Studies on Acaricidal Bioactivities of Artemisia annua L. Extracts Against Tetranychus cinnabarinus Bois. （Acari： Tetranychidae）

The aim of this study was to determine the best extraction technique, the most suitable solvent, the optimal plant parts, and the acaricidal activities of Artemisia annua L. The petroleum ether （30-60℃）, petroleum ether （60-90℃）, ethanol, acetone, and water parallel and sequenced extracts were obtained from the leaves, stems and roots of different period of A. annua L. in April, May, June, July and September respectively. And then the acaricidal bioactivities against Tetranychus cinnabarinus of all extracts were determined by the slide-capillary method in the laboratory. The results indicated that the acaricidal bioactivities elevated as the development of A. annua plant at the concentration of 5 mg mL-L The general tendency exhibited the sequence of July 〉 June 〉 May 〉 April, but September decreased comparing to July. However, the most effective extracts in five months were all acetone parallel extract of A. annua leaf, and the corrected mortalities treated after 48 h ranged from 74 to 100%. The median lethal concentrations （LC50） against T. cinnabarinus of acetone parallel extracts ofA. annua leaves in September, July, June, May and April were 0.5986, 0.4341, 0.8376, 0.9443 and 1.3817 mg mL^-1, respectively, treated after 48 h. The 13 groups were isolated from acetone extracts ofA. annua leaves in July by column chromatography, both the 1 lth and 12th groups exhibited strong bioactivities. The median lethal concentrations of the 1 lth and 12th groups against T. cinnabarinus were 0.3683 and 0.1586 mg mL^-1, respectively. The acetone parallel extract ofA. annua leaf in July was the most toxic to T. cinnabarinus and the corrected mortality was 100% after 48 h. The acetone parallel extract of the 1 lth and 12th groupswere the most active components, acted as the emphases in further study.     

Toxicity of selected insecticides against nymph of whitefly （Bemisia tabaci Gennadius）

Bemisia tabaci is one of serious insect pests attacking vegetables and has been difficult to control using conventional insecticides. In the past 10 years, new insecticides have been introduced that provide a diversity of novel modes of action and routes of activity to effectively control whitefly. Consequently, intensive used of insecticides in vegetable cultivation has resulted in reduced susceptibility and develops resistance in agriculture industry. In controlling B. tabaci population, insecticides are the common method used by farmers. This study aimed to determine the most effective insecticide against B tabaci by using LC5o value. This study was conducted at the Crop Protection Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia with the controlled room temperature of 24.33 ± 0.14℃ with dark and light ratio of 1：1 （12 hours： 12 hours） is an ideal condition for rearing the insect. The hypothesis of the study is to test if insecticides can control the nymph of whitefly. A total of 50 two-day-old nymphs were treated with insecticides using leaf-dip bioassay procedure. This experiment was replicated three times. The survival rates of the nymphs were analyzed using analysis of variance （ANOVA）. Data on toxicity was analyzed by a special Probit Programme-Single Line Analysis based on Finney （1971）. There was a significant difference （df = 8, F = 85.84, P = 0.000） in survival rate of nymph ofB. tabaci to eight insecticides tested. Among the insecticides tested, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos ＋ cypermethrin and diafenthiuron showed significantly higher survival rate of nymph compared to other treatments. When LC50 values were compared for diafenthiuron which is less potent （LCs0 ---- 2.44）, abamectin was found to be 3.44 times more potent than diafenthiuron, followed by esfenvalerate,acetamiprid, profenofos, chlorpyrifos ＋ cypermethrin and dimethoate, and the least potent was deltamethrin. The toxicity of eight insecticides tested against nymphs was in the following     

