Alleviation of nickel toxicity and an improvement in zinc bioavailability in sunflower seed with chitosan and biochar application in pH adjusted nickel contaminated soil

This study demonstrates the reduction of nickel (Ni) toxicity and enhancing zinc (Zn) bioavailability from sunflower seed with biochar (BC) and chitosan (CH) application to Ni contaminated soil. The pH of experiment soil was adjusted to value 6.5 prior to its use in a greenhouse experiment. Acidified Ni contaminated soil was amended with Zn (4 mg kg^?1 soil), while BC and CH, both as alone [1% each (w/w)] and in combination [0.5% each (w/w)], were used as immobilizing agents for Ni. Significantly higher concentrations of Zn were found in seed receiving ZnSO₄ treatments. However, these results were more pronounced in the treatment (Zn+CH+BC) where Zn, CH, and BC were together applied. The Zn+CH+BC treatment improved seed quality parameters, phytate/minerals molar ratios, increased seed weight (per pot) up to 75%, Fe 41%, Zn 42% in seed, while reduced Ni concentration up to 17% in seed, over control. Similarly, Zn+CH+BC treatment significantly decreased oxidative stress by improving antioxidant defense system in sunflower. The results of this preliminary study suggest that further studies are obligatory to corroborate the extent of Ni immobilization in soil and enhancing Zn bioavailability from sunflower seed under field conditions with realistic and applicable rates of BC and CH.     

Identification and characterization of pathogens associated with root rot of winter peas grown under organic management in Germany

Root rots are limiting factor for pea production worldwide. This disease is caused by a pathogen complex and the role of single pathogens is unclear. This study aimed at identifying pathogens involved in a root rot of organically grown field pea in Germany, and establishing their importance in the disease complex. The potential of yard waste compost to suppress the diseased was also studied. Average disease severity index was similar in 2010 and 2011 (DI of 4.56 to 4.59, respectively) but it increased in 2012 to DI 5.8. Peyronellaea pinodella was most frequently isolated pathogen, with isolation frequency from 86%, 73% and 86% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In addition, Didymella pinodes, Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi, F. oxysporum f. sp. pisi and F. avenaceum were the main fungi recovered from pea roots. In pathogenicity test all of the tested pathogens caused weak symptoms on the pigmented winter variety EFB33 and moderate to severe symptoms on the white flowering summer variety Santana. F. avenaceum was the most aggressive pathogen on Santana with DI of 7.4 followed by P. pinodella with DI of 5.7. The high aggressiveness combined with the wide host range highlights the possibility of F. avenaceum emerging as potential risk for organic crop rotation. High levels of resistance of EFB33 against all pathogens shows the potential of this variety to serve as a resource in further research for identification and development of new sources of resistance against root rot diseases of pea.     

Genetic diversity and recombination analysis based on capsid protein gene of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilli veinal mottle virus</Emphasis> isolates from Pakistan

Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), is a Potyvirus that causes severe yield losses in capsicum worldwide including Pakistan. In the current study, genetic diversity and molecular evolution of ChiVMV were explored based on the CP gene sequences. In multiple sequence alignments of the CP gene of 29 ChiVMV isolates, Pakistani isolates shared 82–92% and 78–96% nucleotide and amino acid identities, respectively with other ChiVMV isolates. In nucleotide and amino acid based phylogenetic analysis of the CP gene, the Pakistani isolates clustered with Indian (JN692501 and JN624776) and Chinese (KC711055, KC711055, JX088636 and HQ218936) isolates in a separate clade. In all Pakistani isolates, conserved motifs (DAG, WCIEN, QMKAAL, and AFDF) were located at 6–8, 141–145, 222–225, and 242-248th amino acid positions, respectively. Eleven recombination events were detected in the isolates investigated. One Pakistani isolate KX236451 was suggested to be a recombinant between the Pakistani isolate (KT876050) and the Indian isolate (JN692501). Most of the codons were found under negative selection except for codons at 28, 34, and 38th positions that were found under positive selection by REL method. An infrequent gene flow was observed between the ChiVMV isolates from Pakistan and other countries of the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic diversity of Pakistani isolates of ChiVMV based on recombination and phylogenetic analysis. Findings of this study may be helpful in developing sustainable management strategies against ChiVMV not only in Pakistan but also in other countries, ultimately resulting in enhanced and good quality production of chilli crop.     

