Effect of Phosphate Fertilization on Flooding Pampa Grasslands (Argentina)

We postulate that phosphorus (P) fertilization may increase above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) of rotationally grazed rangelands without reducing the legume component, as does N fertilization. In doing so, we evaluated the effect of phosphate fertilization on the production and relative contribution of legumes and grasses of native and old tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) grasslands; we recorded annual production, seasonal productivity, and biomass contribution of each component. The experiment was conducted in a commercial farm located in the Flooding Pampa and managed under rotational grazing. Treatments consisted of two fertilization programs (66 (P₆₆) and 29 (P₂₉) kg P · ha^-1 supplied as rock phosphate and/or monoammonium phosphate from 1997 to 1999) and a nonfertilized control. A paddock dominated by native grassland and another dominated by old tall fescue grassland were selected. Nine 5-ha plots were established in each paddock, and treatments were randomly assigned. During the experimental period, from October 1998 to October 1999, total above-ground biomass was harvested from each plot before and after each grazing period and separated into components: tall fescue, other C₃ perennial grasses, legumes, C₃ annual grasses, C₄ grasses, forbs, and standing dead material. ANPP of each component was estimated during the warm (October 1998–February 1999) and the cool (March 1999–September 1999) season. In native grassland, phosphate fertilization increased ANPP of C₃ annual grasses and legumes during both the warm and the cool seasons; therefore annual ANPP of the grassland under P₆₆ was 40% higher than under P₂₉ and doubled ANPP of nonfertilized plots. Phosphate fertilization didn't increase total annual ANPP of old tall fescue grassland, but it did increase ANPP of legumes during both seasons.     

Resistance of Cooperia to ivermectin treatments in grazing cattle of the Humid Pampa, Argentina

A field experiment and a controlled efficacy trial were conducted to demonstrate resistance of cattle trichostrongylid nematodes to endectocidal compounds in grazing cattle on the Humid Pampa, Argentina. Male Polled Hereford calves, aged 9-11 months old, with a history of frequent treatments with compounds of the avermectin/milbemycin class, were used for the trial. The field experiment involved six groups of 10 animals each, which were subcutaneously treated with either ivermectin (IVM), long-acting ivermectin (LA-IVM), moxidectin (MXD) or doramectin (DRM) at a dosage of 0.2mg/kg BW. A fifth group was treated orally with fenbendazole at a dosage of 5mg/kg BW; the sixth group of calves served as non-treated control. Faecal samples were collected from each animal on the day of treatment and at 14 days after treatment. Nematode egg counts were performed to estimate the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). The FECRT showed that reductions were 65% (IVM), -20% (LA-IVM) and 85% (DRM). Egg counts from calves treated with MXD or fenbendazole were reduced by 95 and 100%, respectively. For the controlled efficacy trial, six animals with the highest egg counts from the IVM, LA-IVM and non-treated control groups, were necropsied on day 18 after treatment to determine numbers and nematode species in the abomasum and small intestine. The results indicated that efficacy against Cooperia oncophora was 62.7 and 48% for IVM and LA-IVM, respectively. Neither of the IVM formulations showed efficacy against Trichostrongylus spp. in the small intestine. However, the absence of Trichostrongylus spp. in some animals of both treated and control groups precluded a valid assessment of efficacy or resistance. It was concluded that resistance of trichostrongylid nematodes to the avermectin/milbemycin class of compounds in grazing cattle of the Humid Pampa, Argentina, may be strongly established on farms where cattle are treated at frequent intervals throughout the year.     

Functional Classification of Feed Items in Pampa Grassland,Based on Their Near-Infrared Spectrum

Native pastures that present high botanical richness produce a variety of feed items for grazing herbivores. Diet selection takes place at the bite scale and, at a daily scale, the sum of bites composing the intake determines diet characteristics. The objective of this paper is to bring an original contribution to the understanding of diet selection in diverse foraging environments such as native Pampa grasslands. The issues are 1) to improve grazing management in Pampa ecosystems and 2) to evaluate the ability of native pastures to feed a herd in order to reduce supplementation and to improve the economic sustainability of extensive systems. We hypothesize that the information contained in the infrared spectra of plant samples corresponding to potential bites can be useful for establishing functional bite categories, which, in turn, can be used to understand and manage pastoral ecosystems. We analyzed the near-infrared spectrum (NIRS) of 1 515 bite samples gathered in 2012 using the continuous bite monitoring method applied to heifers continuously grazing on Pampa grassland at five grazing intensities (randomized block design with two replicates, applied since 1987). On the basis of the main wavelengths, a statistical classification of bite samples was produced and five classes were described: 1) small bites of wetland grasses and short grass; 2) medium bites of forbs and short grass; 3) small bites of short Poaceae and mixed species; 4) large bites on tussocks of Poaceae; and 5) extralarge bites on stiff tussock of Poaceae and Apiaceae. In order to evaluate the functional value of the classification, we tested its ability to take seasonal changes in pasture composition into account and to describe the variations in animal intake and performance in contrasted grazing conditions. We concluded that the NIRS is a good support for establishing functional classes of feed items that can be used to understand the foraging behavior and diet composition of grazing herbivores. Our approach was tested in Pampa grasslands grazed by cattle but should be applicable to a wide range of ecosystems, provided that chemical composition is more relevant for selection than feed item accessibility.     

Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, S. asymmetrica and Ostertagia leptospicularis from Cervus elaphus in La Pampa, Argentina.

The nematode species Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, Spiculopteragia asymmetrica and Ostertagia leptospicularis were recovered from the abomasum of wild red deer, Cervus elaphus, in the forest area of the semi-arid Pampeana Region of La Pampa (Argentina) for the first time. Oesophagostomum venulosum and Dictyocaulus spp. were also found.     

First report of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dairy sheep from Humid Pampa, Argentina

The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dairy sheep from the Humid Pampa region, Argentina. Blood samples from 704 dairy sheep belonging to six flocks were collected. Using a cut off titer of 1:50, an indirect fluorescence antibody test was used. Antibodies to T. gondii or N. caninum were detected in 17.3 % (n?=?122) and 3 % (n?=?21), respectively. All the flocks had at least one seropositive animal to T. gondii but two of them had no seropositive sheep to N. caninum. Fifty-two of 122 (42.6 %) positive samples to T. gondii had antibody titers higher than 1:400. There was a significantly higher proportion of T. gondii seropositive animals in females and older sheep (p?<?0.05). Ten of 21 (52.3 %) positive samples to N. caninum had antibody titers higher than 1:400. This is the first report of seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in dairy sheep from Humid Pampa, Argentina. Further research is required for a better understanding of the role of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in dairy sheep in Argentina.     

Improvement of Saline-Sodic Grassland Soils Properties by Rotational Grazing in Argentina

We investigated the effectiveness of rotational and permanent grazing exclosure periods for improving topsoil quality in three commercial farms devoted to cattle breeding in sodic grassland (halophytic steppe) soils of the Flooding Pampa of Argentina. We compared two plots under continuous grazing (C1-C2) with two plots under more than 8 yr of rotational grazing management (R1-R2) and two adjacent plots under permanent grazing exclosure for more than 8 (E1) and 4 (E2) yr. Periodic and permanent grazing exclosure periods caused significant (P < 0.05) and progressive increases in topsoil organic carbon content and organic carbon stock (0 ? 20 cm; from 24 to 61 Mg ha^? 1) as follows: (C1 = C2) < (R1 = R2 = E2) < E1 plots. Topsoil physical properties (bulk density, structural instability, and bearing capacity) and salinity were higher (P < 0.05) in C1 and C2 than in the other plots, while infiltration rate was higher in the oldest exclosure (E1) than in the other plots. Topsoil pH decreased from C1-C2 plots (9.5 ? 9.9) to R1-R2 plots (7.3 ? 8.2) to E1-E2 plots (6.5 ? 7.5), while SAR was highest in C1-C2 and lowest in E1 plots. We propose a conceptual model leading to soil recovery in this halophytic steppe community, triggered by organic carbon accumulation induced by grazing management. Short-time grazing exclusion periods (i.e., rotational grazing) are a plausible and low-cost management option to be recommended to the farmers in this highly restrictive environment.     

中国草地外来入侵植物现状研究

草地是中国陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,外来入侵植物已对我国草地造成了严重的生态危害和经济损失。了解草地外来植物的种类组成和入侵现状,是加强草地入侵植物管控,开展有效防控措施的基础。本文基于文献报道和数据库资料,系统分析了我国草地外来入侵植物的种类组成、起源、生活型、入侵途径和分布区域。结果表明,我国草地生境现有外来入侵植物183种,隶属41科123属。其中,菊科植物最多,有47种;禾本科和豆科分别有30种、21种。入侵植物来源于美洲的物种最多,共占总数的56.2%;其次是欧洲和亚洲,分别占比23.14%,13.22%。生活型以一年生和多年生草本植物为主;有意引进是最主要的引入途径。我国草地外来入侵植物种类繁多且分布范围广,急需对其开展进一步的调查,全面监测追踪入侵种群动态,积极控制已产生严重危害的植物种类,实行预防在先、防治结合的原则。本文旨在为我国草地外来入侵植物防控工作提供可靠的理论参考。     

江河源头草地生态环境现状及恢复途径

江河源头共有可利用天然草地1886.67万hm     

锡林郭勒几种草地类型基况评价

在草甸草原、典型草原及荒漠草原选取具代表性的草地型,通过当前植被草群产量中增加种、减少种及侵入种所占比例的多少将草原基况分为优秀、良好、中等、低劣四个等级,以评价草地资源的自然属性.研究结果表明：羊草＋贝加尔针茅草地型基况优良,克氏针茅＋糙隐子草草地型基况良好,冷蒿＋克氏针茅草地型基况中等偏上,小针茅＋无芒隐子草草地型基况中等.     

