Twigs Research Articles

Alkaloids from the Twigs of Catharanthus roseus

Alkaloids from the Twigs of Catharanthus roseus

Perfil químico e atividades antioxidante e antifúngica dos óleos essenciais de Raulinoreitzia crenulata (Spreng.) R. M. King & H. Rob

Raulinoreitzia crenulata é uma espécie vegetal pertencente à família Asteraceae, apresentando compostos aromáticos nos galhos, folhas e flores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil químico e as atividades antioxidante pela redução do DPPH e antifúngica frente à Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides e Colletotrichum acutatum pelos óleos essenciais dos galhos, folhas e flores de R. crenulata. O material biológico foi coletado em uma área no município de Rio Verde, Goiás, Brasil. O óleo essencial foi extraído e o rendimento determinado. O perfil químico dos óleos essenciais foi determinado por CG-EM, a atividade antioxidante pela redução do radical livre DPPH e a atividade antifúngica por sucessivas diluições do óleo essencial em Dimetilsulfóxido. Os rendimentos dos óleos essenciais foram de 0,82; 0,64 e 0,09% para galhos, folhas e flores respectivamente. O perfil químico apresentou 33 compostos para o óleo dos galhos, 29 para o óleo das folhas e 28 compostos para o óleo das flores. A atividade antioxidante apresentou redução entre 100 a 25,09% para o óleo dos galhos, de 86,09 a 17,21% para o óleo das folhas e de 20,55 a 15,12% para o óleo das flores. A inibição de crescimento micelial para S. sclerotiorum apresentou os melhores resultados, seguido de C. gloeosporioides e em menor atividade fungistática para C. acutatum. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo apresentaram bons rendimentos de extração de óleo, eficientes atividades antioxidante e antifúngica. Os óleos essenciais de Raulinoreitzia crenulata apresentaram bons indicadores através dos ensaios laboratoriais para uso agrícola, biológico, farmacêutico e alimentício.

PENERAPAN TEORI KEPUTUSAN DALAM MODEL PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN TERKAIT MASALAH EKONOMI PERTAHANAN

The shift in global paradigm and threat perspective has led to a wide variety of possible risks and uncertainties. This situation also occurs in the defense economy, so understanding the basic principles of risk and uncertainty is important, especially in a decision-making process. There are several elements and concepts that are usually used in all decision models. Almost all models, whether complex or simple, can be formulated using a standard structure and solved by using general evaluation procedures. For decisions involving a series of decisions and relating to various basic sequential conditions, the decision tree is an appropriate conceptual and schematic modeling tool. A decision tree is a schematic representation of a decision problem. A decision tree is a diagram made like a tree with branches and branches in a chronological order of events, with each having a choice and possibility of occurrence, as well as the results of each choice. The term decision tree is taken from the form of diagrams that have branches and twigs, just like a tree.

The impact of different harvesting and distillation techniques on essential oil extraction in Cupressus torulosa

In this experiment, different harvesting and distillation method was employed (Hydro-steam and Steam distillation) to extract essential oil content from C.torulosa. The experiment was laid in Factorial Randomized Block Designs (FRBD) with five different harvesting techniques (HT1, HT2, HT3, HT4 and HT5) and two different distillation techniques (DT1 and DT2). The essential oil content obtained for each method was analysed and compared. It was observed that the oil extraction from Light Pruning (Consisting of the shortening of only greenish branches or twigs) for C.torulosa yielded maximum oil percent (0.68%). Further, steam distillation recorded higher oil extraction percent (0.57%) as compared to hydro-steam distillations (0.53%). The highest oil extraction percent was recorded (0.72%) for Light pruning (HT5) X Steam distillation (DT2). It is concluded that the essential oil extraction percent differed significantly due to different harvesting and distillation techniques in C.torulosa. While higher differences between hydro-steam distillation and steam distillation were observed, both methods resulted in high yields of essential oil content. Hydro-steam distillation is a more-rapid and simpler technique than steam distillation so it is feasible under farm field conditions.

