Setaria Research Articles

Molecular identification and genetic variability of equine and bovine ocular setariasis in india: molecular profiling by mitochondrial genes.

Ocular setariasis is an ectopic infection caused by a parasite under the genus Setaria. Adult worms belong to the Setariidae family and typically reside in the peritoneal cavity of ungulates. However, immature forms of these species may aberrantly migrate to the eyes of cattle, buffalo, goats, horses and several other hosts, leading to corneal opacity and blindness. Here, we have distinguished the Setaria digitata collected from both equine and buffalo hosts based on the morphology, molecular profiling of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (Cox3) and, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NAD1) genes. A single filarial worm was collected from the eye of one equine and one bovine host. These worms were then processed for morphological examination and DNA isolation. Cox1, Cox3 and NAD1 genes were amplified using specific primers and subjected to custom sequencing. The sequences were then used for multiple sequence alignment, assessment of entropy, similarity and haplotype diversity analysis. Key morphological features confirmed the worms collected were male and female Setaria digitata from equine and buffalo hosts, respectively. Cox1, Cox3 and NAD1 gene sequence analysis showed a close association of S.digitata Indian isolates with its counterparts from Sri Lanka and China isolates. The phylogram of bovine S. digitata sequences shows a close relationship to other equine S. digitata sequences, indicating the need for further in-depth studies on the prevalence of infection across various host species and intermediate hosts. Although the sequence results suggest that S. digitata is likely the causative agent of ocular setariasis in India, additional samples are needed to confirm this conclusion. Comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and proteome of S. digitata from both bovine and equine hosts is necessary to explore variations in host-parasite interactions. These findings will aid in future parasite identification, investigations into vector prevalence in India, and the development of control measures against ocular setariasis.

Ulcerative stomatitis associated with yellow bristle grass in New Zealand dairy cows

ABSTRACT Case history A line of 25 cull cows were all found to have ulcerative lesions of the tongue at post-mortem inspection in a New Zealand slaughter plant. A further 9 of 10 cows inspected at the farm of origin had similar oral lesions. There were no other clinical signs or indicators of ill-health observed at ante-mortem inspection in the abattoir or on the farm. The cows had been fed baleage for 3 weeks prior to slaughter, made from pasture in paddocks heavily contaminated with yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila). Clinical findings There was extensive and deep transverse linear ulceration in the lingual fossa immediately rostral to the torus linguae. At histological examination, full-thickness ulceration of the stratified squamous epithelium was observed with a bed of disorganised collagenous tissue and extensive mixed inflammatory infiltrate extending into the sub-epithelial connective tissue and skeletal muscle. Barbed plant fragments were embedded in both the superficial and deeper areas of inflammation. Detailed examination of the baleage also found that yellow bristle grass seedheads were present. Diagnosis Based on the presence of barbed plant material in the tongue and yellow bristle grass seeds in the baleage, a diagnosis of ulcerative stomatitis associated with yellow bristle grass was made. Clinical relevance Clinicians should be aware of the potential for hay or baleage contaminated with yellow bristle grass to cause oral lesions in cattle.

Эффективность новых гербицидов на посевах кукурузы в условиях Западного Предкавказья

When studying the effectiveness of using promising herbicides on crops of corn hybrids in the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory, it was found that corn crops are predominantly contaminated with dicotyledonous weeds such as Theophrastus rope, upturned acorn grass, ragwort, white pigweed, self-seeded poppy, and shepherd’s purse. Cereal (monocot) weeds are represented by blue bristle grass, green bristle grass and chicken millet. Perennial weeds include by field bindweed. The most effective herbicide is Adengo in the 1–2 leaf stage, giving a yield increase of 56.1 c/ha. At the same time, corn hybrids in the mid-early group yielded 91.5 c/ha and those in the mid-ripening group 77.1 c/ha. To obtain a corn yield of 100 c/ha, it is necessary to apply the herbicide Adengo (0.5 l/ha) at the stage of 1–2 leaves in the technology of cultivation of its hybrids DKS3969, DKS3 and DKS3789

Sensitivity of weeds to herbicide Lumax and its effectiveness in grain maize crops

