Genes Lr48 and Lr49 for hypersensitive adult plant leaf rust resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The genetic bases of leaf rust resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) line CSP44, selected from the Australian cultivar Condor, and Indian cultivar VL404, were studied. The reaction patterns of CSP44 and VL404 against Indian races 12, 77, 77-1, 77-2, 77-3, 77-4, 77-5 and 108 were different from reaction patterns shown by near-isogenic lines with known adult plant resistance (APR) genes, viz. Lr12, Lr13, Lr22b and Lr34. Although the reaction patterns of CSP44 and VL404 were similar to the near-isogenic line Tc+Lr22a, tests of allelism indicated absence of Lr22a in both CSP44 and VL404. On the basis of genetic studies, their resistances in field tests against race 77-5, the most virulent race from the Indian sub-continent, were each ascribed to two genes. One of the two genes in each wheat was identified to be the non-hypersensitive APR gene Lr34. The second APR genes in CSP44 and VL404 gave hypersensitive reaction types and were recessive and dominant, respectively. The gene in CSP44 was designated Lr48and the gene in VL404, Lr49. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Laboratory study of phosphorus forms and test procedures on soils under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The inorganic forms of phosphorus in nine samples of surface soils from the Nainital Tarai of India were determined by a series of extractions with different reagents after incubation for 45 days under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The forms of phosphorus in samples incubated under aerobic conditions and the pH range of 7.2–8.5 indicated that the soils had been subject to slight chemical weathering. Anaerobic incubation to simulate conditions in lowland rice paddies converted part of the inorganic phosphorus into more labile forms, based on changes in amounts of isotopically exchangeable phosphorus. Amounts of the element converted to more labile forms differed among the nine soil samples.A better correlation was found between amounts of phosphorus extracted by 0.5M NaHCO³ (Olsen's method) than by 0.03N NH₄F in 0.25N HCl (Bray's method) and the isotopically exchangeable phosphorus. The better correlation suggests that the bicarbonate extraction would be the better method for estimating “availablelrd phosphorus in soils of lowland rice paddies. Recalibration of the test prior to such use seems desirable to allow for increases in amounts of phosphorus in labile forms after soils have been shifted from aerobic to anaerobic conditions.     

IMPACT OF SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON DIFFERENT FORMS AND BALANCE OF SOIL SULFUR AND THE NUTRITION OF WHEAT IN WHEAT-SOYBEAN CROPPING SEQUENCE IN TARAI SOIL

A field experiment was conducted at farmer's field in Mollisols of Tarai soils in Uttarakhand (India), to assess the direct and residual effect of sulfur fertilization in wheat-soybean cropping sequence. Four levels of sulfur (S; 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg ha^?1) were applied to main crop (wheat) along with recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). The direct and residual effect of sulfur at highest level showed 27 and 6 percent increase in grain yield of wheat and soybean over control, respectively. The increase in grain yield of wheat was significant at each sulfur level. The direct as well as residual effect of sulfur showed significant increase in sulfur concentration and its uptake by grain and straw except increase in sulfur concentration and uptake by soybean straw. In wheat-soybean cropping sequence, the agronomic efficiency and apparent sulfur recovery decreased with increase in levels of sulfur, but the percent response increased with increasing sulfur application. Different forms of sulfur such as total sulfur, organic sulfur, calcium chloride extractable sulfur, potassium dihydrogen phosphate extractable sulfur, and non-sulfate sulfur in post-harvest soil increased according to sulfur level applied but it decreased under control and also after residual crops. The buildup of sulfur in surface soils was greater than in the deeper soils. Application of sulfur showed the positive sulfur balance and it increased with increase in sulfur level, while it was negative under control. A major portion (46–62%) of applied sulfur contributed to increase in sulfur content of root zone soil followed by unaccounted component (25–40%) and small portion (11–18%) was absorbed by wheat plant as uptake.     

Effect of dietary protein on intake,nutrients utilization,nitrogen balance,blood metabolites,growth and puberty in growing Bhadawari buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers

Fifteen Bhadawari buffalo heifers of 207?±?9.78 kg mean body weight were randomly distributed into three dietary groups to evaluate the effect of protein level on nutrient utilization, nitrogen (N) balance, growth rate, blood metabolites, and puberty. All animals were offered wheat straw-berseem diets supplemented with concentrate mixtures of similar energy (2.7 Mcal/kg) and different protein levels (14.3–22 %). Animals of standard-protein group (SPG) were offered protein and energy as per requirement, while animals of low-protein group (LPG) and high-protein group (HPG) were fed 20 % less and 20 % more protein, respectively, than SPG. Feed dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME) intake (% body wt. and g/kg w^0.75) were similar for all three diets; however, the crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake on percent body weight and per kilogram metabolic weight was higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG than in SPG or LPG. Digestibility of CP, cellulose, and hemicellulose was higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG versus LPG. Fecal N excretion was similar, while urinary N excretion was highest (P?<?0.05) in HPG (74.83 g/day) compared with SPG (50.03 g/day) and LPG (47.88 g/day), which resulted in lower N retention in HPG than in the other dietary groups. Level of dietary N had no effect on blood metabolites viz. glucose, urea, and N. Digestible energy (DE) and ME contents of diets were identical, while DCP contents were higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG than in LPG. Feed and nutrient (CP and ME) conversion efficiency to produce a unit kilogram weight gain was identical among the dietary groups. Dietary protein level had no effect on the heifer’s weight and age at puberty. The mean growth rate of heifers at 240 days was higher (P?>?0.05) in SPG (330.8 g/day) than in LPG (296.7 g/day), while the animals gained more weight in January to March months and the lowest weight in May to July months. Protein level had no effect on conception rate of heifers. Results revealed that 20 % higher or less protein than the ICAR requirement had no significant (P?>?0.05) on feed intake, nutrient conversion efficiency for weight gain, heifer growth, and puberty; however, 20 % more protein increased urinary N loss.

