Mobile Potato Leaf Disease Detection Using Ensemble Learning | InformativeBD

Karen W. Cantilang, and Laarni M. Ladiao, from the institute of Philippines . wrote a Research article about, Mobile Potato Leaf Disease Detection Using Ensemble Learning. Entitled, Mobile-based potato leaf disease identifier using ensemble modeling. 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

Potato leaf diseases pose a significant threat to crop productivity, necessitating accurate, accessible, and real-time diagnostic solutions. This study proposes a mobile-based potato leaf disease identification system using ensemble modeling to improve classification accuracy and support early disease detection in agricultural environments. The system classifies seven categories, including six disease types—bacteria, fungi, nematode, pest, Phytophthora, and virus—and one healthy (normal) class. A dataset of 3,000 potato leaf images was utilized following the Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) framework, including data selection, preprocessing, transformation, data mining, and evaluation. Deep feature extraction was performed using the Inception v3 convolutional neural network to generate high-dimensional image embeddings. These features were classified using Support Vector Machines (SVM) and further enhanced through a stacking-based ensemble approach to improve predictive performance. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieved an overall classification accuracy of 88% and a macro-averaged Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.92, demonstrating strong discriminative capability across all classes. The ensemble model outperformed individual classifiers, particularly in distinguishing visually similar disease categories. The system is designed for mobile deployment with both online and offline functionality, making it suitable for real-world agricultural applications, especially in resource-limited settings. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrating deep learning-based feature extraction with ensemble learning techniques for robust plant disease detection and scalable precision agriculture solutions.

Read more : Curry Leaf (Murrayakoenigii): A Rich Source of Beneficial Fatty Acids | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Potatoes are one of the most important food crops globally, providing sustenance and economic benefits to millions of people (Dolničar, 2021). However, their productivity is often threatened by various leaf diseases, such as early blight, late blight, and bacterial wilt, which can significantly reduce yield quality and quantity. These diseases spread rapidly if not detected and treated promptly, resulting in substantial losses for farmers (Muzammil Khan et al., 2024). Traditional methods of disease identification rely heavily on visual inspection by farmers or agricultural experts, which can be time-consuming, prone to human error, and inaccessible to many smallholder farmers, particularly in remote areas. Recent research highlights the potential of deep learning and computer vision techniques for automated potato leaf disease detection, addressing limitations of traditional visual inspection.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have revolutionized plant disease detection by enabling automated image-based diagnosis. A mobile-based potato leaf diseases identifier using ensemble modeling offers a promising solution by combining the strengths of multiple machine learning algorithms to analyze leaf images captured through a smartphone camera. Ensemble modeling, which integrates models such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), random forests, and support vector machines (SVMs), improves prediction accuracy by aggregating predictions from different models. This approach minimizes errors, enhances reliability, and ensures consistent disease identification across various environmental conditions, empowering farmers to take timely and appropriate action (Ahmed and Reddy, 2021).

Despite the potential of AI-based disease detection systems, most existing models are limited by their reliance on a single algorithm, which often results in lower accuracy and susceptibility to variations in environmental factors, such as lighting and leaf orientation. While CNNs excel at feature extraction, their performance may be compromised when dealing with noisy data, making it essential to incorporate additional models to improve overall classification performance. Ensemble modeling addresses this limitation by combining the strengths of diverse algorithms, ensuring a more robust and accurate disease identification system. However, the application of ensemble modeling in mobile-based disease identification for potato plants remains underexplored, highlighting a critical research gap.

Moreover, most current mobile-based disease detection applications focus primarily on highvalue crops, such as tomatoes and apples, with limited attention given to potato plants, despite their economic significance. Existing studies often neglect the unique characteristics and challenges associated with identifying potato leaf diseases, including overlapping symptoms and variations in disease progression.

Furthermore, many available solutions are designed for laboratory or controlled environments, limiting their practicality for realworld deployment in agricultural settings (Jafar et al., 2024). Addressing this gap by developing a mobile-based potato disease identifier that utilizes ensemble modeling can significantly enhance disease management practices for potato farmers, particularly in developing regions.

This study aims to fill this research gap by developing a mobile-based potato leaf diseases identifier that leverages ensemble modeling to improve classification accuracy and provide real-time, actionable insights to farmers. By combining the predictive power of CNNs, random forests, and SVMs, the system will offer a more reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for detecting and managing potato leaf diseases. The successful implementation of this technology has the potential to improve potato yield, reduce crop losses, and contribute to the overall sustainability of agricultural practices.

