Mansoor A. Siddiqui

Biofunctionalization of nanoparticle assisted mass spectrometry as biosensors for rapid detection of plant associated bacteria

This study is based on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as biosensor to detect the plant associated bacteria (PAB) isolates from rhizospheric soil and root. The rapid bacterial detection via on particle ionization/enrichment technique using IgG functionalized Pt NPs (IgG-Pt NPs) assisted MALDI-TOF MS was successfully used to explore two PAB isolates, namely, Bacillus thuringiensis and B. subtilis from rhizospheric soil and roots of carrot plant. When these bacteria are used as bioformulations in agricultural as well as biotechnological applications, the plant growth promotion of economic crops was observed especially when the crops grow in less fertilize soil regions. This study proved that even at low concentrations, bacteria can also be directly detected without morphological, molecular and biochemical test. The current applied technique is simple, rapid and highly sensitive. Besides, it could be widely used for the detection of beneficially important PAB isolates in environmental samples.

Further studies on the use of water hyacinth in nematode control

Abstract Soil application of leaf and flower of water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) gave satisfactory control of the stunt nematode ( Tylenchorhynchus brassicae ), and improved plant growth of cabbage and cauliflower. Water extracts of water hyacinth showed toxicity to T. brassicae in vitro . Bare-root-dip treatments in leaf and flower extracts brought about significant reduction in plant damage by way of inhibiting nematode multiplication.

Sawdusts as soil amendments for control of nematodes infesting some vegetables

Abstract Sawdusts of neem and mango greatly reduced root-knot development and multiplication of Rotylenchulus reniformis on tomato and eggplant, and Tylenchorhynchus brassicae on cabbage and cauliflower. The nematode control gradually increased with increasing dose of sawdust. Sawdust of neem was more efficacious than that of mango. Ammonium sulphate also proved effective against these nematodes but the degree of nematode control was less than that achieved by the sawdusts. As a consequence of nematode control, plant growth improved, with a few exceptions where higher doses of sawdust were phytotoxic to tomato and eggplant but not to cabbage and cauliflower. The combined effect of sawdust and ammonium sulphate was greater than for either of the separate treatments both with respect to nematode control and to the improvement in plant growth. The phytotoxicity of sawdust was effectively eliminated by supplementing the sawdust with ammonium sulphate.

Possible utilization of a noxious weed in nematode control

Abstract Soil amendment with chopped plant parts of water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) effectively controlled root-knot and reniform nematodes attacking tomato and eggplant. Consequently plant growth improved. Extracts of water hyacinth also showed nematicidal and nemato-static properties. These extracts when used as bare-root-dip treatments significantly retarded nematode development and plant damage.

Bio-efficacy of some leaf extracts on the inhibition of egg hatching and mortality of Meloidogyne incognita

Nematicidal activities of extracts from plants were assayed against Meloidogyne incognita in vitro. Leaves of six different plants were collected in and around Aligarh Muslim University Campus. Aqueous extracts of six plants were screened for egg hatchability and nematicidal activity against second stage juveniles of M. incognita in the plant pathology and nematology laboratory, AMU Aligarh. The nematode egg and juveniles were exposed 12, 24 and 48 h in (S, S/2, S/10, S/100) concentrations of plant extracts. The plant extracts of leaves of six plants species viz. Jatropha pandurifolia, Polyalthia longifolia, Wedelia chinensis, Nerium indicum, Duranta repens and Cassia fistula exhibited highly promising mortality of 99.00–72.00% after 48 h of exposure. Aqueous extracts of leaves of J. pandurifolia, P. longifolia, W. chinensis were recorded to be highly effective for inhibition of egg hatching and increasing juvenile mortality of M. incognita. There was a gradual decrease in egg hatching and increase in mortality rate of juveniles of M. incognita with increase in the concentration of leaf extract and exposure time.

Pathogenicity of root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on okra and its management through botanicals

An investigation was carried out to study the pathogenicity of root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on okra and its management through various organic amendments. The inoculum level of 1000 juveniles per plant showed significant reduction in various plant growth parameters, which reveals that M. incognita is a potential pathogen of okra. With the increase in inoculums level of M. incognita (J2), there was a progressive decrease in various plant growth parameters. The maximum reduction in plant growth parameters was observed at an inoculum level of 4000 juveniles per plant. The efficacy of five organic amendments viz. groundnut cake, castor cake, sunflower cake, linseed cake and sawdust was tested against root knot nematode M. incognita. Amending the soil with different oil cakes was found to be effective in reducing the nematode soil population, number of females, number of egg masses as well as root gall formation in okra. The highest increase in plant growth (13%) and maximum reduction in number of galls (54%), number of females (57%) and number of egg masses (55%) was recorded on application of groundnut cake.

