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Soil organic carbon stocks (SOCS) in different land uses of Western Ghats, Karnataka - A case study
Get PDFA novel approach for round the year propagation of Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees. & Eberm. through air layering
Get PDFAssessment of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used for livestock treatment in five selected Kebeles of Kersa District, Jimma Zone, South Western Ethiopia
Get PDFPlants have been a source of medicine in Ethiopia from time immemorial to treat different human and livestock ailments. The purpose of this study was to identify the medicinal plant species and associated indigenous knowledge in livestock treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess indigenous knowledge of local people on medicinal plants used for livestock treatment in five selected kebeles of kersa district from March to June 2014. A total of 40 traditional healers (33 male and 7 male) 7-9 from each study sites were selected purpouvely with the help of knowledgeable elders, local authorities and kebele leaders. Ethno botanical data regarding plant species, plant parts used, livestock disease treated, and method of preparation and route of administration were collected through structured interview and field observation. A total of 33 plant species distributed in 24 families were identified in the study area. The majority of the medicinal plants 63.63% were collected from the wild and 33.33% from home garden. The major growth habit of the medicinal plants identified in the study area were herbs 39.39%, followed by shrubs 33.33%.The most frequently harvested plant parts were leaves and roots with proportion of 57.7% and 21.21%, respectively followed by seeds (9.09%) and fruits (6.06%). Pounding and crushing were the most commonly used method of remedies preparation whereas the widely used method of administration is oral. The study reveals that the local people of the study area harvest medicinal plants used to treat livestock health problem from the wild habitat. Therefore, awaring the local people of the study area to conserve medicinal plants in their home garden is recommended
The effect of zinc fertilization and cow dung on sterility and quantitative traits of rice
Get PDFThe grain yield of rice is far below from its potential yield due low organic matter and micronutrients in the soil. Application of cow dung and zinc fertilizer increases grain yield and quality. A field experiment was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc fertilization and well decomposed cow dung on the spikelet sterility, yield, zinc concentration in grains and plants of aromatic rice (cv. Tulsimala). In this experiment,two levels of well decomposed cowdung (CD) of 0, 10 tha-1, and fourdoses of zinc fertilization viz. 0, 2.16, 4.32, 6.48 kg ha-1 of zinc were used followingeight treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with replication thrice. The data revealed that zinc fertilization remarkably increased the grain yield of Tulshimala by reducing the spikelet sterility percentages in both conditions of CD and the efficiency of zinc fertilization was superior in manuring (CD) condition to non-manuring condition. However, zinc fertilization at the rate of 4.32 kg ha-1 of zinc produced the maximum grainyields under manuring and non-manuring conditions. Zinc fertilization increased the concentration of Zn in the rice plants and grains without and with CD. The strong linear relationship between the grain yield and zinc concentration in the rice plants and grains was found with in this study. Zinc fertilization increased grain yield and quality by decreasing sterility percentage under CD. Hence, for increasing productivity towards food security in future generation, integrated use organic and inorganic fertilizers should be used. 
Effect of salinity on seed germination of some tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties
Get PDFSalinity adversely affects 20-30% of the irrigated area in the world. Tomato is sensitive to salinity. It is one of the most severe abiotic factors of many agricultural crops and it becoming the main problem in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different salinity levels on the seed germination parameters of tomato varieties. It was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The treatment included four tomato varieties (Sirinka, Weyno, ARP D2, and Roma VF) and five salinity levels (1 dS m-1, 2 dS m-1, 3 dS m-1, 4 dS m-1, and control). Fifty seeds were placed in a Petri dish over a moistened germination paper for germination and seedlings and allowed to grow for 14 days. The germination rate, speed and energy of tomato seeds were significantly (p < 0.001) affected by the combined effect of variety and salinity. The shortest mean germination time, the highest mean germination rate, and the highest speed of germination were recorded in the ARP D2 variety in the control treatment. The lowest first and last days of germination, and the uncertainty of germination were recorded from ARP D2. However, an increase in the days of germination and in the uncertainty of germination, and a decrease in the germination index and total germination percentage trends were observed with increasing salinity levels. The highest level of salinity (4 dS m-1) affected the germination of tomato varieties. Among the four tested tomato varieties, ARP D2 and Roma VF were tolerant to salinity
Effect of treated wastewater irrigation on plant growth and biochemical features of two wheat cultivars under elevated level of CO2 and UV-B radiation
