FTA® card tool for sampling and rapid diagnosis of bacterial diseases from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissue

The collection of farmed fish samples and subsequent diagnosis of microbial pathogens can be difficult and time-consuming procedure under field conditions. Correct diagnosis and identification of bacterial diseases agents (Yersinia ruckeri, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Lactococcus garvieae, and Vagococcus salmoninarum) are crucial for the effective treatment. In this study, the feasibility of using FTA® card (Flinders Technology Associates filter papers) for sampling infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues and significantly accelerated the molecular diagnosis of enteric redmouth disease, rainbow trout fry syndrome, bacterial coldwater disease, lactococcosis associated with fatal hemorrhagic septicemia, and vagococcosis were evaluated. We also examined and compared a practical and reliable extraction obtained from immobilized DNA on FTA® card with one commonly used commercial kit to diagnose bacterial pathogens in fish tissues. Results proved that the active working time of extracting DNA from FTA® card is requiring only 30 min and the cost is less than USA $ 0.5 for each eluted sample. A total of hundred extracted DNA from tissues on FTA® card were tested and showed successful PCR amplification of the aroA, murG, pLG, and pSa1 genes. In conclusion, our finding indicates FTA® card as an appropriate tool for the simple collection, easy transfer, and stored at room temperature without contamination and retrieval of high-quality DNA for rapid molecular diagnosis of bacterial fish pathogens without isolation and culture.

     

Effect of Dietary Herbal Supplements on Some Physiological Conditions of Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of dietary thyme Thymus vulgaris, rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, and fenugreek Trigonella foenum graecum as feed additives on total liver fat levels and biometric indices of Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Four isonitrogenous (48% crude protein) and isocaloric (21 kJ/g) diets were formulated to contain 0% (control), or 1% of thyme, rosemary, or fenugreek. In a 45-d feeding trial, 12 fiberglass tanks (140 L) were each stocked with 17 fish (20.43 ± 0.03 g). Herbal supplemented diets significantly decreased the total liver fat, visceral fat index, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and increased the spleen–somatic index and bile–somatic index (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that a dietary level of 1.0% for thyme, rosemary, or fenugreek could improve some of the physiological parameters of Sea Bass. Thus, this work provides a new perspective for the use of medicinal herbs that can be added to fish feed to improve the status of fish organs. Thyme, rosemary, and fenugreek contain a number of different active components, which possibly play an important role in improving these conditions, but the mechanism by which this is achieved needs further and more detailed study.

Received July 19, 2012; accepted January 15, 2013     

Identification and structure of six members of the hexokinase gene family in Vitis vinifera: Cloning,expression, and functional analysis of a putative chloroplast stromal-type hexokinase

Summary

Hexokinase catalyses the first step in the metabolism of glucose, but has also been proposed to be involved in sugar sensing and signalling in both yeasts and plants. The substrates of hexokinase such as glucose (Glc) and fructose (Fruc) are also the most important sugars during grape berry ripening. The grapevine proteome database was analysed to investigate the roles of hexokinases in grape berry growth and development. Six hexokinase genes displaying high nucleotide sequence identity (72 – 87%) with hexokinase genes in other species were identified. Most of the Vitis vinifera hexokinase (VvHXK) genes had a highly conserved genomic structure consisting of nine exons and eight introns. A search for cis–regulatory elements in the promoter regions of all six hexokinase genes revealed that most were probably regulated by light, sugar, phytohormones, or abiotic stress. The isolation and expression of a hexokinase cDNA from V. vinifera ‘Sultanine’, named VvHXK3, was also reported. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of VvHXK3 suggested that the protein could be a chloroplast-stromal hexokinase with a possible transit peptide cleavage site after amino acid residue 26. The VvHXK3 gene was differentially expressed in a variety of organs including berries, leaves, roots, and pollen, but its expression was highest in berries during their early development and at the start of ripening. To determine its function, VvHXK3 cDNA was expressed in a triple mutant yeast strain that lacked the ability to phosphorylate Glc and Fru and, therefore, was unable to grow on these sugars as sole carbon source. Mutant yeast cells that expressed VvHXK3 grew on both Glc and Fru, indicating that VvHXK3 could complement this mutant and had hexokinase activity.     

First record of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Kyrgyzstan

This short note reports the first record of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Kyrgyzstan. This pest was found in February 2017 in greenhouses producing tomatoes, located 15 km from Bishkek. Identification of the pest was carried out in the Plant Protection Department, Çukurova University, Turkey based on the morphology of adults and larvae and the male genitalia. According to initial surveys this pest could be a major threat to tomato production in Kyrgyzstan.     

Effects of the Progesterone Receptor Antagonist Aglepristone on Implantation Administered on Days 6 and 7 after Mating in Rabbits

There is no safe and accurate method for early termination of pregnancy in the rabbit. So this study was carried out to determine the effect of aglepristone administration in preventing early pregnancy before implantation in this species. Twenty‐two animals (10–12 months old, New Zealand White rabbits) were naturally mated and pregnancies were confirmed in all animals by ultrasonographic examinations on day 6 after mating (5–7.5 MHz linear array transducer Dynamic Imaging Sonostar, UK) and the animals were grouped randomly: Group I & Group III: Aglepristone (Alizin^®, Virbac; 10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was injected twice, 24 h apart, on days 6 and 7 after mating (n = 5; n = 8). Group II & Group IV: The same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution was subcutaneously injected in the same interval and served as controls (n = 5; n = 3). Ultrasonographical examination of the uterus was performed daily from day 7 to day 11 post‐mating to test aglepristone efficiency. Blood samples were collected between days 6 and 30, centrifuged at 3070 g for 10 min and stored at ?20°C. The does in aglepristone groups (Group I, III) were not pregnant whereas all animals in control groups were pregnant (Group II, IV). The does in group I & III were examined only clinically and ultrasonographically; however, does in groups III and IV were laparomized on days 6, 7, 9 and 11 post‐mating to control countable implantation sites. No implantation sites were present in group III whereas they were seen obviously in group IV. Side effects were not observed. The mean serum progesterone (P4) concentrations were not significantly different between control and treated does (p > 0.05). The results indicate that aglepristone treatment on days 6 and 7 after mating could prevent pregnancy after unwanted matings without any side effects in the rabbit. Aglepristone treatments are possibly not affecting further fertilities before implantation.     

