Effects of AG1 and AG2 QTLs on Nonstructural Carbohydrate and Seed Management Options for Rice Seedling Growth and Establishment under Flooding Stress

Rice (Oryza sativa) plants acquired excess photosynthates in the form of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in their stems and grain. Despite keen interest in rice NSC, the dynamics of NSC accumulation, translocation and re-accumulation have not yet been well investigated. AG1 and AG2 QTLs associated with flooding tolerance through catalyzing starch into soluble sugar in germinating seeds. Here we conducted three experiments, greenhouse and field to lay the groundwork for large-scale diversity studies on grain NSC and some agronomic traits under direct-seeded rice (DSR) system, using elite lines incorporating AG1, AG2 and AG1-AG2 QTLs into the popular varieties PSB Rc82 and Ciherang-Sub1 along with the donors Kho Hlan On (AG1) and Ma-Zhan Red (AG2). In germinating seedlings, soluble sugars increased, while starch concentration decreased gradually especially in the tolerant checks and AG1-AG2 introgression lines under flooded soil. Soluble sugar accumulation in stem started to increase from the vegetative stage and peaked at the panicle initiation stage then gradually decreased towards the maturity stage. But Sub1-AG lines had higher sugar and starch concentrations at different growth stages than other genotypes in wet season 2016 and dry season 2017. Plant survival rate was positively correlated with the stem NSC at the early vegetative stage (21 days after sowing), and stem NSC was positively associated with plant height at different growth stages. Among the tested seeding rate, the most suitable seeding rate, 4 g/m² with shallow burial depth (0.5 cm), resulted in better seedling establishment, relatively higher seedling vigor index and higher leaf area index under flooding in DSR system. Introgression of AG1-AG2 QTLs had no any negative impact on nonstructural carbohydrate, germination rate, and growth and biomass production.     

Determination of Pomological and Morphological Characteristics and Chemical Compositions of Local Apple Varieties Grown in Gumushane,Turkey

The present study was conducted in order to determine the pomological and morphological characteristics and chemical compositions of some local apple varieties grown in Gumushane. As a result of field work in Gumushane province, sixteen different apples, which are Summer Apple, English apple, Green Belly, Black Belly and Yellow Belly Apples, Amasya Marble, Bey Apple, Chest Apple, Mahsusa, Arabian Girl, Willow Apple, Tav?anba??, Yellow H?d?r, Local Marble, Bride Apple, and Fatty Apple were collected in order to analyze. The average results of pomological and morphological properties and chemical compositions were obtained as following: fruit mass; 127.36 g, fruit width; 65.23 mm, fruit length; 57.30 mm, fruit stalk thickness; 2.17 mm, fruit stalk length; 17.63 mm, stalk pit depth; 12.75 mm, flower pit depth; 10.29 mm, fruit firmness; 13.79 kg/cm², seed house width; 15.89 mm, seed house length; 17.39 mm, number of seeds; 4.3, water soluble dry matter content; 14.53?%, ash content; 1.11?%, pH; 3.8, titratable acidity; 0.69 g/L, water content; 83.8?%, reducing sugar; 5.04 g/100 g, sucrose; 2.25 g/100 g, and the amount of total sugars; 7.29 g/100. The fruit peel color was determined by considering the light transmittance (L). The average L values were ranged between 112.06 and 66.32. On the other hand among the mineral elements, potassium and manganese amounts were determined as the highest and the lowest, respectively.     

Effects of storage time and temperature on pH,specific gravity,and crystal formation in urine samples from dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of storage temperature and time on pH and specific gravity of and number and size of crystals in urine samples from dogs and cats. DESIGN: Randomized complete block design. ANIMALS: 31 dogs and 8 cats. PROCEDURE: Aliquots of each urine sample were analyzed within 60 minutes of collection or after storage at room or refrigeration temperatures (20 vs 6 degrees C [68 vs 43 degrees F]) for 6 or 24 hours. RESULTS: Crystals formed in samples from 11 of 39 (28%) animals. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals formed in vitro in samples from 1 cat and 8 dogs. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) crystals formed in vitro in samples from 2 dogs. Compared with aliquots stored at room temperature, refrigeration increased the number and size of crystals that formed in vitro; however, the increase in number and size of MAP crystals in stored urine samples was not significant. Increased storage time and decreased storage temperature were associated with a significant increase in number of CaOx crystals formed. Greater numbers of crystals formed in urine aliquots stored for 24 hours than in aliquots stored for 6 hours. Storage time and temperature did not have a significant effect on pH or specific gravity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urine samples should be analyzed within 60 minutes of collection to minimize temperature- and time-dependent effects on in vitro crystal formation. Presence of crystals observed in stored samples should be validated by reevaluation of fresh urine.     

