Effects of varying nitrogen doses on yield,yield components and artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L. is an aromatic-antibacterial herb that destroys malarial parasites, lowers fevers and checks bleeding, and of which the secondary compound of interest is artemisinin. The objective of the present study was to determine yield, yield components and artemisinin content of A. annua L. grown under four nitrogen applications (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha⁻¹) in the Çukurova region of Turkey in 2004 and 2005. Field trials were conducted at Çukurova University, Agricultural Faculty Field Crops Department. In the study, plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield, dry herbage yield, fresh leaf yield, dry leaf yield, essential oil content and artemisinin content (by high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) were examined. By analysis of variance, nitrogen doses had no any statistical effect on the traits investigated except for artemisinin content. Artemisinin content of the dried leaves were significantly affected by nitrogen applications, which varied from 6.32 to 27.50 mg 100 g⁻¹. Contents were from 120 and 80 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen for the years of 2004 and 2005, respectively.     

Changes in the digestive enzymes and hormones of gilthead seabream larvae (Sparus aurata, L. 1758) fed on Artemia nauplii enriched with free lysine

Variations in digestive enzymes and hormones during the larval development of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fed on live prey (Artemia nauplii) enriched with free lysine were investigated for 16 days (from day 24 to day 40). Prior to initiation of the experiment, newly hatched larvae were transferred from incubators to fiber glass tanks (300 l) with black walls and fed the same diet until day 24. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. The amount of free lysine in the Artemia nauplii was increased by adding a 5.3 mM free amino acid solution to the culture water during a 16-h enrichment period. Larvae were sampled four times at four-day intervals, for 16 days. Larvae fed on the control group had lower growth than those fed on the lysine group at the end of the study but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The highest trypsin activity and lap/leu–ala peptidase ratios were observed in the control group (P < 0.05). Significant differences between bombesin activities of the treatment groups were not found in the fifth minute after the start of feeding (P > 0.05) but were significant in the fifteenth minute (P < 0.05). Significant differences between the CCK levels of the treatment groups were found (P < 0.05). In conclusion, three main ideas are presented in this study. First, Artemia nauplii can successfully be enriched with free lysine. Second, bombesin (GRP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) activity can be stimulated by free lysine. Third, the mechanisms controlling adaptation of the activity of the trypsin to the amount of dietary protein were not activated until day 40.     

The changes in digestive enzymes and hormones of gilthead seabream larvae (Sparus aurata, L 1758) fed on Artemia nauplii enriched with free methionine

Variations in digestive enzymes and hormones during the larval development of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fed on live prey (Artemia nauplii) enriched with free methionine were investigated for 16 days (from day 24 to day 40). Prior to initiation of the experiment, newly hatched larvae were transferred from incubators to fiber glass tanks (300 l) with black walls and fed with same diets until day 24. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. In the experimental group, the content of the free methionine in the Artemia nauplii was increased by adding a 5.3 mM free methionine solution to the culture water during a 16-h enrichment period. The larvae of both the control and enriched-methionine groups were sampled four times, with 4-day intervals between samplings, during a 16-day period. The larvae in the control group had a significantly lower growth than those of the methionine group at the end of the study (P < 0.05). The highest trypsin activity and leucine aminopeptidase N/leucine–alanine peptidase ratios were observed in the control group. A significant difference between bombesin activities in the treatment groups was not found at 5th minute after the initiation of feeding (P > 0.05), but they were significant at 15th minute post-initiation of feeding (P < 0.05). A significant difference between the cholecystokinin levels of the treatment groups was found (P < 0.05).     

Artificial neural network analysis of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of sugar alcohol ester

Artificial neural network (ANN) analysis of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed esterification of palmitic acid with xylitol was carried out. Temperature, time, amount of enzyme, amount of molecular sieve, substrate molar ratio and volume of solvent were the six important parameters used as the inputs of the network trained by Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm. After evaluating different ANN configurations, the best network was found to be consisted of two hidden layers with six and seven neurons in the first and second layers respectively, using a hyperbolic tangent sigmoid transfer function. The coefficient of determination (R²) and mean square error (MSE) values between the actual and predicted responses were 1 and 1.5025e−24 for the training and 0.97239 and 0.03259 for the testing datasets. The results indicate the good generalization performance of the neural network model and its capability to predict the conversion of the substrates.     

