Role of adenine nucleotide translocator 1 in mtDNA maintenance

Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia is a rare human disease that shows a Mendelian inheritance pattern, but is characterized by large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions. We have identified two heterozygous missense mutations in the nuclear gene encoding the heart/skeletal muscle isoform of the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT1) in five families and one sporadic patient. The familial mutation substitutes a proline for a highly conserved alanine at position 114 in the ANT1 protein. The analogous mutation in yeast caused a respiratory defect. These results indicate that ANT has a role in mtDNA maintenance and that a mitochondrial disease can be caused by a dominant mechanism.     

Silver birch and climate change: variable growth and carbon allocation responses to elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone

We studied the effects of elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide ([CO2]) and ozone ([O3]) on growth, biomass allocation and leaf area of field-grown O3-tolerant (Clone 4) and O3-sensitive clones (Clone 80) of European silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) trees during 1999-2001. Seven-year-old trees of Clones 4 and 80 growing outside in open-top chambers were exposed for 3 years to the following treatments: outside control (OC); chamber control (CC); 2 x ambient [CO2] (EC); 2 x ambient [O3] (EO); and 2 x ambient [CO2] + 2 x ambient [O3] (EC+EO). When the results for the two clones were analyzed together, elevated [CO2] increased tree growth and biomass, but had no effect on biomass allocation. Total leaf area increased and leaf abscission was delayed in response to elevated [CO2]. Elevated [O3] decreased dry mass of roots and branches and mean leaf size and induced earlier leaf abscission in the autumn; otherwise, the effects of elevated [O3] were small across the clones. However, there were significant interactions between elevated [CO2] and elevated [O3]. When results for the clones were analyzed separately, stem diameter, volume growth and total biomass of Clone 80 were increased by elevated [CO2] and the stimulatory effects of elevated [CO2] on stem volume growth and total leaf area increased during the 3-year study. Clone 80 was unaffected by elevated [O3]. In Clone 4, elevated [O3] decreased root and branch biomass by 38 and 29%, respectively, whereas this clone showed few responses to elevated [CO2]. Elevated [CO2] significantly increased total leaf area in Clone 80 only, which may partly explain the smaller growth responses to elevated [CO2] of Clone 4 compared with Clone 80. Although we observed responses to elevated [O3], the responses to the EC+EO and EC treatments were similar, indicating that the trees only responded to elevated [O3] under ambient [CO2] conditions, perhaps reflecting a greater quantity of carbohydrates available for detoxification and repair in elevated [CO2].     

Using a Chlorophyll Meter to Optimize Nitrogen Fertilizer Application for Intensively-Managed Small-Grain Cereals

Most methods used to estimate N status require collection, processing and analysis of soil and/or plant tissue samples. In this study, leaf chlorophyll content of cereals, determined in the field with a portable chlorophyll meter (Minolta SPAD-502), was used to predict N availability of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), oats ( Avena sativa L.) and rye ( Secale cereale L.). The results indicated that accurate nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations based on chlorophyll content have both environmental and economic advantages. Determination of leaf chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll meter accurately indicated plant N status allowing N fertilizer requirement to be accurately determined and resulting in increased N uptake efficiency. Applying N fertilizer on this basis improved production economics and improved physical input-output ratio during grain yield formation. Using a chlorophyll meter, responsive and non-responsive categories can be determined at the stage of maximum number of florets per ear primordium (Zadoks' GS 37-41) and at pollination (i.e. pollen grains on well-developed stigmatic hairs, GS 52-58).     

Progress since the 1930s in Breeding for Yield, its Components, and Quality Traits of Spring Wheat in Finland

The contribution of improvements in morphophysiological traits to increased gram yield in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the achievements of breeding for high bread-making quality in Finland since the 1930s were assessed. Ten wheat cultivars released in Finland between 1939 and 1990 were evaluated in Held experiments at the Viikki Experimental Farm, University of Helsinki, Finland (60°13′N) in 1991 and 1992. Twenty-two traits representing maturity, plant architecture, plant stand structure and N accumulation, and nine quality traits, including protein concentration and protein quality, were assessed. A 20 % increase in grain yield arising from cultivar improvement was associated with a 7 % reduction in height, an 80 % improvement in lodging resistance, and a 15 % higher harvest index (HI). Ear weight was 30 % higher in the modern cultivars. The higher ear weight of the modern cultivars was a result of more grains per ear and a higher spikelet weight. No decrease in vegetative phytomass in modern cultivars was recorded in this study. Grain yield and total N accumulation increased simultaneously and a positive correlation between year of cultivar release and nitrogen index was established. Although use of high N fertilizer application rates resulted in significantly improved baking quality of the flour, no trend between baking quality and year of cultivar release was recorded. The relatively low HI recorded in this study suggests that further yield increases art-likely to be achieved by selecting for higher HI.     

Evaluation of the changes in regional wintertime deposition in Finland during 1976–1993

Snowpack quality has been systematically monitored in Finland since winter 1975/1976 by the Finnish Environment Agency. Snow samples have been taken at the 53 groundwater observation stations in nearly natural state areas, where the impacts of local emission sources have been negligible. Thus the concentrations of impurities in snow can be considered as background levels. Samples were analyzed for conductivity, pH, major ions and trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Hg). The regional variation of the chemical composition of major ions in the snowpack was outlined by cluster analysis. Sampling sites were divided into six clusters by average linkage clustering method. The largest cluster — considered as the ‘mean cluster’ — was located in central and northern Finland. The lowest levels of the total amount of dissolved impurities occurred in the cluster formed by the most northern observation site exclusively. Highest rates of the acidifying components, sulphate (SO₄), nitrate (NO₃), ammonium (NH₄) and hydrogen ions (H⁺), were encountered in southern Finland. Sampling locations of southern Finland were divided into three clusters. The acidity of snow varies among these clusters that in addition of deposition of SO₄ and NO₃ is considerably controlled by alkaline deposition. The results of chemical analyses of snow were converted to mean monthly depositions using the water equivalent of snow and the time of deposition. Deposition of SO₄ during 1985–1993 was 32% lower compared with the period 1976–1984, which presumably results from 70% reduction of sulphur emissions in Finland since the beginning of the 1980s. The deposition level of NO₃-N seemed to stay relatively stable during the whole 18 year period while the deposition of NH₄-N has decreased 18%.     

