Rubber trees are among the important cultivated crops in Malaysia, and have contributed to the country’s overall economic growth since the 1950s. However, the existing anatomical and morphological studies are relatively insufficient. Currently, Hevea brasiliensis has been cultivated and planted commonly as a commercial planting clone, while Hevea camargoana remains to be a non-cultivated and underutilized rubber species. For many years, there only exists little information both in private plantations and government agencies that have carried out anatomical and morphological assessments on these underutilized species. There is little information about the characteristics of H.camargoana, thus raising the issue among plant breeders on how to best use this underutilized rubber species. This study attempts to investigate the taxonomic values and characteristics of Hevea brasiliensis and Hevea camargoana through anatomical and morphological studies.
System of wheat Intensification: A resource conservation and agro-ecological method of wheat cultivation
Presented by: Ram B. Khadka
Location: Regional Agricultural Research Station,
Khajura, Banke, Nepal
Date: 2013
System of wheat Intensification: A resource conservation and agro-ecological method of wheat cultivation
Presented by: Ram B. Khadka
Location: Regional Agricultural Research Station,
Khajura, Banke, Nepal
Date: 2013
The slides describing about the different techniques of seed production, as the seed is the basic part of any production program. Therefore, please provide review about these techniques.
Pests and Diseases of Chrysanthemum:
Chrysanthemums are not prone to a great many plant pests and diseases, and in some seasons, in fact, they are hardly troubled at all.
The slides describing about the different techniques of seed production, as the seed is the basic part of any production program. Therefore, please provide review about these techniques.
Pests and Diseases of Chrysanthemum:
Chrysanthemums are not prone to a great many plant pests and diseases, and in some seasons, in fact, they are hardly troubled at all.
ABSTRACT- Karyomorphological studies in Bauhinia acuminata Linn. and Bauhinia variegata Linn. belonging to family Caesalpinaceae using leaf tip squash technique and induction of polyploidy in Bauhinia acuminata Linn. was carried out. It was observed that in the Karyomorphological studies both the species have the same number of chromosomes i.e., 2n=28 with chromosome length showing symmetric karyotype, with largely submetacentric and metacentric chromosomes. On induction of polyploidy in Bauhinia acuminata Linn. the result showed that the maximum induction of polyploidy was obtained in the case of seeds treated with 0.10% concentration of colchicine for consecutive 3 days. Karyotype analysis of the induced polyploidy revealed that the chromosome number was obtained 4n=56, tetraploid. The significance of polyploidy showed increase in plant height, leaf size and stomata size of the plant under investigation.
Key-words- Karyomorphology, Induction of Polyploidy, Colchicine, Tetraploid
Evaluation of morphological and anatomical characters on growth of Decalepis ...ijtsrd
Decalepis hamitonii Wight & Arn plants were collected from 5 accessions [i.e., Bannerughatta, Bidadi, Devarayanadurga, Kyatasandra and Savanadurga] and analyzed for morphlogical and anatomical features. The plant exhibited milky latex which is sticky in nature, slightly thicker as compared to that of latex obtained from the members of Asclepiadacaeae and Moraceae. The external morphology of the shrub revealed an woody climber/ liana which produced roots that were pubescent in nature. One of the interesting feature in Decalepis hamitonii Wight & Arn i.e., stout roots without latex but there were presence of mucilagenous fluid which was sticky. The root exhibited variation in pubescent odour which was not detected in other families and genera., ex: Hemidesmus indicus (L.)R.Br. do not possess pubescent odour. Leaves obovate, leaf apex obtuse, base wedge shaped which was a significant character of Decalepis hamitonii Wight & Arn and flowers were trichotomously branched with solitary cyme., floral tube just minute with of 1 mm length. Unlike the altered varieties resembled with those species of Hemidesmus as well. The cultivation of Decalepis hamitonii Wight & Arn in in-vivo condition incured heavy loss or change in morphological features due to climatic conditions. Study of the characters of Decalepis hamitonii Wight & Arn was instantly carried out and analysis revealed that maintainence and protection of wild varieties along with respective characteristics without change in morphology can be done. Naveen Kumar. S. P | Maya. C"Evaluation of morphological and anatomical characters on growth of Decalepis hamiltonii wight & arn. In selected regions of Southern Karnataka" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-4 , June 2018, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd14132.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/biological-science/botany/14132/evaluation-of-morphological-and-anatomical-characters-on-growth-of-decalepis-hamiltonii-wight-and-arn-in-selected-regions-of-southern-karnataka/naveen-kumar-s-p
This powerpoint presentation gives knowledge about fiber yeilding plants namely, cotton, jute and flax. Also Gives details about their origin and the processing techniques.
Survey and Identification of Wild Mushrooms in Eastern Region of Libya IIJSRJournal
Mushrooms are a large and important class of higher Basidiomycetes fungi. Mushrooms are fleshy, sometimes tough, umbrella like shape. Some mushrooms types are edible whils, others are nonedible or poisonous called toad stool. Survey method have been carried out in eastern part of Libya, starting from Benghazi west until Shahat east city. The total regions are 10 (Sidi Khalifa, Alhmada, Albakour, Farzogha, Almarij, Wadi alkouf, Alwardia, Massa, Alwasitta and Shahat). 12 different mushroom samples were collected in three months’ time. All samples are immediately kept in sterile plastic bags and brought to mycology laboratory.
Classification and identification have been done by using Macroscopic characters specific books and references. Essential criteria and characters have been followed for identification: Structure of the fruit body, shape, size and colour, cap shape, Stalk, Gills and Teethes or Tubes are the first major key of identification. 9 mushrooms species have been identification only from 12 samples collected as following: Boletus erythropus, Russula cyanoxantha, Amanita phalloides, Amanita fulva, Mycena Pura, Agaricu ssilvaticus, Agaricus silvicola, Agaricus campestris, Coprinus plicatilis.
