In situ radiometric mapping of soil erosion and field-moist bulk density on cultivated fields

Abstract. Recent developments in in situγ ray spectrometry offer a new approach to measuring the activity of radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K in soils, and thus estimating erosion or deposition rates and field moist bulk density (ρ_m). Such estimates would be rapid and involve minimal site disturbance, especially important where archaeological remains are present. This paper presents the results of a pilot investigation of an eroded field in Scotland in which a portable hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector was used to measure γ ray spectra in situ. The gamma (γ) photon flux observed at the soil surface is a function of the ¹³⁷Cs inventory, its depth distribution characteristics and ρ_m. A coefficient, Q_Cs, derived from the forward scattering of ¹³⁷Cs γ ray photons within the soil profile relative to the ¹³⁷Cs full energy peak (662 keV), was used to correct the in situ calibration for changes in the ¹³⁷Cs vertical distribution in the ploughed field, a function of tillage, soil accumulation and ρ_m. Based on only 8 measurements, the agreement between in situγ ray spectrometry and soil sample measurements of ¹³⁷Cs inventories improved from a non significant r²=0.05 to a significant r²=0.62 (P<0.05). Erosion and deposition rates calculated from the corrected in situ¹³⁷Cs measurements had a similarly good agreement with those calculated from soil cores. Mean soil bulk density was also calculated using a separate coefficient, Q_K, derived from the forward scattering γ photons from ⁴⁰K within the soil relative to the ⁴⁰K full energy peak (1460 keV). Again there was good agreement with soil core measurements (r²=0.64; P<0.05). The precision of the in situ¹³⁷Cs measurement was limited by the precision with which Q_Cs can be estimated, a function of the low ¹³⁷Cs deposition levels associated with the weapons testing fallout and relatively low detector efficiency (35%). In contrast, the precision of the in situ ρ_m determination was only limited by the spatial variability associated with soil sampling.     

Genetic Engineering Approaches to Pig Production*

Modern biotechnology promises a number of new applications in animal breeding and production. Although conventional pig breeding has achieved a high level of efficiency and productivity numerous problems have been encountered with animal health and the loss of meat quality. Selection based on phenotypic performance data of individual animals does not take into account the importance of specific genes and their relevance within a complex regulatory system. In most cases it is therefore difficult to trace back the genetic origins of clinically important disorders. The application of genetic engineering techniques in pig production will facilitate diagnosis, improvement of productivity, and animal health by allowing direct genetic manipulation. Attention must be focussed on the physical and genetic analysis of the procine genome. The isolation and characterisation of genes, DNA-markers, polymorphic DNA-fragments, and their chromosomal assignment will be important prerequisites and tools for the elucidation of genetic disorders. Especially the detection of heterozygous carriers of recessive disorders and their elimination from the breeding stock will increase selection accuracy and decrease the generation intervals. But also the rapid and simple detection of infectious diseases, which is sometimes difficult if not impossible at present, will improve animal health and welfare. Although the production of transgenic animals either by DNA-microinjection into zygotes or the use of embryonal stem cells manipulated in vitro is less straightforward than DNA-based diagnosis it will play an important role in the direct manipulation of the porcine genome and genes. Breeding programmes including the use of transgenic livestock have already been developed. There is no doubt that genetic engineering has reached a degree of practical feasibility, allowing it to play an important role in pig breeding in particular and animal production in general.     

北疆苜蓿属植物繁育系统的研究

采用等位酶技术，对北疆苜蓿属植物种群的繁育系统进行了研究。结果表明，北疆苜蓿属植物种群为外繁育系统，黄花苜蓿、多变苜蓿、紫花苜蓿基因组成中杂合体过多，均保持较低的自交结实率。参试苜蓿属植物表现某种程度的内繁育衰退现象，地理或生殖隔离等因素可能是导致个别种群出现内繁育衰退现象的原因之一。对北疆苜蓿属遗传资源保护时，既要选择遗传基础丰富的种和种群以保持最多的遗传变异，还要注意选择具有不同等位的种群以保持原有的基因和基因频率。     

Assessing the potential impacts of alternative landscape designs on amphibian population dynamics

An individual-based, spatially explicit population model was used to predict the consequences of future land-use alternatives for populations of four amphibian species in two central Iowa (midwest USA) agricultural watersheds. The model included both breeding and upland habitat and incorporated effects of climatic variation and demographic stochasticity. Data requirements of the model include life history characteristics, dispersal behavior, habitat affinities, as well as land use and landcover in geographic information systems databases. Future scenarios were ranked according to change in breeder abundance, saturation, and distribution, compared to baseline conditions. Sensitivity of simulation results to changes in model parameters was also examined. Simulated results suggest that while all four species modeled are likely to persist under present and future scenario conditions, two may be more at risk from future landscape change. Although the study species are all widespread generalists regarded as having a low conservation priority, they depend on wetlands and ponds, increasingly endangered habitats in agricultural landscapes. Broader conservation strategies in the region would ensure that these currently common organisms do not become the endangered species of the future.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chromosomal and Plasmid Diversity of Agrobacterium Strains Isolated from Ficus benjamina Tumors

