Abscisic acid is a potent inhibitor of growth and sporidial formation inneovossia indica cultures: Dual mode of actionvia loss of polyamines and cellular turgidity

The inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis inNeovossia indica (Mitra) Mundkur by D,L— α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) caused an effective reduction of mycelial growth and sporidial production underin vitro conditions, which was reversed by ornithine application. Abscisic acid proved to be similarly effective, not only in inhibiting mycelial growth and sporidial formation but also the germination of teliospores, which constitute the primary inoculum of the pathogen. ABA-mediated inhibition resulted in decreased polyamine levels and loss of cellular turgidity of mycelial cultures. Scanning electron microscopy of ABA-treated cultures revealed extremely shrunken hyphae, in marked contrast to the turgid controls. It is suggested that the manipulation of ABA levels and/or tissue sensitivity in wheat could be a strategy to combat ‘Karnal’ bunt, the disease caused byN. indica.     

Biological control and plant health in the UK1

The protected crop environment has long been recognized as offering particularly good opportunities for the application of biological control and this is reflected in the predominance of integrated pest management programmes and the wide range of biological control agents available. The introduction of new pest species of quarantine concern can often occur in glasshouse crops, as a result of international trade in plant material, and can have a highly disruptive impact upon well established, integrated pest management programmes. The use of biological control agents against quarantine pests is discussed, including both the use of exotic species and those established in the UK. The relevant legislation in the UK is outlined in relation to the introduction of non-native species, including both plant protection and conservation interests. Environmental safety aspects such as the impact of such introductions on non-target species and issues of quality control to prevent the introduction of contaminants are noted as of particular plant health interest.     

Auxins increase the occurrence of leaf-colour variants in Caladium regenerated from leaf explants

Leaf explants of Caladium ‘Pink Cloud’ were cultured in vitro on MS medium containing various auxins (NAA, IBA, IAA, 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D) in combination with cytokinin (BA). NAA gave the most vigorous in vitro propagation of this plant, and only 15% of the plants were leaf-colour variants on the medium containing 0.5 μmol NAA. Leaf colour variation was observed in all plants regenerated on the medium containing 2,4-D at 0.5–4.5 μmol. In hormone-free medium, only a few leaf-colour variants (6%) occurred, but the rate of plant regeneration was very low. Application of 0.5 μmol NAA together with 4.5 μmol BA seemed to be the most appropriate for in vitro propagation of Caladium ‘Pink Cloud’ with only a few leaf-colour variants.     

Clone identification and genetic relationship among vine cacti from the genera Hylocereus and Selenicereus based on RAPD analysis

Clones of Hylocereus and of Selenicereus species were distinguished from each other by the banding pattern generated by one to nine 10-mer oligonucleotide primers in the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reaction. RAPD analysis was also applied to estimate the genetic relationship among five Hylocereus and nine Selenicereus species. A dendrogram was constructed based on a data matrix of 173 polymorphic bands originated by nine primers. Two groups were identified, one consisting of Hylocereus species and the other consisting of Selenicereus species. These results are consistent with the accepted taxonomic classification of the genera studied. The principal coordinate analysis (PCO), i.e. the plot drawn on the basis of the RAPD data, clearly distinguished between three groups, namely, Hylocereus species, S. megalanthus and the rest of the Selenicereus species studied. PCO thus strongly support the notion that the tetraploid S. megalanthus is an exception among the Selenicereus group. The RAPD results support our hypothesis regarding the allopolyploid (rather than autopolyploid) origin of this species.     

Quantifying patch distribution at multiple spatial scales: Applications to wildlife-habitat models

Multiscale analyses are widely employed for wildlife-habitat studies. In most cases, however, each scale is considered discrete and little emphasis is placed on incorporating or measuring the responses of wildlife to resources across multiple scales. We modeled the responses of three Arctic wildlife species to vegetative resources distributed at two spatial scales: patches and collections of patches aggregated across a regional area. We defined a patch as a single or homogeneous collection of pixels representing 1 of 10 unique vegetation types. We employed a spatial pattern technique, three-term local quadrat variance, to quantify the distribution of patches at a larger regional scale. We used the distance at which the variance for each of 10 vegetation types peaked to define a moving window for calculating the density of patches. When measures of vegetation patch and density were applied to resource selection functions, the most parsimonious models for wolves and grizzly bears included covariates recorded at both scales. Seasonal resource selection by caribou was best described using a model consisting of only regional scale covariates. Our results suggest that for some species and environments simple patch-scale models may not capture the full range of spatial variation in resources to which wildlife may respond. For mobile animals that range across heterogeneous areas we recommend selection models that integrate resources occurring at a number of spatial scales. Patch density is a simple technique for representing such higher-order spatial patterns.     

