In vitro and in vivo genetic parameters and character associations in potato

Relative behaviour of genetic parameters and character associations for in vitro and in vivo systems was studied by evaluating 22 potato genotypes for seven morpho-agronomic characters under six in vitro and four in vivo conditions. There was considerable similarity between in vitro and in vivo systems with regard to pattern of coefficient of variation (both phenotypic and genotypic), heritability (broad sense), genetic advance (as% of mean) and correlation coefficients (both phenotypic and genotypic) between characters. The magnitude of various genetic parameters was higher under in vitro than in vivo conditions, particularly for tuber yield and its components. Treatment-to-treatment variation in genetic parameters and character associations was higher under in vivo than in vitro conditions. In vitro selection for agronomic characters in potato may be possible. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of feeding diet with alternate protein sources and quality protein maize on performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding diets with quality protein maize (QPM) along with cottonseed meal (CSM) and guar meal (GM) on...     

Soil loss hinders the restoration potential of tree plantations on highly eroded ravine slopes

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Soil erosion and loss threatens vast tracts of agricultural and non-agricultural land, worldwide. High soil erosion severely affects establishment of vegetation via...     

The Role of Biophysical Parameters in the Antilipopolysaccharide Activities of Antimicrobial Peptides from Marine Fish

Numerous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from marine fish have been identified, isolated and characterized. These peptides act as host defense molecules that exert antimicrobial effects by targeting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPS-AMP interactions are driven by the biophysical properties of AMPs. In this review, therefore, we will focus on the physiochemical properties of AMPs; that is, the contributions made by their sequences, net charge, hydrophobicity and amphipathicity to their mechanism of action. Moreover, the interactions between LPS and fish AMPs and the structure of fish AMPs with LPS bound will also be discussed. A better understanding of the biophysical properties will be useful in the design of AMPs effective against septic shock and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, including those that commonly produce wound infections.     

Studies on the adaptability of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC) to marginal soil conditions under semi-arid sub tropics

A cultivation trial of winged bean under its popularisation programme has been undertaken on marginal sodic soils. The study showed no abnormality at any stage of the culture and the food value of the produce was concurrent with those reported in literature. The seed production (0.7–1.56 tons/hectare) was in accordance with the average yield obtained in other tropical countries. The highest seed yield (2.199 tons/hectare) was obtained when the seeds were sown at 32.4 cm² spacing. Staked crops yielded 73% more seeds. The oil (18%), free from parinaric acid, and protein (28.8% on the seed) contents of the seed tally with the values reported elsewhere. The seed oil can be stored for a longer time without any change in its quality.     

Anti-Microbial,Anti-Biofilm Activities and Cell Selectivity of the NRC-16 Peptide Derived from Witch Flounder,Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Previous studies had identified novel antimicrobial peptides derived from witch flounder. In this work, we extended the search for the activity of peptide that showed antibacterial activity on clinically isolated bacterial cells and bacterial biofilm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained from otitis media and cholelithiasis patients, while Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from otitis media patients. We found that synthetic peptide NRC-16 displays antimicrobial activity and is not sensitive to salt during its bactericidal activity. Interestingly, this peptide also led to significant inhibition of biofilm formation at a concentration of 4–16 μM. NRC-16 peptide is able to block biofilm formation at concentrations just above its minimum inhibitory concentration while conventional antibiotics did not inhibit the biofilm formation except ciprofloxacin and piperacillin. It did not cause significant lysis of human RBC, and is not cytotoxic to HaCaT cells and RAW264.7 cells, thereby indicating its selective antimicrobial activity. In addition, the peptide’s binding and permeation activities were assessed by tryptophan fluorescence, calcein leakage and circular dichroism using model mammalian membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), PC/cholesterol (CH) and PC/sphingomyelin (SM). These experiments confirmed that NRC-16 does not interact with any of the liposomes but the control peptide melittin did. Taken together, we found that NRC-16 has potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities with less cytotoxicity, and thus can be considered for treatment of microbial infection in the future.     

Biochemistry of TBT-Degrading Marine Pseudomonads Isolated from Indian Coastal Waters

Tributyltin (TBT) is a very effective biocide and an active ingredient in antifouling paints. Screening along the Indian coast yielded 49 bacterial isolates capable of TBT assimilation. The screening was done based on the ability of bacteria to grow in mineral salt medium (MSM) containing TBT as the sole source of carbon. All the isolates produced exopolysaccharides (biosurfactants) in the medium which aid in emulsification and thus ease bioavailability of TBT. Five isolates were identified as potent TBT degraders (namely, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas mendocina, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas balearica) based on their biomass production in MSM containing TBT as the sole source of carbon. In addition to evaluating the potential of individual bacterial strains, the study also focused on using a consortium of bacteria to explore their synergistic effect when grown on TBT. Further tests like growth profile, rhamnolipid secretion profile, extracellular protein secretion profile, and detection of siderophores were performed on these isolates when grown in MSM supplemented with 2 mM TBT concentration. Emulsification activity of the crude extracellular polysaccharides against kerosene was evaluated. It can be therefore inferred that TBT degradation by these marine pseudomonads is a two-step process: (a) dispersion of TBT in the aqueous phase and (b) tin–carbon bond cleavage by siderophores affecting debutylation of TBT. The consortium of bacteria may be effective in the treatment of TBT-contaminated waste water in dry docks.     

印度西孟加拉邦德赖地区梨竹生长基质标准化、萌发种子尺寸和实生苗生长

2008年2-4月,在印度西孟加拉邦德赖地区开展了试验,该试验对6个生长基质和3个种子的重量进行了分析,以找出其对梨竹萌发和实生苗生长的影响。与其他基质相比,将50 g的种子种在土壤、沙土和FYM以同一比例混合的基质中,种子萌发较好,实生苗生长更好。