Long-horn beetles (Family: Cerambycidae) in Fiji consist of 124 described species within 45 genera, of which 110 (88.7%) species are considered endemic. Despite their conservation value, ecological significance and cultural importance, little scientific research has been conducted on the taxonomy or ecology of Cerambycidae in Fiji. This biogeographical study surveyed Cerambycidae by Malaise trapping on ten Fijian Islands. A total of 438 individuals and 44 species of Cerambycidae were recorded. Thirty three of the species collected are endemic to Fiji; three other species are native and eight species are new records for Fiji and/or new species. Twenty seven species were recorded from only one island and 20 species were recorded only as singletons. There was an expected significant relationship between the number of species collected on an island and the number of sampling events. The highest number of species, 23, was recorded on the largest island, Viti Levu, followed by Gau with 13 species and Vanua Levu and Kadavu with 12 species each. There was a positive relationship between species richness and island size but this was lost if the effect of sample number was taken into account. The results indicate that the species-area relationship may hold for Fijian Cerambycidae, but additional collecting events, over more of the annual cycle, and involving multiple collecting methods may be required to fully catalogue the current Fijian fauna.
{"title":"Distribution of long-horn beetles (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera) within the Fijian archipelago","authors":"Hilda WAQA-SAKITI, S. Hodge, L. Winder","doi":"10.1071/sp18001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/sp18001","url":null,"abstract":"Long-horn beetles (Family: Cerambycidae) in Fiji consist of 124 described species within 45 genera, of which 110 (88.7%) species are considered endemic. Despite their conservation value, ecological significance and cultural importance, little scientific research has been conducted on the taxonomy or ecology of Cerambycidae in Fiji. This biogeographical study surveyed Cerambycidae by Malaise trapping on ten Fijian Islands. A total of 438 individuals and 44 species of Cerambycidae were recorded. Thirty three of the species collected are endemic to Fiji; three other species are native and eight species are new records for Fiji and/or new species. Twenty seven species were recorded from only one island and 20 species were recorded only as singletons. There was an expected significant relationship between the number of species collected on an island and the number of sampling events. The highest number of species, 23, was recorded on the largest island, Viti Levu, followed by Gau with 13 species and Vanua Levu and Kadavu with 12 species each. There was a positive relationship between species richness and island size but this was lost if the effect of sample number was taken into account. The results indicate that the species-area relationship may hold for Fijian Cerambycidae, but additional collecting events, over more of the annual cycle, and involving multiple collecting methods may be required to fully catalogue the current Fijian fauna.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129997724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A study was conducted in three agro ecological zones of Samoa to compare the dry matter yields and nutrient uptake of selected tropical cover crops and biochar application on different Samoan inceptisols. Subsequent improvements in corm yield of the two taro cultivars, (Samoa 1 and Samoa 2), under these fallow systems were also determined. The split-plot arrangement with main plots as cover crops and subplots as the cultivars was used, with four replications. The evaluated cover crops included: a reference – grass fallow treatment (farmers practice), Mucuna pruriens, Erythrina subumbrans, Mucuna pruriens + 200 kg of NPK fertiliser (12-5-20), farmer’s reference practice + 400 kg of NPK fertiliser (12-5-20), and biochar produced from coconut shells. The biomass samples were collected after the six month of fallow duration. Plant tissue analyses revealed that the nitrogen and the phosphorus contents of erythrina was higher than corresponding mucuna cover across all three sites. However, as a result of higher biomass production, Mucuna pruriens showed the highest nutrient accrual over the six month fallow duration. The general yield trend under different fallow practices across all the sites indicates that mucuna with modest supplementation of complete fertilisers can help maintain optimum taro yields. However, it appears that the yield responses of the taro crop to fallow treatments are site-specific.
