Inorganic and organic carbon dynamics in forested soils developed on contrasting geology in Slovenia—a stable isotope approach

Purpose

Soil carbon dynamics were studied at four different forest stands developed on bedrocks with contrasting geology in Slovenia: one plot on magmatic granodiorite bedrock (IG), two plots on carbonate bedrock in the karstic-dinaric area (CC and CD), and one situated on Pleistocene coalluvial terraces (FGS).

Materials and methods

Throughfall (TF) and soil water were collected monthly at each location from June to November during 2005–2007. In soil water, the following parameters were determined: T, pH, total alkalinity, concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and Cl^? as well as δ¹³C_DIC. On the other hand, in TF, only the Cl^? content was measured. Soil and plant samples were also collected at forest stands, and stable isotope measurements were performed in soil and plant organic carbon and total nitrogen and in carbonate rocks. The obtained data were used to calculate the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and DOC fluxes. Statistic analyses were carried out to compare sites of different lithologies, at different spatial and temporal scales.

Results and discussion

Decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) controlled by the climate can explain the ¹³C and ¹⁵?N enrichment in SOM at CC, CD, and FGS, while the soil microbial biomass makes an important contribution to the SOM at IG. The loss of DOC at a soil depth of 5 cm was estimated at 1 mol m^?2 year^?1 and shows no significant differences among the study sites. The DOC fluxes were mainly controlled by physical factors, most notably sorption dynamics, and microbial–DOC relationships. The pH and pCO₂ of the soil solution controlled the DIC fluxes according to carbonate equilibrium reactions. An increased exchange between DIC and atmospheric air was observed for samples from non-carbonate subsoils (IG and FGS). In addition, higher δ¹³C_DIC values up to ?19.4?‰ in the shallow soil water were recorded during the summer as a consequence of isotopic fractionation induced by molecular diffusion of soil CO₂. The δ¹³C_DIC values also suggest that half of the DIC derives from soil CO₂ indicating that 2 to 5 mol m^?2 year^?1 of carbon is lost in the form of dissolved inorganic carbon at CC and CD after carbonate dissolution.

Conclusions

Major difference in soil carbon dynamics between the four forest ecosystems is a result of the combined influence of bedrock geology, soil texture, and the sources of SOM. Water flux was a critical parameter in quantifying carbon depletion rates in dissolved organic and inorganic carbon forms.

     

Mortality,progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais adults to wheat from integrated and alternative production systems

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the production systems of wheat from different production systems on the mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The factors tested were production system (integrated [INT], organic [ORG], biodynamic [BD] and control), which differed in plant protection and fertiliser procedures during plant growth and development; exposure interval (7, 14 and 21 d); relative humidity (r.h.) (55% and 75%) and temperature (20°C, 25°C and 30°C). Mortality after 7 d increased with the temperature increase and decreased with the increase in r.h. in most of the tested combinations. The mortality of weevils was higher in ORG compared to INT-produced wheat after 7 d. Progeny production was recorded 56 d after removal of parental adults and was higher at 75% r.h. in comparison to 55% r.h. At 55% r.h. and 20°C, progeny was 60.8% higher when S. zeamais were exposed to ORG in comparison to INT-produced wheat. Wheat from different production systems influenced mortality rates which were higher in alternative compared to INT production systems under optimal conditions for wheat storage (low temperature and r.h.). The reverse was recorded for temperature and r.h. increase. Progeny was not affected by wheat from various production systems. Significantly more S. zeamais adults were found in traps containing wheat from BD and control in comparison to INT. An understanding of the agricultural processes, biotic and abiotic factors which alter the post-harvest response of storage pests could be useful for the development of efficient post-harvest strategies for ORG and BD farms and the processing industry.     

Stable isotopes and gut contents indicate differential resource use by coexisting asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Differential use of habitat and prey resources is an important mechanism that may allow coexistence of sympatric species. Unlike interactions between smaller cyprinid and percid fishes, the resource use by coexisting predatory asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is relatively unknown. Here, gut content and stable isotope analyses were used to study ontogenetic dietary shifts and interspecific trophic niche overlap between asp and pikeperch coexisting in two reservoirs. The hypothesis that both species show an ontogenetic dietary shift from small invertebrates to large fish prey, but at the same time use different prey resources to reduce potential competitive interactions, was validated. The isotopic niches of the two predators showed no, or only a moderate, degree of overlap (0%–65%). The ontogenetic changes in the degree of interspecific isotopic niche overlap were different in the two reservoirs, suggesting that trophic segregation can be dynamic and variable among systems. Gut contents revealed that small (<100 mm standard length) asp consumed mostly terrestrial invertebrates and emerged aquatic insects, whereas small pikeperch foraged on zooplankton, larval and pupal stages of aquatic insects and fish. Larger individuals (>100 mm) of both species were predominantly piscivorous, with asp consuming more cyprinid prey and pikeperch more percid prey. Coexisting asp and pikeperch populations are able to utilise different prey resources, thereby reducing potential negative competitive interactions.     