Textual research on "Gui" in Chinese classical prescriptions

Through consulting the ancient herbs and medical books, combining with modern literature, this paper makes textual research on herbal medicine, and textual research on the name, origin, position and harvest and processing changes of the medicinal herbs in ancient classical prescriptions. According to research, Cinnamon medicinal materials were first listed in the Shennong's Herbal Classic, as the name of "Jungui" and "Mugui". Among them, Jungui has undergone the evolution of "Qungui-Jungui-Tonggui-Jungui". After the Northern and Southern Dynasties, a half-volume fatty "Gui" was added, but the usage of the three was no different. The names of Cinnamomi Ramulus and Cinnamomi Cortex did not appear until the Tang Dynasty, and they were preferably thick-skinned and with no cork cambium, and they were mostly used in the name of "Guixin"; Since the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the medicinal parts of cassia have gradually separated. Cinnamomi Cortex is the trunk bark of sapling or branch bark, the twig is Cinnamomi Ramulus, and the tenderest twig is Liugui, Song Dynasty unified the name as "Guizhi"; After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Cinnamomi Cortex was used as the trunk bark, and Cinnamomi Ramulus was used as the tender twig; In modern times, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia stipulates that the Cinnamomi Ramulus is the young branch of C. cassia, which is Cinnamomum, and Cinnamomi Cortex was the dried trunk bark. From the plant morphology recorded in the previous herbals and the drawings, combined with the distribution of the origins described in the previous herbals, the mainstream plant used as a medicine in the past generations should be C. cassia, but there are other sect. Cinnamomum plants that are also used in medicine everywhere, such as C. chekiangensis, C. bejolghota, C. wilsonii, etc. Throughout the ages, different plant morphologies and medicinal traits have been used to distinguish different categories. The origins of the past dynasties are mostly present in Guangdong, Guangxi province and Vietnam, and are regarded as authentic. The methods for the harvest and processing of cinnamon medicinal materials are basically the same from ancient to modern times.

Twigs that are not twigs: phylogenetic placement of crab spiders of the genus Tmarus of Sri Lanka with comments on the higher-level phylogeny of Thomisidae

Sri Lankan species of the genus Tmarus are cryptic spiders that live either on greenish moss-covered twigs or brownish dried-out twigs. They have remained taxonomically unrevised. The only known species was misplaced in Peritraeus Simon, 1895, which has never been subjected to phylogenetic evaluation. The present study is designed to investigate the phylogenetic placement of Sri Lankan Tmarus within Thomisidae as well as to assess the validity of Peritraeus and its relationship to Tmarus and Monaeses, if any. Using a multilocus molecular dataset (16S–ND1, 28S, CO1 and H3) we provide evidence that Tmarus and Monaeses are paraphyletic and that Peritraeus is a junior subjective synonym of Tmarus. Four species of Tmarus, including three new species, are now recorded from Sri Lanka. The legacy groups Alcimochthae and Tmarae are confirmed to be polyphyletic. Further, the following new species are described: Tmarus hiyarensis, sp. nov., T. viridomaculatus, sp. nov. and T. manojkaushalyai sp. nov. The following new combination is proposed: Tmarus hystrix (Simon, 1895), comb. nov. (this results in a homonym with Tmarus hystrix Caporiacco, 1954: we rename the species Tmarus caporioccoi Ileperuma Arachchi & Benjamin, replacement name). Lsid: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:05C2F204-3C31-43A6-8D7E-9AC56BFF1F6B

Characterization and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum spp. causing citrus anthracnose in Tunisia.

In the winter and spring of 2014–2015, typical anthracnose symptoms were detected on different citrus varieties in Cap-Bon and Morneg-Tunis regions of Northern Tunisia. Surveys were conducted to determine the casual agents of these symptoms. A total of seven monosporic isolates were obtained from dark lesions on fruits, flowers, leaves and twigs of citrus from six orchards. One Colletotrichum karstii (from the C. boninense species complex) and six C. gloeosporioides isolates were identified through morphological analysis and sequencing of their ITS rDNA sequences. Pathogenicity tests with the seven isolates were performed on symptomless, detached citrus fruits (Valencia orange and Eureka lemon). All tested isolates caused anthracnose lesions after 1 week of incubation. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by re-isolation of pathogens from the inoculated fruits. This report elucidates the diversity of anthracnose pathogens in Tunisia. This is the first report of C. karstii from citrus in Tunisia.

Pleurostomophora richardsiae associated with olive tree and grapevine decline in Southern Brazil.

Olive trees showing decline symptoms were reported in an orchard in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. The symptoms included foliar browning and leaf drop, dieback of twigs and branches, dark streaks in internal crown wood and necrotic lesions in bark. A grapevine sample exhibiting browning streaks in the vascular tissue of branches, trunk and roots, was also analysed. A Phialophora -like fungus was isolated from symptomatic tissues of both hosts, and monosporic cultures were established. Based on morphology and analysis of ITS, tub2 and tef sequences, the fungus was identified as Pleurostomophora richardsiae . Isolates inoculated onto young nursery olive trees and grapevines produced brown streaking in the wood in most of the inoculated plants. This is the first report of P. richardsiae occurring in olive trees and grapevines in Brazil.

First report of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on citrus in Algeria

Wither-tip symptoms of twigs were observed on cultivated sweet orange and lemon trees in Algeria. The causal agent was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on the basis of cultural and morphological features. The identification of the fungus was confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA. Pathogenicity tests revealed that C. gloeosporioides isolated from withered twigs caused typical anthracnose symptoms on orange leaves. This is the first report on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides as causal agent of anthracnose in Citrus trees in Algeria.

