Age trends in the genetic parameters of wood density and the relationship with growth rates in hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi) F1

Age trends in variance components and heritability of overall wood density, earlywood and latewood density, and latewood proportion were investigated in 29-year-old trees of 19 full-sib families of hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × Larix kaempferi) F₁. The age–age correlation and optimum selection age for these traits were also estimated and genetic and phenotypic correlations between wood density and radial growth rate were calculated for each growth ring. Intraring wood density data were obtained using X-ray densitometry. The coefficient of additive genetic variance was stable over all ages, whereas the coefficient of environmental variances gradually decreased with increasing age, resulting in increases in heritability estimates with age for overall density. The latewood proportion had the highest heritability estimates at all ages, ranging from 0.44 to 0.66. Overall density and its various components at 28 years of age showed strong genetic correlations with their respective traits at all younger ages. Optimum selection ages for the wood density traits ranged from 8 to 14 years, at which point maximum gain efficiencies per year were obtained. There were negative correlations between wood density and radial growth rate at early ages, although these relationships tended to be weaker with increasing age. These results suggest that selection at a young age is effective for wood density, but particular care must be taken in selecting trees with an improved radial growth rate because rapid growth will result in a low-density wood product, especially in the early growth period.     

Oviposition and larval performance of Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) on the Japanese cedar Cryptomeria japonica

To determine whether Monochamus alternatus can use the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) as a host tree, experiments were conducted in a laboratory using three insect populations of different localities. Adult females chose Pinus densiflora bolts as oviposition substrate when supplied with cedar and pine bolts simultaneously, whereas some females from one locality oviposited on cedar bolts when supplied with them exclusively. Seventy-three percent of 40 eggs hatched in cedar bolts. When the first instar larvae were inoculated on cedar bolts, the development was stunted greatly and all died during the larval stage. Two of 20 larvae that were inoculated on cedar bolts at the third instar entered the diapause and one larva developed into an adult female, which produced viable eggs but was much smaller than those obtained from pine bolts. The results did not exclude the possibility that M. alternatus can use recently killed C. japonica trees as a host.     

Function and value of water conservation in different age classes of Acacia mangium plantations

For this paper, we studied the water-holding capacity of canopy, vegetation layer under canopy and litter layer, the water-holding capacity and permeability of soil as well as their changes with growth of stands in Acacia mangium plantations of three different age classes (four-, seven-and 11-year-old). Results show that total water-holding above ground in the order of 11-year stand age (52.86 t/hm²)>seven-year stand age (41.90 t/hm²)>seven-year stand age (25.78 t/hm²), the increment tendency increased with stand age. Similar sequence also obtained on the water-holding capacity and permeation capacity of soil (0–40 cm). The total water-storage capacity both above ground and soil in four-year-old, seven-year-old and 11-year-old of A. mangium plantations were 2,023.0, 2,158.4 and 2,260.4 t/hm², respectively, and the all value of water conservation were 1,372.70, 1,474.42 and 1,549.91 yuan (RMB)/hm², respectively. Therefore, A. mangium plantation had a good ability to modify soil structure and good water conservation function. __________ Translated from Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006, 20(5): 5–8, 27 [译自: 水土保持学报]     

Evaluation of embryonic age and the effects of different proteases on the isolation and primary culture of chicken intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

The present study evaluates the effects of embryonic age and proteolytic enzymes on the isolation and primary culture of chicken enterocyte and to establish an effective technique for chicken intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) cultivation. Fourteen‐day‐old, 16‐day‐old and 18‐day‐old embryos (average weight: 52.23 ± 0.76 g, 50.86 ± 0.99 g, 48.98 ± 1.03 g) were the source for preparation of enterocyte culture, and trypsin‐ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, collagenase, thermolysin and combination of collagenase and thermolysin were used for digestion medium. Optimal culture protocols were determined by qualitative assays of proliferation. Cells isolated by using 14‐day‐old embryo and collagenase obtain the best attachment and growth in culture, and the production of continuously growing IEC cultures. Thus, we conclude that the use of collagenase as a dissociating enzyme and 14‐day‐old embryo as a source can be advantageously applied to the isolation of chicken IEC and this method may be useful for various applications and basic studies of the intestinal tract concerning such objects as physiology, immunology and toxicology.     

