REVIEW ON THE ROLE OF EARTHWORMS ON HILLSLOPE HYDROLOGY AND SOIL EROSION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DANUM VALLEY, SABAH, MALAYSIA

Hydrological routes exist through active burrowing of soil fauna, and in numbers improve soil drainage systems. Earthworms are of particular interest because their presence is known widely to increase infiltration and reduce erosion rates by creating macropores and stable casts. Ideally during non-extreme rainfall events on flatlands, earthworm macropores lengthens the time prior to soil surface saturation thus slowing down occasions of overland flow resulting in runoff. Hypothesizing similar effects on hillslopes with gradients can be misleading whereas laboratory experiments which try to recreate and simulate field consistency cannot match the natural soil architecture which is vital in the dissection of the many bio-geophysical processes involved in the rainfall-runoff process. This review paper aims to summarize past studies conducted around the world and highlighting possible gaps on earthworm’s studies related to hillslopes and erosion.

SCREENING OF FOXTAIL MILLET UNDER RAINFED CONDITION IN CHAR LAND

The experiment was conducted at the charland area of Jamalpur during rabi 2019 to know the suitable foxtail millet line/verity for water stress and increase production area of char land. Treatments included in the experiment were: ten different lines and one variety (BARI Kaon-1). T1 = RC-170, T2 = BD-869, T3= BD-954, T4= BD-972, T5= BD-998, T6= BD-1062, T7= BD-1075, T8= BD-1083, T9= BD-1086, T10= BD-1108 and T11= BARI Kaon-1. Considering some plant physiological and yield contributing characters such as effective tiller per hill, panicle length, days to harvest, root length, 1000 seed weight and yield all the foxtail millet lines/ varieties may be grown in rainfed condition especially in char land area.

RESPONSE OF OKRA [ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH] TO NITROGEN DOSE AND SPACING ON GROWTH AND YIELD UNDER MULCH CONDITION, IN CHITWAN, NEPAL

Commercial farmers in Chitwan are unaware of optimum spacing and fertilizer dose which limits the performance and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. An experiment was conducted to assess the response of okra to different levels of nitrogen 60, 90 and 120kg.ha-1 and 30×30, 45×30 and 60×30cm2 spacing under plastic mulched condition in Bharatpur-16, Chitwan from March to May 2018, using Ramdomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. A hybrid variety of okra (Venus plus) mostly employed by farmers in Chitwan was used. Data were collected from ten randomly selected plants from the central rows in each plot and growth parameters were analyzed of various yield related parameters taken. The tallest plants were for 120kg.ha-1N and for the 30×30cm2 spacing. Pods from the interaction of 90kg.ha-1N for spaced at 45×30cm2 had the widest, the heaviest and the longest. Pods per plant were greatest for plants receiving 120kg.ha-1N spaced at 60×30cm2. Yield was best and cost:benefit (BC) ratio was most favorable for 90kg.Nha-1 treatment and for plants spaced at 45×30cm2. Overall data indicates that the nitrogen dose of 90kg.ha-1N with a spacing of 45× 30cm2 showed the most effective result statistically and economically.

EFFECT OF MULCH ON SOIL TEMPERATURE, SOIL MOISTURE CONSERVATION AND YIELD OF CHILLI

The experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jamalpur, Bangladesh during the period of 2017-18 and 2018-19 with the objectives to evaluate the effect of different mulch on soil temperature, soil moisture conservation and yield attributes of chilli. There were five treatments comprising T1: no mulch, T2: rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1, T3: water hyacinth mulch @ 5 t ha-1, T4: black polyethylene mulch and T5: white polyethylene mulch. The results revealed that, all the mulch treatment had higher soil temperature and soil moisture content at 5 cm and 10 cm depth compared to no mulch treatment. Soil temperature was highest in black polyethylene mulch, it increased average soil temperature by about 5.7 oC at 5 cm depth and 5.1 oC at 10 cm depth compared to no mulch treatment at 120 Days. Rice straw mulch treatment recorded highest soil moisture, it increased average soil moisture about 27.87 % at 5 cm depth and 28.57% at 10 cm depth over no mulch treatment. Rice straw mulch treatment produced highest green chilli yield (8.81 t ha-1) which was 26.94 % increased over no mulch treatment (6.94 t ha-1).Considering economic analysis, highest gross return (Tk 352400 ha-1), gross margin (Tk 235400 ha-1) and BCR (3.01) was obtained from same treatment T2 i.e., rice straw mulch treatment.