Species of Diaporthe on Camellia and Citrus in the Azores Islands.

Species of Diaporthe are important plant pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes on a wide range of plant hosts. Species such as D . citri are well-known on Citrus , as agents of pre- or post-harvest infections, causing dieback, melanose and stem-end rot on fruit. In this study we explored the occurrence and diversity of Diaporthe associated with tropical and sub-tropical plants. In particular, species of Camellia and Citrus were sampled. Surveys were carried out during 2017 in the Azores Islands, Portugal. Ten Diaporthe strains were isolated from symptomatic twigs and leaves. Five representative isolates were subjected to morphological characterization and multi-locus phylogeny based on five genomic loci (ITS, tef1 , cal , his3 and tub2 ). Diaporthe citri was found associated with shoot blight on Citrus reticulata , which represents a new record for Europe. A new species, Diaporthe portugallica sp. nov. was isolated and described from leaf spots on Camellia sinensis .

What is tiny, hairy and grows on a twig?

What is tiny, hairy and grows on a twig?

Effects of Growth Environment and Tree Age on Biomass Allocation within Fruit Twigs of Fengdan(Paeonia ostii)

Effects of Growth Environment and Tree Age on Biomass Allocation within Fruit Twigs of Fengdan(Paeonia ostii)

Nutritional compositions in roots, twigs, leaves, fruit pulp, and seeds from pawpaw (Asimina triloba [L.] Dunal) grown in Korea

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba L.) roots, twigs, leaves, fruit, and seeds were analyzed for their nutritional compositions. Seeds exhibited significantly higher levels of crude protein, lipid, fiber, and dietary fiber than those of the other parts. Sucrose in fruit was 9321.24 mg%, which was the highest among the samples. The total essential amino acid to total amino acid ratio was highest in the leaves, and the leaves contained the highest amount of potassium. The calcium content ranged between 8.15-153.41 mg%. Oleic and linoleic acids in seeds were 5905.11 and 8045.56 mg%, respectively, which were the highest among the pawpaw parts. The highest amount of linolenic acid was measured in the leaves, and β-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E were also the most abundant in the leaves. These results suggest that every part of pawpaw is a good source of an important food item. Additionally, this study provides basic data for improving the sitological value of pawpaw.

Diversity and virulence of Diaporthe species associated with wood disease symptoms in deciduous fruit trees in Uruguay

Several Diaporthe species are recognized as causal agents of many plant disease symptoms, including twig and branch cankers, dieback, shoot blight, and root and fruit rots. In Uruguay, the proximity between apple, pear and peach orchards offers the possibility to study the presence of different Diaporthe spp. associated with wood cankers across different deciduous fruit trees. Symptomatic twigs and branches of these orchard species were sampled, and isolates of Diaporthe were obtained. Selected isolates were used for cross inoculations in the three hosts. Seven Diaporthe spp. were identified, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (EF1-α) phylogenies. The species were: Diaporthe amygdali , D. foeniculina , D. infecunda , D. eres , D. terebinthifolii , D. oxe and D. phaseolorum, while two isolates Diaporthe sp. 1 and Diaporthe sp. 4 could not be assigned to any species. Diaporthe infecunda, D. eres, D. terebinthifolii, D. phaseolorum and D. oxe on Pyrus communis and D. foeniculina on Malus domestica represent new records in these hosts in Uruguay, while D. oxe isolated from Prunus persica is a new record for this species. Diaporthe eres and D. phaseolorum were the most virulent species, posing the greatest risk due to their wide distribution and virulence in apple and peach trees. Although pear trees showed less symptomatic tissues and were less susceptible than peach and apple trees in the pathogenicity tests, they harboured seven of the species, and therefore should be considered as reservoirs of Diaporthe in Uruguayan orchards. Trees of the three hosts could be considered potential reciprocal sources of pathogenic Diaporthe spp.

Compounds from the Twigs and Leaves of Psychotria prainii

Compounds from the Twigs and Leaves of Psychotria prainii

As the Twig is Bent.

As the Twig is Bent.

