Category Archives: b_original_articles

Tehmeena Mukhtar¹, Shafiq-ur-Rehman^2*, Tariq Sultan³, Farooq Hussain Munis¹, Hassan Javed Chaudhary^1**

¹Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan

²Department of Botany, University of Okara, Okara 56300, Pakistan

³Land Resource Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Abstract

Two planned studies (Isolation, characterization, and field studies) were piloted to assess the potential of heat-tolerant plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) to mitigate heat stress in the tomato plant. . The production of indole acetic acid (IAA), phosphate, solubilization and ammonia, as well as siderophores, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), extracellular enzyme activity (protease, amylase, pectinase, and catalase), ACC-deaminase, and exopolysaccharide synthesis, were all positively confirmed in the isolate. The selected strain was screened at high temperature of 60 ⁰C. The promising potential heat-tolerant isolate was further identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique and Acds gene was also successfully amplified. Morphological characterization revealed that strain was Gram positive. B. safensis (T6) strain showed higher quantity of Gibberellic acid (8.73 μg/ml) and Kinetin (34.8 μg/ml) under heat stress condition. The results of morpho-physiological parameters revealed significant effects of heat on un-inoculated and inoculated tomato plants under high temperature stress. Multi-year/multi-location field trials were done to extend studies of heat mitigation effects after encouraging results by bacterial strains. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) improved agronomic and yield metrics of tomato plants under heat stress in all field studies. First year 2018 & 2019 field trials at National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan showed that Bacillus safensis (T6) produced the maximum number of flower’s (40.7 %) and fruits (24.8%) in 2018 and number of flowers (43 1%) and fruits (11.03%) in 2019 while the consortia treatments produced maximum flowers (16.9%) and fruits (52.1 %), respectively. The current study comprehensively exhibited the role of PGPB in the mitigation of heat stress.

Keywords: Microorganisms, PGPB, growth regulators, thermo-tolerance

Rana Imtiaz Ahmed^1,2*, Shoaib Ur Rehman³, Lal Hussain Akhtar¹, Abdul Majid Khan¹, Khalid Mahmood¹,Rana Tauqeer Ahmad¹, Wajiha Anum¹

¹Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

²Key Laboratory for Tobacco Gene Resources, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China

³MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Sorghum usually showed obstinate behavior toward induced genetic modulation. Recently, success has been achieved in media optimization for callus induction and regeneration. A complex in-vitro tissue culture and regeneration system comprises of many interlinked factors such as different explant sources, optimized growth media containing effective anti-phenolic compounds, and explant response to callus induction media. In the present study we have optimized the regeneration media by utilizing the immature inflorescence, immature embryos and mature embryos. We have tested the five local genotypes i.e. JR-105, Ji-2731, Keller, Mn-3025 and Juti’an from field as well as green house sources and compares the callus induction and regeneration frequency. Our results depicted that immature inflorescence produced more callus induction in contrast with immature embryos and mature embryos. Whereas, the production of the phenolic compounds are a serious concern throughout regeneration phase. The above cited factors actually prevails and hinders the regeneration process in real sense. Furthermore, our results lead us to speculate that sorghum is highly reliant on genotype for in-vitro tissue culture.

Keywords: Callus induction, Immature inflorescence, Immature embryos, Phenolic compounds, Sorghum

Wissame Chafai^1*, Soumaya El Gabardi², Allal Douira², Ahmed Khalid¹

¹Laboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production Biotechnology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed I University, Oujda 60000, Moroccco

²Laboratory of Plant Animal and Agro-Industry Productions, Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection Group, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the species composition and diversity of arbiscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in two soil samples from two sites in the eastern region of Morocco; Guercif and Zaïo. The results showed that the spore densities of these sites extracted by wet sieving method were very high (279 and 386 spores/10 g of soil in Zaïo and Guercif sites, respectively). The provisional identification test of isolated AMF revealed the presence of 57 AMF species, belonging to five families (Glomeraceae, Gigasporaceae, Acaulosporaceae, Entrophosporaceae and Archaesporaceae). Glomus, Rhizophagus, Funneliformis, Endogone and Acaulospora were the dominant genera. In addition, mycorrhizal potential of both soils was assessed using the “Most Probable Number” (MPN) method. The results revealed that the number of mycorrhizal propagules in Guercif soil were higher than that in Zaïo soil. It was also shown that the frequency and the intensity of root mycorrhization of leeks transplanted in Guercif soil were higher (90% and 74%, respectively) compared to those transplanted in Zaïo soil (56% and 31%, respectively). These results showed that both soils are generally rich in mycorrhizal fungal propagules and have great mycorrhizogenic power, so it would be interesting to isolate and purify fungal strains and to select those that perform well for a given parameter.

Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Diversity, Most probable number, Frequency and intensity of mycorrhization

Dalia Ahmed Abd El-Fattah¹, Fadl Abd-Elhamid Hashem¹, Shaimaa Hassan Abd-Elrahman^2*

¹Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate 12411, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt

²Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture 11241, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Abstract

The possible scarcity of available water for irrigation, climate change implications and environmental issues created the motivation for investigating new ways of increasing water use efficiency for crops. A field experiment was conducted, during two growing seasons, under open field conditions at Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. The study aimed to determine the effect of different irrigation water levels (60, 80 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) and fertilization (mineral fertilizers (control), farmyard manure (FYM), biochar, compost and vermi-compost) on growth, yield, water use efficiency and nutritional status of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The experimental design was split plot; the irrigation water levels located at main plots and fertilization types located at sub-plots. Applying different irrigation water levels and fertilizers significantly affected the vegetative growth and yield traits, i.e., no. of leaves, weight, head length and width, and total chlorophyll, as well as nutrient contents (N, P and K) and total soluble solids (TSS). Data revealed that using vermi-compost fertilizer reduced irrigation water requirements of lettuce plants, compared with control treatment. Also, vermi-compost treatment gave the highest values of the studied plant traits, during the two tested seasons. Increasing irrigation level up to 80% of ETc enhanced the yield, with additions of organic fertilizer treatments, and increased water use efficiency. Moreover, the treatment of vermi-compost + 80% of ETc gave the highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR values were 3.08 and 2.77 during the two tested seasons, respectively), while the lowest ones (0.85 and 0.93) were recorded by applying the treatment of mineral fertilizers+ 60% of ETc during the two studied seasons, respectively.

Keywords: Vermi-compost, Biochar, Water use efficiency, Lettuce crop quality, Benefit to cost ratio

Success Eni Kalu^1,2, Godwin Michael Ubi^1*,  Aniefiok Ndubuisi Osuagwu¹, Imoh Akpanobong Ekpo¹,Linus Uduak Edem¹

¹Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

²Department of Biological Sciences, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Nigeria

Abstract

Air potato yam (Dioscorea bulbifera L.) is an indigenous, edible, and energy-giving crop and used as herbal remedy for common ailments like diabetes, dysentery and conjunctivitis. This study sought to determine the tolerance of D. bulbifera to salt stress conditions through molecular, biochemical and physiological approaches. Results revealed that most of the local lines were less tolerant to sodium chloride showing reduced concentrations of chlorophyll a and b of the plants, and also showed increased activities of peroxidase, linolytic, xylanase, cellulase and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase enzymes at increasing salt concentration and stress. Molecular analysis using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) revealed that 11 lines did not contain any trait related to the marker. Twenty eight (28) lines fingerprinted at 100 bp with the marker gene. Nine lines were fingerprinted at 300 bp with the marker gene while Dbor 1 fingerprinted at 100, 200, 300 and 400 bp with the marker gene. Three of the local lines which are round in shape, Dbor 1, Dbok 3 and Dbak 2 produced several bulbils at 300Nm of salt concentration and showed molecular bands at 400 and 300 bps indicating the presence of a salt tolerant gene at the locus and base pairs. Therefore, molecular analysis has revealed the presence of salt tolerant gene at 300 400 bp in the three local lines which can be further harnessed for salt-tolerance improvement in the less tolerant lines. Physiologically, chlorophyll contents and enzyme concentrations in the less tolerant local lines were critically affected with increasing salt concentrations.

