Achyranthes aspera (Prickly chaff flower) leaves- and seeds-supplemented diets regulate growth,innate immunity,and oxidative stress in Aeromonas hydrophila-challenged Labeo rohita

ABSTRACT

The immunostimulatory and disease-resistance properties of Achyranthes aspera were evaluated in rohu (Labeo rohita) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Experimental diets were enriched with leaves at 0.25% (D1) and 0.5% (D2) and seeds at 0.5% (D3); the control diet (D4) was without any enrichment. Rohu (2.02 ± 0.23 g) were cultured for 75 days and then challenged with bacteria. The highest average weight was observed in the D3 diet-fed fish. The cumulative mortality rates were 70%, 60%, 40%, and 30% in the D4, D1, D2, and D3 diets fed to rohu respectively. Enriched diets significantly increased myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide synthase, and serum lysozyme levels and decreased malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein content. Expressions of lysozyme C and lysozyme G were significantly (P < .05) higher in the D3 diet-fed fish. In the kidney, IL-1β and TLR 4 were up-regulated in enriched-diet-fed fish. Supplementation of seeds and leaves at 0.5% showed a positive impact in fish.     

Insecticidal potential of an endophytic fungus, Cladosporium uredinicola, against Spodoptera litura

The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Fabricius), is a polyphagous pest which has developed physiological resistance against a number of known insecticides. In order to reduce the load of synthetic insecticides, ecofriendly alternative strategies are needed. The present studies were conducted to evaluate the insecticidal potential of the endophytic fungus Cladosporium uredinicola isolated from Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) on S. litura. Development of S. litura was significantly prolonged when larvae were fed on diet amended with ethyl acetate extract of C. uredinicola at concentrations of 1.25–2.00 μl?g^?1. The negative effects of fungal toxin on development of S. litura further resulted in a significant reduction in adult emergence, longevity and reproductive potential at higher concentrations. A significantly higher number of adults showed morphological deformities when larvae were fed on diet amended with 2.00 μl?g^?1 concentration. The inhibitory effects on growth and development of S. litura indicate toxicity of ethyl acetate extract of C. uredinicola, which is further evidenced by reduced food utilization by larvae. The antifeedant and toxic effects of ethyl acetate extract of C. uredinicola observed in the present studies can be attributed to a bioactive compound produced by the fungus, so this study provides evidence that C. uredinicola isolated from T. cordifolia possesses anti-insect properties and may play an important role in protecting plants against insect pests.     

Diversification of maize (Zea mays L.) through teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley) allelic

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Zea mays&nbsp;ssp.&nbsp;parviglumis&nbsp;is the progenitor of maize and assume to have tolerance against various biotic and abiotic stresses. It...     

Pollen grain germination inside the anthers of two chasmogamous angiosperms: Almond (Prunus amygdalus L. Batsch) and apple (Malus pumila Mill.)

Summary Pollen grain germination inside anthers has so far been known in only eleven chasmogamous angiospermous species. The discovery of this phenomenon in some varieties of Prunus amygdalus (almond) and Malus pumila (apple) is therefore significant. The anomaly appears to be genetically controlled, the gene expression occurring under specific environmental conditions.     

Herbicide resistant Phalaris minor in India—history of evolution,present status and its management

Phytoparasitica - The introduction and large scale cultivation of wheat cultivars which are semi-dwarf and high yielding in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs) of India has led to the...     

Chemical fractions and response of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) to soil applied boron

The present study was conducted with an objective to estimate the distribution of boron (B) application in various soil fractions and their plant response for assessing the availability in the soil. Two soils (alluvial and red soil) and five levels of B (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3?mg B kg^?1 soil) were applied in the pot experiment, and pots were sown with cauliflower (Sabour Agrim) arranged in a completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. Result showed that the curd yield of cauliflower increased significantly upto 2?mg B kg^?1 soil irrespective of soils. The percent yield increase was 14.78 and 15.01 in alluvial and red soil over the control, respectively. The initial total B content was 35.88 (alluvial soil) and 15.51 (red soil) mg·kg^?1. The mean content of Fraction I, II, III, IV and V in alluvial soil was 1.11, 1.54, 0.65, 1.49, and 95.18% and in red soil was 2.68, 4.47, 6.62, 2.50, and 83.59% of the total soil B, respectively. For changes in amount of B fractions due to B applications there was significant effect on all the fractions except Fraction II. The increase in apparent B uptake was 0.43?mg B kg^?1 in alluvial soil and 0.25?mg B kg^?1 in red soil over the control (0?mg B kg^?1 soil). Regression equation of yield and B fractions showed the relationship between first four fractions to the yield. Residual fraction was found to be collinear during calculation. Overall the study predicted the bioavailability and dynamics of B in the two distinct soils.     

Antifeedent and toxic activity of endophytic Alternaria alternata against tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura

Fungal endophytes play a significant role in plant resistance to insects by altering the nutritional quality of plants or by production of various alkaloid-based defensive compounds. Ethyl acetate extract of endophytic Alternaria alternata isolated from Azadirachta indica A. Juss was tested for its bioactivity against Spodoptera litura (Fab.). Effect of different concentrations of ethyl acetate extract of A. alternata was assessed on growth and development of S. litura larvae. The results indicate higher larval mortality on diet supplemented with the fungal extract than control. Adverse effects of A. alternata were also observed on development of the insect. Ethyl acetate extract of the fungus also significantly reduced the adult emergence, longevity and reproductive potential of S. litura. Larvae feeding on diet supplemented with fungal extract showed significant reduction in relative growth and consumption rate, as well as efficiency of ingested and digested food. The antifeedant and toxic effects of A. alternata may be due to production of bioactive molecules by this fungus.     

Efficacy of aroma compounds for postharvest management of mango anthracnose

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Anthracnose is a severe disease of mango caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. The antifungal effects of the aroma compounds...     

Responses of maize × teosinte derived backcross inbred lines (BILs) to maydis leaf blight (MLB) disease

Euphytica - Rice growth and productivity are greatly affected by cold stress, which is likely to become more of a hindrance for high and stable rice yields. To identify cold tolerance at the...