Effect of temperature on gametophytic selection in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phalaenopsis</Emphasis> F<Subscript>1</Subscript> population

Gametophytic selection has potential to increase the efficiency of breeding for temperature tolerance. Here, we describe orchid seedlings after application of low and high temperatures during gametophytic development. In addition to phenotypic traits, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to determine the genetic variability in seedlings. Two hybrid Phalaenopsis were cross-pollinated and exposed to 30°C day/25°C night for 3 days for a warm pollination or 15°C day/10°C night for 7 days as a cold pollination treatment. The plants were returned to the greenhouse after pollination and green capsules were collected after 150 days. Protocorms obtained from these treatments were evaluated 72 days after initial plating for germination and size on a thermogradient table ranging from 10 to 30°C. Seedlings were then evaluated 1 year after initial plating. The mean number of roots per seedling (4.2) was greater for plantlets that derived from the cold pollination treatment compared to those from warm pollination (3.6). Weight of the seedlings, number of roots and the average root length were significantly affected by the interaction between pollination treatment and germination temperature. The weight, number of leaves, and average root length were significantly affected by the interaction between pollination treatment and incubator/growth chamber. The results indicated that seedlings derived from warm pollination were more vigorous under warm growing conditions and those derived from cold pollination were more vigorous under cold growing conditions. Genetic variation among 16 F₁ seedlings randomly selected from various temperature treatments was analyzed. A dendrogram based on 651 loci resulted in three major groups and one subgroup. The groups and subgroup revealed common selection pressure during the gametophytic stage. The AFLP data support genetic differentiation of Phalaenopsis hybrids pollinated under different temperatures.     

Effects of dietary chromium chloride,nicotinic acid and copper sulphate on meat of broilers

1.?Combinations of chromium and copper were added to the diet to assess their effects on broiler meat characteristics.

2.?For this purpose 175 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into 7 equal groups and were given treatment feeds containing copper sulphate, chromium chloride and nicotinic acid in different combinations.

3.?The study was carried out for 5 weeks and samples were collected at the end of 15, 29 and 35 d of treatment and at 42 d after a withdrawal period of one week.

4.?Cholesterol content had decreased significantly in breast meat at d 29 in all treatment groups. In thigh meat, it decreased significantly at d 29 in groups receiving two concentrations of chromium + two concentrations of copper. Cholesterol content remained lower even after withholding the treatment for one week.

5.?Crude fat content decreased significantly in breast meat in all treatment groups. In thigh meat, at d 29, a significant reduction in crude fat was observed only in birds receiving low chromium and high copper.

6.?Crude protein at d 29 increased significantly in breast meat of birds receiving low chromium and high copper, and low or high chromium, while it decreased significantly in treatment groups after withholding the treatment. In thigh meat, at d 29, it increased significantly in treatment groups but decreased significantly after withholding the treatment.

7.?It was concluded that chromium and copper, along with nicotinic acid, have modulating effects on broiler meat under tropical conditions.     

Prevalence and molecular diagnosis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma evansi</Emphasis> in Nili-Ravi buffalo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>) in different districts of Punjab (Pakistan)

The prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi was investigated in 1,250 Nili-Ravi buffaloes of mixed age and sex by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the first time in Pakistan. DNA of the trypanosomes was isolated with TRIREAGENT®. The assay was employed using primers ESAG 6/7, specific for a 237-bp fragment from T. evansi genomic DNA. The samples were screened for the presence of T. evansi also by stained thin smear. Forty-four (3.5%) samples were positive by microscopy, while 97 (7.7%) samples were identified by PCR, indicating the high sensitivity of PCR for surveying the disease in epidemiological studies.     

Direct and indirect anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins in sheep

Anthelmintic activity of condensed tannins (CT) was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro tests included egg hatch test and paralysis/mortality assay on adult Haemonchus contortus. In vivo anthelmintic effect was determined by faecal egg count reduction test in lambs. To this end, 18 lambs were divided into three groups (low tannin, high tannin and control). The lambs of low and high tannin groups were fed diets containing 2 and 3% CT while the control group was fed on diets without CT. In vitro trials showed a dose-dependent inhibition of nematode egg hatching; whereas, there was no effect of CT on adult H. contortus. In vivo trials indicated reduction in faecal egg counts in lambs fed diets containing CT. Feed intake and nutrient digestibility of CT-fed sheep was lower and nitrogen balance was higher as compared to control. Maximum weight gain was observed in animals fed diets containing 3% CT. The direct anthelmintic effect of CT, therefore, was evidenced by inhibited egg hatching; whereas, faecal egg counts reduction in sheep was through improved nutrient utilization.     

