Rock Powder Can Improve Vermicompost Chemical Properties and Plant Nutrition: an On-farm Experiment

Together with farmers, we evaluated nutrient availability from vermicomposted gneiss powder, assessed its influence on growth promotion, nutrition and heavy metal accumulation in maize plants and the effect on soil chemical properties in the field. Three soil treatments were applied: fertilization with vermicompost with gneiss powder, fertilization with vermicompost without gneiss powder, and soil without fertilization (control), in a randomized block design with five replicates. The dry weight of shoots and the concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, chrome and lead in the dry matter of maize were higher with vermicompost with gneiss powder. In the soil, the potential of hydrogen and phosphorus, potassium and calcium concentrations were higher with vermicompost with gneiss. There were no detectable levels of heavy metal wastes in the soil after the experiment. We conclude that vermicomposted gneiss powder has potential for use in agriculture as a nutrient source and can improve soil chemical properties.     

Preference and adoption of Farmer Field School (FFS) Prosopis juliflora management practices: Experiences in Baringo District, Kenya

This research was carried out to evaluate the preference and adoption of harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning practices for controlling the spread of Prosopis juliflora (prosopis) within Marigat Division of the Baringo District, Kenya. A survey methodology was employed using a random sample of 25 Farmer Field School (FFS) members and 5 non-FFS members from each of the five locations of Marigat Division. In total, 100 FFS members and 25 non-FFS members participated in the study; additional supplementary data were collected from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), a major facilitator and trainer of the identified FFS activities and practices in the study area since 2004. More than 80% of the local community never undertook any form of prosopis management practice; however, this changed after FFS training, indicating an acquisition and retention of knowledge which probably diffused to the non-FFS counterparts, through either formal or informal ways. Harvesting was the most preferred (100%) and stump burning the least preferred (46%) practice of managing the spread of prosopis. The success and preference of any prosopis management practice was attributed to wood and non-wood benefits derived from prosopis and growing of animal fodder and food crops on rehabilitated land. More than 80% of respondents attributed ineffectiveness of any prosopis management practice to coppicing and viable seed banks of the tree, while 50% highlighted a lack of consistency and integration in carrying out management practices. The reported negative attitude towards prosopis changed after training with none of the view to eradicate it. Labor intensity and frequent regeneration of seedlings were identified as the major challenges faced during the implementation of prosopis management practices. In conclusion, the study shows that harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning realized through consistent holistic integration contribute to containing the spread of prosopis trees in Baringo, Kenya.     

DDT in Biota of Paranagu�� Bay, Southern Brazil: Recent Input and Rapid Degradation

The presence of recent dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) inputs is established for Paranaguá Bay biota, i.e. bivalves, fish and one sponge. Values ranged from 6.9 to 156.2 ng ??DDT/g dry weight. Three fish species analysed showed ??DDT values from 36.8 to 92.1 ng/g dry weight. The highest contents (up to 156.2 ng ??DDT/g dry weight) were found for mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) at locations affected by sewage discharge from Paranaguá City. Turtles as herbivores were not affected by this input with values of 0.7 and 2.2 ng ??DDT/g dry weight. The areal distribution of samples suggests that usage of DDT is widespread around the bay. Fresh DDT input is degraded to DDE and DDD within approximately 5 months.     

Development and validation of a set of standard area diagrams to assess severity of gray mold in strawberry fruit

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) is one of the main diseases that affect strawberries. Severity assessments of the disease in fruits have been mainly performed...     

氮肥运筹对陇中旱农区玉米光合特性及产量的影响

全膜双垄沟播技术使玉米成为了陇中旱农区主要作物之一,但该技术下玉米的高产出导致土壤养分耗竭,影响玉米生产的可持续性。本研究依托2012年布设在陇中旱农区的田间定位试验,研究4个施氮水平 (N₀:不施肥;N₁:100 kg·hm^-2、N₂:200 kg·hm^-2、N₃:300 kg·hm^-2)和2个施氮时期(T₁: 1/3基肥+1/3拔节期+1/3开花期、T₂: 1/3基肥+2/3拔节期)对玉米光合特性、叶绿素含量、叶面积指数、干物质积累和分配量及产量的影响。结果表明:1) 随着施氮量的增加玉米光合性能也在增强,而N₃和T₂N₂间差异不显著,T₂时期提高玉米光合特性;2) 全生育期内,N₃处理下叶绿素含量较N₂、N₁、N₀分别平均增加50.9%、17.0%、2.7%;叶面积指数也随施氮量的增加而增加,但N₂和N₃间无显著差异;T₂下的叶绿素含量和叶面积指数在生育后期显著高于T₁;3) 干物质积累量和籽粒分配量表现为:N₃>N₂>N₁>N₀,T₂下的干物质积累和籽粒分配量高于T₁;4) 籽粒产量和生物产量均随施氮量的增加而增加,N₂和N₃下的籽粒产量和生物产量显著高于N₀,其中N₃较N₀增加79.2%和68.4%,N₂较N₀增加65.9%和54.1%,T₂下的籽粒产量和生物产量分别较T₁显著增加9.9%和13.5%,而T₂N₂与N₃间无显著差异,因此,在陇中旱农区应用全膜双垄沟播技术种植玉米,施纯氮200 kg·hm^-2左右,按照1/3基肥+2/3拔节期配施,可以增强光合作用,从而提高玉米籽粒产量和饲料产量,促进玉米生产可持续发展。     

Conservation of transnational species: The tensions between legal requirements and best scientific evidence

