Effect of organic and mineral nitrogen fertilization on yield and nutritive value of butterhead lettuce

A plot trial was conducted in order to compare the influence of mineral or organic nitrogen fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, chilean nitrate of soda and cake derived from castor-oil seeds on the yield and the nutritive value of head lettuce. Fertilizations were applied on a N-equivalent basis, i.e. 120 and 200kg/ha. Equivalent yields were obtained regardless of the kind of fertilizer or the nitrogen supply. Dry matter, mineral and protein contents were not drastically influenced, while the nitrate contents of organically grown lettuces were significantly lower. Results are discussed referring to the influence of agricultural practices on the quality of vegetable foods for humans, especially concerning nitrates.     

In vitro development of canine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos in different culture media

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of three different culture media on the development of canine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Canine cloned embryos were cultured in modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), porcine zygote medium-3 (PZM-3), or G1/G2 sequential media. Our results showed that the G1/G2 media yielded significantly higher morula and blastocyst development in canine SCNT embryos (26.1% and 7.8%, respectively) compared to PZM-3 (8.5% and 0%) or mSOF (2.3% and 0%) media. In conclusion, this study suggests that blastocysts can be produced more efficiently using G1/G2 media to culture canine SCNT embryos.     

Eradication of feline dermatophytosis in a shelter: a field study

Enzootic dermatophytosis in a shelter with approximately 140 cats was treated according to a protocol combining identification, isolation and treatment of subclinical carrier and affected animals in accordance with a three‐area system: healthy animals (no lesions and negative cultures), subclinical carrier animals (no lesions but with positive cultures) and clinically affected animals (lesions and positive cultures). The cats were examined and inspected under a Wood’s lamp and had samples taken for fungal culture every 2 weeks. Thirty‐three per cent of the cats had a positive fungal culture at the start of the study. Clinically affected animals and carriers were treated with a 0.2% enilconazole lotion (Imaverol^®) twice a week and given itraconazole (Itrafungol^®) 5 mg/kg SID orally every other week. The environment was treated once a day with a 1% bleach solution and once a week with a 0.6% enilconazole (Clinafarm^®) solution. Treated animals were considered cured after two consecutive negative fungal cultures. All cats were cured within 56 days. Prophylactic measures against dermatophytosis were implemented for new arrivals consisting of individual quarantine and the systematic taking of fungal cultures. No relapses were observed based on the fungal cultures taken from the animals and the environment over the first 10 months.     

生态立区 产业发展 努力实现林业“双增”目标——关于广西林业发展情况的调研报告

近10年来,特别是＂十一五＂时期是广西林业发展又好又快的时期,森林资源和林地等实现稳步增长。广西林业的发展之路,为全国实现胡锦涛总书记提出的林业发展＂双增＂目标积累了许多成功的经验。当然,实现＂双增＂目标还面临一些实际困难。因此,建议采取分解任务,将林业发展＂双增＂目标落实到地方政府;坚持营造林基础地位不动摇;开展分类经营试点示范等对策。     

Urodynamic and haemodynamic effects of a single oral administration of ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in continent female dogs

This study investigated the effects of a single oral administration of ephedrine (2 mg/kg) or phenylpropanolamine (PPA) (1.5 mg/kg) on the vesico-urethral and cardiovascular functions in continent female dogs. Urethral pressure profilometry (UPP), arterial blood pressures and heart rate were measured in five control dogs and after single-dose treatment with ephedrine or PPA at T(0), T(2h), T(4h), T(6h), T(12h), T(18h) and T(24h). UPPs were performed under propofol anaesthesia and other measurements were performed on awake dogs. A telemetric urodynamic investigation was performed on three additional dogs for 24 h after the administration of each drug. Urethral pressures increased over 4-6 h and urethral functional lengths increased 2-6h after administration of both drugs. During micturition, a decrease in detrusor pressure coupled with an increase in bladder volume was observed after ephedrine administration and there was also an increase in bladder volume after PPA had been given. With both drugs increased arterial blood pressures at 4-6 h were compensated by a decreased heart rate over 12 h. Urethral function was improved after both ephedrine and PPA, and bladder function also improved during micturition following ephedrine.     

