Parent—Offspring correlations and heritability of some characters in okra

Four testers, 16 lines and 64 F₁'s were used in a line × tester analysis of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Parent—offspring correlations were high for yield per plant, number of ridges per fruit and fruit diameter with all the 4 testers. The heritability estimates were high for number of fruits, fruit length and fruit diameter. Yield had a positive and significant association with plant height, number of fruits per plant and fruit length, both in parents and hybrids. It was, therefore, suggested that number of fruits per plant and fruit length and diameter be given more consideration in selecting superior types in okra.     

Surgical Management of Enterocutaneous Fistula in a Mare

Enterocutaneous fistulas are reported to be sequelae of congenital umbilical hernia or penetrating trauma to the equine patient's abdomen. An enterocutaneous fistula is considered to be the least common clinical presentation in a horse with incarcinated umbilical hernia, and may be life-threatening if not managed timely. This case report describes an enterocutaneous fistula in a mare as a sequela to congenital umblical hernia. The mare had an uneventful recovery after surgical repair and delivered a healthy foal on subsequent follow-up. The report highlights the need to repair congenital umbilical hernias (regardless of the size), if they do not resolve by the age of 6 to 12 months.     

Prevalence of Ocular Disorders in an Indian Population of Horses

The objective of this clinical study was to report the prevalence of ocular disorders in a large population of horses from the Indian army. Both eyes of 500 horses were examined using a direct ophthalmoscope and by a transillumination procedure. Intraocular pressures were measured in several study horses. Fluorescein dye, Schirmer tear test, and menace testing were performed when indicated. Corneal culture swabs were collected from horses affected with corneal ulcers found on ophthalmoscopic examination. A total of 100 horses were found to be affected with some form of ocular disorder. The eye problems recorded were congenital eye lid disorders (2%) and included a subcutaneous cyst in the lower eye lid and slit in upper eye lid; conjunctivitis (12%); chronic interstitial keratitis (30%); a parasite in the anterior chamber (1%), which was however not removed for genus and species identification; phthisis bulbi (1%); uveitis (24%); glaucoma (13%); cataracts (3%); unilateral retinal hemorrhage (1%); luxation of cataractous lens (3%); posterior synechia (2%); and corneal ulceration (8%). Pseudomonas spp was the most common bacteria identified in horses affected with corneal ulceration. Vision-threatening ocular disorders are high in Indian army horses; this is a cause of major concern for the rider and the horse and, therefore, it is important to include ocular examination in horses as part of a routine and complete physical examination.     

Monitoring nitrogen,phosphorus and sulphur in hybrid rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) using hyperspectral remote sensing

Till date, the remote sensing research on crop nutrient monitoring has focused mainly on biomass and nitrogen (N) estimation and only a few attempts had been made to characterize and monitor macronutrients other than N. Field experiments were undertaken to study the remote detection of macronutrient status of rice using hyperspectral remote sensing. The variability in soil available N, phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) and their content in plants were created using artificial fertility gradient design. The leaf and canopy hyperspectral reflectance was captured from variable macronutrient status vegetation. Linear correlation analysis between the spectral reflectance and plant nutrient status revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher correlation coefficient at 670, 700, 730, 1090, 1260, 1460 nm for the nutrient under study. Published and proposed vegetation indices (VIs) were tested for canopy N, P and S prediction. The results of the investigation revealed that, published VIs (NDVI hyper and NDVI broadbands) could retrieve canopy N with higher accuracy, but not P and S. The predictability of the visible and short wave infrared based VI NRI₁₅₁₀ ((R₁₅₁₀ ? R₆₆₀)/(R₁₅₁₀ + R₆₆₀)) was the highest (r = 0.81, p < 0.01) for predicting N. Based on the outcomes of linear correlation analysis new VIs were proposed for remote detection of P and S. Proposed VI P_670_1260 ((R₁₂₆₀ ? R₆₇₀)/(R₁₂₆₀ + R₆₇₀)) retrieved canopy P status with higher prediction accuracy (r = 0.67, p < 0.01), whereas significantly higher canopy S prediction (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) was obtained using VI S_670_1090 ((R₁₀₉₀ ? R₆₇₀)/(R₁₀₉₀ + R₆₇₀)). The proposed spectral algorithms could be used for real time and site-specific N, P and S management in rice. Nutrient specific wavelengths, identified in the present investigation, could be used for developing relatively low-cost sensors of hand-held instruments to monitor N, P and S status of rice plant.     

