Genetic diversity analysis of two buffalo populations of northern India using microsatellite markers

The genetic diversity in two buffalo populations of northern India, the Bhadawari and the Tarai was assessed using a set of 22 heterologous (bovine) microsatellite markers. The average number of alleles across all loci in both populations was found to be 4.7, indicating that this set of 22 bovine microsatellite markers could be used to study genetic variation in buffalo species also. The overall polymorphic information content (PIC) value for these markers was 0.54. The average observed and expected heterozygosities for both populations were 0.59 and 0.64, respectively. Common alleles with varying allele frequencies in both populations also represented the genetic variability existing between Bhadawari and Tarai buffaloes. However the θ estimates for population differentiation indicated low levels of differentiation between the two populations. This was further supported by the low genetic distance (0.155) between Bhadawari and Tarai, which was calculated using Nei's standard genetic distance method. The present study on Bhadawari and Tarai populations represents a much‐needed preliminary effort that could be extended to other local buffalo populations of India as well.     

Glycine max and Glycine soja are capable of cold acclimation

Soybean has been considered a cold intolerant species; based largely upon seed germination and soil emergent evaluations. This study reports a distinct acquisition of cold tolerance, in seedlings, following short acclimation periods. Diversity in cold responses was assessed in eight cultivars of Glycine max and six accessions of G. soja. All varieties of soybean significantly increased in freezing tolerance following acclimation. This study indicates soybean seedlings are indeed capable of sensing cold and acquiring cold tolerance. Germination rates after cold imbibition were negatively correlated with maturity group, but positively correlated with cold acclimation potential in G. soja. Seed fatty acid composition was varied between the species, with Glycine soja accessions containing about 2‐times more linolenic acid (18:3) than G. max. Furthermore, high levels of linoleic acid (18:2) in seeds were positively correlated with germination rates following cold imbibition in G. soja only. We suggest that domestication has not impacted the overall ability of soybean to cold acclimate at the seedling stage and that there is little variation within the domesticated species for ability to cold acclimate. Thus, this brief comparative study reduces the enthusiasm for the “wild” species as an additional source of genetic diversity for cold tolerance.     

Physiological Factors Limiting Grain Growth in Wheat Ears Cultured in Sucrose Solution

Detached wheat ears (15 days post-anthesis) were cultured in liquid nutrient medium containing different sucrose concentrations (2. 6 and 10%). The volume of solution taken up was highest from 2% sucrose solution and decreased with increasing sucrose concentration. Grain development in terms of grain weight, glumes and rachis weight, nitrogen and protein content showed a linear increase in these variables over 11 days. Dry weight per grain increased with the sucrose level in the medium and the reduced uptake of solution did not decrease the moisture percentage of the grain. The culture of ears decreased the solution pH more with 2% than with 10% sucrose. Addition of 0.5% chloramphenicol to the culture solution had no adverse effect on grain weight, rather it prevented contamination and maintained a higher pH of the solution.     

Colorimetric determination of caffeic acid in plant materials

A new colorimetric method is described for determining caffeic acid content in plant materials. Caffeic acid is separated by thin layer chromatography from the alcoholic extract, and color is developed using 0.5% aqueous thiosemicarbazide solution under alkaline conditions. The absorbance is read at 475 nm. Lambert-Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.37-17.5 micrograms caffeic acid/mL. The method is reproducible and has been applied to the estimation of caffeic acid in carrot roots.     

