Effect of Spinacia oleraceae L. and Perilla frutescens L. on Antioxidants and Lipid Peroxidation in an Intervention Study in Healthy Individuals

Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables is frequently recommended to prevent several diseases. This health-promoting effect is considered to be in part due to the antioxidant content of fruits and vegetables and their ability to decrease oxidative stress. To investigate whether the ingestion of preparations from spinach or perilla, two carotenoid-rich leafy vegetables, is followed by an increase in carotenoid concentration and/or affects parameters of oxidative stress in human blood plasma. 12 healthy volunteers ingested a perilla- or spinach preparation for 10 days (5 mg lutein/d). We quantified antioxidant levels in plasma, kinetics of lipid peroxidation, MDA concentration, and total antioxidative capacity of plasma. We observed a significant increase in lutein content and a moderate increase (n.s.) in β-carotene content in human blood plasma after consumption of spinach or perilla. The markers of lipid peroxidation tended to decrease, but no influence on antioxidative capacity of plasma could be detected. The high lutein content of perilla caused a more pronounced increase of lutein compared to spinach. Both vegetables seem to be able to influence lipid peroxidation in a beneficial manner.     

Fungal disease suppression by inorganic salts: A review

This paper reviews the scientific literature on the topic of fungal disease suppression by applications of inorganic salts as alternatives to synthetic fungicides on a global scale for both protected and field crops. Where data were available, the comparative efficacy of inorganic salts with conventional fungicide products is discussed. In total, published evidence was found for 34 inorganic salts (mainly bicarbonates, phosphates, silicates, chlorides and phosphites) that were able to reduce the severity of 49 fungal diseases (of the foliage, stem, fruit, tuber, root and post-harvest) in 35 plant species (vegetables, cereals, fruit crops, root/tuber crops, ornamentals and native plants). The most studied and best controlled disease with inorganic salts was powdery mildew of cucurbits [Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schltdl.) Pollacci 1913 or Erysiphe cichoracearum DC. 1805; up to 99% efficacy], wheat [Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer 1975 (f. sp. tritici)] and grapes [Uncinula necator (Schwein.) Burrill 1892]. The next best evidence for disease control was for wheat septoria blotch (Septoria tritici Berk. & M.A. Curtis 1874), rice blast [Magnaporthe grisea (T.T. Hebert) M.E. Barr 1977], potato late blight [Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary 1876] and several other Phytophthora spp. The published evidence suggests that these 34 inorganic salts are generally less effective than conventional fungicides and could not fully replace them. However, their integration in a disease management strategy may enable a reduction in the number of conventional fungicide applications required. The potential for the inclusion of inorganic salts in fungal disease management programmes merits further investigation and greater regulatory innovation in the near future.     

Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to post-emergence applications of topramezone

Topramezone is a new herbicide for post-emergence control of broadleaf and grass weeds in maize. Two field experiments were conducted in northern Greece in 2008 and 2009 to determine the response of grain maize to topramezone applied with the adjuvant DASH at 2–4, 4–6 and 6–8 maize leaf stage. In both years, plant height, cob number and yield were not differently affected with the use of herbicide at these growth stages, indicating no difference in selectivity and a similar response of maize to the three post-emergence applications of topramezone. Slight injury symptoms of leaf bleaching were observed in the second year, however, they were transient with no lasting injury on maize growth.     

Acetylcholinesterase point mutations in European strains of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) resistant to organophosphates

