Nutritional value of Pleurotus (Flabellatus) Djamor (R-22) cultivated on sawdusts of different woods

The sawdust of different woods were investigat ed for the cultivation of exotic strain of Pleurotus (flabellatus) djamor (R-22) to find out the efficiency of different nutrients including protein, fat, crude fiber, ash, dry matter and moisture. Among all type of nutrients, protein, fat, cr ude fiber, ash, dry matter and moisture of Pleurotus ostreatus on sawdust of different woods were observed. Protein was observed on cont rol treatment (cotton waste, kikar, mango, mixed sawdust, simbal and kail (21.89), (21.64), (21.34), (21.16), (21.03) and (20.75) % respectively. Fat was observed on control treatment (cotton waste, kikar, mango, mi xed sawdust, simbal and kail (0.80), (0.53), (0 .41), (0.33), (0.24) and (0.11)% respectively. Crude fiber was observed on control treatment (cotton waste, kikar, mango, mixed sawdust, simbal and kail (8.92), (8.45), (8.17), (7.96), (7.70) and (7.32) % respectively. Ash was observ ed on control treatment (cotton waste, kikar, mango, mixed sawdust, simbal and kail (7.65), (6.75), (6 .47), (6.39), (6.33) and (6.23%) respectively. Dry matter was observed on control treatment (cotton waste, kikar, mango, mixed sawdust, simbal and kail (6.47), (6.27), (6.13), (6.01), (5.87) and (5.67) % respectively. Moisture was observed on control treatment (c otton waste, kikar, mango, mixed sawdust, simbal and kail (84.55), (81.20), (79.85), (76.26), (74.35) and (71.14) % respectively. Oyster mushroom showed relatively more contents on control treatment cotton waste as compared to other substrates. The maximum protein, fat, crude fiber, ash, dry matter and moisture contents in Pleurotus (flabellatus) djamor (R-22) was obtained on Kikar sawdust .The lowest contents was obtained on kail sawdust

Two Entomophagous Isolated From Sumatera Utara; Potential as Biocontrol Agent Againts Nematode

Two species of nematophagous fungi has been isolated from Sumatera Utara soil, with an aim of harnessing their potential in the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes or animal parasitic nematodes in Indonesia, especially in Sumatera Utara. Soil samples were collected from tobacco plantations, vegetable fields and ornamental plantings in the Berastagi area, and also from livestock in local farms and a dairy farm in Berastagi Area, Karo Regency. Soil also collected from un-cultivated area in Sibolangit National Park, Karo Regency. The pour method described by Larsen et al., (1988) and the sprinkle method described by Jafee et al., (1996) were used to isolate the nematophagous fungi from soil. In this study the Chloramphenicol Water Agar Media has been used as culture media and Ceanorhabditis elegans has been used as bait. Two nematophagous fungi known as insect pathogens (entomophagous) have been isolated and determined as Lecanicillium lecanii and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus

Comparative growth and efficacy of Trinidadian strains of Isaria fumosorosea blastospores for controlling Trialeurodes vaporariorum on bean plants

The comparative growth and efficacy of three strains of Trinidadian Isaria fumosorosea Wize (T, T10 and T11) blastospores were assessed as spray suspensions for controlling greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood. Percent germination of all the three strains were unaffected by the surfactants Triton X -100 or Tween 80 compared to the control (water). Radial growth of fungal strain T11 was faster than either T or T10 which were similar in their growth patterns. Virulence of blastospores of three strains were tested against pharate adult greenhouse whiteflies on bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The corrected mortality of whitefly for strains T, T10 and T11 was 56, 68 and 98% at 107 blastospores mL-1 and the median lethal concentration observed was 2.1 x 107, 1.3 x 107 and 2.5 x 106 blastospores mL-1, respectively. Strain T11 was the most virulent (range: 97-98% mortality) and had the lowest LC50 (range: 1.1-2.5 x 106 viable blastospores mL-1) value of the Trinidadian blastospore treatments tested against greenhouse whitefly on P. vulgaris

Toxicity induced by Solanapyrone A in Chickpea shoots and its metabolism through Glutathione/Glutathione-S-Transferase system

