微喷灌结合滴灌对温室高温环境和作物生长生理特性的影响

微喷灌结合滴灌是指在作物根区滴灌的基础上对作物冠层进行微喷灌来改善作物生长环境的一种灌水方式。为了探明微喷灌结合滴灌（micro-sprinkler irrigation combined with drip irrigation,MSDI）和地表滴灌（surface drip irrigation,SDI）2种灌水方式下温室高温环境及作物生长生理特性的差异及响应规律,该研究以黄瓜为试验对象,于2017年2－6月开展了2种灌水方式下温室环境及黄瓜生长生理特性的观测试验。结果表明：在改变温室环境方面,MSDI灌水方式较SDI可增加温室内相对湿度,降低气温,同时降低叶片温度约4℃;在作物生长生理特性方面,采用MSDI可增加黄瓜株高与茎粗,降低作物茎流速率,促进黄瓜生长;2种灌水方式下黄瓜最大光合效率几乎一致,分别为0.74和0.77,但日平均实际光合效率差异明显,分别为0.57和0.47,MSDI灌水方式下黄瓜叶片日平均气孔导度和光合速率比SDI方式分别高182.8%和92.4%。该研究成果对于合理调控温室高温环境、提高温室作物产量具有重要的指导意义。     

Quantifying growth in maricultured corals using photogrammetry

In coral mariculture, growth is one of the most common ways to track success. However, numerous methods of monitoring coral growth make comparative studies challenging. A literature review of 39 studies from 1982 to 2017 indicated that the most predominant non‐invasive methods used were linear and areal measurement and these were evaluated for their accuracy using nursery‐reared corals. The monthly change in linear and areal growth rates of six coral species (n = 215), Pocillopora acuta, Hydnophora rigida, Merulina ampliata, Podabacia crustacea, Echinopora lamellosa and Platygyra sinensis were measured via photogrammetry. We tested whether the planar area of coral colonies can be estimated using three geometric formulas of linear measurements. Based on the literature review, the six types of measurement methods were namely linear, volume, weight, area, count of polyps/branches and calcification, in decreasing order of application. Our results showed that the change in area calculated by geometric mean diameter (GMD) formulas provided the most accurate estimation among the three formulas and was strongly correlated with planar area (R² ≥ .60; p < .05) for all coral species, except E. lamellosa and Pl. sinensis. However, our findings suggest that it is not ideal to use geometric formulas to estimate the change in area. Instead, we posit that areal photogrammetry represents the simplest yet accurate non‐invasive method for rapid monitoring of extensive areas of corals in situ. Lastly, we discuss the recommendations and limitations for areal photogrammetry.     

Natural Enemies of the Frankliniella Complex Species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Ataulfo Mango Agroecosystems

A field survey was conducted in Ataulfo mango (Mangifera indica L.) orchards in Chiapas, Mexico, with the objective of determining the natural enemies of the Frankliniella complex species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Seven species of this genus feed and reproduce in large numbers during the mango flowering. Two representative orchards were selected: the orchard “Tres A” characterized by an intensive use of agrochemicals directed against thrips, and the orchard “La Escondida” that did not spray insecticides. During mango flowering, five inflorescences were randomly collected every 5 d in both orchards, for a total of 18 sampling dates. Results revealed the presence of 18 species of arthropods that were found predating on Frankliniella. There were 11 species in the families Aeolothripidae, Phlaeothripidae, Formicidae, Anthocoridae and Chrysopidae; and seven species of spiders in the families Araneidae, Tetragnathidae, and Uloboridae. Over 88% of predators were anthocorids, including, Paratriphleps sp. (Champion), Orius insidiosus (Say), Orius tristicolor (White), and O. perpunctatus (Reuter). The orchard that did not spray insecticides had a significantly higher number of predators suggesting a negative effect of the insecticides on the abundance of these organisms.     

Rotifers enriched with iodine,copper and manganese had no effect on larval cod (Gadus morhua) growth,mineral status or redox system gene mRNA levels

It currently remains unclear if rotifers contain sufficient mineral levels to meet larval fish requirements. In this study, rotifers were enriched with a commercial enrichment (control), or with additional iodine, iodine and copper, or iodine, copper and manganese, and the effects of feeding these rotifers to Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae from 3 to 18 days post hatch were investigated. Rotifer enrichment with minerals was successful, but Mn enrichment also increased rotifer zinc levels. No differences were observed between treatments in larval growth or survival, or in the mRNA levels in the majority of the redox system genes analysed. Only Zn levels increased in cod larvae in response to mineral enrichment of rotifers. Apart from Zn, little evidence was found to suggest that cod larvae require increased concentrations above the control rotifer levels of the essential elements studied here.     

Refined pipe theory for mechanistic modeling of wood development

We present a mechanistic model of wood tissue development in response to changes in competition, management and climate. The model is based on a refinement of the pipe theory, where the constant ratio between sapwood and leaf area (pipe theory) is replaced by a ratio between pipe conductivity and leaf area. Simulated pipe conductivity changes with age, stand density and climate in response to changes in allocation or pipe radius, or both. The central equation of the model, which calculates the ratio of carbon (C) allocated to leaves and pipes, can be parameterized to describe the contrasting stem conductivity behavior of different tree species: from constant stem conductivity (functional homeostasis hypothesis) to height-related reduction in stem conductivity with age (hydraulic limitation hypothesis). The model simulates the daily growth of pipes (vessels or tracheids), fibers and parenchyma as well as vessel size and simulates the wood density profile and the earlywood to latewood ratio from these data. Initial runs indicate the model yields realistic seasonal changes in pipe radius (decreasing pipe radius from spring to autumn) and wood density, as well as realistic differences associated with the competitive status of trees (denser wood in suppressed trees).     

Managing productivity and drought risk in Eucalyptus globulus plantations in south-western Australia

More than 2.5 million ha of Eucalyptus globulus are now planted across the globe including approximately 500 000 ha in southern Australia. In this region average annual rainfall has declined since 1960 and this trend is predicted to continue in the coming decades. E. globulus is a premium species for paper manufacture and grows well under moderate seasonal water stress. The traits that underpin this rapid early growth also make the species vulnerable to prolonged water stress. We established nitrogen rate and nitrogen-by-stocking experiments in five 2-year-old E. globulus plantations along a climatic gradient in south-western Australia. We measured volume growth, predawn leaf water potential and leaf area index over 7 years or until the plantations were 9 years old. These data were used to explore the relationship between growth and water stress, to understand the mechanistic basis for the relationship and to identify best-bet management strategies for E. globulus plantations in southern Australia.