Inconspicuous restraint of rice seedling growth by root-infecting fungi in soil of a rice paddy field

 Rice seedling growth, estimated by plant height and root development and discoloration, was better in pasteurized soil than in unpasteurized soil obtained from a flooded rice field. Rice seedlings also grew better in sterilized soil modified by adding roots harvested from the pasteurized soil than in soil modified by adding roots harvested from the unpasteurized soil. The results demonstrate that seedling growth in the rice field soil was inhibited by soil microorganisms, even though no typical symptoms such as seedling blight or damping-off appeared. Pythium aristosporum is suggested to be involved in the inhibition. Thus, it appears that inconspicuous restraint of rice seedling growth could occur in soils of rice paddy fields. Received: May 20, 2002 / Accepted: October 16, 2002 Acknowledgments The authors thank Dr. T. Ichitani, former professor at Osaka Prefectural University, for providing an isolate of Pythium aristosporum for comparison, and Mr. Mitsuaki Sato of Akita Prefectural College of Agriculture for technical assistance.     

土壤改良对越桔生长的影响

在盆栽条件下,对生长越桔的土壤进行改良。通过土壤pH值的变化、生长量及相关指标的分析对比,获得适合越桔生长的土壤改良类型。试验研究表明,pH值4.0～5.0的苔藓 草炭 原土 S土壤改良类型适合于越桔的生长,植株的高度、粗度、基生枝数等都明显增加。从各指标上观察,原土 2S的土壤改良类型也具有一定优势,说明在土壤有机质充足的基础上,只需调酸,越桔就能正常生长。     

干椒新品种蓉椒6号的选育

自交系9804和9909杂交配制成杂交一代干椒，植株生长旺盛，座果力强，较抗病毒病和疫病，果实指形，纵长17～19cm，横径1．2cm，青熟果绿色，老熟果鲜红色，单果重8．3g，味辣，品质佳，中熟品种，从定植到采收55d(天)，一般每667m^2产1500～1900kg。     

Functional heterogeneity in resources within landscapes and herbivore population dynamics

Large mammalian herbivores are notorious for their propensity towards population irruptions and crashes, yet many herbivore populations remain relatively stable. I explore how resource heterogeneity within landscapes dampens population instability, using a metaphysiological modelling approach considering patch state distributions. Resource heterogeneity is functionally stabilizing through spreading consumption away from preferred resources before these become critically depleted. Lower-quality resources act as a buffer against starvation during critical periods of the seasonal cycle. Enriching resource quality is destabilizing, even if patch diversity is maintained, because food quantity then becomes the limitation. The potential consequences of landscape fragmentation are explored using the Serengeti ecosystem, characterised by broadscale resource gradients, as a hypothetical example. Further insights provided by the model are illustrated with specific examples concerning the effects of patch scales and waterpoint distribution. A metaphysiological modelling approach enables the basic consequences of landscape heterogeneity to be distinguished from further effects that may arise from specific patch scales and configurations, without the distracting detail of spatially explicit models.     

Validation of the specificity and sensitivity of species-specific primers that provide a reliable molecular diagnostic for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xiphinema diversicaudatum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">X. index</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">X. vuittenezi</Emphasis>

