Impacts of Nighttime Warming on the Soil Nematode Community in a Winter Wheat Field of Yangtze Delta Plain,China

Changes in the soil nematode community induced by global warming may have a considerable influence on agro-ecosystem functioning. However, the impacts of predicted warming on nematode community in farmland (e.g., winter wheat field) have not been well documented. Therefore, a field experiment with free air temperature increase (FATI) was conducted to investigate the responses of the soil nematode community to nighttime warming in a winter wheat field of Yangtze Delta Plain, China, during 2007 to 2009. Nighttime warming (NW) by 1.8°C at 5-cm soil depth had no significant impact on the total nematode abundance compared to un-warmed control (CK). However, NW significantly affected the nematode community structure. Warming favored the bacterivores and fungivores, such as Acrobeles, Monhystera, Rhabditis, and Rhabdontolaimus in bacterivores, and Filenchus in fungivores, while the plant-parasites were hindered, such as Helicotylenchus and Psilenchus. Interestingly, the carnivores/omnivores remained almost unchanged. Hence, the abundances of bacterivores and fungivores were significantly higher under NW than those under CK. Similarly, the abundances of plant-parasites were significantly lower under NW than under CK. Furthermore, Wasilewska index of the nematode community was significantly higher under NW than those under CK, indicating beneficial effect to the plant in the soil. Our results suggest that nighttime warming may improve soil fertility and decrease soil-borne diseases in winter wheat field through affecting the soil nematode community. It is also indicated that nighttime warming may promote the sustainability of the nematode community by altering genera-specific habitat suitability for soil biota.     

Modification of Woolen Fabric with Plasma for a Sustainable Production

In this study, the effects of corona plasma process on the dyeability and certain physical properties of woolen fabric were investigated. For this purpose, acid and 1.2 metal complex dyes, which are the most applicable dyes in the wool market were used. The patterns were examined to assess their dyeability, wettability, pilling resistance, alkali solubility, and strength values. The surface morphology and chemical structures were tested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and alkali solubility analyses and also scanned by electron microscopy. Hydrophility indexes of the dyes that were used were determined. With the results of the experiments, their hydrophobic index is of vital importance, which is a factor for plasma efficiency on color depth. By using plasma treatment on woolen fabric, it is achievable to get a product with high hydrophility and pilling resistance values, dyeability, and less burdened dyeing bath.     

Effect of kenaf and EFB fiber hybridization on physical and thermo-mechanical properties of PLA biocomposites

Kenaf/empty fruit bunch/polylactic acid (kenaf/EFB/PLA) hybrid biocomposites were prepared using hot press technique. The ratio of fiber to polylactic acid was set at 60:40 with 1:1 ratio between kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibers. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid biocomposites were subsequently characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and water absorption tests. Test results indicated that mechanically stronger fiber was able to support the weaker fiber. Hybrid fiber biocomposite had higher crystallinity as compared to single fiber biocomposite. Water absorption of hybrid composite was higher as compared to single fiber composite. Thermal result revealed that hybridization of fiber was not significantly influence the thermal properties of composites. However, the presence of two different fibers proposed good wettability properties, which could reduce the formation of voids at the fibers-polymer interface and produce composites with high stiffness and strength.     

Growth performance and immune response of prebiotic honey fed pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection

ABSTRACT

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of administration of honey as a prebiotic in improving growth performance, immune response, and resistance of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannameito to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection. In the present study, the bee honey added to practical diet at levels of 0.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0%. Shrimps were fed one of the tested diets in triplicates for 70 days. After the feeding trial, challenged was conducted with V. parahaemolyticus for two and five days. The growth performance and immune responses of shrimp in treatments with prebiotic honey were better than control one. Pacific white shrimp fed 0.75% honey showed highest survival after bacterial infection (73.33%), while lowest survival was found in the control treatment (43.33%). It may be concluded that the administration of honey at level of 0.75% was effective in improving the growth performance, immune response, and resistance of shrimp to V. parahaemolyticus infection.     

