What do artificial nests tells us about nest predation?

Artificial nests are commonly used to evaluate predation, but the assumption that this method mimics predation on natural nests has seldom been tested. Natural and artificial nests of eastern yellow robins (Eopsaltria australis) were monitored in four, 55-ha plots over two breeding seasons. Overall, daily survival rates were higher (P<0.001) for natural (95%/day) than for artificial nests (88%/day). Among plots, daily survival rates for the two types of nests were not correlated with one another (P=0.72) indicating that the spatial pattern of predation on artificial nests did not mimic that for natural nests. Seasonal variation was evident for natural nests in one year, when they were more successful at the beginning and end of the breeding season. No seasonal patterns were observed for artificial nests in either year. Neither natural nor artificial nests showed annual variation in predation. Previous researchers concluded that large birds were important predators on robin nests. In this study, predation by large birds on artificial nests was positively correlated with the numbers of large birds counted on the plots (P=0.04). However, large birds depredated only 16% of artificial nests. Daily survival rates for artificial nests were recalculated using predation by large birds only. These rates were compared with natural nests, but there was still no correspondence in the spatial and temporal patterns of predation for the two types of nests. These results suggest that inferences about predation on natural nests based on artificial nest studies should be avoided.     

A simple gas chromatographic approach to evaluate CO2 release,N2O evolution,and O2 uptake from soil

Summary We have developed a simple method for the determination of gaseous compounds that reflect microbial activity in soil, as affected by factors such as the presence of an organic amendment (peat) or a variation in soil moisture. The method is based on a gas chromatographic analysis of the headspace of vials containing the soil under examination. A single gas chromatograph can detect up to 10 different gases. As expected, after peat was added to the soil, CO₂ evolution and O₂ uptake increased significantly. Positive relationships were found between the evolution of N₂O, and soil moisture and the amount of peat added to the soil. Both the these variables influenced the CO₂:O₂ ratio. The results given by this method show high reproducibility.     

The leaves of Pelargonium sidoides may substitute for its roots in the treatment of bacterial infections

Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of various infections including tuberculosis and bronchitis. Traditionally, only the roots of the plant are used for medicinal formulations in the Eastern Cape. In addition to traditional uses, there is a great demand for the plant for export, therefore, the rate of its harvesting and the number of its collector has increased in recent years. This has led to a drastic drop in the population of the species in the wild. A method that could achieve the sustainable harvesting of P. sidoides would be to substitute its shoot for the roots in medicinal formulations. A comparative study of the antibacterial activities of the leaves and the roots of the plant was conducted on the materials collected from three different populations. Generally, both the shoot and the roots of P. sidoides have antimicrobial properties. There was no significant observable difference between the MIC of extracts from both parts. The choice of the root by the traditional healers over the leaves may be arbitrary or due to easy collection. The leaves of P. sidoides may, as well, substitute for its roots in medicinal formulations especially in the treatment of bacterial diseases like tuberculosis and bronchitis.     

Lessons about extinction and translocation: models for eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) at Woodlands Historic Park, Victoria, Australia

In 1998 the protected population of Perameles gunnii (eastern barred bandicoot) at Woodlands Historic Park, Victoria, Australia became functionally extinct following removals of individuals for translocation between 1994 and 1996. Population viability analysis and data collected whilst the population was in decline are used to explore the impact that these removals had on the decline of the P. gunnii population at Woodlands. Due to some ambiguities in the life history of P. gunnii at Woodlands, two structurally different population models were used. Explicitly including the removal of animals in the analysis indicates that there may be at least a three-fold increase in the risk of quasiextinction due to removals. In some scenarios, over 17% of the trajectories decrease to a level less than or equal to 10 females within the observed time period of the collapse of the population, that is by April 1998. The modelling approach identified a number of critical factors in the decline of the population, such as variation in survival rates. By representing the life history strategy using two alternate models, quantitative statements about the impact that removals had on the population decline at Woodlands are made. While removals probably contributed to the collapse of the population, removals were not the sole cause of population decline. The real reasons for decline remain unknown; however, it is likely to be closely linked to habitat decline, difficult environmental conditions and predation. If P. gunnii are reintroduced to Woodlands again, then the models presented here may help to develop management strategies to establish a self sustaining population, as well as exploring translocations options.     

