Novel techniques for the remote sensing of photosynthetic processes

Remote sensing (RS) techniques have evolved into an important instrument to investigate forest function. New methods based on the remote detection of leaf biochemistry and photosynthesis are being developed and applied in pilot studies from airborne and satellite platforms (PRI, solar-induced fluorescence; N and chlorophyll content). Non-destructive monitoring methods, a direct application of RS studies, are also proving increasingly attractive for the determination of stress conditions or nutrient deficiencies not only in research but also in agronomy, horticulture and urban forestry (proximal RS). In this work I will focus on some novel techniques recently developed for the estimation of photochemistry and photosynthetic rates based (i) on the proximal measurement of steady-state chlorophyll fluorescence yield, or (ii) the remote sensing of changes in hyperspectral leaf reflectance, associated to xanthophyll de-epoxydation and energy partitioning, which is closely coupled to leaf photochemistry and photosynthesis. I will also present and describe a mathematical model of leaf steady-state fluorescence and photosynthesis recently developed in our group. Two different species were used in the experiments: Arbutus unedo, a schlerophyllous Mediterranean species, and Populus euroamericana, a broad leaf deciduous tree widely used in plantation forestry. Results show that ambient fluorescence could provide a useful tool for testing photosynthetic processes from a distance. These results confirm also the photosynthetic reflectance index (PRI) as an efficient remote sensing reflectance index estimating short-term changes in photochemical efficiency as well as long-term changes in leaf biochemistry. The study also demonstrated that RS techniques could provide a fast and reliable method to estimate photosynthetic pigment content and total nitrogen, beside assessing the state of photochemical process in our plants’ leaves in the field. This could have important practical applications for the management of plant cultivation systems, for the estimation of the nutrient requirements of our plants for optimal growth.

Advanced Waste-To-Energy Cycles

The increase in environmental and healthy concerns, combined with the possibility to exploit waste as a valuable energy resource, has led to explore alternative methods for waste final disposal. In this context, the energy conversion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Waste-To-Energy (WTE) power plant is increasing throughout Europe, both in terms of plants number and capacity, furthered by legislative directives. Due to the heterogeneous nature of waste, some differences with respect to a conventional fossil fuel power plant have to be considered in the energy conversion process. In fact, as a consequence of the well-known corrosion problems, the thermodynamic efficiency of WTE power plants typically ranging in the interval 25% ÷ 30%. The new Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC promotes production of energy from waste introducing an energy efficiency criteria (the so-called “R1 formula”) to evaluate plant recovery status. The aim of the Directive is to drive WTE facilities to maximize energy recovery and utilization of waste heat, in order to substitute energy produced with conventional fossil fuels fired power plants. This calls for novel approaches and possibilities to maximize the conversion of MSW into energy. In particular, the idea of an integrated configuration made up of a WTE and a Gas Turbine (GT) originates, driven by the desire to eliminate or, at least, mitigate limitations affecting the WTE conversion process bounding the thermodynamic efficiency of the cycle. The aim of this Ph.D thesis is to investigate, from a thermodynamic point of view, the integrated WTE-GT system sharing the steam cycle, sharing the flue gas paths or combining both ways. The carried out analysis investigates and defines the logic governing plants match in terms of steam production and steam turbine power output as function of the thermal powers introduced.

L’autotutela collettiva tra ipotesi di revisione della disciplina nazionale e prospettive europee

