Response of Paddy (Oryza sativa) as Influenced by Zinc Application and Available Zinc Status of Soils

The influence of zinc application on yield, Zn concentration and its uptake by paddy crop (Oryza sativa) was studied in a pot experiment in alluvial soils from Gwalior district. All the soils having less than 3.0 ppm 0.1 N HCl-extractable soil Zn showed significant yield response to application of Zn. The latter also resulted in significant increase in Zn concentration and its uptake by the crop. The plant tissue Zn was found to be significantly correlated at 1 % level with the soil Zn (r=0.82) and Bray's per cent grain yield (r=0.82). Critical level Zn in rice plant taken from top 15 cm of the plant was worked out by statistical procedure of Cate and Nelson and found to be 13.5 ppm below which response to applied Zn is expected.     

An efficient method for the purification and characterization of nematicidal azadirachtins A,B, and H,using MPLC and ESIMS

Azadirachtin A enriched concentrate containing 60% active ingredient (a.i.) was prepared from the methanolic extract of the de-fatted neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed kernels. Azadirachtins A, B, and H, the three major bioactive constituents of neem seed kernel, were purified from this methanolic concentrate by employing reverse phase medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), using methanol-water solvent system as an eluant. The three pure azadirachtin congeners thus obtained were characterized by their unique mass spectral fragmentation, using electrospray probe in positive ion mode (ESI). All three azadirachtins exhibited nematicidal and antifungal activities. Azadirachtin B was the most effective against the reniform nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis (EC(50) 96.6 ppm), followed by Azadirachtin A (119.1 ppm) and H (141.2 ppm). At 200-ppm concentration, the test compounds caused 50-65% mortality of Caenorhabditis elegans nematode. Azadirachtin H showed the highest activity against the phytophagous fungi Rhizoctonia solani (EC(50) 63.7 ppm) and Sclerotium rolfsii (EC(50) 43.9 ppm), followed by B and A. The isolation of pure azadirachtins A, B, and H directly by MPLC purification from its concentrate and their characterization by ESIMS are unique and less time-consuming.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on the lipid profile of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.)

The effect of gamma-irradiation on the lipid constituents of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) was examined at radiation doses between 2.5 and 10 kGy. The fatty acid composition of the triacylglycerol, the major lipid component, was found to be made up of myristic (90%), palmitic (6%), lauric (3%), petroselinic (0.13%), and stearic acids (0.5%) as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A dose-dependent decrease in the triacylglycerol content and a concomitant increase in free fatty acids characterized the lipid profile of the irradiated spice. This suggested a breakdown of acylglycerols during radiation processing, resulting in the release of free fatty acids. These changes were found to be significant at doses above 5 kGy. The impact of the above changes on the flavor of the spice is discussed. These studies suggest that radiation processing of nutmeg should be limited to a dose of 5 kGy.     

Interactions amongst Mycorrhiza,Azotobacter chroococcum and Root Characteristics of Wheat Varieties

A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications over 2 years to evaluate the effect of wheat cultivar and dual inoculation of Azotobacter chroococcum (Azc) and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF, Glomus fasciculatum) on root characters and AMF infection in three crosses of wheat. The experimental material comprised four wheat parents, WH‐147, WH‐157, WH‐542 and PBW‐175, and three F₁ crosses, WH‐147 ×WH‐157, WH‐147 × WH‐542 and WH‐147 × PBW‐175. Comparison of treatment averages, i.e. control (mineral nutrients 60 kg N + 30 kg P₂O₅ + 12.5 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1, as in other two treatments), AMF and AMF + Azc, revealed that inoculation of Azc led to an increase in AMF infection in roots. Maximum root biomass was obtained in F₁ hybrids WH‐147 × WH‐157 in the AMF treatment and in WH‐147 × PBW‐175 receiving AMF + Azc. Total root length and AMF infection of roots was maximum in WH‐147 × PBW‐175 for all the treatments during both years. A positive association between AMF infection in roots and Azotobacter survival in the rhizosphere was apparent. Similarly, maximum A. chroococcum counts were observed 80 and 120 days after sowing in the AMF + Azc treatment in cross WH147 × PBW175.     

Long-term effects of lantana residue additions on water retention and transmission properties of a medium-textured soil under rice–wheat cropping in northwest India

Abstract. Hydraulic properties of soils after rice cropping are generally unfavourable for wheat cultivation. Poor drainage, delayed planting and oxygen stress in the root zone may adversely affect the wheat crop after lowland rice cultivation. We studied long-term effects of lantana ( Lantana spp. L.) residue additions at 10, 20 and 30 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (fresh biomass) on physical properties of a silty clay loam soil under rice–wheat cropping in northwest India. At the end of ten cropping cycles, soil water retention, infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic conductivity and drying rate of soil increased significantly with lantana additions. The available water capacity (AWC), on volume basis, declined at rice harvest (from 22.0 to 18.8–20.9%), but increased at wheat harvest (from 12.9 to 13.4–15.0%) after lantana treatment. The volumes of water transmission (>50 μm) and storage pores (0.5–50 μm) were greater, while the volume of residual pores (<0.5 μm) was smaller in lantana-treated plots than in controls at both rice and wheat harvest. Infiltration rate in the lantana-treated soil was 1.6–7.9 times that of the control (61 mm d⁻¹) at rice harvest, and 2–4.1 times that of the control (1879 mm d⁻¹) at wheat harvest. Thus lantana addition improved soil hydraulic properties to the benefit of the wheat crop in a rice–wheat cropping sequence.     

