Reshma Tuladhar

Enhanced Productivity Associated with Tripartite Symbiosis Between Phaseolus, Rhizobia, and Piriformospora indica: In Presence of Vermicompost

Phaseolus bean has potential to establish symbiosis with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi for its nitrogen nutrition and uptake of phosphorus from the soil, respectively. This benefit to the plant can be further enhanced by incorporating nutrient-rich vermicompost in the soil. The tripartite symbiosis of Phaseolus bean with rhizobia and Piriformospora indica in presence of vermicompost was assessed by plant growth, productivity, mycorrhizal colonization, and nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) content of plant. The length and weight of shoot and root were highest during harvesting stage in the rhizobia and P. indica-inoculated plant supplemented with vermicompost compared to single inoculation. Similarly, the NPK uptake and mycorrhizal colonization was highest in dual inoculation in presence of vermicompost. Incorporation of vermicompost is beneficial for the growth of the plant.

Dengue periodic outbreaks and epidemiological trends in Nepal

Dengue is a global health problem and expansion of its endemics towards new territories in the hilly regions in Nepal is a serious concern. It appeared as a new disease in Nepal in 2004 from Japanese traveler with sporadic cases every year and massive outbreaks in 2010, 2013 and 2016. The serotype was responsible for outbreak in particular year was dengue virus serotype-1 (DENV-1) in 2010, 2016; and DENV-2 in 2013. Nepal lacks basic health related infrastructure in rural areas and does not have a stringent health care policy. With severances of epidemic like dengue, a new surveillance or an upgrading of existing one are direly needed to better challenge the possible outbreaks. This review paper aims to explain the dengue trend in last one decade in Nepal and warrants concerted and timely public health interventions to minimize the deleterious effects of the disease.

Effect of Azotobacter chroococcum and Piriformospora indica on Oryza sativa in Presence of Vermicompost

The overall growth and development of various plants is benefited by the activity of rhizospheric microorganisms in soil. The beneficial activities of these organisms include biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and mineralization etc. which is enhanced in presence of mycorrhiza. A pot culture trial was carried out to study the growth promotion of Oryza sativa with dual inoculation of Azotobacter chroococcum and Piriformospora indica an Arbuscular-Mycorrhiza-like-fungus in presence of vermicompost. The study parameters included to evaluate the dual effect were shoot length, root length, fresh and dry shoot weight, fresh and dry root weight, panicle numbers, plant tissue analysis (NPK content) and soil analysis in terms of pH, NPK and organic content on 45th and 90th day for vegetative and reproductive stage respectively. In both stages, a significant positive response was observed in all growth parameters when plant was dual inoculated with A. chroococcum and P. indica in presence of vermicompost than untreated control plants. The result shows that the combination of dual inoculation of A. chroococcum and P. indica with vermicompost was found to improve growth parameters and nutrient uptake in rice plant.

Stimulated Growth of Lycopersicum esculentum CLA 1131 in Presence of Piriformospora indica and Vermicompost

In the mutualistic association between plant and mycorrhiza, plant benefits by gaining an improved nutrient and water acquisition through fungal hyphae and/or an enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Since mycorrhiza facilitates the plant in the nutrient uptake from the soil, fertility of soil is necessary for the availability of the essential nutrients. The axenically cultivable root-colonizing endophytic fungi Piriformospora indica treated tomato plant (Lycopersicum esculentum CLA 1131); when supplemented with vermicompost, the growth and biomass were enhanced. Mycorrhizal colonization was improved in the presence of vermicompost. The amount of essential nutrient nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content in plant was improved by the colonization with P. indica and influenced by the nutrient conditions in the soil. The efficiency of nutrient uptake by P. indica is complemented by vermicompost.