Allelopathic effects of interrupted fern on northern red oak seedlings: Amelioration bySuillus luteus L.: Fr.

Summary The allelopathic effects of interrupted fern frond leachates on ectomycorrhizal (inoculated) and nonmycorrhizal (noninoculated) northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings were investigated. Container-grown northern red oak was inoculated with vegetative mycelium ofSuillus luteus L. Fr. following acorn germination. Noninoculated control seedlings were also maintained. Seedlings were grown in a glasshouse under full sunlight or shaded (25% of full sunlight) conditions. Leachate or deionized water solutions were applied to seedlings eleven times over a 91-day period to simulate a rainfall induced transfer of allelopathic chemicals from fern fronds to the soil. Fern frond leachates significantly reduced seedling survival, however, inoculated seedlings showed less mortality. Chromium concentrations of pooled lateral root or leaf tissue were comparatively higher in tissues exhibiting greater mortality. Root biomass was reduced by fern fern frond leachate applications. Seedling biomass was not significantly affected by fungal inoculation. Our results confirm previous documentation of the allelopathic potential of ferns, and suggest that ectomycorrhizal fungi may ameliorate allelopathic effects of ferns on northern red oak seedling survival and growth.     

Interference of shape Choricarpia leptopetala by shape Lantana camara with nutrient enrichment in mesic forests on the Central Coast of NSW

Suppression of Choricarpia leptopetala (F. Muell.) Domin., an early native coloniser of mesic forests, by Lantana camara L. was evaluated using field-based variable density and substitution experiments. Sites were located in disturbed areas within wet sclerophyll forest and warm temperate rainforest near Lake Macquarie on the Central Coast of NSW. In the variable density experiment, C. leptopetala growth was significantly suppressed by 36.4% from 3.3 to 2.1 g plant^-1 in the presence of equal proportions of L. camara at a total density of 20 seedlings m^-2, only when nutrients (60 g m^-2 of a slow release NPKS fertiliser) were added to the soil surface. Lantana camara growth significantly increased by 14.6% from 4.1 to 4.7 g plant^-1 when nutrients were added. At a density of 40 seedlings m^-2, growth of C. leptopetata was suppressed by 37.5% from 3.2 to 2.0 g plant^-1 in the zero nutrient treatment with equal proportions of L. camara, and was further suppressed by 40.0% from 2.0 to 1.2 g plant^-1 with the addition of nutrients. Lantana camara growth significantly increased by 43.7% from 2.3 to 3.3 g plant^-1 when nutrients were added. Pure stands of C. leptopetala did not respond significantly to nutrient addition at either density. In the substitution experiment (with a constant density of 20 seedlings m^-2), C. leptopetala growth was significantly suppressed by 44.1% from 3.4 to 1.9 g plant^-1 when L. camara reached 75% of stand composition in the zero nutrient treatment and by 43.2% from 3.7 to 2.1 g plant^-1 when it reached 50% of stand composition in the nutrient addition treatment.The results link interference and suppression of native colonisers by exotic invaders with demonstrated increases in resource availability following ecosystem disturbance. Lantana camara is able to take better advantage of increased resource availability than C. leptopetala, thereby accumulating more biomass and suppressing the growth of C. leptopetala. Suppression of C. leptopetala also increased when the density of L. camara was increased. Consequently, the negative effect of the invading species on the indigenous species is both nutrient-addition and density dependent. Models describing interference in ecosystem recovery following disturbance need to include interference processes associated with weed invasion that disadvantage indigenous species.Nomenclature: Harden (1990).     