Most of us are familiar with Aloe Vera, here is the description related to this plant. I tried to include most of the parts if there is anything i forgot to include then leave me a comment.
From the forgoing presentation, it can be concluded that breeding characters viz., flowering period, inflorescence, time of flower opening, time of anther dehiscence, time of stigma receptivity, pollinating agent ,time of visitor of pollinating agent and fruit set (%) in tropical species are required to be studied as they are vital for any improvement and eco-environmental planning purposes. It also throws light on how species adopts itself along with the phenomenon of speciation and reproductive isolation. From these characters we can introduce new variety which is essential for further evaluation and also the identification of the interactions between biological factors, such as animal, plant species, and non-biological factors, like temperature, RH, rain and wind, helps us to elaborate management and conservation plans for the ecosystems of the planet, which have become more and more necessary due to highly increased rate of deterioration of different ecosystems during the last few decades.
Similar to Rubber Tree Cultivation and Improvement in Malaysia: Anatomical and Morphological Studies on Hevea brasiliensis and Hevea camargoana (20)
When breeding diploid potatoes, tetraploid progeny can result from the union of 2n eggs and 2n pollen in 2x-2x crosses. Thirty-three crosses were made to examine tetraploid progeny frequency in 2x-2x crosses. All crosses were between S. tuberosum dihaploids and diploid self-compatible donors, M6 and DRH S6-10-4P17. Using chloroplast counting for ploidy determination, the frequency of tetraploid progeny was as high as 45% in one of the 33 crosses. Based upon single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, the tetraploid progeny were attributed to bilateral sexual polyploidization (BSP), which is caused by the union of 2n egg and 2n pollen. Dihaploids were identified that produce lower frequencies of 2n eggs. The results of this study suggest that S. tuberosum dihaploids with a high frequency of 2n eggs should be avoided in 2x - 2x crosses for diploid breeding programs.
This study developed a low cost and affordable to small-scale farmers’ indirect air-cooling combined with evaporative cooling (IAC+EC) system for storage of fruit and vegetables under both arid and hot; and humid and hot climatic conditions. Field heat from freshly harvested produce should be immediately removed through cooling to the desired storage temperature. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of IAC+EC system in terms of the cooling time requirement of the fresh tomato fruit. A fresh tomato cooling experiment to remove field heat during the summer month of September in Pietermaritzburg was conducted for 36 hours where the IAC+EC system was compared to storage under ambient conditions. The results showed that 16 hours was required to reduce the flesh temperature of tomatoes to 16.5°C while the flesh temperature for tomatoes under ambient conditions followed the ambient temperature profile with time of storage. The IAC+EC system reduced and maintained the microenvironment air temperature inside the coolers to 16.5°C - 19°C. The ambient temperature varied between 21 and 32°C. The results in this study are evidence that IAC+ EC system can be a choice for farmers, for cooling the fresh by reducing the field temperature after harvest.
Dioscorea rotundata is a staple food crop for millions of people in the tropical and subtropical regions. In vitro germplasm conservation is a very useful tool in yam improvement strategies but very little is known about the genetic integrity and stability of in-vitro conserved yam plants. In this study, 42 accessions from in vitro and field populations were genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers and 23 morphological descriptors to assess variability within and between accessions. Out of the 23 morphological variables used, 13 were identified as most discriminate and were used to cluster the accessions into 4 clusters using the unweighted pair group arithmetic mean average (UPGMA). Accession maintained in field as well as in in-vitro showed high genetic similarity (R2 = 0.91, p-value: 1e-04). Out of the 42 accessions analyzed, nine accessions maintained in the field and in-vitro displayed different genetic profiles. This study provided basic information on the possible somaclonal variation of yam accessions maintained through in-vitro. Further study with advanced tools such as next-generation sequencing is required to elucidate the nature of the observed variation within clones.
A study was carried out on plant density at the experimental field of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Nkolbisson, Yaoundé to determine the appropriate spacing to improve rainfed rice production in the bimodal rainfall forest zone of Cameroon. The experiment was conducted during the main cropping seasons of 2017 and 2018. The planting spacing used were 15cm x 15cm, 20cm x 20cm, 25cm x 25cm and 30cm x 30cm giving the plant populations of 444444, 250000, 160,000 and 111,111 plants / ha respectively using two varieties (Nerica 3 and Nerica 8). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences were observed in the growth and yield across the years. Treatments were highly significant concerning the number of days to the appearance of the first flower, the number of days to 50% flowering, and the number of days to 50 % maturity. Plants were taller with more tillers and gave higher yields in 2017 than those of 2018. The spacing significantly affected the plant height, number of tillers, and panicle length for both varieties. The interaction of spacing and variety was significant for the number of tillers per m2 and the number of seeds per panicle, however, it was not for the weight of 1000 grains and the percentage of full bales. The yield components determining yield increase were the number of panicles / m2 and the number of seeds/panicles. Nerica 3 variety gave higher yields compared to the Nerica 8, the closer the spacing, the higher the yield. There were a strong significance and positive correlation between yield, number of panicles, and the number of grain per panicle. The spacing that gives the highest number of panicle per m2 was 15 cm X 15 cm and this spacing gave good yield in the region where the study was carried out.
Intermolecular interaction is the material basis for cells to achieve their functions, and protein-protein interaction is an important approach to illuminate the regulation network of biological molecules and has important theoretical significance and potential application value for revealing the activity law of life in nature. This paper mainly summarizes and analyzes the new advances and applications of modern biotechnologies in the study of protein-protein interactions, including local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), yeast two-hybrid, GST-Pull-down, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and coimmunoprecipitation. At the same time, the principles of different research methods for protein-protein interaction and their other applications in the field of life sciences are also discussed, all of these will provide a reference value for the analysis of protein-protein interaction and the molecular regulation mechanism of biomacromolecules.
