Number of Follicular Waves and Their Effect on Pregnancy Rate in the Cow

In the study, the relationship of follicular growth waves, oestradiol and pregnancy rates were investigated during oestrus cycle in cows. A total of 22, Brown Swiss cows (3-5 years old) were used for the study. The ovaries of animals were examined from sixth day of cycle to next oestrus by ultrasound. The follicles that were present in the ovarium were recorded. Follicular growth was observed every day by means of ultrasound examination. The blood samples were taken for analysis of oestradiol simultaneously with ultrasound examinations. The oestrus animals were inseminated. Each animal that inseminated was examined by ultrasound on day 28 after insemination for pregnancy diagnosis. Two follicular growth waves were observed in nine of 22 (40.9%), three waves in 13 of 22 (59.1%) animals. The oestradiol was found in the same concentration but in different release patterns between two and three waves animals. Pregnancy rate in cows with three and two follicular waves did not differ. In conclusion, emergence of three waves of follicular growth was higher in Brown Swiss cows, the analysis of oestradiol could be used for determination of the wave numbers and the animals with different waves may have had the same pregnancy rates.     

Nitrous oxide evolution from structurally intact soil as influenced by tillage and soil water content

Among farmers there is a growing interest for adoption of reduced tillage practices, which has accentuated the need to understand the consequences for soil nutrient dynamics and losses. A laboratory study was conducted with structurally intact soil cores collected from two depths, 0–4 and 14–18 cm, within tillage experiments on contrasting soil types, both experiments with soil under mouldboard ploughing (MP) or shallow tillage (ST). The soil cores were adjusted to one of seven matric potentials ranging from ?1500 to ?15 hPa. The extent and regulation of nitrous oxide (N₂O) evolution as a function of tillage, depth and soil characteristics was studied by measurement of N₂O and CO₂ evolution rates, as well as nitrifying and denitrifying potentials, and subsequent data analysis by multiple linear regression models. At both sites, compaction of ST soil below the depth of tillage was significant. The vertical distribution of N₂O evolution was different in MP and ST soil, but no main effect of tillage on N₂O evolution was observed. Effects of soil variables on N₂O evolution were analysed using volumetric water content, water-filled pore space, or relative gas diffusivity (RD) to represent the effect of soil water. Using RD weakened interactions with tillage and C availability and strengthened main effects, suggesting that RD may provide a more general representation of the water effect. At 0–4 cm depth, N₂O evolution was related to NO₃^? availability in the soil with 5.1% C, but to C availability in the soil with 1.5% C. The contrasting patterns of dependencies in the different environments support the interpretation of reduced tillage and soil water content as indirect controls, via diffusional constraints, of N₂O evolution.     

Modeling the Exchanges of Energy, Water, and Carbon Between Continents and the Atmosphere

Atmospheric general circulation models used for climate simulation and weather forecasting require the fluxes of radiation, heat, water vapor, and momentum across the land-atmosphere interface to be specified. These fluxes are calculated by submodels called land surface parameterizations. Over the last 20 years, these parameterizations have evolved from simple, unrealistic schemes into credible representations of the global soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer system as advances in plant physiological and hydrological research, advances in satellite data interpretation, and the results of large-scale field experiments have been exploited. Some modern schemes incorporate biogeochemical and ecological knowledge and, when coupled with advanced climate and ocean models, will be capable of modeling the biological and physical responses of the Earth system to global change, for example, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide.     

