|
|
| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
August 2015 | Vol. 10 No. 8 |
|
Title: |
Reversibility of the reproductive toxicity of
dietary gossypol in guinea-pig (Cavia Porcellus) |
|
Author (s): |
Augustave Kenfack, Baizina
Mama, Ferdinand Ngoula, Arouna Ngapagna Njayou, Narcisse Bertin Vemo, Judith Kegne Chombong,
and Arthenice Jemima Noumamo Guiekep |
|
Abstract: |
In order to study the effects of gossypol and
the reversibility of its reproductive toxicity, forty- eight
male guinea pigs were divided into four groups of 12 each.
Each group received one of four levels of cottonseed cake
corresponding to four doses of dietary gossypol: 0.00; 7.78;
15.56; 23.34 mg.kg-1 body weight day-1.
At the end of a two month-treatment period, six guinea-pigs
per group were sacrificed per lot. The other six were fed
for two additional months without cottonseed cake before
being sacrificed in turn. The weight of the vas deferens and
accessory glands were reduced significantly (P<0.05) in
guinea-pigs receiving gossypol at 23.3 mg kg-1
body weight. There were no significant differences (P>0.05)
among treatments in testis weight and volume and the weight
of the epididymis. The reaction time of a male to the
presence of a female was significantly reduced by increasing
levels of gossypol, however there were no changes in
testosterone concentration. Consistent increases in the
weight and volume of reproductive organs, testosterone
concentration, and epididymal sperm count and motility after
removal of cotton cake from the diet suggested that there
had been a reversal of any adverse effects of gossypol. Thus
up to 23 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of
gossypol in cottonseed cake can be fed to guinea-pigs
without any risk of a definitive alteration of their
fertility. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Mulching strategies for weeds control and
water conservation in cotton |
|
Author (s): |
Salman
Ahmad, Muhammad
Aown Sammar Raza, Muhammad Farrukh Saleem,
Syeda Sadaf Zahra, Imran Haider Khan, Muhammad Ali, Abdul Manan
Shahid, Rashid Iqbal and Muhammad Saqlain Zaheer |
|
Abstract: |
Experiments were conducted at Agronomic
research area of University College of Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur
during 2013 and 2014, to investigate the impact of different
mulching strategies for weeds control and water conservation
in cotton. Three mulch treatments (M0 = no mulch,
M1= black plastic mulch and M1= straw
mulch) and three irrigation levels (I0= 5 days
interval, I1= 10 days interval and I2=
15 days interval) were used in the experiments. Minimum weeds
number and biomass was recorded under black plastic mulch,
followed by wheat straw mulch and maximum in control
(without mulch) treatment. Water related parameters like
relative water content, excised leaf water loss, and soil
moisture percentage and yield related parameters like number
of bolls, 100 bolls weight, seed cotton yield, biological
yield, harvest index and water use efficiency were higher
under combination of black plastic mulch with irrigation
interval of five days. It was concluded that combination of
black plastic mulch with irrigation interval of five days
resulted in maximum weeds control, water saving and seed
cotton yield than rest of the treatments. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Suitability of some Iraqi woods of fast
growing species for pulp and paper production |
|
Author (s): |
Basim A.
Abd Ali |
|
Abstract: |
Three species of branches wood belonging to
trees grown under Baghdad conditions were investigated.
Axial and radial variations in fiber length, fiber diameter,
cell wall thickness, vessel diameter, and wood specific
gravity were examined. Results showed certain deviation in
fiber geometry from that of main stem. With exception of
wall thickness, all fiber and vessel examined traits were
less than that of normal main stem. Specific Gravity was
exceptional; it was over than conventional records.
According to change in longitudinal or radial position,
significant variation in most of wood element dimensions has
occurred; it was species dependence. Runkel ratio values
which were over than one, and also short length of fibers
gave an indication that branches wood of these species grown
under Baghdad conditions are not preferable for pulp and
paper if there is a more convenient alternative. |
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Quality
change of wheat grain during storage in a ferrocement bin |
|
Author (s): |
Shakeel
Hussain Chattha, Che Man Hasfalina, Muhammad Razif Mahadi,
Benish Nawaz Mirani
and Teang Shui Lee |
|
Abstract: |
Wheat is a seasonal agricultural commodity
which produces once in year. The demand of wheat remains
high throughout the year because it is considered as staple
food in developing countries including Pakistan which
necessitates the proper storage and maintenance systems to
obtain quality grains. Grain stored for one year in
ferrocement bin retained better germination percentage,
starch content and falling number than grain stored in room
type store. Ferrocement bin protected stored wheat from
deterioration caused by fungi, aflatoxin, and insects while
wheat stored in conventional room type store suffered severe
damages. Ferrocement bin showed lower grain moisture and
grain weight loss throughout the storage period than room
type store. The quality of wheat in traditional room type
storage system was low and this storage system was
inadequate for protecting stored wheat from deterioration.
Therefore, ferrocement bin has proven to be a promising
solution for storage of good quality grain. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Invigoration of Lentil (Lens Culinaris
L.) seeds by hormonal priming with kinetin and gibberellic
acid |
|
Author (s): |
Khodayar Pourazar and Bahram
Mirshekari |
|
Abstract: |
The present study was aimed to determine the
effect of hormonal seed priming with gibberellic acid and
kinetin on germination and seedling performance of lentil.
Solution concentrations of gibberellic acid and kinetin were
0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm. Dilute solution concentrations
of hormones could not influenced earlier emergence of
lentil. A further reduction in solution concentrations could
delay mean emergence time. All the seed priming treatments
also improved the coefficient of uniformity of emergence
compared with non-primed seeds; however, maximum parameter
value was recorded in solution concentrations of 150-200 ppm.
Seedling vigor index responded positively and significantly
to seed priming agents. The data shows that seedling vigor
index can be increased by seed priming. Seed priming with
higher doses of gibberellic acid and cytokinin may improve
germination and vigorous performance of lentil. The stepwise
regression analysis verified that the final emergence
percentage, coefficient of uniformity of emergence and
seedling dry weight had a marked increasing effect on
seedling vigor index of lentil. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
