Deadwood, Living Value: Acacia Litter and Biodiversity in Central Tanzania | InformativeBD

Elkana Hezron and Julius W Nyahongo, from the institute of Tanzania.  wrote a Research article about, Deadwood, Living Value: Acacia Litter and Biodiversity in Central Tanzania. entitled, Quantification of deadwood littered by Acacia spp. in semi-arid ecosystems of central Tanzania: . This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Deadwood (DW) is an important carbon component for conservation and management of biodiversity resources. They are ubiquitous in many semi-arid ecosystems although its estimation is still posing lots of challenges. At Chimwaga woodland in Dodoma Region of Central Tanzania, seasonal quantification of DW produced by two Acacia spp. was done to evaluate the influence of each tree species, Dbh and canopy area on DW biomass and to determine their ecological role in conservation of semi-arid ecosystem. Both purposive and random sampling techniques were used in the course of a completely randomized design (CRD). Thirty trees from each species of Acacia tortilis and Acacia nilotica were studied. Results portray that DW biomass was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the dry season than in the rain season whereby A. tortilis produced 669.0 ± 135.90kg DM/ha (dry season) and only 74.3 ± 135.90kg DM/ha (rain season) while A. nilotica produced 426.1 ± 135.90kg DM/ha (dry season) and 36.5 ± 135.90kg DM/ha (rain season). DW biomass did not correlate significantly (P > 0.05) with Dbh and canopy area. Inter-specific interactions were encountered from experimental areas where DW was littered that facilitated ecosystem balance in semi-arid areas. This information is important for estimating amount of dead wood biomass required to be retained in the forest provided that, at the expense of ecology, they are refuge for arthropods, fungi, bryophytes and other important soil microbes representing primary components of Biodiversity in semi-arid ecosystems.

Read more : Biopiracy at Sea: The Emerging Threat to Marine Biodiversity | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Natural treasures and heritage such as those of semiarid areas rich in deadwood (DW) materials are rapidly utilized and depleted by living organisms globally while facing an extinction rate of about 100- 1000 times compared to the rate before 150,000 years ago of human life time (Baharul & Khan, 2010). Thousands of organisms depend on DW as an important key for biodiversity in forest ecosystems (Harmon & Sexton, 1996; Pyle & Brown, 1999). Africa and other continents such as Australia and America are comprised of such resources at large although they are faced with many challenges from anthropogenic activities (IUCN, 2017). Tanzania in East Africa is one among rich countries in terms of natural resources and biodiversity comprising semiarid woodlands (URT, 2014). Vast of Ecological, environmental and botanical studies have been done purposely to determine total area covered by forests, identify and estimate species diversity, abundance and distribution (Malimbwi & Zahabu, 2014; Monela, Chamshama, Mwaipopo, & Gamassa, 2005). Other studies are done to assess ecosystem goods and services obtained from these resources (Dharani, 2006; FAO, 2010; Monela et al., 2005; Sharam, Sinclair, Turkington, & Jacob, 2009). In disparity to the reported information, studies on DW production that estimate the biomass in semi-arid areas are scarce. Fewer research reports are available to describe the ecological importance contributed by DW and their role in biodiversity conservation for prevalence of savanna dry lands as well as sustainable use of forest products in semi-arid regions.

Earlier than 2007, many communities around the world considered DW as of less significant in the ecosystems (Stachura, Bobiec, Obidziñski, Oklejewicz, & Wolkowycki, 2007). These resources were regarded as uneconomical, obstacles to silviculture and reforestation that were reflected to a cause of abiotic disturbance that threatened the health of terrestrial ecosystems by catching fire easily (Pfeifer et al., 2015; Thomas, 2002; Travaglini et al., 2007; Travaglini & Chirici, 2006). Additionally, stumps from dead trees seemed to be source of injuries that endangered the public safety (Peterken, 1996; Thomas, 2002).

