Sequence of the immunodominant epitope for the surface protein on sporozoites of Plasmodium vivax

Plasmodium vivax is one of the four malaria parasites that cause disease in humans. The structure of the immunodominant repeating peptide of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of P. vivax was determined. A fragment of P. vivax DNA that encodes this tandemly repeating epitope was isolated by use of an oligonucleotide probe whose sequence is thought to be conserved in CS protein genes. DNA sequence analysis of the P. vivax clone indicates that the CS repeat is nine amino acids in length (Gly-Asp-Arg-Ala-Asp-Gly-Gln-Pro-Ala). The structure of the repeating region was confirmed with synthetic peptides and monoclonal antibodies directed against P. vivax sporozoites. This information should allow synthesis of a vaccine for P. vivax that is similar to the one being tested for P. falciparum.     

Effect of foliar and soil applications of zinc sulphate on zinc uptake,tree size,yield, and fruit quality of mango

To compare the effect of methods (foliar and soil) and rate of application of zinc sulphate on zinc and phosphorus uptake, tree size, yield and fruit quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Dusheri, zinc sulphate was applied as a foliar spray application (0.25, 0.50, 1.0%) and soil (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kg tree^‐1) treatments during the second week of October (during flower bud differentiation period). All the zinc sulphate treatments of soil and foliar spray were effective in increasing the leaf zinc concentrations above recommended adequate level of (>20 mg kg^‐1) whereas control trees maintained low leaf zinc concentrations (13.8 to 13.3 mg kg^‐1). The uptake of foliar‐applied zinc was more rapid than that of soil applied zinc. All the treatments of zinc sulphate except the foliar spray treatment of zinc sulphate (0.25%) significantly increased zinc concentrations in the fruit pulp as compared with those in the control trees. The percent increase in the stem girth of trees was highest with the soil application of zinc sulphate (0.5 kg tree¹) followed by foliar application of zinc sulphate (1.0%) as compared with all other treatments. The percent increase in the tree canopy volume was highest with the foliar application of zinc sulphate (1.0%) followed by soil application of zinc sulphate (1.0 kg tree¹) as compared with control and all other treatments. There was no significant (P<0.05) increase in yield, fruit size and weight, pulp or stone weight with any treatment of zinc sulphate. Total soluble solid (TSS) in the fruit was significantly higher (18.6%) with the treatment of soil application of zinc sulphate (0.5 kg tree¹) as compared with all other treatments of zinc sulphate and the control. Acid and sugar content of the fruit was not significantly affected by the foliar or soil application of zinc sulphate.     

Soil physical and hydrological properties under three biofuel crops in Ohio

Abstract

While biofuel crops are widely studied and compared for their energy and carbon footprints, less is known about their effects on other soil properties, particularly hydrologic characteristics. Soils under three biofuel crops, corn (Zea mays), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and willow (Salix spp.), were analyzed seven years after establishment to assess the effects on soil bulk density (ρ_b), penetration resistance (PR), water-holding capacity, and infiltration characteristics. The PR was the highest under corn, along with the lowest associated water content, while PR was 50–60% lower under switchgrass. In accordance with PR data, surface (0–10 cm) bulk density also tended to be lower under switchgrass. Both water infiltration rates and cumulative infiltration amounts varied widely among and within the three crops. Because the Philip model did not fit the data, results were analyzed using the Kostiakov model instead. Switchgrass plots had an average cumulative infiltration of 69 cm over 3 hours with a constant infiltration rate of 0.28 cm min^?1, compared with 37 cm and 0.11 cm min^?1 for corn, and 26 cm and 0.06 cm min^?1 for willow, respectively. Results suggest that significant changes in soil physical and hydrologic properties may require more time to develop. Soils under switchgrass may have lower surface bulk density, higher field water capacity, and a more rapid water infiltration rate than those under corn or willow.     

