A modified fluorometric method to quantify the concentration effect (pI50) of photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides

Chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves of isolated thylakoids were measured in the absence and in the presence of various concentrations of photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides. A mathematical program was applied to simulate the curves. Based on these simulated curves a new method is developed to determine the concentration effect (pI₅₀) of the herbicides. The results of the new method correspond well with reported values in the literature. The method is very convenient and time-saving.     

Isolation of Leptospira noguchii from sheep

The main goal of this study was to obtain new isolates of Leptospira spp. from sheep. A total of 10 kidney samples and 44 blood samples were collected from sheep slaughtered in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. One isolate was obtained which was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and serogrouping to be Leptospira noguchii serogroup Autumnalis. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) evaluation revealed that 4.5% of the sheep sera reacted against the Autumnalis serogroup. This is the first report of isolation of L. noguchii from sheep. Together these findings indicate that L. noguchii infections may be a potentially important veterinary problem in this domestic animal species.     

Graph theory in action: evaluating planned highway tracks based on connectivity measures

Maintaining connectivity among local populations in a fragmented landscape is crucial for the survival of many species. For isolated habitat patches, stochastic fluctuations and reduced gene flow can lead to high risk of extinction. The connectivity of the landscape is especially crucial for the carabid species living in the fragmented forests of the Bereg plain (NE Hungary and W Ukraine) because a highway will be constructed through the plain. Our purpose is to (1) evaluate the impacts of three possible highway tracks, (2) suggest a solution that is realistic with less impact on connectivity than other plans and (3) discuss how to decrease the disadvantageous effects of each track. Our results, based on a network analysis of landscape graph of patches and ecological corridors, indicate that the intended highway could have deleterious consequences on forest-living carabids. Relatively simple actions, like the establishment of stepping stones, could compensate for the loss of habitat connectivity and promote the survival of carabids, or minor modifications in one possible track could diminish its adverse effects. While many other studies would be needed for a comprehensive assessment of the biotic impact of the highway, we provide an example on the usefulness of network analysis for land use management. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Determination of growth-stage-specific crop coefficients (Kc) of cotton and wheat

Development of crop coefficient (Kc), the ratio of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), can enhance ETc estimates in relation to specific crop phenological development. This research was conducted to determine growth-stage-specific Kc and crop water use for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) at the Texas AgriLife Research field at Uvalde, TX, USA from 2005 to 2008. Weighing lysimeters were used to measure crop water use and local weather data were used to determine the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Seven lysimeters, weighing about 14 Mg, consisted of undisturbed 1.5 m × 2.0 m × 2.2 m deep soil monoliths. Six lysimeters were located in the center of a 1-ha field beneath a linear-move sprinkler system equipped with low energy precision application (LEPA) and a seventh lysimeter was established to measure reference grass ETo. Crop water requirements, Kc determination, and comparison to existing FAO Kc values were determined over a 2-year period on cotton and a 3-year period on wheat. Seasonal total amounts of crop water use ranged from 689 to 830 mm for cotton and from 483 to 505 mm for wheat. The Kc values determined over the growing seasons varied from 0.2 to 1.5 for cotton and 0.1 to 1.7 for wheat. Some of the values corresponded and some did not correspond to those from FAO-56 and from the Texas High Plains and elsewhere in other states. We assume that the development of regionally based and growth-stage-specific Kc helps in irrigation management and provides precise water applications for this region.     

Geospatial delineation of South Korea for adjusted barley cultivation under changing climate

Determining effective measures to alleviate the impact of climate change on crops under various regional environments is one of the most urgent issues facing agriculture. In this study, geographic regions of South Korea for future-adjusted barley cultivation were outlined and the impact of climate change on barley production in the next 100 years was evaluated under two greenhouse gas concentration trajectory scenarios: the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5. To achieve our intended study goals, a geospatial crop simulation modeling (GCSM) scheme was formulated using CERES-barley model of Decision Support System for Agricultural Technology (DSSAT) crop model package version 4.6 to simulate grid-based geospatial crop yields. Two experiments were carried out at an open field to obtain model coefficients for the nation and at temperature gradient field chambers to evaluate the performance of the CERES-barley model under elevated temperature conditions. Suitable cultivation regions for three different types of barley (naked, hooded, and malting) under changing climate were projected to expand to the northern regions under both RCP 8.5 and RCP 4.5. However, they were projected to expand more rapidly under RCP 8.5 than those under RCP 4.5. Projected yields of four barley varieties were increased with a slow phase as year progressed under RCP 4.5 scenario. However, they were rapidly increased under RCP 8.5 scenario. It appears that geospatial variation in barley yield under changing climate can be effectively outlined. Therefore, GCSM system might be useful for determining impacts of climate change on geospatial variations of crops, potentially providing means to impede food insecurity.     

