Plant interference and trial designs to study it in a glasshouse: a review

Silvicultural approaches at forest plantations with wider initial tree spacing have created potential for increased understory vegetation growth in response to increased light and greater nutrient resources. In consequence understory vegetation can fill a more important role in forest ecosystems, especially in interactions (competition or facilitation) between understorey vegetation and forests trees that might affect tree growth and nutrition. Considerable research has been carried out on plant interference. However, the experimental designs used in these studies vary from one study to another, and from species to species depending on the aims, objectives and practicalities of the studies. Thus there is no optimum design for competition experiments. This review discusses designs available in studying plant interferences in a glasshouse, particularly the effects of below-ground interaction of understorey vegetation and forest trees.     

Effect of inland water salinity on growth,feed conversion efficiency and intestinal enzyme activity in growing grey mullet, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mugil cephalus</Emphasis> (Linn.): Field and laboratory studies

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of inland water salinity on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and intestinal enzyme activity in grey mullet. In experiment I, a 90 day monoculture of grey mullet at different salinity levels (0, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) was carried out. The fingerlings were stocked at 5000 per hectare and fed on a supplementary diet at 5% BW d^–1. This Study revealed that fish growth mean body weight (90.5 ± 4.5 g) and mean length (21.6 ± 0.4 cm), SGR (4.70%) and growth per day (0.99 g d^–1) were significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in fish maintained at 10% salinity in comparison with other treatments. Nutrient levels, phytoplankton population, NPP and chlorophyll a all decreased with an increase in salinity (>10%). In addition, zooplankton populations increased with an increase in the salinity level. Most of the other hydrochemical characteristics remained at optimal levels in all other treatments. Fish weight gain showed a significant positive correlation with productivity indicating parameters viz. alkalinity (r = 0.53), turbidity (r = 0.62), NPP (r = 0.75) and chlorophyll a (r = 0.46), clearly revealing that fish growth is also related to the trophic status of the ponds. In the second experiment (Experiment II), mullet fry were exposed to five different salinity levels (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) and maintained for 70 days in the laboratory. Significantly (p < 0.05) high growth, (SGR and per cent increase in body weight), feed conversion efficiency and intestinal enzyme activity were observed in the group maintained at 10 salinity in comparison with other groups maintained at similar salinity levels. Carcass composition, musc1e and liver glycogen levels were also significantly (p < 0.05) affected by salinity changes.     

Optimal first feed organism for South African mud crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scylla serrata</Emphasis> (Forskål) larvae

It is not known whether rotifers or Artemia nauplii are the best first food for South African mud crab Scylla serrata larvae. In order to test this, larvae were fed with five different test diets. These were rotifers for the first 8 days and newly hatched EG^® type Artemia nauplii (San Francisco Bay) from day 6 onwards (treatment R6A); newly hatched EG^® type Artemia nauplii throughout the rearing period (treatment EG); newly hatched Vinh-Chau strain (Vietnam) Artemia nauplii throughout the rearing period (treatment VC); decapsulated cysts of EG^® type Artemia throughout the rearing period (treatment DECAP); or decapsulated cysts supplemented with low densities of Artemia EG type Artemia nauplii (treatment MIX). Two experiments were conducted approximately 1 month apart using larvae from two different female crabs. Although results showed it is possible to rear S. serrata larvae through metamorphosis on Artemia nauplii exclusively, larval performance (development, survival and successful metamorphosis) was enhanced by the inclusion of rotifers as a first feed.No significant difference in performance was recorded between larvae fed on the two strains of Artemia nauplii. Larvae fed on decapsulated cysts in treatments DECAP and MIX performed poorly, but there were indications that decapsulated cysts and other inert diets may have potential as supplements to live food in the rearing of S. serrata larvae.     

Spatial learning-induced <Emphasis Type="Italic">egr</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">1</Emphasis> expression in telencephalon of gold fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus</Emphasis>

The immediate-early gene (egr-1) expression was used to examine the neuron’s response in telencephalon of goldfish during spatial learning in small space. Fishes were pre-exposed in the experimental apparatus and trained to pick food from the tray in a rectangular-shaped arena. The apparatus was divided into identical compartments comprising three gates to provide different spatial tasks. After the fish learned to pass through the gate one, two more gates were introduced one by one. Fish made more number of attempts and took longer time (P < 0.05) to pass through the first gate than the gate two or three. This active learning induces the expression of egr-1 in telencephalon as established by western blot analysis. Subsequently, the fish learn quickly to cross the similar type of second and third gate and make fewer errors with a corresponding decline in the level of egr-1 expression. As the fish learned to pass through all the three gates, third gate was replaced by modified gate three. Interestingly, the level of egr-1 expression increased again, when the fish exhibit a high exploratory behavior to cross the modified gate three. The present study shows that egr-1 expression is induced in the telencephalon of goldfish while intensively acquiring geometric spatial information to pass through the gates.     

An overview of the ongoing insights in selenium research and its role in fish nutrition and fish health

In the present review, the ongoing researches about selenium research in fish nutrition have been comprehensively discussed. Selenium research is getting popularity in fish nutrition as it is required for the normal growth and proper physiological and biochemical functions in fish. Its deficiency or surplus amounts create severe problems in fish. It is available as inorganic form, organic form, and nano form. In fish, most of the previous research is about the selenium requirements for fish by using only one selenium source mainly the inorganic one. Selenium shows maximum biological activity and bioavailability when it is supplied in proper form. However, to differentiate the more bioavailable and less toxic form of selenium, sufficient information is needed about the comparative bioavailability of different selenium forms in different fish species. In fish, important data about the new forms of selenoproteins is still scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the determination and elucidation of the new selenoproteins in fish through the utilization of recent approaches of molecular biology and proteomics. The adaptation of these new approaches will replace the old fashioned methodologies regarding the selenium research in fish nutrition. Moreover, the use of molecular biology and proteomics-based new approaches in combination with selenium research will help in optimizing the area of fish nutrition and will improve the feed intake, growth performance, and more importantly the flesh quality which has a promising importance in the consumer market.     

