Bioactivity and structure–activity relationship of natural methoxylated phenylpropenes and their derivatives against Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

In the light of recent increased interest in developing plant based secondary chemistry into products suitable for integrated pest management, the objective of the present study was to investigate the bioactivity in field simulated conditions and structure–activity relationship of some natural phenylpropenes and their related analogues (1–6) against Aphis craccivora. The activities of different compounds varied depending on the substitution of the functional groups and the side chain attached to the aromatic ring of the phenylpropene. Dimethyleugenol (5) showed maximum activity among all tested phenylpropenes with LC₅₀ values 880 and 2,047 ppm against nymphs and adults respectively. Present study showed that phenylpropenes appear to be promising natural insecticides and may hold potential for identification of new lead structures against A. craccivora. The activity of the most active phenylpropene (5) was comparable with that of the chemical pesticide (dimethoate).     

An engineered microbial platform for direct biofuel production from brown macroalgae

Prospecting macroalgae (seaweeds) as feedstocks for bioconversion into biofuels and commodity chemical compounds is limited primarily by the availability of tractable microorganisms that can metabolize alginate polysaccharides. Here, we present the discovery of a 36-kilo-base pair DNA fragment from Vibrio splendidus encoding enzymes for alginate transport and metabolism. The genomic integration of this ensemble, together with an engineered system for extracellular alginate depolymerization, generated a microbial platform that can simultaneously degrade, uptake, and metabolize alginate. When further engineered for ethanol synthesis, this platform enables bioethanol production directly from macroalgae via a consolidated process, achieving a titer of 4.7% volume/volume and a yield of 0.281 weight ethanol/weight dry macroalgae (equivalent to ~80% of the maximum theoretical yield from the sugar composition in macroalgae).     

Wheat somaclonal variants showing earliness, improved spot blotch resistance and higher yield

Somaclones (R₂, R₃ and R₄generations) were regenerated from immature embryos of two spring wheat varieties,HUW-206 and HUW-234. Many somaclones displayed improved earliness, enhanced resistance to spot blotch disease and increased yield over the parent. The superiority of variants for yield traits and disease resistance was established in R₄ generation, confirming the possibility of wheat improvement through somaclonal variation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Flavoring components of raw monsooned arabica coffee and their changes during radiation processing

Volatile aroma principles, nonvolatile taste constituents (caffeine and chlorogenic and caffeic acids), and glycosidically bound aroma compounds of monsooned and nonmonsooned raw arabica coffee were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among the most potent odor active constituents known to contribute to the aroma of the green beans, 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, 4-vinylguaiacol, beta-damascenone, (E)-2-nonenal, trans,trans-2,4-decadienal, phenylacetaldehyde, and 3-methylbutyric acid were detected by GC-MS in both samples. A decrease in content of methoxypyrazines and an increase in 4-vinylguaiacol and isoeugenol resulted in a dominant spicy note of monsooned coffee. These phenolic compounds exist partly as their glycosides, and their release from the bound precursors during monsooning accounted for their higher content in monsooned coffee. A considerable decrease in astringent chlorogenic acid as a consequence of hydrolysis to bitter caffeic acid was noted in monsooned coffee. Radiation processing of nonmonsooned beans at a dose of 5 kGy resulted in an increased rate of monsooning. At this dose a quantitative increase in most of the aroma active components could be observed in all samples studied. Hydrolysis of chlorogenic acid to caffeic acid was noted in radiation-processed monsooned coffee beans irrespective of whether the treatment was carried out before or after monsooning. These changes were, however, not observed in irradiated, nonmonsooned coffee beans, suggesting an enzymatic rather than a radiolytic cleavage of chlorogenic acid. A rationale behind the mechanism of monsooning and radiation-induced enhancement of the monsooning process is discussed.     

Are horticulture-based land uses benign for fertility and health of soils in mid to high hills of the north-western Himalayan region?

