Comparison of the API 20E and BBL Crystal E/NF Identification Systems for Differentiating Bacterial Isolates from Apparently Healthy Reared Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The ability of two commercial rapid identification systems, API 20E and BBL Crystal E/NF, to reliably identify bacterial isolates from the internal organs of reared sea bass were compared. The tests gave different results: API 20E identified bacteria as Pseudomonas spp. with 37% accuracy, while BBL Crystal E/NF identified them as Flavobacterium odoratum with 99% accuracy. Although F. odoratum is not a marine fish pathogen, conventional tests conducted with the same isolates were more indicative of them being Flavobacterium spp. than Pseudomonas spp., suggesting that BBL Crystal E/NF was more reliable in this identification. Both systems were found to be applicable for diagnostics of marine fish pathogens, but should be used with caution because of possible misinterpretation.     

Optimizing the use of breed types in developing country livestock production systems: a neglected research area

Developing country livestock production systems are diverse and dynamic, and include those where existing indigenous breeds are currently optimal and likely to remain so, those where non‐indigenous breed types are already in common use, and systems that are changing, such as by intensification, where the introduction of new breed types represents significant opportunities. These include opportunities to improve the livelihood of the world's poor, increase food and nutrition security and enhance environmental sustainability. At present, very little research has focused on this issue, such that significant knowledge gaps in relation to breed‐change interventions remain. The purpose of this study is to raise awareness of this issue and suggests strategic research areas to begin filling these knowledge gaps. Such strategic research would include (i) assessing the impact of differing breed types in developing country livestock productions systems, from a range of viewpoints including intrahousehold livelihood benefit, food and nutrition security at different scales, and environmental sustainability; (ii) identification of specific livestock production systems within developing countries, and the type of livestock keepers within these system, that are most likely to benefit from new breed types; and (iii) identification of new breed types as candidates for in‐situ testing within these systems, such as through the use of spatial analysis to identify similar production environments combined with community acceptance studies. Results of these studies would primarily assist stakeholders in agriculture, including both policy makers and livestock keepers, to make informed decisions on the potential use of new breed types.     

Production,chemical composition,and fatty acid profile of milk from buffaloes fed with cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) cake and murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) cake in the Eastern Amazon

The objective was to evaluate the effect of concentrate supplementation using by-products of the Amazonian industry on milk production, milk composition, and milk fatty acid profile of dairy buffaloes. Twelve lactating buffaloes (544.5 ± 35.6 kg, 6.4 ± 2.2 years old, 59 ± 6 days in milk) were allotted in a pasture of Mombaça grass and managed under rotational grazing (4 days occupancy/28 days rest). A 3 × 3 Latin square was adopted, and each animal alternately received three supplementary treatments based on corn bran + soybean meal or cupuaçu cake or murumuru cake for 21 days per treatment. Murumuru cake increased the levels of lauric acid and myristic acid in the milk (p < 0.05). Murumuru cake reduced the unsaturated fatty acid contents in the milk compared with animals fed control diet or cupuaçu cake (24.27% vs. 25.24% vs. 25.08%). The n-6/n-3 ratio was 2.6, 1.97, and 2.0 in the control, cupuaçu, and murumuru groups, respectively. Based on this parameter, cakes made from cupuaçu as well as murumuru could be considered to be adequate for inclusion in dairy water buffalo feed. However, the murumuru cake addition requires some caution because its use induces the secretion of higher levels of lauric and myristic fatty acids that are related to human cardiovascular disease.     

