Alpacas fed calcium propionate seem to moderate their energy intake

Alpacas have evolved digestive and metabolic adaptations that enable them to survive in environments where the available feed varies in nutritional quality. Alpacas are thought to derive glucose from the deamination of amino acids in the liver, rather than via the conversion of propionate like true ruminants. Because fibre growth is dependent on the availability of absorbed amino acids, alpacas using amino acids as a source of energy should leave less amino acids available for fibre growth. If alpacas were to obtain glucose from a source of propionate, such as calcium propionate, the dependence on amino acids would be reduced leaving more available for fibre growth. Calcium propionate was added to the ration fed to 32 alpaca wethers, and fibre production was measured to monitor important fibre attributes in response to calcium propionate. Although the diets supplemented with calcium propionate should have provided more energy than the diets without calcium propionate, the metabolisable energy intake of all animals was similar (p = 0.278). It seems that rather than sparing amino acids, the alpacas regulated their energy intake and refused to consume the additional energy offered as calcium propionate. Consequently, they produced less fibre, and the diameter of their fibre was smaller than those alpacas that were not fed calcium propionate. It seems that alpacas rely on their digestive and metabolic adaptations to efficiently obtain and conserve energy for their survival.     

Maternal dietary linoleic acid supplementation promotes muscle fibre type transformation in suckling piglets

As meat quality is basically dependent on muscle fibre characteristics, it is important to know how muscle fibres are regulated and transformed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation on muscle fibre types using 3% saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid, PA) or 3% unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA) from 80 days of gestation to the weaning of offspring (25 days post‐natal). The results indicated that higher mRNA levels of MyHCI type genes were found in the soleus muscles of piglets that suckled from LA‐supplemented sows than from PA‐supplemented sows. In addition, LA treatment increased the gene expression of the type I muscle fibre marker troponin I (p < 0.01), suggesting that LA promoted muscle fibre type transformation to type I fibres. Moreover, PGC‐1α (p < 0.01) and MEF2c (p < 0.05) mRNA levels were higher in the piglets from the LA treatment group than in those from the PA treatment group. Furthermore, LA supplementation also significantly increased AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) mRNA levels (p < 0.05), which is an upstream regulator of PGC‐1α. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that maternal dietary LA supplementation promoted muscle fibre transformation to type I fibre and that this process may be mediated through an AMPK‐dependent pathway.     

Essential and non-essential element composition of tomato plants fertilized with poultry manure

Poultry manure (PM) must be disposed of from poultry farms, but is a potentially valuable source of macro- and micronutrients for plant growth. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of poultry manure on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. Yields of fruits and vegetative material of plants grown in soil with 0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg⁻¹ PM added were measured. Concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cl, Si, Br, Rb, Sr and Ba in leaves at flowering and at final harvest and in fruits were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Poultry manure fertilization improved tomato shoot growth and also fruit yield and increased leaf N concentrations at the harvest stage. In addition, P concentrations of the leaves and fruits were increased as the application rate of PM was increased. Fruit Ca and Mg were significantly reduced by increased rate of PM application, but not to the extent to cause the calcium deficiency disorder blossom end rot. Applied high levels of PM slightly increased the concentrations of leaf Mo and Br at the harvest stage. Poultry manure applications had a positive effect on the concentrations of leaf Zn, Cu, Cl and Rb at both sampling stages, but leaf Si concentration was reduced by PM treatments. The concentrations of Zn and Rb were increased in the fruits by PM treatments, but the concentrations of Br were decreased. Applied PM levels had no significant effects on the concentrations of K, S, Fe, Sr or Ba in tomato plants. It is concluded that the increased fruit yield, and the increased concentration of Zn (an element required in the human diet) and the lowered concentration of potentially harmful Br in the fruit make poultry manure a valuable growing medium for tomato production.     

X射线照相对平面缺陷检测能力的研究

In this paper,the telation between sensitivity and defect is discussed for detecting plane defects using the X-ray photograph. We propose the concept of the critical width.The critical width for the middle and thin plates is O.O1mm.     

