Nutrient‐Release Rates of Controlled‐Release Fertilizers in Forest Soil

Abstract

Nutrient‐release rates of controlled‐release fertilizer (CRF) with four different labeled release periods were evaluated. Samples (30 g) sealed with nylon mesh were buried at a clearcut forest site (Price soil series) in western Oregon, USA, in February 2000 and excavated every 7 weeks for 14 months to determine residual weight and composition. Cool, dry soil conditions apparently prolonged nutrient release beyond labeled rates; the fertilizer with the shortest release period (3–4 months) released approximately 72% of the fertilizer (by weight), whereas that with the longest release period (8–9 months) released 48%. Release varied among individual nutrients [nitrate (NO₃)>ammonia (NH₃)>potassium (K)>sulfur (S)>magnesium (Mg)>phosphorus (P)]. Minimal changes in micronutrient [iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo)] contents were attributed to the formation of insoluble compounds with P. Variable release among individual nutrients demonstrates a limitation toward delivering a full range of nutrients and suggests that further refinement of CRF technology is needed to optimize nutrient availability under realistic field conditions.     

The Alleviating Effect of Elevated CO2 on Heat Stress Susceptibility of Two Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

This study analysed the alleviating effect of elevated CO₂ on stress‐induced decreases in photosynthesis and changes in carbohydrate metabolism in two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) of different origin. The plants were grown in ambient (400 μl l^?1) and elevated (800 μl l^?1) CO₂ with a day/night temperature of 15/10 °C. At the growth stages of tillering, booting and anthesis, the plants were subjected to heat stress of 40 °C for three continuous days. Photosynthetic parameters, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and contents of pigments and carbohydrates in leaves were analysed before and during the stress treatments as well as after 1 day of recovery. Heat stress reduced P_N and F_v/F_m in both wheat cultivars, but plants grown in elevated CO₂ maintained higher P_N and F_v/F_m in comparison with plants grown in ambient CO₂. Heat stress reduced leaf chlorophyll contents and increased leaf sucrose contents in both cultivars grown at ambient and elevated CO₂. The content of hexoses in the leaves increased mainly in the tolerant cultivar in response to the combination of elevated CO₂ and heat stress. The results show that heat stress tolerance in wheat is related to cultivar origin, the phenological stage of the plants and can be alleviated by elevated CO₂. This confirms the complex interrelation between environmental factors and genotypic traits that influence crop performance under various climatic stresses.     

Cotton Research Center,Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Jinan 250100, China

During the long process of evolution, plants have adapted to their environments through the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (SM) using the acetate-malonate pathway, mevalonic acids pathway, or shikimic acid pathway, leading to resistance to different pests. As a major cash crop, cotton can produce many secondary metabolites with insecticidal activity, and show self-defense mechanisms under biotic stress conditions. These characteristics of cotton ensure reduced pest incidence and maintenance of ecological balance. This paper discusses the types of SMs, their synthesis, and insect resistance of cotton secondary metabolites in relation to their defense function. We propose possible pest-control strategies using secondary metabolites in cotton.     

Nutritional approaches to slow late finishing pig growth: implications on carcass composition and pork quality

Although pork producers typically aim to optimize growth rates, occasionally it is necessary to slow growth, such as when harvest facility capacity is limited. In finishing pigs, numerous dietary strategies can be used to slow growth so pigs are at optimal slaughter body weights when harvest facility capacity and/or access is restored. However, the impact of these diets on pork carcass quality is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary strategies to slow growth in late finishing pigs and evaluate their effects on carcass composition and pork quality. Mixed-sex pigs (n = 897; 125 ± 2 kg BW) were randomly allotted across 48 pens and assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (n = 8 pens/treatment): (1) Control diet representative of a typical finisher diet (CON); (2) diet containing 3% calcium chloride (CaCl₂); (3) diet containing 97% corn and no soybean meal (Corn); (4) diet deficient in isoleucine (LowIle); (5) diet containing 15% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from soybean hulls (15% NDF); and (6) diet containing 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF). Over 42 d, pen body weights and feed disappearance were collected. Pigs were harvested in 3 groups (14, 28, and 42 d on feed) and carcass data collected. From the harvest group, 1 loin was collected from 120 randomly selected carcasses (20 loins/treatment) to evaluate pork quality traits. Overall, ADG was reduced in CaCl₂, Corn, and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). However, ADFI was only reduced in CaCl₂ and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was reduced in CaCl₂ and Corn pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weights were reduced in CaCl₂ pigs at all harvest dates (P < 0.001) and were reduced in Corn and 20% NDF pigs at days 28 and 42 compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). In general, CaCl₂ and 20% NDF diets resulted in leaner carcasses, whereas the Corn diet increased backfat by 42 d on test (P < 0.05). Loin pH was reduced and star probe increased in CaCl₂ pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.05); no treatments differed from CON pigs regarding drip loss, cook loss, color, firmness, or marbling (P ≥ 0.117). Overall, these data indicate that several dietary strategies can slow finishing pig growth without evidence of behavioral vices. However, changes to carcass composition and quality were also observed, indicating quality should be taken into consideration when choosing diets to slow growth.     