Field experiment involving five improved onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties and carried out at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center during the 2018 to 2019 cropping seasons under irrigated condition to identify the best performing variety for seed production to the target areas of Arsi Zone. The onion varieties included in the field experiment were (Nafis, Robaf, Nasic Red, Bombe Red, and Adama Red). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Phenological and growth parameters, seed yield, and yield components were studied. The result showed that Variety had a significant effect on most phonological and growth attributes as well as on yield attributes. The number of days to flowering and vigorously were significantly affected by variety; while plant height, days to boolting and branch number was not significantly influenced by variety. Flower stalks height and diameter, number of umbel per plant, and umbel diameter also significantly affected by variety. Seed yield per umbel and mean seed yield per hectare also showed a significance difference among varieties. The highest seed yield per hectare (1415.89 kg/ha) was recorded from Adama Red and followed by Nafis variety, whereas Nasic rerd, Bombe red and Robaf show no significance difference among each other, Therefore, it can be concluded that use of the improved onion varieties such as Adama red and Nafis is advisable and could be appropriate for onion seed production in the test area even though further testing is required to put the recommendation on a strong basis.
Use of distributed electricity generation systems is currently increasing due to their economic and environmental benefits. Agricultural greenhouses require heat and electricity for covering their energy needs while their annual energy requirements vary significantly. Aim of the current work is the investigation of applying various distributed electricity generation systems in greenhouses. A review of different distributed generation systems currently used in various sectors as well as in greenhouses has been implemented. Various technologies are examined utilizing either renewable energies or fossil fuels in very efficient energy systems. Most of them are mature and cost-effective having lower environmental impacts compared with traditional centralized electricity generation technologies. Their use in greenhouses results in many benefits including the creation of an additional income for the farmer, reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and increasing stability of the electric grid. It is suggested that distributed electricity generation systems should be used more in greenhouses when the necessary conditions are favorable.
Grain mold, considered the most important disease of sorghum, is associated with several fungal genera. The disease reduces both yield and quality. In this study, over 300 sorghum seed samples collected from Texas, Florida, and Georgia were evaluated for grain mold severity, seed weight, germination rate, and seed fungal community. Grain mold severity of the seed samples, except for those collected from Cameron, Texas, were rated 3 or higher, indicating that these sorghum lines were moderately susceptible under naturally-infected field conditions during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Seed weight across surveyed locations ranged from 1.1 g to 4.0g for samples collected in Texas during the same period. Percent germination rates for samples collected in Texas ranged from 59.6% to 86.7%. Sorghum samples collected from Florida and Georgia exhibited moderately susceptible response to grain mold infection. Mean seed weight was 1.9 g for samples collected from Florida, while in Georgia, mean seed weight was 2.3 g. Germination rate was low for samples collected from Florida and Georgia. Mycological analysis of sorghum seed samples collected from farmers’ fields in Central and South Texas during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons showed Alternaria species as the most frequently isolated fungal genus, accounting for 40% and 42 % in 2016 and 2017, followed by Fusarium incarnatum, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, & F. semitectum Complex. In Florida and Georgia, Fusarium incarnatum, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, & F. semitectum Complex was the most frequently recovered fungal species, accounting for 77% and 72% of the total. genera/species isolated from seed samples. Other fungal species, including Curvularia lunata, Bipolaris sp., Colletotrichum sublineola, F. verticillioides, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, F. thapsinum, F. oxysporum, F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, and Aspergillus niger were also isolated from sorghum seeds in various frequencies. In conclusion, the presence of large number of fungal genera associated with grain deterioration and their effect on other traits, makes management of this disease complex challenging. To identify grain mold resistant sources in a region, using the most dominant species in that region to screen the sorghum germplasm is recommended.
Potato is the second most important food crop in Kenya after maize. It is a valuable cash and food crop mainly grown by small-scale farmers. Potato is cultivated mainly under rainfed production conditions at altitudes between 1500 and 3000 metre above sea level (masl). Consequently, National Performance Trials (NPTs) test sites are located in these highlands. Recently, potato production has spread to the mid-highlands (1200-1500masl) mostly due to high food demand occasioned by population increase, and migration of small scale farmers from the densely populated highlands to the more spacious midlands. Consequently, there is increased need to breed potato varieties that can grow profitably in the warmer mid-altitudes. This development called for identification of new conventional NPT test sites located in the mid-altitudes. Six mid-altitude sites were identified and client-managed conventional NPTs carried out. Twenty six potato genotypes were evaluated for two seasons. First season crop was planted in 2016 while the second season crop was planted in 2017. There was a significant (p≤ 0.001) effect of genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interaction in the first season. Trans-Nzoia was the highest yielding site. All genotypes yielded between 10 and 25 ton/ha. In the second season, only environments showed significant (p≤ 0.001) effects. Again, Trans-Nzoia was the highest yielding site. Across the two seasons, Trans-Nzoia gave an average yield of 26.96 ton/ha followed by Kabete at 18. 21ton/ha. All the other four sites yielded less than 10 ton/ha. The high yields at Trans-Nzoia and Kabete could be due to higher altitudes in these two sites compared to the others. In order to develop potato varieties that can produce profitably in the warm mid-altitudes, breeding and early generation selections activities should be based in these areas.
