Effect of potassium application on yield and quality of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) on coarse textured soils of southern Haryana

59-63Crops need large quantity of potassium for enhancing their yield as well as quality. Pulses are important crops grown in India but their productivity is low. Among production inputs, recommendations for N and P fertilizers are made in most states with no K application resulting in imbalanced nutrient supply and lower crop yields.To quantify optimum dose for green gram ( Vigna radiata L.), a series of field experiments were conducted at Regional Research Station, CCS HAU, Bawal, Haryana, to assess the response of green gram to fertilizer potassium on coarse textured (Typic Haplustepts) soils of southern Haryana. After completion of research trials, crop was tested on farmer’s field through demonstrations and on farm trials (OFTs) to evaluate the response and adoptability of green gram as per the fertilizer potassium doses concluded in research experiment. Five levels of fertilizer potassium (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg K2O ha-1) were evaluated for the response of green gram in randomized block design replicated thrice. The results of research trials revealed that the yield, protein content and growth parameters of green gram increased significantly with the application of fertilizer potassium @20 kg K2O ha-1. Significantly higher yield of green gram was recorded (5.87, 16.29, 19.23 and 22.36 %) due to application of 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg K2O ha-1, respectively over control. The total K uptake by green gram increased significantly with the incremental doses of potassium application which helped to prevent the depletion of available soil K and build-up its content in the soil. The mean K use efficiency varied from 38.30 to 54.15 and maximum (54.15 %) was recorded with the application of 20 kg K2O ha-1. The benefit cost ratio was also increased with the application of potassium and reflected in terms of additional returns per rupee (Rs. 10.94, 15.63, 12.17 and 10.72) invested on application of K @ 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg K2O ha-1, respectively. The farmer’s field trial results with 0 and 20 kg K2O ha-1 revealed that application of 20 kg K2O ha-1 increased the yield of green gram by 10.87% over control

A systematic investigation of production of synthetic prions from recombinant prion protein

According to the protein-only hypothesis, infectious mammalian prions, which exist as distinct strains with discrete biological properties, consist of multichain assemblies of misfolded cellular prion protein (PrP). A critical test would be to produce prion strains synthetically from defined components. Crucially, high-titre 'synthetic' prions could then be used to determine the structural basis of infectivity and strain diversity at the atomic level. While there have been multiple reports of production of prions from bacterially expressed recombinant PrP using various methods, systematic production of high-titre material in a form suitable for structural analysis remains a key goal. Here, we report a novel high-throughput strategy for exploring a matrix of conditions, additives and potential cofactors that might generate high-titre prions from recombinant mouse PrP, with screening for infectivity using a sensitive automated cell-based bioassay. Overall, approximately 20 000 unique conditions were examined. While some resulted in apparently infected cell cultures, this was transient and not reproducible. We also adapted published methods that reported production of synthetic prions from recombinant hamster PrP, but again did not find evidence of significant infectious titre when using recombinant mouse PrP as substrate. Collectively, our findings are consistent with the formation of prion infectivity from recombinant mouse PrP being a rare stochastic event and we conclude that systematic generation of prions from recombinant PrP may only become possible once the detailed structure of authentic ex vivo prions is solved

A Critical Analysis of Atoh7 (Math5) mRNA Splicing in the Developing Mouse Retina

The Math5 (Atoh7) gene is transiently expressed during retinogenesis by progenitors exiting mitosis, and is essential for ganglion cell (RGC) development. Math5 contains a single exon, and its 1.7 kb mRNA encodes a 149-aa polypeptide. Mouse Math5 mutants have essentially no RGCs or optic nerves. Given the importance of this gene in retinal development, we thoroughly investigated the possibility of Math5 mRNA splicing by Northern blot, 3′RACE, RNase protection assays, and RT-PCR, using RNAs extracted from embryonic eyes and adult cerebellum, or transcribed in vitro from cDNA clones. Because Math5 mRNA contains an elevated G+C content, we used graded concentrations of betaine, an isostabilizing agent that disrupts secondary structure. Although ∼10% of cerebellar Math5 RNAs are spliced, truncating the polypeptide, our results show few, if any, spliced Math5 transcripts exist in the developing retina (<1%). Rare deleted cDNAs do arise via RT-mediated RNA template switching in vitro, and are selectively amplified during PCR. These data differ starkly from a recent study (Kanadia and Cepko 2010), which concluded that the vast majority of Math5 and other bHLH transcripts are spliced to generate noncoding RNAs. Our findings clarify the architecture of the Math5 gene and its mechanism of action. These results have implications for all members of the bHLH gene family, for any gene that is alternatively spliced, and for the interpretation of all RT-PCR experiments

