Diversity of root-endophytic Trichoderma from Malaysian Borneo

Trichoderma species form endophytic associations with plant roots and may provide a range of benefits to their hosts. However, few studies have systematically examined the diversity of Trichoderma species associated with plant roots in tropical regions. During the evaluation of Trichoderma isolates for use as biocontrol agents, root samples were collected from more than 58 genera in 35 plant families from a range of habitats in Malaysian Borneo. Trichoderma species were isolated from surface-sterilised roots and identified following analysis of partial translation elongation factor-1α (tef1) sequences. Species present included Trichoderma afroharzianum, Trichoderma asperelloides, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma guizhouense, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma strigosum and Trichoderma virens. Trichoderma asperellum/T. asperelloides, Trichoderma harzianum s.l. and T. virens were the most frequently isolated taxa. tef1 sequence data supported the recognition of undescribed species related to the T. harzianum complex. The results suggest that tropical plants may be a useful source of novel root-associated Trichoderma for biotechnological applications

The economic impact of foot and mouth disease control and eradication in the Philippines.

The authors evaluate the impact of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and control of the disease in the Philippines using cost-benefit analysis. A scenario in which FMD control is maintained at recent levels with continued presence of the disease is compared to scenarios in which a publicly funded programme achieves eradication by 2005 (current policy objective), 2007 and 2010. Under varying assumptions regarding the development of exports of livestock products following eradication, estimated benefit-cost ratios for the investment in eradication range from 1.6 (2010, no exports) to 12.0 (2005, export of 5,000 tons each of low-value and high-value livestock products annually), indicating eradication to be an economically viable investment. The commercial swine sector is estimated to capture 84% of the benefits generated by the public investment in eradication, versus 4% by backyard swine producers. The implications of these results within the context of regional efforts to control FMD in South-East Asia are explored

Bioprotection of Acacia mangium using Trichoderma in Malaysia

In Sarawak, Acacia mangium seedlings were inoculated with 50 different Trichoderma isolates obtained from a wide variety of healthy plants in the Planted Forest Zone. The best Trichoderma isolates were selected after 10 trials at the Samarakan Nursery between August 2008 and August 2009. Trichoderma inoculation increased seed germination and seedling establishment (by up to 36%), seedling height and stem diameter (by an average of 25%) and the proportion of healthy seedlings meeting specifications for planting out into the forest by an average of 41 %), compared with untreated controls. Seedlings that received multiple fungicide sprays (standard nursery practice) generally performed slightly less well than the untreated controls. A new Trichoderma inoculum production facility has been built at Samarakan Nursery and Trichoderma inoculation of seedlings will replace the use of fungicide sprays. The economic benefit from increased productivity is estimated to be NZ $2.5 million per year

The seasonality and economic feasibility of cultivating Kappaphycus alvarezii in Panagatan Cays, Caluya, Antique, Philippines

Vegetative thalli of brown and green Kappaphycus alvarezii were cultivated in Panagatan Cays, Caluya, Antique, Philippines, over 60- and 90-day periods using hanging-long line (HL), fixed off-bottom (FB), and hanging long line–fixed off-bottom (HL–FB) methods to determine the daily growth rate and yield. A completely randomized design experiment with six replicates of 5-m line cultivation rope was used in the study. An economic analysis was prepared to determine the viability of the culture systems used. To determine the effect of strain, culture technique, culture days and culture month on the daily growth rate and yield, a combination of these different factors was treated as a single treatment. Results show that at 60-day culture period, daily growth rate and yield in all techniques were lowest in July–August and highest in January–February. Higher growth rate (2.3–4.2% day−1) and yield (3.6–15.8 fresh weight kg m−1 line−1) were obtained from September to February. Significant differences (P<0.05) in growth rate and yield were determined between culture months. At 90-day culture period, there were no significant differences in growth rate and yield between culture months; however, a significant difference was found between culture techniques. The average production (dry weight kg crop−1) of K. alvarezii when grown at 60-day culture period during lean and peak months using HL, FB and HL–FB techniques ranged from 421 to 3310 kg with HL–FB the highest and FB the lowest. Net income, return on investment (ROI) and payback period were all positive during peak months, but negative values were obtained during lean months. Only seaweed grown on HL technique during the peak months at 90-day culture period showed positive income, ROI and payback period. The seasonality of cultivating K. alvarezii is shown in this present study. This paper further shows the best culture technique to be adopted at certain months of the year to produce the highest yield and income