Asian Plant Research Journal

Laboratory-based in vivo Exposure of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Larvae to Ocimum suave Extracts

Mercy Sillas Munuo — 2026-05-16

The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) threatens cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa, where reliance on synthetic pesticides poses resistance, health, and sustainability risks. This study evaluated insecticidal and antifeedant efficacy of crude Ocimum suave extracts (water, methanol, dichloromethane, hexane) from leaves, stems, and roots against second-instar FAW larvae under laboratory conditions. Larval mortality and antifeedant activity were recorded at 12, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment, with a synthetic pesticide (Karate) as positive control. Data was analyzed by R software (version 4.3.0), normality was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test. All O. suave extracts showed significant bioactivity versus the negative control. The aqueous extract exhibited the highest overall efficacy, with robust, dose dependent insecticidal and antifeedant effects, likely due to polar compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids. Methanolic and hexane extracts showed considerable but lesser toxicity. As expected, the synthetic pesticide induced the fastest and highest mortality. Findings indicate that polar bioactive compounds in aqueous O. suave extract effectively inhibit feeding and cause larval death. Thus, Ocimum suave especially as a water extract holds significant potential for managing S. frugiperda within integrated pest management. Further research is needed to identify active compounds, develop stable formulations, and validate field efficacy.

Preliminary Qualitative and Quantitative Screening of Phytochemicals in the Corticolous Lichen Lepraria leuckertiana (Zedda) L. Saag, Dhamtari District, Chhattisgarh, India

Deepmala Suryavanshi — 2026-06-06

Background: Lepraria leuckertiana, a corticolous lichen from Central India, remains poorly studied despite lichens being recognized as rich sources of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites.

Aims: The objective of this study was to examine the phytochemical profile (qualitative and quantitative) of the ethanolic extract of the corticolous species of lichen Lepraria leuckertiana (Zedda) L. Saag, and to assess any potential pharmacological activity based on the phytochemical composition of the lichen.

Study Design: The lichen extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standardized spectrophotometric methods, and additionally to quantitative phytochemical screening, in accordance with standardized phytochemical methods.

Place and Duration of Study: The collection of lichen specimens was from the fringes of the forest in Nagari Bhitarra, Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, India. Taxonomic identification was done through CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute. The research for this study was conducted from 2025 to 2026.

Methodology: The shade-dried lichen thalli were ground into powder forms and then subjected to maceration using ethanol as a solvent. The crude extract obtained from maceration was tested for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids following standardized biochemical methods of qualitative screening for each of the classes of compounds listed above. The quantitative analysis of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids was performed spectrophotometrically with respect to a standard of atropine, quercetin, gallic acid and linalool.

Results: Results of the phytochemical screening indicated that all 7 types of Secondary Metabolites were found in Lepraria leuckertiana. The qualitative components of alkaloids, tannins, and terpenoids were all abundant (+), while saponins were moderate (+). Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and steroids were all lowly present (+). For quantitative data, terpenoid concentrations (40.13 mg/L of linalool eq) and alkaloid concentrations (39.77 mg/L of atropine eq) exceeded those of phenolic compounds (5 mg/L of gallic acid eq) and flavonoids (1.22 mg/L of quercetin eq). With such a large proportion of the Secondary Metabolites found being alkaloids and terpenoids, it is likely that L. leuckertiana possesses antimicrobial or antioxidant properties.

Conclusion: This research found that L. leuckertiana is an excellent source of biologically active Secondary Metabolites with terpenoid concentrations (40.13 mg/L of linalool eq) and alkaloid concentrations (39.77 mg/L of atropine eq., and therefore likely has pharmacological value. The lack of availability of Secondary Metabolites may limit further studies on the medicinal usefulness of L. leuckertiana, but other studies should be performed, including: 1) additional chromatographic studies; 2) bioactivity tests; 3) compound characterisation studies; to demonstrate whether or not L. leuckertiana is therapeutically active.

Comparative Effect of Synthetic Insecticide and Botanical Extracts on the Abundance of Pollinators in Okra Agrosystem in Boklé, North Cameroon

Youssoufa Ousmana — 2026-06-10

Background: Pollinator-dependent crops such as okra face increasing threats from intensive pesticide use, creating a need for eco-friendly pest management solutions that effectively control pests while preserving pollinator diversity and activity.

Aims: Synthetic pesticides pose severe threats to non-target beneficial insects, necessitating eco-friendly alternatives for sustainable agriculture.

Study Design: Ecological survey was conducted in 11 trials (four plots each).

Place and Duration of Study: Investigations were carried out in Garoua (Bocklé) from June 15 to October 10, 2022.

