Seed priming: An efficient method for enhancing growth and yield of Sesamum indicum L. under drought stress

Seed priming is a pre-germination physiological treatment of seeds with natural or synthetic compounds which provides faster and synchronized germination. In the present research work, the seed priming effects of NaCl and KNO3 in Sesamum indicum L.var. Thilothama under drought stress were studied. Sesame is a well known oil yielding plant and the seeds of these plants are used for oil extraction. Morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis were conducted in the seedlings raised from primed and non-primed seeds under field conditions. The results of analyses showed significant reduction in the growth of seedlings under drought stress conditions. But both the seed priming treatments resulted in an increase in the germination percentage, growth and yield. The germination percentage and growth attributes were found to be high in KNO3 primed plants, but as far as the yield parameters were concerned, the fruit weight and seed weight were found to be maximum in NaCl primed plants. Thus from the present research work, it was concluded that both the seed priming methods improved the drought stress tolerance potential of sesame and among the two seed priming treatments, we recommend seed priming with 15 mM NaCl as the most effective method for enhancing yield under drought stress in sesame

Transmission of foot-and-mouth disease SAT2 viruses at the wildlife-livestock interface of two major transfrontier conservation areas in Southern Africa

Over a decade ago, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) re-emerged in Southern Africa specifically in beef exporting countries that had successfully maintained disease-free areas in the past. FMD virus (FMDV) serotype SAT2 has been responsible for a majority of these outbreaks. Epidemiological studies have revealed the importance of the African buffalo as the major wildlife FMD reservoir in the region. We used phylogeographic analysis to study dynamics of FMD transmission between buffalo and domestic cattle at the interface of the major wildlife protected areas in the region currently encompassing two largest Transfrontier conservation areas: Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) and Great Limpopo (GL). Results of this study showed restricted local occurrence of each FMDV SAT2 topotypes I, II, and III, with occasional virus migration from KAZA to GL. Origins of outbreaks in livestock are frequently attributed to wild buffalo, but our results suggest that transmission from cattle to buffalo also occurs. We used coalescent Bayesian skyline analysis to study the genetic variation of the virus in cattle and buffalo, and discussed the association of these genetic changes in the virus and relevant epidemiological events that occurred in this area. Our results show that the genetic diversity of FMDV SAT2 has decreased in buffalo and cattle population during the last decade. This study contributes to understand the major dynamics of transmission and genetic variation of FMDV SAT2 in Southern Africa, which will could ultimately help in designing efficient strategies for the control of FMD at a local and regional levelThis project was funded in part by grants from the USDA/ARS and CORUS (French Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The FMD virus database was compiled with funds from the SADC FMD Project.http://www.frontiersin.orgam2016Zoology and Entomolog

Transmission of foot-and-mouth disease SAT2 viruses at the wildlife-livestock interface of two major transfrontier conservation areas in Southern Africa

Over a decade ago, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) re-emerged in Southern Africa specifically in beef exporting countries that had successfully maintained disease-free areas in the past. FMD virus (FMDV) serotype SAT2 has been responsible for a majority of these outbreaks. Epidemiological studies have revealed the importance of the African buffalo as the major wildlife FMD reservoir in the region. We used phylogeographic analysis to study dynamics of FMD transmission between buffalo and domestic cattle at the interface of the major wildlife protected areas in the region currently encompassing two largest Transfrontier conservation areas: Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) and Great Limpopo (GL). Results of this study showed restricted local occurrence of each FMDV SAT2 topotypes I, II, and III, with occasional virus migration from KAZA to GL. Origins of outbreaks in livestock are frequently attributed to wild buffalo, but our results suggest that transmission from cattle to buffalo also occurs. We used coalescent Bayesian skyline analysis to study the genetic variation of the virus in cattle and buffalo, and discussed the association of these genetic changes in the virus and relevant epidemiological events that occurred in this area. Our results show that the genetic diversity of FMDV SAT2 has decreased in buffalo and cattle population during the last decade. This study contributes to understand the major dynamics of transmission and genetic variation of FMDV SAT2 in Southern Africa, which will could ultimately help in designing efficient strategies for the control of FMD at a local and regional levelThis project was funded in part by grants from the USDA/ARS and CORUS (French Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The FMD virus database was compiled with funds from the SADC FMD Project.http://www.frontiersin.orgam2016Zoology and Entomolog

Role of the Placental Vitamin D Receptor in Modulating Feto-Placental Growth in Fetal Growth Restriction and Preeclampsia-Affected Pregnancies

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common pregnancy complication that affects up to 5% of pregnancies worldwide. Recent studies demonstrate that Vitamin D deficiency is implicated in reduced fetal growth, which may be rescued by supplementation of Vitamin D. Despite this, the pathway(s) by which Vitamin D modulate fetal growth remains to be investigated. Our own studies demonstrate that the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is significantly decreased in placentae from human pregnancies complicated by FGR and contributes to abnormal placental trophoblast apoptosis and differentiation and regulation of cell-cycle genes in vitro. Thus, Vitamin D signaling is important for normal placental function and fetal growth. This review discusses the association of Vitamin D with fetal growth, the function of Vitamin D and its receptor in pregnancy, as well as the functional significance of a placental source of Vitamin D in FGR. Additionally, we propose that for Vitamin D to be clinically effective to prevent and manage FGR, the molecular mechanisms of Vitamin D and its receptor in modulating fetal growth requires further investigation

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Sorption of Metal Ions on a Mixed Oxide [0.5 M SiO:0.5 M Fe(OH)]

The sorption of Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions on to a mixed oxide of iron and silicon was found to increase with increasing temperature, concentration and pH of the system. The selectivity of this mixed oxide was Cd 2+ ≥ Zn 2 + ≥ Ni 2+ > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ , indicating that the mixed oxide was more selective as an exchanger towards Cd 2+ ions relative to its components, SiO 2 and Fe(OH) 3 . The sorption data fitted the linear forms of the Kurbatov and Langmuir adsorption equations. The sorption of metal cations was accompanied by the release of H + ions to the bulk phase. On average 1 mol H + was released for every cation sorbed. The values of the binding constants were used to estimate the apparent thermodynamic parameters, ΔH and ΔS. The phenomenon of enthalpy/entropy compensation showed that the adsorption of metal ions by the mixed oxide occurred typically through a cation-exchange mechanism

Identification and selection of elite oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) genotypes for utilisation in a breeding program

Oil palm is a vegetable oil yielding, cross-pollinated crop belonging Arecaceae family, having a high potential for increasing oil yield to fulfil the requirement of edible oil in the country. Evaluation of oil palm germplasm was carried out at ICAR-IIOPR, Pedavegi, in 73 genotypes. A correlation study reported that the height of the palm was positively correlated with height increment, rachis length, number of a leaflet, bunch number, and FFB yield. In contrast, the girth of the palm was negatively correlated with the bunch index. Two Dura genotypes viz., IC0610049-40 and IC0610051-71 with high FFB yield (276.2 and 234.6 kg palm-1 year-1, respectively) with more number of bunches palm-1 year-1 (15.3 and 16.7, respectively) and high oil to bunch ratio (20.9% for both) and one Tenera genotype IC0610049-39 with 202.5 kg FFB with 11.7 bunches palm-1 year-1 and 23.0 per cent oil to bunch ratio were selected. One low height increment Dura palm IC0610045-3 with 19.56 cm year-1 and these genotypes can be used in the future breeding program for developing mother palms for production of Tenera hybrid

Myocardial adaptation after surgical therapy differs for aortic valve stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

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