Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Aquaculture and Fisheries Management ISSN 2756-3278 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-012, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reproductive Biology and Growth Patterns of Tilapia zillii in Lake Timsah, Egypt: Insights for Sustainable Management 

Waheed Farg-Alla Mahomoud¹, Amal Mohamed Mahmoud Amin², Kamal Fathey Elboray¹ Amal Mohamed Ramadan and Magdy Mostafa Kamal Osman EL-Halfawy¹*

¹Fish Reproduction and Induced spawning Laboratory, Aquaculture Division, National Institute of Oceanography and
Fisheries, Suez, Egypt.
²Stock Assessment Laboratory, Fisheries Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Suez, Egypt.

Accepted 2 December, 2024

Abstract

In the present investigation, some biological aspects of Tilapia zillii from Lake Timsah were studied. This was carried out on 700 fish samples collected during the period from October, 2002 to September, 2003. Total length of females ranged from 7 to 16 cm and males from 8 to 21cm. Age determination based on length frequency distributions showed that the life span are two and four years for females and males, respectively. Estimates of growth parameters are widely used for detailed assessment and modeling of fish species and fisheries. The length-weight relationship, age at length zero (to), growth coefficient (K), asymptotic length (L∞) and rates of natural (M) and total mortality (Z) were estimated for T. zillii from Lake Timsah. Length-weight relationships were calculated from individual fish length and weight records collected from sampling using gill nets. Analyses were obtained by sampling direct from the fisher’s catches. Data were analyzed using the FISAT software. T. zillii, the estimate of K was 0.320 and 0.680 year-1 for males and females, respectively, whilst L∞ was approximately 22.05 and 17.85 cm, for males and females, respectively. T. zillii (males) had the lowest value of K and the largest L∞ than females. Natural mortality was the lowest for T. zillii (females) (M=0.464 and 0.38 year-1) and fishing mortality was highest for T. zillii (males) (F=2.656, 1.88 year-1). In addition, exploitation rate was estimated at E=0.83 and length at first capture (Lc) was calculated at 11.30 cm for males while E=0.78 and (Lc) was estimated as 6.68 cm for females. The majority of fish caught of the main commercial species in the Lake Timsah fishery were from the first age group, at a size far below the optimal length at capture. This suggests growth overfishing for T. zillii in Lake Timsah.

Key words: Lake Timsah, Tilapia zillii, age and growth, mortality, gonadosomatic index, length at first maturity, population structure.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genomic Sequence Analysis and Overexpression of the RPL15 Gene in the Giant Panda

Bing Sun, Yiling Hou, Wanru Hou*, Xiulan Su, Jun Li, Guangfu Wu and Yan Song

Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation, College of Life Science, China West Normal University, 1# Shida Road, 637009, Nanchong, P. R. China.

Accepted 5 October, 2024

Abstract

RPL15 is a component of the 60S large ribosomal subunit encoded by RPL15 gene and belongs to the L15e family of ribosomal proteins, which is located in the cytoplasm. The cDNA and genomic sequence of RPL15 was cloned successfully from the giant panda using RT-PCR and Touchdown-PCR technology, respectively. These two sequences were analyzed preliminarily and the cDNA of the RPL15 gene was also over expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The length of fragment cloned is 669 bp, containing an open-reading frame (ORF) of 615 bp encoding 204 amino acids. The length of the genomic sequence is 1,835 bp, with three exons and two introns. Primary structure analysis revealed that, the molecular weight of the putative RPL15 protein is 24.142 kDa with a theoretical pI 12.11. Topology prediction shows that there are two cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites, four N-myristoylation site, two Protein kinase C phosphorylation site, two Casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, two Amidation site and one Ribosomal protein L15e signature in the RPL15 protein of the giant panda. Alignment analysis indicates that, the nucleotide sequence of the coding sequence shows a high homology to other known RPL15 sequences of Homo sapiens, Bos taurus, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Canis familiaris and Danio rerio; as determined by Blast analysis, 94.31, 89.92, 91.54, 91.22, 96.59 and 79.02%, respectively. The homologies for deduced amino acid sequence are all 100% compared with the first five animals and share a high homology with that of D. rerio by 95.59%. The cDNA of RPL15 was cloned successfully from the giant panda in this study. It provides scientific material for enriching and improving the RPL15 gene database. The RPL15 gene can be really expressed in E. coli and the RPL15 protein fusioned with the N-terminally His-tagged protein gave rise to the accumulation of an expected 30 KDa polypeptide, in good agreement with the predicted molecular weight. The expression product obtained could be used for purification and study of its function further.

Key words: Giant panda, RT-PCR, RPL15, genomic sequences, cloning, over-express.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the sources and levels of metal contamination in commonly consumed vegetables: An in-depth investigation

Hilma Rantilla Amwele¹, Lebogang Motsei², Gideon Kalumbu³, Nnenesi Kgabi³*, Raymond Limen Njinga⁴, and Victor Makondelele Tshivhase⁴

¹Department of Agriculture, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia.
²Department of Animal Science, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa.
³Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia.

⁴Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa.

