Molecular and Pathogenicity Characteristics of Phytophthora nicotianae Responsible for Root Necrosis and Wilting of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Tunisia

Isolates of Phytophthora from pepper, produced in Tunisia, were characterised according to molecular and pathogenicity criteria. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the ITS1 region in the ribosomal DNA resulted in different sized fragments. The pepper isolates and P. nicotianae yielded a fragment of 310bp that distinguished it from P. capsici with a fragment of 270bp. The ribosomal RNA gene amplicons of both internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8 S of the pepper Phytophthora and P. nicotianae were digested with 8 endonucleases. The patterns generated, with the 2 enzymes that cut, were identical for both taxa. This molecular analysis corroborated the morphological and biological characteristics and suggests strongly that the isolates of Phytophthora from pepper belong to the species P. nicotianae. Inoculation of pepper, tomato, eggplant and tobacco plants with the isolates of P. nicotianae from pepper showed they were highly pathogenic on pepper but not on tobacco, while their pathogenicity was weak on tomato and eggplant and was associated with atypical symptoms not observed in the field. These pathogenicity tests suggest that pepper isolates of P. nicotianae are particularly adapted to their host and may thus constitute a forma specialis of P. nicotianae.     

Chemical composition of purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown under greenhouse conditions, was harvested at three growth stages and analyzed for total solids, total protein, ash, soluble carbohydrate, and fructose/fructane in whole plants, leaves, stems, and roots. Significant increases were observed in total solids and protein during plant maturation. Leaves had the highest amount of protein in the third growth stage (44.25g/100g dry matter). Roots showed a decline in protein level as the plant aged. Soluble carbohydrate was significantly higher in growth states 1 and 3. Significant variation among growth stages was found with regard to total phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron, managanese, and copper. Total phosphorus (P) content in leaves was significantly higher than P found in stems and roots. Iron (Fe) content varied significantly among growth stages, and roots and leaves had the highest Fe content (121.47 and 33.21 mg, respectively). Significant accumulation of managanese (Mn) was found in different growth stages. Leaves and roots had significantly higher Mn content than stems.     

Evaluation of dietary chitosan effects on growth performance,immunity, body composition and histopathology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as well as the resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae infection

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on growth performance, body composition, immune response and histopathology of Nile tilapia, and also the in vitro antibacterial activity of chitosan against Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae). About 180 fish (average body weight 39.3 ± 0.3 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to chitosan supplementation: control group (basal diet without chitosan), Ch3 group (3 g chitosan/kg diet) and Ch5 group (5 g chitosan/kg diet). Growth performance parameters and body proximate composition were measured before infection but biochemical parameters and lysozyme and antibacterial activities before and after experimental infection. Results of the present investigation showed dietary chitosan (5 g chitosan/kg diet) significantly (p < .05) improved growth performance parameters, body composition (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, and carbohydrate) and serum biochemistry (total protein, albumin, globulin, with no effect on AST, ALT, urea and creatinine) before infection in Ch5 group than the control. After infection, liver enzymes (serum AST and ALT) were maintained lower in fish fed Ch3 or Ch5 than the control. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities significantly increased (p < .05) in chitosan groups before and after the challenge. The mortality rate was markedly reduced in the Ch3 group and prohibited in the Ch5 group after the experimental infection. In conclusion, feeding 3 or 5 g chitosan/kg diet increased the growth rate and improved FCR of Nile tilapia. In addition, it reduced mortality by its antibacterial and immunostimulant effects.     

Folic acid and flaxseed oil supplements in Ossimi ewes: effect on body weight changes,progesterone profile,blood chemistry,and litter traits

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim was to explore the impact of periconceptional folic acid or flaxseed oil (FXO) supplementation on fertility, progesterone profile, and blood...     

Amylase and invertase activities in relation to the concept of a ‘physiological sink’ in potato plants grown in different seasons,and the influence of chlormequat upon these

Summary Field trials were done to study the relation of dry matter accumulation, tuberization, and total carbohydrate content in different plant organs with the activities of amylase and invertase in different growth seasons (winter and summer). The activities of both enzymes showed higher levels in winter and were correlated with lower total carbohydrate contents in leaves. However, dry matter production in tubers was higher in winter. It is suggested that higher hydrolytic activity might therefore be needed in winter for the mobilization of the stored carbohydrates in the leaves for transport to the physiological sink. In the conditions of earlier tuberisation and more dry matter production, higher activities of amylase and invertase were found. Chlormequat treatments led to higher amylase activity in leaves correlated with earlier tuberisation and higher tuber yield, thouth invertase activity was not affected or rather slightly decreased.

