Effects of grassland renovation on carbon concentrations and aggregate distribution in temperate grassland soils

The effects of continuous tillage on the distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) and aggregates have been well studied for arable soils. However, less is known about the effects of sporadic tillage on SOM and aggregate dynamics in grassland soils. The objectives of the present thesis were (I) to study the longer-term effects of sporadic tillage of grassland on organic carbon (Corg) stocks and the distribution of aggregates and SOM, (II) to investigate the combined effects of sporadic tillage and fertilization on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in grassland soils, and (III) to study the temporal dynamics of Corg stocks, aggregate distribution and microbial biomass in grassland soils. Soil samples were taken in three soil depths (0 – 10 cm; 10 – 25 cm; 25 – 40 cm) from a field trial with loamy sandy soils (Cambisols, Eutric Luvisols, Stagnosols, Anthrosols) north of Kiel, Germany. For Objective I we have sampled soil two and five years after one or two tillage operation(s). Treatments consisted of (i) permanent grassland, (ii) tillage of grassland followed by a re-establishment of grassland and (iii) tillage of grassland followed by a re-establishment of grassland with one season of winter wheat in between. The tillage in grassland led to a reduction in Corg stocks, large macroaggregates (>2000 µm) and SOM in the top 10 cm soil depth. These findings were still significant two years after tillage; however, five years after tillage no longer present. Regarding the soil profile (0 – 40 cm) no significant differences in the mentioned parameters between the tilled plots and the permanent grassland existed. A second tillage event and the insertion of one season of winter wheat did not lead to any further effects on Corg stocks as well as aggregate and SOM concentrations in comparison with a single tillage event in these grassland soils. Treatments adapted for Objective II included (i) long-term grassland and (ii) tillage of grassland followed by a re-establishment of grassland with one season of winter wheat in between. The plots were split and received either 240 kg N ha-1 year-1 in the form of cattle slurry or no cattle slurry application. The application of slurry within a period of four years had no effects on the Corg and total nitrogen stocks or the aggregate distribution, but led to a reduction of free and not physically protected SOM. However, the application of cattle slurry and the grassland renovation seems to change the plant species composition and therefore generalizations on the direct effects are not yet possible. For studying Objective III a further field trial was initiated in September 2010. Soil samples were taken six times within one year (from October 2010 to October 2011) (i) after the conversion from arable land into grassland, (ii) after the tillage of grassland followed by a re-establishment of grassland and (iii) in a permanent grassland. We found an increase in the microbial and fungal biomass after the conversion of arable land into grassland, but no effect on aggregate distribution and Corg stocks. A one-time tillage operation in grassland led to a reduction in large macroaggregates and Corg stocks in the top 10 cm soil depth with no effect on the sampled soil profile. However, we found large variations in the fungal biomass and aggregate distribution within one year in the permanent grassland, presumably caused by environmental factors. Overall, our results suggest that a single tillage operation in grassland soils markedly decreased the concentrations of Corg, larger aggregates and SOM. However, this does not result in long-lasting effects on the above mentioned parameters. The application of slurry cannot compensate the negative effects of a tillage event on aggregate concentrations or Corg stocks. However, while the Corg concentration is not subject to fluctuations within a year, there are large variations of the aggregate distribution even in a permanent grassland soil. Therefore conclusions of results from a single sampling time should be handled with care.

Study of individual lactation patterns of Iranian dairy buffaloes

The aims of the current study were 1) to investigate the effects of some environmental factors on lactation curve traits (LCTs) including initial milk yield (A), peak yield (PY), days to attain peak yield (PD), inclining- and declining slope of lactation (B and C, respectively), persistency (Per), and 240-d milk yield, and 2) to estimate pairwise phenotypic correlations between these traits in two Iranian buffalo ecotypes (Khuzestani and Azeri buffaloes). The dataset consisted of 15396 and 9283 lactations from 6632 Khuzestani and 3558 Azeri buffaloes, respectively (collected during 1992–2009). The results revealed that almost all of the factors had significant effects on the majority of the LCTs, whereby age group, parity and season of calving had greater influence on 240-d milk yield and PY than the other LCTs in both of the ecotypes. These effects were more apparent in Khuzestani buffaloes than in Azeri buffaloes. In the Khuzestani ecotype, the LCTs were significantly correlated with each other. However, in the Azeri ecotype the 240-d milk yield showed no significant relationship with parameters B, PD and Per. In conclusion, the studied factors play an important role in determining both the shape of the lactation curve and the overal performance of Iranian dairy buffaloes.

