Effects of different organic additives on in vitro shoot regeneration of Celosia sp

Nowadays, many researches were conducted in minimizing tissue culture technology due to the overhead of cost needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using five kinds of organic additives at four level concentrations responsive to the number of shoots produced for eight weeks in culture. Stem segment explants of Celosia sp. were cultured on MS medium that have been supplemented with different kinds of extract juice that serve as organic additives which are mature coconut, young coconut, papaya, banana and tomato at 20, 30, 50 and 70 ml L-1. The numbers of shoot on each explant were recorded and the mean of ten replicates explants were calculated. Among the media used, young coconut water at 70 ml L1- induced the highest shoot regeneration (14.21+/-8.26), followed by mature coconut water at 50 ml L-1 (13.14+/-10.33). Banana and tomato juice promote highest shoot regeneration of stem segments at 50 ml L-1 that produced 9.57+/-4.68 and 9.28+/-5.82 shoots per explants, respectively. While the lowest concentration which at 20 ml L-1 of papaya juice showed highest shoot regeneration (10.50+/-3.45) produced among the three other concentration tested. Statistical results showed that there were significant differences interactions effects (p<0.05) in terms of number of shoot regenerated between the types of extracts juices determined by ANOVA test. Comparing number of shoots regenerated that were cultured in control media, it showed higher than all of experimental medium composition. There were no big different in cost required in preparation of control media and the experimental media. Applications of five kinds of local fruit in tissue culture media should be considered since it responsive in shoot regeneration.     

Vegetation structure of subtropical forest of Tabai,South Waziristan,Pakistan

Phytosociological parameters, soil and temperature conditions, importance values of species, life form, leaf size, and biomass were investigated at the village Tabai during autumn 2006. There was very little difference in air and soil temperature due to similar elevation. There was a great difference in biomass production for various stands. The original vegetation structure has been altered due to deforestation and overgrazing. There is a need for restoration of the habitat.     

Mechanisms and molecular approaches for heat tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under climate change scenario

Rice, a staple cereal crop in many parts of the world, has been confronted with multiple environmental stresses including high temperature, negatively impacts the booting as well as anthesis growth stages. The situation is further complicated by the changing climatic conditions, resulting in gradual escalation of temperature as well as changing the rainfall pattern and frequency, thus raising a concern of food security worldwide. The situation can be combat by developing rice varieties with excellent genetics with improved morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms, together can minimize the adverse effects of heat stress. Here, several strategies (encompassing genetic and genomic, and mechanisms involved) for mitigating the impact of high temperature on rice have been discussed. Finally, the utilization of genomic knowledge in augmenting the conventional breeding approaches have been comprehensively elaborated to develop heat tolerant germplasm.     

A review: The beneficial effects and possible mechanisms of aluminum on plant growth in acidic soil

Aluminum(Al) is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust and a major factor inhibiting plant growth and reducing crop yield in acidic soil. Although there is substantial research on the phytotoxic effects and the underlying mechanisms of Al by applying Al alone hydroponically, soil is a complex medium containing numerous mineral elements that can interact with Al and other elements and their bioavailability in plants. In this review, we describe the roles of Al in promoting plant growth, enhancing phosphorus availability and efficient use in plants, and alleviating H+, iron, and manganese toxicity in acidic conditions. Furthermore, we discuss the possible mechanisms of enhanced abiotic stress tolerance induced by Al. We also elucidate the role of Al in attracting plant growth promoting rhizo-bacteria(PGPR) and their interactions with plants by increasing organic exudates.     

In ovo oral vaccination with cmpylobacter jejuni establishes early development of intestinal immunity in chickens

1. Chick embryos were orally immunised at day 16 of incubation by injection of heat‐killed Campylobacter jejuni organisms into the amniotic fluid. The response to vaccination was observed at 5 d after hatching or, in some birds which received a postnatal oral booster vaccination, at 7 d after hatching, and the response was observed at 14 d of age.

2. The titres of antibody in serum, bile and intestinal scrapings, the distribution of immunoglobulin‐containing cells in the spleen, duodenum and ileum and the expression on peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of the T cell surface markers CD3, CD4 and CD8 were determined.

3. Whereas low titres of anti‐flagellin antibody were detected in serum, bile and intestinal scrapings of unimmunised birds, high titres were observed in immunised birds.

