Guideline for the description of soils in the Berlin metropolitan area: an extension for surveying and mapping anthropogenic and natural soils in urban environments within the German soil classification system

Journal of Soils and Sediments - In urban areas, humans shape the surface, (re-)deposit natural or technogenic material, and thus become the dominant soil formation factor. The 2015 edition of the...     

Synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel monoazo disperse dyes derived from N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimide on poly(ethylene terphthalate)

A series of novel monoazo disperse dyes based on N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimides have been synthesized via 4-(4-amino-1,8-naphthalimido) butanoic acid as diazo components and various couplers. The synthesized dyes were characterized with elemental analysis, differential scanning colorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques. The molar extinction coefficient, wavelength maxima, and solvatochromism effect were obtained using chloroform, acetone, and N,N-dimethyl formamide as solvent. The results showed that the synthesized dyes had molar extinction coefficient of 20908 to 38939 l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, wavelength maxima of 409–549 nm, and positive solvatochromism by changing solvent from chloroform to N,N-dimethyl formamide. The synthesized dyes were applied on poly(ethylene terephthalate) using high temperature method. Dyes 1 and 2 showed high build-up properties on poly(ethylene terephthalate), whereas dyes 3 and 4 offered medium build-up. All the dyes offered excellent heat fastness, good wash and rubbing fastnesses on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics. The hydrolysis of the synthesized dyes in alkali media indicated that the presence of a carboxylic acid group within the dye molecules provides alkali-clearable potential.     

Effect of Rift Valley fever virus on pregnant and non-pregnant local Barki ewes after artificial infection

Studies were conducted into effects of Rift Valley fever virus on oestrous and vaginal cytology in non-pregnant ewes. 6 pregnant and 8 non-pregnant local Barki ewes were subcutaneously inoculated with different doses of virus isolated from Sharkia Province. Observed were irregularities in the oestrous cycle (20-28 days inoculation) and anoestrum. The anoestrum smears included large non-cornified epithelial cells with large well stains centrally located nuclei together with a large number of bacteria. Abortion and retention of placenta occurred in pregnant ewes with prolonged puerperal heat up to 70 days. Inoculation of virus was followed by thermal response. Re-isolation of virus in BHK cells was possible from aborted foetuses and placenta.     

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation in Cichorium spp.: hairy root production,inulin and total phenolic compounds analysis

Chicory (Cichorium spp.) is a valuable vegetable crop worldwide for its edible leaves and for the production of coffee substitutes from roots. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation of two species of chicory (C. intybus and C. endivia) was investigated using Agrobacterium strain K599 harbouring p35SGFPGUS+ plasmid and two types of explants: leave and leaf stalks. This Agrobacterium strain proved to be competent in the transformation with transformation rate about (23.1%) in leaf explants of C. intybus. However, the transformation rate with C. endivia was much lower (3.6%). Moreover, the hairy roots appeared from different infection sites of the leaf explants. Several hairy roots of the two species were acquired, out of them 11 clones (C. intybus) and two clones (C. endivia) were selected due to their fast-growing character. Growth of hairy roots was determined on the basis of total root biomass accumulation. It was found that the liquid MS-basal medium seems to be the most suitable for biomass production. PCR analysis revealed foreign DNA integration in the selected transgenic hairy root clones. Notable, the transgenic hairy roots exhibited substantially higher growth rates and accumulated higher amount of inulin than non transgenic roots (WT). Also, the total phenolic compounds were determined.     

Imposed starvation for in vitro maintenance and high regeneration of elite key lime (Citrus aurantifolia)

Preservation of elite key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) genotypes using efficient micropropagation and regeneration protocols is very important for new breeding programmes. The objective of the present study was to develop an efficient protocol for micropropagation and maintenance of elite genotypes of key lime based on slow growth and starvation strategy. To do this, regenerated shoots were starved, and the growth was compromised via avoiding subcultures for 4, 8, 12 and 24 months. The numbers of responsive explants and adventitious shoots per each explant were evaluated in the presence of benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results showed that the 12- and 24-month starved explants treated with 1 mg/l BAP were able to produce four times more shoots than the control. In addition, the influences of horizontal or vertical layering explants over medium were evaluated. The results indicated that all horizontally layered explants significantly produced 25% adventitious shoots more than vertical explants, most likely owing to more contact with the surface medium. Finally, it could be concluded that application of slow growth, starvation strategy and also horizontally layering of the explants could efficiently enhance micropropagation and maintenance of threatened elite key lime genotypes with a low cost.     

Lemon,Citrus aurantifolia,peel and Bacillus licheniformis protected common carp,Cyprinus carpio,from Aeromonas hydrophila infection by improving the humoral and skin mucosal immunity,and antioxidative responses

The role of dietary lemon peel (LM) and/or Bacillus licheniformis (BL) on the growth, immunity, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in common carp, Cyprinus carpio was investigated in this study. LM and BL were included in diets at 0% (T0), 10⁸ CFU/g BL (T1), 1.5% LM and 10⁸ CFU/g BL (T2), and 3% LM and 10⁸ CFU/g BL (T3). Fish fed with T1, T2, or T3 had higher weight gain, specific growth rate, white blood cells count, and blood total protein with lower feed conversion ratio than T0 group (p < .05). The albumin increased significantly (p < .05) in fish fed both BL and LM (T3). The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, lysozyme, and bactericidal activities were significantly increased in fish fed both BL and LM (T2 and T3), while serum glutathione peroxidase increased in fish fed BL (T2) (p < .05). Fish fed T1, T2, and T3 diets displayed higher SOD and lower malondialdehyde than fish fed T0 (p < .05). After the A. hydrophila challenge, the mortality rate was significantly lower in T1, T2, and T3 groups than the T0 group (p < .05). The obtained results revealed that LM and BL could be used to increase resistance against A. hydrophila infection in carp. However, further field studies should be performed to confirm the obtained results.     

