Short-term survival and dispersal of translocated European wild rabbits. Improving the release protocol

Translocation of European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L. is one of the most frequent management tools to increase rabbit density in Spain, both as prey of several predators that are threatened with extinction and for sport hunting. Nevertheless the elevated short-term mortality by predation makes translocations unsuccessful and increases their biological cost. Information on the factors affecting the short-term survival and dispersal of translocated rabbits is required to improve release management and increase performance of translocated rabbits, and to avoid the use of non-selective lethal methods for predator control. In this study we tested electric fencing and night-shooting as alternative to traditional release protocols, and the effects of vegetation cover and warren fencing on short-term survival and dispersal of rabbits. Night shooting performed during the first nights after release increased significantly the survival of rabbits, by hindering the activity of carnivores in the release area. The use of an electric fence enclosure also increased the performance of rabbits, but was not efficient to constraint rabbit dispersal. Rabbits released in areas with low vegetation cover showed higher mortality and dispersal distances than rabbits released in high cover areas. Warren fencing decreased both the dispersal of rabbits and the adverse impact of predation in low cover areas, but had no effect in high cover areas. Selection of high cover areas or warren fencing in low cover areas seem to be the most advantageous release conditions to decrease the short-term predation impact, reducing the biological cost of rabbit translocations and the risks for endangered predators derived from the use of traditional predator control practices during translocations.     

A case study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> fingerprinting for breeding

• Introduction  

Tree genetic improvement programs usually lack, in general, pedigree information. Since molecular markers can be used to estimate the level of genetic similarity between individuals, we genotyped a sample of a Portuguese Eucalyptus globulus breeding population—a reference population of 125 individuals—with 16 microsatellites (SSR).     

DRIS norms and limiting nutrients in banana cultivation in the South of Ecuador

Abstract

Foliar analysis is an effective method to diagnose the nutritional status of plants. However, the mineral concentration in foliar tissue has traditionally been evaluated by assessing the activity of each element, without considering the interactions between them. To address this, dual interactions were calculated using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) to identify which crop nutrients are most influential in nutrient imbalances and which are the most limiting nutrients for the nutritional status of banana crops in Ecuador. To achieve this, a regional survey of the nutritional status and its productivity levels was conducted for 188 different sites during the crop season in 2017–2018, involving banana cultivars ‘Vallery’ and ‘Williams’, from the Cavendish subgroup. The DRIS calculation method was combined with Beaufils and Jones functions. From the initial 188 foliar samples, 83 samples (representing 44% of the population) were considered to represent the high-yield reference population, with yields of 38–60 t ha^?1. The DRIS method defined the mean nutritional balance index, which was not found to be statistically correlated (p?>?0.05) with productivity, revealing that there was no significant association with the nutritional status of the plants. Specific DRIS norms were obtained and indicated that deficiencies in K, N, Ca, and Fe, and excesses in Mn, B, Cl, Zn, S, Cu, and Mg were the most limiting nutrients for banana cultivars in the south of Ecuador.     

Water activity effects on geranyl acetate synthesis catalyzed by novozym in supercritical ethane and in supercritical carbon dioxide

The esterification reaction of geraniol with acetic acid catalyzed by Novozym was studied in supercritical ethane (sc-ethane) and in supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO(2)). Water activity (a(W)) had a very strong effect on enzyme activity, with reaction rates increasing up to a(W) = 0.25 and then decreasing for higher a(W). Salt hydrate pairs could not prevent changes in a(W) during the course of reaction but were able to control a(W) to some extent and had a beneficial effect on both initial rates of esterification and conversion in sc-ethane. The enzyme was more active in sc-ethane than in sc-CO(2), confirming the deleterious effect of the latter already observed with some enzymes. Temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees C did not have a strong effect on initial rates of esterification, although reaction progress declined considerably in that temperature range. For the mixture of 50 mM acetic acid plus 200 mM geraniol, 100% conversion was achieved at a reaction time of 10 h at 40 degrees C, 100 bar, an a(W) of incubation of 0.25, and a Novozym concentration of 0.55 mg cm(-)(3) in sc-ethane. Conversion was below 50% in sc-CO(2) at otherwise identical conditions. With an equimolar mixture of the two substrates (100 mM), 98% conversion was reached at 10 h of reaction in sc-ethane (73% conversion in sc-CO(2)).     

