Mycorrhizal alleviation of acid soil stress in the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

It is not known why sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivated in tropical regions tolerates acid soil. Here, we report the involvement of mycorrhizal symbiosis in this tolerance. Plants were grown in root-boxes filled with either acidic soil (pH 4.2) or the same soil amended with lime (pH 5.2) for 30 d in a growth chamber. In the inoculated treatments, the percentage of root length colonized by Gigaspora margarita was not affected by soil pH (23±9% at pH 4.2 vs. 30±12% at pH 5.2). The root and shoot dry weights of the non-mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 were 27 and 35%, respectively, of those at pH 5.2. The root and shoot dry weights of the mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 were 70 and 51% of those at pH 5.2. Growth promotion in mycorrhizal plants was significant only at pH 4.2 (2-fold increase in whole plant dry weight), but not at pH 5.2. As a result, no significant difference was detected in whole plant dry weight between the mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 and non-mycorrhizal plants at pH 5.2. The mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 showed reduced toxic symptoms of Mn (brown specks on mature leaves) and Al (poor root growth) compared to non-mycorrhizal ones, but tissue concentrations of P, K and Ca did not increase in mycorrhizal plants. We assume that the mycorrhizal colonization can reduce toxic effects of those elements while the exact mechanisms should be further investigated.     

Different approaches to evaluating soil quality using biochemical properties

Soil biochemical properties are indicators of soil quality, but there is still no consensus as to how they should be used. We review the trends in their use over the last decade. Generally, biochemical properties related to the biocycles of the elements (C, N, P and S) are used to diagnose soil quality. These properties include both general biochemical parameters (i.e. microbial biomass C, dehydrogenase activity and N mineralization potential) and specific biochemical parameters (i.e. the activity of hydrolytic enzymes, such as phosphatase, urease and β-glucosidase). Biochemical properties can be used both individually, as simple indices, or in combination using complex equations derived from mathematical combinations or the application of statistical programs. The results described in the literature for both are contradictory and question the validity of the use of biochemical properties as quality indicators. Complex expressions, in which different properties are combined, are thought to be highly suitable for estimating soil quality, although their use is limited to the area and situation in which they have been described. Generally, the greatest problems posed by the use of biochemical properties as soil quality indicators include the lack of reference values, the contradictory behaviour shown by these properties when a soil is degraded, and the regional variations in expression levels. Most of these problems are derived from the scarce information available on the biochemical properties of soil. For this reason, obtaining soil quality indicators of general use will require a coordinated effort from the international scientific community to standardise the analytical methods and to compile databases of biochemical properties from soils under diverse geographic conditions and with different uses and management.     

断奶仔猪应激期肠道健康及营养调控的研究进展

仔猪断奶后需经历环境变化、饲粮转变以及自身肠道结构与功能改变,易发生断奶应激,直接影响养猪生产的效率。因此,研究缓解断奶仔猪应激的调控措施对养猪生产具有重要意义。本文分别从肠道健康和营养调控两方面出发,对近年来关于仔猪断奶应激的调控措施进行综述,以期为进一步研究仔猪断奶应激和健康养殖提供理论依据和调控思路。     

Effect of seasonal thermal stress on oxidative status,immune response and stress hormones of lactating dairy cows

This study aimed to assess the impact of seasonal thermal stress on oxidative stress, immune response, and stress hormones of lactating dairy cows in subtropical regions with different levels of temperature-humidity index (THI). A total of 32 healthy lactating Holstein dairy cows experienced 4 seasons (8 cows/season). The physiological parameters were categorized into low THI (LTHI, THI = 42.97 ± 0.95) in winter, moderate THI (MTHI, THI = 61.84 ± 0.42) in spring and autumn, and high THI period (HTHI, THI = 86.09 ± 0.23) in summer. The blood samples were collected twice in each season to measure oxidative stress, inflammatory and hormonal parameters. Our results showed THI had a positive correlation with the rectal temperature (R² = 0.821, P < 0.001) and respiratory rate (R² = 0.816, P < 0.001). Dry matter intake, milk yield and fat percentage also significantly differed among groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the MTHI group, the LTHI group exhibited a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < 0.001), and the HTHI group displayed a significant increase in levels of cortisol, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001). Opposite changes in serum endotoxin and immunoglobulin G levels were observed with the increasing THI (P < 0.001). LTHI notably increased the triiodothyronine level, although the thyroxine level was reduced by LTHI and HTHI compared with the MTHI group. In conclusion, LTHI and HTHI conditions may induce different degrees of oxidative stress, inflammation response, and stress hormone imbalances on lactating dairy cows, therefore environmental management is necessary for the health of dairy cows in extreme weather conditions.     

