Yield and Zinc,Copper, Manganese and Iron Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown on Vertisol as Influenced by Zinc Application from Various Zinc Fertilizers

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils and field crops is widespread across the world, including India, resulting in severe reduction in yield. Hence, soil application of Zn fertilizers is recommended for ameliorating Zn deficiency in soil and for obtaining higher crop yield and better crop quality. Zinc sulfate is commonly used Zn fertilizer in India because of its solubility and less cost. However, good quality and adequate quantity of zinc sulfate is not available in the market round the year for farmers' use. Field experiments were therefore conducted during rainy season of 2010 and 2011 at research farm of Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, India to assess the influence of Zn application through zinc sulfate monohydrate (33% Zn), zinc polyphosphate (21% Zn) and Zn ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) (12% Zn) on yield and micronutrient concentration and uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). In both the years, grain and vegetative tissue (stover) yield of maize increased significantly with successive application of Zn up to 1 kg ha^?1 added through zinc sulfate monohydrate and zinc polyphosphate. Addition of 2.5 kg Zn ha^?1 did not increase yield further but resulted in highest stover Zn concentration. Zinc, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) concentration in maize grain varied from 22.2 to 27.6, 1.6 to 2.5, 3.5 to 4.7 and 19.9 to 24.5 mg kg^?1 respectively in both the years. Maize stover had 25.9 to 36.2, 7.9 to 9.8, 36.7 to 44.9 and 174 to 212 mg kg^?1 Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe, respectively. Zinc application did not influence Cu, Mn and Fe concentration in both grain and stover of maize. Transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients varied from 0.72 to 0.95, 0.18 to 0.30, 0.08 to 0.13 and 0.10 to 0.15 for Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe respectively. Total Zn uptake significantly increased with Zn application from 0.5 to 2.5 kg ha^?1 supplied through zinc sulfate monohydrate and zinc polyphosphate. Recovery efficiency of Zn declined with increased Zn rates.     

Evaluation of dipstick-ELISA using 28 kDa Fasciola gigantica cathepsin l cysteine proteinase (FgCL3) for serodiagnosis of fasciolosis in naturally infected goats

In the present investigation 100 goats presented for slaughter were used to evaluate the 28kDa cathepsin l cysteine proteinase (FgCL3) dipstick-ELISA for the diagnosis of fasciolosis. Presence of Fasciola gigantica worms in liver at the time of slaughter was taken as a gold standard for the evaluation of the assay. Faeces, blood and liver were taken from all slaughtered goats. Biochemical parameters and coprological examinations using sedimentation technique were also taken into consideration. Total serum proteins, albumin, mean values of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase of positive group were not significantly different from those of the negative group. The diagnostic sensitivity of dipstick-ELISA was higher than coprological detection of fluke eggs. However, specificity was equal for both the tests. The accuracy of dipstick-ELISA in detecting circulatory antibodies during the course of disease was higher than coproscopic examination. In conclusion, the FgCL3 antigen dependent dipstick-ELISA was more reliable and has better scope for field application in the endemic areas.     

Some furfural derivatives as nitrification inhibitors

Three series of furfural derivatives, namely N-O-furfural oxime ethers, furfural Schiff bases (furfurylidene anilines), and furfural chalcones, have been synthesized and evaluated for nitrification inhibition activity in laboratory incubation studies in typic Ustocrept soil. Furfural oxime ethers and furfural Schiff bases showed potential activity, but furfural chalcones were only mildly active. N-O-ethyl furfural oxime among the oxime ethers, and furfurylidine-4-chloroaniline among the furfural Schiff bases, performed the best. These two compounds showed more than 50% nitrification inhibition on the 45th day at 5% dose as compared to 73% inhibition by nitrapyrin. Activity of furfural oxime ethers decreased with an increase in carbon atoms in the N-O-alkyl side chain. Introduction of a chlorine atom in the phenyl ring of furfurylidene anilines increased the persistence of their activity. N-O-Ethyl furfural oxime and furfurylidine-4-chloroaniline coated urea performed at par with their application in solution form. Ethyl and N-O-isopropyl oxime, as well as chloro- and nitro- substituted Schiff bases, did not reveal any phytotoxicity (adverse effect on germination) on chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum) even at the highest dose (40 ppm, soil basis).     

Identification and pathogenicity of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot and blight disease of Ailanthus excelsa in India

Alternaria leaf spot of Ailanthus excelsa is generally considered as minor disease in India. Recently, severe disease outbreaks were recorded in the nursery of the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, progeny trial at Jhumpa, Haryana, and in a nearby farm field. Leaf symptoms included small circular, brown, necrotic spots with a chlorotic halo. With severe infections, leaf spots coalesced and resulted in leaf blight. A small‐spored Alternaria with concatenated conidia was isolated consistently from the leaf samples with spot symptoms. Sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (tef‐1α) gene region of two fungal isolates confirmed the species as A. alternata. In detached leaf assays, both isolates produced symptoms similar to those observed on the nursery/field‐grown plants. To validate the detached leaf assay result, pathogenicity was also demonstrated on whole plants in a glasshouse. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolating A. alternata from the inoculated leaves. This work is the first to confirm that A. alternata is associated with leaf spot and blight disease of A. excelsa in India.     

