Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Pharmacognostic study of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. plant used for medicinal food by Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Get PDFClerodendrum colebrookianum Walp.is used as a medicinal food plant among tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The shoot of the herb is used as vegetable as well as a medicine to control high blood pressure. This herb is one of the widely used and well-known medicinal food plants in North East India. The present study was carried out to discourse the Pharmacognostic characters of the Clerodendrum colebrookianum shoot. The anatomical discourse revealed up the main vascular bundle and lateral vascular bundle with well developed central pith, secondary xylem, and conspicuous endodermis with the outer surface covered by numerous multicellular trichomes. The fluorescence study of powder shows dull green to brownish in daylight and ash colour to dark brown under UV light. The plant sample contains total ash of 11.15%, the acid in-soluble ash is 1.7% and water-soluble ash is 8%. Methanol gave the highest extractive value with 12.56% while petroleum ether gave the lowest extract of 1.40%. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponin, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, fixed oils and fats were found positive but volatile oil was not recorded in all six different solvents used in the phytochemical screening. The present study characterises the diagnostic Pharmacognosy features of C. Colebrookianum, and would give useful data to differentiate the authentic drug sample from the adulterated sample
Population dynamics of an invasive species Carassius auratus in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq
Get PDFThe population dynamics of the crucian carp, Carassius auratus in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq was studied from November 2015 to October 2016 with monthly samples collected by different fishing gears. The FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FiSAT II) software was used for the mathematical analysis. Length-weight relationship was calculated as W= 0.0149L3.065 for fish length 4.6 to 26.8 cm. Growth parameters L∞, K and Ø were computed as 29.1 cm, 0.51 and 2.635. The total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 2.69, 1.09 and 1.60, respectively. Exploitation rate (E) was 0.59. Length at first capture (Lc) was found to be 10.04 cm. C. auratus displayed one main pulse of annual recruitment. The relative yield per recruit analysis revealed that the exploitation rate (E) of C. auratus was higher than the biological target reference points E0.1 and equivalent to Emax. It could be concluded that the C. auratus stock in the Shatt Al-Arab River is operating nearby the exploited situation and needs some precautionary measures to avoid the overexploitation by activating the national law of fishing, exploiting and protecting aquatic resources, in particular preventing illegal fishing methods and follow up the execution of the closed season to prevent the decline of our fish resources
Qualitative detection of different enzymes from the gut and salivary glands of Nezara viridula Linn. using the chemical inference
Get PDFGlobally the crop insect pests damage the 30% of agriculture production due to insect spoil, and the situation is very awful in particularly developing countries such as India. There are large number of insect pest families are well known which induce the critical destroy to agriculture crops. Crop insect pest’s harm is one of the significant features that ruin the agriculture crop productivity, although the large-scale utilization of chemical pesticides. The successfulness of the pesticides depends upon the interaction of chemicals with the physiology of the insect of the pests. In India, the Nezara viridula Linn, is one of the critical insects because of its destructive feeding on major crop which is the utmost source of economic deprivation in agriculture. The enzymes present in the gut and salivary glands of the N. Viridula play key role in the feeding behaviour. Presently very little is investigated about the gut and salivary glands of the N. Viridula at minute level. We first time investigated the different enzymes existing in the gut and salivary gland using the chemical inference. This research work is carried out to analysis the enzymes for digestive and feeding behaviour of N. Viridula which will assist the biologists to manage the challenges are created by their resistance to the traditional chemical insecticides used for prevention of N. Viridula (a type of southern green stink bug) inhabitants and high reproductive amplitude. The extensive statistics of invertase enzymes, maltase, alpha galactosidase, amylase, esterase, proteinase and polypeptidase enzymes for the N. Viridula in salivary glands and gut inspired by this research imparts supplementary resource for further understanding of the biology of this Pentatomidae (Heteroptera) species
