A novel pair of universal primers for the detection of potyviruses

A novel pair of universal primers was developed to detect potyvirus species after conserved sites were identified using all full‐length potyvirus sequences available by 2005. The breadth of specificity of the new primers, NIb2F and NIb3R, was investigated and compared with the specificity of two routinely used primer pairs in plant virus diagnostic laboratories. RNA from 40 potyvirus isolates representing 23 recognized and three possible new species was tested. Reactions with NIb2F and NIb3R produced amplicons of 350 bp from all 40 virus isolates tested. Reactions with the previously published WCIEN and Potyvirid primers amplified cDNA from 32 and 21 isolates, representing possibly 21 and 15 species, respectively. The identity of 12 unknown potyvirus isolates was confirmed by sequencing and three were found to be potentially distinct potyvirus species. Gel banding patterns from reactions with NIb2F and NIb3R were simpler to interpret than those from reactions with the other two primer sets; fewer products were visible and the cDNA fragments were less variable in size. RT‐PCR with the novel primers is predicted to be able to detect virus isolates from all major groups within the genus Potyvirus and its reliability makes it well suited for use as a routine diagnostic assay.     

Phytophthora hydropathica,a new pathogen identified from irrigation water,Rhododendron catawbiense and Kalmia latifolia

A new species of Phytophthora, previously referred to as taxon Dre II, is named Phytophthora hydropathica. It is heterothallic, but all isolates recovered to date are of the A1 compatibility type. Plerotic oospores are produced. Its sporangia are usually obpyriform and are nonpapillate and noncaducous. Isolates of P. hydropathica had nearly identical single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)‐based DNA fingerprints that are distinct from those of all existing species. Their closest relatives are P. parsiana and P. irrigata. This new species is able to grow at relatively high temperatures, with an optimum of 30°C and a maximum of 40°C. It was frequently isolated from irrigation water during warm summers. This species caused leaf necrosis and shoot blight of Rhododendron catawbiense and collar rot of Kalmia latifolia at two nurseries where irrigation reservoirs yielded P. hydropathica. Its potential impact on other horticultural crops is discussed.     

OIE高健康高性能马匹框架概述

世界动物卫生组织(OIE)为解决赛马跨境移动过程中各国检疫标准不一的问题,促进国际马术赛事的赛马临时进口便利化,提出了高健康高性能(HHP)马匹的新概念。本文从HHP马场和马匹认证、生物安全准则、HHP证书等方面概述HHP马匹实施框架,并回顾了HHP国内外实施现状,展望了其在我国的应用。建立HHP既可以便利赛马跨境移动,又保障良好的动物卫生保护水平,可为更多国家尤其是发展中国家举办高水平国际马术赛事及出境参赛提供更多机会。目前该规则在国际上的实际应用尚处起步阶段,在国内仍处于空白阶段。为进一步推动我国马术运动的可持续发展,应尽快建立一套适宜我国国情的赛马跨境移动检疫监管模式。     

肉鸡秋冬季节饲养管理

肉鸡养殖规模不断扩大,养殖风险也越来越大。北方冬季外界气温较低,湿度小,给肉鸡饲养管理带来挑战,需针对气候特点减少应激,提高养殖效益,该文论述秋冬季节肉鸡饲养管理注意事项。     

Development of a Bacterial Denitrification Filter for Sand-Based Recirculating Saltwater,Penaeus japonicus Shrimp Culture Systems

Abstract

This study investigated the ability of a simple bacterial denitrification filter (BDF) to reduce nitrate levels in experimental low-intensity recirculating broodstock tanks. These broodstock tanks are equipped with a sand-substrate system which provided the dual purpose of habitat and nitrification filter. The BDF was constructed of 50-mm PVC pipe, filled with 50% gravel and 50% crushed pipi shell. The BDF was designed to be easily fitted to individual tanks (assisting biosecurity) and to operate with minimal management.

