A bioinformatic insight into the genetic diversity within pomegranate cultivars: from nuclear to chloroplast genes

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit plant which has been consumed for its nutritional value and medicinal properties by mankind. Several...     

Methanotrophy-driven accumulation of organic carbon in four paddy soils of Bangladesh

Biological methane oxidation is a crucial process in the global carbon cycle that reduces methane emissions from paddy fields and natural wetlands into the atmosphere.However,soil organic carbon accumulation associated with microbial methane oxidation is poorly understood.Therefore,to investigate methane-derived carbon incorporation into soil organic matter,paddy soils originated from different parent materials(Inceptisol,Entisol,and Alfisol) were collected after rice harvesting from four major rice-producing regions in Bangladesh.Following microcosm incubation with 5%(volume/volume)¹³ CH₄,soil¹³ C-atom abundances significantly increased from background level of 1.08% to 1.88%–2.78%,leading to a net methane-derived accumulation of soil organic carbon ranging from 120 to 307 mg kg^-1.Approximately 23.6%–60.0% of the methane consumed was converted to soil organic carbon during microbial methane oxidation.The phylogeny of¹³ C-labeled pmoA(enconding the alpha subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase) and 16 S rRNA genes further revealed that canonical α(type II) and γ(type I) Proteobacteria were active methane oxidizers.Members within the Methylobacter-and Methylosarcina-affiliated type Ia lineages dominated active methane-oxidizing communities that were responsible for the majority of methane-derived carbon accumulation in all three paddy soils,while Methylocystis-affiliated type IIa lineage was the key contributor in one paddy soil of Inceptisol origin.These results suggest that methanotroph-mediated synthesis of biomass plays an important role in soil organic matter accumulation.This study thus supports the concept that methanotrophs not only consume the greenhouse gas methane but also serve as a key biotic factor in maintaining soil fertility.     

Alternate Two Different Modes of Actions of Green Chemicals to Combat Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick and Cadra cautella Walk on Date Palm Fruit,Egypt

Alternate two different modes of actions of green chemicals： spinosad ＆ methoxyfenozide to combat the lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula and the Almond moth, Cadra cautella Walk on dates in Dakhla Oasis, New Valley, Egypt were done in 2010 and 201 I. Based on infestation of the early insect pest B. amydraula, the three-rotation program with basic 1st spray of spinosad 24 SC at 20 mL/100 L showed insignificant difference. Based on minimum effective rotation doses, alternating spinosad 24 SC at 20 mL/100 L, then methoxyfenozide 24 SC at 15 mL/100 L with two-week interval showed zero infestation and 1.8% at the last sample of 2010 and 2011, respectively. Based on infestation of the late insect pest, Cadra spp., tlhe same previous trend of the three-rotation results. Based on minimum effective rotation doses, alternating spinosad 24 SC at 20 mL/100 L, then methoxyfenozid 24 SC at 15 mL/100 L with three-week interval indicated less than 1% and 1% infestation during harvest for 2010 and 201 l, respectively. The last reflected important value when storing the fruit. Both products proved to be working under dry hot high temperatures.     

HYDRUS simulations of the effects of dual-drip subsurface irrigation and a physical barrier on water movement and solute transport in soils

Subsurface drip irrigation systems, compared to other irrigation systems, enhance the delivery of water and nutrients directly into the root zone. However, in light-textured soils, certain quantities of water may percolate below the root zone due to the subsurface position of drip lines and/or poor management of irrigation systems. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate three technologies to enhance a spatial distribution of water and solutes in the root zone and to limit downward leaching. The three technologies include (a) a physical barrier, (b) a dual-drip system with concurrent irrigation, and (c) a dual-drip system with sequential irrigation. To achieve this objective, we performed computer simulations using the HYDRUS (2D/3D) software for both bare and vegetated soils. The results indicate that the physical barrier is more efficient than dual-drip systems in enhancing the water distribution in the root zone while preventing downward leaching. On the other hand, the dual-drip system improves water distribution in sandy soils. Additionally, the dual-drip system with sequential irrigation, followed by the dual-drip system with concurrent irrigation, is the most efficient in limiting downward leaching of solutes.     

