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Seaweed effects on plant growth and environmental remediation: a review
Get PDFSeaweeds are plants found in sea that have tremendous applications in the fields of agriculture and environment. It comprises of three giant classes with a large number of different species. their ability to adopt to various conditions qualifies them more applicable to various environmental and agricultural arena. Agriculturally, both three classes Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta, have significant roles in promoting plant growth and productivity and soil protection as well as reclamation with class Phaeophyta has highest contribution due to its alginic acid content and other multifaceted components that are higher followed by Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta. Seaweed (living or dead biomass) has ability to phycoremediate environment against heavy toxic metals and lessen the excessiveness of non-metal inorganic elements via physisorption, chemisorption with the aid of binding sites provided by proteins and carbohydrates functional groups existing in their cell walls and secretion of organic acids and intracellular transformation and accumulation. Seaweed is an important factor in environmental remediation and soil restoration processes
Indole-3-acetic acid production by rhizobacteria Bacillus spp. to various abiotic stress factors
Get PDFIndole-3-acetic acid (IAA) phytohormone plays an essential role in forming and initiating main, lateral, and adventitious roots in vegetative propagation. Plants are receiving IAA naturally from a diverse group of soil-plant associated rhizobacteria. However, IAA synthesis by rhizobacteria is influenced by abiotic growth conditions. Three indigenous Bacillus isolates were subject to in vitro assay for the effects of abiotic factors (temperature, salinity and pH) on growth and IAA production. All isolates grew well between 25 - 40°C, and only B. megaterium UPMLH3 was capable of synthesising IAA (21.18 µg/ml) at 40°C. All three bacterial growth under saline stress were slightly dropped over control (0% NaCl), but still producing IAA up to 1% NaCl condition. B. cereus UPMLH24 revealed high resistance to salinity up to 5% NaCl. The optimum growth of all three Bacillus spp. was at pH 7. B. cereus UPMLH1 and UPMLH24 discovered higher IAA production in slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8). Each rhizobacterium shows different physiology trait against each abiotic factor. However, the multiple tolerance ability of PGPR against abiotic factors is an indication that its ability to survive under harsh soil and plant environments while delivering benefits to the plant. Thus, B. cereus UPMLH1, B. megaterium UPMLH3 and B. cereus UPMLH24 might serve as potential biofertiliser, enhancing the growth performance of test plants at various environmental conditions
Medicinal plants of ethnopharmacological relevance in Sierra de Ancasti, Catamarca, Argentina
Get PDFThe aim of this work is to document the knowledge, significance, and uses of medicinal plants in the rural population of Ancasti, Catamarca, Argentina, considered an area of great biodiversity. The community defines itself as criollos-serranos and its subsistence economy is associated with traditional livestock production systems and small-scale agriculture. The techniques used in ethnobiology were adopted as a methodological framework. Informants were selected intentionally based on their expertise or by snowball sampling. The specific information about the topic was gathered by records and documentation of species, open interviews and specific semi-structured surveys, participant observation and records of a rapid rural diagnosis. For quantitative analysis, two indices were applied, including: Relative Importance (RI), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). A total of 209 medicinal plant and 5 species of fungi belonging to 70 families were recorded. Asteraceae was dominating with 25 species. Herbs were leading with a 45% contribution, followed by shrubs. The RI index highlights species like Rosmarinus officinalis, Vachellia caven and Cestrum parqui, also others rarely referred to in previous studies, as in the case of Lithraea molleoides. The medicinal flora in Ancasti, Catamarca is highly diverse and remained scarcely explored so far. Its composition accounts for a set of species and applications that are shared with those of other regions of central and northwestern Argentina, highlighting the presence of intercultural contacts.
Field evaluation of Hevea brasiliensis clones for the incidence of white root disease in Nigeria
Get PDFIncidence and severity of white root disease affecting rubber trees were determined in ûve rubber clones of 10 and 35 years old. The percentage of infection, aggregate failure, level of infectivity and gross economic loss were evaluated. There were variations in resistance to white root disease among rubber clones studied. However, no rubber clone was free from this disease even though there were signiûcant (P>0.05) differences in the ability of the pathogen to attack different clones. Results of disease index in the multiclonal plot were compared with those from plots of specific clones of rubber. Percentage infection in 35-year-old rubber plots was signiûcantly (P>0.05) higher than 10-year-old rubber trees. The level of infectivity of white root disease pathogen was generally high with the lowest value for missing stands of 3.33 ± 1.67 (representing 41.63 per cent of expected neighbouring stands) and as many as 6.00 ± 0.56 (representing 75 per cent of expected neighbouring stands) in 10 and 35-year-old rubber plots, respectively. The estimated gross economic losses (N 113,652.30 to 274,734.30) per year recorded in the study were high. This study indicates the need for regular monitoring of white root disease in rubber plantations so that the disease can be managed and controlled at an early stage of the disease occurrence
Biochemical characterization of pink husked coconut types