Arachidic Acid in Extender Improves Post‐thaw Parameters of Cryopreserved Nili‐Ravi Buffalo Bull Semen

Cryopreservation process reduces lipids and phospholipids from buffalo bull spermatozoa. It was therefore hypothesized that supplementation of fatty acid to extender may improve the post‐thaw quality of buffalo semen. The objective was to evaluate the effect of arachidic acid supplementation in extender on post‐thaw quality of buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa. Semen was collected from three adult Nili‐Ravi buffalo bulls of similar age group with artificial vagina (42°C) for 3 weeks (replicate). Qualified semen ejaculates (n = 18) were split into four aliquots and diluted in tris–citric acid extender containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/ml at 37°C having approximately 50 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/ml. Diluted semen was cooled to 4°C in 2 h and equilibrated for 4 h at 4°C. Cooled semen was filled in 0.5‐ml straws at 4°C, kept on liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 min and plunged in liquid nitrogen for storage. Thawing of frozen semen was performed after 24 h at 37°C for 30 s. Sperm progressive motility (%) was improved in a dose‐dependent manner by supplementing arachidic acid at 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/ml compared with control. Structural and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane (%), number of acrosome‐intact live sperm (%) and sperm chromatin integrity (%) were better (p < 0.05) in extender having 5.0 ng/ml of arachidic acid compared with control. At 10.0 ng/ml, these values did not vary (p > 0.05) from those at 5.0 ng/ml. Further improvement in structural and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane, number of acrosome‐intact live sperm and chromatin integrity was observed at 20.0 ng/ml of arachidic acid in extender. In conclusion, arachidic acid supplementation in extender improved the post‐thaw quality parameters of cryopreserved Nili‐Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa. Among the arachidic acid concentrations studied, maximum improvement in post‐thaw semen quality parameters was observed at 20.0 ng/ml.     

Measurement of Ammonia Emission Following Surface Application of Urea Fertilizer from Irrigated Paddy Rice Fields

Ammonia emission is one of the most important pathways of nitrogen loss from agricultural cultivated field. In this paper, we report the measurement of ammonia emission from paddy rice field obtained by surface application of urea fertilizer with water management. The main objective of the present study were to assess the amount of NH3 emission and the loss of nitrogen from paddy field as affected by various N doses, i.e., 0 (control), 90 (N1), 180 (N2), 270 (N3) and 360 (N4) kg ha-1, following field surface application of urea fertilizer with water management. Ammonia emissions were measured by continuous airflow enclosure method from plots fertilized with the application of surface urea. Increase in urea-N dosage increased NH3 emission thatwas measured from paddy rice field. Ammonia emission started immediately and was almost complete within 12 days after top dressing of urea application to the soils. Ammonia emissions were nearly constant in all treatments from 12 days after fertilizer application. Highest ammonia emission rate was 28 g/day and total amount of ammonia emission was 56.21 kg ha-1 for 360 kg N ha-1 dose. No remarkable observation was found about temperature for ammonia emission. Due to proper water management practices less emission was observed throughout the experiment period. The results also show that N loss through NH3 emission accounted for 11 to 16% during the ricegrowing season. These magnitudes of loss of N appear to be most important for environmental point of view.     

Effect of management practices and animal age on incidence of mastitis in Nili Ravi buffaloes

Buffalo is an economically important dairy animal in South Asia but mostly ignored in research priorities. In this retrospective study, the effect of management practices and age of animal on the incidence of mastitis in Nili Ravi buffaloes was investigated. A total of 1,560 quarters of buffaloes (n?=?390) were screened by visual examination of the udder and milk (clinical mastitis) and California mastitis test (subclinical mastitis). Household data was collected on a predesigned questionnaire and analyzed. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis, clinical mastitis, and blind quarters was 41.8, 13.6, and 9.7 %, respectively. The highest prevalence was noted in the hind quarters and left side as compared to that in the forequarters and right side. This data significantly (p?p?p?R ²?=?0.772) with mastitis. This study concluded that some factors alone or in combination with other factors influence significantly the occurrence of mastitis, and to minimize the infection, these factors should be considered. The outcome of the study will be valuable for policy-making for positive management practices and implementation of preventive measures.     

