Methane emissions from river buffaloes fed on green fodders in relation to the nutriet intake and digestibility

Fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (15–18 months, 227.98?±?4.44 kg body weight) were distributed randomly in to three equal groups and fed solely on either berseem (G₁), oats (G₂), or chicory fodder (G₃). A digestibility trial followed by methane measurement using SF₆ tracer technique was conducted. No significant difference was observed in nutrient intake; however, crude protein (CP) intake was lower in G₂ (0.35 kg) than G₁ (0.7) and in G₃ (0.71) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and neutral detergent insoluble CP (NDICP) intake was significantly (p?<?0.05) higher in G₃ (1.54 and 0.31 kg) followed by G₂ (1.27 and 0.2 kg) and G₁ (1.06 and 0.18 kg). The digestible dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and ether extract intake was similar in all the groups, whereas the digestible CP and NFC intake was lower in G₂ compared to G₁ and G₃. Chicory- and berseem-fed groups emitted 12.2 and 5.2 % less methane than oats-fed group. However, no significant difference was observed in the absolute methane loss and methane loss as percentage of energy intake (p?>?0.05) among the groups. There was positive correlation between nutrient intake and total methane production. However, an inverse relationship was observed between total digestible carbohydrate intake and methane production (g/kg dry matter intake). The following regression equations were developed to estimate methane production: methane (g/kg BW) = 128.8553 + (167.7456 × dNDFI) + (216.32 × dCPI) ? (40.3313 × dNFCI) and methane (g/d) = ?1.7494 + (41.42 × NDFI) + (39.8686 × CPI) + (0.5197 × NFCI).     

Modification of Leaf Photosynthesis by Foliar Application of Aliphatic Alcohols

A decrease in net photosynthesis (P_n) in leaves of main shoot with age ( 7 -28 days after opening) at two stages of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L. var. M-13 ) reproductive growth (70 and 90 DAS) is reported. P_n rate decreased with advance in age of leaves, the decline was rapid during peak period of pod filling (90 DAS). Foliar application with aliphatic alcohols, maintained the chlorophyll content and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity. The present studies suggest that aliphatic alcohols enhance functional capabilities of leaf for a larger duration and hence maintain the supply of photoassimilates to the developing kernels of peanut leading to increased yield.     

Interaction between CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> elevation and nitrogen metabolism in two varieties of Guar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</Emphasis>) plants

The aim of the experimental study is to analyse the consequence of carbon dioxide elevation on activity of nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1), nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.7.7.1), glutamate synthetase (GOGAT; EC 1.4.1.13) in leguminous Cyamopsis tetragonoloba leaves. Plants were exposed to different atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations 300 ppm (ambient) and 490 ppm (an elevated) conditions. A decrease in activity of Nitrate Reductase (NR), Nitrite Reductase (NiR), Glutamate Synthetase (GOGAT) was found in elevated condition when compared to ambient condition. Plant nitrogen on dry weight basis was found to decrease under elevation with no significant change in soil nitrogen. Soil pH was found to change significantly under elevation, thus showing a decline in pH and promoting soil acidiosis. Total plant fresh weight (FW) and total plant dry weight (DW), Leaf area/cm² were found increased in elevated condition. Thus, in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba plant it can be concluded that under carbon dioxide elevation Nitrate reductase, Nitrite reductase and Glutamate synthetase activity is suppressed due to a reduced amount of nitrate translocation and NADH availability for reduction in plant which is correlated with reduction in plant total nitrogen content where as plant growth and biomass is enhanced due to higher carbon fixation.     

Suppression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaya ringspot virus</Emphasis> infection in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> with CAP-34, a systemic antiviral resistance inducing protein from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clerodendrum aculeatum</Emphasis>

CAP-34, a protein from Clerodendrum aculeatum inducing systemic antiviral resistance was evaluated for control of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) infection in Carica papaya. In control plants (treated with CAP-34 extraction buffer) systemic mosaic became visible around 20 days that intensified up to 30 days in 56% plants. During this period, CAP-34-treated papaya did not show any symptoms. Between 30 and 60 days, 95% control plants exhibited symptoms ranging from mosaic to filiformy. In the treated set during the same period, symptoms appeared in only 10% plants, but were restricted to mild mosaic. Presence of PRSV was determined in induced-resistant papaya at the respective observation times by bioassay, plate ELISA, immunoblot and RT-PCR. Back-inoculation with sap from inoculated resistant plants onto Chenopodium quinoa did not show presence of virus. The difference between control and treated sets was also evident in plate-ELISA and immunoblot using antiserum raised against PRSV. PRSV RNA was not detectable in treated plants that did not show symptoms by RT-PCR. Control plants at the same time showed a high intensity band similar to the positive control. We therefore suggest that the absence/delayed appearance of symptoms in treated plants could be due to suppressed virus replication.     

Genotype by environment interactions and combining ability for strawberry families grown in diverse environments

Ten seedlings from 36 crosses representing eastern and western North American short day and remontant genotypes were evaluated in 2011 and 2012 in California, Michigan, New Hampshire and Oregon, for phenology, flower related traits, plant characteristics, fruit characteristics and fruit chemistry traits. There was significant variability among genotypes, locations and evaluation year for most of the characteristics; however, few genotype × location and genotype × year interactions were detected. General combining ability variance components were significant for all traits and greater than SCA variance components for peduncle length, total flowering weeks, flowering cycles, truss size, growing degree days for harvest data, remontancy, achene position, ease of capping, fruit weight, percent soluble solids, titratable acidity and soluble solids/titratable acidity. ‘Sarian’ was identified as the best contributing parent for remontancy. Narrow-sense heritability estimates were moderate to high (0.33–0.78) for total flowering weeks, flowering cycle, truss size, remontancy, number of runners, fruit weight, pH, and titratable acidity. Having a better understanding of these attributes will provide breeders guidance on the most effective breeding strategies for incorporating superior traits from this germplasm into their programs.     

Labeo rohita and Argulus siamensis infection: Host size,local inflammatory reaction and immunity modulate ectoparasite load on fish

Parasite species often show a heterogeneous, highly dispersed pattern of infestation within hosts. Varieties of factors including morphological, physiological, immunological and nutritional characteristics affect the infestation level of a specific parasite in homogenous pray. Limited attempts, however, have been made to explore such underlying drivers of infestation pattern. Here, three stages of Labeo rohita (fingerling, juvenile and pre‐adult) were challenged with ectoparasite, Argulus siamensis in same aquaria. The parasite load on individuals was determined at 5‐day interval for 1 month. The load was found to be highest in pre‐adult stage followed by juveniles and fingerlings. On day 20 post infection, the load of parasite on pre‐adult fish was high along with detectable skin damages. Skin tissues were collected for immune gene expression analysis and histopathology. Histological studies showed increased melanization in the dermis and mild inflammatory cellular reactions in pre‐adult fish whereas, massive subcutaneous myositis with engorged blood vessels were observed in fingerlings. The expression levels of various inflammation and innate immune‐related genes viz., interleukin (IL)‐8, IL‐10, IL‐11, IL‐15, natural killer enhancing factor, toll‐like receptor 4, apolipoprotein A–I and immunoglobulin Z were significantly high in skin samples of infected fingerlings as compared to other two growth stages or controls of each stage. On the other hand, the expression of immunoglobulin M was down‐regulated in all infected samples as compared to their respective controls. The results thus depict that local immuno‐inflammatory response plays a significant role in determining susceptibility of host in intra‐specific group, and has important implications for ecology and aquaculture.