Shahbaz Khan¹, Sohail Irshad²*, Faisal Mehmood¹, Muhammad Nawaz³

¹Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

²In-Service Agricultural Training Institute, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.

³Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, BZU, Bahadur Campus Layyah, Pakistan.

 Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is of prime importance being staple food of the masses of Pakistan. Weed infestation in wheat not only reduce the yield but also affects the efficiency of other production factors. Allelopathy is sustainable and ecofriendly method for the management of weeds and diseases. A field trail was carried out to assess the allelopathic potential of mulberry and sorghum water extracts against invasive winter weeds like Phalaris minor. Retz, Chenopodium album L., Avena fatua L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. in wheat at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. All the treatment application showed better weed management and enhanced final yield of the crop. Application of sorghum water extract (SWE) at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 and mulberry water extract (MWE) at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 indicated better weed management (51-55%) and improved grain yield (28%) as compared to control. SWE at the rate of 27 L ha^-1 and MWE at the rate of 9 L ha^-1 in combined application also showed better weed management and improved the grain yield while Atlatis (Standard herbicide) had 66-68% weed control and 32% increase in final yield but it was not found economical. Combined application of SWE at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 and MWE at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 was found best combination with maximum net return while hand weeding and herbicide application were extravagant because of high cost and low net return. 

Keywords: Allelopathy, Wheat, Water Extracts, Weeds

N.N. Andayani¹, M. Aqil²*, Roy Efendi² and M. Azrai¹

¹Department of Plant Breeding, Indonesian Cereals Research Institute, Maros, Indonesia

²Department of Agronomy, Indonesian Cereals Research Institute, Maros, Indonesia

 Abstract

Selection of optimal combination in hybrid development is crucial to successful breeding program and key determining factor for generating superior variety. Knowledge of gene combination system of maize traits under equatorial environments has not been extensively studied. It is the aim of this study to assess the performance of maize inbred lines across equatorial environments in Indonesia. Twelve test crosses (MAL01 × MYL10, MR14 × MYL10, MAL01 × MYL12, MR14 × MYL12, MAL01 × MYL15, MR14 × MYL15, MAL01 × MYL16, MR14 × MYL16, MAL01 × MYL2, MR14 × MYL2, MAL01 × MYL7 and MR14 × MYL7) and three commercial hybrids (NK 33, DK979 and Bima 11) were investigated for six agronomic components in randomized complete block design across six locations in Indonesia. The results revealed that interaction of crosses versus environment was significant for grain yield, maturity and other agronomic components. The estimates of GCA exhibited that lines MYL10 (L3), MYL15 (L5) and tester MR14 (T2) were a good general combiner, hence MYL10 (L3), MYL15 (L5) and tester MR14 (T2) can be used for generating superior maize hybrid. Combined analysis of SCA effects showed that the crosses MYL 10 (L3) × MR 14 (T2) gave the highest yield of 10.73 t/ha and significantly superior to the best check DK979 (10.17). The hybrid from this cross has to be evaluated in advance to determine the prospect for release as a new commercial hybrid in Indonesia. 

Keywords: Line, Tester, Combining ability, Inbred maize, Indonesia

Mumammad Asghar Hassan, Imran Bodlah*, Junaid Ali Siddiqui, Muhammad Tariq Rasheed, Ammara Gull-E-Fareen

Insect Biodiversity and Conservation group, Department of Entomology, Faculty of Food and Crop Sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan,

 Abstract

An updated checklist of twelve species of black scavenger flies under four genera has been enlisted from Gilgit-Baltistan. Two species belonging to subfamily Sepsinae are recorded for the first time from Baltistan division, namely; Sepsis dissimilis Brunetti, 1910 and Sepsis violacea Meigen, 1826. Of these, Sepsis dissimilis Brunetti, 1910 is new recorded for Gilgit-Baltistan. Local distribution of all known species is provided.

