Plant attributes have direct and indirect effects on soil microbes via plant inputs and plant-mediated soil changes. However, whether plant taxonomic and functional diversities can explain the soil microbial diversity of restored forest ecosystems remains elusive. Here, we tested the linkage between plant attributes and soil microbial communities in four restored forests (Acacia species, Eucalyptus species, mixed coniferous species, mixed native species). The trait-based approaches were applied for plant properties and high-throughput Illumina sequencing was applied for fungal and bacterial diversity. The total number of soil microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) varied among the four forests. The highest richness of fungal OTUs was found in the Acacia forest. However, bacterial OTUs were highest in the Eucalyptus forest. Species richness was positively and significantly related to fungal and bacterial richness. Plant taxonomic diversity (species richness and species diversity) explained more of the soil microbial diversity than the functional diversity and soil properties. Prediction of fungal richness was better than that of bacterial richness. In addition, root traits explained more variation than the leaf traits. Overall, plant taxonomic diversity played a more important role than plant functional diversity and soil properties in shaping the soil microbial diversity of the four forests.

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a large‐sized member of the Bovidae family, is considered as an important livestock species throughout Southeast Asia. In order to better understand the molecular basis of buffalo improvement and breeding, we sequenced and assembled the genome (2n=50) of a river buffalo species Bubalus bubalis from Bangladesh. Its genome size is 2.77 Gb, with a contig N50 of 25 kb and the scaffold N50 of 6.9 Mbp. Based on the assembled genome, we annotated 24,613 genes for future functional genomics studies. Phylogenetic tree analysis of cattle and water buffalo lineages showed that they diverged about 5.8–9.8 million years ago. Our findings provide an insight into the water buffalo genome which will contribute in further research on buffalo such as molecular breeding, understanding complex traits, conservation, and biodiversity.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oil from Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds powder, and identify the compounds from the extracted oil.MethodsThe seeds powder of Trigonella foenum-graecum was subjected to Clevenger extractor. Seven strains of bacteria were used to test antibacterial activity of the extract. The activity against bacteria was tested by disk diffusion method using Whatman No. 1 filter paper. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis was performed with an Agilent7890/5975B-gas chromatography/mass selective detector.ResultsThe hydrodistillation of seeds powder yielded 0.285% (v/w) of oil. Disk diffusion of the oil showed bactericidal activity against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria of tasted strains. The inhibition zone ranged from (8 ± 0) mm to (15.0 ± 0.7) mm depending on microbial strains. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis showed 14 different compounds. The total compounds represented 80.96% of the oil.ConclusionsThe antibacterial activity is due to the effects of different biological active compounds present in the extract. Identification of the compounds may help to develop new effective antimicrobial agent(s). Further researches on purification, characterization and toxicology of the active compounds are needed

Jatropha Biofuel Industry: The Challenges | InTechOpen, Published on: 2017-01-25. Authors: M. Moniruzzaman, Zahira Yaakob, M. Shahinuzzaman, et