Brucellosis in migratory sheep flock from Maharashtra,India

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease worldwide distributed and having the economic as well as public health importance. The prevalence of brucellosis among sheep flock having history of abortions was studied. A total of 229 samples comprising of 157 blood and 72 clinical samples (vaginal swabs) were collected from 157 animals. Clinical samples were processed for the isolation of Brucella melitensis. Serum samples (n = 157) were tested by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and i-ELISA. A total of 68 (43.31%) and 104 (66.24%) samples were positive by RBPT and ELISA, respectively. Brucella isolates (n = 2) were recovered from clinical samples. Both isolates demonstrated amplification for bcsp 31 and IS711 genes. On AMOS PCR, both the isolates amplified at 731 bp, i.e., belongs to B. melitensis species. The incidence of B. melitensis in a migratory flock warns the thorough testing and culling of Brucella-infected sheep from the flock on a continuous basis; otherwise, such incidence will be routine and poor farmers will be at a loss.     

Mutation of a degS homologue in Enterobacter cloacae decreases colonization and biological control of damping-off on cucumber

We have been using mutagenesis to determine how biocontrol bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae 501R3 deal with complex nutritional environments found in association with plants. E. cloacae C10, a mutant of 501R3 with a transposon insertion in degS, was diminished in growth on synthetic cucumber root exudate (SRE), colonization of cucumber seed and roots, and control of damping-off of cucumber caused by Pythium ultimum. DegS, a periplasmic serine protease in the closely related bacterium Escherichia coli K12, is required for the RpoE-mediated stress response. C10 containing wild-type degS from 501R3 or from E. coli K12 on pBeloBAC11 was significantly increased in growth on SRE, colonization of cucumber roots, and control of P. ultimum relative to C10 containing pBeloBAC11 alone. C10 and 501R3 were similar in sensitivity to acidic conditions, plant-derived phenolic compounds, oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide, dessication, and high osmoticum; stress conditions potentially associated with plants. This study demonstrates a role for degS in the spermosphere and rhizosphere during colonization and disease control by Enterobacter cloacae. This study implicates, for the first time, the involvement of DegS and, by extension, the RpoE-mediated stress response, in reducing stress on E. cloacae resulting from the complex nutritional environments in the spermosphere and rhizosphere.     

Plant defense activation and management of tomato root rot by a chitin-fortified <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma/Hypocrea</Emphasis> formulation

Tomato root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a major soilborne disease resulting in significant yield loss. The culture filtrates of six isolates of Trichoderma/Hypocrea species were evaluated for in vitro production of hydrolytic enzymes. Results demonstrated that all the six isolates were able to produce chitinase, β-1, 3 glucanase and protease in the range of 76–235 μmol GlcNAc min^-1 mg^-1 protein, 31.90–37.72 nmol glucose min^-1 mg^-1 proteins and 63.05–86.22 μmol min^-1 mg^-1 proteins, respectively. Trichoderma/Hypocrea-based formulation(s) were prepared with chitin (1% v:v) and CMC (0.5% w:v) for root rot management in a greenhouse. Root dip application with bioformulation(s) resulted in a significant reduction of the root rot index. In addition, bioformulations increased plant growth attributing traits significantly relative to untreated control. Accumulation of total phenols, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase increased in chitin-supplemented Trichoderma/Hypocrea formulation-treated plants challenged with R. solani. The results suggest that chitin-fortified bioformulation(s) could be an effective system to control root rot of tomato in an eco-compatible manner.     

A reexamination of molecular markers for use in marker-assisted breeding in tomato

Molecular markers have been used for identification and mapping of genes and QTLs for numerous agriculturally important traits in tomato, including resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and fruit- and flower-related characteristics. However, the extent to which markers have been utilized in tomato breeding programs has not been clearly determined. A review of the literature indicated that the utility of most markers for use in tomato breeding programs have not been verified. Many markers are not validated across tomato genotypes or are not polymorphic within tomato breeding populations. In this study, we examined the utility of available markers for several major disease resistance traits in tomato by testing them in a number of breeding lines and commercial cultivars with known resistance/susceptibility responses. While several markers were validated, others needed PCR optimization for successful amplifications or were not informative in the genotypes used. Specifically, of the 37 markers examined 19 (~51%) were informative, including markers for resistance to Fusarium wilt, late blight, bacterial wilt, tomato mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, and root knot nematodes. It appears that many of the available markers may need to be further refined or examined for trait association and presence of polymorphism in breeding lines and populations. However, with recent advances in tomato sequencing, it is becoming increasingly possible to develop more informative markers to accelerate the use of MAS in tomato breeding.     

