The occurrence of and organisms concerned with bovine mycotic abortion in some counties of Ireland

Bovine mycotic abortion in some counties of the Irish provinces of Leinster and Ulster was estimated at 1–2% of all abortions for which a causal agent was identified in the years from 1969 to 1978. The organism most commonly isolated from diseased specimens wasAspergillus fumigatus, followed byAbsidia corymbifera. There was no relationship between the incidence of the disease in any year and the rainfall or number of raindays during the previous summer. The data obtained are discussed in relation to the occurrence of the disease in the United Kingdom.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the canine atrioventricular bundle and moderator band

The atrioventricular (AV) bundle and the moderator band in the canine heart were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The AV bundle and the moderator band both were comprised of large, cylindrically shaped cells. These cells were highly organized into bundles, with minimal lateral communication between bundles. There was extensive cell-to-cell communication between cells within a bundle. The end branching of individual cells was prominent, with some interbundle communication. These results are discussed in relationship to the electrophysiologic properties of the AV bundle and the conduction velocity.     

Artificially regenerating longleaf pine in canopy gaps: initial survival and growth during a year of drought

Nitrogen fertilization in the nursery, along with altering the configuration of forest gaps, may improve the reforestation success of longleaf pine seedlings. During the very droughty 1998 growing season in Florida and Georgia, survival was higher under the forest canopy than in small (0.10 ha, 36 m diameter) and large (1.6 ha, 144 m diameter) canopy gaps. In the large gaps, survival of containerized seedlings was higher along the edges, particularly the SW edge. Shade from adult trees and the nurse effect of shrubs increased survival, while grass competition reduced survival. During dry years part of the “exclusionary zone” along the edge of canopy gaps (SW sector) may serve as a “survival zone”, at least in the short term. A model using oval-shaped gaps oriented from NW to SE, with an area of 0.25 ha is proposed to maximize the survival and growth of artificially regenerated longleaf pine seedlings.     

Variation of sapflow velocity in Eucalyptus globulus with position in sapwood and use of a correction coefficient

Sapflow sensors were used to investigate variation in sapflow velocity at different positions in the sapwood of three-year-old Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus Labill. trees. Sapflow velocity was measured at 5-mm intervals across the sapwood by moving two probe sets simultaneously on two opposite radii. Another probe set placed in a fixed position at right angles to the first two sets acted as a control. A sapflow velocity ratio was defined as the velocity given by each moving sensor divided by that given by the static sensor. Correlation between observations of sapflow velocity at different positions exceeded 95%, and the ratio of velocity between any pair of sensors was constant. We observed radial variation in sapflow velocity across the sapwood with the lowest velocities at the center of the tree. Variation due to sensor position was high implying the need for large numbers of sensors for accurate estimates of sap flux. To overcome this need, we used a correction coefficient, namely a simple weighted average of the sapflow ratios with depth in the sapwood, for each fixed sensor. We recommend the use of three probe sets to estimate the correction coefficient. Subsequently, two probe sets can be placed at two fixed positions for routine measurements of sap flux.     

Leaf water relations of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus and E. nitens: seasonal, drought and species effects

In August 1990, a 2-ha plantation was established in an area where rainfall (about 515 mm year(-1)) was insufficient to meet evaporative demand. On nine occasions between September 1991 and April 1993, pressure-volume curves were constructed for irrigated and rainfed Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus Labill. and E. nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden trees. During the experiment, rainfed trees experienced six periods when predawn water potential was significantly lower than that of irrigated trees. In early spring of 1991 and 1992, osmotic potentials at full turgor and turgor loss point in the irrigated E. nitens were significantly lower than at other times of the year, probably because of winter hardening. Water stress reduced osmotic potential and increased bulk elastic modulus in E. nitens, whereas the reverse occurred in E. globulus. However, treatment differences with respect to changes in osmotic and elastic properties were commonly overshadowed by interspecific differences. These were most apparent at the end of the sixth period of water stress when osmotic potentials at full and zero turgor were significantly higher and bulk elastic modulus and relative water content at turgor loss point were significantly lower in E. globulus than in E. nitens. We conclude that the drought-tolerance responses of E. globulus make it a more suitable species than E. nitens for establishment on sites where moderate water stress is experienced.