Virucidal effects of various agents—including protease—against koi herpesvirus and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus

In a search for alternative, environmentally friendly and effective disinfecting agents, a commercially available protease—Neutrase^®—was tested in this work for inactivation of koi herpesvirus (KHV) and of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV). For comparison, the stability of these viral pathogens in similar configurations at various pH values and concentrations of peracetic acid or quicklime, typically used for disinfection, was tested. Therefore, virus suspensions were incubated with various concentrations of different agents for 24 hr and the titre of the remaining infectious particles was determined by virus titration. Furthermore, the treatment of both viruses, with the agents at concentrations that were previously appointed as effective, was also examined in the presence of solid material (quartz sand). All procedures investigated in this study, including the protease treatment, were able to reduce the titre of KHV and VHSV below the detection limit of the titration. Although further studies are necessary, this is the first report of the application of a protease for the inactivation of the selected fish pathogens, demonstrating the great potential of the latter for disinfection.     

Stability analysis of yield and aflatoxin accumulation resistance in maize using GGE biplot

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa. However, its production is constrained by many factors including low yields...     

Toxoplasma gondii virulence prediction using hierarchical cluster analysis based on coding sequences (CDS) of sag1, gra7 and rop18

Toxoplasma gondii consists of three genotypes, namely genotype I, II and III. Based on its virulence, T. gondii can be divided into virulent and avirulent strains. This study intends to evaluate an alternative method for predicting T. gondii virulence using hierarchical cluster analysis based on complete coding sequences (CDS) of sag1, gra7 and rop18 genes. Dendrogram was constructed using UPGMA with a Kimura 80 nucleotide distance measurement. The results showed that the prediction errors of T. gondii virulence using sag1, gra7 and rop18 were 7.41%, 6.89% and 9.1%, respectively. Analysis based on CDS of gra7 and rop18 was able to differentiate avirulent strains into genotypes II and III, whereas sag1 failed to differentiate.     

Livelihood Improvements Through Agroforestry: Evidence from Northern Bangladesh

Agroforestry is one of the most sustainable land management systems practiced around the world due to the socioeconomic benefits that it brings to farmers. In Bangladesh, farmers practice agroforestry, applying indigenous knowledge. The present study was designed to identify the present status, management practices and its role in improving the livelihoods of farmers in northern Bangladesh. Data for the study were collected through quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 29 tree and 38 agricultural crop species were planted by the102 farmers interviewed. Mangifera indica (relative prevalence 49%) is the most predominant species, followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis (relative prevalence 35.4%). Farmers of northern Bangladesh plant trees in cropland for fruits (90%), fuel wood (87%) and timber production (79%). Fruit trees were planted with wider spacing while forest and fuel wood species were planted with narrower spacing. Farmer’s livelihoods improved enormously by practicing agroforestry as they have more access to food, fodder and fuel wood which is reflected by greater access to livelihood capitals (except social capital). However, farmers have experienced increased incidences of pests and diseases to the annual crops and trees. Agroforestry practices increases species diversity, ensure economic return and sustain farmer’s livelihoods.     

Effect of body weight on the chemical composition and collagen content of snakehead fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa striata</Emphasis> skin

Snakehead fish (Channa striata) skin is a fishery by-product that has the potential for further processing because it contains a high amount of organic matter. This study investigates the effect of body weight on the chemical composition and collagen content of snakehead fish skin. This study used fresh snakehead fish of either gender. Their body weights were divided into three groups: small, medium, and large size. The characteristics of snakehead fish skin included proximate composition, amino acid content, collagen content, microstructure, and minerals. Snakehead fish skin from fish of different body weights indicated that the moisture content and ash tended to decrease, the protein content was relatively stable, and the lipid content tended to increase with increasing body weight. Glycine and proline comprised the highest percentages of amino acids at all levels of body weight, and the presence of hydroxyproline showed that snakehead fish skin was the source of collagen. There was no significant difference in body weight observed on collagen protein content of the skin. This study on the microstructure and mineral content of snakehead fish skin can be used as supporting information to promote the potential utility and economic value of the skin.     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> species associated with soybean root rot in Sichuan Province,China

Soybean root rot is a worldwide soil-borne fungal disease threatening soybean production, causing large loss in yield and quality of soybean. Fusarium species are well recognized as the important causal agent of Fusarium root rot, which are often distinct with respect to various factors in different soybean-producing regions around the world. Recently, Fusarium root rot has been frequently reported in Sichuan Province of China, where is unique in its climate and diverse cropping patterns, but it is still unclear about the predominant Fusarium species and their pathogenicity on soybean. In this study, diseased soybean roots were collected from three regions of Sichuan Province during 2014–2015. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene, 78 isolates of Fusarium were identified as nine distinct species. Pathogenicity tests showed that seven species of Fusarium were able to infect soybean, but differed in pathogenicity. F. oxysporum, F. equiseti and F. graminearum were the most aggressive species to soybean, whereas F. fujikuroi and F. verticillioides were not pathogenic to soybean. There was a strong positive correlation of the pathogenicity of Fusarium species with seedling emergence and fresh root weight. In addition, the diversity of Fusarium species varied among soybean-growing regions. To our knowledge, this report on population and pathogenicity of Fusarium species, in particular, F. graminearum, associated with soybean root rot in Sichuan Province of southwest China, will be helpful to provide effective control strategies for the disease.     

Evaluation of extreme resistance genes of Potato virus X (Rx1 and Rx2) in different potato genotypes

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is considered as one of the most important staple foods in the world. Classical breeding for resistance to pests, pathogens...     

Presence of less-preferred hosts of the aphid parasitoids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphidius ervi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Praon volucre</Emphasis> reduces parasitism efficiency

Parasitoids are characterized by a defined range of hosts, either more specialist or generalist. Under natural conditions, females may encounter different host species on the same plant or in the same location. In this case, their preference for one host could influence their choice. However, the presence of less suitable hosts may also affect their choice and, in some cases, may reduce their interest in a patch where both preferred and less preferred hosts are available. The aim of the present study was to test the consequences of the simultaneous presence of three cereal aphids (Sitobion avenae Fabricius, Metopolophium dirhodum Walker, and Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus) on the parasitism by two of their parasitoids, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Praon volucre Haliday. Firstly, in the no-choice experiment, A. ervi parasitized on S. avenae at a significantly higher rate as compared to M. dirhodum, whereas no parasitism on R. padi was observed. P. volucre parasitized the three species of cereal aphids with a significant preference for S. avenae. Interestingly, when two or three host species were offered simultaneously in the same quantity to pairs of parasitoids, the level of parasitism was less than that observed for one host species alone. This observation exhibits a distractive effect on non-host species, from the defense mechanism of a non-suitable host or from the perception of bad quality patches. These results raise the question of the practical application of inundative release of parasitoids for biocontrol when several hosts are available simultaneously.     

Thermal and oxidation protection of carbon fiber by continuous liquid phase pre-ceramic coatings for high temperature application

Thermal and oxidation resistant coating is necessary for carbon fiber (CF) in CF reinforced concrete (CFRC) composite application in order to fulfil a high level of safety standard in case of fire. Pre-ceramic coatings such as Polysilazane, Polysiloxane, and Methyl silicone resin have been deposited on CF filament yarn by means of wet chemical continuous dip coating method. The surface analyses e.g. scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) results showed the changes of surface morphology by the coatings. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the high temperature (up to 800 °C) oxidation stability of CF was significantly improved with coatings. Thermo-mechanical properties also significantly enhanced up to 600 °C. CF yarn retains its original strength and elasticity modulus/stiffness at 700 °C due to thermal and oxidation resistant coatings.