The main objective of this study is to develop a mobilebased potato leaf disease identification system using ensemble modeling to enhance classification accuracy and support early disease detection. To achieve this goal, the study is guided by the following specific objectives:

1. To collect and pre-process a dataset of potato leaf images, including six disease categories—bacteria, fungi, nematode, pest, Phytophthora, and virus— along with a healthy (normal) class.

 2. To develop a classification model using deep feature extraction (Inception v3) combined with Support Vector Machines (SVM) and a stacking-based ensemble learning approach.

 3. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model using standard metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and Area Under the Curve (AUC), based on a labeled image dataset.

The scope of this study to develop a mobile-based potato leaf disease identifier using ensemble modeling to enhance disease detection accuracy. The system will allow farmers and agricultural experts to capture images of potato leaves and identify six pre-defined disease categories: bacteria, fungi, nematode, pest, Phytophthora, and virus. The model will integrate multiple machine learning algorithms for improved classification accuracy and will be evaluated based on metrics such as accuracy and precision. The mobile application will function in both online and offline modes to ensure accessibility in areas with limited internet connectivity. The study is delimited to identifying potato disease visible on the leaves. The model’s accuracy depends on the quality and diversity of the dataset, and underrepresented diseases may be harder to detect. Image quality, environmental factors, and overlapping disease symptoms could also affect classification performance. Despite these limitations, the research aims to provide an accessible and effective tool for early disease detection in potato farming.

Article source : Mobile-based potato leaf disease identifier using ensemble modeling 

Read More

Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii): A Rich Source of Beneficial Fatty Acids | InformativeBD

 

Shahin Aziz, from the institute of Bangladesh. wrote a Research article about, Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii): A Rich Source of Beneficial Fatty Acids. Entitled, Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng.: An opulent source of fatty acid. 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

Murraya koenigii L., a medicinal plant utilized in traditional folk medicine, possesses anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory attributes and also is widely used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, itching, leukoderma, and hematological disorders. From the present work, total 8 fatty acids were identified by Gas Chromatography–Mass PSpectrometry (GC-MS) technique where the level of saturation in the fatty acid derived from the petroleum ether extract of the aerial section of Murraya koenigii L. is significantly higher compared to unsaturated part. The saturated portion includes capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and arachidic acid while palmitic acid is obtained at higher concentration (35.07%). Conversely the unsaturated portion comprises oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linoleic acid where oleic acid covers a significant concentration (17.31%). In connection to the above findings, the current study indicates that the significant presence of fatty acids such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, α-Linolenic acid may contribute to the recognition of the potential pharmacological significance of this plant in the treatment of illnesses.

Read more : Temperature Effects on Melon Fly Development in Senegal Watermelon Crops | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Plant parts such as the flower, leave, root; bark, seed, and fruit have been used in herbal and ayurvedic medicine since time immemorial (Basit et al., 2023; Shahin et al., 2016). Continuous and extensive research revealed that medicinal plants are the prime source of new bioactive compounds and healthcare products with therapeutic qualities (Banso et al., 2007; Ivanova et al., 2005; Shahin et al, 2019). Through the successive extraction and characterization of numerous phytochemicals from the vast natural repository, several drugs with high activity profiles were identified and industrially synthesized (Mandal et al., 2007, Misra et al., 2009).

Murraya koenigii L., a member of the Rutaceae family, is frequently referred to as "kamini, Kariaphuli, Gandhal, Curry Pata" in Bangladesh. It is strongly aromatic deciduous shrub or small tree having clusters of small white flowers, small ovoid black fruits, and fragrant leaves grown across the different regions of Bangladesh as well as tropical and sub-tropical areas in the world (Abdelwahab et al., 2023). The leaves of M. koenigii are used as spice to season a variety of meals, though they are most frequently employed in curries. Curry leaves are exceptionally abundant in chemical constituents such as essential oil, tannins, resin and crystalline glucoside, koenigin (Ghani, 1998) with a variety of pharmacological and biological activities, for an instance, antidiabetic (Arulselvan and Subramanian, 2007), antioxidant (Baliga et al., 2003), antimicrobial (Abhishek et al., 2010), hepatoprotective (Pande et al., 2009), antiinflamatory (Muthumani et al., 2009), antihyper cholesterolemic (Iyer et al., 1990), effective action against colon carcinogenesis (Iyer et al., 1990), increasing of digestive secretions, relief from nausea, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, fever and snakebite as well as nutritional and fragrant properties (Ghani, 1998; Abdelwahab et al., 2023, Shashank et al., 2020). Furthermore, girinimbin was obtained from the stem-bark part while the flowers contain a significant quantity of mono- and sesquiterpenoids.

