Studies on immunocompetence status in two turkey varieties in India

(1) Two hundred and twenty-seven adult turkeys of both sexes, of two varieties (104 Black and 123 White) were used to evaluate their immunocompetence status and body weights. (2) Response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) (humoral immunity) was measured by Haemagglutination (HA) test 5 days post immunisation (dpi) and expressed as log2 values. Mercaptoethanol resistant (MER) antibodies representing IgG were determined by Mercaptoethanol HA test and Mercaptoethanol sensitive (MES) antibodies, representing IgM as the difference in total HA titre and IgG. Serum lysozyme concentrations were estimated by 'Lysoplate assay' and expressed in log2 values. (3) Least squares analysis of variance revealed that the White variety had higher adult body weight (4.788 +/- 0.040 kg) than the Black (3.774 +/- 0.044 kg). Sexual dimorphism was apparent and meals were heavier than females in both varieties. The interaction effect of variety and sex on body weight was also significant. (4) Least squares means for immunological traits, namely, total anti-SRBC antibodies, MER, MES titres and serum lysozyme were 7.161 +/- 0.189, 0.801 +/- 0.071, 6.362 +/- 0.160 and 1.766 +/- 0.043 microg/ml, respectively. The Black variety had a higher MES antibody titre than the White. (5) Sex had an effect on all the immunological traits except on MER titres. Females generally had higher anti-SRBC, MER and MES titres and serum lysozyme. The variety x sex interaction effect was significant for MES titres and serum lysozyme. White males had the lowest MES titres.     

Association of bovine KISS1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with reproductive traits in Indian Cattle

Kisspeptins, a family of neuropeptide encoded by the Kiss1 gene, have emerged as crucial regulator of fertility and reproduction by regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The present study was aimed to identify and associate SNPs in the KISS1 gene with reproductive traits in cattle of Indian origin. DNA samples collected from 300 individual cows of three Indian dairy breeds (Gir, Kankrej and Frieswal) of cattle were used in the study. The SNPs of KISS1 gene were identified with PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis using two sets of primer pairs. A total of 5 SNPs were identified in the targeted region of which, two were selected for screening the population and association studies. The analysis revealed that genotypes of rs442633552G>A and rs42022871C>T had a significant association with dry period. The SNP rs42022871C>T also established significant role in milk production traits, and selection of TT-genotyped animals will improve the reproduction and production potential of the animals.     

Behavioral hormoligosis in oviposition preference of Bemisia tabaci on cotton

The study on behavioral hormoligosis in oviposition preference in Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) on cotton was conducted, at Entomological Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Punjab, India, during 2001 crop season and repeated in the same season. Multiple-choice test was followed for conducting the experiment. Quinalphos (250, 375, and 500), carbaryl (625, 938, and 1250), acephate (750, 1125, and 1500), endosulfan (438, 656, and 875), and fenvalerate (25, 38, and 50 g ai/ha) were repeatedly sprayed on potted plants of American cotton (var. LH-1556). The impact of these insecticides was evaluated in term of oviposition preference by B. tabaci to treated plants. Also, it investigated changes in biochemical components of treated cotton leaves and the correlation with oviposition preference. The results revealed that, fenvalerate treated plants were more preferred by whitefly for oviposition. Maximum number of eggs was observed on fenvalerate treated plants, 38, 50, and 25 g/ha (39.3, 37.3, and 36.1 eggs/leaf, respectively) followed by acephate 1500 g/ha (26.9 eggs/ leaf) compared with untreated control (14.1 eggs/leaf). Almost similar trend of results was observed in the repeated experiment. The results obtained from biochemical studies revealed that all the insecticidal treatments caused reduction in total sugars compared with untreated control except fenvalerate and low dose of quinalphos. All insecticides caused increase in total free amino acids and brought significant changes in total phenols and pH value of treated plants. These results have confirmed the behavioral hormoligosis in oviposition preference that induced by fenvalerate and acephate in B. tabaci, which may be one of the causes behind its resurgence on plants repeatedly treated with these insecticides.     

Climatic Constraints to the Potential of Microsphaeropsis amaranthi as a Bioherbicide for Common Waterhemp

ABSTRACT The fungal plant pathogen Microsphaeropsis amaranthi is a candidate bioherbicide for the control of weedy Amaranthus species since it grows and sporulates readily in culture, is a pathogen of a number of important weed species, and is host-restricted to the family Amaranthaceae. This study was designed to determine the optimum and limiting environmental conditions for the efficacy of foliar applications of M. amaranthi for the control of common waterhemp. The greatest disease severity and the greatest plant biomass reductions were found when a prolonged leaf wetness period of >/= 12 h at 18 to 24 degrees C was provided after application. Disease severity and plant biomass reductions were greater when plants were treated at an earlier stage of development. Disease severity and impact were limited when shorter leaf wetness periods were provided, with negligible disease observed on plants provided with 相似文献   

Isotope-edited nuclear magnetic resonance: novel methodologies for investigating metabolism

While the use of NMR and stable isotopes in metabolism studies is hardly new, it is only recently that isotope-edited NMR spectroscopy has been applied in kinetic studies of glyphosate metabolism of soil microbes. NMR can detect multiple species simultaneously and non-destructively, yielding valuable information on structural identification of metabolites. T riple R esonance I sotope ED ited spectroscopy (TRIED), [²H]NMR, and [²H–¹³C] INEPT (I nsensitive N ucleus E nhancement through P olarization T ransfer) are three isotope-edited techniques which have been used in combination to examine the microbial degradation of glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine). Using ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-labeled glyphosate, TRIED can detect multiple metabolites in crude matrices at submicrogram levels, an improvement over earlier techniques where milligrams were needed. It can detect 500 nanograms of ¹³C–¹⁵N-labeled compound in a crude sample (1 : 1400 mass ratio), only a few hours work being required. [²H]NMR and [²H–¹³C]INEPT were also used as complementary techniques to further examine metabolites whose ¹³C–¹⁵N bond has been cleaved. The three-isotope-edited methods produced results consistent with both radioactivity and HPLC analyses. Accordingly, we are able to detect minute levels of metabolites in the presence of complex mixtures, minimizing the costs and time of sample purification. ©1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Lr46: a gene conferring slow-rusting resistance to leaf rust in wheat

