Banana ( Musa spp.) is an important nutrient-rich fruit crop cultivated in the tropics and sub-tropics for local consumption and export. Targets for genetic improvement of banana range from improved fruit quality, yield, disease resistance, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and the biosynthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. Sterility has limited the success of generating new cultivars by conventional breeding. Tissue culture-based technologies that involve embryo rescue, the generation of somaclonal variation, and gene-transfer procedures are a useful adjunct to sexual hybridization, although considerable effort is required to establish robust protoplast-to-plant systems for somatic hybridization. Transformation involving Agrobacterium and biolisticsmediated gene transfer is feasible, underpinned by shoot regeneration from cultured cells and tissues. Molecular characterization of germplasm will facilitate the selection of material most relevant for incorporation into sexual and somatic genetic-improvement programs.

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Study on leaf properties of an endangered dipterocarp tree species, Dryobalanops beccarii, was conducted in a restored forest. The study focused on the morphology, nutrient concentration and gas exchange in well-developed leaves of D. beccarii at different ontogenetic phases. The hypothesis tested that leaf physiological and morphological changes are related to the nutrient concentration level of D. beccarii leaves in each ontogenetic phase. Seedling leaves were small and thin, whereas adult tree leaves were the large and thick. The stomata density per unit was abundant in adult tree leaves as compared to seedlings and saplings leaves. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (A) and stomatal conductance (g s ) was increased from the seedling phase until the sapling phase, but decreased as the D. beccarii reached the mature phase. Scarce stomata density in seedling leaves contributed to low Pn, A and g s , while sapling leaves recorded opposite results due to abundant stomata density accompanied by highest accumulation of nitrogen (N) content per unit leaf area. The low concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) detracted the gas exchange performance. Hence, changes in leaf morphology and physiology of D. beccarii were affected by the differences in resource used at each tree ontogenetic phase.

ABSTRACT:Octomeles sumatrana and Anthocephalus chinensis are two non-commercial tree species with future potential as plantation species in Malaysia. In order to understand the habitat in which such species grow, a study on the species as well as organisms related to them is crucial. The objectives of this study were to investigate the soil properties in which the two species grow and the associated mycorrhiza occurring within their rhizospheres. Results revealed that the properties of rhizosphere soils and the composition of arbuscular mycorrhiza varied with location. Based on the spore count method, the mean number of spores ranged from 45-142 per 50 g dry soil. The rhizosphere of O. sumatrana at the Niah Forestry Research Station recorded the highest number of spores. Meanwhile, the most probable number method showed values ranging from 6.5-16.0 per gram of dry soil, with the highest value recorded for O. sumatrana at the Niah National Park. A. chinensis showed the lowest values for both methods. Glomus was found to be dominant in the rhizospheres of both species followed by Acaulospora and Gigaspora. O. sumatrana was found to be a better host plant than A. chinensis in terms of supporting the sporulation of mycorrhiza. This is believed to be closely related to the ability of the root system to make the rhizosphere more suitable for reproduction and development of mycorrhiza spores, besides being affected by soil properties.

Tirathaba mundella Walker has emerged as one of the most prominent bunch feeding pests in Sarawak peat oil palm estates. Insecticides application is inevitable to prevent economic loss. However, to protect insect pollinators which cohabitat with the pest and reduce the risk of resistance development among the pest to insecticides, rotation treatments with more than one pollinator-friendly insecticides is recommended. This paper examines the effectiveness of rotating several pollinator-friendly insecticides in controlling the pest. To assess the effectiveness of different rotation combination, a field study on a seven-year-old peat estate was carried out using several insecticides combinations and application intervals, then the level of infestation post-treatment was assessed. Significantly, the results showed that only four single rounds of insecticides application in a year would yield relatively better control than nine rounds of Bacillus thuringiensis applications. Overall, there was no significant difference in clean bunches percentages obtained between five rounds of treatment compared to only four rounds per year. The result strengthens our confidence that the optimum and most cost-effective approach for one-year protection against T. mundella was two rounds of 30.0 g active ingredient of chlorantraniliprole per ha rotated with two rounds of 25.0 g active ingredient of chromafenozide. The material cost was calculated as RM 351.20 per ha per year. The findings of this study would benefit future pest management practice in oil palm plantation established on peatland