Variation in tuber mineral concentrations among accessions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum</Emphasis> species held in the Commonwealth Potato Collection

The variation in tuber mineral concentrations amongst accessions of wild tuber-bearing Solanum species in the Commonwealth Potato Collection (CPC) was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Selected CPC accessions, representing the eco-geographical distribution of wild potatoes, were grown to maturity in peat-based compost under controlled conditions. Tubers from five plants of each accession were harvested, bulked and their mineral composition analysed. Among the germplasm investigated, there was a greater range in tuber concentrations of some elements of nutritional significance to both plants and animals, such as Ca, Fe and Zn (6.7-fold, 3.6-fold, and 4.5-fold, respectively) than others, such as K, P and S (all less than threefold). Significant positive correlations were found between mean altitude of the species’ range and tuber P, K, Cu and Mg concentrations. The amount of diversity observed in the CPC collection indicates the existence of wide differences in tuber mineral accumulation among different potato accessions. This might be useful in breeding for nutritional improvement of potato tubers.     

Toxicity of diafenthiuron to honey bees in laboratory,semi‐field and field conditions

BACKGROUND: Cardamom, an important spice crop often attacked by many insect pests, is controlled mainly using synthetic insecticides. As honey bees play a vital role in pollination in cardamom, the impact of insecticides on honey bees needs to be explored to assess its safety. RESULTS: Risk assessment based on contact toxicity revealed diafenthiuron to be a non‐selective insecticide to bees with a low selectivity ratio (the ratio between the LD₅₀ for beneficial and pest species). A dose of diafenthiuron that killed 90% of cardamom borer, Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee, was found to kill 100% of Indian bees. Based on the hazard ratio (the ratio between the field‐recommended dose and the LD₅₀ for the beneficial), diafenthiuron was found to be slightly to moderately toxic to bees. Diafenthiuron, even at low concentrations of LC₁ (the concentration that killed 1% of bees), was found to affect the foraging and homing behaviour of Indian bees. Of bees fed with 30 µg mL^?1 of diafenthiuron, 40% were found missing on the third day after exposure. However, diafenthiuron did not affect bee visits to the cardamom fields. CONCLUSION: Diafenthiuron is more highly toxic to Apis cerana indica F. than to C. punctiferalis by contact, using selectivity ratio and probit substitution methods of risk assessment, but the hazard ratio revealed diafenthiuron to be a slightly to moderately toxic chemical. Diafenthiuron was found to affect the foraging and homing behaviour of bees at sublethal concentrations. Thus, sublethal effects are more relevant in risk assessment than lethal and acute effects. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of selected metal nanoparticles on hatching and survival of larvae and fry of Indian major carp,rohu (Labeo rohita)

Different laboratory synthesized metal nanoparticles viz. Copper oxide (CuO), Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver doped titanium dioxide (Ag‐TiO₂) were studied for their effect on hatching and survival of larvae and fry of Indian major carp, rohu, Labeo rohita both in direct application in tank water & coated onto tanks. Among these nanoparticles, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles exhibited highest percentage of hatching in both direct addition (78.0 ± 3.1% and 78.05 ± 4.2%, respectively) and coating onto tanks (58.6 ± 2.1% and 61.2 ± 2.7%, respectively) at 1 mg mL^?1 while least percentage of hatching was recorded in Ag‐TiO₂ nanoparticles irrespective of its concentration & mode of supplementation. Highest survival of L. rohita fry (50.13 ± 2.2%) was observed after 15 days post hatching in CuO coated tanks followed by ZnO coated tanks (38.6 ± 2.8%) while least was recorded in Ag‐TiO₂ coated tanks (22.53 ± 3.0%). However in control tanks coated with Poly‐Urethane base with hardener and uncoated control tanks, the survival was 42.4 ± 1.2% and 41.36 ± 1.8% respectively. Further, significantly lower microbial load of water was recorded in CuO nanoparticles coated tanks (1.5 × 10¹⁰ CFU L^?1) as compared to uncoated control tanks (1.1 × 10¹⁶ CFU L^?1) without affecting water quality parameters. On the other hand, in Ag‐TiO₂ coated tanks, significantly lower microbial load (1.0 × 10⁶ CFU L^?1) as compared to uncoated control tanks at 15 days post hatching was recorded. However, Ag‐TiO₂ was toxic to L. rohita larvae & fry both in direct application and coating onto tanks. Considering the beneficial effects of CuO nanoparticle application, it has the scope of being used in a more eco‐friendly way in hatchery operations.     

Analysis of Iris yellow spot virus replication in vector and non‐vector thrips species

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV, genus Tospovirus) is a viral disease of bulb and seed onion crops and is transmitted by Thrips tabaci. Foliage damage of up to 75% has been reported in Kenya and Uganda. In this study, the rate of IYSV replication in the larva, pupa and adult stages of T. tabaci and other non‐vector thrips species and colour forms such as Frankliniella occidentalis, F. schultzei (dark) and F. schultzei (pale) was evaluated by monitoring relative levels of nucleocapsid (N) and non‐structural (NSs) proteins using N‐ and NSs‐specific antibodies. The effect of IYSV replication on mortality of thrips was also determined. N protein levels increased in all three stages of IYSV‐fed T. tabaci, indicating replication of IYSV. In IYSV‐fed non‐vector thrips, the increase of N protein levels in the larval stage was lower than IYSV‐fed T. tabaci but higher than their healthy counterparts. The N protein levels did not increase at pupal and adult stages. NSs protein was not detected in first instar of either vector or non‐vector thrips species. After a 4 h post‐acquisition period, a significant increase in NSs proteins was only observed in IYSV‐fed T. tabaci, clearly differentiating vectors and non‐vectors of IYSV. IYSV replication did not influence the survival of the vector thrips species, T. tabaci populations or the non‐vector thrips species. This study indicates the effectiveness of monitoring non‐structural proteins such as NSs, compared to nucleocapsid proteins, for differentiating vectors and non‐vectors of IYSV.     