Dead Wood pieces and stumps are cleared from forests as a sanitary strategy (WWF, 2004). Collections of wood fuels increased from 243.3 million m3 (in 1990) to 313.9 million m3 (in 2005) in the Eastern and Southern African forests (Monjane, 2009). These actions lowered the quantity of DW and their ecological significance in the ecosystems (Travaglini et al., 2007). It is further reported that there were a stable quantity of harvestable DW produced from 1992/93 to 1995/96 regardless of partial variation from year to year in the African woodlands as indicated in Table 1 (Collins, 1977; Malaisse, Alexandre, Freson, Goffinet, & MalaisseMousset, 1972; Malaisse, Freson, Goffinet, & Malaisse-Mousset, 1975; Shackleton, 1998).

In recent years since 2000 up to date, conservationists have become alarmed about the role of DW in the natural ecosystems (Rondeux & Sanchez, 2009; MCPFE, 2002; Humphrey et al., 2004; Schuck, Meyer, Menke, Lier, & Lindner, 2004). Leaders in the developed and developing countries are encouraged by the WWF to call foresters, environmentalists, agriculturists and ecologists to conserve biodiversity by increasing DW in the forests to 20-30 m3/ha by 2030 (WWF, 2004; Marage & Lemperiere, 2005; Zielonka, 2006; Vandekerkhove et al., 2009; Humphrey & Bailey, 2012).

It is reported that the available information on DW production is limited to total harvestable and standing DW with scarce data on the biomass produced by DW in semi-arid ecosystems under the influence of natural factors (Malaisse et al., 1972; Collins, 1977; Shackleton, 1998; Chojnacky & Heath, 2002; WWF, 2004).

Hence, the study aimed to (1) quantify the amount of DW biomass produced by Acacia spp. during dry and rain seasons, (2) evaluate the influence of each tree species, Dbh and canopy area on DW biomass and (3) to determine the ecological role of DW in conserving biodiversity of semi-arid ecosystem through provision of nutrients to decomposers.

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Article source : Quantification of deadwood littered by Acacia spp. in semi-arid ecosystems of central Tanzania:The role of deadwood in biodiversity conservation

 

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Biopiracy at Sea: The Emerging Threat to Marine Biodiversity | InformativeBD

Mahmood Khan Yousufi from the institute of India  and Narendra Kumar Thapak, from the institute of India.  wrote a Research article about, Biopiracy at Sea: The Emerging Threat to Marine Biodiversity. Entitled, Biopiracy of marine organisms: an emerging paradigm. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The modern drugs commercially available nowadays are widely isolated from natural reservoirs. Penicillin was isolated from a mold and Aspirin was isolated from a willow tree. The recent advanced scientific research has further extended the explorations for medicinal drugs in the marine reservoirs. Some of the drugs based on marine organisms have proved to be quite effective in treating diseases like cancer and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The different marine organisms like sponges, molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and bryozoans are being actively used or trialled for the preparation of useful pharmaceutical drugs. The scientists, researchers and pharmaceutical corporations of the world compete to discover new drugs from global marine reservoirs. The marine organisms are freely available in the marine ecosystems and lack of global legislations provide free hands to the biopirates to exploit the marine reservoirs and isolate different organisms from it. The enormous explorations in the marine reservoirs by the biopirates are causing damage to its ecosystems and its lifeforms. In this investigation, it was concluded that though scientific explorations should be allowed in the marine reservoirs for producing lifesaving drugs but overexploitation of marine reservoirs should be prohibited. It is suggested through this investigation that proper tracking of marine reservoirs is the present requirement to face the challenges being laid down by the biopirates.

Read more : Solvent Matters: Phenolics and Flavonoids in Freshwater Clam Extracts | InformativeBD