{"title":"Evaluation of Nutrient Uptake of Selected Cover Crops and Biochar on the Yield Advantage of Two Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Cultivars in Samoa","authors":"S. Anand","doi":"10.1071/sp18002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/sp18002","url":null,"abstract":"A study was conducted in three agro ecological zones of Samoa to compare the dry matter yields and nutrient uptake of selected tropical cover crops and biochar application on different Samoan inceptisols. Subsequent improvements in corm yield of the two taro cultivars, (Samoa 1 and Samoa 2), under these fallow systems were also determined. The split-plot arrangement with main plots as cover crops and subplots as the cultivars was used, with four replications. The evaluated cover crops included: a reference – grass fallow treatment (farmers practice), Mucuna pruriens, Erythrina subumbrans, Mucuna pruriens + 200 kg of NPK fertiliser (12-5-20), farmer’s reference practice + 400 kg of NPK fertiliser (12-5-20), and biochar produced from coconut shells. The biomass samples were collected after the six month of fallow duration. Plant tissue analyses revealed that the nitrogen and the phosphorus contents of erythrina was higher than corresponding mucuna cover across all three sites. However, as a result of higher biomass production, Mucuna pruriens showed the highest nutrient accrual over the six month fallow duration. The general yield trend under different fallow practices across all the sites indicates that mucuna with modest supplementation of complete fertilisers can help maintain optimum taro yields. However, it appears that the yield responses of the taro crop to fallow treatments are site-specific.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"216 3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134368285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Intercropping may allow increasing both the productivity and diversity of crop through efficient utilization of land in densely populated countries like Bangladesh where fertility of agricultural land is declining gradually. A field experiment was conducted at a recently developed alluvial soil in Bangladesh during 2015–16 and 2016–17 winter seasons to select suitable leafy vegetables intercropping with pumpkin for higher productivity, better land and time utilization and maximum economic return. Six leafy vegetables viz., coriander green, red amaranth, radish green, mustard green, jute green, and spinach were intercropped with pumpkin and compared with sole pumpkin using a randomised complete block design. Intercropping leafy vegetables with pumpkin did not reduce pumpkin yield but increased system productivity by 39–120% over sole cropped pumpkin. All the intercropping combinations performed better than sole pumpkin. However, the highest system yield (72.7 & 75.6 t ha–1), land equivalent ratio (1.74 & 1.75), area time equivalent ratio (1.20 & 1.16), net return (8001 & 8350 USD ha–1) and benefit cost ratio (10.3 & 10.7) were obtained in 2015–16 & 2016–17, respectively from pumpkin + spinach system indicating that this system might be suitable for higher crop productivity, better land and time utilization as well as economic return for the selected area.
在孟加拉国等农业土地肥力逐渐下降的人口稠密的国家，间作可以通过有效利用土地来提高作物的生产力和多样性。在2015-16和2016-17冬季，在孟加拉国新近开发的冲积土上进行了田间试验，选择适宜的叶菜与南瓜间作，以获得更高的生产力，更好的土地和时间利用，最大的经济效益。6种叶类蔬菜(香菜绿、红苋菜绿、萝卜绿、芥菜绿、黄麻绿和菠菜)与南瓜间作，并采用随机完全区组设计与单南瓜进行比较。叶菜与南瓜间作不降低南瓜产量，但比单作南瓜增产39 ~ 120%。各套作组合均优于底南瓜。然而，2015-16年和2016-17年南瓜+菠菜系统的产量最高(72.7和75.6 t hm - 1)，土地当量比最高(1.74和1.75)，面积时间当量比最高(1.20和1.16)，净收益最高(8001和8350美元hm - 1)，效益成本比最高(10.3和10.7)，表明该系统可能适合较高的作物生产力，较好的土地和时间利用以及经济效益。
{"title":"Intercropping short duration leafy vegetables with pumpkin in subtropical alluvial soils of Bangladesh","authors":"S. Begum, M. Kader","doi":"10.1071/SP18004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SP18004","url":null,"abstract":"Intercropping may allow increasing both the productivity and diversity of crop through efficient utilization of land in densely populated countries like Bangladesh where fertility of agricultural land is declining gradually. A field experiment was conducted at a recently developed alluvial soil in Bangladesh during 2015–16 and 2016–17 winter seasons to select suitable leafy vegetables intercropping with pumpkin for higher productivity, better land and time utilization and maximum economic return. Six leafy vegetables viz., coriander green, red amaranth, radish green, mustard green, jute green, and spinach were intercropped with pumpkin and compared with sole pumpkin using a randomised complete block design. Intercropping leafy vegetables with pumpkin did not reduce pumpkin yield but increased system productivity by 39–120% over sole cropped pumpkin. All the intercropping combinations performed better than sole pumpkin. However, the highest system yield (72.7 & 75.6 t ha–1), land equivalent ratio (1.74 & 1.75), area time equivalent ratio (1.20 & 1.16), net return (8001 & 8350 USD ha–1) and benefit cost ratio (10.3 & 10.7) were obtained in 2015–16 & 2016–17, respectively from pumpkin + spinach system indicating that this system might be suitable for higher crop productivity, better land and time utilization as well as economic return for the selected area.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132267609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A five-month field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of organic amendments on yields of two sweetpotato cultivars in a calcareous sandy soil of Samoa. The treatments consisted of three organic amendments; gliricidia, gliricidia + biochar, poultry litter, and a control, and two improved sweetpotato cultivars (IB/PH/03 and IB/PR/13). All amendments were applied at equivalent rate of 100 kg N ha–1 while biochar at 5 t ha–1. Plots were arranged in a RCB design with four replicates. Results showed that all organic amendments significantly increased total storage root and marketable storage root yields, compared to yields of the control. Total marketable root yield was increased by 134, 118, and 294% over control in response to gliricidia, poultry litter, and gliricidia + biochar treatments. The highest yield, yield attributing parameters and nutrient uptake by storage root were recorded in gliricidia + biochar treatment, which appears to synergistically influence crop yield relative to organic amendments applied singly; a potential amendment for improving sweetpotato productivity in sandy calcareous soil. Cultivar IB/PH/03 performed better than IB/PR/13 on all measured crop parameters except for fresh weight of non-marketable root and percent dry matter content showing better potentiality for promotion under similar agro-environmental conditions.
