Effects of stocking density and presence or absence of soil base on growth,weight variation,survival and body composition of pearlspot,Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) fingerlings

With the objective to develop an indoor tank seed rearing system for pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis), effects of three stocking densities in presence or absence of soil base were evaluated on growth, weight variation, survival and body composition in a 60‐day trial. The experiment had a 3 × 2 factorial design with three levels of stocking density (150, 300 and 450 fish m^?3) and two levels of soil base (with and without) in triplicates. Pearlspot fry (27.5 ± 0.5 mm/0.39 ± 0.02 g) were stocked in experimental tanks (Length×Breadth×Height: 0.65 × 0.50 × 0.48 m) and fed with a formulated diet containing 29.85% crude protein. Increasing the stocking density from 150 to 450 fish m^?3 significantly decreased the growth (average body weight and total length), daily weight gain, specific growth rate and survival (P < 0.001) and increased the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Significantly lower growth and survival were observed in treatment having soil base compared with that of without soil base (P < 0.001). However, coefficients of variation at harvest weight and body composition of fingerlings were independent to stocking density and presence or absence of soil base (P > 0.05). A significant positive interaction effect of stocking density and presence or absence of soil base was observed on average body weight (P < 0.05) and survival (P < 0.001) of pearlspot fingerlings. This study suggests that stocking density of 150 fish m^?3 without soil base in tanks would be appropriate for raising pearlspot fingerlings in brackishwater indoor seed rearing system.     

Integrating soil conservation practices and glyphosate-resistant crops: impacts on soil

BACKGROUND: Conservation practices often associated with glyphosate-resistant crops, e.g. limited tillage and crop cover, improve soil conditions, but only limited research has evaluated their effects on soil in combination with glyphosate-resistant crops. It is assumed that conservation practices have similar benefits to soil whether or not glyphosate-resistant crops are used. This paper reviews the impact on soil of conservation practices and glyphosate-resistant crops, and presents data from a Mississippi field trial comparing glyphosate-resistant and non-glyphosate-resistant maize (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under limited tillage management. RESULTS: Results from the reduced-tillage study indicate differences in soil biological and chemical properties owing to glyphosate-resistant crops. Under continuous glyphosate-resistant maize, soils maintained greater soil organic carbon and nitrogen as compared with continuous non-glyphosate-resistant maize, but no differences were measured in continuous cotton or in cotton rotated with maize. Soil microbial community structure based on total fatty acid methyl ester analysis indicated a significant effect of glyphosate-resistant crop following 5 years of continuous glyphosate-resistant crop as compared with the non-glyphosate-resistant crop system. Results from this study, as well as the literature review, indicate differences attributable to the interaction of conservation practices and glyphosate-resistant crop, but many are transient and benign for the soil ecosystem. CONCLUSIONS: Glyphosate use may result in minor effects on soil biological/chemical properties. However, enhanced organic carbon and plant residues in surface soils under conservation practices may buffer potential effects of glyphosate. Long-term field research established under various cropping systems and ecological regions is needed for critical assessment of glyphosate-resistant crop and conservation practice interactions.     

Stability of elevated α-linolenic acid derived from wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) across environments

Previous studies reported that omega-3 fatty acid and α-linolenic acid are important compounds that prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer in humans. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil typically contains ~8 % α-linolenic acid (ALA). Elevated (~15 %) ALA content in seed oil is a trait of wild soybeans (G. soja Sieb. and Zucc.). Decreasing the ratio of linoleic acid (LA) to ALA to 4:1 or lower (compared to the ratio of 6 or 7:1 found in commercial soybean seed) should have health benefits for humans. This study was conducted to determine the environmental stability of elevated ALA acid recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of PI 483463 (wild soybean with 15 % ALA) and Hutcheson (cultivar with 9 % ALA). The fatty acid profile analysis from nine environments showed that the content of ALA for the RILs 156, 159 and 166 ranged from 10.7 to 15.7, 14.0 to 15.8, and 14.8 to 15.8, and averaged 13.9, 14.9, and 15.2 % respectively. The contents of ALA from these RILs and the wild soybean parent showed consistently higher than cultivated check soybeans. Two of the three RILs with elevated ALA content and ratios of <4:1 LA to ALA were as stable in ALA content as the high and low linolenic acid parents across growing environments. This indicates that lines with elevated ALA content developed from wild soybean PI 483463 are stable in ALA across environments and would be useful in improving soybeans with lower LA to ALA ratios.     

Identification of sorghum genotypes with resistance to the sugarcane aphid Melanaphis sacchari under natural and artificial infestation

Sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari is an endemic pest of sorghum during postrainy season, and there is a need to develop cultivars with resistance to this pest. Evaluation of a diverse array of sorghum genotypes under natural and artificial infestation resulted in identification of seven lines (ICSB 215, ICSB 323, ICSB 724, ICSR 165, ICSV 12001, ICSV 12004 and IS 40615) with moderate levels of resistance to aphid damage. Under artificial infestation, 10 lines suffered <20% loss in grain yield as compared to 72.4% grain loss in the susceptible check, Swarna. The genotypes ICSR 165, ICSB 724, IS 40615, DSV 5 and ICSB 323 exhibited moderate levels of resistance to aphid damage (damage rating, DR <5.0) and also had high grain yield potential (>30 q/ha). In another experiment, ICSB 215, ICSB 695, ICSR 161, Line 61510, ICSV 12004, Parbhani Moti and IS 40618 exhibited high grain yield potential (>25 q/ha) and exhibited <50% variation in grain yield as compared to more than 80% in the susceptible check, in CK 60 B. The genotypes RSV 1211, RS 29, RSV 1338, EC 8‐2, PU 10‐1, IS 40617 and ICSB 695 though showed a susceptible reaction to aphid damage, but suffered relatively low loss in grain yield, suggesting that these lines have tolerance to aphid damage. Principal coordinate analysis suggested that the genotypes with aphid resistance are quite diverse and can be used to breed for aphid resistance and high grain yield potential and also in breeding for aphid resistance in sorghum with adaptation to the postrainy season.     

