Inhibition of alpha-glucosidase in cattle by Castanospermum australe: an attempted phenocopy of Pompe''s disease

Pompe's disease is characterised by an absence of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase, but this enzyme is also inhibited by Castanospermum australe seeds. Four calves were fed C. australe seeds at the rate of 0.15 g/kg body weight for periods from 1 to 4 days. Lymphocyte alpha-glucosidase activity was reduced by at least 90%, with the majority of inhibition occurring within 8 h of dosing. Several weeks elapsed before activity returned to normal. Significant inhibition of muscle alpha-glucosidase occurred and the ratio of plasma alpha-glucosidase activity measured at pH 5.6 relative to that at pH 3.7 was depressed. In an attempt to induce Pompe's disease, 2 calves were dosed with 1.2 g C. australe seed/kg body weight/day for 13 months. Lymphocyte and muscle alpha-glucosidase activities were markedly reduced over the entire period of feeding, but the animals showed no clinical signs of disease. Tissue cells were not vacuolated nor did they show any apparent accumulation of glycogen. Despite significant inhibition of alpha-glucosidase in skeletal and cardiac muscle, liver, kidney and brain, it is suggested that there was sufficient residual enzyme to prevent induction of a phenocopy of Pompe's disease.     

The toxicity of Castanospermum australe seeds for cattle

Two calves given a mean of 16.1 g and 16.4 g ripe Castanospermum australe seeds/kg body weight daily for 13 and 16 days respectively developed haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. The first calf died. The second calf had mild myocardial degeneration and necrosis and mild nephrosis at necropsy. Two calves given a mean of 16.8 g unripe C. australe seeds/kg body weight daily for 18 days remained clinically normal and had mild gastritis at necropsy. The activity of alpha-glucosidase was reduced in the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and in skeletal muscle. This was attributed to the presence of the indolizidine alkaloid, castanospermine, in the seeds. The toxin causing the gastroenteritis and other lesions is unknown.     

Heterozygote detection in a family of Lapland dogs with a recessively inherited metabolic disease: canine glycogen storage disease type II

The control of recessively inherited inborn errors of metabolism may benefit from quantitative biochemical screening assays enabling the identification of heterozygous individuals. Based on the principle of partial enzyme deficiency in heterozygotes, an attempt was made to identify heterozygous animals in a Lapland dog family with canine glycogen storage disease type II (acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency). Acid alpha-glucosidase activity was determined in peripheral blood leucocyte extracts of 12 related Lapland dogs, two of which were obligate heterozygotes. The use of an antiserum against acid alpha-glucosidase was necessary to increase the specificity of the assay. Twice the obligate heterozygous enzyme level was assumed to indicate the homozygous normal level. Five dogs were designated as presumptive heterozygotes, and five as presumptive normal homozygotes. The results in two dogs were inconclusive. The information obtained in this preliminary investigation may be helpful in the control of the disease in the Lapland dog breed.     

Relationship between serving capacity of beef bulls as predicted by the yard test and their fertility during paddock mating

Six experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between the serving capacity of bulls as predicted by a 40-min yard test and their fertility during paddock mating, measured by the conception rate at first oestrus and the pregnancy rate at the end of 10 weeks of mating. Twenty bulls varying in serving capacity from 1 to 11 were mated to 40 heifers each. As serving capacity of the bulls increased from 1 to 7, conception rate increased from 18 to 70%. Average conception rates achieved by 4 bulls with low serving capacity (25.3%), 8 bulls with medium serving capacity (61.4%) and 7 bulls with high serving capacity (72.3%) were all significantly different from one another. Bulls of low serving capacity (1 or 2 services) impregnated a significantly lower proportion of their heifers (40.3%) than bulls with medium (91.2%) or high (95.3%) serving capacity. It was concluded that bulls of serving capacity 1 or 2 (in 40 min) should be considered unsound for breeding. An explanation for the results and their implication in beef production is discussed.     

