Steam explosion of crop straws improves the characteristics of biochar as a soil amendment

Five crop straws(wheat, rice, maize, oil-rape, and cotton) were first steam-exploded for 2 min at 210°C, 2.5 MPa and then pyrolyzed at 500°C for 2 h. Steam explosion(SE) induced 47–95% and 5–16% reduction of hemicellulose and cellulose, respectively, in the crop straws. The biochars derived from SE-treated feedstocks had a lower specific surface area(SSA) and pore volume, compared to those from pristine feedstocks, with one exception that SE enhanced SSA of oil-rape straw biochar by approximately 16 times. After SE, biochars had significant higher anion exchange capacity(AEC)(6.88–11.44 cmol kg~(–1)) and point of zero net charges(PZNC)(pH 3.61–5.32) values. It can thus be speculated that these biochars may have higher potential for anions adsorption. In addition, oil-rape straw might be suitable to SE pretreatment for preparing biochar as a soil amendment and sorbent as well. Further work is required for testing its application in soil.     

Yield potential and salt tolerance of quinoa on salt‐degraded soils of Pakistan

Quinoa is recently introduced to Pakistan as a salt‐tolerant crop of high nutritional value. Open field trials were conducted to evaluate its performance on normal and salinity/sodicity‐degraded lands at two locations of different salinity/sodicity levels, S₁ (UAF Farm, Normal Soil), S₂ (Paroka Farm UAF, saline sodic), S₃ (SSRI Farm, normal) and S₄ (SSRI Farm, saline sodic) during 2013–2014. Two genotypes (Q‐2 and Q‐7) were grown in lines and were allowed to grow till maturity under RCBD split‐plot arrangement. Maximum seed yield (3,062 kg/ha) was achieved by Q‐7 at normal field (S₁) soil which was statistically similar with yield of same genotype obtained from salt‐affected field S₂ (2,870 kg/ha). Furthermore, low yield was seen from both genotypes from both S₃ and S₄ as compared to S₁ and S₂. Q‐7 was best under all four conditions. Minimum yield was recorded from Q‐2 (1,587 kg/ha) at S₄. Q‐7 had higher SOD, proline, phenolic and K⁺ contents, and lower Na⁺ content in leaves as compared to Q‐2. High levels of antioxidants and K⁺/Na⁺ of Q‐7 helped to withstand salt stress and might be the cause of higher yields under both normal and salt‐affected soils. Seed quality (mineral and protein) did not decrease considerably under salt‐affected soils even improved seed K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺.     

Male sterility in soybean: Occurrence,molecular basis and utilization

In plants, male sterility (MS) is a specific breeding target trait. With the advancements in agriculture, utilization of heterosis breeding in hybrid production through MS lines has become the main breeding tool of various cross‐pollinated and even self‐pollinated crops. Soybean is an essential source of oil and protein; however, the low yield is a major factor limiting its development. Soybean MS mainly comprises cytoplasmic‐nuclear MS and nuclear/genic MS (NMS/GMS), which can effectively utilize heterosis to improve soybean yield. This review outlines the recent research progress on the development of new genetically MS lines, exploring the underlying molecular mechanism of MS, identification and cloning of MS and fertility restoration genes, and the application of MS lines. We further discussed and prospected the future developmental scenario direction of the soybean MS, based on the previous studies of other crops sterility system. Moreover, this review also provides comprehensive information for better application of MS to soybean breeding programme.     

Thermal,swelling and stability kinetics of chitosan based semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels

The present study is focused on studying the swelling kinetics, thermal and aqueous stabilities, and determination of various forms of water in the chitosan (CS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend and semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN). CS/PAN blend hydrogel films were prepared by solution casting technique. The blend film with optimum swelling properties was selected for the synthesis of sIPN. CS in the blend was crosslinked with the vapors of Glutaraldehyde (GTA) to prepare sIPN. The fabricated CS/PAN blend and sIPN hydrogels films were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The kinetics of swelling, bound and unbound waters and aqueous stability were determined experimentally. FESEM showed good miscibility between CS and PAN, FTIR showed no chemical interaction between CS and PAN; however, it did show a doublet for the sIPN, TGA showed improved thermal stability and swelling kinetic followed second order kinetics. The degree of swelling of the sIPN hydrogels samples at room temperature varied from ~2200 % (with a fair degree of stability (~30 %)) to ~1000 % (with high degree of aqueous stability (43 %)) with increase in the crosslinking time. The calculated unbound water (W_UB) max., for the blend was 52.3 % whereas for the bound (W_B) the max., was 41.9 %. However, for sIPN hydrogel films, the W_UB water decreased (max. 21.0 %) where as the W_B increased (max. 52.0 %). The decrease in W_UB and increase in the W_B is attributed to the formation of a compact structure and increase in the contact area between the water and polymers in sIPN hydrogels due to the induction of new water contacting point in these hydrogel films, respectively.     

