Resistance to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) in a mini-core collection of finger millet germplasm

Blast caused by Pyricularia grisea [teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea] is an economically important and widespread disease of finger millet in the world. Host resistance is the most economical and effective means of combating this disease as finger millet is predominantly grown by resource-poor and marginal farmers. At the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), we evaluated a finger millet mini-core collection of 80 germplasm accessions (about 1 % of the total germplasm collection representing major trait variability) for blast resistance both in the field and greenhouse. Field evaluation was done using a refined screening technique that included new improved rating scales for leaf, neck and finger infection. Sixty six of the 80 accessions showed combined resistance to leaf, neck and finger blast in two seasons (2009 and 2010) of field screening. A highly significant and positive correlation was found between neck and finger blast ratings (r?=?0.92), whereas small but significant correlations were found between leaf blast and neck blast (r?=?0.25) and between leaf blast and finger blast (r?=?0.30). These accessions were also screened for leaf blast resistance in the greenhouse by artificial inoculation of seedlings to confirm field observations. Fifty-eight of the 80 accessions were resistant to leaf blast in the greenhouse screen as well. These resistant accessions represented one wild (africana) and four cultivated races (vulgaris, plana, elongate and compacta) of finger millet that originated from 13 countries in Asia and Africa and exhibited considerable diversity for agronomic traits, such as maturity period, plant height and panicle type. These blast resistant accessions from the mini-core collection would be useful in finger millet disease resistance breeding programs.     

Identification of unique DNA sequences present in highly virulent 2009 Alabama isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila

In 2009, a disease outbreak caused by Aeromonas hydrophila occurred in 48 catfish farms in West Alabama, causing an estimated loss of more than 3 million pounds of food size channel catfish. Virulence studies have revealed that the 2009 isolates of A. hydrophila are at least 200-fold more virulent than a 1998 Alabama isolate AL98-C1B. However, up to now, no molecular markers have been identified to differentiate the highly virulent 2009 isolates from other isolates of A. hydrophila. To understand the genetic differences between the highly virulent 2009 isolates and the less virulent AL98-C1B at molecular level, PCR-select bacterial genome subtractive hybridization was used in this study. A total of 96 clones were selected from the subtractive genomic DNA library. Sequencing results revealed that the 96 clones represented 64 unique A. hydrophila sequences. Of the 64 sequences, three (hypothetical protein XAUC_13870, structural toxin protein RtxA, and putative methyltransferase) were confirmed to be present in the three virulent 2009 Alabama isolates but absent in the less virulent AL98-C1B. Using genomic DNAs from nine field isolates of A. hydrophila with different virulence as templates, two sequences (hypothetical protein XAUC_13870 and putative methyltransferase) were found to be only present in highly virulent A. hydrophila isolates, but absent in avirulent isolates.     

Dual Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi Contributes in Sustainable Maintenance of Plant Health in Fly Ash Ponds

Fly ash is one of the residues produced during combustion of coal, and its disposal is a major environmental concern throughout coal-based power-generated counties. Deficiencies of essential nutrients, low soil microbial activity, and high-soluble salt concentrations of trace elements are some of the concerns for reclamation of fly ash ponds. The effect of fly-ash-adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphate solubilizing fungus Aspergillus tubingensis was studied on the growth, nutrient, and metal uptake of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) plants grown in fly ash. Co-inoculation of these fungi significantly increased the P (150%), K (67%), Ca (106%), and Mg (180%) in shoot tissues compared control plants. The Al and Fe content were significantly reduced (50% and 60%, respectively) due to the presence of AM fungi and A. tubingensis. The physicochemical and biochemical properties of fly ash were improved compared to those of individual inoculation and control. The results showed that combination of AM fungi and A. tubingensis elicited a synergetic effect by increasing plant growth and uptake of nutrients with reducing metal translocation.     

Effect of elevated carbon dioxide and water stress on gas exchange and water use efficiency in corn