Combining X-ray computed tomography with relevant techniques for analyzing soil–root dynamics – an overview

The study of below-ground features of roots and soil and their interactions is essential for understanding the configuration and diversities in such a dynamic environment. X-ray computed tomography is recognized as a tool for visualizing the physical interactions in the soil. In many studies, it has been used as a stand-alone tool to describe soil and root parameters. However, in recent times, attempts to couple it with other complementary tools are gaining rapid interest among researchers. The paper therefore provides an overview of the major application of combining X-ray computed tomography with other relevant methods in analyzing the structural characteristics of roots and soil media. The relevance of using this multidisciplinary approach for unraveling the mysteries surrounding root–soil dynamic interactions is stressed. The current and future trends of such studies are also pointed out.     

便携式X射线荧光光谱法(PXRF)在肥料重金属快速检测中的应用

为了探讨一种简单快捷的肥料重金属含量测定方法,本文采用便携式X射线荧光光谱仪(PXRF)测定了我国典型设施农业生产区肥料中As、Pb、Cu、Zn和Cr的含量,并与常规实验室方法的测定值进行比较,以验证PXRF法测定结果的准确性。结果表明:①PXRF对土壤标准物质中As、Pb、Cu、Zn的测定值与标准值之间的相对标准偏差和相对误差均小于10%,表明该仪器测定As、Pb、Cu、Zn的精密度和准确度较好;②肥料中重金属PXRF法测定的检出限均低于相应的国家或行业标准。当含量超过检出限时,有机肥和无机肥中As、Pb、Cu、Zn和Cr常规实验室方法测定值与PXRF法测定值间均达到了极显著相关,R2在0.70～0.99;③PXRF法的检测成本仅为常规仪器的10%?20%,节省了前处理的时间和费用。因此,PXRF法可用于肥料中重金属含量的快速检测与评价。     

四种常规方法提取伊利石有效钾的机制比较

采用化学分析、X射线衍射、中红外光声光谱以及原子力显微镜的方法,比较了0.2 mol L~(-1)四苯硼钠法、1 mol L~(-1)沸硝酸法、2 mol L~(-1)冷硝酸法和2 mol L~(-1)热盐酸法浸提伊利石中有效钾的机制。结果表明,四苯硼钠法浸提时,伊利石中钾素释放量达到全钾量的59.5%,且基本均通过层间交换反应予以释放,结构离子铁、铝和硅释放量极低;采用三种酸溶液浸提时,其钾素释放量仅占全钾量的1.53%~2.46%,通过层间交换反应释放的钾量占释放量的比例为88.4%~94.0%。四苯硼钠浸提时伊利石层间距扩大,产生次生过渡矿物,并形成富硅表层,但在伊利石表面无溶蚀特征;三种酸溶液浸提时伊利石结构无改变,但其结晶度降低,且表面有明显的溶蚀特征。因此,土壤矿物层间钾是作物可利用有效钾的主要来源,三种酸溶液浸提方法一方面低估了有效钾容量,另一方面提取了一部分不能为植物所利用的结构态钾,不适宜于用来评价伊利石及土壤有效钾库容量。     

Millimetre scale aeration of the rhizosphere and drilosphere

Soil aeration is a critical factor for oxygen-limited subsoil processes, as transport by diffusion and advection is restricted by the long distance to the free atmosphere. Oxygen transport into the soil matrix is highly dependent on its connectivity to larger pore channels like earthworm and root colonised biopores. Here we hypothesize that the soil matrix around biopores represents different connectivity depending on biopore genesis and actual coloniser. We analysed the soil pore system of undisturbed soil core samples around biopores generated or colonised by roots and earthworms and compared them with the pore system of soil, not in the immediacy of a biopore. Oxygen partial pressure profiles and gas relative diffusion was measured in the rhizosphere and drilosphere from the biopore wall into the bulk soil with microelectrodes. The measurements were linked with structural features such as porosity and connectivity obtained from X-ray tomography and image analysis. Aeration was enhanced in the soil matrix surrounding biopores in comparison to the bulk soil, shown by higher oxygen concentrations and higher relative diffusion coefficients. Biopores colonised by roots presented more connected lateral pores than earthworm colonised ones, which resulted in enhanced aeration of the rhizosphere compared to the drilosphere. This has influenced biotic processes (microbial turnover/mineralization or root respiration) at biopore interfaces and highlights the importance of microstructural features for soil processes and their dependency on the biopore's coloniser.