Functional compatibility of two arbuscular mycorrhizae with thirteen fruit trees in Senegal

Functional compatibility between thirteen tropical fruit trees (Afzelia africana Smith., Adansonia digitata L., Aphania senegalensis Radlk., Anacardium occidentale L., Cordyla pinnata (Lepr. ex A. Rich.) Milne-Redhead, Dialium guineensis Wild., Landolphia heudelottii A.DC., Sclerocarya birrea (A.Roch.) Hochst., Saba senegalensis (A. DC.) Pichon and four reference hosts Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.), Tamarindus indica L. and Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.) and two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith emend. Schenck and Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith), was investigated. Marked differences were found between them in terms of mycorrhizal formation, root colonization, relative mycorrhizal dependency (RMD) and phosphorus concentrations in shoot tissues. A. africana, L. heudelottii and S. senegalensis did not form symbiotic associations, and the growth of A. africana decreased following mycorrhizal inoculation, while L. heudelottii and S. senegalensis showed no dependency. In contrast, A. digitata, A. senegalensis, A. occidentale, B. aegyptiaca and S. birrea were well colonized with AMF, but did not significantly increase in biomass production. Five fruit trees did, however, show dependency by a positive interaction with G. aggregatum, the most effective AMF. Z. mauritiana was found to be very highly dependent (RMD > 75%), T. indica was highly dependent (50–75% RMD), and D. guineensis, P. biglobosa and C. pinnata were moderately dependent (25–50% RMD). Phosphorus absorption probably contributed to this dependency more than the absorption of potassium. These results indicate that some tropical fruit trees do derive benefits from AM inoculation, while others do not.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

福建比利时杜鹃叶片矿质营养含量的研究

分别用凯氏定氮法、钼蓝比色法、火焰光度法和原子吸收分光光度法,对市场上生长良好的福建比利时杜鹃花叶片N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn的含量进行了测定,并运用数理统计方法和SPSS软件对测定结果进行了分析.结果表明,未成熟叶片中各营养元素含量分别为N 32.9 g/kg, P 4.6 g/kg, K 22.6 g/kg, Ca 23.9 g/kg, Mg 3.4 g/kg,Fe 123.3 mg/kg,Mn 249.2 mg/kg, Cu 27.5 mg/kg,Zn 163.2 mg/kg.活性Fe的含量为12.3 mg/kg.N、P、K的比例为1∶0.14∶0.69.成熟叶片中营养元素含量分别为N 28.0 g/kg,P 4.2 g/kg1,K 24.2 g/kg,Ca 24.9 g/kg,Mg 3.6 g/kg,Fe 265.5 mg/kg,Mn 354.3 mg/kg,Cu 19.8 mg/kg,Zn 142.3 mg/kg.活性Fe的含量为18.0 mg/kg.N、P、K的比例为1∶0.15∶0.87.该分析结果可供其他地区生长不良的杜鹃进行营养诊断时参考,以改善杜鹃生长不良的状况.     

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree(Bertholletia excelsa) is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production(kg dry weight),nutrient uptake and requirements(N,P,Ca,Mg,K) of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.     

Demonstration of uniformity of calcium absorption in adult dogs and cats

A meta‐analysis was conducted to understand quantitative aspects of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) absorption in adult dogs and cats. 34 studies in dogs and 14 studies in cats met the criteria for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. Intake and faecal excretion values of Ca and P were subjected to a modified Lucas test and subsequent regression analyses. According to the current scientific consensus, Ca true digestibility (absorption) should increase at low Ca intake and decrease at high Ca intake. If true, this should result in a nonlinear relationship between the percentage of Ca excreted and dietary Ca intake. The present meta‐analysis showed a highly significant linear relationship (p < 0.0001) between Ca intake and Ca excretion suggesting a lack of systematic quantitative adaptation in true Ca digestibility. This finding suggests either that the time period covered by standard digestion trials is too short to induce adaptation mechanisms or that dogs and cats at maintenance will not efficiently alter quantitative Ca absorption percentage according to the amount ingested. If the latter is true, a dietary Ca supply differing greatly from the recommended dietary intake might impair the health of cats and dogs when fed long term. The data plots for P intake and faecal excretion were less uniform suggesting other factors not just dietary intake influence faecal P excretion. In adult cats, the dietary Ca:P ratio strongly influenced the true digestibility of P, whereas this effect was less marked in adult dogs. Faecal P excretion was significantly correlated to faecal Ca excretion in both species (p < 0.0001), and surprisingly, the level of P intake did not appear to be an important determinant of true digestibility of P.     

