Day 2 :
- Track 2: Horticulture, Floriculture & Forestry
Track 6: Crop Protection and Management
Track 7: Spices, Herbs and Medicinal Plants
Track 8: Tissue Culture and Plant Biotechnology
Track 9: Agricultural Engineering and Technology
Chair
Andy Renz
Benson Hill Biosystems Inc.
USA
Co-Chair
Fhatuwani Mudau N
University of South Africa
South Africa
Session Introduction
Surendra Dara
University of California Cooperative Extension
USA
Title: Entomopathogenic fungi as holistic tools in crop production and protection
Biography:
Surendra Dara obtained his PhD in Entomology from Virginia Tech. He specializes in entomopathology and focuses his research on providing IPM solutions for strawberries, vegetables and other crops in California. He authored or co-authored more than 200 publications that include extension articles, journal articles, book chapters and manuals. He holds offices at the Society of Invertebrate Pathology and Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch. He is the Vice-Chair of National Working Group on Microbial Control of Arthropod Pests, Chair of the Strawberry Work Group and a Member of the Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative at University of California.
Abstract:
Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and Isaria fumosorosea are traditionally used in crop protection to manage arthropod pests. However, recent studies show that their interaction with plants as mycorrhizae and endophytes allows them to play a bigger role in crop production. Improved plant growth, plant health, biomass and protection from plant diseases are additional contributions of entomopathogenic fungi. Entomopathogenic fungi might also help with conservation of nutrients and moisture through improved absorption. Understanding the plant-entomopathogen-arthropod interactions and exploring their potential for overall plant health contributes to sustainable pest management.
Andy Renz
Benson Hill Biosystems Inc.
USA
Title: Increased crop yield through improved photosynthesis
Biography:
Andy Renz received his PhD in Plant Molecular Biology from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. After Postdoctoral studies at the Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, Germany, he joined BASF Plant Science in 1999 as Lab Leader for Metabolic Engineering of Oilseed Crops. From 2003 to 2014 he was leading international teams at BASF Plant Science and was responsible for numerous technology acquisitions in Europe, Asia and the Americas. In 2014 he joined Benson Hill Biosystems as Vice President Business Development. He is on the Industry Advisory Board of several organizations including Ag Innovation Showcase and Global Ag Investing.
Abstract:
Benson Hill Biosystems, The Photosynthesis Company™ established a unique platform for the discovery and validation of approaches to increase photosynthetic efficiency and ultimately crop yield. Based on a deep knowledge of photosynthesis, state-of-the-art transcriptomics and proprietary computational biology databases and algorithms, candidate genes have been identified to improve the photosynthetic machinery of plants. We established unique model systems for crops with C3 and C4-photosynthesis for a fast and systematic validation of candidate genes in planta. Lead genes have been identified that when over-expressed under the control of developmentally regulated promoters lead to a significantly increased photosynthesis rate, plant growth, biomass production and seed yield in model plants. Promising lead genes have been transformed into several crops and their performance has been confirmed in field trials. We will present our discovery and validation platform and will discuss results from the over-expression of our most promising lead genes in model plants and crops. Benson Hill Biosystems already established commercial partnerships with market leaders: For potato we collaborate with Simplot for sugarcane in Brazil with Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (CTC) for corn and wheat with Limagrain. We are actively seeking for new partnerships with seed companies in Asia that are interested to work with us in crops such as corn, rice, sugarcane, soybean, cotton and trees to increase crop yield through improved photosynthesis.
Bolla Joseph
Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University
India
Title: Climate smart cropping systems
Biography:
Bolla Joseph is currently working as the Professor and Head of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, India
Abstract:
The name agriculture becomes imbalance weigher when all well management cropping practices are always lighter than evergreen climate change and in order to balance between these two handles of world food supply chain population explosion needs well managed cropping practice is needed which will fit and sustain in extremes of future climate change. Agriculture production system should be cheap, adaptive, development oriented, high mitigation controllable and meet the demands of increasing food in sustainable ways to become it as climate-smart. A climate smart agriculture is interaction of climate effect and community adaptability, with well research and micro level interactive understanding allows to design, execute the climate-smart agricultural practices. Improvements in the management of agricultural systems bring us significantly closer to safe operating spaces will require transformations in governance and use of our natural resources, underpinned by enabling political, social and economic conditions beyond incremental changes. Establishing scientifically credible indicators and metrics of long-term safe operating spaces in the context of a changing climate and growing social-ecological challenges is critical to creating the societal demand and political will is required to motivate the deep transformation for innovative and transitional changes. A collective and collaborative wok spheres is needed in ecological management, social, integration of data analysis and framework of national and international policy to facilitate decision making informed by metrics and indicators of safe operating spaces.
