Day 3 :
- Agriculture & Food Security|Fertilizer & Pesticide|Agriculture & Forestry|Agriculture Law & Policy|Agricultural Production Systems|Crop Sciences
Location: Studio 11
Session Introduction
Kit L Chin
Southern University and A&M, USA
Title: Organic fertilizer effect on nutritional elements, total polyphenol and antioxidant content of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) leaves
Biography:
Kit L. Chin, received his Ph.D. degree in horticulture at Louisiana State University. He is the project director of the research team who provides leadership in conducting world-wide roselle accession evaluation for small farm production in Louisiana, mentoring graduate students in roselle research, assessing the bioactivity of the roselle calyces and developing products for niche market. He has published several papers on the phytochemistry of the roselle plant. He has been providing consulting services to various small farmers in roselle production and product development.
Abstract:
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) has emerged as one of the most important specialty crops in the functional food sector due to its demonstrated medicinal properties and nutritional values of its calyx. However, research on Roselle leaves has been very limited, even though the leaves are widely consumed by a diverse population of ethnic groups and rich in antioxidants. This paper focuses the elemental nutrients, total polyphenol and antioxidant contents of the leaves of Roselle as affected by the application of an organic fertilizer, 4-2-2 (NPK) at different rates at the time of planting. Results show that higher rate of the fertilizer application increased macro-nutrient concentrations in leaves. Young leaves (top three leaves) accumulated more macronutrients than mature leaves located at the bottom three leaves based on 31-cm long shoots. P and K concentrations were found to be higher in young leaves. Fe was the only element present at higher amount in the mature leaves than young leaves within the micronutrients. However, the application of organic fertilizer at the time of planting did not show significant effect on total polyphenol and antioxidant contents on a dry-weight basis.
Oziniel Ruzvidzo
North-West University, South Africa
Title: A clathrin assembly protein from Arabidopsis thaliana possesses adenylate cyclase activity and is involved in responses to biotic stress factors
Biography:
Oziniel Ruzvidzo has completed his Doctoral degree in Plant Biotechnology in 2009 at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. He also undertook some Post-doctoral studies in the same subject area in 2010 at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Currently, he is a full Professor and Principal Investigator of Plant Biotechnology in the Department of Biological Sciences at the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa. He is an active member of several university committees including the Senate as well as an Editorial Member of various academic and research boards locally, regionally and internationally.
Abstract:
The need to develop agricultural crops with improved stress tolerance and/or resistance has led plant biotechnologists to strategically focus onto those plant molecules involved in the initiation and sustenance of cellular homeostasis. One such molecule, typically involved in signal transduction, is the cyclic adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cAMP) generated by the enzyme adenylate cyclase (AC). However, even though ACs have previously been experimentally proven to be centrally involved in numerous stress response systems in various organisms (bacteria, fungi and lower eukaryotes), their existence and/or functional roles in higher plants have until recently, been a matter of debate and serious controversy. To date, only four higher plants ACs have been functionally confirmed, specifically in Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays, Nicotiana benthamiana and Hippeastrum hybridum. Apparently, since it is inconceivable that a single AC per plant can account for all the currently known and/or reported cAMP-dependent processes in higher plants, we then, in this study, set out to enzymatically and functionally characterize a second probable AC candidate from A. thaliana in the form of a putative clathrin assembly protein (AtCAP: At1g68110), with a view of elucidating its exact physiological and biological roles in higher plants. In this regard, we then firstly conducted a preliminary bioinformatic analysis of this putative protein candidate followed by its molecular cloning, recombinant expression and endogenous activity assaying, then its affinity purification and in vitro functional characterization and finally, its co-expressional and bioinformatic functional analysis. Our findings unequivocally, indicated that this novel protein is indeed a multi-domain, multi-functional bona fide soluble adenylate cyclase (sAC) responsible for biotic stress responses and whose functional activities are essentially mediated by the cAMP via a calmodulin/SORLIP1AT core motifdependent signaling system.
Tapan Kumar Nath
University of Nottingham Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: The intensification of agro-forestry in shifting cultivation areas of Chittagong hill tracts, Bangladesh
Biography:
Tapan Kumar Nath has completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Forestry from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh and obtained PhD in Forest Science from the University of Tokyo, Japan. He was awarded a two-year (2007-2009) JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Post-doctoral fellowship just after his PhD. He joined at Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong as a Lecturer in 1999 and has been working till date. He was a Visiting Faculty (January - March 2010) at Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and Visiting Professor (April - October 2013) at the University of Tokyo. He has been teaching several courses related to collaborative natural resources management in Bangladesh, Japan and Thailand. He joined at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus in March 2014 as an Associate Professor.