水分胁迫下小麦幼苗呼吸及渗透调节物资积累的变化

 3个抗旱力不同而又存在遗传相关的小麦品种,在PEG处理引起的水分胁迫下,幼苗叶片暗呼吸速率降低,线粒体超微结构受到破坏,葡萄糖在胁迫前期积累,后期下降。蔗糖含量下降。Na⁺、水溶性Ca²⁺在幼苗中有积累,K⁺含量略有降低。抗旱品种、杂交后代云麦29还积累大量有机酸,猪屎麦和福利麦有机酸没有积累,云麦29积累溶质的水平要高于其他两个品种。小麦的渗透调节物质主要是有机物,无机离子贡献较小。水分胁迫下植物的呼吸变化对有机溶质的累积可能有一定意义。     

正交异性薄板最大应力值的灰色神经网络算法

把灰色系统理论和神经网络模型结合起来，建立了相应的灰色神经网络模型。对有限宽正交异性薄板应力集中问题进行分析，根据其应力集中处附近3点的应变值，来确定最大的应力（应变）值。结果表明，该方法使用方便，数据吻合性较好，结果可靠。     

The effect of different dietary ratios of lysine,arginine and methionine on biochemical parameters and hormone secretion in turkeys

We postulated that the use of optimal levels and proportions of Lys, Arg and Met in compound feed allows for optimal exploitation of the growth potential of contemporary slaughter turkey hybrids and reduces metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different proportions of Lys, Arg and Met in diets whose Lys content is in accordance with NRC recommendations, that is a low level, on selected parameters of protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and on hormone secretion in turkeys. The lowest Arg content (90% Lys) in the diet resulted in an increase in plasma total cholesterol levels in the turkeys as compared to higher Arg content (100% or 110% of Lys), (2.50 vs. 2.09 vs. 1.83). Plasma HDL and creatinine concentration increased in turkeys fed diets with higher Arg content (100% and 110% Lys) compared to turkeys receiving the diet with the lowest Arg content (90% Lys). Compared to turkeys receiving the lowest and intermediate Arg content (90% and 100% Lys), the diet with the highest content of this AA (110% Lys) resulted in an increase in the plasma T4 level (71.21 vs. 86.60 vs. 128.2). The varied Arg and Met levels relative to Lys did not affect the secretion of neurotransmitters or hormones regulating glucose metabolism. At low levels of Met in the diet, an decrease in Arg relative to Lys from 100% to 90% caused a growth depression of turkeys (10.68 vs. 10.21 kg), which was not noted in the case of the higher Met content. When using the Lys level recommended by NRC in the turkey diet, the optimal Arg level is 100% and Met is 45% compared to Lys.     

甜菜碱合成途径及其在基因工程育种中的应用

在不良的环境胁迫条件下许多生物体内大量积累甜菜碱,甜菜碱是一种小分子渗透调节物质,它可以调节细胞渗透势,保护蛋白质结构和代谢酶类。由于甜菜碱的合成途径相对简单,通过基因工程技术将甜菜碱生物合成途径导入到不能自身合成渗透调节物并对胁迫条件敏感的重要农作物中,赋予其合成甜菜碱的能力,最终提高其抗性,已经成为当今抗逆育种的重要手段之一,并取得了一定的成绩。不同生物体内甜菜碱的合成途径、催化酶类、反应底物有所不同。在高等植物体、大肠杆菌和土壤细菌中,甜菜碱以胆碱为直接底物,经一或两步氧化而成。其底物胆碱来自于生物体内丝氨酸衍生物的甲基化。反应涉及的相关酶类和基因已经获得,该途径的基因工程研究也在一定程度上提高了转化株的抗性,但底物限制问题没有得到解决。嗜盐隐杆藻中存在另一条完全不同的途径,以甘氨酸为底物由2个不同的甲基转移酶催化完成几个连续的甲基化反应生成甜菜碱,该途径不存在底物限制。本文全面地介绍了不同生物体中甜菜碱合成途径、相关酶类基因及各途径在植物抗逆育种中的应用现状的同时总结了个别途径应用中存在的问题,并提出了可行的解决方案。     

信阳市旱情动态分析与模拟监测系统

通过对信阳市1971-2000年不同年份的气候要素、作物农情及土壤墒情资料进行分析.建立起信阳市旱情动态模拟系统;利用不同年份的气候要素、作物农情及土壤墒情资料,确定信阳市不同区域、不同季节干旱指标.通过对信阳市1971-2000年近30不同年份平均气温、湿度、降水、蒸发、风速、日照、作物发育期资料、作物生长量测定资料及土壤墒情资料的统计分析,发现信阳市不同区域、不同季节干旱指标是不同的,根据这一规律进而建立起信阳市旱情动态模拟监测系统,在全市旱情动态预报中发挥着积极作用.旱情模拟动态监测系统的投入使作.解决了信阳市多年来对旱情灾害没有定量动态监测工具这一难题.     

不同贮藏年限对红砂种子生理特性及胚结构的影响

以室温贮藏条件下0~4 a的红砂（Reaumuria soongorica）种子为试验材料，通过测定不同贮藏年限红砂种子的萌发指标、生理指标及种胚显微结构，探究红砂种子在贮藏老化过程中种子活力及其生理和显微结构的变化特征。结果表明：随着贮藏年限的增加，红砂种子芽长、萌发率、萌发势、 发芽指数、活力指数和含水量逐渐降低，超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性、可溶性糖(soluble sugar,SS)和可溶性蛋白(soluble protein,SP)含量呈先升高后降低的趋势,丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量逐渐上升。红砂种子萌发指标与MDA含量呈显著（P<0.05）负相关，与SS、SP呈正相关。当年采收的种子，胚部细胞排列紧密，贮藏3~4 a的种子胚部细胞排列散乱，木质化程度加深着色效果明显，并伴随子叶逐渐缩小的现象。综上认为，红砂种子含水量、MDA和SP含量可较为准确地反映其活力，且红砂种子活力变化的节点在2~3 a之间。在实际生产中，建议选择采收后室温贮藏1 a的种子为播种材料。