Desert Cotton Research Articles

The effect of mercerization on the physical, mechanical, morphological, and chemical properties of Aerva Tomentosa fiber and fiber-reinforced urea–formaldehyde composites

An eco-rich renewable resource is a cellulose, and cellulosic fibers are a plentiful polymer of choice with a numerous industrial applications. Natural cellulosic fibers added to composites have the advantage of being biodegradable and environmentally safe materials. Desert cotton (Bui) botanically known as Aerva Tomentosa (family Amaranthaceous) is found in abundance in western Rajasthan, India. In this study, we assessed the extraction method of fibers and characterization of functional groups of ATFs(Aerva Tomentosa Fiber) by FTIR Spectroscopy of ATF (1) mercerized with 5% NaOH (alkaline treated) and un-mercerized ATF (0). In this sequence, the surface morphology of ATF (0) and ATF (1) were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, we performed the single fiber tensile strength test and the percentage elongation test in the cases of ATF (0) and ATF (1).Aerva Tomentosa (Bui) extracted cellulosic fiber bonds with Urea-Formaldehyde to form composites. Aerva Tomentosa various percentages of cellulosic fibers (7 wt%, 12 wt%, 17 wt%, 22 wt%, and 27 wt%) mixed in the composition to reinforce the synthesis of urea formaldehyde resin composites. Aerva Tomentosa Fiber Composite (ATFC)’s functional groups and bonding were analyzed using FTIR spectra. Both the mercerized fiber-loaded composite ATFC (1) and the un-mercerized fiber-loaded composite ATFC(0), ATFC's surface morphology were scanned using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Desert cotton and areca nut husk fibre reinforced hybridized bio-benzoxazine/epoxy bio-composites: Thermal, electrical and acoustic insulation applications

Due to increasing environmental concerns, significant attention has been gained for seeking out alternative sources for deforestation and to reduce as much as possible for the utilization of petroleum-based chemicals. In the present work hybrid bio-composites have been developed using epoxy resins (DGEBA-isophoronediamine and DGEBA-phenalkamine) and hybridized blend of bio-based cardanol-diaminodiphenylmethane (C-ddm) benzoxazine and DGEBA-isophoronediamine (bio-benzoxazine: epoxy resin 50:50 wt%)reinforced with desert cotton (DC) and areca nut husk fibres (ANF) separately under appropriate experimental conditions, in order to utilize them for high performance thermal, electrical and acoustic insulation panel applications. Mechanical behaviour, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, electrical surface resistivity, electrical volume resistivity, sound absorption coefficient and sound transmission loss were studied as per standard methods. Results obtained from different studies infer that hybrid blended cardanol benzoxazine composite panels reinforced with desert cotton sandwich areca nut husk fibre (DC-sw-ANHF) possess appreciable thermal resistivity and electrical volume resistivity and the corresponding values are 0.22141 M2 k/w, and 1.888 × 1010 Ω, respectively. Data obtained from acoustic studies, indicate that all the fibre reinforced composites possess more than 0.7 value of sound absorption coefficient at 6400 Hz. The composite panel specimens developed using both desert cotton, and areca nut husk fibre reinforced with hybridized blend of bio-benzoxazine/epoxy resin can be used as insulation materials in the field of building construction.

Yield and In Vitro Antioxidant Potential of Essential Oil from Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. ex Schul. Flower with Special Emphasis on Seasonal Changes.

The essential oil (EO) of the desert cotton (Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. ex Schul.) was extracted by hydrodistillation, from A. javanica flowers growing in the sandy soils of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) wild desert. The influence of seasonal variation on flowers’ EO yield was studied. The flowers’ EO yield obtained from spring samples (0.011%) was significantly the highest followed by early summer (0.009%), winter (0.007%), and autumn samples (0.006%), respectively. The flowers’ EO antioxidant analysis were tested by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays (in vitro). Results proved that A. javanica flowers’ EO, isolated during the four seasons, is a good source of natural bioactive antioxidants. Based on the three tested assays, the highest antioxidant activity was recorded in the spring. Testing of the chemical composition of the flowers’ EO was conducted for the season with the highest yield and the best antioxidant performance, recorded in spring, by a combination of gas chromatograph (GC) and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). This led to the identification of 29 volatile components, in which the flowers’ oil was characterized by angustione as a major compound. Photos by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed prominent availability of star-shaped trichomes in the epidermis of the flowers.

