The effects of long-term conservation tillage, crop residues and P fertilizer on soil conditions and responses of summer and winter crops on an Andosol in Japan

A field experiment was conducted from 1983 to 1992 in Tsukuba, Japan to investigate the effects of tillage on soil conditions and crop growth in a light-colored Andosol. Three tillage methods (NT: no-tillage, RT: no-tillage for summer cropping and moldboard plowing for winter cropping, and CT: conventional rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm) were employed in combination with crop residue application (+R, −R) and fused magnesium phosphate (FMP) fertilization (+P, −P). Under the combination of NT and +R, diurnal variation of soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm was smaller during the summer cropping season and soil temperature in the daytime was lower during the winter cropping season than under CT. Soil inorganic N concentration at a depth of 0–30 cm was +R > −R and NT > RT > CT. The early growth of summer crops was accelerated under NT in comparison with CT, and yields were higher under NT and RT in comparison with CT. On the other hand, winter crop yields were significantly reduced under NT, while they were still higher under RT in comparison with CT. Yields were higher with +R and +P application, respectively, and these effects were more pronounced in winter cropping. The positive effect of FMP fertilization was greater in combination with NT, and that of residue treatment was greater in combination with RT and NT than with CT. In conclusion, the best tillage practice for Andosols on the Kanto Plain is RT, i.e. a combination of NT for summer cropping and CT for winter cropping. The application of NT for winter cropping is not recommended, although the application of phosphate and crop residues could reduce the risk of yield reduction, because of improved soil nutrient status and moderation of diurnal soil temperature.     

Morphological and physiological studies on densely branched lateral roots triggered by localized phosphate in Sesbania cannabina

Densely branched lateral roots (DBLRs) in Sesbania cannabina are formed in response to patchily distributed phosphorus (P) in volcanic soils. Little attention has been paid to morphological and physiological responses of DBLRs. Here, we investigated the relation between plant growth and DBLR development, enzymatic activities involved in P acquisition, and the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which contribute to P uptake, to clarify the function of DBLRs. We investigated DBLR development induced by localized application of P fertilizer and we compared the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) and acid phosphatase (APase) between DBLRs and non‐DBLRs. Additionally, plants were grown with or without AMF to investigate the effect of AMF colonization on the numbers of DBLRs and plant P uptake, and we compared AMF colonization between DBLRs and non‐DBLR roots. Secondary to quaternary lateral DBLRs were produced after the primary lateral roots passed near P fertilizer. P_i content per DBLR increased as DBLRs developed, promoting higher shoot growth. Under P deficiency, PEPCase and APase activities increased in non‐DBLR, but were significantly lower in DBLRs in the same plants. AMF inoculation changed the root system architecture by significantly decreasing the number of DBLRs, and AMF colonization was lower in DBLRs than in non‐DBLRs. Our results indicate that DBLR formation is a P‐coacquisition strategy of S. cannabina grown in P‐deficient andosolic soil. Roots that form DBLR are clearly different from non‐DBLR roots in morphological and biochemical response and AMF symbiosis.     

Cryopreservation of canine spermatozoa using a skim milk-based extender and a short equilibration time

Although useful spermatozoa cryopreservation techniques have been established, long-term equilibration seems to be required before freezing the spermatozoa of many species, including dogs. The fertility of cryopreserved dog spermatozoa from five males for a reduced equilibration period (0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min) in a skim milk (SM)-based extender containing raffinose was evaluated in the present study. When the sperm was diluted with the extender at room temperature (RT) and cryopreserved without equilibration, the proportion of total motile spermatozoa (TMS) after thawing was lower (27%) than when the sperm was equilibrated for 30 min (33%), 60 min (32%), 120 min (44%; p < .05) or 180 min (29%). The proportion of TMS increased as the equilibration time increased and peaked at 120 min. Acrosome integrity was significantly lower in the cryopreserved spermatozoa that had not undergone the initial equilibration than in the equilibrated spermatozoa (p < .05). The normal rate of acrosomes increased with the extension of the first equilibration and peaked at 120 min. When frozen–thawed spermatozoa that had been diluted at RT and subjected to an initial equilibration lasting 60 or 180 min were transcervically inseminated into recipients, there were no differences in the delivery rate, litter size or breeding efficiency. In the cryopreservation of canine spermatozoa using a SM-based extender, even if the initial equilibration time was shortened to 60 min, the results were comparable to those obtained when the conventional method (with an initial equilibration time of 180 min) was used.     