Phytotherapeutic approach for the management of Meloidogyne incognita affecting Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Fresh leaf samples of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Wedelia chinensis, Cassia tora and Jatropha curcas, and flowers of W. chinensis, Catharanthus roseus and Calendula officinalis were evaluated for their hatching inhibitory and juvenile mortality potential and to ascertain their role as organic amendment for the management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita affecting Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Four concentration levels i.e. S, S/2, S/10 and S/100 of aqueous leaf and flower extracts of test plants were prepared. All the extracts showed varied but significant results over control (Distilled water). The “S” concentration of aqueous flower extracts of C. officinalis and W. chinensis exhibited 100% mortality after 24 h exposure period. Similarly, larval hatching was completely inhibited by “S” concentration of extracts of all the tested plants except C. tora after five days of exposure period. All the flower extracts and N. plumbaginifolia leaf extract showed complete suppression at S/2 concentration. Increased dilution showed a direct effect on hatching but an inverse effect on mortality. The juvenile mortality increased with increase in exposure period. In pot trial studies, application of all the samples significantly enhanced the plant growth and decreased the host infestation by M. incognita over control. Among all the treatments, flowers of C. officinalis and leaves of Jatropha curcus proved to be the best.

Influence of organic additives on the incidence of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica in roots of tomato plants.

Glasshouse experiment was conducted to assess the impact of green chopped leaves of four test plants (Lantana camara, Ficus virens, Kigelia pinnata and Ficus bengalensis) and two nematicides (Phorate and Carbofuran) on the plant growth parameters of tomato cv. K25 and on the root-knot development. Results revealed that all the tested treatments significantly (p = 0.05) improved plant growth parameters and reduced root-knot development compared to control. Among the tested organic additives, chopped green leaves of Lantana camara added to soil gave the highest enhancement in plant growth parameters, including plant height, fresh and dry weight, number of fruits and fruit weight with the values of 94.2 cm, 106.8 g, 31.6 g, 7.2 and 153.3 g respectively, as well as a greater reduction of Meloidogyne javanica reproduction and development but exhibiting a lower response compared to nematicides. There was also significant reduction in root-knot development in tomato plants growing in other organic additive amended soil.

Seasonal fluctuation in nematode population associated with mango, Mangifera indica L.

Abstract Mango, Mangifera indica L. Family – Anacardiaceae, an economically important fruit tree, was selected to study the effect of seasonal changes of the population of plant parasitic nematodes viz., Hoplolaimus indicus, Helicotylenchus indicus, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Tylenchorhynchus mashoodi, Tylenchus filiformis and Hemicriconemoides mangiferae around the roots. The population was investigated at 10, 20 and 40 cm depths. It was observed that seasonal fluctuations have a direct effect on the nematode population. The population was larger at 10 cm depth followed by 20 and 40 cm depths. The largest nematode population was observed when the percent soil moisture was high. Both soil temperature and soil moisture were equally important. The soil pH also affected indirectly the nematode population densities.

Sustainable Management of Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita through Organic Amendment on Solanum lycopersicum L.

Aims: To evaluate the nematicidal potential of wild spinach powder in combination with fresh chopped leaves of different plants viz., Indian mallow, Mexican poppy, Ivy gourd, Trailing eclipta, Wild eggplant and Black pigweed against Meloidogyne incognita on plant growth characters of tomato cv. K-21. Place and Duration of Study: A glasshouse pot experiment was carried out in the Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Methodology: A mixture of soil and organic manure was prepared in the ratio 3:1. The pots were treated with fresh chopped leaves of different plants viz., Indian mallow, Mexican poppy, Ivy gourd, Trailing eclipta, Wild eggplant and Black pig weed applied 50 g of fresh chopped leaves of plants were applied combined with seed powder 10 g of seed powder of Black nightshade”. Results: Combined application of wild spinach powder along with the fresh chopped leaves of all the plants suppressed pathogenic effect of nematode and thereby resulted in significant reduction Original Research Article Asif et al.; AJOB, 1(1): 1-8, 2016; Article no.AJOB.30739 2 in Meloidogyne incognita infestation and population density of Meloidogyne incognita in soil. The highest reduction in Meloidogyne incognita infestation was reported in plants employed with 10 g of wild spinach powder combined with 50 g of Mexican poppy leaves. Plants applied 10 g of wild spinach powder combined with 50 g of Mexican poppy leaves were the best followed by 50 g of Trailing eclipta, 50 g of Wild eggplant, 50 g of Black pigweed, 50 g of Indian mallow, 50 g of Ivy gourd in the descending order. However the lowest reduction was recorded with the application 10 g of wild spinach powder plus 50 g of fresh chopped Ivy gourd. Organic additives of wild spinach powder along with the fresh chopped leaves would work for sustainable management by increasing the nutrient status of the soil which further enhances the plant growth. Conclusion: The application of Mexican poppy, Trailing eclipta and Wild eggplant in combination with wild spinach powder are quite efficient alternatives of chemical nematicides for the Meloidogyne incognita management and yield enhancement. Although the utilization of chopped leaves of Indian mallow and Ivy gourd along with wild spinach powder is not potentially active replacement of synthetic nematicides however further characterization is needed.