Seasonal pattern of shoot emergence and its endogenous control in horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.)

Controlling established horsenettle plants is achieved by suppressing shoot emergence from root systems. The seasonal pattern of shoot emergence and its possible endogenous control in horsenettle ( Solanum carolinense L.) were investigated. The shoot emergence period in an undisturbed population was limited to a seven-week period from mid-April, and a little longer in tilled conditions. Detached roots showed very high shoot-sprouting ability under 15–30°C throughout the year. In shoot clipping experiments, new shoots sprouted only from the stem and not from the root when attached to shoots, whether above-ground or underground. On the contrary, new shoots sprouted from the roots when all parts of the shoots were clipped off. From these results, the limited shoot emergence period in horsenettle is thought to be initiated by temperatures necessary for sprouting and is ended by a growth correlation effect between early emerged and matured shoots.     

The rates of maize growth and lignin biosynthesis change after root-applied chalcone

The effects of root-applied chalcone at 0.15 mmol L⁻¹ on the growth and lignin biosynthesis in maize were investigated. The contents of 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL, EC 6.2.1.12) substrates in maize shoots were increased more rapidly in the samples with chalcone application than in the control and the increase occurred at ≤ 3 h after the application (HAA). The lignin content was reduced by chalcone at ≤ 6 HAA. The shoot growth was suppressed by chalcone at ≤ 9 HAA. Consequently, the results suggest that chalcone suppressed maize growth by inhibiting monolignol biosynthesis.     

Growth loss of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani) stands as related to periodic outbreaks of the cedar shoot moth (Dichelia cedricola)

An outbreak ofDichelia cedricola (Diakonoff) (Lep.: Tortricidae), the cedar shoot moth (CSM), began in spring 1998 and lasted 3 years. This was the first monitored outbreak of the CSM in Isparta, Turkey. Tree crowns recovered to near normal condition by the middle of each growing season (in early June) during the outbreak. Tree volume and volume element increments were examined throughout the outbreak cycle from 1954 to 2001. In the past, CSM activity in stands of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) was assessed through radial increment analyses. Cedar tree ring chronologies were analyzed for evidence of the CSM. Tree-ring chronologies from nonhost cedar (nondefoliated sample trees) were used to estimate potential growth in the host cedar (defoliated sample trees) during current and past outbreaks; all trees selected were the same subspecies and varieties. Regional outbreaks of the CSM were identified by synchronous and sustained growth periods of the trees. In 2001, increment cores were collected from 17 host and 16 nonhost dominant or codominant trees and annual radial growth indices from 1954–2001 were calculated for each of two host and two nonhost sample plots. Growth functions were defined as the cumulative sum of radial, height, and volume increment, and were graphically compared between CSM host cedar and nonhost cedar trees. Tree ring evidence suggests that a large-scale outbreak occurred in 1955 (from 1955 to 1966) and a small outbreak occurred in 1985 (1985–1990) and in 1998 (1998-continued) in the study area. The average diameter growth reductions around 1955, 1985 and 1998 were 40%, 46% and 7% of potential, respectively. It was concluded that a narrow latewood band is significant indicator of defoliation by the CSM and the outbreaks appear to be associated with dry winter and spring weather prior to the autumn and winter in which wood feeding occurred. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 24, 2004.     

Relevance of the variability of kidding day in Creole goats in Guadeloupe

The results of 5732 records of kids born between 1985 and 1996 at Gardel Agricultural Experiment Station (INRA) in Guadeloupe, were used in order to estimate the effect of kidding day (KD) on individual preweaning growth performances, total productivity of Creole goats and litter size. The flock was subjected to a restricted mating season for a long time, by using male effect. The results of the fixed linear model showed a highly significant (P<0.001) effect of KD on growth rate and total productivity of does. Live weights of kids born around the 21st day of the kidding period (KP) was 4% to 7% higher than those of kids born the first day of the KP. For total productivity of does, this ratio did not reached more than 4%. The optimum at 70 days of age occurred around 14th day of the KD with 3% of improvement of total productivity. No effect was observed upon litter size. The genetic (co)variance components were estimated by six different Individual Animal Models. The heritability (h²) estimated from the best model, was h_D²=0.25±0.05 for genetic direct effect; h_M²=0.09±0.04 for genetic maternal effect and the genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects was −0.86±0.12. The use of KD could be highly recommended in a breeding program in this population of Creole meat goats, since it is quite easy to record under commercial conditions as a character related to reproductive performance.     

