The control of the annual growth cycle in raspberry

Summary

The Brassicaceae (syn. Cruciferae) is an economically important botanical family providing a diverse range of foliar, root and seed crops for both human and domesticated animal consumption. However, in common with other plant species the Brassicacae have been endowed with the capacity to synthesize a range of antinutritional compounds, the most important of which are the glucosinolates, S-methylcysteine sulfoxide, tannins and erucic acid. In this review the adverse and possible beneficial effects of the inclusion of these compounds in human and animal diets are reviewed together with their chemistry, biosynthesis and methods for their analysis.     

CHANGES IN CRAWFISH PRODUCTION COSTS AND CURRENT PRODUCTION PRACTICES USED

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center cost estimates for single-crop crawfish production costs are analyzed for the period, 1991–2010, to determine changes in the cost components of Louisiana crawfish production. Fuel costs have contributed the most and fixed expenses the least to increased production costs, with total expenses per acre increasing by an average of 3.8% per year if land is not included and by 3.6% per year if land is included. Crawfish prices have varied greatly over the period, ranging from $0.50/lb in 1993 to $1.75/lb in 2000. Production practices used by Louisiana crawfish producers are highly variable, creating challenges for estimating representative production cost estimates.     

Recovery and dynamics of decomposing plant residue in soil: an evaluation of three fractionation methods

Our goals in this study were to track the incorporation of plant residue into soil organic matter (SOM) and test the effectiveness of different fractionation methods to evaluate this transformation. We incubated soil amended with ¹³C‐labelled barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) residue and used three fractionation methods based on size (> 250, 53–250, 5–53 and < 5 µm) and density (< 1.7 g cm^?3, i.e. light fraction (LF)) and determined its quantity and the rate of C loss or gain or both in these fractions as decomposition progressed. One method was based on size only, another involved density separation followed by size fractionation and a third separated organic matter fractions by size first and then by density. There were significant quantitative differences between the methods for the amount of residue in the fractions, but there was no effect of fractionation method on the rate of change in the residue that comprised the fractions. The density method did not appear to identify all of the most recently added (i.e. least decomposed) residue in the LF or that there was a redistribution of SOM among the fractions. The amount of residue C and the C:N ratio of the residue in the two smallest fractions increased early during the incubation (0–2 months), but subsequently decreased towards the end. The initially small C:N ratio in the clay fraction probably reflects the accumulation of microbial by‐products from the rapid decomposition of water‐soluble compounds. The subsequent increase and decrease in both residue C and C:N ratio reflects the balance of the accumulation of sorbed water‐soluble compounds and dense plant residue fragments and their mineralization over time. We conclude that clay is a sink for residue C (i.e. microbial metabolites) early during decomposition, and that there is a transfer among fractions and mineralization of residue C as decomposition proceeds. These findings indicate that the clay fraction contains a dynamic pool of C that can cycle within short time‐scales.     

Seasonal parasitism and host specificity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trissolcus japonicus</Emphasis> in northern China

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), native to China, Japan, and Korea, has emerged as a harmful invasive pest of a variety of crops in North America and Europe. The Asian egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus has been identified as the most promising agent for classical biological control of invasive H. halys populations. A 4-year study evaluated the fundamental and ecological host ranges of T. japonicus as well as its phenology and impact on H. halys populations in fruit orchards in its native range in northern China. In laboratory no-choice tests, developmental suitability of eight non-target host species for T. japonicus was demonstrated by the successful production of progeny on the majority (>85%) of non-target host species tested. In field-collected, naturally laid egg masses, T. japonicus was the most abundant parasitoid associated with H. halys and Dolycoris baccarum, but was also sporadically found in Plautia crossota. Furthermore, it was regularly reared from sentinel egg masses of Menida violacea, Arma chinensis, and Carbula eoa. The only species that did not support development in the laboratory and field was Cappaea tibialis. Besides the benefit of having a high impact on H. halys populations in Northern China, the risk assessment conducted in the area of origin indicates that native Pentatomidae in North America and Europe could be negatively impacted by T. japonicus. Whether the benefits of T. japonicus outweigh the possible risks will have to be evaluated based on the outcome of additional host range studies in the two invaded regions.     

Community digester operations and dairy farmer perspectives

Rising energy costs, increasing herd sizes, and other structural changes affecting the New York dairy industry may make farmers receptive to new energy production technologies. Anaerobic digestion represents a possible benefit to farmers by reducing odor while producing methane for electricity. However, current digester designs are for herd sizes of 300 or more cows, with significant economies of scale, so smaller operators may have little interest in the technology. Moreover, without a favorable policy environment and reliable grant programs, the initial investments required for digester installation might deter operators. One solution to these issues may be community digesters, which are centrally located facilities that accept manure from multiple farms. Data from a survey of New York dairy farmers were used to assess farmers’ interest in community digesters. In general, interest was associated with power generation outcomes and reservations about organic farming practices; advocates might encourage their use among smaller conventional farm operators looking for new sources of profit and diversification.     

Lectin Histochemistry as a Tool to Identify Apoptotic Cells in the Seminiferous Epithelium of Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Subjected to Short Photoperiod

Lectins have been widely used to study the pattern of cellular glycoconjugates in numerous species. In the process of cellular apoptosis, it has been observed that changes occur in the membrane sugar sequences of these apoptotic cells. The aim of our work was to identify which lectins, out of an extensive battery of the same (PNA, SBA, HPA, LTA, Con‐A, UEA‐I, WGA, DBA, MAA, GNA, AAA, SNA), show affinity for germinal cells in apoptosis, at what stage of cell death they do so and in which germinal cell types they can be detected. For this, we studied testis sections during testicular regression in Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) subjected to short photoperiod. Several lectins showed an affinity for the glycoconjugate residues of germ cells in apoptosis: Gal β1,3‐GalNAcα1, α‐d ‐mannose, N‐acetylgalactosamine and l ‐fucose. Furthermore, lectin specificity was observed for some specific germinal cells and in certain stages of apoptosis. It was also observed that one of these lectins (PNA) showed affinity for Sertoli cells undergoing apoptosis. Therefore, we conclude that the use of lectin histochemistry could be a very useful tool for studying apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium because of the specificity shown towards germinal cells in pathological or experimentally induced epithelial depletion models.     

Outbreak of psoroptic mange in cattle

A severe outbreak of psoroptic mange in beef cattle is described. Up to half the animals in some groups were extensively affected and debilitated. Performance was poor with days to slaughter weight increased. Ivermectin was the most effective form of treatment. The possible origin of the infestation and the ways of controlling the condition are discussed.     

Vetch toxicosis in cattle grazing Vicia villosa ssp dasycarpa and V benghalensis

SUMMARY The epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of a disease syndrome in adult cattle grazing woolly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp dasycarpa) or popany vetch (V benghalensis) are reported. Outbreaks of toxlcosis occurred between midwinter and midsummer in 3 dairy and 6 beef herds on the north coast of New South Wales, between 1982 and 1992. Friesian, Angus, Murray Grey, Guernsey and Hereford breeds were affected. Mean morbidity and case fatality rates in affected herds were 7% (65 of 889) and 69%, respectively. Signs of pruritic dermatitis, illthrift and death were associated with an eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation of many organs, particularly involving the renal cortex, dermis, myocardium, adrenal glands, lymph nodes and hepatic portal triads.