Effects of biofloc under different carbon sources and protein levels on water quality,growth performance and immune responses in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1978)

A 75‐day 2 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of two levels of dietary protein (32 and 40%) and two different carbon sources (rice flour–R and molasses‐M), and without carbohydrate (control–C) in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon juveniles (3.37 ± 0.04 g) at 100 nos. m^?3 in 100 L fibre reinforced plastic tanks. Biofloc volume and total suspended solid were higher in molasses added groups (32 + M and 40 + M) followed by rice flour (32 + R and 40 + R) and controls (32C and 40C). Molasses and rice flour addition significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the total ammonia–N compared to controls. The highest Vibrio, Bacillus and Lactobacillus counts were recorded in 40 + M, 32 + M and 32 + R respectively. Among the treatments, significantly higher (P < 0.01) final body weight was recorded in 40 + R (8.5 ± 0.3 g), 40 + M (7.8 ± 0.3 g) and 32 + R (7.5 ± 0.4 g) compared to control groups, 32C (6.1 ± 0.3 g), 40C (6.4 ± 0.3 g) and molasses added group, 32 + M (5.7 ± 0.4 g). Rice flour supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.01) the total haemocyte count (×10⁶ cells mL^?1) in 32 + R (45.7 ± 3.7) and 40 + R (44.3 ± 3.1) compared to controls, 32C (27.3 ± 3.4) and 40C (25.8 ± 0.9). Similarly, higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, serum protein and glucose were recorded in the rice flour added groups, 40 + R followed by 32 + R. Among the treatments, the highest level of prophenoloxidase (OD 490 nm, 0.3 ± 0.0) and survival after challenge with Vibrio harveyi (55.6%) was observed in 32 + R. The study elucidates that rice flour addition produces optimum level of biofloc with better growth and immune responses compared to molasses and control. Furthermore, rice flour addition at 32% protein level could replace 40% protein feed.     

Effect of feeding different levels of wheat roti on nutrient utilization and blood metabolite profile in semi‐captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of wheat roti (WR) on nutrient utilization and blood metabolites in Asian elephants fed roughages ad libitum. Nine (3 M, 6 F) Asian elephants (14–52 years of age, 1909–3968 kg BW) were used in an experiment based on replicated Latin square design. Animals in each group (n = 3) were assigned to one of the three dietary treatments in a manner that animals in all the three groups were exposed to all the three treatments in three different periods. Each feeding trial comprised 30 days (25 days of adaptation and 5 days collection period). The amount of WR fed to the elephants was 0.18, 0.12 and 0.06% of BW in groups I, II and III, respectively. They were allowed to forage in the nearby forests for 6 h/day and to bathe for 2 h/day. The animals had ad libitum access to cut Rohini (Mallotus philippensis) trees in their night shelter. Intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn were measured. Feed consumption was not significantly different among the groups. Significant (p < 0.01) decrease in digestibility of DM and GE and blood glucose concentration was observed with decreased level of WR in the diet. Feeding of WR at 0.06% of BW supplied adequate amount of DE, CP, Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn to meet requirement for adult maintenance. Feeding of WR in excess of 0.06% of BW supplied DE in excess of requirement, increased blood glucose concentration which may cause obesity and other associated health problems. It was concluded that the amount of WR should be restricted to 0.06% of BW in the diet of captive Asian elephants.     

Characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of biofilm-producing Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli from broiler chickens and their environment in India

Veterinary Research Communications - Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is responsible for colibacillosis in poultry. APEC remains a constant problem for the poultry industry, despite the use...     

Optimized loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus-[potato]</Emphasis> detection in potato leaves and tubers

Apical leaf curl disease of potato is caused by a whitefly transmitted begomovirus, Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus-[potato] (ToLCNDV-[potato]) in India. Detection of this virus is essential to manage the disease, particularly in healthy potato seed production systems. Large scale testing of micro-plants demands a simple, rapid and sensitive assay. Hence, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was developed for specific detection of ToLCNDV-[potato]. Six primers that recognize the coat protein gene sequence of ToLCNDV-[potato] were designed and LAMP assay was optimized using different concentrations of magnesium sulphate, betaine, dNTPs, Bst DNA polymerase and temperature. The results were assessed by visual observation of turbidity, colour change using SYBR green dye and also by gel electrophoresis. The assay successfully detected the virus in infected plants collected from potato fields whereas no cross-reactions were observed with healthy plants and other potato viruses. The optimized assay was as sensitive as PCR assay and could detect up to 0.002 pg of total DNA. The assay could detect the virus in infected potato tubers and also in asymptomatic plants. Print-capture LAMP assay was developed and its application could reduce the cost and time of the assay in large scale testing under seed production.     

