Effects of abiotic variables on the response of carnation cultivars to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi

The effects of abiotic variables on the response of carnation cultivars to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi ( F.o. dianthi  ) were examined in experiments conducted under semi-controlled environments. The abiotic variables examined were solar radiation intensity, temperature and growth substrate. Temperature was not controlled, but differed markedly among experiments, thus, its effect was not determined quantitatively. Disease incidence and disease severity varied significantly among the experiments (due mainly to differences in temperature), among the solar radiation treatments and among the cultivars tested. The three-way interaction term (i.e. cultivar × shade treatment × experiment) was highly significant ( P  < 0.001) when both disease incidence and disease severity were considered, indicating that no single variable was predominant in determining disease intensity. The effects of the growth substrate on disease progress was examined in plants grown in tuff or in tuff mixed with peat (1 : 1 and 1 : 3) substrates. The growth substrate had a potent effect on disease development in the less susceptible cultivars. Severe epidemics developed in all cultivars when they were grown in the tuff/peat mixture, although some were resistant when grown in tuff alone. These results led to the conclusion that the carnation response to F.o. dianthi is substantially influenced by the environmental conditions of the test.     

The effects of stubble burning and tillage on soil carbon sequestration and crop productivity in southeastern Australia

Abstract. In Australia, stubble burning and tillage are two of the major processes responsible for the decline of soil organic carbon concentration in cropped soils, and the resulting soil degradation. However, the relative importance of these two practices in influencing the soil organic carbon concentration and the long-term impact on soil quality and productivity are not clear. The effects of stubble burning as practised by farmers in southeastern Australia were evaluated in two field trials, one of 19 years duration, the other of 5 years. Conventional tillage (three tillage passes) led to greater loss of soil organic carbon than stubble burning. Loss of total soil organic carbon attributed to stubble burning in the 0–10 cm layer was estimated to be 1.75 t C ha⁻¹ over the period of the 19-year trial, equivalent to 29% of that lost due to tillage. In the 5-year trial, no change in soil organic carbon due to stubble burning was detectable. Changes in soil quality associated with stubble burning detected in the longer trial included a reduction in macro-aggregate stability, and increases in pH and exchangeable K⁺. Only the latter two were detected in the shorter trial. A higher mean wheat yield (average 0.15 t ha⁻¹) following stubble burning was observed in the 19-year trial but not in the 5-year trial. Research to monitor the longer term effects of stubble burning is needed, and to identify conditions where loss of soil organic carbon is minimized.     

江西省古树资源系统研究报告

研究对象只限于散生于江西省山下及村落的30851株古树，不涉及自然保护区、森林公园中的古树。根据古树生长特征，分析其时间分布(古树级及树龄)、空间分布(设区市分布、县域分布)，借助于动态聚类统计分析方法从不同方向进行数量分类，并对数量分类成果用判别分析进行检验。最后对各县域每km^2和每万人负荷古树数进行核算，用数据资抖说明县域保护古树的重要性，增强县域保护古树的责任感。     

17β─雌二醇主动免疫对公兔生殖的影响

以１７β－雌二醇－６－人血清白蛋白对新西兰公兔进行主动免疫，用ＲＩＡ检测抗体滴度和１７β－雌二醇及睾酮浓度，并检测睾丸重量和间质细胞面积。结果，试验组各兔均不同程度地产生了１７β－雌二醇抗体，其血浆１７β－雌二醇浓度极显著地低于对照组〔（２０．３±２１．６）ｎｇ／Ｌ，（１６７．７±４９．６）ｎｇ／Ｌ，Ｐ＜０．００１〕，睾酮浓度极显著地高于对照组〔（７．３±７．１）μｇ／Ｌ，（０．５２±０．２９）μｇ／Ｌ，Ｐ＜０．０１〕。每侧睾丸重量和间质细胞面积均极显著地大于对照组〔（３．９４±０．９３）ｇ和（２５２．２５±８５．７８）μｍ２，（２．９８±０．７２）ｇ和（１６１．７９±３６．４５）μｍ２，Ｐ＜０．０１和Ｐ＜０．００１〕。提示１７β－雌二醇主动免疫可望成为提高雄性动物生育力的有效途径之一     

Effect of ivermectin and oxfendazole on shedding of larvae of the lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus) by red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Thirty eight newly weaned hinds were randomly allocated to one of two equal groups. One group received ivermectin, the other, oxfendazole at dose rates of 0.2 mg/kg and 4.5 mg/kg, respectively. All deer were drenched four times and were grazed on pasture. Both anthelmintics reduced D. viviparus faecal larval counts to low levels 20 days after dosing, but the mean larval output and the proportion of deer shedding D. viviparus larvae at 27 and 33 days after treatment, were significantly lower in the ivermectin treated group. There was no significant difference in weight gain between the two groups throughout the trial. This study suggests that ivermectin prevents reinfection with D. viviparus for approximately 14 days longer than oxfendazole.     

Synergistic interactions between phenylamide fungicides and respiration inhibitors in controlling phenylamide-resistant populations ofPhytophthora infestans on potato tuber disks

The efficacy of mixtures of respiration inhibitors and phenylamide fungicides (oxadixyl and metalaxyl) in controlling late blight was investigated using potato tuber disks. Results showed that uncoupling agents(e.g. DNP), inhibitors of ATP formation(e.g. oligomycin), ionophores(e.g, valinomycin) and inhibitors that block specific carriers in the electron transport chain(e.g. rotenone, antimycin A) increased significantly the control efficacy of both metalaxyl and oxadixyl towards populations ofPhytophthora infestons when applied to tuber slices pretreated with sublethal doses of both fungicides. When applied alone at the same doses, respiration inhibitors did not inhibit the development of the late blight fungus. Increased control efficacy of mixtures was not noted against phenylamide-sensitive populations of the fungus.     

Estimation of the costs of mastitis, using National Animal Health Monitoring System and milk somatic cell count data

Data collected by the National Animal Health Monitoring System in Ohio for a 12-month period during 1986 and 1987 were used to determine the relative magnitude of costs associated with mastitis in the following categories: milk production loss, veterinary services, drugs, producer labor, and "other" factors. The cost of milk loss associated with mastitis that was reported by producers cooperating in the National Animal Health Monitoring System program was compared with estimates based on bulk tank somatic cell counts and individual cow milk somatic cell counts. Using producer-reported estimates, milk loss accounted for about one third of the total cost associated with mastitis. When estimates of milk loss were replaced by estimates based on bulk tank somatic cell counts, milk loss accounted for over 80% of the total cost of mastitis. Estimates of the cost of milk loss based on studies relating milk yield to somatic cell counts differed considerably. Consequently, it was unclear how to best estimate the relative magnitude of the milk loss component of mastitis costs.