The effect of urea on epigeic earthworm species (Eisenia foetida)

Long W, Ansari A, Seecharran D. 2017. The effect of urea on epigeic earthworm species (Eisenia foetida). Cell Biol Dev 1: 46-50. The use of chemical fertilizers in intensive agriculture has no doubt increased crop production but it has resulted in adverse effect on soil properties over a long period of time. The effects are clearly seen in the soil environment including the soil organisms living in that ecosystem. This study was conducted to determine effects of Urea on epigeic earthworm species (Eisenia foetida) in clay soil. A total of five doses of Urea were used i.e 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 250mg. They were labelled as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. A control group was also set up and the treatment groups were replicated three times. The results indicated that the addition of urea affected the soil chemical properties in treatments inoculated with earthworms (Eisenia foetida). The adult earthworm population was 70% in control when compared to different treatment dosage of Urea 50 mg/kg (T1)-85%, 100 mg/kg (T2)-66.67%, 150 mg/kg (T3)- 68.34%, 200 mg/kg (T4)- 86.67% and 250 mg/kg (T5)- 51.67%. The percentage mortality minimum in treatment T4 and T1 whereas it was maximum in treatment T5 (48%). 250 mg/kg was the most toxic dose of Urea in the soil inoculated with earthworms. The results were significant at p=0.05.

Genetic potential of cassava biodiversity in Bangka Island, Indonesia

Lestari T, Apriyadi R. 2017. Genetic potential of cassava biodiversity in Bangka Island, Indonesia. Cell Biol Dev 2: 41-45. Cassava is potential as a mixture ingredient of flour in the Bangka’s food industry. This study aimed to discover the biodiversity of local cassava in Bangka. This research was conducted in experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bangka Belitung, Indonesia from July 2015 to July 2016. The experimental design was randomized block design with 10 local cassavas of Bangka that consisted of upang, sekula, bayel, mentega, kuning, batin, pulut, sutera, rakit, and Selangor. Isozyme analysis performed using starch gel electrophoresis with horizontal models. Analysis for five Bangka local cassava varieties and one National cassava variety used RAPD group OP A and OP B. The results showed that the phenotypic performance was different on the type of plant, the morphology of leaves, stems, and tubers of local cassava of Bangka. Isozyme analysis showed polymorphic banding pattern, while the eight RAPD primers used did not produce polymorphic. This research showed Bangka local cassava morphologically different based on visual observation. Morphological character of Bangka local cassava leaf was divided into three shapes of lobe: ellipse (upang, sekula, bayel, mentega, batin, pulut, rakit, Selangor), linear (kuning) and lanceolate (sutera). This research data showed that the genetic diversity of local cassava in Bangka relatively high. Bangka local cassava has genetic potential as plant propagation material for plant breeding.

Toxicity of Randia nilotica fruit extract on Schistosoma mansoni, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus

Ebodi AYE, Ahmed MM. 2017. Toxicity of Randia nilotica fruit extract on Schistosoma mansoni, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus. Cell Bio Dev 1 (1): 23-30. The aqueous filtered and unfiltered extract of the fruits of Randia nilotica (locally name as Shagarat El-Murfaein) were assessed as molluscicides against Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus as well as their effect on cercariae and miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni. The plant was tested on uninfected B. pfeifferi and B. truncatus, the results showed that unfiltered extracts were found relatively more potent than filtered one (i.e. 100% was attained at 90 ppm and 80 ppm) respectively. While, filtered extract tested on uninfected B. pfeifferi and B. truncatus (100% was attained at 100 ppm and 90 ppm) respectively. The effect of unfiltered extract on infected B. pfeifferi produced 100% mortality in concentration of 70 ppm. The activity of the plant on cercariae and miracidia revealed that cercariae was more resistance than miracidia (i.e.50 ppm killed all cercariae within 3 hours while killed miracidia within 2 hours. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed, and the findings were promising and could open new avenues for the practical use of the plant at the field.

