Seroprevalence of Bovine ephemeral fever virus in Gujarat State of India.

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus (BEFV) is an arthropod borne virus that causes bovine ephemeral fever or three­day sickness in cattle and buffaloes. This is the first report on seroprevalence of BEF in cattle and buffaloes in Gujarat, India. Total of 92 animals, 78 cattle and 14 buffaloes from three regions (districts) of Gujarat state of India, were screened for the presence of anti­BEF antibodies. A total of 27 out of 92 animals were found positive and overall seroprevalence detected was 29.34% (95% CI 20.0­38.6%). A total of 19 out of 78 cattle and 8 out of 14 buffalo's samples were found positive BEFV antibodies. Species­wise seroprevalence in cattle and buffaloes was 24.35% (95% CI 14.8­33.8%) and 57.1% (95% CI 31.2­83.0%), respectively. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) species effect based on the seroprevalence. In cattle, location­wise seroprevalence was observed to be 26.82% (95% CI 13.2­40.3%) and 21.62% (95% CI 8.3­34.8%) in Navsari and Banaskantha districts, respectively. The effect of location is not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Cytopathic effect of Vero cells was characterized by rounding, granulation of the cytoplasm within 48­72 hrs of post infection. This was the first report demonstrating the presence of BEFV in Gujarat state.

A Novel Seed-Dressing Formulation Based on an Improved Mutant Strain of Trichoderma virens, and Its Field Evaluation.

Using gamma-ray-induced mutagenesis, we have developed a mutant (named G2) of Trichoderma virens that produced two- to three-fold excesses of secondary metabolites, including viridin, viridiol, and some yet-to-be identified compounds. Consequently, this mutant had improved antibiosis against the oomycete test pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. A transcriptome analysis of the mutant vis-à-vis the wild-type strain showed upregulation of several secondary-metabolism-related genes. In addition, many genes predicted to be involved in mycoparasitism and plant interactions were also upregulated. We used tamarind seeds as a mass multiplication medium in solid-state fermentation and, using talcum powder as a carrier, developed a novel seed dressing formulation. A comparative evaluation of the wild type and the mutant in greenhouse under high disease pressure (using the test pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii) revealed superiority of the mutant over wild type in protecting chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds and seedlings from infection. We then undertook extensive field evaluation (replicated micro-plot trials, on-farm demonstration trials, and large-scale trials in farmers' fields) of our mutant-based formulation (named TrichoBARC) for management of collar rot (S. rolfsii) in chickpea and lentil (Lens culinaris) over multiple locations in India. In certain experiments, other available formulations were included for comparison. This formulation consistently, over multiple locations and years, improved seed germination, reduced seedling mortality, and improved plant growth and yield. We also noticed growth promotion, improved pod bearing, and early flowering (7-10 days) in TrichoBARC-treated chickpea and lentil plants under field conditions. In toxicological studies in animal models, this formulation exhibited no toxicity to mammals, birds, or fish.