Growth and yield response of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) to phosphobacterial inoculation

In this study growth and yield response of wheat crop to phosphobacterium inoculum was observed under sandy loam conditions. The investigations were carried out at field experiment. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments were; 120-0-0 NPK kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₁), 120-50-0 kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₂), 120-100-0 NPK kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₃), T ₁ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₄), T ₂ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₅) and T ₃ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₆).The results showed that bacterial strain (Pseudomonas spp.) was able to effect on yield and its attributes in wheat crop. The crop showed significant positive results. The inoculation significantly stimulates the germination count (m⁻²), number of tillers and spikes (m⁻²), 1000 grains weight (g) and grain yield (kg/ha⁻¹). We suggest that application of 120-100-0 kg/ha⁻¹ NPK along with coating of seed with phosphobacterium (Pseudomonas spp.) all the way through inoculation is a better practice to reduce the exploit of phosphatic fertilizers which are much costly.     

Evaluation of oil formulations of deltamethrin for use on cotton targets for tsetse fly control

A range of formulations of deltamethrin were prepared, some containing an ultraviolet (UV) absorber compound or a combination of the UV absorber and an oil, and applied to blue cotton tsetse fly target samples which were then exposed to the effect of simulated sunlight and water in the laboratory. The residue of insecticide remaining on the targets and the activity of the latter against tsetse flies was determined. Formulations containing the UV absorber and coconut oil or silicone oil remained the most effective against tsetse flies. A coconut oil formulation of the insecticide was selected for field evaluation in comparison with a commercial deltamethrin formulation, Glossinex 200′ S.C., which contains 10% UV absorber. Target samples treated with these formulations were exposed to natural tsetse fly habitat in Ghana for a period of five months and evaluated for deltamethrin residues and activity against four species of tsetse fly. After five months, 4–13 times more deltamethrin remained on the targets treated with the coconut oil formulation than on those treated with ‘Glossinex’, and consequently the former were more active against tsetse flies than the latter. Target samples sequentially dipped in the coconut oil formulation resulted in uniform insecticide concentration on the targets, whereas those dipped in ‘Glossinex’ contained gradually decreasing deltamethrin concentrations.     

N-acetyl- beta -D-glucosaminidase activity in the endometrial epithelium of the cow's uterus during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy

The levels of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) were measured in the endometrial epithelial tissue of the bovine uterus during the oestrous cycle and during pregnancy. NAGase levels were significantly (P<0.001) higher in the epithelial tissue of the cow's uterus during the luteal phase of the cycle and during pregnancy than during the non-luteal phase. There were significantly (P<0.001) higher mean NAGase values in the epithelial than the subepithelial layers of the uterus in the two cycle phases and in pregnancy. Leucocyte numbers were significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.001) higher in the cows' uteri during the non-luteal phase than during the luteal phase and pregnancy, respectively. It is concluded that the endometrial epithelial layer is significantly active in terms of NAGase release and that this may be related to increased progesterone concentrations. In addition, the epithelial tissue (not leucocytes) appears to be the main contributor to the total NAGase activity in uterine tissue.     

Rejuvenating soybean(Glycine max L.) growth and development through slight shading stress

The impact of increased shading stress on agronomic traits, photosynthetic performance and antioxidants activities in leaves of two soybeans cultivars(D16 and E93) was studied. Soybean seedlings were grown in pots and exposed to no shade(S0), slight shade(S1), moderate shade(S2), and heavy shade(S3). Our findings showed that under the S3 in both cultivars, leaf fresh weight(LFW), specific leaf area(SLA) and leaf thickness decreased significantly, accompanied by a reduction in photochemical parameters including the maximum quantum yield(F_v/F_m) and electron transport rate(ETR). Furthermore, compared to S0, S1 significantly increased the ETR, sucrose content and the activity of catalase(CAT) in both D16 and E93 cultivars while S2 and S3 decreased the activity. However, under all treatments of shading stress, the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and peroxidase(POD) were lowered in both cultivars. Such morphological and physiological plasticity to adapt S1 compensates for the decrease in biomass and leads to seed weight compared to that obtained with an amount of normal light. Through configuring the space in the intercropping systems, S1 could be helpful for optimum growth and yield. Redesigning photosynthesis through S1 for the intercropping systems could be a smart approach.     

Basking site and water depth selection by gharial Gavialis gangeticus Gmelin 1789 (Crocodylia,Reptilia) in National Chambal Sanctuary,India and its implication for river conservation

• 1. The species diversity of inland waters is among the most threatened of all ecosystems and in many parts of the world it is in continuing and accelerating decline. Such decline could be restrained by acknowledging the scope of target species, so that all relevant stages in their life cycle are considered.
• 2. The gharial Gavialis gangeticus is a prominent riverine species of the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Mahanadi river systems that is becoming increasingly rare due to reduction in water flow and available nesting beaches, modification of river morphology and increased mortality in fishing nets. Despite these threats, scientific information on habitat selection by gharial is still inadequate, which hinders conservation measures.
• 3. This paper presents the population status, basking site selection and water depth preferences of different size‐classes of gharial based on a study conducted in the National Chambal Sanctuary, India.
• 4. Between 1992 and 2007 a 40% decline in the gharial population was observed in the National Chambal Sanctuary. The decline was prominent in the recruitment class (<120 cm), which primarily comes from the nests laid in the wild, and also in sub‐adults (>180 to 270 cm) comprising both wild and reintroduced gharial.
• 5. Along the Chambal River, gharial preferred sandy parts of the river banks and sand bars for basking and showed less preference for rocky river banks and rocky outcrops. Clay river banks were least preferred.
• 6. Juvenile gharials <120 cm and 120–180 cm preferred water depths 1–3 m and 2–3 m, respectively. Gharial >180 cm (including sub‐adults and adults) preferred water depths >4 m.
• 7. Increasing demands for sand for development activities, and water abstraction for irrigation and energy generation coupled with mortality in fishing nets, are likely to affect gharial and other aquatic species, and steps need to be taken to maintain the minimum river flow necessary to sustain ecosystem processes.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同品种芥菜对镉胁迫的敏感性分布及抗氧化特征

