Simulation of rice planthopper damage for developing pest management decision support tools

Rice planthoppers' damage on Pusa Basmati 1 cultivar was simulated with InfoCrop, a generic crop growth simulation model. The model was calibrated and validated with two experimental data sets on planthopper population and rice yield that were generated through differential insecticide application during the rainy season 2006 and 2007. Simulated yield and total dry matter (TDM) in various treatments over the two experiments were found to be proximal to the observed yields (R² = 0.972, RMSE = 4.61%) and TDM (R² = 0.949, RMSE = 3.25%), respectively. Likewise, the simulated yield and TDM losses were also respectively close to observed yield losses (R² = 0.938, RMSE = 13.53%) and TDM losses (R² = 0.835, RMSE = 19.12%), suggesting appropriate validation of planthopper damage mechanism on Pusa Basmati 1 rice. Economic injury levels (EILs) of planthoppers were simulated with two control expenditures involving two applications with each of monocrotophos and imidacloprid, and three market prices of Pusa Basamti 1 rice. The EIL exhibited a negative relationship with market value of produce but a positive one with expenditure on control measures. Simulated EILs were comparable to earlier established empirical EILs, indicating utility of simulation models for developing location specific EILs that may help in doing away with the use of blanket EILs. Iso-loss curves, devised through validated model, depicted combinations of crop age and planthopper population that resulted in similar yield losses. Both the EILs and iso-loss curves can be useful in monitoring planthopper populations and promoting judicious pesticide applications that would avoid unwarranted control expenditure and environmental contamination. The simulation models being based on detailed crop ecological and physiological processes and pest damage mechanism can thus aid in development of location-specific decision support tools and ensure precision in pest management decisions.     

Nano-sized albumin-copolymer micelles for efficient doxorubicin delivery

We present the discovery of a nano-sized protein-derived micellar drug delivery system based on the polycationic albumin precursor protein cBSA-147. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was efficiently encapsulated into nanosized micelles based on hydrophobic interactions with the polypeptide scaffold. These micelles revealed attractive stabilities in various physiological buffers and a wide pH range as well as very efficient uptake into A549 cells after 1 h incubation time only. In vitro cytotoxicity was five-times increased compared to free DOX also indicating efficient intracellular drug release. In addition, multiple functional groups are available for further chemical modifications. Based on the hydrophobic loading mechanism, various classical anti-cancer drugs, in principle, could be delivered even synergistically in a single micelle. Considering these aspects, this denatured albumin-based drug delivery system represents a highly attractive platform for nanomedicine approaches towards cancer therapy.     

Simulation of leaf folder,Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee), damage on rice for developing decision support tools

Simulation models are synonymous with the application of the systems approach in pest management and help to formulate decision support tools for an effective decision-making. A study was undertaken to improve our earlier work on simulation of rice leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) damage and to develop decision support tools for its management. Currently, the leaf folder damage on Pusa Basmati1 rice was simulated with data sets generated in two field experiments during the rainy season 2008 and 2009. Simulated yields and total dry matter in different treatments over the experiments were close to their observed counterparts, indicating an appropriate validation of the leaf folder damage mechanisms on Pusa Basmati1 rice. The leaf folder economic injury levels were simulated based on control expenditure on application of cartap hydrochloride 50SP and quinalphos 25SC, and market price of Pusa Basamti1. The simulated economic injury levels of the leaf folder were more precise than that simulated in our previous study. Likewise, iso-loss curves represented combinations of crop age and the leaf folder damage that resulted in a similar yield loss. These decision support tools would facilitate accurate monitoring of the leaf folder damage to ensure judicious pesticide application.     

Identification of Stable Reference Genes for Gene Expression Studies Using Quantitative Real Time PCR in Buffalo Oocytes and Embryos

The present study was aimed to validate expression stability of 6 housekeeping genes (viz. YWHAZ, SDHA, GAPDH, RPS15, RPS18 and RN18S1) in the oocytes and embryos of different stages in buffalo. A modified Trizol protocol was optimized for RNA isolation from as few as five oocytes. The expression level of selected genes was studied by an optimized real time PCR using DCT method and their stability of expression was evaluated by Microsoft Excel based visual application, geNORM. The analysis revealed that the RPS15 and GAPDH were the most stable genes across different samples. Also, the geometric mean of three genes (i.e. RPS15, RPS18 and GAPDH) were found suitable for normalization of real time PCR data from buffalo oocytes/embryos. The information would help in more accurate interpretation of gene expression data from oocytes/embryos towards understanding the molecular events in these cells during development.     

Effect of Tillage,Crop Residues of Preceding Wheat Crop and Nitrogen Levels on Biological and Chemical Properties of Soil in the Soybean–Wheat Cropping System

A 2-year field experiment was conducted to study the influence of three planting methods (Happy Seeder, Straw Chopper + Zero Tillage, and Conventional tillage) and four nitrogen rates (control, 75, 100, and 125% of recommended nitrogen) on the chemical and biological properties of soil. The results revealed that after soybean harvest, dehydrogenase activity and population of Bradyrhizobium sp. (LSBR 3) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were increased significantly in Happy Seeder sowing and Straw Chopper + Zero Tillage sowing than conventional sowing and population of Bradyrhizobium sp. significantly increased up to the 100% nitrogen level. There was no significant effect of different planting methods on soil chemical properties. Organic carbon and available nitrogen were increased significantly with an increase in the nitrogen level up to 100% nitrogen (N).     

Protective Role of Mentha arvensis Aqueous Extract against Manganese Induced Toxicity by Reducing Mn Translocation and Promoting Antioxidative Defense in growing Indica Rice Seedlings

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Mentha arvensis L. (Ma) leaf extract, a wide source of natural antioxidants is widely used to protect animal cells against oxidative stress. In the...     

Conservation tillage and mulching effects on the adaptive capacity of direct-seeded upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) to alleviate weed and moisture stresses in the North Eastern Himalayan Region of India

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of tillage and mulch on weed growth, soil moisture storage, productivity and profitability of upland rice during 2012–2013 at Lembucherra, India. Tillage treatments included CT-RI: conventional tillage with 100% residue incorporation and NT-RR: no-till with 100% residue retention. Mulches included rice straw (SM), Gliricidia (GM), brown manuring (BM) and none (NM). CT-RI registered the highest total weed density (89–168 weeds m^?2) and biomass (9.6–183 g dry weight m^?2) than those for the NT-RR (75–161 weed m^?2 and 8–155 g dry weight m^?2). In addition, NT-RR stored (122–172 mm) more soil moisture (0–40 cm soil depth) in comparison with that for the CT-RI treatment (110–161 mm) during crop growing season. Tillage treatments did not have the significant effect on yields. NT-RR reduced the cost of cultivation by 31.5% compared with that for the CT-RI. Thus, the net returns under NT-RR were more than those for the CT-RI. The BM recorded the lowest weed biomass and density as compared to that under other mulches. Therefore, cultivation of upland rice using NT along with BM mulching enhanced productivity and profitability of rice cultivation in India.     

Anti-inflammatory,analgesic and antipyretic properties of Clitoria ternatea root

Clitoria ternatea roots methanol extract when given by oral route to rats was found to inhibit both the rat paw oedema caused by carrageenin and vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in rats. Moreover, the extract exhibited a significant inhibition in yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. In the acetic acid-induced writhing response, the extract markedly reduced the number of writhings at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p.o.) in mice.