Finding best exotic breed proportion in crossbred lactating sheep kept under farmers’ conditions in Ethiopia determined by use of nested Legendre polynomials with limited data

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to estimate milk production performance and fit lactation curves for groups of ewes of Local and of Awassi crosses, with a variable blood level, reared under farmer’s environment. The Weigh-Suckle-Weigh method plus hand milking was used to estimate milk yield for ewes. A total of 466 observations from 115 ewes were used. Estimated least-squares adjusted means for the milk production over 120 days were 0.56?kg day^?1 (Local), 0.67 (<30% Awassi), 0.86 (30–50% Awassi), and 0.96 (>50% Awassi). Groups with 30–50% Awassi and >50% Awassi ewes produced significantly (p?<?0.05) more milk than Local ewes. Significant differences were observed between <30% Awassi and >50% Awassi crossbred groups. The best crosses (>50% Awassi) produced over 70% more milk than the local ewes which demonstrates the potential that exists in increasing milk production through the initiated crossbreeding programme with sheep in Ethiopia.     

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation‐related genes (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular receptor–ligand A1, Eph‐ephrin A1 and leptin receptor–leptin, LEPR‐LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre‐pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO‐NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion–allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high‐embryo compared to the low‐embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real‐time qPCR results showed that Eph‐ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high‐embryo (p < .05) compared to the low‐embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high‐embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low‐embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR‐LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph‐ephrin A1, LEPR‐LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31–0.59. For Eph‐ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR‐LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR‐LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.     

小兴安岭天然林不同树种的树高曲线模型

选用10种树高曲线模型作为候选模型,以决定系数(R~2)、残差平方和(S_(se))和均方差(M_(se))作为模型优劣的评价指标,对小兴安岭天然林中的云杉(Picea asperata)、红松(Pinus koraiensis)、水曲柳(Fraxinus mandschurica)、椴树(Tilia tuan)4种树种的树高曲线模型进行优选。结果表明:云杉、红松和椴树的最优模型均为Logistic模型,水曲柳的最优模型为抛物线模型;云杉和红松两种针叶树种,最优模型的优势不明显,水曲柳和椴树两种阔叶树种最优模型的优势较明显;比较R~2的大小,得出较适合小兴安岭云杉和红松两种针叶树种的树高曲线模型(R~20.8),对小兴安岭阔叶树种的适用程度不具有普遍性,对椴树的适用性好(R~2最大达0.94),对水曲柳的适用性较差(R~20.8)。对水曲柳的树高进行分段研究得出:水曲柳在树高低于9 m时,树高曲线模型较适宜(R~20.8),其中抛物线模型为最优模型;树高较高时,没有适用的树高曲线模型。     

东北地区春玉米临界氮浓度稀释曲线的建立和验证

过量施氮是目前玉米栽培中存在的普遍现象,基于临界氮浓度稀释曲线计算得出的氮营养指数是诊断氮营养丰缺的重要手段。基于东北地区4个生态点的试验数据,构建了东北地区春玉米临界氮稀释曲线,并在此基础上建立了氮营养指数模型和需氮量模型,结果表明,东北地区春玉米地上部临界氮浓度与生物量符合幂函数关系。利用独立试验资料对建立的临界氮浓度稀释曲线进行检验,发现基于临界氮浓度稀释模型计算的氮营养指数可以准确诊断玉米植株的氮营养状况,并计算出实时的氮素需求量。该研究建立的东北地区春玉米临界氮稀释模型可以为该地区春玉米的氮营养诊断和动态调控提供较好的理论和技术指导。     

叶菜型甘薯大棚越冬栽培薯苗存活率及其产量性状表现

为提高叶菜型甘薯的繁殖系数,保证种植种源的持续供应,采用薯苗大棚栽培越冬留种,研究不同品种和节位薯苗越冬栽培的薯苗地上和地下部性状。结果表明:叶菜型甘薯福菜薯18和鄂菜薯1号的茎尖薯苗和二节薯苗越冬存活率最高为77.50%,最低为66.25%;鄂菜薯1号茎尖薯苗越冬苗株高最高为29.3cm,茎尖薯苗株高均与二节薯苗的株高差异显著;二节薯苗分枝数、薯苗产量最高分别为62.77个/m2、493.34kg/667m2,均显著高于茎尖薯苗;越冬地下茎存活率以二节薯苗优于茎尖薯苗,存活率在73.75%~82.50%;茎尖薯苗的柴根产量和数量均优于二节薯苗,分别达128.89kg/667m2和16.1个/m2。结论:以二节薯苗栽培越冬,其来年薯苗分枝、产量、地下茎性状均优于茎尖薯苗,薯苗直接栽插繁殖、地下茎萌发繁殖速度均快于柴根。     