Fhatuwani Mudau N
University of South Africa
South Africa
Title: Response of physiological and biomass production of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L) leafy vegetable to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrition
Biography:
Fhatuwani Mudau N is currently working as Professor at University of South Africa, South Africa.
Abstract:
Baby spinach is a relatively a new crop in South Africa which has a commercially significant and is reputed to have health attributes such as protection against degenerative diseases of ageing, such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts and several forms of cancer. Three parallel NPK trials to investigate the response of baby spinach vegetable to Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on growth and development were conducted. N and P treatments were arranged as follows 0, 45, 75, 105, 120 kg∙ha-1 N and P and K treatments arranged as 0, 63, 85, 127, 148 kg∙ha-1 arranged in a randomised complete block designed with four replicates. Results showed that yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content, leaf area index were significantly increased by increasing N application, while K had no significance and effect on the yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance except on the leaf area index. Nitrogen treatments quadratically increased fresh yield, dry matter and chlorophyll content reaching maximum at 75 Kg N ha -1. Phosphorus application showed a significance yields, dry matter as well as chlorophyll content reaching maximum at 75 kg P ha-1. Therefore, to achieve optimum growth for N and P, 75 kg∙ha-1 N or P is recommended. The NPK combined trial arranged as 0, 30: 30: 40, 45:45:60, 60:60:70, 75:75:90 kg∙ha-1 arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replicates.The results showed that high yields, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry matter reached maximum where NPK combined was applied at 45:45:60kg∙ha-1.
Mohamed Abdelkader
Agricultural Research Centre
Egypt
Title: Wheat stem rust and climatic changes in Egypt during the last five years
Biography:
Mohamed Abdelkader is the Research Scientist at Plant Pathology Research Institute, Egypt.
Abstract:
Stem rust of wheat, caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn., was the most destructive disease of wheat worldwide and Egypt, particularly on the late sowings e. Successful control of the disease over three decades through the use of genetic resistance has resulted in a sharp decline in research activity in recent years. Performance of Egyptian wheat varieties and stem rust resistant genes were changed during the last five years. Most of our varieties were resistant to stem rust infection at adult stages in the field and it become susceptible, also stem rust resistant genes were in the parallel line. This changes correlated to climatic change specially the temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity increase at the last year and height infection type were observed on these Cvs. and stem rust resistant genes. Most of these genes were temperature sensitive (Sr 6,12,13, 15, 17, 22, 34, 38). Cvs. Giza 168, Misri-1 and Misri-2 have the highest disease severities reflected to changing on temperature degrees.
A Madhavi Lata
Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University
India
Title: Studies on Amla and Terminalia based agri-horticultural system intercropped with Aswagandha
Biography:
A Madhavi Lata completed her PhD (Agronomy) in 2011 from Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University and is working as Associate Professor in Department of Farm Forestry at College of Agriculture, Prof. Jayashanker Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. She is guiding both under graduate and post graduate students through teaching and research. She has attended a number of International and National conferences and presented papers on medicinal plants.
Abstract:
An experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at AICRP on Agroforestry, PJTSAU, Rajendrangar. The present investigation comprised of agroforestry model with aswagandha intercropped in four year old amla and terminalia agri-horticultural systems laid in split plot design with three replications.The treatments in aswagandha based agri-horticultural systems consisted of three cropping situations as main plots viz., intercropping of aswagandha in amla, intercropping of aswagandha in terminalia and sole cropping of aswagandha.
The results indicated that among the different cropping situations studied in aswagandha based agri-horticultural system; growth parameters like plant height, dry matter production and leaf area per plant of aswagandha were markedly higher under sole cropping situation when compared to intercropping situation both in amla and terminalia. Days to physiological maturity of aswagandha was delayed by 9-10 days in intercropping situation in terminalia when compared to intercropping in amla. Root and seed yields (kg ha-1) of aswagandha were the highest with sole cropping situation compared to either of the intercropping situations. Aswagandha performed better to some extent as an intercrop in amla as compared in terminalia. With an olide content (%) was significantly more under sole cropping. PAR was more under sole cropping compared to intercropping situation.
Asad Alkhader
National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension
Jordan
Title: The impact of phosphorus fertilizers on heavy metals content of soils and vegetables grown on selected farms in Jordan
Biography:
Alkhader has completed his PhD (in Horticulture and Crop Science) at the age of 49 years from University of Jordan. His MSc in Soils and Irrigation was also from the same university. He is working as a researcher in National Center for Agricultural Research And Extension (NCARE) in crop water and nutrient management. He is also the coordinator of the National Fertigation Project. He has published 4 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a member of fertilizer committee in his country (Jordan).
