Effect of yeast supplementation on the growth performance of Malpura lambs

Thirty-six Malpura lambs (age?=?58 days; 8.9 kg BW) were equally divided into three groups (N?=?12; six males and six females) to assess the effect of probiotics supplementation on growth, digestibility, rumen fermentation and carcass attributes. The lambs of the control group (CON) were not supplemented with probiotics, while test groups received either Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) or combination of S. cerevisiae and Lactobacillus sporogenes (SCLS) at 1.5 % of concentrate mixture. The lambs were fed ad libitum concentrate mixture and bajra (Pennisetum typhoides) straw in a cafeteria system until 180 days of age. Daily feed intake and weekly live weight changes were recorded. A metabolism trial was conducted on six lambs at 90 days. Rumen fermentation study was conducted at 105 days. At 6 months, all male lambs were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were recorded. Body weight and average daily gain (ADG) were similar among the three groups. The digestibilities of all the nutrients were also similar among the groups, except acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility, which was higher (P?=?0.032) in SC and SCLS than the CON. The rumen fluid pH was higher (P?=?0.04) in CON and SC group than SCLS at 0 h while NH₃-N at 8 h sample was higher (P?=?0.031) in SC and SCLS group than the control. Pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and dressing yields were similar. ADF digestibility and rumen fermentation was improved in lambs by probiotic supplementation. However, carcass traits remained unchanged due to probiotics supplementation.     

Unusual Glycosaminoglycans from a Deep Sea Hydrothermal Bacterium Improve Fibrillar Collagen Structuring and Fibroblast Activities in Engineered Connective Tissues

Biopolymers produced by marine organisms can offer useful tools for regenerative medicine. Particularly, HE800 exopolysaccharide (HE800 EPS) secreted by a deep-sea hydrothermal bacterium displays an interesting glycosaminoglycan-like feature resembling hyaluronan. Previous studies demonstrated its effectiveness to enhance in vivo bone regeneration and to support osteoblastic cell metabolism in culture. Thus, in order to assess the usefulness of this high-molecular weight polymer in tissue engineering and tissue repair, in vitro reconstructed connective tissues containing HE800 EPS were performed. We showed that this polysaccharide promotes both collagen structuring and extracellular matrix settle by dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, from the native HE800 EPS, a low-molecular weight sulfated derivative (HE800 DROS) displaying chemical analogy with heparan-sulfate, was designed. Thus, it was demonstrated that HE800 DROS mimics some properties of heparan-sulfate, such as promotion of fibroblast proliferation and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion. Therefore, we suggest that the HE800EPS family can be considered as an innovative biotechnological source of glycosaminoglycan-like compounds useful to design biomaterials and drugs for tissue engineering and repair.     

Role of sponge gourd in apical leaf curl disease of potato in Northern India

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the important vegetable crops in the world and its production is seriously affected by apical leaf curl disease in northern India. This paper reveals the role of cucurbits in maintaining Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) and Potato apical leaf curl (PALCD) disease in that region. The affected plants showed severe leaf curling and stunted growth. The begomovirus causing leaf curling and mosaic disease in cucurbits could be easily transmitted by the whitefly to potato crops and develop apical leaf curl disease in northern India. The movement of the virus by whiteflies from cucurbits to potato and tomato is possible because of overlapping of planting and harvesting dates of these crops. The causal virus was identified as a begomovirus on the basis of whitefly transmission, PCR, dot blot hybridization, cloning and sequencing of the coat protein gene. The comparison of full length coat protein gene sequence homology revealed that 90% identity with the coat protein gene of ToLCNDV- [Luffa] isolate and the phylogenetic tree derived from these sequences with other selected begomoviruses formed a close cluster with ToLCNDV isolates. The findings proved that the virus causing disease in cucurbits could easily move to tomato and potato and cause leaf curl disease naturally. This is the first observation on the role of sponge gourd for maintenance of ToLCNDV and serving as a host for PALCD in northern India. The findings indicate that the causal organism is a strain of ToLCNDV.     

Rat control by trapping in deepwater rice

Studies conducted at the deepwater rice research site of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute during 1989–1992 revealed that bandicoot rats in flooded deepwater rice (DWR) fields can be controlled effectively by the use of live traps. Intensive trapping during the flooding period significantly reduced damage to elongating stems and grain yield. Live traps were found to be superior to snap traps. Traps need to be placed on a float. Trap floats served as roosts for the exhausted rats that swam from the raised areas to the flooded rice fields. Floats made of banana trunk (after fruit harvest) were inexpensive and lasted for 2–3 weeks. Fresh snail flesh or paddy grains were effective trap baits. Field monitoring is an essential part of the trapping programme. The programme should be Initiated at the beginning of stem cutting in the field and continue until its cessation. Collective effort may be useful but not essential, when a DWR field is attacked an individual farmer can adopt the method to control rats.     

