Spatio-temporal variability of drought characteristics across Pakistan

Climate change in Pakistan has a great impact on the spatial and temporal variation of precipitation and ultimately alters the frequency and duration of droughts. In this study, spatial and temporal trend analyses of precipitation and droughts were observed at 58 meteorological stations across Pakistan from 1981 to 2018. The existing trend analysis methods were evaluated to address the issue of serial correlation in the climatic data. Results of precipitation analysis showed significant decreasing trends in winter (November, December) and significant increasing trends were observed in summer (June and September) at a confidence level of 95 percent. The magnitude of the precipitation trends showed the highest variation during summer season and the least variation in winter season. Rotated Principal Component (RPC) analysis showed the severe droughts (high positive loading) in southeastern side (Sindh province) of Pakistan due to lack of summer rains. Furthermore, variance correction approaches are identified as the most suitable in coping with the effect of serial correlation. The highest drought frequencies were observed in the southern areas of Pakistan and the drought events are expected to occur more frequently in the late winter, early spring, and early autumn, while droughts were expected to occur least frequently in summer.

     

Clinical efficacy of intrauterine cephapirin benzathine administration on clearance of uterine bacteria and subclinical endometritis in postpartum buffaloes

This study examined the effect of single IU administration of cephapirin on clinical recovery, clearance of uterine bacteria and reproductive performance of postpartum buffaloes with subclinical endometritis (SCE). Buffaloes (n = 86) at 35 days postpartum (DPP) with >10% polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in endometrial cytosmears were designated as positive (SCEP, n = 29), and buffaloes with ≤10% PMN cell were designated as negative (SCEN, n = 57) for SCE. Out of 29 positive buffaloes, 15 were administered a single intrauterine dose of cephapirin benzathine on 40 DPP (SCEP‐CB), while the remaining 14 animals were kept as untreated control (SCEP‐C). All animals were observed regularly for oestrous signs and were again subjected to cytobrush sampling on the first postpartum (FPP) oestrus. Buffaloes positive for SCE at 35 DPP were later considered “recovered” if their PMN cells dropped to ≤5% on the FPP oestrus. Presence of Escherichia coli, Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Fusobacterium necrophorum in uterus was detected based upon PCR amplification of genes related to bacteria‐specific virulence factors. A total of 66.7% of SCEP‐CB group buffaloes recovered as compared to 28.6% in SCEP‐C (χ² = 4.21; p < 0.05). Rate of bacterial clearance did not differ between treated (38.5%) and untreated buffaloes (8.3%) (χ² = 1.67; p > 0.05). The median days to first service did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among the three groups, whereas cephapirin administration reduced (p < 0.05) the days open by 14 days in SCEP‐CB compared to SCEP‐C buffaloes. SCEP‐CB buffaloes were as likely to conceive as SCEN, whereas SCEP‐C had 0.28 hazard ratio for pregnancy. In conclusion, a single treatment with cephapirin benzathine at 40 DPP improved the reproductive performance of buffaloes with subclinical endometritis.     

Exploring the Role of Calcium to Improve Chilling Tolerance in Hybrid Maize

Abiotic stresses, including chilling, impede the plant growth and development mainly by oxidative damage. In this study, seed priming with CaCl₂ was employed to reduce the damage caused by chilling stress in hybrid maize. Maize hybrid (Hycorn 8288) seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg l⁻¹ (ppm) aerated solution of CaCl₂ for 24 h and dried. Treated and untreated seeds were sown at 27 °C (optimal temperature) and 15 °C (chilling stress) under controlled conditions. Seed priming with CaCl₂ significantly reduced the chilling damage and improved the germination rate, root and shoot length, and seedling fresh and dry weights. Activities of antioxidants, including catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, were also improved. Soluble sugars and α-amylase concentrations determined as general metabolic indicators of stress were also increased by seed priming with CaCl₂. Priming also improved the performance of maize at optimal temperature. Maintenance of tissue water contents, reduction in membrane leakage and increase in antioxidant activities, and carbohydrate metabolism seemed to induce chilling tolerance by CaCl₂. Seed priming with 100 mg l⁻¹ CaCl₂ was the optimal concentration in improving the performance of hybrid maize both under optimal and stress conditions.     

Chilling Tolerance in Hybrid Maize Induced by Seed Priming with Salicylic Acid

The optimum temperature for maize germination is between 25 and 28 °C. Poor and erratic germination at suboptimal temperature is the most important hindrance in its early sowing. This study was conducted to induce chilling tolerance in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) by seed priming with salicylic acid (SA) and to unravel the background biochemical basis. For seed priming, maize hybrid (Hycorn 8288) seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 ppm (mg l^?1) aerated solutions of SA for 24 h and were dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown at 27 °C (optimal temperature) and at 15 °C (chilling stress) under controlled conditions. Performance of maize seedlings was hampered under chilling stress. But seed priming with SA improved the seedling emergence, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weights, and leaf and root score considerably compared with control both at optimal and chilling temperatures. However, priming in 50 mg l^?1 SA solution was more effective, followed by priming in 100 mg l^?1 SA solution. Seed priming with SA improved the chilling tolerance in hybrid maize mainly by the activation of antioxidants (including catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase). Moreover, maintenance of high tissue water contents and reduced membrane permeability also contributed towards chilling tolerance.     

