Effects of Alhagi camelorum Fisch polysaccharide from different regions on growth performance and gastrointestinal microbiota of sheep lambs.

Polysaccharides derived from Alhagi camelorum Fisch possess diverse activities, making them a potential prebiotic candidates for enhancing lamb health. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Alhagi camelorum Fisch polysaccharides from Aksu (AK) and Shanshan (SS) regions on sheep lambs. The results showed that sheep lambs in the SS group exhibited significantly increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin (INS), IgA and IgM, and cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ compared to those in the control check (CK) group. Moreover, the SS treatment significantly increased the diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria, while concurrently diminishing the prevalence of harmful bacteria. Additionally, it modulated various metabolic pathways, promoted lamb growth, improved immunity, reduced the risk of gastrointestinal disease and improved the composition of gastrointestinal microbiota. In summary, our findings highlight the potential of SS treatment in enhancing gastrointestinal health of sheep lambs by improving intestinal function, immunity, and gut microbiome. Consequently, these results suggest that Alhagi camelorum Fisch polysaccharides derived from Shanshan regions holds promising potential as a valuable intervention for optimizing growth performance in sheep lambs.

[Spatio-temporal variation of drought condition during 1961 to 2012 based on composite index of meteorological drought in Altay region, China].

Based on the daily meteorological data of seven stations in Altay region, China, this study investigated the temporal ( seasonal, inter-annual and decadal) and spatial variations of drought by using composite index of meteorological drought, as well as trend analysis, M-K abrupt analysis, wavelet analysis and interpolation tools in ArcGIS. The results indicated that the composite index of meteorological drought could reflect the drought condition in Altay region well. Although the frequency and the covered area of both inter-annual and seasonal droughts presented decreasing trends in the recent 52 a, the drought was still serious when considering the annual drought. The frequencies of inter-annual and spring droughts had no abrupt changes, whereas the frequencies of inter-summer, autumn and winter droughts had abrupt changes during the past 52 a. A significant periodic trend was also observed for the frequencies of inter-annual and seasonal droughts. The distribution of frequency and covered area suggested that the conditions of drought were heavily serious in Qinghe County, moderately serious in Altay City, Fuyun County, Buerjin County and Fuhai County, and slightly serious in Habahe County and Jimunai County.

[Photo-thermal characteristics of a non-photosensitive and extra-premature winter wheat variety].

In a sowing by stages test with winter wheat variety Jingdong 8 (JD8) as reference, this paper studied the photothermal characteristics of a non-photosensitive and extra- premature winter wheat variety Dongzao 5 (DZ5), and the effects of sowing stages on its growth and yield. The results showed that the harvest date of DZ5 was 4-5 days earlier than that of JD8, and its yield with standard sowing date increased by 43.4%. In addition, DZ5 had a shorter thermoperiod for ear differentiation, and didn't need strict vernalization process and photoperiod, which could be sown either before or after winter.