Showing papers by "Central Agricultural University published in 2009"

Comparative functional analysis of three abiotic stress-inducible promoters in transgenic rice.

Abstract: To identify minimal effective promoters for driving abiotic stress-inducible transgene expression in rice, we selected promoter elements of three stress-responsive genes, viz. rab16A coding for dehydrin, OsABA2 coding for zeaxanthin epoxidase, and a gene coding for a hypothetical protein (HP1) based on the presence of ABA-, salt- and drought-responsive cis-acting elements. These were translationally fused to the gusA reporter gene and introduced into rice to study their effect on heterologous gene expression. The OsABA2 promoter was found to be the most effective and desirable promoter among the three in terms of driving a low constitutive transgene expression under normal conditions and high induction in response to ABA, salt and drought stress, the highest being a 12-fold induction in response to ABA. The rab16A and HP1 promoters resulted in high levels of constitutive expression. While induction of GUS activity was generally two- to threefold for all the treatments in roots for both the promoters, induction in leaves was generally insignificant, the exceptions being rab16A in response to continuous salt stress and HP1 in response to water deficit. It was also observed that the three promoters, in general, resulted in lower constitutive expression, but higher induction in roots as compared to leaves.

Phenotypic and molecular diversity among landraces of snapmelon ( Cucumis melo var. momordica ) adapted to the hot and humid tropics of eastern India

Abstract: We present here the first comprehensive genetic characterization of snapmelon landraces from the humid tropics of eastern India. The genetic diversity among 42 snapmelon landraces collected from four agro-ecological regions of eastern India (eight agro-ecological subregions) was assessed by measuring variation at 16 simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker loci, at various traits including plant habit and fruit type, yield (two associated traits), disease resistance and biochemical composition (total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and titrable acidity). Differences between accessions were observed in a number of plant and fruit traits. Snapmelon germplasm with high acidity, elevated carotenoid content and resistance to cucumber mosaic virus were identified in the collection. The SSR analysis indicated that there is a high level of genetic variability within snapmelon germplasm. Comparison of the genetic variability between snapmelons of eastern India and melons from north, south and central regions of India and reference accessions of melon from Spain, France, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Iraq, Zambia, Israel using SSRs showed that Indian snapmelon germplasm is not closely related to melon accessions from other parts of the world and that there are regional differences between Indian melon accessions. Eastern India snapmelon has unique traits, so it is important that more germplasm from this region is sampled and preserved.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in yaks (Poephagus grunniens) in India and evaluation of protective immunity to S19 vaccine

Abstract: The present study was carried out to explore the seroprevalence of brucellosis in yaks of North-Eastern hilly yak tracts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Of 374 animals tested, 23.79, 21.11 and 18.98% were found positive for brucellosis using avidin-biotin ELISA (AB-ELISA), Rose-Bengal plate test (RBPT) and standard tube-agglutination test (STAT), respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity for STAT were 79.77 and 100%, respectively and the same for RBPT were 88.76 and 100%, respectively in comparison to AB-ELISA. The alarming prevalence as recorded was highest among the yak cows (31.42%) followed by heifers (23.85%) and bulls (8.88%). The immune response in yaks following standard dose of calfhood vaccination with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine showed that protective antibody level persisted up to 210 days. This is the first report from India on prevalence of brucellosis and immunization with B abortus strain 19 vaccine in yaks. The present investigation would be a valuable guideline for future control measure and eradication programme of brucellosis in yaks.

Health Awareness of Rural Adolescent Girls: An Intervention Study

Abstract: Adolescent girls of age 13 to 19 years constitute nearly 66 million of population in India. The lives of these girls are characterized by limited education, lack of knowledge pertaining to social as well as health aspects and also limited influence on decisions affecting their lives. Thus, awareness is one major factor for development of this group of population because of the fact that these adolescent girls would be the future housewives. A study was undertaken to see the awareness of adolescent girls regarding health aspects through an intervention study. The study adopted a pretest - post test design with an intervention for a specific period. A total of 112 adolescent girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years were selected randomly from government schools of five villages in two blocks of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The tools for assessment consisted of socio-economic status scale and a general awareness scale. The sample group was pretested on their level of general awareness which focused specifically on health aspects. An intervention package was developed on the aspects of health including general health, reproductive and child health, environmental health and nutritional aspects. The intervention was given for nine months to the girls though lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Post testing was done on the girls after the period of intervention. Results showed that the knowledge of girls regarding health aspects improved significantly after intervention. There was a considerable increase in the awareness levels of girls with regard to knowledge of health problems, environmental health, nutritional awareness and reproductive and child health. Thus informative and educable intervention seem to have a positive effect on awareness levels which would eventually encourage expansion of knowledge and positive health habits.

