Adsorption–desorption of 2,4-D by hydroxy aluminium montmorillonite complexes

Adsorption–desorption characteristics of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on pure montmorillonite and synthetic chlorite-like complexes [Al(OH)_x-montmorillonite complexes, obtained by coating montmorillonite surfaces with different amounts of Al(OH)_x] were investigated. The equilibrium adsorption of 2,4-D was described by both Langmuir and Freundlich type isotherms. The extent of adsorption as well as the type of interaction between adsorbate and adsorbent was affected by the nature of incubation buffer and the charge characteristics of supports. At pH 5·6 and in acetate buffer, 2,4-D was negatively adsorbed by montmorillonite and herbicide adsorption capacity increased with increasing amounts of Al(OH)_x species loaded on montmorillonite surfaces. When adsorption experiments were performed at the same pH but in phosphate buffer, strong reductions of both the amount of adsorbed pesticide and its affinity for the adsorbents were measured. Evidently, phosphate anions competed strongly with 2,4-D anions for the sorption site on chlorite-like complexes. Furthermore, desorption tests revealed that a large amount (about 60%) of the pesticide was firmly bound to the clay and was not removed even after repeated washings or 24 h exposure to desorption solution. Both electrostatic interactions between the negative COO^- moieties of 2,4-D and the positive sites on clays, and ligand exchanges of COO^- groups with -OH or water at the clay surface were probably involved in the adsorption process. ©1997 SCI     

Field evaluation and break-even analysis of specialty soybeans for biodiesel and meal protein production

The economic value of a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop depends on yield and quality. The objectives of this study were to evaluate soybean lines for protein and oil content and to examine the break-even (BE) analysis of these traits combined with yield. Forty lines of maturity group (MG) IV or V were grown at four Arkansas locations for two years. Yield, protein, and oil content of each line were determined and compared to the check average for a BE comparison of the total economic value of the line. Results showed six profitable lines ($8.40 to $54.96 per metric ton based on yield) in 2008 and six profitable lines ($0.49 to $61.19 per metric ton based on yield) in 2009. Overall, in both MG, high-protein lines needed to yield more to be profitable, whereas high-oil lines had competitive yield, protein and oil content; R00-764 (MG IV), R05-71 (MG V), and R02-6185F (MG V) were competitive without added premiums.     

Note: Molecular identification of ‘Candidatus phytoplasma asteris’ inducing histological anomalies inSilene nicaeensis

Numerous plants ofSilene nicaeensis having symptoms resembling those associated with the presence of phytoplasmas were observed in an extensive coastal area in the south of Italy. Microscopic observation showed histological abnormalities in the organization of tissues in symptomatic plants, and molecular tests, including PCR/RFLP analyses and nucleic acid sequencing, revealed the presence of phytoplasmas belonging to the aster yellows group (‘Candidatus phytoplasma asteris’). This is the first report of phytoplasma infection inS. nicaeensis, a wild species that colonizes the Calabrian coast. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting June 12, 2008     

Precision phenotyping of imidazolinone-induced chlorosis in sunflower

Chlorosis level is a useful parameter to assess imidazolinone resistance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The aim of this study was to quantify chlorosis through two different methods in sunflower plantlets treated with imazapyr. The genotypes used in this study were two inbred lines reported to be different in their resistance to imidazolinones. Chlorosis was evaluated by spectrophotometrical quantification of photosynthetic leaf pigments and by a bioinformatics-based color analysis. A protocol for pigment extraction was presented which improved pigment stability. Chlorophyll amount decreased significantly when both genotypes were treated with 10 μM of imazapyr. Leaf color was characterized using Tomato Analyzer^® color test software. A significant positive correlation between color reduction and chlorophyll concentration was found. It suggests that leaf color measurement could be an accurate method to estimate chlorosis and infer chlorophyll levels in sunflower plants. These results highlight a strong relationship between imidazolinone-induced chlorosis and variations in leaf color and in chlorophyll concentration. Both methods are quantitative, rapid, simple, and reproducible. Thus, they could be useful tools for phenotyping and screening large number of plants when breeding for imidazolinone resistance in this species.     

