The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation on key growth parameters and fruit yield of pepper plants grown at high salinity

This study investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation by Glomus clarum on growth and fruit yield of pepper (Capsicum annum cv. 11B 14) grown at high salinity. The experiment was conducted in pots containing a mixture of perlite and sand (1:1, v/v) under glasshouse conditions. Treatments were: (1) no added NaCl without arbuscular mycorrhizae (NS-AM), (2) no added NaCl with arbuscular mycorrhizae (NS + AM), (3) added 50 mM NaCl without arbuscular mycorrhizae (S1-AM) and (4) added 100 mM NaCl without arbuscular mycorrhizae (S2-AM), (5) added 50 mM NaCl with arbuscular mycorrhizae (S1 + AM) and (4) added 100 mM NaCl with arbuscular mycorrhizae (S2 + AM). The NaCl treatments reduced pepper shoot and root dry matter, and fruit yield compared with the non-saline treatments. The concentrations of N, P and K, in the leaves were significantly reduced by salinity stress, however, mycorrhizal colonisation of the salt-stressed plants restored leaf nutrient concentrations to the levels in non-stressed plants in most cases. AM inoculation improved pepper growth under salt or saltless conditions and reduced cell membrane leakage.     

Consumers’ Perceived Differences between Wild and Farmed Fish: A Survey Study in Turkey

This study investigated consumers’ motivations and perceptions of fish obtained from different production methods, namely wild or farmed. Data were collected from 526 consumers via face-to-face interviews in the seven regions of Turkey. A logistic regression model was designed for the consumers of different fish production methods. Results of the study demonstrate that consumers perceive wild and farmed fish differently. Furthermore, consumers have different perceptions of the following factors that also effect consumption: convenience, variety, origin, confidence, accessibility, freshness, and reliability.     

The circulation of unique reassortment strains of infectious bursal disease virus in Pakistan

Infectious bursal disease(IBD), caused by IBD virus(IBDV), is one of the most devastating and immunosuppressive diseases of the poultry and has been a constraint on the sustainable poultry production around the globe including Pakistan. While the disease is threatening the poultry industry, the nature of predominant strains of IBDV in Pakistan remained ill-defined. In this study, an epidemiology survey was conducted in the main chicken-farming regions of Pakistan. The batch of Pakistan IBDVs genes simultaneously covering both VP1 and VP2 were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed. The unique segmentreassortant IBDVs(vv-A/Uniq-B), carrying segment A from vvIBDV and segment B from one unique ancestor, were identified as one important type of circulating strains in Pakistan. The data also discovered the characteristic molecular features of Pakistan IBDVs, which will contribute to scientific vaccine selection and effective prevention of the disease.     

Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Wirkung einer mechanischen (Wasserberieselung) und einer chemischen Bekämpfungsmaßnahme gegen Erdnußspinnmilben in Ägypten

Comparative studies on the influence of sprinkler irrigation and chemical control on Tetranychid mites infesting peanut The application of water to peanut plants using sprinkler irrigation systems showed a depressing effect on mite densities. Since the upper surface of the leaves are appreciably wetted, few numbers ofT arabicus (Attiah) andT. cucurbitacearum (Sayed) inhabit only the lower leaves surface. Data showed that spider mite populations on sprinkled plot were lower than those on acaricide treated plot and control plot.     

Feeding value of urea molasses-treated wheat straw ensiled with fresh cattle manure for growing crossbred cattle calves

The study was carried out to evaluate the influence of urea plus molasses-treated wheat straw (WS) ensiled with cattle manure (CM) on nutrients intake, their digestibilities, and growth performance of crossbred (Sahiwal × Holstein Friesian) cattle calves. The CM was mixed with ground WS in a ratio of 30:70 on dry matter (DM) basis. The WS–CM mixture treated with urea (4% DM) and molasses (4% DM) was allowed to ferment for 40 days in a cemented pit. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic fermented wheat straw (FWS)-based experimental diets were formulated. The FWS0, FWS20, FWS30, and FWS40 diets contained 0%, 20%, 30%, and 40% FWS, respectively. Twenty calves (9–10 months of age) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design, five in each group. Increasing trends for DM, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber intakes by calves were observed with increasing dietary FWS level. Weight gain was significantly different among calves fed different levels of FWS. The highest weight gain (491.8 g/day) was observed in calves fed FWS40 diet, while calves fed FWS0 and FWS20 diets gained 350.0 and 449.6 g/day, respectively. The results from this study imply that the FWS can be added up to 30% in the diet of growing crossbred calves without any detrimental effect on their performance.     

