The effects of foliar applied CaCl2·2H2O,Ca(OH)2 and K2CO3 combined with the surfactants Glucopon and Plantacare on gas exchange of 1 year old apple (Malus domestica BORKH.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves

Calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, potassium carbonate and the alkylpolyglycoside surfactants Glucopon 215 CSUP and Plantacare 12 UP are salts applied to leaves as foliar nutrients and fungicides. These chemicals were sprayed on apple (Malus domestica BORKH.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves. Stomatal conductance and rates of net photosynthesis were measured continuously in the light and in the dark using a Portable Photosynthesis System CIRAS-1. All compounds with the exception of Ca(OH)₂ affected stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis, albeit to different degrees. In light, Plantacare either alone (0.2 g l⁻¹) or in combination with CaCl₂·2H₂O (5 g l⁻¹) or K₂CO₃ (5 g l⁻¹) caused a rapid initial increase in stomatal conductance during the first 1–3 h after spraying on the leaves, maximum conductances were observed about 6 h after application. A rather high stomatal conductance was observed during the dark period when Glucopon (0.2 g l⁻¹) was applied either alone or in combination with Ca(OH)₂. The combination CaCl₂·2H₂O + Glucopon did not cause this elevated stomatal conductance during the dark. CaCl₂·2H₂O reduced stomatal conductance in combination with both Glucopon and Plantacare. The surfactant Plantacare reduced net photosynthesis during the first light period (12 h), if applied alone or in combination with CaCl₂·2H₂O. Treatment of broad bean leaves with K₂CO₃ + Plantacare resulted in a rapid decrease in net photosynthesis during the first hour, and then the rates of net photosynthesis increased rapidly and approached to those of the water control. The effects of surfactants and salts on net photosynthesis had nearly disappeared by the beginning of the second light period. Non-specific glycosidases presumably cleaved the glycosidic bond between the alkyl and the sugar moieties during the preceding night. Our data showed that foliar applications of CaCl₂·2H₂O and K₂CO₃ together with alkyl polyglycoside surfactants can affect gas exchange. However, the effects of the chemicals at the concentrations used in our study were not very large and were transient. They practically vanished within 24 h and a detrimental effect on growth and development of crops was not likely.     

Investigations on iron bioavailability of different sources and supply levels in piglets

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the iron bioavailability of different sources and supply levels in piglets. In experiment 1, the influence of feeding an iron deficient basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 28 ppm Fe either in form of Fe-chelate, crystalline Fe-glycinate, or Fe-sulphate on apparent iron digestibility and on blood parameters was determined. In experiment 2, a dose-response approach was used to determine the effects of supplementing an iron-deficient basal diet with 30, 60, or 90 ppm of Fe either in form of crystalline Fe-glycinate or Fe-sulphate on digestibility of Fe, growth and blood parameters. In experiment 1, comparison of iron sources revealed a tendency (0.05 < p < 0.1) for a higher Fe digestibility from Fe-glycinate (40.9%) compared with Fe-chelate (30.8%) or Fe-sulphate (30.7%). Fe-balance was higher (p < 0.05) for Fe-glycinate compared with Fe-sulphate but iron balance was similar for iron sulphate and iron chelate. Those results, however, were not reflected in data of blood parameters. In experiment 2, iron digestibility, blood parameters and performance were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by iron supply. Effects of iron source on digestibility of iron were lower than observed in the first experiment.     

