Field efficacy of minidosed pour-on ivermectin and eprinomectin against goat warble fly infestation by Przhevalskiana silenus

The efficacy of minidose of pour-on ivermectin and eprinomectin formulations against first instar larvae of Przhevalskiana silenus was observed in naturally infested goats in the Jammu region, North India. The study was performed in mid August 2011. A total of 280 goats were randomly divided in to 7 groups of 40 each. Goats of the first three groups were treated with pour-on ivermectin at dosage of 2, 5, and 200 μg/kg body weight, respectively, whereas animals of the fourth to sixth groups were treated with pour-on eprinomectin at 25, 50, and 500 μg/kg body weight, respectively. Group VII animals were kept as untreated control. The results indicated that no warbles were recorded between December 2011 and March 2012 on back of animals treated with pour-on preparations of ivermectin at dosage of 5 and 200 μg/kg body weight, respectively, and eprinomectin at dosage of 50 and 500 μg/kg body weight, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that administration of minidose of pour-on ivermectin (5 μg/kg body weight) and eprinomectin (50 μg/kg body weight) is cost effective and so can be used for warble fly control campaign in Jammu region.     

Effect of dietary fiber on the activity of intestinal and fecal beta-glucuronidase activity during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis

The effects of fiber isolated from black gram (Phaseolus mungo) and Coconut (Cocos nucifera) kernel on the metabolic activity of intestinal and fecal beta glucuronidase activity during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis were studied. The results indicated that the inclusion of fiber from black gram and coconut kernel generally supported lower specific activities and less fecal output of beta-glucuronidase than did the fiber free diet. This study suggests that the fibers isolated from coconut or black gram may potentially play a role in preventing the formation of colon tumors induced by the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine by reducing the activity of the intestinal as well as fecal beta-glucuronidase.     

Genetic analysis of bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Bacterial wilt triggered by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the major devastating diseases causing significant yield reduction in eggplant. F1 hybrids (18...     

Prevalence and biology of goat warble fly infestation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Przhevalskiana silenus</Emphasis> in Jammu province,India

Examination of 3,960 goats brought from six districts of Jammu province and slaughtered at Jammu abattoir from July 2005 to June 2006 revealed 47.22% prevalence of larval stages of warble fly (Przhevalskiana silenus Brauer, 1858) in goats. Highest prevalence was recorded in Udhampur (56.44%) and lowest in Doda district (13.49%). Classification of the study area into four zones based on height (meters above sea level), viz., zone I (300–325 m asl), zone II (325–800 m asl), zone III (800–1,500 m asl), and zone IV (>1,500 m asl), revealed significant (p < 0.01) difference in infestation among animals of zone II (71.68%), zone III (40.12%), and zone IV (22.41%). However, animals of zone I did not reveal any infestation. Statistical analysis in relation to age showed significant (p < 0.01) difference among different age groups, i.e., <1 year (2.81%), 1–3 years (51.17%), and >3 years (43.16%). Breed-wise analysis also showed significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation rate among Bakerwali (51.51%) goats as compared to Beetal (42.59%). But no significant difference was recorded among male (47.81%) and female (46.82%) animals. The overall mean larva count (L1, L2, and L3) was observed to be 14.72 ± 0.34, ranging from 4 to 72. It was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in animals of zone II (22.20 ± 0.21) as compared to goats of zones III (14.21 ± 0.41) and IV (7.73 ± 0.90). Age-wise analysis of mean larva count also showed significant (P < 0.05) difference between animals of 1–3 years (16.25 ± 0.37) and >3 years of age (13.18 ± 0.40). Mean larvae count in relation to sex and breed did not reveal any significant difference. First-instar larvae (L₁) were recorded from May to mid-September, second larval stage (L₂) from mid-September to mid-December, and third-stage larvae (L₃) from mid-December to February. However, No larvae were recorded from March to April, which is suggestive of pupation period in this region. Thus, it is concluded that adult fly is active in April to June. The results further confirmed that internal life cycle of P. silenus is subcutaneous and no migration of larvae occurs. This is the first report from India, based on slaughter house study on the prevalence and biology of goat warble fly infestation. It will help in devising suitable prophylactic and eradication program to check the economic losses rendered by adult fly.     

Plant Growth Promoting Traits of Indigenous Phosphate Solubilizing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Chilli (Capsicumannuum L.) Rhizosphere

Phosphorus (P) is the second key nutrient for plants and it affects several attributes of plant growth. Identification of a potent phosphate solubilizing microorganism capable of transforming the insoluble P into soluble and plant-accessible forms is considered as the best eco-friendly option for providing inexpensive P to plants. Hence, this study was focused to assess the growth enhancement traits of the phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) isolated from chili rhizosphere. Twelve PSB were isolated by enrichment culture technique and its P solubilization efficiency was checked using Vanadomolybdate phosphoric yellow color method. Among them, two potent strains PS2 and PS3, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa KR270346 and KR270347 based on biochemical and molecular characterization, were selected for further study. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates interestingly showed the presence of various potential plant growth-promoting properties including indole acetic acid and siderophore production. The growth enhancement effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates on chilli showed promising results, and the growth parameters were found to be statistically signi?cant when compared to control. The results demonstrated an eloquent impact on various aspects, namely microbial count and PSB population, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity, available phosphorous in the soil, plant nutrient uptake, and yield parameters. Inoculation of these two isolates together with the addition of rock phosphate increased comparable amount of available P and these treatments were statistically at par throughout the growth period. The results con?rmed the growth-promoting potential of the isolates to develop as biofertilizers either alone or as components of integrated nutrient management systems.