Introduction

The marine water accounts for about 97% of total water present on the land area of this blue planet (Munn, 2003). The marine ecosystems comprise of rich biological diversity that includes, plants, animals, and various microscopic life forms. The scientific explorations around the globe are incorporating global marine ecological resources. The fact sheet of United Nations interprets in the ocean conference held in the year 2017 that the global oceans comprises of 500000 and 10 million marine species (United Nations, 2017). The marine phytoplanktons produces 50 percent of oxygen on earth (Bittel, 2019). The species heterogeneity associated with the marine ecosystems lies between 0.7 to 1.0 million species with millions of bacteria, viruses and other microbial species (United Nations, 2017). The results of various research investigations depict that global marine resources have been often utilized by local individuals residing near the marine reservoirs as nutritional source and for curing health ailments. At present, about 7.5% of the global marine reservoirs are safeguarded (Briggs, 2020). World Wildlife Federation suggests a term ‘Marine Protected Areas’ that involves efficiently managing or safeguarding the marine ecological reserves and the habitats of various life forms associated with it (Reuchlin-Hugenholtz and McKenzie, 2015). According to the International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources during world conservation congress, various global states agreed Motion 53 that mainly urged to safeguard 30% of the global marine ecosystems up to 2030 (Dinmore, 2016).

Various historical evidences depict that variety of marine life forms were employed for medicinal usage. The written record of medicinal herbs dates back to about 5000 years (Pan et al., 2014). In China in 2953 BCE in the empire of Fu Hsi taxes were levied on the medicines derived from fish (Newman, 2019). Hippocrates in 400 BCE observed antibiotic efficacy of some sponges and used it for curing wounds of soldiers (Munn, 2003). The personal physician of the emperor Claudius suggested the usage of electric fish viz. Torpedo nobilana secretions to treat headaches and even migraines (Janik, 2014).

Romans used the algae as medicines for the treatment of various health ailments (Anis et al., 2017). Khalilieh and Boulos in their investigation described notable uses of micro and macro algae extracts for curing health disorders (Khalilieh and Boulos, 2006). Secundus in 1603exhibited the application of stingray spines to treat toothaches (Narchi, 2015). The ancient Chinese medicinal literature available in Chinese Materia Medica depicts that various marine organisms were utilized in the ancient Chinese traditional medicinal therapies (Fu et al.,2016). The use of marine invertebrates for healing purposes has also been reported during ancient Greek times and the initial Byzantium (Voultsiadou, 2010). The use of marine turtles for preparation of traditional medicines has also been reported (Alves, 2006). The treatment of human health disorders from animals and their isolated compounds is often called as zootherapy (Alves, 2006). In different regions of Brazil, the fisherman uses different species of fish for medicinal purposes (Pinto et al., 2015). A well-known medical Scholar Ibn Sina also popularly known as Avicenna in his book “Canon of Medicine” depicts isolation of medicinal material from skin of marine animals (Nizamoglu, 2015). There are various marine organisms like sponges, corals, crabs, mollusks, and sea horses that are used in various parts of Asia and other global regions in traditional medicines (Kataona, 2015). Additionally, the sea life natural stores are also the supplies of antimicrobial constituents like the cationic antimicrobial peptides (Patrzykat, 2003).

From the above historical evidences, it is clear that the marine organisms have been employed for therapeutic purposes since ages. These evidences act as an attraction for the pharmaceutical corporations, researchers and scientists to deeply explore marine ecosystems for new biological innovations. With the passage of time and advancement in the technical research, the explorations in the ocean reservoirs have enormously risen. The insufficiency of global legislations to restrict uncontrolled explorations of global marine reserves is seriously causing damage to the global ocean life forms. The biopirates are exponentially isolating the marine organisms for manufacturing therapeutic drugs and subjecting them to patenting. The patent war between the pharmaceutical corporations to conquer monopoly over the marine ecosystems is definitely a matter of fact in the current scenario. Various pharmaceutical corporations are involved in manufacturing potential therapeutic compounds from marine lifeforms. Some of the significant pharmaceutical corporations are Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Icos corporation, Island Kinetics Inc., HRD corporations, Procter & Gamble Company, Heliae Development LLC. and Codexis Inc. (Ninawe and Indulkar, 2014). The various patents being issued with respect to biologically active compounds isolated from marine organisms include US8486960 B2, US8450489 B2, US8445701 B2, US8586597 B2, USRE44599 E1, US8293943 B1, US8524980 B2, and US8586051 B2. (Ninawe and Indulkar, 2014). The pharmaceutical corporations are just performing theft of nature as biopirates and generating huge financial assets. The present study basically aims to explore this new challenge that is being created by the biopirates concerning biopiracy of global marine lifeforms. 

