Mulching effects on soil nutrient levels and yield in coffee farming systems in Rwanda

Different combinations of organic mulch were applied in smallholder coffee farming systems to assess their effects on soil nutrient contents and coffee yield at three sites in different agro-ecological zones in Rwanda. Mulching systems consisted of Cymbopogon spp. (T1), Panicum spp. (T2), Cymbopogon spp. and Panicum spp. (T3), Eucalyptus spp. and Cymbopogon spp. (T4), mixed residues (T5) and un-mulched coffee used as control (T6). Mulch had significant and specific effects at each site (p < 0.001). T3 reduced soil pH value and exchangeable acidity at Kibirizi, while at Karongi and Ruli, these effects were observed with T4 and T5. T4 and T5 significantly increased the content of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). The amount of nutrients released was regulated by the amount and type of mulch applied, the agro-ecological conditions and the soil properties at each site. The increased soil nutrient levels led to improved soil fertility conditions and increased coffee yields. The coffee yields were significantly increased with T1 at Karongi (p < 0.05) by up to 1.9 t ha⁻¹. T2 and T3 had significantly higher yields at Kibirizi. Yields at Kibirizi were 48% lower compared to yields at Karongi; at this site, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 increased yields by 57%, 26%, 31%, 20% and 28%, respectively, when compared to the no mulching treatment (T6). However, coffee yields over 1.9 t ha⁻¹ can only be obtained with additional applications of inorganic fertilizer at different rates depending on the agro-ecological zone and soil type.     

Assessment of terminal drought tolerance among elite wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes using selected agronomic and physiological traits

ABSTRACT

The selection response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under water-limited condition can be enhanced through breeding novel genotypes possessing drought-adaptive and yield-related agronomic and physiological traits. The objective of this study was to evaluate terminal drought tolerance among bread wheat genotypes and select superior parents for breeding. Agronomic and physiological responses of 28 wheat lines were assessed under well-watered (WW) and terminal drought (TD) treatments using a 7?×?4 alpha-lattice design under rainout shelter (RS) and glasshouse (GH) environments. Significant (p?≤?0.05) genotype?×?environment interaction effects were observed for number of days to heading (DTH), number of days to maturity (DTM), number of productive tillers per plant (TN), grain yield (GY), thousand kernel weight (TKW), stomatal conductance (SC), leaf canopy temperature (LCT) and chlorophyll content index (CCI) suggesting varied genotypic response under WW and TD treatments. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations TN and GY (r?=?0.67; p?≤?0.001), TKW and GY (r?=?0.72; p?≤?0.001), CCI and GY (r?=?0.39; p?≤?0.05) under TD treatment. Drought tolerant wheat genotypes such as LM100, LM72, LM22 and LM95 are useful for direct cultivation and for developing breeding populations with enhanced yield performance.     

Itraconazole for the Treatment of Histoplasmosis in Cats

Eight cats with histoplasmosis were treated with itraconazole at 5 mg/kg per dose PO bid. There were multiple sites of infection, and 2 of the cats had hypercalcemia that was attributed to the histoplasmosis. All 8 cats were eventually cured, but 2 cats experienced recurrences of disease after completion of therapy, requiring 2 to 3 additional months of itraconazole. There were no clinically relevant adverse effects during treatment. Although a limited number of cats were treated, the study suggests that itraconazole is a well-tolerated and effective drug for the treatment of histoplasmosis in the cat.     

Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Vaucheriaceen XI. Vaucherien aus Tadshikistan

Zusammenfassung Aus lebendem Algenmaterial der Gegend von Duschanbe wurdenVaucheria woroniniana fo.quadripora forma nova undV. debaryana Woronin kultiviert und die Besonderheiten von Populationen verschiedener Herkünfte dieser Arten an Kulturen verglichen.

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Summary August 1963 we got samples of living algae collected some days ago in the surroundings of Duschanbe (Pamir region). Two species ofVaucheria could be identificated after developping reproductive structures in cultures:V. debaryana Woronin andV. woroniniana Heering formaquadripora fo. nov. To secure the extend of variability populations of different geographical origin were compared, grown under the same conditions. The species found are new ones for the Pamir region.

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am ¶rt;au , , Vaucheria woroniniana fo.quadripora forma nova V. debaryana Woron. , .

