Update Publishing (E-Journals)
Not a member yet
5528 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of abscisic acid on rice defense mechanism against Fusarium oxysporum
Full text linkFusarium oxysporum is one of the most destructive pathogens which causes rice seedling blight. ABA is part of a large signaling system that provides an effective system against microbial and environmental manipulations. The role of ABA in plant defense mechanisms is not clear. In this experiment, we prove the role of abscisic acid (ABA) in boosting rice plant resistance against F. oxysporum and optimizing ABA concentrations against F. oxysporum. This study is divided into two experiments. In the first experiment, we used various ABA concentrations of 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.25 mmol/L under F. oxysporum stress. In the second experiment, we use Fluridone FLD as an ABA inhibitor with the following treatments, (F) is only applied with F. oxysporum (ABA+F), abscisic acid with F. oxysporum (ABAI+F), ABA inhibitor Fluridone with F. oxysporum (ABAI), where only ABA inhibitor Fluridone was applied and CK was used as a control. The results revealed that all the plants treated with ABA exhibit better performance against F. oxysporum, except those treated without ABA. ABA concentrations of 0.2 mmol/L effectively decreased the disease index and disease incidence rate as well as improved the quality of seedlings. ABA effectively increased the activity of defense-related enzymes like PPO, POD, PAL and SOD. ABA also lowers down the MDA content which proves its effectiveness against F. oxysporum. ABA resistance was also proved by plants treated with the abscisic acid inhibitor ABAI (Fluridone FLD). The ABA inhibitor reduced the rice resistance to F. oxysporum, by conforming the expression of defense-related genes PRB1-3, PRBI-2 and Xa39(t). These gene expressions indicate the involvement of ABA in plant defense system
Elevated osmolytes accumulation helps in combating NaCl stress causing negative impacts on growth and metabolism of Vigna radiata (L.)
Full text linkSalinity stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that have a negative impact on the growth performance of green gram. The current study was carried out as a result to find out growth, and morpho-biochemical changes in Vigna radiata CO7 variety cultivated under NaCl stress treatments. The V. radiata CO7 variety was selected and the experiment was carried out in pot culture under varying NaCl concentrations viz., 0, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mM respectively to assess maximum tolerance range of the CO7 variety. The salt stress was given on 15th days after sowing and sampling was done after 10 days of treatment on the 25th, 35th, and 45th day respectively. Salt stress results in a steep decline in shoot length, biomass, chlorophyll contents a and b, and soluble protein contents with increased NaCl treatments on all sampling days. However, carotenoid contents, and compatible solutes including proline, Glycine-betaine, Amino acids and total soluble sugars contents were found to be upregulated under varying NaCl concentrations in V. radiata CO7 variety on all sampling days. Thus, increased carotenoid contents, and osmolytes, provide stress tolerance to V. radiata CO7 variety by maintaining the turgor pressure of cells and preventing further water loss under varying NaCl concentrations. Hence, this variety shows maximum surveillance at 75 mM and beyond this plant performance is restricted and further study is needed to access CO7 variety for a breeding program to enhance salt stress tolerance
Spatial and social dimensions of community extension approach in management of coconut red palm weevil
Full text linkCoconut red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier is a killer pest of coconut posing threat of crop loss to small and marginal farmers. The participatory area wide study was conducted since 2014-15 in Bharanikkavu grama panchayat in an area of 2100 hectares involving 6249 households with 174667 coconut palms of various age categories. The interventions included assessment of RPW infestation through combing survey involving stakeholder teams, extension interventions, area wide surveillance, removal of infested palms, adoption of bio management in associated pest rhinoceros beetle and leaf rot disease, weekly coconut clinics, advisory support, technology backstopping and area wide adoption of management practices. The implementation area was mapped with remote sensing and GIS and the reduction in RPW mapped comparatively in pre and post intervention period as a tool to assess the results. The infestation reduced to 0.38 from 2.98 per cent in the pre intervention period. Cheap and simple early detection tools and biological control measures are badly needed for the small scale growers community for managing red palm weevil.Community Extension Approach was evolved for marginal land holdings of coconut with threat of red palm weevil infestation. Sustaining the interest, motivation and support of relevant stakeholders is the challenge in area wide community management which warrants sequential surveillance assessment and participatory social mechanisms
