Raised Beds Research Articles

This Must Be the Place

This Must Be the Place Jeffrey Helton (bio) The clouds overhanging the horizon are the color of coal, and beyond that clot of shadows William can see veins of coursing light--but he spares them no thought. For now there is only the pale sky above and the highway like dark and yellow-lined water passing beneath the old convertible as whips of wind lash joyous against the car, urging it on, sweeping across William's hair and [End Page 86] bringing a boy's smile to his tired face until the day's labor of grey seams and shovels vanishes behind him and all that remains is the familiar animal ache of his bones and a longing like a question that only Eleanor can answer. Soon this day will die yet here and now the sun is a golden void, a molten clockface emptied of all markings, and William hollers and laughs, his voice hoarse as he moves parallel these fields where the air is spiced of summer and the birds nest in the amen of sumac and the cows graze and eye him with quiet regard, and everywhere that he looks along the almighty landscape he finds a home, the world itself the greatest among them, a home to the black bears roving the mountain creek beds and the silver trout fated for their maws and the soft-footed foxes that rustle through blooms of pink and red in rhododendron romances. The car is rounding a bend, ascending the hill, and far beyond the curve of a wooden railing the ridgeline is blazed with mountain laurel and azaleas and trees with bloodbright leaves that hint of autumn's coming. William's fingers, nails streaked black, touch the radio dial and turn it until they find a song, its melody timeless, its four chords moving like the calm coupling of lifelong lovers, and though he cannot recall the lyrics he hums that perfect melody and makes up words all his own. An earnest rain is falling when he rolls into the driveway, so he jumps from the car to pull down the ragtop and then jogs for the cover of the porch where Eleanor awaits him, a red kerchief in her hair and dirt at her cheek, and they kiss and she slips the straps of his overalls away and he likewise with her dress and they bring their bodies together like lips to honeysuckle and once they are filled with that cathedral emptiness she says that she has something more to show him. William follows her through the house and then the creaking back door, and below lay four naked garden beds bridged by paths of flat stones, and he sees [End Page 87] this space as it is and will be, drenched in color and living light and fragrance, and he marvels at this quiet glory and runs his thumb along the rim of Eleanor's ear with a broad grin on his face, glad to love this woman of strength, cherishing this rain that would nourish all things, even those in the black beneath the ground. William walks down into the yard, and when his feet touch the earth shivers run across his body, and he remembers his grandfather saying that this happens when someone walks over your grave, so William regards the sweep of rain-bowed grass and thinks this must be the place, this must be the place, as if the sky would split above with a bolt for his heart. But it is not yet his time to die, not now, when a lone robin alights on the far fence and Eleanor's legs bead with raindrops and the boards of the garden beds are painted blue like the eyes of the daughter that William will know for too few years and yet love enough for a lifetime, this man who has breathed in the whole of the world, letting the clouds themselves into his lungs, this man less a man than a lightning rod— [End Page 88] Jeffrey Helton Jeffrey Helton is a native of Western North Carolina and an alumnus of Berea College, where he studied English and Philosophy. He is...

Antifungal activity, yield, and composition of Ocimum gratissimum essential oil

Ocimum gratissimum L. or clove basil, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, has various desirable uses and applications. Beyond its aromatic, seasoning, and medicinal applications, this plant also has antimicrobial activity. This study was aimed at assessing the antifungal activity, yield, and composition of the essential oil (EO) of O. gratissimum. The species was cultivated in garden beds with dystrophic red latosol soil type containing high organic-matter content. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation of dried leaves in a modified Clevenger apparatus, followed by determination of its content. Chemical characterization was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Microbial activity was assessed using the broth microdilution method, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), in order to compare the antimicrobial effect of EO in 10 isolates-Fusarium oxysporum f. sp tracheiphilum (CMM-0033), F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense (CMM-0813 and CMM-2819), F. oxysporum f. sp lycopersici (CMM-1104), F. solani (CMM-3828), Rhizoctonia solani (CMM-3274), and Macrophomina phaseolina (CMM-2715, CMM-3875, CMM-3615, and CMM-3650). The EO was a highly effective inhibitor of the studied phytopathogenic fungi, with MICs varying from 31.25 to 125 µg/mL. F. oxysporum f. sp lycopersici and R. solani were the most sensitive; both were inhibited at an MIC of 31.25 µg/mL. The EO content in the plant extract was 0.18%. Thirty chemical compounds were detected via GC-MS, with linalool (32.9%) being the major compound followed by 1,8-cineole (21.9%), both oxygenated monoterpenes. It can be concluded that clove basil EO is a highly effective antifungal agent, and therefore, a potential alternative for the control of plant pathogenic diseases.

