Athesapeuta cyperi in Pakistan and its Potential as a Biocontrol Agent of Cyperus rotundus

Abstract

The distribution, hosts, phenology and abundance of Athesapeuta cyperi, an insect enemy of purple nutgrass, Cyperus rotundus, in Pakistan are given. Its biology and damage to C. rotundus in the laboratory are also reported. Usually one egg was laid in a tuber. When two eggs were present, only one reached maturity. The infested tuber was completely hollowed out and failed to regenerate. Thus, 100% plants infested with A. cyperi were killed. In host specificity tests larval development occurred on Cyperus spp. and Fimbristylis ferruginea but oviposition was restricted to Cyperus spp. However, C. rotundus was preferred to other species of Cyperus both for oviposition and development.     

Hsp70 and HSF-1 expression is altered in the tissues of pigs transported for various periods of times

The aim of this study was to assess changes of Hsp70 and HSF-1 protein and mRNA expression in stress-sensitive organs of pigs during transportation for various periods of time. Twenty pigs were randomly divided into four groups (0 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h of transportation). A significant increased activity of AST and CK was observed after 1 h and 2 h of transportation. Histopathological changes in the heart, liver, and stomach indicated that these organs sustained different degrees of injury. Hsp70 protein expression in the heart and liver of transported pigs did not change significantly while it increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the stomach. Hsp70 mRNA levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the heart after 4 h of transportation. However, mRNA expression increased significantly in the liver after 1 (p < 0.05) and 4 h (p < 0.01) of transportation, and increased significantly in the stomach of the transported pigs after 1, 4 (p < 0.01), and 2 h (p < 0.05). HSF-1 levels were reduced at 1 and 4 h (p < 0.05) only in the hearts of transported pigs. These results indicate that Hsp70 mediates distinct stress-related functions in different tissues during transportation.     

Bactra spp. in Pakistan and their Potential as Biocontrol Agents of Cyperus rotundus

Abstract

Observations on distribution, abundance, phenology, host spectrum, biology and damage of Bactra venosana and B. minima are reported. Morphological differences between larvae and pupae of the two species for field identification are given. Oviposition and larval feeding tests were carried out and showed that oviposition is indiscriminate but larvae have a strong preference for Cyperus rotundus though they also feed on some other Cyperus spp. In laboratory experiments 72% of plants damaged by B. venosana and 65% by B. minima failed to regenerate. The ecological preferences of B. venosana and B. minima are also discussed and as a result both species are recommended for simultaneous introduction for the control of C. rotundus in areas where other Cyperus spp. are not economically important.     

Soil organic carbon and physical properties as affected by long-term application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers in maize–wheat system

The physical quality of the soil, which creates suitable environment for the availability and uptake of the plant nutrients, is generally ignored. Though the effect of organic manures on soil physical quality has been widely appreciated but that of inorganic fertilizers is studied to a lesser extent. The present study carried out during 2004–2005 aims to characterize the soil physical quality in relation to the long-term (32 years) application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers in maize (Zea mays L.) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. The treatments during both maize and wheat crops were (i) farm yard manure at 20 Mg ha⁻¹ (FYM), (ii) nitrogen at 100 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₀₀), (iii) nitrogen and phosphorus at 100 and 50 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₀₀P₅₀) and (iv) nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at 100, 50 and 50 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀) in addition to (v) control treatment, i.e. without any fertilizer and/or FYM addition. The treatments were replicated four times in randomized block design in a sandy loam (Typic Ustipsament, non-saline, slightly alkaline). Bulk density, organic carbon content, structural stability of soil aggregates and water holding capacity of 0–60 cm soil layer were measured.The application of FYM to maize increased the organic carbon by 16% whereas N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ increased it by 21%. The increased organic matter with both FYM and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ increased the total soil porosity and decreased soil bulk density from that in control plots. The mean weight diameter (MWD) was highest in FYM plots of both maize (0.160 mm) and wheat (0.172 mm) closely followed by that in N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ plots. The effect of FYM in increasing the MWD decreased with soil depth. The average water holding capacity (WHC) was higher with FYM and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ application than that in control plots. The MWD, total porosity, OC content and WHC improved with the application of balanced application of fertilizers. The grain yield and uptake of N, P and K by both maize and wheat were higher with the application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers than in control plots. The uptake of N, P and K increased with the application of FYM and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀.     

