Issue 1 (185)/2021

ABSTRACT

Natural regeneration of Taxus baccata L. is constrained due to the depth of seed dormancy requirements (often taking two or more years) and low seed germination. Further, the conventional method of vegetative propagation by cuttings is associated with difficulties in rooting. Hence, for the first time, this study describes an efficient and reproducible in vitro protocol for breaking the dormancy of seeds from the endangered forest tree T. baccata L. via zygotic embryo culture. Embryos isolated from 100% sterile seeds were cultured on DCR medium that contains sucrose (30 g/l), agar (8 g/l), and activated charcoal (5 g/l), fortified with different concentrations of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), and held at a temperature of 25 ± 2ºC in a growth room. The results revealed that the in vitro embryo germination percentage was mostly affected by gibberellic acid (GA3) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Among the nine treatments, the treatments with 0.5 mg/l TDZ and 1 mg/l GA3 showed the highest germination (100%), while the other treatments all increased the germination percentages significantly, compared to the control (37.5%). The 1/2 DCR medium with the addition of 0.1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) resulted in the highest rooting ratio (94%). However, the greatest root and hypocotyl elongation (59.37 ± 3.77 and 62.75 ± 4.43 mm, respectively) occurred when seedlings were cultured on 1/2 DCR medium containing 0.5 mg/l BA. Plantlets were transplanted into plastic pots containing an autoclaved garden soil, sand, and vermiculite mixture (1:1:1) and held at a temperature of 25 ± 2 ºC in a growth room for 4 weeks before being transplanted into the greenhouse. These results indicated that the protocol developed during the current study will be useful to overcome seed dormancy and for multiplication and conservation of the species T. baccata L.

Keywords:

common yew; germination; seedlings; zygotic embryo culture.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Bekhouche, M.; Morsli, A.; Khelifi-Slaoui, M.; Benyammi, R.; Zaout, H.; Khelifi, L. Seed dormancy breaking of an endangered medicinal tree species (Taxus baccata l.) using embryo culture. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-001

AMA Style
Bekhouche M, Morsli A, Khelifi-Slaoui M, Benyammi R, Zaout H, Khelifi L. Seed dormancy breaking of an endangered medicinal tree species (Taxus baccata l.) using embryo culture. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-001

Chicago/Turabian Style
Bekhouche, Mohamed, Abdelkader Morsli, Majda Khelifi-Slaoui, Roukia Benyammi, Hayette Zaout, and Lakhdar Khelifi. 2021. “Seed dormancy breaking of an endangered medicinal tree species (Taxus baccata l.) using embryo culture” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-001

ABSTRACT

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an economically important species vital for food security in Algeria, especially for the southern population. There are an estimated 18 million palm trees in Algeria with more than 1000 cultivars. This poorly known resource is unfortunately threatened with extinction. This work was carried out on 24 date palm cultivars, studying their morphological and physicochemical characteristics, such as the weight, length and diameter of the date and the seed, and the consistency, moisture, pH and sugar content of the dates. Ten homogeneous palm trees were selected for each cultivar. From each tree, we collected 40 fruits devoid of their calices (4-5 fruits per bunch), at different heights and orientations in each bunch. The results show that the morphological and physicochemical characteristics vary from one cultivar to another. The dates of most cultivars have a combination of good and bad characteristics. The cultivar Tmar-Bousbaa has very high values for the characteristics weight, length, and diameter of the date and seed (23.16 g, 4.90 cm, 2.85 cm, and 1.53 g, 2.74 cm, 0.94 cm, respectively). The cultivars Takarnait and Halwa have high acidity, varying between 1.08 and 1.92 g/kg of fresh material and a pH of less than 5.46. The cultivar Bouarous has a low sugar content: less than 63%. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the whole dataset, revealing high variability among the cultivars. Thus, out of 14 characteristics investigated, ten have been shown to be strong discriminating factors.

