Studies on the toxicity of acetone, acrolein and carbon dioxide on stored-product insects and wheat seed

In laboratory experiments toxicity of acetone, acrolein and carbon dioxide were investigated against 4 species of stored-product insects. In all experiments, acrolein was the most toxic compound to the tested insects. In empty-space trials, estimated LD50 values of acrolein for adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae), Rhizopertha dominica (F.) (Bostrychidae), Sitophilus oryzae L. (Curculionidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis L. (Silvanidae) were 7.26, 6.09, 6.37 and 5.65 microl L(-1), respectively. Penetration tests revealed that acetone and acrolein vapors could penetrate into the wheat mass and kill concealed insects in interkernel spaces. Comparison of LD50 values of acrolein between empty-space tests and penetration experiments indicated that the increase in penetration toxicity was 4.96, 4.54, 3.64 and 3.43-fold for T. castaneum, R. dominica, S. oryzae and O. surinamensis, respectively. The effect of carbon dioxide on the toxicity of acrolein and acetone was synergistic. In the hidden infestation trials, the acrolein vapors destroyed the developmental stages of S. oryzae concealed inside the wheat kernels and resulted in a complete control with concentration of 80 microl L(-1) for 24 h and subsequently observed during 8 weeks after the exposure. Wheat germination and plumule length was reduced following exposure to all doses of acrolein. Acetone and carbon dioxide were harmless to wheat seed viability. The mixture of carbon dioxide with acrolein can be considered as a potential fumigant for replacing methyl bromide or phosphine under ambient storage conditions specifically in empty-space fumigations.     

Determination of antibiotic resistance pattern and virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis in southwest of Iran

The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of some virulence genes and also determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of E. coli isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis. The milk of 502 cows was collected from 8 dairy herds in the southwest of Iran. Conventional biochemical tests were used for identification of E. coli at the species level. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of E. coli isolates were determined by disc agar diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of seven virulence genes including f17A, afaE-8, afaD-8, eaeA, cnf1, cnf2, and iucD. Seventy (13.94%) isolates of E. coli were identified in 502 milk samples. The highest rate of resistance was observed against tetracycline (18.6%), while none of the isolates were resistant to streptomycin. Eight (11.5%) out of 70 E. coli isolates carried at least one of the virulence genes. The afaD-8 was the most prevalent gene detected in 5 (7.1%) isolates. The afaE-8, iucD, and eaeA were detected in 3, 3, and 2 isolates respectively. Low prevalence of virulence factors may be indicating that most of the E. coli isolates originated from the commensal flora of cows and enter to the udders via environment contamination with feces.

     

Genetic analysis of post-weaning growth traits of Thalli sheep under tropical conditions

Present investigation was carried out to study the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting post-weaning performance traits in Thalli sheep. Data on post-weaning growth of Thalli sheep maintained at Livestock Experiment Station, Rakh Ghulaman, District Bhakkar-Punjab, Pakistan during 1977–2003 were subjected to genetic analysis. The average values for weight at 180 and 270 days of age, yearling weight and post-weaning average daily gain were 22.37?±?4.21, 25.96?±?4.90 and 28.93?±?5.20 kg and 28?±?0.01 g/day, respectively. Weight at 180, 270 and 365 days of age and post-weaning average daily gain were significantly affected by year of birth, sex, type of birth and weaning weight (covariable) whereas season of birth was a significant source of variation for 180 and 270 days of age. The heritability estimates for 180 and 270 days, yearling weight and post-weaning average daily gain were 0.07?±?0.02, 0.08?±?0.02, 0.07?±?0.02 and 0.07?±?0.02, respectively.     

Identifying invasive fish species threats to RAMSAR wetland sites in the Caspian Sea region—A case study of the Anzali Wetland Complex (Iran)

Risk screening tools play a crucial role in identifying potential high-risk non-native (NN) fish species. In this study, potentially invasive NN fish species in the Anzali Wetland Complex (AWC), which is located on the south coast of the Caspian Sea (Iran), were identified using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK). Twenty-nine freshwater fish species were screened of which 13 exist in the AWC and 16 in close proximity to it (“horizon” species). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that AS-ISK could discriminate reliably between non-invasive and invasive fish species for the AWC. Mean threshold scores were 3.25 for the Basic Risk Assessment (BRA) and 11.75 for the BRA + CCA (BRA + Climate Change Assessment), and these, respectively, classified 89.7% and 86.2% of the species as high risk. The CCA resulted in an increase in the BRA scores for 86.2% of the species, suggesting the need to account in future NN species management for a likely increased invasiveness of those species under future climate conditions. These results suggest that AS-ISK could prove an effective tool for identifying potentially invasive NN freshwater fishes in other wetlands of the Caspian Sea basin.     

