Poorly crystalline iron and aluminium oxides contribute to the carbon saturation and sorption of dissolved organic carbon in the soil

Soil carbon (C) saturation implies an upper limit to a soil's capacity to store C depending on the contents of silt + clay and poorly crystalline Fe and Al oxides. We hypothesized that the poorly crystalline Fe and Al oxides in silt + clay fraction increased the C saturation and thus reduced the capacity of the soil to sorb additional C input. To test the hypothesis, we studied the sorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on silt + clay fractions (<53 µm) of highly weathered oxic soils, collected from three different land uses (i.e., improved pasture, cropping and forest). Soils with high carbon saturation desorbed 38% more C than soils with low C saturation upon addition of DOC, whereas adsorption of DOC was only observed at higher concentration (>15 g kg^?1). While high Al oxide concentration significantly increased both the saturation and desorption of DOC, the high Fe oxide concentration significantly increased the desorption of DOC, supporting the proposition that both oxides have influence on the DOC sorption in soil. Our findings provide a new insight into the chemical control of stabilization and destabilization of DOC in soil.     

Root distribution patterns of peanut genotypes with different drought resistance levels under early‐season drought stress

Drought severely limits crop yield of peanut. Yet cultivars with enhanced root development enable the exploration of a greater volume of soil for water and nutrients, helping the plant survive. Root distribution patterns of three genotypes (ICGV 98305, ICGV 98324 and Tifton‐8) were compared when grown in well‐watered rhizoboxes and when grown in rhizoboxes where an early‐season drought was imposed using rain‐exclusion shelters. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications, and the experiment was conducted during two seasons at the Field Crop Research Station of Khon Kaen University, in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The root system of ICGV 98305, when grown under drought, had a significantly higher root length in the 30–110 cm deep soil layers and less roots in the 0–30 cm soil layers when under drought than when grown under well‐watered conditions. Roots of Tifton‐8 had the largest reductions in root length in upper soil layer and reduced in most soil layers. Tifton‐8 grown under drought was smaller than under well‐watered control for all root traits, showing negative response to drought. The peanut genotypes with high root traits in deeper soil layer under early‐season drought might contribute to drought avoidance mechanism.     

Site‐specific management is crucial to managing Mikania micrantha

Increasingly, weeds have been taking on global distributions. With the proliferation of invasive weeds has come the challenge of managing these species over broad geographical regions, with diverse habitats and political jurisdictions. Here, we review the management of Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asteraceae; mile‐a‐minute) throughout its invaded range, extending through most of the Pacific islands and southern and south‐east Asia. Context matters when determining the best course of action for managing M. micrantha, as it has invaded a large variety of agricultural and natural systems. In Queensland, Australia and Florida, USA, M. micrantha has been targeted in relatively successful eradication campaigns, highlighting the importance of early detection and rapid response methods, while elsewhere in its invaded range, populations are either still increasing or showing limited signs of decline. An inter‐regional approach to research and management should incorporate successful management strategies employed throughout the invaded range including, but not limited to, chemical and cultural control practices, manual and mechanical control, classical biological control using the rust fungus Puccinia spegazzinii, plant–plant competition and integrated approaches utilising two or more control methods concurrently. Additional knowledge of M. micrantha genetics is required to determine if management approaches could be fine‐tuned for particular populations. Countries bordering the Mekong River formed a network in 2011 to co‐ordinate the management of invasive species such as M. micrantha. Expanding such a collaborative approach to other regions could further reduce populations of M. micrantha and limit its spread.     

抑制肠道气呼吸大鳞副泥鳅主要呼吸器官的组织病理

为了阐明肠道气呼吸对泥鳅的生理作用,本研究通过抑制大鳞副泥鳅肠道气呼吸,探究其主要呼吸器官的组织病理变化。结果显示,被抑制肠道气呼吸的大鳞副泥鳅通常在1周左右死亡。当被抑制肠道气呼吸的大鳞副泥鳅出现垂死时,采集对照组和实验组的鳃、皮肤、前肠、中肠、后肠以及直肠进行苏木素—伊红(H.E)染色、阿利新蓝—高碘酸雪夫氏(AB-PAS)染色组织切片观察和扫描电镜观察,主要的病理变化:①H.E染色结果显示实验组大鳞副泥鳅鳃丝末端充血,背部皮肤表皮层的毛细血管收缩并减少,且真皮层细胞呈畸形,前肠黏膜褶膨大,后肠浆膜层有血红细胞渗出,后肠、直肠结缔组织显著增厚;②AB-PAS染色结果显示,实验组大鳞副泥鳅鳃、背部皮肤、后肠、直肠组织中嗜酸性空泡细胞均增多,前肠和中肠固有层酸性黏蛋白含量增多,黏膜下层中性黏蛋白含量减少;③扫描电镜结果显示,实验组大鳞副泥鳅鳃丝鳃小片表面皱缩,表皮受损脱落,背部皮肤表面分泌孔增加,中肠内腔表面突起增多,后肠和直肠絮状颗粒增多。研究表明,抑制大鳞副泥鳅肠道气呼吸会引发其主要呼吸器官上皮组织出现黏液细胞增多、血红细胞溢出等病理变化,甚至导致机体死亡,由此可知,肠道气呼吸行为是大鳞副泥鳅的必要生理活动。本研究将为大鳞副泥鳅的健康养殖及幼苗培育提供新的参考。     

