Suppression of Reproduction in Poekilocerus pictus (F.) using Penfluron and Diflubenzuron

Abstract

Penfluron and diflubenzuron, both chitin synthesis inhibitors known to be highly effective against nymphs of Poekilocerus pictus (F.), were tested against the adult for their possible effects upon reproduction. These compounds were found to have the maximum effect, when no eggs were laid, if both sexes were treated. The eggs of treated males × untreated females did not hatch and those of treated females × untreated males gave rise to nymphs which died before reaching maturity.     

A PCR-based assessment of genetic diversity,and parentage analysis among commercial mango cultivars and hybrids

Summary

Three different PCR methods [Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR), and Directed Amplification of Minisatellite DNA (DAMD)] were used to analyse genetic diversity and parentage among 20 mango cultivars, including 18 landraces and two hybrids (‘Amrapali’ and ‘Mallika’). These hybrids together with a third hybrid (‘Ratna’), and an out-group species (Mangifera sylvatica) were also analysed for parentage. Fifteen, seven and four primers were used to amplify a total of 158, 69 and 59 distinct DNA fragments by RAPD, ISSR and DAMD, respectively. Of these, approx. 85%, 64% and 90% were polymorphic, respectively. Genetic distances between pairs of mango cultivars were measured separately by each method and depicted graphically as a Neighbor Joining (NJ) tree. The three methods revealed different groupings of cultivars and hybrids. A NJ tree based on the cumulative data from all methods correlated well with the parentage of the mango hybrids, and the grouping of cultivars on a regional basis. Genetic markers likely to be associated with important agronomic traits were identified by further analysing the hybrids, with their respective parents, using all three methods. On the basis of the highest number of polymorphic bands observed (90%), DAMD was judged to be the best method with which to analyse mango germplasm.     

The alternative breeding approaches for improving yield gains and stress response in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Pigeonpea is an important food legume crop of semi‐arid tropical regions. Plateauing of pigeonpea yield has been worrying breeders for the past 6–7 decades. Serious breeding efforts made during this period resulted in various high‐yielding and disease resistant cultivars. However, the gains in pigeonpea productivity have been modest. The authors, while reviewing this situation, conclude that long generation turnover, complexity of biological traits, low selection response and overreliance upon pedigree breeding present the key bottlenecks for this situation. In this paper, some alternative breeding approaches and technologies are suggested for the genetic enhancement of yield stability and stress response of pigeonpea.     

Odour control studies on apparel fabrics finished with methanol extract of Terminalia chebula

This study aimed to analyse the odour retention characteristics of different textile fibers. The commercially used textile fibers like cotton, viscose, linen, nylon, 60/40 cotton/polyester and 100 % polyester swatches were used as a sweat absorbing material in vests and T shirts. The In-vivo wear analysis was carried out with sedentary and non-sedentary workers. The worn samples were collected and subjectively analysed for the odour intensity after 24 hour storage at normal atmosphere. The subjective analysis result reveals that, highest amount odour intensity is in polyester. The intensity level in the following order: polyester>nylon>cotton/polyester>linen>viscose>cotton. Methanolic extract of Terminalia chebula was applied on the textile material to analyse the odour reduction ability. The subjective analysis results revealed that, the odour formation in the textile material reduced significantly after Terminalia chebula finishing process invariantly with fiber except nylon. To confirm the odour reduction objectively, bacterial isolation studies were performed with the treated and untreated worn samples. The results revealed that, the amount of bacterial colony in the finished textile reduced considerably than the worn untreated samples except nylon. Further, FTIR studies confirmed the reduction of odour forming short chain fatty acids in the treated worn textile than the untreated. Agar diffusion test results of finished textile, against major odour causing bacteria in axilla shows zone of inhibition up to 42 mm for all the fibers except nylon fabric. Hence, this study suggests a promising application of natural herbal finish for the odour reduction in apparels.     

Effect of processing on protein digestibility,biological value and net protein utilization of millet and legume based infant mixes and biscuits

Effect of combinations of millet and legume and processing on digestibility, biological value and net protein utilization was evaluated using albino rats. The millets and legumes selected for the study include sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, chickpea and green gram (P radiatus). The processes tested include dehulling, boiling, roasting, malting and baking. Among the combinations tested, the sorghum-chickpea combination had significantly (p<0.05) higher digestibility. Between the processes tested, roasting resulted in significantly higher net protein utilization. Results of biological study on biscuits prepared by using millet and legume combination flours, indicated the biscuits to be of good protein quality.     

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Wheat Genotypes: Possible Mechanism of Water Stress Tolerance

The role of plant antioxidant systems in water stress tolerance was studied in three contrasting wheat genotypes. Water stress imposed at different stages after anthesis resulted in an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in membrane stability and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and non-specific peroxidase also increased significantly under water stress. Genotype PBW 175, which had highest ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and peroxidase activity, had the lowest lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde content) and highest membrane stability and contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids under water stress, while the susceptible genotype WH 542 exhibited the lowest antioxidant enzyme activity, membrane stability and contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids and the highest lipid peroxidation. Genotype HD 2402 showed intermediate behaviour. It seems that drought tolerance of PBW 175, as represented by higher membrane stability and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and lower lipid peroxidation, is related to its higher antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Ultrastructural changes in isolated spinach chloroplasts and in Chlorella pyrenoidosa chick (Emerson strain) treated with dichlone

Isolated spinach chloroplasts and Chlorella cells treated with dichlone (2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone) exhibited morphological changes which appeared to be consistent with an alteration of protein elements in the cell. The stroma of dichlone-treated chloroplasts appeared less structured and more homogeneous than that of the control. The cell membrane in dichlone-treated Chlorella cells shrank from the cell wall and exhibited much invagination while the outer membrane of Chlorella chloroplasts appeared wavy. The changes in the cytoplasm of treated Chlorella cells closely reflected those noted in the chloroplast stroma.     

Zoonotic origin and transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the UAE

Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) in 2012, there have been a number of clusters of human‐to‐human transmission. These cases of human‐to‐human transmission involve close contact and have occurred primarily in healthcare settings, and they are suspected to result from repeated zoonotic introductions. In this study, we sequenced whole MERS‐CoV genomes directly from respiratory samples collected from 23 confirmed MERS cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These samples included cases from three nosocomial and three household clusters. The sequences were analysed for changes and relatedness with regard to the collected epidemiological data and other available MERS‐CoV genomic data. Sequence analysis supports the epidemiological data within the clusters, and further, suggests that these clusters emerged independently. To understand how and when these clusters emerged, respiratory samples were taken from dromedary camels, a known host of MERS‐CoV, in the same geographic regions as the human clusters. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus genomes from six virus‐positive animals were sequenced, and these genomes were nearly identical to those found in human patients from corresponding regions. These data demonstrate a genetic link for each of these clusters to a camel and support the hypothesis that human MERS‐CoV diversity results from multiple zoonotic introductions.     

Crop losses and their economic implications due to growing of Eucalyptus on field bunds — a pilot study

The paper presents evidence, collected mainly through interviews with farmers in north-west India, regarding crop losses suffered by the farmers planting Eucalyptus on farm bunds. Farmers experienced that the crop remained weak in a width of strip measuring 2 to 10 metres next to the tree line. These losses drastically reduced the profits farmers were expecting from the sale of trees. The average B-C Ratio at 15% discount rate would have been 9.2 without these losses, but came down to just about 2, when crop losses were taken into account. The reduced profit margin was not perceived to be sufficiently high to cover risk of production and of fluctuating output prices, and therefore none of the farmers replanted Eucalyptus after sale. Many even uprooted the coppice roots and went back to annual cropping.