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Discover the Most Effective Disease Management Strategies for Fusarium Dry Rot of Potato through Comprehensive Bio-assay of Three Techniques (Chemical, Plant extracts, and Bio-control)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a multicultural staple food and cash crop. Unfortunately, production of potatoes is predominantly constrained by diseases including dry rots. To evaluate management of dry rots, three in vitro sub-trials were set up using the completely randomized design with each treatment replicated thrice for each trial. Firstly, synthetic fungicides were assayed against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. tuberosi. Secondly, plant extracts were assessed against F. oxysporum. Finally, the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum applied against F. oxysporum was evaluated. The colony radii were measured. The inhibition of F. oxysporum by Ketoconazole (at 100% concentration) was significantly (p≤0.05) highest, followed by Ketoconazole (50% concentration), Itraconazole (100% concentration), Itraconazole (50% concentration), Sulphur (100% concentration), Ridomil (100% concentration), Sulphur (50% concentration), and finally Ridomil (50% concentration). Percentage inhibition of the growth of the Fusarium species by fungicides ranged from 39.5-95.7%. Blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) (at 100% concentration) gave the highest inhibition, followed by blue gum (50% concentration), Sweet alligator-pepper (Aframomum melegueta) at 100% concentration, locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) at 100% concentration, Sweet alligator-pepper (50% concentration), candle bush (Senna alata) (100% concentration), locust bean (50% concentration), and Senna alata (50% concentration) in descending order of percentage inhibition. Plant extracts caused a percentage inhibition of the fungus between 20.6-100% inhibition with time. Inhibition of Fusarium by T. Harzianum isolate BGMZ4 was significantly (p≤0.05) highest, followed by T. Harzianum isolate NSBM then T. Harzianum isolate BGMZ3. Control of F. Oxysporum by T. Harzianum ranged from 23.5-94.1% inhibition. All the methods evaluated successfully inhibited the pathogen compared to the control.

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Impact of Vermicompost and Different Plant Activators on Yield and Some Quality Parameters in Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

In addition to being used as a snack, pumpkin seeds are an industrial product. It also has the potential to be used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Seed yield and quality are traits of economic importance. This study aims to determine the effect of vermicompost and different plant activators on the yield and some parameters of the pumpkin's quality. For this purpose, three plant activators [(ISR-2000 (I), Symbion-Vam (S), and Green-Miracle (G)] together with vermicompost (V) have been used. The experiment was conducted in the field of the Cukurova University Pozantı Agricultural Research and Application Center, Turkey. A total of 8 applications were made. Conventional fertilizer (CF) application was determined as the control group. The results showed that the applications increased the snack pumpkin's fruit, seed yield, and quality. The highest fruit and seed yield was obtained from CF (37.2 t ha-1, 101.42 g-1m2) application, followed by V+I (27.1 t ha -1, 80.09 g-1m2) application. Additionally, CF applications resulted in the highest fruit width (14.82 cm), length (23.31 cm), seed width (10.21 mm), and length (20.66 mm) of internal weight (74.33 %) measurements. Regarding mineral element and phenolic content, higher results were obtained when vermicompost and plant activators were combined. According to the study results, different doses of vermicompost may be recommended as an alternative to conventional fertilizer application in future studies.

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Effect of Transport Condition on the Structural Integrity of Ovarian Tissue and the Development of Sheep Embryos In-Vitro

The oocyte quality decreases during ovarian tissue transport to the laboratories of in vitro embryo production. To provide additional information on how the conditions of transporting sheep ovaries impact the ovarian tissue and oocytes’ ability to develop into blastocyst stages, we have studied new transport media Ankara University Zootekni (AUZ1, AUZ2) supplemented with antioxidants (melatonin, Vit E, and Vit A), buffer solution, and energy substrates, and compared them with the traditional transport media: Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS), and Charles Rosenkrans 1 (CR1), Normal Saline (NS) at different temperatures (-6 to 30 °C). We also studied and compared how well different transport media preserve the ovarian tissue's structural integrity while transporting sheep ovaries at 4°C. Our findings indicated that various temperatures and transport media play critical roles in embryo development. The embryo development rates showed that when sheep ovaries are transported in AUZ1, they produce oocytes with a higher embryo development rate than other transport media at any temperature. In addition, histology examination revealed that the transport of sheep ovarian tissue in any medium at a temperature of 4 °C did not negatively impact the viability and histomorphology of the primordial, primary, and secondary follicles. In contrast to other transport media, the AUZ1 medium maintained the normal morphology of antral follicles, Graafian follicles, and the cumulus oophorus of sheep ovarian tissue. In conclusion, adding melatonin, buffer solution, and energy substrates to the transportation medium of ovarian tissues has a beneficial and positive role in maintaining ovarian tissue and increasing the rates of embryonic development.