Abstract:
A survey was conducted to investigate the contamination of soils, plants and irrigation water with Cd, Pb and As heavy metals. Thirteen farms located from three locations characterized by intensive agricultural activities in Jordan (The Jordan Valley, Alyadoda, and Jarash) were selected for this purpose. Soil, plant and irrigation water samples were collected for chemical analysis: mainly heavy metals and P contents. The soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm depth and the plant samples were collected from the available grown vegetables in the selected farms.
The tolerable level of Cd in fruit vegetables of 0.05 mg kg-1 fresh weight was approached by cucumber plant from farm no. 4 (0.06 ppm), tomato plant (0.06 -0.07 ppm), and exceeded by hot pepper (0.14 ppm). On the other hand, the permissible concentration of Pb in fruit vegetables of 0.1 mg kg-1 fresh weight was surpassed by tomato plants (0.24 -0.77 ppm); sweet pepper (0.14 ppm); cucumber plants (0.28-0.40 ppm) and hot pepper (0.88 ppm). Also, red cabbage 9 had Pb content (0.97 ppm) higher than the accepted level of 0.3 mg kg-1 of fresh weight for brassica vegetables. However, lettuce iceberg plants are within allowable levels of Cd and Pb of 0.2 and 0.3 mg kg-1 of fresh weight, respectively, for leafy vegetables. While, the Cd concentration in these lettuce plants ranged from 0.03 to 0.05 ppm (on fresh weight basis), the Pb concentration varied from 0.12 to 0.25 ppm (on fresh weight basis). All selected crops are safe with respect to As content as their contents of this heavy metal are much less than the established acceptable concentration of 1 mg kg-1 fresh weight.
The results suggest that the most probable sources of the heavy metals (Cd, Pb and As) in the collected samples from soils and crops from the selected farms are soil parent materials and pesticides application. However, P fertilizers additions for long time period might also contribute to the heavy metals contents of the plants and escalate the problem. Polluted air, also, represents a potential source for the heavy metals in the plants.
Chemical analysis of the irrigation water used in the selected farms suggest that such water can’t be considered as probable sources of heavy metals in the investigated soils from the selected farms. The levels of heavy metals in some selected fertilizers used by farmers in Jordan are, also, regarded below the permissible limits, but still likely sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils in under long-term application of such P fertilizers.
Satish Patil
University of Agricultural Sciences
India
Title: In vitro propagation studies in Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andr)
Biography:
Satish Patil is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, India.
Abstract:
An investigation was carried out at the tissue culture laboratory of department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to find out the best explant, gelling agent, growth regulator for shoot and root initiation and hardening media. Among the explant viz., leaf segment, shoot tip, axillary bud, internode and aerial roots the axillary bud and shoot tip were found the best for culture establishment by producing more number of adventitious shoots with early emergence of primordia (in 14 and 21 days respectively after inoculation of explants). Among the gels used for standardization, sago at 50 g/l+agar 1 g/l emerged as the sole replacement of agar which best resulted in terms of shoot proliferation and subsequent growth by producing 3.83 shoots/explant, 4.07 cm shoot length and 0.40 cm shoot girth. It was also found best replacement for agar which minimized the cost by four times. The influence of growth regulator on shoot growth indicated that MS+BAP 1.5 mg/l produced significantly more number of shoots (4.7 shoots or explants), higher number of leaves per shoots (4.50 leaves or shoot) at 45 days after inoculation of axillary bud explant. The maximum numbers of roots with good length in short time (8.8 days) were observed on 0.5 mg/l IBA supplemented media. Soil+coco coir pith (1:1) and sand+soil+coco coir pith (1:1:1) gave the maximum (100%) survival percentage with better plant vigor resulting as suitable medium for hardening.
Jeffrey Lavarias
Central Luzon State University
Philippines
Title: Optimization of mechanical cacao shelling parameters using unroasted cocoa beans
Biography:
Jeffrey Lavarias is working as a faculty member at Central Luzon State University, Philippines.