Farmer’s Perception of and Factors Influencing Agroforestry Practices in the Indus River Basin,Pakistan

Agroforestry practices of farming communities are investigated in southern Punjab province, Pakistan. It is hypothesized that rural people of this areas are more inclined than elsewhere in the province to practice agroforestry due to greater profitability than cropping. A landholder survey revealed that the majority of farmers are inclined to plant trees on their land. Low accessibility of institutional credit is a constraint for both agroforestry farmers (AF) and non-agroforestry farmers. However, among AF respondents only 24% were found to need credit for agroforestry practice, as against nearly 76% for crop production. Mostly farmers were found to have positive perceptions regarding agroforestry practice, because they understand the multiple benefits from growing trees, compared with cropping where farmers face various constraints, including poor access to credit, natural hazards, and little support from local authorities. Further, effort to sensitize farmers that growing trees has multiple benefits compared to only cultivation of field crops can bring about change in farmer’s perceptions and attitudes in the Indus River basin, resulting in motivation for agroforestry adoption.     

Genome-wide association analysis for stripe rust resistance in spring wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm

Stripe rust is a continuous threat to wheat crop all over the world. It causes considerable yield losses in wheat crop every year. Continuous deployment of adult plant resistance(APR) genes in newly developing wheat cultivars is the most judicious strategy to combat this disease. Herein, we dissected the genetics underpinning stripe rust resistance in Pakistani wheat germplasm. An association panel of 94 spring wheat genotypes was phenotyped for two years to score the infestation of stripe rust on each accession and was scanned with 203 polymorphic SSRs. Based on D' measure, linkage disequilibrium(LD) exhibited between loci distant up to 45 c M. Marker-trait associations(MTAs) were determined using mixed linear model(MLM). Total 31 quantitative trait loci(QTLs) were observed on all 21 wheat chromosomes. Twelve QTLs were newly discovered as well as 19 QTLs and 35 previously reported Yr genes were validated in Pakistani wheat germplasm. The major QTLs were QYr.uaf.2 AL and QYr.uaf.3 BS(PVE, 11.9%). Dissection of genes from the newly observed QTLs can provide new APR genes to improve genetic resources for APR resistance in wheat crop.     

First detection and molecular characterization of avian polyomavirus in young parrots in Pakistan

Veterinary Research Communications - Avian polyomavirus (APV) infection, also called as budgerigar fledgling disease (BFD) causes various health problems in many psittacine species which may cause...     

Follicular dynamics and changes in oestradiol‐17β, progesterone and LH profiles following PGF2α induced oestrus in early and late ovulating Beetal goats

This study compares the factors associated with variable interval to oestrus and ovulation between early versus late ovulating goats following PGF_2α administration. The time of ovulation in Beetal goats (n = 38) was monitored through transrectal ultrasound at every 6 hr following a single dose of PGF_2α (experiment 1). Variations in oestrus and ovulation times were further explored through the changes in follicular dynamics, endocrine profiles and behaviour in another set of goats (n = 13) following single PGF_2α given randomly during the luteal phase (experiment 2). The ovulation time varied between 60 and 96 hr, and 57% of ovulations occurred by 72 hr following PGF_2α (experiment 1). Accordingly, the goats (n = 13) in the second experiment were retrospectively divided either into early and/or late ovulating, that is, ≤72 and/or ≥84 hr following PGF_2α. The onset of oestrus, peak estradiol‐17β concentration and LH surge after PGF_2α was first observed in early than late ovulating goats (p < 0.05). The goats ovulating early had larger follicle and smaller CL in diameter at the time of PGF_2α administration than those ovulating late (5.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.3 ± 0.2 mm and 10 ± 0.6 vs. 11.8 ± 0.3 mm, respectively; p < 0.05). Likewise, plasma progesterone concentration tended to be lower (p = 0.087) in early than late ovulating goats. In conclusion, the size of dominant follicle and CL at the time of PGF_2a determines the interval to ovulation following a single dose of PGF_2a during the luteal phase.     

Periodic vicissitudes of different concentrations of a developed prototype killed S. aureus mastitis vaccine on immune modulators,mediators and immunoglobulins in cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland due to microbial infiltration causing a reduced mammary function. This study aims at developing a vaccine...     

The first report on serotyping of bluetongue virus in small ruminants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,Pakistan

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of Orbivirus genus (family Reoviridae), is a non-contagious infection of domestic and wild ruminants. The current study was designed to detect various serotypes of BTV in small ruminants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan, along with their effects on hemato-biochemical parameters. A total of 408 serum samples in four districts (Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swabi, and Kohat) of KPK from small ruminants were screened based on competitive ELISA (cELISA). A total of 204 (50%) samples were found positive for BTV group–specific antibodies. The seropositive samples were processed for the detection of BTV serotypes through real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Out of 204 cELISA-positive samples, 60 (29.41%) were found positive through qPCR. Three serotypes [6, 8, 9] were detected from Mansehra District and two from Kohat [2, 8] and Abbottabad [6, 8], while only one from Swabi [8]. The serotype “8” was found consistently in all the four study districts. A significant (p?<?0.05) increase in the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was recorded in goats, whereas aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in sheep infected with BTV, compared to healthy animals. The hematological parameters showed significantly (p?<?0.05) raised total leucocyte count (TLC) in both sheep and goats, whereas only hematocrit (HCT) value was increased significantly (p?<?0.05) in infected sheep. This is the first report on serotyping of BTV among small ruminants in Pakistan.