Rehabilitation of degraded dry heather [Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull] moorland by controlled sheep grazing

Many areas of heathland in Europe have seen a decline in the area and condition of Calluna vulgaris (heather)-dominated vegetation, with subsequent declines in the associated faunal interest. Grazing, alongside burning, is still the predominant means of managing heathland vegetation, and, therefore, it is by manipulating this management that cost-effective improvements in vegetation condition can be made. This paper investigates the suitability of different grazing treatments for rehabilitating degraded ‘dry heath’. Treatments varied in the intensity (0-1.9 sheep ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and timing (summer vs. winter) of sheep grazing. These treatments were compared with the behaviour of vegetation outside the fenced area kept under the previous management (open access all year round). As rabbits were common on the site, fences were erected to prevent access to the sheep grazed plots. Vegetation composition remained stable outside the fenced area, whilst all the fenced treatments showed a decrease in heather utilisation and an increase in the relative frequency of heather over the 5 years of the experiment. The increase was in proportion to the reduction in stocking rate, with only slow increases in relative frequency observed in the high grazing treatments (winter and summer). Other species that benefited from reducing grazing included Empetrum nigrum and Vaccinium myrtillus, whilst declines were observed for Agrostis capillaris and total monocotyledonous species. Only small overall differences were observed between the winter low, summer low and no sheep grazing treatments. However, a difference in response was present between the sheep exclosures and the sheep+rabbit exclosures, indicating that rabbits were having a noticeable effect on heather recovery at this site. On this degraded ‘dry heath’ system, imposing a reduction in stocking density improved the condition of the dwarf shrubs present and reduced the grass component of the vegetation. There was little effect of the timing of grazing, such that a reduction in sheep numbers to 0.8/0.9 sheep ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, to give utilisation levels of below 20%, can achieve the desired result of improving vegetation condition whilst still achieving some economic return from grazing. However, the wide range of ‘sustainable’ stocking densities for different heathland systems highlights the need to base effective management on measured utilisation rather than on stock numbers.     

Rehabilitation of degraded Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull-dominated wet heath by controlled sheep grazing

Many upland areas of the British Isles have seen declines in the area and condition of heather (Calluna vulgaris)-dominated heathland vegetation. To reverse this decline, management regimes must be designed to rehabilitate areas that have seen this decline. As most of this heathland vegetation is primarily managed by grazing, such management has to determine what stocking levels can maintain the vegetation in a desired state. This paper describes how to reverse this decline through suitable grazing management.A degraded ‘wet-heath’ system, previously grazed at 2.1 sheep ha⁻¹, was subject to a range of grazing treatments over a 5-year period. Treatments varied in intensity (0-1.4 sheep ha⁻¹) and timing (summer only, winter only, or year round) of grazing. Grazing levels were maintained at 2.1 sheep ha⁻¹ outside the fenced areas. Vegetation composition remained stable outside the fenced treatments. All the fenced treatments showed an increase in the relative frequency of the evergreen Calluna vulgaris, with the greatest increase being in the ungrazed treatment, and the least in the year round 1.4 sheep ha⁻¹ treatment. This increase was in line with a reduction in heather utilisation to relatively low and sustainable levels. Other species that benefited from reduced grazing included Carex nigra, Deschampsia flexuosa and to a lesser extent Galium saxatile and Erica tetralix, whereas a range of moss species including Hypnum jutlandicum and Rhytidiadelphus loreus were more frequent at higher grazing levels. Though the recovery of heather was similar in the two seasonally grazed treatments, the vegetation showed different overall trajectories. Winter only grazed allowed a substantial increase in the cover of the deciduous Molinia caerulea, whereas this species was kept in check by summer only grazing. A stocking level of between 0.7 and 1.4 sheep ha⁻¹ appears to be appropriate to maintain and even enhance the cover of heather on degraded wet heath. Complete removal is not necessary. Grazing restricted to the winter period is inappropriate in areas where M. caerulea occurs. Setting appropriate stocking levels to maintain the condition of the vegetation must take into account site conditions, especially the presence of species that can affect the utilisation of heather.     