在萨摩亚钙质沙质土壤上进行了为期5个月的田间试验，研究了有机改良剂对两种甘薯产量的影响。处理包括三种有机修正;甘薯改良品种(IB/PH/03和IB/PR/13)。所有改进剂的施用量均为100 kg N hm - 1，而生物炭的施用量为5 t hm - 1。试验采用RCB设计，每组4个重复。结果表明，与对照相比，所有有机处理均显著提高了总储藏根产量和可售储藏根产量。与对照相比，胶凝菌、家禽凋落物和胶凝菌+生物炭处理的总可售根产量分别提高了134、118和294%。甘油三酯+生物炭处理的产量、产量归因参数和贮藏根养分吸收量最高，与单独施用有机改良剂相比，甘油三酯+生物炭处理对作物产量具有协同效应;提高砂质钙质土壤甘薯产量的潜在改良措施。品种IB/PH/03除非售根鲜重和干物质含量百分比外，其余各项指标均优于IB/PR/13，在相似的农业环境条件下具有更好的推广潜力。
{"title":"Organic amendments increased sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) yield in a calcareous sandy soil of Samoa","authors":"T. K. Siose, D. Guinto, M. Kader","doi":"10.1071/sp18005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/sp18005","url":null,"abstract":"A five-month field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of organic amendments on yields of two sweetpotato cultivars in a calcareous sandy soil of Samoa. The treatments consisted of three organic amendments; gliricidia, gliricidia + biochar, poultry litter, and a control, and two improved sweetpotato cultivars (IB/PH/03 and IB/PR/13). All amendments were applied at equivalent rate of 100 kg N ha–1 while biochar at 5 t ha–1. Plots were arranged in a RCB design with four replicates. Results showed that all organic amendments significantly increased total storage root and marketable storage root yields, compared to yields of the control. Total marketable root yield was increased by 134, 118, and 294% over control in response to gliricidia, poultry litter, and gliricidia + biochar treatments. The highest yield, yield attributing parameters and nutrient uptake by storage root were recorded in gliricidia + biochar treatment, which appears to synergistically influence crop yield relative to organic amendments applied singly; a potential amendment for improving sweetpotato productivity in sandy calcareous soil. Cultivar IB/PH/03 performed better than IB/PR/13 on all measured crop parameters except for fresh weight of non-marketable root and percent dry matter content showing better potentiality for promotion under similar agro-environmental conditions.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"112 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120944137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. M. Nand, Viliamu Iese, U. Singh, M. Wairiu, A. Jokhan, R. Prakash
Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) SUBSTOR Potato model (v4.5) was calibrated using Desiree variety. DSSAT SUBSTOR Potato model simulates on a daily basis the development and growth of potatoes using inputs such as climate, soil and crop management. The experiment was conducted in Banisogosogo, Fiji Islands, during the potato growing season of 2012. Fresh and dry weights of belowground plant component (tubers) were taken during progressive harvests. The DSSAT SUBSTOR Potato model was calibrated using experimental field data, soil and weather data of the growing season. The manual calibration steps involved recalculation of soil water content and the adjustments of genetic co-efficient to suit the temperature and daylength regime similar to the experimental conditions. Tuber dry weight was used as the main parameter to evaluate the model. The R2 values of the observed and simulated model outputs before calibration for replicate plot 1, replicate plot 2 and replicate plot 3 were 0.52, 0.49 and 0.61 respectively. After calibration, the R2 values for tuber dry yield for replicate plot 1, replicate plot 2 and replicate plot 3 were 0.88, 0.66 and 0.92 respectively indicating a strong positive relationship between the simulated and the observed yield.
