Phosphorus fractions and dynamics as affected by land-use changes in the Central Mexican highlands

Land-use change from forest to agriculture in the volcanic ash-derived soils of Mexico has increased over recent decades. It is likely that land uses and management practices, particularly fertilizer use have affected phosphorus (P) distribution and availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of land-use types (native forest and maize mono-cropping), and the related P addition, on the forms and distribution of soil P and their isotopic exchangeability. An Andisol, sampled from a cropping site, along with the contiguous area under native forest was treated with ³²P-labelled potassium phosphate (KH₂³²PO₄). The soil samples were extracted after incubation times of 7, 21, 35 and 49 days. Phosphorus content and ³²P recovery in fractions sequentially extracted were assessed for each incubation time. Total soil P was dominated by inorganic fractions (79 to 86%) in both land-use types. Resin-Pi, bicarbonate extractable inorganic P (Bic-Pi) and sodium hydroxide extractable inorganic P (NaOH_0.1-Pi) were all raised with P addition. However, the proportion of organic P fraction was reduced under cropped soil. The recovery of ³²P in soils with P addition indicates that resin-Pi, Bic-Pi and NaOH_0.1-Pi comprised nearly all the exchangeable P. In native soils with no P addition, more than 19% of the ³²P was recovered in Bic-Po and NaOH_0.1-Po forms. This finding indicates that organic P cycling is crucial when soil Pi reserves are presented in an inadequate amount. Ecologically based management has to be designed for replenishment and succeeding maintenance of soil organic P compounds to increase sustainable agricultural production.     

Cellular activity and development of enteric,hepatic and muscle tissues of juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1887) fed with lyophilized bovine colostrum

Bovine colostrum, an alternative food of animal origin provided as partial protein source, may constitute an innovative ingredient in fish feeding. Serum insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and cellular activity of enteric, hepatic and muscle tissues of juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus fed with lyophilized bovine colostrum (LBC) were evaluated. Pacu (8.46 ± 0.74 g; 7.75 ± 0.27 cm, n = 18 in triplicate) were stocked into 18 tanks (300 L; 18 fish per tank, in triplicate) and fed with control diet containing 0% of LBC or experimental diet containing 10% and 20% of LBC inclusion for either 30 or 60 days of experiment. IGF‐1 serum concentration was not affected (P > 0.05) by the diet containing LBC and experimental period. The intestinal and hepatic cellular activity was not influenced by LBC (P > 0.05); however, intestine protein/RNA decreased at 60 days (P < 0.05). The muscle cellular activity was affected by LBC, highest in fish fed with diet containing 10% of LBC (P < 0.05). Between the periods DNA and protein/RNA increased at 60 days, while RNA, protein/DNA and RNA/DNA ratio decreased in this same period (P < 0.05). Increased DNA muscle content indicates fish growth by hyperplasia. The results of the present study is related with suitable development of enteric, hepatic and muscle tissues and proper condition of juvenile pacu fed with LBC considering the absence of differences in relation to juveniles that consumed diet without colostrum.     

The importance of dietary HUFA for meagre larvae (Argyrosomus regius; Asso, 1801) and its relation with antioxidant vitamins E and C

Despite the interest of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) as a fast‐growing candidate for Mediterranean aquaculture diversification, there is a lack of information on nutrition along larval development. Importance of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and the antioxidant vitamins E and vitamin C has not been investigated yet in this species. Six diets with two levels of HUFA (0.4% and 3% dw), two of vitamin E (1500 and 3000 mg kg^?1) and two of vitamin C (1800 and 3600 mg kg^?1) were fed to 15 dah meagre larvae. Larval growth in total length and dry body weight was significantly lowest in larvae fed diet 0.4/150/180 and showed few lipid droplets in enterocytes and hepatocytes and lower HUFA contents than the initial larvae. Increase in dietary HUFA up to 3%, significantly improved larval growth and lipid absorption and deposition. Besides, among fish fed 3% HUFA, increase in vitamin E and vitamin C significantly improved body weight, as well as total lipid, 22:6n‐3 and n‐3 fatty acids contents in the larvae. Thus, the results showed that 0.4% dietary HUFA is not enough to cover the essential fatty acid requirements of larval meagre and a high HUFA requirement in weaning diets is foreseen for this species. Besides, the results also pointed out the importance of dietary vitamin E and C to protect these essential fatty acids from oxidation, increase their contents in the larvae and promote growth, suggesting high vitamin E and C requirements in meagre larvae (higher than 1500 and 1800 mg kg^?1 for vitamin E and vitamin C respectively).     

