Journal of Research in Biology ISSN No: Print: 2231 6280; Online: 2231- 6299

An International Scientific Research Journal

Original Research

Assessment of the agronomic performance of Malayan Yellow Dwarf Vanuatu Tall

coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) hybrid variety tolerant to lethal yellowing disease of
Ghana in Cte dIvoire.
Authors: ABSTRACT:
Journal of Research in Biology

Zadjhi Eric-Blanchard
KOFFI 1,2*, Jean Louis This article aims to study the agronomic performance of 18 hybrid progenies
Konan KONAN 2, Raoul of coconut MYD x VTT and their parents VTT in Cte d'Ivoire. The evaluation was
Sylvre SIE 1, Didier-Martial focused on the number of bunches per year (Nbb), the number of fruits per year
Saraka YAO 1,2, Yobou (NBFR), copra produced per tree per year (Cop / tree / year) and per hectare per year
KOFFI1,2,Ysidor Nguessan (Cop / hectare / year). It appears from this work that the hybrids MYD x VTT produces
KONAN 2,3, Emmanuel
9 to 11 bunches and 76 to 121 fruits, per year with the weight of 12.54 to 19.82 kg of
Auguste ISSALI 2, Thierry
copra per tree and 2.01 and 3.17t of copra per hectare. These values are statistically
Lkadou Tacra2 et Kouassi
ALLOU2. equal to those of PB121+ used as a control in the study. Progenies of d 5 , d6 , d8 , d11,
d12, d15 and d18 give the best yields and similar to the control PB121+. VTT Parent
Institution: produce an average of 11 bunches 96 fruits, and 11.62 kg of copra per tree and 1.66 t
1. Laboratoire de Biologie et of copra per hectare per year. Parent G1, G 4, G6, G7, G12, G15 and G16 have the best
dAmlioration des yield. Heterosis effects were observed for copra tree (42.08%) and copra per hectare
Productions vgtales, (50.04%). Parents that have better yields with best progenies can be selected for the
UFR Sciences de la Nature,
seed production of MYD x VTT (tolerant and good yield). MYD x VTT hybrid results are
Universit Nangui
advised to Ivorian and Ghanaian farmers to prevent expansion of this disease.
Abrogoua, 02 BP 801
Abidjan 02, Cte d'Ivoire.
2. Centre National de Keywords:
Recherche Agronomique, Hybrid coconut MYD x VTT, tolerant, productivity.
Station de recherche Marc
Delorme, 07 BP 13 Abidjan Abbreviations:
07, Cte d'Ivoire. Nbb: Number of bunches per year, NBFR: Number of fruits per year, Cop/
3. Laboratoire de biochimie tree / year: copra produced per tree per year, Cop / hectare / year: copra produced per
et science des aliments, hectare per year., MYD: Malayan Yellow Dwarf, VTT: Vanuatu Tall, WAT: West
Universit Flix Houphouet African Tall MYD x VTT : Malayan Yellow Dwarf cross Vanuatu Tall, MYD
Boigny, Abidjan, Cte x WAT+ : Malayan Yellow Dwarf cross improved West African Tall, Bunch.
dIvoire, 22 BP 582
Abidjan 22.

Corresponding author: Article Citation:

Koffi Eric Blanchard Zadjhi Eric-Blanchard KOFFI, Jean Louis Konan KONAN, Raoul Sylvre SIE, Didier-
Zadjhi. Martial Saraka YAO, Yobou KOFFI, Ysidor Nguessan KONAN, Emmanuel Auguste
ISSALI, Thierry Lkadou Tacra, et Kouassi ALLOU.
Assessment of the agronomic performance of Malayan Yellow Dwarf Vanuatu Tall
coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) hybrid variety tolerant to lethal yellowing disease of Ghana
Email Id:
in Cte dIvoire.
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440
Dates:
Web Address: Received: 14 Mar 2014 Accepted: 04 Jul 2014 Published: 22 Aug 2014
http://jresearchbiology.com/
documents/RA0448.pdf This article is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/2.0), which gives permission for unrestricted use, non-commercial, distribution and
reproduction in all medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

1427-1440| JRB | 2014 | Vol 4 | No 6

Journal of Research in Biology
An International
Scientific Research Journal www.jresearchbiology.com

INTRODUCTION
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is the most widely
cultivated oilseed plant in the coastal areas of tropics.
The global area of coconut plantation is 12.05 million
hectares (ha), of which approximately 88% are in Asia
and Pacific and 5.27% in Africa (AMRIZAL, 2003).
Besides its interest for millions of smallholders, this tree
is of a global economic importance, is a source of fat and
many industrial products (Bourdeix et al., 2005a).
In Cte d'Ivoire, the coconut is the main cash
crop on the coast where the vast majority of coconut
trees are located. The surfaces used in this part of the
Ivory Coast represent about 80% of the area of the
Ivorian coconut grove covering 50,000 ha (Konan, 2002
and Assa et al., 2006) and its culture has more than
12,000 families (Bourdeix Konan, 2005). However, the
economic challenge posed by coconut is compromised
by several diseases, including the lethal yellowing which
is the origin of the devastation of thousands of acres of
coconut groves in the world (Van Der Vossen and
Chipungahelo, 2007) including Jamaica, Mexico,
Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana and Cte d'Ivoire;
phytoplasmas are responsible for this disease (Rohde
et al., 1993). It is manifested by the fruit drop, yellowing
and fall of all the leaves. On affected by this disease,
coconut trees die within months, leaving a field bare
trunks. This is a threat to the global area of coconut
plantations and therefore its production. There is no
chemical control and / or potential mechanics for its
cure. The only possible solution to the fight against this
disease is genetic method of selection or creating
resistant varieties (Oropeza et al., 2005). Behavioral tests
conducted in Ghana have identified sources of varietal
tolerance which MYD x VTT hybrid (Dery et al., 2005.
Bonnot et al., 2009). However, agronomic characteristics
of these hybrid offsprings have never been studied. In
addition, the disease is discovered in Cte d'Ivoire since
2012 and is similar to that of Ghana (Konan et al., 2013).
1428
Zadjhi et al., 2014
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the
agronomic performance of MYD x VTT hybrid progeny
planted in Cte d'Ivoire. This study will provide the best
MYD x VTT progeny with dual ability of tolerance and
good productivity offer for growers. VTT parent may
provide the best progeny is also revealed by this study,
for to be use in the seed production.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study site and plant material
The test PBGC43 (Port-Bouet Genetics Coconut
No. 43) is located on the plot 034 of Marc Delorme
research station (514' and 515' north latitude and 354'
and 355' W) in Abidjan in southern Cte d'Ivoire. The
climate of the southern region of Cte d'Ivoire has four
seasons, two rainy (April-July and October-November)
and two dry (December-March and August-September).
The average temperature varies between 24.50C and
27.73C. The total insolation reached 2,238.3 hours per
year with an average moisture content of 86.02%.
Rainfall is characterized by an average annual
precipitation of 1673.99 mm and the floor of Marc
Delorme station consists of tertiary sands.
The plant material consists of 18 hybrid
progenies (coded d1 to d18) from crosses between
Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and Vanuatu Tall
(VTT). These crosses involved 18 male brood stock VTT
(coded G1 to G18) and a female parent MYD using the
technique of assisted pollination (Wuidart and Rognon,
1981). Choosing brood stock VTT was conducted
visually on the general morphology shaft. VTT were
planted in 1988 on plot 022. Their progeny produced on
the seed field plot 033 of Marc Delorme Station, were
planted in 1998.
Experimental design
MYD x VTT Seedlings were planted following a
randomized complete block design at a density of 160
trees per ha with six repetitions (Fig 1). In each block,
the repetition by progeny varied from 3 to 10 coconuts
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

1 B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

2 B 4 10 1 9 15 12 15 4 10 20 1 12 16 19 3 20 5 15 2 19 13 7 4 1 B
Zadjhi et al., 2014

3 B 19 3 13 14 4 15 5 17 3 15 1 14 10 7 1 9 20 13 20 17 18 4 16 1 B
4 B 2 20 8 2 8 17 16 16 17 2 5 8 20 2 5 11 19 9 4 14 11 19 16 7 B
5 B 3 12 3 9 16 15 18 11 10 6 14 1 10 20 10 3 14 16 2 20 9 10 2 3 B

Bloc 1 6 B 9 2 2 19 12 11 7 18 16 20 9 13 18 9 12 12 8 7 4 10 1 10 16 15 B Bloc 2
7 B 10 19 11 16 10 7 20 6 10 4 12 20 3 11 18 17 5 11 18 20 6 16 14 17 B
8 B 18 18 6 18 10 1 14 7 2 20 2 5 20 1 3 4 8 15 5 6 11 17 2 13 B
9 B 11 4 5 4 18 6 18 16 10 4 4 19 15 2 20 19 15 10 11 1 5 14 7 10 B

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440

10 B 16 1 19 7 5 14 6 16 19 2 14 7 20 7 16 16 2 20 6 20 14 4 8 12 B
11 B 14 10 2 4 17 15 19 2 10 4 19 6 4 16 2 11 6 18 4 3 11 15 10 2 B

12 B 4 10 6 20 16 6 16 14 12 18 10 2 20 13 11 6 15 16 2 18 4 17 6 15 B
13 B 2 20 15 10 3 14 2 15 20 10 5 12 3 2 7 10 7 20 9 1 10 5 3 16 B
14 B 10 4 16 3 10 15 9 15 16 4 5 8 20 11 9 10 1 4 13 11 13 14 2 1 B
15 B 2 5 14 2 4 18 11 7 14 6 2 1 12 19 18 17 19 6 19 8 16 20 4 5 B