Methods: The study evaluated the comparative impact of a synthetic insecticide (TEMA) and aqueous leaf extracts from three local plants (Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Senna occidentalis) at 5%, 10%, and 15% doses on six pollinators in okra plots across six consecutive days. Data were analysed using the negative binomial generalized linear models (GLM-NB) and the robust permutation ANOVA (5,000 iterations).

Results: Out of 991 specimens, Apis mellifera adansonii acted as a keystone species, representing 53.5% of the total pollinators. TEMA triggered an immediate, devastating (90.0%) collapse in pollinators on day 49. Botanical extracts safely sheltered 85.5% pollinators. Permutation procedure unmasked significant triple interactions (P = .011). High-dose extracts (15%) exerted no repellent or toxic effect on Amegilla calens, Megachile cincta, butterflies or hoverflies, optimising and stabilising pollinator residency curves late into the cycle.

Conclusion: High-dose extracts offered excellent ecotoxicological safety and non-selective bio-prevention, providing an ecologically sound alternative to conserve biodiversity in sustainable agrosystems.

Efficient Micropropagation System for Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) from Cormel-derived Explants Using Optimized Cytokinins and Auxins

Md. Al Amin — 2026-06-15

Background: Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is a commercially important ornamental and aromatic bulbous plant whose large-scale production is constrained by conventional propagation methods, necessitating the development of an efficient in vitro micropropagation system for rapid multiplication of disease-free planting materials.

Aims: Tuberose is an economically important ornamental and aromatic plant, but its conventional propagation through cormels is slow and often associated with disease transmission. Thus, the present study was conducted to develop an efficient in vitro propagation system for tuberose through optimization of plant growth regulators and acclimatization media.

Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with factorial treatment combinations.

Place and Duration of Study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory and net house, Khulna University, Bangladesh, from January to December 2025.

Methodology: Healthy cormels were surface sterilized, and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) for in vitro sprouting. Sprouted shoots were used as explants for shoot multiplication using BAP and kinetin, alone and in combination. Rooting was carried out on MS medium containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), individually and in combination. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in different potting media under net house conditions.

Results: The highest cormel sprouting (89.2%) was achieved with 2.0 mg L^-1 BAP. Maximum shoot multiplication (7.5 shoots culture^-1) was recorded at 1.5 + 2.0 mg L^-1 BAP and kinetin, while the highest plant height (9.2 cm) and leaf number (11.4 plantlet^-1) were obtained at 1.5 + 1.0 mg L^-1. For rooting, 1.5 mg L^-1 IBA produced the highest root number (5.5 plantlet^-1) and root length (4.9 cm), while combined application of 1.5 + 0.2 mg L^-1 IBA and NAA further improved root development (6.3 roots plantlet^-1 and 5.4 cm). The highest survival rate (93.5%) during acclimatization was observed in cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1).

Conclusion: A simple and effective micropropagation system was established for tuberose with optimized cytokinins and auxins combinations. The technique can be used for rapid large-scale production of healthy and uniform planting materials for commercial cultivation.

Response of Aus Rice Cultivars to Different Nitrogen Levels

Ashraful Islam — 2026-06-15

Nitrogen is recognised as the most limiting nutrient element in the soils of Bangladesh, and the application of nitrogenous fertilisers has become indispensable for achieving desirable rice yields. Consequently, nearly all rice farmers rely on relatively costly nitrogen fertilisers to sustain productivity and meet production demands. However, modern high-yielding rice varieties may differ considerably in their capacity to absorb, accumulate, and utilise nitrogen derived from both indigenous soil reserves and applied fertiliser sources. Understanding these varietal differences in nitrogen uptake and utilisation efficiency is essential for optimising fertiliser management strategies, enhancing nitrogen use efficiency, reducing production costs, and improving the sustainability of rice cultivation systems. An experiment is conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from April to September 2022 to evaluate the response of Aus rice cultivars to different nitrogen (N) levels. The study was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, consisting of five cultivars (Porangi, Mala boro, Binadhan-19, BRRI dhan48, and BRRI dhan83) and four nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹). The results revealed that both cultivars and nitrogen levels significantly influenced grain yield and yield-contributing traits, and their interaction effect was also significant. Among the cultivars, Mala boro produced the tallest plants, while BRRI dhan48 showed superior performance in most yield attributes, including total and effective tillers per hill, panicle length, grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield. In contrast, Porangi produced the highest number of non-effective tillers and sterile grains, whereas Binadhan-19 recorded the highest harvest index. Nitrogen application had a significant effect on all parameters, with the highest values for most yield components and grain yield observed at 120 kg N ha⁻¹. The interaction results indicated that BRRI dhan48 combined with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ produced the highest grain yield (5.17 t ha⁻¹), straw yield (5.47 t ha⁻¹), and biological yield (10.63 t ha⁻¹), along with the lowest number of sterile grains. Therefore, BRRI dhan48 with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ can be considered a promising combination for maximizing Aus rice production.

