An intestinal Eimeria infection in juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) cultured in Vietnam--a first report

This is the first report of an intestinal Eimeria infection in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) at the histopathological and ultrastructural levels. The Eimeria infection was often associated with severe pathology and significant mortality in the absence of other pathogens. This showed that it is an important disease of juvenile L. calcarifer in small scale nurseries in Vietnam. Heavy infection and high prevalence levels of the Eimeria infection are suspected to be linked to the low daily water exchange rates practised in these nurseries. Although systemic iridovirus infection was concurrently observed in some of the fish examined, it was not as consistently present in diseased fish as the Eimeria infection.     

Early degradation of plant alkanes in soils: A litterbag experiment using C-labelled leaves

We monitored the carbon isotope composition of bulk leaves and specific long-chain alkanes during a four-year litterbag experiment using ¹³C-labelled leaves and unlabelled reference leaves of the European beech tree (Fagus sylvatica L.). Whereas the isotope composition of alkanes from ¹³C-enriched leaves exhibited a marked decrease in ¹³C-content, the isotope composition of unlabelled reference leaves remained nearly constant. We interpreted this difference as evidence for a microbial contribution to the long-chain alkane pool of the decomposing leaves and related it to the progressive invasion of leaves by soil organisms which was revealed upon microscopic examination. These results suggest that long-chain alkanes may not provide an unaltered record of organic carbon isotope composition in soils and sediments.     

Optimization of in vitro embryo production and zygote vitrification for the indigenous Vietnamese Ban pig: The effects of different in vitro oocyte maturation systems

The Vietnamese Ban pig is a precious genetic resource that needs to be preserved. In vitro embryo production from in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes is an important tool for the utilization of cryopreserved porcine sperm. The aim of this study was to compare two media for the IVM of Ban pig oocytes. Immature oocytes were subjected to IVM either in a non‐defined (TCM‐199 + pig follicular fluid) or in a defined base medium (POM + epidermal growth factor). At the end of IVM, the oocytes were in vitro fertilized (IVF) with frozen Ban sperm. Ten hours after IVF, the oocytes were either subjected to orcein staining to check fertilization and maturation status or cultured in vitro for 7 days. There was no difference between the two IVM media in terms of percentages of oocyte maturation and blastocyst production. However, the percentage of male pronuclear formation after IVF and the total cell numbers in blastocysts were higher with the defined system. Zygotes obtained by the two IVM systems survived vitrification at similar rates. In conclusion, the two IVM systems were both effective for the production of Ban pig embryos; however, better embryo quality was achieved with the defined one.     

Mapping the pork value chain in Vietnam: a systematic review

Tropical Animal Health and Production - In Vietnam, pork is the most commonly consumed type of meat, and the demand is expected to rise even further. Nevertheless, food safety is a major concern,...     

New Deoxyisoaustamide Derivatives from the Coral-Derived Fungus Penicillium dimorphosporum KMM 4689

Seven new deoxyisoaustamide derivatives (1–7) together with known compounds (8–10) were isolated from the coral-derived fungus Penicillium dimorphosporum KMM 4689. Their structures were established using spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. The absolute configurations of some alkaloids were determined based on CD and NOESY data as well as biogenetic considerations. The cytotoxic and neuroprotective activities of some of the isolated compounds were examined and structure-activity relationships were pointed out. New deoxyisoaustamides 4–6 at concentration of 1 µM revealed a statistical increase of PQ(paraquat)-treated Neuro-2a cell viability by 30–39%.     

Local and landscape effects of agricultural intensification on Carabid community structure and weed seed predation in a perennial cropping system

Context

The effects of agricultural intensification on service-providing communities remain poorly studied in perennial cropping systems. However, such systems differ greatly from annual cropping systems in terms of spatio-temporal dynamics and levels of disturbance. Identifying how land use changes at different scales affect communities and ecosystem services in those habitats is of major importance.

Objectives

Our objectives were to examine the effects of local and landscape agricultural intensification on ground beetle community structure and weed seed predation services.

Methods

We examined the effects of local vegetation management and landscape context on ground beetle community structure and weed seed predation in 20 vineyards of southwestern France in 2013 and 2014. Vineyards were selected along a landscape complexity gradient and experienced different management of local vegetation.

Results

The activity-density of ground beetles decreased with increasing landscape complexity while species richness and evenness remained unchanged. Phytophagous and macropterous species dominated ground beetle communities. Seed predation was positively related to the activity-density of one species, Harpalus dimidiatus, and was not affected by local management or landscape context. We found that within-year temporal diversity in ground beetle assemblages increased with landscape complexity.

