Irrigation water reduction using System of Rice Intensification compared with conventional cultivation methods in Iraq

A field study was conducted at Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station (MRRS) during the summer season 2009 to evaluate irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) using Anbar 33 variety with the System of Rice Intensification compared to traditional methods. During the growth phase, the number of leaves, stems, and roots, and the average plant height were measured every 15 days for the two sets of methods. At maturity, the depth and length of plant roots was assessed, along with leaf area index (LAI) of the flag leaf and plant height. The amount of irrigation water applied was measured by water meter for both methods. SRI principles for plant age, spacing, etc., were implemented in the SRI plots. The results indicated more vigorous growth of roots under SRI methods, reaching 13,004 cm plant⁻¹ compared with non-SRI results of 4,722 cm plant⁻¹. There was 42% increase in grain yield when SRI methods were used. These had water use efficiency (WUE) of 0.291 kg m⁻² compared with WUE of 0.108 kg m⁻² for non-SRI cultivation, almost a threefold difference. SRI practices reduced the need for irrigation water by 38.5%.     

Can nutritional status of apple trees be determined by leaf analysis in early vegetation?

In this study, whether the nutritional status of apple trees can be predicted in the early stages of vegetation was determined by leaf analysis. For this purpose, from different districts of Isparta province in Turkey where apples are cultivated extensively, 150 apple orchards were assessed according to the production potential of districts. The leaf samples were collected at six different stages of vegetation from these orchards, and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and boron (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B) amounts were determined. Correlations were examined between the sixth period and the previous periods. The presence of significant correlations was interpreted, as leaf analysis can be used to determine the nutritional status of apples in the early growth period. Consequently, it was determined that leaf analysis can be carried out at any time from the beginning of vegetation for all elements except Fe and Cu.     

Biochemical changes and tissue distribution of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in naturally and experimentally EHP‐infected whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), in India

Stunted growth in pond‐reared Litopenaeus vannamei was observed in different farms located in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India. No mortality was associated with stunted growth. PCR assay on these samples revealed the presence of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in stunted shrimp. Tissue distribution of EHP in naturally and experimentally infected shrimp was studied by PCR and histology. Histological examination revealed the presence of EHP in hepatopancreas and gut, but not in other organs. The PCR assay revealed the presence of EHP in all the organs tested in both naturally and experimentally infected shrimp. Healthy shrimp were challenged with E. hepatopenaei by intramuscular injection and oral route, and no mortality was observed in both routes after 30 days post‐challenge. Different developmental stages of the microsporidian parasite were observed in the hepatopancreatic epithelial cells. Biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase were measured in the haemolymph of naturally and experimentally EHP‐infected shrimp. All biochemical parameters mentioned were found to be significantly higher in EHP‐infected shrimp when compared to normal shrimp. This is the first report relating AST and ALT levels to EHP infection in naturally and experimentally infected shrimp.     

Studies on the occurrence of infectious myonecrosis virus in pond‐reared Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in India

Whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, with clinical sign of muscle opaqueness with reddish colour at the distal abdominal segments were observed in farms located in West Bengal State, India. The mortality of shrimp in all disease outbreak ponds ranged from 20% to 50%, and mortality increased gradually. The RT‐PCR assay of these samples using primer sets specific to infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) revealed its presence in the disease outbreak ponds. The IMNV infection was reproduced in healthy shrimp by intramuscular injection to satisfy River's postulates. The virus caused mortality in intramuscularly challenged shrimp, but failed to cause mortality by oral route. Tissue distribution of IMNV in infected shrimp by RT‐PCR assay revealed the presence of this virus in haemolymph, gill, hepatopancreas and muscle. This study confirms that the disease outbreak which occurred in the shrimp farms located at Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India, was due to IMNV.     

A Simple PCR Procedure to Detect White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) of Shrimp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis> (Fabricious)

A non-stop, single tube and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with simple procedure was developed for simultaneous detection and grading the level of white spot syndrome infection in penaeid shrimp, Penaeus monodon. In this PCR procedure, three sense primers and one antisense primer with uniform annealing temperature of 55 °C were used. These primers amplify three PCR products (500, 300 and 200 base pairs [bp]) depending upon the severity of infection. Quantities of WSSV-DNA at 10 pg and greater gave three PCR products of 500, 300, 200 bp. A moderate concentration of WSSV-DNA, around 100 fg, gave two products of 300 and 200 bp and a low concentration of 1 fg or more gave only one PCR product of 200 bp. This PCR technique was assessed for early detection of WSSV in shrimp. In time-course infectivity experiments conducted on shrimp with WSSV, one PCR product (200 bp) was seen in hemolymph, tail tissue and gill at 3 h post infection (p.i.); two PCR products (300 and 200 bp) were seen in tail tissue, hemolymph, heart tissue and gill at 18 h p.i. At 30 h p.i., three PCR products (500, 300, 200 bp) were seen in all the organs tested. The samples collected from control animals showed negative for WSSV.     

Soil metal pollution as a function of traffic density and distance from road in emerging cities: a case study of Abeokuta,southwestern Nigeria

The distribution of Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Mn in the soil, and related soil properties was studied in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria. Their soil pollution source was hypothesized to be automobile traffic. Consequently, their variations were assessed as a function of traffic density, distance from road and traffic, and soil depth. Soil samples were collected from the areas of high, medium, and low traffic densities at 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 m from roadside; at depths 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm. The potential effects of these metals on environment and agricultural activities were also assessed. Results indicated that the major sources for the metals’ contamination are emissions from vehicles. High and medium traffic volume impacted more metals of the soils. Zinc, Cu, Cd, and Cr were concentrated at depths 0–40 cm, Pb, Ni, and Mn were concentrated at 0–20 cm and appeared bound to soil organic matter (SOM). Significantly lower concentrations of metals are found at distances of 100 m and beyond. Concentrations of these metals are generally low compared with standards and their uptake by crops is not probable. However, their continuous accumulation might be a threat in the future.     

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT HARVEST TIME AND SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF LENTIL

The effects of sulfur (S) fertilization and harvest time on amino acid composition of seeds of field-grown lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) at two different sites were studied. The aim of this study was to determine amino acid content of seed protein and to increase low levels of sulfur amino acids and trytophan in lentil seeds, which are major components for grain quality, with sulfur fertilization and farming practices in lentil. For this purpose, lentil was sown at two locations on 18 and 19 October 2007, 0 kg S ha^?1, 25 kg S ha^?1, and 50 kg S ha^?1 rates were used in the study. The plants were harvested at three different periods: early, optimal, and late period. According to the results, amino acid contents of protein were increased by sulfur fertilization and by the late harvest period.     

印度泰米尔纳德邦马杜赖地区横斑腹小鸮(Athene brama)的食性及猎物谱

我们于2007年至2009年通过食丸分析研究了印度泰米尔纳德邦马杜赖地区横斑腹小鸮(Athene brama)的食性及猎物谱.共分析了食丸4181个,记录了共16种猎物的40278个残余物.每个食丸中的猎物种类为1-31个,平均9.6±3.03个.分析表明,该地区横斑腹小鸮的主要猎物为无脊椎动物(昆虫类占83.0％,蛛...     

Reduction in chilling injury to stored grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) by vegetable oils

Immersing grapefruit in vegetable oils and vegetable oil—water emulsions prior to storage at 3°C markedly delayed and reduced symptoms of chilling injury. Oil—water emulsions of 20% oil were more effective than higher percentage oil emulsions or 100% oil.