Nestedness and modularity in fragmented Shasha Forest Reserve,southwestern Nigeria

Species co-occurrence and nestedness pattern in Shasha forest reserve were investigated with a view to determining the effect of interactions to species contribution. Three distinct sites (Gmelina arborea plantation, undisturbed forest, and Pinus carribaea (plantation) were selected in the forest reserve. Four 25 m × 25 m plots were established in each of the site within the forest reserve. Species enumeration, identification,, and distribution into families of the standing vegetation were carried out. Woody species represented the most diverse life form. Plant species diversity was highest in UF and lowest in Gmelina plantation. Differences in woody species composition among the three forest types were determined by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis, analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), and similarity of percentages. Using z-score and NODF (a nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill). Three modules were detected and modularity score Q = 0.2. The composition analyses (NMDS and ANOSIM) revealed a significant difference in the woody species composition among the forest types. Our research may contribute to understand species assemblage in one of the diverse forests of Africa. Current work highlighted species occurrence in Shasha forest and highlighted the importance of non-random pattern which could serve as framework for conservation perspective.     

First report of Cryptosporidium deer-like genotype in Malaysian cattle

Fifty faecal samples from diarrheic calves between 1 and 6 months old were collected per rectum from 5 farms around Petaling District in Selangor, Malaysia for Cryptosporidium species detection and genotyping investigation. Oocysts were purified using sedimentation and gradient centrifugation, then examined by immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). Genomic DNA was extracted from all samples and nested PCR was performed to amplify the SSU rRNA gene. Eighteen samples (36%) were positive for Cryptosporidium species by PCR. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis of 14 isolates indicated that Cryptosporidium parvum was most common (11 isolates) followed by Cryptosporidium deer-like genotype (3 isolates). The present work reports the first data on Cryptosporidium genotyping from cattle in Malaysia.     

Prediction of Major Agricultural Fruits Production in Pakistan by Using an Econometric Analysis and Machine Learning Technique

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to use an econometric analysis to investigate the relationship between agricultural gross domestic product (AGDP) and variables such as apple, citrus, pears, grape and banana in Pakistan; data were explored from 1980 to 2015; we used time series data collected from secondary sources, including the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Year Books and the Economic Survey of Pakistan. Data were analyzed by using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method and Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test, and results were interpreted by using the Johansen co-integration test. The machine learning technique was used to examine and predict the future agricultural productivity in Pakistan. We found that output of banana, citrus and pears had a positive and significant influence on AGDP, whereas apples and grapes had a negative but insignificant influence on AGDP.     

Integrated approach for improving small scale market oriented dairy systems in Pakistan: participatory rural appraisal and economic opportunity survey

Livestock production is an integral part of the rain-fed and irrigated agriculture system in Pakistan. Animal production is closely interlinked with the cropping systems and play a crucial role in the rural economy. Participatory rural appraisals and economic opportunity surveys were conducted in two ecological zones (irrigated and rain-fed) and two dairy production systems (peri-urban and mixed livestock). Major constraints in animal health, nutrition and reproduction were identified and interventions were suggested to overcome these difficulties. The economic opportunity survey revealed that maximum opportunity to enhance farmers’ income is to increase milk production per day per animal, which can be accomplished through coordinated improvements in nutrition, reproduction and genetics.     

Purification and Identification of Antioxidant Peptides from Fermented Fish Sauce (Budu)

This study aimed to isolate antioxidant peptides from Budu extract and identify novel antioxidant peptides using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS/MS). An amino acid analyzer was used to analyze the amino acid composition of peptides. Two novel peptides, Lue-Asp-Asp-Pro-Val-Phe-Ile-His (LDDPVFIH) and Val-Ala-Ala-Gly-Arg-Thr-Asp-Ala-Gly-Val-His (VAAGRTDAGVH), were identified. The synthesized peptide of LDDPVFIH showed higher antioxidant activity. The presence of hydrophobic amino acids (Ile and Leu), acidic (Asp) and basic (His) amino acids in the peptide sequences is believed to contribute to the high antioxidant activity of the fermented anchovy fish (Budu) extract. Thus, the two peptides may have potential application as functional foods and could also be used as nutraceutical compounds.     

