Effect of Enriched Cattle Manure on Soil Nutrient Status,Nitrogen Uptake and Yield of Tea （Camellia sinensis）

Inorganic fertilizer NPK （nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium） （S） 25：5：5：5 is generally recommended for optimum yield and quality of tea （Camellia sinensis）. Non-judicious use of this inorganic fertilizer however acidifies the soils and pollutes the environment. Integrated soil fertility management （ISFM） which involves the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer is recommended for improved crop yield and soil health. An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of enriching cattle manure with different ratios of inorganic fertilizers （OM： NPKS at ratios 1：2 and 1：4）, and rates on soil nutrient status, nitrogen uptake and yield of tea in the east of Rift Valley, Kenya. Enriching manures and organic manure up to a rate of 150 kg N/ha increased the level of P mature leaf. A higher N and K level in the mature leaf was observed when NPKS was applied at higher rates. In the soil, fertilizer rate up to 150 kg N/ha showed higher pH and K where organic manure and enriched manures were applied while NPKS treatment showed higher P content throughout the soil depths. Enriching organic manures with inorganic fertilizers increased yield significantly.     

适配体的研究进程与思考*

 适配体（aptamer）是指利用指数富集的配体系统进化（SELEX）技术，从人工合成的寡核苷酸文库中筛选获得的能够与靶分子特异结合的短单链DNA和RNA分子。筛选得到的适配体可以与DNA，RNA，蛋白质或其它靶分子结合，影响这些靶分子的性质，从而起到改变与靶分子相关的生物学功能的效果。而且研究发现，适配体在与靶分子相互作用时，不仅序列，它们所形成的三维结构也尤其重要。同时，适配体在生物医药研究方面显示出广阔的应用前景。介绍了适配体的发展历程，以及一些典型适配体的生物学功效。提出了RNA适配体三维结构在与靶分子进行相互作用时可能发挥重要作用，以期为RNA适配体的筛选提供理论思考。     

适配体的研究进程与思考

适配体（aptamer）是指利用指数富集的配体系统进化（SELEX）技术，从人工合成的寡核苷酸文库中筛选获得的能够与靶分子特异结合的短单链DNA和RNA分子。筛选得到的适配体可以与DNA，RNA，蛋白质或其它靶分子结合，影响这些靶分子的性质，从而起到改变与靶分子相关的生物学功能的效果。而且研究发现，适配体在与靶分子相互作用时，不仅序列，它们所形成的三维结构也尤其重要。同时，适配体在生物医药研究方面显示出广阔的应用前景。介绍了适配体的发展历程，以及一些典型适配体的生物学功效。提出了RNA适配体三维结构在与靶分子进行相互作用时可能发挥重要作用，以期为RNA适配体的筛选提供理论思考。     

In vitro Selection of DNA Aptamers and Fluorescence-Based Recognition for Rapid Detection Listeria monocytogenes

Aptamers are specific nucleic acid sequences that can bind to a wide range of nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid targets with high affinity and specificity. Nucleic acid aptamers are selected in vitro from single stranded DNA or RNA ligands containing random sequences of up to a few hundred nucleotides. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to select and PCR amplify DNA sequences (aptamers) capable of binding to and detecting Listeria monocytogenes, one of the major food-borne pathogens. A simplified affinity separation approach was employed, in which L. monocytogenes in exponential (log) phase of growth was used as the separation target. A fluorescently-labeled aptamer assay scheme was devised for detecting L. monocytogenes. This report described a novel approach to the detection of L. monocytogenes using DNA aptamers. Aptamers were developed by nine rounds of SELEX. A high affinity aptamer was successfully selected from the initial random DNA pool, and its secondary structure was also investigated. One of aptamers named e01 with the highest affinity was further tested in aptamer-peroxidase and aptamer-fluorescence staining protocols. This study has proved the principle that the whole-cell SELEX could be a promising technique to design aptamer-based molecular probes for dectection of pathogenic microorganisms without tedious isolation and purification of complex markers or targets.     

