Sugar beet profits from intercropping with wheat both under optimum and deficient phosphorus supply

<p>An experiment was conducted with wheat and sugar beet as monocrop and intercrop under low or adequate phosphorus supply. Dry matter production of shoot and roots were decreased in wheat while increased in sugar beet under intercrop conditions. Photosynthesis rate was diminished under intercrop conditions in wheat while elevated in sugar beet concomitant with reduction of transpiration rate and higher water use efficiency in the latter species. Phosphorus, potassium and iron contents were also lower in intercrop wheat while increased in sugar beet. The same effect of intercropping on biomass and nutrients uptake was observed in the short term hydroponic experiment. Interestingly, three root parameters including length, soluble carbohydrates and activity of secretory acid phosphatase that are characteristics for phosphorus-deficient plants were enhanced in both species by intercropping irrespective the phosphorus supply level. These data suggested an interspecific interaction beyond the different nutrient acquisition capacity in the intercrop pots.</p>

Complete developmental cycle ofLeishmania mexicanain axenic culture

SUMMARYA complete developmental sequence ofLeishmania mexicanahas been produced in axenic culture for the first time. This was achieved by manipulation of media, pH and temperature conditions over a period of 16 days. All experiments were initiated with lesion amastigotes that were transformed to multiplicative promastigotes by culture in HOMEM, 10% foetal calf serum, pH 7·5, at 25 °C. Metacyclogenesis was induced by subpassage in Schneider'sDrosophila medium, 20% foetal calf serum, pH 5·5, and the resulting forms transformed to axenically growing amastigotes by subpassage in the same medium and raising the temperature to 32 °C. Parasites from each day were characterized with respect to their general morphology using light microscopy of Giemsa-stained smears, and biochemically by analysis of total protein content, proteinases, nucleases and secretory acid phosphatase. The results demonstrated that the three main stages identified - amastigotes, multiplicative promastigotes and metacyclic promastigotes - each exhibited the expected suite of biochemical properties. Further, the changes in morphology observed as the developmental sequence proceeded from stage to stage were accompanied by appropriate changes in biochemical properties. These results provide both useful biochemical markers and a culture system in which to examine the regulation of differentiation and transformation during theLeishmanialife-cycle.

EFFECTS OF 5α-ANDROSTANE-3β,17β-DIOL AND 5β-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE ON ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE PROSTATE GLAND OF THE CASTRATED ADULT RAT

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of filtrates from adult rat prostatic tissue showed two bands of acid phosphatase activity. These corresponded to the lysosomal and secretory acid phosphatases. After castration the secretory acid phosphatase disappeared. The specific activity of the enzyme increased from the time of castration to a maximum on day 7 before declining steadily, while the percentage inhibition by tartrate of acid phosphatase increased from control levels to a maximum on day 7 and then decreased to a new steady state by day 15. When 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol was administered i.p. at a dose of 2 mg/day, starting immediately after castration, the secretory acid phosphatase was retained but the percentage inhibition and the specific activity were both raised above control levels. When this steroid was administered daily starting 7 days after castration the secretory acid phosphatase band on the gels returned more rapidly than with the classical androgens, but the percentage inhibition and specific activity were once again raised. Intraperitoneal administration of 5β-dihydrotestosterone, at a dose of 2 mg/day, did not maintain the secretory acid phosphatase activity which disappeared by day 5. However, the specific activity of acid phosphatase and the percentage inhibition by tartrate were both raised throughout the experiment. If this steroid was given 7 days after castration, the percentage inhibition by tartrate did not respond and fell to the level seen in castrated rats. The specific activity, however, remained significantly above the level found in castrated control rats.