Aluminum tolerance in maize: Minimizing pH changes in screening solutions 1

Preliminary screening of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes for aluminum (Al) tolerance in nutrient solutions over a 12‐day growth period showed greater plant‐induced pH changes in solutions without Al than in solutions containing Al. Such pH changes may alter the specific effect of Al on relative root length (length in Al‐containing solution/length in 0 Al solution) commonly used as an index to rank genotypes with respect to Al tolerance. The objective of this study was to examine several screening methods for identifying Al‐tolerant maize genotypes, and to identify those procedures which resulted in minimal pH fluctuations during the course of screening. The following methods of controlling pH in nutrient solutions were compared: (i) 12‐day exposure to 0 or 5 mg Al/L in nutrient solutions (a) with or (b) without daily pH adjustment or (c) with different NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratios, and (ii) 2‐day exposure to 0, 5, 10, 25 or 40 mg Al/L treatment solutions followed by a 3‐day recovery period in solutions with an initial pH at (a) 4.6 or (b) 4.0. In the 12‐day experiments, daily pH adjustment to 4.6 did not eliminate large pH fluctuations in the control (0 Al) solutions, and it substantially decreased the soluble Al concentration in the Al‐treatment solution. Varying the ratio of NO₃ ^‐ to NH₄ ⁺ did not eliminate large pH fluctuations. Exposing the seedlings for 2 days to Al solutions at pH 4.6 resulted in large pH differences between 0 Al and Al‐containing solutions and in precipitation of large amounts of Al. In contrast, the 2‐day procedure using solutions with an initial pH at 4.0 was more satisfactory in that the pH was maintained between 4.0 and 3.7 in all solutions, and Al precipitation was minimized. When the 2‐day method at pH 4.0 was used to screen the genotypes, PDMR3 had consistently higher relative root lengths in Al‐containing solutions than did Kalimpos, IPB Varl, UPCA Varl and Trinidad Grp1&2.     

Foliar Application of Urea and Triazone Nitrogen to Cotton

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) requires adequate nitrogen (N) for optimum yields. Foliar applications of urea to supplement soil applied N have been tried for many years across the Cotton Belt, but responses have been highly variable. No published information is available regarding response by irrigated cotton to foliar applied N in subtropical South Texas. This study investigated the response of cotton to foliar applied urea and triazone N over a three-year period near Weslaco, Texas. In all years, foliar applied urea tended to increase seed cotton yield when soil applied N was limiting. In the absence of soil applied N, the increase due to foliar urea was significant in two of the three years (28.7 and 15.7% increases). Foliar applied triazone N was ineffective at increasing seed cotton yields.     

Indicators of Cotton Nitrogen Status

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen (N) deficiency limits cotton yields, while too much N causes excessive vegetative growth hurting yields, wastes expensive inputs, and causes environmental pollution. Diagnostic indicators are needed to assess cotton N status so that yields can be optimized as efficiently as possible. This study evaluated selected tools for predicting cotton responses to N fertilizer application. Petiole nitrate (NO₃)-N (PNN) concentration was found to correlate with cotton N status and a good indicator of potential for response to N application. Critical PNN concentrations for irrigated cotton in subtropical South Texas at first bloom, and 10, 20 and 30 d later were determined to be 15.0, 9.0, 4.5, and 2.0 g kg^{? 1}, respectively. These critical PNN levels are higher than in more humid areas of the traditional southern US Cotton Belt, probably due to the effects of the subtropical climate. Cotton plants in this area tend to be less vegetative, possibly due to shorter growing season day lengths, and therefore need to be “pushed” slightly harder with greater N fertilization. Leaf total N concentrations were found to be less responsive to changes in applied N than were PNN levels. Although leaf N tended to be more stable over time, there was no consistent pattern between years. Leaf N values of 35 g kg^{? 1} or less appear to represent a deficiency at any time, and optimum levels may be slightly higher. Nodes above white flower showed very small responses to N fertilization and the differences occurred late in the bloom period. Chlorophyll meter readings showed a good relationship with N fertilizer application within a given sampling date, but much greater variability occurred between dates and due to other factors. The most effective indicator of cotton N status was found to be PNN, and to a lesser extent leaf N, but none of other parameters could be recommended for purposes of making inferences as to N status of cotton.     

Phytotoxins from anaerobically decomposing wheat straw

Phytotoxicity was demonstrated in the aqueous extract of wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) straw suspensions. When extracts were incubated under anaerobic conditions, the development of phytotoxicity was greater at 20°C than at 10°C. The toxic products formed during incubation depended upon the incubation medium. Acetic and butyric acids were the major toxins produced in liquid straw fermentations during the first 2 weeks. However, after that time the acids did not account for the total toxicity, suggesting formation of unidentified phytotoxins. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids were the toxins formed in sand culture. The development and accumulation of phytotoxins were favored where the sand-straw mixtures were water-saturated. The implications of these findings to wheat cultural practice is discussed.     

Efficacy of ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate combined in a chewable formulation against heartworm, hookworm, and ascarid infections in dogs.

Eight trials were conducted in dogs to document the efficacy of ivermectin (6 micrograms/kg of body weight) and pyrantel pamoate (5 mg of active pyrantel/kg) in a beef-based chewable formulation against Dirofilaria immitis, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, and Toxascaris leonina. Three studies involved induced infection with D immitis, and 5 studies involved induced or natural infection with hookworms and ascarids. In 3 intestinal parasite trials, the efficacy of the combination chewable tablet was compared with each of its components. Results indicated that 1 component did not interfere with the activity of the other. In 1 heartworm and 2 intestinal parasite trials, the efficacy of pyrantel, ivermectin/pyrantel combination, or ivermectin with pyrantel dosage of 10 mg/kg was evaluated. The ivermectin/pyrantel combination was 100% effective in preventing development of D immitis larvae. Efficacy of the combined product against T canis, Toxascaris leonina, A caninum, and U stenocephala was 90.1, 99.2, 98.5, and 98.7%, respectively. In the intestinal parasite trials, each individual component was found not to interfere with the anthelmintic action of the other. Increasing the dosage of pyrantel to 10 mg/kg (2 x that in the combination) did not interfere with the efficacy of ivermectin against heartworm or increase the activity of pyrantel against intestinal parasites.