Vulnerability of coffee (Coffea spp.) genetic resources in the United States

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Coffee is one of the most important agricultural commodities worldwide, significantly contributing to the economies of many coffee-producing countries....     

Superconducting and Magnetic Behavior in La2-xNaxCuO4

New phases of the type La2-xAx(l+)CUO4-y have been prepared where A(l+) is sodium or potassium. The sodium phases are superconducting for x values from 0.2 to 0.5 at temperatures up to about 40 K. In addition, there are unusual magnetic properties below about 10 K that may be indicative of spin glass behavior. Phases of the type La2-xKxCuO4-y could only be prepared with x values up to about 0.1, and these phases are not superconducting above 4.2 K.     

Identification of haematological markers in shrimp health assessment from the immune profile of Fenneropenaeus indicus on β-1,3-glucan administration and white spot syndrome virus challenge

Haematological alterations in Fenneropenaeus indicus fed marine yeast glucan-incorporated diet and challenged with white spot syndrome virus were analysed. Adult F. indicus 16.45 ± 2.12 g (mean ± SD) were reared in 25 ‰ sea water and allowed to acclimate for a period of 7 days. Diet was prepared incorporating glucan (0.2 %) extracted from marine yeast, Debaryomyces hansenii S169. The shrimps were reared on experimental diet for 28 days and then challenged with white spot syndrome virus through oral administration. Random sampling was done (n = 6 shrimps) on 1st, 15th and 28th day of the experiment and on post-challenge day 2 (PCD 2) and PCD 7 for haematological analysis. The immune parameters viz. plasma protein, total haemocyte count, phenoloxidase activity, superoxide anion production, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities were estimated in the haemolymph. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, hydroperoxide, conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde concentrations in the haemolymph of shrimps were also analysed. Analysis of variance showed that there are significant differences (p < 0.05) in the immune and antioxidant parameters in different treatment groups of F. indicus. The shrimps fed glucan-incorporated diet showed higher survival rate with comparatively lower accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. Correlation coefficients showed that all haematological variables except hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes exhibited positive correlation with the survival rate. The immune variables and antioxidant parameters exhibited a greater degree of correlation with each other. When multiple regression of survival rate on all immune parameters was considered, the amount of variability explained was 93 % (R Square = 0.932). When significant regression coefficients among the immune parameters were taken into account, it was found that total haemocyte count (p < 0.001), phenoloxidase activity (p < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase activity (p < 0.05) and plasma protein concentration (p < 0.05) together are explaining 84 % (R ² = 0.842) of the variability, indicating that these four parameters are mainly supporting the survival. The amount of variability explained by the antioxidant parameters was 94 % (R ² = 0.938). When significant regression coefficients among the antioxidant parameters were taken into account, it was found that superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.01) and catalase activity (p < 0.05) together are explaining 87.4 % (R ² = 0.874) of the variability, indicating that these two antioxidants act as the major immune effectors supporting the survival in shrimps.     

Effect of ammonia on the electrolyte status of an Indian major carp Catla catla

Ammonia is present in the aquatic environment due to agricultural runoff, sewage effluents and decomposition of biological waste. High level of ammonium in the aquatic environment or in aquaculture farms is a serious problem for aquatic organisms. In the present investigation, the sublethal effects of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) at 9.98 mg L^?1 on plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^?) level of Indian major carp Catla catla fingerlings was studied for a period of 35 days under semistatic conditions. Exposure of fish to sublethal concentration of TAN at 9.98 mg L^?1 caused changes in the levels of plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^?) compared with control fish. No mortality was observed in any group during the treatment period. The present study reveals that the levels of plasma sodium and potassium (except on 7th day) electrolytes were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased throughout the study period. However, the decrease in plasma chloride level was found to be not significant when compared with control group. The present study concludes that the measurements of plasma electrolytes levels can be used as potential biomarkers for monitoring nitrogenous chemicals in aquatic environment.     

Depressed polymorphonuclear cell functions in periparturient cows that develop postpartum reproductive diseases

The study was planned to see if there is any important and significant changes in the PMN function in cows suffering from postpartum reproductive diseases (PRD). Blood sampling was done from 41 pregnant cows on 15 days prepartum (?15d), calving day (0d), 15 days (15d) and 30 days (30d) postpartum and thorough gynaecological examination was performed on 0d, 15d, 30d and 45d for diagnosis of PRD like retained placenta (RP), clinical metritis (CM), clinical endometritis (CE) and delayed involution of uterus (DIU). The heparinised blood was used for isolation of PMN leukocytes for estimation of superoxide (SO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in each group of cows. The SO production (ΔOD) was greater for normal (0.19 ± 0.05) than cows suffering from RP (?0.12 ± 0.09), CM (?0.15 ± 0.13) and CE (?0.07 ± 0.05) at -15d. The mean value was greater for normal cows (0.12) than the cows with PRD (0.05 to 0.9) at 30d. The H₂O₂ production was greater for normal than cows with PRD at all sampling days and significantly greater than cows with RP and CE at 15d (p < 0.01) and 30d (P < 0.05). The MPO activity (μmol/1 × 10⁷) was greater for normal (18.77 ± 1.27) than for RP (12.52 ± 2.57) and CM (11.31 ± 3.30) cows on 0d. The depressed capability of the PMN from the cows with PRD to produce SO, H₂O₂ and MPO during the periparturient period indicated their association with the development of RP, CM and CE.     