BACKROUND: In Tetranychus urticae Koch, acetylcholinesterase insensitivity is often involved in organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CARB) resistance. By combining toxicological, biochemical and molecular data from three reference laboratory and three OP selected strains (OP strains), the AChE1 mutations associated with resistance in T. urticae were characterised. RESULTS: The resistance ratios of the OP strains varied from 9 to 43 for pirimiphos‐methyl, from 78 to 586 for chlorpyrifos, from 8 to 333 for methomyl and from 137 to 4164 for dimethoate. The insecticide concentration needed to inhibit 50% of the AChE1 activity was, in the OP strains, at least 2.7, 55, 58 and 31 times higher for the OP pirimiphos‐methyl, chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon and omethoate respectively, and 87 times higher for the CARB carbaryl. By comparing the AChE1 sequence, four amino acid substitutions were detected in the OP strains: (1) F331W (Torpedo numbering) in all the three OP strains; (2) T280A found in the three OP strains but not in all clones; (3) G328A, found in two OP strains; (4) A201S found in only one OP strain. CONCLUSIONS: Four AChE1 mutations were found in resistant strains of T. urticae, and three of them, F331W, G328A and A201S, are possibly involved in resistance to OP and CARB insecticides. Among them, F331W is probably the most important and the most common in T. urticae. It can be easily detected by the diagnostic PCR‐RLFP assay developed in this study. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Productivity of temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity

? Understanding the effects of tree species diversity on biomass and production of forests is fundamental for carbon sequestration strategies, particularly in the perspective of the current climate change. However, the diversity-productivity relationship in old-growth forests is not well understood.

? We quantified biomass and above-ground production in nine forest stands with increasing tree species diversity from monocultures of beech to stands consisting of up to five deciduous tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia spp., Carpinus betulus, Acer spp.) to examine (a) if mixed stands are more productive than monospecific stands, (b) how tree species differ in the productivity of stem wood, leaves and fruits, and (c) if beech productivity increases with tree diversity due to lower intraspecific competition and complementary resource use.

? Total above-ground biomass and wood production decreased with increasing tree species diversity. In Fagus and Fraxinus, the basal area-related wood productivity exceeded those of the co-occurring tree species, while Tilia had the highest leaf productivity. Fagus trees showed no elevated production per basal area in the mixed stands.

? We found no evidence of complementary resource use associated with biomass production. We conclude that above-ground productivity of old-growth temperate deciduous forests depend more on tree species-specific traits than on tree diversity itself.

     

Sustainable development and sustainable forestry: analogies,differences, and the role of flexibility

Various approaches have been developed to achieve sustainability in forestry, under changing social needs and, consequently, changing definitions of sustainability. This has led to the confusing situation in which various groups have different understandings of the meaning of ‘sustainability’. Likewise, the concepts utilized to achieve sustainability, often with a poorly defined objective, are sometimes not clear and/or inconsistent as a systematic overview regarding definitions and concepts is lacking. Based on a literature review, this paper discusses related terms such as sustainability, sustained yield management, sustainable forestry, sustainable forest management and sustainable development: their history, concepts and relationships, from a European perspective. Finally, flexibility is proposed as a solution to overcome the identified shortcomings at all scales, while focussing on the enterprise level. The origin of the sustainability concept in forestry was first driven by forest experts, while participatory elements have been considered since the more recent idea of sustainable development. Since then, much effort has been made to achieve intragenerational fairness by creating an improved participatory process. Concurrently, the original idea of sustainable forestry as long-term and future-oriented management, considering future generations’ needs fell behind. An increasing standing timber volume in Europe and the discussion on climate change brought new interest in how to cope with risks in the context of pervasive future uncertainties within the scope of promoting sustainable development. Although the consideration of risk has been concentrated on as a topic in forest science in recent years, studies have mainly focused on the enhancement of forest resistance against disturbances. However, precaution and risk avoidance alone are probably insufficient to achieve an improved sustainable development that focuses on intergenerational fairness, as these more defensive approaches may disregard important management opportunities involved with an uncertain future. A perhaps more promising approach, the idea of future options and the ability to respond to changing social and biophysical circumstances (i.e. flexibility) as criteria for sustainable development have only shown a shadowy existence up to now. To further develop the consistency of sustainability concepts, a shift of sustainability approaches from continuity towards flexibility options is proposed.     

Identification of Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B-1 from severe infectious coryza outbreaks in Panama

The isolation and identification of Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B-1 from severe infectious coryza outbreaks in broiler breeders in Panama is reported for the first time. Infectious coryza was absent for over a decade in the breeder farms area. Disease outbreaks were characterized by an up to 45% drop in egg production and increased mortality. Use of a commercial trivalent bacterin and a strengthened biosecurity program prevented outbreaks in susceptible flocks in the farm.