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Effect of Winter Sowing and Different Fertilizer Sources on Physiological Parameters and Yield Components of Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)

The effects of autumn sowing and chemical, organic, and biological fertilizer sources were explored on yield components and physiological traits of dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. & C.A.Mey). The study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field experiment in the 2017-2018 crop year. The fertilizer treatments included organic fertilizers (vermicompost, manure, and humic acid), biofertilizer (Thiobacillus mixed with sulfur), chemical fertilizer (macro NPK), and control (no fertilizer). The studied traits included seed yield per ha, harvest index, biological yield per ha, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, proline, and dissolved carbohydrate. The results of the comparison of the means revealed that the winter sowing outperformed the spring sowing evidently and increased traits like seed yield per ha, biological yield per ha, and harvest index significantly. The fertilization of the plants in both sowing seasons, especially in the winter sowing, increased seed yield per ha, biological yield per ha, and harvest index so that the vermicompost-fertilized winter-sown plants produced the highest seed yield per ha (0.91 g), whereas the application of manure was related to the highest harvest index in the winter sowing (27.9%). The highest biological yield (8797 kg ha-1) was related to the treatment of Thiobacillus of the winter-sown plants. Proline content was higher in the spring sowing plants, and the control treatment in the spring sowing had the highest proline content (0.120 mg g-1). Concerning dissolved carbohydrates, the spring sowing and the unfertilized plants had the highest content (20.3 mg g-1). On the other hand, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid were higher in the treatments of Thiobacillus and vermicompost, which resulted in achieving higher yields due to the increase in photosynthesis rate. According to the results, the winter sowing of the dragon’s head in the Azerbaijan region of Iran and the use of Thiobacillus and vermicompost could be recommended for obtaining plants with optimum quality parameters.

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An Ethnobotanical Survey, Pharmacognostic Profile and Phytochemical Investigation of Chrysobalanus icaco L.

The spice known as Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) was found near the coast of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. A survey on the ethnobotany of C. icaco seeds was conducted in Warri, Abraka, Delta State, Ezetu village, and Onitsha. Standard techniques were used to determine the pharmacognostic profile, phytochemical screening, physiochemical parameters, and elemental analysis. The findings showed that the Ezetu village people utilized the seeds traditionally for stomachache, anti-diarrhea, and post-child delivery. Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins and proteins in the seed. The seed powder's physicochemical parameters are as follows: pH (1 g/100 ml distilled water) (6.00±0.00) and pH (10 g/100 ml), water-soluble ash (1.5±0.00%), alcohol soluble ash (1.0±0.00%), acid insoluble acid (0.25±0.00%), acid soluble ash (1.0±0.00%), and sulfated ash (2.0±0.00%). The seed oil's physicochemical properties were: density (0.936±0.0%), refractive index (1.491±0.00%), iodine value (15.9±0.01%), peroxide value (25.31±0.01%), acid value (29.44±0.00%), and ester value (34.75±0.21%). The elements discovered in the seed included lead, copper, nickel, chromium, cadmium, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Phytochemicals found in the extract include reducing sugars, proteins, amino acids, fats, oils, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, cholesterol, steroids, terpenoids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, saponins, and cardiac glycosides. Quantitative phytochemical results include total phenolics (11.63±0.03), total flavonoids (2.35±0.06), total alkaloids (5.50±0.03), and total tannins (12.48±0.01). Consequently, it is possible to verify the authenticity of the seeds using these pharmacognostic features.

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The Impact of Ventilation System Type on the Microclimate of Boar's Pen and Their Clinical Triad Parameters

The purpose of the study was the impact of different types of ventilation systems in boar`s pen on the microclimate and their physiological parameters. The control group of boars was kept in a house with a transverse ventilation system, and the animals of the experimental group were kept in a geothermal air supply. It was found that, regardless of the season, transverse ventilation provides a significantly higher air velocity and relative humidity: in Winter - 0.15 m s–1 and 5.4%; in Spring - 0.35 m s–1 and 5.3%; in Summer - 0.41 m s–1 and 0.7%; in Autumn - 0.28 m s–1 and 8.1%. Maintaining a stable temperature by the normative values in the boar housing was due to geothermal ventilation, regardless of the season, especially the "basement effect" was observed in the summer months, where the air temperature was cooled to 4.5°C (P < 0.001), compared to the transverse ventilation system. Compared with the boars in the experimental group, under the influence of the temperature increase in Summer, the boars in the control group increased significantly the respiratory rate to 50.9 ppm (P < 0.001) and heartbeat rate of 45.7 ppm (P < 0.001). An increase in rectal temperature in boars at elevated ambient temperature under both air ventilation systems was not found. The obtained results make it possible to introduce the use of cost-effective geothermal air supply technology in pig farms to harmonize the physiological parameters of boars to meet their biological needs, even in closed housing to improve their welfare.

