Earthworm biomass response to soil management in semi-arid tropical Alfisol agroecosystems

Earthworms recorded during 1989–1993 across 15 soil management treatments, comprising three different tillagexthree organic amendments (bare, farmyard manure, and rice straw) and six perennial ley treatments, belonged to two endogeic species, Octochaetona phillotti (Michaelsen) and Lampito mauritii Kinberg, while in a nearby undisturbed natural revegetation area three species were found, including the above two and Octonochaeta rosea (Stephenson). The earthworm biomass showed significant temporal and spatial variations and was higher during the post monsoon period than in the early rainy season. No worm biomass was recorded during the dry season. In the tillage and organic amendment treatments, the biomass was drastically reduced from September 1989 to September 1991 after the application of carbofuran and some herbicides, and was significantly reduced during these two years compared to that of 1992. The maximum monthly earthworm biomass ranged between 2.5 and 17.9 g m^-2 across the treatments and increased several-fold in the nearby natural revegetation area (75.9 g m^-2). It significantly increased in perennial ley treatments compared to annual treatments with organic amendments. Thus the earthworm biomass varied significantly (P<0.01) across the 15 treatments, indicating discernible effects of soil management.Visiting Scientist (under the Rockefeller Foundation Environmental Research Fellowship in International Agriculture)     

Pigeonpea improvement: An amalgam of breeding and genomic research

In the past five decades, constant research has been directed towards yield improvement in pigeonpea resulting in the deployment of several commercially acceptable cultivars in India. Though, the genesis of hybrid technology, the biggest breakthrough, enigma of stagnant productivity still remains unsolved. To sort this productivity disparity, genomic research along with conventional breeding was successfully initiated at ICRISAT. It endowed ample genomic resource providing insight in the pigeonpea genome combating production constraints in a precise and speedy manner. The availability of the draft genome sequence with a large‐scale marker resource, oriented the research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo‐insensitivity. Defined core and mini‐core collection, still eased the pigeonpea breeding being accessible for existing genetic diversity and developing stress resistance. Modern genomic tools like next‐generation sequencing, genome‐wide selection helping in the appraisal of selection efficiency is leading towards next‐generation breeding, an awaited milestone in pigeonpea genetic enhancement. This paper emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea with an amalgam of conventional breeding as well as genomic research.     

Evapotranspiration relationship with pan evaporation and evapotranspiration ratio of corn under different nitrogen levels and moisture regimes

In a field experiment with four moisture regimes and eight nitrogen levels, the ratios between evapotranspiration and pan evaporation ($\text{Et}\text{Eo}$) were low in the initial stages of crop growth and attained maximum values at 70–80% (20 and 40% available soil moisture depletion (ASMD)), 65% (60% ASMD) and 55% (80% ASMD) of the crop growth stage. Amongst nitrogen levels, the evapotranspiration ratio (ETR) was highest (3573) under no nitrogen and lowest (1312) with 180 kg N/ha. The 20% ASMD regime utilised less water (ETR= 1499 to produce a kilogram of grain than did the other moisture regimes. The lowest evapotranspiration ratio (914) was recorded with 20% ASMD and 180 kg N/ha in combination. The highest ETR (3954) was found with 60% ASMD and no nitrogen. An additive effect of nitrogen and moisture was found, in indicating that they can be substituted one for the other, when one of them becomes a constraint.     

Rhizobacteria-Mediated Growth Promotion of Tomato Leads to Protection Against Cucumber mosaic virus

ABSTRACT We evaluated combinations of two strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) formulated with the carrier chitosan for the ability to induce growth promotion of tomato plants and resistance to infection by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Each PGPR combination included GB03 (Bacillus subtilis) and one of the following PGPR strains: SE34 (B. pumilus), IN937a (B. amyloliquefaciens), IN937b (B. subtilis), INR7 (B. pumilus), or T4 (B. pumilus). The PGPR combinations formulated with chitosan are referred to as biopreparations. Tomato plants treated with each of the biopreparations appeared phenotypically and developmentally similar to nonbacterized control plants that were 10 days older (referred to as the older control). When plants were challenged with CMV, all plants in the biopreparation treatments and the older control treatment had significantly greater height, fresh weight, and flower and fruit numbers than that of plants in the CMV-inoculated same age control treatment. CMV disease severity ratings were significantly lower for biopreparation-treated and older control tomato plants than for that of same age control plants at 14 and 28 days postinoculation (dpi). CMV accumulation in young noninoculated leaves was significantly less for all biopreparation-treated plants and those in the older control than for the same age control plants at 14 dpi and for four of the five biopreparation treatments at 28 dpi. In those tomato plants shown to be infected, the amount of CMV in noninoculated leaves was significantly lower for three of the biopreparation treatments and the older control treatment at 14 dpi and biopreparation G/INR7 treatment at 28 dpi when compared with the control treatment. These data show that treatment of tomato plants with biopreparations results in significant enhancement of growth and protection against infection by CMV.     

