Grain & Oil Yield Variability in Castor Bean Accessions Across Savannah Zones | InformativeBD

T. L. Tchuenteu, C. Megueni, and Y. N. Njintang, from the institute of Cameroon. wrote a Research article about, Grain & Oil Yield Variability in Castor Bean Accessions Across Savannah Zones. Entitled, A study of the variability for grain and oil yield and yield related traits of castor beans accessions in two savannah agro-ecological zones of Cameroon. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB.  an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Field trials were carried out to investigate the seeds/oil yielding ability and yield related traits of three accessions of castor beans (Motso 1, Motso 2 and Ndoutourou) cultivated in the environmental conditions of the two agro-ecological zones of Northern Cameroon (Sudano-guinea zone and Sudano-sahelian zone). Planting was done following a randomized block design with 3 replications and three treatments (Castor bean accessions) in each of these study zones. The growing parameters, the seeds yield and oil yield were evaluated. Growing parameters and seeds and oil yields were significantly different (p<0.05) between castor bean accessions and the two study zones. Castor bean accessions adapted better in the Sudano-Guinea zone than the Sudano-sahelian zone. Irrespective of the growing zone, Ndoutourou accession possessed the highest seeds and oil yield, 4.09±0.004 and 4.28±0.02 t ha-1 respectively in Sudano-Guinea zone and Sudano-Sahelian zone) is more than those of Motso 1 and Motso 2 accessions. Motso 1 accession has the smallest seeds yield. It comes out from these results that Ndoutourou accession can be recommended to farmers of Northern Cameroon to be integrated into their agricultural systems.

Read more : Easy DNA Extraction Protocol for Ricinus communis Seeds | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Castor bean (Ricinus comminus L.) is an oleaginous (40-60% oil) cultivated for its seeds which yield viscous, pale and non-volatile yellow oil (Pina et al., 2005). The oil has many industrial applications notably it is used in the manufacture of paints, dyes, inks, waxes, varnishes, lubricants and brake fluids (Devendra and Raghavan, 1978; Ramos et al., 1984; Ogunniyi, 2006). The castor oil obtained by cold pressing of seeds is also used in household for soap production and as purgatives and laxatives (Weiss, 2000). Castor plant is cultivated industrially in many countries like India, China, Brazil, Madagascar (Pina et al., 2005). However India alone exports 0.73 Mt of castor seeds per year accounting to 60% of the total world production and therefore largely dominates the market. Despite the more and more increasing production, the demand for castor beans in the world market steadily increases (Sujatha et al., 2008), then given opportunity to improve and increase castor beans production. In this respect Reddy and Matcha (2010) suggested that castor bean crop can become a cash crop in modern agriculture. Studies have been initiated in this direction to introduce and study the adaptability of castor bean in different soil of several countries including USA (Baldwin and Cossar, 2009) and in Europe (Laureti and Marras, 1995; Koutroubas et al., 1999). Such study seems to be not undertaken under savannah climate, at the best of our knowledge. Yet, Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), a C3 plant has been dedicated to be native of tropical Africa (Baldwin and Cossar, 2009).

In the perspective to explore the feasibility of castor oil as an alternative cash crop in Cameroon, questions on the growing performance of available accessions in the savannah regions needs to assess. Castor plant has been demonstrated to growth well in little shade environments where there is soil rich in organic manure, well drained and possessing neutral pH (Weiss, 2000). Castor bean yield also depend on the latitude and management practices (Oplinger et al., 1990). The seed oil content depends on the genotype, but it is also affected by the environmental conditions, cultural practices and time of harvesting.

Koutroubas et al. (1999) investigated the adaptation and yield of 19 castor bean plants genotypes and observed that the plant height depend mainly on the genotype, the site and the year of the experimentation. High temperatures, above 35°C, and water stress during the flowering and oil formation can reduce the seed oil content (Weiss, 1983). One of the most important factors affecting the seeds oil content is the variety, and in this respect Ramos et al. (1984) surveyed 36 castor bean varieties in Brazil for oil and fatty acid composition and revealed a large variability of seed oil percentage ranging from 39.6% to 59.5%.

