PHYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF CADMIUM EXPOSURE AND METAL ACCUMULATION IN SUNFLOWER

The phytotoxicity imposed by cadmium (Cd) in sunflower was investigated on biomass, Cd accumulation, superoxide and lipid peroxidation product as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase. Plants accumulate substantial amount of Cd in different parts, the maximum being in roots, i.e., up to 820 μg g^?1 dry matter. Cadmium induced oxidative stress, indicated by increase in lipid peroxidation and superoxide content with increase in metal supply. Under Cd stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase declined to a greater extent in roots than in leaves. Even though the peroxidase activity increased in leaves, a decreasing trend was observed in root due to Cd stress. The threshold of toxicity (10% growth reduction) and toxicity (33% growth reduction) values of Cd in sunflower were 14 and 72 μg g^?1 in leaves, 19 and 90 μg g^?1 in stem and 65 and 250 μg g^?1 Cd in roots, respectively.     

In vitro clonal propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Balanites aegyptiaca</Emphasis> (L.) Del

In vitro propagation technique of Balanites aegyptiaca, a multipurpose woody tree was studied. Nodal segments including axillary bud from mature tree were used as an explant and their morphogenetic potential was tested on MS media with various concentrations (2.5–15.0 μM) of 6-benzyladenine (BA), Kinetin, and Thidiazuron alone or in combination with different concentrations (0.5–2.5 μM) of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Nodal segments showed axillary bud proliferation in almost all media tried. MS medium containing 12.5 μM BA alone was effective for inducing multiple shoots (5.0 ± 0.22) with an average shoot length (3.7 ± 0.26 cm) in 67% of cultures. A better shoot differentiation and elongation was achieved in a combined treatment of BA (12.5 μM) and NAA (1.0 μM). Half strength MS medium supplemented with Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) gave the best result for rooting. The maximum frequency of root formation (68%), number of roots (5.3 ± 0.32) and root length (4.1 ± 0.38 cm) was obtained on half strength MS medium containing 1.0 μM IBA. The regenerated plantlets were potted and acclimatized successfully in a growth chamber and then moved to the greenhouse.     

Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on oxidative stress indices and cortisol level in blood in water buffaloes during pregnancy and early postpartum period

Pregnancy is a physiology state accompanied by high energy and oxygen demand that may lead to increased level of oxidative stress and development of metabolic and reproductive disorders in pregnant water buffaloes. In the present study, the alterations in serum cortisol and erythrocyte lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase activities were examined in 28 pregnant water buffaloes supplemented with antioxidant nutrients, Vitamin E and selenium. Another 14 buffaloes did not receive any treatment during pregnancy to serve as negative control. Results of the present study suggested that pregnancy is associated with oxidative stress and supplementation of vitamin E and selenium may be beneficial by alleviating oxidative stress in water buffaloes.     

Mast cells in canine cutaneous hemangioma,hemangiosarcoma and mammary tumors

Mast cell count (MCC) in 45 dogs with cutaneous hemangioma (HA, n = 12), hemangiosarcoma (HSA, n = 12), mammary adenoma (AD, n = 9) and mammary adenocarcinoma (AC, n = 12) was made using Toluidine blue stained sections. Antibodies against endothelial cell markers, Factor VIII and VEGF were used to visualize and determine the hot spot micro-vessel density (MVD). Total MCC and MCC along the invasive edges were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in canine mammary AC than in AD. The total MCC did not significantly differ (p > 0.05), in HSAs (8.6 ± 3.3) than in HAs (5.5 ± 2.8). There is a positive correlation (r = 0.14) between the hot spot MCC and MVD in mammary AC, although not significant (p = 0.3172), indicating that mast cells are associated with angiogenesis in canine mammary AC. This study suggests that mast cells may play an important role in neovascularization of canine cutaneous vascular and mammary neoplasms. Detailed studies encompassing correlation of MCC and MVD with clinical outcomes and prognosis in these neoplasms are recommended.     

Utilizing the γ-Irradiated Sodium Alginate as a Plant Growth Promoter for Enhancing the Growth, Physiological Activities, and Alkaloids Production in Catharanthus roseus L.