Structural Effects of N-Arylcarbamoylpyrazolines on Calcium Uptake in Rat Brain Synaptosomes

N-Arylcarbamoylpyrazolines with various substituents at the para position of the carbamoyl benzene ring inhibited ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-uptake in synaptosomes prepared from the rat brain. The activity of these compounds was evaluated as log(1/I₅₀), the reciprocal logarithm of half inhibitory concentration, I₅₀ (m ), from the concentration–response curve for the inhibition of Ca²⁺-uptake. Among the compounds tested, methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1-[N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)carbamoyl]-2-pyrazoline-4-carboxylate was the most potent, the I₅₀ value of which as 9·12×10⁻⁷ m . Variations in the activity in terms of log(1/I₅₀) were quantitatively analysed using a substituent parameter, showing that the higher the electron-withdrawing effect of the substituent, the higher was the activity. The substituent effects were similar to those on insecticidal activity against the Americal cockroach. The higher the inhibitory activity against Ca²⁺ uptake, the higher seemed to be the insecticidal activity. Methyl(4S) - 3 - (4 - chlorophenyl) - 4 - methyl - 1 - [N - (4 - chlorophenyl)carbamoyl] - 2 - pyrazoline -4-carboxylate had higher inhibitory activity against Ca²⁺-uptake and higher in-secticidal activity than the R-isomer, but the difference was greater in theCa²⁺-uptake system.     

Contributions to the leafminer fauna (Diptera: Agromyzidae) from Turkey, with four new records

In a study carried out during 2002 and 2004 in Diyarbakıir and Mardin provinces, southeast Turkey, specimens were collected twice a month from cultivated and non-cultivated plants. Sixteen leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) species were identified. Among them,Agromyza abiens Zetterstedt, 1848;Napomyza elegans (Meigen, 1830);Phytoliriomyza dorsata (Siebke, 1864); andPhytomyza aquilonia Frey, 1964 are new records for the Turkish leafminer http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 24, 2005.     

Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of extractives from Ravenia spectabilis

A methanolic extract of Ravenia spectabilis, an isolated alkaloid, arborinine plus a fraction comprising arborinine and gamma-fagarine (VLC), showed mild to significant in vitro antibacterial activity. In a brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the extract and the fraction were found to exhibit moderate cytotoxicity having LC50 of 76.26 microg/ml and 14.98 microg/ml, respectively.     

低温对库尔勒香梨不同部位抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了解香梨不同部位的抗寒能力与抗氧酶活性是否具有相关性,以库尔勒香梨为材料,测定不同部位越冬过程中抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明,库尔勒香梨不同部位在越冬过程中体内SOD,POD,CAT活性有明显的变化。SOD活性变化总体规律都随温度的上升而降低,不同部位之间的SOD活性没有明显差异;各部位的SOD活性不同月份之间有明显的差异,在最为寒冷的1月份达到最高值,其中休眠芽的活性为最高。POD活性随温度的逐渐升高而上升,3月份达到最高,其中主干阳面和阴面的POD活性高于其他部位。阳面和阴面CAT活性随温度的提高而回升,2月份最低,休眠芽和枝条CAT活性均逐渐下降。     

Agroforestry for Livelihood Security in Agrarian Landscapes of the Padma Floodplain in Bangladesh

In the Padma floodplain of Bangladesh, the traditional system of agriculture has become unsustainable due to high population growth. Mango-based agroforestry which has been practiced by the farmers since the 1990s, is a promising alternative and is considered as one of the few options to lift farmers out of poverty and improve livelihood security. This paper examines the potential of mango-based agroforestry to improve livelihoods, using data collected by rapid rural appraisal, farmer participatory research, stakeholder analysis and a farm household survey in six representative villages in the floodplain. Farmers with the least land were found to allocate a higher percentage of their land to agroforestry, and the increased income from agroforestry compared to other agricultural systems helps reduce relative poverty. This income maintains basic household needs, providing food security and fuelwood, and contributes to healthcare, housing and sanitation conditions, and meeting educational expenses.