Effects of seasonal and environmental changes on aquaculture production in tropical Lake Volta,Ghana

Globally, aquaculture production is faced with numerous challenges, notable among which is water quality. The study determined seasonal environmental changes in Lake Volta and its implications on cage production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in experimental and commercial farm (Sun Woo Farm) set-ups. For each set-up, three cages were used, each measuring 81 and 162.5 m³ for experimental and commercial, respectively. The cages were stocked with 22.5 g fingerlings at a rate of 40 and 80 m^?3 in experimental and commercial cages, respectively, and fed commercial diet. The growth performance, yield, economics, and selected water quality parameters were monitored during the dry and wet seasons between November 2014 and July 2015. There were no differences in water quality parameters between dry and wet seasons (p?>?0.05). Water quality for both seasons remained within limits required for good Tilapia growth in both set-ups. There were minimal variations in growth characteristics between seasons which were not significant; however, final mean weight and yields were high in the dry seasons in both set-ups. The cost of feed and fingerling accounting for about 80% of total costs were the major components identified to affect cost of production. A higher profit index and returns on investment were observed in the dry season in both set-ups and was linked to higher survival rates in the season. Production of Nile tilapia in cages can be cultured throughout the year without any adverse effects as exhibited in similar production patterns in both experimental and commercial set-ups.     

Within-stem variations in mechanical properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis> planted in northern Vietnam

Within-stem variations in the mechanical properties of 17–19-year-old Melia azedarach planted in two sites in northern Vietnam were examined by destructive and nondestructive methods. Wood samples were collected from 10, 50, and 90% of the radial length from pith on both sides (North and South) at 0.3, 1.3, 3.3, 5.3, and 7.3 m heights above the ground. The mean values in whole trees of wood density (WD), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and dynamic modulus of elasticity (E_d) at 12% moisture content were 0.51 g/cm³, 78.58 MPa, 9.26 GPa, and 10.93 GPa, respectively. Within the stem, the radial position was a highly (p?<?0.001) significant source of variation in mechanical properties. MOR, MOE, and E_d increased from pith to bark. WD had a strong positive linear relationship with both MOR (r?=?0.85, p?<?0.001) and MOE (r?=?0.73, p?<?0.001). This suggests that it is potentially possible to improve mechanical properties through controlling WD. MOR had also a strong linear relationship with E_d (r?=?0.84, p?<?0.001). This indicates that E_d is a good indicator to predicting the strength of wood if the density of measured element is known. Besides, the stress wave method used in this study provides relatively accurate information for determining the stiffness of Melia azedarach planted in northern Vietnam.     

Neutral models for testing landscape hypotheses

Neutral landscape models were originally developed to test the hypothesis that human-induced fragmentation produces patterns distinctly different from those associated with random processes. Other uses for neutral models have become apparent, including the development and testing of landscape metrics to characterize landscape pattern. Although metric development proved to be significant, the focus on metrics obscured the need for iterative hypothesis testing fundamental to the advancement of the discipline. We present here an example of an alternative neutral model and hypothesis designed to relate the process of landscape change to observed landscape patterns. The methods and program, QRULE, are described and options for statistical testing outlined. The results show that human fragmentation of landscapes results in a non-random association of land-cover types that can be describe by simple statistical methods. Options for additional landscape studies are discussed and access to QRULE described in the hope that these methods will be employed to advance our understanding of the processes that affect the structure and function in human dominated landscapes.     

Geospatial delineation of South Korea for adjusted barley cultivation under changing climate

