Identification of barley yellow mosaic virus by immuno-electron microscopy in barley but not in Polymyxa graminis or Lagena radicicola

Samenvatting Gerstegeelmozaïekvirus (BaYMV) werd in een perceel wintergerst (cv. Igri) gevonden by Wittem in Limburg, Nederland. Het virus werd met immuno-elektronen-microscopie geïdentificeerd in bladweefsel als BaYMV. In de wortels van geïnfecteerde planten werden alle vormen die van de schimmel-vector (Polymyxa graminis Led.) bekend zijn aangetroffen nl. cystosori, plasmodia en zoosporangia. Inwendig kon geen BaYMV worden aangetoond of waargenomen inPolymyxa ofLagena spp.Cooperative investigation of the ARS, USDA, the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Plant Protection Service, Wageningen. Research conducted under Project 21-12. Published as Paper No. 7787, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural experiment Station. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.     

Molecular modifications of benzylphenol and benzyl-1,3-benzodioxole types of insect chemosterilants

Rationally planned structural modifications were carried out on benzylphenols and benzyl-1,3-benzodioxoles described as fly chemosterilants and as anti-juvenile hormones. The introduction of a prop-2-ynyloxy group at various sites of the molecule resulted in compounds with a moderate inhibitory action on cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenases, as measured by aldrin epoxidation. One compound, 5-(4-methoxybenzyl)-6-prop-2-ynyloxy-1,3-benzodioxole, revealed chemosterilant activity on Phormia regina, but its activity was less than that of the parent compounds. 2,4-Di-tert-butyl-6-[4-(3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)benzyl]phenol, which possessed a juvenoid structure, revealed no juvenile hormone (JH) activity but showed a high sterilant effect against Dysdercus cingulatus. In contrast to the parent substances, none of the tested compounds showed a detectable anti-JH effect in the Galleria assay. 8-Methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxydibenz[b,e]oxepine, a hitherto undescribed fused heterocyclic ring system, was devoid of activity, indicating the importance of free rotation and/or molecular flexibility. In spite of the moderate activities of these compounds, the manifold biological potential of the quinone-methide mechanism justifies further research on these lines.     

Dispersal of Phytophthora nicotianae on tomatoes grown by nutrient film technique in a greenhouse

Tomatoes were grown in a greenhouse by nutrient film technique (NFT). They were inoculated withPhytophthora nicotianae either by direct inoculation of roots or by adding fungal spores to a container with recirculating nutrient solution. In the first case, the resulting epidemic seemed to be polycyclic, in the second case monocyclic. In both cases, inoculum freely circulated through the NFT system and was present in the nutrient solutions for at least 6 days after inoculation.Samenvatting Kastomaten werden gekweekt met behulp van voedingsfilmtechniek. Zij werden geinoculeerd metPhytophthora nicotianae hetzij door directe besmetting van wortels, hetzij door een sporensuspensie toe te voegen aan het voorraadvat met voedingsoplossing. In het eerste geval leek een polycyclische epidemie te volgen. In het tweede geval ontstond een monomcyclische epidemie. In beide gevallen werd schimmelinoculum door het gehele gotensysteem rondgepompt. Inoculum bleef gedurende tenminste 6 dagen na inoculatie aantoonbaar in de voedingsoplossing.     

Accessions of Australian Nicotiana species suitable as indicator hosts in the diagnosis of plant virus diseases

When screening the genusNicotiana for sensitive and differential hosts for a group of mechanically transmissible plant viruses with narrow host ranges, development of systemic symptoms was alsmost exclusively observed in species of three closely related sections of the subgenusPetunioides. These species wereN. miersii (sectionAcuminatae),N. bigelovii andN. clevelandii (Bigelovianae) andN. benthamiana, N. cavicola, N. ingulba, N. occidentalis, N. rosulata andN. rotundifolia (Suaveolentes). Except forN. benthamiana andN. clevelandii, which are already known for their large virus ranges, they are new experimental hosts that appeared very useful for detection of viruses and for differentiation of viruses that closely resemble each other in host range. Accessions of the same species often varied largely in local and systemic viral response. EspeciallyN. benthamiana-9,N. miersii-33 andN. occidentalis-37B (code numbers given by Tobacco Research Laboratory, Oxford, N.C., USA) are recommended for routine inoculation tests. The sensitiveSuaveolentes species mentioned are native to the arid parts of Australia. Collections of these species deserve attention in studies on virus diseases of unknown etiology where experimental hosts are lacking.Samenvatting In het genusNicotiana werden vatbare, gevoelige en differentiële toetsplanten opgespoord door toetsing van vooral de collectie van het Tobacco Research Laboratory (Oxford, N.C., VS) met een aantal virussen waarvoor weinig of geen bruikbare toetsplanten bekend waren. Systemische reacties werden bijna uitsluitend in soorten van drie nauw verwante secties van het subgenusPetunioides waargenomen. Deze soorten warenN. miersii (sectieAcuminatae),N. bigelovii enN. clevelandii (Bigelovianae) enN. benthamiana, N. cavicola, N. ingulba, N. occidentalis, N. rosulata enN. rotundifolia (Suaveolentes). Behalve voor virusvermeerdering bleken deze soorten ook zeer geschikt te zijn voor differentiatie van virussen of virusstammen met een bijna gelijke waardplantenreeks.Collectienummers van één en dezelfde soort konden sterk in lokale en systemische reactie verschillen. VooralN. benthamiana-9,N. miersii-33 enN. occidentalis-37B kunnen voor routine-inoculaties worden aanbevolen. Met uitzondering vanN. benthamiana enN. clevelandii zijn de genoemde soorten of genotypen nieuwe experimentele waardplanten voor de virologie. De soorten die van de sectieSuaveolentes worden genoemd, zijn inheems in de woestijnachtige gebieden van Australië. Verzamelingen daarvan verdienen nadere aandacht bij de diagnostiek van virusziekten waarvoor nog geen experimentele waarplanten voorhanden zijn.     

