The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteovirus</Emphasis> from infection to disease

Luteoviruses are economically important plant viruses. Specifically, barley yellow dwarf virus is epiphytotic to almost all small-grain cereal growing areas. The disease cycle is complex. This luteovirus has evolved several intelligent mechanisms to communicate with both plant and phloem-feeding insect-vector aphid. Environmental cues influence disease severity, aphid infestation and viral load. Within an aphid, virus circulates persistently in a non-propagative manner and is transmitted selectively to the host plants. Selection of viruses within aphids has a role in virus isolate prevalence over a specific area. In the host-plant system, the virus has to release its single sense-strand RNA genome (approx. 5.6 to 6 kb), translate and subsequently replicate its genome using its own replicase and host machinery. This review summarizes our current understanding of disease epidemiology and reviews the current literature encompassing viral infectivity, economic impact and control measures.     

Evaluation of multi-nutrient extractants for determination of available P,K, and micronutrient cations in soil

Sixty soil samples (0–0.15 m depth) collected randomly from different districts of Himachal Pradesh were used to evaluate ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (AB-DTPA) and acid ammonium acetate-ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (AAAc-EDTA) over standard methods for P, K, and micronutrient cations. Among Olsen P, Bray P1, AB-DTPA P, and AAAc-EDTA P, available P (kg ha^?1) varied from 7.8 to 44.3, 9.5 to 61.1, 6.5 to 38.8, 10.5 to 52.1; available K (kg ha^?1) among NH4OAc, AB-DTPA, and AAAc-EDTA ranged from 103.6 to 372.3, 86.6 to 364.9, and 74.6 to 362.5. In case of micronutrients cations, AB-DTPA in general, extracted more amounts as compared to DTPA alone. AAAc-EDTA correlated highly with the Olsen P. AB-DTPA-K and AAAc-EDTA-K correlated well with standard method (NH4OAc) however; AAAc-EDTA had higher correlation with AB-DTPA for K extractability. Among methods for micronutrients highest significant correlations were observed between AB-DTPA and DTPA for Cu, Fe, and Zn.     

Traits-related QTLs and genes and their potential applications in rice improvement under low phosphorus condition

The genetic improvement of rice over past decades has led to the loss of several genes which are responsible for nutrient acquisition and soil-related stresses. Phosphorus (P) is a non-renewable resource and inevitable element of metabolic functions in plants. By pedogenesis process, organic matter contributes to renewing soil P in lesser extent. Therefore, improvement of the P use efficiency is one of the most imperative traits in rice breeding program, which is governed by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). QTLs controlling low P associated morphological and physiological traits in rice were investigated mostly during last one and half decade by using diverse mapping populations. Comprehensive and meticulous survey from literature, we found that to date 133 P associated QTLs of morpho-physiological traits were reported to be distributed on twelve chromosomes and majority of these QTLs localized on chromosome 1, 2 and 12. For the first time, a complete figure is presented in this review on chromosome wise with respective QTLs associated with low P for easy understanding and selecting markers for future prospect. Further, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms and regulation of genes and traits associated with low P to develop tolerant rice cultivars using functional marker-assisted selection.     

Agronomic productivity,nitrogen fertilizer savings and soil organic carbon in conservation agriculture: efficient nitrogen and weed management in maize-wheat system

Conservation agriculture (CA) practice increases agronomic productivity and soil fertility, yet CA stimulate nitrogen (N) immobilization and weed interference during the early periods of implementation. This study focuses on efficient N management by soil testing and optical sensor (GreenSeeker^TM) information; and weed management using brown manuring (Sesbania aculeata co-culture) and herbicide mixtures under CA-based maize (Zea mays L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol) system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Fertilizer N application guided by the optical sensor increased grain yields of maize and wheat up to 20 and 14% (average of two years), respectively, compared to whole N application at sowing. Weed management using brown manuring in maize and herbicide mixtures in wheat increased the grain yields up to 10 and 21%, respectively, over the weedy check. The optical sensor-based N management saved up to 45 and 30 kg N ha^–1 of the optimized N fertilizer rate in maize and wheat, respectively, over whole N application. Fertilizer N management coupled with brown manuring resulted in 5 and 4% higher soil organic carbon accumulation. Implementing efficient N fertilizer and weed management in the early years of CA can improve agronomic yield, fertilizer savings, and soil organic carbon content.     

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...     

Effect of protection against hot climate on growth performance,physiological response and endocrine profile of growing lambs under semi-arid tropical environment

In the hot semi-arid tropical region, extreme summer is a major constraint in sheep production. The growth performance of growing lambs is impaired during the summer. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of protection against hot climate on growth performance, physiological response, and endocrine profile of growing lambs under semi-arid tropical environment. All the data in the experiment were presented as mean ± SE. Thirty Malpura lambs with the age of 122.7 ± 6.05 days and body weight of 19.52 ± 0.42 kg were allotted into three groups, viz. G1 (control, lambs kept in open area under tree shade), G2 (lambs kept in conventional asbestos-roofed shed), and G3 (lambs kept in designed shed). The allotment was based on their initial body weight so that the mean body weight of each group was similar. In all three types of protection, lambs were provided with sufficient space to move and social interaction. In asbestos-roofed shed (G2), all the four sides from ground to the roof were fenced with strong galvanized iron chain link. But in G3, all the four sides were constructed in a manner that there was 0.13 m air space between inner and outer solid brick columns of the wall up to 1.37 m height, and rest up to the roof was fenced with bamboo splint net. The air space between the two columns of the wall was filled with sand, and it was kept in moist condition by continuous water drips which provide extra evaporative cooling. The designed shed was basically constructed with bamboo. Tree shade was assured under the natural shades of large trees. The shaded area was protected by wire fences. The experiment was conducted for 45 days during very high temperature (May–June). The lambs were provided with ad libitum green fodder, dry roughage, 300 g concentrate, and ad libitum drinking water. The respiration rate at morning and afternoon, pulse rate at morning and afternoon and rectal temperature at afternoon was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in lambs of G3 as compared to other groups. The final body weight did not differ significantly between the groups, but average daily gain (g/day) was higher in G3 (150.06 ± 11.13) as compared to the G1 (109.69 ± 18.10). The feed conversion rate (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) better in G3 (5.49 ± 0.08) as compared to G1 (7.65 ± 0.08) and G2 (6.60 ± 0.08). The hemoglobin level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in G1. The endocrine profile did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) among the groups, but insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was higher in G3. It can be concluded from this study the lambs provided with better protection during summer remained in more comfortable condition, showed better FCR, and although not statistically significant showed better growth performance.

