Spatial and temporal investigation of Echinococcus granulosus coproantigen prevalence in farm dogs in South Powys, Wales

The prevalence of canine echinococcosis appears to have been increasing in mid/south Wales in recent years - raising the concern of a potential resurgence in transmission to humans. A campaign was therefore conducted in 2008 in order to provide dogs in South Powys with anthelmintics, estimate the coproantigen prevalence amongst these dogs, and evaluate potential risk factors for coproantigen positivity. The coproantigen prevalence identified in these dogs (n=577) was 10.6% (95% confidence interval 7.6-13.5%), with 20.6% (15.6-25.7%) of farms (n=247) containing at least one coproantigen-positive dog. Further spatial investigation identified considerable spatial heterogeneity amongst the farms, with an increased coproantigen prevalence in the regions of Brecknockshire and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Within these areas, there was strong evidence of an increase in coproantigen prevalence, compared to that found in a study conducted in 2002. Finally, a mixed effects logistic regression model identified increased roaming behaviour and decreased dog weight as being associated with increased odds of coproantigen positivity, whereas pet dogs on some farms had similar odds of infection to working dogs. Further surveillance efforts in South Powys are required and should also include the northern areas of Gwent and Glamorgan.     

Influence of ferredoxin levels on nitrate reductase activity in iron deficient lemon leaves

The relationship between nitrate reductase activity and ferredoxin levels in lemon tree leaves was studied. The experiments were carried out on leaves from full‐nutrient sufficient trees as the reference, and on leaves from trees with several nutritional stresses, mainly iron chlorosis from trees growing under Fe‐stressed conditions.

Iron deficiency reduced leaf ferredoxin concentration and consequently decreased nitrate reductase activity. Fe(II) infiltration treatments of intact leaves, as well as several incubation assays, permit to deduce the dependence of the enzymatic nitrate reduction of the leaf ferredoxin levels.     

Effect of carbon dioxide on the stability of iron chelates

The effect of carbon dioxide partial preassure on the stability of iron chelates in calcareous soils is often laid aside. Theoretical stability diagrams have been developed showing the large importance of this compound on total iron solubility from Fe‐EDTA and ‐DTPA chelates. As CO₂ increases free Ca²⁺ activity in solution decreases. Then chelation of iron increases. CO₂ partial preassure does not change the stability of Fe‐EDDHA since percentage of chelation is 100% in all conditions tested for this chelate.

Experimental data fit theoretical diagrams well when CO₂ partial preassure is high, but when CO₂ ^‐free air is used, chelation is greater than expected. Causes that can produce this difference are discussed.     

Effect of Foliar Application of Calcium on the Quality of Blueberry Fruits

Effect of foliar application of calcium (0.78 g, 4.68 g, and 7.8 g Ca^{2 +}) in pre-harvest, at three different growing conditions (tunnel, mesh, and ambient), on texture and pectin in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) was studied. Calcium contents in leaves as well in fruits were different (P ≤ 0.05), affected by growing conditions and time. Differences (P ≤ 0.05) in calcium content were found in tunnel cultivar fruit, during the period to cell expansion toward harvest, at calcium foliar level of 5 mL per L (7.8 g). Fruit texture was significantly higher at the beginning of the cell expansion period in the tunnel cultivar fruit, and a linear correlation between calcium concentration and texture was established. Increment in low methoxyl pectin (LMP) was influenced by growing conditions, and was different (P ≤ 0.05) for tunnel cultivar fruit. A good correlation between LMP and calcium content was obtained with the high dose of calcium (5 mL per L).     

Liming and Manganese Foliar Levels in Orange

ABSTRACT

Citrus cultures have a fundamental importance to the Brazilian economy; certain aspects such as plant nutrition, yield, and fruit quality are vital for the citrus industry sustainability. The present study evaluated the nutritional status of manganese in adult Pear orange trees using different lime rates topically applied to the soil. The direct evaluation of lime rates effects on leaf manganese (Mn) levels revealed a decrease of the nutrient correlated to its increased, as well as passage of time between application and measurement. Foliar sampling 30 months after surface lime application evidenced a high correlation of foliar manganese levels with soil base saturation of 10–20 cm. Leaf manganese levels which showed a great probability of high productivity were between 33 and 70 mg kg^?1.     