Agrobacteria were previously isolated from tumors developing on branches and aerial and hypogeous roots of weeping fig plants in Italy and in The Netherlands. A representative group of 48 strains was analyzed by PCR–RFLP of 16S and 16S + IGS ribosomal regions, PCR–RFLP of six Ti plasmid (pTi) regions and characterized for plasmid content. Two groups of agrobacteria were separated by cluster analysis of PCR–RFLP profiles of rrs gene: seventeen strains were similar to the new species Agrobacterium larrymoorei, while the remaining strains were included within the agrobacterium biovar 1 group. Sixteen different plasmid profiles from one to five plasmids were observed. In addition, 21 ribotypes and 20 pTi structures were arranged in many different combinations, showing that fig agrobacteria were characterized by a wide heterogeneity. A general lack of correlation between strain ribotypes and plasmid content was observed.     

多年生人工草地矮生嵩草(Kobresia humilis)种群空间格局与种内关联性

植物种群空间分布格局不仅反映植物的空间分布特点,还有助于研究者了解植物利用资源的现状和生存能力。本研究以矮生嵩草(Kobresia humilis)为研究对象,按株丛斑块面积将矮生嵩草分为小斑块级株丛(0～30 cm²)、中斑块级株丛(30～80 cm²)和大斑块级株丛(>80 cm²)3个株丛级,采用点格局分析的g函数统计方法,分析了矮生嵩草各级株丛的空间格局及关联性。结果表明：矮生嵩草种群中小斑块级株丛占比高于中斑块、大斑块级株丛占比,种群中幼苗充足,正处于稳定的增长阶段;矮生嵩草小斑块、中斑块、大斑块级株丛在小尺度范围内表现为聚集分布,随着尺度的增大,所有株丛斑块的聚集程度减弱,逐渐趋向于随机分布;小斑块与中斑块、大斑块的矮生嵩草株丛在小尺度内表现为正关联。斑块聚集分布和相互共存是矮生嵩草的一种生存策略。     

高大平房仓散装稻谷储粮害虫年消长动态研究

采用粮食多功能扦样器对重庆市铜梁国家粮食储备库高大平房仓储粮害虫的发生规律进行调查,结果表明高大平房仓内优势种群为玉米象和书虱,谷蠹和扁谷盗有少量发生,赤拟谷盗的发生很少;害虫发生绝大多数集中在表层和上层;粮仓中央多于四周;温度条件是影响害虫发生发展的主要因素.对储粮害虫种群数量进行相关性分析发现玉米象和书虱的种群数量与总虫数的相关性较高;从垂直分布规律看表层储粮害虫种群数量与总虫数的相关性最高;从水平分布规律看东南区域种群数量与总虫数的相关性最高,且绝大多数达到显著水平.     

发挥烟叶生产协会作用推进烟叶标准化生产

烟叶标准化生产充分发挥了标准化在规范烟叶生产、经营、管理和服务等方面工作的重要作用,是促进技术进步、提高烟叶整体生产水平和供给水平的有效手段。烟叶生产协会作为烟叶生产的重要组织形式,是推进烟叶标准化生产的新思路。目前各地已开展烟叶标准化生产示范项目,提高了烟叶生产规范程度,但由于各项标准的实施缺少有效的组织管理,烟叶生产规范程度不够明显。为此应充分发挥烟叶生产协会的作用,构建烟叶产业发展平台,以烟叶标准化生产示范基地依托,推进烟叶标准化生产。通过强化烟草部门与烟农的连接机制,加强烟叶标准化生产中各项技术的实施,形成＂公司＋协会＋农户＂的组织管理模式,以推进标准化建设的健康发展。     

中国北方野生雄绒螯蟹成蟹可食率和生化成分分析

比较了2017年10月由我国绥芬河、图们江和辽河采集的质量为80～160 g的野生雄绒螯蟹成蟹的组织系数、总可食率、可食组织中一般化学组成及脂肪酸组成.试验结果显示:(1)3个种群雄体性腺指数、肝胰腺指数和出肉率差异显著,但3个种群总可食率无显著差异(P>0.05).(2)就性腺而言,图们江种群水分含量最高,绥芬河种群...     

Worldwide rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) research: A bibliometric analysis during 2011–2021

Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) is the world?s second produced oilseed and accounts for nearly 12% of world major vegetable oil production. For the last 10 years, the production, planting area, and yield of rapeseed have been stable, with improvement of seed quality and especially seed oil content. This paper presented the worldwide rapeseed research by using the bibliometric analysis of papers published during the period 2011–2021. In total,7617 articles and reviews were included in this analysis. ...