• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.54-65
• /
• 2017

Background: "Igune," a traditional agricultural landscape in the Tohoku region of Japan, is characterized by small-scale artificial woodlots surrounding a farmer's house that are interspersed with paddy fields. During the rapid economic growth of Japan over recent decades, some igune woodlots have been abandoned or logged. Biodiversity conservation is an important issue worldwide, and traditional agricultural landscapes are of particular interest. To elucidate the role of igune landscapes in conserving biodiversity, we examined the effects of environmental factors on avian communities. Results: The study was conducted in the suburban areas of Oshu and Hanamaki cities, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, at eight sites that varied in the density and area of igune woodlots within the landscape. Bird surveys were conducted from the middle to late breeding season, and several environmental factors of the igune landscape were also measured. The results of canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the characteristics of avian communities were mainly determined by the total forested area in the landscape. Increased total forested area and shrubs layer of igune woodlots did not cause a reduction in number of bird species of any habitat and foraging types, while increased both in species number and abundance of insectivores and forest species. The number of raptor species increased in igune sites without shrubs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that maintaining igune landscapes may enhance avian diversity within this landscape, although the effects of shrubs within igune varied; developed bush communities increased the evenness of the avian community, whereas some raptor species preferred an open forest understory.

• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
• /
• v.9 no.7
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 2020

As the consumption of fishery products continues to increase, aquaculture industry has emerged instead of fishing industry facing limitations of fish stock resources. Recently, smart fish farming industry has rapidly developed through convergence with 4th Industrial Revolution technology. Accordingly, it is important to derive a future model of smart fish farming platforms in order to secure the superiority of the aquaculture industry and the technology standard hegemony. In this study, the future direction of smart fish farm platform was derived through the analysis of environment related to politics, economy, society, and technology related to smart fish farming by applying PEST methodology of macro-environment analysis. It is expected that it will help the public and industrial circles in planning and implementing related projects by including the entire process of value chain of aquaculture industry of breeding, production, management and distribution, and by presenting advanced models based on artificial intelligence and digital twin.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.1011-1018
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to analysis the ecological characteristics of "Wando HolIy"$(llex{\times}wandoensis)$ which is expecting as a possible ornamental tree with its beautiful leaves, flowers and fruits, and to find special breeding material which have particular characteristics and also provide correct environmental information which are required for commercial cultivation. The hill of Galmoon-Ri, Gunoei-Myon, Jeonnam Province, Korea, were reported as a original habitat of native $llex{\times}wandoensis$. The investigation shows that soil pH of native habitat was 6.18, hardness was 2.39, humidity was 38.6%, direction of slope is SSW, and average inclination was $15^{\circ}. The vegetation around $I.{\times}wandoensis$ is occupied by trees like an Quercus variabilis, Q. serrata, Q. acuta and so on. These are mixed forest of deciduous trees. Tree height reached up to about 12m and its coverage is about 30%. Q. salicina, Camellia japonica, I. integra, Cryptomeria japonica account for sub-tree layer. Tree height is around 8m and coverage is about 20%. Shrub layer was taken by Viburnum furcatum, Callicarpa japonica, Styrax japonica, Eurya japonica, Lindera obtusiloba, Ligustrum japonicum, Smilax china, Cornus walteri etc. Tree height reaches around l.2m and coverage is around 20%. Herb layer includes Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium, Cymbidium goeringii, Dryopteris bissetiana, Disporum viridescens, Disporum smilacinum, Sasa borealis var. gracilis etc. Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium, which are observed in southern evergreen zone, are dominant and its coverage is around 20%. The native habitat was in spoiled condition because of artificial thin out.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.389-396
• /
• 2012

