Association of induction of protease and chitinase in chickpea roots with resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri

To improve the breeding of chickpea varieties with resistance to Fusarium wilt, an attempt was made to analyse the biochemical basis of disease resistance by measuring levels of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, protease and proteinase inhibitor activities in dry and soaked seeds and in root and shoot tissues of wilt-resistant and wilt-susceptible cultivars. Marginal variation was observed in the levels of the candidate proteins in dry or soaked seeds. Chitinase activity was higher in roots than in shoots or cotyledons. No proteinase inhibitor activity was detected in root and shoot tissue of any of the cultivars. When the levels of these proteins were analysed in resistant (Vijay) and susceptible (JG-62) cultivars during development of wilt by growing plants in soil infested with F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri , race 1, both cultivars showed induction of chitinase activity in the roots. However, the induced activity in JG-62 (3.82 U g⁻¹) was equivalent to the constitutive level in Vijay (3.90 U g⁻¹) and much lower than that induced in Vijay (5.18 U g⁻¹). Induction of protease activity was observed only in root extracts of Vijay when challenged by the pathogen. The root extract of Vijay showed in vitro antifungal activity in a plate assay. Simultaneous induction of proteolytic and chitinolytic activities specifically in the resistant cultivar was correlated with antifungal properties of root extracts effective in conferring resistance.     

Extinction of a weakly armoured threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) population in Prator Lake, Alaska

Abstract –  Threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) samples from Prator Lake in southcentral Alaska consist of the relatively rare form of weakly armoured individuals with few lateral plates and no pelvic spines. Prator Lake has been sampled for threespine stickleback since 1983. Exotic northern pike ( Esox lucius ) were first observed in this lake in 1996. The appearance of pike corresponds with a dramatic decrease in stickleback numbers and apparent local extinction. The stickleback population may have been vulnerable to an exotic predator because Prator Lake lacks native piscivorous fishes, and this population had extreme armour reduction.     

Excretion of dibutyl phthalate by sorghum roots under Fe‐stress: Evidence of its action on chlorosis recovery

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cv. CSH‐7, an Fe‐efficient hybrid was grown and subjected to Fe‐deficiency stress. The nutrient medium was extracted for isolation of reductant chemicals. By means of thin layer chromatography, I.R. spectrum and HPLC analysis, dibutyl phthalate was identified as the principal component. This chemical was not found in the nutrient medium extracted before the onset of chlorosis or in that after the plants recovered from chlorosis. Furthermore, synthetic dibutyl phthalate and that obtained from the exudate when supplied to the nutrient medium caused greening of chlorotic sorghum in 24 hours. Evidence that the root medium of the Fe‐efficient sorghum can induce recovery of an Fe‐inefficient sorghum grown together, has also been obtained. It is concluded that dibutyl phthalate released by the Fe‐efficient sorghum subjected to stress, is responsible for making Fe available for utilisation. The mechanism of action of dibutyl phthalate on chlorosis recovery is still an open question.     

Identification of dibutyl phthalate in the root exudate of Fe‐efficient (corchorus capsularis L.) subjected to Fe‐deficiency stress : Its action on Fe‐chlorosis recovery

The jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) cv. 3RC‐212 which is Fe‐efficient, was subjected to Fe‐deficiency stress, and the nutrient medium was examined for chemicals, when the plants became chlorotic and the pH was lowered to about 4. While phenolic acids could not be detected, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) was identified in the extract by means of TLC and HPLC. The effect of DBP and caffeic acid was studied in JRC‐212 and DBP was found to cause recovery of the plants from chlorosis in 5 days. The chemicals, PA (phthalic acid), a derivative of DBP (50 mg/1) were supplied to chlorotic plants of JRO‐632, an Fe‐inefficient jute cultivar, and both the chemicals were effective in chlorosis recovery. PA application caused more rapid greening than DBP.

Jute is the second crop species in which DBP is identified in the root exudate. The detection of DBP was first recorded in sorghum CSH‐7.     

Defluoridation of Drinking Water Using PURAL® MG-20 Mixed Hydroxide Adsorbent

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - High applications of P fertilizers and manure are general practice in intensive agriculture and may cause eutrophication in adjacent streams. Bioavailability of P...