On-farm research in a silvopastoral project: a case study

The Silvopastoral Project is being implemented by CATIE in the Atlantic humid lowland of Costa Rica, in order to develop alternatives to the current destructive mode of livestock production. The overall approach is briefly described and two superimposed on-farm experiments are discussed in more detail. The main constraints for on-farm research within the project are analysed: the limited previous knowledge of the area and of the local species, the difficulty of achieving a common understanding about research with collaborating farmers, the need for additional staff supervision and the complexity of the statistical analyses. An attempt is made to draw lessons from the ongoing project regarding how to resolve the apparent contradiction between rigorous scientific requirements and questions of immediate value to extension, the compromises to be achieved between different types of evaluation (statistical, risk, etc.) and the potentials and limitations of farmers' participation in research.     

Effects of regulated deficit irrigation during the pre-harvest period on gas exchange, leaf development and crop yield of mature almond trees

We investigated the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) during the pre-harvest period (kernel-filling stage) on water relations, leaf development and crop yield in mature almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb cv. Cartagenera) trees during a 2-year field experiment. Trees were either irrigated at full-crop evapotranspiration (ETc=100%) (well-irrigated control treatment) or subjected to an RDI treatment that consisted of full irrigation for the full season, except from early June to early August (kernel-filling stage), when 20% ETc was applied. The severity of water stress was characterized by measurements of soil water content, predawn leaf water potential (Psipd) and relative water content (RWC). Stomatal conductance (gs), net CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration rate (E), leaf abscission, leaf expansion rate and crop yield were also measured. In both years, Psipd and RWC of well-irrigated trees were maintained above -1.0 MPa and 92%, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for trees in the RDI treatment were -2.37 MPa and 82%. Long-term water stress led to a progressive decline in gs, A and E, with significant reductions after 21 days in the RDI treatment. At the time of maximum stress (48 days after commencement of RDI), A, gs and E were 64, 67 and 56% lower than control values, respectively. High correlations between A, E and gs were observed. Plant water status recovered within 15 days after the resumption of irrigation and was associated with recovery of soil water content. A relatively rapid and complete recovery of A and gs was also observed, although the recovery was slower than for Psipd and RWC. Severe water stress during the kernel-filling stage resulted in premature defoliation (caused by increased leaf abscission) and a reduction in leaf growth rate, which decreased tree leaf area. Although kernel yield was correlated with leaf water potential, RDI caused a nonsignificant 7% reduction in kernel yield and had no effect on kernel size. The RDI treatment also improved water-use efficiency because about 30% less irrigation water was applied in the RDI treatment than in the control treatment. We conclude that high-cropping almonds can be successfully grown in semiarid regions in an RDI regime provided that Psipd is maintained above a threshold value of -2 MPa.     

Assessment of diagnostic tools for eradication of bovine tuberculosis in cattle co-infected with Mycobacterium bovis and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis

The intradermal tuberculin (IDTB) test and the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay are used worldwide for detection of bovine tuberculosis in cattle, but little is known about the effect of co-infecting agents on the performance of these diagnostic tests. This report describes a field trial conducted in a cattle herd with dual infection (bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis) during 3.5 years. It has been based on a strategic approach encompassing serial parallel testing (comparative IDTB test, the IFN-gamma assay and serology of paratuberculosis) that was repeated 8 times over the period, and segregation of animals into two herds. The IDTB test detected 65.2% and the IFN-gamma test detected 69.6% of the Mycobacterium bovis culture-positive cattle. However, the IDTB test performed better during the first part of the trial, while the IFN-gamma test was the only method that detected infected animals during the following three samplings. The number of false positive reactors with the IDTB and/or the IFN-gamma tests was remarkably high compared to other reports, and could be caused by cross-reactivity with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Also, the M. bovis isolates from cattle and wildlife from the same property were characterised using molecular techniques to disclose an epidemiological link. The IDTB test may not be appropriate to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in herds with dual mycobacterial infections. This report highlights the need to use several diagnostic techniques for the accurate detection of M. bovis infected animals in these herds.     

