Biocontrol of vascular wilt and corm rot of gladiolus caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli using plant growth promoting rhizobacterial mixture

Talc-based formulations of plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strain S2BC-2 (Bacillus atrophaeus) and strain mixture, S2BC-2 + TEPF-Sungal (Burkholderia cepacia), inhibitory to the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli (FOG), were developed for corm dressing and soil application in gladiolus. In comparison to the individual strain, the strain mixture recorded maximum spike and corm production of 100 and 150%, respectively with less vascular wilt and corm rot incidences of 73.6 and 54.8% reduction over the pathogen control in greenhouse when inoculated with FOG. Reduction in disease incidence under greenhouse conditions occurred through induction of defence gene products such as chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Besides disease suppression, treatment with strain mixture promoted plant growth in terms of enhanced corm and cormel production and flowering. In field experiments, the strain mixture recorded less vascular wilt and corm rot incidences of 48.6 and 46.1% mean reduction over the non-bacterised control, and was almost comparable with that of fungicide (51.5 and 47.1%, respectively). The treatment also recorded increased spike and corm yield with average increases of 58.3 and 27.4%, respectively, relative to the control.     

Growing stock variation in different teak （Tectona grandis） forest stands of Mizoram,India

The growing stock assessment of three different teak forest stands （Tuirial： 500 m asl, Sairang： 200 m asl and Phunchawng： 550 m asl） was done in 2006 in Mizoram, India. Five diameter classes were arbitrarily established for knowing the volume attribute data and population structure, viz. a （10-20 cm）, b （20-30 cm）, c （30-40 cm）, d （40-50 cm）, and e （50-60 cm）. Results revealed that the density of the individuals among the studied stands varied from 280 stems/ha to 620 stems/ha. The average diameter of all the individuals ranged between 27.48 cm and 35.43 cm. Similarly, the average height was oscillated between 17.87 m and 22.24 m. The total basal area was recorded between 24.28 m2.ha-1 and 45.80 m2.ha＂l. The maximum and minimum values of total growing stock under all the diameter classes were 669.01 m3.ha-1 and 284.7 m3.ha-1, respectively. The representation of population structure of different stands explained that the perpetuation of this species was ensured for a quite long time.     

Labile soil organic carbon,soil fertility,and crop productivity as influenced by manure and mineral fertilizers in the tropics

In recent years, organic agriculture has been receiving greater attention because of the various problems like deterioration in soil health and environmental quality under conventional chemical‐intensive agriculture. However, little information is available on the comparative study related to the impact of use of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on the soil quality and productivity. A long‐term field experiment was initiated in 2001 to monitor some of the important soil‐quality parameters and productivity under soybean–wheat crop rotation. The treatments consisted of 0, 30, and 45 kg N ha^–1 for soybean and of 0, 120, and 180 kg N ha^–1 for wheat. The entire amount of N was supplied to both the crops through urea and farmyard manure (FYM) alone or in combination at 1:1 ratio. Results indicated that Walkley‐and‐Black C (WBC; chromic acid–oxidizable) exhibited a marginal increase under only organic treatments as compared to control treatment (without fertilizers and manure) after completion of five cropping cycles. In case of labile‐C (KMnO₄‐oxidizable) content in soil, relatively larger positive changes were recorded under organic, mixed inputs (integrated) and mineral fertilizers as compared to WBC. Maximum improvement in the values of C‐management index (CMI), a measure of soil quality was recorded under organic (348–362), followed by mixed inputs (268–322) and mineral fertilizers (198–199) as compared to the control treatment after completion of five cropping cycles. Similarly there was a substantial increase in KCl‐extractable N; in Olsen‐P; as well as in DTPA‐extractable Zn, Fe, and Mn under organic treatments. Although labile soil C positively contributed to the available N, P, K, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents in soil, it did not show any relationship with the grain yield of wheat. After completion of the sixth cropping cycle, organic treatments produced 23% and 39% lower grain yield of wheat as compared to that under urea‐treated plots. Relatively higher amount of mineral N in soil at critical growth stages and elevated N content in plant under mineral‐fertilizer treatments compared to FYM treatments were responsible for higher yield of wheat under mineral fertilizers.     

Influence of moisture regime on inhibition of nitrification by DCD

A laboratory study at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi showed that DCD was an efficient nitrification inhibitor under field capacity moisture (???30 kPa) but not so under submerged soil conditions. Nitrification inhibition by DCD was 79.6% after 1 week of incubation and decreased to 59.3% after 3 weeks of incubation under field capacity moisture, while it was only 19.3% after 1 week of incubation and 10.6% and 18.4% after 2 and 3 weeks of incubation under submergence, respectively. DCD can play an important role in reducing N losses from agricultural fields.     

Temporal variation in mineral nitrogen in soil as influenced by incorporation of legume or cereal residues under submergence or well drained conditions

A laboratory study was conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi on a sandy clay loam soil of pH 7.9 and organic C content of 0.34% to study the effect of incorporating Sesbania or Vigna legume residues or wheat straw at 15 and 30t ha^?1 on temporal variation in ammoniacal and nitrate‐N in soil under submergence and well drained conditions. Under submergence most mineral N was present as ammoniacal‐N, while under well drained conditions it was present as Nitrate‐N. The content of ammoniacal N in soil was the highest after 30 days of incubation and declined thereafter under submergence. On the other hand under well drained conditions the mineral‐N (mostly nitrate) content in soil at 30 DAI was very little and showed increases only later, reaching the highest level at 90 DAI. Application of wheat straw specially at 301 ha^?1 level resulted in immobilization of native soil‐N. These results show that rice which is grown under submergence can be transplanted soon after incorporation of legume residues, but for wheat or other crops which are grown under well drained condition a time interval of 30 days or more needs to be provided before sowing the crop.     

TREATMENT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IN BUFFALOES

The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.     

Immune Responses to Intermediate Strain IBD Vaccine at Different Levels of Maternal Antibody in Broiler Chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

10-Undecenoic acid-based polyol esters as potential lubricant base stocks

A new class of polyol esters were prepared by esterification of 10-undecenoic acid (UDA) with three polyols namely trimethylolpropane (TMP), neopentyl glycol (NPG) and pentaerythritol (PE) in 92-96% yields. The esters were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, HPLC and mass spectral studies. Polyol esters were evaluated for basic lubrication properties and found to be: viscosity at 40 °C, 11.2-36.1 cSt; at 100 °C, 3.2-7.3 cSt; viscosity index (VI), 162-172; pour point +3 to −36 °C; flash point, 254-296 °C. All the three polyol esters synthesized exhibited good thermal stability with TGA onset temperatures above 260 °C. The lubricating properties of the products compared well with polyol esters based on oleic acid.