Effect of retinol as antioxidant on the post-thaw viability and the expression of apoptosis and developmental competence-related genes of vitrified preantral follicles in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study evaluated the effect of supplementation of retinol in the vitrification solution on the viability, apoptosis and development-related gene expression in vitrified buffalo preantral follicles. Preantral follicles isolated from cortical slices of ovaries were randomly assigned into three groups: Group1—Control fresh preantral follicles; Group 2—Vitrification treatment (Vitrification solution 1 (VS1) –TCM-199 + 25 mM HEPES + Foetal bovine serum (FBS) 10%, Ethylene glycol (EG): 10%, Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO): 10%, Sucrose-0.3 M for 4 min; VS2- TCM-199 + 25 mM HEPES + FBS10%, EG:25%, DMSO: 25%, Sucrose:0.3 M for 45 s); Group3—vitrification treatment +5 μM of Retinol. Preantral follicles were placed in corresponding vitrification medium and plunged into liquid nitrogen (−196°C). After a week, the follicles were thawed and analysed for follicular viability and gene expression. There was no significant difference in the viability rates among the Group 1(Fresh preantral follicles) (91.46 ± 2.39%), Group 2 (89.59 ± 2.46%) and Group 3 (87.19 ± 4.05%). There was a significantly (p < .05) higher mRNA expression of BCL2L1, GDF-9 and BMP-15 in the vitrification + retinol group compared with the control group. There was a significantly (p < .05) higher expression of Caspase-3 and Annexin-5 in the vitrification group and Vitrification + retinol group compared with control group of follicles. It is concluded that the supplementation of 5 μM of Retinol in Vitrification solution was an efficient vitrification procedure for the vitrification of buffalo preantral follicles.     

Ionic manipulation of inland saline groundwater for enhancing survival and growth of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius)

A series of four trials were conducted on inland saline groundwater of 58 g L^?1 diluted to lower salinities up to 10 g L^?1 and later manipulating its ionic concentrations to enhance the survival and growth of Penaeus monodon postlarvae (PL). In the first experiment, the survival of PL was tested at several salinities (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 58 g L^?1), and the survival of PL was studied in comparison with natural sea water of similar salinities. Complete mortality of PL was observed at all salinity levels within 144 h. Longest survival for 96 h followed by 72 h was found at 10 and 20 g L^?1 salinity respectively. In the second experiment, survival of PL was tested at 10–20 g L^?1 salinity at different concentrations of calcium varying between 100 and 300 mg L^?1. The survival of PL could be increased to 7 days at 12.5 g L^?1 salinity by reducing the calcium level to 200 from 921.8 mg L^?1 with magnesium and potassium levels of 208.5 and 30.03 mg L^?1 respectively. In the third experiment, the survival of PL could be further enhanced to 18 days at the same salinity by increasing the magnesium level from 208.5 to 400 mg L^?1 with potassium held at 30.03 mg L^?1. Survival and growth of PL in inland saline water of 12.5 g L^?1 salinity similar to performance in sea water of the same salinity was achieved by increasing the potassium concentration from 30.03 to 200 mg L^?1 with calcium and magnesium levels of 199.5 and 199.4 mg L^?1 respectively.     

Toxicity ameliorative effect of vitamin E against super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on haemato-immunological responses,antioxidant capacity,oxidative stress,and metabolic enzymes activity during exposure and recovery in Labeo rohita fingerlings

Aquaculture International - The present study assessed the toxic effect of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on haemato-immunological responses, antioxidant capacity, oxidative...     

Applications of Genie Male Sterility in Plant Breeding

The possible applications of genie male sterility (GMS) in plant breeding arc reviewed and discussed. The basic contribution of GMS is that it provides a means of genetic emasculation which can be applied for the massive production of hybrids. There are two main fields of application: (1) the production of hybrid varieties and (2) inter- and intraspecific hybridization and back-crossing programmes for the introduction of genetic variation into crop varieties. Several schemes have been proposed for using GMS in hybrid breeding in different crops. These are discussed under four headings: genetic methods, cy-togenetic methods, temporary restoration of fertility and manual pollination. The application of GMS in hybridization intended for the introduction of alien genes is discussed as well as factors affecting the pollination of genie male steriles.     