Early Stage above Ground Interaction in Wheat-Jatropha Agrisilviculture System

Experiments were conducted to analyze the initial tree crop interaction between Jatropha curcas and wheat by planting the perennial component in East-West orientation with 8-2 m distance and wheat as intercrop at National Research Centre for Agroforestry （NRCAF）, Jhansi during July, 2007 to April, 2009. During planting of Jatropha the interaction to wheat was non-significant and influence of orientation is also nil. Eighteen months after plating Jatropha had attained the mean height of 124.56 cm, collar diameter of 6.37 cm, number of branches of 11.25, canopy diameter of 98.5 cm and yielded 18.5 g seeds per plant. During 18 MAP also observations revealed the non-significant influence of Jatropha on wheat. Observations also indicated the progress in wheat growth and yield attributes with the increase of distances from tree base and it follow the order of 0.5 m〈1.0 m〈2.0 m〈3.0, 4.0 m and open. Nearly, 62% and 14% yield loss in wheat grain was observed at 0.5 m and lm distance from the tree base respectively compare with open. Comparison ofwheat-Jatropha agrisilviculture system and sole wheat cropping indicated the net grain yield reduction up to 13.5% by agrisilviculture system. The comparison of wheat and straw yields between the two years clearly indicating that the system and sole cropping have not much differed while the influence of climatic factor is witnessed by the variation of yields over years. It revealed that the initial above ground interaction between Jatropha and wheat was due to the space that can be managed by the pruning of branches which is a recommended cultural practice of Jatropha.     

Economic threshold for the management of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plutella xylostella</Emphasis> with granulovirus in cauliflower ecosystem

Resistance to chemicals and some biological control agents by Plutella xylostella has resulted in the search for alternatives, such as P. xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV), for the management of P. xylostella. However, use of PlxyGV would be economical only if it is applied at the right crop stage and at economic threshold levels. Hence, we evaluated the field level economic threshold for application of PlxyGV at the reproductive phase of cauliflower taking into consideration both the economic threshold model and the economic optimization model. PlxyGV was found to be very effective in management of the pest and was comparable to weekly applications of quinalphos 25EC. However, due to the higher cost of PlxyGV application than quinalphos, the cost benefit ratio with quinalphos application was much higher than the virus application. The net income from the virus application decreased both at lower thresholds—due to the higher cost of plant protection, and at higher thresholds—due to the increased damage by the pest. Based on the economic threshold model, the economic threshold for application of PlxyGV was estimated at 9–11 larvae per ten plants. Considering the net income per hectare and the cost of plant protection, it was found that at a threshold of 12–14 larvae per ten plants net income was just equal to the cost of plant protection. Based on the economic optimization model, the optimum threshold for application of PlxyGV was 15 larvae per ten plants when profits are maximum.     

Novel quantitative trait loci for yield and yield related traits identified in Basmati rice (Oryza sativa)

Increasing crop productivity is one of the prime goals of crop breeding research. Rice grain yield is a complex quantitative trait governed by polygenes. Although several QTLs governing grain yield traits have been reported and limited attempts have been made to map QTLs for grain yield parameters in Basmati rice. A population from the cross Sonasal and Pusa Basmati 1121 comprising 352 RILs was generated through the single seed descent method. A total of 12 QTLs governing yield and yield-related traits were mapped on six chromosomes, namely, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9, of which five QTLs were novel. We identified a novel and robust epistatic QTL (qPH1.1 and qPL1.1) governing plant height and panicle length, flanked by the markers RM5336-RM1 on chromosome 1. The gene encoding brassinosteroid insensitive 1-associated receptor kinase 1 precursor is the putative candidate gene underlying this epistatic QTL. Another novel QTL, qNT3.1, governing tiller number was bracketed to a region of .77 Mb between the markers RM15247 and RM15281 on chromosome 3. Of the 57 annotated gene models, Os03g0437600 encoding alpha/beta-fold hydrolase, a homologous to AtKai2 is a putative candidate gene underlying the novel QTL qNT3.1. The other QTLs such as qDFF1.1 governing days to 50% flowering co-localizes with the gene Ghd7, QTL for plant height qPH1.2 co-localizes with the gene sd1, the QTLs for panicle length co-localizes with FUWA and DEP2, the QTL for tiller number co-localizes with OsRLCK57 and QTLs for thousand-grain weight co-localize with the major gene GS3. The QTLs identified in the current study can be effectively used in marker-assisted selection for developing Basmati rice varieties with a higher yield.     

Cell-mediated immune responses to sporozoites and macroschizonts of Theileria annulata.

The nature of cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses was studied in cross-bred bovine calves, immunised by attenuated and allogeneic macroschizonts of Theileria annulata. The CMI responses were also investigated in calves, destined to survive or die of tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata) induced by a virulent dose of sporozoites or macroschizont-infected lymphoblasts. Calves suffering fatal theileriosis showed poor CMI response. Microcytotoxicity assay revealed an enhanced population of specific cytotoxic cells amongst the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of calves resolving the infection successfully. The E rosette assay showed proliferation of T cells and the assay for macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) demonstrated antigen sensitised cells in the PBL. Calves, immunised by allogeneic and attenuated macroschizont-infected lymphoblasts or those recovering from virulent macroschizont-induced infection, showed protective CMI responses with patterns similar to those appearing after non-fatal sporozoite infection.