Abstract:
Shifting cultivation is now considered a largely unsustainable type of agro-ecosystem because of declines in productivity that come with increasing population pressure, shortening of fallow periods and non-availability of alternative land. Efforts to promote the adoption of agro-forestry to improve shifting cultivation systems have been increasing. Here, we discuss intensification of agro-forestry in shifting cultivation areas of Chittagong hill tracts (CHT), Bangladesh through community participation. Drawing on field data from a collaborative agro-forestry research project implemented in CHT, it describes the use of agro-forestry development, its sustainability, the challenges and opportunities of agro-forestry development. We worked with villagers in three para (hamlets) to develop a participatory approach to the development of agro-forestry options. On the basis of a combination of participants’ preferences and expert opinion, crop combinations were selected and agri-hortisilvicultural agro-forestry systems developed. These participants now cultivate agricultural crops continuously year-on-year on slopes formerly subject to shifting systems. The benefit-cost ratio for agricultural crops was 3:1. Seedlings are growing well and average survival rates at more than 70%. More than 80% participants are now interested in agro-forestry and 54% desire to expand agro-forestry to other areas. For the future development and promotion of agro-forestry by tribal communities in the CHT, conclusions are drawn about modes of collaborative working with local partners.
Daljit Singh Karam
University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: Impact of mulching and planting distance of Orthosiphon stamineus on soil pH and electrical conductivity in organic farming system
Biography:
Daljit Singh has completed his PhD at the age of 26 years from Universiti Putra Malaysia and postdoctoral studies from Department of Geography and Planning, University of Liverpool, UK. He is currently working as senior lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, Malaysia.
Abstract:
A field study was carried out to determine the impact of mulching and planting distance on the growth of Orthosiphon stamineus, soil properties and also to observe the changes in pH and EC of the soil in response to mulching and planting distance using an organic planting system. The experiment was conducted at Farm 16, Faculty of Agriculture UPM. The four treatments consisted of mulching, non-mulching, planting distance of 30 cm × 30 cm and planting distance of 45 cm × 45 cm. After eight weeks of planting, the plants were harvested, while soil pH and EC were measured on a weekly basis throughout the planting period. The soil was also analysed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed application of the treatments increased the soil pH and maintained the soil EC at the suitable range for crop growth. The best treatment to use was mulching with planting distance 30 cm × 30 cm, because soil pH increased proportionally on a weekly basis and soil EC ranges also were suitable for O. stamineus growth. Both planting distances showed significant differences on plant growth, moisture content, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable K. The treatments mulching and non-mulching showed significant differences on soil bulk density, porosity and exchangeable magnesium.
Franklin Eziho Nlerum
Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Title: Farmers utilization of insecticide treated bed nets for malaria prevention in Ahoada east local Government area, Rivers state, Nigeria
Biography:
Franklin Eziho Nlerum has a PhD in Rural Sociology and Development. His research interests are in agricultural extension, rural sociology and rural development. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer. He has worked in Rivers State Agricultural Development Program as a Block Extension Supervisor, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy/Plant Protection) and an Assistant Director of Agriculture. He has published over 40 papers in both local and international journals. He is an Editorial Board Member of Pyrex Journals (Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development) and is also a member of several professional bodies in his field of research interest.
Abstract:
This study analyzed farmers utilization of insecticide treated bed nets for malaria prevention in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The sample size of the study was 100 respondents which were randomly selected from farmers in the area who benefited from the free distribution of the nets by Rivers State Government. The questionnaire and the interview schedule were used in eliciting data from the respondents. Data were analyzed with percentage, mean score, t-test and multiple regressions. Socio-economic result shows that the respondents on the average were 40 years old, earned monthly net income of N24,184.00 ($121.38) and spent 11 years in schooling. More results indicated that while the ownership of the net was as high as 71.73%, the actual utilization was as low as 28.27%. The t-test result showed significant difference between ownership and utilization of the nets in area. Result of multiple regression analysis indicated a multiple determination (R2) of 0.6333. Determinants of the utilization of the net were age, sex, occupation and educational level of the respondents. The two major constraints in the utilization of the net in the area were inadequate information and poor design and inconvenience of hanging. In order to improve the rate of utilization of the net in the area, the study recommends enhanced information which will lead to a better education of the beneficiaries. A better design which will reduce the inconveniences associated with hanging of the nets is also recommended.
T B S Rajput
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India
Title: Perspective of micro irrigation in future agriculture
Biography:
T B S Rajput earned a Doctorate degree in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering (IARI, New Delhi-1985) after graduating in Agricultural Engineering from GBPUAT Pantnagar in 1973. He has done his Post-graduation in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering from IIT Kharagpur-1976 and has over 40 years of experience in Research, Post-graduate teaching and training of professionals at different levels in the field of Agricultural Water Management. He has joined the Water Technology Centre as a Scientist through the first batch of ARS in 1976. Currently, he is working as an Emeritus Scientist at the Centre.
