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Effect of irrigation levels, crop geometry and mulching on yield, economics and water use efficiency of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) grown under drip system in Western Rajasthan, India: Effect of agronomic parameters on WUE of fennel
No full textA study was carried out at Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, during the rabi seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 to investigate the effects of irrigation levels, crop geometry, and mulch on yield parameters, yield, economics, and water use efficiency of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Findings showed that the irrigation level of 0.8 ETc considerably increased the yield parameters of fennel, including seed (1684 kg ha-1) and stover yield (3110 kg ha-1), net return (103149 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.58). At 0.6 ETc, a maximum water use efficiency of 5.48 kg ha-1 mm-1 was observed. 40 cm x 60 cm paired row planting produced significantly superior yield parameters, seed yield, and water use efficiency. Results further revealed that the application of plastic mulch considerably improved yield parameters, yield, net return, and benefit: cost ratio as compared to no mulch treatment. However, test weight and harvest index were not influenced by plastic mulch. Thus, in arid and semi-arid parts of Rajasthan, integrated use of drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc and plastic mulch under paired row sowing of 40 cm x 60 cm proved more viable for ensuring higher productivity of rabi fennel
Phytochemical analysis of root extracts of Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume from the Eastern Ghats of India
Get PDFRhynchostylis retusa (Orchidaceae) is an important ethnomedicinal herb in Indian systems of medicine. Tribal healers commonly employ the roots of this epiphytic orchid to treat various ailments. In the present study, the shade-dried root powder of R. retusa was subjected to cold extraction with four solvents, such as n-hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The crude root extracts were then taken for qualitative phytochemical screening. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate and methanol root extracts was carried out. The methanol root extract of R. retusa showed a positive result for all the phytochemicals tested except for saponins. GC-MS analysis of R. retusa methanol root extract revealed the presence of 16 phytoconstituents. Major phytoconstituents such as 9-Hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester, [Z] Heptadecanoic acid, 16-methyl-, methyl ester, Ethanone,1-[4-(4-morpholyl benzylidene amino)phenyl]-, are recorded in the methanol root extract. In the present study, both methanol and ethyl acetate root extracts showed the presence of9-Hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester, [Z] as the major phytocompound. The phytocompounds identified in methanol and ethyl acetate root extracts exhibit various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Based on the findings of the current study, it can be inferred that the roots of R. retusa contain diverse bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Further investigation of these R. retusa root extracts holds the potential for the discovery and development of innovative pharmaceuticals
Evaluation of the inhalation of lavender oil on physiological and psychological effects: A pilot study
Get PDFStress has a proven negative impact on health. Recently, researchers have been interested in finding natural based solutions that can assist in managing stress levels. Essential oils (EOs) are natural phytochemicals that are powerful in their health care benefits. Lavender EO is popular in its role of relieving stress. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the relaxation effect of inhaling lavender essential oil on the physiological and psychological parameters using smart technology. The study was conducted on university students, in which a homogenous group of healthy students were selected to participate in this study. The students were exposed to olfactory stimulation, which involves spraying the air “as a control” and the lavender essential oil using an air diffuser. The physiological measurements were taken by smart tools that measure the heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and oxygen level (OL). Conventional medical instruments were used to measure the heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP). The psychological measurements were recorded by surveying the participants using the online web application tool “Google Forms” by answering mood state questionnaires, which took place after the experimental and control conditions. Results showed that aromatherapy inhaling lavender EO has a significant effect on the overall measured physiological parameters (reduction in the HR and BP, and increase in the HRV), and enhancement on the overall psychological parameters; thus minimizing the overall stress levels among the university students
Determinants of R & R programme Participation among Coconut Producers in Tamil Nadu: A Heckman Two Stage Selection Approach
