Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Social and technological dimensions; and constraint analysis in sugarcane cultivation of Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFBridging the yield gap in any crop cultivation should be the prime objective of any research efforts. By following the recommended production-cum-protection technologies, farmers can bridge the yield gap in any crop. As per sugarcane is concerned, the average cane yield in Tamil Nadu is 101 t/ha, which is lower than the potential yield of 203.7 t/ha resulting in yield gap of 50.42%. With this in mind, a study has been initiated to explore the social and technology dimensions and constraints involved in cane cultivation to addressing the issue of yield gap. Six blocks from Theni district under Rajshree Sugars & Chemicals Ltd were selected as study area. Information collected from sixty sugarcane farmers with semi structured interview schedule. The study revealed that majority (91.7%) of the respondents had more than 5 years of experience in sugarcane cultivation. Further, it revealed that the technologies, seed rate (83.3%), planting season (75.00%), primary tillage with mould board / disc plough (67%), gap filling, two split application of N and K (58.3%) and Organic fertilizer application (58.3%), stubble shaving, off baring (50.0%) had adoption rate of more than 50 percentage. Major constraints faced by cent per cent of the respondents were; non availability of labour and high labour cost, prolonged drought and water scarcity, low procuring cost per by sugar factory, yield reduction due to continuous cultivation of sugarcane. The novelty and importance of the study is that it mainly analysis all the sugarcane production and protection technologies from seed rate to harvest in three point continuum viz., fully adopted, partially adopted and not adopted
Ecobiology of coal mines and spoils
Get PDFCoal is an important non-renewable source of energy, which is being constantly used by mankind for various purposes. Coal mining activities affect the surrounding ecosystem by contaminating it with traces of toxic metals, which may accumulate and affect the diversity and abundance of biological communities. A number of microorganisms, such as, filamentous fungi, yeasts and bacteria are known to degrade coal by their enzymatic action and use it as the sole source of carbon. In addition, the indoor environments of coal mines possess bioaerosols, which may include living or dead allergens, pathogenic or non-pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, mycotoxins, bacterial endotoxins, peptidoglycans, etc., that may cause skin, respiratory tract and other health problems. This article throws light on the impact of coal mining on the surrounding ecosystem, degradation of coal by the microbial inhabitants and their effects on the health of miners
Calibration of DRAINMOD for prediction of water table depths and drain discharges under waterlogged Vertisols of Maharashtra, India
Get PDFAn estimation of optimal design parameters of subsurface drainage system through monitoring of water table depths and drain discharges are expensive in terms of time and money. The simulation modeling is an effective tool for estimation of drainage design parameters at less cost and short time. In view to this, calibration of DRAINMOD model for prediction of water table depths and drain discharges were conducted by installing subsurface drainage system with 40 m drain spacing and 1.0 m drain depth at Agricultural Research Station, Kasbe Digraj, Dist. Sangli (Maharashtra) during 2012-13 to 2013-14. The field data on water table depth and drain discharge were used for calibration of DRAINMOD model. The input data files on climatic, soil, crop and drainage design system parameters were attached to DRAINMOD model and calibrated successfully. It is found that both observed and simulated water table depths and drain discharges showed a fluctuating trend and predicted both water table depths and drain discharges closely with the observed values during frequent rainy days and following the rainy days. The DRAINMOD model reliably predicted water table depths with a goodness of fit (R2 = 0.97), MAE (12.23 cm), RMSE (15.49 cm) and CRM (0.05); drain discharges with R2 of 0.93, MAE of 0.095 mm day-1, RMSE of 0.1876 mm day-1and CRM of 0.04. Thus, the calibrated DRAINMOD model can be used to simulate the water table depths and drain discharges in semi-arid climatic conditions of Maharashtra and in turn to estimate and evaluate drain spacing and depth
Unobserved Components Model for Forecasting Sugarcane Yield in Haryana
Get PDFUnlike classical regression analysis, the state space models have time-dependent parameters and provide a flexible class of dynamic and structural time series models. The unobserved component model (UCM) is a special type of state space models widely used to analyze and forecast time series. The present investigation has been carried out to study the trend of sugarcane(gur) yield in five districts (Ambala, Karnal, Panipat, Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra) of Haryana state using the unobserved component models with level, trend and irregular components. For this purpose, the time series data on sugarcane yield from 1966-67 to 2016-17 of Ambala and Karnal, 1971-72 to 2016-17 of Kurukshetra and 1980-81 to 2016-17 of Panipat and Yamunanagar districts have been used. For all the districts, the irregular component was found to be highly significant (p=0.01) while both level and trend component variances were observed non-significant. Significance analysis of the individual component(s) has also been performed for possible dropping of the level and trend components by setting their variances equal to zero. The state space models may be effectively used pertaining to Indian agriculture data, as it takes into account the time dependency of the underlying parameters which may further enhance the predictive accuracy of the most popularly used ARIMA models with parameter constancy. Moreover, the unobserved component model is capable of handling both stationary as well as non-stationary time series and thus found more suitable for sugarcane yield modeling which is a trended yield (i.e. non-stationary in nature)
First report of Blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata Thunberg (Meloidae: Coleoptera) in maize fields from Sarson village of Almora District, Uttarakhand (India)
Get PDFOrange banded blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata is an important species of Blister beetles and has been found to cause economic damage due to its polyphagous nature. In the present study, M. pustulata was found to be feeding on maize crop from Sarson village of Almora, Uttarakhand which is located on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of the Himalaya range. This article brings into notice the damage by M. pustulata first time on maize from the specified area. The morphological features such as characteristic wing pattern, mouthparts, antennae etc. and feeding on sap or solid matter of floral or fruit in a similar manner as described in earlier texts revealed the similarity of test insect with M. pustulata. 
