Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Temperatur und Licht auf die Fra?leistung von Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur, 1839) (Heteroptera: Miridae) an verschiedenen Wei?e Fliege-Arten

Whiteflies are one of the major pests in greenhouse cultivation. Traditional methods of pest control involve the use of pesticides, which may lead to the emergence of resistive vermin. Therefore and in the context of growing health- and environmental awareness alternative ways of pest control should be considered. One alternative approach is the deployment of natural antagonists to the vermin. An effective use of those organisms within pest control requires studies on their biology, their behaviour and their climatic tolerance. Biology and behaviour of the studied insects are presented in a synopsis of the scientific literature. For this paper laboratory experiments on the predation rate of the beneficial organism M. pygmaeus were conducted on different whitefly species under various conditions of both, temperature and light. The treatment was carried out on eggs and larval stages of the whitefly species T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci with a photoperiod of 9 and 16 h light and under temperatures of 11?C22°C. On infestation by T. vaporariorum a high effectiveness (68,4?C79,7%) of M. pygmaeus is shown under all tested light- and temperature conditions. On infestation of B. tabaci the effectiveness of M. pygmaeus was lower (8,5?C46,1%). For unknown reasons those two species did not reproduce in the rearing. The high predation rate of M. pygmaeus on eggs and larval stages of T. vaporariorum proved that M. pygmaeus can be effectively deployed at low (11?C13°C) and intermediate (18?C22°C) temperatures under both, short day- and long day conditions. Especially at low temperatures and short day conditions M. pygmaeus so far turns out to be a useful supplement or alternative.     

Application of ELISA-based kit for detecting AOZ and determining its clearance in eel tissues

Furazolidone, an antibacterial drug that was once widely used in the livestock industry and aquaculture, is now prohibited in numerous countries. It is difficult to detect residual furazolidone because it is readily metabolized in animal tissues but, by using and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, its metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) can be detected. Here we describe the validity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to detect AOZ in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica tissue. ELISA is capable of detecting AOZ at 1.0 μg/kg in an eel sample with excellent accuracy and precision. Our results show that ELISA is suitable for regulatory purposes and for studying the fate of AOZ residues in eel treated with furazolidone. To measure the persistence of AOZ in eel tissues, eels (1.4–6.5g) were immersed in tanks containing 2 and 10 mg furazolidone/L for 3 h, and then maintained in a tank supplying well water for the next 160 days. The half-lives of AOZ, calculated from the linear terminal part of the excretion curve, were 25.0 days in muscle and 21.6 days in liver from fish exposed to 2 mg/L furazolidone. In the eels treated with 10 mg/L furazolidone, by contrast, high levels of AOZ were detected in liver and muscle, but the half-lives of AOZ were similar to those in fish treated with 2 mg/L furazolidone. The half-lives of AOZ in eel tissues were prolonged by the condition of low water temperature.     

Direct evidence of multiple paternities in natural population of viviparous Japanese surfperch by allelic markers of microsatellite DNA loci

This study was performed to obtain information on the occurrence of multiple paternities in three species of viviparous Japanese surfperch using allelic markers of microsatellite DNA loci. Direct evidence for multiple fertilizations was established by reconstructing paternal genotypes from the progeny of gravid females. Multiple paternities were ascertained in five of 10 broods of Ditrema temmincki and in three of nine broods of Neoditrema ransonneti, but not in Ditrema viride. The number of patrilines detected in the progeny of D. temmincki and N. ransonneti females were two or three, respectively, as determined by the GERUD v2.0 algorithm for reconstructing parental genotypes from half-sib progeny arrays.     

Mechanical insights into the effect of fluctuation in soil moisture on nitrous oxide emissions from paddy soil

Paddy fields are subjected to fluctuating water regimes as a result of the alternate drying and wetting water management, which often incurs a sensitive change in N₂O emissions from paddy soils. However, how the soil moisture regulates the emission of N₂O from paddy soil remains uncertain. In this study, three incubation experiments were designed to study the effects of constant and fluctuating soil moisture on N₂O emission and the sources of N₂O emission from paddy soil. Results showed that the N₂O emission from paddy soil at 100 % WHC (water-holding capacity) was higher than that at 40, 65, 80, 120, and 160 % WHC, indicating that 100 % WHC was the optimum soil moisture content for N₂O emission under the incubation experiment. Small peak of N₂O flux appeared when the soil moisture content from 250 % WHC decreased near to 100 % WHC, lower than that triggered by nitrogen (N) fertilization, which was mainly owing to the low NH₄ ⁺ concentration at this period. Nitrification dominated the emissions of N₂O from paddy soil at 250 % WHC (54.96 %), higher than that of nitrification-coupled denitrification (6.74 %) and denitrification (38.3 %). The contribution of denitrification to N₂O emissions (44.10 %) was equivalent to that of nitrification (44.45 %) in soil at 100 % WHC, which was higher than that of 250 % WHC treatment. In conclusion, the finding suggested that the peak of N₂O in paddy soils during midseason aeration could be attributed to the occurrence of optimum soil moisture under sufficient N availability, favorable for the production and accumulation of N₂O.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

