Using leaf tip necrosis as a phenotypic marker to predict the presence of durable rust resistance gene pair <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr34</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yr18</Emphasis> in wheat

Fifty wheat varieties along with Jupateco-73 and Morocco were studied for the expression of leaf tip necrosis (LTN), a trait linked with the durable rust resistance gene pair Lr34/Yr18. LTN was frequent (i.e., ≥6) in nine replications of a field experiment over 3 years in 17 genotypes, and the varieties were considered positive for LTN. In molecular analyses of these varieties, having relative severity values up to 78 for yellow rust and 45 for leaf rust, the 150-bp Lr34/Yr18-linked allele was consistently amplified. Expression of LTN in six of nine replications is an appropriate threshold for predicting the presence of Lr34/Yr18 gene pair, and genotypes can be selected using this trait.     

Subcellular compartmentation of sugars in wheat leaves under the influence of salinity and boron toxicity

In this study, long-term effects of salinity and high boron (B) on subcellular distribution of sugars in wheat leaves were investigated. Four treatments with three replications of each; control, high B, sodium chloride (NaCl) and NaCl + high B, respectively were established according to completely randomized design. Plants were grown hydroponically and harvested after 6 weeks onset of experiment. NaCl treatment markedly decreased the shoot fresh and dry weight compared to high B or NaCl + high Boron. It increased the sugar concentrations in subcellular compartments, whereas decreased in NaCl + high B. Contrary, NaCl either alone or in combination with high B decreased the sugar contents in whole leaf compared to control or high B. Overall, higher concentrations of sugars were observed in symplast compared to apoplast indicating the symplast as major compartment for sugar transport. Furthermore, wheat plants accumulate sugars in subcellular compartments to maintain their growth under stress conditions.     

Metal chemistry of irrigation and drainage waters of Al-Ahsa Oasis of Saudi Arabia and its effects on soil properties

Water samples from 18 springs and 13 drainage canals and subcanals were collected from Al-Ahsa Oasis. Concentrations of total dissolved salts, Cl, SO₄ HCO₃, B, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, V, Ti, and Zn were determined. The soil salinity development (SSD), the adjusted Na ratio (adj. SAR), the adjusted Na adsorption ratio (adj. RNa), and exchangeable Na percentage (ESP) were calculated. Sodium was the most abundant cation in all water samples followed by Ca, Mg, Sr, and K in descending order. Concentrations of all other metals were below 0.1 mg L^–1. Chloride was the most abundant anion, followed by SO₄ and HCO₃ in these waters. A significant correlation (P < 0.05)=" between=" na=" and=" cl=" in=" water=" samples=" was=" found.=" thermodynamic=" calculations=" revealed=" that=" an=" appreciable=" fraction=" of=" ca=" and=" mg=" in=" spring=" and=" drainage=" waters=" were=" associated=" with=">₄ and HCO₃ ions. Calcium increased from less than 10 meq L^–1 in spring waters to > 16 meq L^–1, Mg was doubled, and Na and Cl increased several times in the drainage waters. The salinity and sodicity hazards of the spring and drainage waters were classified as C₄S₂ i.e. high salinity with medium sodicity problems.     

Seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies among dairy cattle kept in communal corrals in periurban areas of Bamako, Mali, West Africa

Sera obtained from dairy cattle in communal corral herds located near the city of Bamako in Mali, West Africa were sceeened using the microscopic agglutination test against 26 serovars representing 15 serogroups of Leptospira interrogans. Forty five percent (44.8%; 288/642) were positive to one or more serovars. This seroprevalence rate likely reflects infection since vaccination against leptospiral infection has not been practiced i Mali. The rate was higher among females. The most common titers were against antigens of serovars cynopteri (14.7%), hardjo (13.3%), pomona (9.2%), nona (8.1%), kambale (6.5%), grippotypyosa (6.4%), hebdomadis (6.2%), and pyrogenes (5.2%).     

Isolation and identification of mycobacteria from cattle slaughtered in Pakistan.

Specimens of lung, liver and mesenteric lymph node from cows and buffaloes slaughtered in the Lahore area were cultured to investigate the type of mycobacteria involved in bovine tuberculosis. Employing the concentration method, 56 out of 530 cattle were found to be culture positive for acid-fast bacteria, 48 being Mycobacterium bovis and eight atypical mycobacteria. No M tuberculosis or M avium was isolated. Most of the isolated M bovis strains were found to be highly virulent for rabbits.     

Transboundary animal diseases in pakistan

Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are highly contagious and have the potential to spread very rapidly irrespective of the national borders, causing serious economic losses. These diseases cause high morbidity and mortality in susceptible animal populations. Furthermore, the extent of their consequences may significantly affect the food security and national economics. In Pakistan, the main TADs include rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, foot and mouth disease and avian influenza. In the present paper the status of these diseases in Pakistan is discussed.     

Mineral bioavailability in grains of Pakistani bread wheat declines from old to current cultivars

Estimating variation in grain mineral concentration and bioavailability in relation to grain yield and the year of cultivar release is important for breeding wheat with increased content of bioavailable minerals. The grain yield and yield components, grain phytate concentration, and concentration and bioavailability of minerals (zinc Zn, iron Fe and calcium Ca) in wheat grains were estimated in 40 wheat cultivars released in Punjab (Pakistan) during the last five decades. Mean grain Zn and Ca concentrations in current-cultivars were significantly lower (≥14%) than in obsolete cultivars released during the Green Revolution (1965–1976). Much of this variation was related to increased grain weight in current-cultivars. There was a positive correlation among minerals (r = 0.39 or higher, n = 40) and minerals with phytate in wheat grains (r = 0.38 or higher, n = 40). The tested cultivars varied widely in grain yield and grain phytate-to-mineral molar ratios (phytate:mineral). Compared to obsolete cultivars, the current-cultivars had a higher phytate:mineral ratio in grains, indicating poor bioavailability of minerals to humans. The study revealed a non-significant relationship between grain yield and phytate:mineral ratios in grains. Therefore, breeding for lower phytate:mineral ratios in wheat grains can ensure increased mineral bioavailability without significant reduction in the yield potential. Future breeding should be focused on developing new genotypes suitable for mineral biofortification and with increased mineral bioavailability in grains.