Agricultural Cultivation Research Articles

Septoria lamiicola Causing Leaf Spot on Lamium purpureum in Korea.

Lamium purpureum L. (purple dead-nettle), an annual herbaceous plant in the family Lamiaceae, is native to Europe and western Asia. It has become invasive in eastern Asia, including Korea and North America. Due to its rapid growth and tolerance of disturbed soils, it invades croplands and natural ecosystems, reducing crop yields (Mock et al. 2009). It also serves as an overwintering host for cucumber mosaic virus (Tomlinson et al. 1970). Leaf spots on purple dead-nettle were first observed in April 2022 in Gimje (35°43'10"N, 127°00'42"E) and in April 2023 in Jangsu (35°36'16"N, 127°22'43"E), Korea, with a disease incidence of 20-30% among surveyed plants. Symptoms were distinct, angular, pale brown to brown, and bordered by leaf veins. Numerous blackish conidiomata with cirriform conidial horns were visible on the spots. Conidiomata were numerous, scattered, pycnidial, amphigenous but abundantly epigenous, scattered, dark brown to rusty brown, globose, embedded in host tissue or partly erumpent, 60 to 110 µm in diameter, with ostioles measuring 28 to 56 µm in diameter. Conidiogenous cells lining the inner wall layer were hyaline and ampulliform. Conidia were filiform, straight or slightly curved, 32 to 48 × 2 to 3 µm, hyaline, 2 to 5-septate, but often 3-septate. Morphological descriptions were consistent with Septoria lamiicola Sacc. (Verkley et al. 2013). For monoconidial isolation, a conidial horn was collected, placed in a 1.5 ml tube containing sterile water, and streaked onto the surface of 2% water agar (WA). After four days, a hyphal tip was transferred to fresh potato dextrose agar (PDA). Colonies incubated for two weeks at 25°C on PDA were measured 10 to 15 mm in diameter, with a white to greyish at the center and a dark grey to black at the margin. Voucher specimens were deposited at the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F32758 and F33612), and a representative culture was deposited at the Korea Agricultural Culture Collection (Acc. No. KACC 410468). Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S rDNA (LSU), β-tubulin (TUB2), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF), actin (ACT), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes were determined (Verkley et al. 2013) and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos: PQ061283, PQ106849, PQ120989, PQ120981, PQ120994, and PQ120985). BLASTn search of the sequences showed 100% identity with the reference sequences of Septoria lamiicola CBS 102328 for ITS (KF251441.1), LSU (KF251945.1), ACT (KF253745.1), and RPB2 (KF252438.1). The TUB2 sequences showed 99.7% similarity (1/311 nucleotides different) with KF252913.1, and the EF sequences showed 96.0% similarity (13/368 different) with KF253389.1. In a phylogenetic tree reconstructed using the multi-loci sequences, the Korean isolate formed a well-supported group with reference isolates of S. lamiicola (Verkley et al. 2013). Pathogenicity was tested twice by spraying a conidial suspension (1×104 conidia/mL) harvested from a four-week-old culture (KACC 410468) onto twenty leaves of three-potted plants (two months old). Three control plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. Plants were placed in a dew chamber at 26°C for 24 h before being transferred to a greenhouse. After ten days, typical symptoms appeared on the inoculated leaves, while no symptoms were observed on the controls. S. lamiicola was re-isolated from the symptomatic lesion and confirmed by microscopy, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Although S. lamiicola has been recorded on L. purpureum in Bulgaria, Poland, and Portugal (Farr and Rossman 2024), there is no previous record of this fungus in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by S. lamiicola on L. purpureum in Korea. Septoria lamiicola could be utilized as a biological control agent against this invasive weed, thereby supporting sustainable management strategies for croplands and natural ecosystems.

Assessment and analysis of plant vegetation under oil palm from 2000 and 2017 plantation

Intensive use of chemicals in agricultural cultivation such as fertilizers and pesticides has caused a decline in plant diversity in agricultural ecosystems in recent decades. This study aims to determine the diversity of weeds and dominant weeds in oil palm plantations in the planting years 2000 and 2017. The research was carried out from January to June 2023 at the oil palm plantation PT Perkebunan Nasional III, Kebun Sei Putih, North Sumatra using the 1 m ? 1 m quadratic method. In oil palm stands in the 2000 planting year, the grass weed Cirtococcum oxyphyllum was found as the dominant weed with a high importance index and Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR), while in oil palm stands in the 2017 planting year, the broadleaf weed Ageratum conyzoides was found as the dominant weed. Species diversity (H') under oil palm stands in the 2000 planting year ranged between 0.67-1.61, which means that species diversity is low to moderate, and in 2017 planting year ranged between 1.34-1.64, which means that species diversity is moderate. The community coefficient value for both planting years was low, namely below 75 percent, which means that the weed community in both planting years was very diverse.