Screening of water-efficient rice genotypes for dry direct seeding in South Asia

Rice genotypes having high crop water productivity in dry direct-seeded rice (DDSR) need to be assessed while promoting labor- and water-saving technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of several selection indices to identify genotypes with high crop water productivity in DDSR. A set of 16 genotypes [13 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and three genotypes as check for control] were evaluated under DDSR for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014) using two irrigation regimes [-10 kPa (non-stress) and -20 kPa (stress)]. Grain yield varied from 5.3 to 8.4 t ha^-1 and 5.9 to 8.7 t ha^-1 for irrigation regimes of -20 and -10 kPa, respectively. Yield reductions caused by water stress ranged from 2.9 to 25.1%; being lowest in RIL1649 and highest in hybrid SVH-127. The genotypes with high stress-tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and harmonic mean productivity (HAR) were identified as the most productive genotypes for high crop water productivity in DDSR. The results implied that selection based on stress tolerance indices likes STI, MP, GMP and HAR was useful in identifying genotypes with high crop water productivity under DDSR and RIL 1649 and SVH-127 were identified as superior genotypes in this regard.     

Prior weakening of Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium propagules for enhancing efficiency of Brassica amendments

In a two year field study, the effect of varying intensities of sub-lethal heating on the efficiency of Brassica amendments in controlling viable populations of Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cumini was determined in an arid region of India. After 30 d of dry summer exposure of pathogen infested soil, incorporation of mustard residues and oil cake (0.18% and 0.04% w/w) and then applying one irrigation caused significant reduction by 75.3–81.3% in viable counts of M. phaseolina that causes dry root rot of legumes and by 93.9% in counts of F.o. f. sp. cumini causing wilt of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) at 0–15 and 16–30 cm depths. Increasing duration of summer exposure to 60 d improved the reductions in viable propagules of M. phaseolina by 83.6–90.4% and in F.o. f. sp. cumini by 78.2–94.8% at same soil depths. At certain heat levels, reduction in viable population of Fusarium due to amendments and irrigation was greater than that recorded in Macrophomina. Significantly low levels of reduction in pathogenic propagules of Macrophomina (63.9–71.4%) and Fusarium (48.0–57.2%) under shade compared to unshaded conditions indicated that mild heating did not cause discernible weakening effect. In second season also, 89.2–91.5% and 78.5–95.8% reduction in counts of Macrophomina and Fusarium, respectively was achieved by the application of amendments after 60 d of summer exposure at 0–30 cm soil depth. These results suggested a new approach to improve the control of soil-borne plant pathogens in hot arid regions by combining prolonged sub-lethal heating, effective naturally available on-farm wastes as soil amendments and one summer irrigation.     

Performance of drip-irrigated dry-seeded rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) in South Asia

Drip irrigation in dry-seeded rice (DSR) is a new water-saving cultivation technology; however, very little is known of its productivity and water-saving capacities. The study was conducted for 2 years (2013 and 2014) in a split-plot design in three replicates with treatment combinations of four irrigation regimes [drip irrigation at 1.5, 2.25, and 3.0× pan evaporation (Epan) and flood irrigation at 3.0× Epan] and three nitrogen (N) levels (120, 150, and 180 kg ha^?1). Drip irrigation in DSR resulted in higher grain yield (7.34–8.01 t ha^?1) than flood irrigation (6.63–7.60 t ha^?1) , with water savings of more than 40 %. Water-use efficiency with drip irrigation was higher (0.81–0.88 kg m^?3) than flood irrigation (0.42–0.52 kg m^?3) , being highest with drip irrigation at 1.5× Epan. Root density at soil depths of 15–30 cm was also higher in drip (0.86–1.05 mg cm^?3) as compared to the flood (0.76–0.80 kg m^?3)-irrigated crop. This study implicated that under water-scarce scenario, drip-irrigated DSR is a profitable, and water- and energy-saving technology. This study also suggested that policy focus in future must be tilted towards the promotion of solar-operated drip irrigation in those regions, where DSR is being promoted in the face of water and energy crisis.     

Colorimetric determination of diazepam in pharmaceutical preparations.

A colorimetric method is presented for the estimation of diazepam as the pure drug and in formulations. Diazepam is hydrolyzed with 6N HCl to 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone, which is extracted with chloroform to give a yellow solution whose absorbance is measured at 410 nm against a solvent blank. The color obeys Beer's law in the concentration range of 0-30 mug/ml. In 5 determinations, recovery was 99.0 +/- 1.9%. The method is applicable to pure diazepam and its formulations for oral and parenteral use. No interferences were observed from pyridoxine hydrochloride and commonly used preservatives, vehicles, and colors.     

Traditional processing treatments as a promising approach To enhance the functional properties of rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. toria) and sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) meals.

Different processing treatments were applied to rapeseed and sesame seed meals, and the functional properties of these products were assessed. All treatments except puffing for both meals and pressure cooking in sesame meal increased water absorption capacity (WAC). Fat absorption capacity (FAC) of rapeseed meals was enhanced significantly by all treatments. The full-fat meals of both sources showed maximum protein solubility when fermented and minimum protein solubility when pressure-cooked. Germinated and microwave-cooked meals enhanced foaming properties of rapeseed meals. Heat treatments, except microwave cooking, considerably reduced emulsifying properties of both meals. Fermentation and germination increased the specific viscosity of rapeseed meals, whereas processed sesame meals showed lower viscosity than dry sesame meals.