Supporting of Potential Forage Production to the Herbivore-based Pastoral Farming Industry on the Loess Plateau

For the purpose of contributing to the establishment of optimized eco-productive paradigm, a new layout of land use of the Loess Plateau was carried out and the associated forage potential was estimated. Results indicated that the percentages of the area of grassland, woodland, basic farmland and orchard to the total productive land area were 44%, 22%, 20% and 14% respectively according to this new land use scenario. Based on the datasets of 197 counties in the Loess Plateau, the estimated forage potential would amount to 104 881 028 ton/a (hay), which can raise 104 881 028 productivity sheep unit/ a. According to the unchanged price in 1999, pastoral gross product value would amount to 52 440.51 million yuan RMB/a, which is as much as 5.3 times of that in 1999 and exceeds the agricultural gross product in 1999 by 14%. In addition, there are ca. 59% of counties whose mean pastoral product value per person would be more than 1 000 yuan RMB/a, while ca. 41% of counties whose mean pastoral product value per person would be less than 1 000 yuan RMB/a. On the other hand, the estimated agricultural gross product on the Loess Plateau would amount to 11 472 2.34 million yuan RMB/a and ca. 46% of the total would come from pastoral industry, 27% from orchid industry, 14% from forestry and 13% from farmland. From the perspective both ecologically and economically, this paper holds that the herbi-vore-based pastoral industry is a promising industry bolstering the ecological improvement and economical development on the Loess Plateau.

Embryological Studies on Facultative Apomixis in Apluda mutica (Gramineae)

A cytological study on Apluda mutica L. revealed that this species was a facultative apomict with 60.74% of apomictic embryo sac formation. Its sexual reproduction exhibited the characteristics of polygonum_type embryo sac formation. After the 3 megaspores at the micropylar end had degenerated, leaving only the chalazal megaspore in the nucellus, a nucellar cell adjacent to the megaspore differentiated into an aposporous initial, which later developed into a panicum_type embryo sac. It was an aposporous 4_nucleate embryo sac without chromosome reduction and composed of an egg, a single synergid and a central cell with 2 polar nuclei. The chalazal megaspore degenerated before the onset of the division in the aposporous initial cell.

Ecological Regionalization of Suitable Trees, Shrubs and Herbages for Vegetation Restoration in the Farming-Pastoral Zone of Northern China

To provide materials for the selection of plant species for vegetation restoration and reconstruction in the farming-pastoral zone in northern China, where the eco-environment has been already deteriorated by over-farming and over-grazing, the suitable trees, shrubs and herbages were examined, screened and identified under the guidance of four principles of taking precedence for ecological conservation, being beneficial to economic production, matching species (trees, shrubs and herbages) with the site, and giving consideration to the integrity of local administrative division. According to the key ecological factors that determine species growth and distribution in the zone, i.e., the lowest daily mean temperature in a year, annual accumulated temperature, and water regimes represented by the moist index, the ratio between annual rainfall and accumulated temperature (>0 degreesC), as well as the soil type influenced by climate, surface substances and landform, the farming-pastoral zone was regionalized into seven parts: ( I) Western Songliao Plain and Da Hinggan Mountain Region; (II) Upper Liaohe River Sandy Region; (III) Mid-Eastern Nei Mongol Plateau and Northwestern Heibei Mountain Region; (IV) Luliang, Taihang and Yanshan Mountain Region; ( V) Ordos Plateau Sandy Region; (VI) Northern Shaanxi to Eastern Gansu Loess Plateau Region; and (VII) Mid Gansu to Eastern Qinghai Plateau Loess Region. And the suitable trees, shrubs and herbages for each region were selected and tabularly introduced in detail.

Circulation Technology and Model of Agroforestry and Animal Husbandry

On basis of analysis on agroforestry-animal husbandry ecosystem characters, the research explored nutrient flow model of material cycle and carbon cycle and agroforestry-animal husbandry mutualism model and supporting technology in Yangtze-Huaihe Region, taking Robinia pseudoacacia stand and rubber garden as an example.

