Pseudostem rot caused byCorticium rolfsii,a new disease ofMusa sp. in Tamil Nadu,India

In 1987 a new disease, called pseudostem rot, was observed on 3–5-month-old banana plants(Musa sp.) cv. ’Robusta’. The pathogen was isolated in pure culture and identified asCorticium rolfsii (Sacc.) Curzi, teleomorph ofSclerotium rolfsii Sacc. The teleomorphic stage of the fungus was observed inside the pseudostem sheath. The pathogen produced leaf spot diseases (by basidiospores) on 16 tested host plants from various families.     

Leaf and stem blight ofEuphorbia geniculata incited byBipolaris zeicola

Recently leaf and stem blight disease was observed onEuphorbia geniculata Orteg. The pathogen was isolated in pure culture and identified asCochliobolus carbonum Nelson (anamorph:Bipolaris zeicola (Stout) Shoem. =Helminthosporium carbonum Ullstrup). This is the first record of this fungus causing leaf and stem blight disease onE. geniculata. In a greenhouse study, none of 19 other plant species tested showed pathogenic reactions. The specific host range and highly virulent nature ofB. zeicola onE. geniculata indicated that this pathogen has potential for use as a biocontrol agent forE. geniculata.     

Information Communication Technology for Extension: A Mobile Phone Based Voice Call System for Dissemination of Cotton Production Technologies

Dissemination of newer crop production technologies among growers is the major bottleneck in the existing extension system. This study proposes an innovative method for dissemination of cotton cultivation technologies through mobile phones. The voice advisories on different aspects of cotton cultivation were sent to mobile phones of growers, as and when required in the field. Feedback from growers revealed it as a highly acceptable extension technique, which helped them to make crucial time-specific decisions for crop management. The system has the potential to reach and benefit each and every grower at a very low cost compared to conventional training and visit extension system.     

Control of Fusarium verticillioides,cause of ear rot of maize,by Pseudomonas fluorescens

BACKGROUND: Maize is one of the staple food crops grown in India. Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg is the most important fungal pathogen of maize, associated with diseases such as ear rot and kernel rot. Apart from the disease, it is capable of producing fumonisins, which have elicited considerable attention over the past decade owing to their association with animal disease syndromes. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate ecofriendly approaches by using a maize rhizosphere isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Trev.) Mig. and its formulation to control ear rot disease and fumonisin accumulation, and also to study the capacity to promote growth and yield of maize. In vitro assays were conducted to test the efficacy of P. fluorescens as a seed treatment on seed germination, seedling vigour and also the incidence of F. verticillioides in different maize cultivars. The field trials included both seed treatment and foliar spray. For all the experiments, P. fluorescens was formulated using corn starch, wheat bran and talc powder. In each case there were three different treatments of P. fluorescens, a non‐treated control and chemical control. RESULTS: Pure culture and the formulations, in comparison with the control, increased plant growth and vigour as measured by seed germination, seedling vigour, plant height, 1000 seed weight and yield. P. fluorescens pure culture used as seed treatment and as spray treatment enhanced the growth parameters and reduced the incidence of F. verticillioides and the level of fumonisins to a maximum extent compared with the other treatments. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the potential role of P. fluorescens and its formulations in ear rot disease management. The biocontrol potential of this isolate is more suited for fumonisin reduction in maize kernels intended for human and animal feed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fish Compost and its Effect on Growth and Survival of Indian Major Carp,Labeo Rohita

Fish compost was prepared using wastes of deep sea fish, Pricanthus hamrur, along with coffee husk as bulk material in a simple and less expensive method. The prepared fish compost was evaluated on growth and survival of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, and production of both phytoplankton and zooplankton in 25 m³ cement cisterns. Juveniles of Labeo rohita (6.0 ± 0.35 g) were stocked @ 15 numbers/cistern. Two treatments with initial dosages of compost namely, 5 kg/cistern (2000 kg/ha), 2.5 kg/cistern (1000 kg/ha), and cattle dung @ 12.5 kg/cistern (5000 kg/ha), served as control in first installment. Subsequent monthly application of second and third installments was carried out with dosages of 1 kg/cistern (400 kg/ha) and 0.5 kg/cistern (200 kg/ha) in fish compost treatments and 2.5 kg (1000 kg/ha) of cattle dung (control). The fish were fed 30% protein diet at a rate of 5% of the fish biomass. Significantly higher growth (127.0 g) and survival (89.75%) of Labeo rohita were recorded in 2.5 and 0.5 kg fish compost treatment than in control and other treated group. Higher and sustained plankton production also was observed in compost treated tanks.     