The tests for the evaluation of seedling establishment, palatability and acceptability were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology and the Food Laboratory of the Department of Home and Rural Economics, Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Ganye, Adamawa State. The experimental designs used were Randomized Complete Block Design and the Completely Randomized Design. Some of the parameters measured were percentage seedling establishment, palatability, and acceptability tests. The highest mean percentage seedling establishment was observed in 12.00g levels of H. suaveolens whole powder treated shelled groundnut seeds (97.67, 97.00, and 94.00) at the three periods of storage. Percentage seedling establishment decreased with a decrease in levels of H. suaveolens whole powder. One of the major constraints to the use of plant materials as an alternative to synthetic insecticides is the issue of standardization in dosage of application. This work has suggested that, if groundnut seeds are to be used for sowing, they should be stored with a 12.00g level of H. suaveolens whole powder for every 300.00g for three months. However, if they are to be used for consumption, they could be stored with a 6.00g level of H. suaveolens whole powder for every 300.00g for at most three months. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated shelled groundnut seeds at the three periods of storage on the acceptability and palatability score of cooked groundnut at all dosages of application. All treatments were within the acceptable score rates even though the two rates of the synthetic insecticides, actellic dust were at the lowest acceptable score rate. The finding also showed that acceptability and palatability decreased with an increase in dosage of application. The periods of storage also had a significant impact on the mean percentage seedling establishment. It was observed that there was a higher percentage of seedling establishment when shelled groundnut seeds were stored from November- January. At this period of the year, the temperature and humidity are usually low and this might have necessitated the high state of inactivity and low performance of the bruchids compared to other periods of storage within the year.
Irrigation experiments of cocoa tend to concentrate on yield of matured cocoa trees compared to field establishment of young seedlings. Seedling survival leading to optimum population density are fundamental to obtaining maximum yield of crops. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of mulching and irrigation on survival of hybrid cocoa clone raised in three different growing media during the establishment phase. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arranged in a split-split plot design, with irrigation as the main plot factor, mulching as the subplot factor and growing media as the sub-sub plot factor with three replications. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) was used as the mulching material and each plant received 5kg at a rate of 5.6 t/ha. Irrigation was done daily by applying 4L of water except when it rains. Data was collected on soil moisture, plant height, leaf number, stem girth and plant survival. Results indicated that irrigation and mulching significantly (P<0.01) enhanced soil moisture. Cocoa seedlings raised in topsoil, mulched and irrigated significantly (P<0.05) increased survival rate (94.5%) compared to seedlings raised in soil without irrigation and no mulching (47.1%). Similarly, the survival rate of seedlings raised in growing media M2, mulched and irrigated (93.0%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than similar seedlings without irrigation (73.4%). However, the survival rate of seedlings raised in M3 without mulching but irrigated was significantly (<0.05) higher 92.1% compared to seedlings raised in M3 mulched and irrigated 67.1%. Irrigation is very important in ensuring high survival rate during early field establishment. Mulching with cocoa pod husk without irrigation did not improve cocoa seedling survival.
Few years ago National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) launched melon sheller to reduce burden of obtaining melon oil and cake, and to enhance rural women’s productivity. This study looked at the productivity of promoted melon shelling technology and preference by rural women in Nigeria. Data were gathered from the NCAM workshop and survey of melon processors in Niger State. In the workshop, it was found that time allowed for soaking melon and covering with piece of clothes contributed to the productivity of the sheller. Results from survey revealed that 95.1% of the respondents’ preferred Internal Combustion technology and 90.2% liked electric-driven melon shellers over the manual one. Also, 69.5% obtained the shellers from local fabricators rather than NCAM. The technology led to increased turnout of melon (378kg/hr) and reduced wastages to 1.26kg out of 75.6kg. The study concluded that the promoted melon sheller is efficient and have positive implication on the rural women’s productivity and revenue. The study recommends that the rural women should put the melon sheller into its maximum capacity use. The NCAM should extend training to the local fabricators so that they can improve on the technology most especially in the areas of winnowing and washing of melon kernels.
Keeping in view of lack of recommended rates of N and NPS fertilizers, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the newly introduced NPS fertilizer and nitrogen on growth, physiology and above ground biomass of garlic. Four NPS (0-0-0, 78.75-69-12.75, 105-92-17 and 131.25-115-21.25 kg N-P-S ha-1) and three nitrogen fertilizer rates (114.13, 228.26 and 278.33 kg N ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Significantly highest plant height (28.02 cm), leaf diameter (1.27 cm), dry and fresh weight (4.71 g and 6.11 g) and leaf length were recorded on garlic plants supplied with 105-92-17 kg N-P-S ha-1 and also the highest plant height (27.75 cm), leaf length (24.02 cm), fresh and dry weight (6.23 g and 5.04 g) were recorded on garlic plants supplied with 278.33 kg N ha-1. The interaction effect also show a significant effect in almost all the growth parameters; the early day to 50% emergence was recorded from a plot which received 228.26 kg N ha-1 and 105-92-17 kg NPS ha-1 and the highest plant height, leaf length, fresh and dry above ground biomass and leaf diameter were 29.62 cm, 25.60 cm, 6.93 g, 5.59 g and 1.4 cm, respectively were observed by the interaction of 278.33 kg N ha-1 and 105-92-17 kg N-P-S ha-1 with no significant difference with 228.26 N and 78.75-69-12.75 kg N-P-S ha−1. From this one season experiment, fertilizer rates 307.01-69-12.75 kg N-P-S ha−1 could be recommended for garlic production.
In the past, conservation effort has primarily focused on establishment of forest reserves for timber production, with minimal or no consideration to how these natural resources will help sustain or improve livelihoods of adjoining communities. This study examined the contribution of Aramoko forest reserve to the livelihoods of the adjoining communities in Ekiti State. One hundred and twenty pre-tested questionnaires were administered among the products collectors in the study area. Data collected were analysed and the result showed that 78.3 % of the respondents are married with 52.3 % of them male, while 50.8 % of the respondents aged between 51-70 years with 64.1 % having at least secondary education. Twenty-five (25) different products were collected by the respondents in the study area. These products include among others; timber with highest frequency of (120) followed by herbal plants (115), Archantina marginata (105), Thaumatococcus danielli (89), Bridelia ferruginea (70) and Irvingia garbonensis (65). The use of motor cycle accounted for 41.4 % of the respondents means of transportation, while 31.3 % of the respondents sell their product in bit at the village market. Picking, digging, plucking, cutting and uprooting were methods used for harvesting by the respondents while illegal felling (24 %) and indiscriminate bush burning (22.4 %) were the major conservation problem in the study area. Specifically, some of the products harvested are used for food, medicine, fuelwood, herbs and cultural purposes. The study recommends that research should be conducted into how these products can be artificially raised in the nursery for plantation establishment.