Castor bean cultivation is not popularized in subSaharan Africa. Recent investigation on castor beans available in Cameroon revealed the presence of some accessions in the sudano-guinea and sudano-sahelian savannah zones where they are used as fence (Tchobsala, 2008) and /or soil fertilisation (Azim, 2005). Tchobsala (2008) listed 16 accessions of castor bean in North Cameroon. Djonbada (2010) investigate the agronomics characteristics of these castor bean accessions in field in North Cameroon and 3 of them named Motso 1, Motso 2 and Ndoutourou were identified as the best seeds yielding accessions. The savannah area seems to be favorable to castor production; however no information exists on their performance under this climate since the environmental conditions are determinant factors conditioning their growth and seed yield. The agronomies characteristics and oil content of castor bean from other countries such as Brazil, Nigeria, India and China had been studied. The agronomic characteristics of these local castor bean accessions cultivated in field in Adamawa and Maroua regions (Cameroon), the seeds oil content from these areas, as well as the influence of these localities on these parameters are not known. The research question on this study concerned then the evaluation of the performance of 3 local accessions of castor beans in 2 agro-ecological savannah zones of Cameroon. In other words what are the height, the number of leaves, the survival rate and seedling emergence, number of bunches per plant and number of fruits per bunch and seed yield of the accessions since seeds and oil yields depend on these parameters (Koutroubas et al., 1999). The purpose of this work was to study the yielding ability, the yield related traits and the oil yield of three castor bean accessions (Motso 1, Motso 2 and Ndoutourou) cultivated in field in two agro ecological savannah zones, the SudanoGuinea zone and the Sudano-Sahelian zone. The importance and usefulness of this work follows from the fact that the castor bean accession that adapts best in two agro-ecological zones of Northern Cameroon and has a better oil yield will be popularized.

Reference

Azim K. 2005. The nematicidal and the fertilizing effect of argan, castro and neem cak. Availability, utilization and potential value. World Review of Animal Production 14 (4), 11–27.

Baldwin BS, Cossar RD. 2009. Castor yield in response to planting date at four locations in the south-central United States. Industrial Crops and Products, Volume 29, Issues 2–3, March 2009, 316-319.

Devendra C, Raghavan GV. 1978. Agricultural by-products in South East Asia: availability, utilization and potential value. World Review of Animal Production 14(4), 11–27.

Djonbada P. 2009. Caractérisation de quelque accessions de Ricinus communis (L.) de la zone cotonnière du Cameroun et propriétés physico-chimiques des huiles issues de leurs graines. Mémoire soutenu de Master, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Ngaoundéré Cameroun, 34-48.

Koutroubas SD, Papakosta DK, Doitsinis A. 1999. Adaptation and yielding ability of castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) genotypes in a Meditarranean climate European Journal of Agronomy 11, 227-237.

Laureti D, Marras G. 1995. Irrigation of castor (Ricinus communis L.) in Italy. European Journal of Agronomy 4, 229-235.

Maroyi A. 2007. Ricinus communis L. In: van der vossen. H.AM. and Mkamilo. G.S. PROTA:14:vegetable oils/oléagineux. Wageningen. Pays Bas, 12.-18. 

Ogunniyi DS. 2006. Castor Oil: A vital industrial raw material. Bioresource Technology 97, 1086-1091. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.03.028 

Oplinger ES, Oelke EA, Kaminski AR, Combs SM, Doll JD, Schuler RT, 1990. Castor beans. Alternative Field Crops Manual, May 1990. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/castor.html.

Pina M, Severino LS, Beltrão NEM, Villeneuve P, Lago R. 2005. De nouvelles voies de valorisation pour redynamiser la filière ricin au Brésil. Cahiers Agricultures 14(1), 169-171.

Ramos LCD, Tango JS, Savi A, Leal NR. 1984. Variability for Oil and Fatty Acid Composition in Castor bean. Varieties. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society 61, 1841-1843.

Reddy KR, Matcha SK, 2010. Quantifying nitrogen effects on castor (Ricinus communis L.) development, growth and pathogensis. Industrial Crops and Products (In Press) 31, 185-191

Scholz V, Da Silva JN, 2008. Prospects and risks  of  the use of  castor  oil  as a  fuel. Biomass and Bioenergy 32, 95–100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2007.08.004

Sujatha M, Reddy TP, Mahasi MJ. 2008. Role of biotechnological interventions in the improvement of castor (Ricinus communisL.) and Jatropha curcas L. Biotechnology Advances 26, 424-435.

Tchobsala, Amougou A, Abou AAN, Wey J, 2008. Inventaire des variétés de Ricinus comminus L. dans la zone cotonnière du Cameroun. In Biosciences and foods security.16ème conférence annuelle du Comité Camerounais des Biosciences, 81.