Development and characterization of foam mat dried palmyrah fruit pulp powder
Full text linkThe Palmyra fruit is a good source of vitamin C, carotenoids, minerals, and sugars and the fruit pulp is used to treat skin problems, nausea, vomiting and improves digestion by relieving constipation. Study was conducted to optimize the process parameters for the production of palmyrah fruit pulp powder using foam-mat drying. Palmyrah fruit pulp was foamed by incorporating egg albumin (EA) (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %, w/w) and methyl cellulose (MC) (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 %, w/w) as foaming agents with different pulp concentrations (PC) (8, 10, 12, 14 and16 °Brix) and various whipping times (WT) (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min) using response surface methodology with CCRD design. From the results, the optimum conditions achieved after the numerical and graphical optimization for maximum foam expansion and stability were: EA (6.875 g/100 g pulp), MC (0.262 g/100 g pulp), PC (14° Brix), and WT (2 min). The drying time required for foamed palmyrah pulp was lower than non-foamed pulp. The quality attributes of palmyrah fruit pulp powder obtained from the pulp of 14°Brix added with 6.875 % egg albumin and methyl cellulose of 0.262% whipped for 2 min and dried with a foam thickness of 4 mm at a temperature of 60 °C was found to be optimum to produce the foam-mat dried powder
Standardization of micronutrient dosage to improve yield and quality of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) grown under coconut ecosystem in Tamil Nadu
Full text linkA study on standardization of micronutrient dosage to improve growth, yield and quality of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) was carried out at farmer’s field, Anaimalai, Pollachi, Coimbatore district to find out a suitable micronutrient combination for cocoa grown in coconut gardens as intercrop. The experiment was conducted with eight treatments and three replications laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Micro-nutrients used in this experiment were 0.5% ZnSO4, 0.3% FeSO4 and 0.1% Boraxin different combinations. Foliar spray was given thrice, first spray at the time of flowering and consecutive two sprays at 45 days interval to cocoa trees intercropped under coconut plantation. Observations on yield and quality parameters were recorded in cocoa. The pod characters namely pod length (22.2 cm) and pod girth (30.6 cm) were recorded maximum in the treatment combination(ZnSO4 (0.5%) + FeSO4 (0.3%) + Borax (0.1%)). The treatment (FeSO4 (0.3%)) registered maximum pod weight of 256.6 g. Treatments comprising of boron by itself and in combinations was found to improve the bean characters. The highest dry bean yield (2499.93g)per tree was recorded in (Borax (0.1%))
Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) intervention impact on use, misuse and challenges in malaria and lymphatic filariasis transmission
Full text linkTo assess the effectiveness and misuse status of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), intervention, a study was conducted in areas of malaria and lymphatic filariasis endemicity from November 2021 to August 2022. A preliminary survey preceded a cross-sectional survey of the misuse of LLINs. Considering the outcome of the former, 57 households misusing LLINs were reported. Thirty (30) cohorts each from LLIN misusing and LLIN non misusing households served as permanent cohorts for mosquito collections (60 rooms in 60 households in 3 sentinel villages). The study also investigated the status of LLIN usage and non usage. Mosquitoes caught with Aspirators and Pyrethrum Knockdown (PKD) techniques were identified using standard morphological keys. Among those who used LLIN, 68.42% used it for other purposes than vector control while 31.58% didn’t utilize it for mosquito control. About 59.65% didn’t know the effect of using it for purposes other than malaria/LF control while 40.35% were familiar. Of 8,180 endophilic mosquitoes caught and assessed for parity, infection/infectivity status, 60.07% (4,914/8,180) and 39.93% (3,266/8,180) represented LLIN misusing and LLIN non-misusing catches respectively. Overall, insignificantly higher catches were made in LLIN misusing cohorts than LLIN non misusing cohorts (63.54% versus 36.45%, 58.89% versus 41.11%, 58.86% versus 41.18%) for 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Specifically, malaria/LF vector densities showed that Anopheles gambiae s.l. (82.53% versus 74.04%) was the highest followed by An. funestus s.l. (10.15% versus 12.19%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (6.82% versus 3.83%) while other species were rarely present. The physiological, infection (0.28% versus 0.49%) and infectivity (0.00% versus 0.00%) statuses with Wuchereria bancrofti were insignificant between the cohorts (p>0.05). None of the Anopheles assessed for Plasmodium sporozoite were positive for both cohorts. The percentage level of LLIN household use was 43.33% while 41.03% slept under LLIN daily, 58.97% slept sometimes. Obstacles to LLIN use included hot/heat (56.86%), dislike (21.57%), lack of protection (11.86%) and ineffectiveness (9.80%). The role of significant misuse of LLIN was highlighted by the study. The results indicated the intensity of filariasis transmission by transmitting vectors was higher than that of malaria and re-emphasis the need to promote positive attitude towards the use of LLIN for control of the two diseases
