Detection and genetic diversity of porcine rotavirus A,B and C in eastern Australian piggeries

Rotaviruses (RV) have a high prevalence in piggeries worldwide and are one of the major pathogens causing severe diarrhoea in young pigs. RV species A, B, and C have been linked to piglet diarrhoea in Australian pig herds, but their genetic diversity has not been studied in detail. Based on sequencing of the structural viral protein 7 (VP7) RVA G genotypes G3, G4 and G5, and RVC types G1, G3, G5, and G6 have been identified in Australian piggeries in previous studies. Although occurrence of RVB was reported in Australia in 1988, no further genetic analysis has been conducted. To improve health management decisions in Australian pig herds, more information on RV prevalence and genetic diversity is needed. Here, 243 enteric samples collected from 20 pig farms within Eastern Australia were analysed for the presence of RV in different age groups using a novel PCR-based multiplex assay (Pork MultiPath™ enteric panel). RVA, RVB, and RVC were detected in 10, 14, and 14 farms, respectively. Further sequencing of VP7 in selected RV-positive samples revealed G genotypes G2, G5, G9 (RVA), G6, G8, G14, G16, G20 (RVB), and G1, G3, G5, G6 (RVC) present. RVA was only detected in young (<10 weeks old) pigs whereas RVB and RVC were also detected in older animals (>11 weeks old). Interestingly, RVB and RVC G-type occurrence differed between age groups. In conclusion, this study provides new insights on the prevalence and diversity of different RV species in pig herds of Eastern Australia whilst demonstrating the ability of the Pork MultiPath™ technology to accurately differentiate between these RV species.     

不同燕麦品种在尼泊尔北部山区的生长特性及其营养品质的研究

畜牧业是尼泊尔北部山区的重要生计支柱,提升牧草产量是我国对尼泊尔开展农业技术援助的关键领域。为筛选出适宜尼泊尔北部山区栽培的燕麦品种,于2019年5-10月在尼泊尔热索瓦县郎唐山区对12个燕麦品种（爱沃、太阳神、贝勒1、美达、科纳、林纳、青引1号、青海444、青海甜燕麦、陇燕2号、陇燕3号、Kamadhenu）的物候期、株高、产草量、穗含量、叶茎比和关键营养成分等进行了品比试验。结果表明：美达、科纳、青引1号、青海444、青海甜燕麦和Kamadhenu 6个品种能完成生育期,生育天数在115~141 d,其余多数品种只能达到乳熟期。各燕麦品种的株高为134.8~177.7 cm,其中引进品种太阳神、青海444、青海甜燕麦、美达和林纳的株高较对照品种Kamadhenu高6.3%~20.4%,存在极显著差异（P<0.01）。青海甜燕麦、青海444和美达的干草产量分别达到了14723.0、13491.0和13369.6 kg·hm^-2,分别比对照品种Kamadhenu增产36.0%、24.7%和23.6%,差异极显著（P<0.01）。贝勒1、科纳和太阳神的叶茎比分别为0.40、0.38和0.36,是对照品种Kamadhenu的1.50~1.67倍。各燕麦品种的干物质、粗蛋白、总灰分、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量变化范围分别为93.5%~95.6%、5.7%~9.9%、4.4%~6.9%、68.2%~78.4%和39.3%~48.7%,其中太阳神的粗蛋白含量是对照品种Kamadhenu的1.57倍,存在极显著差异（P<0.01）。对各燕麦品种的10个农艺性状进行主成分分析及综合评价,结果表明,引进品种青海甜燕麦、美达、青海444和太阳神综合适应性较好,适宜在该地区推广种植。     

Prevalence of Salmonella antibodies among goats slaughtered for chevon in Bareilly (Northern India)

We screened serum samples of 1024 goats slaughtered for chevon in Bareilly in Northern India for Salmonella antibodies with indirect ELISA, MAT-H (microagglutination test using flagellar antigens e, n, x and 1, 5) and MAT-O (microagglutination test using somatic antigens 4, 12 and 3, 10, 15). Salmonella antibodies were detected in 48, 8 and 40%, goats using Salmonella-cytotoxi-I ELISA, MAT 'H' and MAT 'O', respectively. After adjusting for test accuracy, the seroprevalence were highest for Salmonella-cytotoxi-I ELISA (46%) followed by agglutinins against 'O' 3, 10, 15 (15%) and negligible for other agglutinins. With all 5 tests, prevalence of Salmonella antibodies was significantly higher in females than in males. No significant difference was evident in prevalence of Salmonella antibodies to different antigens in different age groups of male goats except for e, n, x agglutinins that were significantly more prevalent in young adult (<6-18 months) males than in adult (>18 months of age) or young (< or =6 months of age) goats. On the other hand, in females, prevalence of Salmonella-cytotoxin-I antibodies and e, n, x agglutinins differed significantly among three age groups, being the most prevalent in adult goats. As expected, the results of different tests had little or no correlation because the different tests targeted antibodies to different antigens.     

