Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Chili pestiferous thrips Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922) and Thrips tabaci (Lindman, 1889) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera) antennal structural characterisation
Get PDFThrips are among the most serious pests attacking many economically important crops. They causes significant damage to plants by lacerating and sucking sap from the leaves, growing tips, flowers and fruits leading to silvery spots, stunted growth, flower drop and fruits deformation, ultimately resulting in severe economic yield losses in many crops. In addition to the damage caused, they act as vectors for various viral plant diseases. Antennal sensilla plays a crucial role in the chemical communication of thrips. However, studies on the types of sensilla in thrips arelimited to a few species. Therefore, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this study examined the different types of sensilla in two pestiferous thrips species, Thrips parvispinus Karny and Thrips tabaci Lindman. The antenna of the thrips were found to consist of nine types of sensilla viz., bohm bristles (BB), microtrichia (MT), sensilla basiconica (SB), sensilla campaniformia (SCa), sensilla cavity (SCav), sensilla chaetica (SCh), sensilla coeloconica (SCo), sensilla styloconica (SSt) and sensilla trichoidea (ST). The microscopy observations revealed that all these sensilla were present in T. parvispinus while SSt was absent in T. tabaci. Sensilla chaetica were more abundant in T. tabaci than in T. parvispinus. Based on the results, the types of antennal sensilla and their functions in thrips are also discussed
Exploring consumer preferences for fresh strawberries in Coimbatore district
Get PDFStrawberries have achieved a dominant position in the worldwide fruit market due to its attractive appearance and pleasantly distinct flavour. The fruit is valued not only for its taste but also for its nutritional content, particularly its high vitamin C levels. The study was conducted in the Coimbatore district using purposive sampling to obtain primary data from 150 respondents, all of whom were frequent strawberry buyers. A questionnaire was framed to gather information on demographics, purchase frequency, quantity, expenditure, and factors influencing consumer decision making when purchasing fresh strawberries. To analyse customer preferences, the following factors were chosen: price, berry size, freshness, origin, cultivation method, and site of purchase. To ascertain the relative importance of various elements influencing consumer choices, conjoint analysis was employed. Six attributes with various levels were examined, yielding 216 potential combinations, which were condensed to 16 for practical evaluation. The variables were investigated to determine their impact on consumer preferences. The study analyzed the data using SPSS software, calculating utility estimates for each attribute and its levels. The findings revealed that price, freshness, and berry size were the most important factors that influenced consumer preferences, while the cultivation method had a relatively lower impact. This study sheds light on how these traits work together to influence local market consumers’ choices for fresh strawberries
Biodiversity and ethnobotanical significance of vascular plants in the ecological trail and reservation site of indigenous trees (ECOTRIS), Ifugao Province, Philippines
Get PDFThis study examines the macrofloral diversity and ethnobotanical significance of the Ecological Trail and Reservation Site of Indigenous Trees (ECOTRIS) in Ifugao Province, Philippines. The site is compartmentalized into four distinct land-use areas: an arboretum of native trees, a bamboo plantation, a fern grove, and a grassland with patches of trees. Biodiversity assessments were conducted across three plots established near the water tributaries, revealing the highest diversity index in the midstream plot, attributed to its dense canopy structure. Biodiversity indices using the Shannon index showed that the sampling plot near the stream had the highest value (3.02). In contrast, sampling sites near the marginal land and bamboo plantation had values of 2.56 and 2.78, respectively. Similarity indices indicated that Plot 1 had the highest similarity attributed to the high presence of pioneering species dominating the canopy, while Plot 3 exhibited lower species. Species Importance Value (SIV) analysis highlighted the pioneering species, particularly Melanolepis multiglandulosa Merr. dominated the sampling area. The study documented 22 edible plant species and 35 ethnobotanically significant trees, underscoring local floras’ cultural and medicinal value. This research emphasizes the ecological and cultural importance of preserving indigenous species and highlights the need for sustainable management practices to mitigate human-induced disturbances in the region. The findings underscore the potential of ECOTRIS as a field gene bank, advocating for sustainable management and the integration of indigenous conservation practices to enhance its ecological value and heritage
Isolation, characterization and metabolic profiling of seed endophyte B. licheniformis against Sarocladium oryzae in rice
