Enhanced species-specific chemical control of harmful and non-harmful algal bloom species by the thiazolidinedione derivative TD49

Culture experiments involving 23 algae strains were conducted to evaluate the algicidal effects of a newly developed algicidal thiazolidinedione (TD) derivative (TD49) on non-harmful and harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. We also assessed the effect of various concentrations of TD49 on various growth phases (lag, logarithmic, and stationary) of the harmful algae Heterocapsa circularisquama (Dinophyceae) and Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae; hereafter, Heterosigma) and the non-harmful diatoms Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros didymus. The inhibitory ratios (%) for H. circularisquama and Heterosigma at 2.0 μM TD49 were significantly higher than those at other concentrations, and the inhibitory ratio varied depending on growth phase and species as follows: logarithmic?≥?stationary?>?lag phase for H. circularisquama and logarithmic?≥?lag?>?stationary phase for Heterosigma. Although the inhibitory ratios for C. didymus were similar to those for the two harmful algae (H. circularisquama and Heterosigma), inhibitory effects on S. costatum were not apparent at >2.0 μM in any growth phase. The algicidal activity of TD49 on the harmful and non-harmful algae was as follows: unarmored HAB species?>?armored HAB species?>?diatom species?>?cryptophyte species. TD49 was algicidal to most HABs but had a little inhibitory effect on some non-harmful algae, implying that TD49 has selective algicidal activity. Our results indicate that TD49 is potentially of use in the control of HAB species within semi-enclosed bays.     

Growth competition between Microcystis aeruginosa and Quadrigula chodatii under controlled conditions

Cyanobacteria are the dominant bloom-forming species in Lake Taihu. Understanding the competition among algae is important to control strategies for bloom formation and outbreaks in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we demonstrate that the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7820 and the green alga Quadrigula chodatii FACHB-1080 exhibit a strong competitive inhibitory relationship under co-culture conditions, with the latter strain inhibiting the former. Several factors influence the competitive relationship between the two species, including nutrition, temperature, and organic/inorganic compounds. Q. chodatii strongly inhibited M. aeruginosa growth through the inhibition of nitrogen utilization during co-culture. Temperature was also an influential determinant of the competition capacity between the two species under eutrophic conditions: at lower temperatures (15 °C), M. aeruginosa grew better than Q. chodatii, but the difference was not significant (p?>?0.05), whereas at higher temperatures (25 °C, 35 °C), Q. chodatii grew significantly better than M. aeruginosa (p?<?0.05). Furthermore, the Q. chodatii filtrate strongly inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa. An analysis of the crude extracts of the algae culture filtrates from uni- and co-cultures using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) indicated that algal metabolites, such as dibutyl phthalate and beta-sitosterol, might play a key role in the competition between algae.     

普生轮藻浸提液对两种淡水藻类的化感抑制作用及其数学模型

利用大型水生植物的化感作用抑制水华藻类是水域生态学研究的热点课题之一。探讨了不同浓度普生轮藻浸提液对产毒铜绿微囊藻和斜生栅藻(单纯以及混合藻类)的抑制作用,并根据实验过程中得到的数据和数据特征,在传统的Logistic模型和Lotka-Volterra模型基础上,通过微元法建立了普生轮藻浸提液对单纯产毒铜绿微囊藻、单纯斜生栅藻抑制的数学模型以及两藻混合时抑制的数学模型。结果表明,(1)普生轮藻浸提液无论对单独的毒性铜绿微囊藻或斜生栅藻还是共生状态的毒性铜绿微囊藻和斜生栅藻均有很强抑制作用,且对毒性铜绿微囊藻的抑制作用要显著高于对斜生栅藻;(2)所建立的抑藻模型可有效表征和预测在一定范围内的产毒铜绿微囊藻、斜生栅藻及其混合藻在普生轮藻浸提液胁迫下藻密度随时间变化的规律;通过这些模型可方便地计算出实验期间任何时间节点上普生轮藻浸提液的半抑制浓度(EC50)、最小有效浓度(MIC)等指标的预测值、混合藻在小生境中相对稳定时的预测值等等。该研究可为实际抑藻的方案制定和实施提供有价值的数据支撑和参考,具有一定的理论与应用意义。     

Effects of soil acidification and subsequent leaching on levels of extractable nutrients in a soil

