Investigation of the relationship between seed leachate conductivity and the germination of Brassica seed

Large differences in the leachate conductivities of single seeds after 24 h soaking were observed in five Brussels sprout cultivars. Within each cultivar non-germinable seeds tended to have higher conductivities than germinable seeds, but the conductivity above which seeds failed to germinate varied between cultivars. No conductivity reading or partition value could therefore be considered as an absolute boundary between germinable and non-germinable seeds to allow the prediction of seed germination for all seed lots of the same species. However, the mean conductivity for each sample was significantly correlated with germination (r = 0.83, P < 0.05) and was clearly higher for samples with lower germinations. Differences in the partition values for the five cultivars may have been attributable to the natural age of the seeds. Seeds of Asmer Aries artificially aged rapidly at 20% moisture content for up to 48 h at 45° C showed increasing leachate conductivity with increased time of ageing (r = 0.97, P < 0.01) and decreased germination (r = - 0.88, P < 0.05). Again however the values for germinable and non-germinable seeds of different artificial ages varied. Leakage from seeds was limited by the testa in the first 6 h of imbibition. Solute leakage from embryos of the five cultivars was therefore greater than those for intact seeds but a clear separation of germinable and non-germinable seeds was still not possible from the conductivity readings. The implications of the observed increases in conductivity with increased seed age and decreased germination for the development of a rapid vigour test for small seeded vegetables in conjunction with controlled deterioration are discussed.     

Amphibian Limb Regeneration and its Relation to Nerves

Much circumstantial evidence points to a neurotrophic influencein amphibian limb regeneration. Although fine-structural observationsof nerves in regenerating limbs have indicated the possibilitythat neurosecretory vesicles accumulate distally in these axons,there is no clear-cut demonstration available that these organellesare neurotropic. Evidence is accumulating that the neural influencein newt limb regeneration is transneuronal. There is also evidencethat trophic substances other than those found in the nerveitself may be involved in the supporting limb regeneration.The characterization of the neurotrophic substance is considereda central task for students of regeneration in the future.     

Estimating Detection Probabilities from Sign of Collared Peccary

ABSTRACT Determining presence or absence of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) from surveys of sign (tracks and feces) requires information on whether animals in sample units are detected. We estimated detection probabilities of collared peccary from sign surveys using occupancy models. Because it was unlikely that residence status of collared peccary in sampling units remained the same over a survey season, which is a primary assumption of occupancy models, we first determined the time interval for which to pool data. We then examined the influence of rainfall and peccary abundance on detection probabilities. We placed 90 sign stations (25-m-diam circular plots) throughout Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, south Texas, USA. We surveyed plots weekly for the presence or non-presence of collared peccary during 2 11-week sampling seasons in spring and fall 2003. We examined sign data weekly and we pooled the data in intervals from 2 weeks to 5 weeks. Estimates of detection probabilities increased from 1 week to 3 weeks of pooled data and leveled off thereafter. We needed a 3-week time interval to meet the assumption of unchanging residence status. Using sign data pooled in 3-week increments, detection probabilities were influenced by areas that differed in peccary abundance, but they were not influenced by rainfall. Estimates of detection probabilities ranged from 0.43 to 0.77 for 3-week time intervals. Sign surveys and occupancy modeling of data can be used to measure spatial patterns of collared peccary in south Texas as long as multiple 3-week time intervals are sampled.     

Spore dispersal in Alternaria porri (Ellis) Neerg. on onions in Nebraska

In spore-trapping studies in 1965, conidia of Alternaria porri (Ellis) Neerg. were detected in the atmosphere immediately above onions affected by purple blotch disease. On calm summer days, peak conidium concentration occurred between 08.00 and 14.00 hr., few conidia being trapped between 20.00 and 06.00 hr. On windy days, there were marked increases in concentration. Concentration tended to increase with increasing wind velocity. Increased conidium concentrations were also recorded after rainfall and irrigation, and during spraying operations. Laboratory observations indicate that in A. porri, the attachment of conidium to conidiophore is weakened, if not broken, by movements in the conidial apparatus which occur in response to a decrease in vapour pressure. Possible causes of fluctuations in atmospheric content of A. porri conidia are discussed.     

Violent Spore Release in Some Fungi Imperfecti

Violent spore discharge in the Hyphomycetes Alternaria tenuis,Memnoniella supsimplex, Curvularia lunata, C. geniculata, Corynesporacassiicola, and Zygophiala jamaicensis occurs after transferfrom a humid to a dry atmosphere. Mechanisms of discharge aresuggested.     

Effect of Nutrition on the Short-term Response of Molinia caerulea to Defoliation

Overwintering, rooted basal internodes of Molinia caerulea (L.)Moench were taken from the field and subjected to four nutritiontreatments [an adequate (high) and suboptimal (low) level ofnitrogen (N) x an adequate (high) and suboptimal (low) levelof phosphorus (P)] and three degrees of defoliation (12 treatmentsin total). Growth parameters were studied using both non-destructivemeasurements and destructive harvesting. High N supply and highP supply increased both the number of tillers and mass of eachtiller. Interactions between the effects of N and P did occurfor several growth variables; in general this was due to anabsence of a response to P supply at low N. Defoliation reducedthe dry weight of basal internodes and roots produced and temporarilyreduced leaf dry weight per tiller. There were no effects ofdefoliation on tillering. Interactions of defoliation with bothN supply and P supply were observed. Leaf extension rate wasincreased by defoliation at low, but not high N, and the adverseeffects of defoliation on root dry weight and root/shoot (R/S)ratios were proportionally greater at low N. The results arediscussed in relation to other investigations which have reportedcontrasting aspects of Molinia growth in response to both nutrientsand defoliation. Molinia caerulea, purple moor grass, nitrogen, phosphorus, defoliation