Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Effect of endophytic bacteria from Algerian prickly pear roots on wheat under drought stress
Get PDFCactus are among the most drought tolerant plants. As Opuntia is able to grow under the stress of drought, this study aims to check if endophytic bacteria isolated from cactus roots have beneficial potential for crops such as wheat during drought. Two endophytic bacterial isolates were isolated from the roots of the cactus and screened for their plant growth promoting characteristics, such as N-free growth and auxin production. These bacteria have demonstrated their potential to promote the growth of durum wheat under in-vitro conditions and have been identified as Pseudomonas putida and P.brassicacearum, following the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis, and significantly improved growth parameters such as seeding length compared to the unobstructed control. After 05 days of contact of the two bacteria, P.putida and P.brassicacearum, with sprouted wheat seeds, a root growth rate of (39.88% and 62.14%, respectively) was recorded. The same effect on the growth of wheat roots is caused by the volatile substances of these bacteria deposited separately, with a rate of (53.30% and 24.18%) respectively. Symptoms of drought stress were visibly reduced on seedlings inoculated with P.putida and P.brassicacearum bacteria, a result supported by a growth rate of root parameters in length (260.83% and 179.60%), surface (21.98% and 60.17%) and scope (59.46% and 62.67%), respectively. This work opens up many perspectives for the characterization and selection of endophyte bacteria of under-used drought-tolerant species such as cacti for the improvement of the growth of field crops. These results promote the deployment of Pseudomonas sp as an effective biofertilizer in wheat
Physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of citrus peel essential oils
Get PDFEssential oils are produced as secondary metabolites of aromatic plants and can be extracted from leaves, seeds or fruit peel of the plants. Citrus peel is a rich source of limonene which is antimicrobial in nature. The present study aimed to deal with the physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of citrus peel essential oil from Citrus reticulate (mandarin orange), Citrus limetta (mosambi) and Citrus limon (lemon). The lemon peel oil had lower peroxide value (1.6 meq/kg of sample), saponification value (112.2 mg KOH/g of oil) and higher iodine value (116 gI2/100g oil) when compared with orange and mosambi peel essential oil. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity of citrus peel essential oil was measured and the result indicated that the total antioxidant activity of lemon peel oil was 89.2 % Radical Scavenging activity (RSA). The antifungal activity was assessed by agar dilution method, whereas the antibacterial property was assessed by the agar diffusion method. Lemon peel oil recorded better antimicrobial properties with minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.3% against Aspergillus flavus MTCC 277, 0.2% for Penicillium MTCC 1995 and Fusarium oxysporum MTCC 284. Likewise, the minimum inhibitory concentration of lemon peel oil against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96 was 0.3%; Salmonella enterica MTCC 733 and Erwinia sp MTCC 2760 was 0.5%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 1688 and Escherichia coli MTCC 443 was 0.7%. This comparative study showed that lemon peel oil had better physicochemical and antioxidant property. Lemon peel oil can be used as a preservative in the food system as it exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity
Impact of Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV) infected plants on the volatile emission pattern in cowpea plants
Get PDFPathogens, including tospoviruses, are known to manipulate the behaviour of vectors after virus acquisition by plants to enhance virus transmission. Furthermore, as recently proven in the maize chlorotic mottle virus pathosystem, the vector\u27s choice for virus-infected plants can change to a preference for noninfected plants after virus uptake by the vector. A similar trend was observed in the cowpea - Watermelon Bud Necrosis Virus (WBNV) - Thrips palmi (Karny) pathosystem. Similarly, in the no-choice bioassay, viruliferous T.palmi (carrying WBNV) settled preferentially more on healthy cowpea plants (56%) compared to virus-infected plants (47.3%), whereas non-viruliferous T.palmi settled preferentially more on WBNV infected (58.67%) cowpea plants compared to healthy plants (44%). The changes in preference of thrips towards host plants before and after virus acquisition may be due to the change of volatile cues. This study looked at the headspace volatile composition of healthy and WBNV-infected cowpea plants that attract thrips. Furthermore, the volatile analysis revealed that 1, 2-Propanediamine (0.62%) and Tuaminoheptane (0.55%) from healthy cowpea plants, as well as Tetradecane (0.35%) from WBNV-infected cowpea plants, both have a higher area percent than other volatiles. The amine (53%) and hydrocarbon (69%) groups of volatile organic compounds make up the majority of host volatiles found in healthy and virus-infected plants. The increased contact rates of viruliferous and non-viruliferous T.palmi towards healthy and WBNV-infected host plants could enhance virus transmission if thrips feed on them and acquire the pathogen prior to dispersal and the recorded host volatiles might be useful in vector management in future
Correlation and R2 analysis of radicle emergence test to predict seed vigour and field emergence in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) seed lots