The incidence of suspected white spot syndrome virus in semi‐intensive and extensive shrimp farms in Bangladesh: implications for management

The study was conducted to assess key factors influencing suspected white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) disease and associated shrimp production and economic performance in three contrasting black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture technologies promoted by the United States Agency for International Development funded Shrimp Quality Support Project (SQSP) in Bangladesh. A total of 350 traditional, 315 Modified Traditional Technology1 (MTT1), 36 MTT2 and 88 Closed System Technology (CST) farmers from 10 sub‐districts in three districts of Khulna division were surveyed following random sampling at the end of the project. Binomial probit regression analysis revealed that smaller newly constructed ponds (known locally as gher) were less susceptible to WSSV, provided aquatic weeds were controlled using chemicals. Removal of sludge from ghers also had a positive effect, irrespective of technology and location. It was also shown that stocking of screened shrimp postlarvae (PL) does not guarantee protection against WSSV (t = 1.39, P > 0.05). Higher shrimp production was obtained by farmers practicing CST, followed by those operating MTTs and traditional technology respectively. Farmers who adopted CST also gained higher profitability followed by those operating MTT1, MTT2 and traditional technology.     

不同药剂处理对库尔勒香梨枝条抗冻性的影响

以库尔勒香梨为试验材料,秋季落叶前2周进行水杨酸（SA）0.5,1.0,2.0 mmol/L,腐胺（Put）1.0,5.0,10.0 mmol/L,亚精胺（Spd）0.5,1.0,2.0 mmol/L等3个药剂、9个不同处理,取样后在人工低温处理条件下分析库尔勒香梨的抗冻性。试验结果表明,相对电导率、脯氨酸、MDA、SOD的累积贡献率达到94.1%,可作为库尔勒香梨主要的抗寒性鉴定指标,其中,相对电导率贡献率为71.6%,可单独作为库尔勒香梨抗寒性的鉴定指标。3种药剂处理后枝条的抗冻强弱顺序为1.0 mmol/L SA〉2.0 mmol/L SA〉5.0 mmol/L Put〉1.0 mmol/L Spd〉0.5 mmol/L Spd〉对照。在生产实践中,可根据实际情况于果实采收后喷施浓度1.0-2.0 mmol/L的水杨酸,以提高库尔勒香梨在越冬期的抗冻性。     

Alleviation of drought stress in maize by exogenous application of gibberellic acid and cytokinin

The study was conducted to investigate the ameliorative roles of GA₃ and CK on adverse effects of drought in maize. Drought stressed maize plants were applied with GA₃ and CK at 50, 100, and 150 mg L^?l as foliar spray at the vegetative and the reproductive stages. Plant height, internode length, stem diameter, leaf chlorophyll index, and dry matter production were significantly affected by drought. In most cases, GA₃ and CK significantly improved the depressed plant traits, but in varying degrees depending on the growth stage encountering hormones, and their types and concentrations. Both GA₃ and CK were found to be very effective in alleviating drought-imposed adverse effects on maize at the vegetative phase. Such alleviating effects varied depending on the concentration of the hormones. Application of CK at 150 mg L^?l was excellent resulting in a 106% yield advantage compared to drought stress and 79.9% increase relative to well-watered controls. Conversely, GA₃ at 50 mg L^?l performed well showing 78.8% increase in grain yield. However, both GA₃ and CK had very little effect on improving the depressed growth and yield attributes in maize at the reproductive phase. The relative yield advantages for the hormones were mainly attributed to improving the cob and seed-bearing capacity of drought-stressed maize plants.     

Genetic improvement of wheat grain quality at CIMMYT

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is the global leader in publicly-funded maize and wheat research and in farming systems based on these crops. CIMMYT leads the Global Wheat Program (GWP), which includes some of the largest wheat breeding programs in the world. The GWP has been successful in developing wheat germplasm that is used extensively worldwide. Wheat quality improvement is a central component of all the breeding efforts at CIMMYT and the Wheat Chemistry and Quality Laboratory represents an integral part of the breeding programs. Wheat quality is addressed at CIMMYT over the full range of this very wide and variable concept with milling, processing, end-use and nutritional quality targeted. Wheat progenitors and advanced lines developed by the breeders are assessed for diverse quality attributes, with the aim of identifying those that fulfill the requirements in terms of milling, processing, end-use and nutritional quality in different target regions. Significant research is conducted to make more efficient the integration of wheat quality traits in the breeding programs. The main topics being addressed are (1) methodologies to analyze grain quality traits, (2) genetic control and environmental effects on quality traits, (3) characterization of genetic resources for quality improvement, and (4) diversifying grain properties for novel uses.     

Fine roots for uptake and translocation of zinc into young leaves as important traits for zinc efficiency of maize genotypes

Suitable germplasm and breeding for zinc (Zn)-efficient genotypes has been prioritized to combat Zn deficiency problem. Six maize genotypes were grown in a nutrient solution with or without Zn to identify genotype tolerance to low Zn and its mechanism. Zhongnong 99 was found to be about 2-fold more Zn-efficient than L69 × 178. Young shoot Zn concentration and content was significantly correlated with Zn efficiency (ZE). Furthermore, Zn-efficient genotype as Zhongnong 99 distributed more Zn into young parts of shoot and also developed longer and thinner roots (≤ 0.2 mm) under -Zn conditions than inefficient genotypes. The close relationship (0.82***, 0.88***, 0.90***) between Zn content of young shoots and fine roots indicated that fine roots (≤ 0.2 mm) contributed more efficient Zn uptake into old parts which distributed to young parts. In conclusion, the analysis of young shoots and fine roots (≤ 0.2 mm) represent a suitable screening technique for ZE evaluation of under -Zn conditions.