The CO2 concentration in soils of montane cloud forests of southern Mexico

We studied the CO₂ concentration in the soil air of Folic Albic Podzols at heights of 2500 and 2400 m a.s.l. within the area of montane cloud forests of southern Mexico. Soil air samples were collected from the depths of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm every three hours from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m. during one day. The mean CO₂ concentrations in the soil air at the heights of 2500 and 2400 m a.s.l. reached 2170 and 6930 ppm, respectively. The spatial and temporal variability of the CO₂ concentration in the soil air of the Podzols of the montane cloud forest were revealed. The spatial variability was controlled by the differences in the species composition of the surface vegetation and the depth of the soil organic horizon, whereas the temporal variability was related to the generally low level of aeration of the topsoil layer and, presumably, to the cyclic pattern of the root respiration.     

Growth and Fruit Chemical Characteristics of Blackberry (Rubus Fruticosus) Cultivated with Vermicompost,Glomus Mosseae and Phosphate Rock

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost (V) and phosphate rock (PR) on blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe (AMF). Plant growth parameters, total phenol compounds and total flavonoids were evaluated on leaves. Anthocyanin contents, soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SS/TA ratio was evaluated in blackberries fruits. Blackberry plants were obtained from cuttings from field plants, which were distributed in soil according to a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Treatments were vermicompost (10?g plant^?1), phosphate rock (1?g plant^?1), Glomus mosseae (AMF), (1?g plant^?1), PR + AMF, V + PR, V +AMF, V + PR+ AMF and control without any amended. Plant height and stem diameter were measured five months after treatments, while total phenols and total flavonoids in leaves were evaluated eight months later. Anthocyanins, SS, pH, and TA were determined in blackberry fruits ten months after. Plant height was not statistically affected (p≤0.05), although total phenol compounds were higher (21.1?mg g^?1 dry plant) in the V+PR+AMF treatment, whereas the V + AMF treatment produced more dry plant total flavonoids (1.4?mg g^?1), compared with control plants. Blackberries produced with the vermicompost treatment had more anthocyanins (9.54?mg g^?1) than control plants. Soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not statistically (p≤0.05) affected by any treatment.     

Fluorine immission to acid soil in the vicinity of an aluminium smelter in Galicia (NW Spain) and its influence on aluminium dynamics

Purpose

The aluminium smelter located in the northern coast of Galicia (NW Spain) is a source of fluoride pollution. Previous papers Gago et al. (Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 32:2503–2517, 2001, Fluoride 35:110–121, 2002) have identified an area of 3-km radius around the factory being affected by fluoride emissions. This study aims to investigate the influence of fluoride emissions on fluorine concentration and speciation as well as on aluminium speciation in soils in the vicinity of the smelter.

Materials and methods

PVC cylinders containing soil material from the A horizon of an unpolluted forest soil, similar to that in the vicinity of the factory, were placed within the A horizon of soils surrounding the smelter. The cylinders were placed at various distances (up to 3 km) from the factory in the direction of predominant winds. The PVC columns were removed after 6 months, and the soil material inside was divided into two slices (0–10 and 10–20 cm) and analysed for pH, total and available fluorine, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity (CEC) and oxalate-extracted aluminium. The soil solution was mimicked by aqueous extracts and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, Ca, Mg, Na, K, total and free fluorine, total Al, acid-soluble Al, non-labile Al, labile Al and labile Al species.

Results and discussion

In the area closest to the factory (0.5 km), total and available fluorine in the upmost 10 cm soil increased by twofold and eightfold, respectively, while soluble fluoride increased by fourfold. Increases were also observed in exchangeable Ca, Mg, Al and CEC. Noncrystalline Al increased significantly at any distance from the smelter. Fluorine, pH, sulphate, aluminium and organic matter increased in the soil solution of surface (<10 cm) samples closest to the factory. Monomeric Al-organic matter complexes prevailed in the liquid phase at 0.5–1 km from the factory whereas inorganic Al complexes did at distances over 1 km. Among the inorganic Al complexes, fluoride complexes prevailed at distances less than 1 km and hydroxylated complexes at distances greater than 1 km. Al³⁺ concentration was always very low.

Conclusions

Emissions from an aluminium smelter led to increased concentrations of fluorine and various forms of aluminium in the nearby soil. These emissions mobilised aluminium, organic matter and probably sulphate from the soil. In the closest neighbourhood of the smelter, it was found that most soluble aluminium was bound to organic matter, hence having low toxicity, while at distances farther than 1 km Al-F and Al-OH complexes prevailed.     

Tissue specific colonization of Phytophthora capsici in Capsicum spp.: molecular insights over plant-pathogen interaction

Phytoparasitica - Root and crown rot (RCR) caused by Phytophthora capsici is present in all crop production areas of pepper and chili worldwide. This pathogen was recently reported at the Pacific...     

