Changes in fatty acid composition of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruit during maturation

Changes in fatty acids were studied during maturation of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits cultivated in the North-East of Tunisia (Charfine). The fruits matured in 55 days after flowering (DAF). Oil and petroselinic acid synthesis proceeded at a steady rate up to 32 DAF. The first results showed a rapid oil accumulation started at newly formed fruits (9.6 ± 0.2%) and continued until their full maturity (26.4 ± 0.5%). During fruit maturation, fatty acid profiles varied significantly among the nine stages of maturity. At the 32th DAF, palmitoleic, gadoleic, erucic and docosahexenoic acids were not detected and petroselinic acid had a highest amount (84.8 ± 4.5%). Fruits development resulted mainly in an increase of petroselinic acid and a decrease of palmitic acid (C16:0). At full maturity, the main fatty acids were petroselinic acid (80.9 ± 5.7%), followed by linoleic (13.6 ± 2.9%), palmitic (3.6 ± 0.1%) and stearic (0.7 ± 0.1%) acids. Saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly and monounsaturated fatty acids increased during maturation of coriander fruit. Coriander fruits at the first four stages of maturity have a healthy nutritional value and the last five stages were with important economic and industrial applications. Results of this study indicate that the variation in the fatty acid composition of coriander fruit during maturation may be useful in understanding the source of nutritionally and industrially important fatty acids in this fruit. Coriander fruit is potentially an important source of petroselinic acid which has numerous industrial applications.     

Partial budgeting assessment of the treatment of pyometra, follicular cysts and ovarian inactivity causing postpartum anoestrus in dairy cattle

A total of 412 multiparous German Holstein cows were screened for postpartum pyometra, follicular cysts and ovarian inactivity to assess economic and productivity losses in relation to pharmaceutical expenditures. Our results show that cows treated for pyometra with prostaglandin f2 alpha (PGF2α) and oxytetracycline had significantly (P < 0.05) greater total and net returns than untreated cows or those treated with PGF2α + cephapirin or PGF2α alone. Milk yields from untreated cows affected by follicular cysts were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the yields from cows treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)− and GnRH + PGF2α. In addition, the use of GnRH to treat cows with ovarian inactivity resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) lower costs and greater total and net return values compared to untreated controls.     

Early growth habit and vigour parameters in olive seedlings

Fruit tree growth habit and vigour are important traits for orchard management and production, yet are difficult to select for in breeding programs because the parameters for their evaluation are complex, and their expression often requires sufficient plant size and development, entailing valuable time. Thus, in olive (Olea europaea L.) breeding, as for other fruit crops, it is critical to define growth habit and vigour parameters with selection potential, and to determine the earliest age at which they can be measured. Furthermore seedling growth habit traits are important in themselves, particularly in their relation to juvenile period length and management. To explore these issues we evaluated a series of new and standard growth habit parameters during the first year of growth in a population of unpruned olive seedlings originating from six different crosses. The influence of plant age on growth habit traits was determined by comparing measurements at two or three different times. Both parent genotype and plant age significantly affected the vigour and growth habit of the olive seedlings, and 9 months was the most appropriate age for evaluating seedling growth parameters. ‘Picual’, ‘Arbosana’ and ‘Sikitita’ were shown to be promising cultivars for use as genitors, because of their tendency to produce offspring with desirable growth habit traits such as high vigour, weeping habit and low lateral shoot number. From among the 17 parameters studied, based on parent influence and the absence of correlation among parameters, five were identified which best described olive seedling growth habit: Primary Shoot Top Diameter, Primary Shoot Conicity, Secondary Shoot Number, Secondary Shoot Insertion Angle and Longest Secondary Shoot Internode Length.     

Effect of cutting,phosphorus and potassium fertilization on guar plant (Cyamoposis tetragonoloba) in newly reclaimed soil in Egypt

A two year experiment was carried out in newly reclaimed soils (sandy soils) to investigate the effect of cutting and phosphorus and potassium fertilization on the growth, yield, seed mucilage content and seed protein content of guar plant. The results revealed that different cutting treatments significantly decreased the plant weight, seed yield, seed mucilage content and seed protein content. Phosphorus fertilization up to 350 kg super-phosphate (15% P₂O₅)/feddan significantly increased plant weight, seed yield, seed mucilage content and seed protein content. Fertilization with 150 kg potassium sulfate (48% K₂O)/feddan was quite capable to meet guar plant potassium demands in this kind of soil. Without cutting plants, fertilization with 350 kg superphosphate and 150 kg potassium sulfate/feddan resulted in the highest seed yield, seed muculage content and seed protein content.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mitigates heavy metal toxicity adverse effects in sewage water contaminated soil on Tagetes erecta L