The THE ROLE OF AERVA JAVANICA (BURM.F.) JUSS. GROWING IN JAZAN, SAUDI ARABIA AS ANTIMICROBIAL AND COAGULATING FACTOR

In deserted conditions, plants suffer from shortage of water and minerals. Though, they try to adapt with harsh conditions by building an internal defense system via making different chemical compounds, especially secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites have several medicinal effect. Saudi Arabia is considered as semi-arid region. Therefore, it has many plants with high adaptation level to survive in the exotic environment.  South west of Saudi Arabia is the richest in plant biodiversity. One of the common plants that grows nearly everywhere in the country is Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. It is a widely distributed herbal plant and is called desert cotton (in Arabic Tarf). It has different human usage. Flowers sometimes are used as cotton filling for pillows. Moreover, it has different medicinal practices among indigenous people. One of its uses among local people is using flowers to stop the bleeding if wounds persists. Therefore, this research investigate the medicinal implication of A. javanica as antibacterial agent and as a blood-coagulating factor. Dichloromethane, methanol, ethanol and water extractions from different parts of the plant (stem, leaf and flower) were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts were evaluated with microorganism by disc diffusion method on three different strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). Moreover, coagulating rate by manual method on blood samples from female rat was restrained. Escherichia coli growth was inhibited only by the dichloromethane extraction from the three parts of the plant. Staphylococcus aures growth was inhibited by the aqueous extraction of the three parts of the plant and the methanol extraction of the leaves. All the other extractions has no effect on the growth of Bacillus subtilis or the other bacteria. For the blood coagulating, all extracts were very effective on exceeding blood clotting time. The clotting time was less than the time of the control. The finding and results are discussed in detail.

Herbicidal potential of Aerva javanica to control wild oat in wheat crop

We investigated the phytotoxicity of desert cotton (Aerva javanica) extracts on wild oat and wheat. Aqueous extracts from A. javanica roots, leaves and inflorescences collected from Jeddah and Al-Baha regions, Saudi Arabia were used. Generally, the allelopathic potential of water extracts of A. javanica collected from Jeddah were more in inhibitory to wild oat germination and seedlings growth than those from Al-Baha. In both regions, root extracts were inhibitory to wild oat followed by leaves and inflorescences extracts. All test aqueous extracts of both regions did not inhibit the wheat germination or seedlings growth.Whreas, the wild oat germination was reduced by root extracts 58.62 %, 28.62 % leaves extracts : 32.72 %, 17.72 % and inflorescences extract 28.11 %, 12.13 % by in plants samples collected from Jeddah and Al-Baha, respectively. Wild oat radical length was inhibited by root extracts 53.27 %, 32.84 % leaves 42.35 %, 9.63 % and inflorescences extracts 22.64 %, 16.75 % in case of Jeddah and Al-Baha plants, respectively. In pot culture experiment, all treatments markedly reduced the plant dry weight and soluble carbohydrates, proteins and free amino acids contents in wild oat. The differences in the allelopathic potentials of studied A. javanica extracts were related to the qualitative variations in their phytochemicals constituents. Our results showed that A. javanica extracts could be safely used to control wild oat growth in wheat fields after more detsaled research..

We investigated the phytotoxicity of desert cotton (Aerva javanica) extracts on wild oat and wheat. Aqueous extracts from A. javanica roots, leaves and inflorescences collected from Jeddah and Al-Baha regions, Saudi Arabia were used. Generally, the allelopathic potential of water extracts of A. javanica collected from Jeddah were more in inhibitory to wild oat germination and seedlings growth than those