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Zusammenfassung Feldversuche wurden mit der Sorte Alpha unternommen, um den Zusammenhang zwischen Trockensubstanzbildung, Knollenbildung und gesamtem Kohlenhydratgehalt in verschiedenen Pflanzenorganen mit den Wirkungen von Amylase und Invertase in verschiedenen Anbauperioden in Aegypten (Winter, Anbau im Oktober; Sommer, Anbau im M?rz) zu untersuchen. Die Wirkungen beider Enzyme zeigten im Winter einen h?heren Grad, wie aus den in den Abb. 1, 2 und 3 dargestellten Kontrollwerten hervorgeht, und dieser war mit einem im allgemeinen etwas tieferen Kohlenhydratgehalt in den Bl?ttern korreliert (vgl. Abb. 4 und 5). Die Trockensubstanzproduktion in den Knollen war im Winter h?her (Abb. 6 und 7). Es wird angenommen, dass eine h?here hydiolytische T?tigkeit im Winter zur Mobilisierung der gelagerten Kohlenhydrate in den Bl?ttern für den Transport zum physiologischen sink ben?tigt wird-Unter den Bedingungen für frühere Knollenbildung und h?here Trockensubstanzproduktion wurde eine gr?ssere Aktivit?t von Amylase und Invertase gefunden. Behandlungen mit Chlormequat (500, 1000 oder 2000 g Aktivsubstanz pro Hektar) 7 Wochen nach dem Auspflanzen führte zu früherer Knollenbildung und, bei den zwei niedrigeren Dosierungen, zu h?heren Ertr?gen (Abb. 6 und 7). Diese dürften mit der gr?sseren Aktivit?t der Amylase in den Bl?ttern (Abb. 1 und 3) korreliert sein; das Fehlen den Ertragszunahme bei der st?rksten Dosierung is vielleicht auf zeitweilige Blattnekrosen zurück zuführen. Die Aktivit?t der Invertase war vergleichsweise wenig beeinflusst durch die Behandlung.

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Résumé Des essais en champ ont été effectués sur la variété Alpha pour étudier la relation de l'accumulation de matière sèche, de la tubérisation et de la teneur en hydrates de carbone totale dans les différents organes de la plante, avec les activity tés de l'amylase et de l'invertase au cours des différentes saisons de croissance en Egypte (hiver, plantation en octobre; été, plantation en mars) Les deux enzymes atteignent des niveaux d'activité plus élevés en hiver, comme le révèle l'examen des valeurs illustrées dans les figures 1, 2 et 3, et le phénomène est en liaison avec une teneur en hydrates de carbone généralement quelque peu plus basse dans les feuilles (comparer les fig. 4 et 5). La production de matière sèche dans les tubercules est plus haute en hiver (fig. 6 et 7). L'hypothèse est émise que l'activité hydrolitique plus élevée peut par conséquence être due en hiver à la mobilisation des hydrates de carbone des feuilles pour leur transport vers le sink physiologique. Dans des conditions de tubérisation plus précoce et d'une production plus abondante de matière sèche, on trouve des activités plus élevées de l'amylase et de l'invertase. Des traitements au chlormequat (500, 1000 ou 2000 g de substance active par ha) 7 semaines après la plantation provoquent une tubérisation plus précoce et, avec deux doses les moins élevées, des productions plus élevées (fig. 6 et 7). Ces faits pourraient être en corrélation avec des activités plus élevées de l'amylase dans les feuilles (fig. 1 et 5), le manque d'accroissement de la production avec la dose la plus élevée étant peut-être d? à une nécrose temporaire de la feuille. L'activité de l'invertase est comparativement plus influencée par le traitement.

     

Biological control of the tick fowl Argas persicargas persicus by the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae

The pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the tick fowl Argas persicargas persicus was studied. Bioassays revealed significant differences between the two fungi and the A. persicargas persicus stages exposed. The first nymphal instar was more highly susceptible to both fungi than the second nymphal instar. The unfed female of A. persicargas persicus was significantly less susceptible to both fungi than the engorged female. Application of M. anisopliae to sackcloth naturally infested with the tick fowl A. persicargas persicus induced mortality which reached 100?% three weeks after treatment under field conditions. The present study suggests that entomopathogenic fungi have good potential for tick fowl, A. persicargas persicus, control.     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schinus molle</Emphasis> wood branch growing in Egypt