Sodium alginate is a polysaccharide that is largely obtained from the brown algae (Sargassum sp.).It has been used as a wonderful growth promoting substance in its depolymerized form for various plants.The aim of this study was to find out the effects of various concentrations of γ-irradiated sodium alginate (ISA),viz.,deionized water (control,T0),20 (T1),40 (T2),60 (T3),80 (T4),and 100 ppm (T5) on the agricultural performance of Catharanthus roseus L.(Rosea) in terms of growth attributes,photosynthesis,physiological activities,and alkaloid production.The present work revealed that ISA applied as leaf-sprays at concentrations from 20 to 100 ppm might improve growth,photosynthesis,physiological activities,and alkaloid production in C.roseus L.significantly.Of the various ISA concentrations,80 ppm proved to be the best one compared to other concentrations applied.     

Fractions of Manganese in Soil under Long-Term Experiment and Their Contribution to Manganese Availability and Uptake by Maize-Wheat Cropping Sequence

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient needed for plant growth and development, but it can be toxic to plants in excess amounts. Long-term fertilizer experiment and intensive cropping alter the soil properties and also affect its plant-available Mn contents. To understand the dynamics of Mn under long-term fertilizer experiment the present study was initiated during 1972 at the experimental farm of College of Agriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur (32° 6′ N latitude and 76° 3′ E longitude) in a randomized block design with 11 treatments replicated three times with a maize-wheat cropping sequence. The soils of the experimental area in the beginning of the experiment were acidic in reaction and taxonomically classified as Typic Hapludalfs. Surface (0.0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soil samples taken after the harvest of maize (kharif, 2008) were analyzed for pools of Mn and chemical indices of soil quality using standard analytical methods. Besides, the pools of Mn were also determined in the composite soil samples drawn from adjacent fallow plots. Results showed that all the pools of Mn were noticeably greater in farmyard manure (FYM)–amended plots compared to zero-fertilized plots. Although the residual fraction was found to be the most dominant fraction, organically bound and exchangeable forms were found to play major roles in the nutrient supply, crop productivity, and nutrient uptake. The greatest productivity of maize (2008) and wheat (2008–09) was recorded under the 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) + FYM treatment. FYM and lime treatments resulted in significantly greater uptake of all the nutrients by both the crops compared to other treatments. The organically bound fraction was found to have the greatest significant and positive correlation with yield and nutrient uptake of maize and wheat crops. Further regression analysis studies revealed that the organic form was the most important pool contributing towards the variation in the parameters. Exchangeable and organically bound forms contributed significantly towards diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Mn.     

Long-Term Organic Amendment Application Improves Influence on Soil Aggregation,Aggregate Associated Carbon and Carbon Pools under Scented Rice-Potato-Onion Cropping System after the 9th Crop Cycle

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of long-term application of organic manures on aggregate stability, associated carbon concentrations and carbon pools as an important soil-quality parameter under a scented rice-potato-onion cropping system in silt-loam textured soil in Eastern Bihar, India (subtropical climatic condition). Five treatments were used: 1) nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) – 100% recommended dose of NPK; 2) NPK+FYM (farmyard manure) – 50%NPK+50% N as FYM; 3) FYM+VC (vermicompost)+ NC (neem cake) – different organic sources each equivalent to 1/3 of the recommended N (FYM +VC +NC); 4) FYM+VC+NC+PSB (phosphate-solubilizing bacteria – different organic sources each equivalent to 1/3 of the recommended N (FYM +VC+NC)+biofertilizers containing N and P carriers (PSB) and 5) FYM+BFN+BM+PSB – 50% N as FYM + biofertilizer for N +Bone meal to substitute P requirement of crops + PSB. The aggregate size distribution (>250 μm) at different soil depths is higher in treatment FYM+VC+NC+PSB and is at par with FYM+VC+NC, followed by FYM+BFN+BM+PSB and NPK+FYM, and the lowest in treatment receiving 100% NPK. The mean carbon concentration in each soil fraction was higher in soil depth 0–10 cm, followed by 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm. The trend of mean weight diameter (MWD) in different treatments was FYM+VC+NC+PSB ≥ FYM+VC+NC > NPK+FYM > FYM+BFN+BM+PSB > NPK. The trend of carbon concentrations in different treatments was FYM+VC+NC+PSB ≥ FYM+VC+NC > FYM+BFN+BM+PSB ≥ NPK+FYM > NPK. Non-labile pool of carbon forms the major portion (60.14%) of the total soil organic carbon (SOC) irrespective of all depths. Bulk density (BD) has a significant role in stabilizing soil aggregates as well as increasing the SOC content in soil. SOC was negatively correlated with BD (r = ?0.870, p = 0.05), MWD (r = ?0.911, p = 0.01) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) (r = ?0.958, p = 0.05) irrespective of depth. This study took further steps toward understanding the enhancing of aggregate stability on organic manures addition for soil quality improvement.