Tchuenteu TL, Megueni C, Tchobsala, Njintang YN. 2013. Effects of Intercropping Systems of Castor Bean, Maize and Common Bean on Their Growth and Seed Yield in the Soudano Guinea Zone of Cameroon. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A & Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology B. Volume 3, Number 8B. Unpublished.

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Article source : A study of the variability for grain and oil yield and yield related traits of castor beans accessions in two savannah agro-ecological zones of Cameroon

 

 

 

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Easy DNA Extraction Protocol for Ricinus communis Seeds | InformativeBD

Ajmal Iqbal,  Waqar Ahmad,  Asaf Khan,  Murad Khan, and Mohammad Nisar, from the institute of Pakistan,. wrote a Research article about, Easy DNA Extraction Protocol for Ricinus communis Seeds. Entitled, User friendly DNA isolation protocol optimized for Ricinus communis L. seeds. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB.  an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

A protocol was developed to isolate high quality genomic DNA from the seeds of Ricinus communis L. (caster) without using liquid nitrogen.The DNA extraction buffer used in this novel protocol constitutes SDS (1%), Tris (1.21%), NaCl (0.58%), EDTA (0.32%), 0.12% and β–Mercaptoethanol witha pH 8.5. In the protocol 0.09g of crushed seeds of caster bean, 600ul of DNA extraction buffer and and 500ul of phenol: chloroform: iso-amylalcohol with a ratio of 25:24:1 were used. The isolated DNA was amplified in Polymerase Chain Reaction using RAPD and SSR primer sets. The primer set successfully amplified the isolated DNA. Hence, the protocol is recommended as a user friendly novel protocol for DNA isolation from the castor beans seeds.

Read more :  Detecting & Quantifying Viruliferous vs. Non-Viruliferous Polymyxa betae | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Ricinus communis L., commonly known as caster bean, is a member of the spurge family,Euphorbiaceae (Smith 1986). Ricinus is indigenous to tropical Asia and Africa, but today it is cultivated for seed oil throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Seo, 2011). The annual production of caster bean throughout the world is 460,000 tones. In Pakistan it is grown on 3204 ha and its annual production is 2089 tones, the average seed yield of caster bean in Pakistan is 652 kg ha-1 . This seed yield of Pakistan is very low (Anonymous, 2006). Oil derived from the seeds of caster has several potentials in many industries like medicine, and cosmetics (Akande, 2012). Castor bean seed oil is highly valued in several sectors of the chemical industry and is considered a bioenergy and phytoremediation resource in the subtropics (Baldanzi et al. 2005). Castor plant has a great drought tolerance due to deep root system with the ability to explore the deeper layers of soil, which helps increase aeration, water retention and distribution in soil (Embrapa et al., 2006).

The Preliminary Phytochemical study of Ricinus communis revealed the presence of steroids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides (Kang, et al., 1985). The leaves of the Ricinus communis contain flavonoids, tannins and phenol (Yadav RNS & Agarwala M. 2011; Ilavarasan et al., 2006).

The isolation of high-quality DNA is prerequisite for any molecular biology work because contaminants such as proteins, polyphenols and polysaccharides may interfere with enzymes, such as endonuclease (in blotting techniques) and Taq polymerase in Polymerase Chain Reaction (Ausubel et al., 1994). The phenols covalently bind to proteins and DNA, giving the DNA a brown colour and making it useless for most research applications (Katterman & Shattuck, 1983; Guillemaut & Drouard, 1992, Aljanabi et al., 1999). Polyphenol contamination of DNA makes it resistant to restriction enzymes (Katterman & Shattuck, 1983).

Several methods for extracting DNA for different plant are available (Doyle and Doyle et al., 1990;

Khanuja et al., 1999; Kumar et al., 2003 Islam et al., 2013). In Pakistan no work has been done on the extraction of DNA from Ricinus species. Therefore the aim of the present study is to develop simple DNA extraction protocol from the seeds of six different varieties of Ricinus communis without liquid nitrogen and for further genome characterization using RAPD and SSR primers.

Reference

Akande TO, Odunsi AA, Olabode OS, Ojediran TK. 2012. Physical and Nutrient Characterisation of Raw and Processed Castor (Ricinuscommunis L.) Seeds in Nigeria. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 8, 89-95.