Utilization of Red Mud and Biofertilizer for Peat Quality Improvement and Its Effect on the Growth and Production of Hybrid Corn

Peatlands are suboptimal lands that can be improved its quality to be used for agricultural cultivation. One of which is by using red mud and biofertilizer. Red mud, a by-product of bauxite processing, is widely available in West Kalimantan. Red mud has high pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable sodium and base saturation. Biofertilizers are products containing selected microorganisms that can help enhance plant growth and yield. This study aims to examine the effects of red mud and biofertilizer applications on peat quality improvement and their impact on the growth and yield of hybrid corn. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with two factors. The first factor was red mud with three dosage levels: control (l0), 6 tons/ha (l1), and 12 tons/ha (l2). The second factor was biofertilizer with three types: control (p0), Mycofer at 10 g/plant (p0), and Provibio at 10 ml/l (p2). The results showed that red mud at a dose of 12 tons/ha significantly affected soil pH, electrical conductivity, plant growth, and hybrid corn yield. The interaction of 12 tons/ha red mud and Provibio biofertilizer significantly increased sodium content and achieved the highest uptake of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Influence of Different Uses and Covers on the Chemical Characteristics of A Quartzarenic Neosol in the Maranhão Savannah

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of three different land uses and soil covers on the chemical characteristics of a QUARTZARENIC NEOSSOLO in the Maranhão Cerrado. The treatments studied were: conventional pasture (PC), open area (AD) and typical cerrado (CT). Theoretical Reference: The study is based on concepts of soil fertility, especially the impact of agricultural management practices, such as liming and fertilisation, on the chemical composition of the soil. The QUARTZARENIC NEOSSOLS, due to their sandy texture and low nutrient and water retention capacity, present limitations for agricultural cultivation, according to studies by Embrapa (2021). Method: Macronutrients (P, S, Ca and Mg), micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu), organic matter (OM) content and base saturation (V%) were analysed. Samples were collected according to the protocol suggested by Embrapa (2015) and were taken from three representative areas of the treatments mentioned. The data was analysed using statistical tests of variance (ANOVA) and paired mean tests (Tukey). Results and Discussion: The results showed that, for most of the chemical parameters analysed, the highest averages were obtained in the conventional pasture area (CP). This is due to the chemical residues from liming and fertilisation applied when the pasture was established and managed. On the other hand, the uncovered area (AD) and the typical cerrado (CT) showed lower concentrations of nutrients and organic matter. The analysis also revealed that the QUARTZARENIC NEOSSOLS in this region, despite their natural limitations, can be productive when well managed. Research Implications: The research highlights the importance of proper soil management, especially liming and fertilisation, to improve fertility and make agricultural production viable on QUARTZARENIC NEOSSOLS. Conventional grazing can be an effective strategy for improving the soil's chemical conditions, although it is also necessary to properly manage bare areas to avoid soil degradation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the understanding of the effects of different land uses on the chemical properties of QUARTZ NEOSSOLS in the Maranhão Cerrado. The research offers insights into how to improve agricultural productivity and the sustainability of management in areas with natural limitations, highlighting the potential of areas apparently unsuitable for cultivation.

Comprehensive analysis of nano-fertilizers in Indian agriculture - A review

This is a comprehensive review of studies of nano-fertilizers for their efficacy in stimulating plant growth, facilitating higher nutrient uptake and thus enhancing overall crop yield and productivity. The intricate insights into the mechanisms through which nano-fertilizers ensure sustained nutrient release, optimize nutrient absorption and augment nutrient utilization efficiency, have been reviewed. Several scientific studies indicate the potential of nanotechnology to enhance crop performance in terms of better crop growth and higher productivity. Regarding the economic implications of adopting nano-fertilizers, several findings indicate that nano-fertilizers could offer cost advantages over conventional fertilizers, potentially alleviating the government's subsidy burden and reducing import expenses on huge quantities of major commercial fertilizers. This comprehensive review also explores the challenges faced by Indian agriculture in crop production and the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize productivity on a sustainable basis. The study emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced and sustained crop production and highlights the significance of nano-fertilizer application as an innovative and environmentally friendly solution. In conclusion, this comprehensive overview of the status of stagnant crop production in India identifies the challenges in augmenting productivity and proposes nanotechnology-based fertilizers and their utility in major agricultural crops cultivation as a promising solution. The findings underscore the need for further research and the widespread adoption of nanotechnology-based fertilizers in Indian agriculture to ensure sustainable and enhanced production and productivity.