Cocoa farmer faces increasing challenging environment through exposure to risks factors which have impacted negatively on their production or output. Since farmers are primary producers and often times lack capacity to control risks factor, it is important to manage this factors. This study examines the cocoa farmers’ risk preferences and crop insurance perception and isolates the drivers of decision to uptake crop insurance among cocoa farmers in Ekiti state. The sample for the study consist of 200 cocoa farmers who were household heads selected through multi-stage sampling across four Local government areas of Ekiti State who are predominantly cocoa producers. Data collected on socio-demographic characteristics, perception of crop insurance and risk preferences, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic model. Results showed that majority of the cocoa farmers were without crop insurance, with higher enrolment in Membership of cooperative society, owned their land, larger household size and lower educational level but higher level of farm experience when compared to cocoa farmers who are holding crop insurance. Farmers risk preferences showed no significant difference between farmers with or without insurance. Education (β=0.59), Household size (β=0.0029) and Debt use (β=0.02), Membership of cooperative (β=-4.53), Farming Experience (β=-2.51), Owned Land (β=-2.19) and Non-Farm Income (β=-0.65) were among the significant determinants of insurance uptake. Risk mitigating measures such as provision of necessary incentives such as improved varieties of cocoa seedling, as well as provision of fertiliser and approved pesticides, financial assistance, and simple processing technologies that produce standard cocoa bean plus a re-jigged Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) for an improved discharge of its function are recommended.
Mitigation of climate change requires the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and the increasing use of renewable energies replacing fossil fuels. Agricultural greenhouses are energy-intensive agricultural systems using mainly fossil fuels. The use of renewable energies during their operation is limited so far. The possibility of using renewable energies for covering their energy needs has been investigated, focused on the Mediterranean region. Various sustainable energy technologies which are reliable, mature, cost-effective and broadly used in various applications are examined. These include solar-PV systems, low enthalpy geothermal energy, solid biomass burning, co-generation systems, high efficiency heat pumps and reuse of rejected industrial heat. Combined use of these systems in greenhouses can cover all their energy requirements in heat, cooling and electricity, reducing or zeroing their net CO2 emissions into the atmosphere due to operational energy use. It is concluded that depending on their local availability in Mediterranean countries, these benign energy technologies can assist greenhouse crop growers in the reduction of their carbon emissions, contributing in the achievement of the universal goal for climate change mitigation.
Field experiment was carried out under rain-fed conditions during the 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Ganye, solely to develop an integrated pest management for the control of groundnut Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) [Homoptera: Aphididae]. The experimental Design used was the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Parameters measured were, average number of leaves per plot at 6 weeks after sowing, number of branches at 3 weeks after sowing, number of branches at 6 weeks after sowing, number of pods per plot, weight of harvested seeds per plot. The result obtained shows that, there was significant difference among the treatments in all the parameters measured at 0.05 level of probability using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). According to the results recorded, the highest mean yield of groundnut was obtained on plots treated with the combination of chemical and physical control methods (1444g) followed by plots treated with physical, chemical and cultural control methods combined (1296g). The highest mean number of pods per plant was recorded in the combination of physical, chemical and cultural control methods (18.00) followed by chemical and physical control methods as combined (15.00). The work shows that, the cultivation of groundnut with the control of groundnut Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) using integrated pest control applied as recommended facilitates better growth and guarantees good crop yield. The use of physical, chemical and cultural control method is profitable in Ganye Area of Adamawa State and is therefore suggested for use to local farmers.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world. Purple rice, as a special rice with important nutritional and health functions, has important scientific significance and application value for genetic improvement of purple rice and breeding of new varieties through in-depth study on its agronomic and related quality traits and products processed, and analysis of its genetic basis. In this paper, the new progress of purple rice in agronomic traits, quality traits, environmental impacts on purple rice and genetic basis of purple rice seed coat in recent years were reviewed and analyzed, and the application prospects of purple rice processing products and purple gene in rice genetic improvement were also prospected. Thus, our results will provide important information and reference for breeding new purple rice varieties with good quality and high yield.
Groundnut is an important oil seed crop, grown throughout the tropics and sub tropics worldwide. It is one of the three economically important oilseed crops grown in Ethiopia. Groundnut is commonly produced by small scale farmers as food and cash crops in the study area. The area has potential to the production of Ground nut for food and nutrition security as well as export commodity. However, scarcity of varieties that fit to the environment is one of the major constraints of production. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate five Ground nut varieties and select early maturing varieties with considerable yield and agronomic traits. The field experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at Abaya and varieties were planted in Randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on yield and important agronomic traits. The computed analysis of variance revealed significant variations among varieties for days to maturity, number of primary branches, number of pegs per plants, Grain yield and shelling percentage. The pooled over year mean of varieties indicated , Tole- 1 variety ( Check) is high yielding with mean grain yield of 4174.7kg followed by variety Sedi (3552.5kg/ha) and Babile local (3550.4kg/ha).Variety Sedi has special merit in terms of earliness and therefore recommended for moisture stress areas of Abaya and location with similar agro ecologies while Tole -1 (Standard check) is high yielding varieties and should be used in production until new varieties will be developed through selection/breeding program.
