A comparison of the gelling of isubgol,agar and gelrite on in vitro shoot regeneration and rooting of variety Samsun of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Agar is being used to solidify media for plant tissue culture since long. Both purity and type of agar or gelling agent influence the behaviour and growth of tissues in culture. The study using leaf disc explants of variety Samsun of tobacco compares adventitous shoot regeneration on 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm leaf discs cultured on MSD4X2 medium and rooting on MSO medium gelled with different blends of agar–isubgol, gelrite–isubgol, phytagel–isubgol or isubgol singly. It was found that irrespective of some problems associated with isubgol gel, the maximum number of shoot per explant were recorded on MSD4X2 medium gelled with 7 g/l isubgol. The longest shoots were recorded on MSD4X2 medium gelled with 9 g/l isubgol. Likewise, the highest number of roots were also recorded on MSO medium gelled with 7 g/l isubgol. For a given quantity of a medium, agar, gelrite/isubgol blends are very cheap compared to agar used singly. Moreover, blends of agar/isubgol, gelrite/isubgol gelled at low temperatures indicated safe use of these gels for heat labile substances in genetic transformation or tissue culture experiments. The results emphasized the potential of the isubgol used singly or in combination with agar and gelrite for economic commercial application, replacing the costliest, though not indispensable, gelling agent agar.     

Comparative efficacy of diminazene diaceturate and diminazene aceturate for the treatment of babesiosis in horses

The present work was conducted to study the comparative efficacy of two anti-protozoan (babesicidal) drugs on the recovery and health of horses. A total of 80 horses, showing typical clinical symptoms of the disease, were selected for this study; the presence of babesiosis was confirmed through blood smear examination. These animals were divided into two groups i.e. A and B. Horses of Group A, were treated with diminazene diaceturate, while horses of Group B were treated with diminazene aceturate. Efficacy of the drugs was determined by the reversal of clinical signs and a negative blood smear examination. The efficacy of diminazene diaceturate was demonstrated to be 80% while diminazene aceturate was found to have 90% efficacy against babesiosis.     

Effects of L-carnitine administration on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks.

Effects of L-carnitine administration via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks was examined. One hundred day-old Turkish native duck chicks were divided into two groups, each with five replicates and given the same diets with 0 and 200 mg/l carnitine chlorhydrate via drinking water. The study lasted 8 weeks, with the first 4 weeks as a starter and the last 4 weeks as grower period. At the end of the study five ducks were randomly selected from each subgroup for slaughter. Growth performance parameters of ducks were not affected significantly by L-carnitine administration. Live weight, daily weight gain, cumulative feed consumption and average feed conversion efficiency were found to be 1490 and 1621 g, 26.0 and 28.1 g, 5386 and 5662 g, 3.75 and 3.54 kg/kg in the control and in the carnitine groups respectively. L-carnitine administration did not effect carcass traits and serum cholesterol, total lipid, triglyceride and glucose levels. Total saturated fatty acid content of abdominal fat significantly decreased, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content were not affected by L-carnitine administration. In conclusion, L-carnitine administration by drinking water did not affect growth performance, carcass traits and blood parameters in ducks.     

In vitro inhibition of the carbonic anhydrase from saanen goat (Capra hircus) with pesticides

This study was conducted to determine the in vitro effects of four commonly used pesticides (Nuarimol™, Fenarimol™, Parathion-methyl™ and 2,4-D™) on erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity from Saanen goats (SG). The enzyme was 262.57-fold purified by affinity chromatography and the purity was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. Inhibitory effect of the pesticides on the purified enzyme was determined using the CO₂-hydratase activity method. IC₅₀ values of the pesticides that caused inhibition were determined by means of activity percentage diagrams. The concentrations of Nuarimol™, Fenarimol™, and 2,4-D™ that inhibited 50% of the enzymatic activity were 0.352, 0.924 and 2.04 mM, respectively. Conversely, the enzyme activity was increased by parathion-methyl.     

