N and P Fertilizer Use in Soybean/Maize Mixture

Field experiments were conducted to investigate into the N and P fertilizer use in soybean/maize mixture during the wet seasons of 1985 and 1986 at Yandev Agricultural Experiment Station. Soybean/maize mixtures with 2/3 of the respective plant population of both crops in pure stands were raised at factorial combinations of four rates of N, 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha and four rates of P, 0, 13.2, 26.4 and 39.6 kg P/ha in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
The grain yield of maize cv. TZB (a pure line variety) in mixture and land equivalent ratio (LER) increased linearly up to 120 kg N/ha in 1985 as against significant increase in the grain yield of maize cv. 8322–3 (a hybrid variety) and LER up to 40 kg N/ha only in 1986 primarily due to greater fertilizer N recovery by the latter. Significant enhancement in LER was also recorded up to 26.4 kg P/ha in both years. The yield of soybean in mixture remained unaffected by N or P rates.
Total N uptake by shoots of soybean/maize mixture was significantly and linearly increased up to the application of 120 kg N/ha in 1985 as against significant increase in total N uptake by soybean/maize mixture only up to 40 kg N/ha in 1986 owing to the greater fertilizer N recovery by maize (69%) in the latter than the one (29.75—31.75%) in the former. Total N uptake by shoots of soybean/maize was also increased significantly due to the application of 26.4 kg P/ha.
Application of N and P also significantly enhanced P uptake by shoots of soybean/maize mixture and fertilizer P recovered by mixture was less (3.99—12.95%) in 1985 than the one (19.95—32.12%) in 1986.     

Allelopathic Effect of Three Serious Weeds of Nigerian Savanna on Germination and Seedling Vigour of Soybean and Maize

Allelopathic effects of aqueous extract of three weeds, Ageratum conyzoides L., Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv and Commelina benghalensis L. of Nigerian savanna were investigated on the germination and seedling vigour of soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) and maize ( Zea mays L.). Aqueous extracts of these weeds exhibited allelopathic phenomenon on seed germination and seedling vigour. Aqueous extracts of I. cylindrica and C. benghalensis at 1 % and 5 % concentration (w/v) had stimulatory effect on soybean germination as against inhibitory effect of 10 % aqueous extract of all weeds on the germination of both soybean and maize seeds. Seedling vigour-length of roots and shoots and fresh weight of seedlings were promoted by aqueous extract of A. conyzoides up to 5 % concentration in soybean whereas all concentrations of extract stimulated the seedling vigour of maize. Aqueous extract of I. cylindrica up to 5 % also caused stimulatory effect on the seedling vigour of both crops but such effects were lesser in magnitude than that observed in case of A. conyzoides. On the contrary, the aqueous extract of C. benghalensis at all concentrations resulted in deleterious effect on the seedling vigour of both soybean and maize.     

Microbiological investigation of fresh and refrigerated partially cooked meat products

Semi-finished meat products were demonstrated to be heavily contaminated with microbes already at the moment of production. The main source of microorganisms was meat surface. Psychrotolerant organisms represented the main factors involved in the rise of organoleptical signs of decay. For the evaluation of the level of hygiene and sanitation, quality of the raw materials used and conditions of storage, the maximal limit values were proposed for 10 species or groups of the microorganisms under study. Pathogenic microorganisms were not detected by the multiplication method in any of the samples.     

The effect of organic manuring and water quality on water transmission parameters and sodication of a sandy loam soil

Water transmission characteristics under saturated and unsaturated conditions were studied in a sandy loam soil with (F₁) and without (F₀) long-term farmyard manure (FYM) treatments, in relation to sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) and electrolyte concentrations of water. The effect of FYM and ratios of Ca²⁺ : Mg²⁺ in water at a given SAR on sodication of the soil was also studied.Saturated hydraulic conductivity (k) and weighted mean diffusivity ($\text{D}\text{?}$) were slightly higher for F₁ than for F₀, whereas sodication indices like Gapon constant (K_G), Krishnamoorthy-Davis-Overstreet constant (K_KDO) and Vanselow constant (K_V) were slightly smaller. The k and $\text{D}\text{?}$ decreased with an increase of SAR and decrease of electrolyte concentration, the effect of SAR being more pronounced. There was proportionately a sharper decrease in the k and $\text{D}\text{?}$ values at SAR 10 with total electrolyte concentrations of 10–40 meq 1^?1. However, with a total electrolyte concentration of 80 meq 1^?1, there was a smaller drop at SAR 10.A small difference in the build-up of exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in F₁ and F₀ treatments at a given SAR suggests that, apart from slightly improving water transmission parameters, the use of FYM also reduces the sodication hazard in a soil irrigated with sodic waters. An increase in the Ca²⁺ : Mg²⁺ ratio from 25:75 to 75:25 slightly decreased the values of K_G, K_KDO and K_V, thus indicating somewhat more preference for Ca²⁺ to Mg²⁺ at a given SAR, which was more so in F₁ soil. This fact could also be expressed in terms of a slight shift of thermodynamic exchange constant (K) and standard free energy change of the exchange reaction (ΔG⁰_r). The presence of some unidentified Na⁺ releasing minerals in the soils studied was observed and correction for exchangeable Na⁺ determination applied.     

