Volatile organic sulfur-containing constituents in Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (Rutaceae)

During our screening of plant materials to find new natural fragrance and flavor ingredients, we discovered two series of 3-sulfanylalkyl alkanoates in a peel extract of fruits of wild-growing Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (Rutaceae), a species closely related to Citrus. The two series belong to alkanoates of 3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutan-1-ol and 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, respectively, and thus are members of a family of natural molecules having in common a 1,3-positioned O,S moiety. The alkanoate residues comprise all even-numbered saturated fatty acids from C2 (acetate) to C18 (octadecanoate). Among the 20 sulfur-containing compounds identified, 14 are described for the first time as naturally occurring in a botanical species. Several cysteine-S-conjugates were synthesized as hypothetical precursors of the new volatile sulfur-containing constituents, where after S-(3-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylpropyl)-L-cysteine, S-[3-(acetyloxy)-1,1-dimethylpropyl]-L-cysteine, and S-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)butyl]-L-cysteine were identified in the fruit peel. No cysteine-S-conjugates were detected in the fruit juice.     

Integrated Management of Organic Manures and Chemical Fertilizers for Enhancing Paddy Yield and the Nutrient Content of Rice Cultivars

The integrated nutrient management with organic manure and chemical fertilizers can improve rice (Oryza sativa L.) production, soil health, and fertility. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on the yield and nutrient content of wetland rice under field conditions. It was conducted in northern Iran in two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016 as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications. Two local rice cultivars, Tarom Hashemi and Tarom Mahalli, were chosen as the first factor; mineral fertilizers in four levels: 100% recommended nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK), 75% recommended nitrogen with 100% phosphorus-potassium (PK), 75% recommended phosphorus with 100% nitrogen-potassium (NK), and 75% recommended potassium with 100% nitrogen-phosphorus (NP), were selected based on soil analysis and were arranged as the second factor; and three levels of organic manures, namely zero and eight tons of vermicompost per hectare, and 10 tons of rotted manure per hectare was the third factor. Results revealed that the highest paddy yield occurs with vermicompost and manure consumption for both cultivars. Moreover, the highest paddy yield (3962 kg ha^?1) occurs with 100% recommended NPK and vermicompost consumption. For both cultivars, the most chlorophyll a and chlorophyll ab content was produced with application of 100% recommended NPK. The most grain nitrogen content, grain nitrogen uptake, protein content, and protein yield were observed with 100% recommended NPK applied with 10 tons of rotted manure and eight tons of vermicompost usage per hectare. Therefore, in view of the ever-increasing use of chemical fertilizers and irreversible damage thereby, the additional use of these compounds can benefit the environment and human health. The global attention to sustainable agricultural concepts and organic manure can, in addition to producing reasonable yields, be considered as an appropriate alternative to chemical fertilizers.     

Investigation of soil compaction on yield and agronomic traits of wheat under saline and non-saline soils

Inappropriate crop management and long-term use of heavy agricultural equipment can lead to soil compaction. On the other hand, soil and water salinity causes reduction in the plant yield in addition to adverse effects on plants tolerance to the various stresses. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between soil compaction and salinity on the macronutrients uptake and wheat yield as well as its agronomic traits. The pot experiment was carried out on the loamy soil in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two salinity types (saline, EC = 6 dS/m and non-saline soil) and five levels of compaction; control, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The results showed that soil compaction had significant effect on the amount of N, P and K in wheat grain, so that the uptake of N, P and K by grain has been decreased by increasing the compaction level of soil. Soil salinity had significant effect on N, P and K content in grain that the content of N, P and K has been diminished in the saline treatments compared to non-saline treatments. Results on the agronomic traits and yield of wheat also revealed that soil compaction and salinity had significant effect (p < 0.01) on straw weight, number of ears, number of grain, and thousand grain weight which caused reduction in these parameters. The interaction between compaction and salinity had only significant correlation (p < 0.01) with thousand grain weight leading to the decrement of thousand grain weight with increasing compaction levels, particularly in the saline treatment.     

