Characterization of Lasiodiplodia species causing leaf blight,stem rot and fruit rot of fig (Ficus carica) in Malaysia

Fig (Ficus carica) is an exotic deciduous plant that is grown worldwide. Fungal diseases pose a major threat to fig plants, affecting their fruit quality and production. This study was conducted to characterize the fungal isolates associated with leaf blight, stem rot and fruit rot of F. carica in Malaysia through morphological analysis, DNA sequencing, multigene phylogenetic analysis and pathogenicity tests. From September 2018 to March 2019, 30 blighted leaves and 30 rotted stems and fruits of F. carica were collected from several nurseries in Malaysia. Thirty fungal isolates that belonged to Lasiodiplodia theobromae (27 isolates) and L. brasiliensis (three isolates) were identified based on morphological characteristics, comparison of DNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), elongation translation factor 1-α (tef1-α), β-tubulin (tub2) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2). Among the 27 isolates of L. theobromae, nine isolates were obtained from leaves, eight isolates from stems and 10 isolates from fruits, whereas the three isolates of L. brasiliensis were obtained from stems (two isolates) and a leaf (one isolate). The results of pathogenicity tests revealed that L. theobromae and L. brasiliensis isolates were responsible for leaf blight and stem rot of F. carica, whereas fruit rot was caused by L. theobromae isolates. The present study highlighted two different species, L. theobromae and L. brasiliensis, as the causal agents of leaf blight and stem rot of F. carica. Additionally, L. theobromae caused fruit rot of F. carica in Malaysia.     

Improving the lipid profile in hypercholesterolemia-induced rabbit by supplementation of germinated brown rice

It is imperative that there be a diet designed specifically to improve lipid profile in order to impede the progress of atherosclerosis. Because rice is a staple food in Asia, it will be chosen as the diet of interest. This study sets out to discover whether consumption of different processed rice diets may result in a change of the lipid profile. The experiment was done on male New Zealand white rabbits after 10 weeks of treatment with diet containing 0.5% cholesterol. The experimental diets include white rice (WR), brown rice (BR), and germinated brown rice (GBR). Among them, rabbits fed a GBR diet demonstrated significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/HDL, and atherogenic index (AI) and a higher level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Results from atherosclerotic plaque assessment further support the findings. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), which acts as an indicator for oxidative stress, was also reduced by GBR diet. The positive change in lipid profile in the rabbits fed GBR appeared to correspond with the higher amounts of γ-oryzanol, tocopherol, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content.     

Bio-Efficacy of Microbial Infused Rice Straw Compost on Plant Growth Promotion and Induction of Disease Resistance in Chili

ABSTRACT

Microbial fortified organic amendment in chili cultivation may affect plant development and disease suppression. Microbial infused rice straw compost, commercial rice straw compost, and fungicide Benomyl for chili (Capsicum annum L.) cultivation and control of Sclerotium foot rot were studied under glass house condition. Chili seed cv. Kulai were sown in the Sclerotium rolfsii infested and non-infested soil. After two weeks, five healthy seedlings were transplanted into planting bags. Growth performance and development of disease symptoms associated with S. rolfsii foot rot infection were assessed. Applying microbial infused rice straw compost increased seed germination and plant growth, and suppressed development of foot rot compared to using commercial rice straw compost and the Benomyl. A higher disease reduction (84.6%) occurred with 15 Mg · ha^?1 microbial infused rice straw compost (62.7%), followed by Benomyl (53.8%), and 15 Mg · ha^?1 commercial rice straw compost (46.2%). Application of microbial infused rice straw compost at 15 Mg · ha^?1 yielded optimum seed germination and seedling establishment, plant growth, and disease suppression. Microbial infused rice straw compost is a good alternative to chemical fungicide in controlling Sclerotial disease in chili.     

Mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda Latreille, 1802) populations reveal genetic break in Strait of Malacca,with connectivity along southern coasts of Peninsular Malaysia

1. The mangrove horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, has divergent populations between the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, with the southern coast acting as a land barrier. The actual position of such a genetic break along Peninsular Malaysia as well as the connectivity status of the southernmost C. rotundicauda populations with east and west coast populations remain unexplored, however.
2. The aim was to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of C. rotundicauda populations from the west (Kuala Sepetang in State Perak), east (Balok in State Pahang), and southern (Pendas in State Johor) coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. Haemolymph samples from adult C. rotundicauda specimens (n = 152) and eggs from their freshly deposited nests (n = 190) were collected monthly (from January 2016 to January 2017) for the sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI).
3. Gene isolates of C. rotundicauda from the present study were compared with National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank sequences to cover most of the range of the species in Asia. A neighbour-joining tree strongly supported two clades, separating the west-coast populations from the south- and east-coast populations, with further substructure patterns.
4. Both haplotype network and barrier analyses revealed a genetic break within the Strait of Malacca instead of the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia. The southernmost samples from the Strait of Johor formed a haplotypic diverse gene pool that appeared only as a subclade of the eastern populations. In a detailed haplotype network of 347 individuals, individuals with similar COI sequences indicate connectivity between C. rotundicauda on the east and C. rotundicauda on south and south west of Peninsular Malaysia.
5. Overall, the genetic break between C. rotundicauda populations is better explained by the convergent ocean currents and available mangrove habitats on the west coast (i.e. Strait of Malacca), rather than the point of the Malay Peninsula acting as a land barrier alone.

