International Journal of Agricultural Technology

Antidiabetic agents with -glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant capacity from the shoots of Clausena cambodiana Guill

Damsud, T., Chanwun, T. , Kaewpiboon, C. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Separation of CH₂Cl₂ crude extract of the shoots of Clausena cambodiana Guill led to the isolation of four known compounds including quercetin (1), sinensetin (2), clausenidin (3) and b-sitosterol (4). Quercitin exhibited highest antioxidant capacity with IC₅₀ value 8.45±1.42 mM, which are comparable to ascorbic acid. Clausenidin exhibited strong inhibitory activity specifically against sucrase with an IC₅₀ value 12.32±3.60 mM, which are more potent inhibition than acarbose (IC₅₀ = 32.58±3.92 mM) using as the positive control. In addition, the kinetic mechanism of 3indicated that it retarded sucrase in a noncompetitive manner.

A review of ochratoxin contamination effects and its control

Ramesh, C. , Jayagoudar, S. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by spectrum of fungi. Mycotoxin contamination of agricultural commodities is one of the major problem in agricultural trade and food industry, fungal contamination causes a considerable damage to quality and taste of the agricultural commodities. Fungal contamination occurs from field to fork level. In recent years, mycoflora and mycotoxin contamination of agricultural commodities had drawn the attention of the people; by their damage and harmful effects on humans and animals by the consumption of such contaminated food and food materials.

Among mycotoxins, aflatoxin and ochratoxins are the common most mycotoxins; aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, Ochratoxins are produced by mainly Aspergillus ochraceous and other related Penicillium species. Ochratoxins are classified into Ochratoxin-A, B, C among these Ochratoxins, Ochratoxin-A is the most common. OTA is classified as class-2B toxin, Ochratoxin–A contamination was recorded in various agricultural commodities, there are various influencing factors which contribute to the growth and development of the fungi, among those temperature and relative humidity plays very important role, Ochratoxins are having the several health effects on humans and animals. There are several efforts have been made to reduce Ochratoxin contamination in agricultural commodities and food materials. viz. good agricultural and hygienic practices, preservation, storage, transportation etc. leads to reduction in the level of Ochratoxin contamination along with these efforts, several International agencies trying their level are best to reduce OTA contamination in food and agricultural industry.

Effects of microbial organic fertilizer and mulch to population and bioactivity of beneficial microorganisms in tea soil in Phu Tho, Viet Nam

Tu, V. N. , Toan, N. V. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Currently, tea in Phu Tho is grown in nutrient-poor and acidic soils, with pH_KCl from 3.6 to 4.6, low total and digestible phosphate (P₂O₅); average organic matter (OM), potassium (K₂O) and protein, low CEC (from 3.36 to 4.24 meq/ 100g soil), low Ca and Mg (from 2.75 to 3.27 meq/100g soil). Using microbial organic fertilizer at level of 3.0 tons per hectare influenced significantly both the population and composition of microorganism species in tea soil. Many soil microbes such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azotobacter, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter which decompose organic matter, cellulose, insoluble phosphates have appeared in the soil as microbial organic fertilizers were provided. The filamentous fungi which are able to decompose insoluble phosphate, cellulose such as Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. Trichoderma spp. and Fusarium spp. have been detected. The total number of bacteria has increased rapidly in a short time as Guot (Gleichenia linearis Clarke) was used as mulch material. The number of bacteria reached to the highest level of 11.30 x 10⁶ CFU/g (soil) after 180 days. Total numbers of actinomycetes have increased significantly. Many newly actinomycetes have appeared in the soil after 90 days of mulching, and continued to increase up to 11.05 x 10⁶ CFU/g after 270 days. Fungi population also grew fast (from 5.35 x 10³ CFU/g to 7.45 x 103 CFU/g) after 90 days of mulching then continue to rise sharply in the next 90 days and stabilized later. When using different materials, the percentage of microorganism groups that have bioactive are also different. Cellulose decomposing bacteria accounted for 40%, while the rate of bacteria that decompose insoluble phosphate made up for 44%.

Perina nuda F. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae):an important leaf eating caterpillar of fig trees

Cheanban, S., Bumroongsook, S. , Tigvattananont, S. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Some biological studies of Perina nuda Fabricius was conducted under the laboratory conditions (33^o C; 65 %RH). This moth species undergoes complete metamorphosis with four stages in its life cycle: egg. larva, pupa and adult. Mating copulation occurred at night and an female laid eggs in group averaged 46 eggs/group. The number of egg laid by each female of Banyan tussock moth was 168-387 eggs. The egg incubation period lasted for 5.50 days. The caterpillar hatched after that. They went through the growth and development processwith 7 larval instars and the developmental time for the 1st to the 7th larval instar was 2.28, 3.08, 3.02, 3.42 3.67, 3.34, and 6.10 days, respectively. The larvae have urticating hair and used as a defensive weapon. The hairy setae was carried on thought the pupa stage. Adult moths emerged after xxx -day long pupal stage. Life span was found difference between gender. The Banyan tussock moth female tended to live longer than the male insect (7.00 and 5.44 days, respectively). Their larvae are known as leaf eating caterpillars with broader host plants and feed on leaves of fig trees, shrub and lianas in the genus Ficus.

