No abstract

The longterm behavior of 137Cs in milk of a Bavarian farm (farm A) deposited as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident has been followed from April 1986 until August 1994. On the basis of activity measurements in milk and feed, transfer coefficients for the different seasons have been estimated in order to see any changes in transfer behavior (aging effect) of 137Cs with time. The influence of different grazing regimes has been tested by comparison of activity concentrations in milk and pasture grass in one farm (farm A with rotational grazing regime) with that of a nearby farm (farm B with continuous grazing regime) over a complete grazing season by frequent measurements in 1993. Though the farms are located only 4 km apart, have similar soils, and were contaminated to the same extent by the Chernobyl fallout, tenfold lower 137Cs activity concentrations in milk have been observed in farm B. This finding seems to be partly due to the influence of a different grazing intensity.

This study was initiated to determine the optimal stage to transplant Areca Palm, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl., seedlings and to determine their tolerance to adverse handling during transplanting. Best growth and less plant loss occurred when transplanting was done at an early developmental stage (spike or 1st-leaf stage compared to 2nd-leaf stage). Growth reduction and losses were minimized when minimum root disturbance and desiccation occurred.

There was little difference noted in plant growth and quality of Areca palm, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl., when treated with three levels of several slow-release fertilizers at the manufacturer's recommended rates. The two resin-coated (RC) materials 18N-2.6P-10K and 17N-3.1P-10K (18-6-12 and 17-7-12) and urea formaldehyde (UF) fertilizer 10N-4.4P-8.3K (10-10-10) resulted in significantly better growth than either the isobutyledene diurea (IBDU) 20N-2.2P-4.2K (20-5-5) or the sulfur-coated urea (SCU) 14N-6P-12K (14-14-14) fertilizer sources. The RC materials were the least expensive fertilizers used in the production of this slow growing crop.

Rooting of the difficult-to-root Ixora acuminata was improved by application of a combination of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and napthalenacetic acid (NAA) to the base of cuttings.