Further studies on Zschokkella russelli Tripathi (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) from Ciliata mustela L. (Teleostei; Gadidae), with emphasis on ultrastructural pathology and sporogenesis

Abstract In this second study of the myxozoan Zschokkella russelli Tripathi from Wales, infection occurred in 71-0% of five-bearded rocklings, Ciliata mustela L.; all infected fish were mature and immature fish were uninfected. Histologieal studies showed ehanges to gallbladder and liver that mostly conformed with earher findings, but sinusoidal dilation, which had not been seen previously, was present in three of 22 infected livers. Thickening around hepatic ducts was shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to comprise fibroblasts and associated collagen bundles, while the attenuated epithelium of hepatic ducts bore few mierovilli. Zschokkella russelli plasmodia were seen by TEM to have fine tubular structures, particularly adjacent to developing sporonts. Spores showed long extensions to the sporoplasm, while spore valves had up to 18 surface ridges each and depressions between ridges were supported by microtubules. Otherwise, in its general ultrastructure and sporogenesis Z. russelli resembled other myxosporida.     

RETENTION OF LOW LEVELS OF COPPER BY HUMIC ACID

Most of the Cu previously added to humic acid derived from a sedge fen peat was easily removed by washing with acid, but the strength of binding increased as the Cu content decreased. The capacity to retain firmly bound Cu was reduced to about half by treating the humic acid to block either carboxyl or hydroxyl groups alone or to block both groups together. The retaining sites blocked therefore probably involve both carboxyl and hydroxyl groups acting together, but alternatively could be groups such as hydroxy-quinone, affected by both types of treatment. Retention of Cu by peat differs from retention by the extracted humic acid.     

Probiotic applications for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) I. Effects on growth performance,feed utilization,intestinal microbiota and related health criteria

The effect of dietary probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Enterococcus faecium) used singularly and synergistically on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota and health status of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) were assessed after 10 weeks feeding on supplemented diets. No significant improvements of weight gain or specific growth rate were observed in the probiotic fed groups. However, a significant improvement of feed conversion ratio was observed in the group fed E. faecium. High levels of probiotic species were observed in the posterior gastrointestinal tract as transient digesta‐associated populations and potentially resident mucosal populations. Bacillus subtilis and B. licheniformis levels accounted for 36% of the total culturable microbial population adhered to the mucosa and 62% in the digesta. E. faecium levels accounted for 45% of the mucosal population and 89% of the population in the digesta. An increase of serum lysozyme activity was observed in the fish fed diets containing the Bacillus probionts and elevated leukocyte levels were observed in fish fed diets containing Bacillus + E. faecium synergistically. The results of the current study demonstrate potential for B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and E. faecium to improve feed utilization, modulate intestinal microbiota and the health status of rainbow trout.     

Increased tolerance to annual ryegrass toxicity in sheep given a supplement of cobalt

SUMMARY To determine whether oral cobalt supplements could modify the clinical onset of annual ryegrass toxicity, groups (n = 5) of sheep were dosed orally with 0, 4 or 16 mg cobalt/day. After 3 weeks on this treatment, toxic ryegrass seed was added to their feed to provide 0, 0.15 and 0.30 mg corynetoxins/kg body weight, daily. Sheep receiving cobalt ingested 30% more toxin than did unsupplemented sheep before clinical signs developed (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference between groups receiving 4 and 16 mg cobalt. The results showed that cobalt delayed, but did not prevent, the onset of clinical signs of annual ryegrass toxicity.     

The effects of rates of nitrogen application on seven perennial ryegrass varieties

The dry matter and crude protein production of the perennial ryegrass varieties S24, S23, Premo, Houba, Barlenna, Melle and Sceempter Pasture at annual nitrogen application rates of 212, 425, 637 and 1062 kg ha^?1 were studied for the years 1972–74 inclusive. The DM and CP response curves for the variety Melle were steeper than those for other varieties tested and levelled off at a higher N application rate. The results suggest that Melle is a variety with a genotype capahle of utilizing N more efficiently at higher rates than the other varieties tested.     

Agriculture Green Development: a model for China and the world

Realizing sustainable development has become a global priority. This holds, in particular, for agriculture. Recently, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Nineteenth National People’s Congress has delivered a national strategy for sustainable development in China—realizing green development. The overall objective of Agriculture Green Development (AGD) is to coordinate “green” with “development” to realize the transformation of current agriculture with high resource consumption and high environmental costs into a green agriculture and countryside with high productivity, high resource use efficiency and low environmental impact. This is a formidable task, requiring joint efforts of government, farmers, industry, educators and researchers. The innovative concept for AGD will focus on reconstructing the whole crop-animal production and food production-consumption system, with the emphasis on high thresholds for environmental standards and food quality as well as enhanced human well-being. This paper addresses the significance, challenges, framework, pathways and potential solutions for realizing AGD in China, and highlights the potential changes that will lead to a more sustainable agriculture in the future. Proposals include interdisciplinary innovations, whole food chain improvement and regional solutions. The implementation of AGD in China will provide important implications for the countries in developmental transition, and contribute to global sustainable development.     

