Fungal Seed Endophyte FZT214 Improves Dysphania ambrosioides Cd Tolerance Throughout Different Developmental Stages

Phytoremediation is a promising remediation method of heavy metal (HM)–contaminated soils. However, lower HM tolerance of metal accumulator inhibits its practical application and effects. The current study was aimed to illustrate the role of fungal seed endophyte (FZT214) in improving Dysphania ambrosioides Cd tolerance during different developmental stages under various Cd stresses (5, 15, 30 mg kg–1) by pot experiments. The results showed that FZT214 significantly (p < 0.05) improved the host plant’s growth at the flowering and fruiting stage in most of the treatment, while at the growing stage the increase was less (p > 0.05). The seed yield was also improved (p < 0.05) in the FZT214-inoculated plants (E+) and induced early flowering was observed. Moreover, the inoculation also positively affected total chlorophyll content, antioxidant process, and lipid peroxidation in most of the treatments throughout three developmental stages. Not all but in most cases, IAA and GA were more in E+ plants while JA was more in the E− plants (non-inoculated plants) during three developmental stages. The results suggested that the colonization of FZT214 to the D. ambrosioides might trigger multiple and comprehensive protective strategies against Cd stress, which mainly include activation of the dilution effects, induced biochemical changes to overcome damage from Cd toxicity, and alteration of the endogenous phytohormones. FZT214 can find competent application in the future to improve the growth of other crop plants.

The estimation of cotton yield based on weather parameters in Maharashtra

ABSTRACT. The cotton yield of 12 years (1975-1987), for five districts in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, was taken for statistical-regression study. It is found that the higher temperature during first fortnight of September, which is period of budding and flowering is favourable for better yield. The cooler nights during second fortnight of October, when the crop is generally in fruiting stage, also help in good increases in final cotton yield. Higher rainfall, dufing last week of June to first week of July, when the crop is in the germination period, causing logging, reduces the seedling and more number of rainy days in second fortnight of December hamper the bolll bursting and thus al1ecting the cotton yield adversely.

Diversity of fig trees in a tropical urban residential area of Sentul City, Bogor, West Java

Fig (Ficus spp.) trees have been known as keystone species in the tropics and provide food sources for various species. The study aimed to reveal the diversity of fig trees in a tropical urban residential area of Sentul City, Bogor, West Java, as a part of a bigger study on the wildlife-fig relationship. A purposively selected sample (270 ha of housing, boulevard) and all Ficus were censused. Data on species diversity, height, diameter, and fruiting stage were taken. There were 389 Ficus trees, belonging to 10 species, namely F. benjamina, F. binnendykii, F. caulocarpa, F. elastica, F. kurzii, F. lyrata, F. maclellandii, F. macrocarpa, F. septica, and F. variegata, of which two species (F. lyrata and F. maclellandii) were non-native species. Ficus were planted as a border, roadsides, shading trees, or ornament. Based on the number of individuals, the most common species was F. benjamina (63.75%), followed by F. kurzii (14.4%) and F. lyrata (9.5%). As the F. benjamina can grow big, only about half (56.4%) were in full tree condition, while the rest were pruned (15.5%), trimmed (14.7%), or cut off (13.4%). This study showed that the diversity of fig trees in residential areas of Sentul City, Bogor is affected by the area’s management.

Assessment of postharvest soil fungal population with special reference to Trichoderma in eggplants

The research work was done to assess the postharvest soil fungal population and to find out the relation between population dynamics of Trichoderma and soil borne disease of 41 eggplant cultivars. Soil samples collected from IPM lab germplasm maintenance field at post-harvest stage were analyzed for microbes in dilution plate technique. Fungal colonies appeared in each plate were counted and made their average. Incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt and Sclerotium collar rot in the plot of 41 eggplant varieties were recorded at flowering-fruiting stage. The highest total soil fungal population was estimated from the plot soil of eggplant var. Singnath S (IPM- 42) that was 40.75×104. The var. Bijoy had the lowest fungal population that was 7.5×104. A comparison between Trichoderma population and other fungal population was made. Different eggplant cultivars had variation in the population of two important soil fungi- Trichoderma and Fusarium. The total populations of Trichoderma and Fusarium in the plot soil of 41 eggplant varieties were 129.75 and 348.75 × 104 per gram of soil, respectively. The average number of colonies of Trichoderma varied with the range (1-8.25) per plate. Fusarium varied with the range from (2-22.50). In 20 important eggplant varieties out of 41, both Fusarium wilt and Sclerotium collar rot incidence ranged between 0.00 to 40.00%. The variety Puta begun had the highest incidence of Fusarium wilt with the highest soil population of Fusarium oxysporum against the absence of Trichoderma harzianum. The disease incidence at flowering-fruiting stage was negatively correlated with the population of Trichoderma. Disease severity decreased with the increase in Trichoderma population. Increase of Trichoderma population, decreased the population of other fungi (Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsii). These results are clearly indicating that Trichoderma might have the antagonistic potential and might contribute to the reduction of incidence of soil-borne diseases. Progressive Agriculture 32 (1): 31-42, 2021