Protective effect of berberine on expression pattern of apoptotic, cell proliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic markers during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Investigation of expression pattern of molecular markers in oral epithelial tissues would help to assess the cell differentiation and proliferation as well as early diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the oral cavity. Aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of berberine on expression pattern of apoptotic, cell proliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic markers during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining [p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)], Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) [c-fos, COX-2, caspase-3 and -9] and Real-Time PCR [Cyclin D1 and NFkappaB] were utilized to assess the expression pattern of molecular markers in DMBA induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Over expression of mutant p53, PCNA, Bcl-2 and VEGF were noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Decreased expression of Bax protein was noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Increased expression of C-fos, COX-2, NFkappaB and Cyclin D1 and decreased activities of caspase-3 and -9 were also noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration ofberberine at a dose of 75 mg kg(-1) b.w. brought back the expression of above mentioned molecular markers to near normal pattern in hamsters treated with DMBA. The present results thus suggest that berberine has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-cell proliferative and apoptosis inducing properties in DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis.     

Evaluation of Efficient Weed Management Systems in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the efficacy of different methods of weed management systems namely manual, chemical and biological in Pigeonpea during kharif and rabi 1983–84. The treatments consisted of three chemicals (fluchloralin, pendimethalin and oxadiozon alone and supplemented with one hand hoeing, manual (two hoeings at 20 & 40 DAS and two intercropping systems (Pigeonpea + sorghum and pigeonpea + moong and intercropping combined with one initial hoeing) along with unweeded check, accounting twelve treatments replicated four times in randomized block design. The results revealed that application of pendimethalin 0.50 kg ai ha⁻¹ supplemented with hand hoeing 40 DAS is found to be effective in controlling the weeds in sole pigeonpea under irrigated conditions.     

Investigation of Antioxidant Content and Capacity in Yellow European Plums

ABSTRACT

Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of five Yellow European plums (Prunus domestica) were studied using heat reflux extraction. Fresh plums were extracted at 50°C and 70°C, while freeze dried plums were extracted at 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C. Quantification of phenolic compounds such as ascorbic acid, neochlorogenic acid, and chlorogenic acid, was performed using high performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was determined by evaluating the scavenging ability of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric (Fe³⁺) free radicals. Total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant potential were highest for freeze dried samples extracted at 60°C whereas extraction at 70°C resulted in the lowest yield. Neochlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in each plum genotype followed by ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid. This study demonstrates that there is an adequate amount of health promoting phytochemicals within European plums, hence extraction of these compounds have potential for use towards functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.     

Mechanism of action of the 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines

The substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines are a new class of highly active herbicides. Protection of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings from triazolopyrimidine-induced injury by the branched-chain amino acids was observed. Acetolactate synthase (EC 4.1.3.18) was isolated and found to be quite sensitive to inhibition. I₅₀ values for inhibition of the enzyme from a number of plant sources show little variation and no correlation to whole-plant response, suggesting uptake, translocation and metabolism play key roles in modulating herbicidal activity. Further studies indicate that these chemicals are slow, tight-binding inhibitors that are readily dissociated by gel filtration. Some correlations between in-vitro activity and in-vivo activity were observed for ortho-substituted analogs on selected broadleaf species.     

Biopesticide based sustainable pest management for safer production of vegetable legumes and brassicas in Asia and Africa

Vegetables are one of the important crops which could alleviate poverty and malnutrition among the smallholder farmers in tropical Asia and Africa. However, a plethora of pests limit the productivity of these crops, leading to economic losses. Vegetable producers overwhelmingly rely on chemical pesticides in order to reduce pest‐caused economic losses. However, over‐reliance on chemical pesticides poses serious threats to human and environmental health. Hence, biopesticides offer a viable alternative to chemical pesticides in sustainable pest management programs. Baculoviruses such as nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) and granulovirus (GV) have been exploited as successful biological pesticides in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Maruca vitrata multiple nucleocapsid NPV (MaviMNPV) was found to be a unique baculovirus specifically infecting pod borer on food legumes, and it has been successfully developed as a biopesticide in Asia and Africa. Entomopathogenic fungi also offer sustainable pest management options. Several strains of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana have been tested and developed as biopesticides in Asia and Africa. This review specifically focuses on the discovery and development of entomopathogenic virus and fungi‐based biopesticides against major pests of vegetable legumes and brassicas in Asia and Africa. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of Prunus domestica L. in vitro regeneration via hypocotyls

Several important aspects of regeneration of European plum from hypocotyl explants were studied. Multiple shoots were induced and full plants were recovered for a large number of plum varieties. This indicates that European plum species is, in general, very responsive to in vitro regeneration from hypocotyls. Shoot organogenesis could be induced from both mature and immature seed explants but regeneration efficiency was higher when immature seeds were used. Rooting efficiency for varieties with low rooting tendency could be greatly increased by addition of naphthaleneacetic acid in the medium. Primary shoots, when sub-cultured on fresh induction medium, produced multiple shoots at a high frequency and such multiplication could continue for many cycles. The secondary new shoots could be induced for various plum varieties. Plant recovery from the secondary shoots was as efficient as that from the primary shoots. This new system may be an alternative for plum transformation with a potential for increasing transformation efficiency. The system can be used for propagation of transgenic lines and other genetic clones of various varieties.