These mutations cause a reduction in the overall levels of methylation on H3K27 by targeting the active site of SET-domain containing methyl transferases [45••]. The loss of H3K27 methylation is predicted

to disrupt a feedback loop that regulates the polycomb repressor complex 2 (PCR2), which then promotes the cancer state. Thus, histones can play a pivotal role CDK inhibitor in the progression of the disease state, making them potential candidates to consider for therapeutic targeting. As is evident from the large body of literature on histones and their variants, nucleosomes and their structure, and chromatin organization in vitro and in vivo, this topic is a continuously evolving chapter in the study of genomes. Despite almost 40 years of steady progress on understanding chromatin, profound open questions persist that make this field one of the most exciting to investigate. Do histone variants have different preferences for particular DNA sequences?

Do histones re-associate with the same DNA sequence after being disrupted? Is there true molecular memory at sites that are to be marked for the next cell cycle? How is such memory over-ridden when cells embark on different developmental programs? How does the vigorous compression in the mitotic chromosome physically affect the position and stability of various types of nucleosomes? When cells age or transit into resting phase, how does the proportion of histone variants and nucleosome positions change, and how do such phenomena affect the rate of gene expression, DNA repair, Thiamet G Tacrolimus datasheet remodeling and replication? All these questions await answers, which will eventually bring a more complete conceptual framework of the behaviors

used to regulate genetic accessibility by these tiny, but crucial proteins, the tricksters of the genome. Papers of particular interest, published within the period of review, have been highlighted as: • of special interest “
“Current Opinion in Genetics & Development 2014, 25:15–21 This review comes from a themed issue on Genome architecture and expression Edited by Victor Corces and David L Levens For a complete overview see the Issue and the Editorial Available online 22nd December 2013 0959-437X/$ – see front matter, © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2013.10.013 DNA is a dynamic molecule. In its relaxed state it adopts a right-handed helically coiled conformation, the detailed structure of which is dependent on the localised sequence. Winding DNA around its axis introduces supercoils increasing the free energy stored in the molecule; winding in the same direction as the helix introduces positive supercoiling whereas winding in the opposite direction generates negative supercoiling [1 and 2]. In addition to supercoiling derived from changes in DNA twist, it is also a product of the coiling or bending of the helix in space, a parameter commonly termed writhe.

No QTL was previously found on chromosomes 1DL, 4AL and 7BL in common wheat, implying that the present QTL for content of A-type starch Selleck Fluorouracil granules are new. However, the QTL were not consistently detected across environments and thus other populations or materials should be used in QTL or association mapping to validate these findings. It was concluded that A-type and B-type starch granules were controlled by different genes[32]. Although the relative quantity reflects the granule size distribution and is relatively easy to estimate. Percentage volume is not a suitable parameter for direct comparison of QTL conferring

the two types of granules. Therefore, the specific diameters, numbers and weights of A-type and B-type starch granules should be examined in the future. Starch granule size and RVA parameters are important factors in determining starch function. In a previous study, RVA parameters were mapped with the same RIL population this website [31]. Compared to the previous results, Qga.caas-1DL was located near

QTL for sedimentation value and mixograph parameters and the marker for Dx5 + Dy10, where a QTL for palate, stickiness and smoothness of Chinese dry noodle was also mapped [33], indicating that these parameters are related to each other and may have pleiotropic effects on noodle quality. The QTL for both starch properties and dough tolerance may contribute to quality improvement. In addition, Batey et al. [24] mapped a QTL for peak viscosity on chromosome 7BL in the same interval as Qga.caas-7BL. Therefore, content of A-starch granules is closely related to RVA parameters. Many enzymes are involved in starch biosynthesis.

The genes for the key enzyme involved in amylose synthesis, granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSS I), were identified on chromosomes 7AS, 4AL and 7DS [34]. It was reported that partially waxy and waxy wheats had less A-type starch granules and more B-type starch granules than non-waxy wheats [35]. GBSS I was found to be responsible for the ratio of A-type to B-type starch granules [1]. In this study, however, both PH82-2 and isothipendyl Neixiang 188 have wild type Wx-A1, Wx-B1 and Wx-D1 alleles and no QTL was found at these loci. Soluble starch synthase may control starch granule size distribution in the early stage of grain filling [1]. SS III and SS IV (soluble starch synthase) genes were located on common wheat homoeologous group 1 chromosomes [36] and [37], and it was reported that SS IV affected starch granule formation in Arabidopsis thaliana [38]. In addition, the genes for ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase low subunit, SS I and SS II, and branching enzymes (SBE I and SBE II) were located on homoeologous group 7 chromosomes [39], [40], [41] and [42]. Starch branching enzymes were associated with A-type starch granules [7].

