Drip irrigation and sulphur fertilization influenced fodder yield, quality and water use efficiency of groundnut in arid region

Availability of ample and nutritious fodder for livestock is always a challenge in arid region. Choice of crops such as groundnut that can fulfil the requirement of fodder with its crop residues along with human needs can be a viable option to bridge the gap between availability and requirement of fodder. The fodder yield and quality largely depend on soil moisture and nutrient supply especially sulphur (S), a key nutrient for improving groundnut fodder quality. However, no researchers have given emphasis on coupling effect of drip irrigation (DI) and sulphur on fodder yield, quality, digestibility and water use efficiency (WUE). Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the effects of different regimes of DI and S on productivity and quality of fodder. Results revealed that higher regimes of DI i.e. 0.8 +1.0 PE(pan evaporation) and 1.0 PE level of irrigation along with 40 kg S ha-1 significantly improved the yield, primary quality traits (crude protein, ether extract and ash), digestibility indices and significant reduction in Fibers which indicates improvement in quality of fodder. Fodder productivity was 27.0 and 25.6% higher in 1.0 PE and 0.8+1.0 PE level of irrigation, respectively, as compared to 0.6 PE level (lower water regime) of irrigation, although 0.6 PE level of irrigation recorded higher WUE and was at par with 0.8 PE and 0.6 +1.0 PE level of DI. By changing the levels of DI from 1.0 PE to 0.8+1.0 PE, considerable water can be saved without affecting the yield and quality of fodder. Similarly, crop responded to S up to 60 kg ha-1 but at par with 40 kg S ha-1 indicating that application of extra S after 40 kg did not warrant any extra benefit in terms of fodder yield, WUE and quality of fodder. Thus, adjusting the PE levels of DI for water saving and optimal S application can be a sustainable strategy to improve the productivity and quality of groundnut fodder in arid region.

Range grasses to improve soil properties, carbon sustainability, and fodder security in degraded lands of semi-arid regions

Tropical grasses are the primary source of forage for livestock and a valuable resource for improving soil health and environmental sustainability in semi-arid regions. A study was carried out in a semi-arid region of central India to determine the short-term (6-year) impact of nine range grasses on soil physio-chemical and biological properties, carbon stock, and forage security. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications. Results show that the majority of the grass roots were distributed in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm, 63.5-76.5 %), and then in the middle (10-20 cm, 21.3-25 %) and lower (20-30 cm, 2.2-11.5 %) layers. Perennial tussock grass (Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult) had a higher root volume (2219 mm³), followed by Guinea grass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs] (1860 mm³). A lower soil bulk density (BD, 1.11-1.23 g cm^-3), higher gravimetric water content (GMW, 14.0-17.8 %), and soil organic carbon (0.38-0.73 %) were recorded for grass-cultivated plots compared to the barren land (1.38 g cm^-3, 13.0 %, and 0.28 %, respectively). The perennial tussock grass and Guinea grass resulted in the highest soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC, 70.1 mg kg^-1 soil) and enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, 17.09 μg TPF g^-1 day^-1 and fluorescein diacetate activity 4.94 μg fluorescein g^-1 h^-1). The considerable improvement in soil properties with minimal inputs resulted in a higher sustainable yield index and carbon sustainability index in plots planted with Guinea grass (0.9 and 89.29) and perennial tussock grass (0.89 and 71.61). Therefore, the cultivation of either Guinea grass or perennial tussock grass as an intercrop or sole crop in the semi-arid environment can be an ecologically sound strategy to improve soil health, C sequestration, and fodder supply.

Identification of mega-environments and rice genotypes for general and specific adaptation to saline and alkaline stresses in India

In the present study, a total of 53 promising salt-tolerant genotypes were tested across 18 salt-affected diverse locations for three years. An attempt was made to identify ideal test locations and mega-environments using GGE biplot analysis. The CSSRI sodic environment was the most discriminating location in individual years as well as over the years and could be used to screen out unstable and salt-sensitive genotypes. Genotypes CSR36, CSR-2K-219, and CSR-2K-262 were found ideal across years. Overall, Genotypes CSR-2K-219, CSR-2K-262, and CSR-2K-242 were found superior and stable among all genotypes with higher mean yields. Different sets of genotypes emerged as winners in saline soils but not in sodic soils; however, Genotype CSR-2K-262 was the only genotype that was best under both saline and alkaline environments over the years. The lack of repeatable associations among locations and repeatable mega-environment groupings indicated the complexity of soil salinity. Hence, a multi-location and multi-year evaluation is indispensable for evaluating the test sites as well as identifying genotypes with consistently specific and wider adaptation to particular agro-climatic zones. The genotypes identified in the present study could be used for commercial cultivation across edaphically challenged areas for sustainable production.

