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.     

Getting cosy in freshwater: Assumed to be brackish pike are not so brackish after all

Pike (Esox lucius) occupy coastal streams and rivers of the Baltic Sea, where they attain large sizes (>5 kg). These large sizes are perhaps due to the fact that they can tolerate relatively high salinities and can thus forage in the nearby more productive brackish environments. In an attempt to quantify the extent to which pike utilise brackish environments, and to provide some insight into the underlying causes for brackish water migrations, we tagged 30 pike from a western Baltic river with acoustic transmitters and were able to track 21 individuals for 1 year. Based on experienced from local anglers, this population was assumed to be brackish in nature, where individuals underwent freshwater migrations to spawn. Our findings however suggest that the smallest and most active individuals make short exits into brackish waters and do so on rare occasions. Our results further indicate that neither sex nor size is related to activity level. We suggest that these patterns reflect two distinct behaviours—active and passive—and that large pike can be supported by the food availability in the river, without the need to venture into coastal zones, thus defying the conventional view that Baltic pike are all brackish in nature.     

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.     

饥饿、季节及性别对大鲵肌肉、肝脏生化成分的影响

季节会影响到大鲵肌肉的脂肪及钙的含量,肝脏的脂肪、钙及游离氨基酸的含量,饥饿对肌肉的酸化成分不产生影响,但饥饿程度的增加,会对肝脏脂肪无氮浸出物及游离氨基酸产生影响;繁殖前雌性大鲵的肌肉肝脏的肪肪含量均高于雄性的。     

奶牛繁殖疾病的调控

本文综述了奶牛繁殖疾病的发病原因和调控措施，分析认为奶牛的营养状况是影响奶牛繁殖力的重要因素。理想的奶牛管理应做到整个泌乳期始终监测奶牛的体况和奶牛日粮中微量元素的维生素的含量，避免营养素的不平衡而引发的奶牛繁殖障碍，同时应避免奶牛过肥或过瘦。适当补充某些维生素和矿物质十分重要。     

仔猪初生重与产仔季节的相关性研究

实验以杜洛克×米猪杂交母猪为研究对象,采用大约克公猪配种,经2年研究分析了282窝3001头新生仔猪样本。结果表明:仔猪初生重呈现明显的季节性变化。春、夏、秋、冬出生仔猪的平均初生体重分别为1.101kg、1.049kg、1.152kg、1.163kg,其中春季和夏季分别显著低于秋季和冬季(P<0.05)。仔猪初生重的均匀度以春、冬季最佳。但供试母猪的妊娠期、产活仔数和初生窝重没有类似变化,提示仔猪初生重的这种季节性变化不是由这些因素所致,而很可能与不同季节的环境温度、光照周期以及动物的内分泌特点有关。子宫内生长阻滞(IUGR)的新生仔猪的比例在夏季为10.12%,显著高于秋季的4.83%(P<0.05),证明母猪妊娠后期的热应激会严重阻碍胚胎发育。     

母猪高效预混合饲料饲养试验

本试验为考察新研制的４９２５／４９２６母猪系列预混合饲料的饲养效果，在母猪胎次、体况和饲养管理条件下似、基础饲料相同条件下，分别与金牧３８６３／３８６４、康地５７４３／５７４４两种母猪系列预混料进行饲养试验。入试头数分别为２３头、３５头。结果表明：①４９２５／４９２６组较３８６４／３９６４组，窝产活仔数、初生窝重、断奶窝重分别提高０．５头／窝、０．９ｋｇ／窝、４．２５ｋｇ／窝；哺乳期母猪头平少失重     

冷季型草坪草建植管理技术研究

采用正交设计进行施肥里、刈割高度、播量，草坪草品种4因素4水平试验，通过测定草坪草越冬率，越夏率，成坪时间，叶绿素，杂草盖度，生长度，初步筛选出不同目的冷季型草坪草的建植管理方案。     

冬春季莱芜黑山羊松果体功能状态的免疫组织化学比较

应用5-HT免疫组织化学染色法，对冬春两季的莱芜黑山羊松果体进行了观察比较，以探讨松果体与下丘脑垂体-性腺轴的关系。结果显示，莱芜黑山羊松果体内存在大量5-HT阳性的松果体细胞及5-HT纤维；冬季松果体阳性细胞面积及阳性面积比都明显大于春季（P〈0．01），平均光密度在冬、春季间无明显差异（P〉0．05）。表明莱芜黑山羊松果体的功能活动呈现季节性变化，与羊的繁殖活动关系密切。