Abstract:
Agricultural sector is the largest consumer of water. The demand for water has also been consistently increasing in nonagriculture sectors including, municipal use and industry etc., and such uses can often be at the cost of agriculture. The dominant method of irrigation practiced in large parts of the country is surface irrigation under which crop utilize only less than one half of the water released and remaining half gets lost in conveyance, application, runoff and evaporation. In order to reach anywhere close to so-called water smart agriculture all these water losses in irrigation need to be minimized. Micro-irrigation offers a scientific alternative for reducing irrigation water losses practically to a zero level. Micro-irrigation conventionally has been considered useful only for a limited number of widely spaced crops. During the last decade microirrigation systems have been evolved to efficiently irrigate orchards, vegetables, cereals, pulses and other crops too. A large number of research studies have shown that micro-irrigation can be adopted successfully in most crops including so-called water guzzling crops like sugarcane and rice. Many farmers have validated research findings and have demonstrated that almost all crops can be grown with drip irrigation not only successfully but profitably too. We need to look beyond the mindset of micro-irrigation for widely spaced crops and innovative steps need to be initiated for large scale adoption of micro-irrigation methods for saving water for extending irrigation facility to hitherto un-irrigated fields. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has launched an ambitious irrigation plan (namely, Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojna, PMKSY) to take irrigation water to each cultivated field. The Indian States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have evolved several successful models for large scale adoption of micro-irrigation in the past. In recent times, the efforts of State of Karnataka in launching large micro-irrigation projects with thousands of hectare command namely Sehore and Ramthal may provide lead for others to follow. Integration of micro-irrigation with major irrigation projects, particularly in their tail end reaches, are likely to become a reality soon to bring at least 10 percent canal command areas under micro-irrigation as envisaged under PMKSY. Integration of micro-irrigation with watershed projects particularly for utilization of harvested water as aimed under PMKSY too are likely to result in efficient utilization of available water resources in agriculture with significant savings of water for extending the irrigation facilities to hitherto un-irrigated areas. India has already achieved a distinction of having the largest area under micro-irrigation. India already stands first in area coverage under micro-irrigation (exceeding 8 Mha) and is likely to surge ahead in its adoption in future in view of the increasing food demand and shrinking land and water resources availability for agriculture. The article presents the development and adoption of micro irrigation in India and its likely role in future agriculture.
Adamu Muhammad
Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Title: Effect of NPK rates and irrigation intervals on potato (Solanum tuberosum L) yield in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria
Biography:
Adamu Muhammad obtained his B Agriculture and MSc Crop Science in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. He completed his PhD in Agronomy at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. He is currently the Head of Department of Crop Science, Deputy Dean of the Post-graduate School and Director of Examinations and Registration of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria. He has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals nationally and internationally.
Abstract:
Field trials were conducted during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 dry seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, located at Jega (lat. 12° 11’N; long. 4° 16E and 300 m above sea level) in the Sudan savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The aim was to study the effect of irrigation interval and NPK fertilizer rates on yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the study area. Treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (3, 6 and 9 days), four rates of NPK (20:10:10) compound fertilizer (0, 300, 600 and 900 kg NPK ha-1) and three varieties of potato (Bertita, Diamant and Nicola). Factorial combination of irrigation interval and fertilizer rates was allocated to the main-plots while varieties were assigned to the sub-plots in a split plot design, replicated three times. The size of each sub-plot was 4.5 x 3m (13.5m). Result revealed that mean tuber diameter was highest at 3 days irrigation interval. Mean tuber weight, tuber number per stand, tuber weight per stand and fresh tuber yield were highest when irrigated at 3 or 6 days irrigation interval. Mean tuber diameter, mean tuber weight, number and weight of tubers per stand and yield per hectare peaked at 600 kg NPK ha-1, with no further significant response at fertilizer rates beyond this level. Result of irrigation and fertilizer interactions indicated that yield was generally optimized under either 3 days irrigation interval at 600 kg NPK ha-1 or 6 days irrigation interval at 900 kg NPK ha-1. From the result of this study, the use of 600 kg NPK ha-1 under 6 days irrigation scheduling proved best for high tuber yield in the study area. Also, any of the three varieties could be adopted for good yield performance.
K N Bhatt
Allahabad Central University, India
Title: System of rice (root) intensification for food and ecological security
Biography:
K N Bhatt is a professional Researcher in Social Science with specialization in Agriculture, Environmental Economics and Social Development. He has directed and authored/co-authored 25 research projects sponsored and funded by international and national organizations in inter-disciplinary Social Science issues. He has published 7 books (plus one book is in press) and three dozen research papers. He presented research papers, delivered invited lectures, chaired session’s extensively in India and widely travelled for his academic activities in prominent universities and institutions around the world. He is reviewer for three refereed international journals. He is associate member of two reputed Canadian Institutions. He works as Professor of Economics in G B Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad Central University, India.
