INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT RATES OF PHOSPHORUS ON GROWTH,YIELD AND PHOSPHORUS USE EFFICIENCY IN TWO WHEAT CULTIVARS

To study the influence of different rates of phosphorus (P) on growth and yield of wheat, experiments were conducted at NIAB, Faisalabad, Pakistan under natural conditions. Results indicated that the P requirement of wheat at early growth was higher and adequate available P in the growth medium helped to attain relatively higher growth rate and resulted in higher grain yield. The two wheat cultivars when subjected to different rates of P application showed that the cultivar ‘MH-97’ was more responsive than ‘Pasban-90’ that attributed to its higher P translocation efficiency from roots to tops. The two cultivars also showed differential yield response when grown under field condition. At optimum nitrogen (N): P ratio of 1.5:1, the cultivar ‘MH-97’ gave 31.5% while cultivar ‘Pasban-90’ gave a maximum response of 25.9% over their respective N alone application. Contrarily, at the wider NP ratio of 3:1, yield response of cultivar ‘MH-97’ was 26.5% while that of cultivar ‘Pasban-90’ was only to the extent of 2.2%, thereby indicating a much wider difference in their yield response pattern. Thus, choosing an appropriate cultivar for a particular rate of fertilizer application would be more rewarding in terms of yield and profitability.     

Irradiation and germination effects on phytate,protein and amino acids of soybean

Influence of irradiation (0.05–0.20 kGy) and germination (24–120 hours) in distilled and tap water on phytate, protein and amino acids of soybean, was studied. Phytate values significantly decreased with increasing germination period and irradiation dose (P<0.01). Irradiation independently decreased the original phytate (212.0 mg/100 g) to a range value of 205.0–190.0 mg/100 g depending upon dose level. Germination of unirradiated seeds for 120 hours in distilled and tap water lowered the phytate to 55.0 and 94.9 mg/100 g (74.1 and 55.2% reduction) respectively. Maximum destruction of phytate to levels of 20.5 and 50.9 mg/100 g (90.3 and 76.0% reduction) occurred during germination of 0.20 kGy samples for 120 hours in distilled and tap water respectively. Total protein content significantly increased during germination (P<0.05) and the increase was more in tap than distilled water. Germination for 120 hours of untreated seeds in tap water increased the essential and decreased non-essential amino acids while in the 0.10 kGy sample, increases in both cases were observed.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone on acute and chronic inflammation models in mice

The anti-inflammatory activity of zerumbone (1), a natural cyclic sesquiterpene isolated from Zingiber zerumbet Smith was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue formation test in mice. It was demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of 1 at a dose of 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of paw edema induced by carrageenan. It was also demonstrated that 1 at similar doses significantly suppressed granulomatous tissue formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test.     

Utilizing the γ-Irradiated Sodium Alginate as a Plant Growth Promoter for Enhancing the Growth, Physiological Activities, and Alkaloids Production in Catharanthus roseus L.

Sodium alginate is a polysaccharide that is largely obtained from the brown algae (Sargassum sp.).It has been used as a wonderful growth promoting substance in its depolymerized form for various plants.The aim of this study was to find out the effects of various concentrations of γ-irradiated sodium alginate (ISA),viz.,deionized water (control,T0),20 (T1),40 (T2),60 (T3),80 (T4),and 100 ppm (T5) on the agricultural performance of Catharanthus roseus L.(Rosea) in terms of growth attributes,photosynthesis,physiological activities,and alkaloid production.The present work revealed that ISA applied as leaf-sprays at concentrations from 20 to 100 ppm might improve growth,photosynthesis,physiological activities,and alkaloid production in C.roseus L.significantly.Of the various ISA concentrations,80 ppm proved to be the best one compared to other concentrations applied.     

Genotoxic impact of cadmium on root meristem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.

Genotoxic studies with reference to pollution biomonitoring is a recent approach and can be used for maintenance of crop productivity. Effect of the cadmium chloride in the pure germ line of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) were evaluated in relation to the chromosomal abnormalities and rate of cell division. Seeds grown in the nutrient medium for 48 hrs containing different concentrations of cadmium chloride (control, 0.05 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.2 mM, 0.4 mM and 0.8 mM) showed different genotoxic effects such as polyploidy, multipolarity, chromosomal bridge with fragments, lagging chromosome and micronuclei. Relative division rate (RDR) was decreased with increasing cadmium concentration while relative abnormality rate (RAR) increased suggesting that cadmium may cause genetic changes in pure germ line and produce irrepairable damage in root meristem. Therefore, combining plant bioassays and root analysis of Cd⁺⁺ content would allow us to define phytotoxicity thresholds in plants.     

