Category Archives: Issue 6, Jul. – Dec.

IN SILICO MOLECULAR DYNAMICS OF THE PEPTIDE WAMP–1A

Posted on by May 12, 2017

DOI: 10.7904/2068 – 4738 – III(6) – 10

Alina BUTU, Mariana FERDES, Steliana RODINO, Marian BUTU

 Abstract: Humans, animals and plants are constantly subject to pathogen microorganisms attack. The biggest threat to organisms is represented by fungal attack. Permanently seeking for new solutions to prevent and treatment of diseases caused by fungi, the researchers have turned their attention to antimicrobial peptides. These are produced by a large variety of organisms. The plans are the most important source of peptides having antifungal properties. In the present article is revealed a study of the molecular dynamics of such a peptide, namely the antimicrobial peptide WAMP–1a. Since the conformational structure of the peptide sequence is directly related to its activity, the dynamic parameters were analysed and were identified the amino acid residues that show the largest flexibility.

Keywords: plant antimicrobial peptide, molecular dynamics simulation, “in silico” methods, fungal diseases.

 

A NEW MUTATNT SPRING FORAGE VETCH LINE (VICIA SATIVA SSP. SATIVA L.) WITH INCREASED POD NUMBER PER FERTILE NODE

Posted on by May 12, 2017

DOI: 10.7904/2068 – 4738 – III(6) – 5

Aksenia ALEKSIEVA, Galina NAIDEVOVA

 Abstract: A new mutant spring forage vetch line with increased pod number (3–4) per fertile node, obtained by applying of chemical mutagenesis in variety Obrazetz 666, was studied. For estimate the degree of heritability of the mutation was determined the genotypic variance (S2g) according to the traits number of pods per plant, mean number of pods per fertile node and number of seeds per plant between the mutant and the initial genotype of mean sample of 10 plants by ANOVA model 3. Significant genotypic difference between the mutant line and the initial variety with regard to the traits mean number of pods per fertile node, number of pods and number of seeds per plant was established. A very high coefficient of heritability (H2 = 99%) was observed for the trait mean number of pods per fertile node and was reason to be considered that its phenotypic performance in the mutant line was entirely genetically determined.The genotypic variance for the traits number of pods and seeds per plant was significantly superior to the ecological one and can be considered that in the newly-selected line will be actual increase in the grain yield because of the higher values of these elements structuring it.The introduction into practice of this line, which has higher propagating coefficient, respectively higher seed yield, can contribute to the wider use of forage vetch as crop for green manure and cover crop.

Key words: Vicia sativa (L.), heritability in broad sense, grain yield, mutant line, increased (3–4) pod number per fertile node

 

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF FRESHWATER PRAWN MACROBRACHIUM VOLLENHOVENII (HERKLOT, 1857) CAUGHT IN WARRI RIVER

Posted on by May 12, 2017

DOI: 10.7904/2068 – 4738 – III(6) – 86

 Nkeonyeasua Florence OLELE, Prekeyi TAWARI-FUFEYIN and Josiah Chidiebere OKONKWO

Abstract: A total number of 338 specimens of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii were bought from fisher folks who fished from Ubeji, Jala and Soroghagbene; but marketed their landings at Ubeji. Specimens were collected at monthly intervals between March and November, 2011. The male to female sex ratio established was 1:2:3. The size at first maturity was 9.0 cm for males and 10.0 cm for females. The length–weight relationship revealed an increase in total length of each specimen as body weight increased. The regression coefficient ‘r’ was significant at p&< 0.05 for male (0.901) and female (0.644) specimens. An average condition factor of 3.9 and 2.74 was recorded for males and females respectively. The Gonado–Somatic–Index (GSI) was generally higher, especially during the month of July for females (0.60) than for males (0.50). Distinct histological changes were observed in the gonads of both sexes. Gonad development revealed five distinct stages (dominant, developing, developed, ripe and spent) for both sexes. Fecundity ranged between 5,540–28,470 eggs, and was highly correlated with total length (0.979) but not with body weight (0.185). Fecundity was highest in the month of July (20,113) and lowest in the month of August (6,140). It could be concluded that matured specimens probably spawn, in March and in July, when GSI were at their peaks. This pattern of breeding suggests that they were capable of multiple spawning within a single reproductive season.