Keywords:

characterization; cultivars; date palm; genetic diversity; oasis.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Allam, A.; Djafri, K.; Bergouia, M.; Khemissat, E.-H.; Tama, M.; Taleb, B. Morphological and physicochemical characterization of date palm cultivars from Ghardaïa (Southeast Algeria). Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 12-24.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-002

AMA Style
Allam A, Djafri K, Bergouia M, Khemissat E-H, Tama M, Taleb B. Morphological and physicochemical characterization of date palm cultivars from Ghardaïa (Southeast Algeria). Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 12-24.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-002

Chicago/Turabian Style
Allam, Abdelkader, Kaouthar Djafri, Meriem Bergouia, El-Haîfa Khemissat, Mohamed Tama, and Brahim Taleb. 2021. “Morphological and physicochemical characterization of date palm cultivars from Ghardaïa (Southeast Algeria)” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 12-24.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-002      

ABSTRACT

Despite the great potential for the production of tomatoes in south-west Nigeria, the region still depends largely on the north for the supply of tomatoes. This is in spite of the introduction of varieties that adapt well to different environmental conditions. The study examined the knowledge level on tomato varieties, assessed the importance and satisfaction attached to each varietal attribute and identified the most preferred cultivar. Purposive and random sampling techniques produced 205 respondents on whom an interview schedule was administered. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. The majority of the respondents were males with a formal education, according to the study’s findings. The mean age, years of farming experience, farm sizes and number of extension contacts were 47 years, 17 years, 3.24 acres and three times, respectively. The farmers’ most preferred tomato varieties were Plum (Roma VF) and Grape. The result also shows that attributes that increase the yield and income of the farmers were accorded higher priority. The result further revealed that, at p<0.05, the number of years spent in school, number of extension contacts, farm size, years of experience in tomato farming, years of membership in tomato farmers’ associations and annual income had significant relationships with the farmers’ variety preference. The study concluded that the most preferred tomato varieties in Oyo State, Nigeria, were Plum and Grape. It is therefore recommended that plant breeders and other researchers involved in tomato growing should work to enhance the least preferred varieties. Also, tomato breeders should take note of the varietal attributes that farmers considered most important for their production.

Keywords:

importance; cultivar; satisfaction; variety attribute.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Adegboye, A.; Omotesho, K.; Akinrinde, A. Assessment of variety preference among tomato farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 25-41.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-003

AMA Style
Adegboye A, Omotesho K, Akinrinde A. Assessment of variety preference among tomato farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 25-41.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-003

Chicago/Turabian Style
Adegboye, Adebola, Kemi Omotesho, and Adeniyi Akinrinde. 2021. “Assessment of variety preference among tomato farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 25-41.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-003

ABSTRACT

The fly ash generated from a Romanian power plant was used as a starting material in this study. The aim of the study was to obtain a low cost material based on the treatment of fly ash with Fe₃O₄ for utilization as an adsorbent for cadmium ion removal. The adsorbent that was synthesized was characterized using different techniques. The adsorption process was investigated by the batch technique at room temperature. The quantity of cadmium ion adsorbed was measured spectrophotometrically. The experimental data showed that the material can remove cadmium ions at all three working concentrations. The adsorption capacity increased with an increase in concentration, respectively contact time. The results were analyzed through two kinetic models: pseudo first order and pseudo second order. The kinetics results of cadmium adsorption onto a magnetic material are in good agreement with a pseudo second order model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.03 mg/g, 6.73 mg/g, and 9.65 mg/g. Additionally, the pseudo second order model was linearized into its four types. The results indicated that the material obtained show the ability to remove cadmium ions from an aqueous solution.

