Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Dr. Kirankumar S. Mysore
Noble Research Institute, USA
Keynote: Identification of Novel sources of resistance against Asian soybean rust in Medicago truncatula
Time : 9:00-9:30
Biography:
Kirankumar S Mysore is a Professor at the Noble Research Institute. He joined Noble in 2002. He also holds Adjunct Professorship at the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (India), Master’s degree in Horticulture at Clemson University and PhD in Genetics at Purdue University in 1999. He did his postdoctoral training at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Cornell University. His main research interests center on molecular plant-microbe interactions. Research approaches in his group include genetics and genomics to better understand how plants defend against pathogens. In addition, he has developed genetic resources (Tnt1 insertion lines) in Medicago truncatula that is now widely used by the legume community. He has published over 180 papers and book chapters in international journals.
Abstract:
Retrotransposons, retrovirus-like elements which encode proteins required for their own replication and transposition, can be used for insertional mutagenesis. Tobacco retrotransposon, Tnt1, has been used to mutagenize and tag the whole genome of a model legume, Medicago truncatula. Tnt1 is very active and transpose into, on average, 25 different locations during M. truncatula tissue culture. Mutations induced by Tnt1 insertion are stable during seed to seed generation. We have generated over 20,000 independent Tnt1-containing lines encompassing more than 500,000 insertion events. Over 400,000 Tnt1 flanking sequence tags (FSTs) have been recovered and a database has been established. We have pooled genomic DNA from all the lines for customized reverse-genetic screening, and the frequency of insert identification in this pool for average-sized-gene is approximately 85% percent. The range and diversity of mutant phenotypes obtained to date suggest that M. truncatula offers a great opportunity to dissect symbiotic and developmental pathways for a comprehensive understanding of legume biology. A forward genetics approach using Tnt1 tagged M. truncatula lines has been established to identify genes that confer nonhost resistance to Asian Soybean Rust pathogen, Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Several M. truncatula Tnt1 mutants with altered response to P. pachyrhizi have been identified and being characterized. irg1 (inhibitor of rust germ-tube differentation1) mutant inhibited pre-infection structure differentiation of P. pachyrhizi and several other biotrophic pathogens. IRG1 encodes a Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger transcription factor, PALM1 that also controls dissected leaf morphology in M. truncatula. Characterization of other mutants will also be presented.
Keynote Forum
Dr. Kazuhiko Narisawa
Ibaraki University, Japan
Keynote: Establishment of plant vaccinating system by a dark septate endophytic fungus (DSE) - DSE fungi alter the root-associated microbial communities and suppress soil borne diseases of plant
Time : 9:30-10:30
Biography:
Kazuhiko Narisawa has a great deal of expertise in the isolation of soil fungi that can be used as a biocontrol against plant pathogens. Dark septate endophytic fungi, or DSE fungi, are not very common in the soil but are often associated with the roots of many plants, forming “symbiotic” relationships. DSE fungi may have great potential as biocontrol agents; however, their specific roles in ecosystems remain speculative. His research is unique in that it not only contributes to solving some of Japan’s agricultural problems, hampered by administrative problems of effectively developing and distributing biocontrol agents against diseases of commercial plants, but also similar agricultural and environmental problems worldwide.
Abstract:
Crop production has been dependent on chemicals to control pest organisms and supply nutrients for growth. These chemicals have caused considerable negative impacts on agricultural soils since their introduction. It is today’s aim to reduce the use of chemicals and switch to a biological control method for pest control purposes, i.e., create a natural and organic agricultural system. However, the scientific basis for many biocontrol methods, which proves the validity of the organic production system, is insufficient. Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR) of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) is a common disease observed worldwide. Our Previous study showed the suppressive role of a DSE fungus, Veonaeopsis simplex Y34 against Fusarium disease of Chinese cabbage, suggesting a potential bio-control agent to suppress FCRR of tomato. The solid-substrate, incubated by combining V. simplex Y34 with sterilized litter compost (solid-cultures of V. simplex Y34), was applied in a nursery pot to assess the bio-control of the disease. Results showed that V. simplex Y34 decreased the disease severity of FCRR for the two cultivars. The colonization of V. simplex Y34 in root was determined by re-isolation and terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis targeting fungal ITS-LSU region. Moreover, the application of the endophyte increased the diversity of the fungal community in root-endosphere and decreased the colonization of FORL in the root. The T-RFs-based multivariate analysis showed that the fungal communities in root-endosphere with inoculation of V. simplex Y34 were clustered away from those of non-inoculation, suggesting a correlation between the root-endospermic community and disease incidence. In conclusion, this study indicates that the application of V. simplex Y34 altered the diversity, evenness, and structure of root-endospermic fungal community by the endosymbiosis of endophyte, and decreased pathogen colonization in the root, which opens a new way to control of tomato FCRR disease.