Pseudomonas putida improved soil enzyme activity and growth of kasumbha under low input of mineral fertilizers

Effective management of the nutrients and enzyme activity in the soil is necessary for maximum crop growth and productivity. However, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers (CFs) not only adversely affects the soil nutrient status and soil physicochemical properties but also aids pollution to the ecosystem. The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of single as well as combined applications of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and agrochemicals on important soil enzyme activities and their impact on the growth of kasumbha (safflower). Pseudomonas putida (P. putida;10⁶ cells/mL) was applied as seed inoculation prior to sowing, and CFs were applied as full, half, and quarter doses during sowing to modulate the growth of kasumbha host plants. P. putida in combination with half dose of CFs (PH) increased the soil urease and phosphatase activities, while P. putida combined with quarter dose of CFs (PQ) augmented the soil invertase activities. Moreover, the PQ treatment exhibited the maximum colony-forming units of P. putida. Leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein contents, and root lengths were increased by PH treatment. Whereas, shoot length and leaf area were improved by PH and PQ treatments, respectively. Leaf protease activity was enhanced by P. putida in combination with full dose of CFs and PQ treatments, while leaf phosphate contents were significantly improved by PQ treatment. It can be concluded that P. putida in combination with half as well as quarter doses of CFs is a promising approach for the improvement of soil enzyme activities and growth of kasumbha and replacing 50% of the use of CFs.     

In vitro and in planta nematicidal activity of Fumaria parviflora (Fumariaceae) against the southern root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Root and stem extracts of Fumaria parviflora showed strong nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita in in vitro and in planta experiments. Phytochemical screening of F. parviflora revealed the presence of seven classes of bioactive compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids and phenols). Quantitative determination of the plant extracts showed the highest percentages of alkaloids (0·9 ± 0·04) and saponins (1·3 ± 0·07) in the roots and total phenolic contents in the stem (16·75 ± 0·07 μg dry g^?1). The n‐hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of roots and stems at concentrations of 3·12, 6·24, 12·5, 25·0 and 50·0 mg mL^?1, significantly inhibited hatching and increased mortality of second‐stage juveniles (J2s) compared with water controls. Percentage J2 mortality and hatch inhibition were directly related to exposure time. In pot trials with tomato cv. Rio Grande, root and stem extracts at concentrations of 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm, applied as soil drenches, significantly reduced the number of galls, galling index, eggs masses, eggs and reproduction factor compared with the water control. Regardless of concentration, all the extracts significantly increased the host plant growth parameters studied. The n‐hexane extracts from the roots and stem were the most active, followed by the methanol ones, at all concentrations. The in vitro and in planta results suggest that extracts from the roots and stem of F. parviflora may be potential novel nematicides.     

Zinc source modulates zootechnical characteristics,intestinal features,humoral response,and paraoxonase (PON1) activity in broilers

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The current experiment was performed to find the potential effect of inorganic and organic forms of zinc (Zn) on growth, intestinal histomorphology, immune...     

Halophyte root powder: an alternative biofertilizer and carrier for saline land

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was based on the hypothesis that the endophytes residing in the roots of halophytes have better adaptation to saline conditions. Six halophytic herbs were collected from Khewra salt range (EC = 4.7 dS m^?1 and SAR = 25.7). From these herbs, root pieces of Cenchrus ciliaris were shade dried; finely ground to powder and three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonad moraviensis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were isolated. Root powder in sterilized and unsterilized forms was added in the saline-sodic field on wheat and mixed with soil in pot experiment with induced NaCl (150 mM). Sterilized root powder increased organic matter NO₃-N and P contents of soil and leaves, fresh weight, sugar content, and yield attributes. The root powder application in unsterilized form significantly decreased EC, SAR, and Na content of field soil with concomitant increase in soil and leaves K, P, and NO₃-N. The farmer’s benefit was increased by 33% at yield. Root powder-induced salt tolerance was mediated by the PGPR (residing inside the root) through increased growth and better physiological adaptations. It is inferred that root powder harboring the PGPR may be an alternative to biofertilizer with longer shelf life and may also serve as carrier for the preparation of effective biofertilizer for saline land using other PGPR bio-inoculants.     

Mini review on photosensitization by plants in grazing herbivores

Photosensitization is severe dermatitis or oxidative/chemical changes in the epidermal tissues activated by the light-induced excitation of molecules within the tissue. It is a series of reactions mediated through light receptors and is more common when the plant-produced metabolites are heterocyclic/polyphenols in nature. The areas affected are exposed body parts and mostly non-pigmented areas with least ultraviolet protection. Similarly, cellular alteration also occurs in the affected animal’s dermal tissues and body parts and grazing animals by the accumulation and activation of photodynamic molecules. Photo-oxidation can also occur within the plant due to the generation of reactive oxygen species causing damage and degradation in the form of free radicals and DNA. During the last few decades, many new tropical grass species have been introduced in the grazing lands which are genetically modified, and the animals grazing on them are facing various forms of toxicity including photosensitization. The plant’s secondary metabolites/drugs may cause toxicity when bacteria, viral agents, fungi (Pithomyces chartarum), or neoplasia injures the liver and prevents the phylloerythrin excretion. All these may disturb the liver enzymes and blood profile causing a decrease in weight and production (wool and milk etc.) with severe dermal, digestive, and nervous problems. Recent advancements in OMICS (cellomics, ethomics, metabolomics, metabonomics, and glycomics) have enabled us to detect and identify the plants’ secondary metabolites and changes in the animal’s physiology and histopathology as a causative of photosensitivity. The review focuses on types of photosensitization, reasons, secondary metabolic compounds, chemistry, and environmental effect on plants.