Insight into the origin of common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.) grown in the state of Jammu and Kashmir of north-western Himalayas

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is considered as one of the principal grain legume crops grown in north-western Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. Huge diversity has been observed for this crop in state Jammu and Kashmir. The hilly regions of the state J&K are famous for producing high quality, tasty and highly flavoured beans. In order to characterise this huge diversity and trace the origin of common bean, systematic efforts have been made for the first time in collection, evaluation and characterization of bean collection from Jammu & Kashmir. A set of 428 common bean lines were initially collected/procured and based on cluster analysis using few qualitative traits/site of collection, a diverse set of 96 lines was selected. The PCR assay for phaseolin locus led to the characterization of 96 lines into Meso-american and Andean types. Out of 96 lines tested, 45 possessed “S” type phaseolin and 51 possess “T” type phaseolin. The ITS region of selected local and exotic lines was Sanger sequenced and the sequence analysis of ~ 800 bp long region revealed the presence of 12 SNPs including one promising SNPs showing significant association with phaseolin patterns. The clustering based on ITS sequence data led to the clear cut separation of common bean lines into two distinct clusters based on their phaseolin types. The results of the present study helped to gain insights into the origin of common bean landraces grown in state of J&K, India.     

Agronomic bio-fortification and quality enhancement in okra–pea cropping system through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi at varying phosphorus and irrigation regimes in Himalayan acid alfisol

A field experimentation was conducted during 2009-2011 at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India characterized with wet-temperate climate and acid Alfisol soil having medium available phosphorus content. The study aimed at bio-fortification and quality enhancement of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)–pea (Pisum sativum) cropping system through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus mosseae) at varying inorganic phosphorus (50, 75, and 100% soil-test-based recommended P dose) and irrigation regimes (40 and 80% available water capacity) in a Himalayan acid Alfisol. The results revealed that AMF and inorganic P significantly enhanced the concentrations and uptake of various primary [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)]; secondary [calcium (Ca)]; and micronutrients [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo)] in okra and pea crops. However, effects of varying irrigation regimes were found to be nominal. In okra, AMF inoculation considerably enhanced N, P, K, B, and Mo uptake by 5, 19, 3, 4, and 15%, respectively, over their non-AMF counterparts. Likewise in pea, a higher amount of N (10%), P (26%), K (7%), Fe (7%), Cu (38%), Zn (20%), Mn (4%), B (7%), and Mo (13%) uptake was registered through AMF inoculation over their non-AMF counterparts. Application of soil-test-based P dose from 50% to 100% P also resulted in significant and consistent improvement in N, P, K, B, and Mo uptake both in okra and pea and in Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe uptake in pea crop. Magnitude of increase in Ca content was to the tune of 13 and 4%, respectively, in okra fruits and pea pods following AMF inoculation, whereas crude protein content enhanced by 4% each in both the crops. Overall, the current study demonstrates the important role of AMF in nutrient enrichment and quality enhancement of okra and pea crops in acid Alfisol, besides considerable reduction in investment on chemical fertilizers. Results of current study suggest that AMF use in Himalayan production systems is of tremendous significance to harvest nutritionally-rich farm produce for Himalayan communities suffering from malnutrition especially anemia and Zn deficiency, and equally to resource-poor Himalayan farmers who ill-afford expensive external inputs.     

Amelioration of Sodic Soil for Wheat Cultivation Using Bioaugmented Organic Soil Amendment

