World congress on Plant Pathology & Plant Biotechnology and Organic Farming, Biodynamics September 24- 25, 2018 Dallas, USA

Biography:

Dariusz Malinowski has completed his PhD at the age of 25 years from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich and postdoctoral studies from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. He is the Professor of Forage Agronomy at Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Vernon. He has published more than 60 papers in scientific journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of Acta Agrobotanica, Crop Science, and Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management journals. His research focuses on adaptation of forage crops to drought stress and management of forages in semi-arid environments, and breeding of winter-hardy hibiscus.

Abstract:

Many cool-season grass species have evolved with asexual, nonsymptomatic fungal endophytes of the genus Epichloë (formerly Neotyphodium) of the family Clavicipitaceae. These mutualistic associations have dramatic effects on grass host chemistry, increasing the resistance of symbiotic grasses to abiotic (drought, soil mineral imbalance) and biotic (vertebrate and invertebrate herbivory, nematodes, plant pathogens, plant competition) stresses. Native endophyte strains produce a range of bioprotective alkaloid and other non-alkaloid secondary compounds, several of them known to have detrimental effects on grazing animals. In the past two decades, epichloid endophyte strains have been selected with marginal or no capacity of producing ergot and/or lolitrem alkaloids. These novel endophyte strains have been introduced to several grass cultivars with the idea to increase grass host resistance to abiotic stresses without affecting grazing livestock, and abiotic stresses to ensure the high competitive ability of symbiotic grass cultivars. This new technology is known as “Symbiotically Modified Organisms” (SMO). A number of forage grass cultivars, including tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum syn. Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (L. perenne), have been inoculated with novel epichloid endophytes and commercialized in the USA and New Zealand. These SMO grass cultivars have been proven superior to cultivars infected with native epichloid endophytes in terms of grazing animal performance.

Biography:

I currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Life and Earth science, Lebanese University of Beyrouth, Fanar. I received my PhD in cellular and molecular plant physiology from the University of Picardie Jules Verne. I had a master degree in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Louis Pasteur, France and B.A in plant biology at the Lebanese University

Abstract:

Phloemophagous insects feed on sieve tubes due to their high content of nutrients. To reach phloem, aphids use their piercing mouthparts (stylets) inflicting sequential mechanical wounds on the plant cells and a periodic injection of oral secretions (OS). The presence of enzymes in the OS is suggested to prevent early plant responses in order to access the underlying cell membrane. With the aim to characterize salivary elicitors we characterized local potato responses against Macrosiphum euphorbiae at macroscopic, microscopic and physiological levels. Using a cytological approach, we identified three induced responses on local and distal leaves with an evident demonstration of their cross-linking. In addition to callose, brown phenolic deposits (lignin and suberin) appeared on infested leaf veins forming a physical barrier through cell-wall thickening and constitute an early wound-induced response. To overcome this physical obstruction, aphids inhibit callose in the mesophyll but could not hinder the irreversible polyphenols deposit. At a late stage of infestation, a localized HR-like cell death was induced. Puncturing inflicted on the tissues by aphid stylets are responsible for callose/polyphenol deposits unlike HR, which can be induced on foliar discs after applying aphid oral secretions. Aphid saliva seems to be able both to induce and inhibit plant defense responses. To test this hypothesis, we used cultivated potato cells. Ion flux detection and generation of reactive oxygen species were induced after aphid saliva application to cells. The findings provide a better insight into the molecular mechanisms mediating herbivore-induced plant defense. A possible influence of these early induced responses on viruses transmission by aphids is discussed.

Biography:

Lester Hernández-Rodríguez was graduated of Microbiologist in July 2000, Master in Science in Vegetal Biology in 2012, and has completed his PhD degree at the age of 41 years, all of these degrees obtained in Havana University, Cuba (Universidad de La Habana, Cuba). He is specialized in Plant Virology, mainly in viruses affecting fruit crops. His current job is Technical Secretary of Research Program on Citrus Production of Uruguay, where he is living since November 2017. He has published more than 32 papers in reputed journals and has participated in several International Congress and symposiums. He acted as the Executive secretary of the Fifth International Symposium on Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Growing/IX International Pineapple Symposium & quot; FRUTICULTURA 2017 & quot;, Havana City, Cuba, 2017 and the IV International Symposium on Citrus Biotechnology (ISCB), Uruguay, 2018.