Quality and Shelf Life Assessment of Puffer Fish (Lagocephalus guentheri) Fillets during Chilled Storage

The aim of the study was to quantify the shelf life and quality characteristics of puffer fish, Lagocephalus guentheri, fillets on chilled storage at 2 ± 1°C. The puffer fish muscle contains 16.14% protein, 80.76% moisture, 0.99% ash, and 0.17% fat. The mouse bioassay proved the absence of tetradotoxin in muscle, liver, skin, and gonads of the fish. The polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid (P/S) ratio of puffer fish was found to be 1.3, with n-3 to n-6 ratio of 3.27. The puffer fish had hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (H/H) value of 2.68, artherogenicity index of 0.43, and thrombogenicity index of 0.29. Beheaded and deskinned fishes were filleted and were studied for 10 days of chilled storage. The physical, chemical, sensory, and microbiological parameters showed significant (p < 0.05) changes during the entire storage period. While the hydrolytic rancidity was significantly correlated to springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of fillets, the peroxide value (PV) correlated with the color attributes and pH. The hardness of the samples decreased significantly and was evident in both sensory and instrumental analysis. With storage time, the yellowness of the fillets increased steadily. The results of this study can help in improving processing, preservation, and marketing aspects and enhance the utility of puffer fish.     

Golden rice: introgression, breeding, and field evaluation

Considerable progress has been made on the genetic engineering of rice for improved nutritional content involving micronutrients and carotenoid content. Golden Rice, developed by genetic engineering (Agrobacterium and biolistic transformation) was used in rice breeding for the transfer of high-nutritional value to the local rice cultivars. Simultaneously, commercial Asian indica rice cultivars were also developed with expression of high-carotenoid levels. The lines were developed based on POSITECH (PMI) selection system or made marker free by segregating out the marker gene from the gene of interest. Anther culture was used to develop the homozygous stable lines, which could be of much use in further introgress-breeding and in farmer’s field. Enhanced carotenoids levels (up to T3 generation) were observed in a number of lines compared to the T0-T1 seeds which could be due to transgeneration effect of growing under greenhouse versus field conditions. However, a few introgressed lines showed less carotenoid levels than the original lines used in the breeding process. Agronomic performance of introgressed lines, non-transgenic controls, and transgenic golden rice (IR64 and BR29) developed at IRRI showed acceptable and comparable data under identical limited field conditions (screenhouse data). Syngenta generated a new Golden Rice (US cultivar) containing high level of carotenoids grown in the field at Louisiana, USA is expected to be available to the public domain. Incorporation of genes for carotenogenesis in seeds by transgenesis or by introgression did not change any significant agronomic characteristics in rice plants. The ongoing and future study of bioavailability, quality, larger field testing and freedom to operate will ensure the benefit of Golden Rice to the people who need them most.     

Soil physical fertility and crop performance as affected by long term application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers in rice–wheat system

Soil fertility, one of the important determinants of agricultural productivity, is generally thought to be supplemented through the application of nutrients mainly through inorganic fertilizers. The physical fertility of the soil, which creates suitable environment for the availability and uptake of these nutrients, is generally ignored. The present study aims to characterize the soil physical environment in relation to the long term application of farm yard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers in rice–wheat. The treatments during both rice and wheat crops were (i) farm yard manure @ 20 t ha⁻¹ (FYM); (ii) nitrogen @ 120 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₂₀); (iii) nitrogen and phosphorus @ 120 and 30 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₂₀P₃₀) and (iv) nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium @ 120, 30 and 30 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₂₀P₃₀K₃₀) in addition to (iv) control treatment, i.e. without any fertilizer and/or FYM addition. The treatments were replicated four times in randomized block design in a sandy loam (typic Ustipsament, non-saline, slightly alkaline). Bulk density, structural stability of soil aggregates and water holding capacity of 0–60 cm soil layer were measured.

The average mean weight diameter (MWD) was highest in FYM-plots both in rice (0.237 mm) and wheat (0.249 mm) closely followed by that in N₁₂₀P₃₀K₃₀ plots. The effect of FYM in increasing the MWD decreased with soil depth. The addition of both FYM and N₁₂₀P₃₀K₃₀ increased the organic carbon by 44 and 37%, respectively in rice. The total porosity of soil increased with the application of both FYM and N₁₂₀P₃₀K₃₀ from that in control plots. In 0–15 cm soil layer, the total porosity increased by 25% with FYM from that in control plots. This difference decreased to 13% in 15–30 cm soil layer. The average water holding capacity (WHC) was 16 and 11% higher with FYM and N₁₂₀P₃₀K₃₀ application from that in control plots. The MWD, total porosity and WHC improved with the application of balanced application of fertilizers. The grain yield and uptake of N, P and K by both rice and wheat were higher with the application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers than in control plots. The carbon sequestration rate after 32 years was maximum (0.31 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) in FYM-plots, followed by 0.26 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in N₁₂₀P₃₀K₃₀-plots, 0.19 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in N₁₂₀P₃₀ and minimum (0.13 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) in N₁₂₀-plots.