Genetic variation among populations of wild safflower, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus oxyacanthus</Emphasis> analyzed by agro-morphological traits and ISSR markers

Wild species of safflower, Carthamus oxyacanthus Bieb., is highly crossable with cultivated species, C. tinctorius L. and could be directly exploited in broadening safflower gene pool and improving the crop for biotic and abiotic stress environments. In this study, genetic diversity among accessions of C. oxyacanthus and their relationships with cultivated safflower were evaluated using agro-morphological traits and polymorphic inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. Significant variation was observed among accessions particularly for seeds per capitulum, seed yield per plant, harvest index and capitula per plant. Cluster analysis based on agro-morphological traits classified the wild accessions in two groups according to their geographical regions, and separated them from the cultivated genotypes. ISSR marker also revealed a high genetic variation among the accessions, and cluster analysis based on this marker divided genotypes into four groups, with cultivated ones in a separate clade. Genetic variation observed among the wild safflower germplasm at the DNA level was higher than the agro-morphological traits, indicating that ISSR is an effective marker system for detecting diversity among safflower genotypes and their genetic relationships. Accessions of C. oxyacanthus with high genetic relationship to cultivated species could be used for interspecific hybridization in breeding programs of safflower.     

Thermal,swelling and stability kinetics of chitosan based semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels

The present study is focused on studying the swelling kinetics, thermal and aqueous stabilities, and determination of various forms of water in the chitosan (CS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend and semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN). CS/PAN blend hydrogel films were prepared by solution casting technique. The blend film with optimum swelling properties was selected for the synthesis of sIPN. CS in the blend was crosslinked with the vapors of Glutaraldehyde (GTA) to prepare sIPN. The fabricated CS/PAN blend and sIPN hydrogels films were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The kinetics of swelling, bound and unbound waters and aqueous stability were determined experimentally. FESEM showed good miscibility between CS and PAN, FTIR showed no chemical interaction between CS and PAN; however, it did show a doublet for the sIPN, TGA showed improved thermal stability and swelling kinetic followed second order kinetics. The degree of swelling of the sIPN hydrogels samples at room temperature varied from ~2200 % (with a fair degree of stability (~30 %)) to ~1000 % (with high degree of aqueous stability (43 %)) with increase in the crosslinking time. The calculated unbound water (W_UB) max., for the blend was 52.3 % whereas for the bound (W_B) the max., was 41.9 %. However, for sIPN hydrogel films, the W_UB water decreased (max. 21.0 %) where as the W_B increased (max. 52.0 %). The decrease in W_UB and increase in the W_B is attributed to the formation of a compact structure and increase in the contact area between the water and polymers in sIPN hydrogels due to the induction of new water contacting point in these hydrogel films, respectively.     

Isolation and partial characterization of excretory/secretory antigens of Gastrothylax crumenifer

The present study was carried out to identify the excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens of the rumen infecting digenetic trematode Gastrothylax crumenifer that may be useful for the immunodiagnosis of rumen amphistomosis particularly during the pre-monsoon season during which this rumen parasite stops shedding eggs. The in vitro released E/S proteins were purified on a Sephadex G-200 column. The gel filtration profile revealed three distinct fractions F1-F3 where F1 and F3 appeared as sharp peaks while the F2 fraction was dispersed. The antibody titre against each of the purified E/S fractions was determined by ELISA using anti-whole E/S polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbit. Among the three fractions, the antibody titre against F1 was highest (1:12,800) whereas IgG titre was very low (1:50) for fraction F2 and F3 (1:100). Of the total polypeptides resolved on gradient SDS-PAGE, only a few antigenic polypeptides were detected in each fraction with hyperimmune anti-serum as revealed by Western Blot analysis. However, a 33 kDa antigen detected in each fraction appeared to be immunodominant which could be exploited for the diagnosis of the pouched amphistome.     

Evaluation of bermuda and paspalum grass types for urban landscapes under saline water irrigation

In the arid regions, turfgrass cover is an integral part of landscape to protect the soil from erosion, enhance the aesthetic value, and improve the microclimate. The salinity and the scarcity of fresh water of the arid region are the major challenging factors in turfgrass production. Therefore, the need for salt tolerant turfgrass with functional quality is necessary to improve the turf performance. The detrimental effects of salinity include growth suppression, and lowered osmotic potential ultimately leading to firing of the leaf blades. In this context, the study was undertaken to determine the relative salt tolerance and growth response of turfgrass genotypes in order to recommend turfgrass cultivars that can tolerate high salinity irrigation and maintain excellent visual and functional qualities under United Arab Emirates (UAE) condition. The paspalum cultivars maintained the highest succulence percentage compared to the bermudagrass cultivars under enhanced salinity levels. The shoots count, fresh weight (FW), and dry weight (DW) were found highest in paspalum types. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and the total chlorophyll content was found higher in bermuda grass types under high salinity levels. The bermudagrass cultivars showed significantly higher carotenoids, anthocyanins and proline compared to the paspalum types under salt stress condition. In the case of princess 77 and Yukon, an inherently high amount of proline was recorded which confirmed an increase up to 10,000 ppm and drastically declined beyond this concentration. Sea Dwarf paspalum and Sea Isle 2000 maintained uniformity in the proline level at all levels of salinity without significant variation. These findings point to the fact that both paspalum and bermuda types exhibited varied responses to different physiological and biochemical parameters under the saline conditions. Paspalum types have an edge over the bermudagrass in terms of shoot density, which is a potential factor in determining the high-quality turfs. Bermudagrass types can be applied in lower salinity conditions based on the responses as evidenced from the present results.     

