Distribution of Pseudomonas populations harboring phlD or hcnAB biocontrol genes is related to depth in vineyard soils

The abundance and population structure of pseudomonads in soils collected from long-(1006 years) and short-(54 years) term grapevine monocultures in Switzerland were examined across five soil horizons within the 1.20-1.35 m range. Soil samples were baited with grapevine, and rhizosphere pseudomonads containing the biocontrol genes phlD (2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol synthesis) and/or hcnAB (hydrogen cyanide synthesis) were analyzed by MPN-PCR. The numbers of total, phlD⁺ and hcnAB⁺ pseudomonads decreased with depth by 1.5-2 log (short-term monoculture) and 3-3.5 log (long-term monoculture). In addition, the percentages of phlD⁺ (except in short-term monoculture) and hcnAB⁺ pseudomonads were also lower in deeper horizons. RFLP-profiling of phlD⁺ and hcnAB⁺ pseudomonads revealed three phlD and twelve hcnAB alleles overall, but the number of alleles for both decreased in relation to depth. The only phlD allele found in deeper horizons was also found in topsoil, whereas one hcnAB allele (k) found in deeper horizons in long-term monoculture was absent in the topsoil. This suggests that certain Pseudomonas ecotypes are adapted to specific depths. Four hcnAB alleles enabled discrimination between monocultures. We conclude that soil depth is a factor selecting phlD and hcnAB genotypes, and that the allelic diversity of the two biocontrol genes decreases with depth.     

Colocation of downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii) resistance genes in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Summary The Pl6 locus in the inbred sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) line HA335 giving resistance to French races of downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & de Toni. was localized by molecular techniques. A bulked segregant analysis was made on the F2 progeny from a cross between this line and H52, a downy mildew susceptible line. The resistance gene in HA335 was found to have the same linked RFLP marker loci as those determined for Pl1 (resistance to race 1 in the line RHA266) on linkage group 1 of the consensus RFLP map of the cultivated sunflower. Pl1 and Pl6 thus appear either to be allelic or closely linked. The implications for sunflower breeding are discussed.     

灌溉和降水对旱地土壤N2O气态损失的影响

利用土壤探头法和密闭气室法相结合 ,就黄土高原旱地土壤玉米生长期灌溉和降水对N2O气态损失的影响进行了研究 ;并采用乙炔抑制原状土柱培养法 ,对土壤由湿变干和由干变湿过程中N2O变化进行了模拟。试验结果表明 ,在旱地土壤上 ,N2O的变化一般较小 ,但在降雨或者灌溉后无论是土壤N2O通量或者土壤剖面中N2O的浓度均呈现上升趋势 ,且这种变化趋势与同时期降雨量的变化趋势相同。培养结果说明 ,在相同的土壤孔隙水含量 (WFPS)条件下 ,土壤由湿变干过程产生的N2O通量高于土壤由干变湿过程中的产生量 ;在土壤由干变湿过程中N2O通量随土壤WFPS含量的增加而上升 ,但在土壤由湿变干过程中土壤N2O通量在WFPS含量为 70%时达到最大 ,而后随土壤WFPS含量的减少而下降。施肥处理与对照相比两者的变化趋势相同 ,但不施肥处理的变化幅度较小     

Effect of earthworm addition on soil nitrogen availability,microbial biomass and litter decomposition in mesocosms

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of adding two tropical earthworm species, Rhinodrilus contortus and Pontoscolex corethrurus, to mesocosms on the availability of mineral N (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– concentrations), soil microbial biomass (bio-N), and the decomposition rates of three contrasting leaf litter species, in a glasshouse experiment. The mesocosms were filled with forest soil and covered with a layer of leaf litter differing in nutritional quality: (1) Hevea brasiliensis (C/N=27); (2) Carapa guianensis (C/N=32); (3) Vismia sp., the dominant tree species in the second growth forest (control, C/N= 42); and, (4) a mixture of the former three leaf species, in equal proportions (C/N=34). At the end of the 97-day experiment, the soil mineral N concentrations, bio-N, and leaf litter weight loss were determined. Both earthworm species showed significant effects on the concentrations of soil NO₃ ^– (p<0.01) and NH₄ ⁺ (p<0.05). Bio-N was always greater in the mesocosms with earthworms (especially with R. contortus) and in the mesocosms with leaf litter of H. brasiliensis (6 µg N g^–1 soil), the faster decomposing species, than in the other treatments (0.1–1.6 µg N g^–1). Thus, earthworm activity increased soil mineral-N concentrations, possibly due to the consumption of soil microbial biomass, which can speed turnover and mineralization of microbial tissues. No significant differences in decomposition rate were found between the mesocosms with and without earthworms, suggesting that experiments lasting longer are needed to determine the effect of earthworms on litter decomposition rates.     

Effects of grinding and thermal treatments on hydrolysis susceptibility of pea proteins (Pisum sativum L.)

The effects of three particle sizes with two types of grindings and two thermal treatments on pea protein extraction (PE) and susceptibility to in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis (pepsin plus trypsin) were studied. Degrees of hydrolysis (DH) were calculated. Remaining peptides were detected by SDS-PAGE and identified by immunoblotting and MS/MS spectrometry. The increase in particle size decreased PE and DH due to a restricted access of solvents and enzymes to proteins. The thermal treatment induced a decrease in PE but did not modify DH. Heating improved legumin (alphaM) and convicilin pepsin hydrolyses but reduced the pea albumin 2 (PA2) hydrolysis. After pepsin and trypsin hydrolysis, only peptides from vicilin and lectin were identified by LC-MS/MS analyses, whatever the treatment.     

Ecosystem-scale biosphere-atmosphere interactions of a hemiboreal mixed forest stand at Järvselja, Estonia

During two measurement campaigns, from August to September 2008 and 2009, we quantified the major ecosystem fluxes in a hemiboreal forest ecosystem in Järvselja, Estonia. The main aim of this study was to separate the ecosystem flux components and gain insight into the performance of a multi-species multi-layered tree stand. Carbon dioxide and water vapor fluxes were measured using the eddy covariance method above and below the canopy in conjunction with the microclimate. Leaf and soil contributions were quantified separately by cuvette and chamber measurements, including fluxes of carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen oxides, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and biogenic volatile organic compounds (isoprene and monoterpenes). The latter have been as well characterized for monoterpenes in detail. Based on measured atmospheric trace gas concentrations, the flux tower site can be characterized as remote and rural with low anthropogenic disturbances.Our results presented here encourage future experimental efforts to be directed towards year round integrated biosphere-atmosphere measurements and development of process-oriented models of forest-atmosphere exchange taking the special case of a multi-layered and multi-species tree stand into account. As climate change likely leads to spatial extension of hemiboreal forest ecosystems a deep understanding of the processes and interactions therein is needed to foster management and mitigation strategies.     

Clinical characteristics and causes of pruritus in cats: a multicentre study on feline hypersensitivity-associated dermatoses

Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are often suspected in cats. Cats with HD are reported to present with one or more of the following patterns: miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic dermatitis, self-induced symmetrical alopecia or head and/or neck excoriations. Previous reports on feline HD included small numbers of animals, took place in geographically restricted areas or did not compare these conditions with other causes of pruritus. The goal of the present study was to analyse 72 parameters covering signalment, clinical, laboratory and treatment characteristics from a large group of pruritic cats from different geographical areas. Of the 502 cats, the following diagnoses were made: flea HD (29% of cases), food HD (12%) nonflea/nonfood HD (20%) and other diseases in which pruritus was a feature (24%). Cats with signs consistent with a HD but which did not complete a food trial were not analysed further (15% of cases). Most cats with nonflea HD exhibited signs compatible with one or more of the four typical lesional patterns, but none of these patterns was found to be pathognomonic for any specific diagnosis. Food HD and nonflea/nonfood HD were found to be clinically undistinguishable. Young adult, purebred and female cats appeared predisposed to nonflea/nonfood HD. As many diagnoses presented with similar lesional patterns, a thorough clinical work-up is required for establishment of a specific diagnosis.     

First serological investigation of peste-des-petits-ruminants and Rift Valley fever in Tunisia

This study, carried out between September 2006 and January 2007, is the first cross-sectional serological investigation of peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR) and Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Tunisia. The objective was to assess the potential need to develop a dual, recombinant PPR–RVF vaccine and how such a vaccine might be utilised in Tunisia. An overall PPR seroprevalence of 7.45% was determined, a finding supported by the high specificity (99.4%) and sensitivity (94.5%) of the ELISA used. On assessment of the diversity and density of mosquitoes in the sampling area, four species of RVF-vectors of the genus Aedes and Culex were identified. However, no serological evidence of RVF was found despite the use of a highly sensitive ELISA (99–100%). Larger scale investigations are underway to confirm these findings and the continuation of the emergency vaccination program against these two diseases remains valid.     

陕西省氮肥过量施用现状评价

 对陕西省3个不同生态区、17个市、县的1500多位农户近年来粮食作物产量、肥料施用量及施肥时期进行了现状调查,同时在5个示范村示范和推广了小麦、玉米和水稻平衡施肥技术。结果表明,粮食作物生产中氮肥用量和变幅都很大,一季作物氮施用量范围为106-636 kg·ha-1;与试验结果和推荐量比较,过量施氮在陕北川道地灌溉玉米为128 kg·ha-1,陕南水稻21 kg·ha-1、关中小麦55 kg·ha-1、玉米56 kg·ha-1。按照这个结果陕西省每年可能损失的化肥氮为1 2.2万t。因此,平衡施肥在陕北和关     

玉米生长期黄土区土壤氧化亚氮产生和排放及其影响因子研究

采用土壤平衡气室法和密闭气室法,对玉米生长期对照(不施氮肥)和施氮处理(180 kg/hm2N)黄土区土壤剖面中N2O浓度和土壤表面N2O排放通量的变化及其影响因子进行了研究。结果表明,在玉米生长期,土壤剖面中N2O主要产生于7月和8月,且60 cm土层的N2O浓度最高,10 cm土层最低;施用氮肥不仅增加了土壤剖面中N2O的浓度,而且增加了土壤表面N2O的排放通量,玉米生长期对照和施氮处理的土壤表面N2O平均排放通量分别为(10.95±4.13)和(22.41±8.69)μg/(m2.h)。对照和施氮处理土壤剖面中N2O浓度和土壤表面N2O排放通量的变化趋势相同,但施氮处理土壤剖面中N2O浓度和N2O排放通量均明显高于对照。土壤温度、水分以及土壤NO3--N含量是土壤N2O产生和排放的主要影响因子。