Nutrients management strategies to improve yield and quality of sugar beet in semi-arid regions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of sugar beet genotypes (Beta vulgaris L.). Therefore, a field trial was carried out in Peshawar, Pakistan, during the winters in 2012–2013. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with split plots, having three replications. Fertilizer treatments (control, composted manure Higo Organic Plus at 5 t ha^?1, Maxicrop Sea Gold seaweed extract at 5 L ha^?1, farm yard manure at 10 t ha^?1, inorganic nitrogen–phosphorus (NP) at 90:60 kg ha^?1, NP at 120:90 kg ha^?1 and NP at 150:120 kg ha^?1) were allotted to main plots, while genotypes (Sandrina, Serenada and Kawe Terma) were allotted to the sub-plots. Plots treated with the application of NP at 120:90 kg ha^?1 produced the highest beet yield (76.4 t ha^?1) and sugar yield (11.1 t ha^?1), and had the second highest polarizable sugar content (14.52%) and more economic return (Rs. 553,000 per hectare) as compared to control plots. Sugar beet genotype Serenada had significantly higher beet yield (55.5 t ha^?1) and sugar yield (7.9 t ha^?1) and a higher economic return (Rs. 380,000 per hectare) than the other genotypes. Sugar beet genotype Serenada supplied with NP at 120:90 kg ha^?1is recommended for the general cultivation in the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar valley.     

Prevalence and infection pattern of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in mid-eastern Sudan

The antigen detection enzyme immunoassay (AgELISA) in conjunction with parasitological examination of blood were used to study the enzootic situation of cameline trypanosomiasis in mid-Eastern Sudan. A one year survey showed that the infection is endemic among pastoral camels with a prevalence of 5.4% based on parasitological examination and 31.3% based on AgELISA. The infection rate was higher during the dry period (November to May) than the wet season. Young camels had a much lower infection rate as detected by parasitological techniques, but not with AgELISA. A lower prevalence of infection was detected by buffy coat technique (BCT) in herds of camels raised by nomads compared with those kept by agropastoralists and in camels located in the southern districts of mid-Eastern Sudan.     

Selection of diverse parents of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by multivariate analysis and the degree of heterosis of their F1 hybrids

Summary Studies on genetic diversity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) indicated the existence of considerable amount of variation for grain yield and its components in the material. One hundred and thirty two genotypes fell into eight clusters. The covariation structure studied by means of factor analysis indicated the possibility of obtaining, through hybridization, genotypes physiologically and morphologically more efficient. Multivariate analysis of data from 7 parents and 21 F1 hybrids indicated weak correspondence between D²-analysis and canonical variate analysis. As there was no relationship between heterosis over midparent and genetic distance between the parents, so the traditional approach of making a large number of crosses is being suggested.     

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Euphorbia helioscopia L

The anthelmintic potentials of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Euphorbia helioscopia were investigated. In folklore medicine, E. helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae) is used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal ailments and diseases. A worm motility inhibition (WMI) assay and egg hatch assay (EHA) were used for in vitro assessment, and a faecal egg count reduction (FECR) assay was used for an in vivo study. The in vitro study revealed anthelmintic effects of crude methanolic extracts of E. helioscopia on live Haemonchus contortus worms as evident from their paralysis and/or death at 8h after exposure, different concentrations (12.5mgml(-1), 25mgml(-1) and 50mgml(-1)) of aqueous and methanolic extracts were used against H. contortus which exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on H. contortus. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of aerial parts (stem, leaves and flowers) of E. helioscopia were found to have very low percent inhibitory egg hatching as compared to levamisole. It is concluded that the entire plant of E. helioscopia possesses significant anthelmintic activity and could be a potential alternative for treating cases of helminth infections in ruminants.     

