Lesion nematode suppression with the butte potato and relationships to verticillium wilt

Field studies conducted over a 5 yr period to compare the effect of continuous cropping of several potato clones (Butte, Russet Burbank, Targhee, A66107-51, and A68113-4) showed Butte to be highly resistant toPratylenchus neglectus while being highly susceptible toVerticillium dahliae. This was further evidenced during the 6th yr when Russet Burbank was cropped over all plot-locations. Populations ofP. neglectus were shown to be significantly less (0.05 P) in both soil and roots when Russet Burbank was grown over sites previously cropped with the Butte potato than over site-locations cropped by either Russet Burbank, Targhee, A66107–51, or A68113–4. Additional field and greenhouse studies corroborated the high degree of resistance of Butte toPratylenchus spp. In addition toP. neglectus resistance, a greenhouse investigation also showed resistance to P. penetrans. A field study designed to compare the effects of Butte with nematicides showed that Butte reducedP. neglectus populations in both soil and roots when compared with Russet Burbank. This degree of reduction was equivalent to the effects of either of two systemic nematicides (aldicarb and isofenphos) at 3.4 to 4.0 kg a.i./ha, respectively. Results demonstrate biological control with the Butte potato clone forP. neglectus suppression. Although populations ofP. neglectus were reduced by either nematicides or Butte, wilt severity was higher with Butte than Russet Burbank. Results showed wilt suppression andP. neglectus reduction with treatments of either nematicide, while having no significant effect on the colonization of potato stems byV. dahliae.     

Selection for litter size at day five to improve litter size at weaning and piglet survival rate

Selection for total number of piglets born (TNB) since 1992 has led to a significant increase in this trait in Danish Landrace and Danish Yorkshire but has also been accompanied by an increase in piglet mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters for litter size and survival to find alternative selection criteria to improve litter size at weaning. Data from Landrace (9,300 litters) and Yorkshire (6,861 litters) were analyzed using REML based on a linear model including genetic effects of sow and service-sire. The estimates of heritability (based on the sow component) for TNB, number born alive (NBA), and number alive at d 5 after birth (N5D) and at weaning (about 3 wk, N3W) ranged from 0.066 to 0.090 in Landrace and 0.050 to 0.070 in Yorkshire. Genetic correlations between TNB and N3W were 0.289 in Landrace and 0.561 in Yorkshire, but between N5D and N3W the estimated genetic correlation was 0.995 in both populations. The approximate estimates of heritability for survival rate per litter at birth (SVB = NBA/TNB), from birth to d 5 (SV5 = N5D/NBA), and from d 5 to weaning (SVW = N3W/N5D) were 0.130, 0.131, and 0.023, respectively, in Landrace, and 0.095, 0.043, and 0.009, respectively, in Yorkshire. Genetic correlations between TNB and survival rates at different stages were negative. On the other hand, genetic correlations between N5D and survival rates and between N3W and survival rates were strongly or moderately positive, except for the correlations with SVW in Yorkshire. The results suggest that selection for N5D could be an interesting alternative to improve litter size at weaning and piglet survival for Danish Landrace and Danish Yorkshire.     

Glandular hair densities in three perennial Medicago species

Summary Eight triazine resistant (Brassica napus x B. oleracea) x B. oleracea interspecific hybrids with chromosome numbers ranging from 25 to 27 were backcrossed a second time to B. oleracea but no seed was formed. However, in vitro embryo rescue on 77 developing ovules yielded nine BC₂ plants with chromosome numbers between 19 and 25 and in which the herbicide resistance was still strongly expressed. Three of these plants (NOH-8B2B1, 2n=20; NOH-8B2B3 and NOH-8B2B4, 2n=19) were backcrossed again to B. oleracea. Two of the three plants produced seed which germinated to produce triazine resistan BBC₃s with 18, 19 or 20 chromosomes. The triazine resistant B. campestris cytoplasm has now been stabilized in B. oleracea.     

