Pei Chin Tan, Siong Fong Sim*

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Malaysia

Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, is an important beneficial insect. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the oviposition behavior and preferences of BSF. This paper reports the effects of decomposition level of food and presence of pupal remnants on the oviposition responses of BSF. Cages comprising of four oviposition sites, housed with five male and female BSF were prepared. Gravid females were provided with equal opportunities to oviposit in two sites with ripened banana (mildly ripened (MR) or over-ripened banana (AR)) and two other sites with fresh banana (OV). Three replicates in clockwise replication design were set up. The presence of pupal cases in high, medium and low abundance were studied. The number of eggs deposited at different sites were counted and expressed in percentage and oviposition attraction index (OAI). Gravid BSF females showed greater attraction to sites with over-ripened banana likely associating with the odor. BSF females also exhibited a preference for egg laying at sites with less pupae cases. Sites with the most abundance pupae cases were far less enticing as the pupae cases may deter the ovipositing BSF. The findings of this study is important for development of effective egg trapping and collection strategies in BSF farming.

Keywords: Hermetia illucens, Stages of ripening, Odor, Pupal case, Oviposition

Sameera Arshad¹, Arshad Mahmood Malik^2*

1Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan

2Department of Economics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan

Abstract

Birds in the vicinity of airports pose threat to the aircraft. These collisions may result in huge economic losses and is also compromise passenger’s safety. Identification of potential hazardous species, present at and in the vicinity of any airfield, is vital to improve bird hazard management at the airfields. Data of bird species present in the vicinity of BBI airport were collected by using point count method from eight different sites, representing different habitats, located around the airfield of the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad. These sites represented commercial area around hotels, commercial habitat, naturally preserved recreational area, buildings with old pine trees, a water body, a sports ground, a landfill site, and a modern housing society. Data were analyzed for species density and relative abundance in each habitat, using the Simpson biodiversity index, Margalef diversity index, and clustering methods. Mean bird density in the area was found to be 0.0013 bird/m². Highest bird density was found to be of crow followed by kites and house martin as 0.0068, 0.00269 and 0.00206 birds/m² respectively. K-dominance species abundance model reflected the presence of kite as dominant species. Mean Simpson diversity index of 1.91 indicated the richness and evenness of species. Similarity index was found to be maximum to a value of 80.81 percent at commercial sites and lowest at modern housing society. Results of the study revealed that different habitats around the airport supported different species, thus, in order to formulate effective management plan for the airfields, species identification, richness, evenness and bird behavior should also be taken into consideration.

Keywords: Kite, Hazardous bird species, Bird habitat, Pakistan, Species density, Species richness and evenness, Islamabad

Suwattana Singhajutha, Eakaphun Bangyeekhun, Urarux Romruen*

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000 Thailand

Abstract

Sugar generation is important for many industries, such as livestock feed and bioethanol production. Rice straw is an agricultural waste that serves as a good source of sugar. In this study, a xylanase-producing fungus was isolated form compost pile and identified as Aspergillus fumigatus based on the internal transcribing spacer sequence. Xylanase produced by this fungus was characterised. The optimal conditions for fungal xylanase activity were 55°C and pH 5.0. Enzyme activity declined to 45.26% following incubation at 50°C for 2 days. Rice straw was more suitable for xylanase production than other substrates. The filtrate of A. fumigatus grown on rice straw as a substrate was added to rice straw, and reducing sugar production was determined. The maximum reducing sugar production was achieved with incubation at 30°C for 18 h. Xylanase produced by A. fumigatus can be used for rice straw pre-treatment to improve the nutrient content of livestock feed and increase bioethanol production.

Keywords: Xylanase, Rice straw, Agricultural waste, Sugar

Muhammad Adnan Bodlah¹, Yasir Niaz¹, Muhammad Tariq Rasheed², Ammara Gull e Fareen²,

Muhammad Nawaz¹, Kamran Ikram¹, Muhammad Mohsin Waqas¹, Bilal Rasool³,

Imran Bodlah^2*

¹Fareed Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

²Insect Biodiversity and Conservation Group, Department of Entomology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

³Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad

Abstract

Global decline in Apis bee population has shifted research towards the exploration of Non-Apis bees. A lot of work has been done on the role of Non-Apis bees in pollination services, stability of ecosystem and their synergistic effects on pollination of Apis bee. These aspects have not yet been studied regarding the local Non-Apis bees fauna of Pakistan due to lack of basic research on these bees. Layyah being the multi crop area was selected as study area for the exploration of these bees. Current research work was aimed to explore the Non-Apis bee fauna of district Layyah. Surveys were carried out from different localities during 2017-18. Bee’s specimens were collected by net sweeping methods, brought to the laboratory and identified up to species level by following standard protocols of identification. Macrophotography of identified species was done using high magnification power microscope attached with a camera. Herein eleven Non-Apis bee species are recorded for the first time from various localities of district Layyah. Present baseline research work will be helpful in future to manage bee’s population and uplifting of the bee pollination for the better crop yields in the current surveyed areas of the Punjab province of the Pakistan. Results of this research may be used to study the role of these bees on foraging behaviors, pollination efficiency and ecosystem stability by local Apis bee. Individual role of all these bees regarding the pollination of various crops, fruits vegetables may be further explored in the region.

 Keywords: Non Apis, Bees, Apidae, Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract Global decline in Apis bee population has shifted research towards the exploration of Non-Apis bees. A lot of work has been done on the role of Non-Apis bees in pollination services, stability of ecosystem and their synergistic effects on pollination of Apis bee. These aspects have not yet been studied regarding the local Non-Apis bees fauna of Pakistan due to lack of basic research on these bees. Layyah being the multi crop area was selected as study area for the exploration of these bees. Current research work was aimed to explore the Non-Apis bee fauna of district Layyah. Surveys were carried out from different localities during 2017-18. Bee’s specimens were collected by net sweeping methods, brought to the laboratory and identified up to species level by following standard protocols of identification. Macrophotography of identified species was done using high magnification power microscope attached with a camera. Herein eleven Non-Apis bee species are recorded for the first time from various localities of district Layyah. Present baseline research work will be helpful in future to manage bee’s population and uplifting of the bee pollination for the better crop yields in the current surveyed areas of the Punjab province of the Pakistan. Results of this research may be used to study the role of these bees on foraging behaviors, pollination efficiency and ecosystem stability by local Apis bee. Individual role of all these bees regarding the pollination of various crops, fruits vegetables may be further explored in the region.   Keywords: Non Apis, Bees, Apidae, Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan   How to cite this:      Bodlah MA, Niaz Y, Rasheed MT, Fareen AGE, Nawaz M, Ikram K, Waqas MM, Rasool B and Bodlah I, 2020. Contribution to non-Apis bee fauna of family Apidae (Hymenoptera) from Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan. Asian J. Agric. Biol. 8(x): x-x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35495/ajab.2020.04.227

Djalel Eddine Gherissi^1,2*, Meriem Boukhili¹, Amina Gherissi³

¹Institute of agronomic and veterinary sciences, University of Souk-Ahras, Algeria

²Laboratory of Animal Productions, Biotechnologies and Health. University of Souk-Ahras, Algeria

³Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of El Tarf, Algeria

 Abstract

The present study consists on age-related analysis of reproductive activity in male dromedary camel from extreme arid area. Five reproductive traits of 20 bull camels were recorded and computer-assisted histomorphometric evaluation of 48 paired testes were performed to establish quantitative developmental pattern in relation to their respective age. The pubertal changes were displayed mainly at 4 to 5 years old with increased sperm reserves, seminiferous tubules volume, diameter and total length, high relative volume of interstitial tissue components, high individual Leydig cells volume and total number Leydig cells. At this age the first reductional miotic splits and first spermatids and spermatozoa in the seminiferous lumen tubules were significantly developed leading to increase the mean germ cells number and tubular fertility indexes. Animals in this age category showed the highest proportion of first mating (50%), while mating frequency and time were relatively higher. These reproductive traits were improved significantly with spermatogenesis efficiency in mature animals aged > 6 years old. The testicular spontaneous degeneration was observed in animals ages ≥13 years old. Our data showed long postnatal duration to onset spermatogenesis and endocrine compartment proliferation, that lead to delayed puberty (4 to 5 years), short duration of maximum activity  (8 to10 years) and early genital degenerative involution ( from 13 years).

Keywords: Age, Dromedary camel, Leydig cells, Reproductive traits, Sertoli cells, Spermatogenesis

Bilal Rasool^1*, Zeeshan Nabi¹, Muhammad Adnan Bodlah², Naveed Afzal¹, Khizer Samiullah¹, Awais Rasool³, Rizwan Rasool¹

¹Departement of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

²Fareed Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

³Integrated Pest Management Programme, National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Myzus persicae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) is a widely distributed, devastating and global sap-sucking crop pest with the diversity of host plants and scratched billions of dollars economically. Wolbachia is a widespread endosymbiotic bacteria and the present study was carried out for the first time to determine the phylogenetic relationship erected on mitochondrial (COI) gene in aphid populations. The screening of Wolbachia was surveyed by wsp general primers in M. persicae populations. Ten food plants were selected to study the food preference of the host M. persicae populations in greenhouse conditions and artificial diets for lab rearing. M. persicae samples were collected from fifteen geographically distant localities of Pakistan. Eggplant and cabbage revealed significantly higher inclinations as compared to other host plants (cauliflower, tomato, sweet potato, Lettuce, broccoli, burdock) whereas carrot and papaya were less preferred by M. persicae. Comparison between natural and artificial diets exhibited maximum populations in natural diets in greenhouse conditions as compared to artificial diets in lab conditions except for June and July. Screening of Wolbachia using PCR markers revealed positive amplicons in M. Persicae. The infection rate persisted (Punjab 16.29%, Khaber Pakhtunkhawa 6.66% and Sindh 8.88 %) conferred by quantitative PCR analysis. Retrieved sequences through mitochondrial COI gene were deposited in gene bank (accession numbers KY509874 and KY522912). The scrutinized dataset depicted the genetic variation of M. persicae populations. Wolbachia is a conjoint and rampant throng of the endosymbiotic microbe and may be acknowledged as a possible means for aphid pest management programs.

Keywords: Myzus persicae, Host preference, Phylogeny, Wolbachia

Irish C. Lobitaña¹, Rizza Mae E. Virtudazo¹, Ann Marie P. Delfin¹, Jhon Niño B. Apura¹, Jay P. Picardal², Jake Joshua C. Garces^1,2*

¹Research Institute of Tropical Biology and Pharmacological Biotechnology, Cebu Normal University, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Philippines

²Biology Department, School of Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Cebu Normal University, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract

Tamarind is an economically important fruit, widely used in traditional medicine due to its therapeutic properties. However, its bioactive compounds raise an increased precaution on its toxicity. This study investigated the potential embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of Tamarindus indica pulp extracts (2 500 mg/L, 1 250 mg/L, 625 mg/L and 312.5 mg/L) on the eggs and larvae of zebrafish following a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) in equal replications.  Morphological assessment of fish larvae was based on total body length (TBL) and trunk tail angle (TTA) at 72h post fertilization and were subjected to ANOVA (p<0.05) and Linear Regression Analysis. Results on the growth parameters (TBL and TTA) showed significant difference among the four treatments in a concentration-dependent manner. At 72hpf, 2,500mg/L suggests the potential of T. indica pulp extract to induce malformations to exposed larvae. This study presents the inverse relationship of T. indica pulp extract’s embryotoxicity and teratogenicity where larvae mortality occurs in high levels of concentration while malformations form at lower concentrations of T. indica pulp extract.

Keywords: Embryotoxic, Teratogenic, Tamarindus indica, Zebrafish embryo

Muhammad Naeem Khan¹, Muhammad Shoaib^2*, Muhammad Saeed Ashraf¹, Rafi Qamar³, Asrar Mahboob², Sobia Ijaz¹