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia – a comprehensive review

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a serious disease of goats, occasionally sheep and wild ruminants, caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp). The disease is characterized by severe serofibrinous pleuropneumonia, very high morbidity (～100%), and mortality (80–100%). CCPP affects goats in more than 40 countries of the world thereby posing a serious threat to goat farming around the globe. The characteristic clinical signs of CCPP are severe respiratory distress associated with sero-mucoid nasal discharge, coughing, dyspnea, pyrexia, pleurodynia, and general malaise. In later stages, severe lobar fibrinous pleuropneumonia, profuse fluid accumulation in pleural cavity, severe congestion of lungs and adhesion formation is observed. Mycoplasmal antigen interactions with host immune system and its role in CCPP pathogenesis are not clearly understood. CCPP is not a zoonotic disease. Diagnosis has overcome cumbersome and lengthy conventional tests involving culture, isolation, and identification by advanced serological (LAT, cELISA) or gene-based amplification of DNA (PCR, RFLP, and hybridization) and sequencing. The latex agglutination test (LAT) is rapid, simple, and better test for field and real-time diagnosis applicable to whole blood or serum and is more sensitive than the CFT and easier than the cELISA. Moreover, the studies on antibiotic sensitivity and exploration of novel antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, macrolides) can help in better therapeutic management besides preventing menace of antibiotic resistance. Re-visiting conventional prophylactic measures focussing on developing novel strain-based or recombinant vaccines using specific antigens (capsular or cellular) should be the most important strategy for controlling the disease worldwide.     

Comparative evaluation of different therapeutic protocols for contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Himalayan Pashmina goats

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Therapeutic management of contagious caprine pleuroneumonia (CCPP) involves mostly the use of oxytetracycline followed by enrofloxacin and rarely tylosin. In...     

Tithonia and senna green manures and inorganic fertilizers as phosphorus sources for maize in Western Kenya

Efforts to overcome declining soil fertility on small holder farms in western Kenya must be consistent with the reality of low utilization of inorganic fertilizers. Likewise organic inputs alone cannot supply adequate nutrients. The use of two organic resources, Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) and Senna spectabilis (senna) leaves, and their combination with inorganic P for improving soil fertility and maize yields was investigated on a P limiting soil in Western Kenya. Treatments included: 1) control, no inputs; 2) 5 t ha⁻¹ (dry matter) tithonia leaves; 3) 5 t ha⁻¹ senna leaves; 4) 5 t ha⁻¹ tithonia leaves + 25 kg P ha⁻¹ as triple superphosphate (TSP); 5) 5 t ha⁻¹ senna leaves + 25 kg P ha⁻¹ (as TSP); and 6) 25 kg P ha⁻¹ of TSP. Maize was used as a test crop. Decomposition and P and N release of tithonia and senna leaves were determined in a litterbag study. Tithonia + TSP applications tripled maize yields compared to the control, senna + TSP and tithonia sole application doubled yields, while senna sole applications did not increase yields substantially. A large residual yield was produced in the tithonia treatments in a subsequent crop. These yield results were consistent with the higher quality and faster release of N and P from the tithonia leaves compared to senna. The tithonia biomass transfer system can improve yields in the short term but has limitations because of the large amount of biomass and the associated labor requirements. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of organic and inorganic passivators on Cd and Pb stabilization and microbial biomass in a contaminated paddy soil

Purpose

Soil contamination with heavy metals, such as Cd and Pb, has caused severe health and environmental risks all over the world. Possible eco-friendly solutions for Cd and Pb immobilization were required to reduce its mobility through various cost-effective amendments.

Materials and methods

A laboratory incubation study was conducted to assess the efficiency of biochar (BC), zeolite (ZE), and rock phosphate (RP) as passivators for the stabilization of Cd and Pb in paddy soil as well as soil microbial biomass. Various extraction techniques were carried out: a sequential extraction procedure, the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test, and single extraction with CaCl₂. The impact of passivators on soil pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) was examined in the metal contaminated soil.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the exchangeable portion of Cd in soil was significantly reduced by 34.8, 21.6, and 18.8% with ZE, RP, and BC at a 3% application rate, respectively. A similar tendency of reduction in Pb soluble portion was observed by ZE (9.6%), RP (20%), and BC (21.4%) at a 3% application rate. Moreover, the TCLP leachate of Cd and Pb was apparently reduced by 17 and 30.3% with BC at a 3% application dose, respectively, when compared to the control. Soil pH, nutrients, and microbial biomass C, N, and P were significantly increased with the addition of BC, RP, and ZE passivators.

Conclusions

The results showed that the incorporation of BC, ZE, and RP significantly reduced the Cd and Pb mobility in paddy soil as well as enhanced soil nutrients and microbial biomass. Overall, among all the amendments, rice straw derived-BC performed better for Cd and Pb immobilization in paddy soil.