Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Molecular detection of a virus infecting carrot and its effect on some cytological and physiological parameters

Bushra Afreen*, Mohd Gulfishan, Geetesh Baghel, Mehar Fatma, A. Akil Khan and Q. A. Naqvi

Plant Virology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002 India.

Accepted 07 April, 2020

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the physiological and cytological changes in carrot (Daucus carota L.) due to infection of cucumber mosaic virus. The virus isolate causing mottling was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by showing amplification of the expected size of 650 base pair (bp) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) band. Regarding the physiological changes, carbon, nitrogen and protein contents was decreased in infected plants as compared to healthy plants while phosphorous content was increased in diseased plant. In cytological changes, the scattered metaphase was observed in the diseased plant cells. Mitotic index of the diseased cells was decreased while N/C ratio was increased. Chromatin bridges were also observed at anaphase I and II due to infection of cucumber mosaic virus.

Key words: Physiological changes, cytological changes, Daucus carota.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Actinorhizal plants of Kumaun Himalaya and their ecological significance

Kiran Bargali

Department of Botany, Kumaun University (K.U.) Nainital-263002, Uttarakhand, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 June, 2020

Abstract

Actinorhizal plants are important in having symbiotic association with actinomycete Frankia. Nitrogen (N)   fixation by actinorhizal plants is a major source of fixed N in diverse and widespread ecosystems including forests, bogs, swamps, coastal dunes, landslides, glacial deposits, shrublands, prairies and deserts. They play important roles in wild land ecosystem function and are used in land reclamation, range management, forestry, agroforestry and horticulture. In this study, 8 actinorhizal plants of Kumaun Himalayan region have been described. Habit, habitat, distribution and possible ecological significance of these plants are also described. These plants are not only important for the restoration of degraded lands, but also provide good source of timber, fuel wood, fodder, food and medicines, etc.

Key words: Actinorhizal, degraded, nitrogen, plantation, reclamation.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-017, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Biological remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the soil and sediments by microorganisms and plants

R. O. Anyasi¹* and H. I. Atagana²

¹Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria-South Africa.

²Institute for Science and Technology Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria-South Africa.

Accepted 03 May, 2020

Abstract

It is a known fact that the environment is suffering from severe contamination as a result of various uncontrolled activities of man and chemicals in the biosphere. This acute and diffuse contamination of air, soil and water by metals, chemicals and metalloids causes wide environmental concerns, which if left unchecked will be detrimental to man and organisms. Biological methods for cleaning of the environment especially the soil have been receiving increasing attention for the past two decades. Bacteria and fungi have been the natural detoxification agent for contaminants in the environment. Recently, research has shown that with the combination of plants and microorganism in the right proportions and technique, detoxification of environmental contaminants will produce a desirable and better result and most importantly the natural environment will not be affected as some of the processes are environmentally friendly. However, the hydrophobic organic molecules such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) tend to be much less responsive to bioremediation strategies. The wide spread presence of this compound and others in the prominent group known as persistent organic pollutants (POP’s), that share common chemical, toxicological and environment properties continues to increase in the environment, even with the various measures taken to control its presence in the environment. This review focuses on the possible trends of remediation of PCBs in the environment and the methodologies applied. It also reviews the merits and demerits of using plants and microorganisms as biological detoxification agents. This will highlight the possible improvement measures on the combination of plants and microorganisms in bioremediation, thereby filling the gap left behind by the conventional methods of remediation with its enormous limitations and disadvantages.

Key words: Bioremediation, phytoremediation, PCB, biodegradation, environmental pollution, rhizodegradation, thermal and chemical/physical process, dechlorination, contaminated soil, oxidative dechlorination/reductive dechlorination.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the relative weed competitiveness of upland rice varieties in Sierra Leone

S. S. Harding* and A. B. Jalloh

Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre, P. M. B. 736, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Accepted 11 May, 2020

Abstract

In Sierra Leone, weed management in upland rice production is a major constrain and yields are seriously reduced. Studies were conducted during the wet cropping season of 2007 and 2008 at Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC) in the upland ecology to assess the competitiveness of different rice varieties and to identify plant parameters responsible for their competitiveness. The results indicated that rice varieties differed in their competitiveness against weeds. Average yield losses ranged from 23 to 63% in 2007 and from 22 to 66% in 2008. Leaf area index (LAI) and tiller number with the exception of plant height correlated positively with competitiveness. The varieties NERICA 1, NERICA 6 and WAB 515-B-16A2.6 were found to be competitive and productive, whilst Buttercup (the local variety) though competitive but not productive. ROK 3 was the worse competitor but yielded similarly as NERICA 6 under weed -free conditions. The varieties NERICA 1, NERICA 6 and WAB 515-B-16A2.6 have potential in breeding programmes to increase their competitiveness without significantly compromising yields since they are both high yielding and competitive.

Key words: Varieties, competitiveness, LAI, tillers, yield, plant height, weed-free.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

An overview of Citrus aurantium used in treatment of various diseases

Jyotsna A. Saonere Suryawanshi

Department of Pharmacy, Government Polytechnic, Amravati (M.S. India), India. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 12 February, 2020

Abstract

Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) is a plant belonging to the family Rutaceae, The most important biologically active constituents of the C. aurantium fruits are phenethylamine alkaloids octopamine, synephrine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine and hordenine. It is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids and volatile oil. Synephrine is a primary synthesis compound with pharmacological activities such as vasoconstriction, elevation of blood pressure and relaxation of bronchial muscle. whose fruit extracts have been used for the treatment of various diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, head aches, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, antiseptic, anti-oxidant, antispasmodic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, digestive, sedative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic and by research novel use is found in obesity and related risks even life threatening are continuously increasing through out world in all age groups. Many marketed formulations claim to possess antiobesity actions, but still many herbs which have claims to this need to be investigated and their claims to be authenticated. In recent era there is a great thrust on screening of herbal extracts and formulations for antiobesity action. In this article efforts have been taken to discuss the photochemistry, constituents, ethnobotany, pharmacology safety and toxicity of citrus plant. The motto is to discuss C. aurantium here more research attention should be given on this that would increase its use in various chronic and acute diseases

Key words: Bitter orange, synephrine, obesity, thermogenesis, ethnobotany.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A spatial analysis study: An example of the Virgin Mary House and its close environment

Çiğdem Kiliçaslan¹* and Emine Malkoç²

¹Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, South Campus, Aydin, Turkey.

²Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey.

Accepted 16 May, 2020

Abstract

Selcuk which is one of the most important places of ancient times hosts visitors who come to see the Virgin Mary House which is accepted as sacred for the Christians. In Virgin Mary House which is also accepted as holy for the Muslims a religious ceremony is hold in every 15th of August and these ceremonies attract intense attention. This research, in which the spatial analysis of Virgin Mary House and its close environment which is one of the most important places of culture and belief tourism were done, was discussed in four main parts; definition of the subject, data collection, findings and analysis and evaluation and synthesis. In the fieldworks, the research area which came to the forefront with its religious – touristic properties was analyzed in terms of physical, socio- cultural, visual and sensory aspects by using the original analyzing forms and solutions were offered to increase the spatial potential. The research was also supported with the field observations. As a result of the research, the meeting level of the users’ expectations according to either servicing or functionality of the spatial features of Virgin Mary House and its close environment was determined and solutions were offered.

Key words: Selcuk, Virgin Mary House, spatial analysis.