Functional and numerical responses of the predatory mite Amblyseius aerialis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae)

The coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer, is one of the main pests of the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.) worldwide. Its control is mainly based on the use of acaricides. However, due to the habitat of this pest mite, which is protected by fruit bracts that act as a physical barrier, chemical control is often inefficient. Thus, natural enemies have been studied as an alternative to acaricides. We evaluated the functional and numerical responses of Amblyseius aerialis (Muma) to increasing densities of A. guerreronis (40, 80, 160, 240 and 360) and additionally the oviposition rates of the phytoseiid A. aerialis over 11 days on different food sources: coconut pollen, A. guerreronis and a mix of pollen and A. guerreronis. Our results showed that Amblyseius aerialis showed a type III functional response, where prey consumption increasing as the density of A. guerreronis increased, with a maximum consumption of up to 175 prey per predator. All the prey densities allowed female oviposition. The number of eggs laid by A. aerialis increased with increasing prey density and stabilized between 240 and 360 A. guerreronis individuals, with an average oviposition of 1.7 eggs/female. Furthermore, our results showed that all the food sources (coconut pollen, A. guerreronis and a mix of pollen and A. guerreronis) supported oviposition. The mean oviposition was approximately 1.5 eggs/female on all the food sources. Our study suggests that A. aerialis can be effective in the biological control of A. guerreronis. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether A. aerialis can explore the habitat of A. guerreronis and if that prey can support the development of immature stages and the reproduction of A. aerialis.

Beneficial Effect of Biochar on Irrigated Dwarf-Green Coconut Tree

The coconut tree is considered one of the greatest consumers of irrigation water, ranging from 100 to 240 L day−1. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of biochar application on decreased irrigation water needs in a 2-year irrigated dwarf coconut palm orchard field experiment. Biochar was characterized chemically and by electron microscope images. Biochar morphology presented several micropores indicating water retention potential. Amounts of biochar were tested (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 g of biochar per kg of soil), representing 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; and 4.0 kg per plant. Micro sprinkler irrigation started following the planting of the 90-day old hybrid dwarf coconut seedlings. The impacts of the application of the biochar on the chemical attributes of the soil, biometry of the coconut plants, water storage in the 0–0.3 m soil layer, and the volume of irrigation water required by treatment were evaluated. After two years (2017 and 2018), the application of the biochar resulted in no statistically significant differences in the chemical attributes of the soil and biometric variables of plants between different treatments. The volume of annual irrigation water per plant versus biochar quantity demonstrated a decreasing effect, due to the increase of soil water storage. The dose of 40 g of biochar per kg of soil presented the highest two-year average soil water retention (0–0.3 m layer) among treatments (34, 36, 34, 38, and 45 mm, respectively), resulting in lower 2-year irrigation water demand (28, 36, 29, 28 and 20 L plant−1 day−1, respectively).

Análises das concentrações de açúcares, cloreto de sódio e sódio nas águas de coco in natura e industrializadas comercializadas em governador valadares-mg

Introdução: Água de coco é a bebida não diluída, não fermentada, obtida da parte líquida do fruto do coqueiro, por meio de processo tecnológico adequado. O coco é uma das frutas mais populares do Brasil, no país o fruto tem utilização agroindustrial e culinária, através do albúmen sólido e também em sua forma in natura. Objetivos: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os teores de açúcares, sal (cloreto de sódio) e sódio em amostras de águas de coco in natura e industrializadas e compará-las com o descrito na legislação, assim como, as industrializadas com a rotulagem nutricional. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo analítico do tipo experimental qualitativo e quantitativo. Realizando análises de glicídios redutores em glicose e glicídios não redutores em sacarose, glicídios totais, cloreto de sódio e sódio. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se o software estatístico R versão 3.4.1. Resultados: Verificou-se com o estudo que em relação a legislação, todas as amostras de água de coco (in natura e industrializadas) estavam dentro dos padrões vigentes para todas as análises realizadas, contudo, as rotulagens nutricionais não apresentaram os valores condizentes com os valores das análises e apresentaram quantidade superiores de açúcar em comparação com as águas in natura. Conclusão: Destacando a importância dos rótulos pois eles oferecem informações nutricionais, dos ingredientes utilizados na fabricação, para melhor escolha do produto. Coconut water is the undiluted, unfermented beverage obtained from the liquid part of the coconut tree fruit, through an appropriate technological process. Coconut is one of the most popular fruits in Brazil, in the country the fruit has agro-industrial and culinary use, through solid albumen and also in its in natura form. The present study aimed to evaluate the contents of sugars, salt (sodium chloride) and sodium in samples of fresh and industrialized coconut waters and compare them with those described in the legislation, as well as those industrialized with nutritional labeling. An analytical study of qualitative and quantitative experimental type was carried out. Performing analyses of reducing glycides in glucose and non-reducing glycides in sucrose, total glycides, sodium chloride and sodium. Statistical software R version 3.4.1 was used for data analysis. It was verified with the study that in relation to the legislation, all samples of coconut water (fresh and industrialized) were within the current standards for all analyses performed, however, nutritional labels did not present the values consistent with the values of the analyses and presented higher amounts of sugar compared to fresh waters. Highlighting the importance of labels because they offer nutritional information, of the ingredients used in manufacturing, for better product choice.