     

Depressed polymorphonuclear cell functions in periparturient cows that develop postpartum reproductive diseases

The study was planned to see if there is any important and significant changes in the PMN function in cows suffering from postpartum reproductive diseases (PRD). Blood sampling was done from 41 pregnant cows on 15 days prepartum (?15d), calving day (0d), 15 days (15d) and 30 days (30d) postpartum and thorough gynaecological examination was performed on 0d, 15d, 30d and 45d for diagnosis of PRD like retained placenta (RP), clinical metritis (CM), clinical endometritis (CE) and delayed involution of uterus (DIU). The heparinised blood was used for isolation of PMN leukocytes for estimation of superoxide (SO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in each group of cows. The SO production (ΔOD) was greater for normal (0.19 ± 0.05) than cows suffering from RP (?0.12 ± 0.09), CM (?0.15 ± 0.13) and CE (?0.07 ± 0.05) at -15d. The mean value was greater for normal cows (0.12) than the cows with PRD (0.05 to 0.9) at 30d. The H₂O₂ production was greater for normal than cows with PRD at all sampling days and significantly greater than cows with RP and CE at 15d (p < 0.01) and 30d (P < 0.05). The MPO activity (μmol/1 × 10⁷) was greater for normal (18.77 ± 1.27) than for RP (12.52 ± 2.57) and CM (11.31 ± 3.30) cows on 0d. The depressed capability of the PMN from the cows with PRD to produce SO, H₂O₂ and MPO during the periparturient period indicated their association with the development of RP, CM and CE.     

Assessment of nebulisation of sodium ceftiofur in the treatment of calves naturally infected with bovine respiratory disease

Twelve screened cases of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves were enrolled. Six of the calves were treated intramuscularly with sodium ceftiofur (1 mg/kg), and six were treated with nebulised sodium ceftiofur (1 mg/kg). Comparative evaluation of the two therapeutic modalities was based on repetitive analysis of hematological profile of calves on days 0, 5, and 10 post-therapy. The mortality rate in the group of calves treated with the nebulised sodium ceftiofur was significantly (p?<?0.001) lower, and their clinical and hematological parameters returned to normal significantly (p?<?0.001) faster than in calves treated intramuscularly. Nebulisation of sodium ceftiofur is the most effective treatment in calves with BRD under field conditions. Nasal lavage fluid analysis indicating a high rise of neutrophil count and macrophages may be used as an alternative method to detect pulmonary inflammation in BRD-affected calves.     

Toxicity and dissipation of soil insecticides applied in the management of arecanut white grub, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucopholis burmeisteri</Emphasis> Brenk. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

White grubs, Leucopholis spp. are subterranean pests of arecanut grown in South India. Grub infestation leads to yellowing, stem tapering, and crown size and yield reduction. Use of chemical insecticide to mage the white grubs gives varying degree of success. Hence an attempt was made to screen newer and safer insecticides. Imidacloprid (LC₅₀ at 120 h = 16.849 ppm on III instar larvae), chlorpyriphos (LC₅₀ = 14.242) and bifenthrin (LC₅₀ = 12.797 ppm) were identified as effective insecticides. Evaluation of these insecticide in the field over two year period indicated the following efficacy in reducing larval population: chlorpyriphos @ 4 kg a.i/ha (83.31%) > bifenthrin @ 4 kg a.i./ha (82.83%) > imidacloprid @ 0.24 kg a.i./ha (75.84%) > bifenthrin @ 2 kg a.i./ ha (74.26%) > chlorpyriphos @ 2 kg a.i./ha (69.15%) > chlorpyriphos @ 1 kg a.i./ha (61.79%) > imidacloprid @ 0.12 kg a.i./ha (56.54%) > bifenthrin @ 1 kg a.i./ha (54.34%) > imidacloprid @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha (41.47%). Bifenthrin in soil persisted for a longer period than chlorpyriphos. On the day of application, 59.46 ppm bifenthrin residue was recovered from soil. On 10th day, it was 7.29 ppm which decreased to 2.59 ppm on 30th day and was beyond detection limit on 65th day. Chlorpyriphos exhibited a rapid degradation in the initial stage; 27.46 ppm residue on the day of application, which further reduced to 0.964 ppm on 10th day, and was below the detection limit on the 30th day. Growth of Trichoderma harzianum was not affected by bifenthrin even up to 40 ppm concentration. However, chlorpyriphos affected the growth of Trichoderma at higher than 5 ppm dose. Similarly, imidacloprid inhibited the colony growth from 2 ppm onwards. Having high lipophylic property and contact toxicity, bifenthrin would be an ideal alternative insecticide to chlorpyriphos for the management of white grubs in palm garden, which is safe and long persisting.