Specific Gravity,Dry Matter and Starch Concentration of Different Potato Cultivars as Affected by Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic (As) contamination of the soil may affect the quality of potato tubers. When assessing the processing quality of potato cultivars, specific gravity (SG) is the measurement of choice for estimating dry matter (DM) and starch concentrations in the potato tubers. In this study, effects of the As concentration in the soil on quality parameters (SG, DM, starch concentration and total soluble solids (TSS)) of 11 potato cultivars in Bangladesh were investigated in an outdoor pot experiment with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three blocks, at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November, 2012 to March, 2013. The results showed highly significant differences between cultivars in quality parameters, except SG. Both As levels (25 and 50 mg As kg^?1 soil) reduced the DM and starch concentration in the tubers of the potato cultivars compared to the control (0 mg As kg^?1 soil), but had no significant effects on SG and TSS. ‘Lady Rosetta’ showed the highest SG (1.093 g cm^?3), DM (23.02%) and starch concentration (16.60%). The lowest SG (1.065 g cm^?3), DM (17.04%), and starch concentration (10.96%) was found in ‘Granola’. Highest TSS (5.91) was found in ‘Jam Alu’ while ‘Meridian’ had the lowest °Brix value (3.76). Bangladeshi potato farmers will benefit from the information generated regarding potato cultivation under As affected areas.     

Increased water temperature altered hemato-biochemical parameters and structure of peripheral erythrocytes in striped catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasianodon hypophthalmus</Emphasis>

The increase of water temperature due to global warming is a great concern of aquaculturists and fishery biologists. In the present study, we examined the effects of high temperature on hematological parameters and blood glucose levels in striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus exposed to three temperature conditions (28, 32, and 36 °C) for 7 days. Fish were sacrificed at days 1, 3, and 7. Erythroblasts (Ebs), erythrocytic cellular abnormalities (ECA), and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) were assayed using peripheral erythrocytes of the sampled fishes. Hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased at 36 °C after 3 and 7 days of exposure, whereas white blood cell (WBC) showed opposite scenario. Blood glucose levels significantly (P?<?0.05) increased at 36 °C on day 3. Frequencies of Ebs, ECA, and ENA were found to be elevated at increased temperature. Differential leucocytes count showed significant increases in neutrophil and decreases in lymphocytes in the highest temperature (36 °C). Dissolved oxygen decreased and free CO₂ increased significantly (P?<?0.05) with increasing temperature, while the pH and total alkalinity of the water were almost unchanged throughout the study period. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that striped catfish feel better adaptation at 28 and 32 °C, while high temperature 36 °C is likely stressful to this fish species.     

Physical chemical properties of several organophosphates: Some implication in environmental and biological behavior

The organophosphates are a class of chemicals noted for high biological activity. Their potential for transport and persistence in the environment, based on physical chemical properties, has not been thoroughly studied. Certain physical chemical properties of several organophosphates were measured and compared to organochlorine compounds whose transport and persistence are better known. Of interest was the potential for toxicity to human and other nontarget organisms. Certain organophosphates were found to have surprisingly high partition coefficients. This suggested the possibility of uptake by organisms, as well as indicating a propensity for storage and hence, a longer persistence. Rates of hydrolysis are some indication of the likelihood of persistence.     

Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis flowers

The flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis showed interesting antibacterial activity against some gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms (chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts) and significant cytotoxic activity (petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts).     

E-octadec-7-en-5-ynoic acid from the roots of Capparis zeylanica

A new fatty acid, E-octadec-7-en-5-ynoic acid (1), has been isolated from chloroform extract of the roots of Capparis zeylanica. The structure of this compound was established primarily by 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy.     

Faidherbia albida and its effects on Ethiopian highland Vertisols

On a Vertisol under 850 mm rainfall, at an altitude of 1850 m, Faidherbia albida trees that occurred at 6.52 trees ha^–1, with a canopy cover that range from 97 m² ha^–1 to 229 m² ha^–1 were recorded. Studies on the lateral and vertical influence of the tree canopy on some physical and chemical properties of the soil, show apparent higher organic matter on the West side of the tree than the East due to accumulated wind blown litter by prevalent wind direction, and organic matter, N, P and K levels were higher under the tree canopy than outside for all directions and depths studied. Soil pH, exchangeable Na, Ca and Mg under the canopy and outside were similar. Available water capacity was 1.5 to 2 times more under than outside the tree. Noticeable increases in the silt fraction under the tree was recorded and discussed in relation to soil condition improvement and plant growth.     