Developing Sustainability Indicators for Woody Biomass Harvesting in the United States

Bioenergy production has increased significantly in the last decade, and recent legislative efforts such as the discussion draft for the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 and the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. (2007). H. R. 6: 110th United States Congress. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6enr.txt.pdf (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6enr.txt.pdf)  [Google Scholar] are expected to encourage even more growth. The growing demand for bioenergy will necessitate production of large quantities of woody biomass and plant residues if it is to be met. However, concerns are being raised as to how increased pressures will affect the sustainability of woody biomass. In order to avoid potential pitfalls and ensure the sustainability of wood-based bioenergy systems, a set of sustainability indicators needs to be developed. Some of these indicators can be based on standards similar to those developed for sustainable forest management, energy balances, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and existing codes and guidelines for biomass harvesting. This article discusses a potential set of sustainability indicators encompassing ecological, economic, and social principles for harvesting woody biomass for bioenergy. The extent to which existing standards and certification systems reflect these indicators is elaborated upon. Methods for making these standards operational are also suggested.     

Performance of mango based agri-horticultural models under rainfed situation of Western Himalaya, India

A total of 15 years of experimentation period (1995–2010) was divided into two phases. In the first phase (1995–2005), five mango based agri-horticultural models (AHM) viz. Mango + cowpea–toria, mango + cluster bean/okra–toria, mango + sesame–toria, mango + black gram–toria and mango + pigeon pea in addition to sole mango plantation (no intercrop) and in second phase (2005–2010), two mango based AHM (mango + colocasia and mango + turmeric) in addition to sole mango (no intercrop) were studied. The mean maximum cowpea equivalent yield (t ha^?1) was harvested from cowpea (1.84) followed by okra (1.21), black gram (1.11), sesame (0.68) and mean minimum with pigeon pea (0.58). The crop yield reduction among the mango based AHM was observed from third year to tenth year. The positive correlation was found between light transmission and intercrops yields amongst all models during both phases. However, the correlation between mango canopy spread and intercrop yields shown negative trends. The yield reduction in intercrops varied from 37.0–52.6 % during first phase and 20.6–23.5 % during second phase of experimentation compared to sole crop. The results revealed that the fruit based AHM were effective in improving fruit yields of the mango. The mean maximum fruit yield of mango (7.02 t ha^?1) was harvested with cowpea–toria crop rotation followed by black gram–toria (6.59 t ha^?1) and minimum fruit yield (5.76 t ha^?1) realized with sole mango tree during first phase (1999–2005). Likewise, mean maximum fruit yield (13.71 t ha^?1) from mango tree was obtained in the turmeric block followed by (13.00 t ha^?1) in colocasia block and minimum fruit yield with sole mango tree (11.86 t ha^?1). All the treatments of AHM recorded higher soil moisture as compared to sole mango plantation during both phases. The moisture retention under different AHM was in the order of cowpea (13.32 cm) > black gram (13.29 cm) > pigeon pea (13.27 cm) > okra (12.42 cm) > sesame (12.17 cm) > sole mango (11.62 cm) during first phase, whereas moisture retention was observed in the order of turmeric (14.20 cm) > colocasia (14.01 cm) > sole mango (12.60 cm) during second phase. The cowpea–toria crop rotation with mango gave maximum benefit: cost ratio followed by okra–toria under rainfed conditions. Besides economic viability of cowpea–toria with mango, this system had improved tree growth as well as fruit yield of mango. In the second phase, mango + turmeric yielded more benefit than mango + colocasia system. In the first phase, the mango + cowpea–toria system improved organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and reduced pH by 49.0, 56.3, 48.6, 58.5 and 11.6 %, respectively as compared to initial values whereas mango + turmeric system increased organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and reduction in pH by 51.0, 45.0, 29.7, 29.0 and 3.4 %, respectively over initial values within soil depths of 0–30 cm during second phased. Mango based AHM is recommended for adoption with selective intercrops up to 15 years of age of mango plantation for multiple outputs and good economic viability without impairing site fertility.     