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Reuchlin-Hugenholtz E, McKenzie E. 2015. Marine protected areas: Smart investments in ocean health. WWF, Gland, Switzerland. Page available at http://assets.worldwildlife.org/publications/801/files/original/Smart_Investments_in_Ocean_Health.pdf [Accessed date Dec. 31, 2020]

Safavi-Hemami H, Brogan SE, Olivera BM. 2019. Pain therapeutics from cone snail venoms: From ziconotide to novel non-opioid pathways. Journal of Proteomics 190, 12-20.

Shetty N, Gupta S. 2014. Eribulin drug review. South Asian Journal of Cancer 3(1), 57-59. https:// doi.org/10.4103/2278-330X.126527

Silber J, Kramer A, Labes A, Tasdemir D. 2016. From discovery to production: Biotechnology of marine fungi for the production of new antibiotics. Marine Drugs 14(17), 137.

Suganthy N, Pandian SK, Devi K. 2010. Neuroprotective effect of seaweeds inhabiting South Indian coastal area (Hare Island, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve): Cholinesterase inhibitory effect of Hypnea valentiae and Ulva reticulata. Neuroscience Letters 468, 216-219.

Trzoss L, Fukuda T, Costa-Lotufo LV, Jimenez P, La Clair JJ, Fenical W. 2014. Seriniquinone, a selective anticancer agent, induces cell death by autophagocytosis, targeting the cancer-protective protein dermcidin. Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 111(41), 14687-14692.

United Nations. 2017. The ocean conference. United Nations, New York, 5-9 June 2017. Page available at https://www.un.org/sustainable develop ment/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Ocean-fact-sheet -package.pdf [Accessed date Dec. 31, 2020]

Voultsiadou E. 2010. Therapeutic properties and uses of marine invertebrates in the ancient Greek world and early Byzantium. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 130(2), 237-247.

 Article source : Biopiracy of marine organisms: an emerging paradigm 

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Solvent Matters: Phenolics and Flavonoids in Freshwater Clam Extracts | InformativeBD

Simonette C Villabeto,  Romeo M Del Rosario, and Oliva P Canencia, from the institute of Philippines. wrote a Research article about, Solvent Matters: Phenolics and Flavonoids in Freshwater Clam Extracts. Entitled, Total phenolics and total flavonoids of extracts from freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) using different solvents. This research paper published by the Journalof Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of the freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) were studied for the total phenolics and total flavonoids. Total phenolics and total flavonoids of the extracts were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteau and Aluminum chloride colorimetric methods respectively. The findings showed that the total phenolics of the ethanol extract (1.67±0.28mg GAE/g of dried sample) were substantially higher than the total phenolics obtained from the ethyl acetate (0.70±0.00mg GAE/g) and hexane extracts (0.56±0.23mg GAE/g). While the total flavonoids in the ethyl acetate extract displayed a slightly higher total flavonoid (43.84±0.92mg QE/g of dried sample) relative to ethanol (30.41±1.34mg QE/g of dried sample) and hexane extracts (20.28±0.00mg QE/g of dried sample). Using ethanol, the highest yield for extraction was obtained. Ethanol is the best solvent among the three – ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane in terms of extraction yield and total phenolics. In addition, it can be inferred that the presence of significant amounts of phenolics and flavonoids suggests that freshwater clam is a promising source of antioxidants that provides nourishing proteins and oxidative stress remedies.

Read more : Spotting the Signs: Indexing Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease in Pakistani Wheat | InformativeBD

Introduction

A part of the growing advanced technology is the daily exposure to various oxidants such as environmental pollutants, radiation, chemicals, several food ingredients and preservatives, pesticides and even physical stress which eventually cause depletion of immune system antioxidants resulting to cell damage and many serious ailments. Antioxidants hold a significant function in the prevention of cell and tissue damage. It has been widely proven that plants provide a long list of secondary metabolites to include flavonoids and phenolic compounds that act as chemical defense, yet, experts continue searching for another possible source of natural antioxidants which include aquatic species. Several studies have already been conducted exploring the presence of these compounds from freshwater and marine organisms. Freshwater clam is among the many aquatic plants that have attracted the attention of many researchers.