     

Agronomic evaluation of mulching and iron nutrition on productivity,nutrient uptake,iron use efficiency and economics of aerobic rice-wheat cropping system

Field experiments were carried out during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons (June–April) of 2008–2010 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, to study the productivity, nutrients uptake, iron (Fe) use-efficiency and economics of aerobic rice-wheat cropping system as influenced by mulching and Fe nutrition. The highest yield attributes, grain and straw yields (5.41 tonnes ha^?1 and 6.56 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake in rice was recorded with transplanted and puddled rice (TPR) followed by aerobic rice with Sesbania aculeata mulch. However, residual effect of aerobic rice with wheat straw mulch was more pronounced on yield attributes, grain and straw yields (4.20 and 6.70 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake in succeeding wheat and remained at par with aerobic rice with Sesbania mulch. Application of iron sulfate (FeSO₄) at 50 kg ha^?1 + 2 foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄ was found to be the best in terms of all the yield attributes, grain and straw yield (5.09 and 6.17 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake and remained at par with 3 foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄. Although residual effect of iron application failed to increase the yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P, K) except Fe. The highest system productivity, nutrient uptake, gross returns, net returns, B: C ratio and lowest cost of cultivation were recorded with aerobic rice with wheat straw and Sesbania aculeata mulch. Application of FeSO₄ at 50 kg ha^?1 + two foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄ was found better in respect of system productivity, nutrient uptake, gross returns, net returns, B:C ratio and cost of cultivation in aerobic rice-wheat cropping system. The Fe use efficiency values viz. partial factor productivity (kg grain kg^?1 Fe), agronomic efficiency (kg grain increased kg^?1 Fe applied), agrophysiological efficiency (kg grain kg^?1 Fe uptake), physiological efficiency (kg biomass kg^?1 Fe uptake), apparent recovery (%) utilization efficiency and harvest index (%) of applied Fe were significantly affected due to methods of rice production and various Fe nutrition treatments in aerobic rice and aerobic rice-wheat cropping system.     

Geostatistical and fuzzy clustering approach for delineation of site-specific management zones and yield-limiting factors in irrigated hot arid environment of India

Precision Agriculture - Delineation of management zones (MZs) are needed to manage fields in order to maximize economic return, minimize environmental impact, and improve soil and crop management....     

Studies on pesticides based on coumarin. II. Synthesis and antifungal activity of ten 2-alkyl-7, 8-dihydro-3-hydroxynaphtho[1,2-c]chromen-6-ones

A series of 2-alkyl-7, 8-dihydro-3-hydroxynaphtho[1,2-c]chromen-6-ones was synthesised by the condensation of ethyl 3, 4-dihydro-1-oxonaphthalene-2-carboxylate with substituted phenols in the presence of POCl₃. The compounds were characterised and tested for their toxicity towards the mycelial growth of seven phytopathogenic fungi in culture. Drechslera oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum falcatum exhibited maximum sensitivity to these compounds whereas Macro-phomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata and Pythium aphanidermatum were less sensitive. 2-Ethyl-7, 8-dihydro-3-hydroxy-naphtho[1,2-c]chromen-6-ones possessed greatest toxicity with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.2 to 2.5 μg ml^?1 against all fungi except A. alternata and P. aphanidermatum.     

STUDIES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOPULMONARY EMBARRASSMENT DUE TO THIOPENTONE ANAESTHESIA IN THE EQUINE

Cardio pulmonary embarrassment was induced with thiopentone sodium in 35 healthy adult donkeys divided in to seven groups of five animals. “To effect” anaesthetic dose was (12.72 ± 0.69 mg/kg) which caused transient hypotension, tachycardia and hypoxemia. A stable fall in MAP 1. 6.77 ± 0.287 Kpa (50.78 ± 2.15 mmHg) and a flat EEG were considered to indicate acute circulatory insufficiency due to thiopentone overdose.     

Effect of separating bull semen into X and Y chromosome-bearing fractions on the sex ratio of resulting embryos.

Seventy-six, day 12 to day 15 bovine embryos, collected from 14 donors which had been inseminated with either X or Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa fractions of semen separated by a thermal convection counterstreaming sedimentation and forced convection galvanization process, were processed for sexing by chromosomal analysis. Fifty-seven embryos were sexed; 20 from Y chromosome-bearing and 37 from X chromosome-bearing fractions of semen. Statistical analysis of the sexing data indicated that there was no significant difference in the male: female ratio for donors receiving male fractions compared to those receiving female fractions. The Y chromosome-bearing fractions produced a male: female ratio that was indistinguishable from the expected 1:1 ratio. However, the X chromosome-bearing fractions of semen produced a highly significant deviation from the expected 1:1 ratio towards the male.