Surface entrapment of toxic metals from electroplating waste and their possible recovery

Heavy metal ions such as Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd and Zn have been removed from the electroplating waste using Fe(III) hydroxide as adsorbent. The maximum removal of these metal ions (>90%) occurred at pH 8 to 9. Removal of SO ₄ ^2? (98%) occurred at pH 4. Anions were found to play a negative role in the adsorption phenomenon. Metal ion Sorption has been found to decrease with increasing anionic concentrations. The methodology proposed might provide an inexpensive and economical procedure for removal and recovery of toxic metals from electroplating wastes.     

Effects of AM fungi and organic fertilizers on the reproduction of the nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> and on the growth and water loss of tomato

Glasshouse experiments were conducted to assess the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora margarita) and organic fertilizers (cow dung, horse dung, goat dung and poultry manure) alone and in combination on the reproduction of the nematode Meloidogyne incognita and on growth and water loss of tomato. Meloidogyne incognita decreased water loss of tomato from the first week onwards after inoculation. AM fungi increased water loss of both nematode-infected and uninfected plants. Glomus mosseae was better at improving growth of tomato and reducing galling and nematode multiplication than G. margarita, but the rate of water loss was similar with both fungi. Addition of organic fertilizers improved growth of tomato, but decreased the rate of water loss. There was less galling and nematode multiplication with poultry manure, which improved tomato growth more than goat dung, while cow dung was the least effective organic fertilizer. Greatest plant growth and least nematode reproduction were observed in plants inoculated with M. incognita along with G. mosseae and poultry manure.     

OPTIMUM DESIGN OF SEDIMENTATION TANKS BASED ON SETTLING CHARACTERISTICS OF KARACHI TANNERY WASTES

A study was carried out in a specially designed settling column to investigate the settling characteristics of effluents arising from Karachi tanneries. The Jar-tests were conducted to determine the optimum dosage of coagulants such as potash alum and ferric chloride to maximize the removal of suspended solids (S.S) from the wastes. For alum, the optimum dosage was found to be 150 mg L^-1, whereas with ferric chloride it was 30 mg L^-1. Experiments carried out in the settling column with the optimum coagulant dosages showed that the coagulation with ferric chloride was much better than with alum, as it removes about 84% S.S from the wastes compared to 70% removal obtained in case of alum. Design curves in terms of percent removal of S.S. vs loading rate and detention time were constructed using data obtained from settling column. These curves can be used in designing the settling tanks employed in the tannery wastes treatment plants.     

Substrate-dependent biosynthesis of ethylene by rhizosphere soil fungi and its influence on etiolated pea seedlings

Several fungi were isolated from rhizosphere soils of various crops through enrichment on l-methionine (l-MET) as a sole C and N source. These fungi were examined for their C₂H₄ production potential in vitro. GC-FID analysis indicated that 78%, 83%, 89% and 72% of fungi isolated from rhizosphere soil of wheat, maize, potato and tomato, respectively, produced C₂H₄ from substrate l-MET. Eight of the most efficient C₂H₄-producing fungal isolates (two from each crop) were further tested for their ability to produce C₂H₄ from 2-keto-4-methylthiobutyric acid (KMBA) and α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KGA). Interestingly, all eight fungi produced C₂H₄ from KMBA, but none used α-KGA as C₂H₄ precursor. This result implies that the MET→KMBA→C₂H₄ pathway was most likely operating in these fungi. The most efficient C₂H₄ producer fungus (isolated from maize rhizosphere soil) was identified as Aspergillus terreus; this isolate was further studied to determine the optimal conditions for C₂H₄ production from l-MET. It was observed that a substrate (l-MET) concentration of 10 mmol l⁻¹, a glucose (C-source) concentration of 6.0 g L⁻¹, no nitrogen, a pH of 6.0, an incubation temperature of 30 °C and an incubation time of 72 h were optimal conditions for l-MET-derived C₂H₄ biosynthesis by Aspergillus terreus. In addition, C₂H₄ released from precursor (l-MET) by Aspergillus terreus significantly affected the seedling length and stem diameter of etiolated pea seedlings in both sterilized and non-sterilized soils compared to a control. C₂H₄-producing microflora may be ubiquitous in soil, and the availability of a substrate like l-MET could enhance C₂H₄ synthesis in the rhizosphere of a plant, in turn evoking a physiological response. As far as we know, this study represents the first comprehensive screening of rhizosphere fungi for their ability to produce C₂H₄ from l-MET and KMBA.     