Bloc 3 16 B 15 1 16 4 20 6 11 9 17 8 2 6 8 3 5 16 20 7 14 17 9 10 16 7 B Bloc 4
17 B 5 7 13 10 19 3 4 13 11 13 3 13 2 14 4 1 10 20 12 20 18 15 8 19 B
18 B 1 17 4 2 9 16 7 15 19 18 19 17 4 20 10 1 16 15 18 17 5 16 19 4 B
19 B 3 18 8 18 5 11 14 17 20 1 8 10 2 16 19 20 10 4 3 9 12 4 14 10 B
20 B 14 16 20 2 10 10 20 9 19 6 16 19 17 10 2 5 7 6 11 1 19 2 19 6 B

21 B 19 6 1 19 20 19 16 15 7 4 19 7 20 2 14 17 13 14 15 7 18 6 16 2 B

1429
1430
22 B 4 20 3 10 20 3 18 14 4 11 10 19 8 20 2 4 15 13 9 11 19 1 20 18 B

23 B 2 10 2 16 1 11 5 7 16 15 14 6 10 12 13 19 17 7 3 10 12 8 19 5 B

24 B 4 16 10 4 2 16 15 10 20 1 4 16 9 11 9 20 18 19 10 2 14 16 7 20 B

25 B 10 6 2 6 15 19 7 14 5 2 6 19 7 16 17 5 14 8 1 3 6 20 4 19 B

Bloc 5 26 B 4 9 8 18 5 20 19 18 12 7 18 9 13 6 19 18 7 14 14 10 11 16 10 11 B Bloc 6

27 B 9 16 7 20 16 1 12 4 20 8 17 2 9 18 15 1 19 17 14 18 5 20 5 7 B

28 B 10 17 4 15 14 2 13 5 3 15 13 20 2 3 12 4 10 16 4 3 16 4 10 6 B

29 B 19 3 11 10 19 1 20 14 6 19 3 11 16 6 4 15 19 3 15 5 4 20 19 2 B

30 B 12 19 20 17 15 19 3 7 19 6 10 4 2 19 4 17 1 19 16 20 6 7 9 19 B

31 B 20 2 13 14 19 1 8 2 16 18 5 4 6 2 10 19 20 2 20 15 10 20 2 20 B

32 B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
Figure 1: Experimental setup of the test PBGC 43 coconut Marc Delorme, Abidjan, Cte d'Ivoire.

NB: The numbers 1 to 18 correspond to the 18 progenies NJM x GVT. Numbers 19 and 20 are respectively hybrid NJM x GOA improved and unimproved. The
NJM x GOA improved or PB121 + is derived from a cross between the female parent NJM and improved GOA (GOA male parent + ). At the NJM x GOA
unimproved or PB121 the male parent GOA is not improved.

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440

Zadjhi et al., 2014
Zadjhi et al., 2014
and each block is composed of 10 lines of 12 trees. The
lines 1 and 32 and the trees 1 and 26 constitutes the
borders. A total of 832 coconut trees have been planted
on an area of 5.2 ha. The PB121+ hybrids from the
crossing of MYD and WAT+ (MYD x WAT+) have been
used as control. The PB121+ coconut trees stay the more
popularized in the world and ever studied (BOURDEIX
et al., 2005a).
METHODS
Variable number of bunches per year (Nbb),
number of fruits per year (NBFR), weight of copra per
tree per year (Cop / tree / year), weight of copra per
hectare per year (Cop / hectare / year) were considered
for the analysis. Production data of the adulthood where
productivity is stabilized (from 9 years) were collected
on the progeny of MYD x VTT (Malayan Yellow Dwarf
Vanuatu Tall) and VTT (Vanuatu Tall). Productivity of
MYD x VTT has been compared to that of MYD x
WAT+ (Malayan Yellow Dwarf x Improved West
African Tall) used as a control.
All data obtained were subjected to statistical
analysis. SPSS 16.0 (software Statistical Package for
Social Sciences 16.0) and CDM 3.0 (Coconut Data
Management 3.0) were used for this purpose. ANOVA
and Duncan test at the 5% level were used to compare
the productivity in MYD x VTT hybrid progenies and
DUNNET test (5%) was used to compare the
+
productivity of hybrid MYD x VTT with PB121 . The
student t-test at the 5% level was used to compare parent
VTT and progenies. The heterosis effect was estimated
using the following formula:
(Average offspring - male Sire Average) x 100
Average male Sire
The strict sense heritability (h2) was estimated by
parent-offspring regression (Jayaraman 1999; Verrier
2
et al., 2001). The regression coefficient is equal to h
when we only know the value of single parent and h2
when the values of both the parents are known.
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440
Cov (Pi, D)
h2 = 2b = 2x
Var Pi
b = regression coefficient, h2 = heritability in the narrow
sense, Cov = covariance, Pi = phenotypic value of the
parent VTT i, D = phenotypic value of the progeny and
Var = variance.
RESULTS
Evaluation of the productivity of hybrid MYD x VTT
progenies
MYD x VTT hybrids progenies have the same
level of production plans. The probability P = 0.44
indicates that there is no difference between hybrids for
this trait. They produced an average of 9 1 to 11 1.35
bunches per year (Table-1). ANOVA allows to
discriminate MYD x VTT progenies for the number of
fruits, the amount of copra produced per tree and copra
per hectare. The descendants of d9 have the lowest fruit
production (76 12 fruits), coconut tree / year (12.54
2.05 kg) and copra per hectare (2.01 0.33t). For the
same variables, the d11 provided the highest values with
121 16 fruits per year, 19.82 2.62 kg of copra per
tree / year 3.17 0.42t copra per hectare per year. These
values of d11are not significantly different from those of
most of the other progeny. MYD x VTT progenies
produced an average of 10 bunches and 104 fruits per
year; 16.51 kg of copra per tree and 2.64t copra per
hectare per year. These progeny may then be classified
into two groups. Firstly whose values are greater than the
average and secondly those values below the average.
The first group consists of progenies d 5, d6, d8, d11, d12,
d15 and d18. The second group consists of progenies d1,
d2, d3, d4, d7, d9, d10, d13, d14, d16, d17.
In this test, the PB 121+ produced 10 0.73
bunches and 94 5.69 fruits per year per tree. Copra
yields per tree and per hectare per year are respectively
15.58 0.95 kg and 2.49 0.15t. All values are
1431
 Zadjhi et al., 2014

Table 1 : Productivity of coconut hybrids MYD x VTT studied

MYD x VTT Nbb/year NbFr/year Cop/arbre/year (kg) Cop/hectare/year (t)
hybrides
d1 9 1.25 083 13cd 13.24 2.05 cd 2.12 0.33cd
d2 10 0.78 100 14abcd 16.31 2.31 abcd 2.61 0.37abcd
d3 10 0.89 090 15bcd 15.45 2.54 abcd 2.47 0.41abcd
d4 10 0.57 101 11abcd 15.61 1.77 abcd 2.50 0.28abcd
d5 11 0.68 114 17ab 17.90 2.68 ab. 2.86 0.43ab
d6 10 0.65 108 09abc 17.64 1.53 abc.. 2.82 0.24abc
d7 10 0.98 112 24ab 17.21 3.72 abc.. 2.75 0.60abc
d8 11 1.35 111 18abc 18.42 2.92 ab 2.95 0.47ab
d9 9 1.24 076 12d 12.54 2.05 d.. 2.01 0.33d
d10 10 0.73 104 10abc 16.73 2.00abcd... 2.68 0.26abcd
d11 11 0.86 121 16a 19.82 2.62a. 3.17 0.42a
d12 11 1.11 118 19ab 17.49 2.75abc 2.80 0.44abc
d13 10 1.06 106 15abc 17.43 2.50abc 2.79 0.40abc
d14 10 1.25 097 25abcd 15.12 3.84bcd 2.42 0.61bcd
d15 11 0.66 113 16ab 18.94 2.74ab 3.03 0.44ab
d16 10 0.76 101 18abcd 14.70 2.60bcd 2.35 0.42bcd
d17 10 0.71 101 14abcd 16.12 2.19abcd 2.58 0.35abcd
d18 11 1.10 116 21ab 16.55 2.96abcd 2.65 0.47abcd
Average 10 1.00 104 18... 16.51 2.91 2.64 0.47...

