QTL analysis of cooked rice grain elongation, volume expansion, and water absorption using a recombinant inbred population

The traits of elongation, volume expansion, and water absorption are very important in determining the quality of cooked rice grains. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of these traits was performed using a recombinant inbred population derived from a cross between two indica cultivars, ‘Zhenshan 97’ and ‘Minghui 63 ,’ which are the parents of the most widely grown hybrid rice in China. Using a linkage map based on 221 molecular marker loci covering a total of 1796 cM, a total of 33 QTLs were identified for the nine traits tested. QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1– 3 , 5– 9 , and 11 , respectively. The QTLs identified included three for cooked rice grain length elongation (chromosomes 2 , 6 , and 11), six for width expansion (chromosomes 1‐ 3 , 6 , 9 , and 11) and two for water absorption (chromosomes 2 and 6). Interestingly, a single QTL located near the wx gene on chromosome 6 seemed to influence all the traits tested for the cooked rice quality.     

Comparison of biological parameters between the invasive B biotype and a new defined Cv biotype of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aleyradidae) in China

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a widely distributed and destructive agricultural pest on various host plants. The biology of two biotypes of B. tabaci: the invasive B and a new defined Cv biotype, on a range of host plants (hibiscus, laurel, poinsettia, collard, cucumber and tomato) were studied in the laboratory. Results revealed that the developmental periods of the B biotype immatures were not significantly different on the tested host plants except those between laurel and collard. The Cv biotype immatures developed significantly slower on cucumber and tomato than on the other plants. B. tabaci B biotype had the highest survivorship on collard (68.55%), and the lowest on laurel (33.24%), while the Cv biotype had the highest and lowest survivorships on laurel (61.63%) and tomato (36.74%). Host plants did not significantly affect the pre-ovipostion period regardless of biotype. The longest averaged longevity and highest fecundity of B biotype were both recorded on collard: 25.15 days and 143.0 eggs. The highest fecundity of Cv biotype was 196.49 eggs on laurel and its longest longevity was on hibiscus (19.62 days). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m) of B biotype on the three vegetables were all higher than those on the three ornamentals whereas the r _m of Cv biotype on the three ornamentals were all higher that those on the three vegetables. Our research indicates that B. tabaci B and Cv biotypes have different host plant suitabilities. The three tested vegetables were more suitable for B biotype while the three tested ornamental plants were more suitable for Cv biotype. The potential mechanism for the different suitability of B and Cv biotypes on various host plants is also discussed.     

The distribution and chemical coding of neurons in the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex supplying the normal and inflamed ileum in the pig

The present study investigated the chemical coding of neurons in the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex supplying the normal (n=4) and inflamed (n=4) ileum (chemically-induced inflammation) in juvenile pigs using retrograde tracing combined with immunohistochemistry. Ileum-projecting neurons (IPN) were predominantly distributed in the left and right superior mesenteric pools of the ganglion. The majority of them were adrenergic (tyrosine hydroxylase-positive) and also contained neuropeptide Y, somatostatin or galanin. No clear-cut differences in the distribution and chemical coding of IPN were found between normal and inflamed pigs. However, in the inflamed group, the density of peptidergic, IPN-associated nerve fibres was higher than that found in the control group.     

Laboratory evaluation of some pesticides on the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae L. and their side effects on some important natural enemies

The susceptibility of adults of the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae and two of the most important predators,Coccinella undecimpunctata andChrysopa carnea to pesticides was assessed. Most of the organophosphorus and carbamate compounds tested were toxic to the aphids. Profenophos was highly toxic to the adult virginoparous aphid at Lc50 level. Malathion demonstrated the highest toxicity to, the aphids. The application of profenophos for the cabbage aphid at Lc50 level exhibited no toxicity forCoccinella but was highly toxic forChrysopa. Pirimicarb proved to be the most selective of the compounds tested for the control of aphids when it was used at a concentration that caused 50% mortality as it was found to be unharmful to bothChrysopa andCoccinella. Dimethoate, on the other hand, was found to be very harmful and highly toxic to bothCoccinella andChrysopa adults and would probably be destructive to those natural enemies in the field. Laboratory evaluation indicates that both pirimicarb and malathion have potentials for use, in IPM program for vegetable pest control.     

Removal of Iron and Manganese from Water with a High Organic Carbon Loading. Part I: The Effect of Various Coagulants

Iron and manganese removal from water is considered a routine operation in most potable water treatment plants. However, when there is dissolved organic carbon (DOC) present in the water source, it can significantly influence the success of iron and manganese removal. This investigation focused on the use of two different coagulants, alum and ferrichloride, used in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant, to reduce dissolved iron and manganese in water with a high DOC loading. The two coagulants behaved in a totally different manner during the treatment process, with alum being successful in reducing the iron content in the treated water, and ferrichloride yielding a good removal of the dissolved manganese present. Since these results were only possible in cases where hydrogen peroxide concentrations were also present, it was concluded that treatment with a single reagent would not yield the desired removal of contaminants from this specific water. Both treatment options significantly reduced the DOC levels in the water to below the desired concentration after treatment.     

