Aluminium-Toleranz von Ackerbohne (Vicia faba), Lupine (Lupinus luteus), Gerste (Hordeum vulgare) und Roggen (Secale cereale). I. Sproß- und Wurzelwachstum in Abhängigkeit vom Aluminium-Angebot

AI tolerance of horse bean, yellow lupin, barley and rye. I. Shoot and root growth as affected by Al supply In solution culture considerable differences existed in Al tolerance between the plant species horse bean (Vicia faba ?Herz Freya”?), yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus ?Schwako”?), barley (Hordeum vulgare ?Roland”?) and rye (Secale cereale ?Kustro”?): compared to barley (0.05 μg Al l^?1 = 1.85 μM Al) an 80 fold higher concentration of Al was necessary for lupin and rye for comparable growth depression and for horse bean a 5 times higher Al concentration. Injury by Al after 7 days of Al treatment was most effectively and sensitively characterized by an inhibition of elongation of seminal and especially of lateral roots. Numbers of laterals were also reduced. Dry matter production of roots and shoots was less affected by Al. In lupin, low Al supply even slightly increased the dry weight. The high Al tolerance of rye and yellow lupin in solution culture during the seedling stage is in good agreement with their adaptation to acid mineral soils.     

Does apoplastic ascorbic acid enhance manganese tolerance of Vigna unguiculata and Phaseolus vulgaris?

In cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), the development of manganese (Mn) toxicity is considered to be accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species, oxidized Mn, and phenoxy radicals in the leaf apoplast. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a common antioxidant in plants, and the oxidation of AA, particularly in the leaf apoplast, contributes to the first line of defence against several biotic and abiotic stress factors. The objective of the present study was to contribute to a better understanding of the role of AA in Mn leaf‐tissue tolerance of cowpea and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Five cowpea cultivars (cvs.) differed greatly in Mn tolerance, which was expressed in differences in numbers of brown spots on leaves and in peroxidase (POD) activity in the apoplastic washing fluid (AWF). In a Mn‐sensitive cv., after 3 d of Mn treatment, brown spots were formed, and POD activities were increased, accompanied by a release of proteins into the apoplast. In the AWF, the concentration of AA and the ratio of AA : (AA+DHA) decreased already after 1 d, and to only 2% after 3 d. In the leaf tissue, the ratio was nearly unaffected, and the total AA+DHA content in the leaf tissue was even increased with advanced expression of Mn toxicity. The application of AA solutions in the range of 5–10 μM via the petiole slightly enhanced Mn tolerance as indicated by the reduction of brown spots (however inconsistently) and POD activity (consistently) in the AWF. Common bean cultivars differing in ozone tolerance, which has been reported to be due to a high AA availability in the leaf apoplast, were studied for their Mn tolerance. Clear differences in Mn tolerance between the cultivars existed, however, these differences were not related to their ozone tolerance. From these results, we conclude that the maintenance of sufficient AA levels in the leaf apoplast contribute to Mn tolerance, but does not fully explain genotypic differences in Mn tolerance in cowpea and common bean.     

The role of the apoplast in aluminium toxicity and resistance of higher plants: A review

In acid mineral soils excess of aluminium ions (AI) is one of the most important factors determining plant species and ecotype distribution, and limiting growth and yield of crops. Aluminium preferentially accumulates in the root tips as sites of cell division and cell elongation. Whether inhibition of cell-division rate is due to direct interaction of Al with the chromatin in the nuclei is rather questionable because of the low radial mobility of Al in the root and the rapidity of cessation of root elongation after Al addition to the growth medium. Externally applied Al instantaneously binds to binding sites in the apoplast. Cross binding of pectates by Al may affect extensibility and water permeability of the cell wall. Interaction of Al with other cell-wall constituents is most likely but needs clarification. Aluminium also affects plasma-membrane characteristics. Ca²⁺ influx and K⁺ efflux are inhibited, and synthesis of callose is induced. Induction of callose suggests an increase rather than a decrease in cytosolic Ca²⁺ as initial response to Al. There is little evidence suggesting major disruption of plasma membrane and cytoplasmic functions by AI. K⁺ uptake, H⁺ extrusion, Fe(III) reducing capacity and lipid peroxidation are hardly affected even in roots severely inhibited in elongation by Al. Al uptake and physiological/biochemical effects of Al on intact plant roots can be mimicked even more sensitively using cell suspension cultures which, therefore, represent a powerful tool for the study of Al toxicity. Large differences in Al resistance exist between plant species and cultivars of a species. Root elongation-rate and callose formation can be used as indicators for Al injury. Since short term Al injury is mainly expressed in the apoplast. Al resistance requires exclusion of Al from or/and inactivation of Al in the apoplast. Generally, Al-resistant genotypes are characterized by lower Al accumulation of the root apical meristems. This is achieved by a lower cation-exchange capacity/surface negativity or complexation of Al through root exudates (mucilage, organic acids). Long term exposure of plants to Al also inhibits shoot growth via induction of nutrient (Mg, Ca, P) deficiencies, drought stress and phytohormone imbalances. Such longer term effects have to be taken into consideration when selecting genotypes for high yielding capacity on acid soils high in available Al.     

