Soil Test,Aerial Image and Yield Data as Inputs for Site-specific Fertility and Hybrid Management Under Maize

Several potential sources of information exist to support precision management of crop inputs. This study evaluated soil test data, bare-soil remote sensing imagery and yield monitor information for their potential contributions to precision management of maize (Zea mays L.). Data were collected from five farmer-managed fields in Central New York in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Geostatistical techniques were used to analyze the spatial structure of soil fertility (pH, P, K, NO₃ and organic matter content) and yield variables (yield, hybrid response and N fertilization response), while remote sensing imagery was processed using principal component analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) spatial data processing and correlation analyses were used to evaluate relationships in the data. Organic matter content, pH, P, and K were highly consistent over time and showed high to moderate levels of spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that grid soil sampling at 2.5–5.5ha scale may be used as a basis for defining fertility management zones. Soil nitrate levels were strongly influenced by seasonal weather conditions and showed low potential for site-specific N management. Aerial image data were correlated to soil organic matter content and in some cases to yield, mainly through the effect of drainage patterns. Aerial image data were not well correlated with soil fertility indicators, and therefore were not useful for defining fertility management zones. Yield response to hybrid selection and nitrogen fertilization rates were highly variable among years, and showed little justification for site-specific management. In conclusion, we recommend grid-based management of lime, P, and K, but no justification existed within our limited study area for site-specific N or hybrid management.     

Evaluation of the Effective Inactivation of Enteric Bacteria and Viruses From Swine Effluent and Sludge at Tropical Temperatures

The safe recycling of organic wastes such as the nutrients obtained from agriculture activities is a relevant aspect of the “One Health” strategy, a worldwide initiative including all aspects of health care for humans and animals, as well as aspects related to the conservation and development of the environment. It represents an important opportunity to mitigate the potential impact of microbial pathogens likely present in nutrient natural sources, as digestate, when applied to land as fertilizers. The objectives of the current study were to determine the inactivation of enteric microorganisms in swine digestate (effluent and sludge) during storage in anaerobic conditions and at different ambient temperatures of tropical zones (16, 22, and 37 °C). Human adenovirus 2 (HAdV-2), bacteriophage PhiX-174, and Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) were used as enteric microbial models to determine the minimum storage time required to reduce at least 3log of enteric microorganisms load in both matrices at the mentioned temperatures. The minimum storage time required for S. typhimurium was shorter than those observed for viruses at 37 °C, while reduction of at least 3log for S. typhimurium was observed after just 1 day; 20 and 90 days were needed for similar reductions for HAdV-2 and PhiX-174, respectively. Similar results were also observed at lower temperatures: 30 and 45 days were needed for S. typhimurium at 22 and 16 °C, respectively, but 30 and 90 days were needed at 22 °C for HAdV-2 PhiX-174, respectively, or 90 and 120 days at 16 °C for HAdV-2 PhiX-174, respectively. This is a pioneering study on the evaluation of inactivation of enteric viruses in swine digestate in usual tropical ambient temperatures; it demonstrates that the time for a considerable inactivation is longer than that observed for a enteric microorganisms (S. typhimurium), and shows that the storage of swine digestate at the referred temperatures can be used as a low-cost post-treatment to inactivate enteric microorganisms, allowing a further use as safer fertilizer.     

Factors Associated with Survival in Pathological Neonatal Equine Foals: Preliminary Results

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Radar observations of asteroid 216 kleopatra

Radar observations of the main-belt, M-class asteroid 216 Kleopatra reveal a dumbbell-shaped object with overall dimensions of 217 kilometers by 94 kilometers by 81 kilometers (+/-25%). The asteroid's surface properties are consistent with a regolith having a metallic composition and a porosity comparable to that of lunar soil. Kleopatra's shape is probably the outcome of an exotic sequence of collisional events, and much of its interior may have an unconsolidated rubble-pile structure.     

Recycled alkaline paper waste influenced growth and structure of Pinus taeda L. forest

Alkaline residues of recycled paper production (ARRP) can be an alternative for correcting soil acidity and adding bases to Pinus taeda L. systems. Our aim was to investigate the effect of increasing doses of ARRP on tree, forest floor (litter and root), and soil composition in a 3-year-old Brazilian pine forest plantation. In 2007, ARRP treatments of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 T ha^?1 were imposed. Tree growth and needle elemental composition were evaluated in 2008 and 2018; elemental composition of the trunk was evaluated in 2018. In 2017, accumulation and composition of litter layers were assessed: new litter, old litter, first and second sublayers of fragmented litter (Fr and Fm), and the humified layer (H); roots present in F and H layers were quantified (amount and elemental composition). In addition, soil chemical properties at different depths were evaluated in 2008, 2012, and 2017. The application of ARRP improved growth by ~?16% up to 20 T ha^?1 after 10 years. Also, ARRP increased Ca concentration in needles, trunks, roots, and all litter fractions since Ca was a major component of ARRP. There was no change in total litter accumulation with ARRP application, but an increase in the humidified fraction was observed. Root growth was enhanced by ARRP, leading to great changes in root composition in Fr and H fractions. Changes in soil pH, Ca²⁺, and Al³⁺ were observed in the 0–10 cm soil layer. Findings suggest that application of ARRP to established pine forests has the potential for improving productivity.