Effects of Grassland Eco-Protection Compensation and Reward System

Grassland ecological protection compensation and reward policy is the largest-scale investment concerning themost extensive areas since foundation of the PRC. It will be the long-term implementationpolicy for grassland ecological protection. In this study,based on macro-perspective, the policy effects ofgrasslandproductivity, ecological protection, animal husbandryoutput, pastoralists＇ income were ana- lyzed. The resultsshow that, afterimplementation of the policy, naturalgrass production and grasslandtheoretical stocking rateincreased. The averagenatural grasslandlivestockoverloading ratedecreased significantly, comprehensivenationalgrasslandvegetation coverageis increasing. Besides, adult cattleandbeef yield arefluctuated. Sheep head, adult sheep, sheep production, milk productionincreasedin varying degrees. The per capita netincomeof farmers and pastoralists, livestock income, the proportion oflivestockincomewere higher than those beforeimplementation of the policy.

Grey Correlation Analysis of Physiological Traits Related to Drought Tolerance in Pennisetum sp.

The drought resistance of Pennisetum sp. was analyzed under different drought stress conditions simulated by various concentrations of PEG-6000. Changesofa series of indexes such as chlorophyll content, water content, relative electrical conductivity of osmotic solution, MDA content, proline content, soluble polysaccharide content and soluble protein content in the leaves were measured.The correlation of these indexes with the drought resistance of Pennisetum sp. was an- alyzed by the method of grey correlation analysis. The results showed that the chlorophyll, water content, relative electrical conductivity and soluble protein con- tentexhibited obvious negative correlation with the stress concentration, which de- creasedfollowing the increase of PEG-6000 concentration. The soluble polysaccha- ride contentshowed an increasing trend,the MDA content showed a rise at first fol- lowed by a declinetrend, while the prolinecontent was just opposite to MDA. The changes of the 3 indexes showed obvious positive correlation with thestress con- centration. The correlation of these indexes with the drought resistance of Pennise- tum sp. were ranked as follows： leaf water content （0.980 8）, chlorophyll content （0.967 9）, MDA content （0.876 0）, soluble polysaccharide content （0.839 5）, soluble protein content（0.827 5）, relative electrical conductivity of osmotic solution（0.670 8）, and proline content（0.571 3）.

Study on Physiological Activity of the Resistance of Medicago sativa to Thrips

[Objective] The experiment explored of resistance of different Medicago sativa through synthetic variations of all physiological indexes and the correlation analysis between physiological activity and damage degree after thrips damage. [Method] According to studying physiological activity (POD activity, SOD activity, PPO activity, PAL activity, MDA content and free proline content) of alfalfa in alfalfa resistance to different number of thrips, the correlation between physiological activity and resistance was investigated. [Result] It was shown that there were negative correlations among POD, SOD, PPO, PAL, MDA, free praline and the number of thrips, and there were negative correlations among POD, SOD, PPO, PAL, MDA, free praline and CAT. The content changes of POD,SOD,PPO,CAT,MDA and free proline in high resistant alfalfa were slow and PAL was quick and the activities of PPO,PAL,CAT were high, and the activities of POD、SOD were low. [Conclusion] The research provided theoretical basis and materials for identifying resistance varieties of alfalfa to thrip.

Establishment of Optimized Eco-productive Paradigm in the Farming-Pastoral Zone of Northern China

The farming-pastoral zone of northern China plays a dual role in ecological conditions and production and occupies an important position in the national economy. In this paper, the methodology of system engineering is introduced to construct and optimize an eco-productive paradigm system for the typical areas of the farming-pastoral zone. The system was constructed in the following steps: (1) design the framework of the paradigm system based on the data of physical site characteristics, biocommunities, production and economy, social culture and historical changes; (2) analyze the vegetation patterns, the interactions between vegetation and environmental factors (natural, social, economic, etc.) and the contributions of vegetation to the area, including the synthesis of the existing researches; and (3) provide the spatial arrangements of ecosystems and planning of each area, raise a comprehensive indicators of evaluation, evaluate the feasibility and soundness, and determine the optimum eco-productive paradigms for policy-makers which were land-use patterns within the threshold of ecological conservation. Three primitive paradigms of Maowusu (Mu Us) Ssandy Land, Loess Plateau and Huailai Basin in the farming-pastoral zone of northern China were proposed according to this paradigm system.

