The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase-producing Streptomyces violaceoruber UAE1 can provide protection from sudden decline syndrome on date palm

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), sudden decline syndrome (SDS) is one of the major fungal diseases caused by Fusarium solani affecting date palm plantations. To minimize the impact of the causal agent of SDS on date palm, native actinobacterial strains isolated from rhizosphere soils of healthy date palm plants were characterized according to their antifungal activities against F. solani DSM 106836 (Fs). Based on their in vitro abilities, two promising biocontrol agents (BCAs), namely Streptomyces tendae UAE1 (St) andStreptomyces violaceoruber UAE1 (Sv), were selected for the production of antifungal compounds and cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), albeit their variations in synthesizing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase (ACCD). Although both isolates showed antagonism when applied 7 days before the pathogen in the greenhouse experiments, the ACCD-producing Sv was relatively superior in its efficacy against SDS over the non-ACCD-producing St. This was evident from the symptoms of SDS in diseased date palm seedlings which were greatly reduced by Sv compared to St. On a scale of 5.0, the estimated disease severity indices in Fs-diseased seedlings were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 4.8 to 1.5 and 0.5 by St and Sv, respectively. Thus, the number of conidia of Fs recovered from plants pre-treated with both BCAs was comparable, but significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared to plants without any BCA treatment. In addition, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in ACC levels of both the root and shoot tissues was detected inSv + Fs seedlings to almost similar levels of healthy seedlings. However, in planta ACC levels highly increased in seedlings grown in soils infested with the pathogen alone or amended with St prior to F. solani infestation (St + Fs). This suggests a major role of ACCD production in relieving the stress of date palm seedlings infected with F. solani, thus supporting the integrated preventive disease management programs against this pathogen. This is the first report of effective rhizosphere actinobacterial BCAs to provide protection against SDS on date palm, and to help increase agricultural productivity in a more sustainable manner in the UAE and the other arid regions

A customised portable LogMAR chart with adjustable chart illumination for use as a mass screening device in the rural population

<b>Aim:</b> To develop a customised, portable, cost-effective (logarithmic minimal angle resolution) LogMAR chart with adjustable illumination for use as a mass vision-screening device in the rural population. <b> Materials and Methods</b> : Visual acuity of 100 individuals was evaluated with a customised chart and compared with the standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart and Snellen&#x2032;s Chart. Bland and Altman analytical techniques were used for analysis. <b> Results: </b> Test-retest variability of the customised chart was just a one-line difference (95&#x0025; CI for agreement), and so were the results with the standard ETDRS charts; a variability of 3-line was noted with Snellen&#x2032;s chart. Two-line differences were observed when comparison was made with Standard ETDRS chart and 2 to 3-line differences with Snellen&#x2032;s chart. <b> Conclusion: </b> The customised portable LogMAR chart with adjustable illumination shows less test-retest variability and better agreement with standard ETDRS chart; therefore, it can be used as a mass vision-screening device in rural settings

A customised portable LogMAR chart with adjustable chart illumination for use as a mass screening device in the rural population

Aim: To develop a customised, portable, cost-effective (logarithmic minimal angle resolution) LogMAR chart with adjustable illumination for use as a mass vision-screening device in the rural population. Materials and Methods : Visual acuity of 100 individuals was evaluated with a customised chart and compared with the standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart and Snellen\u2032s Chart. Bland and Altman analytical techniques were used for analysis. Results: Test-retest variability of the customised chart was just a one-line difference (95% CI for agreement), and so were the results with the standard ETDRS charts; a variability of 3-line was noted with Snellen\u2032s chart. Two-line differences were observed when comparison was made with Standard ETDRS chart and 2 to 3-line differences with Snellen\u2032s chart. Conclusion: The customised portable LogMAR chart with adjustable illumination shows less test-retest variability and better agreement with standard ETDRS chart; therefore, it can be used as a mass vision-screening device in rural settings

In vitro micropropagation of Catharanthus roseus — An anticancer medicinal plant

An efficient protocol was standardized using axillary bud and shoot tip explants of Catharanthus roseus — an anticancer medicinal plant. The highest number of shoots (19.6 shoots / auxiliary node) was observed after 45 days of culture in the MS medium supplemented with NAA (4.0 mg l−1) + BA (4.0 mg l−1). Shoots were proliferated and elongated in the same medium. High frequency of rooting (82.5%) was obtained in half strength MS + IBA (4.0) from axillary bud derived shoots. The rooted plantlets were successfully established in soil