Measurement of ammonia emissions after liquid manure application: I. Construction of a windtunnel system for measurements under field conditions

A windtunnel system is presented applicable for measuring ammonia emissions under field conditions. With this system two objectives are achieved:

• 1. No alteration of the microclimatic conditions in the testing area
• 2. Reliable determination of the volumetric air flow and the ammonia concentration

The use of a transparent foil, the precise adjustment of the flow velocity to the windspeed outside, and the constant cross-sectional area over the whole length of the tunnel are the most important constructional details of the system.     

Effects of ammonia,ammonium sulphate and sulphur dioxide on the frost sensitivity of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.).

The deterioration of forest vitality has been at least partly attributed to air pollution. Especially NH₃, originating from intensive livestock farming and locally deposited in high concentrations, may contribute to forest decline in The Netherlands. Therefore, the effect of NH₃ and SO₂ fumigations on cold stress and water stress of Pinus svlvestris were examined. P. sylvestris trees (3 yr old) were exposed to ambient air supplemented with several NH₃ concentrations, with SO₂ or a combination of NH₃ and SO₂.Tops of branches were then exposed to various subzero temperatures and the effect of air pollution on frost damage was examined. Neither ambient air, NH₃ or SO₂ significantly influenced from sensitivity at –4 or –7°C. Following freezing treatments of –10°C, the influence of NH₃ and SO₂ became apparent. The effect of the combination of these pollutants is synergistic. Exposure to NH₃ alone followed by freezing temperatures lower than –10°C resulted in more severe frost damage in early autumn and spring than in the winter. It also increased the susceptibility of P. sylvestris to water stress. A greater loss of water was observed in NH₃-fumigated needles following drought stress, suggesting increased cuticular transpiration. Bud burst and subsequent shoot growth was also strongly reduced by NH₃ fumigations.     

Körnung von Saproliten als methodenabhängige Größe

Particle size distribution of saprolites – a method dependent parameter Saprolites and saprolite-derived young soils contain a heavily weathered, kaolinized and more or less soft material, which is further fractured by roots, frost, tillage etc. The particle size distribution of the derived soils depends mainly on the distribution of saprolite fragments. Mechanical crushing, chemical dispersion and especially the application of ultrasonic with variable energy cause shifts in particle size distribution. In some soft saprolites the application of high energy sonication led to two- to threefold increase in clay content reaching 60%. A conventional method for preliminary mechanical treatment and for the determination of particle size distribution of saprolites and saprolitic soils is recommended.     

The selection of pulses in Suriname

The consumption of pulses in Suriname amounts to an annual value of about Sf 600,000, of which two thirds represent the value of importations. There is a long standing wish to reduce imports by increasing the production and consumption of local products. The article describes the many previous attempts to establish reliable methods of cultivation, which failed because of unpredictable rainfall and the very heavy clay soil which remains waterlogged for a long time after a shower. A method introduced recently, viz. of planting pulses on ridges, has shown promising results since it avoids the difficulties of soil management. However, this method used in several experiments, needs to be adapted to the agricultural conditions of the small-holders. If the majority of rice farmers would successfully adopt this method, production could be raised to supersede the local demand by many times so that the product could be sold abroad. The selection program of pulses should then proceed as follows:

1. 1.
   to ascertain which pulses are in constant demand by the world market     

Droplet infiltration and organic matter composition of intact crack and biopore surfaces from clay‐illuvial horizons

