Improving sooty blotch and flyspeck severity estimation on apple fruit with the aid of standard area diagrams

Sooty blotch and flyspeck is caused by numerous species of fungi that colonize the surface of apple fruit and thereby lower its market value. Although this disease poses a substantial threat to apple growers’ profitability in some regions, reliable and cost-effective methods for epidemiological and disease control studies have not been validated, nor are they widely available. We modified a standard area diagram to aid sooty blotch and flyspeck severity assessments and quantified its impact on accuracy and precision of visual estimates. Samples of ‘Fuji’ and ‘Mutsu’ fruit were photographed both from the top and laterally. Severity was assessed from a sub-sample of 160 images using image analysis software. Validation of the diagram was performed by eight raters who independently assessed severity in two series of selected images representing the lateral view and the top view, initially unaided and subsequently with the aid of the scale. Severity estimates ranged from 0.4% to 98% (most fruit had <10% severity). Accuracy and precision of the estimates were significantly improved when using the diagrammatic scale; concordance correlation coefficient values increased from 0.81 to 0.95. A strong tendency to underestimate severity for the mid-range to high levels was minimized when using the aid, which also improved reproducibility of the estimates among raters. In addition to strengthening evidence that a standard area diagram can be used reliably in sooty blotch and flyspeck studies, we expanded its application to disease assessment in the peduncle region, which enhances the usefulness of the method for evaluating efficacy of management practices.     

A rapid spectrofluorometric screening method for enrofloxacin in chicken muscle

A simple spectrofluorometric method was developed for screening enrofloxacin (ENRO) in chicken muscle. A single-step extraction with acidic acetonitrile gave the best results without further cleanup. Following centrifugation the supernatants were excited at 324 nm and the emission was measured at 442 nm. Using this procedure, 18 chicken breast samples from 3 producers were tested. The results showed background signal levels significantly lower than those corresponding to 300 microg/kg ENRO, the FDA approved tolerance level. Statistical treatment of these data established a threshold which can be used in subsequent screening of ENRO at the tolerance level. The calibration curve revealed a satisfactory linear relationship (R(2) = 0.9991) in a range of 0-700 microg/kg ENRO in fortified chicken breast. ENRO-incurred samples were examined using this approach, and the results agreed with those obtained from more extensive separation followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Because the threshold can be set at the 3 sigma limit, reliable screening can be accomplished with an error rate of less than 0.26%. Based on this investigation, a high-throughput screening method for ENRO in chicken tissue is proposed.     

Effect of seeders and tillage equipment on vertical distribution of oilseed rape stubble

When the spreading of a disease depends on the proportion of infected residues remaining at soil surface it is of crucial importance to analyse the effects of tillage practices on the vertical distribution of stubble. This is the case with phoma stem canker (blackleg), whose epidemics are initiated in autumn, by air-borne ascospores released from stubble located at the soil surface. We compared initial vertical distribution of oilseed rape residues to those observed after sowing and various tillage operations (rotary harrowing, stubble disking, chiselling and mouldboard ploughing). Almost 20% of the initially buried residue was brought back to soil surface with seeding. Rotary harrow brought 40% of the residue buried in the 0–10 cm layer up to the surface and left unburied about 70% of surface residue. Stubble disking appeared to be more efficient for residue burial than chiselling. Mouldboard plough was the only tool that buried all residues. A simple model was developed that predicted burial and return to the soil surface of potentially infected residues as a function of tillage practices used after harvest. Simulation of different tillage sequences showed that the order in which tools were used also affected location of residues. Our results highlighted the importance of tillage in the cultural control of phoma stem canker and will contribute to the definition of integrated pest management strategies for oilseed rape.     

Photodegradation of imidacloprid

The photolytic decomposition of the insecticide imidacloprid (1) in HPLC grade water and of imidacloprid as the formulated product Confidor insecticide in tap water was studied using HPLC methodology. The structures of several degradates have been determined in aquatic medium, and the DT(50) values of imidacloprid and Confidor have been measured. In addition, the influence of TiO(2) on the photodegradation of Confidor was studied. The photoproduct 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl-2-imidazolidinone (5) has been identified as the main degradate in each of the three series of experiments by several analytical techniques. The photolytic half-lives for imidacloprid under the conditions of this study were 43 min in HPLC grade water, 126 min formulated as Confidor in tap water, and 144 min formulated as Confidor in tap water in the presence of TiO(2).     

Rapid fluorescence screening assay for enrofloxacin and tetracyclines in chicken muscle

A simple, rapid fluorescence assay was developed for screening both enrofloxacin (ENRO) and tetracyclines in chicken muscle at the U.S. tolerance levels (300 ng/g and 2 microg/g, respectively). Screening for both classes of antibiotics is accomplished using one extraction, thus simplifying and expediting the process. The method requires an initial extraction of chicken muscle with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile, centrifugation, and analysis of the supernatant for ENRO fluorescence. After addition of ammonium hydroxide, magnesium chloride, and methanol, followed by centrifugation and filtration, the supernatant can be measured for tetracycline fluorescence. Chlortetracycline (CTC) was chosen as a representative tetracycline to demonstrate the method, as it displays intermediate sensitivity among the three tetracyclines approved in the U.S. Comparison of the fluorescence of control and tolerance-level-fortified samples of both ENRO and CTC shows no overlap. Setting a threshold as the average fortified fluorescence minus 3sigma allows for successful screening, as illustrated with blind samples as controls or fortified with ENRO and/or CTC over a range of concentrations. This method can provide an alternative or supplemental approach to currently used microbial screening assays.     

