Assessment of salinity tolerance threshold for two wheat genotypes in response to zinc

Plants’ tolerance to salt stress is different among species, nevertheless, mineral nutrition might also affect it. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Zinc (Zn) on salinity tolerance using a sigmoid response model in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes ‘Falat’ and ‘Bam’ with different salinity tolerances. The treatments consisted of three Zn rates (0, 5 and 10 mg Zn kg^?1) and five levels of soil salinity (1.1, 6.5, 12.3, 18.7 and 25.1 dS m^?1). The results showed that dry weight of straw and grain decreased, as salinity increased in both genotypes although this decrease in ‘Falat’ genotype was higher than that of ‘Bam’ genotype. Application of 10 mg kg^?1 Zn increased the dry weight by 25% (straw) and 32% (grain) in ‘Falat’ but 67% (straw) and 60% (grain) in ‘Bam’ as compared with the absence of added Zn. According to the fitted function, in the absence of Zn, grain production began to decline at EC_e-values of 4.7 dS m^?1 in ‘Falat’ genotype, and 7.5 dS m^?1 in ‘Bam’ genotype. Application of Zn led to a decrease of salinity tolerance in ‘Falat’ genotype, but an increase in ‘Bam’ genotype. The study found that Zn application under saline conditions, depending on genetic differences of wheat genotypes, would have different effects on their tolerance to salinity.     

Molecular identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilli leaf curl India virus</Emphasis> along with betasatellite molecule causing leaf curl disease of menthol mint (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mentha arvensis</Emphasis> var. Kosi) in India

Whitefly-transmitted begomovirus induces leaf curling and stunting of Mentha arvensis (Kosi) and is responsible for heavy economic losses in and around Lucknow, India. The complete genome was amplified, sequenced and assembled as 2759 bp long, with 1376 bp betasatellite molecule. Because no DNA-B amplicon was detected, the virus was classified as “Old World begomovirus” with the characteristic seven ORFs; two ORFs (AV1, AV2) in the V-sense and five ORFs (AC1–AC5) in the C-sense. BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis showed highest similarity (98%) with chilli leaf curl India virus (ChiLCINV). This is the first report of ChiLCINV infection in M. arvensis (Kosi) from India.     

A metabolic approach to understanding adaptation to sea water by endangered Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus fingerlings

In this study, metabolic responses of Persian sturgeon fingerlings to hyperosmotic condition were investigated by NMR‐based metabolomics. Persian sturgeon fingerlings (n = 2010, mean total weight: 3.2 ± 0.6 g; mean total length: 8.5 ± 1.5 cm) were held in freshwater (FW) for 96 hr and then acclimated in brackish water (BW) (12 g/L) for 24 hr. Blood samples were taken before and after salinity acclimation. The major metabolite changes corresponding to salinity acclimation were related to amino acids, osmolytes and energy metabolites. The plasma glucose levels increased significantly after 24 hr acclimation in BW (p < .05). Other energetic metabolites (acetate, acetoacetate, beta‐hydroxybutyrate, phosphocreatine, creatine, glycerol) showed no significant changes after 24 hr salinity challenge (p > .05). The osmolytes (taurine, trimethylamine‐N‐oxide, choline, N,N‐dimethylglycine) and amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, leucine, phenylalanine, β‐alanine, histidine, threonine, cysteine) declined significantly after 24 hr acclimation in BW (p < .05). However, the levels of glycine elevated after 24 hr acclimation in BW (p < .05). Other amino acids including aspargine, isoluecine, Tyrosine, Tryptophan, Valine, and Lysine showed no significant changes after salinity challenge (p > .05). The considerable decreases in almost all plasma amino acids and all osmolytes showed specific importance of these metabolites in osmotic adaptation of fish in BW. Also, it seems that Persian sturgeon fingerlings rely more on oxidation of glucose to meet energetic requirements of osmoregulation than oxidation of lipids, as we observed no detectable changes in metabolites associated with lipid oxidation during osmotic acclimation in BW. Our results may help to understand osmoregulation in a chondrostei fish species from a metabolic approach.     

