Breed differences in the distribution of BoLA-A locus antigens in American cattle

A total of 627 cattle representing seven breeds from south central Nebraska, USA were tested for 37 BoLA antigens which behave as products of 37 distinct alleles of the class I BoLA-A locus. Four antigens were absent from all breeds tested. The other antigens showed marked and statistically significant differences in breed distribution. There was no evidence for blank (null) alleles. The number of alleles in each breed ranged from 10 to 20. The Hereford and Simmental populations tested were less polymorphic than the Angus, Brown Swiss, Charolais, Gelbvieh and Limousin populations.     

Control of potato cyst-nematode, Globodera pallida, on tomatoes grown under glass, by applying steam or chemical nematicides to the soil

In a sandy loam under glass, potato cyst-nematode, Globodera pallida, was controlled in soil to 20 cm deep, and tomato yields were greatly increased by sheet steaming for 4 h, by 977 kg methyl bromide ha^-1 or by 448 kg Telone (1,3-dichloropropene mixture or Di-Trapex CP (20% methyl isothiocyanate: 15% chloropicrin:65% dichloropropene-dichloropropane mixture) ha^-1 followed by 441 kg dazomet or 11.2 kg oxamyl ha^-1. Sheet steaming, unlike the other treatments, had relatively little effect on the nematode in soil 20 to 40 cm deep. Until the apices of the plants were cut off production of fruit was curvilinear against time in all treated soil but linear against time in untreated soil.     

Effect of Inorganic Cations on the Biocidal and Cellular Activity of Glutaraldehyde

Increased bactericidal activity was observed on addition of inorganic cations to both acid and alkaline glutaraldehyde solutions. Mg²⁺ ion in particular potentiated activity and this was attributed to cell surface effects due to osmotic forces resulting in greater uptake of disinfectant, reduction in cell volume and interference with enzyme activity associated with the cell wall.     

Asymmetric impacts of two herbivore ecotypes on similar host plants

1. Ecotypes may arise following allopatric separation from source populations. The simultaneous transfer of an exotic plant to a novel environment, along with its stenophagous herbivore, may complicate more traditional patterns of divergence from the plant and insect source populations. 2. The present study evaluated herbivory effects by two Cyrtobagous salviniae ecotypes on two species of Salvinia: the larger S. molesta and the smaller S. minima. Evaluations were based on relative growth rates, biomass production, coverage, and nutrient cycling in a series of complementary and comparative laboratory and outdoor tank experiments. 3. In general, the experiment results indicated that the smaller Florida ecotype of C. salviniae impacted both Salvinia species more than the larger Brazil ecotype. Herbivory, especially by the Florida ecotype, also improved water quality and accelerated nutrient cycling by increasing the rates of litterfall from the standing crops of salvinia. 4. The smaller size of the Florida ecotype may be adaptive by allowing maximal exploitation of host plants via internal larval feeding, which presumably reduces predation risk while increasing damage to the plant. These findings provide support for relying on the suppressive effects of the Florida ecotype in Florida, rather than introducing the Brazil ecotype to counter new infestations of S. molesta.     

Labyrinthula

SYNOPSIS. The bionomics of Labyrinthula Cienkowski and the validity of the family Labyrinthulidae Haeckel are reviewed. The structure, physiology (including nutrition), locomotion, ecology, and possible pathogenicity for eel-grass ( Zostera marina L.) are discussed. The uniqueness of its gliding motility along slime tracks, lack of phagotrophy, and poorly understood congregation tendencies emphasize the present taxonomic isolation of the group. Further interest attaches to some species because of their steroid requirements.     

Control of pea cyst-nematode, Heterodera goettingiana, by small amounts of aldicarb, Du Pont 1410, Ciba-Geigy 10576 or Dowco 275 applied to the soil at planting time

Aldicarb, or Du Pont 1410 (S-methyl-I-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-N-[(methyl-carbamoyl)oxy]thioformimidate), at 2.8–22.4 kg a.i./ha incorporated in the seed-bed before sowing greatly increased the yield of peas in a clay loam and two sandy clay soils infested with pea cyst-nematode, Heterodera goettingiana, and lessened or prevented increase in the number of nematodes. CibaGeigy 10576 (an organophosphorus compound) at 5.6–22.4 kg a.i./ha was similarly effective in a sandy clay soil. Dowco 275 (O, O-diethylO-(6-fluoro-2 pyridyl) phosphorothioate) at 5.6 or 11.2 kg a.i./ha also controlled the nematode well in the clay loam and in a sandy clay soil but although it greatly increased the yield of peas in the clay loam, it did not increase yield in the sandy clay.     

