Evaluation of Thermal Environment of Cowshed and Correlation Analysis Between Thermal Parameter and Physiological Parameter of Dairy Cows in Central Plain of Hebei

The purpose of this study was to evaluate thermal environment of cowshed in four seasons in central plain of Hebei,and analyze the correlation between the temperature parameters and physiological indexes of dairy cows.Three dairy cow houses with different building structures were selected,the thermal parameters (ambient temperature (Ta) and relative humidity (RH)) and physiological parameters (respiratory rate,rectal temperature and body surface temperature) were detected.The results showed that the Ta,RH and index of temperature and humidity (THI) changed significantly in four seasons (P<0.05),the average daily temperature in summer was the highest (28.59 ℃),and the average daily temperature in winter was the lowest (1.55 ℃).In summer,dairy cows were suffering from mild heat stress for 15.5 h every day,and from moderate heat stress for 6.0 h.In winter,dairy cows were under mild cold stress for an average of 12.0 h per day.The Ta and THI of three cowsheds in each season had no significant differece (P>0.05),except for that in winter.Compared with the cowshed with low wall or roller blind,the average Ta in the cowshed with only roof was 0.80-1.27 ℃ higher in summer and 1.36-1.84 ℃ lower in winter.In addition,the physiological parameters of dairy cows were extremely significantly higher in summer than those in other seasons (P<0.01).The respiration frequency or rectal temperature of cows among cowsheds in summer were significantly different (P<0.05),and the seasonal difference in body surface temperature was significant (P<0.05).Correlation analysis of thermal parameters and cow physiological parameters showed that the respiratory frequency,rectal temperature and body surface temperature were positively correlated with THI and Ta (P<0.05).However,there was no significant correlation between physiological parameters and RH (P>0.05).The results provided scientific basis for environment evaluation of cows,and physiological status of dairy cows were inferred according to environmental thermal parameters,which provided data for occurrence and early warning of stress.     

孪斑唇瓢虫空间分布型及抽样技术研究

对孪斑唇瓢虫成虫、幼虫和蛹的空间分布型及抽样技术研究表明,各项聚集度指标均符合聚集分布的检定标准。聚集的原因是由其自身的行为习性和环境条件共同作用引起的。应用Taylor幂法则、Iwao回归分析法测定出孪斑唇瓢虫成虫、幼虫和蛹的空间分布型是基本成分为个体群的聚集分布,聚集强度随种群密度的升高而增加。同时采用Iwao方法求出了最适抽样数。     

玉米秸秆“富集深还”与土壤亚表层培肥

由于长期浅耕,土壤亚表层不仅缺乏有机质,还过于紧实,急需找到一种简单而有效的快速松土培肥方法。本文简要总结了已有3种秸秆还田模式的优缺点,重点介绍了秸秆“富集深还”技术及田间操作要领,以及采用该技术还田的秸秆的分解速率和亚土层培肥效果。富集深还,即将玉米联合收割机抛洒在地表的秸秆,按条带大比例富集,使用专用筒式犁具,以风力注入的方式埋入土壤亚表层 (20—40 cm)。这种模式的最大特点是不扰动土层顺序、不影响第二年种植。秸秆埋置模拟试验表明,秸秆还田330天时,其分解率就达到65%以上,剩余秸秆腐殖化,使土壤有机碳含量增加10%～15%,土壤耕层由原来的15—18 cm增加到30—35 cm。秸秆深还对腐殖物质结构特征没有产生不良影响,对H/C、亲水性等指标还有改善作用,促使黑土胡敏酸结构简单化和年轻化。秸秆深还没有引起第二年玉米产量降低。因此,采用该方法,秸秆能够连年全量还田,实现了种还分离 (种植条带与秸秆深埋条带分离) 与免耕播种的有效结合,可打破犁底层,并快速提升犁底层土壤有机质含量,为土壤亚表层快速培肥及肥沃耕层构建提供技术手段。     