Assessment of three vermicomposts as organic amendments used to enhance diuron sorption in soils with low organic carbon content

Vermicomposts from the wine and distillery industry containing spent grape marc (V1), biosolid vinasse (V2) and alperujo (V3) from the olive‐oil industry were investigated as organic amendments to a sandy and a clay soil with low organic carbon (OC) contents (≤1%). The sorption‐desorption process was studied in batch experiments using diuron as a non‐ionic herbicide model. The effect of soil and vermicompost characteristics, the solution's ionic strength and incubation time of amended soils on the sorption process was studied. The addition of vermicompost changed soil properties and enhanced sorption capacity by two‐ to four‐fold. The K_oc variability showed that exogenous OC composition influenced diuron sorption. Vermicompost V1, which had the largest OC and lignin content, recorded the largest sorption increment. Vermicompost V3, which had the greatest dissolved organic carbon content and a high degree of humification, made the smallest contribution to sorption. Sorption was also dependent on extraneous calcium in the solution. The incubation of amended soils reduced diuron sorption efficiency except with V3. Pyrolysis‐gas chromatography (Py‐GC) analysis was a useful tool to characterize the vermicomposts and to understand the variation of diuron sorption constants after vermicompost incubation. This research encourages the use of vermicompost from agro‐industrial wastes as a sustainable means to minimize the side effects of neutral herbicides.     

Genetic relationships and isozyme variability in the Heterodera avenae complex determined by isoelectrofocusing

Isozyme variability was assessed among the principal species of the cereal cyst nematode complex to complete and enhance the information provided by classical nematode systematics, in order to clarify inter- and intraspecific relationships within this complex. Twenty populations of cereal cyst nematodes ( Heterodera avenae , H. filipjevi , H. latipons and H. mani ) were compared by means of five different isoenzymatic systems (esterase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucoisomerase, phosphoglucomutase and superoxide dismutase) using isoelectrofocusing (IEF) on the electrophoretic separation. The results are in agreement with previous morphological and biochemical characterizations, which established genetic diversity between the Gotland strain and H. avenae and identified the Gotland strain with H. filipjevi . Populations from Israel, all included in the H. avenae group, exhibited well-defined intraspecific dissimilarity. The highest degree of polymorphism was found in the H. avenae group for all five enzymatic systems studied. The H. mani population was also included in the H. avenae group by these isozyme analyses. Malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucoisomerase and phosphoglucomutase isozymes, fractionated for the first time by IEF in the cereal cyst nematode complex, displayed a higher level of polymorphism than using conventional electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing has proved to be a useful tool for detecting genetic diversity within and among species of the cereal cyst nematode complex and for taxonomic purposes.     

Photolysis of pirimicarb in water under natural and simulated sunlight conditions

The photostability of pirimicarb, (2-dimethylamino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate) in aqueous media, under natural and artificial sunlight irradiation conditions, is reported. The pH of the irradiated solutions remained constant during degradation time. The photodegradation mechanism seemed to be similar under both conditions, but the half-life was found to be about three times longer under natural than under artificial conditions. Four main photo-products ( 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 ) were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. It is proposed that a common photodegradation pathway exists for pirimicarb under both irradiation conditions. The results obtained from the photodegradation of pirimicarb and of its four main products isolated on solid phase permit the construction of a possible photodegradation pathway. Photoproduct 4 (2-methyl-formylamino-5,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxypyrimidine) is here described for the first time.     

