Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Improvement of renal profile in Gentamicin-induced Nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats by edible macrofungi Dacryopinax spathularia and Schizophyllum commune
Get PDFhe present work has been taken to assess the pharmacological efficacy of two edible macrofungi Dacryopinax spathularia and Schizophyllum commune in the improvement of renal profile of Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats. The intra-peritoneal administration of gentamicin 80 mg/Kg Body Weight per day had resulted in alterations in renal function and renal damage which was reflected by abnormal and significant (p=0.05) increase in renal function parameters of blood like Urea, Creatinine, Uric Acid and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). On administration of high dose (500 mg/Kg BW) of D. Spathularia extract to the nephrotoxic group of rats the concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid and BUN significantly decreased from 104.26±7.45 to 76.27±7.24, 1.17±0.43 to 0.68±0.47, 3.68±1.34 to 2.58±0.56 and 48.72±4.36 to 31.14±3.76 respectively, in comparison to the nephrotoxic group of rats. On the other hand, the administration of high dose (500 mg/Kg BW) of S. commune extract to the nephrotoxic group of rats resulted into significant (p=0.05) decrease in the concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid and BUN, from 104.26±7.45 to 51.42±6.15, 1.17±0.43 to 0.62±0.14, 3.68±1.34 to 2.36±0.74 and 48.72±4.36 to 28.65±3.85 respectively, in comparison to the nephrotoxic group of rats. The results also revealed that S. commune extract showed comparatively more efficacy in the renal profile improvement of nephrotoxic rats in comparison to the D. spathularia extract
Productivity and economic evaluation of Willow (Salix alba L.) based silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley
Get PDFPerformance of two fodder crops namely, sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated with Willow (Salix alba L.) to evaluate productivity and economics of the silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley. The experiment was laid out by planting two year old willows at 2.0m × 2.0m spacing and dividing the main plot into sub-plots of size 8m × 2m each with 5 replications in randomized block design (RDB). The intercrops of sorghum and maize were maintained at 20cm × 10 cm spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The economics of the willow plantation intercropped with fodder crops was compared with sole willow farming by the benefit-cost ratio and net present worth. The study revealed the differential behaviour of Salix alba regarding growth parameters (height, diameter and girth) by different intercrops and various fodder intercrops with respect to yield, above ground biomass, dry matter production and soil nutrient status (pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). The willow based silvopastoral system was estimated to have benefit-cost ratio of 2.71 with maize and 2.68 with sorghum, while as sole crop the willows accrued a benefit-cost ratio of 2.66. The study is useful in discovering growth of willows, productivity of fodder crops and soil nutrient status under various silvopastoral agroforestry systems for maximizing economic gains. The findings envisaged evidences in favour of adopting willow based silvopastoral agroforestry instead of sole tree farming and the knowledge of interactions will be helpful in proper management of the system for sustained multiple productions
Status and socio-ecological dimensions of sacred groves in Northeast India
Get PDFSacred groves are among one of the best practices of biodiversity conservation used by the ethnic societies which are deeply associated with the religion and culture that significantly nurture nature. As these practices play a vital role in conserving socio-ecologically important species and protect threatened flora and fauna from extinction in different ecological zones. In northeast India, sacred groves are well connected with culture and society through religious beliefs of the population and their associated myths. Sacred groves cover a total of > 40,000 hectares of natural forest area in the five northeastern states of India. These forests house some of the most important and highly threatened species of plants. Wild relatives of present-day cultivated plants are found in these forests and hence act as the gene pool for these species. Social transformation and urbanization have a large impact on the structure and health of these forests and responsible for their destruction. Developmental projects like railways, roads, hydro-electric projects etc. have reportedly destroyed many groves in the past. Due to social transformation, the rate of activities like grazing, encroachment, cutting and collection of fuel wood, fruits and leaves has been increasing and posing a threat to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function in the future. Creating awareness about the social and ecological benefits of maintaining sacred groves among local people, especially youth, can help in reviving these practices and conserving them as a natural heritage for future generations is the need of the hour
Climate smart agricultural technologies in rice-wheat water stressed regions of Punjab, India- A review
Get PDFIntensively cultivated rice-wheat cropping sequence of Punjab, India responsible for many sustainability issues viz. declining underground water, declining soil health, arising micro-nutrient deficiencies etc. Around 1.3 M ha-m additional withdrawal of water from the ground is being taken place annually in Punjab and mainly it is used for the rice crop which is not a traditional crop of the region. Puddling, seepage and percolation losses are the main sources of water loss from the rice based cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGPs) and many Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) have been recommended for water saving. The real water saving techniques are those which hinder the water from going into those sinks from where it cannot be reused (Evaporation, E) and diverted greater fraction of water of ET toward transpiration (T) which is desired as greater transpiration, greater the inflow of water and nutrients andwhich ultimately increase the grain yield with the lesser consumption of irrigation water as interval in between two irrigation increases, which further increase the water productivity. Among different RCTs, short duration crop varieties and delaying transplanting time are the real water saving techniques for the regions where water table is already declining down, however other RCTs may be suitable for the regions facing water logging problems as these cut down the drainage losses and these energy saving rather than water saving techniques
Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles from Bacillus species and its applications
Get PDFSelenium nanoparticles have been widely used in the various areas especially in medical field for its anticancer and immune modulatory properties. To reduce the toxic chemicals released by chemical process, the present work was aimed at synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by microbes. In this study, microbes were isolated from soil samples from different areas of Bangalore and screened for the antioxidant activity by DPPH assay. The organism with highest antioxidant activity (IC50 value = 11.6µg/mL) was identified as Bacillus species. Under experimental conditions, this microbe along with sodium selenite synthesised selenium nanoparticle indicated by the colour change of the medium to reddish orange. The synthesised selenium nanoparticles were further characterised. From UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the maximum peak was obtained at 266.5nm. The FT-IR analysis showed peaks at different wavelengths with the maximum of 3200cm-1 showing the presence of alcoholic group. The shape and size of the selenium nanoparticles was also calibrated by SEM analysis as oval and 209nm-748nm respectively. The nanoparticles were further analysed for antimicrobial assays by well diffusion method against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, St. mutans and antifungal assay against the strains of C. albicans, A. niger and A. flavus. The highest zone of inhibition was observed against E.coli (1.7 cm) at a concentration of 400µg and maximum for C. albicans (2.5cm) at a concentration of 400µg. Microbial synthesized nanoparticles emerges as a promising medicine in curing different disorders because of its potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.  