Abstract:
Shelling process is one of the primary processes and critical steps in the processing of chocolate or any product that is derived from cocoa beans. It affects the quality of the cocoa nibs in terms of flavor and purity. In the Philippines, small-scale food processor cannot really compete with large scale confectionery manufacturers because of lack of available postharvest facilities that are appropriate to their level of operation. The impact of this study is to provide the needed intervention that will pave the way for cacao farmers of engaging on the advantage of value-adding as way to maximize the economic potential of cacao. Thus, provision and availability of needed postharvest machines like mechanical cacao sheller will revolutionize the current state of cacao industry in the Philippines. A mechanical cacao sheller was developed, fabricated and evaluated to establish optimum shelling conditions such as moisture content of cocoa beans, clearance where of cocoa beans passes through the breaker section and speed of the breaking mechanism on shelling recovery, shelling efficiency, shelling rate, energy utilization and large nib recovery to establish the optimum level of shelling parameters of the mechanical sheller. These factors were statistically analyzed using design of experiment by Box and Behnken and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). By maximizing shelling recovery, shelling efficiency, shelling rate, large nib recovery and minimizing energy utilization, the optimum shelling conditions were established at moisture content, clearance and breaker speed of 6.5%, 3 millimeters and 1300 rpm respectively. The optimum values for shelling recovery, shelling efficiency, shelling rate, large nib recovery and minimizing energy utilization were recorded at 86.51%, 99.19%, 21.85 Kg/hr, 89.75% and 542.84 W respectively. Experimental values obtained using the optimum conditions were compared with predicted values using predictive models and were found in good agreement.
Maclin Dayod
Agriculture Research Centre Semongok
Malaysia
Title: Graft compatibility between Solanum lasiocarpum and Solanum torvum as a potential tool to mitigate soil-borne diseases in Sarawak
Biography:
Maclin Dayod is currently the Head of Crop Breeding and Miscellaneous Crops Section in the Research Division of the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Malaysia. Since 2012, his research work focuses on breeding for good eating quality in Oryza sativa L and varietal improvement in Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal. He is also responsible for the conservation and propagation of various crops which include pepper and other spices, herbs and medicinal plants. He also had researched on the impact of calcium on plant water channels (aquaporins) and uptake for his PhD and the physiological changes in barley due to water logging for his Master's degree.
Abstract:
Terung Asam Sarawak (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal) is a unique indigenous fruit vegetable in Sarawak. A recent product development work by researchers in the Department of Agriculture Sarawak showed that the fruit can be processed into various products such as juice, jam, puree and dehydrated slices. These products provide opportunities for commercialization of the crop. However, the crop is very susceptible to many soil-borne pathogens in particular bacterial wilt and phytopthora. This problem hampers the big scale planting of the crop. Hence, grafting work was initiated to mitigate the problem. Six to eight-leaves plants were used for grafting and wedge and saddle methods were compared. Initial studies showed promising graft compatibility between Solanum lasiocarpum as scion and Solanum torvum as rootstock. Yield of grafted plants were between 1.5 and 3.2 kg/plant which is comparable to the non-grafted plants. Saddle technique looks more promising than the wedge technique. Field performances of the grafted plants are being monitored and their fruit nutritional contents will be analyzed.
Ningthoujam Shovarani
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
India
Title: A survey report on application of pesticides on tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum) in Bishnupur district, a major commercial vegetable producing area in Manipur, India
Biography:
Ningthoujam Shovarani is working as Research Scientist at Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India.
Abstract:
Tomato is one of the main items in daily food we eat. Off-season production of tomato is widely accepted by the farmers in Manipur for higher returns because of the ideal soil and climatic conditions for cultivation of vegetable. Like other states of India it is seriously affected by pest attack. To reduce damage and increase in yield for commercial purpose farmers in Manipur generally use various pesticides. The investigations were carried out during the month of Sept 2014 to April 2015. The aim of present study is to identify the commonly used pesticides on tomato and to study the attitudes and practices developed by vegetable growers about pesticide applications. Questionnaires which include socio-professional factors, provisions and operations concerning the use of varieties of pesticides were addressed to vegetable growers in various vegetable farms. In order to complete the data regarding the commonly used pesticides on tomatoes in Bishnupur District various vegetable growers were cross-examined and information were also collected from various agrochemical agents and Farm Science Centre, Utlou. The survey showed that farmers have an acceptable knowledge to exploit instructions concerning the pesticide use but majority of them do not use the recommended tools. Most of them did not received training on pesticide used and no recommendation from agriculture expert. They used pesticides only after consulting with the agrochemical dealers. None of the vegetable growers usually wear goggles while handling and spraying of pesticides, very few wear gloves and maximum of them wear oro-nasal mask. Failure to observe minimum intervals between pesticide application and sale is worrying because toxic (Mancozeb, Carbofuran, Bipyridyl) and moderately toxic (Cypermethrin, Imidacloprid, Profenofos, Chlorpyrifos, Propineb, Dichlorvos) are the products currently used in Bishnupur District. The present investigation indicates that pesticide application in Bishnupur District represents a possible risk for the environment, farmers and consumers. Research studies are very much needed to measure pesticide residues on tomatoes currently consumed in Manipur. Survey on pesticide applications in other districts of Manipur are also necessary and moreover to determine the potential effect of those products on human and animal health.
