Mohammad Chozin^*, Sumardi Sumardi

¹Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Jl. WR Supratman, Kandang Limun,  City of Bengkulu, Bengkulu Province, 38126, Indonesia

Abstract

Rice improvement program for swampland areas is mainly addressed to develop high yielding varieties with the desirable agronomic characteristics along with the improved adaptability to all growth limiting factors inherent in the ecosystem. This study was implemented to evaluate the growth and yield performances of 10 rice F₃ populations generated from the crosses involving Bengkulu swamp rice landraces (Hanafi Putih, Batubara, Harum Curup, Tigo-tigo, and Lubuk Durian) and the cultivated varieties (Diah Suci, Bestari, and Sidenuk) on a swampland. The experiment was laid out on a shallow inland swamp with stagnant inundation up to 50 cm depth during the plant growth period. Data were collected for plant height, tiller number, number of productive tillers clump^-1, heading date, maturity date, panicle length, number of grain panicle^-1, 100-grain weight, and grain yield clump^-1. High variability among the populations was observed for most of the traits and readily explored for the development of rice varieties well adapted to swampland. The principal component analysis showed that the populations were distinguishable on the basis of the observed traits. The magnitude of broad sense heritability and genetic advance estimates denoted that simple phenotypic selection should be sufficient for gaining genetic improvement for the majority of the traits, excluding panicle length.

Keywords: Genetic advance, Heritability, Inland swamp, Local rice varieties, Principal component

Muhammad Qasim¹, Mudassir Aziz^1*, Fahim Nawaz¹, Muhammad Arif²

¹Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

²Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Water scarcity is threatening productivity of crops throughout the globe. Different osmoprotectants such as salicylic acid and ascorbic acid have potential to mitigate the harmful effects of water deficit. Current study was conducted to examine the possible role of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid individually and in combination in improving the yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to drought at different growth stages. Drought was imposed by skipping irrigation at two water sensitive crop growth stages i.e. 6 fully expanded leaves (V₆ as per Feekes scale) and initiation of silking (R₁ as per Feekes scale). Water deficit significantly decreased cob diameter (19.2%), cob weight (13.8%), grain rows per cob (14.4%), cob length (12.8%), 1000- grain weight (6.2%), stover yield (17.7%), grain yield (10.6%), biological yield (8.2) as compared to normal irrigation. Drought imposed at R₁ (as per Feekes scale) was more lethal in terms of reduction in different yield and yield components including 1000-grain weight, grain yield and biological yield by 0.2, 6.9 and 0.9 %, respectively. Exogenous application of combination of salicylic acid + ascorbic acid @ 0.5mM each + tween 20 (0.1%) applied at V₆ stage (as per Feekes scale) was more effective in mitigating the harmful effects of water deficit by improving cob diameter (6%) biological yield (1%) and grain yield of maize (6.9%) as compared to drought imposed at R₁(as per Feekes scale).

Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Drought, Maize, Salicylic acid, Yield

Laurentius Hartanto Nugroho^1*, Sutikno¹, Ratna Susandarini¹, Indah Rafika Yuliati¹, Yosep Priyono¹, Esti Munawaroh², Inggit Puji Astuti²

¹Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

²Center for Plant Conservation, Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesian Institute for Sciences, Indonesia

Abstract

The genus Piper with over 700 species distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world has a considerable number of species with economic importance as spices and herbal medicine. In this study the anatomical characters of leaf and stem on 10 species of Piper from Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesia were observed in relation with their function as oil-accumulating organs. The objective of this study was to explore the anatomical variability among species. Observations on anatomical characters were done on leaf epidermal and cross section as well as stem cross section prepared using paraffin embedding method. Results indicated that there were structural variations on the epidermal features, mesophyll, secretory cells and secretory cannals of leaves, as well as variation on the ratio of medullary and peripheral vascular bundles on stem. Results of this study provide additional taxonomic evidence to confirm differences between Piper species, and serve as supporting data for identification based on internal structures. Data on the comparative anatomy of leaf and stem also contributes to the selection of the right materials for the extraction of essential oils from various Piper species based on the presence of secretory cells.

