Dung decomposition and pedoturbation in a seasonally dry tropical pasture

Rates of dung decomposition and the associated accumulation of soil transported to the surface were compared for dung deposited during a dry and a wet season in a Costa Rican pasture. Average decomposition rates for the first 140 days after deposition were significantly lower for dung patches deposited at the beginning of the dry season than for patches deposited at the beginning of the wet season (0.73 vs. 1.50 g/day^-1 on a dry weight basis). A strong linear relationship was found between dung removal and soil accumulation at the original soil surface, with an average of 2.0 g soil accumulated for every gram of dung which was removed. This relationship was not affected by deposition season. The lack of a seasonal difference, along with the relatively low decomposition rates during the wet season, were explained by the dominance of termites in the dung patches throughout the year. Evidence of dung beetle activity was never recorded during the dry season and was found in only 18 of the 45 dung patches recovered during the wet season.     

Comparative analysis of Andiodrilus pachoensis casts in forests and pastures of South-Eastern Amazon (Brazil)

Soil ecosystem engineers produce biogenic structures (casts, mounds, galleries) that strongly affect soil processes. A comparative analysis of the physical characteristics of the casts produced by the earthworm Andiodrilus pachoensis was carried out in four pastures sowed with Brachiaria brizantha and four primary forests on the deforestation front of the Amazonian forest. In both systems, we recorded surface cast density and spatial patterns as well as surface cast physical properties. Cast and vegetation distributions were mapped within plots of sizes ranging from 25 to 50 m², and cast production was monitored during 2 months. Cast spatial distribution varied greatly among plots and across spatial scales ranging from regular at small spatial scales (0–20 cm) to clumped for larger distance ranges (>80 cm). Cast density was not significantly correlated with grass tuft density and their production was independent from the presence of grass tufts in pastures or litter quantity in forests. Although bulk soil properties (pH, C content, structural stability, etc) differed between pastures and forests, cast physical properties did not differ significantly among the studied ecosystem.     

驯鹿18S rRNA基因的克隆测序

对驯鹿 (Rangifertarandus)的 1 8SrRNA基因片段进行了克隆测序 ,序列长度为 1 1 47bp ,并且已被发送到Genebank上 ,其登录号是AY1 45 5 2 7。     

Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Verocytotoxic Escherichia coli,and Antibiotic Resistance in Indicator Organisms in Wild Cervids

Faecal samples were collected, as part of the National Health Surveillance Program for Cervids (HOP) in Norway, from wild red deer, roe deer, moose and reindeer during ordinary hunting seasons from 2001 to 2003. Samples from a total of 618 animals were examined for verocytotoxic E. coli (VTEC); 611 animals for Salmonella and 324 animals for Campylobacter. A total of 50 samples were cultivated from each cervid species in order to isolate the indicator bacterial species E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis/E. faecium for antibiotic resistance pattern studies. Salmonella and the potentially human pathogenic verocytotoxic E. coli were not isolated, while Campylobacter jejuni jejuni was found in one roe deer sample only. Antibiotic resistance was found in 13 (7.3%) of the 179 E. coli isolates tested, eight of these being resistant against one type of antibiotic only. The proportion of resistant E. coli isolates was higher in wild reindeer (24%) than in the other cervids (2.2%). E. faecalis or E. faecium were isolated from 19 of the samples, none of these being reindeer. All the strains isolated were resistant against one (84%) or more (16%) antibiotics. A total of 14 E. faecalis-strains were resistant to virginiamycin only. The results indicate that the cervid species studied do not constitute an important infectious reservoir for either the human pathogens or the antibiotic resistant microorganisms included in the study.     

Development,Survival and Availability of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep and Pastures in a Semi-arid Area of Kajiado District of Kenya

A study was carried out on a ranch in the semi-arid area of Kajiado District in Kenya during the period July 2000 to June 2001 to determine the seasonal patterns of development and survival of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep on pastures. A series of plots were contaminated with sheep faeces every month and pasture samples were collected weekly for the recovery and identification of larvae. The availability of infective larvae on naturally contaminated pastures was also monitored on the paddocks grazed by sheep and around the night pen and the watering point every month from July 2000 to June 2001. The results from the examination of the pasture samples indicated that rainfall distribution was the major factor governing the development and survival of the pre-parasitic stages. No parasitic larvae were detected from the plots contaminated during the dry months from July to October 2000, but development and translocation of infective larvae on pastures occurred on plots contaminated during the rainy seasons and soon after when relatively high moisture was present in the herbage (November 2000 to June 2001). During this period, peak larval counts occurred between the first and the second week post contamination, then declined to undetectable levels between week 4 and 16 post contamination. The lack of development of infective larvae during the dry season and the relatively rapid decline of their population during the wet season presents an opportunity for the use of pasture spelling as a means of helminth control in the study area. The availability of infective larvae on naturally contaminated pastures, around the night pen and around the watering point also followed the rainfall distribution pattern. Infective larvae were consistently recovered around the watering point throughout the study period. This indicated that the point is an important source of infection for sheep, especially during the dry season when other pastures are non-infective.     

