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Damage assessment and management of fruit bat, Pteropus giganteus using traditional method of artificial light in ber crop
Get PDFTraditional method of artificial light was evaluated against fruit bat, Pteropus giganteus in ber (Ziziphus jujube) orchards of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2017-18 and 2018-19, since; no study has been done in Punjab to assess ber fruit damage and management of fruit bats. Ber is a tropical and deciduous fruit crop which is damaged by different pests among which fruit bats are important ones. Our results reported P. giganteus damage to ber fruits which was economical and ranged from 9.72-11.6% and per tree from 9.96-13.40 kg having yield of 103.3-117.0 kg. Damage of fruit bats was minimized by using traditional and eco-friendly method of artificial light using LED bulbs having different watts, which requires only one time initial cost. It is concluded that on installation of 16 LED bulbs/acre of 30 watt power at a distance of 50 feet from each other in downward position at height of 6 feet above top of tree canopy in orchard having 72 trees planted at recommended distance of 25×25 feet, we can reduce fruit bat damage to minimum level. This non-lethal and non-polluting method can give huge net economic return of Rs. 10646.0/acre to ber fruit growers which will increase their farm income and also helps in bat conservation.
Scientific validation of Vedic knowledge on 'Rajatam' and the convection current-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Get PDFIn the Vedic literature, one can see the mention of silver, 'Rajatam', for diversified day-to-day applications to lead a healthy life. The paper reports the scientific validation of traditional knowledge of synthesising chemical-free, stable metal nanoparticles (NPs), taking silver as an example. Here, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are synthesised with the assistance of convection current in the water. The prolonged heating of double-distilled water in a silver vessel enables to get a colloidal solution of SNPs. The SNPs produced are characterised by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, Field-emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. Stability of SNPs is revealed through ageing studies with glucose as the surfactant. The method could synthesise stable SNPs of size 30-40 nm. This accounts for the possible reason for taking silver as the material for utensils for cooking food by the ancient Indians, Greek, Romans, Persians and Egyptians.
Screening of lupeol, mangiferin and β-carotene contents in pulp of mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties at edible ripe stage
Get PDFMango fruits are an amazing source of numerous bioactive phytonutrients like lupeol (a novel anti-inflammatory and anticancer dietary triterpene), mangiferin (an antidiabetic, anti-HIV, anticancer, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent) and β-carotene (a significant carotenoid that functions as a precursor to vitamin A, the conscientious reason for our vision). In the present study, ripe pulp of 23 mango varieties was examined for their contents of lupeol, mangiferin and β-carotene using high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PAD). Mulgoa had the highest lupeol concentration, measuring 42.52 µg/g and Langra stands second with 36.33 µg/g followed by Pairi (33.56 µg/g), Sensation (28.69 µg/g) and Dashehari with 28.22 µg/g. Mangiferin content was highest in variety Arunika (49.58 µg/g) followed by Ambika (34.80 µg/g), Dashehari (33.31 µg/g), Sensation (29.66 µg/g) and Neelum (27.93 µg/g). Sensation's mature pulp has the highest quantity of β-carotene (109.58 µg/g), followed by Kesar (96.87 µg/g), Dashehari (82.13 µg/g), Mulgoa (79.99 µg/g), Arunika (74.26 µg/g), and Amrapali (70.12 µg/g). The pulp of Dashehari, Sensation, Mulgoa, Arunika, Kesar and Amrapali possessed good to moderate amount of these nutraceuticals and are beneficial for consumption at ripe stage. This study has showed the importance of nutraceutical components present in mango; meanwhile it also encourages mango growers to grow these varieties for better profitability.
Indigenous traditional knowledge for protection of crops from wild animals and birds
Get PDFIndigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) is the term used to describe certain local, indigenous, or regional societies' well-developed, long-standing customs and practices. ITK is not yet fully utilized in the developmental process. This always requires technology transfer from a location that perceives this knowledge. The horizontal spread of this knowledge requires the involvement of some agents who recognize it, value it, and appreciate it in their interaction with the local community and document it percolating from one generation to another generation. For this purpose, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ajmer involved READY (Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana) students during their village attachment program. The READY students interacted with knowledgeable /progressive farmers to collect and document ITK being used by farmers to safeguard their crops against wild animals and birds. The study revealed 16 ITK technologies that are used by the local farmers.The study also revealed that farmers ranked barbed fence as the most effective ITK of the area, followed by Bijuka, planting of thorny bushes at the edges, planting rows of Saccharum munja, trenching, machan, and fixing of used coloured sarees /cloths and plastic strips /bright coloured cloths / bright pennies.
