Responses of maize × teosinte derived backcross inbred lines (BILs) to maydis leaf blight (MLB) disease

Euphytica - Rice growth and productivity are greatly affected by cold stress, which is likely to become more of a hindrance for high and stable rice yields. To identify cold tolerance at the...     

Evaluation of HEC-HMS and WEPP for simulating watershed runoff using remote sensing and geographical information system

Although a variety of rainfall-runoff models are available, selection of a suitable rainfall-runoff model for a given watershed is essential to ensure efficient planning and management of watersheds. Such studies are relatively limited in developing nations, including India. In this study, rainfall-runoff modeling was carried out using HEC-HMS and WEPP hydrologic models, and remote sensing and GIS (geographical information system) techniques in the Upper Baitarani River basin of Eastern India using daily monsoon season (June–October) rainfall and the corresponding streamflow data of 6 years (1999–2005). Other input data such as soil map, land use/land cover map, and slope map were prepared using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The modeling results revealed that both the models under predict streamflow for 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2005 and over predict for 2001 and 2003, whereas HEC-HMS under predicts and WEPP over predicts streamflow for the year 2000. The percent deviation of total runoff volume simulated by HEC-HMS ranges between −2.55 and 31%, while it varies from −13.96 to 13.05% for the WEPP model which suggests that the WEPP model simulates annual flow volumes more accurately than the HEC-HMS model for most years. However, the lower values of root mean square error (RMSE) and RMSE-observation standard deviation ratio coupled with the higher values of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, percent deviation and coefficient of determination for HEC-HMS during calibration and validation periods indicated that the streamflow simulated by HEC-HMS is more reliable than that simulated by WEPP. Overall, it is concluded that the HEC-HMS model is superior to the WEPP model for simulating daily streamflow in the Baitarani River basin of Eastern India.     

Scope of novel and rare bulbiferous coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.)

A naturally occurring, rare bulbiferous coconut palm was identified at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal in Karnataka State, India, among West Coast Tall population. The palm produces only bulbil shoots in leaf axils in place of normal inflorescence. The identified palm happened to be twins in which one member was more vigorous than the other, but both of them produced only bulbil shoots instead of floral parts. Morphological and molecular studies on these palms revealed the main palm and their bulbil progenies are genetically uniform. The genetic uniformity of the twin mother palms and their bulbil progenies was confirmed through microsatellite analysis using 10 polymorphic SSR primer pairs specific to coconut and has been well demonstrated to differentiate coconut cultivars. The primary and secondary bulbil shoots were found to be capable of growing into independent plants making it possible to use them as propagules to develop a homogeneous clonal population hitherto unavailable in coconut. The bulbils showed axillary growth in 6–12th leaf axil which further again develop as secondary bulbils indicating the complete vegetative state of the palm. Comparison of shoot apices of a normal seedling with bulbil shoot revealed variation in cell growth pattern. Conservation of bulbiferous palms as a unique genetic resource needs to be taken up to utilize these rare sources for future breeding programmes, provided their seed-fertility can be restored.     

华北地区不同规模畜禽养殖场粪便中抗生素抗性基因污染特征

为调查华北地区畜禽养殖环境抗生素抗性基因（ARGs）污染特征及影响因素,采集河北省和天津市不同规模的养猪场和养鸡场新鲜粪便样品,分析粪便中ARGs污染水平及有机质与ARGs含量的相关性。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,不同种类畜禽养殖场粪便ARGs的相对丰度有显著区别,鸡粪中sul和erm基因的相对丰度高于猪粪,而编码核糖体保护蛋白的tet基因（4.24×10^-3~5.85×10^-1）在猪粪和鸡粪中的相对丰度无明显差异,均显著高于sul（1.07×10^-4~2.26×10^-1）、erm（6.36×10^-4~2.62×10^-1）以及编码外派泵蛋白和酶抑制剂的tet基因（1.24×10^-4~5.41×10^-2）。不同规模的养猪场粪便ARGs污染水平趋势为：中型 > 大型 > 小型,而不同规模养鸡场粪便中ARGs相对丰度无显著性差异（P=0.551）;此外,正交偏最小二乘判别（OPLS-DA）与典型相关分析（CCA）结果显示,畜禽粪便中编码核糖体保护蛋白的tet基因（tetM、tetO和tetW）相对丰度与有机碳（OC）和有机氮（ON）含量高度相关（VIP> 1）,sul基因则与OC/ON明显相关。综上,粪便中有机质和生物可利用碳氮比是影响畜禽养殖业ARGs污染水平的重要因素。     

