Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) Induced Changes in Growth,Some Biochemical Attributes,and Mineral Accumulation in Two Cultivars of Mung Bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Addition of cadmium, lead, and cadmium + lead (Cd, Pb, and Cd+Pb) to growth medium leads to a reduction in seed germination, length, fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and soluble proteins in plants. This study was undertaken on two mungbean cultivars (MN-92 and MN-98). Application of these metals in the growth medium reduced the bioabsorption of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). Concentrations of all the metals were greater in the roots than in the shoots except for K, which was greater in the shoots. Mungbean cultivar NM-98 performed better than NM-92 in response to heavy-metal toxicity. Overall, the metal-induced physiobiochemical changes resulted in reduced growth of both mungbean cultivars.     

Levels of some antioxidant molecules and lipid peroxidation during in vivo transformation of the progenetic metacercaria of Clinostomum complanatum to ovigerous adult worms

The levels of oxidative stress markers are an important indicator of the physiological state of the parasite and its host. In the present study levels of lipid peroxidation, glutathione S transferase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were determined in the Clinostomum complanatum progenetic metacercaria, obtained from the fish peritoneum (a hypoxic habitat). The in vivo transformed ovigerous adult worms were obtained from the aerobic environment of the buccopharyngeal region of experimentally infected chickens. Levels of antioxidant molecules were also determined in the blood of experimentally infected chickens. An increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation, and a significant decrease in the levels of glutathione S transferase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase was observed in the infected host as compared to the controls. In the ovigerous worms, the levels of lipid peroxidation, glutathione S transferase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase were found to be significantly less than the levels observed in the progenetic metacercaria. Since the establishment of worm in the buccal cavity of the avian host would lead to its exposure to oxygen and the haematophagous nature of the parasite also exposes it to the free radicals in the host blood, the progenetic metacercaria has evolved to produce excess free radical scavenging molecules reserved to combat the oxidative stress encountered within the microhabitat of the definitive host.     

Removal of Nickel onto Alkali Treated Rice Bran

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Different bases were used for the pretreatment of Rice bran biomass. Pretreatment with bases such as NaOH, Ca(OH)2 and Al(OH)3 were found to improve biosorption...     

Effect of Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation on Performance and Haemotological Values in Broilers

A total of 120-day-old broilers were divided into four groups. In group-A, broilers were left without supplementation of minerals and vitamins (control), while the broilers in groups B, C and D were given mineral and vitamin supplementation 1-6, 1-4 and 5-6 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the feed consumption of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 4 234.61, 4 028.38, 4 169.32 and 4 181.87 g ? b-1; water intake was 9 668.88, 9 295.55, 9 882.11 and 9 402.86 L ? b-1; live body weight was 2 068.90, 2 360.90, 2 255.30 and 2 157.40 g ? b-1, respectively. The feed conversion ratio of broilers in groups A, B, C, D was 2.05, 1.71, 1.85 and 1.94 g ? b-1, carcass weight (wt) was 1 550, 1 656, 1 552 and 1 528.8 g ? b-1, and average dressing percentage was 61.24, 63.02, 62.60 and 60.51 respectively. Weight of heart in groups A, B, C and D was 15.13, 13.16, 11.72 and 11.50 g ? b-1, weight of gizzard was 32.98, 37.48, 37.62 and 33.35 g ? b-1, weight of liver was 51.94, 48.70, 51.94 and 48.70 g ? b-1and spleen weight was 3.48, 3.28, 3.06 and 2.82 g ? b-1, respectively. Average mortality of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 6, 2, 4 and 5 resulting 20.00%, 8.00%, 13.00% and 16.00% mortality rate, respectively. The haemoglobin level in blood of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 9.20, 12.23, 10.87 and 7.60 g ? dL-1, white blood cell level 77.47, 89.83, 81.63 and 78.13 (×106μL); red blood cell level 1.85, 2.58, 2.45 and 1.40 (×106μL), respectively. It was concluded that broilers given mineral and vitamin supplementation (Aquavit Electrolyte) for 6 weeks were proven to be most effective regime to result the lowest feed intake, the highest live body weight, better feed conversion ratio, higher carcass weight, better dressing percentage, higher net profit, relatively improved haemoglobin level in blood, increased counts of red blood cells and white blood cells. In all the above parameters, the broilers received mineral and vitamin supplementation for the first 4 weeks and the last 2 weeks showed relatively inferior performance, it is suggested that mineral and vitamin supplementation through water for partial period was not much effective in broiler productivity. Broilers may be supplemented with commercially available minerals and vitamins in drinking water over full rearing period, for achieving higher live body weight and efficient feed conversion ratio.     

