Chromosome and chromosomal arm locations of genes for resistance to Septoria glume blotch in wheat cultivar Cotipora

Summary Septoria glume blotch, caused by Stagonospora nodorum, is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Separate genetic mechanisms were found to control flag leaf and spike resistance. Genes for resistance to S. nodorum were located on different chromosomes in the few wheat cultivars studied. These studies only partially agree on the chromosome locations of gene in wheat for resistance to S. nodorum, and chromosomal arm locations of such genes are not known. The objectives of this study were to determine the chromosome and chromosomal arm locations of genes that significantly influence resistance to S. nodorum in wheat cultivar Cotipora. Monosomic analysis showed that flag leaf resistance was controlled by genes on chromosomes 3A, 4A, and 3B whereas the spike resistance was controlled by genes on chromosomes 3A, 4A, 7A, and 3B (P=0.01). Additionally, genes on chromosomes 6B and 5A influenced the susceptibility of the flag leaf and spike reactions, respectively (P=0.01). Telocentric analysis showed that genes on both arms of chromosome 3A, and the long arms of chromosomes 4A and 3B were involved in the flag leaf resistance whereas genes on both arms of chromosome 4A, the short arm of chromosome 3A, and the long arm of chromosome 3B conferred spike resistance.     

Mechanisms and diversity of resistance to sorghum shoot fly,Atherigona soccata

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata, is one of the important pests of postrainy season sorghums. Of the 90 sorghum genotypes evaluated for resistance to this pest, RHRB 12, ICSV 713, 25026, 93046 and 25027, IS 33844‐5, Giddi Maldandi and RVRT 3 exhibited resistance in postrainy season, while ICSB 463, Phule Anuradha, RHRB 19, Parbhani Moti, ICSV 705, PS 35805, IS 5480, 5622, 17726, 18368 and 34722, RVRT 1, ICSR 93031 and Dagidi Solapur showed resistance in rainy season, suggesting season‐specific expression of resistance to A. soccata. ICSB 461, ICSB 463, Phule Yasodha, M 35‐1, ICSV 700, 711, 25010, 25019 and 93089, IS 18662, Phule Vasudha, IS 18551 and 33844‐5 and Barsizoot had fewer deadhearts than plants with eggs across seasons, suggesting antibiosis as one of the resistance mechanism. Five genotypes exhibited resistance with high grain yield across seasons. Correlation, path and stepwise regression analyses indicated that leaf glossiness, seedling vigour, trichome density, oviposition and leaf sheath pigmentation were associated with the expression of resistance/susceptibility to shoot fly, and these can be used as marker traits to select and develop shoot fly‐resistant sorghums.     

Molecular characterization of endosperm and amino acids modifications among quality protein maize inbreds

Modifier loci in QPM play a vital role in achieving acceptable degree of kernel hardness and accumulation of lysine and tryptophan. This study was undertaken to characterize a set of diverse QPM inbreds using SSRs linked to endosperm and amino acids modifier loci for their effective utilization in the breeding programme. Significant variation was observed for endosperm modification (25–100% opaqueness), tryptophan (0.056–0.111%) and lysine (0.223–0.444%). Generally, inbreds with soft endosperm possessed more tryptophan and lysine than inbreds with higher vitreousness. SSRs generated 341 alleles with two to seven alleles per locus. The frequency of unique and rare alleles was more for amino acid modifications, compared to endosperm modifications. Phylogenetic analyses grouped the inbreds into three major clusters, and the study identified suitable crosses for accumulation of endosperm and amino acids modifiers. QPM inbreds with desirable modifications identified here would serve as suitable donor for both opaque2 and modifier loci in the marker‐assisted backcross breeding. Further, contrasting inbreds can be used for generating mapping populations to identify new modifier loci underlying both endosperm and amino acids modifications.     

Thiazole based disperse dyes for nylon and polyester fibers

Nine disperse dyes have been synthesized by diazotization of 2-amino-4-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-nitrothiazole and coupled to substituted N-alkylanilines. Spectral properties in the IR and visible range of the dyes obtained were investigated. The dyeing performance of these dyes was assessed on nylon and polyester fibers. These dyes were found to give reddish brown to bluish violet shades on dyeing with very good depth, brightness and levelness on nylon and polyester fibers. The dyed fibers showed fairly good light fastness, very good to excellent fastness to wash, rubbing, perspiration and excellent fastness to sublimation. The dyebath exhaustion and fixation on the fiber were found to be very good.     

On-Farm Diversity Assessment and Participatory Varietal Evaluation of Cold-Tolerant Rice in Mid-Hills of Nepal

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Drawing upon consequentially growing food insecurity in mid-hills attributed to poor adoption levels inter alia inflicted by narrow range of locally...     

Endometritis impairs luteal development, function, and nitric oxide and ascorbic acid concentrations in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A vast majority of the world buffalo resource is concentrated in tropical and subtropical countries. Apart from heat stress and poor nutritional availability, endometritis is one of the most commonly encountered reproductive problems limiting fertility and consequently productive potential of the species. As demonstrated recently, endometritis impairs growth and follicular fluid composition of the largest follicle in buffalo. In the present study, the effect of endometritis on luteal development, function, nitric oxide (NO), and ascorbic acid was investigated. Reproductive tracts were collected from 90 cyclic buffaloes at an abattoir and grouped into endometritic (n?=?36) or non-endometritic (n?=?54) buffaloes based on physical examination of uterine mucus, white side test, and uterine cytology. Samples with pus-containing mucus, positive reaction on white side test, and/or >5 % neutrophils were considered to be positive for endometritis. Corpora lutea were enucleated, weighed, classified into stages I to IV, and assayed for progesterone (P₄), NO, and ascorbic acid concentrations. Endometritic buffaloes had lesser (P?<?0.0001) luteal weight and P₄, NO, and ascorbic acid concentrations than non-endometritic buffaloes. The findings indicated that endometritis impairs corpus luteum development and function in buffalo. Reduced luteal NO and ascorbic acid concentrations during endometritis are novel findings.     

Phylogenetic characterization of Isospora jaracimrmani oocysts from a veiled chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae; Chamaeleo calyptratus) reared at a zoo in Ishikawa,Japan

Oocysts of Isospora sp. were detected in the feces of a veiled chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae; Chamaeleo calyptratus) kept at a zoo in Ishikawa, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis placed the sequence in the cluster of Isospora spp. isolated from reptiles. Based on a comparison of morphological data of ten previously reported Isospora species from the Chamaeleonidae family, this isolate was morphologically similar to I. jaracimrmani, which has been considered to be a virulent species. This case study suggests the possibility that species of Isospora might not always cause disease because the animal that shed these oocysts showed no symptoms for more than two months.     

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria accelerate germination, growth and yield of sugarcane clone Co86032 (Saccharum officinarum L.)

The existence of Methylobacterium as a symbiont with sugarcane and its influence on crop growth at various stages was examined. Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFMs) strains isolated from different parts of the sugarcane clone Co86032 showed growth on methanol, and were further confirmed based on the mxaF gene encoding the -subunit of the methanol dehydrogenase by polymerase chain reaction amplification using specific primers. True seeds inoculated with PPFMs had a higher germination percent and rate of germination than the control. A combined treatment of seed imbibition, soil application and phyllosphere spray increased specific leaf area, plant height, number of internodes, and cane yield. Immunological determination of cytokinin in young and mature leaves significantly increased when the epiphytic population on the leaf surface increased. Trends in sugar qualities in the form of Pol (sucrose) % in cane, Brix % in cane, and commercial cane sugar were similar to that of cane yield. These effects might be mediated by the production or synthesis of plant hormones.