The effects of maternal nutrition during the first 50 d of gestation on the location and abundance of hexose and cationic amino acid transporters in beef heifer uteroplacental tissues

We hypothesized that maternal nutrition during the first 50 d of gestation would influence the abundance of hexose transporters, SLC2A1, SLC2A3, and SLC2A5, and cationic amino acid transporters, SLC7A1 and SLC7A2, in heifer uteroplacental tissues. Angus-cross heifers (n = 43) were estrus synchronized, bred via artificial insemination, and assigned at breeding to 1 of 2 dietary intake groups (CON = 100% of requirements to achieve 0.45 kg/d of BW gain or RES = 60% of CON intake) and ovariohysterectomized on day 16, 34, or 50 of gestation (n = 6 to 9/d) in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Uterine cross-sections were collected from the horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, sectioned at 5 µm, and stained via immunofluorescence for transporters. For each image, areas of fetal membrane (FM; chorioallantois), luminal epithelium (ENDO), superficial glands (SG), deep glands (DG), and myometrium (MYO) were analyzed separately for relative intensity of fluorescence as an indicator of transporter abundance. Analysis of FM was only conducted for days 34 and 50. No transporters in target areas were influenced by a day × treatment interaction (P ≥ 0.06). In ENDO, all transporters were differentially abundant from days 16 to 50 of gestation (P ≤ 0.04), and SLC7A2 was greater (P = 0.05) for RES vs. CON. In SG, SLC7A1 and SLC7A2 were greater (P ≤ 0.04) at day 34 vs. day 16. In DG, SLC2A3 and SLC7A1 were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for CON vs. RES heifers; furthermore, SLC7A1 was greater (P < 0.01) at day 50 vs. days 16 and 34 of gestation. In MYO, SLC7A1 was greater (P < 0.01) for CON vs. RES and was greater (P = 0.02) at days 34 and 50 vs. day 16. There were no differences in FM (P ≥ 0.06). Analysis of all uterine tissues at day 16 determined that SLC2A1, SLC2A3, and SLC7A2 were all differentially abundant across uterine tissue type (P < 0.01), and SLC7A1 was greater (P = 0.02) for CON vs. RES. Analysis of all uteroplacental tissues at days 34 and 50 demonstrated that all transporters differed (P < 0.01) across uteroplacental tissues, and SLC7A1 was greater (P < 0.01) for CON vs. RES. These data are interpreted to imply that transporters are differentially affected by day of gestation, and that hexose and cationic amino acid transporters are differentially abundant across utero-placental tissue types, and that SLC7A1 is responsive to maternal nutritional treatment.     

Effect of feed restriction on dairy cow milk production: a review

In the dairy cow, negative energy balance affects milk yield and composition as well as animal health. Studying the effects of negative energy balance on dairy cow milk production is thus essential. Feed restriction (FR) experiments attempting to reproduce negative energy balance by reducing the quantity or quality of the diet were conducted in order to better describe the animal physiology changes. The study of FR is also of interest since with climate change issues, cows may be increasingly faced with periods of drought leading to a shortage of forages. The aim of this article is to review the effects of FR during lactation in dairy cows to obtain a better understanding of metabolism changes and how it affects mammary gland activity and milk production and composition. A total of 41 papers studying FR in lactating cows were used to investigate physiological changes induced by these protocols. FR protocols affect the entire animal metabolism as indicated by changes in blood metabolites such as a decrease in glucose concentration and an increase in non-esterified fatty acid or β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations; hormonal regulations such as a decrease in insulin and insulin-like growth factor I or an increase in growth hormone concentrations. These variations indicated a mobilization of body reserve in most studies. FR also affects mammary gland activity through changes in gene expression and could affect mammary cell turnover through cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and exfoliation of mammary epithelial cells into milk. Because of modifications of the mammary gland and general metabolism, FR decreases milk production and can affect milk composition with decreased lactose and protein concentrations and increased fat concentration. These effects, however, can vary widely depending on the type of restriction, its duration and intensity, or the stage of lactation in which it takes place. Finally, to avoid yield loss and metabolic disorders, it is important to identify reliable biomarkers to monitor energy balance.     

