Infraspecific variation of some brown Parmeliae (in Poland) – a comparison of ITS rDNA and non-molecular characters

Infraspecific variation of the ITS rDNA region of some brown Parmeliae occurring in Poland is studied and compared with non-molecular characters. Haplotype networks are used to illustrate the variability within the species. Both newly-produced sequences from Central Europe and from all over the world, downloaded from the GenBank, are used. The number of haplotypes found for each taxon ranged from five in Melanelia stygia to 12 in Melanelia hepatizon and Montanelia disjuncta; however, their numbers correlate with the number of specimens tested. New haplotypes for Melanelia agnata, M. hepatizon and Cetraria commixta are found. Based on our 169-sample dataset, we could not infer any geographical correlation, either locally or world-wide. Many of the analysed haplotypes were widely distributed and the same haplotype was often shared between temperate and polar populations. A comparison of molecular, morphological, anatomical and chemical characters also shows no correlation.

Chemical characters of disease suppressive and conducive soil of Moler on shallot in Brebes Central Java

In the latest years, a disease epidemy of Moler caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae have just occurred in Brebes Central Java. The disease intensity, however, varies between the shallot production lands. Some lands show suppressive with disease intensity lower than 5%, and others are conducive to disease intensity over 50%. It is interesting that in Brebes occur suppressive and conducive soil to moler disease. The suppressiveness may be determined by environmental conditions, including chemical soil characters. This paper reports the chemical character of suppressive and conducive soil to moler disease in Brebes. The evidence shows that the suppressive soil is more fertile than that conducive one. The suppressive soil is chemically characterized by significantly higher organic mineral, C-organic, P-available, K-exchangeable, and Cation Exchange Capacity than that conducive one.

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Physio-Chemical Properties of Papaya

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and physio-chemical properties of papaya (Carica papaya) from February to December 2019. The experiment was designed into twelve treatments [T1 = Control, T2 = 100% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizers), T3 = 50% RDF+ 50% MOC (Mustard Oil Cake), T4 = 50% RDF+ 50% VER (Vermicompost), T5 = 50% RDF + 50% PM (Poultry Manure), T6 = 25% RDF+ 75% MOC, T7 = 25% RDF + 75% VER, T8 = 25% RDF+ 75% PM, T9 = 100% MOC, T10 = 100% VER, T11 = 100% PM and T12 = MOC + VER + PM] at the experimental field of Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of treatments varied significantly for most of the characters studied. Results showed that the plant growth, yield contributing traits, fruit yield and quality of papaya significantly increased in T10 treatment compared to other treatments. The maximum amount of dry matter of fruit (4.37%), TSS (18.17 %), total sugar (9.43 g/ 100g), reducing sugar (6.34 g/ 100g), β- carotene (0.24 mg/ 100g), mineral as Ca (0.39%), Mg (0.33%) and K (2.08%) were found in T10 treatment and the minimum amount were found in the control T1. The maximum amount of non-reducing sugar was obtained from T12 (3.93 g/ 100g) and the minimum from T3 (2.23 g/ 100g). Ascorbic acid was found maximum in T7 (24.99 mg/100g) and minimum from T11 (22.00 mg/100g). A significant influence of T10 treatment on growth, yield and physio-chemical characters was observed. The application of 100% vermicompost which influenced growth, yield and physio-chemical properties of papaya in Salna series of Red Brown-terrace soil is suggested. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2020) 24(2) : 69-83

The Effect of Different Organic Foliar Fertilization on Physiological and Chemical Characters in Hop (Humulus lupulus L., cv Cascade) Leaves and Cones

