Biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas azotoformans,Serratia marcescens and Trichoderma virens against Fusarium wilt of Dalbergia sissoo

Wilt disease caused by Fusarium solani is a serious constraint to Dalbergia sissoo (shisham) plantations in northern India. In this study, the antagonistic potential of 40 bacterial isolates recovered from rhizophere soil of healthy shisham trees, and a well‐characterized Trichoderma species (Trichoderma virens) were tested for their possibility as biocontrol agents for F. solani. Two promising isolates (S1 and S15) were identified which inhibited pathogen growth, caused chitin degradation, produced siderophores and solubilized phosphate in vitro. Isolate S15 scored highest for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production while isolate S1 was a non‐HCN producer. These two isolates were identified as Serratia marcescens (S1) and Pseudomonas azotoformans (S15) following sequence analysis of 16S rDNA. In dual culture assays, T. virens caused 80% inhibition of mycelial growth of the test fungus. The three selected antagonists when tested in planta in the glasshouse completely suppressed production of wilt symptoms on 12‐month‐old shisham plants. Further work is needed to ascertain the potential of these isolates to be used as biocontrol agents to manage shisham wilt under field conditions.     

Structural and Molecular Characterization of Squalene Synthase Belonging to the Marine Thraustochytrid Species Aurantiochytrium limacinum Using Bioinformatics Approach

The marine microorganisms thraustochytrids have been explored for their potential in the production of various bioactive compounds, such as DHA, carotenoids, and squalene. Squalene is a secondary metabolite of the triterpenoid class and is known for its importance in various industrial applications. The bioinformatic analysis for squalene synthase (SQS) gene (the first key enzyme in the tri-terpenoid synthesis pathway), that is prevailing among thraustochytrids, is poorly investigated. In-silico studies combining sequence alignments and bioinformatic tools helped in the preliminary characterization of squalene synthases found in Aurantiochytrium limacinum. The sequence contained highly conserved regions for SQS found among different species indicated the enzyme had all the regions for its functionality. The signal peptide sequence and transmembrane regions were absent, indicating an important aspect of the subcellular localization. Secondary and 3-D models generated using appropriate templates demonstrated the similarities with SQS of the other species. The 3-D model also provided important insights into possible active, binding, phosphorylation, and glycosylation sites.     

Anaerobic Treatment of Brackishwater Aquaculture Sludge: An Alternative to Waste Stabilization Ponds

Environmental pressure, land utilization, and economic feasibility have resulted in the development of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). For many RAS, sludge is collected and washed from the system to waste stabilization ponds (WSPs). However, disposal of brackishwater aquaculture sludge into WSP is often prohibited because the high salinity can interfere with treatment. Moreover, there are problems associated with WSPs because of elevated salt content, such as the common practice of reusing treated water and land application of stabilized sludge. We tested and compared the treatment of brackishwater aquaculture sludge in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor as an alternative to a WSP. In UASB, wastewater flows upward through a blanket of granular sludge and is treated by anaerobic micro‐organisms. Reduction in organic matter and 5‐d biochemical oxygen demand by 97 and 91%, respectively, was achieved in a UASB as compared to corresponding reductions of 22 and 41% in a WSP. During the UASB digestion process, methane is produced and recovered. Overall, a reduction in potential environmentally harmful factors such as salinization, land requirements, greenhouse gas emissions, as well as transportation costs are achieved, making the UASB reactor an attractive possible alternative for saline aquaculture sludge management.     

Characterization of Synergy Between Cucumber mosaic virus and Potyviruses in Cucurbit Hosts

ABSTRACT Mixed infections of cucurbits by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and potyviruses exhibit a synergistic interaction. Zucchini squash and melon plants coinfected by the potyvirus Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and either Fny-CMV (subgroup IA) or LS-CMV (subgroup II) displayed strong synergistic pathological responses, eventually progressing to vascular wilt and plant death. Accumulation of Fny- or LS-CMV RNAs in a mixed infection with ZYMV in zucchini squash was slightly higher than infection with CMV strains alone. There was an increase in CMV (+) strand RNA levels, but no increase in CMV (-) RNA3 levels during mixed infection with ZYMV. Moreover, only the level of capsid protein from LS-CMV increased in mixed infection. ZYMV accumulated to similar levels in singly and mixed infected zucchini squash and melon plants. Coinfection of squash with the potyvirus Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) and CMV strains increased both the Fny-CMV RNA levels and the LS-CMV RNA levels. However, CMV (-) strand RNA3 levels were increased little or not at all for CMV on coinfection with WMV. Infection of CMV strains (LS and Fny) containing satellite RNAs (WL47-sat RNA and B5*-sat RNA) reduced the accumulation of the helper virus RNA, except when B5*-sat RNA was mixed with LS- CMV. However, mixed infection containing ZYMV and the CMV strains with satellites reversed the suppression effect of satellite RNAs on helper virus accumulation and increased satellite RNA accumulation. The synergistic interaction between CMV and potyviruses in cucurbits exhibited different features from that documented in tobacco, indicating there are differences in the mechanisms of potyvirus synergistic phenomena.     

