Management of inappetant sheep during export by sea

In the first of 2 experiments, a simulated voyage was conducted to examine the effects of various treatments on bodyweight change and feeding frequency of inappetant sheep at the end of lot-feeding (non-feeders). The treatments, applied during simulated shipping, were: normal quantities of feed and length of troughs; extra trough length; extra feed. Adult Merino wethers (n = 108) were used in each treatment. A voyage to the Middle East was then conducted to establish whether shipboard mortality could be reduced by separating non-feeders (n = 305) from feeders (n = 5,620) late in the feedlot hase and housing the groups separately aboard ship. A control group of non-feeders (n = 215) mixed with feeders (n = 5,732) was used for comparison. Bars (marker bars), containing a coloured dye, were attached to feed troughs to mark sheep that fed. Most non-feeders (82%) began eating when placed in shipping pens in both studies. However, there was no significant difference in percentage of sheep that fed between non-feeders given extra trough length or extra feed compared with non-feeders given standard management at any stage of simulated shipping. There was no significant difference in mean bodyweights between treatment groups on days 1, 8 and 15 of simulated shipping. Differences in bodyweight on d 22 were probably associated with different levels of gut fill. Death rates were not significantly different in separated and control groups (1.1%, 0.9%, P = 0.6) in the voyage of 14 d to the Middle East.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Determination of Feeder Cell‐Based Cellular Niches Supporting the Colonization and Maintenance of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Prepubertal Domestic Cat Testes

Recently, isolation and in vitro culture of putative spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in the domestic cat have been conducted. However, the cellular niche conditions that facilitate the establishment and long‐term maintenance of feline SSCs (FSSCs) have not been described. Therefore, we investigated the type of feeder cells used to stimulate colony formation and growth of FSSCs among the various factors in the FSSC niche. Spermatogonial stem cells isolated from feline testes were cultured on mitotically inactivated testicular stromal cells (TSCs) derived from cats, dogs and mice, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The formation and growth of colonies derived from SSCs cultured on each type of feeder cell were identified at passage 0, and the morphology, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and expression of SSC‐specific genes in surviving colonies were investigated at passage 4. Among these diverse feeder cells, TSCs from cat showed the greatest colony formation, growth and maintenance of FSSCs, and SSC colonies cultured by passage 4 showed a typical dome‐shaped morphology, AP activity and expression of SSC‐specific genes (NANOG, OCT4, SOX2 and CD9). Accordingly, these results demonstrate that feline TSCs could be used as feeder cells to support the establishment and maintenance of SSCs from domestic cats.     

Effects of Polyether Ionophores on the Protective Immune Responses of Broiler Chickens against Angara Disease and Newcastle Disease Viruses

Immunization against Angara disease virus (ADV), a serotype 4 avian adenovirus, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1, is the mainstay of a broiler vaccination programme, while polyether ionophores usually form an essential component of a broiler medication programme in most parts of India and Pakistan. The role of polyether ionophores in the protective immune responses of broiler chickens vaccinated and challenged with ADV and NDV was investigated. A total of 1600 birds were divided into eight groups of 200 birds each. First four groups were vaccinated against NDV and ADV, while the remaining four served as unvaccinated controls. The first 3 groups of birds were administered salinomycin, monensin and cyclophosphamide (CYP), respectively. The last group served as an untreated control. The same treatment schedule was also followed for the next four unvaccinated groups. The post-vaccination and post-challenge serological responses to NDV and ADV, body and lymphoid organ weight gains, post-challenge survival rate and detection of NDV and ADV in the tissues of infected birds were evaluated. Birds administered salinomycin showed a significant stimulation of protective immune responses against both NDV and ADV as compared to the untreated and CYP-treated birds. Monensin also enhanced the protective immune responses against both viruses but the effect was not statistically significant. Thus, it is concluded that monensin and salinomycin augment the anti-NDV and anti-ADV immune responses in broiler chickens, which supports their use in poultry flocks.     

Path-Coefficient Analysis of Leaf-Anatomical Characters Affecting Frost Injury in Potato

Correlation and path-coefficient analysis for leaf-anatomical characters affecting frost injury was carried out in twenty eight varieties and accessions belonging to several wild and cultivated tuber-bearing species of Solanum in order to identify selection criteria in breeding for frost resistance in potato Palisade thickness and palisade proportion showed a significant negative correlation with frost injury Path-coefficient analysis revealed that palisade thickness had the highest direct negative effect on frost injury whereas leaf thickness, not conforming to its behaviour as found in simple correlation analysis, emerged ax the next highest factor to have direct positive effect on frost injury. Direct and indirect effects of these factors on frost injury vis a vis their interdependence were found to be in support ot the ‘palisade thickness method’ for screening frost resistant genotypes in potato breeding programmes.     

Identification of a diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm based on genotyping using microsatellite markers

Identification of a small core germplasm set representing the available genetic diversity is essential for its proper evaluation and subsequent utilization in rice improvement programmes. For constituting a small diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm, a representative set of 6912 accessions drawn based on their geographic origin from the whole rice germplasm collection available in the National Gene Bank was genotyped using 36 microsatellite markers. Automated fragment analysis of amplicons yielded a total of 435 alleles, with an average 12.4 and range of 3–29 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.08 (RGNMS190) to 0.86 (RM552) with an average of 0.528. Based on genotyping data, a mini‐core consisting of 98 genotypes was identified. Ninety‐four per cent of the alleles present in the core set were present in the mini‐core. The identified small but diverse panel will be useful for further intensive trait‐specific evaluation and utilization in allele mining.     

