Progress report for the project: Comparison of the response of mature branches and seedlings of Pinus ponderosa to atmospheric pollution

This progress report details Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) performance regarding the projects Comparison of the Response of Mature Branches and Seedlings of Pinus ponderosa to Atmospheric Pollution'' and Effects of Ozone, acid Precipitation, and Their Interactions on Mature Branches and Seedlings of Ponderosa Pine'' for the months of November 1989 to June 1990. During the last eight months, we have initiated ozone and acid precipitation exposures, and we began intensive growth, morphological, and physiological measurements. During these major physiological measurement periods, we measured photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, respiration, antioxidant activity, pigmentation, and foliar nutrient concentration. We have also concluded the analysis of our branch autonomy experiment, which we conducted in the fall. We determined that virtually no carbon is exported among branches in close proximity to one another. This conclusion assists in validating the approach of using branches and branch exposure chambers as a means of assessing the effects of air pollution on mature trees of Ponderosa pine. 6 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs

Salinity and cultivar effects on alfalfa forage yield and nutritive value in a Mediterranean climate

Abstract Background Soil and water salinity are increasing problems worldwide, causing significantly reduced crop yields. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is often listed as salt‐sensitive, but field testing of improved cultivars is limited. Forage systems and improved high‐quality alfalfa varieties are needed to enable crop production under high salinity (HS) conditions. Methods The objective of this study was to measure the yield and quality response of alfalfa to high saline conditions in the field and to document the relative saline tolerance of its varieties. HS irrigation water (electrical conductivity of water, or ECw 8.0–11.0 dS m−1) was applied to 33 nondormant alfalfa cultivars and were compared with low salinity (LS) treatments (ECw 0.5–1.2 dS m−1) over 4 years in a Mediterranean environment on a clay loam soil utilizing a split‐plot design. Crops were harvested seven to eight times per year, and the forage quality was measured on selected harvests utilizing near‐infrared spectroscopy. Results The average yield loss due to HS treatment was 23.9% compared with LS treatment, but yields averaged 23.4 Mg ha−1 under HS over the 3 full years of production. This level of production is considered to be economically viable in this region. Differences in salinity tolerance between lines were identified in the field; individual cultivars lost 5%–35% of their LS yield when grown under HS conditions. Forage quality was significantly improved under HS versus LS conditions, but improvements were negatively correlated with biomass yield (R2 > 0.81), similar to responses observed in drought‐stressed alfalfa. Conclusions These yield results confirm greenhouse studies, indicating that alfalfa is highly salt tolerant once established in the field, with potential for further improvement with tolerant cultivars. Salinity tolerance should be chosen based on total biomass yield as well as on the salinity tolerance index (HS yield relative to LS yield). Agronomic practices to mitigate salinity and sodicity are critical, along with improved cultivars

Long-Term Application of Biosolids on Apricot Production

The use and disposal of biosolids, or wastewater treatment sludge, as a fertilizer and soil amendment is becoming increasingly widespread. We evaluated the multiyear use of biosolids in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) production, grown on productive agricultural soils. Class A biosolids were initially applied annually at rates of 0, 1.9, 5.8, and 11.7 Mg · ha-1 (dry basis) to a 2-year-old apricot orchard on the USDAARS research site on the eastern side of the San Joaquin Valley, CA. These application rates provided estimated rates of 0 (control), 57, 170, and 340 kg total N · ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Compared to the control treatment, the applications of biosolids significantly increased soil salinity (electrical conductivity from 1:1 soil–water extract) and total concentrations of nutrients [e.g., calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)] after 7 years but did not increase the concentrations of selected metals [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb)] between 0- and 60-cm soil depths. Mean concentrations of total nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) in soils (0- to 15-cm depth) ranged from a low of 1.3 g kg-1 to a high of 5.2 g · kg-1 and from 14.1 g · kg-1 to 45.7 g · kg-1 for the control and high biosolids treated soils, respectively

Restless legs syndrome: Diagnostic criteria, special considerations, and epidemiology. A report from the restless legs syndrome diagnosis and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health

Background: Restless legs syndrome is a common yet frequently undiagnosed sensorimotor disorder. In 1995, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group developed standardized criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome. Since that time, additional scientific scrutiny and clinical experience have led to a better understanding of the condition. Modification of the criteria is now necessary to better reflect that increased body of knowledge, as well as to clarify slight confusion with the wording of the original criteria. Setting: The restless legs syndrome diagnostic criteria and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health. Participants: Members of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group and authorities on epidemiology and the design of questionnaires and scales. Objective: To modify the current criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome, to develop new criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome in the cognitively impaired elderly and in children, to create standardized criteria for the identification of augmentation, and to establish consistent questions for use in epidemiology studies. Results: The essential diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome were developed and approved by workshop participants and the executive committee of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Criteria were also developed and approved for the additional aforementioned groups. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved