Molecular Variability in Different Indian Isolates of Equine Herpesvirus-1

Three abortigenic Indian isolates of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) (Tohana, Hisar and Bikaner), along with two exotic abortigenic isolates (AB4 and V592) and another EHV-1 isolate (Jind) obtained from a case of perinatal foal mortality, were studied for variability. For this purpose, PCR and restriction endonuclease (RE) digestion techniques were used simultaneously as a DNA fingerprinting system. Nine different regions of EHV-1 virus were amplified by PCR using primer pairs specific for the regions and the products obtained from these regions were subsequently subjected to various restriction endonucleases to further assess the variability in the number of RE sites as well as in their positions. No difference was observed in all the four abortigenic isolates in terms of the size of different PCR products amplified by all the nine primer pairs, except for primer pairs ‘E’ and ‘C’. PCR products obtained with primer pair E revealed that Tohana and Bikaner isolates were most similar while Hisar isolate was like V592 isolate. However, the PCR product obtained from Jind isolate had a size between the PCR products of Hisar and Tohan/Bikaner isolates. The primer pair ‘C’ used to amplify the region between 1151 to 3679 in ‘Gene 1,2,3’ clearly differentiated the EHV-1 isolate obtained from a case of perinatal foal mortality from isolates obtained from abortion cases. This primer pair needs to be exploited more extensively for use as a potential marker for differentiating the EHV-1 isolates, mainly the abortion cases from perinatal foal mortality ones. Restriction endonuclease studies done with PCR product of all the isolates with various primer pairs did not reveal any changes in the position or number of RE sites present in the products amplified, indicating no variation in different RE sites within the amplified PCR products. However, this study clarified that all the Indian isolates belonged to the IP group of EHV-1.     

Evaluation of Dry Peas (Pisum sativum L.) Varieties for Seedling Vigor Indices in Eastern Montana

Genetic and environmental factors lead to a variation in yield and protein content of dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds. The quality of seed, particularly seed vigor, also influences the establishment of crop and thus final grain yield. The area and production for dry peas are increasing in the Northern Great Plains but knowledge is lacking on how the pea lines/varieties differ in the seed vigor at seven leaf stage. This field and greenhouse study evaluated the eight dry pea lines/varieties for seedling vigor indices and correlated them with grain yield and protein concentrations. Significant differences were observed among the lines/varieties for nodule number plant^?1 in greenhouse, and grain yield in field conditions. The highest number of nodules plant^?1 was obtained with the line MT632, which were at par with lines MT457, and MT190. The highest Vigor Index I was achieved with line MT632 associated with their more shoot lengths as compared to other lines/varieties. The highest Vigor Index II was obtained by variety Majoret and line MT632. The variety DS Admiral yielded 5205 kg ha^?1, which was 17.4 and 33.3% higher than lines MT460 and MT190, respectively. The highest seed protein content was obtained with variety Majoret (23.4%) having highest Vigor Index II and seed yield (4940 kg ha^?1) at par with variety DS Admiral. The lowest seed protein was found with variety DS Admiral (20.3%). The line named MT190 showed lowest yield potential along with the lower protein contents also. Studies show a positive and significant correlation between biomass and Vigor Index I only. Plant nitrogen uptake was positively and significantly correlated with biomass and Vigor Index I in greenhouse only. The results also indicated that seed vigor indices did not reveal any significant correlations with dry peas yield and protein content, so more efforts are needed to evaluate varieties for higher yield and protein content during initial stages of growth in order to maximize their acreage and productivity.     

Inheritance and molecular mapping of restorer‐of‐fertility (Rf) gene in A2 hybrid system in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Inheritance of fertility restorer gene in pigeonpea was studied using F₂ and BC₁F₁ populations derived from cross AL103A × IC245273. It was found to be controlled by single dominant gene. Out of 228 SSR primer pairs, 33 primer pairs showed parental polymorphism, while four primers were found polymorphic in bulk segregant analysis (BSA). These four primers viz., CcM 1615, CcM 0710, CcM 0765 and CcM 1522 were used for genotyping of F₂ population and were found to be placed at 3.1, 5.1, 28.1 and 45.8 cM, respectively. Two of them, CcM 1615 and CcM 0710, evinced clear and unambiguous bands for fertility restoration in F₂ population. The Rf gene was mapped on linkage group 6 between the SSR markers CcM 1615 and CcM 0710 with the distances of 3.1 and 5.1 cM, respectively. The accuracy of the CcM 1615 was validated in 18 restorers and six maintainer lines. The marker CcM 1615 amplified in majority of male restorer lines with a selection accuracy of 91.66%.     

