Effect of gamma radiation on morphological and molecular character of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hoechst. ex. A. Rich.) Harms.

Genetic variation in two varieties of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst.ex A.Rich.) Harms was created using different doses of gamma-rays with the aim of increasing variability among the landraces for better morpho-agronomic characteristics. The two varieties responded differently to the doses of the treatment. The mutagen stimulated the germination percentage in both varieties. The highest germination percentage was observed at 200Gy for Tss86 while for Tss10 it was observed at 25Gy. It showed variation on the germination and growth parameters evaluated. The highest plant height (74.17±4.42) for Tss10 was observed at 25Gy while for Tss86, 100Gy gave the highest mean of 79.6±8.02. Molecular evaluation revealed variation in the patterns of RAPD profile between irradiated plants and control. The RAPD primers showed 82.9% polymorphism. Also, as observed from the similarity coefficient values, the trend of the genetic variability was not proportional to the doses of the gamma ray. The similarity indices ranged from 0.09 to 0.60 with 3 distinct cluster groups identified at 0.64. The variant of Tss86 at 250Gy was found to be the most diverse. Thus, this integrated approach can be used for carrying out the mutation-assisted breeding and subsequent selection of desired mutants using molecular markers in AYB

The effect of spent engine oil on some vegetative parameters of Eichhornia crassipes

The effect of spent engine oil pollution on some vegetative parameters of Eichhornia crassipes was studied in a greenhouse for eight (8) weeks to evaluate the level of tolerance of E. crassipes to spent engine oil pollution, and to make recommendations on the use of E. crassipes for phytoremediation of spilled engine oil. Three levels of spent engine oil: 5 ml, 15 ml and 45 ml were applied to pollute the water culture container. A plant grown in an unpolluted medium served as the control. Results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) reductions in plant height, width of lamina, leaf area and petiole length of all the plants in polluted media compared with the control. Among the treatments, 15 ml treatment had minimal pollution effect on plant growth and produced the highest percentage flowering whereas 45 ml treatment gave the highest pollution effect on the plant, resulting in low percentage flowering. The growth of the vegetative parameters of plants cultured in both polluted and unpolluted water was enhanced by the application of fertilizer. It is recommended that E. crassipes be employed in phytoremediation trial experiments since the vegetative parameters studied were not adversely affected by spent engine oil when supplied with nutrients like NPK fertilizer

A Dominant Negative ERβ Splice Variant Determines the Effectiveness of Early or Late Estrogen Therapy after Ovariectomy in Rats

The molecular mechanisms for the discrepancy in outcome of initiating estrogen therapy (ET) around peri-menopause or several years after menopause in women are unknown. We hypothesize that the level of expression of a dominant negative estrogen receptor (ER) β variant, ERβ2, may be a key factor determining the effectiveness of ET in post-menopausal women. We tested this hypothesis in ovariectomized nine month-old (an age when irregular estrous cycles occur) female Sprague Dawley rats. Estradiol treatment was initiated either 6 days (Early ET, analogous to 4 months post-menopause in humans), or 180 days (Late ET, analogous to 11 years post-menopause in humans) after ovariectomy. Although ERβ2 expression increased in all OVX rats, neurogenic and neuroprotective responses to estradiol differed in Early and Late ET. Early ET reduced ERβ2 expression in both hippocampus and white blood cells, increased the hippocampal cell proliferation as assessed by Ki-67 expression, and improved mobility in the forced swim test. Late ET resulted in either no or modest effects on these parameters. There was a close correlation between the degree of ERβ2 expression and the preservation of neural effects by ET after OVX in rats, supporting the hypothesis that persistent elevated levels of ERβ2 are a molecular basis for the diminished effectiveness of ET in late post-menopausal women. The correlation between the expression of ERβ2 in circulating white blood cells and brain cells suggests that ERβ2 expression in peripheral blood cells may be an easily accessible marker to predict the effective window for ET in the brain

SPARC 2021 - Against all odds : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2021 SPARC conference. Our conference is called “Against All Odds” as we celebrate the achievements of our PGRs and their supervisors, who have continued to excel despite the most challenging circumstances. For this reason, we showcase the work of our PGRs alongside the outstanding supervision that they receive, with our Doctoral School Best Supervisor awards. We also focus on developing resilience and maintaining good mental health in the research environment, supported by exceptional keynote speakers, including our very own Dr Michelle Howarth and Ruby Wax OBE, which makes this year’s conference extra special

