Taxonomic Revision of Fern (Pteris L.) in Peninsular Malaysia

A taxonomic revision of Pteris in Peninsular Malaysia was carried out from January 2006 to July 2007. Fifteen species of Pteris has been examined. This study was conducted to document all available taxa of Pteris, to investigate possible wrongly named or unnamed species of Pteris, and develop a dichotomous key from morphological, anatomical and spore ultrastructure characteristics. Materials for this study were obtained from both the field and herbarium collection. Pteris specimens deposited in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKMB), Universiti Malaya (KLU), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (KEP), and Singapore Herbarium (SING) were identified and annotated for the morphological studies. Fern specimens were also collected from several states in Peninsular Malaysia such including N.Sembilan, Perak, and Johor for the anatomical studies using light microscope to observe the shape of vascular bundle. Spore of Pteris was examined using scanning electron microscope to obtain the surface ornamentation. From this study, P. multifida Poir. was recorded as new record to Peninsular Malaysia, and two species were reported as rare and the rest of the species were common in Peninsular Malaysia. Pteris grows terrestrially in more or less shaded locations, open places and on all type of soils. Pteris also grow on old buildings such as P. vittata and in rock-crevices such as P. multifida. Morphological studies including frond architectures and study of anatomy stipe were conducted, as they are taxonomically significant for deliminating species within Pteris. Four types of frond architectures were observed. There are simple pinnate, bipinnate, bipinnatifid and tripinatifid. Mainly two types of venation were encountered within the genus Pteris in Peninsular Malaysia. The two types of veins are free veins and simple anastomosing. The stipe anatomy reveals that Pteris has hipposcampus-shaped bundle in the stele. Sori of Pteris produced at the back side of the lamina and elongated along the margins of the pinnae, but not quite reaching the base of apex and covering by false indusium. The shape of the spores of the Pteris was recognized as the triangular type which could be seen both in the light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The spores of the genus Pteris can be segregated into five different groups based on the variations in the surface structure of the spore. The surface structure of the spore of the Pteris was baculate, costate, verrucate, rugulate, and tuberculate

The effect of different growing medium combination on growth and yield of Boesenbergia rotunda

Boesenbergia rotunda or Temu kunci is a herb belonging to the Zingiberaceae family and wildly cultivated in Malaysia by rhizome. Temu kunci rhizome is commonly used in traditional medicines to cure stomach aches, promote appetite and gout. Due to its potential to be developed as one of Malaysia’s herbal products, information on their agronomic requirements is needed. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the different combination of the growing medium on B. rotunda growth and yield. Topsoil, peat moss, sand and chicken manure with four different ratios have been used as a planting medium. The potted plant was arranged in a randomised, complete block design with five replicates. The growth parameter was measured during harvesting time. The results showed that there was no significant difference in plant height, number of leaves, tiller number, fresh and dry shoot weight and fresh and dry root and rhizome weight in all treatments. It can be argued that this is because B. rotunda can be grown in different kinds of planting medium. Based on this study, it was suggested that topsoil be used for Temu Kunci planting, since it is easily obtained and requires less money

Early growth and plant performance of molineria colla species grown under different shade levels and media compositions

Molineria or locally known as lemba is a wild herbaceaous plant that is found abundantly in the shade areas and under rubber plantations. Main interest on this plant lies on the curculin, the sweet protein that is contained in its fruits which is known to have antidiabetic properties and is a good source of alternative sweetener. The importance of curculin found in the fruit has been discussed but cultivation of lemba was never reported. A study was carried out with the aim of obtaining the optimum growing conditions of Molineria species in nurseries, in relation to different media ratio and light requirement. The specific objectives of this study were to obtain the optimum media composition and shade requirement for M. latifolia and M. rubriclavata grown under nursery condition. Analysis were based on the selected growth parameters such ass plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. Plants were grown under two shade structures providing 50% and 70%. The treatment combinations of two species and 10 soil mixtures were randomly assigned in a split plot design with four blocks in each shade structure. The media and species were the main and sub plots respectively. The experimental units were the potted plants, which were arranged in a square pattern of 15cm x 15cm. The potted plants were placed on the floor of black plastic sheets in each shade structure. Plants were harvested 16 weeks after planting (WAP). Data collected were plant height and fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots. Data were analysed using SAS version 9.2 package, and the mean separations was determined by the Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at ρ = 0.05.Result show that the best shade level for both varieties was 70%. It is concluded that the best media for maintaining Molineria species under nursery condition was 1:3:1(top soil:peat grow:sand) combination for M. latifolia var. megacarpa and 2:3:1 for M. rubriclavata