Besides the lack of soil fertilization, the primary biotic stressor limiting the production of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in Indonesia is pest and disease attacks (PDAs). As a part of the efforts to find out the appropriate solution for the farming constraints, a field trial was carried out for 14 months (2015 – 2016) in Genggelang - North Lombok Regency, Indonesia. The main objective of the experiment was to identify the effects of the use of locally-available materials, i.e., liquid-silicate rock fertilizer (LSRF), botanical pesticide (BP) of neem, and black ants (BA) of Doliccoderus thoracic, on PDAs, bean production, and polyphenol and lignin contents of cocoa pod shell. A randomized complete block design was laid out in three blocks, and the treatments were LSRF, LSRF+BP, LSRF+BA, BA, and control. Results reveal that the application of those materials reduced the intensity of pest and disease attacks (e.i., respectively, 6 - 24 % and 3 - 9 % lower than for that of the control), increased 18 – 119 % of bean production, and improved the polyphenol and lignin contents of pod shell. The highest increase (119 %) of bean production was due to the foliar application of LSRF. The positive effect of the treatments, especially the use of LSRF, associated with the improvement of the resistance of cocoa to PDAs and appropriate supply of plant-essential nutrients. Therefore, the foliar application of LSRF may be promoted as a proper method to improve the production of cocoa, especially of that grown on less fertile soils.
Observation of Io’s Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground-based Adapt...Sérgio Sacani
Since volcanic activity was first discovered on Io from Voyager images in 1979, changes
on Io’s surface have been monitored from both spacecraft and ground-based telescopes.
Here, we present the highest spatial resolution images of Io ever obtained from a groundbased telescope. These images, acquired by the SHARK-VIS instrument on the Large
Binocular Telescope, show evidence of a major resurfacing event on Io’s trailing hemisphere. When compared to the most recent spacecraft images, the SHARK-VIS images
show that a plume deposit from a powerful eruption at Pillan Patera has covered part
of the long-lived Pele plume deposit. Although this type of resurfacing event may be common on Io, few have been detected due to the rarity of spacecraft visits and the previously low spatial resolution available from Earth-based telescopes. The SHARK-VIS instrument ushers in a new era of high resolution imaging of Io’s surface using adaptive
optics at visible wavelengths.
A brief information about the SCOP protein database used in bioinformatics.
The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for the structural and evolutionary relationships of proteins. It provides a detailed and curated classification of protein structures, grouping them into families, superfamilies, and folds based on their structural and sequence similarities.
This pdf is about the Schizophrenia.
For more details visit on YouTube; @SELF-EXPLANATORY;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiarMZDNhe1A3Rnpr_WkzA/videos
Thanks...!
Seminar of U.V. Spectroscopy by SAMIR PANDASAMIR PANDA
Spectroscopy is a branch of science dealing the study of interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy refers to absorption spectroscopy or reflect spectroscopy in the UV-VIS spectral region.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy is an analytical method that can measure the amount of light received by the analyte.
What is greenhouse gasses and how many gasses are there to affect the Earth.moosaasad1975
What are greenhouse gasses how they affect the earth and its environment what is the future of the environment and earth how the weather and the climate effects.
Richard's aventures in two entangled wonderlandsRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
2. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
28
leaves from five different trees of each species were sampled for this study. These leaves were formed for at least
eight weeks after the first season of defoliation in the beginning of a year. In this study, only healthy leaves without
an unusual shape nor any deformity by disease or infection were collected as the standard reference for comparison
between the species.
2.2. Bark Surface
The smoothness of the bark surface was observed visually at 1.5 m height above ground, from five different
trees of each species. The bark surface was in its original condition, without disturbance from harvesting practices
that would injure the bark surface. Representative images were then captured using a digital camera.
2.3. Seeds
Seeds from five different trees of H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana were collected in bags made of netting
which were tied around the fruit capsules on trees. This procedure would ensure that the seeds were collected
properly, where fruit dehisced were fresh and free of pest infestation. Furthermore, the netting bags were necessary
to save the seeds from being consumed by rodents and other wild animals. Next, they were cleaned with distilled
water to remove any dirt from their surface, prior to characterization by visual observations using a digital camera.
2.4. Leaf Venation and Petiole
Ten healthy mature leaves were examined from both H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana. Leaves which were
infected by disease were not examined, due to the possibility of distorted venation caused by infection. The pattern
of leaf venation between species was examined with light microscopy study under an Olympus BH2 Light
Microscope. The same leaves examined for leaf venation for their petiole and vascular bundle, were examined under
a light microscope using a free-hand sectioning technique. In this sectioning technique, these leaf samples were
softened with distilled water before cutting them with a 10 µm thickness razor blade, focusing at their midrib. These
leaf samples were collected from three individual trees per species, where the best sample for each species was
further cut into cross sections. Later, sections of samples were stained with Sudan III, and then mounted on glass
slides. At the end of the sectioning, these leaf samples with petiole and vascular bundles were placed under an
Olympus BH2 Light Microscope.
2.5. Stomata
Ten fully-developed leaves from both H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana were collected and preserved in a
laboratory freezer, prior to Scanning Electron Microscope investigation. Three leaves from five different trees of
each species were sampled. These leaves were cut into 4 cm x 4 cm pieces that were positioned onto a copper stub
smeared with carbon paste for adhesion. After that, the stomata on these leaf samples were examined under a low-
pressure column in the FEI’s Scanning Electron Microscope Quanta 180 at 10 kV.
2.6. Laticifers
Bark samples from H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana were collected from the tree trunk at a 1.5 m height
above ground using a bark borer that penetrated at least 6 mm into the bark. The samples were then soaked in 10%
chromic acid and 10% nitric acid for bleaching purposes, before being transferred to an oven where they were
incubated at 60°C for 24 hours. Small glass beads were added into a bottle containing the bark samples, and the
bark-bead-solution mixture was gently shaken using a maceration technique until the fibres separated after becoming
loose. The mixture was then rinsed three times with 50% ethanol. Next, Sudan III was added, and the mixture was
left to stand for three minutes. The solution was re-rinsed with 50% ethanol, until it became clear and free of stain.
Sterilized forceps were used to pick up the stained, loose latex vessels, which were then mounted onto a glass slide
sealed with glycerine jelly. The slides were examined under an Olympus BH2 light microscope.