Effects of COVID-19 induced pandemic on the production, trade, and income of smallholder vegetable growers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Get PDFThis study assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on production, trade and income of smallholder vegetables growers in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal. We made a scenario-based situation analysis of pre-COVID (January to March 2020) and COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown (April to June 2020) situations. The study used a descriptive research design and employed multistage sampling techniques. One hundred forty-five vegetable growers were surveyed and six focus group discussions were carried out between May to July 2020 in the three municipalities- Chandragiri, Mahalaxmi and Changunarayan of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts respectively. The study showed that the income of smallholders' vegetable growers was decreased by 66.1 percent due to an increase in input price (16.9 percent), a decrease in output price (62.67 percent), and low farm productivity (9.3 percent) in comparison with the pre-COVID period. This paper has figured out the impact pathways that caused the income decline of vegetable growers. The primary constraints to smallholder producers were the absence of local aggregators followed by transportation barriers, limited market opening hours, and mobility obstruction and changed consumers' behavior due to lockdown. Majority of the farmers adjusted to the situations by selling their products at lower prices, free distribution to the local inhabitants, and composting and dumping the surpluses. The study concluded that this kind of analysis is necessary to develop resilient supply chains and extend appropriate support to the smallholder farmers who are critical actor to the supply chains
Economics of production and marketing of natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) in Jhapa, Nepal
Get PDFA study was carried to assess the production and marketing status of natural rubber in Jhapa district in 2019, from a random sample of 70 households and 5 traders. Results were drawn using descriptive and inferential statistics employing SPSS and MS-Excel. The average area under natural rubber cultivation was 2.2 bigha and the productive area was 1.21 bigha. The average rubber sheet produced per household was 1167.092 kg and average yield was found to be 958.77 kg/bigha in the study area. The average annual household income from natural rubber was found to be NRs. 233418.57 which contributes 58.54 percent in the total household income. Three marketing channels were identified and the price spread ranged from NRs. 20 to 40. The producers’ share in consumers’ price ranged from 81.82% to 90.91%. The major production problem identified was the lodging by wind (0.80) and the major marketing problem faced by producers and traders was the absence of grading facility (0.82). Rubber farms were found to be a profitable farm enterprise with a discounted benefit-cost ratio of 1.88. The calculated NPV was 410992.40, IRR was 22% and PBP was 8.52 years respectively denoting the sustainability of rubber cultivation. RRIM 600, RRII 105 and GT1 were the major growing varieties of rubber in the study area. The cost of establishment in the first year (48.702%) is highest compared to the following years. The selling price of latex and sheet was found higher in 2015 and 2016 with a reduction of price in 2017 due to the high import of Indonesian rubber sheet. This research tries to present the general idea on the overall production and marketing status in the study area
A case study of medicinal plants and their usage by the local community of Dilasaini Gaunpalika, Baitadi district, Nepal
Get PDFAn Ethnomedicinal survey study was conducted to get information about the usage of medicinal plants and the diversity of species found around the village. The main objective of the study was to document the plants for their medicinal and other uses. Ethnomedicinal plants are locally available used by tribal communities and local inhabitants for various medicinal purposes. Random sampling survey was conducted by selecting 50 households to access the medicinal plants and document their usage in Gokuleshwor, Baitadi. A total of 33 species of medicinal plants to treat 40 ailments was reported with their multipurpose use. During the survey, an equal proportion of males and females aged 14 to 78 were selected randomly. The literacy rate of the study area was 80% and 94% of the people were found to be involved in the collection of medicinal plants. The majority of the respondents (92%) used medicinal plants for minor diseases like cuts, wounds whereas few were found to use the medicinal plant for a long time to treat major diseases like cancer, tumor. The use of medicinal plants for skin infections, cuts and wounds, fever was found to be high followed by diarrhea, common cold, ulcer, asthma, jaundice, burns, piles, and eye inflammation. Most of the plants were found to be used for more than one disease. The conservation of Indigenous knowledge on the Ethnomedicinal plant should be promoted as most of the respondents were unaware of the conservation of medicinal plants
Evaluation of physicochemical, bacteriological and parasitological quality of selected well water samples in Awka and its environment, Anambra State, Nigeria