Leaf anatomy and micromorphology of selected plant species in coastal area of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Plant anatomy can play vital role in plant taxonomy for successfully resolve taxonomic problems among different plant species. The anatomical studies of plant species living in coastal area of Kuantan, Pahang are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the common, variation and diagnostic characteristics of leaf anatomy and micromorphology of selected plant species collected from Balok and Sepat beach area which can give additional information for identification of species. Four species studied namely Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Hibiscus tiliaceus L. and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl. Methods used were sectioning using sliding microtome, epidermal peeling and leaf micromorphology method using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The findings from this study showed that only three characteristics are similar among them which include the presence of collenchyma, sclerenchyma and mucilage cells or canals in either petiole or midrib of the leaves. Meanwhile, there are eight differences were observed which are types of stomata and trichomes, pattern of anticlinal wall and vascular bundles, type of epicuticular wax structures, cuticle ornamentations, size of epidermal cells and the presence of cell inclusions. The diagnostic characteristics identified in this study are closed-system of vascular bundle, presence of multicellular capitate glandular, 2-4 armed trichomes and 5-8 armed stellate trichomes and also flakes type of wax layers that can only be found in H. tiliaceus while 1:1 ratio size of epidermal cells can only be found in I. pes-caprae. The study reveals that leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics could be beneficial as an additional data for identification of species along the coastal area of Kuantan, Pahang

Figs (Ficus Carica L.): cultivation method and production based in Malaysia

Ficus (Moraceae) is a tree or shrub natively originated from East Asia countries such as Middle East and Turkey. However, determination of the most suitable cultivation method in Malaysia has becoming one of the major concerns in figs industry. This is because figs can be easily found in cold and temperate regions compared to the equator regions. Therefore, this paper will discuss on the method of figs cultivation and its production based on the market demands in Malaysia. Simple propagation methods such as cutting, and layering are the most recommended method used for cultivating the fig trees. As for the production, figs are mainly processed as food such as jam, tea, dipping sauce, spaghetti sauce and dried processed food or available fresh. It is also used in traditional medicine as it is claimed to be good remedies in treating severe health problem such reducing blood sugar level and gastrointestinal problem

Taxonomic importance of anticlinal walls and stomata patterning in some Melastoma l. Species from Fraser Hill

The epidermal characteristics of five selected Melastoma L. species in Fraser Hill, Pahang that belongs to Melastomataceae family had been investigated. These five species namely M. muticum Ridl., M. decemfidum Roxb., M. perakense Ridl., M. sanguineum x malabathricum and M. malabathricum var. normale. The objective of this study is to determine whether epidermal characteristics in Melastoma could be taxonomic value in systematic and diagnostic investigations. Methods of the investigation involved epidermal peel and scanning electron microscopy. Results obtained revealed that the presence of hypostomatic stomata and guard cells pairs were elliptic in shaped for all species studied. Apart, the pattern of anticlinal walls on adaxial and abaxial surfaces was straight to wavy for all species studied except for wavy to sinuous anticlinal walls on abaxial surface of M. sanguineum x malabathricum. Furthermore, two types of stomata were observed among species studied such as anomocytic and diacytic stomata. Results showed that diacytic type was only present in M. sanguineum x malabathricum therefore could be a criterion to diagnose the species. Lastly, this present study was also reported on the presence of two types of guard cell pairs such as raised or slightly raised and sunken guard cell pairs. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the anticlinal walls and stomata patterning possess as taxonomic importance in identification and classification of Melastoma either at genus or species level

