Volume 2, Issue 11

December 2013

The Official Newsletter for the Faculty of Agro-Based Industry

MyFIAT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Weeding Out Dangers lurking Academic Series
Page

WEEDING OUT

1 1-2 Talk 2 2 3-4 4 4 4 4

MPN Congress Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecoystems Upcoming events FIAT retreat Condolence Faces in FIAT

Prof. Dr. Sarker Mohammad Rezaul Karim giving the Professorial talk held at UMK, Pengkalan Chepa Campus Prof. Dr. Sarker Mohammad Rezaul Karim was the first speaker in the 18 series Professorial Talk in collaboration with the National Professor Council (MPN). The talk was held at the UMK Pengkalan Chepa Campus on the 16th November was officiated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Raduan Che Rose. The talk given by Prof. Rezaul Karim entitled how the weeds affect us all, and what is the way out? focused on his current research on alien invading weed 'Parthenium Hysterophorus and its effect on agriculture produce and health threats to both animal and man. Apart from the talk on Parthenium, academic accomplishment by Prof. Rezaul Karim was also displayed to be viewd by the audience.

Dangers lurking
The recent tragedies in Lata Renyek and Lata Tembakah is a great reminder to everyone that extra precaution should be made wherever we go. Both these places although are beautiful recreational

by Mohd Hafiz Jamaludin able not to go these areas, as the water level is known to increase suddenly, although when it is not raining, as water bodies may come from possible underground reservoir thats is full. The same goes

areas, the water although looks calm, can be deceiving. both Lata renyek and Lata tembakah are well known to claim the lives of others. Although it is normal to go. with the raining season, it is advis-

(cont. on pg 2)
Advisor: Prof. Dr. Ahmad Anwar Ismail Editor: Mohd Hafiz Jamaludin Technical: Nik Ahmad Fakruddin Nik Zulkefli Mohd Salbaharin Ismail M y F I AT Faculty of Agro-Based Industry Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus Locked Bag 100 17600 Jeli K e l a n t a n , M A L AY S I A . Te l : 0 9 - 9 4 7 7 0 2 1 Fax: 09 - 947 7022 w e b s i t e : w w w. f i a t . u m k . e d u . m y email: hafiz@umk.edu.my

Volume 2, Issue 11

December 2013

MyFIAT

Academic talk series by Zulhisyam Abdul Kari @ Abdullah

The first topic for the academic talk was given by Dr Soon Jan Mei, entitled "Early Warning-Rapid Alert (EWRA) and Horizontal Scanning (HS) in Foods Safety". She also shared her the opportunity she had attending a technical meeting at the Food and AgriculDr Kassim Buhiran (pic on the right, and Dr. Soon Jan Mei (pic on the left b o t t o m ) discussiong their topics

Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystems

by Tan Chew Fen and Kumara, T. K.

ture Organization (FAO) on issues pertaining to food safety and food borne diseases in Europe, with the content mostly focusing on issues currently faced by European countries. The second talk was given by Dr. Kassim Buhiran

entitled "Increasing Your Income Through Investment in Stock Market". As an investor himself, He shared shared his broad experiences on the effective ways to profit from stock market and how to make the assessment.

MPN Congress by Akmal Adilah Idris

I had the opportunity to take part in the recent Majlis Professor Negara (MPN) from the 9 to 10 November 2013 at Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur. The theme of the congress was Gagasan Penyatupaduan Nasional or National Reconciliation covering 5 issues on the concept and challenges in solidaroty and unity, socia-economic justice, science and education, identity and patriotisme, globalisation and the strenght of the countrys scholars. The result of the resolution was later submitted to the Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Hj. Abdul Razak, at the Majlis Makan Malam Bicara Perdana, on 10 November 2013. Picture on the right. Akmal Adilah Idris with the regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah

Biodiversity refers to the range of different living organisms and their environments. It is often categorized or defined by three main levels : genes, species and ecosystems with each linked and interdependent of the other. Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services contributing to food provisioning through crop and genetic biodiversity. In addition, biodiversity through ecological functional contributes to regulating services, such as pollination, invasion resistance, natural biological control, and pest and disease regulation. For instance, loss in species richness of bees and hoverfly (syrphids) is directly linked to loss in pollination service. However, the greatest losses in biodiversity worldwide have been attributed to the expansion and intensification of agriculture and land use is often characterized by a transformation of complex ecosystems and landscapes into simple ones, resulting in reduced biodiversity. Nevertheless, agricultural land use does not just mean habitat destruction. Bambaradeniya et. al (2004) reported 494 species of invertebrates belonging to 10 phyla, 103 species of vertebrates, 89 species of macrophytes, 39 genera of microphytes and 3 species of macrofungi

from an irrigated rice field ecosystem in Sri Lanka. The aquatic organisms found in the rice fields of Sri Lanka covers the entire spectrum of fresh water invertebrates, and that arthropods are the main terrestrial faunal species. About 130 species of phytophagous insects have been recorded in Sri Lankas rice fields. More than 50 % of the terrestrial arthropod species in Sri Lanka rice fields consisted of predators, with spiders being the dominant predatory group. About 103 species of vertebrates recorded from an irrigated rice field ecosystem in Sri Lanka. Rice fields in Sri Lanka have also been recorded as important man-made habitats for amphibians. Among flora, more than 340 species of weeds have been recorded from the Sri Lanka rice fields. Later, in another study, Bambaradeniya and Edirisinghe (2008) reported terrestrial arthropod fauna in rice agrobe done to ensure facilities that can accomadate over 60 staff, and a student centre has a complete Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) put in place in cases of emergencies. With the raining season just begining,will see more unesacerry inconvenieces incurred. It is high time a proper occupational safety and health officer be appointed to identify potential hazards and assist the university maintainence. With this in mind, FIAT has taken the initiative to set up an OSH committee to look into safety and health issues in the everyday activities at the faculty level. Hope-

ecosystem comprising 282 species of insects in 90 families and 17 Orders; 60 species of arachnids in 14 families constituting a total of 342 arthropod species were recorded from the rice agro-ecosystems. Meanwhile, in Muda rice agroecosystem in Malaysia, Nashriyah et al. (1998) provided data on the distribution and abundance of terrestrial and aquatic weeds (25 species, 15 families), insect and arachnids (36 families, 10 orders), fish (39 species, 21 families) and birds (11 species, 8 families). In Malaysia, work done by Bruhl and Eltz (2008) had shown that total of 23 species ground-dwelling forest ants were recorded along nine transects in four oil palm plantations in Eastern Sabah. Most species belonged to the subfamily Myrmicinae ( 11 species ) followed by Dolichoderinae and Formicinae ( five species each ). Recent studies found that there are pollutions occurring in our rice argoecosystem. In the water system of the rice fields of the Muda area, where different irrigation systems namely non-recycled (N-RCL) and recycled (RCL) water were practised, more than 79% of the water samples contained the herbicide pollutants (Sapari & Ismail, 2012). Others determine the residues of

Dangers lurking
to the agropark here on campus. The stream that divides the campus and agropark is known to suddenly surge in water level during heavy rain, and may cause sudden flood in the close proximity. The number of times the roads that interconnect the agropark had to be rebuild show how dangerous and strong the flow of water can water clogged be. As it has been almost 2 years Jeli Balancing has been in operation, the kampus act & hole in management must look seriously into and the indecisiveness to prepare a comthe floor MyFIAT the safety issues on campus itself, and Advisor: plete Agropark for student projects, or Faculty of Agro Based Industry should come out withProf. a long term and security Dr. Ahmad Anwar Ismail of the affected areas showcase farms is not tackled can be Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus strategy with consultation with the such as proper fencing, land distribuobserve in the coming raining season. The Editor: Locked Bag 100 Department of Irrigation and Drain- tion, effiecient drainage system, and recent continous rain in late November and Mohd Hafiz Jamaludin 17600 Jeli ageto minismise the potential threat continues surveliance to prevent early December has been stressfull espeKelantan, MALAYSIA. of sudden water surge. The develo- lost of produce. Budget allocation Technical: cially to student companies and final year Tel: 09 - 947 7021 pent of the agropark should be comwill only to waste if the developNik Ahmad Fakruddin Nikgo Zulkefli students who are dependent on the Fax: 09 - 9467158 pleted in one go to enure both safty ment of the agropark is incomplete agropark. Little has to be said also on the Mohd Salbaharin Ismail
email: hafiz@umk.edu.my

(cont. from pg 1)

Animal food wasted condition of faculty buildings, lecture rooms, lecturers room, facilities and toilets. Broken ceilings, extruding metel pieces, mold, water dripping from air conditon system, broken chairs and tables. Toilets are not well maintained with broken seats and water dripping from the washrooom from the higher floor. Meanwhile, with the complete of the cabin space, work still need to

Nice but dangerous? fully, the higher university management would coorperate and provide the assistance needed to ensure basic welfare standard is maintained and be put on the priority list. It is hoped also that 2014 will see the university grow bigger and stronger while ensuring quality standard environment for both study and work.