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Polyphenolic Profile and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of Three Algerian Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Varieties

As known, dates are packed with antioxidants and bioactive compounds and provide various health benefits, as evidenced by their varying nitrite levels. Algerian dates, on the other hand, have not been thoroughly investigated for their bioactive compounds and overall antioxidant capacity. This research aims to tap into this potential by meticulously measuring total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins in three popular Algerian varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Ksiba, Hamraya, and Deglet Nour, and the determination of their antioxidant activity using (scavenging assays of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. The analysis showed that the three varieties of date fruits are rich in total phenolics with an amount ranging between 71±51 and 7975±389 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE).100 g-1 of dry weight (DW), the flavonoid amount ranged from 31±3 to 767±4 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) 100 g-1 DW and condensed tannins between 6± 2 and 653 ±64 mg of catechin equivalent (CE) 100 g-1 dry DW. The antiradical activity was quite promising and ranged between 0.5 and 24 µg AAE mg-1 extract for DPPH and between 2 and 113 µg AAE mg-1 extract for ABTS, while the reducing power and total antioxidant capacity values ranged from 16 to 154 μg ascorbic acid (AAE) mg-1 and 39 to 68 μg AAE mg-1 extract respectively. The results of this study show that Algerian date fruit can be regarded as a potential natural source of antioxidants, with ethyl acetate serving as the best extractant solvent, resulting in higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activities.

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In Silico Determination of The Antifungal Effect of Plant Active Molecules Against Botrytis Cinerea by Molecular Docking

Botrytis cinerea, which has developed many strategies to infect plants, can survive in harsh environmental conditions, and has a wide host range, has become an important problem both economically and ecologically by causing tons of crop losses for many years. The residues in soil and crops caused by chemical pesticides used to get rid of agricultural pests pose serious threats to human and environmental health, such as hormonal abnormalities and acute respiratory poisoning, especially in children. The most critical step to avoid these hazards will be to replace chemical pesticides with plant-active molecules. At the same time, these studies primarily in silico will provide a return in terms of both time and cost. Inhibition of pectin methyl esterase, an important virulence factor of B. cinerea, will ensure the organism is controlled. In order to determine candidate biofungicide effector molecules, QSAR parameter values of 409 plant active molecules were calculated. Firstly, conformer distribution and geometry optimizations were performed with Spartan 14’ software. Docking studies of the optimized molecules were carried out through Autodock Vina software, while visualization studies to make sense of the interactions between the target receptor structure and effector molecules were used by BIOVIA Discovery Studio software. As a result of all the analyses, the molecules that are alternatives to chemical pesticides as biofungicides were determined to be the following molecules: Podolactone B, Repin, Sandaracopimaradienediol, 6-Hydrogenistein, Artemisinin, Lycoricidine, 6-Methoxygossypol, Viscidulin, Ciprofloxacin, and 7,4’-Dihydroxyflavan.

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Exploration and Investigation of Antifungal Activity of Plant Leaf Extracts on Growth of Scletorium rolfsii Sacc.

Botanical fungicides are fungicides derived from plants that produce chemical compounds that potentially inhibit microbial growth. These fungicides are safe because to its not harmful to humans and the environment. In the present study, the plant materials used often compete with plant materials used for food and medicine such as galangal rhizomes and betel leaves. Therefore, it is necessary to explore materials derived from plants that have not been widely utilized. So the research was conducted to determine the effect of leaf extracts from several plants on the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. the fungus that causes wilt disease in plants and determines the level of antifungal activity. This research was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD). The leaf extracts used were from the plants Muntingia calabura, Terminalia cattapa, Syzygium oleina, Morinda citrifolia, Dimocarpus longan, and Artocarpus altilis with concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 0% as control. The data obtained were analyzed using variance analysis (ANOVA) with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). The results showed that all treatments used could inhibit the growth of S. rolfsii Sacc because they were significantly different from the control. It was determined that antifungal activity in leaf extracts of M. calabura, T. cattapa, S. oleina, and D. longan was very strong, and also A. altilis had a strong antifungal activity, while M. citifolia had a moderate antifungal activity.

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