Development of insecticide resistance and cross-resistance in fenvalerate-, and cypermethrin-selected strains of Earias vittella(fab.)

First-instar Earias vittella (Fab.) larvae were selected with fenvalerate and cypermethrin for 15 successive generations in the laboratory at 28(± 1)°C. The insect developed 7.8-fold resistance to fenvalerate and no resistance to cypermethrin. The fenvalerate-selected strain developed 2800-fold and 1200-fold cross-resistance to endosulfan and carbaryl, respectively. This strain, however, did not manifest cross-resistance to the organophosphorus insecticides, quinalphos, fenitrothion, monocrotophos and malathion, or to the synthetic pyrethroid, cypermethrin. The cypermethrin-selected strain acquired 5-, 4-, and 3-fold cross-resistance to endosulfan, fenvalerate and carbaryl, respectively and no cross-resistance to the above organophosphorus insecticides.     

Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of ciprofloxacin in goats following single intravenous administration

We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in serum (n = 6) and urine (n = 4) in goats following a single intravenous administration of 4 mg/kg body weight. The serum concentration-time curves of ciprofloxacin were best fitted by a two-compartment open model. The drug was detected in goat serum up to 12 h. The elimination rate constant (β) and elimination half-life (t_1/2β) were 0.446 ± 0.04 h^-1 and 1.630 ± 0.17 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vd_ss) was 2.012 ± 0.37 l/kg and the total body clearance (Cl_B) was 16.27 ± 1.87 ml/min/kg. Urinary recovery of ciprofloxacin was 29.70% ± 10.34% of the administered dose within 36 h post administration. In vitro serum protein binding was 41% ± 13.10%. Thus, a single daily intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg is sufficient to maintain effective levels in serum and for 36 h in urine, allowing treatment of systemic, Gram-negative bacterial infections and urinary tract infections by most pathogens.     

Endometrial transcript profile of progesterone‐regulated genes during early pregnancy of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Progesterone (P₄) plays a key role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in most mammals. Unravelling the expression of progesterone‐regulated genes can expand the understanding of the embryonic mortality. Accordingly, we studied the relative mRNA expression of the P₄‐regulated genes in the buffalo. Uteri were collected from the abattoir and categorized into nonpregnant late luteal phase, stage I (28–38th days of gestation) and stage II (48–56th days of gestation) of pregnancy (n = 6/group). After extraction of total RNA from the endometrial tissues, we carried out qRT‐PCR for determining the relative mRNA expression of the P₄‐regulated genes using nonpregnant late luteal phase as calibrator group. The expression of LGALS3BP (essential for maternal recognition of pregnancy) gene was found to be significantly upregulated (p < 0.05), while MUC1 (important for embryo attachment) gene was downregulated in stage I and II of pregnancy. We observed no significant change in the expression of LGALS1, LGALS9 and CTSL genes. The SLC5A11 and SLC2A1 genes (involved in the transport of glucose to endometrium) in early pregnancy were upregulated in the pregnancy stage I (p < 0.05) relative to nonpregnant late luteal phase. The CST3 gene was significantly upregulated in pregnancy stage II (p < 0.01). These results provide molecular insights into the specific pathways involved in foeto‐maternal communication during early pregnancy in buffaloes.     

Utilization of nutrients as influenced by different restriction levels of feed intake under sub-tropical conditions in crossbred calves

Twenty growing crossbred calves (mean body wt. 159.7 ± 3.94 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups 5 in each following randomized block design. To assess the voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) during preliminary feeding period, all the animals were fed concentrate mixture and wheat straw ad libitum. The lowest DMI amongst all animals fed ad libitum was defined as ‘VDMI’. The animals were fed at four fixed levels. The highest level of DMI was 95% of VDMI (group 1) as determined in preliminary period of feeding the other 3 levels were 80% (group 2), 60% (group 3) and 40% (group 4) of the VDMI. The experimental feeding was continued for a month followed by a metabolism trial. The dry matter intake through concentrate (crushed maize 33, deoiled-soya meal 32, wheat bran 32, mineral mixture 2 and common salt 1 part) and roughage (wheat straw) was 40:60. The DMI (kg/d) and percent of body weight ranged from 1.62 (group 4) to 4.06 (group 1) and 1.20 to 2.58, respectively. The CP intake (g/d) varied from 177 to 442 among 4 groups. The intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF and hemi-cellulose (g/d or g/kg w^0.75) was also significantly (P < 0.05) different among 4 groups. The digestibility of DM in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 59.9, 61.7, 64.6 and 30.4%, respectively and was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in group 4 as compared to the remaining 3 groups. The digestibility of other all nutrients viz. OM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF and HC was comparable among groups 1, 2 and 3. However, the digestibility of these nutrients was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in group 4 (40% intake) as compared to the other 3 groups. Intake and balance of N was significantly (P < 0.01) different among 4 groups, being the lowest in group 4. Animals of groups 1, 2 and 3 were in positive nitrogen balance, however, animals of group 4 were in negative N balance. The results revealed that nutrient utilization was unaffected up to 60% level but it was drastically reduced at 40% level of feed intake. It was also observed that calves maintained on 80 and 60% of feed intake lost body weight (250–300 g/d).     

