Chemical and agronomic evaluation of common milkweed,Asclepias syriaca

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) has been identified as a potential whole-plant source of poly phenol, oil, and polymeric hydrocarbon. Based on in situ sampling, a range of 4.7-14.4% (dry weight) polyphenol + oil (variation significant at 1% level) and 0.2-1.2% polymeric hydrocarbon (variation significant at 5% level) were found among 48 Maryland and northern Virginia populations. In a 2-yr replicated evaluation of progenies from 41 populations, significant differences (5% level) in vigor,Aphis nerii feeding preference, numbers of plants surviving the seeding year, and numbers of tillers produced the second year were observed. Genetic variation for agronomic traits was generally small, but appeared sufficient to justify a breeding program. Excluding aphid feeding-preference, all agronomic variables were positively correlated with each other (significant at 1% level); aphid feeding-preference was weakly, negatively correlated with the remaining agronomic variables (significant at 1% level). Chemical and agronomic data were not significantly correlated. Factor analysis indicated that plants which performed well early in their life cycle would be expected to perform well on a long term basis. Based on cluster analysis, the environment in which some populations developed may have affected in situ production of poly phenols + oil and polymeric hydrocarbon as well as the subsequent agronomic performance of their progenies.     

Ethylene production in rice bronzing leaves induced by ferrous iron

Bronzing, a nutritional disorder of rice plants which is widely distributed in tropical lowlands, was induced by dipping the cut end of rice leaves into FeSO₄ solution (pH 3.5). Ethylene production; the activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase; and the effects of Co²⁺, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, Ag⁺, cycloheximide, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate, were investigated in the course of bronzing development. It was found that ethylene production could be stimulated up to about 20 times that of the control by Fe²⁺, and a peak could be reached at about 24 h after incubation. The Fe²⁺-treated leaves also had 10-fold higher peroxidase activity than the control, whereas in vitro enzyme activity was inhibited by Fe²⁺. Cycloheximide retarded in vivo stimulation of peroxidase, indicating that in vivo stimulation resulted from inducing de novo synthesis of the enzyme. No changes in the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and polyphenol oxidase were observed. The results, obtained from the incubation of leaves with Co²⁺, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, Ag⁺, cycloheximide, or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate, showed that ethylene production was the effect of Fe²⁺ stress and that it was not involved in the process of bronzing development, which is probably an acclimation process to enable plants to cope with stress. The accelerated peroxidase activity may be associated with bronzing development.Abbreviations ACC 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid - AVG aminoethoxyvinylglycine - EFE ethylene forming enzyme - PAL phenylalanine ammonia-lyase - POD peroxidase - PPO polyphenol oxidase - SE standard error     

Nitrogen fertiliser and establishment method affect growth,yield and nitrogen use efficiency of rice under alternate wetting and drying irrigation

Sustainable rice production through selection of best suitable cultivar, water-efficient crop establishment method and optimum nitrogen (N) management practice is needed to feed the growing world population. Two polyhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of rice to different rates and schedules of N application under different establishment methods subjected to alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation. In the first experiment, the response of two rice cultivars (Pathumthani 1, RD57) under three establishment methods (transplanting [TP], wet direct seeding [WDS], dry direct seeding [DDS]) and five N rates (0 [N₀], 30 [N₃₀], 60 [N₆₀], 90 [N₉₀], 120 [N₁₂₀] kg ha⁻¹) was evaluated. The second experiment consisted of the same cultivars and establishment methods, but with four N application schedules (T₁: 100% at basal; T₂: 75% + 25% at basal and at active tillering, respectively; T₃: 50% + 25% + 25% at basal, at active tillering and at panicle initiation, respectively; and T₄: 25% + 25% + 25% + 25% each at basal, at active tillering, at panicle initiation and at early flowering or just before heading starts) applied at the rate of N₆₀ kg ha⁻¹. Plants were maintained under AWD irrigation (soil was saturated by applying water whenever soil water potential drops to −5 kPa during the implementation period) in both experiments. RD57 performed better than Pathumthani 1 having higher shoot dry matter, panicle number, grain yield, total N uptake and apparent N recovery efficiency. TP gave better response than WDS and DDS regardless of cultivars. Application of N₁₂₀ resulted in better growth, yield and its components and total N uptake regardless of establishment methods and cultivars. Increasing N rate decreased N use efficiency (NUE). Scheduling the interval of N application to two or three times (T₂ or T₃) for RD57 and Pathumthani 1, respectively, provided overall better results, and could be recommended for the tested rice cultivars. An optimal N rate and selection of critical growth stages for N application would be very effective for maximising yield and NUE under the water-saving cultivation technique of AWD irrigation.     

