Replacement of live food with a microbound diet in feeding Litopenaeus setiferus (Burkenroad) larvae

Microbound feeds have been well accepted by shrimps and farmers in many penaeid shrimp hatcheries. The present study focused on an adequate level of replacement of Artemia nauplii and microalgae by a microbound diet for rearing Litopenaeus setiferus (Burkenroad) larvae. A microbound diet (MBD) consisting of fishmeal, squid meal, shrimp meal, yeast meal and soybean meal was used. The first experiment was designed to obtain the optimum level of MBD to complete the live feeding schedule, from Protozoea (PZ_III) to Mysis (M_III). The experimental levels of the microbound diet tested were 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1. The next step was to determine the Artemia nauplii replacement level from PZ_I to M_III by MBD. These experiments were carried out either in the presence (Experiment 2) or in the absence of algae (Experiment 3). Four replacement levels were tested: 0% (4 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 1 Artemia nauplii mL^?1), 40% (5.5 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 0.6 Artemia nauplii), 60% (6.5 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 0.4 Artemia nauplii) and 100% (8 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 0 Artemia nauplii). In all experiments growth, survival, development, quality index (QI) and performance index (PI), were used to determine the optimum concentration of microbound diet. Results showed that 6 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1 can be recommended as a complement to live food for L. setiferus larvae from PZ_III to M_III. In the presence of algae, maximum growth and survival may be obtained in 40–60% (5.5–6.5 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1) of Artemia nauplii replacement levels. In the absence of algae, the Artemia nauplii replacement resulted in slower development, less salinity resistance, lower growth and lower survival than was obtained in larvae fed with algae.     

A feed is only as good as its ingredients – a review of ingredient evaluation strategies for aquaculture feeds

The evaluation of feed ingredients is crucial to nutritional research and feed development for aquaculture species. In evaluating ingredients for use in aquaculture feeds, there are several important knowledge components that should be understood to enable the judicious use of a particular ingredient in feed formulation. This includes information on (1) ingredient digestibilities, (2) ingredient palatability and (3) nutrient utilization and interference. Diet design, feeding strategy, faecal collection method and method of calculation all have important implications on the determination of the digestible value of nutrients from any ingredient. There are several ways in which palatability of ingredients can be assessed, usually based on variable inclusion levels of the ingredient in question in a reference diet and feeding of those diets under an apparent satietal or self‐regulating feeding regimes. However, the design of the diets, the parameters of assessment and the feeding regime can all be subject to variation depending on subtleties of the experimental design. Clearly, issues relating to feed intake are the key performance criteria in palatability assessments, and it is important that such experiments maintain sufficient stringency to allow some self‐discrimination of the test feeds by the fish. The ability of fish to use nutrients from the test ingredient, or defining factors that interfere with that process, is perhaps the most complex and variable part of the ingredient evaluation process. It is crucial to discriminate effects on feed intake from effects on utilization of nutrients from ingredients (for growth and other metabolic processes). To allow an increased focus on nutrient utilization by the animals, there are several experimental strategies that can be adopted, which are based on variations in diet design and feeding regime used. Other issues such as ingredient functionality, influence on immune status and effects on organoleptic qualities are also important consideration in determining the value of ingredients in aquaculture feed formulations. A key aspect to note is the need to design all experiments with sufficient experimental capacity to detect significant effects.     

Effect of crude oil extracts from trout offal as a replacement for fish oil in the diets of the Australian native fish Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii

The efficacy of trout oil (TO), extracted from trout offal from the aquaculture industry, was evaluated in juvenile Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (25.4±0.81 g) diets in an experiment conducted over 60 days at 23.7±0.8 °C. Five isonitrogenous (48% protein), isolipidic (16%) and isoenergetic (21.8 kJ g^?1) diets, in which the fish oil fraction was replaced in increments of 25% (0–100%), were used. The best growth and feed efficiency was observed in fish fed diets containing 50–75% TO. The relationship of specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) to the amount of TO in the diets was described in each case by second‐order polynomial equations (P<0.05), which were: SGR=–0.44TO²+0.52TO+1.23 (r²=0.90, P<0.05); FCR=0.53TO²–0.64TO+1.21 (r²=0.95, P<0.05); and PER=–0.73TO²+0.90TO+1.54 (r²=0.90, P<0.05). Significant differences in carcass and muscle proximate compositions were noted among the different dietary treatments. Less lipid was found in muscle than in carcass. The fatty acids found in highest amounts in Murray cod, irrespective of the dietary treatment, were palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid (18:1n‐9), linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3). The fatty acid composition of the muscle reflected that of the diets. Both the n‐6 fatty acid content and the n‐3 to n‐6 ratio were significantly (P<0.05) related to growth parameters, the relationships being as follows. Percentage of n‐6 in diet (X) to SGR and FCR: SGR=–0.12X²+3.96X–32.51 (r²=0.96) and FCR=0.13X²–4.47X+39.39 (r²=0.98); and n‐3:n‐6 ratio (Z) to SGR, FCR, PER: SGR=–2.02Z²+5.01Z–1.74 (r²=0.88), FCR=2.31Z²–5.70Z+4.54 (r²=0.93) and PER=–3.12Z²–7.56Z+2.80 (r²=0.88) respectively. It is evident from this study that TO could be used effectively in Murray cod diets, and that an n‐3:n‐6 ratio of 1.2 results in the best growth performance in Murray cod.     

