Exogenous Calcium Supplementation Improves Salinity Tolerance in BRRI Dhan28; a Salt-Susceptible High-Yielding Oryza Sativa Cultivar

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Salinity is one of the most brutal abiotic stressors, commencing a great stumbling block in the way of attaining food security in Bangladesh. Cultivation...     

Resource availability through rainwater harvesting influenced vegetation diversity and herbage yield in hillslope of Aravalli in India

Recent decline in biological diversity has stimulated the research on the effects of resource conservation on biodiversity and vice versa. We examined soil water and nutrients influenced by rainwater harvesting (RWH) in hillslope and its effects on herbage diversity and productivity at up (USP), middle (MSP) and lower position (LSP) in 75 plots, each of 700-m² area laid in < 10%, 10%–20% and > 20% slopes, respectively. The five RWH treatments were Contour trench (CT), Gradonie (G), Box trench (BT), V-ditch (VD) and control. Soil water content (SWC), species number, population, diversity and herbage yield increased (P < 0.05) downward suggesting positive relations between soil resource and diversity/productivity. The highest species number, population, richness and diversity in 10%–20% slope were associated with soil water usage and NO₃-N and NH4-N concentrations. SWC was 5.0%–19.0% greater in RWH areas than in control influencing herbage species, population, growth and yields. The increase in diversity and yields was the highest (P < 0.05) in V-ditch reinforced by soil fertility. The positive effect of diversity on yield increased with resources, and the effect was compositional rather than that of species richness. Conclusively, slope gradient and soil texture influenced herbage regeneration, diversity and productivity, which were positively affected by existing soil fertility and applied RWH and mobilizing soil water and nutrients. The effect of V-ditch was the highest on composition and yield. Thus, RWH enhanced herbaceous vegetation and restoration of degraded forest/rangelands. But long-term effects of diversity in restoring ecosystem productivity could be established through long-term data collections on optimum water/nutrient usage, diversity and productivity.     

Insecticidal activity of (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octyl<Emphasis Type="Italic">cyclo</Emphasis>prop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) against three Coleopteran stored product insects from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sterculia foetida</Emphasis> (L.)

The insecticidal activities of the extracts, fractions, and pure compound of Sterculia foetida (L.) seeds were investigated against three major stored product pests, namely, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), and Tribolium castaneum (H.), through contact and fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with test chemicals, insect species, exposure times, and doses individually. The biologically active constituent of the S. foetida seeds was characterized as a cyclopropene fatty acid structurally elucidated as (2n-octylcycloprop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) by spectroscopic analysis. The filter paper application of, (2n-octylcycloprop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) at 0.2 mg/cm² caused 100% mortality to all test insects 2 days after treatment (2 DAT). Among the chromatographic fractions, only the pure hexane-eluted fraction caused 100% mortality at 0.3 mg/cm² to S. oryzae and C. chinensis 2 DAT, while the dose required to obtain the same percentage of mortality with the crude seed extract was 0.6 mg/cm². Under all treatment conditions, T. castaneum exhibited less susceptibility, taking longer than the other insects to show symptoms of toxicity. In terms of fumigant activity, the compounds appeared to be more effective in a vapor form against all the three insects in closed containers compared with open containers. These results suggest that the insecticidal activities of the test compounds were attributable to contact mode of action, although there was also significant fumigant toxicity. The results indicate that the bioactive compound isolated from S. foetida could act as a potent insecticide against S. oryzae, C. chinensis, and T. castaneum populations.     

Association Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Size in Introgression Line Derived from Oryza Rufipogon

Grain size is one of the critical agronomic traits governing grain yield and quality in rice. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms that control grain size in rice are poorly understood. We used an introgression line derived from Zhonghui 8015 and Oryza rufipogon Griff. This introgression line was evaluated under two different environmental conditions to dissect the quantitative trait loci controlling grain size. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 28 193 SNPs through a general linear model, and 56 significant SNPs on different loci associated with the 4 grain size traits were detected. Cloned genes including GS3 and qGL3 showed substantial effects on grain length and size. Seven new stable loci were identified with pleiotropic effects on grain size. Haplotype, gene expression analyses, combined gene-based associations, and functional annotations permitted the shortlisting of important dominant genes including GS3 and qGL3.     

