Nitrate removal from drained and reflooded fen soils affected by soil N transformation processes and plant uptake

Knowledge about nitrate transformation processes and how they are affected by different plants is essential in order to reduce the loss of valuable N fertiliser as well as to prevent environmental pollution due to nitrate leaching or N₂O emission after fertilisation or the reflooding of degraded fens with nitrate-containing municipal sewage. Therefore four microcosm ¹⁵N tracer experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of common wetland plants (Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis) combined with different soil moisture conditions (from dry to reflooded) on nitrate turnover processes. At the end of experiment, the total formation of gaseous N compounds was calculated using the ¹⁵N balance method. In two experiments (wet and reflooded soil conditions) the N₂O and N₂ emissions were also directly determined.Our results show that in degraded fen soils, which process mainly takes place—denitrification or transformation into organic N compounds—is determined by the soil moisture conditions. Under dry soil moisture conditions (water filled pore space: 31%) up to 80% of the ¹⁵N nitrate added was transformed into organic N compounds. This transformation process is not affected by plant growth. Under reflooded conditions (water filled pore space: 100%), the total gaseous N losses were highest (77-95% of the ¹⁵N-nitrate added) and the transformation into organic N compounds was very low (1.8% of ¹⁵N nitrate added). Under almost all soil conditions plant growth reduced the N losses by 20-25% of the ¹⁵N nitrate added due to plant uptake. The N₂ emissions exceeded the N₂O emissions by a factor of 10-20 in planted soil, and as much as 30 in unplanted soil. In the treatments planted with Phragmites australis, N₂O emission was about two times higher than in the corresponding unplanted treatment. 15% of the N₂O and N₂ formed was transported via the Phragmites shoots from the soil into the atmosphere. By contrast, Phalaris arundinacea did not affect N₂O emissions and no emission via the shoots was observed.     

Phosphorus forms as affected by abandoned anthills (Formica polyctena Förster) in forest soils: sequential extraction and liquid-state 31P-NMR spectroscopy

Ants are known to concentrate phosphorus (P) inside their nests via collection of food and litter. To elucidate the possible effects on long-term availability of soil P, five anthills abandoned by Red wood ant (Formica polyctena Förster) > 5—20 years ago were characterized for soil P forms in a temperate Danish deciduous forest. Sequentially extracted P fractions and liquid-state ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained on surface samples (0—10 cm) from abandoned anthills and adjacent topsoil; in addition one representative soil profile in an abandoned anthill was investigated. The results show that different inorganic and all organic P fractions were enriched by a factor of 2.0—3.3 inside anthills relative to the surrounding soil. The soil underneath the abandoned anthill had higher P contents until 50-cm depth. Phosphorus composition was less affected by former anthill construction. Only the younger anthills revealed a preferential accumulation of labile organic P forms such as Na-HCO₃ extractable P or diester P. The accumulation of the stable and moderate labile P forms, however, persisted for ≥ 20 years after abandonment. We concluded that former ant activity enhanced long-term P availability of soil due to high local P inputs, whereas changes of the P form distribution lasted 5—10 years after nest abandonment.     

Characterization of canine microglial cells isolated ex vivo

Microglia are the principal immune effector elements of the brain sharing immunophenotypic and functional characteristics of macrophages as well as of antigen presenting cells (APCs). The purpose of this study was to isolate canine microglial cells and make them available for ex vivo characterizations of their functions and immunophenotype. After isolation, carried out by density gradient centrifugation, microglial cells accumulated on distinct interfaces of 1.077 and 1.066 g/ml of a Percoll gradient. Identification of microglial cells in other species is realized by their specific immunophenotype of CD11b/c+ and CD45low. Our results indicate, that expression of CD45 is very low or even absent in canine microglial cells. In addition, they expressed CD18 and CD11b/c+, as determined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Fourteen additional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were used to characterize and compare canine microglial cells with monocytes. Microglia and monocytes can be clearly distinguished by their differential expression intensity of surface antigens (CD45, CD44, CD14). Functional characterization was assessed by a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generation test and phagocytosis assay using flow cytometry. In conclusion, ex vivo examination of microglia is possible in dogs and most probably reflects the conditions in vivo. The measurement of tissue culture artifacts can be largely avoided using this method.     

The effect on root geotropism of certain ortho-carboxyphenylpropanones

A series of compounds related to 1-(2′-carboxyphenyl)-3-phenylpropane-1,3-dione has been synthesised and their effects on root geotropism assessed using cress and ryegrass seedlings. The more active members have been found to be highly potent, abolishing root geotropism at concentrations as low as 0.01 mg/litre. In this respect they compare favourably with TIBA and NPA. It is suggested that a 2-carboxy-phenyl radical separated by a 3 carbon unit from a second aromatic ring is essential for activity, and that a C-1 oxygen function enhances the effect.     

Comparative evaluation of virulence and pathology of Streptococcus suis serotypes 2 and 9 in experimentally infected growers

Streptococcus (S.) suis is an invasive porcine pathogen causing meningitis, septicemia, arthritis and other diseases. Studies on pathogenesis as well as vaccine trials have focused on serotype 2 strains, which are worldwide the most prevalent among invasive isolates. However, in Europe serotype 9 strains also contribute substantially to S. suis-associated invasive diseases of piglets. The objective of this study was to determine the virulence of an MRP* SLY+ serotype 9 S. suis strain in comparison to an MRP+ EF+ SLY+ serotype 2 strain. Experimental intranasal and intravenous infections of 7-8 weeks old SPF piglets were investigated with regard to clinic and pathology. In contrast to the virulent serotype 2 strain, the serotype 9 strain did not cause disease with clinical manifestations after intranasal administration. However, histological screenings of these animals revealed pathological lesions, such as mild focal suppurative meningitis. Clinical manifestations related to meningitis, arthritis and serositis could be induced by intravenous application of this serotype 9 strain. Bacteriological culture and immunohistochemistry of the brain confirmed association with the S. suis challenge strains in all cases with clinical manifestations. Interestingly, expression of MRP within meningitis lesions was demonstrated for both pathotypes via immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MRP* SLY+ serotype 9 strains are less virulent for growers than MRP+ EF+ SLY+ serotype 2 strains. Thus, intravenous application of this serotype 9 strain is required to evaluate heterologous protection in the course of vaccine development based on serotype 2 strains in the future.     

Nitrogen release from different polymer-coated urea fertilizers in soil is affected by soil properties

The use of urea as nitrogen (N) fertilizer in agriculture needs to consider environmental, economic and resource conservation aspects because of low N-use efficiency (NUE). Polymer-coated urea (PCU) offers an effective way to improve the NUE of urea and to reduce its environmental trade-offs. However, we lack information on the impact of climate and soil properties on N release from PCU. Therefore, this study was performed to quantify the effects of soil texture, moisture and temperature on the release kinetics of N from PCU. We designed a test system for soil incubation experiments and investigated three fertilizers with different release patterns, five topsoils, three moisture levels and two temperatures over 48 days. We analysed the concentrations of inorganic N (${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}-\mathrm{N}$ and ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}-\mathrm{N}$) in the soil and estimated N release rates using the unified Richards model. Soil texture did not change the N release patterns, but release rates varied significantly among the investigated soils. Changes in soil moisture for a given soil had no effect on N release from PCU and urea when fertilizers were incorporated into the soil at conditions supportive of crop growth. Lowering soil temperatures, however, decreased N release rates from PCU by 16%–49% but only in silt loam and not in sandy loam. We conclude that PCU improves the N residence time in soil, but predictions on N release from PCU must be adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and cannot be generalized across differently textured soils.