Determining effective measures to alleviate the impact of climate change on crops under various regional environments is one of the most urgent issues facing agriculture. In this study, geographic regions of South Korea for future-adjusted barley cultivation were outlined and the impact of climate change on barley production in the next 100 years was evaluated under two greenhouse gas concentration trajectory scenarios: the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5. To achieve our intended study goals, a geospatial crop simulation modeling (GCSM) scheme was formulated using CERES-barley model of Decision Support System for Agricultural Technology (DSSAT) crop model package version 4.6 to simulate grid-based geospatial crop yields. Two experiments were carried out at an open field to obtain model coefficients for the nation and at temperature gradient field chambers to evaluate the performance of the CERES-barley model under elevated temperature conditions. Suitable cultivation regions for three different types of barley (naked, hooded, and malting) under changing climate were projected to expand to the northern regions under both RCP 8.5 and RCP 4.5. However, they were projected to expand more rapidly under RCP 8.5 than those under RCP 4.5. Projected yields of four barley varieties were increased with a slow phase as year progressed under RCP 4.5 scenario. However, they were rapidly increased under RCP 8.5 scenario. It appears that geospatial variation in barley yield under changing climate can be effectively outlined. Therefore, GCSM system might be useful for determining impacts of climate change on geospatial variations of crops, potentially providing means to impede food insecurity.     

Modelling scenarios to identify a combined sediment-water management strategy for the large reservoirs of the Tuyamuyun hydro-complex

This paper introduces a combined modelling approach using a simple water budget model (THC-model) and a 3D reservoir sedimentation model (MOHID Water) to adapt reservoir operation and visualise their effects on the sediment deposition. By this, an effective combined sediment-water management can be identified under semi-arid conditions for dry, median and wet years. Results are presented for the reservoirs of the Tuyamuyun Hydro-Complex (THC), which is located in the lower Amu Darya River. The determination of the actual and usable reservoir storage volume shows that siltation will significantly adversely affect the ability of the in-stream Channel Reservoir to regulate seasonal demand for both irrigation and municipal water supply. However, modelling scenarios results confirm the effectiveness of adapted operation rules for the THC reservoirs and show that the operation of large dams could be modified according to a combined sediment-water management. The experience gained during this study emphasizes the fact that the concept of a combined reservoir management of sediments as well as water can be an efficient measure to improve the sustainable long-term use of reservoirs and to contribute towards a safe water supply in water crisis regions.     

A putative RNA silencing component protein FoQde-2 is involved in virulence of the tomato wilt fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">lycopersici</Emphasis>

RNA silencing pathways in filamentous fungi are composed of multiple component proteins and known to be involved in vegetative growth, virulence or sexual reproduction. We found that the tomato wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol), carries four homologues genes of Qde-2, an argonaute protein gene and one of the main component protein genes in Neurospora crassa. Gene targeting revealed that FoQde-2, one of the Qde-2 homologues in Fol, is involved in virulence to tomato but not in vegetative growth.     

长江三角洲生态系统服务价值分析及趋势预测

[目的]对长江三角洲生态系统服务价值进行分析及趋势预测,以期为该区未来城市发展以及制定生态环境建设补偿政策提供支持。[结果]以长江三角洲16个地市2000—2014年的土地利用数据和相关统计资料为数据源,采用Costanza生态系统服务价值计算方法,参照修正后的生态系统单位面积生态服务价值系数,结合敏感性分析,探讨生态系统服务价值的时空演化规律,并利用马尔科夫模型对其未来3a的发展趋势进行了预测分析。[结果]区域生态系统总服务价值从2000年的1 303.89亿元减少到2014年的1 294.25亿元,变化率为-0.74%,水源涵养、废物处理和娱乐文化生态系统服务功能价值上升;在空间上,常州、南京、宁波、泰州、台州、扬州的生态系统服务价值不断增加,而其他城市的则处于下降趋势;对长江三角洲2015和2017年的土地利用构成和生态系统服务价值进行预测,呈现耕地、林地持续减少,建设用地持续增加的趋势,生态系统总服务价值将减少276.65亿元。[结论]在未来土地调整中应更多地考虑到生态服务价值的重要意义,格外注意对耕地、水域的保护,控制建设用地占用耕地和林地,继续加大植树造林力度,提高土地利用集约度,维持生态系统的功能。     

Biomass allocation and foliage heteroblasty in hard pine species respond differentially to reduction in rooting volume

