Effect of Partial Root-Zone Irrigating Deuterium Oxide on the Properties of Water Transportation and Distribution in Young Apple Trees

Partial root-zone irrigation （PRI） has been proved to be an optimal water-saving irrigation technology, however, few studies were done on water transportation and distribution under PRI. The present study was performed to investigate the water transportation and distribution among the wet and dry root-zones and the shoot using deuterium water （D2O） in 1/4 root-zone PRI experiment. It also aimed to determine and analyze the D2O relative abundance within different types of roots and shoots. The results indicated that water could be transported from roots in wet root-zone to roots in dry root-zone and shoots within 2 h after irrigation. Water transportation in roots of wet-zone was carried out by absorbing root, 1-2 mm root, 2-5 mm root, and〉5 mm root progressively, while through a reverse process in three dry root-zones. In shoots, water was transported to trunk, central trunk, annual branches, shoot and leaf progressively. Thus in the young apple trees subjected to PRI, water was distributed ifrst in the roots, including the roots in the wet and dry root-zones, to satisfy the water need of roots itself, and then transported to the shoot within hours of irrigation.     

Water Quality Index and Absorption of Zinc from Electroplating Industry Effluent Using Fungi

The present study deals with the Water Quality Index （WQI） and absorption of zinc from electroplating industry effluent using ftmgi. The physico-chemical parameters such as EC （Electrical Conductivity）, TDS （Total Dissolved Solids）, total hardness, magnesium, calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium, nickel, chromium and zinc content was above the permissible limits of BIS （Bureau of Indian Standards）. The WQI was 13, which showed that the pollution level of the electroplating industry effluent was severe in the rating scale and the effluent was not suitable for disposal without treatment. Three fungal species such as Aspergillus niger, Peinicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus nigricans were used for absorption studies. Different concentrations （25, 50, 75 and 100%） of electroplating industry effluent along with 1 gm of fungal mycelium with （1%） and without carbon source was incubated in a shaker for a period of 7 days in order to observe zinc absorption capacity. The absorption capacity of zinc was found to be higher in Aspergillus niger followed by Rhizopus nigricans and Penicillium chrysogenum. Among the three fungal species Aspergillus niger had high （50%） potential of zinc absorption with carbon source and low concentration （25%） of electroplating industry effluent.     

High-Level Accumulation of Exogenous Small RNAs Not Affecting Endogenous Small RNA Biogenesis and Function in Plants

RNA silencing is a fundamental plant defence and gene control mechanism in plants that are directed by 20-24 nucleotide （nt） small interfering RNA （siRNA） and microRNA （miRNA）. Infection of plants with viral pathogens or transformation of plants with RNA interference （RNAi） constructs is usually associated with high levels of exogenous siRNAs, but it is unclear if these siRNAs interfere with endogenous small RNA pathways and hence affect plant development. Here we provide evidence that viral satellite RNA （satRNA） infection does not affect siRNA and miRNA biogenesis or plant growth despite the extremely high level of satRNA-derived siRNAs. We generated transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants that no longer develop the specific yellowing symptoms generally associated with infection by Cucumber mosaic virus （CMV） Y-satellite RNA （Y-Sat）. We then used these plants to show that CMV Y-Sat infection did not cause any visible phenotypic changes in comparison to uninfected plants, despite the presence of high-level Y-Sat siRNAs. Furthermore, we showed that the accumulation of hairpin RNA （hpRNA）-derived siRNAs or miRNAs, and the level of siRNA-directed transgene silencing, are not significantly affected by CMV Y-Sat infection. Taken together, our results suggest that the high levels of exogenous siRNAs associated with viral infection or RNAi-inducing transgenes do not saturate the endogenous RNA silencing machineries and have no significant impact on normal plant development.     

Influence of Partial Drying on Oil Uptake ＆ Quality Attributes of French Fries

Today＇s customers are looking for non-fat or low-fat containing products. One of the methods to reduce oil absorption in fried products is partial drying before frying. In this study, influence of partial drying （10 min, 20 min, 30 min） on oil absorption and quality attributes of three potato cultivars （Agria, Satina, kenebek） was evaluated. Our results reveled that in Agria, partial drying leads to an increase in oil absorption compared with non-dried sample （p〈0.05）. In kenebek, partial drying reduced the oil absorption and improved the texture and color of the produced French fries （p〈0.05）. Similar results were observed with Satina as with kenebek. In all three varieties, partial drying increased the dry matter, color quality and required cutting force of the French fries （p〈0.05）.     

