Nitrogen Fixation And Vegetative Growth Of Immature Oil Palm Inoculated With Bacillus Sphaericus (Strain Upmb-10)

Inorganic-N fertilizer is the most widely used input in agriculture and it is a major factor that limits crop growth and yield. However, excessive use of inorganic nitrogenous fertilizer could lead to hazardous effect to the agro-environment. Besides that, it would also increase total production cost of the agricultural sector especially in the oil palm industry, the largest income generator to Malaysian agricultural economy. Rapid losses of fertilizer-N through leaching would further increase the cost on oil palm production and make the sector less profitable. In recent times, there is an increased attention to biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) as an alternative or supplement to nitrogenous fertilizers through application of associative N2-fixing rhizobacteria which could be applied to oil palm. These beneficial plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to be efficient in fixing atmospheric nitrogen and stimulating growth of leguminous and non- leguminous crops. Thus, it could be used as a biofertilizer and bioenhancer for most crops. However, there has been no report on the beneficial effect of PGPR on early growth of young oil palms under field conditions. A field trial using 15N isotope was conducted to estimate the N2 fixing capacity of a single strain N2-fixing rhizobacterium, Bacillus sphaericus UPMB-10, and assess its effects on early growth of young oil palms. Results from a 240-day (D240) field experiment indicated that the Bacillus sphaericus rhizobacterial strain UPMB-10 is a potential biofertilizer for oil palm seedlings with a N2 fixing capacity of 63% Ndfa (N derived from atmosphere) (78 g N2 fixed palm-1) of the total N requirement of young oil palms (equivalent to 12 kg N ha-1 at 148 palms ha-1) over 8 months. B. sphaericus UPMB-10 inoculation stimulated higher N content (125 g palm-1) as compared to the uninoculated control (90 g palm-1) and also promoted a total dry matter accumulation of 11 kg palm-1 in comparison to the control, 8 kg palm-1. Present study also showed significant differences in two of the four physical parameters (leaflet numbers, rachis lengths, cross-sections of petioles and leaf area) of vegetative growth of young oil palm inoculated with strain UPMB-10 at D120. B. sphaericus UPMB-10 inoculation stimulated leaflet numbers and leaf area at 123.4 ± 2.5 and 1.57 ± 0.05 m2, respectively, as compared to Uninoculated + 2/3Ni palms at 115.6 ± 2.2 and 1.43 ± 0.05 m2, respectively, at D120. However, no significant response was observed at D240. Thus, the study showed that the significant total N2 fixed does not correlate significantly with physical parameters at the later stage (D240) of vegetative growth. This phenomenon is caused by unstable development of immature oil palm under field planting. This was also true for dry matter and Total-N yield analyses at D240 which were not statistically significant although they showed incremental trends. The frond (leaflets plus rachis) of the young oil palm is the most likely vegetative component to be adopted as representative of the whole palm for future N2 fixation studies based on the % Ndfa values of the frond (70%) and whole palm (63%) which did not deviate significantly. This new approach will make such field studies more cost effective and time saving. B. sphaericus UPMB-10 inoculation is more effective in delivering N to the immature palms than nitrogenous fertilizer. The reduction (63%) in inorganic-N fertilizer rates due to the incorporation of the inoculum and the resultant N2 fixation could subsequently reduce the cost of nitrogenous fertilizer. The above findings provided evidence that locally isolated B. sphaericus UPMB-10 has the potential to effectively supplement inorganic-N fertilizer for sustainable cultivation of young oil palm

16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria associated with pepper(Piper nigrum L.)

Fourteen indigenous rhizobacterial isolates from pepper (Piper nigrum L.) rhizosphere were successfully identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, namely Acinetobacter radioresistens (UPMLH1), Bacillus spp. (UPMLH8, UPMLH23, UPMLH34 and UPMLH43), Bacillus cereus (UPMLH1, UPMLH13, UPMLH24, UPMLH41 and UPMLH42), Bacillus megaterium (UPMLH3 and UPMLH22), Bacillus subtilis (UPMLH5) and Leclercia sp. (UPMLH2). All the identified strains were successfully positioned in the 16S rRNA based phylogenetic tree at the nucleotide and the amino acid sequence levels. Present study found that the relationship structure of translated amino acid phylogenetic tree was simpler than nucleotide based phylogenetic tree. Both phylogenetic trees contained two phyla, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with the Firmicutes were the largest proportion of the isolates recovered from this study

