BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE OF BEMISIA TABACI (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) TOWARDS METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE VOLATILES

The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral response of Bemisia tabaci towards Metarhizium anisopliae (isolates PR1 and GT3) volatiles. Behavioral response of B. tabaci was investigated based on adult feeding and oviposition preference in eggplant Solanum melongena L. The highest mean number of adult (87) and egg (418) of B. tabaci were observed in the control plant, while the lowest mean number of adult (26) and egg (107) of B. tabaci were deposited in the PR1-treated plant. There were 8 and 5 compounds identified from the isolates PR1 and GT3, respectively. The highest amount of compounds of 1-Hydroxy-2-aminopropane (61.96%) and 1, 4-Dioxane-2-ol (54.18%) were released by PR1 and GT3 respectively. The results obtained so far revealed that whitefly avoided the eggplants provided with cultures of the M. anisopliae isolates emanating the volatile organic compounds and suitability largely depended upon the volatile profile.

TAXONOMIC REVISION OF NIGERIAN SPECIES OF Capsicum L. BASED ON SOME MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

Species of Capsicum L. are closely related plants whose taxonomic status has remained controversial among different taxonomists. This study was designed to examine the taxonomic status of the species of Capsicum in Nigeria in order to establish the genetic variation between the species for the purpose of identification, as well as review the infrageneric classification (INC) of the members of the genus. Germplasm collection of the seeds of five cultivars of Capsicum were regenerated and nurtured to fruiting. Variations in their vegetative and reproductive morphology were macroscopically evaluated in replicates of 30 individuals per cultivar for each character, which equals 150 samples altogether. The cultivars of each species was hierarchically clustered as operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using Ward’s method with squared Euclidean distance. Artificial key was also constructed for the identification of the species in the genus. The twenty-three (23) morphological characters adopted gave useful insights into the INC of the species and were sufficiently diagnostic of the species as evidenced by the artificial key. Through this study, some light has been shed on the delimitation of species and varieties of the Nigerian Capsicum.

EXAMINATION OF PNG IMAGE OF CORONA VIRUS BASED ON BENFORD’S LAW

The global crisis caused by the Corona virus is making everyone search for new ways to eliminate this danger that threatens people’s lives. The addition of new methods for detecting the infection of people makes the prevention process fast and not expensive at all. Waiting hours or days for people’s test results is both expensive and dangerous. The use of the JPEG format for images (the most common in our daily lives) and Benford’s law when they work together makes this possible. This method has been validated by the discovery of digital image manipulation and its effective use in forensic evidence and is known to be highly sensitive. Moreover, the availability of high-resolution microscopes with optical zoom made it possible to take real and clear images of the Corona virus, and therefore the use of this method saves time, effort and risk.

PREHARVEST ABIOTIC CONDITIONS ON THE ACCUMULATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITIES OF SWEET BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annum L) CULTIVARS IN THE LOW AND HIGH VELD REGIONS OF ZIMBABWE

Abiotic factors coupled with varietal differences have a special bearing on the synthesis of bioactive compounds and enhancement of antioxidant capacities of sweet bell pepper. The aim of the present study was to characterize the content of bioactive compounds (lycopene, vitamin C, β-carotenes, total phenols, and the antioxidant activity of sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annum L) grown under different Agro climatic regions with different environmental conditions, the Eastern Highlands (High veld region) and the Save Valley (low veld region). The results from the study showed statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the different growing locations with regard to the bioactive compounds which were identified and quantified. Capsicum annum var. Lafayette presented the highest concentration of vitamin C content, lycopene content and total phenols as well as the greatest antioxidant activity in the high veld region. In addition, the results indicated that low temperatures favour in vivo biosynthesis of bioactive compounds and enhances antioxidant capacities of sweet bell pepper.

OPTIMAL BMI CUT-OFF VALUES FOR PREDICTING DIABETES, HYPERTENSION AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA AMONG MALAYSIAN ADULTS’ POPULATION: REVISITING A DECADE OF OLD VALUES

Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used to determine bodyweight categories. This study aimed to re-examine the previous optimal BMI cut-offs in identifying the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among the Malaysian adults’ population. Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019. Methods: It was a cross-sectional, population-based survey that employed a two-stage stratified random sampling design. A total of 10,472 adults aged 18 years and above participated in this survey throughout Malaysia, with the majority aged between 31 to 59 years. Results: The optimal BMI cut-off values for identifying diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and at least one NCD ranged from 22.92 to 24.81 kg/m2 for males. The highest optimal BMI cut-off value for at least one NCD in females was 26.29 kg/m2, while the lowest optimal BMI cut-off value was for hypercholesterolemia in females, which was 22.63 kg/m2. Our study has produced a more reliable and revised BMI cut-off point that can detect NCD at a lower BMI compared to available BMI classification. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of recognizing the issue of BMI and obesity to tackle NCD. A new set of modified BMI which is very useful for tertiary care, demonstrates the potential benefit of early detection and intervention in preventing morbidity and mortality. Hence, it would lessen the length and impact of the disease on a person’s quality of life and also reduce complications and lower the mortality rates of certain diseases because early treatment is often the most effective.