CO₂ has been predicted to increase in the future, and thus leading to possible changes in precipitation patterns. The objectives of this study were to investigate water use and canopy level photosynthesis of corn plants, and to quantify water use efficiency in corn plants under two different CO₂ levels combined with four different water stress levels. Corn plants were planted in sunlit plant growth chambers and a day/night temperature of (28/18 °C) was applied. From 21 days after emergence (DAE), the eight treatments including two levels of carbon dioxide concentrations (400 and 800 μmol mol⁻¹) and four levels of water stress (well-watered control, “mild”, “moderate”, and “severe” water stress) treatments at each CO₂ level were imposed. Height, number of leaves, leaf lengths, and growth stages of corn plants were monitored from nine plants twice a week. Corn plants were separately collected, dried, and analyzed for the biomass accumulation at 21 and 60 DAE. Soil water contents were monitored by a time domain reflectometry (TDR) system (15 probes per chamber). The “breaking points” (changes from high to low rates of soil water uptake) were observed in the bottom of soil depth for the water stressed conditions, and the “breaking points” under ambient CO₂ appeared 6-9 days earlier than under elevated CO₂. Although approximately 20-49% less water was applied for the elevated CO₂ treatments than for ambient CO₂ from 21 DAE, higher soil water contents were recorded under elevated CO₂ than under ambient CO₂. However, corn growth variables such as height, leaf area, and biomass accumulation were not significantly different in CO₂ or water stressed treatments. This result may be explained by considering that significant differences in canopy level gross photosynthesis among the water stress treatments was observed only toward the end of the experiment. The higher soil water contents observed under elevated CO₂ resulted mainly from less water use than under ambient CO_2. WUE (above ground biomass per water use since 21 DAE) at the final harvest was consistently higher and varied with a smaller range under elevated CO₂ than under ambient CO₂. This study suggests that less water will be required for corn under high-CO₂ environment in the future than at present.     

Acetylation of chicken feathers for thermoplastic applications

Poultry feathers are renewable resources, inexpensive and abundantly available, but have limited applications. Although keratin extracted from feathers has been chemically modified, there are no reports on the chemical modification or development of thermoplastics from poultry feathers. Acetylation is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly approach to make biopolymers thermoplastic. Several biopolymers have been acetylated and used to produce fibers, films, and extrudates. In this research, chicken feathers were acetylated, and the structure and properties of the acetylated feathers were studied. Acetylation conditions such as concentration of chemicals and catalyst and time and temperature of acetylation were optimized. Acetylation of feathers was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P-GC-MS). The acetylated feathers were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to understand their thermal behavior. Acetylated feathers were thermoplastic and could be compression molded to form transparent films despite the relatively low percentage of acetyl content.     

欧拉羊在甘南半农半牧区与山谷型藏羊的适应性对比

从甘南州玛曲县河曲马场引进欧拉羊种公羊30只,投放到卓尼县的半农办牧区进行放牧,观察欧拉羊的行为表现、生长发育、生理生化指标、繁殖性能、发病与死亡情况,结果各项指标正常,适应性良好,充分发挥了种公羊的生产性能,且具有杂交改良山谷型藏羊的优势,引种获得成功。     

欧拉型藏羊杂交改良山谷型藏羊F_1代生长发育对比分析

为研究甘南地区欧拉羊杂交改良山谷型藏羊效果,对欧拉羊与山谷型藏羊杂交试验组和山谷型藏羊本交对照组所产后代的初生、3月龄、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄的体尺、体重进行了跟踪测定,并对不同年龄段杂交后代与对照组后代进行了对比分析和差异显著性检验。结果表明：杂交F1代初生、3月龄、6月龄、12月龄、18月龄的体尺、体重极显著的高于对照组（P〈0.01）,初生、18月龄管围差异显著,3月龄、6月龄、12月龄管围差异不显著（P〉0.05）。     

Characterizing Water Holding Capacity and Runoff during Composting of Greenwaste and Biosolids

ABSTRACT

Most composters in the United States use open-windrows. During high intensity precipitation events, uncontained water running off of the surface of the compost piles can potentially contaminate surface waters with nutrients and metals. Water that is absorbed poses no runoff concern but may threaten groundwater quality. To gain insight into these processes, stormwater runoff fractions and water holding capacity of compost piles have been characterized for greenwaste (GW) and biosolids (BS) materials. Laboratory scale experiments were conducted using days 1, 7, and 14 materials representing three different stages of composting. This study also evaluated sloped and flat-top as different pile geometries and surfactant use for promoting infiltration. Results indicate that fresh materials were most hydrophobic and the infiltration rates increased with increased composting times. The water storage capacity of the compost pile increased with the age of the compost pile. Compost water storage capacities could not be reliably estimated as the difference between field capacity and as-received water contents.     

Nutrient composition of groundnut cultures (Arachis hypogaea L.) in relation to their kernel size

Seven varieties of groundnuts of varying kernel size were selected to study the relation between kernel size and nutritional quality. Results indicated that no significant (r=0.22) difference was found in oil contents among the various varieties which ranged from 46–52 percent. Protein contents ranged from 17–25.2 percent. Protein content of small seed varieties was high compared to bold seeded varieties, whereas sugar content of bold seeded varieties was higher. No significant differences in amino acid and fatty acid compositions were observed among the varieties tested. In vitro digestibility of protein tended to be slightly less but not significantly so in bold seeded varieties compared to small and medium size varieties. Niacin content of bold seeded varieties was slightly higher compared to other varieties.     

草莓新品种引种试验

对引进的74个国内外草莓新优品种进行栽培试验比较研究,筛选出鬼怒甘、公四莓、法兰地和麦特来4个优于主栽种丰香、适宜在我省推广栽培的品种。