Ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers with and without gypsum

Abstract. Ammonia volatilization with and without gypsum incorporation was measured in Gujranwala soil (Udic Haplustalf) in an incubation study using different nitrogen fertilizers e.g. urea, ammonium sulphate (AS), calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), and urea nitrophos (UNP). Nitrogen from different fertilizers was applied at the rate of 200 mg N kg⁻¹ to two sets of soils in plastic bags (1.0 kg soil) and plastic jars (0.5 kg soil). Soil moisture was maintained at field capacity. Application of urea increased soil pH to 9, three hours after its addition. Ammonium sulphate and calcium ammonium nitrate had little effect on soil pH. Ammonium volatilization losses from fertilizers were related to the increase in soil pH caused by the fertilizers. Consequently maximum losses were recorded due to application of urea. Losses through ammonia volatilization were significantly lower with AS, CAN and UNP in descending order. Gypsum incorporation significantly reduced the losses. Therefore, application of gypsum to soil before urea may substantially improve N use efficiency for crop production by reducing N losses.     

Aurora A inhibition disrupts chromosome condensation and spindle assembly during the first embryonic division in pigs

As common overexpression of Aurora A in various tumours, much attention has focused on its function in inducing cancer, and its value in cancer therapeutics, considerably less is known regarding its role in the first cleavage division of mammalian embryos. Here, we highlight an indispensable role of Aurora A during the first mitotic division progression of pig embryos just after meiosis. The expression and spatiotemporal localization of Aurora A were initially assessed in pig embryos during the first mitotic division by Western blot analysis and indirect immunofluorescent staining. Then, the potential role of Aurora A was further evaluated using a highly selective Aurora A inhibitor, MLN8054, during this mitotic progression in pig embryos. Aurora A was found to express and exhibit a specific dynamic intracellular localization pattern during the first mitotic division in pig embryos. Aurora A was diffused in the cytoplasm at the prophase stage, and then exhibited a dynamic intracellular localization which was tightly associated with the chromosome and spindle dynamics throughout subsequent mitotic phases. Inhibition of Aurora A by MLN8054 treatment led to the failure of the first cleavage, with the majority of embryos being arrested in prophase of the mitotic division. Further subcellular structure examination showed that Aurora A inhibition not only led to the failure of spindle microtubule assembly, but also resulted in severe defects in chromosome condensation, accompanied by an obvious decrease in p-TACC3(S558) expression during the prophase of the first mitosis. Together, these results illustrated that Aurora A is crucial for both spindle assembly and chromosome condensation during the first mitotic division in pig embryos, and that the regulation of Aurora A may be associated with its effects on p-TACC3(S558) expression.     

Citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella and its parasitoids in Sargodha region of Pakistan

In order to identify the parasitoids of Phyllocnistis citrella, an important pest of Citrus, the larvae and pupae of this pest were collected from Citrus reticulata Blanco orchards in the Sargodha region of Pakistan. The parasitoid species were identified, and their abundance was recorded. A total of two species were identified: Citrostichus phyllocnistoides (Narayan) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Cirrospilus ingenuus Gahan (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Out of a total of 409 P. citrella larvae and pupae collected, 73 C. phyllocnistoides and 39 C. ingenuus adults emerged. This paper documents the species and the abundance of the parasitoids associated with P. citrella in the Sargodha region of Pakistan.     

Prevalence and risk factors of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in livestock and companion animal in high-risk areas in Malaysia

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is vector-borne zoonotic disease which causes encephalitis in humans and horses. Clinical signs for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection are not clearly evident in the majority of affected animals. In Malaysia, information on the prevalence of JEV infection has not been established. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted during two periods, December 2015 to January 2016 and March to August in 2016, to determine the prevalence and risk factors in JEV infections among animals and birds in Peninsular Malaysia. Serum samples were harvested from the 416 samples which were collected from the dogs, cats, water birds, village chicken, jungle fowls, long-tailed macaques, domestic pigs, and cattle in the states of Selangor, Perak, Perlis, Kelantan, and Pahang. The serum samples were screened for JEV antibodies by commercial IgG ELISA kits. A questionnaire was also distributed to obtain information on the animals, birds, and the environmental factors of sampling areas. The results showed that dogs had the highest seropositive rate of 80% (95% CI: ±?11.69) followed by pigs at 44.4% (95% CI: ±?1.715), cattle at 32.2% (95% CI: ±?1.058), birds at 28.9% (95% CI: ±?5.757), cats at 15.6% (95% CI: ±?7.38), and monkeys at 14.3% (95% CI: ±?1.882). The study also showed that JEV seropositivity was high in young animals and in areas where mosquito vectors and migrating birds were prevalent.     