商城肥鲵的含肉率及其肌肉生化成分分析（英文）

[Objective] The ratio of flesh content and biochemical compositions in muscles of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were researched in this experiment to provide basic referrences for studying nutritive physiological ecology of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis.[Method]The biochemical analytic method was used to detect the ratio of flesh content and biochemical compositions in muscle of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis.[Result]The ratio of flesh contents of female and male Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were 54.93% and 55.84% respectively.The contents of protein,total saccharides and fatty acid of female Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were 15.44%,1.70% and 0.68% respectively,while the same contents of male Pachyhynobius shangchengensis were 15.67%,1.89% and 0.53% respectively.The total content of 18 kinds of amino acids was 12.72%(the proportion in fresh weight),among which the content of 8 kinds of essential amino acids was 4.68%.The essential amino acids index(EAAI)was 72.68 and limiting amino acids was valine.There were 11 kinds of fatty acids in muscles of Pachyhynobius shangchengensis,among which the content of unsaturated fatty acids(80.02%)was higher than that of saturated fatty acids(19.98%).[Conclusion] Pachyhynobius shangchengensis was a kind of valuable natural resource belonging to the nutritious type of low fat content and high protein content.     

稻鸭共育对病虫草害及经济效益的影响（英文）

[Objective] Study on the effects of rice-duck mutualism on weeds and insects pests and economic benefits of paddy field.[Method] Comparison of the incidence of weeds,sheath blight and insects pest under rice-duck mutualism,conventional cultivation and control treatment,the yield and economic benefits were analyzed under the 3 treatments.[Result] Average occurrence of weeds in rice-duck mutualism group decreased by 2.33 and 52.08 ind/m2 compared with that in conventional cultivation and control treatment;the control rate of mutualism was up to 75% against rice hopper,but just between 25%-60% against rice leaf roller and Chilo suppressalis.The rates of diseased plant and diseased holl against rice sheath blight were higher and disease indices were lower compared with control group.The yield of mutualism group was identical with conventional cultivation,which was greatly higher than that of control group.The results suggested an higher economic benefits and lower cost benefit ratio for rice-duck mutualism treatment.[Conclusion] Rice-duck mutualism gives birth to a positive effect to control the diseases,insect pests and weeds,as well as to economic benefits,providing basis on extension of rice-duck mutualism system.     

Acaricidal Activity of Boenninghausenia sessilicarpa Against Panonychus citri

Acaricidal activity of Boenninghausenia sessilicarpa against Panonychus cirri was tested in the laboratory. Four solvents were used to prepare crude extracts, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol, among which ethanol was the most effective one. The results suggested that ethanol extracts of B. sessilicarpa had eminent acaricidal and ovicidal activities. Concentrated extracts were prepared using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, or distilled water as solvent. Mite mortality rates in the concentrated extracts by petroleum ether, chloroform, or distilled water were significantly lower than those by ethyl acetate. The LC50 values of eggs and female mites were 0.7639 and 1.1033 mg mL^-1, respectively. After liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, the concentrated extracts were separated into 14 groups of fractions and further tests for their acaricidal and ovicidal activities were conducted. Fraction 2 was found to possess higher acaricidal and ovicidal activities. The mortality of eggs and adult mites were 85.83 and 63.07%, respectively. Moreover, fraction 2 showed moderate oviposition inhibition effect （0.8795） against P. citri when the used dose was higher than 2.5 mg mL^-1     

Extraction Optimization of Polysaccharides from Pitaya Stems

[Objective]The aim was to describe the extraction of polysaccharides from pitaya stems.[Method]The hot water,enzyme-assisted and microwave-assisted methods were used,with the microwave-assisted extraction being deemed optimal by general evaluation.[Result]The main factors affecting the yield of polysaccharides in the microwave-assisted extraction,by order of magnitude,were as follows:time >microwave power >temperature;additionally,optimal conditions included a 10 min extraction time,an 80℃ extraction temperature and a microwave setting of 200 W.Using these optimal conditions,the yield of PSPS(Polysaccharides from Pitaya Stems) was 1.42%.After purification,the yield of PSPS was 0.74%.[Conclusion]The PSPS was analyzed by IR,MALDI-TOF-MS and an element analysis technique.It was shown to be a polysaccharide mixture,and the molecular weight was between 3 900 and 4 300 Da.     

