Retained Woody Structure in 1- to 2-Year-Old Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Plantations in Mississippi,Louisiana, and Arkansas: Implications for Wildlife Conservation

Information regarding how site preparation techniques affect residual woody structure is lacking for the southern United States in spite of the importance of such structure for many wildlife species. Therefore, we documented retained structure in young loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations established using four common site preparation regimes: mechanical only, chemical only, chemical + mechanical, or chemical + prescribed burning. Herbicides reduced live tree density and increased snag density relative to mechanical methods. Prescribed burning reduced density of coarse woody debris (CWD) along with density and volume of piled CWD relative to chemical and mechanical methods. Our results provide a baseline for further studies of wildlife and retained structure in southern pine forests.     

Local airborne particulate concentration is associated with visible tracheal mucus in Thoroughbred racehorses

Reason for performing study: Accumulations of tracheal mucus assessed by endoscopic examination are associated with poor performance in racehorses. The air quality in horses' stalls may contribute to this visible tracheal mucus. Objectives: To determine whether the concentration and number of airborne particulates in stalls are associated with visible accumulations of tracheal mucus and with the number of inflammatory cells in tracheal aspirates. Methods: We studied 107 racehorses from 3 stables, in 3 different months, and measured airborne particulate matter 3 times daily in each of the stalls. On each monthly visit, horse airways were examined endoscopically and assigned a mucus score, and tracheal lavage was performed. Bivariate procedures, general estimating equations and linear mixed models were applied to estimate the association between PM and the presence of accumulations of mucus and number of inflammatory cells. Results: Stable, stall, month and PM were all significantly associated with the presence of accumulations of tracheal mucus, which had an overall prevalence of 67%. The odds of horses having visible accumulation of mucus were increased when horses occupied enclosed stables or stalls with higher particulate concentrations, and when concentrations of larger particles (≤10 µm in diameter) were elevated. Sixty‐eight percent of tracheal wash samples contained more than 20% neutrophils. Increased numbers of neutrophils were associated with the concentration of smaller particles (≤2.5 µm in diameter). Potential relevance: Careful consideration of stable construction and management practices focused on maintaining the lowest possible dust concentrations throughout the day should reduce the prevalence of visible accumulations of tracheal mucus, potentially improving racing performance.     

Oil yield and quality variation between sexes in Osyris lanceolata (African sandalwood) and its value as a fodder plant in Tanzania

African sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata) is widely harvested in East Africa for extraction of oil, which is used in the fragrance and perfumery industry. Over the years, harvesting of the species has been concentrated to female plants because it is claimed that they yield more and better quality oil compared to males. However, data to support these claims is lacking. Osyris lanceolata is also used extensively by pastoralists as feed supplement during the dry season, yet little information on the species’ nutritive value exists. Oil yield and quality variations between male and female O. lanceolata and its nutritive values were evaluated to ascertain the purported reasons for sex selectivity in harvesting, and to determine the potential value of the species as a fodder plant. Oil yield was determined by extracting oil from a known amount of wood, while quality assessment was done by determining the amount of santalol, a prime determinant of sandalwood oil quality. The species’ potential as a fodder plant was determined by analyzing the nutritive value and digestibility of leaves and fruits. There was no significant variation (p = 0.856) in oil yield between sexes, though populations differed significantly (P < 0.001). The highest oil yield was 9.32 ± 0.611%. Likewise, sexes did not differ significantly (P = 0.655) in oil quality, though populations differed significantly (P < 0.001). The highest santalol content was 11.1%. It is concluded that sex selectivity during harvesting has no relation to oil yield and quality. However, population selectivity is strongly justified due to the huge variation in oil yield and quality, and is likely to be the major reason for over-exploiting some populations. It is recommended that there is a need to refrain from overharvesting of females within populations, since the practice is likely to erode the genetic vigour of the species and affect its sustainability. Nutritive studies revealed the species to have 15.9–19.7% crude protein, 15.9–24.0% crude fibre, 0.77–0.81% fat/oil, 97.5–97.8% dry matter, 8.5–10.3% ash content, 72.2–72.4% digestibility. These figures are within the acceptable range, suggesting that both leaves and fruits of the species are a potential alternative source of animal protein where protein supplements are not available or expensive.     