Abstract:
This paper explores System of Rice Intensification or System of Root Intensification (SRI) method of cultivation for its resource use efficiency and potential for increased productivity. It analyzes the contribution of SRI in maintaining biodiversity and ecological security by ensuring decentralized agricultural communities’ control over land, water, livelihood, food and natural resources. The paper delineates policy interventions for scaling up agricultural production and types of desired institutional structures to be put in place for facilitating the method. The present technology of cultivation leaves behind ecological foot prints caused by overuse of fossil fuels and synthetic fertilizers that pollute most of world’s annual fresh water supply. Overuse of water contributes to emission of greenhouse gases causing more global warming. Such highly intensive agriculture dependent on fossil fuels, damaging to soil, fresh water, and crop diversity is becoming questionable today. The real challenge therefore is to develop/adopt strategies based on sound ecological principles and integrate traditional organic farming practices and biodiversity. SRI method is a promising resource conserving method initially perfected for rice cultivation and now its core practices are also being applied to sugarcane, wheat, ragi, mustard and vegetable production both under irrigated and rain fed conditions. The method is based on application of controlled irrigation which reverses climate change in comparison with flooding irrigation management of rice production. Around 40 countries of the world today are reaping the benefits of SRI. In India, the method is gradually spreading, improving productivity/profits, reducing water inputs and challenging high input driven post Green Revolution agricultural practices. About one million farmers are reported to have tested SRI in more than 350 rice growing districts in the country. In brief, Indian agriculture is witnessing a fine blending of scientific and indigenous knowledge systems in agro ecological crop management. These farm based approaches clearly offer a ray of hope for small, marginal, resource poor farmers and food security of the nation.
Ali Tan Kee Zuan
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: Plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Rhizobia as multi-strain biofertilizers for improved growth and yield of rice
Biography:
Ali Tan Kee Zuan has completed his PhD from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Currently, he is a senior Lecturer at Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He is the honorable Assistant Secretary of Malaysian Soil Science Society, a non-goverment organization aims to promote the study of Soil Science. He has won several academic awards and has published papers in international journals. His main research interest is Soil Microbiology, involving manipulation of beneficial soil microbes to benefit the crops.
Abstract:
Recently, there has been much interest on the application of PGPR and rhizobia as multi-strain biofertilizer for crops to benefit from the consortium of biochemical characteristics. Several laboratory and glasshouse studies were conducted to assess the beneficial effects of locally isolated PGPR and rhizobia on Malaysian rice variety, MR219. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequencing, these bacterial strains were identified as Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus, Alcaligenes faecalis, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Rhizobium etli and Bacillus subtilis. These isolates were selected as a potential strains in the development of multistrain biofertilizer for having multiple beneficial abilities namely biological nitrogen fixation, solubilization of phosphate and potassium, production of phytohormone, hydrolyzing enzymes and iron siderophore. Laboratory study has demonstrated the effectiveness of these strains on early growth and vigor of rice seedlings under controlled condition. A subsequent
glasshouse studies have showed a significant improvement of rice growth and yield with bacterial inoculations, particularly when supplied with minimal fertilizer-N rate (33% from the recommended rate). Single and multi-strain inoculations also significantly promoted plant and root growth, tiller numbers, plant dry weight, nutrient accumulations and produced a lower 15N enrichment than uninoculated control that received similar N-fertilizer (33% N). The lower 15N enrichment indicates the occurrence of biological N2 fixation. The proportion of N uptake from atmosphere was estimated at 22% Ndfa. The study revealed a possible new and beneficial biofertilizer formulation to promote growth and yield of rice plants at reduced chemical N-fertilizer input in a sustainable and environmental-friendly agricultural system.
Ranju Chapagain
Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
Title: Climate change impacts on water footprint of rice production in Nam Oon irrigation project, Thailand
Biography:
Ranju Chapagain is a Water Professional and has recently completed her Master’s in Water Engineering and Management from Asian Institute, Thailand. Currently, she is working on Water Management.
Abstract:
Climate change and global warming pose a significant threat to agriculture and global water security. The research investigates the effects of climate change on water footprint on rice production on Nam Oon irrigation project in Sakon Nakhon province of Thailand. Three rice cultivars, KDML 105, RD6 and ChaiNat-1, were considered in this study. KDML 105 and RD6 are the wet season (June- November) rice cultivars whereas ChaiNat-1 was used in the dry season (January- May). CERES-Rice crop growth model was used to simulate rice production which was set up and validated using yield data obtained from field experiments conducted in Sakon Nakhon province by Sakon Nakhon Rice Research Center during 2009-2014 for two cultivars KDML 105 and RD6 and yield data from 2011-2014 for cultivar ChaiNat-1. Present water footprint (green, blue and grey) of rice was then calculated in the irrigation project area. Climatic variations with main focus on temperature and precipitation were considered for the research. CERES-rice model was then fed with properly downscaled climate projections (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios) from three RCMs (ACCESS-1, CSIRO-CCAM, MPI-ESM-LR), included within the board of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC. Under the worst, decreased precipitation and increased temperature, decreased crop yield and water footprint, especially blue, was increased for KDML 105 and RD6. This could be due to increased evapotranspiration, higher irrigation demand and lower final yield. On contrary, crop yield increased and also water footprint decreased for ChaiNat-1 under most likely increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation. A possibly increase of precipitation in the dry season (January to May) as predicted by most RCMs, may partly cover up for the increase in temperature, especially in April and May. Thus, there is decrease in water footprint for ChaiNat-1. This research provided insights as how one can: Evaluate the water requirement for rice cultivation or any other crops; and evaluate the impact of future climate on water footprint of rice production.