Effects of encapsulation matrix on physical properties and germination viability of calcium-alginate encapsulated plbs of Grammatophyllum scriptum

Pitoyo A, Anggarwulan E, Ariza I. 2017. Effects of encapsulation matrix on physical properties and germination viability of calcium-alginate encapsulated plbs of Grammatophyllum scriptum. Cell Bio Dev 1: 36-40. Grammatophyllum is a tropical epiphytic orchid commonly found in the moist areas of South-East Asia. Like most orchid species, the genus comprises species with a very small, micro-size seed mass and lacked endosperm.These plants commonly need an in vitro culture for mass propagation and seed germination. Upon germination, their undeveloped-embryos developed a globular mass cells, a protocorm. Occasionally, a structure similar to protocorm arises from tissue other than an embryo, thereby the term protocorm-like body (plb) were introduced. Here, we develop synthetic seed, hydrogel beads encapsulated G. scriptum plbs and possibility to germinate the seed and growth their embedded tissue.The objective of the research was to study the effects of the proportion of encapsulation matrix of G scriptum Bl.Synthetic seed made by complexation of sodium alginate with CaCl2 on physical properties and germination of protocorm-like bodies (plbs) embedded inside the hydrogel. The experiment was designed by a single factor-completely randomized design with the treatments of several combinations of Na-alginate/CaCl2ratios.The result showed that CaCl2 in all concentration except 25 mM formed spherical hydrogel beads in all level concentration of Na-alginate. Alginate in concentration 2% and 3% gave the optimum result represented by maximum germination index 100%.The formation of the new plbs varied among different explants even in single explant.The time of germination of each synthetic seeds was varied from 2 weeks until eight weeks after encapsulation.In conclusion, physical properties have no significant barrier for developing plbs to emergencies through penetration encapsulation matrix.

The endophytic bacteria producing IAA (Indole Acetic Acid) in Arachis hypogaea

Herlina L, Pukan KK, Mustikaningtyas D. 2017. The endophytic bacteria producing IAA (Indole Acetic Acid) in Arachis hypogaea. Cell Bio Dev 1: 31-35. Endophytic bacteria are bacteria living in plant tissue and forming colony without harms the host. Every cormophyte, plants that have a stem and root, may contain some endophytic bacteria which can produce biological compounds or secondary metabolites. The objective of the study was to obtain endophytic bacteria isolates from peanut plants (Arachis hypogaea) at three locations, and to test in vitro the ability of endophytic bacteria isolates for producing IAA, and also to analyze IAA on the growth and development of mungbean plants. The study was carried out in three stages; the first was the isolation of endophytic bacteria from the leaves, stems, and roots; the second was the test of in vitro endophytic bacteria isolates to know the ability of IAA production. IAA assay was measured by using a spectrophotometer with a wavelength of 535 nm, and the third was the introduction of IAA-producing endophytic bacteria in mungbean. The parameters observed were the length of sprouts and the number of lateral roots. The results showed that 16 isolates were selected based on IAA-producing ability. The isolates could produce different IAA with different morphological characteristics. After the fourth day of incubation, the highest and the lowest of IAA amount were 69.68 (mg L-1) and 8.50 (mg L-1) respectively. Isolates that produce high IAA levels are applied to mungbeans, it affects the number of lateral roots but it does not have effect on the length of the sprouts. DM and K1K1 isolates have the effect of increasing lateral root formation and are expected to be potential sources of bioactive metabolites.

Electrical conductivity for seed vigor test in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Fatonah K, Suliansyah I, Rozen N. 2017. Electrical conductivity for seed vigor test in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Cell Biol Dev 1: 6-12. The objectives of this study were to obtain electrical conductivity test method for seed vigor test in sorghum, to recognize relationship between electrical conductivity test and potassium leakage, and to recognize relationship between electrical conductivity test and other variable on seed vigor. This study have two step experiments. The objective of Experiment I was to determine accurate combinations of water volume and amount seed of the electrical conductivity test for seed vigor test in sorghum. Completely Randomized Design of 15 seed lots with 3 replications were used to determine electrical conductivity method with different vigor. Experiment II were to test electrical conductivity method of 21 seed lots of sorghum without accelerated aging test and 21 seed lots of sorghum were given accelerated aging test. Completely Randomized Design of 21 seed lots with 3 replications were used in Experiment II. The variable were observed : standard germination, field emergence, speed of germination, first count, conductivity, potassium leakage and eight combination conductivity method of water volume (50, 100, 150 and 200 ml) and amount of seed sorghum (50 and 75 seed count). The result of this experiments showed that electrical conductivity test method with 150 ml water volume and 75 seed count was accurate and suitable for sorghum seed vigor test; electrical conductivity test showed positive correlation with potassium leakage;and electrical conductivity test can be used for seed vigor test in sorghum and provided the potential of physiological seed were shown through : standard germination test, field emergence test, first count test and speed of germination with negative correlation.

