Exploring the transportome of the biosurfactant producing yeast Starmerella bombicola

Starmerella bombicola is a non-conventional yeast mainly known for its capacity to produce high amounts of the glycolipids ‘sophorolipids’. Although its product has been used as biological detergent for a couple of decades, the genetics of S. bombicola are still largely unknown. Computational analysis of the yeast’s genome enabled us to identify 254 putative transporter genes that make up the entire transportome. For each of them, a potential substrate was predicted using homology analysis, subcellular localization prediction and RNA sequencing in different stages of growth. One transporter family is of exceptional importance to this yeast: the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter Superfamily, because it harbors the main driver behind the highly efficient sophorolipid export. Furthermore, members of this superfamily translocate a variety of compounds ranging from antibiotics to hydrophobic molecules. We conducted an analysis of this family by creating deletion mutants to understand their role in the export of hydrophobic compounds, antibiotics and sophorolipids. Doing this, we could experimentally confirm the transporters participating in the efflux of medium chain fatty alcohols, particularly decanol and undecanol, and identify a second sophorolipid transporter that is located outside the sophorolipid biosynthetic gene cluster.

Water requirement and growth of sorghum over semi-arid region in Deccan Plateau

Based on the result of an experiment conducted from 1978-86 during post-rainy crop season at Solapur, crop coefficients for sorghum during different stages of growth were determined. A model has been developed for relating consumptive use of water at different phenological stages in relation to climatic parameters and crop water needs. The extent to which water requirements of the crop are met and water use efficiency have been discussed. The water requirement appears to be maximum at tasseling/flowering phases of sorghum growth. It works out at 4 mm per day under Solapur environment. The seasonal rainfall in post-rainy season does not appear to furnish a reliable estimate of the yield.

Impact of weather on lowland rice cultivation and planning decisions over humid tropical India

The present study investigates the effect of the climatic environment on three different varieties of paddy. Crop coefficient in different stages of growth, the consumptive uses and radiation use efficiency has been determined and discussed in each case. Ideal date which could give optimum yield, has been determined in two varieties. The yield was correlated with weather parameters for each of the phases of the crop growth by forward ranking method and a statistical prediction model developed. Path analysis was applied to the predictors thus selected and direct and indirect contribution of the predictors to yield determined and discussed.

The Effect of Drying Processes on the Nutritional and Phytochemical Levels of Chia Leaves (Salvia hispanica L.) at Different Stages of Growth

Chia leaf (Salvia hispanica L.) is an underutilized low-cost source of nutrients. The leaf is currently not widely utilized as compared to the chia seeds which have wide use in the food industry. The present study investigated the effect of solar-drying and oven-drying chia leaves harvested at different stages of growth on their nutritional and phytochemical composition. The chia leaves were harvested at four stages of early vegetative stage, late vegetative stage, budding stage and flowering stage. Oven drying was done at45 ºC for 24hours, and solar dried in a solar drier until a constant weight was achieved. The results indicated significant differences (p<0.05) between treatments and stages of maturity. Results also showed that solar dried had better nutritional and phytochemical retention over oven dried chia leaves. Crude protein was highest in solar dried leaves at early vegetative stage (FS1) 4.48%, compared to 4.44% for oven dried chia leaves. The fiber content increased from the fresh leaf at 12.4% to high content in solar dried leaf at the early vegetative stage at 23.33%, while oven dried leaves had high content at the flowering stage at 22.09%. There were minimal changes in fat content of the dried chia leaves compared to fresh sample at 5.908%, with high fat levels noted for oven dried leaf at the early vegetative stage (FS3) at 5.68% and solar dried leaves at 4.71% at the budding stage. The difference in fat content could be attributed to degradation during the drying processes. Ash content on the other hand showed difference at different stages of growth from raw samples for both solar- and oven dried leaves. Highest retention of phenolic content was recorded at 147.62 mg/GAE for solar dried leaves at the budding stage (FS3). However, oven dried leaf samples recorded high phenolic content at 124.06 mg/GAE at the late vegetative stage. The flavonoid levels were recorded highest for solar dried leaves at the budding stage at 299.8 mg/CE, compared to high content for oven dried leaves at the budding stage recorded at 270.4 mg/CE. Scavenging activity was highest recorded for solar dried samples at the budding and flowering stages at 100 µg/100g compared to oven dried leaves at 80.85 µg/100g at the late vegetative stage. Solar drying is the simplest and convenient low-cost technology for preserving the nutritional quality and retention of phytochemical ranges of chia leaves which will enhance their utilization when abundantly available.

