Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis of Alternanthera sessilis Leaves (Linn). R.Br. ex DC.

Alternanthera sessilis (Linn). R. Br. ex DC. is a treasure house of phytochemicals belongs to family Amaranthaceae, popularly known as stalkless joy weed, sessile joy weed, dwarf copperleaf, joy weed, Garundi, Guroo, Kanchari. The ability of its seeds to germinate in any season of the year makes it a constantly flourishing component of the vegetation. The main objective of current investigation was to study the qualitatively preliminary phytochemical analysis of such weed species. The fresh plant leaves of Alternanthera sessilis were screened to understand the phytochemical potential with the use of four extracts such as aqueous, acetone, methanol and ethanol. The outcome of the study indicates that the fresh plant contains different classes of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac-glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, quinones, coumarins etc. Phytochemical are certain non-nutritive plant chemicals which have allelopathic properties. These phytochemical constituents play an important role in formulation of pharmaceutical and pharmacological drugs

Uji Pupuk Slow Release Urea Dirakit dari Berbagai Bahan Polimer terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Bawang Merah Tiron pada Tanah Sawah Purwosari

This research aims to determine 1) the effect of four formulas on slow release urea on the growth and yield of shallot plant at Purwosari village and 2) formula of slow release urea that have the best growth and yield of shallot plant at Purwosari village. The research was conducted in November 2019 untill Maret 2020 The research was conducted at the ex-paddy fields of Purwosari village, Baturraden District, Banyumas Regency and Research Laboratory, Jenderal Soedirman University. Research in the form of non-factorial field experiments using RAKL with five treatments repeated five times. The formula of each treatment includes: F0 = NPK (Urea, SP-36, and KCl), F1 = 70% urea + 6% chitosan + 24% humic acid, F2 = 70% urea + 10% Azolla microphylla + 10% gondorukem + 10% humic acid , F3 = 60% urea + 10% Azolla microphylla + 10% montmorillonite + 10% gondorukem + 10% humic acid, and F4 = 56% urea + 3% humic acid + 24% zeolite + 11% tapioca flour + 6% gondorukem. The observed variable including growth and yield components of shallot. The variable of growth including the height of plant, the number of leaves, the weight of fresh plant of clump-1, the weight of fresh plant of effective plot, the weight of dry plant of clump-1, the weight of dry plant of effective plot, and the number of clump-1 bulbs. The yield components of shallot is a bulbs. Result of the research showed that the best formula for plant growth and yield of shallot plant is F2. The growth and yield of shallot produced by F4 is always lower than in the control treatment (F0). Farmers can fertilize less and optimize nitrogen uptake by plants with application of slow release of urea.

Correlation Studies in Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]

In the present study entitled “Variability and Correlation Studies in Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]”, 74 genotypes along with three standard checks viz., JA-20 (Jawahar Asgandh-20), JA-134 (Jawahar Asgandh-134) and RVA-100 were evaluated in augmented RBD design during late kharif 2019-20 at the Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan). The observations were recorded on ten randomly selected competitive plants for fifteen characters, viz. days to 50% flowering, days to 75 per cent maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, leaf area index, root length, root diameter in collar region, fresh root yield per plant, dry root yield per plant, fresh plant weight per plant, dry plant weight per plant, 100 seed weight, harvest index and total alkaloid. Analysis of variance, correlation coefficient and path analysis were performed for the mean data. The dry root yield per plant exhibited significant and positive correlation with dry plant weight, fresh root yield and harvest index at both genotypic and phenotypic level. While with, root diameter in collar region at genotypic level and fresh plant weight at phenotypic level. Positive and significant correlation among dry root yield per plant and contributing characters would help in indirect selection for dry root yield per plant in the crop like ashwagandha where economic part (dry root yield per plant) remain underground up till uprooting.

First record of Pachybrachis Chevrolat, 1836 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae) on Spermacoce verticillata L. (Rubiaceae) and synthesis of its plant associations in Brazil

This study reports Pachybrachis sp. association with a new host, Spermacoce verticillata L. (Rubiaceae). It synthesizes Brazil locality records and host plant records from literature. Specimens of adults and larvae were collected on the host in an urban area of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Larvae and adults were reared on the host plant in the laboratory, using fresh plant tissue daily.