Histology of the Post Partum Equine Uterus as Determined by Endometrial Biopsies

Altogether 156 equine endometrial biopsies were carried out during the post partum (p.p.) period: immediately after parturition until 15 days after foaling. The histological changes are described.The rapid restoration of the equine endometrium is remarkable. The destruction of the luminal epithelium is minor and regeneration takes place rapidly. Remnants of the placenta, the microcotyledons and desquamated cells, have disappeared by 5 p.p. The transformation of glands from a pronounced secretory pattern to normal appearance also takes only 5 days. The occurrence of neutrophils and lymphocytes is normally connected with the restoration of the endometrium and should not always be interpreted as a sign of infection.     

Phosphorus seed coating as starter fertilization for spring malting barley

Abstract

Experiments were conducted with malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars in 2003 and 2004 in central, western and southern Lithuania to test phosphorus (P) availability at early seedling growth stage with P seed coating. Phosphorus seed coating resulted in alteration to plant stand structure traits. Despite the fact that seedling emergence sometimes decreased, the number of total and productive stems, number of grains per ear and 1000-grain weight increased. The positive effect of P seed coating on grain yield was revealed when the growth conditions during post-anthesis were favourable for exploiting the potential that was obtained during the pre-anthesis phase. In our experiment favourable conditions were considered those that generated a grain yield over 6 t ha^?1. According to path coefficients analyses the significant positive effect of P seed coating on malting barley yield increase was related to seed weight increase. Although P seed coating slightly increased single grain N concentration and thus grain protein concentration, grain protein concentration ranged from 8.6% to 10.2% and met the quality standard requirements for malting barley in all trials and treatments.     

A Dynamic Model for Water and Nitrogen Limited Growth in Spring Wheat to Predict Yield and Quality

Annual variation of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yield and quality has caused problems for agronomic policy in northern regions. Yield prediction methods based on visual assessment of crop may be inaccurate as they are not based on quantitative data. The aim of this study was to develop a simple dynamic model, based on daily climatological data, enabling prediction of crop growth, and changes in crop yield, and grain protein concentration and starch quality. The model was built using field data collected in 1972–88. Spring wheat cultivars included in the study were Kadett and Ruso. The calibration of growth and Hagberg falling number (used as a measure of starch quality) sub-models resulted in a highly significant positive correlation between measured and calculated values. The calibration of nitrogen sub-models failed, however, with poor correlation between measured and calculated values. The model was tested against independent field data collected during 1989–90, and results correlated with calibration results. The yield predictions based on independent field data were accurate, and the same as or similar to field trial results. However, the independent Hata revealed flaws in soil-water and Hagberg falling number sub-models.     

Identifying difficulties in rapeseed root penetration in farmers’ fields in northern European conditions

Tap‐rooted rapeseed is generally considered sensitive to soil compaction. We examined 473 Finnish rapeseed fields sown in 2007 to 2009 to both spring turnip rape Brassica rapa L. (dominant crop) and oilseed rape Brassica napus L. Roots were rated late in the growing season according to penetration capacity. Roots in each field were rated from G1 (no problems with root penetration) to G5 (failure to penetrate deeper soil layers). There were significant effects of year, crop species, soil type, special soil properties and soil cultivation methods on frequency of G1 and G4+5 roots. Restricted root penetration was a common phenomenon. Typically, fields had <30% G3 and G4+5 roots, however, some fields had >70% G4+5 roots and were cases for serious concern. Yield loss was linearly related to the incidence of G4+5 plants in 2007, but there was no relationship with the other years. Oilseed rape had a greater proportion of G4+5 roots than turnip rape and twice the proportion of G4+5 roots occurred in direct‐drilled fields than in reduced or fully tilled fields. Rapeseed yield decline may at least partly be related to poor root penetration and it is a useful indicator crop to demonstrate the degree of soil compaction and should be cultivated in fields where sufficient root penetration is possible.     

Interaction of Late Season Foliar Spray of Urea and Fungicide Mixture in Wheat Production

Nitrogen (N) fertilization with foliar urea and fungicide treatment at flag leaf emergence (GS 47) are common strategies to improve both grain yield and quality in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). Mixing of urea and a fungicide, together, would save time in farm operations. In some cases, the effect of foliar sprayings of urea either alone or in combination with a fungicide may, however, give unexpected low response to grain yield and quality when compared to separate application of foliar urea and fungicide. This study was designated to provide more detailed information about the effects of late-season spraying of urea (15 kg N ha⁻¹ as an aqueous solution of 110 g l⁻¹) alone or mixed with fungicide (propiconazole, 125 g ha⁻¹) on the grain yield and grain protein content of spring wheat. To avoid foliar injury or phytotoxic effect of foliar spray of urea, mixing of urea with propiconazole in warm growing conditions should be avoided. In turn, during cool and rainy growing season, a mixture of these two chemicals is recommended in order to improve rapid absorbtion of both propiconazole and foliar urea. However, the genotypic differences were recorded in response to propiconazole and urea sprayings. The positive effects on cultivars of these chemicals were attributed to high leaf photosynthesis rate after propiconazole and foliar urea treatment and high leaf urease enzyme activity after foliar urea application.