Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

Seasonal Changes in the Milt Quality of Waigieu Seaperch,Psammoperca waigiensis: Implications for Artificial Propagation

Milt quality of Waigieu seaperch was sampled at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the spawning season to assess if the sampling season has an effect on milt quality parameters. The milt volume and total sperm production were higher at the middle of the spawning season while the sperm concentration in milt was significantly higher at the beginning and the end of the spawning season. Sperm morphology and the major parameters of seminal plasma (pH, total protein, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺ concentrations) did not differ throughout the spawning season. The concentrations of Na⁺ and the osmolality increased throughout the spawning season. The percentage of motile cells did not differ during the spawning season while the duration of sperm motility (swimming duration) and velocity (swimming speed) were significantly different during the spawning season. The fertilization rate (75.7 ± 6.8%) and hatching rate (56.5 ± 3.1%) at the middle of the spawning season were higher than at the beginning and end periods. Results indicated that milt quality parameters and fertility success in the middle of the spawning season were higher compared to earlier and later sampling dates. Thus, we recommend collecting milt during this time for maximal fertilization and hatching success.     

饥饿、季节及性别对大鲵肌肉、肝脏生化成分的影响

季节会影响到大鲵肌肉的脂肪及钙的含量,肝脏的脂肪、钙及游离氨基酸的含量,饥饿对肌肉的酸化成分不产生影响,但饥饿程度的增加,会对肝脏脂肪无氮浸出物及游离氨基酸产生影响;繁殖前雌性大鲵的肌肉肝脏的肪肪含量均高于雄性的。     

仔猪初生重与产仔季节的相关性研究

实验以杜洛克×米猪杂交母猪为研究对象,采用大约克公猪配种,经2年研究分析了282窝3001头新生仔猪样本。结果表明:仔猪初生重呈现明显的季节性变化。春、夏、秋、冬出生仔猪的平均初生体重分别为1.101kg、1.049kg、1.152kg、1.163kg,其中春季和夏季分别显著低于秋季和冬季(P<0.05)。仔猪初生重的均匀度以春、冬季最佳。但供试母猪的妊娠期、产活仔数和初生窝重没有类似变化,提示仔猪初生重的这种季节性变化不是由这些因素所致,而很可能与不同季节的环境温度、光照周期以及动物的内分泌特点有关。子宫内生长阻滞(IUGR)的新生仔猪的比例在夏季为10.12%,显著高于秋季的4.83%(P<0.05),证明母猪妊娠后期的热应激会严重阻碍胚胎发育。     

冷季型草坪草建植管理技术研究

采用正交设计进行施肥里、刈割高度、播量，草坪草品种4因素4水平试验，通过测定草坪草越冬率，越夏率，成坪时间，叶绿素，杂草盖度，生长度，初步筛选出不同目的冷季型草坪草的建植管理方案。     

冬春季莱芜黑山羊松果体功能状态的免疫组织化学比较

应用5-HT免疫组织化学染色法，对冬春两季的莱芜黑山羊松果体进行了观察比较，以探讨松果体与下丘脑垂体-性腺轴的关系。结果显示，莱芜黑山羊松果体内存在大量5-HT阳性的松果体细胞及5-HT纤维；冬季松果体阳性细胞面积及阳性面积比都明显大于春季（P〈0．01），平均光密度在冬、春季间无明显差异（P〉0．05）。表明莱芜黑山羊松果体的功能活动呈现季节性变化，与羊的繁殖活动关系密切。     

模糊评分法在高羊茅品种综合评价中的应用

1999--2001年对引进和培育的高羊茅新品种(系)在喀斯特生态区进行品种比较试验。观测记裁各参试品种的性状表现，对春、夏、秋、冬4个季节的观测结果，用模糊评分法Ⅲ进行分析比较，并按综合评价值的大小排序a结果高羊茅“98--1”的综合评价值最大，排第一名，依次是猎狗5号、矮星2号、凌志(对照)，其余参试品种排名次后。认为用模糊评分法对高羊茅品种进行分析评价是可行的。     

牦牛放牧率对小嵩草高寒草甸不同植物类群地上生物量生产率的影响

2年的牦牛放牧试验表明:除不同植物本身的生理特性外,降水和地温是影响小嵩草高寒草甸两季草场不同植物类群地上生物量绝对生长率的关键因素。小嵩草高寒草甸两季草场地上总生物量的绝对生长率1999年在7月份最大;1998年,冷季草场各放牧处理的绝对生长率在8月份达到最大,暖季草场的对照组和轻牧组在7月份最大,中牧组和重牧组在8月份最大。不同植物类群地上生物量生长率的变化不尽相同。1998年,冷季草场禾草和莎草地上生物量的绝对生长率8月份达到最大,暖季草场禾草和莎草地上生物量的绝对生长率7月份达到最大,且9月份出现了营养的再次积累;1999年,冷季草场禾草地上生物量的绝对生长率在6月份和8月份出现了两个峰值,暖季草场禾草地生物量的绝对生长率在7月份达到最大。对杂草类而言,1998年冷季草场的绝对生长率6月份最大,暖季草场重牧组的绝对生长率8月份达到最大,其他各处理7月份达到最大;1999年重牧组杂草的绝对生长率在6月份达到最大,其他各处理杂草在8月份达到最大。     

Reproductive biology of the female Japanese mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria (Stomatopoda) in relation to changes in the seasonal pattern of larval occurrence in Tokyo Bay, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The reproductive traits and the monthly larval abundance of the mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria were investigated in Tokyo Bay, Japan, in 2002. The goal of the study was to elucidate the cause of changes in the monthly pattern of larval abundance from the 1980s to the 1990s as these changes relate to variation in the stock size of the adult shrimp. Oogenesis was divided into 10 stages by histological observation. The developmental stage of oocytes in an individual's ovary was synchronous, suggesting that almost all the oocytes in an ovary are spawned at the same time. The size at first maturity was estimated to be 7 ≤ body length ( BL ) < 8 cm. Fecundity was expressed as a function of BL , ranging from 19 300 eggs for 8 cm BL to 92 100 eggs for 14 cm BL . Small female shrimps (<10 cm BL ) spawned around August. Most large female shrimps (≥10 cm BL ) spawned around May, and some large female shrimps also spawned until September. Although most large female shrimps spawned in spring, the larval abundance was low before July and high from August onwards. The results suggest that a substantial decrease in the stock size of large individuals causes the low larval abundance before July.     

Artificial Insemination with Frozen Semen in Ewes at Different Times of the Breeding Season

Totally 13575 ewes of two different breeds, Dala and Spel, were inseminated with semen, frozen in straws and thawed at 70°C for 8 sec. An insemination dose of 0.2 ml containing approx. 150 × 10⁶ spermatozoa with at least 45 to 50% progressive motility was imerted 5 to 12 mm into the cervix. The insemination was performed once between 12 and 30 h after the onset of heat. The NR rate of the Dala ewes increased significantly during the season. The NR rate of the ewes inseminated before 15. November was 44.3%, from 15. to 20. November 52.2%. from 20. to 25. November 55.3% and from 25. November and later 61.4%. The corresponding values for the ewes of the Spel breed were 57.3, 58.7, 61.5 and 71.0% respectively, and only the difference between the two last values was statistically significant. The difference between the fertility of the two breeds was significant within each of the periods .