Recently, development of new drugs and specific health foods have considered freshwater and marine products as sources of nutraceutical and functional foods (Koyama et al., 2014).

Freshwater clam, Corbicula fluminea (Fig. 1) is a clam that belongs to class Bivalvia and family corbiculidea. Juvenile freshwater clam has entirely developed shell and has a tan to brown and sometimes yellow-green to brown or black, solid shells and are generally rounded to slightly triangular in shape.

This clam has been found to possess various medical and biological effects, including cholesterol-lowering, hepatoprotective agent (Chijimatsu, et al., 2008; Hsu, et al., 2010), antioxidant, anticancer, antihypertension, and hypocholesterolemic effects (Kong et al., 2011) but its active constituents have not been studied extensively, Kong et al., added.

Factors such as local environmental conditions and geographical location may affect the growth of phytoplankton, the primary food source of freshwater clams, and so will likewise affect the secondary metabolites present. In addition, the method of extraction, especially the kind of solvent used should be given consideration. The solvent’s characteristics, polarities and the nature of the extractables can affect the yield of the crude extract. According to Tomsone et al., (2012), the solvent polarity is a very important parameter to consider to have higher extract yields – the higher the polarity of the solvent, the better the solubility. This, in turn, can affect the amount of the bioactive compounds that go along with the extract.

With these, freshwater clam from the Philippines, particularly in Del Carmen, Pres. Roxas can be a good source of secondary metabolites because the area has rich biodiversity. Also, no studies so far have been made on these freshwater clams that are endemic to that particular area. The purpose of the study is not only to determine the total phenolics and the total flavonoids of Corbicula fluminea but also to contribute to the validation of the claims of other researchers on its beneficial therapeutic effect.

Thus, the result of this study will provide baseline information to concerned agencies for the possibility of finding a new and potential source of natural antioxidants.

Reference

Adaramola B, Onigbinde A. 2016. Effect of Extraction Solvent on the Phenolic Content, Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Clove Bud. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences II(3)I, 33-38.

Bag GC, Devi PG, Bhaigyabati Th. 2015. Assessment of Total Flavonoid Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Methanolic Rhizome Extract of Three Hedychium Species of Manipur Valley. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res 30(1), 154-159

Beecher GR. 2003.  Overview of dietary flavonoids: nomenclature, occurrence and intake. Jour Nut 133, 3248-3254.

Chijimatsu T, Tatsugushi I, Abe K, Oda H, Mochizuki S. 2008. A Freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract improves cholesterol metabolism in rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet. Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry 72(10), 2566-2571.

Do QM, Ankkawijaya AE, Nguyen PLT, Huynh LH, Soetaredjo FE, Ismadji S. 2014. Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatic. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 22, 296-302.

Eswar A, Isha Z, Shanmugasundaram S, Ramamoorthy K, Nanda RK. 2015. Evaluation of preliminary qualitative analysis of Clam Paphia malabarica extracts from Girgaon chowpatty Creek, Mumbai. Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences 3(4), 461-468.

Hsu CL, Hsu CC, Yen GC. 2010, Hepatoprotection by freshwater clam extract against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. Am. J. Chin. Med 38, 881-894.

Khedher O, Moussaoui Y, Salem RB. 2014. Solvent Effects on Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of the Echinops Spinosus and the Limoniastrum Monopetalum Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences 5(2), 66-76.

Kong ZL, Yu SC, Dai SA, Tu CC, Pan MH, Liu YC. 2011. Polyoxygenated Sterols from freshwater Clam. Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 94.

Koyama T, Chounan R, Uemura D, Yamaguchi K, Yazawa K. 2006. Hepatoprotective effect of a hot-water extract from the edible thorny oyster Spondylus varius on carbon tetrachloride -induced liver injyury in mice. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem 70(3), 729-731.

