The optimal nutrition of maize in the hungarian national long‐term field experimental network

In Hungary, maize is grown on 1 million ha and occupies more than 20% of the arable land. The rich assortment of maize cultivars of different vegetation periods and different responses to nutritional effects, water supply etc. gives the growers the possibility to choose the cultivars suiting best the site characteristics (Jolânkai et al. 1999). Among the cereals maize has the highest genetical potential. To utilize its yield and quality potential, soil types of high nutrient content and regular nutrient supply are required (Gyõrffy, 1979). Both over‐ and under‐fertilization have an unfavourable effect on the yield and quality of maize (Debreczeni, 1985). Crops can be supplied with the appropriate nutrient amounts only with the knowledge of soil characteristics in the different agro‐ecological regions (nutrient content, water supply, soil compactness, pH, nutrient supplying capacity etc.). In Hungary, a network of long‐term field fertilization trials with uniform fertilizer treatments has been maintained at nine experimental sites representing different agro‐ecological regions of the country. This experimental network gives a basis to test the nutrient responses of our main crops and calibrate their optimal nutrient supply (Kismányoky, 1991).     

Comparison of mussels and crustacean plankton to monitor heavy metal pollution

The ability of freshwater organisms (mussels — Unio pictorum L. and crustacean plankton —Cladocera and Copepoda species) to monitor heavy metal pollution was compared under field conditions, near the effluent discharge of a sewage water treatment plant at Lake Balaton (Hungary). The mussels were transferred from their less polluted habitat to the study area. The crustacean plankton was collected at this site The concentrations of Hg Cd Cr Cut Pb, Zn, and Fe were measured m the gills of the transplanted mussels as well as the natural zooplankton in the summer period, using the AAS method. Both mussel gills and the zooplankton showed periodically high Fe-, Zn-, and Cu-concentrations. An elevated level of Hg was only observed in mussels, while high Pb- and Cr-concentrations were found only in crustacean plankton. Accordingly the zooplankton seems a more suitable model for monitoring heavy metal pollution under these field conditions.     

Detection of bovine herpesvirus 4 in CD11b+ leukocytes of experimentally infected rabbits

The presence and numbers of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) infected CD11b+ leukocytes were investigated during experimental infections of New Zealand White rabbits by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) analysis. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were collected every second day, and the cells were stained with phycoerythrin-labelled CD11b-specific mouse monoclonal antibody and fluorescein-conjugated bovine herpesvirus 4-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. The numbers of double-stained cells from PBLs of the control and inoculated groups were measured and compared in FACSTREK analyser. Double-stained cells were detected in the virus-inoculated group on postinoculation days (PID) 2-5 and 9-12. The results indicated that CD11b+ PBLs were permissive for BoHV-4 infection, and are probably the main reservoir of the virus during the latent period. The data did not indicate production of infectious viral particles, but virus-specific proteins were expressed on the surface of CD11b+ cells. The two waves of double-stained cells gave similar results to the PCR assays from serum samples, which showed the presence of viral DNA in the serum on the same days when virus-infected CD11b cells were also present. Productive BoHV-4 infection of mast cells or undifferentiated leukocytes in the bone marrow and the antiviral immune response might be responsible for this periodic appearance of the virus in CD11b+ PBLs and in the serum. The paper provides evidence that CD11b+ PBLs are the main target cell populations in the blood for BoHV-4.     

Diätetische Bewertung verschiedener in Ungarn angebauter Zucker- und Wassermelonensorten

Zusammenfassung Bei 7 der Sortenprüfung unterzogenen Zuckermelonen- und 6 Wassermelonensorten untersuchten Verfasser die Verteilung im Zucker- und Säuregehalt sowie den Gehalt an Vitamin C und Carotin.Beim gesamten Untersuchungsmaterial wurde die quantitative und qualitative Verteilung der Kohlenhydrate und Säuren bestimmt.Den Untersuchungsergebnissen gemäß erhöht sich bei Zuckermelonen der Saccharosegehalt, bei Wassermelonen der Fructosegehalt in Richtung des Fruchtinneren, wo auch sowohl bei Zucker-, wie bei Wassermelonen die meiste Säure nachweisbar ist.Auf Grund des Gehaltes an Kohlenhydraten, Säure, Vitamin C und Carotin wurden die verschiedenen Melonensorten auch diätetisch bewertet.

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Summary Seven types of sugar melon and 6 types of water melon applied in selection experiments in Hungary were examined by the authors as regards sugar content, nature and quantity of acids, further the contents of ascorbic acid and carotene.The nature and quantity of sugars and acids were determined in the flesh and in the peels of all types examined.According to the analytical results, the content of sucrose of sugar melons increases when nearing the centre whilst in the case of water melons, the content of fructose becomes higher in the central portion.The content of acid showed maximum values in the centre with both sugar and water melons.The examined types of melons were also evaluated from a biological aspect, considering the contents of sugar, acid, ascorbic acid and carotene.

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mit 2 Fig.     