HeathMod: a model of the impact of seasonal grazing by sheep on upland heaths dominated by Calluna vulgaris (heather)

The dwarf shrub heather Calluna vulgaris is an important component of the UK landscape, with value for amenity, nature conservation and animal production. A model, called “HeathMod”, is described, which investigates the impact of grazing on upland heather. It combines an empirical model of production with a simple process-based model of grazing impacts. Validation from short-term studies in the literature indicated that the model predicts grazing impacts well, although more studies of grazing impacts are required to confirm the model’s accuracy. Analysis of the model allowed derivation of a simple general formula for predicting sustainable levels of grazing, given knowledge of local site productivity. Predicted levels of sustainable grazing were lower than previous estimates, mainly because the model predicts the long-term impacts of sustained grazing. Application of the model is most appropriate in areas where heather is in mixed-age stands, because there is inadequate information available to model interactions between grazing and degeneration in even-aged stands of heather.     

Impacts of ski-development on ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) at Cairn Gorm, Scotland

This paper reports adverse impacts on numbers and breeding success of ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in 1967-1996 at a ski area in the Cairngorms massif, where ptarmigan normally show 10-year population cycles. An influx of carrion crows (Corvus corone), generalist predators, followed the development. On the most developed area near the main car park, ptarmigan occurred at high density but then lost nests to frequent crows, reared abnormally few broods, died flying into ski-lift wires and declined until none bred for many summers. On a nearby higher area with fewer wires, ptarmigan lost nests to frequent crows and reared abnormally few broods, but seldom died on wires. Adult numbers declined and then became unusually steady for over two decades, with no significant cycle. On a third area further from the car park, ptarmigan lost fewer nests to the less frequent crows but bred more poorly than in the massif’s centre, and showed cycles of lower amplitude than there. On a fourth area yet further away, with few or no crows, ptarmigan bred as well as in the massif’s centre and showed cycles of the same amplitude as there.     

Age and size at first reproduction in the commercially exploited red coral Corallium rubrum (L.) in the Marseilles area (France, NW Mediterranean)

Among species life-history traits, size and age at first reproduction are particularly relevant to design meaningful conservation plans. The main goal of this study was to define the size at first reproduction of colonies of the precious red coral Corallium rubrum (L.) and determine their age, thanks to a new reliable method. Sampled colonies come from two sites at 40 m depth on the French Mediterranean coast near Marseilles. Furthermore, we report trends in reproduction parameters in relation to colony size. The smallest fertile colonies (<30 mm height class) were on an average 24.0 mm in height and 3.6 mm in basal diameter: these colonies were on an average between 7 and 10 years. The reproductive effort, i.e., percentage of gravid polyps per colony, was higher in large (>50 mm in height) and medium size colonies (30-50 mm) than in small ones (<30 mm). Our results indicate that management strategies for the conservation of red coral should lead to increase the abundance of large colonies to guarantee a good reproduction output. Suggested measures are minimal harvesting sizes and no-take areas in shallow habitats (<50 m).     

Compressive properties of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stalks

Compressive behaviour of hemp (Cannabis Sativ L.) stems is important for the design of hemp handling and processing machines. Experiments were carried out to measure the compressive properties of stems from two hemp varieties: Alyssa (grown for fibre only) and Petera (grown for both fibre and seed), produced in Manitoba, Canada. The physical properties of the hemp specimens were measured. For each variety, an air-dried hemp stem was divided into three height sections along the stem: upper, middle and lower. For each section, the hemp stem was further cut into 25.4 mm long specimens. Individual specimens were compressed in the axial and lateral directions using a universal testing machine. The load-displacement curves were recorded, and compressive properties were derived from the load-displacement curves. The outer diameter of the hollow hemp specimens varied from 6 to 17 mm; the linear density varied from 10 to 37 g m⁻¹. Diameter and linear density were greater for Petera than Alyssa, and at the lower height section than the higher section for both varieties. The compression tests showed that the maximum compressive load varied from 58 to 1425 N, and the energy requirement varied from 23 to 1809 mJ, depending on the variety, height section and diameter of stem, and compression direction. In general, the maximum compressive load and the energy requirement were greater in the lower section and for larger diameters; higher loads and energy were observed for Petera than for Alyssa and for the axial compression direction than for the lateral direction.     