马缨丹叶片水提物与挥发油的生物活性及化学成分研究

研究了马缨丹 ( Lantana camara L.)叶片水提物和挥发油水溶液的化感作用。结果表明 ,马缨丹叶片水溶物浓度在 0 .2 5 g FW m L- 1时 ,对所有受试植物的幼苗生长均有一定的抑制作用 ,浓度降至 0 .1 0 g FWm L- 1时 ,其抑制作用显著降低 ;马缨丹叶片挥发油水溶液在浓度为 1 0 0、2 0 0、30 0 μg m L- 1时 ,对受试植物均有很强的抑制作用 ,且具有明显的浓度效应。采用 GC/MS分析了马缨丹叶片挥发油的化学成分 ,鉴定了 1 9种化感物质 ,其中α-子丁香烯和β-子丁香烯为主要物质 ,分别占挥发油含量的 1 6 .2 9%、2 2 .2 9%。     

Production of biogas from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart) (Solms) in a two-stage bioreactor

A two-stage rumen-derived anaerobic digestion process was tested for the conversion of water hyacinth shoots and a mixture of the shoots with cowdung (7:3) into biogas. Under conditions similar to those of the rumen and loading rates (LR) in the range of 11.6–19.3g volatile solids (VS) l–1d–1 in the rumen reactor, the degradation efficiencies were 38% for the shoots and 43% for the mixture. The major fermentation products were volatile fatty acids (VFA) with a maximum yield of 7.92mmolg–1 VS digested, and biogas with a yield of 0.2lg–1 VS digested. The effect of varying LR, solid retention time (SRT) and dilution rates on the extent of degradation of the water hyacinth–cowdung mixture was examined. Overall conversion of the substrate was highest at the loading rate of 15.4gVS.l–1d–1. Varying the retention times between 60 and 120h had no effect on the degradation efficiency, but a decrease was observed at retention times below 60h. The overall performance of the reactor was depressed by changing the dilution rate from 0.5 to 0.34h–1. By applying a LR of 15.4VS. l–1d–1, a SRT of 90h and a dilution rate of 0.5h–1 in the rumen reactor, and connecting it to a methanogenic reactor of the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket type, 100% conversion efficiency of the VFA into biogas with a methane content of 80% was achieved. The average methane gas yield was 0.44lg–1 VS digested.     

L-Sorbose production in a continuous fermenter with and without cell recycle

The kinetics of continuous l-sorbose fermentation using Acetobacter suboxydans with and without cell recycle (100%) were investigated at dilution rates (D) of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.3 h^–1. The biomass and sorbose concentrations for continuous fermentation without recycle increased as the dilution rate was increased from 0.05 to 0.10 h^–1. A maximum biomass concentration of 8.44 g l^–1 and sorbose concentration of 176.90 g l^–1 were obtained at D=0.10 h^–1. The specific rate of sorbose production and volumetric sorbose productivity at this dilution rate were 2.09 g g^–1 h^–1 and 17.69 g l^–1 h^–1. However, on further increasing the dilution rate to 0.3 h^–1, both biomass and sorbose concentrations decreased to 2.93 and 73.20 g l^–1 respectively, mainly due to washout of the reactor contents. However, the specific rate of sorbose formation and volumetric sorbose productivity at this dilution rate increased to 7.49 g g^–1 h^–1 and 21.96 g l^–1 h^–1 respectively. Continuous fermentation with 100% cell recycle served to further enhance the concentration of biomass and sorbose to 28.27 and 184.32 g l^–1 respectively (in the reactor at a dilution rate of 0.05 h^–1). Even though, there was a decline in the biomass and sorbose concentrations to 6.8 and 83.40 g l^–1 at a dilution rate of 0.3 h^–1, the specific rates of sorbose formation and volumetric sorbose productivity increased to 3.67 g g^–1h^–1 and 25.02 g l^–1 h^–1.     