Abstract:

Citrus leaf blotch virus (CLBV) infection has been detected in citrus cultivars from several countries including the USA, Spain, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand. To investigate whether CLBV is present in Cuba, a survey was conducted in seven commercial citrus fields of the country during 2007–2013. In all, 1940 trees were inspected and samples of two symptomatic and 18 asymptomatic sources were tested by biological indexing and molecular techniques for virus detection. Bark patches from the two symptomatic Nagami and Round kumquat sources induced chlorotic blotching and vein clearing in Dweet tangor, and only for the Round kumquat inoculums, stem pitting in Etrog citron. RT-PCR assays using specific primers to amplify fragments of polymerase (RdRp), movement (MP) and coat protein (CP) genes of CLBV yielded amplicons with the expected sizes using RNA from both sources as a template. Viral RNA was further detected by a non-radioactive dot-blot hybridization assay using a mixture of specific probes derived from a Spanish isolate of CLBV. Sequences from RdRp, MP, and CP amplicons showed identical nucleotide identities for the two Cuban isolates, and higher than 95.9 % with isolates from Spain, New Zealand, and the USA.

Biography:

Anna Wenda-Piesik has completed her DSc at the age of 41 years from UTP University of Science and Technology. In 2002-2003 she was an internship researcher at the Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, USA. Currently, her position is Associate Professor, at The Department of Agronomy, UTP in Bydgoszcz, Poland. She is the Head of The Laboratory of Experimental Methods. She published 80 original articles, the total IF is at 32,751, the total number of citations is at 229, h- index 9 and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute.

Abstract:

Risk assessment in the context of integrated pest and disease management considering crop sequence, sowing date, and control by fungicide application was carried out. This method also investigates the grain yields of wheat to address the context of disease risk with grain production. The experimental factors were fixed: pre-crop for wheat (sugar beet, corn for grain, wheat), the sowing date: facultative in late autumn and spring, fungicidal intensification: untreated, one treatment at T2 stage (BBCH 32–65) with fluoxastrobin and prothioconazole, two treatments made at T1 (BBCH 30–32) with prothioconazole and spiroxamine and at T2 (BBCH 41–65) with fluoxastrobin and prothioconazole, three treatments performed at stage T1 (BBCH 29–31) with prothioconazole and spiroxamine, T2 (BBCH 37–51) with fluoxastrobin and prothioconazole, and T3 (BBCH 65–69) with prothioconazole and tebuconazole. A total of 12 wheat diseases were diagnosed, four units for foot and root rot and eight related with leaf and head. Crop sequence was found the prime factor for the risk posed by foot and root rot diseases, while the lack of fungicidal control mostly impacted the risk posed by leaf and head pathogens. The highest increases in yield from controlled crops were attributed to facultative wheat followed after beet (49–66 %) or wheat (36–47 %). The cost-effectiveness based on two indicators E and Q has been calculated for fungicide treatments on all 48 crops. We investigated incidences of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and concentrations of six mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and zearalenone) in wheat from 2010 to 2013. Field trials were conducted at the Experimental Station of Cultivar Testing in ChrzÄ…stowo, Poland (53^o11’N, 17^o35’E). The dominant Fusarium species observed on wheat heads were F. culmorum, F. avenaceum (Gibberella avenacea) and F. graminearum (Gibberella zeae), at 21.1%, 17.2%, and 7.1%, respectively. In wheat planted after wheat or corn, the FHBi was higher compared with a pre-crop of sugar beet. A double application of fungicides at BBCH 30–32 with prothioconazole and spiroxamine and at a BBCH 65 with fluoxastrobin and prothioconazole effectively reduced the FHBi and mycotoxin concentrations, respectively, in grain. Total mycotoxin levels in wheat were correlated with five determinants: duration of the period between the end of flowering and the beginning of kernel abscission, FHBi, F. culmorum isolation, G. zeae isolation and Fusarium ratio (FR) as a % of total mold isolations. Although, the mean concentration of mycotoxins in grain did not exceed the maximum permissible values for unprocessed wheat our study suggests necessity to monitor and mitigate FHB risk for susceptible cultivars when wheat spring sowing follows corn or wheat.

