Untersuchungen zum Nahrungseintrag von Kohlmeisen in einem Gradationsgebiet der Kleinen Fichtenblattwespe (Pristiphora abietina Christ)

Using a modern data survey system combined with a videocamera for observation, it was possible to determine the percentage of sawfly larvac in breeding food of titmouse (Parus major) without disturbing the birds. The activities of a titmouse pair in a spruce stand, located in southeast Bavaria and seriously damaged by spruce sawfly, were observed during the whole breeding period. Spruce sawfly larvae were used as breeding food preferably at 4th larvae instar or later. Since larvae of this instar were available, they dominated the insects used as breeding food with more than 70%. During the most intensive feeding period nearly 500 sawfly larvae per day were used as food. The consumption of sawfly larvae during the whole feeding period added up to a total of more than 5000 larvae. The birds can not significantly reduce the sawfly density in heavily attacked stands. This can be shown in a simple calculation: there had been 11 titmouse pairs per hectar. They used appr. 55000 old larvae for breeding food. This represents appr. 15% of the estimated number of old sawfly larvae per hectar. But in a low density area an insect-feeding songbird population may possibly hinder a serious increase in the sawfly population.     

Use of imaging spectroscopy to discriminate symptoms caused by Heterodera schachtii and Rhizoctonia solani on sugar beet

Diseases caused by nematodes and non-sporulating soil-borne fungi have low mobility and are likely to be suitable targets for precision agriculture applications. Sensors which assess the reflectance of plant leaves may be useful tools to detect soil-borne pathogens. The development of symptoms caused by the plant parasitic nematode Heterodera schachtii and the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 2-2IIIB alone or in combination was studied by leaf reflectance recorded with a hyperspectral imaging system (range 400–1000 nm) for 9 weeks twice per week. Three image processing methods were tested for their suitability to generate the most sensitive spectral information for disease detection. Nine spectral vegetation indices were calculated from spectra to correlate them to leaf symptom recordings. Supervised classification by spectral angle mapper was tested for the discrimination of leaf symptoms caused by the diseases. The symptoms of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot caused by R. solani and symptoms caused by H. schachtii induced modifications that could be detected by hyperspectral image analysis. Rhizoctonia crown and root rot symptom development in mixed inoculations was faster and more severe than in single inoculations, indicating complex interactions among fungus, nematode and plant. The results from this study under controlled conditions are currently used to transfer the sensor technology to the field.     

Fetal responses to different methods of electrocution of pregnant sows

The fetal stress responses in sows euthanized by electrical current during their second and last trimester of pregnancy (G1 and G2) were evaluated. Three methods of euthanasia of pregnant sows generally applicable to cases of epizootic or emergency slaughter were investigated: 1. conventional application of electrical current to the head and heart (HH); 2. application of electrical current to the head, heart and the uterus (HHU); 3. application of electrical current to the head, heart and from the upper body to the vagina (HHV). Fetuses were delivered by cesarean section at intervals of 3 to 4 minutes and remained attached to the sow by the umbilical cord. Fetal vitality, reflexes, heart rate, blood pressure, rectal body temperature, intracardial arteriovenous pCO2, pH and lactic acid were monitored for a period of 30 minutes. No method was found to kill the fetal pigs immediately. In fetuses at G1 there were no significant differences between the HH and HHU and HHV methods. Fetuses at G2 showed a significantly faster decrease in heart rate and blood pressure as well as a shorter period of time for the absence of fetal body movements and reflexes for the HHT method, compared to the other methods. Since it is not yet known to what extent the fetal pig experiences pain and suffering, the prolonged process of dying for the in utero fetus due to hypoxia which includes struggling and gasps is inconsistent with criteria for humane euthanasia and animal welfare.     

Medetomidine/midazolam/ketamine anaesthesia in ferrets: effects on cardiorespiratory parameters and evaluation of plasma drug concentrations