Accepted 09 October, 2023

Abstract

This study assesses the health risk of metals concentration in spinach and onions obtained from different suppliers (suppliers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) in Mafikeng, South Africa. The following elemental concentrations of As, Ba, Bi, Cu, Cr, Co, I, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Th, Rb, V and U were tested in spinach and onions using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The result shows that Bi, I, Th, Pb and U were not detected in all t h e samples of spinach and onions. In spinach, the degree of decreasing abundance is as follows: Mn > Cr > Sr > V > Rb > As > Ba > Cu > Ni > Co, while in onions it is Sr > Mn > V > As > Cr > Cu > Ba > Rb > Ni > Co. The estimated daily intake of metal (DIM) for As and Cr in spinach from suppliers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were higher above the limit values of 0.020 and 0.033 mg/kg recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO), while, Ba, Cu, Co, Mn, Sr and V were below the limit values. The estimated DIM for As in onions was higher than 0.020 mg/kg recommended by FAO/WHO, while the intake for Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr and V were below 0.033, 2-3, 2-5, 01 and 10 mg/kg recommendations by FAO/WHO, respectively. The target hazard quotient (THQ) value in spinach obtained from suppliers 1, 2, 3 and 4 were less than 1, while, the THQ value for Cr is 2.19 greater than 1 in spinach obtained from supplier 5. The THQ value was less than 1 in onions obtained from a l l t h e suppliers. Spinach were not suitable for human consumption due to estimated DIM for As and Cr that were higher than the recommendation of FAO/ WHO and THQ value of Cr that was greater than 1.

Key words: Spinach, onion, metal, estimated daily intake of metal, target hazard quotient.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Future of Vermiculture in Southwest Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities

Aladesida, A. A.¹*, Owa, S. O.², Dedeke, G. A.¹ and Adewoyin O. A.³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
²Department of Biological Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
³Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Received 22 July, 2024; Accepted 26 October, 2024

Abstract

The prospect of vermiculture in the south-western coast of Nigeria was studied. One hundred and two respondents were interviewed in the three coastal towns of Badagry, Epe and Igbokoda. The results show that 94% of respondents made use of earthworms as fish bait, 37% buy their worms and 57% collected by themselves. The respondents, who buy, however, noted that their suppliers do not breed the worms but search for them from marshy areas. The price value placed on the worms ranged between 0.35 and ₦3.10 per kg; while the most quoted prices were 0.35 and ₦0.80 (16.7% each). The average quoted price was ₦0.70 per kg. Forty-six percent (46%) of respondents were willing to buy earthworms if supplied to them; 49% were willing to serve as sales agents if contacted and 66.7% opined that earthworm was their choicest fishing bait. The results indicate positive expectation for vermiculture as a business venture. Vermiculture should, however, put into consideration the production of Alma millsoni and Libyodrilus violaceus, the species quoted as the most preferred and effective for fishing. Vermiculture will go a long way in solving the problem of earthworm scarcity among these people, reduce the stress put on natural populations earthworms, thus conserving the worms and also reduce damage done to the soil environment in the course of excavating for worms.

Key words: Vermiculture, earthworm, prospects.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Revolutionizing Mushroom Cultivation: The Role of Alginate-Encapsulated Mycelium in Sustainable Practices

Gastón Ortiz, María Belén Colavolpe and Edgardo Albertó*

Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Accepted 21 August, 2023

Abstract

Spawn quality is an important factor that affects the final yield in mushroom production. One of the most common risks is the contamination of substrates and spawn by mitosporic fungi. Some species do not easily grow on grain substrate as traditional species do and these find it real difficult to produce spawn. A method was evaluated to produce spawn for mushroom production based on aseptically encapsulated mycelium using alginate beads. Strains of four selected edible mushrooms were cultivated in liquid medium, mycelium was harvested by filtration. Subsequently, it was blended with 100 mL of 2% (w/v) sodium alginate solution or with the alginate solution with the addition of 2% (w/v) yeast extract solution or with the addition of 2% (w/v) meat extract solution. An electronic mixer was used to disaggregate the mycelium and generate a homogeneous suspension. To obtain the artificial spawn, the cells suspensions were dripped in 200 mL of 500 mM CaCl2 solution using a cut micro-tip. Beads obtained were inoculated in potato dextrose agar Petri dishes and in substrate (wheat straw or Poplar sawdust) to evaluate the growth. Tests carried out using this method, demonstrated that the incorporation of a suitable nutrient increases the ability of selected mushroom to emerge from the beads. Mycelia colonization tests were carried out on sterilized substrate, one using alginate beads and another one using the traditional spawn as inoculum. No significant differences according to t-test (p<0.05) were shown. However, spawning production based on alginate beads can be performed in only a few days, whereas the traditional method requires more time. The method proposed here represents an antecedent to improve spawn generation for future industrial applications, for further studies and for other uses as mycelium inoculant.

Key words: Alginate beads, inoculum, mushroom cultivation, spawn production.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In Vitro Regeneration of the Endangered Kaempferia galanga L.

K.P. Kochuthressia1, S.John Britto2 and M.O. Jaseentha1

11Department of Botany, Carmel College, Mala, Thrissur-680732
2The Rapinat Herbarium and Centre for Molecular Systematics St.Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli-

620002

Accepted 06 February, 2024

An efficient protocol is out lined for multiple shoot induction of a medicinally valuable Kaempferia galanga L. using rhizome segment explants. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with BA (2.0 mg/ml) and Kn (1.0 mg/ml) exhibited regeneration rate up to 10.85±1.34 shoot/explants. Spontaneous rooting of shoots occurred in the same concentration of cytokinin. The number of leaves (5.21±0.34) and profuse rooting (12.14±1.67) facilitated 100% of plant recovery on acclimation. In vitro derived plants were morphologically identical to the mother plant.

Keywords: Kaempferia galanga, multiplication, regeneration, rhizome segment.