The introduction ofMimorista pulchellalis [Lepidoptera: Pyraustidae] into South Africa for the biological control of jointed cactus,Opuntia aurantiaca. 2. Field evaluation

The mothMimorista pulchellalis was monitored over 2 years after liberation in a jointed cactus (Opuntia aurantiaca) infestation in South Africa. Moth and cactus densities were estimated using a system of randomly-assigned quadrats and the impact of the moth on the cactus population quantified. Moths appeared adapted to survive on the etiolated form of jointed cactus plants, killing approximately 1% of the increment in small plants annually. Large plants were also attacked but damage was negligible. The moths occurred in low numbers throughout the study period and generally went through 3 generations in a year.

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Résumé La pyraleMimorista pulchellalis a été surveillée durant les deux années qui suivirent sa libération dans une infestation de figuier de Barbarie en Afrique du Sud. Les densités de pyrale et de cactus ont été estimées en utilisant un système de quadrats distribués au hasard et l'impact de la pyrale sur la population de cactus a été quantifiée. Les pyrales semblaient adaptées à survivre sur la forme étiolée des plants de cactus tuant approximativement 1% de l'accroissement annuel des petits plants. Les gros plants étaient aussi attaqués, mais les dégats étaient négligeables. La pyrale existait en faibles nombres durant toute la période d'étude et elle présentait généralement 3 générations par an.

     

A practical test for in vitro evaluation of photosensitization: Assessment with hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD)

A simple procedure is described for the determination of the photosensitizing potency of drugs, using three leukemic cell lines, two of lymphocytic origin, L1210 and P388 and one of erythroid type, Friend-745. The procedure allows one to investigate several aspects of the photosensitization properties of tested compounds such as cellular localization and direct (trypan blue exclusion) or delayed (clonogenicity) photomediated toxicities.The method was assessed using crude hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) as well as dihematoporphyrin ether (DHE) or commercially available Photofrin II. Results were compared to those obtained with normal cells, e.g spleen lymphocytes and erythropoietic stem cells (CFU-e), and discussed in the light of the relative response of normal versus transformed cells.Abbreviations DHE Dihematoporphyrin Ether - FCS Fetal Calf Serum - HPD Hematoporphyrin Derivative - PDT Photodynamic Therapy     

A gastric trichobezoar in a chimpanzee

A firm, mobile, oblong mass was discovered as an incidental finding in the stomach of a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) during routine surgery. It was removed and determined to be a trichobezoar.     

Genetical analysis of chromosome 5A of wheat and its influence on important agronomic characters

Summary Chromosome 5A of bread wheat, Triticum aestivum carries the major gene, Vrnl, which is one of the main determinants of the winter/spring growth habit polymorphism in this species. Genetical analysis of this chromosome has been carried out using single-chromosome recombinant lines to establish the pleiotropic effects of this locus and two other major genes, q determining ear morphology and bl determining the presence of awns, on important agronomic characters. The three major genes were located on the long arm of chromosome 5A with a gene order of: centromere -bl-q-Vrnl. Analysis of quantitative characters from a winter sowing revealed pleiotropic effects of Vrnl or the effects of closely linked loci on the characters plant height, tiller number and spikelet number. However effects on ear emergence time were not associated with Vrnl but with q as were effects on spikelet number and ear length. In addition a locus determining yield/plant was located between Vrnl and q. Independant loci determining height and ear length were apparent on the short arm of chromosome 5A. From a spring sowing, however, there was a large pleiotropic effect of Vrnl on ear emergence time, as well as the effects previously detected. In addition, associated with q were effects on plant height and grain size which were not expressed from the winter sowing.     

