Rainier Kent Emerson B. Gonzales, Izza Rona Abina-Artuz, Christine B. Adiova, Antonio A. Rayos and Renato SA. Vega Two experiments were conducted to determine the possible role of Moringa oleifera on sow productivity and ghrelin – growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) metabolic pathway. In the first experiment, the effects of 15% M. oleifera leaf meal (MoLM) inclusion in the diet on the plasma ghrelin and IGF-1 levels were determined using four sexually mature gilts with indwelling catheter. Results showed that plasma ghrelin and IGF-1 levels between the control and experimental groups were not statistically different, although pigs fed with MoLM had apparently lower baseline and higher amplitude of plasma ghrelin levels particularly a few hours right after feeding time. On the other hand, IGF-1 level in pigs fed with MoLM seemed down regulated. The second experiment aimed to know the effects of supplementing 15% MoLM on body condition and sow productivity during ...

Pablito M. Magdalita and Alangelico O. San Pascual Papaya F1 hybrids are generally grown by many growers for their hybrid vigor, superior fruit characteristics and moderate tolerance to the Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). A single-factor experiment conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was done to test seed germination, assess seedling growth, and evaluate pollen fertility and horticultural characteristics of three promising papaya F1 hybrids – 5648 x 336 (Liyag), 097 x 4172 (Hirang), and 4173 x 5648 (Timyas). There were significant differences in percent seed germination and seedling height between the three papaya F1 hybrids. Hybrid 5648 x 336 (Liyag) had the highest seed germination rate (92.20%) and the tallest seedlings (44.73 mm). In terms of root characteristics, there were significant differences between the hybrids in fresh and dry weights of roots, number and length of secondary roots. Hybrid 5648 x 336 (Liyag) had the heaviest fresh and dry...

Kharen C. Cimagala, Maribel M. Zaporteza, Arnelyn C. Doloiras-Laraño, Roberta N. Garcia and Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza Simple sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite markers were identified for Philippine varieties of papaya for varietal identification, diversity analysis, and hybridity assessment. Fourteen SSR markers were screened using PCR for amplification and polymorphism. Six primer combinations namely, CPMET, BGAL, ACC, CPY, SSR 12 and SSR 35, were effective in fingerprinting and diversity analysis and for hybridity testing, except for CPMET. The genetic relationship of the selected papaya varieties was established based on UPGMA clustering. At 0.76 coefficient of similarity, three groups were observed, namely: Group I (Davao Solo, Maradol and Red Lady), Group II (Sinta and Cavite Special) and Group III (Morado). The heterozygosity of each locus varied from 0.38 to 0.57 with an average of 0.51. ACC, BGAL and SSR 35 markers were predominated by major alleles with > 75 percen...

S. Mardomi, N. Najafi, R. Reyhanitabar and G. Dehgan Nutrient management can be an effective approach to enhance plant antioxidant defense system under heavy metal toxicity. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effects of the two- and three-way interactions of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) on the activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes and the total dry matter (TDM) of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Hashemi). This study was conducted as a factorial experiment in completely randomized design with three factors of Zn (0, 25 and 250 mg kg−1), P (0, 50 and 500 mg kg−1) and Pb (0, 200, 400 and 800 mg kg−1) and three replications in calcareous soil. CAT, POD and SOD activity in the fresh leaves and TDM of the rice plant were determined. The effects of two- and three-way interactions of P, Pb and Zn on the antioxidant enzyme activities and TDM of rice plant were significant, and the type interaction was dependent on the level...

Soner Çelen and Türkan Aktaş Drying kinetics and changes in some quality properties of couscous were studied to determine optimal drying method and drying temperature. Drying methods using hot air drying (HAD) and vacuum drying (VD) were applied and couscous samples were dried as thin layer at 55, 65 and 75 °C. Pressure was set at 0.98 bar for vacuum drying. Quality parameters of color values (L*, a*, b*, chroma) and water activity values were measured. Drying periods for VD and HAD at 65 °C were found to be similar. Lower color deviation (ΔE) and water activity values were also determined for vacuum-dried samples. The Midilli et al. model was found to be the most appropriate thin layer model for both HAD and VD methods. Key Words: couscous, vacuum drying, hot air drying, color, water activity, modelling

