Use of restriction fragment length polymorphism, immunoblotting, and polymerase chain reaction in the differentiation of avian poxviruses.

Restriction deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment profile analysis coupled with immunogenic protein profile analysis has provided useful information in determining the differences between vaccine strains and field isolates of fowlpox virus (FPV). The DNA of strains examined in this study clearly fell into 3 minor groups of restriction patterns similar but distinct from one another: restriction patterns exhibited by the vaccine strains except 1 vaccine strain, Vac-82; restriction profiles indicated by Vac-82 and field isolates FI-38 and FI-42; and restriction patterns indicated by field isolates FI-43, FI-51, FI-54, and FI-56. Furthermore, when the strains were analyzed and compared by immunoblotting analysis, they showed group differences similar to the differences in restriction profiles. Both techniques provided high sensitivity in verifying differences between vaccine strains and field isolates of FPV. The disparity found in restriction fragments or immunogenic protein profile between vaccine strains and field isolates does not exclude the appreciable high degree of DNA sequence conservation and homology. However, the minor disparity observed in these strains suggests a molecular basis for why vaccinated commercial flocks could have continually been infected by variant strains of FPV. A rapid and sensitive polymerase chain reaction method, which amplified a product from the 4b core protein gene of the FPV genome, was developed for identification and differentiation of members of the genus Avipoxvirus. Whereas total DNA from either vaccine strains or field isolates was used as template for amplifying a predicted product of 578 or 1409 bp, only cleavage of the amplified product (1409 bp) represented an additional detection technique for species differentiation. An attempt to distinguish between strains on the basis of amplification product was partially successful.     

Economic burden of bovine trypanosomosis in three villages of Metekel zone,Northwest Ethiopia

The study was carried out to assess the economic burden of trypanosomosis in three villages of the Metekel zone in 2009. The disease was found to cause substantial economic losses through cattle mortality, drug purchase, and draft power loss of infected oxen. The farmers in the area were spending a significantly (p < 0.05) higher amount of money for the treatment of trypanosomosis than all other diseases combined. The overall mortality rate of cattle due to trypanosomosis was 4.4%. The mortality was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in an area where trypanosomosis prevalence was also higher. Many of the farmers prioritized losses of draft power as the most important impact of the disease. The overall prevalence of the disease was 12.1%. The disease burden was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the rainy season than at other times of the year. In general, farmers had good knowledge on the signs and seasonality of trypanosomosis. Thus, tsetse suppression activities that involve the local community can be an important tool towards minimizing the economic burden of the disease in the area.     

Supplementing rumen‐protected methionine to lactating multiparous dairy cows did not improve reproductive performance

There is evidence that supplementing methionine has positive effects on uterine environment, oocyte quality and embryo development in cattle. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate reproductive traits of cows supplemented with rumen‐protected methionine (RPM) during early to mid‐lactation in comparison with an untreated control group (CON). An additional focus was on the effect of puerperal diseases on reproductive performance parameters in RPM‐supplemented group MET and in CON. A total of 1,709 multiparous Holstein‐Friesian cows were enrolled in this field trial conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Slovakia. Cows were allocated at approximately 12 days post‐partum (dpp) to either CON or MET, the latter supplemented with 25.0 g–27.2 g RPM per cow per day incorporated into the total mixed ration (TMR) until leaving the study pen at approximately 140 dpp. The amount of RPM was calculated based on individual feed ingredients analysis and adjusted during the study period when TMR changed. Cows were monitored during the post‐partum period by vaginal examination (day 5 pp), measuring of beta‐hydroxybutyrate in blood (3, 5, and 8 dpp) and by vaginal examination, uterine cytology and measuring of back fat thickness by ultrasound (all at 31 ± 3 dpp). Compared with CON, cows supplemented with RPM did not show better reproduction performance parameters (first service submission rate, days to first service, conception risk, days open 140). Results from binary logistic regression model for the risk of conception showed that metritis had a significant effect, but the supplementation of methionine had not. Results of Cox regression analysis for the odds of conception within 140 dpp revealed only metritis and clinical endometritis as significant factors. In conclusion, supplementation of RPM had no beneficial effect on reproductive performance in this study farm compared with an untreated control group.     

Direct antifungal activity of tiadinil,a systemic acquired resistance inducer,and thymol formulations on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stagonosporopsis citrulli</Emphasis> and control of watermelon gummy stem blight

This study evaluated the direct antifungal activity of tiadinil [N-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide], a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducer and two formulations of thymol (thymol I and thymol II) against Stagonosporopsis citrulli, the causal agent of gummy stem blight (GSB) disease of watermelon. Tiadinil, thymol I and thymol II completely inhibited the mycelial growth of S. citrulli in vitro at ≥?100 ppm. Conidial germination and germ tube elongation were completely inhibited by tiadinil at ≥?2000 ppm and by thymol-based formulations at ≥?100 ppm. A single foliar application of tiadinil at ≥?10 ppm or a single application of thymol I and II at ≥?1 ppm, 48 h before or after pathogen inoculation, significantly reduced disease severity of watermelon seedlings inoculated with 10⁵/ml conidial suspension of S. citrulli, compared to respective nontreated controls. Plants treated with foliar application of tiadinil at ≥?1000 ppm before pathogen inoculation had significantly lower disease severity than plants that received an equivalent drench application. The efficacy of foliar application of tiadinil was affected by concentration and frequency of application. The study suggests direct antifungal activity of tiadinil, indicating a new mode of action of tiadinil against GSB disease of watermelon. The study also demonstrated direct antifungal action of thymol, a formulated active compound of essential oils, against S. citrulli and GSB disease of watermelon.     

Effect of supplementing urea-treated barley straw with lucerne or vetch hays on feed intake,digestibility and growth of Arsi Bale Sheep

The study was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia to assess the supplementation of graded levels of vetch (Vicia dasycarpa `lana’) and lucerne (Medicago sativa,’ Hunter river’) hay on feed intake, digestibility and body weight (BW) change of Arsi-Bale sheep fed urea treated barley straw (UTBS). A 7 day- digestibility and a 90 day- feed intake trials were conducted using 28 and 35 sheep, respectively. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with seven dietary treatments that consisted of feeding UTBS (T1) as the control treatment, UTBS plus 150, 250 and 350 g dry matter (DM) per day of vetch for T2, T3, T4, respectively and UTBS plus 150, 250 and 350 g DM per day of lucerne for T5, T6 and T7, respectively. Intake of UTBS was not affected (P > 0.05) by inclusion of lucerne hay at 25–35% of daily DM intake. The supplements increased daily intake of total DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and metabolizable energy (ME) (P < 0.001) as well as apparent digestibility of DM, OM (P < 0.001), NDF (P < 0.01), ADF, crude protein (CP) (P < 0.05) and daily BW gain (P < 0.001). Supplementation with lucerne than vetch hay promoted higher (P < 0.001) CP and ME intakes and daily BW gain. Feeding with the UTBS without supplementation was enough to meet the maintenance requirements of the sheep and allow small BW gain. The results of the study showed that urea treatment of barley straw in conjunction with supplementation of lucerne or vetch hay could serve as a useful strategy in improving smallholder sheep production in the tropics.     

Chromium Removal from Modjo Tannery Wastewater Using Moringa stenopetala Seed Powder as an Adsorbent

An electrokinetic technique was used to remediate As-, Cu-, and Pb-contaminated paddy soil in a real field on a pilot scale. A hexagonal electrode placement with one anode at the center and six cathodes at the vertices of the hexagon was installed in the field. After operation for 4 weeks, the average removal of Pb was 64.9 % in the top layer (0–0.4 m), 81.2 % in the middle layer (0.4–0.8 m), and 66.9 % in the bottom layer (0.8–1.2 m). The removal of As was 28.2 % in the top layer, 43.2 % in the middle layer, and 24.5 % in the bottom layer. The removal of Cu was 17.7 % in the middle layer and was not observed in the other layers. The relatively high removal of Pb might come from the more labile fraction of Pb in soil compared to As and Cu. However, the circulation of anolyte using an alkaline solution to enhance removal of As failed because the electrolyte leaked between the anode and surrounding soil. Effective circulation might enhance the performance of the electrokinetic process.     

Aphidius colemani Vier. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) detected in cereal fields in Germany

Studies conducted in the 2000 cropping season at two different localities, Flaeming and Magdeburger Boerde in Germany, have provided new information on cereal aphid (Sitobion avenae (F.), Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)) parasitoids in winter wheat; their species composition, relative abundance, hosts, and location effects. The average aphid population density was higher at Magdeburger Boerde and lower at Flaeming. Among the aphid species, Sitobion avenae was more abundant at Flaeming and Metopolophium dirhodum at Magdeburger Boerde. In total, eight species of primary parasitoids were recorded: Aphidius colemani Viereck, Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani Perez, Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetzki, Aphidius ervi Haliday, Aphidius picipes (Nees), Ephedrus plagiator (Nees), Praon gallicumStarý, and Praon volucre (Haliday). The predominant parasitoid species were Aphidius colemani and Aphidius rhopalosiphi on Metopolophium dirhodum and Aphidius uzbekistanicus on Sitobion avenae. A low number of hyperparasitoids were also recorded. Aphidius colemani was recorded for the first time in the open winter wheat fields in Germany, although it has been used as a biocontrol agent in glasshouses in many European countries and overseas. An analysis of the aforementioned information shows that Aphidius colemani detected as a parasitoid of cereal aphids in Germany is likely a result of an accidental escape of parasitoids from a glasshouse, as well as their successful overwintering and establishment in the area. This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species guild and dynamics in cereal fields in Germany.     

Detection and differentiation of re-emerging fowlpox virus (FWPV) strains carrying integrated reticuloendotheliosis virus (FWPV-REV) by real-time PCR

Current strains of fowlpox virus (FWPV) carrying circulating reticuloendotheliosis virus (FWPV-REV) sequence are becoming more pathogenic to poultry. This is evidenced by the fact that vaccination with current available FWPV vaccines provides limited protection against them. To characterize REV insertions in a collection of both older and more recent field isolates, we developed three different types of adjacent oligoprobes and primer sets from specific genomic locations of FWPV and REV: REV-ENV (accession no. K02537, 1382-2260), FWPV-REV integration site (accession no. AF006064, 86-1328), FWPV (accession no. AF198100, 232461-232670), and REV-LTR (accession no. V01204, 305-496). The data indicated that the primers from the REV-ENV region and the TaqMan probes specifically targeted REV-ENV sequences of FWPV-REV strains. Furthermore, the strains were differentiated based on quantitative melting temperature (T(m)) of their amplified products using FRET-based probes. The amplified products were further characterized by sequencing and multiple sequence alignment analysis. The results suggest that integrated REV-ENV sequences are both common and mostly conserved in field isolates. However, the minor variations found within the short-targeted ENV sequence from FWPV-REV strains suggest that these strains could have either undergone periodic point mutational changes or integration with different REV-ENV subtypes.     

Assessment of the performance of border and furrow irrigation systems and the relationship between performance indicators and system variables

Performance terms measure how close an irrigation event is to an ideal one. For border and furrow irrigation to facilitate quantification of the performance terms use was made of the software tools and . Once determined, the values of the performance indices were plotted as a function of the system variables. In conclusion, it can be stated that the relationship between the performance indices and the system variable contains valuable information for the system design and management.