Evaluation of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> as an immunomodulator: in vitro expression model

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or type II interferon is a cytokine that is critical for innate and adaptive immunity against viral and some bacterial and protozoal infections. The importance of IFN-γ in the immune system lies in its ability to inhibit viral replication directly and most importantly from its immunomodulatory effects. Previously, we successfully co-administered IFN-γ along with GAPDH gene of Edwardsiella tarda as bicistronic DNA vaccine in Labeo rohita. In order to ascertain the individual role of IFN-γ, the present study involves cloning and expression of 552-bp IFN-γ open-reading frame (ORF) of L. rohita in striped snakehead (SSN-1) cell line using eukaryotic expression vector system (pQE-TriSystem) followed by transfection in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMCs) to evaluate its immunomodulatory ability in comparison to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C)-treated PBMCs. The 18.7-kDa protein, expressed in the pQE-IFNγ-transfected SSN-1 cells, reacted with anti-His antibody in Western blot confirming it to be recombinant IFN-γ, whereas the relative expression of IFN-γ, iNOS, Mx, and IL-1β genes in PBMCs was quantified at 24 h and 48 h post treatment by qPCR. The comparative kinetics of all four genes showed significantly (p?<?0.05) high upregulation pattern in both pQE-IFNγ-transfected cell group and Poly I:C-treated cell group demonstrating recombinant IFN-γ as an equally efficient inducer like Poly I:C. Thus, our in vitro experiment results highlight the immunomodulatory potential of recombinant IFN-γ as an analogue to synthetic Poly I:C which warranted future studies to further explore the potential of recombinant IFN-γ as an effective vaccine adjuvant against different microbial invasion.     

In vitro plant regeneration of non-toxic Jatropha curcas L.: Direct shoot organogenesis from cotyledonary petiole explants

Jatropha curcas, the energy plant has attained great attention in recent years because of its biodiesel production potential; however, oil and deoiled cakes are toxic. A non-toxic variety of J. curcas is reported from Mexico. A simple and efficient protocol has been developed for plant regeneration using cotyledonary petiole explants of non-toxic variety of J. curcas. The percentage of induction of shoot buds (59.11%), and the number of shoot buds (5.01) per explant was achieved on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 2.27 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). These induced shoot buds multiplied when subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 10 μM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 μM 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP), and 5.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for 4 weeks and subsequent elongation achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.25 μM BAP and 8.5 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Shoots more than 2 cm long were harvested and cultured on MS medium containing different concentrations and combinations of IBA, IAA, NAA, and 0.25 mg L^?1 activated charcoal, and 19.91% rooting was achieved in 15 μM IBA, 5.7 μM IAA, and 16.5 μM NAA after 4 weeks with more than 90% survival rate.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Indian melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces with special reference to disease and insect resistance loci

This study was aimed to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of Indian melon landraces with special reference to disease and insect resistance loci. Thirty‐six simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers along with seven markers at disease and insect resistance loci were used for this purpose on a panel of 91 accessions available at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India. Model‐based structure analysis revealed the presence of four groups that were consistent with the results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The delineation of populations was mostly based on geography with improved varieties as a separate group. Ten accessions have been identified to possess beneficial alleles at all the selected disease resistance loci and shall be useful for incorporating multiple disease resistance after phenotypic validation. The results obtained in the current study demonstrate the importance of the Indian melon group as a valuable genetic reservoir and the need to plan strategies for its conservation and utilization in breeding programmes.     

Effects of C:N ratio and substrate integration on periphyton biomass, microbial dynamics and growth of Penaeus monodon juveniles

An outdoor growth trial was conducted for 75 days to investigate the effect of C:N ratio and bamboo substrate (S) in brackish water shrimp culture. Penaeus monodon juveniles (0.35 ± 0.03 g) were stocked in experimental tanks with and without bamboo substrate. C:N ratio of 10 and 20 was manipulated with shrimp feed containing 32 % crude protein and rice flour as carbohydrate source. Addition of substrate and higher C:N ratio (CN20+S) significantly reduced (p < 0.01) inorganic nitrogen NH₃–N by 48.2 %, NO₃–N by 41.6 %, NO₂–N by 42.7 % compared with CN10. Substrate addition significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the turbidity by 22.4 % (CN10+S against CN10) and 20.7 % (CN20+S against CN20). Periphyton biomass and total heterotrophic bacterial load were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in CN20+S in comparison with CN10+S treatment. The autotrophic index increased from 123.4 ± 0.62 to 158.9 ± 3.8 for CN10+S and, 121.8 ± 1.6 to 228 ± 9.11 for CN20+S system. Provision of substrate and carbohydrate addition resulted in the highest body weight, 4.87 ± 0.12 g in CN20+S against 3.66 ± 0.07 g in CN20 and 2.90 ± 0.12 g in CN10 through provision of natural food in the form of periphytic algae and heterotrophic bacterial community. Treatment with substrates showed a higher survival rate by 7 % in comparison with without substrate treatments as it acted as shelter to shrimp during molting and there by reduced cannibalism. Thus, our results demonstrated that high C:N ratio and substrate addition improved growth, reduced FCR and better water quality conditions.