Category Archives: b_original_articles

Original Articles

Prevalence study of weeds in some economic orchards trees

Haifa Abdul Aziz Sakit Alhaithloul

Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the vegetation composition and variety of weeds in olive (Olea europaea L.) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) orchard trees in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. The current study revealed the registration of 53 species affiliating to 51 genera in 17 families. A large number of species were registered in the family (Poaceae) that is represented by 13 species, while 11, 8 and 4 species registered in families Asteraceae, Boraginaceae and Amaranthaceae respectively. The TWINSPAN classification applied in the 40 stands resulted in 4 vegetation categories (A, B, C & D). Each vegetation category represented a group of stands. In this study, the therophytes are the most abundant life form which represented 64% of the collected species, followed by chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes are each represented by 13%, Geophytes by 8%, and phanerophytes by 2% of species. Three indicators of diversity were calculated, the species richness for vegetation group B shows a significant higher (14.04 species/stand) than the other vegetation groups, while no significant differences were interpreted by Shannon index among the different vegetation groups. On the other hand, the evenness index for vegetation group B was significantly higher than the other vegetation groups. The present study provides essential information about the ecology of weeds in olive and dates palm agroecosystem and it acts as a driving force to monitor the weedy vegetation changes in Aljouf region.

Keywords: Olea europaea, Phoenix dactylifera, Weed flora

Congress grass possess herbicidal potential against weeds in wheat fields

Muhammad Asad¹, Khuram Mubeen², Naeem Sarwar³, Muhammad Shehzad⁴, Mudassir Aziz²,

Muhammad Tariq⁵, Muhammad Ahmad⁵, Muhammad Mudassar⁶, Muhammad Rasheed⁷

¹Wheat Wide Crosses Programme, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan

²Department of Agronomy, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

³Department of Agronomy, Baha ud Din Zakariya University Multan Pakistan

⁴Department of Agronomy, The University of Poonch Rawalakot (AJK) Pakistan

⁵Agronomy Section, Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan Pakistan

⁶Dept. of Agronomy, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

⁷Plant Genetics Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

An understanding about occurrence of weed species and patterns of change in incidence is dynamic in emerging weed managing approaches and give directions to future study endeavors. To appraise this threat, we studied the allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of different parts of invasive weed congress grass, Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) to biologically minimized weed risk in Wheat in 2012-13. Aqueous extracts of different plant parts (root, shoot, leaf, fruit and entire plant) of Parthenium were applied for three times as pre-emergence, post emergence and pre + post emergence. No significant grain yield differences were noticed between leaf extract and whole plant extract. Maximum weed density reduction (85.50%), weed dry biomass reduction (77.21%), weed control efficiency (85.67%), plant height (91.44 cm), biological yield (13426 kg ha^-1) and grain yield (4437 kg ha^-1) were found where leaf extract was applied as pre emergence spray. Whole plant extract sprayed as twice i.e. once as pre emergence and secondly as post emergence also gave better results showing weed density reduction (79.93%), weed dry biomass reduction (73.77%), weed control efficiency (80.09% ), biological yield (12253 kg ha^-1) and grain yield (4414 kg ha^-1). On other hand 11.08% decrease in grain yield occurred where fruit extract was applied as post emergence spray. Therefore for better wheat grain yield and reduced weed risk farmers can use spray of leaf extract of parthenium before weed emergence.

Keywords: Aqueous extract, Bioherbicide, Weeds, Wheat, Parthenium hysterophorus L

Isolation and identification of keratinolytic bacteria from Jember, Indonesia as a biodegradation agent of chicken feather wastes

Sutoyo Sutoyo^1,2*, Subandi Subandi³, Tri Ardyati¹, Suharjono Suharjono¹

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, 65145 Malang Jawa Timur, Indonesia

²Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember, Jl. Kalimantan 37, Kampus Tegalboto, 68121 Jember, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

³Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Malang State University, Jl. Semarang 5, 65145 Malang, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

Abstract

Chicken feather waste contains compounds consisting of the protein called keratin and other protein. Keratin is derived from chicken feathers and the proteins from chicken organs and blood. The degradation of chicken feather wastes require microorganisms which actively degrade especially keratin compounds, as well as other proteins and blood. This study aimed to screen and identify keratinolytic bacteria hydrolizing other proteins and blood from chicken feather wastes. The degradation of chicken feather keratin and hydrolysis of other protein were assayed by measuring the hydrolysis index of chicken feather keratin and skim milk protein, respectively. Hydrolysis of blood was tested qualitatively using blood agar. Identifying selected isolates used phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis. The strains of GB22.2 and GB23.4 revealed the highest keratinolytic and proteolytic activities, and they could hydrolyze blood. The GB22.2 isolate was most closely related to Bacillus velezensis BCRC 17467^T (100% similarity). It is proposed as Bacillus velezensis GB22.2-a novel keratinolytic bacterial species. Bacillus velezensis GB22.2 is species Bacillus velezensis which is firstly reported to be able to degrade chicken feather keratin. The strain of GB23.4 was closely related to Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579^T (100% similarity) and it is considered as a new keratinolytic strain of Bacillus cereus. The isolated bacterial strains are new candidates for chicken feather degradation agent.

