Genetic variation for resistance to septoria tritici blotch in Iranian tetraploid wheat landraces

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola has recently become one of the devastating diseases in Iran causing significant yield losses on most commercial bread and durum wheat cultivars. Iran is located in the Fertile Crescent, a region where wheat was historically domesticated; and, thus, landraces derived from this region are of considerable global interest for identification of new sources of resistance to various stresses. Here, we report on the resistance responses of 45 tetraploid wheat landraces collected from different provinces of Iran to eight M. graminicola isolates. In total 138 isolate-specific resistances were found among all interactions (n = 360). The highest number of specific resistances (30 out of 32 interactions) was found in wheat landraces collected from West Azarbaijan. In contrast, all landraces from Kordestan were highly susceptible to M. graminicola isolates and only one isolate-specific resistance was identified among 106 isolate-wheat interactions. Kermanshah landraces showed the highest resistance variation against different isolates. About 57 isolate-specific resistances were identified among 104 interactions. Ilam landraces were highly resistant to STB as 28 specific resistances were observed among 32 interactions. Markazi (n = 2) and Sistan-Baluchestan (n = 1) were susceptible to all isolates tested. Landraces from Lorestan were generally susceptible to isolates tested as 26 susceptible responses were observed out of 32 interactions. Our results indicate that landraces collected from the Fertile Crescent region may possess diverse effective resistance genes or valuable broad spectrum resistance genes, and that their identification is of interest and can be exploited in breeding programs.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline CoWO4@silk fibers with antibacterial activity under ultrasound irradiation

The present investigation reports the novel synthesis of CoWO₄ nanoparticles@silk fiber under ultrasound irradiation. The effect of temperature, power of ultrasound irradiation and sequential dipping steps in growth of the CoWO₄ particles were studied. Results show a decrease in the particles size as the temperature and power of irradiation decreased. The fibers containing CoWO₄ nanoparticles were tested for their antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus and were found to possess significant antibacterial activity. The results show the CoWO₄ nanoparticles@silk with strongest fluorescence characteristics can be obtained in this method. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Sperm motility and seminal plasma characteristics in Barbus sharpeyi (Günther, 1874)

Spermatozoa concentration, ionic composition, osmolality, glucose and total protein contents of seminal plasma and sperm motility were determined in Barbus sharpeyi (Cyprinidae, Teleosotei). Spermatozoa concentration ranged from 9.77 to 20.20 × 10⁹ spermatozoa mL^?1. Osmolality (mOsmol kg^?1) and ionic contents (mM L^?1) of the seminal plasma were 274.5±9.0, 70.0±3.4 Na⁺, 28.8±0.9 K⁺, 101.7±3.1 Cl^?, 0.9±0.1 Mg²⁺ and 2.1±0.1 Ca²⁺ respectively. Total protein and glucose were 5.3±0.2 g L^?1 and 76.7±4.3 mM L^?1 respectively. Sperm motility was initiated in a hypo‐osmotic condition, composed of either an ionic (KCl or NaCl) or a non‐ionic (sucrose) activation medium. Duration of sperm motility was very short: <2 min after activation in distilled water. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher in an activation medium containing NaCl compared with that of distilled water. An activating medium containing NaCl or KCl higher than 150 mM or sucrose higher than 275 mM totally inhibited the activation of sperm motility. Immediately after sperm activation, wave(s) propagated along the flagellum, but waves were restricted to the proximal part of the flagellum (close to the head) at 1 min post activation. Studied characteristics in the present study were compared with those of other cyprinids for understanding inter‐species differences.     

Applicability of support vector machines and adaptive neurofuzzy inference system for modeling potato crop evapotranspiration

Estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) for certain crops such as potato is very important for irrigation planning, irrigation scheduling and irrigation systems management. The primary focus of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machines (SVM) for potato ET_C estimation when lysimeter measurements or the complete weather data for applying the FAO method are not available. The estimates of the ANFIS and SVM models were compared with the empirical equations of Blaney–Criddle, Makkink, Turc, Priestley–Taylor, Hargreaves and Ritchie. The performances of the different SVM and ANFIS models were evaluated by comparing the corresponding values of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and correlation coefficient (r). The drawn conclusions confirmed that the SVM and ANFIS models could provide more accurate ET_C estimates than the empirical equations. Overall, the minimum RMSE (0.042 mm/day) and MAE (0.031 mm/day) values and the maximum r value (0.98) were obtained using the SVM model with mean air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, sunshine hours and wind speed as inputs.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel monoazo disperse dyes derived from N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimide on poly(ethylene terphthalate)

A series of novel monoazo disperse dyes based on N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimides have been synthesized via 4-(4-amino-1,8-naphthalimido) butanoic acid as diazo components and various couplers. The synthesized dyes were characterized with elemental analysis, differential scanning colorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques. The molar extinction coefficient, wavelength maxima, and solvatochromism effect were obtained using chloroform, acetone, and N,N-dimethyl formamide as solvent. The results showed that the synthesized dyes had molar extinction coefficient of 20908 to 38939 l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, wavelength maxima of 409–549 nm, and positive solvatochromism by changing solvent from chloroform to N,N-dimethyl formamide. The synthesized dyes were applied on poly(ethylene terephthalate) using high temperature method. Dyes 1 and 2 showed high build-up properties on poly(ethylene terephthalate), whereas dyes 3 and 4 offered medium build-up. All the dyes offered excellent heat fastness, good wash and rubbing fastnesses on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics. The hydrolysis of the synthesized dyes in alkali media indicated that the presence of a carboxylic acid group within the dye molecules provides alkali-clearable potential.     

