4th of July Message from Gustaf Adolf R. to President Johnson

4th of July Message from Gustaf Adolf R. to President Johnson

Salt tolerance mechanisms in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

In the face of diminishing fresh water resources and increasing soil salinisation it is relevant to evaluate the potential of halophytic plant species to be cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions, where the productivity of most crop plants is markedly affected. Quinoa is a facultative halophytic plant species with the most tolerant varieties being able to cope with salinity levels as high as those present in sea water. This characteristic has aroused the interest in the species, and a number of studies have been performed with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms used by quinoa in order to cope with high salt levels in the soil at various stages of plant development. In quinoa key traits seem to be an efficient control of Na+ sequestration in leaf vacuoles, xylem Na+ loading, higher ROS tolerance, better K+ retention, and an efficient control over stomatal development and aperture. The purpose of this review is to give an overview on the existing knowledge of the salt tolerance of quinoa, to discuss the potential of quinoa for cultivation in salt-affected regions and as a basis for further research in the field of plant salt tolerance

Varietal differences of quinoa's tolerance to saline conditions

Aims This study aimed to assess varietal differences of quinoa’s tolerance to salinity and to investigate physiological mechanisms conferring these differences. Methods Production of biomass in fourteen varieties grown under saline conditions was analysed in a pot experiment. For two contrasting varieties, the Danish variety Titicaca and the Bolivian variety Utusaya gas exchange, chlorophyll content index (CCI), fluorescence and ion relations were studied. Results Responses to salinity differed greatly among the varieties; least affected were two varieties from the Bolivian altiplano and a variety from Peru. Titicaca and Utusaya both had substantially increased K+ concentrations in the leaf sap. But, Utusaya was much more efficient in restricting xylem Na+ loading. Xylem Na+ and K+ loading were found to be uncoupled. Utusaya maintained a relatively high stomatal conductance resulting in an only 25% NaCl-induced reduction in net CO2 assimilation compared to a 67% reduction in salt treated Titicaca plants. Maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII was not affected by salinity. Conclusion In addition to maintaining high gas exchange, tolerant varieties better control xylemNa+ loading. To what extent this control is related to radial root Na+ uptake or to the activity of Na+/H+-exchangers at the xylem parenchyma boundary remains to be studied.</p

Highly educated men establish strong emotional links with Their Dogs: a study with monash dog owner relationship scale (MDORS) in committed spanish dog owner

The characteristics of the human-animal bond may be influenced by both owner-related and dog-related factors. A study was designed to explore the existence of different dog ownership patterns and their related factors. We created an on line questionnaire that included demographic questions about the dog and the owner, a Spanish version of the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) and a validated measure of satisfaction with life (Cantril's ladder). We collected 1140 valid responses from adult dog owners, who were recruited using the client databases of Spanish veterinary practices. We explored the presence of groups within the population using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of the MDORS variables combined with Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). Two groups were found; Group I having a higher level of emotional involvement with their dogs compared with Group II. Binary logistic regression was used to explore demographic factors that influenced group membership. Four variables were significantly associated with membership of Group I (p<0.0001); male gender of the owner (OR = 32.36), high school level of maximum educational attainment (OR = 0.052), university level of maximum educational attainment (OR = 8.652), and owner Cantril's score (OR = 0.807). The results obtained from this convenience sample demonstrate that different patterns of dog-ownership may be present within a population of owner-dog dyads, and that certain owner characteristics are associated with the type of owner-dog relationship. Future research could apply a similar approach to different types of sample population in order to identify specific patterns of dog-ownership