Leaf anatomy and micromorphology of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz (Acanthaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Acanthaceae family has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes especially amongst the native communities in Peninsular Malaysia. It is also known as one of the potential plant families that can be used to cure diseases. Nowadays, many taxonomists have difficulties during the identification of the Acanthaceae species due to its morphological similarities and also when there is an incomplete part of plants obtained from the field sampling. But until now, there is no comprehensive study that has been documented especially on the Acanthaceae family, specifically for R. nasutus. To avoid incorrect species identification, a systematic study that involved the leaf anatomy and micromorphology parts are being used for the identification and classification of plants in the Acanthaceae. Therefore, the main objective of this present study is to identify the leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics that can be used in plant identification and also for supportive data in plant classification. The leaf anatomical and micromorphological studies that are conducted on R. nasutus involve several procedures such as cross-section using a sliding microtome, and observation under a light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The anatomical and micromorphological characteristics observed include patterns of petiole and midrib vascular bundles, presence of cystolith cells in lamina, midrib and petiole, type of stomata (amphistomatic) and the presence of trichomes. In conclusion, results showed that anatomical and micromorphological characteristics have taxonomic significance that can be used in the identification and classification especially at the species level

Effects of different chicken manure rates of on early growth of fig (Ficus Carica)

Fertilizing by using chicken manure as an organic amendment is a complementary to improve chemical fertilizer efficiency. This study was conducted in Glasshouse & Nursery Complex of IIUM with the objectives of evaluating different rates of chicken manure application on soil properties, leaf nutrients and the growth response of fig trees for early growth effects. The soils were amended with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 50% of chicken manure on three months old saplings of cultivar BTM6 in five replications were used to observe the effects. The experiment was observed for three months. The nutrient content in T1 and treated soil showed a significant difference at p < 0.05. The T5 had the highest content of nutrients compared to other treatments. However, the leaf nutrient contents did not show any significant difference among all treatments. Survivability of the trees were 100% with T2 showed a superlative growth response with the high number of branches, leaves and fruit

Shoot and root formation on corms and rhizomes of Curculigo latifolia Dryand

The vegetative propagation for Curculigo latifolia Dryand (lemba) using rhizomes and corms is reported here for the first time. This is done to overcome difficulties in using seed because lemba seeds have low and slow germination rate. The objectives of this study were to obtain suitable planting material for C. latifolia cultivation, to induce shoot and root development on rhizomes and corms using Indole-Butyric Acid (IBA), and to describe shoot and root formation on rhizomes. Rhizome and corm samples of lemba were collected and then treated with 100 mgl-1, 75 mgl-1, 50 mg l-1, 25 mgl-1 and 0 mgl-1 (control) IBA. The vegetative organs were then sown in germination media with composition of top soil, sand and peat at 3:2:1 ratio and maintained under 70% shade. It was found that that 25 mgl-1 of IBA was the most suitable concentration for shoot and root induction from rhizomes and corms of lemba, and rhizomes was found to be the best propagules for vegetative propagation of lemba. Two types of vascular bundles were observed in the nodal regions, which were the collateral and amphivasal types are typical of the monocots. The shoot primordia arose from the meristematic region underneath the epidermis of the cortex region, while the adventitious root primordial developed from the pericycle cells underneath the endodermis layer

Screening rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for resistance against drought

Drought is regarded as one of the limiting factors in rice production nationally and globally. The present study was conducted to study morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of rice genotypes to drought stress, to identify potential traits for use as a selection criterion in breeding drought-tolerant rice at seedling stage and finally to identify rice genotype resistant to drought stress for use as parents in future breeding. The experimental design used was a split-plot design with three replications, with drought stress as the main plot and rice genotypes as the sub-plot. The main plots consisted of control (normal irrigation) and drought stress. The sub-plots consisted of twelve rice genotypes namely Apami (V1), Boewani (V2), Basmati 370 (V3), Cica-4 (V4), Dular (V5), Jarom mas (V6), Kalarata (V7), Biris (V8), Haiboq (V9), Moroberekan (V10), MR 297 (V11) and Aerob 1 (V12). Results showed that drought stress led to a decrease in plant height, leaves size, root length, total dry weight, and number of leaves but an increment in proline content. The genotype Apami and Kalarata were found to accumulate higher proline content indicating potential resistant ability towards drought stress. Dular and Aerob1, along with tolerant control genotype, Moroberekan, on the other hand, recorded a lower SES score. Leave size, root length, and plant height could also be used as a selection criterion in breeding drought-tolerant rice due to high values of broad-sense heritability and genetic advance by percentage of mean (GAM). Nevertheless, further study on the genetics and physiological basis of tolerant ability at reproductive growth stages are necessary in order to assess grain yield potential of the potentially tolerant genotype reported in this study