鸡粪及其配施尿素对甜瓜香味物质、酶活性及基因表达的影响

为了探讨鸡粪以及鸡粪与尿素配施对薄皮甜瓜果实香气物质合成及关键酶的影响,以薄皮甜瓜"DX108"为试材,以尿素为氮源的处理作为对照(CK),研究等量氮素条件下,鸡粪及其与尿素配施处理对甜瓜果实香气物质以及相关酶活性变化的影响,并分析了乙醇脱氢酶(ADH)和醇酰基转移酶(AAT)基因的表达水平。结果表明:不同处理对薄皮甜瓜香气物质合成、相关酶活性以及关键酶基因表达的影响存在明显差异;尿素处理促进了甜瓜果实中C6和C9醇醛类化合物的合成,而鸡粪以及鸡粪与尿素配施提高了成熟果实中酯类物质含量和种类,尤其是乙酸酯类含量;鸡粪配施尿素处理提高了花后35 d甜瓜果实中非乙酸酯类物质含量,且是尿素处理花后35 d甜瓜果实中非乙酸酯类物质含量的3.1倍,还检测到了尿素处理果实中没有检测到的特征性酯类物质;鸡粪和鸡粪配施尿素处理提高了花后25～30 d果实中LOX酶、氨基转移酶、ADH酶以及AAT酶活性,降低了花后35 d果实中ADH酶活性,抑制了30 d后果实中CmADH1和ADH2的基因表达,而促进了CmAAT1和CmAAT3基因表达。由此可知,鸡粪以及鸡粪与尿素配施有可能是通过调节果实不同发育期香味物质合成途径中关键酶活性的协调变化以及关键酶基因表达,影响了果实香气物质的合成,尤其是酯类物质的合成。     

基于SRAP标记的黄瓜霜霉菌遗传多样性分析

本研究对来自黑龙江、辽宁、河北、山东、江苏5个省12个黄瓜主产区的77个黄瓜霜霉菌菌株,采用SRAP分子标记进行了遗传多样性分析。从35对SRAP引物中筛选出10对引物,共产生9 554条扩增条带,其中9 132条表现多态性,占95.6%。基于SRAP分子标记,77个黄瓜霜霉菌菌株的遗传距离为0.60~1.00,表明黄瓜霜霉菌具有丰富的遗传多样性。通过聚类分析,77个黄瓜霜霉菌菌株聚类为8个类群,并且来自相同地区的菌株大多数聚集于同一类群中,表明黄瓜霜霉菌群体的遗传多样性与其地理来源密切相关。     

Evaluation of selected metal nanoparticles on hatching and survival of larvae and fry of Indian major carp,rohu (Labeo rohita)

Different laboratory synthesized metal nanoparticles viz. Copper oxide (CuO), Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver doped titanium dioxide (Ag‐TiO₂) were studied for their effect on hatching and survival of larvae and fry of Indian major carp, rohu, Labeo rohita both in direct application in tank water & coated onto tanks. Among these nanoparticles, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles exhibited highest percentage of hatching in both direct addition (78.0 ± 3.1% and 78.05 ± 4.2%, respectively) and coating onto tanks (58.6 ± 2.1% and 61.2 ± 2.7%, respectively) at 1 mg mL^?1 while least percentage of hatching was recorded in Ag‐TiO₂ nanoparticles irrespective of its concentration & mode of supplementation. Highest survival of L. rohita fry (50.13 ± 2.2%) was observed after 15 days post hatching in CuO coated tanks followed by ZnO coated tanks (38.6 ± 2.8%) while least was recorded in Ag‐TiO₂ coated tanks (22.53 ± 3.0%). However in control tanks coated with Poly‐Urethane base with hardener and uncoated control tanks, the survival was 42.4 ± 1.2% and 41.36 ± 1.8% respectively. Further, significantly lower microbial load of water was recorded in CuO nanoparticles coated tanks (1.5 × 10¹⁰ CFU L^?1) as compared to uncoated control tanks (1.1 × 10¹⁶ CFU L^?1) without affecting water quality parameters. On the other hand, in Ag‐TiO₂ coated tanks, significantly lower microbial load (1.0 × 10⁶ CFU L^?1) as compared to uncoated control tanks at 15 days post hatching was recorded. However, Ag‐TiO₂ was toxic to L. rohita larvae & fry both in direct application and coating onto tanks. Considering the beneficial effects of CuO nanoparticle application, it has the scope of being used in a more eco‐friendly way in hatchery operations.     

