In vitro and in silico studies of salicylic acid on systemic induced resistance against bacterial leaf blight disease and enhancement of crop yield

Salicylic acid (SA) is an effective elicitor to promote plant defenses and growth.This study aimed to investigate rice(Oryza sativa L.) cv.Khao Dawk Mali 105 treated with salicylic acid (SA)-Ricemate as an enhanced plant protection mechanism against bacterial leaf blight (BLB) disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae (Xoo).Results indicated that the use of SA-Ricemate as a foliar spray at concentrations of more than 100 mg L^–1 can reduce the severity of BLB disease by 71%.SA-Ric...     

Changes in fineroot growth dynamics in response to phosphorus application in an Acacia mangium plantation in Vietnam

Fineroots (≤ 2 mm diameter) are dynamic components of the forest ecosystems and play important role in water and nutrient acquisition in forests. These roots are sensitive to forest fertilization and therefore, the response of fineroots to nutrient application would provide better understanding of the forest carbon and nutrient dynamics that will be helpful in sustainable forest management plans. Two fertilization treatments, including (1) F400: 400 g P₂O₅ (16.5%)/tree and (2) F600: 600 g P₂O₅ /tree, and F0: control (without fertilization), were applied in an Acacia mangium plantation with a planting density of 1100 trees/ha (3 m?×?3 m). The evaluation of fineroot growth across seasons showed that fertilization significantly increased production and subsequent mortality and decomposition. The total decomposition associated with F600 application was 7.95 tons ha^?1 year^?1, equaling 121% of F400 and 160% of the control. Mortality in F600 was 8.75 tons ha^?1 year^?1, equaling 111% of F400 and 198% of F0, while production in F600 was 10.40 tons ha^?1 year^?1, equaling 127% of F400 and 143% of F0. Fineroot production, mortality, and decomposition are seasonally dependent, with higher values measured in the rainy season than in the dry season. Stand basal area increment was significantly correlated with fineroot production (R²?=?0.75), mortality (R²?=?0.44), and decomposition (R²?=?0.48). This study showed that fertilization could facilitate fineroot production, which can then lead to a higher turnover of carbon and nutrients through the decomposition of the greater mass of the fineroots.

     

Rheological and physicochemical properties of starches from moist- and dry-type sweetpotatoes

Although starch makes up from 50 to 70% of sweetpotato (SP) dry matter, its role in cooked texture is unknown. The purpose of this research was to characterize raw starches isolated from SP cultivars and experimental selections (C/S) with a wide range of textural properties when cooked and to investigate the relationship between textural properties of the cooked roots and characteristics of the isolated starches. Shear stress measured by uniaxial compression of cooked SP cylinders served as an objective measure of SP texture. Starches were isolated from C/S representing three SP texture types: moist (Jewel and Beauregard); intermediate (NC10-28 and NC2-26); and dry (NC6-30 and NC8-22). The following parameters of isolated starches were measured: amylose content by colorimetric and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) methods; swelling power, solubility, gelatinization enthalpy (DeltaH), and pasting properties by Brabender amylograph (BA) and rapid viscoanalyzer (RVA). Pasting temperatures for SP C/S measured by BA and RVA were significantly correlated. Due to high shear degradation in RVA, RVA viscosities of starch suspensions decreased as much as 40% during cooking at 95 degrees C, whereas the BA viscosities changed little at this temperature. There were no statistically significant differences among the C/S for amylose or DeltaH. However, significant C/S differences in swelling power, solubility, and pasting properties were observed. Although differences in some rheological and physical properties were observed for C/S starches, shear stress was statistically correlated only with DSC onset temperature (r = 0.78), indicating that factors other than the properties measured on isolated starches are mainly responsible for the texture of cooked SP C/S.     