Experimental Investigation of Dual-Path Inline Mixing System for Sprayers in Corn-Soybean Strip Intercropping Mode

Corn-soybean strip intercropping, which fully utilizes land resources and has high total yield and soil fertility, has become a modern agricultural cultivation mode that is actively promoted. In order to solve the weed problem in corn-soybean strip intercropping, the agricultural technology requirements cannot be met by traditional pre-mixed spraying machines, so a direct injection dual-path inline mixing system was designed for the corn-soybean strip intercropping mode. The system was integrated to improve its installation convenience and universality, and was capable of fulfilling the requirements for the simultaneous application of two types of pesticides at varying mixing ratios. The system mainly consists of a water solvent injection module, glyphosate (pesticide for corn) inline mixing module, and a fomesafen (soybean pesticide) inline mixing module. First, the detection rules of the mixing ratio of related pesticides based on the electrical conductivity measurement principle were studied. Then, the working characteristics of the designed direct injection dual-path inline mixing system were studied through experiments using different pesticides and mixing ratio adjustment ranges. The mixing uniformity test showed that the designed direct injection dual-path inline mixing system had good mixing uniformity, and the maximum uniformity coefficient of the mixing ratio was 9.7%. The stability test showed that the mixing ratio of the designed dual-path inline mixing system was relatively stable, with the maximum standard deviation of the mixing ratio accounting for about 2.2% of its average value, and the maximum average deviation was less than 1.5%. The precision and response time test showed that the designed dual-path inline mixing system had an average deviation of the mixing ratio of less than 2.7% under the condition of a step signal target mixing ratio, and the response time was a maximum of 3.4 s. The results show that the designed dual-path inline mixing system has good performance, and the research findings provide a reference for the design and optimization of inline mixing systems.

Exposure of insects to current use pesticide residues in soil and vegetation along spatial and temporal distribution in agricultural sites

Current use pesticides (CUPs) are recognised as the largest deliberate input of bioactive substances into terrestrial ecosystems and one of the main factors responsible for the current decline in insects in agricultural areas. To quantify seasonal insect exposure in the landscape at a regional scale (Rhineland-Palatine in Germany), we analysed the presence of multiple (93) active ingredients in CUPs across three different agricultural cultivation types (with each three fields: arable, vegetable, viticulture) and neighbouring meadows. We collected monthly soil and vegetation samples over a year. A total of 71 CUP residues in different mixtures was detected, with up to 28 CUPs in soil and 25 in vegetation in single samples. The concentrations and numbers of CUPs in vegetation fluctuated over the sampling period, peaking in the summer months in the vegetation but remaining almost constant in topsoil. We calculated in-field additive risks for earthworms, collembola, and soil-living wild bees using the measured soil concentrations of CUPs. Our results call for the need to assess CUP mixture risks at low concentrations, as multiple residues are chronically present in agricultural areas. Since this risk is not addressed in regulation, we emphasise the urgent need to implement global pesticide reduction targets.

Evaluating the Implementation, Challenges, and Solutions of Policies for Cultivating New Professional Farmers: A Policy Network Theory Perspective

Cultivating new professional farmers is key to promoting agricultural and rural modernisation. The governments issue policies for cultivating new professional farmers and have gradually shown a network structure in the implementation process. With the help of policy network theory, this paper analyses the policy implementation network structure of the new professional farmer cultivation policy, including policy communities, professional networks, intergovernmental networks, producer networks and issue networks. Under the influence of the interaction between various networks, my country's new professional farmer cultivation has achieved specific results regarding overall goals, influence and recognition. However, there are also difficulties, such as prominent contradictions between policy communities and intergovernmental networks, weak internal coordination of intergovernmental networks, and marginalisation of professional and issue networks. To this end, it is necessary to regulate and balance the interactive relationship between various network entities to seek a solution: first, clarify the responsibility boundaries of policy communities and intergovernmental networks, improve the quality of interaction, enhance the collaborative ability of intergovernmental networks, and innovate governance models; third, pay attention to the diverse demands of professional networks and issue networks, and increase public discourse power.

