Pest Infestation of Dipterocarpus retusus (Blume) Fruit at Different Heights in KPHP BATULANTEH

Keruing gunung (Dipterocarpus retusus) is a non-timber forest product (NTFP) as a fruit producer that can be used as raw material for vegetable fats. One of the problems faced in planting programs for both production and conservation forests is the presence of fruit pests. The purpose of this study was to determine the fruit pests infestation fruits of D. retusus and the effect of altitude on fruit size and weight in Batulanteh Sumbawa. Fruit samples were collected at locations with different heights, namely below 1000 masl (T 22ºC, RH 83%) and above 1000 masl (T 20ºC, RH 88%). The samples of invading pests were observed and measured morphometry and morphology. The results showed that the insect infestation on the fruit was Alcidodes crassus. The percentage of fruit severity level reached more than 50% at each location. Elevation has a significant effect on fruit diameter and fruit weight, both infested by pests and whole fruit.

Climate Change Concerns of Saudi Arabian Farmers: The Drivers and Their Role in Perceived Capacity Building Needs for Adaptation

Climate change is a serious threat to the sustainability of global agriculture and food supply that necessitates taking appropriate action for building resilient food production systems and preserving rural economies. In this regard, farmers’ beliefs and concerns about the effects of climate change on agriculture may influence their adoption of adaptation and mitigation practices to address this emerging issue. This work was undertaken to evaluate farmers’ level of concern about climate change in the Jazan province of Saudi Arabia. The study also explored the role of various socioeconomic indicators in shaping farmers’ concerns and highlights various capacity-building initiatives that can be applied at the community level for effective adaptation. Ordered logistic regression was used to study the relationship between farmers’ level of concern and their need for capacity-building initiatives to tackle climate change. Results indicated that insect infestation is the farmers’ top concern, followed by higher crop-diseases incidence and drought. Regression analysis revealed that farmers’ income is a major factor that reduces their concern for insect infestation and crop disease while increases concern for drought. Credit access and information availability have a mixed impact on the farmers’ concern level. Capacity-building initiatives deemed necessary included establishing frequent contacts with extension personnel, timely warnings on droughts and other natural hazards, the training of farmers and extension workers, easy credit facilities, improvement in rural infrastructure and creation of awareness to address specific concern stimulus.

Binamorich-2: A new high yielding Chilli variety of Bangladesh

Chilli is one of the most important spices as well as cash crop in Bangladesh. This study was undertaken at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) to characterize the collected germplasm morphologically and select a desirable one for commercial cultivation in Bangladesh. More than fifty chilli germplasm were collected from local and exotic sources were put into evaluation to select desirable ones for directly use as varieties or for future usage as breeding materials. Through observation trials five germplasm were selected considering their better agronomic performance. Selected germplasm was evaluated through different trials at different chilli growing areas of Bangladesh during 2018 to 2020. Recommended cultural management for chilli cultivation was followed. The germplasm, IndoCF-25 produced significantly higher yield both green chilli and dried chilli than control varieties (Binamorich-1 and BARI Morich-1) in most of the trials. Over two years of advanced yield trial and on-farm trial, IndoCF-25 produced higher yield (32.00 t ha-1) while BARImorich-1 produced (12.15 t ha-1). IndoCF-25 was produced the longest plant height (78.8 cm), higher number of fruits (78.8) compared to Binamorich-1 (52.8), longer fruit size (13.95 cm), breadth (5.32 cm) and single fruit weight (11.38 g) compared to the check varieties. IndoCF-25 was found to be moderately tolerant to anthracnose, wilting and mosaic diseases, and also showed lower insect infestation than control varieties. Results of yield trials indicated that IndoCF-25-1 was suitable for cultivation in Bangladesh. Though check variety Binamorich-1 produced the highest yield (34.05 t ha-1) among three tested genotype/varieties, due to the better pungency as well as other quantitative and qualitative performances, BINA has applied for registration of IndoCF-25-1 to the National Seed Board (NSB) of Bangladesh. Consequently, the NSB of Bangladesh registered IndoCF-25-1 as a high yielding better pungent chilli variety in 2020 as Binamorich-2 for commercial cultivation all over Bangladesh.

Negligible Levels of Mycotoxin Contamination in Durum Wheat and Groundnuts from Non-Intensive Rainfed Production Systems

Mycotoxins are chemical contaminants that are invisible, tasteless, chemically stable and survive food processing. Contamination along the agri-food chain is difficult to control since their production and spreading are due to numerous factors including temperature, relative humidity, insect infestation, and susceptibility of the host plant. This is a pilot study which aims at assessing the contamination level of deoxynivalenol (DON), and its plant metabolites (3AcDON, 15 AcDON, DON 3G), nivalenol, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and ochratoxin A in thirty-seven traditional varieties of Ethiopian durum wheat, and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in thirty-one varieties of Ugandan groundnuts grown in non-intensive rainfed production systems. Results indicate absence of mycotoxin contamination in all durum wheat samples and negligible levels of contamination (below the maximum levels tolerated by international standards) in groundnut samples. Further studies are required to assess if non-intensive production systems and varieties have a role in preventing and/or reducing mycotoxin contamination of the crops.

An Analytical Method Based on Electrochemical Sensor for the Assessment of Insect Infestation in Flour

Uric acid is an important indicator of the insect infestation assessment in flour. In this work, we propose a method for uric acid detection based on voltammetry. This technique is particularly considered for the physicochemical properties of flour and contains a simple pretreatment process to rapidly achieve extraction and adsorption of uric acid in flour. To achieve specific recognition of uric acid, graphene and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were used for the adsorption and concentration of uric acid in flour. The adsorbed mixture was immobilized on the surface of a screen-printed electrode for highly sensitive detection of the uric acid. The results showed that electrocatalytic oxidation of uric acid could be achieved after adsorption by graphene and PEDOT. This electrocatalytic reaction allows its oxidation peak to be distinguished from those of other substances that commonly possess electrochemical activity. This voltammetry-based detection method is a portable and disposable analytical method. Because it is simple to operate, requires no professional training, and is inexpensive, it is a field analysis method that can be promoted.