A comparison of the pathogenicity of two strains of hog cholera virus: 2. Virological studies

Quantitative and qualitative differences were demonstrated in the amount of virus in a range of tissues from pigs infected with either the Weybridge or New South Wales (NSW) strains of hog cholera (HC) virus. The titre of the Weybridge strain in samples, as assessed by either virus titration in cell culture or by the density of specific fluorescing cells in tissue sections, was higher than that for the NSW strain. This correlated with the greater severity of the clinico-pathological syndrome induced by the Weybridge strain. The implications of the differences in the virus content of tissues in the diagnosis of HC is discussed as is the use of monoclonal antibodies to differentiate HC and bovine virus diarrhoea viruses.     

Inheritance of resistance toFusarium spp. in tuber progenies of potato

Summary Glasshouse-grown seedling tubers of 22 progenies from parents differing in resistance toFusarium coeruleum andF. sulphureum (Gibberella cyanogena) were wound-inoculated with a cornmeal + sand culture of one or other of these dry rot pathogens. WithF. coeruleum, differences between progenies were due entirely to differences in the general combining abilities (gca) of the parents. Parental and gca values were highly correlated, as were the mean resistance of a progeny and that of its parents. WithG. cyanogena the agreement between replicates was poor and differences between progenies were less clear. It is suggested that different resistance mechanisms operate against these two pathogens.     

Use of perennial cover crops to suppress weeds in Nicaraguan coffee orchards

Both uncontrolled weed growth and vegetation‐free orchard floors have been shown to affect coffee (Coflea arabica L.) negatively, but using cover crops as a solution has yielded conflicting results in different studies. In this study we tested the establishment success of three cover crop species under different management intensities and planting densities, as well as their long term weed‐controlling abilities and effects on weed community composition. Monthly manual weedings during the first 12 weeks after planting resulted in more rapid and extensive cover crop development compared with less intensive management. Transplanted Commelina diffusa Burm. f. grew most rapidly and controlled weeds by limiting light availability, but disappeared during the dry season and failed to establish at all on one of the farms. Arachis pintoi established and persisted for over 2 years, providing excellent weed control by outcompeting weeds for water and/or nutrient resources. Desmodium ovalifolium Wall required the longest time to establish and controlled weeds by an undetermined competitive mechanism. The sowing method of Desmodium led to intense intraspecific competition which probably decreased its effectiveness. Both Arachis and Desmodium led to lower relative abundances of grassy weeds and more perennial forbs, but total weed biomass was so low that these differences have no practical implications.     

Potato Breeding at the Scottish Plant Breeding Station and the Scottish Crop Research Institute: 1920–2008

Seventy-two potato cultivars have been bred at the Scottish Plant Breeding Station and the Scottish Crop Research Institute since 1920. The original genetic base contained resistance to wart disease and to viruses, but not comprehensive resistance to all strains. Introgression of resistance genes from the wild and cultivated potato species of Latin America started for late blight in 1932, for viruses in 1941 and for potato cyst nematodes in 1952. Just seven of the 219 wild tuber-bearing species recognized by Hawkes in 1990 feature in the pedigrees of our cultivars, with Solanum demissum for blight resistance in 58, S. vernei for nematode resistance in 19 and S. microdontum for Potato virus Y resistance in 15, the other four species being S. multidissectum, S. commersonii, S. maglia and S. acaule. Resistance to other fungal and bacterial diseases has been mainly due to chance rather than deliberate breeding. From 1970, selection for yield and quality included processing quality, and despite lack of commercial success, prospects remain good for cultivars resistant to sweetening during cold storage. Since 1990 prebreeding has combined desirable traits through efficient recurrent selection based on progeny testing and provided parents for the commercially funded breeding of finished cultivars. Only one cultivar is a Neotuberosum–Tuberosum hybrid, whereas 15 cultivars have the H1 gene for resistance to Globodera rostochiensis introgressed from group Andigena. Long-day Phureja cultivars are finding a market niche for their flavour attributes. Breeding strategies and methods are critically reviewed from a genetic viewpoint.     

Model performance of tree height-diameter relationships in the central Congo Basin

Key message

Tree heights in the central Congo Basin are overestimated using best-available height-diameter models. These errors are propagated into the estimation of aboveground biomass and canopy height, causing significant bias when used for calibration of remote sensing products in this region.

Context

Tree height-diameter models are important components of estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) and calibrating remote sensing products in tropical forests.

Aims

For a data-poor area of the central Congo Basin, we quantified height-diameter model performance of local, regional and pan-tropical models for their use in estimating AGB and canopy height.

Methods

At three old-growth forest sites, we assessed the bias introduced in height estimation by regional and pan-tropical height-diameter models. We developed an optimal local model with site-level randomizations accounted for by using a mixed-effects modeling approach. We quantified the error propagation of modeled heights for estimating AGB and canopy height.

Results

Regional and pan-tropical height-diameter models produced a significant overestimation in tree height, propagating into significant overestimations of AGB and Lorey’s height. The pan-tropical model accounting for climatic drivers performed better than the regional models. We present a local height-diameter model which produced nonsignificant errors for AGB and canopy height estimations at our study area.

Conclusion

The application of general models at our study area introduced bias in tree height estimations and the derived stand-level variables. Improved delimitation of regions in tropical Africa with similar forest structure is needed to produce models fit for calibrating remote sensing products.