The influence of nitrate and ammonium fertilization on N2O release and CH4 uptake of a well-drained topsoil demonstrated by a soil microcosm experiment

The effects of the application of KNO₃ and NH₄Cl (100 kg N ha^?1) on N₂O release and CH₄ uptake by a well-aerated topsoil (porosity: 55%, water-filled pore space: 67% of the total pore space) were studied in a laboratory incubation experiment over 50 days using a soil microcosm system with an automated registration of N₂O and CH₄ fluxes. The total N₂O-N losses over 50 days were low for all treatments and amounted to 0.9 mg m^?2 for the control, 1.2 mg m^?2 for the soil columns fertilized with KNO3, and 7.3 mg m^?2 for the soil columns fertilized with NH₄Cl. The slightly elevated N₂O release after the application Of NH₄Cl was associated with the nitrification of NH₄⁺ added. Only ?0.06% of the fertilized NH₄?N was lost as N₂O. This nitrogen fertilization reduced the CH₄ uptake of the soil columns by 43% (NH₄Cl) and 21% (KNO₃), respectively.     

Erfahrungen bei der Winterspritzung der Obstbäume

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

German farmers’ intention to use autonomous field robots: a PLS-analysis

Autonomous field robots are a promising technology for solving several problems in agriculture, as they are electrical driven, can control weeds single-plant based mechanically or with microdoses of pesticides and exert less ground pressure on the field. Whether such robots will be applied on a large scale in German agriculture depends on various parameters. Therefore, the factors influencing the behavioural intention of farmers with respect to their future adoption of autonomous field robots were investigated. The analysis applies a structural equation model based on an extended version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The dataset, collected in 2019, consists of 500 German farmers. The results reveal significantly positive effects of farmers’ expected performance, social influence and trust as well as significantly negative effects of farmers’ effort expectancy and anxiety on the behavioural intention to use autonomous field robots. Additionally, moderating effects of age on the relationship of individual constructs to the behavioural intent to use robots could be confirmed. The results provide important information for various stakeholders. Robot suppliers should better inform farmers about the performance of their products, for instance by involving farmers in the development process of the robots. The ecological benefits attributed to field robots could meet public expectations and should be better communicated to address farmers’ social influence on the behavioural intention to use the robots. Policymakers could try to create better framework conditions, for example by establishing a stable legal situation for autonomous systems or promote its use.

     

Shut up or shout loudly: Predation threat and sound production in fishes

Predation is a major ecological constraint shaping behaviour and communication in animals. Several fish species are known to modify their foraging, agonistic and reproductive behaviour in the presence of predators. However, close to nothing is known about how predators affect sound production in fishes. This paper reviews how vocal fish increase their chance of survival by modifying intraspecific acoustic communication and by producing sounds directed towards predators. Field studies showed that toadfish, drums and squirrelfish reduced the number and loudness of calls when dolphin sounds were played back. These studies lack behavioural observations, leaving the question open how individual fish respond to predation threat. Croaking gouramis (Trichopsis vittata, Osphronemidae) reduced acoustic and visual signalling during dyadic contests and refrained from escalated behaviour when detecting a predator in an adjacent tank. This indicates that gouramis increase their vigilance by reducing agonistic behaviour. Vocal fish have been observed to emit sounds when predators approach or when being caught. However, none of the predators (or even conspecifics nearby) responded to these calls. Therefore, the term “predator-related” sound has been introduced in this paper to avoid implying unproven functions (alarm, startling, warning, distress and disturbance). Interestingly, the readiness of numerous taxa (e.g. catfishes) to vocalize when hand-held or netted was frequently exploited to investigate sound production in fish in relation to weight, sex, sonic organs, temperature or phylogeny. Increasing levels of noise in aquatic habitats call for more research on predator–prey interactions because of potential negative effects on detection of sounds produced by predators or prey.     

Die Bindungsformen von Si,Mg, Fe,Al, Mn,Cr, Ni und Co in Saprolit und Laterit über Serpentinit,Insel Gebe,Indonesien

Fixation of Si, Mg, Fe, Al, Mn, Cr, Ni and Co in saprolite and laterite above serpentinite - Gebe Island, Indonesia The fixation of various major and trace elements has been studied in a saprolite/laterite profile above serpentinized peridotite. Sequential extraction of < 63 μm fraction shows different types of element fixation in soil: adsorption on mineral surfaces (1), fixation to Mn-oxides (2), bonding to poorly and better crystallized Fe-oxides (3). In the laterite, most of the extractable Si-, Al-, Cr- and Ni-contents are bound to goethitic Fe-hydroxide. The saprolite has considerable amounts of secondary quartz which has been formed during ageing of amorphous silica modifications. Their precipitation is favoured by high Si adsorption capacity of poorly crystallized Fe-hydroxide. In saprolite and laterite Co is bound to Mn-oxides. It can readily be extracted from pure Mn-oxides. In contrast, the intimate association of Mn-oxides to goethite reduces the rate of easily extractable Mn and Co in middle and upper zones of the laterite.     