Get PDFThe purpose of the study is to investigate the variables that affect coconut farmers' participation in Tamil Nadu's Replanting and Rejuvenation (R & R) scheme. Utilising a multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 120 coconut farmers were surveyed as respondents. Heckman's two-stage model was used with Probit model included in the first stage, and OLS was used to analyse the income regression in the second stage. Results reveal that age of farmer, education, farming experience, awareness of R&R programme, age of coconut tree, high incidence of pest and diseases, availability of irrigation facilities, and availability of credit for purchasing farm inputs are the most important determining factors for participation. These findings suggest that the R&R program requires to be implemented on a large scale with the aid of Coconut Development Board. This program should focus on removing old, senile, unproductive, and disease-advanced palm trees, replanting them with quality seedlings at subsidized prices, and revitalizing existing gardens through an integrated set of practices
A study on the social status of indigenous women in Rangpur, Bangladesh
Get PDFOur society has not been able to break free from the subcontinent’s conservative patriarchy. There is a tendency to oppress women in society. For indigenous women, the situation is worse considering ethnicity, gender, religion, identity, and class. However, indigenous women in Bangladesh face numerous crises due to existing political, economic, and cultural barriers and inequalities. This study explored indigenous women’s social status in Bangladesh’s Rangpur region. This research followed the qualitative method to gather data in the field through FGD (Focus Group Discussions) and KID (Key Informant Interviews). The study’s findings show that lack of education, child marriage, prejudice, occupational oppression, insecurity, male superiority, the culture of forcing their decisions on women, and a lack of property rights are the most significant barriers to indigenous women’s growth in the Rangpur region. Furthermore, owing to the lack of adequate access to electricity, the internet, newspapers, and television in this region, they are deprived of the free flow of the media. As a result, women are unaware of various matters, such as government-allocated facilities, budget allocation, initiatives, work plans, and policies, making their challenges more visible. In the face of such multi-faceted problems in indigenous communities, the services and benefits of the government of Bangladesh, BRAC, Grameen Bank, CCDB, and World Vision are inadequate or absent in some areas; several NGOs, such as RDRS and Caritas, are just beginning. On the other hand, NGOs are more interested in microcredit practices than in developmental activities. The findings further show that the thinking and lifestyle of indigenous women of Rangpur region are improving through modernization. Many women from indigenous communities are now working as physicians, police officers, and teachers, while many are studying at colleges and universities
Cereal yield forecasting in semi-arid region of Algeria using MODIS-NDVI
Get PDFThe prediction of cereals yields today is very important for global food security and helps decision-makers in the import-export operations of countries, especially with the rise world population. The advent of remote sensing technologies in precision farming systems has made cereal yield predictions possible, providing valuable insights into the temporal and spatial variations in cereal conditions across both large and small-scale crop lands. Among the various vegetation indices used to analyze these conditions, the normalized difference of vegetation index (NDVI) has emerged as a key indicator. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using MODIS-NDVI data to forecast the yield of cereal crops (wheat and barley) in semi-arid region of Algeria (Setif). Additionally, identify the optimal timing for reliable and accurate crop yield forecasts. The remote sensing data utilized in this study covered the growing seasons from February to June, from 2002 to 2022. The results indicated a strong correlation between cereal grain yield and NDVI from late February to mid-March, with R² values ranging from 0.55 to 0.82 for the two cereal species. The RMSE of the NDVI based prediction model ranged from 0.01 t ha-1 to 0.276 t ha-1. The approximate average increase in the grain yield of barley and wheat lies between 0.659 to 0.746 t ha-1 with an increase of 0.1 in NDVI value. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of using MODIS-NDVI data for cereal yield forecasting in semi-arid region of Algeria, offering valuable predictions two to three months before the harvest
Effects of light-emitting diodes on the morphology and accumulation of glucosinolates, carotenoids and phenolic acids in red kale sprouts