Natural 13C abundance and soil carbon dynamics under long‐term residue retention in a no‐till maize system

Residue retention and reduced tillage are both conservation agricultural practices that may enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization in soil. We evaluated the long‐term effects of no‐till (NT) and stover retention from maize on SOC dynamics in a Rayne silt loam Typic Hapludults in Ohio. The six treatments consisted of retaining 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200% of maize residues on each 3 × 3 m plot from the crop of previous year. Soil samples were obtained after 9 yrs of establishing the experiment. The whole soil (0–10 and 10–20 cm of soil depths) samples under different treatments were analysed for total C, total N, recalcitrant C (NaOCl treated sample) and ¹³C isotopic abundance (0–10 cm soil depth). Complete removal of stover for a period of 9 yrs significantly (P < 0.01) decreased soil C content (15.5 g/kg), whereas 200% of stover retention had the maximum soil C concentration (23.1 g/kg). Relative distribution of C for all the treatments in different fractions comprised of 55–58% as labile and 42–45% as recalcitrant. Retention of residue did not significantly affect total C and N concentration in 10–20 cm depth. ¹³C isotopic signature data indicated that C₄‐C (maize‐derived C) was the dominant fraction of C in the top 0–10 cm of soil layer under NT with maize‐derived C accounting for as high as 80% of the total SOC concentration. Contribution of C₄‐C or maize‐derived C was 71–84% in recalcitrant fraction in different residue retained plots. Residue management is imperative to increase SOC concentrations and long‐term agro‐ecosystem necessitates residue retention for stabilizing C in light‐textured soils.     

Important insect pests of poplars in agroforestry and strategies for their management in northwestern India

Today, more than 143 species of insects infest both indigenous as well as exotic species of poplars in northwestern India, with about 65 species infesting Populus deltoides alone. Random sampling surveys (1984-2002) were undertaken in lower hills and plains of six states (Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir) in this region. The survey included 36 nurseries, 84 large ( ≥ 3 ha) and 255 small (< 3 ha) block and bund plantations and recorded seven species causing outbreaks. However, eight insects having wide spread distribution in this region were identified as posing a threat to agroforestry with P. deltoides and need to be managed. Amongst these, three species (Clostera cupreata, C. fulgurita and Apriona cinerea) were ranked as 'major pests' as they had relatively higher incidence (> 50% of attack) and caused extensive economic loss during outbreaks, coupled with tree mortality which persisted for several years in succession over large areas. Five insects were identified as 'potential pests', as they also caused heavy infestation and economic loss, but only in some years, on a localized scale and with no large scale plant mortality, but need to be checked to improve productivity. The 'potential pests' were: one species in plantations (Ascotis selenaria) and four insects in nurseries [(Eucosma glaciata , Phalantha phalantha, Nodostoma waterhousie and white grubs) with >50% incidence]. Integrated pest management practices, comprising cultural methods, use of bio-pesticides, tolerant poplar varieties/clones, natural enemies, recommended safe insecticides and avoiding alternate host plants of the pest, are discussed for important pests.     

Single-drop and nanogram level determination of sulfite (SO3(2-)) in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage samples based on diffuse reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (DRS-FTIR) analysis on KBr matrix

The diffuse reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopic (DRS-FTIR) method, using potassium bromide matrix, has been developed for the one-drop microdetermination of sulfite in beverage samples. The present method is very simple, rapid, and precise for the determination of sulfite. The nanogram level of sulfite determination is based on the selection of a quantitative analytical peak at 495 cm (-1) among the three observed vibrational peaks obtained by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRS-FTIR). As little as a single drop of sample is sufficient for quantitative analysis of sulfite. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method are found to be 8 and 40 ng of SO 3 (2-) 0.1 g (-1) of KBr matrix, respectively. The linear range of the method (LR) as well as the LOD based on the concentration of sulfite in the solution are 5-500 and 0.8 microg/mL, respectively. The precision in terms of standard deviation and relative standard deviation value at a level of 100 ng of SO 3 (2-) 0.1 g (-1) of KBr for n = 10 are found to be 2 ng of SO 3 (2-) and 2.3%, respectively. The relative standard deviation ( n = 10) for the determination of sulfite in beverage samples available in the local market was observed to be in the range of 2.4-7.8%. The method is free from interionic effects of foreign species. No sample pretreatment is required in this method. The proposed method avoids the requirement of large numbers and bulk amounts of reagents. The method is well-suited to the need of green chemistry.     

Effects of Fasciola gigantica infection on growth and nutrient utilisation of buffalo calves

The effects of Fasciola gigantica infection on bodyweight gain, dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients and feed conversion efficiency in buffalo calves were investigated. Nine male buffalo calves of the Murrah breed, aged 12 to 15 months with a mean (se) bodyweight of 166 (12.5) kg, were randomly assigned to groups of five (group 1) and four (group 2). The animals in group 1 were given 1000 viable, mature metacercariae of F gigantica orally, while the animals in group 2 served as uninfected controls. They were stall fed on diets containing a concentrate mixture and ad libitum wheat straw and were maintained by standard management practices for a period of 165 days after infection. The average daily liveweight gain of the infected animals was 110.6 g, compared with 439.4 g in the uninfected controls, and was associated with the appearance and establishment of immature flukes in hepatic bile ducts. The feed conversion efficiency declined significantly (P<0.01) from 41 days after infection and was lowest at the end of the experiment. F gigantica infection did not influence the digestibility of the nutrients. The impaired feed conversion efficiency was mainly due to a reduction in dry matter intake due to inappetence.