Evaluation of three cultivation practices for early cotton establishment and improving crop profitability

Cultivation practices permitting earlier sowing of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Greece are required to maximize yields and facilitate harvesting. An experiment was conducted for 2 years in Central Greece to evaluate two alternative systems. The experiment was carried out in a Vertic Cambisol and a Typic Regosol field. Cultivation practices tested were: (1) conventional tillage (CT) and sowing in a flat field, (2) ridge tillage (RT), using autumn ridging and (3) sowing in a flat field under clear plastic film (PF). Early and normal sowings were compared. The effects of the treatment on the crop establishment, growth and yield, as well as on the soil physical properties, were studied. Performance evaluation of the machinery was carried out. The cost of cultivation practices was estimated. Results of soil physical properties were similar for both years. Soil water contents from sowing to plastic removal in 2000 were 14.2, 13.5 and 18.0 g/100 g and temperatures for the same period at 0.04 m depth were 17.7, 18.1 and 19.8 °C for CT, RT and PF, respectively. PF resulted in higher emergence and higher plants with smaller roots. Average yields of seed-cotton in early sowing were 4936, 4591 and 4033 kg/ha for PF, RT and CT, respectively. In late sowing, yields in RT and in CT did not differ significantly. Ridge tillage machinery saved 13.6 kWh/ha (20.9%) compared to conventional tillage machinery. The higher yields under plastic film compensated for the higher cost of the practice at the present prices of seed-cotton.     

The interaction of pine scale with pines in Attica,Greece

The pine scale (Marchalina hellenica) has been introduced to Attica and reached unprecedented population densities. Using a randomised transect-based sampling design in eight sites, we sampled the insect in random 10 cm squares on the trunk and main branches of pine trees. The insect did not show any clumping other than a micro-site preference for fissures and cracks. Canonical discriminant analysis and generalised multinomial logit regression modelling were used to determine the most important ecological variables which were the following: the population density of the insects; crown transparency; mean distance between trees; and the quality of the habitat. The site and the distance from the line transect were insignificant. The interaction of crown transparency with the abundance of the insect, the mean distance between trees and the quality of each site were important in configuring the level of damage sustained by the pine tree.     

Sperm characteristics and androgens in Acipenser ruthenus after induction of spermiation by carp pituitary extract or GnRHa implants

Spermiation and changes in androgen (testosterone, T and 11-ketotestosterone, 11-KT) levels were studied in sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) treated with GnRH agonist implants (dAla⁶-Pro⁹-LHRHa) at 25 and 75?μg?kg^?1 b.w. and compared with those males treated with 4?mg?kg^?1 b.w. of carp pituitary extract (CPE) and 3 pellets of Ovopel kg^?1 b.w., which contains dAla⁶-Pro⁹NEt-mGnRH and metoclopramide. Sperm quality (sperm mass, spermatozoa concentration and sperm motility and velocity) was evaluated 24, 48 and 72?h after hormonal treatments. Males did not release sperm in the control group injected with physiological solution, while sperm could not be collected 7?days after treatments in all hormonally treated groups. Spermiation rates were 100?% in the CPE and Ovopel groups and 25–50?% in the GnRHa-treated groups. Sperm production was significantly lower in the GnRHa-treated groups than in the CPE and Ovopel groups and decreased 72?h after hormonal treatment. Sperm motility and velocity were higher in the Ovopel and GnRHa (75?μg) groups compared to the CPE and GnRHa (25?μg) groups and decreased 72?h after hormonal treatment. Androgens were only affected in spermiating males and changed in the Ovopel and GnRHa (75?μg) after hormonal treatment. Significant correlations were observed between sperm production, sperm motility and sperm velocity, but not androgens. The present study suggests involvement of dopamine in sturgeon spawning. Additionally, better sperm quality observed in the Ovopel group and particularly sperm motility in the GnRHa (75?μg) suggests enhancement of sperm quality in sturgeon treated with GnRHa. Therefore, further study is needed to induce fully spermiation using GnRHa implants in combination with a dopamine inhibitor.     

Comparison of iodine and glutaraldehyde as surface disinfectants for red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) and white sea bream (Diplodus sargus sargus) eggs

The efficacy of iodine and glutaraldehyde as fish egg surface disinfectants were assessed in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) and white sea bream (Diplodus sargus sargus) eggs, two species of interest for Mediterranean aquaculture. Iodine was effective in reducing the bacterial load of the 1-day-old eggs when applied at 50 mg L⁻¹ for 5 min. The same concentration did not cause any significant change in hatching success or survival of the larvae for the first 5 days. Glutaraldehyde failed to reduce the bacterial load of the fish eggs at concentrations that were safe for the eggs (100 mg L⁻¹ for 5 min), as it had a significant effect in preventing hatching of the developed embryo. Disinfecting 0-day-old eggs with iodine resulted in a significant reduction of hatching percentage, while larval survival thereafter was unaffected. The results of the present study suggest that iodine may be an appropriate egg disinfectant for both red porgy and white sea bream.     

Hormone Profiles of Captive Striped Bass Morone saxatilis During Spermiation, and Long-Term Enhancement of Milt Production

Abstract— Plasma profiles of reproductive and thyroid hormones were studied in captive striped bass Morone saxatilis during an 11-wk period encompassing the spawning season, and the effect of a sustained-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa)-delivery system (GnRHa-implant) on milt production was evaluated. The highest percentage of spermiating fish was observed between mid-April and mid-May, and mean total expressible milt ranged from 3.5 to 6.0 mL/kg. Plasma gonadotropin II (GtH II) increased significantly, though inconsistently, during the spermiation period, whereas testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone levels declined continually. Plasma 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 17,20β,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one remained low and unchanged during the peak of the spermiation period, while thyroid hormones were high and fluctuated without exhibiting a trend consistent with spermiation. The observed endocrine profiles suggest that captivity can diminish plasma GtH II and triiodothyronine levels in striped bass. Transfer of spermiating males from large holding tanks to small spawning tanks reduced total expressible milt after 14 d, but treatment with a GnRHa-implant restored milt volume, presumably due to the prolonged elevation of plasma GnRHa and GtH II induced by the GnRHa-implant. Also, treatment with the GnRHa-implant induced a two- to four-fold elevation of expressible milt for at least 20 d compared to control fish, while resulting in only a 5 to 15% decrease in sperm density. It appears that captivity and hatchery operations can diminish milt production in striped bass, and that GnRHa-delivery systems, via sustained elevation of plasma GtH II, can induce long-term enhancement in milt volume without affecting sperm density greatly.