孟加拉国丘陵地带桔园和灌木林地土壤物理性质的比较评价(英文)

对孟加拉国丘陵地带Mro部落经营的桔园与灌木林35%和55%两种坡地土壤物理性质进行了比较与评价。每一块用地内挖掘3个土壤剖面采集不同深度(0-5cm,5-15cm and 15-30cm)的土壤样品,测定土壤水分、有机质含量和土壤密度。最大持水量、田间持水量、干或湿土壤容重和土壤孔隙度的测定仅限于表层土壤。两种坡地桔园3个深度的土壤水分含量均显著高于灌木林地相同深度的土壤水分。桔园在55%坡地内土壤有机质含量低于林地含量值,而在35%坡地内的含量值则高于林地值。两块样地内上述两项测定值均在表层土壤中最高,且随土层深度的增加而降低。与灌木林地比较,桔园地表层土壤最大持水量、孔隙度和3个不同深度的土壤密度均较低。两块用地内不同坡地的表层土田间持水量有所差异,且桔园地干或湿表层土壤容重高于林地内的数值。表5参23。     

Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of Trapa bispinosa

The extracts of Trapa bispinosa showed interesting antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative test organisms and significant cytotoxic activity.     

孟加拉吉大港地区丘陵森林有机物积累

在孟加拉吉大港丘陵地区,调查了热带季风气候条件下的3种人工林(7年生大叶相思(Acacia auriculiformis)林、15年生大叶相思林和18年生混交林)和1种天然林的森林凋落物及其对土壤性质的作用.结果表明,总的有机质积累随人工林树龄增加而增加,但是年积累量随之降低.在同一植被类型内,不同坡位新鲜或部分分解的凋落物有机质累计量变化较大,坡底部有机质积累量最高,沿着山坡向上逐渐减少.在15年生大叶相思人工林内,土壤整合有机物积累量变化趋势与新鲜或部分分解有机质积累量变化趋势相反.在7年生和15年生的大叶相思林以及18年龄的阔叶混交人工林内,新鲜、部分分解和完全分解(含土壤整合有机质)有机质总生产速率分别是2554.31、705.79和1028.01kg.ha-1·a-1,新鲜凋落物有机质在3种林分中的生产速率分别是38.23,19.40和30.48 kg·ha-1·a-1.3种人工林和自然林内,平均新鲜凋落物的有机质积累占有机质产出总量的32.45%,部分分解凋落物占13.50%,而全分解整合土壤有机质占54.56%.森林土壤酸度随凋落物分解阶段的深入而增加.     

Effects of coastal afforestation on some soil properties in Lakshmipur coast of Bangladesh

Coastal zones comprising important intertidal tropical and subtropical ecosystems are characterized by high productivity, diversity and unique zonation of various plant and animal communities. The comparison of some selected physicochemical soil properties viz. texture, particle density, moisture content, pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen between planted site （Telir char） and barren site （Boyar char） has been investigated at surface （0-10 cm） and subsurface （10-45 cm） soil across three different land strips viz. inland, middle part and sea side in Lakshmipur coast of Bangladesh. Sand particles in the soil were lower in planted site than barren site. The reverse trend was found in case of both silt and clay percentage. Coastal afforestation had a significant effect on soil binding process since a common trend of increment in soil particle density was noticed. Maximum increment （20.43% to 23.30%） in soil moisture content was recorded in surface soil across the seaside while at subsurface soil both across the middle part （19.53% to 22.30%） and sea side （20.19% to 22.96%）. Moreover, the highest reduction in soil pH was recorded at surface soil （7.27 to 6.60） across the sea side and subsurface soil （7.16 to 6.67） in inland due to the influence of coastal plantation. Across all the land strips and the soil depths studied, soil organic carbon was higher in planted site than in barren site with only exception at subsurface soil in the middle part （0.50% in both sites）. Total soil nitrogen in the study area was increased at both depths due to forestation with the highest increment in the inland at both surface and subsurface soil.