<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gaultheria shallon</Emphasis> can be controlled by the herbicides picloram,triclopyr or glyphosate if they are applied at the correct time of year

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is a vigorous evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the west coast of North America, where it can reduce overstorey growth rates and negatively impact regeneration. Since its introduction into the UK almost a century ago it has become an increasing problem in many woodlands, where it completely shades out other understorey vegetation including young trees, preventing forest regeneration. Climate change is likely to favour its future spread in the UK, and in other regions which currently have a similar climate such as Ireland and northwest Europe. Non chemical management is only practical on a small scale, and to date efforts to control this invasive weed with herbicides have been largely ineffective. In our work we found that a single application of 2.69 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1 picloram [as 11.2 l ha^?1 Tordon 22 K (240 g l^?1 picloram)] diluted in water plus the adjuvant Mixture B NF at 2% of final spray volume, applied between spring and midsummer, killed all treated plants within two growing seasons. Treatment with 3.84 kg a.i. ha^?1 triclopyr [as 8 l ha^?1 Timbrel (480 g l^?1 triclopyr)] diluted in water plus Mixture B NF at 2% of final spray volume, sprayed initially when flower buds are swelling or flushed but vegetative buds are largely dormant (late April in southern Britain), with a repeat application made 4–8 weeks later, was also very effective. If triclopyr or picloram cannot be used, we also found that glyphosate can provide some control, but follow up treatment will be required. In addition, silvicultural practices such as the high density planting of heavily shade bearing species should be adopted to discourage subsequent reinfestation of cleared areas.     

Cuticular uptake of xenobiotics into living plants. Part 2: influence of the xenobiotic dose on the uptake of bentazone, epoxiconazole and pyraclostrobin, applied in the presence of various surfactants, into Chenopodium album, Sinapis alba and Triticum aestivum leaves

This study has determined the uptake of three pesticides, applied as commercial or model formulations in the presence of a wide range of surfactants, into the leaves of three plant species (bentazone into Chenopodium album L. and Sinapis alba L., epoxiconazole and pyraclostrobin into Triticum aestivum L.). The results have confirmed previous findings that the initial dose (nmol mm(-2)) of xenobiotic applied to plant foliage is a strong, positive determinant of uptake. This held true for all the pesticide formulations studied, although surfactant concentration was found to have an effect. The lower surfactant concentrations studied showed an inferior relationship between the amount of xenobiotic applied and uptake. High molecular mass surfactants also produced much lower uptake than expected from the dose uptake equations in specific situations.     

The detection of CD2+, CD4+, CD8+, and WC1+ T lymphocytes, B cells and macrophages in fixed and paraffin embedded bovine tissue using a range of antigen recovery and signal amplification techniques

In order to develop procedures to label the main bovine leucocyte populations in paraffin embedded sections, the immunoreactivity of 25 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to different leucocyte antigens was assessed with formal dichromate (FD5) and 10% formalin fixation, a battery of antigen retrieval (AR) methods, and the biotin-tyramide amplification system. All the leucocyte populations investigated (CD2+, CD4+, CD8+, WC1+ T lymphocytes, B cells and macrophages) were strongly and specifically detectable under an appropriate combination of mAb, AR method and signal amplification system. CD4 and CD8 required the most stringent conditions and could only be demonstrated in FD5 fixed sections. For detection of CD2, WC1+ T lymphocytes, B cells and macrophages, all the mAbs produced immunoreactivity in FD5 or formalin fixed tissues. The need to check a range of different AR methods is stressed, as the method of choice varied for each individual mAb. The incorporation of the signal amplification system was necessary to observe a strong signal and the complete distribution of CD4, CD8 and B cells. Fixation by FD5 proved to be better than formalin for the preservation of surface antigens but it was inferior for the detection of markers which were found to show cytoplasmic immunoreactivity, such as the macrophage marker MAC387 or the B cell markers BAQ155 or IL-A59.     

Inert agricultural spray adjuvants may increase the adverse effects of selected insecticides on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) under laboratory conditions

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Currently, more than 360 spray adjuvants are registered in Germany (September 2021). Unlike plant protection products (PPPs), adjuvants are not subjected...     