Accumulation of specific flavonoids in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) as a function of the early tripartite symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner) Jordan

This study is the first report assessing the effect of soil inoculation on the signalling interaction of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soybean plants throughout the early stages of colonisation that lead to the tripartite symbiosis. In a study using soil disturbance to produce contrasting indigenous AMF treatments, the flavonoids daidzein, genistein and coumestrol were identified as possible signals for regulating the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis. However, it was unclear whether soil disturbance induced changes in flavonoid root accumulation other than through changing the potential for AMF colonization. In this study, soil treatments comprising all possible combinations of AMF and B. japonicum were established to test whether (1) modifications in root flavonoid accumulation depend on the potential for AMF colonization, and (2) synthesis and accumulation of flavonoids in the roots change over time as a function of the early plant-microbial interactions that lead to the tripartite symbiosis. The study was comprised of two phases. First, maize was grown over 3-week periods to promote the development of the AM fungus Glomus clarum. Second, the interaction between soybean, G. clarum and B. japonicum was evaluated at 6, 10, 14 and 40 days after plant emergence. Root colonization by G. clarum had a positive effect on nodulation 14 days after emergence, producing, 30% more nodules which were 40% heavier than those on roots solely inoculated with B. japonicum. The tripartite symbiosis resulted in 23% more N₂ being fixed than did the simpler symbiosis between soybean and B. japonicum. The presence of both symbionts changed accumulation of flavonoids in roots. Daidzein and coumestrol increased with plant growth. However, development of the tripartite symbiosis caused a decrease in coumestrol; accumulation of daidzein, the most abundant flavonoid, was reduced in the presence of AMF.     

Changes in the species composition in an area dominated by Deschamsia flexuosa (L.) trin. as a result of cattle grazing

When marginal agricultural lands are left idle, a vegetation type develops which is not adapted to grazing. If such vegetation is grazed, as has happened in Mols Bjerge (Eastern Jutland, Denmark), changes occur in the composition of species,whereby the dominants are reduced while the less frequent species increase.In Mols Bjerge the main means of plant dispersal is vegetative (horizontal, rhizome) and endozoic (dispersal) via cattle. However, dispersal is very slow. Species such as Holcus mollis and Carex arenaria are dispersed vegetatively, while dicotyledonous herbs (especially Pimpinella saxifraga and Campanula rotundifolia) are dispersed endozoically.It is suggested that areas rich in species should be grazed by cattle immediately before those poor in species if it is desired to assist immigration of dicotyledonous species.     

Physicochemical, nutritional, and microstructural characteristics of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) following microwave cooking

Microwave cooking of legumes such as chickpeas and common beans was evaluated by assessing the cooking quality (cooking time, firmness, cooking losses, and water uptake) and the physicochemical, nutritional, and microstructural modifications in starch and nonstarch polysaccharides. Compared to conventional cooking, microwave cooking with sealed vessels enabled a drastic reduction in cooking time, from 110 to 11 min for chickpeas and from 55 to 9 min for common beans. The solid losses, released in the cooking water, were significantly less after microwave cooking than after conventional cooking (6.5 vs 10.6 g/100 g of dry seed in chickpeas and 4.5 vs 7.5 g/100 g of dry seed in common beans). Both cooking procedures produced a redistribution of the insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides to soluble fraction, although the total nonstarch polysaccharides were not affected. Increases in in vitro starch digestibility were similar after both cooking processes, since the level of resistant starch decreased from 27.2 and 32.5% of total starch in raw chickpeas and beans, respectively, to about 10% in cooked samples and the level of rapidly digestible starch increased from 35.6 and 27.5% to about 80%. SEM studies showed that the cotyledons maintained a regular structure although most of the cell wall was broken down and shattered by both cooking procedures. In addition, the ultrastructural modifications in the cotyledon's parenchima and cells are consistent with the chemical modifications in NSP and the increase in starch digestibility after cooking.     