Bedeutung von Regenwurmröhren für die Verlagerung des Herbizids Diuron in Böden von Obstanlagen

Herbicide translocation was investigated in a Haplic Luvisol from loess (clayey silt; Klein-Altendorf near Bonn, Germany) and a Eutric Cambisol (sandy loam; fluvial sediments on the lower Rhine terrace north of Bonn) using the herbicide diuron as an example. diuron was applied once a year in May at the recommended dose of 2.4 kg/ha. It rapidly degraded in the topsoil: the “time for 50% disappearance” (DT₅₀) was 14–30 days. A population of adapted soil micro-organisms, which is repeatedly exposed to applications of the same compound every year, is thought to be responsible for this fast degradation. Remaining Diuron residues were largely degraded in the loess soil during the subsequent summer and became less mobile due to increasing binding strength. As a result, residue levels and leaching in the loess soil during the winter were negligible, with diuron traces of less than 10 µg/kg below the topsoil 11 months after application. Comparison of the translocation in a sandy loam soil showed—as expected—that diuron was leached to the subsoil to a higher extent than in clayey silt (loess). However, in the loess soil, diuron leached to the subsoil via macropores after 20 mm of natural precipitation within 1 week after herbicide application due to macropore flow. Colour tracer and analysis of the linings of earthworm burrows identified these macropores as preferred pathways of herbicide leaching. Macropore flow occurred in wet soil and moist soil with a sealed surface or crust but not in dry soil. Superficial mechanical soil cultivation before the herbicide application is discussed as one possibility to interrupt macropore entries and reduce herbicide leaching after its application in the spring.     

Effects of area and isolation of woodland patches on herbaceous plant species richness across Great Britain

Richness of Ancient Woodland Indicator plant species was analysed in 308 woodland patches that were surveyed during the Countryside Survey of Great Britain carried out in 1998. The Countryside Survey recorded vegetation plots and landscape structure in 569 stratified 1 km sample squares and developed a remotely-sensed land cover map of the UK. Using these datasets, we tested the hypothesis that Ancient Woodland Indicator species richness in woodland fragments was limited by patch area, shape and spatial isolation and that woodland patches located in the lowland region of Great Britain would respond differently than those in the upland region. The variation in Ancient Woodland Indicator species richness in the British lowlands (n = 218) was mainly explained by patch area and two measures of connectivity, the length of hedgerows and lines of trees in the 1 km square and the area of woodland within 500 m of the vegetation plot. By contrast, variation in Ancient Woodland Indicator species richness in the British uplands (n = 90) was related to Ellenberg scores of the vegetation communities sampled – a surrogate for habitat quality – and no significant effect of spatial structure was detected. It therefore appears that the degree of fragmentation of woodland in the British lowlands limits the distribution of Ancient Woodland Indicator species, while in the uplands, failed colonisation is a matter of habitat quality rather than a result of landscape structure.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Computed tomography dacryocystography evaluation of the nasolacrimal apparatus

Computed tomography-dacryocystography (CT-DCG) was used to evaluate the nasolacrimal system in four patients (three dogs and one horse) that were admitted for evaluation of chronic epiphora, facial swelling, or facial trauma. The four patients are reviewed and the technique for performing CT-DCG is described. Additionally, the indications for this procedure are discussed. CT-DCG is advantageous because cross-sectional imaging provides superior resolution of the nasolacrimal apparatus and the relatively long, small-diameter, bony nasolacrimal canal in most veterinary patients.     

Erysipelothrix septicemia in a little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor).

On June 25, 2002, aquarium veterinarians treated a 5-year-old, male little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) that was acutely recumbent and dull, with inappetence of 24-hour duration. The penguin died within 10 minutes of presentation despite emergency resuscitation efforts. Gross pathologic findings consisted of pulmonary congestion and intestinal hemorrhage. Histopathologic findings included necrosis of tips of intestinal villi, increased numbers of mononuclear cells in pulmonary interstitium and hepatic sinusoids, and gram-positive bacteria in systemic microvasculature. Transmission electron microscopic examination revealed short gram-positive bacilli located in lumina of glomerular capillaries and in cytoplasm of mononuclear phagocytic cells in the lung and liver. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was recovered from the lung, liver, and intestine by bacteriologic culture. Amplicons from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests using Erysipelothrix genus-specific primers and total genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of lung and intestine demonstrated 99% nucleotide sequence identity with 16S small-subunit ribosomal DNA of E. rhusiopathiae and E. tonsillarum. The source of infection was speculated to be fish in the diet; however, repeated attempts to detect Erysipelothrix spp. from the mucous layer of food fish using bacteriologic culture and PCR were unsuccessful. This is the first report of erysipelas in a captive aquatic bird. Details of the isolation of E. rhusiopathiae and the application of molecular testing to identify Erysipelothrix DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections are given.     

Avian care and husbandry.

Birds are becoming more popular as pets, and the need for veterinary professionals to learn more about these pets is crucial. This article introduces the veterinary staff to basic information required to provide high-quality care to avian patients. High-quality nutrition for a variety of species and ages is included in this article. The importance of proper husbandry and intellectual stimulation with toys is also discussed. Special emphasis is placed on instructions for clients when making appointments, as well as recognizing signs of illness for both clients and veterinary staff. Capture, restraint, and sample collection are an important part of this article, as well as medication administration, anesthesia, supportive care, preventive care and grooming. A variety of aspects concerning the care of the avian patient are covered for the benefit of the client and veterinary technician.