Analysis of genetic and virulence variability of Stemphylium lycopersici associated with leaf spot of vegetable crops

Stemphylium lycopersici (Enjoji) W. Yamam was initially described from tomato and has been reported to infect different hosts worldwide. Sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions 1 and 2, including 5.8S rDNA (ITS-5.8S rDNA) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) gene, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), as well as virulence studies were conducted to analyze 46?S. lycopersici isolates. Stemphylium lycopersici isolates used in this study were obtained from diseased tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) from major vegetable growing regions of Malaysia, including the three states of Pahang, Johor and Selangor between 2011 and 2012. Phylogenetic analysis of a combined dataset of the ITS-5.8S rDNA and gpd regions indicated that all isolates were clustered in the sub-cluster that comprised S. lycopersici, and were distinguished from other Stemphylium species. Cluster analyses using the UPGMA method for both RAPD and ISSR markers grouped S. lycopersici isolates into three main clusters with similarity index values of 67 and 68 %. The genetic diversity data confirmed that isolates of S. lycopersici are in concordance to host plants, and not geographical origin of the isolates. All S. lycopersici isolates were pathogenic on their original host plants and showed leaf spot symptoms; however, virulence variability was observed among the isolates. In cross-inoculation assays, the representative isolates were able to cause leaf spot symptoms on eggplant, pepper, lettuce and tomato, but not on cabbage.     

Upregulation of MiRNA-149-5p Reduces the Infract Volume in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Rats by Modulating Cation-Chloride Cotransporters Expressions

Introduction:Brain ischemia often leads to the chloride gradient alternations, which affects volume regulation and neuronal survival. Increase in NKCC1 expression and reduction in KCC2 level under ischemic condition results in inflammation and neuronal death. In this study, we investigated the effect of mimic miRNA and CoQ10 on the expression of CCCs (NKCC1 and KCC2) after cerebral ischemia. Methods:In this study, cerebral ischemia was modeled using the MCAO method. Rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham, model, NC, vehicle, and the first and second treatments. In the Sham group, ischemia was not induced, and no treatment was performed. In the Model group, ischemia induction was performed, and other groups, in addition to ischemia induction, received Scramble miRNA, Ethanol, mimic miRNA-149-5p and CoQ10, respectively. Each group was divided into three subgroups to assess the volume of the tissue damage and NDS in subgroup 1, brain water content in subgroup 2, level of miRNA-149-5p and CCC expressions in subgroup 3. Results:Our data suggested that the use of mimic miRNA and Q10 increased the level of miRNA-149 and KCC2 expression and decreased NDS, NKCC1 expression, brain water content, and infract volume. Conclusion:Findings of this study suggest that the mimic miRNA and Q10 may have neuroprotective effects through reducing infract volume and brain water content and modulating the expression of CCCS after brain ischemia. Key Words: Brain edama, Brain ischemia, Coenzyme Q10, MicroRNAs     

Sustainable Rangeland Management in Southwest Iran: Understanding Changes in Experts’ Attitudes Toward Livelihood Alternatives

The importance of knowledge sharing, as an integral part of decision making, has been highly acknowledged by many authors. However, the process in which knowledge sharing should be conducted has remained a debatable issue. In this study, changes in experts’ attitudes, as a result of the knowledge-sharing process, in the context of rangeland management were assessed. We demonstrated a three-step knowledge-sharing process while recognizing collaborative knowledge sharing systems, which involves knowledge-sharing tools including face-to-face and virtual approaches. The process was applied to explore experts’ attitudes regarding livelihood alternatives in the Bazoft region of southwestern Iran. Sixty experts were selected from three groups categorized as key local stakeholders, practitioners, and scientists. First, the experts were independently given the task of ranking livelihood alternatives. Next, for a better understanding of alternatives and enhancing their view, additional knowledge and information were provided. Thereafter, their attitudes in the final step were assessed. According to the findings, change in the experts’ attitudes could take place, which eventually resulted in the prioritization of livelihood alternatives to approach sustainable rangeland management (SRM). The synergy of experts’ knowledge, which can be realized through a collaborative knowledge sharing process, can be further pursued by devising a workable policy framework to approach SRM.     

Soil Delineations on Public Cadaster Maps as Elements of the Soil–Land Cover Mapping

Eurasian Soil Science - The depiction of soil delineations on a public cadastral map clearly demonstrates the potentialities of large-scale soil mapping. The development of land legislation...     

Molecular examination and genotype diversity of vernalization sensitivity and photoperiod response in old and modern bread wheat cultivars grown in Iran

Understanding the genetic factors governing developmental patterns and flowering time in breeding materials is required for the development of new wheat varieties for a specific environment. Iran is among the largest wheat producers in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East and North Africa. The wheat germplasm grown in Iran is either developed nationally or is introduced from the CIMMYT global wheat program. For decades, the wheat breeding program in Iran focused on generating new varieties better able to grow in the predominant Iranian climatic conditions such as humidity at the reproductive stage, high temperature during reproductive stages (terminal heat stress), moderate temperature during the cropping season, and high probability of frost damage during early stages of growth. There have also been sub-programs aimed at developing drought and salinity-tolerant wheat cultivars in Iran. Knowledge of cultivars’ growth habits in Iran is currently limited to flowering in spring-sown nurseries. We identified allelic diversity in loci involved in vernalization response (Vrn) and photoperiod sensitivity (Ppd) in 60 bread wheat cultivars developed in Iran, CIMMYT, or ICARDA. This study revealed that the spring growth habit observed in most of the cultivars is conferred by a combination of recessive vrn-A1 and dominant Vrn-D1, Vrn-B1, and/or Vrn-B3 loci. This implies that most of the cultivars have minimal vernalization requirements for overwintering. Perhaps cold winters, even in the southern regions of Iran, provide sufficient vernalization conditions for cultivars possessing the recessive vrn-A1 allele. The germplasm investigated in this study revealed no evidence indicating selection for or against any specific Vrn and Ppd allele in our wheat breeding program.     

