Sporothrix inflata, a root-inhabiting fungus of Quercus robur and Q. petraea
The anamorphic fungus Sporothrix inflata, known as a soil-borne fungus with worldwide distribution, was isolated for the first time from the cortex and central cylinder of living and dead roots of healthy and diseased oak trees (Quercus robur and Q. petraea). Isolation frequencies of S. inflata from oak roots varied according to the health status of trees, oak species, study sites, soil depth and root diameter. Colony morphology and growth rate of isolates are influenced by colony age and type of culture medium.
Diversity of ectomycorrhizal morphotypes and oak decline.
KOVACS G., PAUSCH M. & URBAN A. 2000. Diversity of ectomycorrhizal morphotypes and oak decline. Phyton (Horn, Austria) 40 (4): (109) (116). In two oak stands in the north-east of Austria, the root systems of declining oak trees (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) were compared to those of vigorous trees. Ectomycorrhizal roots were morphotyped and counted. Fortysix ectomycorrhizae could be differentiated. While all morphotypes occurred in Patzmannsdorf, only 38 morphotypes were found in Niederweiden. The presence of some morphotypes was highly correlated with the crown-status of the trees. In both stands, the Shannon index of diversity calculated for the ectomycorrhizal microcoenosis was higher for the root systems of vital trees. It was possible to construct a discriminant function which discerned the ectomycorrhizal microcoenoses of vital and of declining trees. The possibility of reducing the number of morphotypes selected for the construction of the discriminant function without significant loss of information about the tree status was tested. Possible implications of the correlation of morphotypes with the crown-status of oak trees are discussed.
A comprehensive review of the solar dryer
ABSTRACT Drying of agricultural products is an energy-demanding process. High costs, scarcities in fossil fuels and environmental threats attract the use of solar energy as an alternate source, especially in developing countries. Increasing environmental concerns led to the use of clean and green energy resources in the field of drying agricultural products. A solar dryer integrated with a thermal energy storage system is reasonably efficient for continuous and uniform drying of agricultural produce in the temperature range of 40–75°C which is the requisite for drying most of the products. Such dryers have become a natural choice to replace drying systems based on fossil fuels. Many studies have been performed till date by a number of researchers for the last few decades for drying agriculture and food products by a solar dryer. This review paper primarily presents an appraisal of the significant contributions made so far in the field of solar drying systems, with the latest updates in drying technology. Solar dryers which offer drying during off-sunshine hours have been specially mentioned. Some novel ideas like use of phase change materials and desiccant materials which enhance the performance and effectiveness of the dryer have also been attempted.