Seed is a fertilized mature ovule, which possesses an embryonic plant. When the dry, mature seeds are subjected to imbibition, they release a wide range of organic substances, which include low molecular weight carbonyl compounds (gases and volatiles) and water-soluble organic substances (enzymes and polysaccharides). The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules of low molecular weight (300 g mol−1) and high vapour pressure (0.01 kPa at 20°C) and include diverse chemical compounds. The nature and emission kinetics of volatiles produced from seeds vary, depending on the moisture content of the seeds. Orthodox seeds stored at ‘low seed moisture content’ undergo seed deterioration, predominantly due to lipid peroxidation, initiated by autoxidation or enzymatic oxidation of unsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. This peroxidation leads to emission of volatile compounds. The quantity of VOCs emitted is positively correlated with the advancement of seed deterioration. With respect to the seed germination process, exposure of seeds to ‘high moisture conditions’ leads to increased respiration, triggers glycolysis and mobilization of storage reserves, resulting in the emission of volatile metabolic products. The quantity of VOCs emitted on commencement of metabolic activity in germinating seeds depends on (1) vigour status and (2) amount of storage reserves. Since it has been established that there is a significant difference between high and low vigour seeds with respect to quantity and profile of VOCs emitted, there is great potential for utilizing the VOC profile to obtain a quick and reproducible test of vigour status of crop seeds. In order to harness the VOC profile for quick assessment of vigour status of seeds, research has to be taken up to develop standard protocols for fingerprinting of VOCs for the purpose of seed vigour assessment and to fix the standard volatile biomarker(s) specific to crop and vigour status of seeds.

Recent diamond-anvil cell experiments are providing windows of unprecedented clarity on the interiors of the Earth, other planets, and their moons from high P-T studies of the materials that comprise these bodies. With recent advances in techniques, the component minerals can be examined with a growing array of in situ methods over an expanding range of conditions that extend to hundreds of gigaspascals in pressure and thousands of degrees in temperature. Such investigations reveal that major, if not profound, changes in physical and chemical properties of these materials occur with depth. This information is crucial for understanding the materials basis of regional to global structure and processes documented by a wealth of recent observational and geophysical data. This paper reviews selected recent studies of major planet-forming minerals, focusing on key examples that illustrate different microscopic origins of macroscopic behaviour. This comparative mineralogical approach provides insight into phenomena occurring over a wide range of length scales. For terrestrial planets, the high-pressure behaviour of representative silicates, oxides and sulphides is examined. This includes the silicate perovskite assemblages that form the bulk of the Earth's lower mantle, for which a number of new findings concerning effects of non-stoichiometry and defect properties, pressure-induced electronic and magnetic transitions, and rheology have been obtained. High P-T studies of Fe-Ni alloys, together with various light elements, provide constraints on the composition, structure and dynamics of terrestrial planet cores. Water is a key component of many planetary bodies; as ice it undergoes numerous high-pressure transformations and as a volatile component it is involved in potentially important high P-T mineral reactions and is incorporated in dense mineral phases. Striking behaviour is observed in other molecular systems, including CO2 and CH4 and their mixtures with H2O; these form new phases, some relevant at the relatively modest conditions of deep marine sediments, others at the extreme states found in the deepest planetary interiors. Additional high P-T interactions between rare gases and ices and silicates are also documented. For the large planets, the most abundant ‘mineral’ is hydrogen, which has been shown to undergo novel mineral/gas reactions, possibly in cloud decks deep within the dense atmospheres of these bodies.

The Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a major pest of pines and it is also the key vector of the exotic pinewood nematode in China. In the present study, we cloned, expressed, and purified a chemosensory protein (CSP) in M. alternatus. We surveyed its expression in various developmental stages of male and female adult tissues and determined its binding affinities for different pine volatiles using a competitive binding fluorescence assay. A CSP known as CSP5 in M. alternatus was obtained from an antennal cDNA library and expressed in Escherichia coli. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results indicated that the CSP5 gene was mainly expressed in male and female antennae. Competitive binding assays were performed to test the binding affinity of recombinant CSP5 to 13 odour molecules of pine volatiles. The results showed that CSP5 showed very strong binding abilities to myrcene, (+)-β-pinene, and (−)-isolongifolene, whereas the volatiles 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, p-cymene, and (+)-limonene oxide have relatively weak binding affinity at pH 5.0. Three volatiles myrcene, (+)-β-pinene, and (−)-isolongifolene may play crucial roles in CSP5 binding with ligands but this needs further study for confirmation. The sensitivity of insect to host plant volatiles can effectively be used to control and monitor the population through mass trapping as part of integrated pest management programs.

