Effect of dietary synbiotic on growth performance,body composition,digestive enzyme activity and gut microbiota in Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.) fingerlings

A feeding trial of 60 days was conducted to delineate the effect of dietary synbiotic on maximum growth, body composition, digestive enzyme activity and subsequently gut microbiota in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. One hundred and eighty acclimatized fingerlings of mrigal with initial body weight ranging from 2.87 ± 0.01 g to 3.26 ± 0.05 g were randomly distributed in three replicates of each of four experimental groups including control (without probiotic and prebiotic), T₁ (high probiotic + low prebiotic), T₂ (low probiotic + high prebiotic) and T₃ (high probiotic + high prebiotic), using completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that growth performance parameters, such as specific growth rate (SGR), per cent weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), were reported to be higher in the T₂ group followed by the T₃ group. Maximum gut microbiota activity was found in the T₃ group which was significantly different from other treatment groups. Similarly, body composition and digestive enzyme activity varied significantly (p < .05) among the treatment groups. The study showed the possibility of improved nutrient utilization in terms of growth performance and digestive enzyme activity in the group following dietary synbiotic supplementation.     

Azocalix[4]pyrrole dyes: Application in dyeing of fibers and their antimicrobial activity

The dyeing performance of the azocalix[4]pyrrole dyes on fibers like nylon, wool, acrylic, and silk have been determined. Their fastness properties towards light, water, washing, and acid-alkali perspiration have been studied. The position of color in CIELAB coordinates (L*, a*, b*, H, and C*) was assessed. The azocalix[4]pyrrole demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger. These super molecules exhibit bright shades on fabric with very good fastness properties.     

Monsoon paddy monitoring and assessment using synthetic aperture radar data under BGREI programme in Odisha,India

Bringing green revolution in eastern India (BGREI) is an initiative of Department of Agriculture and Co-operation (DAC) Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Govt. of India with the aim of increasing crop productivity through improved inputs and package of practices in seven states of eastern India comprising the low productivity zones. The current study aimed at assessment of the BGREI plots with respect to crop vigour variability using space-based observations. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were used to assess the rice crop growth pattern and vigour through change in backscatter response. A SAR-based methodology was developed to evaluate the effect of BGREI initiative in the state of Odisha. The peak biomass, an indicator of crop vigour was 15–30 % higher in BGREI plots compared to the controlled plots. The improvement was higher in traditionally low productivity rainfed zones. Uniformity in growth in terms of growth rate, transplantation time and duration was observed in BGREI plots. The positive effect of BGREI in Odisha indicates that BGREI may be a breakthrough in improving rice productivity in low productivity zones of eastern India.     

Rapid Identification of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Using Ribosomal RNA Internal Transcribed Spacer 1

Rapid identification of invasive species is crucial for deploying management strategies to prevent establishment. Recent Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) invasions and subsequent establishment in South America has increased the risk of this species invading North America. Morphological similarities make differentiation of H. armigera from the native Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) difficult. Characteristics of adult male genitalia and nucleotide sequence differences in mitochondrial DNA are two of the currently available methods to differentiate these two species. However, current methods are likely too slow to be employed as rapid detection methods. In this study, conserved differences in the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the ribosomal RNA genes were used to develop species-specific oligonucleotide primers that amplified ITS1 fragments of 147 and 334 bp from H. armigera and H. zea, respectively. An amplicon (83 bp) from a conserved region of 18S ribosomal RNA subunit served as a positive control. Melting temperature differences in ITS1 amplicons yielded species-specific dissociation curves that could be used in high resolution melt analysis to differentiate the two Helicoverpa species. In addition, a rapid and inexpensive procedure for obtaining amplifiable genomic DNA from a small amount of tissue was identified. Under optimal conditions, the process was able to detect DNA from one H. armigera leg in a pool of 25 legs. The high resolution melt analysis combined with rapid DNA extraction could be used as an inexpensive method to genetically differentiate large numbers of H. armigera and H. zea using readily available reagents.     

Study on the liquid flow behaviour of cotton wick

The present paper reports the interaction effect of yarn twist, yarn count and number of plies on wicking behaviour of plied cotton yarn. A three-variable factorial design technique proposed by Box & Behnken was used to investigate the combined interaction effect of the above variables. Both the vertical as well as horizontal wicking experiments were carried out with liquids of varying surface tensions, like distilled water, saline water and petrol. Each wick samples were subjected to nine different types of wicking related tests. The yarn count and number of plies in the cotton wick was found to play major role in wicking related properties, whereas the effect of twist in plied cotton wick was not that prominent when the twist per unit length of single and plied yarns were the same and in opposite direction. The rate of vertical wicking for saline water was found to be significantly lower than that of distilled water. The rate of horizontal wicking for distilled water was less than that of vertical wicking of distilled water. Use two or three parallel strands instead of one resulted in marked increase of vertical wicking.     

Characterization of a potyvirus from eggplant (Solanum melongena) as a strain of potato virus Y by N-terminal serology and sequence relationships

A potyvirus (eggplant mottle virus, EMoV) causing mosaic mottling in eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) was characterized on the basis of biological, serological and partial nucleotide sequence properties. EMoV infected Chenopodium amaranticolor and members of the Solanaceae. Polyclonal antiserum against EMoV showed antigenic relationship with henbane mosaic potyvirus (HMV) and potato Y potyvirus (PVY). Virus-specific antibodies directed to the N-terminal region of EMoV cross-reacted only with PVY. Determination and comparison of nucleotide sequence of the coat protein (CP) and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of EMoV with other potyviruses showed that the level of homology was highest with PVY isolates. Comparative sequence analyses of the CP amino acid and 3'-UTR sequences with distinct PVY isolates placed EMoV within the PVY^O subgroup.     

A novel and efficient method for identifying cotton leafroll dwarf virus infection in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

We report the development of a novel and more efficient, rapid, cost-effective and simple technique than current PCR-based identification methods for screening cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants for the presence of cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV). This protocol takes advantage of the PACE (PCR Allele Competitive Extension) system and uses PCR amplification of cDNA, coupled with sequence-specific fluorescent probes to differentiate between infected and uninfected cotton plants. This procedure has the potential for application in detection of other RNA viruses in a variety of other crops, by using primers specific for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene and a widely conserved housekeeping gene in the host organism; in this case, the G. hirsutum polyubiquitin gene (GhUB).     

Effect of the degree of processing on soy oil conjugated linoleic acid yields

Photoirradiation processing can be used to rapidly synthesize conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in large quantities in soy oil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of refining of soy oil on CLA yields and oxidative properties after photoirradiation. Crude, alkali-refined, alkali-refined bleached, and alkali-refined bleached and deodorized (RBD) soy oils were photoirradiated in a pilot-plant processing system for 12 h with 0.35% iodine catalyst at 47 degrees C. RBD soy oil gave the highest total CLA yield of 16.3% of total oil with 4.3% cis, trans- and trans, cis-CLA isomers. Oxidative stability as measured by weight gain during incubation at 64 degrees C showed that iodine decreased the induction time of soy oil samples by 2-4 days. Photoirradiation processing further decreased the induction time by 2 days as a result of loss of total tocopherols. Iodine addition increased the titratable acidity in all the samples of soy oil. However, the level of refining affects this increase of titratable acidity, and RBD soy oil was found to be the most stable. The study indicates that RBD soy oil was the most suitable candidate for photoirradiation processing. Thus, soy oil should be alkali-refined, bleached, deodorized, and then photoprocessed followed by a secondary adsorption step to remove the iodine catalyst to obtain a RBD CLA-rich soy oil.