Get PDFBlackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is one of the major pulse crops grown throughout India. Prediction of seed vigour and field emergence of seed before sowing is important for assured yield. A standard germination test is time-consuming and does not always show the seed lot potential performance, especially if field conditions are not optimal. There is need of advanced technology, which can give a precise result in a short period. The experiment was conducted to correlate the radicle emergence test with seed vigour parameters to predict seed vigour and planting value of 10 varying vigour lots (L1, L2, L3, L4 - high vigour lots; L5, L6, L7 - medium vigour lots; L8, L9, L10 - low vigour lots) of blackgram var. VBN 6. The study showed that all the seed vigour parameters of the blackgram were more highly correlated with the percentage of radicle emergence with 2 mm length than with 1 mm length. The correlation analysis results showed that the radicle emergence test with 2 mm radicle length at 28 hours had a highly significant negative correlation with EC (electrical conductivity) of seed leachate (-0.974**), followed by MJGT (mean just germination time) (-0.967**) and MGT (mean germination time) (-0.933**). However, it was positively correlated with field emergence (0.972**), germination (0.952**) and dehydrogenase enzyme activity (0.928**). The maximum R2 value of 0.923 was recorded in the 28-hour counting of radicle emergence with a length of 2 mm compared with the 26-hour counting of radicle emergence with a length of 1 mm (0.913). The study concluded that counting 2 mm radicle emergence at the 28th hour could be used to quickly evaluate seed vigour in field emergence in blackgram seed lots
Association analysis in Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Get PDFIn the millennium of an ever-growing population, feeding the millions ample amount of food with necessarily required nutrition has become a tough challenge. To cater protein requirement, plant-based protein, especially pulses, have always been a better option. Among the pulses, chickpea is one of the choicest crops being extensively cultivated throughout the world. However, the production and productivity of crops are not sufficient to meet consumer demand throughout the world. To aid in the selection process of chickpea breeding, the present study was performed to evaluate fifty-one kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm lines along with four checks for the degree and direction of association of twelve quantitative characters on yield in fifty five kabuli chickpea genotypes. Considerable positive correlation was found between the weight of 100 seeds and the height of the chickpea plant, but the number of pods per plant and seed volume per weight were observed to be in negative association with the former trait. The primary branch depicted a substantial amount of positive correlation with harvest index, seed yield per individual plant, pods produced per plant. Secondly, the current study on association analysis also unveiled positive and highly significant correlations of the number of primary branches, height at the first pod set, pods/plant, and weight of 100 seeds on seed yield, suggesting their further use as selection criteria in the process of crop improvement
Inheritance studies through generation mean analysis for quantitative traits in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.)
Get PDFMost of the economically important traits in soybean are quantitatively inherited. The generation mean analysis involving a five-parameter model was carried out in four crosses, viz., Pratap Soya- 2 × LP 5-2, Co 3 × LP 5-2, Co 3 × LP 5-1 and Co 3 × LP 13-1 to investigate additive, dominance and epistatic variance. Therefore, F1, F2 and F3 generations of the above four crosses were evaluated along with their respective parents to estimate the gene action for eleven quantitative traits through generation mean analysis, which provides information about all the gene interactions. The crosses Co 3 × LP 5-1 and Co 3 × LP 13-1 for plant height, Pratap Soya-2 × LP 5-2 for protein content and Co 3 × LP 5-2 for both oil content and seed yield per plant exhibited the adequacy of the additive dominance model. The remaining crosses exhibited epistatic interactions with all other traits. Hence simple recurrent selection can be followed to increase the frequency of desirable genes in the population and the resulted improved population can be used to develop superior lines with desirable genes by pedigree breeding. The crosses Co 3 × LP 5-1 and Pratap Soya - 2 × LP 5-2 were best for further selection programmes with regard to seed yield and quality improvement
Impact of carotenoids on gut microbiome: Implications in human health and disease
Get PDFCarotenoids are the colored compounds that prominently occur in fruits, vegetables, flowers, algae, fungi, yeast, and marine organisms. The coloration of carotenoids is mainly due to varieties of conjugated double bonds, which act as a light-absorbing chromophores. β-Carotene, α-Carotene, Lycopene, Astaxanthin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, β-Cryptoxanthin, α-Cryptoxanthin, γ-Carotene and Fucoxanthin are the common carotenoids of the human diet. This review aimed at providing scientific evidence supporting the benefits of nutritional carotenoid intake on gut microbiota modulation in different disease models. Carotenoids have some beneficial effects on human health, and it is due to the activity of pro-vitamin A and antioxidant function. Although mechanisms are under investigation, studies suggest that carotenoid intake may reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, eye disease, haematological disease, immune stimulants, and improve cognitive function. Recent studies have shown that carotenoids can modulate gut microbiota composition associated with host health. The human gut harbors a complex community of over 100 trillion microbial cells, influencing human physiology, metabolism, nutrition, and immune function. The combination of extrinsic (lifestyle and medication) and intrinsic (host genetics, immune and metabolic regulations) factors shapes the gut microbiota. Diet is a crucial modifiable factor influencing gut microbiota composition, indicating the potential for therapeutic dietary strategies to manipulate microbial diversity, design, and stability
