Weak effects of habitat type on susceptibility to invasive freshwater species: an Italian case study

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Soil texture affects soil microbial and structural recovery during grassland restoration

Many biotic and abiotic factors influence recovery of soil communities following prolonged disturbance. We investigated the role of soil texture in the recovery of soil microbial community structure and changes in microbial stress, as indexed by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles, using two chronosequences of grasslands restored from 0 to 19 years on silty clay loam and loamy fine sand soils in Nebraska, USA. All restorations were formerly cultivated fields seeded to native warm-season grasses through the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. Increases in many PLFA concentrations occurred across the silty clay loam chronosequence including total PLFA biomass, richness, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and actinomycetes. Ratios of saturated:monounsaturated and iso:anteiso PLFAs decreased across the silty clay loam chronosequence indicating reduction in nutrient stress of the microbial community as grassland established. Multivariate analysis of entire PLFA profiles across the silty clay loam chronosequence showed recovery of microbial community structure on the trajectory toward native prairie. Conversely, no microbial groups exhibited a directional change across the loamy fine sand chronosequence. Changes in soil structure were also only observed across the silty clay loam chronosequence. Aggregate mean weighted diameter (MWD) exhibited an exponential rise to maximum resulting from an exponential rise to maximum in the proportion of large macroaggregates (>2000 μm) and exponential decay in microaggregates (<250 μm and >53 μm) and the silt and clay fraction (<53 μm). Across both chronosequences, MWD was highly correlated with total PLFA biomass and the biomass of many microbial groups. Strong correlations between many PLFA groups and the MWD of aggregates underscore the interdependence between the recovery of soil microbial communities and soil structure that may explain more variation than time for some soils (i.e., loamy fine sand). This study demonstrates that soil microbial responses to grassland restoration are modulated by soil texture with implications for estimating the true capacity of restoration efforts to rehabilitate ecosystem functions.     

Clinical comparison of two regimens of lidocaine infusion in horses undergoing laparotomy for colic

ObjectiveTo compare, in horses undergoing laparotomy for colic, the effects of administering or not administering a loading intravenous (IV) bolus of lidocaine prior to its constant rate infusion (CRI). Effects investigated during isoflurane anaesthesia were end-tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe’ISO), cardiovascular function, anaesthetic stability and the quality of recovery.Study designProspective, randomized clinical study.AnimalsThirty-six client-owned horses.MethodsHorses were assigned randomly to receive lidocaine as a CRI (50 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) either preceded (LB) or not preceded (L) by a loading dose (1.5 mg kg⁻¹ IV over 15 minutes). Lidocaine infusion (LInf) was started (T0) within 20 minutes after induction of general anaesthesia and discontinued approximately 30 minutes before the end of surgery. Anaesthetic depth, Fe’ISO, intra-operative physiological parameters and quality of recovery were assessed or measured. Data were analysed using one-way anova, t-test, Fisher test, Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis tests as appropriate (p < 0.05).ResultsMean ± SD Fe’ISO was 1.21 ± 0.08% in group LB and 1.23 ± 0.06% in group L. Heart rate was significantly higher in group L than in group LB at times T5-T15, T25, T35 and T95. No difference was found between groups in other measured physiological values, nor in any measure taken to improve these parameters. Recovery phase was comparable and satisfactory in all but one full term pregnant horse in group L which fractured a femur during recovery.ConclusionPreloading with a lidocaine bolus prior to a CRI of lidocaine did not influence isoflurane requirements, cardiopulmonary effects (other than a reduction in heart rate at some time points) or recovery compared to no preloading bolus.Clinical relevanceA loading dose of lidocaine prior to CRI does not confer any advantage in horses undergoing laparotomy for colic.     

Influence of electron-beam irradiation on bioactive compounds in grapefruits ( Citrus paradisi Macf.)

Phytochemical levels in fruits and vegetables can be affected by several postharvest factors. In the present study, the effect of electron-beam (E-beam) irradiation was studied on grapefruit bioactive compounds. 'Rio Red' and 'Marsh White' grapefruits were irradiated with E-beam at 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 kGy. Changes of various bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, furocoumarins, and limonoids, were measured. The acidity decreased slightly with an increasing E-beam dose, whereas the total soluble solids were increased. Irradiation did not affect the vitamin C content at 1 kGy; however, doses beyond 1 kGy significantly reduced the vitamin C content. Lycopene and beta-carotene did not change significantly from the irradiation. Lycopene levels decreased as the E-beam dose increased, while the beta-carotene content slightly increased. Dihydroxybergamottin levels exhibited a decreasing trend, while the bergamottin content did not change. Naringin, a major flavonoid of grapefruit, showed a significant increase over the control at 10 kGy in both 'Rio Red' and 'Marsh White'. Nomilin continued to decrease with an increasing dose of E-beam irradiation, while limonin levels remained the same at all of the doses. Low-dose E-beam irradiation has very little effect on the bioactive compounds and offers a safe alternative to existing postharvest treatments for the disinfection and decontamination of grapefruits.     

Potency and effect ofBacillus thuringiensis preparations against larvae ofSpodoptera littoralis andBoarmia (Ascotis) selenaria

The potency of two newBacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) preparations (coded ABG 6104 and ABG 6105) and of Dipel (B. thuringiensis var.kurstaki) was determined againstSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) 5th-instar larvae on a calcium-alginate diet. With this bioassay, the newB.t. products were more than twice as potent as Dipel. They were also 2–3 times more active than Dipel on alfalfa and cotton leaves in the laboratory. When applied in an alfalfa field at the rate of 312 mg/m², ABG 6104 and ABG 6105 caused 40% mortality of 5th-instar larvae and reduced the weight of the survivors to 30–40% of the control; only half of this activity was obtained with Dipel. On cotton, the activity of all theB. t. products was low. NeonateS. littoralis larvae were effectively controlled on avocado seedlings; however, there was high mortality also in the untreated controls. All threeB. t. preparations had a similar effect onBoarmia (Ascotis) selenaria Schiff. on avocado leaves in the laboratory. Addition of a chitinase enzyme did not increase the pathogenicity of the microbial preparations in the latter tests.     

一种面向育种家的新型台式棉籽脱绒机

正棉籽酸脱绒会危害育种家人身安全和潜在环境。需要1种无需用酸,能有效去除棉短绒且对棉种萌发无不利影响的脱绒方法。为了优化棉籽机械脱绒流程,美国农业部农业研究中心(USDA-ARS)棉花生产与加工部门(Lubbock,Texas)研发创制了一台棉籽机械脱绒样机(图1,图2)。测试设计了应用7种滚筒衬垫(1种是不用任何研磨材料,其余6种分别采用不同的研磨材料)、1个或2个辊刷"擦