Category Archives: b_original_articles

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

Eyhab RM AL-Samawy¹, Ahmed Sami Jarad^2*, Fayak J Al-Saffar³, Diyar MH Kadhim⁴

¹Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine, AL-Muthanna University, Samawa, Iraq

²Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

³Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, AL-Muthanna University, Samawa, Iraq

⁴Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the histological aspects of the large intestine of adult one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) domiciled in Iraq. To conduct that, large intestines samples of twelve adult camels (six males and six females) obtained directly after animals slaughtering. Tissue specimens from different segments of the intestine (cecum, colon, and rectum) were collected, fixed, processed routinely, and subsequently stained with H&E, Lillies Allochrome, Periodic Acid Schiff, Combined AB–PAS, and Gomori Aldehyde-Fuchsin stains. The microscopic examination showed the composition of tunica mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa layers. Lining epithelium of all segments showed their consistency of simple columnar and goblet cells. Distinctly, the muscularis mucosa separates mucosa from submucosa layers. Tunica muscularis structured of two distinct layers (inner circular and outer longitudinal); the outer layer is organized by three separated bands, that is known as taeniae coli. The histochemically stained sections revealed scattered goblet cells of all segments that were strongly reacted to PAS. Staining with PAS-AB showed negative or faintly bluish stained epithelial cells due to the reaction with AB contents, whereas goblet cells showed toughly positive reaction due to the PAS contents. The gomori Aldehyde-Fuchsin stain showed goblet cells strongly reacted to the acidic, non-sulfated, mucopolysaccharides but columnar epithelium were showing poor reaction toward this stain. the unique structure of large intestine of one-humped camels has investigated and its composed layers have remarkably observed in this work.

Keywords: One humped camel, Large intestine, Colon, Cecum, Rectum, Mucin

Ibrar Hussain, Sohail Ahmad, Izhar Ullah, Imran Ahmad, Mehboob Alam, Sajid Khan, Sumbal Ayaz

Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Chitosan is a very important linear polysaccharide used in agricultural and horticultural practices primarily for plant defense and yield increase in recent decade. This proposed research study was conducted at the Ornamental Nursery Horticulture Department, The University of Agriculture Peshawar to investigate the response of foliar application of chitosan on vegetative growth and quality characteristics of tomato during the year 2016 using experimental design Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with one factor repeated three times. Tomato plants were sprayed with different chitosan concentration (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 mg/1000ml) with 25 days interval under plastic tunnel condition. The analysis of results showed significant effect of chitosan concentration on all growth and quality attributes of tomato. The results of foliar application of chitosan on different growth (number of leaves plant^-1, number of branches plant^-1 and plant height) and quality traits of tomato (chlorophyll content, , dry matter content, total nitrogen content and total phosphorus content) were found significantly higher @ 90 mg/1000ml than other concentration of chitosan. On the basis of above results, it is concluded that tomato plant could be sprayed with chitoson @ 90 mg/1000ml for achieving maximum growth and quality of tomato under plastic tunnel condition.

Keywords: Chitin, Chitosan, Phytoalexins, Natural defense, Adaptability

Tri Widjaja, Ali Altway, Lily Pudjiastuti, Fibrillian Zata Lini, Dennis Farina Nury, Toto Iswanto

Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Kampus ITS Keputih Sukolilo-Surabaya 60111, Indonesia

Abstract

Arenga pinnata is rich in hemicellulose (27.95 %) and lignin (36.98 %). In this study, it was processed in a three-step process to produce reducing sugar; lignocellulose pretreatment, optimization and enzymatic hydrolysis. A combination of acid and organosolv pretreatment was expected to remove a significant amount of lignin from the biomass, but not dissolve much hemicellulose. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine optimum operational conditions (ethanol concentration, pretreatment time and temperature) for the organosolv pretreatment, which minimized inhibition by lignin in the enzymatic hydrolysis process. Lignin content was analyzed using gravimetric method. Reducing sugar was analyzed using the 3.5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS method) and validated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). From the RSM results, it can be concluded that all the variables studied were significant (p<0.05), apart from the interaction between pretreatment time and temperature (p>0.05), which had an R² of 99.38 %^­. The optimum conditions for organosolv pretreatment were obtained at 30.35% (v/v) ethanol concentration, 107 °C, and 33 minutes pretreatment time. The enzymatic hydrolysis process was conducted with different combinations of enzymes, and with Tween 80 as a surfactant. The best yield of reducing sugar was 20.28 % by using the combination of cellulase-xylanase enzymes with Tween 80, while the combination of enzymes without Tween 80 resulted in a yield of 18.15 %.

Keywords: Enzymatic hydrolysis, Organosolv pretreatment, Response surface methodology, Sugar palm starch waste, Tween 80