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF FYM AND UREA IN CABBAGE GROWN ON CLAY LOAM SOIL, DANG, NEPAL

A field experiment was conducted at the field of CAMPUS OF LIVE SCIENCES, Dang having clay loam soil to evaluate effect of integrated management of FYM and urea in cabbage. This experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having six treatments with three replications. Golden Ball variety of cabbage was selected for this research as a test crop. The application of FYM and urea shows significant result on the plant height, number of leaves, length of plant, head diameter and biomass yield. The maximum head diameter was observed in treatment 50%FYM +50% UREA (14.31cm).The highest total yield (9.63Mt/ha) and highest economic yield (6.16Mt/ha) was obtained from treatment 50%UREA +50 %FYM which was similar with recommend rate of fertilizer for cabbage. The highest soil pH (6.40), soil moister content (40.46%), the lowest bulk density (1.12g/cm3) was obtained from FYM application. The highest organic matter content (1.46) was also observed from FYM application. The most of the soil properties were enhanced by application of FYM and UREA. Furthermore, FYM played important role in maintaining soil physical property. In addition, this study indicates the possibility of FYM application to reduce nutrient risk by enhancing physio-chemical properties of clay loam soil. This result will helpful for the student and scientists in further research to increase the productivity and for the improvement of soil property.

RARE ACTINOMYCETES FROM KUANTAN MANGROVE FOREST SEDIMENT

Actinomycetes are prolific secondary metabolites producer, and they are sought after for their unparalleled capability. Mangrove forests are among the underexplored locations in search of new resources of actinomycetes. Bioprospecting of actinomycetes in Kuantan mangrove forests has revealed highly diverse actinomycetes with high antimicrobial properties. Members of the rare genera successfully isolated include Micromonospora sp., Pseudonocardia sp., Verrucosispora sp., Nocardiopsis sp., Actinophytocola sp., Dietzia sp., Gordonia sp., Micrococcus sp., Mycobacterium sp., Nocardia sp., Saccharopolyspora sp. And Rhodococcus sp. These rare actinomycetes can also be added to the list of genera isolated from this ecological niche, providing solid evidence that considerable diversity of actinomycetes are distributed within Kuantan mangrove forest. PKS-I and NRPS genes are usually related to the ability to produce secondary metabolites in actinomycetes. Interestingly, several of these rare actinomycetes showed the presence of both PKS-I and NRPS genes or either gene, and this exemplifies the potential of these rare actinomycetes may possess. Further studies conducted on these rare actinomycetes may reveal their true potentials that can be exploited for natural product discovery.

ASSESSMENT OF CROP YIELD AND RAINFALL SIMULATION IN NASARAWA TOWN NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Recent technology use simulation to predict the amount and total crop production and yield in a particular piece of land. Crop yield is termed as the growth of crop per unit area. This study calculates the crop yield for 20 years and uses simulation to produce 18 years of crop yields at different locations in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State Nigeria. the study applies the use of time series analysis of both Linear, quadratic and growth curve models to ascertain the crop yield. The result indicates that there is a high amount of rainfall in the preceding year from 2020 -2038 with a rainfall trend of more than 2200mm- 2300mm per annum. The crop yield simulation shows a higher growth curve with a bumper harvest in the next years to come.