- Soil Sciences|Rice Research|Agriculture and Environment|Livestock Farming & Genetic Engineering|Horticulture|Agricultural Biotechnology
Location: Studio 11
Session Introduction
Mohamed Hamada Shalaby
Menoufia University, Egypt
Title: Impact of different amendments on yield and micronutrients uptake by barley grown on salt affected soils
Biography:
Shalaby M H is the respected Professor of Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture in Menofiya University, Egypt. He is mainly interested in the research field of Soil Science.
Abstract:
This investigation was carried out on three saline sodic alluvial soils, varied in their content of salinity and sodicity; three calcareous soils varied in their EC and content of CaCO3 (%) and other soil properties to study the effect of soil amendments (sulphur and biogas manure) and incubation periods on micronutrients uptake and yield of barley plant. A pot experiment was carried out in split plot design with three replicates. Alluvial and calcareous soils were the main plots; rates of sulphur (0, 1, 2 and 3 ton fed-1) or biogas manure (0, 10, 20 to 30 ton fed-1) application were the sub plots and the sub plots represented by the incubation periods. Three incubation periods (0, 2 and 4 months) of soils with the pervious treatments of sulphur and biogas manure were carried out before sowing. Seeds of plants were cultivated, left till harvesting, then dry matter yield and micronutrients uptake of plants was determined. Obtained results displayed that, as a general view, dry matter yield of both straw and grains of barley plant and micronutrients uptake (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were decreased with the increase of salinity and sodicity in alluvial and calcareous soils. Furthermore, application of sulphur or biogas manure especially at the high rate (3 ton Sulphur/fed or 30 ton manure/fed) led to the greatest dry matter yield and micronutrients uptake. Also, yield of barley and micronutrients uptake were significantly improved with the elongation of the incubation period with sulphur or biogas manure before sowing.
Mohammed Nuruzzaman
National Institute of Agro-biological Sciences, Japan
Title: Rice AP2/EREBP transcription factor family members are differentially expressed in response to six different viruses
Biography:
Mohammed Nuruzzaman is the Senior Lecturer of School of Food Science and Technology, University Malaysia Terengganu. He is one of the top most Molecular Biologist, and he is basically working on gene functional analysis on abiotic and biotic stress.
Abstract:
Expression profiles of the 147 AP2/EREBP gene family members were studied in rice infected with Rice grassy stunt virus
(RGSV), Rice transitory yellowing virus (RTYV), Rice gall dwarf virus (RGDV), Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV),
Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV), and Rice dwarf virus (RDV). Microarray analysis showed that 80% of the OsAP2/EREBP genes
were differentially regulated during virus infection compared with the control. Rice infected with either RGSV or RBSDV
showed the highest number of upregulated OsAP2/EREBP genes, while RTYV infected plants had the lowest. These results
correlate with the severity of the syndromes induced by the different viruses. Most (60%) of the genes in the RAV subfamily and
B5 subgroup were more highly expressed during RDV-O and RDV-S virus infections, while most (53%) of the genes in the A3
subgroup were down-regulated during RGSV infection, suggesting roles in response to virus infection. The number of genes
activated during RDV infections was greatest during infection with the S-strain, followed by the D84-strain and the O-strain,
with three OsAP2/EREBP genes up-regulated during infection by all three strains. A common set of 12 genes showed higher
expression during infection by at least three viruses, of which, Os05g47650 showed up-regulation during infection with five
of the six viruses. Putative cis-elements related to strongly up-regulated genes included, which may assist in assigning these
important genes to their functional pathways. We also found several duplicate genes that are classified as neo-functional and
sub-functional according to their expression patterns among six virus infections.