Sensitivity of weeds to Lumax herbicide under growing conditions with pre- and post-emergent application was studied. Evaluation of biological and economic efficiency of Lumax herbicide at different terms of use was given. The studies were conducted in 2020–2022 in the Primorsky Territory. The soil of the experimental plots is meadow-brown podzolized, containing 3–4% of humus in the arable horizon. The agricultural technique is based on no-tillage technology. The forecrop was soybeans. The hybrid population P 8521 was used in the field experiments. The sensitivity of 16 weed species was studied when used in pre-emergence applications and 18 when used on vegetative plants in the early stages of their development. Visual observations of plant development after treatments with Lumax herbicide were made. At soil application, the preparation inhibited the germination of lamb’s-quarters, pigweed, hemp nettle, barnyard grass, bur beggar-ticks, yellow-foxtail grass and green bristle grass, field milk thistle and yellow thistle. Sprouts of China jute, common persicaria and copper leaf were completely dead by the 7th day. Moderate sensitivity was shown by ragweed, hairy cupgrass, and dayflower. Trailing hollyhock proved to be resistant to this herbicide. When using Lumax on vegetating plants, 17 species were highly sensitive, with only hairy cupgrass being relatively sensitive. In field experiments in the grain maize crop, weed infestation averaged 531 plants/m2 with a total above ground mass of 3279 g/m2. The herbicide was applied at three times: before sprouting, in the phases of the 2-3rd and 5th-6th of corn leaves. There were advantages and disadvantages with each term of its use. At preemergence, it more actively suppressed annual grasses, while at late (the 5th-6th leaf phase) it suppressed perennial dicotyledons. Application of the herbicide in the 2nd-3rd corn leaf phase showed approximately equal effect on the weeds. Lumax effectively eliminated dayflower and annual dicotyledonous weeds. Regardless of the timing of application, it contributed to saving 29.8-36.7 co of corn grain/ha.

Parasite cenoces of the wild pig (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) on the Trans-Baikal Territory

A comprehensive veterinary study of the wild pig population on the territory of the Trans-Baikal Territory for helminthiasis and microbial transmission was carried out. The helminth fauna of wild pigs was studied and the circulation of bacterial pathogens in the population of these animals was established. The object of the research were materials obtained in the field studies on the Trans-Baikal Territory districts. The study of endoparasite infestation was conducted in 37 wild pigs aged 6 months to 3 years during 2019-2021. Infestation of wild pigs with eight different types of helminths was registered on the Trans-Baikal Territory. The maximum extent of infestation (32.4%) was recorded in Setaria labiato-papillosa. Wild pigs are infected with both imaginal helminths Setaria labiato-papillosa, Metastrongylus elongatus, Ascaris suum, Trichocephalus suis, Oesophagostomum dentatum, as well as with helminth larvae Cysticercus tenuicollis and Cysticercus cellulosae. The study of the morphology of sexually mature pathogens indicates parasitization of helminths of the genus Setaria labiato-papillosa in pigs. Out of 37 wild pigs studied, the association infestation of setariosis + ascaridosis was recorded in 12 animals, three pigs were simultaneously parasitized by ascaridosis + trichocephalus, and two animals had the association of setariosis + metastrongylosis.Organoleptic examination of carcasses of pigs affected by associative infestation showed a 2-fold or more reduction in the thickness of the backbone and side fat in comparison with helminth-free animals. In pigs infected with ascaridosis and metastrongylosis, microbial cultures of S. typhimurium and E. rhusiopathiae were isolated from paraenchymatous organs. Parasite ecosystems with different types of helminths and helminths + highly pathogenic bacteria have been recorded in the body of wild pigs.

