In vitro studies of Norwegian Red bovine semen immobilized and cryopreserved in alginate solid gel network

Development of new semen cryopreservation techniques improving sperm survival and ensuring availability of viable spermatozoa for a prolonged time‐period after AI is promising tools to reduce sensitivity of timing of AI and enhance overall fertility. The SpermVital^® technology utilizes immobilization of bull spermatozoa in a solid network of alginate gel prior to freezing, which will provide a gradual release of spermatozoa after AI. The objective of this study was to compare post‐thaw sperm quality and in vitro sperm survival over time of Norwegian Red bull semen processed by the SpermVital^® (SV) technology, the first commercialized production line of SpermVital^® (C) and by conventional procedure applying Biladyl^® extender (B). Post‐thaw sperm motility was not significantly different between SV, C and B semen (p > .05). However, sperm viability and acrosome intactness were higher for SV than C and B semen (p < .05). Small differences in DNA quality were observed (p < .05). Sperm viability after storage in uterus ex vivo was higher for SV than for C semen (p < .05). Furthermore, sperm survival in vitro over time at physiological temperature was significantly higher for SV semen than C semen as well as B semen during the incubation period of 48 hr (p < .05). In conclusion, the SpermVital^® technology is improved and is more efficient in conserving post‐thaw sperm quality and results in higher sperm viability over time in vitro for SV than for C and B semen.     

Sewage sludge processing determines its impact on soil microbial community structure and function

Composting and thermal drying are amongst the most commonly used post-digestion processes for allowing sanitation and biological stabilization of sewage sludge from municipal treatment plants, and making it suitable as soil conditioner for use in agriculture. To assess the impact of sludge-derived materials on soil microbial properties, fresh (LAF), composted (LAC) and thermally dried (LAT) sludge fractions, each resulting from a different post-treatment process of a same aerobically digested sewage sludge, were added at 1% (w/w) application rate on two contrasting (a loam and a loamy sand) soils and incubated under laboratory conditions for 28 days. Soil respiration, microbial ATP content, hydrolytic activities and arginine ammonification rate were monitored throughout the incubation period. Results showed that soil biochemical variables, including the metabolic quotient (qCO₂), were markedly stimulated after sludge application, and the magnitude of this stimulatory effect was dependent on sludge type (precisely LAT > LAF > LAC), but not on soil type. This effect was related to the content of stable organic matter, which was lower in LAT. Genetic fingerprinting by PCR–DGGE revealed that compositional shifts of soil bacterial and, at greater extent, actinobacterial communities were responsive to the amendment with a differing sludge fraction. The observed time-dependent changes in the DGGE profiles of amended soils reflected the microbial turnover dependent on the sludge nutrient input, whereas no indications of adverse effects of sludge-borne contaminants were noted. Our findings indicate that composting rather thermal drying can represent a more appropriate post-digestion process to make sewage sludge suitable for use as soil conditioner in agriculture.     

高粱光敏色素A基因的克隆、蛋白结构与长短日照诱导表达模式

光敏色素是一类红光/远红光受体,对植物光形态建成、外部形态和生理功能等方面起着重要的调节作用。为明晰光敏色素A在调控高粱光形态建成发育过程中的作用,本研究比较分析光温敏感程度不同的高粱品种Btx623、Rio、Tx430和LH645的PhyA基因序列和PHYA蛋白的保守结构域,利用qRT-PCR明确长短日照条件处理下PhyA基因的表达模式。结果表明,Btx623、Rio和Tx430之间PhyA基因序列存在非同义突变,LH645在PhyA基因的第7个外显子上插入了5 bp碱基序列;高粱PhyA蛋白中含有1个PAS-2结构域、1个GAF结构域、1个Phytochrome结构域、2个PAS结构域、1个组氨酸激酶A结构域和1个类似组氨酸激酶的ATP激酶结构;遗传进化树分析表明,单子叶和双子叶植物PhyA蛋白明显聚为2大类,高粱PhyA、谷子PhyA和玉米PhyA1、PhyA2聚为一个亚类,相互间亲缘关系较近,与水稻PhyA同源性相对较远;在短日照(SD)条件下各时期PhyA基因转录水平变化显著,Rio PhyA基因转录水平较Btx623和Tx430变化明显,LH645 PhyA基因转录变化不显著,在长日照(LD)条件下Rio PhyA基因转录水平低于Btx623和Tx430,LH645 PhyA基因转录水平变化不显著。以上结果表明,PhyA受光周期诱导,推测其在高粱光形态建成中起重要调控作用。本研究为进一步解析PhyA基因功能及其在调控高粱光形态建成发育过程中的作用提供理论基础。     

Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils using Phosphogypsum and Rice Straw Compost

The application of soil amendments to immobilize heavy metals is a promising technology to meet the requirements for environmentally sound and cost‐effective remediation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the result of phosphogypsum (PG) used alone and in combination with compost (CP) at a mix ratio of 1:1 wet weight ratio (PG + CP) at 10 and 20 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil, on heavy metal immobilization in contaminated soil and on canola growth. The results revealed that the Pb, Cd and Zn uptake of canola plants was reduced by the application of PG alone and when it was mixed with CP as compared with untreated soil. At an application rate of 10 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil of (PG + CP) the dry weight of canola plants increased by 66·8% was increased in comparison with its weight in the untreated soil. The addition of PG alone resulted in more pronounced immobilization of heavy metal as compared with PG mixed with CP. Plant growth was improved with CP addition, but heavy metals immobilization was the greatest in PG alone treatments. Results suggest that PG may be useful for the immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

半干旱草甸草地不同处理下植被特征与土壤酶活性的变化

不同草地处理措施对植被和土壤会产生重要的影响。为探究不同草地处理措施对草甸草地的影响,以科尔沁草甸草地不同点为研究对象,设置围封（UNM）、围封+刈割（M）、围封+火烧（F）、放牧（G）4种处理,针对生长季土壤脲酶（S-UE）、碱性磷酸酶（S-AKP）、蔗糖酶（S-SC）活性和植被特征等开展研究,以探究草甸草地的最佳处理方式。结果显示：1）土壤酶活性随着土层深度的增加而降低,不同处理间的差异随着土层深度增加逐渐降低。2）放牧较围封处理,不同点植被高度、盖度、地上生物量和酶活性均降低,而丰富度指数增加。3）刈割较围封处理,不同功能群物种的补偿能力不同,禾本科的补偿能力大于菊科。4）火烧较围封处理,不同点植被高度、盖度、地上生物量、丰富度指数和3种水解酶活性均增加。5）多年刈割较放牧处理,植被高度、盖度和地上生物量和蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶活性均增加,丰富度指数和土壤脲酶活性均降低。综上所述,控制性火烧是半干旱地区草甸草地的最佳处理方式。     

Energy Assessement for Procedure Rationality of Recycling Materials from Wastes

The mathematical relationship for assessing total energy consumption within a material life cycle is presented in this paper. According to the relationship,the procedure rationality of recycling waste may be assessed quantitatively.     

Effect of drying on soil strength and corn emergence

Summary Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of drying on soil strength and corn emergence (Zea mays L.). Corn was germinated in Billings silty clay under a bank of heat lamps which operated 9, 14, 19, or 24 h per day. Soil strength (modules of rupture), soil moisture content and emergence were measured daily.The relationship of soil strength to corn seedling emergence as influenced by the four light and heat durations and bare and mulched soil surfaces was determined. As soil strength increased emergence decreased until it ceased at soil strengths of about 80 kPa. Strength of this soil had a high negative correlation with soil water content and increased with time. Mulching decreased initial rate of drying, decreased crust strength, and improved corn emergence. The 14-hour light and heat treatment resulted in the highest corn emergence.Contribution from Colorado State Experiment Station, USDA-ARS Snake River Conservation Research Center, and USDA-ARS Fort Collins, respectively