Pre-harvest Curing: Effects on Skin Adhesion,Chemical Composition and Shelf-life of Sweetpotato Roots under Tropical Conditions

Excoriation (skinning injury) is a serious post-harvest problem for sweetpotato roots. In industrialized countries, sweetpotatoes are exposed to post-harvest curing to facilitate skin toughening and wound healing. However, in developing regions, such a practice is barely undertaken. Pre-harvest curing (PHC), where sweetpotatoes are subjected to defoliation before harvest, is a potential alternative to post-harvest curing. A field trial was conducted in southern Ethiopia. Roots underwent PHC treatment for 3, 7, 10, and 14 days, with 0 days as a control sample. Skin adhesion and chemical composition (ash, crude fibre, crude protein, dry matter, and starch) of the parenchyma and the periderm were measured. Storage testing at ambient conditions for 30 days was conducted.

Skin adhesion among all the treatments was significantly increased. The maximum skin adhesion was observed after 14 days (358.92 mN.m); however after 7 days of PHC, no significant change occurred. Root dry matter and ash content remained unaffected by the treatments. An increase in periderm crude fibre was observed for treatment samples, indicating lignification. Parenchyma crude protein concentration demonstrated a sudden drop in value from the control to 3 days of PHC (5.19 to 2.32%). For successive durations, crude protein started to increase from 3 days, demonstrating an active protein metabolism. Starch, the most important constituent affecting palatability and processing of sweetpotato, was not affected by PHC. Roots subjected to PHC for 10 and 14 days presented a potential for enhancing shelf life by having a significantly lower weight loss after 30 days of storage.     

Molecular and morphophysiological characterization of superior cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) varieties

Cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) belongs to tribe Indigoferae of family Leguminosae. India is the world-leader for cluster bean production as it contributes 80% shares of its total production. Cluster bean (guar) is a cash crop for its application in textile, paper, petroleum, mining, pharmaceuticals, explosives, and food industries. Owing to its immense wealth of variable morphophysiological and industrial qualities there is a strong need for appropriate addressing and well documentation of the germplasm. Efforts are to be made to organize research programs on germplasm characterization, utilization, and molecular characterization. Superior cluster bean varieties were selected on the basis of morphophysiological characters and subjected to DNA-based molecular marker analysis. Eighteen of the best genotypes were chosen for DNA extraction, optimization of PCR conditions, and genetic diversity studies using 37 random primers. A total of 381 random amplification fragments were obtained; number of amplifications ranging from 4 to 22 with an average of 10.29 amplified fragments per primer. Evaluation of RAPD data reveals a magnificent range (0.34–0.76) of genotypic similarity coefficients. The UPGMA dendrogram was constructed based on similarity indices which illustrated discrete clustering of different genotypes into groups. Results recorded a positive correlation amongst varieties vis-à-vis cluster analysis generated by NTSYSpc and morphophysiological characteristics. The degree and distribution of genetic diversity in cluster bean would facilitate an evolutionary relationship between numerous accessions that eventually catalogues genetic resources in a more concerted fashion.     

Field efficacy of azadirachtin-A, tetrahydroazadirachtin-A, NeemAzal and endosulfan against key pests of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

BACKGROUND Unlike synthetic pesticides, azadirachtin-based neem pesticides are environmentally friendly and are well known for their diverse pest control properties. Their use is, however, limited by the instability of azadirachtin, necessitating application at short intervals. The efficacy of relatively stable tetrahydroazadirachtin-A, therefore, needed to be established under field conditions. RESULTS: Azadirachtin-A (Aza-A), its stable derivative tetrahydroazadirachtin-A (THA) and other neem pesticides have been evaluated for their field efficacy against major insect pests of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench., during summer (kharif) 2003 and 2004. The optimum doses of Aza-A and THA against the fruit borer, Earias vittella F., were also established. Reductions in population of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), and leafhopper (jassid), Amrasca biguttulla biguttulla Ishida, after application of THA or endosulfan was evident up to 10 days after treatment (DAT), whereas with Aza-A and NeemAzal (NZ) the effect was observed up to 7 DAT only. Endosulfan and THA also caused higher reduction in the larvae of shoot and fruit borer E. vittella and E. insulana Boisd., and recorded the highest yields of 4600 and 4180 kg ha(-1). The efficacy of THA (0.05 g L(-1) emulsion) was comparable with that of 0.5 g L(-1) endosulfan emulsion in reducing fruit borer infestation, the reduction over the control being 86.0 and 87.3%, 84.9 and 94.1% and 90.2 and 92.6% at first, second and third picking. THA 0.02 g L(-1) and Aza-A 0.05 g L(-1) were on a par. Laboratory-made neem oil emulsifiable concentrate was the least effective, but was superior to untreated check. CONCLUSION: Three consecutive sprays of THA, a neem-based biopesticide, and endosulfan have been found to be superior in controlling field pests of okra to Aza-A and NZ, which were on a par. THA thus holds potential as a component of pest management strategies against okra pests.     

Nutritional and biological evaluation of tobacco leaf protein concentrate

A tobacco leaf protein concentrate (TLPC) from bidi tobacco leaves was prepared by a heat coagulation method which contained 52% protein and was free from nicotine and polyphenols. When TLPC was fed to weanling wistar albino rats to supplement 25% of the dietary protein, the growth of the animals was found to be comparable to control animals. Reproductive performance of male and female rats fed the TLPC supplemented diet was normal and no histopathological changes were seen in their tissues.