Biography:

Joseph Asomaning is a student currently at his final year studying MSc Biological Science (specializing in Nutrition and Functional Foods), and he is 29 years of age from University of Camerino, Italy. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

Abstract:

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an essential cereal crop of different countries of the world. Undeniably, the concerted efforts 5 of plant breeders and their breeding strategies have helped to increase the production and productivity to the tune of two to three folds in many crops including maize. Hybrid cultivars have played a vital role in increasing the acreage and productivity of maize. The success in identifying heterotic hybrid in maize hybrid breeding depends on the availability of genetically diverse maize inbred lines developed from the different heterotic gene pool. Hence, the generation of information on the variability of inbreds at a genotypic level has become necessary. Molecular markers have proven to be a valuable tool for assessing the genetic diversity in many crop species. Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) are currently considered as the molecular markers of choice and are rapidly being adopted by plant researchers for precise estimation of diversity. SSR based molecular diversity analysis of Ghanaian maize genotypes (Mamaba, Etubi and GH 110) produced 48 polymorphic alleles from 8 markers with an average of 2.25 alleles per locus and mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.5125. The dendrogram generated with Unweighted Pair Group Method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis revealed two major clusters consisting of cluster one (Mamaba and Etubi) and cluster two (GH110) at 0.90 and 0.92 similarity coefficient respectively. The information on the diversity of genotypes generated in this study with an average of 0.833 would be much useful in developing heterotic hybrids as well as to increase the yield and other desirable traits of maize such as disease resistant varieties. Also, low heterozygosity obtained in this study with an average of 0.2917 shows low genetic variabilities among the varieties..

Biography:

Junqi Song is currently an assistant professor at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Dallas, with a joint position at the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology in the Texas A&M University. His research primarily focuses on how plants perceive and respond to microbial pathogens and how pathogens cause diseases in plants using a combination of genetic, biochemical, genomic and proteomic approaches. His research projects cover a wide range of pathogens with diverse lifestyles including bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, and nematodes. His long-term goal is to elucidate the complex network of signal transduction and pathway interactions in plant defense responses.

Abstract:

DNA damage repair and immune responses are two fundamental cellular processes that have been characterized extensively, but the links between them remain largely unknown. We previously identified multiple genes that play a dual role in homologous recombination and transcriptional regulation of plant-defense genes. Moreover, we discovered that microbial bacterial, fungal and oomycete plant pathogens with diverse lifestyles induce double-strand-breaks to host plant DNA. These suggested an interplay between DNA damage and plant immune responses. Here we report that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation plays an important role in plant immune systems in response to infection. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational modification and contributes to multiple molecular and cellular processes with a prominent role in DNA damage repair. Human PARP1, the founding and most characterized member of the PARP family, accounts for more than 90% of overall molecular and cellular PARP activity in response to DNA damage while PARP2 supplies a minor portion of this PARP activity. We found that Arabidopsis PARP2 rather than PARP1 plays the predominant role in poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and organismal resilience in response to either chemically-induced DNA damage or pathogen infections. Hence, core aspects of plant poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation are mediated by substantially different enzymes than in animals, indicating the likelihood of substantial differences in regulation. Collectively, our findings suggest that the two ancient surveillance mechanisms, DNA damage, and plant immune responses, are intricately interconnected.

Biography:

Choi Cheolwoo has worked for Citrus Research Institute in Korea, as a pathologist. He is interested in developing a forecasting model for the occurrence of citrus pests and has been monitoring pest incidents for several years in the field for the model. In addition, he diagnoses the citrus disease with biotechnology method and provides citrus-farmers with services, such as information on citrus pest management and control method. For improving citrus production of a citrus farmer, we also research to produce disease-free nursery stock with various citrus cultivars and provide various agricultural information.

Abstract:

The HLB (Huanglongbing, Citrus greening disease), caused by bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is the most destructive diseases and a significant threat to citrus production worldwide. Symptoms on the HLB are varied and characterized by splotchy mottling of the entire leaf, premature defoliation, dieback of twigs, reduction in fruit size, premature fruit drop, low content of soluble acids in the juice and a bitter or salty taste of the juice. The HLB is vectored and transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri and grafting from a diseased tree. In this study, we developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) using primers from prophage gene to detect HLB from diseased leaves. The genomic DNA is extracted from the leaves of grape-fruit and sweat-orange infected HLB. LAMP primers were designed based on prophage sequences using the LAMP primer designing software PrimerExplorer. As a result, HLB genes were specifically amplified by using this LAMP assay. This study suggests that this LAMP assay can be applied to specifically and sensitively detect HLB and screen pathogen free seedlings for production of disease-free nursery stock.

