Evaluation of Integrated Nutrient Management Interventions for Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) on a Vertisol in Central India

Phospho-compost (PC) and poultry manure (PM) were evaluated in field experiments to diversify integrated nutrient management (INM) for rain-fed cotton. Seed cotton yield in the PC (2501–2579 kg ha^?1) was similar to the recommended INM (2673 kg ha^?1) treatment and was significantly better than nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (100% NPK) (2130 kg ha^?1) and farmers practice (FP) (1886 kg ha^?1). Yield was lower in the PM (2476–2617 kg ha^?1) than in the PC. Nutrient uptake was higher in all INM intervention plots due to an improvement in soil nutrient status compared with those receiving 100% NPK. Soil labile carbon values were higher in the INM treatments (333–452 mg kg^?1), with a greater magnitude in the PC-amended plots (402–452 mg kg^?1). Carbon management index (CMI) values were higher for the INM than treatments NPK and FP. Among INM interventions, PC plots had higher values than the PM.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to foliar diseases in sorghum [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.) Moench]

Forage sorghum cultivars grown in India are susceptible to various foliar diseases, of which anthracnose, rust, zonate leaf spot, drechslera leaf blight and target leaf spot cause severe damage. We report here the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to these foliar diseases. QTL analysis was undertaken using 168 F₇ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of a cross between a female parental line 296B (resistant) and a germplasm accession IS18551 (susceptible). RILs and parents were evaluated in replicated field trials in two environments. A total of twelve QTLs for five foliar diseases on three sorghum linkage groups (SBI-03, SBI-04 and SBI-06) were detected, accounting for 6.9–44.9% phenotypic variance. The morphological marker Plant color (Plcor) was associated with most of the QTL across years and locations. The QTL information generated in this study will aid in the transfer of foliar disease resistance into elite susceptible sorghum breeding lines through marker-assisted selection.     

In vitro plant regeneration of non-toxic Jatropha curcas L.: Direct shoot organogenesis from cotyledonary petiole explants

Jatropha curcas, the energy plant has attained great attention in recent years because of its biodiesel production potential; however, oil and deoiled cakes are toxic. A non-toxic variety of J. curcas is reported from Mexico. A simple and efficient protocol has been developed for plant regeneration using cotyledonary petiole explants of non-toxic variety of J. curcas. The percentage of induction of shoot buds (59.11%), and the number of shoot buds (5.01) per explant was achieved on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 2.27 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). These induced shoot buds multiplied when subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 10 μM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 μM 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP), and 5.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for 4 weeks and subsequent elongation achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.25 μM BAP and 8.5 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Shoots more than 2 cm long were harvested and cultured on MS medium containing different concentrations and combinations of IBA, IAA, NAA, and 0.25 mg L^?1 activated charcoal, and 19.91% rooting was achieved in 15 μM IBA, 5.7 μM IAA, and 16.5 μM NAA after 4 weeks with more than 90% survival rate.     

Immunomodulation of caprine lentiviral infection by interleukin-16

Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by a variety of cells including lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and eosinophils. We have shown in our previous studies increased expression of IL-16 mRNA and protein in caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV)-infected goats blood. In this study, we determined the immunomodulatory effects of IL-16 in vitro using cells derived from CAEV infected and uninfected goats. Human recombinant IL-16 (rhIL-16) significantly increased chemotaxis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of both control and CAEV-infected goats. Pretreatment of PBMC with anti-goat CD4 monoclonal antibody inhibited IL-16-induced chemotaxis of PBMC of control and infected goats suggesting that IL-16 exerts its action in goats primarily by binding to CD4. The CAEV proviral DNA was less in caprine monocytes treated with rhIL-16 infected in vitro with CAEV. These data suggest inhibitory effect of IL-16 on viral integration. Flow cytometric studies indicated a trend toward IL-16-induced increased expression of lymphocyte activation markers. Combined with our previously reported data, these experiments suggest that increased IL-16 expression during CAEV infection may inhibit viral integration.     

Underweight, overweight and obesity among South African adolescents: results of the 2002 National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey

OBJECTIVE: The present paper reports the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity by gender, ethnicity and grade, among participants in a 2002 national survey among South African school-going youth that included height and weight measurements. DESIGN: A stratified two-stage sample was used. Nationally representative rates of underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated using weighted survey data and compared using chi2 analysis. SETTING: In all, 9224 grade 8 to grade 11 students, present at school in selected classes within selected South African government-funded schools in all nine provinces, participated in this study. Most of the students were between 13 and 19 years of age. RESULTS: Higher rates of underweight were observed for males than females as well as for black and 'coloured' than white students. Within each gender group, black and 'coloured' students had significantly higher rates of underweight than their white counterparts. Higher percentages of females than males were overweight and obese, overall and among black students. Furthermore, white male students had significantly higher rates of overweight than their black and 'coloured' counterparts. Among females, black and white students had significantly higher rates than 'coloured' students. Students in higher grades showed significantly lower rates of underweight and higher rates of overweight. DISCUSSION: These data confirm that South Africa, a developing nation in socio-economic transition, is experiencing both undernutrition and overnutrition. However, these problems are disproportionately distributed by gender, socio-economics and ethnicity. Continued surveillance of nutritional status may be one important component of a national strategy to prevent and control malnutrition.     