PROBLEM OF TERRITORIAL AND FUNCTIONAL DЕVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF ALMATY

Since the beginning of the 20th century in the city of Verniy - which was later renamed to Alma- Ata and afterwards to Almaty - implementation of the "garden city" concept starts. With city's growth and acquirement of the status of capital its public center structure becomes more complicated, the ratio of urban area greening raises, landscape architecture objects typology is broadened. The largest city of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, having overstepped millionth milestone in the population, during its functioning nowadays faces series of issues in providing comfortable accommodation for residents: ecological – noncompliance with regulatory norms of greening ratio within the city limit; social - failure to ensure the accessibility of landscape architecture objects of recreational purpose, as well as thematic variety of public use green territories for residents of the peripheral areas; low quality of pedestrian area aesthetics. Feasibility of saving valleys of mountain rivers undeveloped, placing elements of green areas system along the direction of the breeze, presented with latest master plans of the city is not being implemented in full. This leads to development of fragmented mesh structure of the whole natural complex and is one of the most important factors of lowering resistance of city's natural ecosystem against anthropogenic exposure. In 2017 within implementation of program on raising quantity and quality of open recreational public spaces in the city, on broadening pedestrian areas an architectural-landscape reconstruction was conducted of existing pedestrian street, and in the core of public center of the city functional reorientation of transport street into a pedestrian street was carried out. During execution of architectural-landscape reconstruction of the new pedestrian street fragments of historical paving were uncovered and its accentuation was then made with use of decorative paving, that allowed to improve the characteristics of recreational space and identity of the city's center. To increase the attractiveness of the historical part of the city some radical reconstruction of historical Almaty plaza was conducted. Its transport dimensions were reduced, the emerged pedestrian space was filled with parametric park and garden furniture, flower beds and planar fountains that in evenings are enriched with decorative lighting. Abrupt drop is demonstrated by the retrospective analysis of ratio of Almaty city area greening in conditions of increased building density. To solve the problem of approaching to normative sufficiency of city areas greening, the important aspect is saving the reserve territorial fund of natural complex of small rivers of Almaty city for recreational purposes. The lesser sizes of riverbeds of small rivers typical for foothill cities, their deep laying entail feasibility of attention to urban-planning and artistical solution of near water territories, equal to advantages of natural water area. Issues discovered, deficit of reserve territories mandate use of additional resources of architectural-landscape character: forming gardens of man-made foundations, rebirth of vertical greening which was once-traditional for Almaty.

Les jardins du Grand Trianon de Michel Le Bouteux à Richard Mique

The gardens of the Grand Trianon are usually attributed to André Le Nôtre. They also have the reputation of having suffered over time, albeit preserving their 17th-century organization. A more documented approach obliges us to reassess this picture. First of all, it was Michel Le Bouteux who created the gardens in 1670 and continued to extend them until 1682. It is he who gave them their structure and exceptional botanical richness. Le Nôtre succeeded him from 1687 to 1693, when the marble Trianon replaced the porcelain Trianon, but his work was limited to creating the king’s garden and the spaces bordering the wing known as the Trianon-sous-Bois, to providing a new design for the flower beds, and adding a waterway around the Plafond. Louis XIV then engaged Jules Hardouin-Mansart for the Chestnut Garden and the promenade, as well as a renewal of the flower beds, the pool around the Plafond and great stepped cascade. He also introduced the verdant nature rooms surrounded by geometrically pruned trees, set up fountains in the basins, and installed the first sculptural groups in the gardens. His work on the Trianon gardens was thus considerable. Several neglected documents have revealed that the entire garden was redesigned under the direction of Richard Mique in 1776, along with the replanting of the park at Versailles. At that time, the central spaces were enlarged in quincuncial arrangement, a second north-south axis brought into balance the original east-west axis, the sculpted decoration was recomposed, and all the plantings were renewed with new species. As the plan of the garden changed very little thereafter, it is Mique’s conception that we admire today at the Grand Trianon, much more than that of Le Nôtre.

