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Unveiling black pepper diversity: A morphological characterization of genotypes in Sylhet, Bangladesh: Black pepper diversity in Sylhet, Bangladesh
No full textBlack pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is a valuable spice and despite having suitable climatic conditions, Bangladesh relies on imports to meet the demand. There is some homestead production of black pepper, but information available on the genotypes grown in Bangladesh is scanty. Here, we characterized black pepper genotypes in the Sylhet region for potential domestic production. Healthy, disease-free cuttings of eleven genotypes (G-1 to G-11) were collected and grown in a nursery condition for characterization. Diverse traits were observed for lamina shape (ovate, ovate-lanceolate, ovate-elliptic, and cordate), leaf tip (acute, accuminate, and caudate), leaf base (cordate and rounded), shoot tip color (green, light green, yellowish-green, purple, and dark purple), and leaf margin (wavy and even). Quantitative parameters revealed substantial variation in leaf length (6.8 to 11.24 cm), leaf width (3.66 to 6.24 cm), leaf area (26.8 to 66.6 cm2), petiole length (2.3 to 5.0 cm), internode length (1.93 to 6.2 cm), and leaf dry matter content (19.6 to 30.4%). Notably, G-8 exhibited superior values for leaf dimensions, area, petiole and internode lengths, along with relatively higher leaf dry matter content (23.9%). This study provides a baseline for selecting and breeding high-yielding black pepper varieties in Bangladesh, potentially boosting domestic production
Documentation of spices and condiments as medicines by Reang community of Tripura: Use of spices as medicine by Reang community, Tripura
No full textA total of 36 species of spices and condiments belonging to 30 genera and 19 families were reported to be used for medicinal purposes by the Reang community. Leaves were the most commonly used part followed by whole plant, rhizomes, fruits, young shoots, barks, flowers and stems. Zingiberaceae was the most dominant family followed by Apiaceae, Fabaceae and Araceae. There were 24 herbs, 7 trees, 5 shrubs, and 1 climber species. The Informant Consensus Factor was maximum (0.75) for medicinal uses of spices for treating gastric problems and ulcer and minimum (0) for liver disease. The highest fidelity levels were observed in Curcuma longa L. (100%) to treat wounds and gynecological problems and lowest in Amaranthus spinosus L. (28%) for snake bite. The present study reveals that Reang community uses the plants not only as spices and condiments but also as herbal medicines for treatment of various ailments
Influence of diurnal harvesting times on essential oil yield and chemical composition of lemongrass, palmarosa and tulsi: Influence of harvesting times on essential oil in aromatic crops
No full textEssential oil yield and chemical composition of most of the aromatic crops are affected by environmental, agrochemical and genetic factors. One of such factors are Harvesting Time (HT’s), optimizing which may result in higher essential oil production with better quality. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of HT’s on three different aromatic crops [lemongrass, palmarosa and Ocimum sanctum (CIM-Ayu)] at different diurnal times (9.00 A.M 12.00 P.M and 3.00 P.M) in a day and the same was repeated thrice on alternate days from in the same fields. The results indicated that HT at 3.00 PM had higher essential oil content in all the three aromatic crops. But, the influence of HT on the quality of essential oil was specific to the different crops studied in this report. The quality of essential oil obtained from lemongrass harvested at 12.00 PM was found to be better as it showed more percentage of citral whereas the essential oils obtained from palmarosa and O. sanctum harvested at 3.00 PM were better as they showed more percentage of geraniol and eugenol respectively. This research not only refines essential oil production strategies but also underscores the crop-specific impact of harvesting times. The meticulous temporal analysis, coupled with statistical validation, contributes novel insights, providing practical benefits for industries reliant on these aromatic crops
An investigative study of anxiety, depression and sleep quality in college students after the COVID-19 pandemic - the moderating effect of physical activity
Get PDFTo explore the current situation of anxiety, depression and sleep quality among college students after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the moderating effect of physical activity on negative emotions, and to provide a theoretical basis for colleges and universities to formulate corresponding interventions. An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out by convenience sampling method on 801 college students from China through the General Information Questionnaire (GIQ), Anxiety Self-Rating Scale (ASRS), Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PQIS), and Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS). Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 software and Pearson correlation was used to explore the correlations between variables. The scores of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and physical activity level of the 801 college students included in the study after the Covid-19 pandemic were 37.15, 40.93, 2.9, and 14.44, respectively; and the detection rates of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and sleep disorders were 41.09%, 42.89%, and 30.82%, respectively. The detection rate of negative emotions was significantly higher in females than in males, and the senior group was significantly higher than the junior group in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms. The amount of physical activity of college students was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety (r=-0.691, P<0.001), depression (r=-0.767, P<0.001), and sleep quality (r=-0.814, P<0.001); anxiety was positively correlated with depression (r=0.622, P<0.001) and sleep quality (r=0.598, P<0.05); and positive correlation between depression and sleep quality (r=0.512, P<0.05). After the Covid-19 pandemic, college students showed different degrees of anxiety, depression and sleep disorders, the appropriate frequency of exercise can effectively improve the negative emotions of college students, and colleges and universities should pay attention to guiding the students and give them enough care and support to improve their mental health status
