Macronutrient uptake,translocation, and tissue concentration of soybeans infested with the soybean cyst nematode and elemental composition of cysts isolated from roots 1

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is a major pest of soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill) in the central and southern United States. Soybean cyst nematode causes stunted top growth, root pruning and symptoms of mineral element deficiency in soybeans. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two selections of SCN (I selected on PI209332 and IV selected on PI 89772) on macronutrient uptake, translocation, and tissue concentrations of soybean and to determine the elemental composition of cysts isolated from roots. Soybeans were grown in plastic tubes in the greenhouse where the middle one‐third of the Hodge fine sand (Typic Udipsamment) contained 0, 25,000, or 50,000 SCN eggs. After 35 days, plants were harvested and tissue nutrient element concentrations were determined. Plants infested with both SCN selections were smaller and had much less root volume than controls. Dry weight of each plant tissue decreased as SCN population was increased. Root concentration of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) was decreased, whereas root calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were increased with SCN treatments. Leaf Mg and Ca concentrations increased with SCN treatment. Magnesium uptake per unit root volume was decreased, but Mg translocation (% of total plant content in aerial portion) was increased with SCN treatment. Calcium uptake per unit of root volume was increased, but translocation was unchanged by SCN treatment. The Ca and P concentration of cysts isolated from the soybean roots was high. This high concentration of Ca in cysts is interesting based on the greater root Ca concentration and uptake per unit of root volume in SCN infested plants. Since total uptake and root concentrations of both K and Mg were decreased by SCN treatment, infested soybeans might require very high levels of K and Mg fertilization. These results indicate that K and Mg fertility should be followed closely in SCM‐infested soybean fields.     

Economic trade-offs to limit nonpoint sources of agricultural pollution

A national model has been built which allows analysis of physical and economic trade-offs as soil loss per acre is limited to specified levels in each major land group of the nation. Crop variables with their associated conservation practices are developed for each of 1891 land groups in 223 agricultural producing regions and 51 water supply regions. The regions and soil groups are made interdependent through regional commodity demands and a transportation submodel. Hence, changes in cropping systems and erosion control practices in one region are simultaneously expressed in effects on other regions. Soil loss limits are set at 10, 5, and 3 t per acre. The 10 t limit does not have a large impact on interregional production patterns and farm comodity prices. However, the 5 and 3 t limits, either singularly or in combination with different export levels, cause rather marked increases in commodity prices. Also at limits of 5 and 3 t, considerable shifts take place among regions in the crops grown and the erosion control methods used. Regions with erosive soils sacrificed in reduced income; regions with level soils can crop more intensely and gain greater income. Conservation practices such as reduced tillage increase the amount of pesticides needed in some regions and pose special environmental problems. The South Atlantic region is affected most by soil loss limits to control nonpoint pollution. The Great Plains regions with more level land and limited rainfall are affected least.     

Surgical removal of a mammary adenocarcinoma and a granulosa cell tumor in an African pygmy hedgehog

A 3-year-old, female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was referred with a history of hematuria. Hyperglycemia and glucosuria were found at presentation. Mammary adenocarcinoma and a granulosa cell tumor were found and removed surgically. Glucosuria and hematuria resolved, and the hedgehog has done well for 10 mo postoperatively.     

Preparation of tetrahydroagathic acid: a serum metabolite of isocupressic acid, a cattle abortifacient in ponderosa pine

Isocupressic acid (1) was used to synthetically prepare a mixture of (8S,13R,S)-labda-15,19-dioic acid (tetrahydroagathic acid) (5) via a two-step oxidation procedure followed by hydrogenation of the double bonds at C13 and C8. Reduction of the C8,17 double bond was stereospecific producing only the 8S isomer and confirmed by the nOe interaction between the resulting C17 and C20 methyl groups. The 13R and 13S isomers of 5 were separated and analyzed by HPLC/MS, and (13S)-tetrahydroagathic acid was isolated and identified by comparison to a standard prepared by hydrogenation of naturally occurring (13S)-dihydroagathic acid (4). (13R,S)-dihydroagathic acid was prepared by selective sodium metal-catalyzed hydrogenation of the C13,14 allylic double bond of agathic acid (3). The prepared compounds were then used as standards to confirm the presence of 4 and 5 and their respective 13R and 13S isomers in bovine serum samples. Tetrahydroagathic acid was shown to be the only metabolite detected in serum samples taken from a suspected cattle abortion case submitted for diagnosis; and, thus, 5 could be a valuable diagnostic marker for pine needle-induced abortions.     