Effect of dietary potassium and anionic salts on acid–base and mineral status in periparturient cows

Dry cow diets based on grassland forage from intensive production contain high amounts of K and could be responsible for a reduced ability to maintain Ca homoeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine whether a moderate anionic salt supplementation to a forage‐based pre‐calving diet with varying native K content affects the mineral and acid–base status in transition cows. Twenty‐four dry and pregnant Holstein cows, without antecedent episodes of clinical hypocalcemia, were assigned to two diets during the last 4 weeks before estimated calving date. Twelve cows were fed a hay‐based diet low in K (18 g K/kg DM), and 12, a hay‐based diet high in K (35 g K/kg DM). Within each diet, six cows received anionic salts during the last 2 weeks before the estimated calving day. After calving, all cows received the high K diet ad libitum. Blood samples were taken daily from day 11 pre‐partum to day 5 post‐partum. Urine samples were taken on days 7 and 2 pre‐partum and on day 2 post‐partum. The anionic salt did not alter feed intake during the pre‐partum period. Serum Ca was not influenced by the dietary treatments. Feeding pre‐partum diets with low K concentrations induced a reduced metabolic alkalotic charge, as indicated by reduced pre‐partum urinary base–acid quotient. Transition cows fed the low K diet including anionic salts induced a mild metabolic acidosis before calving, as indicated by higher urinary Ca, lower urinary pH and net acid–base excretion. Although serum Ca during the post‐partum period was not affected by dietary treatment, feeding a low K diet moderately supplemented with anionic salts to reach a dietary cation–anion difference close to zero permitted to obtain a metabolic response in periparturient cows without altering the dry matter intake.     

美国一年生植物栽培与市场流行趋势

公司概况美国科尔园艺公司(D.S.ColeGrowers,Inc.)位于美国新罕布什尔州(NewHampshire)的劳登(Loudon),创建于1987年。创建之初公司主要繁育重瓣凤仙,并取得了“玫瑰花蕾(Rosebud)”和“夏季之冰(SummerIce)”两个重瓣凤仙系列的专利。公司从只有几个简陋大棚起步,发展到现在,拥有了约4英亩的现代化玻璃温室,有全套的环境控制系统;另外还有几英亩的土地,用作一年生花卉和秋季作物的露地栽培。公司目前每年除生产1000万支根插苗外,还供应40万盆盆栽成品。根插苗销售到美国国内的各地市场,而盆栽植物则主要供应给新英格兰的街心花园和家…     

Identification of seven telotrisomics of rye (Secale cereale L.)

Summary Seven monotelotrisomics emerged spontaneously from primary trisomics of rye cv. Esto. Analyses of karyotype, of chromosome pairing in meiosis and of Giemsa banding pattern were used to identify monotelotrisomics in rye as IRS, 1RL, 3RS, 4RS, 4RL, 6RS and 7RL. Vitality and fertility were better than in primary trisomics. The extra telocentrics were well transmitted through the female gamete. Transmission through the male gamete was in all cases less than trasmission through the female gamete.     

Antinociceptive effect of intrathecally applied alpha2 agonists (xylazine and detomidine) in sheep and the response to atipamezole

