The Incorporation of Chromium in Rice Straw Fermented with Ganoderma lucidum

The research was designed to evaluate chromium incorporation by Ganoderma lucidum in rice straw substrate supplemented with chromium chloride. Treatments were combination of Cr level (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 25000, and 3000 ppm) and fermentation time (0, 2, 3, and 4 wk). The treatments were arranged in a factorial 7 x 4 and allocated in completely randomized design with three replications.  G. lucidum was grown in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium for 10 days and was inoculated to the substrate which have been sterilized and mixed with CrCl3.6H2O. The moisture of substrate was maintained at 70%. Fiber and protein components of growth media of G. lucidum was determined and analyzed for their Cr content. The finding result showed that addition of Cr up to 3000 ppm into the substrate stimulated the G. lucidum growth.  Chromium was incorporated into the fiber and protein components of the growth substrate of G. lucidum during fermentation. Incorporation of Cr into the protein of substrate containing3000 ppm Cr  was highest when fermented for 4 wk.  Protein component of substrate contained 9.29% Cr while in NDF and ADF was 27.20% and 10.55% Cr, respectively. It is concluded that Cr was incorporated into the G. lucidum cells during fermentation.

Nematicidal activity of plant extracts against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Nematicidal activity of extracts from plants was assayed against Meloidogyne incognita. In laboratory assays extracts from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L), betelvine (Piper betle L), and sweet flag (Acorus calamus L) were most effective in killing the nematode, with an EC50 that was 5-10 times lower than the EC50 of the synthetic pesticides chlorpyrifos, carbosulfan and deltamethrin. The shapes of the dead nematodes differed in a characteristic way, and groups of pesticides and plant extracts could clearly be distinguished based on this phenomenon, which may be an indicator for the modes of action of the tested pesticides. In a greenhouse bioassay clove bud and betelvine were tested as mulch. Experiments revealed that the total number of live nematodes on roots of pepper plants treated with mulch of the clove bud was 7% of that of the controls and did not differ significantly from that of plants treated with the recommended synthetic pesticide carbofuran. The application of clove buds as a botanical pesticide for future use against nematodes is highly promising since clove is the 6th major plant grown on Bangka Island, and the market value of clove has decreased sharply over the last year

A case study in Bangka Island, Indonesia on the utilization of pesticides in black pepper plantations

Habits and consequences of pesticide use in pepper plantations were studied in Indonesia. The first study was conducted by questioning 117 farmers about their habits in pesticide use and determining pesticide residues on pepper berries on Bangka Island. Meanwhile, the second study was completed by analyzing exposure levels of pesticide in farmers' bodies before and after pesticide application to pepper plantations at Sukamulya, West Java. Risks of pesticide exposure to below ground terrestrial invertebrates and aquatic ecosystems adjacent to the treated fields were evaluated using scenarios and a decision support system. Results showed that five respondents (4.3%) were agricultural workers without their own plantations and the others were plantation owners. About 112 respondents (95.7%) used pesticides regularly, while 21 respondents (17.9%) had experienced pesticide poisoning. About 54 respondents (46.2%) tended to apply the same pesticide on all occasions, and 104 respondents (88.9%) indicated to always apply a single compound. About 91 respondents (77.8%) were not aware of the possible impact of pesticides on their health, and 102 respondents (87.2%) were not aware of the possible effects on the environment. In addition while spraying pesticides 17 respondents (14.5%) were smoking, 81 respondents (69.2%) were wearing daily clothes, and 84 respondents (71.8%) were throwing empty bottles into the forest. Exposure study revealed that the residues in the urine and blood increased 6.5-10 and 1.1-1.5 folds, respectively indicating actual and direct exposures. The environmental risk assessment indicated low risks for the terrestrial below ground invertebrates but high potential risks for the aquatic ecosystem. The residues of the major pesticides were below the maximum residue limits. This study indicated that the farmers and their workers, and probably also the environment, were at risk of high exposure to the pesticides applied, but that the risks for the consumers were negligible, if present at all