Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Tranformations are Related to Age of a Constructe Wetland

Two horizontal constructed wetlands with subsurface flow (CWs) of different age were monitored in a 2-year study. One of the CWs was new, while the second one had been in operation for 5 years in the first year of study. Transformations of C, P, and N were measured in each CW in the substrate of the vegetated bed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and their rates were compared. C was mineralized in both CWs under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, but mineralization rates differed between the CWs; they were cca ten times higher in the established CW compared to the new CW. Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) was immobilized under aerobic conditions but was mobilized under anaerobic conditions. DRP transformation was cca five times faster in the established CW. Nitrification occurred under aerobic conditions at similar rates in both CWs. NH₄ ⁺ concentration decreased under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, but there was large variability. The age of the CW affected C mineralization rates and DRP immobilization rates under aerobic conditions and mobilization rates under anaerobic conditions; they increased as the CWs maturated, while no effect of CW age was observed on nitrogen removal rates.     

The response of eragrostis curvula (schrad.) nees to fertilizers in the highland sourveld of natal*

The effects of five years of application of N, P and K fertilizers at three levels, and of agricultural lime at two levels, on the herbage yield of Eragrostis curvula are discussed. The experiment was carried out on leached soils under an average annual rainfall of 900mm. Significant responses in yield were obtained to N, P and K fertilizers but there was no response to lime.     

Monensin controlled-release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows

Monensin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic, is potentially an important agent for bloat relief in dairy cows grazing temperate legume-based pasture. A series of studies was undertaken to determine the effect of monensin, when delivered continuously in the rumen of lactating dairy cows by means of controlled-release capsules (monensin CRC). Such devices release approximately 300 mg/head/day for 100 d. A short-term pilot study made at Ruakura, New Zealand, tested monensin CRC in cows selected for high susceptibility to bloat and grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or red clover (Trifolium pratense). Treatment significantly reduced the incidence of bloat, while milk yield and protein yield were increased. There was no effect on fat yield. Following the pilot study, 6 large-scale field experiments involving a total of 368 lactating dairy cows, were made in Australia and New Zealand to confirm the effectiveness of monensin CRC for bloat control and to measure the effect of such treatment on milk production and composition. A severe bloat problem occurred in 2 experiments, mild bloat occurred in 2 others, while no visual signs of bloat were observed in the remaining 2 experiments. Bloat was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced by monensin CRC treatment when data was pooled over the 4 experiments in which bloat occurred. Daily milk yield was increased in all experiments from a mean of 17.7 in untreated groups to 18.8 kg/head/day (P less than 0.05) in monensin CRC-treated cows. Protein percentage was not affected by treatment, while there was a decrease from 4.29 to 4.10% fat, although total fat yield was not affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

柴达木盆地弃耕地盐渍状况的主分量分析

采用主分量分析（PCA）方法对柴达木盆地弃耕地盐渍化状况进行了研究，结果表明，该地属于中重度氯化物盐渍地、耕作层含盐量在0．5％－4．0％之间，盐分表聚强烈，基本无自然淋溶过程。耕作层第一、二主分量显著，累计贡献率高达95．0％左右，反映了该区土壤含盐量及盐离子分布规律，认为全盐量、Cl^-,Mg^2＋是该弃耕地盐渍环境的特征因子。     

Evidence that Cache Valley virus induces congenital malformations in sheep

An outbreak of congenital abnormalities occurred in sheep at San Angelo, Texas, between December 1986 and February 1987. Of 360 lambs born, 19.2% had arthrogryposis or other musculo-skeletal problems and hydranencephaly (AGH), and the total neonatal loss was 25.6%. In 1987, all ewes that were tested with AGH lambs had antibody to Cache Valley virus (CVV), whereas 62% of the ewes with normal lambs had CVV-specific antibody. Pre-colostral serum samples from AGH lambs had neutralizing antibody to CVV. An increase in prevalence of CVV-specific antibody, from 5% during the spring of 1986 to 63.4% during the winter of 1987, occurred during a time that included the gestation of these affected lambs, as well as a period of increased rainfall. The isolation of a CVV-related strain from a sentinel sheep in October 1987 confirmed the continued presence of this virus in the pasture where this outbreak occurred and provided a recent field strain for future studies.     

A study of the predominant genotypes of bovid herpesvirus 1 found in the U.K

The genotypic classification of 84 U.K. isolates of bovid herpesvirus 1 was determined by the restriction endonuclease technique. Preliminary studies with six enzymes (EcoRI, HindIII, HpaI, BamHI, PstI and BstEII) showed that the principal genotypic variants, including the live vaccine strains used in the U.K., could be identified from the digestion patterns with just two endonucleases: HindIII and HpaI. Isolates from the 1960s were all categorised as genotype 2b. From 1977 onwards, genotype 1 has predominated in mainland Britain, with occasional type 2b isolates. Type 2b viruses were isolated from both respiratory and genital disease cases. There was no evidence of genotypes 2a or 3 in the U.K.     

Megakaryocytic infection and thrombocytopenia in African swine fever

Pigs infected with an African swine fever field isolate of modified virulence became acutely thrombocytopenic four to five days after the onset of fever and viremia. By eight days after inoculation, all pigs were thrombocytopenic. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that 2 to 10% of the megakaryocytes were infected. By 13 days after inoculation, platelet counts returned to within normal limits, and there was megakaryocytic hyperplasia despite a continued viremia. Secondary complications delayed the return of normal circulating platelet levels in some pigs. The clinical findings of African swine fever are discussed in light of the gross and histologic lesions.