Get PDFWater quality is made up of physical, chemical and biological factors which influence the use of water for domestic purposes. Industrial and municipal solid and liquid wastes are being continuously leached into water reservoirs, thereby affecting its potability for domestic use. In this study, the physicochemical, bacteriological and parasitological evaluation of selected well water samples in Awka and its environment were evaluated during wet season. Standard methods for physicochemical, bacteriological and parasitological analyses were employed. Physicochemical analysis was done using standard analytical methods; bacteriological analysis was determined by dilution and membrane filtration techniques. Parasitological analysis was done using the centrifugation method. The result showed that 86.67% of the pH values were acidic, 6.67% of nitrate, 33.33% of phosphate, 20% of cadmium, 73.33% of lead, 26.67% of arsenic, 20% of iron, 100% of bacteria and parasites exceeded the WHO maximum containment level goal for domestic water while other parameters were within WHO standards for domestic water. The most polluted of all the well water samples is Aka well water while the least polluted is Emeka and Aqua well waters. S. typhi had the highest frequency of isolation (25.45%) while Bacillus subtilis had the least (1.56%). Diplostomum parasite had the highest frequency of isolation (42.86%) while Ichthyobodo and Chilodonella had the least (28.57% respectively). Since some of the physicochemical, bacteriological and parasitological parameters had values above World Health Organization admissible limits; governments, health and environmental experts must rectify (through water treatments and better sanitary practices) and enlighten the residents to prevent epidemics
Effect of age of seedlings at staggered planting and nutrient management on the growth performance of aromatic fine rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. BRRI dhan38)
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during June to December 2014 with a view to finding out the effect of age of seedlings at staggered planting and nutrient management on growth of aromatic fine rice (cv. BRRI dhan38). The experiment comprised three ages of seedlings viz., 30, 45 and 60-day old and six treatment of nutrient managements viz. control (no manures and fertilizers), recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers, 50% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, 50% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 and 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of age of seedlings and nutrient management and their interaction were significant on crop growth characters of aromatic fine rice. The result revealed that the highest plant height, total tiller hill-1, total dry matter production hill-1 and CGR were found when 30-day old seedlings were transplanted. Among the nutrient managements the highest growth parameters was obtain in 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 due to the continuous supply of nutrients by the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer which led to better growth in plants. In 30-day old seedlings with 75% inorganic fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 treatment performed best in case of all growth parameters, while the lowest one was observed in 60-day old seedlings with control. Therefore, 30-day old seedlings with 75% inorganic fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 treatment might be a promising practice in aromatic fine rice cultivation in terms of growth performance
Evaluation of seedling growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under water stress and non-stress conditions
Get PDFRice (Oryza sativa L.) is a species of crops which is highly sensitive to drought. The sensitivity to water stress varies from genotypes to genotypes of rice. An experiment was performed to compare twenty-five different rice genotypes for drought tolerance in the seedling stage at Gokuleshwor Agriculture and Animal Science College, Baitadi Nepal from July to August 2018. The genotypes were tested under two conditions viz., water stress and non-water stress. The research work was carried out in a completely random design (CRD) with three replications. The results exhibited the height of seedling, length & breadth of leaf, number of leaves/plant decreased, and number of leaves shedding increased under water stress condition. Clustering was done by the method of average linkage, and genotypes were categorized into five clusters. The genotype, namely Radha 11 grouped in Cluster-V had higher plant height, bigger length & breadth of leaf, maximum number of leaves/plant and minimum number of leaf shedding. Thus, this genotype showed the best performance for morphological traits under water stress condition. Therefore, this genotype Radha 11 can be utilized further for developing rice variety with drought-tolerance
Yield performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on different substrate
Get PDFSubstrate type is an important factor determining growth and yield of oyster mushroom. Five different substrates namely rice straw, maize husks, banana leaves, fingermillet husk and mixture of rice straw and black gram pod shell (1:1) were evaluated for the yield and related attributes of Pleurotus ostreatus. Standard cultivation practice was followed with steam sterilization and spawning was done on 575 g of substrate in individual poly-bag. The data of three flushes were recorded. Our results revealed that full spawn run completed earlier (18.57 days) in fingermillet husk as compared to any other tested substrates. The highest total quantity yield was obtained in fingermillet husk (1024.57g/bag) and rice straw (956.14g/bag) with corresponding biological efficiency 178.19% and 166.29%, respectively which were significantly higher than all other treatments (Mandeel et al., 2005). The cropping duration was significantly higher in maize husks and banana leaves as compared to rest of three treatments viz., fingermillet husk, rice straw and mixture of rice straw and black gram pod shell (1:1). These three treatments were not statistically different for cropping duration with each other. Considering the biological efficiency and earliness of crop the performance of fingermillet husk, followed by rice straw was found to be better