The effect of food type (formulated diet vs. natural) and fish size on feed utilization in common sole,Solea solea (L.)

This study compares the effect of food type (formulated diet vs. natural food) and fish size on protein and energy utilization efficiencies for growth in common sole, Solea solea (L.). Replicate groups of common sole (mean initial body weight ± SD was 45.7 g ± 2.1 and 111.2 g ± 4.2) received the diets at five (natural feed) or four (formulated diet) feeding levels. The protein utilization efficiency for growth (k_gCP) was higher (P > 0.001) in common sole fed ragworms than in common sole fed the formulated diet (respectively, 0.40 and 0.31). Likewise, the energy utilization efficiency for growth (k_gGE) was higher (P = 0.001) in common sole fed ragworms than in common sole fed the formulated diet (respectively, 0.57 and 0.33). The protein maintenance requirement was not different between food types (P = 0.64) or fish size (P = 0.41) being on average 0.82 g kg^?0.8 day^?1. The energy maintenance requirement was not different between food type (P = 0.390) but differed between fish size (P = 0.036). The gross energy maintenance requirement of small common sole was 35 kJ g^?0.8 day^?1. The gross energy maintenance requirement of large common sole was 25 kJ g^?0.8 day^?1. In conclusion, the low growth of common sole fed formulated diets was related to reduced feed utilization.     

The roles of light and pericarp on seed dormancy and germination in feral Raphanus sativus (Brassicaceae)

The timing of seed germination may determine the success of a weed species in an agroecosystem, and its expression is modulated by environmental conditions, but also by seed physiology and anatomy. The aims of this study were to investigate the roles of light, pericarp, dry storage and cold stratification on seed dormancy and germination in feral radish, a troublesome agricultural weed in temperate zones of the Americas that reduces crop yields. To this end, we used isolated intact pods and extracted seeds to test germination over time under contrasting temperature, light and storage conditions. Here, we showed that fresh seeds were non‐dormant, but that light and the presence of the pericarp reduced germination, especially under low temperatures. The pericarp reduced the final water content absorbed by seeds inside pods and decreased absorption/dehydration rates. The pericarp showed several small lignified cell layers in the endocarp, and x‐ray images displayed the lack of space between the partially embedded seed and the endocarp. Dry storage and cold stratification were ineffective in breaking the dormancy imposed by the pericarp. The apparent requirement for darkness and the mechanical restriction of the pericarp may have the potential to induce dormancy, spreading the timing of seed germination over a more extended period and hindering the control of feral radish.     

Dietary protein requirement for juvenile mandarin fish,Siniperca scherzeri

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the dietary protein requirement of juvenile mandarin fish, Siniperca scherzeri, a demersal freshwater piscivore with high commercial value in East Asia. Five isolipidic (100 g/kg) and isoenergetic (20 MJ/kg) practical diets were formulated to contain graded levels of 450, 500, 550, 600, and 650 g/kg crude protein, using mackerel fishmeal as the sole source of protein. Each of the five test diets was fed to visual satiety to triplicate groups of fish (initial mean body weight ± SE; 20.1 ± 0.2 g) reared in a recirculating freshwater system over the experimental period. Fish growth performance in terms of weight gain tended to improve with increasing dietary protein level, and the highest values were observed in those fish fed the 600–650 g/kg diets. Feed intake significantly declined as the protein content of the diet increased. Feed efficiency and protein retention tended to increase with increasing dietary protein levels, from 450 to 600 g/kg, and then declined when dietary protein content further increased to 650 g/kg. A similar trend was also found for the protein efficiency ratio, although the observed changes did not reach statistical significance. Whole‐body composition and plasma biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by the dietary protein content. Based on these findings and a broken‐line model of growth, 614.4 g/kg seems to be the proper amount of protein in a practical diet for >20 g mandarin fish.     

