Choosing an appropriate planting scheme for intensive apple gardens

This article describes the intensive planting of varieties of apples belonging to local and foreign selection in soil and climatic conditions of Tashkent region in 4 different (4.0x2.5; 4.0x2.0; 4.0x1.5 and 4.0x1.0 m.) planting schemes, mainly in varieties with low tree height and small branch size, the effect of planting schemes on tree habitat is small. In contrast, in varieties with high biological growth rate, the effect of planting schemes was found to be high. However, data have shown that as the length of the main branches in apple tree trees decreases, they cause an increase in ring-shaped fruit branches, which in turn affects the yield in the trees by reducing the feeding area.

Comparative morphological characteristics of spawning populations of Baikal omul (Coregonus migratorius, G.) in the Posolsky Sor, Selenga and Barguzin rivers

The morphological structure, size-age variability and dynamics of age-related fertility of producers of Baikal omul of pelagic, near-bottom and coastal morpho-ecological groups during the depressive state of the population were studied. There is an improvement in the indicators of the growth rate of fish, maturation and an increase in absolute individual fertility against the background of the dilution of the population and the release of the feeding area. A comparative characteristic of some morphological features of fish among morphological-ecological groups is given. The number of gill rakers on the first gill arch significantly distinguishes different morpho-ecological groups and ranges from 36 to 43 pieces for the near-bottom, from 40 to 46 pieces for the coastal and from 44 to 53 pieces for the pelagic morpho-ecological groups. It is noted that the spawning populations of the coastal and pelagic groups are mainly represented by young individuals. With age, the proportion of females increases in all groups. The largest indices of the pectoral, abdominal and anal fins, responsible for movement in the vertical plane, rotation and stop, are noted in the near-bottom group.

The Southern Ocean Exchange: porous boundaries between humpback whale breeding populations in southern polar waters

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a cosmopolitan species and perform long annual migrations between low-latitude breeding areas and high-latitude feeding areas. Their breeding populations appear to be spatially and genetically segregated due to long-term, maternally inherited fidelity to natal breeding areas. In the Southern Hemisphere, some humpback whale breeding populations mix in Southern Ocean waters in summer, but very little movement between Pacific and Atlantic waters has been identified to date, suggesting these waters constituted an oceanic boundary between genetically distinct populations. Here, we present new evidence of summer co-occurrence in the West Antarctic Peninsula feeding area of two recovering humpback whale breeding populations from the Atlantic (Brazil) and Pacific (Central and South America). As humpback whale populations recover, observations like this point to the need to revise our perceptions of boundaries between stocks, particularly on high latitude feeding grounds. We suggest that this “Southern Ocean Exchange” may become more frequent as populations recover from commercial whaling and climate change modifies environmental dynamics and humpback whale prey availability.

Development of adaptive technology for cultivation and processing of rosebay willow-herb (Chamaenérionangustifolium)

The propagation methods of rosebay willow-herb were studied on the basis of theoretical and experimental studies, the optimal size of the feeding area of one plant in a field was described and established. The efficiency of cultivating these plants depending on the time of sowing in winter greenhouses and the field planting scheme was determined, scientific and practical justification of the feasibility of cultivating rosebay willow-herb as a raw material for the processing industry in the North-Eastern part of Tambov Region was given in order to obtain dry vegetable concentrate for the production of soft drinks, syrups, natural additives for functional enrichment of food products. A non-waste concentrate production technology was developed and implemented using gentle modes and intensive processes, such as two-stage vacuum-pulse drying, vacuum extraction.

Development of technology elements for growing leek seedlings for open ground in the Non-Chernozem zone

Relevance and methods. Leek is one of the most promising onion crops for industrial cultivation in the Non-Chernozem zone, which has medicinal properties and high nutritional value. The results of studying the technological features of leek cultivation in the open ground of the Moscow region are presented. The studies were carried out in 2019-2020 on the territory of the “Vegetable Experimental Station named after V.I. Edelstein". We studied the influence of the feeding area of leek seedlings on the biometric parameters of plants and the quality of products. The object of the study is the variety Karantansky, experimental options: 1) seedling feeding area – 6 cm2 (control), 2) seedling feeding area – 8 cm2 , 3) seedling feeding area – 10 cm2 . The objects of research to study the content of ascorbic acid were leek varieties: late-ripening – Karantansky (standard), Bandit, Dobry Molodets, mid-ripening – Columbus, Hobot slona.Results. It is noted that the feeding area during the seedling period does not significantly affect the biometric parameters of leek plants: leaf area, plant weight, leek pseudostems diameter. Therefore, during the period of growing seedlings, from the point of view of rational use of the area in the seedling department, it is recommended to use the minimum feeding area – 6 cm2 . It was also found that the studied varieties accumulate ascorbic acid in different ways in various plant organs. The maximum content of ascorbic acid was noted in the leek pseudostems of the control late-ripening variety Karantanskiy – 23.6 mg%. The minimum values are for Dobry Molodets (11.8 mg%) and Hobot Slona (11.9 mg%).

