Variation in seed yield components of buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima HBK.) grown as an annual

Summary Phenotypic variation for parameters of seed yield were examined in 57 buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima HBK.) plants cultivated as annuals. Among the 52 individuals which bore fruit, seed weight/plant was highly variable (cv=106%); the majority of plants exhibited seed yields below that of the mean (431 g/plant). Values of seed weight/plant were more highly influenced by fruit/plant (r=+0.81) than by seed weight/fruit (r=+0.19). Variation in fruit/plant % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabiGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaiaacIcaceWG4b% GbaebacqGH9aqpcaaIYaGaaGimaiaaicdacaqGNbGaae4oaiaabcca% caqGJbGaaeODaiaabccacaqG9aGaaeiiaiaabodacaqG3aGaaeyjai% aabMcaaaa!454B!\[(\bar x = 56; cv = 115\% )\] was greater than that displayed for seed weight/fruit and their distribution was also highly skewed. High fruit yields were associated with the duration (in nodes) of the fruiting period (r=+0.64).Values for seed weight/fruit were also highly divergent % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabiGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaiaacIcaceWG4b% GbaebacqGH9aqpcaaIYaGaaGimaiaaicdacaqGNbGaae4oaiaabcca% caqGJbGaaeODaiaabccacaqG9aGaaeiiaiaabodacaqG3aGaaeyjai% aabMcaaaa!454B!\[(\bar x = 200{\text{g; cv = 37\% )}}\], but considerably less variable than those for fruit/plant or seed weight/plant. A weak relationship existed between fruit/plant and seed weight/fruit (r=–0.28), suggesting the possibility of their simultaneous improvement through selection. Seed weight/fruit was positively associated with fruit size, seed/fruit and 100-seed weight; 4 carpellate fruit displayed significantly greater seed weight/fruit and seed/fruit than 3 carpellate fruit.Journal Paper No. 4219 of the University of Arizona Agric. Expt. Sta., Tucson, AZ 85721, U.S.A.     

Genetic diversity of Argentinean common bean and its evolution during domestication

Wild populations of common bean pertainingto the Andean gene pool are distributedfrom southern Peru to northern Argentina.The objectives of this study were todetermine the genetic structure of Andeanlandraces from northern Argentina, as oneof the potential domestication sites of theAndean domesticated gene pool, and toestablish a correspondence between Andeanprimitive landraces and wild populationsthat might have served as the source ofdomesticated bean. Forty-four landraces and21 wild populations representing thediversity of common bean in northernArgentina were included in this study. Results indicated that Andean gene pool inArgentina has a large genetic base on thebasis of morphological and adaptivevariability and biochemical analysis. Theexistence of introgressed populations withsympatric wild forms was evidenced.     

一种正在驯化利用的珍贵野生水果-木通

木通是原产我国长江流域及其周围地区的一种野生水果，主要有三叶木通、白木通及木通三个种类（亚种）。木通具有果实较大、早结丰产、风味品质优异、适应性强等诸多优良性状，但存在果皮较厚、种子偏多、可食部分较少等问题。木通又是一种传统中药，具有清热利尿、通经活血、消除色斑、败毒抗癌等多种药用功能。木通可用作鲜食果品、食品加工、护肤品以及药物开发。为此，我们正全面开展木通驯化利用研究，包括品种选育、栽培技术、贮藏保鲜技术、加工技术及相关的基础性研究。为便于木通的商业化开发，已注册了“和欢果”和“Joyfruit”的中、英文商品名。     

A soft technology to improve survival and reproductive performance of Litopenaeus stylirostris by counterbalancing physiological disturbances associated with handling stress

The consequences of handling stress (fishing, transfer, eyestalk ablation) on shrimp broodstock are poorly documented. The weakness of farmed shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris, during winter is a major problem in New Caledonia, because of seasonal climate (tropical–sub-temperate). The transfer of broodstock in winter from earthen outdoor ponds to indoor maturation tanks in the hatchery (T = 20 °C, Salinity = 35‰, fed shrimp) usually leads, after 48 h, to high mortality (up to 70%). Eyestalk ablation to induce ovarian maturation in females leads to further mortality.