Nbb/year= Number of bunches per year, NbFr/year= Number of fruits per year, Cop/arbre/year= Copra product
per tree per year, Cop/hectare/year= Copra product per hectare per year

statistically identical to the 18 MYD x VTT progenies
studied (Table -2).
Evaluation of the productivity of VTT parent
Number of bunches produced per year differs
from VTT Parent with a significant probability of
P = 0.016. The number of fruits, weight of copra per tree
per year and the weight of copra per hectare per year
permit with the probabilities P<0.001 to differentiate
VTT. VTT parents produced per year between 8 1
(G3 ) and 13 1 (G1 ) bunches. They produced 29 20
(G3 ) to 145 44 fruits (G1) in the year (Table- 3). The
weight of copra produced per tree per year varies
between 4.53 3.20 kg (G3) and 22.20 6.77 kg (G1).
The parent G3 produces less copra per hectare
(0.65 0.46t) away from G1 that has the best
performance (3.18 0.97t). VTT parents studied
produced an average of 11 bunches and 96 fruits per year
and 11.62 kg of copra per tree per year and 1.66 t copra
1432
per hectare per year. Compared to the average, the goods
producers are G1, G4, G6, G7, G12, G15 and G16.
Comparison of parents-progenies, evaluation of
heterosis and heritability
Of all the progenies studied, only d3 progeny
produces more bunches (10 0.89) per year than its
progenitor VTT (Nbb = 8 1 bunches). Overall, MYD x
VTT progeny produce less of bunches per year than their
VTT parents (Figure-2). Progenies d2, d3, d5, d9, d10, d11,
d13, d17, d18 respectively produce 100, 90, 114, 76, 104,
121, 106, 101 and 116 fruits per year. These values are
statistically higher than those of their different parents
that produce 85, 29, 78, 63 73, 60, 67, 72 and 85 fruits
respectively (FIG-3). MYD x VTT progenies produce
more of copra per tree per hectare in the year than their
parents except G1 (22.20 kg copra / tree / year)
(Figure-4).
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440
Zadjhi et al., 2014

Table 2: Comparison of the productivity of MYD x VTT hybrid witness PB 121 + (t test of DUNETT @5%) interval.

MYD x VTT MYD x VTT

Variables Control P Variables Control P
hybrides hybrides
d1 0.98 d1 0.88
d2 1.00 d2 1.00
d3 1.00 d3 1.00
d4 1.00 d4 1.00
d5 1.00 d5 0.88
d6 1.00 d6 0.94
d7 1.00 d7 0.99
d8 0.90 d8 0.68
d9 0.73 Crop/tree/year d9 0.61
Nbb d19 (10 0.73) d19 (15.58 0.95)
d10 1.00 (kg) d10 1.00
d11 0.99 d11 0.20
d12 0.98 d12 0.97
d13 1.00 d13 0.98
d14 1.00 d14 1.00
d15 0.99 d15 0.47
d16 1.00 d16 1.00
d17 1.00 d17 1.00
d18 0.96 d18 1.00
d1 0.99 d1 0.88
d2 1.00 d2 1.00
d3 1.00 d3 1.00
d4 1.00 d4 1.00
d5 0.56 d5 0.88
d6 0.91 d6 0.94
d7 0.71 d7 0.99
d8 0.76 d8 0.68
d9 0.69 Crop/hectare/ d9 0.61
NbFr d19 (94 5.69) d19 (2.49 0.15)
d10 0.99 year (t) d10 1.00
d11 0.18 d11 0.20
d12 0.33 d12 0.97
d13 0.97 d13 0.98
d14 1.00 d14 1.00
d15 0.62 d15 0.47
d16 1.00 d16 1.00
d17 1.00 d17 1.00
d18 0.40 d18 1.00
Nbb/year= Number of bunches per year, NbFr/year= Number of fruits per year, Cop/tree/year= Copra product per
tree per year, Cop/hectare/year= Copra product per hectare per year

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440 1433

 Zadjhi et al., 2014

Table 3 : Productivity 18 parent males coconut VTT studied

VTT Nbb / year NbFr/year Cop/tree/year (Kg) Cop/hectare/year (t)

G1 13 1 a 145 44a. 22.20 6.77a 3.18 0.97a

G2 11 2 ab 085 36abc 06.76 2.88cde 0.97 0.41cde
G3 08 1 b 029 20c. 04.53 3.20e. 0.65 0.46e.
G4 11 3 ab 114 62ab 20.01 10.98ab 2.86 1.57ab
G5 11 2 ab 078 43abc 06.37 3.49cde 0.91 0.50cde
G6 12 4ab 116 56ab 14.72 7.11abcd 2.10 1.02abcd
G7 12 3ab 128 61ab 13.14 6.32bcde 1.88 0.90bcde
G8 11 3ab 096 44abc 15.66 7.25abcd 2.24 1.04abcd
G9 10 2ab 063 25bc 06.81 2.72cde 0.97 0.39cde
G10 10 2ab 073 33abc 09.16 4.16cde 1.31 0.60cde
G11 09 3ab 060 36bc 05.98 3.55de 0.86 0.51de
G12 12 3ab 121 51ab 12.80 5.39bcde 1.83 0.77bcde
G13 10 2ab 067 31abc 08.59 3.97cde 1.23 0.57cde
G14 12 3ab 105 71abc 10.58 7.14cde 1.51 1.02cde
G15 14 3a 146 64a 16.08 7.00abc 2.30 1.00abc
G16 13 2a 132 35ab 15.97 4.29abc 2.28 0.61abc
G17 11 2ab 072 18abc 06.36 1.64cde 0.91 0.23cde
G18 11 3ab 085 47abc 11.44 6.28bcde 1.64 0.90bcde
Average 11 3.. 096 53.. 11.62 7.34 1.66 1.05.
Nbb/year= Number of bunches per year, NbFr/year= Number of fruits per year, Cop/arbre/year= Copra
product per tree per year, Cop/hectare/year= Copra product per hectare per year

The heterosis effect is almost non-existent for
many bunch products per year (Table-4) in all progenies.
Reductions of bunch production, materialized by
negative values are observed (-2.27% to -27.19%) among
all progeny except d3 (25.61%), d8 (0, 41%), d11
(24.01%) and d13 (3.43%) who improved productions of
bunches are observed. For the production of fruit, this
value ranges from 15.43% (d8) to 214.66% (d3). Copra
per hectare per year is raised from 2.98% to 281.6%.
However, a loss of -33.27% is observed with progeny d1.
On progeny average, heterosis effects were observed for
number of fruits per year (8.33%), copra per tree
(42.08%) and copra per hectare (50.04%).
Low heritability values were observed for the
production of traits are measured. Heritability of number
of bunches, number of fruits per tree and copra per tree
are respectively 04% and 10% (Table 5).
DISCUSSION
The realized trial compare coconut hybrids come
from of the cross between a Dwarf coconut and the tall
one. In practice, a simplified crossing plan was adopted
when the two ecotypes crossed did not have the same
variability levels. So for the improvement of the hybrids
Dwarf x Grand, several male tall coconuts are tested to
suppress the reciprocal test. Indeed, the dwarfs of the
collection are autogamous, they have very low
phenotypic variability and are probably close to the pure
line. The results showed that the MYD x VTT progenies
produces bunch per year. The MYD which is the
common parent of all the progenies would have
influenced the crossing and would have standardized the
production of bunch. However, it is necessary to indicate
that the progenies d5, d6, d8, d11, d12, d15 and d18 give the
best results for the number of fruit per year and the
copra/tree/year and the copra / ha/year. These progenies
could be selected to farmers; otherwise, VTT parents G5,
G6, G8, G11, G12, G15 and G18 could be selected to
produce MYD x VTT seeds. However, some parents
such as G5, G8, G11 and G18 that give the progenies d5, d8,
d11, and d18 with good productions, hasnt a good
productivity. Contrary to those, parents G1, G4, G7 and

1434 Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440

Zadjhi et al., 2014

16
Number of bunches
a a
14 a
a a
a a a a
12 a a a a a a a a
a b a a a b a
a a b b a a b a
Number of Bunches

10 b a b dx
b
8 Gx

0
d1d1G1
G1 d2d2G2
G2 d3d3G3
G3 d4d4G4
G4 d5d5G5
G5 d6d6G6
G6 d7d7G7
G7 d8d8G8
G8 d9d9G9
G9 d10d10G10
G10 d11d11G11 d12G12
G11 d12 G12 dd13G13 d14G14
13G13 d14 G14 d15d15G15 d16G16
G15 d16 d17G17
G16 d17 d18G18
G17 d18 G18

Parents and progenies

Parents and progenies

Figure 2: Comparison of the number of bunches produced by year of MYD x VTT hybrids with their
males parents VTT (Student's t test at 5%).

G16 that have the best yield give progenies with low give the best progenies with good yield would combine
yield. It shows that the productivity of the progenies is themselves better with the cultivar Dwarf Yellow
not always linked to the one of the parents VTT. It could Malaysia. However with coconut, the choice of a tester
indicate that bunch production, fruit and copra is not in the progeny tests is a compromise between two
heritable or are influenced by the environment. The lows contradictory necessities (BOURDEIX et al., 1991).
heritability observed for the measured traits prove this Indeed, it has to be an representative of its original
hypothesis. It also indicates that the VTT parents that population and at the same time transmit high potential

180
Number of fruits

a
a
160
a a
140 a a a a
a a a b a
120 a a dx
a a a a a a b
Number of fruits

a a
a b Gx
100 b b b
a b b b
80 b b
60
b
40

20

0
dd1G1
11G11 dd2G2
22G22 dd3G3
33G33 dd4G4
44G44 dd5G5
55G55 dd6G6
66G66 dd7G7
77G77 dd8G8
88G88 dd9G9 d10G10
99G99 d10 10 dd11G11
10G10 11 dd12G12
11G11
11 d13G13
12G122 d
12 13G13
13 d14G14
13 d 14 dd15G15
14G14
14 15 dd16G16
15 G15
15 16 G16
16 d17G17
16 d 17 G17
17 d18G18
17 d 18G18
18 18

Parents and progenies Parents and progenies

Figure 3: Comparison of the number of fruits produced per year by MYD x VTT hybrids with their males
parents VTT (Student's t test at 5%).