Melon (Cucumis melo) is an annual herbaceous plant of the family Cucurbitaceae. Phytophthora rot, caused by Phytophthora capsici is a serious threat to cucurbits crops production as it directly infects the host plant, and it is difficult to control because of variable pathogenicity. This study investigated the resistance of 450 accessions of melon germplasm against Phytophthora rot by inoculating the seedlings with sporangial suspension ($10^{5\;or\;6}$ zoosporangia/ml) of P. capsici. Disease incidence of Phytophthora rot was observed on the melon germplasm at 7-day intervals for 35 days after inoculation. Susceptible melon germplasm showed either severe symptoms of stem and root rot or death of the whole plant. Twenty out of 450 tested accessions showed less than 20% disease incidence, of which five accessions showed a high level of resistance against Phytopthtora rot. Five resistant accessions, namely IT119813, IT138016, IT174911, IT174927, and IT906998, scored 0% disease incidence under high inoculum density of P. capsici ($10^6$ zoosporangia/mL). We recommend that these candidate melon germplasm may be used as genetic resources in the breeding of melon varieties resistant to Phytophthora rot.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.361-363
• /
• 1998

Cymbidium goeringii native to Korea and other orchid plants were pot-grown from spring to autumn under the greenhouse conditions, and were subjected to artificial pollination to elucidate the compatibility by revealing viable seed formation. A notable compatibility was found when Cym. goeringii was selfed and was crossed with either Cym. ensifolium, Cym. kanran, Cym. sinense, Cym. sinense for. albo-jucundissimum, Cym. 'Crystal Cherry Angel', or Cym. 'Anmitsu Hime'. Cym. goeringii, however, did not show such compatibility when crossed with either Cym. faberi, Cym. aloifolium, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, or Phalaenopsis spp. RAPD analysis indicated that taxa relationship between Cym. goeringii and either Cym. faberi or Cym. aloifolium (respective chromosome number, 2n=40) was distant, showing no compatibility, and even more distant in the case of cross-pollination between Cym. goeringii and either Dendrobium chrysotoxum or Phalaenopsis spp. having different chromosome number from all Cymbidium species.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 2015

Growth rate during rearing, which varies depending on provided nutrition, has been related with age at $1^{st}$ calving (AFC). This study investigated the effect of upgrowth parameters during the rearing period on the reproduction of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The study comprised 77 successively born heifers from the same herd. Growth rate and fertility traits were measured during rearing and fertility parameters were recorded in lactations 1. Growth parameters (body weight, height, heart girth and body length) were measured at the approximate birth time, 270 and 450 d of age. Reproduction data collected included age at $1^{st}$ breeding, number of services per conception (S/C), pregnancy rate to $1^{st}$ artificial insemination, AFC. Animals were subsequently divided into 4 AFC groups for analysis: <23 mo, 23~25 mo, 26~30 mo and >30 mo. The AFC reflected both upgrowth rate and heifer reproduction, with later calving heifers smaller. Increased skeletal growth (at 270 and 450 d) was related with a reduced AFC (p<0.05). Early calving animals (<23 mo) had the best reproduction as nulliparous heifers, with most conceiving at first service (87.5%). Fertility in the first lactation was the worst in the oldest AFC group (>30 mo). In the 1st lactation period, a number of services per conception ($3.1{\pm}0.3$) increased with increasing AFC (>30 mo). Sub-optimal upgrowth related with an increased AFC could be mitigated by improved monitoring of replacement heifers during the rearing period.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2017

It is very difficult to get the information about semen quality analysis in transgenic pigs because of limited numbers and research facilities. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed the semen quality of transgenic boars generated for xenotransplantation research. Briefly, the semen samples were collected from 5 homozygous ${\alpha}1,3$-Galactosyltransferase knock-out ($GalT^{-/-}$) transgenic boars and immediately transported to the laboratory. These semen samples were decupled with DPBS and conducted to analyze semen parameters by a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. The boar semen were examined all 12 parameters such as total motility (TM), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), and hyperactivated (HYP), etc. In results, among the 5 $GalT^{-/-}$ boars, three boars (#134, 144, and 170) showed normal range of semen parameters, but #199 and 171 boars showed abnormal ranges of semen parameters according to standard ranges of semen parameters. Unfortunately, #171 boar showed azoospermia symptom with rare sperm counts in the original semen. Conclusively, assessment of semen parameters by CASA system is useful to pre-screening of reproductively healthy boar prior to natural mating and artificial insemination for multiplication and breeding.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2017