Effect of feeding different levels of wheat roti on nutrient utilization and blood metabolite profile in semi‐captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of wheat roti (WR) on nutrient utilization and blood metabolites in Asian elephants fed roughages ad libitum. Nine (3 M, 6 F) Asian elephants (14–52 years of age, 1909–3968 kg BW) were used in an experiment based on replicated Latin square design. Animals in each group (n = 3) were assigned to one of the three dietary treatments in a manner that animals in all the three groups were exposed to all the three treatments in three different periods. Each feeding trial comprised 30 days (25 days of adaptation and 5 days collection period). The amount of WR fed to the elephants was 0.18, 0.12 and 0.06% of BW in groups I, II and III, respectively. They were allowed to forage in the nearby forests for 6 h/day and to bathe for 2 h/day. The animals had ad libitum access to cut Rohini (Mallotus philippensis) trees in their night shelter. Intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn were measured. Feed consumption was not significantly different among the groups. Significant (p < 0.01) decrease in digestibility of DM and GE and blood glucose concentration was observed with decreased level of WR in the diet. Feeding of WR at 0.06% of BW supplied adequate amount of DE, CP, Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn to meet requirement for adult maintenance. Feeding of WR in excess of 0.06% of BW supplied DE in excess of requirement, increased blood glucose concentration which may cause obesity and other associated health problems. It was concluded that the amount of WR should be restricted to 0.06% of BW in the diet of captive Asian elephants.     

Quantitative CT assessment of bone mineral density in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

Canine hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is one of the most common causes of general osteopenia. In this study, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to compare the bone mineral densities (BMD) between 39 normal dogs and 8 dogs with HAC (6 pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism [PDH]; pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism, 2 adrenal hyperadrenocorticism [ADH]; adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism) diagnosed through hormonal assay. A computed tomogaraphy scan of the 12th thoracic to 7th lumbar vertebra was performed and the region of interest was drawn in each trabecular and cortical bone. Mean Hounsfield unit values were converted to equivalent BMD with bone-density phantom by linear regression analysis. The converted mean trabecular BMDs were significantly lower than those of normal dogs. ADH dogs showed significantly lower BMDs at cortical bone than normal dogs. Mean trabecular BMDs of dogs with PDH using QCT were significantly lower than those of normal dogs, and both mean trabecular and cortical BMDs in dogs with ADH were significantly lower than those of normal dogs. Taken together, these findings indicate that QCT is useful to assess BMD in dogs with HAC.     

葡萄果实发育不良与矿质元素关系的研究

为探明葡萄果实发育不良成因,以保定市清苑县南蛮营村葡萄园的土壤、叶片及一年生蔓为试验材料,测定其矿质元素含量。结果表明：发育正常与发育不良的葡萄树相比,发育正常树下的土壤碱解氮含量高30%、土壤全磷含量高105%、土壤速效磷高811%;发育正常与发育不良的葡萄树相比,发育正常树叶片P、Ca和Mn含量分别高30%、13%和33%;发育正常与发育不良的葡萄树相比,发育正常树主蔓N和Mn含量分布高31%和20%。     

Zinc supplementation strategies in feedlot heifers receiving an extended-release implant or an aggressive re-implant program

Two hundred eight Angus-crossbred heifers (291 ± 23 kg) from four sources were used in a randomized complete block design. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of implant strategy and Zn supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, muscle fiber diameter, and mineral status of heifers. Heifers were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial study for 168 d, and factors included Zn and implant (IMP). Heifers were supplemented Zn (mg/kg dry matter [DM]; ZnSO₄) at national (30; NRC) or industry (100; IND) recommendations. Implant strategies (Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) included extended-release Revalor-XH on day 0 (REV-XH; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate) containing four uncoated pellets and six coated pellets or the uncoated implant Revalor-200 on day 0 and again on day 91 (REV-200; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate). Heifers were blocked by weight within source to pens of five or six heifers per pen (nine pens per treatment). A corn silage-based diet was fed during the growing period (days 0–55) followed by transition to a corn-based finishing diet. Weights were taken consecutively on days −1/0, 55/56, and 167/168. Liver and muscle from the longissimus thoracis were collected from one heifer per pen on days −5, 14, 105, and 164. Data were analyzed via Mixed Procedure of SAS. Average daily gain (ADG) and liver mineral used Period as the repeated effect. Corresponding to periods of high hormone payout from each implant, days 0–28 and 91–120 ADG were greatest for REV-200, whereas REV-XH numerically peaked during days 56–91 (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). Day 91 IND body weight tended to be heavier (P = 0.06) and day 120 body weight was heavier (P = 0.05) than NRC heifers. No effect of Zn or IMP on final body weight was observed (P ≥ 0.21). Muscle fiber cross-sectional diameter on day 164 was greater (P = 0.05) in IND than NRC. Liver Mn concentrations decreased by day 14 regardless of implant, though days 105 and 164 concentrations were lesser for REV-200 than REV-XH (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). No effects of Zn, IMP, or the interaction were observed for carcass-adjusted gain to feed, days 0–168 DM intake, hot carcass weight, or ribeye area (P ≥ 0.11). The nominal differences in performance between implant strategies suggest that extended-release implants may be an effective implant strategy to replace re-implant programs in heifers, whereas the improved performance of heifers fed IND vs. NRC during times of peak hormone payout suggests a role for Zn in periods of rapid growth.     

