Factors contributing to dwarfing in the mangrove Avicennia marina.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In Richards Bay, South Africa, Avicennia marina frequently exhibits a distinct productivity gradient, with tree height decreasing markedly from 6-10 m in the fringe zone to <1.5 m in the dwarf zone which is 120 m inland at a slightly higher elevation. In this investigation, soil physico-chemical conditions between fringe and dwarf A. marina were compared and the constraints imposed by any differences on mangrove ecophysiology and productivity determined. METHODS: Soil and plant samples were analysed for inorganic ions using spectrophotometry. Gas exchange measurements were taken with an infrared gas analyser and chlorophyll fluorescence with a fluorometer. Xylem psi was determined with a pressure chamber and chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll absorbance meter. RESULTS: In the dwarf site, soil salinity, total cations, electrical conductivity and soil concentrations of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) were significantly higher than those in the fringe zone. Soil water potential and the concentration of soil P, however, were significantly lower in the dwarf site. In the leaves, Na(+) was the predominant ion and its concentration was 24 % higher in dwarf than fringe mangroves. Leaf concentrations of K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+) and P, however, were significantly lower in dwarf mangroves. Photosynthetic performance, measured by gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, was significantly reduced in the dwarf plants. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that hydro-edaphic factors contribute to high soil salinities, low water potentials, water stress and ion imbalance within tissues including P deficiency, which in interaction, contribute to dwarfing in Avicennia marina.

The effects of coal dust on photosynthetic performance of the mangrove, Avicennia marina in Richards Bay, South Africa.

Richards Bay, on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast, is the largest coal exporting port in South Africa. The coal is stored at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) prior to export. Dust from coal operations is a major problem in the Richards Bay area. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that coal dust adversely affects photosynthetic performance of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh., the dominant mangrove species in the harbour. Photosynthetic performance was determined on 10 trees by measuring carbon dioxide uptake and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters at two elevation sites and on upper and lower leaf surfaces that were covered or uncovered with coal dust. Measurements were made on five clear, sunny days at saturating light (>1,000 micromol m(-2)s(-1)) and high temperature (28-30 degrees C). Coal dust significantly reduced carbon dioxide exchange of upper and lower leaf surfaces by 17-39%, the reduction being generally greater on the lower leaf surface that is covered by a dense mat of trichomes and salt glands. The reduction in carbon dioxide exchange by coal dust was higher at the high elevation site that supported isolated dwarfed trees. The chlorophyll fluorescence data indicated that leaves coated with dust exhibited significantly lower photosystem II (PS II) quantum yield, lower electron transport rate (ETR) through PSII and reduced quantum efficiency of PSII (FvFm). The chlorophyll fluorescence data supported the gas exchange measurements and are consistent with reduced photosynthetic performance of leaves coated with coal dust.

Quantitative trait loci for low aflatoxin production in two related maize populations.

Aflatoxin B(1) formed by Aspergillus flavus Fr:Link has been associated with animal disease and liver cancer in humans. We performed genetic studies in progenies derived from maize inbred Tex6, associated with relatively low levels of aflatoxin production, crossed with the historically important inbred B73. (Tex6 x B73) x B73 BC(1)S(1) and Tex6 x B73 F(2:3) mapping populations were produced and evaluated in 1996 and 1997 in Champaign, Ill. Ears were inoculated 20 to 24 days after midsilk using a pinboard method and a mixture of conidia of A. flavus Link:Fr. isolates. Aflatoxin B(1) levels in harvested ears were determined using an indirect competitive ELISA. Molecular markers were assayed on the populations and used to generate maps. Molecular marker - QTL associations for lower levels of aflatoxin production were determined using multiple regression (MR) and composite interval analysis with multiple regression (CIM MR). MR revealed sets of markers associated with lower aflatoxin production in 1996 and 1997, and CIM MR detected a smaller subset of loci significant in 1997. QTLs for lower aflatoxin were attributed to both Tex6 and B73 parental sources. Environment strongly influenced the detection of QTLs for lower aflatoxin production in different years. There were very few chromosome regions associated with QTLs in more than 1 year or population with MR analysis, and none with CIM MR analysis. In 1997, QTLs for lower aflatoxin were detected with CIM MR in bins 5.01-2 and 5.04-5 in the BC(1)S(1) population, and in bins 3.05-6, 4.07-8 and 10.05-10.07 in the F(2:3) population. These QTL associations appear the most promising for further study.

Relationship between morphological and physiological responses to waterlogging and salinity in Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth.