Leeching in the history--a review

Leeching has enjoyed a good reputation in the past where it had been used in various ailments from fevers to flatulence. The present day scientists have limited its role and the leeching nowadays is being used only in microsurgeries to relieve the venous congestion. This study was designed to explore the possibility of revival of the leech therapy (leeching) which is still being used traditionally as therapeutic agent in various ailments. Leeching is not the outcome of the medieval period but has been in use during the times when there was no concept of the disease and medicament. The earliest clearly documented record of leeches being used for remedial purpose appears in a painting in an Egyptian Tomb of around 1500 BC. The journey of the leech therapy reached its zenith in 17th and 18th century AD in Europe while as during the Arab era the leeches were used medicinally but only for the bloodletting. During the 17th and 18th century AD there was shortage of leeches in certain European countries due to its rigorous use. During early 20th century AD when germ theory was put forward and medical fraternity believed that every disease has its origin from germs and the era of antibacterial therapy gained a pace, the leech therapy was considered the myth of the past. It was in 1970's that the leech therapy was revived by only limited to the microsurgeries to relieve venous congestions. During the 21st century there were certain studies when the leeches were tried in certain ailments like arthritis etc. and the Food and Drug Authority of USA (FDA) gave permission for sale and use of leeches in USA but limited its use in microsurgeries and plastic surgeries only. The aim of this study was to explore different diseases where the role of leech therapy can be seen and clinical trials can be started in this direction. Although the researchers in Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Srinagar, Kashmir, India working under the aegis of Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine started the clinical trials for leech therapy in frost bite way back in 1999, but there are certain unexplored areas where leech therapy can prove beneficial and need is to take up the studies on other disease on larger sample size.     

Dietary folic acid requirement of fingerling Catla,Catla catla (Hamilton)

The dietary folic acid requirement of fingerling Catla catla (3.4 ± 0.17 g; 7.6 ± 0.41 cm) was evaluated by feeding casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (350 g/kg crude protein) and isocaloric (16.72 kJ/g GE) diets containing different concentrations of folic acid (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg) to triplicate groups to apparent satiation at 08:00, 12:30 and 17:30 hr for 16 weeks. Absolute weight gain (AWG; 40.07 g/fish), specific growth rate (SGR; 2.25%), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.53), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 31.42%) and protein gain (PG; 6.74) improved significantly (p < .05) with increasing folic acid levels up to 0.4 mg/kg diet and then reached a plateau. However, maximum liver folic acid concentration increased up to 0.6 mg/kg diet. Dietary folic acid levels also significantly affected (p < .05) body composition of fish. No significant change (p > .05) in haematological parameters except in fish fed folic acid‐free diet was noted. Antioxidant and immune parameters increased with increasing concentration of dietary folic acid up to 0.4 mg/kg diet. Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, FCR, PRE, PG, HCT and liver folic acid concentrations of fingerling C. catla against dietary folic acid levels indicated optimum growth, FCR, PRE, PG, HCT and liver folic acid saturation ranging between 0.22 and 0.56 mg/kg diet, respectively.     

Nutritional quality of amino acid in farmed,farm‐aggregated and wild Axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne) with implications to Human Health

This study evaluated the nutritional quality of farmed and wild axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne R., 1827) focusing on amino acid profiles, with regards to possible interactions with wild fish aggregating around the cage facility. Total amino acids (∑AA), essential amino acids (∑EAA), non‐essential amino acids (∑NEAA) and neutral amino acids (∑NAA) in farmed fish were lower than those in the wild individuals (p > .05). Amino acid pattern in cage‐aggregated fish showed a slight decline from the wild populations, but still higher than the farmed fish. Based on the amino acid scores (AAS), lysine and leucine could be underlined as the ‘first limiting amino acids’, but all other AASs were over ‘1’, in accordance with reference amino acid contents of FAO/WHO (>1.00), showing that farmed axillary seabream provides high nutritional quality and can be considered as a favourable protein source. The ratios of ∑EAA/∑AA (44%–46%) and ∑EAA/∑NEAA (79%–86%) exceeded the minimum recommendation of 40% and >60% by FAO/WHO for all three groups. It can be concluded that axillary seabream either farmed, farm‐aggregated or distant wild fish presented high‐quality protein generating a healthy source for human food.     