Soil C and N dynamics and maize (Zea may L.) yield as affected by cropping systems and residue management in North-western Pakistan

This paper presents the results of irrigated rotation experiment, conducted in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan, during 1999–2002 to evaluate effects of residues retention, fertilizer N and legumes in crop rotation on yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and soil organic fertility. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were grown in the winters and mungbean (Vigna radiata) and maize in the summers. Immediately after grain harvest, above-ground residues of all crops were either completely removed (−residue), or spread across the plots and incorporated by chisel plough by disc harrow and rotavator (+residue). Fertlizer N rates were nil or 120 kg ha⁻¹ for wheat and nil or 160 kg ha⁻¹ for maize. Our results indicated that post-harvest incorporation of crop residues significantly (p < 0.05) increased the grain and stover yields of maize during both 2000 and 2001. On average, grain yield was increased by 23.7% and stover yield by 26.7% due to residue incorporation. Residue retention also enhanced N uptake by 28.3% in grain and 45.1% in stover of maize. The soil N fertility was improved by 29.2% due to residue retention. The maize grain and stover yields also responded significantly to the previous legume (chickpea) compared with the previous cereal (wheat) treatment. The legume treatment boosted grain yield of maize by 112% and stover yield by 133% with 64.4% increase in soil N fertility. Similarly, fertilizer N applied to previous wheat showed considerable carry over effect on grain (8.9%) and stover (40.7%) yields of the following maize. Application of fertilizer N to current maize substantially increased grain yield of maize by 110%, stover yield by 167% and soil N fertility by 9.8% over the nil N fertilizer treatment. We concluded from these experiments that returning of crop residues, application of fertilizer N and involvement of legumes in crop rotation greatly improves the N economy of the cropping systems and enhances crop productivity through additional N and other benefits in low N soils. The farmers who traditionally remove residues for fodder and fuel will require demonstration of the relative benefits of residues return to soil for sustainable crop productivity.     

High prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of mecA Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cattle,sheep, and goat bulk tank milk in Jordan

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of mecA and mecC methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in...     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Senecio lorenthii.

The isolation and NMR spectra of otosenine (1) and seneciphylline (2) from Senecio lorenthii are reported.     

孟加拉涝原地区村林居住的宗教社团偏爱的乔木和灌木树种及使用的造林材料研究

2002年1月至6月对孟加拉涝原地区两个不同的宗教部落(印度教和穆斯林教)的传统家园森林进行了探索性研究，包括印度教和穆斯林教社团对树种(乔木和灌木)的偏爱度、类似性、造林材料及来源、植树地点和间距。研究发现Mangifera indica作为乔木树种，Ocimum sanctum作为灌木树种为印度教社团最喜爱的树种；Artocarpus heterophyllus和Lawsonia inermis分别为穆斯林社团最喜爱乔木树种和灌木树种。两中不同宗教社团选择乔木数种的相同性为86．57％，灌木树种为78．48％。两个宗教部落使用种子和苗木作为造林材料最多。乔木树种的造林材料主要来自家园(39％)灌木树种主要来自自然界(40％)。表3参27。     

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic constituents from the seeds of Annona squamosa

Annotemoyin-1, Annotemoyin-2, squamocin and cholesteryl glucopyranoside were isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa. These compounds and plant extracts showed remarkable antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.     

People’s attitude and use of forestland: Co-evolution of forest administration in Bangladesh

This paper explores the influence over time of past policies on people’s attitudes towards the use of forestland in Bangladesh. The discourses of the attitudes of people were captured from the observed social tradition towards forest resources. Forests were reserved systematically and solely through the Forest Department. The conservation processes were not participatory, and rights and tenure were strictly controlled. People were socially excluded and alienated from the forest, and the socio-political factors stimulated negative attitudes among people. Forests were considered to be government property, and therefore managing forests was the responsibility of the government. People only used forest resources to meet their own requirements, either with formal permission or illegally. This situation continued even after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. As a result, the forests of Bangladesh have been degraded heavily in recent decades.