Male performance in pistachio (Pistacia vera)

Pollinator performance was evaluated in a collection of 17 male and 37 female pistachio clones from Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Israel, Syria, Tunisia and USA. Flowering time, pollen quantity and pollen quality were evaluated. The flowering dates of the clones spanned one month and covered the flowering time of the main female cultivars. Pollen quality, evaluated as in vitro pollen germination, was high in all the studied clones, averaging 85 %. However, big differences existed in pollen quantity, measured both as inflorescence density and as pollen per inflorescence. Thus, the amount of pollen per inflorescence averaged 173 mg and ranged from 73 mg to 252 mg. The fact that flowering time and pollen quantity were the two most variable characters between clones, but were constant over years, together with the fact that they are two characteristics easily measured in the nursery makes them good criteria for pollinator selection in this species.     

Exploring National Veterinary Information Outreach

The Medical Sciences Library at Texas A&M University (MSL) participates in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region (NN/LM) Regional Resource Library outreach initiative. This program generally funds regional outreach activities promoting NLM information resources. The MSL and veterinary library community recognized practicing clinical veterinarians as an underserved population. The 2013–2014 MSL outreach proposal combined traditional activities with the development of materials to assist veterinarians with NLM resources, and exhibit to a national audience. This article provides an overview of the NN/LM SCR Resource Library Outreach Awards, an overview of MSL outreach activities for the year, and lessons learned.     

Soil erosion modelling of burned and mulched soils following a Mediterranean forest wildfire

Soil erosion modelling applied to burned forests in different global regions can be unreliable because of a lack of verification data. Here, we evaluated the following three erosion models: (1) Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), (2) Morgan-Morgan-Finney (MMF) and (3) Universal Soil Loss Equation-Modified (USLE-M). Using field plots that were either untreated or mulched with straw, this study involved observations of soil loss at the event scale at a burned pine forest in Central Eastern Spain. The erosion predictions of the three models were analysed for goodness-of-fit. Optimization of the MMF model with a new procedure to estimate the C-factor resulted in a satisfactory erosion prediction capacity in burned plots with or without the mulching treatment. The WEPP model underestimated erosion in the unburned areas and largely overestimated the soil loss in burned areas. The accuracy of soil loss estimation by the USLE-M model was also poor. Calibration of the curve numbers and C-factors did not improve the USLE-M model estimation. Therefore, we conclude that an optimized MMF model was the most accurate way to estimate soil loss and recommend this approach for in Mediterranean burned forests with or without postfire mulching. This study gives land managers insight about the choice of the most suitable model for erosion predictions in burned forests.     

Anatomical evidence for the existence of roots on potato tubers and stolons

Roots on potato tubers and stolons displayed the normal root anatomy which consisted of a central vascular cylinder surrounded by endodermis with Casparian strips, the cortex and epidermis. Tuber roots appear to initiate from the parenchyma cells adjacent to the vascular tissue. Shoot tips were similar to normal apical meristems. These observations support our research demonstrating the growth of functional roots from potato tubers and stolons.     

Relationships Between Heavy Metals Contamination in Shallow Marine Sediments with Industrial and Urban Development in Catalonia (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea)

A total of 179 surface sediment samples from shallow waters have been collected in Catalonia (Northwestern Mediterranean) from 2002 to 2010 to analyze heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, V, and Zn) concentrations, organic matter content, and sediment size in order (i) to find baseline values, (ii) to investigate metal contamination trends, and (iii) to identify its spatial and temporal distribution. Highest metals concentrations were registered in the Barcelona metropolitan area and in the mouth of Besòs and Llobregat Rivers for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd. Mercury was also abundant in these areas but the highest record was found close to Tarragona. The concentrations agree with those reported in other studies performed in big river’s mouths and industrialized areas. The absence of large industrial activity and urbanization outside Barcelona and Tarragona explains the low metal contents found at the other sampling sites. Based on enrichment factor (EF), Pb was the most enriched metal. Results will provide a useful aid for sustainable marine management in Catalonia.     

Tissue distribution of Red Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus (RGNNV) genome in experimentally infected juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The distribution of viral genome in the tissues of juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during the course of a Red Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus (RGNNV) infection has not yet been described. The present study addresses this and indicates which target organs may be involved in viral replication. This information should enable more accurate detection of virus in asymptomatic carriers, and in turn help to control the spread of the disease. The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of expression of viral genomic segments RNA1 and RNA2, using two absolute real-time PCRs (RT-qPCR), over the course of a RGNNV infection after administering the virus by intramuscular injection. In situ hybridization was also used to locate the RNA2 viral segment in different organs throughout the infection. The experimental challenge provoked an acute form of viral nervous necrosis (VNN), with a resulting cumulative mortality of 37%. The RT-qPCRs designed allowed the detection of both genomic segments in all the organs tested (nervous and non-nervous tissues) at all sampling times examined. The highest viral RNA copy number was found in eyes, although viral replication appeared to begin in the brain. Viral replication was also recorded in pooled internal organs and in caudal fin. However, the increase in the viral RNA copy number in these organs did not result in an increased viral titre, which may indicate that a productive infection does not take place in non-nervous tissues, possibly due to a failure in a viral post-replication step.     

花舞馔玉,无问西东(上)

正爱你所爱,行你所行;听从你心,无问西东。很多扬州花友都对"小城春深"很熟悉,她和她的花园故事被园艺报纸和杂志报道过很多次,是一位与花草如影随形,将每一个平淡日子妆点得活色生香的"花仙子",这就是我最爱的妈妈,也是我心中的园艺大咖。对我而言,她是执着追求梦想并付诸现实的行动派,是热爱生活,爱花惜花的"花痴",在生活中,她是我的老妈,也是我的朋友,我习惯称她为"康总"——工作繁忙,生     

花舞馔玉,无问西东(下)

正爱你所爱,行你所行;听从你心,无问西东。(接上期)细雨湿衣看不见,闲花落地听无声,雨后的花园,多了几分安静清澈,被雨水打湿的绿叶显得青翠欲滴,衬得花儿更加明艳动人。漫步花园,穿过这些层层叠叠的绿,深吸一口气,空气中弥漫着泥土的芬芳,感受一阵清新凉意。闲暇时光,约上三两好友,配上精心准备的甜品。来一场与花园的约会。除了花园内的活动,康总由花获得灵感,由此衍生出了花艺、花园早餐。每天有鲜花佐餐,普通食材吃出不一样的浪