Potential of silk proteins in cosmetics
Get PDFSynthetic and inorganic chemical ingredients in cosmetic products pose serious health impacts on skin and hair. Much emphasis has been laid on the development of cost-effective, eco-friendly and user-friendly cosmetic products from time to time. Manufacturing cosmetics using natural ingredients is considered as a viable alternative to overcome the side effects of synthetics. Silk is a natural biopolymer obtained from cocoons of sericigenous insects like silkworms. It constitutes two proteins, viz., fibroin and sericin. Fibroin is the central core protein glued with sericin protein forming silken cocoons together. Both the proteins possess remarkable attributes viz, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-tyrosinase activity, efficient UV resistance, kinase activity, excellent release and absorption of moisture. The silk protein attributes are advantageous for body skin, hair and nails. It possesses a wide range of cosmetic applications such as facilitation of hair growth, improvement in softening and lustre of hair, rejuvenation of body and skin cells, UVB protection, prevention of chapping and brittleness of nails, and skin brightening. Due to its low molecular weight, easily penetrates the hair strands and skin cells, binds the keratin in hair and forms a protective layer to prevent moisture loss. A wide range of products have been developed for use in cosmetics viz., SILKPRO, SILKALL, SILKPRO 1000. These products are used as natural ingredients due to their potent applications in cosmetics. The cosmetic industry can be developed by proper utilization of silk in its organic products while promoting value addition to sericulture industry
Phytochemical characterization of sub-fractions of Thevetia peruviana, Azadirachta indica and their antifungal efficacy on Pythium myriotylum, the causal agent of cocoyam root rot disease (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott)
Get PDFPythium myriotylum is a telluric Oomycete, the causal agent of cocoyam root rot disease. In Cameroon, it can cause crop losses of up to 100% without sanitary measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of bioactive compounds from Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander) and Azadirachta indica (neem) sub-fractions obtained by GC/MS against P. myriotylum. The antifungal activities of crude extracts (2%; 1%; 0.5% (m/v)) of T. peruviana and A. indica (2% and 0.5% (m/v)) in water, methanol and acetone were evaluated. The sub-fractions resulting from the roughing of the most active fractions by VLC (Vacum Liquid column) were characterized by GC/MS and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined, as well as their mode of action on P. myriotylum. The results obtained show that GC/MS analysis identified many compounds with antifungal activities such as Oxime-, methoxy-phenyl, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, (E,E); 7-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester; 9-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E); Methyl stearate, Phenol, 2,2’-methylenebis[6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl. All fractions derived from crude extracts significantly reduced the growth of P. myriotylum compared with the negative control, with the highest inhibition rates obtained with the aqueous ethyl acetate phase fractions (87.77% and 100% for T. peruviana and A. indica, respectively). The most active sub-fractions F1 of VLC2 and F4 of VLC1 inhibited the pathogen’s protein synthesis. The lowest MICs were obtained with sub-fractions F1 of A. indica and F4 of T. peruviana (0.166% and 0.0837%). T. peruviana and A. indica can be considered as potential substitutes for chemical control
Medicinal forage and herbal diets: a new approach to sustainable farming
Get PDFMedicinal and aromatic plants have long been used in traditional medicine, for preparing food or feeding livestock as well as during religious ceremonies and to manufacture cosmetics. The concept of “medicinal forage” refers to plants that provide both nutrition and medicinal benefits to animals, forage crops containing active compounds or secondary metabolites, as well as the method of intercropping medicinal plants with forage crops. Aromatic plants, herbs and their derivatives such as essential oils have been studied in the literature for their potential application to replace antibiotics in ruminant diets. In the research world, scientists are examining natural plant compounds like tannins, saponins and essential oils which could become part of alternative applications for antibiotics. Herbal diets can reduce, and sometimes negate the disease incidence in animals; increase reproductive health of livestock and sustainable weight gain. The economic benefits are typically decreased veterinary expenses, higher profits because of a lower cost to production ratio and the premium consumers will pay for organic products. The inclusion of medicinal forage and herbs in the diet can be used as a tool to increase animal welfare and productivity but also brings agriculture towards sustainability through animals raised organically by associating different species
Antiviral activity of red fluorescent proteins in silkworm, Bombyx mori L.
