Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Herbicide-free weed management in kharif maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping Systems: Advancing environmental sustainability, productivity, and economic efficiency
Get PDFMaize (Zea mays L.), commonly known as the "queen of cereals," is extensively cultivated with wide spacing, facilitating intercropping with legumes to improve productivity and sustainability. Intercropping systems are advantageous for weed management, decreasing dependence on herbicides, and enhancing environmental sustainability. The current study sought to determine whether intercropping maize with legumes may reduce weeds, increase productivity, and improve economic efficiency without using herbicides. A field experiment was executed in the Kharif 2022 season at Lovely Professional University\u27s agricultural research farm in Phagwara, Punjab, employing a randomized block design with seven treatments replicated three times. The treatments comprised sole maize, sole moong bean, sole soybean, and intercropping systems of maize with moong bean or soybean in 1:2 and 1:3 ratios. The intercropping system of maize and moong bean (1:3) overcame all treatments, achieving the maximum grain production (5882.0 kg ha-¹), harvest index (43.86%), cob diameter (8.5 cm), grains per cob (17.67), and straw yield (7519.0 kg ha-¹). This system demonstrated exceptional weed suppression, achieving the lowest total weed density (5.22 no. m-²), minimal weed biomass (6.4 g m-²), and the highest weed smothering efficacy (68.7%). Moreover, it attained the highest land equivalent ratio (1.99), maize equivalent yield (10.17 t ha-¹), and monetary advantage index (₹4800), emphasizing its economic and ecological advantages. This research illustrates the innovation and effectiveness of herbicide-free weed management in maize-legume intercropping systems. The maize and moong bean (1:3) system promotes environmental sustainability, increases production, and enhances economic efficiency, offering a sustainable alternative to monocropping in the Punjab region.
Light microscopic characterization of camallanid nematode parasitizing Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) in Mahakali River, Nepal
Get PDFHelminth parasites infect a wide variety of fish, with nematodes being widely distributed pathogens, especially in wild fish. The present study aimed to document the morphological characteristics of camallanid nematode infecting the golden mahseer (Tor putitora) fish in the Mahakali River along the Nepal-India border of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Fish samples (n=157) were collected from Khalla and Bhujela areas in the river and nearby markets from March 2023 to February 2024. As revealed by light microscopy, the morphology of the present nematode species closely resembled the Asian freshwater fish nematode Camallanus cotti Fujita, 1927. Notable features included translucent red color in the fresh specimen, a pale yellow buccal capsule with longitudinal ridges and lateral valves, two amphids, eight cephalic papillae, two sclerotic plates, a basal ring separating the oesophagus from the buccal cavity, prongs of tridents extending beyond the basal ring, inconspicuous nerve ring in the muscular oesophagus, deirids at the beginning of glandular oesophagus, oesophagus with short anterior muscular and long posterior glandular portion, pre equatorial vulva and uterus confined in the posterior part of the body containing first stage larvae in gravid female, long tail and finely striated cuticle. The study, thus, confirmed that the camallanid nematode parasitizing freshwater fish golden mahseer is C. cotti.
A new strategy to evaluate emerging tumour-associated antigens as biomarkers of acute lymphocytic leukaemia development
Get PDFAcute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common type of tumour in children aged from 1-14 years .Currently, diagnosis is made by bone marrow aspiration. For this reason, the present study aimed to find a new diagnostic method for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia based on the presence of specific biomarkers such as (α–enolase, P53, VDCI , and CIg) their ratios may reflect the tumor development status of patients. Eighty children with ALL were selected and compared with forty healthy children as control. The ages of ALL and normal cases ranged from 1 to 14 years. The serum levels of α–enolase, P53, VDAC1 and CIg were determined using ELISA method. The results showed a significant decrease in the levels of α–enolase, P53 and CIg in ALL patients (Mean ±SD 388.9062 ± 115.18294 pg/ml , 76.9207 ± 10.23092 pg/ml and 6.2747 ± 3.49786 μg/ml respectively) compared to the control cases (Mean ±SD 596.7733 ± 217.34848 pg/ml , 118.0352 ± 44.49135 pg/ml , 8.6873 ± 4.04248 μg/ml) respectively with p<0.05 , while VDAC1 showed not significant decreased. The study concluded that changes in the selected tumour antigens reflected the physiological changes in the tumour lymphocytes, which can be adopted as new indicators to follow the tumour development and response to chemotherapy.
