Trichoderma viride induces phenolics in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seedlings challenged with rot pathogen (Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem)

The study showed significant differences in percent collar rot disease incidence in groundnut varieties grown in non-infested soil (T₁), challenged with pathogen – Aspergillus niger (T₂), and pathogen + Trichoderma viride 60 (T₃) treatments. Total phenols revealed a significantly higher content in tolerant varieties (J-11, GG-2) of groundnut compared with moderately susceptible (GAUG-10, GG-13) and susceptible (GG-20) varieties. The phenol content accumulated at a higher rate (193%) in GG-20, followed by GG-2 (146%) and J-11 (107%) varieties during disease development stages. HPLC analysis detected six major phenolics, viz., hydroquinone, gallic, chlorogenic, ferulic, salicylic and cinnamic acids. Among six peaks, hydroquinone was found highest in GG-2 at 3 days in T₃. Gallic and salicylic acids increased up to 9 days, while ferulic acid continued to induce up to 15 days in tolerant varieties (J-11, GG-2) of Trichoderma-treated (T₃) seedlings. A correlation study indicated that Trichoderma treatment induced five phenolics – except gallic acid – with a higher level of significance in a susceptible variety to reduce disease incidence compared with tolerant varieties. Results demonstrate the T. viride 60 mediated systemic induction of phenolics for biologic control and their probable role in protecting groundnut against A. niger infection.     

Raised and sunken bed land configuration for crop diversification and crop and water productivity enhancement in rice paddies of the north eastern region of India

Paddy and Water Environment - The crop and water productivity (WP) of monocropped rice in lowland of north-eastern region of India is low mainly due to cultivation of long duration variety, meagre...     

Interspecific hybridization between Corchorus olitorius Linn. and C. capsularis Linn. and the cytogenetical basis of incompatibility between them

The pollen grains of Corchorus olitorius and capsularis (jute) germinate within ten minutes in cross-pollinations as well as in self-pollinations. No perceptible difference is observed in the number of capsularis pollen grains germinating on olitorius stigmas and vice versa, though an olitorius stigma (being bigger) accommodates more pollen than capsularis.Several hundreds of flowers of different capsularis types were pollinated with those of olitorius and vice versa for three years. Very small quantities of seeds are produced in the cross-pollinations compared to self-pollinations. The percentages of empty, partially full and full seeds produced vary greatly in different crosses including their reciprocal ones. Most of the seeds obtained are shrivelled and empty. Few apparently normal looking full seeds, more or less of the same size in appearance as selfed ones that are produced in certain crosses, weigh less than the same number of selfed seeds of the respective female parents concerned; this suggests the under-development of the embryo or/and endosperm. The seeds do not germinate. Even in spite of including some types of capsularis closer to olitorius in certain characters and the wild types of both species in the crossing programme, still there was no success in getting hybrids between the two cultivated species of jute. Style reduction methods also fail. The possibilities of getting hybrids between them are indicated.

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Samenvatting Getracht is de soortskruising van Corchorus olitorius x C. capsularis tot stand te brengen. Voor de veredeling van jute (o.a. op ziekteresistentie) zou dit belangrijke perspektieven kunnen bieden.Ofschoon wel enig zaad verkregen werd, gelukte het toch niet daaruit F₁ planten op te kweken. Bij de voortzetting van het onderzoek zal gezocht worden naar methoden om de beide soorten toch te overbruggen.

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Department of Agriculture, Calcutta University     

Meningoencephalitis associated with disseminated sarcocystosis in a free-ranging moose (Alces alces) calf

A wild moose (Alces alces) calf was presented for necropsy due to severe neurologic signs. Histopathologic examination revealed multisystemic inflammation with intralesional mature and immature schizonts. Schizonts in the brain reacted positively to Sarcocystis spp. polyclonal antibodies. Gene sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA identified the species as Sarcocystis alceslatrans.     

Amylase activity in triticale,X Triticosecale Wittmack

Summary Amylase activity in leaves and the seed exhibited variations among 12 cultivars of hexaploid triticales and was considerably higher than either octaploid triticale or hexaploid wheat. Amylase activity was influenced by the levels of nitrogen and the maturity stages of the kernel. The bran-free endosperm had much lower amylase activity than the whole meal. The measurement of dry matter, starch, total sugars and reducing sugars during the stages of kernal development indicated significant positive correlation between days after anthesis and amounts of starch and dry matter and negative correlation with total sugars, reducing sugars and amylase activity. However, a lower rate of starch accumulation and higher rate of amylase activity prior to kernel maturity was clearly evident.     

Nitrate reductase and its relationship to protein and yield characteristic of triticale

Summary The optimum conditions for extraction and assay for nitrate reductase (NRase) activity in triticale were determined. NRase activity was positively correlated with plant height, grain yield and grain protein. The leaf protein, seed set or kernel weight had no significant correlation with the NRase activity. Data indicated an apparent interrelationship between NRase activity, grain protein, plant height and grain yield.     

Biochemical and molecular studies of early blight disease in tomato

Tomato early blight occurs worldwide and it is prevalent wherever tomatoes are grown. Alternaria solani Sorauer, the causal agent, has been recognized as a serious foliar pathogen of tomato and there are very few cultivars which possess resistance against early blight. Alternaric acid is the major toxin of A. solani. In this study, alternaric acid and fungal culture filtrate were used as an elicitor in NDT-96 (tolerant) and GP-5 (susceptible) tomato varieties in order to study and compare their abilities to induce defense-related enzymes, viz., catalase, peroxidase, β-1,3 glucanase, phenylalanine-ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinase and polyphenol-oxidase (PPO) along with total phenols, and total soluble proteins. NDT-96 showed a rapid induction of all these pathogenesis-related enzymes except catalase along with total phenols as compared to GP-5 with both the treatments. Differential expression of total soluble proteins revealed higher protein content in NDT-96 as compared with GP-5. A 49.48 kDa protein was observed to be absent in GP-5. In addition, 25 microsatellite markers (SSR) were screened for polymorphisms among the above mentioned two tomato varieties. Of these, SSR 286 revealed a significant polymorphic band of 108 bp in NDT-96.