The extent of genetic diversity among Vanilla species: Comparative results for RAPD and ISSR

Vanilla is a large genus of about 110 species in the orchid family (Orchidaceae), including the species Vanilla planifolia from which commercial vanilla flavoring is derived. Since most species of vanilla are considered rare and endangered there is an urgent need to conserve them through genetic analysis and propagation/conservation studies on this crop.The present study investigated the genetic diversity among nine leafy- and leaf-less Vanilla species employing 30 decamer RAPD primers and 10 ISSR primers. The species under study were diverse and displayed a range of variability (0–66% and 0–81% for RAPD and ISSR, respectively). A total of 154 RAPD polymorphic markers (83.24%, h = 0.378) and 93 ISSR polymorphic markers (86.11%, h = 0.363) were used to generate a genetic similarity matrix followed by the cluster analysis. Specific groupings were revealed by each cluster analysis with slight variation between two different markers. Among the nine species studied, V. planifolia, Vanilla aphylla and Vanilla tahitensis revealed very low level of variation within their collections, thus indicating a narrow genetic base. The large genetic distance of Vanilla andamanica from other species suggests its different origin. A close genetic affinity was observed between the pairs V. planifolia, V. tahitensis and Vanilla albida, V. aphylla. These are the first comparative results for RAPD and ISSR reporting inter-relationship among nine cultivated, wild and hybrid Vanilla species.     

Poind Soil pH Measurement

Soil pH often is measured in samples from the bottoms of aquaculture ponds. Several different techniques for soil pH are used. This study considered the differences in pH obtained by the different methods and determined which methods appeared most useful. Dual electrodes (indicating and reference) and a single‐probe combination electrode gave similar pH values when inserted into 1:1 mixtures of dry soil and distilled water. There were slight differences in pH between readings with dual and combination electrodes when the dual electrodes were arranged with the indicating electrode in the sediment phase and the reference electrode in the supernatant phase of the mixture. The two‐phase method with the dual electrode does not appear warranted because of greater difficulty in making measurements. Dry soil: distilled water ratios of 1:2.5, 1:5, and 1:10 had progressively greater pH readings than obtained at a 1:1 ratio. Measurements made in 0.01 M CaCl₂ and 1.0 M KCl had much different values than those made in distilled water. Higher pH resulted when pH was measured without stirring or in filtrates of soil‐water mixtures. A 20‐min period of intermittent stirring before making measurements was necessary for a stable pH value. Particle size did not influence pH in aliquots passing 0.053 to 2.36‐mm sieves. Drying temperature had a strong influence on pH, and measurements made on samples dried at 40 to 60 C are probably most reliable. Measurements of in situ pH in wet soil with standard pH electrode or a portable acidity tester differed greatly from those made in 1:1 dry soil to distilled water mixtures. Pond bottom soil pH measurement should be standardized. Based on findings of this study, the following method is suggested: dry soil at 60 C in a forced‐draft oven; pulverize soil to pass a 2‐mm sieve; mix soil and distilled water in a 1:1 ratio (weight: volume); stir intermittently with glass rod for 30 min; insert dual electrodes or a combination electrode into the mixture; measure pH while stirring.     

Do different densities of tree cover affect pasture biomass and soil microbial communities?

Agroforestry Systems - Soil biota is considered a crucial component of soil health. Currently, the soil microbiota and its genomic material (microbiome) have received increasing attention due to...     

Comparative efficiency of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria under greenhouse conditions for promoting growth and aloin-A content of Aloe barbadensis

This study was conducted with Aloe barbadensis in order to investigate the efficacy of four phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Pseudomonas synxantha 10223, Burkholderia gladioli 10242, Enterobacter hormaechei 10240 and Serratia marcescens 10241 to solubilize Mussorie rock phosphate (MRP) and to evaluate its effects on growth, soluble P content and P uptake compared with control, i.e. uninoculated plants. Pot experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, in soil supplemented with MRP. Each PSB treatment showed different effects on different plant growth parameters. The maximum increase in leaf length (23.7%), total number of leaves (33.33%) and dry rind weight (69.10%) was observed in plants treated with P. synxantha 10223 compared with control. Whereas, maximum increase in root length (23.43%), fresh leaves weight (79.03%), dry gel weight (113.08%) and total gel volume (112.10%), was observed in plants treated with S. marcescens 10241 compared with uninoculated plants. Maximum increase in aloin-A content [114.92% (per g dry gel weight) and 322.32% (per plant dry gel weight)] was observed in plants treated with P. synxantha 10223 compared with control plants. Root colonization by inoculated PSB as estimated by RAPD technique showed that all PSB were able to survive in the rhizosphere of Aloe plants.     

Lonar lake, India: an impact crater in basalt

Discovery of shock-metamorphosed material establishes the impact origin of Lonar Crater. Coarse breccia with shatter coning and microbreccia with moderately shocked fragments containing maskelynite were found in drill holes through the crater floor. Trenches on the rim yield strongly shocked fragments in which plagioclase has melted and vesiculated, and bombs and spherules of homogeneous rock melt. As the only known terrestrial impact crater in basalt, Lonar Crater provides unique opportunities for comparison with lunar craters. In particular, microbreccias and glass spherules from Lonar Crater have close analogs among the Apollo specimens.     

Characterization of Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica leukotoxin interaction with bovine alveolar macrophage beta2 integrins

Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica, the etiologic agent of bovine pneumonic mannheimiosis, produces an exotoxic leukotoxin. The leukotoxin (LktA) is a member of the RTX (repeats in toxin) family of bacterial cytolysins and is distinguished from other toxins by its unique target cell specificity to ruminant leukocytes occurring through binding to a specific receptor. We have demonstrated previously that the beta2 integrin LFA-1 is a receptor for LktA in bovine leukocytes and is involved in leukotoxin-induced biological effects. However the subunits within LFA-1 involved in binding to LktA, and post-binding signaling leading to cellular activation have not been well characterized. The purpose of our study was to pinpoint these precise subunits on bovine alveolar macrophages and to characterize their interaction with LktA. The results in this study indicate that although LktA can efficiently bind to the CD18 subunit of both LFA-1 and Mac-1, post-binding signaling events including elevation of intracellular calcium and CD18 tail phosphorylation are only observed through LFA-1. Furthermore, LktA also binds to the CD11a subunit of LFA-1. LktA binding to CD11a could be inhibited by a small molecule inhibitor of the I(inserted)-domain, the major ligand binding interface on CD11a. I-domain inhibition significantly blunts LktA-induced intracellular calcium elevation and tyrosine phosphorylation of the CD18 tail. Based on our results we suggest that LFA-1 serves as the functional leukotoxin receptor on bovine alveolar macrophages.     

Evaluation of the Food and Agriculture Organization's global school-based nutrition education initiative, Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger (FMFH), in schools of Hyderabad, India

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the Food and Agriculture Organization's global school-based nutrition education initiative, Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger (FMFH), in improving nutrition-related knowledge levels of schoolchildren. DESIGN: Adopting the cluster randomisation technique, five schools each in experimental and control groups were randomly chosen from the member schools of a voluntary organisation. Repeated measures of knowledge levels were carried out at three points in time to assess pre-, post-intervention and retention of knowledge gained during the intervention. Children from experimental schools were given nutrition education by teachers in the classroom setting using FMFH material. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: Schoolchildren (n=358 in the control group and n=312 in the experimental group) of grades VIII and IX from schools in Hyderabad, India.Results: The classroom-based intervention resulted in a significant improvement (P<0.01) in nutrition knowledge levels of schoolchildren in the experimental group. Significant improvement in knowledge was also observed in the control group. The effect size indicated that the improvement in knowledge levels of schoolchildren in experimental schools over control schools was medium (d=0.40), indicating the efficacy of the FMFH programme in improving nutrition-related knowledge. No significant decrease (P>0.05) in knowledge levels was observed after 2 months, indicating retention of the knowledge acquired through the intervention. CONCLUSION: The FMFH programme provides an opportunity for schoolchildren to learn more about nutrition through their teachers in a classroom setting if the lesson plans are adapted to the local circumstances. Furthermore, it has the potential to make nutrition education interactive, effective and sustainable.     