植物生长素在大果沙棘嫩枝扦插中的应用研究

在温室内对5个大果沙棘品种嫩枝用4种植物生长激素处理进行扦插育苗试验,结果表明,吲哚丁酸和生根粉处理效果显著,浑金和向阳两品种更容易扦插成活。     

“优标”水稻体系对稻田土壤环境的影响

【目的】 针对水稻生产中的减肥、减药措施,前期自主开发了水稻优标体系。本研究通过分析应用优标体系的稻米产量和污染物含量以及土壤质量,评估优标体系在实际农业生产中的应用效果,以期为该优标体系的合理设计和及时调整提供科学依据。【方法】 基于在江苏省、上海市水稻种植区连续实施1—5年的定点优标体系试验区,以常规施肥用药水稻栽培体系（简称常规体系）为对照。采集水稻籽粒和稻田土壤样品,测定稻米产量、委托SGS检测稻米农药残留和重金属含量;采用内梅罗指数法评价土壤肥力;分别采用TTC还原法、靛酚蓝比色法、3,5-二硝基水杨酸比色法测定土壤脱氢酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶活性;利用16S rDNA高通量测序分析土壤微生物多样性。【结果】 采用优标体系较常规体系在氮肥施用量减少46.8%,代以添加有机肥、EM菌剂、叶面肥、锌肥;以生物制剂为核心,协同使用低毒、低残留化学农药,保证了稻米的高安全标准。在保证水稻产量、质量安全的前提下实施优标体系显著提高了土壤全氮与有机质含量;且连续实施1—4年的优标体系土壤肥力综合评分均高于常规体系,但连续实施5年后的优标体系土壤肥力综合评分值低于常规体系。连续实施2年优标体系脲酶、脱氢酶、蔗糖酶的活性均高于常规体系。实施优标体系的稻田土壤细菌群落多样性与丰度提高,优标体系实施1年和连续实施5年的土壤细菌丰富度上升比例重复变化的菌为拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）和绿弯菌门（Chloroflexi）;优势菌属为Terrimonas（尚无确切名称）和黄杆菌属（Flavobacterium）。相关性分析结果显示,优标体系实施1年,土壤中拟杆菌门、绿弯菌门丰度变化分别与pH肥力指数、全磷肥力指数变化呈正相关;优标体系连续实施5年,土壤中拟杆菌门、绿弯菌门丰度变化均与pH肥力指数变化呈正相关。另外,拟杆菌门、绿弯菌门丰度变化与土壤脱氢酶活性变化呈正相关。【结论】 实施优标体系在保证水稻产量、质量安全的前提下,可有效改善土壤质量,提升土壤细菌群落多样性,进而有助于恢复土壤肥力。     

Reduction of bacterial growth by a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in the rhizosphere of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Summary Cucumber was grown in a partially sterilized sand-soil mixture with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum or left uninoculated. Fresh soil extract was places in polyvinyl chloride tubes without propagules of mycorrhizal fungi. Root tips and root segments with adhering soil, bulk soil, and soil from unplanted tubes were sampled after 4 weeks. Samples were labelled with [³H]-thymidine and bacteria in different size classes were measured after staining by acridine orange. The presence of VAM decreased the rate of bacterial DNA synthesis, decreased the bacterial biomass, and changed the spatial pattern of bacterial growth compared to non-mycorrhizal cucumbers. The [³H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly higher on root tips in the top of tubes, and on root segments and bulk soil in the center of tubes on non-mycorrhizal plants compared to mycorrhizal plants. At the bottom of the tubes, the [³H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly higher on root tips of mycorrhizal plants. Correspondingly, the bacterial biovolumes of rods with dimension 0.28–0.40×1.1–1.6 m, from the bulk soil in the center of tubes and from root segments in the center and top of tubes, and of cocci with a diameter of 0.55–0.78 m in the bulk soil in the center of tubes, were significantly reduced by VAM fungi. The extremely high bacterial biomass (1–7 mg C g^-1 dry weight soil) was significant reduced by mycorrhizal colonization on root segments and in bulk soil. The incorporation of [³H]-thymidine was around one order of magnitude lower compared to other rhizosphere measurements, probably because pseudomonads that did not incorporate [³H]-thymidine dominated the bacterial population. The VAM probably decreased the amount of plant root-derived organic matter available for bacterial growth, and increased bacterial spatial variability by competition. Thus VAM plants seem to be better adapted to compete with the saprophytic soil microflora for common nutrients, e.g., N and P, compared to non-mycorrhizal plants.     

Long-term organic farming fosters below and aboveground biota: Implications for soil quality, biological control and productivity

