Rice: Nilaparvata lugens Stal interaction—current status and future prospects of brown planthopper management

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Pragmatically, Oryza sativa L. is the most considerable food in the world and about 3 billion people rely on rice for their living sustenance and...     

Effect of biofertilizers on the nutrient availability in soil in relation to growth,yield and yield attributes of Stevia rebaudiana

A field experiment was conducted at Rani Chandramma Agricultural University (Arabhavi, Belgaum), Karnataka, India, in basic soil to study the nutrient availability in soil, yield and yield attributes of the medicinal plant stevia (Stevia rebaudiana). The results showed that the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the soil increased up to the fifth month; and thereafter, decreased by the same amount with the progress of the plant growth up to the sixth month, irrespective of treatments. Results also showed that the fresh and dry biomass yields significantly increased up to the sixth month with different treatments, but the yield attributes like plant height and the number of branches were observed to be varied with various treatments, being highest in the combined application of biofertilizers over that of their corresponding sole applications.     

Performance and Kinetic Study on Bioremediation of Diazo Dye (Reactive Black 5) in Wastewater Using Spent GAC–Biofilm Sequencing Batch Reactor

Combinations of sequential anaerobic and aerobic process enhance the treatment of textile wastewater. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment of diazo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5)-containing wastewater using granular activated carbon (GAC)–biofilm sequencing batch reactor (SBR) as an integration of aerobic and anaerobic process in a single reactor. The GAC–biofilm SBR system demonstrated higher removal of COD, RB5 and aromatic amines. It was observed that the RB5 removal efficiency improved as the concentration of co-substrate in the influent increased. The alternative aeration introduced into the bioreactor enhanced mineralization of aromatic amines. Degradation of RB5 and co-substrate followed second-order kinetic and the constant (k ₂) values for COD and RB5 decreased from 0.002 to 0.001 and 0.004 to 0.001 l/mg h, respectively, as the RB5 concentration increased from 100 to 200 mg/l in the GAC–biofilm SBR system.     

Identification and validation of cold responsive microRNAs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis> using high throughput sequencing

Cold stress is one of the major abiotic factors that influence the productivity and geographical distribution of many agriculturally important crops like Hevea brasiliensis. Cultivation of H. brasiliensis in India is being extended to northeastern regions, where low temperature during winter adversely affects its survival, growth, and productivity. Developing cold-tolerant genotypes is a primary requisite to maximize the productivity under such challenging environmental conditions. However, lack of methods for early evaluation of cold tolerance in the newly developed clones and the extensive time required for assessing their tolerance in the field are major constraints for clonal selection. The present study was initiated with an objective to identify and characterize cold stress responsive miRNAs from H. brasiliensis that show stronger association with cold tolerance. Next generation sequencing using Illumina HiSeq method revealed the expression of 21 and 29 conserved miRNA (from clone RRIM 600) families in cold-stressed and control samples, respectively. Forty-two novel miRNAs were identified from this study. Upon differential expression analysis, eight conserved miRNAs were found commonly expressed in both the samples. When expression analyses were performed subsequently with six selected miRNAs in two Hevea clones (viz. RRII 105 and RRIM 600), miR169 showed a strong association with cold tolerance. miRNAs such as miR482 and miR159 also exhibited association with cold tolerance. This study suggests the possibility of employing these miRNAs as markers for cold tolerance after validation in more number of genotypes with varying levels of cold tolerance.     

Effect of nitrogen levels and Rhizobium strains on symbiotic N2 fixation and grain yield of Phaseolus vulgaris L. genotypes in normal and saline-sodic soils

Summary Following screening, selection, characterization, and symbiotic N₂ fixation with 12,5, 25.0, and 40.0 mg N kg^–1 in normal and saline-sodic soils, only two Phaseolus vulgaris genotypes (HUR 137 and VL 63) and two Rhizobium spp. strains (ND 1 and ND 2) produced maximum nodulation, nitrogenase activity, plant N contents, and grain yields in saline-sodic soil, with 12.5 mg N kg^–1, compared with the other strains. However, interactions between strains (USDA 2689, USDA 2674, and ND 5) and genotypes (PDR 14, HUR 15, and HUR 138) were significant and resulted in more nodulation, and greater plant N contents, nitrogenase activity, and grain yields in normal soils with 12.5 mg N kg^–1 compared with salt-tolerant strains. Higher levels of N inhibited nodulation and nitrogenase activity without affecting grain yields. To achieve high crop yields from saline-sodic and normal soils in the plains area, simultaneous selection of favourably interacting symbionts is necessary for N economy, so that bean yields can be increased by the application of an active symbiotic system.     