Morphology and physiology of zinc‐stressed mulberry plants

The aim of this study was to induce symptoms of zinc deficiency and Zn excess and to relate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the altered cellular redox environment to the effects of Zn stress in mulberry (Morus alba L.) cv. Kanva‐2 plants. The antioxidative responses of Zn‐stressed mulberry plants were studied by determining malondialdehyde content (MDA, a measure of lipid peroxidation) as indicator of oxidative damage and the ratio of dehydroascorbate (DHA) to ascorbic acid (AsA) as an index of the cellular redox state. The Zn‐deficiency effects appeared as faint paling and upward cupping of the young emerging leaves. The paling intensified with time, and affected leaves finally developed necrotic spots. At advanced stage of Zn deficiency, newly emerged leaves were spindle‐shaped, pale, and small in size. Apart from their stunted appearance, the plants supplied excess Zn did not show any specific visible symptom. Leaf water status of mulberry plant was affected in Zn‐stressed plants. Deficient leaves had decreased water potential (Ψ) and specific water content (SWC), contained less tissue Zn, less chloroplastic pigments, and high tissue Fe and Mn concentrations. However, excess supply of Zn was found to increase Ψ and decrease tissue Fe. Both hydrogen peroxide and MDA accumulated in leaves of Zn‐stressed plants. While the concentration of DHA did not vary in Zn‐deficient leaves, it was increased in leaves of plants supplied excess Zn. The ratio of the redox couple (DHA to AsA) was increased both in Zn‐deficient or Zn‐excess plants. The activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), and ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) increased in Zn‐stressed plants. The results suggest that deficiency or excess of Zn aggravates oxidative stress through enhanced generation of ROS and a disturbed redox homeostasis in mulberry plants.     

An estimation of monthly propagation of dengue vector Aedes aegypti in rainwater filled tires

Abstract

Present study was designed to estimate the average monthly production rate of Ae. aegypti in a rainwater filled bus/truck tire (1.041?m) and car tire (0.737?m) as well as in bus/truck tire lodged with pondwater which are lacking. An average of 3957 Ae. aegypti propagated from single rainwater filled bus/truck tire which was significantly higher than the average number of them produced in a rainwater filled car tire and a pondwater lodged bus/truck tire in a rainy month. Higher water holding capacity might be the cause of difference between the bus/truck tire and the car tire. On other hand, difference in multiple physio-chemical aspects between rainwater and pondwater seemed to be the determining factor to make difference in mosquito breeding potential in a bus/truck tire. It is assumed from the present study that an open dumping ground of discarded tires may account for huge production of Ae. aegypti. Discarded tires are recommended to be kept under shade or covered with polythene-sheet or apertures be made underside each tire for draining out the accumulated rainwater.     

Economic impact of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Przhevalskiana silenus</Emphasis> infestation in native goats of Northern India

Economic losses incurred by Przhevalskiana silenus in goats of Jammu province of Jammu and Kashmir (North India) were assessed from July 2005 to June 2006. Abattoir studies revealed holes in hides for 112 days (mid-December 2005 to first week of April 2006) and trimming of carcass for 243 days (July 2005 to February 2006) during a lifecycle, leading to annual losses of Rs. 7,391,432 and Rs. 10,510,837, respectively. An effect on production traits (weight gain and milk) was assessed on naturally P. silenus-infested Beetal goats. The mean body weight loss of warbled goats was 2.40 kg (equal to 1.096 kg of meat, assuming 45.7% dressing percentage of goat) leading to an annual loss of Rs. 35,473,265. The mean milk yield loss per warbled goat per day was 101.7 g resulting in losses to the tune of Rs. 19,879,012. It can be concluded that P. silenus infestation resulted in an overall loss of Rs. 73,254,547, i.e. 73.26 million annually (equivalent to US 1.62 million; US1.62 million; US 1 = Rs. 45.24), where reduced growth alone contributed 49% of the total losses. A study recommends that a control scheme against P. silenus infestation in goats using an effective insecticide should be followed to prevent huge economic losses in hide, milk and meat production. Economic losses associated with P. silenus infestation in goats were estimated for the first time from India.     

Effects of natural dietary carotenoids on skin coloration of false Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier, 1830)

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary natural carotenoid sources on skin colour enhancement of false clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris. The juvenile fish (initial body wt. 0.30 g) were fed with four experimental diets including (a) commercial feed (reference diet), (b) moist feed, (c) sweet potato (potato diet) and (d) dried gut weed Enteromorpha sp. (gut weed diet). Sweet potato and gut weed were used to boost up β‐carotene levels in the diets. There was no significant difference in final weight (0.51 ± 0.02 – 0.61 ± 0.01 g) and length (2.80 ± 0.02 cm) of fishes among treatments (p > 0.05) after 8 weeks. The survival rate of the fish in all dietary treatment was greater than 89%. Principal component analysis results showed that fish fed potato and gut weed diets performed brighter colour in skin with more orangeness, body and accumulated β‐carotene levels were higher than those fish fed with reference diet. Indicator a* value for the redness of fish fed potato diet (16.18 ± 0.59) and gut weed (14.36 ± 2.14) was also higher than fish fed reference diet (10.92 ± 0.82). The result of this study provided key information for developing dietary colour enhancement of ornamental fish by using cost‐effective feed ingredients (potato and gut weed) as natural supplemental carotenoid sources.