From the drawing board to the field: an example for establishing an MPA in Penghu,Taiwan

• 1. In order to promote the establishment of the first marine protected area (MPA) in Taiwan, the conservation values of 12 reef sites in the Penghu Islands were evaluated. The results together with a 6‐year surveillance programme revealed that the Chinwan Inner Bay (CIB) possesses the best coral community in the Penghu Islands with the highest coral cover, high species diversity and habitat types, as well as a high conservation value.
• 2. Utilization of biological resources and socio‐economic factors of CIB were investigated by intensive field surveys and a complete visit‐and‐poll survey respectively. Most of the fishing at CIB is for recreational purposes and is characterized by low investment, low harvest rates, high dependence on weather conditions, and self‐consumption.
• 3. The socio‐economic data showed that there was basically no direct conflict of interests with local communities at two neighbouring villages, and most local residents indicated that they would support the MPA proposal.
• 4. A blueprint for a CIB MPA based on the results of these biological and socio‐economic investigations is proposed. Environmental threats including anchor damage and the predation of Drupella snails need to be ameliorated and monitored through the implementation of appropriate management. The involvement of local communities is key to the success of this MPA and environmental education is recommended to promote public awareness.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of vitamin C as an immunostimulant. Effect on growth,nutritional quality,and immune response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> (Ham.)

Teleost fish lack the enzyme for endogenous synthesis of ascorbic acid (AA), an essential micronutrient for fish. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of higher levels of dietary vitamin C on growth, nutritional quality, and immunomodulation in the Indian major carp, rohu (Labeo rohita). Four groups of L. rohita were fed experimental diets containing either no vitamin C (control) or supplemented with vitamin C at 500 mg kg⁻¹ (Exp-1), 1000 mg kg⁻¹ (Exp-2), or 1500 mg kg⁻¹ (Exp-3) for 60 days. Growth parameters (NWG, ADG, and SGR), serological parameters (TSP, TSA, TSG, and A:G), haematological parameters (TLC, TEC, Hct, MCV, and MCH), and different non-specific immunological parameters (PR, PI, respiratory burst activity, and bactericidal activity) were evaluated during the experimental trial. Fish fed a vitamin C-supplemented diet showed higher specific growth rate (SGR) up to 1000 mg kg⁻¹ compared with control fish. Different haematological and serological parameters along with non-specific immune parameters were influenced by vitamin C supplementation. Among the non-specific immune parameters phagocytic activity (PR and PI) and respiratory burst activity (NBT cells) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced by increasing doses of vitamin C supplementation. Higher levels of dietary vitamin C significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced protection against Aeromonas hydrophila (AH1) infection compared with controls. Results from this study help to establish the beneficial effect of vitamin C on growth and immunmodulation in rohu (L. rohita).     

Comparison of direct culture versus PCR for the detection of Brucella in aborted fetuses of cattle and sheep in Turkey

The aim of this study was to detect Brucella in samples from aborted fetuses of sheep and cattle in Turkey using PCR and bacteriological analysis, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR. Organ homogenates from 38 aborted fetuses of cattle and 56 aborted fetuses of sheep were tested. All organ homogenates were cultured for bacteriological analysis, and all of the homogenates and the Brucella isolates obtained by culture were examined with a commercial PCR kit. On bacteriological analysis, Brucella species were found in 30 (31.9 per cent) of the 94 organ homogenates, eight (21.1 per cent) of which were from cattle and 22 (39.3 per cent) from sheep. Using PCR, a total of 29 (30.9 per cent) homogenates were positive for Brucella species, eight (21.1 per cent) of which were from cattle and 21 (37.5 per cent) from sheep. Compared with the bacteriological method, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the PCR kit used in this study were 83 per cent and 94 per cent, respectively.