Distribution coefficients of Cd, Co, Ni, and Zn in soils

Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with a mixture of solutes at low equilibrium concentrations of Cd (0.7-12.6 μg1⁻¹), Co (18-118μg1⁻¹, Ni (22-330 μg 1⁻¹), and Zn (40-1480 μg1⁻¹) in 38 different soils. Statistical correlations indicated that metal sorption onto the soils was influenced by the presence of clays and hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn. Based on calculated distribution coefficients for these metals, Co will generally exhibit the highest mobility in soils, but the mobility of Zn will increase faster with decreasing pH. Two types of empirical relationships are developed from these data to estimate values for the distribution coefficients.     

Follicle Turnover and Pregnancy Rates Following Oestrus Synchronization Protocols in Mediterranean Italian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

An ultrasound assessment of follicle turnover following two different protocols for synchronization of oestrus and ovulation, as well as an assessment of achieved synchronization between ovulation and AI and conception rates in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes were carried out during months of increasing day length. Nulliparous buffaloes (n = 30) were subjected only to Ovsynch protocol whereas pluriparous buffaloes (n = 31) were assigned to Ovsynch (n = 14) or to PRID-pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) (n = 17) protocol according to the presence of functional CL confirming cyclic and acyclic conditions. Ultrasound examination of ovarian follicular dynamics at critical days in the course of synchronization treatments was employed to monitor the fate of the largest available follicles at the beginning of treatments. Such available dominant follicle would persist throughout the protocol as ovulating follicle (no-follicle shift) or would regress giving way to a new follicle to become dominant and ovulate (follicle shift). Furthermore, ultrasound monitoring would determine the degree of synchronization of ovulation and final outcome represented by pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rate following Ovsynch protocol was 40% (12/30) and 42.8% (6/14) in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes respectively (p = 0.8575). Most ovulations were synchronized and recorded at AI and the following day in nulliparous (24/30; 80%) and pluriparous (12/14; 85.7%) buffaloes respectively (p = 1.000). A follicle shift was recorded in 14 of 30 (46.6%) and 11 of 14 (78.5%) in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes respectively (p = 0.0466). Among established pregnancies: eight derived from follicle shift (66.6%) and four from no-follicle shift (33.3%) in nulliparous buffaloes, p = 0.0729 whereas in pluriparous buffaloes five (83.3%) derived from follicle shift and one from no-follicle shift (16.6%), p = 0.6154. Collectively, from 18 pregnancies in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes following Ovsynch protocol, 13 derived from follicle shift (72.2%) and five from no-follicle shift (27.7%), p = 0.0860. Pregnancy rate in pluriparous buffaloes following PRID-PMSG protocol was 70.5% (12/17). The majority of ovulations were synchronized and recorded at first, second AI and following day (13/17; 76.4%). A follicle shift occurred in 15/17 buffaloes (88.2%) and among the 12 recorded pregnancies, 11 derived from follicle shift (91.6%), p = 0.5147. In conclusion, pregnancy rates following Ovsynch protocol were similar in nulliparous and pluriparous cyclic buffaloes. A progestagen treatment on acyclic buffaloes but still displaying some ovarian follicular dynamics, resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rate compared with Ovsynch (p = 0.0376). According to the time of scheduled AI, a high degree of synchronized ovulations were recorded following the implementation of both protocols.     

原子吸收分光光度法测定植物中微量元素的研究

采用原子分光光度法测定牛蒡、银杏、银杏叶和大蒜中Se、Cd、Pb含量,以期为该法用于植物微量元素测定提供参考。     

Successful Vitrification of In vivo Embryos Collected from Superovulated Japanese Black Cattle (Wagyu)

The aim of this study was to determine whether vitrification is an effective method when used for Japanese Black Cattle (Wagyu) in vivo‐derived embryos, collected following a superovulation treatment and embryo transfer (MOET) programme. In vivo‐derived morula and blastocysts collected on day 7 after artificial insemination, were vitrified using a modified droplet vitrification (MDV) procedure and subsequently warmed for transfer (ET) into synchronized recipients. Fresh embryos, and embryos cryopreserved using a standardized slow freezing procedure (direct thaw/direct transfer, DT) served as ET controls. Two different follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) sources, Folltropin^® Canada (FSH BAH, 24 donors) and a brand prepared by the Chinese Academy of Science (FSH CAS, 16 donors), were compared in a series of superovulation outcomes following well‐established FSH administration protocols. Following data analysis, the total number of ovulations recorded at the time of embryo flushing (10.5 vs 8.5; p = 0.28) and the total number of transferable embryos (6.2 vs 5.1; p = 0.52) were similar between the two FSH sources. ET for MDV (39.7%, n = 78), DT (35.2%, n = 71) and fresh controls (47.1%, n = 34) resulted in similar pregnancy rates (p > 0.05). When MDV was used, a higher pregnancy rate (42.6%) resulted from the transfer of vitrified morulae, when compared to the DT counterparts (24.3%), (p = 0.05). Transfer of vitrified morulae resulted also in higher pregnancy rate, when compared to the transfer of vitrified blastocysts (42.6% vs. 29.4%; p < 0.05). Transfer of DT blastocysts resulted in higher pregnancy rate than morulae, similarly cryopreserved (47.1% vs. 24.3%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, MDV is an effective alternative methodology for cryopreservation of in vivo‐derived embryos. This study gives also indication that, compared to vitrified blastocysts, MDV of morula stage embryos results in higher pregnancy rates following warming and transfer into synchronized recipients.     

Long-term control of Phytophthora diseases of cocoa using trunk-injected phosphonate

Pod rot and stem canker, caused by Phytophthora palmivora , are serious diseases of cocoa causing pod losses of up to 63% and the death of up to 10% of trees annually on Kar Kar Island. Papua New Guinea. Trials were conducted on commercial cocoa plantations to compare the effectiveness of potassium phosphonate when applied as trunk injections, trunk paints and foliar sprays, and trunk injections of Aliette CA and of Ridomil 250EC, with conventional Ridomil-based spray programmes. The results show that, in trials conducted over 5 years, injections of potassium phosphonate give the highest healthy pod yield and lowest incidence of Phytophthora pod rot and stem canker when compared with Ridomil-based spray programmes or trunk injections of Ridomil 250EC or Aliette CA. The increase in ripe healthy pod yields was due to both pod rot and stem canker control. The level of control is independent of the seasonal timing of injection. Optimum control was achieved with annual injections of 15 g a. i. per tree, and varied with tree size and disease severity. Injections of phosphonate will, under the range of conditions found in our trials. provide the most cost-effective control of Phytophthora diseases.