葡萄染色体核型及带型研究初报

采用F-BSG法制备染色体标本,对野生莆萄和栽培品种白香蕉染色体核型和Giemsa带型进行了分析,二者在核型上基本相似,说明亲缘关系相近,但在进化过程中栽培葡萄品种核型有不对称的趋势。     

Hominid phylogeny and immunology: a critical appraisal

Although there seems to be a regular relation of protein change versus time via an exponential equation of the form ID =e(kt), nevertheless, examination of the data indicates that such an exponential fit may be premature. Two other models, ID = kt + b and ID = bt(k) + c represent better fits. Without better data none of the models appears convincing.     

SELEX技术筛选毒死蜱单链DNA适体

试验旨在利用SELEX技术体外筛选毒死蜱的特异性适体。体外合成全长为91 nt的ssDNA文库,以链亲和素修饰的凝胶为载体、毒死蜱为靶分子进行SELEX(配体指数增强系统进化技术)筛选。利用荧光标记法测定适体的筛选效率、亲和力和特异性,通过MFOLD分析软件对亲和力较高的适体进行二级结构预测和结合位点分析。结果表明,经过15轮筛选后,DNA文库的筛选效率达到44.00%;最终获得9条ssDNA适体,其中适体N23对毒死蜱具有最高的亲和力,其结合活性显著高于N23与水胺硫磷、丙溴磷、氧化乐果的结合活性;二级结构表明茎环结构可能是毒死蜱与适体相互作用的结构基础。     

Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.     

Hydrolytic Enzyme Inhibitors and Necrotic Reactions in Potato Leaves Reduce Reproductive Success of Colorado Potato Beetle

In field and laboratory conditions the reproductive potential （survival at different stages of development） of the Colorado potato beetle has been measured, the dependence of the parameters of insects fertility on varietal features of the feed has been investigated, the food activity of the representatives of insects from four areas of the Southern Urals has been measured, the intensity and time of hypersensitivity reactions on potato leaves has been defined. In laboratory experiments, the level of activity of hydrolytic enzymes in insects and the level of activity of these enzymes inhibitors in the leaves of three potato varieties differing in their resistance to the Colorado potato beetle have been determined. The results show that the insects-representatives of different samples have different food activity in relation to different potato varieties. High mortality rates were revealed at feeding with leaves of potato of the Bashkir variety characterized by a high level of hydrolases inhibitors and relatively rapid development of necrotic reactions after the appearance of eggs laying on the leaves. We suppose that the neerogenetic barrier appearing in the form of necrosis is the major cause of the fetal mortality of insects. The level of the content of inhibitors inactivating larvae digestive enzymes affects the survival of insects at postembryonic stages. The speed of the necrosis emergence, the level of activity of digestive enzymes inhibitors in potato can be considered as criteria for the selection of breeding material for resistance to the Colorado potato beetle.     

Effects of Various Degrees of Antennal Ablation on Mating and Oviposition Preferences of the Diamondback Moth,Plutella xylostella L.

Using scanning electron microscopy, we investigated the distribution of the trichoid, basiconic, and coeloconic sensilla on the antennae of the diamondback moth （DBM;Plutella xylostella）. The trichoid sensilla were the most abundant sensory organ, and the male moth antennae host signiifcantly more trichoid sensilla than female moth antennae. Conversely, basiconic and coeloconic sensilla were found more frequently on female than on male antennae. We performed experiments with various degrees of antennal ablation and demonstrated that DBM antennae played a key role in the control of mating and oviposition. We found that neither oviposition preference nor mating behaviors changed signiifcantly when less than 1/4 of both antennae were removed. However, there was a signiifcant behavioral change when the antennae were ablated by more than half. As the length of the antenna was shortened, the successful mating rate decreased and mating peak was delayed. An otherwise consistent host preference for oviposition was eliminated when both antennae were completely removed. Furthermore, we found that the number of trichoid sensilla was positively correlated with mating rate and oviposition preference. However, the numbers of basiconic and coeloconic sensilla were not correlated with mating rate and mating peak, but highly correlated with oviposition preference. Taken together, our results indicate that antennal sensory information plays a critical role in the mating and oviposition behaviors of this economically important pest.     