Fluctuation in seed abundance has contrasting effects on the fate of seeds from two rapidly germinating tree species in an Asian tropical forest

The seed predator satiation hypothesis states that high seed abundance can satiate seed predators or seed dispersers, thus promoting seed survival. However, for rapidly germinating seeds in tropical forests, high seed abundance may limit dispersal as the seeds usually remain under parent trees for long periods, which may lead to high mortality due to rodent predation or fungal infestations. By tracking 2 species of rapidly germinating seeds (Pittosporopsis kerrii, family Icacinaceae; Camellia kissi, family Theaceae), which depend on dispersal by scatter‐hoarding rodents, we investigated the effects of seed abundance at the community level on predation and seed dispersal in the tropical forest of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Southwest China. We found that high seed abundance at the community level was associated with delayed and reduced seed removal, decreased dispersal distance and increased pre‐dispersal seed survival for both plant species. High seed abundance was also associated with reduced seed caching of C. kissi, but it showed little effect on seed caching of P. kerrii. However, post‐dispersal seed survival for the 2 plant species followed the reverse pattern. High seed abundance in the community was associated with higher post‐dispersal survival of P. kerrii seeds, but with lower post‐dispersal survival of C. kissi seeds. Our results suggest that different plant species derive benefit from fluctuations in seed production in different ways.     

蔷薇科果树种子休眠特性及化学处理方法的研究进展

蔷薇科果树种子具有特有的休眠特性,种子在常规条件下萌发较困难,为通过杂交选育优良品种带来了很大局限性。本文较系统地综述了蔷薇科果树种子的结构特点、生理休眠和种皮因素限制种子萌发的特性,并重点阐述了利用化学药剂处理提高不同亚科种子萌发率的研究进展,旨在揭示其在种子萌发处理技术探究方面的共性和差异,为今后蔷薇科种子高效萌发技术研发提供线索依据。     

Innate immune responses of temperamental and calm cattle after transportation

The objective was to investigate measures of cellular innate immune responses among calm and temperamental Brahman bulls in response to handling and transportation. Sixteen Brahman bulls (344 ± 37 d of age; 271.6 ± 45.5 kg BW) classified as either calm (n=8) or temperamental (n=8) were loaded onto a trailer, transported for 4h to a novel facility, rested 16 h overnight, and then were returned to their original facility after a 4h transport. Blood samples were collected immediately prior to (time 0) and at 24, 48, and 96 h after initial loading for analyses of innate immune and blood parameters. Leukocyte counts did not differ (P>0.05) due to temperament before or after transportation, but neutrophil:mononuclear cell ratios were greater in temperamental bulls compared to calm bulls at 24h. At 24h, expression of peripheral neutrophil β(2)-integrin decreased among all bulls compared with 0 h (P<0.01). Temperamental bulls had greater glucose and cortisol than calm bulls (P<0.01) at 48 h; whereas calm bulls had elevated neutrophil L-selectin expression, and phagocytic and oxidative burst activity compared with temperamental bulls (P<0.10) at 48 h. The supernatant collected from endotoxin-stimulated whole blood cultures had greater TNF-α concentrations at 48 h than at the other time points (P<0.05), but no temperament effect was observed (P>0.05). In contrast, 96 h after initial loading the supernatant TNF-α concentrations were lower (P<0.05) among all cattle. Lastly, transportation increased neutrophil phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and cell adhesion molecule expression 96 h post-transportation and the effect was more pronounced among calm bulls. These data suggest that neutrophils from calm bulls are more likely to resist microbial invasion at 96 h after transportation than neutrophils from temperamental bulls.     

GENERALISED GLYCOGENOSIS IN BRAHMAN CATTLE

Generalised glycogenosis was diagnosed in Brahman cattle on 4 Queensland properties on the basis of clinical observations and pathological and biochemical findings. The disease presented as a problem of ill-thrift and poor growth rate in calves which eventually showed nervous signs. Histologically there was vacuolation in the cells of the central nervous system, heart and muscular tissues. Biochemical assay of liver and blood mononuclear cells demonstrated a deficiency of alpha-glucosidase. Parents of affected calves had approximately half the alpha-glucosidase activity of that found in normal cattle.     