Culture of sand goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus, Bleeker) fed with live and frozen fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus sirindhornae)

Suksomnit, A. , Pholwieng, N. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to analyze the effect of live and frozen [1]fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus sirindhornae) for the growth performance of sand goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) . The experiment was designed in Completely Randomized Design.The fingerlings of sand goby were fed with live artemia, live and frozen fairy shrimp of 1.5 centimeters in length which contained in a 95 cm plastic basin. Each basin carried 20 liters of water with 25 sand goby per basin. The experiment animals were fed twice daily in the morning and afternoon for 8 weeks. The average initial weights and length of fingerings were 0.63±0.00, 0.60±0.02, 0.63±0.03 g and 3.12±0.02, 3.11±0.023.11±0.02 cm., respectively. The results showed that fingering fed with live fairy shrimp gave significantly better growth than fed with artemia and frozen fairy shrimp (p<0.05). The final weights were 5.32±0.16, 2.57±0.25 and 2.54±0.22g, respectively. Meanwhile, the final lengths were 6.20±0.09, 4.90±0.14 and4.88±0.13 cm, respectively. The daily weight gains were 0.085±0.00, 0.035±0.00 and 0.026±0.02 g/day respectively; specific growth rate of 3.89±0.08, 2.51±0.12 and2.48±0.14 % per day, respectively. Survival rates were 99.00±2.00, 91.00±11.49 and 73.00±8.87 %, respectively. It is indicated that sand goby fed with live fairy shrimp yielded better growth performance.

Trajectory tracking control design for an autonomous tractor using fuzzy PID controller

Upaphai, W., Bunyawanichakul, P. , Janthong, M. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

The design of a position control system of an autonomous tractor using self-tuning fuzzy PID controller was studied. The design is developed by simulating the tractor movement using the dynamic model of front-wheel steering and rear-wheel driving. The tractor trajectory in Cartesian coordinate system is also created. The aim of the design was to control a tractor to track a specified path automatically. The design tasks was firstly set up an equation of tractor trajectory and to simulate the tractor movement using MATLAB/ Simulink, and to design the tractor controller using self-tuning fuzzy PID controller. Finally, the position control system was also designed. The results of simulation experiment showed that the self-tuning fuzzy PID controller was able to control the tractor to track the desired path. The maximum position error between the path designed and the tractor path was at 1.02 meter. The comparison with time, the maximum position error was 2.89 meter, because the tractor was slower than the path movement designed.

Mycelial growth, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Boletus griseipurpureus from south Thailand

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Boletus griseipurpureus Corner is a popular edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom in the south of Thailand. The objective of this study was to identify optimal media for mycelial formation, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Of the four media tested, PDA, Boletus medium, MMN, and MMN with 10 % fresh basidiocarp hot water extract, the latter medium was superior for mycelial dry weight increment. Methanolic extraction of dried basidiocarps showed that the DPPH radical scavenging activity (200.3+4.4 µg vitamin C/g sample) was stronger than crude ethyl acetate extract (77.9+0.4 µg vitamin C/g sample). Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) gave similar results. Crude basidiocarp extracts inhibited Pseudomonas aerunginosa TISTR 2370 (MIC = 0.39 mg/ml) and Enterococcus faecalis TISTR 379 (MIC = 0.78 mg/ml) in agar well diffusion tests.

Biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in greenhouse and field

Avinash, T. S. , Ravishankar, R. V. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

The bacteria present around the rhizosphere, suppress diseases and promotes plant growth are known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR are ecofriendly, stimulate the plant growth factors and reduce the incidence of crop diseases as well as supply the nutrients for growth of plants. 13 PGPR strains, 9 were isolated from cucurbit rhizosphere from fields, three from MTCC assessed for positive rapid screening bioassay were used for the seed priming and further tests. The potting mixture was sterilized for 1h at 121⁰C at 15-18 psi for two consecutive days before use. Both the soil samples were checked for their micronutrient content, conductivity, water holding capacity and also important macronutrients. The soil samples were loamy with good water holding capacity, with adequate macronutrients (NPK) and micronutrients. In the field tests and greenhouse, the treated seeds of Cucumis sativus were compared for their vine length, node number of first female flower, fruits number/ plant,fruit weight in grams, diameter of the fruit in centimeter, total yield / 6 fruits in gram and growth conditions to the control. In 13 PGPR strains tested only Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MIC6 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC2581 showed maximum germination and yield manages Fusarium wilt both in greenhouse as well as in field conditions.