Keywords: Checklist, Sepsidae, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, New records

I Ketut Widnyana*, I Wayan Seputra Kuspianta, Putu Lasmi Yulianthi Sapanca

Faculty of Agriculture, Mahasaraswati University of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

 Abstract

Bacillus sp. is one type of bacteria that functions as PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting    Rhizobacteria). This study is designed to determine the effect of treatment duration time immersion of mustard seeds with Bacillus sp and the doses of organic fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard plants. The research was designed using Randomized Block Design (RBD) Factorial with two treatments i.e. time soaking of mustard seed with Bacillus sp. and organic fertilizer dose. The results showed that there was a very significant interaction (P <0.01) between the treatment of soil seed immersion with Bacillus sp. and the dosage of organic fertilizer on most parameters observed, except for the root length of the plant. The highest fresh weight of the mustard plant was found in the combination of the treatment of soaking of mustard seeds with Bacillus sp. for 20 minutes with a dosage of 1.50 kg organic fertilizer per plant that is 131,900 g, and the lowest was found in the combination treatment of soaking of mustard seeds for 30 minutes with a dosage of 0 kg organic fertilizer i.e. 34.333 g, so an increase of 384.178%.  The highest drying weight of the mustard oven was found in a combination of treatment of soaking of mustard seeds with Bacillus sp. for 30 minutes with a dosage of 1.50 kg organic fertilizer per plant of 8,000 g, and the lowest was found in a combination treatment of immersion of mustard seed for 10 minutes with a dose of organic 0 kg fertilizer per plant that is 4.617 g. 

Keywords: Soaking of Seed, Bacillus sp., PGPR, Organic Fertilizer

Chima Njoku

Department of Soil Science and Environmental Management,

Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

 Abstract

This study was carried out in 2016 and 2017 to determine the effect of automobile repair wastes on water properties in Abakaliki Southeastern Nigeria.  Four replicate water samples were collected at: A – was the tube well at non – automobile repair site (Control); B – was the tube well at lorry automobile repair site; C – was the tube well at motorcycle automobile repair site; D – was the tube well at car and buses automobile repair site and E – was the tube well at automobile spare parts market. The data obtained was analysed using analysis of variance based on CRD and difference between treatments means were dictated using F-LSD. Water collected were used to determine colour, conductivity, total solid, suspended solid, total dissolved solid, pH, NO₃^–, Cl^–, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, total hardness, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn. These parameters apart from pH (which was lower) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in automobile repair sites than non-automobile repair site. Total solids, Pb, Cu and Zn observed in automobile sites were higher than the recommended standards whereas pH was lower than the recommended standard. Only tube well at lorry automobile repair site had Cd that was higher than the standard. Generally, the parameters studied were higher in the 2^nd year of the study when compared to 1^st year of the study. Therefore, this study recommends treatment of water from tube wells in automobile repair site before usage in order to prevent health problems associated with usage of such water. 

Keywords: Automobile, Repair, Transfer, Treatment, Wastes

Abdelraouf M. Ali,* Mohamed A. Aboelghar, Mohamed A. El-shirbeny, Nasser H. Salem

National Authority for Remote sensing and space science (NARSS), Cairo, Egypt

 Abstract

Estimating crop area is a key factor for any crop monitoring and agricultural management system. Having annual information on crop acreage and production change is sufficient for agricultural decision makers and planners. The aim of this study is to monitor changes in cultivated areas and to estimate wheat crop area using satellite imagery with different spatial resolutions and time series normalize different vegetation index (NDVI_Ts).  The study is focusing on using accuracy assessment from maximum likelihood classification methods applied to multi-spatial resolution scenes (30, 20 and 10 meters) derived from Landsat8 and Sentinel-2 satellites. More specifically, NDVI_Ts estimates from Landsat 30m, Sentinel-2 (20m), and (10m) spatial resolutions are compared to discriminate wheat crop. The study area is located in El-Minya governorate, Egypt. The results showed that the accuracy of using NDVI_Ts data from different imageries showed higher accuracy than using one single date. The NDVI_Ts estimate from the Sentinel-2(10m) has (81%) as an overall accuracy and (0.74) as Kappa coefficient where Sentinel-2(20m) NDVI_Ts data has (69.38%) as an overall accuracy and (0.58) as Kappa coefficient. The lowest accuracy (64.38%) and Kappa coefficient (0.51) resulted from occurred with Landsta8 (NDVI_Ts) data.

