Deficit irrigation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in a sub-humid climate

The response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to 14 irrigation treatments in a sub-humid environment (Bursa, Turkey) was studied in the field for two seasons. A rainfed (non-irrigated) treatment as the control and 13 irrigation treatments with full and 12 different deficit irrigations were applied to the hybrid Sanbro (Novartis Seed Company) planted on clay soil, at three critical development stages: heading (H), flowering (F) and milk ripening (M). The yield increased with irrigation water amount, and the highest seed yield (3.95 t ha⁻¹) and oil yield (1.78 t ha⁻¹) were obtained from the HFM treatment (full irrigation at three stages); 82.9 and 85.4% increases, respectively, compared to the control. Evapotranspiration (ET) increased with increased amounts of irrigation water supplied. The highest seasonal ET (average of 652 mm) was estimated at the HFM treatment. Additionally, yield response factor (k _y) was separately calculated for each, two and total growth stages, and k _y was found to be 0.8382, 0.9159 (the highest value) and 0.7708 (the lowest value) for the total growing season, heading, and flowering-milk ripening combination stages, respectively. It is concluded that HFM irrigation is the best choice for maximum yield under the local conditions, but these irrigation schemes must be re-considered in areas where water resources are more limited. In the case of more restricted irrigation, the limitation of irrigation water at the flowering period should be avoided; as the highest water use efficiency (WUE) (7.80 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) (10.19 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) were obtained from the F treatment.     

Combined Use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) for Source Identification and Source Apportionment in Air Pollution Modeling Studies

Chemical mass balance (CMB) and principal component analysis (PCA) are used together for source identification and source apportionment in this air pollution modeling study. Source profile sets, each of which contains five source profiles based on ten pollutant species, were generated using a computer program. Another algorithm was implemented to produce ten random data sets, which was composed of 100 simulated measurement results for all of ten pollutant species. Ten source profile sets were selected. Five of them contained sources of dissimilar characteristics, whereas the other five were chosen from those of similar emission profiles. Ten simulated data sets for each source profile set were used in the analyses. PCA was applied to all simulated data sets; a number of principal factors were extracted and interpreted. The identified sources for each data set were used in fitting with CMB analyses, and source contributions were estimated. The performance of PCA–CMB combination was evaluated in the aspect of percent variance explained, percent apportionment, R ², and χ ². PCA was able to explain 89.6% to 100% of the variance within the data sets used. Two to five sources were extracted depending on the characteristics of source profile sets used. CMB was found to be successful in the aspect of percent apportionment since 95.4% to 100% of mass concentrations were apportioned. The values of R ² and χ ² were found out to range from 0.981 to 1.000 and from 0.000 to 29.947, respectively. Evaluating overall results from the analyses, PCA–CMB combination produced satisfactory results in the aspect of source identification and source apportionment.     

Response of red pepper to deficit irrigation and nitrogen fertigation

The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the response of red pepper grown in a subhumid climate to different irrigation and nitrogen levels. Open-field trials were conducted in the Marmara Region, Turkey. Plants were subjected to three water levels [full irrigation (FI) = 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two deficit irrigations (DIs)= 66 and 33% ETc restoration] and four levels of N (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg N ha^?1) during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. A split-plot experimental design was used. The highest values of biomass and marketable yield (MY) were observed under FI. DI significantly increased the fruit soluble solids content. The biomass yield, MY, and fruit weight significantly improved with increasing nitrogen levels. The 240 kg N ha^?1 treatment under FI provided the maximum net income. Increasing N supply under DI conditions enhanced the water-use efficiency based on both biomass yield and MY. These results indicate that with respect to the yield, the net income, and the water productivity of red pepper, the FI with a nitrogen supply of 160–240 kg ha^?1 is recommended for drip irrigated and N-fertigated red pepper under subhumid climate conditions.     

