Challenges facing arthropod biological control: identifying traits for genetic improvement of predators in protected crops

Biological control is an efficient pest control method but there are still limitations that are hindering its wider adoption. Genetic improvement of biological control agents (BCAs) can help to overcome these constraints, but the choice of key attributes for better performance that need to be selected is still an open question. Several characteristics have been suggested but the harsh reality is that selective breeding of BCAs has received a lot of attention but resulted in very little progress. Identifying the appropriate traits to be prioritized may be the first step to reverse this situation. In our opinion, the best way is to look at the factors limiting the performance of key BCAs, especially generalist predators (pesticide compatibility, prey‐density dependence, non‐suitable crops, and extreme environmental conditions), and according to these challenges, to choose the attributes that would allow BCAs to overcome those limitations. The benefits of selection for higher resistance to toxins, whether artificially applied (pesticides) or plant produced (plant defenses); increased fitness when feeding on non‐prey food (supplemented or plant‐derived); and better adaptation to extreme temperature and humidity are discussed. In conclusion, genetic improvement of BCAs can bring about new opportunities to biocontrol industry and users to enhance biocontrol resilience. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

金耳有效原种的配方和品种筛选

将生产中用到的两个金耳品种作为研究对象,将不同配方培养基中的菌丝、子实体生长状况进行对比,挑选出更适宜大规模生产的金耳品种,并探究麦麸在金耳有效原种制备中的必要性。研究结果显示,金耳1号菌丝较金耳2号更粗壮,长势更好,菌丝满瓶速度更快,子实体形态更好,更适合作为大规模生产的品种进行推广,且添加麦麸的配方更适合金耳1号原种生长。     

辽东地区林下人工猪苓繁殖与栽培可行性分析

介绍了猪苓的药理作用以及人工栽培猪苓的方法。     

Genotyping,pedigree reconstruction and endocrinological characterization of Acipenser naccarii (Bonaparte, 1836) using microsatellite markers and plasma steroid levels

This study aimed to set up a method for the long‐term management of Adriatic sturgeon, through the analysis of sex steroids and the genetic profiling of individuals in order to maximize the already reduced genetic variability of this species. Ten A. naccarii adults (nine of captive origin, one captured in the Ticino river and then moved into captivity) and eight subadults located in a semi‐natural land‐locked pond in Abbiategrasso (Milan, Italy) were analysed. Plasma testosterone differed significantly in the eight analysed subadults allowing their differentiation into two groups: the first group with an average testosterone concentration of 5.42 ± 1.31 ng/ml (probably female) and the second group with an average of 423.14 ± 75.97 ng/ml (probably male), as subsequently confirmed by artificial stripping. The plasma testosterone level was also significantly different between adult males and females (371.37 ± 43.58 vs. 95.34 ± 51.10 ng/ml), while the E2 levels showed no significant differences. Animals were genotyped on the basis of 10 microsatellite loci and their parental relationships were defined: four adults, two females and two males, generated the eight subadults. On the basis of pedigree analyses and genetic distances, 15 unrelated couples were identified for the future breeding seasons. Finally, the adult female captured in the Ticino River showed an interesting genetic profile, widely different from all of the other 17 specimens analysed, and represents a valuable source of genetic diversity.     

人工饲养条件下喜马拉雅旱獭血脂和血液流变学指标测定

测定人工饲养条件下喜马拉雅旱獭血脂及血液流变学指标,并对雌雄个体间及与野生状态下喜马拉雅旱獭相关指标进行比较。结果表明:人工饲养喜马拉雅旱獭雌、雄性个体全血黏度(ηa)、全血还原黏度(ηn)、红细胞压积(HCT)、红细胞刚性指数(IR)及血沉方程K值(KESR)差异均不显著(P0.05);野生状态与人工饲养条件下的旱獭血液流变学和血脂水平比较显示,野生成体旱獭血浆黏度(ηp)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、全血还原黏度(ηn)、红细胞电泳指数(ES)、胆固醇水平(CHOL)、甘油三酯(TG)水平均显著高于人工条件下驯养旱獭的指标(p0.01)。以上数据的获得将为喜马拉雅旱獭作为实验动物进行应用开发提供基础资料。     

纵条纹炭角菌的研究进展

纵条纹炭角菌具有镇静、催眠等药用价值,已实现工厂化、规模化栽培。为探究纵条纹炭角菌的研究进展,对其分类学地位、生物学特性、人工培养、化学成分和生理活性等方面的文献进行综述,并提出未来研究的方向和应用前景。     

Timed Artificial Insemination by Combining Estrous Behavior Observation With Deslorelin Treatment in Jennies