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440 1435

 Zadjhi et al., 2014

Copra/hectare/yearCopra/tree/year 30

a
(T) (kg)

25 a
a
a a a a
20 a a a
a a b a b a a
a a a
b b
b b
15 b a b b
dx
b b Gx
10 b b b b b
b
5

0
d1d1G1
G1 dd2G2
2G2 dd3G3
3G3 dd4G4
4G4 dd5G5
5G5 dd6G6
6G6 dd7G7
7G7 dd8G8
8G8 dd9G9
9G9 dd10G10
10G10 d 11G11 d12G12
d11G11 d12G12d13G13
d13G13d14G14
d14G14d15G15
d15 G15d16G16
d16 G16d17G17
d17 G17d18G18
d18G18

Parents and progenies Parents and progenies

Figure 4: Comparison of copra weight product per trees per year of coconut MYD x VTT hybrids with
their males parents VTT (Student's t test at 5%).

of production to its progeny. Crossings between VTT more bunches per year than their male parents
parents in order to stabilize some traits of interest, before (BOURDEIX et al., 1992; LABOUISSE et al., 2005).
use in the production of MYD x VTT hybrid could The tall coconuts have more developed vegetative traits
improve and correct some pre-occupations on the on the whole than Dwarf x Grand hybrids. Their more
productivity of the progenies. robust stem gives them the advantage to resist the
In this trial, MYD x VTT hybrids produced on drought more that the Dwarf x Grand. Therefore, these
average of 10 bunches per year; this average value is trees would keep a good level of production during the
below one of the parents VTT. However, different results difficult periods than hybrids Dwarf x Grand. The
showed that Dwarf x Grand coconut hybrids give out coconut is influenced to the variations of the

4
Copra/hectare/year

a
3,5 a
a a a
a a a a
(T)

a
(T)

3 a a a a
a a b
a a a
Copra/hectare/year

b dx
2,5 b
b b a b
b Gx
2 b
b b
1,5
b b b b b
1 b

0,5

0
dd1G1
1G1 dd2G2
2G2 dd3G3
3G3 dd4G4
4G4 dd5G5
5G5 dd6G6
6G6 dd7G7
7G7 dd8G8
8G8 d9d9G9
G9 d10d10G10
G10 d11 G11 d12
d11G11 G12 dd13G13
d12G12 13G13 dd14G14
14G14 d15 G15 d16
d15G15 G16 d17
d16G16 G17 d18
d17G17 G18
d18G18
Parents and progenies
Parents and progenies

Figure 5: Comparison of the production of copra per hectare per year of progenies coconut MYD x VTT
and their spawning males VTT (Student's t test at 5%).

1436 Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440

Zadjhi et al., 2014

Table 4 : Heterosis for the productivity of 18 hybrid progenies coconut

MYD x VTT in relation to their spawns VTT.

Effets htrosis (%)

VTT/ MYD x VTT Bunches/year Fruits/year Copra/tree/year Copra/hectare/year

G1d1 -27.19 -42.46 -40.36 -33.27

G2d2 -05.46 17.97 141.27 169.94

G3d3 25.61 214.66 241.04 281.60

G4d4 -10.80 -10.95 -22.00 -12.73

G5d5 -01.82 45.55 181.17 214.62

G6d6 -13.05 -06.62 19.85 34.10

G7d7 -16.21 -12.80 31.00 46.57

G8d8 0.41 15.43 17.61 31.59

G9d9 -10.40 21.41 84.11 106.01

G10d10 -02.27 41.81 82.69 104.41

G11d11 24.01 100.97 231.24 270.62

G12d12 -07.07 -02.30 36.67 52.91

G13d13 3.43 58.40 102.85 126.96

G14d14 -11.99 -07.74 42.95 59.94

G15d15 -21.46 -22.81 17.84 31.85

G16d16 -24.92 -23.48 -07.96 02.98

G17d17 -03.14 40.70 153.59 183.72

G18d18 -02.82 36.55 44.69 61.90

On the average -09.00 08.33 42.08 50.04

NB: Figures in bold represent losses

environment (ROUPSARD et al., 2007), that could
explain difference between parents VTT and their
progenies Dwarf x Grand for the bunch produced per
year.
In the trial the MYD x VTT hybrids produced an
average of 2.64t of copra/hectare/year. This yield is
+
lower to the one of the PB 121 according the results of
BOURDEIX et al., (1992) but is statistically identical to
the one of the PB121+ used as control in our trial. Indeed,
these authors who worked on the Station of research
Marc Delorme found that between 9 and 12 years the
MYD x WAT+ Hybrids or PB 121+ produce on average
of 17 bunches, 124 fruits and 4.06 t of copra per hectare
per year. This difference would be due to the selection

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440 1437


Table 5: Narrow-sense heritability for production
traits in coconuts studied
Variables Hritabilits (%)
Rgime 4
Fruit 10
Cop/arbre 10
criterion of the parents. These researchers selected the
parents producing more 20 kg of copra by tree per year.
To the contrary in our trial the choice of the parents has
been achieved visually on the good general aspect of the
tree. Indeed, the initial objective of this trial was not to
achieve an aptitude test to the combination of the
individuals, but to provide to Ghana the coconut tree
descended from the crossing between MYD cultivars and
VTT for a resistance screening trial to lethal yellowing in
this country. Otherwise the devastation of
Pseudotheraptus devastans cannot be controlled. In this
trial the damages of these insects have also been
accessed. Unfortunately insecticide has not been applied.
The comparative survey of the productivity of every
progeny to his ascendant permitted to appreciate
heterosis effects. These effects that are more observed
with the copra by tree and by hectare showed the
performance of coconut tree hybrids returned by some
authors (BOURDEIX et al., 2005b). Heterosis that is
generally observed at the individual heterozygote could
explain itself by the effects of dominance and
superdominance of the genes implied in the
determination of the quantitative traits (QTLs) or by the
interaction between two complementary genes
(VERRIER et al., 2001; LU et al., 2003). The hybrid
vigor or increase of the performance of the hybrids
appear when the crossed individuals are genetically
distant. Indeed, the crossing between coconuts and
genetically distant would increase heterozygote and
therefore the hybrid vigor. These results would indicate
therefore, a good genetic distance between the Dwarf
1438
Zadjhi et al., 2014
Yellow Malaysia used here as female parent and the
parents males VTT.
CONCLUSION
The study assessed the agronomic performance
of 18 Malayan Yellow Dwarf x Vanuatu Tall coconut
hybrids coded d1 to d18 and their parent VTT codes G 1
to G18. The results showed that MYD x VTT hybrids
produces per year 9 to 10 bunches, 76 to 121 fruits,
12.54 to 19.82 kg of copra by tree and 2.01t to 3, 17t of
copra by hectare. These yields are statistically equal to
the one of the control PB121+. The progenies d5, d6, d8,
d11, d12, d15 and d18 had the best yields. The parents VTT
produced 8 to 13 bunches, 29 to 146 fruits per year
4.53 kg to 22.20 kg copra by tree, 0.65t to 3,18t of copra
by hectare. The parents G1, G4, G6, G7, G12, G15 and G16
have the best yields. On the average of the progenies,
heterosis effects have been observed for the copra by tree
(42.08%) and the copra by hectare (50.04%). Parents G 6,
G12 and G15 who give the best yields and provide better
offspring (d6, d12 and d15) are to be used for seed
production MYD x VTT. These three types of best
progenies MYD x VTT are advising farmers to prevent
the spread of lethal yellowing disease in Ghana and Cte
d'Ivoire.
REFERENCES
Amrizal L. 2003. Coconut Statistical yearbook. Asian
and Pacific coconut community.276 p.
Assa RRA, Konan JL, Nemlin J, Prades A, Agbo N
and Sie RS. 2006. Diagnostic de la cocoteraie paysanne
du littoral ivoirien. Sciences et nature 3(2): 113-120.
Bonnot F, Danyo G, Philippe R, Dery S and
Ransford A. 2009. Preliminary results on epidemiology
of Coconut Lethal Yellowing in Ghana.Olagineux,
Corps Gras, Lipides.16(2):116-122.
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440
Zadjhi et al., 2014