Clinical efficacy of meloxicam (Metacam) and flunixin (Finadyne) as adjuncts to antibacterial treatment of respiratory disease in fattening cattle

The clinical efficacy of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), meloxicam (Metacam 20 mg/ml) and flunixin meglumine (Finadyne), as adjuncts to antibacterial therapy in the treatment of acute febrile respiratory disease in cattle was compared. The randomised blind, positive controlled study was conducted under feedlot conditions in Mexico. Overall, 201 female cattle (weighing 220-250 kg) diagnosed with bronchopneumonia at the feedlot were recruited into the study. On Day 0 all animals were treated with 20 mg oxytetracycline/kg body-weight (Bivatop 200) by subcutaneous injection, in conjunction with either meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg subcutaneously, Metacam 20 mg/ml, n = 100), or flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg intravenously, Finadyne, n = 101). According to label instructions, meloxicam was administered as a single dose, whereas flunixin meglumine could be administered daily for up to 3 consecutive days depending on the rectal temperature (with re-administration, if rectal temperature > or = 40.0 degrees C). Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, appetite, dyspnoea, coughing, nasal discharge and general condition were recorded on Days 0 (prior to treatment), 1, 2, 3 and 7 using a weighted numerical score. Scores were summed to generate a 'Clinical Sum Score' (CSS, range 7 to 24 points). Individual animal body weights were measured on Days 0 and 7. Nasal swabs were collected from 10 animals per treatment group on Day 0 for microbiological culture. Clinical parameters and the mean CSS showed no significant differences between treatment groups with mean CSS on Days 0 and 7 of 16.18 and 10.55 in the meloxicam group and 16.41 and 10.88 in the flunixin meglumine group. However, a significantly lower mean rectal temperature was measured in the meloxicam group on Day 2 (p < or = 0.01). No significant differences in mean body weights were found between groups. Repeated administration of flunixin meglumine was performed in 45% of the animals. No suspected adverse drug events related to treatments were reported. It is concluded that a single subcutaneous dose of meloxicam was as clinically effective as up to 3 consecutive daily intravenous doses of flunixin meglumine when used as an adjunctive therapy to antibacterial therapy in the treatment of acute febrile respiratory disease in feedlot cattle.     

The prevalence of Toxocara cati in domestic cats in Mexico City

The faeces of 520 domestic cats, resident in the 16 municipal authorities of Mexico City, were analysed using the method of centrifuging with zinc sulphate (at 33%). Three hundred and ninety-nine animals lived in houses, 121 in apartments. For the purpose of this study they were divided into seven age groups, of 6 months each. Toxocara cati eggs were found in the faeces of 42.5% of the animals. 20.7% of apartment cats and 49.1% of house cats were infected. This difference in the rate of infection is statistically significant (P<0.002.) for the house cats. T. cati was found in all the age groups although most infection was found in animals less than 1 year old.The fact that infection occurred in the whole age range of the cats and in all the municipal authorities means that the risk of being contaminated with this helminth in Mexico City is high. As a consequence, the possibility of developing illness as a result of becoming a host to larva migrans is also high.     

Occurrence and distribution of resistance to QoI fungicides in populations of Podosphaera fusca in south central Spain

Cucurbit powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera fusca limits crop production in Spain. Since its management is strongly dependent on chemicals, the rational design of control programmes requires a good understanding of the fungicide resistance phenomenon in field populations. Fifty single-spore isolates of P. fusca were tested for sensitivity to three quinone-outside inhibiting (QoI) fungicides: azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for QoI-sensitive isolates were found to range from 0.25 to 10 μg ml⁻¹ for azoxystrobin to 5–25 μg ml⁻¹ for kresoxim-methyl, using a leaf disc-based bioassay. High levels of cross-resistance to QoI fungicides were found. Eleven isolates showed resistance to the three QoI fungicides tested with MIC and EC₅₀ values >500 μg ml⁻¹ resulting in RF values as high as >715 and >1000 for trifloxystrobin and azoxystrobin, respectively. A survey of P. fusca QoI resistance was carried out in different provinces located in the south central area of Spain during the cucurbit growing seasons in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Examination of a collection of 250 isolates for QoI resistance revealed that 32% were resistant to the three fungicides tested; the provinces of Ciudad Real, Córdoba and Murcia being the locations with the highest frequencies of resistance (44–74%). By contrast, no resistance was found in Badajoz, and relatively low frequencies were observed in Almería and Valencia (10–13%). Nearly 50% of resistant isolates were collected from melon plants. Based on these data, recommendations about the use of QoI fungicides for cucurbit powdery mildew management in the sampled areas are made.