Recombinant mid gut antigen (Bm95) as a vaccine against Indian Rhiphicephalus haemaphysaloides in Bos indicus cattle

In the present study, we report for the first time the efficacy of recombinant Bm95 mid gut antigen isolated from an Argentinean strain of Rhipicephalus microplus strain A in controlling the tick infestations in India. The synthetic gene for Bm95 optimized for expression in yeast was obtained and used to generate yeast transformants expressing Bm95 which was purified to apparent homogeneity. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the purified protein confirmed its identity as Bm95. Vaccine was prepared by blending various concentrations of purified Bm95 with aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant. Immunogenicity studies of the vaccine in rabbits and cattle indicated that the vaccine was highly immunogenic. The efficacy studies of the vaccine was done in cattle. Naïve Bos indicus cattle were vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine and were challenged with the larval, nymphal and adult forms of Rhiphicephalus haemaphysaloides. The vaccine protected the animals from larval, nymph and adult tick challenges with an efficacy of 98.7%, 84.6% and 78.9% respectively. The results obtained from the above studies clearly demonstrated the advantage and possibilities of the use of Bm95 in controlling R. haemaphysaloides infestations in the field.     

Association of bovine KISS1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with reproductive traits in Indian Cattle

Kisspeptins, a family of neuropeptide encoded by the Kiss1 gene, have emerged as crucial regulator of fertility and reproduction by regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The present study was aimed to identify and associate SNPs in the KISS1 gene with reproductive traits in cattle of Indian origin. DNA samples collected from 300 individual cows of three Indian dairy breeds (Gir, Kankrej and Frieswal) of cattle were used in the study. The SNPs of KISS1 gene were identified with PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis using two sets of primer pairs. A total of 5 SNPs were identified in the targeted region of which, two were selected for screening the population and association studies. The analysis revealed that genotypes of rs442633552G>A and rs42022871C>T had a significant association with dry period. The SNP rs42022871C>T also established significant role in milk production traits, and selection of TT-genotyped animals will improve the reproduction and production potential of the animals.     

Fibre constituents of some foods

Some plant foods viz. bottlegourd, carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, green bengalgram, pea, apple, plum, guava, karonda, blackgram husk and lentil husk were analysed for their dietary fibre components. The total dietary fibre contents of these foods varied from 14.68 to 78.21 percent on dry matter basis. As compared to fruits and vegetables, the husks had higher amount of total dietary fibre. Cellulose represented as the major fibre constituent in most of the foods whereas, husks were observed to be good sources of hemicellulose. All foods were low in pectin and lignin contents except guava.     

Distribution of Enzymes in Wheat Flour Mill Streams

The distribution of alpha -amylase, protease, lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in wheat roller flour mill streams was studied. Break flours had relatively less alpha -amylase and protease activity than reduction flours both on flour weight and a protein basis. Among the different flour streams, the 5^thand 6^threduction passage had the highest alpha -amylase activity, while the 4^threduction passage had the highest protease activity. The lipoxygenase activity was concentrated mostly in the last break and the reduction streams, whereas polyphenol oxidase activity was highest in break flour streams. Peroxidase activity was distributed unevenly among the different mill streams. The lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were highly concentrated in different bran fractions. Except for protease, the other enzymes were concentrated in the «atta», a milling by-product comprising refined flour, bran and shorts; and are least active in semolina (farina).     

EFFECT OF SODIUM DIATRIZOATE ON THE IN VITRO GROWTH OF THREE COMMON CANINE URINARY BACTERIAL SPECIES

The mean concentration of diatrizoate in urine specimens of eight dogs collected 20 minutes after intravenous injection of 2.2 ml/kg of sodium and meglumine diatrizoate (iodine concentration, 288 mg/ml) was 80 mg/ml (iodine concentration, 48 mg/ml). The mean concentration plus 1 SD was 111 mg/ml (iodine concentration, 66 mg/ml), and the mean concentration plus 2 SD was 142 mg/ml (iodine concentration, 85 mg/ml). The presence of diatrizoate at a concentration of 142 mg/ml did not inhibit in vitro bacterial growth of any of ten randomly selected canine urinary isolates of Escherichia coli or any of ten randomly selected urinary isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro bacterial growth of all ten randomly selected urinary bacterial isolates of Proteus mirabilis was significantly inhibited by a diatrizoate concentration of 80 mg/ml. Bacterial growth was progressively inhibited by increased diatrizoate concentrations.