Solanapyrone A and C were isolated from a Pakistani isolate of Ascochyta rabiei, Pk-1. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the phytotoxic effects of the most potent toxin, solanapyrone A on chickpea cultivars and its subsequent detoxification through glutathion/glutathion-s-transferase(GST) system. When the shoots of cultivars were fed solanapyrone A, symptoms mimicking to Ascochyta blight appeared and extent of manifestation of symptoms varied with the cultivar. In the first experiment, the effect of three different plant ages of 2 cultivars with different levels of resistance to toxin was determined in terms of GST activity unit. GST activity in Balkasar-2000 (a resistant cultivar) increased 1.92 times, 1.72 and 1.65 times in two-week-old seedling, eight-week-old and adult plants (all treated) respectively as compared to their respective controls. In the highly susceptible cultivar, AUG-424, a slight increase (1.14 times) over control was noticed in GST activity at all the three ages. In the second experiment, where shoots of three cultivars were tested against 2 doses of the toxin, an increase in GST activity in Noor-91 (a moderately susceptible cultivar) and AUG-424 was significantly less than resistant cultivar, Balkasar-2000 showing direct relationship between resistance and activity of the enzyme. It may be concluded that it is a reason for difference in response of cultivars to the disease

Antimicrobial activity of potato Rhizospheric Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens from Sétif Algeria

Aims: This study was assessed to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity in vitro of an identified fluorescent Pseudomonas strain characterized for its capacity to produce phenazine compounds. Methodology: First Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp aureofaciens was inoculated on Nutrient Broth supplemented with Yeast Extract (NBY) and with glucose at a final concentration of 2%, after incubation the filtered culture was acidified with HCl to pH 2. The solution was extracted twice with the same volume of ethyl-acetate. The organic supernatants were combined, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness. The crude extract was resuspended in methanol and tested for antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was determined (i) by disc diffusion technique for bacteria and (ii) using serial dilution technique in soft PDA for fungi. Secondly the antifungal activity of the bacterial strain was tested against several phytopathogenic fungi in dual culture. Results: The studied strain has an important activity against the phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi tested. Among the tested fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis is the most sensitive to the actions of this Pseudomonas, where the inhibition rate reached 77.78%. The less sensitive one was Pythium ultimum with a rate of 55.56%. While for pathogenic bacteria only Salmonella enteridis was sensitive to the tested strain. Conclusion: Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp aureofaciens showed appreciable antagonistic activity, in vitro, against special forms of Fusarium oxysporum and the tested phytopathogenic bacteria

Two Entomophagous Isolated From Sumatera Utara; Potential As Biocontrol Agent Againts Nematode

Two species of nematophagous fungi has been isolated from Sumatera Utara soil, with an aim of harnessing their potential in the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes or animal parasitic nematodes in Indonesia, especially in Sumatera Utara. Soil samples were collected from tobacco plantations, vegetable fields and ornamental plantings in the Berastagi area, and also from livestock in local farms and a dairy farm in Berastagi Area, Karo Regency. Soil also collected from un-cultivated area in Sibolangit National Park, Karo Regency. The pour method described by Larsen (1998) and the sprinkle method described by Jafee et al. (1996) were used to isolate the nematophagous fungi from soil. In this study the Chloramphenicol Water Agar Media has been used as culture media and Ceanorhabditis elegans has been used as bait. Two nematophagous fungi known as insect pathogens (entomophagous) have been isolated and determined as Lecanicillium lecanii and Paecilomyces fumosoroseu

Bacteriocins contributing in Rhizospheric competition among Fluorescent Pseudomonads

Aims: To examine the production of bacteriocins through the study of a group of rhizospheric Pseudomonas isolates already known to produce metabolites that are antagonistic to fungi. Methodology: Fourteen rhizospheric strains of fluorescent Pseudomonads spp., were tested as well as two referenced strains Pseudomonas protogens CHA0 and Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84, for their ability to produce induced bacteriocins. The induction is carried out first by UV light, and secondly by mitomycin C. Results: In addition to the reference strains, six isolates were found to produce bactericidal substances after UV light induction against Pseudomonas target bacteria but also against other genera (Escherichia and Staphylococcus). Producing strains were treated with mitomycin C, and then lysed with chloroform. Analysis of the lysates by trypsin and freezing treatments, suggests that the active compounds are of high molecular weight. Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that these bacteria could be good competitors for their introduction as biocontrol agents

