Effect of Processing on Color,Rheology and Bioactive Compounds of Different Sweet Pepper Purees

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Sweet pepper purees (red, yellow and green) were examined for FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), chemical, bioactive, color and rheological...     

Modification of Leaf Photosynthesis by Foliar Application of Aliphatic Alcohols

A decrease in net photosynthesis (P_n) in leaves of main shoot with age ( 7 -28 days after opening) at two stages of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L. var. M-13 ) reproductive growth (70 and 90 DAS) is reported. P_n rate decreased with advance in age of leaves, the decline was rapid during peak period of pod filling (90 DAS). Foliar application with aliphatic alcohols, maintained the chlorophyll content and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity. The present studies suggest that aliphatic alcohols enhance functional capabilities of leaf for a larger duration and hence maintain the supply of photoassimilates to the developing kernels of peanut leading to increased yield.     

Association of a novel DNA virus with the grapevine vein-clearing and vine decline syndrome

A severe vein-clearing and vine decline syndrome has emerged on grapevines (Vitis vinifera) and hybrid grape cultivars in the Midwest region of the United States. The typical symptoms are translucent vein-clearing on young leaves, short internodes and decline of vine vigor. Known viral pathogens of grapevines were not closely associated with the syndrome. To obtain a comprehensive profile of viruses in a diseased grapevine, small RNAs were enriched and two cDNA libraries were constructed from a symptomatic grapevine and a symptomless grapevine, respectively. Deep sequencing of the two cDNA libraries showed that the most abundant viral small RNAs align with the genomes of viruses in the genus Badnavirus, the family Caulimoviridae. Amplification of the viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction allowed the assembly of the whole genome sequence of a grapevine DNA virus, which shared the highest homology with the Badnavirus sequences. This is the first report of a DNA virus in grapevines. The new DNA virus is closely associated with the vein-clearing symptom, and thus has been given a provisional name Grapevine vein clearing virus (GVCV). GVCV was detected in six grapevine cultivars showing vein-clearing and vine decline syndrome in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, suggesting its wide distribution in the Midwest region of the United States. Discovery of DNA viruses in grapevines merits further studies on their epidemics and economic impact on grape production worldwide.     

Effects of substrate hydroponic systems and different N and K ratios on yield and quality of tomato fruit

The present study was carried out to determine the influence of wick and drip substrate hydroponic systems and different ratios of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in the nutrient solution on fruit yield and quality (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total soluble sugars, firmness, lycopene, carotenoids) in tomato. Summer and winter tomato crop was raised under two substrate hydroponic systems. Four nutrient solutions (N:K ratios in four combinations) were tested in both the growing seasons at vegetative and reproductive stages of plant development. Among the different nutrient solutions, the solution containing N and K in the ratio of 1.4:3 at vegetative and 1.7:3.5 at reproductive stage increased the total fruit yield and quality of tomato irrespective of hydroponic system or season. Among the hydroponic systems, wick system produced higher fruit yield and better quality in terms of firmness, ascorbic acid, and total soluble sugars in winter crop.     

Copper status and enzyme, hormone, vitamin and immune function in heifers

A survey was conducted in 10 districts of Northern India to record the copper deficiency in soil, fodder and serum samples. Significant deficiency of copper was observed in soil, fodder and serum samples of heifers. The copper deficient animals were listless, showed depigmentation of skin, stiff gait and were anaemic and diahorric. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the magnitude of copper deficiency in Northern India and to examine the various haematobiochemicals, enzymes, vitamin and immune function which are affected by the deficiency of copper, so as to identify the parameters which can be of diagnostic importance in copper deficiency. Forty hypocuperemic heifers were selected from these areas and were randomly divided into two groups A and B. The heifers in group A were provided with mineral mixture containing copper sulphate and in group B without copper sulphate. Significant improvement (P<0.01) was observed in the haemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte count (TLC) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) level at the 30th day of treatment in the animals of group A. Significant (P<0.01) improvement in serum. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) level was observed within 30 days of treatment, while significant (P<0.01) improvement in monoamine oxidase and liver cytochrome oxidase was observed at the 60th day of treatment in group A animals. Regarding hormones significant improvement was observed in T(3) and T(4), in the animals of group A within 60 days of treatment. The values of vitamin A and E showed significant (P<0.01) improvement within 30th days of treatment. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils against Candida albicans significantly (P<0.01) improved in group A within 60 days of treatment. Similarly significant improvement in superoxide dismutase activity in RBC was observed at the 30th day, and WBC and whole blood at 60th day in group A animals. Significant improvement in liver Cu level was observed at the 30th day of treatment, while in group B the liver Cu was significantly (P<0.01) depleted at the 60th day of experimentation. Additional Cu supplementation improved growth performance significantly in group A.     

Water Stress-induced Injury to Reproductive Phase in Chickpea: Evaluation of Stress Sensitivity in Wild and Cultivated Species in Relation to Abscisic Acid and Polyamines

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is more sensitive to water stress during its reproductive growth and consequently experiences substantial yield loss. Wild species being relatively tolerant to abiotic stresses offer a potential gene source for incorporation of drought tolerance in cultivated species. In the present study, the differential stress sensitivity of wild (Cicer reticulatum Ladiz.) and cultivated species (C. arietinum) was evaluated by subjecting the plants of both the species to water stress for 14 days during the reproductive phase and examined for stress injury, endogenous status of polyamines (PA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Comparatively, the cultivated species experienced higher stress injury (assessed as electrolyte leakage, 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction ability, chlorophyll loss) as well as decreased leaf water potential (Ψ_w; ?2.48 MPa) than the wild species (?1.98 MPa). The stressed plants of cultivated species lost more number of flowers (62 %) and pods (65 %) when compared with the unstressed ones while those of wild species showed 30 % and 44 % loss, respectively. The number of infertile pods was significantly more in stressed plants of cultivated species than in those of wild species. The endogenous status of PA revealed that putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) levels accumulated to a higher extent in the cultivated species relative to the wild species until the eighth day of stress, and thereafter, the wild species had significantly higher levels of PA. In contrast, ABA levels increased to a higher extent in the wild species until the eighth day of stress and declined subsequently to a greater degree than the cultivated species. The injury to reproductive growth appeared to accentuate with reduction in leaf Ψ_w that was coupled with depletion of PA in both the species, especially in the cultivated one. Exogenous application of 10 mm PUT partially alleviated the damage to reproductive growth by increasing the leaf water status and chlorophyll content while decreasing the ABA content, which resulted in improvement of retention of flowers and pods, particularly in the cultivated species.