Genetic diversity studies of coarse and fine rice using RAPD markers

The availability of a genetically diverse gene pool is vitally important in varietal development. Molecular markers are being extensively utilized to explore the genetic diversity among native and exotic germplasm. This study was designed to reveal the genetic diversity and patterns of relationships among the 20 accessions/genotypes representative of basmati and non-basmati rice from the existing rice gene pool using RAPD markers. Employing RAPD, 17 decamer oligonucleotide primers directed the amplification of 116 fragments, out of which 101 were polymorphic (87.06%) while 15 fragments were monomorphic (12.93%). Similarity coefficients had ranged from 0.47 to 0.90. The average genetic similarity was calculated 0.68 (68%). In this study, the coarse rice genotypes showed more polymorphism (85.84%) than the fine rice genotypes (61.76%). Genotypes were clustered into 8 distinct groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H but two genotypes, i.e., Shadab and Kangni-27 showed divergence from all the genotypes of the groups. Therefore, these diverse genotypes may be included in future breeding programmes.     

Effect of cross-sectional morphology and composite structure of glass fiber felts on their corresponding acoustic properties

This paper presents the effect of cross-sectional morphologies and composite structures of glass fiber felts on their corresponding acoustic properties. Glass fiber felts with random and layered cross-sectional structure are produced by centrifugal-spinneret-blow system. Acoustic properties are determined by a B&K impedance tube. The results show that sound transmission loss (STL) of glass fiber felts with layered cross-sectional structure exhibit greater than that with random cross-sectional structure. However, there is a little difference between the absorption coefficient values for random and layered cross-section. It means that glass fiber felts with layered cross-section are better to improve the sound insulation. With the increase of thickness, STLs of glass fiber felts with the same areal density do not increase monotonically due to the changing of porosity and characteristic impedances. Different glass fiber felts with layered cross-sectional structure are combined to form a variety of composite structures. It finds that assembly order of glass fiber felts have an effect on the total sound insulation. The large mismatch between the acoustic impedances causes multiple reflections leading to the best STL.     

Response of Yield and Some Physiological Traits of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to Topping Height and Application Methods of Zn and Ca Nano-Chelates

Groundnut is an annual legume and important oilseed crop in the world. In order to evaluate the influence of the topping height and application methods of Zinc (Zn) and Calcium (Ca) nano-chelates on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of groundnut, these experiments were carried out during the 2016–2017 cropping seasons on groundnut in Iran. Both foliar and in soil applications of Zn and Ca nano-chelates improved groundnut yield. Foliar application of Zn nano-chelate in combination with topping the main stem 20 cm above the ground produced the highest 100-seed weight (82.19 g), seed yield per unit area (2722.5 kg.h^?1), harvest index (57.53%), biological yield (6540.00 kg.h^?1), oil yield (1486.76 kg.h^?1), protein yield (742.66 kg.h^?1), seed Zn content (12.08 ppm) and Ca content (35.86 ppm). The application of Zn nano-chelate had different positive influences on vegetative and reproductive growth of groundnut plants. Generally, optimizing of the nutritional status in groundnut plants with Ca and Zn supplements is recommended to enhance the quantitative and qualitative yield of groundnut.     

Bioavailability of Arsenic and Antimony in Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Review

Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) are metalloids that belong to group 15 of the periodic table and exhibit toxic properties in the environment. They mostly occur naturally at low concentrations in soil, although these can be significantly elevated in both aquatic and terrestrial food chains as a result of dispersion from anthropogenic sources, e.g., mining activities. The bioavailability, i.e., the proportion of the contaminant in soil and dust that is available for uptake by plants and other living organisms, presents the greatest risk to terrestrial ecosystems. Various in vivo and in vitro methods have been used to measure As and Sb bioaccessibility in soil and dust. In vivo measurement of bioavailability can be time consuming, expensive, and unethical; thus, in vitro methods are commonly preferred. However, there is considerable uncertainty around the efficacy of in vitro tools used to measure the bioavailable fractions of As and Sb. The results of these methods are dependent on many variables, e.g., soil characteristics, contaminant sources, and chemical composition of in vitro methods. Therefore, substantial variations are observed between in vitro and in vivo results obtained from different test animals and endpoints. In this paper, we review the literature on As and Sb bioavailability in terrestrial ecosystems and current in vivo and in vitro techniques used for assessing bioavailability and bioaccessibility of metalloids. This would reveal research gaps and allow scientists and environmental policy makers to gain a deeper understanding of the potential risks associated with these metalloids in the environment.     

