Category Archives: b_original_articles

Aqsa Arshad^1,2, Asim Munawar*^1,3, Muhammad Ishaque Mastoi⁴, Samar Sohail⁵, Faiza Bashir², Chengjuan Liang^3,6

¹Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

²Department of Zoology, College of Basic Sciences, University ofNarowal, Punjab, Pakistan

³Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, China

⁴Plant Sciences Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, PARC, Islamabad, Pakistan

⁵Insitute of Horticulture, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

⁶Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the biological potential of the entomopathogenic nematode (Heterorhabditis indica) for the management of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus O. and to evaluate its possible synergies with an insecticide application. Entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) and imidacloprid were applied either individually or in combinations. The virulence of EPN and imidacloprid was tested for three larval stages and the adults of R. ferrugineus. Moreover, pupation rate, adult emergence and egg eclosion were determined at sub-lethal doses. Our results showed that the mortality rate in all three larval stages and adults of R. ferrugineus was highest in combined treatments in comparison to single treatments. However, when compared to fourth and sixth instar larvae, second instar larvae were most susceptible, while the mortality rate was increasing over time. The mean mortality rate in adults was lower than in the larval stages. Furthermore, egg eclosion, pupation and adult emergence were lowest in the combined applications of EPN and imidacloprid. This research could contribute to the effective management of R. ferrugineus, especially in areas where it has developed pesticide resistance.

Keywords: Nematode-insecticide, Date palm, Mortality, Development, RPW, Insect stage

Nguyen Hoang Loc^*, Le Thi Thinh

Institute of Bioactive Compounds, University of Sciences, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate some agrobiological properties of ctb transgenic tomatoes under in vivo condition through physiological and biochemical characteristics relate to fruit yield and quality. Agrobiological parameters are determined by weighing, measuring and counting. Photosynthetic rate was determined via uptake carbon dioxide, the spectrophotometric method used to measure chlorophyll and total carotenoid content, vitamin C was determined using the iodine titration method, reducing sugar was determined by dinitrosalicylic acid, degree Brix was measured using an ATAGO N1 refractometer and total acidity in fruit juice was determined by neutralization method. Study results showed that final harvesting time for all tomatoes were 150 days including transgenic plants and control. Plant height (cm) ranged from 80.3 to 83.6, number of compound leaves from 17.6 to 22, and number of inflorescences from 7.3 to 9.3. The chlorophyll content (mg/g) and the photosynthetic rate (µM CO₂/m²/s) peaked at young fruit stage in both transgenic plants and control with values from 0.48 to 0.62 and from 9.08 to 16.77, respectively. The yield, yield components and fruit shape of transgenic plants and control were also similar. Number of fruits ranged from 14.6 to 23, fruit weight (g) ranged from 61.5 to 69.3, and individual yield (kg) varied from 0.99 to 1.53. The main biochemical characteristics of transgenic plants and control were not different, dry matter (%) accounts for 5.45-5.91, reducing sugar (%) of 1.87-2.22, vitamin C (mg/100 g) of 44.01-46.13, acidity (%) of 0.62-0.89, Brix (%) of 5.23-6.01 and carotene (mg/100 g) of 3.01-3.84. In conclusion, six ctb transgenic tomato individuals were able to grow normally under in vivo conditions similar to non-transgenic control plants. Agrobiological properties between transgenic plants and control were insignificantly different with p>0.05.

Keywords: Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), In vivo ctb transgenic tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, Vibrio cholerae

Muhammad Nawaz Khan¹, Muhammad Asim^1*, Abid Mahmood², Ehsan-ul-Haq¹, Tehseen Ashraf³, Naveeda Anjum⁴, Faisal Hayat⁵, Raza Salik¹, Abdullah Jamil¹, Rafi Qamar^6*

¹Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan

²Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan

³Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

⁴Barani Agriculture Research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan

⁵Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology) in the Ministry of Agriculture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

⁶Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

Abstract

The high number of seeds per fruit is a major hindrance in export, fresh fruit consumption as well as in the processing industry. A seedless trait in Kinnow is the utmost desirable characteristic to accelerate the local and export markets. In this comparative study, three strains of Kinnow (normal seeded Kinnow, low seeded and seedless Kinnow) grafted on Rough Lemon rootstock were evaluated for various physico-chemical attributes and nutritional parameters at gene pool center of Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan. Even though conventionally used normal seeded Kinnow performed better in various aspects like fruit size, firmness, acidity, and vitamin C contents. Two new strains of Kinnow mandarin delineate promising nutritional value regarding various physicochemical and proximate analysis parameters like TSS, total sugars, Beta carotene, fat, and ash percentage (11.95%, 7.84%, 63.92 g/100ml, and 2.03% respectively). Seedless Kinnow and low seeded Kinnow strains portray similar results in various citrus quality and nutritional value aspects, anticipating a healthier and progressive domestic and export market.

