Phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity of Campylobacter coli within individual pigs at farm and slaughter in the US

The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of multiple Campylobacter isolates (n = 3 per sample) present within individual (heterogeneity) pig faecal and carcass samples at farm and slaughter, respectively. We isolated 1459 Campylobacter coli (1110 on farm and 349 from slaughter) from 908 pigs and 757 carcasses and characterized them for their antimicrobial susceptibility profile to a panel of six antimicrobials using the agar dilution method. Overall, we detected a significantly higher Campylobacter prevalence at the farm (54.7%) than at slaughter (19%) level (P < 0.05). C. coli isolates were resistant most commonly to tetracycline (66.2%) and erythromycin (53.6%) while fluoroquinolone resistance was detected in isolates (n = 17) only from the farm level. Phenotypic diversity of C. coli isolates at the 4-fold minimum inhibitory concentration levels within the same sample was detected in 38.6% (n = 192) pigs and 40.2% (n = 58) carcass swabs with no significant difference between the two sources (P = 0.72). Phenotypic heterogeneity based on the antimicrobial resistance patterns was observed in 32.5% (n = 162) of the farm samples and in 30.5% (n = 44) carcass swabs at slaughter (P = 0.64). A subset of 40 isolates representing ten pigs and eight carcass samples (originating from separate pigs) were further genotyped by multi locus sequence typing. The observation of phenotypic diversity was replicated at the genotypic level, as it was highlighted by the 22 sequence types which represented the 40 isolates. In conclusion, we detected multiple C. coli subtypes from individual pig or carcass samples indicating unprecedented level of heterogeneity. Our study clearly signifies the importance of testing multiple colonies to make appropriate and valid conclusions in epidemiological-based studies.     

Effect of bypass fat supplementation on productive and reproductive performance in crossbred cows

Objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of supplementation of bypass fat on milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred cows. Nineteen multiparous crossbred cows (2–4 lactation) were divided in two groups on the basis of most probable production ability (MPPA). The animals in group 1 (nine cows, MPPA 3,441.32 kg, control group G1) were fed chaffed wheat straw, chopped green maize, and concentrate mixture as per requirements while the animals in group 2 (10 cows, MPPA 3,457.2 kg, treatment group G2) were fed the same ration supplemented with 2.5% bypass fat (on DMI basis). The cows of G2 were supplemented bypass fat 40 days prepartum to 90 days postpartum and carry over effect of supplementation on milk production and reproductive parameters was monitored up to 210 days of lactation. Average birth weights of the calves were 24.94 and 27.95 kg in G1 and G2, respectively. The calving per cent in G1 (88.88%) was lower than that of G2 (100%). The time taken for expulsion of fetal membranes was decreased (P < 0.05) by 5.4 h in G2 compared to G1. Days required for involution of uterus was less (P < 0.05) in G2 (35.40 days) than that of G1 (49.44 days). Less number of cases of retention of fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis were observed in G2 as compared to that of G1. The average milk yield (210 days) in G2 was higher (P < 0.05) than that of G1 (18.65 vs 17.57 kg/day). Similarly, the milk yield during the carry over period (90 days) was higher (P < 0.05) in G2 than that of G1 (14.81 vs 13.79 kg/day). The time required for onset of cyclicity was reduced (P < 0.05) by 6.5 days in G2 as compared to that of G1. The service period and AI per conception were also reduced (P < 0.05) in G2 while bypass fat feeding showed no effect on conception rate (P < 0.80). There were no differences between the two groups in plasma cholesterol, progesterone and insulin concentrations. Hence, it was concluded that bypass fat supplementation at 2.5% of DMI increased the milk production and reduced the time required for involution of uterus and commencement of cyclicity. AI per conception, incidences of metritis and RFM were also reduced on supplementing bypass fat.     

Heterosis and combining ability vis-à-vis association for green fruit yield and component traits involving male sterile lines in chilli (Capsicum annuum) under wet temperate zone of North Western Himalayas

Fourteen genetically diverse inbred lines comprising of four genic male sterile lines and 10 often pollinated lines as testers were crossed following ‘line × tester’ mating design to generate 40 F₁s. These F₁s, parents and check ‘CH-27’ were evaluated in α-lattice square design, replicated thrice during summer seasons of 2020 and 2021. The male sterile line DPChMS 9-2 was good general combiner for marketable fruit yield and eight other component traits while testers namely, DPCh 10, PBC 535, VVG, Him Palam Mirch-2 and DPCh 40 showed significant GCA for majority of yield related traits. The hybrids DPChMS 9-2 × HPM-2, DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 40, DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 101, DPChMS 9-2× VVG and DPChMS 26-1× HPM-1 were the most desirable based on specific combining ability (SCA) and economic heterosis for fruit yield and other important traits. Heterosis was positively correlated with SCA indicating prediction of potential hybrids can be made based on both these parameters simultaneously. Present study provides an opportunity to exploit top hybrids for stability and commercial cultivation.     

Performance evaluation of concurrent rice–fish–prawn culture with and without cull harvesting

This study was carried out in farmers' fields for three experimental culture cycles to evaluate the performance of rice–fish–prawn culture. The treatments carried out were deepwater rice mono‐cropping (R), and rice–fish–prawn culture with cull harvesting (R–FC) and without cull harvesting (R–F). Water pH and total alkalinity were significantly higher (P<0.05) in R–FC than in R–F, while the concentrations of total suspended solids, plankton and chlorophyll a were higher in R–F. Cull harvesting in R–FC had no marked influence on the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, NH₄⁺, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate compared with the R–F treatment. The significantly higher fish and prawn yields (P<0.05) and species‐wise faster individual growth performance in R–FC than in R–F were probably due to periodic cull harvesting, which minimized the competition for food and space as well as physiological stress at reduced density. The paddy yield and percentage increase in paddy yield over rice mono‐crop was significantly higher (P<0.05) in R–FC (25%), followed by R–F (16.9%), probably due to lower chlorophyll a (36.7 mg m^?3) and plankton density (1.4 × 10⁴ L^?1), which minimized the competition for nutrients with rice plants. The highest rice equivalent yield (38.5), output value–cultivation cost ratio (1.56) and enhanced net return (28%) in deepwater rice–fish culture were recorded when cull harvesting was practiced.     

