Genetic and morphologic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinochloa crus-galli</Emphasis> populations from different origins

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (barnyardgrass) is an annual weed that is native to Asia and found throughout the world. The broad ecological tolerance and competitive ability of E. crus-galli makes it the most important weed species in rice. Genetic studies of plants are becoming increasingly common because reliable information is necessary to better understand population dynamics, occurrence of herbicide resistance, and demographic data. Echinochloa crus-galli populations from 34 different locations in Turkey were compared with respect to morphological differences and genetic variation. For morphological variation, five seeds of each population were sown in pots and grown in a screenhouse using a randomized block design. Morphological parameters such as germination speed, flowering time, leaf area, plant height, spikelet length, above-ground biomass, root dry weight and number of seeds were measured. Distinct differences among populations with respect to hierarchical cluster analysis were observed. Genetic variations among populations were performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The seven RAPD primers amplified 55 bands whose molecular weight varied between 200 and 4000 bp. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 74.54%. Results showed high morphological and genetic variability among individual genotypes within geographic locations. Phenotypic and genetic variability among E. crus-galli populations would be influenced by agricultural practices, crop characteristics, geographic location and herbicide pressure. Differences between weed populations may affect response to chemical or biological control.     

Effects of nitric oxide donor and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on ruminal contractions in conscious sheep

The present study was planned to evaluate a role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of regular ruminal contractions in conscious sheep. Intravenous infusion of S-nitroso-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) at doses of 3-30 nmol kg(-1) min(-1)for 30 minutes inhibited both the amplitude and frequency of ruminal contractions in a dose-dependent manner. However, intravenous infusion of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) at doses of 0.3-3.0 micromol kg(-1) min(-1)did not alter the basal tone of intraruminal pressure and the amplitude of ruminal contractions. The frequency of contractions was slightly inhibited by L-NAME infusion at 1.0 micromol kg(-1)min(-1). The effects of L-NAME were abolished by simultaneous infusion of L -arginine at 30 micromol kg(-1) min(-1). These results suggest that exogenous NO can diminish the ruminal contractions, while endogenous NO is not involved in the regulatory mechanism of basal tone and regular phasic contractions of the rumen in healthy sheep.     

Characterization of fenarimol-resistant mutants of Aspergillus nidulans

The fitness of twelve fenarimol-resistant mutants of Aspergillus nidulans was tested with respect to spore germination, germ tube elongation, hyphal growth and sporulation. Half of the strains tested were isolated on triarimolcontaining media. The other strains were selected on imazalil-or cycloheximide-containing media (Van Tuyl, 1977).A number of mutant strains produced spores with unimpaired viability on synthetic medium. In other strains a reduction in spore viability was noticed. The rate of germ tube elongation of all resistant mutants was significantly lower than that of the wild-type strain. Mutant strains with a low degree of resistance always had an almost normal mycelial growth rate, whereas growth of some of the strains with a relatively high degree of resistance was significantly slower. Spore production on malt agar was highest in the wild-type strain and was found to be lower in fenarimol-resistant mutants. In most of the mutant strains tested a high degree of cross-resistance between fenarimol, imazalil and triadimefon was established; in some of them cross-resistance to these chemicals was low or even absent.Possible implications of the results described for the chance of development of resistance in phytopathogenic fungi to sterol biosynthesis-inhibiting fungicides are discussed.