Bewertung von Pyrus-Arten auf Befall mit Birnengitterrost (Gymnosporangium sabinae Dicks.)

Zusammenfassung Birnengitterrost breitet sich in nicht kommerziell genutzten Anlagen zunehmend aus, vor allem dort, wo Pflanzenschutzmaßnahmen unterbleiben. In unserer Untersuchung wurde nach alternativen Lösungen gesucht, den Befall zu minimieren. Dazu wurden Pyrus-Arten und -Hybriden ohne Pflanzenschutz angezogen und der natürliche Befall bewertet. Die Arten Pyrus korzhinskyi, P. betulifolia, P. cordata und die Hybride P. salicifolia Pendula zeigten den geringsten Befall. Sie könnten als Züchtungsausgangsmaterial eingesetzt werden. Ebenso scheint eine Prüfung als Park- oder Landschaftsgehölz sinnvoll.     

Impacts of chemical crop protection applications on related CO2 emissions and CO2 assimilation of crops

BACKGROUND: A major global challenge is to provide agricultural production systems that are able to sustain growing demands for food, feed, fibre and renewable raw materials without exacerbating climate change. Detailed and reliable data on the CO₂ balance of different agricultural management activities and inputs as a basis to quantify carbon footprints of agriculture are still lacking. This study aims to fill this gap further by quantifying the net balance of emitted and assimilated CO₂ due to the application of crop protection treatments on the farm, and by assessing their partial contribution to GHG emissions and mitigation in agriculture. The study focuses on key agricultural crops including wheat, corn, oilseeds and sugar crops. RESULTS: The final CO₂ balance, considering GHG emissions due to on‐farm CPP treatment in comparison with CO₂ storage in additional biomass, CO₂ protected with respect to agrotechnical inputs and land inputs and CO₂ saved with respect to associated global land use changes, is positive and may reach multiples of up to nearly 2000. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of the positive yield effects of the CPP programme applications on the farm, resulting in additional assimilated biomass at the farm level and less land use changes at the global level, and thus lower pressure on environmentally important indicators of overall agricultural sustainability. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

In-vitro susceptibility testing of Leptospira by a modified broth microdilution methods

In Germany, the application of antimicrobial agents represents the method of choice to control infections of food-producing animals by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. However, only few data are available on the susceptibility of Leptospira spp. against antimicrobial agents and the in vivo efficacy of antimicrobial agents. Based on a modified broth microdilution method, a standardised in-vitro susceptibility testing system for Leptospira spp. was established which also included quality control aspects. Considering the minimum inhibitory concentrations determined in this study in-vivo efficacy is expected for the following classes of antimicrobial agents: penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, phenicols, and in part also for aminoglycosides and tetracyclines. Clinical aspects and bioavailability of the drugs in the target tissues have to be taken into account. Penicillins and aminoglycosides as commonly used inhibitory supplements in semen extender seem to be effective against leptospires.     

Characterization of cation exchange capacity (CEC) for agricultural land-use areas

Spatial assessment of soil properties needs conversion of point data to an area-oriented model. Methods are required that create a reproducible map. The development of a map is shown by the example of cation exchange capacity. Twenty sorption types are formed and derived from the vertical sequence of values for substrate types and are aggregated to six main types. A qualitative assessment of the main CEC sorption types is carried out with comparative ranking. The association of different substrate types on an areal soil pattern requires the identification of sorption association types. These are shown by the areal share of the main sorption types for the substrate types involved in each case. For interpreting the site parameters from the MMK (Mittelmaßstäbige Landwirtschaftliche Standortkartierung), the procedure is presented in detail. An example of the results is shown with CEC maps. Tables complement the visualization for different areas, defined by administrative or natural landscape boundaries. The application of this method for relative evaluation of CEC is demonstrated using KA5-rules. The CEC characterization of agricultural areas can be reproduced on the basis of the mapping units of soil maps with different scales (BÜK 200). The areal-specific labeling of CEC constitutes soil-related decision guideline.     

Pontamine fast scarlet 4B: a new fluorescent dye for visualising cell wall organisation in radiata pine tracheids

Using confocal microscopy, tracheid wall organisation was investigated with pontamine fast scarlet 4B (P4B), a cellulose-specific stain that fluoresced red following green excitation. P4B fluorescence was present throughout unlignified walls (cambium, ray cells, resin canals and parenchyma cells) and in two concentric bands around opposite and compression wood tracheids. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated these bands as the S1 and S3 layers of normal wood, and the S1 and inner S2 layers of compression wood. Fluorescence was also strongly dependent on the polarisation of the excitation light, a phenomenon referred to as bifluorescence. Compared to two other cell wall stains, Congo red and calcofluor white, P4B showed a higher specificity for the S1 and S3 layers and increased bifluorescence. These results suggest that P4B is an ideal tool with which to investigate the orientation of cellulose microfibrils in the S1 and S3 layers of the tracheid wall.     

Prevalence and significant geospatial clusters of bovine tuberculosis infection at livestock–wildlife interface ecosystem in Eastern Tanzania

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an important neglected zoonosis that affects livestock, wildlife and human. A study to determine prevalence and geospatial clusters for BTB was conducted from June 2010 to March 2012 at livestock–wildlife interface areas (LWIA). A total of 1,288 cattle located in vicinity of Mikumi-Selous ecosystem Tanzania were tested. Single Intradermal Comparative Tuberculin Test and spatial scan statistic analysis were applied to establish the status of the disease and identify significant spatial BTB clusters. Overall individual prevalence was 3.7 % (n?=?1,288) (95 % CI?=?2.8–4.9) and 7.8 % (95 % CI?=?6.4–9.4) with cut-off of >4 and >2 mm, respectively. Villages with at least one reactor were 55.8 % (n?=?43). Reactivity was significantly higher in Mvomero and Kilosa districts compared with Kilombero and Ulanga districts (χ ²?=?15.9; P?<?0.001). Significant spatial BTB clusters were revealed at 11 villages. BTB clustering was significant in Kilosa and Mvomero districts compared with Kilombero and Ulanga districts. There was overlap and aggregation of BTB clusters covering south and south-east of Kilosa district bordering Mikumi National Park (MNP) and Mvomero. Generally, clustering occurred around major rivers. The current study provides useful information on the dynamics and epidemiological status of BTB around the wildlife–livestock–human interface, it reveals that the wildlife are at risk of BTB from infected livestock. The study revealed hotspots for BTB that can be applied to guide implementation of participatory intervention at LWIA and control strategies in marginalised pastoralist communities. This study calls for similar studies in other Tanzania’s LWIA for efficient intervention of BTB countrywide.