Protein production from whey usingPenicillium cyclopium; growth parameters and cellular composition

Summary The growth parameters ofPenicillium cyclopium have been evaluated in a continuous culture system for the production of fungal protein from whey. Dilution rates varied from 0.05 to 0.20 h^–1 under constant conditions of temperature (28°C) and pH (3.5). The saturation coefficients in the Monod equation were 0.74 g l^–1 for lactose and 0.14 mg l^–1 for oxygen, respectively. For a wide range of dilution rates, the yield was 0.68 g g^–1 biomass per lactose and the maintenance coefficient 0.005 g g^–1 h^–1 lactose per biomass, respectively. The maximum biomass productivity achieved was 2 g l^–1 h^–1 biomass at dilution rates of 0.16–0.17 h^–1 with a lactose concentration of 20 g l^–1 in the feed. The crude protein and total nucleic acid contents increased with a dilution rate, crude protein content varied from 43% to 54% and total nucleic acids from 6 to 9% in the range of dilution rates from 0.05 to 0.2 h^–1, while the Lowry protein content was almost constant at approximately 37.5% of dry matter.Nomenclature (mg l^–1) C_o initial concentration of dissolved oxygen - (h^–1) D dilution rate - (mg l^–1) K₀₂ saturation coefficient for oxygen - (g l^–1) K_s saturation coefficient for substrate - (g g^–1 h^–1) lactose per biomass) m maintenance energy coefficient - (mM g^–1 h^–1O₂ per biomass) Q₀₂ specific oxygen uptake rate - (g l^–1) S residual substrate concentration at steady state - (g l^–1) S_o initial substrate concentration in feed - (min) t_1/2 time when C_o is equal to C_o/2 - (g l^–1) X biomass concentration - (g l^–1) X biomass concentration at steady state - (g g^–1 biomass per lactose) Y_G yield coefficient for cell growth - (g g^–1 biomass per lactose) Y_x/s overall yield coefficient - (h^–1) specific growth rate     

Effect of calcium on the performance and morphology ofZymomonas mobilis ATCC 29191 in continuous ethanol fermentations

Summary The effect of calcium chloride, over a concentration range of 0–40mM (equivalent to 0–5.88g/L), on various steady-state parameters associated with the chemostat culture ofZ. mobilis ATCC 29191, in a defined salts medium containing 100g/L glucose, was examined. In contradiction of reports by other authors that calcium chloride (>2g/L) inhibits both the growth rate and ethanol yield while at the same time increasing the biomass yield, it was observed in the present study that 25mM (3.7g/L) CaCl₂ did not appreciably affect any of these fermentation parameters. The D_max (dilution rate for 95% substrate utilization) of 0.22/hr was not affected until the concentration of calcium chloride exceeded 30mM (4.41g/L). The apparent increase in biomass yield produced by calcium can be attributed to the formation of insoluble calcium carbonate. Calcium induced morphological changes of the biomass with filamentous growth were seen at concentrations >30 mM. Sparging with nitrogen gas reduces the dissolved carbon, dioxide, lessens the apparent inhibitory effect of calcium on the ethanol productivity and decreases the degree of filament formation.     

马缨丹乳油及其混剂对黄曲条跳甲的拒食活性

测试了自制的12.5%马缨丹乳油对黄曲条跳甲成虫拒食活性、持效性及其与7.5%鱼藤酮乳油、1.5%除虫菊水乳剂、0.3%印楝乳油混配的联合活性。该乳油1000倍液处理菜心叶片后48h对黄曲条跳甲成虫具有40%的拒食率,随着浓度升高,拒食活性增强;200、400和600倍液处理120h后对黄曲条跳甲成虫的累计拒食率分别达到76%、68%和43%。12.5%马缨丹乳油与7.5%鱼藤酮乳油以5∶5比例混配使用时,增效作用最为明显,拒食中浓度AFC50为5.25μg.ml-1,共毒系数CTC为213;与1.5%除虫菊水乳剂以1∶9比例混配使用时的增效作用次之,共毒系数CTC为149;与0.3%印楝乳油以9∶1、7∶3、5∶5、3∶7和1∶9比例混配使用时,其共毒系数CTC均100,表现为相互拮抗作用。结果表明:12.5%马缨丹乳油对黄曲条跳甲成虫具有强烈的拒食活性,其200倍液和400倍液拒食持效性好,且该乳油可与7.5%鱼藤酮乳油混配使用。     