科技是云南草地畜牧业可持续发展的关键因素

针对云南草地资源的现状及面临的问题，进行了草地畜牧业持续发展综合配套技术的研究，试验、示范、推广效果突出、效益明显，从而提出了科技是草地畜牧业可持续发展的基础和关键因素，以及加快科技推广的一系列建议。     

陕北丘陵沟壑区畜牧业发展问题研究

陕北丘陵沟壑区是陕北水土流失最严重的区域,也是国家黄土高原综合治理的主要区域。由于生态建设的需要,以放牧为主的畜牧业面临挑战。本文在对陕北丘陵沟壑区畜牧业发展现状和存在问题调查研究的基础上,分析了该区粮食生产对畜牧业的影响,提出了陕北丘陵沟壑区不同种类家畜发展的方向及畜牧业发展总体思路：陕北丘陵沟壑区应以舍饲养羊为主,全面发展各种适宜舍饲的畜禽品种;以生态建设和经济发展为目标,促进陕北畜牧业可持续发展。     

“5.12”地震灾区甘肃陇南相对资源承载力与可持续发展研究

采用相对资源承载力的研究思路与计算方法,以"5.12"地震灾区甘肃陇南为研究区域,参考多个不同参照区,计算了1998-2007年陇南及其各县区相对土地资源承载力、相对经济承载力和综合承载力及其变化过程。研究表明:1998-2007年,陇南综合承载力不断增长,但一直处于超载状态,超载呈下降趋势,由1998年的超载70.79万下降到2007年的57.92万;陇南及其各县区的相对资源承载力中,自然资源承载力对综合资源承载力的贡献远远大于经济资源承载力的贡献;陇南地区相对资源承载力及其内部区域差异明显,如武都、文县、宕昌县、西和县等严重超载,而成县、徽县承载力具有明显富余。因此,为实现陇南的可持续发展,必须严格控制人口增长,促进城乡地区间人口转移;调整优化经济结构;加强当地生态环境保护与建设;加强各县区城区环境治理等。     

花生连作障碍与根系分泌物自毒作用的研究进展

中国花生主产区的连作面积较大,连作障碍已成为影响花生产量的重要因素之一。目前,化感作用研究已成为揭示连作障碍机制的热点。本研究系统综述了连作对花生生育、产量、品质、营养吸收、生理特性和病害的影响;介绍了植物化感自毒作用与根系分泌物的概念,以及根系分泌物对花生生育的影响;总结了缓解花生连作障碍的措施包括合理轮作、土壤灭菌、添加有益微生物或营养元素以及采用综合措施等。并对花生连作障碍相关研究中的热点问题进行了探讨,以期为指导中国花生生产,实现花生生产的可持续发展提供理论和技术支持。     

森林可持续经营的重要保障———森林资源综合监测探讨

本文从森林可持续经营的概念和内涵入手,阐述了森林可持续经营与森林资源综合监测的辨证关系,总结分析了国内外森林资源监测体系的现状及发展趋势。文章指出,森林可持续经营丰富了森林资源综合监测的目标,森林资源综合监测是森林可持续经营的重要保障,是森林可持续经营指标获取的重要途径。近年来,先进国家森林资源监测己经向着资源和环境监测一体化的综合监测方向发展。在监测内容方面. 除传统的森林生长指标外. 增加了森林健康状况和重要生态环境因子。在监测手段上采用成套的先进仪器设备. 实现了对森林资源和重要生态因子的连续观测和     

Analysis of the role of forest,biomass policy legislation and other factors that may affect the future of Kenya’s forests: Use of Japanese forestry as a model

Forests are one of the most important ecosystems on earth that require careful management, conservation, and sustainable exploitation. As countries have their own guideline systems, each may learn and borrow from one another’s experience. One of such countries is Japan, which has elaborate forest policies, and rich in forest cover (67%) with its forest history dating many years back. On the other hand, Kenya, with a forest cover of just 7% and its policies demonstrating notable weaknesses, has a lot to learn from Japan. Therefore, we have attempted to do a comparative analysis of forest policies, technologies, and management practices between Kenya and Japan. Results indicate that Kenya’s forest policies do not place adequate emphasis on silvicultural practices and the establishment of forest plantations, and rarely focus on sustainable biomass utilization—factors that contributed significantly to forest growth and development in Japan. Additionally, policy legislation, revision, and implementation have not been given the deserved priority in Kenya. We conclude that Kenyan forest policy would benefit from both revision and thorough implementation. We also discuss the role of indirect factors such as economic growth and availability of nonwood-based energy sources in the future of Kenya’s forests.