Results of Studying the Efficiency of Chemical Measures Against Weed Vegetation in Sunflower Crops

This study identified the most effective methods for protecting sunflowers from weeds through the treatment of crops with the herbicides Euro Lightning, Euro Lightning Plus and Express. These options provided substantial protection of sunflowers from weeds such as the cursed thistle, field bindweed, yellow bristle grass, field mustard, frost blite and redroot pigweed. In the fight against ragweed, the herbicides Euro Lightning and Euro Lightning Plus provided excellent action and the herbicide Express provided good results. Variants with the use of the soil herbicides Gezagard and Gardo Gold suppressed yellow bristle grass, field mustard and frost blite, and satisfactorily protected against redroot pigweed. However, they were ineffective against perennial species of weeds (cursed thistle and field bindweed) and ragweed growing in the experimental area. The application of soil herbicides did not influence the growth of sunflower broomrape and plots. The use of the herbicides Euro Lightning and Express helped to reduce the contamination of crops with this type of weed. When processing crops with the herbicide Euro-Lightning Plus, this type of weed was completely absent. Statistical processing of crop data showed a difference in yield in the studied variants. Carrying out weed control measures significantly increased the yield of sunflowers in comparison to control options (without treatment). There was a significant difference in the yield of oilseeds when herbicides intended for application on vegetating plants (Euro Lightning and Express) were used, compared to when the variants of soil herbicides Gezagard and Gardo Gold were used.
 Keywords: sunflower, weed plants, herbicides, oilseed productivity

Management of Ocular Setaria in Horses: A Review of 16 Cases

Management of Ocular Setaria in Horses: A Review of 16 Cases

Identification of Weeds Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning.

Weeds can be major environmental and economic burdens in New Zealand. Traditional methods of weed control including manual and chemical approaches can be time consuming and costly. Some chemical herbicides may have negative environmental and human health impacts. One of the proposed important steps for providing alternatives to these traditional approaches is the automated identification and mapping of weeds. We used hyperspectral imaging data and machine learning to explore the possibility of fast, accurate and automated discrimination of weeds in pastures where ryegrass and clovers are the sown species. Hyperspectral images from two grasses (Setaria pumila [yellow bristle grass] and Stipa arundinacea [wind grass]) and two broad leaf weed species (Ranunculus acris [giant buttercup] and Cirsium arvense [Californian thistle]) were acquired and pre-processed using the standard normal variate method. We trained three classification models, namely partial least squares-discriminant analysis, support vector machine, and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) using whole plant averaged (Av) spectra and superpixels (Sp) averaged spectra from each weed sample. All three classification models showed repeatable identification of four weeds using both Av and Sp spectra with a range of overall accuracy of 70–100%. However, MLP based on the Sp method produced the most reliable and robust prediction result (89.1% accuracy). Four significant spectral regions were found as highly informative for characterizing the four weed species and could form the basis for a rapid and efficient methodology for identifying weeds in ryegrass/clover pastures.

Setaria tundra, what do we know, what is still to be discovered?

Over the past years, the nematode species from the Onchocercidae family, Setaria tundra, has expanded its range by thousands of kilometres from subpolar to subtropical climate zone. Its presence has been confirmed in seven new countries. The appearance of this parasite in many other European countries, especially central and southern ones, is highly probable. In recent years, its mass appearance has led to the numerous fall of reindeer in Fennoscandia, thus causing significant economic damage. There is also a growing risk of its gradation in Central Europe, which threatens overpopulated wild deer species and possibly farm animals, however there is no information if other than mosquitoes blood-sucking arthropods act as its vector. This paper covers the range of occurrence of S. tundra in Europe, all of the reported intermediate and definitive hosts, phylogeny, biology, morphology, health effects, and treatment methods.

Morphological diagnosis of Setaria labiatopapillosa in domestic bovids from Marajó Island, Brazil.

The genus Setaria is known worldwide for parasiting wild and domestic mammals, with 43 species registered, of which five occur in the American continent. The objective of this study was to characterize the occurrence, morphology and morphometry of S. labiatopapillosa in B. taurus and B. bubalis in Marajó Island, Brazil. Carcass inspections of 420 cattle were carried out in two slaughterhouses in Pará. The nematodes were found on the white and serous viscera of the small intestine, being cleaned and discussed for analysis by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological and morphometric characteristics are compatible with S. labiatopapillosa parasitizing both species, with a prevalence of 25% (B. bubalis) and 24% (B. taurus). Information obtained by scanning electron microscopy was added to the description of the species, in addition to expanding the distribution of this parasite in the national territory.