Resistance to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) in a mini-core collection of finger millet germplasm

Blast caused by Pyricularia grisea [teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea] is an economically important and widespread disease of finger millet in the world. Host resistance is the most economical and effective means of combating this disease as finger millet is predominantly grown by resource-poor and marginal farmers. At the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), we evaluated a finger millet mini-core collection of 80 germplasm accessions (about 1 % of the total germplasm collection representing major trait variability) for blast resistance both in the field and greenhouse. Field evaluation was done using a refined screening technique that included new improved rating scales for leaf, neck and finger infection. Sixty six of the 80 accessions showed combined resistance to leaf, neck and finger blast in two seasons (2009 and 2010) of field screening. A highly significant and positive correlation was found between neck and finger blast ratings (r?=?0.92), whereas small but significant correlations were found between leaf blast and neck blast (r?=?0.25) and between leaf blast and finger blast (r?=?0.30). These accessions were also screened for leaf blast resistance in the greenhouse by artificial inoculation of seedlings to confirm field observations. Fifty-eight of the 80 accessions were resistant to leaf blast in the greenhouse screen as well. These resistant accessions represented one wild (africana) and four cultivated races (vulgaris, plana, elongate and compacta) of finger millet that originated from 13 countries in Asia and Africa and exhibited considerable diversity for agronomic traits, such as maturity period, plant height and panicle type. These blast resistant accessions from the mini-core collection would be useful in finger millet disease resistance breeding programs.     

Dual Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi Contributes in Sustainable Maintenance of Plant Health in Fly Ash Ponds

Fly ash is one of the residues produced during combustion of coal, and its disposal is a major environmental concern throughout coal-based power-generated counties. Deficiencies of essential nutrients, low soil microbial activity, and high-soluble salt concentrations of trace elements are some of the concerns for reclamation of fly ash ponds. The effect of fly-ash-adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphate solubilizing fungus Aspergillus tubingensis was studied on the growth, nutrient, and metal uptake of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) plants grown in fly ash. Co-inoculation of these fungi significantly increased the P (150%), K (67%), Ca (106%), and Mg (180%) in shoot tissues compared control plants. The Al and Fe content were significantly reduced (50% and 60%, respectively) due to the presence of AM fungi and A. tubingensis. The physicochemical and biochemical properties of fly ash were improved compared to those of individual inoculation and control. The results showed that combination of AM fungi and A. tubingensis elicited a synergetic effect by increasing plant growth and uptake of nutrients with reducing metal translocation.     

Acetylation of chicken feathers for thermoplastic applications

Poultry feathers are renewable resources, inexpensive and abundantly available, but have limited applications. Although keratin extracted from feathers has been chemically modified, there are no reports on the chemical modification or development of thermoplastics from poultry feathers. Acetylation is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly approach to make biopolymers thermoplastic. Several biopolymers have been acetylated and used to produce fibers, films, and extrudates. In this research, chicken feathers were acetylated, and the structure and properties of the acetylated feathers were studied. Acetylation conditions such as concentration of chemicals and catalyst and time and temperature of acetylation were optimized. Acetylation of feathers was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P-GC-MS). The acetylated feathers were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to understand their thermal behavior. Acetylated feathers were thermoplastic and could be compression molded to form transparent films despite the relatively low percentage of acetyl content.     

Nutrient composition of groundnut cultures (Arachis hypogaea L.) in relation to their kernel size

Seven varieties of groundnuts of varying kernel size were selected to study the relation between kernel size and nutritional quality. Results indicated that no significant (r=0.22) difference was found in oil contents among the various varieties which ranged from 46–52 percent. Protein contents ranged from 17–25.2 percent. Protein content of small seed varieties was high compared to bold seeded varieties, whereas sugar content of bold seeded varieties was higher. No significant differences in amino acid and fatty acid compositions were observed among the varieties tested. In vitro digestibility of protein tended to be slightly less but not significantly so in bold seeded varieties compared to small and medium size varieties. Niacin content of bold seeded varieties was slightly higher compared to other varieties.