Biotechnology Commons^™

In Vitro Cultures For Production Of Zerumbone And Mass Propagation In Zingiber Zerumbet Smith., Farah Diana Idris

Student Works (2010-2019)

Lempoyang (Zingiber zerumbet Smith.) is an important plant which has been propagated because of its medicinal values. Lempoyang is widely used as a folk medicine in Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Taiwan. Zerumbone, a cyclic sesqueterpene found to be the major and main bioactive compound that gives great potential in medicinal purposes especially in the treatment of chronic diseases based on recent reports. Recently, it was found that zerumbone inhibited the growth of human leukemia cell line, HL-60 cell. Even though there are so many great values contain in the lempoyang but it is hard to obtain …

Antibactertial Property And Toxcity Study Of Medicinal Plant Tinospora Crispa L., Altammar Khadijah Ahmed Y.

Student Works (2010-2019)

Tinospora crispa is a medically important herb used for centuries in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of the aqueous and alcoholic extract of Tinospora crispa by determining its toxicological effects after acute administration in rats, and to investigate the antibacterial activity of both extracts. Disc diffusion and broth dilution methods were carried out in determining the antibacterial effects of the plant extract on the pure cultures of clinical isolates of 8 MRSA and S. aureus ATCC strain. The disc-diffusion method of the ethanolic extracts showed inhibition zone …

A Study On Cell Suspension Cultures For Micropropagation And The Production Of Carpaine From Papaya (Carica Papaya L. Var. Eksotika)., Mohamad Fhaizal Mohamad Bukhori

Student Works (2010-2019)

Carica papaya L. is a member of Caricaceae family with four native genera. This fruit is economically important as in multi-purpose fruit produced for dessert and vegetable and is highly in demand for pharmaconomical trade particularly the plant compound as source of medicine. This species is a popular fruit crop in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also one of the most widely grown fruits in Malaysia and is mainly cultivated in Johor, Perak and Selangor. The Eksotika papaya variety was introduced to the farmers in the late eighties and this resulted …

The Politics Of Genetically Modified Organisms: Global Rules, Local Needs, Ximena Gonzalez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Biotechnology in regards to agriculture is complex and cannot be judged by a single factor. Exporters of GM foods have their reasons for exportation, and importing countries have their reasons to accept them. There is not a unified reason for acceptance or rejection. Countries may accept or reject for economic, social, or political reasons. Other countries may accept or reject for environmental and/or health reasons. However, there is the inevitable factor of influence. Some countries like the United States, and supernational powers like the European Union are major elements to the decision making process of developing countries. When it comes …

Characterizing Bentgrass Distribution With Spatial And Biological Data To Support Ecological Risk Assessment In Connecticut, Carol Auer, Collin Ahrens, Jinwon Chung, Thomas Meyer

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

Genetically-modified (GM) crops must be assessed before they are released into the environment. Our research examines the potential for gene flow and negative ecological impacts from the release of GM turfgrasses. Gene flow can produce hybrid offspring with transgenes and novel traits that could change the ability of the plant to survive and spread. If hybrid offspring have an advantage in the environment, they could become invasive and/or affect other components of our ecosystems. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is a common, non-native turfgrass that is a weed and could hybridize with other Agrostis species. At present, United States Department of …

Ecological Risk Assessment Of Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum) In Connecticut., Carol Auer, Geoffrey Ecker

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

A native of North America, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a hardy rhizomatous perennial with an expansive range. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified switchgrass as a promising biofuel crop for low-input agriculture and marginal lands (Fig. 1). This has prompted research on improvement through genetic modification (GM). Before any new GM crop can be released, regulators must evaluate not only the modified plants, but also potential negative impacts to the environment. For example, hybridization between closely-related species could result in the transfer of GM traits to relatives (gene flow) creating new weeds or invasives. The objective of this research …

Drought And Salinity Tolerance In Common Agrostis Species., Carol Auer, Collin Ahrens

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

Our research examines plant gene flow and the impacts from environmental release of genetically-modified plants. Plant gene flow is a natural process that occurs when pollen from one plant lands on the flower of another plant and produces a hybrid offspring. Gene flow can produce hybrid offspring with new traits that could change the ability of the plant to survive and spread. If hybrid offspring have some advantage in the environment, they could become invasive and/or affect other components of our ecosystems. In the near future, the federal government may approve the use of a genetically engineered herbicide-resistant (HR) Agrostis …

If Hybrids Go Wrong: Assessing Potential Environmental Risk From Release Of Herbicide-Resistant Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis)., Carol Auer, Collin Ahens

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

Genetically-modified (GM) plants need to be assessed for their benefits and risks before they are released into the environment. At present, GM grasses are being developed to improve sports turf and biofuels crops (e.g. switchgrass). How will genetic engineering of perennial grasses alter the distribution of these grasses in natural areas and managed landscapes? Can we use research data to predict future gene flow, weediness, or invasion? These are some of the important questions in ecological risk assessment of GM perennial grasses. We have initiated five research projects to characterize gene flow and potential ecological risk from herbicide-resistant (HR) creeping …

Integration Of Gis And Bentgrass Ecology For Ecological Risk Assessment., Carol Auer, Collin Ahrens