环境因子对云南扁穗雀麦种子萌发和出苗的影响

扁穗雀麦是近年由牧场逃逸至农田的恶性入侵杂草。为了解入侵和生态适应性规律,通过室内试验测定了温度、湿度、深度、pH、盐和渗透势对扁穗雀麦种子萌发的影响。结果表明,30/20 ℃的变温处理下种子萌发率最高,达到92.1%;随着日平均温度的降低种子萌发率逐渐降低;日平均温度接近10 ℃种子几乎不萌发。在pH 5~10的环境条件下,种子萌发率均能达到90%,弱酸和弱碱处理的种子萌发率显著高于中性处理。低于20 mmol·L^-1的NaCl处理与对照无显著差异,160 mmol·L^-1的处理种子萌发率仍可达到85%以上。-0.1 MPa的渗透势下种子萌发率最高,渗透势高于-0.2 MPa的处理种子萌发率与对照无显著差异,-0.4 MPa处理种子的萌发率仍高于80%。在60%相对湿度的土壤中,种子的萌发率和萌发势均最高。播种于土表的种子萌发势和萌发率均最高,播种深度达到10 cm时,种子几乎不萌发。由此可见,扁穗雀麦种子萌发对环境条件的生态适合度高,因此在多数区域气候温暖干旱的云南具有入侵广阔生境的可能性。     

Increasing the amount of n-3 fatty acid in meat from young Holstein bulls through nutrition

Fifty-four Holstein bulls were blocked by initial BW (301 +/- 7.4 kg) and randomly assigned to 6 treatments following a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with 3 concentrate lipid levels (5, 8, and 11% of DM) and 2 lipid sources (whole canola seed and whole linseed), with the objective of evaluating the possibility of increasing the content of n-3 fatty acids in meat. Concentrates (mostly corn meal) were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Concentrate and straw were both fed ad libitum. Animal BW was recorded every 2 wk, and feed consumption was recorded weekly. Ruminal pH and VFA concentrations were determined monthly. Bulls were transported to the slaughterhouse when they achieved the target slaughter weight of 443 kg (after 105 +/- 4 d of fattening). After slaughter, a sample of LM from the sixth to the eighth ribs was dissected and analyzed for intramuscular fat content and fatty acid profile. Dietary lipid source did not affect overall animal performance, rumen fermentation, or carcass quality. Rumen pH was >6.0 despite consumption by the bulls of large amounts of concentrate. In bulls fed linseed, the percentage of n-3 fatty acids in LM increased linearly with lipid level, whereas in bulls fed canola seed it remained constant. The ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids was lower (P < 0.01) in the LM of bulls fed linseed (10.0) than in those fed canola seed (26.0). The content of cis-9, trans-11-CLA in the LM tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in the bulls fed linseed than in those fed canola seed (62.9 vs. 49.2 mg/kg of LM, respectively). Concentration of n-3 fatty acids in meat of bulls fed high-concentrate diets can be enhanced by whole linseed supplementation without affecting animal performance, ruminal fermentation, or carcass quality.     

Genotyping cattle for inherited congenital myoclonus and maple syrup urine disease

OBJECTIVE: To develop a routine procedure for establishing the inherited congenital myoclonus (ICM) genotype of cattle and to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of heterozygotes for ICM and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) in Australian Poll Herefords. DESIGN: A mismatch amplification procedure was developed to genotype for ICM. The ICM and MSUD genotypes of subjects from a 'neuraxial oedema' experimental breeding herd were investigated. Tail hair roots were used as a source of target DNA to determine the ICM and MSUD genotypes of 455 Poll Hereford bulls. RESULTS: An Acc I mismatch procedure was found to be suitable to genotype cattle for the ICM alleles using tail hair roots as the source of DNA. Based on the prevalence of heterozygotes among saleyard and sale bulls in the early 1990s, and contemporary slaughter bulls, the frequencies of the alleles responsible for ICM and MSUD were estimated to be between 0.01 and 0.02. CONCLUSION: This survey demonstrates that the mutations responsible for ICM and MSUD are present in the Australian Poll Hereford population. PCR tests could be used to advantage in differential diagnosis of neurological disease in newly born calves and in selection of Poll Hereford seed stock.     