Solar heating (SH) of wet soil by mulching it with transparent polyethylene (PE) during the hot season increased soil temperature in a typical daily course which varied with soil depth. Annual weed species responded to soil heating in the laboratory with the same pattern as under SH conditions in the field. Rhizomes of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. ♯3 CYNDA) and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. Pers. ♯ SORHA) were very sensitive to heat treatment, but purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L. ♯ CYPRO) tubers were able to survive temperatures as high as 80 C for 30 min. Species having big and heavy seeds or vegetative propagules were able to emerge from deep layers of soil, thus practically escaping the lethal temperature prevailing in the upper layer. Transparent and black PE mulching effectively prevented water loss from soil, as compared with perforated PE and nonmulched control. CO2 concentration in the soil atmosphere under transparent PE mulching increased rapidly during the first week and reached a maximal level which was 20-fold higher than that formed in nonmulched soil. Ethylene at 0.2 ppm was detected only in a mulched soil environment. No differences in levels of CH4 or CO were detected.

The volatile compounds of crofton weed infested by cotton aphids and sprayed with MeJA were collected and analyzed by the TCT-GC/MS technique. The healthy weeds were controls. Seventeen volatiles identified from crofton weed included green leaf odors, monoterpenes and sequiterpenes, and oxo-compounds. Camphene, 2-carene, α-phellandrene, ρ-cymene, and caryophyllene were the major volatiles and constituted about 77% of the total volatile emissions from the control. In the aphid-infested weeds, no new induced component was found. Among the terpenes, ρ-cymene increased markedly in the infested weeds compared with the control, whereas all sesquiterpenes decreased markedly. Levels of endogenous JA in leaves and young stems of the aphid-infested weeds were markedly higher than in the control, whereas both endogenous SA level and ABA level were not significantly different. MeJA sprayed on crofton weed with the aphid infestation had a similar effect on volatile emissions. It is suggested that JA was one of the most important signals in crofton weed and could regulate the emission of volatile compounds.

Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is an important stored grain pest of Lathyrus sativus L. (Leguminosae), commonly known as khesari, in India, Bangladesh and Ethiopia. Volatiles were collected from four varieties, i.e., Bio L 212 Ratan, Nirmal B-1, WBK-14-7 and WBK-13-1 of uninfested khesari seeds, and subsequently identified and quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and gas chromatography flame ionization detector analyses, respectively. A total of 23 volatiles were identified in the four varieties of khesari seeds. In Bio L 212 Ratan and WBK-13-1 seeds, nonanal was the most abundant followed by farnesyl acetone; whereas farnesyl acetone was predominant followed by nonanal in Nirmal B-1 and WBK-14-7 khesari seeds. The olfactory responses of female C. maculatus toward volatile blends from four varieties of khesari seeds, and individual synthetic compounds and their combinations were examined through Y-shaped glass tube olfactometer bioassays. Callosobruchus maculatus showed significant preference for the whole volatile blends from Bio L 212 Ratan seeds compared to whole volatile blends from other three varieties. The insect exhibited attraction to five individual synthetic compounds, 3-octanone, 3-octanol, linalool oxide, 1-octanol and nonanal. A synthetic blend of 448, 390, 1182, 659 and 8114 ng/20 μl methylene chloride of 3-octanone, 3-octanol, linalool oxide, 1-octanol and nonanal, respectively, was most attractive to C. maculatus, and this combination might be used for insect pest management program such as baited traps.

Hispánico cheese, manufactured from a mixture of cow and ewe milk, is representative of cheese varieties made using milk from more than one animal species in Mediterranean countries. The shortage of ewe milk production in autumn hinders the uniformity of Hispánico cheese composition throughout the year. To surmount this inconvenience of ewe milk seasonality, curds made in spring from raw and pasteurized ewe milk were stored frozen and used four months later for the manufacture of Hispánico cheese. Experimental cheeses were made by mixing fresh curd from pasteurized cow milk with thawed curd from raw or pasteurized ewe milk, and control cheese from a mixture of pasteurized cow and ewe milk in the same proportion. Characteristics of experimental and control cheeses throughout a 60-d ripening period were investigated. On the one hand, the experimental cheese containing frozen curd from raw ewe milk showed the highest counts of staphylococci, Gram-negative bacteria and coliforms, the highest levels of aminopeptidase and esterase activity, and the highest concentrations of free amino acids, free fatty acids, alcohols and esters. On the other, the experimental cheese containing frozen curd from pasteurized ewe milk had concentrations of free amino acids, free fatty acids and volatile compounds similar to those of control cheese, with the only exception being a higher level of ketones. Flavour intensity reached the highest scores in the experimental cheese containing frozen curd from raw ewe milk, followed by the experimental cheese containing frozen curd from pasteurized ewe milk. Flavour quality scores of both experimental cheeses were similar, and lower than those of control cheese.

