Effect of ginger- and garlic-supplemented diet on growth performance,some hematological parameters and immune responses in juvenile Huso huso

Physiological parameters and growth performance of Huso huso fingerlings fed with diet supplemented with herbal plants were studied in this study. Dietary treatments were 0 g (= control), 1.0 g (garlic) and 1.0 g (ginger) of 100 g^?1 feed for 60 days. Specific growth rate, body weight gain and condition factor were significantly increased in ginger treatment at the end of the trial. Highest levels of erythrocyte and hematocrit were observed in fingerlings ginger group after 60 days. Globulin increased significantly in ginger group, and the highest level of albumin was observed in garlic group. To sum up, it seems that herbal diet can improve some growth and physiological parameters in this species.     

How plant density affects maize spike differentiation,kernel set,and grain yield formation in Northeast China?

A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant density on tassel and ear differentiation, anthesissilking interval(ASI), and grain yield formation of two types of modern maize hybrids(Zhongdan 909(ZD909) as tolerant hybrid to crowding stress, Jidan 209(JD209) and Neidan 4(ND4) as intolerant hybrids to crowding stress) in Northeast China. Plant densities of 4.50×104(D1), 6.75×104(D2), 9.00×104(D3), 11.25×104(D4), and 13.50×104(D5) plants ha~(-1) had no significant effects on initial time of tassel and ear differentiation of maize. Instead, higher plant density delayed the tassel and ear development during floret differentiation and sexual organ formation stage, subsequently resulting in ASI increments at the rate of 1.2–2.9 days on average for ZD909 in 2013–2014, 0.7–4.2 days for JD209 in 2013, and 0.5–3.7 days for ND4 in 2014, respectively, under the treatments of D2, D3, D4, and D5 compared to that under the D1 treatment. Total florets, silking florets, and silking rates of ear showed slightly decrease trends with the plant density increasing, whereas the normal kernels seriously decreased at the rate of 11.0–44.9% on average for ZD909 in 2013–2014, 2.0–32.6% for JD209 in 2013, and 9.7–28.3% for ND4 in 2014 with the plant density increased compared to that under the D1 treatment due to increased florets abortive rates. It was also observed that 100-kernel weight of ZD909 showed less decrease trend compared that of JD209 and ND4 along with the plant densities increase. As a consequence, ZD909 gained its highest grain yield by 13.7 t ha~(-1) on average at the plant density of 9.00×104 plants ha~(-1), whereas JD209 and ND4 reached their highest grain yields by 11.7 and 10.2 t ha~(-1) at the plant density of 6.75×104 plants ha~(-1), respectively. Our experiment demonstrated that hybrids with lower ASI, higher kernel number potential per ear, and relative constant 100-kernel weight(e.g., ZD909) could achieve higher yield under dense planting in high latitude area(e.g., Northeast China).     

The nutritional effect of Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri cultured with different seaweed extracts on the larval development,growth and survival of the marine shrimp,Penaeus indicus

The microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri were cultured with seaweed extract (SWE) from six different seaweeds and each SWE was used either as a supplement or as an alternative media to conventional f/2 medium. Microalgae cultured with only the f/2 media acted as the control treatment. I. galbana and C. muelleri were then fed to Penaeus indicus larvae, either singly or in combination, for 8 days to evaluate its nutritional quality. Shrimp larvae fed on microalgae cultured in f/2 media supplemented with SWE from Ulva lactuca or Enteromorpha intestinalis moulted faster (P < 0.05) to the second mysis stage compared with the control. Survival, total length and growth rates were better in shrimp larvae fed on microalgae previously cultured in media supplemented with SWE. In general, shrimp larvae fed microalgae cultured entirely in SWE performed equally well compared with the control. Shrimp larvae fed on mixed microalgae (I. galbana + C. muelleri) showed significantly better growth, survival and development compared with larvae on either single microalgal diet. It was concluded that microalgae cultured with SWE could be used as a low‐cost alternative media in producing live food for the hatchery production of shrimp larvae.     

Sustainable Rangeland Management in Southwest Iran: Understanding Changes in Experts’ Attitudes Toward Livelihood Alternatives

The importance of knowledge sharing, as an integral part of decision making, has been highly acknowledged by many authors. However, the process in which knowledge sharing should be conducted has remained a debatable issue. In this study, changes in experts’ attitudes, as a result of the knowledge-sharing process, in the context of rangeland management were assessed. We demonstrated a three-step knowledge-sharing process while recognizing collaborative knowledge sharing systems, which involves knowledge-sharing tools including face-to-face and virtual approaches. The process was applied to explore experts’ attitudes regarding livelihood alternatives in the Bazoft region of southwestern Iran. Sixty experts were selected from three groups categorized as key local stakeholders, practitioners, and scientists. First, the experts were independently given the task of ranking livelihood alternatives. Next, for a better understanding of alternatives and enhancing their view, additional knowledge and information were provided. Thereafter, their attitudes in the final step were assessed. According to the findings, change in the experts’ attitudes could take place, which eventually resulted in the prioritization of livelihood alternatives to approach sustainable rangeland management (SRM). The synergy of experts’ knowledge, which can be realized through a collaborative knowledge sharing process, can be further pursued by devising a workable policy framework to approach SRM.     

Salinity effects on osmoregulation and gill morphology in juvenile Persian sturgeon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser persicus</Emphasis>)

The effect of abrupt and 5-day gradual salinity transfers from freshwater (FW) to 11 ‰ Caspian Sea brackish water (BW) was investigated in juvenile Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus with three different weight groups: 1–2 g (1.62 ± 0.27 g), 2–3 g (2.55 ± 0.41 g) and 3–5 g (4.28 ± 0.76 g). Mortality rates, blood osmotic pressure, gill morphology and branchial Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity were measured 4 and 10 days after abrupt transfer and 9 and 15 days after the initial gradual transfer (i.e. 4 and 10 days after reaching Caspian Sea salinity). Fish under 3 g could not survive increased salinity, and the blood osmotic pressure of the remaining surviving fish increased and remained elevated. However, heavier fish were able to survive and successfully acclimate, even to rapid salinity change with osmotic pressure reduced to Caspian Sea osmolality levels. At the gill level, the developmental increase in chloride cell volume and a higher NKA content most probably allow juveniles weighing more than 2 g to sharply increase NKA activity if the fish are transferred to BW. The rapid chloride cell proliferation occurring with increased salinity should strengthen this acclimation response. Therefore, a drastic physiological change occurs when fish weigh more than 2 g that allows migration to higher salinities. The triggering signal on chloride cells must be further investigated in order to optimize this functional step.