Cranial osteological development and abnormalities in northern palm ruff,Seriolella violacea (Guichenot, 1848), larvae and juveniles

Seriolella violacea, a new species to be potentially farmed in Chile and Peru, has shown cranial malformations during farming that could adversely affect its commercial development. This study seeks to generate early knowledge of the osteological development and type of cranial abnormalities that this species presents under culture conditions. Larvae from wild caught broodstock were reared from 1 to 60 days post hatching (DPH) (4.8 ± 0.1 mm TL and 11.8 ± 1.0 mm TL respectively). Larvae samples were collected throughout the experimental trial for recording cranial osteological development and abnormalities in cartilage and bone. At 5.7 ± 0.1 mm TL, coraco‐scapular, sclerotic, ethmoid plate and quadrate cartilages were present. At 8.0 ± 0.6 mm TL, early ossification was observed in the jaw, premaxilla and maxilla. At 11.8 ± 1.0 mm TL, the branchiostegal rays, jaw, maxilla and opercular complex were ossified. The first cartilaginous structures observed were the Meckel's cartilage, the branchial arches and the suspensory ligament. The first cranial malformations were detected at 5.7 ± 0.1 mm TL, coinciding with mouth opening. The most frequent malformations were a curvature of the lower jaw (23.1%), abnormal separation between branchial arches and the Meckel's cartilage (19.4%) and bulging jaws (15.7%).     

Effects of AG1 and AG2 QTLs on Nonstructural Carbohydrate and Seed Management Options for Rice Seedling Growth and Establishment under Flooding Stress

Rice (Oryza sativa) plants acquired excess photosynthates in the form of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in their stems and grain. Despite keen interest in rice NSC, the dynamics of NSC accumulation, translocation and re-accumulation have not yet been well investigated. AG1 and AG2 QTLs associated with flooding tolerance through catalyzing starch into soluble sugar in germinating seeds. Here we conducted three experiments, greenhouse and field to lay the groundwork for large-scale diversity studies on grain NSC and some agronomic traits under direct-seeded rice (DSR) system, using elite lines incorporating AG1, AG2 and AG1-AG2 QTLs into the popular varieties PSB Rc82 and Ciherang-Sub1 along with the donors Kho Hlan On (AG1) and Ma-Zhan Red (AG2). In germinating seedlings, soluble sugars increased, while starch concentration decreased gradually especially in the tolerant checks and AG1-AG2 introgression lines under flooded soil. Soluble sugar accumulation in stem started to increase from the vegetative stage and peaked at the panicle initiation stage then gradually decreased towards the maturity stage. But Sub1-AG lines had higher sugar and starch concentrations at different growth stages than other genotypes in wet season 2016 and dry season 2017. Plant survival rate was positively correlated with the stem NSC at the early vegetative stage (21 days after sowing), and stem NSC was positively associated with plant height at different growth stages. Among the tested seeding rate, the most suitable seeding rate, 4 g/m² with shallow burial depth (0.5 cm), resulted in better seedling establishment, relatively higher seedling vigor index and higher leaf area index under flooding in DSR system. Introgression of AG1-AG2 QTLs had no any negative impact on nonstructural carbohydrate, germination rate, and growth and biomass production.     

Nitrogen-fixation dynamics in a cut-and-carry silvopastoral system in the subhumid conditions of Guadeloupe, French Antilles

This paper summarizes several studies on N recycling in a tropical silvopastoral system for assessing the ability of the system to increase soil fertility and insure sustainability. We analyzed the N₂ fixation pattern of the woody legume component (Gliricidia sepium), estimated the recycling rate of the fixed N in the soil, and measured N outputs in tree pruning and cut grass (Dichanthium aristatum). With this information, we estimated the N balance of the silvopastoral system at the plot scale. The studies were conducted in an 11-year-old silvopastoral plot established by planting G. sepium cuttings at 0.3 m × 2 m spacing in natural grassland. The plot was managed as a cut-and-carry system where all the tree pruning residues (every 2-4 months) and cut grass (every 40-50 days) were removed and animals were excluded. No N fertilizer was applied. Dinitrogen fixation, as estimated by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, ranged from 60-90% of the total N in aboveground tree biomass depending on season. On average, 76% of the N exports from the plot in tree pruning (194 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) originated from N₂ fixation. Grass production averaged 13 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1 and N export in cut grass was 195 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1. The total N fixed by G. sepium, as estimated from the tree and grass N exports and the increase in soil N content, was about 555 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1. Carbon sequestration averaged 1.9 Mg [C] ha^–1 yr^–1 and soil organic N in the 0-0.2 m layer increased at a rate of 166 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1, corresponding to 30% of N₂ fixation by the tree. Nitrogen released in nodule turnover (10 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) and litter decomposition (40 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) contributed slightly to this increase, and most of the recycled N came from the turnover or the activity of other below-ground tree biomass than nodules. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of forage harvesting regimes on dynamics of biological dinitrogen fixation of a tropical woody legume

