FraxForFuture—research on European ash dieback in Germany

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - European ash dieback caused by the alien, invasive ascomycete species Hymenoscyphus fraxineus currently represents, along with its side effects, the...     

Kennwerte und Eigenschaften der auf Braunkohlenbasis durch oxidative Ammonolyse hergestellten Humusdüngestoffe

Der auf Braunkohlenbasis durch oxidative Ammonolyse hergestellte Humusdüngestoff wird anhand seiner Standardparameter, Elementgehalte und chemischen Eigenschaften beschrieben. Hiernach ist die N-modifizierte Braunkohle ein schadstoffarmes, N-reiches, dauerhumusähnliches Bodenverbesserungsmittel, das als Granulat sehr lagerungsbeständig ist. Der neue Humusdüngestoff enthält stabil 5,78 ± 0,38% Gesamtstickstoff, der chemisch unterschiedlich gebunden ist. Aufgrund seiner vergleichsweise geringen N_min-Gehalte kann er in größeren Mengen zur nachhaltigen Verbesserung der KAK_pot und N_t-Bodenvorräte humusfreier und kolloidarmer Kippenböden eingesetzt werden.     

Infectious salmon anaemia – pathogenesis and tropism

Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is a serious disease of farmed Atlantic salmon caused by the aquatic orthomyxovirus infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV). ISA was first detected in Norway in 1984 and was characterized by severe anaemia and circulatory disturbances. This review elucidates factors related to the pathogenesis of ISA in Atlantic salmon, the dissemination of the virus in the host and the general distribution of the 4‐O‐acetylated sialic acids ISAV receptor. The knowledge contributes to the understanding of this disease, and why, almost 30 years after the first detection, it is still causing problems for the aquaculture industry.     

Follicle dynamics and characteristics of ovulation in heifers after Ovsynch treatment in the last third of the estrous cycle

The objective of the experiment was to study follicular dynamics and characteristics of ovulations in dairy heifers after application of the Ovsynch protocol in the last third of estrous cycle. Therefore, altogether 27 regular cycling Holstein heifers were given an injection of GnRH on day 14, 16 or 18 (9 heifers each in group 1 to 3) of the estrous cycle. All heifers were administered PGF2alpha seven days later. Blood was collected for progesterone determination, just before, 24 hours and 48 hours after the PGF2alpha injection. A second injection of GnRH was administered 48 hours after the PGF2alpha injection. Ovarian follicular dynamics were monitored by frequent ultrasound scanning of the ovaries after first and second GnRH injection. Altogether 22 of 27 heifers (81.5%) ovulated 27 to 33 h after first GnRH injection. In 4 heifers ovulations were recorded 45 to 51 h after first GnRH application. Mean intervals between GnRH application and ovulation were 33.0, 33.6 and 28.3 h, respectively. At the time of PGF2alpha injection mean progesterone concentrations were similar in groups 1 and 2, but significantly lower than in group 3. After the second GnRH treatment 5,6 and 8 heifers had ovulations.The average intervals from the second GnRH treatment to ovulation were 24.8, 24.0 and 24.4 h respectively.The results show that Ovsynch is not sufficient to ensure synchronisation of oestrous and ovulation in each animal treated.     

Longitudinal study of a natural outbreak of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is a transmissible disease of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. It is characterized by significant epi-, endo- and myocarditis, as well as myositis, particularly involving red skeletal muscle. The aetiology of HSMI is currently unresolved, though a viral cause is suspected. Since its discovery in 1999, HSMI has become an increasing problem for the Norwegian farming industry, with some farms experiencing yearly outbreaks and subsequent economic losses. In the present study an Atlantic salmon farm was studied from December 2003 to April 2005. Samples from apparently healthy as well as clinically diseased fish were collected monthly and examined histopathologically. The first fish to be diagnosed with HSMI was sampled in May, 8 months after transfer to sea. A clinical outbreak of HSMI followed in June, when all fish in the sample had lesions consistent with HSMI. Subsequent samples revealed that cardiac lesions decreased in severity 2 months after the start of the outbreak, but that multiple foci of cellular infiltration and necrosis persisted throughout the year. There appeared to be a shift in lesion location from being most severe in the compact myocardium in early stages of disease to a greater involvement of the atrium and spongy layer of the ventricle in later samples. Late samples also showed increased fibrosis of cardiac tissue. In conclusion, HSMI appears to be a severe disease with elevated mortality, morbidity close to 100% and prolonged duration.     

