Pithecellobium Dulce Research Articles

Evaluation of Lipid Lowering Activity and Anti-Oxidant Status of Pithecellobium dulce in Obesity Induced Rats

Pithecellobium dulce is a plant of numerous utilizations which has a great role in the conventional medicinal system. The present study was planned to assess the hypolipidemic efficacy and anti-oxidant activity of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of the peel of Pithecellobium dulce in high fat diet induced obese rats. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanolic extract of peel were prepared by soxhlet method. Obesity was induced in Wistar rats by giving a high fat diet for 40 d. The lipid lowering activity was assessed by oral administration of extracts at two different dose levels (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) along with a high fat diet for 40 d. The lipid lowering activity was estimated in terms of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol, Very Low-density lipoprotein Cholesterol, blood glucose levels, serum glutamate oxaloacetate and serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione, Glutathione peroxidase Glutathione reductase, Superoxide dismutase and Catalase were also estimated to evaluate anti-oxidant status. Administration of a high-fat diet for 40 successive d significantly increased bad cholesterol and glucose levels, decreased good cholesterol levels and also thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level was significantly higher and whereas, reduced Glutathione, Glutathione peroxidise, Glutathione reductase, Superoxide dismutase and Catalase were significantly lower in disease control animals. Animals treated with extracts for 40 successive days along with high fat diet reversed the effects induced by high fat in animals. The present study depicts that the Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanolic extract of the peel of Pithecellobium dulce shows potential lipid lowering effect and improvement in antioxidant status.

Fly-Ash Pollution Modulates Growth, Biochemical Attributes, Antioxidant Activity and Gene Expression in Pithecellobium Dulce (Roxb) Benth.

This study investigates the effect of fly ash (FA) on the Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth. trees growing at three different locations. FA stress caused significant changes in different leaf attributes like sugar, protein contents, photosynthetic pigments, nitrate content and nitrate reductase activity in foliar tissues of plants growing at a highly contaminated site, as compared to a low-pollution site. Lower rates of stomatal conductance (SC) were observed in P. dulce leaves under fly ash stress conditions that drastically reduced net photosynthetic rate (PN); however, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration and stomatal index (SI) showed an increase under the same stress conditions. On the other hand, significant increase was also observed in the proline, sulphur and nitrogen contents. A significant increase in oxidative stress and, consequently, in antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and Air pollution tolerance index were discovered at three different sites. The transcriptional expression of antioxidant and stress responsive genes was higher at HPS as compared to two other two sites of the study. Taken together the results demonstrated that the P. dulce is best suited as a fly ash stress tolerant plant species with the potential to provide an alternative for the reclamation of fly ash affected soils.

Pithecellobium dulce fruit extract mitigates cyclophosphamide-mediated toxicity by regulating proinflammatory cytokines.

Pithecellobium dulce (Family: Fabaceae) is an edible fruit widely used in Asian-Pacific region. In the present study, we had investigated the protective effect of P. dulce fruit extract in mitigating harmful effects of the chemotherapeutic drug, cyclophosphamide (CTX). Our results showed that P. dulce treatment could significantly (p<.01) overcome CTX-induced immunosuppression accompanied with urotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity in experimental animals. This was supported by histopathological data which proved that toxic effects of CTX in urinary bladder walls, liver, and kidney were markedly inhibited with P. dulce administration. Further, we observed significant alterations in in situ formation or release of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulation factor (GM-CSF) and interferon gamma (IFN ɤ) in the P. dulce treated group compared with cyclophosphamide control group. The outcome of the study could have wide range of applications in combating chemotherapy-associated malnutrition as well as in cancer drug development. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: CTX is a commonly used broad spectrum chemotherapeutic drug with severe side effects including immune suppression, malnutrition, urotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Identification of a novel immunomodulator from natural sources can resolve these side effects and could improve the quality of life of cancer patients receiving CTX as chemotherapeutic drug. In the present study, we had proved that P. dulce administration could significantly reduce CTX-induced immunotoxicity, urothelial toxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Administration of P. dulce showed a pronounced improvement in total leukocyte count, bone marrow cellularity/α-esterase activity, expression of antioxidant glutathione and cytokines (GM-CSF and INF-ɤ) compared to CTX-treated mice group. Further, histopathological analysis confirmed the protective efficacy of P. dulce against CTX-induced urothelial, hepato and kidney damage. These insights are fostering new combinational therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compound in Ethanolic Extract of Pithecellobium dulce Leaves

