Endogenous Hydrogen Peroxide Can Efficiently Regulate CRISPR-Cas9 Based Gene Editing

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology is an emerging tool in life science, clinical and plant research. The technique offers a remarkable specificity and efficiency in gene editing. In this study, we...

Macro and Micro-Nutrients of Azolla pinnata as a Soilless Growth Media

Azolla pinnata is a small floating fern which widely occurs in certain regions such as Southeast Asia. Azolla is utilized in the new plant research on the currently existing products for soilless growth media. Soilless growth media are an alternative component to replace soil for cultivation uses. In urbanization scenario nowadays, most of the flatten open-area soil is used for development, affecting the soil supply for plants. To introduce a new component such as the soilless growth media, it must have the same or more nutrients than soil or other existing soilless growth media. A study found that Azolla is used as a soilless growth media in the nursery for olive trees cultivation. According to the study, the nutrients obtained from Azolla are sufficient to replace soil as a growth media. In this experiment, the Single Dry Ashing, and Kjeldahl and Dummas methods were used to evaluate and compare both macro and micronutrients of Azolla to Midorie Pafcal and Jiffy-7 pallets. Based on the results, the values were 0.94 % (N), 4352.00 ppm (P), and 563.13 ppm (K); compared to 1.35% (N), 377.13 ppm (P), 1512.33 ppm (K); and 0% (N), 563.13 ppm (P), 1343.67 ppm (K), respectively. The results also showed the values of Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) for Azolla, Midorie Pafcal and Jiffy-7 samples were 15.33 ppm (Cu), 2579.67 ppm (Fe), 93.63 ppm (Zn); 7.53 ppm (Cu), 9988.33 ppm (Fe), 26.77 ppm (Zn); and 13.01 ppm (Cu), 1150.30 (Fe), 12.40 ppm (Zn), respectively. In conclusion, Azolla pinnata is capable of providing the nutrients required for a plant, making it suitable as a soilless growth media for all plants.

Cattle tick control in Africa: potential of ethnoveterinary plants.

Cattle are a livelihood asset to smallholder farmers in Africa yet remain threatened by the effects of ticks and tick-borne diseases during production because they cause morbidity and premature death. The use of indigenous plants in tick control is a worldwide practice spanning thousands of years. Changes in the agricultural and socio-cultural landscape over time have, however, led to neglect of indigenous pesticidal plants in favour of synthetic products. The benefits of synthetic acaricides are well-recognized, but emerging observation indicates that they cannot solve all livestock health problems across production systems, farmer circumstances and agro-ecologies. Concerns associated with commercial acaricides have revived research interest in alternative or complementary remedies. Past research has focused on documenting ethnoveterinary practices, scientific validation of the practices and optimization of these practices. Here, we review the challenges of synthetic acaricides and progress made in ethnoveterinary plant research and development in Africa. The review highlights challenges of access, affordability and availability of commercial acaricides to resource-poor communities; synthetic acaricide resistance development; disposal of obsolete acaricides and environmental pollution; reduced water supply and implications on conventional use of acaricide-treated dipping facilities; and plant bioprospecting and downstream development of products in Africa. This information contributes towards shaping the ethnoveterinary plant research agenda and policy, and investment interventions in Africa.

Ethnobotany Study of Medicinal Plants by the Mbojo Tribe Community in Ndano Village at the Madapangga Nature Park, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara

One of the cultural characteristics of people in developing countries is that traditional elements are still dominant in everyday life. These activities include the use of plants as medicinal ingredients by various ethnic groups or groups of people living in rural areas, one of which is the Mbojo Tribe, Ndano Village in Madapangga, Bima Regency, NTB. This study aims to identify the types of medicinal plants and to describe the local wisdom of the Mbojo Tribe in Ndano Village regarding the use of medicinal plants around the Madapangga Nature Tourism Park (TWA). The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of medicinal plant research based on local wisdom for the sustainable management of TWA Madapangga. This research is descriptive exploratory. Data collection techniques in the field by means of observation, interviews and documentation. Selection of informants for interviews using purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed descriptively related to the aspects that have been determined. The results obtained 26 species of medicinal plants that are best known and often used by the Mbojo Tribe, Ndano Village. Utilization of this medicinal plant is used to cure diseases which amount to 31 types of diseases. Based on the habitus group, the tree level is the most widely used as medicine. Meanwhile, the part (organ) of the plant that is most widely used is the leaf. The people of Ndano Village still use a simple way of concocting medicinal plants, namely by mashing (mashed, grated, kneaded) and boiled. The use of drugs, generally done by drinking, smeared and dripped. The results of this study are very useful for the development of medicinal plant research based on local wisdom for the sustainable management of TWA Madapangga.