Keywords: Citrus, Seedless, Vitamin-C, Physio-chemical attributes, Proximate analysis, Fruit quality

Nwite James Nte^1*,Enyioko Chimezie Onyeoziri², Nwogbaga Andrew Chukwuma³

¹Department of Soil Science and Environmental Management, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053 Abakaliki, Nigeria

²Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

³Department of Crop and Landscape Management, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053 Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract

A lot of used motor oil is drained into the soil annually. The possibility of establishing impacts of used motor oil on soil properties and corn yield was studied with treatments i.e. 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0% for screen house and 0 (control), 8.0, 16.0, 24.0, 32.0% for field in demonstration farm of Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. The experiments were laid out using completely randomized design (CRD) and randomized completely block design (RCBD), with four replications having pot and plot dimensions of 30 x 30cm and 1.2 x 1.2, respectively. Uniform cultural practices were applied to all treatments. Statistical analysis was used to analyze soil and crop data. Results showed that application of treatments at 2.0 and 32.0% reduced gravimetric moisture content at significant (P <0.05) levels of 47 and 82% for the two studies. Available P was significantly reduced by 57 and 87%, K by 125 and 140%, N and K by 57 and 233% at 2.0 and 32.0% treatments compared to control. Crop yield indices were depressed at 400 and 150% at 2.0 and 32.0% treatments for dry matter and grain. Current study suggested that soil properties except pH and yield indices can be maximally degraded if used motor oil is applied at rates of 2.0 or 32.0% or minimally at 0.5 and 8.0%.

Keywords: Motor oil, Soil properties, Yield indices, Corn

Fatimah Sultan¹, Abd Al-Bar Al-Farha^2*, Ibtisam Shaaban²

¹Department of Plant Production, Technical Agricultural College, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq²

²Department of Animal Production, Technical Agricultural College, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq

Abstract

This study aims to identify the chemical composition of purslane and examine its antimicrobial activities against two types of pathogenic bacteria: Pseudomonas savastanoi, and Staphylococcus aureus. Ether petroleum extract and ethanol extract were extracted using a Soxhlet extractor. Saponification was undertaken to separate the fatty acids from the crude ether petroleum extract. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect these fatty acids. Acid analysis was carried out to extract the free phenols from the ethanol using gas liquid chromatography (GLC). The results showed that purslane leaves are rich in fatty acids including palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and stearic acids. Additionally, using HPLC, five phenols were detected in the ethanol extract of the purslane leaves including quercetin, kaempferol, gallic acid, catechin and apigenin. Using the disc diffusion technique, both active extracted compounds were found to exhibit various inhibitory effects against the studied bacteria. However, the fatty acids showed a greater inhibitory effect than the phenols on both pathogens.

Keywords: Bioactive compounds, HPLC, Fatty acids, Phenolic compounds, Purslane

Waqas Aslam¹, Rana Shahzad Noor², Saif Ullah¹, Hong Chen^1*

¹College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China

²Department of Agriculture, Biological, Environment and Energy Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China

Abstract

The growth of the organic market as a food trend has been the most debated issue, especially about concern for health and preservation of the environment. The evolution of this market has forced producers and companies to seek, through studies and surveys with the population, knowledge of the characteristics of consumers and the motivations that lead them to choose this segment. The attributes classified as intrinsic and extrinsic to the product are comprehensive and diverse, which greatly reinforce the purchase decision. However, the buyer’s desire is strongly linked to economic factors since these products are more expensive than conventional ones. This study aimed to detect influencing factors of organic production and its consumption. A direct and structured descriptive research (survey) was carried out with 230 organic food consumers in Punjab, through the application of semi-structured questionnaires by applying Ordered Probit Model. This study results revealed that the consumption level of organic product depends on working status, consumer’s income, family size, health conscious regarding its nutritional worth as a cognizant customer.

 Keywords: Punjab, Ordered probit model, Organic product, Consumption trend

Parichat Phumkhachorn^*, Pongsak Rattanachaikunsopon

Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Abstract

Pesticides have been continuously used by farmers worldwide, including Thailand leading to their accumulation in agricultural soils. Bioremediation using microorganisms to degrade pesticides in soils has currently become of interest because it is considered to be cost effective and safe. The main objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize bacteria degrading chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide commonly used in Thailand. The characterization of the isolated bacteria included chlorpyrifos tolerance study. The most chlorpyrifos tolerant isolate was further subjected to the determination of a gene responsible for chlorpyrifos degradation and molecular identification. For the isolation of chlorpyrifos degrading bacteria from soils, M9 minimal medium supplemented with 100 ppm was used. Of all 6 isolated chlorpyrifos degrading bacteria, the most chlorpyrifos tolerant bacterial isolate was a gram negative bacterial isolate CHL3. It was tolerant to chlorpyrifos as high as 2,000 ppm. From plasmid isolation, it was found that the bacterial isolate CHL3 had no plasmid, indicating that a gene responsible for chlorpyrifos degradation was on the chromosome. When it was subjected to the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, it was identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri. The bacterium obtained from this study might be useful for its application in bioremediation of agricultural soils contaminated with chlorpyrifos and organophosphate pesticides. 