Integrated Application Technology of Feces Processing in Duck Farm at Scale Based on Configuration Technology

[Objective] The aim was to explore technology on processing feces in duck farms at scale, providing guiding method for effective control of environmental issues in breeding farms. [Methed] Bio-safety disposal and recovering processing of excrements in a duck farm were researched based on technology of configuration, detection, digestion, EM and poultry breeding. [Result] The integrated application technology is quite simple and the cost is not high. During breeding period, excellent organic fertilizers and high-protein forages could be obtained without any antibiotics. Furthermore, secondary wastes and pollution would not occur. In addition, ammonia was lower in excrements processed with earthworm and air pollution was reduced; the produced humus provided organic fertilizers and improved barren soils. [Conclusion] The research provides references of multi-technology integration for related industries.

Impact of grazing on soil, vegetation and ewe production performances in a semi-arid rangeland

Controlled grazing is considered a good management strategy to maintain or increase the live weight of livestock and to reduce vegetation degradation of rangelands. The present study investigated soil characteristics, aboveground vegetation biomass dynamics and controlled grazinginduced changes in the live weight of local ewes in the semi-arid rangeland of Ahmadun, Ziarat, Balochistanprovince of Pakistan. An area of 115 ha was protected from livestock grazing in April 2014. In June 2015, soil characteristics within 0-30 cm depth i.e. soil organic matter(SOM), mineral nitrogen, p H and texture in controlled and uncontrolled grazing sites were assessed. Aboveground vegetation biomass measured in early(June) and late summer(August) in 2015 and 2016. The nutritional value i.e. crude protein, phosphorus(P), neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg) and potassium(K) of dominantplant species were assessed at the beginning of experiment in 2015. Vegetation cover of controlled and uncontrolled grazing sites was also measured during the two years of the study period using the Veg Measure software. From June to November in2015 and 2016, controlled and uncontrolled livestock grazing sites were grazed on a daily basis by local ewes with a stocking rate of 2 and 1 head ha^(-1) respectively. Results reveal that the organic matter contents of coarse-textured, slightly alkaline soil of the study site were in the range of 9.4-17.6 g kg^(-1) soil and showed a strong positive correlation with aboveground vegetation biomass. The biomass of plants was 56.5% and 33% greater at controlled than uncontrolled grazing site in 2015 and 2016 respectively and plant cover was also higher at controlled than uncontrolled grazing site in both years The nutrient contents were significantly(P<0.05)lower in grasses than shrubs. In both years, the controlled grazing increased the weight gain of ewes about two folds compared to the uncontrolled grazing.The results indicate that controlled grazing improved the vegetation biomass production and small ruminant productivity.

The Status of the Ecological Prataculture and Sustainable Development Strategies in Guizhou Province

In accordance with the objective to construct a major province in grassland animal husbandry,the following ways were used for enhancing development,improving the scientific and technological content,increasing the scale of the industry and market development to set up our own ecological grass industry brand and finally reach sustainable development strategy.This paper discussed the status of Guizhou Province grass industry development from the grass industry resources,grassland and animal husbandry production,prataculture technology problem.

Sustainability of Transhumance Grazing Systems under Socio-economic Threats in Langtang,Nepal

The decline or loss of traditional social- ecological systems may induce adverse effects to the societies and ecosystems. Transhumance, the recurring and seasonal movement of grazing livestock, is increasingly constrained by a numbers of factors including policy, land use and soeio-economic changes in Nepal. To explore how these changes have affected the transhumance, this study investigated transhumance at the Langtang valley in central Nepal. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the herd size and composition, spatial-temporal patterns and to identify the major drivers of the system and the system changes. Data were collected from field study comprising semi-structured interviews with the herders, focus group discussions, key informants survey, and observations of rangeland and livestock management systems. The study revealed that the transhumanee system in the Langtang is influenced by two types of drivers. In one hand, traditional practices are contributing to the sustainability of the system. On the other hand, the grazing patterns and adaptive responses are strongly influenced by changes in government policies, socioeconomic and cultural transformation, livestock productivity, markets, rangeland conditions and climate change. The findings of this study help with the development and implementation of transhumance management policy for the sustainability.

