Estimating cotton evapotranspiration crop coefficients with a multispectral vegetation index

Crop coefficients are a widely used and universally accepted method for estimating the crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) component in irrigation scheduling programs. However, uncertainties of generalized basal crop coefficient (K_cb) curves can contribute to ET_c estimates that are substantially different from actual ET_c. Limited research with corn has shown improvements to irrigation scheduling due to better water-use estimation and more appropriate timing of irrigations when K_cb estimates derived from remotely sensed multispectral vegetation indices (VIs) were incorporated into irrigation-scheduling algorithms. The purpose of this article was to develop and evaluate a K_cb estimation model based on observations of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for a full-season cotton grown in the desert southwestern USA. The K_cb data used in developing the relationship with NDVI were derived from back-calculations of the FAO-56 dual crop coefficient procedures using field data obtained during two cotton experiments conducted during 1990 and 1991 at a site in central Arizona. The estimation model consisted of two regression relations: a linear function of K_cb versus NDVI (r²=0.97, n=68) used to estimate K_cb from early vegetative growth to effective full cover, and a multiple regression of K_cb as a function of NDVI and cumulative growing-degree-days (GDD) (r²=0.82, n=64) used to estimate K_cb after effective full cover was attained. The NDVI for cotton at effective full cover was ~0.80; this value was used to mark the point at which the model transferred from the linear to the multiple regression function. An initial evaluation of the performance of the model was made by incorporating K_cb estimates, based on NDVI measurements and the developed regression functions, within the FAO-56 dual procedures and comparing the estimated ET_c with field observations from two cotton plots collected during an experiment in central Arizona in 1998. Preliminary results indicate that the ET_c based on the NDVI-K_cb model provided close estimates of actual ET_c.Communicated by R. Evans     

Detection and identification of four common rust pathogens of cereals and grasses using real-time polymerase chain reaction

ABSTRACT Puccinia spp. are widespread pathogens of cereals and grasses that annually cause significant yield losses worldwide, especially in barley, oat, and wheat. Urediniospore morphology and early symptom development have limited usefulness for distinguishing Puccinia spp. Therefore, we developed real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for rapid detection of the four rust pathogen species, Puccinia graminis (Pers.:Pers.), P. striiformis (Westend.), P. triticina (Eriks.), and P. recondita (Roberge ex Desmaz.). Duplex assays were constructed for the nuclear rDNA gene, using the variable internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region to distinguish between species, and the conserved 28S region as an internal control. Species-specific ITS1 primer/probe sets were highly specific and could detect <1 pg of DNA. The species-specific primer/probe sets showed positive results over a linear range of DNA five orders of magnitude or greater. Specificity of the assays was tested using multiple collections representing a range of races and formae speciales within a species. Additionally, assay specificity was evaluated by testing a range of other grass rust pathogens, as well as other fungi. The 28S primer/probe combination was successful in detecting all Puccinia spp. tested within the duplex assays, validating the integrity of each assay. Finally, the assays were used to identify unknown rust fungi infecting pasture grasses.     

Risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle: Use of a causal diagram-informed approach to estimate effects of animal mixing and movements before feedlot entry

A nationwide longitudinal study was conducted to investigate risk factors for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle in Australian feedlots. After induction (processing), cattle were placed in feedlot pens (cohorts) and monitored for occurrence of BRD over the first 50 days on feed. Data from a national cattle movement database were used to derive variables describing mixing of animals with cattle from other farms, numbers of animals in groups before arrival at the feedlot, exposure of animals to saleyards before arrival at the feedlot, and the timing and duration of the animal's move to the vicinity of the feedlot. Total and direct effects for each risk factor were estimated using a causal diagram-informed process to determine covariates to include in four-level Bayesian logistic regression models. Mixing, group size and timing of the animal's move to the feedlot were important predictors of BRD. Animals not mixed with cattle from other farms prior to 12 days before induction and then exposed to a high level of mixing (≥4 groups of animals mixed) had the highest risk of developing BRD (OR 3.7) compared to animals mixed at least 4 weeks before induction with less than 4 groups forming the cohort. Animals in groups formed at least 13 days before induction comprising 100 or more (OR 0.5) or 50–99 (OR 0.8) were at reduced risk compared to those in groups of less than 50 cattle. Animals moved to the vicinity of the feedlot at least 27 days before induction were at reduced risk (OR 0.4) compared to cattle undergoing short-haul transportation (<6 h) to the feedlot within a day of induction, while those experiencing longer transportation durations (6 h or more) within a day of induction were at slightly increased risk (OR 1.2). Knowledge of these risk factors could potentially be used to inform management decisions to reduce the risk of BRD in feedlot cattle.     