Stimulatory effect of dietary clove,Eugenia caryophyllata,bud extract on growth performance,nutrient utilization,antioxidant capacity,and tolerance of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (B.), to Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila, in farm‐raised fish requires urgent attention. Continuous and indiscriminate use of antibiotics as growth promoters and disease control agents in aquaculture have been discouraged because of the risk of development of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains. There is steady interest in the use of botanicals, such as clove, Eugenia caryophyllata, buds extract (ECBE), as alternatives. Hence, the present study evaluated the effect of dietary ECBE supplementation on the growth performance, physiological, antioxidant, and immunity biomarkers of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Fish (11.7 ± 0.5 g) were fed diets containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0, or 15.0 g ECBE/kg diet up to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish from each treatment were challenged with A. hydrophila infection by intraperitoneal injection and kept under observation for 14 days to record any abnormal clinical signs and daily mortality. The results demonstrated that fish performance and feed intake were significantly enhanced with increasing ECBE levels, and its optimum level is 15 g/kg diet. Further, the dietary ECBE increased significantly the intestinal villi length/width and absorption area in a dose‐dependent manner. There are significant progressive increases in the values of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells, platelets, lymphocytes, and heterocytes, while monocytes, eosinophil, and basophils decreased significantly due to dietary ECBE in a dose‐dependent manner. Highest glucose, cholesterol, total protein, globulin, and albumin‐globulin ratios, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, and creatinine values were found in fish fed 15 g ECBE/kg diets, while lowest values were recorded in fish fed the control diet. Despite the high AST and ALT values, no visible lesions or damage were observed in the liver cells of fish fed ECBE‐enriched diets. In addition, the inclusion of ECBE in fish diets enhanced the antioxidant and immunity capacity. Fish mortality after the bacterial challenge was higher in fish fed the control diet (82.3%) than those fed ECBE‐enriched diets. The lowest fish mortality was observed in fish fed the 15 ECBE/kg diet (4.7%) [Correction added on 16 November 2018: this section has been revised for clarity.].     

Control of tomato bacterial wilt and root-knot diseases by Bacillus thuringiensis CR-371 and Streptomyces avermectinius NBRC14893

Ralstonia solanacearum and Meloidogyne incognita are two soilborne pathogens that cause serious damage and great losses in the production of tomato. For this purpose, a bacterial isolate, Bacillus thuringiensis CR-371, and an actinomyces isolate, Streptomyces avermectinius NBRC14893, were examined for their ability to protect tomato from root-knot nematode and bacterial wilt diseases under glasshouse conditions. Treatment of tomato roots with B. thuringiensis CR-371 and S. avermectinius NBRC14893 followed by challenge inoculation with R. solanacearum and M. incognita significantly decreased disease severity of bacterial wilt alone, root-knot nematode alone, or mixed infection by both pathogens compared to the control. Furthermore, pretreatment of tomato roots with B. thuringiensis CR-371 and S. avermectinius NBRC14893 significantly reduced bacterial proliferation of R. solanacearum both in pathogen alone inoculated plants and in plants co-inoculated with R. solanacearum and M. incognita. In conclusion, our results suggest that the treatment of tomato roots with B. thuringiensis CR-371 and S. avermectinius NBRC14893 simultaneously suppresses bacterial wilt and root-knot nematode diseases. Therefore, B. thuringiensis CR-371 and S. avermectinius NBRC14893 could provide new options for integrated pest management strategies against plant diseases, especially against bacterial-nematode disease complexes that cause synergistic yield losses.     

Is MUSLE apt to small steeply reforested watershed?

The reforested headwater watersheds in Japan are very important from the points of view of commercial and environmental aspects. At the present time, much and varied research is running to assess and understand the hydrologic behavior of these watersheds. The present study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the deterministic model MUSLE in the Mie small steeply reforested watershed. The model was tested and calibrated using accurate continuous suspended sediment data collected during eight storm events in 2004. Results of the original model simulations for storm-wise sediment yield did not match the observed data, while the revised version of the model could imitate the observed values well. The results of the study approved the efficient application of the revised MUSLE in estimating storm-wise sediment yield in the study area with a high level of agreement of beyond 88%, an acceptable estimation error of some 14% and non-significant difference in mean values.     

The Impact of Development Plans on Hydrological Changes in the Shazand Watershed,Iran

Development plans are mainly responsible for population changes and the conversion of forest and rangelands into agricultural lands and human settlements. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of population and land use changes are necessary to assess the impacts of change on hydrological processes. However, such important issues have been less considered worldwide particularly in developing countries. Therefore, we selected the Shazand Watershed (1740 km²) because of rapid industrialization to track the effects of land use and population changes on streamflow and sediment yield. The data were collected from statistical yearbooks and satellite imageries from 1973 to 2008. All available measurements on discharge and suspended sediment concentration at the Pole doab hydrological station were also collected. The study was conducted for the whole period, as well as the pre‐1991 and post‐1991 as a basis for the economic development growth in the region. We found that the land use and population changes have occurred in the Shazand Watershed, especially in the vicinity of industrial zones. The results showed that the cities, industrial zones, roads, and bare lands quickly increased from 58 · 8 to 134 · 3 km² during post‐1991. The flow durations, sediment rating curves and trend analyses indicated distinct variations in the relationship between streamflow and sediment and also caused changes within different periods. Based on the results, the mean annual flow and sediment yield in post industrialization (1991–2008) were respectively 0 · 84 and 1 · 19 times of those for pre‐industrialization period and the annual sediment yield increased from 25,000 to 29,850 Mg. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.