Galega orientalis – a new persistant plant as fodder crop and substrate for biogas production

In einem langjährig angelegten Anbauversuch soll das jährliche Ertragspotential der ausdauernden Leguminose Galega orientalis (Lam.) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ermittelt werden. In den ersten vier Anbaujahren belief sich der jährliche Trockenmasseertrag auf durchschnittlich 100 dt/ha. Die Leguminosenart erwies sich als sehr winterhart. Sie reagierte auf Trockenheit mit verringertem Wachstum, aber ohne die Gefahr des Absterbens. Krankheiten oder Schädlinge wurden nicht beobachtet. Die Pflanzen gelangten sicher zur Samenreife. Im Laborversuch konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass Galega­substrat unter Beachtung der üblichen Silierregeln erfolgreich siliert werden kann. Die durchgeführten Gärversuche im Batch-Betrieb wiesen eine Eignung der Galega für eine Biogasgewinnung nach. Die Ergebnisse belegen, dass Galega unter den natürlichen Bedingungen von Mecklenburg-Vorpommern anbauwürdig ist.    A long-term cultivation trial was established to estimate the agricultural potential of the perennial legume Galega orientalis (Lam.) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Herbage productivity was monitored for four years. The average annual dry-matter yield of fodder galega was about 10 t ha–1. This legume species was found to be very resistant to frost. Drought induces reduced growth, however there is no danger of dead loss. Diseases or pests were not observed. The plants reliably accomplished seed maturity. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that galega can be ensiled successfully according to the common principles of ensiling. The fermentation batch tests demonstrated the suitability for bio-energy production. Our results indicate that galega is suitable for cultivation under the natural conditions of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.   &nbsp

Comparison of plateletpheresis on the Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC, and Trima Accel Cell separators

Blood component donations by apheresis have become more common in modern blood transfusion practices. We compared three apheresis instruments (Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC, and Trima Accel) with regard to platelet (PLT) yield, collection efficiency (CE), and collection rate (CR). The single-needle or double-needle plateletpheresis procedures of the three instruments were compared in a retrospective, randomized study in 270 donors. The blood volume processed was higher in the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Also there was a significantly higher median volume of ACD used in collections on the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. The PLT yield was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Additionally, the CE was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. There was no significant difference in median separation time and CR between the three groups. When procedures were compared regarding CE by using Amicus device, it was significantly higher in single-needle than double-needle plateletpheresis. When double-needle Amicus system was compared with double-needle COM.TEC system, CE and PLT yield were significantly higher with Amicus system. When single-needle Amicus system was compared with single-needle Trima system, CE and PLT yield were significantly higher with Trima system. All instruments collected PLTs efficiently. However, the CE was lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Also, we found Amicus single-needle system collected PLTs more efficiently compared with the double-needle system. CE and PLT yields were significantly higher with the single-needle Trima instrument compared with the single-needle Amicus device. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:171-175, 2015. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Documenting Water Depth Fluctuation and Waterfowl Occurrence within Wild Rice Beds in the St. Louis River Estuary

The St. Louis River Estuary’s shallow wetlands are home to northern wild rice (manoomin), an ecologically, economically, and culturally important keystone species. Wild rice abundance in the Estuary was negatively impacted by pollution and other human activities following the arrival of European settlers. Unfortunately, despite water quality improvements, habitat restoration, and seeding efforts, wild rice beds have not fully recovered to their previous distribution and density. This is likely due to several factors, including fluctuating water depth and herbivory by waterfowl. We documented water depth fluctuations and waterfowl occurrence in four sheltered bays during the 2020 growing season to help support future restoration decisions in the Estuary. Our observations show that estuary wild rice beds experienced 24-hour water depth fluctuations between 0.64 and 0.95 ft on average. Allouez Bay experienced the most extreme water depth fluctuations with a maximum of 2.1 ft in a 24-hour period. We documented much higher waterfowl occurrence, especially Canada goose presence, in Duck Hunter Bay South. Abundances were highest in mid-September indicating high levels of herbivory on maturing rice. We show some distinct differences in water depth fluctuations and waterfowl occurrences among sites and therefore preliminarily suggest differentially targeting seeding and goose management practices among wild rice beds as an initial management strategy