不同取代度羧甲基壳聚糖的抗氧化性能研究（英文）

[Objective] In order to study the relations among different positions,degrees of substitution and antioxidant ability.[Method] N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan(NOA,NOB and NOC)with various degrees of substitution(DS)were obtained by etherizing chito-oligosacchaside.Their structure and substituted degree were characterized and their antioxidant activity to ·OH was evaluated.[Result]The IC50s of NOA,NOB and NOC were 0.15,0.29,0.23 mg/ml while their DSs of-NH2 position(DSN)were 0.51,0.29 and 0.38 and DSO were 0.74,0.84,0.97respectively.[Conclusion]With the increase of DSN,antioxidant activity of N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan oligosaccharide to ·OH was up.     

蜡样芽孢杆菌JK_(14)对小麦全蚀病的防治及其抑病机理（英文）

[Objective] Study on control efficacy and inhibitory effect of Bacillus cereus strain JK14 against wheat take-all disease,investigating its antifungal mechanism.[Method] B.cereus JK14 was isolated from soil in the rhizosphere of wheat,inhibitory effects of whose nutrient solution form against Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici strains 9862 and 9812 were measured in laboratory and then for its antifungal mechanism.The strain JK14 with rifampicin and wheat take-all disease resistance was screened by increasing concentration of the two substrates,and colonization of JK14was studied.[Result] In pot experiment,the control effects of JK14 against 9862 and 9812 are 63% and 59%,respectively,which are higher than that of chemical fungicides,with 55% and 51%,respectively.JK14 could deform mycelium and causes degradation of cell wall.And there are also dynamic change of JK14 in root system.JK14 on seed could extend to root along with seed germination and rooting,but per unit tissue mycelium number decreased gradually.[Conclusion] The results indicate some control efficacy of B.cereus strain JK14 against wheat take-all disease.     

Separation of Insecticidal Ingredient of Paecilomyces cicadae （Miquel） Samson

In this study, the insecticidal active substance of the fruiting body of Paecilomyces cicadae （Miquel） Samson that can kill the larvae of Plutella xylostella （Lepidoptera： Plutellidae） was isolated and purified by combined separation with biology experiments for the first time. By means of bioactive guided isolation of 40% ethanol-H2O, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butyl ethanol, macroporous adsorption resin column, high performance liquid chromatography, and sephadex A-20 column, the insecticidal active compound was purified,and a white powder compound was obtained. The compound was active against the third instar larvae ofP. xylostella in 24, 48, and 72 h at the concentration of 10.0 mg mL-1 with a corrective mortality of （95.1 ± 1.8）, （97.7 ± 1.6）, and （99.1 ± 1.7）%, respectively. The compound was strongly sensitive to the larvae. It was stable at acid environment, and was not sensitive to pepsin, and other chracteristics were studied.     

Technological Study on Instant Date Powder in Natural Ziziphus jujuba through Vacuum Freeze-drying

[Objective] The aim was to get optimized conditions for date powder with good color and taste.[Method] The pectinase enzymolysis and vacuum freeze-drying technology were used in the extract process of date powder.[Result] The production boasts of superior quality were with rich fragrance and uniform particle under certain process conditions.The optimized conditions for pectinase enzymolysis were：the amount of pectinase reached to 0.1% of that of date syrup,enzymolysis temperature and time were 50 ℃ and 50 min respectively,the pH value was 4.0.The optimized conditions for vaccum freeze-drying were：10% altodextrin,three times volumn of water with the thickness of 7 mm.[Conclusion] The optimized conditions were obtained in this study to produce instant date powder from Ziziphus jujuba.     

