Towards developing resistance to chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing using multiplexed gRNAs

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Mastreviruses are an emerging group of viruses transmitted by leafhoppers and infect both monocot and dicot plants. Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus...     

Investigation on hydrostatic resistance and thermal performance of layered waterproof breathable fabrics

Waterproof breathable layered fabrics allow water vapor passing through, but resist liquid water to pass. This ability of the fabrics to protect rain and snow water while allowing sweat vapor to evaporate from inside to outside atmosphere, leads them to be used as outdoor sportswear or protective clothing. The big challenge of enhanced hydrostatic resistance of these fabrics with proper breathability and thermal comfort has widened the research scope. This study presents an experimental investigation on hydrostatic resistance and thermal behavior of layered waterproof breathable fabrics. Six different types of hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane laminated layered fabrics were evaluated by varying different fabric parameters in the experiment. Hydrostatic resistance and water vapor permeability of the laminated fabrics were measured by SDL ATLAS Hydrostatic Head Tester and PERMETEST respectively. Thermal properties were evaluated by ALAMBETA instrument. Moreover, FX-3300 air permeability tester was used to measure air permeability which represents the porosity of the fabrics and computer based See System software was used for water contact angle measurement on the outer fabric surface in order to determine the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. This experiment clearly discusses the influence of different fabric characteristics and parameters on hydrostatic resistance and thermal properties of the breathable laminated fabrics. The results show that fabric material composition, density, thickness, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic membranes have significant effects on hydrostatic resistance, breathability and thermal properties of different laminated fabrics.     

Metabolism, uptake and translocation of 14C-paraquat in resistant and susceptible biotypes of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore

The metabolism, uptake and translocation of paraquat in resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore (redflower ragleaf) at the 10-leaf stage was investigated. A study on the properties of leaf surface was carried out to examine the relationship between leaf surface characters and paraquat absorption. The extractable paraquat was not metabolized by the leaf tissue of either the resistant or susceptible biotypes. Differential metabolism, therefore, does not appear to play a role in the mechanism of resistance. Both biotypes did not show any significant difference in the amount of cuticle and trichome densities. Furthermore, both biotypes are identical in the structure of stomata, trichomes and epicuticular wax. The results of the leaf surface studies are in agreement with the findings of the uptake study. Both biotypes demonstrated no significant difference in absorption between the resistant and susceptible biotypes. However, 10% of the absorbed ¹⁴C-paraquat into the S biotype was translocated basipetally, but not in the R biotype. The results of this study suggest that in C. crepidioides , differential translocation may contribute to the mechanism of resistance at the 10-leaf stage.     

Influence of the root endophyte Piriformospora indica on the plant water relations,gas exchange and growth of Chenopodium quinoa at limited water availability

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Piriformospora indica to colonize the root of Chenopodium quinoa and to verify whether this endosymbiont can improve the growth, performance and drought resistance of this species. The study delivered, for the first time, evidence for successful colonization of P. indica in quinoa. Hence, pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse, where inoculated and non‐inoculated plants were subjected to ample (40%–50% WHC) and deficit (15%–20%WHC) irrigation treatments. Drought adversely influenced the plant growth, leading to decline the total plant biomass by 74%. This was linked to an impaired photosynthetic activity (caused by lower g_s and C_i/C_a ratio; stomatal limitation of photosynthesis) and a higher risk of ROS production (enhanced ETR/A_gross ratio). P. indica colonization improved quinoa plant growth, with total biomass increased by 8% (controls) and 76% (drought‐stressed plants), confirming the growth‐promoting activity of P. indica. Fungal colonization seems to diminish drought‐induced growth hindrance, likely, through an improved water balance, reflected by the higher leaf ψ_w and g_s. Additionally, stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was alleviated (indicated by enhanced C_i/C_a ratio and A_net), so that the threat of oxidative stress was minimized (decreased ETR/A_gross). These results infer that symbiosis with P. indica could negate some of the detrimental effects of drought on quinoa growth, a highly desired feature, in particular at low water availability.     

Development of an appropriate procedure for estimation of RUSLE EI30 index and preparation of erosivity maps for Pulau Penang in Peninsular Malaysia

Pluviographic data at 15 min interval from 6 stations in Pulau Penang of Peninsular Malaysia were used to compute rainfall erosivity factor (R) for the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Three different modelling procedures were applied for the estimation of monthly rainfall erosivity (EI₃₀) values. While storm rainfall (P) and duration (D) data were used in the first approach, the second approach used monthly rainfall for days with rainfall ≥ 10 mm (rain₁₀) and monthly number of days with rainfall ≥ 10 (days₁₀). The third approach however used the Fournier index as the independent variable. Based on the root mean squared error (RMSE) and the percentage error (PE) criteria, models developed using the Fournier index approach was adjudged the best with an average PE value of 0.92 and an average RMSE value of 164.6. Further, this approach was extended to the development of a regional model. Using data from additional sixteen stations and the Fournier index based regional model, EI₃₀ values were computed for each month. ArcView GIS was used to generate monthly maps of EI₃₀ values and also annual rainfall erosivity (R). The rainfall erosivity factor (R) in the region was estimated to vary from 9000 to 14,000 MJ mm ha^− 1 h^− 1 year^− 1.     

