Pathogenicity of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica on potato

Host–parasite relationships and pathogenicity of Meloidogyne javanica on potatoes (newly recorded from Malta) were studied under glasshouse and natural conditions. Potato cvs Cara and Spunta showed a typical susceptible reaction to M. javanica under natural and artificial infections, respectively. In potato tubers, M. javanica induced feeding sites that consisted of three to four hypertrophied giant cells per adult female. Infection of feeder roots by the nematode resulted in mature large galls which usually contained at least one mature female and egg mass. In both tubers and roots, feeding sites were characterized by giant cells containing granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei. Cytoplasm in giant cells was aggregated alongside the thickened cell walls. Stelar tissues within galls appeared disorganized. The relationship between initial nematode population density ( P ) [0–64 eggs + second-stage juveniles (J2s) per cm³ soil] and growth of cv. Spunta potato seedlings was tested under glasshouse conditions. A Seinhorst model [ y = m  + (1 −  m ) z ^{( P − T )}] was fitted to fresh shoot weight and shoot height data of nematode-inoculated and control plants. Tolerance limits ( T ) for fresh shoot weight and shoot height of cv. Spunta plants infected with M. javanica were 0·50 and 0·64 eggs + J2s per cm³ soil, respectively. The m parameter in that model (i.e. the minimum possible y -values) for fresh shoot weight and shoot height were 0·60 and 0·20, respectively, at P  = 64 eggs + J2s per cm³ soil. Root galling was proportional to the initial nematode population density. Maximum nematode reproduction rate was 51·2 at a moderate initial population density ( P  = 4 eggs + J2s per cm³ soil).     

A viability study of Fallopia japonica stem tissue

Vegetative regeneration of intact and split nodes of Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene was the focus of this greenhouse experiment. Stem material, collected in May, July and September 1997, was cut into 40-mm-long sections and incubated on the surface of moist compost in a greenhouse. All samples showed some regrowth of buds and new shoots from both intact and split nodes in any season. A maximum number of 0.25 buds per intact node was recorded after 6 days in a spring experiment. The vegetative regrowth of shoots generally appeared after 1 week and increased over time with a maximum mean height of 77 mm after 27 days and a maximum number of 0.39 shoots per intact node after 13 days. Adventitious roots developed from both intact and split nodes during both summer and autumn experiments. From this study, a maximum of 90 stem tissue propagules per square metre of F. japonica stand has been estimated. If the plant is cut as part of a control programme, these propagules can produce shoots with growth rates of up to 2.9 mm per day with a good chance of the development of adventitious roots. This considerable potential for vegetative regeneration of stem tissue shows a clear need for guidelines on the safe management and disposal of F. japonica plant material.     

14种农药的非致死浓度对拟长毛钝绥螨繁殖和定居的影响

在室内测试了１４种农药对拟长钝缓螨的非致死浓度及其对定居和繁殖的影响。氯氰菊酯，粉锈宁，克螨特，三氯杀螨醇对拟长毛钝绥螨的繁殖，叶上定居及着卵量都有很大的影响。氧化乐果影响拟长毛钝绥螨的繁殖，对定居影响不大。天王星，高效灭百可，灭扫利，功夫不影响，镇量影响在植侏上定居和叶上着卵量。双甲脒，卡死克，阿波罗对拟长毛钝绥螨影响不显著。爱力螨克和尼索朗对拟长毛钝缓螨的繁殖，定居，着卵量均不良的影响。     

荒漠伯劳和灰伯劳繁殖生态初报

新疆分布有伯劳科(Laniidae)鸟类4～5种,均为捕食有害昆虫的益鸟。迄今有关伯劳在本地区繁殖的资料甚少。作者根据1986—1990年历次科考所获资料,对常见的两种伯劳的繁殖生态报导如下。     

松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅种群生殖特性的定量分析

通过对朝鲜碱茅单化群落独立株丛的大样本取样和对正常花序随机取样的调查与测定，定量分析了松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅种群的生殖特性。朝鲜碱茅种群话营养繁殖数量性状之间有较强的规律性。丛分蘖数、丛地上生物量、丛生殖枝数和丛生殖技重分别与丛径之间，以及丛生殖枝重与丛生殖枝数之间均为线性正相关，丛生物量随着丛分蘖数的增加呈幂函数增加。朝鲜碱茅种群在整个生殖生长发育过程中具有较强的有序性。圆锥花序各节位上的小穗数量呈伽玛分布。各节位上的小花数量随着节位的增高呈Logistic曲线形式减少。小穗数和小花数均随着节位的增加呈y＝ae(－b／x)饱和型指数曲线形式累积增长。     