A comparison of sperm morphology and silver nitrate staining characteristics in the domestic ferret and the black-footed ferret

Ejaculated sperm from the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) were compared for differences in morphological abnormalities and argentophilic protein distribution. Thawed domestic ferret sperm was also compared to fresh sperm to determine whether there were any effects on cell morphology due to cryopreservation. There were statistically significant differences between the two species of ferret in two of the categories scored. The domestic ferret had a higher frequency of cells that were bent in the midpiece and in the principal piece, and a higher frequency of headless and tailless cells when compared to the black-footed ferret. There were no statistically significant differences in cell morphology between the fresh and cryopreserved ejaculates of the domestic ferret employing a standard egg yolk cryoextender. Silver nitrate staining distribution was different between the two species in both the head and tail region.     

Uptake of phosphate from soils and fertilizers as affected by soil P availability and solubility of phosphorus fertilizers

Fertilizers labelled with ³²P were used to measure amounts of phosphorus, P_s and P_F, taken up by Lolium perenne from available soil P and from P fertilizer respectively, when applied at a rate of 66 mg P·(kg soil^–1) in greenhouse experiments. The quantity P_s of phosphorus taken up from soil in the presence of P fertilizer was compared to the quantity P_o taken up from soil without P fertilizer. The quantity (P_s–P_o) is positive for low P_o values, i.e. in soils poor in available phosphorus, but is negative for high P_o values indicating that an input of P fertilizer can induce a decrease in the utilization of available soil phosphorus. Moreover, for a given soil, the quantity (P_s–P_o) depends on the chemical form of the fertilizer. The standard method of evaluation of P fertilizer efficiency is based on the assumption that P_s=P_o, but P_s can differ from P_o. This result can explain the contradictory data published from field experiments about the efficiency of the various P fertilizers.     

湖北菱科植物的数量分类研究 Ⅲ.分类性状的定量评价

用R聚类分析和主分量分析,定量研究了湖北菱科5种8变种37个形态和生态性状的变异及分类学价值。结果表明,植物体大小变异是形态演化的主要方向之一。形态演化的同时,也发生生态分化。除少数性状例外,形态演化与生态分化在相当程度上是独立的。     

流域开发生态建设发展战略

以往研究流域开发战略问题,多从流域内资源的开发利用方面考虑,而衡量其方案的优劣也多以经济效益的大小为准绳。现在,环境污染与生态危机已威胁着人类的生存与发展,因此在研究流域战略问题时,必须开拓思路,     

腐霉属分类性状评价及其中国的种

本文对腐霉属Pythium Pringsheim的研究历史作了简单的回顾,对该属的分类性状和系统进行了论述和评价,最后对中国已发现的55种腐霉,以检索表的方式进行了分类、检索。     

Relationships among tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) landrace populations revealed by isozyme markers and agronomic traits

Diversity and relationships among ten tetraploid wheat landrace populations, collected from different localities in the central highlands of Ethiopia, were studied using isozyme markers and agronomic traits. This type of analysis in crop species is fundamental for designing optimal germ plasm collection, management practices and for developing an index for parental selection. The populations differed in allelic frequencies. Gene-diversity estimates showed that the populations encompass an appreciable amount of variation. However, differentiation between them was low, as was also confirmed by the presence of gene flow. Much of the diversity (85%), was attributable to the within-population level. The genetic distances were mostly small with the exception of those between a few pairs of populations. Thus, the relationships discerned among the populations were more of a similarity nature which could be ascribed to sharing a common ancestral population and/or adaptation to similar climatic conditions. The pattern of genetic divergence appeared to be independent of geographic distance. Considerable divergence in the agronomic traits was observed for certain populations. Cluster analyses of the isozyme and agronomic data produced different patterns and memberships of groupings. This lack of agreement could be ascribed to the different forces of evolution acting on isozyme markers and agronomic traits since agronomic traits, are the prime target of artificial selection. The clustering based on agronomic traits resulted in grouping together populations with similar agronomic performance. The results of this study suggest that taking more samples within a locality or population would be a better approach to capture the range of variation in the landrace populations of the central highlands of Ethiopia.