Optimizing the NPK application in white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) under an arid climate in Punjab,Pakistan

The production of oil from the conventional oilseed seed crops (viz. mustard, rapeseed) is not sufficient to meet the demands of Pakistani people. Due to this reason, a surplus quantity of oil is imported every year from different countries to fulfill the domestic demands of the cooking oil. This 2-year study was aimed to optimize the dose of NPK for profitable production of white mustard. Nitrogen (0, 60, 90?kg ha^?1), phosphorous (0, 30, 60?kg ha^?1) and potassium (0, 75, 100?kg ha^?1) were applied in various combinations. The results indicated that highest seed yield and profitability was recorded with NPK at 90–60–100?kg ha^?1, which was attributed to improvement in crop growth. In crux, application of NPK at pre-optimized rate might be a viable option to improve the growth, yield, oil quality, and economics of white mustard production under arid climates in Pakistan. According to the results, a balanced use of NPK fertilization is a key management strategy for white mustard growing farmers of arid region.     

The role of trypsin in plaque formation by simian rotavirus SA-11.

The role of trypsin in plaque production by simian rotavirus SA-11 monolayers of MA-104 cells are investigated. Initial trypsin treatment of the virus alone or its presence only during the early phases of virus-cell interaction was found to be insufficient for plaque production by the virus. Presence of trypsin (5 microgram/mL) in the agar overlay throughout the five day incubation period was essential for the optimal development of the virus plaques. Production of plaques by the incorporation of trypsin in the overlay was not due to the enzymatic degradation of any plaque-inhibitors in the agar used. Experiments using high (4 PFU/cell) and low (35 PFU/10(6) cells) multiplicities of infection suggest that trypsin added to fluid maintenance medium facilitates the cell-to-cell spread of progeny virus particles. Therefore, the enzyme incorporated in the agar overlay appears to play a similar role thereby assisting in the formation of SA-11 plaques.     

低温条件下苏云金芽孢杆菌增效剂的研究

通过向Bt制剂中添加蔗糖、糖精、维生素C和几丁质酶等物质后发现,以上这些物质在一定的浓度范围内,均有不同程度的刺激昆虫取食及提高Bt制剂杀虫效果的作用。其中糖精0.2g·L-1试验所设置的15、20、25℃条件下,刺激昆虫取食及提高Bt制剂杀虫效果的作用明显好于其它物质,与单用Bt相比,杀虫效果分别提高了39.9%、42.8%和29.4%。此外,增效剂的加入有利于加快Bt制剂的杀虫速度,提高害虫的早期死亡率。     

Synergistic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bacillus subtilis on the biomass and essential oil yield of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Four different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae, were used alone and in combinations with Bacillus subtilis to evaluate their capability to increase the productivity of geranium. Mycorrhizal treatment increased the growth and total biomass invariably over non-mycorrhizal control plants. In AM alone treatment, the best result was obtained for G. mosseae treatment, where 380.9 and 335.3 g fresh herb yield per pot was recorded in 2005–2006 and 2006–2007, respectively, an increase of 75.3 and 85.9% over controls. Plants inoculated with B. subtilis alone yielded 287.8 and 252.3 g fresh herb, an increase of 32.4 and 39.9% over uninoculated controls. However, B. subtilis in combination with G. mosseae produced the highest herb yield, i.e. 410.8 and 347.8 g herbs pot^?1, an increase of 89.4 and 92.9% over untreated controls. The field experimental data validated the results of the pot experiment. Treatment with G. mosseae alone increased herb yield by 49.4%, whereas in combination with B. subtilis, it increased herb yield by 59.5%. Treatment with AM fungi and B. subtilis did not affect the essential oil content of the plant, but total oil yield was significantly increased because of the increase in biomass production.     

