Should we use meshes or solid tube shelters when planting in Mediterranean semiarid environments?

New Forests - Tree shelters in Mediterranean environments have a two-sided effect. They not only protect seedlings from browsing but also ameliorate microclimatic conditions, improving...     

Long-term changes in willow spatial distribution on the elk winter range of Rocky Mountain National Park (USA)

We determined changes in willow (Salixspp.) cover in two valleys of the eastern slope of Rocky Mountain National Park,Colorado, USA, and related these changes to suspected causative factors. Changes in vegetation were inferred from digital maps generated from aerial photo-interpretation and field surveys conducted with a global positioning system. The decrease in riparian shrub cover was approximately 20% in both valleys over the period between 1937/46 and 1996, while the decline in tall willow (> 2 m tall) cover was estimated to be approximately 55%in both valleys. Suppressed willows (< 1.5 m tall) were predominantly located in areas affected by flooding and in areas where major river reductions were observed. Both valleys had sites that were being colonized by willows in wet meadows, and open areas created by flood disturbance. The potential causes of willow decline are many. Willow decline was associated with simplification of river spatial pattern, i.e., less complex branching and channelization, and a large flood disturbance. The causes of the reduction in river meanders were not determined, but are likely related to a decline in beavers, an increase in elk, and, possibly climate change. An increase in elk placed increased browsing pressure on willow during the period of the willow decline. Other factors such as climate changes and human activities could have also contributed to the willow decline. The persistence of these riparian ecosystems depends in large part on biotic interactions, particularly between willow, beaver, and elk. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Brassinosteroid analogue effects on the yield of yellow passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa)

The effects of successive brassinosteroid analogue (BR) applications (0.1 mg l⁻¹ of brassinosteroid analogue BB-16) were evaluated on commercial yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) orchards in the first year of production. The treatments applied were: control, BR-1 (1 BR application shortly after the first flowers appeared), BR-2, BR-3, BR-4 and BR-5 (BR application in two, three, four and five consecutive weeks after the appearance of the first flowers, respectively). The fruits were collected for seven consecutive weeks (105 fruits treatment⁻¹) and fruit mass, length and diameter, soluble solid contents; pulp mass and peel thickness were evaluated in the laboratory. Multivariate analysis was performed in order to determine whether there were differences among the treatments taking into account all the measurements made. BR-3 was the most promising treatment because it produced the highest number of fruits plant⁻¹ (81.5) compared to the control (53.5) and the soluble solid content was 1 °Brix greater than the control. The BR-3 treatment resulted in a 65% increase in the estimated yield of the passion fruit plants, corresponding to 20 t ha⁻¹ compared to the control yield of 12 t ha⁻¹. The results showed that BB-16 sprayed during a period of reproductive development can increase the number of fruits per plant.     

Protein digestibility, protease activity, and post-embryonic development of the velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) exposed to the trypsin-inhibitor benzamidine

Protein digestibility, proteolytic activity, and post-embryonic development of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were assessed in larvae reared on artificial diet containing 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75% (w/w) of the synthetic trypsin inhibitor benzamidine. Diet consumption was affected by the inhibitor when the insects were exposed to 0.50% benzamidine showing a 4-day delay and a 70%-higher peak of consumption. Larva weight gain was also affected by benzamidine and again the results of 0.50% benzamidine were unexpected due to the worst performance of the insects at this inhibitor concentration and not at 0.75% benzamidine. These patterns of consumption and weight gain were however consistent with the results of protein digestibility, which affects larvae mortality and adult emergence. The insect proteolytic activity was also affected by benzamidine, particularly at 0.50%. These results indicate that the insects are able to circumvent the potentially harmful effects of the inhibitor since at the highest concentration the negative impact is mitigated.     