Continuous culture of Candida boidinii variant 60 growing on methanol

Summary A new variant, Candida boidinii variant 60, which is less sensitive to methanol and formaldehyde shocks was grown in continuous cultures with methanol as sole carbon source. The substrate concentration in the feeding medium was either 1% methanol or 3% methanol. Biomass production, methanol consumption, the formation of formaldehyde and gas exchange were measured at different dilution rates. With low methanol feeding (10 g/l) maximal productivity of 0.44 g biomass/l·h is obtained at a dilution rate of 0.14 h^–1. Maximal specific growth rate is 0.18 h^–1. A yield of 0.32 g biomass/g methanol was obtained and the respiration quotient was determined as 0.55. Independently of initial substrate concentration, biomass decreases if methanol and formaldehyde are accumulating in the culture broth.In the culture with high methanol feeding (30 g/l) cell concentratioon increases up to 9 g/l at D=0.04 h^–1. At higher dilution rates methanol and form-aldehyde appear in the medium. Formaldehyde is then preferably oxidized without energy advantages for the cells. It seems that this enables the cells to overcome toxic effects caused by methanol and formaldehyde.     

Effects of moderate shade and irrigation with eutrophicated water on the nitrogen economy of Mediterranean oak seedlings

We evaluated the effects of moderate shade (43% vs. 100% of full sunlight) and irrigation with eutrophicated river water (daily vs. alternate-day watering) on growth and nitrogen economy of seedlings of three Mediterranean oak species, two evergreen (Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) and a deciduous (Quercus faginea), grown in pots outdoors. Seedling biomass, N pool, N concentration and N losses by litter fall were measured at the beginning (March 2002) and end (November 2002) of a growing season. All species showed an increase of biomass and N pool under shade and/or high irrigation, while only Q. coccifera – from more arid regions – did the same under full sunlight and low irrigation. At the end of the experiment, biomass of the evergreens was higher in shade than in sun, and in high than in low irrigation, while Q. faginea – from more humid zones – responded to irrigation only. Shade-induced growth was accompanied by a decline in N concentration in the evergreens, but irrigation reduced N concentration only of Q. faginea. Shade, but not irrigation, reduced above-ground N loss. We conclude that both treatments differentially affected the evergreen and the deciduous oaks, probably due to differences in plant hydraulic and stomatal conductance. Although both treatments have similar effects on the growth of evergreens, they produced different effects on seedling N economy, which may have important consequences on future field seedling performance.     

Butyric fermentation: metabolic behaviour and production performance of Clostridium tyrobutyricum in a continuous culture with cell recycle

Summary Two physiological characteristics of butyric fermentation, inhibition by the acids produced, butyrate and acetate, and dependence on the growth rate of the distribution of these acids, prompted a study of butyrate production in a continuous fermentation system with cell recycle by microfiltration. The influence of the main operating parameters, glucose input (feed concentration and dilution rate) and bleed dilution rate on production of acids and biomass was studied. The performance of the system greatly exceeded the results obtained in batch and simple continuous fermentations as a high productivity for butyrate (9.5 g l^–1 h^–1) was achieved whilst retaining a satisfactory concentration of butyrate (29.7 g l^–1) and low acetate production (0.6 g l^–1) at a cell biomass concentration of 35 g l^–1. Cell growth rate was found to be a critical parameter for performance stability as oscillations in metabolic activity due to inhibition by acids were observed at bleed dilution rates below 0.016 h^–1.Offprint requests to: J. P. Vandecasteele     

Acacia karroo invasion of grassland: environmental and biotic effects influencing seedling emergence and establishment