Nel presente lavoro viene trattato il delicato tema dell’autotutela collettiva, nell’intersezione tra ipotesi di revisione nazionale e prospettive europee. Dapprima viene ricostruita l’evoluzione della valutazione del conflitto collettivo nell’ordinamento giuridico italiano ed effettuata una ricognizione delle diverse manifestazioni del conflitto collettivo ivi riscontrabili. Il tentativo è quello di superare i limiti di una trattazione ristretta allo sciopero e di verificare la perdurante validità della tradizionale nozione di sciopero, intesa esclusivamente come astensione collettiva dalle prestazioni di lavoro. In un secondo capitolo vengono esaminati i disegni di legge di riforma in materia di conflitto collettivo, presentati nel corso della XVI legislatura e le clausole, incidenti sulla medesima materia, rinvenibili nell’Accordo interconfederale del 28 giugno 2011 e negli accordi FIAT del 2010, relativi agli stabilimenti di Pomigliano D’Arco e Mirafiori. Alla luce di tali materiali, si riesaminano le tematiche della titolarità individuale del diritto di sciopero, delle clausole di tregua e delle procedure arbitrali e conciliative. Successivamente, viene esaminata la produzione legislativa e giurisprudenziale comunitaria in tema di conflitto collettivo. Il confronto con l’ordinamento nazionale consente di mettere criticamente in luce il diverso rapporto tra mercato e diritti d’azione collettiva e di rilevare che nell’ordinamento comunitario la giurisprudenza della Corte di giustizia abbia introdotto limiti eccessivi al dispiegarsi dei diritti sociali in esame. Da ultimo, vengono formulate alcune considerazioni conclusive. Criticamente viene rilevato come, in tempi di globalizzazione, non viene prestata sufficiente attenzione alla valorizzazione del conflitto collettivo, come motore dell’emancipazione e del progresso sociale.

Psychosoziale Belastung bei Herztransplantationskandidaten

Fragestellung: In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde geprüft, ob sich neu gelistete Herztransplantationskandidaten mit ischämischer Herzinsuffizienz (IKMP) und dilatativer Kardiomyopathie (DKMP) nach Kontrolle von Krankheitsschwere und Geschlecht in psychosozialen Variablen unterscheiden. Zudem wurde untersucht, ob psychosoziale Risikofaktoren für IKMP-Patienten stärker mit der 1-Jahres-Mortalität auf der Warteliste assoziiert sind als für DKMP-Patienten. Methode: Im Rahmen der multizentrischen, prospektiv angelegten Studie „Warten auf ein neues Herz“ bearbeiteten 160 DKMP- (16 % Frauen) und 122 IKMP-Patienten (13 % Frauen) kurz nach Aufnahme auf die Warteliste einen Fragebogen, der subjektiven Gesundheitszustand, Angst, Depressivität, soziale Unterstützung, Netzwerkgröße, Ärger, Ärgerausdruck und wartezeitspezifische Belastungen erfasste. Medizinische Daten zum Zeitpunkt der Listung und Veränderungen im Wartelistenstatus im 1-Jahres-Follow-Up wurden von Eurotransplant bereitgestellt. Ergebnisse: IKMP-Patienten waren im Vergleich mit DKMP-Patienten älter, häufiger ehemalige Raucher, hatten häufiger vorherige Herzoperationen erlebt, litten seltener unter einer Erregungsleitungsstörung, wurden seltener mit Aldosteronantagonisten sowie häufiger mit Katecholaminen behandelt. Nach Kontrolle dieser Variablen und unter Einbezug des Geschlechts berichteten nur Männer mit IKMP höhere Angstwerte und mehr Anger-In als Männer mit DKMP. Ein höheres Mortalitätsrisiko für IKMP-Patienten ein Jahr nach Aufnahme auf die Warteliste konnte nicht belegt werden. Auch zeigte sich keine Interaktion zwischen psychosozialer Belastung und Grunderkrankung hinsichtlich der Mortalität. Niedrige emotionale Unterstützung ging unabhängig von der Grunderkrankung mit einem dreifach erhöhten Mortalitätsrisiko einher. Fazit: Männer mit IKMP sind stärker durch negative Emotionen belastet als Männer mit DKMP. Eine weitere Risikogruppe stellen Personen mit niedriger emotionaler Unterstützung dar. Psychosoziale Risikofaktoren sollten daher bereits bei Aufnahme auf die Warteliste erfasst und Betreuungsangebote gezielt auf diese beiden Gruppen abgestimmt werden.