A novel bioaugmented organic amendment (SF_OA) [consisted of vermicompost (pre‐enriched with plant growth promoting fungi) mixed with pressmud and Azadirachta indica (A. Juss.) seed cake] was developed to reclaim sodic soil and support wheat production. A field trial of the SF_OA application with/without chemical fertilizers conducted in completely randomized design with four replications to compare growth, yield and seed protein contents of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on sodic soil. The favourable changes occurred in different properties of amended soils were studied. A combined application of chemical fertilizer and SF_OA significantly (p < 0·05) increased the number of spikelet per plant (63%) and weight of grains per ear (65%) in the amended soil compared with the control. Likewise, the grain yield, weight of 1000 grains and seed protein contents of wheat were significantly (p < 0·05) increased in the combined application compared with other treatments. The expression of protein bands with molecular weights of 36, 52 and 66 kDa were higher in seeds of wheat under the combined treatment. The improvement in wheat production was attributed to significant favourable changes in different soil characteristics such as bulk density, total organic C, alkaline phosphatase, β‐glucosidase, dehydrogenase and cellulase activities that were increased by 234%, 181%, 234%, 176%, 189% and 150%, respectively, in case of amended soil under the combined treatment compared with the control. The tested SF_OA may be recommended as soil amendment for reclaiming sodic soil and supporting wheat cultivation with better crop growth and yield in combination with chemical fertilizers on sodic soil. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nutrient accumulation in four ornamental tree species under saline stress conditions

The present investigation was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India to screen four ornamental tree species ideal for salt-affected environment. Screening was done on the basis of nutrient accumulation in leaves and roots. The 1-year-old tree seedlings growing in 10″ pots were subjected to five levels of sodium chloride salinity stress (control, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mM). Experimental design utilized was factorial completely randomized block with three replicates in each treatment. In addition, the sodium (Na⁺)/ potassium (K⁺) ratio in leaves and roots of all ornamental tree species was determined. Based upon nutrients content and Na⁺/K⁺, the order of salinity tolerance observed in the study was Casuarina equisetifolia > Acacia auriculiformis > Callistemon lanceolatus > Putranjiva roxburghii.     

Micronutrient enrichment mediated by plant-microbe interactions and rice cultivation practices

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) on micronutrient enrichment of rice crops grown under conventional (flooded) and SRI (System of Rice Intensification) practices. Significant differences were recorded among treatments and cultivation practices in terms of soil microbial activity reflected in enhanced nutrient uptake, enzyme activity, and yield. The Anabaena-based biofilm inoculants were particularly superior under both methods of cultivation, leading to 13–46% enhancement of iron and 15-41% enhancement of zinc in rice grains over uninoculated controls. SRI was found to be superior in terms of enhancing the concentration of zinc, copper, iron, and manganese (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn), particularly in grains, and significant in increasing the activity of defense- and pathogenesis- related enzymes and yield parameters. This study illustrates the utility of cyanobacteria-based inoculants for both methods of rice cultivation and their significant interactions with the plant, leading to micronutrient enrichment of rice grains. Such formulations can complement the current biofortification strategies and help in combating the problems of malnutrition globally.     

Effect of pH-shifting on the gel forming characteristics of salt-ground meat from walleye pollack

ABSTRACT:   In order to elucidate the mechanism of the changes in gel forming characteristics of fish meat by pH-lowering, the gelation-temperature curve and the gelation-moisture content curve were examined using the acidified walleye pollack surimi or neutralized one after acidification. In the gelation-temperature curve, the gel strength was highest at 30°C and lowest at approximately 50–60°C, irrespective of pH shifting. The gel strength at 30°C and 80°C decreased with the decrease in pH value. The neutralization of acidified surimi improved the gel strength, but it was considerably lower than the original gel strength. The gel strength at 50–60°C was not affected by pH lowering. The gel strength at 80°C could not be revived to the original by pH readjustment, either in the presence or in the absence of EDTA. These results suggest that irreversible changes of meat protein take place under the low pH, and the oxidation ability of sulfhydryl (SH) groups of protein molecule is not affected by pH-shifting.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of the blood cells of chickens commonly reared under backyard poultry farming in Mizoram,India

The present study was undertaken to characterize the ultrastructural morphology of the blood cells of commonly reared chickens in the state of Mizoram, India under backyard poultry farming. For this study, 2 ml of whole blood was aseptically collected from the wings veins of 12 chickens of three different breeds namely the Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red and processed for ultrastructural imaging under standard protocols. Under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the matured erythrocytes of Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red appeared elliptical in shape while the leukocytes and thrombocytes appeared round in shape with variable surface modifications. Under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the granules of the heterophils of Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red appeared predominantly fusiform in shape, the granules of the eosinophils appeared round in shape and that of the basophils appeared pleomorphic in shape. The cytoplasm of the monocytes, medium-to-large lymphocytes and thrombocytes of Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red under TEM appeared to be vacuolated and granular while that of the small lymphocytes appeared to be granular but non-vacuolated. The study concluded that the ultrastructural characteristics of the blood cells of the three breeds of chicken studied were almost similar to the blood cells of other birds reported earlier.     

Seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) and isolation of T. gondii from farm cats

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are used as both companion and working animals throughout the world and in some countries, their meat and milk are used for human consumption. Here we report the first serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii in donkeys in the United States. Serum samples from 373 donkeys from eight farms in five states were tested for T. gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Twenty-four of 373 (6.4%) of donkeys were seropositive, with MAT titers ranging from 25 to ≥200. All seropositive donkeys were Miniature breed. Seropositivity prevalence was 7.0% in female donkeys (20/282) and 4.1% in male donkeys (4/91). No donkeys less than 24 months of age (129) were seropositive, suggesting postnatal transmission of infection. Domestic cats were present on six of the eight farms. Three cats from one farm had MAT titers of 200. Viable T. gondii was isolated from the hearts of two cats, but not from brain tissues. Genotyping of isolate DNA extracted from culture-derived tachyzoites using 10 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, PK1, L358 and Apico loci) revealed that both isolates were clonal Type II (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #1). This is the first serological survey for T. gondii in donkeys in the United States, and suggests that donkey milk and meat should be considered as a potential source for human infection. The role of barn cats in the transmission of T. gondii to donkeys on farms warrents further investigation.     

High prevalence and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from organic pigs in northern USA

The ingestion of undercooked pork infected with Toxoplasma gondii is considered an important source of transmission of this parasite. While T. gondii infection in confinement raised market pigs (market pigs are typically used for fresh, unprocessed pork products) in the USA has decreased significantly over the last 20 years, infection levels in pigs with access to the outdoors can be quite high. An upsurge in consumer demand for 'organically raised', 'humanely raised' and 'free range' pork products has resulted in increasing numbers of hogs being raised in non-confinement systems. To determine T. gondii infection rate in these organic pigs, prevalence of T. gondii in organically raised pigs in two establishments (Farm 1, Farm 2) in Michigan was investigated. Serum and tissue samples from 33 pigs on the farm were available for T. gondii evaluation at slaughter. Serological testing was performed using both ELISA and the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected by both ELISA and MAT in 30 of 33 animals with MAT titers of 1:25 in three, 1:50 in six, 1:100 in seven, 1:200 in 13, and 1:400 in one. Hearts of all 33 pigs were bioassayed for T. gondii in mice; T. gondii was isolated from 17 pigs including one from a seronegative (both ELISA and MAT) pig. Genetic typing of 16 of the 17 T. gondii isolates using the SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico loci revealed clonal Type II from Farm 1 and clonal Type III on Farm 2. These results revealed very high prevalence of T. gondii in organic pigs for the first time in USA, indicating potentially increased health risk of consuming organic swine products.     

Mammary stem cells: expansion and animal productivity

Identification and characterization of mammary stem cells and progenitor cells from dairy animals is important in the understanding of mammogenesis, tissue turnover, lactation persistency and regenerative therapy. It has been realized by many investigators that altered lactation, long dry periods (non-milking period between two consecutive lactation cycles), abrupt cessation of lactation (common in water buffaloes) and disease conditions like mastitis, greatly reduce milk yield thus render huge financial losses within the dairy sector. Cellular manipulation of specialized cell types within the mammary gland, called mammary stem cells (MaSCs)/progenitor cells, might provide potential solutions to these problems and may improve milk production. In addition, MaSCs/progenitor cells could be used in regenerative therapy against tissue damage caused by mastitis. This review discusses methods of MaSC/progenitor cell manipulation and their mechanisms in bovine and caprine animals. Author believes that intervention of MaSCs/progenitor cells could lessen the huge financial losses to the dairy industry globally.