Sbaja a novel foliar applied growth and yield enhancer in Malaysia / Sbaja, um novo potenciador de crescimento foliar aplicado e de rendimento na Malásia

Product efficacy testing during 2006 to 2010 with SBAJA (a novel scientifically formulated foliar-spray growth and yield enhancer) in the greenhouse and multi-location field trials registered measurable increase in chlorophyll contents, robust and healthier crop growth and increased yield and biomass production. In field trial, rice plants receiving normal NPK fertilizer at the rates of 100:50:30 served as control and spray treated with SBAJA at 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). All the experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) Design and replicated five times. Tiller number and panicle characteristics; length, weight, number of grains, number of filled grains were significantly increased with 1:300 SBAJA treatment. In addition, 1000 grain weight and rice yield increased significantly with SBAJA treatments. Normal fertilizer applications in field trials augmented with SBAJA in 2008-2010 in the Selangor North West Project (SNWP), registered measurable increase in rice yields by 25-30% from 6.2 - 6.5 tons/ha to 7.8 - 8.9 tons/ha. It is concluded that foliar spraying with SBAJA at 40 and 60 days after sowing increased growth and yield of rice under green house and field conditions.

Os testes de eficácia do produto durante 2006 a 2010 com SBAJA (um novo spray foliar cientificamente formulado) em estufa e ensaios de campo em várias localizações registraram aumento mensurável nos teores de clorofila, crescimento robusto e mais saudável das culturas e aumento do rendimento e da produção de biomassa. No ensaio de campo, plantas de arroz recebendo adubo NPK normal nas doses de 100:50:30 serviram como controle e foram tratadas com SBAJA aos 40 e 60 dias após a semeadura (DAS). Todos os experimentos foram dispostos no formato Randomized Complete Block (RCB) e replicados cinco vezes. Número de perfilhos e características da panícula; comprimento, peso, número de grãos, número de grãos preenchidos foram significativamente aumentados com o tratamento com 1:300 SBAJA. Além disso, o peso de 1000 grãos e o rendimento de arroz aumentaram significativamente com os tratamentos da SBAJA. Aplicações normais de fertilizantes em testes de campo aumentados com a SBAJA em 2008-2010 no Projeto Selangor North West (SNWP), registraram aumento mensurável na produção de arroz de 25-30% de 6,2 a 6,5 toneladas/ha para 7,8 a 8,9 toneladas/ha. Conclui-se que a pulverização foliar com SBAJA aos 40 e 60 dias após a semeadura aumentou o crescimento e o rendimento do arroz em estufa e em campo.

Transcriptomic evaluation of plant growth inhibitory activity of goniothalamin from the Malaysian medicinal plant Goniothalamus andersonii.

Goniothalamin produced by the Malaysian medicinal plant, Goniothalamus andersonii J. Sinclair, strongly inhibits plant growth. However, its mode of action has not been characterized at the gene expression level. We conducted DNA microarray assay to analyze the changes in early gene responses of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. After a 6-h exposure to goniothalamin, we observed an upregulation of genes highly associated with heat response, and 22 heat shock protein (AtHSP) genes were upregulated more than 50 fold. Together with these genes, we observed upregulation of the genes related to oxidative stress and protein folding. Also, the genes related to cell wall modification and cell growth, expansin (AtEXPA) genes, were significantly downregulated. The results suggested that goniothalamin induces oxidative stresses and inhibits the expression of cell wall-associated proteins resulting in growth inhibition of Arabidopsis seedlings.

Plant growth inhibitor from the Malaysian medicinal plant Goniothalamus andersonii and related species.

A crude methanol extract of Goniothalamus andersonii J. Sinclair strongly inhibited elongation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) radicles. We conducted bioassay-guided purification of G. andersonii bark extract and obtained goniothalamin as the major bioactive compound. Its EC50 values against elongation of lettuce radicles and hypocotyls were 50 and 125 micromol L(-1), respectively. Among the six species tested, timothy was the most sensitive to goniothalamin. Quantification of this compound in other Goniothalamus species suggested that the plant inhibitory activity of this genus is explainable by goniothalamin, with G. calcareus as an exception.

Artificial soils from alluvial tin mining wastes in Malaysia--a study of soil chemistry following experimental treatments and the impact of mycorrhizal treatment on growth and foliar chemistry.

For decades Malaysia was the world's largest producer of Sn, but now the vast open cast mining operations have left a legacy of some 100,000 ha of what is effectively wasteland, covered with a mosaic of tailings and lagoons. Few plants naturally recolonise these areas. The demand for such land for both urban expansion and agricultural use has presented an urgent need for better characterisation. This study reports on the formation of artificial soils from alluvial Sn mining waste with a focus on the effects of experimental treatments on soil chemistry. Soil organic matter, clay, and pH were manipulated in a controlled environment. Adding both clay tailings and peat enhanced the cation exchange capacity of sand tailings but also reduced the pH. The addition of peat reduced the extractable levels of some elements but increased the availability of Ca and Mg, thus proving beneficial. The use of clay tailings increased the levels of macro and micronutrients but also released Al, As, La, Pb and U. Additionally, the effects of soil mix and mycorrhizal treatments on growth and foliar chemistry were studied. Two plant species were selected: Panicum milicaeum and Pueraria phaseoloides. Different growth patterns were observed with respect to the additions of peat and clay. The results for mycorrhizal treatment (live inoculum or sterile carrier medium) are more complex, but both resulted in improved growth. The use of mycorrhizal fungi could greatly enhance rehabilitation efforts on sand tailings.