Senescence and net photosynthesis of the flag leaf and grain growth of wheat in response to fungicide

Green leaf area and net photosynthesis of the flag leaves of Avalon and Maris Huntsman winter wheat crops were studied in relation to grain growth following the application of the fungicide propiconazole at flag leaf emergence. Disease levels were low during grain-fill, and were not significantly affected by the fungicide. Propiconazole significantly maintained green leaf area and photosynthesis per unit area during the period of rapid flag leaf senescence, but it had no effect on stem weight, grain growth or yield.     

New dinosaur tracksites from the Middle Jurassic of Madagascar: ichnotaxonomical,behavioural and palaeoenvironmental implications

Abstract: New dinosaur tracksites are described from the Bajocian–Bathonian Bemaraha Formation of western Madagascar. Two track‐bearing surfaces can be followed over a distance of at least 4 km, suggesting the existence of a hitherto unrecognized megatracksite. The track assemblage is theropod dominated, but sauropod tracks also occur at one site. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the abundant theropod track material suggests that most, if not all, theropod footprints are attributable to a single trackmaker and are referred to Kayentapus isp. Although this ichnogenus, originally described from the Lower Jurassic of North America, has never been recorded from Gondwana nor from the Middle Jurassic, track morphology strongly suggests this attribution. Palaeogeographical, sedimentological and ichnological data suggest that the dinosaur tracks formed in an intertidal to supratidal setting where the coastline influenced the preferred walking direction of the animals.     

Selective regulation of sensitivity to odours of different behavioural significance in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana

Abstract.  Orally supplied octopamine significantly enhances the wing-raising behaviour in male American cockroaches Periplaneta americana , in response to periplanone B the main component of the sex pheromone, but not attraction. In addition, octopamine decreases the response to the general odorant, hexan-1-ol. The presence of a calling female, as well as octopamine treatment, eliminates the avoidance of hexanol by males. Electroantennogram responses to hexan-1-ol decreases after topical octopamine application.