Understanding Family Forest Land Future Ownership and Use: Exploring Conservation Bequest Motivations

Due to an aging landowner population, there will be an unprecedented ownership shift in land-based assets in the USA. Approximately 2.7 million family forest owners (FFOs) in the USA over the age of 55 years old, reflecting 80 % of all FFO-owned land, will be deciding the future ownership and use of their land, having significant implications for the landscapes and public benefits these forests provide. Little is known about how FFOs plan for the future ownership and use of their land. This study draws from life-cycle theory and FFO decision cycle research to propose a future ownership and use decision-making framework and to explore the presence of and motivation for FFOs to make “conservation bequests” designed to maintain land in its current, forested form. Qualitative interviews with professionals working with over 1000 FFOs explore what triggers FFOs to consider their options and influence their decisions. Findings suggest triggers are universally-held (e.g. age, health) and can happen any time in an FFO’s life. FFO decisions are complex and often made in the context of family goals and dynamics. FFOs holding deep attachments to their land may be more likely to make conservation bequests. However, despite conservation preferences, due to the complex nature of the process or external influences, decisions may not always lead to conservation bequests. The framework that this study adopts allows future in-depth research on these critical decisions. In particular, additional research with landowners is required to examine the framework in more detail.     

Fear-related behaviour of dogs in veterinary practice

To investigate further the occurrence of fear-related behaviour in dogs in veterinary practice and to evaluate associated factors, 135 dogs were observed under practice conditions within the framework of a standardised test examination and the owners interviewed using a questionnaire. Most dogs exhibited fear reactions, particularly on the examination table, with 78.5% (106/135) categorised as ‘fearful’ based on their behaviour. Unlike weight and castration, age, gender and previous experience were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with fearful behaviour. Male dogs were significantly less ‘fearful’ than females and animals under <2 years were significantly less ‘fearful’ compared with older dogs. Those with only positive previous experiences in veterinary surgeries were significantly less ‘fearful’ than dogs that had a previous negative experience. Fear-related behaviour in veterinary practice is an issue of importance.     

Use efficiency of nitrogen from biodigested plant material by ryegrass

Apparent nitrogen‐use efficiency of the applied mineral N (NUE_min) in effluent from biodigested plant material (BE; C : N_org ratio 14:1; mineral N–to–total N ratio 0.5:1) and a nitrate‐based inorganic fertilizer (IF), both applied at two rates was investigated in a six‐month pot experiment with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Dry‐matter (DM) production was 7% lower and total amount of N in aboveground biomass was 8% lower in BE than in IF at 40 d after sowing (DAS), equal at 81 DAS, and higher in BE than in IF at 136 and 172 DAS. NUE_min calculated on the basis of accumulated N in aboveground biomass of ryegrass in fertilized treatments compared to a control without N application was significantly lower in BE than in IF up to the third cut (136 DAS). Total NUE_min, total N recovery, and amount of foliage DM were similar for both fertilizers at the end of the experiment. Root biomass, total DM produced including roots and stubble, the fraction of root N to total plant N, and soil mineral N at 172 DAS were higher for BE than for IF. Mineral N applied with biogas‐reactor effluent was almost as effective as the nitrate‐based mineral fertilizer used for comparison. Within the six‐month experimental period net N mineralization, estimated at 12% of organic N in effluent, was not substantial. Hence, the organic compounds in the effluent were relatively recalcitrant.     

Carbonic anhydrase in Tectona grandis: kinetics, stability, isozyme analysis and relationship with photosynthesis

Carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC: 4.2.1.1) activity in teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) was studied to determine its characteristics, kinetics and isozyme patterns. We also investigated effects of leaf age, plant age and genotype on CA activity and gas exchange parameters. Carbonic anhydrase extracted from leaves in 12 mM veronal buffer, pH 7.8, had a K(m) for CO(2) of 15.20 mM and a V(max) of 35,448 U mg(-1) chlorophyll min(-1), which values declined by 50 and 70%, respectively, after 1 week of storage at 4 degrees C. A 15% native polyacrylamide gel revealed the absence of CA isozymes in teak, with only a single CA band of 45 kD molecular mass observed across 10 segregating half-sib families and groups of trees ranging in age from 10 to 25 years. Activity remained stable during the first month in storage at 0 degrees C, but gradually declined to 25% of the initial value after 1 year in storage. During the period of active growth (February-May), maximal CA activity was observed in fully expanded and illuminated leaves. Significant variation was observed in CA activity across 10 1-year-old half-sib families and 21 5-year-old half-sib families. There was a positive correlation between CA activity and photosynthetic rate in a population of 10-year-old trees (P < 0.005). Positive correlations between CA activity and photosynthetic rate were found in 10 of 21 5-year-old half-sib families (P < 0.005 to P < 0.05), which showed greater diversity in CA activity than in photosynthetic characteristics. Thus, CA may serve as a biochemical marker for photosynthetic capacity in teak genotypes.     

Role of Some Plant Growth Promotory Bacteria on Enhanced Fe Uptake of Wheat

The quest for plant growth promotory bacteria that can help in sustainable agriculture has increased in the recent years owing to increasing cost of fertilizers. In the present study, the potential of three isolated bacteria having plant growth promotory effects in mobilizing the indigenous soil iron (Fe) in two different varieties of wheat was evaluated. Three bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Burkholderia and Acinetobacter were evaluated singly and in combinations for Fe uptake of wheat in a net house study. Results showed that bacterial isolates when used in combination performed better in comparison to their individual use. These isolates significantly increased the mean Fe concentration in grains and straw by 34.0% and 52.4% over the uninoculated controls and also increased the total Fe uptake per pot in comparison to uninoculated controls. The bacterial inoculation also showed a positive impact on the bioavailability of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Fe in soil.     

