Effects of Culture Area,Stocking Density,and Shrimp and Fish Polyculture on the Cost Efficiency of Hard Clam,Meretrix meretrix,Culture: A Case Study of Hard Clam Farms in Yunlin,Taiwan

Using the hard clam farms in Yunlin, Taiwan as examples, this study analyzes the effects of culture area, stocking density, and shrimp and fish polyculture on the cost efficiency (CE) of hard clam farming. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to estimate the farms' technical efficiency (TE), allocative efficiency (AE), and CE values. The findings show that the mean TE, AE, and CE values of hard clam farms are 0.74, 0.57, and 0.43, respectively. The TE value is higher than the AE value, which indicates that cost inefficiency is mainly attributable to poor AE. Tobit regression results suggest that there are positive relationships between CE and both culture area and operator experience. Hard clam stocking density and age of the operators have negative effects on CE. Hard clam culture areas larger than 2 ha and a stocking density of 1.1–1.2 million hard clams per hectare have higher CEs than smaller culture areas and smaller or larger stocking densities. The use of sand shrimp, white shrimp, kuruma shrimp, and grass shrimp for polyculture and the use of milkfish and silver sea bream for polyculture are both associated with high CEs.     

High‐throughput Cryopreservation of Sperm from Sex‐reversed Southern Flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma

The Southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, is a valuable aquaculture fish with established markets in the USA. All‐female production in this species is an important technology for aquaculture because the females usually have body sizes twice those of males at the same age, and sex‐reversed males (genotypic XX neomales) are used for all‐female production by crossing with genetically normal females. However, sperm volume from the neomales is usually small (<0.5 mL) and limits their application for all‐female fish production. Cryopreservation of sperm from these sex‐reversed neomales will provide access on demand with increased efficiency to extend the application of neomales. The goal of this study was to develop a protocol for cryopreservation of sperm from the Southern flounder by using an automated high‐throughput processing system. The objectives were to: (1) determine the effect of osmolality on activation of sperm motility; (2) evaluate the effect of extender solutions on sperm motility capacity; (3) evaluate the acute toxicity of cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], propylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol) on sperm motility, and (4) estimate the effect of cooling rate on sperm cryopreservation and post‐thaw fertilization. Sperm motility was activated when osmolality was 400 mOsmol/kg or higher. Of the three extender buffers tested, HEPES4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1‐piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) at 300 mOsmol/kg resulted in better protection for sperm motility than did Hanks' balanced salt solution and Mounib solution at 300 mOsmol/kg during 7 d of refrigerated storage. After 30 min equilibration with the cryoprotectant of 15% DMSO, sperm motility was 24 ± 21% (fresh sperm motility without any cryoprotectants was 42%). After cooling at a rate of 20 C/min, post‐thaw sperm motility was 8 ± 5% and fertilization was 63 ± 40% evaluated at the 32–64 cell stage (5 × 10⁵ sperm per egg). Overall, a protocol was developed for sperm cryopreservation in the Southern flounder with high‐throughput processing, which provides a tool to preserve the valuable genetic resources from neomale flounders, and enables germplasm repository development for the Southern flounder.     

Reflected‐light Influences the Coloration of the Peppermint Shrimp,Lysmata boggessi (Decapoda: Caridea)

One alternative to contribute to the reduction of the pressure on coral reef ecosystems brought about by an increasing demand for marine aquarium ornamentals is to improve and further develop the culture of desirable species for trade. Peppermint shrimp from the genus Lysmata are among the most intensively traded decapod in the trade and while several studies have been conducted to improve its culture, individuals obtained from culture facilities are generally paler than those collected from the wild. Because color is a fundamental component of the price tag on most marine ornamental live species, poorly colored animals command a lower price, reducing competitiveness. In this study, we evaluate the influence of tank background color (reflected light) on the morphological coloration change of Lysmata boggessi. In a 15‐d experiment, 30 individuals were exposed either to reflected‐red or white light and the relative change of coloration between initial and final moments was quantified with photography (RGB color model). At the end of the experimental period, shrimp exposed to red‐reflected light presented a more intense red coloration than those exposed to white‐reflected light. These results demonstrate that a simple change in background tank color can enhance shrimp external coloration. Such a cheap‐to‐implement procedure can support the culture of more colorful, hence more valuable ornamental shrimp that can compete with those captured from the wild.     