Evaluation of the efficacy for reducing copper use against downy mildew control in organic Mediterranean viticulture

Protection against downy mildew in organic viticulture is exclusively based on the use of copper products but these cause environmental concerns. The aim of this work was to assess a control strategy under Mediterranean climatic conditions with the goal of reducing the quantities of copper allowed under organic viticulture. The control strategy was based on the use of copper oxychloride with varying doses and intervals between their applications. The efficiency of the control was assessed based on the incidence and severity of the disease in grape leaves and bunches. The products used ensured effective control under moderate disease pressure. It was found that during seasons with a low pressure of downy mildew attack, it is possible to contain the fungus respecting the ceiling prescribed by the organic regulations. Otherwise, when the pressure of the fungus is high, in the case of humid and rainy seasons, it is not possible to respect the limit. Organic growers can minimize the use of copper in organic viticulture by using copper-alternatives when downy mildew infection is intermediate or low.     

Deficit irrigation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in a sub-humid climate

The response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to 14 irrigation treatments in a sub-humid environment (Bursa, Turkey) was studied in the field for two seasons. A rainfed (non-irrigated) treatment as the control and 13 irrigation treatments with full and 12 different deficit irrigations were applied to the hybrid Sanbro (Novartis Seed Company) planted on clay soil, at three critical development stages: heading (H), flowering (F) and milk ripening (M). The yield increased with irrigation water amount, and the highest seed yield (3.95 t ha⁻¹) and oil yield (1.78 t ha⁻¹) were obtained from the HFM treatment (full irrigation at three stages); 82.9 and 85.4% increases, respectively, compared to the control. Evapotranspiration (ET) increased with increased amounts of irrigation water supplied. The highest seasonal ET (average of 652 mm) was estimated at the HFM treatment. Additionally, yield response factor (k _y) was separately calculated for each, two and total growth stages, and k _y was found to be 0.8382, 0.9159 (the highest value) and 0.7708 (the lowest value) for the total growing season, heading, and flowering-milk ripening combination stages, respectively. It is concluded that HFM irrigation is the best choice for maximum yield under the local conditions, but these irrigation schemes must be re-considered in areas where water resources are more limited. In the case of more restricted irrigation, the limitation of irrigation water at the flowering period should be avoided; as the highest water use efficiency (WUE) (7.80 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) (10.19 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) were obtained from the F treatment.     

Early‐stage screening for heat tolerance in cotton

The study aimed to identify early‐stage traits of cotton for heat tolerance using multitrait approach reflecting field yield performance. Seedling growth and physiological response of 16 cultivars to high temperature were investigated at three different developmental stages and four heat stress conditions in a climate chamber. Some traits such as hypocotyl dry weight, leaf pigment contents and cellular respiration were significantly correlated with previously known yield of ten cultivars grown in the hot field conditions. Sixteen cotton cultivars were classified for their heat tolerance by principle component analysis (PCA) using yield‐correlated physiological traits. As a result, we showed that heat tolerance classification of cultivars based on PCA significantly coincided with the yield results of cultivars grown in hot field. As a conclusion, yield‐correlated physiological traits determined in the study may facilitate selection of heat‐tolerant cotton genotypes at early stage. In addition, yield‐correlated early‐stage traits can be used in phenotyping for QTL and association mapping studies to develop selection markers for heat tolerance.     

Evaluating the long-term effects of tillage systems on soil structural quality using visual assessment and classical methods

Current agricultural practices and their impacts on the sustainability of crop production can be evaluated by simple and reliable soil structure assessment tools. The study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term (2006–2017) tillage systems on structural quality of a clayey soil using the visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) and classical field and laboratory measurements. A field experiment with seven tillage systems, representing both traditional and conservation tillage methods, was conducted on a clayey soil in the Cukurova region, Turkey. Soil samples from 0–10, 10–20 and 20–25 cm depths were analysed for mean weight diameter (MWD), porosity and organic carbon. Penetration resistance (PR) was determined in each treatment plot. The VESS scores (<2) of upper 0–5 cm indicated a good structural quality for all tillage systems. The VESS scores were positively related to PR and MWD and negatively to macroporosity (MaP) and total porosity. In reduced and no-till systems, poorer soil structures were observed in subsurface layers where firm platy and angular blocky structures were defined. Mean VESS score (3.29) in 20–25 cm depth where PR was 3.01 MPa under no-till indicated a deterioration of soil structural quality; thus, immediate physical interventions would be needed. Lower VESS scores and PR values under strategic tillage which was created by ploughing half of no-till plots in November 2015 indicated successful correction of compaction caused by long-term no-till. The results suggest that the VESS approach is sensitive and useful in distinguishing compacted layers within the topsoil.     

Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Aquatic Organisms fromKöyceğiz Lagoon System,Turkey

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - This study had been carried out between October 1992 and February 1994 in Köyce?iz Lagoon System (KLS) which is aspecially protected area (SPA)....