Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and weed control on nutritive quality of carrots (Daucus carota L.)

The nutritive quality of carrots, obtained from different herbicide-treated plots and under different levels of nitrogen application ranging from zero to 80kg nitrogen/ha, was compared. There were significant differences in carotene content, T.S.S. (total soluble solids) and organolptic characteristics under the influence of different treatments. The maximum carotene content, T.S.S. and organoleptic characteristics were observed with the application of 80 kg. nitrogen/ha and fluchloralin herbicide at 0.90 and 1.20 kg/ha.     

Germplasm appraisal of western Himalayan tea: a breeding strategy for yield and quality improvement

Western Himalayan tea represents the status of Geographical Indication in the form of “Kangra Tea” which is unique to the tea grown world over due to its delicate flavor and high quality. The tea germplasm resources of western Himalayan region include selections from the commercial tea estates, abandoned tea gardens of Kangra valley and elite tea clones of CSIR-IHBT, Palampur. Data were recorded for different morphological traits contributing to yield and the biochemical parameters were evaluated using standard HPLC procedures. Multivariate clustering of the data differentiated the germplasm resources into distinct groups based on comparisons among the clusters for leaf size and biochemical parameters. Leaf size differentiated the tea accessions into six phenotypic groups, while shoot density which is an important yield parameter was observed to be independent of leaf size. On the basis of total catechin and caffeine contents, tea accessions were differentiated into nine groups of which Group I in comparison with other groups, recorded the highest total catechin content, moderate to high caffeine level and high astringency factor (AF). Epicatechin gallate (ECG) had a significantly high correlation with AF, implying that high levels of ECG are critical along with corresponding levels of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for the production of Theaflavin 3,3′digallate (TFDG) which is an important quality constituent providing astringency and briskness to black tea liquor. Sustainability of tea breeding programme can be achieved through organization of germplasm resources and by utilizing elite tea genotypes in breeding programme.     

Diagnosis of footrot in goats: application of ELISA tests for response to antigens of Dichelobacter nodosus

Goats are an important natural host for footrot and are infected with Dichelobacter nodosus that have virulence characteristics similar to those of sheep strains. However, the humoral response of goats to D. nodosus antigens and the possibility of a serological diagnosis of footrot in goats have not been studied. With the aim of evaluating a diagnostic ELISA test, we investigated the primary immune response of goats to experimental and natural infection, the memory response in recovered animals, and the transfer and persistence of colostral antibodies in kids. Footrot stimulated the goat's immune system and, as in sheep, under-running lesions were the primary stimulus for production of anti-D. nodosus antibodies. The immune response could be detected in ELISA using either fimbrial or outer membrane protein (KSCN) antigens of D. nodosus. Antibody titres resulting from infection declined quickly after recovery and reached pre-infection levels within 3-4 months. Previously affected animals, however, mounted a memory response when injected with purified D. nodosus antigens. Antibody levels attained after anamnestic challenge were correlated with the maximum levels attained during infection, and were therefore indicative of the infection status. Anti-D. nodosus antibodies were also transferred to kids via colostrum, but these antibodies did not persist and therefore were unlikely to interfere with the diagnostic ELISA after 3 months of age. Though these ELISA tests were highly specific, their sensitivity was rather low. Therefore, they are only suitable for a herd diagnosis of footrot in goats and are dependent on the development of advanced under-running infections in a proportion of affected goats.     

Morphological parameters and genetic diversity of progenies from seed production areas and unimproved stands of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) in India

We compared morphological and genetic attributes of prog-eny obtained from three seed production areas (SPAs) and three corre-sponding unimproved stands (UIS) of teak (Tectona grandis L.f) at three bro...     

Association of staygreen trait with canopy temperature depression and yield traits under terminal heat stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The presence or absence of the staygreen trait was screened for 3 consecutive years in 963 wheat lines from various sources, including Indian and CIMMYT germplasm. Staygreen was assessed at the late dough stage by visual scoring (0–9 scale) and the leaf area under greenness (LAUG) measurement. Around 5.5 % of the lines were staygreen, 10.5 % were moderately staygreen, and the remaining lines showed little or no expression of the trait. One hundred lines showing diversity for the staygreen trait were sown under three different sowing dates (timely, late and very late) for 3 consecutive years in three replications to determine the association of staygreen with heat tolerance. There was a decline in yield, biomass, grain filling duration (GFD) and 1,000 grain weight (TGW) under late and very late sowing conditions owing to terminal stress at anthesis and later stages. However, the decline was relatively less in staygreen genotypes compared to the non-staygreen (NSG) ones. The correlation study showed that LAUG and canopy temperature depression (CTD) were strongly correlated. LAUG and CTD were also significantly associated with grain yield, GFD and biomass. To further confirm the association of the staygreen trait with terminal heat stress, individual F₂-derived F₇ progenies from the cross of the ‘staygreen’ lines with NSG were evaluated for yield and yield traits at the three sowing dates. In each cross, the staygreen progenies showed a significantly smaller decline in yield and TGW under heat stress than the NSG progenies. These results appear to suggest an association between the staygreen trait and terminal heat stress and, thereby, that the staygreen trait could be used as a morphological marker in wheat to screen for heat tolerance.     