Effects of Kocide 101® on the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)‐Rhizobium symbiosis

A glasshouse study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the copper fungicide Kocide 101 and its residues in soil on the growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The soil used was a sandy clay loam classified as Typic Rhodustalf. The bean variety SUA 90 was used as test crop. The bean rhizobia strains CIAT 899, PV, and a local isolate were used. Kocide 101 applied at the recommended rate (equivalent to 1.7 mg kg^‐1 soil) had no significant negative effects on the growth, nodulation or nitrogen fixation of bean plants. Higher levels of Kocide 101 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plant growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation. The bean plants inoculated with the “local isolate”; rhizobia had the highest dry matter weights, nodule numbers and nodule dry weights, and also had more N fixation. They were followed by those inoculated with the PV, strain and, lastly, those inoculated with CIAT 899. The growth and nodulation of bean plants were still curtailed by the Kocide 101 residues four months after the fungicide was first applied to the soil. Therefore, occurrence of high levels of Kocide 101 in soils can have long‐term effects on the performance of the bean‐rhizobia symbiosis.     

Phenolic Pattern of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as an Indicator of Chronic Ozone Stress

From sowing till emergence of the fourth trifoliolate leaf, beans were exposed for seven hr a day to four ozone concentrations in open-top chambers: filtered air (FA), non-filtered air (NF), non-filtered air plus 30 ppb ozone (NF+) and non-filtered air plus 60 ppb ozone (NF++). Controls in ambient air of open plots (AA) were also available. The free polyphenolic pool of the first trifoliolate leaf was systematically investigated using HPLC. The groups of phenolics to which the three main chromatographic signals belonged were identified as hydroxycinnamic acid derivative for peak No 1 and flavonoids for peaks Nos 4 and 6. The metabolic regulation of phenolic accumulation could be recognized as different clusters based on specific phenolic patterns that reflected some of the tested atmospheric conditions. The comparison of AA and NF conditions revealed a ‘chamber effect’. FA and NF atmospheres gave rise to almost the same phenolic equilibriums dominated by a hydroxycinnamic acid derivative (about 53% of the total phenolics). Ozone addition was associated with a regular reduction of the percentage of peak No 1: about 40% for NF+ and 19% for NF++. Therefore, the significant decrease of the vacuolar storage of this phenolic compound (from 23 mg g^-1 dry weight for NF to about 3 mg g^-1 dry weight for NF++) can be regarded as a useful tool for monitoring long-term exposure to elevated ozone concentrations.     

Antioxidant activity of processed table beets (Beta vulgaris var, conditiva) and green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

It has been shown that thermal processing of tomatoes and sweet corn results in increased antioxidant activities despite the loss of vitamin C. Until now, it is unclear whether this positive effect of thermal processing occurs with all crop produce. Therefore, analysis of a root vegetable (beets) and of a legume (green beans) was undertaken to address this question. Antioxidant activity of beets processed under typical commercial processing conditions remained constant despite an 8% loss of vitamin C, a 60% loss of color, and 30% loss of dietary folate. There was a slight but significant 5% increase in phenolic content of processed beets. In contrast, vitamin C and dietary folate content of green beans remained constant, whereas a 32% reduction in phenolic compounds occurred after typical commercial processing conditions. The antioxidant activity of green beans was reduced by 20%. These findings along with previous works suggest that the effects of thermal processing vary with the respective produce crop type. It also reinforces the concept that optimal health benefits may be achieved when a wide variety of plant foods (fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and preparation methods are incorporated into the diet.     