Keynote Forum
Dr. Richard Teague
Texas A&M AgriLife Research, USA
Keynote: Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health and Farm Livelihoods
Time : 11:00-11:30
Biography:
Richard Teague is Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M University. The purpose of his research is to conduct a ranch-scale, multi-county assessment that addresses objectives in the context of improving Soil Health and ecosystem services in grazing ecosystems as the foundation to improving ranch-based livelihoods and as they relate to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. This involves determining: 1) the extent that grazing strategies influence key ecosystem services of soil and vegetation carbon sequestration, soil fertility and stability, water quality, net primary and secondary production, and the economic viability of working ranches that contribute to the retention of open space and rural community health in the Southern Plains of the USA; and 2) the extent that different grazing management strategies can be used by livestock producers to mitigate and adapt to alternative climate change scenarios.
Abstract:
To ensure long-term sustainability and ecological resilience of agro-ecosystems, agricultural production should be guided by policies to ensure regenerative cropping and grazing management protocols. Changing current unsustainable high-input agricultural practices to low-input practices that regenerate ecosystem function will be necessary for sustainable, resilient agro-ecosystems. Effective soil management provides the greatest potential for achieving sustainable use of agricultural land with rapidly changing, uncertain and variable climate. With appropriate management of grazing enterprises, soil function can be regenerated to improve essential ecosystem services and farm profitability. Affected ecosystem services include carbon sequestration, water infiltration, soil fertility, nutrient cycling, soil formation, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and increased ecosystem stability and resilience. Collectively, conservation agriculture managed regeneratively supports ecologically healthy, resilient agro-ecosystems and enhances watershed function. To accomplish this, it is important for scientists to partner with farmers who have improved the environment and excel financially to convert experimental results into sound environmental, social and economic benefits regionally and globally. Benefits include: addressing questions at commercial scale; integrating component science into whole-system responses; identifying emergent properties and unintended consequences; incorporating pro-active management to achieve desired goals under changing circumstances; and including the potential of the human element to achieve superior economic and environmental goals. Developing and implementing regenerative management protocols that include ruminant grazing animals will be necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and ecological resilience of agro-ecosystems.
Keynote Forum
A Jagadeesh
Nayudamma Centre for Development Alternatives, India
Keynote: Wonder Plant Opuntia can be put to Multiple Uses
Biography:
A Jagadeesh holds a PhD in Wind Energy from the prestigious University of Roorkee (Now IIT Roorkee), India. He published over 150 Research Papers in International/National Journals. He presented over 40 Research Papers at International Conferences abroad. Recipient of 15 International/National Awards including the prestigious ‘Margaret Noble Foundation Seattle Award in Energy Technology’.