Seed priming improved germination, seedling quality and response to imposed drought stress in Vachellia tortilis subsp. spirocarpa (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.)
Get PDFSuccessful afforestation in arid lands requires rapid, uniform seed germination and good quality seedlings. Seed priming is a pre-treatment of seeds to improve germination and produce seedlings that withstand changing environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the effects of seed priming on Vachellia tortilis seed germination, nursery seedlings quality and the response of produced seedlings to imposed drought stress. Seed samples of V. tortilis were primed in three concentrations of osmo-priming solutions (polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000)) and three concentrations of hormonal priming solutions (Gibberellic acid (GA3)). Then, the effects were monitored during seed germination, nursery seedling development, and in the greenhouse under three successive cycles of drying and rewatering treatments. During germination, seed priming resulted in a higher total germination percentage (TGP), accelerated uniform germination (higher germination index (GI) and lower mean germination time (MGT)), and increased seedling vigour index (SVI). The recorded improvement in germination was associated with stimulation of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)) and hydrolytic enzymes (Polygalacturonase (PG) and α-amylase) activities in primed germinated seeds. While in the nursery, priming significantly improved the quality traits of seedlings, including root collar diameter, shoot-to-root ratio, sturdiness quotient, and Dickson’s quality index. GA3-300ppm, GA3-200ppm, and PEG-10% treatments resulted in increases in total dry weight of 160%, 121%, and 64%, respectively. The high-quality seedlings produced resulted in better growth and survival under imposed drought stress in the greenhouse. The findings concluded that seed priming is crucial for enhancing the germination and quality of V. tortilis seedlings.
Estimating extreme heat event over New Delhi Region, India using Satellite Data
Get PDFOn May 26, 2024, Delhi experienced an extreme heat event, with temperatures soaring to record-breaking levels, exceeding 52°C, which was later revised to 46°C (114.8°F) by the India Meteorological Department.Amidst the controversy surrounding sensor failures, this study examines land surface temperature (LST) in Delhi using Landsat 9 OLI and MODIS Aqua data, focusing on the extreme heat event of May 26, 2024. This date was selected due to anticipated extreme heat and the availability of data. Satellite observations revealed temperatures as high as 56°C, with distinct spatial variations across Delhi. The western region recorded the highest temperatures, while the eastern region, influenced by the Yamuna River, exhibited cooler conditions. Emissivity values from Landsat (0.970–0.984) and MODIS (0.973–0.987) were analyzed, showing a strong correlation with surface temperatures: lower emissivity values corresponded to greener areas and lower temperatures, whereas higher values were linked to elevated temperatures. The study highlights the impact of surface characteristics on thermal behavior and underscores the role of urban heat islands (UHIs), particularly in northwestern Delhi. These UHIs, driven by industrial activity, dense settlements, and low-albedo materials, resulted in 2–4°C temperature differences between urban and rural areas, posing health risks to vulnerable populations. Mitigation strategies such as expanding green spaces and relocating high-emission industries are recommended to alleviate these risks. Despite the absence of field data, global studies validating Landsat and MODIS-derived LST support the accuracy of this study’s findings. Thus, the spatial pattern of LST remains reliable even with minor errors ranging from 1 to 2 °C. The study will help for strategic planning and mitigation measures to address extreme heat events in urban areas.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction of Nigella sativa L essential oil using green solvent and its encapsulation in albumin nanoparticles