Enzymatic Peeling of Potato: A Novel Processing Technology

Development of an innovative biotechnological method for potato peeling, closer to the ‘ideal’ peeling conditions of the product, was the main objective of the present research. Studies on enzymatic hydrolysis of potato peel were conducted. The efficacy of enzymatic peel hydrolysis was expressed in terms of reducing sugar content of the enzyme solution in which potato peel was incubated. Enzyme screening revealed that an enzyme solution containing a cellulase-xylanase mixture and amylase in a ratio of 1:1 showed good peel hydrolyzing efficiency of peeled peels. To further maximise the peel hydrolysis, condition parameters were optimised using response surface methodology (RSM). At the optimised conditions of 60 °C, pH 6 and 4 h, the reducing sugar yield in the solution was maximum. Characterization of the potato peel using microscopic techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM)) further illustrated degradation of cell wall and reduction in the surface roughness of the peel after enzymatic treatment, which could enhance peel loosening from the intact potato. To further ascertain the efficiency of the process, studies were conducted with the selected enzyme on intact potato tubers under optimised conditions. Easy removal of peel was observed in enzyme-treated potato tubers, which showed 0.52% peel loss by abrasive peeling. The present process employing enzymes could be applied for peeling of intact potato as an alternative to conventional peeling process.     

Dietary microbial levan ameliorates stress and augments immunity in Cyprinus carpio fry (Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to sublethal toxicity of fipronil

A 45‐day feeding trial was conducted to study the stress ameliorating and immunomodulatory role of microbial levan in Cyprinus carpio fry exposed to sublethal dose (1/10th LC₅₀) of fipronil [(±)‐5‐amino‐1‐(2,6‐dichloro‐α,α,α‐trifluoro‐p‐tolyl)‐4‐trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole‐3‐carbonitrile]. Two hundred and twenty‐five fry were randomly distributed in five treatments in triplicates. Four purified diets were prepared with graded levels of microbial levan. Five different treatment groups were levan control L₀P₀ (basalfeed + 0% levan without exposure to pesticide); pesticide control L₀P₁ (basalfeed + 0% levan with exposure to pesticide); L_0.25P₁ (basalfeed + 0.25% levan with exposure to pesticide); L_0.50P₁ (basalfeed + 0.50% levan with exposure to pesticide) and L_0.75P₁ (basalfeed + 0.75% levan with exposure to pesticide). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and fructose‐1,6‐diphosphatase (FDPase) activites were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, whereas alkaline phosphatase (ALP), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and acetyl choline esterase (AchE) activities were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in higher levan‐fed groups. RBC, haemoglobin and WBC counts were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the levan‐fed groups. Similar trends were also observed for the total serum protein, globulin, NBT and lysozyme activities. Blood glucose and serum cortisol exhibited a third order polynomial relationship with increasing level of dietary levan. Overall result showed stress ameliorating, immunostimulating and protective role of microbial levan against fipronil‐induced stress in C. carpio fry at 0.75% level of dietary levan supplementation.     

Efficacy of Ovsynch Protocol with Antiprolactin Treatment for Timed Artificial Insemination During Non‐breeding Seasons in Yaks (Poephagus grunniens L.)

An attempt was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of Ovsynch protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) with or without Norprolac (antiprolactin) treatment during non‐breeding season (winter months) in yaks (n = 25). During non‐breeding season, plasma prolactin profile has been reported high due to cold and nutritional stress. The Norprolac dose of i.m. administration was standardized for prolactin suppression. Three different doses viz. 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg were attempted and the dose of 7.5 mg Norprolac i.m. per animal was found to be suitable for suppression of prolactin levels up to 30 h. Ovsynch treatment with Norprolac induced more number of oestrous symptoms per animal (4.8 vs 2.1), higher LH peak concentration (24.01 vs 16.16 ng/ml), longer duration of LH surge (6.8 vs 5.2 h) and higher conception rate (70 vs 30%) in Ovsynch plus Norprolac treated animals compared with animals treated with Ovsynch alone. Therefore, this study clearly indicates the opportunity for practical application of the Ovsynch plus Norprolac protocol for TAI in yaks during non‐breeding seasons.