Modeling Sunflower Productivity and Profitability in Relation to Adequate and Limited Sulphur Availability under Semiarid Irrigated Conditions

Inadequate and/or imbalanced fertilization has been identified as one of the critical bottlenecks holding oilseeds production and productivity. Sustainable production requires efficient use of inputs maintaining optimum yield and high quality product. The present study aims at defining the quantitative relationship between the fertilizer S applied and the sunflower yield obtained using a polynomial function. The analysis was done to allocate the S fertilizer for maximization of net profit over fertilizer cost depending on the availability of the fertilizer. The results indicated that the cost effective economically optimum dose of sulphur for sunflower cultivation was found to be 36.70 kg S/ha under its full availability. The expected sunflower yield at this dose was worked out to be 2.619 t/ha. However, it is advisable to uniformly distribute the fertilizer to all over the cultivable area under its limited availability for exploiting the desired yield potential and maximum net monetary returns

Effect of pinching and spacing on growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under semi-arid conditions of Haryana

The present study was conducted at experimental orchard of Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India with a view to optimize pinching time and spacing in African marigold for achieving better growth, flowering and yield. Design of the experiment was factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. Experiment comprises of two levels of pinching (no pinching & pinching at 28 DAT i.e. Days After Transplanting) and three levels of spacing (40 x 40 cm, 40 x 30 cm & 30 x 30 cm) in all possible combinations. Maximum number of branches/plant (12.11), plant spread (63.59 cm), fresh weight of plant (358.79 g), number of buds/plant, duration of flowering (53.95 days), number of flowers/plant (54.54), stalk length and flower yield/plant (403.68 g) and flower yield/hectare (33.33 t) were significantly recorded in plants pinched at 28 DAT at 5% level of significance, whereas, maximum plant height (73.52 cm), flower diameter (6.38 cm), fresh weight of flower (8.93 g) was obtained in un-pinched plants. In case of spacing, maximum plant spread (64.01 cm), primary branches/plant (11.42), fresh weight of plant (370.20 g), number of buds/plant, number of flowers/plant (51.43), duration of flowering (53.98 days), flower diameter (6.42 cm), fresh weight of flower (9.03 g), flower yield/plant (460.42 g) was recorded at 40 x 40 cm, whereas, maximum plant height (71.76 cm), stalk length, flower yield/hectare (36.34 t) was observed with 30 x 30 cm. Results revealed that plants pinched at 28 DAT with widest spacing (40 x 40 cm) were found best for better growth, flowering and yield of African marigold

Prospects for durable resistance against an old soybean enemy: a four-decade journey from Rpp1 (Resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi) to Rpp7

Open Access Journal; Published online: 1 July 2019Soybean rust (SBR), caused by Phakopsora spp., is a major global concern for soybean producers. SBR causing fungi are polycyclic and obligate biotrophs, rendering the study of their biology particularly tedious. Over the past four decades, substantial progress has been made towards understanding the epidemiology of the disease, the identification of sources of resistance, and the mapping of soybean loci conferring resistance to P. pachyrhizi (Rpp genes), since this species is particularly well established and widespread in many soybean growing areas. Although host-plant resistance is generally considered as the most desirable solution from an environmental, economic, and social perspective, other disease control approaches such as agronomic practices and chemical application are also important, and influence rust epidemiology as well as the durability of host plant resistance. This review focusses primarily on genetic aspects of SBR management and summarizes the research in the following areas: SBR symptoms, aetiology, pathogenic variation and population structure of Phakopsora populations, expression of soybean resistance to Phakopsora infection, genetics and molecular diagnostics of host resistance to pathogen, and resistance gene deployment approaches. Finally, the role of multidisciplinary strategies is discussed for achieving higher durability of SBR resistance in soybean

Growth analysis of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under various levels of farmyard manure and phosphorus

Field investigations were carried out during winter (rabi) season of 1996-97 and 1997-98 to study the effect of different levels of farmyard manure and phosphorus on growth of two fenugreek genotypes in sandy loam soils. The results indicated that genotype NLM was significantly superior to HM-65 in terms of plant height, LAI, LAD CGR and dry matter accumulation at all stages of crop growth, except at 30 DAS. These growth parameters in the genotype NLM resulted in higher seed yield. Plant height, LAI, LAD, CGR and dry matter accumulation were significantly higher with increase of FYM upto 15 t ha-1 at all stages of crop growth, except at 30 DAS. Seed yield was also enhanced significantly with the FYM up to 15 t ha-1. Increasing levels of phosphorus upto 40 kg ha-1 significantly increased the growth parameters and yield of fenugreek. &nbsp

Growth analysis of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under various levels of farmyard manure and phosphorus