Ibrahim Abbas Sodangi
Kaduna State University, Nigeria
Title: Effect of weed control methods on the performance of upland rice at Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Biography:
Ibrahim Abbas Sodangi has done Ph. D. in Crop Production/Weed Science (Maiduguri) 2010; MBA Finance (Maiduguri) 1998. Associate Professor and Dean,
Faculty of Agriculture, Kaduna State University, Nigeria. He is co-author of The Place of Cooperatives in Nigeria’s Economic and Agricultural Development (2009);
Rural, Agricultural and Environmental Sociology in Nigeria (2011); Farmers’ Guide to Production of Drought Tolerant Maize in Borno State, Nigeria (2014) and How
to produce certified seeds of drought tolerant maize in Borno State, Nigeria (2014), and of several articles in local and international journals. Dr. Sodangi was born
on 1st June, 1964. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University in 1988 and worked with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics
(ICRISAT) (1990 – 1992) and Afribank Nig. Plc (1992 -2006) before joining the University system. He is a member of several professional and administrative bodies
including Weed Science Society of Nigeria, Organic Agriculture Project in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, Research and Development Network, and Association of
Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities. An awardee of Science and Technology Education Post Basic (STEP-B) Project (Innovators of Tomorrow Component)
Award, Dr. Sodangi insists that agriculture should be seen as a business. He brings this passion to bear in his several teachings on cooperative endeavor,
entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted in the wet season of 2015 to study the effect of some weed control methods on the
performance of upland rice at Kafanchan, Kaduna State, in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. There were eight
treatments as follows: 1) 3.0 kg ai/ha glyphosate followed by 3.0 kg ai/ha propanil +0.6 kg ai/ha trichlopir, 2) 3.0 kg ai/ha
propanil + 1.6 kg ai/ha 2,4-D at 3 weeks after sowing (WAS), 3) 3.0 kg ai/ha propanil + 1.6 kg ai/ha 2,4-D at 3 and 6 WAS, 4) 3.0
kg ai/ha propanil + 0.6 kg ai/ha trichlopir at 3 WAS, 5) 3.0 kg ai/ha propoanil + 0.6 kg ai/ha trichlopir at 3 and 6 WAS, 6) hoe
weeding at 3 and 6 WAS, 7) hoe weeding at 3, 6, and 9 WAS and 8) a weedy check. The treatments were laid out in a randomized
complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Grasses especially Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers, Dactyloctenium
aegyptium (L) Wild, Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel, Echinochloa colona (L) Link, Ischaemum rugosum Salisb and Panicum repens
L constituted 73% of weed infestation in the study area. Sedges (Fimbristylis miliacea (L) Vahl, Fimbristylis dichotoma (L) Vahl,
Cyperus rotundus L and Cyperus iria L constituted 18% while the broad leaves Polygonum hydropiper L and Alternanthera
sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC constituted 9% of weed infestation. All the herbicides were similar in their effects on the grain yield and
were comparable with the hoe weeding treatments and significantly higher than the weedy check. There is, however, the need
for gross margin and cost-benefit analysis to determine the profitability of each of the weed control treatments.
Laila Naher
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia
Title: Opportunistic role of Trichoderma harzianum in sustainable crop protection
Biography:
Laila Naher, obtained her PhD in the field of Mycology and Plant Pathology from Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2011. Then, she continued as
Post-Doctoral fellow at the same University. She joined as a Senior Lecture at Faculty of Agro- Based Industry, Unversiti Malaysia Kelantan in 2014. She teaches
the subjects- Postharvest Technology, Plant Disease Management, Molecular Biology, and Crop Protection. Besides teaching, her research field focuses on
fundamental aspects of fungal isolation and identification as well as identification of biocontrol agent for management of plant disease and besides that, she works
on understanding the gene that involved either as plant defence response or biocontrol process against the pathogen in interactions between plant-pathogenbiocontrol
agent and pathogen-biocontrol agent. She has published more than 20 papers in refereed journal, 7 proceedings papers in conference book, including
award as best paper, UMK research and innovation 2016, currently, two book chapter under review process.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problems: Ganoderma boninense Pat caused basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm and the disease resulted
in great losses in palm oil production. Another fungus Fusarium oxysporum cubense is the most versatile pathogen for wilt
disease in several plants while Fusarium wilt in banana has great impact for losses in commercial banana production.
Methodology: Both causal pathogens of G. boninense and F. oxysporum have been tested with Trichoderma harzianum to
determine the biocontrol mode of T. harzianum against the pathogens.
Findings: T. harzianum showed the biocontrol activity with the inhibition rate more than 60% against both G. boninense and F.
oxysporum. The mode of biocontrol activity as process of mycoparasitism action is also observed under the scanning electronic
microscope. The coiling of Trichoderma on the pathogens or shrinkage mycelium of the pathogen has proven Trichoderma’s
biocontrol ability. At molecular level only for studies on Ganoderma-oil palm or Ganoderma-oil palm- Trichoderma interactions
showed that Trichoderma induced chitinase genes or enzyme in oil palm leaves or roots tissues as well as plant growth was also
enhanced in the presence of Trichoderma.
Conclusion & Significance: The data from this study showed that T. harzianum successfully manage the interaction between
plant-pathogen and pathogen only as well as enhance the defence responses in plant which indicates Trichoderma has good
impact for sustainable crop protection.
Biography:
Dr. Ayuba La’ah Banta who was born in 1959 in Kaduna State, Nigeria; joined the service of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria in 1986 and rose to the rank of Chief Lecturer, Head of Department of General Agriculture and Director of School of Agricultural Technology in 2011 – 2012. He is a holder of BSc. Agriculture (1984), MSc. Agricultural Economics (1999) and Ph.D Agricultural Economics (2011) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – Nigeria. Dr. A. L. Banta joined Kaduna State University in 2013 as Senior Lecturer and remains the current Head of Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension. He specialises in Farm Management and Production Economics. He has been teaching Statistics, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Cooperatives. He has undertaken research on aspects of resource use efficiency, sustainable production system, organic farming, agricultural marketing, vocational and technical education, technological advancement in agriculture with numerous articles published in reputable journals within and outside the country. He is happily married to Mrs. Anna Mercy Ayuba and they are blessed with children.
