Studies on anther cultures of tomato —Lycopersicon esculentum Mill

The anthers of three genotypes ofLycopersicon esculentum, viz. cv. HS-101, cv. HS-102 and an F₁ hybrid (Montfavet 63-4xHS-101) in different stages of development were cultured in various defined nutritive media. Only anthers containing microspores in the early uninucleate stage were found to respond with the culture medium in the formation of androgenic callus. The DGII medium with 2 mg l⁻¹ NAA and 1 mg 1⁻¹ kinetin was found to be best for callus induction but MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.1 mg 1⁻¹ BAP favoured proliferation and growth of the callus. The androgenic microspores followed the ‘B’ type pathway of androgenesis in the formation of callus. Induction of tracheids in the callus could be achieved by supplementing the basal medium with NAA and kinetin or 2,4-D and BAP. Initiation of vessel elements and cambium were favoured by addition of NAA and kinetin and that of the phloem in the presence of 2,4-D and BAP in the basal medium, suggesting that the hormonal requirements for production of different elements of the vascular system in androgenic callus are different. Although roots could be induced from the callus, shoot differentiation could not be achieved under cultural conditions.     

Effect of host plant on cornucopia of mango fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their triumphant management in context of climate change

A study was performed to assess the preference of fourteen mango cultivars for fruit flies and their management by bagging. So the choice of Tephritid flies to mango cultivars during fruiting phase is crucial. Fourteen different cultivars of mango viz., ‘Dusehri’, ‘Malda’, ‘Langra’ early cultivars, ‘Chaunsa’, ‘Fajri Klan’, ‘Sensation’ medium whereas ‘Sanglakhi’, ‘Retaul-12’, ‘Mehmood Khan’, ‘Tukhmi’, ‘Kala Chaunsa’, ‘Chitta Chaunsa’, ‘Dai Wala’ and ‘Sobey De Ting’ late cultivars were assessed for their suitability for fruit flies. The results indicate that the population density of fruit flies was higher on late cultivars like ‘Sanglakhi’ (20.61 percent), ‘Mehmood Khan’ (20.22 percent) and ‘Reutal-12’ (19.92 percent) were proved to be highly susceptible to fruit flies. Among these the cultivar ‘Reutal-12’ was selected being commercial and future cultivar for the management of fruit flies through bagging. The results reported that the attack of tephritid fruit flies and other insect pests were zero in bagged fruits as compared with control. It was further recorded that the bagged fruits has maximum average fruit weight i.e. 203.50 and 197.83 g per fruit was noted in those treatments where butter paper bag and brown paper bag was wrapped with better coloration as compared with un-bagged fruit with 159.5 g per fruit. Similarly, on an average fruit length were more i.e. 90.17, 91.33 mm in bagged fruit and 85.33 in un-bagged fruits. Furthermore, bagged fruits have zero incidence of disease with reduced fruit crack, fruit sunburn, mechanical damage, bird damage, fruit blemished and agrochemical residues on the fruit. So, it is concluded that the special attention should be given on ‘Reutal-12’ for the management of fruit flies when devising an IPM program for the control of fruit flies. Further, bagging has proved to be the good agricultural practices for the production of quality mango.     

Reunderstanding Cairo through urban metabolism: Formal versus informal districts resource flow performance in fast urbanizing cities

Urban expansion can be seen as the most pervasive human impact on the environment where its high resource use contributes negatively to climate change and resource scarcity crises. Many experts call for decoupling resource use, economic development, and related urban development especially within cities of the Global South. This paper focuses on investigating resource efficiency through the lens of urban metabolism. It investigates current resource flows, through material flow analysis, from source to sink, in two diverse districts in Cairo: a formal district and an informal one, regarding materials (waste) and mobility. Consequently, the paper discusses locally responsive interventions that address local priorities as opposing to citywide one‐size fits all solution. The paper relies on parcel audits, which are embedded in an Urban Metabolism Information System developed by the Ecocity Builders and their partners, through a joint project with Cairo University. The methodology couples crowd‐sourced data, parcel audits, and experts’ knowledge to better understand resource flows based on a bottom‐up approach, given the unavailability of governmental data on the local level. The paper further correlates the perceived quality of life with the actual resource flows. It utilizes fieldwork investigations to argue against the local misconceptions regarding the inefficiency of informal areas/systems versus the higher efficiency of planned areas/systems. The paper concludes by proposing integrated solutions that respond to local needs and resources. It highlights the challenges and lessons of this tailored bottom‐up approach and its applicability in other cities worldwide.     

Farmers’ knowledge,perception and management of mango mealy bug,Drosicha mangiferae Green (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae), on Mangifera indica in Punjab,Pakistan

In 2004–05, during the December to February about 141 mango farmers were interviewed during peak activity of mango mealy bug in southern Punjab, Pakistan. The objective was to know the farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and practices in the management of mango mealy bug. Most of the farmers (94.33%) reported that Chaunsa variety (king of all mango varieties) was susceptible to mango and irrigation water was the major source of flare up of this pest. Basudin and Supracide were the most commonly used insecticides as 72.92 and 51.77 percent farmers gave positive response and grease bands were applied for the control of mango mealy bug by the majority of the respondents. Hundred percent yield losses was told by 22.7 percent respondents whereas 75 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent losses were reported by 39.7, 31.9 and 14.2 insecticidal spray did not show satisfaction to the respondents for the control of fertilized females of mango mealy bug coming down from the trees. Lack of knowledge about the pest, lack of money, adulterated and shortage of pesticides, lack of unity amongst farmers Further the growers’ views were tested in the field for confirmation and small land holdings were the main constraints for the control of mango mealy bug.     