Electrochemical Production of Ferrate (Iron VI): Application to the Wastewater Treatment on a Laboratory Scale and Comparison with Iron (III) Coagulant

This paper presents a comparative study of the performance of ferrate(VI), FeO ₄ ^2? , and ferric, Fe(III), towards wastewater treatment. The ferrate(VI) was produced by electrochemical synthesis, using steel electrodes in a 16 M NaOH solution. Domestic wastewater collected from Hailsham North Wastewater Treatment Works was treated with ferrate(VI) and ferric sulphate (Fe(III)). Samples were analysed for suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and P removal. Results for low doses of Fe(VI) were validated via a reproducibility study. Removal of phosphorous reached 40% with a Fe(VI) dose as low as 0.01 mg/L compared to 25% removal with 10 mg/L of Fe(III). For lower doses (<1 mg/L as Fe), Fe(VI) can achieve between 60% and 80% removals of SS and COD, but Fe(III) performed even not as well as the control sample where no iron chemical was dosed. The ferrate solution was found to be stable for a maximum of 50 min, beyond which Fe(VI) is reduced to less oxidant species. This provided the maximum allowed storage time of the electrochemically produced ferrate(VI) solution. Results demonstrated that low addition of ferrate(VI) leads to good removal of P, BOD, COD and suspended solids from wastewater compared to ferric addition and further studies could bring an optimisation of the dosage and treatment.     

Analgesic activity and respiratory effects of butorphanol in sheep

The analgesic drug butorphanol tartrate has proved useful clinically in horses and dogs but its analgesic profile had not yet been investigated in sheep. This study was initiated to determine the thermal and mechanical antinociceptive activity of butorphanol (at the dose rates 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg kg-1) in sheep. The drug produced significant analgesia in the thermal test system, the duration of which was dose related but no significant elevation in mechanical pressure thresholds could be detected. In a further set of experiments the dose rate was increased to 0.4 mg kg-1 and mechanical testing was repeated. There was still no clinically significant elevation in pressure thresholds. At a dose rate of 0.2 mg kg-1 the drug had no detectable effect on respiratory blood gas tensions. Behavioural changes were severe if a dose rate of 0.2 mg kg-1 was exceeded.     

Protection conferred by vaccination with Blacksburg and Komarov strains of Newcastle disease virus against Newcastle disease in Bangladesh

Summary An evaluation was undertaken of the efficacy of vaccination of day-old chicks with the Blacksburg (B1) strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) followed at various times by vaccination with the Komarov (K) strain. Antibody was detected by the haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test one week after vaccination with B1 and titres peaked at three weeks and had declined to undetectable levels by nine weeks.After subsequent vaccination with K strain at five, seven or eight weeks of age levels of HAI antibody (titre 80 to 640) were detected after three weeks. Birds vaccinated at seven weeks were tested for antibody and resistance to challenge beyond 19 weeks of age. In this group the HAI titres remained constant (80 to 640) up to 32 weeks of age and then steadily declined to 10 to 20 at 44 weeks of age.A linear relationship between HAI titre and virus neutralising index (VNI) was demonstrated with a range of selected sera. Only birds with an HAI titre of 80 or greater resisted artificial challenge. It is recommended that, following B1 vaccincation at day-old and K vaccination at seven weeks old, revaccination with K strain should be performed at intervals of not more than seven months.

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Proteccion Conferida Mediante Vacunacion Con Las Cepas Blacksburg Komarov Del Virus De Newcastle En Bangladesh

Resumen Se llevó a cabo una evaluación de la eficacia de la vacunación de pollitos de un día, con la cepa Blacksburg (B1) del virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle, seguida de varias aplicaciones vacunales periódicas con la cepa Komarov (K). Se detectaron anticuerpos mediante la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación, una semana después de la vacunación con B1, los títulos alcanzando el pico a las tres semanas y declinaron a niveles no detectables a las nueve semanas.Después de aplicaciones vacunales periódicas con la cepa K, a las cinco, siete u ocho semanas de edad, se detectaron anticuerpos mediante la prueba de inhibición de la hemaglutinación (títulos 80 a 640), después de tres semanas. Las aves vacunadas a las siete semanas, recibieron una descarga y se les hizo prueba de anticuerpos, después de las 19 semanas de edad. En este grupo los títulos de anticuerpos permanecieron constantes (80 to 640) hasta las 32 semanas de edad y después declinaron lentamente a 10 ó 20 a las 44 semanas de edad.Se demostró una relación lineal entre los títulos hallados y el índice viral neutralizante, en un rango de sueros seleccionados. Solamente las aves con títulos de 80 o más altos resistieron la descarga artificial. Se recomienda que, seguidamente a la vacunación con B1 a un día de edad y con K a las siete semanas, las revacunaciones con la cepa K debería hacerse con intervalos de no más de siete meses.

