Efficacy of N2O2 donor schiff bases and their Zn2+ complexes on various morphological and biochemical parameters of Cicer arietinum L.

Schiff-base polydentate ligands types of salen and salophen can form stable complexes with Zn²⁺ and these metal complexes can act as a source of zinc (Zn) to plant's body if they are used as micronutrient supplements. Inspired by these facts, four different Schiff-base ligands and their Zn²⁺ complexes were first synthesized and then characterized by different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. To investigate their effects local chickpea seeds were treated with each ligands and complexes and different morphological and biochemical parameters were monitored. Among all the complexes and ligands it was found that the C4 complex, that is, [N,N'-(o-phenylene)bis-(3-methoxysalicylidenediamine)] monohydrate showed the maximum efficacy when treated as a micronutrient supplement for Cicer arietinum L. So that these complexes especially the C4 can act as an potential source of Zn.     

Insecticidal activity of (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octyl<Emphasis Type="Italic">cyclo</Emphasis>prop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) against three Coleopteran stored product insects from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sterculia foetida</Emphasis> (L.)

The insecticidal activities of the extracts, fractions, and pure compound of Sterculia foetida (L.) seeds were investigated against three major stored product pests, namely, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), and Tribolium castaneum (H.), through contact and fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with test chemicals, insect species, exposure times, and doses individually. The biologically active constituent of the S. foetida seeds was characterized as a cyclopropene fatty acid structurally elucidated as (2n-octylcycloprop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) by spectroscopic analysis. The filter paper application of, (2n-octylcycloprop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) at 0.2 mg/cm² caused 100% mortality to all test insects 2 days after treatment (2 DAT). Among the chromatographic fractions, only the pure hexane-eluted fraction caused 100% mortality at 0.3 mg/cm² to S. oryzae and C. chinensis 2 DAT, while the dose required to obtain the same percentage of mortality with the crude seed extract was 0.6 mg/cm². Under all treatment conditions, T. castaneum exhibited less susceptibility, taking longer than the other insects to show symptoms of toxicity. In terms of fumigant activity, the compounds appeared to be more effective in a vapor form against all the three insects in closed containers compared with open containers. These results suggest that the insecticidal activities of the test compounds were attributable to contact mode of action, although there was also significant fumigant toxicity. The results indicate that the bioactive compound isolated from S. foetida could act as a potent insecticide against S. oryzae, C. chinensis, and T. castaneum populations.     

直接利用PCR产物构建RNA干扰表达载体

利用RNA干扰原理可以对作物进行遗传改良.构建RNA 干扰的发夹结构一般采用在引物两端加酶切位点方法,该方法涉及酶切位点多,步骤繁琐.本试验介绍一种直接利用PCR产物进行RNAi组成型表达载体构建的方法,该载体以潮霉素为筛选标记基因,适合水稻的遗传转化.     

Recommendations for the Use of Herbicides

Management of Pests and pesticides: Farmers’ Perceptions and Practices. Editors Joyce Tait and Banpot Napompeth, Boulder, Col.: Westview Press 1987. ISBN 0–8133–7174–0, £33 paperback.

Termites in Buildings. Their Biology and Control. R. Edwards and A. Mill. Rentokil Library, 1987, ISBN 0906 5640 69 £24–50.

Pesticide Science and Biotechnology. Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry. Ottawa, Canada, 10–15 August 1986. Edited by R. Greenhalgh and T. R. Roberts. IUPAC/Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1987 (602 pp + xiii).

Breeding for Resistance to Diseases and Insect Pests. By D. P. Singh. 222 pp + xi. ISBN 0 387 16970 9. Springer Verlag. 1986. Price $7900.

Pest Control Safe for Bees: A Manual and Directory for the Tropics and Subtropics. By M. Adey, P. Walker and P. T. Walker, 1986. International Bee Research Association, London. Price £12–20.

The Cocoa Pod Borer: An Introduction and Abstracts. Compiled by Lim Guan Soon et al. Malaysian Plant Protection Society, Box 12351 Kuala Lumpur. 1987. 103 pp. ISBN 967–9942–07–4.

Pentachlorophenol. Environmental Health Criteria, No. 71, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1987. 236 pages, ISBN 92 4 154271 3. Price: Sw.fr. 18—/US$1080.