FIRST REPORT OF FUSARIUM EQUISETI CAUSING STEM AND ROOT ROT ON BRASSICA JUNCEA IN INDIA

Mustard (Brassica juncea) plants grown on the premises of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, showing wilting of leaves and twigs and necrosis of stem, crown and roots were observed in four consecutive years (2013 to 2016), with an incidence of up to 20%. To determine the causal agent of the disease, small pieces of stems and roots were surface-sterilized with 3% sodium hypochlorite washed in sterile distilled water, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25°C for seven days. A dense white mycelium developed, that turned first beige, finally buff brown. Single-spore cultures produced falcate macroconidia with a pedicillate foot cell, and 4-7 distinct septa 21-58 x 3-6 µm in size, developing from lateral phialides. Chlamydospores were intercalary, in chains or solitary, brown-pigmented, 6-9 µm in diameter. The fungus was morphologically identified as Fusarium equiseti (Corda) Sacc. (Booth, 1977; Leslie and Summerell, 2004). To confirm the identity at the molecular level, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the translation elongation factor (tef-1) were amplified using the respective primers (White et al., 1990; Leslie and Summerell, 2004). The sequences (GenBank accession Nos. KT380024 for ITS and KY271154 for tef-1) matched those of F. equiseti in BLAST analysis. For pathogenicity tests mustard seedlings pot-grown in a glasshouse at 23±2°C with 75% relative humidity and 16 h light cycle/day were injected with 5 ml of a conidial suspension (104 conidia ml-1 ) at the root and collar region. Seedlings treated with sterile water served as control. The same symptoms seen in the field were shown within 30 days by inoculated plants only, from which F. equiseti was re-isolated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. equiseti causing stem and root rot disease on mustard.

Comparison of waterbird species composition and habitat characteristics of two different wetlands of Malaysia

Waterbird species composition and habitat characteristics at two ecologically different wetlands (Paya Indah and Putrajaya) were compared in order to determine the habitat suitability of each particular habitat for waterbird species. A total of 30 waterbird species representing 10 families were recorded through direct observation in both wetland habitats (26 waterbird species in Paya Indah and 22 species in Putrajaya wetland habitats). Out of 30 waterbird species, 17 species were commonly recorded from both habitats, 4 species were absent in Paya Indah and 8 species in Putrajaya. Ardeidae was the dominant family based on the number species (11 waterbird species) while Charadriidae, Ciconiidae, Jacanidae, Pelicanidae and Podicipedidae were the rarest families (only one species was recorded) in both wetland habitats. This indicated that both wetland habitats may vary in waterbird species composition habitat characteristics, that is, a total of 34 aquatic plant species (21 species in Paya Indah and 18 species in Putrajaya wetland) belonging to 14 families were sampled during study period. Five plant species, namely, Water Chestnut– Eleocharis dulcis, Twig Rush– Lepironia articulate, Blue Lotus– Nymphaea nouchali, Common Reed– Phragmites karaka and Cattail– Typha angustifolia were commonly recorded from both habitats. However, 13 aquatic plant species were absent in Paya Indah and 16 species in Putrajaya wetland. The findings of this study, revealed that Paya Indah wetland is rich in waterbird species composition and habitat characteristics as compared to Putrajaya wetland habitat. This might be due to the richness and diversity of aquatic vegetation composition, occurrence of suitable foraging and breeding sites that had attracted the highest number of waterbird species to utilize the Paya Indah wetland habitat. Key words: Waterbirds, aquatic vegetation, Paya Indah, wetland.

FUSARIUM spp. ASSOCIATED WITH XYLOSANDRUS COMPACTUS CAUSING WILTING IN COCOA

Black coffee twig borer (BCTB), Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) was recently reported as a pest of cocoa in Uganda (Kagezi et al., 2014). Females bore into primary branches and introduce an ambrosia fungus, Fusarium solani (Mart.) for feeding their brood (Ngoan et al., 1976). Infested materials wilt and die, but the cause is not fully understood. It could be due to disruption of nutrient and water movement across BCTB-damaged galleries or disease effect by F. solani (Greco and Wright, 2015). We therefore tested the pathogenicity hypothesis by isolating the fungus from mycangia of the female beetles and scrapings from BCTB-infested galleries of coffee. Isolates were identified using spore description (microconidia) as Fusarium spp. and maintained separately on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C. Spores from 7-day-old cultures designated as isolates 36, 37 and 63 were diluted to a concentration of 1.36x106 spores per ml and injected into 10 healthy coffee and cocoa seedlings per isolate. Controls were injected with distilled water. Seedlings were grown in screenhouse and observed for wilting symptoms after 30 and 90 days. At 30 days, 20, 10 and 30% of cocoa seedlings inoculated with isolate 36, 37 and 63 respectively had wilted. No more wilting of other seedlings was observed. Re-isolated fungus from wilted seedlings confirmed that Fusarium spp. causes wilting of cocoa consequent to BCTB attack. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BCTB-associated Fusariun spp. causing wilting in cocoa. However, confirmation of species involved needs to be done.

Aegyptobia villiensis, a new species of the family Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from Greece

The female of Aegyptobia villiensis, new species, is described and illustrated. It was collected from twigs of Pyrus amygdaliformis at Villia Attiki, Greece.