Testing a mechanistic model. V. The points of zero salt effect for phosphate retention, for zinc retention and for acid/alkali titration of a soil

The pH of samples of a soil was altered by adding acid or lime and incubating the moistened soil at 60°C. The effect of varying the concentration of salt on pH, retention of phosphate, and retention of zinc was then measured. At low pH, increasing the concentration of salt decreased phosphate retention; at high pH, it increased it. The pH at which the effects crossed over (that is, the point of zero salt effect on phosphate retention) was higher than the point of zero salt effect on pH. This is opposite to effects observed with uniform surfaces. These results were described by a model in which it was assumed that individual sites varied in their electrostatic potential and that phosphate was retained preferentially by sites with the highest potential. Zinc retention was decreased by high concentrations of salt. This was partly because of effects of salt in decreasing the pH of solutions in contact with soil. There was no indication of a crossing-over of effects at low pH. This suggested that the electrostatic potential of zinc-retaining sites did not vary much with pH.     

Effect of barley yellow dwarf virus on susceptibility of barley cultivars to net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) and leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis)

The effect of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) on the development of net blotch (Pyrenophora eves) and leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis) was examined on seven barley cuitivars. Seedlings were infected with BYDV at the two-leaf stage (G.S. 12). Their susceptibility to three isolates of p teres and isolates of two races (U.K. 1, U.K. 2) of R. secalis was examined at the four-leaf stsge (G.S. 14) and when plants were more mature (G.S. 33/38). At G.S. 14 numbers of lesions produced by P. teres and R. secalis were reduced, on average, by 37 and 72% respectively, and at G.S. 33/38 by 61 and 74%.     

The humoral immune response of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, and rabbits to Aeromonas salmonicida extracellular products

Abstract. Controversy exists concerning the efficacy of vaccinating fish against furunculosis. Where success is claimed, there has been little attempt to characterize the protective antigens or confirm their immunogenicity. In this report, the immunogenicity of native extracellular products (ECP) of Aeromonas salmonicida and a formalin-inactivated toxoid of ECP (f-ECP) was studied in rainbow trout and rabbits, with particular attention to the putative bacterial virulence factors protease and haemolysin. Using crossed immunoelectrophoresis and Protein-A absorption, antibodies to seven ECP components were detected in the rabbit following immunization with native ECP; antihaemolysin antibodies were found but antibodies to the protease could not be detected. Antibodies to at least 14 components of ECP, including haemotysin and protease, were detected in the rabbit following immunization with f-ECP. In trout immunized either with native ECP or f-ECP, antibodies to only four ECP antigens were detected and no antibodies to haemolysin or protease were found. The results may explain previous reports that passive immunization with rabbit antisera gave superior protection against furunculosis compared with antisera raised in fish, and indicate that many extracellular antigens of A. salmonicida may require modification in order to improve their immunogenicity in fish.     

Methodology for the identification and quantitative measurement of chemical stimulants for penaeid shrimp

In a recently developed paradigm for the feeding behaviour of Crustacea, chemical stimuli are postulated to play a key role in mediating the various stages of feeding from initial excitation to sustained feeding. A hierarchical testing protocol for the screening of compounds or mixtures as chemical stimuli for Penaeus spp. was designed, utilizing: (a) a static chamber for an initial rapid assay for behavioural excitation; (b) a novel flow-through chamber for demonstrating chemotaxis; (c) a modified Y-maze choice chamber for more detailed studies on chemotaxis and feeding stimulation; and (d) aquarium feeding trials in which the most potent chemical attractants and/or feeding stimulants are incorporated into experimental feeds. In shrimp aquaculture, efficient feed utilization is of paramount importance to the economics of production and water quality. Identification and incorporation into the feed of ingredients that act as chemoattrac-tants and/or chemical feeding stimulants should lead to better food utilization, e.g. lower feed conversion ratios (FCRs), thereby producing quicker growth rates and lowering the incidence of water pollution and disease.     

Sex-related responses to vitamin B12 and trace element supplementation in prime lambs

Bodyweight, plasma vitamin B12 and blood selenium concentrations were monitored in prime lambs given different forms of supplementation at 2 sites in separate years. At the first site treatment groups comprised control, vitamin B12 injection, selenium given orally and a combination of vitamin B12 and selenium. At the second site cobalt and selenium supplied in a glass bullet was compared with an untreated group. Significant sex-related responses were observed to treatment in terms of bodyweight and at site 2 in plasma vitamin B12 concentrations. A marked bodyweight response to glass bullet supplementation was observed in castrated male lambs but not in ewe lambs. These studies show that sex differences should be considered when investigating trace element deficiencies.