Nitrate versus chloride nutrition effects in a soil‐plant system on the growth,nitrate accumulation,and nitrogen,potassium, sodium,calcium, and chloride content of carrot

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of various nitrate/ chloride (NO₃/Cl) ratios on growth, nitrate accumulation, and mineral absorption in carrot, Daucus carota L., plants in a controlled environment. The experiment included two Cl sources [potassium chloride (KC1) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂)] and five NO/Clratios at 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 with total‐nitrogen (N) concentration of 400 mg NO₃ kg^‐1 soil in 100/0 treatment. Fresh and dry weights of shoots and storage roots, and length and diameter of storage roots increased significantly with mixed NO₃/C1 treatments with both Cl sources as compared to single NO₃ (100/0) treatment. Growth was enhanced up to the 80/20 NO₃/C1 treatments. With Cl present in the treatments, the concentration of total‐N unchanged and NO₃ decreased in plants, and Cl and potassium (K) increased with the Cl sources. In KC1 treatments, Na absorption decreased. Calcium (Ca) content of the plants significantly differed by the treatments. It was concluded that N fertilization provided with combined Cl forms and NO₃/Cl rates can enhance production of better quality carrot and at the same time decrease of the N fertilizer input.     

Immunocytochemical detection of synaptophysin in enteric neurones during prenatal development in the rat stomach

Summary In this study, the localization and appearance of synaptophysin-immunoreactive (IR) nerve cells and their relationships with the developing gastric layers were studied by immunocytochemistry and light microscopy in the embryonic rat stomach. The stomachs of Wistar rat embryos aged 13-21 days were used. The first neuronal bodies and their processes containing synaptophysin-immunoreactivity were observed on embryonic day 13. In contrast, synaptophysin-IR nerve terminals were first observed between mesenchymal cells on embryonic day 14. These results indicate that synaptophysin is expressed in growing neurits and neuronal cell bodies before these neurones have established synaptic connections. The occurrences of mesenchymal cell condensation near synaptophysin-IR neuroblasts on embryonic day 15 reflect an active nerve element-specific mesenchymal cell induction resulting in the morphogenesis of muscle cells. Similarly, the appearance of glandular structures after synaptophysin-IR neuroblasts, on embryonic day 18, suggests that the epithelial differentiation may be closely related to the neuronal maturation as well as other factors. Finally, synaptophysin is functionally important in neuronal development and maturation, together with the establishment of neuroneuronal and neuromuscular contacts and in epithelial differentiation.     

Responses of some different pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes to inoculation with two different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Eight different pepper genotypes inoculated by two different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) [Glomus intraradices (Gi) and Gigaspora margarita (Gm)] in a growth chamber experiment under normal seedling growing conditions were evaluated for seedling traits, colonization and relative mycorrhizal dependency (RMD). In general, inoculated plants had greater dry weights compared to non-inoculated plants. Five cultivars responded positively to inoculation with AM fungi and three responded negatively. A great variation in mycorrhizal colonization dependency was observed among the pepper genotypes, with the N52 genotype showing the highest RMD and the Karaisali genotype the lowest. RMD and dry weights of pepper genotypes were inversely correlated.     

Biomechanical analysis of suture anchors and suture materials in the canine femur

Objective— Biomechanical analysis of acute load to failure (ALF) of 3 veterinary and 1 human suture anchor and cyclic load to failure with two suture material/suture anchor constructs in canine femoral condyles.
Study Design— Biomechanical in vitro study.
Sample Population— Cadaveric femora from 20–30 kg dogs.
Methods— Three veterinary and 1 human suture anchor were placed in the cranial and caudal aspects of the femoral condyle and subjected to 0° ALF. Anchors were loaded with 5 USP Fiberwire or 27 kg test nylon leader line (NLL) and subjected to 90° cyclic testing for 10,000 cycles followed by ALF at 90°.
Results— No significant difference in ALF for any anchor type was detected in the cranial aspect of the femoral condyle; however all veterinary anchors had higher ALF in the caudal aspect of the femoral condyle. In cyclic testing, the constructs in descending order (most cycles to least) were: (1) FlexiTwist/NLL, (2) Securos/Fiberwire, Securos/NLL, (3) IMEX/Fiberwire, IMEX/NLL, and (4) FlexiTwist/Fiberwire, Fastin/Fiberwire. Fiberwire was significantly stronger than NLL in post-cycling ALF testing.
Conclusions— Veterinary anchors had higher ALF in the caudal versus cranial aspect of the femoral condyle. Except for the FlexiTwist in which NLL performed better, Fiberwire and NLL both had similar cyclic performance with each veterinary anchor type. The veterinary anchors exceeded the human anchor in ALF and cycles to failure.
Clinical Relevance— The tested veterinary suture anchors with Fiberwire or NLL may be used in the femoral condyle, preferably in the caudal aspect, and should withstand estimated loading conditions in appropriately confined postoperative canine patients.