Genetic diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eremostachys superba</Emphasis> Royle ex Benth. (Lamiaceae), an endangered Himalayan species,as assessed by RAPD

Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) has undergone a severe decline in population size since its discovery in the North-western Himalayas in late 19th century. One hundred and seventy-two plants from six populations in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, located between 0.45 km and 455.72 km apart from each other were evaluated for RAPD polymorphism. Sixteen random primers generated 92 bands overall, 77 of which were polymorphic. Shannon’s index of genetic diversity within populations (H _o) ranged between 0.305 and 0.421; the average within-population diversity (H _pop) was 0.389; and the total species diversity (H _sp) was 0.478. The population from Mohand (representing the type locality) had the fewest plants, at 18, and was genetically the most depauperate. Among the other populations, ranging in size between 52 and 1,022 individuals, no relation between population size and genetic diversity was evident. It is suggested that these six populations represent relics of a larger, extended population, in which the presence of perennating rootstocks has helped preserve historic patterns of genetic diversity. AMOVA revealed that 83.01% of the variation exists within populations, which was consistent with earlier studies on the reproductive biology of E. superba, which indicated this species is predominantly allogamous. FST distances between all populations were significant, indicating geographic differentiation despite some of them being closely separated. Habitat restoration and protection from indiscriminate harvesting are proposed as primary strategies for conserving E. superba. Rejuvenation of the Mohand population through intrapopulation crossing between plants bearing diverse molecular phenotypes is also suggested.     

Agricultural injuries in Central India: nature,magnitude, and economic impact

A study was carried out in Madhya Pradesh (Central India) to collect data on injury-causing agricultural incidents during the period 1995-1999. The overall incidence rate was 1.25/1000 workers/year. About 9.2% of the incidents were fatal, and most of the fatal incidents were due to tractors and snakebites (42.9% each). About 77.6% of all incidents were due to farm machinery, 11.8% were due to hand tools, and the remaining 10.6% were due to other sources like snakes, wells, etc. Data on 1,911 incidents reported in 10 leading newspapers published during the five-year period (1995-1999) from different regions of the state were also collected and analyzed, which indicated that only major or roadside agricultural incidents were reported in newspapers. Based on the survey data, it was estimated that in the year 2000 there would have been about 17,480 agricultural incidents in Madhya Pradesh, causing death to about 2,050 workers and injuries to about 16,770 workers, including amputations of limbs, burns, cuts, etc. Total monetary loss due to agricultural injuries in the state of Madhya Pradesh has been estimated as US $27 million/year.     

Variation of enzyme activities, CO2 evolution and redox potential in an Eutric Histosol irrigated with wastewater and tap water

An Eutric Histosol soil was irrigated for 4 years with municipal wastewater to compare its characteristics with a soil under natural rainfall that had never received wastewater and a soil that was irrigated with normal tap water. Four years irrigation of the soil with wastewater caused significant (P<0.001) increase in dehydrogenase, urease, acid and alkaline phosphate activities and CO₂ evolution, and reduced the redox potential (P<0.05). The influence of treatments and plant cover on soil properties were significant (P<0.05) under both salix and grasses, except for few properties (redox potential and urease and alkaline phosphatase activities). It is suggested that, although different toxicants, e.g. heavy metals, may accumulate in wastewater-treated soils, enrichment of soil with organic substances and nutrients stimulated CO₂ evolution and enzyme activities in the irrigated soil.     

Effects of organic manure and NPK fertilization on earthworm activity in an Oxisol

The effects of fertilization with N, P, K, and organic manure (alone or in combination) on earthworm populations, biomass, and casting activity were measured in a cultivated soil (organic C 1.5%, annual rainfall 2000–2300 mm). These applications of fertilizer caused significant increases in earthworm numbers, biomass, and casts. N alone or in combination with P and K also influenced these earthworm parameters significantly. The inorganic NPK fertilizer in combination with organic manure had a significantly greater effect on earthworm activities than NPK fertilizer alone, and therefore the addition of organic matter appears advisable in order to obtain maximum benefits from NPK fertilizer in this soil.     

Growth potential and biocide tolerance of non-heterocystous filamentous cyanobacterial isolates from rice fields of Uttar Pradesh, India

Twenty-eight non-heterocystous filamentous cyanobacterial strains were isolated from different locations in the rice fields of Uttar Pradesh. These strains belonged to seven genera, namely Pseudanabaena, Limnothrix, Phormidium, Microcoleus, Plectonema, Lyngbya and Oscillatoria. A wide variation was observed in these strains with respect to dry weight, generation time and tolerance to biocides. Lyngbya palmarum and Oscillatoria acuminata showed maximum biomass (dry weight), while Pseudanabaena frigidum, Phormidium foveolarum, O. acuminata, Lyngbya palmarum and Lyngbya spiralis showed a significantly shorter generation time as compared to other strains studied. An interesting feature observed was that these non-heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria possessed a remarkable tolerance to the biocides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, Malathion and Dimecron, at doses much higher than those recommended for rice crops.