Genetic analysis and identification of SSR marker linked to Phomopsis blight resistance in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The present investigation was carried out to decipher inheritance of resistance and to identify linked SSR markers for Phomopsis blight resistance in eggplant. An F₂ population comprising 161 plants was developed from the cross of Pusa Kranti and BR-40-7. Genetic analysis was carried out using Chi square test. Artificial inoculation of fruits was carried out using pin prick method, and scoring was done as per the standard scoring scale. The F₂ plants segregated into 92 susceptible (77—highly susceptible, 15—susceptible): 69 resistant (17—highly resistant, 27—resistant, 25—moderately resistant) suggesting complimentary epistasis with ratio of 9:7. To identify the putatively linked markers to resistance gene, parental polymorphic markers were subjected to bulk segregant analysis (BSA), and two markers (emk03O04 and emf11A03) could differentiate resistant and susceptible bulk and co-segregated with resistance gene. The genetic distance between the identified markers was found to be 18.12 cM using QTL IciMapping V3.2 software depicting two new QTLs on chromosome number 6. The identified QTLs have great significant importance in marker assisted breeding programme.     

Cytogenetic analysis of wild emmer populations from Turkey and Israel

Summary Chromosome behavior during meiosis of the F₁ hybrids involving two races of wild emmer Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides and var. timopheevi is described. Four of the six Turkish accessions were similar to the Israeli group in pairing relationships and seed set percentages. The collection (# 189) is cytologically similar to var. timopheevi. The other Turkish accession (# 191) showed good chromosome pairing with both var. dicoccoides and var. timopheevi.     

Genetic characterization of rabies viruses isolated from frugivorous bat (Artibeus spp.) in Brazil

In Latin America, rabies cases related to frugivorous bats have been reported since 1930's. Recently, two viruses isolated from Artibeus lituratus were proved to be vampire bat variants by monoclonal antibodies panels [2], but their genetic information is not well known. In this report, four rabies viruses were isolated from frugivorous bats (Artibeus spp.) in Brazil and their nucleoprotein gene sequences were determined. These isolates were found to be genotype 1 of lyssavirus and showed the maximum nucleotide sequence homology of 97.6-99.4% with vampire bat-related viruses in Brazil [6]. These results indicate that the Brazilian frugivorous bat rabies viruses in this study are closely related to vampire bat-related viruses that play a main role in rabies virus transmission to livestock in Brazil.     

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against FMD virus type Asia-1 and determination of antigenic variations in the field strains

Twelve mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed against an Indian vaccine strain of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) type Asia-1 WBN 117/85. The MAbs were tested for their ability to bind to whole virus particle, trypsin-treated 146S (TT-146S) virus particle, sub-viral (12S and disrupted virus) antigens by ELISA and to neutralize virus infectivity in cell culture. Extensive characterization of MAbs revealed the existence of three different groups based on the binding of non-overlapping epitopes. Eight type Asia-1 specific MAbs (RF7, RF8, RD10, RE11, RC11, RC10/O, RB11 and RC10/M), which formed group 1 (G1), were found to bind a neutralizing, trypsin-sensitive (TS) and conformational epitope. Two MAbs (WB8 and WC3) in group 2 (G2) were found to bind a non-neutralizing, trypsin-resistant, conformational and 12S-specific epitope, which was intertypically conserved in all the four serotypes of FMDV (O, A, C and Asia-1) prevalent in India. Two MAbs (KG10 and KF10), which formed group 3 (G3), were found to be against a non-neutralizing, TS and conformational epitope, common to types Asia-1 and A. Members of G1 were IgG2a isotype, while those of G2 and G3 were IgG1 and IgG2b isotypes, respectively. Antigenic analysis of 31 FMDV type Asia-1 field isolates and two vaccine strains, using a panel of type Asia-1-specific MAbs, revealed antigenic similarity of the virus isolates tested and non-existence of neutralization escape mutants. The developed MAbs have practical utility, especially in the manufacture of FMD vaccine, diagnosis and FMDV characterization.     

Analysis of mortality pattern among indigenous and upgraded pigs under subtropical hill agro climatic conditions in eastern Himalayas

Mortality records of indigenous and upgraded pigs, reared under subtropical hill agro climatic conditions, were collected for the period of 11 years (1993–2003), analyzed and the mortality pattern was correlated with genetic group, age of pigs, climatic factors and causes of death. Results revealed that there was significant (p < 0.05) difference in mortality between the indigenous (6.05%) and upgraded (5.64%) pigs. The mortality percentage was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in both genetic groups between 0 and 4 months of age compared to seven months and above age groups. Among different seasons, significantly (p < 0.05) higher mortality was observed during post-monsoon and winter compared to other seasons. The overall mortality percentage was 4.74, 5.25, 7.51 and 6.56 during pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter seasons, respectively. Indigenous pigs recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher pre-weaning mortality (14.26%) than the upgraded (9.58%) pigs. Among different causes, digestive disorders accounted to significantly (p < 0.05) higher mortality followed by miscellaneous and respiratory disorders. The study developed a linear regression model, which could fairly predict the mortality pattern based on the rainfall, relative humidity and temperature (R² = 58.3%).     

Resistance of Medicago truncatula to salt stress is related to glutamine synthetase activity and sodium sequestration

The response to salinity may largely vary not only among species but even cultivars or lines of the same species. Knowledge of the reasons underlying these differential responses can be critical in breeding programs to obtain lines with enhanced performance under salinity. In this work, the responses to salt stress of three Medicago truncatula lines with contrasting salt resistance, TN6.18 (sensitive), Jemalong (reference line), and TN8.20 (resistant), have been assessed by analyzing a full array of nodule parameters (water relations, carbohydrates, ion concentrations, and enzyme activities). The aim of this work was to look for the most important criteria conferring resistance to the M. truncatula‐Sinorhizobium symbiosis under salinity. The resistance of M. truncatula to salt stress was related to nodule osmotic adjustment due to both sequestration of sodium and accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and free amino acids following protein degradation, together with an adequate nitrogen metabolism due to maintaining relatively high glutamine synthetase activity (GS) and stimulation of NADH‐dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Glutamine synthetase activity differed clearly between the three studied lines. Thus, it may have a key role in the resistance of Medicago truncatula to salt stress.     

Histochemical demonstration of five enzymes' activities in Macrogyrodactylus clarii (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from the catfish Clarias gariepinus

Histochemical techniques were applied to whole mounts, to study the distribution of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the organs and tissues of a viviparous monogenean, Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961, from the gills of the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) in Egypt. The following organs and tissues were studied: head region, anterior adhesive glands, mouth region, pharynx, intestine, testis, vesicula seminalis, male accessory gland, male accessory reservoir, copulatory organ, receptaculum seminis, egg-cell forming region, embryonic cells, excretory system, nerve cells, haptor, muscle fibres and subtegumental cell bodies (cytons). The enzymes showed marked differences in their activities among the studied organs and tissues. Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities were detected in many organs and tissues, while the activities of adenosine triphosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and glucose-6-phosphatase were restricted to a few organs. Although no positive reaction for any enzyme was observed in the anterior adhesive gland cells, a positive reaction for acid phosphatase was detected in the anterior adhesive areas. All enzymes showed marked activity in the digestive and excretory systems. The distribution of the enzymes in the tissues and organs of M clarii is compared with those of other monogeneans, including other gyrodactylids parasitizing the same host fish. Some possible functions of the enzymes are discussed.     

Genetic association between DNA fingerprint fragments and loci controlling agriculturally important traits in avocado (Persea americana Mill.)

Summary Associations between DNA fingerprint fragments and 16 avocado quantitative trait loci were tested for in two avocado tamilies by one way analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. Based on these two analyses the fragments P4, P8, E2 and E5 in Pinkerton × Ettinger progeny were found to be associated with harvest duration, skin color, skin thickness and skin surface, respectively. The fragments P1, P8, B1 and B4 in the Pinkerton × Bacon progeny (half sibs of the original population) were found to be associated with fruit weight, skin color, seed size and peeling, respectively. Based on the original Pinkerton progeny as well as on the half sibs progeny, the fragment P8 was found to be associated with black-purple fruit skin color.The fragment pattern intensity of DNA pools of progeny having either green or black-purple fruit skin color —supported these data. These results are interpreted as genetic-linkage between the DNA fingerprint fragment P8 and locas (1) regulating fruit skin color in avocado.     

Isolation of a galactomannan that enhances macrophage activation from the edible fungus Morchella esculenta

The edible mushroom Morchella esculenta is among the most highly prized and morphologically recognizable fungi in the world. We describe the isolation from a polar extract of M. esculenta carpophores of a high-molecular-weight galactomannan, about 1.0 million Da, that exhibits immunostimulatory activity. At 3.0 microg/mL the galactomannan polysaccharide increased NF-kappa B directed luciferase expression in THP-1 human monocytic cells to levels 50% of those achieved by maximal activating concentration (10 microg/mL) of lipopolysaccharide. This galactomannan comprises about 2.0% of the dry fungal material weight, and its glycosyl components include mannose (62.9%) and galactose (20.0%).     

Effects of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) essential oils as dietary antioxidant supplementation on carcass and meat quality of goat meat

Despite the fact that the use of rosemary and thyme residues and essential oils in animal feeding was widely documented, that of myrtle is scarce. To test the hypothesis that myrtle essential oils (MEOs) could improve goats' carcass characteristics and meat quality traits, twenty-one male goats received a ration consisted of 40% oat hay and 60% concentrate. Experimental goat kids received the control diet supplemented with 0, 0.3 and 0.6% of myrtle essential oils (MEOs) for C, Myrt1 and Myrt2 groups respectively. The administration of MEO did not improve the daily DM intake (p > 0.05). Kids of C and Myrt2 groups had higher average daily gain than Myrt1 group (75 versus 55 g). The goats slaughtered at 19.9 kg of weight did not differ (p > 0.05) in carcass weights and carcass yield in terms of commercial dressing percentage (CDP = 41%) and real dressing percentage (RDP = 52%). The administration of MEO increased the meat polyphenol content, being higher in both Myrtle groups (87 versus. 56 μg gallic acid equivalents g^-1 fresh matter, p < 0.05). Myrtle EO administration protected kids’ meat against oxidation (0.48 versus. 0.91 mg MDA/kg of meat for Myrtle and C groups, respectively, at the 9th day of storage; p < 0.05). It could be useful to include MEO as a dietary supplement in goats’ rations since it improves meat's oxidative status without negative effects on FA profile.