Crude protein in low‐fish meal diets for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei can be reduced through a well‐balanced supplementation of essential amino acids

The use of supplemental essential amino acids (EAAs) has been shown to provide an opportunity to minimize excess levels of crude protein (CP) in animal feeds. The present study investigated the effect of reducing the amount of CP in low‐fish meal diets (5%) for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. Four sets of diets were prepared containing (% on a fed basis, mean ± SD) 31.24 ± 0.71, 33.70 ± 0.41, 36.90 ± 0.44, and 39.63 ± 0.14% CP, with each protein level containing a total dietary methionine (Met) (Met + Cys) level of 0.56 ± 0.02 (1.07 ± 0.23), 0.71 ± 0.01 (1.22 ± 0.20), 0.88 ± 0.02 (1.38 ± 0.22), or 1.04 ± 0.02% (1.55 ± 0.18%). Shrimp of 1.00 ± 0.08 g were stocked in 84 outdoor tanks of 1 m³ at a rate of 100 shrimp/m² and raised for 75 days. Final survival ranged from 83 to 97% and was unaffected by Met content. Both survival and yield were significantly depressed when shrimp were fed the 31% CP diet. Shrimp grew at a weekly rate of between 0.79 and 0.97 g, achieving a final body weight (BW) in excess of 10.8 g. There was a significant interaction between CP and Met over BW. Shrimp fed 0.56% Met achieved the lowest BW at harvest. Increasing CP beyond 34% did not enhance BW. With a dietary Met content of 0.71%, the highest BW was achieved with 34% CP compared to other levels. There was a significant improvement in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) when CP was raised from 31 to 34%. Similarly, dietary Met levels above 0.71% resulted in a significantly better FCR compared to 0.56%. Our study has shown that, if dietary Met (Met + Cys) meets a minimum of 0.71% (1.22%), levels of CP could be reduced from 40 to 34% without adverse effects on shrimp performance.     

Effect of dietary vitamin B6 supplementation on growth and intestinal microflora of juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

In order to investigate the dietary vitamin B₆ (VB₆) requirement for juvenile golden pompano, an experiment of six different diets with six dietary VB₆ levels (0, 3.75, 7.47, 10.6, 13.7 and 18.5 mg/kg) was conducted. The results indicated that the content of dietary VB₆ significantly increased weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; p < 0.05). Golden pompano fed diet containing 7.47 mg/kg VB₆ achieved the maximum ALT, AST, GPx, hepatic VB₆ concentrations as well as the minimum MDA, however, the ALT, AST, GPx and hepatic VB₆ concentrations decreased while MDA increased with a further increase in dieatry VB₆. The highest values of GR and POD occurred at the 10.6 and 13.7 mg/kg dietary VB₆ (p < 0.05) respectively. A diet supplemented with 7.47 mg/kg VB₆ increased intestinal Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, Chymotrypsin, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, creatine kinase and amylase activities (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Tenericutes and Bacteroidetes decreased while Proteobacteria and Firmicutes improved with an increase in dietary VB₆ levels up to 7.47 mg/kg. Quadratic regression analysis on WGR, hepatic VB₆ concentrations, AST and ALT indicated that the optimum dietary VB₆ levels for juvenile golden pompano were 8.84–9.28 mg/kg.     

茶树非主要农作物品种登记要求及进展

茶树品种是茶产业发展的基础。改革开放40年来我国育成了大批的优良茶树品种,为产业发展发挥了重要作用。新《种子法》和《非主要农作物品种登记办法》要求茶树进行非主要农作物品种登记。本文介绍了非主要农作物品种登记的对象、条件、需提交材料和登记程序,重点讨论了茶树品种登记前要准备的具体材料,简单分析了2018-2019年已经完成登记的48个茶树品种的基本情况,并对未来茶树品种登记提出了3点建议。     