Aussagekraft einer quantitativen, PC-unterstützten PCNA-Bestimmung an Leiomyosarkomen und Leiomyomen

Ziel der Studie war die Untersuchung inwieweit PCNA als immunhistochemisches Hilfsmittel eine Verbesserung der Abgrenzung von uterinen LM gegenüber uterinen LMS und eine Hilfe bei der Prognoseaussage bei uterinen und gastrointestinalen LMS darstellt. Dabei wurden auch weitere, herkömmliche, in einer Reihe von Studien untersuchte Prognoseparameter mit in Betracht gezogen.rnDie Auswertung der Färbungen erfolgte quantitativ mittels einer PC-gesteuerten Bildverarbeitung, die neben der positiven Zellfläche und Zellzahl auch die Kernfläche berechnet. Vorteil der quantitativen Messung ist die Möglichkeit der Reproduzierbarkeit unabhängig vom Benutzer, im Gegensatz zu semiquantitativen Analysen, die häufiger angewendet werden.rnEs fällt dabei auf, dass sowohl die Zellkerngröße generell als auch die Zellkerngröße der positiv gefärbten Zellen signifikant größer bei LMS als bei LM ist. (p< 0,0001). Zwischen den Zellkerngrößen der uterinen und der gastrointestinalen LMS fanden sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede.rnBezüglich der Abgrenzung zwischen uterinen LM und LMS zeigten sich signifikant höhere PCNA-Meßwerte für LMS (mittlere positive Zellkernzahl 15,08%, mittlere positive Zellkernzahl 16,67%) gegenüber LM (mittlere positive Zellkernzahl 1,95%, mittlere positive Zellkernzahl 2,02%). Zu den gastrointestinalen LMS-PCNA Messwerten gab es keinen signifikanten Unterschied (mittlere positive Zellkernfläche 19,07%, mittlere positive Zellkernzahl 16,43).rnKein signifikanter Zusammenhang zeigte sich bei der Höhe der PCNA-Meßwerte und der Prognose sowohl der uterinen als auch der gastrointestinalen LMS.rnIn dieser Studie stellten sich als signifikant prognoserelevant lediglich das Alter sowohl bei den uterinen und gastrointestinalen LMS heraus. Bei den uterinen LMS war auch noch ein schlechteres Grading und das Vorhandensein von Nekrosen signifikant mit der Prognose korreliert.rnNicht signifikant prognoserelevant waren sowohl bei den uterinen wie den gastrointestinalen LMS die Tumorgröße und die PCNA-Meßwerthöhe. Bei den gastrointestinalen Leiomyosarkomen zusätzlich noch das Vorhandensein von Nekrosen.rnEin signifikanter Zusammenhang wurde zwischen PCNA-Meßwerten und der Uterusgröße bzw. auch der Myomgröße bei den uterinen Leiomyomen sowie analog der Tumorgröße der uterinen und der gastrointestinalen LMS festgestellt. Innerhalb der Gruppe der uterinen Myome zeigten sich für zellreiche Myome zwar höhere Messwerte, die jedoch nicht signifikant waren.rnKein Zusammenhang zeigte sich dagegen für die Höhe der PNCA-Meßwerte und dem Grading der uterinen sowohl als auch der gastrointestinalen Leiomyosarkome, dem Alter der Patientinnen bei den uterinen LMS, dem Vorhandensein von Nekrosen bei den uterinen sowohl als auch bei gastrointestinalen LMS und dem Geschlecht bei den gastrointestinalen LMS.rnDie Ergebnisse stehen bezüglich der Aussage der Prognose teilweise in Widerspruch, teilweise in Einklang mit den bisherigen Veröffentlichungen. Ein großes Hemmnis ist die geringe Fallzahl, die vor allem durch die Seltenheit der Tumore bedingt ist, desweiteren die ungenügende Nachverfolgung der Patienten, die auch daraus resultiert, dass es sich um eine retrospektive Studie handelt. Hier bedarf es größerer Studien, möglicherweise als multizentrische Studien mit genauer Verlaufsbeobachtung, um auch im deutschsprachigen Raum eine weitere Erforschung dieser seltenen, umsomehr sehr interessanten und an den untersuchenden Pathologen besondere Ansprüche stellende Tumore zu geben.rn

Uptake and fate of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine by Chrysopogon zizanioides

