Estimating nutritive values of Jasminum fruticans L. plant species in northern rangelands of Golestan province

Information on different rangeland plants' nutritive values on different plant parts and for various habitats is important in rangelands management. Effects of different plant parts (stems and leaves) of the Jasminum fruticans L. plant species on forage quality indicators were investigated in two regions in 2015. Plant samples were collected from Sharlogh rangelands and cultivated in the Research and Education Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources (RECANR) in Iran with completely randomized design with three replications in each plant sample. The plant leaves and stems samples were oven-dried at 80°C for 24 hr, and then analyzed for crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude ash (CA), metabolizable energy (ME), and mineral elements, including calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Results showed that the forage quality indicators in different regions were statistically significant, except for the CA. Also, nutritive values differed significantly (p < 0.01) between different plant parts, except ME parameter. Results also indicated that J. fruticans due to its high tissue CP content is a valuable source of forage for livestock.     

Biomass and nutrient concentration of lettuce grown with organic fertilizers

The responses of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ‘Arroyo’) to organic nitrogen (N) fertilizers were investigated in a greenhouse. Fertilizers were blood meal (BLO), feather meal (FM), cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, sewage sludge, compost, cow manure, a chemical fertilizer, and a treatment without fertilizer. Amounts of N from fertilizers were 100, 200, 400, or 800?mg per pot. Lettuce yield was higher for plants receiving fertilizers than with no fertilizer and increased with increased N applications, but high applications of BLO or FM suppressed yields. Nitrogen and nitrate increased in leaves as N supply increased with all fertilizers. Small changes in leaf nutrient contents other than N occurred among or with increased application of the various fertilizers. The soil carbon dioxide release and ammonia volatilization were high from fertilizers with high N concentrations. Organic fertilizers with high N increased lettuce growth at lower applications than those with low N content.     

Comparisons of commercial organic and chemical fertilizer solutions on growth and composition of lettuce

The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of organic or chemical nutrient solutions on the growth and composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in greenhouse production. Hoagland and Arnon nutrient solution, an organic hydroponics solution, and no fertilization were factored with lettuce cultivars of different phenotypes, iceberg, romaine, loose head, and loose leaf. Lettuce growth was higher with Hoagland and Arnon solution than with the organic fertilizer or with no fertilization. The organic fertilizer increased growth above no fertilizer applied. Hoagland and Arnon solution gave the highest concentration of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and iron in the lettuce whereas lettuce grown with the organic fertilizer had the highest phosphorus. Plant nutrient accumulation differed slightly among the cultivars. Hoagland and Arnon solution produced high nitrate in leaves. Nitrate concentrations with organic or no fertilization were low. Loose head or loose leaf cultivars had higher nitrate than romaine or iceberg.     

Study of genetic diversity in safflower genotypes using agro-morphological traits and RAPD markers

This research was conducted to study the genetic diversity in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) using agro-morphological traits and RAPD markers. Sixteen selected lines derived from landraces growing in various agro-climatic regions of Iran along with four exotic genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications under field conditions. Days to emergence, days to initial flowering, days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, branches per plant, capitula per plant, seeds per capitulum, 1,000-seed weight, seed yield per plant, seed yield, and reaction to powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica Arnaud) were evaluated in this study. Genetic diversity of the genotypes was assessed by RAPD markers. The results indicated significant differences among genotypes for the agro-morphological traits and clustering based on these traits classified the genotypes into five groups. Analysis of the RAPD markers revealed 15 polymorphic primers out of 50 used primers. Based on RAPD data, the highest genetic similarity was observed between the cultivars of “AC Sunset,” “AC Sterling” from Canada and the lowest relatedness observed between a local breeding line “E₂₄₂₈” and genotype “GE₆₂₉₂₃” from Germany. Cluster analysis based on RAPD markers and 54% coefficient of similarity divided the genotypes into five distinct groups. Comparing the clusters based on agro-morphological traits with those from molecular markers showed slight similarities. The finding of high genetic variation for agro-morphological traits and polymorphism at DNA level reveal that agronomic traits can be improved by selection programs.     

Effect of grape seed extract on lead induced hypertension and heart rate in rat

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of red Grape Seed Extract (GSE) on lead induced hypertension (HTN) and Heart Rate (HR) in male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: Each group received lead acetate (100 ppm in drinking water), GSE (100 mg kg(-1), orally) or Lead + GSE for 45 days. Another group assigned as control group provided with tap water and regular pellet food. The Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and heart rate were determined by tail plethysmography coupled to a computer system. There was a sustained elevation of SBP in lead exposed rats that significantly increased at day 18 (lead treated, 112.7 +/- 2.7 mmHg, vs. control, 105.6 +/- 2.6 mmHg, n = 10, p < 0.05) and reached a maximum level at day 36 (lead treated, 124.9 +/- 2.3 mmHg, vs. control, 103.6 +/- 3.1 mmHg, n = 10, p < 0.001). However, the other three groups; showed no significant changes in SBP. Furthermore, the heart rate was increased sustainly in lead exposed animals that was statistically significant at days 36 and 45 (lead treated group, 404.5 +/- 9.4 vs. control group, 381.7 +/- 6.7, n = 10, p < 0.05). The blood lead level in both lead and lead + GSE treated groups was increased significantly compared with control and GSE treated groups (p < 0.001). However, GSE administration had no effect on the blood lead level in lead treated group. According to the result of this study, it may be concluded that GSE could have beneficial effect in protecting the cardiovascular system through its antioxidant activity against oxidative stress.     