ObjectiveTo evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects and plasma concentrations of medetomidine-midazolam-ketamine (MMK) combinations administered by intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection in sable ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).Study designProspective randomized experimental study.AnimalsEighteen adult ferrets: weight median 1.19 (range 0.81–1.60) kg.MethodsAnimals were allocated to one of three groups: group IM07 received 20 μg kg^?1 medetomidine, 0.5 mg kg^?1 midazolam and 7 mg kg^?1 ketamine IM; group IM10 20 μg kg^?1 medetomidine, 0.5 mg kg^?1 midazolam and 10 mg kg^?1 ketamine IM; and group SC10 20 μg kg^?1 medetomidine, 0.5 mg kg^?1 midazolam and 10 mg kg^?1 ketamine SC. Following instrumentation, cardiorespiratory parameters and plasma drug concentrations were measured every 5 minutes (T5–T30) for 30 minutes Ferrets were then euthanased. Data were analysed using anova for repeated measures. p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsResults are mean ± SD. Induction of anaesthesia (minutes) in IM07 and IM10 [2 (1)] was significantly faster than in SC10 [5 (2)]. All groups demonstrated the following: results given as groups IM07, IM10 and SC10 respectively. Mean arterial blood pressures (mmHg) were initially high [186 (13); 174 (33) and 174 (9) at T5] but decreased steadily. Pulse rates were initially 202 (20), 213 (17) and 207 (33) beats minute^?1, decreasing with time. PaO₂ (mmHg) was low [54.0 (8), 47.7 (10) and 38.5 (1)] at T5, although in groups IM07 and IM10 it increased over time. Plasma concentrations of all drugs were highest at T5 (36, 794 and 8264 nmol L^?1 for medetomidine, midazolam and ketamine, respectively) and decreased thereafter: for both midazolam and ketamine, concentrations in IM07 and IM10 were higher than SC10.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMMK combinations containing either 7 or 10 mg kg^?1 ketamine and given IM are suitable combinations for anaesthetising ferrets, although the observed degree of hypoxaemia indicates that oxygen administration is vital.     

Larix europaea (D.C.) L. decidua (Mill.) und ihr Aubau im Harz

Ohne ZusammenfassungDieser Auffak mill in gedrängter Form aus ausermählten Kapiteln der Differtation des Berfaffers, die bei Hans Adler, Greitswald 1929 im Drud erschienen ift, einen überblid über das Untersuchungsgebiet geben.     

Phosphorus solubilization in the rhizosphere and its possible importance to determine phosphate plant availability in soil. A review with main emphasis on German results

Limited fertilization adapted to plant demand is of high economical and ecological relevance. This requires a reliable analysis of plant available P, based on knowledge of phosphorus dynamics in soils and P mobilization by plants. On chernozem-like soils, as well as under dry conditions, the double-lactate (DL) phosphate extraction methods apparently do not adequately reflect the P uptake ability of plants. This paper summarizes rhizosphere processes that affect P availability partly by reference of selected own experiments. Root exudates increased the double-lactate (DL) extractable P amount of soils in sterile and non sterile cultures. Microbial colonisation increased both the exudate amount and the specific ability of exudates to solubilize P. In spite of rapid exudate turnover, DL-P solubility was increased. Sugars released from P-deficient plants increased the P solubilizing ability of a bacterial strain (Enterobacter radicincitans), perhaps by changing bacterial acid production. Root exudates solubilized more P from soil than lactate extracts did. An investigation of physiological processes in the rhizosphere could contribute to a better understanding of nutrient availability and perhaps lead to the development of extraction methods that better reflect the availability of soil phosphorus to plants. Connecting field experiments with basic studies offers the opportunity to better understand plant nutritional processes to realize an effective and sustainable agriculture.     

Zur Nachhaltigkeit von Bekämpfungen der Kleinen Fichtenblattwespe (Pristiphora abietina Christ) mit dem Häutungshemmer Alsystin

Zusammenfassung Im Befallsgebiet Freilassing/Laufen wurden 1989 und 1990 Versuchsbekämpfungen mit dem Häutungshemmer Alsystin durchgeführt. In den Folgejahren wurde die Entwicklung der Blattwespendichte und des Fraßgrades untersucht.Trotz zunächst deutlicher Erfolge konnte aufgrund einer hohen Zahl von Überliegern, die der Bekämpfung entgehen, in einer einmal bekämpften Fläche keine nachhaltige Wirkung erzielt werden. Die Blattwespendichte wurde hier lediglich für zwei Jahre merklich geringer, nahm anschließend aber wieder kontinuierlich zu. Nach 5 Jahren waren bereits wieder starke Fraßschäden zu verzeichnen. In einer Fläche mit wiederholter Bekämpfung in zwei aufeinanderfolgenden Jahren trat zwar vorübergehend eine deutliche Entlastung der Fraßsituation auf, es wurden aber auch, auf dieser Fläche bereits im fünften Jahr nach der letzten Applikation wieder mäßige bis starke Fraßschäden beobachtet. Um die Blattwespendichte auf Dauer niedrig zu halten, müßten Bekämpfungsaktionen in regelmäßigen, relativ kurzen zeitlichen Abständen wiederholt werden, was aus ökologischer und ökonomischer Sicht nicht vertretbar ist.

