Volume 3 Issue 3 June 2024
Screening of Effective Formulants for Fusarium sp. FGCCW#16 Cell free Culture broth in Controlling Parthenium hysterophorus
ABSTRACT
Natural herbicidal compound from Fusarium sp. FGCCW#16 cell free culture broth was used as a
mycoherbicide product for the control of Parthenium hysterophorus a weed that causes considerable problem
to the biodiversity, agriculture, economy, and health of livestock and human beings. Formulations containing
distilled water or culture filtrate and different adjuvants (different oil like mineral oil, palm oil or soybean oil),
surfactant like Glycerol and Tween 80) were evaluated in order to increase the bioherbicidal activity through
post-emergence bioassays. The herbicidal activity of culture filtrate was improved using different
combinations of adjuvants. The best formulation was 5% (w/v) of mineral oil, 5% (w/v) of surfactant (glycerol
and Tween 80) and a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), which resulted in a higher herbicidal activity (100%)
(complete death of plants). The suitable combination of adjuvants in association with culture filtrate from
Fusarium sp. FGCCW#16 increased up to 2.5 times the efficiency of bioherbicide for the post-emergence
control of Parthenium hysterophorus weed.
Mount Arayat Protected Landscape Protection: Knowledge, Perception and Practices of the Youth
Ma Cleofe C. Tayag1, Allain James T. Aquino2
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and practices of youth of San Agustin Magalang
Pampanga towards the conservation and protection of Mt. Arayat Protected Landscape where the target
respondents in the study are 265 youth of San Agustin, Magalang, Pampanga. Survey questionnaires were
used to gather the data and the information. In summary, it is noticeable that the youth respondents have a
high level of knowledge about MAPL as a protected area and the thereafter protocols, activities, and rules
with a general weighted mean of 3.32 which implies High awareness and expertise. It also indicated that
Youth respondents do highly agree that proper management and protection, cigarettes caused by forest
fires, people participation, and youth involvement are beneficial to Mt Arayat Protected Landscapes with an
overall mean of 3.41. It is also noticeable that good practices were being implied in the results from the
youth respondents. From avoiding littering, paying entrance fees, complying with the Do’s and Don’ts’s of
any Protected landscapes. This implies the correlation with the high knowledge of the respondents on the Mt
Arayat Protected landscape.
Survey on the Post-Harvest Handling Practices of Some Selected Soup Condiments in Awka, Anambra State and Isolation of Fungi Responsible For Their Spoilage
Anukwuorji Chidozie Azubuike*, Nwokolo Happiness Chidinma, Nwakuche, Adaugo Ozioma, Ogbuozobe,
Okwudili Gabriel
ABSTRACT
A survey on the post-harvest handling practices of Citrullus colocynthis, Irvingia gabonensis and Brachystegia
eurycoma among traders in Awka was conducted from January to April, 2023 in Eke-Awka, Amaenyi and Ifite
markets. A total of 180 respondents (sixty from each market) were randomly selected for the study. The well
structured questionnaire captured social demographic information about the respondents while the second
section focused on the post-harvest handling practices of soup thickeners. Most of the traders/respondents
in the study area are within the Age range 31-35 and 41-45 with percentages of 16.67 and 16 respectively.
While the Age groups with the lowest frequency is the age group 26-30 with 3 (1.67%) respondents. Majority
of the respondents (80%) purchase these soup thickeners from wholesalers while 21 (11.67%) purchase
directly from farmers. Most of the respondents (82.78%) dry soup thickeners, 30 (16.61%) sort them and 1
(0.56%) soak them in water as a post-harvest spoilage control practice. The most observed change in the
seeds after 8 months in storage is change in colour (43.89%), the least observed change is the formation of
mucor (0.56%) while 9 (5%) of the study population stated that there is no change after 8 months in storage.
All the 180 respondents (100%) do not use chemical preservatives for preservation of these soup thickeners.
For the microbial study, samples of Egusi, Ogbono and Achi collected from Eke-Awka, Amaenyi and Ifite
markets were analyzed using standard mycological techniques. Fungi were isolated and identified based on
their morphological and molecular characteristics. The results showed that all the samples were
contaminated with fungi, with the highest level of contamination in Egusi seeds from Eke Awka with a mean
occurrence of 41.33±8.145. The most common fungal genera identified were Aspergillus, Fusarium and
Rhizopus. A significant proportion of the isolates belonged to toxigenic species, which could potentially
produce mycotoxins that pose a health risk to consumers. The findings also underscore the importance of
proper handling, storage and processing of these seeds to minimize fungal contamination.
Screening of Secondary Metabolites and Antagonistic Activity of Endophytic Fungi of Selected Medicinal Plants in Western Kenya
Oula Auma Dorah1, Emitaro William2, Musyimi David1
ABSTRACT
Endophytes mimic biochemical pathways of their host plants to synthesize secondary metabolites with
antimicrobial properties. Anti-phytopathogenic activities and secondary metabolites of fungal endophytes
from some medicinal plants have been reported. However, there is scanty information on the antifungal
properties and secondary metabolites of Carissa edulis, Microglossa pyrifolia and Stegonataenia araliacea.
Roots, stems and leaves of the three plants were collected from western Kenya, processed and cultured on
potato dextrose agar to recover endophytic fungi. Antagonistic activity of endophytic fungi against
Cercosporae zeae maydis and Fusarium verticillioides was determined by dual culture technique. Secondary
metabolites were determined from endophytic fungi ethyl acetate extracts using standard protocols. Fifteen
fungal endophytes recovered from the three plants had varied growth inhibition percentage against C. zeae
maydis and F. verticillioides. Mean percentage inhibition of the isolates against the pathogens was not
significantly (p>0.05) different but the highest mean inhibition percentage against Cercosporae zeae maydis
and Fusarium verticillioides was from DSTS2 (72.67%) and DSRR2 (73%) respectively. Tannins and alkaloids
were present in all fungal extracts while saponins were absent. The inhibitory effects of endophytic fungi
against Cercosporae zeae maydis and Fusarium verticilloides are attributed to their ability to synthesis
secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties. Fungal endophytes from these medicinal plants should
be exploited for the management of fungal pathogens of maize.
Floristic Composition, Structure and Diversity of Urban Reserve Forests: An Implication for Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management
Gisandu K. Malunguja 1* and Ashalata Devi 2
ABSTRACT
The establishment of forested areas adjacent to urban centers, known as reserve forests (RFs), is increasing
and gaining importance in India. However, there is limited understanding of their role in supporting
biodiversity. To address this, a study using phytosociological techniques was conducted in three RFs near
Tezpur city in Assam, India, to evaluate their contribution to biodiversity. A total of 204 plant species from 180
genera and 64 families were identified. The cumulative curve showed irregularities with asymptotic trends.
Species with high importance value indices (IVI) included Cynodon dactylon and Cymbopogon nardus for
grasses, Clitoria ternatea and Chromolaena among forbs, Mikania micrantha and Piper betle among climbers,
Lantana camara and Clerodendrum viscosum among shrubs, and Tectona grandis and Shorea robusta among
trees. The basal area was lowest in grasses (0.04-0.13 m² ha⁻¹) and highest in trees (29.18-63.61 m² ha⁻¹).
Diversity indices ranged from 2.06 to 3.34 (Shannon), 0.04 to 0.17 (Simpson), 0.72 to 0.94 (Pielou’s), and 1.3
to 14.62 (Margalef). The Whitford index indicated a contagious distribution pattern. Sørensen similarity was
highest between Bhomoraguri and Balipara for grasses (60.87%), shrubs (81.97%), and trees (54.79%), and
between Bhomoraguri and Sengelimari for forbs (37.93%) and climbers (54.55%). The floristic composition
recorded in RFs suggests a viable strategy for biodiversity conservation in these areas.