Hepatic lipidosis: Liver characteristics and acute phase proteins in affected turkeys

The hepatic lipidosis (HL) in fattening turkeys is a disease has been known for a long time, but the cause and pathogenesis is still not clarified. A recent study reported unexplained high levels of iron in liver tissue of fattening turkeys suffering from HL. In this study, the iron status, possible infectious or inflammatory influences in form of an acute phase reaction and the analysis of fatty acid pattern in liver tissue of turkeys affected by HL were examined. Three cases of HL on three different fattening turkey farms were investigated during the outbreak of the disease. Clinically affected and non-affected animals were subjected to a pathological examination, where the diagnosis HL or non-affected was made. In total, 70 birds were examined (40 with HL, 30 without HL) and blood and liver samples were taken. Additionally, samples from 15 slaughtered birds were taken as a further control group. In liver tissue, the iron content and the content of long-chain fatty acids were determined; in blood samples, ferritin and transferrin were measured. The iron content in liver tissue was more than three times higher for animals with HL than among non-affected animals and the control group. The transferrin levels were lowest for animals with HL, highest in the control group and in between for non-affected animals. The fatty acid pattern in liver tissue of affected animals indicated a shift from polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids compared to the control group and the non-affected animals. Overall, the non-affected animals of a flock affected by HL were similar to the healthy animals of the abattoir. The low acute phase protein levels for animals with HL together with high iron contents could indicate a previous malnutrition/starvation period and/or severe liver damage for those animals suffering from HL.     

Influence of Soil Water Regimes on VA Mycorrhiza IV. Effect on Root Growth and Water Relations of Sorghum bicolor

In a greenhouse trial, non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants of Sorghum bicolor were grown at three water regimes. The root length and root morphology of Sorghum bicolor was monitored in two soils during 34 days. From 29 days on, total root length of mycorrhizal sorghum was greater than of non-mycorrhizal sorghum in moderate and high water stress conditions. In soil A, at all water regimes a lower percentage of coarse roots and smaller root length per leaf area were found with mycorrhizal plants; in soil B, this was only the case in well watered conditions. In general, all root and water relation parameters were less affected by water stress when plants were mycorrhizal; this less sensitivity of mycorrhizal sorghum may increase the tolerance of the plant to drought. However, water relations of plants were indirectly enhanced by mycorrhiza via increased P uptake.     

Influence of Soil Water Regimes on VA Mycorrhiza

A greenhouse trial was conducted with cassava inoculated with seven different VAM fungal species, i.e. Acaulospora longula, A. myriocarpa, Entrophospora colombiana, Glomus fasciculatum, G. manihotis, G. occultum and Scutellospora heterogama. A wet and a dry soil water regime was established to study the effect of water stress on performance of these fungi with a drought tolerant cassava clone. At harvest, N, P and K concentration was analysed in leaves, petioles, stems and roots.
In unstressed plants, five endophytes were effective whereas in stressed plants only three fungi improved growth beyond the non-mycorrhizal control. These were E. colombiana, G. manihotis and G. occultum which were most effective for P uptake under stress. Differential effects of VAM fungal species on root length and K. uptake were found. A. myriocarpa caused the greatest increase in length of feeder roots and G. occultum was one of the most effective for K uptake under both water regimes even though these fungi were not the most effective for dry matter production. Under each water regime, the concentration of N, P and K in leaves, petioles, stems and roots was influenced by the fungal species. Mycorrhizal endophytes differed in tolerance to dry soil conditions as found by root infection ratings. From the results it can be concluded that in addition to the improved P nutrition the enhanced root length and K uptake by VAM fungi may be important for drought tolerance of cassava.     

Succession of arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in the foreland of the retreating Morteratsch glacier in the Central Alps

The development of communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was investigated in the subalpine foreland of the glacier Morteratsch located at approx. 1900–2100 m a.s.l. near Pontresina (Engiadin’ Ota, Switzerland). In particular, we asked if the succession of AMF communities follows or precedes the primary plant succession, and we checked the mycorrhizal status of the pioneer plant Epilobium fleischeri. Soil samples were taken at pioneer and dense grassland sites established during the last hundred years representing different periods of glacier retreat: 1875–1900, 1940–1950, 1970–1980 and 1990–2000. Extraradical hyphal length densities and AMF spore populations were analyzed in soil samples. Spore formation and mycorrhizal root colonization were monitored in trap cultures grown on Trifolium pratense, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata and Hieracium pilosella or on E. fleischeri over 14 months. We found that E. fleischeri is strongly arbuscular mycorrhizal, but plants in closest distance to the glacier (glacier retreat in the last 4–6 years before sampling) were non-mycorrhizal. Spore densities and root colonization in trap cultures were generally low in samples from glacier stage 1990–2000. Highest spore density and colonization were found for the sites ice-free since 1970–1980, whilst highest AMF species richness and hyphal length densities were found at the sites ice-free since 1875–1900. Our findings show an establishment of a few AMF pioneer species (e.g. Diversispora versiformis and Acaulospora punctata) within 5–10 years and species rich AMF communities at sites ice-free for 100 years (28 species). Their succession generally follows the succession of the plant communities. We conclude that AMF pioneer species might be mainly distributed by wind transport while other AMF fungi (e.g. Glomus rubiforme and Glomus aureum) rather need a below-ground hyphal network to invade new areas.     

Solubilization of iron and calcium phosphates by soil fungi isolated from coffee plantations

Almost 900 fungal isolates were obtained from eight coffee plantations in Colombia and Mexico. Of these, 76 isolates showed activity to solubilize Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (PCa) and FePO₄·H₂O (PFe), which had been added to agar in a plate test. Generally, PCa was better solubilized than PFe. Colombian isolates were generally somewhat less effective than Mexican isolates. The two most effective isolates from each country with apparent highest PFe, solubilization potential were selected and cultivated in liquid medium containing PFe, which is more prevalent in tropical soils. The pH value, solubilized P in the medium and P uptake in fungal biomass were determined. After 24 days, Cylindrocarpon didymum and C. obtusisporum (both from Colombia) had solubilized 9.9 and 6.4 mg PO₄ ^3--P L^?1 and took up 8.6 and 11.6 mg P in biomass. Penicillium janthinellum and Paecilomyces marquandii (both from Mexico) solubilized 7.0 and 1.9 mg PO₄ ^3--P L^?1 and took up 11.3 and 17.3 mg P in biomass. The potential practical use of the four fungal isolates for different strategies in making more P available for coffee growth is discussed.     

Historical sediment mercury deposition for select South Dakota,USA, lakes: implications for watershed transport and flooding

Purpose

Select South Dakota, USA water bodies, including both natural lakes and man-made impoundments, were sampled and analyzed to assess mercury (Hg) dynamics and historical patterns of total Hg deposition.

Materials and methods

Sediment cores were collected from seven South Dakota lakes. Mercury concentrations and flux profiles were determined using lead (²¹⁰Pb) dating and sedimentation rates.

Results and discussion

Most upper lake sediments contained variable heavy metal concentrations, but became more consistent with depth and age. Five of the seven lakes exhibited Hg accumulation fluxes that peaked between 1920 and 1960, while the remaining two lakes exhibited recent (1995–2009) Hg flux spikes. Historical sediment accumulation rates and Hg flux profiles demonstrate similar peak and stabilized values. Mercury in the sampled South Dakota lakes appears to emanate from watershed transport due to erosion from agricultural land use common to the Northern Great Plains.

Conclusions

For sampled South Dakota lakes, watershed inputs are more significant sources of Hg than atmospheric deposition.