International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Salacia chinensis Linn. (Syn. S. prinoides DC.) is a woody climbing shrub, an endangered medicinal plant naturally found in tropical Africa, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, Thailand and southern regions of India. A large number of biological active compounds such as salacinol, kotalanol, neokotalanol, neosalacinol, salasol and mangiferin have been isolated from S. chinensis which show various medicinal properties. The different parts and water extraction of the whole plant have been extensively used in Ayurvedic system of Indian traditional medicine and countries in Southwest Asia to treat a variety of ailments. Although the treatment of diabetes is the main studied pharmacological activity of S. chinensis, but recent studies have demonstrated the anti-inflamatory, nephroprotective, anticancer and treatment of cardiac disorders as the other important bioactivities of this medicinal plant. The present paper reviewed phytomorphology, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of S. chinensis comprehensively and gives an overview on its safety evaluation.

Keywords: Salacia chinensis, phytomorphology, pharmacological activities, phytochemistry, diabetes

Coefficient uniformity in sprinkler irrigation is one of the important parameters in sprinkler irrigation system design that its amount is very effective on quality and investment in sprinkler irrigation projects. In this research, Christiansen’s uniformity coefficient (CUC) for a useful sprinkler (Zhaleh 3) with four different nozzle diameters was conducted. In this research, sprinklers arrangement styles were square and rectangle, sprinklers spacing were 9×9, 15×15 and 15×18 m and nozzle-working pressures were 30 m and 40 m. Also, this experiment was conducted in mild wind speed (0-4 m.s-1) and severe wind speed (>7 m.s-1). This experiment has treatments including: 4 nozzles, 3 sprinkler spacings, 2 nozzle-working pressures, 2 wind speed ranges and with 3 replications, it was conducted 144 experiments totally. The results showed that with decrease of nozzle diameter, CUC decreased. Besides, with increase of nozzle-working pressure, CUC increased. The results showed that CUC in square layout was more than rectangle layout. In addition, with decrease of sprinklers spacing, CUC increased whereas the most CUC was related to sprinkler spacing of 9×9 m and the least CUC was related to sprinkler spacing of 15×18 m. Also, with increase of wind speed in all of treatments, CUC decreased but the effect of wind speed on CUC in square layout was less than rectangle layout. Finally, the most CUC was related to sprinkler with nozzle of 9/32×1/8 inches. So, this sprinkler was recommended as the best for application in Shush region, considering its equal price in comparison with other sprinklers.

Keywords: Uniformity coefficient, Twin-nozzle sprinkler, Nozzle diameter

Ethanol extract of Psidium guajava and Andrographis paniculata leaves individually has been reported to have antiviral activities. Combination of both plants in a formulated form to increase the antiretroviral potency have never been reported. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of combined ethanol extracts of P. guajava and A. paniculata leaves as antiretroviral to Simian retrovirus-2 (SRV-2). The source of SRV-2 was from Macaca fascicularis inoculated in A549 cells. This virus can be used as a model for human immunodeficiency virus that caused (acquired) immunodeficiency syndrome. Leaves of both plants were macerated in 96% ethanol then dried with rotary evaporator. Formula of both extracts were used in this study with different ratios and analyzed with MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method to determine the cytotoxicity on non infected A549 cells. The ratio of P. guajava and A. paniculata with minimal toxicity was three parts of P.guajava and one part of A. paniculata at concentrations less than 125 ppm. These concentrations of the extract formula were then added to A549 infected cells compared to lamivudine as control. The supernatants were collected on day-1, 3 and 5 to evaluate the viral replication. Based on the copy number of SRV-2 using real time–Polymerase Chain Reaction, the formula showed highest inhibition (99.96%) at concentration of 125 ppm on the fifth day. This result showed that the P. guajava and A. paniculata with ratio of 3:1 was most potential as antiretroviral compared to lamivudine, a generic antiretroviral drug.

Keywords: Psidium guajava, Andrographis paniculata, combination, cycle threshold, antiretroviral

Sunflower is the world’s fourth largest oil-seed crop. Sunflower, a member of compositae family is the most important edible oilseed crop in the world. The mycorrhizal symbiosis provides the plant with an increased ability for nutrient capture and cycling in soils with low nutrient availability. Many plants are capable of forming association with AM fungi to help boost native soil nutrients. The experiment was conducted at the zabol which is situated between 41° North latitude and 61° East longitude. The field experiment was laid out factorial with randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included two factors: sunflower variety esfahan (v1), ghasem (V2) and inoculation with mycorrhyza in eight levels included control (M1), inoculation with glumus mossea (M2), inoculation with glumus etanicatum (M3), inoculation with G.HOI (M4), inoculation with M3+ M2 (M5), inoculation with M4+ M3, (M6), inoculation with M4+ M2 (M7), inoculation with M4 +M3+M2 (M8). Analysis of variance showed that the effect of variety on all characteristics was significant except head diameter. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of micorrhyza on all characteristics was significant except head weight.

Keywords: Head weight, Grain yield, Plant height, Head diameter

Springtails are very small hexapods that due to the small size, less emphasized. These arthropods have not been studied in many parts of Iran. Therefore, in order to finding new springtails species, sampling was carried out in 2013 in Mazandaran province (North of Iran) at several height and different substances. Sampling was in different regions from soil, peat, manure, field soil and plants. Springtails samples were collected and isolated from Berlese funnel. As a result of this study, eight new species were identified for the sample locations. Species were as follow: Entomobryidae: Heteromurus major Moniez, 1889; Orchesella cincta Linnaeus, 1758; Pseudosinella octopunctata Borner, 1901; Tomoceridae: Tomocerus vulgaris Tullberg, 1871; Isotomidae: Hemisotoma thermophila Axelson, 1900; Proisotoma minuta Tullberg, 1871; Hypogastruridae: Schoetella ununquiculata Tullberg, 1869; Onychiuridae: Protaphorura fimata Gisin, 1952.