Biography:

Mr. José Bruno Malaquias, Professor, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Brazil. Has experience in Agronomy, focusing on Agricultural Entomology.

Abstract:

The impact of seed contamination on transgenic crops that express genes of Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt), such as Bt cotton, on insect movement and survival has been a subject of relevant international scientific discussions. Under tropical conditions is possible that caterpillars with some level of tolerance to Bt cotton, when they start feeding on cotton plant non-Bt may disperse and feed on Bt cotton plants, survive, reach adulthood and produce offspring, increasing probability of occurrence of individuals with the resistance allele in a higher frequency than expected. In this context, studies in this direction are especially valuable because information about larval mobility in tropical conditions is still scarce. The presentation will be based on data about behavior ecological traits of Spodoptera frugiperda in the laboratory and field conditions (micro-landscapes); in addition, we developed a population genetic computer model combined with Bayesian inference to study the impact of active (treated as walking movement) and passive movement (called here as ballooning) of S. frugiperda associated with contaminated areas on resistance evolution. Interesting results will be presented and discussed, such as the findings of fitness cost on larval behavior traits of S. frugiperda due to Bt resistance and the possible impact on resistance evolution. These data are extremely important to understand the resistance evolution, as well as, provides foundations for resistance management programs in different tropical scenarios and/or similar conditions.

Biography:

Biologist by training with doctorate in Plant Pathology from TAMU, my research tries to understand the interactions between hosts and soil borne plant pathogens (Oomycetes and Deuteromycetes) and provide management solutions to plant diseases caused by these. Some commodities I work with, include achira (Canna edulis), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum, S. phureja) and peas (Pisum sativum).

Abstract:

Canna edulis (family Cannaceae, order Zingiberales, monocot) which common name is sagú or achira is a crop innate to the South American Andes, grown in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, the Antilles, some Asian countries and Australia. A closed related species Canna indica is an important flower crop for several developed countries such as the United States, Canada and the Netherlands. In Colombia the cultivating of this crop is typically done by small farmers, whom see the plant as food source (they harvest the rhizomes and extract the starch from them) but more importantly as the reserve bank for their economies. Achira is a very resilient crop thought to withstand pests and diseases to the point that some people will characterize the cropping system as organic given the lack of sanitary / cautionary applications. Nonetheless in recent years, an increase in the number of diseased rhizomes has been noted, and this increase has been correlated with yield losses. Our research points to the presence of Fusarium oxysporum as the agent causing the so-called Rotten Rhizome Syndrome. In here we present some of the results that lead to this conclusion and the steps that will be taken to reduce the spread of the disease and the pathogen.

Biography:

I currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Life and Earth science, Lebanese University of Beyrouth, Fanar. I received my PhD in cellular and molecular plant physiology from the University of Picardie Jules Verne. I had a master degree in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Louis Pasteur, France and B.A in plant biology at the Lebanese University.

Abstract:

Saffron was introduced to Lebanon in 1999 in the Beqaa area to substitute white poppy (Papaver somniferum) and cannabis (Cannabis sativ indica) cultivation. Given that the number of saffron corms in the international market is limited, which constitutes an impediment to develop this crop in Lebanon, tissue culture offers a real potential to increase the number of corms per year in order to spread this cultivation quickly. The effect of carbon source on corms regeneration was studied using sucrose, fructose and glucose at different concentrations in combination with different strength of medium (MS, 1962). Meristematic explants cultured in sucrose and fructose 30 g/l had the highest number of sprouts (2.4). The highest growth index was observed in sucrose 30 g/l (83.8%), fructose 90 g/l (48.2%) and glucose 60 g/l (48%). Maximum embryos germination was obtained in MS medium supplemented with glucose 30 g/l (47%), fructose 30 g/l (33%) or sucrose 10 g/l (56%). However, sprouts were induced earlier in glucose 60 g/l (14 days) than other carbohydrates. In addition, ethephon decreased the dormancy period by 17 days at 12.5 mg/l and it was mostly efficient on meristems in comparison to apical buds, leaves and shoots. Freshly initiated somatic embryos germinated to form plantlets in MS ½ medium containing ethephon at different concentrations supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP 1.5 mg/l) and α-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA 1.86 mg/l). Significantly, maximum shoot proliferation (2.4) and highest growth index (159%) were obtained from meristems cultured in ethephon 10 mg/l. In order to increase the cormlet size, these were cultured on MS ½ medium supplemented with BAP (6.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l). Growth performance of in vitro cormlets was evaluated under growth room conditions with an average size of 2.5 g. Strength media, types of carbohydrates and ethephon are important for further exploration in order to optimize mass propagation of saffron.

