Endurance athletes have long benefited from ingesting carbohydrates prior to, and during endurance events. Fatigue during endurance exercise has repeatedly been associated with the depletion, or reduction, of bodily carbohydrate reserves. The improved endurance capability observed after aerobic training has, however, been attributed to the increased oxidation of fat relative to carbohydrate, thereby having a 'carbohydrate sparing" effect and thus delaying the point at which reduced carbohydrate reserves will cause fatigue. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation, on the performance and metabolic parameters of nine male marathon athletes. These results were then statistically compared to the effects of adding L-carnitine to the MCT and CHO supplement, on the same parameters. Metabolic parameters included nutritional status evaluations, serum organic acid profiles (non-esterified fatty acid and L-lactate profiles), and plasma carnitine determinations. Performance was measured in terms of peak treadmill running speed, V02 max, respiratory exchange ratios, heart rates, vco2 and vo2 data during progressive treadmill exercise tests. Nutrition and energy intakes were recorded during the study, as well as record kept of the athlete's training programmes. At the end of each supplementation period, a standard marathon was included in the experimental design, in order to practically validate controlled laboratory results. The main findings of this study included the identification of two athletes as 'fat burners'~ Non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) profiles indicated that they predominantly relied on fatty acid oxidation during exercise, after MCT supplementation. The latter presumably because of adaptive changes in their metabolism, enabling them to benefit from MCT supplementation. In spite of the majority of athletes relying on carbohydrate metabolism during exercise, the addition of L-carnitine to the MCT and CHO supplement, induced a shift towards lipid metabolism; evident from RER and VC02 data, as well as the majority of athletes improving their performance. The observed shift was slight; the latter being ascribed to the relatively small dose of L-carnitine (compared to previous studies) included in the supplement. However, L-carnitine was incorporated into a palatable, liquid MCT and CHO supplement, and not merely administered in the form of a pharmacological dose. A major, and extremely unexpected finding, was the presumed effect that the winter, and continuous cold exposure, had on plasma carnitine levels. Plasma carnitine levels decreased significantly, without any intervention, prior to the start of the second trial period, which stretched over the middle of winter. Despite carnitine supplementation, plasma carnitine levels still decreased. This occurrence most certainly influenced results; the shift towards lipid metabolism would presumably have been more pronounced, had the 'Winter factor' not come into play. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Physiology / unrestricted

‘Crimson Seedless’ (Vitis vinifera L.) is an attractive, late season, red, seedless cultivar, which is currently a very popular table grape cultivar. It is one of the most planted cultivars in South Africa and third in terms of total area of table grape vineyards in production. Mature ‘Crimson Seedless’ grapes are characterized by outstanding eating quality, good flavour, firm and crisp berries. One of the key factors affecting the yield of table grape cultivars is bud fruitfulness. Low fruitfulness can have a significant effect on the yield of table grape cultivars and ‘Crimson Seedless’ is characterized by a fruitfulness problem. Summer pruning, such as the removal of shoots after harvesting grapes, is a cultivation practice widely used by some table grape producers in the Orange River region of South Africa. The first hypothesis of this study stated that the removal of shoots after harvest will increase the transmitted PAR through the canopy, increase carbohydrate reserve levels in canes and improve bud fruitfulness of ‘Crimson Seedless’. A second hypothesis of this study stated that the cut back of all main shoots and shoots developing from spurs to the nearest lateral shoot and the removal of all unproductive shoots after berry set will result in fruitful shoots the following season. The third and final hypothesis of this study stated that the removal of shoots after harvest and berry set will improve the yield and quality of Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Crimson Seedless’. The study was conducted over three seasons (2010/11 to 2012/13) and aimed at investigating factors, including shoot removal, impacting bud fruitfulness of an 11-year-old commercial V. vinifera L. cv. ‘Crimson Seedless’ vineyard, grafted on ‘Ramsey’ (Vitis champinii) rootstocks