Dietary β‐carotene improves growth performance and antioxidant status of juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary synthetic β‐carotene on growth performance, haematological and immunological parameters, energy reserves and antioxidant status of juvenile fish Piaractus mesopotamicus. Two hundred and ten fish (12.24 ± 2.98 g) were fed with a control extruded feed (CEF) and the same diet supplemented with β‐carotene (BEF) for 90 days. A higher weight gain and specific growth rate were found in fish fed BEF in comparison with those fed CEF. In addition, BEF‐fed fish showed lower liver somatic index and a higher percentage of eosinophils. No statistical differences were found in energy reserves, except for plasma triglycerides which decreased in fish fed with BEF. Regarding oxidative stress markers, decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes were found in intestine and gills of BEF‐fed fish (SOD and GST, respectively). In the liver, both LPO levels and CAT activity decreased in fish fed with BEF. Additionally, lower brain LPO levels without changes in the antioxidant enzymes were observed in BEF‐fed fish. The inclusion of dietary synthetic β‐carotene improved growth and antioxidant status, and had a plasma triglyceride‐lowering effect in juvenile P. mesopotamicus.     

What can we learn by studying dead fish fry?

This study investigated the influence of temperature (4, 8 and 12°C) on development and survival of brown trout (Salmo trutta) fry. The three aims of this study were: (a) to propose a typology of malformations; (b) to compare malformation types between live and dead fry and (c) to establish relationships between temperature and malformation occurrences. It was found 20 single malformations and 39 combinations of two or more malformations. Comparison between dead and live fry at different development stages (hatching, emergence and first food intake) showed that malformations of yolk sac were predominant at hatching and then decreased, while malformations of skeleton or multiple malformations were higher thereafter. All dead fry, and only 14% of live fry were malformed. Dead fry were mainly characterized by yolk sac malformations and multiple malformations whatever the temperature. Live fry showed a higher rate of skeleton malformations at 12°C, and the different types of malformations were equally represented at two other temperatures (4 and 8°C). To conclude, it is suggested that some malformations (yolk sac at hatching, yolk sac associated with skeleton malformations at emergence and skeleton at first food intake or combinations of malformations at all stages)might be lethal as they were founding dead fry and that temperature influences differently the occurrence of malformations.     

Effects of natural feeding stimulants and glutamic acid supplementation on the feed intake,growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of red sea bream (Pagrus major) fed fish meal‐free soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based diet

Two experiments were conducted for red sea bream (Pagrus major). In experiment 1, the optimum level of glutamic acid and natural feeding stimulants to enhance feed intake were determined and found that glutamic acid level of 0.5% and fish meat hydrolysate (FMH) were effective. In experiment 2, fish were fed with soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based diet with synthetic feeding stimulants (Basal diet), the Basal diet with FMH (FMH diet), the FMH diet with glutamic acid (FMHG diet) and with fish meal diet (FM diet) as a control until satiation for 8 weeks. Feed intake of FMHG‐fed fish was significantly higher than others (p < 0.05). Specific growth rate and the feed conversion ratio of FMHG were comparable to those of FM‐fed fish (p > 0.05). Relative visceral fat ratio and crude lipid content of any SPC‐based diet‐fed fish tended to be lower than those of FM diet‐fed fish. There were no significant differences in trypsin and lipase activities hepatopancreas among treatments. SPC can be utilized as a sole protein source in a diet for red sea bream. The lower growth performance in SPC‐based diet‐ fed fish was not due to poor digestive enzyme secretion but could be associated with lipid utilization disorder.     

Associations between morphometric variables and weight and yields carcass in Pirapitinga Piaractus brachypomus

The objective of this work was to evaluate the association between morphometric variables and carcass characteristics in Pirapitinga. We used a thousand specimens of Pirapitinga with an average weight of 1,200 g, which were stunned, slaughtered, weighed, measured, and processed for morphometric and processing yield analysis, to obtain weights, carcass and fillet yields. Initially, the linearity of the variables was verified. Pearson's simple and partial correlation tests were performed between all metrics. Track analysis was performed considering the weights and yields of carcass and filet as dependent variables and the others as independent variables. Ridge regression models were used to eliminate the effects of multicollinearity among the independent variables. Observations showed that the simple correlations between body weights and yields were superior to the partial ones in terms of magnitude. The length and circumference of the specimens were the measures most linearly associated with weight, carcass weight and fillet with rib weight. As for carcass yield and fillet yield, linear correlation coefficients were low and not significant when associated with body weights. With the path analysis, we could observe significant positive correlations between the morphometric measurements for weight, carcass weight and fillet with rib weight. The standard length, body circumference and body circumference/body height ratio are the most correlated. The latter are the most important variables in the evaluation of body weights in Pirapitinga fish. They can serve as criteria for indirect selection in searching for fish with better carcass characteristics. As for fillet and carcass yields, the morphometric variables have not shown to be efficient for indirect selection.     