Response of contrasting bread wheat genotypes for heat and drought stress tolerance for rhizospheric soil properties

Aim: The study aimed at investigating differential response of contrasting bread wheat genotypes for heat and drought stress towards changes in chemical and microbial components of rhizospheric soil for developing climate resilient wheat varieties. Methodology: Rhizospheric soils were studied for changes in pH, electrical conductivity, cations, anions, micro-elements, major-elements, organic carbon and organic matter, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria(PGPRs) abundance at booting and anthesis stages of growth in four contrasting genotypes during 2017-18 and 2018-19 crop seasons Results: The contrasting genotypes (HD2967 and WH730) for heat tolerance exhibited significant interaction between genotype and stage of growth for Na+, K+ and nitrogen, while genotypes (HUW468 and C306) for drought tolerance exhibited it for available nitrogen only. Significant difference for Ca2+, Mg2+, iron, manganese, nitrogen and potassium levels were recorded in drought stress related genotypes at two stages of growth. The heat tolerant genotype showed 2.54 and 10.67 folds enhancement in population of N2 fixing and spore forming bacteria at anthesis compared to sensitive genotypes, while drought tolerant genotype showed 1.51, 1.07 and 6.26 folds in P-solubilizing, N2 fixing and general bacterial abundance. Interpretation: Contrasting genotypes for heat and drought stresses responded differently for chemical properties and abundance of PGPRs in rhizospheric soils.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NATURAL GROWTH STIMULANTS IN THE CULTIVATION OF SEEDLINGS OF PICEA OBOVATA LEDEB.

Picea obovata Ledeb. is a slow-growing in the early stages of growth type of coniferous trees. The use of growth stimulants in the cultivation of spruce seedlings can accelerate the production of standard planting material. The paper presents the results of research of plant growth regulators influence on spruce seedlings within three years of cultivation in forest nursery conditions. Before sowing seeds of spruce soak in solutions of biological-active preparations Verva and Verva-spruce, obtaining from Abies and Picea wood greenery extracts. The plants growth regulator Verva from Abies needles (operating substance – triterpenic acids) is applied in plant growing at cultivation agricultural and commercial crops. Operating substance of a preparation Verva-spruce used for protection of agricultural plants from diseases, are phenolic compounds of Picea wood greenery possessing fungicidal and insecticidal activity. It is established that spruce seedlings processed before sowing by bio-preparation had higher parameters of growth (seedling height, diameter of seedling tree at root neck) in comparison with control plants within three years of cultivation in conditions of forest nursery. Three-year spruce seedlings which have been grown up with use of growth stimulators Verva and Verva-spruce exceeded control on 20–30% on height and on 19–20% on seedling tree thickness. Bio-preparations Verva and Verva-spruce can be recommended for application in forest nurseries as effective growth stimulators at cultivation of Siberian spruce landing material.

​Assessment of Hydrocyanic Acid (HCN) Content during Different Stages of Growth in Johnson Grass (Sorghum helepensis)

Background: Johnson grass (Sorghum helepensis) is not a cultivated fodder crop but it is a wild variety seen on farm bunds after rainfall in which Sorghum vulgare (Gundrijowar) fodder crops were cultivated in kharif season in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state. At different stages of growth, Johnson grass contains cyanogenic glycosides of varying level which liberate hydrocyanic acid in rumen when it consumed by ruminant animals due to rumen microflora (Toxic level of HCN is 20 mg/ 100 gm dry matter). The current study aimed to estimate varying levels of HCN in Johnson grass to keep dairy farmers informed of safe level of HCN for harvesting. Methods: An investigation was carried out at Cattle Breeding Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat for three consecutive years 2013-2015 in kharif season. Non-cultivated (Sorghum helepensis) fodder samples were collected for quantitative HCN concentration from farm bunds nearby eight sown plots of Gundrijowar (Sorghum vulgare) from 15 DAS and sampling were continued at fortnightly intervals till the plots exhibit 25% flowering stage. Result: Result of obtained data in present study revealed that concentration of HCN in Johnson grass in kharif season decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) on attaining 25% flowering stage during the year 2013, 2014 and 2015. It was concluded that Green Johnson grass can be fed to ruminant animals safely at 25% flowering stage.

