Improved Salinity Tolerance by Phosphorus Fertilizer in Two Phaseolus vulgaris Recombinant Inbred Lines Contrasting in Their P‐Efficiency

Legumes' sensitivity to salt is exacerbated under growth conditions requiring nitrogen fixation by the plant. Phosphorus (P) deficiency is widespread in legumes, especially common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). To examine the performance of P. vulgaris under salt stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted using two recombinants inbred lines (RILs) 115 (P‐deficiency tolerant) and 147 (P‐deficiency susceptible), grown under different salinity levels (L) (1.56, 4.78, and 8.83 dS m^?1 as LI, L2, and L3, respectively) and supplied with four P rates (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha^?1 P as P0, P30, P60, and P90, respectively) in order to assess the impact of P on salt tolerance. Results indicate that growing both RILs at P60 or P90 under all salinity levels (especially L1) significantly increased total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total soluble sugars, total free amino acids, and proline. Increasing P supply up to P60 under all salinity levels significantly induced higher accumulation of P, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ leaves in both RILs. Based on quadratic response over all locations, the maximum seed yield of 1.465 t ha^?1 could be obtained at application of P 81.0 kg ha‐1 in RIL115, while seed yield of 1.275 t ha^?1 could be obtained with P rate of 78.3 kg ha^?1 in RIL147. RIL115 exhibited more salt‐tolerance with positive consequence on plant biomass and grain yield stability. Improved salt tolerance through adequate P fertilization is likely a promising strategy to improve P. vulgaris salinity tolerance and thus productivity, a response that seems to be P‐rate dependent.     

Effect of Degree of Hydrolysis and Protease Type on the Antioxidant Activity of Protein Hydrolysates From Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) By-Products

We have investigated the antioxidant activities of eight hydrolysates from cuttlefish by-products obtained by treatment with various gastrointestinal proteases (chymotrypsin, trypsin, and crude alkaline enzyme extracts from cuttlefish and sardinelle) and bacterial proteases (Alcalase and crude enzymes from Bacillus pumilus A1, Bacillus mojavensis A21, and Bacillus cereus BG1). The antioxidant activities of the cuttlefish by-products protein hydrolysates (CPHs) were evaluated using various in vitro antioxidant assays, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. All hydrolysates showed different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) and varying degrees of antioxidant activity. Among the different hydrolysates, cuttlefish crude enzyme hydrolysate exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, followed by sardinelle crude enzyme and Alcalase hydrolysates. Further, CPHs with different degrees of hydrolysis were prepared by treatment with proteolytic enzymes from cuttlefish, sardinelle, and B. mojavensis A21. All hydrolysates showed a greater antioxidative activity as indicated by all the methods considered. In addition, antioxidant activity in hydrolysates was positively correlated with the increase of DH. The results of this study indicated that CPHs might be a good candidate for further investigation in developing new antioxidants.     

Effect of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) extract on testicular maturation in pre-pubertal and pubertal rats: A morphological and biochemical study

The present study aimed at analysing the effect of Khat plant extract on rat testicular development. Thirty-two weaned male albino rats (4 weeks old) were divided into four groups consisting of eight animals each. While control animals received normal saline, rats of groups I, II and III received 100, 200 and 300 mg Khat extract per kg body weight dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 8 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were collected in separate heparinized tubes by cardiac puncture from each rat and processed for measuring plasma levels of reproductive hormones LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin. Five-µm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscope. Some sections were immunostained for protamine-1 representing a biomarker for intact sperm differentiation. The present study clearly demonstrated that Khat extract has a pronounced effect on testicular maturation of developing albino rats at both the morphological and functional levels. Khat-treated groups revealed a significantly low serum testosterone level and severe impairment of spermatogenesis when compared with control animals. The current findings also verified, for the first time, that the final stages of sperm maturation (spermiogenesis) were strongly impaired after administration of Khat extract to experimental rats particularly at a higher dose (300 mg/kg body weight). This was proved by the very weak, if any, expression of protamine-1 in the maturing spermatids in Khat-treated rats.     

