Ethno-medico-biology of Bhadrak district, Odisha, India

We carried out an ethno-medico-biological investigation in the interior of Bhadrak district, Odisha, India to explore the therapeutic use of traditional plants/animals by local inhabitants. The villagers and rural people used plant and animal species as medicine. We recorded therapeutic use of 18 plant species of 13 families and 12 animal species of seven taxonomic categories. Different plant/animal parts like bark, leaf, flower, seed, stem, root, whole plant, oil, blood, milk, urine and flesh were reported as used in raw or cooked form against 17 specific diseases. Prominent diseases treated by plant/animal remedies were asthma, cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, epilepsy, jaundice, malaria, skin disorder and rheumatism. This study provides a better database for future studies.     

Water budgeting in a carp‐prawn polyculture system: impacts on production performance,water productivity and sediment stack

This study was designed to quantify the total water requirement and consumptive water use in carp‐prawn polyculture system under different water management protocols, using water balance model. Under different water management protocols, treatment‐wise estimated total water use, TWU (×10⁴, m³) was 3.7, 4.6 and 3.9, while the computed consumptive water use index, CWUI (m³ kg^?1 biomass) was 6.62, 9.31 and 7.08, in T₁ (no water exchange), T₂ (periodic water exchange) and T₃ (regulated water exchange) respectively. Significantly higher yield (P < 0.05) in both T₂ and T₃ over T₁, was probably due to water exchange that improved the rearing environment. Although intensity of water exchange was more in T₂, significant variation (P < 0.05) in overall growth and yield was not recorded between T₂ and T₃. Treatment‐wise sediment load ranged between 54.6 and 71.3 m³ t^?1 biomasses. Higher sediment load was recorded at lower intensity of water exchange as well as with higher apparent feed conversion ratio. Higher net total water productivity, net consumptive water productivity and OV‐CC ratio in T₃ infers that regulated water exchange has a distinct edge over the no water exchange protocol. Restricted water use instead of regular/excess water exchange not only improves the production performance and water productivity, but also helps in lessening the operational pumping cost.     

Structure,composition and diversity of tree species in tropical moist deciduous forests of Eastern India: a case study of Nayagarh Forest Division,Odisha

Quantitative assessment of tree species diversity from sample plots in seven forest ranges of Nayagarh Forest Division in Odisha state in the Eastern Ghats of India was made during the period April, 2011 to November, 2013. A total of 120 transects(1000 m × 5 m) were laid in Nayagarh, Odogaon, Pancharida, Khandapada, Dasapalla,Mahipur, and Gania forest ranges and tree stems of at least 30 cm GBH were measured. The regeneration potential of trees was assessed from 5 m × 5 m sample plots located within the main transect. A total of 177 tree species belonging to 120 genera and 44 families were recorded from the study area. Shorea robusta, Buchanania lanzan, Lannea coromandelica, Terminalia alata and Cleistanthus collinus were the predominant tree species. The stand density varied in the range of 355.33–740.53 stems h~a)-1) while basal area ranged from 7.77 to 31.62 m~2 ha~(-1). The tree density and species richness decreased with increasing girth class. The highest number of species and maximum density was recorded in the girth class of 30–60 cm. The Shannon–Weiner and Simpson Indices with respect to trees with C30 cm GBH varied in the range of 2.07–3.79 cm and 0.03–0.37 cm respectively and the values of diversity indices are within the reported range for tropical forests of Indian sub-continent. The families, Dipterocarpaceae,Anacardiaceae, Combretaceae and Euphorbiaceae contributed to maximum species richness, stand density, and basal area. Regeneration of many tree species was observed to be poor. The present study provides baseline data for further ecological studies, forest management, and formulation of site-specific strategies for conservation of biological diversity in moist deciduous forests of Eastern India.     

Genetic diversity of Phytophthora pluvialis,a pathogen of conifers,in New Zealand and the west coast of the United States of America

Phytophthora pluvialis is the causal agent of red needle cast on Pinus radiata in New Zealand. It was first isolated in 2008 but had previously been recovered from tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) and Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees in Oregon, USA in 2002. Phytophthora pluvialis was subsequently described as a new species in 2013 and classified as a clade III Phytophthora species. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the genetic diversity, population structure and origin of this pathogen. A total of 360 P. pluvialis isolates were collected from the USA and New Zealand. The genome sequences of two P. pluvialis isolates were used to identify 27 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that were then used to genotype the two populations. The genotypic data showed that the USA population of P. pluvialis had twice the genetic diversity and a greater number of multilocus genotypes (MLGs) compared to the New Zealand population, with 126 and 24 MLGs, respectively. The majority of the subpopulations within the USA and New Zealand showed linkage disequilibrium. All subpopulations had a negative fixation index, indicating that clonal reproduction is prevalent in both countries. A minimum spanning network (MSN) showed two unique clusters of isolates in the New Zealand population, suggesting two potential introductions of P. pluvialis into New Zealand from the USA. There was no significant structure within the New Zealand or USA populations. This study provides novel insight into the genetic structure of P. pluvialis in New Zealand and the USA.     

Utilisation of individual tuber sprouts in potato production

The relative performance of individual sprouts, sprouted whole and cut tubers were evaluated for growth and yield of potatoes. By using individual sprouts, the seed weight was reduced to 6.8 q/ha as compared to 40.1, 20.1 and 10.3 q/ha for whole tubers, half tubers and quarter pieces, respectively. The number of shoots, stem girth, height, number of leaves, etc., of plants from individual sprouts were less than from other planting-materials. The yield per hectare was also less for individual sprouts than for plants from whole tubers or half tubers, but it was on a par with quarter pieces. However, the seed : yield ratio was highest (1 :5.6) in plants from half tubers (top end), closely followed by individual sprouts (1:5.1), whereas it was 1:3.3, 1:4.5, and 1:5.0 in plants from whole tubers, half tubers (base end) and quarter pieces, respectively.     

Comparative evaluation of indirect and sandwich ELISA for the detection of antibodies to bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in dairy cattle

Seroprevalence of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection in both exotic and crossbred cattle were described. A baculovirus expressed recombinant purified nucleocapsid (N) protein was used in indirect and sandwich ELISA for screening of 499 bovine sera samples from all over the state for the presence of BRSV antibodies. The seroprevalence rate of BRSV was found to be 46.09% through indirect ELISA while it would found to be 65.33% by sandwich ELISA. The result also indicated that exotic breeds were more susceptible to BRSV infection compared to crossbred cattle. A comprehensive analysis on susceptibility to BRSV as regards to various factors like age and sex was also summarized.     

粟谷在家禽日粮中的应用

在配制家禽饲料时并不总是有玉米可供应用,或只能以高价购买玉米。这就向人们提出了一个问题,能否用人类不常食用的粟米替代玉米作为家禽日粮的能量饲料?     

Potential diagnostic test for experimental and natural ovine Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis

An ion-exchange chromatographic fraction of Taenia hydatigena metacestode was evaluated for use in the immunodiagnosis of ovine cysticercosis. Analysis of the fraction by sodium dodecyl sulphate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a 68 KDa protein. Antibodies against the isolated protein were detected in 7 out of 10 experimentally infected lambs. The diagnostic potential of the 68 KDa protein was further confirmed by testing sera from naturally infected post-mortem positive (PM+) and from apparently healthy groups of animals. Eighty % and 8% of animals were found positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the groups of PM+ and apparently non-infected lambs, respectively.