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compound in Ethanolic Extract of Pithecellobium dulce Leaves

Floristic Diversity of Riparian Plants in Aswan Reservoir at the Extreme South of the River Nile, Upper Egypt: A Closed Ecological System

The present study was undertaken to survey the floristic composition in the islands and shorelines in Aswan Reservoir, south of the River Nile at Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Four elements of vegetation were analyzed: floristic composition, lifespan, life form, and phytogeographical affinities. A total of 165 species were recorded belonging to 134 genera in 45 families of vascular plants, of which six species were new to the flora of Aswan and Nubia (Amaranthus spinosus, Doellia bovei, Eleocharis parvula, Haematoxylum campechianum, Polygonum aviculare, and Pithecellobium dulce). The most represented families are Leguminosae, Poaceae, and Compositae. Species richness is highest in low-lying areas (shorelines) liable to flooding, compared to those of the islands in the river. The recorded flora consists of 50.91% perennials and 49.09% annuals. Therophytes and phanerophytes were the predominant life forms. Phytogeographical analysis revealed the prevalence of the pantropical (28.48%), palaeotropical (17.57%), and cosmopolitan (16.36%) plant species. Monoregional chorotype was represented by 29 species (17.58%) of the recorded flora with the Sudano-Zambezian species (11.52%) being the highest chorotype, while pure Mediterranean species were very poorly represented (3.63%). Biregional chorotype was represented by 25 species (15.15%), while the pluriregional chorotype was accounted for 2.43% of recorded species.

Extraction and characterization of water‐soluble polysaccharides from Tamarindus indica and Pithecellobium dulce seeds

AbstractWater‐soluble polysaccharides (WSP) were secluded from Tamarindus indica (TWSP) and Pithecellobium dulce (PWSP) seeds by hot water method. The physico‐chemical properties revealed that the polysaccharides might be used as a potential food additive. The micrometric properties of TWSP and PWSP possessed a bulk density of 0.64 and 0.68 g/ml, respectively. The isolated polysaccharides were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for its compositional analysis and exhibited that both the isolates are heteropolysaccharides. The spectra of both the mucilages were resonating at δ 3.00–δ 5.00 ppm which confirmed the presence of polysaccharides. Thermo gravimetric analysis showed that the isolated polysaccharides were thermally stable. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction depicted the morphological characteristics. The radical scavenging ability and antibacterial activity proved that the polysaccharides can be explored as a functional food ingredient. Furthermore, the prebiotic potential of polysaccharides stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus fermentum over inulin.Practical applicationsThe study provides optimum extraction conditions to obtain TWSP and PWSP seeds using response surface methodology. The isolated polysaccharides can be used as therapeutic agent and as a food additive due to its high purity obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis. The excellent flowability and compressibility of polysaccharides can be applied in pharmaceutical formulation as an excipient. The active component present in the isolated polysaccharides can be used as a food preservative. The supplement of TWSP and PWSP as a carbon source accelerated the growth of probiotics which could be used as natural prebiotics. Thus the study concluded that the water‐soluble polysaccharide obtained from the agro‐industrial by product has the wide application in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Restoration of ecosystem services through afforestation on degraded sodic lands in Indo-Gangetic plains

Afforestation with tree species on a highly degraded sodic lands in Lucknow (26° 47’ N; 80°46’ E), Uttar Pradesh, India has improved the provisional biomass production and supportive (nutrient dynamics and soil ameliorative) services during ten years. Of the ten species studied, Prosopis juliflora produced highest (56.5 t/ha) above ground biomass at ten years age. P. juliflora had highest total N P K accumulation followed by Acacia nilotica, Casuarina equisetifolia, Terminalia arjuna, Pithecellobium dulce and Pongamia pinnata whereas, total Ca and Mg contents were relatively high in T. arjuna followed by P. juliflora, A. nilotica and C. equisetifolia. Tree leaves reported the highest nutrient concentration followed by branches and stem. P. juliflora, A. nilotica and P. pinnata were found more efficient in nitrogen recycling compared to other species. Corresponding to biomass production, P. juliflora also dominated in nitrogen uptake. However, nitrogen retranslocation was highest in C. equisetifolia. P. juliflora, although produced maximum areal biomass, was not as good in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), indicating that it produced relatively less biomass per unit of N uptake. T. arjuna had the greatest phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and the lowest infiltration rate and chemical indicators (pH, ESP) of sodic soils after ten years of planting was recorded with P. juliflora which was 20.12%, 557.50% and 9.23%, 48% higher over the initial and 9.02%, 122% and 7.29% , 43.2% higher over natural fallow respectively. Microbial biomass was relatively higher under C. equisetifolia and P. juliflora than rest of the tree species.

Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of crude seeds extract from Pithecellobium dulce (roxb.) Benth

Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of crude seeds extract from Pithecellobium dulce (roxb.) Benth

Exploratory Studies on Occurrence and Potential Benefits of High Fruit Yielding Reproductive Phenophasic Variants of Pithecellobium dulce in Augmenting Fruit Based Semi-arid Agro Forestry Systems

Background: Pithecellobium dulce is a multipurpose legume tree species of high ecological significance. Several reports indicate existence of huge genetic diversity within the natural population of the species. Various morphological parameters have been used to assess intra species genetic diversity, however, there is no report available so far on diversities in reproductive phenology of P. dulce of semi-arid or arid climate.&#x0D; Methods: The present paper is based on assessment of diversity in flowering phenophases through construction of phenological calendar incorporating temporally observable morpho-phenotypic descriptors for reproductive behaviour of individual trees comprising natural population of the species at designated study sites during a period of three years. The study was carried out during September, 2015 and March, 2019 at Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. Data were periodically obtained and statistically analyzed.&#x0D; Results: Majority of trees of flowering stage (89.94%) exhibited normal or winter blooms in which flowering was initiated in almost synchronized manner during December; 10.05% of normal blooming trees inconsistently showed additional early or autumn blooms during either September or October or November; 2.58% of trees exhibited early blooms in which flowering was consistently initiated in the month of September in addition to normal blooms. The overall production and availability of fresh fruits in early-cum-normal episodic blooming trees were greater as compared to only normal blooming trees. Though, the numerical fruit productivity in winter blooms was superior to autumn, the pomometric characteristics were inferior in former in early-cum-normal episodic blooming trees.&#x0D; Conclusion: The methodology is a novel experimental approach to assess diversities in reproductive phenology of seed raised population of high value fruit bearing economically important tree species. The present work explores agronomically valuable variants of P. dulce and also reports causes of appearance of persistent fruits and sporadic in-situ germination of seeds. Based on above findings, the paper also makes evolutionary predictions that how a shift in flowering phenology of P. dulce as exhibited by the elite variants could have long-term implications for reshaping of future landscapes of semi-arid or arid climate. Conclusively, Winter to autumn phenophasic shift in flowering in P. dulce is economically productive, evolutionarily progressive, and environmentally well cued partial retrieval under semi-arid conditions. Moreover, the phenophasic variants could serve as candidate plus trees that deserve out of the season floral management and clonal propagation, thereby the species may get a fillip to status up gradation from minor fruits to major fruit category.

Effect of granulometry and binder rate on the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of Africa antiaris (Antiaris africana) sawdust particleboard made with the tannic powder of African locust been pod husk (Parkia biglobosa) and the India tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce) peel

This study aims at appraising the capability of tannic powders of African locust been pod husks (Parkia Biglobosa) and of the India tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce) peel to bind Africa antiaris sawdust particles in order to manufacture environmental panels without formaldehyde emission. In the process, the granulometry has been studied. Thus, four granular groups (g) are obtained: 1.6 < g ≤ 5; 0.8 < g ≤ 1.6; g ≤ 0.8; and the raw sawdust (non-sieved). The panels produced from the different powders have been characterized. The mechanical characteristics (MOE: modulus of elasticity and MOR: modulus of rupture) determined by the bending tests are found to respect the threshold specified by the ANSI A208.1 (Medium density fiberboard, National Particleboard Association, Gaithersburg, 2009) standard. The thermal conductivity values of the panels allow concluding that the manufactured panels are conventional insulators according to the French standards RT 2012. The analyses have shown that the panels are of Mean Density in conformity with ANSI A208.1 (Medium density fiberboard, National Particleboard Association, Gaithersburg, 2009) standard.