Bioactivity guided isolation of antipsychotic constituents from the leaves of Rauwolfia tetraphylla L

This study was undertaken to ascertain the antipsychotic properties of Rauwolfia tetraphylla L. leaves and to isolate and characterize the antipsychotic constituents. Among the MeOH extract and some alkaloidal fractions at different pHs, the alkaloidal CHCl(3) fraction at pH-9 (2C) showed the highest antipsychotic activity against dopaminergic (DA-D(2)) and serotonergic (5-HT(2A)) receptors in-vitro and amphetamine induced hyperactive mouse model in-vivo. The activity guided isolation of CHCl(3) fraction (2C) afforded six indole alkaloids: 10-methoxytetrahydroalstonine (1), isoreserpiline (2), an isomeric mixture of 11-demethoxyreserpiline (3) and 10-demethoxyreserpiline (4), α-yohimbine (5) and reserpiline (6). Given orally, alkaloids 3-6 showed significant antipsychotic activity in a dose dependent manner. None of the extract, alkaloidal fractions or alkaloids showed any extra pyramidal symptoms at the tested doses. It was also observed that MeOH extract was behaving similar to other clinically used novel atypical antipsychotics in having 5-HT(2A) occupancy greater than the DA-D(2) receptor at the tested doses. Further toxicity and safety evaluation studies of MeOH extracts of R. tetraphylla leaves at different doses (10, 100, 300 and 2000 mg/kg) on female Swiss albino mice showed that MeOH extract is non toxic. The isolated alkaloids, 3-6 could serve as a promising lead structure for drug development of treating psychotic conditions in human.     

Molecular markers for late blight resistance breeding of potato: an update

Late blight is the most devastating disease of the potato crop that can be effectively managed by growing resistant cultivars. Introgression of resistance (R) genes/quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from the Solanum germplasm into common potato is one of the plausible approaches to breed resistant cultivars. Although the conventional method of breeding will continue to play a primary role in potato improvement, molecular marker technology is becoming one of its integral components. To achieve rapid success, from the past to recent years, several R genes/QTLs that originated from wild/cultivated Solanum species were mapped on the potato genome and a few genes were cloned using molecular approaches. As a result, molecular markers closely linked to resistance genes or QTLs offer a quicker potato breeding option through marker‐assisted selection (MAS). However, limited progress has been achieved so far through MAS in potato breeding. In near future, new resistance genes/QTLs are expected to be discovered from wild Solanum gene pools and linked molecular markers would be available for MAS. This article presents an update on the development of molecular markers linked to late blight resistance genes or QTLs by utilization of Solanum species for MAS in potato.     

Physiological responses of dietary tryptophan fed Labeo rohita to temperature and salinity stress

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the possible effects of dietary L‐tryptophan (TRP) in Labeo rohita based on growth performance and physio‐biochemical responses. In the experiment I, a 60‐day feeding trial was carried out to elucidate the effects of dietary TRP enrichment on growth performance and physio‐biochemical responses. In the experiment II, the TRP pre‐fed L. rohita, from experiment I, was exposed to temperature and salinity stress to evaluate stress‐mitigating efficacy of TRP. In L. rohita, dietary supplementation of TRP showed significant effect on weight gain percentage and feed conversion ratio but not on blood glucose. A significant increase in RNA content and RNA/DNA ratio upon TRP supplementation was observed and was positively correlated with growth performance. The results of experiment II indicated that weight gain percentage, serum T3 and T4 levels were significantly reduced in groups that were exposed to temperature and salinity stress and fed diets without TRP supplementation. However, dietary supplementation of TRP significantly augmented weight gain percentage in stress‐exposed groups. Tryptophan supplementation helped in bringing back T3 and T4 levels comparable with control. A significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, Adenosine triphosphatase, blood glucose and serum cortisol was observed in temperature‐ and salinity‐exposed groups fed without TRP‐supplemented diets. However, TRP supplementation was found to be effective in restoring the above parameters. The results of these experiments suggest that dietary TRP supplementation augments growth, lowers energy demand and helps in mitigating thermal and salinity stress in L. rohita.