This glasshouse study aimed to determine the herbicidal activity of allelochemicals 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) on test weeds (Asystasia gangetica, Eleusine indica, Leptochloa chinensis and Oldenlandia verticillata) and to find the tolerance of test crops (Brassica rapa, Oryza sativa, Zea mays) to 2,4-DTBP. The 2,4-DTBP applied at 7 kg ai/ha inhibited the weeds seedling growth by 15-40 % only, showing its poor post emergence herbicidal activity. In contrast, soil bioassay confirmed pre-emergence herbicidal activity of 2,4-DTBP that reduced the seedling growth of weeds (L. chinensis, E. indica and O. verticillata) by 50- 80 % at 2.5 kg ai/ha but A. gangetica was tolerant to 2,4-DTBP even at 5 kg ai/ha. Crop tolerance test revealed that Zea mays was tolerant to 2,4-DTBP. In contrast, root lengths of transplanted Brassica rapa seedlings and Oryza sativa seedlings were reduced by 10- 15 % at 2,4-DTBP doses of 1.25 to 5 kg ai/ha, 14 days after treatment. However, these two crops seedlings became tolerant to 2,4-DTBP at 5 kg ai/ha, when applied 4 days after transplanting. Thus 2,4-DTBP may be developed as novel pre-emergence natural herbicide, without injuring the crops depending on their growth stages and crop species.

Evaluation of Impact of Hydro-alcoholic Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Flowering Tops of “Desert Cotton” plant on Analgesic, Pyretic and Inflammatory Murine Models

Evaluation of Impact of Hydro-alcoholic Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Flowering Tops of <i>“Desert Cotton”</i> plant on Analgesic, Pyretic and Inflammatory Murine Models

New insights into the phytochemical composition, enzyme inhibition and antioxidant properties of desert cotton (Aerva javanica (Bum.f) Shult. -Amaranthaceae)

This study sets out to probe into total bioactive contents, UHPLC-MS secondary metabolites profiling, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory (acetylcholinesterase- AChE, butyrylcholinesterase- BChE, α-amylase, α glucosidase, and tyrosinase) activities of methanol extract of Aerva javanica, also known as desert cotton or Kapok bush. Aerva javanica contains considerable phenolic (44.79 ± 3.12 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (28.86 ± 0.12 mg QE/g) contents which tends to correlate with its significant antioxidant potential for ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC assays with values of 101.41 ± 1.18, 124.10 ± 1.71 and 190.22 ± 5.70 mg TE/g, respectively. The UHPLC-MS analysis identified the presence of 45 phytochemicals belonging to six major groups: phenolic, flavonoids, lignin, terpenes, glycoside and alkaloid. Moreover, the plant extract also showed potent inhibitory action against AChE (3.73 ± 0.22 mg GALAE/g), BChE (3.31 ± 0.19 mg GALAE/g) and tyrosinase (126.05 ± 1.77 mg KAE/g). The observed results suggest A. javanica could be further explored as a natural source of bioactive compounds.

A New Sterigmatocystin-producing Emericella Variant from Agricultural Desert Soils

An unusual, sterigmatocystin-producing taxon with characteristics of both Emericella nidulans (anamorph Aspergillus nidulans) and Emericella rugulosa (anamorph Aspergillus rugulovalvus, formerly A. rugulosus) was isolated repeatedly during a mycofloral survey of desert cotton field soils where aflatoxin is a chronic problem. Members of this taxon had ascospores with smooth convex walls like E. nidulans but grew slowly like E. rugulosa; moreover, they were similar to an industrial echinocandin B-producing strain which had been classified as "Aspergillus nidulans var. roseus." These new desert isolates were compared with "A. nidulans var. roseus" and representative wild-type isolates of E. nidulans and E. rugulosa using traditional morphological characters, secondary metabolite profiles of mycelial extracts, and Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA. The desert isolates and "A. nidulans var. roseus shared morphological, physiological and molecular characters with E. rugulosa. These isolates constitute a new non-rugulose variant of E. rugulosa.

Soil fungi of some low-altitude desert cotton fields and ability of their extracts to inhibit Aspergillus flavus.

