Protein and starch digestibilities and mineral availability of products developed from potato,soy and corn flour

A technique for development of potato flour was standardized. Five products viz. cake, biscuit, weaning food, panjiri and ladoo were prepared incorporating potato flour, defatted soy flour and corn flour. Baking and roasting were the major processing techniques employed for the development of these products. Protein, ash and fat contents of potato flour were almost similar to those of raw potatoes. Significant differences in protein, ash and fat contents of all the products were observed. Protein and starch digestibility of potato flour was significantly higher than that of raw potatoes. Protein digestibility increased by 12 to 17 percent on baking or roasting of products. Processed products had significantly higher starch digestibility and mineral availability compared to raw products. Thus, it can be concluded that roasting and baking are effective means of improving starch and protein digestibility and mineral availability of products.     

Exemplifying rhizobacteria for growth stimulation and disease suppression in finger millet

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Of 111 rhizobacteria isolated from finger millet, 30 isolates exhibiting antagonism against Pyricularia grisea (22.22–44.44%) and Rhizoctonia solani...     

Genetic diversity assessment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gymnema sylvestre</Emphasis> (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm. populations from Western Ghats of Maharashtra,India

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm., a rich source with gymnemic acid, has been used to treat diabetes since past 2000 years. In the current investigation, nomenclature, geographical distribution as well as morphological and genetic diversity of 22 G. sylvestre populations spread across of Western Ghats of Maharashtra has been reported. The genetic variability has been assessed using RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. The populations recorded high level of gene differentiation (G_ST = 0.41 based on ISSR) and gene flow (Nm = 0.92 based on RAPD). The high level of gene differentiation among the populations attributed to entomophilous pollination, wind seed dispersal, out crossing and anthropogenic activities.     

Assessment of Brown Planthopper, (Nilaparvata lugens) [Stål], damage in rice using hyperspectral remote sensing

Hyperspectral remote sensing was used to detect stress on potted rice plants caused by the Brown Planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). BPH damage influenced reflectance of rice plants compared to uninfested plants in the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Correlations between plant reflectance and BPH damage, when plotted against wavelengths, enabled us to identify four sensitive wavelengths, at 1986, 665, 1792 and 500 nm, in relation to BPH stress on rice plants. Based on rice plant reflectance corresponding to the sensitive wavelengths, three hyperspectral indices were developed. The BPH damage showed a positive association with normalized pigment chlorophyll index, and a negative relationship with normalized difference vegetation index and soil adjusted vegetation index. Using rice plant reflectance corresponding to the sensitive wavelengths, a multiple-linear regression model was developed and validated, which would facilitate assessment of BPH damage based on rice plant reflectance, thereby ensuring prompt forewarning to stakeholders.     

Mild to prolonged stress increased rice tillering and source-to-sink nutrient translocation under SRI management

System of rice intensification (SRI) is a water-saving agro-technique being popularized in Southern Asia including India. A particular key practice in SRI, reduced water application (no continuous flooding), needs to be more farmer-friendly for its mass adoption under traditional and non-traditional cultivation. A field experiment was conducted maintaining different water regimes throughout the crop season (vegetative as well as reproductive stages) by scheduling irrigation applications at 1, 3, or 5 days after disappearance of ponded water (DADPW), using two different plant spacings and two different varieties. With an increase in the period of water stress, tiller production was increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) and found to be maximum under prolonged stress, i.e., 5 days after disappearance of ponded water (5 DADPW). Increased tiller production did not result in yield increments, but yield-contributing parameters (panicle weight, grain weight per panicle, filled grain percentage, and test weight) were confirmed as critical determinants of yield. Plant nutrient (NPK) uptake was reduced under stress conditions, but the translocation of phosphorus and potassium from sources to sink was increased significantly in this study. Nutrient utilization efficiency was also enhanced under mild (3 DADPW) to prolonged (5 DADPW) water stress conditions. No significant reduction in yield was recorded under mild water stress, and this resulted in increased water productivity; however, significant yield loss was observed under prolonged water stress (5 DADPW).     

