Disease Progress Based on Effects of Verticillium dahliae and Pratylenchus penetrans on Gas Exchange in Russet Burbank Potato

ABSTRACT The interactive effects of concomitant infection by the nematode Pratylenchus penetrans and the fungus Verticillium dahliae on symptom expression in Russet Burbank potato was studied in growth chamber experiments. Treatments were P. penetrans at three initial densities, V. dahliae at one inoculum density, the combination of the nematode at these three densities and the fungus, and a noninfested control. Gas exchange was measured nondestructively in leaf cohorts of different ages, one to three times weekly, with a LI-COR portable photosynthesis system. The single-pathogen treatments had no effect on assimilation or transpiration rates, but joint infection had a significant impact. In concomitant infection, photosynthesis was impaired more than transpiration, so estimates of leaf health were based on carbon assimilation rates only. Reductions in assimilation rate were apparent before the onset of visual symptoms. Assimilation rates decreased as much as 44% in the top, and newest, leaves of concomitantly infected plants, compared to rates in control plants. Even so, the health of newly produced leaves did not become progressively worse through time. With light use efficiency less than 0.20 mol of CO(2) fixed per mol of photosynthetically active radiation used as the criterion for disease incidence, disease progressed acropetally from the oldest to the youngest leaves. In plants infected with P. penetrans (0.8 nematodes per cm(3) of soil) in combination with V. dahliae, all leaves in cohorts 1 and 2 were symptomatic by 45 days after planting, and leaves in cohorts 3 to 6 became symptomatic at weekly intervals thereafter. For the control and single-pathogen treatments, the first time that light use efficiency fell below 0.20 in all leaves in cohort 1 was 71 days after planting. Concomitant infection reduced leaf life span by about 3 weeks. Both visual and physiological symptom expression were invariant to differences in initial nematode inoculum densities ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 nematodes per cm(3) of soil in one experiment and from 1.3 to 4.1 nematodes per cm(3) of soil in a second experiment.     

Dietary supplementation effects of Pediococcus acidilactici as probiotic on growth performance,digestive enzyme activities and immunity response in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

This study was carried out to assess the effects of Pediococcus acidilactici on zebrafish (Danio rerio). Different levels of P. acidilactici including 0, 1 × 10⁶, 2 × 10⁶, 4 × 10⁶ and 8 × 10⁶ colony‐forming unit per g of the diet (cfug^?1) were examined in fish with 120 ± 10 mg weight for 60 days in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the best growth indices were recorded in group 4 × 10⁶ cfug^?1 (p < 0.05). The highest number of total viable count and lactic acid bacteria of intestine were found in group 4 × 10⁶ cfug^?1 (p < 0.05). The maximum activity of digestive enzymes including amylase, lipase, protease and alkaline phosphatase was observed in group 4 × 10⁶ cfug^?1. The highest activity for superoxide dismutase was recorded in group 4 × 10⁶ cfug^?1 while catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase showed the highest activity in group 8 × 10⁶ cfug^?1. The most growth inhibition zone of Aeromonas hydrophylla, Flavobacterium columnare, Vibrio anguillarum and Edwardsiella tarda was found in group 4 × 10⁶ cfug^‐1 (p < 0.05). Therefore, P. acidilactici as a probiotic improved growth and immunity of the zebrafish and could be used by zebrafish farmers.     