A customised portable LogMAR chart with adjustable chart illumination for use as a mass screening device in the rural population

Aim: To develop a customised, portable, cost-effective (logarithmic minimal angle resolution) LogMAR chart with adjustable illumination for use as a mass vision-screening device in the rural population. Materials and Methods : Visual acuity of 100 individuals was evaluated with a customised chart and compared with the standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart and Snellen′s Chart. Bland and Altman analytical techniques were used for analysis. Results: Test-retest variability of the customised chart was just a one-line difference (95% CI for agreement), and so were the results with the standard ETDRS charts; a variability of 3-line was noted with Snellen′s chart. Two-line differences were observed when comparison was made with Standard ETDRS chart and 2 to 3-line differences with Snellen′s chart. Conclusion: The customised portable LogMAR chart with adjustable illumination shows less test-retest variability and better agreement with standard ETDRS chart; therefore, it can be used as a mass vision-screening device in rural settings

Influence of Sawdust Bio-filler on the Tensile, Flexural, and Impact Properties of Mangifera Indica Leaf Stalk Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

The need to have biodegradable composites is aloft in today’s market as they are environment friendly and are also easy to fabricate. In this study, mangifera indica leaf stalk fibres were used as reinforcement along with saw dust as bio-filler material. Unsaturated isophthalic polyester resin was used as the matrix. The fibres were treated with 6 % vol. NaOH and neutralized with 3 % vol. of dilute HCl. Treatment of sawdust fillers was done by using 2% vol. NaOH solution. Hand layup method and compression moulding technique was used to fabricate the composite laminates. Specimens for evaluating the mechanical properties were prepared by using water jet machining. The results indicated an increase in tensile, flexural and impact strength of composites with addition of sawdust upto 3%. Further addition of the bio-filler resulted in decrease of mechanical properties

Influence of Sawdust Bio-filler on the Tensile, Flexural, and Impact Properties of Mangifera Indica Leaf Stalk Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

The need to have biodegradable composites is aloft in today’s market as they are environment friendly and are also easy to fabricate. In this study, mangifera indica leaf stalk fibres were used as reinforcement along with saw dust as bio-filler material. Unsaturated isophthalic polyester resin was used as the matrix. The fibres were treated with 6 % vol. NaOH and neutralized with 3 % vol. of dilute HCl. Treatment of sawdust fillers was done by using 2% vol. NaOH solution. Hand layup method and compression moulding technique was used to fabricate the composite laminates. Specimens for evaluating the mechanical properties were prepared by using water jet machining. The results indicated an increase in tensile, flexural and impact strength of composites with addition of sawdust upto 3%. Further addition of the bio-filler resulted in decrease of mechanical properties

Biocontrol Potential of Endophytic Actinobacteria against <i>Fusarium solani</i>, the Causal Agent of Sudden Decline Syndrome on Date Palm in the UAE

Thirty-one endophytic streptomycete and non-streptomycete actinobacteria were isolated from healthy date palm root tissues. In vitro screening revealed that the antifungal action of isolate #16 was associated with the production of cell-wall degrading enzymes, whereas with diffusible antifungal metabolites in isolate #28, albeit their production of volatile antifungal compounds. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, isolates #16 and #28 were identified as Streptomyces polychromogenes UAE2 (Sp; GenBank Accession #: OK560620) and Streptomyces coeruleoprunus UAE1 (Sc; OK560621), respectively. The two antagonists were recovered from root tissues until 12 weeks after inoculation, efficiently colonized root cortex and xylem vessels, indicating that the date palm roots are a suitable habitat for these endophytic isolates. At the end of the greenhouse experiments, the development of sudden decline syndrome (SDS) was markedly suppressed by 53% with the application of Sp and 86% with Sc, confirming their potential in disease management. Results showed that the estimated disease severity indices in diseased seedlings were significantly (p Sp or Sc, respectively. In addition, conidial numbers of the pathogen significantly (p Sp and Sc, respectively, compared to infected seedlings with F. solani (control). Thus, the suppression of disease symptoms was superior in seedlings pre-inoculated with S. coeruleoprunus, indicating that the diffusible antifungal metabolites were responsible for F. solani retardation in these plants. This is the first report of actinobacteria naturally existing in date palm tissues acting as microbial antagonists against SDS on date palm