芝麻不同生育阶段需水特性与干旱灌溉应用研究

探讨芝麻不同生育阶段需水特性与干旱灌溉水分生产效率,为芝麻高产栽培的合理灌溉和水分管理提供科学依据,2013-2018年在安徽、新疆等不同地域,选用6个芝麻主栽品种,开展芝麻不同生育阶段需水特性和灌溉水利用研究。结果表明：盆栽芝麻的全生育期蒸腾需水量平均为283.59mm,品种间差异大,形成100kg芝麻籽粒蒸腾需水量为263.56mm(175.7t/666.7m²),苗期、蕾期、初花期、盛花期、终花期、成熟期的蒸腾需水量分别为18.76mm、21.91mm、21.03mm、149.28mm、71.21mm和34.79mm,蒸腾模系数为5.89%、7.21%、6.85%、47.07%、23.93%和9.05%；盛花期最大,出苗期最小。池栽芝麻全生育期需水量531.36mm,其中株间蒸发量、蒸腾量分别占全生育期需水量的46.1%和53.9%；株间蒸发量最大的时期为苗期；蒸腾量最大的时期为花期。芝麻苗期、花期和成熟期需水模系数平均为18.65%、66.79%和14.56%。合肥基地出苗期、临泉基地花期遇旱喷灌,水分生产效率高达0.61kg/m³和0.65kg/m³；新疆精河基地按需滴灌处理比传统滴灌方式的水分生产效率提高43.28%,节水19.61%,这对水资源匮乏的新疆干旱区来说意义重大。芝麻需水量与栽培条件、品种、气温(r＝0.99)等密切相关。在芝麻不同生育阶段遇旱灌溉是提高水分生产效率和产量的关键措施之一。     

Investigation of crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement in the lower Amu Darya River Basin,Central Asia

High water consumption and inefficient irrigation management in the agriculture sector of the middle and lower reaches of the Amu Darya River Basin(ADRB)have significantly influenced the gradual shrinking of the Aral Sea and its ecosystem.In this study,we investigated the crop water consumption in the growing seasons and the irrigation water requirement for different crop types in the lower ADRB during 2004–2017.We applied the FAO Penman–Monteith method to estimate reference evapotranspiration(ET0)based on daily climatic data collected from four meteorological stations.Crop evapotranspiration(ETc)of specific crop types was calculated by the crop coefficient.Then,we analyzed the net irrigation requirement(NIR)based on the effective precipitation with crop water requirements.The results indicated that the lowest monthly ET0 values in the lower ADRB were found in December(18.2 mm)and January(16.0 mm),and the highest monthly ET0 values were found in June and July,with similar values of 211.6 mm.The annual ETc reached to 887.2,1002.1,and 492.0 mm for cotton,rice,and wheat,respectively.The average regional NIR ranged from 514.9 to 715.0 mm in the 10 Irrigation System Management Organizations(UISs)in the study area,while the total required irrigation volume for the whole region ranged from 4.2×109 to 11.6×109 m3 during 2004–2017.The percentages of NIR in SIW(surface irrigation water)ranged from 46.4%to 65.2%during the study period,with the exceptions of the drought years of 2008 and 2011,in which there was a significantly less runoff in the Amu Darya River.This study provides an overview for local water authorities to achieve optimal regional water allocation in the study area.     

Optimization of phosphorus content in high plant protein practical diets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis,Kaup 1858) juveniles: influence on growth performance and composition of whole body and vertebrae

Practical diets containing PP sources were elaborated. Increasing levels of di‐calcium phosphate were added to diets leading to five different dietary available P levels: 2.5, 3.2, 6.0, 6.5 and 8.0 g kg^?1 dry diet. The dietary treatments were tested in 13.5 g Senegalese sole juveniles throughout an 82‐day experimental period. Dietary P content had no effect on the productive parameters, while nutrient intake was also similar among dietary treatments, except P intake. Dry matter ADC ranged between 54.9% and 64.0%, and the highest P ADCs value (47.2 ± 0.7%) was achieved in fish fed AP6.0. Dietary phosphorus level significantly influenced body lipid and P compositions. Regression analysis performed on whole‐body P and ash contents fitted to quadratic models. Vertebral bone P content was low but increased significantly with increasing dietary P levels. Bone density and deformities occurrence were, however, similar between experimental conditions. An altered status of bone formation–resorption processes in soles fed the lowest P content diet might be inferred from ALP and TRAP activities. In conclusion, overall results state a high tolerance of Senegalese sole to low P content diets and support the utilization of practical diets with high plant protein content.