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus constrictum on the biomass production, flower quality, chlorophyll content, macronutrients and heavy metals content of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) planted under uncontaminated soil and watered with various rates of sewage water. Sewage water utilization significantly decreased biomass production, characters of flower, nutrient concentration and rates of mycorrhizal colonization of mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) marigold as compared to control untreated plants especially at the higher rates, but the reduction rate was proportionally higher in non-AM treatments. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly greater yield, relative chlorophyll content, leaf area, flower quality and element (P, N, K and Mg) content compared to non-inoculated marigold plants irrigated with or without sewage water. Furthermore, AM inoculation had highly decreased heavy metal (Zn, Co, Mn, Cu) content in tissues as compared to equivalent non-inoculated plants grown under sewage water application. Growing marigold with AM inoculum can reduce toxicity of heavy metals and enhance biomass production and P uptake. The results support the view that AM have a protective function for the host plant, hence playing a potential function in soil polluted immobilization processes, and thus are of assessing the potential of phytoremediation of heavy metals in sewage water contaminated soil.     

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT SEED PRIMING METHODS FOR IMPROVING SALT STRESS TOLERANCE IN LETTUCE PLANTS

Seeds of lettuce, variety Romaine were subjected to different priming treatments such as water, potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and gibberellic acid (GA₃). Seedlings obtained from primed (Pr) and nonprimed (NP) seeds were grown in a hydroponic culture system supplemented with 0, 100 or 200 mM sodium chloride (NaCl). The different physiological and biochemical responses were studied 15 days after treatment. Under NaCl, the dry weight was higher in plants derived from hydro-primed (HP) seeds when compared to NP, osmoprimed (KNO₃P), and hormonal primed (GA₃P) ones. Under control and 100 mM NaCl treatment, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and EL did not show any correlation with activities of gaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT), but did with the increase in reduced ascorbate (AsA) and total ascorbate contents. The results indicated that plants derived from HP seeds exhibited higher adaptive potential under salinity stress. Our findings suggest that a hydropriming technique can be used as a simple commercial approach to alleviate the effects of NaCl induced stress in lettuce plants.     

Babesia canis vogeli,Ehrlichia canis,and Anaplasma platys infection in a dog

A 12‐month‐old male neutered mixed breed dog was presented with a history of diarrhea, lethargy, emaciation, polydypsia, and sniffling. Physical examination findings included pale mucous membranes, increased heart and respiratory rates, and normal rectal temperature (38°C). Hematologic abnormalities included anemia and thrombocytopenia. Biochemical abnormalities included hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated ALP and ALT activities. A SNAP 4Dx test result was positive for Ehrlichia canis. Babesia canis vogeli organisms were found in the peripheral blood films, while morulae of E canis were not seen. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed the presence of both B c vogeli and E canis organisms, and also was positive for Anaplasma platys infection. The dog recovered following treatment with doxycycline and imidocarb dipropionate, with normal hematology and biochemical profiles.     

Developmental Competence and Embryo Quality of Small Oocytes from Pre‐pubertal Goats Cultured in IVM Medium Supplemented with Low Level of Hormones,Insulin–Transferrin–Selenium and Ascorbic Acid

The aim of this study was to test the effect of insulin–transferrin–selenium (ITS) and L‐ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation and the hormonal level during in vitro maturation (IVM) of small oocytes from pre‐pubertal goat on the blastocyst yield and quality. Concretely, we used four maturation media: conventional IVM medium (CM), growth medium (GM: CM+ITS+AA and low level of hormones), modified CM (mCM: CM with low level of hormones) and modified GM (mGM: CM+ITS+AA and normal level of hormones). Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified into two categories according to oocyte diameter: <125 μm and ≥125 μm. Large oocytes were matured 24 h in CM (Treatment A). Small oocytes were matured randomly in six experimental groups: Treatment B: 24 h in CM; Treatment C: 12 h in GM and 12 h in CM; Treatment D: 24 h in mGM; Treatment E: 12 h in mGM and 12 h in CM; Treatment F: 12 h in mCM and 12 h in CM; and Treatment G: 12 h in GM and 12 h in mGM. After IVM, oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. The blastocyst quality was assessed by the survival following vitrification/warming and the mean cell number. When different maturation media were combined, the blastocyst rate did not improve. The large oocytes produced the highest blastocysts yield. However, the culture of small oocytes in GM (53.3%) enhanced the post‐warming survival of blastocysts compared to large oocytes matured in CM (35.7%). In conclusion, IVM of pre‐pubertal goat small oocytes in GM would be useful to improve the quality of in vitro‐produced blastocysts.