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Highlights • Soils from marl, serpentine and serpentinized peridotite were used as substrates. • Most foliar nutrients were significantly lower in the serpentinized soil. • Photosynthesis was significantly lower in the serpentinized peridotite soil. • Increased levels of phenols, TFC and FRAP were found in the serpentinized soil. • Differential tolerance to serpentine stress between 'Wonderful' and 'Acco' existed. Abstract It was investigated if differential genotypic tolerance of two pomegranate cultivars ('Wonderful' and 'Acco') to serpentine stress existed. For this purpose, pomegranate plants were grown outdoors, in three soil substrates (from parent material marl, serpentine and serpentinized peridotite). The results indicated that growth, most foliar nutrient concentrations, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic rate, for both genotypes, were significantly lower in the serpentinized peridotite soil (severe stress). In contrast, higher levels of total phenolics, total flavonoid content (TFC) and FRAP, were found in the serpentinized soil. Lower tolerance index to stress in the serpentinized soil was found for the cultivar 'Acco', than for 'Wonderful'. Overall, the physiological and antioxidant response of 'Acco' was worse, than that of 'Wonderful', under serpentine stress. In conclusion, despite the lower Ni, Cr and Mg accumulation of 'Acco' (compared to 'Wonderful'), its lower tolerance indices in the serpentinized soil probably shows its higher tissue sensibility to serpentine stress. Thus, this genotype should not be preferred for cultivation in soils presenting high degree of serpentinization (excess Mg concentrations). In contrast, from the tolerance indices of both genotypes in the serpentine soil, it is concluded that a mild stress existed in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 130-day hydroponic experiment was carried out in a glasshouse to examine whether manganese (Mn) concentration in the nutrient solution affects the nutritional status of olive plants and to find out whether the chlorophyll fluorescence technique is suitable to assess Mn toxicity and/or deficiency stress in olive plants prior to the appearance of these two nutritional disorders. For this purpose, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 ratios) were recorded every 40 days in the leaves of 'Kothreiki' and 'FS-17' olive cultivars, which were irrigated with Hoagland's nutrient solutions containing various Mn concentrations. In parallel the elongation of the main shoot of all experimental plants, as well as the concentrations of Mn, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) in their leaves were recorded. The following Mn treatments were applied: 0 μM Mn (to induce Mn deficiency), 40 μM Mn (to promote normal growth), and 640 μM Mn (to induce Mn toxicity). Our results indicated that not only the rate of shoot elongation but also the fluctuation with time of the leaf concentrations of all determined mineral elements (except for Mn) was not significantly affected by the Mn concentration in the nutrient solution, irrespectively of the cultivar. This was not observed with regard to the time variation of the Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 ratios, where the values of these parameters were significantly reduced in the 640 μM Mn treatment at the 80th and 130th day of the experiment in both olive cultivars, compared to the relevant previous ones (those of the days 0 and 40th), something which did not happen in the other two Mn treatments (0 and 40 μM). However, in none of the two cultivars tested and in any of the three Mn treatments (0, 40 and 640μM) the Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 ratios did not drop below the critical values of 0.8 and 4, respectively, even at the end of the experiment, where high Mn concentrations were found in the leaves of both cultivars treated with 640 μM Mn (616 μg g-1 d.w. in 'FS-17' and 734 μg g-1 d.w. in 'Kothreiki'). Symptoms of Mn toxicity (curling and brown speckles) were observed in the top leaves of both cultivars, after the 90th day of the experiment. At the same time, the final leaf Mn concentrations (those of the 130th day of the experiment) in plants grown under 0 μM Mn were 23 μg g-1 d.w. in 'FS-17' and 20 μg g-1 d.w. in 'Kothreiki', i.e., a little above of the deficiency range (<20 μg g-1 d.w.). At the 130th day, Mn concentration in nutrient solution, as well as Mn concentration in the leaves of both olive cultivars was negatively correlated with the leaf concentration of Fe and the values of the Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 ratios, and positively with the concentrations of Zn and P in the leaves. Finally, the periodical measurement of the Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 ratios was proved to be a non-reliable means to predict the appearance of the visible symptoms of Mn toxicity in olive leaves (although their values declined significantly at the 80th and 130th day of the experiment in both olive cultivars). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was the comparison of the effect of two Mn sources (MnSO4·H2O, MnEDTA) which were applied at various concentrations (0, 200, 400, 800, and 1200mgMnl−1) to the leaves of ‘Washington navel’ orange trees in order to correct Mn deficiency. One hundred and seventy days after the foliar application of Mn solutions, the mean Mn concentrations in the leaves treated with MnSO4·H2O (200, 400, 800 or 1200mgMnl−1) or MnEDTA (400, 800 or 1200mgMnl−1) were significantly higher than those of the control leaves. Manganese sulfate (MnSO4·H2O) was more effective than MnEDTA regarding the improvement of the leaf Mn concentrations of the trees, when applied at equal Mn concentrations. Finally, the leaf Mn concentrations were in the sufficiency range (>25mgkg−1 d.w.), only after the application of 800 or 1200mgMnl−1 as MnSO4·H2O. