广西：“粉蕉—果蔗轮作”技术研究与应用项目成效显著

正本刊讯(特约通讯员钱开胜)据广西农业农村厅网站有关消息,近日,专家组对广西区农业科学院生物技术研究所等单位承担的位于玉林市兴业县的粉蕉—果蔗轮作技术研究与应用示范基地进行过程查定。经测产,示范基地粉蕉单株重30.23 kg,平均种植密度为每667 m~2栽植120株,平均产量达3.60 t,产值达1.44万元。据悉,"粉蕉—果蔗轮作技术"破解了粉蕉与果蔗的连作障碍,解决了传统种植模式中,无论是果蔗还是粉蕉都存在土壤板结、病虫害严重,产品质量与品质下降等问题,创造了"3年粉蕉+2     

果蔗病害及其防治

果蔗 (Ｓａｃｃｈａｒｕｍｏｆｆｉｃｉｎａｒｕｍ)是一种营养丰富、价格低廉的消暑果品 ,其种植效益好。果蔗在栽培过程中 ,会受到多种病害的为害 ,严重影响其产量和品质。我省紫皮蔗等 9个地方品种病害发生的共同特点是 :甘蔗花叶病 (亦称嵌纹病 )和宿根矮化病发生普遍严重 ;根结线虫、矮化线虫等 10多种线虫病的为害造成严重的产量损失。由于线虫分布于土壤中 ,为害不易被觉察 ,防治难度大。因而 ,我国对甘蔗线虫病的研究尚处于空白。1　果蔗病害的发生与为害1 1　甘蔗花叶病 :该病是由甘蔗花叶病毒 (Ｓｕｇａｒ ｃａｎｅｃａｎｅｍｏｓ…     

无公害粉蕉高产栽培技术

为进一步推进特色农业产业化工程 ,汕头市绿园农业科技发展有限公司自 2 0 0 0年以来致力于优质台湾粉蕉无公害栽培技术的试验与研究 ,并取得显著效益。至 2 0 0 3年 8月 ,累计示范推广无公害粉蕉栽培面积 4 83 3hm2 。现将近年来无公害粉蕉栽培管理的技术经验整理如下。1　园地选择产地区域内及上风口、灌溉水源上游没有工业“三废”及其他污染源。要求土壤肥沃、土层深厚。平地蕉园要选用沙质壤土或轻粘壤土 ,土层深 1m以上 ,底土层不宜选重粘土、全沙或石砾未风化土。土壤要有团粒结构 ,含有机质 2 0 % ,速效磷0 0 0 2 5 %以上 ,速效钾 0 0 1 %以上 ,全氮 0 1 5 %以上 ,全磷 0 1 7%以上 ,全钾 0 0 5 %以上。地下水位低于 70cm ,土壤可溶性盐总量少于 0 0 5 % ,pH值5 5～ 8 0 ,空气含氟浓度低于 0 0 2mg/m3 。园地要连片 ,最好与水稻或其他作物轮作。2　肥水管理及吸芽留取2 1　施肥方法　粉蕉植株高大 ,根系发达 ,养分需求较多。经多年实践 ,采用“二轻、二重、二巧”的施肥方法较经济高效。“二轻” ,一是在定...     

北疆平原荒漠区粮草轮作模式经济效益分析

为分析北疆平原荒漠区苜蓿（Medicago sativa）（1年）+小麦（Triticum aestivum）（3年）+苜蓿（1年）和小麦（1年）+苜蓿（4年）2种粮草轮作模式的经济效益,本研究在呼图壁核心试验区开展连续5年的实地调查,比较了两种模式下粮草产量、投入成本、利润和产投比。结果表明：小麦（1年）+苜蓿（4年）种植模式下年均总利润较苜蓿（1年）+小麦（3年）+苜蓿（1年）模式提高18.71%;老苜蓿地倒茬种植小麦的前两年籽粒产量较小麦连作增产25%;小麦倒茬轮作苜蓿后,苜蓿的干草产量呈逐年下降趋势,种植3~4年苜蓿的年均粮草利润为9 050 元·hm^-2,是小麦的3.26倍。综上所述,在粮食耕作系统中引入低成本苜蓿,可提高作物产量,增加轮作的利润,解决蛋白质饲料短缺的问题。     

