Correlation of phytoplasma concentration in Hydrangea macrophylla with green-flowering stability

The interaction between phytoplasma concentration and green-flowering stability was studied in hydrangea cultivars. Three green and 18 nongreen cultivars were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to determine Japanese hydrangea phyllody (JHP) phytoplasma infection. The results showed that JHP-phytoplasma was detected only in ‘Midori’ plants, which have green sepals. ‘Midori’ plants were propagated, and from 29 rooted cutting plants, they were grouped into three types on the basis of sepal color, that is, green (75.9%), blue-green (13.8%) and blue (10.3%) sepals. To clarify the variability in the sepal color of ‘Midori’ plants, JHP-phytoplasma concentration in the sepals and leaves of green-, blue-green- and blue-flowering plants was determined by PCR analysis. The semiquantitative PCR comparisons of 370 bp DNA fragments showed that the JHP-phytoplasma concentrations in green sepals were 16 times higher than that in blue-green sepals. JHP-phytoplasma could not be identified by PCR analysis in blue sepals and leaves. These results showed that JHP-phytoplasma concentration correlated with green sepal stability in ‘Midori’ plants. A histological observation of sepals showed that epidermal cells of blue and blue-green sepals had a dome shape. Otherwise, green sepals were leaflike with flat epidermal cells, and palisade parenchyma cells with numerous chloroplasts.     

Age-related changes in lymphocyte subsets of quarter horse foals

OBJECTIVE: To characterize changes in lymphocyte subsets over time in foals from birth to 18 weeks of age, accounting for differences among individuals, and to determine the effect of overnight storage of blood samples on foal lymphocyte subset concentrations. ANIMALS: 8 healthy Quarter Horse foals from birth to 18 weeks of age. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected longitudinally from birth to 18 weeks of age and a CBC performed on each sample. The samples were stained for lymphocyte markers, either immediately or after overnight storage and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Total leukocytes, total lymphocytes, and the absolute concentrations of all lymphocyte subsets increased significantly with age. The proportions of B29A+, CD21+, and-equine major histocompatability complex class-II molecule+ lymphocytes increased significantly with age. The proportion of equine (Eq) CD5+, EqCD8+, and EqWC4+ lymphocytes decreased significantly with age. Significant differences among foals were found with respect to initial concentrations with respect to initial concentrations, but not with respect to the rate of increase of the various subsets tested. Significant differences were not found in subset values when comparing blood samples stained on the day of collection or after overnight storage at room temperature (approx 21 C) or under refrigeration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results are consistent with an increase in subset numbers and proportions over time, but with individual differences among foals. The observation of individual differences in subsets among foals suggests that there may be individual differences in susceptibility to infectious disease during the perinatal period. The absence of an effect of overnight storage makes field studies of lymphocyte subset concentrations more feasible.     

Evaluation of 5 serologic assays to detect Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of 5 serologic assays used to diagnose Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals and to determine whether any of the assays could be used to identify affected foals prior to the onset of clinical signs or to differentiate between affected and unaffected foals when clinical signs first become apparent. DESIGN: Nested case-control study. ANIMALS: 26 foals. PROCEDURE: Serum samples were obtained from all foals at 2, 4, and 6 or 7 weeks of age. Additional samples were obtained from affected foals at the time of diagnosis of R equi pneumonia and from age-matched unaffected foals. Samples were tested with 3 ELISA, an agar gel immunodiffusion assay, and a synergistic hemolysis inhibition assay. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity data indicated that none of the assays could be used to reliably differentiate affected from unaffected foals at any testing period. Proportions of foals that had an increase in test values between paired samples collected at 4 and 6 or 7 weeks of age were not significantly different between affected and unaffected foals. For all assays, result values increased significantly over time; however, the rate of increase was not significantly different between affected and unaffected foals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that serologic assays, whether performed on single or paired samples, cannot be used to reliably establish, confirm, or exclude a diagnosis of R equi pneumonia in foals.     

Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy in 33 horses (1993-2000)

A retrospective study of the medical records of 33 horses was performed to determine the clinical and diagnostic abnormalities associated with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy. Data collected from medical records included signalment, presenting complaints, history, physical examination findings, laboratory data, results of diagnostic imaging studies, and treatments. Follow-up information was obtained from a review of case records; by telephone conversation with the owner, veterinarian, or trainer; or by both methods. Of 33 horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy, 29 presented with facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) deficits and 23 presented with vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII) deficits. Guttural pouch endoscopy was more reliable than radiography for diagnosis. Of horses with unilateral clinical signs, 22.6% actually had bilateral disease. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography identified the lesions in all horses in which these tests were performed. Of 30 horses for which follow-up information was obtained, 20 (67%) were alive. Eight horses were euthanized and 1 died because of problems associated with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy. Nineteen of 20 surviving horses (95%) were considered by the owner or trainer to be suitable for athletic use. Twelve surviving horses (60%) had residual facial nerve deficits; 11 horses (55%) had residual vestibulocochlear nerve deficits. Horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy have a fair prognosis for return to some type of athletic function, but there is risk of acute death. The majority of horses would be expected to have some residual cranial nerve dysfunction, and it could take a year or longer for maximal improvement to occur.     

Chemoprophylactic effects of azithromycin against Rhodococcus equi-induced pneumonia among foals at equine breeding farms with endemic infections

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of azithromycin chemoprophylaxis on the cumulative incidence of pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi, age at onset of pneumonia, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of azithromycin for R equi isolates cultured from fecal and clinical samples. DESIGN: Controlled, randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: 338 foals born and raised at 10 equine breeding farms; each farm had a history of endemic R equi infections. PROCEDURES: Group 1 foals were control foals, and group 2 foals were treated with azithromycin (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 48 h) during the first 2 weeks after birth. Foals were monitored for development of pneumonia attributable to R equi infection and for adverse effects of azithromycin. Isolates of R equi were tested for susceptibility to azithromycin. RESULTS: The proportion of R equi-affected foals was significantly higher for control foals (20.8%) than for azithromycin-treated foals (5.3%). Adverse effects of azithromycin treatment were not detected, and there were no significant differences between groups for the MICs of azithromycin for R equi isolates cultured from fecal or clinical samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Azithromycin chemoprophylaxis effectively reduced the cumulative incidence of pneumonia attributable to R equi among foals at breeding farms with endemic R equi infections. There was no evidence of resistance to azithromycin. Nonetheless, caution must be used because it is possible that resistance could develop with widespread use of azithromycin as a preventative treatment. Further investigation is needed before azithromycin chemoprophylaxis can be recommended for control of R equi infections.     

Assessing familial aggregation of paratuberculosis in beef cattle of unknown pedigree

The objective of this study was to assess genetic similarity of beef cattle using microsatellite markers and to use this information to describe familial aggregation of paratuberculosis test results in Texas beef cattle. Paratuberculosis testing was performed on 2622 adult beef cattle using two commercially available serum ELISAs and radiometric fecal culture. Pedigree records were collected for registered purebred herds and herds with sufficiently detailed production records to identify parent-offspring pairs. Cases were defined as cattle with at least one positive paratuberculosis test result. Three controls were matched by herd of residence for each case. All parent-offspring pairs, cases, and controls were genotyped for 12 microsatellites. Bayesian analysis of allele frequency data was used to describe population substructure and assign individual cattle into groups of genetically similar cattle. The proportion of known parent-offspring pairs assigned to the same cluster was used to assess the validity of the approach to identify familial structure. Conditional logistic regression was used to describe the association between cluster assignment and paratuberculosis test-status matched by herd. Nine clusters of genetically similar individuals were identified and were supported by the proportion of parent-offspring pairs assigned to the same clusters. Increased odds of having at least one positive paratuberculosis test result were identified for two clusters compared to the cluster with the lowest proportion of positive paratuberculosis test results after conditioning on herd. The results of this study demonstrate that population substructure can be used to describe familial aggregation of paratuberculosis test results in beef cattle of unknown pedigree.     

Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water-use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) under controlled irrigation