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A greenhouse experiment was carried out in order to study the effects of B excess (2.50 mg B l−1) on physiological (B concentration and distribution, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll concentration and fluorescence) and anatomical (leaf structure and chloroplast ultrastructure) characteristics of ‘Navelina’ orange plants grafted on sour orange and Swingle citrumelo rootstocks. Boron concentrations of all plant parts increased with increasing B concentration in the nutrient solution, following the order: old leaves>young leaves>bark of rootstock>root>stems of scion>stem of rootstock>wood of rootstock. ‘Navelina’ plants were less sensitive to excess B when grafted on Swingle citrumelo than on sour orange. This was due to the lesser absorption of B from the nutrient solution and its greater total retention in the rootstock stem of plants grafted on Swingle citrumelo than those grafted on sour orange rootstock, thus limiting the amount of B that reached the leaves of plants grafted on Swingle citrumelo rootstock. Increased B concentration in the nutrient solution brought about a decrease of leaf thickness, mainly due to reduced spongy parenchyma tissue. Although the size of chloroplasts decreased in response to high B concentration in the nutrient solution, their shape was not altered. Excess B further decreased the relative volume of chloroplast thylakoids and increased the relative volume of plastoglobuli. Finally, the leaves of ‘Navelina’ plants grown under 0.25 mg B l−1 exhibited higher concentrations of chlorophyll as well as higher values of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, Fv/F0) and of photosynthetic rates in contrast to the plants grown under 2.50 mg B l−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a comprehensive examination of the X-ray variability of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy NGC 4051, one of the most variable active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the sky. We combine over 6.5 years of frequent monitoring observations by RXTE with a >100-ks continuous observation by XMM–Newton and so present an overall 2–10 keV power spectral density (PSD) covering an unprecedented frequency range of over 6.5 decades from <10−8 to >10−2 Hz. The combined RXTE and XMM–Newton PSD is a very good match to the PSD of the galactic black-hole binary system (GBH) Cygnus X-1 when in a ‘high’, rather than ‘low’, state, providing the first definite confirmation of an AGN in a ‘high’ state. We also find that a bending power law, rather than a sharply broken power law, besides being more physical, is a much better description of the high-state PSD of Cygnus X-1 and is also a better description of the PSD of NGC 4051. At low frequencies the PSD of NGC 4051 has a slope of −1.1 bending, at a frequency Hz, to a slope of . Although does not depend on photon energy, is steeper at lower energies. If scales with mass, we imply a black-hole mass of in NGC 4051, which is consistent with the recently reported reverberation value of . Hence NGC 4051 is emitting at ∼30 per cent . NGC 4051 follows the same rms–flux relationship as GBHs, consistent with higher Fourier frequencies being associated with smaller radii. From the cross-power spectra and cross-correlation functions between XMM–Newton light curves in different energy bands, we note that the higher-energy photons lag the lower-energy ones. We also note that the lag is greater for variations of longer Fourier period and increases with the energy separation of the bands. Variations in different wavebands are very coherent at long Fourier periods but the coherence decreases at shorter periods and as the energy separation between bands increases. This behaviour is again similar to that of GBHs, and of MCG-6-30-15, and suggests a radial distribution of frequencies and photon energies with higher energies and higher frequencies being associated with smaller radii. Combining our observations with observations from the literature we find it is not possible to fit all AGN to the same linear scaling of break time-scale with black-hole mass. However, broad-line AGN are consistent with a linear scaling of break time-scale with mass from Cygnus X-1 in its low state and NLS1 galaxies scale better with Cygnus X-1 in its high state. We suggest that the relationship between black-hole mass and break time-scale is a function of at least one other underlying parameter which may be accretion rate or black-hole spin or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results from a study of the timing properties and the energy spectrum of the radio-quiet quasar PG 0804+761, based on monitoring RXTE/PCA observations that lasted for a year. Study of the X-ray variations on time-scales of weeks/months of the most luminous radio-quiet quasar studied so far; Significant variations in the 2 to 10 keV band of an average amplitude of ˜15 per cent; Power spectrum estimation at higher frequencies.

We present a series of RXTE observations of the nearby obscured Seyfert galaxies ESO103-G35, IC5063, NGC 4507 and NGC 7172. The period of monitoring ranges from seven days for NGC 7172 up to about seven months for ESO103-G035. The spectra of all galaxies fit well with a highly obscured (N[sub H]>10[sup 23] cm[sup -2]) power-law and an Fe line at 6.4 keV. We find strong evidence for the presence of a reflection component in ESO103-G35 and NGC 4507. The observed flux presents strong variability on day time-scales in all objects. Spectral variability is also detected in the sense that the spectrum steepens with increasing flux similar to the behaviour witnessed in some Seyfert 1 galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes archival Exosat observations of the bright Seyfert galaxy NGC5548 and finds in the power spectrum a broad peak corresponding to quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) with period of approximately 500 s. NGC6814; Active galactic nuclei (AGN); Summary of observations and model fits; Power spectra of various observations of NGC5548 arranged in order of source count-rate, together with model fits; Dependence of QPO properties on source intensity; Further details.