Isoflavone aglycon and glucoconjugate content of high- and low-soy U.K. foods used in nutritional studies

The isoflavone aglycon and glucoconjugate content of commercially prepared and "home-prepared" high- and low-soy foods selected for use in an on-going nutritional study were measured by LC-MS. The daidzin, daidzein, 6"-O-malonyldaidzin, 6"-O-acetyldaidzin, genistein, genistin, 6"-O-malonylgenistin, 6"-O-acetylgenistin, glycitin, glycitein, 6"-O-malonylglycitin, and 6"-O-acetylglycitin content are expressed in terms of individual isoflavones, total isoflavone equivalents, and milligrams of isoflavones per portion served. Soybeans (774 mg x kg(-1) total isoflavones) and soybean-containing foods had the highest isoflavone content of the foods examined. The low-soy foods all contained very low concentrations (<8 mg x kg(-1) total isoflavones) of the isoflavone aglycons and glucoconjugates. High- and low-soy 11 day rotating menus were constructed from the analyzed foods to deliver 100.0 and 0.5 mg of isoflavones per day, respectively.     

Deep-sea macroplanktonic sea cucumbers: suspended sediment feeders captured from deep submergence vehicle

Observations in situ confirm the swimming and feeding behavior in previously unreported dense assemblages of the holothurian Peniagone diaphana, at a depth of 2000 meters, off southern California. Proximate analysis of captured specimens indicates that this organism may represent a numerically significant, but low organic content member of many near-bottom deep-sea communities.     

Experimental infection of chickens and turkeys with Mycoplasma gallisepticum reference strain S6 and North Carolina field isolate RAPD type B

During an epidemic of mycoplasmosis in chicken and turkey flocks in North Carolina between 1999 and 2001, isolates of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) from affected flocks were characterized by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and eight distinct RAPD types were identified. MG RAPD type B accounted for more than 90% of the isolates and was associated with moderate-to-severe clinical signs and mortality. The virulence of MG RAPD type B for chickens and turkeys was compared with sham-inoculated negative controls and MG S6 (a virulent strain)-inoculated positive controls. Clinical signs occurred in chickens and turkeys inoculated with either MG RAPD type B or MG S6. However, they were not as frequent or severe as those seen in naturally affected flocks, and there was no mortality in the experimental groups. Based on gross and microscopic findings, MG RAPD type B was equal to or more virulent than MG S6. All MG-inoculated birds were culture and PCR positive at 7 and 14 days postinoculation (PI). Among serological tests, the serum plate agglutination test was positive for the majority of chickens and turkeys (58%-100%) infected with either strain of MG at both 7 and 14 days PI. The hemagglutination inhibition test was negative for all birds at 7 days PI and positive for a few chickens (8%-17%) and several turkey sera (40%-60%) at 14 days PI. Only a single serum was positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (an MG S6-infected turkey) at 14 days PI.     

Influence of selection for milk yield on endogenous hormones and metabolites in Holstein heifers and cows

Plasma concentrations of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucagon, glucose, urea and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured in Holstein calves, yearlings, bred heifers and primiparous cows, either sired by bulls with high predicted differences (PD) for milk (selection group) or by bulls from an unselected random bred control population (control group; n = 6). Serial blood samples were collected before and after feeding for an 8-h period from 0900 to 1700 h. All animals were fed a complete feed at 1100 h and administered insulin (.6 IU/100 kg body weight) at 1400 h. Mean plasma PRL was greater in control animals after feeding and insulin administration, while GH was greater overall in selection cattle. Insulin remained elevated longer in selection animals after exogenous administration, and plasma glucagon was increased in the control group. While plasma glucose and urea were unaffected by genetic group, plasma FFA were elevated in selection group calves and primiparous cows compared with the control group. All hormones and metabolites differed among the pre- and post-feeding and insulin administration periods and also with age. Mean PRL and GH increased after feeding, while glucagon decreased after exogenous insulin. Plasma FFA declined after feeding, while urea and glucose were similar before and after feeding. Mean PRL increased and glucagon decreased with advancing age and plasma GH and insulin showed inverse relationships at different ages. Plasma FFA changes closely followed GH changes with age, while plasma glucose more closely followed insulin changes with age. Results indicate that all hormones measured and FFA responded to genetic selection for milk, and increases in GH are uniformly associated with increased genetic potential for milk yield.