Effect of vehicular volume on the early pulmonary injury and inflammatory response in rats inoculated intratracheally with silica

The effect of vehicular saline solution volume on early lesions induced in rats by intratracheal administration of silica was evaluated. Seventy-two male Long-Evans rats were randomly assigned 6 each to 12 factorial groups (3 X 2 X 2): 3 doses of silica (0, 2.5, and 5 mg), 2 volumes of vehicle (saline solution; 0.1 and 0.5 ml), and 2 postinoculation times (1 and 3 days). Lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid supernatant and cell viability of bronchoalveolar cells were used as indicators of cell injury. The number of pulmonary alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were used as indicators of inflammatory response. Dose of silica and postinoculation time had a significant (P less than 0.05) effect on the biochemical and cellular composition of lavage fluid. The volume of vehicle in which silica was suspended significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced the pulmonary injury and inflammatory response. However, dose-volume interaction was only significant (P less than 0.05) in 1 of 6 parameters, indicating that the effect was additive, but not synergistic, in nature. Seemingly, vehicle volume had an enhanced effect on the injury and the inflammatory response induced by intratracheal inoculation of silica.     

Effect of parbendazole and piperazine adipate on the activity of some enzymes of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinae

Adult Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinae obtained from the fowl (Gallus gallus) were treated in vitro with 10(-2) to 10(-5) M parbendazole and piperazine adipate for 10-60 min at 38 degrees C. Both the compounds at 10(-2) M caused mortality of A. galli and H. gallinae after a maximum of 30 min exposure. The effect of the drugs on the homogenates of the treated worm was investigated. Parbendazole (10(-2) M) inhibited malate oxidation by 68% in A. galli and 62% in H. gallinae. Piperazine adipate (10(-2) M) inhibited malate oxidation by 78% in both parasites. In A. galli oxaloacetate reduction was inhibited by 41 and 26% by 10(-2) M parbendazole and piperazine adipate, respectively; with H. gallinae this inhibition was found to be 39 and 55%, respectively. Aldolase activity in both the parasites was also inhibited by 10(-2) M parbendazole and piperazine adipate. Both compounds caused an inhibition of acid phosphomonoesterase activity, but the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase were not affected significantly. Parbendazole (10(-2) M) had no significant effect on the cholinesterase activity of these parasites, but piperazine adipate (10(-2) M) caused an inhibition of 96% in A. galli and 93% in H. gallinae. The possible mode of action of the drugs is discussed.     

Sarcocystosis in goats: clinical signs and pathologic and hematologic findings

Clinical sarcocystosis was studied in 37 goats after inoculation with graded doses of sporocysts of Sarcocystis capracanis. Eight uninoculated goats served as controls. Clinical response varied with the dose. Goats inoculated with 10-40 million sporocysts died between 11 and 13 days after inoculation (DAI), from interstitial pneumonia, vasculitis, and necrosis of mesenteric lymph nodes. All goats inoculated with 100,000 or 1 million sporocysts died between 19 and 23 DAI; clinical signs were anorexia, fever (40-41 C), anemia, and weight loss. Four of 4 goats inoculated with 50,000 sporocysts and 1 of 4 inoculated with 10,000 sporocysts died 24, 28, 39, 68, and 61 DAI, respectively. Goats inoculated with 1,000 sporocysts and uninoculated goats remained clinically normal. After day 18 and before day 68, packed cell volume and hemoglobin content decreased to as low as 11% and 3.6 g/dl, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase and lactic dehydrogenase activities were inconsistently increased. Blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin values were increased, reaching as high as 63 mg/dl and 10 mg/dl, respectively. Histologically, thymic atrophy, vasculitis, hepatitis, cholangitis, myocarditis, generalized myositis, and encephalomyelitis were the main microscopic findings. The cause of the anemia in goats that died after day 19 was not determined.     

Effect of Lentil Residues on the Yield and Response of Succeeding Rice to Nitrogen

A field experiment was conducted at the Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 1983-84 and 1984-85 to study the effect of lentil residues on the yield and response of succeeding rice to nitrogen. Lentil residues benefitted the succeeding rice and gave longer and heavier panicles, more grains per panicle, higher 1000-grain weight and higher grain and straw yield of rice as compared to fallow. Rice responded well to applied nitrogen both in the absence and presence of lentil residues. The effect of lentil root residues and root residues plus incorporation of lentil straw was equivalent to 11 and 33 kg N ha⁻¹ when 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied to rice; the corresponding values being 54 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ when 120 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied to rice.