Xiphinema diversicaudatum and X. index are vector nematode species of economic importance in viticulture regions as they can transmit Arabis Mosaic, Grapevine Fanleaf and Strawberry Latent Ringspot viruses to grapevine. Wang et al. (2003) designed species-specific diagnostic primers from ribosomal genes for both these vector species as well as a vector and a non-vector species X. italiae and X. vuittenezi, respectively. Our study aimed to confirm the specificity and determine the sensitivity and reliability of the primers for the two vector species, X. diversicaudatumand X. indexwhen challenged with closely related longidorid species and general nematode communities typical of vineyard soil. With one exception, no PCR product was observed when the primers were tested against six Longidorus, one Paralongidorus and one Xiphinema non-target species. Occasionally (three out of eight replicate PCR reactions) a weak PCR product was noted when primers for X. index were tested with L. elongatus. Furthermore, when challenged with a range of non-target nematode species comprising the nematode community typical of viticulture soil, no PCR product was amplified. An experimental dilution series of extracted DNA rigorously demonstrated that DNA from an equivalent single specimen of the target virus-vector species, X. diversicaudatum and/or X. index, could be detected amongst 1000 equivalent non-targetX. vuittenezi. Also, extracted DNA from an equivalent single target specimen was detected when added to DNA extracted from the overall soil nematode community. The primers were assessed further by using serial mixtures of actual nematodes rather than extracted DNA to simulate field soil. Using this method, a single target nematode could be detected amongst 200 non-target specimens. Given their specificity, sensitivity and reliability, it appears that these diagnostic primers will be of great benefit to phytosanitary/quarantine services related to the viticulture industry.     

利用微卫星标记分析贵州5个地方鸡品种遗传多样性

通过选用30个多态性较好的微卫星标记,检测了贵州省5个地方鸡品种:竹乡鸡、威宁鸡、黔东南小香鸡、高脚鸡、乌蒙乌骨鸡的遗传多样性。计算了各群体的平均遗传杂合度(H)、多态信息含量(PIC)和群体间的DA遗传距离。结果表明:在5个品种中,杂合度最低的是高脚鸡,为0.501,杂合度最高的是竹乡鸡,为0.673,因此贵州各地方鸡品种的杂合度相差较大,据分析可能是由于交通闭塞,形成了家禽品种的多种多型,而且杂合度的高低与PIC值的大小体现了较高的一致性;用UPGMA法进行聚类分析,结果6个鸡品种被聚为3类:竹乡鸡、黔东南小香鸡和威宁鸡聚为一类,乌蒙乌骨鸡自聚为一类;高脚鸡独自聚为一类。这与几个鸡品种的来源、分化、选育历史及地理分布是一致的。     

降低畜产公害的营养调控

畜牧生产中产生的恶臭气体以及粪尿中的氮、磷元素、微量矿物元素等,对空气、土壤和水体造成严重的环境污染,极大地影响人类的生存质量和身体健康。利用日粮营养调控可减少氮和磷的排泄量、减少微量矿物元素的排泄量和降低恶臭的排放量。     

高海拔地区鸡胚发育关键因素研究

对藏鸡(T)、饲养在北京的藏鸡(TB)、矮小隐性白(D)、农大小型蛋鸡商品代种蛋(M)、寿光鸡(S)、藏鸡×矮小隐性白(TD)、藏鸡×寿光鸡(TS)7组种蛋在西藏林芝进行孵化研究,通过阶段死亡率、出雏率、失水率数据分析了影响高海拔地区胚胎发育的关键因素。结果表明胚胎本身的高原生活力是鸡蛋高海拔孵化主要因素,其次是蛋壳传导力。     

A review on breeding and genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The aim of current study was to review breeding progress and update information on genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes. Iranian buffalo is one of the vital domestic animals throughout north, north-west, south and south-west of Iran with measurable characteristics both in milk and meat production. The species plays an important role in rural economy of the country due to its unique characteristics such as resistance to diseases and parasites, having long productive lifespan and showing higher capability of consuming low-quality forage. In Iran, total production of milk and meat devoted to buffaloes are 293,000 and 24,700 tons, respectively. Selection activities and milk yield recording are carrying out by the central government through the Animal Breeding Centre of Iran. The main breeding activities of Iranian buffaloes included the estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for performance traits using different models and methods, estimation of economic values and selection criteria and analysis of population structure. Incorporating different aspects of dairy buffalo management together with improved housing, nutrition, breeding and milking, is known to produce significant improvements in buffalo production. Therefore, identifying genetic potential of Iranian buffaloes, selection of superior breeds, improving nutritional management and reproduction and developing the education and increasing the skills of practical breeders can be useful in order to enhance the performance and profitability of Iranian buffaloes.