Confirmation and characterization of interspecific hybrids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passiflora</Emphasis> L. (Passifloraceae) for ornamental use

Three new varieties of Passiflora hybrids were developed from crosses between P. sublanceolata J. M. MacDougal (ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata Killip) versus P. foetida var. foetida L. Twenty putative hybrids were analyzed. Hybridizations were confirmed by RAPD and SSR markers. The RAPD primer UBC11 (5′-CCGGCCTTAC-3′) generated informative bands. The SSR primer A08FP1 amplified species-specific fragments and heterozygote status was observed with the two parent bands 240 and 280 bp. The molecular markers generated by primers were analyzed in terms of the presence or absence of specific informative bands. The morphological characterization of the hybrids enabled their differentiation into three groups, identified as: (1) Passiflora ‘Alva’, composed of five hybrid plants with white flowers, large corona, light purple filaments at base, white and purple/white banding to apex; (2) P. ‘Aninha’, composed of six hybrid plants with pale pink flowers, corona filaments reddish/purple at base, white, purple/white banding to apex; (3) P. ‘Priscilla’, composed of nine hybrid plants with white flowers, small corona, filaments dark purple at base, white and purple to apex. The genomic homology of parent plants was verified by cytogenetic analysis. Both parents were 2n = 22. Meiosis was regular in genitors and hybrids. Aneuploidy was observed at hybrid groups P. ‘Alva’ and P. ‘Priscilla’ (2n = 20). Other authors had already observed the same number of chromosomes for some P. foetida genotypes. Obtaining valuable interspecific hybrids opens up new perspectives to offer opportunities in agribusiness for producers and to arouse the interest of consumers into using passion flowers in the Brazilian ornamental plant market.     

Population changes of early successional forest species after shifting cultivation in Northwestern Vietnam

The population changes of early successional forest species, Wendlandia paniculata, Schima wallichii, Camellia tsaii, and Lithocarpus ducampii, were described and analyzed in a chronosequence of 1–30 year-old secondary forests representing regrowth after shifting cultivation in northwestern Vietnam, utilizing 51 temporary plots for stem census. Another five temporary plots were used for stem census in surrounding old-growth forest for comparison. In the first year after land abandonment, seedling stem density (H < 2 m) was 65,800/ha, increasing to 161,200/ha by third year, then sharply decreasing to 2,500/ha in 21–30 year-old forests. The sapling stratum (H ≥ 2 m and DBH < 5 cm) started to be recruited in the fifth year, increasing to reach a peak density of 4,530 stems/ha at year ten, then decreased to 580 stems/ha at year 21–30. The tree stratum (DBH ≥ 5 cm) achieved the maximum density of 600 stems/ha at year ten. Meanwhile, the density of all strata in the old-growth forest was 2,980 stems/ha. Sprouts played an important role, accounting for 34% at the first year then increased gradually to 73% at year 21–30. Total basal area attained a peak at 5.43 m²/ha at year ten; it was 4.9 m²/ha in the old-growth forest. These four species played an important role in providing ecological services for recruitment of other species during the first 10 years of fallow stand development, which increased to 35 species in 21–30 year-old secondary forest.     

Survival of faecal indicator bacteria in treated pig manure stored in clay-covered heaps in Vietnam

Small-scale pig farmers in Vietnam typically store manure in heaps covered by a layer of clay. However, the hygienic quality of manure applied to agricultural soil is uncertain as storage time is determined by the need for soil fertilizer. This study aimed to assess how the storage of pig manure added straw, lime stone or urea in heaps covered by clay affected the survival of faecal bacteria. E. coli was reduced from 4 log(10)CFU/g to below the detection limit within 2 weeks with 2% (w/w) urea (CO(NH(2))(2)) whereas other amendments were associated with limited E. coli reductions. Enterococcus spp. were not reduced in any heaps indicating possible re-growth and that enterococci should be used as hygiene indicators with caution. Follow-up research should document the practical conditions under which the farmer practice of storing manure with a clay cover can be utilized to obtain a bactericidal effect of ammonia and a safe product with high fertilizer value.     

Climate and vegetation determine soil organic matter status in an alpine inner-tropical soil catena in the Fan Si Pan Mountain,Vietnam

High mountain ecosystems are generally considered to be particularly sensitive to global climate change. Studies of pedogenesis associated with altitudinal variation, vegetation type and soil carbon content on the same type of parent rock are very limited in inter-tropical mountain areas. Therefore the altitudinal variation of soil pedogenesis through 9 selected profiles from the altitude of 1340 m to 3143 m asl, the summit of the Fan Si Pan Mountain, in the north of Vietnam was examined. Fan Si Pan Mountain is composed of a homogenous alkaline granite rock and is the highest point of the Inter-tropical Continental Asia. The Soil Organic Matter properties (C, N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N contents) of the different grain-size fractions of the topsoil of 4 selected profiles corresponding to different ecosystems were also examined.     

