In vitro dephytinization and bioavailability of essential minerals in several wheat varieties

Twelve wheat varieties were studied for their phytic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, copper and phosphorus contents, which respectively ranged between 114–166, 25.1–53.5, 3.41–5.55, 0.71–3.00, 0.65–1.32 and 298–314 mg/100 g. The molar ratios as Ca:Phy, Phy:Fe, Phy:Zn, Phy:Cu were found to be 0.14–0.29, 1.96–3.86, 5.11–20.5 and 13.0–23.9, respectively. Significant dephytinization, ranging between 35.3 and 69.3% in different varieties, was achieved on exogenous enzymatic treatment. Enzymatic dephytinization in the in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion resulted in significant increase in the bioavailability of essential minerals. The increase in bioavailability of calcium, iron, zinc and copper on exogenous enzymatic dephytinization ranged between, respectively (x-folds): 1.30–1.96, 1.11–1.52, 1.22–1.78 and 1.11–1.73.     

Prevalence and Characterization of Coagulase Positive Staphylococci Isolated from Salted Anchovy

A total of 100 salted anchovy samples were used to investigate the prevalence of S. aureus and other coagulase positive Staphylococci (CPS) as well as to determine the methicillin (MR) and antibiotic resistance (AR) profile, the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidine (PVL) toxin gene (lukS/F-PV), slime factor properties (SFP), and the genotypic relatedness of the isolates. Agar disc diffusion assay (ADDA) and microdilution broth susceptibility test (MDBST) were applied to compare the specificity and sensitivity of the MR detection methods. A total of 41 CPS isolates were detected at the 10² and 10³ CFU/g levels in contrast to S. aureus. The 16S rRNA (genus specific) was detected in all the isolates in contrast to nuc (species-specific) and lukS/F-PV genes. A total of 16/41 isolates were found to be MR by using the three methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was a more sensitive and reliable method for the detection of MR isolates. The antibiotic resistance rates were 75.60, 73.17, 51.21, 31.70, 12.19, and 4.87% to penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin, respectively. All the isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and vancomycin. The SFP were determined in all the isolates by using Congo Red agar, and 20 different genotypes were determined by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR assay.     

Potassium and Silicon Improve Yield and Juice Quality in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under Salt Stress

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress which adversely affects the yield and juice quality in sugarcane. However, the mineral nutrient status of plant plays a crucial role in increasing plant tolerance to salinity. We investigated the effects of K and/or Si on plant growth, yield and juice quality in two sugarcane genotypes differing in salinity tolerance. Addition of K and Si significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased K and Si concentrations and decreased the accumulation of Na⁺ in plants under salt stress. Cane yield and yield attributes were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher where K and Si were added. Juice quality characteristics like Brix (% soluble solids in juice), Pol (% sucrose in juice), commercial cane sugar (CCS) and sugar recovery in both sugarcane genotypes were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved with the supplementation of K and Si. For most of the growth parameters, it was found that K either alone or in combination with Si was more effective to alleviate salt stress in both sugarcane genotypes than Si alone. Moreover, the beneficial effects of K and Si were more pronounced in salt sensitive genotype than in salt tolerant genotype. The results suggested that K and Si counteracted the deleterious effects of high salinity/sodicity in sugarcane by lowering the accumulation of Na⁺ and increase in K⁺ concentration with a resultant improvement in K⁺/Na⁺ ratio which is a good indicator to assess plant tolerance to salinity.     