Agricultural development and food security： The way out of crisis

The purpose of this study is to elicit how investments in agricultural development and food security would safeguard the Virgin Islands （BVI） and the Caribbean, by extension, from future global crisis. History shows that agriculture played a significant role in the rise of civilization globally and was the main contributor to the Caribbean economy before the 1950＇s. Overall, it was determined that the BVI population, in general, is desirous of more investment opportunities within the agricultural sector, to assist with the alleviation of poverty at the national level, to advance economic development and trade across the region and to make sustainable development more attainable for the Caribbean, as a whole. To do this, agricultural development and food security must become the focal point of the BVI and other Caribbean economies. Accordingly, the paper recommends that investment within the agricultural sector be undertaken more aggressively across the region. The mixed research approach method was used to validate these claims.     

Genotypic variations in nitrogen use efficiency of rice cultivars at various levels of nitrogen under subtropical environment

Insufficient N supply is an important constraint to productivity of lowland rice. Studies on N nutrition of rice cultivars with different durations representing the north western part of Indo-Gangetic Plains are scanty. A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2006 and 2007 at PAU, Ludhiana to assess the differences in grain yield and N utilization of three popular rice cultivars at varying N doses. Significant differences among genotypes were observed in grain yield, N uptake, N use efficiency and N utilization efficiency. The cultivar PAU-201 was found to be superior among all the tested genotypes. Total N uptake and grain N uptake was highest in cultivar PAU-201 followed by cultivars PR-115 and PR-113. On an average, the response to applied N for grain yield was observed upto 90 kg N ha1. Grain yield increased significantly up to 90 kg N hal in cultivars PR-115 and PAU-201 and up to 120 kg N ha1 in PR-113. Apparent recovery efficiency （ARE） and Partial factor productivity （PFPN） of N was significantly reduced at higher level of N （150 kg N hal）. It was concluded that N uptake is predominant factor in grain yield formation and cultivars differ in NUE suggesting that it may be possible to develop cultivars that are efficient at low nutrient level or are capable of using N more efficiently when applied as fertilizer.     

Magnetic field increase weight and water content in date palm （Phoenix dactylifera L.）

Magnetic field effects on different plant species have been subject of many studies in the last decade. Magnetic fields are known to induce changes in plant metabolism, growth and productivity. In this study, effect of magnetic field on date palm weight and water content has been investigated. Seedlings of date palm were treated with two types of magnetic fields in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, seedlings were treated with static magnetic field SMF using electromagnetic circuit set to produce three levels of magnetic field intensities 10, 50 and 100 mT for different durations （0, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min）. In the second experiment seedlings were treated with alternating magnetic field AMF, using magnetic resonance imaging providing 1500 mT for 0, 1, 5, 10 and 15 min. After two months of exposure, plants growth parameters （fresh, dry weights and water content for both leaves and roots） were recorded. The measurements revealed that leaf fresh, dry weight and water content increased significantly in response to SMF treatment. Similarly, roots fresh weight and water content were increased significantly; however roots dry weight increasing were insignificant. In the second experiment, AMF has affected plant growth all parameters were increased significantly. Measurements reached the highest level at 15 min of exposure. This study revealed that magnetic fields affect date palm growth parameters by increasing osmotic pressure and water potential which increase water absorption and enhance flesh weight.     

Effects of Ligustrazine Combined with Cis- dichlorodiamine Platinum on Anti-proliferation,Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Human Gastric Carcinoma SGC-7901 Cell Lines

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the combination effects of ligustrazine and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum （DDP） on anti-proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of SGC-7901 cell lines in vitro. [Methed] SGC-7901 cells were treat- ed with ligustrazine and DDP alone or combined for 48 h for morphology assay. Anti-proliferative effects with the same treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h were assayed by MTT method, respectively. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis assay of treated cells were performed in flow cytometry. Zhengjun Jin＇s protocol was used to assay the effect of drug combination. [Result] Ligustrazine significantly increased the prolif- eration inhibition rate of DDP on SGC-7901 cells in combination with DDP, com- paring with the effects of ligustrazine or DDP alone, and exhibited synergistic antitu- mor effect. The combination drug treatment induced cell cycle arrest occurred in S and G2 phase of the cell cycle and increased the apoptosis rate significantly. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that ligustrazine, as a low-toxic and natural herbal component, can significantly increase the anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis rate of antitumor drug DDP on human gastric carcinoma SGC：.-7901 cells.     

