Spatial patterns of diversity and genetic erosion of traditional cassava (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Manihot esculenta</Emphasis> Crantz) in the Peruvian Amazon: An evaluation of socio-economic and environmental indicators

This study evaluates quantitatively the suitability of the use of site-specific socio-economic and environmental data as indicators to rapidly assess patterns of diversity and genetic erosion risk in cassava. Socio-economic data as well as farmers’ estimation of genetic erosion were collected in the study area, the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon, through interviews with 285 cassava farmers in 50 communities, while diversity was assessed based on agromorphological characterization of 295 cassava accessions. Using multivariate regression analyses, 50 and 45% of the variation in respectively diversity and genetic erosion estimation could be explained by a selected set of socio-economic and environmental indicators. In both regression models four out of the total of 38 variables proved to contribute significantly (at p < 0.10 level). Additionally, the study revealed that farmers are a good direct source of information on the diversity present at community level, which can contribute to the development of methodologies to assess diversity more rapidly. The results of this study are valuable for the development of models to rapidly assess diversity dynamics in large areas.     

Germinability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia sativa</Emphasis> L. seeds After 10 Years of Storage in a Base Collection

The germinability of the Vicia sativa L. seed samples in the base collection at the Centro de Recursos Fitogenéticos (Spain) was controlled in 1986 and 1996. The mean germination of the collection, assessed by One-Sample T Test, was higher than 85%, suggesting its viability was properly maintained along the period. However, changes in germination along the same period assessed by Paired-Samples T Test showed a slight decrease in its global germinability. More data on the viability of stored seeds worldwide – including communication of unpublished data – are needed. Viability assays should be performed according to standard, internationally coordinated protocols and statistical analysis, within an adequate documentation system that assures the integrity of accession information.     

Search for Resistance to Crenate Broomrape (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Orobanche crenata</Emphasis> Forsk.) in Pea Germplasm

Orobanche crenata Forsk. is a major constraint for pea production in Mediterranean and East Asian countries. To solve the problem of the lack of resistance in pea cultivars, a screening for resistance was performed under field conditions in a germplasm collection of 575 accessions of Pisum sativum L. No complete resistance was found but varying levels of resistance were identified and confirmed in further field seasons and in pots experiments in the greenhouse. Resistance was quantitative resulting in a reduction in the number of emerged broomrapes per pea plant. Broomrape infection and expression of resistance proved to be highly influenced by environmental conditions. Resistance is the consequence of the combination of several resistance mechanisms preventing or hampering establishment of broomrape and/or development of established tubercles. Resistance identified could suffice to prevent broomrape damage in normal years, but might need to be implemented with other control measures in very conducive years. Resistant accessions have been crossed with pea cultivars and submitted to a breeding programme in which accumulation of levels of resistance to broomrape is a priority.     

Sowing date influence on winter oilseed rape overwintering in Estonia

Abstract

In 2001–2005 an overwintering investigation of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) was carried out at the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences. In our trial we used two winter oilseed rape varieties: ‘Wotan’ and ‘Express’. The sowing was performed at four different times, with weekly intervals: 8, 15, 22 and 29 August. The soil type was Stagnic Luvisol by WRB classification; the texture was sandy loam with a humus layer of 20–30 cm. Our research indicated that successful wintering of winter oilseed rape depends directly on sowing date. From the data obtained it may be seen that differences between sowing dates and overwintering were statistically significant. Overwintering depends on numbers of growing-degree-days (GDD) in the autumn vegetative period. Three years’ data showed that in the autumn period plants need 416 GDD for developing a strong root system and to prepare for wintering.     

Volatile compounds in a spanish red wine aged in barrels made of Spanish, French, and American oak wood

A red Rioja wine was aged in barrels made of Spanish oak wood (Quercus robur, Quercus petraea,Quercus pyrenaica, and Quercus faginea) during 21 months. The concentrations of some volatile compounds [syringaldehyde, vanillin, eugenol, maltol, guaiacol, 4-ethylphenol, cis and trans isomers of beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone, 2-furfuraldehyde, 5-methyl-2-furfuraldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfuraldehyde, and furfuryl alcohol] were studied in these wines and compared with those of the same wine aged in barrels made from French oak of Q. robur (Limousin, France) and Q. petraea (Allier, France) and American oak of Quercus alba (Missouri). Similar concentrations of these compounds were found in wines aged in Spanish and French oak wood barrels, and significantly different concentrations were found with respect to wines aged in barrels made of American oak wood, indicating a different behavior. Thus, wines with different characteristics were obtained, depending on the kind of wood. Also, the kind of wood had an important influence on sensory characteristics of wine during the aging process. Spanish oak wood from Q. robur, Q. petraea, and Q. pyrenaica can be considered to be suitable for barrel production for quality wines, because a wine aged in barrels made of these Spanish oak woods showed similar and intermediate characteristics to those of the same wine aged in French and American oak woods usually used in cooperage.     