During foraging, parasitoids of insect herbivores are aided by chemical compounds generally termed ‘infochemicals’, to locate their hosts. The origin of the infochemicals varies; they may be derived from the herbivore itself or activities related to the biology of the herbivore, the host plant, or from interactions between the plant and the herbivore. This paper reviews the status of research in this area, and presents an account of the infochemicals used by African stemborer parasitoids during foraging, as well as recommending possible areas for further investigation. The information generated has potential for application in behaviour modification of parasitoids species in biological control programmes.

Pegmatites at the East Kemptville Sn-Zn-Cu-Ag deposit occur within a F- and P-rich, 370 Ma topaz-muscovite leucogranite, the most evolved phase of the chemically zoned Davis Lake Pluton. Structural observations and geochronology indicate that the leucogranite intruded into an active shear/fault zone environment. Pegmatites are preferentially located near the roof zone of the intrusion and include: (1) quartz-feldspar pods (≤ 1–2 m) aligned parallel to a foliation in the leucogranite. Such pegmatites have marginal aplites or may be cored by aplites; (2) aplite-pegmatite zones with well-developed crenulate and unidirectional solidification textures; and (3) muscovite-bordered miarolitic cavities lined with quartz-feldspar ± cassiterite. Associated with areas of pegmatites are irregular- to cuspate-shaped zones enriched in muscovite. Mineralogically the pegmatites are simple, consisting of clear to black quartz, albite, microcline perthite and muscovite; topaz may be enriched in aplites coring pegmatites and coarse euhedral cassiterite is rare.

Chemically the leucogranites marginal to pegmatites are similar to the host leucogranite, but some aphanitic felsic dykes indicate extreme differentiation, as reflected by REE depletion and P-enrichment. Enrichment of pegmatitic feldspar in P2O5 (to 1 wt. %) indicates that melts contained 2–3 wt. % P2O5, whereas muscovite chemistry (to 5 wt. % F) reflects the F-rich nature of the melt. Trace and REE contents of pegmatitic feldspars are consistent with local segregation of volatile-rich melts to form pegmatites rather than extreme crystal-chemical fractionation.

Fluid inclusion studies of pegmatitic quartz and cassiterite indicate the presence of a highly saline brine (40 wt. % eq. NaCl; Na > K > Fe > Mn > Ca > Sr) of magmatic origin. Isochores modelled for a 40 wt. % eq. NaCl fluid constrain pegmatite formation at 550–600°C, thus the depressed solidus is consistent with the volatile-rich (F, P, H2O) nature of the melt. Stable isotopes demonstrate that a magmatic fluid (δ18OH2O = +5·5 to +10‰, δDH2O = −33 to −41‰ for 450–500°C) equilibrated with the pegmatites and the system cooled abruptly at c. 425°C.

The low volume of pegmatite at East Kemptville suggests that the melt was not near volatile saturation, instead pegmatite generation is interpreted to have resulted from rapid decompression related to the active shear zone setting of the granite. Although feldspar chemistry reflects a local segregation model, the chemistry of aphanitic dyke rocks indicates that the leucogranite did evolve into a more fractionated melt. The local presence of cassiterite in pegmatites and miarolitic cavities indicates that locally, saturation of Sn occurred, but not throughout the EKL where elevated Sn contents are attributed to infiltration of mineralising fluids (i.e. deuteric alteration).

The behavioural responses of adult female western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) to volatiles from meadow-sweet (Filipendula ulmaria), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) and sage (Salvia officinalis) were investigated in laboratory bioassays. Volatiles collected by entrainment of a solvent extract of F. ulmaria were more attractive than was the original extract. Frankliniella occidentalis was also significantly attracted to volatiles from L. nobilis and S. officinalis. Analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry identified 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) as one of the main volatile components of all three plant species. In coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography studies with F. ulmaria, both 1,8-cineole and methyl salicylate elicited responses from F. occidentalis. Eucarvone was identified as the major component of F. ulmaria volatiles, but showed no electrophysiological activity. Behavioural responses of thrips to a range of concentrations of 1,8-cineole and methyl salicylate were tested using a modified Pettersson ‘star’ olfactometer. 1,8-Cineole showed some attractant activity for the thrips at 0.01 mg, but methyl salicylate was repellent at all the concentrations tested.

