Is it possible to differentiate between environmental and fishery effects on abundance‐biomass variation? A case study of blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in the Strait of Gibraltar

We assessed the potential for simulation and modelling of the blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) population in the Strait of Gibraltar to discriminate the environmental effects of fishery impacts. A discrete biomass–abundance dynamic model was implemented to obtain a simulated monthly time series of blackspot seabream biomass. On this simulated time series, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were fitted. The best ARIMA fit provided a significant correlation of 0.76 and persistence index higher than 0.85. The proportion of variance non‐explained by the ARIMA models was correlated with a time series of sea surface temperature (SST) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The analysis of global, annual and winter correlation between the proportion of variance not explained by the ARIMA models and environmental variables showed that significant associations were not detected over the full time series. Our analysis therefore suggests that overexploitation is the main factor responsible for the commercial depletion of blackspot seabream in the Strait of Gibraltar.     

Compatibility of root growth and tuber production of potato cultivars with dynamic and static water‐saving irrigation managements

The important root characteristics of root length density (RLD) and root mass density (RMD) generally differ among irrigation managements and potato cultivars. The objective of this study was to investigate the RLD and RMD variations and their functional relationships with gross potato tuber yield for two commercial potato cultivars, Agria and Sante, under different irrigation strategies. Full irrigation and water‐saving irrigation strategies, deficit and partial root drying irrigations, were applied statically (S) and dynamically (D) based on daily crop evapotranspiration. Results showed that SPRD had significantly greater RLD (3.64 cm/cm³) and RMD (132.7 μg/cm³) than other irrigation treatments. Between the potato cultivars, Agria had significantly larger values of RLD (3.50 cm/cm³) and RMD (138.7 μg/cm³) than Sante. The functional relationship between the root growth characteristics and tuber yield showed that under water‐saving irrigations, Agria increased root mass at the expense of gross tuber yield but Sante increased root mass to maintain larger gross tuber yields. However, Agria produced more roots and gross tuber yield than Sante, and it is concluded that Agria is a more drought‐tolerant potato cultivar, which is recommended for tuber production in regions where water might be scarce. It was shown that larger root production in potatoes was associated with improved tolerance to water stress.     

First report of Fusarium oxysporum species complex infection in zebrafish culturing system

Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) is a highly diverse fungus. Recently, F. oxysporum infection was identified from zebrafish (Danio rerio) culturing system in Korea. Initially, a rapid whitish smudge was appeared in the water with the fungal blooming on walls of fish tanks. Microscopic studies were conducted on fungal hyphae, colony pigmentation and chlamydospore formation and the presence of macro‐ and microspores confirmed that the isolated fungus as F. oxysporum. Furthermore, isolated F. oxysporum was confirmed by internal transcribed spacer sequencing which matched (100%) to nine F. oxysporum sequences available in GenBank. Experimental hypodermic injection of F. oxysporum into adult zebrafish showed the development of fungal mycelium and pathogenicity similar to signs observed. Histopathologic results revealed a presence of F. oxysporum hyphae in zebrafish muscle. Fusarium oxysporum growth was increased with sea salt in a concentration‐dependent manner. Antifungal susceptibility results revealed that F. oxysporum is resistant to copper sulphate (up to 200 μg mL^?1) and sensitive to nystatin (up to 40 μg mL^?1). This is the first report of FOSC from zebrafish culture system, suggesting it appears as an emerging pathogen, thus posing a significant risk on zebrafish facilities in the world.     

The Effect of Kefir as a Dietary Supplement on Nonspecific Immune Response and Disease Resistance in Juvenile Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792)

In this study, juvenile rainbow trout fed with commercial pellets containing kefir provided increased nonspecific immune response and improved disease resistance against lactococcosis and yersiniosis. Kefir was used as a feed supplement at 2, 5, and 10% inclusion rates and several nonspecific immune parameters were observed at day(s) 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 following the treatment. A total of four experimental groups, including control, was established. The various parameters including hematocrits, nitroblue tetrazolium positive neutrophils, total leukocytes, serum lysozyme activity, total serum protein, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were examined. As a result of this study, kefir‐fed fish had an increase in measured nonspecific immune parameters, especially in the group received the 10% kefir treatment. The challenged fish fed with kefir‐supplemented diet showed a better survival rate against Lactococcus garvieae than Yersinia ruckeri. Kefir supplementation reduced fish mortality significantly against L. garvieae.     

Two biomass preparation methods provide insights into studying microbial communities of intestinal mucosa in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Animal digestive tract is habitat for a large number of autochthonous microbiota, which play central roles in multiple biological and physiological processes of the host. In this study, two different micro‐biomass preparation methods were employed to evaluate the diversity of intestinal mucosa‐associated microbiota in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). Genomic DNAs were isolated either directly from intestinal mucosal samples (group A), or from micro‐biomass after microbial dissociation (group B). Community richness, diversity and evenness indices were all higher in group B, but differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.97, P = 0.33, P = 0.34 respectively). Furthermore, group B samples exhibited an increased ratio of bacterial DNA in comparison with group A samples, but the difference was also not statistically significant (P = 0.74). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05) at the taxonomic level. Our results support previous findings that there exists a great abundance of the intestinal mucosa‐adherent microbiota in the grass carp; among these, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Spirochaetes and Fusobacteria were the most common phyla. Within these microbiota, Paenibacillus, Bacteroides, Bacillus and Cetobacterium genera comprise the majority of the community, implicating their functional importance (e.g. as probiotics) to their host. Our results contribute towards a better understanding of the intestinal microbial profile of grass carp. Both micro‐biomass preparation techniques proved to be feasible for studying mucosa‐adherent microbiota of grass carp; however, the second method (group B) provides a protocol that is somewhat more effective than the first method (group A).     