Skeletal deformities associated with nutritional congenital rickets in newborn lambs

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A group of 545 pregnant rising 2-year-old Coopdale ewes on a Southland sheep farm were grazed over winter on a fodder beet (Beta vulgaris) crop. Subsequently, 45 out of approximately 750 lambs were born with a variety of skeletal deformities, including shortened limbs, varus and valgus angular limb deformities, palmar grade stance and cranial bowing of the carpus. Analysis of the crop showed the fodder beet contained a low percentage of phosphorus. In addition, 60 out of 460 rising 2-year-old ewes that had been grazed on the fodder beet crop as 1-year-olds had incisor abnormalities and malocclusion.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Two affected lambs (1-day-old and 3-days-old) with representative clinical signs examined postmortem were found to have markedly enlarged costochondral junctions, and noticeably enlarged long bone metaphyses. In addition, one lamb had a dense band of metaphyseal sclerosis beneath the physes of all long bones examined. Histopathological findings included small islands and columns of chondrocytes and eosinophilic cartilage matrix present in the metaphysis. Metaphyseal trabeculae were disorganised and often lined by accumulations of pale pink osteoid; similar pale pink osteoid was also present in the cortices. Unerupted molar teeth in the affected lambs lacked a layer of enamel, and the dentine was irregular with globular basophilia.

DIAGNOSIS: The gross and histopathological lesions were consistent with a diagnosis of rickets.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nutritional congenital rickets has not been previously diagnosed in sheep, but is a recognised disease of human infants with vitamin D deficient mothers. The rickets in affected lambs was most likely associated with phosphorus deficiency as a result of the pregnant ewes grazing fodder beet during gestation. While vitamin D deficiency was not definitively ruled out in these cases, practitioners are alerted to the possible effects of feeding phosphorus-deficient fodder beet to ewes for long periods during gestation and to 1-year-old sheep during important growth periods.     

No “Gadgil effect”: Temperate tree roots and soil lithology are effective predictors of wood decomposition

The “Gadgil effect” hypothesizes that root associations may slow down decomposition through pre‐emptive competition. In the context of recalcitrant litter decomposition, specifically coarse wood debris, it is uncertain as to what is the relative importance of soil communities associated with living roots when compared to those without roots. Here, it is hypothesized that the presence of live roots and active photosynthates will enhance wood decomposition. To test this hypothesis, the presence or absence of temperate tree roots was used in this study. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and white oak (Quercus alba) roots were manipulated at three sites of either limestone or shale parent rock residuum. At each site, wood substrate was placed in soils beneath the canopy of either A. saccharum or Q. alba, while in the presence of roots (root⁺). At the same time, wood substrate was placed in the same soil community, but live root exposure was eliminated by trenching (root^?). This eliminated active photosynthate supply to the soil microbial community. Results determined that live root exposure promoted faster decomposition and greater mycelial colonization of wood substrate. Also, sites of shale parent rock residuum had higher rates of decomposition in comparison with limestone parent rock residuum. Although additional work is needed to determine the extent in which roots and lithology can facilitate wood decomposition, these findings suggest that living roots impact decomposers and provide a pathway towards humus and soil organic matter formation.     

杂粮重金属污染及其风险评价方法

杂粮品种多样,营养丰富,具有较好的发展前景。然而,重金属污染影响杂粮的食用安全,进而影响杂粮产业的发展。列举了杂粮中常见的重金属污染问题及危害,梳理了国内外的研究现状,同时总结了重金属污染风险的评估方法,以期为相关科研人员提供更多的研究思路,为杂粮产业的发展提供参考依据。     

巨菌草对七彩山鸡生长性能、免疫器官以及肠绒毛形态的影响

试验旨在探究日粮中添加巨菌草(Pennisetum giganteum)对七彩山鸡(Phasianus colchicus)生长性能、免疫器官以及肠绒毛形态的影响。试验选取1周龄健康的七彩山鸡(母)210只,随机分为1个对照组(0%组)和4个饲料处理组,每组3个平行。4个饲料处理组配制时,分别添加4%、8%、12%、16%的巨菌草添加剂于基础饲料中。结果表明,与0%组相比,12%组七彩山鸡的平均体重和平均日采食量显著增加(P<0.05);4%、8%、12%组平均日增重显著大于16%组(P<0.05);8%组料重比显著降低(P<0.05);饲料处理组免疫器官指数中肝脏、脾脏指数均在0%组的基础上有所增加,但差异不显著(P>0.05);8%的巨菌草添加剂可显著增加七彩山鸡肠道的绒毛长度(P<0.05),隐窝深度显著降低(P<0.05),扩大肠道黏膜吸收面积。说明日粮中添加巨菌草可以提高七彩山鸡肠道对营养的吸收能力,一定程度上改善七彩山鸡生长性能和免疫性能。     