Keywords:

magnetic adsorbent; adsorption; cadmium ions; kinetic study.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Buema, G.; Lupu, N.; Chiriac, H.; Herea, D.D.; Favier, L.; Ciobanu, G.; Forminte (Litu), L.; Harja, M. Fly ash magnetic adsorbent for cadmium ion removal from an aqueous solution. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 42-50.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-004

AMA Style
Buema G, Lupu N, Chiriac H, Herea DD, Favier L, Ciobanu G, Forminte (Litu) L, Harja M. Fly ash magnetic adsorbent for cadmium ion removal from an aqueous solution. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 42-50.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-004

Chicago/Turabian Style
Buema, Gabriela, Nicoleta Lupu, Horia Chiriac, Dumitru Daniel Herea, Lidia Favier, Gabriela Ciobanu, Loredana Forminte (Litu), and Maria Harja. 2021. “Fly ash magnetic adsorbent for cadmium ion removal from an aqueous solution” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 42-50.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-004

ABSTRACT

The quality of feed is very important in dairy milk production. The aim of the current paper was a comparative characterisation in terms of crude chemical composition, Ca and P, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), nitrates, nitrites and pesticides, for the natural meadow and green alfalfa, cultivated in ecological and conventional systems, utilised for feeding dairy cows. Sampling and analysis were performed according to established standards and working methods: drying for dry matter (DM); calcination for crude ash (C Ash); Kjeldahl method for crude protein (CP); Soxhlet method for crude fat or ether extract (EE), spectrophotometry for P, nitrates and nitrites; atomic absorption spectrometry for Ca, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn; gas-chromatography for pesticides. For alfalfa, the highest values in the ecological system were for C Ash (12.68%), EE (2.50%), NFE (35.78%) and Ca (1.79%). For the natural meadow, the highest values in the ecological system were for DM (25.72%), OS (89.32%), EE (2.76%), NFE (45.27%) and Ca (0.70%). The toxic heavy metal content was below the limits allowed (1 mg/kg Cd and 30 mg/kg Pb). For Pb, the values determined from the two feeds were between 0.06 mg/kg and 0.16 mg/kg and for Cd between 0.007 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg. The pesticides residuum was under the detection limit of 0.05 mg/kg DM for organo-chlorinated pesticides and 0.001 mg/kg for organo-phosphoric pesticides. All the studied forages were safe regarding pollutants (heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates and pesticides), but statistical differences existed between the production systems, such that the ecological system seems to be better.

Keywords:

chemical composition; ecological system forages; heavy metals; pollutants.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Nacu, G.; Pop, M.; Simeanu, D.; Radu-Rusu, C.; Zaharia, R.; Vintilǎ, V. The chemical composition and polluants content of some ecological and conventional green forage sources for dairy cow feed. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 51-62.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-005

AMA Style
Nacu G, Pop M, Simeanu D, Radu-Rusu C, Zaharia R, Vintilǎ V. The chemical composition and polluants content of some ecological and conventional green forage sources for dairy cow feed. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 51-62.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-005

Chicago/Turabian Style
Nacu, Gherasim, Mircea Pop, Daniel Simeanu, Cristina Radu-Rusu, Roxana Zaharia, and Vasile Vintilǎ. 2021. “The chemical composition and polluants content of some ecological and conventional green forage sources for dairy cow feed” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 51-62.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-005

ABSTRACT

Grapes, the quintessential quality factor in winemaking, are found in certain areas of the globe where viticulture thrives. The quality of wine products is directly influenced by the quality of the grapes, their process technology, the care and the quality of the premises and equipment used, as well as the conditions for the storage and use of the wines. In most red wine-making processes, it is preferred that the maceration process is accompanied by the fermentation process, as increase in the alcohol content favours the intensification of the extraction process. For this reason, both processes are combined in a single technological operation known as maceration-fermentation. The largest amount of polyphenolic compounds of wine, anthocyanins and tannins comes from the solid parts of the grapes ‒ the skins and seeds, and these have a decisive influence on the phenolic character of wines. Maceration is a fractional extraction which leads to the dissolution of the useful components of the grapes, which give the flavour, colour and taste typical of red wine. The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of different techniques of maceration-fermentation on the phenolic composition of red wines obtained from Merlot, Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties in Copou-Iasi vineyard compared to red wines obtained from the same varieties in Murfaltar vineyard, located in the northeast and south of Romania, respectively. Wines obtained by maceration-fermentation in rotating tanks have higher values of the Folin-Ciocâlteu index (wines obtained from Pinot noir) in contrast to those obtained by the classical maceration-fermentation technique (wines obtained from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon).