How good are managed forests at conserving native woodpecker communities? A study in sub-Himalayan dipterocarp forests of northwest India

We assessed the impact of forest management on woodpecker community structure sub-Himalayan dipterocarp sal (Shorea robusta) forests. We selected eight sites representing four management-based ‘forest types’ (natural unworked sal, old- and young managed sal, and teak plantations). At each site, bird surveys were conducted along 2-km-long transects, 20 times during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Habitat characteristics were enumerated using circular and belt plots. Species composition across forest types was compared using multi-response permutation procedures. Indicator analysis identified woodpecker species preferring particular forest types. Biomass, abundance, and mean species richness of woodpeckers were highest in natural sal, intermediate in managed sal, and lowest in teak. There were apparent differences in woodpecker densities between seasons. Densities were higher in breeding season than non-breeding season for natural sal, while the opposite was true for managed sal. Woodpecker species composition significantly differed across forest types. The four largest species, including grey-headed (Picus canus) and greater yellownape (Picus flavinucha) that were identified as indicators, predominated natural sal but were scarce in other types. At a broader level, mean species richness of woodpeckers strongly indicated mean richness of other avifauna during breeding season. Our study suggests that forest management has significantly altered the sub-Himalayan woodpecker community structure. Managed sal forests, particularly teak plantations, are largely unable to support the original woodpecker assemblage during breeding season, although they provide foraging grounds during non-breeding season.     

Regulation of B cell tolerance by the lupus susceptibility gene Ly108

The susceptibility locus for the autoimmune disease lupus on murine chromosome 1, Sle1z/Sle1bz, and the orthologous human locus are associated with production of autoantibody to chromatin. We report that the presence of Sle1z/Sle1bz impairs B cell anergy, receptor revision, and deletion. Members of the SLAM costimulatory molecule family constitute prime candidates for Sle1bz, among which the Ly108.1 isoform of the Ly108 gene was most highly expressed in immature B cells from lupus-prone B6.Sle1z mice. The normal Ly108.2 allele, but not the lupus-associated Ly108.1 allele, was found to sensitize immature B cells to deletion and RAG reexpression. As a potential regulator of tolerance checkpoints, Ly108 may censor self-reactive B cells, hence safeguarding against autoimmunity.     

Soil degradation and mitigation in agricultural lands in the Indian Anthropocene

Current widespread and intensive soil degradation in India has been driven by unprecedented levels of population growth, large-scale industrialization, high-yield agriculture, urban sprawl and the spread of human infrastructure. The damage caused to managed and natural systems by soil degradation threatens livelihoods and local services and leads to national socio-economic disruption. Human-induced soil degradation results from land clearing and deforestation, inappropriate agricultural practices, improper management of industrial effluents and wastes, careless management of forests, surface mining, urban sprawl, and ill-planned commercial and industrial development. Of these, inappropriate agricultural practices, including excessive tillage and use of heavy machinery, over-grazing, excessive and unbalanced use of inorganic fertilizers, poor irrigation and water management techniques, pesticide overuse, inadequate crop residue and/or organic carbon inputs, and poor crop cycle planning, account for nearly 40% (121 Mha) of land degradation across India. Globally, human activities related to agriculture contribute to the transgression of four of the nine Planetary Boundaries proposed by Rockström et al. (2009): Climate Change, Biodiversity Integrity, Land-system Change, and altered Phosphorus and Nitrogen Biogeochemical Flows. This review focuses on how knowledge of soil processes in agriculture has developed in India over the past 10 years, and the potential of soil science to meet the objectives of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger (End hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), using the context of the four most relevant Planetary Boundaries as a framework. Solutions to mitigate soil degradation and improve soil health in different regions using conservation agricultural approaches have been proposed. Thus, in this review we (1) summarize the outputs of recent innovative research in India that has explored the impacts of soil degradation on four Planetary Boundaries (Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Land-system Change, and altered Biogeochemical Flows of Phosphorus and Nitrogen) and vice-versa; and (2) identify the knowledge gaps that require urgent attention to inform developing soil science research agendas in India, to advise policy makers, and to support those whose livelihoods rely on the land.     

Formation of Biogenic Amines and Associated Biochemical and Microbial Attributes of Whole Sutchi Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) during Iced Storage

Sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a highly preferred farmed species that is produced in huge quantities. Meat from ice-stored (4 ± 2°C) whole Sutchi catfish was evaluated for formation of biogenic amines, such as putrescine, cadaverine, histamine (HIM), agmatine, tyramine, spermine, and spermidine, and compared with biochemical, microbial, and sensory attributes during 22 days. Analysis of content of biogenic amines in the meat was carried out by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry using a without derivatization method. Three amines, namely, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine, were only present on 0^th day of storage. Presence of cadaverine was noticed from 9^th day onwards, where the aerobic plate count (APC) reached 4.85 log CFU/g. Putrescine was detected on the 22^nd day of storage, where the APC crossed 7 log CFU/g. HIM was detected in lower quantities from 3^rd day onwards. A shelf life of 15 days was determined based on sensory and microbiological evaluation. Although the samples were biochemically acceptable throughout the storage period, APC exceeded the limit on day 19, and the gradual increase of H₂S-producing bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Aeromonas, and Enterobacteriaceae, was observed during storage.