Structural studies on soil nitrogen by Curie-point pyrolysis — gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with nitrogen-selective detection

Curie-point pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry with N-selective detection was used to characterize the structure of organic N compounds in four mineral soils. The technique was found suitable for the fast, sensitive, and highly specific identification of N-containing pyrolysis products from whole soils with total N contents between 0.08 and 0.46%. In order to optimize the methodology, one agricultural soil was pyrolyzed at final temperatures of 573, 773, and 973 K. Almost no chemical alterations to identifiable pyrolysis products were observed when the final pyrolysis temperature was increased from 573 to 973 K. More than 50 N-containing pyrolysis products were identified, and were divided into compound classes chracterized by specific molecular-chemical structures. These included pyrroles, imidazoles, pyrazoles, pyridines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, indoles, quinolines, N derivatives of benzene, alkyl nitriles, and aliphatic amines. Three additional soil samples different in origin and N content were analyzed at 773 K and each showed a specific thermosensitive N-selective chromatogram. Many N-containing pyrolysis products were identified in all samples, which indicated general qualitative regularities in the thermal release of N-containing pyrolysis products from the four soils. In the pyrolyzates of the investigated soils a number of compounds were identified, which is usually not detectable in pyrolysis-gas chromatography spectrometry analyses with N-selective detection of plants and microorganisms. Among these were N derivatives of benzene and long-chain alkyl nitriles, which appear to be soil-specific and suggest significant transformations of organic N in soils. Thus, our results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular-chemical structure of unknown N.     

土壤中甲磺隆钠盐残留量的NPLC和GC分析

用液相色谱——紫外检测法和气相色谱——电子捕获检测法分析土壤中超高效除草剂——甲磺隆钠盐的残留量。土壤样品用乙腈提取,提取液用经活化的PT—Si净化柱净化。两种方法回收率分别达到96.9％和97.0％。     

废弃的植物培养基厌氧发酵产气潜力研究

[目的]弄清废弃植物培养基厌氧消化潜力与特性.[方法]以废弃的植物培养基为发酵原料,以沼气池底部的活性污泥为接种物,在常温条件下进行了批式厌氧消化试验,研究了废弃的植物培养基与接种污泥各处理厌氧消化的产气速率、潜力和产气量.[结果]常温条件下,混合培养基与接种污泥的TS比例为8∶1、浓度12％的处理,产气量最高,为10 391.3 ml,并且发酵天数为5d左右,发酵速度较快,产气效果最好;混合培养基与接种污泥的TS比例为6∶1、浓度8％的处理,原料产气率最高,为0.230 m3/kg,并且发酵天数为4d左右,说明原料被利用的水平高.[结论]该研究为植物组培工厂废弃物的处理和配套沼气工程的工艺设计提供了科学依据.     

豫东平原夏玉米高产栽培技术

从品种选择、播种、间苗定苗、肥水管理、病虫草害防治、适期晚收等方面总结了豫东平原夏玉米高产栽培技术,以促进当地夏玉米的高产栽培。     

荔枝酒香气成分的GC/MS分析

利用溶剂萃取法对荔枝酒中的挥发性成分进行提取,采用气相色谱-质谱(GC/MS)技术对其分析,经过NIST02谱库检索对比,在荔枝酒中共检测出68个峰,鉴定出67种化合物。醇类和酯类是荔枝酒中香气贡献最大的两类化合物。初步得出该荔枝酒中的特征香气化合物为β-里哪醇、香叶醇和2,6-二甲基-7-辛烯-2-醇。     

包装材料与气体组分对磨盘柿贮藏的影响

采用ＭＡ贮藏法，对脆柿在长期贮藏过程中自行脱涩保脆状况进行了观测。对柿果包装材料及方法、气体组分最佳比例、氧与乙烯吸收剂的作用以及柿果褐变进行了分析探讨。结果表明：柿果贮藏以０．１０ｍｍ聚乙烯为包装材料，采用四果小包装，加入适量氧吸收剂和乙烯吸收剂，包装袋内ＣＯ_２与Ｏ_２比例尽快达到２：１以上，可使磨盘柿贮藏期达８０ｄ以上，硬果率为９０％，无涩味，无污染，色泽鲜艳，风味纯正，商品率达９８％。