Genetic mapping and QTL analysis for sugar yield-related traits in sugarcane

Genetic improvement of sugar content in sugarcane would benefit from the availability of sufficient DNA markers and a genetic map. Genetic linkage maps were constructed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seedling brix (SB), brix (B), sucrose percent in juice (SUC), stalk number (SN), stalk length (SL), stalk diameter (SD), internodes (INT), number of green leaves (NGL), at three crop cycles across seven environments in a segregating population with 207 individuals derived from a bi-parental cross of sugarcane elite cultivars. Linkage analysis led to the construction of eight linkage groups (LGs) for Co86011 and sixteen LGs for CoH70. The combined length of the two linkage maps was 2606.77 cM distributed over 24 LGs. 31 QTLs were identified: 2 for SB, 7 for B, 6 for SUC, 4 for SN, 1 for SL, 3 for SD, 6 for INT and 2 for NGL at LOD scores ranging from 2.69 to 4.75. 7 QTLs (22 %) had stable effect across crop year and locations. Markers from parents were found to be associated with both positive and negative effect on all of the traits analyzed. The most important QTLs intervals identified in this study using single-dose marker, were qB2, qSUC2, qINT2 and qB2, qSUC2, qSL2, qINT2 located between SSR markers UGSM31₅₄₈ and UGSM31₆₄₉. These QTLs could be put into use in marker assisted breeding.     

Assessment of nitrogen losses to the environment with a Nitrogen Trading Tool (NTT)

Nitrogen (N) losses from agriculture often contribute to reduced air, groundwater, and surface water quality. The minimization of these N losses is desirable from an environmental standpoint, and a recent interest in discounted reductions of agricultural N losses that might apply to a project downstream from an agricultural area has resulted in the concept of N credits and associated N trading. To help quantify management-induced reductions in N losses at the farm field level (essential components of a Nitrogen Trading Tool), we defined a Nitrogen Trading Tool difference in reactive N losses (NTT-DNL_reac) as the comparison between a baseline and new management scenarios. We used a newly released Windows XP version of the Nitrogen Losses and Environmental Assessment Package (NLEAP) simulation model with Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities (NLEAP-GIS) to assess no-till systems from a humid North Atlantic US site, manure management from a Midwestern US site, and irrigated cropland from an arid Western US site. The new NTT-DNL_reac can be used to identify the best scenario that shows the greatest potential to maximize field-level savings in reactive N for environmental conservation and potential N credits to trade. A positive NTT-DNL_reac means that the new N management practice increases the savings in reactive N with potential to trade these savings as N credits. A negative number means that there is no savings in reactive N and no N available to trade. The new NLEAP-GIS can be used to quickly identify the best scenario that shows the greatest potential to maximize field-level savings in reactive N for environmental conservation and earning N credits for trade.     

3种无损检测方法评估巨尾桉木材抗弯和抗压强度性质

为探讨不同无损检测方法评估木材强度性质的可行性及可靠性,该文分别运用纵向基频振动、超声波和应力波3种无损检测方法,对由广西东门林场采集的34株14年生巨尾桉人工林加工的191个无疵小试样进行了抗弯和抗压强度性质预测。首先采用3种无损检测设备获得无疵小试样的动态弹性模量,然后进行抗弯弹性模量（MOE）、抗弯强度（MOR）和顺纹抗压强度（σc）的测定,并分析3种无损检测结果与木材强度性质的关系。结果表明:纵向基频振动法、超声波法和应力波法获得的动态弹性模量Efr、Eus和Esw与静态MOE的相关系数分别为0.816 6、0.788 9和0.634 7,均在0.001水平上显著相关;与MOR的相关系数分别为0.694 0、0.683 0和0.567 3,均在0.001水平上显著相关;与σc的相关系数分别为0.810 3、0.809 3和0.648 9,均在0.001水平上显著相关;其中应力波法测得的动态弹性模量Esw与木材强度性质的相关系数均为最低。可见,纵向基频振动法和超声波法能够比较精准地预测国标无疵小试样的MOE、MOR和σc,但应力波方法对无疵小试样进行测定时具有一定局限性。