Evaluation of Narcissus Genotypes under Karewa Condition of Kashmir Himalaya

An investigation was carried out to evaluate eighteen genotypes of narcissus for quality cut flower and bulb production under Kashmir Himalaya condition. Wide range of variation among the 18 genotypes of narcissus was recorded with respect to vegetative, flower, bulb production attributes. Genotype CITH-NS-3 gave maximum plant height (34.37 cm) and leaf length (29.13 cm). Highest number of leaves per plant (12.33) was recorded in CITH-NS-6 followed by CITH-NS-3 (11.79). Flower scape length was found maximum in CITH-NS-3 (32.34 cm) which was at par with CITH-NS-1 (30.50 cm). Flower number per plant varies from 1.00 to 8.00 in different genotype. Flower size was recorded highest in CITH-NS-15 (9.69 cm) which was at par with CITH-NS-10 (9.37 cm), CITH-NS-11 (9.31 cm) and CITH-NS-1 (9.22 cm). Blooming period varies from 12.50 to 20.15 days and recorded maximum 20.15 days in genotype CITH-NS-1 which was statistically at par with CITH-NS-6 (19.00 days). Vase life recorded maximum 12.72 days in CITH-NS-1 followed by CITH-NS-4 (11.82 days) and CITH-NS-2 (11.45 days). Maximum number of bulbs per plant was produced in CITH-NS-2 (5.10) followed by CITH-NS-3 (4.55) which was at with CITH-NS-7 (4.41) and CITH-NS-6 (4.17). Total bulb yield recorded maximum in genotype CITH-NS-6 (80.99 t/ha) followed by CITH-NS-2 (74.66 t/ ha) while CITH-NS-3 and CITH-NS-6 showed highest propagation coefficient 851.98 and 845.90 %, respectively. Based on different vegetative, floral and bulb attributes genotypes CITH-NS-1, CITH-NS-2, CITH-NS-3, CITH-NS-6 and CITH-NS-11 were found promising for quality cut flower production and CITH-NS-16 was found suitable for flower bed planting.

DUCHESNEA INDICA (ANDREWS) TESCHEM. (ROSACEAE JUSS.) – NEW ADVENTIVE SPECIES TO THE FLORA OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

For the first time for the flora of Uzbekistan is a species of adventive Duchesnea indica . This plant has recently been found in the surroundings of the city of Tashkent as a fugitive from the culture and the territory of the Bukhara oasis as an introduction. Based on the literature data and herbarium materials, we demonstrated that this plant has not been identified as a member for adventive flora of the region previously. Currently, D. indica in Tashkent is widespread and actively spreading. In the flora of Bukhara and its suburbs, D. indica originated as an adventive species under the influence of anthropogenic factors. This species is often found in buildings around the city, near the lawns and in flower beds. The place of origin of the D. indica is areas of South, Southeast and East Asia, with a mild and damp climate. Since the 19th century, is cultivated in Central Europe as an ornamental plant. In recent decades there has been a spontaneous and active dissemination of this species on every continent except Antarctica. Concerning the settling time is eukenophytes D. indica , according to the method of skidding – ergaziophytes, and on the degree of naturalization – epekophytes.

Utjecaj ektomikorize i huminskih kiselina na morfološke značajke jednogodišnjih sadnica hibrida Paulownia tomentosa x Paulownia fortunei

The paper presents the results of the impact of ectomycorrhiza and humic acids on major morphological features of 1 year old seedlings of Paulownia tomentosa × Paulownia fortunei (9501) hybrids grown from root cuttings. Paulownia has many desirable properties as well as negative traits such as invasiveness. Experimental plantations were established in the spring of 2015 on a field in Zagreb. We used two different spacings (2x2 m and 4x4 m), each with two treatments and control. In the first treatment we planted seedlings grown from root cuttings inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi at the time of planting. For the second treatment we used the inoculated plants with the addition of soil humic acids. Seedlings were planted in flower beds with black plastic foil and a trickle irrigation system. Major morphological features of seedlings were measured at the end of the first growing season. A positive impact of the ectomycorrhizal fungi and humic acids on morphological characteristics of 1 year old seedlings was established. For the planting distance 2x2 m we established significant differences between the seedlings treated with ectomycorrhizal fungi and seedlings treated with ectomycorrhizal fungi and humic acids compared to the control seedlings in the following variables: total seedling height, stem diameter at 10 cm from ground level, number of branches, seedling height to the first live branches and length of the longest branches. For the planting distance 4x4 m we obtained statistically significant differences between the seedlings treated with ectomycorrhizal fungi compared to the control seedlings in the following variables: stem diameter at 10 cm from ground level, the number of branches and the length of the longest branches. The application of ectomycorrhizal fungi and humic acids can increase the quality of forest plantation of paulownia. Before growing and putting paulownia seedlings on the market we should consider the fact that in Croatia there are no scientific or impact studies on the nature of several species from the genus Paulownia, and the risks should be assessed for each taxonomy category, even lower than the species. Such studies would give specific guidelines and plans for future plantations of paulownia.