Michiels JA, Kevers C, Pincemail J, Defraigne JO, Dommes J. 2012. Extraction conditions can greatly influence antioxidant capacity assays in plant food matrices. Food Chemistry 130(4), 986-993.

Ngo TV, Scarlett CJ, Bowyer MC, Ngo PD, Vuong QV. 2017. Impact of Different Extraction Solvents on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity from the Root of Salacia chinensis L. Journal of Food Quality Volume 2017.

Ramasamy M, Balasubramanian U. 2012. Identification of Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Activity of Marine Clam Anadara Granosa (Linn.). International Journal of Science and Nature 3(2), 263-266.

Settharaksa S, Madaka F, Sueree L, Kittiwisut  S,  Sakunpak  A,  Moton   C, Charoenchai L. 2014. Effect of Solvent Types on Phenolic, Flavonoid Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Syzygium gratum (Wight) S.N. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci 6(2), 114-116.

Tomsone L, Kruma Z, Galoburda R. 2012. Comparison of Different Solvents and Extraction Methods for Isolation of Phenolic Compounds from Horseradish Roots (Armoracia rusticana). International Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering 6(4), 236-241.

Article source : Total phenolics and total flavonoids of extracts from freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) using different solvents 

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Spotting the Signs: Indexing Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease in Pakistani Wheat | InformativeBD

Abdul Qadir, Gulshan Irshad, Salman Ghuffar,  Muhammad Shahid,  Khalid Mehmood, Abdul Sattar, Muhammad Ahmad Zeshan, Abdul Mannan Hamzah, Hafiz Muhammad Asadullah, and Muhammad Faizan Manzoor, from the institute of Pakistan. wrote a Research article about, Spotting the Signs: Indexing Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease in Pakistani Wheat . entitled, Symptom based indexing of barley yellow dwarf disease infecting wheat in Pakistan. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major staple grain food of Pakistan and is prone to many pathological diseases especially viral diseases are among the biotic factors inflicting huge economic losses. Every year Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) causes substantial losses to wheat crop. In this study, during survey 2013-14, a total of 210 samples examined from different wheat growing areas of Pakistan, 180 samples showing typical barley yellow dwarf viral symptoms following (90) yellowing tip Yt, (45) stunted growth St, (32) reddening Rd and (13) showed curling Cr. The symptom based indexing study can play an important role in the identification of BYDV and further epidemiological studies.

Read more : Hidden Pests in Grain: Mapping Acarofauna, Entomofauna, and Nematofauna in Senegalese Cereals |InformativeBD

Introduction

Wheat is an important cereal crop in Pakistan having annual production of 24.2 million tons. Burgeoning population of the country demands increase in its production that is hindered by a number of pests, pathogens and environmental stresses. Among the yield limiting constraints, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) is important, inflicting approximately 75% wheat production losses in diseased crop nationally (Bux, 2012). The disease was first identified in Pakistan in 1964 (Aslam and Ahmad, 1987). From 1985 onwards, the disease became more pronounced in wheat, barley, and oats (Khalid et al., 1992). Barley yellow dwarf is a significant small grain viral disease and was first recognized by Oswald in the United States in 1951 (Oswald and Houston, 1951). In several areas of cereal production in the world, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus is recognized globally as one of the most prevalent and harmful diseases of cereal grain crops such as barley, wheat, oat and rye (Ohm et al., 2005). The virus spreads by nature through various strains of aphid vector (Wang et al., 2001).

Weeds and voluntary cereal are the primary inoculum of the virus. BYDV manifests foliage coloration, slowed development owing to space decrease, inhibits plant development, decreased tiller ability, suppress heading and increases the sterility of the flower (Haber, 1995). These symptoms lead to significant loss of yield of up to 80%. Typically, these infections cause plant growth to stop and less until tillage when the development begins again in spring. The most prominent symptom of the early season plant is generally discoloration of the leaves. The leaves may be red to purple and pinkish to brown in different shades. As the diseased plant continues to grow, old leaves typically start to die from their tip and may appear leathery while new leaves start to discoloration (Hammond et al., 2008). The BYDV infects a variety of plants throughout the Poaceae family including major crops weed, barley, oats, sometimes rice and maize causing considerable losses worldwide every year (Lister and Ranier, 1995). However, the yield may decrease between 10 and 20 percent in early infection (Simon and Roger, 2005).