Starting from a background analysis of physiological disturbances (initial osmoregulatory imbalance) associated with handling stress (Wabete, N., Chim, L., Lemaire, P., Massabuau, J.-C., 2004. Caractérisation de problèmes de physiologie respiratoire et d'échanges ioniques associés à la manipulation chez la crevette pénéide Litopenaeus stylirostris à 20 °C. Styli 2003. Trente ans de crevetticulture en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Ed. Ifremer. Actes Colloq. 38, 75-84.), we developed a protocol using a soft technology, based on modifications of water salinity, temperature and feeding regime. The aim was to minimize problems of osmoregulatory imbalance and associated mortalities. The protocol we developed, called the LSD OT protocol (Low Salinity and Diet, Optimal Temperature), was first evaluated on sub-adult shrimp (20–25 g) and then applied to broodstock. Survival after transfer and following eyestalk ablation, as well as reproductive achievement (spawning rate, nauplii number) was considerably improved when shrimps were transferred under “physiological comfort” i.e. warmed isosmotic water (26 °C and 26‰) and unfed for 3 d. This new handling protocol, based on a better control of salinity, temperature and feeding conditions, has been transferred successfully to private hatcheries and already contributes to an increased profitability of New-Caledonian shrimp industry.     

日本囊对虾亲虾人工繁育技术初步研究

2003年11月18日～2004年6月18日期间，采用人工养殖的日本囊对虾，经过越冬培养和室外培育（性腺促熟、交尾），人工控制光线、饵料、温度和培育密度等手段，亲虾性腺均可发育成熟。在越冬培养中光线为500～800lx之间、温度为9～10℃、饵料为沙蚕及杂色蛤，亲虾培育密度为12～30尾／m^2，越冬实验结果，亲虾体重增长率为10．9％，存活率为93．2％。在室外培育中温度为13．6℃、养殖密度为1．3尾／m^2，饵料以蜾赢蜚、藻钩虾和低值贝类为主。实验结果，亲虾体重增长率为5．1％、存活率为90．5％、交尾率为100％。2004年6月24日～7月10日利用人工繁育的日本囊对虾亲虾进行苗种生产实验。实验结果，每尾亲虾产卵量为20～25万粒／尾、孵化率为82．96％、出苗率为62．8％。实验表明，人工繁育的日本囊对虾亲虾可用于正常的苗种生产。     

Reproductive performance and offspring quality in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) broodstock fed different diets

A 2-month feeding trial was conducted toevaluate the reproductive performance andoffspring quality of mud crab (Scyllaparamamosain) females fed either a mixture offresh food items (squid, shrimp, trash fish andArtemia biomass) or two experimentaldiets developed for penaeids. Before testinitiation, mud crab females with an averageindividual wet weight of 200–300 g wereacclimated for 2–3 days and reared together inone concrete tank of 2.0 × 0.5 × 8 m untilspawning. After spawning, the spent spawnerswere unilaterally eyestalk ablated and randomlydivided (20 animals/treatment) over three tanksof the same size and subjected to the dietarytreatments. Spent spawners were used toeliminate the effect of feeding history.There were only minor differences inreproductive performance between dietarytreatments. No differences were observed in theduration of the latency period from eyestalkablation to spawning. Fecundity was onlymarginally higher for the broodstock fed thecontrol diet. Also egg quality seemed onlyslightly affected by the treatments. Egghatching rates were slightly higher in crabsfed the formulated diets compared to thosecrabs fed the fresh diet. The onlystatistically significant difference (p < 0.05) observed however was in egg hatchingrate between the control diet and diet A2. Incontrast, the crabs fed the fresh diet producedstronger larvae as determined by a starvationtest.We therefore conclude that artificial dietsresulted in reproduction success comparable tothe use of fresh food. The nutritionalcomposition of the artificial diets couldhowever be improved in order to produce larvaeof optimal quality. Based on our researchfindings, the protein level and n-3 HUFA levelin the diet warrants further investigation inthis respect.     