Influence of nanochitosan/zeolite composite on growth performance,digestive enzymes and serum biochemical parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Protective effects of nanochitosan/zeolite composite besides zeolite and chitosan/zeolite composite on rainbow trout growth, digestive enzyme activities and biochemical parameters were studied. Nanochitosan/zeolite hybrid composites with three different ratio of nanochitosan:zeolite (35:100, 3.5:100 and 0.35:100) were synthesized and analysed by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal gravim (TG) analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) methods. Prepared composites as well as zeolite and control diets were fed to rainbow trout (50 g) for a period of 60 days. The addition of treated diets significantly improved growth performance compared to the control diet. Supplemental zeolite could only enhance the amylase activity in fish intestine, whereas other treatment groups could increase the pepsin activity besides intestinal alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and amylase activities. No differences were observed for intestinal acid phosphatase and lipase activities among the experimental diets. Meanwhile, serum total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation product, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA), significantly increased and decreased, respectively, with some doses of administration, indicating the elevated antioxidant status in treatment groups. Serum‐specific marker enzymes, namely aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were not affected in all groups. Meanwhile serum total protein in most treatment groups was significantly higher than the control group. Results showed that synthesized composites especially nanochitosan/zeolite composite at 5 g/kg had potential to enhance growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and some biochemical parameters in rainbow trout.     

Investigations into the temporal development of epitheliocystis infections in brown trout: a histological study

Epitheliocystis in Swiss brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a chlamydial infection, mainly caused by Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis and Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola. To gain a better understanding of the temporal development of infections in wild brown trout, we investigated epitheliocystis infections during the course of the summer and autumn months of a single year (2015), and compared this to sampling points over the span of the years 2012–2014. The survey focused on tributaries (Venoge and Boiron) of the Rhone flowing in to Lake Geneva. When evaluated histologically, epitheliocystis infections were found throughout the period of investigation with the exception of the month of June. Fifty to 86 animals per sampling were investigated. Highest prevalence and infection intensities were seen in September. A correlation between epitheliocystis infection and water temperatures was not evident. Interyear comparison revealed consistent levels of prevalence and infection intensities in late summer. The absence of infections in June, combined with the consistent interyear results, indicates seasonal fluctuation of epitheliocystis infections in brown trout with a reservoir persisting during winter months from which infections can re‐initiate each year. This could either be at levels below detection limits within the brown trout population itself or in an alternative host.     

The efficiency of nitrogen in cattle manures when applied to a double‐annual forage cropping system

The use of cattle manure (CM) for fertilization presents challenges for optimizing nitrogen (N) use. Our work aimed to assess N efficiencies, in a 6‐year experiment with three biennial rotations of four crops: oat–sorghum (first year) and ryegrass–maize (second year) in a rainfed humid Mediterranean area of Spain. Fertilization treatments included the following: control (no N), 250 kg mineral N ha^?1 year^?1 (250MN), three CM rates (supplying 170, 250 and 500 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) and four treatments where the two lowest CM rates were complemented with either 80 or 160 kg mineral N ha^?1 year^?1. Treatments were distributed randomly in each of three blocks. Maximum dry‐matter yield (~44–49 t ha^?1 rotation^?1) was achieved in the third rotation, and only the control and the 170CM yielded significantly less. Within the limitations of the EU Nitrate Directive, the N steady state supply of 170CM always requires a complement of mineral N (80 kg N ha^?1) to maximize N agronomic efficiency. The maximum N‐fertilizer replacement value (250CM vs. 250MN) was 0·67, without significant differences between the two treatments in other N‐related efficiency indexes, which indicates that plants took advantage of residual‐N effects. Nitrogen losses by leaching in the 250CM treatment were around 5–7% of the N applied. This reinforces the sustainability of manure recycling in long cropping seasons.     

Effect of l‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate supplementation on growth performance,body composition,antioxidative capacity and salinity stress tolerance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid (AsA), in the form of l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate (LAPP) on growth performance, body composition, antioxidative capacity and salinity stress tolerance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Five practical diets (46% crude protein and 7.6% lipid) supplemented with graded levels of AsA (14.64, 48.55, 84.98, 308.36 and 639.27 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to five replicate groups of L. vannamei (mean initial wet weight 0.57 g). No significant differences were found on growth performance among all treatments. However, whole body lipid content significantly decreased with dietary AsA levels increasing. Activities of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly affected by dietary AsA levels. Shrimp fed LAPP‐free diet had higher malondialdehyde content than those fed the diets supplemented with LAPP. Dietary AsA levels higher than 308.36 mg kg^?1 diet increased the survival of shrimps after 1, 2 and 3 h of acute salinity change. Broken‐line regression analysis on survival after 3 h of salinity stress and second‐degree polynomial regression analysis on glutathione reductase data indicated that the optimal dietary AsA requirement of L. vannamei was estimated to be 306.39, 319.75 mg kg^?1 diet respectively.