Occurrence of thrips in lisianthus cultivation at different protected cropconditions

Damages caused by thrips (Thysanoptera) are a constant concern in greenhouse. In lisianthus, Eustomagrandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners (Gentianaceae), it may cause direct and indirect damage. Thrips can affect flowers aesthetics through feeding on their petals. This study aimed at to recording the thrips species associ­ated with lisianthus under protected cultivation, assessing differences in species composition among lisianthus cultivars and among different growing conditions. The experiment was conducted in commercial greenhouses in the “Floricultura Florist” company, municipality of DoisIrmaos, RS state. The experiment was conducted from January to February 2013, comparing four cultivars with different colors (Marina, Orange Flash, Tu 668 and Ace White) and two greenhouses with structural differences. Each flower bed (25mx1m) containing one cultivar (treatment) was divided into 5 plots in which 10 plants were randomly selected and evaluated from the opening of the first floral bud until the cut of the flowers. The most common thrips species were Frankliniellaschultzei and F. occidentalis . The different growing conditions influenced the amount and composition of thrips species collected. There was variation in the average number of thrips gathered from cultivated varieties. This paper presents the first record of thrips species on E. grandiflorum in greenhouse of Brazil.

CONTAMINATION OF MOTH MULLEIN (VERBASCUM BLATTARIA L.) SEEDS BY PHOMA NOVAE-VERBASCICOLA

Verbascum blattaria (Scrophulariaceae family) is a hardy perennial species that is used for the edges and flower beds of low-maintenance gardens. Phoma novae-verbascicola causes light brown necrotic spots on the leaves of V. blattaria seedlings. In order to demonstrate the seed transmission of this pathogen, several V. blattaria seeds belonging to three samples collected in 2013, were tested in vitro to detect the presence of P. novae- verbascicola. Two samples were found to be contaminated and colonies of the pathogen were isolated from the tested seeds. Phoma novae-verbascicola was identified from the morphological features observed in vitro and through an ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) analysis. The virulence of one isolate was confirmed by means of a pathogenicity test. This work demonstrates that P. novae-verbascicola can be transmitted by affected V. blattaria seeds.

The Gardens of the British Working Class

The Gardens of the British Working Class

Cardamine occulta, the correct species name for invasive Asian plants previously classified as C. flexuosa, and its occurrence in Europe.

The nomenclature of Eastern Asian populations traditionally assigned to Cardamine flexuosa has remained unresolved since 2006, when they were found to be distinct from the European species Cardamine flexuosa. Apart from the informal designation “Asian Cardamine flexuosa”, this taxon has also been reported under the names Cardamine flexuosa subsp. debilis or Cardamine hamiltonii. Here we determine its correct species name to be Cardamine occulta and present a nomenclatural survey of all relevant species names. A lectotype and epitype for Cardamine occulta and a neotype for the illegitimate name Cardamine debilis (replaced by Cardamine flexuosa subsp. debilis and Cardamine hamiltonii) are designated here. Cardamine occulta is a polyploid weed that most likely originated in Eastern Asia, but it has also been introduced to other continents, including Europe. Here data is presented on the first records of this invasive species in European countries. The first known record for Europe was made in Spain in 1993, and since then its occurrence has been reported from a number of European countries and regions as growing in irrigated anthropogenic habitats, such as paddy fields or flower beds, and exceptionally also in natural communities such as lake shores.

