Science Heritage Journal | Galeri Warisan Sains (GWS)

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), despite having thousands of commercial growers and millions of tons of production, has different soil borne fungal diseases as its major setback, and Rhizoctonia solani causing damping off is a major one. To evaluate the potential inhibition effect of different chemical fungicides, an experiment was carried out at the Plant Pathology laboratory of Lamjung campus. Five chemical fungicides viz. Carbendazim 50% WP (Bavistin), Mancozeb 75 % WP (All M-45), Metalaxyl 8 % + Mancozeb 64 % WP (Redomill), Copper oxychloride 50 % WP (Blitox), Carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % WP (SAAF) of each at concentrations of 50PPM, 100PPM, and 150PPM and unamended media as a control were used with 3 replications. Poisoned food technique method was followed using Completely Randomized Design in lab conditions. Carbendazim 50% WP was found to be the best among five fungicides showing mycelial inhibition above 99% at all of the concentrations used. Copper oxychloride 50 %WP on the other hand, showed minimum growth inhibition barely crossing 10% of inhibition at all of the concentration used. Mycelial growth inhibition increased on increasing the concentration of chemical fungicides used, whereas some chemicals could be effectively used under lower concentration to minimize hazardous effect on soil and environment as their performance against the pathogen was quite impressive.

This study evaluated the anxiolytic, sedative, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant effects of the methanol seed extract of Hunteria umbellata in mice using established experimental models, including the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Hole-board test, Rota-rod test, Forced Swim Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), Maximal Electroshock (MES)-induced convulsion, Strychnine-induced convulsion, Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion, and Phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time. Seeds were collected, dried, powdered, and extracted by Soxhlet maceration in methanol to obtain the crude extract. At doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, the extract increased the duration of time spent in the open arms of the EPM, though not significantly, while at 1000 mg/kg it significantly (p < 0.001) reduced exploratory behavior in the Hole-board test, similar to the standard drug diazepam. No effect was observed on motor coordination in the Rota-rod test. In the FST and TST, the extract produced no significant changes in immobility or mobility duration compared to controls. The extract failed to protect against MES-induced seizures. In the Strychnine model, it slightly delayed seizure onset and prolonged convulsion duration but offered no protection against mortality. In PTZ-induced convulsions, 20% protection (1/4) was observed at 250 and 500 mg/kg, with a shortened onset and duration of seizures. At 1000 mg/kg, seizure duration increased, and all animals (4/4) died. In summary, H. umbellata seed extract demonstrated mild anxiolytic and antidepressant tendencies, with limited anticonvulsant effects. These findings partially support its traditional use in managing neuropsychiatric disorders. Further studies are required to isolate active constituents and elucidate underlying mechanisms of action.

Rapid industrialization, agricultural intensification, and climate extremes are fragmenting ecosystems at unprecedented scales, isolating pollinator populations critical to global food security. Such fragmentation reduces effective population size, disrupts gene flow, and accelerates genetic drift, driving genomic erosion, loss of allelic richness, and heightened vulnerability to environmental change. Our synthesis integrates landscape ecology with cutting-edge molecular and genomic approaches to elucidate the mechanistic interplay between structural and functional connectivity and pollinator adaptive capacity in fragmented habitats. We demonstrate that strategically designed ecological corridors and stepping-stone networks can attenuate extinction vortices by restoring metapopulation gene flow, buffering against stochastic demographic collapse, and safeguarding long-term evolutionary potential. Advancing pollinator conservation necessitates an urgent paradigm shift toward integrative strategies that unite habitat restoration, molecular diagnostics, and evolutionary-informed management, leveraging high-resolution genomic surveillance and landscape-level connectivity modelling to pre-empt biodiversity collapse and fortify ecosystem resilience in the Anthropocene.

The experiment was conducted in the field of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to determine efficacy of bio-rational insecticides against bean aphid during September 2016 to April 2017.The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Five sprayings were done at 15 days intervals where data were taken 3 days after each spray. The highest mean number of fruit/rachis (7.5) was observed in spinosad treated plants and the lowest number of fruit/rachis was found in control plants (4.17). After 2nd spray, the lowest mean number of aphids/rachis (3.83) was observed in Emamectin benzoate treated plants and the highest number of aphids/rachis (58.33) was found on Beauveria bassiana (66.50) treated plant which was higher than control plants (56.21). The lowest mean percentage of rachis infestation by aphid (10%) was observed in Emamectin benzoate treated plants while the highest percentage was found in control plants (35%). The highest mean number of fruit/rachis was observed in Karanja oil (7.83) treated plants and the lowest number of fruit/rachis was found in control plants (4.33). After 3rd spray, the lowest mean number of aphids/rachis (10.00) was observed in Emamectin benzoate treated plants while the highest number of aphids/rachis (76.50) was found on spinosad treated plant which was higher than control plants (67.21).But the highest mean number of fruit/rachis was observed in Karanga oil, Neem oil and spinosad treated plants, respectively. Among the selected insecticides, Emamectin benzoate, Karanja oil and Neem oil provided better protection of bean plants against bean aphid.