Evaluation of crude extract substances from Streptomyces spp. for controlling Colletotrichum gloeosporioides caused anthracnose of chili

Piyaboon, O. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Anthracnose of chili caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a major problem among important economic crops. In the present study, 34 isolates of Streptomyces spp. were used to determine the inhibition of C. gloeosporioides growth using dual culture test. The results showed 19 isolates of Streptomyces spp. had the percent inhibition of C. gloeosporioides growth and the highest percent inhibition of radial growth was Streptomyces isolate CH15. In addition, the percent inhibition of radial growth was Streptomyces isolate CH15 was not significantly different from 0.75 mg/ml benomyl. Then, the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces isolate CH15 at concentration 87.7 mg/ml in 5% (V/V) DMSO was tested for inhibiting C. gloeosporioides by the disc diffusion method. The results showed that the efficiency of the ethyl acetate extract of isolate CH15 for controlling C. gloeosporioides was not significantly different from 0.75 mg/mL benomyl.

Determination of some physical and mechanical characteristics of date fruit and nut (cv. Mazafati)

Mansoureh, P. , Meisam, M. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Knowing some physical and mechanical characteristics is an important factor for automating the activities associated with the date. Some physical and mechanical characteristics of date fruit and its nut were evaluated (Mazafati variety). Date samples mean values of width, length, thickness, projected area perpendicular to width, length and thickness were measured as, 22.73mm , 34.60mm, 18.15mm, 710.78mm2, 411.32mm2, 732.21mm2 respectively. Geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, porosity, mass, volume, bulk density and true density were also measured as: 24.21mm, 25.16mm, 70%, 1840.80 mm2, 48.67%, 13.10kg, 11.23 cm3, 0.63gr cm-3, 1.17gr cm-3. In mass modeling, results showed that date volume has the highest correlation (0.88) with mass, and then the arithmetic mean diameter has the highest correlation of (0.82). Date thickness correlation index was very low with mass (0.22). The maximum and minimum deformation force for date samples was found perpendicular to length and thickness direction by average values of 11.52N and 8.02N. Deformation force showed decline procedure with its pressure in direction of length, width and thickness. Results also showed that the rotation coefficient of friction was more than static coefficient of friction and static coefficient of friction was more than dynamic coefficient of friction. Highest coefficient of friction was on the rubber surface and lowest on the galvanized steel surface.

Is raw sugar produced from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) carbon positive or negative?

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

Carbon footprint calculations for raw sugar manufacture was conducted with the aim of determining if the industry is carbon neutral or net contributory to carbon emission. A detailed procedure for the production of raw sugar from sugarcane was designed to account all the sources of carbon emission. The factory design was based on a capacity of 4000 tons per day, operating for 270 days per year, 24 hours per day. The total carbon footprint accounted all the emissions and savings from plantation, factory operations, and products end-use. A total of 53,099.59 kg CO₂per hectare was computed or 643.63 kg CO₂per ton cane or 6.31 kg CO₂ per kg sugar.

The embedded emissions of the materials during construction (pre-operational period) was also included, which served as the industry’s “carbon debt.” But this“carbon debt” was computed to be offset within 0.26 years.

With the co-generated electricity from bagasse fueling of 26.97MW and daily exported to the grid , the calculated carbon savings (compared to the Philippine electricity carbon intensity) was 2,089 tons CO₂ per ha per year. At the field level of cane production, no cane burning/trash farming practice could shift sugarcane production from carbon emitting into carbon sequestering (carbon negative). Hence, raw sugar produced from the sugarcane plant can be carbon negative rather than positive. This means that instead of contributing to the emission, the whole system fixes in more carbon dioxide.

Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro morphogenesis in Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) from cultured corm slice

Tripathi, M. K., Malviya, R. K., Vidhyashankar, M. , Patel, R. P. — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0700

In present research, corm slice explant of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus) was cultured on MS medium amended with diverse auxins and cytokinins in varying concentrations as sole as well as in different combinations. Regarding in vitro response, induction medium MS2B.5D (MS + 2.0 mgl^-1BAP + 0.5 mgl^-12,4-D + 30.0 gl^-1 sucrose + 7.5 gl^-1agar) proved well for callus initiation. MS medium supplemented with BA in range of 2.0-3.0 mgl^-1in combination with 0.5 mgl^-1NAA, 30.0 gl^-1 sucrose and 7.5 gl^-1agar exhibited higher shoot proliferating efficiency, number of shoot (s) per explant and shoot of higher length. In respect to in vitro rooting response, higher root proliferating efficiency was documented on rooting medium MS.5IB.5Kn (MS + 0.5 mgl^-1IBA + 0.5 mgl^-1Kinetin + 15.0 gl^-1 sucrose + 7.5 gl^-1agar), while number of root (s) with higher length were recovered on rooting medium MS.5IB (MS+0.5 mgl^-1IBA+15.0 gl^-1 sucrose +7.5 gl^-1agar). Phenotypically normal plantlets were acquired and subsequently transferred to pots and hardened in Environmental Growth Cabinet and Net House during initial tiring period and transferred to field successfully.