Usefulness of subjective ovine milk scores: II. Genetic parameter estimates

Genetic parameters for a subjective milk score given to ewes within 24 h of parturition were estimated to determine the usefulness of milk score as a selection trait to improve milk production, which influences total litter weight weaned. Heritability of milk score and the genetic correlation of milk score with litter weight weaned were estimated by REML separately for four sheep breeds, Rambouillet (n = 1,731), Targhee (n = 1,638), Columbia (n = 1,731), and Polypay (n = 1,129). Litter weight weaned was the total weight of lambs weaned at approximately 120 d of age under a western range production system. Observed heritability estimates for milk score at first parity were moderate and similar among breeds, ranging from 0.18 to 0.32. Heritability estimates adjusted for a binomial distribution of milk scores at first parity were high (Columbia, 0.43; Polypay, 0.35; Rambouillet, 0.50; Targhee, 0.84). Estimates of observed heritability for second-parity milk score were moderate to high, ranging from 0.23 to 0.46. Milk score at first or second parity was genetically correlated with milk score records at maturity (third parity and greater), with estimates ranging from 0.69 to 1.00. Milk score and litter weight weaned were genetically correlated at first or second parity in Rambouillet (r(g) = 1.00) and Targhee breeds (r(g) = 1.00 and 0.61, respectively), but not in the Columbia and Polypay breeds. Estimates of heritability for lifetime records for milk score ranged from 0.16 to 0.26 across breeds. Estimates of genetic correlations of annual lifetime milk score records with litter weight weaned were high (Columbia, 1.00; Polypay, 0.81; Rambouillet, 1.00; and Targhee, 0.77). Repeatability estimates for milk score were similar across breeds, 0.23 for Columbia, Rambouillet, and Targhee ewes and 0.28 for Polypay ewes. Milk score measured at first or second parity may be a good predictor of future potential milking ability. Further, milk score can be used as a selection trait to improve maternal ability for increasing litter weight weaned. The need for increasing ewe milking performance and lamb growth rate at first parity in commercial range sheep production systems may be addressed by selection for milk score at first parity.     

Glucose tolerance testing in llamas and alpacas

OBJECTIVE: To determine blood glucose clearance in 2 species of New World camelids after IV challenge and to examine mechanisms of this clearance. ANIMALS: 5 adult female llamas and 5 adult gelded alpacas. PROCEDURE: After food was withheld for 12 hours, camelids received 0.5 g of glucose/kg of body weight by rapid IV infusion. Serum concentrations of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, cortisol, and insulin, and plasma concentrations of lactate were determined before and 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after infusion. Ratios of insulin to glucose and insulin to cortisol were calculated for each time point. RESULTS: Postinfusion glucose concentrations were significantly higher in llamas than alpacas for the first 15 minutes and remained significantly higher than baseline values in both species for 180 minutes. Lactate and cortisol concentrations did not change significantly; nonesterified fatty acid concentrations decreased in both species 30 minutes after infusion. Baseline insulin concentrations were < 6 microU/ml in both species and increased only to 10.1 +/- 0.7 microU/ml in llamas. Insulin concentrations did not change significantly in alpacas. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Llamas and alpacas clear glucose more slowly than other domestic species after challenge, mainly because of a weak insulin response and slow cellular uptake. This response may impair the assimilation of exogenous glucose as well as make llamas and alpacas prone to diabetes-like disorders when an abundance of endogenous or exogenous glucogenic agents are present.     

Epidemiology and significance of chicken infectious anemia virus infections in broilers and broiler parents under nonvaccinated European circumstances

A serologic survey in unvaccinated broiler parent and broiler progeny flocks demonstrated seroconversion against chicken infecrious anemia virus (CIAV) in all parent flocks before or around point of lay and in 38% of the broiler flocks examined at slaughter age. The presence of CIAV antibodies at slaughter of broilers was positively correlated with slaughterhouse condemnation rates. Results indicate that CIAV infections are highly prevalent in both broiler parent and broiler flocks and that CIAV infections in broilers are associated with increased slaughterhouse condemnation.     