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The lasting effect of control measures with the insect growth regulator Alsystin on the spruce sawflyPristiphora abietina

The insect growth regulator Alsystin was tested on the spruce sawflyPristiphora abietina by helicopter application. For a period of six years after application, further development of population density and feeding damage had been examined.In the year of application, there was no damage at all. Nevertheless, the following year 29 resp. 20 sawflies/5 m² emerged. They all had been in a prolonged diapause and escaped to pest control. In the second and third year after application, population density was very low due to an extremely high rate of parasitism. But during the next years the sawfly population had constantly increased. Five years after application of Alsystin, large damage could be noted again.Another area was sprayed with Alsystin a second time in the year after first application. The effect was temporary a better one than after only one application, but also in this area a few years later population density and feeding damage have shown an increasing tendency.

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Die Untersuchung wurde finanziert durch das Bayerische Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten.     

Zur Wirkungsweise des Häutungshemmers Alsystin gegen die Kleine Fichtenblattwespe (Pristiphora abietina Christ)

Zusammenfassung In Labor-und Freilandversuchen wurde die Wirkungsweise des Häutungshemmers Alsystin auf die Kleine FichtenblattwespePristiphora abietina untersucht. Die höchste Wirksamkeit war dann gegeben, wenn die Blattwespen-Weibchen von der Eiablage Alsystin aufnahmen. Die von ihnen abgelegten Eier starben zu annährend 100% ab. Eine direkte Applikation auf bereits vorhandene Eier zeigte keine Wirkung. Eine direkte Applikation auf Larven ergab eine hohe Mortalitätsrate. Larve, die erst einige Tage nach der Anwendung schlüpften, entwickelten sich jedoch aufgrund der Streckung des Maitriebes und der damit verbundenen Mittelausdünnung normal weiter. Eine systemische Wirkung des Präparates ließ sich weder auf Larven noch auf Eier nachweisen.Die Aufnahme von Alsystin hatte keine Auswirkung auf die Lebensdauer vonP. abietina-Imagines. Die Eiproduktion der Weibchen dagegen wurde deutlich reduziert.Der optimale Ausbringungszeitpunkt liegt drei bis fünf Tage vor dem Schlupf der Weibchen. Die Applikation kann nur großflächig mittels Hubschrauber erfolgen, kleinflächige Anwendungen bringen keinen Erfolg.

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Effects of the insect growth regulator Alsystin on the spruce sawflyPristiphora abietina

The insect growth regulator Alsystin SC 480 (Triflumuron) was tested at different stages of life of the spruce sawflyPristiphora abietina. The highest efficiency was seen when Alsystin was fed in honey water or plain water to adult females before oviposition: Nearly 100% of their eggs were nonviable. Eggs which were layed 11 days after the treatment of adults still showed the same high mortality rate. A direct application under field conditions against egg stages had no ovicidal effect. Larvae feeding at the moment of treatment showed a high mortality rate whilst larvae hatching from eggs a few days after application developed normally. These results showed that the best time for helicopter application is a few days before the adult females emerge.

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Mit 1 Tabelle

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Die Untersuchungen wurden finanziert durch das Bayerische Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten.     

Susceptibility of canine and feline bacterial pathogens to pradofloxacin and comparison with other fluoroquinolones approved for companion animals

In this study, 908 bacterial pathogens from defined infections of dogs and cats were tested for their susceptibility to the novel fluoroquinolone pradofloxacin, which was approved in 2011 for use in cats and dogs. Most of the bacteria tested (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Escherichia coli, β-haemolytic streptococci, Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica) exhibited low pradofloxacin MIC₉₀ values of ≤0.25 μg/ml. Solely Proteus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had higher MIC₉₀ values of ≥4 μg/ml. Only six (3.4%) of 177 S. pseudintermedius and 12 (5.3%) of 227 E. coli isolates showed pradofloxacin MICs of ≥2 μg/ml. Analysis of the quinolone resistance determining regions of the target genes identified double mutations in GyrA that resulted in amino acid exchanges S83L + D87N or S83L + D87Y and single or double mutations in ParC that resulted in amino acid exchanges S80I or S80I + E84G in all 12 E. coli isolates. The six S. pseudintermedius isolates exhibited amino acid exchanges S84L or E88K in GyrA and S80I in GrlA. Comparative analysis of the MICs of pradofloxacin and the MICs determined for enrofloxacin and its main metabolite ciprofloxacin, but also marbofloxacin, orbifloxacin, difloxacin and ibafloxacin was conducted for the target pathogens S. pseudintermedius, E. coli and P. multocida. This comparison confirmed that pradofloxacin MICs were significantly lower than those of the other tested fluoroquinolones.