Shift in physiological and biochemical processes in wheat supplied with zinc and potassium under saline condition

Soil salinity is a serious abiotic factor affecting the production of crops by reducing potassium (K) uptake due to strong competition with sodium (Na) cations in the root regions. In calcareous soils, most of the nutrients precipitate in unavailable forms for plants. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical response of two wheat genotypes salt tolerant Abadghar and salt sensitive Pari-73 supplemented with K and zinc (Zn) nutrition. A factorial experiment with three levels of K (0, 50 and 100 kg ha^?1) and three levels of Zn (0, 25 and 50 kg ha^?1) based on a complete randomized design was employed. The results showed significant effect of treatments on chlorophyll (Chl) contents, water relations, nitrogen metabolism and yield attributes. The treatment K+Zn (100, 25 kg ha^?1) was the most effective in increasing grain yield. The results achieved highlight the importance of K and Zn nutrition in salt-stress conditions.     

Slow-release urea fertilizer from sulfur,gypsum, and starch-coated formulations

To address nitrogen (N)-related environmental pollution, development of an economical, slow-release urea fertilizer is the need of the hour. A study was conducted on the reduction of nitrogen released from granular urea fertilizer by applying sulfur, gypsum, bentonite, and starch as coating material. Paraffin wax was used as a binder. The dissolution rates were studied by changing the composition of coating mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography. SEM was used to study the morphology of coated urea in terms of smoothness and uniformity. The ultraviolet spectroscopy analysis further authenticated the release behavior of coated urea in terms of nitrogen concentration. Coating material reduced the release rate of nitrogen from urea fertilizer, significantly. Mixture of sulfur and gypsum coating on urea gave slowest release rate of nitrogen from urea fertilizer, i.e., 37%, as compared to uncoated urea and thus seems to be the most promising binding material for product development.     

Effect of roots aqueous extract of Delphinium denudatum on morphine-induced tolerance in mice

The aqueous extract of Delphinium denudatum (Dd) roots showed a significant effect against morphine- (10 mg/kg) induced tolerance and dependence in mice. Oral administration of the extract (200-1600 mg/kg) showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of naloxone- (1 mg/kg) induced withdrawal.     

Beech leaf disease symptoms caused by newly recognized nematode subspecies Litylenchus crenatae mccannii (Anguinata) described from Fagus grandifolia in North America

Symptoms of beech leaf disease (BLD), first reported in Ohio in 2012, include interveinal greening, thickening and often chlorosis in leaves, canopy thinning and mortality. Nematodes from diseased leaves of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) sent by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to the USDA, Beltsville, MD in autumn 2017 were identified as the first recorded North American population of Litylenchus crenatae (Nematology, 21, 2019, 5), originally described from Japan. This and other populations from Ohio, Pennsylvania and the neighbouring province of Ontario, Canada showed some differences in morphometric averages among females compared to the Japanese population. Ribosomal DNA marker sequences were nearly identical to the population from Japan. A sequence for the COI marker was also generated, although it was not available from the Japanese population. The nematode was not encountered in Fagus crenata (its host in Japan) living among nematode‐infested Fagus grandifolia in the Holden Arboretum, nor has L. crenatae been reported in American beech in Japan. The morphological and host range differences in North American populations are nomenclaturally distinguished as L. crenatae mccannii ssp. n. from the population in Japan. Low‐temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT‐SEM) demonstrated five lip annules and a highly flexible cuticle. Females, juveniles and eggs were imaged within buds with a Hirox Digital microscope and an LT‐SEM. Nematodes swarmed to the tips of freshly cut beech buds, but explants could not be maintained. Inoculation of fresh nematodes from infested leaves or buds to buds or leaves of F. grandifolia seedlings resulted in BLD leaf symptoms. Injuring dormant buds prior to nematode application, in fall or spring, promoted the most reliable symptom expression. The biogeography and physiology of anguinid nematode leaf galling, and potential co‐factors and transmission are discussed.     

Biofloc technology: an eco-friendly “green approach” to boost up aquaculture production

The rapid intensification of the aquaculture system has led to several environmental impacts involving water quality deterioration, pollution, and disease outbreaks. Consequently, an eco-friendly technique is inevitable that could ensure better production with less impact on the environment by minimizing the effluent discharge from aquaculture practice. Biofloc technology is such a kind breakthrough that would be easy to perform; operation and establishment procedure is quite simple at a relatively low cost that would be convenient to fish farmers. It can serve as a perfect solution for aquaculture species through improving its all characteristics such as substantial biomass density, survival, and disease resistance ability to the pathogen by an immunostimulatory effect of microbial floc on the immune system that would assure the biosecurity and sustainability of this extraordinary technique.