Difference in factors explaining growth rate variability in European eel subpopulations: the possible role of habitat carrying capacity

As a key parameter in the management of fish populations, individual growth rate (GR) variations were examined in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla; > 150 mm) using extensive mark–recapture surveys in the lotic habitats of two small rivers of western France: the Frémur, supposed to be saturated, and at the same latitude, the Oir with densities fivefold lower than those of the Frémur. In both systems, generalised linear models were used to test whether spatiotemporal factors such as dominant habitat type or local density affect GR variability. In the presumed unsaturated system, the Oir, GR variability is mainly explained by a set of habitat suitability drivers (density, dominant habitat type). In the Frémur, GRs appear independent of differences in habitat density or productivity. Below saturation, an increase in density will decrease the GR through intraspecific competition. At saturation, intraspecific competition reaches such high levels that regardless of eel density and productivity, the resources available by individual are similar throughout the system. In these circumstances, the effect of density on growth was presumed undetectable. Despite these contrasted results, mean GRs observed in both catchments were closed (~20 mm·year^?1). This is an unexpected result as GR is expected to be higher in unsaturated systems. This similarity could be explained by the difference between the two systems in terms of: (i) sex ratio (the Frémur is dominated by male, whereas the female is dominant in the Oir), (ii) habitat type distribution or (iii) possible interspecific competition (important salmonid populations in the Oir).     

Ecological impacts of small hydropower plants on headwater stream fish: from individual to community effects

Hydroelectricity is increasingly used worldwide as a source of renewable energy, and many mountain ranges have dozens or hundreds of hydropower plants, with many more being under construction or planned. Although the ecological impacts of large dams are relatively well known, the effects of small hydropower plants and their weirs have been much less investigated. We studied the effects of water diversion of small hydropower plants on fish assemblages in the upper Ter river basin (Catalonia, NE Spain), which has headwater reaches with good water quality and no large dams but many of such plants. We studied fish populations and habitat features on control and impacted reaches for water diversion of 16 hydropower plants. In the impacted reaches, there was a significantly lower presence of refuges for fish, poorer habitat quality, more pools and less riffles and macrophytes, and shallower water levels. We also observed higher fish abundance, larger mean fish size and better fish condition in the control than in impacted reaches, although the results were species‐specific. Accordingly, species composition was also affected, with lower relative abundance of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Pyrenean minnow (Phoxinus bigerri) in the impacted reaches and higher presence of stone loach (Barbatula quignardi) and Mediterranean barbel (Barbus meridionalis). Our study highlights the effects of water diversion of small hydropower plants from the individual to the population and community levels but probably underestimates them, urging for further assessment and mitigation of these ecological impacts.     

Late nitrogen fertilization affects carbohydrate mobilization in wheat

An experiment was carried out to determine how the late application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer affects the use of pre‐anthesis carbon reserves during the grain‐filling period of pot‐grown wheat with no water shortage. Increasing doses (equivalent to 0, 140, and 180 kg N ha^–1) of N fertilizer were applied, either in two amendments (stages GS20 and GS30) or in three amendments (stages GS20, GS30, and GS37, according to Zadoks scale). The management of fertilizer by combining an increased N rate with late N application was able to stimulate canopy development, to raise photosynthetic capacity and carbohydrate accumulation during the vegetative stages, and to increase grain yield. Based on the dynamics of carbohydrate accumulation in the ear, three phases were differentiated during the grain‐filling period, whose temporary pattern remained stable regardless of the fertilizer management. The net remobilization of carbohydrates started 12 d after anthesis from the leaves and 28 d after anthesis from roots and stems. The increase of the N dose with late N application allowed on one hand a lower use of the pre‐anthesis carbon reserves in favor of greater de novo photosynthesis during the grain‐filling period, and on the other hand greater relative contribution of the leaf and ear C reserves to remobilization towards the grain. Further splitting the dose increased only the relative contribution of ear C reserves. The stem contribution seemed to be independent of N applied whereas the root contribution tended to diminish with late N application.     