Studies on a suitable antibiotic therapy for treating swine brucellosis

The aim of this work was developing effective treatments against Brucella suis biovar 2, responsible for swine brucellosis in Europe. MICs for antibiotics used classically in brucellosis and two new macrolides (tulathromycin and tildipirosin) were determined for 33 B. suis biovar 2 field and B. suis reference strains. MIC₉₀ values ranged from 0.01 to 0.25 μg/mL. The best candidates, given alone or combined, were then evaluated in mice. Ten groups (n = 7) of BALB/c mice were inoculated (1 × 10⁵ CFU/mouse) with a virulent B. suis biovar 2 field strain. All groups, excepting untreated control, were treated for 14 days with, respectively, doxycycline, dihydrostreptomycin, tulathromycin (one or two doses), or tildipirosin (one or two doses) given alone, and doxycycline combined with dihydrostreptomycin, tulathromycin, or tildipirosin. Combined tildipirosin treatment was the most effective, then selected for pig studies. Sixteen B. suis biovar 2 naturally infected sows were treated with oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg BW/daily) for 21 days. The half of these received also tildipirosin (4 mg/kg BW) in two doses with a 10‐day interval. An extensive bacteriological study conducted ten days after ceasing treatments proved the efficacy of this combined oxytetracycline/tildipirosin treatment.     

A proposal on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) genotype definition and their relation with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) occurrence

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the essential infectious agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Despite first sequencing studies did not find any association between PCV2 sequences and PMWS occurrence, recent works have suggested the opposite. In the present study, 87 open reading frame 2 (ORF2) sequences obtained from pigs with different clinical conditions and coming from farms with different PMWS status were analyzed. Results further confirmed the existence of two genogroups and the definition of two PCV2 genotypes (1 and 2) is proposed. All sequences included in genotype 1 came from pigs from PMWS affected farms, while all sequences obtained from non-PMWS affected farms corresponded to genotype 2. Moreover, infection of single pigs from PMWS affected farms harbouring both genotypes is described. Present results suggest that PCV2 genotype 1 may potentially be more pathogenic than PCV2 genotype 2.     

Genotype–environment interaction for age at first calving in buffaloes,using the reaction norm model

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotype–environment interaction effect on age at first calving in buffaloes. The records were analysed using two approaches: (a) standard animal model and (b) reaction norm model. For the reaction norm analysis, two environmental gradients were formed, using age of first calving or milk yield group contemporary average. The results showed differences in the heritability estimates when using the two approaches. The reaction norm model indicated high heritability in more favourable environments and low magnitude genetic correlations between extreme environments. Based on our findings, we verified the significance of the genotype–environment interaction effect on age at first calving in buffaloes.     

Seasonal Divergence of Landscape Use by Heritage and Conventional Cattle on Desert Rangeland

Adopting livestock with heritage genetics may help to improve the sustainability of agriculture on rangelands with harsh, challenging conditions. In the Chihuahuan Desert, preliminary evidence suggests that heritage Raramuri Criollo exploit a greater variety of range resources than do conventional cattle. Accordingly, the use of Raramuri Criollo may help sustain vegetation and soils, as well as agricultural production. To explore these possibilities, we used Global Positioning System collars to track Angus × Hereford and Raramuri Criollo cows in a 1 535-ha pasture in southern New Mexico in June–December 2008. As predicted on the basis of past research, home range sizes of Raramuri Criollo exceeded those of Angus × Hereford during seasons with low forage availability—by 31.4 ± 6.5 ha during Pregreenup and 17.2 ± 6.5 ha during Drydown—but sizes converged during more productive seasons (Greenup 1, Greenup 2). Angus × Hereford allotted more daily time to resting, with the difference most pronounced during Drydown (71.1 ± 21.1 min day^{? 1}). Angus × Hereford had twice as many hotspots of use (locations with multiple visits of long duration), with seasonal timing and location corresponding with distribution patterns known to impact desirable natural resources. Raramuri Criollo more strongly preferred the Bare/Forbs ecological state with seasonal timing that possibly signals an ability to use nutritious forbs on open ground despite summer heat. Results are consistent with conjectures that compared with conventional cattle, Raramuri Criollo have greater daily mobility and wider spatial distribution during dry seasons. Although not directly measured, results also suggest that the heritage breed has superior heat tolerance and lower impact on desirable natural resources. These findings provide evidence that Raramuri Criollo can support sustainable livestock production in the Chihuahuan Desert, but direct measurements of profitability and environmental effects are needed before adoption can be recommended widely.