Development and characterization of microsatellite markers,genetic diversity and population structure analysis in Sapota (Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, a widely adapted and popular tree meant for its appetizing fruits in tropics with no genomic resources like microsatellite...     

Nutrient intake, digestibility, and blood metabolites of goats fed diets containing processed jatropha meal

This study was conducted to record the ideal source and level of alkali treatment to treat jatropha meal (JM) and to determine the effect of inclusion of variously processed JM (pJM) on nutrient intake, digestibility, blood metabolites and hormonal status in goats. The JM was treated with 10 g/kg sodium chloride and 5 g/kg calcium hydroxide. The content of phorbol ester and hemagglutination (HA) activity of JM and pJM were assessed. A feeding trial for 90 days was conducted in short-haired multipurpose goats (n?=?15; five per group). The experimental animals were offered oat (Avena sativa) straw ad libitum throughout the experimental period of 90 days. Each group was assigned to one of the three diets, viz. R₁—soybean meal, R₂—sodium chloride (10 g/kg dry matter, DM), and R₃—calcium hydroxide (5 g/kg DM), with pJM substituting 250 g/kg DM of crude protein (CP) of control (R₁). At the end of the feeding period, digestion trial of 7 days was conducted. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experimental period to assess the blood metabolites and hormonal status. The phorbol ester and HA activity were reduced considerably in pJM. The intake of DM, organic matter, CP, and nitrogen-free extract were comparable among all the groups. However, the intake of ether extract was significantly higher in pJM-fed groups. The hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum urea, triiodothyronine and testosterone contents decreased in R₂ and R₃ as compared to R₁. Concentration of glucose and activity of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase increased (P?<?0.01) in goats fed pJM. It was concluded that phorbol ester content and HA activity markedly decreased by processing JM with sodium chloride and calcium hydroxide. However, they were not reduced to the levels of safe feeding, as reflected in unusual values of blood metabolites among the experimental animals.     

Management of Tibial Fractures Using a Circular External Fixator in Two Calves

Objectives: To report the repair of tibial diaphyseal fractures in 2 calves using a circular external skeletal fixator (CEF). Study Design: Clinical report. Animals: Crossbred calves (n=2; age: 6 months; weight: 55 and 60 kg). Methods: Mid‐diaphyseal tibial fractures were repaired by the use of a 4‐ring CEF (made of aluminum rings with 2 mm K‐wires) alone in 1 calf and in combination with hemicerclage wiring in 1 calf. Results: Both calves had good weight bearing with moderate lameness postoperatively. Fracture healing occurred by day 60 in 1 calf and by day 30 in calf 2. The CEF was well maintained and tolerated by both calves through fracture healing. Joint mobility and limb usage improved gradually after CEF removal. Conclusions: CEF provided a stable fixation of tibial fractures and healing within 60 days and functional recovery within 90 days. Clinical Relevance: CEF can be safely and successfully used for the management of selected tibial fractures in calves.     

QTLs associated with resistance in soybean PI567516C to synthetic nematode population infecting cv. Hartwig

Worldwide, soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is the most destructive pathogen of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Crop losses are primarily mitigated by the use of resistant cultivars. Nematode populations are variable and have adapted to reproduce on resistant cultivars over time because resistance primarily traces to two soybean accessions, Plant Introduction (PI) 88788 and Peking. Soybean cultivar Hartwig, derived primarily from PI437654, was released for its comprehensive resistance to most SCN populations. A synthetic nematode population (LY1) was recently selected for its reproduction on Hartwig. The LY1 nematode population currently infects known sources of resistance except soybean PI567516C; however, the resistance to LY1 has not been characterized. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying resistance to the LY1 SCN population in PI567516C, identify diagnostic DNA markers for the LY1 resistance, and confirm their utility for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Resistant soybean line PI567516C was crossed to susceptible cultivar Hartwig to generate 105 recombinant inbred lines (F₂-derived F₅ families). QTLs were mapped using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) covering 20 Linkage Groups (LGs) and three diagnostic markers, Satt592, Satt331, and Sat_274, were identified on LG O. These markers have a combined efficacy of 90% in identifying resistant lines in a second cross that has been generated by crossing a susceptible cultivar 5601T with resistant PI567516C. F₂-derived F₄ segregating population was used in MAS to identify resistant lines.     

Effect of inorganic nitrogen nutrition on cytokinin-induced potato microtuber production in vitro

Summary The effect of inorganic nitrogen nutrition on the induction and development of microtubers by cytokinin-induced tuberization was studied in four potato genotypes belonging to different maturity groups. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a reduction in total nitrogen level in the Murashige & Skoog medium would improve cytokinin-induced tuberization rate. The effect of three levels of total nitrogen (15, 30 and 45 meq) on tuberization was studied at constant (20 meq K) and varying potassium levels approximating to 5, 10 and 15 meq. Reducing the total nitrogen supply increased the number but decreased the size of nitrogen level on the rate of assimilate partitioning (harvest index) during cytokinin-induced microtuberization.     