DNA profiling of figs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus carica</Emphasis> L.) from Slovenia and Californian USDA collection revealed the uniqueness of some North Adriatic varieties

A set of 23 local varieties from Slovenia and 218 fig accessions from Californian fig germplasm collection were compared to determine the identity of genotypes and their possible genetic relationships. Figs were genotyped using twelve microsatellite loci. One hundred alleles were identified over all microsatellite loci with an average of 8.33 alleles per locus and a polymorphic information content of 0.557 per locus. DNA genotyping demonstrated a relatively high level of genetic diversity between analysed figs. Comparison of fig genotypes from Slovenia and California demonstrated that only six Slovenian varieties shared identical DNA profiles with figs from the Californian collection, while the other 17 Slovenian varieties were unique and characteristic to the North Adriatic region. The information obtained will contribute to a better management of fig genetic resources.     

Effects of Fertigation on Pigment Pattern and Fruit Quality of cv. ‘Gala’ Apples

Fruit pigmentation in ripening cv. ‘Gala, Schniga’ apples was monitored under the influence of fertigation weekly during 21 July–31 August 2009, i.e. 34 days before and 7 days after the optimal harvest date in Slovenia. The soil was a heavy loam clay with high humus content (2.8 %) and high acidity (low pH 4.9). The spectral indices NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NAI (Normalized Anthocyanin Index) were obtained by a PA 1101 on attached fruit on the transition between the ground and blush colour of the fruit surface. NAI increased slowly from 0.25 to 0.6 two weeks prior to optimum maturity. NDVI values fell from 0.9 to 0.2 before and during ripening, with significant changes starting ca. 3 weeks before and during the week after the optimum harvest date. Fertigation delayed fruit ripening viz harvest date by ca. 4 days. Fertigation delayed changes in the intensity of the fruit’s epidermal pigments, expressed as NDVI for 1 week and NAI for 4 weeks, respectively, but had no significant effect on fruit colour or NDVI and NAI values at the optimal harvest date. At this time, those fruits from the fertigated trees were firmer with a lower starch index compared with the un-fertigated control. Statistically, highly significant correlations were found (p?≤?0.01) (r?=?0.35 to r?=?0.91, R²?=?0.11–0.83) between all the studied spectral and standard parameters i.e. fruit fresh firmness, soluble solids content and starch index.     

油萝卜抗胞囊线虫基因的染色体定位及其在油菜附加系中的稳定性

【目的】油萝卜（2n=18,9条染色体分别被称作a～i）具有抗甜菜胞囊线虫的基因。探索油萝卜携带的抗甜菜胞囊线虫基因所在的染色体和外源的油萝卜染色体在油菜中的遗传稳定性。【方法】9个油菜附加系进行自花受粉,分别获得附加系的自交F2代。利用筛选的分子标记检测和原位杂交（FISH）检测附加染色体在F2代中的遗传稳定性;通过对9个油菜附加系F2代接种甜菜胞囊线虫的2龄幼虫,鉴定携带抗甜菜胞囊线虫基因所在的染色体。【结果】9个附加系自交F2代中的附加染色体遗传表现不一,5个油菜附加系的F2代中均有2条附加染色体,能稳定遗传;4个附加系的自交后代中附加染色体的遗传表现不稳定,部分后代中无附加染色体。FISH检测9个附加系自交F2代中的附加染色体表明：与分子标记检测的结果相符,并且4个不稳定的附加系中,有的自交后代虽然有附加染色体,但有1或2条。接种甜菜胞囊线虫测定结果表明,含有油萝卜染色体DD的油菜附加系对甜菜胞囊线虫的抗性水平与附加染色体的供体油萝卜相当,而其它8个附加系的自交后代未表现出抗性,与受体油菜相近。【结论】油萝卜的9条染色体分别附加到油菜中后,其遗传稳定性因附加的染色体而异,有的能稳定遗传,有的在自交后代中丢失1或2条;抗甜菜胞囊线虫的基因在d染色体上。     

