Application of bioactive coatings based on chitosan for artichoke seed protection

Artichoke seeds suffer attacks of various fungi that result in a decreased yield. Coatings based on chitosan were used as an antifungal agent and for enhancing the germination and quality of artichoke seeds. The effect of formulation (chitosan molecular weight, presence or absence of Span 80, pH), and thickness (number of coating layers) on seed germination (G%), fungi activity and vegetative growth were studied. Results indicated significant differences between treatments on seed germination. It was observed that all chitosan treatments reduced the number of type of fungi and increased plant growth. Chitosan with lower Mw gave better results both from microbial and germination point of view. In addition results indicated that treatments including chitosan and TMTD increased significantly G% and plant growth of artichoke seeds and produced a decrease in fungi contamination.     

Intra-arterial infusion of leptin does not affect blood pressure in salt-loaded rabbits

The aim of this research is to see the effect of intra-arterial infusion of leptin on blood pressure of salt loaded rabbits in vivo. Increased blood pressure was produced in rabbits by giving diets containing 8% sodium chloride for 5 weeks. Leptin in different concentrations was infused intra-arterially into rabbits fed on high salt diets and the response was compared in rabbits fed with low salt diets. High salt diets produced significant increase in blood pressure. In rabbits fed with low salt diet, leptin infused intra-arterially caused an increase in blood pressure while infusion of leptin into rabbits fed with high salt diets does not affect the blood pressure. In conclusion, salt loading to rabbits abolishes the effect ofleptin on cardiovascular system. This may indicate that leptin effect on sympathetic activity is altered by high salt diets in these animals.     

Water deficit and polyethylene glycol 6000 affects morphological and biochemical characters of Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.)

The effects of water deficit and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 on the growth and content of essential oil, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proline, macroelements (N–P–K) and microelements (Mg–Zn–Fe–Mn) of Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.) plants were investigated. Water deficits of 80% and 40% of field water capacity decreased certain growth characters (total leaf area, leaf number, and total fresh and dry mass). The photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a and b, total carotenoids) and mineral content (N–P–K–Mg–Zn–Fe–Mn) also decreased as water deficit level increased. Water deficit promoted the accumulation of essential oil content and its main components (methyl eugenol, isomenthone and limonene) as well as total soluble sugars and proline contents. The water deficit × PEG 6000 interaction was greater than water deficit treatments alone on all plant growth characters assessed.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone on acute and chronic inflammation models in mice

The anti-inflammatory activity of zerumbone (1), a natural cyclic sesquiterpene isolated from Zingiber zerumbet Smith was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue formation test in mice. It was demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of 1 at a dose of 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of paw edema induced by carrageenan. It was also demonstrated that 1 at similar doses significantly suppressed granulomatous tissue formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test.     

The effect of low levels of dietary cobalt on the chemiluminescence response of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of goats

Twenty ten-week-old newly weaned male Batinah goats were randomly assigned to a control (n = 10) and a treated (n = 10) group and were fed a diet containing 0.1 mg/kg DM cobalt (Co). Goats in the treated group received bi-monthly subcutaneous injections of 2000 μg of hydroxycobalamin. The phagocytic function of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were tested using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay with opsonized zymosan as the phagocytic target. One month after the onset of the experiment PMN from the control group exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) lower CL response, which continued for the second month. The results of the present study demonstrated that low levels of dietary cobalt leads to an early impairment of phagocytic function. This may at least in part, be an explanation as to why at the field level in Oman young goats fed diets containing low levels of Co appear to be more susceptible to infections.     

A growth comparison among three commercial tilapia species in a biofloc system

Despite a worldwide boom in tilapia aquaculture, South Africa has failed to follow suit, resulting in a small, very much undeveloped local industry. Much of the justification for this reality lies on the inadequacy of the species used and the stringent legislation preventing the use of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. With momentum gained in recent years, the local industry lobbying for the legalization of the O. niloticus has made great progress and its use in certain systems has recently been facilitated. This study was conducted to compare the growth performance between the indigenous Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, another African alternative gaining momentum in Zambia, the Three Spot tilapia, Oreochromis andersonii, and the globally reputable O. niloticus. The study was conducted in a biofloc technology (BFT) system, showing great potential as an environmentally friendly technology. The trial was run for 10 weeks with 60 fish/tank stocked into four repeats tanks per species. Fish were sampled on six occasions with a regression fitted to the mass data. Oreochromis niloticus showed a significantly higher growth rate with an average daily gain of 0.693 ± 0.018 g/day and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.01 ± 0.05, followed by O. mossambicus with average daily gain of 0.405 ± 0.025 g/day and FCR of 2.24 ± 0.16, and then O. andersonii with an average daily gain of 0.185 ± 0.025 g/day and an FCR of 2.53 ± 0.28, respectively. From this study, O. niloticus therefore appears to be the most adequate species for use in BFT systems in South Africa.     

Low Pyrolysis Temperature Biochar Improves Growth and Nutrient Availability of Maize on Typic Calciargid

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochars, produced from maize straw at different temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C), on growth of maize. Maximum cation exchange capacity (CEC) (106 cmol_c kg^?1) of biochar was observed at 400 °C. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and carbon content of biochars significantly increased with increasing temperature, and maximum pH (9.8), EC (3.0 dS m^?1), and carbon content (607 g kg^?1) were observed at 500 °C. Concentration of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) significantly increased with increasing temperature, while of nitrogen (N) decreased. Ammonium bicarbonate–diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (AB-DTPA)–extractable nutrients were decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Shoot and root dry matter of maize increased significantly with application of biochar produced at 300 and 400 °C and decreased significantly at 500 °C. Maximum shoot and root dry matter of maize was obtained at biochar produced at 300 °C. Phosphorus and K concentration in shoots and roots increased with biochar, and it was significantly more with fertilizer application. In contrast to P, shoot and root K concentration increased significantly with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The results of this study indicated that application of biochar produced at low pyrolysis temperature may be a practical approach to improve crop growth.     

Integrated Weed Management Through Tillage and Herbicides for Wheat Production in Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Northwestern Pakistan

Conservational tillage (CT) in combination with broad spectrum herbicide may be more efficient and economical in controlling weeds,reducing cost of cultivation,and enhancing wheat yield.Field experimen...