Biography:

M Harun-or Rashid is a Senior Scientific Officer of Biotechnology Division of  Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), BAU Campus, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh. He did his DSc degree in 2013 from Heidelberg University, Germany and bachelors and Masters degree from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh. He has been working on positive plant-microbe interaction for seventeen years at BINA since 1999. Currently, he is working on positive plant-microbe interactions and Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation in rice and tomato. He supervised ten masters’ students and two PhD students in Bangladesh. He has a collaborative research program with the University of California Davis, USA and National University of Malaysia, Malaysia. He published an about twenty-five research article in national and international journals and got 80 citations. He wrote a book chapter in a book published from the Springer International and several popular articles in National daily newspapers. He received Best scientist Award, Best Agricultural scientist gold medal award, European Union scholarship, IDB fellowship, and IAEA fellowship during his research career.

Abstract:

To feed the ever-increasing population and sustainable agriculture, more-efficient control of plant diseases is essential. The use of naturally occurring bacterial antagonists that suppress pathogens has recently reemerged as a promising alternative to use of agrochemical for controlling fungal diseases. A total of 40 bacterial strains were isolated from stem and leaf of maize and rice and, soil to find effective bacterial strains with antifungal activity against major fungal diseases of rice and wheat. We evaluated bio-control potentiality of isolated bacterial strains against the major fungal pathogen of rice, wheat, and sugarcane viz. Bipolaris oryzae, Pyricularia oryzae, Magnaporthe oryzae, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Colletotrichum falcatum at the in-vitro condition. Out of forty, sixteen bacterial strains suppressed the tested fungal pathogens from 25% to 100% under in vitro plate assay. These strains were characterized by DNA fingerprinting which formed two major groups among sixteen strains. Out of sixteen seven strains were very close to Bacillus sp. A pot experiment was conducted at field conditions by artificial inoculation of wheat using fungal pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana and selected bacterial strains were used as bio-control agents along with chemical fungicide (Bactroban). Inoculation experiment revealed that the strain GO-1 showed the highest bio-control potential against leaf blight of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana. It showed lower disease incidence (33%) and greater seed yield (4 g/plant) while control treatment had the incidence of the maximum disease (87%) and the lowest seed yield (2 g/plant). Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, screening for bio-control traits and plant growth promoting traits of selected strains are in progress.

Biography:

Jessica K.S Pachu has experience in Agroecology, with emphasis in Agricultural Entomology, working mainly on the following subjects: biological pest control, plant-insect interaction, plant electrophysiology and biotic stress. In her PhD she is studying the multiple effects of A. gossypii, natural enemies and a systemic molecule on the electrophysiological responses of Bt and non-Bt cotton and other crops.

Abstract:

Plant electric signals such as action (AP) and variation (VP) potentials triggered by herbivory are complex and may stimulate the activation of plant multiple defenses. We characterized the electrical signaling on cotton expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) toxins [variety WideStrike®] and its non-Bt isoline [variety FM 993] infested with two densities of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in alternate dark – light cycles. The plants were kept in a Faraday cage. Signal measurement was performed on the surface of the plant using electrodes. Non-infested plants by the aphid issued few VP and did not produce any AP. The highest VP number (n) on Bt cotton plants occurred during the interval of 0‒12 h (n= 7) with 30 aphids/plant; 0‒12 h (n= 4) and 60‒72 h (n= 7) with 60 aphids/plant. On Bt cotton the highest amounts of signaling were concentrated 12 hours after aphid infestation. Our results revealed that different emission patterns of VP between light and dark periods were observed on non-Bt and Bt cotton plants kept in the densities of 30 and 60 aphids/plant, respectively. In both cases, the plants emitted more VP during the light period than dark period.

Biography:

Mandeep Singh Azad  working as scientist in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu  from last 7 years. I have been a recipient of Netherland Fellowship 2017, Inter bull New Zealand fellowship, Orange Knowledge programme fellowship 2018,Netherlands. I had made around 100 research contribution in form of  research papers, popular articles and abstracts  in international and national Journals. Also have 3 books publications with international and national publishers.

