Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation on micro-propagated hybrid yam (Dioscorea spp.) growth and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) suppression

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 10 (2016) pp. 267-281 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com The use of commercial inoculants containing non-indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is an emerging technology towards improving crop production in Africa. The present study aims at evaluating the influence of two strains of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) products, based on Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus dussii, on yam growth and on root knot nematodes suppression. Using micropropagated plantlets two cultivars each of Dioscorea alata (TDa98-01183 and TDa98-165), and D. rotundata (TDr97-00551 and TDr 745) were inoculated with the F. mosseae and G. dussii products separately, at transplanting into 2L pots, and then inoculated one month later with 500 infective juveniles of Meloidogyne spp. and grown for further seven months in the greenhouse. Results demonstrated that even with low colonization rates (6%), AMF led to improved yam growth, especially for D. alata. When challenged with Meloidogyne spp. , AMF inoculation significantly suppressed galling symptoms across the treatments and led to higher tuber yield. This study indicates the potential of AMF to sustainably improve yam quality and productivity, although further screening should be done in order to identify a suitable combination AMF species/strain x cultivar compatibility to optimise the results. K e y w o r d s
Nutritional Composition of Bitter Gourd Types (Momordica Charantia L.)

Bitter gourd has important role as a source of carbohydrate, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in human diet (Ali et al., 2008) which are necessary for maintaining proper health. To assess the chemical and nutritional composition of the selected bitter gourd types in the fresh and dried form, the following parameters were determined i.e. total carbohydrate, protein, dietary fibre, moisture, β carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc. The study revealed that highest protein, moisture, vitamin C and folic acid content were found in Light green big (2.06 g, 90.40 per cent, 98.2 mg and 0.10 µg/ ml respectively). Highest carbohydrate and fibre content was found in light green small (8.22 g and 1.21 g). The amount of beta carotene was found to be highest in nei paval sample (140.03 mcg/100g). In the case of mineral analysis, highest calcium, phosphorus and sodium content were found in light green big (25.44 mg/ 100g and 79.64 mg/100 g 20.12 mg / 100 g respectively). The potassium and iron content was found highest in nei paval (174.46 mg/ 100 g 2.14 mg). Highest manganese, copper and zinc content were noticed in light green big (34.57 mg, 40.17 mg and 90.41 mg/ 100g respectively).
Memoirs: The Physiology of Ecdysis in Rhodnius Prolixus (Hemiptera). II. Factors controlling Moulting and ‘Metamorphosis’

The five nymphal stages of Rhodnius prolixus are more or less alike. The adult differs markedly from the nymphs. There are thus two phenomena to be considered: simple moulting and moulting coupled with metamorphosis. 1. Causation of Moulting. Moulting occurs at a definite interval after feeding, only one meal being necessary in each stage. There is a ‘critical period’ in the moulting cycle (about 7 days after feeding in the fifth nymph, about 4 days in the earlier nymphs) and removal of the head of the insect before this period prevents moulting. The critical period corresponds with the time when mitotic divisions in the epidermis begin. The blood of insects that have passed the critical period contains a factor or hormone which will induce moulting in insects decapitated soon after feeding. It is suggested that this moulting hormone may be secreted by the corpus allatum, since the cells of this gland show signs of greatest secretory activity during the critical period. Stretching of the abdominal wall provides the stimulus which causes secretion of the moulting hormone. This stimulus is conveyed by nerves to the brain: moulting is prevented by section of the nerve-cord in the prothorax. Section of the nerves between the brain and the corpus allatum appears to prevent moulting; but these experiments were inconclusive. Insects sharing the same blood moult simultaneously. The whole process of growth must therefore be co-ordinated by chemical means; the factors concerned being produced presumably by the growing cells themselves. 2. Causation of Metamorphosis. If fourth or even first nymphs, decapitated soon after feeding, receive the blood from moulting fifth nymphs, they suffer a precocious metamorphosis and develop adult characters. Metamorphosis is therefore brought about by chemical differences in the blood. If fifth nymphs decapitated soon after feeding receive blood from moulting fourth nymphs, they also moult; showing that the moulting factor is the same at all stages. The absence of metamorphosis in normal nymphs before the fifth stage must therefore be due to an inhibitory factor or hormone in the blood. This is proved by the fact that if a fifth nymph decapitated soon after feeding receives the blood from a moulting fourth nymph (not deprived of its head) it develops characters much more like those of a nymph than an adult. The inhibitory hormone is normally produced in such small quantities that simple dilution of the blood of a moulting fourth nymph with that of another fourth nymph (decapitated soon after feeding) causes them both to suffer metamorphosis. The head is necessary for the secretion of the inhibitory hormone. This hormone seems to be secreted after the moulting hormone. Thus if series of fourth, third, second, or first nymphs are decapitated around the critical period, some of them show more or less complete metamorphosis. Others show characters intermediate between those of nymphs and adults. The bearing of these results on the phenomena of diapause and prothetely is discussed.
Growth Performance, Hemato-biochemical Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Fed a Diet Supplemented with a Natural Blend of Herbs