Detection of bovine immunodeficiency virus DNA in the blood and semen of experimentally infected bulls

Five 18- to 24-month-old bulls were inoculated with either a cell suspension containing bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV-FL112; 3 bulls) or a BIV-free cell suspension (2 bulls). Blood and semen specimens were collected once a week for 14 weeks, and seroconversion was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) testing. The presence of BIV in blood and semen was determined by virus isolation and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Antibodies to BIV were detected in the 3 experimentally infected bulls as early as day post inoculation (DPI) 17, and levels peaked at DPI 37-58. BIV was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) of the infected bulls at DPI 9 (2 bulls) and DPI 23 (1 bull), and could be isolated from one animal up to DPI 65. PCR analysis of MNC DNA, using BIV pol gene primers, detected virus in all three of the experimentally infected bulls from DPI 9 until the termination of the experiment at DPI 98. Efforts to isolate a significant number of non-spermatozoal cells (NSC) by gradient separation from the semen of the experimentally infected bulls were unsuccessful. Two methods for the extraction of total NSC DNA from up to 2 ml of non-extended semen were employed; however, no BIV pol fragment was amplified from these DNA preparations. Additionally, 30 bulls from artificial insemination (AI) centers were evaluated for BIV infection by PCR. No amplification products were obtained from MNC DNA from the AI submissions using primer sets for both the BIV pol and env genes.     

Effect of 12-hour road transportation on physiological, immunological and haematological parameters in bulls housed at different space allowances

The effects of transporting Holstein Friesian bulls (n=72; bodyweight 403+/-3.5 kg) for 12h by road were examined. Adrenal, haematological and immune responses, body temperature and performance were recorded. The animals had been previously housed for 96 days at three space allowances (1.2, 2.7 or 4.2m(2) per bull). The bulls were allocated to one of two treatments: T (transport for 12h; n=16 per space allowance) and C (control; n=8 per space allowance). Basal cortisol plasma concentrations and interferon (IFN)-gamma production from cultured lymphocytes did not show any statistically significant difference (P>0.05) following the housing period. Removing bulls from their home pens and walking them to the pre-loading crush facility, loading onto the transporter, and unloading following the 12h road journey, significantly (P<0.001) increased plasma cortisol concentration. The bulls housed at 4.2m(2) had greater (P<0.05) plasma cortisol concentrations than bulls housed at 1.2m(2) at loading, unloading, or on return to the crush holding facility; those housed at 1.2m(2) had greater (P<0.05) plasma cortisol concentrations than bulls housed at 2.7 and 4.2m(2) in their home pens after transport. There was an increased (P<0.05) plasma cortisol response in the T than in the C bulls following adrenocorticotrophic hormone administration. Transport significantly reduced (P<0.05) IFN-gamma production, lymphocyte % and body weight and significantly increased (P<0.05) neutrophils, eosinophils, packed cell volume, red blood cell numbers and haemoglobin. In conclusion, housing bulls for 96 days in a range of space allowances did not affect basal cortisol response or immune function parameters. Whereas transport increased plasma cortisol and reduced the immune response in the short-term, the changes were transient and within normal physiological ranges, suggesting that 12h road transport had no adverse effect on welfare status over the longer term. Furthermore, transport of bulls housed at increased space allowance (4.2m(2)/bull) resulted in a greater plasma cortisol response, albeit still within normal physiological range.     

火炬树浸提液对两种草坪草种子萌发的影响

火炬树（Rhus typhina Nutt.）因其较高的观赏价值,常与其他地被植物应用于景观配置中。然而,火炬树较强的化感效应影响其冠下植物的正常生长。本文研究了3种浓度（0.1,0.005,0.025 g·L^-1）火炬树当年生枝条、种子、种皮浸提液对多年生黑麦草（Lolium perenne L.）和草地早熟禾（Poa pratensis L.）种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,旨在厘清火炬树对草坪草种子的化感效应,为火炬树与草坪草的合理搭配提供理论依据。结果表明火炬树的化感效应随浸提液浓度的增加而增强;0.1 g·L^-1浸提液对种子萌发的抑制作用最强;火炬树不同部位不同浓度浸提液对草坪草种子的抑制作用排序为种皮>枝条>种子,说明化感物质主要存在于种皮中。火炬树化感作用对草地早熟禾种子的影响高于多年生黑麦草,多年生黑麦草更适合作为火炬树的冠下地被植物。     