Surface active site model for Ni2+ adsorption of the surface imprinted adsorbent

In this work, a new surface active site (SAS) adsorption equilibrium model was presented, which explicitly accounted for the H⁺ competitive adsorption with Ni²⁺ in adsorption equilibrium. Static adsorption experiments with Ni²⁺ as a model metal ion were carried out to determine the model parameters, those were, equilibrium constant for Ni²⁺ (K_a), for H⁺ (K_s), characteristic number of binding sites for Ni²⁺ (n), for H⁺ (a), and the non-imprinted factor (σ). It was found that those model parameters n and a were all constant, and that they all expressed that one active site bound two Ni²⁺ or two H⁺, while the non-imprinted factor, σ, was effected by Ni²⁺ concentration, H⁺ concentration in solution and imprinted Ni²⁺ concentration in the preparation. Simulated result was compared with experimental data of the adsorption for Ni²⁺. It was showed that this model could be well used to predict the adsorption equilibrium for Ni²⁺ on the surface imprinted adsorbent. And it was demonstrated that the efficacy of the active sites formalism could be used in describing adsorption behavior for Ni²⁺ on the surface imprinted adsorbent.     

The Relative Importance of Seeding Method, Soil Ripping, and Soil Variables on Seeding Success

We conducted a field experiment to examine how seeding method, soil ripping, and soil characteristics affected the initial establishment and growth of seeded species and if differences among treatments persisted into the second growing season. We planted seeds into a compacted field plot where most of the topsoil had been removed. The native seed mixture of Artemisia californica, Eschscholzia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Lupinus succulentus, Nassella pulchra, and Vulpia microstachys represented different seed sizes and life histories. Three seeding methods (hydroseeding, imprinting, and drilling) and three ripping depths (0, 20, and 40 cm) were combined in a factorial experiment. Soil organic matter and NO₃ ^? were used as covariates. For two years, we measured density, percent cover, mean size, and flower production of the selected species, and weed emergence. Only seeding method and soil variation affected initial establishment of natives. Small‐seeded species had higher density in imprinted and hydroseeded than drilled treatments, whereas large‐seeded species had higher density in imprinted and drilled than hydroseeded treatments. These patterns persisted with only slight modification into the second year. Weed density in year 1 decreased with soil ripping. In year 1, Vulpia height and Lupinus height and flowering were greater with drilling or imprinting than hydroseeding but were not affected by ripping. Eschscholzia, Lupinus, and Vulpia produced seeds in the first year, but only Vulpia reestablished successfully in the second year. Vulpia had high cover in the second year that increased with increasing NO₃ ^? , but did not vary by treatment. In year 2 perennial Nassella, and to some extent Eriogonum, grew largest, produced more inflorescences, and had their highest percent cover in the 40‐cm rip treatment. Size and inflorescence production also increased with increasing NO₃ ^? ; sometimes this relationship was stronger than the effects of treatments. We found only positive associations between estimated biomass (density × height) of annuals and survival of shrubs. Potential for erosion control, as measured by total density in year 1 and total vegetative cover in year 2, was greatest in imprinted and hydroseeded treatments and increased with increasing NO₃ ^? . This relatively simple experiment yielded information critical to understanding optimum seeding methods and seedbed preparation and indicates that seeding method can be determined by seed size and germination biology. Although an experiment such as this enables some generalizations, it does not eliminate the need for site‐specific experiments prior to restoration.     