Influence of prolonged disposal of municipal solid waste on soil productivity factors
Get PDFThe prolonged disposal of municipal waste influences the soil productivity factors. Therefore, the present study was carried out at dumping site near Chandi bridge Hardwar (Uttarakhand) to determine the effect of physico-chemical parameters of the solid waste on soil productivity factors of soil at different sites- Site-A: It was near to slump area. Site-B (500 meter far from site-A: It was used for dumping and partially submerged with water and had a swampy condition, Site-C (500 meter far from site-B): It was near to Chandi devi ropeway and contained fresh as well as partially decomposed waste. Site- D and Site-E (500 meter far from site-C): It was used for dumping and had putrefied odour due to decomposition of fresh waste. The control site- X (Bilkeshwar mountain region): 10 Km far from experimental sites in N-W direction of Chandi bridge municipal waste dumping area at Hardwar (Uttarakhand), India during the year 2006-2009 at present these sites have been closed for dumping of waste. The soil productivity factors viz. available nitrogen (0.32 ppm), organic matter (0.89%) were found maximum at site-A, temperature (24.610C) at site-C and electrical conductivity (1.05 dSM-1) available phosphorus (33.16ppm), available potash (260.17ppm) at site-E of dumping area in comparison to the soil of control site-X (Bilkeshwar mountain range). At control site, bulk density (1.37 g/cc) and pH (7.65) were maximum while the bulk density (1.08 ± 0.22) g/cc at site-D and pH (7.02) at site-E were observed minimum. The results were statistically analyzed to indicate that the dumping of municipal waste influenced the pH and bulk density of soil and increased the acidity and porosity of soil through which pollutants leach to ground water. But higher amount of organic matter, N, P, K makes it fit for the raw material that may be used in fertilizing industries by using appropriate technologies. The study would be helpful for utilization of municipal wastes in compost formation and to indicate the influence of municipal waste on soil quality of the dumping sites of other places. 
Performance of late season litchi cultivars grown in Jharkhand Province of India
Get PDFThe narrow genetic diversity and short market availability of litchi (Litchi chinesis Sonn.) are the main constrains for its cultivation more profitable in Indian sub-continent. Late season litchi cultivars in subtropical and tropical India are prone to fruit cracking and diseases susceptibility. Seven promising selections and four late season commercial cultivars viz; CHES-1, CHES-2, CHES -3, CHL-5. CHL-7, Lal Bombaiya, Late Bedana, Purbi, Selection -3-7, Selection 8-1 and Swarna Roopa were evaluated during 2014-15 at ICAR-RCER Ranchi, based on physico-chemical characters, cracking habit and diseases susceptibility. The results revealed that the cultivars Purbi, Lal Bombaiya and Late Bedana were cracking resistant. The maximum fruit weight was found in the cultivars Lal Bombaiya (22.0 g ) being comparable with Late Bedana (21.2 g) and CHES-2 (21.0 g). The cultivars Lal Bombaiya and CHES –2 had the highest aril weight of 19.44 g and 17.66 g, respectably. The maximum TSS of 22.2 0B was found in CHES-1 both in Jharkhand and Bihar. Late Bedana cultivar had high sugar acid ratio (73.52) with pomegranate flavor and popular for local market. Litchi fruit borer mainly attacked Lal Bombaiya and CHES-2 at early stage whereas the cultivars Purbi and Swarna Roopa were affected (3-6% bunch) by litchi stink bug (Tessaratoma javanica) at late harvest season. From the present study, it was concluded that CHES-1, Lal Bombaiya, Purbi and Late Bedana were promising late season cultivars for commercial cultivation with effective management of litchi fruit borer and stink bug
Estimation of heterobeltiosis in F1 hybrids of China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees]