Soil is presumed to be a major source of inoculum for Aspergillus flavus which contaminates cottonseed and produces the potent carcinogen, aflatoxin. Little is known about the mycoflora of the low desert soils of cotton fields where aflatoxin is a chronic problem. In this study, soils from cotton fields in southwestern Arizona and south-eastern California were assayed for filamentous fungi. Forty-two taxa, predominantly in the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium, were isolated. To determine whether or not compounds produced by these fungi could be potential inhibitors of A. flavus, extracts of strains of each taxon were tested for their ability to inhibit growth of A. flavus. Twelve taxa produced compounds inhibitory to A. flavus, including several strains of Fusarium solani, Penicillium vinaceum and Aspergillus auricomus.

Life History of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasitoid of Pink Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with Emphasis on Performance at High Temperatures

Selected life history characteristics of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja, a newly imported egg parasitoid of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), were studied at constant and fluctuating temperatures, with emphasis on high temperatures typical of desert cotton production areas in Arizona and southern California. Developmental times from egg to adult ranged from 11 to just over 7 d at mean temperatures of 22.5 and 29.5°C, respectively. Development was delayed under fluctuating temperatures with maximums ≥33.5°C. Survivorship was >90% under all but a fluctuating 25/40°C regime. Similar results were found for Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, an established species in the southwestern United States. Mean female longevity of T. bactrae adults ranged from 138 h at a constant 15°C to 1.5 h at 40°C. Mean fecundity peaked at 25°C(55 progeny per female), but modest fecundity (14–23 progeny per female) was maintained at temperatures from 30–35°C. The majority of eggs oviposited by newly emerged adults within the first 24 h of exposure to hosts were laid in the first 3 h and >90% were laid within 12 h. The 24-h rate of oviposition was a nonlinear function of female age and temperature that was maximal for lO-h-old females at ≍25°C. The time of day that females of equal age were initially exposed to hosts did not significantly affect 24-h oviposition rates. T. bactrae appears well adapted to high temperatures; this environmental factor should not significantly hinder the efficacy of this biological control agent in the field.

Pink bollworm control in southwestern desert cotton: III. Strategies for control: An economic simulation study

I. A Field-Oriented Simulation Model A simulation model for pink bollworm (PBW) and cotton was developed, field validated, and incorporated into an industry sponsored regional PBW management program for southwestern desert cotton. The PBW model differs from earlier versions in its incorporation of stochastic development, the expansion of the concept of physiological time to include nutritional influences of the cotton host on larval development, and its ability to simulate the kinds of data typically collected by pest control advisors when monitoring cotton for pink bollworm. II. A Strategic Management Model A simulation model of pink bollworm populations, as affected by insecticide and pheromone applications in cotton, is described. The simulation results compared favorably to field data. The study indicates that use of sex pheromone for control of pink bollworm by mating disruption inversely depends on density and therefore is most effective in the early season when populations are low. Compared to untreated fields, pheromone-treated fields show delayed population peaks and reduced overall infestation. Pheromone applications in the early season delay but do not obviate the need to spray insecticide to limit infestation levels. III. Strategies for Control: An Economic Simulation Study The cotton-pink bollworm model and the management model developed by Stone and Gutierrez (I and II of this series) are used to evaluate different strategies for controlling pink bollworm in the southwestern desert. Pesticide sprays based on an ultraconservative economic threshold of 2 percent infested bolls are found to be the most profitable in the absence of penalties for heavy insecticide use. Insecticide sprayed on thresholds over 8 percent infested bolls did not control pink bollworm. Pheromone in combination with insecticide greatly enhanced profits and was the best workable strategy tested since a 2 percent threshold is probably too difficult to sample accurately in the field. The efficacy of using early season insecticide applications at and before the first hostable squares are present is discussed, as is the possible impact of early season insecticide applications on beneficial insect populations.