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Baldanzi  M,  Fambrini  M,  Pugliesi  C.  2005. Redesign  of  the  castor  bean  plant  body  plan  for optimal combine harvesting. Annals of Applied Biology 142, 299-306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7348.2003.tb00254.x

Barzegari A, Vahed SZ, Atashpaz S, Khani S, Omidi Y. 2010. Rapid and simple methodololgy for isolation of high quality genomic DNA from coniferous tissues (Taxus baccata). Molecular Biology Reporter 37, 833-837. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s1133-009-9634-z

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Embrapa-Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria 2006. Cultivo da mamona. Embrapa-CNPA, Algodao, Campina Grande, Sistemas de Produçao 4-2.

Feijao, RDO. 1963. Rícino. ElucidarioFitologico, ed. InstitutoBotanico de Lisboa, 3, 111-112.

Guillemaut P, Drouard ML. 1992. Isolation of plant DNA: fast, inexpensive, and reliable method. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 10, 60–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2010.08.009

Ilavarasan  R,  Mallika  M,  Venkataraman  S. 2006. Anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activity of Ricinus communis root extract Journal of Ethnopharmacology 103, 478 – 480. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.029

Islam M, Ahmad H, Khan IA. 2013. An efficient protocol for DNA isolation from the genus Pyrus. International Journal of Biosciences 3, 122-127. http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/3.4.122-127

Kang SS, Cordell GA, Soejarto DD, Fong HHS. 1985. Alkaloids and flavonoids from Ricinuscommunis. Journal of Natural Products 48, 155–156. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/np50037a041

Katterman FRH, Shattuck VL. 1983. An effective method of DNA isolation from the mature leaves of Gossypium  species  that  contain  large  amounts  of phenolic terpenoids and tannins. Preparative Biochemistry 13, 347–359. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00327488308068177

Khanuja SPS, Shasany AK, Darokar MP, Kumar S. 1999. Rapid isolation of DNA from dry and fresh samples of plants producing large amounts of secondary metabolites and essential oils.Plant molecular biology Reporter 17, 1 – 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1007528101452

Kumar A, Pushpangadan P, Mehrotra S. 2003. Extraction of high molecular weight DNA from dry root tissue of Berberis lycium suitable for RAPD. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 21, 309a-309d http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02772807

Li JF, Li L, Sheen J. 2010. Protocol: a rapid and economical procedure for purification of plasmid or plant DNA with diverse applications in plant biology. Plant Methods 6, 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1746-4811-6-1

Lodhi AM, Ye GN, Weeden NF, Reish. 1994. A simple and efficient method for DNA extraction from grapevine cultivars, Vitis species and Ampelopsis. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 12, 6-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02668658

Puchooa D, Venkatasamy K. 2005.A protocol for isolation of DNA from Trocetia boutoniana. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 7, 82-85.

Purohit AR, Verma PU, Patel NJ. 2012. Rapid and Efficient Procedure for Isolation of High Yielding DNA from Castor (Ricinus communis L.). International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications 2, 1–4.

Seo K, Lee G, Ma K, Hyun D, Park Y, Jung J, Lee S, Gwag J, Kim C, Lee M. 2011. Isolation and Characterization of 28 Polymorphic SSR Loci from Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L.). Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology 14, 97 – 103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12892-010-0107-7

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Article source : User friendly DNA isolation protocol optimized for Ricinus communis L. seeds 

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Detecting & Quantifying Viruliferous vs. Non-Viruliferous Polymyxa betae | InformativeBD

Fatemeh Hassanzadeh Davarani, Saeed Rezaee,  Seyed Bagher Mahmoudi, Peyman Norouzi, and Mohammad Reza Safarnejad, from the institute of Iran. wrote a Research article about, Detecting & Quantifying Viruliferous vs. Non-Viruliferous Polymyxa betae. Entitled, Identification and quantification of viruliferous and non- viruliferous Polymyxa betae. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Rhizomania, caused by Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus (BNYVV) is transmitted by plasmodiophorid Polymyxa betae. To investigate quantification of virulifeous and non- viruliferous P. betae isolates, different techniques including serological method (DAS- ELISA), PCR- based method and nanobiocensor method have been used. For this purpose, sugar beet susceptible cultivar (Regina) was cultivated in soils of different regions in greenhouse conditions. Six weeks after planting, lateral roots of beets from each soil were visually tested through microscopy and the of P. betae cystosori was seen and the lateral root sap was prepared. Then DAS- ELISA with polyclonal antibody against recombinant expressed fungal glutathione-s- transferase isolates of Shiraz was optimized. Optical density of different samples were calculated for both the vector and the virus using ELISA method. Simultaneously, confirmation of quantitative estimation P. betae in lateral root was conducted by nanobiosensor against vector. Nanobiosensor method was performed based on Florescent Resonance Transfer Energy (FRET) using antibody attached quantom dots and GST conjugated rhodamine. Microscopic results show presence of vector in all soils. BNYVV was found in soils Fars, Khorasan, Hamadan and Kermanshah. In soils of Azarbayjan, Gorgan, Dezfool, Kerman, Karaj and Arak were found no virus. Values of optical density of P. betae in soils with and without virus have no significantly difference. Because of high speed and sensitivity of nanobiosensor, its use for quantitative estimation of P. betae has been advised.