Acacia karroo Hayne is the most important woody invader of grassland in South Africa, and can greatly reduce the productivity of grassland. A field experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses that emergence, growth and the 1st year's survival of Acacia karroo would be enhanced by (1) defoliation of the grass sward, (2) increased irradiance, (3) increased moisture availability and (4) its germination within cattle dung pats. The study was conducted on one site above and one below the natural altitudinal treeline of this species in grassland of the eastern Cape, South Africa. Not one seedling emerged from dung pats. Neither location nor the other treatments affected the density of emerging seedlings, although only 40.4 seedlings m^–2 emerged of the 200 seeds m^–2 planted. Shading dramatically increased the density of surviving seedlings. In the open, only 3 and 1.5 seedlings m^–2 remained respectively at the end of the growing season or the beginning of the next, compared to 23.3 and 19.5 seedlings m^–2 under shading for these respective times. This was attributed to the effect of shade on moisture availability in a season which received only 54% of average rainfall. Seedling survival until the end of the growing season was enhanced (30%) by shade at both sites, but also by supplemental water (24%) and defoliation of the sward (7%) at the site above the treeline. Across sites and treatments, seedling survival was related to moisture availability, with no or poor survival for < 500 mm rainfall, indicating this species can only establish in certain rainfall years. Seedling survival over winter was not influenced by treatment, but was greater for larger seedlings. Treatments affected seedling size, in particular seedlings growing under shade and within a dense grass canopy were etiolated. A. karroo seedlings are capable of establishing and surviving within a dense grass sward for at least a year, tolerant of low irradiance and of interference, which, because most seeds do not persist for much longer than a year, suggests this species forms predominantly a seedling bank. This has implications for the invasion of grassland by woody species.     

Potential biological control of weeds in rice fields by allelopathy of dwarf lilyturf plants

Dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogonjaponicus Ker-Gawl), a medicinal plant, hasbeen used for sore throat therapy andinhibition of physiological thirst sinceancient times. Experimental studies wereconducted to determine the allelopathic effectsof dwarf lilyturf plants on germination andgrowth of three main weed species, viz.,barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.),monchoria (Monocharia vaginalis P.) andsmallflower umbrella (Cyperus difformisL.), in rice production and on emergence andgrowth of weeds in rice fields in Japan. Theseresults showed that all aqueous extracts (1, 2,4, 8%, w/v) from the dried powders ofunderground parts of dwarf lilyturf containedwater-soluble substances that significantlyinhibited seed germination and seedling growthfor monchoria and smallflower umbrella. Withrespect to barnyardgrass, all aqueous extractshad less effect on germination, but lowconcentrations (<2%, w/v) had stimulatoryeffects on growth. However, higherconcentrations (>4%, w/v) had significantinhibitory effects. In a glasshouse experiment,all treatments (50, 100, 150 g m^–2) of thedried powders significantly inhibited theemergence and dry weights of weeds in ricepaddy fields and the inhibition became strongeras the concentration increased, except that50 g m^–2 concentration had slightstimulatory effects on the emergence ofbarnyardgrass. The 150 g m^–2 concentrationmarkedly inhibited emergence (77.6%) and dryweight (91.1%) of rice field weeds. Inaddition, all treatments had no inhibition oninitial rice plant growth. Dwarf lilyturfplants may have inhibitory potential on weedsas a natural rice field herbicide.     

Salvage Logging Versus the Use of Burnt Wood as a Nurse Object to Promote Post‐Fire Tree Seedling Establishment