Keywords: Keratinolytic, Proteolysis, Chicken feather, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus cereus

Characterization of a reactive yellow-2 decolorizing zinc tolerant bacterial strain Pseudomonas sp. LT10 isolated from textile industry wastewater

Abdul Mateen Baig¹, Tauseef Sarwar², Lubna Taj¹, Yasir Bilal¹, Etisam Mazhar¹, Hafiz Rizwan Elahi¹, Muhammad Mazhar Iqbal³, Asima Rasheed⁴, Zahid Maqbool¹, Sabir Hussain^1*

¹Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan.

²Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan.

³Soil and Water Testing Laboratory for Research, Chiniot, Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab, Pakistaan.

⁴Department of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Abstract

The textile effluents contain the synthetic dyes, which are mostly discharged into water resources without prior treatment. These dyes are very harmful for aquatic life and microorganisms but also for human beings. These harmful effects become further severe because the metal ions are present along with the dyes. Hence, there is need to deal these pollutants simultaneously. Therefore, present study was carried out to isolate and characterize a bacterium, which showed efficient color removal of reactive yellow-2 (RY2) in occurrence of zinc (Zn). For this purpose, Zn tolerant bacterial strains were isolated and examined for efficient color removal of RY2 in occurrence of Zn. Among the isolated bacterial strains, degrading capabilities of most effective strain, Pseudomonas sp. strain LT10 were characterized under different conditions. In existence of Zn, the strain LT10 exhibited significant decolorization of RY2 and other azo dyes. Moreover, yeast extract as a carbon co-substrate, showed efficient color removal of RY2 at pH 7.5-8.5 by the strain LT10. Moreover, the strain LT10 also revealed considerable decolorization of RY2 even at high levels of Zn. On the basis of results, it can be concluded that Pseudomonas sp. LT10 can be an efficient bioresource for treating textile wastewaters containing azo dyes and metal ions.

Keywords: Synthetic dyes, Reactive Yellow-2, Decolorization, Bacteria, Zn tolerance

Population structure of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and attack level in endemic area of Padang city, Indonesia

My Syahrawati^*, Ongki Aditia Putra, Rusdi Rusli, Eri Sulyanti

Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

Endemic areas of brown planthopper or BPH (Nilaparvata lugens Stal 1854, Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is an area that always provides BPH in each planting season. Kuranji and Nanggalo Sub-districts are two endemic areas in Padang City. The study aimed to determine the population structure of BPH on IR 42 variety in endemic area of Padang City. The study used a survey method by collecting BPH using a modified hand vacuum, collected from 20 samples of IR 42 variety randomly on two fields in each sub-district. The collections were carried out 3 times at 2-week intervals. The research in vegetative phase was began when rice plant was 3 weeks old after planting, while the research in generative phase was began when the rice plant released the first panicle. The results showed that overlapping generations occurred between nymph and adult (brachypteran & macropteran, male and female). The dominance as a whole was nymph (70.7%). Macropteran population was higher than brachypteran. Based on the phase of rice, BPH in generative phase was higher than vegetative meanwhile based on district, BPH in Kuranji was higher than Nanggalo. Attack percentage ranged from 51.6 – 94.1% and attack intensity ranged from 6.01-10.55%.

Keywords: Nilaparvata lugens, Nymph, Adult, Attack level, IR 42 variety

Characterization and pathological diversity of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose disease on mango in Peninsular Malaysia

Nur Ain Izzati Mohd Zainudin*, Munirah Mohd Sattar

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Colletotrichum is one of the important postharvest pathogens to cause anthracnose, which is a threatening disease for mango in Malaysia. The information regarding pre-harvest anthracnose disease on mango in Malaysia is still inadequate, therefore encouraging the commencement of this study. The objectives of this study are to identify fungi species from mango anthracnose disease, and to determine the pathogenicity of Colletotrichum isolates obtained from the infected mango. During a series of sampling in July 2014 to May 2015 throughout Peninsular Malaysia, the symptom of anthracnose disease was observed in the Malaysian mango plantation. There were 33 isolates of Colletotrichum species were purified and successfully identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex. The identity of the isolates was confirmed and classified into C. gloeosporioides (15 isolates) and C. asianum (18 isolates). For pathogenicity test using a non-wounded method, the mango was inoculated with a young mycelial disk. Disease symptoms were observed as a brown to black circular or irregular shape of the lesion with the sunken effect on the infected fruits. Colletotrichum asianum R2262 appeared as the most pathogenic isolate with DSI of 50% on day 8 after inoculation. The pathogens identified in this study were successfully re-isolated from all the symptomatic mango tissues that resulted in fulfilling the Koch’s postulates. Meanwhile, control mango inoculated with non-colonized PDA plugs remained symptomless until the end of the test. The data obtained from this study is crucial to design an effective strategy to control anthracnose disease of mango.