Get PDFRice is a vital staple food crop widely cultivated across diverse Asian agroclimatic zones. However, in recent years, the emergence of sheath rot disease, caused by Sarocladium oryzae, has severely impacted rice yields, devastating approximately half of rice production. Traditional methods of controlling plant diseases often have harmful effects on the environment and have led to the development of pathogenic resistance to various agrochemicals. In contrast, endophytes have shown great promise in managing plant diseases while enhancing plant growth and yield. The seed-associated endophyte Bacillus lichiniformis has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, exhibiting a 76.47% inhibition rate against S. oryzae. Beyond its antibiotic properties, this endophyte also promotes biostimulant activities, including the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, and the utilization of ammonia (NH3). Additionally, the analysis of secondary metabolites using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed a diverse array of compounds, including 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-TMS derivatives, Elaidic acid-TMS, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Caproic acid-TMS, Diethyl phthalate, Ricinoleic acid-2TMS derivatives, Mandelic acid-2TMS, and others. These compounds exhibit significant antifungal, antiviral, larvicidal, and antibacterial activities against various plant pathogens, highlighting the potential of Bacillus lichiniformis as a sustainable and effective biocontrol agent in rice cultivation. This research underscores the critical role of endophytes in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical control methods while effectively combating emerging plant diseases
A systematic literature review of cloud kitchen
Get PDFThe concept of cloud kitchens, or ghost kitchens, has emerged as a transformative trend in the food service industry, offering an economical and efficient model that eliminates the need for physical dining spaces and focuses solely on delivery and takeout. This approach provides several advantages, including reduced overhead costs, operational efficiency, scalability and expanded market reach through virtual platforms. However, market saturation, building brand visibility and maintaining food quality remain significant hurdles. Future trends may involve multi-brand operations within a single kitchen, advanced technology integration, eco-friendly practices and suburban and rural areas expansion. By addressing these challenges, ghost kitchens can capitalise on their innovative potential to reshape the food service landscape
Insights from gene effects on agronomic, oleic acid and oil content using generation mean analysis in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Get PDFPlant hybridization produces hybrids with desirable traits such as high oil content, oleic acid and yield, enhancing the significance of crops. Understanding genetic dominance is essential for studying gene action in breeding programs. Using four parental lines, this study assessed gene action, genetic advance with heritability and heterosis for oleic acid, oil content, agronomic and yield traits in sunflowers. The IR6 × HO-5-29 (P1 × P2) cross I population demonstrated superior performance, while the CMSB825B × COSF6B (P3 × P4) cross II population also performed well based on mean performance. Generation mean analysis revealed that additive and dominance gene actions influenced trait inheritance, with dominance effects being more pronounced. Additive × additive interactions played a key role in traits like days to flowering and maturity, palmitic acid content and oleic acid content in cross I and head diameter in cross II. Additive × dominance interactions significantly influenced head diameter, 100-seed weight and oleic acid content in cross I and plant height in cross II. Dominance × dominance interactions strongly influenced seed and oil yield per plant, oil content and linoleic acid content in cross I and seed and oil yield per plant and volume weight in cross II. Duplicate gene action was observed for head diameter and 100-seed weight, whereas complementary gene action was observed for seed and oil yield per plant in both crosses. These findings offer valuable insights for plant breeders and farmers, supporting the development of sunflower varieties and hybrids with enhanced oleic content, oil content and yield
Effect of stingless bee (Tetragonula iridipennis) pollination on onion seed yield in Rabi and Kharif seasons
Get PDFThe present study on stingless bee was carried out during Rabi and Kharif of 2022-2023 in farmers field at Oddanchatram, Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu to evaluate their efficiency in pollinating onion, cultivated for seed purpose. Two fields (10 km apart) were used, one with stingless bees (2 colonies/acre) and one without. Foraging activity was monitored every 4 days over 36 days and onion seed yield and germination were compared between open pollination and covered umbels. During Rabi, peak foraging activity occurred from 1100 to 1200 h with 23.6 outgoing bees/5min/h. Pollen and nectar foragers peaked between 1200 and 0100 h with means of 6.5 and 20.1 bees/5min/h, while resin foragers showed peaks at 1200-0100 and 0500-0600 h. Managed pollination yielded 165 kg/acre with 88% germination compared to 120 kg/acre and 77% without bees. In Kharif, similar peaks were observed, with pollen, nectar and resin foragers averaging 4.3, 19.4 and 2.0 bees/5min/h, respectively. Seed yield was 150 kg/acre with stingless bee pollination versus 110 kg/acre without bees, with germination rates of 86% and 74%. Stingless bee pollination improved onion seed yield by 37.5% in Rabi and 36% in Kharif, demonstrating their significant role in boosting crop productivity. Future studies should explore the long-term impacts of stingless bee pollination on crop yields and biodiversity
A study on consumer awareness and purchasing behavior of finger millet products in Coimbatore