Effects of CO2 and nitrogen fertilization on vegetation and soil nutrient content in juvenile ponderosa pine

This paper summarizes the data on nutrient uptake and soil responses in opentop chambers planted with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) treated with both N and CO₂. Based upon the literature, we hypothesized that 1) elevated CO₂ would cause increased growth and yield of biomass per unit uptake of N even if N is limiting, and 2) elevated CO₂ would cause increased biomass yield per unit uptake of other nutrients only by growth dilution and only if they are non-limiting. Hypothesis 1 was supported only in part: there were greater yields of biomass per unit N uptake in the first two years of growth but not in the third year. Hypothesis 2 was supported in many cases: elevated CO₂ caused growth dilution (decreased concentrations but not decreased uptake) of P, S, and Mg. Effects of elevated CO₂ on K, Ca, and B concentrations were smaller and mostly non-significant. There was no evidence that N responded in a unique manner to elevated CO₂, despite its unique role in rubisco. Simple growth dilution seemed to explain nutrient responses in almost all cases.There were significant declines in soil exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and extractable P over time which were attributed to disturbance effects associated with plowing. The only statistically significant treatment effects on soils were negative effects of elevated CO₂ on mineralizeable N and extractable P, and positive effects of both N fertilization and CO₂ on exchangeable Al³⁺. Soil exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ pools remained much higher than vegetation pools, but extractable P pools were lower than vegetation pools in the third year of growth. There were also large losses of both native soil N and fertilizer N over time. These soil N losses could account for the observed losses in exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ if N was nitrified and leached as NO ₃ ^– .     

Biomass and production of fine and coarse roots during regrowth of a disturbed subtropical humid forest in north-east India

Seasonal variation and depthwise distribution of dry matter in roots of different diameter classes and their annual production were studied using sequential core sampling. The investigations were carried out in three stands of a subtropical humid forest of north-east India representing different stages of regrowth after tree cutting. The mean annual standing crop of fine (<2 mm in diameter) and coarse (2–15 mm diameter) roots increased gradually from 5.4 Mg ha^-1 and 0.7 Mg ha^-1 in 7-yr old regrowth to 9.4 Mg ha^-1 and 2.8 Mg ha^-1 in 16-yr old regrowth, respectively. The contribution of fine roots to the total root mass declined from 88% in 7-yr old regrowth to 77% in both 13 and 16-yr old regrowths, while that of coarse roots increased from 12 to 23%. A major portion of fine roots (59–62%) was present in 0–10 cm soil layer, but the coarse roots were concentrated in 10–20 cm soil depth (38–48%). In all the three stands, biomass of both fine and coarse roots followed a unimodal growth curve by showing a gradual increase from spring/pre-rainy season to autumn/post-rainy season. Biomass to necromass ratio increased from 2.5 in the 7-yr old to 3.2 in the 16-yr old stand. The annual fine root production increased from 5.9 Mg ha^-1 to 7.7 Mg ha^-1 and total root production from 7.6 Mg ha^-1 to 14.7 Mg ha^-1 from 7-yr to 16-yr old regrowth.     

Importance of changing CO2, temperature, precipitation, and ozone on carbon and water cycles of an upland-oak forest: incorporating experimental results into model simulations

Observed responses of upland‐oak vegetation of the eastern deciduous hardwood forest to changing CO₂, temperature, precipitation and tropospheric ozone (O₃) were derived from field studies and interpreted with a stand‐level model for an 11‐year range of environmental variation upon which scenarios of future environmental change were imposed. Scenarios for the year 2100 included elevated [CO₂] and [O₃] (+385 ppm and +20 ppb, respectively), warming (+4°C), and increased winter precipitation (+20% November–March). Simulations were run with and without adjustments for experimentally observed physiological and biomass adjustments. Initial simplistic model runs for single‐factor changes in CO₂ and temperature predicted substantial increases (+191% or 508 g C m^?2 yr^?1) or decreases (?206% or ?549 g C m^?2 yr^?1), respectively, in mean annual net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE_a≈266±23 g C m^?2 yr^?1 from 1993 to 2003). Conversely, single‐factor changes in precipitation or O₃ had comparatively small effects on NEE_a (0% and ?35%, respectively). The combined influence of all four environmental changes yielded a 29% reduction in mean annual NEE_a. These results suggested that future CO₂‐induced enhancements of gross photosynthesis would be largely offset by temperature‐induced increases in respiration, exacerbation of water deficits, and O₃‐induced reductions in photosynthesis. However, when experimentally observed physiological adjustments were included in the simulations (e.g. acclimation of leaf respiration to warming), the combined influence of the year 2100 scenario resulted in a 20% increase in NEE_a not a decrease. Consistent with the annual model's predictions, simulations with a forest succession model run for gradually changing conditions from 2000 to 2100 indicated an 11% increase in stand wood biomass in the future compared with current conditions. These model‐based analyses identify critical areas of uncertainty for multivariate predictions of future ecosystem response, and underscore the importance of long term field experiments for the evaluation of acclimation and growth under complex environmental scenarios.     