De novo root regeneration from leaf explant: a mechanistic review of key factors behind cell fate transition.

De novo root regeneration (DNRR) involves activation of special cells after wounding, alongwith the converter cells, reactive oxygen species, ethylene, and jasmonic acid, alsoplaying key roles. An updated DNRR model is presented here with gene regulatory networks. Root formation after tissue injury is a type of plant regeneration known as de novo root regeneration (DNRR). DNRR system has wide applications in agriculture and tissue culture biotechnology. This review summarizes the recent advancements in the DNRR model for the cellular and molecular framework, targeting leaf explant of Arabidopsis and highlighting differences among direct and indirect pathways. Key findings highlight the presence of special cells in leaf explants after wounding, under different time lapses, through single-cell sequencing of the transcriptional landscape. The possible roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ethylene, and jasmonic acid are explored in the early establishment of wounding signals (short/long) for auxin biosynthesis, ultimately leading to adventitious root formation. The synergistic manner of 3rd type of special cells along converter and regeneration-competent cells automatically leads towards cell fate transition for auxin flux in regeneration-competent cells. The signaling mechanisms of these suggested special cells need to be further investigated to understand the DNRR mechanistic story entirely, in addition to root-to-root regeneration and stem-to-root regeneration. Meta-analysis of DNRR is also presented for past and future reference.

Application of deep learning for high-throughput phenotyping of seed: a review

Seed quality is of great importance for agricultural cultivation. High-throughput phenotyping techniques can collect magnificent seed information in a rapid and non-destructive manner. Emerging deep learning technology brings new opportunities for effectively processing massive and diverse data from seeds and evaluating their quality. This article comprehensively reviews the principle of several high-throughput phenotyping techniques for non-destructively collection of seed information. In addition, recent research studies on the application of deep learning-based approaches for seed quality inspection are reviewed and summarized, including variety classification and grading, seed damage detection, components prediction, seed cleanliness, vitality assessment, etc. This review illustrates that the combination of deep learning and high-throughput phenotyping techniques can be a promising tool for collection of various phenotype information of seeds, which can be used for effective evaluation of seed quality in industrial practical applications, such as seed breeding, seed quality inspection and management, and seed selection as a food source.

Super-Resolution Reconstruction of UAV Images for Maize Tassel Detection

HighlightsHigh resolution images are found to play an important role in observing maize growth and detecting maize tassels.Our super-resolution model (IESRGAN) produces higher-quality images compared to other SR models.IESRGAN largely improves the detection accuracy of maize tassels, increasing by 8.77%~25.71% in different tests.Abstract. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology provides essential technical support for maize (Zea mays) cultivation in smart agriculture. To address the challenge of low resolution in UAV maize images due to factors such as flight altitude and instrument parameters, which impact the accurate monitoring and assessment of maize crop growth and further tassel detection tasks, this study proposes an improved enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network for super-resolution reconstruction of UAV maize images. Firstly, Iterative Attention Feature Fusion is introduced in the generation network, effectively integrating the features of maize and restoring high-frequency details in maize images. Subsequently, the Iterative Attention Feature Fusion is optimized by removing batch normalization and replacing the ReLU activation function with the PReLU activation function, thereby enhancing the model's representation capability. Furthermore, to address the complex features and structures of tassels in maize images, the VGG discriminator network is replaced with a Unet network, thereby improving the model's ability to handle image details and textures. Finally, the model was validated and analyzed on different maize image datasets. Experimental results show that compared with other mainstream super-resolution models, the reconstructed images of our model proposed exhibit higher quality and clarity; for maize tassel detection, the average accuracy of tassel detection in the images reconstructed by our model compared with the low-resolution images was increased by 8.77%~25.71%. This provides a more accurate and clear UAV monitoring method for maize agricultural production and provides more reliable image data support for related decisions and applications. Keywords: Generative adversarial network, Maize image, Super-resolution, Tassel detection, UAV.

WORKING BODY OF A ROW CULTIVATOR

This article examines the care and maintenance of row crops, focusing on the efficiency of active and inactive working bodies of cultivators. The study provides a detailed analysis of their impact on soil aeration, weed control, and crop productivity. Particular attention is given to the design and functionality of a newly developed tool for loosening soil in the row-spacing of cotton. The innovative mechanism is designed to improve soil permeability, enhance root development, and optimize moisture retention. The article also presents preliminary research findings, highlighting the tool's effectiveness compared to conventional cultivation methods. The results indicate that the new design reduces soil compaction while maintaining the necessary structural integrity for plant growth. These insights contribute to the advancement of precision agriculture and sustainable cotton cultivation practices.