{"title":"Evaluation of decision support system for agrotechnology transfer SUBSTOR potato model (v4.5) under tropical conditions","authors":"M. M. Nand, Viliamu Iese, U. Singh, M. Wairiu, A. Jokhan, R. Prakash","doi":"10.1071/sp16001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/sp16001","url":null,"abstract":"Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) SUBSTOR Potato model (v4.5) was calibrated using Desiree variety. DSSAT SUBSTOR Potato model simulates on a daily basis the development and growth of potatoes using inputs such as climate, soil and crop management. The experiment was conducted in Banisogosogo, Fiji Islands, during the potato growing season of 2012. Fresh and dry weights of belowground plant component (tubers) were taken during progressive harvests. The DSSAT SUBSTOR Potato model was calibrated using experimental field data, soil and weather data of the growing season. The manual calibration steps involved recalculation of soil water content and the adjustments of genetic co-efficient to suit the temperature and daylength regime similar to the experimental conditions. Tuber dry weight was used as the main parameter to evaluate the model. The R2 values of the observed and simulated model outputs before calibration for replicate plot 1, replicate plot 2 and replicate plot 3 were 0.52, 0.49 and 0.61 respectively. After calibration, the R2 values for tuber dry yield for replicate plot 1, replicate plot 2 and replicate plot 3 were 0.88, 0.66 and 0.92 respectively indicating a strong positive relationship between the simulated and the observed yield.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117178480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Deo, B. Dugdale, R. Harding, Maiko Kato, J. Dale
Axillary shoots of Nicotiana benthamiana were regenerated from nodal explants in two weeks using MS media supplemented with the cytokinin, kinetin (0.5 mg/L), and the auxin, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.1 mg/L). Ninety two percent of shoots were 2.1-20 mm tall, a size ideal for root induction. After transfer to hormone-free MS they readily produced roots within seven days, with phenotypically normal, fully developed plants being obtained within four weeks. Leaf chlorosis due to iron deficiency was observed in plants over time, however, this was overcome by doubling the concentration of inorganic iron. This rapid micro-propagation system is particularly useful for the in vitro mass production of N. benthamiana plants for various biotechnological applications.
{"title":"In vitro micro propagation of Nicotiana benthamiana via axillary shoots","authors":"P. Deo, B. Dugdale, R. Harding, Maiko Kato, J. Dale","doi":"10.1071/SP14009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SP14009","url":null,"abstract":"Axillary shoots of Nicotiana benthamiana were regenerated from nodal explants in two weeks using MS media supplemented with the cytokinin, kinetin (0.5 mg/L), and the auxin, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.1 mg/L). Ninety two percent of shoots were 2.1-20 mm tall, a size ideal for root induction. After transfer to hormone-free MS they readily produced roots within seven days, with phenotypically normal, fully developed plants being obtained within four weeks. Leaf chlorosis due to iron deficiency was observed in plants over time, however, this was overcome by doubling the concentration of inorganic iron. This rapid micro-propagation system is particularly useful for the in vitro mass production of N. benthamiana plants for various biotechnological applications.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133575493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The application of functionally g raded materials (FGMs) is quite difficult, but thermal spray processes like Plasma spray have demonstrated their unique potential in producing graded deposits, where researchers have used twin powder feed systems to mix different proportions of powders. FGMs vary in composition and/or microstructure from one boundary (substrate) to another (top service surface), and innovative characteristics result from the gradient from metals to ceramics or non-metallic to metals. The present study investigates an innovative modification of a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process to produce functionally graded thick coatings. In order to deposit thick coatings, certain problems have to be overcome. Graded coatings enable gradual variation of the coating composition and/or microstructure, which offers the possibility of reducing residual stress build-up with in coatings. In order to spray such a coating, modification to a commercial powder feed hopper was required to enable it to deposit two powders simultaneously which allows deposition of different layers of coating with changing chemical compositions, without interruption to the spraying process. Various concepts for this modification were identified and one design was selected, having been validated through use of a process model, developed using ANSYS Flotran finite element analysis. In the current research the mixing of different proportions of powders were controlled by a computer using LabVIEW software and hardware, which allowed the control and repeatability of the microstructure when producing functionally graded coatings.