A preliminary discussion on the construction of marine ranching in Tianjin

Introduces the development connotation,development ideas,practice history and future prospects of Tianjin Ocean Ranch under the background of the development of national marine pastures.Combine the development process of China's marine pastures with the practice of Tianjin Ocean Ranch,the development characteristics of Tianjin marine pastures are analyzed.It is concluded that,for the future construction of Tianjin Ocean Ranch,we can focus on promoting the transformation of marine development mode to recycling,and construct a marine space development pattern of land-sea coordination and human-sea harmony,in order to accelerate the realization of Tianjin's"One Base and Three Districts"objective.We will make greater contributions to the quality of a well-off society and the creation of a beautiful new environment in Tianjin.Modern marine pastures are a long-term,complex and scientific systematic project that requires great attention and attention from all walks of life.

Rangeland Privatization and Its Impacts on the Zoige Wetlands on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

The high Zoige Basin （Ruoergai Plateau） on the eastern Tibetan Plateau is a fault depression formed during intensive uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau. The wetland is globally important in biodiversity and is composed of marshes, bogs, fens, wet meadows and shallow water interspersed with low hills and sub-alpine meadows. Most of the Zoige wetlands have long been one of the most important grazing lands in China. Recent rangeland policy has allowed grazing, and usable wetland areas have been being legally allocated to individuals or groups of households on a long-term lease basis. Privatizafion of the wetland has impacted the Zoige wetlands in aspects of hydrologic condition, landscape and biodiversity. The uneven spatial distribution of water resources onprivatelands has led to the practice of extracting ground water, which has decreased the perched water table in Zoige. Fencing off the rangelands and grazing on expanding sand dunes have affected landscapes. Variation in the water table has led to the changes in vegetation diversity, resulting in the changes in wildlife and aquatic diversities and ecosystem processes. Making use all year round of the pasture that was previously grazed only in summer has shrunk the daily activity space of wildlife, and the newly erected fences blocked the movement of wild animals looking for food in the snow to lower and open areas. To maintain the favorable conditions of the Zoige wetland ecosystem, the author suggests that, in addition to biophysical research and implementation of conservation practices, there is an immediate need to initiate an integrated management program, increase public awareness of wetland functions and provide better training for the local conservation staff.

Herbage Production and Species Richness in Sub-alpine Grasslands of Different Soil Parent Material in Northern Greece

Several abiotic and biotic factors were investigated as possible predictors of local species richness in two sub-alpine grasslands of Jenna and Belles Mountains in Northern Greece.For species richness modelling a hierarchical modelling framework based on generalized additive models was adopted.The two sub-alpine grasslands differed in aspect,altitude and soil parent material(volcanic origin,mostly trachyte,and andesite(TA) for Jenna and metamorphic rocks,mostly gneiss(G) for Belles).12 fenced squared plots,16 m2 each,were used per grassland,where soil properties,herbage production,species presence and cover of grasses,legumes and forbs were estimated.Mean herbage production was significantly affected by slope and altitude,soil K content and floristic composition as expressed by an ordination axis.Soil p H,floristic composition and average herbage production were significant predictors of forbs and total species richness.For the former,soil N content and for the latter the occurrence of Agrostis capillaris,were also included as significant terms in the predictive model.Thepredictors for grasses species richness were N content,having a positive effect,and average herbage production.In all cases higher species richness was predicted for intermediate values of average herbage production.Differential responses were found between forbs and grasses.The predictors of their species richness were different while for the case of the common predictor(N) the responses of the two groups were also different(grasses species numbers increase and forbs species numbers decreased with increasing N).Maximum species richness of grasses was observed at relatively low production levels while forbs species richness maximized at relatively high production levels.

