Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Estimation of crop coefficient for Marigold (Tagetes erecta (L.)) under drip irrigated greenhouse
Get PDFCrop water consumption (ETc) varies from region to region depending on crop type, growth stages, soil, and climate conditions. In order to obtain full yield and avoid unnecessary water usage, the water demand of the cultivated plants should be accurately calculated, and irrigation water should be applied in accordance with plant needs. In this, the study was carried out in field No.C3 of Central farm at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur, Trichy district to determine the growth stage-specific crop coefficient (Kc) and pan coefficient (Kp) for the greenhouse grown marigold (Tagetes erecta (L.). Since, a large area was occupied by a ClassA pan, the reduced-size evaporative pans (20 and 60 cm compared with Class A pan) was used and pan coefficient was determined as 0.93 and 0.96 respectively. A pan coefficient (Kp) was used to convert pan evaporation (Epan) to grass reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Based on the tensiometer readings, the depleted moisture content was taken to reckon the crop coefficient for different growth stage. The results revealed that crop coefficient (Kc) for marigold was observed as 0.37 during the initial stage (Kcin), 0.8 during mid-stage (Kcmid) and 0.47 (Kcfin) during the final stage. These results would be helpful for crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling for similar condition
Fixation of soluble forms of fertilizer phosphorus in salt affected soils of Ramanathapuram and Trichy districts and acid soil of Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFSoluble phosphorus (P) applied through phosphatic fertilizers is quickly converted into low soluble P compounds in soil. For evaluating fixation ability of P fertilizers laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with saline, sodic and acid soils. Phosphatic fertilizers selected were single super phosphate (SSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), monopotassium phosphate (MPP) and 19:19:19 N, P2O5, K2O % (All-19). Fixation of P was computed based on the amount of P recovered after addition of P in the soil in increasing levels. At a typical P addition at 16 kg ha-1 the results were compared in all soils. In saline soil, high fixation of P occurred when DAP (12.18 kg ha-1) and MPP (11.28 kg ha-1) were applied. In sodic soil, high fixation of P resulted when SSP (7.10 kg ha-1) was applied. In acid soil, high fixation of P occurred when All -19 (12.64 kg ha-1), MAP (12.40 kg ha-1), SSP (12.22 kg ha-1), and DAP (11.74 kg ha-1) were applied. With all forms of phosphatic fertilizers fixation of added P occurred to the extent of 57.9 to 79.0 per cent in acid soil, 55.0 to 70.5 per cent in saline soil and 25.5 to 44.4 per cent in sodic soil. In saline soil availability of P might be higher for SSP and All-19 compared to ammonium/ potassium phosphate fertilizers. On the other hand, MPP, MAP and All-19 may be preferably applied in sodic/ acid soils alternative to SSP or DAP for realizing higher P release in soils from added fertilizers for the benefit of crop utilization
Prospects of biodrainage to mitigate problems of waterlogging and soil salinity in context of India - A review
Get PDFMajor parts of agricultural lands in arid and semi-arid regions of India are affected by soil salinity and waterlogging in canal command area and outside. Waterlogging is caused by a rising water table and poor drainage conditions. Stress due to waterlogging and salinity are serious to plants in all stages from seed germination to active growth and maturity. Unmanaged affected agricultural lands turn into low productive marshlands in the long run. Physical provision of surface or sub-surface drainage structures can rescue in such a situation. Yet, high skill and investment are required in the installation and maintenance of such structures. Alternatively, biodrainage method has been evolved as an effective method recently world over. In biodrainage, plants are raised over a larger area, which can transpire and remove an enormous amount of water from the soil. Plants having adequate adaptive traits and tolerance mechanisms are desirable to mitigate waterlogging and salinity. Biodrainage is suitable in rainfed and irrigated conditions. Planting of right plant species in optimum population and geometry decides the efficiency of biodrainage. Further, combining biodrainage with the conventional drainage can improve land and water productivity. Eucalyptus is the most suitable tree species for biodrainage as it has well performed in versatile environments. It possesses appreciable tolerance to salinity, sodicity and waterlogged conditions of the soil. Fast-growing with a straight trunk, deep rooting ability, low shading effect and high transpiration capacity are promising characteristics of this tree. Prominent woody species like Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, Hardwickia binata can also be grown for high profit
Evaluation of the nutritional quality of selected dietary ingredients for mud crab Scylla serrata of Suarashtra region in Gujarat, India