Growth and reproductive performance of broodstock shrimp reared in a biosecure recirculating aquaculture system versus a flow-through pond

Over the past decade, viral pathogens have caused mass mortalities of farmed shrimp throughout the major shrimp farming regions of the world. In addition, the global shrimp farming industry has been criticized for negatively impacting coastal environments. These issues have raised concerns about the sustainability of traditional shrimp farming practices, and have prompted farmers and researchers to develop biosecure technologies that promote a sustainable industry. Current technologies include the use of specific pathogen free (SPF) shrimp that are grown to market size in recirculating systems that rely on pathogen exclusion. Inherent in this approach is the need to produce SPF broodstock under biosecure conditions. However, there is a paucity of information on broodstock growth and reproductive performance when they are reared in recirculating systems. The present investigation compares shrimp growth and reproductive performance in two trials where shrimp were cultured from market size (20 g) to broodstock size (40–60 g) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) versus a flow-through earthen pond (EP). In trial 1, mean growth rates of males and females in the RAS were 0.83 and 1.33 g/week, respectively. In the EP, males and females grew 1.07 and 1.48 g/week, respectively. In trial 2, mean growth rates of males and females in the RAS were 0.90 and 1.53 g/week, respectively, whereas in the EP, males and females grew and 1.24 and 1.78 g/week. Slower growth rates in the RAS may be attributed to the lack of natural productivity, which provides supplemental nutrition to the shrimp. In addition to growth rates, reproductive performance of broodstock reared in the RAS was compared with historical reproductive performance of broodstock reared in the EP. Data on spawning success and production of viable nauplii revealed no significant differences (P>0.05) between broodstock shrimp reared in these two systems. These results indicate that broodstock shrimp can be cultured in a biosecure RAS while maintaining good growth and high survival. In addition, reproductive performance of broodstock shrimp reared in a RAS is not compromised when compared with broodstock shrimp reared in a conventional, flow-through pond.     

Genetic variability in four hatchery strains of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), in Chile

Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), is intensively cultured in Chile. An increasing proportion of the eggs necessary to sustain the culture are locally produced by some hatcheries. However, there is no information about the origin or the genetic variability in these strains. The present study analysed allozymic variability and its distribution within and between some commercial strains of coho salmon in southern Chile. The genetic variability was estimated using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Samples of coho salmon were obtained randomly from four Chilean hatcheries. Twenty‐five enzymatic systems were examined, representing 51 enzymatic loci. Eight loci showed variability in at least one strain, which represented a total polymorphism (P) of 15.7%. Only the PGM‐1* locus was variable in all strains. The remaining loci were fixed in at least one strain. Total heterozygosity (H_T) and within population heterozygosity (H_S) were 0.35% and 0.36% respectively. The index of genetic diversity (G_ST) was 1.5%. The results confirm previous reports of low genetic variability in cultured strains of coho salmon in Chile, below that observed in their native range, which suggests loss of the genetic variability caused by genetic drift or other causes in these strains.     

台湾海峡野生牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）亲鱼驯养和促熟产卵的探讨

本文研究了产白台湾海峡的野生牙鲆亲鱼的驯养、促熟和产卵。结果表明，活的鲻鱼苗可用于牙鲆的诱食；当水温达到16．2～19．5℃时，牙鲆可自然产卵，产卵盛期为3月中旬至4月上旬，4月份受精率高达86％。在驯养过程中亲鱼未发生死亡。     

凯尔斯海棠的引种繁育技术

在对凯尔斯海棠引种驯化、繁殖培育的同时,还对其植物学特性、生物学特性及繁殖技术等方面进行了系统的试验和研究.结果表明:凯尔斯海棠适应性强、喜光、耐寒、抗旱、耐贫瘠、易繁殖;综合观赏价值高,发展前景广,适宜在东北地区推广应用.