Genetic diversity analysis in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): a comparative assessment using ISSR and RAPD marker assays

SUMMARY

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate genetic diversity in 45 genotypes of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), including both male and female plants, employing RAPD and ISSR marker systems. The data were analysed to calculate the total number of bands, the number of polymorphic bands, the percentage polymorphism, the average number of bands per primer, the effective multiplex ratio (EMR), the polymorphic information content (PIC), the marker index (MI), and genetic similarity coefficients. The 37 RAPD and 53 ISSR primers used generated 363 and 608 scorable amplified products, respectively, of which 95.0% and 90.9% were polymorphic. The ISSR markers produced more information than the RAPD markers due to their higher EMR and MI values. Jaccard similarity values among male plants, female plants, and between all male and all female plants varied between 0.72 – 0.80. The results indicate the effectiveness of these two marker systems for demonstrating genetic relationships among date palm genotypes.     

Variant biochemical responses: intrinsic and adaptive system for ecologically different rice varieties

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - India has a diverse range of agro-ecological conditions which support the cultivation of different rice varieties differing in the adaptation which is so...     

The role of apoptosis in immunosuppression of dogs with demodicosis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of apoptosis in peripheral blood leukocytes of dogs with demodicosis. A total of 26 dogs suffering from demodicosis, and positive for Demodex canis mites by skin scraping, participated in the study, 13 with localized demodicosis (LD) and 13 with generalized demodicosis (GD). A further 13 clinically healthy dogs, all of whom were negative for mites upon skin scraping, were used as controls. The dogs with GD revealed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.0001) percentage of leukocytes with externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potentials (ΔΨm) as compared with the dogs with LD and healthy controls. These dogs also revealed significantly lower values (P ≤ 0.0001) of hematological parameters viz. hemoglobin, total erythrocytes count total leukocytes count, lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. Significantly higher (P ≤ 0.0001) percentages of leukocytes with externalization of PS and depolarized ΔΨm were also found in dogs with LD as compared with the healthy controls. These dogs also revealed significantly lower values of Hb (P ≤ 0.0001), TEC (P=0.025), TLC (P ≤ 0.0001), lymphocytes (P=0.008), monocytes (P ≤ 0.0001) and neutrophils (P=0.03). It is concluded that premature apoptosis of PBL may be implicated in the immunosuppression of the dogs with demodicosis.     

Fungal degradation of chlorpyrifos by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acremonium</Emphasis> sp. strain (GFRC-1) isolated from a laboratory-enriched red agricultural soil

The organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos, has been widely applied in agriculture; in veterinary, against household pests; and in subterranean termite control. Due to its slow rate of degradation in soil, it can persist for extended periods in soil with a significant threat to environment and public health. The mixed and pure fungi were isolated from three soils by enrichment technique. The enriched mixed fungal cultures were capable of biodegrading chlorpyrifos (300 mg L⁻¹) when cultivated in Czapek Dox medium. The identified pure fungal strain, Acremonium sp., utilized chlorpyrifos as a source of carbon and nitrogen. The highest chlorpyrifos degradation (83.9%) by Acremonium sp. strain GFRC-1 was found when cultivated in the nutrient medium with full nutrients. Desdiethyl chlorpyrifos was detected as a major biodegradation product of chlorpyrifos. The isolated fungal strain will be used for developing bioremediation strategy for chlorpyrifos-polluted soils.     

Effect of consumption of finger millet on hyperglycemia in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects

The effect of consumption of finger millet based diets on hyperglycemiawas studied in 6 noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects.All the experimental diets were planned to be isocaloric and also tocontain 75 g equivalent of carbohydrate load so that glycemic responsecould be compared with a 75 g glucose load. The glycemic response tobreakfast items compared to that of glucose was determined by comparingthe areas under the 2 hr glucose response curve. Consumption of fingermillet based diets resulted in significantly lower plasma glucose levels,mean peak rise, and area under curve which might have been due to thehigher fiber content of finger millet compared to rice and wheat. Thelower glycemic response of whole finger millet based diets may also havebeen due to the presence of antinutritional factors in whole finger milletflour which are known to reduce starch digestibility and absorption.     