Reproduction and Lactational Performance of Cattle in a Smallholder Dairy System in Zimbabwe

A study was conducted in two adjacent locations. Nharira (communal) and Lancashire (small-scale commercial) farming areas in Zimbabwe to characterize the breeds and evaluate the reproductive and lactation performance of dairy cattle under smallholder management. The types of cows identified were Friesian, Jersey and Red Dane, and an indigenous Sanga breed called the Mashona and its crossbreds. Both sectors used more exotic and crossbred cows than indigenous cows. The mean monthly weights of the dairy cows were higher in Lancashire than in Nharira and the calving intervals were longer in Nharira than in Lancashire. The mean age at first calving was higher and the mean total lactation yields were greater in Nharira than in Lancashire, but the mean 305-day lactation yields were not significantly different. The mean lactation lengths were longer for the cows from Nharira. It was concluded that the reproductive and lactation performances were low. The calving intervals were extended, probably owing to suboptimal nutrition and heat stress, particularly during the dry season, and to poor management practices, such as delayed mating due to the poor availability of bulls.     

Fat-Tailed Sheep Traits as Affected by Docking

The literature mostly indicates that docking fat-tailed lambs initially reduces growth but that post-weaning growth and feed conversion efficiency then increase. The amount of fat deposited, the total separable lean meat to fat ratio and the meat quality all increase, while the percentage of bone in the carcase either decreases or does not change in the carcases of the docked lambs. Wool growth and characteristics are, in general, not affected and reproductive traits in ewes and lambs are improved by docking. The rectal temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate are decreased following docking. The concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin and cortisol in the plasma and the incidence of foot stamping and restlessness, as indicators of stress, increase after docking. Other constituents of the blood are not significantly altered following docking or by the methods of docking. Docking of fat-tailed sheep using rubber rings at one day of age can be recommended. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Dairy Cows in Different Production Systems in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

The study was conducted to examine the fertility status of crossbred dairy cows in mixed crop-livestock production (MCLP), market-oriented specialized dairy production (MSDP) and urban dairy production (UDP) systems, including the Holetta Agricultural Research Center (HARC). Data on general farm management variables and reproductive histories were collected from study farms by questionnaire and from individual cow records. Age at first service and age at first calving were 29.58 months (n = 424) and 40.6 months (n = 348), respectively. Cows managed under UDP were younger at first service and at first calving (p<0.05). The mean intervals from calving to first service and to conception were 141.98 days (n = 284) and 185.02 days (n = 219), respectively. The mean calving interval for cows was 551.82 days (n = 258). Cows in MCLP had longer intervals from calving to first service and to conception and longer calving intervals than those managed under MSDP, UDP and HARC. First service conception rate (43.42%), number of services per conception (1.75) and pregnancy rate (79.29%) did not differ significantly between production systems. Reproductive performance was best in UDP followed by HARC and MSDP. The difference between MCLP and the rest points to particular difficulties in that system. To improve reproductive performance and economic benefit, there should be conservative stocking rate, sensible year-round feeding, a herd health plan, and sustainable extension service.     

秦川牛血液蛋白多态性与繁殖性状关系的研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术测定了秦川牛（148头）血红蛋白（Hb）、运铁蛋白（Tf）、后运铁蛋白（PTf）、血清白蛋白（Alb）和后白蛋白（Pa）的遗传多样性。分析了各多态座位不同基因型与秦川牛若干繁殖性状的关系。结果表明：HbAA型母牛的初情期年龄（AFS），初产年龄（AFC）极显著早于HbAB型母牛（P〈0．01）。TfAA型母牛的初情期和初产年龄显著早于TfDD型母牛（P〈0．05）。PTf SS型母牛的初情期显著早于PTf FS型母牛和PTf FF型母牛（P〈0．05）。Alb AA型母牛的初情期显著早于Alb AC型母牛（P〈0．05）。Tf A基因对D基因的替代平均效应值初情期提前1．68d，初产年龄提前19．89d。AlbA基因对B基因的替代平均效应值初情期提前8．06d。