Cerebrospinal fluid glutamine,tryptophan, and tryptophan metabolite concentrations in dogs with portosystemic shunts

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether glutamine (GLN), tryptophan (TRP), and tryptophan metabolite concentrations are higher in cerebralspinal fluid (CSF) dogs with naturally occurring portosystemic shunts (PSS), compared with control dogs. ANIMALS: 11 dogs with confirmed PSS and 12 control dogs fed low- and high-protein diets. PROCEDURE: Cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples were collected from all dogs. Serum and CSF concentrations of GLN, alanine, serine, TRP, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and quinolinic acid (QUIN) were measured. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of GLN, TRP, and 5-HIAA were significantly higher in PSS dogs, compared with control dogs fed high- or low-protein diets. Cerebrospinal fluid QUIN concentration was significantly higher in PSS dogs, compared with control dogs fed the low-protein diet. Serum QUIN concentration was significantly lower in PSS dogs, compared with control dogs fed either high- or low-protein diets. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An increase in CNS GLN concentration is associated with high CSF concentrations of TRP and TRP metabolites in dogs with PSS. High CSF 5-HIAA concentrations indicate an increased flux of TRP through the CNS serotonin metabolic pathway, whereas high CSF QUIN concentrations indicate an increased metabolism of TRP through the indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase pathway. The high CSF QUIN concentrations in the face of low serum QUIN concentrations in dogs with PSS indicates that QUIN production from TRP is occurring in the CNS. High concentrations of QUIN and other TRP metabolites in the CNS may contribute to neurologic abnormalities found in dogs with PSS and hepatic encephalopathy.     

Chemical composition and in vitro antifungal activity of Sambucus ebulus and Actinidia deliciosa on the fish pathogenic fungus,Saprolegnia parasitica

The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of Sambucus ebulus and Actinidia deliciosa ethanolic extracts as well as their in vitro antifungal activity on the mycelial growth of the water mold, Saprolegnia parasitica. The preliminary minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) were determined by the HeMP method and finally, concentrations of each extract ranging from 1 to 10% were prepared by an agar dilution method to assess the in vitro antifungal activity, quantitatively. Both herbal extracts inhibited growth of Saprolegnia hyphae in vitro. Complete in vitro growth inhibition was found at a concentration of ≥5% for S. ebulus, whereas it was not observed even at 10% concentration of A. deliciosa. Based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, the main constituents of S. ebulus include monophthalate (66.17%), fatty acids (26.47%), phytol (4.25%), and acetic acid (2.11%). Using colorimetric assays, A. deliciosa contained phenolic contents at 162 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g DW and flavonoid contents at 2.31 mg quercetin (QE)/g DW. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that S. ebulus and A. deliciosa showed some antifungal activities against S. parasitica with formerly exhibiting stronger activity (p < 0.05).

     

化州橘红茎尖微芽嫁接技术研究

以柚、柠檬、红江橙等作砧木,化州橘红作接穗.研究了激素处理砧木、接穗灭菌和培养基配方、砧木苗龄等因素对化州橘红茎尖嫁接成活率的影响.柚作砧木时,任何激素处理的成活率均高于对照,以0.1 mg/L的GA3处理10 min的成活率最高,为31％.不同砧木其成活率不同,成活率最高的为柚,达19.0％,最低的为宽皮橘,为5.0％.灭菌方法对成活率和污染率也有影响,污染率最低的是0.1％升汞灭菌10 min,为5.7％,成活率最高的是0.15％升汞灭菌8 min,为25.0％.培养基配方对嫁接苗的成活率也有影响,MS基本培养基最有利于嫁接苗的成活,添加6-BA、Ad和NAA都会降低成活率.16d苗龄的砧木最有利于嫁接苗的成活,成活率可达36.5％.