Bourdeix R, Konan JL and Ncho YP. 2005a. molecular identification of the phytoplasma associated
Cocotier, guide des varits traditionnelles et amliores. with a lethal yellowing-type disease of coconut palms in
Co-production CIRAD /CNRA, edition diversiflora; Cte dIvoire.NewDiseaseReports.28 :3.
Montpellier (France). 58p.
Konan JL. 2002. Le programme cocotier :Pilier du
Bourdeix R, Baudouin L and Konan JL. 2005b. dveloppement de la filire cocotier. Atelier bilan des
Coconut hybrids developed by CIRAD and its partner programmes de recherches. Centre National de
institutions. In Coconut Hybrids for Smallholders: Recherche Agronomique, Direction Gnrale Abidjan
Batugal P, Dante B, Oliver J. (eds). CFC technical paper (Cte dIvoire). 15p.
No.42.Chapter. II: other experiences related to coconut
Labouisse J.-P, Sileye T, Morin J.-P, Hamelin C,
hybrid development, Common Fund for Commodities /
Baudouin L, Bourdeix R and Rouziere A. 2005.
International Plant Genetic Resources. Institute (CFC /
Coconut (Cocosnucifera L.) genetic improvement in
IPGRI): Amsterdam, Netherlands. 111-131.
Vanuatu: Overview of research achievements from 1962
Bourdeix R et Konan JL. 2005. Coconut hybrid trials to 2002. Part 2: Improvement of the Vanuatu Tall by
in Cte dIvoire. Coconut hybrids for smallholders CFC hybridization. Olagineux, Corps Gras, Lipides.12 (2):
technical paper No.42.Chapter.I: results of the Common 170-179.
Fund for Commodities-funded multilocation hybrid trials
Lu H, Romero-Severson J and Bernardo R. 2003.
project, Common Fund for Commodities / International
Genetic basis of heterosis explored by simple sequence
Plant Genetic Resources Institute (CFC/IPGRI),
repeat markers in a random-mated maize
Amsterdam (Netherlands). 26-51.
population.Theor Appl Genet. 107(3): 494502.
Bourdeix R, Ncho YP, Sangare A, Baudoin L and
Oropeza C, Escamilla JA, Mora G, Zizumbo D and
De Nuce De Lamothe M. 1992. Lhybride de cocotier
Harrison NA. 2005. Coconut lethal yellowing. In
PB 121 amlior, croisement du nain Jaune Malaiset
Coconut genetic resources, edited by Batugal p.,
de gniteurs grand Ouest-Africain slectionns.
Ramanatha Rao V., et Oliver J, IPGRI, Selangor Darul
Olagineux.47(11) : 619-633.
Ehsan (Malaysia).349-363.
Dery SK, Owusu Nipah J, Andoh-Mensah E,
Rohde W, Kullaya A, Mpunami A and Becker D.
Nuertey BN, Nkansah Poku J, Arthur R and
1993. Rapid and sensitive diagnosis of mycoplasma like
Philippe R. 2005. On-farm evaluation of the coconut
organisms associated with lethal disease of coconut palm
hybrid, Malayan yellow dwarf x Vanuatu tall for
by a specially primed polymerase chain reaction for the
tolerance to the lethal yellowing disease of coconut in
amplification of 16S rDNA. Olagineux. 48 (7): 319-
Ghana. Cord. 21 (1): 50-56.
322.
Jayaraman K. 1999. Manuel de statistique pour la
Roupsard O, Bonnefond JM and Luyssaert S. 2007.
recherche forestire. FAO, Coopration Hollandaise,
Productivity of a tropical plantation of coconut tree
Commission Europenne. 239p.
(Cocosnucifera L.) compared with tropical evergreen
Konan Konan JL, Allou K, Atta Diallo H, Saraka humid forests. AsiaFlux Newsletter. 23: 4-9.
Yao D, Koua B, Kouassi N, Benabid R, Michelutti R,
Scott J and Arocha-Rosete Y. 2013. First report on the

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Wuidart W and Rognon F. 1981. La production de

semences de cocotier. Olagineux.36 (3) : 131-134.

Van Der Vossen HAM and Chipungahelo GSE. 2007.

Cocosnucifera L. In: van der Vossen, H.A.M.
&Mkamilo, G.S. (Editors). PROTA 14: Vegetable oils/
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Verrier E, Brabant P and Gallais A. 2001. Faits et

concepts de base en gntique quantitative. Polycopi
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1440 Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1427-1440

 Journal of Research in Biology
An International Scientific Research Journal
Ecotoxicity analysis of a commercial tobacco based pesticide on
zebra fish (Danio rerio)
Authors:
Journal of Research in Biology
1
Magda Regina Santiago
and Alan Roberto Costa1
Institution:
1. Centre Research and
Development of Protection
Environmental of the
Biologycal Institute.
So Paulo - SP. Brazil.
Corresponding author:
Magda Regina Santiago
Email Id:
Web Address:
http://jresearchbiology.com/
documents/RA0456.pdf
Journal of Research in Biology
An International
Scientific Research Journal
ISSN No: Print: 2231 6280; Online: 2231- 6299
Original Research
ABSTRACT:
Studies on the commercial products for gardening have been lesser studied
for their conditions, in and outside South America are extremely rare. Brazil is not an
exception that the commercial products based on natural ingredients of free
commerce for pest control in organic agriculture has few scientific papers analyzing
impacts from the point of view of environmental contamination and effects on non-
target organisms. The commercial product based tobacco (unreported amount of
nicotine in the package) was tested for its effect on the lethality of known Zebrafish
(Danio rerio), since this organism is recommended by the International Organization
for Standardization - ISO, as they are a bioindicator of environmental pollution.
D. rerio were purchased and collected at random; it was then acclimated to the
laboratory conditions and used for in two bioassays. These biossays were conducted
with the middle aged zebra fish viz., eleven months old and five months old with the
spraying volume ranged from 0.25 mL.L-1 to 10 mL.L-1 and number of sprays number
ranged from 2 to 25. Mortality was observed over four sprays, because it is a concern
that four sprayings or more is the recommended dosage to control plague while
gardening. The organism D. rerio was taken as the test animal because it has many
characteristics similar to that of mammals.
Keywords:
Tobacco, Zebrafish, Danio rerio, vegetables gardens, pesticide.
Article Citation:
Magda Regina Santiago and Alan Roberto Costa.
Ecotoxicity analysis of a commercial tobacco based pesticide on zebra fish (Danio rerio)
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1441-1443
Dates:
Received: 12 June 2014 Accepted: 10 Jul 2014 Published: 10 Sep 2014
This article is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/2.0), which gives permission for unrestricted use, non-commercial, distribution and
reproduction in all medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
1441-1443 | JRB | 2014 | Vol 4 | No 6
www.jresearchbiology.com

INTRODUCTION
Toxicology of plant products to non target
organisms is a science still not established in developing
countries. Brazil is not an exception. Commercial
products based on plant ingredients, which can be freely
sold to control plagues in organic agriculture in Brazil,
are not very frequently studied on a scientific basis, to
verify the impacts on the environment and on non target
organisms. For this reason, one of the most widely used
products to control caterpillars and plant louses in
gardening are taken into consideration for our study. In
this study a tobacco based commercial product Dimy
Premium - Pronto Uso (amount of nicotine not
mentioned in the package) was tested to verify its
toxicit y and lethal effect on zebra fish
(Danio rerio). This species is standard for toxicity tests
and recommended by ISO and ABNT (2010), because it
is a good bioindicator to be used in bioassays with
chemical substances.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two tests were performed at the Toxicology
Laboratory of the Center for Research and
Environmental Protection Development of the Biological
Institute in So Paulo, Brazil. For the bioassays, five
month old specimens of Danio rerio, were acclimated
and their mortality rate was checked according to ABNT
(2010). In the first test, the fish were grown in the
laboratory until 11 months. In May 2014, after
11 months, some of them were randomly collected using
a net and weighed. A 48 h static assay was performed to
analyse their external toxicity. Only the initial
concentration of the test substance was taken into
consideration as the final lethal concentration could not
be determined, due to the lack of adequate equipment
and methodology. The physical and chemical
characteristics of the water used to prepare the solutions
were: Temperature: 20.9C, pH: 7.9 and dissolved
oxygen: 11,1 mg/L. The test had was done with six
1442
Santiago and Costa, 2014
replicates (each fish was considered a replicate) for each
treatment and one control, (ABNT 2010). There were
seven treatments with a fixed volume of water (2 L) and
a variable concentration of the commercial product (CP)
from 0 mL (T0) to 20 mL (T6). The amount of the
commercial product was calibrated and obtained with 0;
2; 5; 10; 15; 20 and 25 sprayings in each aquarium,
respectively: viz., T0=control; T11.00 mL (CP) L-1;
T 2=2. 00mL( CP) L-1; T 3=4. 00mL( CP) L-1;
T4=6.00 mL (CP) L-1; T5=8.00 mL (CP) L-1 and
T6= 10.00 mL (CP) L-1 respectively.
In the second bioassay, after the acclimation, the
toxicity to five month old fishes were evaluated, using
nine treatments with a higher volume, in relation to the
prior test with, 4L of water per aquarium. The increase of
water volume was due to the high toxicity which was
verified in the previous test, but the ratio of 1L of water
per gram of Danio rerio and eight replicates per
aquarium was maintained throughout the test period. The
physical and chemical characteristics of the water used to
prepare the solutions were: Temperature: 19.6C; pH: 7.6
and dissolved oxygen: 6.3 mg/L. the concentrations of
the commercial product (CP) were: T0 Control
-1
T1=0.25mL(CP)L ;T2=0.50mL(CP)L-1;
T31.18mL( CP) L-1; T4=1. 25 mL(CP)L-1;
T 5=1. 88mL( CP) L-1; T 6=2. 50mL( CP) L-1;
T7=3.25 mL (CP) L-1; T8=4.13 mL (CP) L-1. These
volumes were obtained respectively by 0; 2; 4; 6; 7; 10;
14; 18 and 22 sprayings in each aquarium, measured in a
50 mL graduated cylinder and a 5 mL graduated pipette.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The behavior of the fish was observed during
30 min after the spraying of the test product and the
readings were performed after 24 and 48 h for both
assays.
In the first test, after 30 min of exposure the
animals of all replicates were dead in the two treatments
with the higher concentrations of the commercial
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1441-1443
Santiago and Costa, 2014

This is serious because five sprayings or more is

the recommended dosage to control plague in gardening
and D. rerio has many characteristics similar to
mammals and recently a case of epilepsy in zebra fish.
It must be noted that toxicity of tobacco was not
expected, since this substance is widely used in organic
agriculture and there are no reports of fish mortality.