Can intensification reduce emission intensity of biofuel through optimized fertilizer use? Theory and the case of oil palm in Indonesia

Closing yield gaps through higher fertilizer use increases direct greenhouse gas emissions but shares the burden over a larger production volume. Net greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints per unit product under agricultural intensification vary depending on the context, scale and accounting method. Life cycle analysis of footprints includes attributable emissions due to (i) land conversion (‘fixed cost’); (ii) external inputs used (‘variable cost’); (iii) crop production (‘agronomic efficiency’); and (iv) postharvest transport and processing (‘proportional’ cost). The interplay between fixed and variable costs results in a nuanced opportunity for intermediate levels of intensification to minimize footprints. The fertilizer level that minimizes the footprint may differ from the economic optimum. The optimization problem can be solved algebraically for quadratic crop fertilizer response equations. We applied this theory to data of palm oil production and fertilizer use from 23 plantations across the Indonesian production range. The current EU threshold requiring at least 35% emission saving for biofuel use can never be achieved by palm oil if produced: (i) on peat soils, or (ii) on mineral soils where the C debt due to conversion is larger than 20 Mg C ha^?1, if the footprint is calculated using an emission ratio of N₂O–N/N fertilizer of 4%. At current fertilizer price levels in Indonesia, the economically optimized N fertilizer rate is 344–394 kg N ha^?1, while the reported mean N fertilizer rate is 141 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 and rates of 74–277 kg N ha^?1 would minimize footprints, for a N₂O–N/N fertilizer ratio of 4–1%, respectively. At a C debt of 30 Mg C ha^?1, these values are 200–310 kg N ha^?1. Sustainable weighting of ecology and economics would require a higher fertilizer/yield price ratio, depending on C debt. Increasing production by higher fertilizer use from current 67% to 80% of attainable yields would not decrease footprints in current production conditions.     

模拟氮沉降对太岳山油松林土壤酶活性的影响

为研究土壤酶活性对氮沉降增加的响应,以山西太岳山油松人工林和天然林为研究对象,于2009年8月开始实施模拟氮沉实验,试验设置对照(CK,0 kg N hm-2a-1);低氮(LN,50 kg N hm-2a-1);中氮(MN,100 kg N hm-2a-1);高氮(HN,150 kg N hm-2a-1)4种氮处理,自2012年起每年5、7、9月在各处理样方采集表层0—20 cm土壤,测定土壤酶活性(过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、纤维素酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶、中性磷酸酶)。研究结果表明:施氮处理下的脲酶与中性磷酸酶活性均有所提高,而低氮处理下天然林中的多酚氧化酶与人工林中的蔗糖酶显著低于对照,中氮、高氮处理下过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、天然林中的纤维素酶以及人工林中的蔗糖酶显著降低。总的来说,人工模拟氮沉降促进了土壤中脲酶和中性磷酸酶的活性,抑制了过氧化物酶和多酚氧化酶的活性,并降低了天然林土壤中的纤维素酶活性和人工林中的蔗糖酶活性,但对天然林中蔗糖酶和人工林中的纤维素酶无影响。主导木质素降解的多酚氧化酶活性与纤维素酶、蔗糖酶活性显著相关,纤维素酶与蔗糖酶活性的下降可能是由木质素降解受到抑制,土壤微生物可利用碳源减少所引起。另外,受到天然林土壤含氮量较高的影响,与人工林相比,天然林的多酚氧化酶活性对模拟氮沉降更敏感。由于被抑制的酶均与土壤有机质降解密切相关,氮沉降增加将减缓山西油松林土壤有机质的降解,有利于有机质在土壤中的积累。     

