The rates of maize growth and lignin biosynthesis change after root-applied chalcone

The effects of root-applied chalcone at 0.15 mmol L⁻¹ on the growth and lignin biosynthesis in maize were investigated. The contents of 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL, EC 6.2.1.12) substrates in maize shoots were increased more rapidly in the samples with chalcone application than in the control and the increase occurred at ≤ 3 h after the application (HAA). The lignin content was reduced by chalcone at ≤ 6 HAA. The shoot growth was suppressed by chalcone at ≤ 9 HAA. Consequently, the results suggest that chalcone suppressed maize growth by inhibiting monolignol biosynthesis.     

Growth loss of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani) stands as related to periodic outbreaks of the cedar shoot moth (Dichelia cedricola)

An outbreak ofDichelia cedricola (Diakonoff) (Lep.: Tortricidae), the cedar shoot moth (CSM), began in spring 1998 and lasted 3 years. This was the first monitored outbreak of the CSM in Isparta, Turkey. Tree crowns recovered to near normal condition by the middle of each growing season (in early June) during the outbreak. Tree volume and volume element increments were examined throughout the outbreak cycle from 1954 to 2001. In the past, CSM activity in stands of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) was assessed through radial increment analyses. Cedar tree ring chronologies were analyzed for evidence of the CSM. Tree-ring chronologies from nonhost cedar (nondefoliated sample trees) were used to estimate potential growth in the host cedar (defoliated sample trees) during current and past outbreaks; all trees selected were the same subspecies and varieties. Regional outbreaks of the CSM were identified by synchronous and sustained growth periods of the trees. In 2001, increment cores were collected from 17 host and 16 nonhost dominant or codominant trees and annual radial growth indices from 1954–2001 were calculated for each of two host and two nonhost sample plots. Growth functions were defined as the cumulative sum of radial, height, and volume increment, and were graphically compared between CSM host cedar and nonhost cedar trees. Tree ring evidence suggests that a large-scale outbreak occurred in 1955 (from 1955 to 1966) and a small outbreak occurred in 1985 (1985–1990) and in 1998 (1998-continued) in the study area. The average diameter growth reductions around 1955, 1985 and 1998 were 40%, 46% and 7% of potential, respectively. It was concluded that a narrow latewood band is significant indicator of defoliation by the CSM and the outbreaks appear to be associated with dry winter and spring weather prior to the autumn and winter in which wood feeding occurred. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 24, 2004.     

Relevance of the variability of kidding day in Creole goats in Guadeloupe

The results of 5732 records of kids born between 1985 and 1996 at Gardel Agricultural Experiment Station (INRA) in Guadeloupe, were used in order to estimate the effect of kidding day (KD) on individual preweaning growth performances, total productivity of Creole goats and litter size. The flock was subjected to a restricted mating season for a long time, by using male effect. The results of the fixed linear model showed a highly significant (P<0.001) effect of KD on growth rate and total productivity of does. Live weights of kids born around the 21st day of the kidding period (KP) was 4% to 7% higher than those of kids born the first day of the KP. For total productivity of does, this ratio did not reached more than 4%. The optimum at 70 days of age occurred around 14th day of the KD with 3% of improvement of total productivity. No effect was observed upon litter size. The genetic (co)variance components were estimated by six different Individual Animal Models. The heritability (h²) estimated from the best model, was h_D²=0.25±0.05 for genetic direct effect; h_M²=0.09±0.04 for genetic maternal effect and the genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects was −0.86±0.12. The use of KD could be highly recommended in a breeding program in this population of Creole meat goats, since it is quite easy to record under commercial conditions as a character related to reproductive performance.     

荔枝生产相关的水分生理指标远程监测研究

利用植物远程监测系统对荔枝园中的大气温湿度、土壤湿度、光照强度、大气蒸汽压差(VPD)等环境因子和茎干直径微变化、果实生长、叶片温度等树体生理指标进行了监测,发现该系统能准确及时并无伤害地记录他们的实时和周期性变化。据获得的数据初步表明,当果实处于快速膨大期,主茎的加粗生长明显缓慢,一旦果实采收后,茎干加粗生长则有一个迅速上升的变化;当土壤湿度高于33%(v/v)时,主茎的生长受到明显的抑制;VPD白天上升,夜间下降,当夜间VPD始终高于0,就形成所谓的“夜间干燥”,VPD的这种变化对荔枝主茎和果实的生长以及叶气温差(LATD)都有较大的影响,如主茎和果实的日间收缩量随VPD的增大而增大,夜间空气干燥不但抑制了主茎生长,也使日最大LATD下降。据此认为,果实和茎干的生长之间存在竞争关系,土壤湿度过高或者夜间空气干燥对荔枝的生长不利。     