普通菜豆种质资源苗期抗旱性综合评价

我国普通菜豆的主产区主要分布在干旱、半干旱地区。干旱是影响其生长的主要因素之一。为了筛选抗旱种质资源以及建立抗旱性评价方法,以50份来源不同的普通菜豆品种为材料,采用盆栽法,设正常供水和干旱胁迫2种处理,在干旱胁迫12 d和复水3 d后分别取样测定各项形态和生理指标;采用干旱胁迫和复水后两者的抗旱度量值(D值)、聚类分析和逐步回归方程以及通径分析相结合的方法,对普通菜豆进行苗期的抗旱鉴定及抗旱指标的筛选。结果表明,干旱12 d后超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性,复水3 d后相对叶绿素含量、相对含水量与各自D值显著相关,两处理的丙二醛(MDA)含量与各自D值极显著相关。根据各自D值进行聚类分析,将50份供试材料进行抗旱级别分类,两处理分类结果的一致率达到40%,邻级率为60%,未出现跨级材料;综合两处理的分类结果进一步细分,可分为高抗、中高抗、中抗、中低抗和低抗5个抗旱级别,其中高抗材料10份、中高抗材料25份、中抗材料7份、中低抗材料6份、低抗材料2份。综上所述,普通菜豆苗期干旱胁迫和复水后的D值相互判定的方法可提高鉴定结果的可靠性;干旱胁迫下的SOD活性、POD活性、MDA含量和复水后的相对叶绿素含量、相对含水量、MDA含量可作为普通菜豆苗期抗旱性鉴定的指标,尤其是两者的MDA含量可直接用于普通菜豆资源的抗旱性鉴定。本研究为简化鉴定筛选工作提供了方法和理论依据。     

紫苏对不同浓度镉胁迫的生理响应

为探讨紫苏的耐镉生理机制, 通过水培试验, 研究了镉离子浓度为0 mg·L^-1(对照)、2.0 mg·L^-1、5.0 mg·L^-1、10.0 mg·L^-1 条件下紫苏的生长、镉富集作用及叶片的保护酶活性。结果表明, 2.0 mg·L^-1、5.0 mg·L^-1、10.0 mg·L^-1 镉胁迫下, 紫苏单株生物量比对照分别减少28.4%、42.4%、66.0%, 不同处理间均存在极显著差异;3 个镉离浓度下紫苏的镉富集量依次为462.4 μg·株^-1、705.0 μg·株^-1、609.7 μg·株^-1, 富集系数依次为91.9、70.0、51.1, 具备镉超积累能力。此外, SOD、POD、CAT 酶活测定结果显示, 随镉离子浓度升高, 紫苏叶片的SOD 活性和MDA 含量显著升高, POD 和CAT 活性显著下降, 破坏了体内保护酶系统的平衡, 抑制紫苏生长。     

The status of the otter (Lutra lutra L.) in Norfolk

The county of Norfolk was surveyed for otters between December 1974 and June 1975 inclusive. Only 32 sites out of a total of 233 sites visited had signs of otters and a further 8 records were received. A total population of 17 pairs was estimated, considerably below the carrying capacity of the area.     

Biodiversity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Honduras, evidenced by morphological characterization

This paper describes findings in the characterization of 300 accessions in a collection of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Honduras. The plant material was collected from 1990 to 1994 (4 years before the damaging Mitch Hurricane) covering most of the Departments of the country and kept at the Escuela Agrícola Panamericana Zamorano. Thirty-two morpho-agronomical characters were evaluated and the results were grouped by classes. The studied accessions showed a marked diversity with high predominance of red and small seeds. The accessions with purple flowers had black seeds and originate mainly from the western area of the country where this type of seed is preferred. Principal Component Analysis shows that clearly defined groups do not exist. The conservation of this diversity is recommended for future propagation, breeding and the investigation of the genetic relationships and other studies.     