Chromosomal location of genes for resistance to powdery mildew in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.). 9. Gene MlZec1 from the Triticum dicoccoides-derived wheat line Zecoi-1

The Triticum dicoccoides-derived wheat line Zecoi-1 provides effective protection against powdery mildew. F₃ segregation analysis of Chinese Spring × Zecoi-1 hybrids showed that resistance in line Zecoi-1 is controlled by a single dominant gene. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of bulked segregants from F₃s showing the homozygous resistant and susceptible phenotypes identified eight markers, of which four were associated with the resistance allele in repulsion phase. Following the assignment of these four repulsion phase AFLP markers to wheat chromosome 2B with the aid of Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic lines, they were physically mapped in the terminal breakpoint interval 0.89 (2BL-6)–1.00 (telomere) of chromosome 2BL. Genetic and physical mapping of simple sequence repeat markers from the distal half of chromosome 2BL located the wild emmer-derived powdery mildew resistance gene distal of breakpoint 0.89 in deletion line 2BL-6. Based on disease response patterns, genomic origin and chromosomal location the resistance gene in Zecoi-1 is temporarily designated MlZec1.     

A methodology for the economic assessment of material damage caused by SO2 and NOx emissions in Europe

Damage to materials causes high economic losses in Europe. A large part of this damage can be attributed to the emissions caused by the energy and the transport sector. In the paper, the procedure for the economic assessment of material damages caused by SO₂ and NO_x emissions in Europe is described. Model and data requirements are outlined, and gaps and uncertainties of the quantification are discussed. Two types of results are presented: First, the marginal (additional) costs of damage to materials caused by an additional power plant are assessed. The analysis covers plants with different technologies. Results for the fossil power plants are in the range of 0.0062 to 0.12 mECU/kWh. In addition, the total economic material damage due to the present air pollution was assessed. It is in the range of 2.9 to 5.3 × 10⁹ ECU/year. However, the analysis has many uncertainties. Most noteworthy are the material inventories and partially the damage functions and input data.     

Untersuchungen zur Stabilität und Vitalität an Systemen balancierter tertiärer Trisomie bei Gerste

Zusammenfassung Bei 112 Linien 25 verschiedener BTT-Systeme erwies sich die genetische Stabilität der Systeme in den meisten Fällen als gut bis sehr gut, gemessen an der Frequenz disom-fertiler Rekombinanten. In speziellen Kreuzungstests ergaben sich Hinweise auf mögliche Stabilitätsstörungen durch Pollentransmission des Zusatzchromosoms nur bei einem von neun geprüften Systemen.Die Vitalität der trisomen Pflanzen bei den verschiedenen BTT-Systemen ist sehr unterschiedlich und von der jeweils vorliegenden Segmentzusammensetzung des Zusatzchromosoms abhängig. Bezogen auf diploide Pflanzen gibt es alle Übergänge von Subletalität bis hin zu annähernd normaler Vitalität. Leistungsfähige BTT-Systeme sind relativ selten und können mit ausreichender Wahrscheinlichkeit nur entwickelt werden, wenn von einer genügend breiten Basis von Translokations-undmsg-Linien ausgegangen wird.

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Studies on the stability and viability in systems of balanced tertiary trisomy in barley

Summary The genetic stability of 112 stocks out of 25 different BTT systems proved to be, in most cases, good to very good, in terms of the frequency of disomic fertile recombinants. There is only rare indication of instability caused by pollen transmission of the extra chromosome: In special crossing tests only one out of nine BTT systems tested showed transmission.The viability of trisomic plants is very diverse in the different BTT systems and depends on the specific segmental composition of the extra chromosome. As compared with normal diploids there are all types of trisomics ranging from sublethal to nearly normal ones. Efficient BTT systems are comparatively rare. They can be developed with good expectation provided a sufficiently broad basis of translocation andmsg lines is used.

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Herrn Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. mult.H. Stubbe zum 85. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Methods for the investigation of metabolic activities and shifts in the microbial community in a soil treated with a fungicide

Samples from a sandy agricultural soil were treated with increasing amounts of a fungicide (Sportak). The effects on the soil microflora were investigated over several weeks by monitoring basal and substrate-induced respiration and basal and substrate-induced heat output. The microbial biomass, metabolic quotient (qCO₂), relative heat output (rqheat), lag phase of substrate use, and calorimetric: respirometric ratio were used as ecophysiological parametèrs. As structural and community-specific parameters, we recorded tryptophan contents and auxin metabolism, and calculated the ratios of fungal to bacterial respiration by antibiotic inhibition of substrate-induced respiration. Sportak either inhibited or stimulated the microbiota, depending on the length of exposure to the fungicide and the amount applied. Mineralization of dead biomass was reflected in increased soil tryptophan contents after the Sportak application. A shortened lag phase demonstrated inhibition and a prolonged lag phase stimulation of substrate use. This changed with the experimental phase. The rqheat and the calorimetric: respirometric ratio proved to be suitable parameters for the detection of stress metabolism (repair processes) in soil microbiota, because thermodynamic processes and catabolic and anabolic metabolism are taken into account at the same time. Following the application of Sportak, indole 3-acetic acid biosynthesis decreased while indole-3-ethanol biosynthesis increased, probably as a result of a transitional community shift from K-strategists towards r-strategists. It was not the fungicide but the formulation (mainly xylol) that damaged the organisms. A shift in the ratio of fungi to bacteria was also observed, suggesting that the bacteria were probably more sensitive to xylol than the fungi.