, 2005). RNA was extracted from purified lamprey lymphocytes using Qiagen RNeasy systems (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). Total RNA was used as a template for subsequent random-primed cDNA generation (SuperScript III, Invitrogen, Grand Island, NY), followed by amplification of VLR sequences with gene specific oligonucleotides located in the signal peptide (5′-ATATGCTAGCCACCATGTGGATCAAGTGGATCGCCACGC-3′)

and stalk region (5′-ATATACCGGTTCAACGTTTCCTGCAGAGGGCG-3′) of the VLR gene. The amplified gene sequences were digested with the Nhe I and Age I restriction enzymes and cloned into the expression vector pIRESpuro2 (Invitrogen, Grand Island, NY). To generate HA/6xHis-tagged VLR antibodies and monomeric VLR antibodies we used the alternative antisense primer sequences CP-868596 order 5′- ATATACCGGTTGGGCATTTCGAGGGGCTAGTGCT-3′ and 5′- TATACCGGTTCAGGGTTTCTGGGTTGTGATCAC-3′, respectively. VLR expression constructs were transfected into 293T cells using polyethylenimine (PEI) at a ratio of 3 μg PEI:1 μg DNA as described (Reed et al., 2006). 3 days after transfection, the supernatant was harvested and used for staining of primary cells and cell lines. Alternatively, 293T cells transfected with HA/6xHis-tagged

VLR clones cells were subjected to treatment with puromycin (1 μg/ml) and supernatant from puromycin-resistant cells was used for purification of recombinant VLR proteins using Ni-NTA columns followed by elution with 150 mM imidazole. PBMCs were incubated with VLR containing supernatants from transfected 293T cells for 30 min on ice. The cells were washed 2 × with PBS/1% BSA followed PD0332991 purchase by incubation with mouse monoclonal antibody (4C4) with VLR specificity at a concentration of 6 μg/ml in PBS/1%BSA for 15 min on ice. Subsequently the cells were washed 2 × and incubated with goat anti-mouse

NADPH-cytochrome-c2 reductase PE-labeled secondary antibody. Following this step, the cells were blocked extensively in 5% normal mouse serum, stained with anti-human CD3 and CD19 monoclonal antibodies and analyzed on a FACS CyAN instrument (Dako Cytomation, Carpinteria, CA). FACS data were analyzed using FloJo software. As negative control we used the monoclonal VLR4 antibody that specifically reacts with the BclA antigen of Bacillus anthracis ( Herrin et al., 2008). Western blotting and immunoprecipitation experiments with Jurkat cells and transfected 293T cells were performed as described previously with minor modifications (Ehrhardt et al., 2005). Briefly, cells were pelleted and resuspended in lysis buffer containing 1% Nonidet P-40, 50 mM Tris·HCl (pH 7.5), 5 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl, and the protease inhibitors leupeptin (5 μg/ml), pepstatin (1 μg/ml), aprotinin (5 μg/ml), PMSF (40 μg/ml). The whole cell lysates were incubated with 20 μl of a 50% slurry of protein G beads (GE Biosciences) which were pre-coated with anti-HA antibody 12CA5 and the indicated monoclonal VLR antibodies.

In our series, all patients were treated with doses from a minimum of 15 Gy up to 18.5 Gy and no neuropathy was observed. Three patients (19%) had Grade 3 complication as reported by the physician during followup visit: one had urethral stenosis and two others had fistulas (rectovaginal and ureter). Nonetheless, it is not easy to separate treatment-related local complications in patients with recurrent learn more tumors previously treated with surgery and radiation therapy. Previously published data from our institution described the most common type of toxicity: wound (24%), ureter (23%), and bladder (20%) complication in patients with recurrent colorectal cancer who received