Rabies Infection: An Overview of Lyssavirus-Host Protein Interactions

Viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites that use cell proteins to take the control of the cell functions in order to accomplish their life cycle. Studying the viral-host interactions would increase our knowledge of the viral biology and mechanisms of pathogenesis. Studies on pathogenesis mechanisms of lyssaviruses, which are the causative agents of rabies, have revealed some important host protein partners for viral proteins, especially for most studied species, i.e. RABV. In this review article, the key physical lyssavirus-host protein interactions, their contributions to rabies infection, and their exploitation are discussed to improve the knowledge about rabies pathogenesis. Key Words: Host-Pathogen Interactions, Lyssavirus, Rabies     

Compatibility of insecticides and Elachertus inunctus Nees (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for controlling Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in greenhouse condition

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - South American Tomato Pinworm (SATP), Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most devastating pests in tomato greenhouses....     

Genotypic-specific responses caused by prolonged drought stress in smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis): Interactions with mating systems

The consequences of recurrent drought events compared with a single drought, and drought's interaction with deliberate selfing compared with open-pollination on postdrought recovery and persistence of smooth bromegrass, are not clear. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of recurrent drought stresses compared with a single drought on stress response, poststress recovery and persistence of full-sib and half-sib progenies of smooth bromegrass. During this study, 25 selfed (S1) and 25 open-pollinated (OP) progenies of smooth bromegrass created in 2012 were evaluated in the field under normal and recurrent drought stress during 2013–2016. After the first harvest of above-ground biomass in 2016, irrigation was withheld in both environments for 2 months; plants were subsequently re-watered and evaluated. Recurrent drought stress changed the relationships between different traits. Moreover, prolonged drought stress resulted in increased plant productivity (recovery aerial biomass; RABI) of S1 and OP populations in recurrent drought stress compared with normal environment. Mandatory selfing increased persistence of smooth bromegrass genotypes but did not affect recovery after prolonged drought stress. Results revealed that, selecting among S1 families would be more effective than OP ones.     

A multiple criteria analysis of factors affecting markets of engineered wood products with respect to customer preferences: a case study of particleboard and MDF

Of considerable importance and a principal goal in business is the creation of customer satisfaction. Evalu- ation of end user preferences for producers of particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) requires indices for the assessment of markets and modification of product quality. However, only sporadic research has been carried out in this field. Therefore, the goal of this survey was to identify indices with respect to the points of view of: 1) consumers in order to select particleboard and MDF, 2) suppliers in order to consider production strategies, improve product quality, improve competitive ability of domestic producers in the market and help industry to be more customer oriented. This survey consisted of two stages. In the first stage, factors affecting customer preferences in the selection of particleboard and MDF were determined using a Delphi method, with the help of experts and a group of principal users of these prod- ucts. Then these factors were categorized in three groups: qualitative, technical and technological and marketing factors. Furthermore, questionnaires were prepared and distributed among consumers and responses evaluated and weighted by using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) using expert choice software. Our results show that at both stages, the consistency ratio was less than 0.1, indicating that all results and judgments were stable and acceptable. The results obtained from questionnaires about particleboard rank the priorities for factors in the selection by consumers as follows: nail and screw holding ability, homogeneity in structure, edge strength of panel, durability and bending strength. The most important factors for MDF were machinability of panels, homogeneity in structure, nail and screw holding ability, edge strength of panel, durability and bending strength.     

Large-scale high throughput screening of sugar beet germplasm using a nanobiosensor and its comparison with ELISA method for resistance to Polymyxabetae

Identification of resistance resources of sugar beet germplasm against Polymyxa betae has always been a critical concern among sugar beet breeders. In the present study, two different methods including the DAS-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and a nanobiosensor method based on florescent resonance transfer energy (FRET) were compared in order to achieve resistant germplasm. More specifically, 58 sugar beet germplasm as well as two negative and two positive controls were cultivated in infested soil under greenhouse conditions. The contamination level or in another words sensitivity and specificity observed based on the ELISA readings was inaccurately lower in comparison with the investigated nanobiosensor. Moreover, the nanobiosensor was 70 folds less time consuming compared to the ELISA method, for the immuno-reaction was much faster and no sample treatment steps were required. As a result, the quantum dots-FRET-based nanobiosensor investigated herein could well suit the task of everyday screening of resistance resource and could be efficiently used in breeding programs.