Molecular detection of Theileria and Babesia infections in cattle

This study was carried out to determine the presence and distribution of tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasites (Theileria and Babesia) in apparently healthy cattle in the East Black Sea Region of Turkey. A total of 389 blood samples were collected from the animals of various ages in six provinces in the region. Prevalence of infection was determined by reverse line blot (RLB) assay. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers for members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic- and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. RLB hybridization identified infection in 16.19% of the samples. Blood smears were also examined microscopically for Theileria and/or Babesia spp. and 5.14% were positive. All samples shown to be positive by microscopy also tested positive with RLB assay. Two Theileria (T. annulata and T. buffeli/orientalis) and three Babesia (B. bigemina, B. major and Babesia sp.) species or genotypes were identified in the region. Babesia sp. genotype shared 99% similarity with the previously reported sequences of Babesia sp. Kashi 1, Babesia sp. Kashi 2 and Babesia sp. Kayseri 1. The most frequently found species was T. buffeli/orientalis, present in 11.56% of the samples. T. annulata was identified in five samples (1.28%). Babesia infections were less frequently detected: B. bigemina was found in three samples (0.77%), B. major in two samples (0.51%) and Babesia sp. in five samples (1.28%). A single animal infected with T. buffeli/orientalis was also infected with B. bigemina.     

Influence of partial replacement of nitrate by amino acid nitrogen or urea in the nutrient medium on nitrate accumulation in NFT grown winter lettuce

Two cultivars of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L. cvs Berlo and Kirsten) were grown for two months in late fall in NFT under three different nitrogen (N)‐regimes but with the same total N concentration (13.4 mM). A reference treatment with a nutrient solution containing 94% nitrate (NO₃) and 6% ammonium (NH₄) was compared with urea and proteinate treatments in which 20% of the NO₃ of the reference treatment was replaced by either of these two N sources. Proteinate is a fertilizer produced in Turkey containing 8% amino acid N and 8% NO₃‐N. For both cultivars the fresh weights of the harvested plants were unaffected by the N source as was also the total N uptake. Nitrate content, however, was considerably lower in the urea and proteinate plants, values for the three treatments ranging from 3314 to 4579 mg NO₃/kg fresh wt making up from between 44.3% to 55.4% of the total plant N. Of the two cultivars, Berlo accumulated greater concentrations of NO₃ than did Kirsten. The accumulation of chloride (Cl) was in the reverse order of that of NO₃ with greatest concentrations occurring in the proteinate plants.     

Uncover the salt tolerance potential of accessions based on photosynthetic attributes and interaction plot in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Soil salinity, being world's gravest and increasing environmental threat, limits the growth and development in nearly all crop plants. The experiment was laid out to investigate the tomato local and exotic germplasm for morpho‐physiological and photosynthetic attributes under salinity stress (0 (control), 8 and 12 dS m^?1). The phenotype data for morpho‐physiological traits were collected; meanwhile, photosynthetic pigments were analysed also at seedling stage. Analysis of variance, interaction plot, PCV and GCV revealed significantly greater diversity among all accessions for subjecting attributes. Strikingly, principle component analysis (PCA) biplot and cluster heatmap exposed potentially salt tolerant accessions (NAQEEB, BL1076, PBLA1401, 017859, TINY TIM, BL1174, BL1078, PBLA1932, TOMMY TOE, PAKIT and CLN2413) under the highest level of salinity for β‐carotene, lycopene contents, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, pheophytin (b) and total pheophytin. The overall performance of the above‐mentioned accessions was found significant and exhibits tolerant attitude under high salt levels. We suggest that these tolerant accessions might facilitate as a potential source for further breeding programme to improve the agronomically important traits by exploiting both conventional as well as molecular breeding efforts.     

Flow measurements with portable cut-throat flume and broad crested weir in flat gradient channels

A study was conducted to evaluate the reliability of flow measurements with portable cut-throat flumes and broad-crested weirs during 1988–89 at the field hydraulic laboratory of the National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. Data of flow measurements were recorded under free and submerged flow conditions with a cut-throat flume and a broad-crested weir as compared to a standard V notch. The results indicated that for free flow conditions cut-throat flumes can be used with –2.2 to 8.6% error. However, the use of cut-throat flumes under flat gradient channels may cause problem of over-topping at the upstream end. Under submerged flow conditions, the percent error in the flow measurements of –3.2 to 14.6% was observed. Therefore, cut-throat flumes cannot provide reasonable flow measurements under submerged flow conditions. For accurate flow measurements broad-crested weirs should be used with percent error of –1.5 to 5.8. Such flumes can be easily manufactured in Pakistan to suit different flow regimes and flat gradient channels.     

Appraisal for site specific plant nutrient management through spatial variability and mapping in hilly areas of northern Pakistan

Purpose

The main purpose of this research work was to assess soil nutrient, spatial variability, and their mapping through GIS for better fertilizer recommendation and management.

Materials and methods

Soil samples (0–20-cm depth) were collected from major crop areas of district Chitral, northern Pakistan during April 2014. The crops areas were divided into eight main sampling units. Each sampling location was recorded through GPS point. The samples were then brought to laboratory of Soil and Environmental Sciences, for further analysis.

Results and discussion

The overall results showed that Zn content was the most deficient nutrient followed by K with 86 and 64% of samples, respectively. These results are different from other plain and agricultural areas which are dominantly deficient in order of N > P > K that could be associated to steep topography, climatic condition, and parent materials. The analyzed nutrients varied independently as indicated by their lower correlation values but showed stronger spatial patterns. Gaussian, linear, and exponential models were used depending on mean prediction error (MPE), root mean square standardize prediction error (RMSSPE), and nugget values for semivariogram analysis and consequent mapping of different nutrients through GIS.