 Keywords: Enzymes assay, SSR markers, Chlorophyll a & b, Aerial yam, Salt tolerant lines

Nwite James Nte^1*, Igwe Thomas Sunday¹, Akande Oluyemi Solomon², Enyioko Chimezie Onyeogoziri², Nwibo Simon Uguru³,  Mbam Boniface Nwangele³, Orji Jephter Ebuka⁴

¹Department of Soil Science and Environmental  Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

²Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

³Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

⁴Department of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil acidity causes a lot of productivity losses annually. The possibility of determining response of groundnut to lime-treated acid sandy loam was studied. The treatments comprise control (0) and 0.2tha^-1 or 0.32kg plot^-1 each of limes in research farm at Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. Field was laid out in randomized completely block design (RCBD) with five replications and plot dimensions of 4x4m. All treatments received uniform agricultural practices. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis system. Results indicate significant (P < 0.05) reductions of bulk densities by woodash at 13% each and increased hydraulic conductivities by 35 and 61% compared to control for the two seasons. Calcium Oxide recorded 11 and 14% significant increase of MWD as CaCo₃ and woodash improved pH at significant levels of 18 and 14% for the same seasons. Total N significantly increased at 13 and 7% each for CaCo₃ and CaO for the seasons. Maximum significant levels of 32 and 30% for Ca, 15 and 23% for Na and 29% each for BS were obtained for woodash for the same seasons. Calcium Carbonate induced maximum germination counts of 100 and 99% <5DAP and significant plant heights  of 10 and 7%, pod yields of 57 and 55% as well as seed yields of 30 and 26% for two the seasons. Production losses of 89 and 76% in groundnut were recorded within the two seasons due to non-amendment. The present investigation suggests that soil physical and chemical properties as well as groundnut yield can be maximally improved by CaCo₃ or wood ash at 0.2t ha^-1 or 0.32 kg plot^-1 and minimally by CaO.

Keywords: Acid, Groundnut, Lime, Response, Sandy loam

Zunaira Anwar¹, Zyma Basharat¹, Muhammad Bilal Hafeez², Shahbaz Khan^2*, Noreen Zahra¹, Zayrah Rafique¹, Muhammad Maqsood²

¹Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (38040), Pakistan

²Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (38040), Pakistan

Abstract

Hidden hunger is an emerging challenge for scientists, especially connected to the agriculture sector because over two billion people are facing it globally. This issue is more common in developing countries which have less access to a diverse diet due to their low income. Different potential practices are introduced to minimize the pressure of malnutrition but agronomic biofortification is being considered best practice to improve the contents of micronutrient in grains. A field based study was executed to explore the impact of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) and iron sulphate (FeSO₄) on productivity and grain quality of maize crop. Sole and combined application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ either via soil or/and plant foliage not only enhanced the yield attributes of maize crop but grain quality was also improved. Soil supplementation of ZnSO₄ (10 kg ha^-1) produced maximum plant height and cob weight. Combined treatment of ZnSO₄ (10 kg ha^-1) and FeSO₄ (12 kg ha^-1) through soil produced more grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, biological and grain yields. Foliar applied 0.1% ZnSO₄ and 0.3% FeSO₄ produced highest chlorophyll contents. Foliar treatment of 0.1% ZnSO₄ and 0.3% FeSO₄ improved the concentration of zinc and iron in grains, respectively. Combined treatment of 10 kg ha^-1 of ZnSO₄ and 12 kg ha^-1 of FeSO₄ through soil improves the yield attributes while foliar spray of 0.1% ZnSO₄ and 0.3% FeSO₄ enhances quality parameters. Overall, foliar spray approach is more applicable regarding nutrients availability for optimum development and growth of crop and improved grain quality.

 Keywords: Chlorophyll, Foliar application, Hidden hunger, Maize yield, Micronutrients.