This study evaluated the antinociceptive and physiologic effects of xylazine (X) and detomidine (D) administered intrathecally (IT) at the lumbosacral space, before and after the injection of atipamezole (A) IV. The study was approved by the National Animal Protection Authorities. Five adult healthy female sheep were anaesthetized with propofol on four occasions to inject the following treatments IT: groups 1 and 2, 0.05 mg kg^?1 X (2 mg mL^?1 saline) IT; groups 3 and 4, 0.01 mg kg^?1 D (0.5 mg mL^?1 saline) IT ( Waterman et al. 1988 ). Nociceptive threshold (TH) was tested by applying pulsed and stepwise enhanced direct current ( Ludbrook et al. 1995 ) at one hind leg pastern and noting the current at the moment of foot lift. Maximum current applied was 40 mA. Baseline TH was measured twice before anaesthesia and every 10 minutes when the sheep regained consciousness. Atipamezole was given IV immediately after reaching maximum analgesic action of X and D as defined by two equal or decreasing TH values and measurements were continued for 90 minutes. The dose of A for groups 1 and 3 was 0.005 mg kg^?1 (0.25 mg mL^?1 saline) IV, and for groups 2 and 4 was 0.0025 mg kg^?1 A (0.25 mg mL^?1 saline) IV. Heart rate (HR), mean direct arterial pressure (MAP), PaO₂ and PaCO₂ were measured. The differences between measurements recorded before and after treatment were analysed using a paired t‐test for the drug effects and a nonparametric Wilcoxon's rank sum test for the comparison between groups. A p‐value < 0.05 was considered significant. All sheep were able to stand before A IV. Threshold baseline value was 4.5 ± 1.7 (mean ± SD) mA for all animals. Xylazine caused a significantly higher TH rise (35.2 ± 1.8 mA), faster onset (21.1 ± 16.0 minutes) and longer duration of the TH enhancement (104.1 ± 8.6 minutes) than D (TH: 16.3 ± 7.8 mA, onset: 49.5 ± 28.4 minutes, duration: 59.3 ± 27.3 minutes). A significant increase in PaCO₂ was observed in the X and D treated animals, 0.39 ± 0.21 kPa (2.9 ± 1.6 mm Hg) and 0.39 ± 0.29 kPa (2.9 ± 2.2 mm Hg), respectively. Heart rate was significantly decreased by ?21 ± 17 beats minute^?1 for X animals and ?13 ± 13 beats minute^?1 for D. Mean arterial pressure (?9 ± 13 mm Hg for X and ?1 ± 11 mm Hg for D animals) and PaO₂ 0.65 ± 1.32 kPa (4.9 ± 9.9 mm Hg) for X and 1.45 ± 4.19 kPa (10.9 ± 31.4 mm Hg) for D animals) did not change significantly. The nociceptive threshold was not affected by A in any group. Threshold values of all X treated animals before A was 39.3 ± 1.4 mA and after was 37.2 ± 6.3 (group 1) and 40 ± 0 (group 2). Threshold values of all D treated animals before A was 21.0 ± 8.3 and after was 19.4 ± 7.3 (group 3) and 24.8 ± 8.0 (group 4). At the dosages administered intrathecally in this study, X and to a lower degree D induce antinociception without major physiologic changes. Atipamezole up to 0.005 mg kg^?1 IV does not affect the resulting antinociception as assessed by electrical stimulation.     

Determining transition-state geometries in liquids using 2D-IR

Many properties of chemical reactions are determined by the transition state connecting reactant and product, yet it is difficult to directly obtain any information about these short-lived structures in liquids. We show that two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy can provide direct information about transition states by tracking the transformation of vibrational modes as a molecule crossed a transition state. We successfully monitored a simple chemical reaction, the fluxional rearrangement of Fe(CO)5, in which the exchange of axial and equatorial CO ligands causes an exchange of vibrational energy between the normal modes of the molecule. This energy transfer provides direct evidence regarding the time scale, transition state, and mechanism of the reaction.     

Grazing methods and stocking rates for direct-seeded alfalfa pastures: II. Pasture quality and diet selection

A 2-yr study was conducted to determine the effects of two grazing methods (GM) and two stocking rates (SR) on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. var. WL225) pasture quality and diet selection by Holstein steers. Eight pasture plots (.76 ha) were seeded in 1988 and divided into two blocks of four pastures each. Pastures were managed to allow a 36-d rest period with an average grazing season of 105 d. Before steers entered the next paddock, canopy heights (CH) of alfalfa plants were determined and pasture-forage samples were collected. Forage samples were analyzed for DM, OM, CP, and in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD). At 12-d intervals beginning with the second grazing cycle, extrusa samples were collected from steers with esophageal fistulas. Extrusa samples were frozen, freeze-dried, and analyzed for OM, CP, IVOMD, in situ ruminal DM degradation, and ruminal undegradable protein. There were no effects of GM on alfalfa CH or pasture DM, OM, CP, and IVOMD. Increasing the SR increased pasture CP content in both years and increased DM, OM, and IVOMD in the 2nd yr. There was no effect of GM or SR on the quality of forage selected by esophageally fistulated steers. Esophageally fistulated steers selected forage that had greater OM, CP, and IVOMD than the average nutrient content of the forage. Although forage quality was greater when stocking rates were increased, the quantity of forage available per animal may have limited gains.