In silico annotation of unreviewed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in some lepidopteran insect pest species reveals the causes of insecticide resistance

Lepidoptera is the second most diverse insect order outnumbered only by the Coeleptera. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the major target site for insecticides. Extensive use of insecticides, to inhibit the function of this enzyme, have resulted in the development of insecticide resistance. Complete knowledge of the target proteins is very important to know the cause of resistance. Computational annotation of insect acetylcholinesterase can be helpful for the characterization of this important protein. Acetylcholinesterase of fourteen lepidopteran insect pest species was annotated by using different bioinformatics tools. AChE in all the species was hydrophilic and thermostable. All the species showed lower values for instability index except L. orbonalis, S. exigua and T. absoluta. Highest percentage of Arg, Asp, Asn, Gln and Cys were recorded in P. rapae. High percentage of Cys and Gln might be reason for insecticide resistance development in P. rapae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the AChE in T. absoluta, L. orbonalis and S. exigua are closely related and emerged from same primary branch. Three functional motifs were predicted in eleven species while only two were found in L. orbonalis, S. exigua and T. absoluta. AChE in eleven species followed secretory pathway and have signal peptides. No signal peptides were predicted for S. exigua, L. orbonalis and T. absoluta and follow non secretory pathway. Arginine methylation and cysteine palmotylation was found in all species except S. exigua, L. orbonalis and T. absoluta. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor was predicted in only nine species.     

Capacity for NADPH regeneration in the leaves of two poplar genotypes differing in ozone sensitivity

Cell capacity for cytosolic NADPH regeneration by NADP‐dehydrogenases was investigated in the leaves of two hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra) genotypes in response to ozone (O₃) treatment (120 ppb for 17 days). Two genotypes with differential O₃ sensitivity were selected, based on visual symptoms and fallen leaves: Robusta (sensitive) and Carpaccio (tolerant). The estimated O₃ flux (POD₀), that entered the leaves, was similar for the two genotypes throughout the treatment. In response to that foliar O₃ flux, CO₂ assimilation was inhibited to the same extent for the two genotypes, which could be explained by a decrease in Rubisco (EC 4.1.1.39) activity. Conversely, an increase in PEPC (EC 4.1.1.31) activity was observed, together with the activation of certain cytosolic NADP‐dehydrogenases above their constitutive level, i.e. NADP‐G6PDH (EC 1.1.1.49), NADP‐ME (malic enzyme) (EC 1.1.1.40) and NADP‐ICDH (NADP‐isocitrate dehydrogenase) (EC1.1.1.42). However, the activity of non‐phosphorylating NADP‐GAPDH (EC 1.2.1.9) remained unchanged. From the 11th fumigation day, NADP‐G6PDH and NADP‐ME profiles made it possible to differentiate between the two genotypes, with a higher activity in Carpaccio than in Robusta. At the same time, Carpaccio was able to maintain high levels of NADPH in the cells, while NADPH levels decreased in Robusta O₃‐treated leaves. All these results support the hypothesis that the capacity for cells to regenerate the reducing power, especially the cytosolic NADPH pool, contributes to improve tolerance to high ozone exposure.     

Comparative genome analysis of Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum tuberosum

Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum tuberosum are agriculturally important crop species as they are rich sources of starch, protein, antioxidants, lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber. The genomes of S. lycopersicum and S. tuberosum are currently available. However the linear strings of nucleotides that together comprise a genome sequence are of limited significance by themselves. Computational and bioinformatics approaches can be used to exploit the genomes for fundamental research for improving their varieties. The comparative genome analysis, Pfam analysis of predicted reviewed paralogous proteins was performed. It was found that S. lycopersicum proteins belong to more families, domains and clans in comparison with S. tuberosum. It was also found that mostly intergenic regions are conserved in two genomes followed by exons, intron and UTR. This can be exploited to predict regions between genomes that are similar to each other and to study the evolutionary relationship between two genomes, leading towards the development of disease resistance, stress tolerance and improved varieties of tomato.     

Genetic analysis of the raffinose oligosaccharide pathway in lentil seeds

Two lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars, Syrian Local Large (SLL) and PANT-L-406 (PL), have been used to study the genetics of the raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFO) and a related compound, ciceritol, which is a galactosyl cyclitol. The RFO and ciceritol are the major soluble -galactosides in lentil seeds. Crosses were made between the two lentil lines and the patterns of inheritance for the total -galactoside content and for individual RFO compounds (raffinose, stachyose, verbascose) and ciceritol were determined in the embryos and seed coats from single seeds of the reciprocal F1s, the F2s and ten F3 families. The inheritance patterns for each of the -galactosides were complex and much of this complexity was attributed to an interaction between the embryo and its surrounding testa. A clear-cut segregation pattern was observed for verbascose. This was the result of PL embryos having very low, or no, verbascose. The F2 embryos had a segregation ratio of 3 high to 1 low level for this compound, suggesting that within this cross a low verbascose content was determined by a single recessive gene. There was good evidence from the F2 and F3 generations of a negative correlation between low levels of verbascose and high levels of ciceritol, which suggests a metabolic link between the RFO pathway and the pathway leading to ciceritol. The data are discussed in terms of defining strategies for genetically manipulating the-galactoside composition in lentil seeds, such that their negative effects on nutrition may be overcome without reducing significantly their positive role in abiotic stress resistance.