Validation of Xanthophyll Levels in Catfish Fillets Using Digital Photography

Catfish fillets with yellow coloration have become a prevalent problem for the catfish industry. This problem is due to the unacceptability in the market because the shift in fillet color is considered of lower quality by the consumers. To help the catfish industry better understand the yellow coloration of catfish fillet, a digital photography measurement method was developed to evaluate the yellowness. Sixty catfish fillets with a range of degrees of visible yellowness were taken directly from the processing line. The fillets were photographed in a light box with a digital camera. The photos were calibrated with the X-Rite ColorChecker standardized color target. CIELAB readings of the fillet photos were recorded, and the b* value was used to indicate the yellowness of catfish fillets. The xanthophyll levels of fillets were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography. The actual xanthophyll level in catfish fillet was calculated as the sum of lutein, zeaxanthin, and alloxanthin. A linear correlation was found between the LAB b* values and xanthophyll levels of the 60 catfish fillets.     

Stability comparison of three candidate internal reference genes in Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus)

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) as food and medicinal product has been an important aquaculture object in China. Study of gene function in the Chinese giant salamander requires accurate normalization though the use of appropriate reference genes. In this study, the expression levels of three candidate reference genes including β‐actin, GAPDH and cytb of different tissues, different developmental stages and different challenges in Chinese giant salamander were evaluated by qPCR. The stabilities of these three reference genes were analysed by geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper software. The results showed that the expression of GAPDH was more stable than that of β‐actin and cytb in four tissues and at two developmental stages of Chinese giant salamander. Compared with GAPDH and cytb, β‐actin was the most stable in spleen of Chinese giant salamander treated with LPS or GSIV. Therefore, the result showed that GAPDH was the suitable reference gene in different tissues and at different developmental stages of Chinese giant salamander. The β‐actin could be used as a reference gene in spleen of Chinese giant salamander challenged with LPS and GSIV. This study provides convincing information for the GAPDH and β‐actin as suitable reference gene in Chinese giant salamander of different tissues, different developmental stages and different challenges respectively.     

长江中上游圆口铜鱼的种群死亡特征及其物种保护

根据葛洲坝(1998～2007年)、重庆(2006～2007年)和合江江段(1998～2005年)的渔业资源调查资料,对圆口铜鱼的种群死亡特征进行了评估,并利用Beverton-Holt模型的单位补充量渔获量方程,分析和探讨了长江中上游圆口铜鱼资源的合理利用.结果表明:1)3个江段各年间的圆口铜鱼开发率和捕捞死亡系数均远远大于相应年份最大允许的开发率和捕捞标准的基准尺度F0.1,3个江段的圆口铜鱼资源均处于严重过度捕捞状况;2)葛洲坝江段圆口铜鱼的最适开捕年龄为4龄(体长330mm),重庆和合江江段圆口铜鱼的开捕年龄应至少为5龄(体长375 mm).为保护圆口铜鱼的资源,建议葛洲坝江段三层流刺网的网日(2a)应大于75 mm为宜,重庆和合江江段的网目(2a)应不小于90 mm且同时需要控制各种渔具的日均作业次数.     

