Sprouted Sorghum Extract Elicits Coleoptile Emergence,Enhances Shoot and Root Acclimatization,and Maintains Genetic Fidelity in indica Rice

The high growth-stimulating effect of plant extract has urged the plant biotechnologists to use natural supplements in the culture media instead of synthetic phytohormones. We advocated the effect of sprouted sorghum extract(SSE) on emergence, in vitro acclimatization, and genetic fidelity in coleoptile derived callus of indica rice variety ADT36. The use of SSE with Murashige Skoog medium efficiently acclimatized the root and shoot apical systems. A higher mat and seminal roots(3.4 g biomass) with an efficient shoot primordium elongation were observed with an increase in the concentration of SSE. Seeds treated with SSE medium showed higher germination and earlier coleoptile maturation about 48 h compared to untreated seeds, and there was a higher expression of e EF-1α with an increase in coleoptile length. B5 medium was effective on inducing embryogenic and nodular callus from 3-day-old coleoptile with 3.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and further proliferated effectively with 0.8 mg/L kinetin with a fresh weight of 180 mg. Highly significant regeneration was observed with combination of 2.5 mg/L 6-benzylamino purine and 3.0 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid. The metabolic and genetic profiles of in vitro and directly cultivated plants were the same, examined through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat(ISSR) and R-ISSR(combination of RAPD and ISSR) markers, respectively, and thus confirming the significant efficacy of the SSE incorporated medium. Disarmed T-DNA was transformed to coleoptile derived callus through Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 and confirmed by GUS assay. The T-DNA integration was confirmed by DNA blot analysis using DNA from transient GUS-expressed explants. Thus, SSE can be used as a natural and organic supplement for organogenesis and efficient acclimatizations of shoot and root apical meristems in regenerated plants.     

SPAR Markers-Assisted Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Finger Millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleusine Coracana</Emphasis> (L.) Gaertn) Mini-Core Collection

Finger millet is an important staple food crop of semi-arid tropics also known as “super cereal” and has a higher calcium content than any other crops. Thousands of germplasm are being maintained and its genetic characterization is essential for further utilization in crop improvement. This research was performed to estimate the diversity and population genetic structure in the mini-core collection of finger millet by using SPAR markers, namely RAPD, ISSR, and DAMD markers. Altogether, 32 primers were used in this study, which produced 408 bands among which 344 were polymorphic. Analysis by combining all three marker systems revealed 84.31% of polymorphism among 90 genotypes of finger millet. Average polymorphism information content (PIC) produced by the ISSR, RAPD, and DAMD markers were 0.79, 0.81, 0.62, and average Rp values were 12.84, 8.17, and 8.53, respectively. The Jaccard's similarity value ranged from 0.233-0.861. IE 6059 and IE 5870 genotypes showed the highest Jaccard's similarity value of 0.861 in UPGMA analysis. Neighbor joining-based phylogenetic analysis produced two major clusters and the genotypes were grouped based on their geographical region of origin. Principal component analysis and principal coordinates analysis also confirmed the results. In population STRUCTURE analysis, the genotypes were divided into two subpopulations (P1and P2). These results confirmed that the genotypes we have assessed were genetically diverse and were clustered based on their geographic region of origin. The information obtained from this study will be useful in population management strategies and selection of genotypes for an effective breeding program in the future.     

Alterations of reproductive parameters in the crab Carcinus maenas after exposure to metals

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of acute exposure to copper, chromium and mixtures of these metals on reproductive parameters of female Carcinus maenas. The parameters studied were ovarian esterase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, ovarian protein content, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI). Metals induced significant decreases on ovarian alkaline phosphatase activity, esterase activity and protein content. Ovarian acid phosphatase activity significantly increased in crabs exposed to chromium, while only a slightly increase was found in females exposed to copper and to mixtures of these metals. Furthermore, a dose-dependent reduction of both GSI and HSI were observed in crabs exposed to metals. These observations suggest that copper and chromium may interfere with the ovarian cycle in Carcinus maenas and, therefore, with the reproduction of this species. In general, the mixture had more pronounced effects than individual metals. This subject requires further investigation because in polluted estuaries, crabs may be simultaneously exposed to several metals.     