Mass feeding event of Turquoise Parrots and Eastern Rosellas on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales

This note describes the detection of two contemporaneous mass feeding events of a total of ~1000 parrots. After a report of large numbers of Turquoise Parrots Neophema pulchella being found on 8 May 2021, the next day we encountered flocks totalling ~300 Turquoise Parrots and ~700 Eastern Rosellas Platycercus eximius feeding on seeding grasses on a cattle property on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales. The two species, which congregated separately from each other, showed a preference for different species of introduced grasses, neither of which had been reported previously in the diets of these parrots: Turquoise Parrots fed on Purple Pigeon Grass Setaria incrassata and Eastern Rosellas fed on Premier Digit Grass Digitaria eriantha. Sometime between 10 and 21 May, the feeding event was over, before the supply of seeds was exhausted; neither before nor after the event has either species been observed in these large numbers in the region.

First report of the isolation and phylogenetic characterization of equine Setaria digitata from India based on mitochondrial COI, 12S rDNA, and nuclear ITS2 sequence data.

Equine ocular setariasis arising mainly from ectopic infestation of Setaria digitata is a common vision impairing ophthalmic disease in India, and the identification of this filarial nematode is based solely on morphology. However, morphological characters alone are inadequate to detect and differentiate S. digitata from its congeners. The present communication reports the first phylogenetic characterization of equine S. digitata from India based on sequences derived from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (12S rDNA), and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Three isolates were characterized for each gene, and respective sequences were submitted to NCBI database (MN078131, MN078132, and MN095798). The sequences were also compared with the other related sequences available from PubMed around the globe, and phylogenetic analysis was carried out in conjunction with nucleotide homologies. There was no intraspecific variation among the Indian isolates. The phylogenetic analysis of S. digitata, inferred from these genes, showed that the isolate sequences obtained from different host species created a separate monophyletic clade within the genus Setaria with minor sequence variations revealing similar molecular characteristics of S. digitata isolates throughout the globe. In addition, the studied Indian isolates were found closer to Sri Lankan isolates. The S. digitata and S. labiatopapillosa appeared as sister species.

Roadside mowing spreads yellow bristle grass (<i>Setaria pumila</i>) seeds further than by natural dispersal

Yellow bristle grass is a highly invasive annual C4 pasture weed that has spread rapidly through many New Zealand dairying regions via seed dispersal. Seven trials were conducted on roadsides infested with yellow bristle grass to evaluate natural and mower-assisted dispersal. To trap seeds, yellow sticky traps were laid out at various intervals both perpendicular to and parallel to the road. Traps were in place for 24 h in the four natural dispersal trials but only for the event in the mowing trials. Seeds on the retrieved traps were counted and the seeds caught in the mower estimated. For natural dispersal, 90% of seeds fell within 0.5 m. When mown, 90% of the seeds fell within 2 metres in the direction of mowing and 80% within 20 cm in the perpendicular direction. More importantly, a small percentage of dispersed seeds were caught in the mower and presumably could subsequently fall off anywhere. Mowing mature yellow bristle grass on the roadside will result in accelerating seed dispersal along the roadside for many metres and potentially many kilometres.

Suppresive plants as weed management tool: Managing Parthenium hysterophorus under simulated grazing in Australian grasslands

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is among one of the most problematic invasive grassland weeds in Australia, and in many other countries around the world. It can reduce pasture and livestock production, natural community biodiversity, and negatively affect human and animal health. Sowing of selected suppressive pasture plants in parthenium weed infested grasslands has shown potential to improve efficacy of management. However, such species need to be tested for their ability to suppress weed growth under grazing conditions. The parthenium weed suppressive and fodder production capacity of six selected pasture species [purple pigeon grass (Setaria incrassata), buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra), bull Mitchell grass (Astrebla squarrosa) and Indian bluegrass (Bothriochloa pertusa)] was tested under no (0%), low (25%), moderate (50%) and heavy (75%) simulated grazing pressures in a grassland area of south-central Queensland, Australia. Purple pigeon grass, buffel grass and butterfly pea legume suppressed the growth of parthenium weed by >50% under low and moderate simulated grazing pressures, as well as generating moderate to high amounts of fodder biomass (up to 5.07 t ha−1 per year). Native species, Kangaroo grass and bull Mitchell grass both suppressed the parthenium weed's growth by >50% under low simulated grazing pressure, however, they generated low to moderate amounts of biomass, 1.83 t ha−1 and 2.7 t ha−1 per year, respectively. The sowing of selected suppressive pasture species in parthenium weed infested grasslands with low-to-moderate grazing pressure, assuming this corresponds closely with the simulated treatment, would provide an additional tool to the best practice weed management strategy as well as sustaining fodder production.

