Glasshouse and field evaluation of fungicides for the control of Septoria apiicola on celery

Propiconazole was more effective than either triadimenol or hexaconazole when applied after infection, for the control of Septoria apiicola on celery seedlings. In three out of four glasshouse experiments, 25 mg propiconazole I⁻¹ controlled S. apiicola completely when applied within 3 days after inoculation. Propiconazole and triadimenol at 5–15 mg l⁻¹ were also effective when applied 2 days after inoculation. Soil applications of a granular formulation of triadimenol (up to 20 mg per plant) controlled S. apiicola for 5 weeks on celery seedlings grown in pots and, in the field, granules at 100 mg per plant applied at planting were effective for 6 weeks. In two other field experiments the most effective treatments were foliar sprays of 25 mg propiconazole l⁻¹ applied every 7–10 days with or without the addition of anilazine or chlorothalonil.     

Use of middle infrared radiation to estimate the leaf area index of a boreal forest

The leaf area index (LAI) of boreal forest can be estimated using reflected radiation recorded by satellite sensors. Measurements of visible and near infrared radiation are commonly used in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to estimate LAI. However, research, mainly in tropical forest, has demonstrated that LAI is related more closely to radiation of middle infrared wavelengths than of visible wavelengths. This paper derives a vegetation index, VI3, based on radiation from vegetation recorded at near and middle infrared wavelengths. For a boreal forest canopy, the relationship between VI3 and LAI was observed to be much stronger than that between NDVI and LAI. In addition, the LAI estimated using VI3 accounted for about 76% of the variation in field estimates of LAI, compared with about 46% when using the NDVI. We conclude that information provided by middle infrared radiation should be considered when estimating the leaf area index of boreal forest.     

Accelerated uplift and magmatic intrusion of the Yellowstone caldera, 2004 to 2006

The Yellowstone caldera began a rapid episode of ground uplift in mid-2004, revealed by Global Positioning System and interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements, at rates up to 7 centimeters per year, which is over three times faster than previously observed inflation rates. Source modeling of the deformation data suggests an expanding volcanic sill of approximately 1200 square kilometers at a 10-kilometer depth beneath the caldera, coincident with the top of a seismically imaged crustal magma chamber. The modeled rate of source volume increase is 0.1 cubic kilometer per year, similar to the amount of magma intrusion required to supply the observed high heat flow of the caldera. This evidence suggests magma recharge as the main mechanism for the accelerated uplift, although pressurization of magmatic fluids cannot be ruled out.     

Orographic enhancement of wet deposition in the United Kingdom: case studies and modelling

Two field experiments to observe the detailed response of wet deposition to orography in a polluted environment are reported. Rain events were classed as frontal, convective or mixed on the basis of meteorological data. Analysis of the deposition enhancement and cap cloud composition confirmed that for the frontal events the seeder-feeder effect (scavenging of cap cloud by rain drops) dominates. The greater concentration of ions in the water scavenged from the cap cloud than in the rain means that deposition is enhanced for all ions. For marine ions the scavenged water was found to be between five and six times as concentrated as the rain and for anthropogenically produced ions it was about twice as concentrated.A computational model of rainfall incorporating the seeder-feeder effect has been broadly successful in predicting enhancement although some details of the observed pattern remain to be explained.     

Disease of geese caused by a new herpesvirus

A goose flock farmed outdoors in south-eastern Queensland suffered an outbreak of peracute disease with high death rate (97%). Small button ulcers and large plaques overlying lymphocyte aggregates were present on the mucosa of the small intestine of affected birds. Small white foci of necrosis and focal haemorrhages were seen in the livers. Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed microscopically in hepatocytes and a herpesvirus which grew rapidly in chicken kidney cells was isolated from tissues. Duck virus enteritis (DVE) was suspected but DVE antiserums failed to neutralise the virus. Further serological studies with a limited range of known avian herpesviruses have failed to identify the virus. Experimental transmission resulted in high mortality in geese (100%), lower mortality in ducklings and nil mortality in chickens. Surveillance studies showed no evidence of infection in domestic and wild birds beyond the original farm and the infection appears not to have been established in the area. Wild ducks, which were frequent visitors to the farm dam, were considered the most likely source of the infection.     

Ante mortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in four cats

The ante mortem detection of pancreatitis in four cats is reported. Clinical findings included vomiting, lethargy and constipation in all the cats, diabetes mellitus in two cats and severe jaundice and a vitamin K responsive coagulopathy in one cat. Serum amylase was normal in all the cats and serum lipase was elevated in one azotaemic cat. Ultrasonography revealed predominantly hypoechoic masses in the right cranial quandrant of the abdomen of each cat. The anatomical location of these masses was consistent with the pancreas. Gross examination supported these ultrasonographic observations. The pancreatic lesions were characterised histologically as acute necrotising pancreatitis, acute necrotising pancreatitis with abscessation, chronic active pancreatitis with cystic dilatation of the pancreatic duct causing bile duct obstruction and chronic active pancreatitis with nodular hyperplasia. This report indicates that pancreatitis is a clinically significant disease in cats that may be diagnosed ante mortem.     

Use of COSREEL clinical codes in large animal veterinary practice

COSREEL, a computerised animal health recording system with a versatile coding system for recording diagnoses, symptoms and medical and surgical treatments, has been tested by veterinary surgeons in practice. The codes were found to be logical and generally easy to use. The application of these codes, with particular reference to their use in infertility investigations, is illustrated.