Stress parameters and immune response of layers under different cage floor and density conditions

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of cage floor and cage density on stress parameters of laying hens. A total of 162 brown laying hens (Hyline Brown), aged 34 weeks, were used in the experiment. Compact-type battery cages, with three floors, were used. Hens were allocated as one, three or five hens in each of 18 cages to obtain three different cage density groups of 1968, 656 and 393.8 cm² floor area per hen, respectively. The same number of cages with different cage density were allocated to three different battery floors (first floor=top, second=middle, third=bottom) systematically. Values for body weight, mortality rate, egg weight, egg production, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk cholesterol content, the levels of blood plasma corticosterone, serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides, the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H-L ratio), antibody titers, claw length score, foot health score, plumage score and throat skin injuries were taken as indicators of stress. The values for egg weight (P<0.01) at the first floor were greater than the other floor levels. The group with five hens per cage had significantly lower mean estimates (P<0.01) than other groups with respects to body weight (P<0.001), egg production (P<0.001), egg weight (P<0.001) and plumage score (P<0.01), while significantly higher mean estimates for egg albumen index (P<0.01), Haugh unit (P<0.01), serum glucose (P<0.001), and H-L ratio (P<0.001). Serum cholesterol was higher in cages with one hen than that with five hens, whereas plasma corticosterone was lower. Antibody titers in cages with one hen was similar to that with three or five hens; however, those with three hens had higher titers than those with five hens. Values for egg breaking strength, yolk index, egg cholesterol content, and foot health score were not affected by cage density or floor. The results suggest that the allocation of three hens per cage had no measurable effect on health and welfare.     

荔枝生产相关的水分生理指标远程监测研究

利用植物远程监测系统对荔枝园中的大气温湿度、土壤湿度、光照强度、大气蒸汽压差(VPD)等环境因子和茎干直径微变化、果实生长、叶片温度等树体生理指标进行了监测,发现该系统能准确及时并无伤害地记录他们的实时和周期性变化。据获得的数据初步表明,当果实处于快速膨大期,主茎的加粗生长明显缓慢,一旦果实采收后,茎干加粗生长则有一个迅速上升的变化;当土壤湿度高于33%(v/v)时,主茎的生长受到明显的抑制;VPD白天上升,夜间下降,当夜间VPD始终高于0,就形成所谓的“夜间干燥”,VPD的这种变化对荔枝主茎和果实的生长以及叶气温差(LATD)都有较大的影响,如主茎和果实的日间收缩量随VPD的增大而增大,夜间空气干燥不但抑制了主茎生长,也使日最大LATD下降。据此认为,果实和茎干的生长之间存在竞争关系,土壤湿度过高或者夜间空气干燥对荔枝的生长不利。     

大豆黄酮对奶牛血清钙、磷及葡萄糖水平的影响

本研究选用40头胎次、产奶量、泌乳期相近的中国荷斯坦奶牛随机分成4组(n=10),试验组奶牛日粮中分别添加45、60和75mg/kg大豆黄酮,在试验前及试验开始后第10天、第20天和第30天颈静脉采血,测定4组奶牛血清钙、磷和葡萄糖水平。结果表明:与对照组相比较,试验1组中血清钙、磷和葡萄糖变化均不显著(P>0.05);试验2组仅血清钙在第30天时显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验3组第10天和20天时血清钙水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05),第30天时血清钙水平极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而血糖水平仅第30天显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。     

半胱胺的生物学作用及应用

半胱胺具有多种生物学功能,如耗竭生长抑素,影响糖、蛋白质和脂肪的代谢,抗氧化和氧化作用,提高免疫功能。本文综述了半胱胺的生物学功能和应用情况。     

不同能量水平日粮对肉仔鸡生长及屠宰性能指标的影响研究

选择3周龄健康、无病、体重无显著差异的肉仔鸡96只,随机分为3组,每组设4 个重复,每个重复8只。分别饲喂蛋白质水平(19．5％)相同而能量水平不同(3．0 Mcal／kg、 3．08 Mcal／kg、3．16Mcal／kg)的3种饲粮。试验结果表明:前两周饲料转化(采食／增重)均以 中能量组(3．08 Mcal／kg)最好,为1．4416±0．1199,但三种不同能量水平对肉仔鸡平均日增 重、平均日耗料、饲料转化率均差异不显著(P>0．05);后两周饲料转化仍以中能量组最好,为 1．6362±0．1346,且显著优于高能量组(P<0．05),而与低能组和中能组之间差异不显著,各 能量处理组蛋白质、粗纤维、钙的代谢率均差异不显著(P>0．05),而磷的代谢率却存在显著 差异(P<0．05),其中,以中等能量组的磷代谢率最高,平均为90．73％;3种能量水平下肉仔鸡 半净膛率、全净膛率均差异不显著(P>0．05),表明能量水平并不影响肉仔鸡屠宰性能。