Keywords: Springtails, Fauna, Mazandaran

Plants contain photosynthetic pigments which aid photophosphorylation and subsequent carboxylation to yield carbohydrates and other food nutrients. The higher the concentration of these photosynthetic pigments, the higher the rate of carbon dioxide capture and the higher the yield in photosynthesis. Analysis was carried out to investigate and determine the photosynthetic pigments in the acetone extract of Zea mays and Talinium triangulare. Thin layer chromatography was used to separate the pigments and a suitable solvent system of pet ether, chloroform and acetone (3:1:1) was used. The pigments were identified based on both their rf values and their colours in an iodine tank. Five pigments were identified in Zea mays while six were identified in Talinium triangulare. Zea mays contained Xanthophyll 1 and 2, chlorophyll a and b, and pheophytin. Talinium triangulare contained Xantophyll 1 and 2, Chlorophyll a and b, pheophytin and carotene. The presence of carotene in Talinium triangulare confers an additional nutritional and clinical importance to the plant which can be exploited by man.

Keywords: Zea mays, Talinium triangulare, Thin layer Chromatography, Iodine tank, rf values and Food Nutrients

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that composts and fungicide application on suckers could control root rot disease of cocoyam, a major disease constraint of the production of this crop in Cameroon. Experiment was conducted in a screen house through a complete randomized design with five replicates. Eight compost types made from four different abundant and locally available weed species (Gramineae family) mixed either with poultry or pig manure were prepared. Mature compost was inoculated 48 hours before planting to enable compost-pathogen interaction. Plant growth parameters were highest in compost made from Tithonia diversifolia compare to others compost types. Disease incidence and severity was significantly (P0.05) reduced in all compost amended pots than in control at 12 weeks after inoculation. The most suppressive compost was compost made from T. diversifolia followed by Chromolaena odorata both associated with poultry manure. These compost types registered the least disease incidence (DI) (24.5% and 30.9%) and severity (0.8 and 1.6) respectively. Plants which received both compost and fungicide were healthier compared to those that received only compost irrespective of weeds species and animal dung. Compost made from T. diversifolia and C. odorata associated with fungicide Ridomil Plus application on suckers is recommended for the control of root rot disease of cocoyam.

Keywords: Organic amendment, Ridomil Plus, Macabo, Root rot disease, Disease control

Scientists reported that J. curcas thrive on all environments without stating its responses in growth characteristics across geographic regions. We carried out this study to investigate differences in early growth morphology of J. carcus across four ecological zones in Nigeria to determine best provenance for plantation establishment. Seeds were collected from four zones and raised in nursery in complete randomized design (CRD) with four replications per zone for 18 weeks. Growth parameters were assessed. Collected data were analyzed. (ANOVA) revealed that growth parameters were highly significantly different (p≤0.1) from each other. Mean LSD shows that Gusau provenance gave the best values 16.010 cm for height, 5.720 cm for collar diameter, 9.685 cm for number of leaves, and 8.827 cm for stalk length. Measured parameters of plant from Lafia provenance were the least. J. curcas varies in growth characteristics across ecological zones. Best provenance for Southern Guinea is Gusau, in Northern Guinea savanna.

Keywords: Eco-variation, provenance, seedling morphology, Jatropha carcus, carbon sequestration

Side weirs are among the most important and useful hydraulic structures in irrigation and drainage systems that are installed on the side wall of the channel to divert excess water of main channels. The flow through the channel beside the side weir is a spatially varied flow (SVF) with decreasing discharge. Labyrinth weirs are special kinds of weirs that are broken in their plans. In this research semi-circular labyrinth side weir has been studied. The main purpose of this research is to study the water surface profiles along the semi-circular labyrinth side weir and piles effects on them in subcritical flow. Results show that the water depth in the upstream end of the side weir is lower than the downstream end and also show that piles direct water flow toward the side weir. It can be also observed that if the piles placed at the downstream end of the weir the flow is more uniform and the head loss is less than the other cases.

Keywords: Pile, Semi-circular labyrinth side weir, Subcritical flow, Water surface profile

Sunflower is relatively resistant to heat and cold and can be somewhat tolerate them without damage. Bio fertilizers are becoming increasingly popular in many countries and for many crops. They are defined as products containing active or latent strains of soil microorganisms, either bacteria alone or in combination with algae or fungi that increase the plant availability and uptake of mineral nutrients. Seaweeds are a known source of plant growth regulators, organic osmolites (e.g. betaines), aminoacids, mineral nutrients, vitamin and vitamin precursors. The field experiment was laid out factorial with randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors this experiment involved: first factor was two variety of sunflower: sunflower oil seed (Azargol hybrid) and sunflower nuts (local mass Zabol) and second factor was eight levels of bio fertilizer included control, Azotobacter-1, Potassium fertile 2, Seaweed, Azotobacter-1 + Seaweed, Potassium fertile 2 + Seaweed, Azotobacter-1 + Potassium fertile 2, Azotobacter-1 + Potassium fertile 2 + Seaweed). Analysis of variance showed that the effect of variety on all characteristics was significant. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of bio fertilizer on all characteristics was not significant except biological yield and grain yield.

Keywords: Harvest index, Biological yield, Grain yield, plant height, Head weight