Identification of Chronic Stress Biomarkers in Dairy Cows

Stress in dairy herds can occur from multiple sources. When stress becomes chronic because of a long duration and inability of animals to adapt, it is likely to affect the emotional state, health, immunity, fertility and milk production of cows. While assessing chronic stress in herds would be beneficial, no real consensus has emerged from the literature regarding the indicators of interest. The goal of this study was to compare and evaluate potential biomarkers for chronic stress after inducing stress over a 4-week period through severe overstocking, restricted access to feed and punctual unusual events. A total of 30 cows were involved in the experiment and two similar groups were constituted. Over a 4-week period, the 15 cows of the stress group were housed in overstocked conditions, with 4.6 m² per cow, including resting and feeding areas. In this area, only 7 individual places at the feeding area were available for the 15 cows to generate competition for feed access. Once weekly and during 2 hours, an additional stress was induced by moving cows to an unfamiliar barn and diffusion of stressing noises (dog barking). Meanwhile, the 15 cows of the control group stayed in the original barn, with more than 10 m² per cow and more individual places at the feeding area than cow number. On a weekly basis, several variables considered as potential biomarkers for chronic stress were recorded. Collected data were analyzed using single trait linear repeated mixed models. No differences were observed regarding milk yield, bodyweight of cows or body condition score but the milk loss was more pronounced in the stress group. Whereas no differences were observed in terms of activity between the groups, the standard deviation of activity per cow per week was higher and the rumination of cows was lower in the stress group. The heart rate was lower in the stress group and showed more heterogeneity at the end of the stress period. No differences were observed regarding salivary cortisol, blood glucose, β-endorphin, thyroxine and leucocyte profile. A higher level of hair cortisol and blood fructosamine were observed in the stress group at the end of the stress period. Among the variables highlighted, milk losses and fructosamine were not specific biomarkers for stress while heart rate variables were difficult to collect in practice, consequently the hair cortisol content seemed to be the most promising indicator to assess chronic stress at a large scale.

Migratory connections among breeding grounds off the Eastern Pacific and feeding areas in the Antarctic Peninsula based on genotype matching

We analysed 114 DNA samples collected in different locations within the stock G breeding grounds, including Ecuador and the northern and southern Pacific of Colombia. We genotyped 15 microsatellite loci, sexed all samples, and performed genotype comparisons. Genotype comparisons were done using a DNA register of previously genotyped individuals from the Colombian breeding ground and the Antarctic Peninsula feeding Area. We confirmed connectivity between feeding grounds in Antarctic Peninsula and breeding grounds in Colombia and Ecuador using microsatellite loci. We found recaptures within each sampling location in the same year, but we also found a few recaptures in the same locations between years both in breeding and feeding grounds. Interestingly, we found recaptures between breeding and feeding grounds using samples collected 20 years apart, providing some information about longevity in this stock. Further comparisons with other data sets (Brazil, North Pacific) are needed to understand the migratory connectivity of this stock.

Assessing Influence Factors on Daily Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Concentrations from an Open-Sided Cubicle Barn in Hot Mediterranean Climate

Measurement of gas concentrations constitutes basic knowledge for the computation of emissions from livestock buildings. Although it is well known that hot climate conditions increase gas emissions, in the literature the relation between gas concentrations from open barns and animal-related parameters has not been investigated yet. This study aimed at filling this gap by evaluating daily gas concentrations within an open-sided barn in hot Mediterranean climate. The influence of microclimatic parameters (MC) and cow behavior and barn management (CBBM) were evaluated for ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Results showed that both MC and CBBM affected concentrations of NH3 (p < 0.02), CH4 (p < 0.001), and CO2 (p < 0.001). Higher values of NH3 concentration were detected during the cleaning of the floor by a tractor with scraper, whereas the lowest NH3 concentrations were recorded during animal lying behavior. Measured values of CO2 and CH4 were highly correlated (C = 0.87–0.89) due to the same sources of production (i.e., digestion and respiration). The different management of the cooling systems during the two observation periods reduced significantly CH4 concentrations in the barn when the cooling system in the feeding area was switched off. Based on methodological choices due to the specific barn typology, parameters related to animals can provide information on the variation of gas concentrations in the barn environment in hot climate conditions.