similar in size - as compelled by EU environmental policy - the latter shows rugged topography typically avoided by the species. We further discuss the possible conflict between EU environmental and agricultural policies on the conservation of this species and suggest it can be addressed with our study approach.     

Phosphorus fractions in Andisol and Ultisol inoculated with Bacillus thuringiensis and phosphorus uptake by wheat

Abstract

Only a small portion of soil phosphorus (P) is available to plants on a short-term basis, and therefore, P taken up by crops in one growing season is small compared to total P (Pt) content of the soil. A group of soil microorganisms capable of transforming insoluble P into soluble and plant accessible forms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in soil P-pools and P uptake by wheat crops as influenced by inoculation with Bacillus thuringiensis in two soils (Andisol and Ultisol), the experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design. Wheat plants were inoculated and re-inoculated at 20 and 46?days after sowing, respectively, with B. thuringiensis; and, plant sampling were performed after 46, 66 and 87 and soil at 87?days based on the Zadoks growth scale, and the soil was submitted by Hedley’s P fractions. The inoculation with B. thuringiensis affected significantly some P organic P (P_o) and inorganic P (P_i) fractions in both soils (Andisol and Ultisol), improved P uptake by wheat crop in (Ultisol) and decreased significantly in (Andisol). The positive effect was more consistent in Ultisol than in Andisol, this strain can be solubilized P fraction extracted with conc. HCl-P_o and HCl 1?mol.     

Influence of temperature in roost selection by Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Chiroptera): relevance for the design of bat boxes

The soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) is a house-dwelling bat, whose maternity colonies are often affected by exclusion from buildings in southern Europe. Bat boxes with a suitable thermal behaviour can provide alternative roosts. However, this is particularly difficult to achieve in hot climates, where boxes may overheat. We studied roost temperatures and roost thermal preferences of this bat in attics and roofs in a Mediterranean region. Roosts reached high temperatures, experienced great thermal fluctuations and had wide spatial thermal ranges. Bats preferred the warmest locations within roosts, indicating that they are a heat tolerant species. However, they avoided temperatures of 40 °C and above, suggesting that this is the upper limit of the species thermally neutral zone. The study of experimental sets of white, grey and black boxes demonstrated that the latter were the ones that most often reached the temperatures observed in roosts in buildings. They were also the ones occupied by larger numbers of bats. These results suggest that, even in hot Mediterranean climates, black boxes are the best option as alternative roosts for evicted colonies. However, on particularly hot days, bats left them, suggesting that black boxes could be improved by creating a wider thermal range.     

Characterization of biodegradable films obtained from cysteine-mediated polymerized gliadins

This study focuses on the effect exerted by interchain disulfide bonds on the functional properties of films made from gliadins when cross-linked with cysteine. Gliadins were extracted from commercial wheat gluten with 70% aqueous ethanol, and cysteine was added to the film-forming solution to promote cross-linking between protein chains. The formation of interchain disulfide bonds was assessed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Gliadin films treated with cysteine maintain their integrity in water and become less extensible while their tensile strength increases as a consequence of the development of a more rigid network. The glass transition temperature of cross-linked films shifts to slightly higher values. The plasticizing effects of glycerol and moisture are also demonstrated. The mechanical behavior of cysteine-cross-linked gliadin films was compared to that of polymeric glutenins. Cross-linked gliadins displayed tensile strength values similar to those of glutenin films but achieved slightly lower elongation values. Cysteine-cross-linked gliadin films present the advantage that they are ethanol soluble, facilitating film fabrication or their application as a coating for food or for any other film or surface.     

Volatile components from mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars

The volatile components of 20 mango cultivars were investigated by means of simultaneous distillation-extraction, GC, and GC-MS. Three hundred and seventy-two compounds were identified, of which 180 were found for the first time in mango fruit. The total concentration of volatiles was approximately 18-123 mg/kg of fresh fruit. Terpene hydrocarbons were the major volatiles of all cultivars, the dominant terpenes being delta-3-carene (cvs. Haden, Manga amarilla, Macho, Manga blanca, San Diego, Manzano, Smith, Florida, Keitt, and Kent), limonene (cvs. Delicioso, Super Haden, Ordonez, Filipino, and La Paz), both terpenes (cv. Delicia), terpinolene (cvs. Obispo, Corazon, and Huevo de toro), and alpha-phellandrene (cv. Minin). Other qualitative and quantitative differences among the cultivars could be demonstrated.     

Increasing nest success in the yellow-shouldered blackbird Agelaius xanthomus in southwest Puerto Rico

The yellow-shouldered blackbird, Agelaius xanthomus, is endemic to Puerto Rico and Mona Island, and endangered since 1976 mainly because of brood parasitism by the shiny cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis. In 1984 an artificial nest structures program was initiated, combined with the removal of M. bonariensis, to improve the reproductive success of A. xanthomus. The nesting success was high in artificial nest structures. From 1996 to 1999, 22 out of 804 nests in artificial structures and one of 203 nests in natural substrates were parasitized. The use of natural substrates increased from less than 1% (1996) to 35% (1999). Predation was the main cause of egg and chick loss and was high in natural substrates. The increase in the use of natural substrates for nesting is a trend favorable for the recovery of this species. Continued management is still needed to augment the breeding population and reproductive output.     

Simplified extraction of ginsenosides from American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) for high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet analysis

Four methods were tested for extraction and recovery of six major ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1) found in roots of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): method A, sonication in 100% methanol (MeOH) at room temperature (rt); method B, sonication in 70% aqueous MeOH at rt; method C, water extraction (90 degrees C) with gentle agitation; and method D, refluxing (60 degrees C) in 100% MeOH. After 0.5-1 h, the samples were filtered and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV. A second extraction by methods C and D was done, but 85-90% of ginsenosides were obtained during the first extraction. Lyophilization of extracts did not influence ginsenoside recovery. Method D resulted in the highest significant recoveries of all ginsenosides, except Rg1. Method C was the next most effective method, while method A resulted in the lowest ginsenoside recoveries. Method B led to similar recoveries as method C. All methods used one filtration step, omitted time-consuming cleanup, but maintained clear peak resolution by HPLC, and can be used for quantitative screening of ginsenosides from roots and commercial ginseng preparations.