Molecular characterisation of Theileria equi and risk factors associated with the occurrence of theileriosis in horses of Punjab (Pakistan)

Theileria equi (T. equi) is an obligate intra- and extra-erythrocytic parasite that causes equine theileriosis (ET) in equids. Equine theileriosis is considered a notifiable disease of global significance, a major constraint to the international movement of horses, and endemic in many countries. This disease may be difficult to diagnose, as it can produce variable and nonspecific clinical signs. A cross-sectional study was designed for the molecular characterisation of T. equi and to investigate the associated risk factors of ET accompanied by its consequences on haematological and sero-biochemical parameters. A convenience sampling of 500 blood samples were collected from ET suspect horses from January to December 2017. PCR was performed on all blood samples targeting the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi followed by sequencing; 9% animals tested positive with confirmed sequences. The isolates of this study showed high homology with Cuban, Russian and Brazilian isolates of T. equi (accession numbers KY111762.2 , MG551915.1 and KY952237.1 , respectively). Based on multivariate analysis, the principal risk factors consisted of absence of dogs on the premises and presence of tick infestation. The haemato-biochemical parameters showed a decrease in granulocytes and erythrocytes, and an increase in lymphocytes, monocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean platelet volume, glucose, phosphorus and aspartate aminotransferase in positive horses. This is the first study which identified ET in Punjab (Pakistan) using molecular techniques and risk factors together with the haemato-biochemical variations in horses.     

Inheritance of leaf hairiness in Gossypium hirsutum L. cotton and its relationship with jassid resistance

Summary Two pairs of genes indicated by H ^P ₁ and H ^A ₂ appear to play a part in the genetic control of pubescence of leaves in the crosses of Pak51 x Empire Red leaf, L11 x Empire Red leaf, AC134 x Empire Red leaf, AC134 x Acala 1517D and L11 x Acala 1517 D. H ^P ₁ seems to induce hair of sufficient length and density and is completely dominant to h ^p ₁.H ^A ₂ allele, seems to induce hairiness but to a smaller degree. It acts additivily to H ^P ₁ giving profusely hairy plants. H ^P ₁ gene is present in the local varieties Pak51, L11 and AC134 producing hair of such length and density as to confer jassid resistance in them. Compared with these, the exotic types viz., Empire Red leaf and Acala 1517D possess H ^A ₂ giving sparsely hairy plants.The exotic variety Deltapine Smooth leaf possesses another gene, E ^A, which displays an epistatic effect on H ^A ₂ gene. The gene E ^A has only a minor effect on the H ^P ₁.Apart from this, the presence of certain intensifying or modifying genes seem to affect the density and length of hair resulting in deviations even in individual groups.M. Sc. Student, Professor and Head, and Reader, respectively of the Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics.     

Comparative Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Wheat Productivity under Arid Region

ABSTRACT

Organic amendments in the soil perform better than synthetic fertilizers in regards to soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity. Experiments were conducted to compare the effects of organic and synthetic fertilizers on soil fertility and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. Soil fertility and protein contents of wheat grains (13.2% and 13.3% during 2005–06 and 2006–07, respectively) were improved by organic amendments. However, synthetic fertilizer (at the rate of 150, 100, and 60 kg ha^?1 N, P₂O₅, and K₂O, respectively) applications resulted in the maximum grain yield (4.05 and 4.46 t ha^?1 during 2005–06 and 2006–07, respectively). The observed and simulated soil organic carbon (SOC) reasonably agreed during RothC model validation (R ² = 0.99). Economic analysis showed the maximum net profit and relative increase in income ($729 US ha^?1 and 309%, respectively) from inorganic treatment. Application of synthetic fertilizers increased grain yield and farm profit while organic manure enhanced grain quality. The RothC model had potential for determining the SOC in organic farming under arid environment.     

Seasonal pattern of denitrification under an irrigated wheat-maize cropping system fertilized with urea and farmyard manure in different combinations

Under semiarid subtropical field conditions, denitrification was measured from the arable soil layer of an irrigated wheat–maize cropping system fertilized with urea at 50 or 100 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 (U₅₀ and U₁₀₀, respectively), each applied in combination with 8 or 16 t ha^–1 year^–1 of farmyard manure (FYM) (F₈ and F₁₆, respectively). Denitrification was measured by acetylene inhibition/soil core incubation method, also taking into account the N₂O entrapped in soil cores. Denitrification loss ranged from 3.7 to 5.7 kg N ha^–1 during the growing season of wheat (150 days) and from 14.0 to 30.3 kg N ha^–1 during the maize season (60 days). Most (up to 61%) of the loss occurred in a relatively short spell, after the presowing irrigation to maize, when the soil temperature was high and a considerable NO₃^–-N had accumulated during the preceding 4-month fallow; during this irrigation cycle, the lowest denitrification rate was observed in the treatment receiving highest N input (U₁₀₀+F₁₆), mainly because of the lowest soil respiration rate. Data on soil respiration and denitrification potential revealed that by increasing the mineral N application rate, the organic matter decomposition was accelerated during the wheat-growing season, leaving a lower amount of available C during the following maize season. Denitrification was affected by soil moisture and by soil temperature, the influence of which was either direct, or indirect by controlling the NO₃^– availability and aerobic soil respiration. Results indicated a substantial denitrification loss from the irrigated wheat–maize cropping system under semiarid subtropical conditions, signifying the need of appropriate fertilizer management practices to reduce this loss.     

