Earthworm Urine Used as Foliar Spray on Amaranthus hybridus (Green amaranth) Boosts Growth and Stimulates Stomata Opening

The advent of spray drones for agrochemical applications calls for continuous exploration of potentially affordable and sustainable liquid biofertilizers. Thus, we evaluated the effects of earthworm urine foliar spray on the growth performance (height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth) and stomata opening of Amaranthus hybridus (Green amaranth). Earthworm urine was obtained by placing 500 g of Libyodrilus violaceus in one litre of earthworm saline, for one hour. Amaranthus hybridus seeds were planted into 90 pots, divided into three treatment groups of 30 pots each. Upon germination, the first group was sprayed with earthworm urine, the second and third groups with saline water and ordinary water, respectively. Earthworm urine significantly (p < 0.05) increased all the measured growth parameters, and stimulated the opening of stomata, relative to saline water and ordinary water. This result is a strong indication that earthworm urine contains hormones that boost plant growth, and is potentially suitable for use as a liquid biofertilizer, for increased production of Amaranthus hybridus and related vegetables

In vitro antimicrobial appraisal of the potentials of Morinda lucida against some selected bacteria

The bioactive compounds from plant extract represent a potent alternative to combating the increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to synthetic drugs. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical, and antibacterial activities of Morinda lucida. Leaves of M. lucida was extracted successively using n-hexane, acetone, methanol and distilled water. The crude plant extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against pathogens found in food and other sources such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp. using the agar well diffusion technique. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was carried out using the microbroth dilution technique. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids and sterols in all extracts. Flavonoid was only present in the n-Hexane extract. The result showed that n-Hexane extract had the widest zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa - 13.67 mm (12.5 mg/mL MIC), B. subtilis - 15 mm (12.5 mg/mL MIC), while acetone extract was most active against S. enterica ser. Typhi - 24.67 mm (6.25 mg/mL MIC), S. aureus - 24.83 mm (3.13 mg/mL MIC), E. coli - 13.33 mm (1.56 mg/mL MIC) and Klebsiella spp. - 18.33 mm (12.5 mg/mL MIC). These findings indicated that n-Hexane and acetone extract of M. lucida exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. Therefore, further research should be carried out to isolate the bioactive compounds with potentials in developing new drug leads against drug-resistant microbial strains