A review of sustainable cattle genetic improvement in the Peruvian Highlands.

Cattle breeding in the highlands of Peru is an important economic activity at the level of the entire rural extension, because it serves as an economic reserve for rural families and forms an integral part of the agricultural producer's culture. This review aimed to provide a literature- and research-based approach to the fundamental aspects of a national genetic improvement plan, emphasising the efficacy of using a bovine germplasm of high genetic quality as an initiative to implement genetic improvement programmes. The concepts to be implemented in national livestock farming include high yield, feed conversion efficiency, and minimum greenhouse gas emissions. The use of a dual-purpose germplasm to maximise the usefulness of livestock farmers and the implementation of improvement programmes, with the expectation of achieving a differential increase in genetic merit, were also considered. In addition to aspects related to milk and carcase quality, there is a territorial approach, such as the case of breeds that adapt to terminal crossbreeding and consider reproductive aspects. One of the final aspects considered is the conservation and valuation of local animals within conservation and improvement plans owing to their resistance and adaptation to temperature and altitude conditions.

Toward Agricultural Cultivation Parcels Extraction in the Complex Mountainous Areas Using Prior Information and Deep Learning

Toward Agricultural Cultivation Parcels Extraction in the Complex Mountainous Areas Using Prior Information and Deep Learning

Exploration and Practice of Practical Education Pathways in Agricultural and Forestry Universities under the Background of New Agricultural Science Construction: A Case Study of the Veterinary Medicine Major at Sichuan Agricultural University

The construction of new agricultural sciences is an important component of higher education in agriculture and forestry. It is conducive to accelerating the “Double First-Class” construction of agricultural and forestry colleges and universities, adapting to and leading the development needs of new business forms in the modern agricultural industry, and improving the quality of talent cultivation in agriculture and forestry. However, at present, under the background of new agricultural science construction, there are still some problems in the practice-oriented education of agricultural and forestry universities, such as the imperfect system and the insufficient depth of school-enterprise collaborative education, which have affected the effect of practice-oriented education. This paper analyzes the necessity of strengthening practice-oriented education in agricultural and forestry universities under the background of new agricultural sciences, dissects the dilemmas faced by the current practice-oriented education in agricultural and forestry universities, and proposes to improve the practice-oriented education system, jointly build a practice-oriented education alliance by schools and enterprises, organize special social practice activities and focus on cultivating college students’ scientific and technological innovation abilities, to improve the effectiveness and quality of practice-oriented education.

Entrepreneurship Development Model At Islamic Boarding School : Study At An-Nashr Wajak Islamic Boarding School, Malang Regency

Community partnership programs have been implemented in various regions in Indonesia, one of which is Santripeneur. This program aims to generate new entrepreneurs and produce superior products for Islamic boarding schools, which became known as the One Pesantren One Product program (OPOP). One of the Islamic boarding schools in Malang that has implemented the OPOP program is the An-Nashr Wajak Islamic Boarding School through the cultivation of chicken and catfish farms using qualitative research methods to analyze the impact of implementing OPOP implementation and assisting Islamic boarding schools in strengthening the vision in running a business according to the potential of the Islamic boarding schoolThe study results indicate that Islamic boarding schools' role is learning, disseminating religious knowledge, increasing students' creative attitudes, increasing entrepreneurial attitudes and advancing the economy of students, the community through livestock business is one of the roles of An-Nasr Islamic Boarding School in the socio-economic field.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Septoria cerastii on Invasive Weed Cerastium glomeratum in Korea.