Cytomolecular characterization of rDNA distribution in various Citrullus species using fluorescent in situ hybridization

The 18S–28S and 5S rDNA sites are useful chromosome landmarks and provide valuable evidence about genome organization and evolution. This investigation was the first attempt to study the dynamics, distribution and directionality of rDNA gains and losses, as well as to understand the contribution of site number variation in the speciation of the genus Citrullus. In this study, we employed fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), using the18S–28S and 5S rDNA gene loci, to evaluate the differences between the (1) cultivated type watermelon C. lanatus var. lanatus (sweet watermelon), (2) the “bitter” desert watermelon C. colocynthis (colocynth) that is indigenous to the deserts of northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia, (3) the C. lanatus var. citroides (citron) “Tsamma” or “cow watermelon” that is known as and is indigenous to southern Africa, (4) and C. rehmii that thrive in the Namibian Desert. The FISH analyses showed that the sweet watermelon and colocynth have similar rDNA configuration. The sweet watermelon and colocynth genomes contain two 18S–28S rDNA gene loci, each located on a different chromosome, and one 5S rDNA locus which is co-localized with one of the 18S–28S rDNA gene loci. On the other hand, the C. rehmii has one 18S–28S rDNA locus and one 5S rDNA locus positioned on different chromosomes, while the citron has one18S–28S rDNA and two 5S rDNA loci, each located on a different chromosome. A FISH analysis of F₁ (citron × sweet watermelon) chromosome spreads revealed uniparental homeologous rDNA gene copies pertaining to the sweet watermelon versus the citron chromosomes, with the sweet watermelon chromosome containing the 18S–28S and 5S rDNA locus versus the citron homologue chromosome that has the 5S rDNA locus, but not the 18S–28S rDNA locus. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) analysis, using the entire citron genome as a probe to be differentially hybridized on sweet watermelon chromosome spreads, revealed that the citron genomic probes mainly hybridize to subtelomeric and pericentromeric regions of the sweet watermelon chromosomes, suggesting extensive divergence between the citron and sweet watermelon genomes. The FISH and GISH cytogenetic analysis here indicate major differences in genome organization between the cultivated watermelon type sweet watermelon and its counterpart citron that thrive in southern Africa and considered a useful germplasm source for enhancing disease and pest resistance in watermelon cultivars.     

Potential of using polyester reinforced coconut fiber composites derived from recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste

Unsaturated polyester resin synthesized from glycolyzed product of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste was used as a matrix to form coconut fiber/polyester composites. PET wastes were recycled through glycolysis and polyesterification reaction to produce a formulation for unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). FTIR spectra of glycolyzed product and prepared resin revealed that cross-links between unsaturated polyester chain and styrene monomer occurred at the saturated sites which resulted in the forming of cross linking network. To improve the adhesion between coconut fiber and polyester resin, various concentrations of alkali, silane and silane on alkalized fiber were applied and the optimum concentration of treatments was determined. The influence of water uptake on the sorption characteristics of composites was studied via immersion in distilled water at room temperature. Surface treatment of coconut fiber caused a significant increase in the tensile properties with the optimum treatment is 0.5 % silane on the 5 % alkalized coconut fiber/polyester composites. It was also observed that the treated fiber composites showed lower water absorption properties in comparison to those of untreated fiber composites. This observation was well supported by the SEM investigations of the fracture surfaces. From the study, it was concluded that polyester reinforced coconut fiber composites derived from recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste may have the potential application in the fields of construction and automotive interior substrates.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> in tomato wild relatives

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most threatening pests in agriculture, particularly in Solanaceous crops such as tomato and pepper that are cultivated in the open field. Pesticide application is often not effective and hazardous to humans and environment. The exploitation of plant natural defenses that are present in wild relatives of tomato, may offer a solution. To evaluate resistance parameters and to identify plant material with high levels of resistance, we screened a number of accessions of tomato wild relatives using three methods; a free-choice test in a screenhouse in Indonesia, a no-choice test with clip-on cages in a greenhouse and a leaf disc test in a climate-room in the Netherlands. Antibiosis resulting in low adult survival was the major component for resistance in tomato. However, other resistance component(s) may play a role as well. In some accessions there was a change in the resistance level over time. Several resistance parameters used in the different tests were well correlated. The best resistance source was an accession of Solanum galapagense, which had not been identified as being resistant in the past. This is of particular interest as this species is closely related to the cultivated tomato, which may facilitate introgression of the resistance component(s). Whitefly non-preference and resistance were associated with the presence of type IV trichomes. Other mechanisms might be involved since some accessions without type IV trichomes showed low nymphal density. The leaf disc test is a good in vitro alternative for the clip-on cage whitefly resistance screening, as shown by the high correlation between the results obtained with this test and the clip-on cage test. This offers breeders the possibility to carry out tests more efficiently.