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.     

Chromosome locations of leaf rust resistance genes in selected tetraploid wheats through substitution lines

Langdon durum D-genome disomic substitution lines were used to study the chromosome locations of adult-plant leaf rust resistance genes identified from tetraploid wheat accessions. The accessions are 104 (Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum var. arras) and 127 (T. turgidum subsp. durum var. aestivum). The complete sets of the substitution lines were crossed as female parents with the accessions and F₁ double monosomic individuals selected at metaphase I. Segregating F₂ individuals were inoculated during the flag leaf stage with pathotype UVPrt2 of Puccinia triticina. The substitution analysis involving accession 104 showed that the gene for leaf rust resistance is located on chromosome 6B. The analysis with accession 127 indicated that chromosome 4A carries a gene for leaf rust resistance. The two novel genes are temporarily designated as Lrac104 and Lrac127, respectively from accessions 104 and 127.     

Characterization of fungi (Fusarium and Rhizoctonia) and oomycetes (Phytophthora and Pythium) associated with apple orchards in South Africa

Several species of fungi and oomycetes including Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora and Pythium have been reported as root pathogens of apple where they contribute to a phenomenon known as apple replant disease. In South Africa, little is known about specific species in these genera and their pathogenicity toward apple. Therefore, these aspects were investigated along with the development and optimization of qPCR tests for detection and quantification of the most virulent oomycete species. In eight investigated orchards, the oomycete Phythophthora cactorum was widely distributed, while nine Pythium species were differentially distributed among the orchards. Pythium irregulare was the most widely distributed and the most virulent species along with P. sylvaticum, P. vexans and Ph. cactorum. Seven binucleate Rhizoctonia anastomosis groups (AGs) were also differentially distributed among the orchards, with the majority appearing to be non-pathogenic while certain AG-I and AG-F isolates exhibited low virulence on apple. In the genus Fusarium, F. oxysporum was widely distributed, but isolates were non-pathogenic. Fusarium solani and F. avenaceum were less frequently encountered, with only some isolates having low virulence. qPCR data obtained from seedling roots inoculated with the most virulent Pythium species (P. irregulare, P. sylvaticum and P. vexans) and the genus Phytophthora were not always reproducible between trials, or isolates of the same species. In general, seedling growth inhibition was associated with the presence of a low amount of pathogen DNA (±40 fg μl⁻¹ to 2 pg μl⁻¹) in roots. Pythium irregulare, although having the lowest DNA concentrations in roots, was the only species for which a significant negative correlation was found between seedling weight and pathogen DNA concentration.     

Relationships of dead wood patterns with biophysical characteristics and ownership according to scale in Coastal Oregon,USA

Dead wood patterns and dynamics vary with biophysical factors, disturbance history, ownership, and management practices; the relative importance of these factors is poorly understood, especially at landscape to regional scales. This study examined current dead wood amounts in the Coastal Province of Oregon, USA, at multiple spatial scales. Objectives were to: (1) describe current regional amounts of several characteristics of dead wood; (2) compare dead wood amounts across ownerships; (3) determine the relative importance, according to spatial scale, of biophysical and ownership characteristics, to regional dead wood abundance. Dead wood plot data were evaluated with respect to explanatory variables at four spatial scales of resolution: plots, subwatersheds, watersheds and subbasins. The relationships of dead wood characteristics with biophysical attributes and ownership were diverse and scale-specific. Region-wide dead wood abundance and types varied among ownerships, with public lands typically having higher amounts of dead wood and more large dead wood than private lands. Regression analysis of total dead wood volume indicated that ownership was important at the subbasin scale. Growing season moisture stress was important at plot, subwatershed, and watershed scales. Topography was important at the two coarser scales. Multivariate analysis of dead wood gradients showed that ownership was important at all scales, topography at the subbasin scale, historical vegetation at watershed and subbasin scales, and current vegetation at plot and subwatershed scales. Management for dead wood and related biodiversity at watershed to landscape scales should consider the distinct dynamics of snags and logs, the importance of historical effects, and the relevance of ownership patterns.     

Influence of landscape structure,topography, and forest type on spatial variation in historical fire regimes,Central Oregon,USA

Context

In the interior Northwest, debate over restoring mixed-conifer forests after a century of fire exclusion is hampered by poor understanding of the pattern and causes of spatial variation in historical fire regimes.