Embryo transfer (ET) could be a relevant tool for genetic improvement programs in horses similar to those already underway in other species and produce multiple foals from the same mare in one breeding season. However, there have been no reports describing equine embryo transfer performed in Korea. In the present study, we performed an equine embryo collection and transfer procedure for the first time. We examined the embryo collection and pregnancy, size of embryo during the incubation period after collection, and progesterone (P4) and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2) concentrations in mare's serum at embryo collection and transfer. A total of 16 donors responded to estrus synchronization; estrus was induced in 12 donors and 4 recipients, and artificial insemination was successful in 10 donors and six blastocysts were collected from donors. Of these blastocysts, we monitored the size of blastocysts for 3 day during incubation and transferred 2 blastocysts to a recipient, with 1 successful pregnancy and foal achieved. The dimensions of equine embryo at day 7 to day 9 were $409{\mu}m$, $814{\mu}m$ and $1,200{\mu}m$. The serum P4 and E2 concentrations were $7.91{\pm}0.37ng/{\mu}L$ and $45.45{\pm}12.65ng/{\mu}L$ in the donor mare, and 1$6.06{\pm}3.27ng/{\mu}L$ and $49.13{\pm}10.09ng/{\mu}L$ in the recipient mare.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.9
• /
• pp.1368-1372
• /
• 2014

Several studies arduously reported that gayal (Bos frontalis) is an independent bovine species. The population size is shrinking across its distribution. In Bangladesh, it is the only wild relative of domestic cattle and also a less cared animal. Their body size is much bigger than Bangladeshi native cattle and has prominent beef type characters along with the ability to adjust in any adverse environmental conditions. Human interactions and manipulation of biodiversity is affecting the habitats of gayals in recent decades. Besides, the only artificial reproduction center for gayals, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), has few animals and could not carry out its long term conservation scheme due to a lack of an objective based scientific mission as well as financial support. This indicates that the current population is much more susceptible to stochastic events which might be natural catastrophes, environmental changes or mutations. Further reduction of the population size will sharply reduce genetic diversity. In our recent investigation with 80K indicine single nucleotide polymorphism chip, the $F_{IS}$ (within-population inbreeding) value was reported as $0.061{\pm}0.229$ and the observed ($0.153{\pm}0.139$) and expected ($0.148{\pm}0.143$) heterozygosities indicated a highly inbred and less diverse gayal population in Bangladesh. Prompt action is needed to tape the genetic information of this semi-domesticated bovine species with considerable sample size and try to investigate its potentials together with native zebu cattle for understanding the large phenotypic variations, improvement and conservation of this valuable creature.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 2020

The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of season and breed on the reproductive performance of male and female sheep using 12 rams and 318 ewes of Assaf and Awassi breeds under the seasonal environmental condition of United Arab Emirates for two years. The blood level of testosterone hormone was measured monthly. Semen was collected twice a month from each male using artificial vagina and evaluated for volume, motility, livability, abnormality and concentration. The scrotal circumference and thickness as well as the left testicular length, width, height and volume were measured at one-month intervals. The level of testosterone in Assaf breed was significantly higher in autumn than winter and summer. The scrotal circumference and thickness as well as the left testicular length were significantly higher in Assaf breed than Awassi breed. While, left testicular width and volume were significantly higher in Awassi breed than Assaf breed. Scrotal circumference which was higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter season in both breeds. The SCC of semen was significantly higher in autumn than in other seasons in both breeds. The sperm abnormality was significantly higher in summer than other seasons in both breeds. The livability was significantly lower in summer in both breeds. Fecundity and prolificacy were significantly higher in Assaf than Awassi breed during autumn season. Assaf breed showed the superior reproductive performance in the autumn season when compared with Awassi breed in the same season and other seasons. The Assaf breed tolerated the climatic conditions in UAE and kept the litter size of 1.72 in comparison to Awassi breed which showed litter size of 1.09. in conclusion, the results showed the superiority of Assaf over Awassi breed and offer a good model of breeding with increased fecundity and prolificacy specially in autumn season.