Age and growth of Gerres sp. (Perciformes: Gerreidae) in Okinawa Island of Southern Japan

A total of 518 Gerres sp. were collected around Okinawa Island, Japan, from November 2002 to July 2005, with monthly sampling where the standard length of females (n=218) were 56.2–147.1 mm, and males (n=149) were 62.2–139.4 mm. The maximum ages observed for females were 5⁺ years and males were 4⁺ years, estimated by transverse sectioned sagittal otoliths. Mean marginal increment indicated that opaque rings were formed once a year during April to July. The standard length (SL; mm) — body wet weight (BW; g) relationships were described as BW=(3.26×10⁻⁵) SL^2.97 and BW=(3.13×10⁻⁵) SL ^2.98 for females and males, respectively, and the standard length at age described by von Bertalanffy growth function for females, L _t=137.1(1−e^{−0.80[t+0.80]}) and males, L _t=127.3(1−e^{−0.82[t+0.93]}).     

Life history and ecology of the glowbelly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropoma japonicum</Emphasis> in the Uwa Sea,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The life history and ecology of the glowbelly Acropoma japonicum a commercially important fishery resource, were investigated in the Uwa Sea, Japan. Newly settled juveniles (0⁺) appeared at the end of the breeding season and reached maturity in the next season, i.e. when they became yearlings (1⁺). The yearlings made a gametic effort comparable to that of older fish. During the breeding season, the somatic conditions were more deteriorated for males than for females. That the deterioration of male somatic conditions was not attributable to a sexual difference in energy gain from feeding suggests that the males incurred higher energetic costs of reproduction despite their relatively low gonadosomatic indices. Such an energy depletion may increase the mortality risk, resulting in female-biased sex ratios in the older age classes. Most of the 1⁺ fish disappeared in winter following their first breeding. For A. japonicum , the observed precocity and short life span is notable because it is a higher consumer that is generally expected to show later maturation and longer life. As possible explanations for their disappearances, predation and postbreeding emaciation were less likely. While fishing is one of the most influential factors, the possibility of age-specific migration toward deeper waters remains to be examined.     

穗条年龄、粗度与插穗切口处理对细叶青蒌藤扦插繁殖的影响

[目的]探索穗条年龄、粗度与插穗切口处理对细叶青蒌藤扦插繁殖的影响。[方法]在福建沙县进行细叶青蒌藤扦插试验,研究穗条年龄、粗度与插穗切口处理对细叶青蒌藤扦插繁殖的影响。[结果]穗条年龄、粗度与切口位置与方法对细叶青蒌藤扦插繁殖的成苗率及新梢长度均有着极显著性差异性影响（P〈0．01）。1～2年的穗条的成苗率与梢长显著优于3～4年穗条的扦插繁殖效果（P〈0．05）;3～4年穗条的成苗率与梢长显著优于5年以上穗条的扦插繁殖效果（P〈0．05）。大于0．20cm粗度穗条扦插繁殖的成苗率与新梢长度显著优于小于0．20cm粗度穗条（P〈0．05）。节下1．5～2．5cm的插穗切口位置效果优于2．5～3．5cm的,单削斜口处理效果优于平剪处理。切口位置因素效应均大于切口处理因素,双因素的交互作用不显著（P〉0．05）。[结论]该试验进行了细叶青蒌藤扦插繁殖的穗条年龄、粗度、切口处理方面的研究,发现在节下1．5～2．5cm进行单削斜口的穗条处理结合效果最好。     

不同年龄段的农村老人养老现状及思考——基于宝鸡市1064名农村老人的实证调查

为全面了解宝鸡市农村老人的养老现状,通过入户发放问卷对宝鸡市三个整村的1 179名老人进行了调查,运用SPSS计算机统计软件对问卷数据进行了统计分析.结果显示,不同年龄阶段的农村老人在养老方式、子女赡养、帮扶对象等方面存在多元需求,因此探索建立养老服务的新模式体系,建议不同年龄段老人采用不同的养老方式;提出子女赡养和贫困救助帮扶的建议;针对农村老人特点开展丰富的文化娱乐活动,提高老人的生命质量.希望能缓解宝鸡市农村老人养老面临的巨大压力.