The primary terpenoids found in the flowers are beta-caryophyllene, beta-ocimene, and linalool (Ghani et al., 1998). In addition, both free and complex lipid-bound fatty acids are essential for metabolism because they function as a metabolic fuel, storing and transferring energy, as a building block of all membranes, and as a gene regulator. Fatty acids are essential for mechanical protection, electrical and thermal insulation, and complex lipids. Fatty acids' amphipathic qualities and ability to form micelles additionally provide them a variety of industrial uses as soaps and detergents (Furuhashi et al., 2008). Three most abundant unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in plants are oleic acid (918:1), linoleic acid (918:2), and α-linoleic acid (18:3), all of which consist of 18 carbon atoms. These relatively simple compounds serve as constituents and regulators of glycerolipids, triacylglycerols as a carbon and energy reservoir, stores of constituents of the extracellular barrier such as cutin and suberin, predecessors of different biologically molecules like nitro alkenes and jasmonates, and regulators of stress signaling. However, they have the ability to cause oxidative stress (He et al., 2020).

According to literature study, M. koenigii has been subjected to numerous investigations. Many of the chemical components of M. koenigii show signs of pharmacokinetic response. As per plant science, different geographic locations, climatic circumstances and environmental influences produce non-identical plant secondary metabolites linked to physiological variances in plants.

For this reason, a number of thorough scientific investigations on the effectiveness of the entire plant or specific parts in various extract have been accomplished for medical purposes. However, fatty acid profiling by GC-MS analysis of aerial sections of M. koenigii has not been reported at all. Therefore the current study focuses a comprehensive GC-MS assessment of the fatty acid compositions in the aerial sections of the petroleum ether extract of M. koenigii, a species native to Bangladesh.

Reference

Abdelwahab SI, Taha MM. 2023. Global research trends of the studies on Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng: A Scopus-based comprehensive bibliometric investigation (1965–2023). Bulletin of the National Research Centre 47(1), 138. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-023-01113-x

Abhishek M, Dua VK, Prasad GB. 2010. Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Murraya koenigii against aerobic bacteria associated with bovine mastitis. International Journal of Chemical Environmental and Pharmaceutical Research 1(1), 12–16.

Aziz S, Rahman MM, Islam MS. 2016. Fatty acid composition and phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plant extracts. Journal of Scientific Research 8(2), 145–152.

Arulselvan P, Subramanian SP. 2007. Beneficial effects of Murraya koenigii leaves on antioxidant defense system and ultrastructural changes of pancreatic β-cells in experimental diabetes in rats. Chemico-Biological Interactions 165(2), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2006.10.014

Baliga MS, Jagetia GC, Rao SK, Babu K. 2003. Evaluation of nitric oxide scavenging activity of certain species in vitro: A preliminary study. Nahrung 47(4), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.1002/food.200390061

Banso A, Adeyemo SO. 2007. Evaluation of antibacterial properties of tannins isolated from Dichrostachys cinerea. African Journal of Biotechnology 6(15), 1785–1787. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB2007.000-2262

Basit MA, Arifah AK, Chwen LT, Salleh A, Kaka U, Idris SB, Farooq AA, Javid MA, Murtaza S. 2023. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial potential of selected herbs Piper betle and Persicaria odorata leaf extracts. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology 3. https://doi.org/10.35495/ajab.2023.038

Furuhashi M, Hotamisligil GS. 2008. Fatty acid-binding proteins: Role in metabolic diseases and potential as drug targets. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 7(6), 489–503. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd2589

Ghani A. 1998. Medicinal plants of Bangladesh: chemical constituents and uses (2nd ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

Harborne JB. 1984. Phytochemical methods: A guide to modern techniques of plant analysis. Chapman and Hall, London.

He M, Qin CX, Wang X, Ding NZ. 2020. Plant unsaturated fatty acids: Biosynthesis and regulation. Frontiers in Plant Science 11, 390. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00390

Ivanova D, Gerova D, Chervenkov T, Yankova T. 2005. Phytochemical and antioxidant capacity of Bulgarian medicinal plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96(1), 145–150.

Iyer UM, Mani UV. 1990. Studies on the effect of curry leaves supplementation (Murraya koenigii) on lipid profile, glycated proteins and amino acids in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 40, 275–279. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02193851

Lunn JE, Feil R, Hendriks JH, Gibon Y, Morcuende R, Osuna D, Scheible WR, Carillo P, Hajirezaei MR, Stitt M. 2006. Sugar-induced increases in trehalose 6-phosphate are correlated with redox activation of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and higher rates of starch synthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Biochemical Journal 397(1), 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20060083

Mandal V, Mohan Y, Hemalatha S. 2007. Microwave-assisted extraction: An innovative and promising extraction tool for medicinal plant research. Pharmacognosy Reviews 1(1), 7–18.