Goramy spermatozoa quality after sub-zero freezing: The role of coconut water as the cryoprotectant

Abinawanto, Putri PE. 2017. Goramy spermatozoa quality after sub-zero freezing: The role of coconut water as thecryoprotectant. Cell Biol Dev 1: 1-5. The coconut water effect combined with 5% of glycerol for preserving goramy spermatozoa at -34°C for 48 hours has been studied. The objective of study is to find the best combination among 0%, 21%, 23%, 25% 27%, and 29%,respectively, of coconut water combined with 5% of glycerol for maintaining the good spermatozoa motility and viability, andminimizing spermatozoa abnormality. One part of semen/sperm were mixed with three parts of solvent (5% of glycerol + fish ringer +coconut water), and were equilibrated at 4 °C for 45 min. The diluted sperm were then freezed at -34 °C for 48 h. Cryopreserved spermswere thawed at 30 °C for 3-5 min. Spermatozoa quality were evaluated before and after sub-zero freezing. Based on Kruskal-Wallis test,spermatozoa motility and viability were higher than control (P<0.05), while the spermatozoa abnormality were not significantlydifferent compared to control (P>0.05). Twenty five percent of coconut water combined with 5% of glycerol were the best combinationfor preserving spermatozoa motility (80.36±1.54)% and spermatozoa viability (82±1.86)%, and also minimized spermatozoaabnormality (10±1.03)%.

Effects of pruning on growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Mercy variety in The acid soil of North Kalimantan, Indonesia

Mardhiana, Pradana AP, Adiwena M, Kartina, Santoso D, Wijaya R, Maliki A. 2017. Effects of pruning on growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Mercy variety in The acid soil of North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Cell Biol Dev 1: 13-17. In recent years, cucumber production in Tarakan, North Kalimantan only reaches 20 tons ha-1. In fact, cucumber production potential could reach 49 tons ha-1. Several factors that limit the low productivity of cucumbers in Tarakan are acid soil and cultivation techniques which are still limited. This study aimed to determine the effect of pruning on the growth and yield of cucumbers in acid soil in Tarakan. The study was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with the treatment of without pruning (P0), shoot of prunings on the main stem (P1), pruning of whole lateral branches above the third section (P2), and pruning of 2 lateral branches that emerged first above the third section (P4). The results showed that plant height was 16.17% (P1) and 2.26% (P2) lower also 0.13% higher (P3) than the control (P0). The highest number of leaves was found in treatment P1 (16.19%) compared to P0. The best fruit diameter was also found in P1 treatment with 4.93% difference compared to P0. Furthermore, a highly significant and the best result on weight per fruit were also obtained by P1 treatment. The results showed that the fruit weight of P1 treatment (11.39%) was higher than P0. This study provided new information that the pruning treatment of shoots on the main stem of cucumber variety Mercy in acid soil could increase the diameter and weight of cucumber.

Microdosing technology of fertilizer for sorghum production at Shambat, Sudan

Arbab MBM, Dagash YMI. 2017. Microdosing technology of fertilizer for sorghum production at Shambat, Sudan. Cell Biol Dev 1: 18-22. The study was conducted at the experimental farm of Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Agricultural Studies; Khartoum North-Shambat, to investigate the agronomic response and efficiency of fertilizer microdosing in Sorghum. An experiment with the following treatments was achieved: control without fertilizer, microdosing treatments with the rates of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g NPK per plant hole at sowing. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized block design with four replications. The experiment was conducted during the growing season of 2015. Weeding was carried once after three weeks from seed germination and irrigated weekly. The following parameters were considered during experimentation; the number of leaves, plant height, node length and stem thickness, while the shoot fresh and dry weights were recorded at termination. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were separated by Duncan’s multiple rang test. The results obtained showed the progressive improvement of all Sorghum tested characters. There were highly significant differences in plant height, stem thickness, shoot fresh and dry weight. The number of leaves and the node length showed significant differences. The four gram microdose gave the best results.