Species spectrum, diversity profile and infection indices of helminth parasite fauna of Chirruh snowtrout, Schizothorax esocinus (Heckel) in lake ecosystems of Kashmir Himalayas-Do similarity and host-parasite associations arise?

In order to assess the species richness and diversity profile of helminth parasite fauna in an endemic fish, an investigation was carried out in two urban and two rural lakes of Kashmir. Overall nine species of helminth parasites were observed in four lakes. Of these three were autogenic and six were allogenic. Heteroxenous parasite species were more in number than monoxenous species. Results showed significant differences in heteroxenous / monoxenous ratio between different lakes. Core species (Prevalence?>?20) were only found in hypertrophic lake (Anchar Lake). Overall, majority of helminth species were either secondary or satellite species. Prevalence of some helminth parasites showed significant differences in different lakes. In addition mean intensity showed significant differences between autogenic and allogenic parasites (P?<?0.05). Principle Component Analysis based on prevalence showed that Anchar Lake was strongly associated with most of helminth parasites. Diversity indices showed significant variation between different lakes. Maximum helminth species per host was in Anchar Lake. Finally we concluded that helminth parasite fauna showed significant differences in species richness and infection indices between different lakes. Diversity profile was higher in Anchar Lake in comparison to other three lakes. The results clearly show that environmental features of lake ecosystems have got an impact on distribution pattern of helminth parasites in S. esocinus. We suggest comparative parasitological study should be taken between different species of fish in order to have a clear picture regarding the species composition of helminth species in this region. Also we need to characterize the species spectrum of parasitic worms in fish of freshwater bodies of this region as well as other similar type of climatic zones because parasite fauna is an integral part of the inventory of biodiversity and as possible regulators of host populations in aquatic ecosystems.     

Endophytes from maize with plant growth promotion and biocontrol activity under drought stress

In the present study, 39 endophytic bacteria were isolated from different crops with main focus on maize roots and seeds. Endophytes were screened for drought stress tolerance, plant growth promoting (PGP) traits and antifungal activity. Out of 39 isolates, 32 could show drought tolerance up to–1.02 matric potential (MPa) and exhibited most of the plant growth promoting traits. But, only five isolates could show antagonistic activity against plant fungal pathogens. Based on the results, 10 promising isolates namely FTR, NFTR, FMZR9, FMZR2, MZ30V92, MRC12, MRC31, MRC33, MRC41 and MRR2 were selected and identified using biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains FTR and NFTR), Pseudomonas monteilii (strain FMZR2), Pseudomonas putida (strain FMZR9), Acitenobacter brumalii (strain MZ30V92), Enterobacter asburiae (strain MRC12), Sinorhizobium meliloti (strain MRC31), Pseudomonas thivervalensis (strain MRC33), Pseudomonas fulva (strain MRC41), and Pseudomonas lini (strain MRR2). Further, at–1.02 MPa all the 10 isolates showed PGP traits, and 3 isolates (FTR, NFTR and MRC12) showed antifungal activity. Thus, indicating that drought tolerant plant growth promoting antagonistic endophytic bacteria (PGPAE) helps in plant growth and disease management under drought stress.     

Metabolic characteristics of microbial communities of Aeolian sandy soils induced by saline water drip irrigation in shelter forests

The microbial metabolic activities of soils sampled at eight depths (0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–50, 50–70, 70–100, 100–150 and 150–200 cm) in shelter forests (comprising the tree species, Haloxylon sp.) along the Tarim Desert Highway under drip irrigation with different saline waters were investigated by using Biolog technology. Variance analysis and principal component analysis were conducted. The average well colour development (AWCD) values for single carbon source use by microorganisms increased with the incubation time. The microorganisms reached a lag phase within 24 hours of incubation and entered exponential and stationary phases after 48 and 216 hours of incubation, respectively; however, the death phase was not obvious. As the salinity of drip irrigation water increased, the AWCD values significantly decreased; the AWCD value in the land drip‐irrigated with lowest saline water (S8) was roughly 20% larger than that of the land drip‐irrigated with highest saline water (S1), which was mainly caused by the differences in the use of carboxylic acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds by soil microorganisms. The vertical differences in carbon source utilization by soil microbial communities were obvious: these may be caused by the vertical differences in soil organism abundance associated with distribution of roots in the shelter forest. The largest and smallest AWCD values were noted in the 70–100‐cm soil layer and 0–5‐cm topsoil layer, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the AWCD values and soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available potassium, available phosphorus, pH, cation exchange capacity and bulk density were > 0.85. Thus, the differences in carbon source metabolism activities of soil microorganisms were caused mainly by the soil chemical properties, with total nutrients being the main driving factor. Furthermore, the amounts of carboxylic acids, amino acids and polymers provided sensitive markers for distinguishing the ability of soil microorganisms to use carbon sources under drip irrigation with different saline waters. Saline water irrigation affected the soil microbial community in shelter forest and produced obvious differences among the shelter forests irrigated with different saline waters.