Does matrix resistance influence Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) distribution in an urban landscape?

In determining isolation effects in fragmented populations, the landscape matrix is not often considered. Usually simple distance measures are used to quantify degree of isolation. We tested the effect of the matrix on the presence of red squirrels in 354 wooded patches in the Brussels Region, by comparing several isolation measures. These were 1) distance to the nearest source patch, 2) the Hanski-measure (a combination of distance to and size of all possible sources), 3) effective distances calculated from different least cost models using the ArcView grid extension ‘Cost Distance’ (a combination of distance and resistance of the landscape, with different resistances for different landscape types) and 4) some combinations of the Hanski-measure and the effective distances. Size and quality of the target patches were always included in the tests of the predictive power of different isolation measures on squirrel presence/absence. All variables examined (patch size, quality and isolation) significantly influenced squirrel presence. Models using the effective distances gave the best results. Models including the Hanski-measure improved significantly when Euclidean distance was replaced by effective distance, showing that parameterisation of matrix resistance added significant additional explanatory power when modelling squirrel presence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synergism between potassium sorbate dips and brief exposure to high CO2 or O2 at curing temperature for the control of citrus postharvest green and blue molds

Synergistic effects and very effective control of citrus postharvest green and blue molds, caused by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum, respectively, were observed on artificially inoculated ‘Valencia’ oranges and ‘Clemenules’ and ‘Ortanique’ mandarins after a potassium sorbate (PS) treatment was followed by 2 days of storage in atmospheres of elevated CO₂ or O₂ at a curing temperature. A combined treatment consisting of 60-s dips in aqueous solutions of 3% PS heated to 62 °C was followed by 48-h exposure to air, 15 kPa CO₂ or 30 kPa O₂ at 33 °C. Control treatment was a 60-s water dip at 20 °C followed by 24-h exposure to air at 20 °C. Synergism was observed on citrus fruit either incubated at 20 °C for up to 22 days, simulating direct commercialization, or stored at 5 °C for up to 45 days, simulating commercial cold storage. This research offers potential new tools to the citrus industry for implementation of nonpolluting integrated postharvest disease management programs, especially devoted to high added value organic markets or export markets with zero residue tolerance.     

基于对数相似度约束Otsu的自然场景病害果实图像分割

针对自然场景下,由于复杂背景以及多变环境,水果病害果实图像分割难的问题,提出了一种基于对数相似度约束Otsu和水平集活动轮廓的近椭圆形病害果实图像分割方法。考虑背景的复杂多变,提出对数相似度约束Otsu分割来区分病害果实与背景;由于水平集活动轮廓模型的局部最优性,提出采用自适应膨胀系数的改进距离规则水平集活动轮廓模型来精确演化轮廓。先对病害果实区域样本的颜色进行混合高斯建模,获得整个病害果实图像与样本模型的对数相似度;对对数相似度进行约束Otsu阈值分割以及形态学滤波;采用最小二乘法对滤波后的曲线轮廓进行椭圆拟合,对拟合后的椭圆采用自适应膨胀系数的距离规则水平集活动轮廓演化,得到病害果实完整轮廓。对18个不同场景的病害果实进行分割,平均误判率和漏判率分别为1.77%和1.6%,实验结果表明,该方法可以从复杂自然场景图像中分割出病害果实。     

制动器耗散功率原理在ABS标定匹配中的应用

为解决ABS逻辑门限值方法匹配成本高、周期长的问题,将制动器耗散功率原理应用于匹配中.结合逻辑门限值与制动器耗散功率的各自优点,将制动器耗散功率原理能自适应识别各种路面状况的特点应用于匹配中;根据制动器耗散功率极大值对应的滑移率略小于临界滑移率且相差不大的原理,采用制动器耗散功率极大值对应的滑移率代替峰值附着系数对应的滑移率对ABS进行控制;滑移率与制动器耗散功率曲线获得较为简单,因此可以大大提高匹配效率.经过实车匹配验证,本方法提高了匹配效率和控制质量,节约了匹配成本.     

离树间距对枣麦间作小麦光合特性及产量的影响

为了解离树间距对枣麦间作小麦光合特性及产量的影响,分析了单作(D0)小麦及距离枣树90cm、110cm、130cm(D1、D2、D3)的间作小麦光合、LAI、分蘖及产量特点。结果表明,在灌浆期D0和D2、D3处理下小麦净光合速率比D1处理分别高13.04%、8.99%、11.73%,D0、D2和D3处理的小麦气孔导度比D1分别高21.43%、9.52%、16.67%,而各处理间蒸腾速率和胞间CO2浓度无明显差异。从拔节期至成熟期,不同处理间的小麦单株茎数、单株分蘖数、LAI和单株干物质积累量存在显著差异,表现为D0D3D2D1。D0和D3处理下小麦穗数、穗粒数、千粒重均显著高于D2和D1;小麦产量表现为D0D3D2D1,D0处理比D1、D2、D3处理分别高25.78%、16.49%和6.70%。枣麦间作下,距离枣树越远,小麦植株光合性状表现越好,产量也较高,因此优化枣麦株行距配置有利于小麦产量的增加。     

Postharvest quality response of strawberries with aloe vera coating during refrigerated storage