Molecular mapping of QTLs for resistance to Fusarium wilt (race 1) and Ascochyta blight in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Fusarium wilt (FW) and Ascochyta blight (AB) are two important diseases of chickpea which cause 100 % yield losses under favorable conditions. With an objective to validate and/or to identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to race 1 of FW caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and AB caused by Ascochyta rabiei in chickpea, two new mapping populations (F_2:3) namely ‘C 214’ (FW susceptible) × ‘WR 315’ (FW resistant) and ‘C 214’ (AB susceptible) × ‘ILC 3279’ (AB resistant) were developed. After screening 371 SSR markers on parental lines and genotyping the mapping populations with polymorphic markers, two new genetic maps comprising 57 (C 214 × WR 315) and 58 (C 214 × ILC 3279) loci were developed. Analysis of genotyping data together with phenotyping data collected on mapping population for resistance to FW in field conditions identified two novel QTLs which explained 10.4–18.8 % of phenotypic variation. Similarly, analysis of phenotyping data for resistance to seedling resistance and adult plant resistance for AB under controlled and field conditions together with genotyping data identified a total of 6 QTLs explaining up to 31.9 % of phenotypic variation. One major QTL, explaining 31.9 % phenotypic variation for AB resistance was identified in both field and controlled conditions and was also reported from different resistant lines in many earlier studies. This major QTL for AB resistance and two novel QTLs identified for FW resistance are the most promising QTLs for molecular breeding separately or pyramiding for resistance to FW and AB for chickpea improvement.     

Effect of micronutrient supplementation around calving on the plasma cortisol levels of Murrah buffaloes and Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows

Micronutrients when fed around peripartum may reduce the stress induced by cortisol. With this objective, 24 Sahiwal (SW) and 24 Karan Fries (KF) cows and 24 Murrah (Mu) buffaloes were taken and divided into four groups of six each. Vitamin E (VE), zinc (Zn) and copper were supplemented from 30 days pre- to 30 days postcalving in groups 1, 2 and 3. Animals without supplementation served as control. Blood sampling was done on days 30, 15, 7 and 3 precalving; at calving; and on days 3, 7, 15 and 30 postcalving. Plasma cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Supplementation of VE and Zn significantly (P?<?0.05) reduced plasma cortisol levels at calving and at 30 days postcalving. KF cows exhibited best results with VE, whereas SW cows and Mu buffaloes responded best to Zn. Copper increased the peripartum cortisol levels. Reduction in cortisol levels may help in keeping the animal healthy and stronger to fight immuno-suppression generally observed around the period of peripartum.     

Storage and high conversion frequency of encapsulated protocorm-like bodies of Cymbidium devonianum (orchid)

Summary

A method for the storage and high frequency conversion of Cymbidium devonianum protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) is reported. To study the effect of nutrient level on storage, PLBs were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads supplemented with 1.0×, 0.5×, 0.25×, or 0.125× Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium containing 0.3% (w/v) sucrose, without agar in the encapsulating matrix, and stored at room temperature (25º ± 2ºC) in the dark. Beads containing 0.25× MS were also kept at different temperatures (0ºC, 4ºC, 8ºC, or room temperature) in the dark to ascertain the optimal temperature for storage. One set of controls (i.e., non-encapsulated PLBs) was maintained for each treatment. The survival and subsequent percentage conversion values of PLBs were assessed at 30 d storage intervals after culturing on MS regeneration medium. Compared to the controls, all encapsulated PLBs showed improved storage at room temperature. In all treatments, non-encapsulated PLBs did not survive, but turned brown and died. Encapsulated PLBs in 0.25× MS medium could be stored for 90 d at room temperature without any significant loss in viability. However, a significant decrease in the survival percentage was recorded after longer storage times. Encapsulated PLBs containing 0.25× medium could be stored at 4ºC and 8ºC for 120 d and 180 d, respectively, without loss of viability. As storage times increased beyond 180 d, the survival percentage of encapsulated PLBs decreased. The conversion of encapsulated PLBs led to the emergence of regenerated plantlets. Initially, small green globular outgrowths from the PLBs were observed on the surface of the beads. These outgrowths multiplied to form clusters of PLBs which then regenerated into plantlets. In both studies, more prolonged storage of encapsulated PLBs increased the time interval for germination and plantlet regeneration on MS regeneration medium. Similarly, decreases in both basal MS strength in the matrix, and in storage temperature, resulted in an increase in the time required for germination and plantlet regeneration. Plantlets that regenerated from stored, encapsulated PLBs were hardened-off, and a high survival percentage (90%) was obtained in a glasshouse.     

Degradative Oxidation of 2,4,6 Trichlorophenol Using Advanced Oxidation Processes – A Comparative Study

In the present study, a comparative assessment of 2,4,6-T (2,4,6-Trichlorophenol) degradation by different AOPs (Advanced Oxidation Processes – UV, UV/ H₂O₂, Fenton, UV/Fenton and UV/TiO₂) in the laboratory scale is performed. The effects of different reactant concentrations and pH are assessed. 2,4,6-T removal, Total Organic Carbon mineralization (TOC) and dechlorination are monitored. Of all the AOPs, UV/Fenton process is more effective in degrading 2,4,6-T. The optimum conditions obtained for the best degradation with UV/Fenton are: pH?=?3, Fe⁺² concentration of about 5 ppm, and peroxide concentration of 100 ppm for an initial 100 ppm of 2,4,6 T concentration at room temperature. In these conditions, a pseudo first-order rate constant is evaluated. The degradation rate of 2,4,6 T followed the order: $$ {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{Feton}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{Feton}}}} > {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{TiO}}_{\text{2}} > {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{TiO}}_{\text{2}} > {{{\text{UV}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{UV}}} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{2}} > {\text{Feton}}}}}} > {\text{UV}} $$