HDR-IORT without DP (14). Despite the use of HDR-IORT, local failure can occur in up to 50% of patients [2] and [8]. Resection margin status has been shown to be the primary predictor of local failure. In a prior study from our institution, patients with R1 or R2 resections had a median time to local failure of 5-Fluoracil 38 vs. 63 months for patients with an R0 resection (15). Although negative

margins can be obtained microscopically in a second radical resection, in previously irradiated patients, clear margins are difficult to achieve even by the most experienced surgeons in high-volume cancer centers. The cohort of patients receiving IORT-HDR-DP was particularly high risk for positive margins as all patients had recurrent disease and previous EBRT. Yet, despite positive microscopic margins in 25% of our patients, the 2-year LC was excellent (80%), suggesting that IORT was effective as an adjuvant treatment. Given the small cohort of patients and its retrospective nature, we cannot draw definitive conclusions related to survival outcomes. Also, Verteporfin cell line owing to the lack of a control group, we cannot evaluate the real impact of HDR-IORT-DP in LC compared with regular HDR-IORT without DP. The largest single-institution experience in IOERT on recurrent colorectal cancer (n = 607) from the Mayo Clinic showed a 3-year local and distant relapse incidence of 23% and 49%, respectively (2). In their series, 37% of

the resections were R1. Interestingly, despite comparable LC rates to the Mayo Clinic series, the DM rate (69%) was higher in our cohort, potentially demonstrating more advanced disease at the time of surgery or more aggressive tumor biology in our group of patients who had tumors of other sites in addition to colorectal cancers. Local recurrence after previous EBRT also seems to be an unfavorable factor. The Mayo Clinic series reported 5-year survival of 20% in patients with recurrent colorectal cancer without prior radiation vs. 12% in previously irradiated patients (16). In our study of previously irradiated patients, the 2-year actuarial OS was 20%. DM was the major problem in our series because about two-thirds of the patients developed DM and died of disease.

The crude extract of whole midgut S. levis larvae was submitted to ion exchange chromatography in DEAE-Sepharose. A large peak of inactive protein was eluted with 0.3 M NaCl. Two other peaks were eluted learn more in 1 M NaCl ( Fig. 4A). These two peaks hydrolyze Z-FR-MCA, but most of the activity was associated with the second peak. SDS-PAGE of the purified proteins

revealed a single band corresponding to each eluted peak, displaying the same molecular mass of approximately 37 kDa ( Fig. 4B). As the enzyme present in the second peak has greater activity and was more stable than the first, it was chosen for characterization. Thus, the data refer only to the major S. levis midgut cathepsin L. The successfully purified enzyme is active on Z-FR-MCA, has an optimal pH of 6 (Fig. 5). The kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of the fluorogenic peptides Z-FR-MCA, Z-RR-MCA and Z-LR-MCA by S. levis cysteine proteinase were determined. The greatest catalytic efficiency was obtained with Z-FR-MCA with kcat/Km value of 30.0 ± 0.5 μM−1 s−1. The substrate Z-LR-MCA was hydrolyzed with a kcat/Km value of 20.0 ± 1.1 μM−1 s−1 and Z-RR-MCA substrate was resistant to hydrolysis. The kinetic data and standard deviations were calculated from at least three separate determinations. Amylase and maltase were assayed throughout the midgut to

define the sites of initial (amylase) and final (maltase) starch digestion. Cysteine proteinase buy TSA HDAC and trypsin were found to be the major and minor digestive proteinases, respectively,

in S. levis (see previous item). Hence, both proteinase activities were selected Clomifene to identify the site of initial protein digestion and that of final digestion of aminopeptidase. Optimal pH for the selected enzymes are ( Fig. 5) 6–7 for amylase, 5–6 for maltase, 8–10 for trypsin, 7–8 for aminopeptidase and 6.0 for cysteine proteinase. The selected enzymes were analyzed in the midgut contents and in the soluble and membrane-bound fraction of the midgut tissue at different sites along the midgut ( Fig. 6). Based on the data, amylase, maltase, cysteine proteinase and trypsin predominate in the luminal contents of the anterior (V1 and V2) midgut. However, trypsin also occurs in significant amounts in the tissue both as a soluble and as a membrane-bound enzyme ( Fig. 6). An aminopeptidase is found mainly in the posterior (V3 + V4) midgut as a membrane-bound enzyme ( Fig. 6). The midgut of S. levis has two cysteine proteinases, two trypsins and perhaps a negligible chymotrypsin. SDS-PAGE analysis showed purified bands of cysteine proteinases both with 37 kDa eluted at 1 M NaCl as two peaks. This elution profile suggests the presence of two isoforms of cysteine proteinase that most likely differ in their charge or isoeletric point. S. levis cathepsin L exhibits elution profile similar to human cathepsin L (EC 3.4.22.15) purified from human kidneys ( Turk, 1993). The major S.

