Genetic divergence in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

A study of genetic divergence in 40 brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes for various characters to study the diversity based on qualitative and quantitative characters. Significant variations were observed among the brinjal lines for all the parameters under study. Based on D2 values, the accessions were grouped into seven clusters. Average intra- and inter-cluster D2 values among 40 genotypes revealed that cluster II showed a minimum intra-cluster value of 3.793, indicating that the genotypes within this cluster were similar, while the cluster I showed maximum intra-cluster D2 value (4.681) revealing the existence of diverse genotypes in these clusters. The inter-cluster D2 values ranged from 4.657 to 7.174. The minimum inter-cluster D2 value was observed between cluster III and IV (4.657), indicating the close relationship among the genotypes included in these clusters. The maximum inter-cluster value was observed between cluster V and II (7.174), indicating that the genotypes included in these clusters had maximum divergence. Hence, hybridization between the genotypes included in these different clusters may give high heterotic responses and thus better segrigants are greatly suggested for selection and improvement of brinjal crop with good consumer preference and high fruit yield

Effect of spacing, fertilizers and varieties on growth and yield parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculantus (L.) Moench)

The experiment was conducted during spring summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 conducted at Research Farm of Vegetable Science, CCS HAU, in summer season. There were three spacing, three fertilizer levels and two varieties in split-split plot design with three replications. Growth parameters of okra crop were significantly affectedby spacing, fertilizer and varieties. Highest plants were observed in wider spacing with fertilizer application of 187.5 kg N + 75kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O per hectare in variety HBT-49-1. However, numbers of branches were highest in variety Hisar Unnat. Yield attributes like first fruiting node, intermodal length, fruit length and diameter etc. were highest in variety HBT-49-1 resulting in highest fruit yield (q/ha) in spacing 30 cm x 10 cm with the application of 187.5 kg N+75 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O per hectare. The seed yield attributes and yield was significantly affected by spacing, fertilizer and varieties. Finally, spacing 30 cm × 10 cm resulted in higher growth parameters, yield attributes and yield with the application of 187.5 kg N +75 kg P2O5 + 60 K2O in variety HBT-49-1 of okra

Not Available

Not AvailableThe captive breeding of butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus, Bloch 1794), a threatened silurid of Indian sub-continent was successfully carried out at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow. Ten induced breeding trials conducted on the fish revealed that the fish can be naturally spawned in controlled conditions using sGnRH analogue and dopamine antagonist. The most suitable and economical dose estimated was 0.7 ml kg−1 body weight for female and 0.5 ml kg−1 for male. The latency period for spawning was 7–8 h at temperature 27 ± 0.5 °C and fertilization and hatching rates were found in the range of 75–90 % and 80–90 % respectively in flow-through system. The egg hatched out in 21 ± 1 h post fertilization (hpf) at temperature 27 ± 0.5 °C and yolk-sac was completely absorbed in 48 hpf. The larval survival reduced considerably after 5 days and was recorded 10.4 % after 10 days rearing, reason being, poor food acceptability and cannibalism. The fish responded well when injected with hormonal doses within 36 h of procurement from the pond but thereafter did not respond probably due to stress factor. These trials may be useful in standardizing the ex-situ breeding protocols for O. bimaculatus.DBT, Govt

Not Available

Not AvailableThe captive breeding of butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus, Bloch 1794), a threatened silurid of Indian sub-continent was successfully carried out at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow. Ten induced breeding trials conducted on the fish revealed that the fish can be naturally spawned in controlled conditions using sGnRH analogue and dopamine antagonist. The most suitable and economical dose estimated was 0.7 ml kg−1 body weight for female and 0.5 ml kg−1 for male. The latency period for spawning was 7–8 h at temperature 27 ± 0.5 °C and fertilization and hatching rates were found in the range of 75–90 % and 80–90 % respectively in flow-through system. The egg hatched out in 21 ± 1 h post fertilization (hpf) at temperature 27 ± 0.5 °C and yolk-sac was completely absorbed in 48 hpf. The larval survival reduced considerably after 5 days and was recorded 10.4 % after 10 days rearing, reason being, poor food acceptability and cannibalism. The fish responded well when injected with hormonal doses within 36 h of procurement from the pond but thereafter did not respond probably due to stress factor. These trials may be useful in standardizing the ex-situ breeding protocols for O. bimaculatus.DBT, Govt

Immunomodulation in Human Dendritic Cells Leads to Induction of Interferon-Gamma Production by Leishmania donovani Derived KMP-11 Antigen via Activation of NF-κB in Indian Kala-Azar Patients

Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MΦs) are well-known antigen presenting cells with an ability to produce IL-12 which indicates that they have potential of directing acquired immunity toward a Th1-biased response. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Leishmania specific KMP-11 antigen through comparison of immune responses after presentation by DCs and MΦs to T cells in Indian patients with VL. Patients with DCS and MΦs were directed against a purified Leishmania donovani antigen (KMP-11) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The cytokines (IL-12, IL-10, and TGF-β) producing abilities of the DCs and MΦs against these antigens were determined by flow cytometry. The transcription factor (NF-κB) and T-cell cytokine support (IFN-γ, IL-10), which could be significant in effector immune function, were also determined. Severe hindrance in the immune protection due to Leishmania parasites, as revealed by decreased expression of IL-12 and upregulation of IL-10 and TGF-β expression in the MΦs compared to DCs, occurred in VL patients. The production of IL-12 in response to L. donovani KMP-11 antigen was increased in DCs which was reduced in MΦs of VL patients. In contrast, the presentation of KMP-11 antigen by DCs to T-lymphocytes in VL patients significantly increased the IFN-γ produced by these immune cells, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly elevated after presentation of KMP-11antigen by MΦs. The VL patients were observed with severely dysfunctional MΦs in terms of NF-κB activity that could be recovered only after stimulation of DCs with L. donovani KMP-11 antigen. Immunologically the better competitiveness of KMP-11 antigen through a dendritic cell delivery system may be used to revert T-cell anergy, and control strategy can be designed accordingly against kala-azar

Coupling to short linear motifs creates versatile PME-1 activities in PP2A holoenzyme demethylation and inhibition

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzymes target broad substrates by recognizing short motifs via regulatory subunits. PP2A methylesterase 1 (PME-1) is a cancer-promoting enzyme and undergoes methylesterase activation upon binding to the PP2A core enzyme. Here, we showed that PME-1 readily demethylates different families of PP2A holoenzymes and blocks substrate recognition in vitro. The high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy structure of a PP2A-B56 holoenzyme-PME-1 complex reveals that PME-1 disordered regions, including a substrate-mimicking motif, tether to the B56 regulatory subunit at remote sites. They occupy the holoenzyme substratebinding groove and allow large structural shifts in both holoenzyme and PME-1 to enable multipartite contacts at structured cores to activate the methylesterase. B56 interface mutations selectively block PME-1 activity toward PP2A-B56 holoenzymes and affect the methylation of a fraction of total cellular PP2A. The B56 interface mutations allow us to uncover B56-specific PME-1 functions in p53 signaling. Our studies reveal multiple mechanisms of PME-1 in suppressing holoenzyme functions and versatile PME-1 activities derived from coupling substrate-mimicking motifs to dynamic structured cores

Dependence of temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition on nutrient management options under conservation agriculture in a subtropical Inceptisol

Assessment of temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization from soils of long-term precision conservation agriculture (CA) plots is essential to forecast soil C dynamics. Under CA, varying quantity of inorganic nutrient application had differential impact on SOC. At the same time study of SOC mineralization at different simulated temperatures is important as global climate change affects C-cycle of an agro-ecosystem. To assess the impact of tillage and nutrient management on SOC build-up, a long-term study (five year old) with 3- tillage practices [ZT-zero tillage; PB-permanent beds, & CT-conventional tillage] in main plot and 4-nutrient management strategies [unfertilized, farmer fertilizer practice-FFP, recommended fertilizers-Ad-hoc and a site specific nutrient management-SSNM] in sub-plot in a maize-wheat-mungbean system was chosen. To measure the build-up and thermal sensitivity of SOC, soil samples from 3- depths (0–7.5, 7.5–15 and 15–30 cm) were collected. The kinetics of C-mineralisation was studied through laboratory incubation at 3-temperatures (27, 32 and 37 °C) for 90 days. The PB/ZT and SSNM had significantly higher SOC compared with CT and unfertilized plots, respectively. Although the cumulative C mineralization after 90-days of incubation followed the trend of SOC content among the treatments, while decay rates of SOC mineralization showed somewhat different trend. In all the tillage treatments the percentage of SOC mineralised ranged between 3.3–5.8% at 27 °C, 5.2–8.1% at 32 °C and 7.3–10.9% at 37 °C. At higher temperature, higher SOC decay rates were observed under CT and unfertilized plots compared with PB/ZT and SSNM plots, respectively. The SOC from lower soil depth in CT and unfertilized plots was more temperature sensitive (Q10=4.03 and 4.89, respectively) compared to those under CA-based PB/ZT (Q10=2.63–2.82) and SSNM (Q10=2.15) based balanced nutrition, respectively. The SOC in lower soil depth (7.5–15 and 15–30 cm) is 1.3 and 2.1 times more temperature sensitive respectively than surface soil depth of 0–7.5 cm soil depth. Higher proportion of less labile SOC under CT and unfertilized plots might be the reason for higher temperature sensitivity. In the inevitable and impending global climate change scenario, we might lose a sizeable amount of sequestered C, which is otherwise stable at present ambient temperature