Comparison of Different Methods for Phenotyping Preharvest Sprouting in White‐Grained Wheat

The objective of this study was to identify a suitable method for phenotyping preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance in white bread wheat. Forty doubled‐haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between two white‐grained spring wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Argent (nondormant) and wheat breeding line W98616 (dormant) were evaluated for germination frequency, Falling Number (FN), and α‐amylase activity in dry and water‐imbibed seeds and spikes. The α‐amylase activity in dry seeds or spikes did not differ significantly between parent lines or lines of the DH population. Wetting of seeds or spikes for two days caused a five‐ to sevenfold increase in α‐amylase activity but only in Argent and the nondormant subgroup (49–100% germination) of the DH lines. A positive association (r = 0.60***) was detected between germination frequency and α‐amylase activity in imbibed seeds and spikes. Germination frequency could not be correlated to FN or α‐amylase activity in dry‐harvested seeds. FN showed a strong correlation (r = –0.83***) to α‐amylase activity in the dry‐harvested seeds but could not be correlated to α‐amylase activity in the imbibed seeds. The germination test was the most reliable method for measuring PHS resistance because seed dormancy provides potential resistance to PHS, whereas high α‐amylase activity may occur in grains without causing PHS.     

Identification of genomic regions associated with seed dormancy in white-grained wheat

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spikes is stimulated by cool and wet weather and leads to a decline in grain quality. A low level of harvest-time seed dormancy is a major factor for PHS, which generally is a larger problem in white-grained as compared to red-grained wheat. We have in this study analyzed seed dormancy levels at the 92nd Zadok growth stage of spike development in a doubled-haploid (DH) white wheat population and associated variation for the trait with regions on the wheat genome. The phenotypic data was generated by growing the parent lines Argent (non-dormant) and W98616 (dormant) and 151 lines of the DH population in the field during 2002 and 2003, at two locations each year, followed by assessment of harvest-time seed dormancy by germination tests. A genetic map of 2681 cM was constructed for the population upon genotyping 90 DH lines using 361 SSR, 292 AFLP, 252 DArT and 10 EST markers. Single marker analysis of the 90 genotyped lines associated regions on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5B, 6B, and 7A with seed dormancy in at least two out of the four trials. All seven putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were contributed by alleles of the dormant parent, W98616. The strongest QTLs positioned on chromosomes 1A, 3A, 4A and 7A were confirmed by interval mapping and markers at these loci have potential use in marker-assisted selection of PHS resistant white-grained wheat.     

Dietary vitamin C mitigates monocrotophos toxicity in the freshwater fish Clarias batrachus

The amelioration effect of balanced diet with supplementation of vitamin C against stress was evaluated in freshwater paddy field fish, Clarias batrachus, exposed to organophosphate insecticide, monocrotophos (MCP). Three groups of fishes, that is, (E₀) Control, (E₁) MCP (2.14 mg L^?1) exposure and E₂) Vitamin C, MCP (0.2 g kg^?1 body weight + 2.144 mg L^?1) were selected for the sublethal study. The effect of MCP on protein metabolism in physiological sensitive tissues, namely gills, kidney, liver and muscle of the fish has been determined. Stress on Clarias batrachus was evident that the total protein, amino acid and ammonia contents were decreased, and urea and glutamine levels were elevated in all tissues for 30 days. Similarly, the activities of protease, aminotransferases and phosphatases were elevated significantly in all the tissues during the same period. Fish fed with a diet supplemented by vitamin C (0.2 g kg^?1 body weight) could significantly counter these effects.     

Survival of two avian respiratory viruses on porous and nonporous surfaces

The transmission of pathogens from infected to susceptible hosts may occur through contaminated fomites and inanimate objects. This type of transmission depends on the ability of the pathogens to survive in the environment. In this report, we describe the survivability of two avian respiratory viruses, e.g., avian metapneumovirus and avian influenza virus on 12 different porous and nonporous surfaces. The viruses survived on some of the surfaces for up to 6 days postcontamination but not after 9 days. Both viruses survived longer on nonporous surfaces than on porous ones. One of the reasons for poor survival on porous surfaces could be inefficient elution of virus from these surfaces. These results should be helpful in determining how long the premises should be left vacant after an outbreak of these viruses has occurred in poultry houses.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with grain filling duration and grain number under terminal heat stress in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Terminal heat stress has the potential negative impact on wheat production across the world, especially in South Asia. Under the threat of terminal heat stress, wheat genotypes with stay green trait would suffer from high temperature stress during their long grain filling duration (GFD). The genotypes with short GFD would be advantageous. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for heat tolerance, a RIL population of K 7903 (heat tolerant) and RAJ 4014 (heat sensitive) wheat genotypes was investigated under timely and late‐sown conditions. Heat susceptibility index of GFD, yield components and traits under late‐sown condition were used as phenotypic data for QTL identification. Stable QTLs associated with these traits were identified on chromosomes 1B, 2B, 3B, 5A and 6B. The LOD value ranged from 2.9 to 5.0 and the corresponding phenotyping variation explained ranged from 12.0–22%. QTL for heat susceptibility index for the grain filling duration were colocalized with QTL for productive tillers under late sown and GFD under late‐sown condition on chromosomes 1B and 5A, respectively. These genomic regions could be exploited for molecular wheat breeding programmes targeting heat tolerance.     

A comparative evaluation of parasitological, serological and DNA amplification methods for diagnosis of natural Trypanosoma evansi infection in camels

A representative number of 217 camels (Camelus dromedarius) from different areas of western Rajasthan State, India, were examined from July 2002 to May 2003 for Trypanosoma evansi infection. The tests used were parasitological (wet blood film, WBF; stained thin blood smear, TBS), immunodiagnostic (double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for antigen detection, Ag-ELISA), and DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These techniques were compared and the best efficiency was found for the last named (PCR). A prevalence of T. evansi infection was detected in 17.05, 9.67, 4.60 and 4.14% by PCR, Ag-ELISA, TBS and WBF with a sensitivity of 100, 56.75, 27.02 and 24.32%, respectively. PCR revealed a specific 227bp band in positive samples. The intensity of PCR bands was variable in different test samples depending upon the level of infection in the test samples. The history of intermittent fever, emaciation, oedema, poor body condition significantly correlated with positive serological status in ELISA as well as trypanosome DNA detection by PCR.