Under-Winter Sowings of Red Beetroot in Uzbekistan

The results of the three-year researches which had the purpose to establish an optimum depth of seeding at sowing and rational norm of seeding of red beetroot seeds at under-winter sowing in conditions of mid-loamy typical grey soils of the central climatic zone of Uzbekistan are stated in article. The researches were spent at statement of field experiences in quadruple frequency with the area of a registration allotment 10 M^-1. Crops were carried out in the first decade of December against mulching surfaces of ridges by humus and without mulching. Crops were carried out on ridges in width of 70 sm tape-two-lined with distance between tapes of 50 sm, between lines-20 sm and distance between plants in a line of 12-13 sm, at density of standing of 228-230 thousand plants/hectares. Experiences were spent with zoned in Uzbekistan multi-seedling grade of a red beetroot ＂Bordo 237＂. Experiences were accompanied by phenological supervision, biometric accounts, the account of field germination of seeds, density of standing of plants and definition of size and quality of a crop. Results of researches were exposed to the statistical analysis by a dispersive method. It has been revealed that at under-winter sowing of a red beetroot the effective way providing acceleration of shoots occurrence, formations of high-grade density of standing and increase of productivity of root crops is mulching the surfaces of ridges by humus. It is defined that optimum depth of seeding at sowing both at application of mulching and without it is the depth of seeding 4 sm. It is established that the most rational norm of seeding of the seeds, providing high-grade density of standing, is at cultivation with application of mulching 8 kg/ha, and at cultivation without mulching 8-10 kg/ha. Application of mulching the surfaces of ridges by humus, depths of seeding of 4 sm and norms of seeding of seeds of 8-10 kg/ha in conditions of under-winter sowing in comparison with cultivation without mulching and depth of seeding 2 sm and norms of seeding of 6 kg/ha provides an acceleration of receipt of fresh production of a red beetroot for 12-14 days and considerably raises root crops productivity. Application of agro receptions improved by us is the important reserve of acceleration of receipt of red beetroot early production and increase of its manufacture.     

Probabilistic Model of the Brown Rat Control

We represent assessment of the rats control operator＇s actions, starting from the placement of rat control means （chemical, mechanical and others） in the object territory until the full its elimination and followed by assessment of the probability of rat population recovery. The probability of success is evaluated when using a combination of rat control means. We took into account changes in rat population occurring in different calendar periods of the year. The proposed calculation method can be used in training programs, as well as for the local forecast of releasing objects from rats and rats＇ re-settling.     

Application of Neutron Activation Analysis Technique for the Analysis of Soil Samples from Farmlands of Yebrage Hawariat,East Gojjam,Ethiopia

Farmers may not be conscious for their farmland＇s nutrients, soil organic matter, water and air because they simply concerned only for their labor availability and soil fertility losses. The composition and proportion of these components greatly influence soil physical properties, including texture, structure and porosity, the fraction of pore space in a soil. The soil of this farmland must be able to supply adequate amount of plant nutrients, in forms which can be absorbed by the crop, within its lifespan. Deficiencies or imbalances in the supply of any of essential elements can compromise growth, affecting root development, cell division, crop quality, crop yield and resistance to disease and drought. This study was conducted to fill this knowledge gap in order to develop economically vital and environmentally accepted nutrient management strategies for the use of soils in agricultural lands. The objective of this study is to assess the elemental contents and concentration of soil samples collected from farmlands of ＂Yebrage＂ using neutron activation analysis （NAA） techniques regardless of oxidation state, chemical form or physical locations. NAA is used to determine the elemental composition and concentrations present in a soil. The macro/micronutrient and organic matter deficiencies have been verified in agricultural soils through increased use of soil testing and plant analysis. The challenge for agriculture over the coming decades will meet the world＇s increasing demands for food in a sustainable way. Current issues and future challenges point out that as long as agriculture remains a soil based industry, major decreases in productivity likely to be attained ensuring that plants do not have adequate and balanced supply of nutrients.     