Summary The effects of soil acidification (pH values from 6.5 to 3.8), and subsequent leaching, on levels of extractable nutrients in a soil were studied in a laboratory experiment. Below pH 5.5, acidification resulted in large increases in the amounts of exchangeable Al in the soil. Simultaneously, exchangeable cations were displayed from exchange sites and Ca, Mg, K and Na in soil solution increased markedly. With increasing soil acidification, increasing amounts of cations were leached; the magnitude of leaching loss was in the same order as the cations were present in the soil: Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>K⁺>Na⁺. Soil acidification appeared to inhibit nitrification since in the unleached soils, levels of NO ₃ ⁻ clearly declined below pH 5.5 and at the same time levels of NH ₄ ⁺ increased greatly. Significant amounts of NH ₄ ⁺ and larger amounts of NO ₃ ⁻ , were removed from the soil during leaching. Concentrations of NaHCO₃-extractable phosphate remained unchanged between pH 4.3 and 6.0 but were raised at higher and lower pH values. No leaching losses of phosphate were detected. For the unleached soils, levels of EDTA-extractable Mn and Zn increased as the soil was acidified whilst levels of extractable Fe were first decreased and then increased greatly and those for Cu were decreased slightly between pH 6.5 and 6.0 and then unaffected by further acidification. Significant leaching losses of Mn and Zn were observed at pH values below 5.5 but losses of Fe were very small and those of Cu were not detectable.     

THE INFLUENCE OF pH ON ALGAL CELL MEMBRANE PERMEABILITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UPTAKE OF LIPOPHILIC METAL COMPLEXES1

Uptake of lipophilic metal complexes by freshwater algae has recently been shown to be pH dependent. Here we look at different physiological aspects that could influence the diffusion of the lipophilic Cd complex, Cd(diethyldithiocarbamate)₂⁰ (Cd(DDC)₂⁰), into algal cells at different exposure pH values. Changes in cell membrane permeability were assessed as a function of pH for three species of green algae [Chlamydomonas reinhardtii P. A. Dang., Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindák, and Chlorella fusca var. vacuolata Shihira et R. W. Kraus] using two neutral, nonionic probes, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and D‐sorbitol. In parallel experiments, we exposed algae to inorganic Cd or to Cd(DDC)₂⁰ and monitored Cd intracellular metal distribution, together with phytochelatin synthesis. For the three algal species acclimated at pH 5.5 (w/wo DDC 1 μM) and exposed at this pH, their permeability to FDA and D‐sorbitol was consistently lower than for algae growing at pH 7.0 and exposed at this pH (P < 0.001). The ratio of the FDA hydrolysis rate measured at pH 7.0 with respect to the rate measured at pH 5.5 (both in the presence of DDC) correlated with the ratio of the Cd(DDC)₂⁰ initial internalization rate constant obtained at pH 7.0 versus that obtained at pH 5.5 (three algae species, n = 9, r = 0.85, P = 0.004). Our results strongly suggest that acidification affects metal availability to algae not only by proton inhibition of facilitated metal uptake but also by affecting membrane permeability.     

Allelopathic effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on green algae and a diatom: Evidence from exudates addition and co-culturing

Allelopathic interactions among phytoplankton species are regarded as one of the important factors contributing to phytoplankton species competition and succession. The role and extent of allelopathic effects of blooming freshwater cyanobacteria on other phytoplankton species in eutrophied waters, however, are still unknown. We examined the allelopathic effect of Microcystis aeruginosa on two common green algae (Scenedesmus quadricauda, Chlorella pyrenoidosa) and a diatom (Cyclotella meneghiniana) by adding exudates from different growth phases and in co-culture tests. Exudates of M. aeruginosa from the exponential growth phase and the stationary phase significantly inhibited the growth of S. quadricauda, C. pyrenoidosa and C. meneghiniana, whereas those from the decline phase increased their growth. The presence of M. aeruginosa extremely inhibited the growth of all tested species in co-cultures within 24 h. Our results indicate that under the tested environmental conditions (25 °C, light 80 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹, manual shaking twice a day), allelopathic effects of M. aeruginosa on other phytoplankton species can significantly contribute to their competitive success.     