Assessing some economic and biological characters of introduced varieties of genus Astilbe Buch.-Ham ex D.Don

Purpose. To study flowering productivity and reproductive ability of multiple-aged plants of introduced Astilba varieties, assess varieties for these characters and investigate the effectiveness of vegetative propagation. Methods. Field experiment, introduction and statistics evaluation. Results. The analysis of published data and author’s own observations revealed that Astilba varieties are highly tolerant for winter and frost conditions as well as pest and disease resistant, therefore we defined flowering productivity and reproductive ability as main economic and biological characters that are subject to assessment. According to the results of flowering efficiency study, it was found that the highest value of this index for the most studied varieties was observed on the fourth year of cultivation. Whereas the majority of varieties rating was relatively low, Astilbe flowering productivity on the whole was sufficiently high. In order to arrange collection plots, flower beds and implement the selection process, the most effective method of vegetative propagation can be used – the division of rhizomes into pieces with three to five renovation buds, and for mass reproduction – with one or two buds. It turned out that for Astilbe the indicator of reproductive ability is specific. For most of the investigated five-year varieties it was quite high. We have noted a high positive correlation between the index of reproductive ability and flowering productivity. Varieties with optimal flowering had high value of planting material yield. Conclusions. Based on the experimental data, the flowering productivity and reproductive ability of multiple- aged plants of Astilbe introduced varieties was studied, varieties was assessed according to these characters, and the effectiveness of vegetative propagation was investigated.

How much does it cost residents to prepare their property for wildfire?

Wildfire has resulted in significant loss of property and lives. Residents can improve the probability of survival of structures and themselves by undertaking suitable preparation. Only a small proportion of residents adequately prepare for wildfire with monetary and time costs cited as significant impediments. Few studies have quantified the monetary and time costs for residents to prepare. Here we use an online survey to estimate the extent to which cost drives the probability of a resident undertaking preparatory actions. Cost was found to be a significant driver if preparatory actions were being undertaken primarily for wildfire, but not if the preparatory actions were partially or primarily for other purposes, e.g. landscape maintenance. Approximate average costs for a resident to prepare for wildfire was $AUD 10,000, with a subsequent annual maintenance cost of $AUD 1000. Largest costs were related to altering landscaping features, e.g. fencing, positioning of garden beds. The paper argues that risks from landscape features could be reduced through further development of guidelines or standards for building in fire prone landscapes. Overall, two primary factors were found to predict the extent of preparation of a resident – planned future actions and their risk perception. Residents who intend to evacuate in the event of a wildfire are less likely to prepare than those that plan to stay and defend, which points to a problematic gap between official advice to prepare regardless of intended actions and public tendencies to only prepare if they intend to stay and defend.

Sophie’s Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller

Reviewed by: Sophie’s Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller Deborah Stevenson, Editor Miller, Pat Zietlow Sophie’s Squash Go to School; illus. by Anne Wilsdorf. Schwartz & Wade, 2016 32p Library ed. ISBN 978-0-553-50945-8 $20.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-553-50944-1 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-553-50946-5 $10.99 R 5-8 yrs In Sophie’s Squash (BCCB 10/13), Sophie’s comfort object was a squash she named Bernice, who eventually got planted underground and resulted in a plant bearing new baby squash. It’s presumably those two squash, now named Bonnie and Baxter in this outing, that Sophie takes to school on her first day. School doesn’t go well, with stressed little Sophie clinging to Bonnie and Baxter rather than making friends, even with friendly and vegetable-informed Steven Green, who clearly is ready for a squash-inclined buddy. Sophie’s pretty miserable when it’s time for Bonnie and Baxter to take their autumnal dirt nap, but Steven eventually manages to cheer her by coming up with a plant project she can share with the class and their friendship flourishes. First day of school books are legion, but this one maps out the steps with painful clarity and offers respect for the time it can take to bond with new acquaintances (“Sometimes growing a friend just takes time”). Sophie’s focus on her squash is believable, while her parents and the book share a deft touch with her unusual predilection, recognizing it as a safety zone but encouraging her to expand her perspective. The art is as easygoing as the text, with school and home comfortably overcrowded in cheerful colors; the contrast emphasizes the poignancy in the twilit spread where a lonely Sophie sits huddled by the garden bed where Bonnie and Baxter were planted. Kids skeptical of school-start stories where everything’s great by the end of first day will find Sophie a brave and sympathetic model, and all viewers will want a peek at the endpapers, which feature a multitude of different small vignettes of Sophie goofing around with her squash friends. Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