The Depiction of Coconut Products (Food and Non-Food) In Tidore Islands, North Maluku

Indonesia is the highest producer of coconut in the world. One of the cities in Indonesia which is the central producer of coconut is Tidore Islands, North Maluku. Tidore Islands is a city in the east part of Indonesia located in the province of North Maluku. Tidore Islands has many products made of coconut tree parts as raw materials. The products are varied from food products to non-food products. This research was a descriptive study to discover the variety of coconut products produced in the Tidore Islands as basic data to develop an integrated coconut industry in the Tidore Islands. The research was conducted in 4 sub-districts that had >40 ton/year production of coconut. The result showed that black copra was the main product of coconut widely produced by people in the Tidore Islands. Other food products were white copra, coconut oil, and VCO. Non-food products widely produced by people in Tidore Island were coconut shell charcoal, coconut fiber, broomstick, and liquid smoke.

The importance of coconut seedling production in guyana

The demand for coconut water and coconut oil is increasing thus there is interest in expanding coconut cultivation. Coconut is primarily planted on approximately 28,500 acres by more than 1,400 farmers along the Guyana coastline with the Atlantic Ocean and in the Pomeroon Riverain area. Tall types (e.g. Jamaica Tall) are planted for oil while Dwarf types (e.g. Malaysian Dwarf Green, Suriname Brown) are planted primarily for water. At least 50% of the Tall type population is more than 50 years old and needs to be replanted to increase productivity. Farmers traditionally collect seedlings growing from dropped nuts at the base of trees without attention to prolificacy. Since a coconut tree productive life is more than 50 years, the economic impact of this practice can be significant. Via training programs, CARDI is encouraging the structured production of coconut seedlings to increase yields. This project aims to enhance the supply of quality seedlings using local seed nuts. Mother palms that display prolific bearing habits, resistance to pest and diseases plus vigorous growth habit were geotagged and recorded in a database. Seed nuts were purchased from farmers who own these trees and subsequently distributed (in batches of 400) to ten selected (age, gender, location) lead farmers to establish coconut seedling nurseries. Each lead farmer was assisted by 10 second ring farmers in the establishment of their nurseries under CARDI supervision. Results to date show that weed control and irrigation were important nursery activities. Some nurseries needed to be fenced to counter damage by animals (cows, sheep, goats). Average germination of seed nuts was approximately 50%. Available seedlings are being distributed to second ring farmers and lead farmers. CARDI will continue the national survey to identify outstanding mother palms. Measures to increase average germination must also be implemented. Local coconut seedling nurseries should therefore be encouraged as their “success” will alleviate the pressure to import seed nuts thus avoiding the attendant risk of introducing exotic diseases (e.g. lethal yellowing disease) into Guyana. Further, given that a coconut palm will live 50 to 70 years, the importance of carefully selecting premium quality coconut seedlings as a bedrock to develop and grow the industry cannot be over emphasized.