Data standardization implementation and applications within and among diagnostic laboratories: integrating and monitoring enteric coronaviruses

Every day, thousands of samples from diverse populations of animals are submitted to veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) for testing. Each VDL has its own laboratory information management system (LIMS), with processes and procedures to capture submission information, perform laboratory tests, define the boundaries of test results (i.e., positive or negative), and report results, in addition to internal business and accounting applications. Enormous quantities of data are accumulated and stored within VDL LIMSs. There is a need for platforms that allow VDLs to exchange and share portions of laboratory data using standardized, reliable, and sustainable information technology processes. Here we report concepts and applications for standardization and aggregation of data from swine submissions to multiple VDLs to detect and monitor porcine enteric coronaviruses by RT-PCR. Oral fluids, feces, and fecal swabs were the specimens submitted most frequently for enteric coronavirus testing. Statistical algorithms were used successfully to scan and monitor the overall and state-specific percentage of positive submissions. Major findings revealed a consistently recurrent seasonal pattern, with the highest percentage of positive submissions detected during December–February for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, porcine deltacoronavirus, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). After 2014, very few submissions tested positive for TGEV. Monitoring VDL data proactively has the potential to signal and alert stakeholders early of significant changes from expected detection. We demonstrate the importance of, and applications for, data organized and aggregated by using LOINC and SNOMED CTs, as well as the use of customized messaging to allow inter-VDL exchange of information.     

Assessment of the efficacy of various mulch materials on improving the growth and yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale) under bamboo-based agroforestry system in NW-Himalaya

Agroforestry Systems - Agroforestry as a smart agriculture practice has started to get global attention nowadays. The present investigation is based on bamboo-ginger intercropping research carried...     

Potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria-plant interactions in mitigating salt stress for sustainable agriculture: A review

Soil salinization affecting different crops is one of the serious threats to global food security.Soil salinity affects 20%and 33%of the total cultivated and irrigated agricultural lands,respectively,and has been reported to caused a global crop production loss of 27.3 billion USD.The conventional approaches,such as using salt-tolerant varieties,saline soil scrapping,flushing,leaching,and adding supplements (e.g.,gypsum and lime),often fail to alleviate stress.In this context,developing diverse arrays of microbes enhancing crop productivity under saline soil conditions without harming soil health is necessary.Various advanced omics approaches have enabled gaining new insights into the structure and metabolic functions of plant-associated beneficial microbes.Various genera of salt-tolerating rhizobacteria ameliorating biotic and abiotic stresses have been isolated from different legumes,cereals,vegetables,and oil seeds under extreme alkaline and saline soil conditions.Rapid progress in rhizosphere microbiome research has revived the belief that plants may be more benefited from their association with interacting diverse microbial communities as compared with individual members in a community.In the last decade,several salt-tolerating plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that improve crop production under salt stress have been exploited for the reclamation of saline agrosystems.This review highlights that the interaction of salt-tolerating microbes with plants improves crop productivity under salinity stress along with potential salt tolerance mechanisms involved and will open new avenues for capitalizing on cultivable diverse microbial communities to strengthen plant salt tolerance and,thus,to refine agricultural practices and production under saline conditions.     

Mucosal immunization provides better protection than subcutaneous immunization against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pasteurella multocida</Emphasis> (B:2) in mice preimmunized with the outer membrane proteins

To investigate the effect of boosting immunity via mucosal route vis-a-vis parenteral route in the mouse model of haemorrhagic septicaemia, mice preimmunized with OMP of Pasteurella multocida (B:2) were immunized with 10² cfu of P. multocida via intranasal and subcutaneous routes. Mice were challenged through intranasal route (natural route of infection) with 10⁸ cfu 14 days after immunization. Group of mice which were immunized intranasally showed significant protection (P < 0.05) of 88% as compared to 50% protection in group of mice immunized subcutaneously. In the control group of mice, 100% mortality occurred within 48 h. of challenge. The results of present study indicated that boosting of immunity via mucosal route in mice preimmunized with OMP provided better protection against P. multocida. This study may have implications for developing better vaccination strategies for the natural host.