16S rRNA Phylogenetic Analysis of the Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Associated with Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Fourteen indigenous rhizobacterial isolates from pepper (Piper nigrum L.) rhizosphere were successfully identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, namely Acinetobacter radioresistens (UPMLH1), Bacillus spp. (UPMLH8, UPMLH23, UPMLH34 and UPMLH43), Bacillus cereus (UPMLH1, UPMLH13, UPMLH24, UPMLH41 and UPMLH42), Bacillus megaterium (UPMLH3 and UPMLH22), Bacillus subtilis (UPMLH5) and Leclercia sp. (UPMLH2). All the identified strains were successfully positioned in the 16S rRNA based phylogenetic tree at the nucleotide and the amino acid sequence levels. Present study found that the relationship structure of translated amino acid phylogenetic tree was simpler than nucleotide based phylogenetic tree. Both phylogenetic trees contained two phyla, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with the Firmicutes were the largest proportion of the isolates recovered from this study

Serum biochemical properties and liver morphology of broiler chicken as affected by feeding Misai kucing (Orthosiphon stamineus) as supplement diet

To evaluate the effects of ground leaf of Misai kucing ( Orthosiphon stamineus ) as a dietary supplement on serum biochemical parameters and liver morphology. One hundred and sixty one-day old male broiler chickens (n=160) were distributed into four treatment groups, with five replicates of eight birds in each group: the control group (diet without additives); the group dietary treatments, Diet OS2 (Basal diet + 2g/kg O. stamineus ); Diet OS4 (Basal diet + 4g/kg O. stamineus ) and Diet OS8 (Basal diet + 8g/kg O. stamineus ). After 42 days, 40 birds were randomly selected for serum biochemical profile analysis involving pancreatic, renal, and hepatic functions (urea, sodium, potassium, chlorine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, and globulins). Present study found that serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, AST, ALT and ALP were significantly lower suggesting that the O. stamineus ground leaf possibly do not cause kidney and liver impairment, mainly, at the higher dosage (8g/kg). Present study concluded that the broiler chicken fed O. stamineus ground leaf at a rate 8 g/kg was the most promising dietary supplement to enhance health without deleterious effects on serum biochemical properties and morphological components of liver. In addition, it reduces abdominal fats and serum cholesterol. This study has provide evident that medicinal plant, O. stamineus can potentially substituted the use of additive synthetic

Influence of hempedubumi (Andrographis paniculata) on serum biochemical parameters and liver morphology in broiler chickens

Serum biochemical parameters data was evaluated in broilers fed diets supplemented with hempedu bumi (Andrographis paniculata, AP) ground leaf. Birds (n = 160) were assigned in four treatment groups with five replication and each group contain eight birds. Broilers in the control group were fed the basal diet without additives, the group dietary treatments, Diet AP2 (Basal diet + 2g/kg Andrographis paniculata); Diet AP4 (Basal diet + 4g/kg Andrographis paniculata) and Diet AP8 (Basal diet + 8g/kg Andrographis paniculata). During day-21 and day-42, five birds from each treatment groups were randomly selected for serum biochemical analysis which involve pancreatic, renal, and hepatic functions (aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, urea, sodium, potassium, chlorine, and globulins). Liver morphology was determined after slaughtering two birds and collected the liver samples. Based on these results AP at 8g/kg diet lowered serum cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides. It also maintain the normal structure of liver indicating that no toxic effect from AP supplementation at a rate up to 8 g/kg, it also that AP lowered ALP and ALT in blood of chicken. In conclusion, supplementation of AP at 8g/kg in diet its beneficial effects on health and safe for broiler chicken production

Plant growth-promoting properties of cultivable endophytic root nodule bacterial isolates from Acacia mangium Willd

The present study was conducted to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria isolated from root nodules of Acacia mangium Willd and subsequently tested for plant growth promotion. A total of five bacterial isolates were successfully isolated and subjected to morphological and biochemical examination. The present study found that all isolates had almost similar morphologically but differed in growth rate. All isolates were negative on N-free and IAA tests, though positive on P solubilisation test. The present study demonstrated that the inoculation with isolate FSI3 had significantly improved (p<0.05) root and shoot dry weight of winged bean seedlings as compared to uninoculated control. However, the inoculation did not significantly alter (p>0.05) root and shoot length of winged bean seedlings. The present study suggests that the stimulatory effect by isolate FSI3 may be associated with P-solubilizing ability. A further test on isolate FSI3 is considered essential in future to uncover the several other possible plant growth-promoting mechanisms.Â

Isolation of citric acid-producing Aspergillus niger from soil and organic wastes