pH and Peptide Supply Can Radically Alter Bacterial Populations and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Ratios within Microbial Communities from the Human Colon

The effects of changes in the gut environment upon the human colonic microbiota are poorly understood. The response of human fecal microbial communities from two donors to alterations in pH (5.5 or 6.5) and peptides (0.6 or 0.1%) was studied here in anaerobic continuous cultures supplied with a mixed carbohydrate source. Final butyrate concentrations were markedly higher at pH 5.5 (0.6% peptide mean, 24.9 mM; 0.1% peptide mean, 13.8 mM) than at pH 6.5 (0.6% peptide mean, 5.3 mM; 0.1% peptide mean, 7.6 mM). At pH 5.5 and 0.6% peptide input, a high butyrate production coincided with decreasing acetate concentrations. The highest propionate concentrations (mean, 20.6 mM) occurred at pH 6.5 and 0.6% peptide input. In parallel, major bacterial groups were monitored by using fluorescence in situ hybridization with a panel of specific 16S rRNA probes. Bacteroides levels increased from ca. 20 to 75% of total eubacteria after a shift from pH 5.5 to 6.5, at 0.6% peptide, coinciding with high propionate formation. Conversely, populations of the butyrate-producing Roseburia group were highest (11 to 19%) at pH 5.5 but fell at pH 6.5, a finding that correlates with butyrate formation. When tested in batch culture, three Bacteroides species grew well at pH 6.7 but poorly at pH 5.5, which is consistent with the behavior observed for the mixed community. Two Roseburia isolates grew equally well at pH 6.7 and 5.5. These findings suggest that a lowering of pH resulting from substrate fermentation in the colon may boost butyrate production and populations of butyrate-producing bacteria, while at the same time curtailing the growth of Bacteroides spp.     

高浓度CO2引起的海水酸化对小珊瑚藻光合作用和钙化作用的影响

为了探讨CO2海底封存潜在的渗漏危险对于海洋生物的可能影响,以大型钙化藻类小珊瑚藻(Corallina pilulifera)为研究对象,在室内控光控温条件下,通过向培养海水充入CO2气体得到3种不同酸化程度的培养条件(pH 8.1、6.8和5.5),24h后比较藻体光合作用和钙化作用情况。结果显示:相对于自然海水培养条件(pH 8.1),在pH 6.8条件下培养的小珊瑚藻光合固碳速率得到了增强,而在pH 5.5条件下光合固碳速率则降低;随着酸化程度的增强,藻体的钙化固碳速率越来越低,在pH 5.5条件下甚至表现为负值[(-2.53±0.57)mg C g-1干重h-1];藻体颗粒无机碳(PIC)和颗粒有机碳(POC)含量的比值随着酸化程度的加强而降低,这反映了酸化对光合和钙化作用的综合效应。快速光反应曲线的测定结果显示:随着酸化程度的增强,强光引起的光抑制程度越来越强;在酸化条件下,藻体的光饱和点显著降低,但pH 6.8和5.5之间没有显著差异;低光下的电子传递速率在pH 8.1和6.8之间没有显著差异,pH 5.5培养条件下显著降低;最大电子传递速率在pH 6.8时最大,在pH 5.5时最低。以上结果说明,高浓度CO2引起的海水酸化显著地影响着小珊瑚藻的光合和钙化过程,不同的酸化程度下,藻体的光合、钙化反应不同,在较强的酸化程度下(pH 5.5),藻体的光合和钙化过程都将受到强烈的抑制,这些结果为认识CO2海底封存渗漏危险对海洋钙化藻类的可能影响提供了理论参考。     

Influence of Phosphate on the Growth and Nodulation Characteristics of Rhizobium trifolii