Misra A. 2009. Studies on biochemical and physiological aspects in relation to phytomedicinal qualities and efficacy of the active ingredients during handling, cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 3(13), 1140–1146.

Muthumani P, Venkatraman S, Ramseshu KV, Meera R, Devi P, Kameswari B, Eswarapriya B. 2009. Pharmacological studies of anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of Murraya koenigii Spreng in experimental animals. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 1(3), 137–141.

Pande MS, Gupta SPBN, Pathak A. 2009. Hepatoprotective activity of Murraya koenigii Linn bark. Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology 3(1), 69–71.

Peichev M, Naiyer AJ, Pereira D, Zhu Z, Lane WJ, Williams M, Oz MC, Hicklin DJ, Witte L, Moore MA. 2000. Expression of VEGFR-2 and AC133 by circulating human CD34+ cells identifies a population of functional endothelial precursors. Blood 95(3), 952–958. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V95.3.952

Reifen R, Karlinsky A, Stark AH, Berkovich Z, Nyska A. 2015. α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 26(12), 1632–1640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.006

Ristić-Medić D, Vučić V, Takić M, Karadžić I, Glibetić M. 2013. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in health and disease. Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 78(9), 1269–1289. https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC130402040R

Shahin A, Sahal A, Sharmin AI, Tanzima P. 2016. Analysis of fatty acid and determination of total protein, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid of Bangladesh Bombax ceiba Linn leaves and seeds. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Research 4(4), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.30750/ijpbr.4.4.7

Shahin A, Tahmina KM. 2019. Analysis of fatty acid and determination of total protein and phytochemical content of Cassia sophera Linn leaf, flower and seed. Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 8, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-019-0004-1

Shashank T, Talreja S. 2020. Pharmaceutical importance of Murraya koenigii: A complete study. Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development 11.

Wendell SG, Baffi C, Holguin F. 2014. Fatty acids, inflammation, and asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 133(5), 1255–1264.

Winterkorn H, Fang H. 1991. Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society 68(5), 317–320.

Zielińska A, Nowak I. 2014. Fatty acids in plant oils and their importance in cosmetics. Chemik 68(2), 103–110.

Article source : Murraya koenigii(Linn.) Spreng.: An opulent source of fatty acid  

Read More

Temperature Effects on Melon Fly Development in Senegal Watermelon Crops | InformativeBD

Madeleine Ivonne Mendy, Toffène Diome,  Mamecor Faye, and Mbacké Sembène, from the institute of Sénégal. wrote a Research article about, Temperature Effects on Melon Fly Development in Senegal Watermelon Crops. entitled, Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal. 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

Global warming strongly influences the development of Zeugodacus cucurbitae, a major pest of cucurbit crops; however, the effects of certain intermediate and high temperatures, as well as natural conditions particularly on watermelon remain insufficiently documented. The present study assessed the effect of a thermal gradient, including ambient temperature and constant temperatures of 25, 27, 30, and 33°C, on the development of the immature stages (egg-larva-pupa) of Z. cucurbitae. The results indicate that preimaginal development time exhibits a non-linear thermal response. The duration of the pupal stage decreases with increasing temperature, whereas pupal survival and total developmental time follow a unimodal pattern, characterized by accelerated development up to a thermal optimum (27°C), beyond which biological performance declines and variability increases. These findings confirm the existence of an optimal thermal window (25-27°C) for the development of Z. cucurbitae and reveal stage-specific thermal plasticity. This sensitivity to temperature fluctuations has important implication for phenological modeling, population dynamics forecasting, and the adaptation of integrated pest management strategies under climate change scenarios.