in the Hex River Valley. The treatment design was a complete randomized design and involved five treatments, which included 33% shoot removal (S33) and 66% shoot removal (S66) after harvest, cutting of all main and lateral shoots developing from spurs to the nearest lateral shoot (LS), removal of all unproductive shoots (RSB) which was compared with the control, in which standard pruning practices were performed. The results obtained in this experiment showed that shoot removal after harvest and after berry set improves PAR transmission into the canopy, but there was no significant impact on bud fruitfulness. In addition, it was found that shoot removal reduced vegetative growth resulting in thinner canes that also led to the improvement in PAR transmission. Furthermore, bunch number per shoot in the LS treated vines was reduced when compared with S33 treated vines, illustrating that shoot removal at berry set can reduce bunch number per shoot due to defoliation after berry set. The significant decrease in bud burst in the S33 treatments compared with the control was expected due to less shoots, resulting in a reduction in cane mass during the 2010/11 season. The significant effect of LS treatments after berry set on TSS and total red pigments compared with the S66 treatments and the control, respectively, clearly indicates that shoot removal after berry set improves grape colour. The positive effect of LS treatments on colour was supported by the significant improvement in class 4 bunches, representing an improvement in quality. Although shoot removal did not have a significant effect on the bunch mass per vine of ‘Crimson Seedless’, there was a significant reduction in total bunches for export and mass of the total export bunches in the LS treatments in the 2011/12 season. A link between carbohydrate concentration in canes and bud fruitfulness was not found in this study, as S33 and S66 treatments did not have a significant effect on carbohydrate content in canes during the 2011/12 season. The question therefore arises whether the treatments applied during the growing seasons are worthwhile, because there was no significant impact on bud fruitfulness of Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Crimson Seedless’. This study illustrates that growers need to decide whether it is worthwhile to utilize labour for this practice and they must manage grapevines not only for the current seasons crop, but also for the next season and this can be accomplished by maintaining sufficient carbohydrates for fruitfulness and yield from season to season. / Dissertation (MInst Agrar)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Plant Production and Soil Science / MInst Agrar / Unrestricted

Diorhabda elongata elongata leaf beetles were released at two field locations in the upper Colorado River watershed of Texas in 2003 and 2004 for the biological control of invasive Tamarix, exotic trees deteriorating riparian ecosystems of western North America. Establishment and biological success were monitored using trees on transects from the release points. D. elongata elongata released at the Lake Thomas site in August 2003 successfully overwintered and were recovered in the spring 2004; however, beetles were not present after June 2004. The April 2004 release at Beals Creek led to establishment and survival during 2005 and 2006. Mean abundance increased from less than five insects per tree per 2 minute count in August 2004 to more than 40 insects per tree per 2 minute count in August 2006. By then the population was dispersed throughout an area of approximately 12 hectares and beetles were present on 100% of the 47 trees surveyed, 57% of which were at least 90% defoliated. To measure the impact of beetle defoliation on Tamarix, nonstructural carbohydrates (NCHOs) were measured in manipulative field cage experiments in Texas and natural experiments in Nevada. There was no significant difference in NCHOs between trees with versus trees without beetle herbivory in the cage experiment, although spring foliage regrowth was reduced by 35% in trees defoliated the previous fall. In Nevada, root crown tissue was sampled in 2005 and 2006 from trees that had experienced 0-4 years of defoliation. In 2005, NCHO concentrations differed between tree stands and ranged from 9.0 ± 0.8% (Mean ± SE) in non-defoliated trees to 3.2 ± 0.4%, 2.1 ± 0.4% and 2.3 ± 0.4% in trees defoliated for 1, 2 and 3 successive years, respectively. NCHO concentrations in 2006 were similar, ranging from 13.6 ± 0.9% in non-defoliated trees to 7.6 ± 0.8%, 2.3 ± 0.4%, 1.5 ± 0.3% and 1.7 ± 0.4% in trees defoliated for 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. The establishment, biological success and host impact of D. elongata leaf beetles suggest there is potential for biological control of Tamarix in the United States.

