Physiological and biochemical effects of glyceryl guaiacolate-thiopentone sodium anaesthesia in buffalo calves

Glyceryl guaiacolate was used with thiopentone sodium for general anaesthesia in 10 clinically healthy male buffalo calves. When the animals were in the stage of surgical anaesthesia, there was marked hypotension and tachycardia along with a decrease in central venous pressure, tidal volume, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood and venous plasma potassium. Hyperglycaemia was another consistent feature. The changes in the acid base status were mild and inconsistent.     

Stephanofilarial dermatitis in India

Four species ofStephanofilaria have been reported from India causing various forms of dermatitis in cattle, buffalo, goat and elephant. However, additional work is needed to establish their identity as separate species. The lesions appear to flare up following reinfection, while the application of a petroleum jelly alone reduces them. In vitro tests have shown organophosphorous compounds to possess stephanofilaricidal action in addition to their insecticidal activity. Aspects where further work is needed are indicated.     

Seedbed tilth and nitrogen response of wheat

The effects of seedbed tilth (coarse and fine) and different levels of nitrogen application (0–150 kg/ha N) on wheat response were studied in loam and sandy loam alluvial soils (Typic Camborthids) at three sites under irrigated conditions. The percentage of dry aggregates > 4 mm was 36.7 and 50.8 at site 2 and > 10 mm was 44.3 and 70.2 at site 3 under fine- and coarse-tilth treatments, respectively. The variations in soil tilth were obtained either by use of different types of tillage implements, their combinations and sequence, or by variation in soil moisture content at the time of cultivation. Crop growth was better and grain yields under coarse-tilth were from 0.3 (0 N) to 1.2 t/ha (150 N) higher than under fine-tilth. Total mineral nitrogen (NO₃-N and NH₄-N) content was larger in coarse-tilth treatments than in fine-tilth treatments.     

The role of vitamin C in calcium uptake by fish

Calcium uptake in experimentally induced scorbutic snake heads, Channa (= Ophicephalus) punctatus, fed vitamin C-deficient diet for 210 days is reported, using ⁴⁵Ca as tracer. When compared with a parallel control on completely synthetic diet, the results show decreased absorption and utilization of calcium by gill, skin, muscle and bone of scorbutic fish from surrounding water. The physiological significance of these results is discussed, and its practical utility in aquaculture is indicated.     

QTL Analysis for Grain Iron and Zinc Concentrations in Two O. nivara Derived Backcross Populations

Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain mineral elements can assist in faster and more precise development of micronutrient dense rice varieties through marker-assisted breeding. In the present study, QTLs were mapped for Fe and Zn concentrations in two BC₂F₃ mapping populations derived from the crosses of O. sativa cv Swarna with two different accessions of O. nivara. In all, 10 and 8 QTLs were identified for grain Fe and Zn concentrations in population 1, and 7 and 5 QTLs were identified in population 2, respectively. Eighty percent of the QTLs detected in both populations were derived from O. nivara. Five QTLs for Fe and three QTLs for Zn explained more than 15% phenotypic variance either in interval or composite interval mapping. The locations of O. nivara derived QTLs such as qFe2.1, qFe3.1, qFe8.2 and qZn12.1 were consistently identified in both the populations. Epistatic interaction was observed only between RM106 and RM6 on chromosome 2 and between RM22 and RM7 on chromosome 3 for Fe concentration in population 1. Sixteen candidate genes for metal homeostasis were found to co-locate with 10 QTLs for Fe and Zn concentrations in both the populations. Most of the Fe and Zn QTLs were found to co-locate with QTLs for grain yield and grain quality traits. Some of the major effect QTLs identified can be used to improve rice grain Fe and Zn concentrations.     

The effect of plant growth regulators and natural supplements on in vitro propagation of Pogostemon cablin Benth.

The effect of plant growth regulators and natural supplements on the morphogenetic response of Pogostemon cablin Benth. was investigated. Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.5 mg L^?1 benzyl-6-adenine and 0.5 mg L^?1 kinetin was effective in inducing multiple shoots (63.20 ± 0.15) with an average shoot length of 5.27 ± 0.15 cm and biomass of 5.20 ± 0.10 g shoot^?1. Among the natural supplements, 10% coconut water supplemented to MS media showed a better response in all the morphological parameters studied. The use of 10% tomato extract, 20% banana extract, 10% carrot extract, and 10% papaya extract in MS medium have efficiently increased multiple shoots, shoot length, and fresh weight of the shoots. The natural supplements also effectively increased the chlorophyll content, total protein, and total carbohydrate content in the plant. The frequency of rooting (93%) was highest when shoots were implanted on 1/2 strength MS media with 100 mg L^?1 activated charcoal. The in vitro rooted plants were successfully acclimatized and established in soil. Also, RAPD analysis showed no variation suggesting true-to-type nature of the micropropagated plants. Hence, this protocol can effectively reduce the cost of in vitro multiplication of plants.     

Characterization of phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads from the rhizosphere of Aloe vera (L.)

Soil phosphorous (P) deficiency is a major constraint to plant production which is overcome by adding inorganic-phosphate as chemical fertilizers. Fluorescent pseudomonads are the diverse group of bacteria able to mobilize sparingly soluble phosphate form. Total three hundred seven fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from the Aloe barbadensis (Miller) rhizosphere. These Pseudomonas strains were further evaluated in vitro for their ability to solubilize phosphate and to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore and 1-aminocyclopropane 1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. Fifty three (36.8%) isolates produced IAA and 52 (36.1%) isolates produced siderophores whereas 36 (25.0%) and 31 (21.5%) isolates produced HCN and ACC deaminase, respectively. A positive correlation existed between siderophore and ACC deaminase producers. Cluster analysis showed rhizosphere as the major factor influencing the ecological distribution and physiological characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing PSB were identified as Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas sp. and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida with highest phosphate solubilization ability. In conclusion, these phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads would help in understanding their role in phosphorus solubilization and identification of potent phosphorus solubilizers from the rhizosphere of commercially grown A. barbadensis.     

用亚铁水泥板制作竹混凝土复合柱的试验论证

本文介绍了用4根牡竹制作的并用亚铁水泥板做连接轴向载荷的一种结构形式-柱子——的初试论证。在结构试验中,柱高1.4 m,上部、中部和底部用亚铁水泥板连接起来。用万能试验机进行了非轴压力试验,以研究其性能。本文还报道了最大承载和失败模式。这是一种成本效益较高的竹柱设计方法,可以以最少的资源和半熟练工进行大量生产。笔者建议,用"BSMCRETE"来命名这种竹混凝土复合材料。