为探讨不同品种芥菜(Brassica juncea L.)对土壤中镉(Cd)胁迫的敏感性分布规律,筛选出耐性强、吸收高的品种,并了解其抗氧化特征和Cd累积特征,为我国Cd污染土壤植物修复提供理论依据。以国内市场上常见的21个芥菜品种为材料,通过盆栽试验,研究不同品种芥菜对Cd胁迫的剂量-效应关系、敏感性分布差异,在此基础上对两种代表性芥菜的抗氧化酶活性及Cd含量进行测定。结果表明:21个芥菜品种对Cd的敏感性分布频次具有明显差异,低浓度Cd(≤1.23 mg·kg~(-1))对17种芥菜生长产生一定的刺激效应,其生物量增长了2.0%～30.5%,而过量的Cd(≥6.90 mg·kg~(-1))则会产生明显的胁迫作用。特选九头鸟大叶芥菜(JTN)对Cd最为敏感,而包心芥菜(BJ)则表现出最高耐性。通过对JTN和BJ体内丙二醛(MDA)和抗氧化酶活性(SOD、POD、CAT)分析,BJ体内的MDA含量明显低于JTN,而抗氧化酶活性高于JTN。耐性品种BJ根部及地上部分的富集系数均大于1,地上部Cd积累量最高可达156.03μg·株-1,且地上部对Cd污染土壤的净化率最大可达11.0%。研究表明,耐性品种BJ具有修复Cd污染土壤的潜力。     

套作对大豆苗期茎秆纤维素合成相关糖类物质转化的影响及其与叶片光合的关系

【目的】从纤维素合成相关糖类物质转化的角度,阐明玉米大豆套作模式下,大豆苗期茎秆光形态建成的机理。【方法】在大豆单作和玉米大豆套作两种种植模式下,以强耐荫大豆南豆12和弱耐荫大豆南032-4为试验材料,对叶片光合速率和茎秆总碳、纤维素、可溶性糖、蔗糖、β-1,3-葡聚糖等含量进行测定和分析。【结果】与单作相比,套作大豆由于受到玉米荫蔽,苗期光合速率显著降低,但材料间对套作的反应程度不同,强耐荫大豆南豆12受套作荫蔽的影响程度相对较小,在套作下表现出较强的光合能力;套作显著降低了大豆叶片和茎秆的总碳含量,但南豆12的降低幅度显著低于南032-4。相关分析表明叶片光合速率与叶片和茎秆的总碳含量、茎秆的纤维素含量均呈极显著正相关（r=0.952,0.935,0.825,P＜0.01）,说明荫蔽通过影响大豆叶片的光合速率,减少了光合产物的积累和向茎秆中的分配,导致大豆植株茎秆纤维素含量降低;强耐荫大豆南豆12在荫蔽下的光合速率较高,光合产物积累较多,适合套作种植。在整个苗期,虽然套作大豆茎秆可溶性糖含量均显著低于单作,但β-1,3-葡聚糖和蔗糖含量在大豆出苗后30-51 d却表现为套作显著高于单作,且在套作模式下,两个大豆糖类物质转化率差异显著;同一种植模式下,强耐荫大豆南豆12茎秆可溶性糖、蔗糖和β-1,3-葡聚糖的含量和转化率均显著或极显著高于南032-4。对纤维素沉积方式分析表明,同一大豆材料,单作模式下茎秆纤维素快速累积时间和累积速率要高于套作;同一种植模式下,强耐荫大豆南豆12纤维素快速累积时间要短于南032-4,但差异较小,而累积速率要高于南032-4,最终导致南豆12的茎秆纤维素含量显著高于南032-4。【结论】套作荫蔽降低了大豆叶片的光合能力,减少了光合产物向茎秆的运输量和茎秆填充物的含量,改变了茎秆纤维素的沉积方式,使得纤维素的含量降低;而强耐荫性大豆南豆12在套作模式下能保持较高光合能力和茎秆纤维素合成能力,具有较强的抗倒伏性。     

The bactericidal effect of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase on bacteria.

The bactericidal activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) on some of the potential bacterial pathogens of the cow was determined. NAGase treatment significantly decreased the mean log10 number of Actinomyces pyogenes (P less than 0.01) and Staphylococcus aureus (P less than 0.05) after 2 and 4 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C. Similarly NAGase treatment significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the mean log10 number of Streptococcus agalactiae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 4 hours incubation at 37 degrees C. NAGase did not reduce the numbers of Escherichia coli or Enterobacter aerogenes after either 2 or 4 hours incubation. Since NAGase and presumably other lysosomal enzymes are free on normal mucosal surfaces such as the uterus it is suggested that this direct bactericidal activity may be an important component of the normal defense mechanisms.