春、夏玉米物质生产及其对温光资源利用比较

比较了春玉米和夏玉米在产量和品质、干物质积累、光温气候资源的利用等方面的差异。结果表明:春玉米比夏玉米平均增产1600kg/hm²,前者的子粒粗蛋白含量也显著高于后者。春玉米的高生产力主要体现在干物质积累速率上,平均比夏玉米高15.8%,但年际间有一定的变异。春玉米对光温资源的占用率较高,但在光能利用率上并无明显优势。春玉米较高的产量潜力主要得益于营养生长期优越的光温条件以及较长的灌浆期;夏玉米灌浆期气候较适宜,但由于受冬小麦生育期的限制,产量潜力未得到充分发挥。     

Differential expression of the demosponge (Suberites domuncula) carotenoid oxygenases in response to light: protection mechanism against the self-produced toxic protein (Suberitine)

The demosponge Suberites domuncula has been described to contain high levels of a proteinaceous toxin, Suberitine, that displays haemolytic activityIn the present study this 7-8 kDa polypeptide has been isolated and was shown to exhibit also cytotoxic effects on cells of the same species. Addition of retinal, a recently identified metabolite of β-carotene that is abundantly present in S. domuncula was found to reduce both the haemolytic and the cell toxic activity of Suberitine at a molar ratio of 1:1. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that the interaction between β-carotene and Suberitine can be ascribed to a reversible energy transfer reaction. The enzyme that synthesises retinal in the sponge system is the β,β-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenase [carotene dioxygenase]. In order to clarify if this enzyme is the only β-carotene-metabolizing enzyme a further oxygenase had been identified and cloned, the (related) carotenoid oxygenase. In contrast to the dioxygenase, the carotenoid oxygenase could not degrade β-carotene or lycopene in Escherichia coli strains that produced these two carotenoids; therefore it had been termed related-carotenoid oxygenase. Exposure of primmorphs to light of different wavelengths from the visible spectrum resulted after 3 days in a strong upregulation of the dioxygenase in those 3D-cell aggregates that had been incubated with β-carotene. The strongest effect is seen with blue light at a maximum around 490 nm. It is concluded that the toxin Suberitine is non-covalently modified by retinal, the cleavage product from β-carotene via the enzyme carotene dioxygenase, a light inducible oxygenase. Hence, this study highlights that in S. domuncula the bioactive metabolite, retinal, has the property to detoxify its homologous toxin.     

Glycerol,Methyl‐Formamide and Dimethyl‐Formamide in Canine Semen Cryopreservation

The aim of the present work was to compare the efficiency of methyl‐formamide (MF), dimethyl‐formamide (DF) and glycerol (GL) as cryoprotectants in canine semen cryopreservation. For the experiment, pooled semen was submitted to one of the three cryoprotectants, with a final concentration of 3% in egg yolk–TRIS extender. Semen was subjectively evaluated for total and progressive motility, vigour and morphology. Sperm membrane functional integrity was assessed by hypo‐osmotic swelling test (HOST), and longevity was assessed using the thermoresistance test (TRT). Fresh semen showed normal physical and morphological characteristics. After thawing, differences were observed between semen frozen using GL and DF, regarding total and progressive motility and vigour (p < 0.05), but not between MF and GL or MF and DF. Means for total motility, progressive motility, vigour and morphologically normal spermatozoa were, respectively, 69.0 ± 5.4%, 61.0 ± 7.4%, 2.9 ± 0.5 and 57.1 ± 5.0% for GL; 59.0 ± 8.9%, 50.0 ± 10.0%, 2.5 ± 0.7 and 66.9 ± 7.7% for MF; and 44.0 ± 21.0%, 37.0 ± 19.8%, 2.1 ± 0.6 and 61.1 ± 5.5% for DF. On HOST, GL was superior (p < 0.05) to MF and DF (57.8 ± 12.4%, 35.8 ± 18.4% and 34.4 ± 9.4%, respectively). During the TRT, both GL and MF were superior to DF, with no differences between GL and MF. In conclusion, the use of MF as cryoprotectant showed results similar to GL, and can be considered as an alternative in canine semen cryopreservation. Further studies testing different concentrations of MF may improve its effects on cryopreservation of canine semen.     