Get PDFClimate change is a serious problem affecting worldwide agricultural production and encourages researchers to investigate plant responses and grow crops under changed growing conditions. In arid and semiarid regions, treated wastewater is a common alternative source of water for irrigation. The proposed study examined the impact of irrigation with treated wastewater and the effects on the growth of wheat crops of environmental stress factors, including UV radiation and carbon dioxide. The experiment was conducted in a transparent Open Top Chambers facility and the treatments were administered in the hot UAE climate for ninety days. In order to understand the physiological mechanisms of plant adaptation under the conditions given, physiological and biochemical characteristics such as anti-oxidant enzymes have been assessed. The results revealed that the elevated CO2 level increased the growth parameters, whereas when compared to control, the UVB treatment affected plant growth. In the seedling process, established under regulated development, the differential response of antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) activities were observed among intrinsic biochemical activity in the selected Wheat varieties. Our findings show that wheat varieties are suitable as industrial crops for the production of antioxidants under irrigation with treated wastewater because the quantity and quality of their yield have not been affected. This practice will contribute to a clean environment and the stress on freshwater will be reduced by its reuse
A review on the unexplored and underutilized Arenga species in India
Get PDFThe Genus Arenga which includes some of the magnificent palms of the world, their multipurpose utility and diversity is been reviewed to shed light on the wide potentialities of the different species. Of the 24 species reported only few of them has been recognized as candidates for domestication from the wild. Four species namely Arenga pinnata, A. obtusifolia, A. micranta and A. wightii have been reported from India. Their ecological aspects, utilization and conservation strategies of the tribal communities have been discussed. Seed biology of few species has been reviewed along with the available data generated through scientific studies. Although most of the members in this Genus have the potential to be explored commercially, they still fall into the underutilized category. The review is mainly intended to highlight the untapped resources from different species in this Genus which will promote more scientific studies and result in proper conservation and sustainable utilization of these valuable palms. 
Augmented reality marker-based technology for augmenting newspaper advertisement
Get PDFIn this research, we describe an augmented reality android-based idea in which we utilize augmented reality marker-based technology for augmenting newspaper advertisement with electronic information that does not modify the format of the newspaper document and remains exactly the same, substantially improves the utility of paper by reducing the portion of the printed Ad on the newspaper. An implementation on a camera phone is discussed that lets users retrieve data and access links from newspaper advertisements to electronic data. We carefully examined over twenty people of different ages and occupations who participated in the newspaper-based AR and we got a significant overall response. Further analysis implies that this may assist students in understanding the complex 3D objects, which they can manipulate, learn tasks and improve skills
Wood anatomical features of some Nigerian species of Acacia Mill and their suitability for paper making
Get PDFA comparative wood anatomical study of six species of the genus Acacia commonly found in Nigeria was carried out. Wood samples were collected from matured branches of plants in different locations in Mazah and Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Transverse, tangential and radial longitudinal sections as well as wood macerates were prepared and mounted unto microscopic slides using standard anatomical methods. All the species had diffused porous wood, heterogeneous rays, aseptate fibres and predominantly solitary vessels with simple perforation plate, few pore clusters and pore multiples. Banded paratracheal axial parenchyma was common in all taxa except in A. senegal which was predominantly paratracheal without bands. Multiseriate rays were common features in all taxa except in A. nilotica which had predominantly uniseriate rays. Quantitative wood anatomical characters such as fibre length, fibre diameter, fibre lumen diameter, fibre wall thickness, vessel length, vessel diameter, ray length, ray diameter and pore diameter were of taxonomic importance in the delimitation of the studied taxa. The Runkel ratio of A. senegal (0.99µm) compared favourably with some hardwood species in the Nigerian rainforest ecosystem hence this taxon could be exploited for pulp and paper in Nigeria
Design and Development of a Single-Axis Solar Tracking System
Get PDFWith solar tracking, it will become possible to generate more energy since the solar panel can maintain a perpendicular profile to the rays of the sun. Even though the initial cost of setting up the tracking system is considerably high, there are cheaper options that have been proposed over time. This research discuss the design and construction of a prototype for a solar tracking system that has a single axis of freedom. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are used for sunlight detection. The control circuit is based on an ATMega328P microcontroller. It was programmed to detect sunlight via the LDRs before actuating the servo to position the solar panel. The solar panel is positioned where it is able to receive maximum light. As compared to other motors, the servo motors are able to maintain their torque at high speed. They are also more efficient with efficiencies in the range of 80-90%. Servos can supply roughly twice their rated torque for short periods. Through tracking, there will be increased exposure of the panel to the sun, making it have increased power output. The trackers can either be dual or single axis trackers. As a single tracking system is cheaper, less complex, and still achieves the required efficiency, so it was used