Diorhabda elongata elongata leaf beetles were released at two field locations in the upper Colorado River watershed of Texas in 2003 and 2004 for the biological control of invasive Tamarix, exotic trees deteriorating riparian ecosystems of western North America. Establishment and biological success were monitored using trees on transects from the release points. D. elongata elongata released at the Lake Thomas site in August 2003 successfully overwintered and were recovered in the spring 2004; however, beetles were not present after June 2004. The April 2004 release at Beals Creek led to establishment and survival during 2005 and 2006. Mean abundance increased from less than five insects per tree per 2 minute count in August 2004 to more than 40 insects per tree per 2 minute count in August 2006. By then the population was dispersed throughout an area of approximately 12 hectares and beetles were present on 100% of the 47 trees surveyed, 57% of which were at least 90% defoliated. To measure the impact of beetle defoliation on Tamarix, nonstructural carbohydrates (NCHOs) were measured in manipulative field cage experiments in Texas and natural experiments in Nevada. There was no significant difference in NCHOs between trees with versus trees without beetle herbivory in the cage experiment, although spring foliage regrowth was reduced by 35% in trees defoliated the previous fall. In Nevada, root crown tissue was sampled in 2005 and 2006 from trees that had experienced 0-4 years of defoliation. In 2005, NCHO concentrations differed between tree stands and ranged from 9.0 ± 0.8% (Mean ± SE) in non-defoliated trees to 3.2 ± 0.4%, 2.1 ± 0.4% and 2.3 ± 0.4% in trees defoliated for 1, 2 and 3 successive years, respectively. NCHO concentrations in 2006 were similar, ranging from 13.6 ± 0.9% in non-defoliated trees to 7.6 ± 0.8%, 2.3 ± 0.4%, 1.5 ± 0.3% and 1.7 ± 0.4% in trees defoliated for 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. The establishment, biological success and host impact of D. elongata leaf beetles suggest there is potential for biological control of Tamarix in the United States.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:54:53Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_ac_me_botfca.pdf: 604510 bytes, checksum: 71c5f7d364ff5ed33d5d61f19025419f (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, a viabilidade da metodologia para avaliação da translocação e alocação de fotoassimilados, utilizando o isótopo estável do carbono-13 como marcador, assim como, avaliar a relação fonte-dreno nos diferentes órgãos bem como, saber em que órgão se encontraria o carbono-13 após determinados intervalos de tempo, em plantas em estádio reprodutivo da espécie Ficus carica L. Para tanto, uma folha da figueira considerada adulta através da caracterização fotossintética com um medidor portátil de fotossíntese IRGA-6400, foi colocada dentro de uma câmara de acrílico construída para este fim, e submetida a um ambiente com enriquecimento de 13CO2 por 30 minutos. Após 24 horas, os diferentes órgãos presentes nas plantas foram coletados no experimento órgãos drenos, nas demais plantas seguiu-se a experimentação tempo de alocação, onde as plantas de Ficus carica L. foram arrancadas ao longo das horas: 6, 24, 48, 72, 120, 168, 360. Após o tempo especificado as partes (meristema apical, folhas, ramos, caule e sistema radicular) das plantas em estudo foram coletados e imediatamente imersos em nitrogênio líquido (-196 ºC), para evitar que os tecidos permanecessem vivos e conseqüentemente pudessem consumir os fotoassimilados no processo da respiração. As amostras, previamente identificadas foram secas em estufa de circulação forçada a 65º C por 72 horas, em seguida moídas em moinho criogênico, para que houvesse uma perfeita homogeneização, sendo posteriormente analisadas no espectrômetro de massas de razão isotópica, para a determinação do enriquecimento relativo de 13C. Naturalmente a planta apresenta valores de enriquecimento relativo de 13C - 27,92‰, alocando acima de 90% da massa seca e do carbono total nas partes lenhosas. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que figueira se caracteriza como uma planta do ciclo... / The work have planned be quizzed, the feasability of the methodology for evaluation of the fhotosynthates translocation and allocation, using the carbon 13 stable isotope a marker, evaluate the source-sink relation in the different organs and, know in that organ would be found the carbon-13 after determined time periods, in Ficus carica L. plants in reproductive stadium. A fig tree leaf considered adult through the photosynthetic with a portable meter of photosynthesis IRGA-6400 characterization. Was put inside a acrylic chamber, and submitted to an environment with 13CO2 enrichment for 30 minutes. After 24 hours, the different organs present in the plants were collected in the drains organs experiment, in the other plants followed the allocation time experimentation where the plants of Ficus carica L. were lurches to the long one of the hours: 6, 24, 48, 72, 120, 168, 360. After the time specified the studied plant parts (meristem, sheets, branches, stem and system roots) were collected and immediately immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196 ºC), for avoid that the fabrics remained alive and consequently could consume the fhotosynthates in the breath trial. The samples, previously identified were droughts in of circulation forced to 65º C for 72 hours, right away ground in cryogenic mill, for that had a perfect homogenization, being subsequently analyzed in the mass spectrometry of isotopic reason, for the relative enrichment... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Resumo: O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, a viabilidade da metodologia para avaliação da translocação e alocação de fotoassimilados, utilizando o isótopo estável do carbono-13 como marcador, assim como, avaliar a relação fonte-dreno nos diferentes órgãos bem como, saber em que órgão se encontraria o carbono-13 após determinados intervalos de tempo, em plantas em estádio reprodutivo da espécie Ficus carica L. Para tanto, uma folha da figueira considerada adulta através da caracterização fotossintética com um medidor portátil de fotossíntese IRGA-6400, foi colocada dentro de uma câmara de acrílico construída para este fim, e submetida a um ambiente com enriquecimento de 13CO2 por 30 minutos. Após 24 horas, os diferentes órgãos presentes nas plantas foram coletados no experimento órgãos drenos, nas demais plantas seguiu-se a experimentação tempo de alocação, onde as plantas de Ficus carica L. foram arrancadas ao longo das horas: 6, 24, 48, 72, 120, 168, 360. Após o tempo especificado as partes (meristema apical, folhas, ramos, caule e sistema radicular) das plantas em estudo foram coletados e imediatamente imersos em nitrogênio líquido (-196 ºC), para evitar que os tecidos permanecessem vivos e conseqüentemente pudessem consumir os fotoassimilados no processo da respiração. As amostras, previamente identificadas foram secas em estufa de circulação forçada a 65º C por 72 horas, em seguida moídas em moinho criogênico, para que houvesse uma perfeita homogeneização, sendo posteriormente analisadas no espectrômetro de massas de razão isotópica, para a determinação do enriquecimento relativo de 13C. Naturalmente a planta apresenta valores de enriquecimento relativo de 13C - 27,92‰, alocando acima de 90% da massa seca e do carbono total nas partes lenhosas. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que figueira se caracteriza como uma planta do ciclo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The work have planned be quizzed, the feasability of the methodology for evaluation of the fhotosynthates translocation and allocation, using the carbon 13 stable isotope a marker, evaluate the source-sink relation in the different organs and, know in that organ would be found the carbon-13 after determined time periods, in Ficus carica L. plants in reproductive stadium. A fig tree leaf considered adult through the photosynthetic with a portable meter of photosynthesis IRGA-6400 characterization. Was put inside a acrylic chamber, and submitted to an environment with 13CO2 enrichment for 30 minutes. After 24 hours, the different organs present in the plants were collected in the drains organs experiment, in the other plants followed the allocation time experimentation where the plants of Ficus carica L. were lurches to the long one of the hours: 6, 24, 48, 72, 120, 168, 360. After the time specified the studied plant parts (meristem, sheets, branches, stem and system roots) were collected and immediately immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196 ºC), for avoid that the fabrics remained alive and consequently could consume the fhotosynthates in the breath trial. The samples, previously identified were droughts in of circulation forced to 65º C for 72 hours, right away ground in cryogenic mill, for that had a perfect homogenization, being subsequently analyzed in the mass spectrometry of isotopic reason, for the relative enrichment... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Sarita Leonel / Coorientador: Carlos Ducatti / Banca: João Domingos Rodrigues / Banca: Marco Antonio da Silva Vasconcellos / Mestre