Combined or individual effects of dietary magnesium and selenium nanoparticles on growth performance,immunity, blood biochemistry and antioxidant status of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) reared in freshwater

This study was conducted to investigate effects of and interactions between nanoselenium (NanoSe) and nanomagnesium (NanoMg) on growth, humoral immunity, serum biochemistry and antioxidant capacity of juvenile Asian seabass Lates calcarifer reared in freshwater. Four groups of fish with an average weight of 32.78 ± 2.23 g were fed one of the experimental diets for 6 weeks: (a) control (basal diet); (b) NanoSe (basal diet + 4 mg NanoSe/kg diet); (c) NanoMg (basal diet + 500 mg NanoMg/kg diet); and (d) combination (basal diet + 4 mg NanoSe/kg diet + 500 mg NanoMg/kg diet). Fish fed with NanoSe‐supplemented diets (NanoSe and combination) showed higher weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake. The combination of NanoSe and NanoMg enhanced the immune response. Also, fish fed on combination diet showed higher serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase levels but lower glucose concentration. The activities of liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were not different among all groups, but liver malondialdehyde level was lower in fish fed diets supplemented with NanoSe and/or NanoMg. It could be concluded that NanoSe improved growth performance; the combination of both NanoSe and NanoMg enhanced humoral immunity; and NanoSe and/or NanoMg improved antioxidant capacity in Asian seabass.     

Integrated nutrient management for better quality and yield of Kinnow mandarin

This study was carried out to determine the integrated effect of organic matter alone and in combination with chemical fertilizers in order to maintain the nutritional status in Kinnow fruit plants. Lahore Compost was used as a source of organic matter. Treatments were made by using compost alone and in combination with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK), and well-rotten farm yard manure (FYM; cow dung). Treatments were applied before flowering and after fruit set. Effect of these treatments on different physicochemical characteristics of Kinnow fruit and nutritional status in tree leaves was determined. Among all treatments, minimum flower drop, maximum yield, and better fruit quality were recorded in plants where 40 kg compost + 1/2 recommended doses of NPK were applied before flowering and after fruit setting, while minimum fruit set was recorded from the plants where 30 kg compost alone was applied before flowering.     

ExperimentalSchistosoma mansoni infection in sheep

Summary Sheep are partially susceptible toSchistosoma mansoni infection. However, development of worms is slow and they are reduced in size. No anaemia is produced in the infected animals, but a moderate degree of eosinophilia occurs at a late stage. The peculiar pathological lesions observed in the liver of ruminants is recorded and a simple technique suitable for perfusion of adult schistosome worms in large animals is described.

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Sumario Los ovinos son parcialmente susceptibles a la infección conSchistosoma mansoni. Sin embargo, el desarrollo de los parásitos es lento y tambien estan reducidos en tama?o. No se produce anemia en los animales infectados pero si ocurre un grado moderado de eosinofilia en los estadíos finales. Las lesiones patológicas peculiares observadas en el hígado de los rumiantes son descritas y tambien una tecnica simple adecuada para la perfusión de schistosomas adultos en animales mayores.

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Résumé Les moutons sont fablement sensibles à l'infection àSchistosoma mansoni. Toutefois, le développement des vers est lent et ceux-ci ont une taille réduite. Les animaux infectés ne présentent pas d'anémie, mais une éosinophilie modérée se produit à un stade avancé. Les lésions pathologiques spécifiques observées dans le foie des ruminants sont décrites, ainsi qu'une technique simple de perfusion de schistosomes adultes chez les grands animaux.

     

Forest Road Detection Using LiDAR Data

We developed a three-step classification approach for forest road extraction utilizing LiDAR data. The first step employed the IDW method to interpolate LiDAR point data （first and last pulses） to achieve DSM, DTM and DNTM layers （at 1 m resolution）. For this interpolation RMSE was 0.19 m. In the second step, the Support Vector Machine （SVM） was employed to classify the LiDAR data into two classes, road and non-road. For this classification, SVM indicated the merged distance layer with intensity data and yielded better identification of the road position. Assessments of the obtained results showed 63% correctness, 75% completeness and 52% quality of classification. In the next step, road edges were defined in the LiDAR-extracted layers, enabling accu- rate digitizing of the centerline location. More than 95% of the Li- DAR-derived road was digitized within 1.3 m to the field surveyed nor- rnal. The proposed approach can provide thorough and accurate road inventory data to support forest management.     