Get PDFThis study investigates consumer awareness and preferences for finger millet (Eleusine coracana) products in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. As a nutritionally dense cereal crop, finger millet has gained attention for its potential to address malnutrition and lifestyle diseases. The research assessed awareness of its nutritional benefits, factors driving purchasing decisions and product preferences among urban consumers. A structured questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 150 respondents selected through simple random sampling. The study revealed higher awareness levels of finger millet\u27s nutritional value among younger (21-30 years, 51.64 % highly aware) and female (39.77 % highly aware) consumers. Factor analysis identified product-related aspects, such as nutritional value and convenience, as key influencers in purchasing decisions, explaining 45.19 % of the variance. Preferred product forms included finger millet flour (23 %), noodles (20 %) and porridge (18 %). So, companies should focus on diversifying the millet flour category to attract consumers easily. Garrett\u27s ranking positioned finger millet as the most favoured millet (score 69.5), followed by proso millet (66.0) and little millet (63.0). These findings provide valuable insights for agricultural researchers, plant breeders and food technologists to align crop improvement strategies and product development with consumer preferences. Companies should prioritize marketing to female consumers, who demonstrate higher awareness. Following this, they should focus on younger consumers (21-30 years), who also show significant interest. Marketing strategies should include creating innovative snack items designed to appeal to children, paired with vibrant and engaging marketing campaigns that capture their attention. Additionally, strategies should target health-conscious individuals and male consumers by highlighting finger millet\u27s contribution to overall wellness and emphasizing that finger millet is a versatile food suitable for all demographics and dietary preferences
Climatic and edaphic influences on productivity and carbon sequestration of farm grown teak (Tectona grandis, linn.f) in Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFTeak (Tectona grandis, Linn.f) is one of the most sought-after tree crops due to the exceptional quality and high market value of its timber. Currently, the Indian subcontinent imports a significant quantity of teak to meet its growing demand. The growth and wood quality of teak are influenced by edaphic and climatic variations across sites, a factor that has been largely underexplored in research. The primary objective of the study is to analyse teak growth, wood quality, and carbon sequestration potential under farmland condition. To address this, the study was conducted across three agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu: North Eastern Zone (NEZ), North Western Zone (NWZ), and Cauvery Delta Zone (CDZ), focusing specifically on farmland conditions. The analysis encompassed biometric attributes, volume, and carbon sequestration potential of farm-grown teak across different age classes. The findings of the study reveal that among the three agroclimatic zones, the NEZ (15-20 years age class) recorded the highest biometric attributes, including mid diameter (MD) (0.193 m), volume (0.379 m3), heartwood proportion (0.239 m3), and carbon sequestration (0.683 Mg/acre).. Based on the overall performance, trees in the 15-20 years age class exhibited superior heartwood formation under farmland conditions. Therefore, this age class is recommended for teak cultivation in farmland conditions across Tamil Nadu to maximize growth, wood quality, and carbon sequestration potential
Seasonal dynamics of arthropods in Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and nutritional link to rodent foraging
Get PDFLucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is a highly nutritive crop with more vitamins and minerals used as a fodder legume since it is available throughout the year. In the Coimbatore district farmers prefer lucerne as a fodder crop because of its quality, year-round production, and seed yield fetches a high price. The monitoring study on lucerne crop pests, natural enemies and pollinators was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore for three seasons from October 2021 to June 2024. The major sucking pests observed in Lucerne were aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) and stink bugs (Nezara virudula, (L.)) and the natural enemy observed was coccinellid predators (Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius)). Natural enemies such as the Ladybird beetle (Coccinella repanda Thunberg) and Paper wasp (Polistes exclamans Vierick) were also documented as crucial in regulating these pest populations. The study also observed a diverse range of pollinators including the Alfalfa Leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata (Fabricius)), various butterflies, and several species of bees that are vital for effective pollination and enhanced crop quality. The population of aphids and stink bugs ranged from 0.00 to 1.47 and from 0.00 to 1.35, respectively, from April to May. In contrast, from November to February, the aphid population varied from 0.07 to 0.45, while the stink bug population ranged from 0.02 to 0.38. The maximum population of coccinellids was recorded at 3.16 in October 2023. The correlation of pest and predator population with weather parameters showed maximum and minimum temperatures favoured the population development while it was negatively correlated with relative humidity and rainfall. Profiling of root nutrients showed lucerne roots contain a significant amount of essential nutrients that meet the dietary requirements of mice