毛乌素沙地东南缘植被恢复中优势灌木的保育作用分析

以毛乌素沙地东南缘优势灌木作为保育植物,选择油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)和樟子松(Pinus sylvestris)幼苗作为目标物种,将其分别种植在开阔地和优势灌木冠层下,连续3 a统计松树幼苗的存活率和主枝生长长度,从而确定毛乌素沙地优势灌木对松树幼苗的定居是否存在保育作用。同时,测量开阔地和灌木冠层下的环境指标,揭示优势灌木保育作用产生的机理。结果表明:1优势灌木冠层下松树幼苗的总存活率显著高于开阔地(P0.05),说明优势灌木可增加松树幼苗的存活率。2在持续3 a的恢复实验期间,优势灌木对松树幼苗定居的保育作用不随时间的变化而发生改变。3优势灌木冠层下松树幼苗的主枝生长良好,并未受到抑制。4优势灌木通过改善微环境,从而对其冠层下松树幼苗的定居产生保育作用,其中改善最为明显的是光照强度和土壤湿度,其次是土壤的有机质和全氮含量。总的来说,优势灌木对松树幼苗的定居存在保育作用,保育植物技术可作为一种有效的恢复措施,应用在毛乌素沙地东南缘的植被恢复中,从而为该区植被的恢复与生态保护提供基础数据。     

浙江红花油茶高接换冠成活率影响因素研究

为研究浙江红花油茶高接换冠成活率影响因素,解决嫁接成活率低的问题,2013年6月从中国林业科学研究院亚热带林业研究所引进浙江红花油茶优树穗条,在青田县大垟山林场开展浙江红花油茶高接换冠试验,分析砧木林郁闭度、坡位、砧木生长势及接穗保存时间等因素对嫁接成活率的影响。结果表明,林分郁闭度在0.3~0.7之间,随着郁闭度增加嫁接平均成活率提高;郁闭度在0.7~0.9之间,随着郁闭度增加,嫁接成活率降低;当郁闭度为0.7时,嫁接成活率最高为88.8%。山腰的嫁接成活率高达86%,显著高于山顶和山脚。浙江红花油茶砧木生长势越强嫁接成活率越高。接穗于采集当天嫁接效果最好成活率达89.1%,接穗保存1、2、3、4、5、6天嫁接,成活率分别为85.2%、75.2%、51.6%、28.1%、12.2%、9.3%。偏相关分析表明,各因素对嫁接成活率影响由大到小依次为接穗保存时间(-0.97)、郁闭度(0.85)、生长势(0.81)、坡位(-0.65)。     

超甜玉米子粒果皮柔嫩度的变化规律

为了探讨超甜玉米果皮柔嫩度在子粒发育进程中的变化规律,以10份超甜玉米自交系为材料,采用硬度计法测定子粒发育过程中果皮柔嫩度值,分析果皮柔嫩度在不同环境条件下的变化。结果表明,10份参试材料在果皮柔嫩度上存在梯度差异,其中PE10果皮柔嫩性最好,T105中等,S33205最差;在湖北武汉(2014年春)、海南陵水(2014年冬)两种环境下,在授粉后第12~24天,PE10、T105、S33205的果皮柔嫩度值均呈上升趋势,且各测定时间点的柔嫩度均值由大到小的顺序均为S33205、T105、PE10;随着子粒的发育,相同材料在不同环境条件下果皮柔嫩度差异呈现先增大后缩小最后又趋于一致的规律;2014年湖北武汉春季与海南陵水冬季相比,同一材料最适采收期相差4 d,但最适采收期的果皮柔嫩度值差异不显著,说明环境改变会影响果皮嫩度变化速率,但果皮柔嫩度的好坏本质上仍决定于材料本身。     

插条粗度和萌芽度对降香黄檀扦插成活率的影响

在江门市林科所苗圃选择不同粗细度、不同萌芽度的降香黄檀插条进行扦插繁殖试验,每10 d进行1次成活率调查。结果表明:插条的萌芽度和粗细度均极显著影响扦插的成活率,萌芽度和粗细度的交互作用对扦插的成活率也有极显著影响;未萌芽插条扦插成活率明极显高于已萌芽插条的扦插成活率;3种粗细度的枝条中以粗细度为0.7~1.2 cm的插条扦插成活率最高;在枝条萌芽度及粗细度交互作用下,粗细度为0.7~1.2 cm的未萌芽插条扦插成活率最高,粗细度小于0.7 cm的已萌芽插条扦插成活率最低。     

黄河未来输沙量态势及其适用性对策

[目的] 探索黄河输沙预测的新思路，预估黄河未来输沙态势与输沙量水平，为黄河流域生态治理规划提供参考。[方法] 结合黄河流域水土保持生态修复现状，采用单累积曲线法、滑动平均及频率分析方法，分析1950—2019年黄河主要来沙区间的实测输沙量变化特征及其未来态势。[结果] 1950—2019年黄河输沙量呈现阶梯式减少。1950—2019年黄河中游各站累积实测输沙量随时间的变化可用“左半抛物线”表征。黄河输沙量自1997年以来已进入相对稳定态势，目前已达企稳状态；黄河潼关站未来年输沙量在90%频率下为1.00×10⁸ t左右，在10%频率下为5.00×10⁸ t左右，未来多年平均输沙量为1.40×10⁸ t。[结论] 为了维持黄河输沙量低稳状态，提升水土保持措施质量与标准，补齐“后水土保持”短板，构建完善的水沙关系调控体系，维持黄河下游河道冲淤平衡，是黄河流域生态保护与高质量发展的保障。