     

Early and cost-effective identification of high risk/priority control areas in foot-and-mouth disease epidemics

Geo-referenced data from the 2001 Uruguayan foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemic were explored to assess whether spatial analysis could lead to cost-benefit based policies. Four variables were analysed: (i) location and size of 4022 individual rural land parcels, of which 574 were infected over 60 days, (ii) animal density, (iii) percentage of dairy farms per county, and (iv) road density. Each variable was categorized into two to five classes (e.g. small/medium/large) and the proportion of cases per class reported at days 1-3 of the epidemic was compared with that reported at days 4-6. A higher proportion of cases was found at days 4-6 than at days 1-3 in areas with: small and medium size land parcels, high animal density, > 20% farms specialized in dairy production, and high road density (P < 0.03 for each). Each of these classes showed a greater proportion of cases at days 7-60 than the proportion of the total territory covered by each class's area (early case concentration ratios: 1.14-1.37). Land parcel clusters were indicated by Moran's I-test (P < 0.01). A new region was constructed by intersecting the four spatial classes associated with higher proportions of cases at days 4-6. At days 7-60, this region included 50.4% of all cases and represented 30.6% of the territory under study (final case concentration ratio: 1.65). The final area per case in this region was at least 33% lower and covered at least 45% less territory than any of the four single-variable approaches. Bio-statistical, multivariate spatial analysis of early cases may greatly increase the efficiency of epidemiologic policy.     

Transrectal decompression as a new approach for treatment of large intestinal tympany in horses with colic: Preliminary results

A common feature of colic in horses is tympany in the large intestine and medical treatment of this condition can be unsuccessful. In this article we describe and evaluate a new approach for decompression of large intestinal tympany in equine colic patients using transrectal puncture. We evaluated horses showing colic symptoms and colonic or caecal tympany and the final diagnosis, complications and final outcome were recorded for each horse. A special transrectal decompression device (TDD) was developed and used to perform transrectal decompression (TD) by gas aspiration. In order to assess pain reduction as a result of TD, heart rate (HR) was recorded before and after the decompression procedure. Twenty‐five horses were included in the study. In 17 cases, tympany was recognised as primary in origin while in 8 it was secondary to other conditions. A total of 33 TDs were performed and no horses developed short‐ or long‐term complications. All horses were alive after the first month post TD, while 5 died from diseases not related to TD. The TD could safely and easily be performed in all horses presenting tympany. Transrectal decompression can easily be performed, 2 or even 3 times to treat a single colic episode by using the transrectal device connected to a surgical aspirator. It was not possible from available information to relate the timing of HR decrease to resolution of colic or to administration of drugs because a retrospective study and all such data were not readily accessible. Our clinical results support the relevance of the TD as an elective treatment of primary large intestinal tympany, emergency treatment of tympany secondary to other surgical entities and as palliative treatment in surgical patients, in which surgery could not be achieved.     

Early and Cost‐Effective Identification of High Risk/Priority Control Areas in Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Epidemics

Geo‐referenced data from the 2001 Uruguayan foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) epidemic were explored to assess whether spatial analysis could lead to cost‐benefit based policies. Four variables were analysed: (i) location and size of 4022 individual rural land parcels, of which 574 were infected over 60 days, (ii) animal density, (iii) percentage of dairy farms per county, and (iv) road density. Each variable was categorized into two to five classes (e.g. small/medium/large) and the proportion of cases per class reported at days 1–3 of the epidemic was compared with that reported at days 4–6. A higher proportion of cases was found at days 4–6 than at days 1–3 in areas with: small and medium size land parcels, high animal density, >20% farms specialized in dairy production, and high road density (P < 0.03 for each). Each of these classes showed a greater proportion of cases at days 7–60 than the proportion of the total territory covered by each class's area (early case concentration ratios: 1.14–1.37). Land parcel clusters were indicated by Moran's I‐test (P < 0.01). A new region was constructed by intersecting the four spatial classes associated with higher proportions of cases at days 4–6. At days 7–60, this region included 50.4% of all cases and represented 30.6% of the territory under study (final case concentration ratio: 1.65). The final area per case in this region was at least 33% lower and covered at least 45% less territory than any of the four single‐variable approaches. Bio‐statistical, multivariate spatial analysis of early cases may greatly increase the efficiency of epidemiologic policy.