Concentration Of Trace Elements in Airborne PM10 from Jobos Bay National Estuary, Puerto Rico

Atmospheric suspended particulate matter (PM₁₀) was sampled from the Jobos Bay estuary in Salinas and from a reference site (Fajardo) in the east coast of Puerto Rico. Salinas is a town in the south coast of Puerto Rico adjacent to a number of industries and to the only coal power plant on the island. It is important to study the air quality in this area since significant releases of metal to the environment due to energy production could represent a threat to local communities. This study evaluated the levels of PM₁₀, metals, and arsenic to set a reference point for future environmental studies in the area. Sampling was performed for periods of 72 h between August 2002 and May 2003 using a Partisol Plus Model 2025 sequential PM₁₀ air monitor. Seven metals were analyzed per sample (Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Hg, Pb and V) plus arsenic using Atomic Absorption. Average annuals levels for PM₁₀ in Salinas were 22.9 μg/m³ versus 20.7 μg/m³ in Fajardo. All metals analyzed were significantly higher in Salinas when compared to Fajardo (reference site). Statistical analyses showed strong relationships between the metal groups (Cu and Cd) and (As and Pb) at Salinas. Good relationship was also observed for Fe and PM₁₀. This analysis suggests two main sources for the elements: anthropogenic and metal flux from Saharan dust arriving to the island.     

Can Non-fumigant Nematicides Be an Alternative to Fumigation on Carrot Fields?

ABSTRACT

Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) cause enormous yield reductions in vegetable crops. While nematicides are the most effective method for controlling RKN in carrot (Dacatus carota), the efficacy of non-fumigant nematicides, compared to fumigants, is still not fully understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1,3-dichloropropene, a fumigant nematicide, and fluensulfone, a non-fumigant nematicide, on RKN control and yield of fresh market and processing carrot. Field experiments were conducted in a commercial farm in Lenox, GA. A randomized complete block design (r = 4) was used in a factorial arrangement of 3 nematicide treatments and 2 carrot cultivars. Nematicide treatments were the application of 1,3-dichloropropene, fluensulfone, and untreated control. Carrot cultivars were Baltimore (fresh marketing) and Belgrado (processing). In general, RKN population was low early season, averaging 0.8 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil. RKN populations increased with crop development and there were significant differences among nematicide treatments. At harvest, RKN populations were lower for fluensulfone (1.1 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil) and 1,3-dichloropropene (3.2 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil) compared to Control (26.4 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil); however, fluensulfone (91,278 kg ha^?1) had higher yield than 1,3-dichloropropene (64,154 kg ha^?1) and Control (61,908 kg ha^?1). Carrot cultivars were similar for RKN population and yield. Overall, the non-fumigant nematicide was more beneficial for carrot production than the fumigant nematicide.     

Free amino acid composition of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit (pulp and peel) and jam

Twenty-one free amino acids present in several samples of quince fruit (pulp and peel) and quince jam (homemade and industrially manufactured) were analyzed by GC/FID. The analyses showed some differences between quince pulps and peels. Generally, the highest content in total free amino acids and in glycine was found in peels. As a general rule, the three major free amino acids detected in pulps were aspartic acid, asparagine, and hydroxyproline. For quince peels, usually, the three most abundant amino acids were glycine, aspartic acid, and asparagine. Similarly, for quince jams the most important free amino acids were aspartic acid, asparagine, and glycine or hydroxyproline. This study suggests that the free amino acid analysis can be useful for the evaluation of quince jam authenticity. It seems that glycine percentage can be used for the detection of quince peel addition while high alanine content can be related to pear addition.     

披针叶黄华生物碱成分研究

采用 GC- MS联用分析技术从披针叶黄华总生物碱中分离鉴定出 12个喹喏里西啶生物碱 ,即无叶豆碱 ,N-甲基金雀花碱 ,金雀花碱 ,白羽扇豆碱 ,黄华碱 ,臭豆碱 ,N-甲醛基金雀花碱 ,Dodecahydro- 7,14 -methanodipyrido[1,2 - a:1′,2′- E][1.5 ]diazocine,Pyridine1- acetyl- 1,2 ,3,4 - tetrahydro- 5 - (2 - piperdinyl) ,7,14 -Methano- 2 H,6 H- dipyrido[1,2 - a:1′,2′- e][1,5 ]diaz,1,1- Dim ethyl- 3- (2 - nitrophenyl) ,7,14 - Methano- 4 H,6 H-dipyrido[1,2 - a:1′,2′- e][1,5 ]diaz。后 5种化合物为首次从该植物中鉴定     

Nature and domestic life in the Valle del Cuñapirú (Misiones, Argentina): Reflections on Mbyá-Guaraní ethnoecology

Through the ethnographic record of the subsistence activities partially or completely performed in the domestic sphere in two Mbyá-Guaraní settlements in Misiones (Argentina), we outline factors important in describing the local natural environment. Data was collected through systematic observation and also through semi-structured interviews. Analysis indicates that the natural environment of the area is characterized by the indigenous community in several different ways. Thus, local people view the environment as made up of different “micro-environments,” and they consequently think of the elements that compose these “micro-environments” as having different, distinct characteristics. In the context of their daily activities, both these “micro-environments” and the elements that compose them are regarded as resources, in that they are viewed in terms of what is in them relevant to the subsistence of these groups in the rainforest. It is the intention of this study to initiate the systematic recording and processing of information on how these indigenous communities know and manage the natural resources available to them in their daily life.