Field investigations were carried out during winter (rabi) season of 1996-97 and 1997-98 to study the effect of different levels of farmyard manure and phosphorus on growth of two fenugreek genotypes in sandy loam soils. The results indicated that genotype NLM was significantly superior to HM-65 in terms of plant height, LAI, LAD CGR and dry matter accumulation at all stages of crop growth, except at 30 DAS. These growth parameters in the genotype NLM resulted in higher seed yield. Plant height, LAI, LAD, CGR and dry matter accumulation were significantly higher with increase of FYM upto 15 t ha-1 at all stages of crop growth, except at 30 DAS. Seed yield was also enhanced significantly with the FYM up to 15 t ha-1. Increasing levels of phosphorus upto 40 kg ha-1 significantly increased the growth parameters and yield of fenugreek. &nbsp

A probable pathway of ureide assimilation in pigeon pea pods

Ureides (allantoin and allantoic acid) and the activities of glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, uricase. allantoinase and urease, the enzymes presumbly involved in the assimilation of ureides, were determined both in the vegetative organs and reproductive structures at 15-day interval starting from day 75 after sowing to complete maturity of the crop (day 120 after sowing). Based on the concentration of ureides and the distribution of the above enzymes in various plant parts, a probable pathway of ureide assimilation in pigeonpea pods has been proposed

Influence of sowing time and phosphorus on, phenology, thermal requirement and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) genotypes

Experiments were conducted at Hisar (Haryana, India) to study the effect of sowing time and phosphorus on phenology, thermal requirement and yield of two genotypes of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Genotype HM-65 performed better than T-8 with respect to yield and was more efficient in utilizing heat units. Delayed sowing resulted in significant reduction in time taken for initiation of flowering and maturity in both the genotypes. Thermal requirement decreased with delay in sowing in both the genotypes. Increasing levels of phosphorus up to 60 kg/ha significantly enhanced the yield but heat unit consumption slightly declined in both file genotypes. &nbsp

Adenovirus vector expressing Stx1/Stx2-neutralizing agent protects piglets infected with Escherichia coli O157: H7 against fatal systemic intoxication

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), caused by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), remains untreatable. Production of human monoclonal antibodies against Stx, which are highly effective in preventing Stx sequelae in animal models, is languishing due to cost and logistics. We reported previously that the production and evaluation of a camelid heavy-chain-only V(H) domain (VHH)-based neutralizing agent (VNA) targeting Stx1 and Stx2 (VNA-Stx) protected mice from Stx1 and Stx2 intoxication. Here we report that a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of a nonreplicating adenovirus (Ad) vector carrying a secretory transgene of VNA-Stx (Ad/VNA-Stx) protected mice challenged with Stx2 and protected gnotobiotic piglets infected with STEC from fatal systemic intoxication. One i.m. dose of Ad/VNA-Stx prevented fatal central nervous system (CNS) symptoms in 9 of 10 animals when it was given to piglets 24 h after bacterial challenge and in 5 of 9 animals when it was given 48 h after bacterial challenge, just prior to the onset of CNS symptoms. All 6 placebo animals died or were euthanized with severe CNS symptoms. Ad/VNA-Stx treatment had no impact on diarrhea. In conclusion, Ad/VNA-Stx treatment is effective in protecting piglets from fatal Stx2-mediated CNS complications following STEC challenge. With a low production cost and further development, this could presumably be an effective treatment for patients with HUS and/or individuals at high risk of developing HUS due to exposure to STEC

Assessing long term impact of nutrient management and rainfall variability on the agroecological resilience of maize (Zea mays)- wheat (Triticum aestivum) system in NW India

A long-term (2000-2010) field experiment was carried out in the lower Shiwalik foothills of Punjab to study the carry over effect of organic manures and fertilizers on the productivity of maize (Zea mays L.)- wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system for efficient N management and resource use under rainfed conditions and to develop predictive models describing relationship between yields and seasonal rainfall. N management strategies involving combined application of 15 kg N/ha either through compost or leucaena loppings along with 20 kg N/ha through inorganic fertilizer for maize-wheat cropping sequence utilized growth resources most efficiently and maintained stable yield performance culminating in significantly higher system productivity, better resource use efficiencies and sustainable yield index, suggesting partial N substitution through compost or locally available plant material. The regression models developed to predict the effects of N sources on crop yields using monthly rainfall would be of interest to estimate the yield at a given level of rainfall with the likely fluctuation (as error) particularly under rainfed conditions

IgA in the horse: cloning of equine polymeric Ig receptor and J chain and characterization of recombinant forms of equine IgA

As in other mammals, immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the horse has a key role in immune defense. To better dissect equine IgA function, we isolated complementary DNA (cDNA) clones for equine J chain and polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR). When coexpressed with equine IgA, equine J chain promoted efficient IgA polymerization. A truncated version of equine pIgR, equivalent to secretory component, bound with nanomolar affinity to recombinant equine and human dimeric IgA but not with monomeric IgA from either species. Searches of the equine genome localized equine J chain and pIgR to chromosomes 3 and 5, respectively, with J chain and pIgR coding sequence distributed across 4 and 11 exons, respectively. Comparisons of transcriptional regulatory sequences suggest that horse and human pIgR expression is controlled through common regulatory mechanisms that are less conserved in rodents. These studies pave the way for full dissection of equine IgA function and open up possibilities for immune-based treatment of equine diseases