Comparing silvopastoral systems and prospects in eight regions of the world

Silvopasture systems combine trees, forage, and livestock in a variety of different species and management regimes, depending on the biophysical, economic, cultural, and market factors in a region. We describe and compare actual farm practices and current research trials of silvopastoral systems in eight regions within seven countries of the world: Misiones and Corrientes provinces, Argentina; La Pampa province, Argentina; northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil; the Aysén region of Patagonia, Chile; the North Island of New Zealand; the Southeast United States; Paraguay; and Uruguay. Some countries use native trees and existing forests; some use plantations, particularly of exotic species. Natural forest silvopasture systems generally add livestock in extensive systems, to capture the benefits of shade, forage, and income diversification without much added inputs. Plantation forest systems are more purposive and intensive, with more focus on joint production and profits, for small owners, large ranches, and timber companies. Trends suggest that more active management of both natural and planted silvopastoral systems will be required to enhance joint production of timber and livestock, achieve income diversification and reduce financial risk, make more profit, improve environmental benefits, and realize more resilience to adapt to climate change.     

Evaluating breeding objectives for sow productivity and production traits in Large White Pigs

the objective of the study was to develop and evaluate different breeding objectives for sow productivity and for production traits, using economic selection indices. Genetic parameters were generated using a repeated records model for sow productivity traits and a maternal effects model for production traits, in ASREML. Stochastic simulation models based on a hypothetical 100-sow model were performed for each line, i.e., a dam line and a terminal sire line, respectively, to derive economic values. The traits included in the study were number born alive (NBA), 21-day litter size (D21LS), 21-day litter weight (D21LWT), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), age at slaughter (AGES), dressing percentage (DRESS), lean content (LEAN) and backfat thickness (BFAT). The economic values for LEAN and BFAT were derived using the partial differentiation of the profit function, while those for the other traits were derived using the partial budget approach. An economic value of a trait was the change in profit per unit genetic change in that trait. Breeding objectives were developed with a corresponding selection index, for improvement of that objective. Three combinations of breeding objectives and selection indices were developed for sow productivity traits, while there were 15 combinations for production traits. Responses to selection and economic return were computed for each combination to determine the most appropriate combination for the improvement of the breeding objective traits. The most appropriate index to improve sow productivity consisted of NBA and D21LWT. For production traits, the combination that consisted of a selection index with AGES, DRESS and BFAT, and the breeding objective ADG, DRESS, FCR and LEAN, was considered the most appropriate. Age at slaughter and BFAT were, respectively, included as indicator traits for ADG and LEAN. The recommended breeding objectives were sensitive to changes in economic values, indicating that economic values for breeding goal traits should be updated periodically to ensure proper weighting of traits, hence maximization of economic return.     

Rehabilitation of a lignite mine‐disturbed area in the Indian desert

Extensive lignite mining in the Indian (Thar) Desert commenced within the past decade. Accompanying extraction of this valuable resource there have been visible, important environmental impacts. The resultant land degradation has prompted concern from both public and regulatory bodies. This research assesses the success of rehabilitation plans implemented to revegetate a lignite mine‐disturbed area, near the village of Giral in western Rajasthan State. Rehabilitation success was achieved within the environmental constraints of this northwest Indian hot‐desert ecosystem using a combination of: (1) backfilling (abandoned pits) with minespoil and of covering the backfilled‐surfaces with fresh topsoil to a thickness of about 0·30 m; (2) use of micro‐catchment rainwater harvesting (MCWH) technique; (3) soil profile modification approaches; (4) plant establishment methodologies; and (5) the selection of appropriate germplasm material (trees, shrubs and grasses). Preliminary results indicate that the resulting vegetative cover will be capable of self‐perpetuation under natural conditions while at the same time meeting the land‐use requirements of the local people. The minespoil is alkaline in nature and has high electrical conductance. The average content of organic carbon, N, P and K is lower than in the regional topsoil. However, the concentration of Ca, Mg, Na and total S in the minespoil is much higher than in the topsoil. Further, the spoil material has no biological activity. Enhanced plant growth was achieved in MCWH plots, compared to control plots, where minespoil moisture storage was improved by 18–43 per cent. The rehabilitation protocol used at the site appears to have been successful because, in addition to the planted species, desirable native invasive species have become established. This study developed methods for the rehabilitation of lignite mine‐disturbed areas and has also resulted in an understanding of rehabilitation processes in arid regions with an emphasis on the long‐term monitoring of rehabilitation success. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.