Multiple molecular forms of inhibin in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovarian follicular fluid

Inhibin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone involved in the regulation of FSH release from the anterior pituitary gland and it has been characterized from various animals. Although, multiple molecular forms of inhibin have been reported from different species, however, the molecular nature of inhibin has not been studied in buffaloes. In the present study, attempts were made to identify inhibin in buffalo ovarian follicular fluid. Buffalo ovaries were obtained from the local abattoir and follicular fluid was aspirated from surface follicle (with diameter ?5 mm). A combination of techniques (viz., gel filtration, SDS-PAGE, Western blot etc.) was employed for identification and isolation of inhibin(s). Inhibin bands were detected at 129 and 63 kDa by Western blot analysis in non-reducing conditions. In reduced SDS-PAGE, 63 kDa fraction produced a single band while 129 kDa fraction resolved into four components of 63, 43, 29 and 20 kDa. Out of them only 29, 63 and the native 129 kDa fractions produced bands on Western blot analysis. In total five fractions (63, 54, 39, 29, 25 kDa) were obtained by trypsin digestion of 129 kDa form. However, only 63 and 29 kDa fractions showed immunoreactivity. In this study, for the first time, we have identified two major forms of inhibin (129 and 63 kDa) with little proteolytic cleavage/processing of the large precursor in the buffalo follicular fluid.     

Evidence for a collective intelligence factor in the performance of human groups

Psychologists have repeatedly shown that a single statistical factor--often called "general intelligence"--emerges from the correlations among people's performance on a wide variety of cognitive tasks. But no one has systematically examined whether a similar kind of "collective intelligence" exists for groups of people. In two studies with 699 people, working in groups of two to five, we find converging evidence of a general collective intelligence factor that explains a group's performance on a wide variety of tasks. This "c factor" is not strongly correlated with the average or maximum individual intelligence of group members but is correlated with the average social sensitivity of group members, the equality in distribution of conversational turn-taking, and the proportion of females in the group.     

Diurnal and Seasonal Patterns in Ecosystem CO2 Fluxes and Their Controls in a Temperate Grassland

There is considerable interest in understanding processes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) uptake and release in grasslands and the factors that control them. Many studies have investigated how CO₂ fluxes vary over time (monthly, seasonally, annually). However, with the exception of net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration (R_eco), little information is available on diurnal flux patterns, despite their importance in determining total ecosystem CO₂ gains and losses. To better understand these variations, we measured CO₂ fluxes (NEE, R_eco, soil respiration [R_soil], canopy respiration [R_canopy], plant assimilation [assimilation]) with a climate-controlled closed-chamber system over 24 h once a month from May to September during the 2005 growing season in a mesic grassland in Yellowstone National Park. We also assessed how environmental factors (photosynthetic active radiation [PAR], air temperature, soil temperature, soil moisture) were associated with these diurnal and seasonal flux patterns to identify the main drivers of the fluctuations in CO₂. Measurements were conducted simultaneously on two plots: one irrigated, the other unirrigated. Absolute values of all fluxes were greatest in midsummer (June–July), and lowest in spring and fall (May, September) at both plots. Variation in soil moisture as a result of irrigation did not lead to pronounced differences in seasonal CO₂ fluxes and did not influence the diurnal patterns of CO₂ uptake and release. Instead, the diurnal and seasonal variations of our ecosystem fluxes were related to PAR and temperature (air/soil) and soil moisture and temperature (air/soil), respectively, at both plots. Thus, continued anthropogenic increases in greenhouse gas emissions that are expected to change the intensity of radiation, temperature, and precipitation may strongly affect the diurnal and seasonal patterns in CO₂ uptake and release. Such chamber-based information combined with the measurement of environmental variables could be important for modeling CO₂ budgets when no continuous measurements are available or affordable.     

Micropropagation of Darjeeling orange (Citrus reticulata Blanco) by shoot-tip grafting

Summary

Micropropagation of Darjeeling orange (Darjeeling mandarin) was done by shoot-tip grafting on the local rootstocks rough lemon, sour orange and Rangpur lime. Seedlings of these plants were raised in MS medium in standard conditions of temperature, light duration and plant age. Microbuds (0.2 mm long), aseptically excised from the scion, were grafted onto the decapitated rootstock seedlings. The micrografts in culture medium were grown under standard lighting. Rootstock seedlings showed optimum growth at 25–30°C. Optimum growth of the micrografts resulted from treatment in complete darkness for 4 d after grafting followed by exposure to 750 W for 16 h d^?1 for 15 d and 1500–2000 W for 16 h d^?1 for 39 d. The success of micrografting depended on the age of the rootstock seedling which was 21 d, 14 d and 14 d for sour orange, rough lemon and Rangpur lime respectively. The micrografts were then double grafted to the two year old rootstocks seedlings of the respective species and the age of the micrografts for the successful double grafts was also standardized. The survival rate was high with 40 d, 45 d and 45 d micrografts on sour orange, rough lemon and Rangpur lime respectively. The double-grafts were then indexed for tristeza virus and greening disease after six months’ growth in an insect-proof screenhouse and found to be free from these graft transmissible diseases.