Alterations in serum electrolytes, antioxidative enzymes and haematological parameters of Labeo rohita on short-term exposure to sublethal dose of nitrite

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of short-term exposure to sublethal levels of nitrite on electrolyte regulation, antioxidative enzymes and haematological parameters in Labeo rohita juveniles. The fishes were exposed to graded levels of nitrite (0-15?mg?l(-1)) for different duration (0, 12, 24, 48 and 96?h). The 96-h LC(50) value for L. rohita (avg. wt, 66.5?±?0.5?g) was found to be 11.28?mg?l(-1). Activities of antioxidative enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase), acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and methaemoglobin reductase, serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride), haematological parameters and blood glucose level significantly varied (P?相似文献   

Dietary L‐tryptophan modulates growth and immuno‐metabolic status of Labeo rohita juveniles exposed to nitrite

Effect of nitrite exposure on growth and immuno‐metabolic responses of Labeo rohita fed L‐tryptophan (TRP) was studied. Fish previously fed normal and elevated levels of tryptophan for 60 days were exposed to nitrite (2.0 mg L^?1) for another 45 days with same feeding regime. There were four treatment groups, viz., TRP₀‐N (control), TRP₀+N, TRP_0.75+N (0.75% supplemental tryptophan in the diet) and TRP_1.5+N (1.5% supplemental tryptophan in the diet). Highest weight gain% and SGR were observed in control and lowest in TRP₀+N. Dietary supplementation of elevated levels of tryptophan augmented weight gain% and SGR. Nitrite exposed groups recorded higher catalase, SOD, LDH, AST and ALT activities compared with control. However, activities reduced with additional levels of tryptophan supplementation. Nitrite exposure reduced WBC count, total protein, albumin, globulin and lysozyme activity compared with unexposed group but groups which were fed additional amounts of tryptophan restored total protein, albumin and globulin similar to TRP₀‐N. In conclusion, nitrite exposure had adversely affected growth, increased activities of LDH, AST, ALT, catalase, but decreased WBC, serum protein, lysozyme and acetylcholine esterase activity of L. rohita. Normal requirement of tryptophan was unable to combat nitrite stress. However, dietary fortification with tryptophan (minimum 0.75% of diet + normal requirement) found effective in combating nitrite induced stress.     

Occurrence of a new recombinant begomovirus species infecting tomato in the Al‐Batinah region of Oman

Whitefly‐transmitted begomoviruses are the most important limiting factor for tomato cultivation in Oman, particularly in the Al‐Batinah region, the major agricultural area of the country. Commercial farms in the Al‐Batinah region were surveyed during January–March 2013. Samples of tomato showing leaf curl disease symptoms typical of begomoviruses were collected and analysed. Full‐length sequences of five clones were shown to have relatively low percentage identity values to known begomoviruses, with the highest (88·6%) to isolates of Tomato leaf curl Oman virus (ToLCOMV), a begomovirus previously reported in Oman, indicating that these represent a newly identified species, for which the name Tomato leaf curl Barka virus (ToLCBrV) is proposed. Four isolates of ToLCBrV were found associated with Tomato leaf curl betasatellite (ToLCB). The five isolates of ToLCBrV characterized in this study were shown to be recombinants, with ToLCOMV as the major parent, and a fragment of Croton yellow vein virus (CrYVV) spanning the 3′ half of the replication‐associated protein. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Effect of Enhanced Nickel Levels on Wheat Plant Growth and Physiology under Salt Stress

A pot experiment was conducted to study the response of wheat to concurrent stresses of salinity and nickel (Ni)-toxicity. Soil was spiked with Ni (0, 20 and 40 mg kg^?1) combined with two levels of salinity (control and 10 dS m^?1) using Ni(ii) nitrate hexahydrate (Ni(NO₃)₂.6H₂O) and sodium chloride (NaCl), respectively, in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Plants were harvested at the tailoring stage and the results showed that wheat growth was positively affected by Ni at 20 mg kg^?1, and negatively at 40 mg kg^?1 concentration both in control and at 10 dS m^?1. Ni (20 mg kg^?1) had a nonsignificant positive effect on tissue potassium (K⁺) and a significant negative effect on Na⁺ concentration. Moreover, Ni translocation from root to shoot and accumulation decreased by increasing the levels of Ni in both control and salinity treatments. It can be concluded that Ni at 20 mg kg^?1 increased wheat growth by alleviating salinity stress; however, at 40 mg kg^?1 it aggravated the plant stress and decreased the plant growth.