QTL analysis and regression model for estimating fruit setting in young Citrus trees based on molecular markers

This study was conducted to assess the genetic basis and develop a regression model for a QTL trait, fruit setting of a full sib population of 164 hybrids obtained between ‘Clementine’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco ‘Clementine) and ‘Orlando’ tangelo’ (Citrus paradisi Macf. ‘Duncan’ × C. reticulata Blanco ‘Dancy’). Fruit setting of a 164 full sib population field-planted in 2007 was evaluated by visual counting of fruits in 2008, 2009, and 2010. We estimated linkage groups and effects of QTLs by using MapQTL5. Based on interval mapping, seven linkage groups of the maternal and eight linkage groups of the paternal maps harboured QTLs of the fruits setting, covering a total 300 of 1744 cM Citrus map. Only three segments were associated with all three-year data (one in ‘Clementine’ and two in ‘Orlando’ map) spanning 60 cM of 1744 cM of Citrus linkage map. Twenty-seven (17%) and 13 (8%) hybrids consistently produced less than 5 fruits and the highest number of fruits (≥50) in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ages. Based on BACKWARD elimination procedure of PROC REG option nested in SAS program, regression models constructed for 2008, 2009, and 2010s fruit setting explained 35, 81, and 38% of the total phenotypic variation (R²) observed in the 164 full-sib hybrids, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). This study indicated that early fruit setting was a complex trait affected by many QTLs and the regression model developed in this study might be used to predict performances of hybrids with similar genetic background.     

Three-dimensional computed tomographic examination of pelvic cavity in Van Cats and its morphometric investigation

This study was carried out to determine the morphometric values of the pelvic cavity, the cranial and caudal pelvic aperture by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the images obtained by computed tomography in adult Van Cats and to show the differences between these indicators in both genders. A total of 16 adult Van Cats, eight male and eight female, were used in the study. Animals were anesthetized with ketamine–xylazine combination and were scanned by computerized tomography. Images of the pelvic cavity were obtained. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvis was performed with three-dimensional modelling program. Measurements of the diameters of the pelvic cavity, the cranial and caudal pelvic aperture were calculated from these images, and statistical analyzes were performed. Three-dimensional modelling of the pelvic cavity of Van Cats were examined between males and females. The results showed that there were significant (p < .05) differences between measurement of the pelvic inclination, the medial transverse diameter, the caudal transverse diameter and the angle between ischiatic arch. In addition, the correlations between age and weight were found statistically significant (p < .05) with the dorsal transverse diameter, the intermediate transverse diameter and the caudal transverse diameter in males. On the other hand, the correlations of age were statistically significant (p < .01) with the cranial pelvic aperture and the caudal pelvic aperture in females. In conclusion, some biometric values of pelvic cavity were observed to be statistically different in Van Cats.     

胡杨根际可培养细菌的分离及抑制瓜列当种子萌发研究

从胡杨生存的干旱强光照逆境中获得新的细菌资源,从中筛选新的可抑制瓜列当种子萌发的生防菌。采用3种分离培养基,以稀释涂布法对塔里木河流域3处胡杨根系样品进行可培养细菌分离,通过分析分离菌株16S rRNA基因序列确定其种属分类。采用皿内培养法测定其对瓜列当种子萌发的抑制活性,利用盆栽试验检测分离菌株M2-3对瓜列当寄生的防治效果。结果分离获得98株细菌,分属于28个属,马赛菌属Massilia、Pontibacter、玫瑰单胞菌属Roseomonas为优势菌属。其中,菌株M2-3与Pontibacter salisaro HMC5104T的相似度最高,为97.92%,其菌体发酵液10倍稀释液对瓜列当种子萌发抑制率为87.8%,盆栽试验表明该菌株对瓜列当防效可达36.9%,具备进一步开发可能性。     

不同基因型甜高粱品种干物质积累规律研究

以不同基因型甜高粱为材料,采用田间试验调查和室内测试等方法对不同基因型甜高粱品种的干物质积累规律进行了研究比较,结果表明:(1)不同基因型甜高粱品种其生育进程和生育期之间有差异.(2)不同基因型甜高粱品种在不同生育阶段的干物质积累有差异,并且不同基因型甜高粱品种在各个生育阶段的干物质积累速度有差异.(3)不同基因型甜高粱品种在不同生育期阶段的干物质日积累量有明显的差异.