Effect of Foliar GA3 and ABA Applications on Reactive Oxygen Metabolism in Black Currants (Ribes nigrum L.) During Bud Para-dormancy and Secondary Bud Burst

The secondary bud burst can cause around 10％-20％ yield losses in black currants, an economically important crop in parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been linked to bud dormancy and its early release (secondary bud burst) in several fruit crops. But the relationship between ROS metabolism and the secondary bud burst is still not well understood in black currants. In the present study, two black currant cultivars (Adelinia and Heifeng) with opposing tendency of exhibiting the secondary bud burst were sprayed with abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) to either inhibit or induce the secondary bud burst. The results showed that ABA inhibited the secondary bud burst by reducing the contents of ROS (H2O2, O2-?) in buds; decreasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT); and increasing the contents of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and ascorbic acid (AsA). GA3 effectively induced the secondary bud burst by increasing ROS contents; increasing the activities of several antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, POD, CAT, glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and the contents of reduced glutathione (GSH); and decreasing the contents of AsA. The experimental results showed that GA3 treatment increased the content of ROS, accelerated the metabolism of reactive oxygen species, and promoted the second burst of black currants. However, ROS metabolism was at a low level under ABA treatment, and the buds remained dormant. These results suggested that ROS metabolism might play an important role in the two black currants of the secondary bud burst.     

白令海陆坡头足类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系分析

根据2002、2004、2008、2010、2012和2016年白令海陆坡海域底层拖网的资源调查数据,分析了白令海陆坡头足类的群落组成,量化了其资源丰度（以CPUE表征,Catch per unit effort）在经纬度上的分布情况,确定了白令海大陆坡头足类优势种和优势种的空间分布及与环境因子的关系,并通过生态学方法对头足类群落多样性进行了研究。结果显示,调查共鉴定头足类20种,分别隶属于3目9 科15属。在纬度上, CPUE最高值（0.78 kg/km2）出现在55oN;经度上除了在166.5oW、171.5oW和177.5oW附近CPUE值超过1.0 kg/km2外,其余经度均稳定在0.3～0.7 kg/km2之间。优势种为贝乌贼、水蛸、加利福尼亚面蛸、光滑深海蛸和太平洋僧头乌贼,并且优势种的分布在空间上存在一定的差异,172oW以东的站点头足类以优势种为主,优势种以外的其他种类分布较少,而在172oW以西的站点发现的头足类中,除了贝乌贼和水蛸资源丰度占比较高外,非优势种的其他头足类占比也较高。GAM分析表明经度、纬度、深度、底层水温和表层水温是影响大多优势种资源丰度的重要因子,聚类分析结果显示不同地区站点主要为两大集群,不同集群之间群落多样性指数存在较大的差异。     

品种及施肥对草地早熟禾种子产量要素和产量的影响

采用5因素混合正交组合设计方案,连续2年对6品种草地早熟禾Poa pratensis种子生产进行研究,结果表明:品种男爵(Baronie)和公园(Park)在酒泉进行种子生产具有一定的优势;种子最高产量分别是584和537 kg/hm2;两品种施肥管理是施肥时期均为春季施1/2 上年秋季施1/2,施氮量均为90 kg/hm2,品种Baronie施P2O5量为120 kg/hm2,Park施P2O5量为90 kg/hm2。     

飞机草的危害及防治措施简介

飞机草Eupatorium odoratum是一种有毒、侵占性极强的检疫性杂草,广泛分布于南美洲、亚洲、非洲、澳洲30多个国家的热带地区,目前已侵入我国南方各省并肆孽成灾。它侵占林地、草场、农田,危害农、林、牧业,危及人、畜健康,严重阻碍社会经济发展。目前国内外防治措施有:机械防治、替代防治、化学防治、生物防治、综合防治等。科技工作者多年的实验表明上述防治方法有一定的效果,为飞机草的防治工作提供了可行性建议。     

Nutrient addition and disturbance effects on the community composition and assembly in a desert steppe北大核心CSCD

The effects of short-term nutrient additions (NPKμ, 10 g·m- 2) and disturbances on the species diversity, functional traits, soil properties, and community assembly mechanisms of the herbaceous community in the Urat desert steppe were examined. A mixed linear model, principal component analysis, and null model methods were utilized and both disturbance and interaction treatments were found to significantly reduce species richness and β diversity. Short-term nutrient additions significantly reduced soil pH but increased soil electrical conductivity. Six functional traits of the dominant species (i.e. Stipa glareosa, Peganum harmala, Salsola collina, Corispermum mongolicum) and six community-weighted mean significant changes under the disturbance and nutrient addition treatments were identified. The disturbance and nutrient additions promoted the transformation of the dominant species in the community from conservative strategies to acquisitive strategies. The results of the two null models revealed that community assembly under the control tended to be a stochastic process, while the disturbance and interaction treatments tended to be deterministic processes, and that of the nutrient addition treatments tended to be weaker deterministic processes. Plant communities in the desert steppe responded and adapted to the nutrient additions and disturbances through changes in the dominant species and their crucial functional traits. © 2023 Chinese Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.     