     

TREATMENT OF DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CARCINOMA IN 7 DOGS UTILIZING 131I

Seven dogs with thyroid gland carcinoma were treated with ¹³¹I and hormone suppressive therapy either alone (3 dogs) or in combination with surgery (3 dogs) or ¹³⁷Cs teletherapy and chemotherapy (1 dog). Empirically chosen doses of 75 to 137 mCi of ¹³¹I were given orally (2 dogs) and intravenously (5 dogs). Adverse effects were limited to acute, transient bone marrow hypoplasia and pancytopenia. Nominal objective reduction in tumor volume or size and number of pulmonary metastases was observed in 4 dogs treated with ¹³¹I and thyroxine. Of these 4 dogs, 2 had stable disease for periods of 4 and 12 months while a third dog had stable disease for 27 months following two ¹³¹I treatments at 3 month intervals. The fourth dog had progressive disease. Two dogs with mediastinal metastases showed reduction in localization of ^99mTc pertechnetate and radioiodine following 2 and 3 treatments using ¹³¹I. It appears that relatively high doses of ¹³¹I can be used safely for the treatment of canine thyroid tumors and that further investigation can be justified to define its efficacy.     

Prevalence of infectious diseases in feral cats in Northern Florida

Objectives of this study were to determine prevalence of infection in feral cats in Northern Florida with a select group of infectious organisms and to determine risk factors for infection. Blood samples or sera from 553 cats were tested with a panel of antibody, antigen or PCR assays. Male cats were at higher risk for FIV, Mycoplasma haemofelis, and M. haemominutum. Infection with either FeLV or FIV was associated with increased risk for coinfection with the other retrovirus, M. haemofelis, or M. haemominutum. Bartonella henselae had the highest prevalence and was the only organism that did not have any associated risk for coinfection with other organisms. Feral cats in this study had similar or lower prevalence rates of infections than those published for pet cats in the United States. Thus, feral cats assessed in this study appear to be of no greater risk to human beings or other cats than pet cats.     

Comparison of results for serologic testing and a polymerase chain reaction assay to determine the prevalence of stray dogs in eastern Tennessee seropositive to Ehrlichia canis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of stray dogs in eastern Tennessee seropositive to Ehrlichia canis and examine the correlation between results for an ELISA, indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples obtained from 90 adult dogs admitted to an animal shelter in eastern Tennessee. PROCEDURE: Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies against E. canis by use of a commercially available ELISA kit, 2 IFA tests, and a PCR assay; testing was performed at the University of Tennessee (TN) and North Carolina State University (NCSU). The PCR amplification was performed by use of DNA extracted from EDTA-anticoagulated blood and primers designed to amplify DNA of Ehrlichia spp. RESULTS: Antibodies against E. canis were detected in only 1 dog by use of the ELISA. By IFA testing at TN, 10 of 90 (11%) dogs were seroreactive against E. canis antigens, all of which had medium to high titers to E. canis. Only 5 of the 10 TN seroreactors were also reactive against E. canis antigens in IFA tests conducted at NCSU, and all 5 had low to medium titers. The DNA of Ehrlichia spp was not amplified in any blood samples by use of PCR assays conducted at the TN or NCSU. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The discordant ELISA, IFA, and PCR results obtained in this study were unexpected and may have been related to exposure of dogs to an Ehrlichia species other than E. canis, such as E. ewingii.     

Hematologic changes associated with weekly low-dose cisplatin administration in dogs

This study prospectively describes the systemic toxicity of cisplatin (20 mg/m(2),IV) when given in weekly doses prior to localized irradiation in dogs with solid malignancies. Eleven dogs received a total of 54 weekly doses of cisplatin. Two dogs did not complete the 5-week protocol due to progressive disease and two dogs received 6 weekly doses of cisplatin. Repeated administration of cisplatin caused a significant decline in the leukocyte count, segmented neutrophil count, and platelet count. These changes were related to the number of cisplatin doses. The dogs did not have any significant alteration of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, or urine specific gravity during the treatment period. Weekly low-dose cisplatin, as used in this study, is safe for use in tumor-bearing dogs. However, the significant decline in the leukocyte, segmented neutrophil, and platelet counts in these 11 dogs suggest that cisplatin prescribed at 20 mg/m(2) IV once per week should not exceed five consecutive treatments.