Keywords: Crop Area Estimation, NDVI time serious, Landsat-8, Sentinel-2

Hanif Ur Rahman¹*, Mirza Ali Khan¹, Shahid Khan¹, Faiza Ashraf¹, Sibghat Ullah¹, Bait Ullah¹, Dost Muhammad Khan¹, Said Sajjad Ali Shah²

¹Foot and Mouth Disease Research Center, Veterinary Research Institute, Peshawar- Pakistan

²Veterinary Research Institute, Peshawar –Pakistan

 Abstract

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease mostly caused by serotype A, O, and Asia-1 of virus that is endemic in Pakistan. FMD Serotype ‘O’ is responsible for more than 60% of outbreaks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. During the present study, a total of 50 samples of FMDV serotype ‘O’ virus were selected from field outbreaks samples preserved at the center. The nucleotide sequences of the VP1 coding region from all the virus samples were determined. The phylogenetic analysis of FMDV serotype ‘O’ viruses circulating in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan was determined. This indicated continuous mutation from 2012 to 2015 due to the presence of two different sub lineages within ‘O’ PanAsia-II lineage. The current study reveals that the presences of two different sub lineages of FMDV O PanAsia-II were identified which are circulating in different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. The emergence of new variants are possibly responsible for the failure of vaccine in the country and creates hindrances in the control of disease in the region.

Keywords: Serotype O, VP1 Coding region, Sequencing, O PanAsia-II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Farheen Nazli¹*, Bushra², Muhammad Mazhar Iqbal³, Fatima Bibi⁴, Zafar-ul-Hye⁵,

Muhammad Ramzan Kashif¹ and Maqshoof Ahmad⁶

¹Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory Bahawalpur-63100, Pakistan

²Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

³Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Chiniot, Pakistan

⁴Mango Research Station, Multan, Pakistan

⁵Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

⁶Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur-63100, Pakistan

 Abstract

The intensity, quantity as well as capacity factors are important to predict the amount of nutrient in soil required for maximum plant growth. Sorption isotherm considers these three factors so believed to be one of the most important techniques in soil which control the fate and mobility of nutrients. The field experiment was conducted to find out site-specific and crop-specific potassium requirement for potato crop. The potassium adsorption isotherm was constructed and Freundlich model was used to theoretically work out different soil solution K levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg L^-1). The K fertilizer doses were calculated against these specific soil solution levels. Field experiment was conducted with seven model based K fertilizer treatments (0, 49, 94, 139, 183, 228, and 273 kg K ha^-1) and three replications in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) using potato as test crop.  The results showed that growth parameters like plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll significantly contributed to potato tuber yield. Different yield response models were tested and it was observed that linear plus plateau and quadratic plus plateau predicted equally well the optimum fertilizer K rate both for yield and quality attributes of potato. For maximum potato tuber yield i.e.34.41 Mg ha^-1 the economic optimum K was 100 kg ha^-1. Optimum fertilizer K rates (at 95 % relative yield) for potato tuber yield, dry matter percentage, protein, starch contents and vitamin C contents were 100, 103, 180, 230 and 200 kg K ha^-1, respectively. So, it is suggested that adsorption isotherm technique should be used to calculate site specific and crop specific fertilizer requirements of crops and 100 kg ha^-1 is recommended as optimum potassium fertilizer for potato crop. Moreover, the K fertilizer application would improve crop quality that would support the quality based marketing system in Pakistan. 