Condensation reactions of phenolic resins V: cure-acceleration effects of propylene carbonate

Propylene carbonate (PC) is known as one of the cure accelerators for alkaline phenol–formaldehyde resins. To elucidate the cure-acceleration mechanisms, the effects of PC on the condensation reactions of monomeric hydroxymethylphenols (HMPs) were investigated and compared with those of PC hydrolysate, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) and ethyl formate. Immediately after the reaction started, PC, decomposing itself simultaneously, accelerated the formation of the ortho-para methylene-bonded dimer of 2,4,6-trihydroxymethylphenol. This effect of PC was very similar to that of ethyl formate. To the contrary, PC hydrolysate accelerated the formation of the para-para methylene-bonded dimer throughout the course of the reaction. This effect of PC hydrolysate was identical to that of NaHCO₃. These results indicate that PC increases the reactivity of the ortho-hydroxymethyl group, presumably through transesterification. On the other hand, NaHCO₃ is formed by the hydrolysis of PC or decomposition of the transesterified HMPs and it increases the reactivity of the para-hydroxymethyl group.     

Determination of antioxidant activity and characterization of antioxidant phenolics in the plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom (Prunus lannesiana)

Sakura-cha (salted cherry blossom tea) is a Japanese tea that is traditionally served at celebrations such as wedding ceremonies. The production of Sakura-cha includes the immersion of cherry blossom flowers in Japanese plum vinegar, and through this process, the byproduct (plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom) is obtained. In this study, the antioxidant activity of the plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom was examined. The plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom had a greater superoxide anion scavenging activity compared with red wine, which is a well-known strong antioxidant. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and caffeic acid were the major components in the phenolic extract prepared from plum vinegar extract of cherry blossom, and they possessed superoxide anion scavenging activity. Caffeic acid is mainly responsible for the scavenging activity of phenolic extract; the contributions of cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were minor.     

Biological and chemical stability of garlic-derived allicin

This study verifies the instability of garlic ( Allium sativum L.)-derived allyl 2-propenylthiosulfinate (allicin) in various aqueous and ethanolic solutions as well as in vegetable oil through chemical and biological analyses performed simultaneously. Crushed fresh garlic cloves generated antibacterial activity and chemically detectable allicin, a major antibacterial principle, and both declined on a daily basis in aqueous and ethanolic solutions at room temperature, showing biological and chemical half-lives of about 6 and 11 days, respectively. Allicin was more stable in 20% alcohol than in water, but surprisingly unstable in vegetable oil, with an activity half-life 0.8 h, as estimated from its antibacterial activity toward Escherichia coli, and a chemical half-life of 3.1 h, based on chromatographic quantification. In alcoholic and aqueous extracts, the biological half-life of allicin tended to be longer than the chemical one, suggesting the occurrence of bioactive compounds other than allicin in the extracts.     

Stable carbon isotope ratios of water-extractable organic carbon affected by application of rice straw and rice straw compost during a long-term rice experiment in Yamagata,Japan