Keywords: Piper, Plant internal structure, Medicinal plant, Taxonomic evidence

Jamshaid Iqbal¹, Chaudhary Muhammad Irshad², Ijaz Ahmad², Asmat Nawaz², Muhammad Aamir²,  Arsalan Ali^1*, Hasnain Yaseen¹

¹Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I.Khan, Pakistan

²Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides, Agriculture Department of Punjab,  D.G.Khan, Pakistan

Abstract

Pink Bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera) is a serious threat to cotton crop in Pakistan. The current research trail was designed to assess the response of six cotton genotypes viz: IUB-13, BS-15, FH-142, MNH-886, NIAB-999 and MNH 1026 and role of abiotic factors on the infestation of pink bollworm on squares, flowers and green bolls of cotton cultivars under agro-climatic conditions of District Layyah from July to October 2018 on weekly basis. The results of the study revealed that maximum infestation of Pink bollworm (4.02%) on squares was noted at temperature of 31.23°C and relative humidity of (41.83%). Maximum infestation on green bolls (5.50%) was recorded at temperature 31.23°C and relative humidity 41.83% respectively. Among all tested varieties IUB-13 was found to be relatively susceptible under unsprayed condition and MNH-1026 was found to be comparatively resistant against Pink bollworm infestation on flowers. No rainfall in the experiment area was recorded during study period. Present study can be helpful in selection of resistant cultivars against Pink bollworm for good quality production of cotton.

Keywords: Gossypium hirsutum, Genotypes, Pink bollworm, Abiotic factors

Karzan Muhammad Khalid¹,   Bushra Hussain Shnawa^1,2*,  Shorish Mustafa Abdullah^1,2

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Soran University, Kurdistan, Iraq

²Scientific Research Center, Soran University, Kurdistan, Iraq

Abstract

Food allergy is an immune mediated non-toxic adverse reaction to a certain type of foods. It is a worldwide health problem. Several recent researches highlight awareness and concern about this issue. The current study performed by randomized cross–sectional survey and the data were analysed statistically. The present finding showed that among the 248 individuals whom participated in the questionnaires, 134 were considered as allergic subjects, whereas 114 of the participants had no food allergy. Regarding gender, 63 (47.1%) of the allergic people were male and 71 (52.9%) were female. According to age, all age groups (<10 – >29) were sensitized at least to one type of foods. The most common three allergic foods were hot pepper, followed by eggs and garlic. The timing of the immune reaction is critical began within 10 minutes of exposure to the allergen to more than one hour. Furthermore, the most appeared symptoms that these individuals suffering from were redness, urticaria, vomiting and diarrhoea, which correlated significantly with type of allergen. Food allergy in Soran city was high and more people suffered from it. Young ages were more affected than adults, and redness was the main noticed symptom. Hot pepper and eggs were the most causative food allergy among the selected foods .Food allergy is a growing health concern, so more studies directed toward prevention with more effective management strategies are needed.  

Keywords: Food allergy, Food allergens, Symptoms, Questionnaire

Ishak Zubir^1,2, Ernie Eileen Rizlan Ross³, Ainon Hamzah¹, Wan Syaidatul Aqma^1*

¹School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 43600 Bangi, Selangor Malaysia

²Malaysia Cocoa Board, Cocoa Innovative and Technology Centre, Lot 12621, Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

³Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Black pod disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Phytophthora palmivora is a serious threat to the cocoa industry causing the destruction of cocoa plants in many plantations across Malaysia. The objectives of this study are to determine the antifungal activities of the endophytic bacteria isolates and to identify the isolates. Four selected endophytic bacteria previously isolated from tissues of healthy Theobroma cacao L. designated as isolate LKM-UL, LKM-PA, LKM-PD, and LKM-BL were assessed for their abilities to inhibit the growth of P. palmivora in vitro. Preliminary tests using dual culture method showed that the isolate LKM-BL had the strongest inhibition towards the growth of P. palmivora after 24 h of incubation compared to the other isolates. The growth of LKM-UL, LKM-PA, LKM-PD, and LKM-BL revealed that the antifungal activities against cocoa pathogen increases as the number of endophytic cells increases. The cell-free supernatant from isolate LKM-BL produced the highest antifungal activity against cocoa pathogen with an inhibition zone of 19.5 ± 0.50 mm during the highest cell growth at 24 h of incubation. The endophytic bacteria were characterized morphologically and based on biochemical tests. Based on the analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequences, isolate LKM-UL, LKM-PA, LKM-PD, and LKM-BL were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Pantoea agglomerans, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis respectively. The findings indicate that among the four endophytic bacterial isolates studied, B. subtilis LKM-BL showed the highest antifungal activity and has the potential to be used as a biological control agent towards the cocoa pathogen P. palmivora.