Pink bollworm control in southwestern desert cotton: I. A field-oriented simulation model

I. A Field-Oriented Simulation Model A simulation model for pink bollworm (PBW) and cotton was developed, field validated, and incorporated into an industry sponsored regional PBW management program for southwestern desert cotton. The PBW model differs from earlier versions in its incorporation of stochastic development, the expansion of the concept of physiological time to include nutritional influences of the cotton host on larval development, and its ability to simulate the kinds of data typically collected by pest control advisors when monitoring cotton for pink bollworm. II. A Strategic Management Model A simulation model of pink bollworm populations, as affected by insecticide and pheromone applications in cotton, is described. The simulation results compared favorably to field data. The study indicates that use of sex pheromone for control of pink bollworm by mating disruption inversely depends on density and therefore is most effective in the early season when populations are low. Compared to untreated fields, pheromone-treated fields show delayed population peaks and reduced overall infestation. Pheromone applications in the early season delay but do not obviate the need to spray insecticide to limit infestation levels. III. Strategies for Control: An Economic Simulation Study The cotton-pink bollworm model and the management model developed by Stone and Gutierrez (I and II of this series) are used to evaluate different strategies for controlling pink bollworm in the southwestern desert. Pesticide sprays based on an ultraconservative economic threshold of 2 percent infested bolls are found to be the most profitable in the absence of penalties for heavy insecticide use. Insecticide sprayed on thresholds over 8 percent infested bolls did not control pink bollworm. Pheromone in combination with insecticide greatly enhanced profits and was the best workable strategy tested since a 2 percent threshold is probably too difficult to sample accurately in the field. The efficacy of using early season insecticide applications at and before the first hostable squares are present is discussed, as is the possible impact of early season insecticide applications on beneficial insect populations.

Pink bollworm control in southwestern desert cotton: II. A strategic management model

I. A Field-Oriented Simulation Model A simulation model for pink bollworm (PBW) and cotton was developed, field validated, and incorporated into an industry sponsored regional PBW management program for southwestern desert cotton. The PBW model differs from earlier versions in its incorporation of stochastic development, the expansion of the concept of physiological time to include nutritional influences of the cotton host on larval development, and its ability to simulate the kinds of data typically collected by pest control advisors when monitoring cotton for pink bollworm. II. A Strategic Management Model A simulation model of pink bollworm populations, as affected by insecticide and pheromone applications in cotton, is described. The simulation results compared favorably to field data. The study indicates that use of sex pheromone for control of pink bollworm by mating disruption inversely depends on density and therefore is most effective in the early season when populations are low. Compared to untreated fields, pheromone-treated fields show delayed population peaks and reduced overall infestation. Pheromone applications in the early season delay but do not obviate the need to spray insecticide to limit infestation levels. III. Strategies for Control: An Economic Simulation Study The cotton-pink bollworm model and the management model developed by Stone and Gutierrez (I and II of this series) are used to evaluate different strategies for controlling pink bollworm in the southwestern desert. Pesticide sprays based on an ultraconservative economic threshold of 2 percent infested bolls are found to be the most profitable in the absence of penalties for heavy insecticide use. Insecticide sprayed on thresholds over 8 percent infested bolls did not control pink bollworm. Pheromone in combination with insecticide greatly enhanced profits and was the best workable strategy tested since a 2 percent threshold is probably too difficult to sample accurately in the field. The efficacy of using early season insecticide applications at and before the first hostable squares are present is discussed, as is the possible impact of early season insecticide applications on beneficial insect populations.

Identification and Evaluation of Pink Bollworm Predators in Southern California1

A survey revealed that 1 neuropteron, 1 dermapteron, 5 hemiptera, 4 coleoptera and 9 spiders in southern California desert cotton growing areas fed on Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders). All but the spiders fed on pink bollworm eggs, and all fed on 1st-stage larvae when the predators were confined in vials with prey. Orius tristicolor (White) and Geocoris punclipes (Say) decidedly preferred 1st-stage larvae over eggs. Only the larger predators and the spiders fed on mature free larvae. Feeding on cocooned larvae was less pronounced; only the earwig Labidura riparia (Pallas) fed on pink bollworm pupae. In greenhouse tests, 6 species of predators commonly associated with cotton plants were tested for their ability to find and destroy pink bollworm eggs. These predators, arrayed in order of their effectiveness were: 2nd-stage larval green lacewings, Chrysopa carnea Stephens; and adult malachiids, Collops marginellus LeConte; Iygaeids. G. punctipes; anthicids, Notoxus calcaratus Horn; nabids, Nabis americoferus Carayon; and anthocorids O. tristicolor .