 Read more : Paddy Straw Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea: Spawn Preparation and Growth Techniques | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Climate warming is now an unequivocal scientific reality. According to Legg (2021), the global mean temperature has increased by approximately 1.1°C relative to pre-industrial levels, primarily due to anthropogenic activities, with a marked intensification of heatwaves and thermal extremes. Recent years rank among the warmest ever recorded, reflecting a persistent upward temperature trend (WMO, 2026). Beyond physical alterations, these changes directly affect biological systems by modifying the distribution, phenology, physiology, and population dynamics of living organisms (Trisos et al., 2022). Temperature is a fundamental abiotic factor governing the distribution and functioning of organisms within ecosystems (Odum, 1971; Ricklefs, 2008). Teder et al. (2022) reported that it strongly influences the growth and development of ectothermic animals. Insects are typical ectotherms, characterized by high taxonomic diversity, large population sizes, and rapid reproductive rates (Chapman, 1998; Grimaldi and Engel, 2005). Their small body size, thin cuticle, rapid heat exchange with the surrounding environment, and limited capacity to maintain a stable body temperature make them particularly sensitive to environmental fluctuations (Zeng et al., 2022). In agroecosystems, climate change regulates the geographic distribution of pests, the number of generations per year, survival rates, and synchronization with host plants (Britannica, 2026). Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1899) (Diptera : Tephritidae), commonly known as the melon fly, is a major pest of tropical and subtropical cucurbit crops, causing substantial agricultural losses when populations reach high densities (Dhillon et al., 2005; Meyer et al., 2015; Zeng et al., 2022). Like other poikilothermic insects, its development is strongly influenced by ambient temperature, which affects both the duration of the immature stages (egg, larva, and pupa) and their survival (Vayssières et al., 2008; Mkiga and Mwatawala, 2015). Although several studies (Vayssières et al., 2008; Mkiga and Mwatawala, 2015; Ahn et al., 2022; Zeng et al., 2022) have examined the effects of temperature on the development of Z. cucurbitae, they rarely include watermelon-one of the fly’s principal host plants-and are generally restricted to a limited range of constant temperatures (20, 25, and 30°C). Moreover, these studies predominantly focus on populations from East Africa or Asia. According to Mwatawala et al. (2016), watermelon is the preferred host of Z. cucurbitae. In addition, intermediate temperatures (27°C) and those approaching the upper thermal tolerance limit (≈33°C) remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. The effects of natural ambient conditions, incorporating daily thermal fluctuations, have also not been directly compared with controlled constant temperatures.

Therefore, evaluating the development of Z. cucurbitae under a thermal gradient including ambient temperature and constant temperatures of 25, 27, 30, and 33°C an approach not previously implemented in Senegal helps fill a critical knowledge gap. This framework enables a more precise determination of the thermal optimum and sublethal thresholds, improves understanding of the species’ thermal plasticity, and strengthens predictive tools for population management. The objective of this study is to compare the thermal responses of the different immature stages and to identify the optimal temperature ranges for their development.

Reference

Ahn JJ, Choi K, Huang YB. 2022. Thermal effects on the development of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and model validation. Phytoparasitica 50, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-022-00985-5

Chapman RF. 1998. The insects: structure and function. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 770 p.

Coquillett DW. 1899. A new trypetid from Hawaii. Entomological News 10(5), 129.

Costaz TPM, Gols R, de Jong PW, van Loon JJA, Dicke M. 2022. Effects of extreme temperature events on the parasitism performance of Diadegma semiclausum, an endoparasitoid of Plutella xylostella. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 170(8), 656–665. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13197

Crawley MJ. 2012. The R book. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK, 1051 p.

Dhillon MK, Singh R, Naresh JS, Sharma HC. 2005. The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae: a review of its biology and management. Journal of Insect Science 5(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1093/jis/5.1.40

Estrada-Marroquín MD, Cancino J, Sánchez D, Montoya P, Liedo P. 2022. Host-specific demography of Utetes anastrephae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a native parasitoid of Anastrepha spp. fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 93, 53–69.

Global food security. 2026. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Food-and-Agriculture-Organization

Grimaldi D, Engel MS. 2005. Evolution of the insects. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 755 p.

Legg S. 2021. IPCC, 2021: climate change 2021 – the physical science basis. Interaction 49(4), 44–45.

 McCullagh P, Nelder JA. 1989. Generalized linear models. Chapman & Hall, London, UK, 532 p.

Mendy MI, Diome T, Faye M, Sembene M. 2026. A simple rearing technique for Zeugodacus cucurbitae Coquillett, 1899 (Diptera: Tephritidae), a melon pest in Senegal. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 14(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2026.v14.i1a.9666

Meyer MD, Delatte H, Mwatawala M, Quilici S, Vayssières JF, Virgilio M. 2015. A review of the current knowledge on Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Africa, with a list of species included in Zeugodacus. ZooKeys 540, 539-557. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.540.9672

Mkiga AM, Mwatawala MW. 2015. Developmental biology of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in three cucurbitaceous hosts at different temperature regimes. Journal of Insect Science 15(1), 160. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iev141

Mwatawala M, Kudra A, Mkiga A, Godfrey E, Jeremiah S, Virgilio M, De Meyer M. 2016. Preference of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) for three commercial fruit vegetable hosts in natural and semi-natural conditions. Fruits. https://doi.org/10.1051/fruits/2015034

Odum EP. 1971. Fundamentals of ecology (3rd Ed.). W.B. Saunders Company.