Role of social structure in establishment of an invasive large mammal after translocation

Background

Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space-use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually.

Results

We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality impacted the home range sizes of translocated wild pigs and found wild pigs maintained larger ranges in areas with higher proportion of low-quality habitat.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest translocations of invasive wild pigs have a greater probability of establishing a viable population near the release site when habitat quality is high and when released with members of their social unit compared to individuals moved independent of their social group or to low-quality habitat. However, all wild pigs translocated in our study made extensive movements from their release location, highlighting the potential for single translocation events of either individuals or groups to have far-reaching consequences within a much broader landscape beyond the location where they are released. These results highlight the challenges associated with containing populations in areas where illegal introduction of wild pigs occurs, and the need for rapid response once releases are identified. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Assessment of the socio-economic impacts associated with the arrival of apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Mwea irrigation scheme,Kenya

Background

In Kenya, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is mainly produced under irrigation by small-scale farmers. Mwea irrigation scheme (MIS) in Kirinyaga County accounts for 80–88% of rice production. Here, rice is the main source of livelihood and a source of revenue generation for the county. However, a recently established invasive freshwater snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) (family: Ampullariidae), a species of apple snail, presents a serious threat to rice production.

Results

Household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews highlight apple snail as a serious problem in MIS. Households that observed at least a moderate level of infestation (>20% of cultivated area) experienced significant reductions in rice yield (~14%) and net rice income (~60%). Farmers reported increased use of chemical pesticides for management of apple snail. In addition, the cost of hired labor for physical removal of egg masses and snails is resulting in substantial negative effects on net income. Farmer age, area of land owned, responsibility for decision-making, receipt of extension advice, training, and membership of a farmer organization, were all statistically significant variables to explain farmers awareness of the need for area-wide apple snail management.

Conclusion

Strategies to limit the spread of apple snail are urgently needed. A Multi-Institutional Technical Team (MITT) has been established to spearhead management efforts and consolidate advice to farmers on how to manage apple snail. However, without action to mitigate spread, the consequences could be disastrous for rice production and food security in Kenya, and for other rice growing regions across Africa. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Protective effect of butylated hydroxylanisole against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic phenolic compound consisting of a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds: 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. We examined the effect of BHA against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Cell viability was significantly decreased by H₂O₂ in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, H₂O₂ treatment increased Bax, decreased Bcl-2, and promoted PARP-1 cleavage in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with BHA before exposure to H₂O₂ significantly attenuated the H₂O₂-induced decrease of cell viability. H₂O₂ exposure resulted in an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation that was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with BHA or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC, an ROS scavenger). H₂O₂-induced decrease of cell viability was also attenuated by pretreatment with BHA and NAC. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced increase of Bax, decrease of Bcl-2, and PARP-1 cleavage was also inhibited by BHA. Taken together, results of this investigation demonstrated that BHA protects primary cultured mouse hepatocytes against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by inhibiting ROS generation.     

不同方法处理对4种野生草种发芽率的影响

试验采用了酸、碱、有机试剂、植物激素、热水浸泡、超声波以及擦破种皮等11种方法对4种野生草种进行处理。结果表明:所有方法处理对马唐的种子萌发均没有显著影响(P0.05);野豌豆种子在擦破种皮处理下,发芽率从1.11%提高到96.67%,达到极显著水平(P0.01),其他处理对野豌豆种子发芽率均无明显影响(P0.05);香附子和稗草种子在20%NaOH的方法处理下,发芽率分别从10%和2.22%提高到86.67%和58.33%,均达到极显著水平(P0.01);此外,1 000mg/L赤霉素浸种处理也可极显著提高香附子种子的发芽率(P0.01)。其他方法处理对香附子和稗草种子发芽率均无明显影响(P0.05)。不同野生草种的休眠特性不同,试验选用的马唐种子无休眠性;野豌豆种子需物理破皮;20%的NaOH和1 000mg/L赤霉素处理可打破香附子种子休眠;20%的NaOH处理能打破稗草种子休眠。     

The potential drivers in forming avian biodiversity hotspots in the East Himalaya Mountains of Southwest China

Little has been published to describe or interpret Asian biodiversity hotspots, including those in the East Himalayan Mountains of Southwest China (HMSC), thus making necessary a review of the current knowledge. The Pliocene and Pleistocene geological and glacial histories of the Asian continent differ from those of Europe and North America, suggesting different mechanisms of speciation and extinction, and, thus, different responses to climate changes during the Quaternary glaciations. This short review summarizes potential drivers in shaping and maintaining high species richness and endemism of birds in the HMSC. The geographical location at the junction of different biogeographical realms, the wide range of habitats and climates along the extensive elevational range, the complex topography and the distinct geological history of this region have probably contributed to the evolution of an exceptionally species‐rich and endemic‐rich, specialized montane avian fauna. The Mountain systems in the HMSC may have provided refugia where species survived during the glacial periods and barriers for preventing species dispersal after the glacial periods. More studies are required to further test this refugia hypothesis by comparing more cold‐tolerent and warm‐tolerent species.