Evaluation of Particle Size Influence on Proximate Composition,Physicochemical, Techno-Functional and Physio-Functional Properties of Flours Obtained from Persimmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros kaki</Emphasis> Trumb.) Coproducts

The aim of the work was to study the influence of particle size in the composition, physicochemical, techno-functional and physio-functional properties of two flours obtained from persimmon (Diospyros kaki Trumb. cvs. ‘Rojo Brillante’ (RBF) and ‘Triump’ (THF) coproducts. The cultivar (RBF and THF) and particle size significantly affected all parameters under study, although depending on the evaluated property, only one of these effects predominated. Carbohydrates (38.07–46.98 g/100 g) and total dietary fiber (32.07–43.57 g/100 g) were the main components in both flours (RBF and THF). Furthermore, insoluble dietary fiber represented more than 68% of total dietary fiber content. All color properties studied were influenced by cultivar and particle size. For both cultivars, the lower particle size, the higher lightness and hue values. RBF flours showed high values for emulsifying activity (69.33–74.00 mL/mL), while THF presented high values for water holding capacity (WHC: 9.47–12.19 g water/g sample). The bile holding capacity (BHC) and fat/oil binding values were, in general, higher in RBF (19.61–12.19 g bile/g sample and 11.98–9.07, respectively) than THF (16.12–12.40 g bile/g sample and 9.78–7.96, respectively). The effect of particle size was really evident in both WHC and BHC. Due to their dietary fiber content, techno-functional and physio-functional properties, persimmon flours seem to have a good profile to be used as potential functional ingredient.     

Dynamics of dissolved ions in the soil of abandoned terraced paddy fields in Sado Island, Japan

We investigated the soil and soil water chemistry in abandoned terraced paddy fields (reed stand) and a thicket of deciduous broad-leaved trees (thicket stand) on the same slope in Sado Island, Japan. The soils gathered from these plots were incubated under different water conditions to examine the dynamics of dissolved ions. The organic carbon pool in the soil in the reed stand at the lower slope position was greater than the thicket stand at the middle slope position. The high concentration of base cations and an almost neutral pH of the soil water at the reed stand corresponded with the high exchangeable cation concentrations and base saturation in the soil. These results reflect the mineral-rich groundwater percolating down the slope, which may be produced by chemical weathering. An in situ sulfate reduction in the reed stand at deeper soil horizons was identified. The different water conditions in the incubated soils affected the soil pH(H₂O), transformation of Fe, and dominant anions (NO₃ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, and SO₄ ²⁻). These biogeochemical processes were more conspicuous in the reed stand at the lower slope position where the concentrations of organic matter and base cations were high. When the abandoned terraced paddy field is developed for the conservation of the Japanese crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) habitat in Sado Island, the reductive subsoil at the lower slope position should be kept waterlogged to limit sulfuric acid generation.     

Characterization of the morphological,physical, and mechanical properties of seven nonwood plant fiber bundles

The morphological, physical, and mechanical properties of the nonwood plant fiber bundles of ramie, pineapple, sansevieria, kenaf, abaca, sisal, and coconut fiber bundles were investigated. All fibers except those of coconut fiber had noncircular cross-sectional shapes. The crosssectional area of the fiber bundles was evaluated by an improved method using scanning electron microscope images. The coefficient factor defined as the ratio of the cross-sectional area determined by diameter measurement, to the cross-sectional area determined by image analysis was between 0.92 and 0.96 for all fibers. This indicated that the area determined by diameter measurement was available. The densities of the fiber bundles decreased with increasing diameters. The diameters of each fiber species had small variation of around 3.4%-9.8% within a specimen. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of ramie, pineapple, and sansevieria fiber bundles showed excellent values in comparison with the other fibers. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus showed a decreasing trend with increasing diameter of fiber bundles.     

Pathogenic Botryosphaeriaceae associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mangifera indica</Emphasis> in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia

Members of the Botryosphaeriaceae, in particular Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum, N. mangiferum and Botryosphaeria dothidea, commonly cause stem cankers, dieback and stem end rot of mangoes worldwide. In the current study, eight taxa of Botryosphaeriaceae were identified as canker-associated fungi, pathogens, potential pathogens or endophytes of mangoes in the Kimberley, Australia. These include Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae, Ne. dimidiatum, Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae, P. ardesiacum, P. kimberleyense, Lasiodiplodia sp. 1, L. iraniensis and L. pseudotheobromae. The pathogenicity of a selection of these species toward fruit and branches was tested. All were pathogenic to mango in comparison to the control, with Lasiodiplodia spp. being the most pathogenic. It appears that either geographic isolation or the unique growing conditions in the Kimberley may have provided an effective barrier to the acquisition or establishment of known botryosphaeriaceous pathogens. Wounds caused by mechanical pruning may provide an entry point for infection, whilst severe pruning may increase plant stress.     

Occurrence of chrysanthemum virescence caused by “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma aurantifolia” in Okinawa

In 1999, a disease of chrysanthemum [Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura], characterized by virescence of flowers, occurred in Okinawa Prefecture. The causal agent was identified as “Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia” based on 16S rDNA sequencing. The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession number AB247462.