Curcuma caesia Roxb. - Update of phytochemicals and pharmacological properties: Phytochemical properties of Curcuma caesia
No full textCurcuma caesia Roxb. commonly known as ‘black turmeric’ is an erect rhizomatous herb characterized by bluish‑black rhizomes and leaves with a deep red-violet midrib. It is a native of northeast and central India and also found in Java and Myanmar. The plant is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several metabolic disorders, leukoderma, leprosy, rheumatic complaints, bronchial disorders, menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal problems, neurological disorders, cancer and diabetes. The rhizomes contain 1.3-7.14% anthocyanins which determine its bluish black hue. 1,8-cineole, camphor, ar-turmerone, linalool, ocimene, ar-curcumene, zingiberol, curzerenone and tropolone were reported as the major components of rhizome oil from different geographical locations. The leaf oil is dominated by 1,8-cineole, camphor and borneol. Furanodienone and curzerenone were identified as the marker compounds for determining the quality of rhizomes. The present review is an update of its phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties
Evaluation of antioxidant potential of clove extracts: antioxidant potential of clove
No full textThe antioxidant activity of steam distilled clove extract and clove oleoresin was assessed using β-carotene–linoleic acid model system, and was found to be 85.51±0.19% and 77.88±0.15%, respectively. DPPH free radical-scavenging activity of steam distilled extract and oleoresin of clove were 88.93±0.23% and 80.84±0.36%, respectively. Eugenol content in steam distilled extract of clove (0.518±0.005mg/ml) was significantly higher than that of clove oleoresin (0.433±0.007mg/ml). Eugenol content was also affected by time period of refluxing. Highest recovery of steam distilled clove extract was obtained by refluxing with 90 % ethanol for 4 hr (0.763±0.007). The steam distilled clove extract was found to possess higher antioxidant activity than the oleoresin
Assessment of nutritional status with its associated factors in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Ambo Health Centers, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Full text linkNutritional status during pregnancy, maternal nutrition requires considerable attention; however, pregnant women’s nutritional knowledge and practices are less understood. The objective of this study was to assess nutritional knowledge and practices among pregnant women who attend antenatal care at Ambo and Awaro Health Center of Ambo Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The study was conducted from January to May of the year 2022, using a cross-sectional descriptive study on a sample of 284 pregnant women who attended antenatal care services in Awaro and Ambo health centers. Systematic sampling techniques were used to select pregnant mothers by using Health center registration lists. Socio-demographic and socio-economic data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) was measured by standard nonstretchable MUAC tape. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 20 for further analysis. The finding of associated factors that affect the nutritional status of mothers was the income level of the family has a strong statistical association with the nutritional status of mothers (p<0.001), occupational status of the respondent has a significant association with nutritional status (p<0.05) and also knowledge about the importance of food for growth and development of fetus of mother have significant association (p<0.05). Hence, the government in collaboration with concerned bodies should focus on nutritional education and information of pregnant mothers on maternal nutrition during pregnancy in the study area
Occurrence of guggulsterone content based chemotypes in Commiphora wightii
Full text linkCommiphora wightii is a critically endangered plant endemic in the arid and semi-arid regions of India. Oleogum is produced by the plant schizogenously. Upon making an incision, this gum exudes from the wound and solidifies in the arid environment. This solidfied gum-resin called ‘gum guggul or guggal’ is mentioned in Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha literature for the treatment of many ailments. The steroidal ketones, E- and Z- guggulsterone are believed to be the active principles responsible for the medicinal properties. These resin samples were collected from plants in a few regions of Rajasthan, India, for quantitation of guggulsterone content using HPLC. Based on the quantitation of the guggulsterone content, we were able to identify three chemotypes. The first and the most common chemotype showed relatively much higher Z-guggulsterone than E-guggulsterone, the second type showed the absence of E-guggulsterone, the third and rare type showed the presence of equal amounts E- and Z-guggulsterone