3. Results
3.1. Leaves
Both H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana ensembled a compound leaf structure, where each leaf blade itself was
actually divided into three different leaflets, and of which has their own stalks or petioles. Also, the leaflets were
attached and extended outwards altogether, at the end of the same petiole, which is an important characteristic to
distinguish from the pinnately-compound leaves derived from the leaf midrib or rachis (i.e. continuing of the
petiole). These leaflets often have short petiolules, the leaf structure that extends from the petiole, and were
occasionally folded back and seemed like they were in a drooping position in the mature stage. The leaf type
observed in this study was more accurate to be coined as “palmately-compound trifoliate leaves with equally
symmetry at opposite angles” for both species, as shown in Picture 3.1(a) and 3.1(b).
3. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
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Picture-3.1. (a)(b). Palmately-compound trifoliate leaves with equally symmetry at opposite angles in H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana.
3.2. Bark Surface
Smooth bark surface was observed in H. brasiliensis, whilst flaky bark surface was noticed in H. camargoana in
Picture 3.2(a) and 3.2(b). Normally, the bark surface in many tree crops is an important protective layer that is
initiated from the inner part of the stem cambium. In rubber trees, laticifers in the bark layer are relatively important
for latex harvesting. Therefore, the smooth bark surface is preferable to be explored as a commercial planting
material. In addition, limited information exists on bark smoothness through the focus of anatomical and
morphological studies on rubber species. The results obtained from this study could thus fill the gap and provide
important information for future rubber improvement programmes.
Picture-3.2. (a)(b). Bark surfaces observed in H. brasiliensis (smooth) and H. camargoana (flaky).
3.3 Seeds
H.brasiliensis resembled a rounded and slightly obovate shape, and the ventral was slightly compressed, while
dorsal was slightly rounded with a glossy brown colour seed coat, rich with large brown mottling. Meanwhile, H.
camargoana showed an obvious angular and recognizable square shape, and the ventral was regularly flat with a
rounded dorsal, light-grey seed coat. It was covered with black mottling, as showed in Picture 3.3(a) and 3.3(b).
Picture-3.3. (a)(b). Seed shape of H. brasiliensis (obovate) and H. camargoana (angular square).
4. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
30
3.4. Leaf Venation and Petiole
Both H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana with leaves that appeared identical only with primary and secondary
veins with visual observation, but light microscope observation further revealed there were smaller tertiary veins
extended from the secondary veins, and veinlets extended from the tertiary veins. Many noticeable tertiary veins
were branched from the secondary veins, while many veinlets were branched from the tertiary veins, where these
veinlets were not able to be detected by visual observation, as shown in Picture 3.4(a) and 3.4(b). The middle vein
divides the leaf region into two sections of fairly bilateral symmetry, but the secondary and tertiary veins were not
formed as mirror images. The veinlets often terminate in between the secondary and tertiary veins, creating the
areole in between veins, which is the area without veins on the leaf surface. Meanwhile, there were no obvious
laticifers detected in the leaf petiole in all leaf samples, if compared to the bark structure. All samples showed of
petiole, where their leaves consisted of a distinct epidermis layer, vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) and other
elementary leaf tissues such as collenchyma cells and sclerenchyma cells, as expected in a dicotyledonous plant in
Picture 3.4(c) and 3.4(d). Also, all the samples formed the typically supporting tissues that consist of collenchyma
cells, sclerenchyma cells and vascular tissues that could be observed in the majority of perennial crops.
Picture-3.4. (a)(b). Leaf venation pattern showed in H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana tertiary veins extended from the secondary veins, and
veinlets extended from the tertiary veins (4x magnification)
Picture-3.4. (c)(d). Leaf petiole showed in H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana with a distinct epidermis layer, vascular tissues (xylem and
phloem) and other elementary leaf tissues such as collenchyma cells and sclerenchyma cells (4x magnification).
3.5. Stomata
The existence of stomata was hardly revealed at the upper side of the leaf (adaxial), but they were detected in
abundance at the underside of the leaves (abaxial). Evidently, the guard cells in both H. brasiliensis and H.
camargoana in this research were found to be kidney-shaped during the preservation procedure, with fixation
reagents in SEM. This research also concludes that rubber species would exhibit the same stomata arrangement as
the paracytic type, where each guard cell is accompanied by one or multiple subsidiary cells at their longitudinal
axes that are parallel to the guard cells in Picture 3.5(a) and 3.5(b). The elongated and kidney-shaped stomata that
are normally found on monocotyledon plants did not appear on any of the leaf samples in both rubber species.
Similarly, it is interesting to discover that several samples of H. camargoana showed specialized hair-like
appendages commonly known as trichomes on the underside of the leaf surface when observed under SEM
examination. Nevertheless, this characteristic of having trichomes was not detected in all H. brasiliensis samples
collected. To date, there exists no report about this characteristic in rubber trees or rubber species, especially in the
context of Malaysia.
5. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
31
Picture-3.5. (a)(b). Stomata arranged as the paracytic types (highlighted) were observed in H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana (1000x
magnification)
3.6. Laticifers
The result show that the maceration technique of laticifers in both H. brasiliensis and H. camargaona would
resemble a very complex articulated and anastomosing laticifer type. The complexity of these anastomosing
laticifers was due to the fact that enzymatic activities take place in the formation of new laticifers by the constant
addition of new primordial cells to the existing ones, and not by the growth of individual cells. At the end of the
formation processes, the laticifers could be seen as connected as a whole. The anastomosing laticifers were revealed
in the longitudinal section by means of tissue maceration. The examination of longitunal section of bark and
articulated anastomosing laticifers with light microscope in H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana is presented in
Picture 3.6(a) and 3.6 (b).