Keywords: Endophytic bacteria, Antifungal, Phytophthora palmivora, Black pod, Cocoa

Khalil^1*, Andri Bachtiar², Zaituni Udin³

¹Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Andalas University, Campus II Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, Indonesia

²Department of Livestock Business and Social, Faculty of Animal Science, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

³Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Andalas University, Campus II Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effects of mineral supplementation on estrus onset, growth, and hematological and biochemical parameters in Simmental heifers. The study was initiated by a field survey to determine the reproductive problem of the exotic breed cattle raised by smallholders. Complete minerals were then formulated and fed to 18 Simmental heifers for 14 weeks across three groups as follows: P0, no supplementation (control), P1, supplemented with mineral feed in meal form, and P2, supplemented with mineral in block lick form. Each treatment consisted of six heifers stratified by body weight into six groups for replication. Parameters measured included estrus onset time, body weight gain, mineral intake, blood mineral levels, hematology, total protein, and progesterone levels. Simmental heifers raised by smallholders were delayed in onset of first estrus (20.4 months) and first calving (30.17 months). Heifers supplemented with minerals (P1 and P2) had an earlier estrus in the 2^nd and 4^th weeks, while in the control groups (P0), the first estrus appeared in the 8^th and 9^th weeks. Heifers supplemented with block minerals (P2) had lower body weight gain, and Fe, Zn, and progesterone levels than those supplemented with minerals in meal form (P1). The results showed that mineral supplementation in meal form positively affected estrus onset, growth rate, and biochemical parameters in Simmental heifers.

Keywords: Simmental heifer, Mineral supplement, Estrus onset, Hematology

Mona Sayed Yones^1*, Mohamed Amin Aboelghar¹, Ghada Ali Khdery¹, Abdelraouf Massoud Ali¹,

Nasser Hussien Salem¹, Eslam Farag¹, Shireen Ahmed Mahmoud Ma’mon²

¹National Authority of Remote Sensing and Space Science (NARSS), Cairo, Egypt

²Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Identification of the best spectral zone and wavelength to be used for the discrimination of healthy and infected sugar beet plants and also to discriminate between the different infections of sugar beet plants is the goal achieved in this research. Field hyperspectral radiometer was used to measure spectral reflectance characteristics. By comparing spectral reflectance for the three infections of sugar beet plants (Cotton leaf worm, Aphid and Whiteflies), showed high pattern similarity. HSD Tukey’s analysis showed that the NIR and Blue spectral zone are the best for the discrimination between healthy sugar beet plant and the different infections; on the other hand SWIR-1 and SWIR-2 was the worst but Red and Green spectral zones showed reasonable discrimination. Also, Spectral discrimination was clearer in case of old leaves than young ones. Hence a result of this study is significant, as remote sensing technologies can be used for early detection for plants infections, and thus can be used for integrated pest management system.

Keywords: Hyperspectral data, Sugar beet, White fly, Aphid, Cotton leaf worm

Muhammad Amin^1,3, Imran Bodlah², Muhammad Qasim³, Naveed Iftikhar Jajja³

¹Department of Entomology, Balochistan Agriculture College, 87300 Quetta, Pakistan

²Insect Biodiversity and Conservation Group, Department of Entomology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, 46000 Rawalpindi, Pakistan

³Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Entomology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

Melanaphis donacis (Passerini) is reported on Arundo donax L., for the first time from Quetta (Balochistan). The species was collected during spring 2018; its presence signifies the westernmost locality/range for this species in Pakistan and the subcontinent. Detailed diagnostic features, morphometric data and comparison with type specimens of the species hitherto-described from the subcontinent, distribution and ecology with supportive photograph of the colony is presented in this manuscript. 

Keywords: Melanaphis donacis (Passerini), Quetta, Westernmost range, Pakistan