Predicting long-term organic carbon dynamics in organically amended soils using the CQESTR model

Purpose  

The CQESTR model is a process-based C model recently developed to simulate soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and uses readily available or easily measurable input parameters. The current version of CQESTR (v. 2.0) has been validated successfully with a number of datasets from agricultural sites in North America but still needs to be tested in other geographic areas and soil types under diverse organic management systems.     

Pseudomonas spp. isolates with high phosphate-mobilizing potential and root colonization properties from agricultural bulk soils under no-till management

Seven phosphate-mobilizing pseudomonads were isolated, identified, and characterized in terms of their biofertilizer potential and root-colonizing properties. Pseudomonas protegens (ex-fluorescens) CHA0 was used for comparative purposes. Four isolates (LF-MB1, LF-P1, LF-P2, and LF-P3) clustered with members of the “Pseudomonas fluorescens complex,” whereas the other three (LF-MB2, LF-V1, and LF-V2) clustered with members of the “Pseudomonas putida/Pseudomonas aeruginosa complex.” Assays in buffered liquid growth medium supplemented with tricalcium phosphate enabled the separation of the isolates into two groups: group A (LF-P1, LF-P2, LF-P3, and LF-V1) solubilized P from 151 up to 182?μg?mL^?1, and group B (LF-MB1, LF-MB2, and LF-V2) solubilized less than 150?μg?P?mL^?1. All isolates displayed acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. With the exception of LF-MB2, all isolates were able to degrade phospholipids from lecithin. Additionally, all isolates exhibited extracellular protease activity, and four isolates produced hydrogen cyanide, two traits that are related to biocontrol of phytopathogens. To study root colonization in non-sterile soil, isolates were doubly tagged with gfp and a tetracycline resistance cassette. After 15?days of competition with the indigenous bacterial flora, all tagged isolates colonized soybean roots at counts ranging from 7.6?×?10⁵ to 1.7?×?10⁷?CFU?g^?1. The results indicate that there are already efficient phosphate-mobilizing pseudomonads adapted to agricultural bulk soils under no-till management in Argentina and thus having excellent potential for use as biofertilizers.     

Betalain Extracts from Beetroot as Food Colorants: Effect of Temperature and UV-Light on Storability

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Beetroot is a good source of natural food colorants given that it contains significant amount of betalain pigments. This study investigates the three-months...     

Dog attachment to man: A comparison between pet and working dogs

Shared activities are known to create a good relationship between dog and man. Therefore, it can be expected that animals working in harness with their handlers, such as search and rescue dogs, show a higher attachment to man.The aim of the current research was to assess whether there are differences between pet and working dogs in the attachment to owners/handlers.Forty dogs were involved, 26 pets and 14 search and rescue dogs (taken home when not working). Their attachment to owners/handlers was analyzed by using a modified version of the Ainsworth Strange Situation Test and a recall test, while owners and handlers filled in a questionnaire and were scored on the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale.Statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between pet and working dogs for behaviors indicating an attachment bond: behavior oriented to door/chair/shoe during the absence of owner/handler (which represents “search of absent person”; U = 132.000, P = 0.156), contact with/proximity to owner/handler (i.e., “contact maintenance effect”; U = 157.000, P = 0.478), whining during owner's/handler's absence (“protest at the separation”; U = 147.000, P = 0.288), and individual play (U = 146.000, P = 0.288) and exploration (U = 138.500, P = 0.215) in presence of owner/handler, representing the “secure base effect.”Despite the lack of statistical differences, the formulated hypothesis may be not completely rejected, as a trend of a higher attachment in search and rescue dogs existed. It can be concluded that in carefully owned dogs, the level of attachment is increased by working as a search and rescue dog, but the difference does not lead to statistically relevant results.     