Effect of Addition of Different Acetic Acid Concentrations on the Quality of Marinated Herring

This study investigated the effect of acetic acid concentrations from 3 to 8% on the physicochemical and sensory quality of marinated Atlantic and Baltic herring from fresh and frozen-thawed material. The increased concentration of acetic acid was found to exert a strong impact on decreased sensory scores, weight yield, and pH value as well as on an increased brightness parameter of meat. In turn, moisture, protein hydrolysis products (PHB), total volatile bases (TVB) content, and hardness parameter were affected by the higher addition of acid to a lesser extent. Enhanced protein hydrolysis was observed only at acetic acid concentration of 5% or 5–8%, whereas there was a decrease in the content of TVB only at an acid concentration of up to 4–5%. The marinated frozen-thawed fillets, compared to the fresh ones, required a greater addition of acid in the brine, by 1.5%, to reach a similar pH value. The freezing of fish contributed also to a decrease of PHB and free hydroxyproline, along with an increased concentration of acetic acid. The marinades from frozen-thawed herring contained more TVB, had worse color, and hardness parameters, as well as less yield.     

Effects of preemptive atropine administration on incidence of medetomidine-induced bradycardia in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cardiorespiratory effects of preemptive atropine administration in dogs sedated with medetomidine. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. ANIMALS: 12 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs underwent 6 treatments. Each treatment consisted of administration of atropine (0.04 mg/kg [0.018 mg/lb] of body weight, IM) or saline solution (0.9% NaCl, 1 ml, IM) and administration of medetomidine (10, 20, or 40 microg/kg [4.5, 9.1, or 18.2 microg/lb], IM) 10 minutes later. Treatments were administered in random order, with a minimum of 1 week between treatments. Cardiorespiratory effects before and after atropine and medetomidine administration were assessed. Duration of lateral recumbency and quality of sedation and recovery were assessed. RESULTS: Bradycardia (heart rate < 60 beats/min) was seen in all dogs when saline solution was administered followed by medetomidine, and the dose of medetomidine was not associated with severity or frequency of bradycardia or second-degree heart block. However, a medetomidine dose-dependent increase in mean and diastolic blood pressures was observed, regardless of whether dogs received saline solution or atropine. Preemptive atropine administration effectively prevented bradycardia and second-degree heart block but induced pulsus alternans and hypertension. The protective effects of atropine against bradycardia lasted 50 minutes. Blood gas values were within reference limits during all treatments and were not significantly different from baseline values. Higher doses of medetomidine resulted in a longer duration of lateral recumbency. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preemptive administration of atropine in dogs sedated with medetomidine effectively prevents bradycardia for 50 minutes but induces hypertension and pulsus alternans.     

Standard and Swedish variant types of the hybrid alder Phytophthora attacking alder in Hungary

A new Phytophthora disease of common alder (Alnus glutinosa) similar to that previously reported in several countries in Europe has been observed in Hungary. Based on these earlier studies, the alder Phytophthora was considered likely to be a hybrid between P cambivora and a P fragariae-like species: across Europe a range of new alder Phytophthora is spreading that comprise a range of heteroploid hybrids including a 'standard' hybrid type and several other hybrid types termed 'variants'. Phenotypic and molecular features of the pathogen in Hungary were characterised and compared with isolates from elsewhere. The morphologies of five isolates from one region (Hévíz) resembled the common, 'standard' type, whereas the three isolates from another region (Hanság) exhibited traits similar to those of one of the 'variant' types, ie the Swedish 'variant'. Molecular markers of these two groups of Hungarian isolates also represented a good fit to those of the standard type and the Swedish variant, respectively. Isozyme patterns and profiles of restriction fragments of the entire internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region or mitochondrial DNAs and of RAPD-PCR products did not differ within a group, but distinct polymorphisms were exhibited between the two groups of isolates. Southern analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) revealed the homologous nature of co-migrating bands of P cambivora and the isolates of alder Phytophthora. Furthermore, restriction fragment profiles of the ITS region of ribosomal DNAs and the mtDNAs were consistent with reported biparental origin of alder Phytophthora. The hybrid status of these continuously evolving pathogens raises many issues and challenges concerning efficient control measures.