Demonstration of primary cilia and acetylated α-tubulin in fish endothelial,epithelial and fibroblast cell lines

Primary cilia (PC) were demonstrated for the first time in fish endothelial, epithelial and fibroblast cell lines through immunofluorescence staining with the monoclonal antibody, 6-11B-1, against acetylated α-tubulin. The study was carried out with eight recently developed cell lines from the walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill). These were three fibroblast-like cell lines, WE-cfin11f, WE-skin11f and WE-liver3 from, respectively, the caudal fin, skin and liver, and three epithelial-like cell lines, WE-cfin11e, WE-spleen6 and WErpe from, respectively, the caudal fin, spleen and retina. Also, endothelial-like WEBA from the bulbus arteriosus and glial-like WE-brain5 from the brain were used. Immunocytochemistry revealed strong staining for acetylated α-tubulin in mitotic spindles and midbodies for all cell lines, and in PC for all cell lines except WE-skin11f. Staining of cytoplasmic microtubules (fibrils) was absent in three cell lines, including WEBA, but present in the others, especially WE-skin11f, which might have obscured PC detection in these cells. Tubacin, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase 6, induced cytoplasmic fibrils in WEBA and the intensity of their staining in WE-cfin11f. These results suggest that the cell lines might differ in their deacetylase activities, making them useful for studying this tubulin modification in teleosts, as well as for studying PC.     

Immunotoxic responses of chronic exposure to cypermethrin in common carp

In the current study, laboratory evaluations were made to assess the immunomodulatory effect of cypermethrin on fingerlings of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Results showed that 96-h LC50 of cypermethrin in common carp was estimated at 0.85 μg/L. Fish were exposed for 21 days to cypermethrin at three sub-lethal concentrations of 0.042, 0.085, and 0.17 μg/L that represented 5, 10, and 20%, respectively, of the 96-h LC50 of the pesticide for this fish species. Blood samples were taken after 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. Immunological indices and resistance against bacterial infection were determined. Compared to the control group, the fish exposed to cypermethrin showed a significant increase in neutrophil ratio but exhibited a significant decrease in leukocyte number and lymphocyte ratio in treatments exposed to 0.17 and/or 0.085 μg/L after 21 days of exposure (p < 0.05). Serum protein level was significantly decreased in group exposed to 0.17 μg/L on day 14 and also in groups exposed to 0.085 and 0.17 μg/L on day 21 (p < 0.05). Immunoglobulin value was significantly reduced in groups exposed to 0.085 and 0.17 μg/L after 21 days of exposure (p < 0.05). Serum lysozyme activity and phagocytic activity were significantly decreased following exposure to 0.17 μg/L determined on days 14 and 21, post-exposure (p < 0.05). Mortality rate following the challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila significantly increased in fish exposed to 0.17 μg/L of cypermethrin. Overall, the present results indicate severe immunotoxicological effects of cypermethrin in common carp. Therefore, the use of cypermethrin in the proximities of common carp farms should be carefully considered.     

The Status of Selected Minerals in Soil,Forage and Beef Cattle Tissues in a Semi-arid Region of Zimbabwe

Five districts in the Matabeleland region, an arid western area of Zimbabwe, were investigated for the status of Ca, P, Na, Cu and Zn in soil, forage and cattle during the wet and dry seasons over a period of one year. The cattle came from the natural grazing lands and were not supplemented at the time of sampling. Some deficiencies in soil Zn and P were found in the districts of Lupane and Bulilima-mangwe, respectively. Dry season soil Ca, Cu and P concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than rainy season values owing to leaching in all five districts. Most forage samples had mineral concentrations below the critical levels known to be adequate for animal requirements. Forage levels of Ca, Na, Cu and Zn significantly increased (p < 0.05) with advancing maturity, while P significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in almost all the districts. Marked deficiencies of minerals were found in cattle tissues and these levels followed the seasonal trend seen in the forage. These results indicate that cattle in Matebeleland are deficient in P, Ca, Cu and Zn and that grazing areas in the region cannot provide adequate levels of the five minerals studied.     

Physicochemical Properties of Cissus Gum Powder Extracted with the Aid of Edible Starches

Gum powder was extracted from the stem and root of the cissus (Cissus populnea Guill and perr Ampelidacae) plant using water. Extraction was facilitated by the incorporation of 25–50% edible starches of sweet cassava, sweet potato, and maize. Dry samples were milled and sieved through a 250-m sieve. Proximate and physicochemical properties of the gum samples were determined using standard methods. Results of the proximate analyses showed that protein and ash contents of the root gum were appreciably higher than those of the stem gum. Values of the crude fiber and ether extract of the root gum were lower than those of the stem gum. Inclusion of edible starches in the extraction process appreciably lowered proximate values. Results of the physicochemical properties showed that cissus gum samples did not form true gel but a putty-like mass. Addition of starches at various levels did not alter the characteristic putty-like nature of the gum. The gum samples had a remarkably low oil absorption capacity. Cissus gum samples had appreciably higher emulsion capacity and stability than the samples containing starch. The pH of the cissus gum powder and those of the starch-containing samples lie in the low-acid range (5.69–6.49). Cissus gum samples were highly hygroscopic; however, the addition of starch lowered the hygroscopicity. Incorporation of 25% starch into cissus mucilage enhanced extraction of the gum without adverse alteration of the physicochemical properties.