Studying irradiation homogeneity in light aging for historical textile conservation

Instrumental light aging is one of the most important tools for restoration and conservation of historical textiles. It used in testing stability of conservation materials, in addition to its lightening effect during the presentation in the museums. Light fading is an important tool for preparing the aged textile and other polymeric samples especially for archaeological conservation applications. Many fadometers do not give homogeneous exposure for all sample’s areas. This work studies the color changes of silk fabric dyed with turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) mordanted with alum or ferric sulfate. Color change was studied for the exposure periods ranged from five to hundred hours. Three positions of different irradiance levels were measured on the same sample namely (bottom, middle and upper). Individual color change for each position was recorded and studied. The results showed that there is non-homogeneous irradiance distribution due to different positions in fadometer or mordant used.     

Biological control of sclerotinia stem rot of canola using antagonistic bacteria

Stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a major fungal disease of canola worldwide. In Australia the management of stem rot relies primarily on strategic application of synthetic fungicides. In an attempt to find alternative strategies for the management of the disease, 514 naturally occurring bacterial isolates were screened for antagonism to S. sclerotiorum. Antifungal activity against mycelial growth of the fungus was exhibited by three isolates of bacteria. The bacteria were identified as Bacillus cereus (SC‐1 and P‐1) and Bacillus subtilis (W‐67) via 16S rRNA sequencing. In vitro antagonism assays using these isolates resulted in significant inhibition of mycelial elongation and complete inhibition of sclerotial germination by both non‐volatile and volatile metabolites. The antagonistic strains caused a significant reduction in the viability of sclerotia when tested in a greenhouse pot trial with soil collected from the field. Spray treatments of bacterial strains reduced disease incidence and yielded higher control efficacy both on inoculated cotyledons and stems. Application of SC‐1 and W‐67 in the field at 10% flowering stage (growth stage 4·00) of canola demonstrated that control efficacy of SC‐1 was significantly higher in all three trials (over 2 years) when sprayed twice at 7‐day intervals. The greatest control of disease was observed with the fungicide Prosaro^® 420SC or with two applications of SC‐1. The results demonstrated that, in the light of environmental concerns and increasing cost of fungicides, B. cereus SC‐1 may have potential as a biological control agent of sclerotinia stem rot of canola in Australia.     

Impact of wheat-Leymus racemosus added chromosomes on wheat adaptation and tolerance to heat stress

Adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to high temperatures could be improved by introducing alien genes from wild relatives. We evaluated the responses of wheat-Leymus racemosus chromosome introgression lines to high temperature to determine their potentiality for developing improved wheat cultivars. Introgression lines and their parent Chinese Spring were evaluated in a growth chamber at the seedling stage and in the field at the reproductive stage in two heat-stressed environments in Sudan. Optimum and late planting were used to ensure exposure of the plants to heat stress at the reproductive stage. The results revealed the impact of several Leymus chromosomes in improving wheat adaptation and tolerance to heat. Three lines possessed enhanced adaptation, whereas two showed high heat tolerance. Two addition lines showed a large number of kernels per spike, while one possessed high yield potential. Grain yield was correlated negatively with the heat susceptibility index, days to heading and maturity and positively with kernel number per spike and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay under late planting. The findings suggest that these genetic stocks could be used as a bridge to introduce the valuable Leymus traits into a superior wheat genetic background, thus helping maximize wheat yield in heat-stressed environments.     

Effect of feeding pomegranate seed oil as a source of conjugated linolenic acid on Arabian stallion semen quality in cooled and postthawed condition