CONCLUSION
It is possible to conclude that formulated
products can be more toxic than the active principle
Figure 1: Fish showing internal bleeding above four
sprays in the aquarium (second bioassay) (BEVILACQUA et al., 2008) and that toxicity tests with
such products are essential for us to analyse. An
product, in the two assays. The LC100 was obtained with adequate control is also necessary for products of free
five sprayings, except for T0 (control) and commercialization and may be an agronomic
T1 (1 mL CP/L), where the fish remained alive; in all prescription is also inevitable for better usage of these
other concentrations the fish showed stress in the first products.
15 min and after 24 h, all the fish were dead and showing
internal bleeding in the ventral side mainly, near the head REFERENCES
(Figure 1). ABNT NBR 15088. Ecotoxicologia Aqutica-
In the second assay where lower concentrations Toxicidade aguda - Mtodo de ensaio com peixes.
were used, the LC100 was 0.50 mL CP/L, or 4 sprayings, Number order 223566. Printed em 07/04/2010.
however during the first 30 min a small increase in
Bevilacqua AHV, Suffredini IB, Bernardi MM. 2008.
opercula opening frequency and erratic movement of the
Toxicidade de Neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
animals, were noted in 0.50 mL CP/L, 1.18 mL CP/L,
(Meliaceae), em Artemia sp: comparao da preparao
1.25 mL CP/L, 1.88 mL CP/L and 2.50 mL CP/L
comercial e do leo puro. Rev Inst Cinc Sade.
concentrations and stress followed by death with
26(2):157-160.
3.25 mL CP/L and 4.13 mL CP/L. All dead fishes
showed internal bleeding in the ventral side near the
head.
Submit your articles online at www.jresearchbiology.com
The experiments were conducted in the winter,
Advantages
and considering that Danio rerio is a tropical fish that
Easy online submission
also develops well in mild temperatures, it is possible to Complete Peer review
conclude that the laboratory room temperature (20 to Affordable Charges
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21C) contributed to the lower assimilation of the Extensive indexing
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Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1441-1443 1443

 Journal of Research in Biology ISSN No: Print: 2231 6280; Online: 2231- 6299

An International Scientific Research Journal

Original Research

Efficient in vitro micropropagation of Gynura procumbens - an important rare

medicinal plant, through shoot tip and nodal segment explants
Authors: ABSTRACT:
Journal of Research in Biology

Farhana Parvin1,
Jikrul Islam Md1,
Naoshin Jahan1,
Habiba Khan1, Gynura procumbens is a medicinally important herbaceous plant species
Pallob Ebna Shaekh Md1, belonging to the family Asteraceae. It works against virus, inflammation and various
Aminul Islam Md1, types of allergies. It is used to treat rheumatic fever, migraine, kidney disease,
Muhammed Hamidur
diabetes, dysentery, various types of skin diseases and cancers. This study aimed to
Rahaman1 and Motiur
develop a suitable protocol for rapid production of Gynura procumbens from different
Rahman Md2*.
explants. Shoot tip and nodal segment explants were used from one year mature
Institution: plant. For shoot proliferation, among the two explants, shoot tips showed the best
1. Department of Genetic response (90%) on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0mg/l
Engineering and BAP and produced an average of 200.8 shootlets in each explants. In vitro derived
Biotechnology, University shoots were subcultured on the similar medium and it gave similar production with
of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205 healthy shoots. 100% rooting was observed on full strength MS medium containing
Bangladesh. NAA (0.5mg/l). Rooted plantlets were transferred for hardening into the mixture of
soil, cowdung and sand (1:1:1). Then the rooted plantlets were successfully
2. Assistant Professor,
Department of Genetic established in the field.
Engineering and
Biotechnology, University
of Rajshahi, Rajshahi
6205 Bangladesh.
Keywords:
Corresponding author:
Gynura procumbens, in vitro, micropropagation, cytokinin, auxin.
Motiur Rahman Md

Email Id: Article Citation:

Farhana Parvin, Jikrul Islam, Naoshin Jahan, Habiba Khan, Pallob Ebna Shaekh,
Aminul Islam, Muhammed Hamidur Rahaman and Motiur Rahman.
Efficient in vitro micropropagation of Gynura procumbens- an important rare
medicinal plant, through shoot tip and nodal segment explants
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1444-1450

Web Address: Dates:

http://jresearchbiology.com/ Received: 21 Jul 2014 Accepted: 07 Aug 2014 Published: 10 Sep 2014
documents/RA0464.pdf
This article is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/2.0), which gives permission for unrestricted use, non-commercial, distribution and
reproduction in all medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

1444-1450 | JRB | 2014 | Vol 4 | No 6

Journal of Research in Biology
An International
Scientific Research Journal www.jresearchbiology.com

INTRODUCTION
Plants have been an important source of
medicine for thousands of years. According to World
Health Organisation, about 80% of the population living
in developing countries still use traditional medicines
derived from plants for their primary health care needs.
At present, despite the necessity of synthetic drugs and
antibiotics for medical practices, a major contribution is
provided by plants to the pharmaceutical industries
(Sahoo et al., 1997). In vitro micropropagation
techniques of important medicinal plants are improving
day by day that affects the production of high quality
plant-based medicines. Moreover, steady supply of raw
materials can be maintained.
Gynura procumbens is considered
important medicinal plant in South East Asia. It is found
to be present throughout the Malay Peninsula along the
west side. It is a perennial herb belonging to the family
Asteraceae. Its habit is a scrambling or weakly climbing
herb with stem up to 6m long. Stems are light purple
with green spot. Leaves with green color are appeared at
the stalk on stem. The flowers are purple, tubular and
bisexual (Wiart, 2002). This plant is maintained as a low
bush by trimming and pinching.
Gynura procumbens is commonly known as
sambung nyawa that means Continuation of Life.
This plant is also known by different names in different
parts of the world. This is not a native plant of
Bangladesh. The corresponding author collected this
experimental plant from a relative who planted this plant
in his home garden in Joypurhat, Bangladesh and said
that it is a diabetes plant. According to the report of
Jiratchariyakul et al., (2000), this plant is useful for the
treatment of many ailments like urinary infection,
hypertension, diabetes, and anti-allergic
They also reported that the replication of viruses could
be inhibited by the compounds of this
Agustina et al., (2006) discovered that the leaf extract of
Gynura procumbens has anticarcinogenic
1445
Parvin et al., 2014
Besides this, it also has anti ulcerogenic activity
(Mahmood et al., 2010). Several studies have been
shown that the leaf extract possess anti hyperglycemic
(Li et al., 2009), anti-oxidative (Puangpronpitag et al.,
2010), anti-lipidemic (Zhang and Tan, 2000) and anti-
inflammatory (Iskander et al., 2002) effects. The leaves
of this plant do not have any toxic effects (Rosidah et al.,
2009). Akowuah et al., (2001) reported that the extract of
G. procumbens can reduce the blood sugar level of type
2 diabetic rats. Glucose uptake in 3T3 adipocyte cell
lines are affected by the extract of G. procumbens
(Bohari et al., 2006). They also suggested that the
stimulation of glucose uptake might be mediated by the
anti-diabetic action of G. procumbens.
as an Medicinal plants are of great interest to the
researchers in the field of biotechnology and many other
sectors. The propagation method of this plant is cuttings
which cannot give sufficient raw materials to produce
various types of pharmaceutical, dermaceutical and
aromatherapeutcal products. Micropropagation technique
can produce a large scale of raw materials and fulfill the
demand.
The present study was undertaken to establish a
reliable plantlet regeneration protocol using shoot tip and
nodal explants for large-scale production of
Gynura procumbens. To our knowledge there is no
report on in vitro propagation of Gynura procumbens
through shoot tip explants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Shoot tips and nodal segments of
Gynura procumbens were collected from garden grown
plants. The explants were washed thoroughly in the
running tap water for 30 min, followed by treatment with
agents. a solution of tween-80 for 10 min and thereafter washed
tree times with sterile distilled water. Then the explants
plant. were washed with 70% ethanol, 0.1% HgCl2 for 6 min
and rinsed with sterile distilled water for four times. The
effects. shoot tip and nodal segment were trimmed at both ends
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1444-1450
Parvin et al., 2014

(1-1.5cm) prior to the inoculation on culture media. the ratio of 1:1:1 covered with porous polythene for
Throughout the experiments, full strength MS maintaining high relative humidity (80-90%). After 15
medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) with 3% (w/v) days the plantlets were subsequently transferred to larger
sucrose and 0.75% (w/v) agar were used. The pH of all pots & gradually acclimatized to outdoor condition
media were adjusted to 5.7 prior to autoclaving (20 min).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The cultures were incubated in a culture room with
During this study, shoot tips (Figure 1-A, B) and
252C and 16h photoperiod was provided by cool white
nodal segments (Figure 2-A, B) were cultured on MS
fluorescent tubes for four weeks. The basal medium was
medium supplemented with different concentrations of
supplemented with BAP (1-3mg/l) alone and in
BAP (0.1-3mg/l) alone or in combination with NAA
combination with NAA (0.1-0.5mg/l) or IBA
(0.2- 0.5mg/l) or IBA (0.2- 0.5mg/l). Comparing the two
(0.1-0.5mg/l). For further elongation and multiplication
explants, the maximum number of multiple shoot
of regenerated shoots, the primary shoots were separated
proliferation was observed from shoot tip explants in MS
aseptically and subcultured.
medium containing BAP 1.0mg/l, showed better
The microshoots were separated from the
response (90%). On the other hand, in case of nodal
multiple shoots and cultured into MS medium
explants, 80% response was observed in the similar
supplemented with NAA (0.1-1.5mg/l) or IBA
medium. An average of 200.8 shootlets per explants of
(0.1-1.5mg/l). Plantlets with developed roots were
shoot tip and 151.09 of nodal explants was produced
removed from the culture media. By washing through
after 30 days of culture (Table 1). The average shootlet
running tap water, roots were transferred to plastic pots
length was 80.71 and 81.05 respectively (Table 1).
containing autoclaved garden soil, cowdung and sand in

