Analysis of NPK in Camellia sinensis, Gliricidia sepium, and Musa acuminata Biomasses for Preparation of an Organic Fertilizers Formula for Young Tea Plants (Musa acuminata) and Studying of Their Nutrient Release Capacity in the Biodegradation Process

This study investigates the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) contents in raw biomasses of Camellia sinensis, Gliricidia sepium, and Musa acuminata. Therein, the highest N and P content was seen in Camellia sinensis 116.80 ± 0.08 mg and 66.00 ± 0.14 mg respectively. The highest K content (106.80 ± 0.04 mg) was observed in Musa acuminata. Next, all three types of plant materials were allowed to decompose in water for 3 weeks, and a sample from each was analyzed for NPK after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week during decomposition. A significant increase in the release of N, P, and K by the Camellia sinensis to water (P Musa acuminate were not significantly changed (P > 0.05) over time. The ratio for N:P:K was calculated for raw biomass samples and decomposed samples to find the best fitting N:P:K ratio to apply to young tea plants as organic fertilizers. In addition to that, the microbial insight of these organic compounds was analyzed by observing how microbial population increased with decomposition by the enumeration of the total microbial count. A considerable increment in total microbial count was observed up to 3.28 × 106, 1.21 × 1010, 2.18 × 108, and 6.49 × 107 CFU/ml for Camellia sinensis, Gliricidia sepium, Musa accuminata (leaves), and Musa accuminata (trunk) respectively. The presence of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and nitrogen solubilizing bacteria (NSB) throughout the decomposition period was confirmed by their growth on NBRIP and a modified nutrient medium that was specifically designed for the identification of ammonifiers respectively. Prepared fertilizer samples were applied to young tea plants that were grown in the Mawanella area in Sri Lanka (7°15'12.42"N 80°26'47.62"E) and according to the results, it is clear that fertilizer mixture 1 (N:P:K, 10:5:10, tea dust + Gliricidia + banana trunk) and fertilizer mixture 2 (N:P:K, 10:5:10, tea dust + Gliricidia + banana leaves) has the potential to increase the growth of young tea plants.

In vitro activities of acetonic extracts from leaves of three forage legumes(Calliandra calotyrsus,Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena diversifolia) on Haemonchus contortus

Objective:To assess ovicidal activity of three acetonic extracts from the leaves of three forage legume,Calliandra calotyrsus(C.calotyrsus),Gliricidia sepium(G.sepium) and Leucaena diversifolia(L.diversifolia) in vitro on Haemonchus contortus(H.contortus).Methods:Eggs were exposed for 24 hours to five different concentrations(0.075,0.15,0.3,0.6 and 1.25 mg/mL) of acetonic extracts at room temperature(24℃).Distilled water and 0.4%Tween were used in the bioassay as negative controls.Results:The later did not affect embryonation and egg hatching of H.contortus.Conversively,significant effects were obtained with the acetonic extracts of leaves of all three plants and the maximum activity was observed with the highest concentration (1.25 mg/mL).The acetonic extract of G.sepium was found to be more active(2.9%and 0.0% for embryonation and egg hatching,respectively) than the other substances 16.5%and 33.5%, respectively for C.calothyrsus,33.7%and 33.3%,respectively for L diversifolia.Conclusions: These results suggest that the three forage legumes do possess ovicidal properties and further studies on larvae should be carried out.

Larvicidal,ovicidal and pupicidal activities of Gliricidia sepium(Jacq.)(Leguminosae) against the malarial vector,Anopheles stephensi Liston(Culicidae:Diptera)

Objective:To investigate the potentiality of mosquitocidal activity of Gliricidia sepium（C.sepium） （Jacq.）（Leguminosae）.Methods:Twenty five early third instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi （An.stephensi） were exposed to various concentrations（50-250 ppm） and the 24 h LC50 values of the G.sepium extract was determined by probit analysis.The ovicidal activity was determined against An.stephensi to various concentrations ranging from 25-100 ppm under laboratory conditions.The eggs hatchabilily was assessed 48 h post treatment.The pupicidal activity was determined against An.stephensi to various concentrations ranging from 25-100 ppm.Mortality of each pupa was recorded after 24 h of exposure to the extract.Results:Results pertaining to the experiment clearly revealed that ethanol extract showed significant larvicidal,ovicidal and pupicidal activity against the An.stephensi.Larvicidal activity of ethanol extracts of G.sepium showed maximum mortality in 250 ppm concentration（96.0±2.4）%.Furthermore,the LC50 was found to be 121.79 and the LC50 value was recorded to be 231.98 ppm.Ovicidal activity of ethanol extract was assessed by assessing the egg hatchabilily.Highest concentration of both solvent extracts exhibited 100%ovicidal activity.Similarly,pupae exposed to different concentratioiLs of ethanol extract were found dead with 58.10%adult emergence when it was treated with 25 ppm concentration.Similarly,18.36（n=30;61.20%）;21.28（70.93） and 27.33（91.10） pupal mortality was recorded from the experimental pupae treated with 50,75 and 100 ppm concentration of extracts. Three fractions have been tested for their larvicidal activity of which the Fraction 3 showed the LC50 and LC90 values of 23.23 and 40.39 ppm.With regard to the ovicidal effect fraction 3 showed highest ovicidal activities than the other two fractions.Furthermore,there were no hatchabilily was recorded above 50 ppm（100%egg mortality） in the experimental group.Statistically significant pupicidal activity was recorded from 75 ppm concentration.Conclusions:From the results it can be concluded the crude extract of G.sepium is an excellent potential for controlling An.stephensi mosquito.It is apparent that,iraction 3 possess a novel and active principle which could be responsible for those biological activities.