The effects of waterlogging and salinity on morphological and physiological responses in the marsh grass Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth were investigated in a 4×2 factorial experiment. Plants were subjected to four salinity levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 mol m-3 NaCl) and two soil inundation conditions (drained and flooded) for 42 days. Flooding at 0 mol m-3 NaCl caused initiation of adventitious surface roots, increased internal acration and plant height, induced alcohol dehydrogenase activity (ADH), and decreased belowground biomass and the number of culms per plant. Salinity increase from 0 to 400 mol m-3 NaCl under drained conditions increased leaf and root proline concentrations and decreased photosynthesis, aboveground biomass, number of culms per plant and number of internodes per culm. Concurrent waterlogging and salinity induced ADH activity and adventitious surface roots but decreased plant height and aboveground biomass. Internal air space increased with waterlogging from 0 to 100 mol m-3 NaCl but further increases in salinity to 400 mol m-3 reduced air space. Combined waterlogging and salinity stresses, however, had no effect on photosynthesis or on the concentrations of proline in leaves or roots. These results are discussed in relation to the widespread colonization by S. virginicus of a wide range of coastal environments varying in soil salinity and in the frequency and intensity of waterlogging.

Waterlogging responses of Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth.

Flooding responses in Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth., a perennial C4 grass, propagated from plants collected on the fringes of a mangrove swamp, were examined in a glasshouse study over 42 days. Flooding significantly reduced soil redox potential, induced adventitious root development, shifted resource allocation from below- to above-ground components without affecting total biomass accumulation and significantly decreased below-ground/above-ground biomass ratios. Although soil waterlogging significantly increased alcohol dehydrogenase activity (ADH) after 30 h, significant increase in central air space by 45-50% of the cross-sectional stem area eliminated root hypoxia, and ADH activity decreased to levels equivalent to drained controls after 42 days. In addition, flooded plants exhibited significantly higher carbon dioxide assimilation rates but similar relative growth rates (RGR) to drained controls. The results indicate that S. virginicus responds to water-logging by a combination of metabolic, morphological and anatomical mechanisms, which may account for its widespread distribution in coastal lagoons, estuaries and marshes.

EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND WATER RELATIONS IN THE MANGROVE, AVICENNIA MARINA (FORSK.) VIERH.

Young plants of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh, were subjected to a factorial experiment with three concentrations of NaCl (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 M) and three of NH4 C1 (0.14, 1.4, 14 mg N I-1 ) in solution culture for three months. Nitrogen and salinity had significant effects on dry matter accumulation in shoots and roots. In general, growth of shoots and roots was significantly greater at 0.1 M NaCl than at 0.3 and 0.5 M NaCl. Added nitrogen at 14 mg N I-1 significantly increased shoot growth at 0.1 and 0.3 M NaCl. In roots, differences were significant at 0.3 M NaCl and 14 mg N I-1 . Nitrogen had no significant effect on shoot or root growth at 0.5 M NaCl. At lower salinities there was greater allocation of resources to shoots at 14 mg NI-1 . Increasing salinity decreased stomatal conductance, tissue water potentials and the concentrations of nitrogen and potassium in tissues. Nitrogen levels had no effect on tissue water potentials. These results are discussed in relation to the effects of salinity and nitrogen on productivity, nutrient uptake and on plant water relations.

Benign duodenocolic fistula. A report of 3 cases.

Duodenocolic fistulae, although often malignant in aetiology, may result from a wide range of relatively benign disease processes. A report is given of 3 patients with benign duodenocolic fistulae, in 2 on the basis of tuberculosis and in 1 after a duodenal ulcer. The subject is reviewed and the ease of management and good prognosis are stressed.

Viral hepatitis.

The natural history of and biochemical changes in 27 patients with viral hepatitis are outlined. Analysis is made of the symptomatology and physical signs at the time of presentation as well as a comparison between hepatitis B surface antigen-positive and negative patients. In general, hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients have a more severe clinical illness as well as greater biochemical derangement and a longer duration of disease.

Leukaemoid reaction and disseminated tuberculosis. A case report.

Four cases of leukaemoid reactions to tuberculosis, notwithstanding the presence of Auer's rods in the myeloblasts, have previously been reported. A fifth case of disseminated tuberculosis in which Auer's rods were similarly observed, is described. However, we believe that this association does not mean that Auer's rods occur as part of a leukaemoid response, but rather that it indicates the simultaneous presence of acute leukaemia and tuberculosis.