土壤添加沼渣对温室气体排放及小麦生长的影响

Digestate, the product obtained after anaerobic digestion of organic waste for biogas production, is rich in plant nutrients and might be used to fertilize crops. Wheat(Triticum spp. L.) was fertilized with digestate, urea, or left unfertilized and cultivated in the greenhouse for 120 d. Emissions of greenhouse gasses(carbon dioxide(CO_2), methane(CH_4), and nitrous oxide(N_2O)) were monitored and plant growth characteristics were determined at harvest. The digestate was characterized for heavy metals, pathogens, and C and N mineralization potential in an aerobic incubation experiment. No Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., or viable eggs of helminths were detected in the digested pig slurry, but the number of faecal coliforms was as high as 3.6 × 10~4colony-forming units(CFU) g-~(1)dry digestate. The concentrations of heavy metals did not surpass the upper limits established by US Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). After 28 d, 17% of the organic C(436 g kg~(-1)dry digestate) and 8% of the organic N(6.92 g kg~(-1)dry digestate)were mineralized. Emissions of CO_2 and CH_4 were not significantly affected by fertilization in the wheat-cultivated soil, but digestate significantly increased the cumulative N_2O emission by 5 times compared to the urea-amended soil and 63 times compared to the uncultivated unfertilized soil. It could be concluded that digestate was nutrient rich and low in heavy metals and pathogens, and did not affect emissions of CH_4 and CO_2 when applied to a soil cultivated with wheat, but increased emission of N_2O.     

Genome evolution following host jumps in the Irish potato famine pathogen lineage

Many plant pathogens, including those in the lineage of the Irish potato famine organism Phytophthora infestans, evolve by host jumps followed by specialization. However, how host jumps affect genome evolution remains largely unknown. To determine the patterns of sequence variation in the P. infestans lineage, we resequenced six genomes of four sister species. This revealed uneven evolutionary rates across genomes with genes in repeat-rich regions showing higher rates of structural polymorphisms and positive selection. These loci are enriched in genes induced in planta, implicating host adaptation in genome evolution. Unexpectedly, genes involved in epigenetic processes formed another class of rapidly evolving residents of the gene-sparse regions. These results demonstrate that dynamic repeat-rich genome compartments underpin accelerated gene evolution following host jumps in this pathogen lineage.     

Plant extracts, spices, and essential oils inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7 and reduce formation of potentially carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in cooked beef patties

Meats need to be heated to inactivate foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. High-temperature treatment used to prepare well-done meats increases the formation of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs). We evaluated the ability of plant extracts, spices, and essential oils to simultaneously inactivate E. coli O157:H7 and suppress HCA formation in heated hamburger patties. Ground beef with added antimicrobials was inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 (10(7) CFU/g). Patties were cooked to reach 45 °C at the geometric center, flipped, and cooked for 5 min. Samples were then taken for microbiological and mass spectrometry analysis of HCAs. Some compounds were inhibitory only against E. coli or HCA formation, while some others inhibited both. Addition of 5% olive or apple skin extracts reduced E. coli O157:H7 populations to below the detection limit and by 1.6 log CFU/g, respectively. Similarly, 1% lemongrass oil reduced E. coli O157:H7 to below detection limits, while clove bud oil reduced the pathogen by 1.6 log CFU/g. The major heterocyclic amines 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) were concurrently reduced with the addition of olive extract by 79.5% and 84.3% and with apple extract by 76.1% and 82.1%, respectively. Similar results were observed with clove bud oil: MeIQx and PhIP were reduced by 35% and 52.1%, respectively. Addition of onion powder decreased formation of PhIP by 94.3%. These results suggest that edible natural plant compounds have the potential to prevent foodborne infections as well as carcinogenesis in humans consuming heat-processed meat products.     

Tissue specific colonization of Phytophthora capsici in Capsicum spp.: molecular insights over plant-pathogen interaction

Phytoparasitica - Root and crown rot (RCR) caused by Phytophthora capsici is present in all crop production areas of pepper and chili worldwide. This pathogen was recently reported at the Pacific...     

Phage Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy: Low Environmental Impact Approaches to Inactivate Microorganisms in Fish Farming Plants

Owing to the increasing importance of aquaculture to compensate for the progressive worldwide reduction of natural fish and to the fact that several fish farming plants often suffer from heavy financial losses due to the development of infections caused by microbial pathogens, including multidrug resistant bacteria, more environmentally-friendly strategies to control fish infections are urgently needed to make the aquaculture industry more sustainable. The aim of this review is to briefly present the typical fish farming diseases and their threats and discuss the present state of chemotherapy to inactivate microorganisms in fish farming plants as well as to examine the new environmentally friendly approaches to control fish infection namely phage therapy and photodynamic antimicrobial therapy.     

Analysis of domestic animal movements in Colombia (2006–2014) and their possible influence on the bovine brucellosis spread

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes great economic losses. The disease is endemic in Colombia and animal movements from infected herds carry...