Abstract:

Kadaknath is only Black Meat Chicken (BMC) Breed of India. It is a native bird of Madhya Pradesh, reared mainly by the tribal communities of Bhil and Bhilala. The Kadaknath is  not the only black chicken variety  in the world. China has the Silkie chicken and Indonesia the Avam Cemani. But because of indiscriminate crossbreeding with RIR and other breeds the pure Kadaknath birds are very rarely available. It is very important conserve and propagate this unique indigenous breed of India. Purity of native breeds has become questionable due to large-scale introduction of exotic breeds under various rural development programmes undertaken by the Government. Need of conservation and improvement of animal/poultry genetic resources has been globally accepted. Considering its unique medicinal and nutritious value, Krishi vigyan Kendra made an attempt to introduce this variety in hilly areas of Jammu. Women farmers either remain at home or accompany men to farmer’s field for labour work. There is no income coming directly to the hands of the women farmers which has resulted in their less contribution to household income and socioeconomic development. Studies have shown that backyard poultry farming results in women empowerment and socioeconomic upliftment. Krishi Vigyan Kendra ,Reasi made an attempt to improve socio-economic status of these women farmers with following objectives in mind.

• To conserve and promote popularize this unique highly nutritious, medicinal breed for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
• To encourage these farmers especially women to contribute to family income.
• To provide these women with small but steady source of income round the year.
• To improve nutrition requirement of their family and malnutrition.

A survey was conducted in Reasi district of Jammu (J&K) and women farmers were identified which mainly were landless small marginal farmers and mostly below poverty line. Data were collected from rural women involved in poultry rearing practices through pre structured interviews schedule. Factor analysis was performed to identify the empowerment factors. The results show that backyard poultry rearing practices empower rural women. Near about 2000 No. of birds were distributed with 15 birds per household. Farmers were given training for rearing these birds and were advised to make small wooden cages to prevent predation.

Medicinal properties of Kadaknath:

• Kadaknath has special medicinal value in homeopathy and a particular nervous disorder. The tribal uses kadaknath blood in the treatment of chronic disease in human beings and its meat as aphrodisiac (Believed/Myth to infuse vigor).
• Kadaknath chicken has a peculiar effectiveness in treating women’s discuss, sterility, Menoxenic (abnormal menstruation), habitual abortion.
• Kadaknath meat has high levels of vitamins B1,B2,B6, B12, C and E, niacin, protein , fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, nicotinic acid etc. High levels of 18 essential amino acids as well as hormones that are required by the human body.
• The Central Food and Research Institute, Mysore, studied its medicinal qualities and found it suitable for cardiac  patients as it increases blood supply to the heart.
• This breed has evolved through natural selection in indigenous agro-ecological conditions and is well adapted to the local environment. The Kadaknath bird’s reveals appreciable degree of resistance to diseases compared with other exotic breeds in its natural habitat in free range. Kadaknath birds are also resistant to extreme climatic conditions like summer heat and cold winter stress and can thrive very well under adverse environments like poor housing, poor management and poor feeding.

Result and Conclusion: These birds are being reared in open scavenging system in day time and kept in wodden or iron cages in night only. They are mostly being fed on kitchen waste, broken rice and crop and field residues. Households engaged in BYP obtain a small but steady flow of income by selling of eggs almost daily, at the rate of Rs. 10 to 12per egg.. Farmers also sell live birds at a price ranging between Rs. 800-1000 Rs/kg live weight. Although high variation among households was observed. A positive association between economic condition, availability of grains, literacy of family and income generated from birds was observed. Women farmers were advised to hatch few eggs for chick production so that the breed can be propagated. As a result of this these farm women were selling the new born chicks to nearby villages @ 60-80 Rs/chick. Around 70% of the farm women produced the next generation chicks from the parent birds given.

Biography:

NVS Naidu has completed his PhD from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India in 1990. He is currently working as a Professor of Chemistry, Co-ordintor, University Grant Comission-Special Assistance Programme, Chairman, BOS (UG & PG) Environmental Sciences, Director/Co-ordinator-MSc PG (DDE) and Member, Central Purchase Committee, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India. He has published more than 117 in reputed  journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of reputed journals. His research area include Analytical/Electroanalytical, Material Chemistry and Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. He has published books for DDE, SV University, Tirupati- Andhra Pradesh, Open University-Hyderabad, NCERT-New Delhi.

