Regulation of Leaf Senescence and Yield in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Foliar application of benzyladenine at preanthesis stage retarded leaf senescence in mungbean. Chemical spray increased leaf chlorophyll, soluble protein, specific leaf weight, net photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase activity. Number of pods, grain yield, harvest index and 100-seed weight were significantly improved by benzyladenine treatment. The possibility of higher pod-filling and thus, yield by chemical regulation of leaf senescence is evident in mungbean.     

Detection of circulating 54 kDa antigen in sera of bovine calves experimentally infected with F. gigantica

The antibody response and circulating antigen levels in bovine calves, infected experimentally with Fasciola gigantica, were monitored using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) and sandwich ELISA, respectively. By EITB, the infected calves' sera recognized the polypeptides in the range of 54-58 kDa as early as 2 weeks post-infection. By 12th week post-infection, the lower two polypeptides of 12 and 8 kDa had disappeared. In sandwich ELISA, the circulating 54 kDa and whole worm antigen of F. gigantica were detected in the sera samples of infected calves as early as 2 weeks post-infection and persisted until the end of experiment (26th week PI). The 54 kDa antigen of F. gigantica appears to be specific and possesses promising immunodiagnostic potential for early prepatent diagnosis of bovine fasciolosis.     

Antifungal activity of flavonoids and their mixtures against different fungi occurring on grain

The antifungal activity of three flavones and one flavanone and of different mixtures of these flavonoids was investigated on malt extract agar against four fungi usually occurring on grain. As pure substances the unsubstituted flavone and flavanone showed higher activity than the hydroxylated flavones. Mixtures containing flavone and 7-hydroxyflavon or flavone, flavanone and flavonol caused higher inhibition of fungal growth than the remaining ones.     

Potential of variegated lady beetle Hippodamia variegata in management of invasive tomato potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli

BACKGROUND

The tomato potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) is a new invasive pest in Western Australia, which may disperse across the whole of Australia within a few years and cause significant economic losses. Chemical control is the most widely used approach to manage B. cockerelli, but insect resistance, chemical residue and effects on non-target species have become an increasing concerned. Therefore, in this study, the biocontrol potential of variegated lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) was investigated. The impact of utilizing B. cockerelli as a food source on the predator's development and reproduction was assessed by formulating age-stage, two sex life tables. The predatory potential of H. variegata on B. cockerelli nymphs was assessed in a closed arena and the effects of releasing H. variegata for the control of B. cockerelli were then evaluated.

RESULTS

H. variegata could successfully develop and oviposit when feeding on B. cockerelli. However, both survival and the rate of development were higher for H. variegata feeding on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) than B. cockerelli or a mixed population of B. cockerelli and M. persicae. A type II functional response was observed for H. variegata. In the greenhouse, the releases of H. variegata larvae reduced the number of B. cockerelli nymphs by up to 66% and adults by up to 59%, which positively influenced the plant chlorophyll content and biomass.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the potential of the resident generalist predator, H. variegata as a biocontrol agent for the invasive pest, B. cockerelli, which may help improving current management strategies. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

First report of Fusarium solani causing wilt of Melia dubia

Melia dubia, a multipurpose tree species, is gaining importance to meet the demand supply gap of timber, plywood and pulpwood . In June 2016, a serious outbreak of wilt disease was observed in M. dubia seedlings planted in the Central Nursery of Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, India. The disease led to the destruction of one hundred thousand (100,000) seedlings. Earlier in June 2012, serious wilting of M. dubia seedlings was observed in Haryana, India. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium solani following standard laboratory procedures and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The pathogenicity of three isolates has been proved under greenhouse conditions. This is the first report of F. solani causing wilt of M. dubia.     

Strategic Marketing Prospects for Developing Sustainable Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Businesses in the Indian Himalayan Region

Among the non-timber forest products, the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) are key forest resources for the world’s herbal medicine, cosmetics, health food and other natural products industries. MAP businesses are continuing to increase in many biodiversity-rich areas of the world. The overharvesting and depletion of forest based MAP and their unregulated trade are creating ecosystem and business sustainability issues for the MAP industry. This paper assesses the current state of the MAP industry in Uttarakhand State in the northwestern Himalayan region of India and offers marketing strategies for the conservation and sustainable commercialization of MAP in this region. A qualitative research method was first used involving interviews with policymakers and other industry stakeholders including local MAP traders and growers. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis and a quantitative strategic planning matrix analysis were then conducted to identify appropriate marketing strategies. The study reveals that the existing practices of MAP businesses in Uttarakhand are inconsistent with the plants’ conservation requirements and the livelihoods of the primary producers. In its current form, the region’s MAP industry is therefore in a precarious position. However, if policymakers consider and act on the industry’s strengths and opportunities they could positively influence its sustainable development and help to minimize the negative impacts of the trade on the region’s forest MAP resources.     

Assessment of Arsenic Toxicity and Tolerance Characteristics of Bean Plants (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Exposed to Different Species of Arsenic

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the arsenic toxicity, its accumulation and phytoremediation potential of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown in soils contaminated with different species of arsenic such as arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Bean plants were grown in soils amended by aqueous solutions of 20 and 50 mg kg^?1 of As (III), As(V) or DMA. Arsenic species negatively affected the yield and growth of the plant. The study demonstrated arsenic accumulation in the plant parts. The concentration of arsenic compounds in the shoots decreased in the order arsenate > arsenite > dimethylarsinic acid while in the roots as arsenite > arsenate > dimethylarsinic acid. Most arsenic is accumulated in the roots with limited transfer to shoots. Thus, bean plants can be considered as an arsenic excluder and has the potential for phytostabilization of arsenic contaminated sites. The study also reveals that removal of arsenic by boiling the vegetables with excess of water is not possible.     

Node inoculation: A quick and easy technique to screen pigeonpea for resistance to Phytophthora blight

The petiole on pigeonpea was removed for easy, precise inoculation of node with Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp. cajani. After node inoculation, 96.0% plants were infected compared with 89.0% after stem-cut inoculation. Among various nodes inoculated on 30-day-old plants, the 5th node had the greatest relative susceptibility (90.0%), followed by the 3rd node (78.0%). This technique was validated on different cultivars (ICP 7119, Bahar, MA 6 and MAL 13), and 586 lines were successfully screened in the field, confirming the rapidity and effectiveness of the technique for resistance screening.