Integrated pest management of Tuta absoluta: practical implementations across different world regions

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries and is threatening worldwide tomato...     

Potential for using Datura alba leaf extracts against two major stored grain pests, the khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium and the rice weevil Sitophillus oryzae

Various plants are well known for their insecticidal activity and their use was maintained for millennia throughout all the agricultural regions of the world. In a current context, the use of Botanical insecticides represents one of the best alternatives to chemicals for the development of environmental-friendly strategies for stored grain pest control. Datura alba Nees is a plant found extensively in the warmer regions of the world and it is used as a medicinal plant. This study aims to assess the contact toxicity and the trans-generational effect of D.?alba leaf extract (DLE) against two important insect pests on stored rice, Trogoderma granarium and Sitophilus oryzae, under laboratory conditions. Filter papers were soaked in three DLE concentration solutions and in two control treatments: water and acetone. The survivor specimens (F₀) were transferred to a new untreated feeding substrate and the population build up of the two following generations (F₁ and F₂) were counted after 30 and 60?days, respectively. The highest DLE concentration (2.5?%) induced the significantly highest mortality with 33.5 and 45?% mortality in T.?granarium and S.?oryzae after 7?days of exposure, respectively. The DLE long-term effect toward both tested species was also proved by the high demographic decrease in the F₂ generations, when compared to control groups. This study is the first step toward establishing a scientific basis for the effective application of D.?alba plant materials as biorational tools to control stored grain pests.     

Regeneration in sugarcane via somatic embryogenesis and genomic instability in regenerated plants

In the present study, embryogenic calli of sugarcane variety BL4 were induced using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin in different concentrations and combinations. In contrast to earlier studies, embryogenic callus sectors were identified and isolated microscopically within 1–2 weeks. Subsequently, 51 media formulations were used for regeneration of proliferated embryogenic callus, using MS medium supplemented with three different cytokinins [kinetin, 6-Benzylamino purine (BAP), and thidiazuron (TDZ)] and auxins (IAA/NAA and IBA) in different combination and concentrations. After acclimatization, the genomic DNA of regenerated plants was studied to explore the insertion polymorphism of transposable elements in order to ascertain the variation among somaclones. Though low concentration of kinetin with 2,4-D was found supportive to embryogenic callus development, the highest number of regenerated plantlets was observed using BAP (1 μM), however the plantlets had very low fresh weight (2.2 g). Conversely, TDZ alone supported a significant increase in the number of plantlets regenerated (38–40) with higher fresh weight. The somaclones generated during this study showed considerable positional polymorphism of activator-like transposable elements possibly due to the stress associated with in vitro culture. This study provides a procedure to produce regenerated sugarcane plants from embryogenic callus in a relatively short time.     

Chitosan-filled polypropylene composites: The effect of filler loading and organosolv lignin on mechanical,morphological and thermal properties

In this work, the effect of organosolv lignin on properties of polypropylene (PP)/chitosan composites was investigated. Mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were analyzed by means of ASTM D 638-91, ASTM D 256, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Tensile strength and elongation at break of the PP composites decreased upon the presence of chitosan filler, but Young’s modulus improved. Impact strength was found to increase with the maximum value at 30 php of filler loading. At a similar loading, treated PP/chitosan composites were found to have higher tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus as well as impact strength than untreated composites. Furthermore, the presence of organosolv lignin imparted a plasticizing effect. Thermal properties of the treated PP/chitosan composites were better as compared with the untreated PP/chitosan composites; although the chemical treatment did not alter the thermal degradation mechanism. In addition, the obtained results were comparable to results from previous studies. This finding implied that the organosolv lignin could be a potential reagent to replace its synthetic counterpart.     

Ganjam virus/Nairobi sheep disease virus induces a pro-inflammatory response in infected sheep

Partly due to climate change, and partly due to changes of human habitat occupation, the impact of tick-borne viruses is increasing. Nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV) and Ganjam virus (GV) are two names for the same virus, which causes disease in sheep and goats and is currently known to be circulating in India and East Africa. The virus is transmitted by ixodid ticks and causes a severe hemorrhagic disease. We have developed a real-time PCR assay for the virus genome and validated it in a pilot study of the pathogenicity induced by two different isolates of NSDV/GV. One isolate was highly adapted to tissue culture, grew in most cell lines tested, and was essentially apathogenic in sheep. The second isolate appeared to be poorly adapted to cell culture and retained pathogenicity in sheep. The real-time PCR assay for virus easily detected 4 copies or less of the viral genome, and allowed a quantitative measure of the virus in whole blood. Measurement of the changes in cytokine mRNAs showed similar changes to those observed in humans infected by the closely related virus Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.