Genetic transformation of pigeonpea with rice chitinase gene

With a long‐term plan to develop transgenic pigeonpea with resistance to fungal disease, the transfer of a rice chitinase gene to pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is reported here. The rice chitinase gene harboured in the plasmid pCAMBIA 1302:RChit was delivered via the Agrobacterium‐mediated method to the cotyledonary node explants followed by subsequent regeneration of complete plants on selection media containing hygromycin. Putative transformed pigeonpea plants were recovered with stringent selection pressure and confirmed using molecular techniques. Stable integration and expression of the chitinase gene has been confirmed in the T0 and T1 transgenics through molecular analysis.     

Rice bran lysolecithin as a source of energy in broiler chicken diet

1. Rice bran lysolecithin (RBL) was evaluated in broiler chicken diets. In the first experiment, RBL was included in diet at 0, 0·5, 2, 8 and 32?g/kg and fed to 250 broiler chickens from 0 to 42?d of age. In the second experiment, RBL was fed at 0, 25 and 50?g/kg diet to 405?day-old broiler chickens until 21?d of age, while during the finisher phase (22–35?d of age) chickens receiving each concentration of RBL were given all three concentrations of RBL in a 3?×?3 factorial manner. The diets were isocaloric.

2. Body weight, food consumption and food conversion efficiency were unaffected by feeding RBL, while the weight of pancreas increased at ≥2?g/kg of RBL in diet (experiment 1). In experiment 2, body weight was greater in the chickens receiving RBL at either 25 or 50?g/kg (21?d) and 50?g/kg (35?d of age). At 21?d of age, food consumption was greater at 25 or 50?g RBL/kg diet, while food conversion efficiency improved with 50?g RBL/kg diet.

3. Fat digestibility increased with RBL at 32?g/kg (experiment 1) and ≤25?g/kg (experiment 2). Rice bran lysolecithin increased ready to cook weight at 50?g/kg during starter phase and decreased abdominal fat at 25 and 50?g/kg during finisher phase (experiment 2). Liver and meat fat content were not affected.

4. It is concluded that lysolecithin from rice bran oil could be used as energy supplement in broiler chicken diet.     

Hypocholesterolemic effect of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus esculantus)

Food lectins are known to affect the absorption of nutrients in experimental animals and altered morphology of the intestinal mucosa due to prolonged feeding of lectins is suggested to be the cause. However, toxic symptoms appear in humans immediately after consumption of lectin rich foods and the mechanism of this immediate action is not known. This study reports the immediate effect of Concanavalin A (Con A) and Phaseolus vulgaris lectin (PHA-P) on the absorption of Ca²⁺ and sucrose in rat intestine and the possible role of lectin-membrane interactions in the process. Calcium absorption was lowered by Con A, and this was observed to be due to Con A interacting with the intestinal mucosal membrane. Similarly, sucrose absorption was also altered, probably due to Con A binding the intestinal mucosal membrane. On the other hand PHA-P did not have any effect on either sucrose or calcium absorption. Results indicate that the effect on intestinal nutrient absorption depends on the type of lectin used (and its concentration) as well as the type of nutrient, besides the duration of exposure of intestinal mucosa to the lectin.     

Trends in Information Needs and Communication Channel Use Among Rural Women in Africa,Asia, and Latin America, 2000–2012

A trend analysis of information needs and communication channel use of rural women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America was conducted by examining empirical works published in reports, scholarly publications, and the popular press from 2000 to 2012. Results show that information about farming practices, health, education, gender and general family well-being issues were the most sought across the three continents. Demand for 14 information categories surged in volume and scope after 2009. Interpersonal communication sources trumped the mediated ones as the channels of choice; extension agents were the most preferred source. Radio was the most frequently mentioned preferred medium.     

Production and optimization of indole acetic acid by indigenous micro flora using agro waste as substrate

Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) producing bacterium was isolated from the Rhizosphere soil and identified as Rhizobium sp. and Bacillus sp., Optimization of Indole acetic acid production was carried out at different cultural conditions, such as pH, temperature and substrate with Rhizobium sp., Bacillus sp. and Rhizobium sp., produced higher amount of Indole acetic acid (6.1 mg mL(-1)) than the Bacillus sp., (4.4 mg mL(-1)) at pH 7 and 37 degrees C in the Bengal gram substrate. Partial purification of Indole acetic acid was done by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). In conclusion Rhizobium sp., appear to be a suitable soil microorganism for high level of IAA production.     

Physical properties of cryomilled rice starch

Cryomilling of rice starch was evaluated as a non-chemical way to modify starch structure and properties. Cryomilling in a liquid nitrogen bath (63–77.2 K) was done to Quest (10.80% amylose) and Pelde (20.75% amylose) rice starch at five different time frames (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min). The viscosity of the cryomilled rice starch decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing milling duration, including peak viscosity, hot-paste viscosity, cold-paste viscosity, breakdown, and consistency. Increasing milling time significantly increased (p < 0.05) water solubility index and water absorption index. Infra-red spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction crystallography both showed that the crystallinity of the cryomilled starch decreased with increasing milling time. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed that after 60 min cryomilling there was partial loss of crystallinity (86% for Quest and 91% for Pelde) of both cryomilled starches. The cryomilling process modified the rice starch by causing a loss of crystallinity, that reduced its pasting temperature and increased water absorption, and by fragmentation of starch (probably the amylopectin fraction) that reduced the viscosity and increased solubility.     

Efficacy of dietary supplementation of fatty acid compound on performance and production in finishing pigs

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplementation of 0.5 and 1% of fatty acid (FA) compound containing conjugated linoleic...     

Diversity,population structure and regeneration status of arboreal species in the four sacred groves of Kushalnagar,Karnataka

Assessment of tree species diversity, structure and regeneration status of four sacred groves of Kushalnagar, southern Karnataka was carried out. The random quadrat method was employed in each grove for enumeration of tree diversity and regeneration status. A total of 98 tree species belonging to 38 families were found from the sampled areas. These groves possess higher diversity and basal area. Some 67 % of species have shown regeneration, while 17 % of species had no regeneration. Another 15 % of species were reappearing or immigrating. It is observed that increased disturbance was directly proportional to number of reappearing or immigrating species and inversely proportional to the diversity in all the sacred groves. Significant impact on diversity, species richness and regeneration status of the flora due to manifold anthropogenic activities have been recorded.