Absorption of Food in African Pike Hepsetus odoe （Bloch, 1974） in Ado Ekiti Reservoir,Ekiti State,Southwestern Nigeria

The protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents of the food ingested and their absorption in the intestine ofHepsetus odoe in Ado-Ekiti Reservoir, Ekiti State, Nigeria were investigated. Samples were analysed chemically for protein, fat and carbohydrate using the official methods of analysis described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemist. The ingested food had mean total protein, mean total carbohydrate and mean total lipid of 60.2% - 8.55%, 15.4% ± 1.9% and 15.6% ±1.1% of the organic content respectively. Calculated mean total percentages absorbed were 72.4% protein, 52% carbohydrate and 51.5% lipid. The foregut had the highest percentage absorption while the hindgut had the lowest for all the nutrients. Different sizes of fish showed different dietary protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents. Absorptive capacity for these components of the food also varied with fish size.     

NaCl胁迫对苇状羊茅离子吸收与运输及其生长的影响

 通过室内水培试验，探讨了NaCl胁迫对苇状羊茅离子吸收与运输及生长的影响及其随时间的变化。结果表明，NaCl胁迫浓度的增加使苇状羊茅茎叶和根系的K+含量、K+/ Na+、Ca2+/Na+、干物质重下降，而使Na+、Cl-含量、Cl-/Na+ 及对K+/Na+的吸收与运输选择性增高。茎叶Na+含量和Cl-含量增大的幅度大于根系，且Cl-大于Na+，茎叶中Cl-/Na+基本保持在1.6左右，而根系在0.8左右。胁迫时间对植株K+ 、Na+含量的影响最为显著。K+－Na+吸收选择性主要受环境盐分浓度的影响，而其运输选择性却主要受胁迫时间的影响。盐分对苇状羊茅地上部生长的抑制作用大于根系，且Cl-的影响程度大于Na+。     

Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.     

Isolation and Purification of Bovine Colostrum slgA and IgG

To further utilize bioactive substance such as bovine colostrum sIgA and IgG, sIgA and IgG were isolated and purified simultaneously by salting out, ultrafiltration and gel chromatography, etc. The analysis of results were showed quantitatively by nonhydrogenized SDS-PAGE, and quanlities of sIgA and IgG were respectively detected by Western Blot. The results showed that the purity and yield of bovine colostrum sIgA were 85.3% and 42.8%, respectively, while the purity and yield of bovine colostrum IgG were respectively 97.2% and 64.4%. This preparative method provides theoretical and experimental foundation for sIgA industrial production.     

Comparison of Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Components in Lettuce,Onion and Tomato Obtained with Different Levels and Forms of Nitrogen Fertilization

The effect of N levels and sources on the antioxidant components in vegetable is not completely understood. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the changes in antioxidant capacity diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） and ferric reducing antioxidant power （FRAP）, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total carotene and lycopene contents in edible portions of lettuce, onion and tomato due to different nitrogen levels and sources. The experiment included three N levels （20, 40 and 60 kg/ha for lettuce trial and 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha for either onion or tomato） and four nitrogen sources （calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea）. The antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents in lettuce was enhanced under low nitrogen level, while the antioxidant capacities, phenolics, carotenoids and lycopene in tomato fruits were not significantly affected by the nitrogen dose applied. Application of calcium nitrate caused 50% increase in DPPH and 20% in FRAP of lettuce compared to other nitrogen forms. Tomato treated with calcium nitrate or ammonium sulphate had higher phenolic and ascorbic acid contents than treated plants with ammonium nitrate or urea. Antioxidant tested parameters of onion were not significantly affected by the nitrogen treatments. Nitrogen concentration in tomato fruits significantly correlated with FRAP antioxidant capacity, phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotene and lycopene contents.     

Comparing the Impact of a Neonicotinoid and Biorational Agroneem on Herbivorous and Beneficial Arthropods on Cowpea and Tomato

Cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.） and tomato （Lycopersicum esculentum L. Karst） are attacked by a wide range of insect pests worldwide. In many cases, pesticides are used to control the pests. In 2010 and 2011, we conducted field experiments to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of a biorational （Agroneem~） and conventional pesticide （imidacloprid or thiamethoxam） on insect pests of these crops. In the first year, two varieties of cowpea （Mississippi Silver and Pinkeye Purple Hull） and two of tomato （Mariana and German Johnson） were used; in the second year, the better performing of each group （Mississippi Silver and Mariana） were used for the study. A split-plot design with four replications in Year 1, and a randomized complete block design with six treatment combinations in Year 2. In the first year, both pesticide groups were applied following manufacturer＇s recommendation （10-14 d cycles）; and in the second year, the application of the pesticides was driven by economic thresholds level （ETL） of insect pests. The most prevalent species of insects recorded in both crops were in the families： Chrysomelidae, Pentatomidae, Cicadellidae, Vespidae, Sarcophagidae, Thripidae and Sphingidae. In both years, the diversity of insects on cowpea was greater than on tomato and more insects were observed in the second year compared to the first, despite the absence of significant difference （P 〉 0.05） between varieties in the treated plots. The yield of cowpea and tomato was comparable in all sprayed plots.     

Effect of Season,Location, Cultivar and Spacing on Yield and Quality of Sugarcane in Western Kenya

In Kenya almost all sugarcane grown is under rainfall conditions that are planted in different locations during both long and short rainy seasons. Effect of season, location, cultivar and spacing on yield and quality of sugarcane is not clearly understood. The research was conducted at Kibos and Mumias to determine if the yields and quality of three sugarcane cultivars were affected by season, location and row spacing. Cultivars CO 945, EAK 73-335 and KEN 83-737 were manually planted during June and September in 2011. The trial was laid out as split-split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design （RCBD） replicated three times. Data collected at harvest, 17 months after planting （MAP） including cane yields, cane yield components and cane quality. The results revealed that cane length differed significantly between June and September. Stalk population and cane yields were significantly more at Mumias compared to Kibos. Cultivar EAK 73-335 showed significantly more cane yield （t/ha） than KEN 83-737 and CO 945. Both row spacing 1.2 m and 1.5 m did not affect cane yields. Brix%, Sucrose% and Purity% differed significantly between cultivars. The relationship between cane yield and stalk population was positive and significant, which indicated stalk population is a strong determinant of cane yield. The results showed that cane yield was significantly affected by location and cane quality by cultivars. Therefore Mumias is a better zone for sugarcane cultivation for both June and September seasons compared to Kibos.     

Responses of Lowland NERICA and Improved Oryza sativa Rice to Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Sudan Savanna Agroecosystem

The responses of five inter-specific lowland rice cultivars （NERICA-L-19, NERICA-L-20, NERICA-L-41, NERICA-L-42, and NERICA-L-60） and four improved Oryza sativa cultivars （FKR 19, BW 348-1, WITA 4, and SIPI 6923033） to levels of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization were compared on a Typic Natrustalfat Kadawa in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna in 2006 and 2007 The responses of the NERICA-L eultivars to N and P fertilization were similar to the O. sativa cultivars. In a dry year （2007）, the NERICA-L cultivars gave higher yields than O. sativa cultivars. Phosphorus level did not significantly affect crop physiology, yield, and yield components of all the cultivars. Pooled across cultivars, N and P levels, days to panicle initiation, mid-flowering and maturity were, respectively delayed by 17.0, 15.6 and 6.4 days in 2007 compared to 2006. NERICA-L-42 and NERICA-L-41 were the most stable, exhibiting the least difference in duration to maturity between the two years （3.5 and 4.4 days, respectively）, and could therefore be more adapted to rain-fed environments prone to frequent droughts. Increasing N levels from 0 to 120 kg hal produced yield increments of 62.9 and 37.2% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cultivars FKR 19 and WITA 4 gave higher yields in 2006 （3940 and 3542 kg ha^-1, respectively）, while in 2007, NERICA-L-42, NERICA-L^-19 and NERICA-L-20 ranked among the highest in grain yield （3935, 3807 and 3726 kg hal, respectively） and could be recommended to resource-poor farmers. a     

Frictional Behavior of Sunflower Seed and its Kernel as a Function of Moisture Content,Variety and Size

The object of this study was to investigate the frictional properties （repose angles and friction coefficient） of Iranian sunflower seed and its kernel （Fandoghi, Azargol and Shahroodi） as a function of moisture content, size and variety. The static coefficient of friction were determined on five structural surfaces including aluminium, plywood, galvanized iron, polyethylene and rubber when moisture content varied between 3 and 14 % d.b. The obtained results showed that static coefficient of friction on five studied surfaces increase linearly as moisture content increase from 3 to 14% for both seed and kernel. Among the applied surfaces, rubber showed the highest value of friction coefficient for both sunflower seed and kernel followed by plywood, polyethylene, galvanized iron and aluminium. The obtained values of emptying and filling angles of repose increase linearly with an increase in moisture content. Furthermore, the values of empting and filling angles of repose for small sizes were higher than big sizes in all levels of moisture content for both seed and kernel. Also, the emptying angle of repose assumed higher values than the filling angle of repose for all varieties and categories.     