Burrow building in seabird colonies: a soil-forming process in island ecosystems

Soil modification via biopedturbation by burrow-building seabirds was examined in a Mediterranean, island ecosystem. Physical and chemical soil properties were compared between a colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) and adjacent heath across a 14-month period. When compared to heath soil, the biopedturbated soil was 28% drier (6.04±5.40 vol%), had increased bulk density (by 29% to 1.30±0.11 g cm⁻³, 51% porosity), wetting capacity (by 83% to 0.55±0.83 molarity of ethanol droplet), hydraulic conductivity (by 266% to 398.91±252.04 mm h⁻¹), and a greater range in soil surface temperature (31.7±6.2 °C diurnally to 18.3±3.2 °C nocturnally). Soil penetration resistance was reduced by 26% at a depth of 0–100 mm (326.5±122.4 kPa) and by 55% at 500–600 mm (1116.8±465.0 kPa). Colony soil also had increased levels of nitrate (by 470%), phosphorous (118%), ammonium (102%), sulphur (69%), and potassium (34%), decreased levels of iron (by 50%) and organic carbon (61%), was more alkaline, and had a 78% greater conductivity. Shearwaters deposited guano at a rate of 234.4 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (dry mass). Chemical analysis of guano equated this to 50.9, 5.7, 5.5, and 3.6 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ of nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, and phosphorous, respectively. Experimentally constructed burrows demonstrated that digging alone can alter physical and chemical soil factors, but that changes in the nutrient profile of colony soils are predominantly guano-driven. We argue that the physical impact of seabirds on soil should not be overlooked as a soil-forming and ecosystem-shaping factor in island ecosystems, and that biopedturbation can exert major bottom-up influences on insular plant and animal communities.     

Effects of genotype,environment, and postharvest storage on the total ascorbate content of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers

The total ascorbate content of potato tubers from 33 Solanum tuberosum genotypes grown at three geographically diverse sites in Europe in each of two years was determined immediately postharvest and after approximately 4 months of storage at 4 degrees C. Statistically significant differences in total ascorbate concentration were observed between genotypes both at harvest and after storage. In all genotypes, the levels of ascorbate decreased during storage. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for diet and health as well as in terms of breeding for improved vitamin C content in potatoes.     

Transplantation of allogenic bone marrow in canine cyclic neutropenia

Transplantation of normal bone marrow cells to a gray collie dog with cyclic neutropenia resulted in normal granulocytopoiesis. The finding suggests that cyclic neutropenia occurs because the hematopoietic stem cells are defective. Because of the similarity of human and canine cyclic neutropenia, it also suggests that the human disease may be curable by marrow transplantation.     

Fertility-mycorrhizal-isolate interactions in production of containerized pin oak seedlings

Slow-release fertilizer rates (0, 1.1 and 4.5 kg/m³ of 14 N-6 P-11.6 K Osmocote) and isolates of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch affected growth and mycorrhizal development on pin oak (Quercus palustris Meunchh.) seedlings. Mycorrhizae developed on all inoculated seedlings after 8 weeks regardless of fertility regime. Through the first 14 weeks, the best mycorrhizal development occurred on all inoculated seedlings fertilized at the lower fertilizer rate. The higher fertilizer rate delayed mycorrhizal development. However, after 18 weeks there were no significant differences in mycorrhizae on inoculated seedlings receiving fertilizer. Inoculated, non-fertilized seedlings had significantly less mycorrhizae than fertilized seedlings throughout the experiment. Only one isolate increased seedling growth, and only at the higher fertilizer rate. No differences in plant height were found among non-inoculated control and inoculated seedlings at the low fertilizer rate.