MINIMUM TILLAGE NON-PUDDLED TRANSPLANTED RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.): WEED CONTROL AND ECONOMICS UNDER CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PRACTICE IN BANGLADESH

Crisis of agricultural laborers in South Asia’s rural zones is pushing to pursue a labor-saving conservation agriculture strategy for crop production and weed control. Non-puddled transplanting and mulching residues of the previous crop are being developed for rice-based cropping systems in Bangladesh to address this issue. Hence, the present study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of strip tillage vs. conventional tillage combined with previous rice residues relative to herbicides and hand weeding on weed control and grain yield of winter rice during January-May in 2015 and 2016. Rice cv. BRRI dhan28 was transplanted with a combination of six treatments: puddled conventional tillage (CT)+3 hand weeding (HW) (Control); Preplant (PRE) herbicide (glyphosate)+non-puddled strip tillage (ST)+1HW; PRE+ST+pre-emergence (PE) herbicide (pendimethalin); PRE+ST+post-emergence (PO) herbicide (ethoxysulfuron-ethyl); PRE+ST+PE+PO; PRE+ST+weed-free (WF); and two levels of rice residues: no-residue (R0) vs. 50% standing residue (R50). The CT had done using a two-wheel tractor (2WT) by four ploughings and cross ploughings followed by levelling. A Versatile Multi-Crop Planter (VMP) was used for ST in a single pass operation. Over the two years, PRE+ST+PE+PO reduced weed density by 40% in the first year and 50% in the second year and weed biomass by 70% than CT+3HW in both years. Retention of 50% residue reduced weed density by 20% and biomass by 34%. The highest grain yield (12% higher than CT+3HW without residue) was obtained from PRE+ST+WF with 50% residue, while the highest BCR (47% higher over CT+3HW without residue) was obtained from PRE+ST+PE+PO with 50% residue.

PREVALENCE ON THE INFESTATION OF FLEA BEETLE (Phyllotreta nigripes) AGAINST DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF MUNGBEAN

Mungbean is one of the important pulse crops in Bangladesh. More than 12 species of insect pests infest mungbean, among them flea beetle cause significant yield loss due to attack from seedling to vegetative stages. The experiment was conducted to find out tolerant and susceptible varieties of mungbean against flea beetle at the farmer’s field of Patuakhali, Bangladesh from January to April 2016. Results revealed that BARI Mung-4 had the lowest abundance of flea beetle while BINA Moog-7 and BARI Mung-6 had the highest flea beetle abundance. Among the tested all varieties, significantly the lowest number (1.33) of infested plant by flea beetle was recorded in BARI Mung-4 followed by BINA Moog-4 (1.51) and the highest number (2.54) of infested plant by flea beetle was in BARI Mung-6 followed by (2.42) BINA Moog-7. The lowest percentage of leaf area damaged was on BARI Mung-4 (5.37%) while the highest on BARI Mung-6 (11.33%). Population of flea beetle showed a positive correlation (R2= 0.019) with temperature and a negative correlation (R2= -0.01) with relative humidity. BARI Mung-6 produced highest yield while Patuakhali local Mung produced the lowest followed by BARI Mung-4. Among tested varieties BARI Mung-4 showed comparatively more tolerant against flea beetle and BARI Mung-6 produced maximum yield in spite of being susceptile to flea beetle.

MONITORING AND MAPPING OF INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE IN MALARIA VECTOR, ANOPHELES SACHAROVI IN IRAN (1997-2020)

Malaria is the main vector borne diseases worldwide. According to the recent record of World Health Organization, 228 million cases have been reported in 2018 mainly in in African region. One of the main important measures for vector control is using insecticides. Monitoring and mapping of insecticide resistance is the main measure for appropriate decision. All the date published about resistant status of Anopheles sacharovi were searched on Pubmed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, Iranmedex, Majiran, google scholar, etc. The results showed that there is widespread, resistance/tolerance to different groups of insecticides in the country. Monitoring and mapping as well as detection of mechanisms of insecticide resistance is appropriate for vector control decision. The results of resistant of this malaria vector to different WHO insecticides will provide an appropriate guideline for the Ministry of health and Medical Education of the country for appropriate vector control.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF Nymphaea pubescens WILLD. EXTRACTS

Nymphaea pubescens Willd belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. This plant species is used to treat various diseases including diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhages, and indigestion in traditional medicines around the world. Compounds like Arbutin, D-malic acid, Ergosterol, Fumaric acid, and Gluconic acid have been isolated from N. pubescens. As N. pubescens pharmacological activities are not systematically reviewed, this review is intended to analyze, recap, and document the reported bioactivities of N. pubescens. Appropriate published papers were obtained using the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases from 1900 to June 2021. Until now, anticancer, antidementia, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic activities have been reported for different parts of N. pubescens. Remarkably, hitherto, no pharmacological active compound has been isolated from N. pubescens. This review provides a foundation for future research on this plant species.

PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITE IN CATTLE OF BANKE DISTRICT OF NEPAL IN DIFFERENT SEASONS AND BREEDS

Paramphistomum and Fasciola are the most common parasite found in the gastrointestine of the cattle in the terai region of Nepal. The parasite resides in the gut and feed there, resulting in the nutrition deficit for the cattle. A study was conducted in Kohalpur, Banke of Nepal to study the seasonal and breed-wise prevalence of the gastrointestinal parasite in cattle. A total of 156 fecal samples were analyzed, out of which 79 samples were collected in summer and 77 samples were collected in winter. Out of total samples 108 were brought to the clinic and 48 samples were collected directly from the rumen of the cattle. Sedimentation technique for recovering the larva and egg of parasite was performed. Five slides were prepared from each sample and was observed under the microscope for eggs and larva. The result showed that the prevalence was 36.71% in the summer and it was 16.88% in the winter. The statistical relationship showed that the prevalence gastrointestinal parasite in cattle was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the summer season. Likewise, the prevalence was 11.86% in the Jersey breed and 36.08% in the Jersey cross breed. And the statistical relationship also showed that the gastrointestinal prevalence in Jersey cross breed was significantly (P<0.05) higher than Jersey breed.