Control of potato cyst-nematode, Heterodera rostochiensis, in peaty loam soil by D-D, aldicarb and a resistant variety of potato

In peaty loam soil in Cambridgeshire, 5.2 or 10.3 kg aldicarb/ha incorporated in the top-soil before potatoes were planted controlled potato cystnematode (Heterodera rostochiensis Woll.) better than 384, 769 or 1153 kg D-D/ha injected 15 cm deep into the top-soil in the preceding autumn. 10.3 kg aldicarb/ha applied in 1968 and 1969 permitted King Edward potatoes (susceptible to H. rostochiensis) to grow well in infested soil and prevented multiplication of pathotypes of H. rostochiensis on Maris Piper potatoes (resistant to H. rostochiensis pathotype A). Although large amounts of D-D applied in 1968 and 1969 increased the yield of King Edward potatoes in both years they did not control potato cyst-nematode in the second year.     

Control of potato cyst-nematode, Heterodera rostochiensis, in three soils by small amounts of aldicarb, Du Pont 1410 or Nemacur applied to the soil at planting time

Aldicarb or Du Pont 1410 (S-methyl 1-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-N-[(methylcarbamoyl) oxy] thioformimidate) at 2.6–11.2 kg a.i./ha applied to the soil at planting time controlled potato cyst-nematode, Heterodera rostochiensis, in sandy loam, peaty loam and silt loam and greatly increased tuber yields of susceptible potatoes. Nemacur (O-ethyl-O-(3-methyl-4-methylthiophenyl) isopropylamido-phosphate) controlled potato cyst-nematode in sandy loam at 2.9–10.3 kg a.i./ha and in silt loam at 11.2 kg a.i./ha but did not control the nematode well in peaty loam even at 22.4 kg a.i./ha. In peaty loam aldicarb and Nemacur were more effectively incorporated by rotavation than by a modified power harrow.     

MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF A VACUUM CONTACT-PLATE DEHYDRATION PROCESS

SUMMARY: A process for dehydrating fish under vacuum and in contact with heated plates is described. Although the conditions, in respect of time and temperature, appeared suitable for microbial development, a reduction in the number of bacteria usually occurred. A survey of the data accumulated over twenty months, including a series of experimental production periods, showed that the bacterial population estimated at 22° was reduced in the process as a whole to about 1% of its initial value and that estimated at 37° to about 10%. Species of the genus Micrococcus tended to predominate on the finished product. Contrary to earlier expectations, there should be no serious microbiological hazards if high standards of personal and factory hygiene are maintained.     

Site selection by swans wintering in Britain and Ireland; the importance of habitat and geographic location

Monthly surveys of Bewick's Swans Cygnus columbianus bewickii , Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus and Mute Swans Cygnus olor in Britain and Ireland were made during the 1990–1991 winter to determine factors affecting the swans' selection of feeding sites. Geographic location and habitat both influenced site selection. Whooper Swans occurred in greatest numbers at sites in Scotland, northeastern England and Northern Ireland, whereas Bewick's Swans had a more southerly distribution, reflecting differences in the migratory routes used by these two species. The resident Mute Swans were more widespread, with large flocks occurring in southeastern England and in parts of Scotland. Whooper and Mute Swans were found mainly on permanent inland waters (68% and 61%, respectively), but the majority of Bewick's Swans (60%) were on arable land. The percentage of Bewick's Swan flocks found on permanent inland waters (42%) was higher than that found on arable fields (23%), indicating that the large number recorded on arable land was a result of the birds congregating at a comparatively small number of sites. Overall, less than 15% of Whooper Swans and 3% of Mute Swans were on arable crops during the winter, but the largest flocks were associated with arable land for all three species. Thus, although the occurrence of large flocks at particular arable sites may give an impression that swans feed mainly on farmland, the swans are in fact more widely dispersed. Regional variation in the percentage of juveniles present was recorded for all three species. Changes during the winter in the distribution of juveniles, and of the swans as a whole, are considered in relation to food supply and to migratory routes for the Bewick's and Whooper Swans.