Effect of paclobutrazol and salinity on ion leakage,proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes in mango (Mangifera indica L.)

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on ion leakage (IL), proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) of 1-year-old ‘Olour’ mango plants subjected to NaCl stress. Plants were treated with two levels of salt, i.e., 0.0 g NaCl (control) and 25 g NaCl/25 kg soil and three levels of paclobutrazol (PBZ) solution (0.0 (control), 750 and 1500 mg/l). Ion leakage, proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly altered by both salinity and PBZ treatments. Results indicated that PBZ (1500 mg/l) mitigated the salinity stress and reduced ion leakage of mango seedlings by 64% over non-PBZ-treated salinised plants. PBZ upregulated the endogenous proline content and salinised plants treated with PBZ (1500 mg/l) had 17% higher proline content than salinised plants without PBZ treatment. Higher antioxidant enzyme activity was also observed in salinised plants treated by PBZ than salinised plants without PBZ treatments. Moreover, higher dose of PBZ (1500 mg/l) resulted in higher activity of these enzymes in mango leaves. In comparison to salinised plants without PBZ treatment, salinised plants treated with PBZ (1500 mg/l) had higher SOD (24%), CAT (46%) and POD (163%) activities. Our results suggest that PBZ application under salt stress conditions alters the equilibrium between free radical production and enzymatic defense reactions in mango by enhancing the proline content and free radical scavenging capacity.     

Evaluating novel microbe amended composts as biocontrol agents in tomato

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the potential of antagonistic cyanobacteria/bacterial cultures amended compost and compost tea preparations for suppressing diseases caused by plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium debaryanum, Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani in tomato. Two types of microbe-fortified composts and the compost tea preparations, along with the recommended biological control (Trichoderma formulation) and chemical control (Thiram-Carbendazim), were used for inoculating the potting mixture. Comparative performance of the treatments revealed the superiority of both the composts/compost tea preparations in enhancing seed germination, seedling length and biomass in the fungi challenged treatments. The most effective control of the diseases was obtained by the composts amended with Anabaena oscillarioides C12 and Bacillus subtillis B5 and the compost tea preparations. Both treatments provided significantly better control than the other treatments in terms of reduction in disease severity, reduction of fungal load and enhancement of plant parameters. Our study reveals the efficacy of microbe-fortified composts for use in control of the studied root diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi.     

Rice Bran Oil: Emerging Trends in Extraction,Health Benefit,and Its Industrial Application

Rice bran oil(RBO) is unique among edible vegetable oils because of its unique fatty acid composition, phenolic compound(γ-oryzanol, ferulic acid) and vitamin E(tocopherol and tocotrienol). It has become a great choice of cooking oil because of its very high burning point, neutral taste and delicate flavour. Non-conventional methods of RBO extraction are more efficient and environmentally friendly than conventional extraction methods. Advances in RBO extraction using innovative extraction strategies like super/sub-critical CO_2, microwave-assisted, subcritical H_2 O, enzyme-assisted aqueous and ultrasoundassisted aqueous extraction methods have proven to significantly improve the yields along with improved nutritional profile of RBO. The compositions and strategies for stabilization of RBO are well discussed. The constituents are present in the RBO contribute to antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anti-cancerous properties to RBO. This has helped RBO to become an important substrate for the application in food(cooking oil, milk product and meat product) and non-food industries(polymer, lubricant, biofuel, structural lipid and cosmetic). This review provided comprehensive information on RBO extraction methods, oil stabilization, existing applications and health benefits.     

Effect of a paired mixture of aldrin and formothion on carbohydrate metabolism in a fish, Heteropneustes fossilis

Exposure of the Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) to a high sublethal concentration, 0.114 ppm (0.8 of the 96-hr LC₅₀) of a mixture of aldrin and formothion, added in a one-to-one ratio, for 3, 6, 12, 48, and 96 hr affected carbohydrate metabolism. Muscle glycogen decreased significantly at 6 and 48 hr; hepatic glycogen content declined at 3, 6, 12, and 48 hr in exposed fish. Blood glucose levels in fish were significantly decreased at 3, 12, 48, and 96 hr. Mean value of blood pyruvate was significantly depressed at 3 hr. Blood lactate levels were elevated at 3, 6, 12, and 96 hr in pesticide-treated fish. The observed effects of the mixture of aldrin and formothion on carbohydrate metabolism in fish could prove useful as a rapid method for evaluating toxicity of pesticides and other toxicants.     

Sow housing: opportunities, constraints, and unknowns

As Webster has stated, we have real opportunities to provide incremental improvements to a whole range of welfare factors. We need a disciplined approach that takes into account the skills of farmers, veterinarians, and the whole range of other specialists involved in animal agriculture. Improvement is best based on a model of discovery, transparency, and dialogue. Combative models impede discovery and dialogue, and the animals are the most likely to suffer when we create such a scenario. Veterinarians have a real opportunity to aid swine farms in identifying opportunities and allowing for a transparent portrayal of activities on the farm.     

Differential expression of endometrial toll-like receptors (TLRs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with endometritis

Veterinary Research Communications - Toll like receptors (TLRs) and β-defensins expressed in the endometrium are part of the innate uterine defense mechanism (UDM). In the present study,...     

Dimensional issues in agricultural data warehouse designs

Recently, the government of India embarked on an ambitious project of designing and deploying the Integrated National Agricultural Resources Information System (INARIS) data warehouse for the agricultural sector. The system's purpose is to support macro level planning. This paper presents some of the challenges faced in designing the data warehouse, specifically dimensional and deployment challenges of the warehouse. We also present some early user evaluations of the warehouse. Governmental data warehouse implementations are rare, especially at the national level. Furthermore, the motivations are significantly different from private sectors. Designing the INARIS agricultural data warehouse posed unique and significant challenges because, traditionally, the collection and dissemination of information are localized.