Fusarium wilt is one of the most damaging diseases of banana that currently puts the global production and food security at risk. The causal agents belong to the genus Fusarium and the soilborne species that is currently threatening Cavendish varieties and many locally important cultivars is F. odoratissimum, colloquially called Tropical Race 4 (TR4), which spreads easily and rapidly within and between farms. Even though limited information exists on the efficacy of disinfectants, they are promoted as a front-line defense against the spread of TR4 in the banana production areas by equipment and human activity. In this study, 13 disinfectants, the majority marketed in the Philippines, were tested for efficacy on TR4 mycelium, conidia, chlamydospores suspensions and chlamydospore-infested soil. They encompass five chemical groups, quaternary ammonium, halogens, alcohols, diamidines and aldehydes, and were tested at a range of concentrations and exposure times. Conidiospores were sensitive to all tested disinfectants at the manufacturer’s suggested rates. Ten disinfectants controlled mycelial growth with the exception of the quaternary ammonium-based disinfectant GUAA. Eleven disinfectants showed adequate efficacy at all tested concentrations towards chlamydospores in suspension, whereas a calcium hypochlorite-based disinfectant lacked efficacy at all concentrations tested. Despite in vitro efficacy, all disinfectants, except the diamidine-based disinfectant Formo, were largely ineffective in treating chlamydospores present in soil (in situ). However, Formo is corrosive to metals, making it less suitable for various applications. The in vitro results illustrate that overall efficacy of disinfectants depends on the fungal propagule, exposure time, and the environment in which they are exposed. We also determined the exposure times of footwear and vehicles in sanitation baths under field conditions and conclude that those significantly deviate from the minimal required contact time under in vitro conditions. Suboptimal quarantine measures, therefore, are likely to contribute to continued local, regional, and international TR4 dissemination.
This study investigated the floristic composition and diversity of weeds in organic rice fields in Langkong, Mlang, Cotabato covering an area of 2.5 hectares within which 100 quadrats were randomly assigned. Identification of weeds showed thirteen species belonging to six families eight of which are annuals and five perennials comprising five broadleaf, three grass, and five sedge types. All weed species had <50% uniformity which may imply less competitiveness against rice or effective control by weed management practices. Fimbristylis littoralis and Cyperus difformis have the highest frequencies and the highest field uniformities and highest mean field densities indicating that these weeds are the most difficult to control. The weed density of fields in which the species occurred increased compared to densities from all fields for all weed species that may mean that site-specific or management-specific factors contribute to the survival of those species. Relative abundance values showed that Fimbristylis littoralis and Cyperus difformis are the two most dominant weed species. Weed species diversity is medium and equivalent to 5 equally abundant species.
Data on anurans in Davao City watersheds remains depauperate. This study provides the first account of anurans of the Panigan-Tamugan watershed using visual encounter survey (VES) and microhabitat searches along fifteen 10 × 10 m belt transects. A total of 14 species belonging to 11 genera and five families were recorded for all three sampling sites in the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. Eleven out of 14 anurans species documented in this survey are endemic to the Philippines. Anuran families recorded during the survey included Bufonidae Gray (n= 3), Dicroglossidae Anderson (n= 4), Megophryidae Bonaparte (n= 2), Ranidae Batsch (n= 1), and Rhacophoridae Hoffman (n= 4). Additional records of anurans from this study, namely Fejervarya vittigera (Wiegmann), Occidozyga laevis (Günther), Pelophryne brevipes (Peters), and Philautus worcesteri (Stejneger), increased the number of species known from watershed areas of Davao City, as they were not reported in previous inventories conducted in the city. Species richness data may not necessarily reflect the true number of species in the site. Future studies should include an increased number of transects and man hours. Although the list comprises the limited information on this taxon in watersheds, more inventories are necessary for a full understanding of anuran composition in the city's several watersheds.
This study investigated the rugosity and butterflyfish community structure in Punta Dumalag, Davao City in twelve transects distributed in three stations. The transects were laid parallel to the shore at a depth of five to six meters in three stations. Rugosity indices, percent hard coral cover, butterflyfish species richness, abundance, diversity, biomass and density across all sampling stations registered low values, which may be attributed to a combination of fishing pressure and a strong prolonged southeast monsoon. Correlation analysis between rugosity and butterflyfish abundance showed low correlation coefficients that were statistically not significant, which may be caused by the confounding effect of interactions among fish species, territorial activities by fish species affecting reef structural complexity and low sample size. Read full article here.
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