4. An increase in antibody of all isotypes was detectable in serum but the elevation in IgA antibody in intestinal scrapings and bile was particularly striking. This response was reflected in a dramatic increase in immunoglobulin‐containing cells, detected by fluorescent histology, particularly diose associated with IgA and IgM isotypes in the spleen and intestine of immunised birds.

5. Secondary oral boosting after hatching resulted in a depression in serum anti‐flagellin antibody in immunised birds compared to pre‐boosting titres (although still significandy higher than in non‐immunised controls) but an increase in IgA antibody in intestinal scrapings and bile. The number of immunoglobulin‐containing cells was also increased after boosting.

6. Neither immunisation regimen caused a significant change in the numbers of circulating CD3, CD4 or CD8 T cells.

7. These results indicate that in ovo oral immunisation with C. jejuni antigens stimulates the precocious development of immunity in chicks.     

Mycelium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases soil water repellency and is sufficient to maintain water-stable soil aggregates

Using an in vitro bioreactor system in which the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices was grown in a soil devoid of detectable living microbes, we could show that the mycelium of this fungus contributed to the maintenance of water-stable soil aggregates and increased soil water repellency, as measured by water drop penetration time. This is to our knowledge the first demonstration of a causal link between AM fungal growth and water repellency of soil aggregates. Our results also place AM fungal contributions to soil aggregation on a firm mechanistic footing by showing that hyphae are sufficient to produce effects, in the absence of other soil biota, which have always been included in previous studies.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels and irrigation on quality characteristics in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to evaluate irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilization on quality characteristics of wheat cultivars, a field experiment was carried out using split-plot factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Quchan, Iran (2010–2012). Main plots were assigned with four irrigation regimes; I1, 90 mm; I2, 130 mm; I3, 170 mm based on evaporation from a class A pan; and I4, water deficit stress during post-anthesis stage; sub-plots were assigned with four levels of nitrogen (N1, 0; N2, 70; N3, 140; and N4, 210 kg ha^?1); and three wheat cultivars (V1, Mihan; V2, C-87-6; and V3, C-87-11) were used as factorial. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization increased some quality characteristics. Under water deficit (I4), gluten index, grain protein content, grain yield, and sedimentation volume decreased. Significant interactions between irrigation regimes and both nitrogen levels and cultivars were observed.     

Efficiency of Coated Urea on Nutrient Uptake and Maize Production

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of coated urea with urease inhibitor [copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)], nitrification inhibitor (DMPP), biochar and geopolymer on ammonium, nitrate, Cu, Zn content and crop yield of maize. The treatments were composed of urea alone (control), urea coated Cu and Zn (UCuZn), urea coated with Cu, Zn, and DMPP (UCuZnDMPP), urea impregnated with biochar (Ubio) and urea coated with geopolymer (Ug2). Data showed that treatments with Cu, Zn, and DMPP produced lower ammonium (NH₄) and nitrate (NO₃) in UCuZn and UCuZnDMPP while they had the highest concentration of Cu and Zn in soil and plant tissues. Plots treated with UCuZn and UCuZnDMPP produced maximum N concentrations in grains and yield, with increases by 79.5% and 74.1%, respectively, as compared with urea (control). This finding demonstrates that by slow down the hydrolysis and nitrification process using urease and nitrification inhibitor were beneficial to increased N uptake, ultimately produced higher yield.     

Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of palm amino acid surfactant using response surface methodology (RSM)

Amino acid surfactants are high-value surfactants which have excellent emulsifying characteristics and minimal toxicity to the living body. Enzymatic synthesis of palm kernel amino acid surfactant was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using palm kernel olein (PKO) and l(+)-lysine catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM. The reaction was performed in batch mode stirred tank reactor (STR) with one multi-bladed impeller. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed to evaluate the interactive effects of various parameters. The parameters were temperature (A): (40.00–70.00 °C), impeller speed (B): (100.00–400.00 rpm), substrates ratio (C): (1.00–4.00 mmol) and enzyme amount (D): (5.00–8.00 g). The optimum condition derived via RSM at fixed reaction time of 24 h was temperature; 47.50 °C, impeller speed; 323.96 rpm, substrates ratio; 3.25 mmol and enzyme amount; 7.25 g. The experimental yield was 89.03% under the optimum condition, which compared well with the maximum predicted value of 93.77%.