Effect of varying carbohydrate and fat content of milk replacer on body composition of Holstein bull calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying concentrations of dietary fat and carbohydrate on changes in body composition of Holstein bull calves fed under isocaloric and isonitrogenous intake conditions. Thirty-two calves were assigned to a randomized block design with three dietary treatments, eight calves per treatment, and one baseline group of eight calves. Animals were reared from birth to 85 kg live BW (SEM = 0.57). All calves began treatments between 2 and 6 d of age. Three different milk replacer treatment diets were designed to deliver 14.8 (low fat, LF), 21.6 (medium fat, MF), or 30.6% of DM (high fat, HF) fat; 55.3, 46.7, or 35.4% of DM lactose; and 23.5, 24.8, or 27.0% of DM CP, respectively. Gross energy values were 4.62, 5.09, and 5.77 Mcal/kg for the LF, MF, and HF milk replacers, respectively. From d 1 to 14, calves were offered 0.24 Mcal intake energy/kg BW(0.75), adjusted weekly based on increases in BW, and 0.28 Mcal intake energy/kg BW(0.75) from d 15 to slaughter. Dry feed was not offered. Dry matter, energy, CP, and fat intakes were 55.2 kg, 257.6 Mcal, 13.0 kg, and 8.2 kg; 52.8 kg, 268.8 Mcal, 13.1 kg, and 11.4 kg; and 46.8 kg, 270.3 Mcal, 12.6 kg, and 14.3 kg for the LF, MF and HF treatments, respectively. Energy and CP intakes did not differ among treatments (P = 0.63 and 0.79, respectively). Fat and DMI were different among treatments (P = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Empty BW gains were 0.61, 0.61, and 0.65 kg/d for LF, MF, and HF, respectively, and were not different among treatments (P = 0.27). Empty body CP, water, and ash gain were not different among treatments (P = 0.65, 0.99, and 0.57, respectively). Empty body retained energy and fat gain were 27.2 and 57.7% greater for calves fed the HF than for those fed the LF diet (P = 0.06 and 0.006, respectively). Fat as a percentage of the whole empty body on a water-free basis was lower for calves consuming the LF diet (28.6%) than for those fed the HF diet (34.6%), whereas percentage of CP on an empty body, water-free basis was greater for calves consuming the LF diet (59.2%) than for those fed the HF diet (54.9%) (P = 0.006). The results of this study demonstrated that, under isocaloric and isonitrogenous intake conditions, equivalent dietary energy from fat compared to carbohydrate, above 15% fat, has no beneficial purpose unless additional fat deposition is required in the animal. Further, the data demonstrate significant changes in body composition independent of growth rate.     

The Distribution of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Zimbabwe and an Evaluation of the Value of an Anti-trypanosomal Antibody Detection ELISA as a Tool for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Tsetse Control Operations

Tsetse have been cleared from large areas of Zimbabwe during the past 65 years. In most areas, they are prevented from re-invading cleared areas by barriers of odour-baited, insecticide-treated targets. A trypanosomosis survey was conducted to determine the effectiveness of such barriers against re-invasion and to confirm the absence of tsetse in areas where they had previously been eradicated. Parasitological diagnostic methods and an anti-trypanosomal antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (antibody ELISA) were used. The prevalence of trypanosomal infections in the tsetse-cleared areas was generally low. However, the prevalence of anti-trypanosomal antibodies was unexpectedly high in some areas. This high proportion of cattle with antibodies could, in most cases, be explained by recent or historic information on the distribution and density of tsetse. The results from the survey demonstrated the value of anti-trypanosomal antibody detection as an additional sensitive tool for monitoring the effectiveness of tsetse control operations.     

Liste des nématodes phytoparasites (Tylenchida et Dorylaimida) des départements français d'Amérique (Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyane) et dispositions réglementaires

Cet article présente les premières listes de nématodes parasites des plantes (Tylenchida et Dorylaimida) des départements français d'Amérique: Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyane. Ces listes ont étéétablies suite aux nombreuses enquêtes faunistiques en nématologie conduites dans ces départements depuis les premiers résultats d'analyses nématologiques de Scotto La Massèse en 1968. L'inventaire général comporte 171 entrées taxinomiques, réparties en 42 genres et 18 nouvelles espèces. Ainsi, à la Guadeloupe, 82 espèces ont été inventoriées dont 3 espèces nouvelles; à la Martinique, 87 espèces ont été inventoriées dont 7 espèces nouvelles; et en Guyane, 97 espèces ont été inventoriées dont 8 espèces nouvelles. Quelques-unes de ces espèces sont sur les listes A1 et A2 de l'OEPP ( Aphelenchoides besseyi A2/122, Radopholus similis A2/126, Xiphinema americanum sensu lato A1/150 et Xiphinema rivesi A2/262). L'intérêt de telles études en nématologie est discuté ainsi que les dispositions réglementaires quant à la présence d'espèces économiquement importantes ou réglementées, au regard de l'accroissement des échanges inter-îles ou intercontinentaux et des risques phytosanitaires encourus, que ce soit dans les départements français d'outre-mer (DOM) ou les pays et territoires d'outre-mer (PTOM).