氮水平对雪菊幼苗中黄酮类化合物和矿质营养累积的影响

为探讨氮素水平对雪菊幼苗中黄酮类化合物和矿质营养累积的影响,以采自新疆皮山县克里阳乡的雪菊种子为供试材料,分别设置0（N1）、0.625（N2）、1.250（N3）、2.500（N4）、和5.000（N5）mmol·L^-1Ca（NO₃）₂ 共5个氮素水平处理雪菊幼苗,对雪菊的形态指标、矿质元素含量、黄酮类物质含量及关键酶活性进行测定分析。结果表明,随着氮素施用水平的增加,雪菊幼苗植株的碳/氮呈下降趋势,根、茎、叶中矿质元素含量发生显著变化。黄酮类化合物在较低氮素水平（N1、N2和N3处理）时含量较高,与苯丙氨酸解氨酶、肉桂酸4-羟化酶、4-香豆酸辅酶A连接酶、查尔酮合成酶活性密切相关。相关分析表明,雪菊植株内部矿质营养平衡对黄酮类化合物的积累有显著影响,特别是植株体内钾、钙、铜和铁元素的含量。综上所述,氮素的有效性及植株内部矿质营养的平衡可显著影响雪菊黄酮类物质的积累,为改善雪菊黄酮类化合物的积累及建立雪菊最佳种植策略提供了理论依据。     

叶施谷胱甘肽对水稻镉和矿质元素含量的影响

为评估还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）作为水稻降Cd叶面调理剂的可行性,本研究通过田间试验,检测开花期叶面喷施一次GSH对水稻各器官Cd和矿质元素含量的影响,并结合各元素在水稻不同器官中的分布情况,探究GSH抑制水稻体内Cd转运的作用机制。结果表明：开花期叶面喷施GSH可显著降低水稻籽粒中Cd含量,最高降幅可达76.5%,使稻米Cd含量由0.449 mg·kg^-1降至我国食品安全标准（0.2 mg·kg^-1）以内,并提高了稻米中K、Mg、Ca和Mn的含量。喷施GSH后水稻各营养器官的Cd含量均显著降低,降幅为68.8%~86.7%;同时,不同器官中K、Mg、Ca、Fe、Mn和Zn的含量也有不同程度的升高或降低。不同相邻器官之间的元素转移系数显示,叶面喷施GSH分别提高了Cd和Zn从第二节间到穗下节的转移系数,增幅可达46.2%和134.4%,降低了Cd和Zn从穗下节到旗叶的转移系数,降幅分别为44.5%和32.2%,并降低了Cd从穗下节继续向上到穗颈的转运系数,降幅可达31.4%。相关性分析发现,不同处理组水稻第二节及以上营养器官中,Zn含量与Cd含量相关系数最高,为0.809,为极强正相关（P<0.001）。由此可见,喷施GSH不但降低了水稻各器官中Cd含量,而且能够通过调控穗下节与其相连营养器官——穗颈、第二节间和旗叶之间的Cd转运,提高水稻自身主要Cd阻控器官——穗下节对Cd的拦截能力,进而抑制Cd向籽粒的转运和积累。同时,喷施GSH也提高了水稻穗下节对Zn的固定能力,改变了水稻不同营养器官中6种矿质元素的含量和分布,其中Zn与Cd的相关性最高,并最终提高了稻米中K、Mg、Ca和Mn的含量。