Not Available

Not AvailableCereal cropping productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India is declining, which may be overcome by diversification, alternate crop establishment methods and mulching. This study wa sconducted to determine whether no-till flat (NTF), permanent raised beds (PRB) and non traditional ex situ mulching would improve crop and water productivity, economic profitability and soil biological properties in an irrigated maize (Zea mays)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system (MWS). NTF systems produced 10% higher economic net returns compared with PRBs. Non-traditional mulching (Sesbania, Jatropha and Brassica) increased yields by >10% and net returns by >12% compared with no-mulch. The water saving in PRBs compared with NTF systems was 79, 94 and 173 mm/ha in maize, wheat and MWS, respectively. PRBs saved 29.2% of irrigation water and improved the MWS irrigation water productivity (WPI) by 24.5% over NTF. On average, mulching saved 23.8 m/ha irrigation water over no-mulch and improved WPI by 12.0%. PRBs with ex situ mulching produced wheat and maize equivalent system yields lower than NTF but improved WPI and soil biological properties. Jatropha and Sesbania mulching improved yield, water saving, WPI and system profitability. In limited irrigation and no crop residue availability conditions, Sesbania, Jatropha and Brassica vegetation material have potential applications for ex situ mulching under PRBs for water saving and NTF for productivity.Not Availabl

Bio-efficacy of newer insecticides and bio-pesticides against termite on chickpea in arid region of Rajasthan

The seed treatment, as well as soil application of imidacloprid 600 FS @ 5 ml/kg + Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP @ 2 kg /ha, was found most effective against termite (9.34% plant damage) after 110 days of crop sowing, followed by fipronil 5 SC @ 5 ml/ kg + Metarrihizium anisopliae 1.15 WP @ 2 kg/ha (10%) and clothianidin 50 WDG @ 2 g/ kg + Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP @ 2 kg /ha (10.62%). The treatments alone seed treatment of imidacloprid 600 FS @ 5 ml/ kg seed (11.56%) followed by fipronil 5 SC @ 5 ml/ kg seed (12.03%) and clothianidin 50 WDG @ 2 g/ kg seed (12.65%) were found moderately effective while, bio-pesticides viz., Metarrihizium anisopliae 1.15 WP @ 2 kg/ha and Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP @ 2 kg /ha with 15.78 and 15.47 per cent plant damage were found least effective for controlling the termite population. The maximum yield was obtained in imidacloprid 600 FS + Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP (18.70 q ha-1) followed by fipronil 5 SC + Metarrihizium anisopliae 1.15 WP (18.20 q ha-1) and clothianidin 50 WDG + Beauveria bassiana1.15 WP (18.00 q ha-1), respectively

Diversity, abundance and foraging behaviour of pollinators in early sown rapeseed-mustard genotypes

A study was carried out on the diversity, abundance and foraging behaviour of pollinators in early sown rapeseed-mustard genotypes through observing a total of 17 insect species visited flowers of early sown genotypes viz., 9 Hymenopterans, 3 Dipterans, 4 Lepidopterans, and 1 Coleopteran. The abundance (bees/m2/5 min) of A. florea was highest (8.5) followed by A. mellifera (3.9), A. dorsata (3.6) and A. cerana (3.1). The abundance of bee species was maximum (5.6 bees/m2/5 min) in genotypes TH 68 and SANGAM. A. cerana foraged a maximum number of flowers per minute (18.20) followed by A. dorsata (17.57), A. mellifera (17.32) and A. florea (6.45). The foraging rate (flowers/min) of all bee species was maximum (14.98 and 14.90) in genotypes TH 68 and SANGAM. Time spent per flower (sec) was maximum (5.3) by A. florea followed by A. dorsata (1.7), A. mellifera (1.6) and A. cerana indica (1.3). The maximum time spent per flower by all bee species (2.6) was in genotype PDZ 9. Nectar or pollen gatherers were maximum in A. dorsata (37.8% and 25.6%, respectively), while both nectar and pollen gatherers were maximum in A. cerana (45.3%). Nectar foraging, pollen foraging and both nectar and pollen foraging were maximum at peak flowering (36.0%), peak flowering (23.8%) and flowering cessation (42.9%), respectively. Out of the total foragers, top workers were maximum in A. dorsata (97.8%), while side workers were maximum in A. florea (41.0%)

Diversity and abundance of insect visitors/pollinators on different genotypes of Brassica spp.

Studies on diversity and abundance of insect pollinators on different cultivar of Brassica spp. were carried out and found eighteen bee species belonging to twelve families of five different orders were recorded visiting on the flowers of rapeseed-mustard genotypes. Order Hymenoptera contributed maximum diversity of pollinators followed by Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera. Among hymenopterans, honey bees, Apis cerana F., Apis mellifera L., Apis florea F. and Apis dorsata F. were the most frequent visitors and in genotypes TH 68 and HNS 0901 experienced highest diversity. A. mellifera was most abundant during different day hours (1000. 1200. 1400 and 1600 h) among different Apis spp. on all genotypes. A. mellifera, A. cerana and A. florea population was found maximum in variety TH 68 whereas A. dorsata was most abundant on BSH-1 and HC-212. The mean densities of A. mellifera was maximum followed by A. cerana, A. dorsata and A. florea. A. florea was most abundant on variety TH 68 and genotype HC-212 (9.93 and 9.07 bees/m2/10 min respectively)