The growth and nodulating characteristics of Rhizobium trifolii 6 and 36 differed under different external phosphate conditions. Under growth conditions designed to deplete the internal phosphate content of the rhizobia, strain 6 maintained a generation time of 5 h during the exponential phase over two cycles of growth in phosphate-depleted medium. In contrast, the generation time of strain 36 was extended from 3.5 to 9.8 h over two cycles of phosphate-depleted growth, although the organism eventually achieved the same cell density and cellular phosphate content as that of strain 6 at stationary phase. Phosphate-depleted strain 6 required 0.51 ± 0.08 μM phosphate to commence proliferation, whereas phosphate-depleted strain 36 required 0.89 ± 0.04 μM phosphate under the same conditions. Phosphate-depleted strain 6 maintained viability when exposed to external phosphate concentrations subcritical for growth to occur, whereas phosphate-depleted strain 36 lost viability within 48 h when exposed to medium containing phosphate at concentrations subcritical for growth. Phosphate-depleted strain 36 was inferior to phosphate-depleted strain 6 at nodulating subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mt. Barker) by taking 2 to 4 days longer to develop nodules in phosphatedepleted plant grown medium at pH 5.5. Nodulation by phosphate-depleted strain 36 was accelerated either by including phosphate in the plant growth medium at pH 5.5 or by raising the solution pH of phosphate-depleted plant growth medium to pH 6.5. External phosphate and pH effects were not observed on the nodulating capabilities of phosphate-depleted strain 6 or on luxury phosphate-grown cells of either strain. Phosphatedepleted strains 6 and 36 proliferated to a similar extent on the rhizoplanes even under stringently low external P_i concentrations. The phosphatase activities of both phosphate-depleted strains were significantly (P = 0.05) higher at pH 6.5 than at pH 5.5, and the activity of strain 6 was significantly higher (P = 0.05) than that of strain 36 at pH 5.5 and 5.0.     

Development and population structure of mixed (S + M) <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> cultures in the late stationary growth phase

Population growth, the ratio between dissociants, pH, and levels of reducing sugars in the medium were monitored during prolonged (375 h) batch cultivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa S and M dissociants on mineral medium with glucose. During the stationary growth phase (100–375 h), two scenarios were possible. The first one included extensive cell autolysis coupled to alkalinization of the medium and an increased ratio of the M dissociant. In the second case, acidification of the medium was coupled to the oscillating secondary growth, mostly of the M dissociant; the dynamics of cell numbers of this dissociant correlated with the dynamics of the culture optical density. In this scenario, periodical appearance of reducing sugars in the medium was detected; it was in the opposite phase with the changes of the M dissociant cell numbers. The differences between scenarios of P. aeruginosa growth in the late stationary phase were probably due to the physiological and biochemical characteristics of the S and M dissociants, including different pathways of glucose utilization (respiration or fermentation), resistance to acidification, as well as synthetic (proteolytic) activity and productivity of autoinducers.     

The circadian rhythms of photosynthesis,ATP content and cell division in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7820

Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the most common blue-green algae species that forms harmful water bloom, which frequently causes serious ecological pollution and poses a health hazard to animals and humans. To understand the progression of algal blooms and to provide a theoretical basis for predicting and preventing the occurrence of algal blooms and reducing the harm of algal bloom to environment, we investigated the diurnal variation of photosynthesis, ATP content and cell division in M. aeruginosa PCC7820. The results showed that the photosynthesis and ATP content of M. aeruginosa PCC7820 exhibited clear circadian rhythm with a period of approximately 24 h and that the periodic rhythms continued for at least three cycles under continuous light conditions. Furthermore, the period length showed that a temperature compensation effect and changes in light cycle or temperature could reset the phase of circadian rhythm. These results indicate that the circadian rhythms of physiological process in M. aeruginosa PCC7820 are controlled by the endogenous circadian clock. Examinations of the number, size and cytokinin content of cells also reveal that the cell division of M. aeruginosa PCC7820 with the generation time of 38.4 h exhibits robust circadian rhythms with a period close to 24 h. The circadian rhythms of cell division may be generated by a biological clock through regulation of the cell division phase of M. aeruginosa PCC7820 via a gating mechanism. The phases in which cell division slows or stop recur with a circadian periodicity of about 24 h.     