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Protection Conferee Contre La Maladie De Newcastle Au Bangladesh Par La Vaccination A L'Aide Des Souches Blacksburg Et Komarov De Virus De La Maladie De Newcastle

Résumé Une evaluation de l'efficacité de la vaccination de poussins d'un jour à l'aide des souches Blackburg (B1) du virus de la maladie de Newcastle, suivie à différents moments par la vaccination à l'aide de la souche Komarov (K), a été entreprise. Les anticorps furent détéctés par inhibition de l'hemagglutination (HAI), une semaine après la vaccination avec la souche B1 et le titre atteignit un pic à 3 semaines pour décliner jusqu'à des niveaux indétectables à neuf semaines. A la suite de vaccinations consécutives avec la souche K à cinq, sept ou huit semaines, les niveaux d'anticorps HAI furent détectés après trois semaines. Les oiseaux vaccinés à sept semaines furent examinés pour les anticorps et la résistance à une épreuve au delà de 19 semaines d'âge. Dans ce groupe les titres HAI sont restés constants (80 à 640) jusqu'à l'àge 32 semaines, puis ont diminué régulièrement jusqu'à 10 à 20 à l'âge de 44 semaines.Une relation linéaire entre le titre HAI et l'index de neutralisation du virus (VNI) a été démontrée sur une gamme de sérums choisis. Seuls les oiseaux ayant un titre HAI de 80 ou plus ont résisté à l'épreuve artificielle. On recommande que, après une vaccination B1 à un jour, et une vaccination K à l'âge de sept semaines, une revaccination K soit réalisée à des intervalles n'excédant pas sept mois.

     

Efficiency of some molecular markers linked to rhizomania resistance gene (Rz 1 ) for marker assisted selection in sugar beet

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the two major products supplying sugar (sucroses) in the world. Rhizomania is one of the most destructive diseases of sugar beet world-wide. Holly is the major source of resistance to rhizomania. The objectives of this study were to identify the dominant homozygous genotypes resistant to rhizomania using ZN1 molecular marker, to field evaluate S₁ progenies of plants already proved to be containing the marker and also to determine the relationship of this and other SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) markers with SNP1 (single nucleotide polymorphism) marker associated with the Rz ₁ gene. Molecular analysis was carried out on 27 O-type populations (consisting of 13 susceptible and 6 resistant genotypes). Field evaluation and scoring of the phenotypic traits including greenness, growth, uniformity and disease score of 12 O-type populations were carried out on a rhizomania-infested field. The percent agreement of coupling marker ZN1 and repulsion marker ZN8 with disease score was 0.91 and 0.93, respectively. Although all O-types had the Rz ₁ resistance gene but the phenotypic differences were observed due to the effect of different genetic backgrounds and modifier genes. Overall, the results showed that the selected markers can be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) to reduce the time and cost of breeding programs and increase the efficiency of selection.     

Evaluation of seedling and adult plant resistance to stem rust in European wheat cultivars

A total of 105 European wheat cultivars were assessed for seedling and adult plant resistance (APR) to stem rust using an array of Australian isolates of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici. Twenty-seven cultivars were susceptible at both seedling and adult plant growth stages. Twelve catalogued seedling stem rust resistance genes (Sr7b, Sr8a, Sr8b, Sr9b, Sr9g, Sr11, Sr15, Sr17, Sr29, Sr31, Sr36 and Sr38) were detected in the remaining cultivars, and 13 cultivars carried additional seedling resistance genes that could not be postulated with the isolates used. Low levels of APR to stem rust were found in the cultivars Artaban, Forno, Mec, Mercia, Pandas and Vlada. Although the genetic identity of this APR was not determined, it was clear that the only designated stem rust APR gene Sr2 was not present in any of the cultivars tested based on the absence of the linked traits seedling chlorosis and pseudo black chaff. One of these cultivars, Forno, is believed to carry the leaf rust APR gene Lr34, previously reported to be associated with improved resistance to stem rust. A detailed genetic characterisation of the APRs in these cultivars will be needed to understand their modes of inheritance and relationships with catalogued stem rust resistance genes. Such knowledge may help in developing cultivars with effective gene combinations that confer higher levels of protection.     

Effects of vermicompost and salinity stress on growth and physiological traits of Medicago rigidula L.

The use of vermicompost as a biological fertilizer under salinity stress conditions was tested in this research. Accordingly, the seeds of Medicago rigidula were grown in the greenhouse. The experiment was performed based on factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design using 5 replications. Application rates of vermicompost were 0, 10, 20 and 30%. Salinity stress was conducted in three levels (0, 50 and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)). The highest and the lowest values of the plant survival capacity (%), shoot dry weight (g), leaf relative water content (LRWC) (%), total chlorophyll content (%), leaf area (cm²), total nitrogen content (TNC) (%) and potassium (K) content (%) of the plant tissues were found in VC4 × SL1 and VC1 × SL3 treatments, respectively. Whereas, the maximum and minimum values of root dry weight and root:shoot ratio were seen in VC1 × SL3 and VC4 × SL1 treatments, respectively.