草地贪夜蛾幼虫龄期对自相残杀行为的影响

对群体饲养下草地贪夜蛾幼虫在不同龄期的自相残杀行为进行了比较研究,结果表明:在4种密度(5、10、20头/瓶和30头/瓶)下,不同龄期的幼虫自相残杀率差异显著,不同密度下的自相残杀行为主要集中在5龄幼虫,其自相残杀率均在5龄第2天时最高,在5、10、20和30头/瓶中分别为(14.34±3.28)%、(17.94±3.26)%、(18.21±3.47)%和(27.05±5.52)%,幼虫在5龄前的自相残杀行为并不明显。进一步测定发现,相同数量的4龄和5龄幼虫混合后在3种密度(4、10和20头/瓶)下的自相残杀率无显著差异(F=2.29,df=2,P>0.05),但随着幼虫密度的增加,死亡的4龄幼虫占总死亡个体的比例升高,而死亡的5龄幼虫所占比例下降。这说明草地贪夜蛾同一龄期的幼虫自相残杀行为具有明显的龄期依赖性,自相残杀行为主要发生在高龄幼虫间。低龄和高龄幼虫同时存在时低龄幼虫被残杀的比例较高。试验结果对于草地贪夜蛾的室内大量饲养具有一定借鉴作用。     

三种幼虫外寄生蜂蛋白酶含量与离体培养饲料的关系

在离体培养幼虫外寄生蜂过程中，发现不同的蜂对饲料中的蛋白质及游离氨基酸的含量有不同的要求，本文对麦蛾茧蜂（Ｂ．ｈｅｂｅｔｏｒ），矛茧蜂（Ｏ．Ｐｌａｌｉａｔｕｓ），管氏肿腿蜂（Ｓ．ｇｕａｎｉ）的蛋白酶活性，饲料中蛋白质及游离氨基酸含量进行了测定．实验表明：蛋白酶含量低的蜂，饲料中含高游离氨基酸及低蛋白；蛋白酶含量高的蜂，饲料中含低游离氨基酸及高蛋白。     

农田沙漠化演变中土壤质量的生物学特性变化

通过研究处于沙漠化过程中的科尔沁沙地旱作农田土壤酶活性与基础土壤呼吸活性，分析了土壤质量生物学特性的沙漠化演变。结果表明，土壤酶活性与基础土壤呼吸对沙漠过程中环境的变化反应敏感，随着沙漠化程度增加，与土壤物理化学肥力因素有关的过氧化氢酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性和土壤呼吸活性随之下降。土壤酶活性和呼吸活性与土壤有机质和养分有极显著的相关，在一定程度上可以用酶活性和呼吸强度表征有机质和养分的状况及其数量的变异，因此，可以作为农田沙漠化演变中土壤质量特征变化的重要辅助指标。     

Ranking cows’ methane emissions under commercial conditions with sniffers versus respiration chambers

This study assessed the ranking of dairy cows using individual-level correlations for methane (CH₄) emission on-farm using sniffers and in respiration chambers. In total 20 lactating dairy cows, ten Holstein and ten Jerseys were recorded using sniffers installed in milking robots for three weeks of lactation and subsequently in respiration chambers (RC) where they were each recorded on three occasions within the RC. Bivariate linear mixed models were used to determine the individual-level correlations (r_I) between sniffer and RC phenotypes as proxies for genetic correlations. Despite differences in feeding and management, the predicted CH₄ production from sniffers correlated highly with RC CH₄ production r_I?=?0.77?±?0.18 and CH₄ breath concentration correlated nearly as well with RC CH₄ production r_I?=?0.75?±?0.20. These correlations between sniffers on-farm and RC demonstrate the potential of sniffers measurements as large-scale indicator traits for CH₄ emissions in dairy cattle.     

用模糊综合评判法预测马尾松毛虫幼虫高峰期发生量

为了提高马尾松毛虫一代、二代幼虫高峰期发生量预报的准确性,为有效防治马尾松毛虫提供科学依据,本文运用模糊综合评判的6个数学模型预测安徽省潜山县马尾松毛虫一代、二代幼虫高峰期的发生量,验证预报1989年、1994年、2002年和2017年一代马尾松毛虫幼虫高峰期发生量,预报结果分别为2级、4级、2级和1级,与实况级别完全吻合,预报结果准确。预报1989年、1994年、2002年和2017年二代马尾松毛虫幼虫高峰期发生量,预报结果依次是4级、5级、2级和1级。同样与实况级别全部相同。预报的准确率为100%,模糊综合评判法是一个运算简便、准确性高的预报方法。     

Phenotypic plasticity of two invasive alien plant species inside a deciduous forest in a strict nature reserve in Italy

ABSTRACT

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) represent one of the main biological threats to biodiversity worldwide. Information about their phenotypic plasticity are needed to increase awareness about their future invasive potential. A study about phenotypic plasticity in response to contrasting light regimes and its quantification by a plasticity index (PI) of two IAPs (Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia) inside a Strict Nature Reserve was conducted. R. pseudoacacia showed a 70% higher PI, with a strongly greater value at morphological leaf level, associated with a greater ability to survive and grow in forest understory, explaining its greater widespread. Otherwise, A. altissima showed its highest PI at physiological level, which was associated with the ability to colonize and grow in environments with high-light regimes. Based on these results, the conservative management has limited the presence of A. altissima by its lower ability to grow in forest understory. In fact, the small-scale gaps in the forest infrastructure, that could allow its recruitment, are originated only from the death of a single tree or small group of trees. Regarding R. pseudoacacia, it is critical to maintain this type of management because any disturbances resulting in large openings could further promote its presence inside the Reserve.     

Short‐term releases of CO2 from newly mixed biochar and calcareous soil

The work aimed to quantify native organic C mobilized in one calcareous soil in the 21 days after addition of biochar at a range of large to very large applications. The experiment was carried out in unplanted microcosms, and CO₂ flux was used as a measure of net mineralization. A rapid methodological approach, which does not require ¹³C as a tracer, was used to assess any priming effects induced by the biochar. The amount of CO₂‐C mobilized was small relative to the amount of biochar C and proportional to the amount of the biochar added. The additional CO₂‐C was similar to the content of the water‐soluble organic carbon in the biochar added with each application. No interaction with native soil C, that is priming effect, was observed.     

Postharvest quality response of strawberries with aloe vera coating during refrigerated storage

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were coated either with chitosan (1, 1.5, and 2% solution, w/v) or aloe vera (AV) gel and the coatings were air dried. Coated strawberries were put in a polypropylene box and stored in refrigerator (6 ± 1°C and 50 ± 5% relative humidity. The success of coating in retaining the postharvest quality of the strawberries was evaluated by determining respiration rate, firmness, weight loss, external colour change, ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids, acidity, pH, microbial decay and sensory quality. The incidence of microbial rot started on day-6 in uncoated and 1% chitosan coated strawberries. Strawberries coated with 1.5 and 2% chitosan were affected by microbial decay on day-9 of storage. On the other hand, rot incidence was initiated in AV gel coated strawberries on day-15 of storage. Aloe vera gel or chitosan coating reduced respiration rate, weight loss, and microbial decay and preserved firmness, ascorbic acid content, and other quality parameters, thus delaying ripening and the progress of fruit decay due to senescence or microbial attack. Furthermore, AV gel delayed the changes in external colour and retained all other postharvest quality of strawberries compared to chitosan coated or uncoated ones throughout the storage.