The objective was to assess the influence of pomegranate seed oil supplementation on the quality of fresh, cooled and frozen–thawed Arabian breed stallion semen. Eight stallions (n = 4 per group) received their normal diet (control group) or normal diet top dressed with 200 ml of pomegranate seed oil (PSO group). Semen was collected every fifteen days for 90 days. Stallions were reversed across the treatments after a sixty‐day interval. In cooled and stored condition (2, 12 and 24 hr), spermatozoa motion characteristics, membrane integrity, viability, morphology and lipid peroxidation were analysed. In frozen–thawed semen, sperm dynamic characteristics were analysed by CASA, acrosome status and mitochondrial activity (evaluated by Flow cytometry) determined. The effects of treatment, time, semen type and their interactions were submitted to PROCMIX (SAS^®), and means compared by the Tukey test. Also, collected semen samples were artificially inseminated to evaluate fertility and pregnancy rate after day 60 of the experiment. The results from fresh condition showed that semen volume, sperm concentration, abnormality and live sperm were not affected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). In cooled condition, the higher value for sperm plasma membrane integrity and viability was observed in PSO group compared to control after 24 hr cooled and stored in 5°C. In postthawed condition, the higher value for CASA total motility and acrosome status was observed in PSO group compared to control group (p < 0.05). One hundred and twenty‐six mares were artificially inseminated for fertility trial using control and PSO groups’ fresh semen. The average pregnancy rates were not significantly different between control and treated group (62.88% and 65.90%, respectively) (p > 0.05). We concluded that under the conditions of this study, dietary supplementation of 200 ml pomegranate seed oil seems to relatively improved Arabian horse sperm quality during storage in cooled and frozen condition via increasing plasma membrane integrity, viability and acrosome status, but did not improve the pregnancy rates.     

Conservation and climate change: Assessing the vulnerability of snow leopard habitat to treeline shift in the Himalaya

Climate change is likely to affect the persistence of large, space-requiring species through habitat shifts, loss, and fragmentation. Anthropogenic land and resource use changes related to climate change can also impact the survival of wildlife. Thus, climate change has to be integrated into biodiversity conservation plans. We developed a hybrid approach to climate-adaptive conservation landscape planning for snow leopards in the Himalayan Mountains. We first mapped current snow leopard habitat using a mechanistic approach that incorporated field-based data, and then combined it with a climate impact model using a correlative approach. For the latter, we used statistical methods to test hypotheses about climatic drivers of treeline in the Himalaya and its potential response to climate change under three IPCC greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. We then assessed how change in treeline might affect the distribution of snow leopard habitat. Results indicate that about 30% of snow leopard habitat in the Himalaya may be lost due to a shifting treeline and consequent shrinking of the alpine zone, mostly along the southern edge of the range and in river valleys. But, a considerable amount of snow leopard habitat and linkages are likely to remain resilient to climate change, and these should be secured. This is because, as the area of snow leopard habitat fragments and shrinks, threats such as livestock grazing, retaliatory killing, and medicinal plant collection can intensify. We propose this approach for landscape conservation planning for other species with extensive spatial requirements that can also be umbrella species for overall biodiversity.     

Role of social aspects in extent of on-farm tree growing in subsistence agroforestry systems of Western Himalaya

Many so-called society-oriented agroforestry programs, mainly in developing countries, fail because they do not take account of the social structure in their design. This study provides empirical evidence of the impact of social structure on the extent of on-farm tree growing. The study has been carried out in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, in Indian Western Himalaya. Analysis of survey data reveals significant relationships between extent of on-farm tree growing and caste, education of the head of household, family literacy, primary occupation, government employment, mobility of the household head, importance of tree growing for future generations, and holy tree worship practices. Households with concrete houses had more trees than households with mixed, mud and wooden houses. The study implies a need to consider social factors to encourage the level of on-farm tree growing and to design socially acceptable agroforestry programs. The study also emphasises the need for a holistic approach to agroforestry development by integrating other continuing rural development programs with that of agroforestry to increase the level of on-farm tree growing.     

Histomorphological,ultrastructural and morphometrical age-related changes of fundic region of New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

This study investigated the histomorphological, ultrastructural and morphometrical postnatal developmental changes in the rabbit fundic region, especially during changing of the feeding intake. Seventy-two New Zealand rabbits (V-Line breed) at the ages of 1, 7, 15, 23, 30 and 60 days were obtained for light and electron microscopy and morphometric studies of the fundic region. The newborn rabbit's fundic wall was thin and organized into mucosa, submucosa, musclosa and serosa, with a significant increase in thickness with ageing. The fundic glands were few at the first week of life, then increased in length and diameter compared to the preceding age with prominent zonation at 23 days. The gastric pits appeared wide and deep at the first week of life then became typically narrow and shallow at the third week. The mucous cells were the main cell types lining the fundic glands in the first week of life. These cells showed remoulding with a marked increase in Periodic Acid–Schiff reactivity with age. Parietal cells were differentiated earlier (on the first day of life) than the chief cells and distributed at the neck and basal zones. Chief cells differentiated at 15 days old at the base of the glands, followed by an increase in the number and activity. Few active enteroendocrine cells were first seen at 15 days old and then widely distributed throughout the glands. Conclusion: Pronounced histomorphological changes in the fundic mucosal layer, especially the surface and glandular epithelium, correlate with the postnatal rabbit-feeding intake changes.     

