Carbon and water footprints of major crop production in India

Scarcity of water and emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the two key environmental issues affecting crop production in India.Reducing the carbon footprint (CF) and water footprint (WF) of crop production can help to mitigate the environmental hazards that stem from GHG emissions and water scarcity.The CFs and WFs of three major cereal crops,rice,wheat,and maize,were estimated for the year 2014 under the environmental conditions in India,based on national statistics and other data sources.To...     

Identification of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin in home mix layer poultry feed in relation to seasons in Karachi,Pakistan

Fungal toxins in feed are leading issue in poultry industry causing a detrimental effect on the performance and health of poultry. The study was carried out to determine the incidence and concentration of the aflatoxins and their major producer Aspergillus flavus in home mix layer poultry feed in respect of seasonal variation throughout the year. A total of (n?= 204) home mix poultry layer feed samples were analyzed for the isolation of fungi. The isolates were initially screened through colony morphology and microscopic examination. However, aflatoxin concentration was determined by ELISA. Revealed results indicated that, the highest percentage of A. flavus was found during the months of June to August 50/54 (92.5%) followed by September to November 43/65 (66.1%), March to May 21/40 (52.5%), and December to February 18/45 (40%). As a whole, the incidence was recorded 132/204 (64.7%). Moreover, of the 132 samples, 41 (31%) were exceeded in respect of aflatoxin contamination from the legal limit (20 μg/kg) imposed by Food Drug Association (FDA). Statistically, the growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin production was found significantly different in respect of seasonal variation. As highest total viable fungal count (9.9?×?10⁴ CFU/g) and aflatoxin level (72.27 μg/kg) were recorded during the months of June to August and lowest in December to February. Consequently, instantaneous essential control measures are demanded regarding appropriate storage and adequate drying in post-harvesting season. Along with surveillance plans and austere regulations for monitoring the aflatoxin contents for the wellbeing of consumers.

     

Exposure of females and pups of the levant vole to diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated nesting material: Effect on the breeding capacity of the female offspring

Adult Levant vole (Microtus guentheri) females, which at the age of 1 or 4 days had been in direct contact for 2 h with filter paper impregnated with a suspension of diethylstilbestrol dipropionate (DES) in soybean oil (0.125 mg DES/cm²), or whose nursing mothers had been in similar contact with DES during that period, were found to be sterile in the overwhelming majority of cases. Females slightly older (5–6 days old) at the time of such contact with DES (direct, or through their nursing mothers) retained their fertility.     

Effects of light intensity on growth,feeding activity and development in common sole (Solea solea L.) larvae in relation to sensory organ ontogeny

The effects of four light intensities (1000 lx, 500 lx, 50 lx, 3 lx) on growth, survival and feeding activity in common sole (Solea solea L.) larvae were studied from 4 to 51 days post hatching (dph). During the pelagic larval stage (4–12 dph), larvae reared at 3 lx showed a lower growth. From 19 onwards, the larvae reared under 3 lx displayed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) higher SGR than the other treatments and a higher final weight compared to 1000 lx and 500 lx. Survival rate was higher under intermediate light intensities (500 and 50 lx). Larvae reared at 3 lx displayed a significant delay in the degree of metamorphosis compared to the other treatments, while at 33 dph metamorphosis was completed under all treatments. Histological examination revealed the importance of vision and light in the first feeding of this species, while after metamorphosis, the full development of other sensory organs indicated that feeding activity is also mediated by chemosensory perception. Results indicate that high light intensity seems to be more suitable during the pelagic larvae, while the opposite would ensure better growth from the onset of metamorphosis to the benthic phase.