Management practices followed for draught cattle in the southern part of India

A study was conducted to determine the management practices followed by the farmers for draught cattle in Tamil Nadu state, India. Methods of procurement of animals, use of female animals, breeds preferred, housing, health, disposal of animals, feeding, shoeing, purchase of animal-drawn implements and their maintenance were all assessed with 210 farmers from seven districts across different agro-climatic zones in Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that 86 % of the respondents purchased the draught cattle from the livestock markets, most were bullocks but 20 small farmers and 5 medium farmers used female animals for ploughing. Among the indigenous breeds, Kangeyam (33 %) and Hallikar (30 %) breeds were the most popular for work. Most farmers (69 %) provided a mixed type of housing (provision of housing only during the night time and the rainy season) for their draught cattle. The major health problem reported by 63 % of respondents was pyrexia. Almost all farmers sold their animals at the age of 8–10 years. The feeding practices for draught cattle were poor especially with the small farmers. The cattle were fed with mainly paddy straw and rice bran. Oilcakes and cotton seeds were given to the animals which work throughout the year mainly for ploughing and carting. The draught cattle were first shod at around 2.5 years of age. The majority of the farmers (71 %) used the traditional animal-drawn implements made by local artisans, and the farmers were not aware of the new implements to reduce the drudgery of work cattle, designed by the Agricultural Machinery Research Centre and Agricultural Engineering Departments located in India.     

Performance of soilless cucumbers in relation to differential fertigation under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions

A study was carried out in a split plot design in three replicates during 2016–17 to monitor the performance of soilless cucumbers in relation to differential fertigation. The treatments included fertigation levels viz. 100.0% (F1), 85.0% (F2) and 70.0% (F3) in main plots and varieties viz. Kafka (V1), Multistar (V2) and PBRK-4 (V3) in sub plots. Fertigation levels and varieties significantly affected the fruit yield being highest and lowest values for F1V2 and F3V3, respectively. The average fruit yield with and without fruit thinning was obtained in the range of 2.4–3.5?kg plant^?1 and 3.3–4.4?kg plant^?1, respectively. The crop water use efficiency (CWUE) was computed to be in the range of 60.4–86.3?kg m^?3 and 84.6–108.9?kg m^?3 with and without fruit thinning. Overall, the soilless cucumber cultivation in relation to differential fertigation under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions proved to be a success in terms of plant growth, yield, quality and economic viability.     

Changes in frigate tuna populations on the south coast of Sri Lanka: evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome from analysis of fisher observations

• 1. This study examines changes in frigate tuna populations in southern Sri Lanka, based on reports from fishers in three age classes. Significantly higher values for best day's catch and largest specimen ever caught were obtained by older fishers than younger ones. Values were also significantly higher during early years, providing clear evidence of a decrease in the resource over time (1951–2007).
• 2. Older fishers reported best catches further inshore and in shallower waters which, on becoming depleted, forced younger generations to fish in less exploited areas further offshore. Heavy harvesting is also evident from the significantly greater number of sites reported by older fishers as being depleted, compared with observations of younger fishers.
• 3. These findings contrast markedly with catch and catch per effort patterns from statistics for frigate tuna and bullet tuna (combined) in southern Sri Lanka (1994–2004). No stock decline is evident, and at least one report in the early 1990s advocated increasing exploitation rates by 40% to maximize yields.
• 4. Although not a primary research objective, fisher observations on frigate tuna populations were also analysed to help evaluate possible effects of the 2004 tsunami. Most fishers reported post‐tsunami decline, but mainly from a larger new generation of fishers, rather than extra boats provided by aid money or (direct or indirect) biophysical impacts from the tsunami.
• 5. Reliance on fishery statistics, especially for mixed species and over a limited period, can be risky and easily mask true stock status. Evidence of harvesting effects on frigate tuna in southern Sri Lanka is evident using questionnaire data over a longer time scale.
• 6. This study provides another compelling case of the ‘shifting baseline syndrome’, whereby fishers of different ages have altered perceptions/experiences of their environment. This may be its first reported occurrence in Sri Lanka. Traditional knowledge from this and similar surveys may provide national fishery management with valuable insights and help improve conservation prospects for frigate tuna and other marine resources. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Chagos feels the pinch: assessment of holothurian (sea cucumber) abundance,illegal harvesting and conservation prospects in British Indian Ocean Territory