设施栽培青椒疫病的综合防治

青椒疫病是一种由大水漫灌造成的土传病害。当田间温度达28～30℃、土壤湿度90%以上时，持续6小时左右，病菌即可完成侵染，2~3天就可发生1代，因此，青椒疫病是发病周期短、流行速度快的毁灭性病害。由于温室轮作较困难，年年重茬，土壤中病菌越积越多，危害越来越严重。据调查，病地连作1年，发病率为19.6%；连作2年发病率为21.76%；连作3年发病率可达30.16%。可见，疫病发生早晚及流行程度与初始菌量有密切关系，因而病地重茬发病早、病情重、蔓延快。病菌主要靠水传播，因此，疫病发生和流行与水分管理也有密切的关系。如果浇水早，次数多，水量大，就会发病早，危害重。一般发病高峰往往是浇水后或雨量高峰之后2~3天。此疫病比较难防治，根据疫病发生的特点，必须早防、早治，主要采取以下综合防治技术。1．病地实行轮作病地实行与其他蔬菜（如豆科、十字花科、百合科等蔬菜）轮作3年或与大田作物轮作2年，即可收到良好的效果。如果不能轮作，可在三夏期间利用太阳能高温消毒土壤病菌（即物理防治，也叫无公害防治），其防病效果显著，方法简便易行。具体措施：①病田拉秧后清洁田园；②每667m2施石灰100kg和碎稻草500kg，再翻耕土壤60cm...     

西北灌区薯/豆连续套作对系统产量及土壤肥力的影响

探求马铃薯/大豆连续套作下复合群体产量优势,为实现持续高产的生产目标提供理论和技术依据。2011-2014年,在西北沿黄灌区会宁县郭城镇,选用马铃薯品种克新4号和大豆品种冀豆17作为试验材料,设置马铃薯连作(PM)、大豆连作(SM)、薯-豆轮作(P-S)、薯/豆套作连作(IC)和薯/豆套作轮作(IR)5种种植方式开展大田定位试验,研究不同种植模式连续种植4年对系统产量及产量构成的影响,分析系统生产力及土壤肥力的变化特点,进而揭示薯/豆套作系统的生产价值。结果表明, 1)薯/豆套作具有明显的产量优势,4年间,IC和IR系统产量与连作相比,分别提高了28.54%~254.07%和39.39%~283.98%,与轮作相比,分别提高了57.51%和70.81%。2011和2012年,IC与IR系统产量间差异不显著,但IC和IR与PM、SM、P-S处理间系统产量差异达到显著水平(P<0.05),2013和2014年IR系统产量均最高,分别达到9912.79和9589.90 kg/hm²,较IC处理分别提高了15.38%和8.45%,且与其他处理间均差异达到显著水平(P<0.05)。2)不同种植模式在年际间变化显著,对于PM,2012年(连作1年)与2011年(正茬)产量差异不显著,而2013年(连作2年)和2014年(连作3年)产量较2011年分别下降了22.07%和42.11%;SM和IC变化趋势与PM表现一致,连作2年后,降幅分别为31.15%~53.60%和13.91%~24.17%;对于P-S和IR而言,年际间系统产量无显著变化。3)不同种植模式对耕层土壤肥力性质指标的影响程度是:有效磷>碱解氮>全氮>全磷>速效钾>有机质>全钾>pH。较PM、SM和P-M,IC和IR连续套作4年,耕层土壤全氮、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾呈下降趋势,尤其是有效磷和速效钾,下降幅度分别达到26.24%~42.87%和18.48%~30.22%。马铃薯和大豆连作2年后产量显著下降,薯/豆连续套作4年(IC或IR),相对于连作或轮作具有明显的生产力优势,尤其是薯/豆套作轮作模式,基于养分吸收量的增加和养分利用效率的提高,连续4年系统产量相对稳定。     