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal time for ovulation induction and artificial insemination (AI) based on the relationship between estrous behavior and ovulation in jennies. Thirty-two jennies were teased by one jackass for 1 hour per day during 46 days and estrous behaviors were recorded, while the follicular development and ovulation was examined by ultrasound. Furthermore, another 31 jennies were teased by one jackass as the teasing group (group T), which were injected with Deslorelin at 2 and 4 days after the onset of estrus, and AI was performed at 8 hours after each injection. Moreover, Ultrasound was performed on the follicle development of 23 jennies as the ultrasonography group (group U). Injection with Deslorelin when the follicle diameter ≥ 30 mm, and AI was performed at 8 hours later. The results showed that mouth clapping was the specific estrous behavior of jennies and indicated the beginning of estrus. The mean time for jennies to develop dominant follicles (≥30 mm) after the onset of estrus was 3.5 ± 1.3 days, and the mean time between the onset of estrus and ovulation was 5.1 ± 1.5 days. Estrous behaviors ended 0.5 ± 1.2 days after ovulation. After AI, there were no significant differences in ovulation (96.8% vs. 91.3%) and conception rates (40.0% vs. 38.1%) between group T and U. The optimal breeding time of jennies can be determined by jackass teasing and hastening ovulation by Deslorelin injection.     

陕北黄土高原植被恢复对土壤理化性状的影响

为了解陕北黄土高原不同植被恢复类型对土壤理化性状的影响及其季节变化,采用完全随机设计,以陕北黄土高原恢复19年的杏树林、沙棘林、油松林和刺槐林为研究对象,以耕作相同年限农田为对照,分析不同植被恢复类型、土层和季节对土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、pH以及电导率的影响。结果表明,土壤有机质、速效磷和速效钾在不同人工林地间达到显著差异水平,人工林地土壤养分含量均高于玉米农地,杏树林和沙棘林相对较高,刺槐林相对较低。碱解氮、pH和电导率在不同人工林地间没有达到显著差异水平。随着土层加深,土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾显著降低,pH和电导率土层间变化规律不一致。土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效钾和电导率在夏季和春季较高,土壤速效磷和pH在冬季和秋季较高。0~20 cm土层,有机质与碱解氮和速效钾均达到显著正相关水平;20~40 cm土层,土壤有机质与电导率呈显著正相关关系,速效磷与速效钾呈显著负相关;速效钾和电导率在各土层间均达到显著正相关水平,pH与电导率在各土层间均呈显著负相关关系。植被恢复显著提高了土壤养分,杏树林和沙棘林富集土壤养分能力优于油松林和刺槐林。     

三江源区不同建植年限人工草地根系动态特征

根系动态特征能够反映人工草地植物利用土壤资源的效率和群落恢复演替的程度。本研究以三江源区不同建植年限（5、6、9和13年）人工草地植物根系为研究对象，利用“微根管”技术，连续两个生长季（2015年5-9月和2016年5-9月）探究了4个建植年限人工草地根系动态特征。结果表明：地上生物量和丰富度在建植5~9年呈下降趋势，建植9~13年显著上升；土壤理化性质呈“N”字型变化，不同建植年限间差异显著；随建植年限增加，根系寿命、累积生产量和累积死亡量均波动上升，根系的生长和死亡主要发生在0~10 cm土层；根系平均现存量随建植年限增加持续增加，建植6~9年趋于深层化；根系生产量、死亡量和现存量具有明显季节变化，6月为生长高峰期，7月为现存量高峰期，8月为死亡高峰期，建植9年人工草地根系正生长高峰期迟于其他建植年限；建植年限和土层深度直接影响根系寿命，其余环境因子通过影响土壤速效养分或地上生物量间接影响根系现存量。综上所述，建植人工草地能够增加地上生物量和丰富度，改善土壤质量，促进根系现存量的增加，建植6~9年人工草地的二次退化现象只是暂时性过渡阶段，可在此阶段制定合理的人工管理措施来保证土壤养分的稳定输入，加快群落正向演替的进程，从而提高人工草地的群落稳定性和恢复力。     

Frost response in wheat and early detection using proximal sensors

Frost can significantly reduce production of field crops grown in Mediterranean‐type environments, where significant economic losses for Australian wheat occur annually. If non‐destructive sensors could make rapid, spatial assessment of frost damage, this could limit economic losses through timely management decisions. This paper reports on a methodology for imposing frost treatments to wheat under field conditions and the utility of canopy reflectance data for detecting early crop damage. Purpose‐built chambers using stepped additions of dry ice allowed for a range of frost scenarios to be tested when applied at wheat heading and anthesis. For frost treatments applied at anthesis, grain number and yield were reduced by 8.8% and 7.2%, respectively, for every degree Celsius below zero (down to ?4°C). This effect was additive over two consecutive nights. For cold load equivalent, there was a 2.2% and 1.9% reduction in grain number and yield, respectively, per °C hr (below 0°C). For wheat, spectral indices PRI and NDVI (reflectance) and FRF_G and SFR_G (fluorescence) showed significant relationships, with cold load applied for heading treatments. Next steps include targeting frost intensities equivalent to cold loads between 20 and 80°C hr and testing the utility of these proposed indices in a commercial paddock setting.