Nematofauna associated with exotic and native leguminous plant species in West Africa: effect of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Glomus intraradices</Emphasis> arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Ten leguminous trees, four exotic species (Australian Acacia) and six indigenous species (three Sahelian Acacia spp. and three Sesbania spp.), were grown for 4 months in a natural Sahelian soil inoculated with or without the endomycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices. In control trials, the determinant factor structuring the soil nematode fauna was the plant species, related plants having a similar influence on the nematode community in the soil. Soil nematode abundance increased from exotic acacias (3.3 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (11.5 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (17.6 g^-1 dry soil). Plant feeding nematodes (mainly Scutellonema and Tylenchorhynchus) were significantly less abundant under exotic acacias (1.4 g^-1 dry soil) than under native acacias (7.2 g^-1 dry soil) or Sesbania species (7.3 g^-1 dry soil). Bacterial feeding nematode density increased from exotic acacias (1.2 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (3.0 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (7.7 g^-1 dry soil) as total densities. However, the differences in the structure of the nematode communities between plant groups were suppressed in the presence of the mycorrhizal fungus. In fact, no difference in nematode densities remained between plant groups when G. intraradices developed in several dominant taxa belonging to different trophic groups, particularly: Tylenchorhynchus, Apelenchina, Cephalobus and Dorylaimoidea. This study clearly indicated that inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus G. intraradices diminished the plant-specific effect on the structure of the soil nematode community.     

A Bayesian hierarchical model for risk assessment of methylmercury

This article uses a Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify the adverse health effects associated with in-utero exposure to methylmercury. By allowing for study-to-studyas well as outcome-to-outcome variability, the approach provides a useful meta-analytic tool for multi-outcome, multi-study environmental risk assessments. The analysis presented here expands on the findings of a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee, charged with advising the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an appropriate approach to conducting a risk assessment for methylmercury. The NAS committee, for which the senior author (Ryan) was a committee member, reviewed the findings from several conflicting studies and reported the results from a Bayesian hierarchical model that synthesized information across several studies and for several outcomes. Although the NAS committee did not suggest that the hierarchical model be used as the actual basis for a methylmercury risk assessment, the results from the model were used to justify and support the final recommendation that the risk analysis be based on data from a study conducted in the Faroe Islands, which had found a positive association between in-utero exposure to methylmercury and impaired neurological development. We considera variety of statistical issues, but particularly sensitivity to model specification.     

Using segmented regression models to fit soil nutrient and soybean grain yield changes due to liming

Frequently soil-plant relationships and responses are complex combinations of increases-level-decreases consisting of linear segments of differing slope. Segmented regression is very useful to express and quantify such relationships and responses. Fitting segmented regression models to such data, however, remains a challenge. The problem is in estimating the join points and coefficients. We use median functions to express segmented regression models, and estimate the join points by standard estimation routines such as Marquardt, Newton, and doesn’t use derivatives (DUD) methods that are available in statistical software such as SAS. Segmented straight-line models are fit to data reflecting soil Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), and soybean yield changes under different soil pH conditions due to liming. A systematic comparison of the slopes and join points suggests that different mechanisms are limiting soybean yield at different intervals as soil pH increased.     

Antioxidant properties of trans-epsilon-viniferin as compared to stilbene derivatives in aqueous and nonaqueous media

trans-Epsilon-viniferin, the dimer of resveratrol, extracted from Vitis vinifera, has been evaluated for its antioxidant capacity. Its properties have been compared to those of resveratrol and synthetic stilbenic derivatives (4-hydroxystilbene, 4,4'-dihydroxystilbene, 3,5-dihydroxystilbene, and trimethylresveratrol), in regard to their liposolubility using two media with different polarity. The bleaching of beta-carotene by lipoperoxyl (LOO.) radicals in an oil/water (O/W) emulsion and the scavenging of superoxide anions (O(-)(2) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide as a spin trap were followed using UV-visible and electron paramagnetic resonance, respectively. Epsilon-viniferin exhibits the best antioxidant capacity in the DMSO/O(-)(2) polar system (IC(50) = 0.14 mM) while 4,4'-dihydroxystilbene presents the highest antioxidant capacity in the O/W/LOO. system (inhibition of beta-carotene bleaching, 82%). Partition coefficients and kinetics of partition between 1-octanol and water were measured to discuss the antioxidant efficiency of the compounds in relation with their chemical structure.     

Heavy metal and PCB spatial distribution pattern in sediments within an urban catchment—contribution of historical pollution sources

Purpose

This work analyzes polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and heavy metal contamination in fluvial sediments and soils in an urban catchment, according to the geo-accumulation index and to soil and sediment quality guidelines. The catchment is located in Coimbra, Portugal, being affected by frequent flooding, and its main stream is a tributary to one of the major rivers in Portugal (Mondego). Given the presence of industrial activities over time, some inputs of pollutants are expected, but so far, the legacy of historic pollution in this catchment has not yet been investigated.

Materials and methods

Twenty-five samples were collected from nine sampling sites at the depths of 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm (to provide a historic perspective) along longitudinal profiles (streamlines) and in soils downstream of pollution sources. These samples were analyzed for six heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni), organic carbon, pH and ten PCBs (IUPAC numbers 28, 30, 52, 101, 138, 153, 166, 180, 204, 209).

