Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

川西北地区上二叠统吴家坪组凝灰岩分布地震预测

通过对川西北地区的老井进行复查,发现多口井在上二叠统吴家坪组存在大套的凝灰岩,对上述井的地质、测井、地震资料综合分析发现,凝灰岩的岩性以凝灰质泥岩、凝灰质粉砂岩、凝灰质灰岩、沉凝灰岩、凝灰岩、凝灰质白云岩为主,次生溶蚀孔隙发育;凝灰岩在测井曲线和地震剖面上均有明显的响应特征:在测井曲线上表现为明显的低纵波速度、高自然伽马特征,凝灰岩底界在地震剖面上均表现为波峰反射特征.为此,采用模型正演分析技术及波阻抗反演技术,首次对四川盆地川西北地区晚二叠世吴家坪组凝灰岩的分布进行了地震预测:双鱼石构造-剑阁区块的北部地区凝灰岩分布最厚,南部减薄;双鱼石构造东部凝灰岩分布较厚,西部减薄,直至不发育.研究结果表明,晚二叠世吴家坪组在川西北地区沉积了一套凝灰岩,从西北至东南方向减薄;由于凝灰岩物性好,孔隙度高,可成为四川盆地火山岩气藏勘探全新的后备领域,为川西北地区下一步新的勘探领域开发提供了重要研究基础.     

Three SNPs within exons of INHA and ACVR2B genes are significantly associated with litter size in Dazu black goats

The aim of this study was to analyse the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms within INHA and ACVR2B and litter size in Dazu black goats. In total, twenty-two SNPs were genotyped in 190 individuals by SNaPshot and resequencing. The results showed that three SNPs (SNP_1, SNP_12 and SNP_13 in this study) were detected to have significant additive genetic effect on the recorded goat litter size (p < .05). The SNP_1 (NC_030809.1), a non-synonymous substitution of G for T at chr2-g. 28314990 in the exon 2 of INHA gene (NM_001285606.1), resulted in homozygote 2 (HOM2) contributed 0.25 and heterozygote (HET) contributed 0.12 larger litter than homozygote 1 (HOM1). Meanwhile, SNP_12 (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T) and SNP_13 (Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) (NC_030829.1) simultaneously mutated at the first and third position of a triplet AAA (lysine, K) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene (XM_018066623.1) had estimated genetic effects of HOM1 (0.00) and HOM2 (0.03) larger than HET (−0.12). In conclusion, one SNPs (chr2-g. 28314990 T > G) within the exon 2 of INHA and two SNPs (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T and Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) i n the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene were highly recommended as candidate markers of litter size in Dazu black goats. A large-scale association study to assess the impact of these variants on litter size is still necessary.     

秀珍菇原基形成相关基因PpFBD1的克隆与表达研究

前期研究中通过对秀珍菇经低温诱导后不同发育阶段样本进行转录组测序及差异表达基因分析发现,ID为Cluster-6377.64510的基因(命名为PpFBD1)在原基形成前期的样本中高表达。为进一步了解分析其表达特性及功能,根据转录组测序结果设计特异性引物,利用RT-PCR技术从秀珍菇中克隆获得了该基因的cDNA全长。该基因由342个核苷酸组成,编码一个由113个氨基酸组成的蛋白,蛋白相对分子质量约11 ku。进化树分析显示,PpFBD1编码蛋白与糙皮侧耳hydrophobin1编码的疏水蛋白亲缘关系最近。Gene Ontology功能分析表明,PpFBD1主要参与真菌类细胞壁的合成。荧光定量RT-PCR检测显示,该基因在菌丝体经低温诱导后恢复至室温阶段(原基形成前期)表达量最高,这表明其可能参与调控秀珍菇原基形成过程。本研究结果为阐明秀珍菇原基形成机制提供参考。     

Effect of chlorogenic acid on intestinal inflammation,antioxidant status,and microbial community of young hens challenged with acute heat stress

Heat stress in poultry is deleterious to productive performance. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) exerts antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental CGA on the intestinal health and cecal microbiota composition of young hens challenged with acute heat stress. 100-day-old Hy-line brown pullets were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (C) and heat stress group (HS) received a basal diet. HS + CGA₃₀₀ group and HS + CGA₆₀₀ group received a basal diet supplemented with 300- and 600-mg/kg CGA, respectively, for 2 weeks before heat stress exposure. Pullets of HS, HS + CGA₃₀₀, and HS + CGA₆₀₀ group were exposed to 38°C for 4 h while the control group was maintained at 25°C. In this study, dietary CGA supplementation had effect on mitigate the decreased T-AOC and T-SOD activities and the increasing of IL-1β and TNFα induced by acute heat stress. Dietary supplementation with 600 mg/kg CGA had better effect on increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera, such as Rikenellaceae RC9_gut_group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, and Christensenellaceae R-7_group, and deceasing bacteria genera involved in inflammation, such as Sutterella species. Therefore, CGA can ameliorate acute heat stress damage through suppressing inflammation and improved antioxidant capacity and cecal microbiota composition.     

No effect of turkey herpesvirus infections on the outcome of avian pneumovirus infections in turkeys.

To determine whether turkey herpesvirus (HVT) impairs the aspecific and specific defense against an avian pneumovirus (APV) infection, specific-pathogen-free turkeys were inoculated at 7 days of age with HVT and 1, 5, or 7 wk later with APV. Clinical signs, APV replication, and development of antibodies against APV were evaluated. No differences were found between the birds that received both HVT and APV and those that received only APV.     

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma in dogs: 33 cases (1995-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IC) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 33 dogs with IC and 153 dogs with malignant mammary tumors other than IC. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed, and signalment, history, physical examination findings, and results of thoracic radiography and necropsy were obtained. RESULTS: 33 of 436 (7.6%) dogs examined at a veterinary teaching hospital because of dysplasia or tumors of the mammary glands and 33 of 186 (17.7%) dogs with at least 1 malignant tumor had IC. Thirty-two of the 33 dogs were sexually intact. Dogs with IC were significantly older than were dogs with other malignant mammary tumors, and in dogs with IC, the tumor was initially noticed a mean of 52 days after the beginning of the last observed estrus, whereas in dogs with other mammary tumors, the tumor was initially noticed a mean of 137 days after the beginning of the last observed estrus. Dogs with IC were more likely to be anorectic and to have generalized weakness, weight loss, and thoracic metastases. Dogs with IC survived a mean of 25 days with palliative treatment. Histologically, involvement of dermal lymphatic vessels was identified in 14 of 19 (74%) dogs with IC. Two clinical forms of IC (primary and secondary) were identified. Dogs with primary IC had a worse clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that IC is an uncommon but distinct entity in dogs. A histologic finding of dermal lymphatic involvement should be considered a hallmark for the pathologic diagnosis of IC in dogs.     

浅谈种子质量保证

随着种子市场的规范化、商品化程度的提高,种子质量意识的大大增强,建立健全种子质量保障制度,全面保证种子质量,确保农民增产,农民增收势在必行。1质量就是生命对于种子这一特殊商品来说更是至关重要的,只有保障种子质量,才能使种子行业长久不衰。企业不能为了片面追求经济效益,生产经营伪劣种子,这样不仅降低了种子公司的信誉,而且给农民造成了经济损失。2要严格按照规程操作,严把质量关在种子生产过程中,确保亲本种子质量,尤其是纯度。应及时解决制种过程中花期不遇,制种产量低的技术难题,并认真开展种子田间检验及室内检验,确保种子的纯…