Comparative assessment of farmers’ perceptions on climate change: Experiences from semi-arid tropics of India
Get PDFThe present study was conducted to assess farmers' perceptions of the effects of climate change on their livelihoods. The aim was to compare these perceptions regarding climate trends, related effects, and adaptation options among rural communities in three Semi-Arid Tropical (SAT) villages located in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, representing different agro-ecological regions. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods to elicit farmers' perceptions, including farm household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results of the study indicate that farm households are aware of climate change and are particularly concerned about changes in rainfall patterns and increased frequency of drought events, both in inter-seasonal and intra-seasonal distribution. Among the studied villages, Dokur experienced the most severe impacts from these changes. Furthermore, farmers perceive that natural resources such as land, water, and biodiversity have been affected due to the variations in the climate. In response to these challenges, farmers have adopted a set of adaptation options, including changes in crop selection, land management, water usage, socio-economic strategies, and collective actions. However, the study found discouraging trends in the adoption of these adaptation options, primarily due to a range of barriers that hinder their ability to adapt efficiently to climate change. This study underscores the critical need for region-specific strategic research and development programs aimed at enhancing the biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of these rural areas. Such efforts would enable these communities to improve their adaptive capacity and livelihood resilience in the face of climate-related risks and impacts. Future policies and programs should prioritize the upliftment of these fragile SAT communities, with the goal of enhancing their resilience to climate change and improving their overall quality of life.
Ethnobotanical knowledge and socio-ecological significance of vernacular architecture of Adi community of Arunachal Himalaya in North-Eastern India
Get PDFThe present study describes ethnobotanical knowledge and socio-ecological significance of vernacular architecture of local house construction styles of Adi, one of the major ethnic communities inhabiting Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The community uses 21 plant species belonging to 15 genera and 12 families in vernacular architecture constructed as per local needs and traditions exhibiting native designs. The community possesses significant traditional knowledge and skills regarding the utilization of species in vernacular architecture. The houses capitalize on the availability of resources close to the construction site and fulfill basic community needs, values, economies, and ways of life as per local cultures. The study recommends that the vernacular architecture of Adi community is best suited to the local environment, climate, and culture; and therefore, needs to be preserved along with sustainable management and conservation of the plant resources used. Further multidisciplinary research is required to capture the overall significance of these vernacular architectures in terms of raw materials, structural designs, and environmental suitability and sustainability.
Identification of Patala (Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens roots) by pharmacognostic parameters - A plant drug in Dasamula
Get PDFStereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens are known as "Patala" in Ayurveda and also a constituent of Dasamula. It is difficult to distinguish between the two species and hence it is difficult to identify genuine Patala. Both Stereospermum species looks alike in morphology with the exception of flower-color. So collection of the plant material from wild source as well as differentiating from the marketed sample is a challenge for the herbal industries to identify the genuine Patala. Hence, an attempt was made to compare the pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters of the roots of S. colais and S. suaveolens. Macroscopy, microscopy, physico-chemical analysis and elemental analysis were carried out to standardize the roots. The salient diagnostic features identified to distinguish the plant species are heterocellular periderm and calcium oxalate druses in S. colais and multitype (Rhytidome) periderm and calcium oxalate raphides in S. suaveolens. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and comparative HPTLC fingerprint analysis of various extracts of roots revealed their phytochemical composition. The standardization parameters developed here can be used as reference standard for correct identification of the plant. Further, it will act as a tool to detect adulterants and substituents consequently maintains the quality, reproducibility and efficacy of the plant material.
Evaluation of subacute toxicity of a polyherbal nootropic formulation in Wistar albino rats
Get PDFIn ayurvedic system of traditional medicine, 'medhyarasayanas' — decoction of selected plants are used to improve intellect or cognition abilities. Here, we investigated one such polyherbal formulation (PHF) with ingredients Bacopa monniera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Valeriana wallechii and Withania somnifera used as a facilitator of learning, retention and recall. We evaluated the safety of this PHF in animal models. We performed acute oral toxicity test using 2000 mg/kg of the formulation as per OECD guideline 423 and observed for toxicity over 14 days. Thereafter, we divided them into four groups of six animals each and administered Normal saline 5 mL/kg, The PHF (Wilmer®) @500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg in the respective groups over 28 days. We observed no mortality or physical and behavioural abnormalities in both acute and subacute toxicity study. On the 28th day, animals were sacrificed, blood collected for estimation of haematological and biochemical parameters and histopathological examination of organs was performed. There was significant difference (P <0.05) in Mean ± SEM values of haemoglobin, total cholesterol, total protein, ALT, AST, ALP and serum creatinine in the test groups compared to control as analysed by One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. We observed steatosis and ballooning of hepatocytes, lymphocytic periglomerular infiltrate, eosinophilic hyaline casts and renal tubular coagulation necrosis in histopathology of test groups. Haematologic abnormalities (decrease in haemoglobin concentration), hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and dyslipidemic effects of the tested PHF were seen in the rats in subacute toxicity study over 28 days, which could be due to the individual plant products, microbial contamination or heavy metals in the formulation in excess of regulatory limits. Hence, it needs further safety evaluation in animals and humans