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.     

Distribution and diversity of leaf-cutting ants in Northeastern Argentina: species most associated with forest plantations

Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants (LCA) are considered one of the main herbivores and one of the most destructive pest insects of the Neotropics. Northeastern Argentina harbors the greatest species richness of these ants and in turn comprises the highest surface with forest plantations. Our aim was to establish which species of leaf-cutting ants are most commonly associated with forest plantations by analyzing their geographic distribution using published and unpublished species occurrence data. Also, estimate their potential areas of distribution along a latitudinal gradient that entirely encompasses northeastern Argentina using Ecological Niche Modeling. Only seven of the 20 species recorded were strongly associated with productive systems along the gradient, but only 2–3 species in each region could be considered high-risk species for forest plantations. High-risk species composition shows a turnover between regions. Our models show the potential distribution areas where LCA could become more abundant and dominant, and possibly causing a detrimental effect on the forest plantations in the studied region. We find that ecological niche models are useful tools to assess the environmental suitability of important LCA.     

Orange peel fragment improves antioxidant capacity and haematological profile of Nile tilapia subjected to heat/dissolved oxygen‐induced stress

This study evaluated the ability of orange peel fragment (OPF) to act as a functional feedstuff, influencing growth, haematological profile, and antioxidant enzyme activity of Nile tilapia subjected heat/dissolved oxygen‐induced stress (HDOIS). A group of 440 male Nile tilapia (31.7 g ± 0.34) was randomly distributed in 40 250‐L aquaria (11 fish/tank) and fed five practical diets with graded levels of OPF at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% for 70 days. The diets were formulated to contain 30% crude protein and 18 MJ/kg crude energy. After the feeding period, growth performance was evaluated and six fish per treatment were sampled for haematological profile and antioxidant enzyme activity, before and after HDOIS. Then, fish were subjected to HDOIS (32°C/2.3 mg/L dissolved oxygen) for three days and the same haematological profile and antioxidant enzyme activity were determined. There was no effect of OPF on the haematological profile, either before or after HDOIS. The polynomial regression model was used to express the relationship between antioxidant enzymes activity and OPF supplementation level. The maximum activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase was reached at 0.66%, 0.63%, and 0.68% of OPF respectively. Results of the present study suggest that a dietary supplementation level of 0.63%–0.68% of orange peel fragment was appropriate to maintain Nile tilapia haematological profile and improve its antioxidant capacity under HDOIS.     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet,part II: Body fatty acid retention and muscle fatty acid profile

Nile tilapia juveniles (8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed on four levels (0.0%; 0.5%; 1.0%; 2.0%, 4.0%) of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (ALL‐G‐RICH?), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. meal diet was compared to a control diet, which contained the same amount of DHA as cod liver oil (CLO) at 1.7% diet. Groups of 25 fish were stocked in 100 L tanks and fed twice daily until apparent satiation, for 57 days, at 28°C. Increasing dietary Aurantiochytrium sp. meal reduced the body retention of DHA and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) but increased the body retention of alpha‐linolenic (α‐LNA), linoleic (LOA) and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 PUFA). Fatty acid profile in tilapia muscle was affected by increasing dietary inclusions of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal, with an increase in DHA, α‐LNA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 long chain‐polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 LC‐PUFA) but a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), n‐6 PUFA and n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 LC‐PUFA). There was a larger body retention of DHA, α‐LNA, LOA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐6 PUFA fatty acids and a higher percentage of DHA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 LC‐PUFA in muscle fatty acid profile in fish fed on CLO diets than in those fed on 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. Therefore, Aurantiochytrium sp. meal is an alternative source of DHA for Nile tilapia diets.