To assess the efficacy of a herbal blend on growth performance, hemato-biochemical changes and carcass characteristics of broilers, two hundred fifty Vencobb 400Y day old chicks were distributed equally into five groups of 50 chicks each, which were further divided into five replicate of ten chicks each. The chicks were placed on one of five dietary treatments i.e. basal diet without any supplement (NCON) or with antibiotic (PCON) and NARGROPHYT at 1.0% (NGP-1.0), 1.5% (NGP-1.5) and 2.0% (NGP2.0). The effect of these supplements on feed intake, weight gain, gain: feed ratio, hemato-biochemical profile, carcass characteristics and on economic return was assessed in a six week study. The herbal group broilers showed significantly higher weight gain and G: F ratio than NCON group broilers. The weight gain and G: F ratio were highest in NGP-2.0 group and similar to PCON group broilers. H: L ratio was lower in herbal supplemented birds than NCON and serum cholesterol level was also lower in the groups supplemented with NARGROPHYT in comparison to PCON group birds. No significant (P>0.05) effect of NARGROPHYT were observed on carcass characteristics of broilers. The net profit per bird was significantly (P<0.05) higher in NGP-2.0 group than NCON, however highest profit was found in PCON group birds. The outcome of this study indicated that 2% NARGROPHYT powder had no deleterious effect on bird's health and it improves the weight gain, feed efficiency and economic return in broiler production.
Development of high amylose wheat through

Background: Wheat (Triticum spp.) is an important source of food worldwide and the focus of considerable efforts to identify new combinations of genetic diversity for crop improvement. In particular, wheat starch composition is a major target for changes that could benefit human health. Starches with increased levels of amylose are of interest because of the correlation between higher amylose content and elevated levels of resistant starch, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on health for combating obesity and diabetes. TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes) is a means to identify novel genetic variation without the need for direct selection of phenotypes. Results: Using TILLING to identify novel genetic variation in each of the A and B genomes in tetraploid durum wheat and the A, B and D genomes in hexaploid bread wheat, we have identified mutations in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in starch branching enzyme IIa genes (SBEIIa). Combining these new alleles of SBEIIa through breeding resulted in the development of high amylose durum and bread wheat varieties containing 47-55% amylose and having elevated resistant starch levels compared to wild-type wheat. High amylose lines also had reduced expression of SBEIIa RNA, changes in starch granule morphology and altered starch granule protein profiles as evaluated by mass spectrometry.
EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING PROBIOTICS ON RUMINAL PROFILES AND MILK YIELD IN DAIRY ANIMALS