Can carbon isotope discrimination and ash content predict grain yield and water use efficiency in wheat?

Drought is the main factor affecting crop grain yield. Increasing grain yield under drought and crop water use efficiency (WUE) is essential for enhancing world crop production and food availability. The objective of this study, carried out in India on 20 durum wheat cultivars, under three water regimes (full irrigation, limited irrigation and residual soil moisture) and during two seasons, was to investigate the potential use of plant traits (particularly carbon isotope discrimination, Δ, and ash content, m_a) to predict grain yield and WUE in wheat. WUE components were estimated using a soil water balance model (Budget) allowing comparison of environments in data scarce situations. A highly significant correlation was noted between grain yield and grain Δ across water regimes. However, the associations between grain yield, Δ and m_a were found to depend highly on the water regime and environmental conditions. The association between grain yield and grain Δ was significant under full irrigation in season 1 and under residual soil moisture in season 2. Significant positive correlations were noted in both seasons between grain yield and leaf Δ under residual soil moisture and between grain yield and leaf ash content at anthesis under limited irrigation. A significant correlation was found across environments between grain and leaf Δ and T, the quantity of water transpired during the growth cycle, as estimated by the soil water balance model. T also significantly correlated to grain and leaf m_a. Variation in WUE across environments was driven more by runoff, drainage and soil evaporation than by harvest index and transpiration. The associations between WUE and transpiration, runoff and Δ were negative but not significant. WUE was significantly correlated with leaf and grain m_a at maturity. The study indicates that Δ and m_a can be used as indirect selection criteria for grain yield and suggests that m_a is a good predictor of transpiration, grain yield and WUE across environments. The use of mechanistic models that allows differentiating between cultivars should permit in a next future to analyze the relationships between WUE, Δ and m_a across cultivars and evaluate the possibility to use these traits as predictors of WUE in wheat breeding programs.     

Morphological and molecular variability among Indian isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> causing banded leaf and sheath blight in maize

Rhizoctonia solani, a devastating soil borne fungus inciting banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) disease is a constraint in maize production and improvement program. Rhizoctonia isolates collected from seven diverse maize cropping zones of India were examined for morphological and molecular variability. All the tested isolates caused symptoms of BLSB on maize and were also cross infective on rice and sugarcane hosts, but showed significant variability in hyphal diameter, mean hyphal cell size, weight, size and distribution of scleorotia, culture pigmentation, incubation period, pathogenicity and expression of symptoms. Neighbour joining cluster analysis placed the 62 isolates of R. solani into four major groups, A, B, C and D. Group A was more diverse and included isolates of diverse agro-ecological zones. The cluster analysis corresponded well with principle component analysis. Pathogenicity testing of R. solani isolates on maize genotype (CM 501) revealed highly variable virulence pattern of the pathogen population suggesting its high evolutionary potential, and hence adaptability to diverse geographical regions. The study reveals a strong evidence of inherent potential of the R. solani isolates to survive in diverse ecological zones and its probable spread to other maize cultivars across India. Sequence comparisons of the internal transcribed sequence-ribosomal DNA region of 62 isolates did not reveal much diversity among the isolates. Majority of the isolates (n?=?61) clustered together with anastomosis group (AG) AG1-IA used as reference strain in the phylogram, distinct from AG1-IB, AG2–2IIIB and Waitea circinata used as reference strains. BLSB isolates representing distinct geographical locations shared identical sequences indicating long-distance dispersal of the pathogen. The study confirms that the genetic flexibility of the pathogen allows for its adaptation to variable ecological niches and long-distance introduction of new genotypes into the region. The study emphasizes that epidemiological studies may complement the molecular studies.     

