Growth,yield and bulb quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) in response to foliar application of boron and zinc

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the role of boron and zinc on growth, yield and quality of onion. There were eight treatment combinations consisted of four levels of boron (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5%) and 4 levels of zinc (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5%) were applied as foliar spraying. application of 0.5% boron significantly increased the growth (plant height, 63.93cm and number of leaves per plant, 7.25), yield (30.74 t ha^?1) and quality (total soluble solids, 13.45 ⁰B and pyruvic acid 5.94 µmol g^?1) of onion. Among various levels of zinc 0.5% exhibited the best growth (plant height, 67.25cm and number of leaf per plant, 7.75), yield (33.34 t ha^?1) and quality (total soluble solids, 14.57 ⁰B and pyruvic acid, 5.86 µmol g^?1) attributes of onion. These results suggest that the foliar application of boron and zinc significantly influenced the growth, yield and quality of onion.     

Abiotic factors related to the incidence of the Austrocedrus chilensis disease syndrome at a landscape scale

In this paper, the incidence of the A. chilensis disease syndrome in the “16 de Octubre” Valley (Chubut, Argentinean Patagonia) was related to landscape climatic, topographic and edaphic attributes, using remote sensing, geographic information systems and statistical methods. A strong relationship between the occurrence and incidence of the A. chilensis disease syndrome and site variables related to poor soil drainage was found. Non-allophanized soils with fine textures on flat and wavy soil phases, geomorphologies associated to alluvial processes, and low elevations and gentle slopes were positively related to the incidence of the disease. These relationships at a landscape scale agree with previous studies carried out at the stand level. A logistic predictive model of diseased occurrence was developed for the study area considering aspect, elevation, slope, mean annual precipitation and soil phase (classified according to predominant slopes).     

Risk analysis of non-native three-spot cichlid,Amphilophus trimaculatus, in the River Cauvery (India)

The three-spot cichlid Amphilophus trimaculatus (Günther) is an ornamental fish known to be invasive but has not been assessed for India. The present study confirmed this non-native species’ identity using conventional and molecular methods, as well as its occurrence in the River Cauvery, the first for this species in a lotic environment outside its native range. Gut content analysis indicated a diet of predominantly insects. The river's water quality and habitat were conducive for the species’ growth and reproduction. Using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit, A. trimaculatus was ranked as posing a “high” risk of being invasive in the River Cauvery, with climate match analysis showing 58% similarity with the species’ native range. Vector and pathway analysis found that A. trimaculatus was introduced to India via the aquarium trade, although consignment origin remains unknown, and the most likely means of entry into the river and its tributaries was the species’ escaping from holding facilities. Subsequent dispersal and impact of the species on native fauna are discussed. The study's outcomes demonstrate the importance of using risk analysis protocols to inform management of non-native species in India, with suggestions provided for immediate and long-term measures for the species’ management.     

Hydraulic differences along the water transport system of South American Nothofagus species: do leaves protect the stem functionality?

Hydraulic traits were studied for six Nothofagus species from South America (Argentina and Chile), and for three of these species two populations were studied. The main goal was to determine if properties of the water conductive pathway in stems and leaves are functionally coordinated and to assess if leaves are more vulnerable to cavitation than stems, consistent with the theory of hydraulic segmentation along the vascular system of trees in ecosystems subject to seasonal drought. Vulnerability to cavitation, hydraulic conductivity of stems and leaves, leaf water potential, wood density and leaf water relations were examined. Large variations in vulnerability to cavitation of stems and leaves were observed across populations and species, but leaves were consistently more vulnerable than stems. Water potential at 50% loss of maximum hydraulic efficiency (P(50)) ranged from -0.94 to -2.44 MPa in leaves and from -2.6 to -5.3 MPa in stems across species and populations. Populations in the driest sites had sapwood and leaves more vulnerable to cavitation than those grown in the wettest sites. Stronger diurnal down-regulation in leaf hydraulic conductance compared with stem hydraulic conductivity apparently has the function to slow down potential water loss in stems and protect stem hydraulics from cavitation. Species-specific differences in wood density and leaf hydraulic conductance (K(Leaf)) were observed. Both traits were functionally related: species with higher wood density had lower K(Leaf). Other stem and leaf hydraulic traits were functionally coordinated, resulting in Nothofagus species with an efficient delivery of water to the leaves. The integrity of the more expensive woody portion of the water transport pathway can thus be maintained at the expense of the replaceable portion (leaves) of the stem-leaf continuum under prolonged drought. Compensatory adjustments between hydraulic traits may help to decrease the rate of embolism formation in the trees more vulnerable to cavitation.     

Evidence for a relationship between Leishmania load and clinical manifestations

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening disease of medical, social and economic importance in endemic areas. Dogs are the main reservoir of Leishmaniainfantum. In this study, the authors investigated a group of 56 natural infected dogs to establish the relationship between parasite load and various clinical forms of leishmaniasis.The sick dogs were monitored at the beginning from clinical and physiological point of view. Leishmania load was measured by real-time PCR assay on whole blood samples and lymph node aspirates, collected at the time of diagnosis.Our results indicate that a higher quantity of Leishmania DNA was found in the lymph nodes of dogs characterized by maximum clinical score. This interesting finding indicates the presence of a positive relationship between Leishmania load and clinical manifestations in dogs showing a severe clinical form of leishmaniasis.     

Recurrent deep pyoderma in German Shepherd dogs with underlying ehrlichioses and hypergammaglobulinaemia

Four German Shepherd dogs with recurrent deep pyoderma and associated ehrlichioses are described. All the dogs had already received appropriate long-term antibacterial therapy but the clinical signs had consistently returned within 3–4 weeks of cessation of the treatment. Haematological and serum biochemical findings, and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) tests were indicative of Ehrlichia spp. infection. Treatment with doxycycline monohydrate was associated with the return of blood values to within normal ranges and diminution of the IFA titres. No further episodes of pyoderma were observed during a 1–2-year follow-up period.     

Urine sampling for real-time polymerase chain reaction based diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis.

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used for quantifying Leishmania infantum DNA in urine samples from naturally infected dogs. Forty-one infected dogs were divided into 3 groups: 22 dogs showing only cutaneous signs (group 1), 12 dogs showing hematuria (group 2), and 7 dogs affected by severe nephropathy (group 3). Groups 2 and 3 dogs showed altered laboratory parameters related to an impairment of renal function. The real-time PCR analysis showed higher levels of Leishmania DNA in the lymph node aspirates from all groups of infected dogs versus those measured in their blood or urine. Interestingly, urine samples from dogs belonging to groups 2 and 3 contained a higher Leishmania DNA load than that detected in their blood. This finding suggests that a real-time PCR analysis of urine from infected dogs could be a useful and noninvasive tool for monitoring the severity of leishmaniasis.