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a nitramine compound that has been used heavily by the military as an explosive. Manufacturing, use, and disposal of RDX have led to several contamination sites across the United States. RDX is both persistent in the environment and a threat to human health, making its remediation vital. The use of plants to extract RDX from the soil and metabolize it once it is in the plant tissue, is being considered as a possible solution. In the present study, the tropical grass Chrysopogon zizanioides was grown hydroponically in the presence RDX at 3 different concentration levels: 0.3, 1.1, and 2.26 ppm. The uptake of RDX was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of media samples taken every 6 hr during the first 24 hr and then daily over a 30-day experimental period. A rapid decrease in RDX concentration in the media of both controls and plant treatments was seen within the first 18 hours of the experiment with the greatest loss in RDX over time occurring within the first 6 hours of exposure. The loss was similar in both controls and plant exposures and possibly attributed to rapid uptake by the containers. A plant from one treatment at each of the three concentrations was harvested at Day 10, 20 and 30 throughout the experiment and extracted to determine the localization of RDX within the tissue and potentially identify any metabolites on the basis of differing retention times. Of the treatments containing 0.3, 1.1, and 2.26 ppm RDX, 13.1%, 18.3%, and 24.2% respectively, was quantified in vetiver extracts, with the majority of the RDX being localized to the roots. All plants not yet harvested were harvested on Day 30 of the experiment. A total of three plants exposed to each concentration level as well as the control, were extracted and analyzed with HPLC to determine amount of RDX taken up, localization of RDX within the plant tissue, and potentially identify any metabolites. Phytotoxicity of RDX to vetiver was also monitored. While a loss in biomass was observed in plants exposed to all the different concentrations of RDX, control plants grown in media not exposed to RDX showed the greatest biomass loss of all the treatments. There was also little variation in chlorophyll content between the different concentration treatments with RDX. This preliminary greenhouse study of RDX uptake 10 by Chrysopogon zizanioides will help indicate the potential ability of vetiver to serve as a plant system in the phytoremediation of RDX.

Reference intervals for common carotid intima-media thickness measured with echotracking: relation with risk factors

AIMS Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCIMT) is widely used as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis, given its predictive association with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The interpretation of CCIMT values has been hampered by the absence of reference values, however. We therefore aimed to establish reference intervals of CCIMT, obtained using the probably most accurate method at present (i.e. echotracking), to help interpretation of these measures. METHODS AND RESULTS We combined CCIMT data obtained by echotracking on 24 871 individuals (53% men; age range 15-101 years) from 24 research centres worldwide. Individuals without CVD, cardiovascular risk factors (CV-RFs), and BP-, lipid-, and/or glucose-lowering medication constituted a healthy sub-population (n = 4234) used to establish sex-specific equations for percentiles of CCIMT across age. With these equations, we generated CCIMT Z-scores in different reference sub-populations, thereby allowing for a standardized comparison between observed and predicted ('normal') values from individuals of the same age and sex. In the sub-population without CVD and treatment (n = 14 609), and in men and women, respectively, CCIMT Z-scores were independently associated with systolic blood pressure [standardized βs 0.19 (95% CI: 0.16-0.22) and 0.18 (0.15-0.21)], smoking [0.25 (0.19-0.31) and 0.11 (0.04-0.18)], diabetes [0.19 (0.05-0.33) and 0.19 (0.02-0.36)], total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio [0.07 (0.04-0.10) and 0.05 (0.02-0.09)], and body mass index [0.14 (0.12-0.17) and 0.07 (0.04-0.10)]. CONCLUSION We estimated age- and sex-specific percentiles of CCIMT in a healthy population and assessed the association of CV-RFs with CCIMT Z-scores, which enables comparison of IMT values for (patient) groups with different cardiovascular risk profiles, helping interpretation of such measures obtained both in research and clinical settings.

