Changes in physiological parameters involved in glutamine and urea synthesis in Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,fed Ampithoe sp. meal and exposed to ammonia stress

Two dietary formulas containing 0% (D0 group) and 33% (D33 group) Ampithoe sp. meal were fed to Litopenaeus vannamei for 42 days, and then, an ammonia stress test was performed to explore the mechanism by which dietary Ampithoe sp. meal supplementation improves the ammonia tolerance of shrimp. The changes in key enzyme activities and biochemical substances involved in glutamine and urea synthesis in shrimp under ammonia stress were investigated. The cumulative mortality in the D0 group and D33 group was 62.22% and 44.44% respectively. With the prolongation of ammonia exposure, the ammonia concentration in the haemolymph of both groups increased, but that of the D33 group was significantly lower than that of the D0 group. The glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity, glutamine concentration and urea‐N concentration in the haemolymph of the D33 group were significantly higher than those of the D0 group. In the gills of the D33 group, the glutamine concentration, arginase (ARG) activity and urea‐N concentration were significantly higher than those of the D0 group. In the hepatopancreas of the D33 group, the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, glutamine concentration and urea‐N concentration were significantly higher than those of the D0 group. In the muscle of the D33 group, the GDH activity, GS activity, glutamine concentration and ARG activity were significantly higher than those of the D0 group. Consequently, our results indicated that dietary Ampithoe sp. meal supplementation could enhance glutamine and urea synthesis, thereby reducing ammonia accumulation in organisms, resulting in the improvement of ammonia tolerance in L. vannamei.     

不同燕麦基因型源库关系对穗粒数形成过程的影响

为了解燕麦穗粒数形成过程与源、库特征之间的关系，连续两年以10个不同来源、熟期、穗型、株型、小穗数的燕麦品种为试验材料，测定三叶期至拔节期的幼穗分化阶段及抽穗期源库特征，采用方差分析、聚类分析、逐步回归分析等方法，分析不同燕麦基因型源库特征及对穗粒数形成过程的影响。结果表明，燕麦穗粒数形成过程存在基因型差异，幼穗分化较好品种的穗粒数较全部品种平均值高11.22%~65.43%；幼穗分化较好品种的光合势、干物质量、粒数叶比、收获指数显著高于幼穗分化较差品种，其中粒数叶比和收获指数是影响穗粒数形成的主要因素，粒数叶比和收获指数较全部品种平均值分别高0.99%~68.74%和0.85%~13.80%。综上所述，源库协调是燕麦幼穗分化良好的生理基础，可通过提高光合势和干物质量达到增源的目的，进而提高穗粒数。     

Soil carbon and nutrient pools in Douglas-fir plantations 5 years after manipulating biomass and competing vegetation in the Pacific Northwest

We assessed changes in mineral soil total carbon (C) and nutrient (exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, and total N) pools to 60 cm depth 5 years after manipulating biomass and competing vegetation at two contrasting Douglas-fir plantations (Matlock, WA, and Molalla, OR). Biomass treatments included whole-tree (WT) and bole-only (BO) harvest, and competing vegetation control (VC) treatments were applied as either initial or annual herbicide applications. There were main effects of biomass removal and VC on the absolute change in soil pools of some elements at both sites, but significant effects were more prevalent at the lower soil quality Matlock site than the Molalla site, and were generally confined to the top 15 cm of soil. In all cases, treatment effects were associated with increases in C and nutrients following BO and initial VC treatments combined with little change in soil pools following WT and annual VC treatments. At the Matlock site, total soil pools (0-60 cm) of C, N, and Ca significantly increased in the BO and initial VC treatments, and Mg increased and K decreased regardless of treatment. At the Molalla site, soil C and nutrient pools did not change in response to treatments, but total soil Mg increased in all treatments during the study period. Correlation analyses indicated little influence of soil nutrient pools on early growth at Matlock likely because soil water is more limiting than nutrient availability at that site, but vegetation growth was correlated to nutrient pools at Molalla indicating changes in pools associated with harvesting and treatment could influence crop development in the future. These early results indicate low potential for intensive management practices to reduce mineral soil pools of C and nutrients, but there is uncertainty on the long-term growth response because treatments may have influenced nutrient storage in pools other than mineral soil.     

Genetic improvement of legumes using somatic cell and molecular techniques

Summary The merits and limitations of somatic cell techniques involving Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, direct gene transfer and protoplast fusion, are discussed in relation to the genetic improvement of forage and grain legumes. Whilst progress with legumes is limited compared to that with plants of other families such as the Solanaceae, the fact that many legumes are readily amenable to tissue culture now permits somatic cell techniques to be targetted to these species. Future development of the subject will necessitate close collaboration between molecular biologists and plant breeders to enable novel plants generated by in vitro technologies to be incorporated into conventional breeding programmes.     

