Human–Livestock Interactions – The Stockperson and the Productivity and Welfare of Intensively Farmed Animals. P.H. Hemsworth and G.J. Coleman

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Multifunktioneller Charakter von Streuobstbeständen – Modell zur Analyse und Bewertung

High-stem orchards, traditionally grown on grassland, represent an important source of raw material for the processing industry and for traditional fruit processing on family-run farms such as cider, brandy, dried fruit, vinegar and apple sauce. As well as these production aspects, high-stem orchards preserve the traditional landscape and indirectly maintain the viability of rural areas. A method for the evaluation of high-stem orchards in Slovenia is presented, where, besides production functions, other aspects (e.?g. environmental) are also emphasized. This methodology enables empirical evaluation of high-stem orchards, including ecological and socio-cultural features and has been applied in the North-Eastern part of Slovenia, where the majority of these land-use systems are found.     

Which impact for beta-damascenone on red wines aroma?

beta-Damascenone, a C-13 norisoprenoid compound, is usually presented as an impact odorant in red wines. Its direct contribution to their aroma was investigated. Both free beta-damascenone and beta-damascenone precursors were isolated from various French red wines and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealing concentrations in the vicinity of 1 and 2 microg/L for free compounds and both forms, respectively. Gas chromatography-olfactometry analyses were also performed on dilutions of both red wine extracts and pure beta-damascenone. The very low detection threshold in olfactometry for this compound explains why it is found at the highest dilution factor in aroma extract dilution analysis methods. Moreover, determination of beta-damascenone's odor thresholds confirmed the huge importance of the matrix: beta-Damascenone is characterized by a very low perception threshold in hydroalcoholic solution as compared to red wine, where it is over 1000-fold higher. In hydroalcoholic solution, beta-damascenone enhanced fruity notes of ethyl cinnamate and caproate and masked the herbaceous aroma of IBMP. Globally, these results suggested that beta-damascenone has more an indirect than a direct impact on red wine aroma.     

Use of C abundance to study short-term pig slurry decomposition in the field

Applying pig slurry (PS) on agricultural soils is a common practice. However, its impact on soil organic C dynamics is not clear. This experiment investigated the use of natural ¹³C abundance to study the short-term C mineralization of anaerobically stored PS under field conditions. Measurements of δ¹³C-CO₂ were made on soil air samples obtained from a bare sandy loam during 22 d following incorporation of either PS alone, PS+barley straw, or barley straw alone; an unamended treatment was used as a control. Slurry C was enriched in ¹³C (−20.0‰) because of the high corn (Zea mays L.) content of the animal diet. This value contrasted with δ¹³C of −28.4‰ for the soil organic matter and of −29.0‰ for the barley straw. A peak of high δ¹³CO₂ values (average of −9.2‰) was observed on the day of PS application and was attributed to the dissociation of PS carbonates when mixed with the relatively acidic soil. After this initial burst, 36% of the evolved CO₂ originated from the decomposing PS. After 22 d of incubation, approx. 20% of the PS-C had been lost as CO₂. This short-term field study did not show any priming effect of PS on the mineralization of straw or native soil C. Due to its heterogeneity, the use of the isotopic composition of the evolved CO₂ for estimating PS decomposition requires precaution either through the use of a specific experimental design involving comparable C3 and C4 treatments, or calculations to account for the presence of ¹³C-enriched inorganic C in the PS.     

Interaction between acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase: an hypothesis to explain unusual toxicological responses

Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides are thought to have only one target site, acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7). When this enzyme is inhibited, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is not metabolized and polarization of the post-synaptic membrane does not take place. But, what happens when the cholinesterase becomes resistant or when neurotransmitter levels are diminished? Here, we report results suggesting that choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6), the enzyme responsible for the acetylcholine production, may be involved either as an alternative pesticide target site or as a factor enhancing survival during insecticide exposure. This underlines the concept that the pivotal step for insecticide toxicology is not the acetylcholinesterase activity but the amount of acetylcholine present. This latter can only fluctuate between an upper and a lower threshold, and crossing one of these two thresholds leads to the death of the insect. The interaction between acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activities would explain the astonishing toxicological phenomenon that, in some conditions, mortality decreases when insecticide concentration increases. ©1997 SCI     

Activity of Soil Insecticides on Eggs of Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi: Effects on Embryological Development and Influence of Egg Age

The activity of tefluthrin, carbofuran, terbufos and dieldrin in soil against eggs of different ages of the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi (Barber) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was determined. Embryological development following treatment with these insecticides was also investigated to determine the stage of developmental arrest. Generally, younger eggs were found to be more susceptible, dieldrin being the least and tefluthrin the most potent ovicide of combined egg age mortalities. Terbufos and carbofuran were relatively inactive against older eggs compared with tefluthrin. Terbufos stopped embryonic development at the time when acetylcholine esterase activity has been shown to commence. Carbofuran, dieldrin and tefluthrin slowed but did not arrest embryonic development, although the two former compounds prevented eclosion to a greater degree than tefluthrin, suggesting death during absorption of serosal fluids at eclosion. Neonate emergence following treatment of eggs with tefluthrin resulted in death within a few hours. The results are discussed in relation to insecticidal action and permeability changes of egg membrane structure with age. © 1997 SCI.