Reproductive ability of pastel sables

The article demonstrates the data on the reproductive ability of pastel and black sables under different breeding methods. The researches were carried out during two periods: in 2006–2009 and 2011–2014. During the first period, four groups of 2–6-year-old females were formed according to coloring: I — ♂ pastel × ♀ pastel; II — ♂ pastel × ♀ black; III — ♂ black × ♀ pastel; IV — ♂ black × ♀ black. During the second period, the females of all ages were selected and divided into three groups similar by the color to the animals of the groups I, II, and III. During the first period of the experiment in group I, there were 32 females, the kits crop per one successfully littered female totaled 2.77, that per the principal one totaled 1.98; that in group II totaled 55, 2.89, and 1.89 respectively; that in group III totaled 17, 2.93, and 2.41; that in group IV totaled 371, 3.08, and 1.98. During the second period, these indices totaled 27, 1.28, and 1.00 in group I; 93, 3.36, and 2.71 in group II; 62, 3.08, and 2.39 in group III.     

Dynamics of peat plateau near the southern boundary of the East European permafrost zone

Detailed study of a peat plateau near the southern boundary of the East European permafrost zone has been performed. The botanical and palynological compositions of the peat to the depth of 10 m, its radiocarbon dates (the AMS method), and its physical and chemical characteristics have been determined. The accumulation of peat in this area began about 8300 years ago at the end of the Boreal period. In the middle of the Atlantic period, the rate of peat accumulation reached 1.44 mm/yr. During the warming phase in the Middle Subboreal period, the peat plateau was subjected to active thermal erosion; part of the peat was eroded. The processes of thermal erosion are also active at present and destroy the edges of peat mounds. At the same time, the gradual accumulation of peat on the plateau continues. An increase in the degree of peat mineralization is expected upon the establishment of aerobic conditions against the background degradation of the permafrost. Peat plateaus and large peat mounds have been the sinks of atmospheric carbon for a larger part of their history. In this context, we do not expect their significant negative influence on the climate in the future.     

Mercury in soils of the agro-industrial zone of Zima city (Irkutsk oblast)

Data on mercury concentrations in soils of the agro-industrial zone of Zima city in Irkutsk oblast are discussed. It is shown that mercury concentrations in the plow horizon of studied soils exceed background values. The distribution pattern of mercury in soils of the investigated area is characterized. The revealed mercury anomalies are allocated to the industrial zone of the Sayanskkhimprom plant. The combined analysis of data on mercury concentrations in the plow and subplow horizons and on the chemical composition of snow indicates that mercury enters the soil mainly with atmospheric precipitation and is present there in the adsorbed form. The correlation analysis indicates that the local thermal power station plays a significant role as the source of mercury emission to the atmosphere. Close relationships between mercury concentrations and concentrations of mobile forms of elements attest to the presence of mobile organomineral mercury compounds in the studied soils.     

Transformation of Forest Ecosystems in Moscow Megapolis under Recreational Impacts

Eurasian Soil Science - A comprehensive quantitative assessment of the state of vegetation, soil invertebrate complex, litter horizons, and soddy-podzolic soils (Albic Retisols) in Moscow forest...     

Foliar application of benzovindiflupyr shows non‐fungicidal effects in wheat plants

BACKGROUND

The fungicide benzovindiflupyr belongs to the class of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs). Certain SDHIs have shown plant physiological effects, so‐called secondary effects, that appeared to be related to the plant water status. Therefore, the effect of benzovindiflupyr on transpiration of leaves and whole wheat plants was studied under controlled conditions. Furthermore, wheat yield trials under controlled and natural drought stress in the field were conducted.

RESULTS

Transpiration of detached wheat leaves was reduced by benzovindiflupyr in a dose‐dependent manner. Similarly, whole‐plant transpiration decreased for several days following application of this fungicide. In 16 field trials under drought stress conditions that were classified as disease‐free, treatment of wheat plants at the flag leaf stage or at heading with benzovindiflupyr showed a grain yield increase (+5.2%; P ≤ 0.01) that was partially attributed to an increased thousand‐grain weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Water saving during pre‐anthesis as a result of benzovindiflupyr application may be associated with better seed setting and filling under dry field conditions in wheat. The results of this research provide new insights into secondary effects of SDHIs that lead directly to yield improvements. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

The influence of recreation on the city forest landscape (based on the example of the Losinyi Ostrov National Park, Moscow)

The recreational load on Losinyi Ostrov amenity forest was estimated. It was shown that an increase in the human impact leads to deterioration of the ecological condition of trees and their growing conditions. The changes in soil properties are complex and observed only in the layer of 0–20 cm. To improve the reliability of conclusions about these changes, it is recommended that their weighted average values be used (which take into account the area occupied by the network of footpaths and soil properties on them). The bulk density, electrical conductivity, and pH_water of soils have a considerable impact on the ecological condition of lime trees.     

Daily and seasonal dynamics of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fluxes from soils under different stands of monsoon tropical forest

The analysis of daily, seasonal, and annual dynamics of CO₂ emission from soils under different stands of monsoon tropical tall-tree forest was performed on the basis of field observations conducted at the Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Under a tropical climate, the main factors responsible for the rate of carbon dioxide emission from the soils are shown to be the soil type and the topographic position of the area studied along with the type of vegetation. Depending on these factors, the rate of CO₂ emission from the soils was 65–178 mg C/(m² h) during the dry season and 123–259 mg C/(m² h) during the wet season. The daily dynamics of CO₂ emissions from the soils of the tropical zone was weakly pronounced in both the wet and the dry season owing to the insignificant diurnal fluctuations of soil temperature. The investigations carried out allowed making an expert evaluation of the annual CO₂ fluxes from the soils under different stands of monsoon tropical tall-tree forest in southern Vietnam. They amounted to 900–2000 g C/(m² yr) depending on the forest type.     

Estimating parameters of transported soil particles by calculation

Equations were proposed for calculating parameters of detached and transported soil particles with due account for the heterogeneity of soil aggregates, the pulsation of bottom flow velocities, and the degree of aggregate destruction in shallow-water flows. These equations were applied for irrigated typical sierozem of Tajikistan.     

Effect of soil conditioners on water permeability and water-holding capacity of light chestnut soils

The effect of soil conditioners—straw, sewage sludge, and polymer (crosslinked polyacrylamide + perlite)—on water permeability and water-holding capacity of light chestnut soils is examined. The maximum retention of moisture is noted with the application of the polymer and sewage sludge.     

Productive characteristics of hens of the parental flock in connection with stress sensitivity

It is proved experimentally that hens of the parent flock selected according to degree of stress sensitivity by the method of modeling the local adaptation syndrome have a different level of productivity and reproductive qualities. Stress-sensitive hens in combination with stress-sensitive roosters are less productive than with stress-resistant. Stress-sensitive roosters have lower reproductive indices.