Grain yield,nitrogen use efficiency and tillage intensity in wheat as affected by precision nutrient management

ABSTRACT

The present studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of different nutrient management practices under two tillage options in wheat. The experiments were laid out in split-plot design with a combination of two varieties (WH 1105 and HD 2967) and two tillage options (Conventional and No tillage) in the main plot and six precision nutrient management practices [absolute control, site-specific nutrient management with Nutrient Expert for wheat (SSNM-NE)(170 kg nitrogen (N)/ha), SSNM NE+GreenSeeker (GS)(153/158 N kg/ha), N₁₂₀ (120 kg N/ha) before irrigation, N₁₂₀ after irrigation and N Rich (180 kg N/ha)] in subplot replicated thrice. The grain yield and quality characters in no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) were similar but agronomic efficiency was higher in NT. Both the varieties (WH 1105 and HD 2967) gave similar grain yield and quality. Wheat variety WH 1105 recorded significantly higher sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation (SDS) and gluten index. The treatment SSNM NE+GS had resulted in 107.1% higher grain yield than no nitrogen control but similar to enriched N plot (180 kg N/ha). The grain protein, SDS and gluten index in need-based nutrient management (SSNM+GS) treatment were found to be similar as recorded in SSNM-NE (170 kgN/ha) and N enriched plot (180 kg N ha^?1). The agronomic efficiency and recovery efficiency in SSNM+GS were also better than SSNM NE.     

Toxicological effects and recovery of the corneal epithelium in Cyprinus carpio communis Linn. exposed to monocrotophos: an scanning electron microscope study

This study was conducted based on the evidence of fish habitats in North India being affected by organophosphate pesticides draining from agricultural fields into bodies of water, especially during the rainy season. Various tissues of fish such as scales, gills ovaries, kidney, and liver have been studied from the toxicological point of view, but the toxicological effects of aquatic pollutants on fish cornea have not been investigated to date. We conducted comparative toxicological studies on the cornea of Cyprinus carpio communis using two sublethal (0.038 and 0.126 ppm) concentrations of monocrotophos pesticide for 30 days. Corneas from all the groups were evaluated by a scanning electron microscope. The fish exposed to the monocrotophos pesticide developed corneal necrosis due to the formation of crystalloid‐like structures, thinning and shrinkage of microridges on the corneal epithelium. After 30 days, fish from the monocrotophos‐treated tank were transferred to normal environmental conditions. After 60 days under natural condition, epithelial cells did not fully recover. In conclusion, exposure to monocrotophos induces irreversible changes in the cornea of C. carpio communis. As fish and mammalian visual systems share many similarities, the reported finding may offer useful insights for further toxicological and ophthalmological studies in humans.     

Feeding potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptolaemus montrouzieri</Emphasis> against the mealybug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenacoccus solenopsis</Emphasis>

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an exotic species native to the USA, damaging cotton and other plant families. The feeding potential of different development stages of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, a biological control agent against mealybugs, was investigated on different development stages of P. solenopsis. Fourth instar grubs and adults of C. montrouzieri were the most voracious feeders on different instars of mealybug. The number of 1^st instar nymphs of mealybug consumed by 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th instar larvae and adult beetles of C. montrouzieri was 15.56, 41.01, 125.38, 162.69 and 1613.81, respectively. The respective numbers of 2^nd and 3^rd instar nymphs of mealybug consumed were 11.15 and 1.80, 26.35 and 6.36, 73.66 and 13.32, 76.04 and 21.16, 787.95 and 114.66. The corresponding figures for adult female mealybugs were 0.94, 3.23, 8.47, 12.71 and 73.40, respectively. The results indicate that C. montrouzieri has the potential to be exploited as a biocontrol agent in North India; inoculative releases of 4^th instar larvae and adults may provide instant control of P. solenopsis. Field experiments should be conducted to determine the efficiency of the ladybird on this mealybug.     