Influence of blend ratio on physical properties of oak tasar silk and acrylic blended spun yarn
Get PDFIn this study an attempt was made to utilize the oak tasar silk spinning waste through blending it with acrylic fibre and prepared yarn in mechanised spinning system. The oak tasar silk and acrylic blended yarn were prepared on ring spinning machine with five different blend ratios viz. 100:0, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and 0:100. The prepared yarns were of medium to fine yarn count. Yarn Physical properties of yarns, unevenness and imperfections were studied and statistically analysed. Results revealed that the 100% acrylic and 50:50 tasar acrylic blended yarns had better properties as compared to 60:40 and 40:60. The addition of acrylic fibre content improved the physical properties, unevenness and imperfection of the blended yarns
Studies on decolorization of textile dye by using Pseudomonas and bacillus sp from the contaminated effluent soil samples of Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFTextile industries releasing large amount of effluent which contains textile dyes and toxic chemicals and it is one of the major source of pollution also contaminating water bodies. To remove that, bacteria have been of great attention because of their ability to treat effluent. The present study was undertaken to exploit the ability of Pseudomonassp and Bacillus sp from dye contaminated soil samples for bioremediation for dye effluent. Among the bacterial strains used in the study. Pseudomonas sp emerged out to be most potent decolorizer in comparison to Bacillus sp with the degree of decolorization of 90.0 %. Thus, it was concluded that the Pseudomonas sp had highest color removing capacity from contaminated effluent soil samples. 
Diversity of parasitic fauna of conventional rice ecosystem during kuruvai season at Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu
Get PDFArthropod natural enemies are often vital biological control agents of various insect pests of rice ecosystem which include a wide range of predators and parasitoids. Determining the natural enemies and biodiversity of rice fields is the first step to success in biological control and IIPM (Integrated production and pest management) programmes. In the present study, there were four methods of collection viz. sweep net, Malaise trap, UV light trap and yellow pan trap were used to gather parasitoids from ADT-36 rice variety during Kuruvai season (June - September) in 2012. The rice variety was cultivated following the conventional practices like application of inorganic manures, pesticides, micronutrients etc., The results of the diversity of parasitic fauna of conventional rice ecosystem revealed that a total of 889 parasitoids were collected through net sweep, 631 in Malaise trap, 534 in yellow pan trap and 308 in UV light trap during Kuruvai, 2012. Thirteen different agriculturally important parasitic families were collected and identified. Among the families collected, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Scelionidae and Chalcididae were found predominant. Dryniidae was recorded only in yellow pan trap. Among the collection methods employed, Net sweep was found to be the best in collection of parasitoids than other methods in conventional rice ecosystems
Residual effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat grown after rice
Get PDFA field experiment was laid out in split plot design on residual effect of treatments comprising three nitrogen levels viz. N75 (N1), N100 (N2) and N125 (N3) in main-plot treatments and seven weed control treatments viz. (W1-butachlor + 1 Hand Weeding, W2-butachlor + 2 Mechanical Weeding, W3-butachlor + 2,4-D, W4-bispyribac sodium, W5-butachlor + bispyribac sodium, W6-HW-2, W7- control) as sub-plot treatments conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the Rajaula Agriculture Farm, MGCGVV, Satna (M.P.) to study the residual effect of N-levels and weed control methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat grown after rice. In case of succeeding wheat, the residual 125 kg N/ha performed the best with respect to growth, yield-attributes with the result 31.11 q/ha grain yield and Rs.33509/ha income. While, under sub plot treatments, Hand weedings two times were recorded significant grain yield (28.66 q/ha) and straw yield (38.17 q/ha) at (P <0.05) over control. However it was found non-significant different and also noticed higher over rest treatments. In this succession, Butachlor + 2, 4-D (0.80 kg/ha) was higher but in second position and similar trend was observed in successive way with rest of treatments
Zinc alleviates cadmium induced heavy metal stress by stimulating antioxidative defense in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop
Get PDFThe interaction between cadmium- a toxic metal and zinc- an essential micronutrient was investigated in influencing the activity of various antioxidant enzymes and related metabolites in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Higher levels of cadmium (Cd) stimulate the activity of potential enzymes like ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) accompanied by the buildup of non-enzymatic metabolites, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline due to rise in oxidative stress of plants. Also, the reduced activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbic acid (AsA) content was based upon Cd treatment levels. Application of zinc (Zn) combination enhances the activity of enzymes like APX, GR, CAT and SOD in Cd treatments, also confirmed with the depleted levels of H2O2. Zn alone treatment had no significant effect on the activity of such enzymes indicating the toxicity owing to Cd treatments only. The accumulation behavior of other non-enzymatic metabolites like MDA, proline and ascorbic acid also get reversed with metal combination treatment. Moreover, the efficacy of Zn was more when applied in higher concentrations with low Cd. Thus, Zn plays a key role in plants to counter heavy metal stress by elevating antioxidative defense with higher activity of enzymes and reduced levels of non-enzymatic metabolites, and efficacy of Zn in combination is dose dependent