Incidence of fusarium wilt in major tomato growing areas of Punjab

Tomato crop is affected with several diseases that lead to decreased yield every year. Among those diseases, tomato wilt is the most significant disease caused by soil borne pathogens i.e. Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Verticillium spp. In the present study, survey was conducted in tomato growing areas of Punjab. Pathogens associated with plants were Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria solani, parasitic nematodes, Pythium, Verticillium dahliae and mosaic virus. The survey was conducted at three different stages of plant development and disease incidence and severity were correlated with environmental factors. This survey was conducted for consecutive two years (2017-18:2018-19). It was shown that fusarium wilt can infect all growing stages (nursery, flowering and fruiting) of tomato plant. Moreover, high temperature and high humidity favored disease prevalence. Huge damage was witnessed due to high temperature and relative humidity up to a certain limit. Furthermore, it was also observed that alternaria blight, verticillium wilt, nematodes and mosaic virus also attacked at different growth stages to different extents along with fusarium wilt. Plants were more vulnerable at fruiting stage to all diseases. The present study will be helpful for devising a proper management strategy for fusarium wilt disease in tomato crop.

Assessment of seasonal variation of the bioactive oleuropein in Olea europaea L. leaves cultivated in Saudi Arabia

Plants secondary metabolites undergoes qualitative and quantitative variation due to environmental and growth factors. It is a crucial factor to select the proper time for collection of medicinal plants to assure maximum content of active components reflected as maximum efficacy. Olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) are known traditionally for their antidiabetic effect. The secoiridoid glycoside oleuropein is the main active component of Olive leaves responsible for the biological activity. The current study was conducted to monitor the seasonal variation of oleuropein in Olives leaves collected from the same location. To achieve this goal a validated HPLC method following the ICH guidelines was established. Separation was conducted using RP18 column and a mobile phase consisted of ultrapure water containing 20% acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid. Detection was performed at 254 nm with 1 mL/min flow rate. The method was simple, linear, accurate, precise, specific and robust. The analyses revealed considerable variations in the level of oleuropein throughout the year. This variation cannot be explained by temperature variation during the year. Two points of high levels of oleuropein were detected prior to flowering stage and ripening of the fruits. The levels of growth regulators most likely is responsible for the increased production of oleuropein. It is recommended that leaves intended for medicinal use to be collected during the fruiting stage prior to fruit ripening.

Incidence of Aphid and Whitefly on Chilli and their Management using Biorational and New Generation Insecticides

An experiment was conducted at Entomology field laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the rabi season of 2019-2020 to investigate the incidence of aphid and whitefly on chilli and effect of some biorational and new generation insecticides for controlling those insects. The presence of aphids was first identified on 2nd week of January at the vegetative stage of the chilli plant with the density of 2.34 per leaf. Then a gradual increase and a subsequent decrease were observed in the aphid population. The population density was reached to the peak level by first week of February with the mean number of 16.69/leaf. Thereafter, the population decreased in a gradual manner and reached to the minimum level by the end of 3rd week of March. In case of whitefly, similar trend of incidence but comparatively lower incidence was recorded from seedling to fruiting stage. On the other hand, five biorational and new generation insecticides were evaluated against these insects in field condition. All tested insecticides were found very effective except Shurter 505 EC (Cypermethrin + Chlorpyriphos) regarding reduction of aphids and whitefly populations, curled leaf development and increases of yield of green chillies. Among rest of the four insecticides, the Imixam 70WDG @ 0.30 g/L water (Imidacloprid + Thiamethoxam) was found most effective that was significantly followed by 0.20 g/L. This findings was closely followed by Gain 20 SL (Imidacloprid), Lumectin 10WDG (Lufenuron + Emamectin Benzoate) and Biotrin 0.5% (Matrine) respectively considering all the parameters studied.