• Olive plants were fertilized with manures or a controlled release fertilizer (CRF). • The highest biomass, macronutrient content and PSII activity were found in the CRF. • Significantly lower photosynthetic rate and stomata opening were recorded in the CRF. • The lowest foliar P, K, Mg, Zn and Cu concentrations were found in the CRF. • The higher macronutrient accumulation in the CRF was owed to the higher biomass. Organic fertilization has been proposed as an alternative method, in the frame of sustainable agriculture, to enhance soil fertility and satisfy the nutritional needs of crops, without the input of chemical fertilizers. A six-month pot experiment, with 3 soil amendments, used as organic fertilizers (cow manure-CM, goat manure-GM, and their mixture, i.e. CM + GM) and a controlled release fertilizer (CRF) was conducted, in order to investigate if the growth, nutrient uptake, photosystem II (PSII) activity, photosynthetic rate and total sugars of Olea europaea L. (cv. 'Koroneiki') plants were influenced by the kind of fertilization. The highest plant biomass, macronutrient content and PSII activity were found in the CRF treatment. In contrast, significantly lower photosynthetic and transpiration rates were recorded in the CRF due to the lower stomatal conductance. Translocated sugars were higher in the CM + GM treatment, while total sugar concentration did not significantly differ among the treatments. Despite the highest content of all macronutrients, Fe and Mn recorded in the CRF, the lowest foliar P, K, Mg, Zn and Cu concentrations revealed that the higher nutrient accumulation, compared to the organic treatments, should be ascribed to the higher plant biomass, rather than to higher nutrient uptake. From the above data, it is clear that the kind of organic/inorganic fertilization significantly influenced soil organic C content, fertility, growth, nutrient uptake and the physiology of olive plants. Thus, the kind of manure(s) used to enhance soil fertility and support crop production should be seriously taken into consideration by the olive growers before its/their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analyzed XMM–Newton observations of the high energy peaked blazar, PKS 2155 − 304, made on 24 May 2002 in the 0.3–10 keV X-ray band. These observations display a mini–flare, a nearly constant flux period and a strong flux increase. We performed a time-resolved spectral study of the data, by dividing the data into eight segments. We fitted the data with a power-law and a broken power-law model, and in some of the segments we found a noticeable spectral flattening of the source’s spectrum below 10 keV. We also performed “time-resolved” cross-correlation analyses and detected significant hard and soft lags (for the first time in a single observation of this source) during the first and last parts of the observation, respectively. Our analysis of the spectra, the variations of photon-index with flux as well as the correlation and lags between the harder and softer X-ray bands indicate that both the particle acceleration and synchrotron cooling processes make an important contribution to the emission from this blazar. The hard lags indicate a variable acceleration process. We also estimated the magnetic field value using the soft lags. The value of the magnetic field is consistent with the values derived from the broad-band SED modeling of this source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the effect of water-temperature during the larval phase on sea bass sensitivity to current-induced lordosis. During larval rearing phase, fish were subjected to two different water temperatures (15 or 20 °C), with the rest of the rearing parameters remaining identical between the different populations. During the pregrowing phase, the different populations were subjected to four different water-current velocities (WCV), with the rest of the environmental conditions remaining common. At the end of the pregrowing phase (43.5±0.8 mm TL), lordosis was more frequent in fish that developed at 20 °C (p <0.05), independently of the WCVs applied. The anatomic analysis of the deformed fish revealed a significant effect of early developmental temperature on the severity of the deformity, with the 15 °C populations showing the lower severity in respect to the angle of lordosis and the number of affected vertebrae (p <0.05). Two weeks of exposure to WCVs (24.0±0.8 mm TL) resulted in 15 °C populations presenting the lower incidence of lordosis and the higher incidence of normal fish in all WCVs, except 50%, tested (p <0.05). At this stage, WCV had a clear effect on lordosis development in populations coming from both developmental temperatures (p <0.05), although at 15 °C these effects were more pronounced. Fish that developed at 20 °C showed significantly higher incidence of deformed vertebral centra and arches than those developed at 15 °C (p <0.05). These early anatomical signs were evident in samples taken at the end of the larval rearing phase (15.7±1.0 mm TL), as well as 1 week after the onset of exposure to WCVs (21.4±0.6 mm TL). In both cases, their incidence was significantly higher in fish that initially developed at 20 °C than at 15 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a flux variability study of simultaneous RXTE and EUVE observations of the highly variable Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051. We find a strong correlation between variability in the EUV and medium-energy X-ray bands, indicating that both are sampling the same power-law continuum. The lag between the two bands is less than 20 ks and, depending on model assumptions, may be <1 ks. We examine the consequences of such a small lag in the context of simple Comptonization models for the production of the power-law continuum. A lag of <1 ks implies that the size of the Comptonizing region is less than 20 Schwarzschild radii for a black hole of mass >10[sup 6] M[sub ⊙]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]