Selection,characterization and genetic analysis of laboratory mutants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botryotinia fuckeliana</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis>) resistant to the fungicide boscalid

Resistance to the fungicide boscalid in laboratory mutants of Botryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) was investigated. The baseline sensitivity to boscalid was evaluated in terms of colony growth (EC₅₀ = 0.3–3 μg ml⁻¹; MIC = 10–30 μg ml⁻¹) and conidial germination (EC₅₀ = 0.03–0.1 μg ml⁻¹; MIC = 1–3 μg ml⁻¹) tests. Mutants were selected in vitro from wild-type strains of the fungus on a fungicide-amended medium containing acetate as a carbon source. Mutants showed two different levels of resistance to boscalid, distinguishable through the conidial germination tests: low (EC₅₀ ∼ 0.3 μg ml⁻¹, ranging from 0.03 to 1 μg ml⁻¹; MIC > 100 μg ml⁻¹) and high (EC₅₀ > 100 μg ml⁻¹) resistance. Analysis of meiotic progeny from crosses between resistant mutants and sensitive reference strains showed that resistant phenotypes were due to mutations in single major gene(s) inherited in a Mendelian fashion, and linked with both the Daf1 and Mbc1 genes, responsible for resistance to dicarboximide and benzimidazole fungicides, respectively. Gene sequence analysis of the four sub-units of the boscalid-target protein, the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, revealed that single or double point mutations in the highly conserved regions of the iron-sulphur protein (Ip) gene were associated with resistance. Mutations resulted in proline to leucine or phenylalanine replacements at position 225 (P225L or P225F) in high resistant mutants, and in a histidine to tyrosine replacement at position 272 (H272Y) in low resistant mutants. Sequences of the flavoprotein and the two transmembrane sub-units of succinate dehydrogenase were never affected.     

Studies on acid oils and fatty acids for chickens. III. Effect of chemical composition on metabolisable energy of by‐products of vegetable oil refining

1. Fourteen by‐products of oil refining, selected for their variability in free fatty acid and unsaponifiable contents, were analysed chemically with the objective of relating the determined ME values of the products to chemical composition by means of multiple linear regression analysis. Refined sunflower oil was included as a reference fat.

2. Twenty‐one 2‐week‐old chicks were used to determine fat digestibilities and AMEn values of diets, using the total collection method. Fats were included in a wheat‐soyabean meal diet at 100 g/kg. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to express the ME values of fats as functions of the parameters measured (moisture, gross energy, impurities, unsaponifiables, non eluted material, free fatty acid content, unsaturated: saturated ratio, peroxide value, TBA test).

3. The ME of the fat products lay in the range 12.62 to 24.35 MJ/kg, and 29.26 MJ/kg for refined sunflower oil. Free fatty acid content of the fats was shown to be a poor predictor of their ME values, whereas non eluted material (NEM) of the fat products showed a good correlation with their ME. A regression equation could be derived (R² = 0.6548; SEE = 2–0064) with the unsaturated: saturated ratio (U:S) and NEM. An ME prediction equation based on the U:S, NEM and unsaponifiable content is also proposed (R² = 0–7168; SEE= 1.9058).     

Ion levels in the gastrointestinal tract content and plasma of four teleosts with different feeding habits

The levels of various ions (Na⁺, Cl⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺) in the fluid phase of the gastrointestinal contents and of the plasma were determined in four teleosts with different feeding habits: traira (Hoplias malabaricus), hassar (Hoplosternum littorale), silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The results showed that most ionic levels in the fluid phase of the gastrointestinal tract seem to be affected by feeding habit and that these levels can be different from those found in the plasma. In practical terms, these results suggest that ionic levels of the gastrointestinal contents should be considered when preparing solutions for studies of intestinal absorption in fishes.     

Fimbria-like adhesive factor (EAF 44) from verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli of bovine origin

An adhesin with fimbria-like properties was present in four strains of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhoeic calves in Brazil.     

The Impact of Aquaculture Pond Engineering Design on the Returns to Shrimp Farms

The effects of pond design on the internal rate of return of a 40 ha shrimp farm is evaluated. The influence of four pond construction parameters (pond size, pond shape, levee crown size and canal bank slope) on the total amount of earth moved and construction costs is determined using an engineering design model. The bioeconomic model, MARSIM, calculates returns to farms with the design modifications. Of the four parameters, the pond shape is the most influential over the range considered (from 17% to 8%). Pond size is the second most important parameter (from 17% to 21%). Levee width and canal bank slope influence are of lesser importance (<1% change).     

Response of Triticale Grain Yield and Yield Components to Number of Cuttings in a Mediterranean Environment

In six field experiments conducted over 2 years, the effect of one or two cuttings on grain yield of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) were investigated. In addition, the relationships between triticale grain yield its components were analysed.
Grain yield of the uncut plots invariably exceeded the plots with one or two cuttings, regardless of the environment or year. The reductions in grain yield caused by one cutting ranged from 27 % to 60 % under rainfed conditions and 18 % to 20 % under irrigation. With two cuttings the reduction was 45 % to 70 % for rainfed, and 35 % to 48 % for irrigated conditions.
The yield components which most influenced grain yield of triticale under cutting treatment were the number of ears m⁻² in all six experiments and the number of grains per ear under rainfed conditions. At the rainfed sites in 1989 cuttings diminished the number of ears m⁻² mainly by increasing plant mortality. Nevertheless, at the rainfed sites of 1990 and at the irrigated site of both years, the reduction in the number of ears m⁻² with cuttings was due principally to a lower survival of tillers per plant.     

LARYNGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA IN A DOG

Laryngeal adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in a 5-year-old golden retriever dog with no history of respiratory or pharyngeal difficulties. Radiographically the basihyoid bone was destroyed by the neoplasm, and extensive soft tissue mineralization ventral to the larynx was also present. Complete surgical resection was not possible due to diffuse involvement of the tongue and larynx. Cobalt-60 teletherapy was used for treatment of the tumor. There was no clinical evidence of tumor regrowth at approximately 12 months post treatment. This is an unusual example of primary laryngeal neoplasia due to the absence of clinical respiratory abnormalities and the aggressive destruction of the basihyoid bone.     

Bar suture (toggle pin) vs open surgical abomasopexy for treatment of left displaced abomasum in dairy cattle

Fifty-nine dairy cows with left displacement of the abomasum were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 2 treatments. Twenty-eight were treated by right paramedian abomasopexy via laparotomy, and 31 were treated by percutaneous fixation of the abomasum, using the bar suture or toggle pin technique. Comparisons of the 2 groups, at 4 follow-up examinations, yielded no significant differences in return to normal milk production, return to normal feed intake, mortality, culling rate, tissue reaction at the surgical site, or redisplacement up to 60 days into the subsequent lactation.