1. This paper describes the tensions between the legal requirements for conservation and the most beneficial biological practice for mobile transnational marine species, using the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in European Atlantic waters as a case study.
2. Harbour porpoise are the smallest and one of the most abundant cetaceans occurring throughout the European continental shelf waters, and are affected by human activities occurring in the same waters, especially certain fishing activities.
3. The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (the Bern Convention) and its implementing legislation the Council Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora 92/43/EEC (i.e. the Habitats Directive) are the main legal drivers for species conservation throughout the European Union. They aim for the long-term achievement of favourable conservation status and make provision for the use of two conservation measures: protected areas and strict protection measures. The strict protection measures aim to ensure that all forms of deliberate killing are prevented, and that where incidental killing and capture occurs, it does not have a negative effect on conservation status.
4. The conservation of harbour porpoise is currently dependent upon tackling the key issue of bycatch in fisheries. However, in challenges to Member States on their application of the Habitats Directive, the European Commission has chosen to focus on site designation rather than the implementation of the strict protection measures required to monitor and, where necessary, reduce bycatch.
5. This tension between a legal focus on the designation of protected areas instead of tackling threats such as bycatch has potentially led to negative conservation consequences for harbour porpoise and, in part, may explain why wider marine biodiversity has continued to deteriorate in Europe.

     

Matricaria chamomilla CH12 decreases handling stress in Nelore calves

Matricaria chamomilla CH₁₂ is a phytotherapeutic or homeopathic product, which has been used to reduce stress. Here, we examined its effect on preventing handling stress in bovines. Sixty Nelore calves were randomly distributed into two equal groups. One group was administered Matricaria chamomilla CH₁₂ in diet and the other the ''control'' was not. Animals in both groups were maintained unstressed for 30 days to adjust to the feeding system and pasture, and were then stressed by constraint on the 31th, 38th, 45th and 60th experimental days. Blood samples were taken on these days after animals had been immobilization in a trunk contention for 5 min. Stress was followed by analyzing serum cortisol levels. These peaked on the 45th day and then decreased, but not to baseline, on the 60th day. On the 45th day cortisol levels were significantly lower in animals fed Matricaria chamomilla CH₁₂, suggesting that this product reduces stress. These effects may be a consequence of its inhibiting cortisol production and its calming and anxiolytic effects.     

The culture of cichlids of southeastern Mexico

In Mexico, aquaculture is a growing sector, but it continues to be developed using non‐native species. The natural ecosystems of the lowland humid tropics of southeastern Mexico have been well‐described by ecologists and are host to a very high diversity of species, including a substantial ichthyofauna. Cichlid fish, commonly known in southeast Mexico as ‘mojarras’, are an important fish resource and are widely consumed. Several species are now under considerable pressure and consequently the generation of biotechnology for the culture of native fish species is necessary and worthwhile. This paper examines and describes the experiences and knowledge generated over recent years regarding the aquaculture of native cichlids in the southeast of Mexico. Although the scientific and technological capacity for research and development for native species culture exists, there is an evident lack of information on new technologies among producers, as scientific research is not translating fully into technical assistance. Research and extension should be emphasized in order to develop a comprehensive knowledge base on native species and to enable their cultivation.     

Efficiency of secondary traits in selecting for improved grain yield in extra‐early maize under Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments

A base index involving Striga damage, number of emerged Striga plants and ears per plant is used for selecting for maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield under Striga infestation. There are contradictory reports on the reliability of number of emerged Striga plants for selecting for Striga resistance. The objective of this study was to confirm reliability of the secondary traits for selecting for improved grain yield under Striga infestation. Ten Striga‐resistant extra‐early cultivars were evaluated for 3 years under artificial Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments in Nigeria. Analysis of variance combined across years and locations showed significant mean squares for genotype, year, location and their interactions for most traits. Sequential path analysis identified ear aspect as the only trait with significant direct effect on yield under artificial Striga infestation, while GGE biplot confirmed ear aspect, ears per plant and Striga damage as the most reliable traits. Ear aspect should be included in the base index for selecting for improved grain yield of extra‐early maize under Striga infestation, while the number of emerged Striga plants should be excluded.     

耕作措施对陇中麦豆轮作系统土壤真菌群落的影响

为探究耕作措施对陇中旱农区麦豆轮作系统土壤真菌多样性的影响,依托2001年布设在陇中旱农区的田间定位试验,应用高通量测序技术比较传统耕作(T)与3种保护性耕作[免耕(NT)、传统耕作+秸秆还田(TS)和免耕+秸秆覆盖(NTS)]对麦豆轮作体系真菌群落结构的影响。结果表明:1)子囊菌门(52.74%)、担子菌门(14.10%)为陇中旱农区麦豆轮作系统土壤真菌的主要优势种群,免耕秸秆覆盖处理下担子菌门丰度较传统耕作增加15.01%,免耕处理子囊菌门、担子菌门丰度较传统耕作分别提高3.67%、1.86%。2)保护性耕作措施能不同程度提高0～30 cm土层土壤真菌丰富度与多样性指数,其中以免耕秸秆覆盖效果最明显,但各处理间差异不显著;较传统耕作,0～30 cm土层土壤真菌特有OTU数量NTNTSTST,同时较传统耕作,免耕秸秆覆盖处理土壤真菌OTU数量提高8.07%,免耕处理提高12.41%。因此,在陇中旱农区推广以免耕秸秆覆盖为主的保护性耕作措施有利于提高土壤真菌群落丰富度和多样性。