Influence of Seeding Density on Contents and Uptake of N, P and K in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Field experiments were conducted at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK to evaluate the effects of seeding density and row spacing on the contents and uptake of N, P and K in linseed during 1993 and 1994. The contents of all three nutrients decreased with age of the plants up to the start of flowering, but N and P slightly increased at maturity in both the experiments. The increase of N and P at maturity could be the result of greater accumulation of these elements in the seeds. The uptake of all three elements (N, P and K) increased progressively with age of the plants, with a peak at maturity, but the level of K decreased by almost half in both experiments between flowering and maturity. The progressive increase of uptake with age of the plants may be related to total dry matter production. The decrease of K at maturity indicated that lower plant parts (stem and leaves) accumulated a higher percentage of K than seeds. The senescence of leaves at maturity might also have contributed to the decrease of K at maturity. The characteristics of the crop were in general quite similar in 1993 and 1994. The small variations found in the contents and uptake of N, P and K could be due to variation in weather conditions and the total length of the growth period. In 1993, the weather was moist and relatively cool, while in 1994 it was dry and relatively hot.     

Combining ability analysis to identify suitable parents for heterosis in seed cotton yield,its components and lint % in upland cotton

Combining ability and heterosis were studied in a 6 × 6 diallel cross to see the nature of gene action in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during 2002 to 2004. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the F₁ and F₂ hybrid means and their respective six parental values for all the traits examined. In both generations, the mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were also highly significant. SCA genetic variances were greater than GCA and more important for the traits, i.e. boll weight, boll number and seed cotton yield per plant, showing the predominance of non-additive gene action. Lint % in both generations and boll weight in F₂s only were controlled by additive type of gene action due to maximum GCA variances. Cultivar CIM-1100 was found to be the best general combiner and its utilization produced valuable hybrids with desirable SCA in both generations. F₁ and F₂ hybrids, viz., CIM-1100 × CRIS-9, CIM-1100 × FH-682, CIM-1100 × BH-36 and CIM-109 × CIM-1100 as high × low and low × high parents performed well in SCA determination, outstanding mean performance and heterosis. Better SCA effects associated with useful heterosis were more pronounced for yield traits. In F₁ hybrids, maximum heterosis was observed for seed cotton yield followed by boll number, boll weight and lint %. The heterosis over better parent was +3.13 to +65.63% for bolls per plant, +0.75 to +24.40% for boll weight, +0.82 to +115.22% for seed cotton yield and +0.27 to +3.88% for lint %. Involvement of CIM-1100 in most of the F₁ and F₂ hybrids resulted in the synthesis of superior genotypes for most of the traits studied. Inbreeding depression was elevated in good performing hybrids and was the highest for seed cotton yield. Highest yielding F₁ hybrids yielded lesser in the subsequent generation due to over-dominance and inbreeding depression, whereas moderate yielding F₁ hybrids were found more stable even passing through process of segregation due to additive gene action. The combined performance of F₁ and F₂ hybrids could be a good indicator to identify the most promising populations to be utilized either as F₂ hybrids or as a resource population for further selection.     

Beobachtungen über das Auftreten vonThaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. (Lep. Notodontidae) auf Zypern

Summary The processionary caterpillar occurs all over lyprus up to an elevation of about 4500 ft. The flight season is in the summer (July, August). The eggs are usually laid of pine neddles, but occasionally they are laid under the bark. The eggs hatch sometime in the autumn (Sept. Oct.), depending on weather conditions. The young larvae begin weaving their characteristic nests on the branches and needles. After emergence by the end of March, or the beginning of April, the mature Caterpillar goes to the soil for pupation, where they remain until the end of June or the beginning of July. They attack most pines but in particularPinus brutia. The control measure, is the cutting away of the nests, burning them or spraying the effected trees with 50% DDT.     

Schadinsekten und ihre Bekämpfung an Sojabohne (Glycine max L.) und Sonnenblume (Helianthus annuus L.) in Australien

The major problems caused by insect pests of soybeans and sunflower in Australia are reviewed. The bionomy of pests, the stages at which the crop is affected, the economic significance of the damage, and the difficulties of control are considered. The main methods of control are by the use of insecticides with the emphasis placed on an integrated approach to the problem. Present insecticides available give sufficient control. The most problems arise from the method of application used.     

