International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

201-215

Authors: Lakee Sharma, Bipin Maurya, Shashi Pandey Rai

The plant based MYB transcription factors have been extensively studied for structural and functional characterization. MYB protein is known to perform several molecular and biological processes including regulation of gene expression. In the current study, we have identified and characterized a R2R3 type MYB TF (WsMYB44) pertaining to root specific library from Withania somnifera. The phylogenetic studies of the identified protein sequence revealed its recent origin from Nicotiana sp., a member of Solanaceae family. Motif scans and domain analysis depicted strong conservation near signature R2 and R3 DNA binding domains which proved the specificity of the WsMYB44 protein. The modeled 3-D structure of protein showed significant binding affinity with the MYB binding DNA element C/TAACG/TG. The synergistic act of the predicted protein was proved by studying protein-protein interaction networks. Furthermore, Gene Ontology terms predicted nuclear localization of protein which was found to be involved in several defense related signaling cascades.

221-224

Authors: JN Chaudhary, IP Gautam, YR Bhusal, T Gotame

Coordinated varietal trials (CVTs) were conducted to identify the high yielding papaya (Carica papaya L.) genotypes at different agro- climatic conditions with eight genotypes at Agriculture Research Station (ARS), Malepatan, Pokhara; Viuran, Nawalparasi and Parewatar, Dhading during 2006-2009 and seedling were transplanted at the time of October and experiment was designed in RCBD and replicated thrice. Observations were recorded on biological and socio-economic parameters and analyzed. The pooled data over year revealed that number of fruits, marketable yield, average weight and circumference of the fruits at ARS, Malepatan and marketable fruit yield and average weight of the fruit at Viuran, Nawalparasi and Parewatar, Dhading showed the highly significant differences among the tested genotypes. Days to first harvest and length of the fruits at ARS, Malepatan and days to flowering, first harvest and number of fruits per plant at Viuran, Nawalparasi and Parewatar, Dhading showed the significant differences within genotypes. While, non-significant difference was noticed under days to flowering at ARS, Malepatan. Genotypes Red Lady was found early in all location (295 days to harvest) and the highest production of the marketable fruit yield (104.22 t/ha) followed by Farm selection-1 (102.37 t/ha) and which was at par with each other. Farm selection-1 recorded in the highest number of fruits per plant (41.4), the average fruit weight (1.46 kg) followed by Red Lady (37 and 1.37 kg at ARS, Malepatan, Pokhara. Farmers and consumers preferred red Lady due to earliness, red flesh color and good storability.

228-236

Authors: Rajat Thapa, Rashika Maharjan, Puja Tamang, Priya Gautam, Rachana Adhikari, Sandesh Maharjan

Nepal has always relied on traditional medicinal plants, herbs, and mushrooms that are locally available to treat numerous diseases. This study thus aimed to explore the antimicrobial properties of the plants and fungi that are commonly used as traditional medicines. Antimicrobial properties of 5 plants (Curcuma caesia. Acorus calamus, Moringa oleifera, Terminalia chebula, and Tinospora cordifolia) and 1 fungus (Ganoderma lucidum) were screened against 4 ATCC bacterial culture (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). The extracts were prepared using Soxhlet’s apparatus in two solvents, i.e. ethanol and distilled water. Out of which, distilled water of Acorus calamus had the highest percentage yield. All extracts showed antimicrobial properties against S. aureus. The highest potential was observed in the ethanolic extract of Curcuma caesia against S. aureus with the zone of inhibition of 22mm The ethanolic extract of Tinospora cordiofolia showed promising antimicrobial against gram-negative bacteria: E.coli, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae with the zone of inhibition 15mm, 15mm and 14mm respectively. The distilled water extract of Acorus calamus showed the highest antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa with a zone of inhibition of 18mm. In the case of phytochemical screening, both the extracts of Tinospora cordiofolia showed the highest phytochemicals (Terpenoids, Saponins, Coumarin, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, and Tannins). The experiment confirmed the efficacy of selected plants and fungus extract as a natural antimicrobial against all the test organisms used, suggesting the possibility of employing them in novel drug development against the treatment of infectious diseases caused by the test organisms.

245-253

Authors: Rabin Khadka, Anil Balchhaudi, Amrit Aryal, Shrawan Kumar Sah

Scarce availability of chemical fertilizers threatens sustainability of wheat production in Nepal. Combined application of chemical and biofertilizer can reduce chemical fertilizer and enhance the yield under limited fertilizer availability. A field experiment was carried out to assess the combined application of chemical and biofertilizer on the growth and yield of spring wheat at Rampur, Chitwan from November 2020 to April 2021. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with four nitrogen and P2O5 levels (0, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended dose) in vertical plots and three biofertilizer application methods (not applied, seed applied and soil applied) in horizontal plots with three replications. The research results revealed significant interaction between nitrogen and P2O­5 levels and biofertilizer application methods. The highest grain yield (4624.48 kg ha-1) of wheat was obtained with 100% levels of N and P­­­2O5 with soil applied biofertilizer at par with 75% levels of N and P­­­2O5 with soil applied biofertilizer (4457.54 kg ha-1). The total nitrogen uptake was higher in biofertilizer applied wheat as compared with no application of biofertilizer although statistically not significant. The yield increment in 100% and 75% N and P­­­2O5 levels with soil applied biofertilizer over same level N and P­­­2O5 with no biofertilizer application were 10.96% and 29.60% respectively. The higher gross return, net return and B:C ratio were obtained with 75% and 100% N and P2O5 levels with soil and seed applied biofertilizers. The result indicates that 25% recommended dose of N and P2O5 could be reduced by soil application of biofertilizer without compromising the grain yield of wheat.