Arsenic Contamination and Dispersion in the Engenho Inlet,Sepetiba Bay,SE, Brazil

Arsenic distribution and dispersion in sediments of the EngenhoInlet and the Sepetiba Bay were investigated in order to evaluate the extent of the contamination caused by a metallurgical plant installed in the Sepetiba Bay watershed. The ore used in the smelting process, the soil around the plant, and ore waste collected inside the plant were also analyzed for As. Very high As concentrations in the stronglyand weakly bound fractions (up to 63 000 and 52 700 μgg^-1, respectively) were found in the ore waste. The soilsalso contained high concentrations of both the strongly andweakly bound fractions (748 and 636 μg g^-1, repectively), although the ore itself contained lower levelsof the two fractions (63 and 13 μg g^-1, respectively).The sediments of the Engenho Inlet had a high degree of contamination (up to 347 μg g^-1) decreasing toward Sepetiba Bay where the lowest concentrations were found (up to 50 μg g^-1). Altough lower concentrations were found in the Sepetiba Bay sediments, they are 5 times higher than the world average. The results showed that there is an As transport from the Engenho Inlet to the Sepetiba Bay. These results suggests that the bay's fish and mollusk stock my be contaminated. This contamination may adversely affect the health of the local population, whose main protein supply is seafood.     

Measurement of coupled nitrification-denitrification in paddy fields affected by Terrazole,a nitrification inhibitor

Coupled nitrification-denitrification and potential denitrification were measured as ¹⁵N₂O and ¹⁵N₂ evolution rates in ammonium sulphate-treated rice soils with or without Terrazole [5-ethoxy-3 (trichloromethyl) 1,2,3 Thiadizole] under laboratory and field conditions. The greatest coupled nitrification-denitrification activity was found after drying and rewetting the soil, with maximum values of 322 ng N cm^–2 h^–1 in the laboratory and 90.8 ng N cm^–2 h^–1 in the field. These ¹⁵N₂O + ¹⁵N₂ evolution rates were about 10 times lower than potential denitrification in these soils. These results and the observed decrease in ¹⁵N₂O + ¹⁵N₂ evolution rate in soils treated with Terrazole (60% under laboratory conditions and 52% under field conditions) indicate that denitrification was limited by coupled nitrification-denitrification activity. Oxygen and previous addition of ammonium sulphate appear to control the rate of ¹⁵N₂O + ¹⁵N₂ evolution in ammonium sulphate-fertilised soils.     

Critical disease components of common bacterial blight to effectively evaluate resistant genotypes of snap bean

Common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) is the main bacterial disease of snap bean. The present work aimed to select snap bean genotypes that are resistant to CBB based on three components of resistance: area under the disease progress curve, latent period, and lesion diameter on pods (DL). A completely randomized two-factor factorial design with six replications was used to evaluate leaves and pods of 14 snap bean and three common bean genotypes (PI 207262, BAC-6 and A-794) with high resistance to CBB. Two Xap isolates, 1394-98 and 775-90, were used to inoculate leaves and pods. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics. Significant differences were observed among the evaluated genotypes for all of the components of resistance, except for DL. The snap bean UENF 1482 demonstrated good performance in two disease resistance components. For this reason, this genotype can be recommended for use in breeding programs that aim to generate snap bean genotypes resistant to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli.     

Bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep

Objective To study the clinical signs following bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep.
Design A clinical and pathological study.
Procedure Twenty Poll Dorset sheep were inoculated with bluetongue virus serotypes 1 or 3, each inoculum having a different passage history. The sheep were examined daily and their clinical appearance and rectal temperatures recorded. Heparinised and non-heparinised blood samples were taken at intervals for virological and serological study. Gross pathological findings were recorded for several sheep at necropsy and tissue samples were collected from three sheep for virological studies.
Results All inoculated sheep developed clinical disease. The clinical signs and gross pathological changes varied considerably but were consistent with damage to the vascular endothelial system. There was a decline in the titres of infectious bluetongue virus and of antigen in tissues collected between 7 and 12 days after infection.
Conclusions The severity of disease was related to the speed of onset and duration of pyrexia and not the development or titre of viraemia. Generally, those animals with sensitive mouths, depression, coronitis, recumbency and reluctance to move were the most debilitated. Whole blood was the most reliable source of infectious virus from acutely and chronically infected and convalescent animals. However, tissue samples particularly spleen, collected from dead or killed animals suffering from either peracute or acute forms of disease were most appropriate for the rapid confirmation of a clinical diagnosis.