Bukola Aminu-Taiwo
National Horticultural Research Institute
Nigeria
Title: Nematicidal potential of extracts from some selected plants against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita
Biography:
Bukola Aminu-Taiwo is working as Research Scientist at National Horticultural Research Institute, Nigeria.
Abstract:
The use of botanical extracts for controlling plant parasitic nematodes is becoming more popular because of the problem of environmental pollution arising from the use of persistent pesticides. Some nematicides have been banned, yet the farmers still use them. This poses danger to human, the environment, beneficial microbes in the soil as well as underground body water. This emphasizes the need for new methods of control such as the use of environmentally-friendly plant extracts. Therefore, effects of water extracts of leaves of Tagetes erecta (Marigold), Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower), Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) and Occimum gratissimun (Tree basil) each at 3.3, 5.0, 6,6, 8.3 and 10% w/v, on eggs and second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita were investigated in vitro. The efficacy of dry milled leaves of these plants at 1 t/ha and 2 t/ha and carbofuran at 1.5kg a.i./ha and 2.5kg a.i./ha were also evaluated against M. incognita in a screen house.
Fifty M. incognita eggs per 1ml in water suspension were pipette and dispensed into glass blocks and 1ml of each extract at different concentrations were added. Fifty freshly hatched juveniles per 1ml were also dispensed into a glass blocks and 1 ml of each plant extracts at different concentrations were also added. Distilled water served as control. Hatched eggs were counted every 24 hours for 10 days while juveniles were observed for mortality every 24 hours for five days. In the screen house, 48 pots were filled with sterilized soil. Treatments were carbofuran (1.5 and 2.5 kg a.i./ha), milled dried leaves of marigold, siam weed, mexican sunflower and tree basil at 1t/ha and 2t/ha each and untreated control. Two days later four seeds of cucumber were sown in each of the 48 pots. One week after germination, the seedlings were each inoculated with 10,000 M incognita eggs. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomised designed with four replicates. Data were collected on Vegetative Growth (VG), Gall Index (GI), nematode reproduction and yield (g). LC50 was also determined. All data were analysed using ANOVA (p=0.05) and means were separated using Duncan multiple range test at 5% probability. Water extracts of T. erecta inhibited egg hatch by 90.5% at the highest concentration and was significantly higher than egg hatch observed in O. gratissimum which produced the lowest egg hatch inhibition of 70.7%. T. erecta also caused 100% juvenile mortality within 24 hours of exposure followed by T. diversifolia (59%), C. odorata (50%) and O. gratissimum 26.5% at the lowest concentration. Targetes erecta extract was the most potent among the plant extracts used with LC 50 of 0.31mg/ml-1. In the pot experiment, T. erecta, C. odorata, Carbofuran and O. gratissimun reduced GI by 62.5%, 65%, 75% and 75.5%, respectively. Similarly, RKN population was reduced by 85.4% in T. erecta-treated pots; C. odorata caused 87.6% reduction and Carbofuran 93.1%. The results of this study suggest that application of these plants as botanical pesticides in the management of RKN is highly promising, especially as they are readily available in Nigeria.
Ambani Richardo Mudau
University of South Africa
South Africa
Title: Influence of post-harvest storage temperature and duration on quality of baby spinach
Biography:
Ambani Richardo Mudau is on the final phase of his Masters degree at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa.
Abstract:
Baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L) is a member of the Amaranthaceae family. Its leaves have a very high respiration rate thus post-harvest quality is affected mostly by tissue decay and the development of off-odours. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of storage temperature and time on the post-harvest quality of baby spinach. Baby spinach leaves were harvested at 36 days after planting and subsequently stored at 4Ëš C or 22Ëš C for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 days. Thereafter the leaves were incubated for 72 hours at 40Ëš C to dry. Minerals, trace elements, total phenols, total carotenoids, flavonoids and antioxidant activities were measured. Composition of magnesium, zinc and iron declined after 8 days of storage at 4Ëš C whilst at 22Ëš C, they declined after 2 days of storage. Magnesium, zinc and iron revealed a similar trend with significantly higher carotenoids found up to 6 days in storage at 4Ëš C whilst at 22Ëš C the carotenoid levels declined after only 2 days. Total phenolic compounds gradually decreased in samples stored at 4Ëš C. However, samples stored at 22Ëš C showed a rapid decrease after 4 days. Both total antioxidant activities and Vitamin C content showed a similar trend with the content remaining constant at 4Ëš C and decreasing after 6 days, whereas the total antioxidant activities and vitamin C for leaves stored at 22Ëš C decreased immediately after 2 days. However, storage time and temperature did not exhibit significant effects on selenium. Results demonstrated that quality of baby spinach deteriorates as storage time and temperature increase.