Species of paramphistomes (trematoda) from buffaloes in peshawar region of west Pakistan

Summary Four species of amphistomes were recorded from buffaloes in Peshawar region. The incidence of different species was determined. The significance of amphistomes in causing disease is discussed.

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Sumario Se registraron cuatro especies de Paramfistomas de bufalos en la región de Peshawar. Se determinó la incidencia de las diferentes especies. Se discute el significado de los amfistomas como causantes de Enfermedates.

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Résumé 4 espèces d'amphistomes sont signalées chez les buffles de la région de Peshawar. L'incidence de ces différentes espèces est déterminée. L'importance de ces amphistomes sous l'angle de leur pouvoir pathogène est discutée.

     

Effect of Low Temperature of Irrigation Water on Rice Growth and Nutrient Uptake

The study was designed to investigate the effect of cold irrigation water on rice growth and on uptake of N, P, K and Zn applied ca. 50, 20, 35 and 5 mg kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Cold temperature of irrigation water reduced rice shoot and root dry weight and plant height, significantly compared to hot temperature treatment. Under low temperature stress N was a major rice growth determinant. Increased shoot concentrations of both P and Zn allevated the low temperature stress. The uptake of N, P, K and Zn reduced significantly at low temperature (16.5–20 °C soil and 20–24 °C flood water) compared to high temperature (24.5–27 °C soil and 26.5–29.0 °C), with the strongest effect being noticed for N, followed by P, K and Zn. Application of N, P, K and Zn increased their uptake in rice shoots. Nitrogen and K had synergistic effect on their uptake. Responses to N and K application and their uptake behavior were well marked at higher than at low temperature whereas reverse was true for P and Zn.     

土壤活性有机碳测定方法的改良

土壤碳库是陆地生态系统中最大的碳库,活性有机碳作为土壤碳库中最活跃的组分,对土壤碳含量的变化和碳排放具有较好的指示作用。目前活性有机碳的测定主要采用333 mmol L^-1KMnO_4氧化方法,然而该方法存在诸多不足,需要进行改良。采用改良方法(1:0.2 K_2Cr_2O_7-H_2SO_4)和KMnO_4法测定我国农田生态系统5个长期施肥站点土壤活性有机碳的含量。两种方法测定的土壤活性有机碳含量存在极显著的线性回归关系,且在各地点和施肥处理下均呈极显著的线性关系;改良方法测定的标准误和变异系数都比KMnO_4方法低;并且改良方法所需设备简单、操作简便快速等优点。因此本研究的改良方法与KMnO_4法相比具有一定的优势,可以考虑作为土壤活性有机碳测定的改良方法。     

Laminarin,a Major Polysaccharide in Stramenopiles

During the processes of primary and secondary endosymbiosis, different microalgae evolved to synthesis different storage polysaccharides. In stramenopiles, the main storage polysaccharides are β-1,3-glucan, or laminarin, in vacuoles. Currently, laminarin is gaining considerable attention due to its application in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceuticals industries, and also its importance in global biogeochemical cycles (especially in the ocean carbon cycle). In this review, the structures, composition, contents, and bioactivity of laminarin were summarized in different algae. It was shown that the general features of laminarin are species-dependence. Furthermore, the proposed biosynthesis and catabolism pathways of laminarin, functions of key genes, and diel regulation of laminarin were also depicted and comprehensively discussed for the first time. However, the complete pathways, functions of genes, and diel regulatory mechanisms of laminarin require more biomolecular studies. This review provides more useful information and identifies the knowledge gap regarding the future studies of laminarin and its applications.     

Breeding for provitamin A biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.)

Vitamin A deficiency is widely prevailing in children and women of developing countries. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness, growth retardation, xerophthalmia and increases the susceptibility against epidemic diseases. Among different interventions of overcoming malnutrition, biofortification is the most acceptable and preferred intervention among researchers, growers and consumers. Maize is grown and consumed in those regions where vitamin A deficiency is most prevalent; thus, targeting this crop for provitamin A biofortification is the most appropriate solution. Different breeding strategies including diversity analysis, introduction and stability analysis of exotic germplasm, hybridization, heterosis breeding, mutagenesis and marker‐assisted selection are practised for exploring maize germplasm and development of provitamin A‐enriched cultivars. Genome‐wide association selection and development of transgenic maize genotypes are also being practised, whereas RNA interference and genome editing tools could also be used as potential strategies for provitamin A biofortification of maize genotypes. The use of these breeding strategies for provitamin A biofortification of maize is comprehensively reviewed to provide a working outline for maize breeders.