Pot study on wheat growth in saline and waterlogged compacted soil: II. Root growth and leaf ionic relations

Soil compaction affects plant growth by causing increased resistance to root penetration and a decreased uptake of water and ions. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil compaction in conjunction with the soil salinity and waterlogging on root growth and leaf ionic composition of two wheat genotypes (Aqaab and MH-97). Compaction was achieved at a 10% soil moisture content by dropping 5 kg weight, controlled by a tripod stand for 20 times from 0.6 m height on a wooden block placed inside the soil-filled pots. Soil bulk density of non-compact and compact treatments was measured as 1.21 and 1.65 Mg m⁻³, respectively. The desired salinity level (15 dS m⁻¹) was developed by mixing required amount of NaCl in the soil before filling the pots. Waterlogging was developed by flooding the pots for 21 days both at tillering and booting stages. Compaction significantly reduced the root length density (RLD) of both the wheat genotypes while the combined effect of compaction×salinity was more drastic on root length density than compaction alone. Waterlogging however, did not decrease the root length density, rather it mitigated the effect of compaction. Compaction decreased the concentration of K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio in leaves. Salinity also decreased the concentration of K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, but increased the concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in the crop leaves. Salinity and compaction interacted to cause a greater reduction in K⁺ concentration and the K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, while there was lesser increase in the concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ compared with salinity alone. Waterlogging also decreased the concentration of K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio in leaves. It intensified the effect of salinity but decreased the effect of compaction on leaf ionic composition. Therefore, the effect of compaction on root growth and ion uptake is more severe under salt-affected soil conditions than under normal soil conditions while occasional waterlogging of a compact soil for a few days makes the soil conditions favorable for root growth both under non-saline as well as saline soil conditions. Also, the performance of a genotype in stressed environment is related to maintenance of higher root length density, leaf K⁺ concentration and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio and lower leaf Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations.     

Nitrogen balance,production performance,and plasma metabolites of lactating buffaloes in response to varying dietary protein levels

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of the study was to assess the effect of feeding the same diet to different breeds of chickens and at different ages on fatty acid (FA) composition...     

Yield measures of irrigation performance in Pakistan

Customary evaluations of irrigation performance based upon crop yield per unit area do not reflect an adequate assessment of performance in water scarce environments such as Pakistan. Yield per unit water is a complementary and sometimes more appropriate measure. This note illustrates the different evaluations based upon yields of irrigated wheat and rice in Pakistan.     

Effect of exogenous administration of oxytocin on postpartum follicular dynamics,oestrous rate and ovulation in Nili-Ravi buffaloes

Based on different surveys, dairy farmers are concerned about extensive use of exogenous oxytocin in buffaloes, which is being held responsible for reproductive problems including irregular oestrous cycle and delayed ovulation. For these concerns, effects of oxytocin injection on postpartum follicular dynamics, postpartum oestrous interval (PEI), oestrous length, the interval from onset of estrus to ovulation and blood progesterone (P4) were studied in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. For this purpose, 23 animals within 1 week after calving were randomly divided into three groups: without oxytocin (CON; n = 7), 10 i.u. oxytocin (LOW; n = 8), 30 i.u. oxytocin – (HIGH; n = 8) and used to record the PEI for the study period of 154 days. At subsequent estrus, three buffaloes from each group (not served) were selected randomly to monitor two cycles for 6 weeks. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate follicular and corpus luteum (CL) development, and blood sampling was done for progesterone (P4) analysis. These results revealed that postpartum oestrous interval (PEI) decreased significantly in oxytocin-treated groups. The number of small, medium and total follicles on the left ovary was significantly higher in the HIGH group. However, an overall number of small and total follicles on both right and left ovaries was significantly higher in CON and HIGH groups. On the other hand, there was no difference in the number of follicles on the right ovary among all treatment groups. The same was true for the size of pre-ovulatory follicles, CL, P4 concentrations and oestrous cycle length. The intervals from onset of estrus to ovulation and from standing estrus to ovulation were increased considerably in the HIGH group. It is concluded that exogenous oxytocin administration resulted in the shortening of PEI but triggered a delay in ovulation. Moreover, a higher dose of oxytocin could stimulate the growth of small, medium, and total follicles in postpartum Nili-Ravi buffaloes.     