Broad bean wilt virus: Host range,purification, serology,transmission characteristics,and occurrence in faba bean in West Asia and North Africa

A virus affecting faba bean in West Asia and Norht Africa was identified as broad bean wilt virus (BBWV) by host reactions, particle morphology and size, serology and transmission characteristics. An isolate from Syria (SV3-88) and one from Egypt (EV319-86) were found to be serologically identical and of serotype I. In host-range studies, the Syrian isolate infected systemically 59 out of 87 plant species tested. The virus was transmitted non-persistently by four aphid species naturally prevalent in Syria, but most efficiently byMyzus persicae. Inoculation of faba bean with SV3-88 14 weeks (pre-flowering) and 6 weeks after sowing (flowering) led to 25.8 and 1.8% yield loss and seed-transmission rates of 0.6 and 0.4%, respectively. The isolate SV3-88 was purified from systemically infected faba bean and yield 1.5–2 mg of partially purified virus per 100 g of leaves. When samples, with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, were collected during 1985–1989 from a number of countries in West Asia and North Africa and tested by ELISA, the virus was detected in 8 out of 127 samples tested (8/127) from Egypt, 0/44 from Lebanon, 1/23 from Morocco, 38/485 from the Sudan, 38/385 from Syria and 23/138 from Tunisia.Samenvatting Een virus uit veldboon of faba boon (Vicia faba) in West Azië en Noord-Afrika werd als tuinboneverwelkingsvirus (Fabavirus-groep) herkend aan zijn waardplantreacties, deeltjesvorm en grootte, serologie en wijze van overdracht. Een isolaat uit Syrië (SV3-88) en één uit Egypte (EV319-86) bleken serologisch identiek te zijn en te behoren tot serotype I van het virus. Met het Syrische isolaat kon in 59 van de 87 getoetste plantesoorten systemische infectie worden verkregen. Met vier veel in Syrië voorkomende bladluissorten kon het virus worden overgebracht, maar metMyzus persicae naar de meeste plantesoorten. Inoculatie van veldboon met SV3-88 vóór de bloei (14 weken na het zaaien) en tijdens de bloei (16 weken na het zaaien) gaf aanleiding tot respectivelijk 25,8 en 1,8% opbrengstreductie en tot 0,6 en 0,4% zaadoverdracht. Bij zuivering van isolaat SV3-88 uit systemisch geïnfecteerde fababoon was de opbrengst tot 1,5 à 2 mg gedeeltelijk gezuiverd virus per 100 g blad. Bij ELISA-toetsing in 1985–1989 van een groot aantal monsters afkomstig uit een aantal landen in West-Azië en Noord-Afrika werd het virus aangetoond in 8 van de 127 (8/127) monsters uit Egypte, 0/44 uit Libanon, 1/23 uit Marokko, 38/485 uit Soedan, 38/385 uit Syrië en 23/138 uit Tunesië.     

Genetic analysis of persistency in HF crossbred cattle at an organized farm of northern India