Brucellosis in camels

Camels are highly susceptible to brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus. Difficulties can arise in diagnosis of camel brucellosis, especially as this disease provokes only few clinical signs in contrast to its clinical course in cattle. Because none of the commonly used serological test can be perceived as a perfect test for Brucella diagnosis in camel and most serological tests used for camels have been directly transposed from cattle without adequate validation, an incorrect diagnosis may occur when diagnosis is based on serology alone. Of imminent concern is the fact that brucellosis can be easily transmitted from animals or their products to humans mainly via milk. In many developing countries in the arid areas of Asia and Africa, camels are still the most important productive livestock for nomadic populations. Therefore, we reviewed the literatures on camel brucellosis to highlight the epidemiologic, economic and public health impact of camel brucellosis as a basis for designing effective control strategies.     

Adhesive penetration in beech wood: experiments

A study with synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) of PUR, PVAc, and UF adhesive bond lines in beech wood, bonded under various growth ring angles, is presented. The bond line morphologies and the adhesive penetration into the wood structure were evaluated after determining the hardening characteristics of the adhesives. Distinct bond line imperfections were found for the different adhesive systems. To describe the adhesive distribution inside the bond line, the saturation of the pore space instead of the commonly used maximum penetration depth seems to be adequate.     

The genetic diversity of Jatropha Curcas (L.) germplasm in Ghana as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers

Jatropha curcas (L.) has gained popularity as a biodiesel plant to serve as an alternative fuel source and generate income to small landholders. The success of J. curcas as alternative fuel source and income generation depends on the identification of genetically divergent materials of the plant and developing superior planting stocks for farmers. This paper presents genetic diversity assessment of 40 representative accessions drawn from 90 accessions collected from ten regions of Ghana based on their seed yield performance. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on the 40 accessions with ten primers revealed an average polymorphism of 24.99%. Genotype Genotype*Environmental biplot analysis which incorporates divergence effects due to genotype (PC1) and interactions between genotype and field parameters (PC2) was 44.7%. Hence the RAPD information indicates narrow genetic diversity among the accessions used in the study and J. curcas germplasm in Ghana. It is therefore recommended that local germplasm of J. curcas should be officially conserved and immediate efforts be made to widen the genetic base through research and introduction from other regions.     

Modeling and mapping forest diversity in the boreal forest of interior Alaska

Context

Patterns of forest diversity are less well known in the boreal forest of interior Alaska than in most ecosystems of North America. Proactive forest planning requires spatially accurate information about forest diversity. Modeling is a cost-efficient way of predicting key forest diversity measures as a function of human and environmental factors.

Objectives

Investigate and predict the patterns and processes in tree species and tree size-class diversity within the boreal forest of Alaska for a first mapped quantitative baseline.

Methods

For the boreal forest of Alaska, USA, we employed Random Forest Analysis (machine learning) and the Boruta algorithm in R to predict tree species and tree size-class diversity for the entire region using a combination of forest inventory data and a suite of 30 predictors from public open-access data archives that included climatic, distance, and topographic variables. We developed prediction maps in a GIS for the current levels (Year 2012) of tree size-class and species diversity.

Results

The method employed here yielded good accuracy for the huge Alaskan landscape despite the exclusion of spectral reflectance data. It’s the first quantified GIS prediction baseline. The results indicate that the geographic pattern of tree species diversity differs from the pattern of tree size-class diversity across this forest type.

Conclusions

The results suggest that human factors combined with topographical factors had a large impact on predicting the patterns of diversity in the boreal forest of interior Alaska.