Wood specific gravity of some tree species in the Garhwal Himalayas,India

Estimation of terrestrial biomass depends critically on reliable information about wood specific gravity of forest trees. In recent years, wood specific gravity has become more important when exploring the universality of functional traits of plants and estimating their global carbon stocks. To estimate their specific gravity, wood samples were collected from a total of 34 tree species, 30 from lower elevations and 4 from upper elevations in the Garhwal Himalayas, India. The results show that the average wood specific gravity was 0.631 (ranging between 0.275 ± 0.01 and 0.845 ± 0.03) for the species at lower elevations and 0.727 (ranging between 0.628 ± 0.02 and 0.865 ± 0.02) for the upper elevations. The average wood specific gravity for the upper elevation species was 9.6% greater than that for the species at lower elevations. Aegle marmelos among the lower elevation species and Quercus leucotrichophora among the upper elevation species had the highest wood specific gravity, which were 0.845 ± 0.03 and 0.865 ± 0.02, respectively.     

Two new coumarins from Euonymus hamiltonianus

Two new coumarins, named Euonidiol (1) and Euoniside (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Euonymus hamiltonianus.     

Probing the chiroptical response of a single molecule

Chirally sensitive measurement techniques have generally been restricted to bulk samples. Here, we report the observation of fluorescence-detected circular dichroism (FDCD) from single (bridgedtriarylamine) helicene molecules by using an excitation wavelength (457 nanometers) in the vicinity of an electronic transition that shows circular dichroism in bulk samples. The distributions of dissymmetry (g) parameters by analysis of signals from pure M- and P-type diastereomers are almost perfect mirror images of one another, each spanning a range of both positive and negative values. In addition, we observe a well-defined structure in the histogram of dissymmetry parameters suggestive of specific molecular orientations at the polymer interface. These single-molecule results highlight strong intrinsic circular dichroism responses that can be obscured by cancellation effects in ensemble measurements of a randomly oriented bulk sample.     

AFLP Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Indian Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Varieties

AFLP technique was used to assess genetic diversity in 72 soybean varieties under cultivation in India. Selected 12 AFLP primer pairs produced 1319 products of which 1257 were polymorphic (95%). Wide variations were observed for the number of amplification products, percent polymorphism and average polymorphism information content (PIC). The Jaccard's similarity indices (J) based on the AFLP profiles of the 72 soybean varieties were subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis. The dendrogram generated revealed four major clusters, which were strongly supported by the high bootstrap values obtained from analyses of 1000 bootstrap samples. In addition, the Mantel's test for cophenetic correlation with r = 0.955 indicated very good fit of the varieties to a group in the cluster analysis. Some correspondence between the clustering pattern and the pedigree, place of release or target area of the variety was observed. Overall moderately high genetic diversity was observed which appears to be due to the higher genetic diversity prevalent in 12 of the varieties included in three diverse clusters and was indicative of the need to include more diverse germplasm in the soybean improvement programs.     

Molecular characterization,tissue distribution of Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone (FSH) beta subunit and effect of kisspeptin‐10 on reproductive hormonal profile of Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

Gonadotropin (GTH) hormones are glycoprotein which stimulates gonadal maturation in vertebrates. Follicle stimulating hormone is involved in initiation of gametogenesis and regulation of gonadal growth. FSHβ has been cloned and characterized from the brain of Catla catla. The FSHβ full‐length of cDNA sequence of 523 bp comprised 3, 394 and 128 bp of 5′‐UTR, open reading frame (ORF) 3′‐UTR respectively. The coding region of C. catla FSHβ encoded a peptide of 130 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis of C. catla FSHβ deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with Gobiocypris rarus followed by goldfish, Carassius auratus. The qPCR result shows that FSHβ mRNA is mainly expressed in pituitary while moderate and low expression was observed in testis and ovary respectively. Chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) of particle size 125 nm, polydispersity index of 0.335 to 0.65 and zeta potential of ?34.95 mV were synthesized and evaluated at against naked kisspeptin‐10 for their reproductive hormonal profile. Treatment of fish with CK‐10 showed controlled and sustained surge of the reproductive hormones (FSH & LH) with peak at 12 h. The hormone levels of naked kisspeptin‐10 treated fish decline after 6 h. The sustained release of this CK‐10 will help in reducing maturation age, synchronization of ovulation and spawning in fish. This is the first report on use of chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) for reproduction in fish.     