Identification and characterization of the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs,flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone,in horses

The in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone have been extensively characterized; however, there are no published reports describing the in vitro metabolism, specifically the enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of these compounds in horses. Due to their widespread use and, therefore, increased potential for drug–drug interactions and widespread differences in drug disposition, this study aims to build on the limited current knowledge regarding P450‐mediated metabolism in horses. Drugs were incubated with equine liver microsomes and a panel of recombinant equine P450s. Incubation of phenylbutazone in microsomes generated oxyphenbutazone and gamma‐hydroxy phenylbutazone. Microsomal incubations with flunixin meglumine generated 5‐OH flunixin, with a kinetic profile suggestive of substrate inhibition. In recombinant P450 assays, equine CYP3A97 was the only enzyme capable of generating oxyphenbutazone while several members of the equine CYP3A family and CYP1A1 were capable of catalyzing the biotransformation of flunixin to 5‐OH flunixin. Flunixin meglumine metabolism by CYP1A1 and CYP3A93 showed a profile characteristic of biphasic kinetics, suggesting two substrate binding sites. The current study identifies specific enzymes responsible for the metabolism of two NSAIDs in horses and provides the basis for future study of drug–drug interactions and identification of reasons for varying pharmacokinetics between horses.     

生物节律对动物生理营养及物质消化利用调控的研究进展

生物钟是生物的计时机制,是生物体内的一种无形的“时钟”。实际上是生物体生命活动的内在节律性,是由生物体内的时间结构序列所决定,使行为、生理和新陈代谢的内部循环与外界环境周期性同步。本文就生物节律系统、生物钟的调控基因、生物钟对营养生理代谢和消化器官的调控以及其在实际生产中的应用作一综述。     

绵羊Musclin基因真核表达载体的构建及其对肌细胞糖代谢和胰岛素作用的影响

为了研究绵羊Musclin对糖代谢和胰岛素作用的影响,本试验运用生物信息学软件对其结构特征进行预测,并构建绵羊Musclin基因真核表达载体。分4组对绵羊胎儿成肌细胞进行处理：空载体组（pcDNA3.1）、Musclin过表达组（pcDNA3.1-Musclin）、空载体+胰岛素组（pcDNA3.1+Insulin）、Musclin过表达+胰岛素组（pcDNA3.1-Musclin+Insulin）。然后分别在分化48和72 h时收集细胞,检测Musclin对正常或添加胰岛素培养的分化状态绵羊肌细胞糖代谢的影响,并利用荧光定量PCR检测相关基因表达的变化。酶切鉴定和测序结果表明,成功构建了表达载体pcDNA3.1-Musclin。生物信息学分析表明,绵羊Musclin蛋白含有一个信号肽,并在28氨基酸位点处存在一个酶切位点。亚细胞定位在胞外,属于分泌蛋白。其二级和三级结构以α螺旋和无规则卷曲为主。细胞试验表明,绵羊Musclin基因过表达明显减少了正常或胰岛素处理的绵羊肌细胞糖原含量并增加了培养液中葡萄糖含量。诱导分化72 h时,过表达Musclin抑制了Musclin过表达组和Musclin过表达+胰岛素组绵羊肌细胞中IRS1、AKT1、AKT2、GLUT1、GLUT4基因mRNA表达,并促进了GSK3β mRNA表达;而诱导分化48 h时,只有GLUT4基因的表达受到抑制。综上所述,绵羊Musclin基因过表达可以影响肌细胞糖代谢并减弱胰岛素的作用,二者相互协调以维持糖代谢稳态。其作用机制涉及到上述相关基因的表达变化,且与绵羊成肌细胞的分化状态有关。