Pengaruh konsentrasi Si biogenic dan N-total terhadap pertumbuhan dan konsentrasi nitrat tanaman selada hidroponik

Tanaman selada merupakan sayuran yang dikonsumsi dalam bentuk segar. Karakteristiknya sebagai tanaman akumulator nitrat perlu diimbangi pemupukan N dan aplikasi Silika (Si) sesuai kebutuhan tanaman. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari interaksi ekstrak silika sekam padi (ESSP) dan N-total, serta memperoleh konsentrasi ESSP dan N-total yang tepat untuk menghasilkan panen selada yang tinggi tetapi aman bagi kesehatan. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Lengkap Faktorial, faktor pertama adalah konsentrasi ESSP (0 ppm, 30 ppm, 60 ppm, 90 ppm) dan faktor kedua adalah konsentrasi N-total (100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm), setiap kombinasi perlakuan diulang 3 kali. Parameter yang diamati yaitu tinggi tanaman 35 hari setelah tanam (HST), luas daun, berat kering tanaman, berat segar tanaman, kandungan nitrat pada daun selada. Data dianalisis dengan analisis varians taraf 5% dilanjutkan dengan Uji Jarak Berganda Duncan pada taraf nyata 5%, sedangkan parameter kandungan nitrat dianalisis secara deskriptif. Berdasarkan hasil analisis varians konsentrasi ESSP dan konsentrasi N-total berinteraksi pada tinggi tanaman dan berpengaruh mandiri terhadap berat kering tanaman dan berat segar tanaman. Aplikasi ekstrak silika sekam padi 30 ppm meningkatkan hasil panen 28% lebih tinggi dan menurunkan 12% kandungan nitrat tanaman selada pada N total 100-300 ppm.AbstractLettuce is a freshly consumed vegetable. Its characteristics as a nitrate accumulator plant need to be balanced with N fertilization and Silica (Si) applications according to the plant required. This research aimed to study the interaction between rice husk silica extract (ESSP) and total N to obtain the right ESSP and total N concentrations to produce high yield lettuce and safely consumed it. This study used a factorial completely randomized design. The first factor was ESSP concentrations (0 ppm, 30 ppm, 60 ppm, 90 ppm) and the second factor was total N concentrations (100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm). Each treatment combination was repeated 3 times. The parameters observed were plant height in 35 days after planting, leaf area, plant dry weight, fresh plant weight, and nitrat e content in lettuce leaves. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance at the 5%, and post-test by DMRT at the 5% significant level, the nitrate content used descriptive analysis. Based on the analysis of variance, ESSP concentration and total N concentration interacted on plant height. The ESSP concentration and total N concentration independently affected plant dry weight and fresh plant weight. Application of 30 ppm rice husk silica extract increased 28% higher yield and decreased 12% nitrate content of lettuce plants at N-total of 100-300 ppm.

Drying Potential of Leaves Oil of Zanthoxylum armatum DC from North India

Background: The study on drying and its social acceptance has increased rapidly. Among different drying techniques, shade drying is one of the most feasible methods to keep intact from the decay of the main active components of the plant materials. Shade drying is an ancient drying method that increases durability, major constituents and activity of the plant material. Aims: Research was conducted to examine the drying potential of aromatic leaves oil of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Methods: The fresh plant material was collected from Lohaghat, Champawat district of Uttarakhand and hydrodistilled before and after shade drying to assess the changes in the quality of volatile constituents by GC and GC-MS techniques. A two-tailed paired t-test was executed to assess the difference between drying treatments using MS-Excel. Results: The major components in the fresh oil were 2-undecane, linalool, (E)-β-ocimene, α-pinene and β-phellandrene. In the oil from dried material, the three predominant compounds were noted. A significant increase was observed in the percentage of β-phellandrene, undecanal and myrcene after shade drying (p<0.01). Five components absent in the fresh plant material appeared and one disappeared during the drying process. Conclusion: Shade drying significantly influenced the essential oil composition of Z. armatum.

Sorption and desorption experiments using stable cesium: considerations for radiocesium retention by fresh plant residues in Fukushima forest soils

We conducted sorption experiments with stable cesium (133Cs) solution in different organic matter samples, aiming to understand the sorption of radiocesium (134Cs and 137Cs) in the initial throughfall by fresh plant residues (e.g., needles, wood, and bark from Japanese cedar trees) in the Oi horizon in forests in Fukushima. Among the organic matter samples, bark and wattle tannin sorbed relatively large amounts of Cs, whereas wood and cellulose powder sorbed small amounts. In contrast, samples containing clay minerals showed much higher Cs sorption. We also conducted desorption experiments, and suggested that Cs on the organic matter samples were relatively mobile.