半胱胺的生物学作用及应用

半胱胺具有多种生物学功能,如耗竭生长抑素,影响糖、蛋白质和脂肪的代谢,抗氧化和氧化作用,提高免疫功能。本文综述了半胱胺的生物学功能和应用情况。     

不同能量水平日粮对肉仔鸡生长及屠宰性能指标的影响研究

选择3周龄健康、无病、体重无显著差异的肉仔鸡96只,随机分为3组,每组设4 个重复,每个重复8只。分别饲喂蛋白质水平(19．5％)相同而能量水平不同(3．0 Mcal／kg、 3．08 Mcal／kg、3．16Mcal／kg)的3种饲粮。试验结果表明:前两周饲料转化(采食／增重)均以 中能量组(3．08 Mcal／kg)最好,为1．4416±0．1199,但三种不同能量水平对肉仔鸡平均日增 重、平均日耗料、饲料转化率均差异不显著(P>0．05);后两周饲料转化仍以中能量组最好,为 1．6362±0．1346,且显著优于高能量组(P<0．05),而与低能组和中能组之间差异不显著,各 能量处理组蛋白质、粗纤维、钙的代谢率均差异不显著(P>0．05),而磷的代谢率却存在显著 差异(P<0．05),其中,以中等能量组的磷代谢率最高,平均为90．73％;3种能量水平下肉仔鸡 半净膛率、全净膛率均差异不显著(P>0．05),表明能量水平并不影响肉仔鸡屠宰性能。     

苹果渣替代麦麸饲喂雏鸡效果试验

选用400只商品代尼克红母雏,随机分为4组,每组100只,设5个重复,每个重复 20只。试验组日粮分别由基础日粮和用风干未发酵苹果渣粉、半干发酵苹果渣粉、膜发酵苹果 渣粉分别替代基础日粮中5％的麸皮。试期为6周。结果显示,添加半干发酵苹果渣粉组和膜 发酵苹果渣粉组试鸡6周龄平均体重及日增重显著高于喂基础日粮的对照组和风干未发酵苹 果渣粉组(P<0．05),喂基础日粮的对照组略高于风干未发酵苹果渣粉组,差异不显著 (P>0．05)。表明发酵苹果渣粉对雏鸡生长发育有显著的促进效果。     

Growth response of Ficus benjamina to limited soil volume and soil dilution in a skeletal soil container study

The interactive effects of rooting volume and nutrient availability in a skeletal soil medium designed to meet street tree and pavement needs were observed in a containerized experiment. Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina L.) was grown in a stone-soil blended skeletal soil material (CU-Soil™) and compared to a loam soil. The same topsoil used as the soil component in the skeletal soil material was used as the sole component in the comparison soil-only treatment.Plants grown in the skeletal soil material had reduced leaf tissue N content and depressed growth compared with plants grown in non-diluted soil. No other mineral deficiencies were found. Leaf number, chlorophyll concentration, shoot weight, and root characteristics were all affected.Reduced growth from soil dilution could be offset by the provision of an enlarged rooting volume for root development. Large containers of skeletal soil were observed to have smaller root systems compared to equivalent net volumes of loam soil at the first two harvest dates of the study. By the end of the study, the large containers of skeletal soil were observed to have developed larger root systems compared to equivalent net volumes of loam soil; resulting in comparable leaf N levels and total plant dry matter. Plants in skeletal soil had lower shoot: root ratios at the end of the study. Investing resources to further root growth in times of nutrient shortages is a probable plant reaction as evidenced by differences in specific root length between treatments. The study allowed a method for directly partitioning the containerization effect by having equivalent amounts of soil over two volumes.     

土壤中氮营养斑研究进展

由于自然和人为因素,营养斑(nutrient patch)在土壤中是普遍存在的。从70年代以来,国外就通过各种模拟方式对土壤中营养斑进行了大量的研究,尤其以对氮营养斑研究居多。研究表明:氮营养斑对新生根系的繁殖影响较为明显,但不同植物反应不一样,影响机理还不很清楚。营养斑也是生物活性较强、种群数量较多区域,在养分循环体系中起着特殊作用。营养斑对土壤的理化性质和生物性质可能有很大的影响,但这方面的研究很欠缺。本文主要对土壤中氮营养班的研究进展做一综述。