Optimization of production of nucleopolyhedrovirus ofHelicoverpa armigera throughout larval stages

Studies were carried out to optimize production of nucleopolyhedrovirus of American bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), by treating larvae individually with an inoculum dose that allowed maximal larval growth and also gave the highest occlusion bodies (OB) yield/larva. The maximum virus yield of 12.2x 10⁹ OB/larva was obtained when 6-day-old larvae were fed individually with a dose of 1 x 10³ OB. Topical spiracular treatment of larvae as old as 8 days with 10 μ of 2x 10⁷ OB ml^-1 gave the highest yield, of 15.2x 10⁹ OB from 13-day-old larvae, of 12.8x 10⁸ OB from prepupae and of 1.49x 10⁸ OB from pupae at the time of their death. These studies showed that dietary inoculum is the best route for 6-day-old larvae and topical spiracular treatment is the best for 8-day-old larvae.     

Role of biotechnology in forest disease research and management in Canada: synthesis1

This article describes the most important biotechnological research in major tree diseases of Canadian forests and discusses the role of biotechnology in the management of forest diseases. A brief information on Canada's forest resources and the damage caused by these diseases is also included.     

Armillaria root rot: Artificial inoculation and development of the disease in greenhouse1

Inoculation of five softwood provenances have revealed that they vary considerably with regard to their percent infection, percent mortality, severity of disease symptoms and progress of infection. Sitka spruce was the most susceptible species and served as a better substrate for further development of mycelium and rhizomorphs as compared to Norway and black spruces and Scots pine. The fungus always entered through uninjured surface of root collar and/or roots, the latter with more than 2 mm diameter. There was a conspicuous reduction m the total and annual growth in height in A. mellea-infected seedlings.     

Collection and Characterization of Citrus indica Tanaka and C. macroptera Montr.: Wild Endangered Species of Northeastern India

Citrus indica and C. macroptera are the wild endangered species of Citrus occurring in northeastern India. Surveys were undertaken in this region for ascertaining distribution, studying variability and for collection of germplasm of these two species. C. indica, an endemic species of this region, was collected from the Citrus Gene Sanctuary located in buffer zone of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in the Garo hills of Meghalaya. In addition, a putative natural hybrid of C. indica and C. limon was collected for the first time from the south Garo hills. C. macroptera had much wider distribution and was collected from Mizoram and Meghalaya states. In Jantia hills of Meghalaya, natural populations of this species are in a highly threatened state. The two species were unevenly distributed all over the explored territory. Morphological characterization of leaves, fruits and seeds indicated the presence of sizable variability within collected accessions of these two Citrus species. Indigenous technical knowledge gathered on the use and socio-economic importance indicated commercial potential for these two species in northeastern India. However, lack of cultivation of these species and clearing of forest cover at an alarming rate has led to an urgent need to adopt complementary conservation strategies to safeguard these species and to ensure their availability for future utilization. A major emphasis on developing methods for their propagation, multiplication and regeneration in in situ and ex situ conditions is required.     

Effect of diet on cast production by the megascolecid earthworm Amynthas alexandri in laboratory culture

Feeding and casting activity of Amynthas alexandri fed on corn, wheat leaves, and mixed grasses were monitored in laboratory cultures. Casts were produced on the surface and sides of the containers. Food consumption varied from 36.5 to 69 mg g^–1 live worm day^–1. Cast production ranged from 3.95 to 5.9 mg g^–1 live worm day^–1. The C:N ratio in casts in laboratory cultures (11.17) and in field samples (8.84) was consistently lower than the corresponding ratio in the parent soil (13.19 and 10.54, respectively). This was probably due to mineralization of plant-derived organic material during passage through earthworms with consequent low C:N ratios.     

Pharmacokinetics following intravenous administration and pharmacodynamics of cefquinome in buffalo calves

Disposition following single intravenous injection (2 mg/kg) and pharmacodynamics of cefquinome were investigated in buffalo calves 6–8 months of age. Drug levels in plasma were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration–time profile following intravenous administration was best described by a two-compartment open model. Rapid distribution of cefquinome was evident from the short distribution half-life (t _½α ?=?0.36?±?0.01 h), and small apparent volume of distribution (Vd_area?=?0.31?±?0.008 L/kg) indicated limited drug distribution in buffalo calves. The values of area under plasma concentration–time curve, elimination half-life (t _½β ), total body clearance (Cl_B), and mean residence time were 32.9?±?0.56 μg·h/mL, 3.56?±?0.05 h, 60.9?±?1.09 mL/h/kg, and 4.24?±?0.09 h, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of cefquinome were 0.035–0.07 and 0.05–0.09 μg/mL, respectively. A single intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg may be effective to maintain the MIC up to 12 h in buffalo calves against the pathogens for which cefquinome is indicated.     

Effects of extraction methods on phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in aerial parts of Potentilla atrosanguinea Lodd. and quantification of its phenolic constituents by RP-HPLC

The effects of different solvent systems (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and their 50% aqueous concentrations) and extraction procedures (microwave, ultrasound, Soxhlet and maceration) on the antioxidant activity of aerial parts of Potentilla atrosanguinea were investigated by three different bioassays: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). The 50% aqueous ethanol extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity measured in terms of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) [(54.34 to 122.96, 29.82 to 101.22 and 13.64 to 41.43) mg of Trolox/g] with ABTS (*+), DPPH (*) and FRAP assays, respectively. In general, TEAC of Soxhlet extracts was found to be 1.8 and 3 times higher than ultrasound and maceration but slightly (1.2 times) higher than microwave. A positive correlation (r(2) = 0.931 to 0.982) was observed between total polyphenol (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents which ranged between 26.7 to 30.7 mg/g gallic acid equivalent and 16.8 to 20.8 mg/g quercetin equivalent respectively, with antioxidant activity. In addition, some of its bioactive phenolic constituents which contribute largely toward antioxidant potential such as chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and quercetin were also quantified in different extracts by RP-HPLC.     

Remediation of Fly Ash Dumpsites Through Bioenergy Crop Plantation and Generation: A Review

Utilization of fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion in thermal power plants, is a sustainable use of waste for power generation. Discarding fly ash as waste in landfills/ash ponds may not only be regarded as a loss of valuable land and essential nutrients, but also pose a significant health hazard due to fine air-borne particles and leaching of heavy metals. The presence of essential macro- and micronutrients and its porosity make fly ash an excellent soil amendment for plant growth as an organic nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) supplementation. As harmful heavy metals make fly ash unsafe for agronomy, bioenergy crop plantation and energy generation from different thermochemical conversions of the biomass would be an ideal method for coal fly ash utilization through which carbon-neutral fuel can be generated from fossil fuel, thus reducing climate change impact. This review summarizes the development of bioenergy plantation and silviculture at fly ash dumpsites with an integrated phyto-bio-rhizo-mycoremediation approach and assesses utilization of the valuable biomass for thermal energy, electricity, and biofuel generation with inclusion of a SWOT analysis (a strategic technique typically used to help identify the strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat). Bioenergy crop production through integrated phytomanagement can generate billions of dollars of wealth from waste and provides a sustainable solution for fly ash management, with environmental, economic, and social benefits.