PENGARUH PUPUK HAYATI DENGAN KOMPOSISI MIKROORGANISME YANG BERBEDA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN TANAMAN

Biofertilizer can be used to replace chemical fertilizer so that soil quality is maintained and soil pollution can be avoided. The study aimed to determine the effect of biofertilizers with different compositions of microorganisms on the growth of maize plants. The research was carried out in a greenhouse. Maize plants were fertilized by two kinds of biofertilizers with different compositions of microorganisms. The first biofertilizer contained Azotobacter sp, Azospirillum sp, Rhizobium sp, Trichoderma sp, and Lactobacillus sp, and the second biofertilizer contained Strenotrophomonas sp. and Paenibacillus polymyxa. As controls, maize plants were fertilized by sterilized those biofertilizers. The results showed that the second biofertilizer increased the dry weight of the maize plant. Meanwhile, the first biofertilizer did not increase it. Several things must be considered in the application of biofertilizers, such as the composition of microorganisms, type of plant, level of fertilization, and the method of applying fertilizer to the plant.

Fusarium Disease of Maize and Its Management through Sustainable Approach

Fusarium causing disease in maize is probably the one of the most serious diseases among the crop plants all over the world. It not only damages the maize plant, reduces its potential yield and its nutritional values but imposes threatening to the human life through the induction of mycotoxin development. F. graminearum and F. moniliforme syn. Fusarium verticillioides are two important maize pathogens that cause substantial damage to its ear, stalk and foliage, causing contamination of grains with mycotoxins. Since conventional methods of controlling the diseases including the chemical methods proved not enough for total control of the disease with creating situation even worse for our surroundings, the application of PGPR and PGPF can play significant role to control the damage caused by Fusarium.

Proposed Pathways for Phytodegradation of Phenanthrene and Pyrene in Maize (Zea Mays L.) Using GC-Ms Analysis

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread organic pollutants which are persistent in the environment. Biodegradation of PAHs is one of the major mechanisms for their removal from environment. However, unlike microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria, the degradation pathways of organic pollutants in plant systems are not completely clear. This paper displays the possible pathways for the degradation of phenanthrene and pyrene (as two abundant PAHs in the environment) in maize plant. Maize plants were treated by phenanthrene and pyrene and after 7, 14, and 21 days, a number of intermediate compounds were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis. The obtained results showed that although maize plant can metabolize both compounds, but the degradation rate of phenanthrene was faster and higher than that of pyrene. The degradation of phenanthrene occurred mainly in the second week, whereas the degradation of pyrene was slower and mostly happened after the third week. Intriguingly, the degradation of both compounds was primarily observed in the roots. The number of identified intermediate compounds was different in the shoot and root and depends on the type of contaminant and treatment time. The most outstanding identified intermediates were quinones, dihydrodiols, phthalate and phenolic compounds which were formed through the cleavage of phenanthrene and pyrene. Accordingly, the probable degradation pathways of phenanthrene and pyrene in maize plants were proposed.

Effect of Genetic Modification of Maize Plant on Pharmaceutically Important Properties of Its Starch

Genetic engineering of maize plants for improved yield, drought and pest resistance has received considerable attention in agricultural research. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of genetic modification of maize plant on some pharmaceutically relevant fundamental properties of its isolated starches. Properties of starches isolated from PVA 39 and IWD 15 maize genotypes were compared with starch from unmodified maize grains. Morphology studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were evaluated. Swelling capacity, amylose content, pasting behaviour of the starches were also determined. SEM revealed that all the starches are largely irregular and polygonal with few round shaped granules. FTIR showed identical peaks in all the starch samples and DSC revealed higher enthalpies of starch gelatinisation from the modified grains. Modification also increased amylose content, swelling capacity and viscosity of the starches. Genetic modification increased amylose content which positively affected pharmaceutically important properties like moisture sorption and viscosity, thus, increasing their value in formulations especially as binders.

Experimental Investigation on Sound Absorption Property of a Panel Board Using Maize Stem

In this project our aim is to produce a soundproofing board which is made out of Maize stem (stalk). Due to increase in number of industries, factories and vehicle traffic cause serious noise pollution. So to overcome this, use of Sound proofing panels in the structural elements could significantly help to reduce the sound as well as gives a good environment to work. People nowadays demand for a better working environment. Many commercialized sound proofing materials are available in the market, the cost of these materials would be much higher and also it could cause health issues when people are exposed with the material. So use of sound proofing panels made with agro-waste could be a better solution, an attempt has been made to produce a soundproofing board which is made out of stalk portion of maize plant. The board’s sound absorption property is studied in this research by using Impedance test and the cost of maize stem board is cheap enough so that everyone can afford it.