Groundwater and Light Conditions as Factors in the Survival of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus Robur L.) Seedlings

A noticeable decline and physiological weakening of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) has been recorded in the past decade in lowland parts of Slovenia. The triggers were dry climate, unfavourable precipitation patterns and human influence that brought about changes in watercourses and water tables. Regeneration and future management of this tree species is therefore questionable. To define a critical groundwater table which would permit successful regeneration, planted and naturally grown seedlings were compared in two forests differing in the degree of decline and physiological weakness of adult pedunculate oak trees. Comparison of stomatal conductance and pre-dawn water potential (PWP) showed differences of seedlings between and within forest complexes. Stomatal conductance dropped below 100 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ at PWP values below −1.0 MPa, while closure of stomata was caused by a PWP between −1.6 and −1.9 MPa. Increased water stress equalized photosynthetic yield in both natural and planted oaks below −1.4 MPa.     

Detection and quantification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato mosaic virus</Emphasis> in irrigation waters

A quantitative RT real-time PCR method was developed for the detection and quantification of Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) in irrigation waters. These have rarely been monitored for the presence of plant pathogenic viruses, mostly due to the lack of efficient and sensitive detection methods. The newly developed method presented here offers a novel approach in monitoring the health status of environmental waters. ToMV was reliably detected at as low as 12 viral particles per real-time PCR reaction, which corresponds to the initial concentration of approximately 4.2 × 10^?10 mg (6,300 viral particles) of ToMV per ml of sample. The sensitivity of the method was further improved by including the Convective Interaction Media^® (CIM) monolithic chromatographic columns for quick and efficient concentration of original water samples. Seven out of nine water sources from different locations in Slovenia tested positive for ToMV, after concentrating the sample. Four samples tested ToMV-positive without the concentrating procedure. The presence and integrity of infective ToMV particles in the original sample, as well as in the chromatographic fraction, was confirmed using different methods from test plants, DAS ELISA to electron microscopy and real-time PCR. In this study, we propose a unique and simple diagnostic scheme for rapid, efficient, and sensitive monitoring of irrigation waters that could also be adopted for other plant, human or animal viruses.     

萝卜-甘蓝型油菜中萝卜基因组的RAPD与dpRAPD分析效率研究

应用RAPD与dpRAPD方法鉴定萝卜-甘蓝型油莱中萝卜基因组,筛选了140条随机引物。结果表明,平均每条引物(组合)能产生的萝b基因组特异标记数dpRAPD高于RAPD,分别为1．69和1．33;在dpRAPD扩增产物中有77．6％谱带清晰易辨,略高于RAPD(75．4％)。两者所检测到的萝卜基因组标记大部分为各自特异的扩增产物。由于结合了荧光标记引物,dpRAPD反应产物可在Genetic Analyzer上分离检测,因此能检测到100bp以下的小片段DNA。     

Rickettsial Infection in Animals,Humans and Ticks in Paulicéia,Brazil

A previous study in Paulicéia Municipality, south‐eastern Brazil, reported 9.7% of the Amblyomma triste ticks to be infected by Rickettsia parkeri, a bacterial pathogen that causes spotted fever in humans. These A. triste ticks were shown to be associated with marsh areas, where the marsh deer Blastocerus dichotomus is a primary host for this tick species. During 2008–2009, blood serum samples were collected from 140 horses, 41 dogs, 5 opossums (Didelphis albiventris) and 26 humans in farms from Pauliceia Municipality. Ticks were collected from these animals, from vegetation and from additional wildlife in these farms. Overall, 25% (35/140) of the horses, 7.3% (3/41) of the dogs, 3.8% (1/26) of the humans and 100% (5/5) of the opossums were seroreactive (titre ≥64) to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that horses that were allowed to forage in the marsh were 4.8 times more likely to be seroreactive to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp than horses that did not forage in the marsh. In addition, horses that had been living in the farm for more than 8.5 years were 2.8 times more likely to be seroreactive to SFG Rickettsia spp than horses that were living for ≤8.5 years. Ticks collected from domestic animals or from vegetation included Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus. By PCR analyses, only one pool of A. coelebs ticks from the vegetation was shown to be infected by rickettsiae, for which DNA sequencing revealed to be Rickettsia amblyommii. Ticks (not tested by PCR) collected from wildlife encompassed A. cajennense and Amblyomma rotundatum on lizards (Tupinambis sp), and A. cajennense and A. triste on the bird Laterallus viridis. Our results indicate that the marsh area of Paulicéia offers risks of infection by SFG rickettsiae.