A comparison of vector population indices for forecasting barley yellow dwarf virus in autumn sown cereal crops

Two approaches based on the concept of a vector population index are considered as possible deterministic elements for an empirical forecast of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in autumn sown cereals. The first, an aerial vector index, is a further elaboration of the infectivity index proposed by Plumb, Lennon & Gutteridge (1981), which assumes that virus damage is a function of the number of infective migrant alatae of the two main aphid vectors, Rhopalosiphum padi L. and Sitobion avenae F., integrated over time from crop planting or emergence. The new formulation, however, excludes holocyclic alate morphs (i.e. males and gynoparae) of the former species, which, although generally abundant in autumn, are nevertheless perceived as relatively unimportant virus vectors since they colonise only the alternative woody host, Prunus padus (the bird-cherry tree). The second approach, a crop vector index, is a more fundamental departure which argues that field populations of viruliferous aphids, both alatae and apterae, which have already colonised cereals, may be a better criterion of potential virus spread than the density of aerial migrant vectors. This index retains a similar integral form, but evaluates crop exposure to BYDV as accumulated infectious aphid-days. A method is described whereby this function can be derived from irregular or infrequent aphid samples in the crop. Both methods, unlike Plumb's (1976) original concept, produced indices which were significantly related to subsequent virus infection and yield loss in winter barley at Long Ashton (S.W. England, UK), 1978–1986. The best models were obtained with the crop vector index, fitted to observed virus infection by generalised linear regression using a complementary log-log link function, or to observed yield loss by simple linear regression using a log transformation of yield (r = 0.84 in each case; compared with r-values > 0.65 for the aerial vector index, and > 0.35 for Plumb's (1976) index). However, the residual errors and hence confidence limits of these fitted regressions were too large for predicting damage that was significantly less than a reasonable economic damage threshold for BYDV control. Analyses of the separate components of each index showed a good general relationship between aphid infectivity and the severity of crop infection, confirming the epidemiological importance of this factor. The functional expressions of aphid density, however, were not significant. This evident weakness in the models, and alternative approaches to BYDV forecasting are discussed.     

Ethanol production from materials containing cellulose: The potential of Russian research and development

Development of national research of cellulose-degrading microorganisms and enzymes is reviewed, with emphasis on the prospects of producing ethanol from cellulose materials using cellulolytic enzymes. Leading Russian research groups in this field are introduced. A section of the review analyzes problems and prospects of setting up environmentally friendly production of motor biofuels from renewable raw materials of plant origin (an approach developed in Russia).     

The effects of thiamine inhibition on ruminal fermentation: a preliminary study

Inhibition of methanogenesis in ruminal cultures was attempted by hindering thiamine availability through its degradation by ‘polyphenols’ and competition for active sites on enzymes and transporters using thiamine structural analogs. Effects on fermentation were small and not consistently reversed by adding thiamine. Lack of major effects of the compounds evaluated could be due to intracellular synthesis of thiamine covering most requirements.     

Prostaglandins do not mediate the actions of cholera toxin on pancreatic acini or gastric chief cells from the guinea pig

Recent reports suggest that prostaglandins, rather than cAMP, play a major role in mediating cholera toxin-induced water and electrolyte secretion from rabbit intestinal loops. We examined the role of prostaglandins in mediating toxin-induced pancreatic and gastric exocrine secretion. In these tissues, indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, did not alter the stimulatory effects of cholera toxin on increases in cellular cAMP or enzyme secretion. Moreover, the addition of cholera toxin did not alter prostaglandin E2 release from either tissue. In contrast to their effects in rabbit intestinal loops, prostaglandins do not regulate cholera toxin-induced enzyme secretion from the guinea pig pancreas or stomach.