Population growth, urban expansion and economic development are increasing competition for water use between agriculture and other users. In addition, the high rate of soil degradation and declining soil moisture in the Sub-Saharan African Region have called for several crop production management and irrigation options to improve soil fertility, reduce water use by crops and produce ‘more crops per drop of water’. Notwithstanding this, considerable variations exist in the literature on water-use efficiency, WUE_cwu (economic yield per water used) for maize (Zea mays L.) across climates and soil management practices. Different views have been expressed on the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) application on transpiration efficiency, TE (biomass produced per unit of water transpired). The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of different rates of N-enriched municipal waste co-compost and its derivatives on TE, WUE_cwu and yield of maize (Z. mays L.) in comparison to inorganic fertiliser. The greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in Accra, Ghana on a sandy loam soil (Ferric Lixisol) using a split plot design. The main plot treatments were soil (S), dewatered faecal sludge (DFS), municipal solid waste compost (C), co-compost from municipal solid waste and dewatered faecal sludge (Co), compost enriched with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (EC), co-compost enriched with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (ECO), (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NPK15-15-15 + (NH₄)₂SO₄. The sub-plot treatments were different rates of application of nitrogen fertiliser applied at the rate of 91, 150 and 210 kg N ha⁻¹ respectively. Maize cv. Abelehii was grown in a poly bag filled with 15 kg soil. Eight plants per treatment were selected randomly and used for the collection of data on growth parameters forth-nightly. At physiological maturity two plants per treatment were also selected randomly from each treatment plot for yield data. The results showed that TE of maize (Z. mays) varied for the different treatments and these are 6.9 Pa in soil (S) alone to 8.6 Pa in ECO. Increase in N application rate increased TE at the vegetative phase for fast nutrient releasing fertilisers (DFS, ECO, EC, NPK + (NH₄)₂SO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄) and at the reproductive phase for slow nutrient releasing fertilisers (C and CO). Water-use efficiency increased significantly as rate of N application increased. Treatment ECO improved crop WUE_cwu and was 11% and 4 times higher than that for NPK + (NH₄)₂SO₄ or soil alone; and 18-36% higher than those for DFS and CO. Treatment ECO used less amount of water to produce dry matter yield (DMY) and grain yield (GY) that was 5.2% and 12.6%, respectively, higher than NPK + (NH₄)₂SO₄. Similarly, the DMY and GY for ECO was 8.9-18.5% and 23.4-34.7%, respectively, higher than DFS and CO. High nutrient (N and K) uptake, TE, and low leaf senescence accounts for 83% of the variations in DMY whereas WUE_cwu accounts for 99% of the variations in GY. Thus, the study concluded that different sources of fertiliser increased TE and WUE_cwu of maize differently as N application rate increases.     

Tillage effects on N2O emissions as influenced by a winter cover crop

Conservation tillage practices are widely used to protect against soil erosion and soil C losses, whereas winter cover crops are used mainly to protect against N losses during autumn and winter. For the greenhouse gas balance of a cropping system the effect of reduced tillage and cover crops on N₂O emissions may be more important than the effect on soil C. This study monitored emissions of N₂O between September 2008 and May 2009 in three tillage treatments, i.e., conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and direct drilling (DD), all with (+CC) or without (−CC) fodder radish as a winter cover crop. Cover crop growth, soil mineral N dynamics, and other soil characteristics were recorded. Furthermore, soil concentrations of N₂O were determined eight times during the monitoring period using permanently installed needles. There was little evidence for effects of the cover crop on soil mineral N. Following spring tillage and slurry application soil mineral N was dominated by the input from slurry. Nitrous oxide emissions during autumn, winter and early spring remained low, although higher emissions from +CC treatments were indicated after freezing events. Following spring tillage and slurry application by direct injection N₂O emissions were stimulated in all tillage treatments, reaching 250-400 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ except in the CT + CC treatment, where emissions peaked at 900 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹. Accumulated emissions ranged from 1.6 to 3.9 kg N₂O ha⁻¹. A strong positive interaction between cover crop and tillage was observed. Soil concentration profiles of N₂O showed a significant accumulation of N₂O in CT relative to RT and DD treatments after spring tillage and slurry application, and a positive interaction between slurry and cover crop residues. A comparison in early May of N₂O emissions with flux estimates based on soil concentration profiles indicated that much of the N₂O emitted was produced near the soil surface.     

Landscape-level variation in temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition

We examined landscape-level variation in temperature sensitivity of labile SOC across 71 sites at a central North American grassland. The observed range in activation energy of decomposition (E_a), an index of temperature sensitivity, was as great at the landscape scale as has been observed at the continental scale. E_a was lower for soils with more labile C, consistent with the ‘Carbon quality-temperature’ hypothesis. Soil pH explained 67% of the variation in E_a. Although there are strong environmental correlates with the E_a of SOC decomposition at landscape scales, the amount of variation within landscapes could confound regional- to global-scale predictions of the response of soil C to warming.