Nutritional standards and nutritional diagnosis of the Conilon coffee plants in phenological growth stages

The objective of this study was to establish a nutrient sufficiency range and DRIS standards of Conilon coffee grown in southern Bahia, Brazil for the pre-flowering and grain-filling stages and to perform a nutritional diagnosis of these plants using different methods. The collections were performed in 24 Conilon coffee farm fields to establish the leaf nutritional standards, and 278 samples were collected to the nutritional diagnosis. The nutritional diagnosis was performed by using the sufficiency range criterion and the DRIS method. The nutrient sufficiency range and the DRIS standards must be specific to each phenological stage of the Conilon coffee plants. The leaf concentrations of calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and boron (B) were higher in the pre-flowering stage; and the leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were higher in the grain-filling stage.     

Influence of N source on rate of Cl,N, Na and K uptake by cucumber seedlings grown in saline condition

The influence of two N sources, NO₃ alone and NH₄+NO₃ (2:1) in the external medium on fluxes of Cl, N, Na and K calculated from the total nutrient content per unit root dry weight, were investigated using cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings grown in saline conditions. The N source affected the fluxes of the above ions very differently: (a) when only NO₃ was added, the rate of Cl uptake was inhibited whereas the rate of K absorption was stimulated; and (b) by contrast, the presence of NH, in the N source enhanced Cl uptake and inhibited K uptake. The effect on the rates of Na and N uptake was more complex and salinity dependent. The potassium: sodium ratios (K:Na) and potassium: sodium selectivity ratio (S., ) in roots and shoots in relation with the treatments are also presented. Possible reasons of the N source effect on the processes implicated with the response of plants to salinity are also discussed.     

Lead uptake,distribution, and remobilization in cucumber

Mobility and distribution of lead (Pb) were investigated in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown in solution culture. Based on the observation that Pb uptake is influenced by the chemical form of iron (Fe) (complexed or ionic) in the solution, Fe distribution was also determined. Iron concentration was even in the stem (separated to internodes) and petioles but slightly increased at the shoot tip while Pb concentration decreased upwards. In the leaves Fe concentration decreased upwards (whereas in the control it increased a little at the youngest leaves) while Pb concentration increased to the largest leaves then decreased towards the shoot tip. It is suggested that the distribution of Pb in cucumber is passive process and it accumulates in the apoplast while Fe distribution is determined by the requirements of synthetic processes in young or photosynthesizing tissues. Lead probably lowers Fe transport into the symplast in the leaves causing slight chlorosis at the youngest leaves. In the plants that were loaded with Pb, decapitated and rooted again in Pb‐free culture solution we found no significant remobilization of Pb which supports that Pb binds strongly to the binding sites in the apoplast or is detoxified in an immobile form.     

Treatment of Poultry Mortalities on Poultry Farms

The experimental trials on dead animal composting have been carried out on a poultry farm, using cereal straw and solid hen manure. Other farm wastes such as cardboard and nonmarketable eggs were also included in the last three trials. Eight trials have been conducted on a real-life scale, in the open air and at different times of year using a simple pile system. The pile was moistened with water or with liquid hen manure from a nearby manure lagoon, as necessary. The ratios straw/hen manure and (straw + hen manure)/dead poultry used in the different piles ranged between 4/1 and 5/1 for the first one and 8/1 and 2/1 for the second one. In all trials two clearly different stages were observed. A primary stage where high temperatures (53-66 °C) within the curing pile were reached and the poultry mortalities were completely degraded while straw was only partially degraded. No turnings were made in this stage. The secondary stage used a standard dynamic pile system with turnings and watering. A device was fitted in order to collect ammonia emission and it was observed that this emission is higher when both moisture and the ratio (straw + hen manure)/poultry mortalities are lower and when temperatures are higher. The end by-product has an excellent appearance and can be marketed as organic fertilizer or organo-mineral (C:N between 7.94 and 14.09).