In the present work, for the first time, the chemical components of essential oils (EOs) and extracts from wood branch (WB) resulted from the tree pruning wastes of Schinus molle L. grown in Egypt were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. EOs, methanol (ME), dichloromethane (DCME) and water (WE) extracts as antioxidant and antibacterial activities were measured. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as analysis of extracts by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were reported. The major components in EOs were α-elemol, β-pinene, and α-phellandrene, in ME were 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-cyano-4-(N-benzylpiperazino)-2H-pyran-2-one, and 2-naphthalene methanol, decahydro-α,α,4a-trimethyl-8-methylene, in DCME were 12-methyl-E,E-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol, and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dioctyl ester, and in WE were β-eudesmol, and (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester. The highest total antioxidant activity was found with EOs (90 ± 1.23 %) and WE (86.30 ± 1.40 %). The lowest IC₅₀ values of 13.11 ± 3.00, and 12.66 ± 2.15 μg/mL were found with WE and EOs, respectively. EOs and WE were observed to have good antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Sarcina lutea, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Micrococcus luteus. In conclusion, the Schinus molle L. WB EOs and extracts might, indeed, be used as a potential source for pharmaceutical or food industries.     

Beziehungen zwischen Fruchtwechselfolgen einerseits und dem Auftreten der Tomaten-Umfallkrankheit und der Zwiebelwelke sowie den Populationen ihrer Pathogene und des Antagonisten Bacillus subtilis im Boden andererseits

Crop rotation showed a pronounced effect on incidence of tomato damping-off and onion (Fusarium) basal rot as well as on the soil population of the two disease incitants. Out of nine rotation systems, wheat/sorghum and wheat/maize preceding tomato diminished damping-off while clover/maize, lentil/sorghum, wheat/sorghum and wheat/maize preceding tomato diminished damping-off while clover/maize, lentil/sorghum, wheat/sorghum and wheat/maize preceding onions increased basal rot incidence. First crops of the rotation system as well as the second crop were of noticeable effect onRhizoctonia solani andFusarium oxysporum f. sp.cepae as onBacillus subtilis (antagonistic to both fungi) population in soil. Almost all rotations increased population ofF. oxysporum f. sp.cepae andB. subtilis in soil while response ofR. solani was variable. The results show thatBac. subtilis did not correlate with tomato damping-off or onion basal rot. There must be some other factors found in the soil that play a role in effect of crop rotation on disease incidence.     

Rosmarinic acid content and RAPD analysis of in vitro regenerated basil (Ocimum americanum) plants

Various in vitro cultures were established from shoot tips of Ocimum americanum seedlings. Rosmarinic acid content of the in vitro produced plants as well as parent plant were determined by HPLC analysis and subjected to RAPD analysis. MS medium with BA at a concentration of 1 mg/l and 0.25 mg/l IAA supports maximum rosmarinic acid production in plants produced from cultures grown on that medium. RAPD analysis revealed 64 scorable bands from four primers, including six polymorphic bands. The band pattern revealed differences between the parent plant and the in vitro regenerated plants. Certain band changes were found in O. americanum plants regenerated in vitro, suggesting the existence of genetic variation that might affect the biochemical synthesis of plants derived from tissue culture.     

RNAi-mediated knockdown of INHBB increases apoptosis and inhibits steroidogenesis in mouse granulosa cells

Inhibins are members of the TGFβ superfamily and act as suppressors of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from pituitary glands via a negative feedback mechanism to regulate folliculogenesis. In this study, the INHBB gene was knocked down by three RNAi-Ready pSIREN-RetroQ-ZsGreen vector- mediated recombinant plasmids to explore the effects of INHBB silencing on granulosa cell (GC) cell cycle, apoptosis and steroid production in vitro. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, flow cytometry and ELISA were performed to evaluate the role of INHBB in the mouse GC cell cycle, apoptosis and steroid production in vitro. The results showed that the relative mRNA and protein expression of INHBB in mouse GCs can be significantly reduced by RNAi with pshRNA-B1, pshRNA-B2 and pshRNA-B3 plasmids, with pshRNA-B3 having the best knockdown efficiency. Downregulation of the expression of INHBB significantly arrests cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and increases the apoptosis rate in GCs. This was further confirmed by downregulation of the protein expressions of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E and Bcl2, while the protein expression of Bax was upregulated. In addition, specific downregulation of INHBB markedly decreased the concentration of estradiol and progesterone, which was further validated by the decrease in the mRNA levels of CYP19A1and CYP11A1. These findings suggest that inhibin βB is important in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle progression in granulosa cells. Furthermore, the inhibin βB subunit has a role in the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis. Evidence is accumulating to support the concept that inhibin βB is physiologically essential for early folliculogenesis in the mouse.