proPlant expert.com – an online consultation system on crop protection in cereals,rape, potatoes and sugarbeet*

The internet‐based system proPlant expert.com assists farmers in making field‐specific decisions on fungicide and growth regulator application in cereals, insecticide and growth regulator application in rape, and fungicide application in potatoes and sugarbeet. Any consultation is based on both agricultural data and weather reports drawn from official meteorological services. Together with information on the infestation level, the system processes this data to develop a recommendation on the application of a specific plant protection product, if necessary. Farmers and consultancies have been using the service in Germany and other European countries since 2001. Before starting the service in other countries, parts of the software had to be altered to meet the specific requirements of our partners outside Germany.     

Identifying indicator species for post-release monitoring of genetically modified,herbicide resistant crops

In Europe, regulations for release and placing-on-the-market of genetically modified (GM) crops require post-release monitoring of their impact on the environment. Monitoring potential adverse effects of GM crops includes direct effects as well as indirect effects, e.g. GM crop specific changes in land and pest management. Currently, there is a gap in the pre-release risk assessments conducted for regulatory approval of GM herbicide resistant (HR) crops. Since the relevant non-selective herbicides have been registered many years ago, in current dossiers requesting regulatory approval of GM HR crops, the environmental impacts of the corresponding non-selective herbicides are either entirely omitted or the applicant simply refers to the eco-toxicological safety assessments conducted for its original pesticide approval that do not address environmental issues arising in conjunction with the cultivation of GM HR crops. Since the ‘Farm-scale Evaluations’, it is clear that consequences for farmland biodiversity can be expected. The objective of this project was to identify relevant indicator species for the long-term impact of GM HR maize cultivation and the application of their corresponding non-selective herbicides, glyphosate and glufosinate. In this article, we describe the outcome of a modified Event Tree Analysis, essentially a funnel-like procedure allowing to reduce the large number of potentially affected non-target species to those with greatest ecological relevance and highest risk to be adversely affected based on a number of ecological criteria. This procedure allowed us to identify a total of 21 weed-Lepidoptera associations that we proposed for post release monitoring of GM HR maize in Germany.     

Genetic control of the tree-ring response of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to the 2003 drought and heat-wave in France

The genetic control of tree ring growth in Douglas-fir in response to the drought and heat-wave that occurred in 2003 in Europe was studied with microdensity profiles in three clonal experiments located in three different French regions. The drought and heat-wave significantly affected Douglas-fir wood formation. The Chassenoix site (Northeast of Massif-Central) was more severely affected that the other two: the 2003 year-ring was narrower and less dense than in the other sites and than the previous (2002) and following (2004) year-rings in the same site: ring growth stopped earlier and latewood did not develop completely. The year-rings 2004 and 2002 were very similar in this site. There was a significant genetic control for all ring parameters in the three sites and during the three years. The heritability was highly variable between years and among sites, without any clear pattern in this variability, except in Chassenoix where it was slightly lower in the 2003 year-ring. Variables measuring the response of trees to the 2003 event, i.e., the difference in ring width between 2002 and 2003, or between 2003 and 2004, showed a very variable degree of genetic control, from very low to relatively high. Douglas-fir seemed plastic enough to acclimate to the drought and heat-wave and then to recover during 2004. Furthermore the level of heritability estimated demonstrates that Douglas-fir has an adaptive potential that could be useful for multi-generation long-term response.     

Development of a buried bag technique to study biochars incorporated in a compost or composting medium

Purpose

The purpose was to develop a netbag technique suitable for burying biochar in a compost or composting medium, followed by its collection in a clean state (i.e., free of compost debris) without loss or damage, for physicochemical analyses. Collection in a clean state is required to ensure that the analytical data of various biochars are representative and comparable. Five criteria were identified to evaluate the suitability of netbag.