Viticultural practices such as trunk girdling and shoot topping along with defoliation, shading and node number per vine treatments were used to alter the carbohydrate physiology of mature Chardonnay grapevines growing in the cool climate of Canterbury, New Zealand. The timing of vine defoliation in the season previous to fruiting decreased concentrations of over-wintering carbohydrate reserves (mostly starch) in both the trunks and roots of grapevines. Roots were particularly sensitive, with defoliation as early as 4 weeks after bloom in the previous season reducing starch concentrations to 1.5%Dwt at bud burst compared with 17%Dwt in non-defoliated vines. In contrast, partial vine defoliation as early as bloom in the previous season reduced root starch concentrations to 4-7%Dwt at bud burst compared with 15%Dwt in non-defoliated vines. Vine shading and trunk girdling treatments at bloom in the previous season, resulted in small reductions in root starch concentrations (16%Dwt) compared with non-shaded and non-girdled vines (19%Dwt), but shoot topping did not. Study across three growing seasons established that higher concentrations of over-wintering trunk and root carbohydrate reserves were associated with warmer and sunnier weather in the previous growing season. Individual shoot leaf removal at either the beginning or towards the end of the inflorescence initiation period, reduced shoot starch concentrations to 3-6%Dwt compared with 11 %Dwt for no leaf removal, such reductions persisted through to the following season. Shoot topping at the start of the initiation period had no effect on shoot carbohydrate accumulation, but trunk girdling temporarily increased shoot starch concentrations during the first 31 days after treatment. Reductions in over-wintering trunk and root carbohydrate reserves were associated with a reduction in inflorescences per shoot and flowers per inflorescence in the following season, the reduction as much as 50% compared with non carbohydrate stressed vines. While there were strong linear or curvilinear relationships between the concentration of starch in trunks and roots at bud burst and inflorescences per shoot and flowers per inflorescence, in case the of inflorescences per shoot, there was not an immediate cause and effect because inflorescences were initiated in the previous season. Individual shoot leaf removal during the inflorescence initiation period illustrated that leaf removal directly inhibited the initiation of inflorescences in latent buds. Shoot carbohydrate measurements showed a strong curvilinear relationship to the number of inflorescences per shoot, with a threshold starch concentration of 10-12%Dwt during the inflorescence initiation period required for a maximum number of inflorescences per shoot. Furthermore, examination of individual node positions emphasised the importance of the subtending leaf on the initiation of inflorescences within the latent bud. The number of inflorescences per shoot post bud burst was reduced on vines that were both carbohydrate reserve stressed (by previous season's defoliation) and had a high node (108) number retained per vine after winter pruning compared with little or no reduction in inflorescences per shoot on carbohydrate reserve stressed vines that had a low (20) node number per vine. The reduction in inflorescences per shoot on high node vines was associated with reduced carbohydrate reserves and reduced shoot vigour (thinner and lighter shoots). Flowers per inflorescence were reduced by as much 50% in response to lower overwintering carbohydrate reserves. Fewer flowers per inflorescence were attributed to a reduction in primary branching of the inflorescence and also a reduction in flowers per branch. Strong linear relationships between the concentrations of starch in trunks and roots and flowers per inflorescence indicate that the determination of flowers per inflorescence, unlike inflorescences per shoot, may be dependent on the level of overwintering carbohydrate reserves. This is most likely due to changes in branching of the inflorescence and individual flower formation occurring during the bud burst period. Per cent fruitset was not affected by reductions in carbohydrate reserves, so fewer inflorescences per shoot and flowers per inflorescence resulted in reduced vine yield. The findings of this thesis indicate that changes in the level of carbohydrate production and partitioning in response to a range of viticultural management practices and seasonal weather contribute to seasonal variation in grapevine flowering and yields in New Zealand's cool climate environment. The relationships between carbohydrate reserves and flowering illustrate the potential to use this information to predict grapevine flowering and forecast yields. The practical implications of this research illustrate that the viticulturist must manage grapevines not only for the current crop, but also for subsequent crops by maintaining sufficient carbohydrate reserves for balanced growth flowering and fruiting from season to season.