Development of a scoring scale for powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum (DC.) V.P. Heluta) disease and identification of resistance sources in cultivated and wild sunflowers

Powdery mildew incited by Golovinomyces cichoracearum has become a serious problem on sunflower in India during the past 2–3 years. Genetic resistance in the released cultivars and the parental lines of hybrids is rather limited. Hence, screening of about 420 accessions comprising of wild Helianthus species, interspecific derivatives, core germplasm, inbred lines and few exotic accessions was done under natural field conditions for 2 years and further confirmed by screening under artificial inoculation conditions. PCR analysis using primers specific to powdery mildew causing genera gave a 391 bp band which confirmed the pathogen as G. cichoracearum. Seven different screening methods were tested which induced infection, but dusting of spores on to the healthy leaves proved to be convenient and more effective method of infection. Based on the differential response of the accessions derived from diverse genetic backgrounds, a scale for obtaining reliable estimates of the disease has been devised. Among different cultivar germplasm accessions, the disease severity index (DSI) ranged from 15 to 100 and area under disease progression curve (AUDPC) ranged from 95 to 648. Among the four groups of cultivated sunflower accessions tested, DSI and AUDPC was in the order of exotic lines < interspecific derivatives < inbred lines < core germplasm. Reliable sources of resistance to the pathogen were identified in four annual wild species (H. argophyllus, H. agrestis, H. debilis, H. praecox), six perennials (H. angustifolius, H. atrorubens, H. rigidus, H. salicifolius, H. pauciflorus and H. resinosus), two interspecific derivatives (HIR-1734-2, RES-834-3) and two exotic lines (PI 642072, EC-537925).     

Effects of meat consumption and vegetarian diet on risk of wrist fracture over 25 years in a cohort of peri- and postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggesting that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may be beneficial to bone health has sparked interest in the potential benefit of a vegetarian diet. However, other studies have raised a question regarding the adequacy of protein in such a diet. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to take a whole foods approach in examining the effects of foods high in protein on the risk of wrist fracture (WF) in a cohort with a significant proportion consuming a meat-free diet. DESIGN: A cohort study of women who completed two lifestyle surveys 25 years apart. SUBJECTS: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five peri- and postmenopausal women at the time of the first survey. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between meat consumption and foods high in vegetable protein. Among vegetarians, those who consumed the least vegetable protein intake were at highest risk for fracture. However, increasing levels of plant-based high-protein foods decreased WF risk, with a 68% reduction in risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.79) in the highest intake group. Among those with lowest vegetable protein consumption, increasing meat intake decreased the risk of WF, with the highest consumption decreasing risk by 80% (HR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that higher consumption frequencies of foods rich in protein were associated with reduced WF supports the importance of adequate protein for bone health. The similarity in risk reduction by vegetable protein foods compared with meat intake suggests that adequate protein intake is attainable in a vegetarian diet.     

Jatropha tanjorensis Ellis & Saroja, a natural interspecific hybrid occurring in Tamil Nadu, India

Jatropha tanjorensis Ellis & Saroja, a species found abundantly in Tanjore, Pudukottai, Trichirapalli and Ramnad districts of Tamil Nadu state, India and grown as a fence plant showed intermediacy in phenotypic characters of J. curcas L. and J. gossypifolia L. A detailed survey at its place of occurrence supplemented with data employed from cytological and peroxidase isozyme studies revealed that J. tanjorensis is a natural interspecific hybrid between these two species. Since there was no seed set, propagation through tissue culture using leaf discs was attempted.     

IMPACT OF VERMICOMPOST AND NITROGEN-PHOSPHORUS- POTASSIUM APPLICATION ON BIOMASS PARTITIONING,NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ARECANUT

A long-term field experiment (1998 to 2010) investigated the effects of vermicompost (VC) and chemical fertilizers (CF) application alone or in combination on biomass partitioning, nutrient uptake and productivity of arecanut. Trunk biomass (kg palm^?1) was significantly higher with integrated treatments (40.8–43.0) than control (23.9). Biomass partitioning to kernel varied between 4.6% in control to 7.7% in CF 100 and 200% nitrogen (N)- phosphorus (P)- potassium (K). The leaf P and K content varied significantly among treatments. The N immobilized in trunk (g palm^?1) was significantly higher in integrated treatments (119-127) than in control (93). Phosphorus and K uptake by trunk followed same trend. The leaf K uptake and total K removed were found significant. The nutrition treatments registered significantly higher kernel yield (2508–3176 kg ha^?1) than control (1721 kg ha^?1). The increased yield of arecanut from chemical fertilizers (73–85%) was more pronounced when compared to VC (48–59%) and integrated treatments (46–63%) over control.     

Response of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia A.) intercropped in arecanut to irrigation and nutrition in humid tropics of India