Hybridization and adaptive radiation

Whether interspecific hybridization is important as a mechanism that generates biological diversity is a matter of controversy. Whereas some authors focus on the potential of hybridization as a source of genetic variation, functional novelty and new species, others argue against any important role, because reduced fitness would typically render hybrids an evolutionary dead end. By drawing on recent developments in the genetics and ecology of hybridization and on principles of ecological speciation theory, I develop a concept that reconciles these views and adds a new twist to this debate. Because hybridization is common when populations invade new environments and potentially elevates rates of response to selection, it predisposes colonizing populations to rapid adaptive diversification under disruptive or divergent selection. I discuss predictions and suggest tests of this hybrid swarm theory of adaptive radiation and review published molecular phylogenies of adaptive radiations in light of the theory. Some of the confusion about the role of hybridization in evolutionary diversification stems from the contradiction between a perceived necessity for cessation of gene flow to enable adaptive population differentiation on the one hand [1], and the potential of hybridization for generating adaptive variation, functional novelty and new species 2, 3 and 4 on the other. Much progress in the genetics 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and ecology of hybridization 9, 10 and 11, and in our understanding of the role of ecology in speciation (see Glossary) 12, 13 and 14 make a re-evaluation timely. Whereas botanists traditionally stressed the diversity-generating potential of hybridization 2, 3 and 14, zoologists traditionally saw it as a process that limits diversification [1] and refer to it mainly in the contexts of hybrid zones (Box 1) and reinforcement of reproductive isolation [15]. Judging by the wide distribution of allopolyploidy among plants, many plant species might be of direct hybrid origin or descended from a hybrid species in the recent past [16]. The ability to reproduce asexually might explain why allopolyploid hybrid species are more common in plants than in animals. Allopolyploidy arises when meiotic mismatch of parental chromosomes or karyotypes causes hybrid sterility. Mitotic error, duplicating the karyotype, can restore an asexually maintained hybrid line to fertility. Although bisexual allopolyploid hybrid species are not uncommon in fish [17] and frogs [18], the difficulty with which allopolyploid animals reproduce, typically requiring gynogenesis[19], makes establishment and survival of allopolyploid animal species difficult.

Estimating Spatial Distribution of American Lobster Homarus Americanus Using Habitat Variables

The spatial distribution of the American lobster Homarus americanus is influenced by many factors, which are often difficult to quantify. We implemented a modeling approach for quantifying season-, size-, and sex-specific lobster spatial distribution in the Gulf of Maine with respect to environmental and spatial variables including bottom temperature, bottom salinity, latitude, longitude, depth, distance offshore, and 2 substratum features. Lobster distribution was strongly associated with temperature and depth, and differed seasonally by sex. In offshore waters in the fall, females were dominant at higher latitudes and males at lower latitudes. This segregation was not apparent in the spring although females were still dominant at higher latitudes in offshore waters. Juveniles and adults were also distributed differently; juveniles were more abundant at the lower latitudes in inshore waters, while adults were more widespread along the entire coast. These patterns are consistent with the ecology of the American lobster. This study provides a tool to evaluate changes in lobster spatial distribution with respect to changes in key habitat and other environmental variables, and consequently could be of value for the management of the American lobster.

A missing link between facilitation and plant species coexistence: nurses benefit generally rare species more than common ones

1. Positive interactions among plants can increase species richness by relaxing environmental filters and providing more heterogeneous environments. However, it is not known if facilitation could affect coexistence through other mechanisms. Most studies on plant coexistence focus on negative frequency-dependent mechanisms (decreasing the abundance of common species); here, we test if facilitation can enhance coexistence by giving species an advantage when rare. 2. To test our hypothesis, we used a global data set from drylands and alpine environments and measured the intensity of facilitation (based on co-occurrences with nurse plants) for 48 species present in at least 4 different sites and with a range of abundances in the field. We compared these results with the degree of facilitation experienced by species which are globally rare or common (according to the IUCN Red List), and with a larger data base including over 1200 co-occurrences of target species with their nurses. 3. Facilitation was stronger for rare species (i.e. those having lower local abundances or considered endangered by the IUCN) than for common species, and strongly decreased with the abundance of the facilitated species. These results hold after accounting for the distance of each species from its ecological optimum (i.e. the degree of functional stress it experiences). 4. Synthesis. Our results highlight that nurse plants not only increase the number of species able to colonize a given site, but may also promote species coexistence by preventing the local extinction of rare species. Our findings illustrate the role that nurse plants play in conserving endangered species and link the relationship between facilitation and diversity with coexistence theory. As such, they provide further mechanistic understanding on how facilitation maintains plant diversity.