Dynamics of maize straw–derived nitrogen in soil aggregates as affected by fertilization

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The addition of maize residue nitrogen (N) to the soil strongly influences soil N accumulations, but the specific contributions of maize residue N to soil...     

Prevalence of hypertension among Iranian hemodialysis patients and associated risk factors: a nationwide multicenter study

The aim of this study is to document the prevalence of HTN and characterize risk factors associated with HTN in Iranian hemodialysis patients. Three hundred and thirty seven HD patients from 5 university based HD centers around Iran were enrolled in the study. Urea reduction ratio was calculated using formula: 100 * (1-(urea before HD/urea after HD)). Pearson Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and one way ANOVA were used for evaluations, where appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for defining independent risk factors. Two sided p < 0.05 were considered significant. Patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension as causes of ESRD significantly were more likely to have hypertension before and after dialysis (p < 0.05). Patients with conventional thrice weekly dialysis (compared to twice), hemodialysis duration of more that 6 months, acetate type of dialysate, ESRD cause when diabetes mellitus and hypertension, were significantly associated with having pre-HD hypertension. We also found that hemodialysis center of the capital city had a significant better measures compared to other cities (p < 0.05). This study revealed a relatively acceptable prevalence of hypertension in our HD population. Nevertheless, because of higher prevalence of HTN in HD centers out of capital city, it seems necessary that we should urgently pay more attention in promotion of these centers toward achieving better outcome with implementing strict guidelines to follow.     

Changes of vitamins A, E, and C and lipid peroxidation status of breeding and pregnant sheep during dry seasons on medium-to-low quality forages

This study assessed the changes of plasma vitamin A, E, and C and the lipid peroxidation status of sheep during breeding and pregnancy under drought conditions. The study was conducted on 105 cross-bred fat tailed ewes, 3–5 years old with body condition scores (BCS) of 2.5 to 3.5. The ewes were grazing on medium-to-low quality forages during summer and low quality forages within the succeeding months and had ad libitum access to a mixture of alfalfa hay (40%) and wheat straw (60%) in the afternoons. From 3 weeks before breeding till 1 month after the introduction of rams, 300 g of barley grain/head/day was offered to the ewes and then the supplemental grain was reduced to 100 g/head/day. For better synchronization of estrus cycles in ewes, they were isolated from the rams for at least 2 months and then kept in close proximity of the rams for 1 week before the introduction of the rams to the ewe flock. Then, whole blood samples were collected on days 1, 7, 21, and 120 after ram introduction. Vitamins A, E, and C were measured in plasma. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in the hemolysate as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation. Plasma progesterone (P4) was measured in the samples of day 120 for assessing pregnancy status of the ewes. Vitamins A and C showed continuous and significant declines (P < 0.05) through days 1 to 120. Vitamin E declined only during the first 21 days of the study and remained almost constant till day 120. MDA concentration increased significantly at day 21. An elevated concentration of MDA was also detected at day 120. The difference between days 21 and 120 was not significant (P > 0.05). A positive correlation between vitamins E and C was detected at day 120 (r = 0.349, P < 0.01). Age and BCS did not affect the patterns of changes. Assuming that the ewes with P4 concentrations ≥2.5 ng/ml were pregnant, 95 out of 105 ewes (90.5%) were pregnant at day 120 of the study. Under the conditions of the present study with medium-to-low quality pastures as the main sources of feed, ewes of various ages and body conditions may suffer from oxidative stress during breeding and pregnancy.