Abstract:
Bambara groundnut though cultivated majorly by women remains a crop of high value to some local communities. Field trials were conducted in the rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011 to assess the effect of weed control methods on the yield and profitability of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc) at Sabon Gari in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Borno State, Nigeria. The experiment was made up of 8 treatments (weedy check, pendimenthalin only, pendimenthalin followed by one hoe weeding, butachlor only, butachlor followed by one hoe weeding, hoe weeding once, hoe weeding twice and hoe weeding thrice) all arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The weedy check and the plots that were treated with pendimethalin only supported statistically similar weed dry matter in both years, which was significantly higher than the other treatments. In 2010, all the hoe weeded plots produced significantly grain yields than the weedy check and the herbicide treated plots except pendimethalin followed by hoe weeding once. None of the herbicide treatments out-yielded the weedy check. In 2011, however, all the hoe weeding once and hoe weeding twice treatments outyielded the hoe weeding trice treatment, although the difference was not significant. The result shows that bambara groundnut production was profitable in the two years of the study. The mean of the two years experiment shows that pendimethalin followed by one hoe weeding had the highest net benefit of N60,875, while the least was recorded by butachlor followed by one hoe weeding (N17,494). The mean MRR indicate that hoe weeding once recorded 1.56 as the highest while the least was observed in hoe weeding thrice (0.42). It was therefore recommended that the weeds management methods be tried in larger field for economic impact, the application of pendimethalin herbicide followed by one hoe weeding be studied further on bambara groundnut weeding practices.
Roni Yulianto
Hiroshima University, Japan
Title: Title: Abundance frequency of plant species as animal feeds to determine ideal cattle grazing
Biography:
Roni Yulianto is a PhD student majoring in Grassland Ecology at IDEC (International Development Education and Cooperation) from Hiroshima University, Japan.
He has obtained his Master’s in 2012 and Bachelor’s in 2009 from Andalas University of Indonesia.
Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to determine the dominant frequency of plant species and provide useful information
towards the conservation management of animal feed in grazing areas, Hiroshima, Japan. The numbers of plant species
were 32 and 21 in spring and summer, respectively. The appearance frequency of plant species more than 50% in the spring,
consist of Veronica arvensis (75.57%), Trifolium repens (73.86%), Paspalum dilatatum (69.32%), Lamium purpureum (68.75%),
Trifolium dubium (65.34%), Cerastium glomeratum (63.64%), whereas in summer, it consists of Paspalum notatum (98.30%),
Trifolium repens (81.25%), Paspalum dilatatum (78.98%), and Kyllinga brevifolia (74.43%). It was observed that the frequencies
of plant species were 16.64 and 21.55 cm; vegetation cover rates were 77.18 and 81.36%; chlorophyll content were 41.72 and
36.28 mg/g Fw and species numbers were 17.91 and 10.18, in spring and summer, respectively. Findings of this research
propose that Trifolium repens (clover), Rumex japonicus (weed), and Paspalum dilatatum (grass) are dominant species in the
studied areas that can be utilized as animal feeds.
Deepak Kumar Verma
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
Title: Physicochemical and cooking quality inquisition of aromatic and non-aromatic rice cultivars locally grown by Indian farmers
Biography:
Deepak Kumar Verma is an Agricultural Science Professional and is currently a PhD Research Scholar in Food Processing Engineering at Agricultural and Food Engineering department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (WB), India. In 2012, he received a DST-INSPIRE Fellowship for PhD study by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. He earned his BSc degree in Agricultural Science in 2009 from Faculty of Agriculture, Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur and MSc in Agricultural Biochemistry from the Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, CSAUA&T, Kanpur, India in 2011. In addition, he is member of different professional bodies and his activities and accomplishments include conferences, seminar, workshop, training and also the publication of research articles, books and book chapters. Apart from this, he is working as a Senior Acquisitions Editor and Senior Technical Editor-in-Chief in the volume series of “Innovation in Agricultural Microbiology” for Apple Academic Press Inc. USA, and also an Associate Editor in the volume series of “Agricultural and Biomedical Engineering” for Apple Academic Press Inc., USA.
Abstract:
The experiment was conducted to study the grain quality characteristics of aromatic and non-aromatic rice cultivars and to compare with other prominent rice cultivars. The result of an experiment on various physicochemical and cooking qualities attributes of rice cultivars, among which Badshah Bhog exhibited high hulling (80.82%) and milling (75.47%) whereas, highest head rice out-turns had in Gobind Bhog (58.22%) and lowest broken rice obtained in Khushboo (5.15%). All aromatic rice were short-bold, excepting Swetganga (short-slender) and Khushboo (medium-slender) whereas long-slender found in all non-aromatic rice with translucent, creamy white kernels. Kernel dimensions of all aromatic rice except Khushboo (1.35 mm) were satisfactory in respect of breadth and L/B ratio found less than 3.0 except Khushboo (5.55); all aromatic rice possess highest and lowest to non-aromatic rice with respect to breadth and L/B ratio, respectively whereas, Kalanamak, Khushboo, Sarbati and Todal had 6.16 mm to 7.88 mm kernel length fell marginally near than the desired minimum acceptable standard of kernel length for Basmati rice (6.6 mm). On cooking, Swetganga exhibited highest kernel elongation after cooking (KEaC) and kernel elongation ratio (KER) were 2.20 and 2.07, respectively whereas, Todal for highest (4.07) volume expansion ratio (VER). Swetganga and Todal were comparable and found to be significantly better than all other aromatic and non-aromatic rice with the respect of KEaC, KER and VER, respectively. All aromatic cultivars were higher (more than 20%) in amylose content (AC) and classified intermediate type as compared to evolved aromatic rice Kalanamak and non-aromatic Sarbati and Todal rice.