Genetic diversity, population structure and association analysis in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The present investigation aimed to explore the level of genetic diversity, determine the population structure in a larger set of germplasm of linseed using microsatellite marker and identify linked markers through association mapping. A total of 168 accessions of linseed were evaluated for major agro-economic traits and SSRs markers deployed for diversity assessment. A total of 337 alleles were amplified by 50 SSRs ranging from 2 to 13 with an average of 6.74 ± 2.8 alleles per loci. The neighbor joining based clustering grouped all the accessions into three major clusters that were also confirmed by scatter plot of PCoA. While model based clustering determined four sub-populations (K = 4). Further, analysis of molecular variance analysis considering three population showed that maximum variation (79%) was within the population. We identified one putative SSR marker (Lu_3043) linked with days to 50% flowering through both GLM and MLM analysis of association mapping. The results of this preliminary study revealed genetic diversity, population structure in linseed and linked marker which could be utilized in future breeding program.

DNA damage-induced ephrin-B2 reverse signaling promotes chemoresistance and drives EMT in colorectal carcinoma harboring mutant p53

Mutation in the TP53 gene positively correlates with increased incidence of chemoresistance in different cancers. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of chemoresistance and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer involving the gain-of-function (GOF) mutant p53/ephrin-B2 signaling axis. Bioinformatic analysis of the NCI-60 data set and subsequent hub prediction identified EFNB2 as a possible GOF mutant p53 target gene, responsible for chemoresistance. We show that the mutant p53-NF-Y complex transcriptionally upregulates EFNB2 expression in response to DNA damage. Moreover, the acetylated form of mutant p53 protein is recruited on the EFNB2 promoter and positively regulates its expression in conjunction with coactivator p300. In vitro cell line and in vivo nude mice data show that EFNB2 silencing restores chemosensitivity in mutant p53-harboring tumors. In addition, we observed high expression of EFNB2 in patients having neoadjuvant non-responder colorectal carcinoma compared with those having responder version of the disease. In the course of deciphering the drug resistance mechanism, we also show that ephrin-B2 reverse signaling induces ABCG2 expression after drug treatment that involves JNK-c-Jun signaling in mutant p53 cells. Moreover, 5-fluorouracil-induced ephrin-B2 reverse signaling promotes tumorigenesis through the Src-ERK pathway, and drives EMT via the Src-FAK pathway. We thus conclude that targeting ephrin-B2 might enhance the therapeutic potential of DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents in mutant p53-bearing human tumors.

Reduction of non-enzymatic browning of orange juice and semi-concentrates by removal of reaction substrate

A study was conducted to standardize the technology for the removal of amino acids (one of the browning reaction substrates) from sweet orange cv. Malta Common juice to reduce colour and quality deterioration in single strength juice and during subsequent concentration. Juice of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) cv. Malta Common fruits was extracted by screw type juice extractor, preserved in 500 ppm SO2 and clarified by using "Pectinase CCM" enzyme (0.2% for 2 h at 50 ± 2 °C). For removal of amino acids juice was passed under gravity through a glass column packed with an acidic cation exchange resin (CER), Dowex-50 W and quantity to be treated in one lot was standardized. The CER treated and untreated juices were concentrated to 15 and 30°Brix in a rotary vacuum evaporator. Results indicate that 121 ml of orange juice when passed through a glass column (5 cm internal diameter) packed with cation exchange resin (Dowex-50 W) upto a height of 8 cm, could remove about 98.4% of the amino acids with minimum losses in other juice constituents. With cation exchange resin treatment, the non-enzymatic browning and colour deterioration of orange juice semi-concentrates was reduced to about 3 folds in comparison to untreated counterparts. The retention of vitamin C and sugars was also better in semi-concentrates prepared from cation exchange resin treated juice. Thus, cation exchange resin treatment of orange juice prior to concentration and storage is highly beneficial in reduction of non-enzymatic browning, colour deterioration and retention of nutritional, sensory quality of product during preparation and storage.