Keeping in all the view present study was to investigate the symptoms based observation of Barley yellow dwarf disease causing infection on wheat crops in Pakistan which can helpful for further epidemiological studies.

Reference

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Bashir M, Aftab M, Khan S, Hussain A, Muhammad D, Bhatti MB. 1994. Screening of barley and oats genotypes against barley yellow dwarf luteovirus under natural infection conditions in Pakistan. BYD Newslett 5, 13-14.

Bukvayova N, Henselova M, Vajcíkova V, Kormanova T. 2006. Occurrence of dwarf virus of winter wheat and barley in several regions of Slovakia during the growing seasons 2001-2004. Plant Soil And Environment 52(9), 392.

Bux H. 2012. A conspectus of Barley Yellow Dwarf in Pakistan. Archives of phytopathology and plant protection 45(19), 2335-2339.

Comeau A, Haber S. 2002. Breeding for BYDV tolerance in wheat as a basis for a multiple stress tolerance strategy. Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease. Recent Advances and Future Strategies. 82.

Gray MS, Gildow FE. 2003. Luteovirus-aphid interactions. Annual Review Phytopathology 41, 539- 566.

Haber S. 1995. Interactions of barley yellow dwarf viruses: Cross-protection and interactions with other pathogens and with a biotic factor. In Barley yellow dwarf, 40 years of progress, St Paul, N, USA, APS Press 145-161

Hammond R, Paul P, Michel A, Eisley B. 2008. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus and Aphids on Wheat, edition of the Crop Observation and Recommendation Network newsletter from the Ohio State University Extension and Factsheets on aphids in small grains from Virginia Tech and the University of Delaware21 16(1).

Khalid S, Aftab M, Ahmad I, Aslam M. 1992. Detection of barley yellow dwarf virus in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany 24(2), 225-226.

Liste RM, Ranieri R. 1995. Distribution and economic importance of barley yellow dwarf. In J.C. D’Arcy and P.A. Burnett, eds. Barley yellow dwarf, 40 years of progress, St Paul, MN, USA, APS Press, 29-53.

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Ohm HW, Anderson JM, Sharma HC, Ayala L, Thompson N, Uphaus JJ. 2005. Registration of yellow dwarf viruses’ resistant wheat germplasm line P961341. Crop Science 45, 805-806.

Oswald JW, Houston BR. 1951. A new virus disease of cereals, transmissible by aphids. Plant Disease Reporter 35, 471-475.

Pocsai E, Murányi I, Papp M, Szunics L, Tomcsányi A, Vida G. 2002. Incidence of Barley Yellow Dwarf Viruses in Symptom-Exhibiting Cereal Species. In: Henry, M., McNab, A. (Eds): Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease: Recent Advances and Future Strategies. Proc. of Intern. Symp. El Batán, Texaco, Mexico. 1–5 September, 2002. Mexico, CIMMYT 45-49.

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Simon MK, Roger J. 2005. Barley Yellow Dwarf virus in Cereals. Reviewed, Plant Protection Branch, South Perth.

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Wang X, Chang S, Jin Z, Li L, Zhou G. 2001. Nucleotide sequences of the coat protein and read through protein genes of the Chinese GAV isolate of Barley yellow dwarf virus. Acta Virologica 45, 249-252.

Wiese MV. 1977. Compendium of wheat diseases. Vol. 1. St. Paul (MN): The American Phytopathological Society.