Association of Tomato leaf curl Joydebpur virus and a betasatellite with leaf curl disease of eggplant

Leaf samples (five) from brinjal/eggplant fields showing upward leaf curling symptoms were collected from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, India. The full length genome of begomovirus and associated betasatellite were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. Sequences of homologous DNA-A and its betasatellite in all samples were the same. The samples failed to amplify DNA-B, suggesting that the begomovirus associated with leaf curl disease of eggplant was monopartite. The complete genome (homologous of DNA-A) consists of 2758 nts, whereas the betasatellite has 1352 nts and the genome organization is typical of Old World begomoviruses. The sequence analysis showed high levels of nucleotide sequence identity (79.8–91.7%) of virus with Tomato leaf curl Joydebpur virus (ToLCJoV) infecting chilli in India, suggesting it as a strain of ToLCJoV based on the current ICTV taxonomic criteria for begomovirus strain demarcation. However, the betasatellite associated was identified as a variant of Tomato leaf curl Bangladesh betasatellite (ToLCBDB), with which it shared highest sequence identity of 84.7–94.8%. Phylogenetic analyses of the genome further supported the above results. The recombination analyses of both genome and betasatellite showed that a major part of genome sequences are derived from begomoviruses (ToLCJoV, ChiLCuV, AEV) infecting chilli, tomato, ageratum and betasatellite from PaLCuB as the foremost parents in evolution, suggesting this as a new recombinant virus strain. This is the first report of a monopartite begomovirus and a betasatellite molecule associated with the leaf curl disease of eggplant.     

Soil Inorganic Nitrogen with Incubation of Rye Cover Crop Biomass

A soil incubation study was conducted to evaluate the effect of winter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (CC) biomass and fertilizer nitrogen (N) addition on soil inorganic-N. Rye aboveground biomass was collected following corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and incubated at equivalent field temperatures for 105 d at rates of 1120, 2240, and 3360 kg dry matter (DM) ha^?1. Despite N addition from the rye biomass at any rate, there was no real effect on ammonium (NH₄)-N, and only from 63 d to 105 d a limited net increase in nitrate (NO₃)-N and inorganic-N was observed compared to no-rye. Nitrate-N and inorganic-N concentrations change per heat unit (HU) accumulation was negative with rye addition through 7 d, but was positive consistently across the remaining incubation period with or without rye. Overall, the rye CC biomass had only a neutral to small positive effect on soil inorganic-N.     

Isolation and characterization of influenza A virus (subtype H5N1) that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in chicken in Bhutan

We characterized Influenza A/H5N1 virus that caused the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in chickens in Bhutan in 2010. The virus was highly virulent to chicken, killing them within two days of the experimental inoculation with an intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) of 2.88. For genetic and phylogenetic analyses, complete genome sequencing of 4 viral isolates was carried out. The isolates revealed multiple basic amino acids at their hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site, similar to other "Qinghai-like" H5N1 isolates. The receptor-binding site of HA molecule contained avian-like amino acids ((222)Q and (224)G). The isolates also contained amino acid residue K at position 627 of the PB2 protein, and other markers in NS 1 and PB1 proteins, highlighting the risk to mammals. However, the isolates were sensitive to influenza drugs presently available in the market. The sequence analysis indicated that the Bhutan viruses shared 99.1-100% nucleotide homology in all the eight genes among themselves and 2010 chicken isolate from Bangladesh (A/chicken/Bangladesh/1151-11/2010) indicating common progenitor virus. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Bhutan isolates belonged to sub-clade 2.2.3 (EMA 3) and shared common progenitor virus with the 2010 Bangladesh virus. Based on the evidence of phylogeny and molecular markers, it could be concluded that the outbreaks in Bhutan and Bangladesh in 2010 were due to independent introductions of the virus probably through migratory birds.     

From Forests to Food Security: Pathways in Nepal’s Community Forestry

There is an increasing recognition of the contribution of forests to food security of poor and marginalized people. However, empirical findings remain limited on how forests contribute to food security. Drawing on four case studies of community forestry in Nepal, this paper discusses pathways through which forests are contributing to food security needs of local communities. The evidence presented here was gathered through 4 years of action research and draws insights from the past 40 years of Nepal’s community forestry practice, which is often regarded as a successful case of conservation and development. It is shown that there are four distinct pathways through which community forests contribute to food security as a source of: (1) income and employment; (2) inputs to increase food production; (3) directly for food; and (4) renewable energy for cooking. Despite emerging pathways linking forest management to food systems at the local level, forestry policies and institutions have neither explicitly recognized nor strengthened the linkage between forest and food security. The paper highlights that there is a need for a fundamental shift in thinking from the conventional notion of ‘forests for soil conservation’ to ‘sustainable forest management for food security’.