The critical period of weed control in double-cropped soybean

Double-cropped soybean after winter cereals is the most common soybean production system in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Weeds are among the main obstacles to double-cropped soybean. A study was conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC) for double-cropped soybean. The treatments consisted of either allowing weeds to infest the crop for increasing durations after sowing, or maintaining plots weed-free for increasing durations after sowing. The Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to relative yields representing the critical weed-free period and the critical time of weed removal, respectively. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) were the dominant weeds. For 5% crop loss level, the CPWC was almost all season long, whereas it was from V1 to R6-R7 growth stages for 10% yield loss level. These findings indicate that pre-sowing or pre-emergence control methods should be applied in the region to avoid greater crop losses.     

The Prevalence of Helminths in the Alimentary Tract of Geese (Anser anser domesticus) in Kars District,Turkey

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Characteristics of some almond kernel and oils

The proximate properties, the fatty acid and mineral contents of different almond kernel varieties were determined. The crude protein contents of kernels ranged between 12.7% (guara) and 16.3% (cristomorto). The oil yields from these kernels were established between 48.8% (cristomorto) and 55.7% (ferragnes). The acidity value of oils were found between 1.389 and 3.559%. In addition, peroxide values were established between 7.586 (nonpareil) and 15.590 mequiv./kg (cristomorto). The major fatty acids of almond kernel oils were oleic (72.5–79.9%), linoleic (13.5–19.8%) and palmitic acids (5.9–6.7%). The predominant mineral in most kernel was potassium (13.1–15.1 mg/100 g). The mineral contents of the kernels were established as 7.94–9.38 mg/100 g potassium, 2.9–4.0 mg/100 g magnesium and 1.84–2.94 mg/100 g calcium. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the kernels of almond varieties are being potential sources of valuable oil which might be used for edible and other industrial applications.     

Changes in Testicular Development, Ultrasonographic and Histological Appearance of the Testis in Buck Kids Immunized Against LHRH Using Recombinant LHRH Fusion Protein

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of recombinant Ovalbumin-LHRL (OL) immunization on changes in testicular size, histological appearance and testosterone production in buck kids. Thirty native buck kids at 18 weeks of age were divided into three groups, control (n = 10), immunization (n = 10) and castration (n = 10) groups. Immunized animals received OL protein generated by recombinant DNA technology. Ultrasonographic and histological examinations of the testes were performed. Animals were slaughtered at 44 weeks of age. Semen and epididymides were evaluated for the presence of sperm cells. Immunized animals generated anti-LHRH antibodies. Testosterone production, testicular and accessory glands development and sperm production were suppressed in the immunized animals (p < 0.01). Semineferous tubule diameters decreased (p < 0.01), basal membrane of the tubule was thickened and hyalinized in immunized kids. Immunization affected ultrasonographic appearance of the testes drastically. While testes of control animals gained their normal ultrasonographic appearance as the age increased, immunized animals had uniform hypoechogenic testicular structure as observed at 18 weeks of age until slaughter. Simultaneous histological and ultrasonographic evaluations indicated that the changes in testicular histology could partly be monitored via ultrasonographic imaging; nevertheless, it is difficult to claim that ultrasonographic image reflects the exact changes in such instances. In conclusion, these results indicate that recombinant OL fusion protein is effective in immunocastration in buck kids and has a potential to be used as an alternative to physical castration. Further researches should be conducted to help assessing reproductive status of testes from ultrasound images.     

A new record for the flora of Turkey: Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae)

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae) is reported for the first time for the flora of Turkey. This invasive alien plant was observed in the Asi River (also called the Orontes River), which runs from Lebanon, through Syria to Turkey. The observation was made in the river near the border with Syria. This site is the in the district of Altinözü in the province of Hatay in the East Mediterranean region. Turkey is divided into grids for floral purposes by the book ‘Flora of Turkey’ and the plants described were collected in grid sector C6. The authors concluded that E. crassipes (water hyacinth) can establish and spread in Turkey.