Article source : Symptom based indexing of barley yellow dwarf disease infecting wheat in Pakistan 

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Hidden Pests in Grain: Mapping Acarofauna, Entomofauna, and Nematofauna in Senegalese Cereals | InformativeBD

Mamecor Faye,  Aïssatou Tchimbane Diop,  Toffène Diome, and Mbacké Sembène, from the institute of Senegal. wrote a Research article about, Hidden Pests in Grain: Mapping Acarofauna, Entomofauna, and Nematofauna in Senegalese Cereals. Entitled, Contribution to the inventory of Acarofauna, Entomofauna and Nematofauna of imported or local cereals in Senegal. This research paper published by the InternationalJournal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

This study was conducted during the period from December 2021 to February 2022 in the Dakar area. It was conducted to contribute to the inventory of acarofauna, entomofauna and nematofauna of imported or local cereals in Senegal. In this context, sampling was carried out in the markets of Sandaga, Tilène, Gueule Tapée and in village Diofior village. Thus, out of 16 samples of incubated cereal varieties, observation and identification of specimens obtained after sorting and extraction revealed the only presence of insects; mites and nematodes were not found in our stocks. Insects were composed of 961 specimens belonging to the Order Coleoptera (42.87%) with eight species Oryzaephilus surinamensis (14.98%), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (11.86%), Rhyzoperta dominica (8.63%), Sitophilus oryzae (5.20%), Tribolium castaneum (1.87%), Prostephanus truncatus, Carpophilus sp. and an unknown species (0.10%); the Order Lepidoptera with a single species Ephestia cautella (50.05%); the Order Psocoptera (5.93%), the Order Hymenoptera (0.72) and the Order Hemiptera (0,41). The species found in the last three orders were not identified. Results obtained showed that the local cereals are much more contaminated than imported ones. In addition, it also revealed an important diversity of insects in imported cereals, with a much more marked similarity between Senegal-Mali and China-Thailand.

Read more : Beating Tomato Wilt: Managing Fusarium with Effective Bio-Agents | InformativeBD

Introduction

Cereals are species generally cultivated for their grains whose starchy albumen, reduced to flour, is consumable by humans or domestic animals (Moule, 1971). Because of their energy source and high carbohydrate content, cereals provide 15% of our energy needs (Benhamimed and Chaoui, 2016). In Senegal, for example, as in most Sahel countries, the diet of populations is largely dominated by cereals, mainly millet, sorghum, maize and rice (Niang et al., 2017). These cereals provide basic food for more than 60% of the population (Ba, 2006). However, Senegal’s agricultural sector suffers from poor control of water resources, degradation of productive resources including soil, inputs (equipment, seeds, and fertilizers) and the lack of effective agricultural equipment. In other words, insufficient rural infrastructure limits agricultural production (Tendeng et al., 2017). As a result, in June 2013, only 41% of households had stock from their last harvest; which corresponded to about 20 days of consumption. On the other hand, these cereals are subject to many phytosanitary constraints related to arthropods and nematodes. For this reason, much work (Philogen et al., 1989; Ratnadass et al., 1989; Ashamo, 2006) refers to insect attacks and loss of cereal stocks (Guèye et al., 2011). The damage to cereal and pulse stocks caused by these depressing species has been the subject of much work in Africa and is highly harmful in many African countries. Dembelé (2020) has managed to make an inventory of insect pests encountered in the different varieties of rice stored in Senegal. But as a result of all this work (Mallamaire, 1965; Dembelé, 2020) carried out on stored cereals, the study on the inventory of acarofauna, entomofauna and nematofauna of imported or local cereals in Senegal has yet to be discussed, hence the importance of this study. The general objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of acarofauna, entomofauna and nematofauna of imported or local cereals in Senegal. This general objective is divided into several specific objectives: (i) identify acarofauna, entomofauna or nematofauna pests of imported or local cereals in Senegal; (ii) compare infestations of imported or local cereals in Senegal; (iii) determine the abundance of the listed species in the different varieties of imported or local cereals in Senegal; (iv) determine the specific diversities between the different countries.

Reference

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Dembele MS. 2020. Inventaire, abondance et impact des déprédateurs sur les pertes quantitatives de différentes variétés de riz stocké. Mémoire de Diplôme de Master en Biologie Animale, Spécialité : Entomologie. Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, p 38.

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Article source : Contribution to the inventory of Acarofauna, Entomofauna and Nematofauna of imported or localcereals in Senegal 

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