Spatio-temporal relationships of Clania miniscula （Lepidoptera： Psychidae） and garden spider （Araneae： Araneidae） in sasanqua orchard

Spatio-temporal relationship of the phytophagons Clania miniscula （Butler） and garden spiders was examined through analysis of their niche and distribution as they occur in sasanqua orchard in Southern Anhui, China from June 2003 to May 2004. The dynamic relationships between Clania minuscula and garden spiders were seasonal in time and space. Spatio-temporal niche breadth was high for the two groups, ranging from 0.57 to 0.98; niche overlap was also high between the two groups from 0.76 to 0.96 during the seasons of June 2003 to May 2004. Geostatistical results indicated that Clania minuscula and garden spiders were aggregated during the emergence periods. The pest Clania minuscula was spatially dependent to a range from 33.48 to 46.84 m while spatial dependence from 30.93 to 51.11 m for garden spiders. The correlation analysis of distribution maps further illustrate the distribution of garden spiders always coincided with that of Clania minuscula. These results showed spatio-temporal synchrony of Clania minuscula and garden spiders at different periods. Adequate knowledge of spatio-temporal correlation between Clania minuscula and garden spiders contributed to provide information for biocontrol at different periods in sasanqua orchard.     

Maize-rice cropping systems in Bangladesh： Status and research needs

Maize-rice cropping systems are expanding in Bangladesh. Hybrid maize has increasing demand and value, particularly for poultry feed, while rice remains the traditional dominant starch staple food. Bangladesh maize yields （with average farm yields around 5.7 t·ha^-1） are among the highest found in Asia. Cool winter （Rabi） season maize followed by T. Aman （monsoon） rice is the major cropping system; however it is now becoming diversified with many other crops including potato. Financially, hybrid maize is far more profitable than boro （irrigated） rice, wheat, or most other competing winter season Rabi crops. Although maize is relatively problem-free in Bangladesh, some constraints are intensifying with increased concern over input supply and soil-related environmental sustainability. An array of new technologies for sustainable intensive maize production systems is emerging in Bangladesh and some are being promoted and adopted. Continued sustainability of hybrid maize production in Bangladesh depends on optimization of planting time, quality seed of appropriate hybrids, balanced use of nutrient inputs along with soil fertility conservation and other management, for which further research would be high priority.     

Effect of SHAKTI and KUBOTA power tillers on physical properties of soil and rice yield under Sawah production system in Nigeria

The use of the power tillers （walking tractors） are increasingly popular in Nigeria among farmers adopting Sawah rice production technology. This study compares the effects of two types of power tillers on physical properties of soil and rice yield. because soil properties determine to a large extents rice yield. Data on soil properties and rice yield were collected and subjected to t-test statistics. The results show that, significant differences exit for all the physical properties of soils rice yields from fields where the two power tiller were used with yields from rice field where SHAKTI was used was higher than KUBOTA. It is important that farmers using these models of power tillers for rice production should not only focus on the purchase cost of these power tillers but their overall efficiency in order to achieve the desired high level of yield.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of callus culture of carrot （Daucus carom）