Identification and distribution of fungal pathogens associated with seedling blight of rice in the southern United States

Surveys were conducted in the five southern rice-producing states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas in the United States during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to determine the distribution and pathogenicity of fungal pathogens associated with seedling blight in rice. A total of 349 pathogenic fungal isolates were collected and identified as belonging to four genera: Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium spp., Sclerotium rolfsii and Marasmius graminum based on morphological characteristics, molecular analysis and Koch's postulates. R. solani (252 out of 349 pathogenic isolates) was the most prevalent fungus isolated from diseased samples. Of the 252 pathogenic R. solani isolates, 245 were further classified as anastomosis group 11 (AG-11) and 7 as AG-4. Isolates of R. solani AG-4 and M. graminum were the most aggressive, with the highest stand loss (63% to 100%) and median disease rating (DR; 5.0), followed by isolates of R. solani AG-11 (stand loss = 4% to 100% and DR = 0.6 to 5.0), Fusarium spp. (stand loss = 26% to 48% and DR = 2.0 to 5.0) and S. rolfsii (stand loss = 33% to 48% and DR = 2.0 to 3.0) in causing seedling blight in rice. R. solani (62% to 83% of total pathogenic isolates) and Fusarium spp. (10% to 24% of total pathogenic isolates) were predominant in all the five states surveyed. S. rolfsii and M. graminum were present only in Louisiana and Texas. The results of this first systematic survey of rice seedling diseases in the southern United States will help develop effective fungicide seed treatment strategies for control of stand loss caused by seedling blight, one of the major factors limiting rice production.     

Review of Trends in Strawberry Research from 1960 to 2016

A review of publications on “Strawberry” was done by using the Scopus database for the period 1960–2016. A total of 10,400 articles were found in the database and analyzed using a variety of measures. Results show that publication increased exponentially from 1960 to 2016. Multiple authors are collaborating in strawberry research. Acta Horticulturae was the most productive journal. The United States of America was the most productive country. The greatest portion of the research was concerned with medicinal benefits of strawberries to humans. This work will be useful to researchers in identifying trends in strawberry research.     

Rearing performance of Clarias batrachus larvae: Effect of age at stocking on growth and survival during fingerling production

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the rearing performance of different larval stages for optimum growth and survival during fingerling production of Clarias batrachus with an aim to reduce the rearing time of the catfish larvae in a hatchery system. The larvae were reared for 5, 10 and 15 days before stocking them in the nursery tanks. No significant (P < 0.05) difference could be found in length increment at the end of first week of rearing. But the total length was reduced during rest three weeks in five days old larvae compared to that of other two higher age groups. In 5 days old larvae the reduced weight (P < 0.05) was observed during the entire rearing period. However, the specific growth rate (SGR) did not vary among the groups. The survival rate as well as total biomass was decreased while stocking five days old larvae for rearing, compared to that of other two age groups.     

Effect of Temperature on Bio-Kinetic Coefficients in UASB Treatment of Municipal Wastewater

Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)reactors were used to treat municipal wastewater attemperatures of 6, 11, 15, 20 and 32 °C and athydraulic retention times (HRTs) ranging from 48 to 3 h overan operational period of approximately 860 days. The Monodmodel was used to evaluate substrate utilization. TheArrhenius model was used to calculate the activationenergies from which temperature coefficients weredetermined. It was found that the maximum specific substrateutilization rate constant (k) decreased from 0.387 d^-1(at 32 °C) to 0.041 d^-1 (at 6 °C). Thedecay rate constant (k_d), yield coefficient (Y_g),half velocity constant (K_s) and maximum specific growthrate (μ_m ) were also impacted by temperature in theUASB treatment of municipal wastewater.     

Biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas azotoformans,Serratia marcescens and Trichoderma virens against Fusarium wilt of Dalbergia sissoo

Wilt disease caused by Fusarium solani is a serious constraint to Dalbergia sissoo (shisham) plantations in northern India. In this study, the antagonistic potential of 40 bacterial isolates recovered from rhizophere soil of healthy shisham trees, and a well‐characterized Trichoderma species (Trichoderma virens) were tested for their possibility as biocontrol agents for F. solani. Two promising isolates (S1 and S15) were identified which inhibited pathogen growth, caused chitin degradation, produced siderophores and solubilized phosphate in vitro. Isolate S15 scored highest for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production while isolate S1 was a non‐HCN producer. These two isolates were identified as Serratia marcescens (S1) and Pseudomonas azotoformans (S15) following sequence analysis of 16S rDNA. In dual culture assays, T. virens caused 80% inhibition of mycelial growth of the test fungus. The three selected antagonists when tested in planta in the glasshouse completely suppressed production of wilt symptoms on 12‐month‐old shisham plants. Further work is needed to ascertain the potential of these isolates to be used as biocontrol agents to manage shisham wilt under field conditions.     

Extractive components and taste aspects of fermented fish pastes and bean pastes prepared using different koji molds as starters

We have evaluated four commercially available mold starters (SP-01, NY, M1, and “for kome miso”) for fermented fish pastes with the aim of determining the effect of different koji molds on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of the fermented product. Comparative studies among different fermented fish and bean pastes were also conducted. Protein contents were considerably higher in the fermented fish pastes (22.7–24.1%) than the fermented bean pastes (8.2–12.8%). Free amino acids, oligopeptides, organic acids, mineral content, and sensory scores of the fermented fish pastes were superior to those of the bean pastes in terms of nutritional aspects. Sensory evaluation of fermented fish and bean pastes clearly indicated that different koji molds used as starters had little effect on the taste of the fermented fish pastes. However, in terms of nutritional and sensory characteristics, fermented fish pastes from trash fishes were found to be both commercially valuable and a potential gain to food processing firms among the many new generic fermented food products becoming available.