The use of excess conventional Phosphorus (P) fertilizers to improve agricultural productivity, in order to meet constantly increasing global food demand, potentially causes surface and ground water pollution, waterway eutrophication, soil fertility depletion, and accumulation of toxic elements such as high concentration of selenium (Se), arsenic (As) in the soil. Quite a number of soil microorganisms are capable of solubilizing/mineralizing insoluble soil phosphate to release soluble P and making it available to plants. These microorganisms improve the growth and yield of a wide variety of crops. Thus, inoculating seeds/crops/soil with Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM) is a promising strategy to improve world food production without causing any environmental hazard. Despite their great significance in soil fertility improvement, phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms have yet to replace conventional chemical fertilizers in commercial agriculture. A better understanding of recent developments in PSM functional diversity, colonizing ability, mode of actions and judicious application should facilitate their use as reliable components of sustainable agricultural systems.In this review, we discussed various soil microorganisms that have the ability to solubilize phosphorus and hence have the potential to be used as bio fertilizers. The mechanisms of inorganic phosphate solubilization by PSM and the mechanisms of organic phosphorus mineralization are highlighted together with some factors that determine the success of this technology. Finally we provide some indications that the use of PSM will promote sustainable agriculture and conclude that this technology is ready for commercial exploitation in various regions worldwide.

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Microbial Phosphorus Solubilization and Its Potential for Use in Sustainable Agriculture.

Aloe vera and ascorbic acid coatings maintain postharvest quality and reduce microbial load of strawberry fruit

The increasing use of toxic pesticides is a major environmental concern. Carbendazim is a systemic fungicide having wide applications for controlling fungal diseases in agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicines. Carbendazim is a major pollutant detectable in food, soil and water. Carbendazim extensive and repeated use induces acute and delayed toxic effects on humans, invertebrates, aquatic life forms and soil microorganisms. Here, we review the pollution, non-target toxicity and microbial degradation of carbendazim for crop and veterinary purposes. We found that carbendazim causes embryotoxicity, apoptosis, teratogenicity, infertility, hepatocellular dysfunction, endocrine-disrupting effects, disruption of haematological functions, mitotic spindle abnormalities, mutagenic and aneugenic effect. We also found that carbendazim disrupted the microbial community structure in various ecosystems. The detection of carbendazim in soil and reservoir sites is performed by spectroscopic, chromatographic, voltammetric, nanoparticles, carbon electrodes and mass spectrometry. A review of the degradation of carbendazim shows that carbendazim undergoes partial to complete biodegradation in the soil and water by Azospirillum, Aeromonas, Alternaria, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Nocardioides, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Rhodococcus, Sphingomonas, Streptomyces and Trichoderma.

Toxicity, monitoring and biodegradation of the fungicide carbendazim

Production of recombinant proteins by filamentous fungi

Members of the Fusarium solani species complex that cause infections in both humans and plants are common in the environment

Some factors affecting production of pectic enzymes by Aspergillus niger

Three hundred and twenty (320) oranges of Valencia variety were stored under cold conditions in the refrigerator for 8 weeks. The following parameters were carried out during the course of storage: Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss, firmness, pH, vitamin C and sugar/ acid ratio. The final value for firmness for coated oranges was found to be 1781.25 + 118.30N, while that of uncoated oranges was 1531.25 + 185.53N. The pH was gradually increasing during the course of storage in the two treatments, whereas vitamin C was found to be decreasing in storage. The total soluble solid for coated oranges was 9.79+ 1.14% while that of uncoated oranges was found to be 9.34 + 0.06% at the end of storage. There was a linear decrease in titratable acidity during the course of storage. It was found that the value obtained for coated oranges was higher than that of uncoated oranges which was obtained to be 1.14 + 0.07 at the end of storage. Converse to this was obtained for % weight losses in the two treatments. The weight loss for coated oranges was 29.20+ 0.55%, while that of uncoated oranges was 53.30+ 1.17% at the end of storage. A linear increase was observed in sugar/acid ratio in the two treatments during the course of storage with higher value being recorded for uncoated oranges as 8.90 + 0.87, while lower value was gotten for coated oranges as 7.43+ 0.34%.

Effects of Aloe Vera Coatings on Quality Characteristics of Oranges Stored Under Cold Storage

Nine fungal species isolated from cowpea seeds were used as inocula on four cowpea varieties commonly distributed to farmers in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria by the National Seed Service, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The effects of fungi on germinability and seedling health were determined using seedling symptom test. Two of the virulent species were screened for the production of cell wall degrading enzymes using viscometric method. All the fungi reduced germination rate in all the cowpea varieties and different types of seedling symptoms were noted for the fungi. The symptoms included seed rot, chlorotic leaf development, stunted growth etc. Production of pectinases and cellulases by Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum sp. was observed and the virulence of the two organisms could be attributed to the activities of these cell wall degrading enzymes.

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/biokem/article/download/56391/44826

Pathogenicity and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities of some fungal isolates from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

Eighty moulds isolated from decayed root tubers were screened for pectolytic activities. Of these 82.5% were pectolytic, 38.75% showed both polygalacturonase and pectin lyase activities, 21.5% showed polygalacturonase activity and 22.50% showed pectin lyase activity only. The aspergilli formed the largest group of pectolytic isolates. Other mould isolates with fairly high pectolytic activities include Absidia corymbifera, Cunninghamella elegans, Fusarium pallidoroseum, F. solani, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, P. brevicompactum and Rhizopus oryzae.

Pectolytic moulds in Nigeria

Biodegradable edible coatings from Moringa oil(MO) and Neem oil (NO) was applied to carrot fruits in order to provide environmentally friendly, healthy treatments (with which to better preserve fresh fruit quality) and safety during postharvest storage at ambient temperature of 27± 3oC and relative humidity of 50-60% . Physical properties like weight loss and texture were determined throughout the storage period of 6 weeks. The coatings had a significant effect on the development of quality variables.The overall results showed the superiority of the coatings in extending the shelf-life of carrot fruit as compared to controlin the following order Moringa Oil>Neem Oil>Control. Keywords : Edible Coatings, Moringa Oil, Neem Oil, Carrot, Firmness and Weight Loss.

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Postharvest quality and safety maintenance of the physical properties of Daucus carota L. fruits by Neem oil and Moringa oil treatment: A new edible coatings

OB Fawole

Papers

Some factors affecting production of pectic enzymes by Aspergillus niger

Effects of Aloe Vera Coatings on Quality Characteristics of Oranges Stored Under Cold Storage

Pathogenicity and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities of some fungal isolates from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

Pectolytic moulds in Nigeria

Postharvest quality and safety maintenance of the physical properties of Daucus carota L. fruits by Neem oil and Moringa oil treatment: A new edible coatings