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.     

15%苯乙锡·井可湿性粉剂防治稻曲病和稻瘟病试验与研究

近几年来,稻曲病和稻瘟病有流行加剧趋势,长期使用稻瘟灵、三环唑等常规药剂防治药效有所下降。江苏金凤凰农化有限公司研制的15%苯乙锡·井可湿性粉剂(瘟曲必克)经试验能有效地控制穗期稻曲病和稻瘟病的危害。     

检疫害虫稻水象甲的控制技术研究进展

稻水象甲(Lissorhoptrus。oryzophilus Kuschel)是一种毁灭性的水稻害虫，也是一种重要的检疫害虫。近年来在很多省市发生为害，且发生程度不断加重并呈扩大蔓延趋势。本文概述了近年来稻水象甲大发生危害的情况及原因，深入分析了其发生规律，提出了加强植物检疫、农业防治、化学防治、生物防治、物理防治等综合治理的措施。     

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.     

两种不同类型的牛床对奶牛产科疾病影响的研究

研究比较了木板地面和混凝土地面的牛床对奶牛产科疾病的不同影响。结果显示：新建的两种牛床奶牛产科疾病的发病率.混凝土地面低于木地板，差异不显著.经过1年时间后.木地板地面牛床的发病率明显高于混凝土地面牛床，差异显著(P＜0.05)，发病率分别为38.24％、25.00%，患病淘汰头数明显增多。其中.胎衣不下、产后感染、乳房炎发病情况特别明显。两种地面差异极显著(P＜0.01)；每年高温季节.木地板高于混凝土地板.差异显著(P＜0.05)。对比结果证实.减少奶牛产科疾病.混凝土地面要优于木板地面。     

香精油抗蜂螨作用的研究进展

香精油及其组分具有显著的抗螨效果。萜类化合物(主要是单萜)是香精油的主要成分。占总量的90％左右。研究者通过筛选试验测定了多种香精油及其一些组分的抗螨能力。大部分表现出良好的抗螨效果。但只有少部分在蜂群试验中表现出强抗螨能力。因此，有必要对此作进一步的研究。以达到最优化目标。同时联合其它防治手段，建立一套全面的害虫防治策略，实现蜂螨的最终控制。     

光氮互作对草地早熟禾碳氮代谢的影响

以草地早熟禾的3个品种为试验材料,研究了高低光照下不同的施氮水平对植株体内碳氮代谢的影响。对可溶性糖和硝酸还原酶的含量测定结果显示:高低光强下早熟禾的氮素同化能力均随着氮水平的升高呈现先升高后降低的趋势,碳代谢的中间产物可溶性糖随着氮水平的升高呈现先降低后升高的趋势,高低光下糖的含量随着氮水平的升高其品种间差异逐渐减小;在低氮条件下,植物的氮素同化能力较弱,光合碳代谢相对较强,糖含量较高,随着氮水平的增大,光合产物逐渐流向氮素代谢,硝酸还原酶含量升高。     

几种绵羊常用粗饲料GI的测定及其代谢能模型化研究

在测定5类9种粗饲料及3个混合粗饲料的常规成分基础上,实测了它们的粗饲料分级指数(GI):大青山草地早熟禾3.4758、沙打旺3.3731、苜蓿1.7202、混粗C21.1797、青干草1.1029、混粗C10.7852、羊草0.5684、玉米青贮0.4152、玉米秸0.1985、谷草0.1728、混粗D0.0805、苏丹草0.0687,并就GI与饲料相对值(RFV)对粗饲料品质的分级进行了比较,表明GI要优于RFV,同时证明:GI还可以用于混合粗饲料的优化与牧草刈割期的确定。研究并建立了预测粗饲料代谢能(ME)的模型:ME(MJ/kg)=-11.7492 0.5959IVDM(D%)-0.0044[IVDM(D%)]2,其中IVDMD为体外干物质消化率。     

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.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis> infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir,Ethiopia

Haemonchus contortus is a parasite of major economic importance of most sheep-rearing areas of the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016 with objectives of determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. Of the total 7000 sheep slaughtered during the study time period, 384 sheep were randomly selected and examined for parasites. The overall prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection was 264 (68.75%). Infection rate of poor body condition animals was significantly (P?=?0.000) higher than good body conditioned animals. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) values (%) of parasitemic and aparasitemic sheep were 23.73?±?3.7 SD and 37.66?±?4.736 SD, respectively. The prevalence in adult sheep (>?1 year) was insignificantly (P?=?0.653) higher than that of young sheep (≤?1 year). The highest prevalence was recorded in sheep that originated from Seka district (73.3%) and the lowest in Kersa district (63.4%) with non-significant variation (P?=?0.691). The highest monthly mean worm burdens and prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection were recorded in November and lowest in March. The current study revealed that Haemonchus contortus infection is an important and common parasitic disease and requires special attention to its control.