Potential of a novel antibiotic, 2-methylheptyl isonicotinate, as a biocontrol agent against fusarial wilt of crucifers

Screening for newer bioactive compounds from microbial metabolites resulted in the isolation of a novel antibiotic from the culture filtrate, Streptomyces sp 201, of a soil. The bioactive compound, with antifungal and antibacterial activity, was identified as 2-methylheptyl isonicotinate. The antifungal activity of live culture, culture broth and the isolated bioactive compound showed marked inhibition against dominant soil-borne phytopathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum Schlect, F moniliforme Sheldon, F semitectum Berkeley & Ravenel, F solani (Martius) Sacc and Rhizoctonia solani Kuehn. The compound had no effect on seed germination and seedling development as displayed by root and stem growth of the test plant species. In pot experiments with seedlings of cruciferous plants such as Raphanus sativus L (radish), Brassica campestris L (yellow mustard), Brassica oleracea var botrytis L (cauliflower), the antibiotic compound showed promising protective activity of 92% when seeds of the test plants were treated at a dose of 50 micrograms ml-1 prior to sowing. Seed treatment with a spore suspension (3 x 10(8) spores ml-1) of the Streptomyces sp 201 displayed protective activity in the range of 56-60%. Seeds coated with 2.5% methyl cellulose-amended spores of the antagonist showed protective activity in the range of 64-72%. Further, seed treatment with the culture filtrate of the antagonist also showed promising protective activity in the range of 64-84%.     

The Pinewoods and human use, 1600-1900

Human use of the pinewoods in 1600–1900 is briefly reviewed,and related to evidence for differing woodland structure inthese centuries. A certain number of pinewoods were lost between1600 and 1800 and it is suggested that this may be related toclimate change.     

Cross-protective immunity and the serological classification system for Bacteroides nodosus

The relationship between the serological classification system for serogroup B and for serogroup H of Bacteroides nodosus and cross-protection between subgroups within these serogroups was examined. Protection against ovine footrot following vaccination was achieved against other subgroup strains provided sufficient cross-reactive antibody was induced by shared pilus antigens. Within serogroup B, better cross-protection against one subgroup was obtained with a pili vaccine than a whole cell vaccine which correlated with higher pilus antibody titres induced by the former. For serogroup H, a lack of cross-protection and serological reactivity between subgroups was demonstrated, which indicates that the prototype strain of subgroup H2 should be designated a new serogroup.     

The effect of an extended artificial photoperiod and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone infusions in inducing fertile oestrus in anoestrous mares

The occurrence of fertile oestrus early in the breeding season is of paramount importance to the Thoroughbred industry to facilitate early conception. This paper compares 2 techniques for inducing fertile oestrus in anoestrous mares using either an extended photoperiod alone or together with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) infusions. Eleven mares were placed under conditions of 16 h light and 8 h darkness and 5 of these were implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering approximately 100 ng GnRH/kg/h for 28 days (treated mares). The treated mares ovulated 27.7 days earlier than and conceived 32 days earlier than the 6 mares not given GnRH. GnRH-induced ovulations were followed by a competent luteal phase. The combination of GnRH pumps implanted 2 weeks before commencement of service together with extended photoperiod from July 1 has promise in assisting the stud breeder to improve reproductive efficiency on commercial stud farms.     

A Chemoautotrophically Based Cave Ecosystem

Microbial mats discovered in a ground-water ecosystem in southern Romania contain chemoautotrophic bacteria that fix inorganic carbon, using hydrogen sulfide as an energy source. Analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes showed that this chemoautotrophic production is the food base for 48 species of cave-adapted terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, 33 of which are endemic to this ecosystem. This is the only cave ecosystem known to be supported by in situ autotrophic production, and it contains the only terrestrial community known to be chemoautotrophically based.     

Novel Colloidal Interactions in Anisotropic Fluids

Small water droplets dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal exhibit a novel class of colloidal interactions, arising from the orientational elastic energy of the anisotropic host fluid. These interactions include a short-range repulsion and a long-range dipolar attraction, and they lead to the formation of anisotropic chainlike structures by the colloidal particles. The repulsive interaction can lead to novel mechanisms for colloid stabilization.     