ABSTRACT

Soil fertility in many parts of the north?western Himalayan region (NWHR) has declined owing to accelerated nutrient mining under existing crop regime. Therefore, this study aimed to assess effect of the predominant horticulture?based land uses on soil fertility and health in mid and high hills of NWHR. Soil samples (0?20 cm) were collected, analyzed for different soil chemical attributes (pH, electrical conductivity, organic C, available primary-, secondary-, and micro-nutrients), and compared across five key land uses: perennial grass (PG), peach orchard (PO), apple orchard (AO), field vegetable farming (VF), and protected vegetable farming (PV). Soils of the investigated land uses were neutral to near neutral in soil reaction (6.3?6.8) except field vegetable and protected vegetable farming. Amount of soil organic C and labile organic C was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in soils of apple orchards (18.6 g kg^?1 and 687.3 mg kg^?1, respectively) and peach orchards (20.4 g kg^?1 and 731.3 mg kg^?1, respectively) over others. An abrupt and significant increase in Olsen-P was recorded in soils of field vegetable farming (17.1 mg kg^?1) and protected vegetable farming (13.0 mg kg^?1), which shifted their nutrient index (NI) of P in to high category (≥ 2.33). The concentration of mineralizable-N in soil was statistically at par in soils under perennial grass and fruit orchards, while protected vegetable farming showed maximum soil mineralizable-N content (115.5 mg kg^?1) and NI of nitrogen (1.83). The NI was in high category (≥ 2.33) for copper, iron, and manganese in majority of the land uses. In view of the results, temperate fruit?tree based land uses are benign in up?keeping soil fertility and soil health, and needs promotion on large scale. Additionally, policies to create incentives for the build-up of soil organic matter and replenishment of the depleted soil macro and micro nutrients in vegetable-farmed lands are warranted.     

Peanut residues supply minimal plant-available nitrogen on a major soil series in the USA peanut basin

Field observations have shown that a substantial portion of peanut leaves abscise in windrows during pod curing, leading to an uneven distribution of leaves and stems when intact residues are spread during harvest. Possible differences in nitrogen (N) mineralization rates between peanut leaf and stem residues may lead to spatial and temporal variability in available N during subsequent crops. The objective of this study was to quantify N mineralization in soil amended with different peanut residue components under simulated conventional and conservation tillage practices. A 252-day microlysimeter incubation was conducted in which peanut leaves, stems and a 1:1 mixture of leaves:stems from three varieties were incorporated or placed on the soil surface to simulate conventional or conservation tillage, respectively. Soils were periodically leached to assess N mineralization compared with a soil-only control. Nitrogen mineralization was only affected by residue component. Averaged over variety and residue placement, soil amended with leaves mineralized 10% more N relative to the control or soil containing stems. It was estimated that leaves supplied 25 kg N ha⁻¹ over 252 days at 0–15 cm soil depth, which would likely be insufficient to induce a yield response by a subsequent crop. This study suggests that uneven distribution of peanut leaf and stem residues following harvest causes only minor spatial and temporal variability in available N during subsequent crop growth. These results support the growing body of evidence indicating that peanut residue N contributions to subsequent crops are negligible in the peanut basin of the south-eastern USA.     

Fingerprinting in cucumber and melon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis</Emphasis> spp.) Genotypes using morphological and ISSR markers

In the present investigation, 13 Cucumis genotypes from different geographical areas of India were screened for genetic diversity using 19 morphological traits and 15 ISSR primers. The analysis of morphological traits grouped the accessions into six clusters. Cluster V contained the maximum number of genotypes namely Kanivellari, Long Green, Andaman Local, Perundurai Local, and Sempatti Local. Clusters I and VI contained the minimum number of genotypes. Among all the characters, the highest mean value was observed in fruit length (23.38) and the lowest mean value was observed in stripes on the blossom end (1.31). The 15 ISSR primers generated 109 polymorphic alleles. The average number of ISSR alleles generated was 8.3 per primer and the level of polymorphism was 87.20%. The ISSR primer UBC 825 was highly informative with a PIC value of 0.8934. The 13 genotypes were grouped into six clusters based on ISSR markers. Cluster III contained the maximum number of genotypes, namely Kanivellari, Sankagiri Local, Perundurai Local, Long Melon, and Sempatti Local, while Clusters I, II, IV, and V (Karur Local, Andaman Local, Edapaddi Local, and N 78, respectively) contained the minimum number of genotypes. The ISSR profile generated genotypes specific allele namely, UBC 812_700bp and UBC 812_1000bp for Cluster VI which contained Cucumis genotypes collected from the northern part of India. Similarly, UBC 808 produced specific allele UBC 808_650bp formed in Cluster III which contained genotypes collected from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.     

Genetic Variation and Chromosomal Mosaicism in the Natural Populations of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. from Rajasthan,India

ABSTRACT

Meiotic investigations were carried out in four different accessions of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. collected from various parts of Rajasthan, India. Chromosome associations, chiasma analysis and distinct pattern of chromosome/chromatids at anaphase I and II were studied in detail. The study revealed that all the accessions had the gametic chromosome number, except one (B. aegyptiaca BSJO-25160) that had n = 18. BSJO-25160 accession was characteristic in exhibiting chimeric nature as revealed through chromosome mosaicism, which resulted in variant chromosome number ranging from n = 9 to n = 16 in different pollen mother cells analyzed. The evolutionary implications of chromosome mosaicism/chimerism and its role in the development of anueploid series are discussed in detail.