Effects of Specific Gravity on Germination and Emergence of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica Beauvois)

Effects of Specific Gravity on Germination and Emergence of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica Beauvois)

Pre-emergence and postemergence application of herbicide Adengo in corn crops

The trials of herbicide Adengo were conducted under vegetation (2016, 2017) and field conditions (2016-2018) in corn crops of the hybrid population P 8521 for grain. The experimental plot had brown meadow podzolized soil, containing 3.5% percent of humus in the arable horizon. Agricultural technology used was based on non-moldboard soil tillage system. The predecessor was soya. Susceptibility to Adengo herbicide was studied in 15 weed species with pre-emergence application and 13 species with the treatment of vegetative plants. The research identified weeds that were highly susceptible to Adengo herbicide under vegetation conditions (biological efficiency of the preparation over 90%): barnyard grass, yellow-foxtail grass, velvet leaf, lamb’s quarters, common amaranth, St. Paul's wort, smartweed, hibiscus trostisy, field sow thistle and bristle thistle; moderately susceptible (70-90%): bristle grass, hairy cup grass, common ragweed and Asian copperleaf; and weakly susceptible (less than 70%): dayflower. In post-emergence application of Adengo, dayflower proved to be a susceptible weed, while Asian copperleaf - weakly susceptible. Weed infestation of experimental plots in the field experiment amounted to 542 pieces of weeds per m 2 on average, with the total above-ground mass of 4427 g/m 2 . Herbicide Adengo (0.4 and 0.5 l/ha) applied before the crop and weeds emerged, and in phases 2-3 and 5-6 of corn leaves reduced the number of weeds to 134-199 pieces/m 2 (or by 63-75%). In all periods of application, the herbicide was actively restraining the growth and development of annual grasses by 77-91%, and annual dicotyledons - by 95-99%. Dayflower was effectively eliminated when using Adengo in the phase of 2-3 leaves (86%), and bristle thistle - when spraying in the phase of 5-6 leaves (81-88%). High biological efficiency of the post-emergence herbicide application made it possible to save 4.75-5.26 t/ha of corn grain, while the yield in the control was 0.72 t/ha. Pre-emergence application of the herbicide resulted in a lower yield of corn grain by 0.49-1.0 t/ha than post-emergence application.

Interspecific Variability of Filarioid Nematodes of the Genus Setaria Viborg, 1795 Occurring in Wild Ruminants in Europe: A Review

Abstract Nematodes of the genus Setaria (Spirurida, Filarioidea) are parasites of vertebrates except fish. Dangerous are their larvae (microfilariae) that may migrate to the central nervous system of hosts causing serious neuropathic disorders of vertebrates including human. Setaria cervi, S. labiatopapillosa, and S. tundra are potential parasites in wild ruminants in Europe. The most recent studies of variability among Setaria spp. are based on a combination of morphometric and molecular methods. Although there is no clear consistency in the morphological structures used by different authors, a morphological key was compiled based on the body length, the arrangement of peribucal crown, and the number of papillae in the caudal part of the body. The barcoding system of Setaria genus is based on sequences of conserved gene polymorphisms such as COX1 and rDNA genes. The published sequences of COX1 gene in Setaria populations were analysed using in silico phylogenetic analysis by the maximum likelihood method (Tamura-Nei model). This analysis confirmed that the COX1 nucleotide polymorphisms genes are species-specific and represent the theoretical basis for the development of markers enabling barcoding system in the genus Setaria.