Numerous studies mapping multiple omics dimensions to annotated pathways and cancer Belinostat cell line hallmarks support the notion that alterations work

in concert to selectively deregulate pathways and further confirm that AC and SqCC develop through distinct oncogenic pathways [11], [50], [51] and [65]. Single subtype analyses have identified several affected pathways/hallmarks including; focal adhesions, cell cycle, activation of the JAK/STAT pathway and sustainment of proliferation in AC [22] and [52] and oxidative stress response, squamous differentiation and deregulation of the PI3K pathway in SqCC [51]. Of therapeutic relevance, was the finding that ∼70% of SqCC tumors had alterations in one of the PI3K/AKT, receptor tyrosine kinase, or RAS pathways, however the optimal intervention points of these pathways are still under investigation. Work by our group comparing AC and SqCC identified 778 subtype-specific genes (altered by CNA or DNA methylation and a two-fold expression change) which were found to differentially disrupt cellular GDC-0199 supplier pathways and networks, including down-regulation of the HNF4alpha pathway in AC and disruption of histone modifying enzymes and the E2F1 transcription factor in SqCC [65].

Differential pathway activation of the cell cycle in AC, and DNA repair in SqCC, have been reported along with differences in multiple metabolic pathways [78]. With distinct patterns of genetic disruption underscoring tumor development, it is unrealistic to assume AC and SqCC would have similar responses to all chemotherapies, especially those targeting specific proteins.

Both bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pemetrexed, an antifolate chemotherapy that targets thymidylate synthetase (TS) are contraindicated in SqCC due to an increased tuclazepam risk of pulmonary hemorrhage and reduced survival times, respectively [79], [80] and [81]. TS gene expression has been shown to be predictive of pemetrexed efficiency [82] and [83] and is elevated in SqCC compared to AC, providing an explanation for the reduced efficacy in these patients [81] and [84]. In silico screening of compounds capable of “reversing” gene expression signatures has been shown to identify compounds with subtype specific efficacy. For example, treatment of lung cancer cell lines with the HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A, revealed SqCC lines were significantly more sensitive than AC lines [65]. These findings highlight the potential importance of information about the underlying biology to inform decisions regarding treatment regimes, such that treatments can be tailored to the individual to potentially improve patient response and survival.

In a previous work, we reported that low or high concentrations of LPS induce differential DC activation and maturation resulting in differential T-cell activation and polarization.48 Here we show that the expression of activation CHIR-99021 ic50 and maturation markers of lp DC significantly differs in Endohi and EndoloRag1−/− mice, in E coliMUT or E coliWT and in LPSWT or LPSMUT challenged mice, respectively, according to our in vitro studies. Consistent with this, we found increased expression of TH1/TH17 cytokines in Endohi-, E coliWT-, and LPSWT-treated Rag1−/− mice, but not in the Endolo-, E coliMUT-, or LPSMUT-challenged Rag1−/− mice. Accordingly, treatment of

mice with E coliMUT resulted in increased expression of FoxP3 and treatment with LPSMUT in a reduced expression of IL-17a in the colonic lp T cells. The delivery of purified LPS or LPS by viable bacteria might result in different LPS availability at different intestinal and cellular components,49 and can contribute to the differences in the IL-17a and FoxP3 expression on treatment with LPS or viable bacteria. However, we cannot rule out that an additional factor of viable E coli might account for this effect. Currently,

it seems to be highly likely that the intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in the accumulation and functional maturation of intestinal regulatory T cells.50 We demonstrated that commensal bacterial species, depending on the structure of LPS, can induce or prevent expansion and polarization of intestinal T cells. However, as discussed by Chung et al,33 many questions remain about the causes of differential T-cell response. Fulvestrant chemical structure The different maturation states of lp DC might be induced directly by the commensal bacteria or be due to a secondary effect induced by differences in the local chemokine and cytokine milieu, possibly resulting in

