Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in beef cattle in New Zealand

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of Neospora infection in a sample of New Zealand beef cattle. METHODS: The prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in New Zealand beef cattle was estimated by collecting blood at slaughter from 499 beef cattle from 40 different farms at 2 slaughter plants in the North Island and 1 in the lower South Island . Sera were tested using an ELISA against Neospora tachyzoite antigen. RESULTS: The prevalence of seropositive cattle was 2.5% (n=120), 3.6% (n=166) and 2.3% (n=213) at the plants surveyed, the overall prevalence being 2.8%. The serologically positive cattle came from 9 farms, 3 of which had more than 1 positive animal. The highest prevalence recorded amongst animals from 1 farm was 4/13 (31%), in a group of young steers. CONCLUSION: Neosporosis appears to be present at a lower level in the New Zealand beef cattle population than in the New Zealand dairy cattle population. Nevertheless, from the high seroprevalence evident amongst young cattle on 1 farm, we suggest that Neospora may be a cause of infertility in beef cattle in this country.     

The effectiveness of cultivation using the winged time on restored sand and gravel workings

A study to examine the effectiveness and longevity of ‘deep’ ripping using a winged time on restored sand and gravel workings is described. Measurements of soil bulk density, penetration resistance and microtopography were used to monitor the effects on the soil over a 5 year period. Ripping to 0.45 and 0.6 m depth produced loosened soil to a maximum depth of about 0.4 m, but recompaction occurred rapidly, especially in the first year after ripping. The need to prevent soil compaction is emphasised. Ripping has only a limited ability to remedy soil physical degradation caused by machine-induced compaction. Trees planted on land restored using the winged tine are likely to suffer from moisture stress and wind instability as they mature.     

X-ray Laue Diffraction from Protein Crystals

In conventional x-ray diffraction experiments on single crystals, essentially monochromatic x-rays are used. If polychromatic x-rays derived from a synchrotron radiation spectrum are used, they generate a Laue diffraction pattern. Laue patterns from single crystals of macromolecules can be obtained in less-than 1 second, and significant radiation damage does not occur over the course of an exposure. Integrated intensities are obtained without rotation of the crystal, and individual structure factors may be extracted for most reflections. The Laue technique thus offers advantages for the recording of diffraction patterns from short-lived structural intermediates; that is, for time-resolved crystallography.     

Effect of tree species and species mixtures on soil properties at Gisburn Forest, Yorkshire

Abstract. The soil has been investigated at a long-term experiment examining the silvicultural and site-related effects of four tree species (Scots pine, Norway spruce, oak, common alder), planted pure or in mixtures. The experiment is located in Gisburn Forest, Yorkshire, and commenced in 1955. After 32 years, small significant differences were found for soil properties relating to soil organic matter accumulation and incorporation; the soil under the conifers and alder was slightly more acid than that under oak and grass control plots, and the conifers had thicker F and H but thinner A horizons. There was also some evidence that the conifers and alder has retarded the formation of a grey iron-deficient B horizon. Some mixed plots were differentiated from pure ones by canonical variate analysis. Soil pH has declined under all plots since 1954; the effect of mixing species on this property is discussed.     

Virulence assessment of Australian Pyrenophora tritici-repentis isolates

The virulence of 57 Australian isolates of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), a necrotrophic fungal pathogen responsible for the major wheat disease tan spot, was assessed through plant infection assays. Isolates collected from the northern, southern, and western wheat-cropping regions of Australia were evaluated against 16 Australian bread wheat cultivars under controlled growth conditions. Following infection, the wheat panel displayed varying disease symptoms ranging from tiny necrotic specks to spreading chlorotic and necrotic lesions. Analysis of variance indicated that the wheat cultivar exhibited a greater effect on the disease response, explaining 62.7% of the variation, in comparison to the isolate (10.4%). The interaction between the cultivar and the isolate was statistically significant and was attributed to 9.8% of the total variation. All Ptr isolates examined were able to cause disease, but did not display a clear distinction in virulence on the wheat panel investigated, instead showing subtle differences in aggressiveness. Based on the disease responses, there was no obvious pattern between isolate aggressiveness and cropping region. Some cultivars, such as Hydra, exhibited an effective level of resistance in relation to the panel of isolates tested. All 57 Ptr isolates were found to possess the ToxA effector gene and lack the ToxB effector gene. The gene expression level of ToxA was up-regulated at 3 days postinfection in both ToxA-sensitive and -insensitive cultivars, independent of ToxA–Tsn1 recognition.     

Evaluating the importance of the tan spot ToxA–Tsn1 interaction in Australian wheat varieties

The necrotrophic fungal pathogen Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Ptr) causes the major wheat disease tan spot, and produces multiple necrotrophic effectors that contribute to virulence. The proteinaceous effector ToxA induces necrosis in wheat genotypes possessing the Tsn1 gene, although the importance of the ToxA–Tsn1 interaction itself in varietal disease development has not been well studied. Here, 40 Australian spring wheat varieties were assessed for ToxA sensitivity and disease response to a race 1 wildtype Ptr isolate and ToxA‐deleted strain at both seedling and tillering growth stages. ToxA sensitivity was generally associated with disease susceptibility, but did not always predict spreading necrotic symptoms. Whilst the majority of Tsn1 varieties exhibited lower disease scores following toxa mutant infection, several exhibited no distinct differences between wildtype and toxa symptoms. This implies that ToxA is not the major determinant in tan spot disease development in some host backgrounds and indicates the presence of additional effectors. Unexpectedly, several tsn1 varieties exhibited a reduction in disease severity following toxa mutant inoculation, which may suggest an indirect role for ToxA in pathogen fitness. Additionally, increased chlorosis was observed following toxa mutant infection in three varieties, and further work is required to determine whether this is likely to be due to ToxA epistasis of ToxC symptoms. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that Ptr interacts with the host in a complex and intricate manner, leading to a variety of disease reactions that are dependent or independent of the ToxA–Tsn1 interaction.     

Soil compaction under timber harvesting machinery: a preliminary report on the role of brash mats in its prevention

Abstract. Forest soil sustainability and future crop productivity is at risk if mechanised harvesting operations cause soil damage. In UK upland forestry, soil protection is usually provided by placing harvesting residues (brash) over areas where machinery traffic is required. In this study, various thicknesses of brash mat were tested for their ability to reduce compaction of a surface water gley soil at Kielder Forest, Northumberland. Changes in penetration resistance and dry soil bulk density were studied after passes by forest harvesting and timber extraction machinery running on the brash. The study shows that normal harvesting operations caused some soil compaction. However, the brash mat system was shown as important in protecting the soil. Soil under brash mats experienced some compaction to at least 45 cm depth. The thickest brash mat, composed of residues from 10 rows of trees, was unable to prevent compaction completely. Nevertheless, the protective role of the brash mat system was clearly confirmed when compared to timber extraction over bare soil. The point at which compaction has a detrimental effect on the establishment and stability of future tree rotations remains uncertain.