The occurrence of aphid wax in peat

Small white aggregates frequently observed in peat have been studied using scanning electron microscopy and infrared absorption spectrometry. It has been shown that they are fibrous, consisting of paraffin wax and associated carbohydrate and secondary amide, and are secreted by the aphid Colopha compressa, which colonizes the roots of Eriophorum spp. growing on peat. This is the first report of the occurrence of this aphid species in Scotland.     

LIME AND PHOSPHATE TREATMENTS FOR RECLAMATION OF HEATHER MOORLAND

The use of lime and phosphates in reclaiming heather moorland was investigated in two experiments.
Large initial dressings of hme resulted in a rapid rise in pH. An initial dressing of 9 tons CaCO₃/ac resulted in a more rapid rise to pH 6 than did 6 tons/ac and the soil was maintained above pH 6 for a longer period. Three annual dressings of 3 tons/ac gave a slower rise in pH and a longer period above pH 6. Split treatments, half before and half after the first ploughing, gave no long–term advantage where a programme of pioneer cropping was being followed.
Basic slag and North African phosphate were as effective as superphosphate for root crops at low pH values. Basic slag was as effective as superphosphate for grassland establishment and gave a greater rise in soil phosphate. North African phosphate was virtually worthless as a source of phosphate for establishing grasses and clovers, and gave a negligible rise in soil phosphate.
Given adequate supphes of lime and phosphate, frequent small apphcations of N over the first 2 or 3 years are vital to the success of a reclamation programme under the conditions described.     

A real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae

AIM: To develop a real-time PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae, using PCR primers targeting the ma-mp81 gene.

METHODS: A group of 15 M. agalactiae isolates, 21 other Mycoplasma spp. isolates and 21 other bacterial isolates was used in evaluation of the assay.

RESULTS: All M. agalactiae isolates were detected by the assay and none of the non-target isolates was amplified. The analytical detection limit of the assay was 10 fg of purified genomic DNA and 10⁴ cfu/ml milk inoculated with M. agalactiae. When applied to goat-milk samples collected from three herds free of M. agalactiae infection, the assay had a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: The assay would be useful in a diagnostic laboratory, providing specific, sensitive and rapid detection of M. agalactiae.     

Development and spatial distribution of the free-living stages of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis on pasture: A pilot study

Abstract

AIMS: To measure the development of Teladorsagia (=Ostertagia) circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs to third-stage infective larvae (L3) at different times of the year. Also, to measure the spatial distribution of L3 across herbage, soil and faeces, in order to assess whether spatial issues could be important in larval dynamics on pasture.

METHODS: Field plots were contaminated with sheep faeces containing approximately 20,000 eggs of each of T. circumcincta and T. colubriformis on five separate occasions, viz 01 December 1996 (summer), 18 March 1998 (autumn), 17 June 1998 (winter), 15 October 1998 (spring), and 23 July 1999 (winter). Replicate plots (n=10) were harvested at intervals for up to 12 months after deposition of faeces, and the number and distribution of L3 were measured. Larvae were sampled from faeces (where these remained), herbage, and three soil zones to a depth of 145 mm.

RESULTS: There were large differences between contamination dates in the percentage of eggs that developed to L3. For both species the highest percentage development was for eggs deposited in December (7.8% and 25.9% for T. circumcincta and T. colubriformis, respectively) and the lowest for June (0.4% and 0.03% T. circumcincta and T. colubriformis, respectively). Development in winter was often delayed, and this was always associated with a low yield of larvae, probably due to compounding mortalities associated with long periods of exposure to low temperatures.

The relative distribution of L3 present on herbage, in faeces or in the soil varied between sampling times. However, overall the most L3 were recovered from soil (74% and 66% for T.circumcincta and T. colubriformis, respectively, averaged over all samples), and the lowest recoveries were from the herbage.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the data are limited, the results indicated that the highest percentage of eggs developed to infective larvae in summer and only minimal development occurred in winter. The data do not support the view that substantial contamination of pastures with sheep parasites occurs over winter. Large numbers of larvae were recovered from soil, which indicates that, assuming they can subsequently migrate onto herbage, soil is a potentially important reservoir ofinfective larvae in New Zealand. Therefore, the spatial distribution of L3 on pasture may affect both the dynamics and transmission of parasite populations. Further work on both these issues is warranted.     

Effect of thinning and fertilizer on the cellulose crystallite width of Eucalyptus globulus

An analysis of cellulose crystallite width, microfibril angle and wood density after the time of thinning (at 8 years) in straight vertical trees was undertaken in a 13-year-old E. globulus trial designed to assess the effect of thinning on tension wood formation. The most important effect was on cellulose crystallite width, which increased with thinning intensity and this was mitigated where fertilizer was applied at the time of thinning. Given the relationship between high crystallite width and tension wood occurrence the results demonstrate that heavy thinning of E. globulus at this age can contribute to tension wood formation. However, tension wood production may be significantly reduced where fertilizer is applied. This is possibly because increased diameter growth as a response to fertilizer application stabilises the stems and this is the mechanism by which trees cope with internal stresses that are generated from wind in destabilsed stands following thinning. In contrast, trees that respond poorly to thinning produce tension wood.