Mycotoxin Contamination Analysis of Improved Varieties of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A. S. Abdullahi — 2026-06-15

Food-borne mycotoxins constitute a major concern to public health in many developing countries. Their consumption is associated with gastrointestinal illnesses. This study aimed to determine the level of mycotoxin contamination in improved varieties of Maize and groundnut. The growth of fungal species was determined using the spread-plate method after dilution. The yeast and mould count of the maize samples showed varying levels of fungal contamination across the different samples, ranging from 0.014×10⁴ CFU/g in Samma 17 to 0.080×10⁴ CFU/g in Samma 53, whereas the yeast and mould counts of the groundnut samples (G1–G26) ranged from 0.020×10⁴ CFU/g (G3) to 0.081×10⁴ CFU/g (G26). Aflatoxigenic fungi in improved groundnut (Arachis hypogea) reveal a distinct contamination profile dominated by Aspergillus parasiticus, which constitutes 56% of the isolated fungi, followed by Aspergillus flavus at 44%, whereas aflatoxigenic fungi in improved maize reveal a contamination profile dominated by Aspergillus flavus, which constitutes 63% of the isolated fungi, followed by Aspergillus paraticus at 31% and Aspergillus fumigatus at 6%. The results obtained indicate that the level of mycotoxin contamination is within the permissible limit by the regulatory agencies across the studied improved varieties of maize and groundnut. This is an indication that the improved varieties may have more resistance to contamination by mycotoxins.

Phytochemical Composition, Medicinal Applications and Pharmacological Insights: A Comparative Review of Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus

B.G.A. Eranga — 2026-06-11

Background: Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus are medicinally important tree species rich in bioactive phytochemicals and have attracted growing interest as potential sources of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Aims: This review article seeks to compare the phytochemical composition, therapeutic uses, and pharmacological properties of Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus.

Scope of Review: The review encompasses published research articles, ethnomedicinal records, and review papers pertaining to Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus, focusing on their phytochemical constituents, traditional therapeutic applications, antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory potential, and additional pharmacological activities.

Methodology: This narrative review executed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed studies in English. Eligibility criteria were established using the SPIDER framework, Scientific literature regarding Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus was gathered from these online databases and rigorously analyzed, focusing on phytochemical profiles, medicinal significance, antibacterial properties, antioxidant effects, and anti-inflammatory efficacy. A comparative examination was performed to determine the similarities and differences between the two species.

Summary of Findings: Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus contain a variety of bioactive phytochemicals, such as sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and oleoresins. These species have been conventionally employed in the management of wounds, cutaneous infections, rheumatism, ulcers, and inflammatory conditions. Pharmacological investigations revealed significant antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties attributed to their resin and bark extracts. Comparisons in their phytochemical components indicate similar therapeutic potential, however differences in resin composition may affect their biological activity.

Conclusion: The analyzed findings indicate that Dipterocarpus alatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus are prospective sources of natural bioactive substances with considerable medicinal and pharmacological significance. Regarding the rising demand for plant-based medicines and apprehensions about the sustainable use of medicinal tree species, these plants may represent promising prospects for the creation of innovative antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds with potentially reduced side effects. Additional phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies are required to confirm their efficacy and guarantee sustainable conservation and utilization.

Phytochemical Diversity and Pharmacological Activities of the Genus Ficus: An Evaluative Review

Ugodi Gerald Walter — 2026-05-15

The genus Ficus encompasses over 800 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions where they have been historically utilized in traditional medicine to treat diverse range of ailments. This evaluative review synthesizes current scientific evidence regarding the ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemical diversity, and pharmacological potentials of key Ficus species. Selected literature, comprising research articles, reviews, and book chapters, was systematically analyzed to extract pertinent reports on phytochemical constituents, traditional uses, and validated pharmacological activities of Ficus species. Phytochemical investigations across the genus reveal a rich profile of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids. These compounds contribute to a broad spectrum of empirically validated pharmacological activities, most notably: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Studies highlight the potential of these species in mitigating oxidative stress and managing chronic conditions like cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, toxicity assessments of the Ficus genus suggest a favorable safety profile for therapeutic development. The findings underscore the significance of the Ficus genus as a promising reservoir for novel pharmaceutical agents.