Ricklefs RE. 2008. The economy of nature (6th ed.). W. H. Freeman and Company.

Teder T, Taits K, Kaasik A, Tammaru T. 2022. Limited sex differences in plastic responses suggest evolutionary conservatism of thermal reaction norms: A meta-analysis in insects. Evolution Letters 6(6), 394–411. https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.299

Trisos CH, Adelekan IO, Totin E, Ayanlade A, Efitre J, Gemeda A, Kalaba FK, Lennard C, Masao C, Mgaya YD, Ngaruiya G, Olago D, Simpson NP, Zakieldeen SA. 2022. Africa. In: Pörtner HO, Roberts DC, Tignor MMB, Poloczanska ES, Mintenbeck K, Alegría A, Craig M, Langsdorf S, Löschke S, Möller V, Okem A, Rama B. Climate change 2022: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.

Vayssières JF, Carel Y, Coubes M, Duyck PF. 2008. Development of immature stages and comparative demography of two cucurbit-attacking fruit flies in Reunion Island: Bactrocera cucurbitae and Dacus ciliatus (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Wang X, Biondi A, Daane KM. 2020. Functional responses of three candidate Asian larval parasitoids evaluated for classical biological control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 113(1), 73-80. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz265

World Meteorological Organization. 2026. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/World-Meteorological-Organization

Zeng B, Lian Y, Jia J, Liu Y, Wang A, Yang H, Li J, Yang S, Peng S, Zhou S. 2022. Multigenerational effects of short-term high temperature on the development and reproduction of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1899). Agriculture 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070954

Article source : Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera:Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal  

Read More

Paddy Straw Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea: Spawn Preparation and Growth Techniques | InformativeBD

A. Anees Fathima, and J. Jayasree, from the institute of India. wrote a Research article about, Paddy Straw Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea: Spawn Preparation and Growth Techniques. Entitled, Spawn preparation and cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Singer on paddy straw substrate. 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 

Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom) is an important edible mushroom cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions due to its rapid growth, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. The present study investigated spawn preparation and cultivation of V. volvacea using paddy straw as the primary substrate. Pure cultures were established under controlled laboratory conditions, followed by spawn production and indoor cultivation. Growth characteristics, fruiting behavior, yield, and biological efficiency were evaluated. The results showed that pinhead formation occurred within 15 days, and a yield of 2.05 kg per 10 kg of substrate with a biological efficiency of 20.5% was obtained. The findings indicate that appropriate substrate preparation, environmental conditions, and spawn quality are important factors associated with successful cultivation. Despite its commercial importance, production of V. volvacea remains limited by suboptimal practices. This study provides practical insights into spawn preparation and cultivation techniques that may support improved and sustainable mushroom production.

Read more : Major Cucumber Diseases and Their Pathogens in Azerbaijan | InformativeBD

Introduction

Mushrooms are classified as macro fungi, characterized by their fleshy and distinct sporebearing fruiting bodies. They belong to the Pluteaceae family (Kotl. and Pouz) within the class Basidiomycetes (Singer, 1961) and are typically found growing above ground, in soil, or on other food substrates. Among the 12,000 known species of mushrooms, over 2,000 have been identified as edible. However, only about 35 species are widely accepted for consumption, with a limited number being commercially cultivated. Additionally, nearly 200 wild species are utilized for medicinal purposes (Chen et al., 2019). Mushrooms are regarded as a delicacy, offering high nutritional and functional value, and are acknowledged as nutraceutical products. Their appeal has increased due to various advantages, including organoleptic qualities, medicinal properties, and economic importance. Furthermore, mushrooms are being explored as a potential alternative to muscle protein, owing to their high digestibility (Vinay et al., 2021)

Mushroom sporocarps are rich in minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. Additionally, mushrooms serve as a significant source of vitamin D, which is absent in other dietary supplements, alongside these proteins and minerals. (Pehrsson et al., 2003). The unique bioactive compounds found in mushrooms possess immunemodulating effects and enhance human immune function, thereby lowering the risk of cancer and tumor development. Nonetheless, mushroom cultivation in Asian nations commenced over 1000 years ago, with scientific cultivation beginning only in the early 20th century when pure cultures of mushrooms were developed from spores and tissues. Volvariella volvacea is the most widely cultivated edible mushroom species (Walde et al., 2006) and due to its delightful flavor, it ranks third among essential mushrooms (Ramkumar et al., 2012; Thiribhuvanamala et al., 2012) also noted for its rapid growth rate compared to other species (Rajapakse, 2011). This mushroom is also commonly referred to as paddy straw mushroom, straw mushroom, and Chinese mushroom. The first recorded cultivation occurred in China in 1822 (Chang, 1969).