免耕抛栽水稻源库特性研究

近些年来,水稻免耕抛秧栽培在中国广西等部分地区发展迅速。为了探讨免耕抛栽水稻产量形成特点,以金优253(OryzasativaL.)为试验材料,以常耕抛栽水稻为对照,从叶面积大小、剑叶光合速率与衰老、库的大小及源库比率等方面研究了免耕抛栽水稻的源库特性。结果表明,免耕抛栽水稻早、晚季产量分别为5.97t/hm2和7.53t/hm2,常耕抛栽水稻分别为6.19t/hm2和7.63t/hm2,其产量差异在早季和晚季均不显著。与常耕抛栽水稻相比,免耕抛栽水稻的每穗总粒数和单位面积上的总粒数较多,各生育期的叶面积指数较大,灌浆期剑叶光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、叶绿素含量较高,而过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶活性及丙二醛的含量较低,在生理上存在一定的优势。但是,免耕抛栽水稻的源库协调能力较差,粒叶比和结实率下降,致使免耕抛栽水稻在产量上表现出一定的劣势。免耕抛栽水稻粒叶比和结实率的下降是由于其生产的干物质更多地分配在叶片中、贮藏在茎鞘中的干物质在抽穗后向穗部运转的能力较差造成的。     

Megaparks for metapopulations: Addressing the causes of locally high elephant numbers in southern Africa

Conservation management options for southern African elephants range from local to regional scales. Here we review these options and argue in favour of actions that will deal with the causes rather than symptoms of elephant numbers that are locally high. Metapopulation theory ensures population persistence, while our approach extends this in order to stabilise elephant numbers regionally. By allowing for the development and maintenance of regional sinks, we may also limit numbers in sources. This application of the metapopulation metaphor is a powerful ecological platform from which to manage elephant numbers and impact through southern Africa. Our approach engages the causes of the apparently high abundance of elephants in parts of southern Africa. It moves away from the practice of dealing only with numbers (symptoms) when managing the impact of elephants on other species. While providing an ecological basis for the development of elephant management options, this needs to be melded with social, political and economic realities through southern Africa. In this regard we are encouraged by the ongoing development of several Transfrontier Conservation programmes and Peace Parks across the region.     

Foraging behaviour and habitat use by Antechinus flavipes and Sminthopsis murina (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in response to predation risk in eucalypt woodland

We examined the foraging behaviour and habitat use of two species of small Australian mammal (Antechinus flavipes and Sminthopsis murina) in response to predation risk in remnant eucalypt woodland. Predation risk was manipulated by providing refuge in the form of ground level wire netting to reduce risks from avian and mammalian predators. Giving-up-densities (GUD) using artificial food trays (20 mealworms in 1.5 l vermiculite) quantified the foraging behaviour in response to predation risk, by measuring the quitting harvest rate. Both A. flavipes and S. murina had lower GUDs (number of mealworms remaining) under the netting than in the open, most likely because these areas have lower predation risk. Animals also made greater visits to tracking tunnels under the netting compared to in the open. Tracking animal movements using fluorescent pigments also revealed preference for natural microhabitats that were structurally complex with animals moving most where logs and rock crevices were present. These results suggest that small mammals may use habitat structure to reduce their risks of predation. If future studies are able to demonstrate commensurate population-level responses, manipulation of habitat may be a useful management option to complement the direct control of exotic predators such as foxes and feral cats.     

无公害、绿色及有机畜牧业生产构架与生态营养调控研究

阐述了无公害、绿色及有机畜牧业三者间的异同,无公害、绿色及有机畜牧业生产构架与生态营养调控的途径,并探讨了三者在我国的发展趋势及不同地域的策略选择,指出现阶段应以无公害畜牧业生产为主,以绿色和有机畜牧业生产为辅;随其技术的成熟应逐步扩大绿色及有机畜牧业所占比重;西部无污染地区和东南沿海地区应以绿色及有机畜牧业发展为主,而广大农区应以无公害畜牧业生产为主。     

干旱对玉米穗发育及产量的影响

干旱作为影响玉米产量的环境因素之首,对玉米植株形态、物质积累、生理作用、性器官发育等方面产生影响,最终降低穗粒数、粒重,导致产量降低。以雌雄穗发育为研究重点,本文综述了不同时期干旱对雌雄穗性状及开花吐丝间隔期的影响。玉米开花前遭遇干旱,延缓雌雄穗发育进程,减少分化小花数,增加籽粒败育,导致穗粒数降低;抽雄吐丝期间遭遇干旱,导致雄穗抽出困难、吐丝延迟,使开花吐丝间隔期拉长,严重时导致花粉、花丝超微结构发生改变,影响玉米授粉、受精过程,最终导致秃尖形成,穗粒数降低;灌浆期遭遇干旱导致叶片早衰,光合产物积累不足,籽粒灌浆受阻,粒重降低,最终均会导致产量下降。从源库关系角度分析,玉米灌浆期前干旱导致玉米产量降低的主要原因是穗粒数降低导致的库强不足;而灌浆期干旱主要是叶片早衰等营养器官发育受阻,限制同化物的积累及转运,此时源不足限制了产量的增加。