Amino acid profile of the quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) using near infrared spectroscopy and chemometric techniques

The high content of amino acids of the quinoa, especially essential amino acids (higher than other cereals) makes a food increasingly demanded by consumers. A total of twelve amino acids (arginine, cystine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine) were analyzed in quinoa samples from Chile by near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) with direct application to the samples of a remote fiber-optic reflectance probe. The calibration results using modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression satisfactorily allowed the determination of the concentrations of this amino acid group with high multiple correlation coefficients (RSQ = 0.97–0.71) and low standard prediction errors (SEPC = 0.07–0.20). The prediction capacity (RPD) for the arginine, the cystine, the isoleucine, the lysine, the serine, the threonine, the tryptophan, the tyrosine and the valine ranged between 2.6 and 5.2, for the rest of amino acids were higher to 1.8, indicating that the NIRS equations obtained were applicable to unknown samples. It has confirmed that NIRS technology is a method that may be useful to replace the traditional methods for routine analysis of some amino acids.     

2000—2020年四川省植被覆盖时空变化特征及其气候驱动因子

[目的] 对四川省植被变化规律及影响因子进行分析,为该地区自然资源可持续发展提供理论支持。[方法] 基于2000—2020年四川省MODIS-NDVI数据集,统计研究区2000—2020年植被覆盖度(FVC),分析其时空变化特征以及与气候因子的关系。[结果] ①四川省FVC变化趋于稳定,其多年FVC均值在0.50左右。②在空间尺度上,FVC存在明显的空间分布异质性,东部FVC高于西部,且从西北向东南方向呈现依次递增的空间分布格局。③四川省高植被覆盖度区域面积比例达到70%左右,其总体植被状况较好,且总体存在缓慢增长的迹象。④研究区内FVC变化与气温、降水正负相关关系并存且面积比例接近。⑤四川省FVC变化的驱动力主要为非气候因子,以气候因子为驱动的区域面积占研究区总面积的21.17%。[结论] 四川省地形地貌复杂,气候条件好,植被生长旺盛,多年来FVC较为稳定,维护了长江中上游地区的生态环境。四川省未来应着重关注人类活动因子,积极构建长江中上游生态屏障。     

基于偏最小二乘法的武汉市生态足迹模型及驱动力研究

选取表征社会经济发展的重要指标建立了社会经济系统指标,在对武汉市1990~2012年生态足迹计算结果基础上,应用偏最小二乘法构建了武汉市生态足迹回归模型,并分阶段对其生态足迹驱动力进行了分析。结果表明,1990~2010年间武汉市生态足迹呈上升趋势,主要驱动力为城市化率、人口规模及经济水平的提高;2010年武汉市生态足迹达到高峰值,为2 335.537 hm2,人均生态足迹为2.8 hm2/人,随后生态足迹与GDP及人均可支配收入于2011年开始呈现负相关性,生态足迹与GDP开始呈现倒“U”型转折点,人均生态足迹于2012年下降为2.43 hm2/人;“十二五”期间,武汉市高新技术产业所占比例及第三产业所占比例的增加,能源消耗总量及万元工业能耗的下降,对减缓人口对自然资源的依赖发挥了重要的作用。     

基于近红外光谱苗期玉米叶片叶绿素含量的无损检测方法

试验以42片未经处理的苗期玉米叶片为试材,采用近红外光谱检测技术和SNV+Detrending的预处理方法,应用偏最小二乘回归分析方法建立定量分析模型,通过测定近红外光谱图,研究3 300~10 000 cm-1范围内苗期玉米叶片的光谱特性。结果表明,测定苗期玉米叶片叶绿素含量的决定系数R2为0.989,残差均方根RMSE为0.047,采用近红外光谱快速检测苗期玉米叶片叶绿素含量是可行的。     

Forest management inspired by natural disturbance dynamics (DISTDYN) – a long-term research and development project in Finland

A large-scale and long-term research and development project Forest management inspired by natural disturbance dynamics (DISTDYN) was initiated in Finland in 2009. The aim is to examine how variation in spatial and temporal scales of felling affects forest structure and biota. Harvesting methods applied in this project include selection, gap, partial and clear felling with variable retention. Rehabilitation is also applied as dead wood is intentionally increased while harvesting. The motivation of the project lies in the growing interest in using natural disturbances as an inspiration of forest-ecosystem management and in the recognition that mid- to small-scale disturbances are a characteristic feature of unmanaged Fennoscandian forests. The effects of felling methods are studied at the stand scale. However, a unique aspect of the project is the focus on landscape-scale impacts of different harvesting alternatives by comparing ca. 150-ha landscape units with varying harvesting regimes. Overall, the project aims at creating a long-lasting multidisciplinary research infrastructure. It also addresses core issues of forest-ecosystem management, including ecological, timber-production, economic and socio-cultural performances of alternative harvesting practices.