Physiological races ofExserohilum turcicum in Israel

A set of differentials of corn plants(Zea mays L.) containing Ht1, Ht2, Ht3 or HtN genes was used to identify races ofExserohilum turcicum in Israel. Plants were inoculated with 14 isolates ofE. turcicum collected from various regions in Israel (from Ayyelet HaShahar in the north to Sa’ad in the south). Differentials containing Ht1, Ht2, Ht3 or HtN genes were resistant to the 14 isolates tested, whereas the inbred lines without Ht genes were highly sensitive. Resistance was characterized by the formation of non-sporulating chlorotic lesions. When plants containing Ht1, Ht2 or Ht3 genes were inoculated with relatively high inoculum concentrations (over 50 conidia/drop), chlorotic lesions were associated with necrosis in the center of the lesions. Sporulation of the fungus in the necrotic parts of the lesions was significantly less than on plants without Ht genes. No necrosis was observed in plants with the HtN gene. Our results indicate that the physiological race ofE. turcicum in Israel is race 1.     

Mating types ofExserohilum turcicum in Israel

Fifty-one single conidial isolates ofExserohilum turcicum were collected from seven locations in Israel and three in the USA and tested for mating type and aggressiveness. Sixteen isolates mated were mating type a; 29 were mating type A; and six failed to mate with either the A or the a mating type. Isolates differed significantly in their ability to cause lesions of different sizes, and in their ability to produce conidia on the susceptible corn hybrid Jubilee. They also differed in their rate of growth on lactose casein agar. No significant difference in lesion size or conidial production was noted between mating types. Conidial production and radial growth were significantly lower for isolates with no mating capacity as compared with conidial production of defined mating types. Pseudothecia were produced after 14–16 and 21 days when mating occurred onSorghum halepense straw or barley straw, respectively. The average number of pseudothecia produced on 10 cm² of straw was 17 and 8 forS. halepense and barley, respectively. Pseudothecia were not produced on corn straw.     

Dietary supplementation with low molecular weight sodium alginate improves growth,haematology, immune reactions and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Clarias gariepinus

A few studies have illustrated the effects of sodium salt derived from alginic acid on different fish species. However, little is known about the effect of sodium alginate on catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Therefore, this study was performed to assess the use of low molecular weight sodium alginate ( LMWSA) in C. gariepinus. A total of 180 apparently healthy C. gariepinus with a mean body weight of 45 g were randomly divided into three equal groups (D1, D2 and D3). D1 the control group received a control diet, while D2 and D3 received 1% and 3% LMWSA, respectively, for 8 weeks. A challenge test against Aeromonas hydrophila was performed on 15 randomly selected catfish for 15 days. At the end of the experiment, catfish in D3 that received a diet of 3% LMWSA showed significant increases in the final body weight, weight gain and thermal‐unit growth coefficient compared with those in D2 and D1. There was a significant decrease in the erythrogram in D1 after the 4‐day pathogen challenge. A leucogram revealed leucocytosis, heterophilia and lymphocytosis in catfish in D2 and D3 compared with those in D1. After the 4‐day challenge, the following changes took place: lysozyme, nitric oxide, phagocytic activity and the respiratory burst were significantly elevated in catfish that received LMWSA and were more pronounced in D3 than in D1. The mortalities of catfish have been stopped after pathogen challenge from 8‐day in D1 and D2 where at 6‐day in D3. Thus, administration of 1% and 3% LMWSA enhances the growth, immune response and resistance of C. gariepinus against A. hydrophila.     

Barseem (Trifolium alexandrnum) protein concentrate in broiler rations

Animal protein in broiler rations was replaced with Barseem Protein Concentrate (BPC). The standard group having blood, meat and fish meal as sources of animal protein showed an average weight gain of 1655 g. Replacement of blood meal with BPC resulted in a slight decrease in the average weight gain (1541 g) of broilers. Average weight gain of broilers increased to 1775 g and 1671 g when fish or meat meal was replaced with BPC in rations. Complete replacement of animal protein with BPC adversely affected growth and average weight gain decreased to 1443 g. Supplementation with lysine or methionine when animal protein was replaced with BPC did not improve growth of the broilers.     

Toxicity nanoinsecticide based on clove essential oil against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

This study aimed to characterize nanoparticles loaded with clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil-based polyethylene glycol (PEG) and to know their insecticidal activity against red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). The nanoparticles have irregular shapes in good dispersion. The nanoformulation could not enhance clove oil contact toxicity to T. castaneum, but could protect the oil from degradation and evaporation while simultaneously allowing sustained release, as indicated by the continued high toxicity for 16 weeks of storage.     

Combined Application of Biochar and Biocontrol Agents Enhances Plant Growth and Activates Resistance Against Meloidogyne incognita in Tomato

Gesunde Pflanzen - Biochar (BC) is known to enhance plant growth and may activate plant resistance to various soil borne pathogens. In this experiment, the rice husk (RH) BC was combined with...     

Conversion of communal grazing land into arable land and its impacts on soil properties and vegetation cover

With rapid population growth and absence of agricultural intensification, smallholders need more land to grow crops. This resulted in communal grazing land conversion to cultivated land. This study, therefore, aimed at exploring the magnitude of communal grazing land conversion and its influence on soil properties and vegetation cover change. Ecological time line approach was used to measure the magnitude of change. Plants and soil samples were taken from open grazing land, seasonal grazing land, 6 years old cultivated land, 16 years old cultivated land and 20 years old cultivated land. Moreover, 95 respondents were selected to assess their perception on the subject. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis system software. Results showed that grazing land declined by 41.88%, while cultivated land increased by 56.80% in the years between 1992 and 2012. Plant attributes showed significant (P?P?相似文献   

Prevalence and molecular characterization of bovine Cryptosporidium in Qazvin province, Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, variability with host age, and the genotypes of species of Cryptosporidium in cattle from 15 dairy farms in Qazvin province, Iran. Fecal samples, collected from 272 cattle during May 2006 to December 2007, were characterized microscopically. Oocysts from 51 positive samples were analyzed using PCR assay of 18S SSU rRNA, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing. We identified 72.6% of the positive samples as Cryptosporidium parvum, 17.7% as Cryptosporidium andersoni, 7.8% as Cryptosporidium bovis and 1.9% as a novel genotype of C. parvum possessing a single mutation on MboII restriction. An infection rate of 19.5% of C. parvum among 174 pre-weaned calves was significantly higher than the 3.1% among 98 post-weaned calves (P < 0.0006). This is the first report of C. bovis and the new subgenotype of C. parvum in Iranian cattle.