Read more :  Phytochemical & Antioxidant Profiles of Local and HYV Rice in Bangladesh | InformativeBD 

Introduction

The protist Polymyxa betae Keskin is an obligate parasite of sugarbeet roots and the plasmodiophorid vector of Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus (BNYVV), which causes rhizomania disease. P. betae is found in almost all soils where sugarbeet is grown, spreading from plant to plant by means of motile zoospores and survive in the soil for many years in the form of thicked-wall resting spores or cystosori (Rush, 2003). Despite its ubiquitous distribution and parasitic habitat, P. betae is generally considered to cause relatively little damage in temperate climates, although it may be pathogenic in areas of the world where sugarbeet is grown in warm soils (Blunt et al., 1991). In contrast, rhizomania disease causes severe economic losses in many countries and is spreading into new regions (McGrann et al, 2009). In Iran, it was reported from the Fars province in 1996 and is now found in nearly all sugarbeet-growing areas of the country (Izadpanah et al., 1996; Sohi and Maleki 2004). P. betae, the sole vector of BNYVV, has attracted increasing attention in recent years in Iran, because its distribution and behavior determine the incidence and severity of the disease. However, because it is an obligate parasite, epidemiological studies, and the search for potential sources of host resistance to P. betae, have required bioassays procedures, the evaluation of which can only be achieved by lengthy and laborious microscopic examination of roots (Mutassa-Gottgens et al., 2000 ).

Traditional methods to detect and quantify vector and virus in soil are based on bait plant bioassays using soil dilutions to estimate the most probable numbers (MPN) of infective propagules (Tuitert, 1990). These methods are expensive and time-consuming, taking more than 8 weeks to complete for a single soil sample. There was a need to develop a rapid, accurate and specific detection and quantification method for the P. betae in roots. DNA-based tests were developed which were able to identify the presence or absence of P. betae within the plan, but unable to quantify the relative amounts of the pathogen. Another limitation of DNA-based tests is that they cannot determine if the parasite is alive or dead (Kingsnorth et al., 2000). Serological tests that recognize proteins, which can be less stable than DNA, may also be able to distinguish between viable and nonviable cells. Using ELISA as a detection method has the main advantage that amounts of protein can be quantified. Also, it is relatively quick and easy, without the need for expensive laboratory equipment, and it can be automated for rapid on-line testing. Polyclonal antibodies have been used in ELISA tests for Spongospora subterranea (Merz et al., 2005), P. betae (Mutassa-Gottgens et al., 2000 and Kingsnorth et al., 2003a), Polymyxa. graminis (Delfosse et al., 2000) and Plasmodiophora brassica (Wakeham and White 1996). All authors reported a (semi-) quantitative detection of resting spores in plant material and soil samples.

Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), a specific immunogenic protein, is a critical enzyme expressed in P. betae`s zoospores, sporangia and resting spores and could be regarded as a good candidate for the development of the biobase of antibody and nanobiosensor. In fact, the pathogen expresses GST at high levels to overcome host defense mechanisms (Mutasa et al., 2000). Antibody to P. betae has been developed in Iran recently (Safarpour et al., 2012a) and is widely available for quantitative detection of it. One of the most important nanomaterials is fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots (QDs) which have been widely used for disease diagnosis (Frasco and Chaniotakis, 2009). QDs have a number of unique optical properties that are advantageous in the development of bio-analyses based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) (Algar and Krull, 2007). QDs have been reportedly used as biosensors by coating them with specific antibodies against various pathogenic agents such as E. coli O157:H7 (Hahn et al., 2008). Moreover, a quantum dots FRET-based nanobiosensor for efficient detection of P. betae was developed in Iran (Safarpour et al., 2012b). The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify viruliferous and nonviruliferous P. betae isolates in different sugarbeet cultivation of Iran firstly using serological and nanobiosensore methods that recently were developed in Iran and PCR- based method.