Cerastium glomeratum Thuill., known as sticky mouse-ear chickweed, is native to Europe and has become naturalized in the wild on most continents. After its accidental introduction to Korea around the 1980s, it quickly became one of the dominant invasive weeds on the Korean peninsula and is now considered a significant threat to the Korean agroecosystem (Park et al., 2020). In June 2013, a leaf blight was first observed on C. glomeratum in Jeju island, Korea. Voucher specimens (n = 12) from several locations throughout Korea were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F). Symptoms appeared as pale-greenish discolorations in indistinct, poorly defined leaf lesions, which progressed into pallid to brownish lesions without definite margins. The leaf spots were rarely observed on stems and bracts. The black conidiomata became visible in the lesions. Conidiomata were pycnidial, epigenous, and rarely hypogenous, scattered, dark brown to rusty brown, globose, embedded in host tissue or partly erumpent, 60 to 130 µm in diameter, with ostioles measuring 20 to 40 µm in diameter, and released cirriform conidial masses. The conidiomatal wall was composed of textura angularis without distinctly differentiated layers, but the outer cells were darker and somewhat thicker walls than the inner cells. Conidiogenous cells were submerged in the conidiomata wall, ampulliform or elongated ampulliform with a distinct neck and hyaline. Conidia were straight to mildly curved, hyaline, 25 to 65 × 1.5 to 2.5 µm, and 2 to 4-septate. Based on the morphological characteristics, the fungus was consistent with Septoria cerastii Roberge ex Desm. (Priest 1997, Verkley et al. 2013). Pure cultures were obtained by collecting conidia from pycnidia on leaf lesions and streaking them onto water agar media. After incubating at 24°C for 48 hours, germinating conidia were transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. An isolate was deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection under Accession No. KACC 410466. To confirm morphological identification, six phylogenetic loci, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S rDNA (LSU), β-tubulin (TUB2), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF), actin (ACT), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), were sequenced (Verkley et al. 2013) and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos: PQ061282, PQ106848, PQ120988, PQ120980, PQ120993, and PQ120983). Results of the BLASTn search revealed a nucleotide difference with the ex-epitype culture (CBS 102323) of Septoria cerastii in ITS and LSU regions but a 100% match with reference sequences of S. cerastii (KF252834.1 for TUB2, KF253309.1 for EF, KF253666.1 for ACT, and KF252363.1 for RPB2). In a phylogenetic tree reconstructed using the multi-loci sequences, the Korean isolate formed a well-supported group with reference isolates of Septoria cerastii. Pathogenicity was tested by spraying a conidial suspension (2 × 105 conidia/ml) harvested from a four-week-old PDA culture (KACC 410466) onto the leaf surface of three healthy C. glomeratum plants. Three control plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. All plants were kept in a dark dew chamber at 26 °C for 24 h and then moved to a greenhouse (22 to 24 °C, >70% relative humidity, and a 12-h photoperiod). After a week, symptoms identical to those observed in the field developed on the leaves inoculated with the fungus. No symptoms were observed on control plants. Septoria cerastii was re-isolated from symptomatic lesions of the inoculated plants, and its identity was confirmed by morphology, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. This pathogen has been recorded on many species of Cerastium worldwide, including the occurrences on C. glomeratum reported in Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal (Priest 1997, Farr & Rossman 2024). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf blight on C. glomeratum caused by S. cerastii in Asia as well as in Korea.

Cophinforma tumefaciens causing Dieback disease in Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Per. in China.