Essential oil from the stem bark of Casuarina equisetifolia exhibits mosquitocidal potential

Mosquitoes are insects of medical importance. They are vectors of malarial parasites, arboviruses, filarial worms amongst others. Essential oils from some botanicals have been recognized with mosquitocidal potential. Various parts of the Casuarina equisetifolia plants have been reported to possess antihistaminic, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties but no study on the composition of the essential oil of its stem bark and its mosquitocidal  potential. The chemical composition of the essential oil from the stem bark of Casuarina equisetifolia was obtained by hydrodistillation and determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mosquitocidal potential of the essential oil against Anopheles gambiae  complex ( vectors of malarial parasites) and Aedes aegypti (vectors of arboviruses) mosquitoes was determined  by bioassay using filter papers impregnated with the crude essential oil in World Health Organization exposure tubes. The KDT50 and KDT95 were calculated by means of log time-probit analysis.  Nineteen compounds were identified with the major compounds being  n-hexadecanoic acid (18.67%), cis-13-octadecanoic acid (17.83%), tridecane (11.84%), Undecane (10.45%), Hentriacontane (8.91%), Nonanal (8.62%) and Oxirane (2.43%). Fatty acids were observed to have the highest relative percentage (45.43%) followed by Aliphatic hydrocarbons (37.71%). The KdT50 of the essential oil against Anopheles gambiae complex  and Aedes aegypti was 40 minutes and 61 minutes while the KdT95  was  129 minutes and 212minutes against Anopheles gambiae complex  and Aedes aegypti  respectively. This essential oil with high percentage of fatty acids has significant mosquitocidal potential. This suggests the use of this botanical to control malaria and the arboviruses. The mosquitocidal potential of each constituent of the essential oil should be further explored

AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA Soil moisture stress mitigation for sustainable upland rice production in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

ABSTRACT Northern Guinea Savanna (NGS) of Nigeria cultivable lands have sandy loam to loamy sand surface textures, low organic matter and are susceptible to erosion (wind and water). To mitigate crop moisture stress, on-farm trials involving contour-ridge-tying and contour ridging were carried out in Albasur and Dansoda villages in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State (NGS) to conserve soil against erosion and moisture for crop use in 2008 and 2009. The area (NGS) witness poor rainfall distribution, dry spells lasting beyond twenty one days occurring between June and July and low rainfall amounts (<900 to 1300mm per annum). These result in upland crops like rice (NERICA 2 var.) witnessing deficit soil moisture to undergo proper growth and production, low yields or complete crop failure. Also, soil erosion and runoff deplete water that could be available for crops and degrade farmlands for continued cultivation on the land. In this trial farmers ranked their rice grain yields while physical and agronomic data collected were statistically analysed using ANOVA and Duncan multiple range tests to separate means. Results show that cross-banded ridge resulted in significantly higher rice grain yields than the other treatments and was followed by contoured ridge. Socio-economic data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. Costs and returns analysis results show that labour and fertilizer inputs accounted for greater proportion of total variable costs incurred in contour (15.72%), contour plus tie ridging (15.72%), planting on flat land and farmers ridging practice (16.43 and 16.55 % respectively). Costs and returns analysis result shows that rice cultivation using contour and contour plus tie ridging is more profitable, implying feasible sustainable rice production through contour farming

AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA Socio-economic factors influencing rice production among male and female farmers in Northern Guinea Savanna Nigeria: lessons for promoting gender equity in action research

ABSTRACT This paper examined the performance of male and female farmers in rice farming in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria, with a view to determining the parameters for promoting gender equity in farmers' access to opportunities for improved livelihoods from rice production. Data were obtained from 624 farmers selected by stratified random technique from twelve villages in Katsina and Kaduna States of Nigeria; using structured interview and focus group discussion. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression model of double log form. Results indicated that land, variable inputs, and experience were significant at 1 percent and 5 percent levels; implying that these variables would greatly influence productivity of rice for both male and female farmers in the area; while age would influence rice production negatively, implying that the older the rice farmers the less the vigour for farming. Also, the coefficient for marital status of women was negative; implying that married women within reproductive age were more likely to be constrained in their production by their multiple roles and cultural practices that prevented women from direct field production activities. It was concluded that policies that would enhance farmers access to land, fertilizers, improved seeds, herbicides and labour; coupled with strategies for substituting women's time on production activities for non-entrepreneurial activities would likely enhance rice production and gender equity among rice farmers in the Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria