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Alleviation of cold stress in vegetable crops
Get PDFLow temperature is a major environmental factor that limits crop productivity of plants. Cold stress is a serious threat to the sustainability of crop yields. Low temperature has a huge impact on the survival and geographical distribution of plants. It negatively affects cellular components and metabolism, and temperature extremes impose stresses of variable severity that depend on the intensity and duration of the stress. Low temperature (less than minimum) leads to chlorosis, necrosis, membrane damage, changes in cytoplasm viscosity, and changes in enzyme activities leading to death of plant. Cold stress disrupts the integrity of intracellular organelles, leading to the loss of compartmentalization. It also causes reduction and impairing of photosynthesis, protein assembly and general metabolic processes. Moreover, cold stress during anthesis induces flower dropping, sterility of pollen, pollen tube distortion, ovule abortion and reduced fruit set, which leads to declined growth and lower yield. A number of approaches are being used to mitigate the deleterious effects of cold stress which threatens the successful vegetable crop production, application of plant growth regulators (salicylic acid, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, Gibberellin and brassinosteroids) and unitization of genetics tools and plant breeding is one of the strategies to alleviate the low temperature stress in vegetable crops. Plant growth regulators play a greater role in improving the cold stress tolerance. In this paper, the effects of cold stress on vegetable growth, productivity and physiological activities were discussed, and some effective techniques for the mitigation of cold stress that help sustainable vegetable production under fluctuating climate is presented
Analysis of the challenges of small-scale farmers’ access to labor in North Central Nigeria
Get PDFThe study analyzed the challenges experienced by small-scale farmers’ in accessing human labour in North Central Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used for sample selection while questionnaires were used for data collection. A total of 1,750 farmers were randomly interviewed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way factorial analysis of variance and mean separation was done at 5% probability level. Result revealed small scale farmers perceived a lack of access to human labour for agricultural activities in the zone while mean separation showed Niger state has the highest access to labour while Abuja and Kwara states are the least state with access to labour. High cost of labour, lack of fund and scarcity of labour are the major challenges experienced by the farmers in accessing labour for agricultural production. Based on the findings, the research concluded that small scale farmers do not good access to labour while facing serious challenges which has resulted into increased cost of production for the small-scale farmers. The study recommends among others that combine hiring should be encouraged among farmers for the adoption of expensive labour saving technologies/ implements
Devastating impacts of flood disaster among rural households in Benue State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study was carried out to determine devastating impacts of flood disaster among rural households in Benue State, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 145 respondents used for the study. Data collected for the study were analyzed using mean score. Findings indicated that the major causes of flood disaster were poor level of public awareness campaign on flood hazard (x –=2.00), increased impermeability due to urbanization (x –=2.00), overflowing dams (x –=2.00), building on water ways and drainage channels (x –=2.00), flood plain being occupied by human settlement and economic activities (x –=1.41), blockage of flood path with sediment deposit (x –=1.31) and increase in rainfall (x –=1.30). Rendering of rural dwellers homeless (x –=2.47), fills homes with dirty water and refuse (x –=2.43), blockage of road networks (x –=2.42), disruption of economic activities (x –=2.40), destruction of farmlands (x –=2.40), increase in household food insecurity (x –=2.35), destruction of crops and livestock (x –=2.30), damages stored farm produce (x –=2.24) and loss of lives and property (x –=2.12) were effects of flood disaster on rural households. Based on the findings of the study, there arises the need for government at all levels and non-governmental organizations to intensify efforts in creation of awareness for people living in flood prone areas to relocate to a safer place in order to avoid loss of life and disruption of economic activities
Effect of phosphorus and potassium on the growth and yield of French bean
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to investigate the yield response of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by phosphorus and potassium management. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Phosphorus fertilizer (4 levels) viz. P1=15Kg P ha-1, P2=20 Kg P ha-1 and P3=25 Kg P ha-1 , P4=35 Kg P ha-1 and factor B: Potassium fertilizer (4 levels) viz. K1=0 Kg K ha-1, K2=20 Kg K ha-1, K3=30 Kg K ha-1 and K4=40 Kg K ha-1. The variety BARI Jharsheem-3 was used in this experiment as the test crop. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In case of phosphorus @ 25 kg ha-1 the highest number of pods plant-1 (4.96), pod length (13.34 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (4.54), weight of 1000-seed (431.21 g), seed yield (1.33 t ha-1), stover yield (1.53 t ha-1), biological yield (2.86 t ha-1) and harvest index 46.50% were found. In case of potassium @ 40 kg ha-1, he highest number of pods plant-1 (5.80), pod length (14.89 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (4.24), weight of 1000-seed (430.37 g), seed yield (1.53 t ha-1 ), stover yield (1.46 t ha-1 ), biological yield (2.99 t ha-1) and harvest index 51.17% were found. Interaction effect of phosphorus and potassium the highest number of pods plant-1 (5.18), pod length (13.40 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (4.30), weight of 1000-seed (430.53 g), seed yield (1.40 t ha-1 ), stover yield (1.60 t ha-1 ), biological yield (3.00 t ha-1 ) and harvest index 46.66% were recorded from P @ 25 kg ha-1 and K @ 40 kg ha-1. However, from the study it can be concluded that application of P @ 25 kg ha-1 and K @ 40 kg ha-1 was the most suitable combination for better yield of French bean
Macro and microscopic characters of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich leaf
Get PDFThe paper deals with a detailed investigation on the leaves of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich. which includes it’s morphological, anatomical and powder analysis. It is a low woody bushy under-shrub belonging to the family Capparaceae. The leaves are used in treatment of as fever, ear ache, stomach ache, skin infections, urinary calculii, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, rigidity in lower limbs, and abdominal colic. The leaf amphistomatic, with mostly anamocytic, few tetracytic stomata. In transverse section of leaf is ribbed on either sides at midvein, epidermis one layered. Mesophyll differentiated into palisade and spongy tissues. Ground tissue of midvein differentiated into palisade, collenchyma and parenchyma. The midvien consists of one large oval shaped vascular bundles arranged are at the centre. Petiole in transverse section is circular adaxially small, grooved at centre and epidermis is having one layered, a single circular vascular bundle present at the centre, vascular bundle is enclosed by endodermis. The powder microscopic and organoleptic characters are also presented in this study. This study would helps as an appropriate source for authentification of the present studied drug.  
Comparison of phytoplankton community structure in two tropical estuaries of East Coast of India
Get PDFPhytoplankton community of two tropical river estuaries of the North-east coast of India was different due to dissolved nutrients concentration in those estuarine waters. The first study site was the Saptamukhi river estuary which is located in the Indian Sundarban (inside mangrove forest) and the second study site was Mahanadi estuary located in Orissa coast (adjacent to industrial and coastal fishing zone). The Saptamukhi estuary was mostly devoid of any anthropogenic influence and here the nutrient source was auto-generated. In Mahanadi estuarine water, the source of the major nutrients was industrial effluent and fishing waste. The Saptamukhi estuarine water had less dissolved phosphorus concentration but huge dissolved nitrogen available for phytoplankton uptake. A sufficient amount of dissolved silicate encouraged the diatom growth over other phytoplankton groups here. Due to the availability of the high amount of dissolved phosphorus and the low amount of dissolved nitrogen in the Mahanadi estuary the phytoplankton community was a mixed population of Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Dinophyceae and seasonal Chlorophycean bloom observed during the study period. In both the estuarine water primary productivity was high but the community respiration was higher and the estuaries were heterotrophic. Monsoonal runoff from land considerably changed the community in both estuarine water. Dissolved silicate concentration in both the estuarine water was sufficient for Diatom growth. Dissolve inorganic nitrogen and dissolved inorganic phosphate ratio played a major role for the community change of phytoplankton in two estuarine waters
Antioxidant potentials of the extracts from 14 selected medicinal plants: Antioxidant capacity and importance
No full textMost of the medicinal plants possess interesting antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of some medicinal plants from Turkey, such as Anthemis tinctoria L. (Compositae), Inula britannica L. (Compositae), Malabaila secacul Banks & Sol (Apiaceae), Zosima absinthifolia (Vent) Link (Apiaceae), Thymus sipyleus Boiss. (Lamiaceae), Phlomis armeniaca Willd. (Lamiaceae), Sideritis galatica Bornm. (Lamiaceae), Sedum acre L. (Crassulaceae), Potentilla erecta Uspenski ex Ledeb. (Rosaceae), Digitalis lamarckii Ivan (Scrophulariaceae), Glaucium grandiflorum Boiss. & Huet var. grandiflorum (Papaveraceae), Fumaria asepala Boiss. (Papaveraceae), Centranthus longiflorus Stev. (Valerianaceae), Allium rotundum L. (Amaryllidaceae). The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the 14 species were screened by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion (SO) radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Potentilla erecta have the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50=0.014 and 0.03 mg/mL, respectively). The maximum inhibition of LPO has been exhibited by ethyl acetate extract of Glaucium grandiflorum var. grandiflorum (IC50=0.34 mg/mL) followed by methanol extracts of T. sipyleus (IC50=0.38 mg/mL). The methanol extract of A. rotundum demonstrated the highest SO activity (IC50=0.11 mg/mL). In conclusion, these extracts have a high potential for antioxidant activity may be considered to use free radical-related diseases
Efficacy of bioinoculants on biomass, nutritional status and yield of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.).