栽培模式和复合肥类型对隆平206农艺性状及干物质积累的影响

该研究用双因素裂区设计,在四种栽培模式和两种类型复合肥条件下,分析了玉米杂交种隆平206的农艺性状及干物质积累的影响。隆平206的株高、生长率均在等行距和宽窄行间差异不显著,但与等行距一穴两株间差异显著;穗位高在等行距和宽窄行[(70+50)cm]间差异不显著,但与宽窄行[(90+30)cm]和等行距一穴两株间差异显著;茎粗在各处理间差异不显著,栽培模式对隆平206穗位上第1叶和穗下第1叶的叶夹角影响显著,对穗上第1叶的叶向值影响显著,对穗下第1叶的叶向值影响不显著,对不同时期穗位节和穗位上节的茎杆强度影响差异显著,对不同时期干物质积累影响差异显著。隆平206在宽窄行[(90+30)cm],地富原玉米专用复合肥时,隆平206农艺性状各指标达最佳状态,栽培模式对隆平206不同时期干物质积累影响差异显著,在拔节期、大喇叭口期、开花期、乳熟期、成熟期,隆平206在栽培模式宽窄行(70+50)cm时干物质积累量均最大。该研究结果为玉米杂交种隆平206的栽培管理和施肥提供了依据。     

The cardiac α1C subunit can support excitation-triggered Ca2+ entry in dysgenic and dyspedic myotubes

Depolarization-induced entry of divalent ions into skeletal muscle has been attributed to a process termed Excitation-Coupled Ca²⁺ Entry (ECCE), which is hypothesized to require the interaction of the ryanodine receptor (RyR1), the L-type Ca²⁺ channel (DHPR) and another unidentified cation channel. Thus, ECCE is absent in myotubes lacking either the DHPR (dysgenic) or RyR1 (dyspedic). Furthermore, ECCE, as measured by Mn²⁺ quench of Fura-2, is reconstituted by expression of a mutant DHPR α_1S subunit (SkEIIIK) thought to be impermeable to divalent cations. Previously, we showed that the bulk of depolarization-induced Ca²⁺ entry could be explained by the skeletal L-type current. Accordingly, one would predict that any Ca²⁺ current similar to the endogenous current would restore such entry and that this entry would not require coupling to either the DHPR or RyR1. Here, we show that expression of the cardiac α_1C subunit in either dysgenic or dyspedic myotubes does result in Ca²⁺ entry similar to that ascribed to ECCE. We also demonstrate that, when potentiated by strong depolarization and Bay K 8644, SkEIIIK supports entry of Mn²⁺. These results strongly support the idea that the L-type channel is the major route of Ca²⁺ entry in response to repetitive or prolonged depolarization of skeletal muscle.     

Variance of actual inbreeding

The variances of actual inbreeding and coancestry in terms of their corresponding identities by descent were studied for finite populations. For inbreeding at a single locus, the total variance σ² = F(1 ? F) (F is the inbreeding coefficient) is comprised of a component σ_w² within populations and a component σ_b² between replicate populations. These variances increase in time to a maximum at about 1.1N_e generations for σ_w², about 2.3N_e generations for σ_b², and about 1.4N_e generations for σ², and decrease thereafter (N_e is effective population size). The ratio $\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>b</mtext>}}{}^2\text{σ}{}^2$ is ever increasing to an asymptote in the range 0.4-0.5 depending on N_e and the mating system. For finite populations with variation in pedigree F's, there are contributions σ_wF² within and σ_bF² between populations. The component σ_bF² is insignificant except for very small populations, and σ_wF² is largest in the early generations and then decreases roughly as $\text{(1 ? F)}{}^2\text{KN}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{where}\text{K}$ is formulated in terms of the mating strategy and the degree of avoidance of mating relatives. An additional degree of avoidance increases K by a factor of 4. In a large population at equilibrium with respect to mixed self and random mating, σ_wF² accounts for onehalf to two-thirds of σ_w². Bringing in more loci leads to the decomposition of the total variance into four components whose values are affected by linkages among the loci. The relationships between these components and σ_w², σ_b², σ_wF², and σ_bF², are elaborated in terms of tight and loose linkage. The exact computations of σ_wF² and σ_bF² require the use of two locus descent measures without linkage. The variances of various averages of actual identities by descent, such as the proportions for individuals or populations, are formulated for a sample of individuals.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives as candidate radioligands for sigma-1 receptors