Effect of planting methods and cyanobacterial inoculants on yield, water productivity and economics of rice cultivation

The impact of two crop planting methods and of the application of cyanobacterial inoculants on plant growth, yield, water productivity and economics of rice cultivation was evaluated with the help of a split plot designed experiment during the rainy season of 2011 in New Delhi, India. Conventional transplanting and system of rice intensification (SRI) were tested as two different planting methods and seven treatments that considered cyanobacterial inoculants and compost were applied with three repetitions each. Results revealed no significant differences in plant performance and crop yield between both planting methods. However, the application of biofilm based BGA bio-fertiliser + 2/3 N had an overall positive impact on both, plant performance (plant height, number of tillers) and crop yield (number and weight of panicles) as well as on grain and straw yield. Higher net return and a higher benefit-cost ratio were observed in rice fields under SRI planting method, whereas the application of BGA + PGPR + 2/3 N resulted in highest values. Total water productivity and irrigation water productivity was significantly higher under SRI practices (5.95 and 3.67 kg ha^(-1) mm^(-1)) compared to practices of conventional transplanting (3.36 and 2.44), meaning that using SRI method, water saving of about 34 % could be achieved and significantly less water was required to produce one kg of rice. This study could show that a combination of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in conjunction with BGA and 2/3 dose of mineral N fertiliser can support crop growth performance, crop yields and reduces overall production cost, wherefore this practices should be used in the integrated nutrient management of rice fields in India.

Zur klinischen Bedeutung von Geschwistererfahrungen - hat die Geschwistererfahrung einen Einfluss auf seelische Erkrankungen?

Im Mittelpunkt der Arbeit steht die Frage, ob bei psychogenen Störungen Geschwistererfahrungen klinische Relevanz haben und ob die erfahrene Geschwisterposition und –konstellation auch im Erwachsenenalter psychodynamisch wirksam ist. Die Arbeit gliedert sich in drei Teile. Im ersten Teil werden in einem metatheoretischen Vorgehen psychoanalytische Konzepte, psychoanalytische Entwicklungstheorien aus der Objekt- und Selbstpsychologie und empirische Forschungsergebnisse zur Geschwisterbeziehung vorgestellt. Darauf aufbauend werden Annahmen formuliert, welche psychodynamischen Konflikte sich in einer pathologischen Entwicklung als psychische Störungen im Erwachsenenalter manifestieren können.Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden acht Einzelfälle psychoanalytischer Behandlungen von erwachsenen Patienten unterschiedlicher Geschwisterpositionen und -konstellationen dargestellt, die die in Teil 1 beschriebenen pathogenen Geschwistereinflüsse illustrieren. In den untersuchten Einzelfällen ist die erfahrene Geschwisterposition der Patienten konfliktbesetzt und psychodynamisch wirksam gewesen. Dabei haben die Erfahrungen mit den primären Objekten die Basis für die pathologische Beziehungsdynamik der Geschwister gebildet. Den dritten extra-klinisch empirischen Teil der Arbeit stellt eine explorative Pilotstudie dar, die ebenfalls das Ziel verfolgt, persistierende Geschwisterkonflikte in ihren langandauernden Effekten zu explorieren. Es handelt sich um eine Dokumentenanalyse von 215 Patientenakten aus einer psychosomatischen Klinik. Aus den Akten werden als Variablen ICD - und OPD - Diagnosen als auch inhaltsanalytisch ermittelte psychodynamische Konflikte herausgefiltert und mit den Variablen Geschwisterposition und –konstellation korreliert. Dabei wird erstens der Frage nachgegangen, ob es in den Akten von psychisch erkrankten Patienten zwischen Einzel- und Geschwisterkindern Unterschiede in Bezug auf die Diagnosen und hinsichtlich der formulierten psychodynamischen Konflikte gibt. Zweitens geht es um eine weitergehende Exploration dieser Variablen in Bezug auf die erfahrene Geschwisterposition bzw. –konstellation. Es zeigt sich, dass die ICD-10 Diagnostik aufgrund ihres deskriptiven Charakters und ihrer psychiatrischen Orientierung wenig brauchbar ist, diesbezügliche Hypothesen zu formulieren. Im Unterschied zur ICD-10 ergibt sich in Bezug auf die OPD-Diagnostik, besonders aber in Hinsicht auf die psychodynamischen Konflikte ein differenzierteres Bild. So sind z.B. Parentifizierung am häufigsten von Einzelkindern und Erstgeborenen benannt worden. Gleichzeitig berichten Patienten, die mit Geschwistern aufgewachsen sind, am stärksten von erlebtem emotionalem Mangel in der Familie. Unter Dominanzkonflikten leiden die Patienten am meisten, die als jüngstes Kind aufgewachsen sind. Bei Patienten mit der jüngsten und mittleren Geschwisterposition ist als weiteres Beispiel auffallend oft Altruismus ermittelt worden. Fazit der Arbeit ist, dass ungelöste Geschwisterkonflikte langandauernde Effekte haben können und dass - im Gegensatz zur Birth-Order-Forschung - die Variable der Geschwisterposition unter Berücksichtigung geschlechtsspezifischer Aspekte als ein intra- und interpsychisches dynamisches Geschehen begriffen werden kann.