REACTIONS OF SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE WITH ACID SOILS: THE INTERPRETATION OF ADSORPTION-DESORPTION ISOTHERMS

Adsorption-desorption and isotopic-exchange isotherms for acids soils of known clay mineralogy indicated that when all the surfa? P accessible to the solution was considered, the bonding energy for phosphate decreased exponentially with site coverage. The soils differed markedly in the quantities of surface P held at sites of very high bonding energy, defined as those in equilibrium with a solution concentration < 1 μM; the values ranging from 9 μmol g^?1 in a soil with 40 per cent gibbsite in the clay fraction, to 1 μmol g^?1 in a soil with only 1 per cent gibbsite and no interlayered material. The reversibility of current P adsorption on soil surfaces depended on the immediate history of the soil sample. Complete reversibility occurred when soil, previously enriched with soluble P and stored for 4 to 5 months at constant temperature, was suspended in solutions of constant pH and ionic strength. It is suggested that irreversibility occurs due to incomplete attainment of equilibrium during the adsorption phase, a condition predisposed by high initial P concentrations (>1mM), and the use of soils that are naturally in dis-equilibrium because of recent fertilizer additions or severe depletion of P by plant uptake.     

Measurement of Parity Nonconservation and an Anapole Moment in Cesium

The amplitude of the parity-nonconserving transition between the 6S and 7S states of cesium was precisely measured with the use of a spin-polarized atomic beam. This measurement gives Im(E1pnc)/beta = -1.5935(56) millivolts per centimeter and provides an improved test of the standard model at low energy, including a value for the S parameter of -1.3(3)exp (11)theory. The nuclear spin-dependent contribution was 0.077(11) millivolts per centimeter; this contribution is a manifestation of parity violation in atomic nuclei and is a measurement of the long-sought anapole moment.     

Plasma disposition of amikacin and interactions with gastrointestinal microflora in Equidae following intravenous and oral administration

Amikacin was detectable (> 0.02 μg/ml) in plasma for 12 h in horses and donkeys and for 8 h in ponies following intravenous (i.v.) administration at a dose the rate of 6 mg/kg bodyweight The elimination half-life (harmonic mean) of amikacin was 2.8, 1.6 and 1.9 h in horses, ponies and donkeys, respectively, and the mean body clearance was relatively slow (45.2, 82.4 and 58.0 ml/h.kg, respectively). A suitable dosage interval for the i.v. administration of amikacin sulphate to horses, ponies and donkeys, at a dose rate of 6 mg/kg, would be every 8 h in horses, and every 6 h in ponies and donkeys. Following i.v. administration there were no marked alterations in caecal liquor pH, the number of viable bacteria isolated, or the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in caecal liquor and faeces. Amikacin was not detected (< 0.02 μg/ml) in plasma following administration by nasogastric tube to ponies with cannu-lated caecal fistulae; however, there were high concentrations of amikacin measured in caecal liquor (maximum 16.2–99.4 μg/ml). Despite the high drug concentrations in caecal liquor, there were only slight alterations in the number of viable bacteria isolated. However, there was a reduction in caecal liquor pH to < 6.6, but few changes in caecal liquor SCFA concentrations. Faecal SCFA concentrations, dry matter content and consistency did not alter markedly.     

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF FERTILE SPARTINA TOWNSENDII (S.L.) ON THE CHESHIRE SHORE OF THE DEE ESTUARY