Conjunctival habronemiasis in a square‐lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

A captive female square‐lipped rhinoceros born in 1993 had been showing intermittent signs of bilateral conjunctivitis and conjunctival proliferation since 1998. Periodic improvement was noted, especially in winter, but overall the condition had deteriorated over the years. Treatment with various topical, intralesional, and systemic antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids was largely ineffective, as were repeated dewormings. No primary cause for these lesions was found in biopsies taken in 2000 and 2006, although a severe infiltrate of numerous eosinophils was observed in the latter. As the condition worsened, secondary corneal changes were noted, and eventually vision was lost due to proliferative conjunctival tissue. Aggressive resection of the proliferating tissue in 2013 restored vision and submitted biopsies yielded a diagnosis of severe allergic conjunctivitis, eosinophilic granuloma, and habronematid (Habronema or Draschia) larval infection. As no other rhinoceros in the herd was affected, including two calves born to the patient who were in close contact with their mother, it was concluded the presentation was most likely due to a hypersensitivity reaction to the dead or dying larvae. Fly repellent is now regularly applied around the eye of this rhinoceros, and a protective face mask has been fitted. Ongoing periodic relapses are treated with oral ivermectin, topical antibiotics, and steroids.     

Femtosecond dynamics of electron localization at interfaces

The dynamics of two-dimensional small-polaron formation at ultrathin alkane layers on a silver(111) surface have been studied with femtosecond time- and angle-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy. Optical excitation creates interfacial electrons in quasi-free states for motion parallel to the interface. These initially delocalized electrons self-trap as small polarons in a localized state within a few hundred femtoseconds. The localized electrons then decay back to the metal within picoseconds by tunneling through the adlayer potential barrier. The energy dependence of the self-trapping rate has been measured and modeled with a theory analogous to electron transfer theory. This analysis determines the inter- and intramolecular vibrational modes of the overlayer responsible for self-trapping as well as the relaxation energy of the overlayer molecular lattice. These results for a model interface contribute to the fundamental picture of electron behavior in weakly bonded solids and can lead to better understanding of carrier dynamics in many different systems, including organic light-emitting diodes.     

Assessment of the Intensity of Behavioural Traits and Ovulation between Synchronized and Non-synchronized Cows

Thirty cyclic, non-suckled Brahman cows were divided into three groups, all of which were synchronized sequentially with CIDR-B and observed continuously for 100 h to determine different behavioural oestrus signs. Twenty-four hours after implant withdrawal, all synchronized cows in the group, together with all other cows displaying oestrus, were subjected to intensive ultrasonographic observations (every 6 h for 120 h) to pinpoint the moment of ovulation. In the first group, oestrus and ovulation response was 60% (6/10), in the second 44% (4/9) showed oestrus and six ovulated, and in the third group oestrus and ovulation were 80% (8/10). Significant differences were observed between the second and third groups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the duration of oestrus, time when oestrus was displayed after implant withdrawal, time of ovulation and onset of oestrus, end of oestrus to ovulation, and intensity of oestrus on a point scale. The relationship between duration of oestrus and time of ovulation was r(2) = 0.16. Ovulation, on average, was 32.1 +/- 14.5 h after the onset of oestrus, 22.3 +/- 16.5 h after the end of oestrus, and 91.8 +/- 16.7 after implant withdrawal, although no significant differences were observed. One non-synchronized animal showed oestrous activity in the second group but failed to ovulate. In the third group, 8 animals showed oestrus, 4 with high concentrations of progesterone. Of the other four one ovulated. In conclusion, oestrous behaviour is not necessarily the best marker to predict the time when ovulation takes place due to variation in the length of the oestrous period and the possible integration of non-ovulatory animals into sexually active groups.     

Untersuchungen zur Assimilatverteilung in Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba L.) während der Blühphase

Investigations about the distribution of assimilates during flowering in broad beans ( Vicia faba L.)
The distribution of assimilates during flowering was studied on single plants exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ in the field. The plants were harvested 1, 3, 15 days after exposition and at ripening. Results:
1. At the begin of flowering the nodes with flowers assimilated much ¹⁴C with a tendency of higher contents in the more above situated nodes. The concentration of ¹⁴C was similar in blades, stalks and flowers.
2. The assimilates incorporated after 24 hours were only to a small amount translocated afterwards. Only 3 % went to the apical region. An intensive restorement out of the blades took place at the time of ripening.
3. In the midst of flowering the concentration of ¹⁴C was lower in the nodes with open flowers than in those with shut or with pods. At that time pods are already strong sinks that withdraw assimilates from blades and stalks.
4. At the time when large and small pods are growing on the lower and middle nodes, the nodes in the apical region will be deprived of assimilates (effects of dominance).
5. Roots and nodules had low but stable contents and concentrations of ¹⁴C during flowering. These descended distinctly at ripening.