Selected Calcium Salt Formulations: Interactions between Spray Deposit Characteristics and Ca Penetration with Consequences for Rain-Induced Wash-Off

The effect of two ethoxylated rapeseed oils (RSO) as surfactants for foliar-applied calcium chloride CaCl₂ and calcium acetate Ca(CH₃COO)₂ on deposit characteristics, penetration, and calcium (Ca) residues after rainfall was investigated in columnar apple trees (CAT, Malus domestica Borkh.) and apple seedlings. Irrespective of salt and apple variety, both surfactants enhanced droplet spreading and led to a greater area covered by calcium within the droplet residues. The addition of the rather lipophilic surfactant RSO 5 and the rather hydrophilic RSO 60 increased penetration of Ca from both salts through isolated apple leaf cuticular membranes. Our data demonstrate that penetration is better reflected by area covered with calcium than by droplet spreading area. Considering the point of deliquescence (POD) from the salts and results of cuticular Ca penetration, we postulate that in case of CaCl₂ reduction of wash-off was due to enhanced penetration, whereas for Ca(CH₃COO)₂ wash-off was decreased due to distinct enhancement of rainfastness.     

Isolation of granulocytes and mononuclear cells from the blood of dogs, cats, horses and cattle

A simple discontinuous Percoll density-gradient technique was adapted for isolation of granulocytes and mononuclear cells from cats, dogs, horses and cattle. Separation was accomplished at low speeds using a standard tabletop centrifuge. Cell purity was 100% for both granulocytes and mononuclear cells and cell viability exceeded 95%. Percent recovery of leukocytes ranged from 69 to 83%.     

Strategic control of gastrointestinal nematode and lungworm infections with eprinomectin at turnout and eight weeks later.

Two groups of 10 first-year grazing cattle were either left untreated as controls (group 1) or treated with eprinomectin as a pour-on application at turnout and eight weeks later (group 2). The control group developed a mild infection with gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms during the season, whereas the treated animals remained healthy. The interval between the treatments allowed the establishment of adult worms, but the egg counts remained negligible. The total number of eggs shed by the treated cattle during the grazing season was significantly smaller than by the controls.