Species identification,distribution and abundance of Gerreidae (Teleostei) Bleeker,1859 in the estuaries of Natal

Comparison of published meristic and taxonomic data with measurements taken from specimens collected from Natal estuaries have provided information for an identification key to the Gerres of southern Africa. Body markings were different on each species of fry (< 40 mm S.L.) as well as immatures and adults (> 40 mm S.L.). A comparison of otoliths from the different species showed that they can be used to Identify specimens from a standard length of 20 mm. Turbidity may be a factor limiting the distribution of the genus in estuaries. The known distribution of Gerres species in the estuaries of southern Africa is given. The species of Gerres which is dominant in a particular locality depends on the salinity.     

Morphological, physiological and antioxidant responses of some Iranian grapevine cultivars to methyl jasmonate application

The role of exogenously applied Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in morphological responses, photochemical efficiency, changes of malondialdehyde content, and the activities of some antioxidant enzymes were investigated in four Iranian grapevine cultivars. MeJA improved morphological traits containing dry and fresh weight, node number, and shoot length. MeJA induced an oxidative stress, as shown by an increase in lipid peroxidation. Activities of catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase were higher in MeJA-treated grapevines than in controls while the relative water content and leaf water loss of grapevine cultivars demonstrated a non-significant difference between the control and varying levels of MeJA. MeJA was positively affected in recovery of the leaf chlorophyll fluorescence (photochemical efficiency) of grapevine cultivars, although the mean proline content of MeJA-treated grapevines indicated a significant decrease when compared with those of the controls. These results suggest that MeJA could act as an intervener in grapevine responses by the enhancing the activity of antioxidants and recovery of photochemical efficiency, leading to enhanced grapevine performance.     

Copper oxide-carbon nanotube (CuO/CNT) nanocomposite: Synthesis and photocatalytic dye degradation from colored textile wastewater

In this paper, CuO/CNT nanocomposite was synthesized and its photocatalytic dye degradation ability for colored textile wastewater was studied. The characteristics of the nanocomposite were investigated by XRD, SEM and FTIR. The photodegradation of Direct Red 31 (DR31) and Reactive Red 120 (RR120) by CuO/CNT in presence of H₂O₂ was investigated. Photocatalytic dye degradation was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometer. Effects of catalyst dosage, initial dye concentration and salt on photodegradation performance were studied. The photocatalytic dye degradation ability of pure CuO and CuO/CNT nanocomposite is 78 % and 89 % for DR31 and 70 % and 87 % for RR120, respectively. The results showed that CNT increased the photocatalytic activity of CuO. The presence of salt decreases dye degradation efficiency. The dye degradation kinetics by nanocomposite followed first-order kinetic model. The reaction rate at 0.005 g catalyst was 0.0137 and 0.0105 min^-1 for DR31 and RR120, respectively. It was found that the CuO/CNT nanocomposite as a photocatalyst could be used to degrade dyes from colored wastewater.     

The advantages of Ulva (Chlorophyta) as an additive in sea urchin formulated feeds: effects on palatability,consumption and digestibility

The present study was performed to determine whether the palatability, consumption and digestibility of an artificial sea urchin diet could be improved by the addition of a highly preferred seaweed. Four species of macroalgae (Ulva rigida, Ecklonia maxima, Porphyra capensis and Gigartina polycarpa) were assessed by pairwise preference tests. Each macroalgal species was consumed at least once by Tripneustes gratilla and significant preferences always involved Ulva as the most preferred species. Four protein‐rich artificial diets supplemented with varying amounts of Ulva [0, 50, 150 and 200 g kg^?1 designated 0, 5, 15 and 20U, respectively] were then developed and fed to urchins over a 20‐day period. Inclusion of 200 g kg^?1 dried Ulva significantly improved the palatability of the artificial diet and mean dry feed consumption rates were higher in urchins fed the 20U and 15U diets compared with urchins fed diets with a lower Ulva content. Daily digestible protein (DP) intake also differed significantly, with urchins fed the 20U diet having a significantly higher DP intake compared with the 15U, 5U and 0U treatments. These results indicate that inclusion of the palatable seaweed Ulva acted as a feeding stimulant, increasing the acceptability of the diets and boosting protein intake.     

Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on growth performance, survival, body composition, and some hematological parameters in giant sturgeon juvenile (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1754)

The effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS; activeMOS^®) on growth, survival, and body composition in giant sturgeon juvenile (Huso huso) with initially average weight 46.89 ± 2.57 was investigated for a period of 46 days. Basal diet were supplemented with 0 (control), 2, and 4 g kg^?1 MOS in a totally randomized design trial in triplicate groups. The results showed no significant differences in growth and feeding parameters between control and treatment groups (MOS supplementation diets) (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.05) in feed per fish level in only group treated with 4 g kg^?1 MOS. The highest and the lowest growth performances were observed in 2 and 4 g kg^?1 MOS, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival rate among all treatment groups (P > 0.05). In group treated with 2 g kg^?1 MOS was a significant difference in lipid carcass (P < 0.05), whereas protein, ash, and moisture remained unaffected (P > 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in intestinal lactic acid bacteria between all treatment groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between control and MOS treatment groups (P > 0.05). These results suggested that the prebiotic mannan oligosaccharide did not influence the growth performance in giant sturgeon juvenile, and it is not appropriate for supplementation in the diet of cultured juvenile giant sturgeon.     