택지개발사업 조경설계공모 당선안과 조성 현장 비교를 통해 본 전통 재현의 양상

본 연구는 전통 재현을 위한 합리적 계획 방향을 모색하고자 '의정부 민락 2지구 도시기반시설 조경설계공모(2008)'와 '화성 동탄 2지구 택지개발사업 1단계 조경기본 및 실시설계공모(2012)' 당선안의 설계 도판과 조성 현장을 비교 분석하였다. 먼저 설계 도판에 제시된 텍스트와 평면도, 입단면도, 다이어그램, 사례이미지, 투시도를 분석하여 재현 대상과 재현 경관, 재현 공간의 구성과 배치, 재현 시설물의 디자인과 식재 양상을 파악한 후 조성 현장을 고찰하였다. 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 재현 대상과 재현 경관의 유형은 대상지의 향토 경관으로써 농업 경관, 전통마을의 생활공간, 전통 수(水) 공간, 전통문화로 구분된다. 둘째, 재현 공간의 구성 및 배치와 관련하여 주변 토지이용과 지역문화유산이 고려된 전통 테마 공간들을 구성하였으나 조성 시 일부는 근린공원에 요구되는 운동공간이나 편의시설공간으로 변경되었다. 셋째, 재현 시설물의 경우 방지원도(方池圓島), 정자, 화계는 현장에 도입되었으나 창의적으로 디자인된 시설물은 설치되지 않았다. 넷째, 전통 식재 기법은 마을숲, 방지 내 원도, 화계에 수목을 도입하는 것에 집중되었다. 다섯째, 전문 자료를 토대로 한 주제 선정과 실험적 시설물 디자인 제시 등 전통 재현 작업이 진일보한 측면을 파악할 수 있었다. 여섯째, 조성 시 실현 가능한 주제 선정, 정보 해석을 위한 전문성, 전통 시설물의 창의적 디자인 등 앞으로 이루어질 전통 재현 작업에 요구되는 과제들을 짚어보았다. In order to search for the reasonable planning directions for representing traditional landscape, this study conducted the comparative analysis of the designs on the panels and their constructions from both winners of "The Landscape Design Competitions for City Infrastructure of Minlak(2) District in Uijeongbu" and "The Design Competition for Dongtan(2) District Land Development Phase 1". The representing targets and views, the composition and placement of representing space, the design of representing facilities and landscape planting were examined based on the text, master plans, elevations and cross sections, diagrams, images, and perspective drawings proposed from the competition panels. Then, the landscape constructions were reviewed. The results are as follows: First, the types of the representing targets and views are the agricultural landscape, as the local landscape of target area, which are divided into the life space of a traditional village, the traditional water space, and the traditional culture. Second, as to the composition and placement of representing space, the traditional theme spaces are formulated considering the surrounding land use and the local cultural heritage. However, some spaces were changed to the exercise space or convenient facility spaces required in a neighborhood park. Third, in the case of the representing facilities, a round island in the square pond, a traditional pavilion and Hwagye(terraced flower bed) were made without the facilities designed creatively. Fourth, the application of traditional planting techniques was focused on planting trees in the village forest on an island in the square pond and on Hwagye. Fifth, the traditional representing work has gradually advanced with the selection of subject and experimental facility designs based on the professional references. Sixth, the choice of the realizable subject, the expertise for information analysis and the creative design of the traditional facility are required in the future.

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in New York City community garden soils: Potential sources and influential factors.

A total of 69 soil samples from 20 community gardens in New York City (New York, USA) were collected and analyzed for 23 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and black carbon. For each garden, samples were collected from nongrowing areas (non-bed) and from vegetable-growing beds, including beds with and without visible sources of PAHs. The sum of the US Environmental Protection Agency's 16 priority PAHs ranged up to 150 mg/kg, and the median (5.4 mg/kg) and mean (14.2 mg/kg) were similar to those previously reported for urban areas in the northeast United States. Isomer ratios indicated that the main sources of PAHs were petroleum, coal, and wood combustion. The PAH concentrations were significantly and positively associated with black carbon and with modeled air PAH concentrations, suggesting a consistent relationship between historical deposition of atmospheric carbon-adsorbed PAHs and current PAH soil concentrations. Median PAH soil concentration from non-bed areas was higher (7.4 mg/kg) than median concentration from beds in the same garden (4.0 mg/kg), and significantly higher than the median from beds without visible sources of PAHs (3.5 mg/kg). Median PAH concentration in beds from gardens with records of soil amendments was 58% lower compared with beds from gardens without those records. These results suggest that gardening practices in garden beds without visible sources of PAHs contribute to reduce PAH soil concentrations.

Ex Vivo Application of Secreted Metabolites Produced by Soil-Inhabiting Bacillus spp. Efficiently Controls Foliar Diseases Caused by Alternaria spp.