Dynamic changes in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities in the corpus luteum of the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) during development, induced luteolysis, and simulated early pregnancy: a role for p38 MAPK in the regulation of luteal function

Changes in MAPK activities were examined in the corpus luteum (CL) during luteolysis and pregnancy, employing GnRH antagonist (Cetrorelix)-induced luteolysis, stages of CL, and hCG treatment to mimic early pregnancy as model systems in the bonnet monkey. We hypothesized that MAPKs could serve to phosphorylate critical phosphoproteins to regulate luteal function. Analysis of several indices for structural (caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation) and functional (progesterone and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression) changes in the CL revealed that the decreased luteal function observed during Cetrorelix treatment and late luteal phase was associated with increased caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. As expected, human chorionic gonadotropin treatment dramatically increased luteal function, but the indices for structural changes were only partially attenuated. All three MAPKs appeared to be constitutively active in the mid-luteal-phase CL, and activities of ERK-1/2 and p38-MAPK (p38), but not Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-1/2, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) within 12-24 h after Cetrorelix treatment. During the late luteal phase, in contrast to decreased ERK-1/2 and p38 activities, JNK-1/2 activities increased significantly (P < 0.05). Although human chorionic gonadotropin treatment increased ERK-1/2 and p38 activities, it decreased JNK-1/2 activities. The activation status of p38 was correlated with the phosphorylation status of an upstream activator, MAPK kinase-3/6 and the expression of MAPK activated protein kinase-3, a downstream target. Intraluteal administration of p38 kinase inhibitor (SB203580), but not MAPK kinase-1/2 inhibitor (PD98059), decreased the luteal function. Together, these data suggest an important role for p38 in the regulation of CL function in primates.

pi-Facial selectivities of diastereotopic ketones: p-bromobenzoates of 4-hetero-1-decalinols

The crystal structures of the p-bromobenzoates of cis-4-oxa-1-decalinyl (C(16)H(19)BrO(3)), trans-4-oxa-1-decalinyl (C(16)H(19)BrO(3)), N-benzyl-cis-4-aza-1-decalinyl (C(23)H(26)BrNO(2)), N-benzyl-trans-4-aza-1-decalinyl (C(23)H(26)BrNO(2)) and trans-4-thia-1-decalinyl (C(16)H(19)BrO(2)S) (decalin is perhydronaphthalene) have been determined as part of a study directed at predicting and interpreting the pi-facial selectivities of diastereotopic ketones in reactions with nucleophiles. All five structures are composed of molecules that are separated by normal van der Waals distances. In all five structures, the heterocyclic and cyclohexyl rings adopt chair conformations, and the p-bromobenzoate groups are planar.

Silicon-assisted ring opening of donor-acceptor substituted cyclopropanes. An expedient entry to substituted dihydrofurans

[reaction: see text]. (tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)methylcyclopropanes undergo ring opening to furnish substituted dihydrofurans in good to excellent yields on treatment with TiCl4 in dichoromethane. The silicon that assists the regioselective ring opening is retained in the product to allow further functional group manipulations.

7-Phenyl-1-oxa-4-thiaspiro[4.5]decan-7-ol stereoisomers

The stereoisomers of 7-phenyl-1-oxa-4-thiaspiro[4.5]decan-7-ol, C(14)H(18)O(2)S, have the same stereochemistry at the C atom bearing an OH group, i.e. axial OH and equatorial phenyl groups. However, the acetal S and O atoms are axial and equatorial, respectively, in one isomer and reversed in the second. Furthermore, the crystals of one isomer are composed of hydrogen-bonded molecules involving the hydroxyl H atom and the O atom of the five-membered heterocyclic ring, with an O.O distance of 2.962 (3) A, forming a polymeric chain along the b axis. The asymmetric unit of the other isomer is composed of two molecules, wherein hydroxyl H atoms and the O atoms of the five-membered heterocyclic rings display intramolecular O-H.O hydrogen bonds with O.O separations of 2.820 (2) and 2.834 (2) A.

An ab initio study of histamine agonists

A systematic theoretical study on histamine agonists and their interaction with H1 and H2 receptor models has been carried out utilizing ab initio molecular orbital technique. The effect of substituents on histamine agonists' charge distribution and their agonistic activity has been studied in detail. Drug-receptor interaction models have been studied at the Hartree Fock level of theory with a split valence basis set keeping the cost and efficiency of the calculation in mind. The study indicates that the agonistic activity is controlled either by receptor conformation or by steric hinderances caused by the substituents. The monocationic form of histamine does not appear to be a necessity for a proton relay process which is similar to the one proposed earlier by Weinstein and coworkers. The study also indicates some importance of common cellular ions in neurotransmitter properties of histamine.