Keywords:

maceration; phenolic compounds; red wines; tannins; anthocyanins.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Cerbu, M.I.; Cotea, V.V.; Zamfir, C.-I.; Niculaua, M.; Călin, I.; Popîrdă, A.; Colibaba, C.L.; Sandu-Ville, Ș.T. The effect of different techniques of maceration-fermentation on the phenolic composition of red wines. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 63-69.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-006

AMA Style
Cerbu MI, Cotea VV, Zamfir C-I, Niculaua M, Călin I, Popîrdă A, Colibaba CL, Sandu-Ville ȘT. The effect of different techniques of maceration-fermentation on the phenolic composition of red wines. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 63-69.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-006

Chicago/Turabian Style
Cerbu, Maria Iulia, Valeriu V. Cotea, Cătălin-Ioan Zamfir, Marius Niculaua, Ioana Călin, Andreea Popîrdă, Cintia Lucia Colibaba, and Ștefan Tudose Sandu-Ville. 2021. “The effect of different techniques of maceration-fermentation on the phenolic composition of red wines” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 63-69.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-006

ABSTRACT

This work focused on the use of cellulose acetate polymer for the preparation of porous asymmetric membranes using a phase inversion process. These membranes were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, a bubble-point method and sorption measurements. The preparation method used induced membrane anisotropy. The capacity of the membranes in the removal of electrolyte (NaCl) from aqueous solution was investigated. A good retention of 58.6% and a high flux rate of 8.9 × 10^–4 m/s using NaCl solution of 200 mg/L concentration were obtained by cellulose acetate membranes prepared with water as non-solvent. The results showed that the membrane performance was affected by the membrane structure, which was determined by the conditions of membrane preparation.

Keywords:

cellulose acetate polymer; porous membrane; asymmetric structure; salt rejection.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Ciobanu, G.; Favier, L.; Harja, M. Asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes used in separation applications. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 70-76.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-007

AMA Style
Ciobanu G, Favier L, Harja M. Asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes used in separation applications. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 70-76.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-007

Chicago/Turabian Style
Ciobanu, Gabriela, Lidia Favier, and Maria Harja. 2021. “Asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes used in separation applications” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 70-76.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-007

ABSTRACT

Ovarian cysts, estimated as the most frequent ovarian disorder in dairy cattle, can impact the economic aspect and trigger serious loss by affecting the reproductive performance. However, treatment strategies for ovarian cysts in dairy cattle are disputed, as some researchers favour the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for all cysts, whereas others recommend this treatment only for follicular cysts, with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) for luteal cysts, but not all of the dairy cattle responded to these regimes. Other studies mention a spontaneous recovery for some of the dairy cattle that present this disorder. However, the Ovsynch protocol appears to be the most used for treating ovarian follicular cysts, despite low pregnancy rates. Thus, this study’s main purpose is to assess by analogy the reproductive efficiency of multiparous dairy cattle with follicular cysts after treatment with a recommended dose of GnRH or a further Ovsynch protocol, and of cattle with luteal cysts after PGF2α or a further 12-day Presynch protocol, by comparing the reproductive responses between treated and non-treated cattle. It is remarkable that ten of the dairy cattle diagnosed with ovarian cysts recovered spontaneously without any hormonal intervention, but the reproductive performance indicates that treatment should be started as soon as the condition is diagnosed. Compared with other studies, our approach improved the conception (82.4% and 64.3%, respectively) and pregnancy rates (53.8% and 50%, respectively) in both follicular and luteal cysts.