Evaluation of the brain,renal, and hepatic effects of flunixin meglumine,ketoprofen, and phenylbutazone administration in Iranian fat-tailed sheep

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the brain, renal, and hepatic effects of three NSAIDs (flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen, and phenylbutazone) when administered IV to clinically normal Iranian fat-tailed sheep.     

Regression-based phosphorus recommendation model for Washington Navel

Abstract

Many methods have been proposed to recommend phosphorus fertilizer, but none of them can quantitatively determine the plant phosphorus required. In this method, which is called “Integrated Plant and Soil System” (IPSS), the required phosphorus of the plant is calculated quantitatively, based off of the correlation between soil phosphorus, soil properties, and plant organs phosphorus. For this purpose, 39 Orange orchards were chosen in Jahrom (Iran). In each orchard during two consecutive years, samples were taken from the plant organs and soil of the root zone and phosphorus was measured. A multivariable regression was established between variables that had a significant correlation with soil phosphorus. The result of IPSS was two regression models between soil and fruit phosphorus. A regression model for high yield orchards (Y2?=?–121.3799?+?0.1256308X2), and the other for orchards that have a phosphorus deficiency (Y1?=?–96.4673?+?0.120549X1). According to these regressions, calculating the amount of phosphorus required for orange trees is possible.     

Effect of nanoclay and magnesium hydroxide on some properties of HDPE/wheat straw composites

Since natural fiber/polymer composites are increasingly used, the development of safe and environmental friendly flame retarding bio-based composites is of great importance. But this issue must maintain the mechanical performance of these composites. To study these objectives, four levels of magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)₂ of (0, 10, 20, 30 phc) and two levels of nanoclay (0, 3 phc) were considered and incorporated into HDPE/wheat straw composites. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) was also used as a compatibilizer at constant content. The samples were prepared by melt compounding and injection molding processes, respectively. The some properties of samples including burning rate and mechanical properties (tensile and impact strengths) were tested based on the ASTM standard. The results showed that the burning rate of samples decreased with increasing the nanoclay and Mg(OH)₂ content. The tensile and impact strengths showed a marginal reduction by adding Mg(OH)₂ from 10 phc to 30 phc and the tensile modulus and impact strength revealed an increase by increasing the amount of nanoclay up to 3 phc. Generally, these results confirmed that the fire retarding and mechanical properties of HDPE/wheat straw composites could be significantly improved with an appropriate combination of the nanoclay and Mg(OH)₂ in the composites.     

Study on antagonistic effects of Talaromyces flavus on Verticillium albo-atrum, the causal agent of potato wilt disease

Talaromyces flavus a fungal antagonist, was isolated from soil samples collected from potato fields in Varamin and Karaj districts, Tehran province, Iran. Antagonistic effects of T. flavus isolates against Verticillium albo-atrum, the causal agent of potato wilt disease were investigated in the laboratory and greenhouse conditions. T. flavus colonies were recovered after three weeks from soil samples cultured on selective medium. Antagonistic effects of volatile and non-volatile extracts of T. flavus isolates on V. albo-atrum growth were investigated in the laboratory and five that caused higher growth inhibition of V. albo-atrum, were selected for greenhouse experiments. Infection index was compared in the greenhouse in a split plot trial with five isolates applied to soil, seed, or both arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The minimum infection index was observed when seed were treated with T. flavus with the most effective isolate being Tf-Po-V-52. On seed, the minimum infection index was observed with Tf-Po-V-50. The most effective T. flavus isolate was also evaluated in a field experiment. Results indicated that infection index in seed treatment contained this isolate was 0.15 whereas that of control was 3.5. The overall results of this study showed that it may be possible to manage potato Verticillium wilt disease effectively by using T. flavus, a biocontrol fungus.