Identification of sperm-specific proteins associated with high fertility of Punjab Red and RIR x Local cross roosters with SDS-PAGE and Immunoblotting

The present study aimed at characterization of fertility-associated proteins in PR and RIR x Local roosters and was conducted on two generations of birds. Roosters were divided into high- (>50%) and low-fertility groups (<50%) based on sperm function tests and fertility rate in both the generations. Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits against sperm proteins of first generation highly fertile roosters and tested for characterization of fertility-associated sperm proteins in the second generation of same roosters. IgG fraction against proteins (anti-SP IgG) was reacted with sperm proteins of both high and low fertile roosters of second generation on immunoblots. SDS-PAGE of sperm extracts of PR and RIR x Local cross breeds resulted in resolution of 12 and 23 proteins on 12% acrylamide gels and anti-SP IgG reacted only with 8 and 9 sperm proteins of PR and RIR x Local cross roosters on immunoblots. The SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analysis also indicated a variation in sperm proteins among two breeds and high/low fertile roosters. It can be concluded that the selection of roosters on the based on proteins of 65/ 25; 70/ 46/ 30 kDa may be specifically associated with high fertility of PR and RIR x Local cross, respectively. The proteins 62 kDa (PR) and 40kDa (RIR x Local cross) may be specifically responsible for low fertility.     

Allelopathic potential of bread wheat helps in suppressing the littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor Retz.) at its varying densities

In this 2-year field study, we investigated the allelopathic effects of three wheat cultivars (Shafaq-06, Faisalabad-08 and Sehar-06) against different density levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 plants m^?2) of littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor Retz.). Crop was sown on 1 and 3 December during 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 cropping seasons, respectively. The results showed that wheat cultivar Shafaq-06 produced more phenolic compounds at all density levels of littleseed canarygrass during both years, which caused more inhibition of littleseed canarygrass growth. More suppressive advantage of cultivar Shafaq-06 against littleseed canarygrass was responsible for its better morphological and yield related traits, and grain yield than cultivars Faisalabad-08 and Sehar-06. Among the tested cultivars, cultivar Sehar-06 had minimum allelopathic potential in suppressing littleseed canarygrass. In crux, Shafaq-06 possesses allelopathic potential to suppress littleseed canarygrass and may be used for breeding future wheat cultivars with high allelopathic activity for better weed suppression.     

Colonisation, the New World Order, and the eradication of traditional food habits in East Africa: historical perspective on the nutrition transition

OBJECTIVE: To discuss factors which have underpinned the nutrition transition in the countries of East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, from early colonisation to the current, oppressive political-economic structure. RESULTS: Colonisation and neocolonisation in accordance with the desires of the New World Order have ensured the systematic extirpation of indigenous and traditional food habits in East Africa. These indigenous and traditional food habits, associated with myriad health benefits, have been progressively replaced by the globalised food system of the multinational corporations, a system inherently associated with the creation of non-communicable disease (NCD) epidemics throughout this region and globally. While the simplification of the East African food culture may be most apparent today, the nutrition transition has actually occurred over the past 400 years, since the onset of colonial occupation. CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative that greater efforts be directed towards exposing the colonial and neocolonial forces which have undermined food security and health status in East Africa. Heightened awareness of these forces is essential for proposing genuine solutions to the nutrition transition and related NCD epidemics throughout this region and, indeed, worldwide.     

Improving the Performance of Wheat by Seed Priming Under Saline Conditions

Salinity is one of a major threat in harvesting good wheat stand on sustained basis. In this study, potential of seed priming techniques to improve the performance of wheat varieties (SARC‐1 and MH‐97) in a saline field was tested. For priming, wheat seeds were soaked in aerated solution of ascorbate (50 mg l^?1; ascorbate priming), salicylic acid (50 mg l^?1; salicylicate priming), kinetin (50 mg l^?1; kinetin priming) and CaCl₂ (50 mg l^?1; osmopriming) for 12 h. For comparison, seeds were also soaked in simple water (hydropriming); in addition, untreated seeds were also taken as control. Seed priming treatments substantially improved the stand establishment; osmopriming (with CaCl₂) was at the top however. Likewise maximum fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000‐grain weight, grain yield and harvest index were observed in plants raised from seeds osmoprimed (with CaCl₂) followed by ascorbate priming in both the varieties tested. As an index of salinity tolerance, seed priming treatments also improved the leaf K⁺ contents with simultaneous decrease in Na⁺ concentration, osmopriming being the best treatment. Similarly, maximum total phenolic contents, total soluble proteins (TSP), α‐amylase and protease activities were observed in osmoprimed (with CaCl₂) seeds followed by ascorbate priming. Economic analysis also indicated that osmopriming is more viable with maximum net return and benefit‐to‐cost ratio. In conclusion, different seed priming treatments in wheat seeds improved the salinity tolerance nonetheless osmopriming (with CaCl₂) was the most effective treatments to get higher grain yield and net return in both wheat varieties whereas kinetin was the least effective.     

The effect of some steroid hormones on the growth and protein metabolism of rainbow trout

Two synthetic androgens, dimethazine and norethandrolone, and an oestrogenic compound diethylstilboestrol were administered orally at different concentrations in the diet to juvenile rainbow trout and their effect on protein metabolism, growth and food conversion efficiency examined. Both dimethazine and norethandrolone, when given at low concentrations (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg food) for 60 days significantly increased weight gain. These increases in weight gain were due to both the increased rate of protein synthesis and improved food conversion efficiency. High concentrations of dimethazine (10 and 20 mg/kg food) produced an initial increase in weight gain but it was not significantly different from that of untreated fish after 48 days. There was no change in the hepatosomatic indices of the fish treated with dimethazine or norethandrolone. However, the renosomatic indices of rainbow trout fed dimethazine were significantly greater than those of the controls. Diethylstilboestrol (1.2 mg/kg food) produced an adverse effect on growth.