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Per., named as May Cang, is a rare deciduous evergreen tree and cultivated for its ethnopharmacological properties and medicinal uses. In 2020-2023, an outbreak of dieback disease was observed on the stems and branches of L. cubeba with above 80% disease incidence in a 150 hectare plantation in Yiyang, Hunan (N28°39'24"; E112°12'48"). In the early stages, water-soaked lesions appeared on the stems and branches. The infected sites turned elliptical in shape, dark brown, and swelled. The infected branches and stems died gradually. After scraping the bark from the diseased stems and branches under aseptic conditions, diseased tissues (5 mm2) from the diseased-healthy junction were cut off and placed on PDA containing penicillin (50 mg/L) at 25 ℃ to 28 ℃ in the dark for 3 to 4 days. Colonies from different tissues were subcultured by transferring the hyphal tip onto fresh PDA. Colonies with regular margin on PDA reached 60 mm diam after 3 d at 25℃ to 28℃, the aerial mycelia were woolly, grayish-white at first, gradually turned gray black after 14 days. No fruiting bodies were found on medium. On disease stems, conidia were hyaline, aseptate, granular, ellipsoid to obovoid, 18.0 to 33.4 × 5.5 to 9.8 μm (av. 25.6 × 7.4 μm, n=55). The internal transcribed spacers (ITS), 28S nrDNA (LSU), elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), and β-tubulin (TUB2) of isolate ACCC35248 and ACCC35249 (stored in the Agricultural Culture Collection of China) were PCR amplified and sequenced for further identification with primer pairs: .ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), LROR/LR7 (Rehner et al. 1994), EF1-728F/EF-2 (Zhao et al. 2021) and TUB4Rd/TUB2Fd (Woudenberg et al. 2009), respectively. Obtained sequences of ITS, LSU, TEF1 and TUB2 (Genebank accessions nos. PP577627 and PP577624, PP588412 and PP588413, PP584319 and PP584320, PP584321 and PP584322) showed above 99% homology with these sequences of Cophinforma tumefaciens ex-type culture IMI 76762 (ITS: MW810287, TEF: MZ073950 and TUB: MZ073935) and MFLUCC 11-0425 (ITS: JX64680, LSU: JX646817, TEF: JX646865 and TUB: JX646848) (Liu et al, 2012). Phylogenetic analysis with maximum likelihood in MEGA 10.0 using the concatenated ITS-TEF-TUB sequences placed the isolates within the C. tumefaciens clade with 100% bootstrap support. Therefore, the fungus was identified as C. tumefaciens. One-year-old healthy L. cubeba seedlings were surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol, then wounded with sterile needles and a 6-mm-diameter fungal plug of 14-day-old cultures grown on PDA was put on the wound. Sterile PDA plugs were used as controls, and all inoculated sites were wrapped with plastic film. The tests were repeated twice. At 7 days post-inoculation, symptoms were observed at the inoculated sites and the upper branches of the inoculation site died back two months later, while no symptoms were observed on the control plants. C. tumefaciens was re-isolated from the inoculated stems. C. tumefaciens can infect various plants and cause disease worldwide (Zhao et al. 2021), and this is the first report of a quarantine pathogen causing dieback on L. cubeba in China. This information will assist in preventing further spread of this pathogen.

The Efficacy of Subak in Mitigating Land Conversion within the Jatiluwih World Cultural Heritage Site

Subak represents a distinctive agricultural culture in Bali, functioning as an indigenous community organization with significant socio-agrarian and cultural implications. The inclusion of Subak within the Jatiluwih World Cultural Heritage Area, recognized by UNESCO as a valuable intangible heritage, underscores its importance. However, the rapid expansion of tourism and service industries has raised concerns about land conversion, potentially jeopardizing agricultural productivity through the development of villas, homestays, and restaurants. The study employs qualitative research methods to systematically document and observe field information and phenomena. While Subak's role is deemed partially effective compared to non-designated counterparts, land conversion persists due to various factors including internal motivations, external environmental conditions, and regulatory frameworks governing land use. Enhancing integration is crucial, involving the design of additional regulations to fortify the eco-cultural tourism system and foster collaboration between agricultural and tourism sectors. There is a pressing need to increase support for Subak, encompassing both moral and material assistance.

Sistem Tata Air, Kendala dan Potensi Lahan Rawa Lebak di Instalasi Penelitian dan Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian (IP2TP) Kayuagung, Sumatera Selatan

Lebak swamp land has the main problem in the condition of a fluctuating water regime and unpredictable water entry into the land. A review of the water system network is needed for the development of agricultural cultivation in the Lebak swamp. The purpose of this study is to determine the network of water systems, constraints and potentials in the swamp land of the Kayuagung Agricultural Technology Research and Assessment Installation, South Sumatra. This research was carried out at the Agricultural Technology Research and Assessment Installation, Kayuagung, South Sumatra with observation, interview, and literature study methods. The results of the study show that the IP2TP Kayuagung lebak swamp land is a confined lebak which is located far from the Komering River divided into 3 typologies, namely shallow lebak, middle lebak, and lebak dalam. The soil type in the IP2TP Kayuagung experimental garden is inceptisol, while the land type is suboptimal. The water management system of the Lebak swamp land at the Agricultural Technology Assessment and Research Installation (IP2TP) in Kayuagung uses a rainwater system and polders (mobile embankments) equipped with primary, tertiary and quaternary channels. Identification in the field there are obstacles in the management of the IP2TP Kayuagung lebak swamp land caused by the dependence of land water sources on rainfall so that it can only be planted once a year and during the rainy season the land will be submerged. The condition of the IP2TP lebak swamp land has been productive as agricultural cultivation land, both rice, palawija and even horticultural crops and can have the potential to cultivate several livestock such as ducks, chickens, cows or freshwater fish. It is necessary to make efforts to revitalize swamp land by making water can come out and flow into the river so that the water can recede in the dry season and food crops that have been tried can be cultivated again.