Rancang Bangun Alat Bantu Panjat Pohon Kelapa

The design of coconut tree climbing aids purposes to make it easier and provide a sense of security to climb trees even though they do not have climbing skills. This tool uses a 2024 series hollow aluminum material which has a maximum tensile strength of 302 MPa which is able to withstand a force of 7097Nmm which is greater than the maximum force that occurs which is 2000Nmm. This material has the ability to withstand a moment of 450.282Nmm greater than the moment that occurs of 100,000 Nmm, so the operator is safe without worry breaking. The testing of this tool has been proven to make it easier for humans who do not have climbing skills to a height of 6 m while those who have skills to climb coconut trees without tools can only reach a height of 3 m. this is because climbers who have skills still feel awkward using coconut tree climbing aids. So it can be concluded that this climbing aid is safe and even people who do not have climbing skills can climb coconut trees safely.

Operator workload analysis on coconut tree climbing using portable coconut climbing equipment

Recently, the work of climbing coconuts, especially in Aceh Province Indonesia still uses traditional methods, namely by climbing coconut trees directly. Traditional climbing is very high risk because it can fall which threatens the safety of life. Besides that, this job is also a heavy work category because it requires a lot of energy to do it. Therefore, the analysis of operator workload on climbing coconut trees using portable coconut climbing equipment is expected to be useful for developing tool designs and methods for climbing coconuts that are safer, more comfortable and more effective. The calculation of the operator’s workload is based on heart rate measurements, where three operators have their heart rate data taken during coconut tree climbing activities, either manually or using portable climbing tools. The workloads analyzed are qualitative and quantitative workloads. The results of the workload analysis indicate that climbing is traditionally classified as a “medium” job with an average IRHR value of 1.45, while using portable climbing equipment is classified as heavy work with an IRHR value of 1.54 The traditional climbing energy consumption rate is 3.29 kcal/hour.kg-ow (kilocalories per hour per operator’s weight), while using a portable climbing equipment is 3.82 kcal/hour.kg-ow. The high level of operator workload is largely determined by the operator’s habits in doing climbing as well as skills that must be trained in operating the tool. However, in terms of operator safety, the use of portable equipment has a higher level of security because there are footrests and handrails as well as seat belts.

Pseudomonas schmalbachii sp. nov., isolated from the gut of a millipede (Trigoniulus corallinus) from a coconut tree

During an investigation of microbes associated with arthropods living in decaying coconut trees, a Pseudomonas isolate, Milli4T, was cultured from the digestive tract of the common Asian millipede, Trigoniulus corallinus. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes found that Milli4T was closely related but not identical to Pseudomonas panipatensis Esp-1T, Pseudomonas knackmussi B13T and Pseudomonas humi CCA1T. Whole genome sequencing suggested that this isolate represents a new species, with average nucleotide identity (OrthoANIu) values of around 83.9–87.7% with its closest relatives. Genome-to-genome distance calculations between Milli4T and its closest relatives also suggested they are distinct species. The genomic DNA G+C content of Milli4T was approximately 65.0 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization and fatty acid methyl ester analysis was performed on Milli4T and its related type strains. Based on these data, the new species Pseudomonas schmalbachii sp. nov. is proposed, and the type strain is Milli4T (=BCRC 81294T=JCM 34414T=CIP 111980T).

Income analysis of coconut farming with land diversification in North Minahasa Regency

North Minahasa Regency is the second-largest coconut plant center in North Sulawesi, with a coconut plantation area of 44,886 ha in 2018 (North Sulawesi Province in Figures, 2018). The plantation of coconut in North Minahasa Regency is a plantation of the people traditionally managed. Less development of rejuvenation coconut plantation causes an increase in the proportion of coconut plantation that its age relatively old has been cut down because it is not productive anymore. Cutting down is causing an increase in unproductive land under the coconut tree. This land can be used to grow other plants such as corn, papaya, chilli, ginger, banana and economic plants that will increase the income of coconut’s farmer. The objective of this research is to: 1) assess and analyze the existing condition of diversification and revenue land farming coconut exists in the District of Minahasa Utara; 2) calculate and compare the income per hectare of any diversification of land farming coconuts in the District of Minahasa Utara, and 3) produce a recommendation policy that is associated with alternative types of diversification of land farming coconuts in the District of Minahasa Utara. Research result showed five types of income diversification of land, namely crop monoculture of coconut processed into copra. Crop monoculture of coconut processed into coconut grain, coconut processed into coconut grain with corn, coconut into coconut grain with papaya, coconut processed into coconut grain with chilli. Farming that gives the highest income is coconut processed into coconut grain with papaya.