Nutritional and therapeutic benefits of medicinal plant Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae): A review

Pithecellobium dulce, an evergreen medium-sized, spiny tree, each part of the plant has vast nutritional values; stuffed with essential vitamins, amino acids and minerals. The fruits of P. dulce, widely used in Ayurvedic medicines and home remedies. The plant has also been a rich source of biologically active compounds such as tannin, olein and glycosides. Totally 38 active phytocompounds like quercetin, kaemferol, dulcitol were identified from the various parts of the plant. Notably, this plant has catechol type of tannins in bark. There are polyphenol classes of phytocompounds which have found to be hold potent an antivenom activity. Their fruits are rich source of phenols, flavonoids and saponins reported for their efficacy to treat diabetes, oxidative stress, and gastrointestinal disorders. The plant leaf and seed have an antibacterial, antifungal and adulticidal activities. Thus, the present review describes on exploiting the medicinal properties of P. dulce and its biomedicinal applications in therapeutic development.

Bioethanol from moringa olefira and pithecellobium dulce leafs: Production and characterization

ABSTRACTMotive of this research is the production of bioethanol from two different biowastes and analysis of its thermal properties. The study of thermal properties can find the suitability of bioethanol with spark ignition engine operations. Bioethanol was produced as follows: extraction, pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation. Before this process, the feedstock was analyzed through thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) to analyze rate of mass reduction with respect to temperature. From TGA, the maximum percentage of mass reduction was found up to 35% with pithecellobium dulce leaf and up to 42% with moringa olefira leaf. During enzymatic hydrolysis, the cellulose was hydrolyzed into fermentable sugars and produced the cellulosic ethanol. After hydrolysis, saccharomyces cerevisiae was used for fermentation which induced the process to produce bioethanol. The maximum conversion rate was noted about 40 wt% with moringa olefira leafs and 28 wt% with pithecellobium dulce leafs. The extracted ethanol was subjected to thermal properties analysis which includes calorific value, density, viscosity, octane number, and cetane number. All those properties were found better with blends of tire oil, bioethanol, and gasoline. Also Fourier transform infrared spectrometry spectra confirmed the functional groups of alcohol, alkyne, Carbonyl, amide, and aromatic contents.

Bioguided isolation of N-malonyl-(+)-tryptophan from the fruit of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. that showed high activity against Hymenolepis nana

Pithecellobium dulce is distributed in America and Asia where is widely used in traditional medicine. This study describes the bioguided fractionation of the methanol extract (ME) obtained from the P. dulce fruit that showed in vitro activity against Hymenolepis nana; Artemia salina assay was used to determine toxicity; and the purified compound was computationally analysed to obtain its absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion-and-toxicity properties (ADMET). The ME and its fractions were more active than praziquantel (PZQ), and the purified compound was characterized as N-malonyl-(+)-tryptophan (NMT). Parasites treated with NMT showed shorter paralysis and death times (5 and 7 min) than those treated with PZQ (15 and 30 min), both used at 20 mg/mL. Toxicity and ADMET prediction results supported the slight-hazardousness and efficacy of the assayed fractions/compound. This is the first report of the antiparasitary activity of both the P. dulce ME and NMT, showing their potential to treat human H. nana infections.

Identificación y crecimiento inicial de especies forestales usadas para el curado de tabaco Virginia

En Colombia, los productores de tabaco Virginia (Nicotiana tabacum L.) emplean hornos artesanales basados en la combustión de leña y carbón mineral para el curado de las hojas. Con el objetivo de mitigar la amenaza por deforestación, en una primera fase se identificaron las especies forestales usadas y se cuantificó su calor de combustión bruto (CCB), a partir de muestras recolectadas en los sitios de utilización. En la segunda fase, se evaluó el crecimiento inicial de ocho especies nativas y exóticas, mediante dos experimentos en los municipios de Soata (Boyacá), Enciso y San José de Miranda (Santander). El diseño experimental usado fue de bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones (especies como los tratamientos). Eucaliptus sp (57 %), Pithecellobium dulce (48 %), Escallonia pendula (12 %) y Manclura tinctoria (9 %) fueron los taxones más utilizados. En cuanto al CCB, E. pendula (18.8 MJ kg-1) presentó el mayor valor y Citrus sinensis (12.5 MJ kg-1), el menor. Transcurridos 150 días desde el establecimiento, E. grandis y E. globulus evidenciaron un diámetro de tallo superior (13.7 mm) y altura (132.2 cm); mientras Pithecellobium dulce y Pseudosamanea guachapele fueron los de menor porte, 6.5 mm y 40.9 cm. Se constató más crecimiento de las especies exóticas para las tres localidades. Además, alrededor de 20 taxa multipropósito presentaron amplia variación en su valor calórico.