Get PDFMud crabs, or mangrove crabs, are one of the most valuable groups of crab species in the world. Several studies have been conducted to describe the nutrient requirements of mud crabs. Only preliminary studies have been conducted to define the nutritional ingredients requirements for growing out diets. Results of the analysis revealed the major components of seaweeds (Ulva reticulate and Sargassum cinctum) poultry waste, earth worms and fish meal with carbohydrate 57.18 % (Ulva reticulate) and 55.86 % (Sargassum cinctum), 31.07 %, 21.83 % and 2.89 %, followed by ash content of 21.3 % (U. reticulate) and 14.1 % (S. cinctum), 8.4 %, 12.0 % and 8.40 %, respectively. The crude protein component of fishmeal, soyabean meal, earthworms and seaweeds were obtained in little amount with 61.20 %, 48.3%, 36.2 % and 13.41 % (U. reticulate) and 10.67% (S. cinctum) and followed by crude lipid component of poultry waste 25.0%, seaweeds 13.41 % (U. reticulate) and 10.67 % (S. cinctum), earthworms 9.52% and fishmeal 9.20% respectively. These results of nutritional composition indicated that poultry waste, earthworms and seaweeds have potential as a source of feed supplement and human nutrition
Role of nitric oxide in seed biology and seed production: A review
Get PDFNitric oxide (NO) is an important signalling molecule employed by plants to control many physiological aspects. This review summarizes that crosstalk between NO/H2O2/Ca2+ signalling pathways that drive pollen tube for sexual reproduction in flowering plants. NO is produced in seeds by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic sources that control many physiological aspects of seeds. The interplay of NO and Reactive oxygen species are likely important players in hormonal crosstalk controlling seed germination and dormancy. Mechanism of seed germination and dormancy is mainly regulated by plant hormones like Abscisic acid (ABA) and Gibberellic acid (GA). Based on mode of action of NO with reference to triggering the germination of crop seeds under abiotic stress condition it is infer that there is a linkage between NO and plant growth regulator production. NO cross-talk with reactive oxygen species (ROS) during abiotic stress condition, modulate the light and hormone depended developmental process in the early stage of plant development. NO action to enhancing abiotic stress tolerance by improving antioxidant enzymes and protection against oxidative damage in many crops are discussed in detail
Socio-economic impacts of the adoption of MIS (Micro-irrigation system) among small and marginal farmers of Coimbatore district, India
Get PDFConsiderable attention has been given to micro-irrigation technologies by policymakers to help farmers in overcoming water scarcity problems. In this paper, the potential impacts of MIS on farmers’ livelihood and economic viability of using drip in banana cultivation were analyzed using discounted cash flow techniques. The study focused on small and marginal farmers of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu as they were provided with 100% subsidy. Adoption of MIS increased the total cropped area (6.54%), extended area under irrigation (6.55%), increased cropping intensity (69.19%) and irrigation intensity (70.95%). Investment on drip irrigation system by farmers were found financially feasible (NPV Rs.43,851.16, BCR 1.42 and IRR 30.88%). The study also brought out the constraints faced by farmers in the adoption of MIS such as lack of technical support, the inefficiency of the system with poor quality water and damage caused by animals. The research work would be helpful in understanding the advantages of using MIS by small and marginal farmers and problems encountered by them in adoption even though the investment was economically viable.
 
An overview of anthropogenic electromagnetic radiations as risk to pollinators and pollination
Get PDFPollinators play a key functional role in most terrestrial ecosystems and provide important ecosystem service to maintain wild plant communities and agricultural productivity. The decline in pollinators has been related to anthropogenic disturbances such as habitat loss, alterations in land use, and climate change. The surge in mobile telephony has led to a marked increase in electromagnetic fields in the atmosphere, which may affect pollinator and pollination. Several laboratory studies have reported negative effects of electromagnetic radiation on reproduction, development, and navigation in insects. The abundance of insects such as the beetle, wasp, and hoverfly, decreased with electromagnetic radiation(EMR), whereas the abundance of underground-nesting wild bees and bee fly unexpectedly increased with EMR. Potential risks for pollinators and biodiversity are anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (AREMR) (light, radiofrequency). Artificial light at night (ALAN) can alter the function and abundance of pollinator. Evidence of impacts of AREMR is not adequate due to a lack of high quality, field-realistic studies. Whether pollinators experiencing a threat of ALAN or AREMR, while major knowledge gap exists. In this review, the effects of EMR on wild pollinator groups such as wild bees, hoverflies, bee flies, beetles, butterflies, and wasps etc. have been highlighted. Researchers are also recommended for further study on the effects of EMR on insects. This study will be significant to conserve pollinators and other important insects.