Geomorphology, pedology and sedimentology of the Deoha/Ganga–Ghaghara Interfluve, Upper Gangetic Plains (Himalayan Foreland Basin) — Extensional tectonic implications

Regional mapping of soils helped to identify and map 24 soil-geomorphic units on the Deoha/Ganga–Ghaghara Interfluve in the Upper Gangetic Plains (Himalayan Foreland Basin). On the basis of luminescence ages soil-geomorphic units can be grouped into five members of a Morphostratigraphic Sequence with ages of ≤ 1.7 ka, 1.8–3.6 ka, 4.6–6.4 ka, 6.8–10 ka and > 10 ka. Except for two units with sandy parent material, all the members with loamy parent materials show systematic increase in the degree of soil development from Member QGMS-I to V. Major pedogenic processes are salinization, alkalinization, illuviation, calcrete development and gleying, and degradation of some micromorphological features is observed in the oldest soils.Regional mapping and dating of soils show that the Interfluve between the Deoha/Ganga–Ghaghara rivers is bounded by longitudinal faults, along the bounding rivers. The major longitudinal faults trend N–S or NNE–SSW in the northern region; turn N–S in the central region and take easterly to SEE direction in the south, giving the Interfluve a curvilinear shape. Strike of a set of six transverse extensional normal faults changes from approximately E–W to NEE–SWW in the southernmost region of the Interfluve. Downthrown sides are to the south and to the east in northern region and western region, respectively.Due to the activity of different segments of various transverse faults during a probably dry sub-humid to semi-arid climatic period of 10–5 ka, terminal fans were deposited on the downthrown blocks. Thus, role of extensional tectonics in an overall compressional regime is significant. Also, tilting of smaller blocks leading to the shifting away of large rivers seems to be an additional control on the distribution of soils and sedimentation on the Interfluve.     

Two-dimensional nanosheets produced by liquid exfoliation of layered materials

If they could be easily exfoliated, layered materials would become a diverse source of two-dimensional crystals whose properties would be useful in applications ranging from electronics to energy storage. We show that layered compounds such as MoS(2), WS(2), MoSe(2), MoTe(2), TaSe(2), NbSe(2), NiTe(2), BN, and Bi(2)Te(3) can be efficiently dispersed in common solvents and can be deposited as individual flakes or formed into films. Electron microscopy strongly suggests that the material is exfoliated into individual layers. By blending this material with suspensions of other nanomaterials or polymer solutions, we can prepare hybrid dispersions or composites, which can be cast into films. We show that WS(2) and MoS(2) effectively reinforce polymers, whereas WS(2)/carbon nanotube hybrid films have high conductivity, leading to promising thermoelectric properties.     

Plant defense activation and management of tomato root rot by a chitin-fortified <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma/Hypocrea</Emphasis> formulation

Tomato root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a major soilborne disease resulting in significant yield loss. The culture filtrates of six isolates of Trichoderma/Hypocrea species were evaluated for in vitro production of hydrolytic enzymes. Results demonstrated that all the six isolates were able to produce chitinase, β-1, 3 glucanase and protease in the range of 76–235 μmol GlcNAc min^-1 mg^-1 protein, 31.90–37.72 nmol glucose min^-1 mg^-1 proteins and 63.05–86.22 μmol min^-1 mg^-1 proteins, respectively. Trichoderma/Hypocrea-based formulation(s) were prepared with chitin (1% v:v) and CMC (0.5% w:v) for root rot management in a greenhouse. Root dip application with bioformulation(s) resulted in a significant reduction of the root rot index. In addition, bioformulations increased plant growth attributing traits significantly relative to untreated control. Accumulation of total phenols, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase increased in chitin-supplemented Trichoderma/Hypocrea formulation-treated plants challenged with R. solani. The results suggest that chitin-fortified bioformulation(s) could be an effective system to control root rot of tomato in an eco-compatible manner.     

Biochemical studies into variation and repeatability of glutathione concentrations in bovine and bubaline semens

Repeatability (r) value of glutathione (GSH) content was estimated in semen of Tharparkar, Red Dane, their crosses, and Murrah buffalo bulls. Mean GSH values were higher in bovine bull semen as compared to mean GSH values in bubaline bull semen. The r of GSH concentration for the pooled data was 0.1278. This trait is 12.78% repeatable. GSH value in semen of bovine and bubaline bull differed insignificantly. R estimates are expressed for selection of bulls of higher fertility and semen quality.