Performance of drip-irrigated dry-seeded rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) in South Asia

Drip irrigation in dry-seeded rice (DSR) is a new water-saving cultivation technology; however, very little is known of its productivity and water-saving capacities. The study was conducted for 2 years (2013 and 2014) in a split-plot design in three replicates with treatment combinations of four irrigation regimes [drip irrigation at 1.5, 2.25, and 3.0× pan evaporation (Epan) and flood irrigation at 3.0× Epan] and three nitrogen (N) levels (120, 150, and 180 kg ha^?1). Drip irrigation in DSR resulted in higher grain yield (7.34–8.01 t ha^?1) than flood irrigation (6.63–7.60 t ha^?1) , with water savings of more than 40 %. Water-use efficiency with drip irrigation was higher (0.81–0.88 kg m^?3) than flood irrigation (0.42–0.52 kg m^?3) , being highest with drip irrigation at 1.5× Epan. Root density at soil depths of 15–30 cm was also higher in drip (0.86–1.05 mg cm^?3) as compared to the flood (0.76–0.80 kg m^?3)-irrigated crop. This study implicated that under water-scarce scenario, drip-irrigated DSR is a profitable, and water- and energy-saving technology. This study also suggested that policy focus in future must be tilted towards the promotion of solar-operated drip irrigation in those regions, where DSR is being promoted in the face of water and energy crisis.     

Line × tester analysis of combining-ability and heterosis for some economic characters in okra

In okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moensch), heterosis over the mid-parental values was manifested in all the characters studied. However, overdominance was observed only for days to first flowering, fruit length, plant height, fruit weight and yield per plant. Among the testers, ‘Pusa Sawani’ was found to be the best general combiner for yield and most other characters, whereas ‘Pusa Sawani’ (Bangalore lot-NSC) and ‘Crimson Spineless’ were observed to be high general combiners for yield and other desirable attributes amongst the females. Gene action based on the general and specific combining ability variances for various characters was found to be mainly non-additive.‘Pusa Sawani’ (Bangalore lot-NSC) × ‘Smooth Long Green’ was found to be a good cross combination for number of fruits per plant and fruit yield. Another good combination for plant height and fruit yield was ‘American Seven Dhari’ × ‘Pusa Sawani’.     

Screening of water-efficient rice genotypes for dry direct seeding in South Asia

Rice genotypes having high crop water productivity in dry direct-seeded rice (DDSR) need to be assessed while promoting labor- and water-saving technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of several selection indices to identify genotypes with high crop water productivity in DDSR. A set of 16 genotypes [13 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and three genotypes as check for control] were evaluated under DDSR for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014) using two irrigation regimes [-10 kPa (non-stress) and -20 kPa (stress)]. Grain yield varied from 5.3 to 8.4 t ha^-1 and 5.9 to 8.7 t ha^-1 for irrigation regimes of -20 and -10 kPa, respectively. Yield reductions caused by water stress ranged from 2.9 to 25.1%; being lowest in RIL1649 and highest in hybrid SVH-127. The genotypes with high stress-tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and harmonic mean productivity (HAR) were identified as the most productive genotypes for high crop water productivity in DDSR. The results implied that selection based on stress tolerance indices likes STI, MP, GMP and HAR was useful in identifying genotypes with high crop water productivity under DDSR and RIL 1649 and SVH-127 were identified as superior genotypes in this regard.     

Surgical Management of Enterocutaneous Fistula in a Mare

Enterocutaneous fistulas are reported to be sequelae of congenital umbilical hernia or penetrating trauma to the equine patient's abdomen. An enterocutaneous fistula is considered to be the least common clinical presentation in a horse with incarcinated umbilical hernia, and may be life-threatening if not managed timely. This case report describes an enterocutaneous fistula in a mare as a sequela to congenital umblical hernia. The mare had an uneventful recovery after surgical repair and delivered a healthy foal on subsequent follow-up. The report highlights the need to repair congenital umbilical hernias (regardless of the size), if they do not resolve by the age of 6 to 12 months.     

