Assessing seed desiccation responses of native trees in the Caribbean

New Forests - Native trees from the Caribbean were tested for seed desiccation responses, by adapting the “100-seed test” protocol. Ninety-seven seed lots of 91 species were collected...     

Efficacy of avermectin B1 given orally against equine intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria

Three groups of horses and ponies (N = 13, 13 and 12) were treated with ivermectin paste (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), avermectin B1 solution (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), or fenbendazole suspension (10 mg/kg via nasogastric tube). The avermectin B1 was a 1% solution in a propylene glycolglycerol formal base. Faecal strongyle egg counts were performed before, and 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 d, after treatment. Full-thickness skin biopsies from the neck, pectoral and umbilical regions were examined for Onchocera microfilaria before treatment, and again 14 and 70 d later. Ivermectin therapy produced a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28, 42 and 56 d after treatment. Avermectin B1 therapy resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) decreases in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28 and 42 d after treatment. All horses given ivermectin or avermectin B1 had zero strongyle egg counts 14 and 28 d after treatment. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease strongyle egg counts. Both ivermectin and avermectin B1 resulted in zero microfilaria counts in all horses 14 d after treatment. On day 70 the percentage decrease in microfilaria counts were 100% and 99.6% respectively. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease microfilaria counts. The oral administration of this formulation of avermectin B1 appeared to be highly efficacious against intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria. The duration of anti-strongyle activity was, however, significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that of ivermectin paste.     

The Field Performance of Cold-Stored Strawberry Runners in South-East England

After 4-5 months’ storage at 30° F. (-1° C.), runners of Redgauntlet and Cambridge Favourite strawberries established well when planted in June or July. In contrast to freshly lifted runners, stored plants runnered fairly freely in the year of planting and grew with an erect habit. In the year after planting, plant habit was normal but more stolons were produced early in the season.

Deblossoming cold-stored runners after planting, though not necessary for satisfactory establishment, increased the subsequent yield. Cold-stored runners planted in late July and deblossomed in August cropped well in the following year, the total crop and in particular the yield of large fruit (> ? in. diameter) being similar in amount to that from fresh runners planted in early August. The weight of early fruit harvested from Redgauntlet was appreciably greater from cold-stored than from early-planted fresh runners, but stored runners of Cambridge Favourite showed no gain in earliness. It is concluded that stored runners may satisfactorily be used as a substitute for fresh ones to obtain the recognized advantages of early planting.

Cold-stored Redgauntlet runners planted in June ripened a small crop of fruit in August. Reducing the inter-plant spacing from 18 in. to 9 in. doubled the initial yield and also increased the total amount of fruit harvested in the two succeeding years without lessening the quantity of large fruit.