Soil mixing in the East Anglian fens

Abstract. Experiments were started in 1967 to investigate the effects of soil mixing on fen peat soil. Peaty topsoil was mixed with mineral subsoil to a maximum depth of 80 cm at two sites, one with a clay subsoil, the other sand. Mixing was done on a commercial scale with a range of implements. After initial increases, yields of arable crops on both mixed soils were subsequently similar to those on unmixed soil. Residual herbicide activity was enhanced on mixed soils, and evidence of peat conservation was obtained at one site. The practice has not been taken up commercially because of the high capital cost of mixing and lack of serious problems which had been predicted following peat wastage.     

Situation of glasshouse pests in Hungary1

The area of protected crops in Hungary is about 5300 ha. Most of it is under plastic, the area under glass being only about 250 ha. Vegetable growing makes up 80%, mostly on private farms. The main crops are capsicum, tomato and cucumber. On relatively small areas, ornamentals, principally cut flowers, are produced: carnation, gerbera, rose and chrysanthemum. The three most important, commonly occurring pests are Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Tetranychus urticae and aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, A. nasturtii). Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Liriomyza trifolii and Aculops lycopersici caused considerable economic damage during the eighties. However, in the last few years these pests have not been observed in any crops. Two new glasshouse pests have been described from ornamentals during the last 2 years in Hungary: Frankliniella occidentalis and Bemisia tabaci. Their accidental appearance in vegetable crops could lead to direct economic loss, besides endangering biological control systems.     

Parosteal osteosarcoma of the mandible in a dog

A mandibular parosteal osteosarcoma was diagnosed in a 7-year-old Collie with prolapse of the third eyelid. Diagnosis was made by histologic evaluation of a mass removed by surgical excision. The dog was euthanatized because of local recurrence of the tumor, with metastasis to the lungs. Parosteal osteosarcomas are rarely reported in dogs and usually involve long bones in human beings.     

A hemolytic assay for the measurement of equine complement

A hemolytic assay was developed for the measurement of functional equine complement activity. The assay utilizes antibody sensitized chicken erythrocytes as the target cell and was specific for classical pathway (antibody dependent) complement activity. The assay was found to be reproducible and more sensitive than previous reports using other species of target cells. Total serum complement (CH50) values were determined for five mares and their foals and followed over a period of 3 months.     

Evaluation of the testosterone response to hCG and the identification of a presumed anorchid dog

A two-year-old dog was presented with no scrotal testes. There was no history of castration but at laparotomy no testes were found. To confirm that the dog was truly anorchid a human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation test was performed. This was then validated in normal entire and castrated dogs.     

盐分对碱茅种子发芽影响的机制

耐碱茅种子在盐（NaCl与Na2SO4）及干旱（PEG－6000模拟）胁迫下发芽及其机制的比较研究表明，种子发芽率随溶液渗透势的降低而下降，在等渗条件下三种溶液中的发芽率次序为Na2SO4＞NaCl＞PEG。NaCl与Na2SO4主要通过影响种子吸水量及对膜的毒性影响发芽，根据相关及通径分析结果，其机制为：（1）溶液渗透势及Na+浓度决定的种子吸水对发芽的直接正效应（通径系数0．73）；（2）溶液Na+浓度引起的膜毒性对发芽的直接负效应（－0．51）；（3）种子从溶液中吸收Na使种子吸水增加对发芽的间接正效应（0．30）及使膜毒性增大对发芽的间接负效应（－0．24）。     

Detection of mycoplasmas in experimentally-infected bull sperm

Bull sperm pellets experimentally infected with various concentrations of Mycoplasma (M.) bovis, M. bovigenitalium, and M. californicum were stored several months at -196 degrees C and were subsequently tested for mycoplasmas, using different methods and culturing media. M. bovis was reliably identified by laboratory diagnosis up to a concentration of 10(2) cfu/pellet. M. bovigenitalium and M. californicum were found to make higher demands on the quality of culturing substrates. Recommended are 1-h broth incubation and 5-d broth breeding.