Experimental Sarcocystis levinei infection in buffalo calves

Six buffalo calves were orally inoculated with 3 graded doses of sporocysts of Sarcocystis levinei (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 million sporocysts; 2 calves for each dose) while two more calves were kept as uninoculated controls. One calf from each group was killed at 30 days post infection (DPI) and the other at 80 DPI. Inoculated calves showed a dose dependent response. The calves inoculated with 0.5 and 1.0 million sporocysts did not manifest any clinical signs of disease up to 80 DPI. One of the two calves inoculated with 2.0 million sporocysts showed clinical signs of weakness, emaciation and anaemia during the 5th week post infection. The other calf remained healthy until it was killed at 30 DPI. Pale liver tissue, gelatinization of fat and haemorrhages in the heart were observed in one calf inoculated with 2.0 million sporocysts; only microscopic lesions were seen in other calves. Schizonts and merozoites were not observed in any calf. Mature sarcocysts were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle of calves killed at 80 DPI whereas no sarcocysts were seen in calves killed at 30 DPI.     

Alterations of hemogram,serum biochemistry,oxidative/nitrosative balance,and copper/zinc homeostasis in dromedary camels naturally infected with poxvirus

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Camel pox (CMLP), a contagious viral disease of camels, causes considerable economic loss in terms of milk, meat, wool, and leather production besides...     

Parent—Offspring correlations and heritability of some characters in okra

Four testers, 16 lines and 64 F₁'s were used in a line × tester analysis of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Parent—offspring correlations were high for yield per plant, number of ridges per fruit and fruit diameter with all the 4 testers. The heritability estimates were high for number of fruits, fruit length and fruit diameter. Yield had a positive and significant association with plant height, number of fruits per plant and fruit length, both in parents and hybrids. It was, therefore, suggested that number of fruits per plant and fruit length and diameter be given more consideration in selecting superior types in okra.     

Monitoring nitrogen,phosphorus and sulphur in hybrid rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) using hyperspectral remote sensing

Till date, the remote sensing research on crop nutrient monitoring has focused mainly on biomass and nitrogen (N) estimation and only a few attempts had been made to characterize and monitor macronutrients other than N. Field experiments were undertaken to study the remote detection of macronutrient status of rice using hyperspectral remote sensing. The variability in soil available N, phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) and their content in plants were created using artificial fertility gradient design. The leaf and canopy hyperspectral reflectance was captured from variable macronutrient status vegetation. Linear correlation analysis between the spectral reflectance and plant nutrient status revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher correlation coefficient at 670, 700, 730, 1090, 1260, 1460 nm for the nutrient under study. Published and proposed vegetation indices (VIs) were tested for canopy N, P and S prediction. The results of the investigation revealed that, published VIs (NDVI hyper and NDVI broadbands) could retrieve canopy N with higher accuracy, but not P and S. The predictability of the visible and short wave infrared based VI NRI₁₅₁₀ ((R₁₅₁₀ ? R₆₆₀)/(R₁₅₁₀ + R₆₆₀)) was the highest (r = 0.81, p < 0.01) for predicting N. Based on the outcomes of linear correlation analysis new VIs were proposed for remote detection of P and S. Proposed VI P_670_1260 ((R₁₂₆₀ ? R₆₇₀)/(R₁₂₆₀ + R₆₇₀)) retrieved canopy P status with higher prediction accuracy (r = 0.67, p < 0.01), whereas significantly higher canopy S prediction (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) was obtained using VI S_670_1090 ((R₁₀₉₀ ? R₆₇₀)/(R₁₀₉₀ + R₆₇₀)). The proposed spectral algorithms could be used for real time and site-specific N, P and S management in rice. Nutrient specific wavelengths, identified in the present investigation, could be used for developing relatively low-cost sensors of hand-held instruments to monitor N, P and S status of rice plant.     

Colorimetric determination of diazepam in pharmaceutical preparations.

A colorimetric method is presented for the estimation of diazepam as the pure drug and in formulations. Diazepam is hydrolyzed with 6N HCl to 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone, which is extracted with chloroform to give a yellow solution whose absorbance is measured at 410 nm against a solvent blank. The color obeys Beer's law in the concentration range of 0-30 mug/ml. In 5 determinations, recovery was 99.0 +/- 1.9%. The method is applicable to pure diazepam and its formulations for oral and parenteral use. No interferences were observed from pyridoxine hydrochloride and commonly used preservatives, vehicles, and colors.