Seed priming improves early seedling vigor,growth and productivity of spring maize

Potential of seed priming treatments in improving the performance of early planted maize was evaluated against timely planting. Seeds of maize hybrid FH-810 were soaked in water(hydropriming), Ca Cl2(2.2%, osmopriming), moringa leaf extracts(MLE 3.3%, osmopriming) and salicylic acid(SA, 50 mg L–1, hormonal priming) each for 18 h. Untreated and hydroprimed seeds were taken as control. Seeds primed with SA took less time in emergence and had high vigor in early planted maize. Amongst treatments, hormonal priming, reduced the electrical conductivity, increased the leaf relative and chlorophyll contents followed by osmopriming with Ca Cl2 at seedling stage. Likewise, plant height, grain rows and 1 000-grain weight, grain and biological yield and harvest index were also improved by seed priming; however hormonal priming and osmopriming with MLE were more effective in this regard. Improved yield performance by hormonal priming or osmopriming with MLE in early planting primarily owed to increased leaf area index, crop growth and net assimilation rates, and maintenance of green leaf area at maturity. In conclusion, osmopriming with MLE and hormonal priming with SA were the most economical treatments in improving productivity of early planted spring maize through stimulation of early seedling growth at low temperature.     

Influence of Seed Priming on Performance and Water Productivity of Direct Seeded Rice in Alternating Wetting and Drying

Direct seeded rice is promising alternative to traditional transplanting, but requires appropriate crop and water management to maintain yield performance and achieve high water productivity. Present study evaluated the effect of seed priming and irrigation on crop establishment, tillering, agronomic traits, paddy yield, grain quality and water productivity of direct seeded rice in alternate wetting and drying(DSR-AWD) in comparison with direct seeded rice at field capacity(DSRFC). Seed priming treatments were osmo-priming with KCl(2.2%), Ca Cl2(2.2%) and moringa leaf extracts(MLE, 3.3%) including hydro-priming as control. Among the treatments, seed osmo-primed with MLE emerged earlier and had higher final emergence, followed by osmo-priming with Ca Cl2. Tillering emergence rate and number of tillers per plant were the highest for seed priming with Ca Cl2 in DSRAWD. Total productive and non-productive tillers, panicle length, biological and grain yields, harvest index were highest for seed priming with MLE or Ca Cl2 in DSR-AWD. Similarly, grain quality, estimated in terms of normal grains, abortive and chalky grains, was also the highest in DSR-AWD with MLE osmo-priming. Benefit cost ratio and water productivity was also the highest in DSR-AWD for seed priming with MLE. In conclusion, seed priming with MLE or Ca Cl2 can be successfully employed to improve the direct seeded rice performance when practiced with alternate wetting and drying irrigation.     

Evaluation of immunostimulatory and immunotherapeutic effects of tropical mushroom (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentinus edodes</Emphasis>) against eimeriasis in chicken

Mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) were processed for hot water (HWE), methanolic (ME), and polysaccharide (PSE) extracts. Polysaccharides were isolated through ion exchange (DEAE cellulose) and size exclusion (Sephadex G-100) chromatography. Monosaccharides including maltose (0.282%), glucose (0.113%), and mannose (0.451%) were identified, qualitatively and quantitatively, from the isolated polysaccharides through high-performance liquid chromatography. The whole study was divided into two experiments. Experiment 1 was meant for the evaluation of HWE and ME; whereas, experiment 2 was meant for the evaluation of PSE for immunostimulatory and immunotherapeutic activities. The cellular and humoral immune responses were demonstrated through lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) and anti-body response to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), respectively. The immunotherapeutic effects of these extracts were demonstrated against eimeriasis in terms of lesion scoring, oocysts per gram of droppings, and percent protection. Cell-mediated immune responses observed at 24, 48, and 72 h post-PHA-P injection were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in chickens administered with any of the three extracts (PSE, ME, and HWE), when compared with the controls. Humoral immune response in terms of anti-SRBCs anti-body titers was also observed higher in chickens administered with mushroom extracts. In the challenge experiment, significantly higher (P < 0.05) OPG and lesion scores were observed in controls as compared to the groups administered with mushroom extracts (HWE, ME, and PSE). Significantly higher (P < 0.05) percent protection against eimeriasis was observed in all groups administered with different extracts of L. edodes as compared to controls. In conclusion, L. edodes extracts showed immunostimulatory potential which persisted against eimeriasis in chicken.     