黄土高原沟壑区环境与牧草适宜性的调查分析

2003年6-7月,对黄土高原地区甘肃庆阳宁县瓦斜乡东风沟内的天然植被进行了种类和盖度的调查.结合调查数据,根据草地资源调查规划学原理对生态系统健康状况与草地退化程度进行了评价,提出该区退化草地生态系统培育与恢复、退耕还草区域环境改良的建议.查询"中国草业开发专家系统"后,根据该软件中"牧草栽培"与"草原综合顺序分类"模块提供的专家建议,比较实验数据,做出牧草适宜性分析.     

Geographical and botanical variation in concentrations of copper,molybdenum, sulphur and iron in sheep pasture plants in Norway

Abstract

To obtain a better knowledge basis for the correct supply of Cu to sheep in Norway, a systematic, countrywide investigation of element composition of pasture plants was conducted, with emphasis on natural pastures. Samples of pasture grass, herbs, willow shrub leaves and bilberry (N = 575) from 142 locations were analysed for Cu, Mo, S and Fe. A large geographical variation was observed for Mo concentration and Cu:Mo ratio, a somewhat smaller variation for Fe, while Cu and S concentrations showed limited geographical variation. The Mo variation led to a Cu:Mo ratio <2 in 2% of the samples and >20 in 62% of samples, confirming that the trace element composition of Norwegian sheep pastures may represent a risk of Cu deficiency as well as Cu overload, depending on location. A considerable botanical variation was also observed, in particular for Cu and Mo.     

Geographical and botanical variation in concentrations of selenium,cobalt, iodine,zinc and other essential elements in sheep pasture plants in Norway

Abstract

In order to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge basis for the supply of essential elements to sheep on pasture in Norway, a systematic, countrywide investigation of element composition of pasture plants was conducted, with emphasis on natural pastures. Samples of pasture grass, herbs, willow shrub leaves and bilberry (N = 575) from 142 locations were analysed for the essential trace elements Se, Co, I, Zn and Mn, and for the major elements Ca, P, Mg, Na and K. A large and systematic geographical variation was observed for Se, I and Na, while concentrations of Zn and of most major elements showed limited variation with sampling site. Se concentrations were inadequate in the majority of samples from all plant species. Marked botanical variation was noted for Co and Zn, and willow shrub leaves were identified as a valuable source of these elements in natural sheep pastures.     

Effects of concentrate or ryegrass-based diets (Lolium multiflorum) on the meat quality of lambs grazing on semi-natural pastures

Abstract

With the objective of studying the effects of production systems on meat quality, 75 Norwegian White Sheep lambs were subjected to one of the following treatments: continuous grazing on a semi-natural lowland pasture until slaughtering (Control); continuous grazing followed by either stall-feeding on concentrate and grass silage or grazing ryegrass pasture for 44 or 24 days before slaughtering (Conc44, Conc24, Rye44, Rye24). Loin samples of M. longissimus dorsi including the subcutaneous fat were analysed for sensory attributes and fatty acid composition. Compared with the control group, a lower intensity of acid taste (P<0.05) and a lower content of C18:3n-6 fatty acids (P<0.001) were observed in the Conc44 group. The n-6/n-3 ratio was higher (P<0.001) in meat tested from the concentrate treatments compared to the ryegrass treatments. These findings indicate that the fattening of lambs on improved pastures or a concentrate-based diet prior to slaughter may alter meat characteristics.     

7种禾本科牧草种子苗期耐盐性的隶属函数法评价

以浓度为0.6%、0.9%、1.2%、1.5%和1.8%的复盐(71%NaCl,3%CaCl2,4%MgSO4,22%K2SO4)溶液培养种子和幼苗,根据初始萌发时间、单株重量、发芽率下降百分比、发芽指数、活力指数、平均发芽速度、相对发芽率、相对发芽势和耐盐指数9个指标,应用隶属函数法,确定7种禾本科牧草种苗期耐盐能力之序为:苇状羊茅>高冰草>星星草>冷地早熟禾>野大麦>蒙古冰草>披碱草。