Damage thresholds and population dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pratylenchus penetrans</Emphasis> on carrot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Daucus carota</Emphasis> L. cv. Nerac) at three different seed densities

Yield and quality loss of carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Nerac) caused by Pratylenchus penetrans and the population dynamics of this nematode were studied in a climate controlled glasshouse. A range of 12 nematode densities was used at three different seed densities of carrot; 2, 4 and 18 seeds pot^?1. Seinhorst’s yield loss model; y?=?m?+?(1 - m) 0.95 ^Pi/T-1 for Pi?>?T; y?=?1 for Pi?≤?T for Tylenchina was fitted to the yield and quality loss data. Seinhorst’s model for population dynamics of migratory nematodes with multiple generations; \( Pf=M* Pi/\left( Pi+M/a\right) \) was fitted to the data of the final population densities (Pf). P. penetrans had a significant impact on carrot taproot yield and its quality. The tolerance limits for the relative carrot taproot yield (T _y) were 1.51, 1.88, and 1.37 and those of quality yields (T _q) were 0.67, 0.18, and 0.40 P. penetrans (g dry soil)^?1 at 2, 4 and 18 seeds pot^?1, respectively. Both the minimum yield (0.20, 0.29, and 0.60) and the minimum quality yield (0.05, 0.07, and 0.20), expressed as a proportion, increased with seed density at 2, 4 and 18 seeds pot^?1, respectively. The model for population dynamics fitted well to the Pf data obtained. The maximum multiplication rates (a) were 19.58, 9.99, and 17.54, while the maximum population densities (M) were 49.86, 43.21, and 60.37 P. penetrans (g dry soil)^?1 at 2, 4, and 18 seeds pot^?1, respectively. Carrot cv. Nerac can be considered a good host for P. penetrans.     

Group I intron self-splicing with adenosine: evidence for a single nucleoside-binding site

For self-splicing of Tetrahymena ribosomal RNA precursor, guanosine binding is required for 5' splice-site cleavage and exon ligation. Whether these two reactions use the same or different guanosine-binding sites has been debated. A double mutation in a previously identified guanosine-binding site within the intron resulted in preference for adenosine (or adenosine triphosphate) as the substrate for cleavage at the 5' splice site. However, splicing was blocked in the exon ligation step. Blockage was reversed by a change from guanine to adenine at the 3' splice site. These results indicate that a single determinant specifies nucleoside binding for both steps of splicing. Furthermore, it suggests that RNA could form an active site specific for adenosine triphosphate.     

RNA as an RNA polymerase: net elongation of an RNA primer catalyzed by the Tetrahymena ribozyme

A catalytic RNA (ribozyme) derived from an intervening sequence (IVS) RNA of Tetrahymena thermophila will catalyze an RNA polymerization reaction in which pentacytidylic acid (C5) is extended by the successive addition of mononucleotides derived from a guanylyl-(3',5')-nucleotide (GpN). Cytidines or uridines are added to C5 to generate chain lengths of 10 to 11 nucleotides, with longer products being generated at greatly reduced efficiency. The reaction is analogous to that catalyzed by a replicase with C5 acting as the primer, GpNs as the nucleoside triphosphates, and a sequence in the ribozyme providing a template. The demonstration that an RNA enzyme can catalyze net elongation of an RNA primer supports theories of prebiotic RNA self-replication.     

The demarcation of Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida infestations in fields for seed potatoes, using a Monte Carlo approach

A Monte Carlo approach was utilized to calculate the size of the demarcation unit, necessary to cover infestations with Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida (PCN), detected with the new EU-sampling method. Results from 90 sampled fields were used to obtain frequency distributions of the central population density (CPD), the length and width gradients of infestation foci and the distance between 'primary' and 'secondary' foci within one field section in the direction of cultivation. With a simulation model written in R, a free software environment for statistical computing, the dimensions of the demarcation unit were calculated, based on the dimensions of the sampling unit, the position of the 'primary' infestation within the sampling unit and the size of the infestation focus. It is concluded that a demarcation of 90% of possible foci positions and dimension, analogous to the specified detection probability of the EU sampling method, provides sufficient security to demarcate any infestation. With the preferred sampling unit of 11 m width and 300 m length (1/3 ha sampled), used in The Netherlands, only 0.61% of the cyst numbers will be situated outside the demarcated unit. These cyst numbers compare to 0.17% of total amount of cysts in the EU infestation model: 1 focus with a CPD of 100 cysts kg⁻¹ and three foci with CPDs of 50 cysts kg⁻¹. The required demarcation area has a width of 36 m and a (maximum) length of 402 m and covers an unit of 1.5 ha. The methodology described can be applied to all proposed sampling methods and sampling unit dimensions.     

Host finding and feeding in Hydrotaea irritans (Diptera, Muscidae): the role of chemical senses

Hydrotaea irritans is commonly considered to be the primary vector for the bacteria which cause summer mastitis in cattle. A behavioural physiology approach was used to investigate potential host odours (kairomones) that may be used by the fly in finding its host and to determine which substrates or sites on the host may be utilised in feeding. Attractant odours include CO2 and butyric, propionic and acetic acids: the latter three are also produced by the bacteria causing summer mastitis. When milk, slaver, nasal secretion, mastitis secretion and blood were offered to flies as feeding substrates only the last three produced significant increases in feeding duration in comparison to controls offered distilled water.     

A Model for Infestation Foci of Potato Cyst Nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida

ABSTRACT Infestation foci of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida) in the provinces of Zeeland, Friesland, Groningen, and Drente of the Netherlands were sampled to validate a model describing infestation foci based on data from Flevoland. Eighty-two fields were presampled to locate infestation foci using a coarse sampling grid (8 x 3 m). Parts of 37 fields containing one or more foci were sampled intensively by extracting at least 1.5 kg of soil per square meter (1.33 x 0.75 m). Forty foci were analyzed for spatial distribution characteristics of cysts using multiple regression with generalized linear models and classical linear models. The results showed that the data from all investigated cropping areas fit well to an exponential model with two parameters, the length and width gradient parameters. Significant differences in these parameter values between cropping areas could not be demonstrated. As both parameters follow a normal distribution, the probability of any combination can be described by a bivariate normal distribution. Gradient parameters were correlated, but significant correlations between these parameters and certain variables such as the nematode species involved, the time interval between sampling and the last potato crop, soil type, cropping frequency, and cyst density in the focus center could not be demonstrated.