Serum lactate dehydrogenase: clinical significance of alterations in its activity in lambs infected with Dictyocaulus filaria

Alterations in the serum lactate dehydrogenase activity of Dictyocaulus filaria infected lambs were studied. The significant increase in its activity during patency correlated well with the progress of the disease and lung damage caused by the parasite. The enzyme may be of use in assessing the potency of D filaria vaccine and the chemotherapeutic value of an anthelmintic. Its use as a non-invasive method for earlier diagnosis and prognosis of the disease under experimental conditions is suggested.     

Response of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia A.) intercropped in arecanut to irrigation and nutrition in humid tropics of India

A 5-year field trial to assess the impact of microsprinkler irrigation and nutrition on vanilla grown as intercrop in arecanut plantation was conducted on a laterite soil. Pooled analysis indicated that microsprinkler irrigation at 1.0 Epan resulted in significantly higher green bean yield (842 kg ha⁻¹) than 0.75 Epan (579 kg ha⁻¹). Organic manure application in the form of vermicompost (720 kg ha⁻¹) and FYM (768 kg ha⁻¹) and recommended NPK (718 kg ha⁻¹) produced green bean yield at par with recycling of gliricidia prunings (625 kg ha⁻¹). Irrigation at 1.0 Epan proved superior by registering maximum benefit:cost (B:C) ratio of 2.25 compared to 1.62 at 0.75 Epan. The highest B:C ratio was obtained with recommended NPK (2.27) followed by recycling of gliricidia prunings (2.10), vermicompost (1.87), vermicompost + arecanut husk mulching (1.80) and FYM (1.64). The soil pH increased by 0.4 units in 2008 compared with the pre-experimental soil pH of 5.6 in 2004. Nutrition alone and in combination with irrigation had significant impact on soil pH. Organic manure application increased the soil pH (6.1-6.2) significantly over recommended NPK (5.6) at the end of experiment in 2008. Significant variation in soil organic carbon (SOC) was noticed due to different nutrition treatments. Application of vermicompost and FYM significantly increased the SOC content by 38-54% in 2008 over initial levels in 2004. Bray's P availability was influenced by nutrition and its interaction with irrigation. Application of FYM continuously for 4 years has resulted in significant increase in Bray's P content (41.3 mg kg⁻¹) compared to other nutrition treatments (9.4-17.2 mg kg⁻¹). Irrigation equivalent to 0.75 Epan (223 mg kg⁻¹) increased the K availability significantly over 1.0 Epan (172 mg kg⁻¹). The K availability was significantly higher in recommended NPK (416 mg kg⁻¹) than in other organic treatments (98-223 mg kg⁻¹) at 0-30 cm soil depth. Overall, vanilla responded well to irrigation and nutrition in arecanut-based cropping system with a better economic output and improved soil fertility.     

Potential of ethno-veterinary medicine in animal health care practices in the South Pacific Island countries: a review

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The South Pacific island countries (SPIC) are among the most vulnerable countries in the world to economic shocks, climate change and natural disasters....     

Persistence of metalaxyl and mancozeb on potato leaves and their residues in tubers

The persistence of fungicides on two commercial cultivars of potato was determined under field conditions at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Initial deposits of mancozeb on potato leaves were found to be 26.9 and 38.7 mg kg(-1), following application of ready mixture of fungicide metalaxyl 8% + mancozeb 64% (Ridomil MZ) at the rate of 1260 and 2520 g a.i. ha(-1), whereas metalaxyl residues were found to be 35.1 and 49.5 mg kg(-1), respectively. The residue level of mancozeb in potato leaves 15 days after application at single and double doze were 19.0 and 27.0 mg kg(-1) showing a loss of 29.6 and 30.3%, whereas the values for metalaxyl at single and double doze were 0.40 and 0.80 mg kg(-1) showing a loss of 98.9 and 98.4%, respectively. Residues of mancozeb and metalaxyl were not detected at 0.04 and 0.02 mg kg(-1) level in potato tubers at harvest (PHI = 53 days) at both the dosages, respectively. The persistence and dissipation of mancozeb with the application of Ridomil MZ followed similar trend as in Indofil M-45. The rate of fungicide dissipation increased with time after application in both the potato cultivars 'Kufri Chandramukhi' and 'Chipsona'. No significant difference was observed on initial deposit, persistence and dissipation of the two molecules between the two potato cultivars.