a difference in the downstream T-cell proliferation. Both the administration of bacteria (E coliWT and E coliMUT) and treatment with LPSWT or LPSMUT resulted in alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Analysis of the intestinal microbiota by deep sequencing techniques implies that phylogenetic groups of bacteria like Firmucutes or Verrucomicrobia might also be involved in the regulation of the intestinal until immune homeostasis. However, additional functional studies need to clarify the biologic relevance of this finding and whether the shift of the intestinal microbiota by LPS administration is a direct effect, or represents a secondary effect due to changes in the local environment in terms of, for example, nutrition, altered cytokine and chemokine patterns, or induction of defensins. In addition, an influence of the altered intestinal microbiota, and therefore the modified endotoxicity of the intestinal microbiota on the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis or induction of inflammation, would be conceivable.

We used a similar age range used by other studies examining ‘middle age’ adults (Zysset et al., 2006, range: 45–75 years). Most importantly we used an age range similar to previous ERP studies of middle age so that the results would be comparable (Falkenstein et al., 2006, mean age 58.3, range not given; Mager et al., 2007, 41–61 years). All participants were fluent in English, had normal or corrected to normal vision and had no history of psychiatric or neurological disorders. Informed written consent was obtained from each participant and from the parent or guardian of the adolescent participants. The adults were graduate students and staff at the University of Cambridge, UK. Middle age adults were staff

at the University of Cambridge check details or employed in the Cambridge area and had completed at least 14 years of formal schooling (A Levels UK). Adolescents were students at the Hills Road 6th Form College, Cambridge, UK. The study received ethical approval from the Psychology Research Ethics Committee of the University of Cambridge. Although no measure Silmitasertib of general intelligence was administered in this study, an indication of memory ability was derived by comparing group differences in raw scores on the digit span (forward and backward) subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) III (UK). Scores on the combined digit span forwards

and backwards were not significantly different between groups [F(2,42) = 3.199, p > .05]. Stimuli PAK5 were the following English words: BLUE, RED, GREEN, YELLOW. Words could be presented in each of the following colours; blue, red, green or yellow. Stimulus presentation was pseudo-randomized whereby each subject had a different random order of stimuli presented. Participants were seated in a small room facing a 19 inch computer screen and they watched the computer screen and held a video game controller. Participants responded to the ink colour of the word by using their left and right thumbs. According to one response assignment participants pressed the left button if the ink colour was red or green. They

pressed the right button if the ink colour was yellow or blue. Response assignments were counter-balanced between participants. In the congruent condition there is no stimulus or response conflict. The semantic meaning and the correct response engage the same hand (e.g., ‘RED’ printed in red ink). In the stimulus conflict (SC) condition even though the semantic meaning and correct response are incongruent they are mapped to the same response hand thereby eliminating response conflict (e.g., the word RED printed in green ink). In the response conflict (RC) condition the printed colour is incongruent with the semantic meaning of the word (e.g., the word RED printed in blue ink) and additionally the associated responses are mapped to different response hands. This condition is considered to produce both stimulus and response conflict.

The minimization processes were performed with a cutoff value of 14 Å for non-bonded interactions, implicit solvent generalized Born model, and using a ff03 force field [9]. The figures for 3D structure were prepared using the Discovery Studio Visualizer v 2.5, Accelrys Software Inc. 2009.

Data were analyzed with Student’s t-test for variance. Experimental values GSI-IX research buy are expressed as means ± S.D. The level of statistical significance was set at a level of p < 0.05. Fractionation of the whole venom using gel filtration (Sephadex G-75) produced the elution profile shown in [5]. After ultra-filtration (cartridge UFP-10-C-MM01A, GE Healthcare), the filtrate was analyzed by Tricine SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and presented protein and peptides bands with molecular masses of around or smaller than 10 kDa. The filtrate decreased blood pressure and was further purified by C5-HPLC (Fig. 1B). The RP-HPLC chromatography of filtrate demonstrated seven different peaks (or peak