Results and discussion

Total PCB concentrations ranged 0.47–5.3 ng g^?1 dry weight (dw), and levels increase from the bottom to the top layers, suggesting an increased input over the last 100 years. PCB congener distribution shows the dominance of hexachlorobiphenyls, especially PCB138, suggesting the existence of local sources. PCB levels did not exceed sediment quality levels, placing sediments/soil under class 1 (not contaminated) or class 2 (trace contamination) with respect to PCB. All six metals exceeded the lowest effect level for sediment quality criteria, and three (Cd, Pb and Zn) largely exceeded the clean levels for dredged materials, placing sediments in class 5 (heavily contaminated). Sampling site S1 presented the highest concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd, and historic vehicle traffic was identified as the most likely source, given the vertical and horizontal profiles.

Conclusions

High levels of Pb, Cd and Zn were found in fluvial sediments at some locations of the Loreto catchment, likely from historic traffic sources. This urban area is frequently affected by flooding events and is currently being subject to urban redevelopment. During these events/actions, historic pollutants in the sediments might surface and be redistributed, impacting the downstream ecosystem of the major Mondego River or increasing the risk of exposure of the urban population.

     

Redistribution of 10B Absorbed by Leaves and Roots of Cashew Seedlings

Boron (B) is transported mainly in the xylem, but by using isotopic tracers it was possible to verify that B has significant mobility in the phloem of polyols-producing species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the mobility of ¹⁰B applied to cashew plants. The experiment was conducted from 05/10 to 07/10/2010 in a greenhouse of University of São Paulo State-UNESP, Ilha Solteira Campus, State of São Paulo, Brazil. 0.5 mg of B L^?1 of soil was used in the substrate. A solution of 255 mg of B L^?1 was used in recently mature and fully developed leaves. The total content of B and and percentage of boron in the plant derived from fertilizer (Bppf%) were evaluated in the old and new leaves stemming at 30 and 60 days after the application of ¹⁰B. As evidenced, B applied to leaves had restricted mobility in cashew tree. However, B applied in the substrate was absorbed and translocated to young leaves.     

Gas chromatographic determination of clopidol in chicken tissues

A method has been developed for the determination of clopidol residues in chicken tissues. After extraction and cleanup, clopidol is esterified in a 2-phase system to clopidol propionate, which is determined by gas chromatography. The 2-phase system includes, in addition to the clopidol dissolved in methanol, aqueous borax solution, hexane, propionic anhydride, and pyridine. Use of these reagents precludes the use of explosive or carcinogenic chemicals in the derivatization step, and the method is therefore suitable for routine laboratory analysis. Levels of 0.5 ppb clopidol in tissue can be determined.     

1%苦参·印楝素乳油对桑树及家蚕的安全性

为寻找对桑树害虫高效、对家蚕低毒且对桑树安全的杀虫剂,评价了植物源杀虫剂1%苦参·印楝素乳油10、20、40 mg/L药液在药后1、3、5、7、10、15 d对桑树的危害情况及桑叶对家蚕的残留毒性。结果显示,1%苦参·印楝素乳油各处理均对桑树无明显药害;药后3 d除40 mg/L处理的桑叶使少数家蚕中毒死亡外,其他2个处理家蚕出现拒食现象,但未见家蚕中毒死亡;饲喂1%苦参·印楝素乳油药后3~7 d各处理桑叶使家蚕4龄、5龄龄期经过与CK(清水处理)相比延长0.5~1.5 d,饲喂1%苦参·印楝素乳油药后15 d各处理桑叶后家蚕各龄龄期经过、蛹体质量、全茧量、茧层量、茧层率等与CK差异均不显著。因此,1%苦参·印楝素乳油可以在桑园及周边使用,对家蚕的安全间隔期为15 d。     

多功能土壤添加剂对小麦土传病害的防效及对玉米秸秆的腐解作用

为明确多功能土壤添加剂HAD-5的田间功效,通过3地2 a田间定点试验研究了其对小麦土传病害的防治效果、对玉米秸秆的腐解效果及对小麦生长和产量的影响。结果表明,越冬期至拔节期,多功能土壤添加剂HAD-5对小麦纹枯病(拔节期除外)、根腐病和全蚀病的防效分别显著低于对照药剂6%戊唑醇种子处理悬浮剂、3%苯醚甲环唑悬浮种衣剂和2.5%咯菌腈种子包衣剂处理;成熟期,多功能土壤添加剂对纹枯病和根腐病的防效分别为71.2%和68.9%,均与对照药剂差异不明显,其对全蚀病的防效低于咯菌腈包衣剂处理,为55.6%。在定兴县、枣强县和献县试验站该制剂对玉米秸秆的累积腐解率分别为62.34%、61.45%和63.33%,比秸秆腐解剂处理分别提高了19.36%、32.89%和19.88%,比空白对照分别提高了37.59%、42.11%和37.29%。多功能土壤添加剂不仅可提高小麦株高和次生根数量,还能提高小麦产量,3地2 a平均产量分别为7 124.7kg/hm2、7 116.2 kg/hm2和6 737.4 kg/hm2,与空白对照相比增产率分别为10.7%、12.3%和5.2%,均高于对照药剂处理和秸秆腐解剂处理。     

烟草诱导抗病性及其应用

烟草诱导抗病性是通过诱导因子诱导烟草自身的抗病潜力,是烟草重要的抗病机制之一。概述了烟草诱导抗病性的诱导因子、机制及其应用,为烟草诱导抗病性的进一步研究提供理论基础。