Introduction of new Aspergillus niger strains that are more productive than those currently in use is one of the important steps in promoting more effective commercial citric acid production. The present study was conducted to isolate and characterise indigenous A. niger from selected soil and organic wastes such as soil with buried bamboo, soil with bamboo on the surface, soil under cattle grazing, mango orchard soil, rotting plum fruit and rotting bread. Morphological identification of A. niger was based on the length and width of the conidiophores, vesicles, phialides, and spores. Citric acid-producing Aspergillus isolates were screened based on the citric acid production index. The present study found that the highest fungal spore counts (3.35±0.15 x 107 spores/g sample) were obtained from soil under cattle grazing, as were the highest A. niger counts (7.25±0.05 x 106 spores/g sample). The lowest total fungal counts came from rotting plum fruit (4.70±0.10 x 105 spores/g sample). A total of 14 isolates were collected, with five (NSA03, NSA06, NSA09, NSA12, and NSA14) showing morphological similarities with the reference isolate, A. niger Tiegh. All isolates were able to produce citric acid, but with varying efficiencies according to their citric acid production indices. The soil under cattle grazing area found to be the best site for sampling and isolation for citric acid-producing A. niger by using Czapek-Dox as a medium of isolation

Antibacterial potential of methanolic and hexanic extracts of mud lobster (Thalassina anomala) from Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Present study demonstrated the antibacterial potential of three different body parts, abdomen, carapace and cheliped of mud lobster (Thalassina anomala) which were extracted with methanol and hexane. Three test bacteria were used in this study namely Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica. Present study found that in general, methanolic and hexane extracts of different body parts had variable inhibitory responses on different test bacteria with methanolic extract had greater inhibitory response than hexane extract. In methanol extraction, B. cereus significantly had greatest negative impact (p<0.05) on growth after treated with cheliped (21 mm zone of inhibition) extract of mud lobster as compared to carapace (9.2 mm) and abdominal (8.8 mm) extracts of mud lobster. Overall, the growth of S. enterica was much affected with the presence of all methanolic body-part extracts of mud lobster. In hexane extraction, B. cereus growth was not affected with all body-part extracts of mud lobster. However, E. coli and S. enterica were affected with no significantly different (p>0.05) among body-part extracts and between them. Present study concludes that the extracts of mud lobster of all body-part in methanol possess greater inhibitory effect on bacterial growth than extracts in hexane thus the methanolic extract of mud lobster has the potential to be exploited as a natural source of antibacterial agent

Variable responses on early development of shallot (Allium ascalonicum) and mustard (Brassica juncea) plants to Bacillus cereus inoculation

Aim: Auxin, a phytohormone secreted by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria is one of the direct mechanisms vital for plant growth promotion. A laboratory experiment was conducted to observe the effect of IAA-producing and non-IAA-producing diazotroph Bacillus cereus strains on early growth of shallot (Allium ascalonicum) and mustard (Brassica juncea) plants. Methodology and Results: Treatments evaluated were as follows: Control = uninoculated, no inoculation, UPMLH1 = IAA-producing B. cereus UPMLH1, and UPMLH24 = non-IAA-producing B. cereus UPMLH24. Inoculation with IAA-producing B. cereus UPMLH1 significantly increased shallot adventitious roots (root number and length) and shoot growth (19 to 54% increment). Inoculation of non-IAA-producing B. cereus UPMLH24 did not significantly improve growth of adventitious roots of shallot as compared to uninoculated control, except its shoot (up to 40% increase). However, primary roots and shoot growth of mustard plants significantly increased through inoculation with IAA-producing and non-IAA-producing strains (14 to 73% increment). Conclusion, Significance and Impact of Study: The results indicated that exogenous IAA secreted by B. cereus UPMLH1 might have play an important role in inducing roots of shallot bulbs and it may have a variable promotional effect depending on plant species

Wilt disease symptoms in red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) after inoculated with Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Trichoderma is a fungal genus that is widely reported to cause beneficial impacts to crop plants but rarely detriment. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of inoculation of Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain UPMT14 on red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under growth room conditions. A culture of UPMT14 was grown on potato dextrose broth to produce inoculum. This liquid inoculum was injected through the stem of red leaf lettuce seedlings 22 days old with five replications, and then plant growth progress was monitored for vegetative responses. Red leaf lettuce plants began to exhibit foliar symptoms on day 36, such as chlorosis, wilt, and drying out, before total collapsed on day 45 in comparison to untreated control red leaf lettuce plants. In conclusion, the wilting incidence in red leaf lettuce was observed after T. longibrachiatum inoculation. Further studies are needed in future to understand the pathogenesis of T. longibrachiatum