Effects of combined application of vermicompost and mineral fertilizer on the growth of Allium cepa L. and soil fertility

The promotion of organic farming involves curtailing extensive use of mineral fertilizers. The present study was aimed to compare the effects of vermicompost (10 Mg ha^–1), commercial mineral fertilizer (NPK—100:80:80), and their combination on (1) the growth of a major cash crop “onion” (Allium cepa L.) and (2) the changes that may have occurred in the amended soil. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications during the crop‐growing season of 2008/09. Results showed significantly higher plant growth in the combined/mix treatment of vermicompost and NPK, as measured by the vegetative growth of bulbs, number and length of tillers per bulb, and fresh weight of bulbs and by the biochemical characteristics of the onion tillers/leaves (total chlorophyll, caretenoids, protein, and total sugar contents). Comparison of the mixed treatment as compared to the control showed increases in bulb size (54%), total number of bulbs per bed (52%), and fresh weight of all bulbs (198%). The chemical properties and enzyme activity of the amended soil also improved significantly in the combined treatment as compared to the application of vermicompost or the mineral fertilizer alone. Total organic C, microbial biomass C, and sulfate content were significantly higher in the mix treatment, with increases of 60%, 127%, and 126%, respectively, as compared to those of the chemical‐fertilizer‐alone treatment. Similarly, β‐glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, and dehydrogenase were significantly higher by 145%, 91%, 71%, respectively, in the mix treatment as compared to those of fertilizer‐alone application. This study indicates that application of a combination of mineral fertilizer and vermicompost in the field can positively influence the biological properties and fertility of soils, and support better plant growth, when compared to the application of mineral fertilizer or vermicompost alone. The study suggests that this combined application can reduce the quantity and cost of mineral‐fertilizers application for bulbous‐crop cultivation by 50%, while also sustaining soil biological activity of tropical and subtropical soils.     

Status of the hammerhead shark (Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae) fishery in Indian waters with observations on the biology of scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith, 1834)

1. Hammerhead sharks are represented by four species in India's marine fishery – Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrna mokarran, Sphyrna zygaena and Eusphyra blochii. This paper describes the hammerhead shark fishery in India during 2007–2018 and summarizes observations on the biology of S. lewini exploited along the Indian coast.
2. Hammerhead sharks are caught by trawl nets, gillnets, seines and line gear, mostly as bycatch. Annual average landing of hammerhead sharks during 2007–18 was 639 t, with a low of 290 t in 2018, of which S, lewini was the dominant species, comprising 95% of landings. Hammerhead sharks formed nearly 1.31% of the total elasmobranch landings. About 54% of hammerhead sharks were landed by trawlers.
3. Length range of S. lewini in regular landings was 36–300 cm total length (TL). The dominant size class was 30–100 cm TL; 79.5% of males and 83.2% of females measured between 40 and 100 cm TL. Length–weight relationship was derived as W = 0.0218*(L)^2.634 and W = 0.0131*(L)^2.769 for males and females, respectively.
4. Overall sex ratio (F: M) was 1.3:1; below 100 cm TL, the sex ratio was skewed in favour of females. The length at first maturity of males was estimated as 168 cm. The length at first maturity of females was estimated at 239.6 cm. Fecundity ranged from 12–40, size at birth was 36–45 cm TL. Bony fishes were the preferred prey, followed by cephalopods.
5. The S. lewini landings in India are dominated by juveniles and threatens sustainability of the stock. Capture of juvenile sharks can be excluded to a considerable extent through strict implementation of minimum legal size of capture, and a conservative minimum legal size of 220 cm is suggested for this species in Indian waters. Identification of recurring juvenile aggregation grounds, their spatio-temporal closures, gear restrictions and greater stakeholder awareness could lead to conservation of the resource and a sustainable fishery.

     

Non-Structural protein 1 (NS1) gene of Canine Parvovirus-2 regresses chemically induced skin tumors in Wistar rats

The Non-Structural protein 1 of Canine Parvovirus-2 (CPV2.NS1) plays a major role in viral cytotoxicity and pathogenicity. CPV2.NS1 has been proven to cause apoptosis in HeLa cells in vitro in our laboratory. Here we report that CPV2.NS1 has no toxic side effects on healthy cells but regresses skin tumors in Wistar rats. Histopathological examination of tumor tissue from CPV2.NS1 treated group revealed infiltration of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells with increased extra cellular matrix, indicating signs of regression. Tumor regression was also evidenced by significant decrease in mitotic index, AgNOR count and PCNA index, and increase in TUNEL positive apoptotic cells in CPV2.NS1 treated group. Further, CPV2.NS1 induced anti-tumor immune response through significant increase in CD8⁺ and NK cell population in CPV2.NS1 treated group. These findings suggest that CPV2.NS1 can be a possible therapeutic candidate as an alternative to chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.     

Evaluation of genetic diversity in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) using RAPD and ISSR markers

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is an industrially important plant used for production of curcumin, oleoresin and essential oil. In the present study we examined the genetic diversity among turmeric accessions from 10 different agro-climatic regions comprising 5 cultivars and 55 accessions. Two DNA-based molecular marker techniques, viz., random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) were used to assess the genetic diversity in turmeric genotypes. A total of 17 polymorphic primers (11 RAPDs and 6 ISSRs) were used in this study. RAPD analysis of 60 genotypes yielded 94 fragments of which 75 were polymorphic with an average of 6.83 polymorphic fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments with RAPD primers ranged from 3 to 13 with the size of amplicons ranging from 230 to 3000 bp in size. The polymorphism ranged from 45 to 100 with an average of 91.4%. The 6 ISSR primers produced 66 bands across 60 genotypes of which 52 were polymorphic with an average of 8.6 polymorphic fragments per primer. The number of amplified bands varied from 1 to 14 with size of amplicons ranging from 200 to 2000 bp. The percentage of polymorphism using ISSR primers ranged from 83 to 100 with an average of 95.4%. Nei's dendrogram for 60 samples using both RAPD and ISSR markers demonstrated an extent of 62% correlation between the genetic similarity and geographical location. The result of Nei's genetic diversity (H) generated from the POP gene analysis shows relatively low genetic diversity in turmeric accessions of South eastern ghat (P7), Western undulating zone (P8) with 0.181 and 0.199 value whereas highest genetic diversity (0.257) has been observed in Western central table land (P9). Knowledge on the genetic diversity of turmeric from different agro-climatic regions can be used to future breeding programs for increased curcumin, oleoresin and essential oil production to meet the ever-increasing demand of turmeric for industrial and pharmaceutical uses.     