• 1. Data are analysed from visual censuses of shallow‐water holothurians (sea cucumbers) in 72 shallow water transects 100 m×2 m within four atolls of Chagos. Mean holothurian abundance in Diego Garcia, where harvesting is absent, was 18.5 individuals/transect (all transects) and 55.4 individuals/transect (only those containing holothurians). In the three exploited atolls, mean abundance did not exceed 3.5 and 5.2 individuals/transect, respectively.
• 2. Comparison with data collected during this study and an earlier investigation reveals a marked decline over four years in both mean and maximum density of commercially valuable Stichopus chloronotus and Holothuria atra in Salomon and Peros Banhos, both exploited atolls, and also for Holothuria nobilis in the latter.
• 3. Holothurian counts were also made along an extensive transect (21 km×4 m) encircling Salomon atoll. Abundance showed highly significant negative correlation with fishing pressure, the latter estimated using an ordinal (0–3) scale (R_s=?0.605, P?0.01). Harvesting effects were not discernible using data from 200 m² transects.
• 4. While recent studies have shown Chagos is virtually pristine regarding contaminant levels, its holothurian resources are under increasing pressure. Results from this study, and examination of Sri Lanka's fishing activity in distant waters, point to heavy and illegal harvesting.
• 5. Stronger measures are needed to control the illegal fishery, to prevent holothurian abundances falling to the non‐sustainable levels now prevalent across much of the Indo‐Pacific, and to ensure that Chagos remains a biodiversity hotspot and environment of international renown. Use of smaller surveillance vessels would facilitate this.Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in India: A preliminary study on the causative agent and control of the disease by inactivated autogenous vaccine

Summary Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in broiler birds of 3 to 6 weeks of age was recorded for the first time in the Haldwani area of Nainital district (UP) in India in November, 1994. The overall mortality in 6 poultry farms was 61·62 per cent. The disease was experimentally transmitted by bacteria free infected liver homogenate extract passed through membrane filters of 0·22 and 0·1 μ APD. The aetiological agent was inactivated by heat treatment at 56°C for one hour and 80°C for 10 min. A precipitin band was demonstrated in agar gel immunodiffusion and counter immunoelectrophoresis using infected liver homogenate extract as antigen and homologous antisera raised in the laboratory. The disease was effectively controlled by formalinised and heat inactivated autogenous vaccine prepared from the infected livers of birds which died of natural infection.

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Sindrome De Hidropericardio (HPS) En La India: Estudio Preliminar Acerca Del Agente Etiologico Y Del Control De La Enfermedad Mediante Vacunas Inactivadas Autogenas

Resumen Se describe por primera vez el síndrome de hidropericardio en pollos broiler de 3 a 6 semanas de edad en el area de Haldwani, en el distrito de Nainital (U. P.), en la India, en noviembre de 1994. La mortalidad global en seis granjas avícolas fue del 61·62%. La enfermedad fue transmitida de forma experimental mediante muestras homogeneizadas de hígado libres de bacterias y filtradas a través de filtros de membrana de 0·22 y 0·1 u APD. El agente etiológico fue inactivado por calor a 56°C durante 1 hora y 80°C durante 10 minutos. Se demonstró una banda de precipitina en inmunodifusión en agar gel y contrainmunoelectroforesis utilizando como antígeno extracto homogeneizado de hígado procedente de animales infectados y antisuero homólogo obrenido en el laboratorio. La enfermedad se controló de forma efectiva utilizando una vacuna autógena inactivada por calor y formol; la vacuna fue obtenida a partir del hígado de aves que murieron de infección natural.

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Syndrome D’Hydropericardie En Inde: Etude Preliminaire Sur L’Agent Responsable Et Controle De La Maladie Par Un Vaccin Autogene Inactive

Résumé Le syndrome d’hydropéricardie (SHP) fut observé pour la premiere fois en Novembre 1994 chez des poulets de 3 á 6 semaines dans la région de Haldivani du district de Nainital en Inde. Parmi 6 élevages la mortalité fut de 61.62%. La maladie fut transmise expérimentalement en utilisant des extraits de foie infecté sans bactéries, homogénéisés et filtrés sur des membranes de 0,22 et 0,1 μm. L’agent pathogéne fut inactivés par traitement thermique à 56°C pendant une heure et à 80°C pendant 10 minutes. Une bande de précipité fut observée dans les gels d’agarose d’immunoprécipitation par immunoélectrophorèse utilisant des extraits de foie homogénéises en tant qu’antigène et des antisera homologues produits dans le laboratoire. La maladie fut restrainte de fa?on effective en utilisant un vaccin autogène, inactivé par la chaleur et traité par la formaline issude foies d’oiseaux infectés qui moururent d’infection naturelle.