Loss of seed viability in onion (Allium cepa L.) in relation to degradation of lipids during storage
Get PDFOnion seeds have one of the lowest longevity among the cultivated crops as it loses viability within a year. The unmarketable seeds have no reported food value or feed value. Onion seeds contain considerable oil content which has potential industrial utility. The present study reports the changes in the quality of seed oil extracted from seeds stored for one year (2019-2020), after which the seeds were unmarketable due to low germination. The physico-chemical properties of seed oil were studied in four onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties (Bhima Safed, Bhima Super, Bhima Dark Red and Bhima Shakti) by standard analytical test. The per cent oil content varied from 12.94% - 16.02% and storage resulted in 0.64% loss in seed oil content. The mean seed germination in freshly harvested seeds was 80.50%, which declined to 52.33% after one year of ambient storage. The electrical conductivity, which measures the membrane integrity increased by 108.60% in one-year-old seeds. The physico-chemical properties of the seed oil deteriorated with the age of the seed. In comparison to the control, the acid values and peroxide values of the seed oil increased by 51.11% and 12.90% respectively, while saponification value decreased by 36.18%. Among the varieties, Bhima Dark Red had the highest degradation in the seed storability and vigour, which also had the highest deterioration in the lipid quality. The present study reports for the first time the degradation of seed lipids during ageing in onion which might be contributing to the poor storability of onion seeds.
Bioefficiency of Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) on hematological and lipid profiles in sublethal cyanide poisoning in male wistar rats
Get PDFChromolaena odorata is an invasive plant which is acclaimed to have cyanide remediation potential from contaminated sites. This examination means to decide the impact of ethanol concentrates of C. odorata (ECO), sodium thiosulphate and a mix of both on hematological parameters and blood lipid profile of rodents presented to potassium cyanide. (KCN). A sum of thirty five male Wistar rats partitioned into seven groups of five units were used. KCN Group rats were administered with KCN alone. Rats in 100ECO, 150ECO, 200ECO groups were administered with 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ECO respectively. Rats under Na2sS2O3 and Na2S2O3+ECO groups were administered 200 mg/kg sodium thiosulphate and sodium thiosulphate with ECO at 200 mg/kg respectively. The trial was done in about a month. Toward the finish of the investigation, the packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin level (Hb), Red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were resolved utilizing known biochemical methodology. The outcomes demonstrated a noteworthy increment (p ? 0.05) in PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC level of remedial groups when contrasted with the cyanide group. Total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were altogether lower while HDL-cholesterol was fundamentally expanded in all the treated groups when contrasted and the untreated group given cyanide alone. However, no significant difference in LDL-cholesterol was indicated in all therapeutic groups compared with the cyanide group. The study revealed that C. odorata at the tested doses was able to improve the hematological parameters and lipid profile in cyanide exposed rats
Assessment of lead toxicity on locomotion and growth in a nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Get PDFDue to anthropogenic activities and natural abundance, lead exposure is a common phenomenon. Neurotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead are widely known. Recent studies have suggested that lead exposure can affect young generation and transfer to the progeny thus posing a great threat for future generation. The present study was focused on lead toxicity in terms of locomotion and growth of Caenorhabditis elegans (N2 wild type) at three sub-lethal doses (3µM, 15 µM and 30 µM) of Pb (NO3)2 for 24 hours (sub-chronic exposure). Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode with an established eco- toxicity marker model organism, due to its short life cycle and ease to monitor. After lead exposure, significant toxic manifestations were observed in locomotion of the nematode in terms of omega bends (+350% for 30 µM exposure dose, p<0.001), reversals (-26.98%, -49% and -66.35% for 3 µM, 15 µM and 30 µM exposure doses respectively, p<0.001), turn counts (-38.66%, -62.61% and -81.93% for 3 µM, 15 µM and 30 µM exposure doses respectively, p<0.001 ) and peristaltic speed alterations (+97.83%, +225.92% and +454.63% for 3 µM, 15 µM and 30 µM exposure doses respectively, p<0.001). Successive reduction in the body length at lower doses shows remarkable toxic alterations in nematodes. The obtained data may be useful to extrapolate the effects of lead exposure on humans, as many of the similar pathways and cellular processes affected by Pb in humans are also present in C. elegans