Biomass and Protein Yields of Field Peas and Oats Intercrop Affected by Sowing Norms and Nitrogen Fertilizer at Two Different Stages of Growth

In limited growing conditions, intercropped field peas and oats can represent a significant source of forage rich in protein. If applied correctly, factors such as nitrogen fertilizer, the mowing phase, and sowing norms can significantly increase the productivity of these mixtures. Field trials were conducted to examine their productivity under different nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 kg ha−1), different sowing norms/mixtures (field peas: oats—100:15%; 100:30%), and two stages of growth (full flowering, full pod formation). Nitrogen fertilizer and different sowing norms had a significant effect on the biomass, hay, and crude protein yields. On average, the highest hay yields were achieved with 80 kg ha−1 N (4.96 t ha−1), followed by 40 kg ha−1 N (4.27 t ha−1). The highest protein yields were achieved with 40 kg ha−1 N (CP—704.1 kg ha−1), followed by 80 kg ha−1 N (CP—637.6 kg ha−1). Sowing norm 100:30% achieved higher hay yields: 100:30%—4.82 t ha−1; 100:15%—4.44 t ha−1, while 100:15% achieved higher crude protein yields: 100:15%—730.4 kg ha−1; 100:30%—692.7 kg ha−1 on average. The costs were not significantly increased with the nitrogen fertilizer, but the net profits were increased by as much as 163%, depending on the nitrogen level and the mixture. Nitrogen fertilizer also achieves higher economic efficiency for the mixture 100:15% compared to the 100:30% mixture. Mixtures of field peas and oats outperform single-grown crops and provide cost-effective feed for a short time. Using optimal seed ratios and nitrogen fertilizer can significantly increase the productivity and profitability of the feed with minimal impact on the overall production costs.

TRINEXAPAC-ETHYL REDUCES PLANT HEIGHT AND SEED YIELD IN FORAGE SORGHUM

Forage sorghum presents tall plants, what makes mechanicalseed harvesting a difficult task. Plant hormones can reduce plant height andfacilitate the harvesting. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluatethe effect of the growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl on plant height and seedyield in forage sorghum. This research was carried out at Embrapa Maizeand Sorghum, in two seasons (2017 and 2018), in a randomized completeblock design, four replications and three varieties (BRS Ponta Negra, 1141574and 0947216) under application of Trinexapac-ethyl in two stages of the plantgrowth (V8, V12, V8 + V12). The characteristics evaluated were: plant height,seed yield and mass of 1000 seeds. The effect of the hormone was significantin both stages of growth, with a significant reduction in plant height. Thehormone applied twice at growth stages V8 + V12 had a greater effect inreducing plant height. However, the hormone reduced seed yield in the threevarieties, what implies the need for further studies comparing the advantageof plant height reduction and the loss in seed yield.

Formation and Efficient Estimation of Stochastic Frontier Production Function

Technological change and efficiency improvement are important sources of productivity growth in any economy. The concept of technical efficiency (TE) is based on input and output relationships. Technical inefficiency arises when actual or observed output from a given input mix is less than a possible mix. The analysis of technical efficiency involves the assessment of the degree to which the production technologies are utilized. The present investigation on “Formation and efficient estimation of stochastic frontier production functions” was carried out in the Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2010 -13. To assess the present economics of pepper cultivation, to formulate a new stochastic frontier production function and to compare different stochastic frontier production functions. The secondary data on the area of holdings, number of vines, yield, expenses for machinery, labour, manure, and other expenses for the cultivation of the major spice pepper collected from the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara were used for the analysis. For the stochastic frontier production model to be realistic, an exact measurement of the cost of the inputs and the realized output is extremely necessary. Very few farmers keep records of the expenditure incurred on the various inputs and rarely the output realized. Vegetable crops have a short duration. So the farmer will be in a position to give realistic figures regarding the various inputs as also the outputs. As regards plantation crops, there will be a lag right from the establishment of the crop to the steady bearing stage. Therefore, it will be very difficult to trace back the exact cost, as no records would be available about the costs incurred. Therefore, a rapid estimation survey is the only feasibility wherein simultaneous estimation of the costs involved from the nursery through the various stages of growth can be observed. Since a farmer who is already having a steady-bearing crop would have incurred lesser costs through the previous stages of growth of the crop, it is most feasible to use the concept of present worth to arrive at the exact costs of previous stages of the crop. The stochastic frontier analysis was done using the present value (PV) and the present cost.