紫花苜蓿与草地早熟禾轮作模式对其农艺性状和营养品质的影响

为研究紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa,本试验中记为A）与草地早熟禾（Poa pratensis,本试验中记为K）轮作对其农艺性状和营养品质的影响,本试验以种植5年的紫花苜蓿（A）和草地早熟禾（K）为前茬,在2块草地上分别种植紫花苜蓿（A）和草地早熟禾（K）,即形成AA,AK,KA,KK 4种种植模式,以AK和KA为轮作处理,AA和KK为连作对照。研究了轮作对紫花苜蓿和草地早熟禾各刈割茬次的株高、干草产量、干鲜比、茎叶比、粗蛋白（Crude protein,CP）、中性洗涤纤维（Neutral detergent fiber,NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（Acid detergent fiber,ADF）等指标变化的影响。结果表明：第1~3茬,AK轮作草地早熟禾的株高较KK连作提高6.31%~9.47%,且在第2茬差异显著（P<0.05）。KA轮作紫花苜蓿的株高较AA连作提高6.72%~9.02%,且在第2茬差异显著（P<0.05）。AK轮作的草地早熟禾年干草产量较KK连作提高8.54%,KA轮作的紫花苜蓿年干草产量较AA连作提高11.57%。AK轮作草地早熟禾的干鲜比较KK连作在3茬间差异显著（P<0.05）,且增加幅度大于KA比AA的增加幅度。不同轮作模式对茎叶比的提高在后2茬差异明显。AK轮作下,草地早熟禾的粗蛋白含量比KK提高14.16%~15.95%,增长幅度优于KA比AA的增加幅度。AK轮作和KA轮作的中性洗涤纤维含量和酸性洗涤纤维在不同茬次较KK连作和AA连作模式差异显著（P<0.05）。紫花苜蓿与草地早熟禾轮作可以提高后茬牧草的株高、干草产量、茎叶比和干鲜比以及粗蛋白含量;并且降低后茬的酸性洗涤纤维和中性洗涤纤维。本试验旨在通过探究紫花苜蓿与草地早熟禾轮作下牧草农艺性状和营养成分的变化情况,为今后豆-禾牧草轮作、草种搭配以及模式排布提供借鉴依据。     

基于APSIM模型的黄土旱塬区苜蓿——小麦轮作系统深层土壤水分及水分利用效率研究

黄土高原地区降水较少且季节性分配不均,苜蓿连续种植所导致的深层土壤干燥化问题已经引起普遍关注,苜蓿与粮食作物轮作是恢复苜蓿草地土壤水分、提高粮草种植系统可持续性的有效方式。但是长期轮作对土壤水分环境和水分利用效率的影响仍然缺乏研究,农业生产系统模拟模型（APSIM）具有广泛的适应性,可准确模拟耕作管理对作物系统资源利用的影响。首先根据黄土旱塬区庆阳、长武、镇原3个试验区试验数据验证APSIM模型模拟苜蓿长期连作和苜蓿-小麦轮作系统深层土壤水分和苜蓿产量的可行性,然后设置历时38年的81组轮作情景,评估不同轮作模式对农田深层土壤水分、系统干物质产量、氮素吸收和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明：APSIM模型模拟苜蓿产量的精度较高,模拟结果的决定系数（R²）为0.65,均方误差（RMSE）和平均绝对误差（MAE）分别为0.23 t·hm^-2和0.17 t·hm^-2,归一化均方误差（NRMSE）为29.2%;模型能够精确模拟长期苜蓿连作和苜蓿轮作小麦农田0~1000 cm的土壤含水量,长期连作模拟结果的R²为0.73,RMSE、MAE及NRMSE分别为0.021 t·hm^-2、0.017 t·hm^-2和11.7%,轮作系统模拟结果的决定系数为0.83,RMSE、MAE及NRMSE分别为0.024 t·hm^-2、0.018 t·hm^-2和11.8%。情景模拟结果表明,随着苜蓿在系统中轮作年限的增加,0~1000 cm土壤剖面水分极度缺乏（含水量在0.10~0.15）的区域以400~600 cm土层为起点不断扩大,当苜蓿轮作年限大于12年时,所有轮作周期的处理土壤都出现了大范围水分缺乏。81个情景中12年苜蓿轮作14年小麦（L12W14）、L12W16和L8W16这3个处理的总产量最大;系统吸氮量随着苜蓿加入年限的增加而增加,小麦轮作年限大于10年以后系统吸氮量急剧下降;苜蓿轮作大于8年以后系统水分利用效率随着苜蓿年限的增加而降低。综合考虑土壤水分环境和水分利用效率,建议研究区苜蓿-小麦轮作系统中苜蓿轮作年限为4~6年,小麦轮作年限大于4年。研究结果可为黄土旱塬区苜蓿草地管理及草田轮作实践提供一定的参考。     

