Forest Diversity and Modeling Diameter Distribution of the Tropical Dryforest in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

The variation of forest conditions shows structural differences, species composition, and potential value as well as stand density. The need and important role of stand structure model in forest management, particularly in forest-based product regulation become the supply demands quantitatively for various forest conditions in Indonesia. The objective of the study was to determine the stand structure model of dry forest. The study was conducted at the dry forest of Binafun, Bonmuti, Letkole and Oelbanu, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Determination of the best stand structure model based on maximum likelihood function of family distribution that tested including the function of exponential, gamma, lognormal and Weibull. A total of 2097 tree individuals, its representing 94 species, 72 genera and 45 families, were found in the research sites. Eucalyptus urophylla were found to be the most dominant species in the research sites and Elattostachys verrucosa have potential to replace Dryobalanops aromatic. Most of family distribution models can describe the stand structure in research sites. The models presented here are the basis for further developments toward the tree diversity for general purpose in tropical dry forest management of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Effect of Climate Variables in Rice Yield in Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Climate variability is one of the factors that directly and greatly affect cropping system and plant yield. It is therefore very important to obtain a good understanding about climate variability or changes in the climate and the effect of these changes to clearly understand the vulnerability of food crops as well as its agronomic impacts for us to create and implement adaptive strategies to mitigate its negative effects. This study assessed the effect of climate in rice crop yield in both irrigated and rainfed ecotype farming system in Nueva Ecija Province in the Philippines using semi-annual yield data and the different climate variables such as seasonal rainfall, mean temperature, minimum temperature, and relative humidity by using empirical/statistical method through time series analysis, and correlation analysis. Results indicated that rice yield for irrigated and rainfed ecosystem type of farming in Nueva Ecija show an overall increasing trend from year 1991-2018, although there are observed decline and fluctuations in some years. The different climate variables (i.e., rainfall, temperature, and humidity) show fluctuating trends and irregularities spanning from the year 1991-2018. But it showed overall decreasing trends for relative humidity and increasing trends for rainfall, minimum temperature, and mean temperature. There are significant correlations between rice yield the all the climate variables in both irrigated and rainfed farming ecosystem types.

Seasonal incidence of foliar diseases of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) and their eco-friendly management through shifting of planting time

A thorough study was conducted on foliar diseases of cowpea under widely cultivated cowpea producing areas of Nadia & Hooghly district of West Bengal. The areas were Mondouri, Jaguli Instructional farm, Muragacha, Rajberia, Chakdaha, Madanpur, Basantapur, Kalyani Incheck farm, Kalyani “C” block farm under Nadia district and Mogra under Hooghly district. The fixed plot survey was conducted during Pre-kharif, Kharif & Rabi season. Seven fungus has been isolated during survey period and these are- Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum capsici, Corynespora cassicola, Fusarium ciceri, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Curvularialunata. Among these pathogens, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum capsici,Corynesporacassicola found to be most dominating pathogen during Pre-Kharif, Kharif & Rabi season respectively.Shifting of planting time was carried out for avoiding the plant pathogen at a particular growth stage of the crop. Five cultivars (Kashikanchan, Triguna, Manikanchan, KSP-170 &Arkagarima) were selected for the experimental trial for three different seasons against the main dominating pathogens. For Pre-Kharif planting of cowpea, the 1st week of March, for Kharif planting time, 1st week of June were established as most profitable. During Rabi season for planting of three varieties viz.Kashikanchan, Manikanchan& KSP-170, 4th week of November and for Triguna&Arka Garima, 2nd week of November were found most profitable due to least incidence of diseases and maximum yield.

Understanding the patterns of fish and seafood consumption and its nutritional roles among a Malaysian population to inform sustainable development

This study was designed to generate baseline data of the fish and seafood consumption pattern among major ethnics in urban, rural, and coastal regions of Peninsular Malaysia. A food frequency questionnaire was adapted and administered on healthy adult participants above 18 years. Fish and seafood is the prime animal protein source in Malaysian diet, comprising about one-third of total animal protein consumed. Average per capita fish and seafood consumption is 44.53kg/year, with higher levels observed in coastal (51.9kg/year) and rural (51.8kg/year) than urban areas (36.9kg/year). While the fish and seafood intake is relatively high, the total polyunsaturated fatty acids intake is borderline low. Despite cross- cultural and regional variations, there is a great overall preference for wild caught marine pelagic fishes. The demand has to be satisfied by imports, even after increasing local fishing effort. The data are beneficial for sustainability assessment and to inform policies for a sustainable food future

Expression of Rice Resistance Gene OsNPR1 Against Bacterial Leaf Blight on Black Rice Cempo Ireng Cultivar after Salicylic Acid Treatment

Black rice is an alternative staple food better than white rice. It has lower carbs, but higher antocyanin compared to white rice. Nowadays, black rice consumption has increased, production needs to be increased to accomodate the demand. But, to our knowledge, there is lack of information about black rice resistance against biotic stresses, one of black rice cultivar is Cempo Ireng. This information needed for optimal Cempo Ireng cultivation. In this research, we determined chlorophyl content and analyzed OsNPR1 expression of three cultivars: Java14 (resistant control), Cempo Ireng, and IR64 (susceptible control), against Xanthomonas oryzae (Xoo). All of them were sprayed with salicylic acid (SA) before inoculated with Xoo. IR64 24h had the lowest chlorophyll content (0,576 ± 0,066 mg/g), meanwhile Java14 72h had the highest content (2,358 ± 1,301 mg/g). However, all the cultivars did not show any correlation between them and time after Xoo inoculation. OsNPR1 expression did not show any significant change in Java14 and Cempo Ireng after being inoculation. However, IR64 showed increasing OsNPR1 in 72h and did not change in 96h after inoculation. It indicated that OsNPR1 played important role in IR64 resistance against Xoo, but not in Cempo Ireng and Java14.