Table 1: Effect of different concentrations of Cytokinin alone or in combination with auxin in MS media
for shoot proliferation from shoot tips and nodal segments of Gynura procumbens

Shoot tips Nodal segments

BAP Average Number % of explants Mean shoot Average number % of explants Mean shoot
of shoots/explants responded length (cm) of shoots/explants responded length (cm)
0.50 09 0.13 60 070.18 040.04 70 6.50.33
1.00 200.8 90 080.71 151.09 80 081.05
1.50 100.09 80 070.02 090.30 70 060.59
2.00 080.25 70 6.50.18 070.19 80 05.0.33
2.50 050.66 50 050.35 061.01 50 4.50.63
3.00 040.1 40 3.50.11 050.19 30 2.70.09
BAP+NAA
0.5+0.2 060.17 50 4.50.17 050.55 40 030.4
0.5+0.5 070.05 60 050.09 070.4 50 3.50.33
1.0+0.2 090.13 70 5.50.42 080.60 60 4.20.8
1.0+0.5 151.13 80 6.20.99 120.95 70 061.1
2.0+0.5 060.56 60 050.02 060.09 60 4.50.5
3.0+0.5 040.23 40 3.20.15 030.15 30 2.30.4
BAP+IBA
0.5+0.2 030.09 50 3.50.3 020.19 40 2.50.16
0.5+0.5 040.4 60 050.23 040.4 50 050.5
1.0+0.2 060.85 75 060.9 050.8 70 060.75
1.0+0.5 050.35 70 050.09 040.08 60 4.50.15
2.0+0.5 040.56 60 4.50.3 030.13 50 3.80.25
3.0+0.5 020.09 40 2.80.29 010.23 30 1.50.3

Each value represents an average of 10 replicates and each experiment was repeated at least thrice; values are
expressed as Mean Standard Error.

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1444-1450 1446

 Parvin et al., 2014

Figure 1: Direct shoot regeneration from shoot tip in Figure 2: Direct shoot regeneration from nodal segment
medium having MS + 1.0 mg/l BAP in medium having MS + 1.0 mg/l BAP.

A study by Verma and Kant (1999) brought the
similar results in Emblica officinalis. Similar observation
was also reported by Deka et al., (1999) in
Withania somnifera (L). Patnaik and Debata (1996) and
Islam et al., (2013, 2014) reported that BAP was superior
for multiple shoot induction than other cytokinins in
shoot tip explants.
Individual shoots from multiple shoot complexes
were separated after 28 days of culture and transferred to
full strength of MS medium supplemented with NAA
(0.1-1.5mg/l) or IBA 0.1-1.5mg/l). The maximum
rooting response (100%) (Figure 3: A) was achieved on
medium supplemented with NAA (0.5mg/l) with an
average of 151.1 roots per shoot explants (Table 2) and
the average root length was 7.150.9. It is similar to
Centella asiatica (George et al., 2004; Raghu et al.,
2007), Hemidesmus indicus (Patnaik and Debata, 1996)
and Vitex negundo L. (Usha et al., 2007).
Initially, rooted plantlets were gently removed
from the test tubes and thoroughly washed with running
tap water to remove traces of medium and transferred to
plastic pots having vermiculite and soil (1:1) (Figure
2B). After that the pots were kept for a week in a culture
room with 252C and 16h photoperiod. The plastic pots
were covered in a polyethylene tent to provide sufficient
light and moisturizer. The polyethylene covers were

Table 2: Effect of different concentration and combination of auxin on rooting.

Days of root % of root Mean Number of Mean length of

Treatment (mg/l)
initiation induction root per explants longest root in cm
NAA
0.1 18-20 50 50.17 4.50.26
0.2 10-12 60 80.38 5.20.47
0.5 8-9 100 151.1 7.150.9
1.0 10-11 80 120.4 6.10.6
1.5 15-20 70 60.27 4.230.14
IBA
0.1 21-23 30 030.66 3.20.39
0.2 14-15 50 070.05 5.50.15
0.5 10-12 80 111.23 071.1
1.0 12-13 60 090.54 060.18
1.5 17-20 50 060.25 050.2
Each value represents an average of 10 replicates and each experiment was repeated at least thrice,
Values are Mean Standard Error.

1447 Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1444-1450

Parvin et al., 2014

Figure 3:(A) Root induction in medium having MS + 0.5 mg/l NAA.(B) Hardening of in vitro
cultured plant. (C) In vitro cultured plant under natural condition after 10 days of
transplantation. (D) In vitro cultured plant under natural condition after 2 months of
transplantation.

withdrawn after 15 days of hardening. Then the plants micropropagation from the different explants of
were transferred to larger pots filled with soil containing Gynura procumbens. The results showed the ability of
organic manure (Figure 3:C) for further growth. About shoot tip and nodal explants to produce shootlets without
100% of plantlets survival was observed after hardening callus production. So it can be used for the large scale
of the regarded G. procumbens. production of this medicinal plant within a short time.

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592-599.
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 Journal of Research in Biology ISSN No: Print: 2231 6280; Online: 2231- 6299

An International Scientific Research Journal

Original Research

Present status of aquatic avifaunal diversity in Kapla wetland of

Barpeta district, Assam
Authors: ABSTRACT:
Journal of Research in Biology

Jugabrat Das1*, Simanta A study was conducted in a flood plain wetland (Kapla) of Barpeta district,
Pathak2, Kalita SN2 and Assam from September, 2013 to May, 2014 to evaluate the present status and major
Talukdar K3 threats to aquatic avifaunal diversity in the wetland. Periodic surveys were conducted
in and around the wetland by walking on fixed path in the early morning from 5.30 am
to 9.00 am. To locate and identify the distant birds, binocular (10X15) was used and
Institution:
photographs were taken with the aid of digital camera. Water birds were identified
1. Department of Zoology,
with the help of different field guides. The present status and IUCN status of all the
Goalpara College, Goalpara-
783101, Assam (India). birds were enumerated. A total of 30 water bird species under 14 families were
observed in the wetland. As per IUCN status, 26 bird species are placed in Least
2. P.G. Department of Concern (LC), three species in Near Threatened (NT) and one species in the Vulnerable
Zoology, Bajali College, (VU) category. The observation also revealed 16 bird species as common (Cm), six
Barpeta-781325, Assam species as Rare (Rr), five species as Lesser in number (Ln), two species as Irregular
(India). visitor (Ir) and one bird species found as Abundant (Ab) in and around the wetland.
3. Department of Zoology, Anatidae was the dominant family with seven bird species (23.33%). The wetland
SBMS College, Sualkuchi- faced various anthropogenic threats for which water birds are in decreasing trend by
781103, Assam (India). about 48% comparing to the earlier literature. Therefore it is suggested to declare the
wetland as aquatic bird sanctuary to save the birds from extinction in the near future.

Corresponding author: Keywords:

Jugabrat Das Water birds, Kapla wetland, anthropogenic threat, macrophytes, Barpeta
district, Assam

Email Id: Article Citation:

Jugabrat Das, Simanta Pathak, Kalita SN and Talukdar K.
Present status of aquatic avifaunal diversity in Kapla wetland of Barpeta district,
Assam
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1451-1457

Web Address: Dates:

http://jresearchbiology.com/ Received: 29 Jul 2014 Accepted: 28 Aug 2014 Published: 10 Sep 2014
documents/RA0468.pdf
This article is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/2.0), which gives permission for unrestricted use, non-commercial, distribution and
reproduction in all medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

1451-1457 | JRB | 2014 | Vol 4 | No 6

Journal of Research in Biology
An International
Scientific Research Journal www.jresearchbiology.com