ii The average values of in vitro dry matter digestibility at 48 hr incubation for T0Y0, T1Y1, T2Y1, T3Y1, T4Y1, T1Y2, T2Y2, T3Y2 and T4Y2 treatment groups were observed to be 52.18, 55.05, 61.12, 60.30, 59.68, 54.88, 56.55, 61.28 and 59.60%, respectively. The statistical analysis of data revealed significant (P<0.05) improvement in IVDMD on incorporation of YC-1026 and YC-1077 @ 0.2 and 0.30% in TMRs, respectively. The IVOMD and IVNDFD followed the similar trends. The average values of in vitro total gas production at 24 hr incubation for T0Y0, T1Y1, T2Y1, T3Y1, T4Y1, T1Y2, T2Y2, T3Y2 and T4Y2 treatment groups were observed to be 30.15, 31.88, 36.00, 36.45, 36.44, 31.45, 31.88, 37.59 and 36.70 ml/500 mg TMR, respectively. There was a significant difference in gas production for control and experimental TMRs. However, amongst others, the treatments T2Y1 and T3Y2 were highly significant (P<0.01), indicating optimum level of YC for incorporation in the ration of dairy animals. Based on the in vitro studies, optimum levels for incorporation of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains YC-1026 and YC-1077 in 50:50 concentrates: wheat straw based total mixed rations were found to be @ 0.2 and 0.3%, respectively. Study-2: An on-station trial of 10 days preliminary feeding and 40 days experimental period was conducted on fifteen adult HF x Kankrej animals of similar body weight in the age group of 2.5-3.5 years at the farm of Animal Nutrition Research Department, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat). The animals in group T0 (control group) were fed 50:50 concentrates: wheat straw based total mixed rations (TMRs) without yeast culture, to meet nutrient needs as per NRC (2001) standard, whereas, animals under T1 and T2 groups were fed TMRs containing YC-1026 and YC-1077 @ 0.2 and 0.3% of DM, respectively.
Biofertilizer in the nutritional quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta da alfafa (Medicago sativa L.) na composicao nutricional a aplicacao de biofertilizante. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetacao na Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria/UNESP, Campus de Aracatuba, Sao Paulo, Brasil, de abril a outubro de 2010 com doses crescentes de biofertilizante. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, sendo seis doses de biofertilizante oriundo de esterco bovino (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 e 400 m3 ha-1) e cinco repeticoes. Os cortes foram realizados, em media, a cada 27 dias, quando as plantas estavam com 10% de florescimento a 10 cm de altura do solo. Os teores foliares nitrogenio, potassio, calcio, magnesio, enxofre e ferro da parte aerea tiveram melhora significativa. Os valores de proteina bruta, fibra em detergente acido e fibra em detergente neutro nao diferiram entre as doses de biofertilizante. O biofertilizante e uma alternativa viavel para ser utilizado na nutricao desse vegetal, mostrando resultado positivo na composicao nutricional da alfafa, mas estudos de longo prazo devem ser realizados para avaliar melhor o impacto ambiental.
Biomedicine and Diseases: Review Molecular basis of homocysteine toxicity in humans

Because of its similarity to the protein amino acid methionine, homocysteine (Hcy) can enter the pro- tein biosynthetic apparatus. However, Hcy cannot com- plete the protein biosynthetic pathway and is edited by the conversion to Hcy-thiolactone, a reaction catalyzed by methionyl-transfer RNA synthetase in all organisms in- vestigated, including human. Nitrosylation converts Hcy into a methionine analogue, S-nitroso-Hcy, which can substitute for methionine in protein synthesis in biologi- cal systems, including cultured human endothelial cells. In humans, Hcy-thiolactone modifies proteins posttrans- lationally by forming adducts in which Hcy is linked by amide bonds to e-amino group of protein lysine residues (Hcy-eN-Lys-protein). Levels of Hcy bound by amide or
State of the art and perspectives on neotropical fern and lycophyte systematics

For ferns and lycophytes, the Neotropics is a hotspot of diversity (3000–4500 species), and second only to Southeastern Asia in richness and endemism. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on fern and lycophyte systematics in the Neotropics, and emphasizes sampling sufficiency and current taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge. Plant systematics plays an important role in documenting diversity and geographic distribution patterns that are needed to understand relationships and evolutionary patterns, and a vital role in species conservation. Although in recent decades this field of science has undergone a revolution because of new approaches and techniques, data presented in this work shows that large gaps remain and there is still a long path towards fully understanding fern and lycophyte systematics in Neotropics. Approaches and how to choose areas that should be targeted in order to try to fulfill these knowledge gaps are discussed.
Temperature‐dependent development of the European larch bark beetle, Ips cembrae