Low Temperature Effects during Seed Filling on Chickpea Genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.): Probing Mechanisms affecting Seed Reserves and Yield

Chickpea is sensitive to cold conditions (<15 °C), particularly at its reproductive phase and consequently it experiences significant decrease in the seed yield. The information about the effects of cold stress on chickpea during the seed filling phase is lacking. Moreover, the underlying metabolic reasons associated with the low temperature injury are largely unknown in the crop. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the objectives: (i) to find out the possible mechanisms leading to low temperature damage during the seed filling and (ii) to investigate the relative response of the microcarpa (Desi) and the macrocarpa (Kabuli) chickpea types along with elucidation of the possible mechanisms governing the differential cold sensitivity at this stage. At the time of initiation of the seed filling (pod size ∼1 cm), a set of plants growing under warm conditions of the glasshouse (temperature: 17/28 ± 2 °C as average night and day temperature) was subjected to cold conditions of the field (2.3/11.7 ± 2 °C as average night and day temperature), while another set was maintained under warm conditions (control). The chilling conditions resulted in the increase in electrolyte leakage, the loss of chlorophyll, the decrease in sucrose content and the reduction in water status in leaves, which occurred to a greater extent in the macrocarpa type than in the microcarpa type. The total plant weight decreased to the same level in both the chickpea types, whereas the rate and duration of the seed filling, seed size, seed weight, pods per plant and harvest index decreased greatly in the macrocarpa type. The stressed seeds of both the chickpea types experienced marked reduction in the accumulation of starch, proteins, fats, crude fibre, protein fractions (albumins, globulins, prolamins and glutelins) with a larger decrease in the macrocarpa type. The accumulation of sucrose and the activity levels of the enzymes like starch synthase, sucrose synthase and invertase decreased significantly in the seeds because of the chilling, indicating impairment in sucrose import. Minerals such as calcium, phosphorous and iron as well as several amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine and histidine) were lowered significantly in the stressed seeds. These components were limited to a higher extent in the macrocarpa type indicating higher cold sensitivity of this type.     

Exogenous Application of Abscisic Acid Improves Cold Tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea suffers cold stress (<10 °C) damage especially during reproductive phase resulting in the abortion of flowers and pods, poor pod set, and reduction in seed yield and seed quality. One of the ways in modifying cold tolerance involves exogenous treatment of the plants with chemicals having established role in cold tolerance. In the present study, the chickpea plants growing under optimum temperature conditions (28/12 °C, as average maximum and minimum temperature) were subjected to cold conditions of the field (10–12/2–4 °C; day/night as average maximum and minimum temperature) at the bud stage. Prior to exposure, these plants were treated exogenously with 10 μm abscisic acid (ABA) and thereafter again after 1 week of exposure. The stress injury measured in terms of increase in electrolyte leakage, decrease in 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction %, relative leaf water content and chlorophyll content was observed to be significantly mitigated in ABA-applied plants. A greater pollen viability, pollen germination, flower retention and pod set were noticed in ABA-treated plants compared with stressed plants. The seed yield showed considerable improvement in the plants treated with ABA relative to the stressed plants that was attributed to the increase in seed weight, greater number of single seeded pods and reduction in number of infertile pods. The oxidative damage measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances was lesser in ABA-treated plants that was associated with greater activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, ascorbic acid, glutathione and proline in these plants. It was concluded that cold stress effects were partly overcome by ABA treatment because of the improvement in water status of the leaves as well as the reduction in oxidative damage.     

Breast cancer prevention by green tea catechins and black tea theaflavins in the C3(1) SV40 T,t antigen transgenic mouse model is accompanied by increased apoptosis and a decrease in oxidative DNA adducts

Tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of mammary cancer as reflected by epidemiological studies and experiments in carcinogen-induced rodent models of mammary carcinogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that green tea catechins (GTC) or theaflavins from black tea (BTT) interfere with mammary carcinogenesis in C3(1) SV40 T,t antigen transgenic multiple mammary adenocarcinoma (TAg) mice and that GTC/BTT affect tumor survival or oxidation status. TAg mice received GTC/BTT (0.05%) in drinking water for their lifetime. As compared to control mice, they survived longer and had smaller tumors. On microscopic inspection, the size of the largest tumor per mouse was decreased by 40-42% (p<0.01). GTC (0.01%) and BTT (0.05%) increased levels of cleaved caspase 3 in tumor tissue by 67 and 38%, respectively (p<0.05), intimating increased apoptosis. Tumor levels of the malondialdehyde-DNA adduct M1dG in mice receiving GTC or BTT (0.05%) were reduced by 78 (p<0.001) or 63% (p<0.05), respectively, as compared to controls. The results render the exploration of the breast cancer chemopreventive properties of tea preparations in humans worthwhile.