Salman Ahmad, Muhammad Aslam Khan, Irfan Ahmad, Ejaz Ashraf, Hafiz Muhammad Aatif, Amjad Ali, Muhammad Ehsan Safdar, Muhammad Zohaib Anjum and Waqas Raza Chickpea blight is the most destructive disease in the semi-arid zone of Punjab and is mainly controlled through fungicides. However, in this area, the use of fungicides is excessive and non-judicious which could be rationalized through the use of a predictive model based on meteorological variables. The aim of the current research was to develop a disease predictive model of chickpea blight based on temperatures (maximum and minimum), rainfall, relative humidity (RH), and wind speed. Relationship of meteorological variables with disease severity was determined through correlation analysis, and stepwise regression was used to develop the model. For this purpose, 2 yr (2011–12) data of meteorological variables and chickpea blight severity was used. A significant correlation was found between all environmental variables and blight se...

Cheek S. Fadriquela and Mark Paul S. Rivarez Deterioration in heritage wood structures caused by wood-decay fungi is a worldwide concern. In the University of the Philippines Los Baños, decay fungi from wooden canopies of the Baker Memorial Hall were identified and their degrading ability was evaluated. Specimen collection was conducted on degraded canopies made of Mayapis (Shorea palosapis) with signs of white or green fungal growth. Fungi associated with the rotting symptoms were isolated, purified, characterized and identified. Colonies of fungal isolates were fast-growing in malt extract agar (MEA), with colony diameter reaching 5.60 ± 0.43 cm (WRF8) and 5.15 ± 0.25 cm (WRF5) after a day. Mycelia of isolates were hyaline and rhizoidal on water agar. Isolate WRF5 produced green, raised colonies that imparted yellow pigmentation on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and MEA. Generally, colonies were raised, radially striated with green center and white margin on PDA. Average length and wi...

Grace B. Vinarao, Mariecris Rizalyn R. Mendoza, Neilyn O. Villa, Celia B. Dela Viña, Mary Ann M. Abustan and Antonio G. Lalusin The genetic variability of 47 cassava varieties released by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) was evaluated through morphological characterization and DNA fingerprinting using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Phenotypic similarities based on 34 morphological descriptors were observed in varieties sharing a common parent. Fifty (50) polymorphic SSR markers were used to construct DNA fingerprints. A total of 648 polymorphic alleles and 764 unique banding patterns were observed among the 47 varieties. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.46 to 0.95, with an average of 0.83. Each variety had a unique banding profile indicating that SSR markers were useful in distinguishing cassava varieties. A wider genetic diversity of cassava varieties was detected in SSR data (70%) compared with morphological data (50%) showing that SS...

Audrey Mae V. Orillaza and Baby Richard R. Navarro To develop food use for underutilized Philippine flowers, the potential of Rangoon creeper (Quisqualis indica L.) flowers (RCFs) as a natural preservative applied through infusion of pineapple wine making was studied. Cabinet-dried RCFs were added at varying concentrations (0.1%, 1% and 2%) to the fermenting pineapple must at different stages (i.e., fermentation, aging and both). During fermentation, RCFs exerted an antibacterial effect regardless of concentration and an anti-yeast effect except at 0.1%. However, the RCFs showed no effect on the physicochemical properties of the fermenting must with final means of 6.0 °Bx total soluble solids, 10% alcohol content (v/v), and pH 3.0. Interestingly, the RCF-infused fermenting musts completed fermentation at an earlier time (2–3 d) compared with the control. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and Folin-Ciocalteu assays of the completely fermented pineapple wine showed that RCFs genera...

Elizabeth P. Parac, Antonio G. Lalusin, Ireneo B. Pangga, and Filomena C. Sta. Cruz Two abaca hybrids namely, Hybrid 2 and Hybrid 7, which were derived from a cross between the resistant wild banana (Musa balbisiana) var. Pacol and the susceptible abaca var. Abuab possessing the high fiber quality trait, have been previously selected with promising resistance to bunchy top disease. In this study, the responses of these hybrids to virus inoculation by the aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) under screenhouse condition and to natural infection in the field were characterized. Under screenhouse condition, Hybrid 7 did not show the bunchy top disease symptoms of dark green streaks on veins and midribs, marginal leaf chlorosis, narrow and stiff leaves or upright and crowding of leaves at the apex of the plant, while Hybrid 2 expressed the disease in only 1 of 15 (7%) plants tested over the 6-mo observation period. The virus was not detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) usin...