Saflufenacil efficacy on horseweed and its interaction with glyphosate

Saflufenacil is a new herbicide on the market and its effectiveness on horseweed, several populations of which have evolved resistance to glyphosate, is not clear. In this research, the effect of adjuvants on the control of horseweed with saflufenacil in the field, the effect of the interaction between glyphosate and saflufenacil on glyphosate‐resistant and glyphosate‐susceptible horseweed and the patterns of uptake and translocation of glyphosate applied alone and in combination with saflufenacil in horseweed were evaluated. The addition of methylated seed oil to saflufenacil provided the best control of horseweed, with crop oil concentrate being intermediate in effect and non‐ionic surfactant ranking as the least‐effective adjuvant. The interaction between glyphosate and saflufenacil was additive with regards to the control of glyposate‐resistant horseweed. The glyphosate‐susceptible horseweed population absorbed 6–13% more ¹⁴C‐glyphosate than the glyphosate‐resistant population. The addition of saflufenacil reduced ¹⁴C‐glyphosate translocation in both the glyphosate‐resistant and the glyphosate‐susceptible horseweed populations by at least 6%; however, due to the exceptional efficacy of saflufenacil, these reductions did not reduce the level of control. Saflufenacil holds great potential as an alternative control option for glyphosate‐resistant horseweed and is a valuable tool in the management of resistant weeds.     

Molecular characterization of a Cucumber mosaic virus isolate associated with mosaic disease of banana in India

Severe mosaic accompanied by leaf and fruit deformation symptoms was observed on banana plants growing in three banana farms of Uttar Pradesh, India. The disease incidence was approximately 18–25% at these locations during the three successive years from 2005 to 2007. The occurrence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was initially detected by bioassay, electron microscopic observations, Western blot immunoassay and RT-PCR. For molecular identification of virus, the RNA 1a, RNA 2b and RNA 3 genomic fragments were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The sequence analysis of these genomic fragments revealed its highest identities and close relationships with Indian strains of CMV of subgroup IB; therefore, virus associated with the mosaic disease of banana was identified as an isolate of CMV of subgroup IB. In the limited reports existing from India, which provided preliminary serological or only coat protein-based identification of CMV infecting banana but the comprehensive studies were lacking. In the present communication, we present a detailed biological, serological and molecular characterization of CMV-Banana for the first time from India.     

Oocyte-specific deletion of Pten causes premature activation of the primordial follicle pool

In the mammalian ovary, progressive activation of primordial follicles from the dormant pool serves as the source of fertilizable ova. Menopause, or the end of female reproductive life, occurs when the primordial follicle pool is exhausted. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying follicle activation are poorly understood. We provide genetic evidence that in mice lacking PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) in oocytes, a major negative regulator of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), the entire primordial follicle pool becomes activated. Subsequently, all primordial follicles become depleted in early adulthood, causing premature ovarian failure (POF). Our results show that the mammalian oocyte serves as the headquarters of programming of follicle activation and that the oocyte PTEN-PI3K pathway governs follicle activation through control of initiation of oocyte growth.     

Impact of in-season split application of nitrogen on intra-panicle grain dynamics,grain quality,and vegetative indices that govern nitrogen use efficiency in sorghum

Background

The correct rate and timing of nitrogen (N) has the potential to improve sorghum productivity through modified grain yield components and quality. The impacts of in-season split application of N have little documentation.

Aim

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum rate and timing of N to relate vegetative indices that govern nitrogen use efficiency and to maximize grain yield and quality under different soil types.

Methods

Pioneer 86P20 was grown in three environments on two different soil types following a completely randomized block design with nine N application treatments. Treatments included differing N rates applied at critical developmental stages of sorghum (planting, panicle initiation, and booting), accompanied with high temporal aerial phenotyping.

Results

Opportunities to increase grain protein content while using split N applications were observed, with panicle initiation identified as a critical developmental stage. In-season split application of N enhances grain yield under low soil mineral N. Split application of 31 kg N ha⁻¹ each at the time of planting, panicle initiation, and booting emerged as optimum N treatment to increase protein content in sorghum. Vegetative indices, that is, normalized difference vegetation index and normalized difference red edge index are capable of predicting grain yield and protein content, respectively. Intra-panicle grain numbers and weights were altered significantly at different portions within panicles, with an opportunity to enhance yield potential at the bottom portion. The strong stay-green trait in this hybrid locked a large proportion of nitrogen in the leaves, which warrants the need for balancing stay-green and senescence in sorghum improvement programs.

Conclusions

Findings highlight that in grain sorghum remobilization of residual leaf N into grain is a target to increase yield and grain quality. An optimized stay-green trait balanced with senescence is recommended for enhancing sorghum yield potential.