Vaccination with Rift Valley fever virus live attenuated vaccine strain Smithburn caused meningoencephalitis in alpacas

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic, viral, mosquito-borne disease that causes considerable morbidity and mortality in humans and livestock in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In June 2018, 4 alpaca inoculated subcutaneously with live attenuated RVF virus (RVFV) Smithburn strain exhibited pyrexia, aberrant vocalization, anorexia, neurologic signs, and respiratory distress. One animal died the evening of inoculation, and 2 at ~20 d post-inoculation. Concern regarding potential vaccine strain reversion to wild-type RVFV or vaccine-induced disease prompted autopsy of the latter two. Macroscopically, both alpacas had severe pulmonary edema and congestion, myocardial hemorrhages, and cyanotic mucous membranes. Histologically, they had cerebral nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis with perivascular cuffing, multifocal neuronal necrosis, gliosis, and meningitis. Lesions were more severe in the 4-mo-old cria. RVFV antigen and RNA were present in neuronal cytoplasm, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH) respectively, and cerebrum was also RVFV positive by RT-rtPCR. The virus clustered in lineage K (100% sequence identity), with close association to Smithburn sequences published previously (identity: 99.1–100%). There was neither evidence of an aberrant immune-mediated reaction nor reassortment with wild-type virus. The evidence points to a pure infection with Smithburn vaccine strain as the cause of the animals’ disease.     

The association between antibody titres againstCampylobacter fetus and reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle

The relationship between the antibody titres againstCampylobacter fetus and various indices of reproductive efficiency was studied in a cross-sectional study of 178 dairy cows from three California Dairy Herd Improvement Association herds. Blood samples were collected from the lactating cows during December 1986. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to determine the antibody titres of the cow againstCampylobacter fetus, Haemophilus somnus andLeptospira hardjo and were classified as either negative or positive. The status of a cow as either negative or positive againstCampylobacter fetus andHaemophilus somnus represents serological evidence of natural exposure to the corresponding bacterial agents. However, the status againstLeptospira hardjo was assumed to reflect a vaccinal titre since all the cows studied had been routinely vaccinated against this organism in September 1986. The data on demographic and reproductive parameters pertained only to the current lactation of the cows and were obtained from Dairy Herd Improvement Association individual cow records of December 1986. Five indices of reproductive efficiency were used, namely the recent calving interval, the calving-to-conception interval, the calving-to-last-service interval, the number of services per conception, and the number of services since last calving. The serological status againstHaemophilus somnus, Leptospira hardjo and other covariates suggested by the results of previous studies were included in modelling the relationships of interest. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were carried out to study the adjusted relationship ofCampylobacter fetus with each measure of reproductive efficiency.Multivariate analyses revealed that the adjusted relationship forCampylobacter fetus with all five measures of reproductive efficiency was non-significant (p > 0.05). Among the covariates,Leptospira hardjo had a strong and independent relationship with recent calving interval, the unstandardized partial regression coefficient being -0.77. The possible biological mechanisms of these associations are discussed.Abbreviations BMDP biomedical computer programs - DHIA dairy herd improvement association - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - ICR individual cow record - PSS physiological saline solution - SD standard deviation; Other abbreviations are shown in Table I