光、温限制后铜绿微囊藻和斜生栅藻的超补偿生长与竞争效应

研究了铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)和斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)低温和低光照限制后的超补偿效应,以及共培养条件下的竞争效应。结果表明,低温和低光照均显著抑制微藻的生长发育,但低温对铜绿微囊藻的抑制效应更强,而斜生栅藻则对低光胁迫更敏感。经过低光和低温培养后,铜绿微囊藻和斜生栅藻在恢复正常培养时藻细胞密度短期内都表现出超补偿增长效应,但不同藻类超补偿模式不同,斜生栅藻补偿生长时间不超过1周,而铜绿微囊藻的补偿效应可以持续10天;此外,统计结果表明铜绿微囊藻细胞密度对低温限制解除表现出更显著的补偿生长,斜生栅藻则在低光解除后表现出更强的超补偿效应。微藻叶绿素a指标在光恢复条件下都表现出显著的补偿效应,但温度恢复过程中叶绿素a含量与藻密度增长不同步,低温胁迫对恢复正常培养后微藻叶绿素a的形成产生了一定的负效应;铜绿微囊藻产毒株(912)在两种恢复模式下脱氢酶活性显著高于对照,产毒株(912)脱氢酶活性的补偿响应明显高于其它两种材料。共培养实验结果表明斜生栅藻同铜绿微囊藻产毒株(912)相比处于竞争劣势,而在同无毒株(469)的共培实验中,尽管连续正常培养情况下两者竞争能力差异不显著,但在恢复培养条件下斜生栅藻竞争能力显著高于后者。因此产毒型铜绿微囊藻低温和低光后的补偿生长效应以及对斜生栅藻的竞争优势可能是蓝藻爆发的内源性机制之一。     

Allelopathic control of freshwater phytoplankton by the submerged macrophyte Najas minor All

Water blooms in eutrophic waters have been serious environmental problems in recent years. To explore effective measures to control this issue has been an interest of research. Our current study was designed to investigate the effects of submerged macrophyte Najas minor All. exudates on the growth of four freshwater phytoplankton species, toxic Microcystis aeruginosa, toxic Anabaena flos-aquae, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus obliquus as well as natural phytoplankton assemblages of pond water. We also conducted a reciprocal response between N. minor and toxic M. aeruginosa using coexistence experiments. Our results showed that: (1) N. minor exudates significantly inhibited the growth of toxic M. aeruginosa, toxic A. flos-aquae and S. obliquus, with M. aeruginosa being the most sensitive, followed by toxic A. flos-aquae, and S. obliquus the least. N. minor exudates did not show inhibitory effect on C. pyrenoidosa; (2) N. minor and toxic M. aeruginosa have reciprocal inhibitory effect, and the allelopathic interactions between the two different organisms are density dependent and affect their mutual growth; (3) N. minor exudates also can induce a decrease in chlorophyll a content and an inhibition in total dehydrogenase activity of the phytoplankton assemblages. Our present studies indicated the submerged macrophyte N. minor might be a potential useful tool to control phytoplankton blooms.     

Allelopathic effect of Microcystis aeruginosa on Microcystis wesenbergii: microcystin-LR as a potential allelochemical

Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii are two cyanobacteria commonly found in eutrophic shallow lakes. Previous studies reported that microcystin-producing M. aeruginosa could have an increased competitive potential on other algae and aquatic plants, and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was regarded as an allelochemical. Based on this hypothesis, the allelopathic interaction between these two cyanobacteria was studied for the first time under laboratory conditions, and potential allelochemicals were screened. Cyanobacteria biomass and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) concentration were monitored under different culture conditions. The potential allelochemicals from M. aeruginosa were investigated by extract fractionation and GC(LC)/MS analysis. The growth of M. wesenbergii was inhibited by the addition of cell-free filtrates of M. aeruginosa whereas M. aeruginosa was promoted by the addition of cell-free filtrates of M. wesenbergii. The higher polarity the extract of M. aeruginosa is, the stronger the inhibition effect of the extract on M. wesenbergii will be. According to our results, M. aeruginosa has a significant allelopathic inhibition effect on M. wesenbergii. Allelopathic compounds from M. aeruginosa have synergistic effects on inhibition of M. wesenbergii. Besides microcystin, there may be other allelopathic compounds in M. aeruginosa.     