Background: Hop cultivation requires an abundant quantity of nutrients to reach higher cone yield and quality. The aim of this work was the evaluation of different fertilization plans to obtain an improvement in product quality. Methods: Foliar analysis, anatomical analysis through the use of light microscope and SEM; physiological measurements through atLEAF, Handy PEA and spectrophotometry, were carried out to determine chlorophyll content, carotenoids and photosynthetic efficiency in two periods (t1, t2) for four experimental treatments and a Control (Treat 1, Treat 2, Treat 3, Treat 4, Untreat). Leaf texture (texture analyzer), color (colorimeter), DPPH activity (spectrophotometer), bitter acid content (HPLC-UV) and essential oil yields (steam distillation) and cone yields were measured. Results: Treat 2 showed the best performance: (i) in leaves, in terms of texture, chlorophyll content and color; (ii) in cones, with 6.98% of alpha acids, 1.78% of oil yield and 3.55 kg of fresh cones per plants. Conclusion: The fertilization plans caused alteration in micro and macro elements content in hop leaves and in the composition of hop cones. In our conditions, the best fertilization plan, in terms of cone productivity and quality, was Treat 2, highlighting the value of a customized organic foliar fertilization plan for hop cultivation.

INFLUENCE OF HARVESTING SITES ON THE ANTIHYPERTENSIF EFFECTS OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF LIPPIA MULTIFLORA MOLDENKE (VERBENACEAE) IN BENIN

A comparative study of the major compounds was carried out despite the great diversity of the constituents characteristic of the essential oil of Lippia multiflora. It was interested to note the imprint that makes each locality with the chemical characters of the gasoline. The variation in the chemical composition of essential oils, was depended on many factors such as the method used, the parts of the plant used, the products and reagents used in the extraction, the environment, the genotype of the plant, the geographic origin, harvest period of the plant, degree of drying, drying conditions, temperature and drying time and the presence of pests, viruses and weeds. The effects of essential oils of Lippia multiflora were evaluated in Wistar rats on arterial pressure (BP) and on heart rate (HR). Administration of L-NAME was caused a signicant increase in SBP in rats from 142.4 mmHg (D0) to 172.4 mmHg (D8) and from 122.8 mmHg (D0) to 138.6 mmHg (D8) respectively for the positive control batch and the batch subsequently treated with essential oil. Administration of the essential oil from D8 to D29 was caused a signicant decrease in the SBPof the rats from 140 mmHg (D8) to 122.4 mmHg (D29). This decrease was markedly lower than that of the untreated rats which is 150.5 mmHg (D29). The administration of L-NAME was caused a signicant increase in the DBPof the rats going from 93.8 mmHg (D0) to 137.5 mmHg (D8) and from 92.5 mmHg (D0) to 136.75 mmHg (D8) respectively for the positive control batch and the batch subsequently treated with essential oil.. The administration of the essential oil from D8 to D29 was caused a signicant decrease in the DBP of the rats going from 136.75 mmHg (D8) to 99.8 mmHg (D29) and nally the administration of L-NAME caused a signicant increase in the MAP of the rats going from 109.25 mmHg (D0) to 159.75 mmHg (D8) and from 99.8 mmHg (D0) to 151.25 mmHg (D8) respectively for the positive control group and the batch then treated with the raw extract). Administration of the essential oil from D8 to D29 was caused a signicant decrease in the AMP of the rats, dropping from 151.25 mmHg (D8) to 114 mmHg (D29) (p <0.05). These effects could be justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Phytochemical and In-Vivo Anti-Arthritic Significance of Aloe thraskii Baker in Combined Therapy with Methotrexate in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats

Unlike other widely known Aloe species used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, this species suffers from a lack of sufficient studies on its biological and chemical characters. This is what drove us to perform this work to evaluate the in vivo anti-arthritic potential of its leaf ethanolic extract. The in vivo anti-arthritic activity of the leaf ethanolic extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg/day b.wt. was evaluated alone and in combination with methotrexate (MTX) using complete Freund’s adjuvant. Serum levels of rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), cytokines pro-inflammatory marker, inflammatory mediator serum levels, and oxidative stress mediators were analyzed, in addition to liver function. Orientin, isoorientin, β-sitosterol, its palmitate and its glucoside were isolated. The combined therapy of MTX and the leaf ethanolic extract (especially at 200 mg/kg b.wt.) group showed better activity compared to MTX alone. Moreover, the combined therapy provided additional benefits in lowering the liver toxicity by comparison to MTX alone. We concluded that a synergetic combination of the leaf ethanolic extract and MTX is beneficial in the management of rheumatoid arthritis with fewer side effects on liver function, as well as the possibility of the leaf extract to stand alone as an effective natural anti-arthritic agent.