The response of hill bracken and the associated pasture to applications of picloram and dicambra

Picloram and dicamba applied as sprays or granules at equal doses reduced the vigour of bracken, and there was a corresponding increase in pasture yield. Yield of pasture dry matter and digestible organic matter was increased by over 400% on picloram plots compared with untreated plots and Agrostis spp. became dominant in the sward. Picloram produced the greatest reduction in bracken vigour. Vigour was assessed in terms of dry weight of frond laminae per unit area and total available rhizome carbohydrate per unit area. Higher doses, and granular rather than spray applications of both herbicides were most effective in reducing bracken vigour. Out of twenty-one correlations tested over a 3-year period, bracken frond lamina dry weight yield showed the best relationship with pasture dry matter yield. Réponse de la fougére et de la pâture associée à des applications de piclorame et de dicamba Le piclorame et le dicamba appliqués sous forme liquide ou sous forme de granulés, à des doses égales, ont réduit la vigueur de la fougàre et il s'est manifesté un accroissement correspondant du rendement de la pâture. Le rendement de la pâture en matiàre sàche et en matiàre organique digestible a été augmenté de plus de 400 % dans les parcelles traitées au piclorame, par rapport aux parcelles non traitées et l'Agrostis spp est devenu dominant dans la prairie. Le picloramé a provoqué la plus forte réduction de la vigueur de la fougàre. La vigueur a été exprimée en termes de poids sec de feuilles de frondes et en carbohydrates totaux disponibles dans les rhizomes, par unité de surface. Les doses les plus fortes et les granulés, plus que les pulvérisations, furent les plus efficaces quant à la réduction de la vigueur de la fougàre. Des 21 corrélations examinées durant une période de trois ans, il ressort que le rendement, en poids sec, des feuilles de frondes de fougàres a montré la meilleure relation avec le rendement en matiàre sàche de la pâture. Die Reaktion von Adlerfarn und der von ihm besiedelten Weide auf Behandlungen mit Picloram und Dicamba Sprintzungen und entsprechende Aufwandmengen als Granulate von Picloram und Dicamba verminderten die Wuchsigkeit des Adierfarns und bewirkten einen Ertrags-zuwachs der Weide. Der Ertrag an Trockensubstanz der Weide und die verdauliche organische Substanz, nahmen in den Picloramparzellen, verglichen mit Unbehandelt, um über 400 % zu und Agrostis spp. wurden vorherrschend. Picloram drängte den Adlerfarn am stärksten zurück. Die Wüchsigkeit wurde an Hand des Wedeltrockengewichts je Flächeneinheit und verfägbarer Rhizomkohlenhydrate je Flächeneinheit gemessen. Bei beiden Herbiziden wurde der Adlerfarnwuchs durch höhere Aufwandmengen und Anwendung in Granulat-form stärker vermindert als durch Spritzungen. Von den Versuchsergebnissen aus drei Jahren, zeigten von 21 geprüften Korrelationen das Wedeltrockengewicht des Adierfarns mit dem Trockensubstanzertrag der Weide, die beste Beziehung.     

Parry's disease of pears is similar to pear decline and is associated with mycoplasma-like organisms transmitted by Cacopsylla pyricola

Mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs) were detected by fluorescence microscopy in a number of pear cultivars and pear seedlings growing under a range of different conditions. In the cultivar Conference, MLOs were consistently associated with symptoms of Parry's disease, a decline-like disease of young trees with quince rootstocks. MLO-free pear seedlings rapidly became infected when they were planted outside. Experimental transmission of MLOs to pear seedlings and Conference trees was achieved using pear psyllids, caught outside or raised on infected plants under controlled conditions. Conference trees in an orchard trial remained free from the severe spring symptoms of Parry's disease when they were protected from feeding insects during spring of the previous year. MLOs were graft transmissible, but were not perpetuated by the standard propagation practices of budding or grafting when quince rootstocks were used. Parry's disease appears to be similar to pear decline, an MLO-induced disease well established in several other parts of the world. It is suggested that Parry's disease should be referred to as pear decline.     

Iohexol myelography in the dog and cat: a series of one hundred cases, and a comparison with metrizamide and iopamidol

Iohexol has been found to be a safe and radiographically satisfactory myelographic contrast medium in man and some experimental animals. This study has shown it is also suitable for the dog and cat. No adverse side effects were encountered and radiographic quality was good. A random comparison found it superior in radiographic quality to metrizamide. Iohexol is recommended as the contrast medium of choice for small animal myelography.