{"title":"Development of a semi automated dual feed unit to produce FGM coatings using the HVOF thermal spray process","authors":"K. Mamun, J. Stokes","doi":"10.1071/SP14003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SP14003","url":null,"abstract":"The application of functionally g raded materials (FGMs) is quite difficult, but thermal spray processes like Plasma spray have demonstrated their unique potential in producing graded deposits, where researchers have used twin powder feed systems to mix different proportions of powders. FGMs vary in composition and/or microstructure from one boundary (substrate) to another (top service surface), and innovative characteristics result from the gradient from metals to ceramics or non-metallic to metals. The present study investigates an innovative modification of a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process to produce functionally graded thick coatings. In order to deposit thick coatings, certain problems have to be overcome. Graded coatings enable gradual variation of the coating composition and/or microstructure, which offers the possibility of reducing residual stress build-up with in coatings. In order to spray such a coating, modification to a commercial powder feed hopper was required to enable it to deposit two powders simultaneously which allows deposition of different layers of coating with changing chemical compositions, without interruption to the spraying process. Various concepts for this modification were identified and one design was selected, having been validated through use of a process model, developed using ANSYS Flotran finite element analysis. In the current research the mixing of different proportions of powders were controlled by a computer using LabVIEW software and hardware, which allowed the control and repeatability of the microstructure when producing functionally graded coatings.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127462817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Presented in this paper is a procedure in which meristem tips (0.02 mm) of seventeen recently introduced potato varieties from the International Potato Center (IPC) and a local variety (Sequoia) from PNG were micropropagated and evaluated in vitro based on general Plant Growth Parameters (PGP; shoots, roots, leaves, nodes and height). Using this procedure, the study was able to place the tested varieties into three potentially diverse genetic groups. LSD mean separations also showed highly significant differences (p < 0.05) among the evaluated parameters; showing the differential genetic variations that exist among these varieties. Regression analysis further indicated that shoot has strong influence on general pattern of plant growth, and coincides with observations that shoot was the first PGP to proliferate on the explants cultured. Keywords: Potato varieties, Mircopropagation, Plant growth parameters, Evaluation, In vitro
{"title":"A procedure for in vitro evaluation of potato varieties using general plant growth parameters","authors":"P. S. Michael, Davinah Lepatu","doi":"10.1071/SP14002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SP14002","url":null,"abstract":"Presented in this paper is a procedure in which meristem tips (0.02 mm) of seventeen recently introduced potato varieties from the International Potato Center (IPC) and a local variety (Sequoia) from PNG were micropropagated and evaluated in vitro based on general Plant Growth Parameters (PGP; shoots, roots, leaves, nodes and height). Using this procedure, the study was able to place the tested varieties into three potentially diverse genetic groups. LSD mean separations also showed highly significant differences (p < 0.05) among the evaluated parameters; showing the differential genetic variations that exist among these varieties. Regression analysis further indicated that shoot has strong influence on general pattern of plant growth, and coincides with observations that shoot was the first PGP to proliferate on the explants cultured. Keywords: Potato varieties, Mircopropagation, Plant growth parameters, Evaluation, In vitro","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131208163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the Pacific Island countries (PICs) major nutritional problems are under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies due to low dietary intake of leafy foods. Edible leaves of food crops are some of the inexpensive abundant sources of protein, carbohydrate, minerals, vitamins and fibres. In high natural calamity-prone areas, such as PICs, people frequently remain cut-off from the external sources of food for many days and they mainly survive on leafy food material available in their surroundings. This study investigated about what leafy foods are available in Fiji, which of these are commonly consumed by people and which of these are not used. This study is based on primary data obtained by a household sample survey on a structured questionnaire by personal interview method. The study revealed that a rich variety of leafy foods are available and known to people in Fiji. However, out of twenty six leafy foods listed only ten are regularly consumed by majority of the people. A small proportion of households have used up to five leafy foods i.e. underutilization. However, there are several known leafy foods (eleven) which no one has tried i.e. such leafy foods have not been utilized. The respondents reported many constraints in improving their intakes of leafy foods: (i) higher prices of leafy foods in the market; (ii) lack of space to grow own leafy foods in their backyards; (iii) lack of knowledge about how to prepare delicious dishes out of many leafy foods material; (iv) lack of information about the nutritional value of some of the leafy crops. Hence, to popularize the consumption of underutilized or not-utilized local leafy food crops, there is a need to generate more information on nutritional aspects of those leafy food crops and disseminate it to the people.