A social-ecological approach to land-use conflict to inform regional and conservation planning and management

Context

Conflict over land use is endemic to natural resource management given the limited availability of resources and multiple stakeholders’ interests, but there has been limited research to examine conflict from an integrative social-ecological perspective.

Objectives

We sought to determine how the potential for land use conflict—a social construct—was related (or not) to ecological systems of landscapes.

Methods

Using participatory mapping data from a regional case study in Australia, we identified the potential for land use conflict using a model that combines spatially-explicit place values with preferences for specific land uses related to development and conservation. Multiple proxies of biodiversity were used to evaluate the landscape’s ecological systems at ecosystems and species levels. Range maps were used to identify areas of high species diversity value using the conservation planning software Zonation.

Results

We spatially intersected conflict areas with landscape attributes and found the potential for conflict over conservation to be higher in coastal areas than inland areas, more likely to be located in areas with moderate vegetation cover, more concentrated in ecosystems classified as ‘No Concern’ with moderate to high native vegetation. Potential conflict over conservation was disproportionately higher in areas with higher species diversity derived from conservation modelling.

Conclusions

The social-ecological associations in conflict analysis can inform impact assessment of land use plans on biodiversity, assist development of effective approaches to reconcile conservation and other land uses, support conservation planning by identifying priorities for conflict negotiation and understanding underlying factors for conflict.

     

Identifying superior rainfed barley genotypes in farmers’ fields using participatory varietal selection

This study was carried out to identify superior barley genotypes for the rainfed areas of western Iran using a participatory varietal selection (PVS) approach. Three field experiments were conducted in two randomly selected farmers’ fields and in one rainfed research station in the 2006–07 cropping season with 69 genotypes (including one local and one improved check). Several univariate and multivariate methods were used to analyze qualitative (farmers’ scores) and quantitative (grain yield) data. Individual farmers’ scores in each village were positively correlated, indicating that the farmers tended to discriminate genotypes in similar fashion, although the genotypes actually selected by farmers were different in the two villages. In recent years, a greater number of farmers in western Iran preferred the improved variety (Sararood-1) over the local barley (Mahali), while in this project the farmers preferred the new genotypes over the two checks. This was also verified by the quantitative data showing that the checks were outyielded by the new genotypes. Farmers were efficient in identifying the best genotypes for their specific environment, as shown by biplot analysis, indicating their competence in selection. The genotypes selected by the breeder and farmers were almost similar but some differences existed. In conclusion, PVS is a powerful way to involve farmers for selecting and testing new cultivars that are adapted to their needs, systems and environments.     

Binary catalyst system dye degradation using photocatalysis

In this paper, soy meal hull activated carbon (SMHAC) and titania nanoparticle (TiO₂) were used as catalysts to degrade dyes. Activated carbon was prepared using soy meal hull. Degradation of dyes using single and binary catalyst systems was studied. Textile dyes were used as model pollutants. Photocatalytic dye degradation and mineralization were studied using UV-Vis spectrophotometer and ion chromatography (IC). The effects of pH, initial dye concentration, and salt on dye degradation were investigated. Dye solutions were decolorized completely (100 %). The presence of salts decreased dye degradation rate. Degradation of dyes followed first order kinetics model. Formate, acetate, and oxalate were detected as dominant aliphatic intermediates during dye degradation process. Nitrate, sulfate, and chloride anions were detected as dye mineralization products.     

Antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric via the chitosan/TPP self-assembled nano layers

In this study, chitosan and pentasodium tripolyphosphate (TPP)-based bilayers were fabricated on the cationized woven cotton fabrics via layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. The initial cationic charges on cotton fabric were produced through the aminization procedure involving the covalent attachment of reactive dye to cotton fabric and subsequent reductive cleavage of the dye to free amine. Different numbers of bilayers (1, 5, and 10) consisting of chitosan/TPP have been deposited on the fabrics. The surface morphology, cationic group content, chemical surface modification, whiteness index, surface tension and antibacterial properties of the modified cotton samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), methylene blue test, FTIR, reflectance spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements and antibacterial test, respectively. The bacterial inhibition experiments demonstrated that the modified cotton fabric with the addition of chitosan/TPP bilayers can increase the degree of inhibition on E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. The utilized LBL method was an easy and cost-effective procedure for developing of novel antibacterial textiles with the highly attractive feature in the medical and hygienic products.