Abstract:

Melamine, a synthetic chemical compound is widely used in the manufacture of Melamine-Formaldehyde resin in chemical industries. It is also used as flame retardant, thermosetting plastic and in the production of adhesives. As Melamine is rich in nitrogen (66%), it is used to adulterate protein rich food products viz., pet food, milk and infant formulas to increase the apparent protein content. This prompted researchers to develop methods for the detection of Melamine in food samples. We herein present a simple and sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of Melamine in dairy products employing silver nanoparticles prepared using Colocasia Esculenta. This method is based on principle that Melamine causes the aggregation of silver nanoparticles, resulting in abrupt color change from yellow to orange red under optimized conditions. The concentration of Melamine in adulterated sample can be quantitated by monitoring the absorption spectra of silver nanoparticles using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer. Since this protocol employs silver nanoparticles of particle size 20nm, it can reliably detect Melamine down to a concentration range of 0.2 to 2ppm with a R2 value of 0.9865.

Biography:

Professor Paul Yaw Adjei is an Associate Professor at the Kwame Nkruma, University of Science and Technology ( KNUST ), Kumasi-Ghana. I started to do my national service in the University, Department of Horticulture, from 1984-1986,with Bsc ( Agriculture ) from the same University. Did Teaching Assistanship in 1987 ( Department of Horticulture ). Promoted to Assistant Lecturer in 1988. I went to the University of Nottingham ( U.K ) to do postgraduation in Agronomy/Horticulture and Tissue Culture  in 1992/93. I was promoted to a Lecturer’s grade in 1994. Promoted to Seniour Lecturer in 2003 and to Associate Professor in 2011. Head of  Department( 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 ). Member, Faculty Board; College Board and University Academic Board ( 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 ). Consultancies in Agronomy and Horticulture. Have about 50 academic papers in reputable journals, articlesproceedings and two ( 2 ) books on “ papaya/pawpaw” and “Cashew” published in Germany. I have established Agronomic and Horticultural farms for several purposes.

Abstract:

Citrus (Citrus sinensis var valencia) and oil-palm (Elias guinensis) crops were planted on a five acre (2 ha) plot in the Ejisu-Bosumtwi District of Ashanti Region of Ghana (West Africa) from 1997-2001 in the tropical rainforest. Temperatures are normally high (between 20 and 35°c with high humidity) and receive more than 200cm of rains per year.The two crops were grown separately with citrus at 6m x 6m in suare pattern and the oil-palm at 10.6m in triangularity on a well-drained, deep and fertile soil of 5.5 – 6.0 PH range and both were monocropped.

When canopies were about closing and weeds were found to be persistent, both citrus and oil-palm were intercropped with cocoa. Citrus plants which were 5 years and older were fertilized with 1.8 – 4.6 kg (NPK).Subsequently, poultry droppings of about 5kg/tree were applied as and when necessary. This included the cocoa plants when the trees grew older with supplements from foliar fertilizers.Cocoa intercropped in the oil-palm were better established compared to those in the citrus. However, when citrus canopy grew larger, cocoa seedling death reduced and grew better. When flowering and podding of the cocoa plants began in about three years’ time, cocoa pods in the citrus/cocoa intercrop grew more rapidly with brighter pods.

Weeds under the citrus were controlled and mirids infection, which is a serious pest on cocoa (in the citrus intercrop) were greatly reduced. These infections were a major problem under the oil-palm/cocoa intercrop. A second problem which was greatly addressed under the citrus/cocoa intercrop was the black pod fungus which was prevalent under the oil-palm/cocoa intercrop.

More cocoa pods were realized under the citrus than under the oil-palm.

When thinning was done after 6-10years of some of the oil-palm plants, mirids and black pod infestation of the cocoa under the oil-palm reduced. No citrus plant was, however, removed but more cocoa pods were harvested from the citrus/cocoa intercrop. Citrus plants and fruits were not affected by the intercrop and fruit sizes were good. Pesticide use was GREATLY reduced in the citrus/cocoa intercrop compared to the oil-palm/cocoa intercrop. This  means that apart from the increased pod harvests of the cocoa, citrus fruits were normal and both could be organically produced under a careful spacial arrangement of the citrus /cocoa intercrops.