Toxic and Sublethal Effects of Ammonium Chloride on a Freshwater Fish Oreochromis mossambicus

The effects of ammonium chloride on survival and feeding energetics of the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus were studied. At a concentration of 600 mg L^-1 ammonium chloride, 100% mortality was observed within 24 h; no mortality occurred at 400 mg L^-1 within 96 h; Concentration of 450 mg L^-1 ammonium chloride was found as median lethal concentration at 96 h exposure. Rearing the fish in increasing sublethal concentrations of ammonium chloride, it was found that the feeding rate decreased from 20.309 ± 0.506 mg g live fish^-1 day^-1 (mg g^-1 d^-1 (control) to 11.594 ± 0.479 mg g^-1 d^-1 at the highest sublethal concentration (100 mg L^-1. Growth rate was drastically reduced.     

Dietary administration of androgens induces sterility in the female-heterogametic black molly, Poecilia sphenops (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846)

Treatment of newly born Poecilia sphenops (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846) with 50 mg 17α-methyl-testosterone or 200 mg androstenedione per kg diet for 30 days induced a maximum of 59% males; attempts to increase masculinization by increasing dose or treatment duration resulted in higher mortality. The growth of the treated males was significantly (25-53% retarded. Anabolic enhancement of relative growth (percentage of control) of the treated males and females was apparent in juveniles but not in adults. Hormonal induction of masculinization impaired the gonadal development and courtship activity, and led to the production of sterile males and females.     

Investigation on mechanical behaviour of twisted natural fiber hybrid composite fabricated by vacuum assisted compression molding technique

Nowadays, automotive, packaging and sport equipment industries are using natural fibre based composite materials as they are cheap, abundantly available and having a lot of ecological advantages. The main objective of this paper is to introduce a new concept of fibre twisting and to investigate the effect of twisting and the fibre orientation on the mechanical properties of bio degradable green composites. Here, the composites are fabricated by vacuum assisted compression molding technique in which the problems of hand lay process are eliminated. Here, two fibers namely twisted neem and twisted kenaf are sandwiched between layers of glass fibres to enhance the stiffness and strength of the laminates. Initially, the fibers are alkalized to increase the mechanical properties. The result shows that there is a significant improvement in mechanical properties of composites due to the presence of twisted fibers. It also shows the influence of fiber orientation on mechanical properties.     

Determination of residues of endosulfan in human blood by a negative ion chemical ionization gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method: impact of long-term aerial spray exposure

A new and sensitive analytical method using negative ion chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode has been developed for the determination of residues of endosulfan in the human blood. The residues of endosulfan are extracted from whole blood samples without separating the serum by the addition of 60% sulfuric acid at 10 degrees C followed by partition with hexane + acetone (9 + 1 by volume). The total endosulfan is quantified as the sum of alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in SIM mode. The mass-fragment ions used for this purpose that are monitored for in SIM mode include endosulfan diol: 95, 169, 214, 313, alpha-endosulfan: 99, 242, 270, 406, beta-endosulfan: 99, 242, 270, 406, and endosulfan sulfate: 97, 353, 386. Recovery experiments were conducted at the concentration range 1.0-100 pg ml(-1). Results showed 112-98% recovery of total endosulfan from the whole blood samples. The relative standard deviation was 1.49-2.68%. The method was found to be highly sensitive in quantifying endosulfan residues down to the 0.1 pg ml(-1) level. Conversion of endosulfan to endosulfan diol was found to be less than 0.1% under the conditions used. The results were compared with published data. The applications of the analytical method for the determination of endosulfan residues in real samples was tested by analyzing 106 human blood samples collected from a population living in Padre village, Kasargode District, Kerala, India, where aerial spraying of endosulfan has been a common agricultural practice over the years. The results showed that none of the blood samples contained residues of endosulfan (alpha-endosulfan 4 beta-endosulfan + endosulfan sulfate) or endosulfan diol. The results were confirmed by the detection of the appropriate amounts in a number of these samples which had subsequently been spiked with endosulfan.     

Phytotherapy and combined nanoformulations as a promising disease management in aquaculture: a review

Aquaculture International - Aquaculture-based foods have enriched nutritional and medicinal value to meet the needs of the global population. Recently, improper maintenance of aquatic organisms in...