¹Agronomic Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan

²Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala, Sahiwal, Pakistan

³Department of Agronomy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the option of intercropping mungbean (MB) in late season cotton to enhance productivity of the system. Mungbean was intercropped with cotton under two planting techniques practiced in Punjab for cotton sowing. Treatments consist of mungbean broadcast in 75 cm spaced drilled cotton rows (IS₁), alternative rows of cotton and mungbean (IS₂), two rows of mungbean between cotton rows (IS₃) while in fourth treatment (IS₄) two mungbean rows were sown on top of 105 cm wide double ridge-furrow (beds hereafter). Results showed that mungbean presence adversely affected the number of opened, total bolls plant^-1, opened boll percentage and seed cotton yield in all intercropping systems. However in bed intercropping, cotton produced 21.84 % higher seed cotton yield than sole cotton. Alike, number of pods plant^-1 and number of grains pod^-1 of mungbean decreased in intercropping treatments compared to sole mungbean. On average, mungbean yield was 21.1 % less in intercropping treatments than sole mungbean. Yield advantage indicated by LER and ATER values was observed in all intercropping treatments except in IT₃ where ATER suggested disadvantage. Highest LER (1.92) and ATER (1.58) were recorded in IS₄. Aggressivity value indicates that bed structure favoured the cotton growth compared to mungbean. All intercropping systems showed positive values of system productivity index and monitory advantage index. This study concludes that productivity of late season cotton could be better enhanced by sowing two rows of mungbean on top of the 105 cm wide cotton beds.

Keywords: Intercropping systems, LER, Seed cotton yield, System productivity index

Sorapong Benchasri^1* Sakunkan Simla², Bhornchai Harakotr³

¹Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Thaksin University, Phatthalung 93210, Thailand

²Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, 44150 Thailand

³Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, 12120 Thailand

Abstract

This study was conducted on twenty of okra lines (treatments) at the Thaksin University in two farming systems (conventional and organic cultivations). The experiments of conventional and organic cultivations were carried out in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications to evaluate the yield, yield components and genetic variations. The results showed significant variability (p≤0.05) in the okra lines for fresh important traits of yield; marketable fruits.plant^-1, fruit yields.plant^-1, seeds.fruit^-1, 100 seed weight, 1000 seed weight and harvest index. The number of marketable fruits.plant^-1 of KN-OYV-02 line showed the number of marketable fruits yield approximately 60.85 and 51.91 fruits.plant^-1 under the conventional and organic farming systems, respectively. The lowest of marketable fruits.plant^-1 were investigated in the OP (Open Pollination) line (30.58 and 26.74 fruits.plant^-1 under the conventional and organic farming systems, respectively). KN-OYV-02 line produced the highest yield of two farming system (1,168.37 g.plant^-1). The OP line produced the lowest yield under the organic farming system (505.16 g.plant^-1). There were significant interactions between the cropping system and lines for the two system plantations. So, the results indicated that the KN-OYV-02 line showed the highest potential for okra breeding and production in both systems.

Keywords: Gene interactions, Line, Okra, Yield components

Nazir Ahmad^1*, Raziuddin², Fazli Ahad², Touheed Iqbal³, Nabeel Khan², Muhammad Nauman², Fazli Hameed⁴

¹Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops-Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute (Wuhan), The Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, P.R. China

²Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

³Directorate General Agriculture Research-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Pakistan

⁴College of Agricultural Engineering, Hohai University-210098, Nanjing-P.R. China

Abstract

The appropriate information on the biochemical characteristics of the plant is important for its usefulness in human health. The genetic basis for different brassica genotypes in terms of biochemical characteristics is important for the planning of effective breeding strategies. The present research was conducted to determine heritability, genetic advance and coefficient of correlation for biochemical traits in rapeseed. Breeding material comprising 10 parental lines and their 21 F₃ populations was evaluated in the 2013-2014 at The University of Agriculture of Peshawar-Pakistan in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. For all studied traits, substantial differences were found among genotypes, parents, and F₃ populations. Similarly, significant differences for all the studied traits with the exception of protein and glucosinolates have been recorded for parent vs. F₃ populations. In most F₃ populations, the heritability estimates associated with the maximum genetic advance for oil content, protein content, linolenic acid, erucic acid, and oleic acid were low or moderate. In comparison, moderate to high heritability coupled with maximum genetic advance, have been observed for glucosinolates for most F₃ cross combinations. These findings show that selection in the early generation may be helpful in improving these characters. Oil content showed a negative and highly significant correlation with glucosinolate (r_p=-0.50) and linolenic acid (r_p=-0.57), so priority should be given to these traits to improve oil content. CA2 x DH5, DH7, and CA2 x DH7 performed better for oil content, protein content, and oleic acid, respectively, while DH2, DH5, and CA2 x DH8 showed better results for glucosinolates, linolenic acid, and erucic acid, respectively. These genotypes could be further utilized in rapeseed breeding programs.

Keywords: Brassica, Genetic variability, Genetic advance, Heritability, Oil content