神农架自然保护区宜昌百合染色体核型分析

[目的]研究神农架自然保护区宜昌百合染色体核型,为研究宜昌百合遗传多样性、起源及系统演化提供一定的细胞学依据。[方法]采用常规制片法对神农架保护区的宜昌百合进行染色体核型分析。[结果]神农架保护区宜昌百合染色体数目为2n=2x=24,染色体基数x=12,染色体核型公式为K（2n）=2x=24=4m（2SAT）＋2sm＋8st＋10 t,主要由端部和近端部着丝点染色体组成。染色体相对长度组成为2n=24=4L＋4M2＋14M1＋2S,核型不对称系数为79.66%,属于＂3B＂型。[结论]神农架宜昌百合在百合属植物系统演化上处于比较进化的类型。     

Tillage and Poultry Manure Effects on Soil Physical Properties,Nutrient Status,Growth, Dry Matter and Grain Yield of Sorghum

The effects of different tillage systems and poultry manure on soil physical properties, performance and nutrients in sorghum were studied for three years at Owo, southwest Nigeria. There was factorial combinations of herbicide-based zero tillage （ZT）, manual clearing （MC）, disc ploughing （P）, ploughing plus harrowing （P＋H） and ploughing plus double harrowing （P＋2H）, and two rates of poultry manure at 0 and 7.5 Mg ha^-1. Herbicide-based zero tillage and manual clearing reduced soil temperature and conserved more water than mechanized tillage techniques. Poultry manure reduced soil bulk density and temperature and increased soil water and porosity. There was a percentage decrease of leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, plant height, leaf area, stem girth, root dry weight, dry matter and grain yield in ascending order for herbicide-based zero tillage, manual clearing, ploughing, ploughing plus harrowing and ploughing plus double harrowing while percentage increases were recorded in a descending order for all the various combinations of tillage with poultry manure in that order. Poultry manure in combination with tillage increased dry matter and grain yield by 33.1 and 39.5%, respectively in comparison with tillage only. The manure-zero tillage methods increased dry matter and grain yield by 8% and 15%, respectively when compared with manure-mechanized tillage methods. Zero tillage or manual clearing in combination with 7.5 Mg ha^-1 poultry manure was most suitable for sorghum cultivation.     

Responses of Lowland NERICA and Improved Oryza sativa Rice to Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Sudan Savanna Agroecosystem

The responses of five inter-specific lowland rice cultivars （NERICA-L-19, NERICA-L-20, NERICA-L-41, NERICA-L-42, and NERICA-L-60） and four improved Oryza sativa cultivars （FKR 19, BW 348-1, WITA 4, and SIPI 6923033） to levels of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization were compared on a Typic Natrustalfat Kadawa in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna in 2006 and 2007 The responses of the NERICA-L eultivars to N and P fertilization were similar to the O. sativa cultivars. In a dry year （2007）, the NERICA-L cultivars gave higher yields than O. sativa cultivars. Phosphorus level did not significantly affect crop physiology, yield, and yield components of all the cultivars. Pooled across cultivars, N and P levels, days to panicle initiation, mid-flowering and maturity were, respectively delayed by 17.0, 15.6 and 6.4 days in 2007 compared to 2006. NERICA-L-42 and NERICA-L-41 were the most stable, exhibiting the least difference in duration to maturity between the two years （3.5 and 4.4 days, respectively）, and could therefore be more adapted to rain-fed environments prone to frequent droughts. Increasing N levels from 0 to 120 kg hal produced yield increments of 62.9 and 37.2% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cultivars FKR 19 and WITA 4 gave higher yields in 2006 （3940 and 3542 kg ha^-1, respectively）, while in 2007, NERICA-L-42, NERICA-L^-19 and NERICA-L-20 ranked among the highest in grain yield （3935, 3807 and 3726 kg hal, respectively） and could be recommended to resource-poor farmers. a     

Residual Effect of Long Term Application of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Selected Chemical Properties of a Savanna Alfisol

The residual effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on selected chemical properties of an Alfisol in the long term soil fertility trial established in 1950 at Samaru, Nigerian savanna was assessed. The trial was left fallow for fourteen years due to lack of funds. Topsoil was collected from plots that received three levels of cow dung （D）, nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） in all possible combinations. The soils were analyzed for selected chemical properties. Except for significant effect of applied P on available P, sole application of cow dung, N or P had no significant effect on all the measured soil properties. The interaction of D and P significantly affected the mean values of exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and ECEC in the range of 1.12-1.96, 0.62-1.11, 0.37-0.64 and 2.82-4.11 cmol/kg respectively. The most important results were the ability of the plot that received neither D nor P to significantly increase these parameters than the plots that received only one of the treatments. The results show that the fallow period has changed the effects of application of organic and mineral fertilizers on the soil chemical properties under continuous cultivation by modifying them towards those of a native savanna Alfisol.     