Keywords: Potato, Quadratic plus plateau, Adsorption isotherm, Yield, Quality

Dwiyati Pujimulyani¹, Wisnu Adi Yulianto¹, Astuti Setyowati¹, Seila Arumwardana², Rizal Rizal²

¹Faculty of Agroindustry, University of Mercu Buana Yogyakarta, Jl Wates Km. 10, Argomulyo, Sedayu, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55753, Indonesia

²Aretha Medika Utama, Biomolecular and Biomedical Research Center, Jl Babakan Jeruk 2, No 9, Bandung 40163, West  Java, Indonesia

 Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder and characterized by high blood glucose level that defects in secretion of insulin. Oxidative stress and excess of free radicals have been documented in diabetes occurrence. Curcuma mangga Val. is one of traditional medicine that has potency for diabetic treatment.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Curcuma mangga Val extract (CME) and fractions. In this study, the antioxidant activity of four fractions of CME (water, hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fraction) were measured using nitrite oxide (NO) and H₂O₂-scavenging activity assay, while antidiabetic activity of those fractions were measured by α-glucosidase activity assay. These fractions were also compared to antidiabetic drug, namely acarbose. In the NO-scavenging activity, the butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) had the highest activity (IC₅₀ 69.75 µg/mL) compared to all fractions of CME and acarbose (ACR). Ethyl acetate fraction of C. mangga extract (EACM) showed the highest in H₂O₂-scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 162.78 µg/mL) compared to marker compound (BHT) (IC₅₀ 179.86 µg/mL) and other fractions. Hexane fraction of C. mangga (HCM) showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 182.45 µg/mL).

To conclude, the fractions of C. mangga extract could be used as an alternative in the development of antioxidant and antidiabetic medicine.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Curcuma mangga, Diabetes

Wahyu Widowati¹, Teresa Liliana Wargasetia¹, Ervi Afifah², Tjandrawati Mozef³,

Hanna Sari Widya Kusuma², Hayatun Nufus², Seila Arumwardana², Annisa Amalia², Rizal Rizal²

¹Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University, Jl. Prof drg. Suria Sumantri No.65, Bandung 40164, West Java, Indonesia

²Aretha Medika Utama, Biomolecular and Biomedical Research Center, Jl Babakan Jeruk 2, No. 9, Bandung 40163, West Java, Indonesia

³Research Center for Chemistry, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Serpong, Indonesia

Abstract

Antioxidant agent can eliminate the free radicals due to oxidative stress that has been reported as the main cause of diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the effect of Curcuma longa rhizomes and its compounds curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin as antioxidants and antidiabetic activity. The phytochemical assay was performed with modified Farnsworth method. Quantitative curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and curcumol of C. longa extract (CLE) were evaluated using HPLC. The antioxidant assay was performed with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzo thiazoline-6-sulfonate acid) (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Antidiabetic properties were measured by inhibitory activity of α-, β-glucosidase, and α-amylase. This study suggested that CLE has terpenoids in high level. Based on HPLC test, CLE contained curcumin (16.92%), curcumol (15.51%), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (5.27%). Bisdemethoxycurcumin has DPPH scavenging activity (IC₅₀= 64.94±2.44 µg/ml), curcumin has the highest activity (IC₅₀=0.92±0.03 µg/ml) in ABTS assay, while CLE has the highest activity in FRAP assay (IC₅₀=311.10 µM Fe(II)/µg) in the highest concentration (250.00 µg/ml). In antidiabetic assay, bisdemethoxycurcumin has the highest in α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀=3.76±0.33 µg/ml; 1.79± 0.15 µg/ml), while in β-glucosidase inhibitory activity curcumin has the highest activity (IC₅₀=1.03±0.03 µg/ml). CLE and its compounds possess antioxidants and antidiabetic activities. 

Keywords: Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Curcuma Longa, Curcumin