Temperature effects on bioremediation of PAHs and PCP contaminated south Louisiana soils: A laboratory mesocosm study

Goal, Scope and Background  Temperature and soil moisture content are important environmental variables in bioremediation technologies. Optimizing these variables in-situ would enhance and maintain remediation of hazardous wastes during cold winter seasons or in cold regions and may lead to reduced maintenance and/or cost. The effect of elevated temperature and soil moisture on bioremediation efficiency was investigated using a laboratory mesocosm approach. Selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenols degradation in contaminated flooded soils, commonly found in Superfund sites situated in coastal plains sediments/soils, were evaluated in the mesocosms. Material and Methods  Four laboratory mesocosm treatments in triplicate simulating in-situ bioremediation of contaminated site soils using an immobilized microbe bioreactor system, i.e., bioplug, were established to evaluate temperature effects. Elevated temperature treatments of site soils with and without contaminant-specific microorganisms were established at a temperature of 42±2°C. Similarly, treatment of site soils with and without contaminant-specific microorganisms were established at an ambient temperature of 21±1°C. Composite samples were analyzed for selected PAHs and chlorinated phenols to determine rates of mineralization and overall remediation efficiency for different temperature regimes. Results  Mesocosm studies indicated that the high temperature inoculated treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in mean total PAHs and total phenols with a kinetic rate (KR) of 76±13 ng g⁻¹ d⁻¹ in 49 days (approximately 84% reduction; p<0.01) The KR for low temperature inoculated treatment was 54±1 ng g⁻¹ d⁻¹ in 49 days (approximately 66% reduction; p<0.01). High temperature non-inoculated mesocosms exhibited significant mineralization of all constituents with KR of 15±6 ng g⁻¹ d⁻¹ (approximately 65% reduction; p<0.01) in 49d compared to 54% reduction for low temperature non-inoculated treatment with KR of 12±3 ng g⁻¹ d⁻¹ (p=0.1794). Phenol compounds in inoculated treatments were also significantly reduced (65%, p<0.01) at elevated temperatures compared to ambient (52%, p<0.01). Discussion  Increased bioavailability and desorption were noted for elevated temperature and moisture in the soil laboratory mesocosms simulating a field in situ remediation protocol. This protocol employing the application of immobilized microflora indicated that in situ systems provide an economical advantage if optimal elevated temperature and moisture are controlled properly. Results also suggested that temperature and moisture optimization needs to be combined with efficient nutrients delivery systems for impacted soils/sediments. Conclusions  The study demonstrated that temperature and soil moisture contents are important factors in the success of in-situ bioremediation techniques at hazardous waste sites situated in a coastal zone. Kinetic rates were significantly enhanced to remediate known recalcitrant compounds (PAHs and phenols) in aged soil. Recommendations and Perspectives  The placement of a preferred microbial consortia such as an immobilized microbial population in an entrained bioreactor, i.e., bioplug, can significantly reduce constituents of concern in a timely manner for contaminated soils/sediments. However, frequent monitoring of the soil temperature, moisture content, nutrient level, and dissolved oxygen is necessary to achieve predictable kinetic rates of mineralization. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Teresa Cutright (tcutright@uakron.edu)     

Comparative Effect of Wastewater and Groundwater Irrigation Along with Nitrogenous Fertilizer on Growth,Photosynthesis and Productivity of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

A study was made in the net house of Plant Physiology, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh to study the comparative effect of wastewater and groundwater along with three different rates of nitrogen (N) of 0, 30, and 60 kg ha^?1 on growth, physiology and yield of two varieties of chilli cv. ‘G4’ and ‘Pusa Jawala’. Wastewater irrigation resulted significant increase in shoot and root length, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number and area, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s), water use efficiency (WUE), chlorophyll content, and yield. The physio-chemical parameters of wastewater met the irrigational characteristics, being well within the permissible limit as outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Among the nitrogen doses 30 kg ha^?1 N along with wastewater proved best for the growth and yield. Thus it may be concluded that wastewater reduced the demand of fertilizers and it may be used for the cultivation of chilli.