Ecology and Control of Perennial Weeds in Latin America. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper No. 4. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. 1986, 339 pp. ISBN 92–5–102446–4.

Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Leaf hoppers and Planthoppers of Economic Importance. Edited by M. R. Wilson and L. R. Nault. CAB International Institute of Entomology. 1987. 368 pp. ISBN 0–900301–03–1.

Breeding for Durable Resistance in Perennial Crops. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper No. 70 (1986). 130 pp.

Ascochyta Blight Resistance in Chickpea. Proceedings of a training course, PARC/ICARDA, 3–10 March, 1984, Islamabad, Pakistan. ICARDA, 1986, 123 pp.     

Location choices of undocumented migrants: Does access to higher public education matter?

We examine the impact of differences in state‐level higher education policies on location choices of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. using six years of available data over the period 2000 to 2012. The effect of greater access to higher education on the percentage of undocumented migrants residing in a state is positive, suggesting the existence of a “higher public education magnet” effect. Among states with favorable higher education policies, undocumented migrants prefer those states with larger networks, despite the likelihood of greater competition for admission to public institutions of higher education. However, undocumented migrants are reluctant to locate in states that have both large networks and unfavorable educational policies. This is possibly because the fear of attracting additional restrictive regulations dominates the positive cost‐saving effect of large networks.     

Molecular characterization and variability analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apple scar skin viroid</Emphasis> in India

Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) infection is a major limitation to apple fruit quality and causes huge economic losses. In surveys of apple orchards in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, fruits with dappling symptoms were noticed. ASSVd was detected from these fruits and molecularly characterized. Ten clones from three isolates were sequenced, of which seven were new sequence variants of ASSVd. The clones had significant sequence variability (94–100%) with each other. Variability was more common in the pathogenic domain of the viroid genome. Four of the clones were 330 nucleotides (nt) long, and the other six had an additional nucleotide. Phylogenetic analysis showed close affinity of the present isolates with some Chinese and Korean isolates. The study reports seven new variants of ASSVd and also provides the first molecular evidence of viroid infection (ASSVd) in apple in India.     

Development of biofilm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio alginolyticus</Emphasis> for oral immunostimulation of shrimp

Biofilm (BF) of Vibrio alginolyticus was developed on chitin flakes. BF formation was studied at various nutrient concentrations and incubation time. Highest colony-forming units of BF cells were obtained with 0.15% trypticase soya broth and at 3 days of incubation. The BF cells could be completely inactivated at 80°C in 10 min and with 10% formalin in 24 h. SDS–PAGE profile of BF cells revealed repression of four proteins and expression of three new proteins compared to free cells (FC). The preliminary immune response studies showed that BF cells were superior to FC in stimulating the non-specific immune response of Penaeus monodon.     

An efficient method for extraction of astaxanthin from green alga Haematococcus pluvialis

Haematococcus pluvialis is one of the potent organisms for production of astaxanthin, a high value ketocarotenoid. Astaxanthin is accumulated in thick-walled cyst cells of Haematococcus. The thick cell wall is made up of sporopollenin-like material, algaenan, which hinders solvent extraction of astaxanthin. In the present study, an improved method for extraction of astaxanthin without homogenization of cells is reported. Extractability of astaxanthin from cyst cells was evaluated by treating cells with various solvents and pretreating the cells with organic and mineral acids at 70 degrees C followed by acetone extraction. Hydrochloric acid treatment facilitated 86-94% extractability of astaxanthin. Treatment time, temperature, and concentration of the acid were found to be critical factors for maximum extractability. The treatment did not affect the astaxanthin ester profile and the treated cells can be preserved until further use.     

Modification of Leaf Photosynthesis by Foliar Application of Aliphatic Alcohols

A decrease in net photosynthesis (P_n) in leaves of main shoot with age ( 7 -28 days after opening) at two stages of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L. var. M-13 ) reproductive growth (70 and 90 DAS) is reported. P_n rate decreased with advance in age of leaves, the decline was rapid during peak period of pod filling (90 DAS). Foliar application with aliphatic alcohols, maintained the chlorophyll content and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity. The present studies suggest that aliphatic alcohols enhance functional capabilities of leaf for a larger duration and hence maintain the supply of photoassimilates to the developing kernels of peanut leading to increased yield.