Zusammenfassung. Die chemische Analyse von am naturlichen Standort behandelten SpartinapRanzen ergab, dass Paraquat sowohl in nach der Behandlung weiterwachsenden Pflanzen als auch in solchen deren oberirdische Teile vernichtet worden waren, in die unterirdischen Teile abgeleitet wurde. In Labortests konnte die Translokation von einem paraquatbehandelten Blatt in andere Sprosse derselben Pflanze nachgewiesen werden. In Gewachshausversuchen, in welchen Paraquat in 4 Entwicklungsstadien zwischen Keimung und Blute angewandt wurde, nahm die Empfindlichkeit gegenuber 2,25 kg/ha Paraquat mit zunehmendem Alter der Spartina pRanzen ab. Diese zunehmende Widerstandsfahigkeit hing weder mit der Entwicklung des Rhizomsystems noch mit dem Blutenansatz zusammen. Solange keine neuen Untersuchungsergebnisse vorliegen, sollte daher Paraquat nicht zur Vernichtung reifer Spartina rasen verwendet werden. Dagegen scheinen Versuche zur Vernichtung von Keimlingen und sehr jungen Pflanzen, die in offene Stellen der Vorkustenzone eindringen, erfolgversprechend.     

An experimental, tractor-mounted, very low volume uniform-drop-size sprayer

The design, construction and performance of an experimental tractor-mounted machine to apply herbicides to small field plots is described. The machine has five spray units, each with five rotating discs. Uniform sized drops in the range from 150 to 350 μm can be produced with lipophilic, hydrophilic and emulsifiable formulations. Spray volumes can be varied from 5 to 120 1/ha. A preliminary assessment of the physical performance of the machine is presented.     

Pathology of gastritis and gastric ulceration in the horse. Part 1: Range of lesions present in 21 mature individuals

Reasons for performing study: Gastric ulceration is now widely recognised as an important disease in high performance horses. Little is known about gastric histopathology in healthy or diseased animals; a comprehensive assessment would enhance interpretation of gross findings through assessment of their accuracy and allow for identification of lesion variety and pathogenesis in different anatomical regions of the stomach. Objectives: To investigate the true extent and variety of gastric lesions in a mixed population of mature horses at post mortem. Methods: Stomachs were removed from a mixed population of 21 horses at post mortem. Mucosal abnormalities were recorded in photographic and written form. Representative samples from all gross lesions were taken for histopathology and processed routinely. Special stains including Gram, PAS and Warthin Starry, were used when appropriate. Pathological classification of lesion type using both gross and histological appearances was performed. Results: Classification of lesions within the squamous region included hyperkeratosis, punctate scars, diffuse erosions/ulcerations and margo injuria; and within the glandular region, hyperaemia, focal erosions and ulcerations. Glandular metaplasia was recognised for the first time in the equine stomach. No Helicobacter‐like organisms were detected in association with lesion development. Conclusions and potential relevance: This study used gross and histological examination to highlight the large variety of naturally occurring gastric lesions in a mixed population of horses. Analysis of the pathogenesis of lesion development is now possible. Further research regarding the range of pathology in larger, more diverse groups of horses is required.     

Burial depth and cultivation influence emergence and persistence of Phalaris paradoxa seed in an Australian sub-tropical environment

Emergence and persistence characteristics of Phalaris paradoxa seeds in no- and minimum-till situations and at different burial depths were studied in a sub-tropical environment. Three experiments were carried out using naturally shed seeds. In the first experiment, seedlings emerged from May through to September each year, although the majority of seedlings emerged in July. In the second experiment with greater seed density, cultivation in March of each year stimulated seedling emergence, altered the periodicity of emergence and accelerated the decline of seeds in the seedbank compared with plots that received no cultivation. The majority of seedlings in the cultivated plots emerged in May whereas the majority of seedlings in the undisturbed plots emerged in July. Emergence accounted for only 4–19% of the seedbank in both experiments over 2 years. Seed persistence was short in both field experiments, with less than 1% remaining 2 years after seed shed. In the third experiment, burial depth and soil disturbance significantly influenced seedling emergence and persistence of seed. Seedlings emerged most from seed mixed in the top 10 cm when subjected to annual soil disturbance, and from seed buried at 2.5 and 5.0 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Emergence was least from seed on the soil surface, and buried at 10 and 15 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Seeds persisted longest when shed onto the soil surface and persisted least when the soil was tilled. These results suggest that strategic cultivation may be a useful management tool, as it will alter the periodicity of emergence allowing use of more effective control options and will deplete the soil seedbank more rapidly.