Anthelmintic activity of Butea monosperma

The methanol extract of Butea monosperma seeds, tested in vitro, showed significant anthelmintic activity.     

First report of Calonectria cerciana causing leaf blight of Eucalyptus in northern India

Eucalyptus spp. and their hybrids are frequently cloned and mass planted across farmland tracts and commercial plantations in northern India. It is a viable feeder species to the paper and pulp industries in this region. In 2018 and 2019, during field surveys conducted in northern India, a serious leaf blight disease was frequently observed in E. tereticornis plantations. Isolation from the blighted leaf samples consistently yielded fungal isolates having Calonectria‐like morphology. Morphological features coupled with sequence analysis of partial β‐tubulin (TUB2) and partial translation elongation factor‐alpha (TEF1) gene regions of two fungal isolates confirmed the species as Ca. cerciana. In detached leaf assays and glasshouse inoculation experiments, both isolates produced symptoms similar to those observed on the naturally infected leaves. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolating Ca. cerciana from the inoculated leaves. This work is the first to confirm that Ca. cerciana is associated with a serious leaf blight disease of Eucalyptus in northern India and is an important addition to the taxonomy of Calonectria fungi in India.     

Multiple Induced Spawnings of the Indian Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) within a Prolonged Spawning Season

Abstract Singhi, the Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis , attained gonadal maturity repeatedly in a single spawning cycle by photothermal treatment. After the first spawning, maintenance at 30 C and 14 h light/10 h dark for 3 wk induced recruitment of the next batch of mature oocytes for subsequent spawnings. The number of eggs released declined with each spawning. However, fertilizability of the eggs was maintained until the fifth spawning. Mature fish were induced to spawn by D-Lys⁶ salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration. The dose of salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for the second and subsequent spawnings was determined to be 25-fold less compared to the dose administered for the first spawning. Fish released the maximum number of eggs upon induction when they were maintained continuously at 30 C and 14 h light/10 h dark for 6 wk. The result obtained in the present study points to a possibility of obtaining multiple spawnings from those species of farmed fish which spawn once a year.     

Genetic analysis of a CSR10 (indica) × Taraori Basmati F3 population segregating for salt tolerance using ISSR markers

Segregation for salinity tolerance and ISSR markers based molecular polymorphism were investigated in a F₃ plant population raised via single-seed descent method from a cross between salt-tolerant indica rice variety CSR10 and salt-susceptible premium traditional Basmati rice variety Taraori Basmati HBC19. A total of 130 F₃plants were evaluated individually for salinity tolerance on 1–9 scale on the basis of seedling growth parameters; the average score ranged between 1.7 to 8.3. Frequency distribution curve obtained using the salinity tolerance data of F₃ population and a chi-square analysis, showed a good fit to a normal distribution. Eleven plants each in the category of salt-tolerant and salt-susceptible were selected from the segregating F₃ population for ISSR marker analysis. A total of 149 bands (4–11 bands per primer) ranging from 200 to 3530 bp were scored for the two rice varieties and the selected CSR10 × HBC19 segregating F₃ plants using 26 ISSR primers. Of these, 89 were monomorphic and 60 were polymorphic. Of the 60 polymorphic bands,36 and 20 bands were specific to CSR10 andHBC19 respectively. The remaining four bands were amplified using UBC primers 810,848, 853 and 886 and present in only some of the CSR10 × HBC19 F₃ plants. Notably, ISSR primers with dinucleotide repeat motif and 5'-anchored end amplified more number of bands (7.0 bands/primer) compared to3'-anchored dinucleotide primers (5.4bands/primer), but 3'-anchored dinucleotide primers revealed higher level of polymorphism (2.6 polymorphic bands/primer) compared to 5'-anchoreddinucleotide primers (1.43 polymorphic bands/ primer). While distribution of majority of the polymorphic bands were more or less in the expected ratios in salt-tolerant and/or salt-sensitive F₃segregating plants, but some of the bands amplified using UBC ISSR primers 823, 825,826, 849, 853, 864, 866 and 884 showed highly skewed distribution. Such polymorphic bands stand greater chances of having a linkage with the genes/ QTLs for salinity tolerance and shall be the target for further studies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.