INTRODUCTION
Wetlands are natural repository of diverse group
of animals and plants for which they are called as
biological supermarkets (Mitsch and Gosselink, 2000).
Wetlands provide both nesting material and suitable
habitat to varieties of bird species along with a great
source of food. A large numbers of globally important
birds migrate to the wetland and use them as their
essential breeding, growing, resting, and wintering
ground either for the whole year or a few months. In
wetland ecosystem, birds can play a significant role as
their rich diversity is an excellent bio-indicator of quality
and habitat suitability of the wetland for animal survival
(Jayson and Mathew, 2002). Though so many birds are
found dependant on wetland directly or indirectly, the
birds which inhabit wetlands for feeding, breeding,
nesting or roosting are commonly called as water birds or
wetland birds (Kumar and Gupta, 2013).
However, in recent times aquatic avifauna or the
water birds attract the attention of the ornithologist and
public through their beautiful appearance, high visibility,
behavioural pattern etc. Apart from these, water birds are
of global importance for their recreational and high
economic value. It has been found that 40% of the total
bird species across the globe are reported from
freshwater wetlands; which is 12% of all animal species
(Kirsten and Brander, 2004). Out of 310 wetland
dependent bird species in India (Kumar et al., 2005), 113
species of water birds are reported in Assam, which
indicate 38% reduction of avifauna from the wetlands of
Assam.
To get accurate information about the significant
role of water birds in an ecosystem, Basavarajappa
(2006) emphasized the need of extensive study in the
wetlands on the status and biology of birds associated
with them. Apart from this, the study will also help to
create awareness among the local communities about the
conservation and importance of the wetlands. Therefore,
the present investigation attempts to evaluate the present
1452
Das et al., 2014
status of avifaunal diversity particularly the water birds
in Kapla flood plain wetland of Barpeta district, Assam.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present investigation was carried out in a
flood plain wetland i.e. Kapla wetland of Barpeta district,
Assam. Geographically the wetland lies between the
2618/12// N to 2625/07// N and 9108/42// E to
9114/50// E with an area of about 91 hectares. The
average annual temperature in the wetland was reported
within the range of 16 to 32C, while the annual rainfall
was about 2000 mm (Deka et al., 2012). Periodic surveys
were conducted from September, 2013 to May, 2014 in
and around the wetland by walking on fixed path in the
early morning from 5.30 am to 9.00 am. Though this
period of time is preferable to observe water birds, but in
the evening time also the wetland was visited to watch
birds moving in and around it. Opportunistic observation
was also made in other time of the day and the record
was taken in to consideration for the final study.
To locate and identify the distant birds, binocular
(10X15) was used. On the other hand, photographs were
taken with the aid of digital cameras: 14 MP with 16X
optical zoom lens and 12 MP with 5X optical zoom lens.
Water birds were identified with the help of different
field guides (Ali and Ripley, 1987; Grimmett et al.,
2000; Grewal et al., 2002). The standard common names
with scientific names were compiled following
Manakadan and Pittie, (2001). On the basis of
occurrence, birds are classified as Ab (Abundant), Cm
(Common), Ln (Lesser in number), Ir (Irregular visitor),
Rr (Rare), Rs (Resident), Lm (Local migrant) and Mg
(Migratory). IUCN status of all birds were compiled
using the IUCN red list of threatened species (IUCN,
2014).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The study reports a total of 30 water bird species
under 14 families from the wetland (Table-1). As per
Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1451-1457
Das et al., 2014

IUCN status, 26 numbers of bird species are categorised The observation revealed sixteen bird species as
in the Least Concern (LC), three species in the Near Common (Cm), six species as Rare (Rr), five species as
Threatened (NT) and one species in the Vulnerable (VU) Lesser in number (Ln), two species as Irregular visitor
category. The local status of the water birds in the (Ir) and one bird species found as Abundant (Ab) in and
wetland during the study period is summarised in table-1. around the wetland. 11 water birds were migratory (local
Table 1: Water birds recorded in Kapla wetland and their present status
Common name Scientific name IUCN status Status in Kapla wetland*
1. Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Ab, Rs
2. Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert, 1783) LC Cm, Lm
3. Lesser Adjutant-Stork Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield, 1821) VU Cm, Rs
4. Common Coot Fulica atra (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Cm
5. Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca (Guldenstadt, 1770) NT Ln, Mg
6. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Rr, Mg
7. Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Rr, Mg
8. Gadwall Anas strepera (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Rr, Mg
9. Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832) LC Cm, Rs
10. Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia (Wagler, 1829) LC Cm, Rs
11. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Cm, Rs
12. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) LC Ln, Rs
13. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817) LC Cm, Rs
14. Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus (Latham, 1790 LC Cm, Rs
15. Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) LC Cm, Rs
16. Darter Anhinga melanogaster (Pennant, 1769) NT Cm
17. Common Swallow Hirundo rustica (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Cm
18. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii (Leach, 1818) LC Cm
19. Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scopoli, 1786) LC Ln
20. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (Linnaeus, 1766) LC Ln, Rs
21. Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina (Pallas, 1773) LC Rr, Mg
22. Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis (Horsfield & Moore, LC Cm
23. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) LC Ir, Mg
24. Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Ln, Mg
25. Northern Pintail Anas acuta (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Cm, Mg
26. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus, 1766) LC Rr, Mg
27. Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (Latham, NT Rr
28. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758) LC Ir, Mg
29. Large Pied Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis (Gmelin, 1789) LC Cm
30. Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771) LC Cm

*as per observation during the study period LC=Least concern, NT=Near threatened, VU=Vulnerable,
Ab=abundant, Cm=common, Ln=lesser in number, Rr=rare, Rs=resident, Lm=local migrant, Mg=migratory

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1451-1457 1453

 Das et al., 2014

or seasonal) and 10 species were resident to the Kapla
wetland. Dewan and Saikia (2012) recorded 58 species
of water birds with 14 families from Kapla wetland
complex having four wetlands inside. They did survey in
the month of April, 2005 to April, 2006. It indicates that
avifaunal diversity in the wetland is in decreasing trend.
Comparing both the data it can be predicted that the total
water bird diversity is decreasing by about 48% in the
Kapla wetland.
Occurrence of maximum number of birds
(7 numbers) was found under the family Anatidae
(23.33%) followed by Ardeidae with four species,
Hirundinidae with three species, Rallidae, Ciconiidae,
Motacillidae, Jacanidae, Threskiornithidae each
with two species and Podicipedidae, Phalacrocoracidae,
Anhingidae, Laridae, Charadriidae and Recurvirostridae
each with single bird species. The percentage occurrence
of bird species against each family is shown in Table 2.
Dewan and Saikia (2012) also reported 14 families from
the Kapla wetland complex. However they reported four
additional families such as Glareolidae, Scolopacidae,
Table 2: Family wise percentage occurrence of water
birds in Kapla wetland
Apodidae and Motacillidae excluding the families
Anhingidae, Hirundinidae, Threskiornithidae and
Recurvirostridae were recorded in the present study.
The wetland as the centre of attraction for
different migratory water birds might be due to
occurrence of diverse vegetation and macrophytes which
provide better breeding, nesting, resting, feeding
opportunities to birds. Deka et al., (2012) reported
36 species of macrophytes belonging to 24 families from
the Kapla wetland. However, wanton growth of
macrophyte like Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
in the wetland sometimes rapidly covers the water
surface which thereby reduces the feeding area for the
water birds.
The wetland is also rich in ichthyofaunal
diversity and the fish is a favourite food for few water
birds. Chakravartty et al., (2012) reported 75 fish species
comprising both small and big fish from the wetland.
The other available aquatic fauna like crab, insect larvae
are also good food for different bird species which attract
them to this wetland. According to Basavarajappa

Sl. No. Family No of Species Percent occurrence

1 Rallidae 2 06.67%
2 Ciconiidae 2 06.67%
3 Anatidae 7 23.33%
4 Motacillidae 2 06.67%
5 Ardeidae 4 13.33%
6 Podicipedidae 1 03.33%
7 Phalacrocoracidae 1 03.33%
8 Jacanidae 2 06.67%
9 Anhingidae 1 03.33%
10 Hirundinidae 3 10.00%
11 Laridae 1 03.33%
12 Charadriidae 1 03.33%
13 Threskiornithidae 2 06.67%
14 Recurvirostridae 1 03.33%

1454 Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1451-1457

Das et al., 2014

A B C

D E F

G H I

J K L

Figure 1. A. Flock of flying water birds. B. Kapla beel covered with macrophytes. C. View of Kapla
beel. D. Black-headed Gull. E. Blackwinged Stilt. F. Grey-headed Lapwing. G. Darter. H. Lesser
Adjutant-Stork. I. Little Cormorant. J. Asian Openbill-Stork. K. Oriental White Ibis. L. Purple
Moorhen.

(2006), the native flora like bushy scrub, scattered
horticulture plants, stray trees in the paddy field are the
most favourable sites for shelter, feeding and breeding
for most of the water birds and the aquatic fauna like
fishes, crabs, worms, insect larvae etc., found in the
water bodies are the primary feed for them.
However, the diversity of water birds have been
decreasing due to various anthropogenic activities going
in and around the wetland, which have direct and indirect

Journal of Research in Biology (2014) 4(6): 1451-1457 1455


impact on it. Fish depletion due to over exploitation,
organic pollution, silting, blocking of the feeding canal
in the wetland (Chakravartty et al., 2012) might be the
reason which affect the aquatic bird population feeding
on fish. About 25% of the wetland area is used for
extensive crop cultivation during the winter lean season
(Deka et al., 2009), which is a major problem in the
wetland. Unplanned use of pesticides or other chemicals
in the agricultural crops during cultivation pose threat to
the water birds by food contamination. As the wetland is
leased to private party, the wetland environment is
frequently disturbed by extensive fishing activity
(Barman and Baruah, 2013) resulting high damage or
alteration to the aquatic vegetation. This will make the
wetland unsuitable for nesting and roosting by the birds
(Basavarajappa, 2006). Other threats reported in the
wetland include trapping and killing of water birds using
different device and ringing bell at night, encroachment
to the wetland area for cultivation or human habitation
etc. (Dewan and Saikia, 2012).
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it is clear that though
the Kapla wetland is facing various threats from different
agents, still it is a homeland for diverse group of water
birds. However, steps should be taken to ecologically
restore the wetland to save the habitat and breeding
ground of water birds. In this regard, there is need of
further research on the biology of water birds available in
the wetland to formulate proper strategies for their
conservation. But awareness among the people of the
surrounding area will be prerequisite for every
conservation efforts.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are thankful to Arnab Bose, General
Secretary, Natures Foster and his team for their valuable
help in identifying the water birds in the study area.
1456
Das et al., 2014
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