Prevention and Controlling Effect of Intercropping on Pests and Diseases and Its Risk Control in Cotton Fields

Cotton is one of the major field crops which are seriously threatened by pests and diseases. In recent years, the ecological management of cotton pests and diseases with intercropping has become to be an interesting approach. Intercropping possibly increases the population of natural enemies and finally reduces the population density of pests as a result of changes in ecological structure and environmental conditions of farmland. Intercropping thus has been considered an important alternative in controlling pests and diseases. However, cotton field intercropping also has some limitations in controlling pests and diseases. Unreasonable intercropping system has many risks such as increasing labor input, increasing the difficulty of pests’ control, and aggravating pests and diseases. In this paper, the effects and the underlying mechanisms of cotton intercropping on cotton pests and diseases were reviewed. The possible risks and countermeasures used for ecological control of intercropping were also put forward, and the future and application of ecological management of cotton pests and diseases with intercropping were prospected.     

寄生不同龄期草地贪夜蛾的斑痣悬茧蜂生长发育表现

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J. E. Smith),又称秋黏虫,是新入侵我国的外来物种。为探究本土天敌斑痣悬茧蜂寄生不同龄期草地贪夜蛾幼虫后的生长发育表现,本研究检测了斑痣悬茧蜂寄生2龄、3龄和4龄草地贪夜蛾幼虫后子代蜂幼虫发育历期、茧历期、羽化率、茧重、成蜂个体大小和成蜂寿命。结果表明,寄主龄期对子代蜂的幼虫发育历期、茧历期和成蜂寿命存在显著影响。与寄生4龄幼虫的子代蜂相比,寄生2龄和3龄幼虫的子代蜂幼虫发育历期分别平均延长了2.08 d(z=5.42,P0.05)和1.64 d(z=4.23,P0.05);寄生2龄幼虫的子代蜂茧历期平均延长了0.46 d(z=3.51,P0.05),但寄生4龄幼虫的子代蜂茧历期与寄生3龄幼虫的子代蜂茧历期无显著差异。4龄幼虫体内羽化的子代蜂成蜂寿命比在2龄和3龄幼虫体内羽化的子代蜂成蜂寿命分别平均延长了1.46 d(z=-2.60,P0.05)和1.68 d(z=-2.98,P0.05)。寄主龄期对子代蜂羽化率、茧重和成蜂个体大小无显著影响。随寄主龄期增大,子代蜂的发育速度加快,但寿命缩短。研究结果将为揭示斑痣悬茧蜂与寄主草地贪夜蛾的互作关系提供参考。     

滁河水环境污染防治对策研究

滁河为长江下游左岸一级支流,流经安徽滁州及南京江北地区。滁河既是苏皖两省的交界,又是滁州、南京六合区和浦口区的母亲河。但与此同时,滁河也承担了流域内工业废水、农业废水和生活污水等废水的受纳水体功能。滁河的水环境质量直接影响到滁河流域人民的生活饮用水安全。因此,本研究对滁河进行了水环境质量监测,分析了造成滁河水体污染的主要污染源,并调查了产生过量污染的主要原因,在此基础上提出了针对性的水污染防治对策。     

中国茶园有害生物防控40年

总结了改革开放40年来,我国茶园有害生物防控领域取得的重要研究进展,分析了现阶段我国茶园有害生物防控存在的问题,提出了相应的发展对策,为我国茶园有害生物防控研究工作提供参考。     

茶树叶部害虫之金黄色的茶叶斑蛾

茶叶斑蛾属鳞翅目斑蛾科,以幼虫咀食茶树叶片为害,是茶树叶部害虫之一。本文主要从茶叶斑蛾的分布与为害、形态特征、生活习性3个方面对其进行介绍,并提出防治措施,以期为广大茶农或技术员提供更直观的害虫识别与科学防控方法。     

甘州区规模化羊场主要疫病及防控措施探讨

肉羊养殖逐渐向规模化方向发展,但是口蹄疫、小反刍兽疫、羊布病等疫病防控面临形势愈加严重。需要从羊场设计、加强饲养管理、消毒、驱虫、制定合理免疫程序加强防检疫工作等多方面采取综合防控措施,降低疫病风险,取得最大养殖效益。