Weed seedling emergence in contrasting fodder crop systems following 30 years of cultivation in the lowlands of Northern Italy

Five fodder crop systems of different intensity (ranging from a double annual crop of Italian ryegrass + silage maize to a permanent meadow) were adopted for 30 years in the lowlands of Northern Italy under two input levels, differing mainly in their provision of organic fertiliser (manure). Herbicides were used in the maize crops included in all systems, except the meadow. After 30 years, the weed seedbank of all systems and input levels were assessed by the seedling emergence technique on soil samples from each plot. The cropping systems determined the abundance and composition of the weed assembly. Relatively few, frequent species made up the majority of the emerged seedlings in all systems, and there was no relationship between the total number of emerged seedlings and the mean number of species recorded in the different systems. Arabidopsis thaliana and Oxalis corniculata were abundant in the annual double crop and in the 3- and 6-year rotations that also comprised the annual double crop. These weeds, however, were unlikely to represent a major threat to the crops, due to their vigour and growth period. The permanent meadow tended to greater weed biodiversity than the other systems. The application of manure favoured the seedbank of species such as Lolium multiflorum, Digitaria sanguinalis and A. thaliana. Weed communities in the different systems were mainly determined by herbicide application, (through the ability of weeds to avoid its effects, determined by the weed life history and emergence period) and manure application (with its possible dual effect of spreading weed seeds and favouring nitrogen-responsive weeds).     

Biomass allocation and nodulation of Gliricidia sepium under two cut-and-carry forage production regimes

The effects of two pruning regimes on the above-ground biomass allocation and nodulation of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. (Leguminosae: Robinieae) were studied in a cut-and-carry forage production system under humid tropical conditions in Guadeloupe, French Antilles. The grass layer composed of a mixture dominated by Paspalum notatum Flügge (80%) and Digitaria decumbens Stent. The pruning regimes were partial pruning (ca. 50%) every two months and complete pruning every six months. The complete pruning caused an almost complete turnover of N2 fixing nodules. The nodule biomass decreased after the partial pruning, but the turnover was not complete. The nodule to foliage biomass ratio followed the same pattern under both treatments, and the values of the ratio converged towards the end of the experimental period. The maxima of standing nodule biomass were 7.2 and 13.0 kg ha−1 in the partially and completely pruned trees, respectively. The cumulative leaf fodder harvest was higher under partial pruning management, due to smaller litter loss. The branch biomass production was higher under complete pruning management. Grass production was not affected by the pruning pattern of G. sepium. It was concluded that the partial pruning management produces more fodder in the studied association, and the nodulation probably adjusts to the canopy N requirements. The potential N release to soil in the turnover of nodules of G. sepium (max. 0.82 kg ha−1) is negligible compared to the N export in tree and grass fodder harvest, 190 and 215 kg ha−1 in partially and completely pruned plots, respectively. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A review of tree fodder production and utilization within smallholder agroforestry systems in Kenya

Although the biological advantages in terms of animal production and improved soil fertility of the use of herbaceous legumes have been well demonstrated in Kenya and elsewhere, adoption by small-scale farmers has often been disappointing. This has led to increased research into the use of both indigenous and exotic fodder trees. In common with conventional pasture legumes, tree fodders contain high levels of crude protein and minerals and many show high levels of digestibility. They are readily accepted by livestock and presumably because of their deep-root systems, they continue to produce well into the dry season. Antinutritive factors can be a problem, however, and polyphenolics, toxic amino acids, cyanogenic glycosides and alkaloids are found in many tree species. There are abundant niches on small farms where fodder trees can be grown without affecting crop production. Although detailed management recommendations are lacking, guidelines exist with regard to appropriate cutting heights and harvesting frequencies. In the Embu region, it has been estimated that three kg of fresh fodder of Calliandra calothyrsus has the same effect on milk production as one kg of commercial dairy meal. Up to about 500 trees (250 m of hedgerow) will produce enough fodder to supplement one dairy cow for a complete lactation. The tree fodder can either replace the concentrate without loss of yield, or it can complement it to produce more milk. It is being enthusiastically adopted by small-scale farmers, many of whom are starting to produce their own seed. Other tree species are now being studied in order to avoid over-reliance on a single fodder species. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.