A 5-year field trial to assess the impact of microsprinkler irrigation and nutrition on vanilla grown as intercrop in arecanut plantation was conducted on a laterite soil. Pooled analysis indicated that microsprinkler irrigation at 1.0 Epan resulted in significantly higher green bean yield (842 kg ha⁻¹) than 0.75 Epan (579 kg ha⁻¹). Organic manure application in the form of vermicompost (720 kg ha⁻¹) and FYM (768 kg ha⁻¹) and recommended NPK (718 kg ha⁻¹) produced green bean yield at par with recycling of gliricidia prunings (625 kg ha⁻¹). Irrigation at 1.0 Epan proved superior by registering maximum benefit:cost (B:C) ratio of 2.25 compared to 1.62 at 0.75 Epan. The highest B:C ratio was obtained with recommended NPK (2.27) followed by recycling of gliricidia prunings (2.10), vermicompost (1.87), vermicompost + arecanut husk mulching (1.80) and FYM (1.64). The soil pH increased by 0.4 units in 2008 compared with the pre-experimental soil pH of 5.6 in 2004. Nutrition alone and in combination with irrigation had significant impact on soil pH. Organic manure application increased the soil pH (6.1-6.2) significantly over recommended NPK (5.6) at the end of experiment in 2008. Significant variation in soil organic carbon (SOC) was noticed due to different nutrition treatments. Application of vermicompost and FYM significantly increased the SOC content by 38-54% in 2008 over initial levels in 2004. Bray's P availability was influenced by nutrition and its interaction with irrigation. Application of FYM continuously for 4 years has resulted in significant increase in Bray's P content (41.3 mg kg⁻¹) compared to other nutrition treatments (9.4-17.2 mg kg⁻¹). Irrigation equivalent to 0.75 Epan (223 mg kg⁻¹) increased the K availability significantly over 1.0 Epan (172 mg kg⁻¹). The K availability was significantly higher in recommended NPK (416 mg kg⁻¹) than in other organic treatments (98-223 mg kg⁻¹) at 0-30 cm soil depth. Overall, vanilla responded well to irrigation and nutrition in arecanut-based cropping system with a better economic output and improved soil fertility.     

New ornamental Jatropha hybrids through interspecific hybridization

Interspecific hybridization has been successful between two economically important species of Jatropha, viz., J. curcas and J. integerrima. The interspecific hybrids exhibited morphological intermediacy for various vegetative characteristics but produced flowers with three distinct colours. Backcrossing of the F₁ hybrids resulted in a number of flower colours varying from dark pink through green to white enhancing the ornamental value of the genus. Hybridity was confirmed through PCR amplification using random primers. The various propagation methods for these new ornamental Jatrophas are discussed.     

Biomass,carbon and nutrient stocks in different categories of rose (Rosa spp.) for optimizing input use

Abstract

The present study was carried out at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru to assess biomass accumulation, nutrient distribution, nutrient/water/energy use, plant available soil nutrients and carbon storage in different categories of roses in open-grown and protected systems. In open-grown roses, biomass of leaves, stalk and flowers represented 31.9%, 41.1% and 26.95%, respectively. In protected condition, flower biomass accounted for 17.62% of the total compared to leaf (51.0%), and stalk biomass (31.4%). The carbon stocks in plant biomass and soil accounted for 22% and 78% of total in open-grown rose system. In protected condition, plant and soil carbon stocks accounted for 11% and 89% of the total carbon stocks. Soil carbon stocks increased from 2.214 to 3.958?kg m^?2 during 4-year period in open field. In protected condition, soil carbon stock was increased from 3.315 to 5.104?kg m^?2 registering an increase of 1.789?kg m^?2. In rose production system, leaves registered highest levels of macronutrients while flowers acquired more micronutrients. The water use was 45% higher in protected cultivation (344?L yr^?1 m^?2) than in open condition (232?L yr^?1 m^?2). Based on nutrient use indicators and energy use of nutrient inputs, Arka Savi and Arka Swadesh were identified as efficient nutrient use and energy use (74.6% and 37.3%) genotypes in open and protected conditions, respectively. Plant available nutrient stocks in soil were optimum to above optimum in rose system. The results imply that precision nutrient application is most important to save inputs/energy, avoid environmental pollution and to develop sustainable land use system.     

Effects of dietary protein level on muscle cellularity and flesh quality in Atlantic salmon with particular reference to gaping

Growth performance, muscle cellularity and flesh quality were investigated in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed either of two diet ranges [high protein (HP), or low protein (LP)], which differed in digestible protein/digestible energy ratios but were of equivalent digestible energy content (21.4 MJ kg⁻¹ wet weight). Smolts from an early maturing (Lochy) and a late maturing (Mowi) strain were PIT-tagged and reared together in duplicate 5×5×5-m sea cages for each diet. The Lochy and Mowi fish were harvested in May and August, respectively, after 417 and 515 days in seawater. The average body weight of fish in each cage at harvest was in the range 3.8–5.4 kg, with no significant difference between diets. The total cross-sectional area of white muscle and the number and diameter of muscle fibres was determined at the level of the first dorsal fin ray. The distribution of muscle fibre diameters was investigated using nonparametric smoothing and bootstrapping techniques. Diet had no effect on fibre size distribution or fibre number in the Mowi strain, and small but significant effects for the Lochy strain. At harvest, in Lochy salmon of average fork length 69 cm there were around 15% more fibres in fish fed the HP than LP ratio diets. However, the 50th percentile of fibre diameter was 20% greater in fish fed the LP than HP diets, such that the total muscle cross-sectional area was similar. The lipid content (14.1–15.3% wet mass), astaxanthin pigment concentration (7.0–8.5 mg kg⁻¹ wet mass) and colour (RocheSalmoFan™ and Minolta Chromatometer readings) of the flesh were similar for both strains and diets. There was no significant difference in the average muscle fibre density between strains and diet, which varied between 60 and 140 fibres mm⁻² muscle cross-sectional area. Gaping during processing of the fillet was in part related to muscle cellularity. Little or no gaping was observed in any fish with a fibre density in excess of 95 fibres mm⁻² muscle. It was concluded that individual variation in fibre density is important in the development of gaping, but that muscle cellularity and flesh quality are relatively insensitive to the protein to energy ratio in the diet over the range studied.