巢湖蓝藻水华形成原因探索及"优势种光合假说"

为探索蓝藻水华的形成原因,从2007以来对巢湖西区浮游藻类种类、优势种季节变化、初级生产力、水质参数及优势种的光合生理生态学特性作了观测。关于蓝藻水华形成过程中迅猛发展的原因,近80a已提出了10种假说,但对解释巢湖形成的蓝藻水华,尚显不足。本文基于我们对蓝藻水华的了解,提出了如下“优势种光合假说”：（1）蓝藻水华包含各种藻类,蓝藻水华发生不仅与藻细胞浓度有关,还与水体初级生产力直接有关。巢湖中这两者在夏季最大,在冬季最小。但无定量关系。（2）水华藻类中生长最快、细胞密度最大的是优势种,含有多个优势种时可能随季节更替。巢湖几乎整年发生蓝藻水华,已检测出4种优势种都是蓝藻,从早春起先是水华鱼腥藻,以后有绿色微囊藻、惠氏微囊藻和铜绿微囊藻。（3）各种环境因子都影响优势种生长,其中少数主导因子影响较大。在巢湖富营养条件下,光强、温度和pH值是主导因子。（4）主导因子对优势种光合活性的影响,可决定其能否处于优势。巢湖的温度和pH值变化可能促进了惠氏微囊藻取代绿色微囊藻,铜绿微囊藻取代惠氏微囊藻,而光强变化可能调节冬季时水华鱼腥藻取代了绿色微囊藻,春季时正好是相反的取代。     

Acidification of small mountain lakes in the High Tatra Mountains,Poland

A hydrochemical investigation was carried out on eight small High Tatra mountain lakes (Poland). When comparing recent data with those from the period 1935–1965, a constant process of acidification of the lakes is found. The average pH of precipitation is 4.8 in the study area, but the lakes are in two stages of acidification: weak (pH 6.0–6.5) and intermediate (pH 5.5–5.8). The differences are due to differences in water sources.     

Effects of atmospheric deposition,soil pH and acidification on heavy metal contents in soils and vegetation of semi-natural ecosystems at Rothamsted Experimental Station,UK

The effects of acidification on the soil chemistry and plant availability of the metals Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ni in new and archived soil and plant samples taken from the >100-year-old experiments on natural woodland regeneration (Geescroft and Broadbalk Wildernesses) and a hay meadow (Park Grass) at Rothamsted Experimental Station are examined. We measured a significant input of metals from atmospheric deposition, enhanced under woodland by 33% (Ni) to 259% (Zn); Pb deposition was greatly influenced by vehicle emissions and the introduction of Pb in petrol. The build up of metals by long-term deposition was influenced by acidification, mobilization and leaching, but leaching, generally, only occurred in soils at pH<4. Mn and Cd were most sensitive to soil acidity with effective mobilization occurring at pH 6.0–5.5 (0.01 M CaCl₂), followed by Zn, Ni and Cu at pH 5.5–5.0. Pb was not mobilized until pH<4.5. Acidification to pH 4 mobilized 60–90% of total soil Cd but this was adsorbed onto ion exchange surfaces and/or complexed with soil organic matter. This buffering effect of ion exchange surfaces and organic matter in soils down to pH 4 was generally reflected by all the metals investigated. For grassland the maximum accumulation of metals in herbage generally corresponded to a soil pH of 4.0. For woodland the concentration of Pb, Mn and Cd in oak saplings (Quercus robur) was 3-, 4- and 6-fold larger at pH 4 than at pH 7. Mature Oak trees contained 10 times more Mn, 4 times more Ni and 3 times more Cd in their leaves at pH 4 than at pH 7. At pH values <4.0 on grassland the metal content in herbage declined. Only for Mn and Zn did this reflect a decline in the plant available soil content attributed to long-term acid weathering and leaching. The chief cause was a long-term decline in plant species richness and the increased dominance of two acid-tolerant, metal-excluder species     

The association of prepartum urine pH,plasma total calcium concentration at calving and postpartum diseases in Holstein dairy cattle