Keywords: Colletotrichum, Mango, Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), Malaysia, Anthracnose

Chemical properties of Oxisols treated with humic materials from sub-bituminous coal

Herviyanti^*, Azwar Chan, Yusnaweti, Teguh Budi Prasetyo, Mimien Harianti

Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

One way to improve soil chemical properties of Oxisols is by adding ameliorant, for instance humic substance (HS), to the soil. As there are many kinds of organic matter being a source of humic matter, to investigate a specific type of humic substance for improving the soil chemical properties of Oxisols is necessary. This research was aimed to study the capability of humic substance derived from non-productive coal (sub-bituminous) powder which was extracted with Urea, KCl, NaCl, and NaOH and then it was used to improve the soil chemical properties of Oxisols. The improvement of chemical properties of Oxisols was expected to be achieved by adding humic substance from sub-bituminous. Urea could be used to substitute the role of NaOH in solving humic materials and improving soil chemical properties of Oxisols. Humic materials which were extracted by Urea 0.2 g (kg)^-1 of soil and sub-bituminous in concentration 0.5 % to improve soil chemical properties of Oxisols.

Keywords: Sub-bituminous powder, humic substance, fertilizer, salt and base solvent

Performance of selected maize inbred lines to drought stress

PK Dewi Hayati^*, Sutoyo

Department of Agro-Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Kampus Unand Limau Manih, Padang – 25163, Indonesia

Abstract

Drought stress limits maize production. We studied the drought stress tolerance level of maize inbred lines to select potential parental lines for hybrid production. Glasshouse scale pot experiment was arranged in Completely Randomized Design with eight inbred lines as the treatment. Each inbred line was placed in two conditions; normal and drought stress with three replications. Drought stress condition was achieved by suspending water supply when 50% of the plants had approached V11 phase where maize has grown 11 open leaves, until one plant in the same inbred lines shown heavy withered response. Results showed that line of Gg44 consistently revealed the lowest increase of leaf rolling score (3.8%), the lowest reduction of plant height (3.9%) and plant top dry weight (2.3%) on drought stress condition. The line of Gg44 also produced the lowest stress sensitivity indices (SSI) and the highest stress tolerance indices (STI) for these three traits indicating high tolerance of the line to drought stress. Hence, the line has the potential use in producing maize hybrids that are able to alleviate the negative impacts of drought and high temperature on its growth.

Keywords: Inbred lines, Selection criteria, Drought stress, Tolerant

Effect of mulch and indigenous rhizobacteria isolate on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Warnita Warnita^*, Ardi Ardi, Yopi Zulfa

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

The research was conducted at the Center for Technology and Development of Agricultural Area (PAPTKP) Universitas Andalas, which was located at Jorong Galagah, Solok District from December 2016 to March 2017. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between indigenous rhizobacteria and plastic mulch, and the effect on growth and yield of potato. The method used was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 factors (2×5) in 3 replications. The first factor was the use of plastic mulch (with and without plastic mulch) and the second factor was the indigenous rhizobacteria isolates (A1.1a1, A3.2a2, A3.2b1, BT1.2a2, and without rhizobacteria). The variables observed were morphological and physiological characteristics of indigenous rhizobacteria, plant height, tubers number, tuber weight per plant, and tuber diameter. The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at a significant level of 5%. The results showed that there was no interaction between plastic mulch and indigenous rhizobacteria isolates on growth and yield of potato. The plastic mulch increased tuber weight and tuber diameter but the A3.2b1 isolate of indigenous rhizobacteria tended to increase plant height and increased significantly tuber weight of potato.

Keywords: Potato, PGPR, mulch, indigenous, rhizobacteria

Chemical properties of forest soils developed on sedimentary rocks in Bintuni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Mohammad Nurcholis^*, Susila Herlambang

Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta

Jalan SWK 104 (Lingkar Utara) Condongcatur Yogyakarta 55283 Indonesia

Abstract

Agricultural development in Bintuni Bay requires detail information of soil properties, however, current data is inadequate. To provide the information on soil chemical properties in its coastal sediment area, we surveyed landform and soil morphology of Aroba and Sumuri Districts, each of 200 ha. The forest land in Aroba was composed of thick mudstone (claystone) with some inserts of sandstones, while that of Sumuri was dominated by sandstone with insert of mudstone and some lenses of conglomerates. The soils showed variation of pH, CEC, exchangeable bases, Organic-C, total-N, and available P in a relatively narrow area. The CEC value was positively correlated with clay content and total organic carbon. There were also variation of soil forming materials and serial processes of transportation, deposition, denudation, and pedogenesis that occurred in the studied lands.

Keywords: Soil chemical characteristics, sedimentary rocks, Bintuni Bay