Inheritance of leaf angle in Triticum aestivum L.

Summary A 6×6 diallel was prepared to study the inheritance of leaf angle in T. aestivum L. Genetic analysis in terms of diallel cross parameters and graphic analysis indicated the control of additive gene effects in the expression of this character. The results of F₁ analysis were supported by the analysis of F₂ data.     

The electrofocusing composition of the Large and Small Sub-unit polypeptides of Fraction-1-Protein in rice x wheat and rice x sorghum hybrids

Summary The polypeptide composition of Fraction-1-Protein (F1P) from rice × sorghum, rice × wheat hybrids and their respective parents have been analyzed by a microelectrofocusing method. The large sub-unit (LSU) is composed of three polypeptides and the small sub-unit (SSU) of two polypeptides in rice and sorghum parents and rice × sorghum hybrids. Similarly, LSU is composed of three polypeptides in the rice and wheat parents and rice × wheat hybrids. Two polypeptides occur in the SSU of rice parent and rice × wheat hybrids where as only one polypeptide in the wheat parent. These polypeptides also differ in their isoelectric points. Based on the previous reports of F1P inheritance in hybrids in other crops, F1P analysis of rice × sorghum and rice × wheat hybrids does not seem to be an important marker to identify such intergeneric hybrids. Since this is first such report of F1P inheritance in hybrids between distantly related plants, its implication in different modes of inheritance are discussed.Abbreviations F1P Fraction-1-Protein - IEF Isoelectric focusing - pI Isoelectric points - LSU Large sub-unit - RuBPCase Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase-oxygenase - SSU Small sub-unit     

Pharmacokinetics and Dosage Regimen of Enrofloxacin in Buffalo Bulls after Intramuscular Administration

The disposition kinetics and dosage regimen of enrofloxacin were investigated in breeding buffalo bulls following a single intramuscular administration of 5 mg/kg. The absorption half-life, half-life of the terminal phase, apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were 0.262±0.099 h, 1.97±0.23 h, 0.61±0.13 L/kg and 210.2±18.6 ml/(kg.h), respectively. Therapeutic plasma levels (1 g/ml) were maintained for up to 6 h. A satisfactory intramuscular dosage regimen for enrofloxacin in buffalo bulls would be 8.5 mg/kg followed by 8.0 mg/kg at 8 h intervals.     

Prevalent Serotypes of Pasteurella multocida Isolated from Different Animal and Avian Species in India

Identification and estimation of the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida organisms in different animal and avian species in India during November 2000 to July 2003 was carried out. Out of 418 samples collected from different outbreaks suspected to be caused by P. multocida, a total of 206 bacterial cultures were identified as P. multocida on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. All the 206 cultures were isolated from different domestic animal species (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig and rabbit), avian species (chicken, duck, quail, turkey, goose) and wild animals such as leopard and deer. Serotyping of P. multocida cultures revealed the presence of various serotypes (A:1, A:3, A:1,3, A:4, B:2, D:1 and -:1) among the livestock population. P. multocida polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay applied on different forms of bacterial cultures (bacterial culture lysate, direct bacterial colony and mixed bacterial culture lysate) yielded an amplified product of approximately 460 bp specific for P. multocida. The results of PCR assay correlated well with conventional methods of identification. The present investigation revealed the presence of varied serotypes among livestock and PCR assay was found to be useful for rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of pasteurellosis in animals and avian species.     

Development of Eco-friendly and Non-hazardous Weed Control Technology for Lowland Rice by Smothering through LDPE Film

Intensive use of chemical herbicides and pesticides has raised serious concern about their effect on non-target organisms, plants, human bodies and the environment. Hence there is a continuous search for benign, harmless, non-hazardous and eco-friendly technology to control the growth of weeds which compete with crops for water, nutrients, light and space; thus reducing crop yield significantly. An attempt was made to control the weeds through smothering. This controls the weeds by cutting off light from the photosynthetic portion of weed plants by using black polyethylene sheets (LPDE film) which inhibit the top growth. Experiments to control the weeds in a lowland rice field through smothering were conducted in the high rainfall coastal region of eastern India wth eight treatments including smothering and conventional methods like hand/mechanical weeding and herbicides, etc. The treatment of smothering for one week + puddling + transplanting proved to be better than other conventional methods and may replace herbicide and hand/mechanical weeding totally with a better rice yield.     

Triterpenoid glycoside from the roots of Terminalia alata

The isolation and NMR spectra of the triterpenoidal glycoside, 2alpha,3beta,19alpha-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), from the roots of Terminalia alata are reported.     

Phenolic glycosides from Dodecadenia grandiflora and their glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity

Phytochemical investigation of Dodecadenia grandiflora leaves led to the isolation and identification of three phenolic glycosides, designated 1-[(4′-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (1), 1-[(6′-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (2) and 1-[O-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (3), along with nine known compounds. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 9 exhibited significant glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity (63.7, 66.9, 82.9 and 85.4%) with IC₅₀ values of 88.5, 81.0, 51 and 50 μM respectively. On the basis of biological results, a structure–activity relationship has been discussed.     

Neuroprotective effect of methanolic extracts of Allium cepa on ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of outer scales and edible portions of Allium cepa bulb on ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury. Global cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 10 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Pretreatment with methanolic extract of outer scales (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and edible portions (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) of A. cepa bulb markedly reduced cerebral infarct size and attenuated impairment in short-term memory and motor coordination. The protective effect of methanolic extract of outer scales and edible portions of A. cepa bulb was accompanied by a marked decrease in mitochondrial TBARS.     

A new anxiolytic fatty acid from Aethusa cynapium

The present investigation was carried out with a view to separate bioactive constituent from Aethusa cynapium. Bioactivity guided fractionation of the anxiolytic methanol extract has led to the isolation of a novel unsaturated fatty acid. Structure of the acid characterized by UV, IR, 1H NMR, C13 NMR, MS techniques was found to be trideca-7, 9, 11-trienoic acid. Antianxiety activity was confirmed using the mCPP-induced hypolocomotion test. This new fatty acid—trideca-7,9,11-trienoic acid, isolated from A. cynapium was found to be responsible for the antianxiety activity of the plant.