The organic matter (OM) in biopore walls and aggregate coatings may be important for sorption of reactive solutes and water as well as for solute mass exchange between the soil matrix and the preferential flow (PF) domains in structured soil. Structural surfaces are coated by illuvial clay‐organic material and by OM of different origin, e.g., earthworm casts and root residues. The objectives were to verify the effect of OM on wettability and infiltration of intact structural surfaces in clay‐illuvial horizons (Bt) of Luvisols and to investigate the relevance of the mm‐scale distribution of OM composition on the water and solute transfer. Intact aggregate surfaces and biopore walls were prepared from Bt horizons of Luvisols developed from Loess and glacial till. The mm‐scale spatial distribution of OM composition was scanned using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. The ratio between alkyl and carboxyl functional groups in OM was used as potential wettability index (PWI) of the OM. The infiltration dynamics of water and ethanol droplets were determined measuring contact angles (CA) and water drop penetration times (WDPT). At intact surfaces of earthworm burrows and coated cracks of the Loess‐Bt, the potential wettability of the OM was significantly reduced compared to the uncoated matrix. These data corresponded to increased WDPT, indicating a mm‐scaled sub‐critical water repellency. The relation was highly linear for earthworm burrows and crack coatings from the Loess‐Bt with WDPT > 2.5 s. Other surfaces of the Loess‐Bt and most surfaces of the till‐derived Bt were not found to be repellent. At these surfaces, no relations between the potential wettability of the OM and the actual wettability of the surface were found. The results suggest that water absorption at intact surface structures, i.e., mass exchange between PF paths and soil matrix, can be locally affected by a mm‐scale OM distribution if OM is of increased content and is enriched in alkyl functional groups. For such surfaces, the relation between potential and actual wettability provides the possibility to evaluate the mm‐scale spatial distribution of wettability and sorption and mass exchange from DRIFT spectroscopic scanning.     

Multiyear greenhouse gas flux measurements on a temperate fen soil used for cropland or grassland

To date there is still a lack of reliable data on greenhouse gas emissions from drained fens needed to determine the climatic relevance of land use and land use change on peatlands and to supply the National Inventory Report for the German Greenhouse Gas Inventory. In this study we present the results of monthly‐based multiyear measurements of CO₂, N₂O and CH₄ flux rates in two drained agriculturally used fen ecosystems in NW Germany (cropland and grassland) over a period of 4.5 y using transparent and opaque closed chambers. CO₂ exchange was modelled at high resolution with temperature and photosynthetic active radiation. The measured and modelled values fit very well (R² ≥ 0.93). Annual GHG and Global Warming Potential (GWP) balances were determined. Net CO₂ emissions at the cropland and grassland sites were similarly high, taking into account changes in management; net ecosystem C balance amounted to about 4.0 to 5.0 Mg C ha^?1 y^?1. Emissions of N₂O and CH₄ were low at both sites. The mean GWP balance for a time frame of 100 y (GWP100) amounted to about 17.0 to 19.0 Mg CO₂‐eq. ha^?1 y^?1. The unexpectedly low greenhouse gas emissions from the cropland site are attributed to the high water table and a change in crop management. The change from corn for silage to corn‐cob mix lead transiently to rather small greenhouse gas emissions. The study confirms the need for multiyear measurements taking climatic and management variation into account.     

Panagrellus redivivus (Linné) as a live food organism in the early rearing of the catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes)

The nematode Panagrellus redivivus (Linné) has been suggested as a source of live food in the rearing of larval fish and shrimp species. This study tested the use of P. redivivus in the early rearing of the bottom‐feeding catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes). A comparison of feeding rates of 5000–10 000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ showed that fish receiving 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ grew faster than those fed a dry diet, but slower than treatments fed 200 and 600 Artemia larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. Enrichment of nematodes with SuperSelco^® improved fish growth relative to a non‐enriched control treatment, with both treatments receiving 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. In the first two trials, feeding commenced 2 days after hatching. In the third study, fish were fed nematodes 6 days after hatching and there was no difference in growth between Artemia‐fed fish (600 Artemia larva⁻¹ day⁻¹) and fish fed 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. Thus, it is suggested to feed S. petricola at a nematode density of at least 10 000nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ in order to achieve growth comparable to that of fish fed Artemia, or, alternatively, to feed 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ to improve growth relative to that achieved with a dry diet. Furthermore, nematodes may be enriched with essential fatty acids to improve the growth of S. petricola larvae.