Influence of management protocols on carp growth under nursery conditions: relative importance of food and water quality

Twenty outdoor holding tanks (10 m–3 each), were filled with ground water and grouped into five feeding schemes: live zooplankton cultured outside the fish growing tank (LFS); direct nursery pond fertilization schedule in static (MS) as well as in exchanged water (EMS); intermediate conditions between the LFS and MS (IS); and supplementary food system using mixture (1:1) of finely ground mustard oilcake and boiled rice (SFS). Two hundred common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fry were introduced into each of the twenty outdoor tanks maintained at ambient temperature outside the laboratory. After 90 days of rearing, the fish were harvested and analysed for various growth parameters and food conversion efficiency. The average weight of carp attained in the LFS was significantly higher than that in the other four feeding schemes. The frequency distribution of final body weight of common carp showed the preponderance of large and small fish in the LFS and MS, respectively. Likewise, plankton intake by the carp fry was highest in the LFS. The rate of survival was much higher in the LFS as compared with the rest of the treatments. The water quality remained far better in the former than the latter. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Polyclonal antibody‐based farmer‐friendly flow‐through test for the detection of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease in shrimp

Early mortality syndrome (EMS) or acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is currently the most significant disease of shrimp in farms of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Mexico, and there is a great risk that it may spread to other shrimp farming countries. Although, an array of sophisticated detection tools for AHPND available, there is a need for a sensitive, simple and rapid detection method. In this study, a simple, sensitive, rapid and polyclonal antibody‐based farmer‐friendly flow‐through assay (FTA) test has been developed for the detection of AHPND pathogen. The recombinant Photorhabdus insect‐related (Pir) A toxin‐like protein of AHPND pathogen was used to immunize rabbits at 21‐day interval observed for highest antibody titre after third booster by ELISA. The raised rabbit antiserum was purified by affinity chromatography and characterized by Western blot. The antiserum showed no cross‐reactivity with AHPND‐free Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. anguillarum, White Spot Virus (WSV), Aeromonashydrophila and Aphanomycesinvadans. This polyclonal rabbit antiserum was used to develop a farmer‐friendly FTA test for the detection of AHPND pathogen. This simple FTA testis is more sensitive and could detect PirA^VP toxin up to 0.121 µg/ml, compared with 0.242 µg/ml by immunodot assay. Furthermore, FTA test requires only 8–10 min for completion, compared with 3 hr by immunodot thus found to be more sensitive, specific and cost‐effective. Collectively, sensitive FTA test would help shrimp farmers to take real‐time management decisions, especially emergency harvest and finally be a better hope for the prevention of AHPND.     

Performance of Slag-Based Gypsum on Maize Yield and Available Soil Nutrients over Commercial Gypsum under Acidic and Neutral Soil

ABSTRACT

Effect of slag-based gypsum (SBG) and commercial gypsum (CG) on maize was investigated in acidic and neutral soils. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments consisting of three levels (150, 450, and 750 kg ha^?1) of SBG and CG with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and one control was maintained. Application of SBG @750 kg ha^?1 recorded significantly higher (8.61 and 8.69 t ha^?1, respectively) cob yield of maize compared to CG and control treatments in both soil condition. Increased levels of SBG application increased soil pH and EC in both the soils, but decreased with the application of CG. Application of 750 kg SBG ha^?1 recorded significantly higher soil available nutrients like phosphorus in acidic soil and potassium in neutral soil. Higher exchangeable calcium and magnesium in acidic soil and exchangeable calcium in neutral soil were recorded with the application of CG @750 kg ha^?1. Available sulfur was significantly higher with CG @750 kg ha^?1 applied treatment in both soils. CaCl₂Si content in acidic soil varied significantly and recorded higher with application of SBG, while CaCl₂Si content in neutral soil and AASi in both soils had no significant effect by application of SBG. Significantly higher DTPA extractable micronutrients in acidic and neutral soil were noticed in SBG @750 kg ha^?1 applied treatment. However, application of SBG had no significant effect on iron and copper content in neutral soil. Higher uptake of nutrients was recorded with 750 kg SBG ha^?1 compared CG applied and other treatments.     

Effect of zinc application methods on apparent utilization efficiency of zinc and phosphorus fertilizers under basmati rice–wheat rotation

To examine the effect of zinc (Zn) application method on the utilization of phosphorus (P) from applied P fertilizer, a field experiment was conducted on basmati rice–wheat rotation with combinations of Zn levels (0, soil application of 2.5 kg Zn ha ^{– 1} and two foliar applications of 2.0 kg Zn ha ^–1) and P levels (0, soil application of 8.7, 17.5 and 26.2 kg P ha ^–1). The highest pooled grain yields of basmati rice and wheat were obtained with soil application of 17.5 kg P ha ^–1 and foliar applications of 2 kg Zn ha ^–1. Foliar applications of Zn increased the P concentration in grain and straw and the total P uptake by basmati rice and the P concentration in flag leaves of wheat significantly, while soil or foliar application of Zn increased the total P uptake of wheat. Phosphorus application increased the Zn concentration in flag leaves, grain and straw of basmati rice and in grain and straw of wheat and the total Zn uptake of both crops. Phosphorus levels up to 17.5 kg P ha ^–1 increased utilization efficiency of soil or foliar application of Zn. Zinc application increased the P utilization efficiency of basmati rice and wheat up to 17.5 kg P ha ^–1 level; foliar Zn application was more effective in a wheat crop than a rice crop.