Keywords:

anovulation; treatment; estrus; reproduction.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Borș, S.-I.; Borș, A. Adapting the treatment of ovarian cysts according to their type in dairy cattle. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 77-84.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-008

AMA Style
Borș S-I, Borș A. Adapting the treatment of ovarian cysts according to their type in dairy cattle. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 77-84.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-008

Chicago/Turabian Style
Borș, Silviu-Ionuț, and Alina Borș. 2021. “Adapting the treatment of ovarian cysts according to their type in dairy cattle” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 77-84.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-008

ABSTRACT

This study aims to determine the variation of fiber quality in cotton varieties produced in the Southeastern Anatolia Region and Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakir provinces. 1090 fiber samples were obtained from six cotton varieties (Lima, Stoneville 468, Candia and Babylon for Sanliurfa, Lima, Stoneville 468, Lodos and Gloria for Diyarbakir) collected from ginning factories in Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakir. Statistical analyzes were done with HVI device and obtained data were analyzed by using Excel and TOTEMSTAT programs. In the frequency distribution, cotton varieties of the region are in the medium and long fiber group in terms of fiber length. They were in the medium (only two samples), strong and very strong group in terms of fiber strength. They were generally in the medium and thick group in terms of fiber fineness (micronaire). In terms of fiber uniformity index, the majority of the fibers were in the middle group. In terms of short fiber index, most of the fibers were in the very low and low groups.  The majority of the samples were in the high and medium group in terms of fiber elongation, in the mature and very mature group in terms of fiber maturity. In terms of spinning consistency index (SCI) 59,2% of the fibers were between 119,41 and 135,83; 31,3% of them were between 135,83 and 152,24, 58,2% of the material has a reflectance value of 74 and above. All materials were in white and light-yellow groups in terms of yellowness. It has been observed that the majority of the fibers (66%) are in the low group in terms of trash count. The results obtained from the study of cotton produce of Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey has shown that good fiber quality and to meet the demand of textile industry.

Keywords:

analysis; cotton; fiber; quality; variation.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Yasar, S.; Karademir, E. Determination of the factors limiting cotton fiber quality in Turkey. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 85-99.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-009

AMA Style
Yasar S, Karademir E. Determination of the factors limiting cotton fiber quality in Turkey. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 85-99.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-009

Chicago/Turabian Style
Yasar, Seyhan, and Emine Karademir. 2021. “Determination of the factors limiting cotton fiber quality in Turkey” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 85-99.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-009

ABSTRACT

Triticale is mainly grown for feed grain and biomass production for thatching straw and general human use. A combined analysis with a factorial layout in the two years of 2016 and 2017 with five replications was used to evaluate the yield and yield components of triticale under different methanol concentrations and irrigation managements in Isfahan, Iran. Irrigation treatments consisted of irrigation on the basis of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% crop water requirements, and methanol treatments as foliar application on the basis of 15% methanol concentration, 30% methanol concentration and control treatment (0%). Methanol application influence on one hundred grain weight was significant. The maximum plant height, number of tillers, Leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), one hundred grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein content were achieved in irrigation on the basis of 100% crop water requirement. The maximum plant height, number of tillers, LAI, LAD, one hundred grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein were obtained in 2017. Foliar methanol application with 15% concentration obtained the maximum plant height, LAI, LAD, one hundred grain weight, biological yield, soil plant analytical development (SPAD) and protein percentage. The results of this experiment suggest that methanol can aid in alleviating the effects of drought stress on triticale in the climatic condition of Isfahan. It is concluded that triticale cultivars performed better in 2017, with 15% concentration of methanol application and irrigation on the basis of 100% crop water requirement.

Keywords:

drought; agronomic traits; grain yield; LAI; LAD; SPAD.  

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Khoshkharam, M.; Shahrajabian, M.H. Managing yield and yield attributes of triticale in a deficit irrigation system with methanol foliar application. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2021, 54(1), 100-110.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-010

AMA Style
Khoshkharam M, Shahrajabian MH. Managing yield and yield attributes of triticale in a deficit irrigation system with methanol foliar application. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2021; 54(1): 100-110.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-010

Chicago/Turabian Style
Khoshkharam, Mehdi, and Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian. 2021. “Managing yield and yield attributes of triticale in a deficit irrigation system with methanol foliar application” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 1: 100-110.
https://doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-010