Effect of varying high temperatures during reproductive growth on reproductive function,oxidative stress and seed yield in chickpea genotypes differing in heat sensitivity

The mechanisms affecting the heat sensitivity of chickpea are largely unknown. Heat-tolerant (ICCV07110, ICCV92944) and heat-sensitive (ICC14183, ICC5912) chickpea genotypes were sown in February in the soil-filled pots. At the time of flowering, these were subjected to varying day/night temperatures of 30/20, 35/25, 40/30 and 45/35°C in the growth chambers (12 h light/12 h dark; light intensity, 250 μmol m^?2 s^?1, 80% relative humidity). The pollen viability, pollen germination, tube growth, pollen load and stigma receptivity decreased with increases in temperatures to 45/35°C. The heat-tolerant genotypes experienced significantly less damage to pollen and stigma function. Membrane integrity, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency and cellular oxidizing ability were inhibited by the increase in temperature, with greater impacts on the sensitive genotypes. Oxidative injury as lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content was significantly greater in sensitive genotypes at 40/30 and 45/35°C. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants showed increased levels at 40/30°C, but decreased considerably at 45/35°C. Heat-tolerant genotypes possessed greater activity of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase, along with higher levels of ascorbate and reduced glutathione at 40/30 and 45/35°C. Biomass, pod set and yield were not affected significantly at 35/25°C, but began to decrease at 40/30°C and were lowest at 45/35°C. The sensitive genotypes were not able to set any pods at 45/35°C, whereas the tolerant genotypes produced only few fertile pods at this temperature. It was concluded that heat stress leads to loss of pollen as well as stigma function and induces oxidative stress in the leaves that cause failure of fertilization and damage to the leaves, respectively.     

Isolation, purification and some structural features of the mucilaginous exudate from Musa paradisiaca

The water-soluble polysaccharides isolated from the vascular gel of Musa paradisiaca, were fractionated via anion exchange chromatography into four fractions. Fractionated polymers contained arabinose, xylose and galacturonic acid as major sugars, together with traces of galactose, rhamnose, mannose and glucose residues. Methylation analysis revealed the presence of a highly branched arabinoxylan with a significant amount of terminal arabinopyranosyl units and an arabinogalactan type I pectin. Periodate oxidation studies supported the results of methylation analysis.     

Influence of potting media compositions on flower production of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat) cultivar Kikiobiory

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of growing media compositions containing cocopeat, FYM and vermiculite in different ratios on potted Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cultivar Kikiobiory (standard) for quality flower production. The results revealed that, vegetative growth with maximum plant height, number of leaves, root suckers per plant with delayed flowering were observed in media containing cocopeat?+?FYM (2:1)., whereas, the flower quality parameters like flower diameter and duration of flowering were highest in media containing vermiculite?+?FYM (2:1). However, plants showed the significant vegetative growth with better flowering time and quality in media composition cocopeat?+?vermiculite?+?FYM (1:1:1). Therefore, the findings suggest that for quality flower production of potted Chrysanthemum cv. Kikiobiory, light-weight growing media composition of cocopeat?+?vermiculite?+?FYM (1:1:1) was ideal with better plant morphological development and sustained flowering for display.     

Seroprevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus and risk factors associated with seropositivity in pigs in four mountain districts in Nepal*

Japanese encephalitis was recently reported from individuals in the mountain districts of Nepal without travel history to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) endemic areas. We performed a cross-sectional study to estimate the seroprevalence of JEV in pigs and subsequently conducted a survey of farmers to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. In July and August, 2010, 454 pig serum samples were collected and tested by competitive ELISA. Data from a 35-question survey of 109 pig owners were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Seventy-six (16.7, 95% CI 13.6-20.4) pigs tested positive for anti-JEV antibodies, none of which had been vaccinated against JEV or sourced from JEV endemic areas. Risk factors associated with JEV seropositivity were 'summer abortion', 'wells as a water source', 'urban location', 'reported presence of mosquitoes' and 'lower elevation'. Our results suggest that JEV is likely circulating in the mountain districts of Nepal, and that locally acquired JEV should be considered a risk for residents and travellers in these areas.     

Effect of Alternaria alternata on the coccinellid pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and its implications for biological pest management

Twenty-eight spotted potato ladybird beetle (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata) is a polyphagous pest that infests various crop plants of the family Solanceae. It extensively infests Withania somnifera, a high-value medicinal plant of this family. Both the beetle and W. somnifera leaf spot pathogen (Alternaria alternata) are individually found to be closely associated with the foliar damage and may rarely infest the same leaf simultaneously. Beetles fed on diseased leaves showed high pupal and larval mortality. Furthermore, the development of the larvae into pupa and from pupa to adult was also delayed, which in turn delayed the overall development of the insect. Adult emergence from pupae is also reduced in the insects fed on diseased leaves. Since the fungal pathogen is host specific to W. somnifera and does not infect the other solanaceous crops, therefore this fungal stain can be used in designing bio-control strategies for the other solanaceous plants frequently infested by the beetle.