Hycenth Nahunnaro
ModibboAdama University of Technology
Nigeria
Title: Effect of some environmental factors on incidence and severity of angular leafspot of cotton in Yola and Mubi, Adamawa state, Nigeria
Biography:
Hycenth Nahunnaro is working as Faculty member at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Environmental factors such as relative humidity and rainfall generally have been found to increase the incidence, rate of spread and severity of diseases thereby reducing yield of crops. Study was conducted on five cotton varieties, artificially inoculated with bacterial blight pathogen to determine the effects of rainfall and relative humidity on incidence and severity of angular leafspot (ALS) and yield of seed cotton in Yola and Mubi. Results showed that the severity of ALS was higher in Yola (58.65%) at 13 WAS due to higher relative humidity (76-87%) and low rainfall (2 – 40.6 mm) which favours disease development as against that of Mubi location which recorded lower severity (51.11%) due to lower relative humidity (42 – 55%) and rainfall (37 – 73 mm). Results further revealed that SAMCOT-8 had low incidence and severity in both locations with an incidence of 66% and severity of 39% of ALS at 13 WAS in Yola and 82% incidence and 42% severity in Mubi. SAMCOT-10 and SAMCOT-9 varieties were found to be highly susceptible to the disease at the same period. SAMCOT-8 recorded the highest yield of 390.00 kgha-1 in Yola and 868.09 kgha-1 in Mubi while lowest yields of 227.17 kgha-1 was observed on SAMCOT-10 in Yola and 461.61 kgha-1 was obtained on SAMCOT-9 in Mubi. There is need to conduct further research to confirm the reaction of these varieties in other environments over time.
Geetika Jethra
National Research Centre on Seed Spices
India
Title: Computational analysis and mining of physiochemical information for seed spices
Biography:
Geetika Jethra is a Research Scholar from National Research Centre on Seed Spices, India.
Abstract:
Consumption of convenient and ethnic food is expected to increase because more and more people are eager to try new and varied food stuff. But there is still lack of knowledge about the use of spices especially seed spices. But, now a day’s use of spices and herbs by consumers is increasing because they are appreciated as completely natural, rather than artificial, additives. Spices are most importantly used for aroma, flavor, color and preservation of beverages and food. Spices can be obtained from many plant parts but seed spices are the crops in which the seeds are used for aroma and as flavoring agent. Seed spices have distinguishing chemistry which is also reflected by their widespread medicinal use and toxicity. Most of the seed spices belong to Apiaceae family except Fenugreek and Nigella. However, despite their widespread recognition as a “natural” group, economic importance, large size and years of study there has been no remarkable study about their genomic and proteomic information and very limited amount of sequential data is available on the public forum or repositories for this family. Until recently, minimal genomic and proteomic analysis and mining of seed spices information has been done. In the present study, we have analysed and mined 17,693 genomic sequences related to seed spices in a relational database. We have also mined 14,938 protein sequences and derived physiological properties forthese sequences. Out of these proteins structures 94% proteins showed stable structure. The database is in tabular form and easy to search and retrieve. The selected complete protein sequences were analysed are their isoelectric point, GRAVY Index, stability index, amino acid composition, nature (acidic or basic) etc were derived and assembled in the database. The proposed study of genomes of different species present in Apiaceae family will further enhance our understandings about their important properties. Further this will also enable to find and retrieve all the related information from one place.
S Chandrashekhar
University of Agricultural Sciences
India
Title: Association analysis of major nutrient and secondary nutrient status of leaves of selected castor genotypes and growth indices of Eri silkworm
Biography:
S Chandrashekhar is working as Associate Professor at College of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru and is involved in Teaching, Research and Extension activities since seventeen years. He organized and participated in many national and international conferences, workshops etc. and published more than 50 scientific publications including research articles, books etc. He is recipient of many State and University awards and served as PI and Co-PI for externally funded projects. He also served as NSS Programme Officer since 9 years and organized health camps, social environmental and national integration camps for the benefit of students and farming community.