Potential risk of calcium carbonate precipitation in agricultural drain envelopes in arid and semi-arid areas

Soil particle deposition and/or chemical precipitation can reduce the permeability of drain envelopes and filters. The first step in recognizing clogging phenomena is the identification of the nature of the precipitating materials. Calcium carbonate is a substance of low solubility that precipitates rapidly, forming a hard pan layer in the soil and/or clogging drain envelopes. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the precipitation risk of calcium carbonate in agricultural drain envelopes in the Khuzestan province of Iran. In this study, three indicators namely Ryznar, Langelier and Stiff-Davis indices were employed to assess the precipitation risk of calcium carbonate in agricultural drainage water. Results showed that all agricultural drainage systems in the study area give evidence of a potential risk of calcium carbonate precipitation, but the severity of the problem is different. The results also showed that the Ryznar and Stiff-Davis indices provide a better estimation of the potential precipitation risk of calcium carbonate than the Langelier index. Analyses of soil samples and drain envelopes from a drainage system, installed in the Abadan palm grove, showed that the main chemical component was calcium carbonate.     

The ecology of two degraded estuaries on the north coast of Natal,South Africa

The biota of the Tongati and Mdloti estuaries were studied in relation to the environment and human interference. Results are compared with those obtained from a relatively undamaged estuary. The Tongati receives treated sewage effluent, is rarely closed from the sea, has low salinities and low oxygen tensions, but is rich in phosphorus and nitrogen. Energy values of benthic floe from Tongati were high and large quantities of water hyacinth (Eichomia crassipes) occurred. The zooplankton and zoobenthos were impoverished and dominated by freshwater species. The roots of Eichomia provided a habitat for many invertebrates, chiefly insect larvae and the crab Varuna iitterata. The fish fauna was poor and most species were confined to the lagoon near the mouth. Iliophagous species, mainly Mugilidae, were dominant. The Mdloti, frequently closed from the sea but often artificially opened, exhibited typical estuarine salinity patterns, was well oxygenated but relatively poor in phosphorus and nitrogen. Primary production and energy values of benthic floe were low. Zooplankton and zoobenthos were impoverished. The fish fauna, similar to that of Tongati, was dominated by Mugilidae.

The food chain from benthic floe to iliophagous fish remains viable in these degraded estuaries.     

Paclobutrazol application enhances antioxidant enzyme activities in pomegranate plants affected by cold stress

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a member of the triazole plant growth inhibitor group that is responsible for inducing tolerance to a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. An experiment was, therefore, conducted to test whether PBZ application at various concentrations (0, 25, 50, or 75 mg L^?1) through foliar spray or soil drench would protect pomegranate (Punica granatum) seedlings cv. Robab, subjected to freezing at ?3°C for 7 hours. PBZ improved the growth rate of pomegranate seedlings subjected to freezing stress and increased relative leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence ratio, relative water content, soluble carbohydrate content, and enzyme activity of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase compared with the control at the end of experiment. PBZ ameliorated the injury caused by freezing stress by inhibiting increases in proline content and leaf electrolyte leakage, which suggested that PBZ ameliorated the negative effect of freezing stress. The best protection was obtained from plants treated with PBZ at 50 or 75 mg L^?1. The most evaluated parameters were not affected by PBZ application method.     

The effect of fresh seaweed and a formulated diet supplemented with seaweed on the growth and gonad quality of the collector sea urchin,Tripneustes gratilla,under farm conditions

This gonad enhancement study investigates the effect of different fresh and formulated feeds and feeding regimes on the growth and gonad quality of wild‐collected adult sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla, under farm conditions for over 18 weeks. In the first 12 weeks (phase 1), urchins were fed fresh Ulva rigida (U); a 50:50 mixture of fresh U. rigida and Gracilaria gracilis (UG); fresh G. gracilis (G) and a formulated diet 20U (containing 20% U. rigida), and in the final 6 weeks (phase 2) of the study, diet was changed to a formulated feed (20U diet). By the end of phase 1, urchins fed the 20U diet produced gonads (50.72 ± 5.4 g) that were significantly heavier (p < .001) than the gonads of urchins fed the fresh seaweed diets (U, UG & G). By the end of phase 2, gonad weight of urchins in treatment groups UG‐20U and G‐20U were similar to those fed the 20U‐20U diet. Gonad colour of urchins in the G‐20U treatment became significantly lighter (ANOVA, p = .029) and poorer quality, compared with urchins in the U‐20U group. This gonad enhancement study, conducted on wild‐collected adult T. gratilla, has shown that a formulated feed (20U diet) can enhance gonad growth and produce commercially acceptable gonads. This farm‐based study supports previous findings from aquarium‐based studies by our group and indicates that short‐term sea urchin gonad enhancement can be carried out under farm conditions in South Africa.