Chemical analysis with regard to global and local climatic forcing measured on sediment core GeoB3711-1, GeoB3711-3 and GeoB4917-8

Global and local climatic forcing, e.g. concentration of atmospheric CO2 or insolation, influence the distribution of C3 and C4 plants in southwest Africa. C4 plants dominate in more arid and warmer areas and are favoured by lower pCO2 levels. Several studies have assessed past and present continental vegetation by the analysis of terrestrial n-alkanes in near-coastal deep sea sediments using single samples or a small number of samples from a given climatic stage. The objectives of this study were to evaluate vegetation changes in southwest Africa with regard to climatic changes during the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene and to elucidate the potential of single sample simplifications. We analysed two sediment cores at high resolution, altogether ca. 240 samples, from the Southeast Atlantic Ocean (20°S and 12°S) covering the time spans of 18 to 1 ka and 56 to 2 ka, respectively. Our results for 20°S showed marginally decreasing C4 plant domination (of ca. 5%) during deglaciation based on average chain length (ACL27-33 values) and carbon isotopic composition of the C31 and C33 n-alkanes. Values for single samples from 18 ka and the Holocene overlap and, thus, are not significantly representative of the climatic stages they derive from. In contrast, at 12°S the n-alkane parameters show a clear difference of plant type for the Late Pleistocene (C4 plant domination, 66% C4 on average) and the Holocene (C3 plant domination, 40% C4 on average). During deglaciation vegetation change highly correlates with the increase in pCO2 (r² = 0.91). Short-term climatic events such as Heinrich Stadials or Antarctic warming periods are not reflected by vegetation changes in the catchment area. Instead, smaller vegetation fluctuations during the Late Pleistocene occur in accordance with local variations of insolation.

(Table 2) Organic residue at DSDP Hole 76-534A

The kind, sedimentation rate, and diagenesis of organic particles delivered to the North Atlantic seafloor during the Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous were responsible for the presence of carbonaceous sediments in Hole 534A. Organic-rich black clays formed from the rapid supply of organic matter; this organic matter was composed of either abundant, well-preserved, and poorly sorted particles of land plants deposited in clays and silty clays within terrigenous turbiditic sequences (tracheal facies) or abundant amorphous debris (xenomorphic facies) generated through the digestive tracts of marine zooplankton and sedimented as fecal pellets. Evidence for the fecal-pellet origin of xenomorphic debris is illustrated. Black clays were also produced in sediments containing less organic matter as a result of the black color of carbonized particles composing all or most of the residues (micrinitic facies). Slowly sedimented hematitic Aptian clays contain very little carbonized, organic debris that survived diagenetic oxidation. In the red calcareous clay sequence of the Late Jurassic, larger amounts of this oxidized debris turned several clay layers black or blackish red. Carbonized debris also dominates the residues recovered in interbedded black and green Albian clays. Carbonization of organic matter in these sediments either turned them black or provided the diagenetic environment for reduced iron. Carbonized debris is also appreciable in burrow-mottled black-green Kimmeridgian clay. The study of Hole 534A organic matter indicates that during the middle Callovian there was a rapid supply of terrigenous organic matter, followed by a late Callovian episode of rapidly supplied xenomorphic debris deposited as fecal pellets. The Late Jurassic-Berriasian was a time of slower sedimentation of organic matter, primarily of a marine dinoflagellate flora in a poorly preserved xenomorphic facies variously affected by diagenetic oxidation. Several intervals of carbonized tracheal tissue in the Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian suggest episodes of oxidized terrigenous matter. The same sequence of Callovian organic events is evident in much of the Early Cretaceous

Determinación del coeficiente de nascencia en coberturas cespitosas : oasis del Norte de Mendoza (Argentina)