Determination of annual reproductive cycle in male sterlet,Acipenser ruthenus using histology and ultrasound imaging

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal testicular development in the cultured sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus. During annual sexual cycle of male sterlet,...     

Yield potential and salt tolerance of quinoa on salt‐degraded soils of Pakistan

Quinoa is recently introduced to Pakistan as a salt‐tolerant crop of high nutritional value. Open field trials were conducted to evaluate its performance on normal and salinity/sodicity‐degraded lands at two locations of different salinity/sodicity levels, S₁ (UAF Farm, Normal Soil), S₂ (Paroka Farm UAF, saline sodic), S₃ (SSRI Farm, normal) and S₄ (SSRI Farm, saline sodic) during 2013–2014. Two genotypes (Q‐2 and Q‐7) were grown in lines and were allowed to grow till maturity under RCBD split‐plot arrangement. Maximum seed yield (3,062 kg/ha) was achieved by Q‐7 at normal field (S₁) soil which was statistically similar with yield of same genotype obtained from salt‐affected field S₂ (2,870 kg/ha). Furthermore, low yield was seen from both genotypes from both S₃ and S₄ as compared to S₁ and S₂. Q‐7 was best under all four conditions. Minimum yield was recorded from Q‐2 (1,587 kg/ha) at S₄. Q‐7 had higher SOD, proline, phenolic and K⁺ contents, and lower Na⁺ content in leaves as compared to Q‐2. High levels of antioxidants and K⁺/Na⁺ of Q‐7 helped to withstand salt stress and might be the cause of higher yields under both normal and salt‐affected soils. Seed quality (mineral and protein) did not decrease considerably under salt‐affected soils even improved seed K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺.     

二穗短柄草叶绿体RNA编辑位点的预测及其鉴定

RNA编辑是陆生植物叶绿体转录后基因表达调控的一种重要方式。为进一步探讨单子叶植物RNA编辑功能及其发生机制,本研究通过生物信息学方法,对二穗短柄草叶绿体的81个蛋白编码基因的RNA编辑位点进行了预测和鉴定分析,结果发现78个基因存在编辑位点,共检测到176个编辑位点,都是C到U的转换。其中ndhB最多,为14个编辑位点。为验证预测结果,利用blast工具比对了NCBI的二穗短柄草EST数据库,最终确定存在于17个基因中的34个编辑位点是真实存在的,其中19个为沉默编辑,15个为有效编辑。与5个不同单子叶禾本科物种18个蛋白编码基因的RNA编辑位点的比较发现,在rpoB-206位点,只有二穗短柄草发生了编辑,且只有ndhD-295(293)为部分编辑位点。     

Do pre-sowing treatments affect seed germination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia richardiana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagerstroemia speciosa</Emphasis>?

In this paper, seed morphology and effects of pre-sowing treatments were studied. Matured seeds of the species were collected from healthy trees in the National Botanical Garden, Bangladesh, and treated with five pre-sowing treatments. The average length, breadth and thickness were found to be 0.56±0.03 cm, 0.44±0.009 cm and 0.26±0.008 cm in Albizia richardiana King and Prain, and 1.32±0.02 cm, 0.55±0.04 cm and 0.11±0.002 cm in Lagerstroemia speciosa L., respectively. Germination was carried out in polybags with a mixture of topsoil, coconut husk compost, coarse sand and fine sand in a ratio of 3:4:1:1. Results revealed that the germination rates of seeds in different pre-sowing treatments were significantly increased compared to those in cold-water treatment in both species. The highest germination rate was found to be 96% in hot-water treatment followed by 87%, 83% and 49% in treatments with scarification, H₂SO₄ and control in A. richardiana, respectively. However, the highest germination rate (79%) was found in H₂SO₄ treatment followed by 64%, 62% and 25% in treatments with hot water, scarification and control in L. speciosa, respectively. The lowest germination (35% in A. richardiana and 20% in L. speciosa) was found in cold-water treatment in both cases. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the significant difference among the treatments for both species. It is concluded that hot-water treatment is recommended for seed germination of both species in rural Bangladesh.