FOCAL SKELETAL MUSCLE UPTAKE OF 99mTECHNETIUM‐HYDROXYMETHYLENE Diphosphonate FOLLOWING PERONEAL NERVE BLOCKS IN HORSES

We have observed focal skeletal muscle uptake of ^99mTechnetium‐hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (Tc‐HDP), which could mimic a tibial lesion, in horses following peroneal nerve blocks. To characterize this observation further, 45 bone phase scintigrams were performed in 12 horses undergoing peroneal nerve blocks. Scans were performed before, and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days postblock. The superficial and deep branches of the peroneal nerve were blocked by injecting 10 ml of 2% mepivacaine in one limb and 20 ml in the other. Images were evaluated for uptake at the block site and uptake likely to mimic a tibial lesion. Regions of interest were placed over the block site and distal tibia. Count density ratios were used to estimate change in uptake intensity over time. The overall proportion affected was 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36–0.68; P<0.001) 1 day postblock and 0.24 (95% CI, 0.13–0.40; P=0.005) 3 days postblock. The overall proportion likely to mimic a tibial lesion was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.09–0.33; P<0.001) 1 day postblock and 0.21 (95% CI, 0.09–0.40; P=0.005) 3 days postblock. Focal skeletal muscle uptake was seen in only one horse 7 days postblock. Increased uptake intensity was associated with higher local anesthetic dose (P=0.042). Peroneal nerve blocks cause focal skeletal muscle uptake of ^99mTc‐HDP on bone phase scintigraphy. This occurs in approximately 50% of blocked limbs and can mimic a tibial lesion on the lateral view in approximately 20% of blocked limbs.     

Competition of sorghum cultivars and densities with Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta)

Field studies were conducted at two locations in southern Queensland, Australia during the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 growing seasons to determine the differential competitiveness of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars and crop densities against weeds and the sorghum yield loss due to weeds. Weed competition was investigated by growing sorghum in the presence or absence of a model grass weed, Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta). The correlation analyses showed that the early growth traits (height, shoot biomass, and daily growth rate of the shoot biomass) of sorghum adversely affected the height, biomass, and seed production of millet, as measured at maturity. “MR Goldrush” and “Bonus MR” were the most competitive cultivars, resulting in reduced weed biomass, weed density, and weed seed production. The density of sorghum also had a significant effect on the crop's ability to compete with millet. When compared to the density of 4.5 plants per m², sorghum that was planted at 7.5 plants per m² suppressed the density, biomass, and seed production of millet by 22%, 27% and 38%, respectively. Millet caused a significant yield loss in comparison with the weed‐free plots. The combined weed‐suppressive effects of the competitive cultivars, such as MR Goldrush, and high crop densities minimized the yield losses from the weeds. These results indicate that sorghum competition against grass weeds can be improved by choosing competitive cultivars and by using a high crop density of >7.5 plants per m². These non‐chemical options should be included in an integrated weed management program for better weed management, particularly where the control options are limited by the evolution of herbicide resistance.     

THE ACCUMULATION OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER AND ITS CARBON ISOTOPE CONTENT IN A CHRONOSEQUENCE OF SOILS DEVELOPED ON AEOLIAN SAND IN NEW ZEALAND

Soil organic matter was extracted by a mixture of O.IM Na₄P₂O: O.IM NaOH from a chronosequence of weakly weathered soils developed on aeolian sand, and fractionated into humin (non-extractable), humic acid, and fulvic acid. The mass of total organic carbon in the profiles, the ¹⁴C content and the ¹³C/12C ratios were also determined. The weight of total carbon increased rapidly at first and then gradually without attaining a steady state. This trend was also shown by the humin and fulvic acid fractions, but the humic acid fraction appeared to have reached a maximum after about 3000 years. The order of total weights of the organic fractions was humin > fulvic acid > humic acid. The evidence suggests that the proportions of the humic fractions formed by decomposition are related to soil differences but not to vegetation. The greater part of the plant material found in the soils appears in the humin and fulvic acid fractions.     