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

All new technologies carry both benefits and risks. Genetically-modified plants must be assessed before they are released into the environment. Our research examines plant gene flow and the potential impacts from environmental release of genetically-modified plants. Plant gene flow is a natural process that occurs when pollen from one plant lands on the flower of another plant and produces a hybrid offspring. Gene flow can produce hybrid offspring with new traits that could change the ability of the plant to survive and spread. If hybrid offspring have some advantage in the environment, they could become invasive and/or affect other components …

When Hybrids Go Wrong. How Hybridization Can Create Invasive Species., Carol Auer, Collin Ahrens

Plant Science Presentations and Proceedings

Gene flow is the movement of genes from one plant population to another. Gene flow is a natural process and a part of plant evolution. There are two ways for gene flow to occur in plants. The first is through sexual reproduction – pollen lands on a flower and a viable seed develops. The second method is through dispersal of seeds and/or vegetative plant parts (e.g. stolons, rhizomes). Gene flow can produce hybrid offspring with an increased or decreased ability to survive in the landscape. If hybrid offspring have some advantage in the environment, they could become invasive. This poster …

Genetic Variability Studies In A Selected Population Of Azadirachta Excelsa (Sentang) With Aflp Marker Technology, Chiew Foan Chin

Student Works (2000-2009)

A maternal half-s/b population of Azadirachta excelsa was established from seeds in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. 100 to 200 seeds were collected from each of the 13 selected mother trees. The mother trees were categorised into three groups i.e. large, medium and small according to their girth sizes. 50 progeny seedlings from each scedlot per replicate were planted in the experimental field. Genetic studies on phenotypic measurements and molecular marker analysis were carried out on the established A. excelsa population. Measurements of quantitative traits including diameter breast height (Dbh) and total height were made. Mean Dbh …

In Vitro Mutation Induction By Gamma Irradiation For The Improvement Of A Triploid Banana Pisang Berangan (Aaa), Shadia Aldelgadir Mohamed Rayis

Student Works (2000-2009)

Tissue culture and induced mutation techniques were used to generate variation for the improvement of Pisang Bcrangan cv. 'Intan' (AAA). Best field perform ing banana in vitroplants were multiplied and evaluated for better field performance, which included improved agronomic traits such as earliness in fruiting, short plant stature, high yielding capacity with desirable fruit quality and tolerance to Fusarium wilt. A suitable micropropagation medium for Pisang Berangan was established through modification of MS basic medium, which resulted in significant increase in shoot multiplication. Shoot-tip meristems of Pisang Berangan were then irradiated at 20, 30, 40 and 60 Gy to induce …

Kajian Kultur Tisu Dan Aktiviti Sel Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus Linn.) Cv. Grenadin, Norfariza A. Kadir

Student Works (2000-2009)

Cellular behaviour in primary roots of standard length 11.15 ± 0.33 mm from four-day-old seedlings of Dianthus caryophyllus Linn. cv. Grenadin were studied in vivo and in vitro. Parameters such as mitotic index (MI). chromosome count the ploidy level, the mean cell and nuclear areas and the cell doub ling time (Cdt) were determined from 2 mm segments of root tips. The MI value of the root segment decreased when transferred from in vivo to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA. The mean chromosome count were generally stable during 6 months in culture period with 2n= …

Biotechnology In Western Australian Agriculture, Agriculture Western Australia

Grain and other field crops published reports

The Government of Western Australia believes that the strategic use of biotechnology and particularly gene technology has the potential to offer Western Australian agriculture significant economic benefits by improving the productivity and quality of products, as well as contributing to the development of sustainable farming systems.

Information contained in these binders is intended to give an overview of Biotechnology in relation to what is occurring in Australia, in Western Australia and specifically, at Agriculture Western Australia (AGWEST).

Biotechnology has been around for twenty-five years or more, but has only recently become a public issue in Australia - particularly in relation …

Biotechnology : Exposing The Myths & Realities, Sue Sutherland, Alan Lymbery

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Biotechnology has become one of the buzz words of the 1990s. Sounds impressive but what's it all about? Sue Sutherland and Alan Lymbery unravel some of the jargon and explore its potential for Western Australian agriculture.

Should Australia Export Its Native Birds?, Ross Kingwell

Biosecurity Research Articles

Commercial export from Australia of native birds, wild or captive bred, is prohibited. This paper firstly describes the current legislation and regulations that restrict the export of native birds and discusses why governments have adopted such a regulatory approach to bird species preservation. Secondly, the paper reviews the debate concerning the export ban, pointing out strengths and weaknesses in arguments and indicating the important role of CITES. Lastly, the paper outlines a new case for a conditional lifting of the ban, whereby DNA fingerprinting is used to establish transferable property rights to overcome a main source of market failure in …

Leaflet No 1001 - Aerial Baiting For The Control Of The Little Plague Grasshopper (Austroicetes Cruciata Sauss), C. F. Jenkins

Bulletins 1 - 2999

Aeroplanes have been tested for grasshopper control in many parts of the world during the last decade but the insecticides used have been in either dust or spray form.

The aerial distribution of bran bait is quite a recent development in overseas countries and was tried for the first time in Western Australia during the spring of 1949.