Khả năng kháng oxy hóa của cao methanol rễ me keo (Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.) trên chuột bị stress oxy hóa

In the present study, antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts from Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. roots (PDR) were investigated by employing established in vitro systems, which included radical scavenging DPPH and ferric reducing. Alloxan was used at dose 135 mg/kg body weight to induce oxidative stress in mouse models. Lipid peroxidation in vivo activities was then conducted on these alloxan-induced mice. The results obtained from radical scavenging DPPH activity showed that the methanol root extract of PDR had a lower scavenging power of 8.7 times compared to that of Vitamin C (EC50=54.704 µg/mL and EC50=6.307 µg/mL, respectively). The total ferric reducing ability determination by Fe3+to Fe2+ transformation method which revealed that the reducing activity of methanol extract from PDR (EC50 = 26.66 µg/mL) was 1.93 folds lower than that of a standard Trolox (EC50=11.206 µg/mL). The PDR possessed high ABTS+ radical-scavenging activity with 88.7% at concentration of 10 µg/mL. The extracts of PDR contained relatively high levels of total polyphenols and flavonoids, with 56.682±0.76 mg GAE/g and 380.3±18.9 mg QE/g, respectively. The in vivo antioxidant activities were determined by measuring the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain, cardiac and skeletal muscle of the test mice. The results showed that the root extract from PDR significantly decreased serum MDA levels in mouse models and could be compared to that of the drug Glucophage.

A Comparative Study on the Biological Activities of Medicinal Plants Leaf Extracts Belongs to the Family Fabaceae

The present study aims to analyze the phytochemicals, antioxidant, antimicrobial and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of three different plant leaf extracts such as Pithecellobium dulce, Sesbania grandiflora and Lablab purpureus belongs to the family fabaceae. Qualitative phytochemical screening of different plants leaf powder confirmed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids and anthraquinone glycosides. Methanolic leaf extract of Sesbania grandiflora plant possess highest total phenolic content of about 14.21 ± 0.011mg of GAE/g of extract whereas, Petroleum ether leaf extract of Lablab purpureus plant exhibits highest total phenolic content of about 11.45 ± 0.002 mg of GAE/g of extract. In DPPH assay, methanol leaf crude extract demonstrated 86±1.77% antioxidant activity in Sesbania grandiflora at 150μg/ml concentration. Whereas petroleum ether leaf crude extract demonstrated 82±1.66% antioxidant activity in Lablab purpureus at 150μg/ml concentration and in reducing power assay, both the methanol and petroleum ether leaf crude extract demonstrated 85±1.73% and 88±1.92% antioxidant activity in Sesbania grandiflora at the same concentration 150μg/ml. In egg albumin denaturation assay, both the methanol and petroleum ether leaf crude extract exhibited 78±1.38% and 81±1.79% anti-inflammatory activity in Lablab purpureus at the same 300μg/ml concentration. When compared to all plants extracts in antibacterial activity methanol leaf extract of Sesbania grandiflora demonstrated clear zone of inhibition against test microorganisms against five studied pathogens. When compared to all plants extracts in antifungal activity methanol leaf extract of Sesbania grandiflora demonstrated clear zone of inhibition against test pathogen Aspergillus niger. Results of this study conclude that the three different medicinal plant leaf extracts contains significant potential for pharmaceutical applications.

EVALUACIÓN DE LA DENSIDAD Y USO INTEGRAL DE TRES ÁRBOLES LEGUMINOSOS EN LOS SISTEMAS SILVOPASTORILES EN EL TRÓPICO DE GUERRERO, MÉXICO.