土壤熏蒸-微生物有机肥联用对连作马铃薯生长和土壤生化性质的影响

甘肃省中部沿黄灌区是全国重要的加工型马铃薯生产基地,但因集约化种植带来的连作障碍问题已严重影响到产业的健康发展,因而寻求能够缓解或克服马铃薯连作障碍的有效措施。本研究评估了土壤熏蒸和微生物有机肥联用的方法对马铃薯连作障碍的防控效果,特别是对植株生长发育、土传病害抑制以及微生物区系和酶活性等土壤生化性质的影响。田间试验共设置5个处理:对照(CK)、氨水熏蒸(SFA)、石灰+碳铵熏蒸(SFB)、氨水熏蒸与微生物有机肥联用(SFA+BOF)、石灰+碳铵熏蒸与微生物有机肥联用(SFB+BOF)。结果表明,SFA+BOF和SFB+BOF处理较CK均显著增加连作马铃薯的块茎产量,增幅分别达到13.62%和20.36%,也显著降低植株的发病率(54.92%和72.82%)和收获后的病薯率(66.15%和64.76%),并且提高叶绿素含量和改善根系形态结构。SFA+BOF和SFB+BOF处理显著影响土壤可培养微生物的数量,表现为增加马铃薯生育后期土壤细菌和放线菌的数量,降低真菌的数量,在土壤中维持一个更高的细菌/真菌。与CK、SFA和SFB处理相比,SFA+BOF和SFB+BOF处理大幅度降低了连作马铃薯生育期内主要土传致病菌——镰刀菌的数量,使植株发病率降低且块茎产量显著增加。SFA+BOF和SFB+BOF处理对连作土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、脱氢酶和过氧化氢酶的活性无显著影响,但显著提高磷酸酶的活性。因此,土壤熏蒸和微生物有机肥联用的方法在克服甘肃省中部沿黄灌区的马铃薯连作障碍上具有较大的应用潜力,且石灰+碳铵熏蒸与微生物有机肥联用的效果优于氨水熏蒸与微生物有机肥联用。     

连作和倒茬对党参根腐病的影响研究

通过连作和倒茬两种种植方式的对比试验,探讨党参根腐病发病率的影响因素,优选降低党参根腐病发病率的党参种植方式。根据甘肃省陇西县党参种植特点和根腐病发病规律,设立前茬为玉米连作种植(CK1)、前茬为小麦连作种植(CK2)和前茬为马铃薯连作种植(CK3)、玉米-党参-玉米-党参倒茬种植(T1)、小麦-党参-小麦-党参倒茬种植(T2)、马铃薯-党参-马铃薯-党参倒茬种植(T3)共6个处理,分析不同种植方式对党参根腐病发病率的影响。结果显示,小麦-党参-小麦-党参倒茬种植(T2)降低党参根腐病发病率效果最显著,党参根腐病发病率在12.4%以下;其次是玉米-党参-玉米-党参倒茬种植(T1),党参根腐病发病率在16.6%以下。结果提示,采用小麦-党参-小麦-党参轮作倒茬种植方式,可以降低党参根腐病发病率,减少农户经济损失,提高党参的产量和品质。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.