ABSTRACT Wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar Pavon 76 carries slow-rusting resistance to leaf rust that has remained effective in Mexico since its release in 1976. 'Pavon 76' was crossed with two leaf rust-susceptible wheat cultivars, Jupateco 73S and Avocet S, and between 118 and 148 individual F(2) plant-derived F(3) and F(5) lines were evaluated for adult-plant leaf rust resistance at two field sites in Mexico during different seasons. Evaluation of F(1) plants and parents indicated that the slow-rusting resistance was partially dominant. Segregation in the F(3) and F(5) indicated that the resistance was based on two genes with additive effects. Monosomic analysis was carried out to determine the chromosomal locations of the resistance genes. For this purpose, two or three backcross-derived cytogenetic populations were developed by crossing 'Pavon 76' with a monosomic series of adult-plant leaf rust-susceptible cultivar Lal-bahadur. Evaluation of such BC(2)F(3) and BC(3)F(3) lines from 16 confirmed 'Lalbahadur' monosomics indicated that one slow-rusting gene was located in chromosome 1B of 'Pavon 76'. This gene, designated as Lr46, is the second named gene involved in slow-rusting resistance to leaf rust in wheat.     

Laboratory evaluation of the insect growth regulator lufenuron againstHelicoverpa armigera on cotton

An insect growth regulator (IGR), lufenuron (Match 5EC), was tested for its toxicity toHelicoverpa armigera on cotton. Potency of the IGR against the larval stage of the pest was demonstrated with respect to larval instars; the LC₉₀ values of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae were 5.63, 7.89, 8.03, 11.39 and 14.76 mg a.i.l ⁻¹, respectively. However, different larval instars did not differ significantly with respect to LC₅₀ and LC₁₀. IGR-treated larvae had swollen heads and were significantly smaller (1.5–2.3 mm) than the untreated control (2.9 mm). Larval weight was significantly reduced from 190 mg in the control to 50–70 mg in the lufenuron treatment. IGR treatment in the larval stage significantly affected both pupal length and pupal weight. Pupal duration of the test insect was significantly extended by IGR treatment. Pupal deformities, including an inability to shed the last larval skin and formation of larval-pupal intermediates, occurred following treatment. A significant reduction in adult emergence was recorded. In addition, abnormalities in the form of development of cavities in the forewings of adult were evident. A significant decline in fecundity was noted in the studies. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 3, 2003.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis races 1 and 5 in tetraploid and hexaploid wheat

Tan spot of wheat, caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a destructive disease worldwide that can lead to serious losses in quality and quantity of wheat grain production. Resistance to multiple races of P. tritici-repentis was identified in a wide range of genetically diverse genotypes, including three different species Triticum aestivum (AABBDD), T. spelta (AABBDD), and T. turgidum (AABB). The major objectives of this study were to determine the genetic control of resistance to P. tritici-repentis races 1 and 5 in 12 newly identified sources of resistance. The parents, F(1), F(2), and F(2:3) or F(2:5) families of each cross were analyzed for the allelism tests and/or inheritance studies. Plants were inoculated at the two-leaf stage under controlled environmental conditions and disease reaction was assessed based on lesion-type rating scale. A single recessive gene controlled resistance to necrosis caused by P. tritici-repentis race 1 in both tetraploid and hexaploid resistant genotypes. The lack of segregation in the inter- and intra-specific crosses between the resistant tetraploid and hexaploid genotypes indicated that they possess the same genes for resistance to tan necrosis and chlorosis induced by P. tritici-repentis race 1. A single dominant gene for chlorosis in hexaploid wheat and a single recessive gene for necrosis in tetraploid wheat, controlled resistance to P. tritici-repentis race 5.     

Methodology for creating alloplasmic soybean lines by using Glycine tomentella as a maternal parent

Soybean breeders have not exploited the diversity of the 26 wild perennial species of the subgenus Glycine Willd. that are distantly related to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and harbour useful genes. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for introgressing cytoplasmic and genetic diversity from Glycine tomentella PI 441001 (2n = 78) into cultivated soybean using ‘Dwight’ (2n = 40) as the male parent. Immature seeds (19–21 days post‐pollination) were cultured in vitro to produce F₁ plants (2n = 59). Amphidiploid (2n = 118) plants, induced by colchicine treatment, were vigorous and produced mature pods and seeds after backcrossing with ‘Dwight’. The BC₁ plants (2n = 79) produced mature seeds in crosses with ‘Dwight’. Chromosome numbers in BC₂F₁ plants ranged from 2n = 41–50. From BC₂F₂ to BC₃F₁, the number of plants in parentheses with 2n = 40 (275), 2n = 41 (208), 2n = 42 (80), 2n = 43 (27), 2n = 44 (12) and 2n = 45 (3) were identified. Fertile lines were grown in the field during 2012 and 2013. This is the first report of the successful development of new alloplasmic soybean lines with cytoplasm from G. tomentella.     

Biology and life table of Diaeretiella rapae against Brevicoryne brassicae on different cultivars of cauliflower

Phytoparasitica - Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most promising, effective and a common endoparasitoid of different aphid species including cabbage aphid,...