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.     

Assessing seed desiccation responses of native trees in the Caribbean

New Forests - Native trees from the Caribbean were tested for seed desiccation responses, by adapting the “100-seed test” protocol. Ninety-seven seed lots of 91 species were collected...     

Proteomic profiles during adventitious rooting of Eucalyptus species relevant to the cellulose industry

New Forests - Adventitious rooting (AR) is an obligatory step for vegetative propagation of commercial woody species. Paper industries have interest in Eucalyptus globulus Labill and its hybrids...     

应用SYBR Green I的Real-time PCR方法定量检测空肠弯曲杆菌

空肠弯曲杆菌(Campylobacterjejuni)被认为是人类主要食源性病原菌之一。由于空肠弯曲杆菌特殊的生长条件和容易进入不可培养但存活的状态(Viablebutnonculturable,VNC),所以传统的生化鉴定结果不一定可靠,并且是一项费时而繁琐的工作。核酸检测方法的出现为空肠弯曲杆菌的检测带来了方便。本文基于LightCycler为平台,利用SYBRGreenI染料能特异与双链DNA结合而发荧光的特性,建立一种Real-timePCR方法来定量检测空肠弯曲杆菌。用该方法检测时,发现所有空肠弯曲杆菌(11株)都呈阳性,所有其它弯曲菌(3株)和其它菌株(5株)都是阴性。整个检测过程60min内可以完成,检测限度为5CFU,标准曲线的相关系数为1。结果表明基于SYBRGreenI的定量PCR方法既为空肠弯曲杆菌提供了一种特异、敏感、快速和简洁的定量检测方法,又为研究空肠弯曲杆菌致病机理提供了一种重要方法。     

Impact of postovulatory food deprivation on the ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes in sows.

The effect of food deprivation on ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes was studied in 20 crossbred multiparous sows during their second oestrus after weaning. To determine the time of ovulation, transrectal ultrasonographic examination was performed. The sows were divided into 2 groups, one control group (C-group), which was fed according to Swedish standards, and one experimental group (E-group). The E-group sows were deprived of food from the first morning meal after ovulation until slaughter. Blood samples were collected every second hour from about 12 h before expected ovulation in the second oestrus after weaning until slaughter and were analysed for progesterone, prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids and triglycerides. All sows were slaughtered approximately 48 h after ovulation and the genital tract was recovered. The isthmic part of the oviduct was divided into 3 equally long segments and flushed separately with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Uterine horns were also flushed with PBS. A significantly greater number of ova were found in the first and second part of the isthmus in the E-group (p = 0.05) while in the C-group most of the ova were found in the third part of the isthmus or the uterus (p = 0.01). The level of prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite was significantly higher in the E-group compared with the C-group. The concentration of progesterone increased in both groups after ovulation but there were no significant differences between the groups. The other blood parameters showed that the food-deprived sows were in a catabolic state. The 48 h period of fasting results, directly or indirectly in an delayed ova transport, which may be due to a delayed relaxation in the smooth circular muscle layer of the isthmus.     

舍饲育肥条件下凉山半细毛羊的产肉性能研究

对三组凉山半细毛羊的 4月龄断奶公羔 ,用 3种不同的补饲水平 (Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ )进行舍饲 ,分别于 6月龄和 8月龄对各组肥羔进行屠宰测定。结果表明高营养水平组 (Ⅰ )的羔羊 6月龄和 8月龄体质量、日增质量极显著高于低营养水平组 (Ⅲ ) (P <0 .0 1) ,显著高于中等营养水平组 (Ⅱ ) (0 .0 1

0 .0 5 )。凉山半细毛羊肌肉中氨基酸种类齐全 ,含量较丰富 ,其中必需氨基酸的总量达到 2 6 .15 %。     

鸡传染性法氏囊病间接ELISA诊断试剂盒的研制及初步应用

采用vero细胞增殖的IBDV抗原建立了间接ELISA，用于定量检测IBDV抗体。对该方法进行了标准化研究，确立了该方法的最佳工作条件。在此基础上研制了相应的诊断试剂盒，并对盒内各组分的性状、保存、质量控制以及诊断试剂盒的特异性、敏感性、可重复性、符合率、与国外同类产品的比较、保存期等进行了全面、详细的研究。结果表明，研制的试剂盒在-20℃保存至6个月时各项性能都很好。该试剂盒与进口试刺盒对同样血清样品检测，符合率为86．7％。间接ELISA试剂盒与琼扩试验的符合率为92，5％。该试刺盒可对大量血清样品进行检测，操作简单方便、结果特异性强、敏感性高、快速，更适合于大型鸡场IBD免疫抗体水平的监测及现地疫病诊断等需要。     

牛皮肤成纤维细胞的体外培养与冻存

利用牛皮肤组织块直接培养法，得到牛皮肤细胞的原代培养物，再用酶消化法和反复贴壁法处理，能够纯化成纤维细胞。成纤维细胞的冻存是通过选用6种分别含有二甲基亚砜（DMSO）、甘油（GL）及乙二醇（EG）的保护液，以相同的冻前处理方法，对牛皮肤成纤维细胞进行缓慢冷冻，冰箱预冷平衡1－2h，逐步投入液氮（－196℃）中保存，再经37℃水浴解冻，Hanks液脱保护剂，以贴壁率评价冻存效果。结果表明，20％DMSO保护液对牛皮肤成纤维细胞表现出较好且稳定的冷冻保护效果，其平均贴壁率达87．9％。