Rhizobial inoculation improves drought tolerance,biomass and grain yields of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) at Halaba and Boricha in Southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

While pulses are staple food-legumes in Ethiopia, their productivity is low due to low soil fertility. Elite rhizobial strains that significantly increased shoot dry weight and nitrogen (N) contents of common beans and soybeans in greenhouse were selected for two-year field trials to evaluate their effect on yields of the pulses in the field. Each pulse had six treatments, namely four rhizobial inoculants, uninoculated control, and synthetic N fertilizer. In the drought-affected year 2015, inoculated pulses tolerated moisture stress better than non-inoculated controls. Inoculation was conducive to higher or equivalent yields compared to synthetic N fertilizer. At Halaba, bean inoculated with strain HAMBI3562 gave the highest grain yield (1500 ± 81 kg ha^?1; mean±SE) while the control yielded only 653 ± 22 kg ha^?1. At Boricha, HAMBI3570 gave a grain yield (640 ± 35 kg ha^?1) comparable to synthetic N. When rainfall was optimal in 2016, inoculation with HAMBI3562 and HAMBI3570 gave grain yields (around 4300 kg ha^?1) equivalent to synthetic N. With soybean, strain HAMBI3513 produced consistently higher or comparable biomass and grain yields compared to synthetic N. In conclusion, HAMBI3562 and HAMBI3570 for beans and HAMBI3513 for soybeans can serve as inoculants for areas having similar conditions as the test areas.     

喷施小分子有机物对小油菜生长发育和养分吸收的影响

【目的】 某些小分子有机物具有良好的渗透、 保湿及粘着性,与养分混合喷施可促进作物生长和养分吸收,在农业生产上常被用作肥料助剂,但关于小分子有机物本身对作物生长发育、 养分吸收等方面影响的研究目前鲜有报道,本文利用小油菜盆栽试验,喷施不同小分子有机物(山梨醇、 葡萄糖酸钠、 甘氨酸),以研究小分子有机物对作物生长发育、 养分吸收的影响和明确不同小分子有机物的最佳喷施浓度。【方法】采用盆栽试验,作物选用小油菜,小分子有机物选用山梨醇、 葡萄糖酸钠和甘氨酸,每种小分子有机物各设4个喷施浓度: 山梨醇为30、 90、 150和300 mg/kg,葡萄糖酸钠为150、 300、 600和1200 mg/kg,甘氨酸为60、 120、 250和500 mg/kg,以喷施清水为对照,共13个处理,每个处理四次重复,采用随机区组排列。小油菜三叶期开始喷施,之后每隔7天喷施一次,共喷施4次。小油菜收获后,测定生物量、 叶片SPAD值以及植株硝态氮、 可溶性糖、 可溶性蛋白与氮、 磷、 钾养分的含量,分析喷施小分子有机物对小油菜产量、 品质、 养分吸收的影响,并采用回归分析方法研究小分子有机物喷施浓度与上述各测定指标的相关性。【结果】1)与对照(喷清水)相比,喷施山梨醇、 葡萄糖酸钠和甘氨酸的小油菜生物量平均增加了9.80%、 26.37%、 25.40%,其中,以喷施山梨醇300 mg/kg、 葡萄糖酸钠 600 mg/kg和甘氨酸250 mg/kg的小油菜生物量增幅最大,分别为25.60%、 31.87%、 35.87%;2)与喷清水对照相比,喷施3种小分子有机物均可改善小油菜品质、 促进养分吸收,其中,喷施适宜浓度的山梨醇、 葡萄糖酸钠和甘氨酸可显著降低小油菜硝态氮含量,明显提高可溶性糖含量和SPAD值,显著促进小油菜对氮、 磷、 钾养分的吸收;3)根据回归分析结果,3种小分子有机物喷施浓度与小油菜生物量、 品质和养分吸收量均呈二次曲线相关,表明在适宜的喷施浓度下,山梨醇、 葡萄糖酸钠和甘氨酸均具有促进作物生长和吸收养分的作用,其中,以山梨醇150～300 mg/kg、 葡萄糖酸钠600～1200 mg/kg、 甘氨酸120～250 mg/kg喷施效果最佳。【结论】 小分子有机物山梨醇、 葡萄糖酸钠和甘氨酸叶面喷施可促进小油菜生长和对养分(氮、 磷、 钾)的吸收、 提高产量、 改善品质,可作为作物的叶面有机营养剂直接施用,并可进一步研究作为有机水溶性肥料的助剂。