Materials and methods

A small netbag (3.5?×?3.5 cm) was developed using nylon fabric (30-μm mesh) to contain ～1 g of biochar. A production system was developed to make 15 netbags per batch. Unlike commonly used litterbags, polypropylene was used to seal netbags. Two experiments were conducted in which three biochars, made from macadamia nutshell, hardwood shaving, and chicken litter, were co-composted with chicken manure and sawdust and also incubated with a chicken litter-based commercial compost. Biochars were added at the rates of 5 or 10 % in the co-composting and 10 or 20 % in the incubation experiments. The biochar-containing netbags were buried in the co-composting and incubation mediums for 133 days. Various physicochemical analyses were conducted with netbag-biochars and their compost mediums.

Results and discussion

The netbags collected after both experiments showed no visible sign of degradation. The weight of netbag-biochars from co-composting and incubation systems did not reduce significantly over the experimental period, thereby indicating no loss of biochar. No visible evidence of entry of solid particles from compost medium was found on the netbag-biochars. Pretests indicated that the netbag and biochars absorbed pore solution from the medium. Findings showed that elements translocated between the netbag-biochar and compost medium. A colony of coccus bacteria was found on the surface of composted chicken litter biochar, denoting probable entry of bacteria from compost medium. Unlike conventional litterbags, the netbags were suitable for burying and extracting biochar in compost/composting mediums due to smaller size, smaller mesh, and strong sealing with polypropylene.

Conclusions

The netbags addressed all the five criteria. Therefore, it was concluded that, in the co-compost or incubated-compost medium, the biochar retained in the netbag and the biochar mixed with the medium were exposed to a similar bio-oxidative environment, and netbag-biochar represents the biochar in the medium. This means that these netbags can be used as a convenient means to examine the effects of the composting process or incubation in compost on biochar.

     

Algal biomass accrual in relation to nutrient availability and limitation along a longitudinal gradient of a karst riverine system

Textural property of surimi products is a prime factor in determining the acceptability of consumer as well as market value. Gelatin is one of the most popular biopolymers widely used in food industry as gelling agent with the unique textural properties. Therefore, the addition of gelatin along with the use of protein cross-linkers could be a means to modify the texture of surimi gel, which can fit the demand of consumers. Surimi from the threadfin bream (Nemipterus bleekeri) was added with bovine gelatin (BG) and bovine/fish gelatin mix (BFGM; 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, 4:1, and 1:4) at 10% protein substitution in combination with and without microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) at 1.2 units/g surimi. Textural properties, whiteness, expressible moisture content, protein pattern, and microstructure and sensory properties of gels were determined. When MTGase at 1.2 units/g surimi was incorporated, the increases in breaking force and deformation were noticeable in both surimi gels, with and without 10% BG added ( p < 0.05). On the other hand, surimi gels added with BFGM at all bovine/fish gelatin ratios had the higher breaking force and deformation, compared with that added with BG, when MTGase was incorporated. Addition of BG or BFGM lowered the expressible moisture content and whiteness of surimi gel ( p < 0.05). Based on SDS-PAGE, band intensity of myosin heavy chain and actin of surimi gel decreased when surimi gel was added with all gelatins, regardless of MTGase addition. The microstructure study revealed that surimi gel network became finer and denser with the addition of MTGase (1.2 units/g surimi), but the coarser and irregular structure was obtained when gelatin was incorporated. Gelatin, especially bovine/fish gelatin mix, at an appropriate level could be used as the protein additive in surumi gel in conjunction with MTGase in order to improve the textural and nutritive properties of the products.     

Effects of intravenous lidocaine on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats

Lidocaine has been reported to decrease the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of inhalation anesthetics in several species and has been used clinically to reduce the requirements for other anesthetic drugs. This study examined the effects of intravenous lidocaine on isoflurane MAC in cats. Six cats were studied. In experiment 1, the MAC of isoflurane was determined. An intravenous bolus of lidocaine 2 mg kg^–1 was then administrated and venous plasma lidocaine concentrations measured to determine pharmacokinetic values. In experiment 2, lidocaine was administered to achieve target plasma concentrations between 1 and 11 μg mL^–1 and the MAC of isoflurane was determined in triplicate at each lidocaine plasma concentration, using the tail‐clamp method. End‐tidal isoflurane concentration was determined using a calibrated infrared analyzer. Systolic blood pressure (Doppler), SpO2 and end‐tidal PCO2 (calibrated Raman spectrometer) were measured prior to each MAC determination. Body temperature was maintained between 38.5 and 39.5 °C by supplying external heat as needed. MAC values at the different lidocaine plasma concentrations were analyzed by a repeated measures ANOVA , using the Huynh–Feldt correction. The MAC of isoflurane in these cats was 2.21 ± 0.17. For the target concentrations of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 μg mL^–1, the actual lidocaine plasma concentrations was 1.06 ± 0.12, 2.83 ±0.39, 4.93 ± 0.64, 6.86 ± 0.97, 8.86 ± 2.10, and 9.84 ± 1.34 μg mL^–1, respectively. At these target concentrations, the MAC of isoflurane was 2.14 ± 0.14, 1.88 ± 0.18, 1.66 ± 0.16, 1.47 ±0.13, 1.33 ± 0.23, and 1.06 ± 0.19%, respectively. Lidocaine, at target plasma concentrations of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 μg mL^–1, linearly decreased isoflurane MAC by –6 to 6, 7 to 28, 19 to 35, 28 to 45, 29 to 53, and 44 to 59%, respectively. Lidocaine significantly dose‐dependently and linearly decreases the requirements for isoflurane in cats. No ceiling effect was observed within the range of plasma concentrations studied.     

Estimating soil resilience to compaction by measuring changes in surface and subsurface levels

Abstract. In view of the increasing wheel loads of agricultural vehicles, the question arises as to whether soil can recover from the mechanical impact of traffic. The damage to soil quality depends also on the soils resilience. This paper presents a new approach to monitoring vertical soil movement in situ . We assessed the effects of trafficking the soil with excavators and sugarbeet harvesters by monitoring surface and subsurface levels. The caterpillar loads of the crawlers varied from 13 to 19 t, the wheel loads of the sugarbeet harvesters from 6 to 11 t. Classical geodetic levelling was used to record soil surface movement and a hydrostatic settlement meter measured deformation at three depths within the soil profile. The results of three field tests prove the importance of wheel load and soil moisture for soil compaction. Trafficking very dry soil with an excavator did not cause significant plastic deformation in 30 cm depth. Conversely, trafficking wet soil with a sugarbeet harvester led to soil sinkage of 1 to 2 cm even at 60 cm depth. Increased wheel load in subsequent passes led to greater subsidence than during the first pass. Settlement decreased from the soil surface to deeper layers, but it remained throughout the monitoring period of up to 12 days. No soil recovery from plastic deformation was recorded within this time. The measuring system has the potential for long-term monitoring of the mechanical recovery of the soil. Additionally, it can contribute to the validation of mechanical impact models, which are based on soil stresses.     

Physiological and behavioural responses of grazing dairy cows to an acute metabolic challenge

Due to seasonal changes in the quality and quantity of herbage, the nutrient supply to grazing dairy cows is not always sufficient, which may increase their metabolic load. To investigate the temporal pattern of behavioural changes in relation to concomitant metabolic alterations, we subjected 15 multiparous early lactating Holstein dairy cows (24 (SD 7.4) days in milk) to a short‐term metabolic challenge, which we provoked by abruptly withdrawing concentrate for 1 week. Cows grazed full‐time and were supplemented with concentrate in experimental week (EW) 1 and EW 3, whereas concentrate was withdrawn in EW 2. We analysed milk and blood samples to characterise the metabolic changes and found that the total yield of milk and protein decreased (p < 0.05) and fat yield, fat‐to‐protein ratio and acetone content increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (p < 0.05), and concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta‐hydroxybutyrate were higher (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1. Apart from ingestive and rumination behaviour and activity, we also monitored the use of an automated brush on pasture. While time spent eating and ruminating increased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, time spent idling decreased (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, while time standing and moving increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2, walking time decreased (p < 0.05). The daily proportion of cows using the automated brush decreased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, as did the duration of brushing per day. In conclusion, grazing cows experiencing a metabolic challenge try to compensate for the nutrient deficiency by increasing eating time, a behavioural element important for short‐term survival. Due to the strong impact of weather conditions, we cannot currently recommend observation of outdoor brushing activity to address short‐term alterations in the metabolic state of grazing cows.