Cage‐pond integration of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with carps

Cage‐pond integration system is a new model for enhancing productivity of pond aquaculture system. A field trial was conducted using African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cages and carps in earthen ponds. There were four treatments replicated five times: (1) carps in ponds without cage, (2) tilapia at 30 fish m^?3 in cage and carps in open pond, (3) catfish at 100 fish m^?3 in cage and carps in open pond, (4) tilapia and catfish at 30 and 100 fish m^?3, respectively, in separate cages and carps in open pond. The carps were stocked at 1 fish m^?2. The cage occupied about 3% of the pond area. The caged tilapia and catfish were fed and the control ponds were fertilized. Results showed that the combined extrapolated net yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the catfish, tilapia and carps integration system (9.4 ± 1.6 t ha^?1 year^?1) than in the carp polyculture (3.3 ± 0.7 t ha^?1 year^?1). The net return from the tilapia and carps (6860 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) and catfish, tilapia and carps integration systems (6668 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) was significantly higher than in the carp polyculture (1709 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) (P < 0.05). This experiment demonstrated that the cage‐pond integration of African catfish and Nile tilapia with carps is the best technology to increase production; whereas integration of tilapia and carp for profitability.     

Effect of boron and sulfur interaction on some important biological indices in an inceptisol

In most soil ecosystems, soil biological activity and associated processes are concentrated in the rhizosphere soil and is influenced by the external application of plant nutrients. The impacts of boron and sulfur on soil biological properties were evaluated in an Aeric Haplaquept (pH 5.7) growing rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) as a test crop. Application of boron (B) at 2 mg kg^?1 in combination with sulfur (S) at 30 mg kg^?1 (B₂S₃₀) resulted in highest available Boron and sulfur of 0.239 and 15.4 mg kg^?1, respectively and registered 62.5% and 71.3% increase over control (B₀S₀) at 60 days of crop growth compared to individual applications. The microbial populations viz. phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) were the highest of 52.63 and 85.87 × 10⁵ g^?1 soil, respectively, CFU in B₂S₃₀ treatment at 60 days and adjudged as the best treatment combination for enhancement of soil biological indices and seed yield.     

Identification of Minimum Data Set Under Balanced Fertilization for Sustainable Rice Production and Maintaining Soil Quality in Alluvial Soils of Eastern India

The scarcity of non-renewable fertilizers resources and the consequences of climate change can dramatically influence the food security of future generation. Introduction of high yielding varieties, intensive cropping sequence and increasing demand of food grains day-by-day, application of recommended dose of fertilizers could not fulfill our targets due to outdated fertilizers recommendations are yet in practice. It not only alters soil quality, nutrient balance, microbial and enzymatic ecology but also affected productivity and sustainability of rice in Gangetic alluvial soils of India. The effect of fertilizers application based on “fertilizing the soil versus fertilizing the crop” which insure real balance between the applied and available soil nutrient is urgently needed. Hence, the present study was conducted during three consecutive crop seasons (2010, 2011, and 2012) to assess the effect of imbalance and balance fertilization based on initial soil test values and targeted yields, and to determine the effect of farmyard manure (FYM) when superimposed with balanced fertilizers on identification of minimum data set for the development soil quality, nutrient acquisition, and grain yield of rice. The six fertilizer treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments were: T₁-control (no fertilization), T₂-farmyard manure @ 5 t ha^?1, T₃-farmers practice (60:30:30 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha^?1), T₄-precise application of mineral fertilizers based on initial soil test values (77:24:46 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha^?1) for targeted grain yield of 4.0 t ha^?1, T₅-precise application of mineral fertilizers based on initial soil test values (74:23:43 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha^?1) plus FYM (5 t ha^?1) for targeted grain yield of 4.0 t ha^?1 and T₆-precise application of mineral fertilizers based on initial soil test values (135:34:65 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha^?1) for targeted rice grain yield of 5.0 t ha^?1. Result revealed that the targeted rice grain yield of 4.0 and 5.0 t ha^?1 was achieved in T₄ and T₆ treatments with 1.59% (4.06 t ha^?1) and –3.40% (4.83 t ha^?1) deviations, respectively. T₄, T_5, and T₆ significantly increased crop growth, nutrient uptake, available P (P_a) and K (K_a) and augmented rice grain yield by 10.6, 20.2 and 31.6%, respectively, over T₃. Microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration and enzymatic activity were enhanced significantly in T₅ as compared to T₆. Highest soil quality index was found in T₅ (0.95) followed by T₆ (0.90) and, lowest was in T₁ (0.63). The contribution of minimum data set (MDS) toward the SQI was in the descending order of ALP (30.6%) > SOC (21.5%) > K_a (11.3%) > PSM (9.68%) > N_a (8.51%). Overall, rice yield and soil quality was improved by using balance fertilization based on fertilizing the crop Vs fertilizing the soil in alluvial soils of India.