Benefits of Biochars and NPK Fertilizers for Soil Quality and Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in an Acid Arenosol

Fertilization is required for optimum plant growth, particularly in unfertile soils, while optimizing nutrient use efficiency is an alternative to reduce inorganic fertilizer needs and reduce environmental problems caused by nutrient leaching. This study investigated soil properties and cowpea yield responses to biochars (BCs) made from different feedstocks, baby corn peel biochar (BC1), branches of mango tree biochar (BC2), and rice husk biochar (BC3), applied in combination with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using an acid sandy soil (Arenosol) that was submitted for 70 d to the following eight treatments:i) control; ii) full dose of NPK (a commercial compound fertilizer (12-24-12 of N-P₂O₅-K₂O) + urea (46% N)); iii) BC1 + half dose of NPK; iv) BC1 + full dose of NPK; v) BC2 + half dose of NPK; vi) BC2 + full dose of NPK; vii) BC3 + half dose of NPK; and viii) BC3 + full dose of NPK. All biochars were applied at a rate of 0.9% (weight/weight), and each type of biochar was combined with half and full doses of NPK fertilizers. Soil pH increased significantly (P < 0.05) in treatments with BC1 and BC2, while cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available P were higher in the treatments with BC1; BC1 and BC2 also induced higher activity of enzymes related to the P cycle and higher cowpea yield. Similar soil properties and cowpea yield parameters were obtained with the full and half doses of NPK fertilizers for each type of biochar used. In conclusion, biochars in the combination with NPK fertilizers improved soil chemistry and enzymatic activities, allowing reduced fertilizer application and food production costs in the acid soil studied.     

Comparison of volumetric urine collection versus single-sample urine collection in horses consuming diets varying in cation-anion balance

OBJECTIVE: To determine daily variation in urinary clearance and fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes and minerals within and between horses and to compare volumetric and single-sample urine collection for determining FE values of diets with a range of dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB). ANIMALS: 5 Thoroughbred and 6 mixed-breed mares. PROCEDURE: 3 isocaloric diets with low, medium, and high DCAB values (85, 190, and 380 mEq/kg of dry matter, respectively) were each fed for 14 days. Daily blood samples, single urine samples collected by using a urinary catheter (5 mares), and volumetric urine collections (6 mares) were obtained during the last 72 hours of each diet. RESULTS: Urine and plasma pH values, plasma concentrations, and FE values of sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium were altered by varying the DCAB. Noticeable variation in clearance and FE values was detected within horses from day-to-day on the same diet as well as between horses. Fractional excretion values were not significantly different between single-sample and volumetric methods, except for magnesium in the high DCAB diet. Volumetric and single-sample collections revealed similar patterns of change in urinary FE values with varying DCAB, except for calcium and magnesium. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Substantial variation in clearance and FE of electrolytes and minerals are evident within horses between 24-hour periods as well as between horses fed a specific diet. Three daily urine samples provide similar information regarding dietary-induced changes in clearance and FE values (excluding calcium and magnesium) as that obtained by volumetric urine collection.     

Simultaneous determination of benzimidazole fungicides by HPLC on apples,pears and their pulps

The simultaneous HPLC determination of carbendazim, thiabendazole and thiophanate-methyl in apples, pears and their pulps is described. The method is based on a clean-up procedure carried out on an Extrelut 20 cartridge followed by HPLC analysis on a Diol column using hexune+isopropanol as mobile phase. Average recoveries of 83.8% for carbendazim, 82.9% for thiabendazole and 68.8% for thiophanate-methyl on apple matrix were obtained; recoveries on pear matrix were in the same range. Detection limits with UV detection at 285 nm of 100 ng ml^?1 for carbendazim, 140 ng ml^?1 for thiabendazole and 500 ng ml^?1 for thiophanate-methyl were achieved.     