Get PDFCoconuts with various traits are available in different coconut growing countries. The pink husk is one such trait that has already been reported in coconut. There is a demand for tender nut water from pink husked types of coconut to treat hepatitis by traditional medicinal practitioners. Present studies were carried out to characterize pink husked types identified in Guam Tall variety of coconut. There were no morphological differences with respect to the nut characters between pink and non-pink husked types. Biochemical characterization of pink husked types revealed significantly higher total phenol content in the tender nut water of pink husked types than normal husked types. A significantly higher protein content of 86 mg 100 mL-1 was noted in pink husked type, compared to normal husked type with 58.7 mg 100 mL-1. Higher free radical scavenging activity based on DPPH assay with pink husked type was recorded with an IC50 value of 266.7 compared to normal type with an IC50 value of 358. Similarly, phosphomolybdate assay also revealed higher scavenging activity of pink husked type based on the IC50 value of 415.2 compared to 637.9 observed in normal husked type. Anthocyanin content of 25.98 mg 100g-1 fresh weight was noted in the exocarp of pink husked types, and it was negligible in normal husked type. These results justify the use of pink husked coconuts in various traditional medicines. There is tremendous potential for exploiting pink husked types of coconut in the pharmaceutical industry
Coconut based integrated farming: A climate-smart model for food security and economic prosperity
Get PDFA coconut-based integrated farming system (IFS) model suited for lowlands was developed at the Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS), Karamana, Kerala State, India, under Kerala Agricultural University. The area of the model was decided as 0.2 ha, matching the average per capita land availability of a marginal farmer in the State. Apart from the major crop coconut, intercrops, such as vegetables, fruit crops, spices, fodder and tuber crops were included in the model. The allied enterprises integrated were livestock, azolla, and agroforestry. Tree components of the model comprised of teak, jack, breadfruit, garcinia and mango. Research data for five years revealed that the model generated food products above the requirement of a four-member family, and the surplus production could contribute to farmer’s income. The productivity under the IFS model was enhanced ten-folds compared to that under the sole crop of coconut for the same area. Plant nutrients were generated within the farm through organic recycling, which contributed to the substantial saving of chemical fertilizers. The system was found climate-smart because of reduced use of chemical fertilizers and net negative emission of greenhouse gases mostly achieved through agroforestry. This IFS model could also ensure considerable employment generation. The model could be adopted by farmers of lowland tracts of Kerala having similar agro-climatic features for better economic returns and environmental benefits
Moisture content and water activity of arecanut samples: A need to revisit storage guidelines
Get PDFSelected engineering properties of palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) leaf base
Get PDFNatural fibres are attracting a lot of attention these days, from industrial applications and basic research, to producing eco-friendly goods. The engineering characteristics of the palmyrah leaf base (Borassus flabellifer) were assessed in this study. The test specimen’s were prepared as per the ASTM standards. The average length of the palmyrah leaf base was around 532±0.72 mm, with 22.74±0.23 mm thickness, 472.6±3.23 g density and volume of 0.893±0.027 g cm3 and 173.14±5.393 cm3. The mechanical properties were obtained by tensile test, impact test, flexural test, and shore-D hardness test. Tensile strength was observed to be 8.77 MPa, percentage of elongation was 40 per cent and the flexural strength 147±2.44 MPa. Significant hardness and lower impact strength confirms the viscoelastic nature of the palmyrah leaf base. The data obtained was analysed statistically using Weibull analysis. The palmyrah leaf base properties obtained will be useful for palm related researchers and industrialists to calculate design consideration for fibre extraction machines and developing fibre related products
‘Chemlali Mhassen’: New olive cultivar derived from crossbreeding program in Tunisia with high oil quality and productivity
Get PDFThe new olive cultivar ‘Chemlali Mhassen’ was derived from the autopollination of the Tunisian oil cultivar ‘Chemlali Sfax’. The main morphological differences between the two cultivars were observed on the endocarp (symmetry, position of maximum diameter, apex, base and surface). On the agronomic plan, this cultivar is distinguishable from the original cultivar due to its medium earliness of bearing (4 years), medium alternate bearing (0.44), early ripening, moderate sensitivity to verticillium and its high olive production per tree (7.7 kg). Concerning oil quality, ‘Chemlali Mhassen’ had higher performances than the original cultivar for oleic acid content (70 to 77 %) and lower contents for palmitic acid (9.2 to 11.5 %) and linoleic acid (9.3 to 14.7 %). Similar performances were recorded between the new and the original cultivars for rhizogenesis behavior and pollen compatibility
Evaluation of harvesting time and standardization of distillation duration for higher essential oil content and quality in German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.)
Get PDFEssential oil yield and composition in aromatic crops might be affected by genetic, agronomical and environmental factors but till date there is no clear information about the harvesting time and distillation for higher essential oil content without affecting quality. The current study was carried out to evaluate harvesting of chamomile flowers without herb and with herb part at three different times (6 A.M., 12 P.M. and 6 P.M.) and four distillation treatments (3 h, 4 h, 5 h & 6 h) for dried chamomile flowers. Results indicated that essential oil content was more in chamomile flowers without herb (0.15-0.18%) as compared to flowers with herb (0.06-0.09%). Essential oil content in chamomile flowers without herb was found statistically at par at harvest time of 12 P.M. (0.18%) and 6 P.M. (0.18%) and significantly higher than harvesting time of 6 A.M. (0.15%). Essential oil of chamomile flowers without herb contained maximum α-bisabolol oxide-B, (Z)-spiroether, and chamazulene at 12 P.M. and 6 P.M. while, α-bisabolone oxide-A and α-bisabolol oxide-A were maximum at 6 A.M. and (E)-β-farnesene was more at 12 P.M. Similarly, in distillation experiment, higher oil content was observed in chamomile dried flowers which were hydro-distilled for 6 h (1.20%) compared to other hydro-distillation durations. Marker compounds i.e. α-bisabolol oxide-A, α-bisabolone oxide-A, α-bisabolol oxide-B, (E)-β-farnesene and chamazulene were more at 5 h and 6 h distillation duration while (Z)-spiroether was more at 3 h distillation duration. The present study showed that in order to obtain higher essential oil, flowers without herb harvested at 12 P.M or 6 P.M. should be subjected to 5-6 h hydro-distillation