Picture-3.6. (a)(b). Articulated anastomosing laticifers were observed in H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana (10x magnification)
4. Discussion
There was a negative correlation between the age of the tree and leaf length, as mentioned by Chandrasekhar
[11]. In the present study, however, no marked phase of acceleration in leaf elongation was observed in mature trees
of Hevea species between the time of leaf emergence and its full expansion. Nevertheless, leaf shape is a very useful
morphological characteristic for species identification and authentication, since there exists no standard reference for
leaf shape or leaf expansion during the different stages of development of a rubber tree. In different circumstances,
the development of the embryo sac and seed coat is under the influence of the female gametophyte as a maternal
effect, as the shape of seed and coat colour, shape (ventral and dorsal) and coat appearance (colour and mottling) of
the different Hevea species are inherited entirely from the female parent. The colour or shape of the seed hardly
provide useful information on the male parent for the purpose of improvement. However, colour and shape of seeds
are distinctive between H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana, and this character is useful as one of the taxonomic
values. In general, uneven bark surface could cause exuded latex to be drawn away from the collection cup during
harvesting. Also, there is an indirect relationship between latex yield and surface smoothness of the bark. Whenever
a tapping knife cannot cut cleanly into an uneven bark surface and a deeper cut was forced, this would easily injure
the cambium tissue and cause unsatisfactory bark regeneration. The general venation architecture of these Hevea
species was the same for both H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana, where they had the obvious primary, secondary,
tertiary veins and even veinlets that formed a reticulate pattern, which is a typical venation formation for most
dicotyledonous species. When observations were made on their petioles, H. brasiliensis and H. camargoana
6. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
32
demonstrated similar morphology in the epidermis layer, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, xylem, phloem,
collenchyma, and sclerenchyma tissues. This study correspondingly supports the findings of Senanayake and
Samaranayake [12], Gomez and Samsidar [13] and Gomez [14], who conclude that rubber leaves often show a high
number of stomata on the underside (abaxial) leaf surface, but the number of stomata on the upper side (adaxial) leaf
surface remains low. In the meantime, the articulated and anastomosing laticifers revealed in all samples showed that
limitless laticifer cells were fused together, forming an elongated intrusive branching when viewed under a light
microscope; this affirmed the findings by Blaser [15], Vertrees and Mahlberg [16] and Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak
[17].
5. Conclusion
One common problem facing by many natural rubber producing countries is the inbreeding depression of rubber
trees, due to the cross-breed with closely-related parent trees. Inbreeding depression and the narrow genetic base in
rubber trees not only affects the direction of breeding programmes for yield improvement, but also the availability of
gene resources to incorporate any useful morphological and biochemical characteristics. To overcome these
problems, effort must be made to expand the genetic base by way of an organized infusion of underutilized Hevea
species such as H. camargoana. Once a new pool of genetic resources is assembled, these materials can then be
utilized for wide crossing. For Hevea, novel materials should be utilized in breeding for the improvement of yield
and other important characteristics, which should be undertaken cautiously without upsetting the conservation of the
existing pool of available genetic resources. Therefore, broadening the Hevea genetic base is an important strategy in
future breeding programmes, in order to produce improved planting materials and in turn befit rubber growers for
many decades to come.
References
[1] Priyadashan, P. M., 2011. Biology of Hevea rubber. CABI, Wallingford, UK.
[2] Schultes, R. E., 1990. "A brief taxonomic view of the genus Hevea. MRRDB monograph no.14. Malaysian
Rubber Research and Development Board."
[3] Webster, C. C. and Paardekooper, E. C., 1989. The botany of the rubber tree. In: Webster CC and baulkwill
(eds.), rubber. New York: John Wiley and Sons. pp. 57-84.
[4] Barlow, C., 1978. The natural rubber industry. London: Oxford University Press.
[5] Gomez, J. B., Narayanan, R., and Chen, K. T., 1972. "Some structural factors affecting the productivity of
Hevea brasiliensis. I. Quantitative determination of the laticiferous tissues." Journal of Rubber Research
Institute of Malaysia, vol. 23, p. 193.
[6] Priya, P., Venkatachalam, P., and Thulaseedharan, A., 2006. "Differential expression pattern of rubber
elongation factor (REF) mRNA transcripts from high and low yielding clones of rubber tree (Hevea
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[7] Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak, 2000. Development and distribution of laticifers in plants (Doctoral
dissertation). Durham University.
[8] Yoonram, K., Takahashi, S., Rattanapittayaporn, A., Koyama, T., Wititsuwannakul, D., and
Wititsuwannakul, R., 2008. "cDNA, from Hevea brasiliensis latex, encoding 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-%-
phosphate reductoisomerase." Plant Science, vol. 175, pp. 694-700.
[9] Schultes, R. E., 1977. "Wild Hevea: An untapped source of germplasm." Journal Rubber Research Institute
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[10] Goulding, M., 1980. Fishes and the forest: Explorations in amazonian natural history. University of
California Press.
[11] Chandrasekhar, T. R., 2015. "Dynamics of leaflet elongation and its relationship with plant performance in
rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) trees under dry sub-humid climatic conditions." Journal of Rubber Research,
vol. 18, pp. 99-108.
[12] Senanayake, Y. D. A. and Samaranayake, P., 1970. "Intraspecific variation of stomatal density in Hevea
brasiliensis Muell." Arg. Journal of Rubber Research Institute of Ceylon, vol. 46, pp. 61-68.
[13] Gomez, J. B. and Samsidar, H., 1980. "Variations in leaf morphology and anatomy between clones of
Hevea." Journal of Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, vol. 28, pp. 157-172.
[14] Gomez, J. B., 1982. "Anatomy of Hevea and its influence on latex production. MRRDB Monograph No.7,
Malaysian Rubber Research and Development Board."
[15] Blaser, H., 1945. "Anatomy of cryptotesgia grandiflora with special reference to the latex system."
American Journal of Botany, vol. 32, pp. 135-141.
[16] Vertrees, G. L. and Mahlberg, P. G., 1978. "Structure and ontogeny of laticifers in Cichorium intybus
(Compositae)." American Journal of Botany, vol. 65, pp. 764-771.
[17] Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak, 2013. "Personal communication."