渔业数据失真对两种非平衡剩余产量模型评估结果的影响比较

为了研究渔业数据失真对两种非平衡剩余产量模型评估结果的影响,以南大西洋长鳍金枪鱼渔业产量和单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)数据作为基础数据,加入5种不同程度[变异系数(CV)=1%、5%、10%、20%和30%]的随机误差,模拟了(1)无数据失真,(2)仅产量数据失真,(3)仅CPUE数据失真,(4)产量和CPUE数据均失真等4种情况。利用基于ASPIC的非平衡剩余产量模型(ASM)和基于贝叶斯状态空间建模方法的非平衡剩余产量模型(BSM)分别评估了最大可持续产量(MSY)、B_(MSY)、F_(MSY)、B_(2011)/B_(MSY)、F2011/F_(MSY)等5种生物学参考点和管理指标。结果显示,在无数据失真情况下,ASM和BSM评估的MSY分别为2.866×10~4 t和2.836×10~4 t,B_(2011)/B_(MSY)分别为1.366和1.324,F2011/F_(MSY)分别为0.627和0.667,均相差不大,表明该渔业目前状态良好,ASM得到了较大的B_(MSY)(31.48×10~4 t)和较小的F_(MSY)(0.091);数据失真对ASM评估的B_(MSY)和F_(MSY)分别产生了严重的过低估计和过高估计,且CPUE数据失真产生的影响要比产量数据失真大;随着随机误差的增大,BSM评估的生物学参考点和管理指标的绝对百分比偏差有增大趋势;与ASM相比,BSM能够更好地处理渔业数据中存在的随机误差,除了MSY以外,BSM评估的生物学参考点和管理指标绝对百分比偏差均要比ASM的评估结果低,尤其是B_(MSY)和F_(MSY)。因此,在使用存在较大随机误差的渔业数据进行资源评估时,BSM具有一定的优势。     

Methods of assessing extinction risk in marine fishes

The decline and disappearance of species from large parts of their former geographical range has become an important issue in fisheries ecology. There is a need to identify which species are at risk of extinction. The available approaches have been subject to considerable debate – particularly when applied to commercially exploited species. Here we have compiled methods that have been used or may be used for assessing threat status of marine organisms. We organize the methods according to the availability of data on the natural history, ecology and population biology of species. There are three general approaches to inferring or assessing extinction risk: (i) correlative approaches based on knowledge of life histories and ecology; (ii) time‐series approaches that examine changes in abundance; and (iii) demographic approaches based on age‐ or stage‐based schedules of vital rates and fisheries reference points. Many methods are well suited to species that are highly catchable and/or have relatively low productivity, but theory is less well developed for assessing extinction risk in species exhibiting narrow geographical distributions or ecological specialization. There is considerable variation in both definitions of extinction risk and the precision and defensibility of the available risk assessment methods, so we suggest a two‐tiered approach for defining and assessing extinction risk. First, simple methods requiring a few easily estimated parameters are used to triage or rapidly assess large numbers of populations and species to identify potentially vulnerable populations or species. Second, the populations and species identified as vulnerable by this process can then be subject to more detailed and rigorous population analysis explicitly considering sources of error and uncertainty.     

Simulation of transpiration, drainage, N uptake, nitrate leaching, and N uptake concentration in tomato grown in open substrate

Free-drainage or “open” substrate system used for vegetable production in greenhouses is associated with appreciable NO₃⁻ leaching losses and drainage volumes. Simulation models of crop N uptake, N leaching, water use and drainage of crops in these systems will be useful for crop and water resource management, and environmental assessment. This work (i) modified the TOMGRO model to simulate N uptake for tomato grown in greenhouses in SE Spain, (ii) modified the PrHo model to simulate transpiration of tomato grown in substrate and (iii) developed an aggregated model combining TOMGRO and PrHo to calculate N uptake concentrations and drainage NO₃⁻ concentration. The component models simulate NO₃⁻-N leached by subtracting simulated N uptake from measured applied N, and drainage by subtracting simulated transpiration from measured irrigation. Three tomato crops grown sequentially in free-draining rock wool in a plastic greenhouse were used for calibration and validation. Measured daily transpiration was determined by the water balance method from daily measurements of irrigation and drainage. Measured N uptake was determined by N balance, using data of volumes and of concentrations of NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ in applied nutrient solution and drainage. Accuracy of the two modified component models and aggregated model was assessed by comparing simulated to measured values using linear regression analysis, comparison of slope and intercept values of regression equations, and root mean squared error (RMSE) values. For the three crops, the modified TOMGRO provided accurate simulations of cumulative crop N uptake, (RMSE = 6.4, 1.9 and 2.6% of total N uptake) and NO₃⁻-N leached (RMSE = 11.0, 10.3, and 6.1% of total NO₃⁻-N leached). The modified PrHo provided accurate simulation of cumulative transpiration (RMSE = 4.3, 1.7 and 2.4% of total transpiration) and cumulative drainage (RMSE = 13.8, 6.9, 7.4% of total drainage). For the four cumulative parameters, slopes and intercepts of the linear regressions were mostly not statistically significant (P < 0.05) from one and zero, respectively, and coefficient of determination (r²) values were 0.96-0.98. Simulated values of total drainage volumes for the three crops were +21, +1 and −13% of measured total drainage volumes. The aggregated TOMGRO-PrHo model generally provided accurate simulation of crop N uptake concentration after 30-40 days of transplanting, with an average RMSE of approximately 2 mmol L⁻¹. Simulated values of average NO₃⁻ concentration in drainage, obtained with the aggregated model, were −7, +18 and +31% of measured values.     

