B. S. Gill

Efficacy of ivermectin against mange and gastrointestinal nematodes of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The incidence of mange in dairy buffalo in India has increased significantly in recent years. The authors record an outbreak of mange affecting a dairy herd stocking about 30,000 buffalo and 1000 cows. The mange mites were either Sarcoptes scabiei or Psoroptes ovis, or a mixed infestation of both. The morbidity rate was 5-30% varying from group to group, with 100% in a severely affected group. Signs noticed were progressive dermatitis, alopecia, keratinization, skin thickened and wrinkled, intense itching and marked loss of condition often ending in death. Great losses of young animals from mange and gastrointestinal nematodes are very common in dairy herds in India. In view of their economic importance, the activity of ivermectin against naturally occurring mange and parasitic infections of adult buffalo and buffalo calves was determined. Ivermectin was administered by subcutaneous injection (IVOMEC 1% w/v - MSD AGVET) at a dose of 200 mcg kg-1 body weight. The efficacy was ascertained from the disappearance of mites from skin scrapings and the reduction in numbers of worm eggs in the faeces. The results of the treatment were dramatic: the mites disappeared within 2 weeks of the drug being administered in the majority of animals, with marked improvement in skin lesions. Four buffalo which had their entire body surface affected with mange needed a second dose on Day 28 for complete recovery. The effect on the nematodes was equally spectacular, with infections of Neoascaris vitulorum, Trichostrongylidae, Oesophagostomum spp. and Bunostomum being eliminated within 1 week of treatment.

Tapping of native Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer sp. diversity for functional traits in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Experiment was conducted to investigate native Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer sp. isolates for their functional traits in soybean. Soybean rhizobial isolates were tested for their ability to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) both in the presence and absence of precursor L- tryptophan. A low amount of IAA was produced by all isolates in the absence of L- tryptophan, which ranged from 7.96- 19.26 µg ml-1. In the presence of L- tryptophan (0.01%) the amount of IAA produced by all isolates was found to be increased (12.89-30.90 µg ml-1). Maximum IAA was produced by Ensifer sp. LSER 8 (30.90 µg ml-1) followed by LSER 7 (28.58 µg ml-1). The maximum phosphate solubilization (Po4-3) was observed with LSER 8 (6.59 mg 100 ml-1) on 12th day. Maximum resistance of 66.7% was recorded with tetracycline (30 µg disc-1). Ensifer sp. were sensitive to more antibiotics than Bradyrhizobium sp. Three isolates of Bradyrhizobium sp. (LSBR 3) and Ensifer sp. (LSER 7 and LSER 8) and SB 271 and DS 1 were evaluated for plant infectivity test and were found effective on root nodulation and total nitrogen content. The use of effective rhizobia as biofertilizer could be highly sustainable practice for soybean cultivation.

Biochemical profiling of soybean genotypes resistant/susceptible to yellow mosaic virus disease

Yellow Mosaic Virus disease (YMVD) is a common and destructive disease of soybean that can result in yield reduction upto 80% in severe cases. In the present investigation, comparison of antioxidant system and biochemical constituents in seeds of susceptible and resistant soybean genotypes against YMVD was carried out. Susceptible genotypes contained lower contents of total sugars and sucrose as compared to individual tolerant genotypes as well as mean values of all the genotypes. Tolerant genotypes exhibited significantly lower contents of total phenols, flavonols, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione and proline as compared to seeds of susceptible genotypes. Peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione reductase activities were lower in seeds of tolerant genotypes as compared to susceptible ones whereas polyphenol oxidase and catalase showed the reverse trend. Significant variations in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity within tolerant and susceptible groups were recorded and the mean SOD activity was higher in susceptible genotypes than in tolerant ones.

Correlation among fodder yield, quality and morpho-physiological traits under contrasting environments in sorghum

The present study was planned with the objective to find out the correlation of fodder yield, HCN content and quality traits with morpho-physiological traits under two different environments. The environments were created by applying normal five irrigations in one environment (Env-N) i.e . normal environment and by skipping the second and fourth irrigation in the other environment (Env-S) i.e. water stress environment. The positive and significant correlations were found between green fodder yield and early vigour, plant height, dry matter yield, leaf area index and proline content under both the environments. The negative and statistically significant correlations were found between green fodder yield and leaf stem ratio under both the environments and also with specific leaf weight under Env-N. Positive and significant phenotypic correlations were also found between proline content and early vigor, plant height, green fodder yield and dry matter yield under both the environments. None of the phenotypic correlations of HCN content with morpho-physiological traits under Env-N and Env-S were statistically significant. Among the quality traits studied Total Soluble Sugar (TSS)(%) content showed negative correlation with early vigour under both the environments. The results of correlation analysis revealed that under the situation of increasing water stress globally, selections for high green fodder yield can be carried out by selecting for early vigor and tall plants. The genotypes with high values for leaf area index, photosynthetic capacity and proline content would be more water use efficient and high yielding.

Effect of nitrogen and sulphur on their ratio, seed yield and protein related parameters in developing soybean

The present paper reports the effect of nitrogen and sulphur application on their ratio, seed yield and protein related parameters in soybean. A random block design experiment with four treatments [control, nitrogen (urea @ 31.25 kg N ha−1) and sulphur (gypsum @ 20 kg S ha−1) alone or in combination] was conducted at PAU, Ludhiana (India) during kharif season 2012 using soybean cultivar ‘SL 525’ as a test crop. Nitrogen and sulphur alone or in combination significantly increased seed yield and decreased N:S ratio in the developing soybean leaves, seeds, roots and stem. Total soluble proteins, free amino acids and S-containing amino acids (only in leaves) in developing leaves and seeds increased due to nitrogen and sulphur supply. Results suggested that nitrogen alone causes maximum protein accumulation and sulphur alone or in combination with nitrogen maximally increases free amino acids, S-containing amino acids, seed yield and decreases N:S ratio in soybean.