Satellite estimate of grass biomass in a mountainous range in central Italy

One of the main problems in managing ranges used for extensive pastoralism is the difficulty of obtaining reliable estimates of grass biomass over very large areas. Estimates of grass biomass are useful as an indicator of both available forage and risk of soil erosion. Nevertheless, large scale field measurements are expensive and time-consuming. The use of satellite images may provide a complementary means of estimating grass biomass over very large areas at a reasonable cost. The aim of this study was to test the use of Landsat satellite data for estimating grass biomass in a mountainous range in central Italy used primarily for sheep breeding. During each of four ground campaigns carried out over two years, grass was cut and its biomass measured in 60-90 test plots. Four Landsat images taken simultaneously to the ground campaigns were processed to obtain several vegetation indexes calculated for each ground test plot. The vegetation indexes showed significant correlations with measured grass biomass. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) provided the most accurate estimate of grass biomass. When data for each of the four ground campaigns were analyzed separately, correlations for early summer campaigns were higher than correlations for late summer campaigns, indicating that when the ratio of dry/green biomass increases, satellite estimate becomes less accurate. Overall, our results show that satellite data can provide a useful source of biomass information for the management of large ranges. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of aloesin and aloeresin A for the detection of aloe in beverages

This work describes a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the quantification of aloesin and aloeresin A in alcoholic beverages containing aloe as a flavoring agent. The compounds were prepared from Aloe ferox juice. Sephadex LH20 and ion-exchange resin AG1X2 column chromatography were used for aloesin. Aloeresin A was obtained by Sephadex LH20 and silica gel column chromatography followed by purification on Discovery DSC-18 solid-phase extraction tubes. A 98 mg amount of aloesin (>99% purity) and 34 mg of aloeresin A (>98% purity) were recovered from 2.5 g of aloe juice. The HPLC method was validated, and intra- and interday performances were established. In-house validation was carried out by analyzing samples of beverages with and without aloe as a flavoring agent.     

Lipoprotein profile of pleural and peritoneal transudates in dogs and cats

BackgroundCurrent diagnostic evaluation of transudative effusions rarely aids in identifying an underlying etiology. Lipoproteins in the fluid might reflect the site or nature of vessel involvement.ObjectivesImprove the classification and diagnostic utility of pleural and peritoneal transudates in dogs and cats by investigating lipoprotein patterns in effusions. Compare these patterns with other peritonaeal and pleural fluid variables and underlying diseases.AnimalsSamples of transudates and serum from 18 cats and 37 dogs with transudative effusion (total nucleated cell count [TNCC] <5000 cells/μL) were analyzed.MethodsLipoprotein fractions, triglyceride, and cholesterol (CHO) concentrations were prospectively determined in paired fluid and serum samples. Standard fluid measurements were retrospectively collected.ResultsTwo distinct fluid lipoprotein patterns were noted. Fluids rich in VLDL+IDL were associated with chronic kidney disease, acquired portosystemic shunts or protein‐losing enteropathy (group I). Fluids rich in denser lipoproteins were associated with underlying heart disease, caudal vena cava syndrome or intracavitary neoplasia (group II). Group I and group II also had significant differences between fluid concentrations of CHO ($\bar{x}$ = 8 vs 110 mg/dL) and TP ($\bar{x}$ = 0.6 vs 3.8 g/dL), respectively. Five peritoneal transudates were triglyceride‐rich (>100 mg/dL) and associated with pancreatitis.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceProtein‐poor (TP <1.5 g/dL) and protein‐rich (TP >2.5 g/dL) transudates were associated with distinct lipoprotein patterns and specific groups of disease. Effusions secondary to pancreatitis might be transudative and rich in triglycerides.     

The role of bioclimatic features,landscape configuration and historical land use in the invasion of an Asian tree in subtropical Argentina

Context

Knowing which factors determine the spread of plant invaders is a relevant issue in global ecology. Cultural landscapes both influence and are affected by exotic species. Although bioclimatic boundaries, seed sources and landscape configuration all control the invasion process, they have been mostly studied separately and independently from their distant drivers.