Effects of Neutral Phytase Supplementation on Biochemical Parameters in Grass Carp,Ctenopharyngodon idellus,and Gibel Carp,Carassius auratus gibelio,Fed Different Levels of Monocalcium Phosphate

Two 8‐wk studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of neutral phytase supplementation on hemato‐biochemical status, liver biochemical parameter, and intestinal digestive enzyme activity of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, and gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, fed with different levels of monocalcium phosphate (MCP). The control diet was prepared with 2% MCP but without phytase (P2.0). The other three experimental diets were prepared with the addition of 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5% MCP, respectively, when supplemented with 500 U/kg neutral phytase in each diet and designated as PP1.5, PP1.0, and PP0.5, respectively. The results indicated that the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, as well as the albumin (ALB) content were increased in grass carp (P < 0.05) and gibel carp (P > 0.05) fed with phytase‐supplemented diets. Meanwhile, the serum cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein, and total protein contents of the two species of fish were increased in comparison to the control. In addition, dietary phytase inclusion did not significantly affect hepatic ALP, ALT, and AST activities in the two species of carp fed with different levels of MCP. Amylase activity increased in foregut and hindgut of both species when fed with the phytase‐supplemented diets while lipase activity was reduced in the foregut and hindgut in both fish. This study suggests that neutral phytase supplementation increases serum ALP, ALT, and AST activities but does not notably affect these enzyme activities in the liver of the two species of carp when fed different levels of MCP. On the other hand, amylase activity increased while lipase activity was reduced in the intestine of the species of carp fed with phytase‐supplemented diets.     

Die Nachhaltigkeit von Düngungssystemen — Dargestellt am seehausener Düngungs‐Kombinationsversuch

Der 1967 in Seehausen auf sandigem Lehm angelegte Düngungs‐Kombinationsversuch dient der Analyse von Langzeitwirkungen gestaffelter Stallmist‐ und Mineral‐N‐Gaben (0,50,100,150 kg N ha^?1 a^?1) auf Pflanzen, Boden und Umwelt. Anhand von Meß‐, Bilanz‐ und Simulationswerten wird die Nachhaltigkeit dieser Düngungsvarianten bewertet.

Organisch‐mineralische Düngung führte zu Maximalerträgen von über 12t TM ha^?1 a^?1 und N‐Entzügen bis 200 kg ha^?1 a^?1. Der N‐Entzug der ungedüngten Variante betrug in den letzten Jahren noch etwa 75 kg ha^?1a^?1 gegenüber 100 kg ha^?1a^?1 zu Versuchsbeginn.

Die Entwicklung der Boden‐N_t‐Gehalte konnte mit e‐Funktionen beschrieben werden. Mineral‐N allein genügte nicht zum Erhalt der N_t‐Ausgangsvorräte, hierfür waren 55 bis 85 kg Stalldung‐N ha^?1 a^?1 notwendig. Die N_t‐ und C_t‐Gehalte korrelierten mit zahlreichen Bodenparametern. Hohe Humusgehalte forderten die biologische Aktivität.

Die N‐Verluste betrugen <10kg ha^?1 a^?1 (ungedüngt) bis 120 kg ha^?1a^?1 (höchstgedüngte Variante). Das N‐Verlustpotential lag bei Stallmistanwendung etwas niedriger als bei gleicher N‐Zufuhr in Mineralform. Je nach Stallmist‐Stufe waren 62 bis 104 kg Mineral‐N ha^?1 a^?1 erforderlich, um den Energieeinsatz je Produkteinheit zu minimieren.

Kombinierte Anwendung organischer und mineralischer Dünger (je 100 kg N ha^?1 a^?1) führte zu höchsten ökonomischen Leistungen, günstigen Bodeneigenschaften und tolerierbaren Umweltwirkungen. Zieht man alle verwendeten Nachhaltigkeitskriterien in Betracht, ist dieses Düngungssystem den anderen überlegen.     

不同杀菌剂防治小麦白粉病药效研究

研究不同杀菌剂对小麦白粉病的防治效果,结果表明:25%丙环唑乳油、50%醚菌酯水分散粒剂对小麦白粉病的防治效果较好,平均防治效果分别达到84.72%、86.05%。     

百花山森林资源环境价值评估分析

百花山森林资源年产出价值为19 697.29万元,其中活立木价值年增长价值为3 080.65万元,占年总产出价值的15.64%,而间接使用价值,即生态价值为14 951.04万元,占年总产出的75.90%。说明百花山森林具有极高的生态效益价值,保存森林的价值,决不仅仅是木材价值的保护,更重要的应该是森林的生态效益的价值以及非消费性价值的保护。只有在生态价值不受损害的条件下,利用其他价值才是最合理的。