Spatial risk assessment of herd sero-status of Aujeszky's disease in a county in Hungary

A Geographic Information System (VetEpiGIS) was used to analyze the ADV (Aujeszky's disease virus) sero-status in large-scale pig units regarding certain geographical features in a county of southern Hungary. The ADV sero-statuses were collected from all swine units in Csongrád county in 1998-2000. The units' coordinates were combined with a vector graphical digital map of the county, with a resolution of 1:100,000. Logistic regression tested the associations between sero-status of large-scale units and presence of topographical features, other units and villages in the neighborhood. "Neighborhood" was defined by circular zones with radius 1-10km around the unit (in 1km increments; one logistic regression for each radius). The following topographical features showed significant positive association with the ADV seropositivity: lake (3km OR: 5.7; 5km OR: 7.5; 6km OR: 6.1; 10km OR: 5.4) and highway (5km OR: 4.2; 6km OR: 5.3). Other features had negative association with ADV seropositivity: forest (3km OR: 0.13; 4km OR: 0.15; 5km OR: 0.15; 6km OR: 0.10; 7km OR: 0.10; 8km OR: 0.23) and uninfected large-scale unit (4km OR: 0.07; 5km OR: 0.27; 6km OR: 0.32; 7km OR: 0.31).     

The community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots of maize grown in a 50-year monoculture

We assessed the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonizing maize roots grown in a long-term monoculture experiment established at Martonvásár, Hungary, 50 years ago to understand the effect of this extremely long monoculture on the community structure of these organisms. Mycorrhizal colonization of root samples was analyzed by PCR amplification and sequencing of partial ribosomal small subunit DNA fragments of fungal origin. Of the 257 sequences recovered, 203 belonged to Glomeromycota AM fungi. Phylogenetic analysis assigned the Glomeromycota sequences into 22 operational taxonomic units belonging to three families including Archaeosporaceae, Glomeraceae, and Paraglomeraceae. In agreement with previous reports, Glomus group A fungi dominated the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community of maize, but we found a relatively high richness of phylotypes within this group even after such an extreme and durable reduction of host plant diversity. Agricultural practices, including mineral fertilization and incorporating stalk residues, significantly affected the diversity within Glomus group A.     

Responses of Soil Respiration to Biotic and Abiotic Drivers in a Temperate Cropland

Eurasian Soil Science - To investigate the temporal dynamics of CO2 efflux from the soil surface in a temperate cropland and to quantify the effects of soil temperature, soil water content, N...     

Response of forest soil properties to urbanization gradients in three metropolitan areas

We investigated the effects of urban environments on the chemical properties of forest soils in the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, New York, and Budapest. We hypothesized that soils in forest patches in each city will exhibit changes in chemistry corresponding to urbanization gradients, but more strongly with various urban metrics than distance to the urban core. Moreover, differences in parent material and development patterns would differentially affect the soil chemical response in each metropolitan area. Results showed that soil chemical properties varied with measures of urban land use in all three cities, including distance to the urban core, which was an unexpected result. Moreover, the results showed that the spatial extent and amount of change was greater in New York than in Baltimore and Budapest for those elements that showed a relationship to the urbanization gradient (Pb, Cu, and to a lesser extent Ca). The spatial relationship of the soil chemical properties to distance varied from city to city. In New York, concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Ca decreased to approximately background concentrations at 75 km from the urban core. By contrast, concentrations of these elements decreased closer to the urban core in Baltimore and Budapest. Moreover, a threshold was reached at about 75% urban land use above which concentrations of Pb and Cu increased by more than twofold relative to concentrations below this threshold. Results of this study suggest that forest soils are responding to urbanization gradients in all three cities, though characteristics of each city (spatial pattern of development, parent material, and pollution sources) influenced the soil chemical response.     

Influence of the type of management system on corticosterone transfer into eggs in laying hens

The effect of free-range versus cage management system on corticosterone transfer into the eggs was studied in laying hens. Hungarian Yellow laying hens (age: 21 weeks, body weight: 2.0 +/- 0.5 kg) were divided into two groups in the spring: Group I, free-range keeping (n=15 layers, density: > 0.5 bird/m2) in outdoor runs, with continuous access to a commercial layer feed; Group II, hens kept in battery cages (n=17 layers, density: 2 birds/m2, natural light, continuous access to feed and water). Eggs were collected after a one-week adaptation period on days 2, 7 and 16. Corticosterone (CST) was extracted from homogenised egg samples using an ASE-200 Accelerated Solvent Extractor and then assayed by liquid chromatography linked with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) [Thermo Quest Surveyor high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) interfaced via Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation (APCI) ion source to Finnigan/Thermo Quest LCQ Deca MS/MS] using dexamethasone as internal standard with positive APCI ionisation. CST concentrations of whole eggs laid by free-range hens on days 2, 7 and 16 were 0.370 +/- 0.218, 0.259 +/- 0.066 and 0.915 +/- 0.745 ng x g(-1), respectively, while those of eggs laid by caged hens were 0.206 +/- 0.157, 0.223 +/- 0.165 and 0.184 +/- 0.110 ng x g(-1) at the above sampling times. It is concluded that in free-range laying hens the sharp changes of environmental weather conditions significantly increased the corticosterone content of eggs, while the environmentally controlled and closed battery cage management technology resulted in relatively uniform corticosterone concentrations in the whole eggs.