苹小吉丁对不同单色光及波长的趋性研究

[目的]为有效地监测苹小吉丁林间发生动态,寻找无公害防治的新途径。[方法]本研究首先在室内利用5种波长单色光对苹小吉丁进行了敏感波长的选择性试验,然后在野外苹果园内悬挂9种波长粘虫板对苹小吉丁进行了诱集对比试验。[结果]室内试验结果表明,苹小吉丁对5种波长单色光具有不同程度的趋性,依次为:530 nm>590 nm>450 nm>380 nm>650 nm,雌虫的趋光反应率显著高于雄虫。从光强度试验结果来看,苹小吉丁对5种单色光的趋性随着光强的增强而增高。从林间诱集试验结果来看,9种波长粘虫板对苹小吉丁诱集效果有一定的差异,其中绿色(550 nm)和蛋黄色(580 nm)粘虫板对苹小吉丁的诱集效果最好,3 d最大诱捕量分别达到7头·张^-1、6头·张^-1,单位时间平均诱捕数量分别为2.86头·张^-1、2.70头·张^-1;对紫色和红色粘虫板趋性最弱。[结论]苹小吉丁对530～590nm范围内的波长比较敏感。波长为550～590 nm粘虫板可作为苹小吉丁林间种群动态观测十分有效的手...     

枣实蝇触角感器的超微结构初步研究

应用扫描电镜技术,对枣实蝇触角感器的类型、分布数量以及雌雄间的差异进行了初步研究。结果表明,枣实蝇触角上共有5种感器类型：鬃形感器、毛形感器、锥形感器、腔锥形感器和棒状感器。触角各节的感器类型和分布差异较大,以毛形感器分布数量最多,在触角各节均有分布,成簇着生于触角上,主要位于触角鞭节上;鬃形感器常成簇分布于柄节和梗节基部,而下颚须上松散分布,是所有感器当中最长的;锥形感器仅簇生于鞭节上,有大小锥两类;腔锥形感器是一类具孔感觉锥,位于表皮凹陷中的感受器,形状似圆锥,多分布于鞭节,是所有感器中最小的;棒状感器形态似棒球仅生于鞭节基部,长度似微毛。雌虫和雄虫的感器类型,分布和数量基本一致。     

Nanoplastic–plant interaction and implications for soil health

Nanoplastics (NPs) are accumulating in the soil environment at a rapid rate, which may cause serious consequences for ecosystems and human health. However, environmental behaviour and toxicity of NPs in the soil–plant system remain poorly understood. This review summarizes current studies on NP–plant interactions to unravel uptake mechanisms and phytotoxicity of NPs. NPs could be taken up by plant roots and transported upwards through the xylem to all organs of the plant, even to the edible parts such as the grain, thereby threatening human health. The interaction of NPs with plants affects plant transport of water and nutrients. Besides, it induces significant oxidative stress leading to inhibition of physiological and biochemical activities such as photosynthesis, and thus adversely affects plant growth and development. In addition, the co-transport of NPs with other soil pollutants may induce the combined toxic effects. This study also discussed the potential mechanism of NP–plant interactions based on previous experience with engineered nanomaterials. Finally, a comprehensive assessment of the key challenges in each area was presented, and future perspectives are offered.     

Some Studies of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) Virus Infection in Calves

Six dairy calves, six and one-half to nine months old, were exposed to a strain of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus of bovine fetal origin by one of the various routes — nasal, vaginal, preputial or contact. Neither after initial exposure nor following challenge of their immunity did any of these animals manifest the IBR respiratory syndrome, although two of them (inoculated per vagina/prepuce) developed pustular vulvovaginitis or balanoposthitis. Also, one five-day old dairy calf which had received colostrum and milk of its IBR-immune dam, was inoculated intranasally with the same strain of IBR virus. This animal exhibited severe signs of IBR. The virus was recovered from all but three of the seven calves after initial exposure and from all but one animal following challenge of their immunity. Immune responses of these calves resembled those of adult cattle.     

Proteolytic enzymes and rotavirus SA-11 plaque formation.

In addition to trypsin, eight other proteolytic enzyme preparations were tested for their ability to assist simian rotavirus SA-11 plaque formation in MA-104 cells. When incorporated in the overlay (minimal essential medium and 0.7% Ionagar No. 2) in the concentrations per mL indicated, alpha-chymotrypsin (10 micrograms), elastase (0.5 micrograms), subtilisin (0.5 micrograms), pronase (2.5 micrograms) and pancreatin (25 micrograms) were as efficient as trypsin (5 micrograms) in helping SA-11 produce 3-4 mm diameter plaques after five days of incubation at 37 degrees C. No plaques were produced when pepsin (25 micrograms), papain (10 micrograms) or thermolysin (10 micrograms) was added to the overlay. Addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor to alpha-chymotrypsin-, pronase- or pancreatin-containing overlays completely inhibited virus plaque production. A similar effect was not seen with elastase or subtilisin.