Edge type affects leaf-level water relations and estimated transpiration of Eucalyptus arenacea

While edge effects on tree water relations are well described for closed forests, they remain under-examined in more open forest types. Similarly, there has been minimal evaluation of the effects of contrasting land uses on the water relations of open forest types in highly fragmented landscapes. We examined edge effects on the water relations and gas exchange of a dominant tree (Eucalyptus arenacea Marginson & Ladiges) in an open forest type (temperate woodland) of south-eastern Australia. Edge effects in replicate woodlands adjoined by cleared agricultural land (pasture edges) were compared with those adjoined by 7- to 9-year-old eucalypt plantation with a 25m fire break (plantation edges). Consistent with studies in closed forest types, edge effects were pronounced at pasture edges where photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance were greater for edge trees than interior trees (75m into woodlands), and were related to greater light availability and significantly higher branch water potentials at woodland edges than interiors. Nonetheless, gas exchange values were only ～50% greater for edge than interior trees, compared with ～200% previously found in closed forest types. In contrast to woodlands adjoined by pasture, gas exchange in winter was significantly lower for edge than interior trees in woodlands adjoined by plantations, consistent with shading and buffering effects of plantations on edge microclimate. Plantation edge effects were less pronounced in summer, although higher water use efficiency of edge than interior woodland trees indicated possible competition for water between plantation trees and woodland edge trees in the drier months (an effect that might have been more pronounced were there no firebreak between the two land uses). Scaling up of leaf-level water relations to stand transpiration using a Jarvis-type phenomenological model indicated similar differences between edge types. That is, transpiration was greater at pasture than plantation edges in summer months (most likely due to greater water availability at pasture edges), resulting in significantly greater estimates of annual transpiration at pasture than plantation edges (430 vs. 343lm(-2)year(-1), respectively). Our study highlights the need for landscape-level water flux models to account for edge effects on stand transpiration, particularly in highly fragmented landscapes.     

Pomegranate phenolics from the peels, arils, and flowers are antiatherogenic: studies in vivo in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein e-deficient (E 0) mice and in vitro in cultured macrophages and lipoproteins

We have analyzed in vivo and in vitro the antiatherogenic properties and mechanisms of action of all pomegranate fruit parts: peels (POMxl, POMxp), arils (POMa), seeds (POMo), and flowers (POMf), in comparison to whole fruit juice (PJ). Atherosclerotic E 0 mice consumed POM extracts [200 microg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mouse/day] for 3 months. Blood samples, peritoneal macrophages (MPM), and aortas were then collected. All POM extracts possess antioxidative properties in vitro. After consumption of PJ, POMxl, POMxp, POMa, or POMf by E (0) mice, the atherosclerotic lesion area was significantly decreased by 44, 38, 39, 6, or 70%, respectively, as compared to placebo-treated group, while POMo had no effect. POMf consumption reduced serum lipids, and glucose levels by 18-25%. PJ, POMxl, POMxp, POMf, or POMa consumption resulted in a significant decrement, by 53, 42, 35, 27, or 13%, respectively, in MPM total peroxides content, and increased cellular paraoxonase 2 (PON2) activity, as compared to placebo-treated mice. The uptake rates of oxidized-LDL by E (0)-MPM were significantly reduced by approximately 15% after consumption of PJ, POMxl, or POMxp. Similar results were obtained on using J774A.1 macrophage cell line. Finally, pomegranate phenolics (punicalagin, punicalin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid), as well as pomegranate unique complexed sugars, could mimic the antiatherogenic effects of pomegranate extracts. We conclude that attenuation of atherosclerosis development by some of the POM extracts and, in particular, POMf, could be related to the combined beneficial effects on serum lipids levels and on macrophage atherogenic properties.     

Virulence characteristics of a wheat leaf rust pathogen population in five agroclimatic zones of the North Caucasus

Virulence of a Puccinia triticina population is studied in five agroclimatic zones of the North Caucasus. Frequencies of virulence genes are described and trends of intrapopulation changes in the genetic structure of the fungus are identified. The percentage of phenotypes with a different number of virulence genes in each zone of the region is shown.     

Investigation of the effectiveness of fungicides for protecting cereals from fusarium head blight

It is shown that the modern assortment of fungicides for controlling head blight of cereals is represented by ecologically low-hazard preparations with a toxic load not exceeding 225?C273.9 semilethal doses per hectare. All fungicides limited the development of head blight as well as grain infection in a latent form. Maximum effectiveness was provided by the preparations Zamir, EW at an application rate of 1.2 L/ha; Amistar Trio, EC and Orius 250, AE, 1.0 L/ha each; and Acanto Plus, SC, 0.6 L/ha.     

Effectiveness of exogenous DNA transfer to chicken embryo cells in vitro and in vivo using retroviral vectors

The frequency of genetic transformation of target cells in a culture is established to be from 9 × 10^?4 to 3 × 10^?3. A transgenic rooster with integration and expression of the lacZ gene in heart, liver, intestine, and testis cells is produced.     

In Vivo genetic transformation of chiken spermatogonia

The efficiency of recombinant DNA transfer into chicken spermatogonia in vitro and in vivo with the use of retroviral vectors is studied.     

Characteristics of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tratici population by virulence in the North Caucasus Region of Russia

The virulence of wheat stem rust pathogen population in the North Caucasus Region of Russia for the period 2008–2011 has been described. Monopustular urendial isolates (350) were differentiated from the international set of 39 monogenic lines. Using Rogers index, the difference level in gene virulence was revealed in different years. The comparison of the genetic structure of the fungus population at present and the mid-1990s was concluded.