The temperature‐dependent development of the European larch bark beetle, Ips cembrae, was studied under long‐day conditions L:D 16:8 at three temperature regimes, 15°C, 20°C and 25°C, using the sandwich plate method. By observing the individual developmental progress, we calculated the developmental times and lower developmental thresholds of one entire generation and various ontogenetic stages. The mean developmental time of one generation was about 120, 64 and 37 days at 15°C, 20°C and 25°C, respectively. The egg stage comprised about 9% of the total development or about 16% of the pre‐imaginal development. The larval stages took about 39% of the entire and about 66% of the pre‐imaginal development. The pupal stage needed about 11% of the total or about 18% of the pre‐imaginal development. The lower developmental threshold for one generation was 11.2°C. The egg stage had the highest lower developmental threshold of 12.0°C, the pupa the lowest of 9.8°C and the total larval stages showed a value of 11.2°C. The thermal requirements for I. cembrae have never been studied in detail before. The results will be a valuable contribution for monitoring and risk assessment models to estimate the beetle's phenology and its potential impacts on forest ecosystems under changing climate conditions.
Etiology and Management of Grape Sour Rot

Sour rot is characterized by increased volatile acidity (VA) in ripe grapes. VA is associated with spoilage organisms and wineries may reject grape crops based on their concentration of acetic acid. Our research associated Hanseniaspora uvarum, Gluconobacter oxydans, and to a lesser extent, Gluconobacter cerinus and Acetobacter malorum with sour rotted grapes in the Niagara Peninsula, designated viticultural area, Ontario, Canada, and the pathogenicity of these organisms was confirmed by laboratory assays. Only G. oxydans was shown to penetrate around the site of pedicel attachment to the grape. The yeasts required further wounding. Candida zemplinina was also associated with the sour rot microbial community. This species showed variable pathogenicity by strain and most strains were not highly pathogenic. C. zemplinina gained dominance in the microbial population of grapes only after sour rot symptoms were observed, indicating a succession which was studied in laboratory assays. There was a correlation between temperature, moisture, and berry ripeness and the development of sour rot when conditions were monitored in a Vitis vinifera cv. Riesling vineyard over four years, and this was confirmed in laboratory assays. Disease management options are limited since sour rot is caused by a complex of yeasts and bacteria, with symptoms developing just as grapes approach maturity. Post-veraison treatments for sour rot were investigated. Wineries routinely add potassium metabisulphite (KMS) to the surface of fruit in bins and to grape juice to kill spoilage organisms. Replicated field trials were conducted in V. vinifera cv. Riesling in 2010 and 2011 to determine the efficacy of KMS at different concentrations and pre-harvest timings as a fruiting-zone spray. Potassium bicarbonate (Milstop) was also evaluated for its efficacy against sour rot. Plots were rated for incidence and severity of sour rot and VA (g acetic acid/L juice). KMS treatments at concentrations above 5 kg/1000L and Milstop sprayed at the label concentration of 5.6 kg/1000L were able to reduce the severity of sour rot compared to untreated control plots which had a severity above 50% (2011). KMS was able to reduce VA to below the winery rejection threshold of 0.24 g acetic acid/L when sour rot severity reached 12% in untreated plots (2010). When tested in the laboratory in disk diffusion assays conducted on yeast peptone dextrose agar, KMS at a concentration of 10 g/L had the greatest efficacy against G. oxydans and H. uvarum. Grape incubation assays showed the potential of KMS acidified with tartaric acid to reduce sour rot symptoms. Acidification did not show as much potential in field trials, calling for further research.
Genetic Analysis of Glycoprotein Gene of Indonesian Rabies Virus