Resistance to Verticillium albo-atrum in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) to distinguish between varieties

France is responsible for DUS (Distinction–Uniformity–Stability) testing of new varieties of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for several European countries. Many varieties fail to be registered because of a lack of distinctness from the already registered varieties. The addition of the other traits such as disease or pest resistance could help in distinction. The aim of the present study was to optimize measurement of the resistance of lucerne to Verticillium albo-atrum. Although the resistance to V. albo-atrum is a qualitative trait for each plant, varietal resistance is a continuous variable because each variety contains a variable percentage of resistant plants. Fifty cultivars were tested for V. albo-atrum in two laboratories at random from among five private and public laboratories. Five check varieties were tested in the five laboratories in two tests. A score of resistance, corrected from the effect of the test, was given for each cultivar. A method to validate any new test is proposed. This data set can now be incremented by the resistance scores to V. albo-atrum of new varieties. It will help in distinguishing between lucerne varieties.     

Consideration of soil in urban planning documents—a French case study

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Given their increasing importance, soils should be considered as valuable resources by those involved in urban planning. Indeed, soils are expected to be...     

PCB partitioning during sediment remobilization—a 1D column experiment

Purpose

Remobilization of polychlorobiphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediments by anthropogenic activities (e.g. dredging) or natural flow conditions could lead to the release of PCBs into the water column and consequently increase the availability of PCBs to benthic organisms. The fate of the released PCBs following such events is not well understood and such knowledge is necessary for the management of contaminated sediments. The objective of this study was to understand the processes that control the fate of PCBs following remobilization of field-aged contaminated sediments.

Materials and methods

Sediments contaminated with PCBs collected from Lake Bourget (Savoie, France) were resuspended in a column experiment. The relationships between physical–chemical parameters—i.e. suspended particulate matter, pH, inorganic and organic carbon content, redox-sensitive species and the concentrations of dissolved PCBs both in the water column and in the interstitial water of the sediment—were investigated so as to determine the key processes controlling PCB fate.

Results and discussion

Following the simulated resuspension event (SRE), dissolved PCBs were found in much higher concentrations in the water column than under stationary conditions. Desorption of PCBs from the sediment depended on the degree of the hydrophobicity of the PCBs and the initial PCB content in the sediment. Principal component analysis showed that the variations in the concentrations of released PCBs over time and space closely followed those of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and not those of redox conditions. The partitioning behaviour of PCBs on SPM showed that equilibrium state was not attained within 40 days following the SRE. A particle size fractionation study, before and after remobilization of the sediment, showed the presence of PCBs in every fraction of the sediment, but with higher amounts in large particles with high organic matter content and in the finest fractions. Remobilization of contaminated sediment did not affect this distribution profoundly but a significant enrichment in PCBs of the clay-sized fraction was observed in the re-settled sediment.

Conclusions

Sediment resuspension induced non-equilibrium conditions in the water column for more than 5 weeks and led to the enrichment with PCBs of the newly formed surface bed sediment. This enrichment was due to the preferential re-sorption of PCBs on clay-sized particles during the SRE and to the physical segregation and accumulation of the less dense particles at the surface of the sediment column; such particles thought to be the principal carriers of contaminants. These changes concerned <0.05 % of the total PCB content.     

Decomposition and nutrient release pattern of agro-processing by-products biodegraded by fly larvae in Acrisols

ABSTRACT

Fly larvae are increasingly being promoted as animal feed and their production on agro-processing by-products generates a high amount of residues. Understanding the decomposition and nutrients release pattern in the soil of these residues is of importance to evaluate their quality as soil amendment. A litter bag experiment was carried out over 75 days in southern Benin with corn bran, a mixture of soybean bran and corn bran and a mixture of soybean bran and corn hull, all biodegraded in advance by larvae of Musca domestica and Hermetia illucens. Bags with 200 g dry matter of each residue were buried in the soil. The first order equation of mono-component model Y_t = Y₀×e^?kt was suitable and described well the decomposition and mineralization pattern of the residues. The residues decomposed quickly and released nutrients readily into the soil. The mass remaining at the end of the decomposition process ranged between 38% and 42% of the initial weight. The half-life of the organic carbon in the residues ranged between 50 and 58 days. Organic nitrogen mineralized fast, with rates ranging between 0.007 and 0.011 day^?1. These organic residues can be used as soil amendments to improve crop productivity in an Acrisol.