Carrot （Daucus carom） is a valuable source of health promoting ingredients such as anthocyanin, carotenes, phenolic compounds etc. These substances are important to man as a source of pharmaceuticals, fragrance, agrochemicals as well as food additives and used for prevention of many chronic diseases. Since these activities may be correlated with the presence of antioxidant compounds, extract of carrot and carrot callus were evaluated for their anthocyanin, flavonoids and total phenolic content as well as total antioxidant activity. Anthocyanin content was measured by spectrophotometric method. Total phenols and flavonoids were analyzed according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method and total antioxidant activity was assessed by ferric reducing/antioxidant power （FRAP） assay. Anthocyanin, flavonoids and total phenolic content were estimated to be 9.36 mg%, 46.96 mg% and 57.01 mg% for callus and 6.82 mg%, 32.96 mg% and 42.69 mg% for carrot, respectively, on fresh weight basis. The total antioxidant activity for the callus and carrot was found to be 51.13 mg, 118.77 mg, 91.08 mg and 140.08 mg equivalent and 79.40 mg, 184.44 mg, 141.43 mg and 217.52 mg equivalent to gallic acid, vitamin C, butylated hydroxyanisole （BHA） and trolox, respectively, when expressed per 100 g on fresh weight basis. The antioxidant activity of fresh carrot was found to be higher compared to its callus.     

Fruit production and quality improvement in aonla （Emblica Officinalis Gaertn.） through canopy management

In order to maintain the health and vigour and to sustain the productivity, a pruning experiment was conducted on four year old ＂Balwant＂ cultivar of aonla grown in laterite soil, planted at a spacing of 5m×5m. To find out the best pruning method, six levels of pruning was performed i.e., （1） Light judicious pruning, （2） Detopping of primary branches at 8 feet from ground level ＋ removal of all secondary branches, （3） Detopping of primary branches at 8 feet from the ground level ＋ removal of all secondary branches at 2 feet from the base of primary branches, （4） Detopping of primary branches at 8 feet from the ground level ＋ removal of all secondary branches at 1 feet from the base of primary branches, （5） Light judicious pruning ＋ Detopping of plant canopy of at 8 feet from the ground level, （6） No pruning （control）. Results of three consecutive years of investigation revealed that light judicious pruning of thin, overlapping, criss-crossed, dead, unproductive and looping branches gave highest fruit yield in all the three years and resulted 64.4 percent yield increment over control when average of three years was considered. Severe pruning of primary and secondary branches caused drastic reduction of yield for two consecutive years after pruning. Judicious pruning helped to produce better sizeable and quality fruits.     

Magnetic fields-induced modification of DNA content in date palm （Phoenix dactylifera L.）

Plant stress caused by exposure to magnetic fields （MF） induces modifications at molecular level, particularly in DNA synthesis, structure, and function. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various doses of non-ionizing radiation of magnetic field on date palm （Phoenix dactylifera L.） based on DNA content. Date palm seedlings （cv. Khalas） established for 2 weeks on filter paper were subjected to static magnetic field and alternating magnetic field. Static magnetic fields （SMF） were applied at 10, 50 and 100 mT for 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 360 min; while alternating magnetic field applied by magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） at 1500 mT for 1, 5, 10 and 15 min. The seedlings were grown in potting soil following exposure for 4 weeks after which DNA was extracted from leaves and its content was determined. Generally, the exposure to magnetic field caused reduction in the content of DNA. The lowest exposure time tested, 30 rain, was sufficient to induce reduction in DNA content. This was true even at the lowest intensity, 10 mT. This dosage caused the DNA content to decrease from 49 ~tg/g to 45 pg/g. Further, increase of the exposure duration to 60 min caused significant reduction in the DNA content, 36 μg/g. At intensities higher than 10 mT, DNA content decreased significantly even at the shortest exposure of 30 min. At 50 and 100 mT, significant decrease in DNA content was also noticed in response to 30 min exposure; whereas the level of DNA increased after 1 min of MRI exposure to 52 ~g/g, then decreased after 5 min to 46 ~g/g. However, longer durations caused no further decrease in the DNA content. These observations indicate that magnetic fields interact with DNA processes, probably by inhibiting synthesis or stimulating degradation of DNA. This response merits further exploration as a mutational agent for date palm genetic manipulation.