The use of anionic salts to prevent milk fever in dairy cattle has been an effective nutritional strategy; however, the degree of acidification that determines the most acceptable productive responses and well-being of the cow is still a controversial topic. The objective of this study was to assess urine pH in prepartum Holstein cows fed anionic diets and determine its association with plasma total Ca, Mg, P, β-hydroxyl-butyrate (BHB) concentrations at parturition and the occurrence of peripartum disorders. This investigation consisted of 2 studies. Study 1 was conducted on a grazing dairy. Between February and May 2019, 60 prepartum multiparous cows were tested for urine pH and plasma metabolite concentration at parturition. Total Ca, P, Mg and BHB at day 1 in milk (DIM) were assessed and statistically analyzed by ANOVA (models for polynomial regression). Study 2 was conducted on a drylot dairy farm. Between July 2018 and January 2019, 203 cows were evaluated for urine pH and followed-up for 30 DIM to obtain the incidence of dystocia, stillbirths, milk fever, retained fetal membranes, metritis, clinical mastitis and ketosis. Cows were categorized based on their last urine pH as group 1: pH > 7.0 (n = 135); group 2: pH between 6.0 and 7.0 (n = 46) and group 3: pH < 6.0 (n = 22). A logistic regression model for each health event was conducted considering urine pH group as the main effect. Urine sample was collected at 2.71 ± 2.84 days before parturition. In study 1, there was a quadratic effect of urine pH on total Ca. Total Ca concentration was higher between urine pH 6.0 and 7.0, while decreasing below pH 6.0 and above pH 7.0. There was a trend (P = 0.11) for a quadratic effect of urine pH on the concentration of plasma BHB at parturition. β-Hydroxyl-butyrate was lower approximately between urine pH 6.5 and 7.5. In study 2, the odds for a stillborn in cows with urine pH < 6.0 was 2.39 (95% CI = 1.06–5.40) times the odds for a stillborn in cows with urine pH ≥ 7.0. There was no association between urine pH and the other diseases. In conclusion, cows with prepartum urine pH < 6.0 and > 7.0 had lower concentration of plasma total Ca and tended to have a higher concentration of BHB. Cows with urine pH < 6.0 had a higher incidence of stillbirths than cows with urine pH > 7.0.     

Sorgoleone,a sorghum root exudate: Algicidal activity and acute toxicity to the ricefish Oryzias latipes

The discovery of natural and natural-based compounds has resulted in its application as an alternative to synthetic algicides to control harmful algae in aquatic systems. Of the many natural-product-based algicides, sorgoleone, a natural plant product from Sorghum bicolor root exudates has been investigated for its controlling effect on different algal species and its acute fish toxicity. Growth of the blue green algal species Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing was completely inhibited by the crude methanol extract of sorghum root at 20 μg mL⁻¹. The most noticeable inhibition was observed in the bioassay of n-hexane soluble extract, where 98% growth inhibition occurred in M. aeruginosa at the concentration of 1.25 μg mL⁻¹. Sorgoleone very effectively controlled blue green algae inhibiting 97% of M. aeruginosa at 0.5 μg mL⁻¹ and 99% of Anabaena affinis Lemmermann at 4 μg mL⁻¹. In contrast, inhibition of the green algae species Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck and Scenedensmus spp. at 16 μg mL⁻¹ sorgoleone was 87 and 68%, respectively. There were no mortalities or adverse effects observed in any of the fish exposed to water control, solvent control, and a nominal concentration of 1 μg mL⁻¹ during the test period. The no observed effect concentration (NOEC) value was 1.5 μg mL⁻¹ for the tested fish (O. latipes). Sorgoleone can be considered as an effective and an ecologically and environmentally sustainable approach to controlling harmful algae.     

The use of MES buffer in early nodulation studies with annual Medicago species

The usefulness of 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) to stabilize the pH of solutions in the range pH 5.5 to 7.0 during early growth and nodulation of annual Medicago (medic) species was investigated.In the first experiment, effects of MES concentrations (0, 1, 2, 5, 10 mM) on growth and nodulation of Medicago polymorpha L. and the stability of solution pH were investigated. In the second experiment we assessed the effect of MES on the growth and nodulation of three medic species (M. truncatula Gaernt., M. polymorpha and M. murex Willd.) at a range of starting pH levels (5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0) with different concentrations of MES buffer (0, 0.5, 10 mM). In a third experiment, the effects of the concentration of extra cations and the species (K-ion or Na-ion), used as hydroxide to bring solutions containing different MES concentrations to target pH were investigated.MES had no effect on growth at MES concentrations as high as 10 mM but nodule numbers were increased by concentrations of MES of 2 mM or greater. The presence of extra K-ion or Na-ion in solutions had no effect on plant growth or nodulation. With low MES concentrations (0.5 mM), solution pH stability was improved by daily titration and the use of a high nitrate to ammonium ratio (9 : 1) in solution. This combination of strategies maintained pH within a narrow range without effects on annual medic growth or nodulation.