The present study was undertaken to estimate effect of various genetic and non-genetic factors on persistency of milk production and to identify the most appropriate persistency method that fits best in our environment. In the present study, effects of different non-genetic factors, viz. year, season, days to attain peak yield, and genetic group based on the level of exotic inheritance on persistency of milk yield in crossbred cattle were studied. Data comprised of 686 first lactation daily milk yield records of crossbred cattle that were maintained at GADVASU dairy farm over a period of 25 years from 1991 to 2015 were utilized to calculate persistency coefficients by four methods, viz., Ludwick and Peterson method (P1), Mahadevan method (P2), ratio method (P3), and Prasad et al. method (P4). Overall least squares means for persistency by Ludwick and Peterson method (P1), Mahadevan method (P2), ratio method (P3), and Prasad et al. method (P4) were 0.896?±?0.096, 1.385?±?0.224, 187.207?±?26.398, and 0.621?±?0.098, respectively. Effect of sires was significant (P?<?0.05) on P2 and P4 methods. Effect of genetic group on all four methods was non-significant. Period of calving had significant (P?<?0.01) effect on persistency of milk yield (P2, P3, and P4 methods). Effect of season of calving on persistency of milk yield was found to be significant in all estimates obtained by the four methods. Summer and autumn calvers were most persistent whereas spring and winter calvers were least persistent for (P2, P3, and P4 methods). Persistency of milk yield was significantly (P?<?0.05) affected by days to attain peak yield in P1 and P2 methods. Maximum persistency was obtained in animals attaining peak at 41–57 days of lactation and minimum in <?41 days for Mahadevan method and ratio method. The highest heritability of persistency and minimum value of standard error was estimated as 0.275?±?0.11 for the Mahadevan method followed by the Prasad method (0.197?±?0.10) by half sib correlation method. The maximum coefficient of variation which indicates available variability was estimated as 20.788% for persistency by the Mahadevan method followed by 18.969% for the Prasad method. The highest correlation was also observed between P1 and P3 methods by Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation for least squares breeding value of the sires. On the basis of heritability, standard error of heritability, and coefficient of variation, it can be concluded that the Mahadevan method followed by the Prasad method suits best to our environment for animals in first lactation as well as they can be utilized for effective selection for higher persistency in crossbred animals of Punjab.     

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Industry Wastewater Treatment using UASB Reactor System with Recourse to Energy Recovery

The investigation was carried out on laboratory scale to assess the feasibility of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor system as a pretreatment for hydrogenated vegetable oil industry wastewater with recourse to energy recovery. The reactor system operated at 35°C, resulted in COD removal efficiency in the range 98.9–80.1% at organic loading varying in the range 1.33–10 kgCOD/m³ day. The specific methane yield varied from 0.295–0.345 m³CH₄/kgCOD_r. Hydraulic retention time, substrate concentrations, pH, and temperature were also varied to study the influence of operating parameters on reactor performance. The methane content decreased with increase in substrate loading rate, and varied from 53–66.7% under varying operating conditions. Impulse loading studies in terms of hydraulic, organic, and pH though resulted in destabilization of the reactor; however, the reactor rapidly achieved stable performance after steady operation.     

Development of an efficient method for recovery of Puumala and Puumala-related viruses by inoculation of Mongolian gerbils

Puumala (PUU) virus and PUU-related viruses are difficult to isolate in cell culture. To determine whether animal inoculation would be a better alternative for virus recovery, the Sotkamo strain of PUU virus was inoculated into several animal species. Newborn Mongolian gerbils (MGs), mice, and rats were infected with the Sotkamo strain by intracerebral (ic), intraperitoneal (ip), and subcutaneous (sc) inoculation. Antibodies to PUU appeared in MGs at 30 days post-infection (dpi), and in mice and rats at 15 dpi. Interestingly, virus appeared at 7 dpi in lung and brain of MGs inoculated via ic and ip routes. Virus was detected in all tested tissues of MGs at 15 dpi, with a peak level of 1.36 x 10 (5) focus forming units (FFU)/g in brain tissue. The virus titer declined with the onset of the antibody response and became undetectable by 75 dpi, when the antibody titer reached the maximum level. The appearance of the virus in mice and rats was delayed as compared to MGs, and the virus titer was apparently lower, at approximately 4 to 8 x 10(3) FFU/g, at 15 dpi. In addition, lung homogenates of antibody-positive Clethrionomys (C.) rufocanus (captured in Tobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan) were inoculated into MGs by the ic route. PUU-related viral RNA was detected at 16 dpi in the brains of MG inoculated with the lung homogenate, and antibodies were detected at 45 dpi. These findings indicate that newborn MG inoculation is an efficient method to recover PUU and PUU-related viruses.