A light-activated antimicrobial surface is active against bacterial, viral and fungal organisms

Evidence has shown that environmental surfaces play an important role in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Deploying antimicrobial surfaces in hospital wards could reduce the role environmental surfaces play as reservoirs for pathogens. Herein we show a significant reduction in viable counts of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and MS2 Bacteriophage after light treatment of a medical grade silicone incorporating crystal violet, methylene blue and 2 nm gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, a migration assay demonstrated that in the presence of light, growth of the fungus-like organism Pythium ultimum and the filamentous fungus Botrytis cinerea was inhibited. Atomic Force Microscopy showed significant alterations to the surface of S. epidermidis, and electron microscopy showed cellular aggregates connected by discrete surface linkages. We have therefore demonstrated that the embedded surface has a broad antimicrobial activity under white light and that the surface treatment causes bacterial envelope damage and cell aggregation

Influence of Quince rootstocks on Entomosporium Leaf Spot (Entomosporium mespili) susceptibility in European Pear cv. Abate Fetel

Entomosporium leaf spot (ELS) is caused by the fungus Fabraea maculata (anamorph: Entomosporium mespili) and affects most pear cultivars and quince rootstocks in Brazil. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of Adams, EMA and EMC quince rootstocks on ELS in European pear cultivar “Abate Fetel” in Southern Brazil, during the 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 growing season. The incidence and severity of disease was quantified weekly in 100 randomly leaves distributed in four medium-height branches per plant with eight replications. Disease progress curves of ELS were constructed and the epidemics compared according to: (1) the beginning of symptoms appearance (BSA); (2) the time to reach the maximum disease incidence and severity (TRMDI and TRMDS); (3) area under the incidence and severity disease progress curve (AUIDPC and AUSDPC). The data were analyzed by linear regression and adjusted for three empirical models: Logistic, Monomolecular and Gompertz. The Abate Fetel cultivar under all rootstocks evaluated was susceptible to E. mespili. However, there were significant differences in ELS intensity among rootstocks evaluated. The highest ELS intensities were observed in combinations with EMA and Adams quince rootstock. Abate Fetel cultivar grafted on EMC quince rootstock showed all epidemiological variables results significantly different when compared with EMA quince rootstock. EMC quince rootstock induced late resistance compared with the other considerated rootstocks. The Logistic model was the most appropriates to describe the ELS progress of Abate Fetel cultivar under all rootstocks evaluated in the edafoclimatic conditions of Southern Brazil, during the 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 growing season

TAMSAT-ALERT v1: a new framework for agricultural decision support

Early warning of weather-related hazards enables farmers, policy makers and aid agencies to mitigate their exposure to risk. We present a new operational framework, Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite data and ground based measurements-AgricuLtural EaRly warning sysTem (TAMSAT-ALERT), which aims to provide early warning for meteorological risk to agriculture. TAMSAT-ALERT combines information on land-surface properties, seasonal forecasts and historical weather to quantitatively assess the likelihood of adverse weather-related outcomes, such as low yield. This article describes the modular TAMSAT-ALERT framework and demonstrates its application to risk assessment for low maize yield in northern Ghana (Tamale). The modular design of TAMSAT-ALERT enables it to accommodate any impact or land-surface model driven with meteorological data. The implementation described here uses the well-established General Large Area Model (GLAM) for annual crops to provide probabilistic assessments of the meteorological hazard for maize yield in northern Ghana (Tamale) throughout the growing season. The results show that climatic risk to yield is poorly constrained in the beginning of the season, but as the season progresses, the uncertainty is rapidly reduced. Based on the assessment for the period 2002–2011, we show that TAMSAT-ALERT can estimate the meteorological risk on maize yield 6 to 8 weeks in advance of harvest. The TAMSAT-ALERT methodology implicitly weights forecast and observational inputs according to their relevance to the metric being assessed. A secondary application of TAMSAT-ALERT is thus an evaluation of the usefulness of meteorological forecast products for impact assessment. Here, we show that in northern Ghana (Tamale), the tercile seasonal forecasts of seasonal cumulative rainfall and mean temperature, which are routinely issued to farmers, are of limited value because regional and seasonal temperature and rainfall are poorly correlated with yield. This finding speaks to the pressing need for meteorological forecast products that are tailored for individual user applications