Get PDFThe abundance of numerous bioactive compounds with a range of therapeutic benefits primarily distinguishes medicinal and aromatic plants. Nigella sativa (black cumin) is a medicinal plant species that has been well known for a variety of therapeutic uses. Health-conscious people, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry are becoming more interested in black cumin, a highly valued nutraceutical herb with numerous health advantages. The present study evaluated the impact of both traditional and advanced extraction techniques on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of essential oils extracted from Nigella sativa L.seeds. Hexane and petroleum ether were the solvents used for conventional extraction, while natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were used for ultrasonic extraction. Ultrasonic extraction addresses the drawbacks of traditional solvent extraction.The hydrophobic properties of essential oils restrict their use in therapeutic settings. The essential oil extract encapsulated in albumin nanoparticles resolves this bottleneck. The results showed that NADES extraction enabled higher yields (37.1%) than essential oils obtained after Soxhlet extraction. Further, functional groups associated with the active ingredients with therapeutic activity were identified by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Different chemical components with identified bioactivities were determined by the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry chromatograms (GC-MS). The yield (85 %) and extract trapping (89 %) in albumin nanoparticles were determined. The findings demonstrated that the average size of albumin nanoparticles grew from 72 nm to 102 nm for two distinct drug-loading procedures. The findings of the Scanning electron microscope (SEM) supported the spherical shape of the nanoparticles.The study will help Nigella extract loaded albumin nanoparticles to incorporate essential oil (EO) in food formulations and pharmaceutical preparations.
Influence of polyhalite on biometric, yield parameters and yield of rice (Oryza sativa var. (ADT43)) grown in alluvial soils of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFPolyhalite is a mineral fertilizer that provides essential nutrients such as K, S, Ca and Mg, which are required by crops in substantial amounts. However, its use as fertilizer for rice has not been extensively studied. Given the high potassium requirement of rice crops for improved growth, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of polyhalite and muriate of potash (MOP) on biometrics, yield characters, and yield of rice var. ADT43 in sandy clay loam soil, at Department of Soil Science, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu during kharif of 2023. The experiment was carried out under CRD which included ten treatments viz., T1- Control, T2-NP + K (0), T3-NP + 50% K as MOP, T4-NP + 50% K as Polyhalite, T5-NP + 100% K as MOP, T6-NP + 100% K as Polyhalite, T7-NP + 150% K as MOP, T8-NP + 150% K as Polyhalite, T9-NP + 200% K as MOP, T10- NP + 200% K as Polyhalite. Application of potassium fertilizers at varying levels had a significant effect on biometric and yield parameters of rice. The experimental findings indicated that, application of 200% K as polyhalite + NP (T10) recorded maximum biometric traits viz., plant height, DMP (87.5 g pot-1), yield characters viz., no. of panicle pot-1, no. of grains panicle-1 (81.23). Further, it showed an increase of 67% and 47.6% in grain and straw yield, respectively, over control. Based on the results, this experiment could assist rice-growing farmers in enhancing crop yield by using polyhalite as a source of potassium fertilizer.