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS IN THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES

For thousands of years plants have been an essential medicinal source with qualities. Empty fruit bunches (EFB) have medicinal values. Ten grams of powdered sample was extracted with 50 mL ethanol overnight and filtered through ash less filter paper, this plant’s ethanol extract has been analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), while the compound mass spectra contained in the extract has been matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. The GC-MS analysis provided different peaks determining the presence of eight different phytochemical compounds namely10-Undecenoic acid, Propanoic acid, Cyclopentane acetic acid hydrazide,1,4-Cyclohexanedicarbonitrile.The compounds were identified by comparing their retention time and peak area with literature and by interpreting the mass spectra. Many of them have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor, antiviral, anticonvulsant, analgesic and antidiabetic properties.

DEVELOPMENT OF FENTON-LIKE REAGENTS FOR THE DEGRADATION OF PHTHALATE ESTERS

This study involved the development of Fenton- like reagents (Mn2+/H2O2 and Cr2+/H2O2) for the degradation of phthalates esters – dimethyl phthalates (DMP), diethyl phthalates (DEP) and diphenyl phthalate (DPP). The degradation efficiency of phthalate esters (initial concentration of 20 mgL-1) by the newly developed reagents was conducted at different time intervals, the pH was adjusted to 3.0, the reaction mixtures were extracted and analysed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The H2O2 concentration was set at 100 mgL-1, and 10 mgL-1 for both Mn2+ and Cr3+. The results showed that the reagent, Mn2+/H2O2 degraded DMP completely within 20 minutes of the experiment, while 3.0 mgL-1 of DEP and 4.88 mgL-1 of DPP remained. At 30 minutes, DEP was found to be completely degraded with 4.84 mgL-1 of DPP remaining. In the same vein, the second reagent (Cr2+/H2O2) recorded 100 % efficiency on DMP within 20 minutes while that of DEP did not reach 100 % efficiency until 60 minutes. In this case, the reaction time of 20 mgL-1 DMP and DEP with this reagent is 20 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. Furthermore, it could be deduced that 30minutes is sufficient for complete degradation of 20 mgL-1 DMP and 20 mgL-1 DEP with Mn2+/H2O2 reagent while the degradation of 20 mgL-1 DPP took 60 minutes. For Cr3+/H2O2 reagent, the reaction time for the complete degradation of DMP and DEP was 30 and 60 minutes respectively. These newly developed reagents Mn2+/H2O2 and Cr2+/H2O2 are very effective and efficient for the degradation of phthalate esters thus, recommended for the degradation of liquid wastes containing these hazardous compounds.

EARLY GROWTH RESPONSE AND NUTRIENTS QUALITY OF FIG (Ficus carica L.) PLANTED ON BRIS SOIL EFFECTED BY CHICKEN MANURE AMENDMENTS

Allah S.W.T swears by the fig tree (Sura’ 95, al-Tin) in the holy Quran, for its values and practices. Recently, the fig tree (Ficus carica L.) has been introduced in Malaysia’s tropical weather as it grows well with maximum activity. Its root favors a well-drained type of soil, and since BRIS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) are dominated by sandy texture with proper water percolation, it has a high potential for fig planting. However, BRIS is known to have low nutrient holding capacity but can be improved with organic amendments. This study was carried out to determine the effects of various rates of chicken manure as amendments in improving the BRIS soil health for the growth of fig trees. The BRIS soil was amended with different rates of 10% (T2), 20% (T3), 30% (T4), and 50% (T5) of chicken manure and 0% (T1) as control. Three months old saplings were propagated through hardwood cuttings of variety BTM6 with five replications in each treatment. The growth response and nutrients quality of the fig trees were observed biweekly for three months after the transplant, and the nutrient contents of amended and non-amended showed significant differences at p<0.05. The survivability of the trees was 100%, and a significant difference was found between the treatments. BRIS soil with 40% chicken manure amendments (T4) showed superlative growth response with the highest number of branches, leaves, and fruits, thus provide higher yield production as compared to other treatments. From this study, BRIS soil that is known to be problematic can be improved with correct rates of organic amendments and can be used for fig cultivation.