Conclusions

The N and P were weakly distributed, while K and all micronutrients had strong spatial pattern suggesting that only N and P were managed during farming practices and that varied irregularly in the sampled area. In contrast to other plain agricultural areas of the country, the Zn and K were the most deficient elements and should be applied with suitable Zn and K fertilizers for optimum crop production in the area. This low Zn and K contents would be associated to the parent materials, low pH, and high organic matter contents especially in high altitude and comparatively high P content in the soil. The prepared maps can help on site-specific recommendation of fertilizers for farmers, researcher, and planners.

     

Manganese nutrition of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): Growth,Mn uptake and fruit disorder incidence

This research included two independent yet build up objectives: (i) to examine the effects of Mn concentration in the irrigation water on the yield and fruit quality of greenhouse-grown bell pepper exposed to heat stress; and (ii) to investigate in a laboratory experiment the role of Mn addition on oxidative and anti-oxidative components of fruit apoplast. The field experiment included four concentrations of Mn in the irrigation water (0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1.0 mg L⁻¹). The effect of Mn application rate on vegetative growth and total fruit yield was insignificant and despite low Mn concentrations in zero-Mn-fed plants, no visible foliar Mn symptoms were observed. A quadratic regression was obtained between high-quality fruit yield and Mn concentration in fruit. Based on the quadratic equation, maximum high-quality yield was obtained when fruit-Mn concentration approached 44 mg kg⁻¹ DW. The correlation also indicates that variations in high-quality yield could be explained by differences in fruit-Mn concentration. The combination of low-Mn nutrition and high air temperature which prevailed during the experiment (summer season) induced severe pale spots and blemished fruits; approximately 50% of fruits were infected in zero-Mn-fed plants. In a laboratory experiment with detached-fruit under high temperature the H₂O₂ concentration increased whereas ascorbic acid concentration decreased in the apoplast. In Mn-fed fruit the H₂O₂ concentration was attenuated and the activity of ascorbate oxidase was suppressed, with the result that apoplastic ascorbic acid concentration increased. In light of the known crucial role of Mn in enzyme activities and in detoxification of oxygen free-radicals, the pale spots might be related to Mn effect on oxidative stress-related apoplastic activities. The relationships between incidence of pale spots and plant-Mn concentration may support this hypothesis, but further research is needed to validate it.     

Effect of route of inoculation on replication of avian influenza virus (H9N2) and interferon gene expression in guinea fowl (Numida meleagridis)

1. The study was designed to investigate the replication of a re-assortant H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) and induction of the interferon (IFNγ) response after aerosol or intranasal inoculation with the virus in guinea fowl. To determine virus shedding pattern, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and tissue specimens of trachea, lungs, spleen and caecal tonsils were collected post-inoculation (pi).

2. Infected guinea fowl showed mild clinical signs, while negative control guinea fowl remained healthy and active throughout the experiment irrespective of the inoculation route. However, the clinical signs were more prominent in guinea fowl infected through the aerosol route.

3. Virus was detected in all oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs up to 7 d pi in guinea fowl from both inoculation groups. However, virus was detected more frequently and in higher titres in oropharyngeal swabs and specimens of trachea and lungs from the group exposed to aerosols than in the group given intranasal drops.

4. In accordance with viral replication findings, expression of IFNγ was up-regulated on 1, 2 and 4 d pi to a significantly higher level in lung tissue specimens from the group exposed to virus aerosol than from controls treated with PBS intranasally. On the other hand, IFNγ was up-regulated above that of controls in lung tissue specimens from the group treated with intranasal drops of virus only on 4 d pi.

5. These findings indicate that virus administered in aerosols was more efficient in infecting the lower respiratory tract and in inducing activity of the IFNγ gene than virus administered as intranasal drops. The results of this study suggest that virus aerosols cause more intense respiratory infection and increase the shedding of the H9N2 AIV in guinea fowl, highlighting the potential role of guinea fowl as a mixing bowl for transmission and maintenance of H9N2 AIV between poultry premises.

     

Aging effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on phosphorus fractionation in a calcareous sandy loam soil

In most arid and semiarid soils, naturally occurring phosphorus(P) is a major yield-limiting plant nutrient. In this study, to investigate the effects of organic(OP) and inorganic P(IP) sources on P fractionation, a calcareous sandy loam alkaline soil was fertilized with OP and IP fertilizers at low(80 mg P kg~(-1) soil) and high(160 mg P kg~(-1) soil) application rates. Three combinations of OP and IP(i.e., 75% OP + 25% IP, 50% OP + 50% IP, and 25% OP + 75% IP) were applied at low and high application rates,respectively, followed by soil aging for 21 d. Soil samples were collected after 1, 2, 3, 7, and 21 d and subjected to sequential extraction to analyze soluble and exchangeable, Fe-and Al-bound, Ca-bound, and residual P fractions. The soluble and exchangeable P fraction significantly increased up to 24.3%, whereas the Ca-bound fraction decreased up to 40.7% in the soils receiving 75% OP + 25% IP and 50% OP + 50% IP, respectively, compared with the control(receiving no P fertilizer). However, the transformation of P fractions was influenced by aging time. Addition of P sources caused instant changes in different P fractions, which then tended to decline with aging time. Change in soil p H was the limiting factor in controlling P availability. At high application rate, the OP source significantly increased soil P availability compared with the IP source with soil aging. Depending on P fractionation, a proper combination of OP and IP fertilizers, as long-term slow and instant P-releasing sources for plant uptake, respectively, may be a sustainable strategy to meet crop P requirements in the arid and semiarid soils.