{"title":"Enhancing leafy foods’ intake for optimal nutrition and human security in the South Pacific","authors":"R. Roshni, S. Prasad, J. P. Bhati","doi":"10.1071/SP14004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SP14004","url":null,"abstract":"In the Pacific Island countries (PICs) major nutritional problems are under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies due to low dietary intake of leafy foods. Edible leaves of food crops are some of the inexpensive abundant sources of protein, carbohydrate, minerals, vitamins and fibres. In high natural calamity-prone areas, such as PICs, people frequently remain cut-off from the external sources of food for many days and they mainly survive on leafy food material available in their surroundings. This study investigated about what leafy foods are available in Fiji, which of these are commonly consumed by people and which of these are not used. This study is based on primary data obtained by a household sample survey on a structured questionnaire by personal interview method. The study revealed that a rich variety of leafy foods are available and known to people in Fiji. However, out of twenty six leafy foods listed only ten are regularly consumed by majority of the people. A small proportion of households have used up to five leafy foods i.e. underutilization. However, there are several known leafy foods (eleven) which no one has tried i.e. such leafy foods have not been utilized. The respondents reported many constraints in improving their intakes of leafy foods: (i) higher prices of leafy foods in the market; (ii) lack of space to grow own leafy foods in their backyards; (iii) lack of knowledge about how to prepare delicious dishes out of many leafy foods material; (iv) lack of information about the nutritional value of some of the leafy crops. Hence, to popularize the consumption of underutilized or not-utilized local leafy food crops, there is a need to generate more information on nutritional aspects of those leafy food crops and disseminate it to the people.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114919239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The availability of phosphorus (P) in soil is perceived to be one of the limiting factors to sustainable sugarcane production in Fiji. The main objective of this research was to ascertain the amount of bioavailable phosphorus in some Fiji sugarcane growing area soils; this will be valuable in improving the determination of the required amount of inorganic fertilizer to be applied to the soil. In this study, twelve different soils were selected from the sugarcane belt of Fiji and phosphorus buffer index (PBI) and phosphorus isotherm experiments were performed. Soil physical and chemical parameters were also measured and Pearson’s correlation tests used to identify patterns. It was found that Oxisols had the highest PBI values ranging from 134 to 170 while Inceptisols had the lowest ranging from 33 to 54. The PBI data followed a similar pattern to the generated isotherm curves of the different soil types. Most interest was in identifying soils with low PBIs as they have greater potential for P leaching through runoff into waterways. Clay content showed a strong positive correlation with PBI (R = 0.76, p ≤ 0.005). There is strong association with phosphorus fixation in soil with increasing levels of Al and Fe in the soil. Phosphorus availability and P fixation varied with soil types.
{"title":"Phosphorus requirements of some selected soil types in the Fiji sugarcane belt","authors":"Muni S. Goundar, R. Morrison, Culwick Togamana","doi":"10.1071/SP14001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SP14001","url":null,"abstract":"The availability of phosphorus (P) in soil is perceived to be one of the limiting factors to sustainable sugarcane production in Fiji. The main objective of this research was to ascertain the amount of bioavailable phosphorus in some Fiji sugarcane growing area soils; this will be valuable in improving the determination of the required amount of inorganic fertilizer to be applied to the soil. In this study, twelve different soils were selected from the sugarcane belt of Fiji and phosphorus buffer index (PBI) and phosphorus isotherm experiments were performed. Soil physical and chemical parameters were also measured and Pearson’s correlation tests used to identify patterns. It was found that Oxisols had the highest PBI values ranging from 134 to 170 while Inceptisols had the lowest ranging from 33 to 54. The PBI data followed a similar pattern to the generated isotherm curves of the different soil types. Most interest was in identifying soils with low PBIs as they have greater potential for P leaching through runoff into waterways. Clay content showed a strong positive correlation with PBI (R = 0.76, p ≤ 0.005). There is strong association with phosphorus fixation in soil with increasing levels of Al and Fe in the soil. Phosphorus availability and P fixation varied with soil types.","PeriodicalId":148381,"journal":{"name":"The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131142427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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