Simultaneous measurement of soil organic and inorganic carbon: evaluation of a thermal gradient analysis

Purpose

The best method for determining soil organic carbon (SOC) in carbonate-containing samples is still open to debate. The objective of this work was to evaluate a thermal gradient method (ThG), which can determine simultaneously inorganic carbon (SIC) and SOC in a wide range of soil samples.

Materials and methods

The determination of SOC by ThG (SOC_ThG) was compared to the following widespread standard methods: (1) acidification (ACI) as pretreatment and subsequent dry combustion (SOC_ACI) and (2) volumetric quantification of SIC by a calcimeter (CALC) and subtraction of the total carbon content as determined by dry combustion (SOC_CALC). Precision (F test) and bias (t test) were tested on a subset of seven samples (n?=?3). Comparison of the ThG and CALC methods was performed by regression analysis (n?=?76) on samples representing a wide range of SOC (5.5 to 212.0 g kg^?1) and SIC (0 to 59.2 g kg^?1) contents.

Results and discussion

Tests on the replicated subset showed that the precision of ThG was not significantly different from ACI or CALC (F values?<?39, n?=?3) for SOC and SIC measurements. However, SOC_ACI and SOC_CALC contents were systematically and significantly lower compared to SOC_ThG contents. The positive bias for SOC_ThG relative to SOC_CALC contents appeared also in the regression analysis (given numbers?±?standard errors) of the whole data set (y?=?(4.67?±?0.70)?+?(0.99?±?0.01)x, R ²?=?0.99, n?=?76). When performing a regression with carbonate-free samples, the bias between the methods was negative (?2.90?±?0.63, n?=?29) but was positive in the set with carbonate-containing samples (3.95?±?1.41, n?=?47). This observation corroborated the suspicion that the use of acid for carbonate decomposition can lead to an underestimation of SOC.

Conclusions

All methods were suitable for differentiation between SIC and SOC, but the use of acid resulted in lower estimates of SOC contents. When comparing soil samples with different carbonate concentrations, the use of the ThG method is more reliable.     

Improved techniques for rearing mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador 1949) larvae

A series of rearing trials in small 1 L cones and large tanks of 30–100 L were carried out to develop optimal rearing techniques for mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) larvae. Using water exchange (discontinuous partial water renewal or continuous treatment through biofiltration) and micro‐algae (Chlorella or Chaetoceros) supplementation (daily supplementation at 0.1–0.2 million cells mL⁻¹ or maintenance at 1–2 millions cells mL⁻¹), six different types of rearing systems were tried. The combination of a green‐water batch system for early stages and a recirculating system with micro‐algae supplementation for later stages resulted in the best overall performance of the crab larvae. No clear effects of crab stocking density (50–200 larvae L⁻¹) and rotifer (30–60 rotifers mL⁻¹) and Artemia density (10–20 L⁻¹) were observed. A stocking density of 100–150 zoea 1 (Z1) L⁻¹, combined with rotifer of 30–45 mL⁻¹ for early stages and Artemia feeding at 10–15 nauplii mL⁻¹ for Z3–Z5 seemed to produce the best performance of S. paramamosain larvae. Optimal rations for crab larvae should, however, be adjusted depending on the species, larval stage, larval status, prey size, rearing system and techniques. A practical feeding schedule could be to increase live food density from 30 to 45 rotifers mL⁻¹ from Z1 to Z2 and increase the number of Artemia nauplii mL⁻¹ from 10 to 15 from Z3 to Z5. Bacterial disease remains one of the key factors underlying the high mortality in the zoea stages. Further research to develop safe prophylactic treatments is therefore warranted. Combined with proper live food enrichment techniques, application of these findings has sustained a survival rate from Z1 to crab 1–2 stages in large rearing tanks of 10–15% (maximum 30%).