Rooting space is considered as a resource in plants, but comparative studies on the biomass allocation plasticity in response to rooting volume (RV) are rare. We compared responses in growth, biomass allocation and ontogenetic heteroblasty in nine hard pine species of contrasted ecology. Seedlings were cultivated in containers of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.8 and 7 L for two growing seasons (425 days). Reduction in RV caused a reduction in plant absolute and relative growth rate and biomass allocated to stems but it increased biomass allocated to roots. RV affected to a lesser extent and in a less consistent direction allocation to leaves. Species that grew faster (higher relative growth rate) had a steeper decrease in growth with the reduction in RV. Ontogenetic heteroblasty, evaluated as the proportion of secondary needles in the needle biomass, showed highly different plasticity patterns in response to RV. Decrease in RV caused negligible or no change either in the most ontogenetically delayed Mediterranean pines or in the most ontogenetically advanced pines, the mesic Pinus sylvestris and P. uncinata. By contrast, ontogenetically intermediate species showed steep reaction norms in response to reduction in RV. While P. pinaster and P. brutia showed marked rejuvenation, P. nigra accelerated the development of adult foliage.     

On the trail of the last autochthonous Italian einkorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum monococcum</Emphasis> L.) and emmer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum dicoccon</Emphasis> Schrank) populations: a mission impossible?

In 1970s it was thought that two species of ‘farro’, namely emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) and einkorn (T. monococcum L.), were no longer present in Italy, but in 1981, some populations were discovered in a mountain area of the Appennino Sannita (central southern Italy). In 2006/2007 three monitoring missions were carried out to check the current situation of these ancient hulled wheats, specifically in the same areas where they were formerly collected. The same zones were also investigated by both paleo-ethnobotany and agrobiodiversity points of view. The results of this research have shown that nowadays einkorn is completely extinct while emmer is still cultivated in very few traditional farms, mainly as a fodder crop. A strong genetic erosion was detected also for emmer and several nowadays samples were contaminated by seeds of modern spelt (T. spelta L.) varieties. In the present study the causes of this genetic erosion and which safeguarding actions to be undertaken are discussed.     

Study on the relationship between genetic variation of DNA methylation and heterosis in soybean leaves

In order to well understand the molecular basis of heterosis in soybean, the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) method based on capillary electrophoresis was used to estimate levels and patterns of cytosine methylation in 15-day post-emergence leaves of four parental lines [Jilin 47 (no. 19), EXP (no. 12), Jilin 38 (no. 3) and Yi 3 (no. 6)] and 12 hybrids [Jilin 38 × Yi 3(3 × ?6), Jilin 38 × ?EXP(3 × ?12), Jilin 38 × ?Jilin 47(3 × ?19), Yi 3 × ?Jilin 38(6 × ?3), Yi 3 × ?EXP(6 × ?12), Yi 3 × ?Jilin 47(6 × ?19), EXP × Jilin 38(12 ×?3), EXP × Yi 3(12 × ?6), EXP × ?Jilin 47(12 × ?19), Jilin 47 × ?Jilin 38(19 × ?3), Jilin 47 × Yi 3(19 × 6), Jilin 47 × EXP(19 × 12)]. In addition, 12 traits of the hybrids and their parents were also analyzed to understand the relationship between DNA methylation variation and heterosis. MSAP results showed that the total relative methylation level of all hybrids was lower than the corresponding middle parent value, indicating that the methylation degree was decreasing. And may express a variety of genes related to the phenotypic variation of hybridization. Moreover, the hemi-methylation levels of Jilin 38 × Jilin 47 and Yi 3 × Jilin 47 hybrids and full-methylation levels of EXP × Yi 3 and EXP × Jilin 47 hybrids was significant higher than the corresponding mid-parent values. In addition, the heredity of methylation from parents in hybrids is more than the variations, in which there were four types appeared great higher: A1, B4, B8, and D2. Furthermore, the results of relationship between genetic variation in DNA methylation and heterosis showed that the hypo-methylation had a promoting effect to increase node number, and the hype-methylation of hybrids was helpful to add to stem thick. Our results may provide new insights into well understanding the molecular mechanisms of heterosis at the epigenetic level in soybean.