Response of growth and production of potato plants to application of NPK fertilizer

Fertilizer is one of the determining factors for the success of potato cultivation. Various types of fertilizers have been produced, but those that are suitable for regional conditions in North Sulawesi do not yet exist. The decreasing of potato production in North Sulawesi is due to the limited use of quality and certified seeds, as well as inappropriate fertilizer dosages. This research objective was to see the effect of NPK fertilization on the production of Medians potato plants. The research was conducted from August to December 2020, in Rurukan Village, East Tomohon District, Tomohon City, North Sulawesi. The experimental design used was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments, namely the NPK fertilizer dosage of 0 kg ha-1 (P0), 150 kg ha-1 (P1), 300 kg ha-1 (P2), 450 kg ha-1 (P3), 600 kg ha-1 (P4), 750 kg ha-1 (P5) and 900 kg ha-1 (P6). Each treatment was repeated three times and resulting in 21 treatment plots. The results showed that application of NPK fertilizer of 450 kg ha-1 resulted the highest yields on the components of weight of fresh plant, tuber diameter, and potato productivity.

Heat-induced accumulation of proline and yield components in genetically divergent cereal varieties

Growth and development of cereals is affected by abiotic factors, particularly by high temperature. An important factor in plant adaptation to abiotic stress can be the proline accumulation. Proline is an amino acid involved in a series of metabolic processes and is important as a protein stabilizer, osmolyte and antioxidant. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of high temperature on the proline content and yield elements in different cereal varieties during two vegetative seasons. For the investigation, plant material of 8 genetically divergent winter wheat varieties, 1 variety of triticale and 1 oat variety were used. Samples were collected in days with moderate midday air temperatures of 24-26?C in the milk stage and after a few days in the same phenological stage, in conditions of high midday air temperatures of 34-36?C. Proline accumulation was determined spectrophotometrically. Statistical analyses of data were done in the SPSS program. The results during the first experimental year showed that under moderate air temperature conditions proline content was 0.661 ?mol g-1 fresh plant, and in the second experimental year 0.777 ?mol g-1 fresh plant. Under conditions of heat stress during the first year, the content of proline increased to 2.169 ?mol g-1 fresh plant, and in the second experimental year the average content was 2.510 ?mol g-1 fresh plant, which confirms the increase of proline accumulations under heat stress. Compared with other cereal varieties, wheat varieties Zvezdana, Pobeda, Simonida and Avenu were characterized by higher contents of proline in conditions of heat stress in both vegetative seasons. Statistical analysis and correlation of the results of proline accumulation and yield elements showed that more resistant varieties to heat stress conditions have higher yields.

Silicon (Si) and salinity stress on the agronomic performances of bok choy (Brassica rappa L.) in an Entisols

Silicon is a beneficial nutrient that has the potential to alleviate the abiotic stress of bok choy grown under salinity stress on entisols. Indonesia has wide areas of entisol soils along its coastline, which could be planted with bok choy. However, salinity conditions pose a problem in entisol soils. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of silicon on the agronomic performance of bok choy grown on an Entisols under salinity stress conditions. This research was conducted at the screen house of the Faculty of Agriculture, Jenderal Soedirman University, from May to August 2019. The experimental design was a completely randomized completely block design (RCBD) consisting of 16 treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised two factors: the dosage of silicon fertilizer, which was 0, 5, 10, or 15 g pot^-1; and salinity stress, with a level of 0, 1, 2, or 3 dS m^-1pot^-1. Observed variables included plant height (cm), number of leaves (strands), leaf area (cm²), fresh shoot weight (g), dry shoot weight (g), fresh root weight (g), dry root weight (g), fresh plant weight (g), and dry plant weight (g). The results showed that the provision of silicon (Si) fertilizer from zeolite and sugarcane bagasse compost (SCB) improved plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh plant weight, and dry plant weight of bok choy plants under salinity stress conditions on entisol soil. At a silicon dosage of 10 g pot^-1, fresh plant weight (production of bok choy) was 64.18% greater compared to the control. Increasing soil salinity up to 3 dS m^-1 of soil decreased the plant height and number of leaves but did not significantly affect fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, fresh plant weight, dry fresh plant weight, fresh root weight, or dry root weight.