S R Weerakoon
Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
Title: Multiple origin of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) in Sri Lanka
Biography:
S R Weerakoon has completed her PhD and Post-doctoral studies from the University of Western Australia. She works as a Professor in Botany at the Open
University of Sri Lanka. She has published more than 25 journal papers and more than 80 papers in conference proceedings and currently, involved in research
activities in the areas of Plant Breeding and Weed Biology.
Abstract:
The origin of weedy rice has long been a controversial issue and opinions on the origin of WR are greatly varied across
the scientific community. As far as Sri Lankan WR ecotypes are concerned, a geographical pattern of distribution which
associated with the wild rice and cultivated rice varieties in each climatic zone. Genetic diversity of 85 weedy rice eco-types,
60 cultivated rice varieties and 2 wild relatives distributed in wet, intermediate, dry zone were studied using 10 microsatellite
(SSR) markers distributed across the rice genome. Total genomic DNA was extracted from 7-day old seedlings of respective
WR eco-types, wild rice and cultivated types. A total of 10 SSR primer pairs were used for molecular study. Fragment analysis
using capillary electrophoresis was performed and identified different peaks among WR eco-types and wild rice varieties.
Obtained data were subjected to cluster (CA), principle component (PCA) and self-organizing map. Results of the PCA and
CA indicated that SSR distribution across the weedy rice eco-types, cultivated rice varieties and wild relatives provide strong
evidences supporting the hypothesis that the wild relative O. rufipogon and O. nivara ecologically diversified into wet and dry
habitats, respectively. Thus, origins of the weedy rice eco-types are results of the spontaneous hybridization and out-crossing
between wild relatives and cultivated rice varieties. Further, SOM imply that four out of 10 SSR primers (RM 211, RM 280,
Virender Singh Lather
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India
Title: Natural hydrogel based novel seed technology for climate resilient agriculture
Biography:
Dr.Virender Singh Lather has completed his PhD (Genetics) from G.B. Pant University, Pantnagar and visited Washington State University as UNDP/FAO trainee in year 2000. He has served CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar as the Professor (Genetics & Plant Breeding) for 33 years before joining ICAR-IARI New Delhi in 2012. He has published more than 55 papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member of repute Journal of NASS as reviewer and also contributed for development of six chickpea improved varieties including novel concept of tall and erect chickpea cultivar suitable for mechanical harvesting. He is now working on concept of natural hydrogels coated novel seed technology.
Abstract:
Natural gums are biopolymers produced by algal (alginate), plant (pectin), microbial (dextran) and animal (chitosan) and their useful properties of non-toxic, high swelling ability, stability in wide pH-temperatures,biodegradability, biocompatibility, low cost etc makes them versatile natural hydrogels for biomedical (drug delivery etc) and agricultural uses against sub-optimal moisture stresses in semiarid and rainfed ecology. The major Earth landmass conducive for agriculture is under abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, temperature) which likely to increase due to land degradation, urbanization and climate change. While ‘Green Revolution’ ensured global food security, however increased consumption of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, ground water which degraded the environmental seriously whereas aerobic agriculture suffered with low productivity due to poor seed germination, seedlings-plant growth, dry-matter accumulation etc. Hydrogels are known for mitigation of moisture stresses, but synthetic hydrogels introduced for agricultural purposes has not become popular due to their prohibitive cost, poor delivery system to root zones and environmental concerns as these contain polyvinyl alcohols or polyacrylamides considered carcinogenic and non-biodegradable.
To make efficient use of hydrogel in agriculture, Lather (2015) identified the cost effective natural hydrogels and developed farmer’s friendly herbal hydrogel coated seed technology (HHCST) for climate resilience agriculture by using natural gums which are consumed as human foods since ages e.g. Gum Tragacanth (E-413), Gum Sterculia(E-416 ) and Xanthan gum (E-415) etc. Natural hydrogels coated seed delayed the wilting-mortality of seedling by saving irrigations water and allow the delay of first irrigation which in combination with pre-emergence application of ‘herbicides Pendimethalin’ prove as “Game Changer Technology” for effective weeds control including noxious Phalaris minor in wheat, DSR (direct seeded rice) and other crops. With adoption of natural hydrogel based novel seed technology, the water and energy consumption reduced by half at reduced cultivation cost with significant environmental gains and less incidence of pests-diseases. The farmers shown keen interest in novel seed technology by planted thousands hectares of DSR-paddy, wheat and other crops by proving that if technology is beneficial, there is no need for govt. subsidy regimes which prevalent now in various countries.