Effect of breeding method and season on pregnancy rate and embryonic and fetal losses in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of breeding method and season on pregnancy rate and cumulative embryonic and fetal losses in Nili-Ravi buffalo. Estrus detection was performed twice a day by teaser buffalo bull for 1 hour each. A 2?×?2 factorial design was used to address the breeding method and season. Buffaloes (n?=?130) exhibiting estrus were randomly assigned to be bred either in peak breeding season (PBS; n?=?80) or low breeding season (LBS; n?=?50). Within each season, buffaloes were divided to receive either natural service (NS; n?=?65) or artificial insemination (AI; n?=?65). NS buffaloes, in estrus, were allowed to remain with the bull until mating. AI was achieved, using frozen thawed semen of bull of known fertility. PBS comprised of September to December and LBS were from May to July. Serial ultrasonography was performed on days 30, 45, 60, and 90 after breeding (day 0) to monitor pregnancy rate and embryonic and fetal losses. The pregnancy rate on day 30 after breeding was higher in NS as compared to AI group (63 vs. 43%; P?<?0.05) during PBS while it did not differ (48 vs. 32%; P?>?0.05) in LBS. The cumulative embryonic and fetal losses between days 31 and 90 were significantly lower in PBS than LBS (33 vs. 60%; P?<?0.05), ignoring breeding method. Pregnancy rates were better with NS in PBS, and cumulative embryonic fetal losses were higher in LBS in Nili-Ravi buffalo.     

Molecular epidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Bovine anaplasmosis is endemic in Pakistan where it reduces livestock productivity and leads to high mortality, especially in young animals. This study was aimed to identify the potential risk factors responsible for the occurrence and spread of anaplasmosis in cattle and buffaloes for the first time in Pakistan. A total of 900 (cattle?=?479, buffalo?=?421) blood samples were collected irrespective of age and sex from three distinct zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for the molecular detection of anaplasmosis. Data collected on a piloted questionnaire including 11 predicting variables which were analyzed using R-statistical software, and association between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using univariable analysis. Automated and manual approaches were exercised, producing comparable models. Key risk factors identified in all the approaches included species of the animal, breed of animal, sex of animal, tick infestation status, previous tick history, tick control status, and acaricides used (odds ratio?>?1). The 611 bp DNA fragment specific for 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. was produced from 165 samples. The samples were confirmed for anaplasmosis through sequencing and BLAST queries. The findings of the current study conclude that by enhancing the protective measures to control the identified risk factors can reduce the spread of anaplasmosis in Pakistan.

     

A cross-sectional study of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the equine-human interface

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The present study aimed at investigating the percent prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in equines and associated personnel. A...     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc-coated urea fertilizer

The research was focused on the synthesis and characterization of zinc (Zn)-coated urea fertilizer. Zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were coated on urea granules through two different coating techniques, i.e., slurry coating and wet coating, and the release rate of the coated Zn was measured up to 24 hours. Slurry coating technique showed better Zn release rate and morphology of coated urea granules as compared with wet coating technique using different binders, i.e., water, molasses, paraffin oil, and the combined mixture of honey bee wax and gum arabica. Urea granules synthesized through wet coating technique have a low amount of Zn as compared with slurry-coated urea granules. Urea granules coated through slurry coating technique and molasses, paraffin oil, and water (MPW) as a binder were the best in term of coating efficiency, uniform size distribution of ZnO-coated particles, granule's morphology, and release rate of Zn from coated formulations.     

Influence of nitrification inhibitors on nitrification and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from a clay loam soil fertilized with urea

Laboratory incubation experiments were conducted to compare the effects of the nitrification inhibitors 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and 2-Chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine (N-serve) on nitrification and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from a Vertosol from southern Australia, under controlled moisture and temperature. Nitrification rates in the control soil were strongly influenced by the temperature and moisture, increasing by a factor of 3.6 for each 10 °C increase between 5 and 25 °C. DMPP inhibited nitrification effectively for 42 days at 5-15 °C and 40-60% water filled pore space (WFPS). DMPP also slowed nitrification appreciably at 25 °C when the soil was at 40% WFPS, but was less effective at 60% water filled pore space. N-serve inhibited nitrification effectively for 42 days under all test conditions. Emissions of N₂O from the urea treatment (no inhibitors) significantly increased with increasing temperature and moisture. The ratio of total N₂O emission to total nitrification was not constant and varied from around 0.03% at 5 °C and 40% WFPS to 0.12% at 25 °C and 60% WFPS. DMPP and N-serve reduced cumulative N₂O emission over 42 days by more than 65% under all the imposed conditions.