Assessment of the occurrence of climate change and its effects on planting date and growth duration of rainfed wheat in the western and northwestern regions of Iran

In this study, the effect of climate change on planting date and growth duration of rainfed wheat in the west and northwest parts of Iran has been investigated. The occurrence of climate change in the region was first evaluated for the base period (1992–2018) using two nonparametric tests of Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope estimator. Then, the climatic parameters of maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation were simulated under RCP4.5 scenario for the period 2019–2039 based on downscaled output data of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM4) using LARS WG software. The growth period was obtained using a linear multiple regression model, which was selected based on R-square and accounted for 87% of its total variation. The results predicted that the average annual temperature will increase by 2 °C, while the average annual precipitation will increase by 30% by the end of 2039. Planting dates were determined based on two indices combining temperature and precipitation for the base and future periods. The results showed that climate change effects at the 2039 horizon will shorten by 18 days the wheat growth period and the appropriate planting time for rainfed wheat will be reduced by 2–19 days.

     

Glycoconjugates Distribution during Developing Mouse Spinal Cord Motor Organizers

Background: The aim of this research was to study the distribution and changes of glycoconjugates particularly their terminal sugars by using lectin histochemistry during mouse spinal cord development. Methods: Formalin-fixed sections of mouse embryo (10-16 fetal days) were processed for lectin histochemical method. In this study, two groups of horseradish peroxidase-labeled specific lectins were used: N-acetylgalactosamine, including Dolichos biflorus, Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), Vicia villosa, Glycine max as well as focuse-binding lectins, including tetragonolobus, Ulex europaeus, and Orange peel fungus (OFA). All sections were counterstained with alcian blue (pH 2.5). Results: Our results showed that only WFA and OFA reacted strongly with the floor plate cells from early to late embryonic period of developing spinal cord. The strongest reactions were related to the 14, 15, and 16 days of tissue sections incubated with OFA and WFA lectins. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that cellular and molecular differentiation of the spinal cord organizers is a wholly regulated process, and α-L-fucose, α-D-GalNAc, and α/β-D-GalNAc terminal sugars play a significant role during the prenatal spinal cord development.Key Words: Development, Glycoconjugates, Spinal cord     

Prevalence of bovine subclinical mastitis and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of major mastitis pathogens isolated in Unguja island of Zanzibar,Tanzania

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2014 in Unguja island of Zanzibar to establish prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in smallholder dairy cows and patterns of antibacterial susceptibility of major mastitis pathogens isolated. A total of 416 dairy cows from 201 farmers were randomly selected from three districts of Unguja Island to participate in the study. Questionnaire interview, field observation, individual cow examination, California Mastitis Test (CMT) and bacteriological examination were carried out. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was used to test drug sensitivity for common bacteria isolated. Based on CMT results, the overall prevalence of SCM was 28.6, 48.8 and 64.7% at quarter, cow and farm level, respectively. Prevalence of bacterial infection was recorded at 42.9, 70.9 and 78.6% at quarter, cow and farm examined, respectively. The common bacteria isolated included Staphylococcus aureus (36.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (16.1%), Klebsiella spp. (9.5%), Micrococcus spp. (6.3%) and Escherichia coli (4.9%). In conclusion, findings of this study demonstrated high level of subclinical mastitis at farms, cows and quarters levels with both contagious and environmental bacterial pathogen involved. Therefore, efforts should be directed to the decreased subclinical mastitis by improving sanitary measures and proper milking practice.     

The use of native turf mixtures to approach sustainable lawn in urban landscapes

Native grasses are excellent candidate species for manipulation to produce dwarf and turf type varieties as well as for producing cultivars with higher attractiveness and requiring less maintenance to be used as a turf grass in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. This investigation was conducted to explore visual qualities of native grasses and their mixtures compared to commercial turf. The field experiment was set out in a split-plot in time based on a randomized experimental design with three replications. We used two native monoculture accessions, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ‘Yarand’) and (Lolium perenne L. ‘Shadegan’), Native low-variety Mixture (NM1): consisting of 50% Lolium multiflorum ‘Shadegan’? 50% Festuca spp. ‘Shadegan’, Native high-variety Mixture (NM2): consisting of 55% Lolium perenne L. ‘Yarand’? 35% Lolium perenne L. ‘Shadegan’? 5% L. multiflorum ‘Shadegan’ and 5% Festuca spp. ‘Shadegan’ and compared this with one commercial turf mixture that is commonly used in landscaping. Results indicated the effects of seasons and turf grass types and their interaction had significant effects on most variables including quality, season color, leaf texture, density, quality after clipping (p < 0.01). The visual quality measurements indicated the superiority of L. perenne ‘Shadegan’ over other native monoculture and polyculture and its ablility to compete with the commercial turf. The native turf mixture of NM2 showed several good characteristics. L. perenne ‘Yarand’ had statistically the lowest score for visual appeal as compared with the other turf types. This research suggests that the use of native grass species of L. perenne ‘Shadegan’ is worth investigating for better performance of the native landscape.