Effects of three forage harvesting regimes-total removal of foliage and branches once (T-12) or twice a year (T-6) and 50% removal every 2 months (P-2)-on growth and biological dinitrogen fixation of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp were studied under subhumid tropical conditions in Guadeloupe, French Antilles. Gliricidia sepium was grown in association with the perennial C(4) grass Dichantium aristatum (Poir) C.E. Hubbard in a two-storied fodder production system. The medium-term effects of pruning on N(2) fixation were assessed by the (15)N natural abundance method. Gmelina arborea Roxb. was used as the non-fixing reference. The trees in the T-12 regime followed the natural phenological cycle, and flowering and podfilling at the beginning of the dry season reduced both foliage and nodule biomass. The T-6 regime impeded flowering, and only a few flowers, on older branches, were produced in the P-2 regime. In trees in the T-12, T-6, and P-2 regimes, fixed N comprised 54-87, 54-92, and 60-87%, respectively, of the total N in aboveground biomass, depending on sampling date. Total annual accumulation of N in harvestable aboveground biomass was highest in trees in the T-6 regime at 313 kg ha(-1), of which 204 kg ha(-1) of N was fixed from the atmosphere. In all treatments, about 70% of the N exported per year from the plot in the fodder harvest came from N(2) fixation. Thus, N(2) fixation makes an important contribution to the N economy of the G. sepium-D. aristatum forage production system, and greatly reduces the need for fertilizer application.     

Susceptibility of the Mexican bean beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epilachna varivestis</Emphasis> Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to endemic isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beauveria bassiana</Emphasis> (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae)

Entomopathogenic fungi represent excellent candidates for biological insecticides. Among the many entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) is one of the most promising species. Here, we report the results of infection studies performed using four B. bassiana native isolates (Bb37, Bb38, Bb40, and Bb45) compared with the commercial product Mycotrol^® (strain GHA) on adult Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), one of the most important pests of bean production in Mexico. First, single concentration (1 × 10⁸ conidia mL^?1) assays were carried out using all isolates applied using an immersion method. Examinations at 10 days after inoculation indicated that isolates Bb37, Bb38, and Bb40 significantly reduced adult survival, causing 60–75% mortality compared to the commercial strain GHA (33%) and control (29%). Second, using two selected isolates (Bb37 and Bb40), the mean lethal concentration values (LC₅₀) were estimated for third instar larvae and adult E. varivestis. The LC₅₀ values for Bb37 and Bb40 isolates decreased 5.26-fold and 3.19-fold, respectively, in third instars compared with adults. However, such difference for Bb40 isolate was not significant. Finally, an experiment, to compare the median survival time (MST) values between third instar and adult E. varivestis, was conducted using Bb37 and Bb40 at 1 × 10⁹ conidia mL^?1. MST values were significantly reduced against larvae (87 and 100 h) compared with adults (130 and 134 h) by Bb37 and Bb40, respectively. We conclude that native isolates of B. bassiana represent an important alternative for the control of E. varivestis. However, to demonstrate its effectiveness under field conditions, detailed studies are needed.     

乌兰布和沙漠植被及其保护

乌兰布和沙漠降雨稀少,生态环境脆弱,有种子植物49科169属312种,以蒙古种、戈壁—蒙古种、戈壁种以及古地中海区系的荒漠成分占主导地位;自然植被为亚洲中部荒漠区与草原区的分界线,主要有梭梭、柠条、白刺和油蒿、沙冬青＋白刺＋油蒿、白刺＋红砂、白刺＋霸王＋油蒿、籽蒿＋沙竹、芦苇、白刺＋芨芨草等9类群丛。由于不合理的利用,草场植被逐年退化,正朝着极度荒漠化演变。对植被状况和平缓沙丘及半固定、半流动沙地等不同立地条件的草地,应因地制宜,造（林）封（育）飞（播）结合,开展综合治理,恢复植被,遏制沙漠化加重的趋势。