Uno de los principales problemas que se presenta para la investigación en césped acerca de la adaptabilidad de diferentes especies y sus mezclas o la introducción de otras nuevas, consiste en la dificultad de calcular la densidad de plantas, en forma lo suficientemente aproximada a los resultados reales como para permitir comparaciones estadísticamente válidas de la calidad o usos del cultivo resultante. Se propone una nueva metodología para reemplazar aquella tradicional de cálculo de necesidades de semilla por peso, con densidades determinadas por prueba y error según el resultado final por aspecto y corrección de cantidad de mezcla sólo por valor cultural. La propuesta considera cálculos matemáticos para determinar la cantidad exacta de semillas a emplear para obtener una densidad final de siembra controlada, teniendo en cuenta peso específico de la semilla y valor cultural, afectando el dato resultante por un factor de corrección (CN) que relaciona el valor teórico obtenido con la respuesta a campo. Es decir que la cantidad de semilla a emplear debe calcularse en función de la densidad de plantas deseada. En el presente trabajo el factor CN se determina para diferentes especies. Se parte de la hipótesis que es posible mejorar las formas de selección de especies y preparación de mezclas a través del cálculo de la necesidad de semillas por cm2 y que algunas de las especies utilizadas poseen baja eficiencia en la relación semilla-planta, por lo que se debería ajustar su proporción en las mezclas comerciales locales según este factor de cultivo. Como metodología se propone: a. análisis de poder germinativo, pureza y peso específico de semillas comerciales; b. con cuatro repeticiones, en bloques al azar, realizar siembras individuales de las especies en condiciones ideales de sustrato, iluminación y humedad, y siembra en las mismas condiciones de campo que un cultivo tradicional en condiciones de especie pura y consociadas (mezclas); c. conteo del número de plántulas obtenidas en cada caso por método propuesto por Lush y Franz; d. con los resultados, estimar los coeficientes (CN) promedio y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza. Esta nueva manera de calcular las cantidades exactas de cada componente de una mezcla para césped abre un campo muy importante a la investigación de especies más adecuadas a cada ambiente, dado que el método tradicional conduce a resultados muy ambiguos y de difícil comparación.

Determinación de la época más adecuada para la propagación ágamica de gramíneas ornamentales : : Mendoza (Argentina)

La división de matas es una técnica de propagación difundida con gran éxito entre las Gramíneas. Cuando se trata de la producción comercial de este grupo de plantas, es importante conocer la época en que se realiza esta práctica para obtener plantas de la mejor calidad en el menor tiempo posible. Según algunos autores, la estación apropiada para dividir gramíneas está relacionada con el momento de activo crecimiento: primavera tardía para las especies estivales y otoño o primavera temprana para las invernales. En este trabajo se estudió la influencia de la época del año en la división de matas de Miscanthus sinensis "Variegatus", Miscanthus sinensis "Zebrinus", Miscanthus sinensis "Morning Light", Paspalum haumanii, Leymus arenarius, Pennisetum setaceum y Trichloris crinita en diciembre y febrero. Se evaluaron las características ornamentales y la precocidad, con fines comerciales, de las plantas obtenidas en otoño y primavera tardía. Las variables utilizadas fueron altura vegetativa, diámetro de canopia y de corona, número de cañas y porcentaje de sobrevivencia. Desde el punto de vista comercial y productivo, es conveniente realizar la división de matas en otoño para obtener precocidad sólo en M. sinensis "Variegatus" y M. sinensis "Zebrinus". En el caso de M. sinensis "Morning Light", P. setaceum, T. crinita, P. haumanii y Leymus es más adecuada la división de primavera.

Sustrato y dosis de fertirriego en la aclimatización de vitroplantas de Agave americana var. oaxacencis

Con la finalidad de asegurar la adaptación en invernadero de plantas de Agave americana var. oaxacensis obtenidas in vitro, se evaluó el efecto de sustratos y dosis de fertirriego en la aclimatización y crecimiento de 180 plantas. Este trabajo se realizó en un invernadero del Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca, México, a principios de 2012. Se utilizaron plantas recién salidas del laboratorio. El experimento se estableció según el diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 (sustratos: arena y perlita) x 5 (fertilización: 1, 25, 50, 75 y 100%). La unidad experimental fue una planta en un recipiente de plástico de 150 cm3 con 18 repeticiones. La fertilización se basó en la solución universal de Steiner y diariamente cada planta recibió a nivel de sustrato 10 mL durante 12 semanas. Se evaluó el crecimiento en hojas, tallo y raíz, realizando análisis de varianza y prueba de medias (Tukey, α = 0,05). Todas las plantas se adaptaron, pero aquellas plantas establecidas en perlita lograron los mejores crecimientos en área foliar, volumen de raíz, peso fresco total, materia seca de raíz y total de planta. El tamaño de las plantas al término de su aclimatación estuvo en relación con la cantidad de nutrimentos de la solución nutritiva.