Intense debate surrounds the effects of post‐fire salvage logging (SL) versus nonintervention policies on forest regeneration, but scant support is available from experimental studies. We analyze the effect of three post‐fire management treatments on the recruitment of a serotinous pine (Pinus pinaster) at a Mediterranean mountain. Treatments were applied 7 months after the fire and differ in the degree of intervention, ranging from “no intervention” (NI, all trees left standing) to “partial cut plus lopping” (PCL, felling most of the trees, cutting the main branches, and leaving all the biomass in situ without mastication), and “SL” (felling and piling the logs, and masticating the woody debris). Seedling survival after 3 years was the highest in PCL (47.3% versus 38.7% in SL). This was associated with the amelioration of microclimatic conditions under the scattered branches, which reduced radiation and soil temperature while increasing soil moisture. Seedling density after 2 years was approximately 5.5 times higher in PCL than in SL, as in SL a large fraction of seedlings was lost as a consequence of mechanized mastication. The NI treatment showed the lowest seedling survival (17.3%). Nevertheless, seedling density was similar to SL. Seedling growth scarcely differed among treatments. Our results show that branches left onsite acted as nurse objects that improved key microclimatic conditions for seedling recruitment. This creates a facilitative interaction ideal for seedling establishment in moisture‐deficient ecosystems, as it provides the benefit of a shading overstory but without underground competition.     

Effect of the dilution rate on the biomass yield ofBacillus thuringiensis and determination of its rate coefficients under steady-state conditions

Depending on the biomass yield on glucose and the cell morphology ofBacillus thuringiensis, three different metabolic states were observed in continuous culture. At dilution rates between 0.18 h^–1 and 0.31 h^–1 vegetative cells, sporulating bacteria and spores coexisted, while glucose and amino acids were consumed. Only vegetative cells were observed at dilution rates between 0.42 h^–1 and 0.47 h^–1 and glucose was used as the main carbon and energy source. AtD = 0.50 h^–1 the biomass yield on glucose decreases sharply. To define better the specific growth rate range in which the microorganism uses mainly glucose, a dilution rate of 0.25–0.45 h^–1 was studied. The experimental data could be adjusted to a Monod model and the following rate coefficients and growth yields were determined: maximum specific growth rate 0.54 h^–1, saturation constant 0.56 mg glucose ml^–1, biomass growth yields 0.43 g cells (g glucose)^–1, and 0.76 g cells (g oxygen)^–1, and maintenance coefficients 0.065 g glucose (g cells)^–1 h^–1 and 0.039 g oxygen (g cells)^–1 h^–1.     

Reassessment of the bioenergetic yield of Arthrospira platensis using continuous culture

Reassessement of bioenergetic growth yield of Arthrospira platensis was performed by using continuous culture under both autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions. Continuous culture was carried out at dilution rates of 0.017, 0.023 and 0.030 h^–1. Under these dilution rates bioenergetic yields ranged between 4.45–6.03 × 10^–3 g biomass kJ^–1 and between 5.42–7.46 × 10^–3 g biomass kJ^–1, under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions respectively. A maximum bioenergetic yield of 8.1 × 10^–3 g biomass kJ^–1 using an autotrophic culture can be calculated. Pigment accumulation (chlorophyll a and carotenoids) may be related to light irradiance, reaching a maximum pigment concentration under light saturation irradiance. Phycocyanin concentration increased during light limitation.     

Productivity analysis of outdoor chemostat culture in tubular air-lift photobioreactors

Net productivity and biomass night losses in outdoor chemostat cultures ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum were analyzed in two tubular airlift photobioreactors at different dilution rates, photobioreactor surface/volume ratios and incident solar irradiance. In addition, an approximate model for the estimation of light profile and average irradiance inside outdoor tubular photobioreactors was proposed. In both photobioreactors, biomass productivity increased with dilution rate and daily incident solar radiation except at the highest incident solar irradiances and dilution rates, when photoinhibition effect was observed in the middle of the day. Variation of estimated average irradiance vs mean incident irradiance showed two effects: first, the outdoor cultures are adapted to average irradiance, and second, simultaneous photolimitation and photoinhibition took place at all assayed culture conditions, the extent of this phenomena being a function of the (incident)¹ irradiance and light regime inside the culture. Productivity ranged between 0.50 and 2.04 g L^–1 d^–1 in the tubular photobioreactor with the lower surface/volume ratio (S/V = 77.5 m^–1) and between 1.08 and 2.76 g L^–1 d^–1 in the other (S/V = 122.0 m^–1). The optimum dilution rate was 0.040 h^–1 in both reactors. Night-time biomass losses were a function of the average irradiance inside the culture, being lower in TPB0.03 than TPB0.06, due to a better light regime in the first. In both photobioreactors, biomass night losses strongly decreased when the photoinhibition effect was pronounced. However, net biomass productivity also decreased due to lower biomass generation during the day. Thus, optimum culture conditions were obtained when photolimitation and photoinhibition were balanced.     