     

Pharmacokinetics of lincomycin following single intravenous administration in buffalo calves

Lincomycin 10 mg kg^?1, IV in buffalo calves followed two-compartment open model with high distribution rate constant α (11.2?±?0.42 h^?1) and K ₁₂/K ₂₁ ratio (4.40?±?0.10). Distribution half-life was 0.06?±?0.01 h and AUC was 41.6?±?1.73 μg mL^?1 h. Large Vd_area (1.15?±?0.03 L kg^?1) indicated good distribution of lincomycin in various body fluids and tissues. Peak plasma level of lincomycin (71.8?±?1.83 μg mL^?1) was observed at 1 min as expected by IV route. The elimination half-life and MRT of lincomycin were short (3.30?±?0.08 and 4.32?±?0.11 h, respectively). Lincomycin 10 mg kg^?1 IV at 12-h interval would be sufficient to maintain T?>?MIC above 60 % for bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values ≤1.6 μg mL^?1. Favourable pharmacokinetic profile in buffalo calves and a convenient dosing interval suggest that lincomycin may be an appropriate antibacterial in buffalo species for gram-positive and anaerobic bacterial pathogens susceptible to lincomycin.     

Co-inoculation of the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica with the phosphate-solubilising bacterium Pseudomonas striata affects population dynamics and plant growth in chickpea

In this study, inoculation of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum) with the novel symbiotic fungus (Piriformospora indica) was analysed in combination with the Tn5-lacZ-tagged phosphate-solubilising bacterium Pseudomonas striata. This study aims to evaluate whether the co-inoculation of these two species would enhance the population buildup of P. striata in the rhizosphere, P uptake, growth and yield of chickpea. Single inoculation of P. indica and P. striata has a negative effect on plant growth and yield of chickpea. Data showed that the combination of the two microorganisms had a synergistic effect on population buildup of P. striata and plant dry biomass with respect to their single inoculation. However, the P uptake was not significantly influenced by single or combined inoculation of two species. At 20 days after sowing, the influence of combined inoculation on the population of P. striata was positive; at 60 days after sowing, it was neutral as the populations in treatments with single and combined inoculation were at par; and at harvest, it was negative The population of P. striata was higher at flowering stage as compared to 20 days after sowing and at harvest.     

A circular dichroism and fluorescence spectrometric assessment of effects of selected chemical denaturants on soybean (Glycine max L.) storage proteins glycinin (11S) and beta-conglycinin (7S)

Soybean glycinin (11S) and beta-conglycinin (7S) were subjected to select chemical treatments at various concentrations and resulting changes in protein structures were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectrometry. Fluorescence quenching results indicated that urea >/=3 M caused significant unfolding of 11S, but not that of 7S. GuHCl was more effective than urea in denaturation of 11S. A two-step transition in 11S structure was observed with a possible existence of a folding intermediate at 2.5 M GuHCl. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) measurably altered secondary and tertiary structures of 11S and 7S below SDS critical micellar concentration (CMC), possibly due to formation of mixed peptide-SDS micelles. SDS treatment increased alpha-helical and unordered structures of both proteins at the expense of beta-sheet structure. NaCl and CaCl 2 caused a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity without shifting emission lambda max. Exposure of 7S and 11S to NaSCN respectively at >/=0.3 and >/=0.6 M NaSCN caused a significant increase in fluorescence intensity measured at the corresponding lambda max of the protein. beta-Mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and phytic acid caused variable red shifts, 2.5-4 nm, in the emission lambda max.     

Phaseolin in vitro pepsin digestibility: role of acids and phenolic compounds

Great Northern bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) phaseolin proteolysis at 37 degrees C, varying HCl concentrations (10 mM to 1 M), phaseolin:pepsin ratios ranging from 5:1 to 100:1 (w/w), and incubation times up to 24 h was investigated. The results suggest that phaseolin is not resistant to in vitro pepsin hydrolysis. At a phaseolin-to-pepsin ratio of 100:1 (w/w), native phaseolin was completely digested in 24 h when incubated in 50 mM HCl, while heat-denatured phaseolin (30 min at 100 degrees C, boiling water bath) was digested in 1 h under similar conditions. When incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h, acid alone, even at as low a concentration as 10 mM, caused a partial breakdown of native phaseolin. The degree of phaseolin hydrolysis by HCl was dependent on the acid concentration used. The rate of native phaseolin hydrolysis increased with increasing HCl concentration rather than pepsin concentration. Common food acids were able to partially hydrolyze phaseolin. Among the food acids tested, oxalic acid was the most effective in hydrolyzing phaseolin. Spectroscopic studies revealed a significant change in secondary and tertiary structures when native phaseolin was incubated in dilute HCl. None of the tested phenolic compounds adversely affected phaseolin hydrolysis by pepsin.