Reference

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Delfosse P, Reddy AS, Legrève A, Thirumala Devi K, Abdurahman MD, Maraite H, Reddy DVR. 2000. Serological Methods for Detection of Polymyxa graminis, an Obligate Root Parasite and Vector of Plant Viruses Phytopathology 90, 537- 545.

Frasco MF, Chaniotakis N. 2009 Semiconductor quantum dots in chemical sensors and biosensors. Sensors 9, 7266–7286. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s90907266

Hahn MA, Keng PC, Krauss TD. 2008. Flow cytometric analysis to detect pathogens in bacterial cell mixtures using semiconductor quantum dots. Anal Chemistry 80, 864- 872. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac7018365

Izadpanah K, Hashemi P, Kamran R, Pakniat M, Sahandpour A, Masumi M. 1996 Widespread occurrence of rhizomania-like disease of sugar beet in Fars. Iranian Journal of Plant Pathology 32, 200– 206.

Kingsnorth CS, Asher MJC, Keane GJP, Chwarszczynska DM, Luterbacher MC, Mutasa-Gottgens ES. 2003. Development of a recombinant antibody ELISA test for the detection of Polymyxa betae and its use in resistance screening. Plant Pathology 52, 673–680.

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McGrann GRD, Grimmer MK, Mutasa-Gottgens EF, Steven M. 2009. Progress towards the understanding and control of sugar beet rhizomania disease. Molecular Plant Pathology 10, 129- 141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1364-3703.2008.00514.x

Merz U, Walsh JA, Bouchek-Mechiche K, Oberhansli T, Bittelin W. 2005. Improved immunological detection of Spongospora subterranean. European Journal of Plant Pathology 111, 371-379.

Meunier A, Schmit JF, Stas A, Kutluk N, Bragard C. 2003. Multiple reverse transcription – PCR for simultaneous detection of beet necrotic yellow vein virus, Beet soilborn virus , and Beet virus Q and their vector Polymyxa betae KESKIN on sugare beet. Applied Environmental Microbiology 69, 2356- 2360.

Mutasa ES, Chwarszczynska DM, Adams MJ, Ward E, Asher MJC. 1993. A sensitive DNA probe for the detection of Polymyxa betae in Sugar beet roots and its application in field Studies. Physiologic and Molecular Plant Pathology 47, 303-313.

Mutasa-Gottgens ES, Chwarszczynska DM, Halsey K, Asher MJC. 2000. Specific Polyclonal antibodies for the obligate plant parasite Polymyxa- a targeted recombinant DNA approaches. Plant Pathology 49, 276–287.

Pavli OL, Stevanato P, Biancardi E, Skaracis GN. 2011. Achievements and prospects in breeding for rhizomania resistance in sugar beet. Field Crops Research 122, 165- 172.

Rush CM. 2003. Ecology and epidemiology of Benyvirus and plasmodiophorid vectors. Annual Review Phytopathology 41, 567–592.

Safarpour H, Safarnejad MR, Basirat M, Hasanzadeh F, Kamiab F. 2012a. Development of a specific serological kit for detection of Polymyxa betae, transmittingagent of sugar beet rhizomania disease. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment 10, 729-732.

Safarpour H, Safarnejad MR, Tabatabaie M, Mohsenifar A, Rad F, Shahryari F, Hasanzadeh F. 2012b. Development of a quantum dots FRET-Based biosensor for efficient detection of Polymyxa betae. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 34, 507–515.

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Wisler G, Lewellen R, Sears J, Wasson J, Liu H-Y. 2003. Intraction between Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus and Beet Soilborn Mosaic Virus and their effect on virus levels in sugar beet. Proc. Symp. Int. Work. Group on Plant Viruses with Fungal Vectors, 5th.Denever: American Society of Sugar Beet Technology. pp. 56-59.

Yilmaz K. 2010. Interaction between Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus and Beet Soilborne Virus in different sugarbeet cultivars. Anadolu Journal of Agricultural Science 25, 68-74.