Effect of concentration and addition method of glycerol on the quality of cryopreserved mithun (Bos frontalis) spermatozoa

The effect of concentration and addition method of glycerol on the quality of cryopreserved mithun (Bos frontalis) spermatozoa was investigated. Semen samples were collected from five healthy mithun bulls through rectal massage method and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The samples were diluted in Tris–egg yolk–glycerol extender, equilibrated for 4 h at 4 °C and loaded into 0.50‐ml straws. The straws were then frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour for 10 min and finally plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. The required amount of glycerol was added into the diluted samples either in a single dose (3%, 4%, 5%, 6% or 7%; added at 37 °C immediately before equilibration) or in split doses (5%, 6% or 7%; the total amount was divided into four equal parts, and a part was added at 37 °C immediately before equilibration, and the remaining parts were added subsequently at 1, 2 and 3 h of equilibration at 4 °C). In the single‐dose addition method, following freeze‐thawing, greater (p < 0.05) motility (%) and proportion of live spermatozoa with intact acrosome (LSIA, %) in 5% glycerol (40.6 ± 1.7 and 43.4 ± 1.8 respectively) and lesser (p < 0.05) total morphological abnormalities (%) in 5% (14.1 ± 0.8) and 6% (13.7 ± 1.0) glycerol were observed compared to the other glycerol concentrations. In the split‐dose addition method, following freeze‐thawing, greater (p < 0.05) motility (%) and LSIA proportion (%) were found in 5% (50.2 ± 1.9 and 53.3 ± 1.8 respectively) compared to 6% or 7% glycerol, but the total morphological abnormalities were not different among the glycerol concentrations. In addition, in all the glycerol concentrations, better (p < 0.05) post‐freeze‐thaw motility and LSIA proportions were observed when glycerol was added in split doses compared to a single dose. In conclusion, Tris–egg yolk extender with 5% glycerol added in split doses was found most suitable for cryopreserving mithun sperm.     

Study of force distribution in the citrus tree canopy during harvest using a continuous canopy shaker

Mechanical harvesting is increasingly being employed in the citrus industry of Florida because of the faster and efficient harvesting it provides with comparatively lower cost when compared to manual harvesting. Continuous canopy shakers are the only mechanical harvesters commercially used in Florida. The main concerns regarding the use of these machines are damage to tree and detrimental effect on next year yield. Because of these concerns, only a very low percentage (6-7%) of the acreage is being harvested mechanically. To improve these machines and address the growers’ concerns, experiments were conducted to study the force and acceleration distribution on the tree branches and fruits. The acceleration was measured at different locations in the canopy using tri-axis accelerometers attached to the branch and data was recorded using ZigBee^® transceivers. The distribution of force and acceleration along an individual branch in trees of two different sizes were studied at three different tine angles and frequencies of the shaker. Both distributions were modeled using the Curve Fitting Toolbox™ of Matlab^®. The results suggested that the force was higher for the fruits inside the canopy than the ones at the edges. It was also observed that the maximum force required to remove the fruit mechanically was only 18% of the traditionally measured fruit detachment force. The force along the branch was found to be Gaussian in nature and the acceleration along the branch was found to be exponential.     

Effects of stocking density on survival,growth and biochemical composition of cultured mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis,Lamarck 1819) from an offshore submerged longline system

This study examined an offshore submerged mussel longline system, in the Black Sea, from May 2009 to May 2010. The system was allowed 1 year for spat collection. After a 1‐year spat collection period, some spat collectors were left untouched (NS), and some spat collectors were grazed and socked (S) for a grow‐out study in May 2009. The effects of stocking density on the growth and survival of the S and NS mussels were examined. The biochemical composition of the mussels was also determined. Environmental factors including temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, total suspended matter, inorganic matter and organic matter were monitored monthly during the experimental period. In May 2010, the mean length and live weight of the S and NS mussels were 60.46 ± 0.60 mm and 53.34 ± 0.37 mm, respectively, and 20.50 ± 0.50 g and 13.11 ± 0.26 g respectively. Mean moisture and ash were 82.35 ± 0.47% and 6.67 ± 0.44% respectively. Mean carbohydrate, protein and lipid were 27.74 ± 2.40%, 57.68 ± 2.15% and 7.91 ± 0.68% respectively. These results indicate that a submerged offshore mussel culture system in the Black Sea can be commercially convenient. In addition, stock management via thinning out of the spat can considerably increase the marketable size of mussels, reduce harvest time and produce better growth.