In the Tropic of Guerrero Mexico the distribution, the density and uses of trees Pithecellobium dulce Roxb Benth, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud, Haematoxilum brasiletto Karst were studied and its foliage was added to the diets of kids and productive response and apparent digestibility was measured. The livestock farmers have six complementary uses (firewood, poles, shade, medicinal, human consumption and artisanal). The species were identified in live fences and scattered in paddocks with densities of 4.87 trees per 100 linear meters and 1.79 trees ha -1 ; P. dulce was the largest size and identified from 250 to 1332 masl. The ashes (P<0.0001) and detergent fibre (P<0.01) of P. dulce (T1) had higher apparent digestibility. The feed conversion and daily weight gain of the kids were different due to the effect of foliage trees. The rectal temperature was only affected (P<0.0001) by the time of evaluation. The ruminal pH of kids was affected by time evaluation (P<0.0001) and the treatments (P<0.0003). It is concluded that the density of trees is low and could be of impact on soil fertility and the contribution of biomass for animal feed; the apparent digestibility of diets and productive response were more efficient in the animals fed with P. dulce (T1)

Green synthesis, characterization and antifungal and photocatalytic activity of Pithecellobium dulce peel–mediated ZnO nanoparticles

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a conventional method using Pithecellobium dulce peel extract. The phytochemicals present in the peel act as stabilizing agents. The ZnO NPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of crystals, which exactly matched with JCPDS card no.36–1451. The nondestructive XRD pattern showed a hexagonal crystalline nature, and scanning electron microscopy revealed a spherical shape. Further, the ZnO NPs exhibited excellent photodegradation efficiency with regard to the dye methyleneblue (MB), a major water pollutant released by the textile industry. A kinetic study of photodegradation of MB showed 63% degradation and a rate constant of 0.00812 min−1. The antifungal activity of the ZnO NPs resulted in 37.81% and 63.57% inhibition of the growth of Aspergillus flavus and 40.21% and 43.04% of growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger at 500 and 1000 ppm of ZnO NPs, respectively.

First Records of the Predatory Plant Bug Deraeocoris orientalis (Distant) (Heteroptera: Miridae) and its Psyllid Prey Species Euceropsylla orizabensis (Crawford) (Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae) in Hawaii and the United States

The detection of Deraeocoris orientalis (Distant) [Heteroptera: Miridae] from Oahu and Maui, Hawaii, provides the first Hawaiian and U.S. records for this deraeocorine plant bug, which becomes the first member of the mainly predatory subfamily Deraeocorinae recorded from the state. A Neotropical psyllid, Euceropsylla orizabensis (Crawford) [Auchenorrhyncha: Psyllidae], from Oahu was found with D. orientalis at several sites, also is a new addition to Hawaii and the U.S. fauna. A few specimens of another Neotropical psyllid, Heteropsylla hausachae Caldwell, previously recorded from Hawaii, also were associated with D. orientalis. Both psyllids probably serve as prey for the mirid. Diagnoses, descriptions, and illustrations of the adult male and female of D. orientalis and E. orizabensis are provided to facilitate identification of these newly discovered hemipterans. Adults and nymphs of both species, along with H. hausachae, were found on monkeypod, Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. [Fabaceae] on Oahu.

Carbon sequestration potential of plantation forestry and improvements in soil nutrient status in a subtropical area of northern India

Variability in carbon sequestration efficiency of different tree species in Kahinaur plantation forest of district Mau, Uttar Pradesh, India was evaluated. Moreover, improvement in nutrient status and other physicochemical characteristics of soil due to plantation forest was also taken into consideration. Soils in the plantation forest possessed higher soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) than the adjacent waste land soil. However, nutrient status of both plantation and wasteland soil decreased with increasing soil depth and bulk density. The soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), soil enzyme activities like soil dehydrogenase activity, acidic and alkaline phosphates and soil respiration were higher in the plantation forest soil as compared to the waste land soil. The highest SMBC (114.47 μg g−1 soil 24 h−1) was reported in plantation forest soil, but only 56.65 μg g−1 soil 24 h−1 in waste land soil. In addition, the activity of soil dehydrogenase (2.74 μg g−1 soil h−1) was also highest in the plantation forest soil. Among the studied tree species, carbon accumulation was found maximum in Prosopis juliflora, Putranjiva roxburghii, Pithecellobium dulce and Artocarpus heterophyllus depicting that these can be recommended as atmospheric carbon reducers for their better potential to sequester and store carbon. The study indicated that afforestation or forest plantation improved SOC, nutrient stock and improved other important soil fertility parameters in the plantation forest soil as compared to the non-forest soil i.e., waste land.