Get PDFHeterosis over better parents was estimated in thirty crosses of China aster involving six lines viz., Matsumoto Pink, Matsumoto Red, Matsumoto Rose, Matsumoto Yellow, Matsumoto Scarlet and Matsumoto White and five testers viz., Phule Ganesh Violet, Phule Ganesh Purple, IIHRJ3-2, IIHRG13 and Local White during 2016-17 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru during 2016-17. Results revealed that the cross L6 × T5 exhibited highest positive significant heterobeltiosis at 5% level of significance for plant height (33.85), flower stalk length (73.76), number of flowers per plant (101.18), weight of flowers per plant (47.90) and flower yield per hectare (47.91). The cross L1 x T3 exhibited maximum negative heterobeltiosis for days to first flowering (-47.41). L5 x T4 recorded the maximum positive heterobeltiosis (at 5%) for flower head diameter (26.44) and 100 flower weight (3.41)
Effect of air pollutants on some heavy metals and biochemical constituents of leaves of some plants at Bangalore city: A case study
Get PDFRapid urbanization in India has necessitated for undertaking remedial measures to minimize the alarming air pollution levels and consequent health effects. Promotion of vegetation that is tolerant to air pollutants is considered as an ecological sustainable strategy for mitigation of ill effects of particulate matters. In this regard the levels of four heavy metals viz. zinc (Zn) , lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) and its effects on antioxidants levels (Catalase activity), phytochemicals (Protein, Proline, Gallic acid) and lipid peroxidation were studied in six commonly growing plants- O.sanctum, L. aspera, L.camara, V. rosea, B. spectabilis and R. communis from polluted (Zone I) and unpolluted (Zone 2) environments of Bangalore. Mean levels of heavy metals were comparatively higher in plants from polluted environments. Mean levels of Total protein (6.57±1.71 v/s 8.35±1.27 mg/g), gallic acid (15.79 ± 22.51 v/s 22.95 ± 25.66mg/g) and Catalase activity (66.72±17.95 v/s 78.94± 15.24 mU/g) was comparatively decreased in plants from polluted sites compared to non polluted control sites. Mean Proline (3.11±0.46 v/s 2.63±0.66 mg/g) and Malonaldehyde (19.07±13.86 v/s 16.62±13.49 nmol/g) levels, indicators of oxidative stress, was comparatively increased in plants from polluted sites. Positive correlation of lipid peroxidation in leaves was observed with heavy metals copper (r=0.961, P<0.005 in control sites; r=0.881, P<0.05 in polluted sites) and chromium (r=0.792 in control sites; r=0.758 in polluted sites). Zn levels showed statistically significant (P<0.05) positive correlation with gallic acid content in plant leaves (r= 0.871 in control sites: r= 0.937 in polluted sites). Total protein content showed significant negative correlation (P<0.005) with Cu (r=-0.846) and Cr (r=-0.943) in control sites, but non-significant negative correlation in plants from polluted sites. The study revealed that plants responded to stress induced by air pollutants and produced phenolic compounds to tolerate and mitigate the oxidative stress
Seasonal changes in reproductive cycle of female fresh water prawn, Macrobrachium dayanum (Henderson) from river Gomti, Lucknow (India)
Get PDFThe present study was conducted on the experimental animals, Macrobrachium dayanum (Henderson) (Crustacea: Decapoda) to analyze the seasonal changes in reproductive cycle of female, found at different locations in river Gomti (26°55´; 80°59´ E), in and around Lucknow (U.P. India). The reproductive activities were found in cyclic manner in M.dayanum, which breeds continuously throughout the year but with two distinct peaks one major in the month of May-July and one minor in the month of January – Feburary. Five stages of Oogenesis i.e. proliferative, meiotic, previtellogenic, vitellogenic and resorbtion or atretic oocyte phase have been recorded in M. dayanum. Mature ova were noticed in two peaks i.e. major in month of July – August and September and minor in months of February and March. Histoarchitecture of hepatopancreas showed seasonal changes in accordance with the gonadal development. The reproductive cycle of M.dayanum is reported for the first time and very little work is known on the seasonal changes with respect to reproduction and its correlation with hepatopancreas