groups); all of these fractions were tested and just two showed activity by affecting blood learn more pressure. One peak was identified as the Coa_NP1 (natriuretic peptide 1 from C. o. abyssus) described by [5]. The second peak selected was denominated as Coa_NP2 ( Fig. 1B). Both peptides are identified in the RP-HPLC chromatogram shown in Fig. 1. The complete amino acid sequence of Coa_NP2 was carried out by Edman degradation (Table 1) and average molecular mass (3419.88 Da) was confirmed by mass spectrometry (Fig. 2). The theoretical average molecular mass was 3418.94 Da, monoisotopic Sorafenib cost molecular mass was 3416.66 Da and PI was 7.78. The amino acid sequence of Coa_NP presented the loop region that is characteristic of natriuretic peptides (17 amino acids – NP domain consensus = CFGxxxDRIxxxSGLGC) and presented 8 amino acid residue extensions following the NP domain in the sequence (Table 1). The amino acid sequence of Coa_NP2 was identified as: SYGISSGCFGLKLDRIGTMSGLGCWRLLQDSP (underlined sequence represents the domain consensus

of the NPs). As expected for natriuretic-like peptides, the primary structure revealed two half cysteines, suggesting the presence of one disulfide bridge (Table 1) and belongs to the ANP/BNP-like family, since the carboxyterminal regions of c-natriuretic peptides (CNP) end in NP domains. The experimental results obtained in this study support the hypothesis that Coa_NP2 is really a peptide of either the ANP or BNP families. The natriuretic peptide isolated from C. o. abyssus venom (Coa_NP2) caused a dose-dependent decrease in the median arterial pressure after its intravenous infusion ( Fig. 3). We observed an increase in the production of plasma NOx (nitrate + nitrite) concentrations after the infusion of the Coa_NP2, isolated from the C. o. abyssus venom ( Fig. 4). An increase in the production of plasma nitrite concentrations was also observed after Coa_NP2 infusion, isolated from the C. o. abyssus venom ( Fig. 5).

Under acidic conditions, calcium and magnesium supply is reduced and plant growth suffers. In addition to these effects, other beneficial nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, are also in deficient concentration. The low yields of groundnut are due to poor pod filling in acid soils, owing to poor calcium-supplying power of soils. For meeting calcium demands and creating favorable conditions for better uptake of other essential nutrients, particularly phosphorus, liming is an important management practice in acid soils. The improvement of these acid soils should also aim at eliminating

the toxic effects of Al and Mn. The find more harmful effects of soil acidity can be eliminated by raising pH with suitable quantities of lime. Liming helps in raising the base saturation of the soil Belnacasan mouse and inactivating iron, aluminum, and manganese in the soil solution. Liming also helps to minimize phosphate fixation by iron and aluminum. Kamprath [8] reported the need for raising soil pH beyond the point of neutralizing

exchangeable aluminum, particularly for legumes. Recently, high-yielding cultivars of ricebean in northeastern states of India including Nagaland have been developed with extra short duration, bold seed, and dwarf plant types suitable for cultivation. These cultivars must be evaluated under different levels of lime in acid soils of the Nagaland foothills in the post-rainy season. The present investigation

was undertaken with the following objectives: (i) to evaluate the effect of lime on growth, yield attributes, yield, economics, and quality parameters, (ii) to evaluate the effect of lime on soil health, and (iii) to prescribe the best ricebean cultivars under foothill conditions during the post-rainy season. The field experiment was conducted during the post-rainy seasons of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 at the Agricultural Pyruvate dehydrogenase Research Farm of ICAR, RC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Nagaland, India. The experimental site was located at 25.45° N latitude 93.53° E longitude with a mean altitude of 295 m ASL. The climate of the experimental site was subtropical with high humidity and medium to high rainfall. The soil was sandy loam and acidic in reaction (pH 4.9). The soil contained 0.95% oxidizable organic carbon, 235 kg ha− 1 mineralizable nitrogen, 136 kg ha− 1 available potassium, and 10.3 kg ha− 1 available phosphorus. During the experimental period the maximum and minimum temperatures varied from 23.0 °C to 31.1 °C and 9.7 °C to 24.0 °C, respectively, during 2010–2011 and 24.3 °C to 31.2 °C and 9.5 °C to 24.2 °C during 2011–2012. The maximum and minimum relative humidities ranged from 75% to 84% and 38% to 67%, respectively, during 2010–2011 and 78% to 85% and 78% to 63% during 2011–2012. Total precipitations of 225.2 mm and 315.