Get PDFIn the present investigation, different bioinoculants were analysed to test their efficacy as bio-fertilizer value for medicinal plant i.e. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.) under controlled conditions in a poly house. Bioinoculants including dominant Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungi (Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) and Phosphate solubilizing Bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) were taken in present experimentation. The independent roles of these bioinoculants or with different combinations were assessed on one month old saplings of C. citratus in pot conditions.The results showed that application of these bio-inoculants were very effective for growth responses, biomass, biochemical, yield parameters. A consortium of G. mosseae, A. laevis and P. fluorescens showed best results for plant height, root length and in increasing the biomass. Mycorrhization status was recovered highest in the consortium treatment. The biochemical and yield (biomass) parameters were also better with consortium. The findings of the present study are informative for herbalist, to use these efficient bioinoculants as bio-fertilizer for the better yield of C. citratus along with least adverse effects on microbial diversity and stability of soil as compared to commercially used inorganic fertilizer
Assessment of phytoremediation potential of Telfaira occidentalis in the removal of Cu, Cd, and Pb in contaminated soil along River Salanta
Get PDFA Field study was carried out to examine the phytoremediation potential of some plants metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) in contaminated soils along Sallanta river, Kano. A total of one hundred and eighty (100) samples comprising of 40 (soils), 20 (effluents), and 40 (plant parts) of T. 0ccidentalis were analyzed. 0.50g of the plant tissue and 1.0g of soil sample and 50mL of the effluent sample were digested using triacid digestion method and the levels of the metals were determined by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean levels of the metals in plants and soils from contaminated and control sites were found to be in the sequence of Cu (27.08±3.15)> Cd (24.57±8.25)>Pb (3.00±0.52) and Cu (10.10±2.50)> Cd (2.80±0.05)>Pb (2.00±0.63) respectively. The contamination factor (CF) of all the metals in the plants were found to be in the sequence of Cd (8.35±1.53)> Cu (2.52±1.20)>Pb (1.50±0.21). The results showed that these plants can be used for the phytoextraction of the metals from contaminated soils. The values of bioaccumulation and translocation factors were also found to be more than one in almost all cases. From these results it could be recommended that the three plants investigated would be ideal for phytoremediation in multi-metal contaminated soils
Trespassing a fusion of linguistic applications
Get PDFThis research paper aims to explore the cultural, political, and social realities of Pakistan in Uzma Aslam Khan’s novel Trespassing. The ethnic conflicts which engulfed Karachi in the 1990s in the aftermath of the Afghan War and Gulf War are also depicted. Mixed approach has been used as a tool in order to highlight different aspects of real life presented in the novel. These approaches are critical discourse analysis, punctuation as prosody of language, code mixing, and color semiotics. Code mixing in the novel gives a glaring picture of Pakistani culture and traditional values at the major level by the use of Urduised words. The application of critical discourse analysis in Trespassing reveals the political unrest, corruption, fantasy for America, individualism and ethnic conflicts which swamped the whole country. The prosody of punctuation illustrates the hidden meanings of the sentences more explicit thus making the societal issues more protuberant. The prosody is concerned with the semantic meaning rather than rhetorical meaning. Color semiotics of both eastern and western culture also objectified and presented a more comprehensive vision of the culture, ideas, and feelings in the novel. Trespassing is a book which is realistic and in all sense an essence of Pakistan and its people