Key words: length–weight relationship, condition factor, GSI, maturity stages, fecundity and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii

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SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF WOMEN FARMERS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE IN DELTA STATE AND IMPLICATION FOR EXTENSION SERVICES

Posted on by May 12, 2017

DOI: 10.7904/2068 – 4738 – III(6) – 97

 Uchenna Ngozi UZOKWE and Josiah Chidiebere OKONKWO

 

Abstract: This study examined women farmers’ survival strategies against climate change in Delta State. The specific objectives are to: identify the adaptation strategies used by them to mitigate the effects of climate change, discover the challenges to adaptation strategies used and determine if the demographic characteristics of the women farmers influence their choice of adaptation strategies. Proportional sampling method was used to select 215 women farmers from the three Agricultural Zones of Delta State. The study revealed that the women farmers’ used these strategies to mitigate the effect of climate change on their agricultural practices: reduced use of chemical fertilizers (89%), use of organic fertilizers (88.25%), integrated pest management (85%), shifting cultivation (89.75%), crop rotation (75.50%), mulching (90.75%), cooling of pens (76.75%), tree planting (85.11%), change of crop varieties (75.75%), use of animals and birds that are more heat tolerant (88.25%). The most important challenge to adaptation strategies is lack of information (79.08%).Lack of money (49.52%) and inadequate labour (48.43%) are also worthy of note. In spite of the fact that farmers’ have other information sources apart from extension service, extension has been institutionalized to provide information and other agricultural services to farmers, therefore it needs to be well positioned and better equipped in the state to be relevant in meeting the needs of farmers.

 Keywords: adaptation measures, climate change, extension services, women farmers

 

MONITORING OF THE ENTOMOFAUNA IN ECOLOGICAL CROP ROTATION

Posted on by May 12, 2017

DOI: 10.7904/2068 – 4738 – III(6) – 104

Evgeniya D. ZHEKOVA

 Abstract: Duringtheperiod 2009–2010 a monitoring of entomofauna was performed in environmentally justified crop rotation including rotation of legumes (beans, soybean) and cereals (wheat, wintering oats) in two variants–control (without fertilization), andfoliarfertilizationby Humustim humate fertilizer. Conventional entomological methods were used for determination of species and population density of harmful plants and their entomophaga. The results were processed by crops. Differences in species composition of entomofauna were found in variants fertilized by Humustim, compared to those without fertilization. In no one of the four crops pests in density over Economic Threshold Level (ETL) were detected. Diversity of entomophaga was explained via the favorable ecological environmental conditions and namely by the presence of the trophic factor and the lack of chemical treatments with insecticides.

Keywords: entomofauna, ecological crop rotation.

 

 

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHENOLIC CONTENT OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS

Posted on by May 12, 2017

DOI: 10.7904/ 2068 – 4738 – III(6) – 111

Marian BUTU, Nicoleta ANDREI, Alina BUTU, Steliana RODINO

Abstract.The aim of the present study was to draw a comparative analysis of the content in flavones and polyphenols of the hydro alcoholic extracts obtained from two medicinal plants, namely artichoke (leaves) and respectively, licorice (root) according to the origin of the vegetal material and the method used in the preparation of the extracts.The plants used in the experiments are two indigenous medicinal plants belonging to wild and cultivated flora in Romania. Artichocke (Cynara scolymus) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) were purchased from three local companies trading medicinal plants: Plafar, Vitaplant and Franco Impex. It was evaluated the composition of the extracts in terms of the content of polyphenolic compounds expressed in caffeic acid and flavone compounds content expressed in rutin. Plant extracts were obtained by two different methods of preparation: ultrasonation and maceration with intermittent shaking.

Keywords: flavones, polyphenols, vegetal hidroalcoolic extracts

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