     

The ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid on the oxidative status,live weight and recovery rate in road transport stressed goats in a hot humid tropical environment

The ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on live weight following transportation is vital in animal husbandry. This study investigated the influence of AA on live weight, rectal temperature (rt), and oxidative status of transport stressed goats in a hot humid tropical environment. Twenty‐four goats were divided into four groups, A, B, C and D of six animals each. Group A were administered AA 100 mg/kg intramuscularly 30 min prior to 3.5 h transportation. Group B was administered AA following transportation. Group C were transported but not administered AA as positive controls while group D were not transported but were administered normal saline as negative controls. Live weight, rt and blood samples were collected before, immediately post‐transport (pt), 24 h, 3 days, 7 days and 10 days pt. Plasma was used for malondialdehyde (MDA) analysis while hemolysates were used for superoxide dismutase (SOD) analysis. There was minimal live weight loss in group A compared to groups B and C. Group A recorded reduced MDA activities and increased SOD activities compared to groups B and C which recorded significantly high MDA activities. This study revealed that AA administration ameliorated the stress responses induced by transportation in animals in hot humid tropical environments. The administration of AA to goats prior to transportation could ameliorate stress and enhance productivity.     

Design considerations of variable rate liquid fertilizer applicator for mature oil palm trees

Precision Agriculture - This research study focuses on the design of variable rate liquid fertilizer applicator which can measure the NPK status of soil and applies N, P and K nutrients...     

Effects of Strobilanthes crispus Tea Aqueous Extracts on Glucose and Lipid Profile in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats

Strobilanthes crispus (Acanthaceae) has been used traditionally as antidiabetic, diuretic, antilytic, and laxative and has been proven scientifically to possess high antioxidant activity, anti-AIDS, and anticancer properties. It is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea. The ethnopharmacological value of this plant, such as the development of nutraceutical S. crispus herbal tea (fermented and unfermented) and assessment of their antihyperglycemic properties were investigated. The antidiabetic properties of S. crispus fermented and unfermented tea was carried out in normal and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats for 21 days. Glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) were determined at day 0 (baseline), day 7, and day 21. The results showed that the hot water extract of both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea reduced blood glucose in hyperglycaemic rats. S. crispus unfermented tea also reduced glucose level in normal rat. Both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea also showed to improve lipid profile. Antioxidant and polyphenol content that present in the extracts might contribute to the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic properties. Further study is needed to be carried out in pre-clinical and clinical environment to prove its efficacy in human.     

Radial variation of wood cell features under different stocking densities management of two new clones of rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis)

Wood characteristics vary from pith to bark and this can influence the final use. These variations can be related to the effects of plantation management. The radial variation in fiber cells, vessel elements, and ray cells was investigated for a commercial and fast-grown species, the rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), at varying stocking densities. Nine-year-old trees of two new clones (RRIM 2020 and RRIM 2025) were categorized into four stocking densities of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 trees ha^?1. The sample blocks were anatomically analyzed to determine the changes in wood cells from pith to bark. The results generally showed a centrifugal increase in fiber features, vessel diameter, ray height, and ray area. Vessel density and ray density showed a decreasing trend. Vessel areas revealed a radial irregular variation. The ray area showed a striking relationship with ray density and ray height. Ray cell pattern indicated enough variation for visual approval to ensure within and between stocking density changes. Most radial variation was explained by the effect of cambial age. Owing to different stem width and growth rates, the mean cell features were not at the same radial distances from the pith.     

Identifying Trees Species Dominance in Hulu Sedili Forest Reserve,Peninsular Malaysia Based on Lithology Type Using Geographic Information System

Lowland tropical forest in Peninsular Malaysia consist a valuable dipterocarp timber species. In fact, dipterocarp tree species growth well when the ecology is maintained and their growth are dependent on the micro climate and also affected by lithology types. This study was carried out to identify and map tree species dominancy by lithology types at Hulu Sedili Forest Reserve （HSFR） using Geographic Information System （GIS） technique. Different lithology type maps were derived namely Igneous, Sedimentary and Limestone. Through GIS operations tree species data collected from pre-felling inventory and ground survey were overlaid with lithology features. Results showed that at Sedimentary and Igneous types, the presence of dipterocarpaceae family is only 3.09%, and non-dipterocarpaceae family was 96.91%. Syzygium spp. （19.83%） was the most abundance in Igneous and Sedimentary. Meanwhile, Elateriospermum tapos （9.92%） and Lauraceae＇s family （7.22%） were found to be the most dominant species in Sedimentary types, Macaranga spp. （11.21%） and Elateriospermum tapos （11.02%） in igneous types. However, a Limestone type was discarded from analysis due to unavailable pre-felling data. Thus, this study indicated that there was variation in species dominancy of different lithology types. On the other hand, GIS demonstrated its capability as a useful tool in identifying and maps the location of trees species based on lithology types.