Growth and physiology of basmati rice under conventional and water-saving production systems

Conventionally flooded rice (CFR) requires enormous water and labor inputs. Water scarcity aspires for cultivation of water-saving rice. Growth response and physiology of basmati rice genotypes under the water-saving production systems has not been reported yet. Studies were conducted for 2 years to compare the growth and physiology of three rice cultivars (Super Basmati, Basmati-2000 and Shaheen Basmati), under high (CFR), medium (alternate wetting and drying [AWD]) and low water input (aerobic rice [AR]) systems. Leaf area index, crop growth rate, leaf area duration and dry matter accumulation were higher for AR followed by AWD and CFR, respectively. Shaheen Basmati had a lower growth and relative water contents than Super Basmati and Basmati-2000, probably due to its shorter stature and shorter life cycle. Photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of rice cultivars in the different production were affected only at reproductive stage. Basmati-2000 grown as AR had the highest photosynthetic rate followed by the same cultivar under AWD. The results of this study provide us an idea that basmati cultivars can attain a high growth and development with low water input. This would be helpful to grow rice successfully under water-short rice-growing environments.     

Apparent metabolizable energy value of whole date palm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoenix dactylifera</Emphasis> L.) and its possible use as a feedstuff for aged laying hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of whole date palm (WDP) with and without enzyme supplementation on aged laying hen’s performance. Apparent metabolizable energy value of WDP was determined by the total collection method using ten adult leghorn cockerels. WDP was substituted with a corn-soybean meal basal diet at 40% level, and then the metabolizable energy of this experimental diet and basal diet was determined. After that, a total number of 256 Bovanz 95-week-old hens were randomly allocated into eight groups consisting of four replicates of eight birds each, based on a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments. Eight iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets including one corn-soybean meal-based control diet and two, three, and four corn-soybean meal-based diets included 70, 140, and 210 g/kg ground WDP, respectively. Each of the diets supplemented with two levels of an enzyme (0.0 and 0.07 g/kg Natozim Plus). There was no significant difference in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg mass, eggshell thickness, and Haugh unit among the treatments (P > 0.05). However, yolk color score significantly decreased as dietary WDP level increased. The serum biochemical metabolites were not significantly affected by WDP and enzyme supplementation (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the relative weight of different organs except for abdominal fat. Our findings show that using WDP up to 21% of the diet was more economic and had no adverse effect on productive performance and serum metabolites of laying hens. However, WDP had an adverse effect on yolk color which can be ameliorated by carotenoid supplementation.     

Field assessment of novaluron for sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), management in Louisiana sugarcane

On-farm field experiments were conducted in 2004 and 2007 to assess the suitability of novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, for sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), management in Louisiana sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). Aerial insecticide applications reproducing commercial production practices were made when D. saccharalis infestation levels exceeded a recommended action threshold. In addition to decreased D. saccharalis infestations, 6.3 – 14.5-fold reductions in end of season injury, expressed as the percentage of bored sugarcane internodes, were observed in plots treated with novaluron. D. saccharalis control in novaluron plots was equivalent to (P > 0.05) or better (P < 0.05) than that achieved with tebufenozide, an ecdysone agonist that has been extensively used for over a decade on sugarcane. With a numerical trend of a 3.1-fold decrease in percent bored internodes, the pyrethroid gamma-cyhalothrin seemed less effective than the biorational insecticides in protecting sugarcane against D. saccharalis. Using continuous pitfall trap sampling, no measurable (P > 0.05) decreases in predaceous and non-predaceous soil-dwelling non-target arthropods were associated with insecticides. However, numerical trends for decreases in immature crickets associated with novaluron and gamma-cyhalothrin were recorded in 2007. Our data suggest that novaluron will fit well in Louisiana sugarcane integrated pest management.     

