Update Publishing (E-Journals)
Not a member yet
5528 research outputs found
Sort by
Germination of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seeds in Desert soil after fertilization with raw and digested animal manure
Get PDFAnimal manure has been approved as an appropriate soil fertilizer. However, the effect on seed germination, growth, and yield of crops still needs more evaluation across various agricultural ecosystems. A germination experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of raw and digested sheep and poultry manure on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seed germination in desert soil. Four sowing dates were evaluated in the experiment, i.e. directly, 10, 20, and 30 days after soil fertilization. The fertilizers were applied at rates corresponding to 50 and 100 kg Tot N ha-1. In addition, the response of germination to seed inoculation method was also assessed (Arabic gum as an adhesive solution and sawdust as a seed coating material). The germination was evaluated by determining seed germination time (SGT), time to reach maximum germination (TMG), germination index (GI), and final germination percentage (FGP). The results showed that sown seeds directly after fertilization with raw/digested sheep or poultry manure reduced and delayed seed germination. This was confirmed by all germination indices, long SGT, long TMG, low GI values, and a reduction in FGP. Moreover, when the seeds were sown 10 days after fertilization, all germination attributes were significantly (p<0.05) improved. Furthermore, the results revealed that the inoculation method used in the study had a positive effect on seed germination. To achieve better germination when using animal manure (raw or digested) as soil fertilizer, it is recommended to sow alfalfa seed 10 days after soil fertilization. Moreover, inoculating the seeds using Arabic gum as an adhesive solution and sawdust as a seed coating enhances germination in fertilized soil
Isolation and in vitro screening of Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylobacterium (PPFMs) isolates for the production of phytohormones and ACC deaminase activity from the tea plantations of South India
Get PDFPink Pigmented Facultative Methylobacterium (PPFMs) strains were considered as highly efficient growth-promoting bacteria and are ACC deaminase producers which mitigate the drought impact in crop plants. Hence, PPFM strains were isolated from phyllosphere of the tea plantations of south India. A total of 253 bacterial isolates were obtained by using Methanol-AMS medium adopting standard methods. Among the 253 isolates, 105 potential isolates were screened for the production of plant growth hormones viz., IAA, GA3, carotenoids, and 35 potential isolates for ACC deaminase activity. Among 35 isolates tested, 5 isolates viz., MBVPR19D.L23 (51.7 µg/mL), MBANML10H.L06 (45.1 µg/mL), MBVPR19D.L22 (42.0 µg/mL), MBANML10H.L11 (40.5 µg/mL) and MBVPR UPASI L. An H.L13 (40.0 µg/mL) were found to produce higher level of IAA, GA3, and Carotenoids. The highest activity of ACC deaminase was registered in the isolates of Central Travancore namely MBVPR19D.L22 and MBVPR19D.L23 along with one isolate MBKDMVG26H.L37 from Karnataka. The selected strains of MBVPR19 D.L22/23 were identified as Methylobacterium radiotolerans (OL440712) using 16s rRNA molecular technique. This is the first report of isolation of genus Methylobacterium from the acidic environment of tea ecosystem in South India. The present study also suggest that plant growth hormones and ACC deaminase enzyme activity of Methylobacterium species could play a critical role in mitigating the drought stress for a sustainable productivity in tea
Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for genetic variability, character association and path analysis: Genetic variability, character association and path analysis in saffron
No full textDifferent accessions of saffron were studied to analyze genetic diversity and heritable component of variation in yield and yield related traits. Dry pistil weight, fresh pistil weight, fresh flower weight corm-1 line-1, number of flowers corm-1 line-1, and big corm index, all had high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance. The traits included in the selection scheme, correlation among traits (floral and agronomic) are important as varieties must have high yield associated with exemplary quality parameters. At both phenotypic and genotypic levels, the association was found significant among the traits. Stigma length and fresh flower weight had strong direct effect with respect to dry pistil weight followed by number of flowers corm-1 line-1, fresh pistil weight and big corm index. Therefore, these parameters can be taken as criteria for selection
Gender relations in the livestock production in Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone
Get PDFGender relations are how a culture or society defines men’s and women’s rights, obligations, and identities. In rural agricultural contexts, gender dynamics play an integral role in determining who gets what with respect to livestock ownership, decision-making, and distribution of the associated profits. The study aims to assess gender relations in the management, ownership, and decision-making of small-holder livestock in the Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone. Data were collected from six different chiefdoms located within the Koinadugu district. A total of 267 farmers who raised animals participated in the study. Data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. A statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data. The study result shows that men mainly own cattle, goats, and sheep, while women own poultry. Men contributed more to the following tasks: vaccination, Harding, and selling live animals. At the same time, women participate largely in the following activities, such as cleaning gutters and shades, milking animals, processing, selling milk, and selling eggs. The results also show that men make decisions mainly about assigning tasks to family members, purchasing livestock, cultivating grain, and building animal shades. At the same time, the decision to breed animals and feed animals is greatly influenced by women. However, the decision about hiring labor, the treatment of animals, the purchase of feed and concentrate, the sale of live animals, and the size of the herd are influenced by both men and women. Therefore, it is vital to create and enact laws and policies that promote equal rights and opportunities for women so that rural women can contribute significantly to inclusive economic development and the long-term success of the Sierra Leonean livestock industry
Foliar epidermal studies in the family Sapindaceae Juss. in South Western Nigeria
Get PDFA comparative study of leaf epidermal features of selected species of the family Sapindaceae in Nigeria was undertaken with a view to obtain additional characters for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships, delimiting species and identification of the taxa. The epidermises were separated from the mesophyll by soaking in concentrated Nitric acid. Bubble appearance on the surfaces of the leaves indicated their readiness for separation. They were then rinsed in water thrice before the layers were separated with the aid of forceps and Camel hair brush, stained with Safranin O. It was then mounted in 25% glycerol on clean glass slides, covered with cover slips. The micro morphological characters of leaf were more or less uniform in all taxa in the family. The adaxial cuticle was striated in most species. The polygonal epidermal cells with straight anticlinal walls on the adaxial surface of Cardiosermum halicacabum separated it from the other species with irregular shaped epidermal cells. Undulated anticlinal walls were observed on both surfaces. The leaves were hypostomatic in most species except in C. halicacabum where amphistomaty was observed. Stomata types included anomocytic, tetracytic and staurocytic but the anomocytic stomata were the most predominant
Equity in HIV/AIDS management and prophylaxis: How free is the free ART program in India?
Get PDFThe concern for most public health policies and decision-makers is the equitable distribution of the nation’s healthcare resources. Also, in the public health care system, the primary aim is assuaging the burden of the disease. This study captures and evaluates some important health equity aspects with its relevance with the ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) program in India. The study is an exploratory and descriptive study based on secondary data. The sources of secondary data are published official reports from NACO (National AIDS Control Organization), United Nations AIDS Program (UNAIDS), World Health Organization (WHO) etc. The roll-out of the ART program in 2004 by the Govt. of India made a paradigm shift in the HIV/AIDS scenario in the country. “The adult HIV prevalence at the national level has continued its steady decline from an estimated level of 0.41% in 2001 through 0.35% in 2006 to 0.27% in 2011”. Equity in plain words means fairness. In the sense of health policy and HIV/AIDS studies, the reduction in prevalence rate equates to positive health equity. The enervation of HIV infection by taking ART drugs had helped in curbing the prevalence and the fact that it is provided free of cost has proven this program to be the epitome of distributive justice in public health
Myocardial infarction protective effect of xyloglucan on Drosophila melanogaster: A review