Influence of Seawater Temperature on Phytoplankton Growth in Jiaozhou Bay, China

The phytoplankton reproduction capacity (PRC), as a new concept regarding chlorophyll-a and primary production (PP) is described. PRC is different from PP, carbon assimilation number (CAN) or photosynthetic rate (P B). PRC quantifies phytoplankton growth with a special consideration of the effect of seawater temperature. Observation data in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China, collected from May 1991 to February 1994 were used to analyze the horizontal distribution and seasonal variation of the PRC in Jiaozhou Bay in order to determine the characteristics, dynamic cycles and trends of phytoplankton growth in Jiaozhou Bay; and to develop a corresponding dynamic model of seawater temperature vs. PRC. Simulation curves showed that seawater temperature has a dual function of limiting and enhancing PRC. PRC’s periodicity and fluctuation are similar to those of the seawater temperature. Nutrient silicon in Jiaozhou Bay satisfies phytoplankton growth from June 7 to November 3. When nutrients N, P and Si satisfy the phytoplankton growth and solar irradiation is sufficient, the PRC would reflect the influence of seawater temperature on phytoplankton growth. Moreover, the result quantitatively explains the scenario of one-peak or two-peak phytoplankton reproduction in Jiaozhou Bay, and also quantitatively elucidates the internal mechanism of the one- or two-peak phytoplankton reproduction in the global marine areas.

Design and Validation of Strategy to Increasing the Rate Calving in Traditional Production System Livestock of Michoac^n M^xico Tropical Dry

Michoacan brings 2.1% of national GDP, which is 12.5% to agriculture, Livestock is the fourth activity in economic importance in the State and develops in 43% of the territory （58,643 km：） using 27% of the population economically active. Michoacfin ranks third in national cattle inventory （1,608,523 heads） with fifth place in meat production （145,221 ton/year）. The production model is extended cow-breed, subject to season and availability of food （few rains shortage of forage during drought）, with 0.60 production of breed/cow/year, and a marked traditionalism in the form of production; also a high dependency to food based on the grazing. The inadequate national public policy expressed in the paternalism has limited the adoption of strategies to contribute to the solution of this problem. Therefore this study objective was to design and validate a strategy to increase the number of cow breeding/cow/year to season reproduction program, based on the use of synthetic progesterone ＂melengestrol acetate＂ （MGA） as a technology available, secure, easy to use, low cost and likely to be adoptable to the traditional model of production. Work was done in the dry tropics in the municipalities of Churumuco and Tzitzio, Michoacfin State, Mdxico. Used 133 bovine females with crossbreeding Bos indicus, diagnosed as not pregnant, 6.7 and 6.38 years old respectively for each municipality. Oral doses of 0.05 rag/day/cow of MGA during nine days then exposed to the presence of male. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance of a single way. The results indicate that the delivery rate was 58.33% in Churumuco and 61.86% in Tzitzio. This delivery rate represents an increase of 14%-16% of born per year considering that treated females become pregnant with traditional production system management. We concluded that the MGA is an appropriate strategy to the traditional production of tropical dry in MichoacO, n system that increases the rate of births and is likely to be accepted despite the paternalistic public policy prevailing in the country.

Madagascar High Lands Dry Season Forages： Lofium multiflorum （Italian Ray Grass） and Avena sativa （Oat）

Italian ray grass and oat are two grass species characterized by their ability to adjust tropical climate conditions. This study proposed to assess forage productivities to allow an appropriate mowing period determination in their use as dairy female feed in Madagascar. A test on small plots has been set up in the southern part of the capital city Antananarivo during one dry period （4 months）. Live observations followed by laboratory proximate analyses have been performed for forage productivity and feeding value determination. Cultivated on tanety （hill）, irrigated in counter season, results show that： （I） oat higher height （H = 96.7 cm） than Italian ray grass （H= 69.4 cm） at 99 days of age; （2） similar biomass productivity; （3） dry matter yields significantly different （p = 0.05）; （4） certain similarity between dry matter yields and FMU （fodder milk unit） score evolution; （5） leafy stage of Italian ray grasses at 99 days of age; （6） mid-flowering stage for oats during the same period. Cell wall content, crude fiber and dry matter contents increased with age （p = 0.05）. Crude proteins and minerals evolved in opposite directions. Gross energy content did not present precise variation with age. This study allowed that for an acceptable quantitative and qualitative production during dry seasons, good mowing period for Italian ray grass could start at 76 days age, while oat could start being harvested at 68 days.