Identifying and investigating pesticide application types to promote a more sustainable pesticide use. The case of smallholders in Boyacá, Colombia

The present paper investigates pesticide application types adopted by smallholder potato producers in the Department of Boyacá, Colombia. In this region, environmental, health and adverse economic effects due to pesticide mis- or over-use respectively have been observed. Firstly, pesticide application types were identified based on input-effectiveness. Secondly, their determinants of adoption were investigated. Finally suggestions were given to develop intervention options for transition towards a more sustainable pesticide use. Three application types were identified for fungicide and insecticide. The types differed in terms of input (intensity of pesticide application), effect (damage control), frequency of application, average quantity applied per application, chemical class, and productivity. Then, the determinants of different pesticide application types were investigated with a multinomial logistic regression approach and applying the integrative agent centred (IAC) framework. The area of the plot, attendance at training sessions and educational and income levels were among the most relevant determinants. The analysis suggested that better pesticide use could be fostered to reduce pesticide-related risks in the region. Intervention options were outlined, which may help in targeting this issue. They aim not only at educating farmers, but to change their social and institutional context, by involving other agents of the agricultural system (i.e. pesticide producers), facilitating new institutional settings (i.e. cooperatives) and targeting social dynamics (i.e. conformity to social norms).     

Concurrent Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection and salmonellosis in a kitten

A 14-week-old kitten had a history of vomiting, diarrhoea and pyrexia, all of which resolved without treatment. Three weeks later the kitten developed a violent non-productive dry cough. Thoracic radiographs revealed pneumothorax and nodular alveolar disease. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae and intracellular Gram-negative bacilli were seen in bronchial wash fluid and pleural exudate, and Salmonella Typhimurium was cultured from both fluids but not from faeces. Therapy included unilateral closed-tube thoracostomy, enrofloxacin and fenbendazole. Historical signs were compatible with gastrointestinal salmonellosis and secondary broncho-pneumonia. Seeding of the lungs with salmonellae may have occurred as a result of migration of A abstrusus from a gastro-intestinal tract residually infected or colonised by S Typhimurium. Alternatively, the development of lungworm infection in the cat may have activated quiescent S Typhimurium pulmonary granulomata from bacteraemia secondary to gastro-intestinal salmonellosis. Two years after diagnosis the cat was reportedly in good health.     

Fate of Maize DNA During Steeping,Wet-Milling,and Processing

The fate of DNA during steeping, wet-milling, and subsequent processing of maize was examined using a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR-based) detection system. The system used specific amplification of maize DNA sequences by primers generated toward plant nuclear- and chloroplast-encoded genes. The PCR method facilitated analysis of DNA content in food products, which is an important issue in use of genetically modified organisms. In a conventional laboratory wet-milling countercurrent steep system, DNA was detected in maize kernels throughout the process but was not found in steepwater. After kernels were wet-milled, DNA was detected in the starch, germ, coarse fiber, and wet gluten fractions but not in the fine fiber fraction. When dried by heating at 135°C for 2 hr, DNA was degraded to undetectable levels in the wet-milled gluten fraction and hydrated kernels. DNA was not detected in feed pellets, starch, dextrose, sorbitol, or high-fructose maize syrup made from industrial wet-milled samples. Although DNA could be detected in laboratory wet-milled fractions, some degree of degradation occurred after extended exposure to steepwater. Countercurrent steepwater samples from the later stages of the steeping process were able to degrade DNA. The level of DNA degradation appeared to correspond to the presence of sulfur dioxide and may represent a physiochemical rather than an enzyme-mediated process. Our results indicate that some steps in the steeping and wet-milling process can degrade maize genomic and plastid DNA.     

