Effect of metribuzin, butachlor and chlorimuron-ethyl on amino acid and protein formation in wheat and maize seedlings

Application of the recommended field dose of metribuzin, butachlor and chlorimuron-ethyl to 10-days-old wheat and maize seedlings differentially reduced shoot fresh and dry weights during the following 16 days. Metribuzin was the most reductive while butachlor was the least. The herbicides slightly affected the activities of nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) and nitrite reductase (NiR, EC 1.7.7.1) but greatly inhibited glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT, EC 1.4.7.1) activities. Meanwhile, there were significant accumulations of ammonia and soluble-N accompanied by diminutions in total-N and protein contents; metribuzin exerted the greatest changes. Additionally, aliphatic, aromatic and total amino acids in both species were mostly elevated by the three herbicides; however, valine, leucine and isoleucine were decreased by only chlorimuron-ethyl. These results could conclude that herbicides, particularly metribuzin, cause a shortage in ammonia assimilation and subsequently a decrease in protein formation. Moreover, the elevation of soluble-N and amino acids appeared to result from breakdown of the pre-existing protein, a state that seemed consistent in seedlings treated with metribuzin and, to some extent chlorimuron-ethyl but recovered in those treated with butachlor.     

Utilization of live body weight,measurements, and eye muscle components to predict carcass performance of fattened Egyptian male buffalo calves

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Carcass performance of 12 fattened male buffalo calves equally grouped by slaughter weights of 300, 350, 400, and 450 kg was evaluated. Six...     

Toxicity evaluation of copper oxide bulk and nanoparticles in Nile tilapia, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>, using hematological,bioaccumulation and histological biomarkers

The increased industrial applications of nanoparticles (NPs) augment the possibility of their deposition into aquatic ecosystems and threatening the aquatic life. So, this study aimed to provide a comparable toxicological effects of nano-CuO and bulk CuO on a common freshwater fish, Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were exposed to two selected doses (1/10 and 1/20 of the LC₅₀/96 h) of both nano-/bulk CuO for 30 days. Based on the studied hematological parameters (RBCs count, hemoglobin content and hematocrit%), the two selected concentrations of CuO in their nano- and bulk sizes were found to induce significant decrease in all studied parameters. But, nano-CuO-treated fish showed the maximum decrease in all recorded parameters among the all studied groups especially at the low concentration of 1/20 LC₅₀/96 h. Hematological status was also confirmed using the calculated blood indices (MCV, MHC and MCHC). In case of bulk CuO-treated groups, the significant decrease in the studied hematological parameters was not followed by any change in MCV and MCH (normocytic anemia), while fish that exposed to NPs showed a significant increase in all calculated blood parameters reflecting erythrocytes swelling which is related to the intracellular osmotic disorders (macrocytic anemia). Regarding metal bioaccumulation factor, the results showed that CuO NPs had more efficiency to internalize fish tissues (liver, kidneys, gills, skin and muscle). The accumulation pattern of Cu metal was ensured by histopathological investigation of liver, kidneys and gills. The histopathological analysis revealed various alterations that varied between adaptation responses and permanent tissue damage.     

Studies on the wood-borerStromatium fulvum Vill. (Col., Cerambycidae) infestingCasuarina glauca (Casuarinaceae)

The fungal genera associated with larvae ofStromatium fulvum were isolated externally, internally and also those from larval galleries and exit holes. They belonged to six genera:Penicillium, Trichoderma, Helminthosporium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus andChaetomium. Based on the antagonistic effect,Trichoderma andChaetomium were used in the mortality studies. Isolation of fungi from inoculated dead larvae proved thatCheatomium spp. are non pathogenic. The genera ofTrichoderma spp.,Aspergillus spp. andPenicillium spp. were pathogenic and are recommended as biological control agents forStromatium fulvum larvae.