ABSTRACT

Hot-water- and water-extractable organic matter were obtained from soil samples collected from a rice paddy 31 years after the start of a long-term rice experiment in Yamagata, Japan. Specifically, hot-water-extractable organic carbon and nitrogen (HWEOC and HWEON) were obtained by extraction at 80°C for 16 h, and water-extractable organic carbon and nitrogen (WEOC and WEON) were obtained by extraction at room temperature. The soil samples were collected from surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface (15–25 cm) layers of five plots that had been treated with inorganic fertilizers alone or with inorganic fertilizers plus organic matter, as follows: PK, NPK, NPK plus rice straw (RS), NPK plus rice straw compost (CM1), and NPK plus a high dose of rice straw compost (CM3). The soil/water ratio was 1:10 for both extraction temperatures. We found that the organic carbon and total nitrogen contents of the bulk soils were highly correlated with the extractable organic carbon and nitrogen contents regardless of extraction temperature, and the extractable organic carbon and nitrogen contents were higher in the plots that were treated with inorganic fertilizers plus organic matter than in the PK and NPK plots. The HWEOC and WEOC δ¹³C values ranged from ?28.2% to ?26.4% and were similar to the values for the applied rice straw and rice straw compost. There were no correlations between the HWEOC or WEOC δ¹³C values and the amounts of HWEOC or WEOC. The δ¹³C values of the bulk soils ranged from ?25.7% to ?23.2% and were lower for the RS and CM plots than for the PK and NPK plots. These results indicate that HWEOC and WEOC originated mainly from rice plants and the applied organic matter rather than from the indigenous soil organic matter. The significant positive correlations between the amounts of HWEOC and HWEON and the amount of available nitrogen (P < 0.001) imply that extractable organic matter can be used as an index for soil fertility in this long-term experiment. We concluded that the applied organic matter decomposed more rapidly than the indigenous soil organic matter and affected WEOC δ¹³C values and amounts.     

Anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of the Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and other berries

The anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of the crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum) were studied. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with a diode array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were used for identification and quantification of individual anthocyanins. Freeze-dried crowberry powder was extracted with 80% methanol containing 0.5% acetic acid and subjected to HPLC. Thirteen kinds of anthocyanins were identified. The major anthocyanins were cyanidin-3-galactoside and delphinidin-3-galactoside, at 8.04 and 8.62 mg/g extract, respectively. The HPLC profile of crowberry extract was similar to bilberry and blueberry. The total content of anthocyanins in crowberry was 41.8 mg/g extract, higher than the other nine major berry species (2.5-38.8 mg/g extract). The antioxidant activity was also evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical quenching assays and the ferric reducing activity power assy. Crowberry extract exerted the strongest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, individual anthocyanins in crowberry were identified and then quantified in this study. Additionally, crowberry is suggested to be associated with a reduction in the risk of developing chronic diseases because of its strong antioxidant activity.     

Role for piRNAs and noncoding RNA in de novo DNA methylation of the imprinted mouse Rasgrf1 locus

Genomic imprinting causes parental origin-specific monoallelic gene expression through differential DNA methylation established in the parental germ line. However, the mechanisms underlying how specific sequences are selectively methylated are not fully understood. We have found that the components of the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway are required for de novo methylation of the differentially methylated region (DMR) of the imprinted mouse Rasgrf1 locus, but not other paternally imprinted loci. A retrotransposon sequence within a noncoding RNA spanning the DMR was targeted by piRNAs generated from a different locus. A direct repeat in the DMR, which is required for the methylation and imprinting of Rasgrf1, served as a promoter for this RNA. We propose a model in which piRNAs and a target RNA direct the sequence-specific methylation of Rasgrf1.     

Novel SNP in 5' flanking region of EDG1 associated with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle

Marbling, defined by the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat, is an economically important trait of beef cattle in Japan. The endothelial differentiation , sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor , 1 ( EDG1 ) gene has been considered as a positional functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling. We have recently reported that 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), c.-312A > G in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and c.*446G > A in the 3' UTR in EDG1 were associated with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle, but this was not functional and a causal mutation for marbling. In the present study, we detected 2 novel SNPs, referred to as g.1475435G > A and g.1471620G > T , in the 5' flanking region of the EDG1 between low-marbled and high-marbled steer groups, which were previously shown to have EDG1 expression differences in musculus longissimus muscle. The g.1475435G > A SNP seemed not to segregate in Japanese Black beef cattle. The g.1471620G > T SNP was associated with the predicted breeding value for beef marbling standard number by the analyses using Japanese Black beef cattle population. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the g.1471620G > T SNP might have an impact on EDG1 expression and also marbling.