Bacterial biological control agents (BCAs) are largely used as live products to control plant pathogens. However, due to variable environmental and ecological factors, live BCAs usually fail to produce desirable results against foliar pathogens. In this study, we investigated the potential of cell-free culture filtrates of 12 different bacterial BCAs isolated from flower beds for controlling foliar diseases caused by Alternaria spp. In vitro studies showed that culture filtrates from two isolates belonging to Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens displayed strong efficacy and potencies against Alternaria spp. The antimicrobial activity of the culture filtrate of these two biological control agents was effective over a wider range of pH (3.0 to 9.0) and was not affected by autoclaving or proteolysis. Comparative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses showed that a complex mixture of cyclic lipopeptides, primarily of the fengycin A and fengycin B families, was significantly higher in these two BCAs than inactive Bacillus spp. Interaction studies with mixtures of culture filtrates of these two species revealed additive activity, suggesting that they produce similar products, which was confirmed by LC-tandem MS analyses. In in planta pre- and postinoculation trials, foliar application of culture filtrates of B. subtilis reduced lesion sizes and lesion frequencies caused by Alternaria alternata by 68 to 81%. Taken together, our studies suggest that instead of live bacteria, culture filtrates of B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens can be applied either individually or in combination for controlling foliar diseases caused by Alternaria species.

The influence of substrate and vegetation configuration on green roof hydrological performance

A four-year record of rainfall and runoff data from nine different extensive (80mm substrate) green roof test beds has been analysed to establish the extent to which the substrate composition and vegetation treatment affect hydrological performance. The test beds incorporated three different substrate components with different porosity and moisture retention characteristics, and three different vegetation treatments (Sedum, Meadow Flower and unvegetated).Consistent differences were observed, with the vegetated beds showing higher levels of rainfall retention and better detention compared with unvegetated beds. The seasonal Meadow Flower beds had similar hydrological performance to Sedum-vegetated beds. There was a 27% performance reduction in annual volumetric retention attributable to differences in substrate and vegetation. The beds with the most porous/permeable substrates showed the lowest levels of both retention and detention.As with previous studies, retention efficiency in all nine beds showed a strong dependency on rainfall depth (P), with retention typically >80% for events where P<10mm, but significantly lower when P>10mm. The effects of vegetation and substrate were most evident for rainfall events where P>10mm, with the mean per-event retention varying between beds from 26.8% to 61.8%. On average, the test beds were able to retain the first 5mm of rainfall in 65% of events where P>5mm, although this ranged from 29.4% to 70.6% of events depending on configuration. In terms of detention, all but one of the test beds could achieve runoff control to a green field runoff equivalent of 2l/s/ha for more than 75% of events.Detention was also characterised via the calibration of a reservoir-routing model that linked net rainfall to the measured runoff response. The parameter values identified here – when combined with a suitable evapotranspiration/retention model – provide a generic mechanism for predicting the runoff response to a time-series or design rainfall for any unmonitored system with comparable components, permitting comparison against local regulatory requirements.