The sporocarp of V. volvacea is characterized by a grayish to black, egg-shaped vulva in its juvenile stage, which ruptures to allow the pileus to expand to a nearly flat form. The straw mushroom is considered a nutritious food source (Feeney et al., 2014). It is rich in protein, phosphorus, and potassium (Ahlawat and Tewari, 2007), while being low in alkalinity, cholesterol, and fat, and is free of salt. This mushroom contains bioactive metabolites that contribute to its rich taste, flavor, and pleasant aroma, as well as notable biological properties such as antioxidant (Hung and Nhi, 2012), antimicrobial (Chandra and Chaubey, 2017), anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, anti-hypersensitive, and anti-cancer effects.

Paddy straw mushroom, also known as grass mushroom, derives its name from its cultivation on rice straw. This mushroom is a significant dietary component due to its rich flavor, aroma, and nutritional benefits. Scientifically classified as Volvariella volvacea, it is a Holobasidiomycete that belongs to the Plutaceae family (Mond et al., 2021). This species accounts for 6% of the global mushroom production, predominantly utilized in the South Asian region. Over 100 species of Volvariella volvacea (Bull.ex.Fr) Singh have been documented worldwide (Kurtzman and Yang, 1982). The paddy straw mushroom thrives in high temperatures, making it primarily cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Asia, including countries such as China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Madagascar. The life cycle of Volvariella volvacea consists of six maturity stages: pinhead, tiny, button, egg, elongation, and mature stages (Najmu et al., 2022).

Depending on the geographical area and climatic conditions, V. volvacea is grown either in outdoor settings or within controlled indoor environments. The choice of substrates for cultivating V. volvacea in a specific nation is primarily determined by the quantity of accessible free resources (Amir et al., 2023).

Mushroom cultivation is a significant and lucrative agribusiness that offers employment opportunities for rural women. The paddy straw mushroom grows rapidly allowing for harvest within two weeks of bed preparation. The demand for mushrooms is rising daily in Odisha. The agro-climatic conditions in Odisha are ideally suited for the cultivation of paddy straw mushrooms (Mijan, 2024). Nevertheless, most of the edible fungi that are presently cultivated belong to medium- and low-temperature varieties, while hightemperature varieties are quite scarce; this results in a limited availability of edible fungal varieties in the market during the high-temperature season (Ali et al., 2024). These circumstances also contribute to the consistently high price of V. volvacea throughout the year, potentially enhancing the profits for mushroom farmers in comparison to those of other edible fungal varieties (Wang et al., 2025). The present investigation was carried out to find out the spawn preparation, cultivation of Volvariella volvacea on paddy straw substrate and supplements for yield enhancement.

Reference

Ahlawat OP, Tewari RP. 2007. Cultivation technology of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). In Technical bulletin: National Research Centre for Mushroom (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), New Delhi, 1–33.

Ali S, Yousaf N, Usman M, Javed MA, Nawaz M, Ali B, Azam M, Ercisli S, Tirasci S, Ahmed AE. 2024. Volvariella volvacea (paddy straw mushroom): A mushroom with exceptional medicinal and nutritional properties. Heliyon 10, e39747.

Amir NF, Mohd-Aris A, Mohamad A, Abdullah S, Yusof FZ, Umor NA. 2023. Spawn production and cultivation technology for Volvariella volvacea: A perspective. Food Research 7(4), 93–101.

Chandra O, Chaubey K. 2017. Volvariella volvacea: A paddy straw mushroom having some therapeutic and health prospective importance. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 6(9), 1291–1300.

Chang ST. 1969. A cytological study of spore germination of Volvariella volvacea. Botanical Magazine 82, 102–109.

Chen X, Zhang Z, Liu X, Cui B, Miao W, Cheng W, Zhao F. 2019. Characteristics analysis reveals the progress of Volvariella volvacea mycelium subculture degeneration. Frontiers in Microbiology 10, 2045.

Feeney MJ, Dwyer J, Hasler-Lewis CM, Milner JA, Noakes M, Rowe S. 2014. Mushrooms and health summit proceedings. The Journal of Nutrition 144(7), 1128S–1136S.