Reproductive development and grain quality in maize in response to application of Zn alone or with B in soil low in available Zn and B

A pot culture experiment was conducted on a soil marginally deficient in diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable zinc under the glass house conditions of Lucknow University to observe the effect of zinc (Zn) alone and a combination of Zn with boron (B) on the growth and reproductive yield of maize. Studies conducted on plant height, dry matter and reproductive yield and tissue element concentration in leaves and grains at harvest showed significant increase over the control. Activities of enzymes, carbonic anhydrase and superoxide dismutase determined in comparable middle leaves increased with the application of both the nutrients. Pollen diameter, pollen-producing capacity of mature anthers, grain protein, starch and phytate content were also positively correlated with the addition of nutrients. The residual value of available Zn and B in soil left after the removal of crop was found good enough to sustain the next crop.     

Potentiality of Potato Flour as Humectants (Anti-staling Agent) in Bakery Product: Muffin

The potential of potato flour as a humectant (anti-staling agent) was investigated. The experiment utilised eight variants of potato flour, prepared from processing cultivar K. Chipsona-1 and table cultivar K. Laukar, in muffins as a bakery product. On the basis of higher values of water retention and water absorption, and comparatively lower values of setback and flavour intensity, grilled (180 W for 25 min) potato flour from cultivar K. Laukar (GPF-T) was selected for muffin preparation. For optimization, muffins were prepared with GPF-T at 1, 3, 5 and 7% (w/w) level in the formulation. The storage study was conducted for 8 days at 25?±?2 °C and 55?±?5% RH. It was concluded from the product characterisation, sensory evaluation and storage study that 3% GPF-T can be used as a low-cost alternative to commercially available humectants for muffin preparation. Research findings may be adopted by small-scale industry entrepreneurs to delay the staling of muffins two-fold without adversely affecting the sensory scores.     

Recent trends in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) research: an overview

Muskmelon is a warm season old-world cucurbit species which belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It has served as a wonder crop since ancient times, as the leaves and seeds of it are used to treat hematoma, and the stems to reduce hypertension. For decades, it has played key roles in the field of plant molecular biology and plant physiology, serving as an excellent model plant for investigating the phenomenon of sex determination and ripening processes. Elite varieties of melons carrying the wide potential to serve as more demanding to end user and against tolerance to drought condition and inferior lands, or diseases have been developed. Plant-breeding methods (conventional or molecular breeding) and transgenic technology are the only tools left, with which we can deploy to regenerate the elite varieties in melon fruits to meet the global demand for next decades. The development of plant biotechnological tools for melons offers the prospect to develop new varieties, more rapidly, avoiding natural genetic barriers. The use of these methods has extended to increase the genetic diversity by somatic hybridisation or gene transfer and to optimise conventional breeding programmes. In this review, we have focused on the status of crop improvement in muskmelon since a period of time for different traits like quality improvement, sex expression as well as resistances against biotic and abiotic stresses.     

Effect of maternal ketoacidosis on the ovine fetus

Ketoacidosis during pregnancy carries significant risk of intrauterine fetal demise, but little is known about the impact of ketoacids on the ovine fetus. We report a case series of maternal ketoacidosis in ewes. Maternal ketoacidosis may result in biochemical and acid-base fetal abnormalities associated with changes in feto-placental unit perfusion.     

Comparative analyses of LMW glutenin alleles in bread wheat using allele-specific PCR and SDS-PAGE

One hundred and eighty-two bread wheat cultivars developed in India were characterized for low molecular weight (LMW) glutenins using SDS-PAGE and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess allelic diversity encoded by Glu-3 loci, as well as their utility for correctly identifying different alleles. SDS-PAGE indicated Glu-A3c is present in 64.6% of the cultivars, Glu-A3b in 13.8%, Glu-A3d in 12.7% and Glu-A3e/f in 8.8%. Seven types of alleles were present at the Glu-B3 locus: Glu-B3b (29.3%), Glu-B3g (27.0%), Glu-B3h (13.8%), Glu-B3i (16.1%), Glu-B3j (12.1%), Glu-B3c (0.6%) and Glu-B3d (1.1%). SDS-PAGE found three types of Glu-D3 alleles: Glu-D3a (30.2%), Glu-D3b (67.1%) and Glu-D3c (2.7%). However, PCR found two different alleles in cultivars classified as carrying Glu-D3a and three alleles in those identified as carrying Glu-D3b cultivars, indicating a more complex nature of the Glu-D3 locus. In conclusion, the data found greater consistency between the SDS-PAGE and PCR amplification patterns of alleles such as Glu-A3c, Glu-A3d, Glu-B3g, Glu-B3h and Glu-B3i, and less consistency between those same patterns in the Glu-A3b, Glu-A3e/f and Glu-B3b alleles. More studies are needed in order to achieve unambiguous identification of the Glu-3 alleles and thereby allow their greater utility in germplasm evaluation and breeding.