We report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane and 1,5-dioxa-9-azaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives as selective σ₁ receptor ligands. All seven ligands exhibited nanomolar affinity for σ₁ receptors (K_i(σ₁) = 0.47 – 12.1 nM) and moderate selectivity over σ₂ receptors (K_i(σ₂)/ K_i(σ₁) = 2 – 44). Compound 8, with the best selectivity among these ligands, was selected for radiolabeling and further evaluation. Radioligand [¹⁸F]8 was prepared via nucleophilic ¹⁸F-substitution of the corresponding tosylate precursor, with an overall isolated radiochemical yield of 12–35%, a radiochemical purity of greater than 99%, and molar activity of 94 – 121 GBq/μmol. Biodistribution studies of [¹⁸F]8 in mice demonstrated high initial brain uptake at 2 min. Pretreatment with SA4503 resulted in significantly reduced brain-to-blood ratio (70% − 75% at 30 min). Ex vivo autoradiography in ICR mice demonstrated high accumulation of the radiotracer in σ₁ receptor-rich brain areas. These findings suggest that [¹⁸F]8 could be a lead compound for further structural modifications to develop potential brain imaging agents for σ₁ receptors.     

A study of dihydrogen bond interactions through three-centre bond and group indices

We report here an investigation into the correlation between dihydrogen bond energies, three-centre bond indices and group indices in some dihydrogen-bonded dimers. This kind of bond is generated by interaction between proton-donator and proton-acceptor groups, XH^σ+…H′^σ ? M, where X is a more electronegative atom and M a less electronegative atom than hydrogen. The different electronegativities of the X atoms, as well the M atoms, would affect the correlations between H^σ+…H′^σ ?  distances and bond energies of these systems. In this work it will be shown that three-centre bond indices and group indices exhibit a better correlation with bond energies when compared to H^σ+…H′^σ ?  distances for this kind of system.     

Investigation of σ receptors agonist/antagonist activity through N-(6-methoxytetralin-1-yl)- and N-(6-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)alkyl derivatives of polymethylpiperidines

A series of polymethyl-substituted piperidines linked to either a 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl or a 6-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl moiety was generated with the aim of verifying a previously generated hypothesis: tetralin and naphthalene nuclei confer opposite activity at the σ₁ receptor. Compounds 6, 9 and 10 displayed appreciable affinity at both σ subtypes, but none of the novel compounds displayed significant antiproliferative activity in MCF7wt and MCF7σ1 cell lines. The effect on bradikynin-triggered Ca²⁺ mobilization was studied as a methodology to suggest σ receptors mediated activity.     

Dinitrogen fixation in white clover grown in pure stand and mixture with ryegrass estimated by the immobilized 15N isotope dilution method

Dinitrogen fixation in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) grown in pure stand and mixture with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was determined in the field using ¹⁵N isotope dilution and harvest of the shoots. The apparent transfer of clover N to perennial ryegrass was simultaneously assessed. The soil was labelled either by immobilizing ¹⁵N in organic matter prior to establishment of the sward or by using the conventional labelling procedure in which ¹⁵N fertilizer is added after sward establishment. Immobilization of ¹⁵N in the soil organic matter has not previously been used in studies of N₂ fixation in grass/clover pastures. However, this approach was a successful means of labelling, since the ¹⁵N enrichment only declined at a very slow rate during the experiment. After the second production year only 10–16% of the applied ¹⁵N was recovered in the harvested herbage. The two labelling methods gave, nonetheless, a similar estimate of the percentage of clover N derived from N₂ fixation. In pure stand clover, 75–94% of the N was derived from N₂ fixation and in the mixture 85–97%. The dry matter yield of the clover in mixture as percentage of total dry matter yield was relatively high and increased from 59% in the first to 65% in the second production year. The average daily N₂ fixation rate in the mixture-grown clover varied from less than 0.5 kg N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in autumn to more than 2.6 kg N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in June. For clover in pure stand the average N₂ fixation rate was greater and varied between 0.5 and 3.3 kg N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹, but with the same seasonal pattern as for clover in mixture. The amount of N fixed in the mixture was 23, 187 and 177 kg N ha⁻¹ in the seeding, first and second production year, respectively, whereas pure stand clover fixed 28, 262 and 211 kg N ha⁻¹ in the three years. The apparent transfer of clover N to grass was negligible in the seeding year, but clover N deposited in the rhizosphere or released by turnover of stolons, roots and nodules, contributed 19 and 28 kg N ha⁻¹ to the grass in the first and second production year, respectively. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Interannual climatic variation mediates elevated CO2 and O3 effects on forest growth