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were coated either with chitosan (1, 1.5, and 2% solution, w/v) or aloe vera (AV) gel and the coatings were air dried. Coated strawberries were put in a polypropylene box and stored in refrigerator (6 ± 1°C and 50 ± 5% relative humidity. The success of coating in retaining the postharvest quality of the strawberries was evaluated by determining respiration rate, firmness, weight loss, external colour change, ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids, acidity, pH, microbial decay and sensory quality. The incidence of microbial rot started on day-6 in uncoated and 1% chitosan coated strawberries. Strawberries coated with 1.5 and 2% chitosan were affected by microbial decay on day-9 of storage. On the other hand, rot incidence was initiated in AV gel coated strawberries on day-15 of storage. Aloe vera gel or chitosan coating reduced respiration rate, weight loss, and microbial decay and preserved firmness, ascorbic acid content, and other quality parameters, thus delaying ripening and the progress of fruit decay due to senescence or microbial attack. Furthermore, AV gel delayed the changes in external colour and retained all other postharvest quality of strawberries compared to chitosan coated or uncoated ones throughout the storage.     

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Two Euschistus spp. Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Southeastern Farmscapes

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are ubiquitous, cryptic, phytophagous pests that are found in many crops. In agroecosystems, individuals disperse from adjacent noncrop hosts and tend to aggregate or cluster within fields. In this study, we characterized the distribution of Euschistus servus (Say) and Euschistus tristigmus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) over 2 yr at three southeastern United States farmscapes. Stink bugs were captured in pheromone-baited traps, and Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices (SADIE) used to identify the location of significant aggregations by habitat type and season. Euschistus servus adults were more likely to be captured in pecan orchards, cotton, other crops, or unmanaged habitats than in woodland habitats. Significant aggregations of E. servus were detected in a variety of habitats including pecan, corn, cotton, peanut, and tobacco, as well as fallow and hay fields, pastures, and hedgerows. Fewer adult E. tristigmus were captured than E. servus adults, and E. tristigmus adults were typically trapped and aggregated in woodland habitats. The resulting data provide an important understanding regarding the seasonal movement and relative abundance levels of stink bug populations, which are critical to the development of integrated pest management strategies.     

Role of basidiomycete fungi in the grapevine trunk disease esca

Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and wood-rotting basidiomycete fungi, namely Fomitiporia spp., are known esca pathogens. However, the effect of their mixed infections and the sequence of infection on disease development is unclear. To determine the effects of single and co-inoculations on symptoms, potted Vitis vinifera ‘Crimson Seedless’ was inoculated with P. chlamydospora either alone or in combination with one of four basidiomycetes: Coprinellus radians, Fomitiporia langloisii, F. polymorpha and the novel species Tropicoporus texanus. Basidiomycetes were isolated from vines with foliar symptoms of esca in California and Texas. In sequential co-inoculations, the effects of different sequences of infection (P. chlamydospora first, basidiomycete 6 months later; and vice versa) were tested, compared to simultaneous co-inoculations. Plants inoculated with P. chlamydospora either alone or in combination with a basidiomycete (in any sequence) did not differ significantly in the length of black-streaking lesions. In plants inoculated only with a basidiomycete, the appearance of large brown lesions, coupled with the absence of this wood symptom from control plants, suggests that C. radians, F. langloisii and T. texanus are pathogenic. Foliar symptoms resembling those of esca in the field (marginal and/or interveinal scorching, combined with red and/or yellow discoloration) were statistically more frequent among plants inoculated with F. polymorpha or T. texanus, either simultaneously or following P. chlamydospora, compared to single inoculations. Sequential co-inoculations of a basidiomycete before or after P. chlamydospora were associated with similar lesion lengths, suggesting that basidiomycetes may not require infection by P. chlamydospora in order to extensively colonize the wood.     

植物残体的化学组成及土壤水分条件对新形成腐殖质组成和性质的影响

1.在相同的腐解条件下,不同物料腐解产物的 C/有机 N 比值和 HA/FA 因物料种类而异。2.与旱地条件下的相比,田菁、草木樨、紫云英在水田条件下腐解产物的 C/有机N 比值较宽,而稻草和绿萍的则相反。3.土壤水分条件和植物残体的化学组成对腐解产物的氮素形态分布没有明显影响。4.在其它条件相同时,与旱地条件下的相比,渍水条件下腐解产物的 HA/FA 大多较宽,而胡敏酸的光密度(E_4)值则较小。     

不同腐烂程度毛竹蔸微生物变化规律

研究不同腐烂程度毛竹蔸中的微生物菌群,结果发现细菌对数值最低为5.477,最高为7.380;真菌对数值最低为5.301,最高为6.903;放线菌对数值最低为5.740,最高为7.000;纤维素降解菌对数值最低为4.301,最高为6.477;木质素降解菌最低为4.415,最高为6.799。毛竹蔸腐烂过程中,前期各菌增长较快;中期细菌、真菌、放线菌对数值不断变化;后期菌对数值都较高;各菌之间存在着一定的协助和竞争。了解竹林砍伐前期的竹蔸腐烂规律,可为砍伐后的竹蔸降解提供参考,同时为竹蔸微生物在种级单位上的分离提供依据。