Determinants of barley grain yield in a wide range of Mediterranean environments

Barley grain yield in rainfed Mediterranean regions can be largely influenced by terminal drought events. In this study the ecophysiological performance of the ‘Nure’ (winter) × ‘Tremois’ (spring) barley mapping population (118 Doubled Haploids, DHs) was evaluated in a multi-environment trial of eighteen site–year combinations across the Mediterranean Basin during two consecutive harvest years (2004 and 2005). Mean grain yield of sites ranged from 0.07 to 5.43 t ha⁻¹, clearly dependent upon both the total water input (rainfall plus irrigation) and the water stress index (WSI) accumulated during the growing season. All DHs were characterized for possessing molecular marker alleles tagging four genes that regulate barley cycle, i.e. Vrn-H1, Vrn-H2, Ppd-H2 and Eam6. Grain yield differences were initially interpreted in terms of mean differences between genotypes (G), environments (E), and for each combination of genotype and environment (GE) through a “full interaction” ANOVA model. Variance components estimates clearly showed the greater importance of GE over G, although both were much lower than E. Alternative linear and bilinear models of increasing complexity were used to describe GE. A linear model fitting allelic variation at the four genes explained genotype main effect and genotype × environment interaction much better than growth habit itself. Adaptation was primarily driven by the allelic constitution at three out of the four segregating major genes, i.e. Vrn-H1, Ppd-H2 and Eam6. In fact, the three genes together explained 47.2% of G and 26.3% of GE sum of squares. Grain yield performance was more determined by the number of grains per unit area than by the grain weight (phenotypic correlation across all genotypic values: r = 0.948 and 0.559, respectively). The inter-relationships among a series of characters defining grain yield and its components were also explored as a function of the length of the different barley developmental phases, i.e. vegetative, reproductive, and grain filling stages. In most environments, the best performing (adapted) genotypes were those with faster development until early occurrence of anthesis. This confirmed the crucial role of the period defining the number of grains per unit area in grain yield determination under Mediterranean environments.     

Physicochemical Properties and Bioactivity of Extracts from the Roe of New Zealand Hoki and Southern Blue Whiting

ABSTRACT

Various physicochemical properties of New Zealand hoki and southern blue whiting (SBW) roes and the biological activities of their extracts were investigated. Protein, moisture, and ash contents in both roes were similar; however, the lipid content of hoki roe was higher (p < 0.05) than SBW roe (11.0 ± 0.9 and 2.5 ± 0.1, respectively). Both fish roe extracts contained active protease inhibitors toward trypsin and papain. Neither of the roe extracts agglutinated erythrocytes, indicating the absence of lectins. Both fish roe extracts at 5 mg/mL concentration exhibited slight inhibitory effects on the proliferation of breast cancer cells, but neither of the roe extracts exhibited RNase or antifungal activity.     

Enhancing phosphorus availability,soil organic carbon,maize productivity and farm profitability through biochar and organic–inorganic fertilizers in an irrigated maize agroecosystem under semi‐arid climate

Biochar amendments offer promising potential to improve soil fertility, soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yields; however, a limited research has explored these benefits of biochar in the arid and semi‐arid regions. This two‐year field study investigated the effects of Acacia tree biomass‐derived biochar, applied at 0 and 10 t ha^?1 rates with farmyard manure (FYM) or poultry manure (PM) and mineral phosphorus (P) fertilizer combinations (100 kg P ha^‐1), on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity, P use efficiency (PUE) and farm profitability. The application of biochar with organic–inorganic P fertilizers significantly increased soil P and SOC contents than the sole organic or inorganic P fertilizers. Addition of biochar and PM as 100% P source resulted in the highest soil P (104% increase over control) and SOC contents (203% higher than control). However, maize productivity and PUE were significantly higher under balanced P fertilizer (50% organic + 50% mineral fertilizer) with biochar and the increase was 110%, 94% and 170% than 100%‐FYM, 100%‐PM and 100% mineral fertilizer, respectively. Maize productivity and yield correlated significantly positively with soil P and SOC contents These positive effects were possibly due to the ability of biochar to improve soil properties, P availability from organic–inorganic fertilizers and SOC which resulted in higher PUE and maize productivity. Despite the significant positive relationship of PUE with net economic returns, biochar incorporation with PM and mineral fertilizer combination was economically profitable, whereas FYM along biochar was not profitable due to short duration of the field experiments.     

Silicon: a beneficial nutrient for maize crop to enhance photochemical efficiency of photosystem II under salt stress

Soil salinity imposes an unprecedented risk to the soil fertility and availability of plant nutrients. The present proposal is designed to address the effect of salt stress on photosynthetic apparatus of maize including chlorophyll a fluorescence and how silicon nutrition helps to overcome this issue. In a sand culture experiment, two maize cultivars were sown in small pots with two levels of silicon (0 and 2 mM H₂SiO₃) and two levels of salinity stress (0 and 60 mM NaCl). Salinity stress reduced dry matter yield and potassium (K) concentration in both maize cultivars and also induced inefficient working of photosynthetic apparatus including photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Silicon addition alleviated NaCl stress on maize crop by improving the dry matter yield and water use efficiency (WUE). It decreased shoot Na concentration by increasing root and shoot K concentration of maize plants. It enhanced maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry which leads to smooth electron transport chain. It also significantly enhanced shoot silicon concentration and has a significant positive correlation with WUE. Therefore, silicon-treated maize plants have better chance to survive under salt stress conditions as their photosynthetic apparatus is working far better than non-silicon-treated plants.