Abstract:
The foliar constituents of castor genotypes viz., major and secondary nutrients had marginal influence on growth indices showing positive trend with respect to improvement in the performance of eri silkworm. Major nutrient like nitrogen and secondary nutrient like calcium had significant relationship with growth indices, while the growth indices were non-significant with other major (phosphorus and potassium) and secondary nutrients (magnesium and sulphur). The growth indices viz., silk index (r=0.7707), oviposition index (r=0.7263), leaf – silk conversion rate (r=0.7096), growth index by per cent pupation (r=0.7281) and net reproductive rate (r=0.7386) with nitrogen content of castor leaves showed significant positive relationship among them. Further, calcium content was found to have significantly positive correlation with larval weight index (r=0.8969), cocoon weight index (r=0.9548), silk index (r=0.9688), eclosion index (r=0.8936), oviposition index (r=0.9425), leaf-cocoon ratio (r=0.8408), leaf - egg ratio (r=0.8672), leaf – cocoon conversion rate (r=0.8521), leaf – silk conversion rate (r=0.9323), growth index by per cent pupation (r=0.9815), growth index by per cent moth emergence (r= 0.9609) and net reproductive rate (r=0.9492), while the trend was reverse with larval duration index (r=-0.9405), pupal duration index (r=-0.9293) and larval -pupal duration index (r=-0.9579).
Rishabh Goel
Indian Agricultural Statistical Research Institute
India
Title: Application of cloud computing in agriculture sector
Biography:
Rishabh Goel is currently working at Indian Agricultural Statistical Research Institute, India.
Abstract:
Information and communication have always been an essential part of human race. With the growing population and the ever rising demand for food, cloth, etc the scientists and researchers across the globe are trying hard to find innovative ways to meet these ever surging demands. As India is rightly said “The land of Agriculture”, the major source of income in India is agriculture. Ever since people learned to grow crops, harvest them and sell them to market, they have sought information from each other and other sources to make maximum profit. But, even though the knowledge of the farmers is not adequate, they have grown the same crops for centuries, the ever changing weather conditions, soil fertility, pests and diseases etc affects the final outcome. This has raised the need for the latest information which allows the farmers to deal with these changes smoothly. However, providing such crucial and timely knowledge is a challenge in itself owing to the highly localized nature of agriculture. So we are trying the development of ICT basically focused on the Indian agriculture sector. In recent years, new ICT technologies are being implemented in every sector of the developing nations and the role of ICT has always been extremely crucial for the agriculture sector owing to the highly unpredictable nature of the later. The new application domain of ICT which can most widely and aptly be used for the upliftment of the agriculture sector is Cloud Computing. Cloud computing is a general term used to describe a new class of network based computing that take place over the internet. This study, introduces the concept of implementation of cloud computing in the Indian agricultural sector. It intends to initiate cloud computing model with two major parts the first part is Cloud Agro System to monitor and fulfil user requirements with a user-friendly and faster approach which includes services like demand-supply, communication, communication devices, e-knowledge sharing, conducting research and the other one e-Data Bank to store all relevant data in a centralized location deciphered as cloud like crop related, weather, soil information, growth progress monitoring farmers data, etc. Hence, if we need to improve the economic condition of these developing nations then the only way to do that is to improve the Indian agricultural sector. This upcoming technology is predicted to bring revolutionary changes to the agriculture sector.
Gali Uma Devi
Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University
India
Title: Bio-fumigation in the management of stem and pod rot of groundnut caused by Sclerotium rolfsii (Sacc.)
Biography:
Gali Uma Devi is a faculty member at Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, India.
