The effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B: 290–320 nm) radiation on blister blight disease of tea (Camellia sinensis)

Sunlight is known to reduce the incidence of blister blight disease of tea, caused by Exobasidium vexans . The effects of the ultraviolet-B (UV-B: 290–320 nm) component of solar radiation on the disease and the development of E. vexans were studied in the field in Sri Lanka using UV-screening filter materials held over a commercial crop. Exclusion of UV-B radiation by Polyester, which reduces fluxes in the UV-B region by approximately 75–85%, increased both the number of translucent spots (immature sites of infection) and number of sporulating blisters (mature sites of infection), but it had little or no effect on the sporulation of the pathogen. When basidiospores were artificially inoculated on leaves, and were exposed to full or filtered solar radiation, their survival and germination increased when UV-B wavelengths were removed; significant differences were found 62 h after inoculation. However, UV-B did not affect the extension of germ tubes. This study indicates that the UV-B component of solar radiation plays an important role in the natural regulation of blister blight disease in the field.     

Modelling crop:weed interactions in wheat with ALMANAC

ALMANAC is a dynamic model for plant growth, water balance and soil nitrogen dynamics that can simulate on a daily basis two or more competing species. The simulation of competition for light is based on Beer's law, allowing a different extinction coefficient ( k ) for each species. Light is partitioned between species based on k -values, leaf area index and plant heights. Total hiomass is simulated with radiation use efficiency and grain yield with a harvest index approach, sensitive to water stress. The model simulates competition for water and nutrients based on each species current rooting zone and demand by each species. The effect of crop management on the competition issue can he simulated. The model was evaluated in Dijon (France) using 4 years of experimental data on wheat:oat mixtures, differing in oat ( Avena sativa L.) densities, the period of oat emergence, the date of weed suppression by herbicides and the wheat ( Triticun aestivum L.) genotype. Additional data on oilseed rape ( Brassica nupus L.) and vetch ( Vilcia sauiva L.) competition in spring wheat were also used. The wheat grain yield was reasonably simulated with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.10-0.35 t ha^-1. Corresponding values for oats were 0.10-0.55 t ha^-1. The competitiveness of oats, oilseed rape and vetch was correctly simulated. The model appears as a reasonable tool for estimating damage thresholds in integrated weed control programmes.     

粪肥施用对土壤团聚体的影响——Meta分析

粪肥施用为土壤输入大量有机质与养分,能影响土壤团聚体的形成和稳定性,大部分研究主要认为粪肥施用促进土壤大粒径团聚体的形成(marcoaggregate,≥0.25 mm),但进一步细分是对大团聚体(large marcoaggregate,>2 mm)还是小团聚体(small marcoaggregate,2 ~ 0.25 mm)的影响更大,研究存在较大差异。本文使用Meta分析收集了36篇相关文献,共267个团聚体数据,发现施用粪肥能显著增加土壤大团聚体和小团聚体含量,分别增加了95% 和17%,同时减少了土壤微团聚体(microaggregates,0.25 ~ 0.053 mm)和土壤粉黏颗粒(silt-plus and clay-size particles,<0.053 mm)含量,分别减少了14% 和20%。本文还从土壤因素、粪肥因素、气候因素3个角度的解释变量来分析粪肥施用对土壤团聚体影响不同的原因,结果发现土壤类型、土壤pH、粪肥种类和年均气温、年均降水量是造成不同研究结果差异的主要原因。     

德南牛全基因组变异解析和功能基因挖掘

[目的]研究德南牛的群体遗传结构和解析影响其重要性状的关键基因。[方法]通过主成分分析、群体进化树分析、群体遗传结构分析等方法,研究德南牛的遗传结构和与其他品种的亲缘关系;同时,利用全基因组SNP数据,计算德南牛与德国黄牛、南阳牛群体固定指数(Fst)和核苷酸多样性比值(π ratio)、复合似然比(CLR)、XP-EHH等多种选择信号指标,以筛选出德南牛基因组上受到选择的信号,鉴定出重要的候选基因。[结果] 德南牛具有欧洲普通牛(0.789)、东亚牛(0.176)、中国瘤牛(0.035)的混合血统。在θπ和CLR方法中鉴定出93个共有基因,使用FST和XP-EHH方法鉴定出17个共有基因。进行富集以及基因功能注释后,发现这些基因可能与生殖性能(TUBB3、NSD2、GRM1、ERBB4)、生长性状(RFX3、FGFR3、GABRB1、PDE4D)、环境适应性(PGR、GRIA4)和免疫系统反应(P2RY12、P2RY13、GPR87、P2RY14、GPR171)有关。[结论]本项研究发现德南牛血统受德国黄牛影响较多,且挖掘了德南牛基因组内可能具有经济意义的性状相关的选择特征,为德南牛种群的选育提高提供理论支撑。     

投喂率对凡纳对虾中间培育生长、生理和水环境的影响

中间培育是凡纳对虾(Penaeus vannamei)养殖的重要阶段,投喂率是影响此阶段养殖成效的重要参数。本研究开展为期30 d的养殖实验,研究3组投喂率(投喂率分别为体重的5%、7.5%、10%,分别命名为T5、T7.5和T10)对凡纳对虾中间培育养殖水质、微生物群落结构、非特异性免疫指标及生长性能的影响。实验期间,水体pH、盐度、温度及溶解氧均保持在适宜对虾生长的范围内。结果显示,随着实验进行,总氨氮(TAN)、亚硝态氮(NO2–-N)和化学需氧量(COD)浓度出现上升趋势,实验结束时,其浓度随投喂率升高呈现显著差异：T10>T7.5>T5。微生物群落结构分析表明,养殖水体的微生物群落丰富度和多样性随投喂率升高呈下降趋势,不同投喂率的优势门类均为变形菌门(Proteobacteria, 50.36%~67.53%)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes, 12.09%~67.53%);在属水平上,对凡纳对虾有害的弧菌(Vibrio)相对丰度在T10组最高(37.33%)、T5组最低(0.13%);对其有益的假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas)相对丰度在T10组最低(0.28%)、T7.5组最高(9.78%)。凡纳对虾肝胰腺的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性在T10组最低、T7.5组最高(P<0.05)。T7.5和T10组对虾的体长和体重均显著大于T5组(P<0.05),但T7.5和T10组之间无显著差异(P>0.05),投喂率与存活率呈负相关,且3组间存在显著差异(P<0.05)。利用因子分析对非特异性免疫指标和生长指标进行综合评价,结果表明,T7.5组得分最高,为0.92,凡纳对虾中间培育的投喂率在7.5%左右为宜。     

Proposals for a Sangay National Park in Ecuador

This paper describes the main features of the Sangay wilderness area in the Ecuadorian Andes. It is a region of great diversity with life zones ranging from tundra to subtropical rain forest. The conservation value of the area is assessed and the feasibility of protection determined. Boundaries based mainly on the limits of human interference are put forward with management proposals for its establishment as a National Park.     

Nitrogen fixation by white clover in hill pasture

An experiment is described in which the amount of nitrogen fixed by the white clover component of a surface-sown hill sward was determined using small quantities of ¹⁵N-labelled ammonium sulphate. Between 11 July and 22 August 1974 25 kg ha^?1 N was fixed. No evidence of a transfer of N from clover to the associated perennial ryegrass was detectable over this period although the N content of the grass growing with the clover was higher. The relative advantages of the isotope technique and the acetylene reduction assay are discussed.