Article source : Identification and quantification of viruliferous and non- viruliferous Polymyxa betae

 

 

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Phytochemical & Antioxidant Profiles of Local and HYV Rice in Bangladesh | InformativeBD

Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Tushar Chandra Sarker, Md. Mostafizur Rahman, and Mohammad Firoz Alam,  from the institute of Bangladesh. wrote a Research article about, Phytochemical & Antioxidant Profiles of Local and HYV Rice in Bangladesh. Entitled, Screening of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant properties in local and HYV of Bangladeshi Rice (Oryza sativa L.). This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Naturally occurring antioxidant supplements from plants are vital to counter the oxidative damage in cells where consumption of whole grain plays a vital role. As a dietary supplement, antioxidant activities of five local and HYV rice (Kalijira, Chinigura, Hizoldigha, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29) of Bangladesh were examined through DPPH antioxidant assay. Methanol extract of bran, polished and unpolished grain of each genotype were used as a studied sample. Studied sample showed significant antioxidant activity. Where bran is more potent part of rice showed higher antioxidant properties compeering unpolished and polished grain. Unpolished grain also showed greatest result where polished grain showed less performance. Among different genotypes Kalijira bran is black in color and showed better scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 60.12 μg/ml. Hizoldigha unpolished grain is red in color and showed higher antioxidant properties (130.2 μg/ml) compeering other unpolished grain. IC50 value of the positive control as BHT was 37.35 μg/ml. The result of present investigation denotes that the studied genotypes possess moderate antioxidant activity where Kalijira bran bear high antioxidant compound and keep demand to more processing and recently is using for extracting edible oil commonly called as rice bran oil. Unconventional Hizoldigha grain also contain high antioxidant activity and can be considered as nutraceutical foods as staple food.

Read more : Growth, Sex Ratio & Fruit Yield of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj Valley | InformativeBD 

Introduction

It is widely recognized that dietary ingredients have a dual role, one of them is nutritional and another is pharmaceuticals. So now it’s often called nutracuticals. In recent years, cereals and its ingredients are accepted as functional foods and nutraceuticals because of providing dietary fiber, proteins, energy, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants required for human health. Plant derived antioxidant such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids and phenolic compounds (polyphenols) (Choi et al., 2007), besides other bioactive compounds are reported to have antioxidants activity. Currently, synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate (PG) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) are used under strict regulations because of their toxic effects on human enzyme systems (Hatate et al., 1990, Hattori et al., 1998). In contrast, natural antioxidants have attracted more and more interests because of their safety and wide distribution properties (Lewis, 1993).

The phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are different from those in the grains, which contain tocotrienols and tocopherol, while rice is contain oryzanol (Lloyd et al., 2000). The phenolic like ferulic acid and diferulate are predominant in grains, but are not significant in some fruit and vegetables (Bunzel et al., 2001). Thus, the regular insertion of cereals and their processed products can make a payment to health endorsement and disease avoidance (Chaturvedi et al., 2011).

Rice, being one of the most produced and consumed cereals in the world (FAO, 1995), has an important role in the relation between the diet and health. Several compounds with antioxidant activity have been identified in rice, including phenolic compounds, tocopherols, tocotrienols and γ-oryzanol (Iqbal et al., 2005). Among them phenolic compounds is one of most important that are secondary metabolites of plants, with different activities such as protection against pathogens and predators, mechanical support, attraction of pollinating animals, and protection against ultraviolet radiation (Parr and Bolwell, 2000). Several phenolic compounds have already been identified in rice. The phenolic compounds are mainly associated with the pericarp in rice; hence, the milling process reduces the concentration of these compounds in the grain. Besides, grains with darker pericarp colour, such as red and black rice, contain higher amounts of polyphenols (Tian et al., 2004). The concentration of total phenolics in the grain has been positively associated with the antioxidant activity (Zhang et al., 2006).

Rice bran is an underutilized co-product from rice milling and generally used as animal feed, although it has long been considered an excellent source of vitamins and other nutrients. Bidlack (1999) has shown that rice bran may contain over 100 different antioxidants. Lloyd et al. (2000) also reported that, rice bran contains high amounts of beneficial antioxidants including tocopherols, tocotrienols, and oryzanols. It is also remarkable that, antioxidants containing level also depend on the type of rice (Gaydou et al., 1980). However if we see the rank of antioxidant rich food, than it will be clearer that the color fruits, vegetables, spices and nuts are more potent to show antioxidant activity than grain. But all of those are expansible and not edible as much as we need where rice is only foods that we take maximum amount per day and suitable for all classes of people. So if we could find out the high antioxidant compound containing rice genotypes and increase the amount of those phytochemicals in our daily diet rice, than it would be also beneficial like golden rice. Studied genotypes Kalijira and Chinigura are local aromatic varieties and small in size, Hizoldigha is low yielding local Amon varieties with red color pericarp and normally grown in deep water where BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan29 are modern transplanted high yielding varieties of Bangladesh.