Genetic variability and correlation analysis in F2 segregating population in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
Get PDFGenetic advance denotes the improvement in the mean genotypic values of selected families over the base population. Thus, it helps the breeder select the progenies in the earlier generation. The objective of the study was to analyse the heritability, genetic advance and genetic variability for ten traits in brinjal contributing to fruit yield were studied in the F2 population obtained from the cross of Sevathampatti local x Seetipulam local. The study examined the subsistence of a significant extent of genetic variability for the traits considered. The characteristics of brinjal exhibited higher values of genotypic variation (GCV), viz., the height of the plant (20.93), yield per plant (17.42), number of branches (22.73) and shoot infestation (56.39) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) viz., the height of the plant (21.10), yield per plant (22.32), number of branches (23.42) and shoot infestation (57.24). However, the number of branches (45.44 %), height of the plant (42.76%), number of fruits (38.58%), fruit yield (28.02%) and shoot infestation (114.4%) exhibited high estimates of genetic advance and heritability for plant height (98.36), number of branches per plant (94.19) and shoot infestation (97.06). These characteristics can be effectively improved through selection. Association analysis mentioned that the yield of the fruit was significantly and positively correlated with the number of fruits, number of branches, individual fruits per plant and fruit girth. Direct selection may be executed because of these characteristics as the key choice of criteria to minimize the indirect result of additional traits throughout the improvement of high yielding varieties
Some biological aspects of four marine fish species in Iraqi marine waters, northwest Arabian Gulf
Get PDFThe study described some biological characteristics of four commercially important fish species in Iraqi marine waters including Planiliza klunzengeri, P. subviridis, Acanthopagrus arabicus and Otolithes ruber from February 2020 to January 2021. The length and weight of individual fish caught were measured. The length-weight relationships were W= 0.027L2.715 for P. klunzengeri, W= 0.034L2.670 for P. subviridis, W= 0.030L2.867 for A. arabicus and W= 0.023L2.755 for O. ruber, and all species indicated negative allometric growth. The lower values of the relative condition factor (Kn) were found at the mid-lengths of P. klunzingeri and P. subviridis, and the large individuals for A. arabicus and O. ruber. Scales were used for age determination and measurements, and the back-calculated lengths-at-ages were calculated using the body proportional formula. Asymptotic total lengths (L∞) estimated were 29.6, 32.8, 44.9 and 70.6 cm for P. klunzengeri, P. subviridis, A. arabicus and O. ruber, respectively. These results could assist in fisheries management for the sustainable exploitation of these commercially important species in Iraqi marine waters
Influence of zeolite on heavy metal immobilization in municipal solid waste compost contaminated soil
Get PDFThe application of Municipal solid waste as compost (MSWC) in agricultural fields has become one of the most common practices. Besides its benefits, it poses some harmful effects on soil, as it increases the heavy metal content in MSWC of the soil. It is necessary to find a way to reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals in MSWC before its application into the soil. This study aimed at exploring the efficiency of zeolite as an immobilizer to dwindle heavy metal bioavailability. An incubation experiment was conducted wherein the soil samples were artificially spiked with different rates of MSWC (0, 5, and 10 t ha-1). The zeolite was added to the spiked soil at 5 different levels, namely 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 %, and their effect on bioavailable heavy metal status was observed during different incubation intervals (0, 15. 30, 60, 90, and 120 days). Results unveiled that applying 10% zeolite significantly (P<0.05) reduced the bioavailability of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) to Below the detectable limit (Bdl) in all soil samples. Furthermore, the organic carbon status of soil was also enriched by MSWC and 10% zeolite application. The soil pH slightly increased (7.39) with applying 10% zeolite resulting in the immobilization of heavy metals. Hence, 10% zeolite application was one of the most effective immobilizers in eliminating the bioavailability of heavy metals. Therefore, it can be concluded that mixing zeolite with MSWC before applying it to crop fields can reduce the heavy metal overload in soil. Hence, this study highlights the potential of zeolite as an effective choice in dwindling the soil\u27s bioavailability of heavy metal content