Assessment of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) sperm DNA fragmentation using a sperm chromatin dispersion test

Chromosomal fragmentations or damage in sperm DNA has considerable value in determination of semen quality. However, rapid and/or simple method to assess sperm DNA integrity in buffalo has apparently not been reported. In the present study, SCD was used for the first time in buffalo bulls for assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation. A modified SCD protocol, under bright field microscope was developed and validated by comparison with other routine tests which can be used for processing of samples. The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) from SCD was correlated with semen quality parameters viz. viability (r=-0.68, p<0.05), membrane integrity (r=-0.74, p<0.05) and capacitation status (r=-0.69, p<0.05). The amount of DNA fragmentation assessed by SCD was highly correlated (R=0.874, p<0.05) with results of acridine orange test (AOT), a traditional method of assessing DNA damage. There were no significant differences between two observers with regards to scoring dispersion patterns. Therefore, the SCD test can be routinely used for detection of DNA fragmentation in buffalo sperm, with potential for replacing conventional time consuming tests.     

Conservation assessment and prioritization of areas in Northeast India: Priorities for amphibians and reptiles

This study combines niche modeling and systematic area prioritization using distribution data for 131 species of amphibians and reptiles from Northeast India and Burma, with two objectives: (i) to evaluate the performance of the current conservation area network in Northeast India with respect to the representation of amphibians and reptiles, and (ii) to identify potential areas for expanding the current conservation area network. In a two-step protocol, maximum entropy niche modeling was used to project species’ potential geographic occurrences, and the resulting probabilistic distribution data were used to prioritize areas with algorithms that maximize the representation of all species in minimal total area. The results provided a critical assessment of conservation priorities in this data-deficient region, and indicate the utility of combining niche modeling with systematic area prioritization in such situations. Many areas that had been overlooked in previous assessments were identified. Although the existing protected areas were found to be inadequate for representation of amphibian and reptile diversity, the prioritization results show that by targeting a minimal representation of 5% of the current total area suitable for each species, the gaps can be filled with a relatively modest (0.41%) increase in the current total area covered by the network. Extended analyses were also performed to assess the effects of putatively rare species on reserve selection, which showed that the inclusion of these taxa can change the prioritization solutions significantly. The prioritization results also highlight areas of Northeast India that warrant attention from future surveys.     

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees (kalmegh), a traditional hepatoprotective drug from India

Andrographis paniculata [(Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees, family Acanthaceae], commonly known as kalmegh is used both in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines for a number of ailments related to digestion, hepatoprotection, hypoglycaemic and as anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, vermicidal and antipyretic. Although kalmegh is extensively used in Indian Systems of Medicine, but it is not yet cultivated on a large-scale. The supply of herb is met from the wild growing populations which is now under constrain due to over-collection. Considering its value as a drug raw material, genetic variability of A. paniculata was augmented from different geographical regions of India by explorations and was conserved at the National Gene Bank, NBPGR, New Delhi. The therapeutic activity of the herb has been attributed to andrographolide, a bicyclic diterpenoid lactone present in the whole herb. Thirty germplasm collections of A. paniculata were evaluated for bioactive compound andrographolide to find out superior genotype for high drug yield. The andrographolide content in the germplasm was quantitatively analyzed by high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) at 232 nm. Results indicated wide variability among thirty accessions of A. paniculata for andrographolide content which ranged from 0.72 to 2.99 % on dry weight basis. DIVA-GIS analysis of A. paniculata germplasm for andrographolide content showed that diverse accessions of A. paniculata exist in three Indian states of Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Promising accessions having high andrographolide content were identified; IC520361 (2.99 %), IC520395 (2.86 %), IC399125 (2.81 %), IC369404 (2.77 %) and IC520394 (2.61 %). Due to the economic importance of the drug, these promising collections can be exploited for large-scale cultivation for their pharmacologically important constituents mainly andrographolide content and also can serve as potential source for breeding and improvement of cultivars for obtaining higher drug yield.     

Screening of genotypes of menthol mint Mentha arvensis for high yields of herbage and essential oil under late cropping conditions of the sub-tropical Indo-Gangetic plains

Summary

The essential oil yields and expression of related characters were compared for seven cultivar genotypes of menthol mint Mentha arvensis using two methods of planting in the winter rabi – summer season (October to July) in a sub-tropical agroclimatic environment. The crops of all the cultivars were planted in the field by (1) sowing of suckers on 2 January and (2) transplanting germinated pieces of sucker at different times between 17 March to 14 April. Staggering of transplanting time up to 7 April did not affect oil yields and the related plant growth properties of mint crops. The oil yields of the crops planted on 14 April were lower by about 30%. In the early sucker planted crops, the oil yields were about 30% higher than those obtained from the transplanted crops of 17 March to 7 April and about double that obtained from crops transplanted on 14 April. The oil yields from the crops of the superior genotype Kosi were equal to or higher than the corresponding means of all genotypes under both planting methods. The oil yield from the crops of Kosi genotype obtained by sucker sowing method was estimated as 333 kg ha^–1. The corresponding average yield from the crops of this genotype obtained by transplanting of germinated suckers between 17 March and 7 April was about 293 kg ha^–1 and that from the crop transplanted on 14 April was 218 kg ha^–1. With the Kosi genotype, the latter two types of transplanted mint crops gave oil yields lower only by about 12% and 33% compared with the long-duration sucker-sown crop. It is concluded that a crop of mustard (brassica), Bengalgram (chickpea) or wheat sown between October and November and harvested between early March to middle of April could be taken before cropping of the Kosi genotype of M. arvensis by plantlet transplanting. These results demonstrate the potential of the following rotation of crops in the sub-tropical environments: from June/July/August to October/November (kharif cropping season), rice, maize, sorghum or pigeonpea; from November/December to February/March, mustard and Bengalgram or from November/December to April (rabi cropping season), wheat; from March/April to June/July (zaid cropping season), transplanted menthol mint.     