Organic farming may contribute substantially to future agricultural production worldwide by improving soil quality and pest control, thereby reducing environmental impacts of conventional farming. We investigated in a comprehensive way soil chemical, as well as below and aboveground biological parameters of two organic and two conventional wheat farming systems that primarily differed in fertilization and weed management strategies. Contrast analyses identified management related differences between “herbicide-free” bioorganic (BIOORG) and biodynamic (BIODYN) systems and conventional systems with (CONFYM) or without manure (CONMIN) and herbicide application within a long-term agricultural experiment (DOK trial, Switzerland). Soil carbon content was significantly higher in systems receiving farmyard manure and concomitantly microbial biomass (fungi and bacteria) was increased. Microbial activity parameters, such as microbial basal respiration and nitrogen mineralization, showed an opposite pattern, suggesting that soil carbon in the conventional system (CONFYM) was more easily accessible to microorganisms than in organic systems. Bacterivorous nematodes and earthworms were most abundant in systems that received farmyard manure, which is in line with the responses of their potential food sources (microbes and organic matter). Mineral fertilizer application detrimentally affected enchytraeids and Diptera larvae, whereas aphids benefited. Spider abundance was favoured by organic management, most likely a response to increased prey availability from the belowground subsystem or increased weed coverage. In contrast to most soil-based, bottom-up controlled interactions, the twofold higher abundance of this generalist predator group in organic systems likely contributed to the significantly lower abundance of aboveground herbivore pests (aphids) in these systems. Long-term organic farming and the application of farmyard manure promoted soil quality, microbial biomass and fostered natural enemies and ecosystem engineers, suggesting enhanced nutrient cycling and pest control. Mineral fertilizers and herbicide application, in contrast, affected the potential for top-down control of aboveground pests negatively and reduced the organic carbon levels. Our study indicates that the use of synthetic fertilizers and herbicide application changes interactions within and between below and aboveground components, ultimately promoting negative environmental impacts of agriculture by reducing internal biological cycles and pest control. On the contrary, organic farming fosters microbial and faunal decomposers and this propagates into the aboveground system via generalist predators thereby increasing conservation biological control. However, grain and straw yields were 23% higher in systems receiving mineral fertilizers and herbicides reflecting the trade-off between productivity and environmental responsibility.     

沙棘属植物结瘤特性及Frankia根瘤菌分离

以4种沙棘属植物为材料,调查其在不同生境、不同季节的结瘤特点,研究弗兰克氏根瘤菌(Frankia)的特性。研究发现,同种沙棘在不同生境和同种生境不同季节,不同种的沙棘属植物在不同生境,以及同一生境不同季节的根瘤大小、形状、着生部位、颜色和结瘤率不同;植物分布海拔越高,瘤块和瘤瓣越小;4种沙棘中藏沙棘根瘤瘤瓣最大。根瘤经切片法分离培养后,从不同生境不同季节生长的4种沙棘属植物中共得到纯培养菌株53株,不同宿主中的Frankia根瘤菌种类不同,同一宿主中也存在不同种类的Frankia根瘤菌。     

Effect of Chemical and Physical Stress Conditions on the Concentration and Composition of Essential Oil Components in Leaves of Full‐Grown Artemisia annua L.

Full‐grown Artemisia annua plants were subjected to chemical and physical stress conditions, and the effect of these on the concentration and chemical composition of essential oil components (EOC) in the leaves was studied. The chemical stress treatments were performed by foliar application of NaCl, H₂O₂, salicylic acid and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS). The EOC of the leaves were extracted with n‐hexane and identified and quantified by GC–MS and GC–FID, respectively. Approximately 96 % of EOC in the extracts were identified and quantified of which β‐pinene, camphene, germacrene D, camphor, coumarin and dihydro‐epi‐deoxyarteannuin B were the major EOC accounting for about 75 % of the total content of EOC in the extracts. The physical stress treatment, sandblasting of the plants resulted in a significant enhancement in the content of α‐pinene, camphene, coumarin and dihydro‐epi‐deoxyarteannuin B. The total yield of identified EOC in non‐treated plants (control) was 86.2 ± 13.8 μg g^?1 fresh weight (FW) compared with 104.0 ± 9.1 μg g^?1 FW in sandblasted plants. The chemical stress treatments did not affect the composition of EOC significantly. The results indicate that chemical stress treatments do not affect the concentration and composition of EOC in full‐grown A. annua plants to the same extent as physical stress treatment by sandblasting.     

水分胁迫对水稻品种生理特性的影响

本实验以优质杂交粳稻滇型杂交水稻滇杂31为材料,采用盆栽实验,在水稻孕穗期设5个水分胁迫处理,进行了不同程度的水分胁迫,在水分胁迫结束后,对叶片光合特性、叶片与根系的丙二醛(MDA)浓度、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的变化进行测定,研究水分胁迫对滇杂31孕穗期生理特性的影响。研究结果表明,孕穗期随着水分胁迫的加剧,滇杂31农艺性状、光合特性显著下降;叶片和根系的MDA浓度、POD活性、SOD活性都有所上升。