Molecular detection of WA‐CMS restorers from tropical japonica‐derived lines,their evaluation for fertility restoration and adaptation

Hybrid rice based on wild‐abortive cytoplasmic male sterility (WA‐CMS) is important in boosting rice production, which requires diverse parents to harness heterosis. For this, exploiting the diversity of japonica through tropical japonica (TRJ) lines is an excellent route. In this study, 310 TRJ‐based new plant type (NPT) lines were developed and evaluated for Rf3 and Rf4 genes. Gene‐based (DRRM‐Rf3‐5 and DRRM‐Rf3‐10) and functional marker (RMS‐SF21‐5) targeted Rf3 locus, while gene‐linked (RM6100) and functional marker (RMS‐PPR9‐1) targeted the Rf4 locus. The frequency of the restorer allele of Rf3 gene was lower when compared to that of Rf4. Combined phenotypic and molecular screening using gene‐based and functional markers identified 42 lines that carried Rf3 and/or Rf4 genes. All the selected lines produced fertile F₁s when crossed to a WA‐CMS line, “Pusa 6A”, but with varying levels of spikelet fertility. This is the first report of a marker‐cum‐phenotype‐based restorer selection using TRJ‐derived lines. Multilocation evaluation of these lines at three locations indicated better adaptation for grain yield in some of the lines.     

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System for a Bull Semen Production Centre

Bull semen production centres (SPC) generally present satisfactory quality control for sperm processing, but non‐standardized hygiene procedures. This study describes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system developed for bull SPC and subsequently implemented in a commercial SPC. After the identification of hazards at each step of semen processing and the determination of their risk and severity, monitoring and corrective procedures were designed to assess the system's efficiency. The HACCP system identified six microbiological hazards, 10 physical hazards, four chemical hazards and three critical control points. After the establishment of Good Processing Practices, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Sanitizing Operating Procedures, the system was validated through an audit, to identify eventual failures and to define measures to correct them.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence as an indicator of frost hardiness in white spruce seedlings from different latitudes

This study examined the utility of variable chlorophyll fluorescence (F_var) to detect freezing damage in white spruce seedlings of four seedlots. Logistic regression analysis done for freezing tests in September showed that visible needle damage from freezing could be estimated by the F_var attributes F_o/I_ABS(r²=0.94), F_p(r²=0.98), F_v/F_m (r²=0.99), and F₁(r²=0.86). The regression curves indicated that for all four fluorescence attributes, inflection points occurred between 10 and 20% visible needle damage. The lack of a relationship between fluorescence attributes and visible seedling needle damage in October through December is because the minimum temperature (–18 and –24°C respectively) applied was insufficient to cause needle damage. Freezing-induced changes to F_var attributes can be detected which also result in photosynthetic rate decreases when no visible needle damage, and even electrolyte conductivity changes are evident. F_var attribute differences due to freezing can be resolved to the seedlot level. The Fvar curve feature manifested 5 seconds after dark-adapted seedlings have been exposed to light (F_5s) will estimate (r²=0.76) photosynthetic rate after freezing.     

Acremonium keratomycosis in a cat

A 14-year-old, female spayed Domestic Short-haired cat was presented for evaluation of progressive superficial corneal ulceration with mucoid ocular discharge, blepharospasm, and conjunctival hyperemia OD. Upon examination, ulcerative keratitis with stromal loss, chemosis, corneal edema, miosis, aqueous flare, and hyphema were noted. Corneal cytology revealed branching, septate fungal hyphae with bulbous terminations and associated ovoid structures, with suppurative inflammation. Fungal culture of corneal swabs confirmed the presence of Acremonium, although PCR of the cytology sample was negative. Ten days of treatment with topical 1% miconazole resulted in clinical deterioration before switching to topical 1% voriconazole solution, which was successful in resolving the infection. The apparent clinical efficacy of the topical antifungals used contrasted with the in vitro susceptibility profile.