Untangling the genetic control of maize plant architecture plasticity

Euphytica - The hard-shelled character of ordinary cultivated Tartary buckwheat has become a factor influencing its taste and nutritional efficacy. However, the local variety, Rice-Tartary, can...     

The Acidic Probe LysoSensor™ is not Useful for Acrosome Evaluation of Cryopreserved Ram Spermatozoa

To try new acrosomal probes for assessing ram spermatozoa, we compared the LysoSensor^? probe, which labels acidic organelles, with the frequently used peanut agglutinin acrosomal probe (PNA‐PE; phycoerythrin as fluorescent moiety). The previous microscopic observations showed a lack of relationship of LysoSensor^? with acrosomal status. Semen was obtained from five rams and frozen in four pools. Each pool was analysed carrying out a triple staining propidium ioide/PNA‐PE/LysoSensor^? Green DND‐189 to test acrosome labelling, and a double staining SYBR‐14/PI, to assess sperm viability. Stained samples were analysed by flow cytometry. All measurements were replicated. Data were processed using agreement and repeatability tests. LysoSensor^? labelling did not agree with PNA (mean of differences: 30.8%; coefficient of agreement: 22.6%), confirming microscopic observations. Nevertheless, when LysoSensor^? was compared with SYBR‐14/PI, the agreement was high (mean of differences: ?0.05%; coefficient of agreement: 5.07%). Repeatability of both methods was high and similar. LysoSensor^? did not seem to specifically stain the acrosome, but it may accumulate in the cytoplasm and label viable spermatozoa. Therefore, LysoSensor^? might not be used as an acrosomal probe in ram spermatozoa, but it could be used in other kind of studies, taking advantage of its pH sensitivity.     

Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Methanolic Extract from Opuntia joconostle Seeds in Mice Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of a methanolic extract from Opuntia joconostle seeds fed to mice in a hypercholesterolemic diet. Acute toxicity of the methanolic extract was investigated by an established method. Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and DPPH, respectively. The total phenolic content of Opuntia joconostle seeds was 47.85?±?1.29 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight. The main phenolic compounds were identified as quercetin, rutin, and cafeic acid. Percent inhibition of DPPH⁺ was 49.76?±?0.49 %. The oral LD₅₀ for the methanolic extract from the Opuntia joconostle seeds was >5,000 mg/kg BW. Mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for six days exhibited significantly (P?≤?0.001) higher plasma lipid levels than mice fed a normal diet. Remarkably, supplementation with methanolic extract from Opuntia joconostle at doses of 1, 2, and 5 g/kg body weight significantly (P?≤?0.001) prevented the increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides level, and atherogenic index. Similar concentrations of the HDL cholesterol were observed in both treated and control groups. A significant dose-dependent reduction in lipid levels was noted for treated groups compared to the hypercholesterolemic group. We attribute this result to the seeds’ phenolic composition. This methanolic extract has potential to be included in short-term hypercholesterolemia treatment regimens as it exhibits hypolipidemic activity with no apparent toxic manifestations.     

Evaluation of Particle Size Influence on Proximate Composition,Physicochemical, Techno-Functional and Physio-Functional Properties of Flours Obtained from Persimmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros kaki</Emphasis> Trumb.) Coproducts

The aim of the work was to study the influence of particle size in the composition, physicochemical, techno-functional and physio-functional properties of two flours obtained from persimmon (Diospyros kaki Trumb. cvs. ‘Rojo Brillante’ (RBF) and ‘Triump’ (THF) coproducts. The cultivar (RBF and THF) and particle size significantly affected all parameters under study, although depending on the evaluated property, only one of these effects predominated. Carbohydrates (38.07–46.98 g/100 g) and total dietary fiber (32.07–43.57 g/100 g) were the main components in both flours (RBF and THF). Furthermore, insoluble dietary fiber represented more than 68% of total dietary fiber content. All color properties studied were influenced by cultivar and particle size. For both cultivars, the lower particle size, the higher lightness and hue values. RBF flours showed high values for emulsifying activity (69.33–74.00 mL/mL), while THF presented high values for water holding capacity (WHC: 9.47–12.19 g water/g sample). The bile holding capacity (BHC) and fat/oil binding values were, in general, higher in RBF (19.61–12.19 g bile/g sample and 11.98–9.07, respectively) than THF (16.12–12.40 g bile/g sample and 9.78–7.96, respectively). The effect of particle size was really evident in both WHC and BHC. Due to their dietary fiber content, techno-functional and physio-functional properties, persimmon flours seem to have a good profile to be used as potential functional ingredient.