Get PDFKale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) has gained popularity as a nutritious and phytochemical-rich vegetable. This study has investigated the effects of three LED treatments (white, blue, and red) on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in kale sprouts. Ten DAS, the kale sprouts were harvested, and growth measurements were measured. Furthermore, selected sprouts were stored at -80 °C for further biochemical analysis, namely, phenolic acids, glucosinolates, and carotenoids. Sprouts irradiated with red LED light showed the best SL, RT, and FW values. For total GSLs, we found that kale sprouts irradiated with white LED lights showed the best results (41.59±0.41 μmol/g DW). Among the aliphatic GSLs, we found that progoitrin presented the best results under blue LED light (17.93±0.49 µmol/g DW), and among the indolic GSLs, glucobrassicin showed the best results under white and red LED light. The highest concentration of total carotenoids was found in kale sprouts under white LED light exposure (3341.27±206.96 μg/g DW). Individually, β-carotene was observed in high concentration under white LED light (1935.13±87.21 μg/g DW). Among the PAs, chlorogenic acid was found in the highest concentration in the treatments under white LED light (45.78±0.73 µg/g DW). In general, kale sprouts irradiated with white LED light showed high contents of GSLs, carotenoids, and PAs. Regarding morphological characteristics, kale sprouts under red LED light showed the most promise. This research offers a valuable approach to enhancing the phytochemicals found in kale sprouting
Engineered nanomaterials in plant protection: their controlled, site-directed delivery and phytotoxicity
Get PDFEngineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are being produced and utilized in certain nanoformulations almost in every sector of development including agriculture. The diverse groups of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) provide numerous benefits in agriculture, but their bulk and direct delivery pose a serious risk to the plants and ecosystem for a long time. The harmful effects on all the exposed living systems are owing to the variable shape, size, behaviour and toxic properties of ENPs. The accumulated ENMs in plant tissue may lead to biomagnification at a higher trophic level causing severe toxicity. The hazardous effects of these entities can be minimized with their controlled, specified and targeted delivery to the crop plants. Such smart-delivery systems as Ehrlich’s ‘magic bullets’ are being demonstrated for nutrients and growth enhancers, fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides; as well as biomolecules in plant genetic engineering. This review summarizes the benefits of ENMs and ENPs in plant protection to increase crop productivity, their targeted delivery suggesting sustainable utilization, and the available information on phytotoxicity
Discovery of a nuclear haplotype potentially useful for the identification of medicinal rice Njavara (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFThe present study report the development of an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-derived sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker for reliable identification of Njavara (Oryza sativa landrace Njavara), a rice landrace in India used extensively in health foods and Ayurveda treatments. The SCAR locus, named OsNSCAR131 after O. sativa landrace Njavara, is located on chromosome 3 between nucleotide positions 7793982 and 7794108, and yields a 131-bp allele in Njavara accessions and a 127-bp allele in other rice cultivars due to a 4-bp Insertion-Deletion (InDel) mutation at nucleotide position 7794026. We standardized the SCAR assay to be like those used for detecting microsatellite markers by using fluorescently (6-FAM) labeled primers and separating the alleles by capillary electrophoresis. As an alternative, we further adapted the method so as to allow allele detection by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). A single rice grain can be tested for authentication by this PAGE assay. The SCAR marker developed here has great utility in authenticating Njavara grains in both the health food and pharmaceutical sectors
Graph theoretical analysis, pharmacoinformatics and molecular docking investigation of Chalcone-Schiff base hybrids as Cyclin-Dependent kinase inhibitors
Get PDFOne of the promising classes of compounds in medicinal chemistry and drug design is those with azomethine linkages. The Chalcone-Schiff base hybrids contain this linkage and some heteroatoms, which are versatile molecules, play a vital role in drug discovery and development with enormous therapeutic applications. In this view, the present work deals with the investigation of the in silico biological potential of the Chalcone-Schiff base hybrids based on the network pharmacology approach. From the results obtained from network pharmacology, the Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) isoforms were identified as the potential targets and the CDK inhibitory activity of the compounds was investigated using molecular docking studies. The in silico pharmacokinetic, metabolic and theoretical studies at DFT level were performed. Molecular docking studies revealed that the compounds have better CDK inhibitory potential with better binding affinity and interaction profile. Among the tested compounds, (Z)-2-((4,6-diphenyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-2-yl)imino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one was found to be the most active compound than the standards, palbociclib and dinaciclib against the CDK isoforms (CDK1, CDK2 and CDK4) with the binding energies of -9.9, -10.3 and -10 Kcal/Mol, respectively. Also, this compound exhibited better pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties along with better solubility. The theoretical studies at the DFT level also indicate that the compound has better metabolic stability and the electron transfer from HOMO to LUMO was observed. Thus, the tested Chalcone-Schiff base hybrids can be used effectively for the inhibition of CDK isoforms