Validating models of one-way land change: an example case of forest insect disturbance

Landscape Ecology - Validation of models of Land Use and Cover Change often involves comparing maps of simulated and reference change. The interpretation of differences between simulated and...     

Genetic variation of Rutilus rutilus caspicus (Jakowlew 1870) populations in Iran based on random amplified polymorphic DNA markers: a preliminary study

Rutilus rutilus caspicus is regarded as a valuable fish species both for angling and commercial food in Iran. This fish is also considered as a significant food source for beluga sturgeon. The genetic diversity of this fish species collected from two geographical areas (Gorgan Bay and Anzali Wetland) along the Iranian coastline of the Caspian Sea was examined using the analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Using 10 decamer primers, the total number of RAPD bands produced in both Gorgan Bay and Anzali Wetland populations were 94 bands. The percentages of polymorphic bands were comparable in Anzali Wetland (41.48%) and Gorgan Bay (43.61%), suggesting similar levels of polymorphism of the two populations to be used for establishing selective breeding programmes. The value of Nei's genetic distance (d=0.04) among populations was small, despite the large geographic separation. The data serve as a baseline analysis of current genetic diversity found among R. rutilus caspicus populations in Iran.     

Genetic diversity of Pakistan wheat germplasm as revealed by RAPD markers

Wheat breeding in Pakistan started in 1930s before partition in the United India and so far has released more than 68 cultivars, but no systematic analyses of the genetic diversity of Pakistan wheat have been made. Twenty Pakistan wheat cultivars released from 1933 to 2002 were examined for genetic diversity and relationships using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Forty-two RAPD primers were applied and 184 polymorphic bands were generated for each cultivar. Most of the cultivars were genetically interrelated, although six of them displayed some genetic distinctness. The RAPD variation observed among these cultivars was low. Only 40.7% of the total scorable bands were polymorphic, and 26.1% of the polymorphic bands were observed most frequently (f = 0.95) among the 20 cultivars. The proportions of polymorphic bands for each cultivar ranged from 0.67 in ‘Yecora’ to 0.84 in ‘C-250’ with an average of 0.76. About 1.4% of the RAPD variation might have been fixed over the 69 years of wheat breeding, but such fixation was not statistically significant. These results are significant for future improvement and conservation of Pakistan wheat.     

Prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle in the Southwestern Iran and detection of cutoff point for NEFA and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is simply a condition marked by increased levels of circulating ketone bodies without the presence of the clinical signs of ketosis. Subclinical ketosis can cause economic losses through decreased milk production and association with preparturient diseases. Limited information is available regarding the prevalence of SCK in dairy herds in Southwestern Iran. The objectives of this study were (i) determination of the cutoff point of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of SCK using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and (ii) determination of prevalence of subclinical ketosis in apparently healthy dairy cattle in Southwestern Iran. From October to December 2009, a total of 100 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows (3-8 years old) were randomly selected from 16 dairy herds around Kazerun, Fars Province, Iran. The cows had two-six lactations, with body weight ranging from 500 to 650 kg. Blood samples for each cow were taken at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition and 3-4h after the morning feeding. The optimal cutoff point was set, by the ROC method, to >0.26 mmol/L for NEFA, and < 2.26 mmol/L for glucose with corresponding 82.54% sensitivity and 91.89% specificity for NEFA and 44.44% sensitivity and 78.38% specificity for glucose. Cows with BHB concentrations higher than 1200 μmol/L were classified as having SCK. In 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition 63%, 68% and 59% of the tested cows were subclinically ketotic. Overall, 97% of tested cows (97/100) were considered subclinically ketotic in at least one sample period. Thirty percent of tested cows (30/100) suffered from subclinical ketosis in all of the 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. The results suggest that, a cut-off point of 0.26 mmol/L for NEFA concentrations can be used during early lactation for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis and making management decisions for prevention and treatment. Glucose cannot be a good criterion for diagnosis of SCK and it does not appear to be useful for monitoring subclinical ketosis.