老芒麦种子染色体端粒及抗氧化防御系统对自然老化的响应

为探讨老芒麦种子响应自然老化的抗氧化作用机制和细胞染色体端粒酶活性变化规律,本试验以‘青牧1号’老芒麦(Elymus sibiricus L.‘Qingmu No.1’)种子为试验材料,研究常温贮藏1,2,4,5和6年后,老芒麦种子活力、生理生化代谢产物、抗氧化酶活性以及端粒酶活性的变化规律。结果表明：随着贮藏时间增加,老芒麦种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、芽长和活力指数均逐渐降低,端粒酶活性显著升高(P<0.05),葡萄糖含量和浸出液电导率明显上升;贮藏初期,超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase, SOD),过氧化物酶(Peroxidase, POD)和过氧化氢酶(Catalase, CAT)活性缓慢降低,贮藏2年以后,上述指标活性急剧下降,从而加快了老芒麦种子的老化进程。老芒麦种子在自然贮藏过程中抗氧化酶活性的降低造成活性氧不能及时清除,导致细胞膜脂过氧化,膜通透性增加,继而影响了种子的萌芽以及幼苗的生长。     

超干处理对柳枝稷种子活力及幼苗生长特性的影响

研究超干处理对柳枝稷(Panicum virgatum L.)种子活力及幼苗生长特性的影响,为柳枝稷种子耐干性及贮藏提供理论基础。采用硅胶干燥法将柳枝稷种子含水量由9%分别降至7%,5%,3%,2%,1%,测定不同含水量条件下种子的活力以及种子萌发后第14 d幼苗的叶面积、根长、苗长、根冠比、鲜重、干重及相对电导率等指标的影响。柳枝稷种子含水量由对照9%降到2%的过程中,种子仍保持较高活力。含水量降至1%种子活力显著下降,但种子的相对电导率与种子活力没有显著相关性。超干处理后幼苗生长正常。柳枝稷种子属于正常型种子,其贮藏的安全水分下限为2%。超干处理并没有破坏柳枝稷种子细胞膜的完整性,也未对幼苗的生长造成损伤。     

Behavioral aspects of electronic bull separation and mate allocation in multiple-sire mating paddocks

Controlling spatial positioning of cattle through use of electronic collars could provide new ways to farm under extensive conditions. This study examined the potential for bulls to be controlled during mating using mild electric shocks delivered through radio-controlled collars. Eighteen Belmont Red bulls were fitted with collars containing the Global Positioning System and that were able to emit a mild electric shock (500 mW) at the top of the neck behind the poll. Eighteen Belmont Red cows were fitted with Global Positioning System collars only. The experiment was replicated 3 times in 3 paddocks. Each paddock contained 2 bulls and 1 cow in induced estrus. On d 1, the bulls were either assigned to the cow or not assigned to the cow, and on d 2, the assignments were reversed, and bulls received the other treatment using a new cow. Treatments were applied for 2 h on each day. The nonassigned bull received a mild electric shock on approach to either the cow or to a bull, whereas the assigned bull received a mild electric shock on approach to the other bull only. The electric shock was applied when the bulls were within approximately 10 m and moving toward the nonallowed animal. The electric shock was terminated when the animal responded by stopping movement toward the nonallowed animal. In the first 10 min, nonassigned bulls spent less time within 5 m of the cow (P = 0.03) than assigned bulls. Assigned bulls spent more time close to the cow during the entire 120 min on d 1 than on d 2 (P = 0.014). On d 1, the assigned bulls moved more toward the cow and the nonassigned bull than they did on d 2 (P = 0.02). Assigned bulls displayed more sexual behaviors than nonassigned bulls (P = 0.004). Nonassigned bulls were sometimes observed not to approach the cow despite a change in its location. This suggests that the bull associated the electric shock with the cow and not with the location in which it received the electric shock. Instances were observed in which the cow pursued the nonassigned bull, in which case the bull did not receive an electric shock, and this may reflect the preference of the cow. This study demonstrated that bulls can be separated and prevented from approaching a cow in estrus using a mild electric shock. However, mate allocation was not completely successful due to the potential for cow preference for certain bulls.     