Different responses to soil petroleum contamination in monocultured and mixed plant systems

The role of plant composition should be considered during ecological risk assessment of soil petroleum contamination. To evaluate the influences of plant composition on phytotoxicity, petroleum degraders, and petroleum degradation, four treatments were arranged in the present study: unplanted, bristle grass only, alfalfa only, and bristle grass and alfalfa mixed planted in uncontaminated soil or petroleum contaminated soil (w/w, 1.0%). Petroleum contamination inhibited the growth of bristle grass and alfalfa significantly, and alfalfa growth inhibition was significantly alleviated when mixed planted with bristle grass (p < 0.05). MPN analysis indicated that the mixed plant treatment can gather the benefits of two species, and facilitate the development of alkane, total hydrocarbon and PAH degraders in contaminated soil, but not occur in uncontaminated soil. Compared with alfalfa only treatment, the degradation rates for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and aliphatic fraction were significantly increased in the mixed plant treatment (p < 0.05). However, the degradation of aromatic petroleum fraction was not received substantial improvement in the mixed plant treatment, despite containing an abundant PAH degraders. Overall, mixed plant cultivation had the significant influences on plant growth, microbial community and petroleum degradation in contaminated soils. The study provides valuable insights for vegetation restoration and remediation systems in petroleum contaminated sites of study area.

Taxonomic Demarcation of Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult., S. verticillata (L.) P. Beauv., and S. viridis (L.) P. Beauv. (Cenchrinae, Paniceae, Panicoideae, Poaceae) From Phytolith Signatures.

Background and Aims: The role and significance of phytoliths in taxonomic diagnosis of grass species has been well documented with a focus on the types found in foliar epidermis and the synflorescence. The present paper is an attempt to broaden the scope of phytoliths in species diagnosis of grasses by developing phytolith signatures of some species of the foxtail genus Setaria P. Beauv. through in situ location and physico-chemical analysis of various phytolith morphotypes in different parts of the plant body.Methods: Clearing solution and dry ashing extraction methods were employed for in situ location and isolation of phytolith morphotypes respectively. Ultrastructural details were worked out by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Morphometric and frequency data of phytolith morphotypes were also recorded. Biochemical architecture of various phytolith types was worked out through SEM-EDX, XRD, and FTIR analysis. Data were analyzed through Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis.Key Results: In situ location of phytoliths revealed species specific epidermal patterns. The presence of cystoliths (calcium oxalate crystals) in the costal regions of adaxial leaf surface of S. verticillata (L.) P. Beauv. is the first report for the genus Setaria. Our results revealed marked variations in epidermal ornamentation and undulation patterns with a novel “Λ” (Lamda) type of undulated ornamentation reported in S. verticillata. Dry ashing method revealed species specific clusters of phytolith morphotypes.Conclusions: The study revealed that phytoliths can play a significant role in resolution of taxonomic identity of three species of Setaria. Each species was marked out by a unique assemblage of phytolith morphotypes from various parts of the plant body. Apart from in situ location and epidermal patterning, diagnostic shapes, frequency distribution, size dimensions, and biochemical architecture emerged as complementary traits that help in developing robust phytolith signatures for plant species.

Domestication and Improvement in the Model C4 Grass, Setaria.

Setaria viridis (green foxtail) and its domesticated relative S. italica (foxtail millet) are diploid C4 panicoid grasses that are being developed as model systems for studying grass genomics, genetics, development, and evolution. According to archeological evidence, foxtail millet was domesticated from green foxtail approximately 9,000 to 6,000 YBP in China. Under long-term human selection, domesticated foxtail millet developed many traits adapted to human cultivation and agricultural production. In comparison with its wild ancestor, foxtail millet has fewer vegetative branches, reduced grain shattering, delayed flowering time and less photoperiod sensitivity. Foxtail millet is the only present-day crop in the genus Setaria, although archeological records suggest that other species were domesticated and later abandoned in the last 10,000 years. We present an overview of domestication in foxtail millet, by reviewing recent studies on the genetic regulation of several domesticated traits in foxtail millet and discuss how the foxtail millet and green foxtail system could be further developed to both better understand its domestication history, and to provide more tools for future breeding efforts.