Abstract:
Management of soil borne fungal pathogens is most difficult because of long-term survival and wide host range of the pathogen. Since, this pathogen not only persists in the soil as saprophyte along with other thousands of soil organisms but also transmits through seeds; we need to manage the problem more cautiously. However, use of fungicides has been discouraged because of certain disadvantages viz., ground water pollution, residues on food crops, effect on non-target organisms and development of resistance to the chemical fungicides besides their high cost. There is worldwide acceptance to the use of eco-safe, eco-friendly methods of protecting crops from the plant pathogens. Using plant produced allelochemicals in agricultural and horticultural practices which could minimize synthetic pesticide use, reduce the associated potential for environmental contamination and contribute to a sustainable agricultural system. Glucosinolates compounds that occur in agronomically important crops may represent a viable source of allelochemical control for various soil borne pests. Insecticidal, nematicidal, fungicidal and phytotoxic effects are often associated with tissues of cruciferous plants. Brassica species contain glucosinolates (GSL) which upon tissue disruption are hydrolyzed in the presence of water by endogenous myrosinase enzyme into numerous compounds, notably toxic isothiocynates (ITC). The detrimental effect of pure ITC to certain fungi has long been known and the potential of Brassica crops to control soil borne pests and pathogens mainly attributed to these compounds. The present investigations suggested that the growth of the pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii the incitant of stem and pod rot of groundnut gradually increased from 24 to 72 hours and maximum inhibition was observed at 36 hours after inoculation in pathogen inoculated leaf discs (43.07%) compared with un-inoculated leaf discs (22.56%) over control. With an increase in time of exposure to mustard powder there was a significant increase in the growth of the pathogen. The incorporation of the mustard plant parts into the soil reduced the infectivity of Sclerotium rolfsii at every date at which inoculum was added to soil over the 13 day period of assessment. A significant reduction in the disease incidence was also observed due to infection of S. rolfsii, persistence of Brassica residues was significantly shorter than the persistence of residue action. In field studies, the treatment FYM application at 6 kg per plot+in situ application of Brassica residues+rhizobium seed treatment at 20 g per Kg seed (T9) showed the highest plant height, leaf area at 30, 60 and 90 DAS respectively, fresh weight and dry weight and pod yield at the time of harvest. Soil drenching with propiconazole at 0.1%+in situ application of Brassica residues at 4 kg per plot+rhizobium seed treatment at 20 g per Kg seed resulted in maximum reduction in stem rot and pod rot disease as well as the lowest fungal and bacterial population. Soil exposed to dried mustard leaf volatiles followed by onion and cabbage had minimum microbial population under in vitro conditions. Finally, it can be concluded that Brassica residues had an impact on disease incidence of Sclerotium rolfsii and improved the plant growth.
Shui-sen Chen
Guangzhou Institute of Geography
China
Title: Spectral simulation and remote sensing method of agricultural information --Application of south China in agriculture and litchi orchard
Biography:
Shuisen Chen has completed his PhD at the age of 39 years from Institute of Remote Sensing Application, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, Visiting Scholar studies from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Senior Visiting Fellow studies from the College of Earth, Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. He is the Deputy Director, Open Laboratory of Geospatial Information Technology and Application of Guangdong Province, Deputy Director of academic committee & director of Department of Remote Sensing & GIS Application Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou China. He has published more than 80 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of Tropical Geography.
Abstract:
Different from national typical matter spectral library of China, the featured crop spectral library in south China was built including litchi, banana, winter crop (potato, chili, etc). Spectral and remote sensing models and Applications were developed for inversion of land surface temperature, surface soil moisture. We built the spectral models (350-2500nm) of leave chlorophyll a, soil organic matter, N and P for precision fertilizing in litchi orchard. Besides, a new remote sensing method was developed for estimating the planting area of winter potato, combining the NDVI spectra and spectral angle method. The research achievements had been widely applied in crop planting area estimation, drought & cold disaster monitoring and litchi fertilizer application with notable economic and social benefits.
Mallikarjun Biradar
University of Agricultural Sciences
India
Title: Influence of planting geometry and number seeds per hill on performance of pole bean grown under different protected growing conditions
Biography:
Mallikarjun Biradar is currently working at University of Agricultural Sciences, India.
Abstract:
Growth and development of any plant is a result of genetic constituent and the growing environment. Under protected conditions yield and quality can be increased by manipulating plant density and number of seeds per hill. Pole bean-a climbing variety of french bean tried under different protected growing conditions ( Poly house, shadehouse-I with 35% shade and shadehouse-II with 50% shade) with three planting geometry (45x30, 45x45 and 45x60 cm) and three levels of seeds per hill (2, 3 and 4 seeds) during 2014 at Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India. Crop was raised on soil media with drip-irrigation. Among the protected structures, shadehouse-I had optimum temperature, relative humidity and light intensity (32.50 0C, 60% and 36835 lux resp.) which recorded better plant growth, higher yield and greater quality produce than those in shadehouse-II (lower LI 28335 lux).The crop under poly house had more of lanky vegetative growth due to higher temperature (37.00 0C), relative humidity (75%) with light intensity (38,500 lux) and produced lesser yield.
Shade house-I recoded significantly maximum pod diameter (1.25cm), pod weight (14.5g), yield per plant (1835g) and yield per square meter (5.50 kg). Among the planting geometry 45x45cm recorded significantly maximum pod diameter, pod weight and yield per plant (1.12cm.14.55g & 1218g respectively). However, yield per unit area was significantly maximum (3.34kg/m2) under closer spacing of 45x30cm with maximum pod length (19.45cm). As regards the number of seeds per hill, 2 seeds recorded significantly maximum pod length (22.55cm), pod weight (13.85g), yield per plant (1511g) and yield per square meter (4.30kg). It can be concluded from the study that favourable environment under shade house condition-I with closer spacing of 45x30 cm having 2 seeds per hill is optimum for protected cultivation pole beans for higher productivity of super quality produce.