Introduction- Biological soil disinfestation (BSD) is becoming popular outside Okinawa, Japan and is often conducted by using low concentrations of ethanol to irrigate the soil. Okinawa has a subtropical climate, and its soil is unique and different from that of other regions of Japan. The effect of BSD on farms in Okinawa remains unclear due to a lack of research conducted in the area. Materials and methods- This study investigated the effect of BSD using low concentrations of ethanol on Jahgaru soil in Okinawa on the change in the oxidation/reduction potential (ORP), pH, and bud cells of the pathogen isolated from Fusarium root rot. Results and discussion- The pathogen of Fusarium root rot was identified as Fusarium vanleeuwenii based on multigene sequence analyses. The oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) values decreased in Jahgaru soil irrigated with 0.5% and 1.0% ethanol solutions, reaching below zero in 5 days. The pH values of the Jahgaru soil irrigated with 0.5% and 1.0% ethanol solutions for 14 days were significantly lower than in the soil irrigated with groundwater. Additionally, F vanleeuwenii bud cells in Jahgaru soil irrigated with 0.5% and 1.0% ethanol solutions perished within 7 days. Fungicidal activity had already started when the ORP values were not below zero and the pH value had not decreased within the 4 days after BSD started. Thus, fungicidal substances are possibly generated even in an aerobic environment. In the field, the occurrence of Fusarium root rot decreased after BSD treatment in soil irrigated with 0.5% ethanol solution compared with the previous year. Additionally, the Fusarium number 0-30 cm deep in the field significantly decreased after BSD treatment. Conclusion- Therefore, BSD treatment on Jahgaru soil irrigated with 0.5% ethanol solution is effective for preventing Fusarium root rot of lisianthus caused by F vanleeuwenii in the field.
is growing, with Kerala, India, facing challenges due to its warm, humid climate. Controlled environments, like greenhouses, are becoming popular, offering high-quality produce, greater yields, and off-season production despite the challenging conditions. Materials and methods - The experiment, conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and ten genotypes, assessed physico-morphological, nutritive, and biochemical parameters of fully matured fruits during the rabbi season (October to January). Results - The study revealed significant variations in cherry tomato genotypes. SLc.10 showed the largest fruit measurements (2.16 cm, 2.17 cm, 2.19 cm, 0.46 mm, length, diameter, fruit girth and thickness, respectively). Biochemical analysis showed wide ranges in TSS, acidity, vitamin C, phenol, carotenoid, a-carotene, and lycopene content, highlighting nutritional diversity among the genotypes. Discussion - The suitability of cherry tomato genotypes for Kerala's climate is crucial, as specific genotypes like SLc.10 demonstrated resilience and high performance under controlled conditions. Conclusion - In conclusion, SLc.10, SLc.1, SLc.2, and SLc.8 each offer unique advantages for cultivation in Kerala, with SLc.10 excelling in fruit characteristics and juice yield, while the others stand out for their sweetness, nutritional content, and adaptability.
Introduction- Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) has become one of the major flowering plants in Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan. Simultaneously, many types of lisianthus diseases related to damping-off symptoms also increased dramatically. Objective and methods- To create a strategy for preventing these diseases, disease symptoms and pathogenic organisms of primary problematic diseases, such as sclerotial rot and bacterial wilt, with seasonal variation in the emergence of these diseases in Okinawa Main Island were investigated. Results and discussion- The disease was diagnosed as sclerotial rot (Kinkaku-byo) and the pathogen showed a 100% homology value to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum according to a BLAST search. The diseased lisianthus plants spread over the greenhouse and increased sharply during January and February when average daily temperatures almost dropped at below 20 degrees C even though many fungicides were sprayed. In the other greenhouse, the disease was diagnosed as bacterial wilt (Aogare-byo) and the pathogen was identified Ralstonia solanacearum, that belongs to Race 1 and Biovar 3 from the result of the carbohydrate fermentation test. The diseased lisianthus plants spread quickly over the greenhouse. Additionally, they appeared from October to December and dramatically increased to about 70% of the total number in the greenhouse. The ratio of farms where the sclerotial rot occurred against the 32 farms was 15.6% and where bacterial wilt occurred against the 32 farms was 9.4% in Okinawa Main Island. Conclusion- The pathogen of sclerotial rot was identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum according to a BLAST search. And the pathogen of bacterial wilt was identified as Ralstonia solanacearum, that belongs to Race 1 and Biovar 3. The diseased lisianthus plants with sclerotial rot spread over the greenhouse and increased sharply during January and February when average daily temperatures almost dropped at below 20 degrees C even though many fungicides were sprayed. The diseased lisianthus plants with bacterial wilt spread quickly over the greenhouse and they appeared from October to December. After that, bacterial wilt did not occur at the late growth stage of lisianthus when the temperature dropped below 24 degrees C. In the end, it dramatically increased to about 70% of the total number.
Introduction- Fruits have long been considered as natural healthy products that contain high contents of nutrients. However, different soil compositions, breeds, and climate conditions may affect the amount of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the same cultivar of fruit. This study explored the antioxidant properties of four special fruit cultivars of Taiwan, and the potential modulating ability of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) associated antioxidant gene expression in D-galactose treated mice. Materials and methods- This study extracted 'Taichiao 5' banana juice, `Tainon 1' guava, 'Tainon 15' pineapple, and 'Murcott' juice, and compared the results of several antioxidant capacity tests TPC, TAC, FRAP, TEAC and DPPH. The juices were fed ad libitum to mice and the mRNA expressions of liver were tested. Results and discussion- `Tainon 1' guava had the highest total phenolic contents (117.9 mg GAE 100 g1 FW) and total ascorbic acid content (124.8 mg 100 g1 FW) among all the tested groups. The mRNA expressions of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucocorticoid receptor showed significant downregulation in `Taichiao' banana and 'Tainon 15' pineapple groups, and considerably down-regulated expressions of glutathione peroxidase along with glucocorticoid receptor in `Tainon 1' guava and'Murcott' groups. Up-regulated expressions of Kelch-like ECHassociated protein 1 (Keap1) were shown in all sample groups. D-gal group fed with four fruit juices had appreciably expressed the increasing of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase, catalase (except for 'Tainon 1' guava, glutathione peroxidase, and glucocorticoid receptor in livers. Conclusion- The fruit samples in this study exhibited great antioxidant capacity, and modulated the expression of Nrf2 mediated gene against oxidative stress in D-galactose treated mice.
