The effectiveness of a commercial microbial product in poorly prepared tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius), ponds

The efficacy of a commercial microbial product was tested in commercial tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius), ponds for one culture period in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. Four ponds with replicates for treatment and control were used. The pond bottom was dried but the organic sludge was not removed as normally practised in pond preparation. The ponds were stocked with 15 post‐larvae at the rate of 31.m^?2. Physical, chemical and biological parameters of the pond were analysed every 2 weeks during the culture period. Water quality parameters remained within the optimum range for shrimp culture except for ammonia‐nitrogen being significantly higher in control ponds and silica in treated ponds. Benthic organisms were not found in any of the ponds. The average counts of different bacteria were not significantly higher in treated ponds than control. Because of poor health, the shrimp were harvested earlier (72 days) than the usual 120 days. An average of 875.60 ± 67.00 kg shrimp ha^?1 was obtained in treated ponds with a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.57 ± 0.10 and survival rate of 42.35 ± 5.37% compared with 719.50 ± 130.94 kg shrimp ha^?1, 2.99 ± 0.70 and 21.25 ± 3.26%, respectively, in control ponds. Neither the microbial product nor the frequent water exchange was effective in overcoming the problems caused by the poor pond bottom.     

Biochemistry and physiology of a family of eel natriuretic peptides

Three natriuretic peptides with similar structures were isolated from eels and their amino acid sequences determined; atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from atria, ventricular natriuretic peptide (VNP) from ventricles, and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) from brains. All three hormones were circulating in eel blood, and their plasma levels invariably decreased when eels were transferred from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW). Eel ANP and VNP inhibited drinking in FW and SW eels. Eel ANP inhibited water and Na⁺ absorption by the intestine of SW eels. The potency of these ANP effects was 2–3 orders greater than those of other hormones which are known to have similar effects. Eel ANP and VNP induced antidiuresis but not antinatriuresis in FW eels. Eel ANP increased plasma cortisol level in SW eels but not in FW eels. The antidiuretic effect and the stimulation of cortisol secretion in eels are opposite to the ANP effects reported in mammals. These data suggest that ANP plays a complex role in the eel osmoregulation.

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Résumé Trois peptides natriurétiques présentant des structures similaires ont été isolés chez l'anguille et leurs séquences en acides aminés a été déterminées; le peptide atrial natriurétique (ANP) dans l'atria, le peptide ventriculaire natriurétique (VNP) dans les ventricules et le peptide natriurétique de type C dans le cerveau. Ces trois hormones sont présents dans le sang d'anguille et leur niveau plasmatique decroit invariablement quand les anguilles sont transférées d'eau douce en eau de mer. L'ANP et le VNP d'anguille inhibent l'action de boire chez les anguilles d'eau douce et d'eau de mer. L'ANP d'anguille inhibe l'absorption d'eau et de Na⁺ par l'intestin d'anguille en eau de mer. Ces effets de l'ANP sont 2 à 3 fois plus grands que ceux observés avec d'autres hormones qui sont connues pour avoir des effets similaires. L'ANP et le VNP d'anguille induisent l'antidiurèse mais pas l'antinatriurèse chez les anguilles d'eau douce. L'ANP d'anguille augmente chez ce poisson les niveaux de cortisol plasmatique en eau de mer mais pas en eau douce. L'effet antidiurétique et la stimulation de la sécrétion de cortisol chez l'anguille sont contraire aux effets de l'ANP observés chez les mammifères. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'ANP joue un role complexe dans l'osmorégulation de l'anguille.

     

Effects of Gradual Water Deficit Stress on Phenological and Morphological Traits in Chickpea （Cicer arietinum L.）

The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of gradual water deficit stress on some phonological and morphological traits and grain yield of desi and kabuli chickpea cultivars. This study was carried out in 2007 and 2008, to evaluate responses of three chickpea cultivars （Hashem and Arman from kabuli and Pirooz from desi type） under well watering （I1： 70mm evaporation from class A pan）, gradual water deficit （12 and 13： 70→90→ 110→130 and 70→100→130mm evaporation from class A pan, respectively） and severe water stress （14： 130mm evaporation from class A pan）. Result showed that days to flowering and plant height were decreased, as water limitation increased. This reduction was significant under gradual water stress （I2 and I3） and Severe water deficit （I4）, compared with control （I1）. There were no significant differences in grain filling period and grain yield among I~, I2 and I3 irrigation treatments. No significant differences in days to physiologic maturity and number of sub branches were recorded among irrigation treatments. Interactions of year×cultivar for days to physiologic maturity, grain filling period and grain yield （P≤0.01） and for days to flowering and plant height （P≤0.05） were significant. The superiority of Arman in producing comparatively greater grain yield could be attributed to higher grain filling period of this cultivar in both years.     

Water deficit and cold stress on the evening primrose seed quality

Evening primrose is a valuable oilseed crop with pharmaceutical and nutritional supplementation. Due to presence of valuable and rare gamma linolenic fatty acid, research on this plant has been started since 1970s by German and Britain scientists. Information about evening primrose cultivation is going to rise. Following to pervious studies the goal of this experiment was to clarify the effect of water and temperature stresses on seed yield and seed quality. Results showed that seed yield was significantly influenced by low temperature and water deficit. Plants grown under cold stress during rosette stage produced a lower seed yield than controls. The lowest seed yield was observed in the plants grown under permanent stress. Although the oil content of seeds was not influenced by low temperature stress, water stress strongly influenced the oil content and water stress stimulates oil accumulation. Like oil content, the GLA production seems to be increased under water stress conditions.     

高校教学区中水回用方式初探

中水作为一种污水处理技术,可以减少淡水资源的使用。高校作为用水大户,优质污水量十分可观,故将中水回用系统引入高校十分必要。基于这种形势。提出一种适合于高校教学区使用的中水回用装置,该装置处理工艺简单,使用方便且维修简单。试验结果表明,处理后的水达到了国家相关标准,可以用于道路清洗或草坪灌溉,具有十分可观的经济、环境和社会效益。     

长乐市农田水利建设现状与发展对策

农田水利是农村经济社会稳定与发展的重要支撑,也是制约着我国农业发展和农民收入提高的重要因素。2010年中央一号文件的第一条就指出要继续加大国家对农业农村的投入力度,明确提出要抓好农田水利基础设施建设。结合当前我国提出的水利建设要求,探析了农田水利建设调研背景、福建省大力发展农田水利建设的重要性,通过实地走访及问卷调查,调研并分析了长乐市农田水利建设与管理现状、农田水利建设总体布局与构思。在参考东南沿海地区农田水利建设发展经验基础上,探究长乐市发展农田水利的现状及存在的问题,针对长乐市当前发展农田水利建设的基础、制约因素、优劣势等因素,结合当地实际情况,提出相应发展对策。