Amelioration of sperm fertilizability,thyroid activity,oxidative stress,and inflammatory cytokines in rabbit bucks treated with phytogenic extracts

This study investigated the beneficial effect of phytogenic extracts on semen quality, reproductive hormones, thyroid activity, immunity, hepatic antioxidant activity, and fertility in rabbit bucks. We divided 70 bucks into seven groups (10 in each). Group 1 was fed a basal diet (control); groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed the control diet with 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg of turmeric, respectively; and groups 5, 6, and 7 were fed the control diet with 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg of garlic extract, respectively, for 8 weeks. Rectal and skin temperatures decreased, while follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, testosterone, immunoglobulin M, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in blood serum and glutathione peroxidase in the liver increased in all groups (p < .05). Garlic extract (100 mg/kg diet) increased adenosine triphosphate and glutathione in the liver tissues. All treatments significantly increased net semen volume, percentages of progressive motility, livability, curled tail, and intact acrosomes of spermatozoa, sperm cell concentration, and outputs of total and motile spermatozoa, while significantly decreased percentage of sperm abnormality. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of turmeric or garlic extract can be used as a suitable tool for enhancing the hepatic antioxidant activity, immunity, and semen quality in rabbit bucks.     

Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz and wild relatives: Their relationships and evolution

About ninety eight species of Manihot arerecognized. All of them are native to the New world and areconcentrated in four regions of diversity in Brazil and CentralAmerica. All the Manihot species so far examinedhave 2n = 36 chromosomes. Interspecific hybrids betweencassava and its wild relatives show relatively regular meiosis, andfurther generations can be obtained. Electrophoresis shows affinityamong species of different sections, and between some of them andcassava. Both polyploidy and apomixis may have contributed tospeciation in this genus. Polyploidy offered genetic variabilitywhile apomixis is responsible for perpetuating new hybrid typesadapted to different environments. Cassava may have originated byhybridization between two wild Manihot speciesfollowed by vegetative reproduction of the hybrid.     

Studying irradiation homogeneity in light aging for historical textile conservation

Instrumental light aging is one of the most important tools for restoration and conservation of historical textiles. It used in testing stability of conservation materials, in addition to its lightening effect during the presentation in the museums. Light fading is an important tool for preparing the aged textile and other polymeric samples especially for archaeological conservation applications. Many fadometers do not give homogeneous exposure for all sample’s areas. This work studies the color changes of silk fabric dyed with turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) mordanted with alum or ferric sulfate. Color change was studied for the exposure periods ranged from five to hundred hours. Three positions of different irradiance levels were measured on the same sample namely (bottom, middle and upper). Individual color change for each position was recorded and studied. The results showed that there is non-homogeneous irradiance distribution due to different positions in fadometer or mordant used.     

Application of thermometric titrations to the study of soil organic matter. II. Humic acids

The technique of thermometric titrimetry was applied to the study of humic acid and its interaction with metal ions. The nature of the thermometric titration curve of humic acid with sodium hydroxide is consistent with the presence in humic acid of many classes of ionizable groups. La³⁺ and Cu²⁺ reacted endothermically with sodium humate and in each case 1 g organic matter reacted with approximately 1.7 mequiv. metal ion. The end point of these titrations was characterized by an abrupt “bump”, attributed to conformational changes in the macromolecular network of the organic matter accompanying precipitation of the metal-humate complexes. The thermometric method is also used to determine chloride in the presence of humic acid or sodium humate.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> plants respond to oviposition by invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halyomorpha halys</Emphasis> activating direct defences against offspring

The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys is established in many European and American agro-ecosystems, where it causes severe crop losses. Potential control measures might include enhancement of plant defences. When attacked by herbivorous insects that oviposit on it, the plant may respond by priming direct defences, which might affect the development of future brood. Halyomorpha halys attacks numerous plant species in the invaded areas. Here, we investigated whether Vicia faba plants challenged by H. halys females can impair the development of its offspring through the activation of induced direct defences. We measured the weight and dimension of nymphs that developed on oviposition-experienced plants after 7 and 17 days from hatching. Nymphs that developed on oviposition-experienced plants weighed less compared to those that developed either on control plants or on plants solely subjected to H. halys feeding, and third instars showed shorter dimensions (tibia length). In addition, when oviposition-experienced plants were attacked by nymphs, higher and more rapid expression of two jasmonic acid-dependent genes (cysteine proteinase inhibitor gene and NAI1) was detected, possibly due to a mechanism of priming. Increased expression of the salicylic acid-responsive PR1 gene was also detected in egg-experienced plants, although the response was delayed compared to JA-dependent genes. Our results suggest that V. faba plants recognize H. halys oviposition as a warning signal and pre-activate defences against future nymphal herbivory.