Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

The use of urban organic wastes in the control of erosion in a semiarid Mediterranean soil

Abstract. A two year field experiment was carried out in a semiarid Mediterranean area in order to evaluate, the effect on soil erosion of adding different urban organic wastes: a stabilized municipal waste (compost), an unstabilized municipal waste, and an aerobic sewage sludge. All the treatments significantly reduced soil erosion, compared to the control soil. The soil amended with compost was the most effective treatment, reducing soil loss by 94% and runoff by 54%.     

Influence of gamete density,salinity and temperature on the normal embryonic development of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae Guilding, 1828

Laboratory experiments were undertaken to determine the optimal environmental conditions and some of the other factors concerned in the development of Crassostrea rhizophorae embryos.Critical variables such as the number of spermatozoa per ovocyte during fertilization, the time of fertilization after gamete liberation, egg density, temperature and salinity were related to the proportion of normal D-larvae of C. rhizophorae in the resulting broods.The highest proportion of normal D-larvae was obtained at concentrations of 500–5000 spermatozoa/ovocyte, under conditions of 25‰ salinity at 25 ± 1°C. The optimal density of eggs, for the production of normal D-larvae, was 10⁴?4 × 10⁴ ovocytes/l. If fertilization was delayed for more than 45 min after liberation of spermatozoa the proportion of normal D-larvae was greatly reduced. The experiments demonstrated that the temperature for developing embryos should be below 30°C. At 20 and 25°C there was a high proportion of normal D-larvae 24 h after fertilization. The ideal salinity for embryonic development in C. rhizophorae was 25–37‰. Below a salinity of 16‰, less than 2.5% of the D-larvae were normal.     

Volume Contents

Volume Contents

Volume Contents     

Assessment of relevant factors and relationships concerning human dermal exposure to pesticides in greenhouse applications

Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the gas chromatographic data obtained from 23 different greenhouse trials. This was used to establish which factors, including application technique (very small, small, medium and large drop-size), crop characteristics (short/tall, thin/dense) and pattern application of the operator (walking towards or away from the treated area) are relevant to the dermal exposure levels of greenhouse applicators. The results showed that the highest exposure by pesticides during field applications in greenhouses, in the climatic conditions and in the crop conditions typical of a southern European country, occurs on the lower legs and front thighs of the applicators. Similar results were obtained by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Drop-size seems to be very important in determining total exposure, while height and density of crops have little influence on total exposure under the conditions of the present study. No pesticide type is a major factor in total exposure. The application of multiple regression analysis (MRA) allowed assessment of the relationships between the pesticide exposure of the less affected parts of the body with the most affected parts.     

Genomic and Pathogenic Studies on a Glycoprotein E Variant Field Isolate of Bovine Herpesvirus 1

Glycoprotein E-negative (gE–) laboratory strains of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) were recently introduced as novel marker vaccines, allowing serological discrimination between vaccinated and naturally infected animals on the basis of lack or presence of antibodies against gE epitopes. The applicability of this approach is based on the genetic stability of the gE. However, mutant field variants of BHV-1 with a variable response in anti-gE ELISA have been isolated. The molecular characterization of a gE variant field isolate (Salwa strain) is presented here. By comparing the gE nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Salwa strain with those of the wild strain Jura, ten mutated bases were found in the gE strain of Salwa, six of which alter the amino acid sequence, leading to changes in five amino acids. Both strains caused respiratory disease in experimentally infected calves, but Salwa generated slightly milder signs. Both viruses were excreted in nasal and ocular discharges, and were reactivated by dexamethasone treatment. In conclusion, the rather close similarities observed in the gE gene structure and pathogenicity features of the gE mutant and of the wild strain of BHV-1 confirm the genetic stability of gE. The findings indicate that the Salwa isolate is virulent, but less virulent than wild strains. Our data support the use of gE-negative marker vaccines in eradication programmes.     

Sulphur accumulation after Verticillium dahliae infection of two pepper cultivars differing in degree of resistance

Elemental sulphur levels, sulphur localization in stems, and levels of sulphate, glutathione and cysteine were studied in pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) cvs Yolo Wonder (higher resistance) and Luesia (lower resistance) after inoculation with Verticillium dahliae , the cause of vascular wilt. Accumulation of elemental sulphur (S⁰) was first detected 10 days after inoculation in Yolo Wonder (mean S⁰ level 7·3  µ g g⁻¹ DW), and 15 days after inoculation in Luesia (mean S⁰ level 3·3  µ g g⁻¹ DW). The maximum level was reached 21 days after inoculation in Yolo Wonder (14·1  µ g g⁻¹ DW). In control plants, elemental sulphur was not detected. SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis) indicated that the sulphur was not restricted to a specific location, but was dispersed throughout the vascular tissue. Sulphate levels showed a decline at the end of the experiment in inoculated plants, possibly related to the increase in sulphur levels seen in the two cultivars. The differences in sulphate levels between the two cultivars may be due to faster sulphate breakdown in cv. Yolo Wonder.     

Field attraction of Cerambyx welensii to fermentation odors and host monoterpenes

Cerambyx welensii Küster is one of the greatest threats to Quercus suber L. and Quercus ilex L. in Spain. Efficient control methods for this species are currently being tested, and the use of traps baited with food-related products for their monitoring and control has been proposed. Cerambyx welensii adults prefer to colonize old or decayed trees, in which cortical exudates frequently release fermentation odors. Fermentation-related compounds, such as ethanol, have been cited as attractants to various hardwood woodborers (as Cerambyx cerdo L.), used either alone or sometimes in combination with other host odors. In this work, we conducted field experiments to ascertain whether chemical blends mimicking fermentation odors were attractive for C. welensii. To this end, we used three types of traps (multiple funnel, cross-vane and single-funnel) baited with six synthetic blends including one or more fermentation-related chemicals (ethanol, ethyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-butanol, acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-1-propanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol), various food-related products (beer, melon and red wine mixed with peach juice) and host monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, α-phellandrene and camphene). At high release rates (5–11 g/day), various synthetic blends proved attractive irrespective of trap type. Our results contribute to understand the impact of volatile organic compounds in host selection by woodborers infesting deciduous trees. The results hold promise for optimizing trapping strategies to control C. welensii within an integrated pest management framework.