In olfactometer assays, the predatory mite Amblyseius ciicumeris (Oudemans) recorded a significantly higher response to volatiles from chrysanthemum, Denranthemct morifolium plants infested with western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) than to volatiles from healthy plants. This increased attraction was attributed to the presence of higher amounts of Germacrene-D in WFT-infested plants. In choice experiments using synthetic volatiles, the predator remained longer in the olfactometer treated with 50 ng Germacrene-D and made many entries at 500 mg.

Preferential attraction of WFT to healthy chrysanthemum flower buds was observed, and attributed to the significantly higher amounts of (E)-β-farnesene found in the buds compared to leaves and open flowers. This attraction peaked at 100 ng/μl (E)-β-famesene. In greenhouse experiments, blue sticky traps with 500 ng (E)-β-farnesene or 1000 mg p-anisaldehyde attracted 32.3% and 27.5% more WFT than the untreated controls, respectively.

The prospects of using Germacrene-D in improving the attraction of A.cucumeris to whole chrysanthemum plants and (E)-β-farnesene in monitoring WFT, are discussed.

Anhydrite has been identified as a phenocrystic phase in some silicic volcanic magmas, but it is not commonly described in plutonic rocks. Anhydrite-bearing magmas tend to form in arc environments and to contain hydrous, low-temperature, oxidised mineral assemblages. Phenocrystic anhydrite coexists with sulphur-enriched apatite and sometimes with pyrrhotite, in silicate melt that contains from 50 ppm to 1 wt% S, depending on temperature and conditions. Vapour coexisting with anhydrite- and water-saturated magma may contain from a few tenths of a mole per cent to a few mole per cent sulphur gases (SO2 and H2S), with the exact composition and gas speciation depending on temperature and oxygen fugacity. Samples of one anhydrite-bearing magma, the 1991 Pinatubo dacite, have been experimentally crystallised to determine whether the magma retains its characteristic sulphur-rich mineral phases during solidification. Results show that anhydrite and sulphur-rich apatite are retained throughout crystallisation and vapour phase evolution. This suggests that anhydrite-bearing intrusive equivalents of the Pinatubo dacite should be present in arc plutonic complexes.

Comb-layered quartz is a type of unidirectional solidification texture found at the roofs of shallow silicic intrusions that are often associated spatially with Mo and W mineralisation. The texture consists of multiple layers of euhedral, prismatic quartz crystals (Type I) that have grown on subplanar aplite substrates. The layers are separated by porphyritic aplite containing equant phenocrysts of quartz (Type II), which resemble quartz typical of volcanic rocks and porphyry intrusions. At Logtung, Type I quartz within comb layers is zoned with respect to a number of trace elements, including Al and K. Concentrations of these elements as well as Mn, Ti, Ge, Rb and H are anomalous and much higher than found in Type II quartz from Logtung or in igneous quartz reported elsewhere. The two populations appear to have formed under different conditions. The Type II quartz phenocrysts almost certainly grew from a high-silica melt between 600 and 800°C (as β-quartz); in contrast, the morphology of Type I quartz is consistent with precipitation from a hydrothermal solution, possibly as α-quartz grown below 600°C. The bulk compositions of comb-layered rocks, as well as the aplite interlayers, are consistent with the hypothesis that these textures did not precipitate solely from a crystallising silicate melt. Instead, Type I quartz may have grown from pockets of exsolved magmatic fluid located between the magma and its crystallised border. The Type II quartz represents pre-existing phenocrysts in the underlying magma; this magma was quenched to aplite during fracturing/degassing events. Renewed and repeated formation and disruption of the pockets of exsolved aqueous fluid accounts for the rhythmic banding of the rocks.

Granites and their associated extrusive rocks are formed in large volumes whenever the continental crust is heated by rising hot mantle, or thickened by collision processes. The complexity of rocks of the granite family is related to the complexity of the continental crust itself and the complexity of processes which lead to thermal perturbations. The light continental crust acts as a density filter which screens out heavy mantle magmas and leads to complex underplating and magma mixing processes. Perhaps the primary cause of crustal melting is the deep recycling of volatiles which are fixed in the oceanic crust before subduction. Modern studies of subduction and collision processes show the large scale and complexity of processes which modify old continental crust.