Identification of Health and Welfare Parameters for Rabbit Production and Definition of an Evaluation Score

The knowledge on rabbit welfare may be improved by the use of correct tools for monitoring the different aspects of rabbit industrial farming. Therefore, the aim of this study was to define parameters related to health and welfare of animals in industrial farms with intensive husbandry. Health, management, environmental and productive parameters were firstly characterized and then a protocol to assess welfare of rabbits was define. The research was conducted on 8 industrial farms from 2004 to 2007 and around 30 inspections were done in each farm. At each visit, the health conditions were established by： （1） necropsy on animals of different productive category; （2） specific laboratory investigations based on the lesions observed; （3） checking the presence of parasites in environmental faecal samples; （4） bacteriological examination of vaginal, nasal and rectal swabs of rabbit of different age. The immune conditions and the efficacy of vaccinations were measured by determining anti-Myxomatosis and anti-Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease antibodies using competitive ELISAs, and anti-Encephalitozoon cunicoli antibodies by immunocarbonassay. The environmental conditions were evaluated by measuring air temperature, relative humidity, ammonia concentration and bacterial/fungal count. Finally the productive parameters were also recorded and elaborated. All the entered values were then utilized for defining a score system to establish health and welfare conditions.     

Evaluation of Essential Oils from Rosemary, Orange, Lavandula and False Yellowhead on Hatching and Motility of Root-Knot Nematode

Essential oils （EOs） from Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis （Lamiaceae）, Orange, Citrus sinensis （Rutaceae）, Lavandula, Lavandula angustifolia （Lamiaceae）, False Yellowhead, Dittrichia viscosa （Asteraceae） and their major components were evaluated against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogynejavanica. Second stage juveniles＇ （J2） paralysis and egg hatch inhibition were studied, while pulverized plant parts were tested for nematodes biological cycle arrest. All EOs paralyzed J2 and M. incognita were found more sensitive than M javanica with the EC50/4 days calculated at 250, 3,650 and 4,260 12g/mL for 1）. viscosa, L. angustifolia and R. officinalis, respectively. Similarly, all EOs inhibited nematodes egg hatch and D. viscosa exhibited the highest inhibition on egg hatch （100% inhibition at 5 μg/mL）. A significant influence of constituent terpenes （limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, camphor, L-borneol, caryophyllene oxide, β-eudesmol） dose and exposure time was indicated on egg hatch inhibition （56% to 100% at 500 μg/mL and 1,000 μg/mL）, while only β-eudesmol achieved paralysis of J2 and specifically against M. incognita （EC50/1d = 50μg/mL）. Interestingly, the most active botanical species arresting Meloidogyne spp. biological cycle in soil was C. sinensis （EC50 = 2 mg/g） and the most sensitive nematode species was M. javanica. The larvicidal and egg hatch inhibition activity holds promise towards the optimization of artificial terpene mixtures as novel and effective natural nematicides. Complex interactions of primary compounds and subsequent decomposition derivates compose efficacy profile of soil amendments.     

Genetic and Association Mapping Study of English Grain Aphid Resistance and Tolerance in Bread Wheat Germplasm

English grain aphid （EGA） is a destructive insect pest of wheat. To identify the loci associated with EGA resistance and tolerance, 70 bread wheat accessions mainly from central Asia were evaluated for EGA resistance and tolerance traits at two locations, and genotyped with 51 SSR markers. Totally, three accessions showed high or moderate levels resistance and 17 genotypes displayed highly or moderately tolerate to EGA. Genetic diversity of these lines was investigated also. After 97 SSR loci which evenly covered all wheat chromosomes were scanned for association, four SSR loci were significantly associated with EGA resistance and four with EGA tolerance. After association analysis was conducted with dynamic aphid densities, we found four loci Xgwm192b, Xgwm391, Xbarc98, and Xgwm613b were detected continuously at different growing stages of wheat. In addition, the loci of EGA resistance/tolerance and Russian wheat aphid resistance were compared. The results generated in this study would be helpful for utilization of the EGA resistance/tolerance germplasm, and for development of mapping populations in EGA resistance breeding programs.     