Get PDFMyocardial infarction, more often known as cardiac arrest, occurs when the supply of blood to the heart’s coronary artery decreases or ceases, causing damage to the heart muscle. Xyloglucan is a plant polysaccharide. Xyloglucan has been proven in several studies utilizing model organisms to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by avoiding post-occlusion phases inhibiting apoptosis and enhancing energy metabolism. Many studies utilize Drosophila melanogaster because its SRY-related HMG-box 5 (SOX5) gene encodes a SOX family transcription factor; the human SOX5 ortholog, Sox102F, is well conserved in Drosophila melanogaster. Suppressing Sox102F in flies resulted in significant heart dysfunction, structural defects, and a disturbance in notch signal transduction. This demonstrates that SOX5 serves an important functional part in the heart and that variations in SOX5 concentrations may contribute to the possibility of myocardial infarction. Xyloglucan activity is significant in myocardial infarction and may be lowered in the myocardium after H/R damage by stimulating Notch signaling, which may benefit myocardial survival, angiogenesis, and cardiac function. This review discusses the roles of the human SOX5 and Drosophila SOX102F genes, the notch signaling system, and how xyloglucan in tamarind seeds may defend against heart damage by preventing apoptosis along with improving energy metabolism
Response of two different Phoenix dactylifera cultivars to future climate conditions
Get PDFPlants are naturally exposed to various environmental stresses that affect their growth and development. As a desert plant, Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) has developed strategies to protect itself from most abiotic stresses. However, projected climate changes and the interaction between the various abiotic stressors will have profound effects on date palm adaptation and production In the present study, the two date palm cultivars, Sultana and Zamli cultivars were exposed to elevated levels of CO2 and enhanced UVB radiation and non-enzymatic antioxidants (total phenols, α-tocopherol, reduced glutathione content) and antioxidant enzyme activities (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase) activities were analysed. The results showed that the Sultana cultivar is tolerant to future climate conditions. However, more biotic stress and yield parameters are needed for the identification of biotic stress tolerant date palm cultivars
Potential of Impatiens walleriana Hook.f. as medicinal herb and otherwise - An update
Get PDFThe healing potential and usefulness of plants is known since historic times. Impatiens walleriana Hook.f. (Family - Balsaminaceae) is the most cultivated plant from the genus “Impatiens”. It is explored by floriculture and horticulture industries. It has culinary uses with the potential to be researched by the food industry. Many modern medicines are plant-derived and I. walleriana has the potential to be used as medicine as backed by ethnopharmacological data. I. walleriana finds a number of traditional/folk medicinal claims. All parts of the plant and in varied formulations are used traditionally to treat various ailments. The data reviewed shows its safety in uses and its nontoxic nature. Among the Impatiens species I. walleriana is the less researched one. Few studies pertaining to its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor activities are reported. Phytochemical constituents have been identified and reported by some researchers. Following a detailed study of published information and reported activities current review on the one hand summarizes the research work that has been carried out on the other hand gives food for thought for researchers to undertake more work in the direction of finding its usefulness using scientific methodologies and establishing the ethnic claims
Antioxidant and acetylcholine esterase inhibition activity of the extract from Centella asiatica obtained by Ultrasound pre-treatment followed by Microwave-assisted extraction method
Get PDFThe extraction of compounds from Centella asiatica a member of the family Apiaceae by adopting Ultrasound assisted Extraction (UAE), Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and Ultrasound pre-treatment followed by Microwave-assisted extraction were reported. The yield of the extract, phenol content, antioxidant activity and Acetylcholine esterase activity were found to be more in the extract obtained by Ultrasound pre-treatment followed by Microwave-assisted extraction method. The yield of the extract is more by 30.8% to the UAE and MAE methods. The phenol content is 1289 ± 0.57 μg GAE/mL which is 27% higher than the MAE method and 46% higher than the UAE method. HPLC analysis showed that the C. asiatica extract comprised of Madecassoside in major quantity followed by madecassic acid, asiatic acid and asiaticoside. In the antioxidant activity by DPPH assay and AChE inhibitory effect the IC50, value for C. asiatica extract obtained by UAE pre-treated and followed by MAE method is 38.24 μg mL−1 and 26.7±0.49 mg/mL respectively which are substantially higher than the other two methods. So, Ultrasound pre-treatment followed by Microwave-assisted extraction method is found to be a preferable method to get the desired compounds from C. asiatica