Keywords: Chlorpyrifos, Organophosphates, Pesticides, Pseudomonas

Anwaar Ahmed^1*, Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan Abid¹, Asif Ahmad¹, Naeem Khalid², Sahar Shibli³,

Rai Muhammad Amir¹, Arshad Mahmood Malik⁴, Muhammad Asghar⁵

¹Institute of Food and Nutritional Sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan

²Deputy Secretary (Planning), Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

³Food Science Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

⁴Department of Economics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan

⁵Post Harvest Research Center, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Worldwide, fruit and vegetable processing industries are generating massive agro-industrial by-products. The industrial processing of mango generates a lot of by-products. Usually the major is with mango peel having a 7-24% portion of total fruit and not normally utilized. In the present research, mango peel was utilized in the formulation of instant drink as an experiment to harvest its nutrients. The mango peel was dried in the dehydrator and ground to obtain the fine quality powder. The mango peel powder (MPP) obtained was evaluated for its nutritional profile. The powder was added in the instant drink 5 g (T₁), 10 g (T₂) and 15 g (T₃) concentration per 250 mL along with water, sugar, citric acid and permitted color and flavor. The instant drink was evaluated at the 0, 30 and 60^th-day storage intervals for various physicochemical characteristics. Results showed that mango peel is an abundant source of moisture, ash, fat, protein, carbohydrate, and crude fiber.  The antioxidant activity, vitamin C and total phenolic content were 73%, 14.8 mg/100g, and 81.3 mg/g GAE, respectively. The mean values for total sugars, Total Soluble Solids (Brix), Titratable Acidity etc. differed considerably among all the treatments. During the storage interval from 0 to 60 days a significant decrease in pH, total soluble solids and total sugars, free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content were observed, while the acidity of the drinks was gradually increased. The drink with 5 g mango peel powder showed the best sensory attributes in terms of flavor, taste and mouthfeel compared to 10 g and 15 g.  This research can be helpful to utilize mango peel waste into food products to harvest the functional, nutraceutical and bioactive compounds. 

Keywords: Food waste, Functional food, Storage, Physicochemical properties

Cristina G. Cabanacan-Salibay^1,2,*, Florencia G.  Claveria³, Hazel Anne Luyon-Tabo^1,2, Steven Paulo C. Salibay⁴, Augusto C. Sumalde⁵,  Mario S. Torres^1,2,   Julieta Zabal-Dungca⁶

¹Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines

²Graduate Studies Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines

³Biology Department, College of Science, De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines

⁴Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Cavite State University, Main  Campus,  Indang Cavite, Philippines

⁵Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of The Philippines, Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines

⁶School of Science and Technology, Centro Escolar University, Mendiola, Manila, Philippines

Abstract

This study focused on the detection of Sarcocystis spp. in two species of rats, Rattus norvegicus and R. tanezumi collected from agricultural area in Dasmarinas, Cavite.  This aimed to corroborate the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in different species of rats found in the agricultural area. Further the establishment of different Sarcocystis spp in Rattus spp. based on the parasite’s morphologic characterization is also emphasized. Sixty-nine rats (36 R. norvegicus and 33 R. tanezumi) were collected through trapping. Individual rodent autopsy for host identification was performed by determining the morphological differences and external measurements prior to dissection.  Tissue samples were examined for the presence of white rice-grain sized nodules. Morphological characteristics of the cysts, particularly the size, shape, and presence of protrusions were noted.  Statistical analysis using ANOVA for the significant difference on the number of infected rats per species and across muscle type was done at p≤0.05. Infection in R. tanezumi was higher (48.48%) as compared to R. norvegicus (41.67%), the difference however was not significant. Sarcocysts burden was higher in the diaphragm in both rat species. Generally, higher parasite load was observed in R. norvegicus.   In both rat species, tissue cysts ranged from spindle-shaped/fusiform to globular and oval-shaped. The sarcocysts in the diaphragm were more varied. Consistently observed in the tongue were globular–shaped sarcocysts while either fusiform- and globular-shaped sarcocysts in the diaphragm. These differences suggest infection with more than one species of Sarcocystis. Hence, the presence of Sarcocystis spp. confirmed the infectivity of the parasite to Rattus spp. Moreover, the different morphologic characteristics observed on Sarcocystis prove the possibility of different species of the parasite harboring the Rattus spp.

 Keywords: Agriculture, Diaphragm, Rattus sp, Sarcocystis sp, Tongue

Oqba Basal^*, András Szabó

Department of Crop Production and Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary

Abstract

Drought stress is one of the most hazardous abiotic stresses increasingly affecting drought-sensitive crops like soybean. An experiment was conducted in Debrecen, Hungary in 2018 to investigate the influence of drought stress on physiology, yield and seed quality of three soybean cultivars different in maturity timing. Drought-stressed treatments of the three cultivars showed less normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) compared to fully-irrigated counterparts, whereas relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) did not measurably differ. Drought reduced the yield of the three cultivars, however, yield of middle maturity group cultivar was better than that of early maturity group cultivars, and the same conclusion was obtained from non-stressed treatments. Protein concentration changes were negligible.

Keywords: Leaf area index, Normalized difference vegetation index, Protein concentration, Seed yield, Soybean