Low glyphosate rates do not affect Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck seedlings

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is used to control weeds in citrus orchards, and accidental spraying or wind drift onto the seedlings may cause growth arrest owing to metabolism disturbance. Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of non‐lethal rates (0, 180, 360 and 720 g AI ha^?1) of glyphosate on four‐month‐old ‘Cravo’ lime, Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck, seedlings. Photosynthesis and the concentrations of shikimic acid, total free amino acids and phenolic acids were evaluated. RESULTS: Only transitory effects were observed in the contents of shikimate and total free amino acids. No visual effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that glyphosate at non‐lethal rates, which is very usual when accidental spraying or wind drift occurs in citrus orchard, did not cause severe metabolic damage in ‘Cravo’ lime seedlings. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development and trial of a bovine herpesvirus 1 - thymidine kinase deletion virus as a vaccine

SUMMARY An Australian bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) isolate with a defined (427 base pair) deletion in the protein coding region of the thymidine kinase gene was obtained by standard marker rescue procedures. After selection in the presence of the nucleotide analogue 5iodo-deoxy-uridine the virus was analysed by hybridisation with three differential oligonucleotide probes, restriction endonuclease profile studies and DNA sequence analysis. The virus elicited an immune response in recipient animals after either intramuscular or intravenous administration and produced no significant deleterious side-effects when administered at a dose sufficient to stimulate the host immune response. The safety and immunogenicity of the recombinant BHV1 virus 39B1 were similar to those reported for other registered BHV1 vaccines and the virus would appear to be suitable for the production of a vaccine seed lot and more exhaustive field trials as a prelude to commercial vaccine production and registration.     

Ovum Pick-up in Sheep: a Comparison between Different Aspiration Devices for Optimal Oocyte Retrieval

In vivo ovum pick-up (OPU) in sheep may be improved with a proper choice of aspiration elements (needle and tubing) and aspiration vacuum pressure. In the present study, two experiments were carried out. In Expt 1, visible follicles in ovaries of slaughtered ewes (treated separately according to their diameters: small<3 mm, medium 3-5 mm and large>5 mm) were aspirated using different combinations of the three studied factors such as aspiration flow rate (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ml water/min), needle gauge (18 and 20 G) and tubing inner diameter (1, 2 or 3 mm internal diameter). In Expt 2, a study with two 18 G needles of different lengths (18 G: 82 mm; 18 GL: 600 mm) was carried out, using ovaries obtained post-mortem, and performing in vivo laparoscopic follicular aspiration on ewes. We considered good quality oocytes as those with both complete compact cumulus and a homogeneous cytoplasm. Recovery rate, proportion of good quality oocytes (good quality oocytes/100 oocytes recovered) and overall efficiency (good quality oocytes/100 follicles aspirated) were noted. In Expt 1, aspiration flow rate affect remarkable proportion of good quality oocytes (69.5%, 50.5%, 44.8%, 36.5% and 28.3% for flows from 10 to 50 ml/min respectively, p<0.05). Needle gauge did not affect aspiration device efficiency. Thin and intermediate tubings were more effective (overall efficiency rates: 34.9%, 32.3% and 28.1% for 1, 2 and 3 mm respectively, p<0.05). Follicle size did not affect recovery rate, but proportion of good quality oocytes was higher for large (77.9%) and medium (64.4%) follicles (p<0.05). Finally, some combinations of the aspiration device showed greater effectiveness. In Expt 2, needle length did not influence recovery rate, but good quality oocytes rate was significantly modified both post-mortem and in vivo (good quality rate for 18 G vs 18 GL needles: 69.5% vs 47.7% and 58.1% vs 25.4%, post-mortem and in vivo respectively, p<0.05). We conclude that low-aspiration flow rates (10 and 20 ml/min) with thin or intermediate tubings (1 and 2 mm), and any short needle (18 G or 20 G) are the most adequate aspiration factors for OPU in sheep.     

Aerobic deterioration of grass silage: the need to couple models and experiments

A mathematical model of the aerobic stability of grass silage is presented. The model is shown to predict as well as more complex models previously published. Sensitivity analysis performed on model parameters suggests that current understanding of the temperature dependence of yeast growth needs to be advanced in order to produce more accurate models of deterioration. Inhibition of yeast growth by organic acids is identified as a critical process worthy of further investigation. We discuss how model validation experiments must identify different yeast species and track their growth separately. Such experiments should also attempt to minimize or measure heat losses.     

提高辣椒离体再生不定芽伸长率的研究

通过调整培养基中的几种生长调节剂种类及其浓度组合，以及不同添加物，诱导不定芽分化与植株再生，有效地提高了不定芽的伸长率．结果表明：选用辣椒9～11d苗龄的带柄子叶在培养基MB＋BA5．0mg／L＋IAA1．0mg／L十GA31．0mg／L＋蔗糖3％＋琼脂6．5g／L十椰乳5％＋AgN035．0mg／L上培养，分化频率达97．8％；芽丛在MB＋ZT1．0mg／L＋IAA1．0mg／L＋GA31．5mg／L十椰乳5％＋AgN035．0mg／L培养基上伸长率达76．0％；幼苗在Ms＋IAA0．1mg／L＋NAA0．2mg／L培养基上能正常生根，生根率最高100％，并成长为健壮的再生植株。     

小篷竹群落邻体干扰指数的研究

运用邻体干扰指数模型,分析小蓬竹群落种内、种间竞争强度,确立小蓬竹群落的竞争干扰因子。结果表明,在小蓬竹群落中,对小蓬竹干扰指数最大是猴樟,其次是小蓬竹本身。在自然情况下的群落演替过程中,猴樟种群将占优势,最终小蓬竹将在小蓬竹群落彻底消失。