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.     

Seasonal Changes in the Milt Quality of Waigieu Seaperch,Psammoperca waigiensis: Implications for Artificial Propagation

Milt quality of Waigieu seaperch was sampled at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the spawning season to assess if the sampling season has an effect on milt quality parameters. The milt volume and total sperm production were higher at the middle of the spawning season while the sperm concentration in milt was significantly higher at the beginning and the end of the spawning season. Sperm morphology and the major parameters of seminal plasma (pH, total protein, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺ concentrations) did not differ throughout the spawning season. The concentrations of Na⁺ and the osmolality increased throughout the spawning season. The percentage of motile cells did not differ during the spawning season while the duration of sperm motility (swimming duration) and velocity (swimming speed) were significantly different during the spawning season. The fertilization rate (75.7 ± 6.8%) and hatching rate (56.5 ± 3.1%) at the middle of the spawning season were higher than at the beginning and end periods. Results indicated that milt quality parameters and fertility success in the middle of the spawning season were higher compared to earlier and later sampling dates. Thus, we recommend collecting milt during this time for maximal fertilization and hatching success.     

中国平背树螽属两新种(直翅目:螽斯科:树螽亚科)

描述了平背树螽属2新种,定名为双刺平背树螽(Isopsera bicuspidota Yang etKang)和广西平背树螽(I.guangziensis Yang et Kang)。     

17β-雌二醇-ARIS构建及其标准曲线的质量评估

以 1 7β-雌二醇 -黄素腺嘌呤二核苷酸结合物为标记物 ,以葡萄糖氧化酶为全酶 ,建立了 1 7β-雌二醇脱辅基酶再激活免疫测定系统 (1 7β- E2 - ARIS) ,完成了两条标准曲线的制作 ,通过 logit代换法对两条标准曲线进行了直线回归。两条标准曲线的拟合度 (r)分别为0 .996 7* * 和 0 .9991 * * ,灵敏度分别为 1 1 .5 4pg· m L- 1 (2 . 31 pg·孔 - 1 )和 1 4.88pg·m L- 1 (2 . 98pg·孔 - 1 ) ,平均变异系数(CV% )分别为 4.6 4%和 9.34% ,测定范围为 31 .2 5～ 1 0 0 0 pg·m L- 1 。     

The Effect of Size and Diet on Gonad Production by the Chilean Sea Urchin Loxechinus albus

Conadal production was studied in Loxechinus albus (Molina, 1782) maintained in cages suspended from a long-line in the Estero Castro, Chiloé for 3 mo during the austral summer. The sea urchins were fed either an artificial diet or a natural diet consisting of the macroalgae Macrocystis pyrifera and Ulva sp. Both diets were tested for four size ranges: 40–45, 50–55, 60–65 and 70–75 mm diameter. For all four size ranges, highest gonad production was with the artificial diet. Gonad production was greatest in the 40–45 mm individuals with an increase of about 1,400% and 750% in the wet weight of gonads in individuals fed the artificial and natural diet, respectively. With the three other size ranges, the increase was nearly 100% with the artificial diet and nearly 0% with the natural diet The gonad index showed similar patterns, being highest in the smallest individuals. Small individuals fed the artificial diet would provide the most cost effective aquaculture as production is best. It is not necessary to grow L. albus to the minimal legal size for fisheries (70-mm diameter) for cost effective gonad production.     

Incidence of Salmonellae in Captive and Wild Free‐Living Raptorial Birds in Central Spain

A total of 595 faecal samples from raptorial birds, either captive or free‐living, residing in GREFA Wildlife Hospital were bacteriologically examined using various selective media and an Automated Diagnostic Assay System for Salmonella detection. Serotype and phage type of the strains identified as Salmonella was determined. In the captive group, of the 285 samples examined, 21 (7.36%) were positive for Salmonella. Serotyping revealed that most of the individuals were infected by Salmonella serotype Havana. This result suggested that there could be a source of contamination in the Hospital although it could not be established. In the wild free‐living group, over 310 samples examined (4.19%) were positive for Salmonella. The Salmonella isolates showed a major variety of serotypes: Enteritidis, Adelaide, Brandenburg, Newport, Typhimurium, Hadar, Saintpaul and Virchow. Most of them are similar to those commonly described in isolates from human and domestic animals. These results indicate that wild birds could be involved in the dissemination of Salmonella in humans or domestic animals or vice versa.     

江西省古树资源系统研究报告

研究对象只限于散生于江西省山下及村落的30851株古树，不涉及自然保护区、森林公园中的古树。根据古树生长特征，分析其时间分布(古树级及树龄)、空间分布(设区市分布、县域分布)，借助于动态聚类统计分析方法从不同方向进行数量分类，并对数量分类成果用判别分析进行检验。最后对各县域每km^2和每万人负荷古树数进行核算，用数据资抖说明县域保护古树的重要性，增强县域保护古树的责任感。     

17β─雌二醇主动免疫对公兔生殖的影响

以１７β－雌二醇－６－人血清白蛋白对新西兰公兔进行主动免疫，用ＲＩＡ检测抗体滴度和１７β－雌二醇及睾酮浓度，并检测睾丸重量和间质细胞面积。结果，试验组各兔均不同程度地产生了１７β－雌二醇抗体，其血浆１７β－雌二醇浓度极显著地低于对照组〔（２０．３±２１．６）ｎｇ／Ｌ，（１６７．７±４９．６）ｎｇ／Ｌ，Ｐ＜０．００１〕，睾酮浓度极显著地高于对照组〔（７．３±７．１）μｇ／Ｌ，（０．５２±０．２９）μｇ／Ｌ，Ｐ＜０．０１〕。每侧睾丸重量和间质细胞面积均极显著地大于对照组〔（３．９４±０．９３）ｇ和（２５２．２５±８５．７８）μｍ２，（２．９８±０．７２）ｇ和（１６１．７９±３６．４５）μｍ２，Ｐ＜０．０１和Ｐ＜０．００１〕。提示１７β－雌二醇主动免疫可望成为提高雄性动物生育力的有效途径之一     

Effect of the Pietrain breed used as terminal boar on Post-weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) in the offspring in four PMWS-affected farms

The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors for PMWS at the individual pig level and assess the effect of the Pietrain paternal genetic background of the animals in a cohort study. The survey was set up in four PMWS-affected farms with 2 repetitions (batches) per farm. A representative sample of 60 pigs per batch, stratified according to the paternal genetic background (Pietrain: yes vs. no), was randomly selected after farrowing. The representative cohort was divided into 8 batches and the pigs were individually monitored from birth to slaughter. Survival analysis was used to determine the factors related to the time to PMWS. The litter-cluster effect was taken into account using the marginal Cox model (robust estimation of the covariance matrix) and the gamma shared frailty model which were compared.No protective effect of the Pietrain breed on the time to PMWS and the proportion of affected pigs in the offspring was found in this study. Piglets showing low circovirus type 2 (PCV2) titres at 7 weeks-old with no subsequent seroconversion and piglets from PCV2 negative sows were most likely to be affected by PMWS (HR=7.0 and 2.8, respectively). Active infection of the pregnant dams with parvovirus was related to an increased risk of PMWS in the offspring (HR=2.3). Neck injuries due to poorly performed injections in the dams were associated with an increased risk of PMWS with the marginal model (HR=2.1). Oxytocin injection (dams) during farrowing was protective against PMWS in the offspring (HR=0.6).