Diversity of Xanthoparmelia (Parmeliaceae) species in Mexican xerophytic scrub vegetation, evidenced by molecular, morphological and chemistry data

The genus Xanthoparmelia is the largest genus of lichen- forming fungi with about 800 species worldwide. Xanthoparmelia is also common in the deserts of central Mexico, but only a few molecular studies exist on its species’ diversity in this region. In this study, we sampled 38 Xanthoparmelia species from around the world including species from the xerophytic scrubs of central Mexico to assess the diversity using an integrative approach. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using a combination of the ITS, mtSSU and nuLSU genetic markers. We evaluated our phylogenetic results in a context of traditional morphological and chemical characters. The combined evidence of molecular, morphological, and chemical data identified a total of 18 Xanthoparmelia species-level lineages occurring in central Mexico. However, numerous traditionally circumscribed species did not form monophyletic groups in the molecular phylogenetic reconstructions. This conflict indicates that taxonomy and species delimitation in the genus Xanthoparmelia requires revision and emphasizes the importance of molecular evidence for more robust species delimitations in this genus.

Habitat and edaphic preference of Rafflesia R. Br. plant communities in Royal Belum State Park, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the microhabitat conditions and soil physico-chemical characters of Rafflesia plant communities and to determine similarities across Rafflesia habitats in Royal Belum State Park, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. Methodology: The site of Rafflesia population and its microhabitat condition was collected by referring to the previous studies, in addition to interviewing the related parties. A plot study was constructed in each Rafflesia habitat in Royal Belum State Park, Perak and the soil sample was collected for estimating their characteristics. Results: Rafflesia population is distributed between 207 - 386 m asl, with the surface slope of 8 to 58° and located 1.0-450.0 m from nearby water sources. The percentage of clay has a strong influence in X-Ray and distance to water source affected the habitat in Sg. Ruok-Papan. Ca2+ was an important soil component in Sg. Kooi while in Sg. Gadong 2 and Sg. Selantan, nitrogen was the most important soil attribute. The dendrogram reveals Sg. Kooi and Sg. Gadong 1 were the most similar habitats while Sg. Ruok differed significantly in terms of the microhabitat and soil physicochemical conditions tested. Interpretation: This study shows that different plant communities favoured different conditions in terms of microhabitat condition and the physico-chemical characteristics of soil, despite being located within the same forest range. Since this study covered only small forest range, large sampling size which cover different forest area is needed to come to a conclusion regarding preference of Rafflesia plant communities towards its habitat.

Hyper spectral and Geochemical Signatures Study on Late Archeaen of Indian High Grade Manganese Deposits in Halekal Band of Bhahaddurghatta-Hosahatty Village, Chitradurga Schist Belt (Csb), Karnataka, India

Manganese is one of the most widely distributed elements in the earth’s crust and mapping of these deposit are of high economic interest. Manganese occurs as diverse genetic types that is vital for iron and steel production. It occurs usually in the form of oxide, hydroxide, carbonate and silicate which is an important raw material for iron, steel industry, chief manufacturer of chemicals and dry cells in the form of manganese dioxides. Advanced analysis of hyperspectral signatures and GPS applications have opened a newest approach in exploration and systematic mapping of economic ore deposits. The present study aims to integrate the hyperspectral signatures with major elements of manganese ore deposits of Halekal band in Bhahaddurghatta-Hosahatty village of Chitradurga Schist Belt. The samples collected from field are studied in the laboratory using thin and polished sections under microscope and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Efforts are created to assess the spectral signatures of four representative random ore samples collected and analyzed through ASD Spectro-radiometer instrument operative in Visible and InfraRed (325 to 2500 nm) region with concentration of major elements. This study clearly demonstrated and documented the spectral absorption features of the selected rock samples in the study area mainly depend on the optical and physico-chemical characters of the rock and major elemental composition as well as mineral constituents of the samples.