Biological and biochemical characteristics of male reproductive system,serum metabolites and carcass quality of Japanese quails by the supplementation of Pinus ponderosa leaves and α‐tocopherol acetate

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Pinus ponderosa leaves ( pine leaves) and α‐tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) powder on male reproductive system, serum metabolites and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails. A total of 360‐day‐old male quails were purchased from the open market and kept at poultry shed for ninety‐four days. After ten days of adaptation, all quails were randomly assigned into 4 groups, control (IC); supplemented with α‐tocopherol acetate (IE) at the rate of 150 mg/L; Pinus ponderosa leaves (IP) at the rate of 150 mg/L; and 70 mg α‐tocopherol acetate and 70 mg Pinus ponderosa leaves (IEP). Pinus ponderosa leaves and α‐tocopherol acetate supplementation had not significantly (p > .05) effected on final body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of quails. The high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and total cholesterol (TC) were significantly (p > .05) affected by IE and IP groups as compared to IC and IEP groups. Triglyceride (TG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly (p < .05) increased in all treatment groups except for the IC group. Aspartate transaminase (AST) significantly (p > .05) decreased in treatment groups as compared to control group. Overall, the mineral levels significantly (p < .05) increased in treatment groups as compared to control. Cloacal gland index values, the quantity of foam production and testis weight were significantly (p < .05) increased in treatment groups. It was concluded that the supplementation of Pinus ponderosa leaves and α‐tocopherol acetate improved the testis weight, foam production, serum antioxidant enzymes and mineral level especially zinc in Japanese quail considered an indicative characteristic of higher sperm production rate and improved sexual activity. Further, higher gametogenesis rate, sperm production or reproductive behaviour including different hormonal level will be analysed in future study.     

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.     

Investigation and modeling of air permeability of Cotton/Polyester blended double layer interlock knitted fabrics

The aim of this study was to analyze and model the effect of knitting parameters on the air permeability of Cotton/Polyester double layer interlock knitted fabrics. Fabric samples of areal densities ranging from 315–488 g/m² were knitted using yarns of three different cotton/polyester blends, each of two different linear densities by systematically varying knitting loop lengths for achieving different cover factors. It was found that by changing the polyester content in the inner and outer fabric layer from 52 to 65 % in the double layer knitted fabric did not have statistically significant effect on the fabric air permeability. Air permeability sharply increased with increase in knitting loop length owing to decrease in fabric areal density. Decrease in yarn linear density (tex) resulted in increase in air permeability due to decrease in areal density as well as the fabric thickness. It was concluded that response surface regression modeling could adequately model the effect of knitting parameters on the double layer knitted fabric air permeability. The model was validated by unseen data set and it was found that the actual and predicted values were in good agreement with each other with less than 10 % absolute error. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to find out the relative contribution of each input parameter on the air permeability of the double layer interlock knitted fabrics.     

Spatio-temporal variability of drought characteristics across Pakistan

Climate change in Pakistan has a great impact on the spatial and temporal variation of precipitation and ultimately alters the frequency and duration of droughts. In this study, spatial and temporal trend analyses of precipitation and droughts were observed at 58 meteorological stations across Pakistan from 1981 to 2018. The existing trend analysis methods were evaluated to address the issue of serial correlation in the climatic data. Results of precipitation analysis showed significant decreasing trends in winter (November, December) and significant increasing trends were observed in summer (June and September) at a confidence level of 95 percent. The magnitude of the precipitation trends showed the highest variation during summer season and the least variation in winter season. Rotated Principal Component (RPC) analysis showed the severe droughts (high positive loading) in southeastern side (Sindh province) of Pakistan due to lack of summer rains. Furthermore, variance correction approaches are identified as the most suitable in coping with the effect of serial correlation. The highest drought frequencies were observed in the southern areas of Pakistan and the drought events are expected to occur more frequently in the late winter, early spring, and early autumn, while droughts were expected to occur least frequently in summer.