Reproductive criteria of beef bulls during and after exposure to increased ambient temperature

Sixteen yearling Angus bulls were randomly assigned to one of two temperature-controlled chambers to determine the effects of elevated ambient temperature on body functions and semen characteristics. After 8 wk adjustment at 23 C, eight heat-stressed bulls were exposed to 35 +/- 1 C for 8 h and 31 +/- 1 C for 16 h during each 24-h period, and eight control bulls were maintained at 23 +/- 1 C for 8 wk. Then all bulls were exposed to 23 C for 8 wk. Bulls were fed so that both control and stressed bulls gained at similar rates (.58 kg/d). Semen was collected with an artificial vagina twice weekly before, during and after heat stress. During treatment, the respiratory rate of stressed bulls was greater (P less than .001) than that of control bulls (54.2 +/- 1.5, 29.9 +/- 1.5 breaths/min, respectively). Rectal temperatures were increased (P less than .01) from 38.2 +/- .1 to 38.7 +/- .1 C and water consumption was increased by 35% in stressed bulls when compared with controls. Semen volume was not altered by treatment, but percentage of motile sperm decreased (P less than .01) in stressed bulls by 2 wk after the start of heat treatment. Sperm motility of stressed bulls returned to normal values 8 wk after the end of heat treatment. Similarly, the percentage of aged acrosomes on sperm from stressed bulls increased (P less than .01) by the second week of treatment and remained greater than that of controls throughout the stress period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Scatter‐hoarding rodents as secondary seed dispersers of a frugivore‐dispersed tree Scleropyrum wallichianum in a defaunated Xishuangbanna tropical forest,China

Local extinction or population decline of large frugivorous vertebrates as primary seed dispersers, caused by human disturbance and habitat change, might lead to dispersal limitation of many large‐seeded fruit trees. However, it is not known whether or not scatter‐hoarding rodents as secondary seed dispersers can help maintain natural regeneration (e.g. seed dispersal) of these frugivore‐dispersed trees in the face of the functional reduction or loss of primary seed dispersers. In the present study, we investigated how scatter‐hoarding rodents affect the fate of tagged seeds of a large‐seeded fruit tree (Scleropyrum wallichianum Arnott, 1838, Santalaceae) from seed fall to seedling establishment in a heavily defaunated tropical forest in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan Province, in southwest China, in 2007 and 2008. Our results show that: (i) rodents removed nearly all S. wallichianum seeds in both years; (ii) a large proportion (2007, 75%; 2008, 67.5%) of the tagged seeds were cached individually in the surface soil or under leaf litters; (iii) dispersal distance of primary caches was further in 2007 (19.6 ± 14.6 m) than that in 2008 (14.1 ± 11.6 m), and distance increased as rodents recovered and moved seeds from primary caches into subsequent caching sites; and (iv) part of the cached seeds (2007, 3.2%; 2008, 2%) survived to the seedling stage each year. Our study suggests that by taking roles of both primary and secondary seed dispersers, scatter‐hoarding rodents can play a significant role in maintaining seedling establishment of S. wallichianum, and are able to at least partly compensate for the loss of large frugivorous vertebrates in seed dispersal.     

酸、镉胁迫对金丝草种子萌发、幼苗生长及亚显微结构的影响

金丝草可在土壤酸化和镉污染的矿区正常生长,其可能对酸和镉(Cd)胁迫具有特殊的响应策略。为此,以金丝草种子为试验材料,在人工气候箱中进行种子萌发试验,设置不同酸(pH 5.5、4.5、3.5)和镉(5、10、20 mg·L^-1)胁迫处理,分析不同胁迫条件下金丝草种子萌发、幼苗生长、根系质膜完整性及芽亚显微结构等指标的差异。结果表明:酸胁迫可提高金丝草种子发芽率,不同酸胁迫处理其发芽率均与对照无显著差异(P>0.05);随pH的逐渐减小,金丝草萌发指标呈减小趋势,pH 3.5处理,金丝草种子除发芽率外的其他萌发指标均显著小于对照(P<0.05);随着Cd浓度的增加,金丝草种子萌发和幼苗生长指标值均呈逐渐减小的趋势,表现出抑制作用,但Cd 20 mg·L^-1处理金丝草种子发芽率仍可达40%以上。相关性分析和隶属函数值分析发现,pH大于3.5,Cd浓度小于10 mg·L^-1对金丝草种子萌发和幼苗生长无显著影响,但随pH的进一步减小和Cd浓度的提高,对金丝草种子萌发和幼苗生长抑制作用明显,根尖质膜和芽亚显微结构造成较大损害,出现细胞器膜破裂和细胞空泡化等现象。综上,金丝草种子萌发对酸和镉胁迫有较强耐性,表现出轻度酸和镉胁迫对种子萌发和幼苗生长促进,而强酸和镉胁迫则抑制。