Revealing the Tomato Endophyte Bacteria Communities Under Long-term Organic and Conventional Agricultural Practice System

Purpose: Microorganisms associated with the plant can contribute to plant health. Discrepancy both soil microbial structure and physicochemical properties observed in the organic and conventional agricultural systems. However, very little is known about the diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in plants grown in separate manipulation systems. The goal of this work was to get a broader overview of the diversity and dynamics of the tomato endophytic bacteria in the different agricultural practice systems.Methods: The structure of tomato endophyte bacterial communities under different growing stage (seeding stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage and harvesting stage), agricultural manipulation practices (organic and conventional systems) and organ-type (root or stem) were explored by using 16S rRNA gene profiling in this study.Results: A total of 2,014,992 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained. These sequences revealed large-scale functional taxonomy units (OTUs). That is, there are 648 different OTUs in libraries, and 96 OTUs are common. Tomato endophyte bacteria consisted mainly of four phyllum, of which Proteobacteria was the most represented, followed by Firmcutes, Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, Gamma proteobacteria, the most abundant class are proteobacteria, bacteriobacteria, and so on. Proteobacteria are low. Enterobacteriaceae, Vecella, Bacillus, Mesorizobium and Chrysobacterium were shared by all plant development stage. Rich endophytic bacterial diversity was observed at the seedling stage（TI）, and endophytic bacterial diversity at the flowering stage （T2）and fruiting stage （T4）was low. Significant difference in endophytic bacterial communities emerged from roots and different host biographical stages, and tomato exerts greater influence on endophyte bacteria compared to organ type (main) agricultural manipulation methods.Conclusions: Tomato endophyte microbiota have a distinct structure in different plant development stage. Bacillus.spp were enriched seeding stage (TI) and decreased in the fruiting stage while Mesorhizobium.spp increased during in the fruiting stage(T4). Tomato have distinct endosphere microbiota by comparing beta diversity of microbiota in all crop season, compared with the manipulation resume and organ niche. And a strong correlation was observed between the structure of the microbiota in the whole dataset and soil chemistry which indicated that the soil type and treatment affected the endosphere microbiota of tomato. Organ niche exert more influence on the tomato microbiota compared with agricultural treatments between organic-farming and conventional farming.

Tomato endophyte bacteria diversity under long-term organic agricultural manipulation systems

Purpose: Differences were observed in both microbial structure and physicochemical properties were observed in the organic and conventional agricultural systems. However, very little is known about the diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in plants grown in separate manipulation systems. The goal of this work was to get a broader overview of the diversity and dynamics of the tomato endophytic bacteria in the different agricultural manipulation systems.Methods: The structure of endophyte bacterial communities under different growth periods (seeding stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage and harvesting stage), agricultural manipulation practices (organic and conventional systems) and organ-type (root or stem) were explored by using 16Sr RNA gene profiling in this study.Results: A total of 2,014,992 part 16 SRRNA gene sequences were obtained. These sequences revealed large-scale functional taxonomy units (OTUs). That is, there are 648 different OTUS in libraries, and 96 OTUs are common. Tomato endophytes consisted mainly of four phylloxera, of which Proteobacteria was the most represented, followed by Formigiotes, bacteriophages, Actinobacteria, Gamma proteobacteria, the most abundant class of proteobacteria, bacteriobacteria, and so on. Proteobacteria are low. General enterobacteriaceae, Vecella, Bacillus, Mesorizobium and Chrysobacterium were shared by all growth periods. Rich endophytic bacterial diversity was observed at the seedling stage (DI), and endophytic bacterial diversity at the flowering stage and fruiting stage was low. Significant difference in endophytic bacterial communities emerged from roots and different host biographical stages, and tomato exerts greater influence on endophyte bacteria compared to organ type (main) agricultural manipulation methods.Conclusions: Tomato endophyte microbiota have a distinct structure in different growth periods. Bacillus were enriched seeding stage and decreased in the fruiting stage while Mesorhizobium increased during in the fruiting stage. Tomato have distinct endosphere microbiota by comparing beta diversity of microbiota in different growth periods, compared with the manipulation resume and organ type. And a strong correlation was observed between the structure of the microbiota in the whole dataset and soil chemistry which indicated that the soil type and treatment affected the endosphere microbiota of tomato. Organ-type (niche) exert more influence on the tomato microbiota compared with manipulation treatments between organic-farming and conventional farming.

Species composition, abundance pattern of Bemisia tabaci and its co-inhibitant on eggplants under different chemical fertilization condition

This study assesses the interaction, relationship and recorded several species of insectacarines pest on the underside of eggplant leaves. Variation of infestation levels by a community of insect-acarines detected on the leaves namely Whitefly Bemisia tabaci, aphids Myzus persicae, thrips Thrips palmi, mite and spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus caused serious damage at the initial stage of plant growth with flowering and fruiting stage. Different effects by fertilizer levels were observed affected the presence of insect-acarines and dominancy of major pest. The result also showed that all the insectspest was colonized competitively on the leaves for every sampling date due to treatments effect. Whitefly was found to be the most dominant on eggplants which resulted in more than 50% from other insect pest composition, particularly at higher fertilizer levels. Some occasions described that the predator-prey relationship has been identified as a major role in the habitat competition. There was an obvious trend of competitor pest of whitefly such as aphids’ population was found higher than whitefly in all treatments. Generally, this study suggests that the dominant species and the first invader probably could suppress or mediate the other competitor significantly once they occupied on the same quality of host plants.