Mineral status of Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton) fingerlings in relation to supplemental phytase: absorption, whole-body and bone mineral content

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to quantify the effects of microbial phytase supplementation on apparent absorption, whole body and bone contents of minerals in Pangasius pangasius fingerlings. Seven isoprotein (35.67%) and isocaloric (3870 kcal kg^?1) diets were prepared with graded levels of supplemental phytase at 0 (T₁), 150 (T₂), 250 (T₃), 350 (T₄), 500 (T₅), 1000 (T₆) and 2000 (T₇) FTU (Phytase Units) kg^?1. Three hundred and fifteen fingerlings of P. pangasius (1.97–2.05 g) were randomly distributed in seven treatments with three replicates each. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in tissue protein content in phytase‐supplemented groups compared with the control. Apparent absorptions of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the phytase‐supplemented groups than the control group. Faecal ash and P contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control (T₁) than the phytase‐supplemented groups. Whole‐body contents of Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Co were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the dietary supplementation of phytase‐barring Mg and Mn. Concentrations of bone Ca, P, K, Cu and Co were significantly (P<0.05) higher in phytase‐supplemented groups. Bone ash contents (40.77–44.85%) were increased concomitantly with the increased level of phytase inclusion upto 500 FTU kg^?1 diet. It was observed that a minimum dose of 250 FTU phytase kg^?1 diet improved the mineral absorption and utilization in P. pangasius fingerlings.     

Influence of Acacia senegal agroforestry system on growth and yield of sorghum, sesame, roselle and gum in north Kordofan State, Sudan

We examined the effects of intercropping with Acacia senegal (L.) Willd on growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Field experiments were conducted in El-Obeid Research farm (13°10’ N; 30°12’ E), North Kordofan State, Sudan, during 2002 2003 in an 11-year-old A. senegal plantation. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data were recorded for plant height (cm), fresh weight (kg ha -1 ), dry weight (kg ha -1 ), crop yield (kg ha -1 ), and gum yield (kg ha -1 ). We used Land Equivalent Ratios (LER) and simple financial analyses of gross surpluses to evaluate the productivity and profitability of the different treatments. The results indicated that A. senegal trees had a beneficial effect on crop performance and yield as well as gum yield. Significant differences (p<0.05) were obtained for plant height, fresh weight, dry weight and crop yield. Therefore, yield of sorghum, sesame and roselle under intercropping system were 13.7%, 23.8% and 20.9% higher than that obtained in the sole cropping system respectively. The highest yield increase was observed with sesame (23.8%). Gum yield (g/tree/picking) was signifi- cantly (p<0.05) increased for sorghum, sesame and roslle under inter-cropping system. The highest yield of (298g/tree/picking) was obtained when roselle was intercropped with A. senegal, while the least gum yield of (239 g tree-1 ) was recorded in pure A. senegal plot. All the treatments gave land equivalent ratio (LER) of more than one-indicating the superiority of growing the field crops in intercropping over the sole cropping systems. The highest LER of 3.8 was obtained for sesame intercropped with A. senegal (Hashab), followed by 3.7, when sorghum was intercropped with A. senegal and 3.3 when roselle intercropped with A. senegal. All the treatments gave positive net revenues, the highest being for intercropped sorghum (558 SDG ha -1 ) (SDG=Sudanese gienh). The intercropping of roselle gave the second net revenue (518 SDG ha -1 ),while the sole sorghum gave the lowest net revenue (501 SDG ha -1 ).     

Functional identification of G. hirsutum genes for their role in normal plant development and resistance against Verticillium dahliae using virus-induced gene silencing

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a reverse genetic tool used to identify the function of individual genes by reducing their expression. Here VIGS was...