The accumulation of heavy metals in the environment, exacerbated by industrial, agricultural, military, and research activities, has emerged as a critical concern due to its adverse impacts on human health, ecological integrity, and the sustainability of natural resources. This accumulation, driven by factors such as negligence and the high costs of waste disposal, has resulted in extensive contamination of soil, surface water, and groundwater, creating severe environmental challenges. Among these, soil contamination by heavy metals is a critical issue requiring effective remediation strategies to ensure environmental health and ecological restoration. Phytoremediation, a green technology leveraging the inherent abilities of hyperaccumulator plants, has gained recognition as an effective strategy for addressing heavy metal pollution. It entails deploying plants to remove, degrade, or detoxify contaminants via processes including phytoextraction, phytostabilization, rhizofiltration, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization. While traditional phytoremediation techniques offer potential, their scalability and efficacy are often limited. Advances in genetic engineering, nanoparticle augmentation, and the integration of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, phytohormones, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of phytoremediation strategies. This review examines the adverse biological impacts of heavy and their remediation through phytoremediation, focusing on both traditional and innovative approaches. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms, applications, and potential of phytoremediation technologies to transform environmental remediation practices, particularly in developing regions where these techniques remain underutilized. The findings highlight the need for further research and development to transition phytoremediation into a commercially viable solution for global environmental challenges.

Acaricides with endocrine-disrupting effects represent an overlooked yet significant environmental and human health threat in tropical regions. These pesticides, including organophosphates, pyrethroids, and amitraz extensively used to control tick and mite infestations, pose considerable risks due to their potential to act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). They can interfere with endocrine function by binding to hormone receptors, disrupting hormone synthesis, and inhibiting key enzymatic pathways. The interference with endocrine function is associated with adverse outcomes in humans and wildlife, particularly aquatic ecosystems. The disruptions include reproductive and developmental abnormalities, immune suppression, population declines, and ecological imbalances. Chronic exposure is further associated with thyroid dysfunction and an increased risk of hormone-related cancers. In tropical environments, where acaricide application is intensive due to the high ectoparasite population, the risks are compounded by weak regulatory frameworks and inadequate environmental monitoring. This paper highlights the urgent need for the promotion of eco-friendly alternatives such as biopesticides, and the implementation of integrated pest management strategies. In conclusion, without timely and coordinated interventions, endocrine-disrupting acaricides will continue to pose an escalating threat to human health and biodiversity across tropical ecosystems.

Drosophila melanogaster has become an indispensable model organism in toxicology research due to its rapid life cycle, robust genetic toolkit, and significant genetic overlap with humans (≈75% of disease-related genes). Drosophila melanogaster serves as a valuable model for evaluating neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances. This study employed a systematic methodology to identify relevant literature on Drosophila melanogaster in toxicity testing, regulatory frameworks, and environmental health. The selection process prioritized toxicological research, regulatory relevance, and recent advancements from 2022 to 2025. Drosophila melanogaster models cellular and molecular responses to toxicants, leveraging its life cycle and genetic features despite limitations such as the size and structural differences and certain metabolic differences. Drosophila melanogaster offers unique advantages in genetic manipulation and rapid result generation compared to other models like Caenorhabditis elegans, zebrafish, and mice, which provide complementary insights. Additionally, established regulatory and ethical guidelines support its widespread use in toxicology. Real-life case studies underscore its predictive value in environmental and pharmaceutical toxicology, bridging the gap between in vitro assays and more complex mammalian models. Overall, Drosophila melanogaster stands as a pivotal organism for advancing our understanding of toxic mechanisms and improving risk assessment protocols in toxicology research.

The Late Eocene planktic foraminiferal species Turborotalia semicunialensis Anan was recorded originally from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and later in two localities around the Arabia in the Southern Tethys: India (east of UAE) and Egypt (west of UAE). In this study, it is recorded also from Tanzania (southwest of UAE). The planktic foraminifera is related to open marine environment, photic zone, middle-upper neritic environment (100-200 m water depth) and in the tropical-subtropical provinces (Lat. 45º N- 30º S).

Southern Nigeria encompasses diverse geological terrains that significantly influence its subsurface characteristics. Understanding the depth and distribution of magnetic sources is essential for advancing geological and hydrocarbon exploration in the region. This study aims to estimate the depth to magnetic sources across selected locations in Southern Nigeria using two-dimensional (2D) spectral analysis of high-resolution aeromagnetic data. Ten aeromagnetic sheets, obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, were processed. Residual magnetic maps were generated by removing regional trends using first-order polynomial fitting. The residual anomalies were subjected to spectral analysis through Fourier transformation using Oasis Montaj and MATLAB environments. Results reveal two distinct magnetic layers: shallow magnetic sources at depths between 0.2 and 0.4 km, and deep sources ranging from 1.6 to 6.2 km. These depth estimates were utilized to construct 2D contour and 3D surface models of the magnetic basement topography. The analysis shows five distinct uplifts and depressions within the crystalline basement, with deeper basement regions concentrated in the central and western parts of the study area. These depressions correspond to thick sedimentary piles, indicative of promising zones for hydrocarbon exploration, particularly in Nsukka, Abakaliki, and Abeokuta. In conclusion, spectral depth modeling from high-resolution aeromagnetic data proves effective for delineating basement morphology in southern Nigeria. This study enhances resolution in subsurface geological mapping and identifies new prospective hydrocarbon zones by integrating advanced spectral techniques with 3D visualization, aiding exploration efforts in underexplored sedimentary basins.

The Giant African snail (Achatina fulica Bowdich) is classified under the Phylum Mollusca and the Class Gastropoda. This species is notorious for its detrimental impact on agricultural crops in areas where it is found, making it one of the largest and most harmful land snail pests globally. Its widespread distribution is attributed to several factors, including a high reproductive biological rate, aggressive feeding behavior, insufficient quarantine measures, and human-assisted movement. This review discusses the detrimental effects of snail infestations on agriculture, their biology and management.