The relative movement and persistence in soil of chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl and triasulfuron

Summary. Adsorption and degradation rates of triasulfuron in 8 different soils were negatively correlated with soil pH and were generally lower in subsoils than in soils from the plough layer. The half-life at 20°C varied from 33 days in a top soil at pH 5·8 to 120 days in a subsoil at pH 7·4. Adsorption distribution coefficients in these two soils were 0·55 and 0·19, respectively. Movement and persistence of residues of chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl were compared in a field experiment prepared in spring 1987. Triasulfuron was less mobile in the soil than the other two compounds. Residues of all three herbicides were largely confined to the upper 40–50 cm soil 148 days after application. With an initial dose of 32 g ha⁻¹, residues in the surface soil layers were sufficient to affect growth of lettuce and sugar-beet sown approximately one year after application. Laboratory adsorption and degradation data were used with appropriate weather data in a computer model of herbicide transport in soil. The model gave good predictions of total soil residues during the first five months following application, and also predicted successfully the maximum depth of penetration of the herbicides into the soil during this period. However, more herbicide was retained close to the soil surface than was predicted by the model. The model predicted extensive movement of the herbicides in the soil during winter but did not predict that residues sufficient to affect crop growth could be present in the upper 15–20 cm soil after one year.     

The effect of collection and extension on tarsal flexion and fetlock extension at trot

A recent epidemiological study indicated that various factors may be related to injury in dressage horses, but the mechanism by which these injuries occur has yet to be determined. The suspensory ligament (SL) is a frequent site of injury, and it is assumed that greatest strain is placed on this structure in collected trot; this has yet to be proved conclusively. The study aimed to investigate the effect of collected and extended trot on the hindlimb movement pattern. Four dressage horses were fitted with markers and inertial motion sensors (IMS). High‐speed video was obtained for 2 strides on each rein in collected and extended trot on 3 different surfaces: waxed outdoor; sand/plastic granules; and waxed indoor. Maximal tarsal flexion during stance and distal metatarsal coronary band ratio (MTCR), representing fetlock extension, were determined. Inertial motion sensor data determined stride duration, speed and stride length. Data were compared between collection and extension within horses on each surface, and compared between surfaces. Collected trot had significantly lower speed and stride length but longer stride duration than extended trot on all surfaces. All horses had less tarsal flexion and fetlock extension in collected compared with extended trot (P<0.05), which is likely to increase SL loading. The study findings indicate that extended trot may increase SL strain, providing a possible explanation for the high incidence of SL injury in horses trained for extravagant movement. It is possible that substantial use of extended trot could be a risk factor for development of suspensory desmitis, which might be one contributory factor in the prevalence of suspensory desmitis in young horses repeatedly undertaking extravagant movement.     

Comparison of the Hydrological Budgets and Detailed Hydrological Responses in Two Forested Catchments

Detailed hydrological budgets for two mature forested catchmentsshow very similar inputs and vegetational throughputs (throughfalland stemflow) for both Norway and Sitka spruce. Stream outflow,equivalent to 1707 mm, is comparable both with measured rainfallinputs (2250 mm) or rainfall in combination with throughfalland stemflow (1826 mm). Soil throughflow from the differingsoil profiles follows similar patterns, in both soil types withinitial flow response at depth (>50 cm). This may increasetowards a maximum for some horizons, and, depending on inputamounts, be followed by a transfer of flow up through the profile.Hydrological responses and their effect on soil temperatureswere again similar at both sites, with no obvious anomalieswhich would explain the resultant differences in stream chemistrybetween these catchments. The observed changes in surface waterchemistry must therefore be primarily due to vegetational orsoil induced chemical processes combined with observed differencesin hydrological fluxes.     

PHOSPHORUS TRANSFORMATIONS IN A CHRONOSEQUENCE OF SOILS DEVELOPED ON WIND-BLOWN SAND IN NEW ZEALAND

The rate of loss of total P and accumulation of organic P were investigated in a chronosequence of weakly weathered soils developed on wind-blown sand. The net loss of total P during 10 000 years of soil development was 1910 kg/ha m profile. This calculation assumes a constancy in the total P content of the parent material. An approximately straight-line plot was obtained for the loss of total P between 500 and 10 000 years. The organic P content of the beach sands was very low but increased rapidly in the early stages of soil development. With increasing time, the rate of accumulation of organic P decreased. The net accumulation of organic P during 10 000 years was 1050 kg/ha m profile. A slow rate of formation of organic P, coupled with a rapid mineralization, has probably limited organic P build-up. It is suggested that loss of phosphorus by leaching is a consequence of the low phosphate retention capacity of these weakly weathered soils.