Conclusions

Our study shows that increasing the proportion of semi-natural habitats in vineyard landscapes enhances the temporal diversity of ground beetles. However, we also found that measures targeting specific species delivering biological control services are a reasonable strategy if we are to maximize natural pest control services such as weed seed regulation to support crop production and reduce agrochemical use.

     

Influence of phosphate sorption on dispersion of a Ferralsol

Abstract

Soil dispersion induces soil erosion and colloidal leaching. Nutrients are lost at the same time and this causes water contamination. Phosphate is an essential element for living organisms. Because phosphate influences soil dispersion and it is an important limited resource, this influence must be evaluated well in order to diminish negative effects on soil structure. In this paper, we firstly evaluated the influence of phosphate sorption on soil dispersion by calculating repulsive potential energy between soil particles. Ferralsol, which is a typical soil in rainy tropical regions, was used as the material. The dispersion-flocculation phenomena were investigated with absorbance of soil suspension under different pH, phosphate adsorption and electrolyte concentration in an Na-NO₃-PO₄ system. The repulsive potential energy was calculated based on the diffuse double layer theory and the measured zeta potential. We indicated that the measured absorbance increased with the increase of the repulsive potential energy. The repulsive potential energy increased with increasing phosphate sorption up to about 5 to 20 mmol kg^?1 at all pH, and it induced the soil dispersion, because phosphate sorption increased the negative charge of the soil. After its peak, it decreased with increasing phosphate sorption because the electrolyte concentration increased and the electrolyte screened the electric field near the soil surface. The repulsive potential energy also increased with increasing pH because of the increase of the negative charge of the soil. Even at low pH, after a certain amount of phosphate sorption, the soil dispersed due to the increase of repulsive potential energy, although the soil flocculated before phosphate application. Because the soil dispersion causes soil and phosphorus loss, the influence of soil pH and phosphate sorption on the soil dispersion should be considered for good soil management.     

Plum pox virus: diagnosis and spread inhibition by weed control

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Plum pox virus (PPV) is a plant virus (genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) infecting stone fruit trees. Since the first report from Bulgaria in 1917, PPV...     

A global meta-analysis shows soil nitrogen pool increases after revegetation of riparian zones

Purpose

Sustainable management of riparian zone soils is required to ensure the health of natural ecosystems and maintenance of soil nitrogen (N) pools and soil N cycling. However, the effect of revegetation type and age on soil N pools remains poorly understood.

Materials and methods

This study compiled data from published articles to understand the effects of revegetation types and age on soil total N (TN) and soil inorganic N (NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^?-N) using a meta-analysis. We extracted 645 observations from 52 published scientific articles.

Results and discussion

The revegetation of riparian zones led to a significant increase of soil TN (mean effect size: 11.5%; 95% CI: 3.1% and 20.6%). Woodland increased soil TN significantly by 14.0%, which was associated with the presence of N fixing species and high litter inputs. Soil NH₄⁺-N concentration significantly increased (mean effect size: 20.1%; 95% CI: 15.1% and 25.4%), whereas a significant decrease in soil NO₃^?-N (mean effect size: ? 21.5%; 95% CI: ? 15.0% and ? 27.5%) was observed. Of the revegetation types considered in this paper, NO₃^?-N concentration in soil followed the order: grassland < shrubland < woodland, suggesting that woodland might be more efficient in soil NO₃^?-N retention than grassland. The high plant N uptake and accelerated NO₃^?-N leaching in grassland could be related to the decreased soil NO₃^?-N in grassland compared with other revegetation types. Revegetation significantly decreased soil moisture by (mean effect size: ? 7.9%; 95% CI: ? 3.3% and ? 12.2%) compared with the control, which might be associated with the selection of exotic species as dominant vegetation in the riparian zone. Soil TN increased in revegetation ages between 10 and 40 years following revegetation and was related to increased soil organic carbon inputs within those ages following the establishment.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into influence of different vegetation types and age on soil N pools and soil moisture. This study also highlights the importance of revegetation in riparian zones to increase soil TN.

     

Assessment of the water quality of two rivers in Hanoi City and its suitability for irrigation water

The To Lich and Kim Nguu Rivers in Hanoi City are the main sources of irrigation water for suburban agricultural land and fish farm. Wastewater from the industrial plants located along these rivers has been discharged, and has degraded the water quality of the rivers. This study describes the chemical properties of water from the rivers, focusing on heavy metal pollution and the suitability of water quality for irrigation water. Water from the rivers was heavily polluted with organic matter and heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd and Ni. Dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen deman, and total suspended solids, and the concentrations of all heavy metals exceeded the Vietnamese standard for surface water quality in all investigated sites. The concentrations of some heavy metals such as Cu, Cd, Cr and Ni were above the internationally recommended WHO maximum level for irrigation water. A wide variation in the heavy metal concentration of water due to metal types is the result of wastewater discharged from different industrial sources.