Molekulargenetische Analyse des ‘Maschanzker’/‘Borsdorfer’‐Sortenkomplexes

‘Maschanzker’ is one of the best-known old apple cultivars in Austria and in the 19th century this variety also played an important role in the fruit production of South Tyrol (Northern Italy). ‘Maschanzker’ is believed to originate from one of the oldest German apple vari­eties ‘Borsdorfer’, which is even considered a synonym. However, since the denomination ‘Maschanzker’ is part of the name of a number of more or less similar types of apple, this study aimed at investigating the synonymy and homonymy as well as the relationships within and between different accessions of ‘Maschanzker’, ‘Borsdorfer’ and ‘Edelborsdorfer’ by employing 14 microsatellite DNA markers. A total of 38 accessions from several collections in Europe were analysed and 14 different genotypes were identified, which were assigned to three groups. Our data suggest a series of parent-offspring connections within the here defined Maschanzker group and the Edelborsdorfer group, while no closer relationship was evident to or among the accessions of the Borsdorfer group. Molecular genetic analyses thus provide fundamental data which can serve as a basis for the pomological revision of the ‘Maschanzker’/‘Borsdorfer’ cultivar complex.     

Cell wall development in the berries of two grapevines

The cell wall content of the berries of grape cultivars ‘Barbera’ and ‘Freisa’ was examined and analyzed during their growth and ripening from July to October.The build-up of cell wall material was much faster in ‘Barbera’ than in ‘Freisa’, and ended 2 weeks before completion of commercial maturity, while in ‘Freisa’ it progressed at a lower rate, but continued up to picking-time. The two most important groups of cell wall polysaccharides were insoluble pectins and hemicellulose. Their behaviour appeared to be always complementary.Cell number per berry apparently decreased steadily in both cultivars, more rapidly in ‘Freisa’ than in ‘Barbera’. The reason for this is not certain, but appears to be due either to cell fusion or to cell squeezing. The average number of cells per berry in both cultivars was of the same order of magnitude, and in agreement with the findings of other authors.     

Heartworm disease in dogs: unusual clinical cases

Two unusual cases of heartworm infection are described, including one of spontaneous rupture of cardiac chambers, most likely due to the progressive increase in pressure within the right ventricle caused by Dirofilaria immitis infection. Another case report describes persistent left cranial vena cava, which interfered with the surgical removal of heartworm via the left jugular vein.     

Control of musth in an Asian elephant bull (Elephas maximus) using leuprolide acetate.

The results of long-term administration of leuprolide acetate (LA) depot in a 52-yr-old Asian elephant bull (Elephas maximus) for control of musth are presented. Twelve injections were administered for 6 yr during our interpretation of early musth or "premusth." Intervals between musth periods during the study varied from 2 to 34 mo. Blood samples, drawn weekly, were assayed for serum testosterone concentrations; mean levels were 11.78 +/- 1.97 nmol/L throughout the first 26 mo of the study, 7.28 +/- 1.28 nmol/L during the following 21 mo, and 0.45 +/- 0.035 nmol/L in the last 34 mo of this study. Early musth signs ceased within 3 days of drug administration after 10 of 12 injections. The mean serum testosterone concentrations were significantly decreased by the last 34 mo of the study. The results suggest leuprolide is a suitable alternative for controlling or preventing (or both) musth in captive Asian elephants, although permanent reproductive effects may occur. Zoos and wildlife conservation institutions could benefit from the use of LA in Asian elephants to increase the male availability in captivity, consequently ensuring genetic diversity and the perpetuation of the species.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF PERITONEAL CESTODIASIS CAUSED BY MESOCESTOIDES SP. IN A DOG AND IN A CAT

Peritoneal infections caused by Mesocestoides spp. are rare in dogs and cats. Little data exist on the role of abdominal ultrasonography for diagnosis and therapy management of the disease. We describe the ultrasonographic features of peritoneal cestodiasis in a dog and in a cat. In the dog, abdominal ultrasound allowed both a presumptive diagnosis and the collection of tissue samples to confirm peritoneal larval infection. Ultrasound was also very useful for therapy management. In the second patient the ultrasonographic features of tetrathyridial infection in a cat in which the parasite was observed as an incidental finding during ovariohysterectomy are described.