Growth Hormone Receptors in the Porcine Testis During Prepuberty

Supplementation of exogenous growth hormone (GH) during prepuberty advances onset of spermatogenesis in boars, but the mechanism of action is unknown. The present study is an investigation of the presence and characteristics of testicular growth hormone receptors (GHR). A total of 36 boars were castrated, three boars every 10 days, between the ages of 10 and 120 days. Testicular membrane preparations of 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, 100 and 120‐day‐old boars were used to determine ¹²⁵I‐bGH binding and Scatchard analysis. Liver from a 60‐kg barrow was used for comparison. Specific ¹²⁵I‐bGH binding to testicular membrane preparations occurred in all age groups with the exception of 20‐day‐old boars at levels of 30–40% of liver binding. At 30 days of age the unlabelled bGH at 1.1 ng/tube achieved half maximal inhibition (ID₅₀). Results of Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of binding sites. Binding affinity was 2.89 × 10⁹m with a binding capacity of 12 fmole/mg membrane protein. The results from this study suggest that GH may act directly on the cells of the prepubertal boar testis.     

Effects of length of seed chilling period and sowing date on family performance and genetic variances of Douglas-fir seedlings in the nursery

Seeds of four full-sibling Douglas-fir families (F) were moist chilled (C) for 14, 33, and 77 days and sown (S) March 29, April 26, and May 24 at two densities (D=111 and 200 seeds/m²), grown for 2 years in nursery beds and phenology and size traits recorded. The study was analyzed in two parts: part I evaluated seed treatment effects and their interactions with families; and part II investigated the effect of treatments on genetic variances, particularly among-family (_F ²) and within-plot ( ²) components and the intraclass correlation for families (t_{% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaaiaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaGqaa0Gaa8NKba% aa!3886!\[f\]}). In part I there were large and highly significant differences associated with C and S and among F for all traits. Early S combined with long C resulted in early emergence and gave large seedlings with little loss and damage. Many interactions between C and F, and S and F, were significant. Interactions involved rank changes for size but not for phenology traits, and were larger for C×F than for S×F. Seedling density affected seedling size but not phenology, did not interact with seed treatments, and interacted significantly but weakly with families. In part II, C and S, but not D, had significant effects on _F ², ², and t_{% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaaiaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaGqaa0Gaa8NKba% aa!3886!\[f\]}, but not in a predictable manner. Because of significant interactions, it is recommended that standardized seed treatments be used in family nursery tests. This should aid in keeping the results from these tests as repeatable as possible. Long chilling and sowing as early as practicable are recommended to minimize disease losses and winter damages and to provide good nursery stock.     

Callus induction and plant regeneration from anther and inflorescence culture of Sorghum

Summary Twenty-five inbred lines, including grain and forage types from the USA and China, two hybrids, one Sorghum almum, and one Parasorghum (S. versicolor) were tested for their response to anther culture. Three nutrient media were effective in inducing anther calli from six cultivars (Xin White, TX 403-TSB, DDY Sommer Milo, TX 2779, Brawley, and Spur Federal) and one was effective for plant regeneration for one cultivar, Xin White. Averaged over media, callus induction frequency (number of calli per 100 anthers) was highest in cultivars Xin White and TX 403-TSB (6.7 and 3.9%, respectively). The means of cultivars for media C17-2 and Ms-t-z-2, 4.3 and 3.2%, respectively, were superior to that for medium 85D3-2 (0.1%). Expressed as an average of the six cultivars and three media the mean calli induction frequency was 2.6%; however, differential responses of genotype and medium were noted. Among the 10 regeneration media tested, medium MS-d-4 containing Murashige and Skoog basal components plus 2.0 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 2.5 mg/l kinetin was the most effective for plant regeneration. Numbers of albino plants and calli developing only roots increased directly with callus-induction time, whereas the frequency of plant regeneration decreased. Regenerated plants had varied numbers of chromosomes in root tip cells: 10, 15, 20, 40, and 60. The 29 regenerated plants that reached maturity, however, were highly fertile and contained only 10 bivalents in pollen mother cells. Normal chromosome number and behavior for the regenerated plants suggest that induced calli originated from cells other than microspores. However, spontaneous chromosome doubling in microspore-derived haploids may occur. The appearance of albinos also implies that haploids may have been produced from anther culture.Joint contribution of the Dept. of Agronomy and USDA-ARS, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, KS 66506-5501, USA. Contribution no. 88-566-J.     