Influence of dilution rate on the morphology and technological properties ofLactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus ATCC 11842 was grown in a chemostat at 45°C and pH 5.5 using glucose as the carbon source, with the aim of optimizing biomass production. Cells were grown in a complex medium under nitrogen. At dilution rates lower than 0.18h^–1, it was difficult to keep steady-state conditions and pleomorphic forms were observed. The addition of 30mM Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ reverted the cells to normal shape: 30mM Mg²⁺ had no effect. Increasing the dilution rate resulted in normal morphology without the addition of any cations. Under these conditions, a maximum productivity of 1.24g dry biomass 1^–1 h^–1 was obtained. The maximum growth yield, corrected for maintenance, was 30g biomass mol^–1 glucose and the maintenance energy was 0.26g glucose g^–1 biomass h^–1. Lactate was the main fermentation product at all glucose concentrations used in the fed medium. Cells grown at high dilution rates had normal technological properties (acid production and proteolysis) when tested in milk.     

Restoring Rainforest Fragments: Survival of Mixed-Native Species Seedlings under Contrasting Site Conditions in the Western Ghats, India

Historical fragmentation and a current annual deforestation rate of 1.2% in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot have resulted in a human-dominated landscape of plantations, agriculture, and developed areas, with embedded rainforest fragments that form biodiversity refuges and animal corridors. On private lands in the Anamalai hills, India, we established restoration sites within three rainforest fragments (5, 19, and 100 ha) representing varying levels of degradation such as open meadow, highly degraded sites with dense Lantana camara invasion, abandoned exotic tree plantations ( Eucalyptus grandis and Maesopsis eminii ), and sites with mixed-native and exotic tree canopy. Between 2000 and 2004, we planted annually during the southwest monsoon 7,538 nursery-raised seedlings of around 127 species in nine sites (0.15–1.0 ha). Seedlings monitored at 6-monthly intervals showed higher mortality over the dry season than the wet season and survival rates over a 2-year period of between 34.4 and 90.3% under different site conditions. Seedling survival was higher in sites with complete weed removal as against partial removal along planting lines and higher in open meadow and under shade than in sites that earlier had dense weed invasion. Of 44 species examined, survival across sites after 24 months for a majority of species (27 species, 61.4%) was higher than 50%. Retaining regenerating native species during weed clearing operations was crucial for rapid reestablishment of a first layer of canopy to shade out weeds and enhance survival of shade-tolerant rainforest seedlings.     

Large-scale production of bacterial biomass from methanol for use as milk-replacer

Summary A mixed methanol-utilizing bacterial culture was utilized to produce bacterial biomass as milk replacer. This culture comprised three pure strains: KISRI-5 (NCIB 12135), KISRI-512 (NCIB 12137) and KISRI-5112 (NCIB 12138). Optimal concentrations of methanol (15 g 1^–1) and medium elements as well as optimal growth conditions, e.g., pH (6.8), temperature (38°C), dissolved oxygen and dilution rate, were established. The maximum biomass yield coefficient obtained under optimized conditions was 0.48 g g^–1.· Large-scale production was successfully carried out in a 1500 1 fermenter under chemostat conditions. A good product was obtained having high true protein content (59–62%) and low polysaccharides (5%) without microbial contamination.