Distribution and Identification of Ixodid Tick Species on Livestock in Northern Pakistan

Identification of lxodid tick species on livestock in two districts, viz., D.I. Khan and Lakki Marwat of Northern Pakistan were made during the period from March to November 2009 through animals＇ survey and questionnaire. The main tick species were Amblyomma （14.3%）, Boophilus microplus （l 8.5%） and Hyalomma anatolicum and H. dromedarii （67.2%）. Out of 3009 collected ticks, the highest number of female （88.7%） and the lowest of males （ l 1.3%） belong to Boophilus; the lowest number of female （92.4%） and the highest of males （77.5%） belong to Amblyomma. However, cows were more susceptible than buffaloes and camels ranked third to ticks infestation. Moreover, cows, buffalos, goats and sheep harbored mixed infestation （had more than one type of ticks）, however, camels and donkey harbored single infestation （had only one type of tick）. An emerging ethno-veterinary or traditional remedy is poultry keeping for ticks＇ elimination in Lakki Marwat. The results of this research will be helped in taking appropriate measures to reduce tick infestation and to improve management practices. Hence, it will help to increase farm productivity and farmers income.     

Comparison of Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Components in Lettuce,Onion and Tomato Obtained with Different Levels and Forms of Nitrogen Fertilization

The effect of N levels and sources on the antioxidant components in vegetable is not completely understood. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the changes in antioxidant capacity diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） and ferric reducing antioxidant power （FRAP）, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total carotene and lycopene contents in edible portions of lettuce, onion and tomato due to different nitrogen levels and sources. The experiment included three N levels （20, 40 and 60 kg/ha for lettuce trial and 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha for either onion or tomato） and four nitrogen sources （calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea）. The antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents in lettuce was enhanced under low nitrogen level, while the antioxidant capacities, phenolics, carotenoids and lycopene in tomato fruits were not significantly affected by the nitrogen dose applied. Application of calcium nitrate caused 50% increase in DPPH and 20% in FRAP of lettuce compared to other nitrogen forms. Tomato treated with calcium nitrate or ammonium sulphate had higher phenolic and ascorbic acid contents than treated plants with ammonium nitrate or urea. Antioxidant tested parameters of onion were not significantly affected by the nitrogen treatments. Nitrogen concentration in tomato fruits significantly correlated with FRAP antioxidant capacity, phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotene and lycopene contents.     

Microscopy Observations of Habitable Space in Biochar for Colonization by Fungal Hyphae From Soil

Biochar is a potential micro-environment for soil microorganisms but evidence to support this suggestion is limited. We explored imaging techniques to visualize and quantify fungal colonization of habitable spaces in a biochar made from a woody feedstock. In addition to characterization of the biochar, it was necessary to optimize preparation and observation methodologies for examining fungal colonization of the biochar. Biochar surfaces and pores were investigated using several microscopy techniques. Biochar particles were compared in soilless media and after deposition in soil. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） observations and characterization of the biochar demonstrated structural heterogeneity within and among biochar particles. Fungal colonization in and on biochar particles was observed using light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. Fluorescent brightener RR 2200 was more effective than Calcofluor White as a hyphal stain. Biochar retrieved from soil and observed using fluorescence microscopy exhibited distinct hyphal networks on external biochar surfaces. The extent of hyphal colonization of biochar incubated in soil was much less than for biochar artificially inoculated with fungi in a soilless medium. The location of fungal hyphae was more clearly visible using SEM than with fluorescence microscopy. Observations of biochar particles colonized by hyphae from soil posed a range of difficulties including obstruction by the presence of soil particles on biochar surfaces and inside pores. Extensive hyphal colonization of the surface of the biochar in the soilless medium contrasted with limited hyphal colonization of pores within the biochar. Both visualization and quantification of hyphal colonization of surfaces and pores of biochar were restricted by two-dimensional imaging associated with uneven biochar surfaces and variable biochar pore structure. There was very little colonization ofbiochar from hyphae in the agricultural soil used in this study.