Genetic similarity of natural populations and plantations of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in Nepal

? Genetic structures of five population pairs each consisting of one natural population and one neighbouring plantation of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in Nepal were assessed using nuclear (nSSRs) and chloroplast microsatellite loci (cpSSRs).

? The mean number of alleles at nSSRs loci in natural populations was 5.0 compared to 4.93 in plantations while the average observed heterozygosities were the same in both groups (H ₀ = 0.50). Most of the alleles were common to all the populations, indicating that the populations correspond to a single genetic entity. Similarly forty-seven haplotypes were observed in natural populations compared to fifty haplotypes in plantations. Mean haplotype diversities of natural populations (0.953) and plantations (0.955) were very similar. Genetic diversity of Pinus roxburghii was relatively high with low or no evidence of inbreeding while genetic differentiation among all populations was very low (about 1%).

? The very low differentiation among natural populations indicates efficient long-distance gene flow among populations resulting in homogeneous genetic structures at least at selectively neutral loci. Even though the harvest and production of seeds and seedlings was largely uncontrolled, genetic structures of most plantations show no signs of reduced variation, inbreeding or other negative effects compromising the adaptedness or adaptability of planted forests.

     

Molecular characterization and SNP identification in HSPB6 gene in Karan Fries (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) cattle

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Heat shock proteins (HSPs) act as molecular chaperones which are preferentially transcribed in response to severe perturbations of the cellular homeostasis...     

Productivity and Economics of Drip-Irrigated Banana (Musa Spp.) under Different Planting and Fertigation Techniques in Subtropical India

Banana is well known to be extremely demanding for water and nutrients, and supplemental application of these resources are prerequisites for higher yield. The study was undertaken to assess the effects of fertigation through drip on the growth, yield, quality, and economics of banana during 2007–2009. The experiment also aimed to find out a suitable method of planting for banana under drip irrigation system. Twelve treatments comprising two fertilizer sources, three fertilizer levels, and two planting systems were attempted. These treatments were compared with surface method of irrigation using conventional fertilizers applied as farmers practice. The results revealed that among the various treatments, 100% dose of water-soluble RDNPK and planting spacing of 1.5 × 1.5 m with drip fertigation recorded better values for growth characteristics. Banana fruit yield was significantly higher in normal planting (82.86 t/ha) than paired row planting (75.75 t/ha). The fruit yield increased significantly in water-soluble fertilizers (81.01 t/ha) as compared with “nitrogen (N)” fertigation (77.59 t/ha) and it also increased significantly with an increase in fertilizer levels (100% fertigation), but high costs of these fertilizers lowered the B:C ratio and net returns as compared with fertigation using conventional fertilizers. The drip irrigation gave 3–14.5% increase in banana fruit yield and 52% water saving over surface irrigation. The quality of banana fruits was not affected significantly due to any of the treatments.     

Optimization of extraction techniques and quantification of Betulinic Acid (BA) by RP-HPLC method from Ancistrocladus heyneanus Wall. Ex Grah.

Simple, cost effective, quick and sustainable technique was investigated for determining Betulinic acid (BA) from samples of Ancistrocladus heyneanus. The methods comprised of continuous shaking, Soxhlet, ultra sonication and microwave assisted extraction techniques. RP-HPLC technique was used to quantify BA from varied samples and confirmation of the samples was done using TLC, FT-IR and FT-Raman methods. The study also evaluated productivity of operational parameters such as solvent composition and extraction time for three distinctive parts of the plant (green leaves, brown leaves and stem). Brown leaves showed response to continuous shaking extraction and ultrasonic extraction techniques with 95% Aq. MeOH as a good extraction solvent. BA was detected and quantified in continuous shaking method with 15, 30 and 45 min of exposure time. Comparison of 6 min with 12 min of ultra sonication, showed longer sonication diminished extraction efficiencies. Concluding, brown leaves in 95% MeOH and ultrasonic extraction technique to be the fastest, easiest and best method for detection and screening of BA from A. heyneanus.     

Mechanical and thermo-mechanical analysis based numerical simulation of granite powder filled polymer composites for wind turbine blade

In present article fabrication and characterization of unfilled and granite powder filled carbon epoxy composites are reported. Addition of carbon fiber shows positive effect on mechanical performance of the composites. However, incorporation of granite powder has negative hybridizing effect on the properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and inter-laminar shear strength. The storage modulus evaluated at 30 °C is in close agreement with flexural modulus of composites. Further, successful attempt is made for numerical simulation of actual geometry of wind turbine blade. The results obtained from numerical analysis are comparable with experimental results.