Intestinal immunomodulation by vitamin A deficiency and lactobacillus-based probiotic in Eimeria acervulina-infected broiler chickens

In a 2 X 2 factorial study, a broiler starter ration was amended for vitamin A (control, C; deficient, A) and probiotic status (-, P) to investigate their modulatory effects onthe host immune system. Birds were inoculated orally with Eimeria acervulina (EA) oocysts, and disease susceptibility was evaluated by assessment of fecal oocyst shedding. Humoral and local cellular mediated immunity were assessed by evaluation of antibody and cytokine (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) levels in sera and intestinal secretions on a 3-day interval after inoculation. Fecal oocyst shedding was highest (P < 0.05) in A- birds, followed by AP, C-, and CP birds. Feeding the probiotic reduced shed oocysts by 20% in A fed birds and by 26% in C fed birds. Intestinal IFN-gamma was relatively constant in all treatment groups except for A-, where it declined steadily and was lower (P < 0.05) from day 6 on. Serum IFN-gamma levels fluctuated within each treatment and over time were not revealing. Intestinal IL-2 was highest in CP birds at 3 and 9 days postinfection (DPI) and lowest in A- birds at 3, 9, and 12 DPI (P < 0.05); no difference between treatments was found at 6 DPI (P > 0.05). Eimeria-specific intestinal antibody (Ab) level was constant (P > 0.05) in C- birds but increased with time (P < 0.05) in A-, AP, and CP birds. Serum Ab levels were also constant in A- and CP birds but increased (P < 0.05) in C- and AP birds after 6 DPI. The data demonstrate for the first time a probiotic-enhanced immunity in vitamin A deficient birds. This study is also the first to demonstrate the probiotic effect on local cell-mediated immunity of chickens, best manifested by apparent lower intestinal invasion and development by EA, on the basis of higher IL-2 secretion and lower EA oocyst production.     

Relative bio-availability and utilisation of phosphatic fertilisers as sources of phosphorus in broilers and layers

1. Different concentrations of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 g/kg diet) were given to broilers (8 to 42 d of age) to establish regressions between dietary NPP concentration and body weight gain and tibia ash content. Second and third experiments were conducted to study the feasibility of utilisation of different phosphatic fertilisers [ammonium phosphate (AP), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), single super phosphate (SSP), NPK (17:17:17, NPK) and NP (28:28:0, NPK)] in commercial broilers (8 to 42 d) and White Leghorn layers (252 to 364 d). 2. Phosphatic fertilisers were incorporated both in broiler (10 g calcium and 4.5 g NPP/kg) and layer (35 g calcium and 3.5 g NPP/kg) diets by replacing dicalcium phosphate (DCP) in toto. 3. The logarithmic curves obtained for predicting the body weight gain and tibia ash content at different levels of NPP used in experiment 1 were Y = 156.27 + 2,468.8 logX (r2= 0.958) and Y = 530.82 + 144.26 log X (r2 = 0.916), respectively. 4. Body weight gain and food intake in broilers given APP- or NP-supplemented diets were comparable to these in the DCP-fed group. Feeding of NPK, AP or SSP resulted in significant depression in weight gain and food intake and high excreta moisture content. Food/gain, Ca and P contents in tibia ash and serum were not influenced by the use of phosphatic fertilisers as P sources in broiler diets. 5. Tibia ash content in broilers fed on diets containing fertilisers was either similar to or significantly higher than that in the DCP-fed group. Broilers on AP or SSP retained more P and had higher tibia ash content than those on DCP. AP, SSP or NPK caused degenerative and necrotic changes in liver, kidney and intestine of broilers. 6. Relative bio-availability of P from APP or NP was better for body weight gain than AP, SSP or NPK, while the reverse was true for bone calcification. 7. APP and NP gave hen-d egg production similar to that of DCP-fed layers. Food intake was significantly reduced in layers fed on diets containing fertilisers. However, food/egg mass, egg weight and serum Ca and inorganic P contents were not influenced by inclusion of fertilisers in layer diets. 8. Except for AP, inclusion of fertilisers in layer diets reduced shell weight and shell thickness compared with the DCP-fed group. However, no apparent eggshell defects were found which could be attributable to diet. 9. Results of these experiments suggest that APP and NP can be used as the sole source of P both in broiler and layer diets, replacing DCP in toto. However, when utilising these P sources in layers, due attention should be given to shell quality. Fertilisers containing high F (AP and SSP) or K (NPK) reduced performance in broilers and layers and caused microscopic changes in liver, kidney and intestine in broilers.