Objectives

To identify the roles of topography, landscape structure, and forest type in driving spatial variation in historical fire regimes in mixed-conifer forests of central Oregon.

Methods

We used tree rings to reconstruct multicentury fire and forest histories at 105 plots over 10,393 ha. We classified fire regimes into four types and assessed whether they varied with topography, the location of fuel-limited pumice basins that inhibit fire spread, and an updated classification of forest type.

Results

We identified four fire-regime types and six forest types. Although surface fires were frequent and often extensive, severe fires were rare in all four types. Fire regimes varied with some aspects of topography (elevation), but not others (slope or aspect) and with the distribution of pumice basins. Fire regimes did not strictly co-vary with mixed-conifer forest types.

Conclusions

Our work reveals the persistent influence of landscape structure on spatial variation in historical fire regimes and can help inform discussions about appropriate restoration of fire-excluded forests in the interior Northwest. Where the goal is to restore historical fire regimes at landscape scales, managers may want to consider the influence of topoedaphic and vegetation patch types that could affect fire spread and ignition frequency.

     

Phytophthora species distribution in South African citrus production regions

Several Phytophthora spp. are known to cause a range of symptoms on citrus, resulting in significant crop losses worldwide. In South Africa, Phytophthora remains a destructive citrus disease, but the species and their distribution have not been well documented. A total of 162 Phytophthora isolates was collected from 60 citrus orchards in seven provinces of South Africa (Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West and Western Cape). Isolates were identified to the species level through PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region. The identity of a subset of the isolates was confirmed using morphological and sequence analyses. Phytophthora nicotianae was the predominant species (76 % of isolates) and occurred in 80 % of the orchards in all of the provinces, followed by P. citrophthora (22 % of isolates in 28 % of orchards). The P. citrophthora isolates were further subdivided into two previously identified subgroups, G1 and G2, with most (69 %) of the isolates belonging to the G1 subgroup. Other Phytophthora species included P. multivora in the Western Cape Province, and an unknown species in the Eastern Cape Province with high sequence similarity (98 %) to a putative new species submitted to GenBank as Phytophthora taxon Sisuluriver. Phytophthora palmivora, a known citrus pathogen, was not identified. Most of the P. nicotianae isolates (79 %) were of the A1 mating type. The P. citrophthora isolates were mostly sterile (64 %), including most of the G1 isolates (81 %). The remaining G1 isolates (19 %) belonged to the A1 mating type, whereas almost all G2 isolates belonged to the A2 mating type except for one isolate that was sterile.     

Surgical resection of a dysgerminoma in a mare

A mare was referred for further evaluation of a mass found in the left caudal abdomen during a routine postpartum reproductive palpation. The mare was clinically normal with no history of health problems. Ultrasonographic examination of the mass confirmed its presence, but the origin of the mass could not be accurately determined. Routine haematology and serum biochemistry results were within normal limits. The mare was initially treated conservatively with antibiotics, but the mass continued to increase in size, so it was surgically excised. The mass involved the left ovary. The mare showed transient abdominal pain after surgery, but developed no other complications and was in foal 7 months later. On histology, the mass was diagnosed as a dysgerminoma, a rare ovarian tumour of germ cell origin.     

Evaluation of genetic variation in Lachenalia bulbifera (Hyacinthaceae) using RAPDs

RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) analyses were carried out on 21 accessions of Lachenalia bulbifera (Cyrillo) Engl. Five pre-selected primers produced an average of 88% polymorphisms. Fifteen of the 21 accessions could be identified using the five primers. In a pairwise comparison genetic distance values ranging from 0.11 to 1.08 were obtained. These values reveal a high amount of variation within the species. The genetic distance values within the tetraploid and hexaploid groups on the south coast were low, but values were high between the groups on the south coast and those on the west coast. A dendogram was constructed from the RAPD banding profiles, using UPGM cluster analysis. The dendogram clusters certain accessions together. These clusters are supported by their geographical locality and chromosome data. The hexaploid group, tetraploid group and octoploid group on the south coast are respectively clustered together. It is concluded that RAPDs can be used to assess the genetic variation at an intra-specific level in Lachenalia. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.