The amino acid sequences of the Glycoprotein gene (G gene) of field rabies virus SN01-23 from Indonesia was determined. This isolate showed homology of 93% in the ectodomain of the Glycoprotein gene to that of the RC-HL strain, which is used for production of animal vaccine in Japan. The high identity in the ectodomain between this field isolate and strain RC-HL suggest that the rabies animal vaccine used in Japan will be effective for rabies street viruses in Indonesia. Result of phylogenetic analysis using the nucleotide sequences of the G genes of rabies street viruses showed that SN01-23 from Indonesia is more closely related to a rabies virus from China than to viruses from Thailand and Malaysia. This genetic data and historical background suggest that rabies viruses in China had been transferred to Indonesia through dogs brought by humans migrating from China to Indonesia. Keywords : Rabies virus, Glycoprotein gene, Ectodomain, Phylogenetic analysis
Combining ability analysis for yield, its components and quality traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Combining ability analysis was carried out in a 8 x 8 diallel of bread wheat for grain yield and its component traits excluding reciprocals at Main Wheat Research Station, Vijapur, S. D. Agricultural University Sardarkrushinagar during rabi 2008-09. Both additive and non-additive type of gene action played an important role for the inheritance of characters. The ratio of gca to sca genetic variance for all characters indicated that non-additive type of gene action was predominant in the expression of all traits i. e. plant height, number of effective tillers, length of main spike, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield per plant, protein content, hectoliter weight, harvest index and sedimentation value. The parental lines GW 496, GW 397 and VA 06-15 were good general combiners for grain yield and other yield components. GW 404 was good general combiner for grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, grain protein content and sedimentation value. The crosses GW 273 x GW 496, GW 392 x GW 273 and VA 06-15 x GW 322 recorded the highest sca effects and they involved average x good, poor x average and good x poor gca parents. The cross VA-06-15 x GW 404 for grain protein content and cross GW 392 x GW 397 for sedimentation value expressed highest sca effects.
Role of Biological Factors in the Development of Obesity

Obesity is a condition in which there is an excess of body fat. Being too fat, especially to the point of obesity, is positively harmful to the health. of late, obesity is emerging as one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders. The voluminous researches have been carried out which revealed that wide spread derangements in various metabolic and endocrine functions are associated with obese state.
Dark respiration of winter wheat crops in relation to temperature and simulated photosynthesis

The dark respiration of shoots (measured between March and anthesis in mid-June) and of ears (measured between anthesis and maturity at end of July) of winter wheat crops, grown in 1982 and 1985 under different nitrogen application and irrigation conditions, was determined in the field. The respiration rate of 126 averages of four samples was measured hourly for a 12-14-h dark period including the night.
Smoke affects the Germination of Native Grasses of New South Wales

The germination responses to plant-derived smoke of seeds of 20 native grass species from New South Wales, Australia, were tested under laboratory conditions. The species belonged to 14 genera including Bothriochloa, Chloris, Cymbopogon, Danthonia, Dichanthium, Digitaria, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Microlaena, Panicum, Paspalidium, Poa, Stipa and Themeda. The interaction between smoke and husk-imposed dormancy was examined by removing the floral structures surrounding the seeds, when sufficient seeds were available. Smoke was shown to be an important environmental stimulus for breaking the dormancy of native grasses; however, the response differed considerably between different genera and between species of the same genus. For almost half of the species, smoke significantly increased the germination percentage. Panicum decompositum showed the greatest response, with germination increasing from 7.7 to 63.1% when smoke was applied. Panicum effusum had no germination in the absence of smoke, but 16.7% germination when smoke was applied. Stipa scabra subsp. scabra had germination significantly reduced by smoke from 30.2 to 19.9%. Five species had their germination rate, but not the final germination percentage, affected by smoke, and a third of the species were unaffected by smoke. For five of the species, Chloris ventricosa, Dichanthium sericeum, Panicum decompositum, Poa labillardieri and Stipa scabra subsp. falcata, this is the first report of a smoke-stimulated germination response. For those species with germination promoted by smoke, retention of the covering structures did not prevent smoke stimulation of germination. Sowing smoke-treated husked seeds is likely to be preferable as it would still promote greater germination, whereas dehusking seeds can result in the seeds being more susceptible to desiccation and fungal attack in the field. It is suggested that other grassland communities that respond to pyric conditions may also contain species that respond to smoke.