云南干热河谷旱坡地南洋樱植物篱水土保持效益研究

对云南元谋干热河谷旱坡地水土流失和土壤退化严重的地区,引进豆科速生树种南洋樱,以30 cm×40 cm株行距、品字形双行等高栽植快速形成植物围篱。结果表明,南洋樱植物篱在元谋干热河谷旱坡地生长良好,并且在种植3年间,治理区径流发生次数明显减少,年径流模数减少了29.13×104m3/km2,减少率76.90%;土壤年退化减少12 986.8 t/km2,减少率76.02%。研究区降水量与径流量间者的相关系数由建植篱前的显著相关变为不显著;有机质和钾流失减少量高达3 111.64 kg/hm2和3276.57 kg/hm2。南洋樱植物篱在控制旱坡地水土流失、减少土壤侵蚀和改善土壤养分等效益显著。

墨西哥丁香引种、繁殖试验初报

对热带固氮速生树种墨西哥丁香进行引种、繁殖及早期试种的试验。结果表明 ,清水浸种处理的种子发芽率较高 ,达 76 .5%。以无菌种子为外植体材料 ,在适宜的培养基上培养时不定芽的增殖可达 1 .5倍以上。扦插育苗以木栓化枝条作插穗的成活率最高 ,可达98%。该树种生长迅速 ,抗逆性强 ,砍伐后萌芽率高 ,定植 2年已有植株开花。

Liming and Fertilizer Potentials of Some Underutilized Plant Materials in Southwestern Nigeria

Soil acidification and phosphorus deficiency are a major constraint to crop production in tropical soils. Use of conventional liming materials is associated with some limitations viz： inability to solely improve nitrogen and available phosphorus in soils, loss of soil organic carbon and soil aggregate stability. Liming and fertilizer potentials of leaves from three plant materials （Tithonia diversifolia （TL）, Imperata cylindrica （SG） and Gliricidia sepium （GL）） widely growing in Ogbomoso, southwest Nigeria, were tested under incubation condition. Each of the plant material was applied at.the rate of 10 t·hm-2 with and without 50% concentration of NPK 15 ： 15 ： 15-urea mix in 500 g acidic soiL Sole lime applied at 1 t·hm-2, sole NPK 15 ： 15 ： 15 applied at 60 kg·hm2 mixed with urea at 60 kg N· hm2 and an unamended soil were compared in completely randomized design in three replicates. The treated soils were incubated for 12 weeks. Thereafter, maize seeds were raised in each pot for a period of 3 weeks. Data coUected were subjected to analysis of variance. Regression analysis was used to predict contributions of increased soil pH in plant material treated soils to exchangeable A1, H, dry root weight of maize and available phosphorus. Results indicated that sole plant materials were the order SG〉TL〉GL significantly （P〈0.05） reduced exchangeable acidity compared to unamended and sole NPK. Sole NPK had the highest exchangeable acidity （4.7 cmol·kg-1） compared to unamended soil （3.3 cmol·kg-1） and sole lime （2.7 cmol·kg-1）. Application of sole Tithonia diversifolia increased available phosphorus by 214% and 97% compared to unamended and sole NPK treated soils respectively. Sole plant materials increased maize root weight by 33% compared to sole NPK. Increasing soil pH at harvesting in plant material treated soils significantly reduced exchangeable H and A1. Soil pH was responsible for up to 33% and 53% reductions in exchangeable Al and H, respectively. This culminated into up to 22% increases in dry root weight of maize seedling. Present results showed ability of the plant materials tested to ameliorate soil acidity and improved soil available phosphorus. The plant materials should be explored for using as green manure and composting feedstock. It will go a long way to reduce high dosage use of conventional liming and fertilizer materials on acidic nutrient degraded soils.