Objectives

We followed a multiscale approach to describe the invasion dynamics of the Asian tree (Ligustrum lucidum) in subtropical NW Argentina cultural landscapes by: (1) identifying the potential bioclimatic area of invasion, (2) mapping the currently invaded area in peri-urban focal sectors, and (3) quantitatively describing the landscape-scale patterns of invasion in relation to environmental and cultural variables.

Method

Niche models were used to map potential invasion area, remote sensing, GIS and field surveys to map patterns of invasion and their association to landscape and environmental variables.

Results

Climate suitability to L. lucidum extends over important ranges of the studied area, but currently invaded areas are mostly restricted to clusters around the main cities. The historical and demographic features of cities (e.g., date foundation, population) are important in predicting invaded forest location and spread. At local scale, invasion is associated to abandoned fields nearby urban centers, roads and rivers.

Conclusions

The invasion patterns of L. lucidum reflect the combined effect of historical socioeconomic connections between Asia and America, as well as the local cultural landscape history and configuration. Teleconnected cultural landscapes need to be explored as a theoretical framework for the study of biological invasions in the Anthropocene.

     

Simple genetic inheritance conditions resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liriomyza sativae</Emphasis> in melon

The leafminer Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) stands out as the main plant health problem in melon in the Northeast region of Brazil, which is the main region for production and export of the fruit. Genetic resistance of plants is an important strategy in management of this pest. The plant BAGMEL 56-R was selected as a new source of resistance to L. sativae through antibiosis; this resistance is characterized by the death of larvae soon after they begin feeding on the leaf mesophyll; the result is leaf mines that are small and insignificant in terms of yield reduction. Lines with contrasting levels of resistance were obtained from the progenies of this source of resistance through successive self-pollinations, conducted by the pedigree breeding method. Through the segregation pattern of the progenies and the test cross, the genetic nature of resistance was determined; one gene with complete dominance conditions resistance. The name Liriomyza sativae resistance and the symbol Ls are suggested to represent this new gene. In addition, through a non-preference test with lines in contrast for antibiosis and the susceptible hybrid ‘Goldex’, the presence of antixenosis was observed in this source of resistance. Probably, these different types of resistance in the source BAGMEL 56-R are associated with distinct defense mechanisms. Therefore, with this new source, introgression of resistance to L. sativae in elite lines or commercial hybrids of melon is possible.     

Increased phosphorus availability to corn resulting from the simultaneous applications of phosphate rock, calcareous rock, and biochar to an acid sandy soil

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the main constraints on crop production in Arenosols (acid sandy soil). The high cost of P fertilizers may represent an insurmountable obstacle in many poor countries, leaving the exploitation of their own calcareous and phosphate rocks as the only low-cost and long-term alternative. Biochar is suggested to have positive effects on soil properties; however, there is no published research on the synergistic effects of biochar and rocky materials in modifying soil properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical and biochemical responses of an acid Arenosol treated with phosphate rock (PR), calcareous rock (CR), and biochar (BC), and the implications for corn yield. A soil from Marracuene District, Mozambique was used, where corn was grown for 90 d with the soil treated with:no addition (control), water-soluble zinc phosphite fertilizer (WSP), PR, WSP+CR, WSP+BC, WSP+CR+BC, PR+BC, and PR+CR+BC. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis of babycorn peels for 4 h at 450℃ and applied at 11 g kg^-1. The soil pH_H2O increased from about 4.54 in the control to 7.38 in the PR+CR+BC treatment. Easily oxidizable organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and available P were higher in the treatments containing BC than in the control. The treatments containing CR and/or BC led to the highest activities of alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, and α-glucosidase, which increased P availability and gave the greatest biomass and yields. We suggest that biochar provides additional soluble P and supplies adsorption sites for phosphate, preventing its evolution to unavailable forms. Thus, PR applied together with BC contributed to an 840% yield increase compared to the control. The treatments containing WSP and BC facilitated phosphite oxidation to phosphate and increased crop yield.