Mercury deposition and sources for the upper great lakes region

Mercury concentrations and depositions for northeastern Minnesota were measured in precipitation to investigate depositional trends, relationships with major cations and anions, and possible source emission regions. Results for 1987–1990 showed that environmentally significant amounts of Hg are present in precipitation and air and are subsequently deposited to remote lake watersheds. Volume-weighted concentrations of total Hg in precipitation averaged about 18 ng Hg L⁻¹ with calculated annual depositions near 15 μg Hg m⁻². Mercury concentrations in precipitation are positively correlated with the major ions, conductivity, and pH, and are negatively correlated with precipitation volume. The best predictor equation from stepwise regression has an r² of 0.65 with Mg and chloride concentrations as predictor variables. From measurements of Hg in rain concentrations as a function of time within events, scavenging ratios for “washable” Hg were calculated to be 140 ± 80 (mass based at a 1 mm hr ⁻¹ precipitation rate). Up to about 10% of the total Hg in air is subject to washout by precipitation for a given event. Air parcel back-trajectories indicate that possible source regions within 72-hr travel time were located mostly to the south, southeast, and southwest, up to 2500 km distance away but local sources may also be important.     

Efficiency of uterine fluid cytology in the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study compared endometrial cytology vis‐a‐vis uterine fluid cytology for assessment of uterine health in clinically normal and subclinical endometritis (SE)‐affected buffaloes. Uterine fluid samples and endometrial samples were collected from the buffaloes (n = 38) at oestrus using blue sheath and cytobrush, respectively. The smears were stained with Field stain for 3 minutes, and a minimum of 400 cells were counted in each smear for determination of the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocyte. The incidence of subclinical endometritis, based on the cytobrush cytology, was 23.08%. The correlation between cytobrush cytology with uterine fluid cytology was positive and significant (r = .37; p = .02). The ratio of PMN leucocyte in cytobrush cytology to uterine fluid cytology was 1:2.4. ROC analysis revealed that the threshold value of 6.16% PMN leucocyte in uterine fluid cytology showed a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% in differentiating normal from SE‐affected buffaloes. In conclusion, collection of uterine fluid was easier compared to collection of endometrial samples using cytobrush and the percentage of PMN leucocyte in uterine fluid cytology can be used as a tool for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in buffaloes.     

A Bayesian analysis of response to selection for uterine capacity in rabbits

A divergent, eight generation selection experiment on uterine capacity in rabbits was performed. Rabbit does were ovariectomized unilaterally before puberty, and selected for increased and decreased litter size by 'best linear unbiased prediction' using data from up to four parities. Two different analyses were performed to estimate the response to selection. The first was based on least squares analysis; the second was based on Bayesian methods using Gibbs sampling techniques. Three different priors were used for variance components, but these had little influence on the results. Posterior means of heritabilities for uterine capacity, varied from 0.09 to 0.12, and repeatabilities from 0.18 to 0.22. The response to eight generations of selection was symmetrical and led to a divergence of 0.16 young rabbits per generation, which amounts to about 2% of the average litter size of the base population per generation. The pattern of response however, was not linear: a high initial response was followed by a period where little further response was observed, and a final burst of response was obtained during the last two cycles of selection.     

DIE AUFNAHME VON ADSORBIERTEM MONOLINURON IM BODEN DURCH SENFPFLANZEN

Zusammenfassung. Um den Einfluß verschiedener Bodenmischungen auf die Aufnahme von adsorbiertem [¹⁴C]-markíertem Monolinuron zu verfolgen, wurden jeweils 30, 45, 60, 73 und 90 g Monolinuron-behandelter Boden (0,42-0,53 μg Monolinuron/g Boden) mit unbehandeltem auf 100 g aufgefüllt und damit 15.4–67.1 μg adsorbiertes Monolinuron eingesetzt. Die Aufnahme durch Senipflanzen wurde in Neubauerversuchen während 24 Tagen verfolgt. In 3 Anbauperioden wurden 1.17–9.74 μg aufgenommen. Der überwiegende Teil blieb jedoch an den Boden adsorbiert. Bei einer Bilanzerstellung konnten 99% der zu Versuchsbeginn eingesetzten Monolinuronmenge wieder gefunden werden, Durch den Sorptionsprozeß wurde Monolinuron chemisch nicht vcerändert. Ebenso kann das Ausgangsmolekül in der Pflanze nachgewiesen werden. Die nachweisbare Monolinuronmenge in der Pflanzensubstariz wird umso geringer, je weiter die Aufnahmeintensität zurürkgeht. Über eine Isotopen-Austauschreaktion wurde versucht, das pflanzenverfügbare Monolinuron zu messen.
The uptake of adsorbed monolinuron in the soil by mustard plants