Effects of feeding schedule on body condition, aggressiveness, and reproductive failure in group-housed sows

A total of 208 sows and 288 gilts (PIC line C29) were used to determine the influence of feeding frequency (2 vs. 6 times/d, floor fed) on performance and welfare measurements on a commercial sow farm. Treatments consisted of feeding similar amounts of feed to each sow (2.5 kg) or gilt (2.05 kg) over 2 (0700 and 1530) or 6 times daily (0700, 0730, 0800, 1530, 1600, and 1630). There were 8 sows or 12 gilts in each pen. Gilts and sows were moved to pens 1 to 4 d after breeding. In sows, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in ADG, backfat change, or variation in BW. There was a trend (P < 0.08) for sows fed twice daily to farrow more total pigs born, but number born alive or other reproductive performance traits were not different (P > 0.10) among treatments. Sows fed 6 times per day had increased vocalization during the morning (P < 0.07) and afternoon (P < 0.01) feeding periods compared with sows fed twice daily. Sows fed twice daily had more skin (P < 0.01) and vulva (P < 0.04) lesions as well as a small increase in feet and leg (P < 0.01) and hoof (P < 0.02) problems. In this commercial facility, the standard management protocol required moving gilts to a different gestation facility on d 42. On d 42, two pens of gilts with similar breeding dates and treatment were combined and moved to another facility with larger pens until farrowing. Gilts fed 6 times daily had a tendency for greater ADG (P < 0.07) from d 0 to 42 and a tendency for greater (P < 0.09) backfat on d 42. After movement to the larger groups from d 42 to farrowing, ADG was similar (P > 0.10) for gilts fed 2 or 6 times daily. Gilts fed twice daily had lower BW variation at d 42 (P < 0.04) and tended to at farrowing (P < 0.10). In gilts, there were no differences (P > 0.10) for reproductive performance, skin and vulva lesions, and feet and leg scores. In conclusion, there were few growth, farrowing, or aggression differences among gilts fed 2 or 6 times daily. This suggests that either feeding method is suitable for group-housed gilts. Among sows, feeding frequency resulted in few growth or farrowing performance differences. Feeding 6 times daily resulted in a small but significant reduction in skin and vulva lesions and structural problem scores while increasing vocalization. Increasing the feeding frequency from 2 to 6 times daily does not appear to have a negative or positive impact on performance or welfare of group-housed gilts and sows.     

A survey of the causes of mortality in adult mink, with emphasis on the lactation period

A study of the pattern and relative frequency of diseases in adult female mink during the lactation period was undertaken. All adult females that died between parturition (April/May) and July 1, 1990, from 48 farms in southern Ontario were selected for study, and the cause of death was determined by gross necropsy. In addition, the cause of death was determined by gross necropsy for all adults and weaned kits that died on one farm between April 1988 and March 1989.

The mortality rate among farms in the 1990 study, for adult females during the lactation period, ranged from 0.2% to 10.1%, with a median of 1.9%. Nursing disease (56%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by mastitis (11%), metritis (8%), and dystocia (7%). Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. were the most frequent isolates from the cases of mastitis. In the 1988/1989 study, the mortality rate was highest from May to July, with a large increase in June as a result of nursing disease.

     

Exogenous paraoxonase‐1 during oocyte maturation improves bovine embryo development in vitro

Paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) is an enzyme found in serum and follicular fluid that protects cell membrane and circulating lipids against oxidative damage. The aims of this study were to measure the direct effects of recombinant PON1 (rPON1) on bovine oocyte maturation at the molecular level (gene expression) and to measure the carry‐over effects of PON1 on pre‐implantation embryo development in vitro. COCs were submitted to IVM with the addition of 0.0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mg ml^?1 of rPON1, corresponding to an average PON1 arylesterase enzyme activity of 2.2 ± 0.4, 15.5 ± 1.5, 30.2 ± 3.0 and 57.9 ± 5.0 U ml^?1, respectively. The results indicated that addition of rPON1 during IVM improved embryo development in a dose‐dependent manner as D7 embryo development was 22.2%, 29.4%, 32.2% and 37.0% for the treatment groups, respectively (p = 0.02). In conclusion, addition of PON1 enzyme during IVM exerted dose‐related positive effects on embryo development rates to blastocysts.     

Feed intake,growth and nutrient retention of common sole (Solea solea L.) fed natural prey and an artificial feed

This study compares growth, intake and retention efficiencies of nutrients and energy between common sole (Solea solea L.) fed ragworm (Nereis virens, Sars), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) and an artificial (commercial) feed. Food types were fed to common sole (mean initial body weight: 44.9 ± 2.3 g) in excess three times a day over a 54‐day‐period. The growth rate in common sole fed the natural prey (8.5 g kg^?0.8 d^?1) was significantly higher compared to the growth rate in fish fed the artificial feed (5.1 g kg^?0.8 d^?1). Nutrient and energy intake was significantly lower in common sole fed the artificial feed than in fish fed natural prey. The only exception was fat intake which was higher in common sole fed the artificial feed in contrast to fish fed the natural prey. Nutrient and energy retention efficiencies were significantly lower in common sole fed the artificial feed than in fish fed the natural prey. In conclusion, the low growth in common sole fed the artificial feed was related to lower nutrient and energy intake as well as lower nutrient and energy retention efficiencies. It is suggested that reduced intake of the artificial feed might be related to the high dietary fat content of the artificial feed.