The present investigation was designed to evaluate the phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of rice genotypes generally cultivated if Bangladesh and are important in different aspects. Here DPPH antioxidant assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of selected sample because scavenging of DPPH radical is the basis of the popular DPPH antioxidant assay (Kordali et al., 2005).

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Article source : Screening of phytochemical compounds and antixidant properties in local and HYV of Bangladeshi Rice (Oryza sativa L.) 

 

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Growth, Sex Ratio & Fruit Yield of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj Valley | InformativeBD

Syed Mukaram Shah, from the institute of Pakistan. Farrukh Hussain, from the institute of Pakistan and Musharaf Khan, from the institute of Pakistan. wrote a Research article about, Growth, Sex Ratio & Fruit Yield of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj Valley. Entitled, Growth behaviour, sex ratio and fruit output of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj valley, District Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Study was conducted to examine growth behaviour, sex ratio and seed output of Juniperus excelsa in various parts of Mastuj valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Pakistan. Average height, diameter and density of male, female and bisexual plants were determined. Seed output of female plants were found highest in Dodorghaz gol followed by Mastuj village and Ghuru gol. Number of fallen fruits were high in Dodorghaz gol followed by Mastuj village and Ghuru gol. Number of seedlings were high in Mastuj village followed by Ghuru gol and Dodorghaz gol. Soils were sandy loam and loamy sand with elements such as C, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe and K. These results strongly sustain genetically-determined sex ratios and a lack of major differences between males and females in growth behaviour and seed output which had been suggested by short-term studies elsewhere in the species’ range.

Read more : Nesting & Social Behavior of Wasps and Honey Bees in Mansehra | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Mastuj lies in between 36◦-3′ north latitude and 72◦-5′ east longitude towards the northeastern part of District Chitral bordering Northern areas and Afghanistan. The altitude of the area vary from 2200m-4000m. Climatically the area falls within dry temperate zone with mild summers and cold winters with snowfall. Topographically the area is bounded by mountains having scattered Juniperus forests. Ahmed et al (1990) sampled 60 monospecific stands of Juniperus excelsa at four locations in Balochistan and recorded density, basal area and height of individual. Soils were analysed for selected physical and chemical characteristics and the degree of disturbance due to logging and burning was also noted. Fisher and Gardner (1994) described the status and ecology of a Juniperus excelsa subsp. Polycarpos woodland in the northern mountains of Oman. Sarangzai (2000) described the population structure and natural regeneration potential of Juniperus excelsa in the northern Balochistan. Gauquelin et al (2002) studied the sex ratio and sexual dimorphism in Juniperus thurifera. Ali (2003) discussed issues and threats to Juniper forests in Chitral and provided recommendations for the conservation of these forests to avoid further degradation. Dar and Christensen (2003) recognized seven texa of Juniperus from the western Himalaya. Schulz et al (2003) studied cone morphology in Juniperus in the light of cone evolution in cupressaceae. Borghesio et al (2004) evaluated the conservation status of two Juniperus forests in south Ethiopia. Auken et al (2005) examined the emergence, mortality and growth of Juniperus ashei. Short term studies of J. virginiana in Ontario (Vasiliauskas and Aarssen, 1992) and in Alabama (Lawton and Cothran 2000) have shown a lack of major differences between males and females in growth rates, growth behaviour, sex ratio and seed output and suggested that the genetically-determined sex ratio was 1:1. However, it was not possible in those studies to determine the long-term survivorship of marked individuals and the effect that it may have had on the observed sex ratio, growth rates and growth behaviour. There have been frequent reports of inconstant sex expression in Juniperus species (Vasek 1966, Freeman et al. 1981, Lloyd and Bawa 1984, Jordano 1991), but there have been no long-term observations on the sex expression of juniperus excelsa individuals in natural populations. The objective of this research was to utilize long-term observations on associates of labeled individuals of juniperus excelsa to directly determine growth rates, growth behaviour, sex ratio and seed output of individual males, females and bisexual, constancy of sex expression, and resulting sex ratios.

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Article source : Growth behaviour, sexratio and fruit output of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj valley, District Chitral,Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan 

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