Pruetthichat Punyawattoe^1*, Woravit Sutjaritthammajariyangkun¹, Supangkana Thirawut¹, Nalina Chaiyasing¹, Suchada Supornsin¹, Sonthaya Sampaothong², Tomohiro Nagura³

¹Pesticide Application Research Section, Entomology and Zoology Group, Plant Protection Research and Development Office, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand

²Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

³Siam Yamaha Motor Robotics Co., Ltd., Thailand

Abstract

The physical spray efficacy was compared between unmanned helicopter and motorized knapsack sprayer for the application of pesticide in rice paddy field in Thailand. The unmanned helicopter treatment resulted in a significantly higher number of droplet density than that of the motorized knapsack sprayer treatment. In addition, droplet deposition did not differ between the two spraying techniques on the top and panicle positions. However, droplet deposition on the bottom position from the unmanned helicopter was higher than that from the motorized knapsack sprayer. The unmanned helicopter effectively reduced droplet losses to the ground compared with that of the motorized knapsack sprayer. With respect to droplet drift from sprayed area, the distance achieved by the unmanned helicopter was 3 m greater than that by the motorized knapsack sprayer. These results suggest that the efficacy of the unmanned helicopter was similar or greater than that of the motorized knapsack sprayer. Overall, we found that unmanned aerial vehicles improved performance and enabled rational pesticide application rice production in Thailand.

 Keywords: Unmanned helicopter, Droplet density, Droplet deposition, Droplet losses, Droplet drift

Michelson Azo’o Ela^1*, Aïne Bidiki Bouba², Pélagie Djenatou³, Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo⁴

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon

²Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon

³Maroua Regional Agricultural Research Center for the Development CRRA-M, Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development, Maroua, Cameroon

⁴Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to find out the floral activity of insects on Mangifera indica cv. Kent (Anacardiaceae) for assessing the impact on pollination and fruit set in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons. Two treatments were made with open-pollinated flowers (treatment A) and secondly bagged panicles (treatment B). The diversity of the entomofauna and certain foraging parameters were recorded in treatment A and a comparison of fruit set was made for both treatments. Twenty-six insect species were recorded overall. Bees were sporadic with a relative abundance of only ˂ 9%. The order Diptera with a relative abundance of 89.35% was the most species-rich. Chrysomya putoria (Calliphoridae) and an undetermined species belonging to the genus Sarcophaga (Sarcophagidae) were constant species. These flies were active daily during study with a peak of activity at the 7:00-10:00 a.m. recorded time interval. Flower visits by flies were noted as 89% for nectar harvesting and 11% for pollen collection. During their foraging activity, flies induced the pollination of hermaphroditic flowers which resulting in an improvement in mango fruit yields. The rate of mature fruit per panicle was 0% in treatment B during both years, with 1.07% in 2018/2019 and 1.85% in 2019/2020 in treatment A. Flies are here identified as essential flower-visiting insects and pollinators of M. indica which guaranteed fruiting of this crop in Maroua (Cameroon).

Keywords: Mango tree, Diptera, Yield, Self-incompatibility, Cross pollination

Nene Orizu Uchendu¹, Chiemekam Samuel Ezechukwu^2*, Lawrence Uchenna Sunday Ezeanyika¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

²Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) has become a globally prevalent disease state, leading to mortality. Plants are a reservoir of compounds that have therapeutic potential and have been proven to be effective in management of a wide range of human and animal diseases. This study therefore, evaluated the effect of diet formulations of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf (CAL), Gongronema latifolium leaf (GLL), and Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) on some biochemical parameters of experimentally-induced MS in male albino rats. Forty-eight (48) adult male rats of 180-210 g body weight, were separated randomly into eight groups (1 – 8) comprising six rats each. Group 1 was maintained on normal diet. MS was induced in Groups 2 – 8 rats for eight weeks by high fat high carbohydrate (HFHC) diet. Afterwards, group 2 was fed normal rat diet (untreated), while groups 3 to 8 received diets formulated with GLL, CAL, MOL (100g per kg of diet) for eight weeks. Obesity indices, serum lipid profile, liver marker enzymes and antioxidant status were evaluated using standard methods. Significant (p < 0.05) decrease in body weight gain, total cholesterol and triacylglycerols of the treated rats were observed, while high density lipoprotein significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the untreated group. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the treatment groups. Treatment with the herbs showed mild Kupffer cell activation reversing periportal hepatitis induced by the HFHC diet. Results from the study indicate that CAL, GLL and MOL have therapeutic potentials that could be useful in managing components of MS.

 Keywords: Antioxidant status, Lipid profile, Metabolic syndrome, High fat high Carbohydrate diet, Kupffer cells