锡林郭勒几种草地类型基况评价

在草甸草原、典型草原及荒漠草原选取具代表性的草地型,通过当前植被草群产量中增加种、减少种及侵入种所占比例的多少将草原基况分为优秀、良好、中等、低劣四个等级,以评价草地资源的自然属性。研究结果表明:羊草 贝加尔针茅草地型基况优良,克氏针茅 糙隐子草草地型基况良好,冷蒿 克氏针茅草地型基况中等偏上,小针茅 无芒隐子草草地型基况中等。     

黑龙江省西部草地土壤磷素状况及调控

以安达为中心的黑龙江省西部草地，土壤全磷贮备普遍不足，供磷缺乏后劲；有效磷供给水平低，导致牧草磷营养缺乏。适量施入磷肥，可显著提高鲜草产量和磷营养含量，是调控草地缺磷的有效途径。     

环青海湖地区草地生态环境现状及治理对策

环青海湖地区在青藏高原生态系统中占有极其重要的生态地位,保护和治理好区内生态环境,其社会及生态意义重大.本文在深入调查研究的基础上阐述了环青海湖地区的生态环境现状,分析了生态环境恶化的成因,因地制宜地提出了生态建设的思路及治理对策.     

环青海湖地区草地生态环境现状及治理对策

环青海湖地区在青藏高原生态系统中占有极其重要的生态地位,保护和治理好区内生态环境,其社会及生态意义重大。本文在深入调查研究的基础上阐述了环青海湖地区的生态环境现状,分析了生态环境恶化的成因,因地制宜地提出了生态建设的思路及治理对策。     

浅谈青海省已垦草地现状及治理对策

概述了青海省已垦草地分布及现状,提出了科学合理的保护及治理对策.     

浅谈青海省已垦草地现状及治理对策

概述了青海省已垦草地分布及现状,提出了科学合理的保护及治理对策。     

赤峰市草地建设现状、存在问题及其对策

赤峰市的草地建设在内蒙古的草地建设中居于前列.通过摸底详查,查清了赤峰市以人工草地建设、飞播牧草、配套草库伦建设、草地改良、牧草种子生产和草地围栏建设为主要内容的草地建设现状,包括各类建设草地的保存面积、产草量、发展状况、投资状况及效益.阐明了赤峰市在草地建设中存在的主要问题及其应采取的对策.     

青海省退化草地现状及防治对策

简述青海省退化草地类型、面积、特征及分布区域 ,分析草地退化原因 ,提出治理退化草地措施。     

黄河上游草地生态现状及功能提升技术

草地生态系统不仅是自然系统重要的天然安全屏障,也是畜牧业发展的关键依托。黄河上游草地生态质量关系到整个黄河流域的生态保护和区域可持续发展。然而,近年来黄河上游草地生态环境向着不利于人类发展的方向演化,草地退化问题日趋严重,加速了土地荒漠化进程,同时引发自然灾害、河流断流等问题,制约了地区经济健康稳定的发展。本文综述了黄河上游重要水源涵养区域草地退化现状、成因和草地退化的主要特征,提出了草地生态功能提升技术模式及草地适应性管理机制,并对未来草地恢复治理新技术进行了展望,旨在为三江源、祁连山和甘南等典型水源涵养区的生态恢复和治理提供理论和技术支撑,以期对有效推动黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展及助力国家构建完善的生态安全体系提供科学参考。     

草原蝗虫生物防治现况与展望

概述了草原蝗虫发生现状,明确了生物防治、生态治理等技术控制蝗虫种群的重要作用,提出了以绿僵菌为主的草原蝗虫可持续防控技术体系。     

天祝县金强河高寒牧区草地畜牧业现状及对策探讨

对甘肃省天祝县金强河高寒牧区的畜牧业状况进行了初步调查，其中天然草地面积56万公顷，可利用草地面积占48万公顷，畜牧业发展程度较低，牧民生活水平不高。提出了要重点加强牧民的科技培训，切实有效地实行季节畜牧业，减少家畜越冬数量，建立混播人工草地，以提高草地营养物质，逐渐解决冷季补饲问题等初步建议。