Probleme der angewandten Entomologie in Papua und Neu-Guinea

Summary As in the other developing countries Papua and New Guinea, virgin forest were felled and the land cleared. After clearing, large areas were planted mostly monocultures, of either Cacao, Coconuts, rubber, coffee or tea.This clearing of large areas of virgin forest resulted drastic changes to the enviroment and the insects, animals and plants living in these areas. Some insects disappeared from the areas, whilst others were able to increase their numbers rapidly under the changed enviromental conditions and on the introduced crop plants.These insects in their undisturbed biotop, fed on unimportant plants and from these host plants they adapted themselves to the monocultures, A number of polyphagous and monophagous pests were able to multiply to epidemic levels.Ten major pests of economically important crops and their bionomy as well as the control measures are briefly discussed.     

Comparative effects of copper, iron, vanadium and titanium on low density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro

INTRODUCTION: Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been strongly implicated in the phathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The use of oxidants in dietary food stuff may lead to the production of oxidized LDL and may increase both the development and the progression of atherosclerosis. The present work investigated the effects of some elements including: copper (Cu), iron (Fe), vanadium (V) and titanium (Ti) on in vitro LDL oxidation quantitatively. METHODS: The first LDL fraction was isolated from fresh plasma by single vertical discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. The formation of conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase in electrophoretic mobility of LDL were monitored as markers of the oxidation of LDL. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that Cu, Fe, V and Ti exhibited strong oxidant activity in this respect (P<0.001). Oxidation of LDL in the presence of Cu was more and appeared to be in this order Cu>Fe>V>Ti. DISCUSSION: Cu, Fe, V and Ti are redox-active transition metals that may cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA molecules. We suggest that these elements may also influence the oxidation of LDL in vivo, which could increase both the development and progression of atherosclerosis.     

Naturally occurring estrogens in processed milk and in raw milk (from gestated cows)

The occurrence of the steroid hormones estrone (E1), 17alpha-estradiol (alphaE2), 17beta-estradiol (betaE2), and estriol (E3) in processed bovine milk with different fat contents and in raw milk from (non)gestated cows was investigated. Following liquid extraction, optional enzymatical deconjugation, C18 solid-phase extraction, and derivatization, estrogens were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Free and deconjugated E1 (6.2-1266 ng/L) was the major estrogen followed by alphaE2 (7.2-322 ng/L) and betaE2 (5.6-51 ng/L), whereas E3 was detected regularly at the detection limit of 10 ng/L. The lowest and highest concentrations were determined in raw milk from nonpregnant and from cows in the third trimester of gestation, respectively. The estrogen concentration in processed milk coincides with that of raw milk between first and second trimesters, reflecting the contribution of lactating pregnant cows to the final consumable product. The daily intake of total investigated estrogens through milk is 372 ng, which is dramatically more than currently recognized.     

Thymomas in rabbits: clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment

Thymomas are rarely recorded in rabbits, and the literature includes comparatively few cases. Medical records were reviewed to identify all pet rabbits in which a mediastinal mass was diagnosed between Feb 2007 and Jan 2010. Signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic work-up (including laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the mediastinal mass), treatment modalities, survival time, and histologic findings were evaluated. Cytologic and/or histopathologic examinations revealed thymomas in all rabbits with mediastinal masses (n=13). Rabbits with thymomas showed clinical signs of dyspnea (76.9%), exercise intolerance (53.9%), and bilateral exophthalmos (46.2%). In seven rabbits the thymoma was removed surgically. Two rabbits were treated conservatively, and four rabbits were euthanized because of their poor clinical condition. The two rabbits that underwent surgery were euthanized 6 mo and 34 mo later. Mediastinal masses in rabbits appear to be more common than previously believed and consist primarily of thymomas rather than thymic lymphomas. Cytology of samples collected by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration is an accurate diagnostic tool for the identification of thymomas in rabbits. Due to a high rate of perioperative mortality, intensive perioperative care and the provision of a low-stress environment are recommended for a successful thoracotomy.     

Morpho-molecular identification of Heterophyes heterophyes encysted metacercariae and its immunological and histopathological effects on farmed Mugil cephalus in Egypt

Aquaculture International - Molecular and immunological aspects of heterophyid infections in mullets are scanty. This study was initiated to identify heterophyid encysted metacercariae infecting...