There were 3 treatments, each with 3 replicates: control tanks with no BDF; tanks with BDFs receiving 0.605 g C/day as glucose (Low C); and tanks with BDFs receiving 1.512 g C/day as glucose (High C). Kuruma shrimp, Penaeus japonicuswere maintained in all tanks at a density of 185 g/m² (avg. weight of 8.02±2.4 g), and no water was exchanged for the duration of the experiment. In the control tanks, nitrate increased at about 1 mg/L/day until 38 days when it peaked at 38.9 mg/L. Nitrate levels in control tanks decreased slightly (i.e., by up to 2.5 mg/L) from 38 days to 50 days when the experiment was concluded. In the Low C treatments, nitrate increased at a similar rate at first; however, it peaked at 24 days (18 mg/L) and then gradually reduced to 12 mg/L after 50 days. In the High C treatments, nitrate also peaked at 18 mg/L after 24 days, but then decreased to zero by 50 days.

Sand-substrate in the High C treatment tanks was anoxic by the end of the experiment (black beneath the surface, with redox potential < –100 mV). However, in the control and Low C treatments, where nitrate levels were above 10 mg/L, the substrate remained in good condition (no black sediment, and redox potential –10 to 50 mV).

These results demonstrate that a simply-designed and operated BDF, together with an appropriate nitrification system, can effectively maintain nitrate below 20 mg/L, removing the need for water exchange and improving biosecurity. The BDF operation should be limited to allow nitrate to be maintained at about 10 mg/L, to help maintain oxidized conditions in the sediment.     

Effect of burning and high temperature on survival of Xanthomonas translucens pv. pistaciae in infected pistachio branches and twigs

This paper reports the efficacy of burning and heat‐treating pistachio branches and twigs as a means of disposing of prunings from trees infected with Xanthomonas translucens pv. pistaciae (Xtp). Burning of pistachio wood, naturally infected with Xtp, was conducted twice under field conditions. Viable Xtp was detected in some non‐burned wood, but not in charcoal, ash or partially burned wood. Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted with pure cultures of Xtp and naturally and artificially infected pistachio wood. In liquid culture, 65°C was lethal to Xtp, whereas survival at 60°C or less varied with culture medium and duration of exposure. Xtp survived in infected wood exposed to 40–55°C for at least 60 min but was killed by exposure to 60°C for 15 min or more. Overall, the results of burning and heat treatment were consistent, and confirmed that burning was a reliable eradication technique to dispose of infected wood, such as prunings, providing the pathogen was exposed to a temperature of 60°C or greater for at least 15 min.     

Knowledge,attitudes and management of bovine viral diarrhoea virus among eastern Australian cattle producers: results from a 2013 cross-sectional study

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically significant disease affecting the Australian cattle industry, with losses stemming from decreased production and reproductive performance and control costs. However, these losses can be difficult to appreciate, particularly in endemic regions. Overall, there is a variable but high herd-level seroprevalence in Australia. Despite a potentially high financial burden of the disease, the onus for control ultimately falls on producers and strategies employed will vary between regions. A cross-sectional study, using a postal survey, was conducted in 2013 to evaluate the BVDV knowledge, attitudes and management practices utilised by Australian cattle producers. A total of 192 producers participated in the study, and results indicate that knowledge and attitudes towards disease risk are variable and can be improved. Producer knowledge of how persistently infected (PI) animals are produced was higher than that of disease outcomes or transmission pathways. Implementation of biosecurity practices was limited, with approximately half of respondents employing quarantine procedures for introduced stock and only 2% indicating they would antigen test introduced stock for BVDV. Approximately a third (36%) of producers reported engaging in BVDV control, with the majority of these using vaccination strategies over deliberate exposure to a PI. Knowledge of and engagement with BVDV control was positively influenced by the producer relationships with veterinarians. Findings from this study suggest that building on education and delivering a consistent message among stakeholders would likely improve producer awareness and understanding in relation to BVDV and support decision making in BVDV management.