Comparison of tiletamine-zolazepam-ketamine and tiletamine-zolazepam-ketamine-xylazine anaesthesia in sheep

Summary The anaesthetic effects of intravenous tiletamine-zolazepam 6.6 mg/kg-ketamine 6.6 mg/kg (TK) and tiletamine-zolazepam 6.6 mg/kg-ketamine 6.6 mg/kg-xylazine 0.11 mg/kg (TKX) were evaluated in six wethers. Heart rate, respiration rate, arterial blood pressure, and the electrocardiogram were monitored during anaesthesia. Analgesia was tested by electrical stimulation in the left flank. Atropine (0.03 mg/kg) was given intramuscularly before induction, but after recording of baseline heart rate and respiratory rate. The duration of analgesia was 28.7 ± 6.9 min with TK and 82.8 ± 26.6 min with TKX. Heart rate increased significantly within 5 min after TK or TKX administration. Respiratory rate remained unchanged after TK administration, but increased significantly from 5 to 45 min after TKX administration. Arterial blood pressure decreased significantly at 15 min with TK and 30 min with TKX. Sheep remained recumbent for 201 min with TK and 166 min with TKX. All recovered uneventfully. We conclude that either TK or TKX may be used for anaesthetising sheep.     

Comparison of the Fenwick can and Schuiling centrifuge methods for the extraction of potato cyst nematodes from soil1

An evaluation of the efficacy of the Schuiling centrifuge and traditional Fenwick can methods of extracting Globodera cysts from infested field soils confirmed the accuracy of the Schuiling centrifuge extraction method. Experience has shown that samples with a high organic matter content may reduce extraction efficiency. Improvements in the mechanical and electrical construction of the present Schuiling apparatus are needed, but once they have been made the choice of extraction method in large-scale statutory and advisory programmes need only depend on considerations such as convenience of use and cost-effectiveness.     

Complexing agents as herbicide additives

In not experiments with Agropyron repens, Stellaria media and dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), several acids which are complexing agents enhanced the effects of glyphosate and dichlorprop. Both herbicides were activated by orthophosphoric citric, tartaric, lactic, oxalic and glycollic acids. Other acids which are not complexing agents had little or no effect. Sodium or ammonium salts often acted like the parent acids. Glyphosate activity was increased by EDTA while dichlorprop effects were enhanced by FDTA, NTA and polyphosphates. It is suggested that activation was due to interactions with calcium or other metallic ions, which would otherwise immobilize the herbicides. In field experiments, orthophosphoric or oxalic acids increased the effects of glyphosate on Agrophron bud viability. Ammonium sulphate had a similar effect. However, in contrast to glasshouse experiments, most three-way mixtures of an acid, ammonium sulphate glyphosate wer antagonistic. Les agents complexants en tant qu adjuvants pour les herbicides Dans des experiences en pots avec Agropyron repens, Stellariamedia et des haricots (Phaseolus vulgaris), plusieurs acides qui sont des agents complexants out augmenté l'activitié du glyphosate et du dichlorprop. Ces deux herbicides ont été activés par les acides orthophosphorique, citrique, tartrique, lactique, oxalique et glycollique. D'autres acides, qui ne sont pas des agents complexants, n'ont eu que peu ou pasd'effet. Les sels de sodium ou d'ammonium présentent souvent la méme activité que les acides don't ils dérivent. L'activite du glyphosate a été accrue par l'EDTA, cependant que les effets du dichloprop ont augmenté avec l'EDTA, le NTA et les polyphosphates. II est suggéré que cette activation était due aux interactions avec le calcium ou d'autres ions métalliques qui pourraient, par ailleurs, immobiliser les herbicides. Dans des expériences au champ, les acides orthophosphorique ou oxalique ont augmenté les effets du glyphosate sur la viabilité des bourgeons d'Agropyron. Le sulfate d'ammonium a eu en effet similaire. Toutefois, en opposition avec les expériences en serre, la plupart des mélanges ternaries d'un acide, de sulfate d'ammonium et de glyphosate se sont révélés antagonists. Komplxbildner als Additive für Herbizide In Gefässversuchen mit Agropyron repens, Stellaria media und Phasealus vulgaris wurde die Wirkung von Glyphosat und Diehlorprop durch komplexbildende Säuren verstärkt. Beide Herbizide wurden a tiviert durch: ortho-Phosphor. Zitronen, Wein, Milch-, Oxal- und Glykolsäure. Andere Säuren, die micht komplexbildend sind, wirkten nur schwach oder gar nicht. Natrium-oder Ammoniumsalze wirkten häufig wie die entsprechenden Säuren. Die Aktivität von Glyphosat wurde durch EDTA verstärkt, während die Wirkung von Dichlorprop durch EDTA, NTA und durch Polyphosphate verbessert wurde. Es wird vermutet, dass die bessere Wirkung in Interaklionen mit Kalzium oder anderern Metallionen zu suchen ist, die sonst die Herbizide immobilisieren. In Feldversuchen wurde durch ortho-Phosphorsäure und Oxalsäure die Wirkung von Glyphosat auf die Lebensfähigkeit von Agropyron-Knospen erhöht. Ammoniumsulfat wirkte ähnlich Im Gegensatz zu Versuchen im Gewächshaus wirkien aber die meisten Dreikomponenten Mischungen von Säure. Ammoniumsulfat und Glyphosat, antagonistisch     

AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.—SOME EFFECTS OF RHIZOME FRAGMENTATION, RHIZOME BURIAL AND DEFOLIATION

Summary. A factorial experiment with couch grass ( Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) grown in boxes examined the effects of rhizome fragmentation, planting depth and shoot removal on the survival of rhizome pieces, new rhizome growth and rhizome carbohydrate reserves.
Burial to 4 in. depth in sandy loam soil led to the death of 54% of 1 in. long rhizome pieces and 28% of 3 in. pieces. With all the segment lengths tested deeper planting decreased the proportion of buds which produced shoots.
Shoot removal every 14 days decreased the dry weight and carbohydrate content of the planted rhizomes and prevented new rhizome growth. Segments 1 or 3 in. long lost their carbohydrate reserves more quickly than 9 in. pieces. Rhizomes planted at 4 in. depth contained less carbohydrate after establishment than shallow-planted material, and produced less new rhizome growth.
IS Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.–Quelques effets de la fragmentation et de l'enfouissement du rhizome et de la defoliation     

Geomorphic features and soil formation of arid lands in Northeastern Jordan

Arid and semiarid lands occupy about one-third of the Earth's land surface. Interpretation of soil formation and geomorphic features of arid lands is needed to assess their soil ecological potentials, limitations, problems and management needs. The objective of this paper was to study the geomorphic features and soil formation of the arid lands in northeastern Jordan, to provide information that could be used by land managers in the study area and other arid land areas. Five representative soil pedons were excavated and described in the field. Soil samples from each horizon per pedon were taken to the laboratory for chemical and physical analyses. Geomorphic features of the area were also studied. Most of studied land surfaces are plains where eolian deflation has exposed loose gravels consisting predominantly of pebbles forming desert pavements. Desert pavements cover most of the land surface, excluding the mud playas, and are composed of basalt clasts. The accumulation of calcium carbonate and gypsum within these soils create problems for their agricultural development. Accumulation of eolian fine-grained silt has resulted in the formation of a vesicular horizon. The climatic variations during the late quaternary and the late Holocene periods contributed to the development of the desert pavement and the vesicular horizons. Clay illuviation and argillic horizon development within these soils is assumed to be a relict feature from more humid climates during the Quaternary. Sustainable agricultural development of such arid lands may not be easy. In general, these soils have high erodibility, high runoff generation potential, high susceptibility to seal and crust formation, poor water-holding capacity, pedon hardening and structural instability.     

Strength Characteristics and Failure Modes of Suture Patterns in Severed Goat Tendons

The load-to-gap formation, maximum load, gap present at maximum load, and failure mode were compared among four suture patterns: Bunnell-Mayer, modified Kessler, Mason-Allen, and simple interrupted. Sixty-four goat tendons were sutured with 2-0 monofilament polypropylene in one of the patterns and distracted at 92 cm/min with an electrohydraulic materials testing system. All tests were filmed at 40 frames/sec with an intermittent pin registered camera. The load-to-gap formation was not significantly different among the Bunnell (13.3 +/- 1.5 newtons [N]), Kessler (12.8 +/- 1.3 N), and simple interrupted (11.7 +/- 1.7 N) patterns. The Mason-Allen pattern was significantly different )8.2 +/- 0.5 N). The Bunnell-Mayer had the highest mean maximum load to failure (43.0 +/- 1.6 N) followed by the modified Kessler (34.1 +/- 1.9 N). There was no difference between the Mason-Allen (22.9 +/- 1.4 N) and simple interrupted (21.2 +/- 1.4 N). All of the patterns permitted at least a 1 cm gap to form when the maximum load was applied. The Bunnell pattern caused severe constriction of the tendon and failed by suture material disruption. The modified Kessler caused some focal constriction, but the suture material pulled out before breaking and sliced the tendon in the process. The Mason-Allen and the simple interrupted patterns sliced the tendon as the suture pulled out of the tendon.