Some Engineering Properties of Sunflower Seed and Its Kernel

Some engineering properties of sunflower seed and its kernel, Shahroodi variety as a case study, were investigated at various moisture content levels （3-14% d.b.） for three size categories （large, medium and small）. With increase of moisture content from 3 to 14% d.b., all the main dimensions （length, width and thickness）, geometric mean diameter, porosity, true density, terminal velocity and static coefficient of friction increased while bulk density and rupture force for both sunflower seed and its kernel decreased for all size categories. The results showed that the highest value of static coefficient of friction for both seed and kernel was on the rubber surface, followed by plywood, polyethylene, galvanized iron, and finally aluminium surfaces. The seeds required less compressive force to dehull when loaded under the horizontal as compared to the vertical orientation. But for kernels, the trend was the opposite. Also, the compressive forces needed to initiate rupture of sunflower seed hulls were higher （47.1-94.72 N） than those required to rupture the kernel （8.5-13.4 N） in both orientations.     

Distribution and Identification of Ixodid Tick Species on Livestock in Northern Pakistan

Identification of lxodid tick species on livestock in two districts, viz., D.I. Khan and Lakki Marwat of Northern Pakistan were made during the period from March to November 2009 through animals＇ survey and questionnaire. The main tick species were Amblyomma （14.3%）, Boophilus microplus （l 8.5%） and Hyalomma anatolicum and H. dromedarii （67.2%）. Out of 3009 collected ticks, the highest number of female （88.7%） and the lowest of males （ l 1.3%） belong to Boophilus; the lowest number of female （92.4%） and the highest of males （77.5%） belong to Amblyomma. However, cows were more susceptible than buffaloes and camels ranked third to ticks infestation. Moreover, cows, buffalos, goats and sheep harbored mixed infestation （had more than one type of ticks）, however, camels and donkey harbored single infestation （had only one type of tick）. An emerging ethno-veterinary or traditional remedy is poultry keeping for ticks＇ elimination in Lakki Marwat. The results of this research will be helped in taking appropriate measures to reduce tick infestation and to improve management practices. Hence, it will help to increase farm productivity and farmers income.     

Assessment of Conflicts between Forestry and Agricultural Land Uses in Nigeria and Ghana

The study was conducted in four states of the Southwest geo-political zone in Nigeria and four regions in Ghana.. The results showed that the existing forest, agricultural and land use decree/policies in Nigeria and Ghana indicated lack of integration between Forestry and Agricultural land uses. The main conflicting areas were obsolete land use decree in Nigeria and lack of national land use policy in Ghana. The causes and effects of the conflicts had policy enunciation, stakeholders, and institutional and managerial dimensions. Some of the causes of the conflicts were lack of national land use policies for coherent and integrated forest and agricultural sectors; high population growth, de-reservation of forest reserves, unsustainable agricultural practices and technologies, land hunger, encroachment of forest reserves with cash crops and stakeholders＇ litany of demands and other diverse interests. Consequences of conflicts in the study locations included disharmony between forestry officials and farmers, antagonism between timber concenssionnaires and communities, wanton destruction of economic trees and seedlings, extinction of tree species, expansion of illegal farm lands and an attendant poverty. The logistic regression model for conflicts between forestry and agricultural land uses in Nigeria and Ghana indicated significant fit to the data judging from chi square value （df, 9） = 3174.1 that is significant at P 〈 0.05. The final loss of the model indicated a value of 92.47.     

Nutrient and Nutraceutical Potentials of Seaweed Biomass Ulva lactuca and Kappaphycus alvarezii

The study aimed at evaluating the nutrient and nutraceutical potentials of the selected seaweed biomass namely Ulva lactuca and Kappaphycus alvarezii. The selected seaweeds were found to be rich in macro and micronutrients. Kappaphycus contained high amount of ash when compared to U. lactuca. It is revealed that the mercury level in U. lactuca was 0.017 ppm and it was not detected in K. alvarezii. The heavy metal concentration in the selected seaweeds was within the tolerable value reported as quality criteria for edible seaweeds. These seaweeds were also found to be rich sources of vitamin antioxidants namely Vitamin C, total carotenoid, beta carotene, total chlorophyll and polyphenol. The phytochemical screening of the selected seaweeds showed that both seaweeds contained carbohydrates, protein, gums and mulicage, phenols, starch and quinones. Alkaloids was absent in Kappaphycus, saponins was moderate in U. actuca when compared to Kappaphycus. Glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids were absent in both the species. The selected seaweeds also possess antibacterial activity. The selected biomass could be recommended for use in dietaries to combat protein energy malnutrition and in particular micronutrient deficiencies.