Structured analysis of seepage losses in irrigation supply channels for cost-effective investments: case studies from the southern Murray-Darling Basin of Australia

Much of inland Australia has been in perpetual drought since 1997 except during 2010 when above average rainfall occurred. It has been the worst drought since 1788 when European settlement began. Water scarcity poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the irrigated agriculture in major irrigation systems across the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). There is a need for water-saving measures and a structured approach to assess water loss in earthen supply channels. This paper presents such an approach to assess and reduce seepage losses for improving irrigation efficiencies. Main elements of this approach are the following: field measurements, hydrologic modelling, potential options for seepage reduction, economic analysis and financing water-saving investments. Using data from two irrigation systems in the southern MDB, a case is made for reducing seepage water losses in irrigation supply channels in a cost-effective manner using low-cost technologies. Increasing the level of security for investments in water-saving programs provides incentives to key stakeholders to achieve water-saving targets. Considering the value of water recovered from reducing seepage loss at irrigation system level, this study demonstrates how reducing just one component (seepage) from the total water losses in irrigation systems can help improve water supplies as well as the environmental flows. Potential options for financing infrastructure improvement for saving irrigation water are proposed and discussed.     

Time series analysis of irrigation return flow in a semi-arid agricultural region,Iran

The irrigation return-flow coefficient (IRFC) is based on rule of thumb estimations in most aquifers in Iran. The errors may be significant, and thus misleading for water resources management. We used lysimeters to more accurately predict IRFC. Five wheat and barley farms of different soil textures, which were irrigated using a border system, plus one with a sprinkler system, were selected for the installation of lysimeters. The practices at each farm were applied to the lysimeters. Irrigation return flows (IRF) were measured every other day over two growing seasons. The IRF time series displayed sharp peaks at the initial stages of the growing season and decreasing towards the end. IRFCs were classified into early and late stages. The average IRFC during the early stage was 29.9%, decreasing to 6.5% in the late stage. High IRFC values are due to the limitations of border irrigation to provide a small uniform amount of water, and over-irrigation due to low water demand during the early stage of growth. Variations in annual IRFCs of 0.4 to 38.7% are functions of total applied water, border length, management and soil texture. The early stage IRFC for the sprinkler system was small. Therefore, high early stage IRFCs can be reduced by changing from border irrigation to a sprinkler system.     

Estimation of yield and dry matter of rapeseed using logistic model under water salinity and deficit irrigation

The inadequacy of most models to simulate crop growth and yield is due to complexity, difficulty to understand, and lack of input data. Therefore, several simple crop growth models are presented to reduce these failures. In this investigation, yield and aboveground dry matter (DM_above) of rapeseed were simulated by two logistic growth models that were based on days after planting (DAP) and growing degree days (GDD) under water salinity and deficit irrigation, in a 2-year experiment. Data of first and second year were used for calibration and validation of the model, respectively. The coefficients of logistic function were determined as a function of irrigation water salinity and sum of applied water and rainfall in spring of the first year. Results indicated that logistic function based on GDD-predicted DM_above during growing season more accurately than logistic function based on DAP. Furthermore, seed yield of rapeseed was estimated based on harvest index with a good accuracy. Therefore, logistic function based on GDD that is based on the cumulative heat units can be used for different weather conditions and planting dates to determine rapeseed DM_above and yield under water salinity and deficit irrigation.     

Lavender essence for post-cesarean pain

Post cesarean (CS) pain is a challenging problem for the obstetricians, because it may interfere with mother and baby's well-being. Many approaches have been ever proposed to diminish this pain, each one with particular benefits and limitations. Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy especially for controlling pain. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of lavender essence on post CS pain. In a single-blind clinical trial, 200 term pregnant women with planned elective CS were recruited in a 12 month period of time. They were randomized in two 100-patient groups; received either lavender essence (the case group) or a similar clinically neutral aromatic material (the control group) thorough oxygen mask for 3 min 3 h after receiving similar intravenous analgesics. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was employed to determine the level of post CS pain. The VAS was documented half hour after first intervention. Eight and 16 h later, the aromatherapy was repeated and half hour after each intervention, corresponding VAS was documented. The two groups were matched for demographics and obstetrical history. The baseline VAS was comparable between the two groups. The mean VAS decreased significantly by 16 h after the first intervention in both groups (p < 0.001). However, this amelioration of pain was significantly more prominent in the cases group comparing with that in the controls in all documented stages half hour, 8 and 16 h after the first intervention (p < 0.001 for all measurements). In conclusion, aromatherapy by using lavender essence is a successful and safe complementary therapy in reducing pain after CS.     