Get PDFSilkworm is an important economic insect in the textile industry for the production of silk. During its larval period, it suffers from various types of diseases viz., fungal, viral, bacterial and protozoan which hamper its growth and development and negatively impact the raw silk production. To fight these pathogens, different types of proteins have been found in the silkworm larva. Among these proteins, red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) possess antiviral activity, found in the digestive juice of the midgut of silkworm larvae. These RFPs are found to be more effective against Bombyx mori L. nucleopolyhedrosis virus (BmNPV), which is the causal agent of the most dreadful disease known as Grasserie. The RFP is synthesised in the presence of light after silkworms are fed on fresh mulberry leaves having absorbance peaks (280 and 605 nm) wave length
Evaluation of genotype by environmental interaction and stability of early maturing fodder oat genotypes in highland of Bale, Oromia, Ethiopia
Get PDFSelection of stable genotypes that interact less with the varying environment in which they are to be grown is required. The major objectives of the present study were to (i) assess the stability and yield performance of advanced Early maturing fodder Oat accessions evaluated in multiple environments, and (ii) identify stable high biomass yielding candidate cultivar(s) for possible release. A total of 19 fodders Oat accessions were evaluated against Dumant-2007 across four locations from 2022 to 2023 main cropping seasons. Randomized complete block designs (RCBD) with three replications were used. The AMMI analysis of variance for forage dry matter yield revealed highly significant (P<0.05) differences for days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, leaf to steam ratio, seed yield, thousand seed weight and dry matter yield. The findings revealed that the highest forage dry matter yield was recorded for genotype 5448 (21.6 t/ha) and genotype 5447(21.5 t/ha) respectively. The higher leaf to steam ratio was recorded from both genotype 5447 and genotype 5448. Numerically the higher seed yield was obtained from 5447 (32.6 qt/ha), whereas the lowest seed yield was produced from genotype 5460 (21.2 qt/ha). The analysis of chemical compositions showed significant (p<0.05) differences for CP parameters among tested genotypes. The highest (12.290%) CP content was recorded from genotype 5448 followed by genotype 5447 (11.963%) whereas the lowest (9.41%) CP was recorded from 5449. The analysis of variance for AMMI also revealed significant variation for genotypes, environment and genotypes by environment interaction. The sum of squares for the first two IPCAs cumulatively contributed to 90.2% of the total GEI. Generally the mean performance, yield and stability of genotype 5448 and genotype 5447 were high and stable across the tested locations. Therefore, genotypes genotype 5448 and genotype 5447 were recommended to be promoted to a variety verification trial for further evaluation and possible release
The effect of balanced N, P, K, Ca, Mg fertilizer on soil and leaf nutrient and its correlation with growth and corn yield (Zea mays L.)
Get PDFFertilization in agricultural cultivation is important in increasing the supply of necessary nutrients for plants to achieve high yield and quality. This study aims to examine the balance of N,P,K,Ca, and Mg against nutrients in soil and plants and its correlation with the growth and yield of corn. There were 9 treatments of N, P, K, Ca, Mg fertilizer balance used, namely: control (A) and 1: 1: 1: 0: 0 (B); 0.25: 0.25: 0.25: 1: 1 (C); 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 1: 1 (D); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 1: 1 (E); 1: 1:1: 1: 1 (F); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.25: 0.25 (G); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.5: 0.5 (H); 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.75: 0.75 (I). Parameters observed included nutrients N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in soil and leaf, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, cob weight with and without husks, and cob length and diameter. The results showed that nutrient balance significantly affected nutrient levels in soil and leaf, plant growth, and yield of corn. N, P, K, Ca, Mg Fertilizer application with ratio 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 1: 1 (D) increased soil N 100%, P 40%, K 108.33%, Ca 28.08%, Mg 30.17% higher than the control and plant leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg about 101.60%, 12.50%, 10.13%, 50.98%, 101.41% respectively, thus providing higher growth and yield. There was a significant correlation between plant height with leaf N and K, stem diameter correlated with leaf Ca, and number of leaves correlated with Mg in corn leaf. Meanwhile, yield correlated with P