We analyzed growth data from model aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forest ecosystems grown in elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO₂]; 518 μL L^?1) and ozone concentrations ([O₃]; 1.5 × background of 30–40 nL L^?1 during daylight hours) for 7 years using free‐air CO₂ enrichment technology to determine how interannual variability in present‐day climate might affect growth responses to either gas. We also tested whether growth effects of those gasses were sustained over time. Elevated [CO₂] increased tree heights, diameters, and main stem volumes by 11%, 16%, and 20%, respectively, whereas elevated ozone [O₃] decreased them by 11%, 8%, and 29%, respectively. Responses similar to these were found for stand volume and basal area. There were no growth responses to the combination of elevated [CO₂+O₃]. The elevated [CO₂] growth stimulation was found to be decreasing, but relative growth rates varied considerably from year to year. Neither the variation in annual relative growth rates nor the apparent decline in CO₂ growth response could be explained in terms of nitrogen or water limitations. Instead, growth responses to elevated [CO₂] and [O₃] interacted strongly with present‐day interannual variability in climatic conditions. The amount of photosynthetically active radiation and temperature during specific times of the year coinciding with growth phenology explained 20–63% of the annual variation in growth response to elevated [CO₂] and [O₃]. Years with higher photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) during the month of July resulted in more positive growth responses to elevated [CO₂] and more negative growth responses to elevated [O₃]. Mean daily temperatures during the month of October affected growth in a similar fashion the following year. These results indicate that a several‐year trend of increasingly cloudy summers and cool autumns were responsible for the decrease in CO₂ growth response.     

Response of a eutrophic, shallow subtropical lake to reduced nutrient loading

1. Lake Apopka (FL, U.S.A.) was subjected to decades of high nutrient loading from farms developed in the 1940s on converted riparian wetlands. Consequences included perennially high densities of cyanobacteria, low water transparency, elimination of submerged vegetation, modified fish community, and deposition of nutrient‐rich, flocculent sediments. 2. Initial steps were taken to reduce phosphorus (P) loading. Through strengthened regulation and purchase of farms for restoration, external P loading was reduced on average from 0.56 to 0.25 g P m^?2 year^?1 (55%) starting in 1993. The P loading target for the lake is 0.13 g P m^?2 year^?1. 3. For the first 6 years of P loading reduction the annual sedimentation coefficient (σ) averaged 13% less than the prior long‐term value (0.97 versus 1.11 year^?1). The sedimentation coefficient, σ, was lower in the last 3 years of the study, but this period included extreme low‐water conditions and may not be representative. Annual σ was negative (net P flux to the water column) only 1 year. 4. Wind velocity explained 43% of the variation in σ during the period before reductions in total phosphorus (TP) concentration of lake water, but this proportion dropped to 6% after TP reductions. 5. Annual mean TP concentrations differed considerably from values predicted from external loading and hydraulic retention time using the Vollenweider–Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development relationship. Reductions in lake water TP concentration fit model predictions better when multiyear (3‐year) mean values were used. 6. Evidence available to date indicates that this shallow, eutrophic lake responded to the decrease in external P loading. Neither recycling of sediment P nor wind‐driven resuspension of sediments prevented improvements in water quality. Reductions in TP concentration were evident about two TP‐resident times (2 × 0.9 year) after programmes began to reduce P loading. Improvements in concentrations of chlorophyll a and total suspended solids as well as in Secchi transparency lagged changes in lake‐water TP concentration but reached similar magnitudes during the study.     

Effects of Peanut-Skin Procyanidin A1 on Degranulation of RBL-2H3 Cells

Peanut skin contains large amounts of polyphenols having antiallergic effects. We found that a peanut-skin extract (PSE) inhibits the degranulation induced by antigen stimulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. A low-molecular-weight fraction from PSE, PSEL, also had inhibitory activity against allergic degranulation. A main polyphenol in PSEL was purified by gel chromatography and fractionated by YMC-gel ODS-AQ 120S50 column. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of the purified polyphenol gave m?z 599 [M+Na]⁺. Based on the results of ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectra, and optical rotation analysis, the polyphenol was identified as procyanidin A1. It inhibited the degranulation caused by antigen stimulation at the IC₅₀ of 20.3 μM. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and 2,5,-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone (DTBHQ)-induced processes of degranulation were also inhibited by procyanidin A1. These results indicate that peanut-skin procyanidin A1 inhibits degranulation downstream of protein kinase C activation or Ca²⁺ influx from an internal store in RBL-2H3 cells.