Volume 2, Issue 11

December 2013

MyFIAT

Upcoming events
Semester September 2013/2014 Final Exam 29 December 2013- 14 January 2014 Karnival Industri Asas Tani (UMK Kampus Jeli) May 2014

FIAT RETREAT by Mohd Hafizie Abd Rahman

FIAT recently held its retreat from the 10 to 12 December 2013 at Cameroon Highland, Pahang. Although the dates fell on a public holiday did not deter the staff in attending the retreat, since the focus was to ensure FIAT is always on the right track. Both academic staff and administrative staff sat down to discuss the future direction of the faculty for 2014. the retreat was also an opportunity for for the programmes to sit down and evaluate the course content to ensure everything is up to date and relevant, in line with the goals and aspiration of the university and need of the country.

Lecturers from SBP in deep discussion

Although no words can really help to ease the loss, just know that the fellow friends who were lost are very close in every thoughts and prayers. May their family keep their strength to face these hardship on the lost of Vikneswaran a/l Balakrishnan (22, Sungai Petani, Kedah); Janathan a/l Umabaithy (22, Taiping,Perak); and Manoharaj a/l Madhanra (22, Negeri Sembilan) on the 4th October at Lata Tembakah, Terengganu. Also to famillies and friends on the lost of Mohd Azeem Sameer Noor Azmi (21, Selangor) dan Mohd Zulfikal Mohd Saupi (20, Kelantan) on the 15th November at Lata Renyuk, Jeli, Kelantan.
Agro-Ecosystem. Journal of Biosciences, 37(1), pp.23-48. Bambaradeniya, C. N. B., Edirisinghe, J. P., De Silva, D. N., Gunatilleke, C. V. S., Ranawana, K. B., & Wijekoon, S. (2004). Biodiversity and Conservation. Bruhl, C. A., & Eltz, T. (2008). Fuelling the biodiversity crisis: species loss of ground-dwelling forest ants in oil palm plantations in Sabah, Malaysia ( Borneo ) Biodiversity Conservation, 19, pp.519-529. Ismail, B., Sameni, M., & Halimah, M. (2011). Evaluation of herbicide pollution in the Kerian ricefields of Perak, Malaysia. World Applied Sciences Journal, 15(1), pp.05-13. Nashriyah, B. N., Ho, N. K., Ismail, B. S., Ahyaudin, B. A., & Lum, K. Y. (1998). Rice agroecosystem of the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia. Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research ( MINT ) and Muda Agricultural Development Authority ( MADA ) 255. Sapari, P., & Ismail, B. (2012). Pollution levels of thiobencarb, propanil and pretilachlor in rice fields of the muda irrigation scheme, Kedah, Malaysia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(10), pp.6347-6356.

CONDOLENCE

2,4-D and paraquat in the rice field soil and surface water of the drainage canals in the Kerian district of Perak, Malaysia and found both herbicides leached downward to the depth of 5 cm in clay loam soil on the first day after treatment (Ismail, et al., 2011). Intensive use of agrochemicals to further enhance yield performance is inevitable, and the practice is becoming widespread among farmers. The pertaining issue is, whats the impact of the use of agrochemicals towards the fauna and flora biodiversity? To

Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystems (cont. from pg 3)

protect and conserve the diversity of global biological species, conservation measures have to be employed. Achieving the goals of biodiversity conservation required an integrative approach that recognizes not only the need for scientific rigour but also the societal nature of conservation and it need for political, economic, and social support. Therefore, lets play our role in protecting our biodiversity from today. References

Bambaradeniya, C. N. B., & Edirisinghe, J. P. (2008). Composition, Structure and Dynamics of Arthropod Communities in a Rice

Faces in FIAT
Nor Dini Rusli MPhil (University of Nottingham, UK) BSc (Science and Management University) Research Interest: Equine Infection And Immunity, Biomedicine DANIEL ANAK GELLO BSc (Universiti Malaysia Kelantan) Position: (young lecturer) Research Interest: Dairy