Abstract:
The cultivation of nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica), a type of cactus, is one of the most important in Mexico. According to Rodrigo Morales, Chilean engineer, Wayland biomass, installed on Mexican soil, 'allows you to generate inexhaustible clean energy.' Through the production of biogas, it can serve as a raw material more efficiently, by example and by comparison with jatropha. Wayland Morales, head of Elqui Global Energy argues that 'an acre of cactus produces 43,200 m3 of biogas or the equivalent in energy terms to 25,000 liters of diesel.' With the same land planted with jatropha, he says, it will produce 3,000 liters of biodiesel. Another of the peculiarities of the nopal is biogas which is the same molecule of natural gas, but its production does not require machines or devices of high complexity. Also, unlike natural gas, contains primarily methane (75%), carbon dioxide (24%) and other minor gases (1%), 'so it has advantages from the technical point of view since it has the same capacity heat but is cleaner, 'he says, and as sum datum its calorific value is 7,000 kcal/m3. Biogas power generators from KW to MW size are available from China and Vietnam. Wayland Morales, head of Elqui Global Energy argues that “an acre of cactus produces 43200 m3 of biogas or the equivalent in energy terms to 25,000 liters of diesel.” With the same land planted with jatropha, he says, it will produce 3,000 liters of biodiesel. Another of the peculiarities of the nopal is biogas which is the same molecule of natural gas, but its production does not require machines or devices of high complexity. Also, unlike natural gas, contains primarily methane (75%), carbon dioxide (24%) and other minor gases (1%), “so it has advantages from the technical point of view since it has the same capacity heat but is cleaner, “he says, and as sum datum its calorific value is 7,000 kcal/m3. Fruits and Juice: Jams and jellies are produced from the fruit, which resembles strawberries and figs in color and flavor. Mexicans have used Opuntia for thousands of years to make an alcoholic drink called colonche. In Sicily, a prickly pear-flavored liqueur called "Ficodi" is produced, flavored somewhat like a medicinal/aperitif. In Malta, a liqueur called bajtra (the Maltese name for prickly pear) is made from this fruit, which can be found growing wild in almost every field. On the island of Saint Helena, the prickly pear also gives its name to locally distilled liqueur, Tungi Spirit. Mexican and other southwestern residents eat the young cactus pads (nopales, plural, nopal, singular), usually picked before the spines harden. They are sliced into strips, skinned or unskinned, and fried with eggs andjalapeños, served as a breakfast treat. They have a texture and flavor like string beans. They can be boiled, used raw blended with fruit juice, cooked on a frying pan, and often used as a side dish to go with chicken or added to tacos along with chopped onion and cilantro. Fodder: The cattle industry of the Southwest United States has begun to cultivate O. ficus-indica as a fresh source of feed for cattle. The Fruits and Juice are exported from Israel to Europe and US. Cactus yields a number of fruits. The fruits are highly nutritious like Apple and Pomegranate. Cactus has high medicinal value as well. Some health benefits derived from a juice prepared from the San Pedro cactus have prevented the burning of the bladder and kidneys, helps treat conditions of high fever and hepatitis. Hoodia is another cactus-like plant which is popularly grown in South Africa and is renowned for its appetite suppressing quality and hence effectively used in the treatment of obesity. The prickly pear is also known as Opuntia is a very popular herb. Forming an important part of the ancient Mexican culture, the prickly pear is abundant in flavonoids which are an important antioxidant property. Antioxidants have a detoxifying effect on the body thereby preventing cellular damage which is the path to cancers, ageing, and other health problems. The status of cactus has evolved over time from being just a crop to a cure or healer for various human ailments. Dishes prepared from the pulp of the Opuntia fruit have become very popular today. Traditionally, the prickly pear cactus was also used to treat diabetes. Considering the medicinal value of cactus, natural food companies are not only supplying prickly pear cactus but also offering recipes and dishes prepared from the fruit and pads of the cacti plant or herb. Opuntia being a care-free growth, regenerative CAM plant with multiple users can be grown on a Massive Scale in Vast wastelands in Developing Countries. As a CAM plant it will act as Carbon Sink.
- Plant Pathology Epidermatology
Session Introduction
Dr. Pedro Uribe
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia
Title: Identifying the causal agent of the rotten rhizome syndrome in Achira (Canna edulis)
Time : 11:50-12:15
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.
Dr. Hala Samaha
Lebanese University, Lebanon
Title: Optimization of micropropagation conditions of saffron corms (Crocus sativus L.)
Time : 12:15-12:40
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.
Dr. M Harun-or Rashid
Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Bangladesh Panel"
Title: Isolation and evaluation of bacterial strains with antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungi
Time : 12:40-13:05
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.
Ms. Jessica K.S Pachu
Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Brazil "
Title: Electrical signaling characterization of BT and Non-BT cotton under Aphis gossypii attack
Time : 13:45-14:10
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.
Mr. Mandeep Singh Azad
Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, India
Title: Introduction of unique black chicken meat variety (Kadaknath) in hilly areas Jammu and Kashmir, India
Time : 14:10-14:35
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.
Dr. Nuthalapati Venkatasubba Naidu
Sri Venkateswara University, India
Title: Colorimetric determination of melamine in dairy products using naturally synthesized silver nanoparticles
Time : 14:35-14:55
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.
Dr. Paul Yaw Adjei
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST),West Africa
Title: Two major food and industrial intercrops (citrus/cocoa), a positive step to partly control hunger and alleviate poverty, induce organic agriculture and control climate change
Time : 14:55-15:20
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.