Scope of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Farming in Eastern India

Abstract: South Asia is home to many rich, traditional systems of medicine (TSM). Ayurvedic system dates back to 5000 B.C. Along with the Unani, Siddha and Tibetan systems, these TSMs remain important source of everyday health and livelihood for tens of millions of people. Himalayan sage-scholars of Traditional Medicine have said “Nanaushadhi Bhootam Jagat Kinchit” i.e. 'there is no plant in the world, which does not have medicinal properties.' The ancient scholars are estimated to know the medicinal properties of hundreds of species of plants. It is therefore, no exaggeration to say that the uses of plants for human health are probably as old as human beings themselves. Even so, the recent dramatic increase in sales of herbal products in global markets underscores the growing popularity of herbal therapies. Medicinal plants are accessible, affordable and culturally appropriate sources of primary health care for more than 80% of Asia’s population (WHO). Poor and marginalized, who cannot afford or access formal health care systems, are especially dependent on these culturally familiar, technically simple, financially affordable and generally effective traditional medicines. As such, there is widespread interest in promoting traditional health systems to meet primary health care needs. This is especially true in South Asia, as prices of modern medicines spiral and governments find it increasingly difficult to meet the cost of pharmaceutical-based health care. The pharmaceutical industry is both large and highly successful. Sales of plant derived drugs are expected to reach $30 billion worldwide in 2002. At present about 50% of the total plant-derived drug sales come from single entities, while the remaining 50% come from herbal remedies. The Eastern Region of India comprising of eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh has a large number of valuable medicinal plants naturally growing mostly in fragile ecosystems that are predominantly inhabited by rural poor and indigenous communities. The sustainable management of these traditionally used plants not only help conserve nationally and globally important biodiversity but also provide critical resources to sustain livelihoods. Selection of medicinal plant species for cultivation is an initial important step for the development of the medicinal plants sector. Economic feasibility is the major rationale for a decision to bring medicinal plant species into cultivation. Apart from the priority species selected by the Planning Commission and the NMPB, the rare species banned for collection from the wild should also be taken on a priority basis for cultivation because a majority of such species are very expensive, have high demand and low supply. Cultivation may not be economical if a medicinal plant species is abundant in the wild and easily collected. Therefore, the less abundant species in the wild should be promoted for the large-scale cultivation. Farming of any medicinal plant species should be brought into practice only after the reliable cultivation technology of the concerned species is available. A large variation in climatic and soil conditions in eastern India sustain a variety of medicinal plant species, which may be cultivated according to their niche. The medicinal plants sector can be improved if the agricultural support agencies would come forward to help strengthen the medicinal plants growers and if research institutions would help the plant growers by improving their basic knowledge about cultivation practices. Awareness and interest of farmers, supportive government policies, assured markets, profitable price levels, access to simple and appropriate agro-techniques, and availability of trained manpower are some of the key factors for successful medicinal plants cultivation.

Response of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) to row spacing and phosphorus under late sown rainfed condition of Manipur.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of spacing and phosphorus on nodulation, yield and quality of broad bean under late sown rainfed condition of Manipur during the rabi seasons of 2002–03 and 2003–04. On the basis of two years results the highest nodulation, seed yield and crude protein content was associated with the application of 60 kg P2O5/ha which was significantly superior to all the other levels of phosphorus except for the crude protein content which remained on par to 40 kg P2O5/ha. Though significantly higher nodulation and crude protein content of the seed was recorded in wider spacing of 40 × 10cm, however, the highest seed and stover yield were recorded in the closer spacing of 20 × 10 cm.

Pregnancy Diagnosis in Swine from urine using Barium Chloride Test

Abstract: A total of 300 urine samples were collected from 50 nos. of mated sows, out of which 25 sows were pregnant and 25 sows were non-pregnant. Gestation period was divided into 3 stages viz. less than 38 day, 38 to 76 days and more than 76 days. Urine samples were collected once in each stage of gestation from all the sows and tested for pregnancy diagnosis using barium chloride test. The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis based on Barium Chloride test from urine of pregnant sows at less than 38 days, 38 to 76 days and more than 76 days of gestation were 64, 68 and 84%, respectively. The sensitivity of this test to identify non-pregnant at 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage were 84, 88 and 88%, respectively.

Predation Efficiency of Five Coccinellid Beetles on Aphis craccivora Koch Infesting Cowpea

Abstract: The predation efficiency of five species of coccinellids, namely, Coelophora biplagiata (Swartz), Coccinella transversalis F., Menochilus sexmaculatus (F.), Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, and Chilocorus nigrita (F.), against cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, was evaluated in the laboratory. Maximum consumption of A. craccivora (65.20 ± 0.59 to 214.60 ± 2.60) was observed in C. biplagiata released under various predator densities, whereas C. montrouzieri consumed the minimum numbers (19.40 ± 0.36 to 84.60 ± 0.73). C. biplagiata was closely followed by M. sexmaculatus and C. transversalis . It was also observed that C. biplagiata, M. sexmaculata and C. transversalis exhibited higher predation efficiency with a mean aphid consumption of 43.60 ± 0.46 to 485.80 ± 5.18, 41.20 ± 0.33 to 377.00 ± 3.35 and 40.60 ± 0.96 to 370.00 ± 3.74, respectively, under different prey densities of 45 to 720. When C. biplagiata was released, significantly lowest aphid population (23.06) was recorded, followed by M. sexmaculatus (35.26), C. transversalis (43.00) and C. nigrita (49.13) as against unreleased control (191.86). The highest aphid population (54.26) was recorded in the treatment where C. montrouzieri released.