Determination of growth-stage-specific crop coefficients (Kc) of cotton and wheat

Development of crop coefficient (Kc), the ratio of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), can enhance ETc estimates in relation to specific crop phenological development. This research was conducted to determine growth-stage-specific Kc and crop water use for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) at the Texas AgriLife Research field at Uvalde, TX, USA from 2005 to 2008. Weighing lysimeters were used to measure crop water use and local weather data were used to determine the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Seven lysimeters, weighing about 14 Mg, consisted of undisturbed 1.5 m × 2.0 m × 2.2 m deep soil monoliths. Six lysimeters were located in the center of a 1-ha field beneath a linear-move sprinkler system equipped with low energy precision application (LEPA) and a seventh lysimeter was established to measure reference grass ETo. Crop water requirements, Kc determination, and comparison to existing FAO Kc values were determined over a 2-year period on cotton and a 3-year period on wheat. Seasonal total amounts of crop water use ranged from 689 to 830 mm for cotton and from 483 to 505 mm for wheat. The Kc values determined over the growing seasons varied from 0.2 to 1.5 for cotton and 0.1 to 1.7 for wheat. Some of the values corresponded and some did not correspond to those from FAO-56 and from the Texas High Plains and elsewhere in other states. We assume that the development of regionally based and growth-stage-specific Kc helps in irrigation management and provides precise water applications for this region.     

Nitrate leaching in a silage maize field under different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer rates

Quantification of the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and water on nitrate (NO₃) loss provides an important insight for more effective N and water management. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer levels on nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) leaching in a silage maize field. The experiment included four irrigation levels (0.7, 0.85, 1.0, and 1.13 of soil moisture depletion, SMD) and three N fertilization levels (0, 142, and 189 kg N ha⁻¹), with three replications. Ceramic suction cups were used to extract soil solution at 30 and 60 cm soil depths for all 36 experimental plots. Soil NO₃-N content of 0-30 and 30-60-cm layers were evaluated at planting and harvest maturity. Total N uptake (NU) by the crop was also determined. Maximum NO₃-N leaching out of the 60-cm soil layer was 8.43 kg N ha⁻¹, for the 142 kg N ha⁻¹ and over irrigation (1.13 SMD) treatment. The minimum and maximum seasonal average NO₃ concentration at the 60 cm depth was 46 and 138 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Based on our findings, it is possible to control NO₃ leaching out of the root zone during the growing season with a proper combination of irrigation and fertilizer management.     

参考作物腾发量计算方法的适用性研究

选用5种方法,利用陕西6站的气象资料,计算了各站逐日ET0。并以FAO56 Penman-Monteith(P-M)法为标准,对其它方法进行评价。结果表明,在陕西6地区,5种方法计算的ET0变化趋势基本相同,但数值上有一定差异,所有的差异随ET0的增大而增大。Hargreaves法计算结果差异性较小,适用性较好;1948Penman和Priestley-Taylor二方法估值较FAO24 Penman法更接近P-M法的计算结果;缺气象资料时,Priestley-Taylor法可获得较好估值,且更适用于湿润地区;FAO24 Penman法也能获得较好结果,但其估值精度低于Priestley-Taylor法,一般不宜采用。同时分析了P-M法计算的ET0值和水面蒸发量之间的关系,为利用水面蒸发资料估算陕西6地区ET0值提供参考。