Garcha HS, Chang ST, Phutela RP, Sodhi HS, Dhanda S, Khanna PK, Mok SN. 1989. Studies on substrate manipulation for growing Volvariella volvacea in India. Mushroom Journal of the Tropics 9, 147–154.

Gurudevan T, Subbiah K, Karupannan M, Velappa P, Sakthivel K. 2012. Improved techniques to enhance the yield of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) for commercial cultivation. African Journal of Biotechnology 11(64), 12740–12748.

Hung PV, Nhi NNY. 2012. Nutritional composition and antioxidant capacity of several edible mushrooms grown in southern Vietnam. International Food Research Journal 19(2), 611.

Kumar S, Seth PK, Munjal RL. 1975. Studies on the quantity of gypsum and calcium carbonate singly and in combination for spawn production of Agaricus bisporus. Indian Journal of Mushroom 2, 27–31.

Kurtzman JH, Yang YC. 1982. Tropical mushroom biological nature in cultivation method. The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong.

Luu TTH, Bui DK, Huynh N, Le TL, Green ID. 2022. Effect of the cultivation technology on the yield of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). Korean Journal of Mycology 50, 161–171.

Mijan HMD. 2024. Evaluation of different substrates and supplements for growth and yield of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). The Pharma Innovation Journal 13(5), 96–99.

Mohd Joha NS, Misran A, Mahmud TMM, Abdullah S, Mohamad A. 2021. Physical quality, amino acid contents and health risk assessment of straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) at different maturity stages. International Food Research Journal 28, 181–188.

Najmu S, Farahanaz R, Shaheen KJ, Amreena S. 2022. Cultivation of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) under Kashmir conditions. The Pharma Innovation Journal 11(4), 397–399.

Pehrsson PR, Haytowitz DB, Holden JM. 2003. The USDA’s national food and nutrient analysis program: Update 2002. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 16(3), 331–341.

Purkayastha RP, Biswas S, Das AK. 1980. Some experimental observations on the cultivation of Volvariella volvacea in the plains of West Bengal. Journal of Indian Mushroom 6, 1–9.

Quimio TH. 1993. Indoor cultivation of the straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea. Mushroom Research 2, 87–90.

Rajapakse P. 2011. New cultivation technology for paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products (ICMBMP7), 446–451.

Ramkumar L, Ramanathan T and Johnprabagaran J. 2012. Evaluation of nutrients, trace metals and antioxidant activity in Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Sing. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 24(2), 113–119.

Sangeetha G. 2002. Exploring the possibilities of increasing the yield potential of paddy straw mushroom. M.Sc. (Ag.) Thesis, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

Singer R. 1961. Mushrooms and truffles: Botany, cultivation and utilization. 635, 8 S55.

Thiribhuvanamala G, Krishnamoorthy S, Manoranjitham K, Prakasam V, Krishnan S. 2012. Improved techniques to enhance the yield of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) for commercial cultivation. African Journal of Biotechnology 11(64), 12740–12748.

Tripathy A, Patel AK and Shoo TK. 2009. Effect of various substrates on linear mycelial growth and fructification of Volvariella diplasia. Asian Journal of Plant Science 8, 566–569.

Vieira FR, Pecchia JA. 2022. Bacterial community patterns in the Agaricus bisporus cultivation system, from compost raw materials to mushroom caps. Microbial Ecology 84, 20–32.

Vinay KY, Akhilesh C, Abhishek K, Ishani M, Anju AA, Shivam S. 2021. Cultivation technology and spawn production of Volvariella volvacea: Paddy straw mushroom. The Pharma Innovation Journal 10(5), 1184–1190.

Walde SG, Velu V, Jyothirmayi T, Math RG. 2006. Effects of pretreatments and drying methods on dehydration of mushroom. Journal of Food Engineering 74(1), 108–115.

Wang L, Qin D, Qian G, Lei Z, Lin Y, Changxia Y, Yan Z. 2025. Dynamics of nutrient components and microbial communities in substrates during the development of the fruiting bodies of Volvariella volvacea. Journal of Fungi 11(7), 479.

Zakhary JW, Rafik El-Mahdy A, Taiseer Abo-bakr M, El Tabey-Shehata AM. 1984. Cultivation and chemical composition of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). Food Chemistry 13(4), 265–276.

Zhu L, Jianhao W, Linzhi K, Yang P, Luyao Y, Hui Z, Ming L. 2024. Exploring the influence of culture environment on the yield of Volvariella volvacea based on microbiomics. Horticulturae 10(3), 204.

Article source : Spawn preparation and cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Singer on paddy straw substrate  

Read More