덕수궁 석조전 정원의 조성과 변천

본 연구는 석조전 정원 조성 과정과 변천을 사회적 배경에 따른 덕수궁 권역의 변천과 연계하여 분석하였다. 그 결과 정원의 변천 과정을 4단계로 구분하였다. 첫째, 개항기 말인 1896년에서 1914년이다. 1896년부터 1897년까지 경운궁은 법궁으로 조성되어 고종의 거처로 중화전과 석조전이 마련되었다. 석조전 건립 초기에는 브라운이 관여했고, 준공과 정원은 데이빗슨이 마무리했다. 정원 조성 과정에서 중화전 회랑이 훼철되고 돈덕전이 편입되었다. 정원은 중심부에 원형 기식화단과 축선을 겸한 동선을 지닌 단순한 형태였고 독수리 조각상을 세웠으나 곧 철거되었다. 둘째, 1915년에서 1932년으로 17년간 형태가 유지되었던 시기이다. 1911년 대한제국 말기 궁내부를 계승한 이왕직이 1915년에 주전과를 설치하여 덕수궁 내 건물들을 조사했다. 당시의 정원은 1차 조성 형태 요소 중 중심축선은 유지하였지만, 녹지대는 비대칭형으로 하였다. 세부화단은 원형이고 오픈 노트 기법과 경계부 식재를 했고, 세분된 동선을 조성했다. 셋째, 1933년에서 1937년까지로 석조전이 개방된 시기이다. 1932년 석조전을 상설미술관으로 개방하기 위해 많은 건물을 훼철했다. 새로 조성한 정원은 중심축과 연계된 동선 중심에 거북이 조각상이 놓인 직사각형 수반이 있는 형태이다. 넷째, 1938년에서 해방까지로 덕수궁이 공원화된 시기이다. 이왕가미술관을 건립하여 석조전과 브리지로 연결하였고, 정원은 선큰(sunken) 정원으로 변모했다. 분수대, 파고라가 도입되었고 이후 부분적인 변형이 있었으나 현재까지 지속되고 있다. 이처럼 현재 남겨진 석조전 정원은 최초의 모습이 아니며, 따라서 본 연구는 석조전 정원에 대한 언설이 재작성되어야 함을 밝힌 것에 의의가 있다. As a result of analyzing the forming and the transformations of Seokjojeon Hall garden by linking it to the changes of Deoksugung Palace influenced by the social atmosphere, the Seokjojeon garden can be classified into four phases. The first phase starts from 1896 to 1914. Gyeongungung was built in the late 19th century(1896-1897) as an official palace and Junghwajeon Hall and Seokjojeon Hall was built for Gojong. J.M.Brown was in charge of the construction of Seokjojeon in the beginning but H.W.Davidson saw the end also set up the garden. In the process of forming the garden the incorporating of Dondeokjeon Hall and the demolishing of the west wing corridors of Junghwajeon Hall occurred. At this phase of the garden a statue of an eagle was put up in the garden but was soon taken down. The shape of the garden was quiet simple with a central axial pathway, a round assorted flower bed placed in front of Seokjojeon Hall. The second phase starts from 1915 to 1932 which lasted for 17 years. At the last years of the Great Han Empire the duties of Gungnaebu(宮內府) was transferred to Leewangjik(李王職) in 1911 and a research on the existing buildings was done by Jujeonkwa(主殿課) in 1915. According to the research drawings, the garden still maintained the axial pathway formed in the previous phase but the garden had an asymmetric form. The flower bed was formed in a round shape and an open-knot technique and boundary plantation was applied to the garden. The third phase starts from 1933 to 1937 and is the period when Seokjojeon Hall was made public. By the year of 1932 many buildings of Deoksugung Palace had been demolished in the preparation of the opening of Seokjojeon Hall as a permanent exhibition hall. The central axial pathway still remained in the new garden and added a pond with a turtle statue in the center. The fourth phase starts from 1938 until the liberation from Japan and is the period when Deoksugung Palace became a park. Yi Royal-Family Museum was built and linked to Seokjojeon Hall with a bridge and the garden transformed into a sunken garden. The garden adopted a fountain and a pagora. Despite the minor changes in the after years the garden still posses most of its form from the fourth phase. As we can see the current garden of Seokjojeon Hall is not the same as the initial garden and therefor the importance of this study lies in the fact that modifications to the statements regarding to Seokjojeon Hall garden should be made.

Occurrence and species distribution of pathogenic Mucorales in unselected soil samples from France

Introduction Mucormycosis is a life threatening invasive fungal disease that affects a variety of patient groups. Although Mucorales are mostly opportunistic pathogens, originating from soil or decaying vegetations, there is currently few data on prevalence of this kind of fungi in the environment. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and diversity of species of Mucorales from soil samples collected in France. Material and methods Soil samples were collected in different regions. Two grams of soil were homogenized in 8 mL of sterile saline containing 0.05% Tween 80. Suspensions were plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and RPMI agar supplemented with itraconazole (4 mg/L) or voriconazole (1 mg/L). Both media contained chloramphenicol and gentamicin. The plates were incubated at 35 ± 2 °C and checked daily for fungal growth for a maximum of 7 days. Mucorales were subcultured to purity. Each strain was identified phenotypically and molecular identification was performed by ITS sequencing. Results A total of 136 soil samples were analyzed. Twenty-eight (20.5%) samples were positive for Mucorales. Among these isolates, there were 19 Rhizopus oryzae , 8 Mucor circinelloides and one Cunninghamella bertholletiae . Direct sequencing confirmed the phenotypic identification in all cases. Positive soil samples came from cultivated fields (including fields of maize, sunflower and rape) but also from other type of soil such as flower beds. Mucorales were retrieved from samples obtained in different geographical regions of France. Conclusion The present study showed that human-pathogenic Mucorales are frequently recovered from soil samples in France. Species diversity should be further analyzed on a larger number of soil samples from different geographic areas in France and in other countries.