Mixtures of organic amendments and biochar promote beneficial soil microbiota and affect Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae,Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia minor disease suppression

The use of soil fumigants and fungicides to control soilborne pathogens is reduced due to awareness of their negative drawbacks. Long-term application of such agrochemicals negatively affects soil microbiota and reduces natural soil suppressiveness. We investigated long-term impacts of biochar and not-pyrogenic organic amendment (OAs: manure, alfalfa straw and glucose), on disease suppression compared with conventional management in three pathosystems: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae (FOL)–lettuce, Rhizoctonia solani–tomato and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum–lettuce, by conditioning soil for 2 years. Soil analyses included pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C:N ratio, N-NO₃⁻, N-NH₄⁺, cation exchange capacity, available phosphorus, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), and total and active limestone. Soil microbiota was characterized by combining BIOLOG EcoPlates with next-generation sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes. Soil amended with OAs generally suppressed disease by S. sclerotiorum and FOL compared to fumigants and synthetic fertilizers. However, the incidence of R. solani infection was lower in soil treated with synthetic fertilizers than soil amended with OAs. EC, pH, C:N, N-NO₃⁻, N-NH₄⁺, FDA and BIOLOG were significantly correlated with disease, depending on pathosystem. Bacterial richness and diversity, presence of some genera like Acidobacteria, Chloracidobacteria, Solibacteres, Anaerolineae, Nitrospira and Deltaproteobacteria were negatively related to disease incidence of FOL and S. sclerotiorum, whereas damping-off caused by R. solani was negatively affected by the presence of Flavobacterium and Chitinofagha. Therefore, we concluded that long-term application of OAs can effectively improve soil suppressiveness and reduce disease incidence against root pathogens, although the effects vary considerably depending upon pathosystem.     

Assessment of chronic gastritis in pet dogs and its relation with helicobacter-like organisms

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic gastritis in pet dogs, to determine the histopathologic changes of gastric mucosa and, to determine its relationship with canine gastric Helicobacter infection. Sixty percent (n = 18), 27% (n = 8) and 13% (n = 4) of the examined stomachs showed normal, congested and erosive gastric mucosa respectively. Histopathologic examination was confirmed the presence of chronic gastritis in 40% of dogs (n = 12). Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis was the most common type of chronic gastritis. Gastric Helicobacter was detected in cytological examination of 26 out of 30 dogs (86.6%) but in the PCR analysis, 93% of gastric samples were positive for GHLO. There was no significant relation between the presence of Helicobacters and chronic gastritis (p>0.05). Follicular gastritis was detected in 12 cases (40%) and there was also no significant correlation between its presence and GHLO's infection (p>0.05). In conclusion, chronic gastritis can be considered as a prevalent disease especially in dogs. Nutritional and environmental factors as well as individual immune response may have role in induction of chronic gastritis, but the clinical significance of these histopathologic changes should be evaluated.     

Effects of different carbon sources and dietary protein levels in a biofloc system on growth performance,immune response against white spot syndrome virus infection and cathepsin L gene expression of Litopenaeus vannamei

A 5‐week study was performed to evaluate the effect of spoilage date extract (SDE) as the biofloc carbon source on Litopenaeus vannamei (5.4 ± 0.3 g) performance. The two levels of dietary protein (15% and 25% crude protein) and two carbohydrate sources (molasses‐M and SDE‐P) were tested including: M15, M25, P15 and P25. The minimum (0.2 ± 0.0 mg/L) and the maximum (0.5 ± 0.0 mg/L) of total ammonia nitrogen were observed in the P15 and M25 groups respectively. The highest protein efficiency ratio (6.1 ± 0.3) and protein productive value (112.3 ± 5.8%) were found in the P15 group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between biofloc treatments in the expression of cathepsin L gene in hepatopancreas (p > 0.05). The number of total haemocyte count (THC), semigranular cells (SGC) and granular cells (GC) of shrimp in SDE‐based biofloc treatments was relatively higher than those in molasses‐based biofloc treatments. Following the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge, a significant decrease in THC, SGC, GC and hyaline cell values was observed in all treatments (p = 0.001). Plasma biochemical parameters were significantly influenced by dietary protein levels, biofloc carbon sources as well as WSSV challenge test. In conclusion, SDE successfully could be used as an alternative carbon source for establishing a biofloc system in L. vannamei production.