Evaluation of plant extracts as botanical insecticides for controlling Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Get PDFThe increasing incidence of Spodoptera frugiperda resistance and the adverse effects of excessive synthetic insecticide use emphasize the need to develop safer and more environmentally sustainable alternative control strategies. One promising alternative is the use of botanical insecticides. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity of five plant extracts, namely spiked pepper (Piper aduncum), African marigold (Tagetes erecta), Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), sugar apple (Annona squamosa), and soursop (Annona muricata), as candidates for botanical insecticide formulations against S. frugiperda. The experiments assessed toxicity, antifeedant, and ovicidal activities. Toxicity was tested using the leaf-dipping method with five concentration levels, equivalent to LC15, LC35, LC55, LC75, and LC95. Antifeedant activity was tested using the choice method with three concentration levels, equivalent to LC15, LC35, and LC55. Moreover, ovicidal activity was tested by spraying the extract on eggs with concentrations equivalent to LC95 and 2×LC95. The results showed a positive correlation between increasing test concentrations and higher larval mortality, antifeedant activity, and ovicidal activity. P. aduncum extract showed the highest toxicity, with LC50 and LC95 values of 0.11% and 0.70%, respectively. Among the tested extracts, T. diversifolia showed the highest antifeedant activity with moderate to strong effects, while the other showed very weak to moderate effects. In terms of ovicidal activity, all extracts showed strong inhibitory effects (>75%), particularly at a concentration of 2×LC95, with P. aduncum being the most effective extract due to its highest inhibition rate. These findings indicate that each extract exhibited bioactivity in at least one parameter, supporting its potential as a botanical insecticide. P. aduncum emerged as the most promising candidate, with strong toxicity and ovicidal effects despite relatively weak antifeedant activity.
An approach for analysis and selection of ideal natural coagulants for the treatment of synthetically prepared turbid water
Get PDFThe volume of research on natural coagulants has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by increased awareness of environmental sustainability and the excellent characteristics and efficiency that natural coagulants offer, thereby minimising environmental effects. The present study aimed to select the most suitable natural coagulants among banana peel, coconut fibre, groundnut shell, onion peel, sawdust, and lemon peel, necessitating a systematic approach, such as a screening test. The experimental runs were conducted using a standard jar test apparatus having synthetic turbid water to assess the efficiency of coagulants. The physicochemical properties were examined using the standard methods recommended by APHA (2017). Color, turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, total solids, and sludge dewaterability were chosen as the primary indicators for this study. The results revealed encouraging insights into the efficacy of the tested natural coagulants, with rice husk removing the least amount of turbidity (83.3%) at 1gm/500ml and onion peel removing the most at 96.4%. The sludge formed after treatment with natural coagulants demonstrated outstanding dewaterability, with tamarind seeds having the lowest dewaterability at 29.17% and coconut fibre having the highest at 90.2% at a dosage of 1 gm/500 ml. The findings suggest that tested natural coagulants are effective for water treatment. Furthermore, sludge dewaterability, another critical measure in analysing feasibility and sustainability, was reported to be the greatest by coconut fibre (90.2%) and the least by onion peel at 46.71%.The screening strategy used in the study appears to be quite effective in expediting the selection process by systematically examining the influence of coagulant type and dose. The study not only identified the most effective coagulants but also saved time and effort by eliminating less effective choices.
Genetic diversity analysis of some Coriandrum sativum cultivars exposed to laser using some molecular indicators
Get PDFCoriander, Coriandrum sativum L. is an herbal crop from the family Apiaceae, It has a wide range of uses, including as a flavouring agent and in medical applications. Therefore, physical factors have recently been given attention, including laser radiation applications used in agriculture for biostimulating seeds and seedlings, thereby leading to changes in the DNA sequence. The present study aimed to identify genetic changes in Coriander plants exposed to laser radiation.Coriander seeds were obtained from local markets in Mosul city in different varieties (local, Syrian, Italian). The study found that there were differences at the molecular level between the three types of coriander used in the study, the difference in the total number of bands/variety of coriander for the total of the five primers used (OPA1, OPA2, OPD1 OPK, POD3) according to the difference in the period of exposure to laser radiation three different times 5 ,10,20 minutes. Depending on the results of the RAPD-PCS analysis, the total number of amplification bands was 182, comprising 180 polymorphic bands and 2 unique bands, which accounted for 98.9% and 1.10%, respectively. There were differences at the molecular level between the three types of coriandrum according to the different treatments with laser radiation and this primer. Genetic similarity was calculated, with a maximum similarity value of 0.9 and a minimum similarity value of 0.2. The cluster tree analysis showed that genotypes that are close to each other are more similar than those that are far apart. This study used diversity genetic information and different types of coriander seeds with different primers compared with other study .