Composition and structure of species along altitude gradient in Moghan-Sabalan rangelands,Iran

This study provides a checklist of species distributed at the altitude gradient of MoghanSabalan rangelands in Ardabili province, Northwest Iran. We evaluated the changes in species composition, growth types of species, Raunkiaer's life forms, geographical distribution, threat and endemicity status, and palatability of species along two altitudinal gradients in the sampling plots, which were conducted in eleven sites/habitats with 300 meters above sea level(masl) altitude intervals(from 100 to 3300 masl). We assessed the plant species composition with special reference to the gradient analysis, and identified overall 396 species, which was comprising 44 families and 194 genera. Results showed that Asteraceae family is by far the most species-rich family, followed by Poaceae, Fabaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Brassicaceae. Among the genera, Astragalus is the most diverse genus, followed by Allium, Veronica and Bromus, Galium, Silene and Ranunculus. Results indicated that the number of species increased as the altitude increased to 1200-1500 masl, but then starts to decline to 3300 masl. Family-to-genera ratio was 1:4.4, the family-tospecies ratio was 1:9, and the genera-to-species ratio was 1:2.04. Growth type of species analysis shows that the frequency of perennial plants was higher in the study area followed by annual species while the lower group was biennial species. The number of annuals showed a decreasing trend towards higher altitude. Hemicryptophytes and therophytes were the most frequent life forms constituted each with(41.9%). Hemicryptophytes showed an increasing trend with altitude, while therophytes showed a decreasing trend with altitude increase, followed by geophytes, chamaephytes, and phanerophytes. Results showed more than half of the species of the study area belonged to Iran-Turanian region and these species showed an increasing trend with altitude. In contrast, Sahara-Sindian species comprise a minor component of the spectrum, with decreasing trend with altitude. The rare and endangered species out of the surveyed taxonomic groups comprised 53 species in total which 29 of them are considered lower risk(LR), 13 data deficient(DD), 5 vulnerable(Vu) and with 3 rare(R) and identified endemic plants comprised 24 species. Some 56.6% species were identified as class III, 22.6% were class I and 20.8% were class II as the palatability variation. Moghan-Sabalan rangelands require strong conservation management policies in case of species loss and changing natural communities due to the occurrence of conversion into cropland, over-grazing and other anthropogenic effects.

Current Status and Possibilities for the Development of the Cattle Breeding in the Primorsko-Goranska County, Croatia

At the beginning of 2007 the milk producers from the Primorsko-Goranska County, Croatia were surveyed through the questionnaire in order to determine the current status and to highlight the obstacles and the possibilities of development and improvement of the modern cattle breeding in the observed county. The questionnaire spanned 2001-2006 period and all together 260 families were surveyed. The survey aimed to get as much as possible useful information＇s that would indicate the problems concerning the cattle breeding in this area, and based on these results to give certain guidelines for the improvement of current status. Older age of milk producers, significant number of family farms with small number of cattle and difficult implementation of selective measures due to the small number of cows that were included in milk recording were determined as the main obstacles for cattle breeding development in the surveyed county. It is emphasized that development of cattle breeding in this area should be based upon the increased number of family farms with larger herds. To achieve this it is necessary to retain existing cattle fund, and then gradually increase the number of cattle in the mentioned county through the import of breeding heifers of dairy and combined breeds from neighboring European countries with highly developed cattle breeding. Besides that, it is also necessary to create conditions for the production of organic （ecological） products, which represents the future of agriculture, livestock production, bearing in mind that demanding European market has recognized the value of organic agricultural products that were produced through environment friendly production, which Primorsko-Goranska County, due to its significant natural resources, could easily assure.