Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Soil properties under different land use systems of Mizoram, North East India
Get PDFChanges in land use and improper soil management have led to severe land degradation around the globe through the modification in soil physicochemical and biological processes. This study aimed to assess the soil properties of different land use system types. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected from five land uses; Rubber Plantation (RP), Oil Palm Plantation (OPP), Bamboo Forest (BF), Fallow Land (FL) and Natural Forest (NF) and analyzed for bulk density, soil texture, soil pH, soil moisture, soil carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration. Soil pH was lower than 4.9 in all the sites indicating that the surface soil was highly acidic. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) values ranged from 2.02% to 2.81% and 0.22% to 0.3% respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and soil microbial biomass (SMBC) were highly affected by soil moisture. NH4+-N and NO3--N ranged from 5.6 mg kg-1 to 10.2 mg kg-1 and 1.15 mg kg-1 to 2.81 mg kg-1 respectively. NF soils showed the maximum soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) whereas the minimum was observed in BF with values ranging from 340 mg kg-1 to 345 mg kg-1. Basal respiration was highest in RP (375 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1) and lowest in BF (224 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1). The findings demonstrated significant effect (p<0.05) of land use change on soil nutrient status and organic matter. Findings also indicated that land use change deteriorated native soil physicochemical and biological properties, but that land restoration practices through longer fallow period (>10 years) likely are successful in promoting the recovery of some soil characteristics
Development and quality of apple -whey based herbal functional ready-to-serve beverage
Get PDFApple is one of the widely consumed fruits which constitute an important part of the human diet as a source of sugars and dietary fibres. But, it is poor in proteins and some minerals like calcium. On the other hand, whey- a by-product of dairy industry is an excellent source of proteins and calcium. Therefore, in the present study, apple-whey based functional ready-to-serve (RTS) beverage was developed by blending apple juice with whey and jaljeera extract and was evaluated for quality under ambient and refrigerated conditions during storage. The incorporation of whey had increased the calcium content from 3.96 to 15.64 mg/100 mL and total proteins from 0.07 to 0.29 % in the developed beverage. Further addition of jaljeera extract not only enhanced the sensory quality of the beverage, but also improved the ascorbic acid content (10.57 mg/100g) total phenols (37.86 mg/100g) and antioxidant activity (40.34 %). The developed product was stored safely for a period of sixty days under refrigerated storage conditions with minimum changes in chemical and sensory attributes
Kitchen waste management by vermicomposting using locally available epigeic earthworm species
Get PDFA large quantity of kitchen waste is generated in India which is either burnt, left in open or landfilled posing a serious problem of its safe disposal. To mitigate this problem all the kitchen waste can be converted into highly valuable nutrient rich vermicompost using the locally available epigeic earthworms. The biodegradable kitchen waste like vegetables, fruits, food waste etc can be cultured with earthworms to form the vermicompost by using vermitechnology. Since these vermicomposts are rich in nutrients which can replace the chemical fertilizers. In the present study the vermicomposting of kitchen waste has been attempted using locally available epigeic earthworm species of Jammu namely Amynthus diffringens, Metaphire houlleti and Octolasion tyrtaeum. The physico-chemical analysis of generated vermicomposts was carried out and compared with each other and with that of original soil sample that has been added in vermibeds prior to earthworm inoculation and addition of kitchen waste. The average values of macronutrients in the vermicompost produced by O. tyrtaeum were observed to be the highest among all types of vermicomposts i.e. Organic Carbon (OC)- 11.66 ± 0.34% , Nitrogen (N)- 1.17 ± 0.20%, Phosphorus (P)- 2.97 ± 0.32%, Potassium (K)- 1.18 ± 0.15%, Calcium (Ca)- 0.26 ± 0.04%, Magnesium (Mg)- 0.17 ± 0.04%
Preliminary checklist of moths (Lepidoptera: Glossata) of Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu
Get PDFThe present research was carried out to document the moth fauna of Annamalai Nagar during December, 2015 to November, 2016 comprising four seasons for a period of one year, from agriculture and horticulture ecosystems using light traps and host rearing methods. The sheet method was used to record moth insects individually without any damage. Any moths that alight on the screen were recorded in jars just after sunset between 18.00 – 23.00 hr. A total of 2,679 moths were recorded using all the three types of methods employed in the study. Out of which, light trap was found with maximum of 2,253 moths followed by manual collection (369) and host rearing (57) from four different sites of observation. Among the sites, light trapping of moths were observed maximum (656) in Orchard followed by Experimental farm with 629 numbers. The diversity of moths was observed in the study area of Annamalai Nagar indicated the presence of 70 genera and 56 species identified under nine superfamilies of Clades viz., Obtectomera (Pyraloidea and Thyridoidea) Macroheterocera (Noctuoidea, Bombycoidea, Geometroidea, Lasiocampoidea) Apoditrysia (Pterophoroidea and Cossoidea) Ditrysia (Tineoidea). The families namely Crambidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae, Sphingidae, Bombycidae, Uraniidae, Thyrididae, Eupterotidae, Geometridae, Pterophoridae, Lasiocampidae, Cossidae and Psychidae were observed in the study area. Out of which, the family Erebidae alone had 28 genera and 25 species and found to be the superior family. From the results, it was clear that light trapping was superior in collection of moths during night times
Geospatial mapping and drinking water quality status of fluoride endemic hilly District Doda (J&K), India
Get PDFIn the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the drinking water quality status of various surface and ground water sources and the supplied water from two water filtration plants supplying drinking water to Doda town and its adjoining areas by using Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) and geospatial mapping techniques. Doda is fluoride endemic district of Jammu and Kashmir State where groundwater fluoride concentration upto 7.0 mg/L is recorded. Water samples collected from about twenty two drinking water sources from two blocks of Doda district (Bhagwah and Doda blocks) were analyzed at pre-determined locations marked using handheld GPS(Montana 650). These locations formed the attribute database for the study based on which fluoride distribution maps have been derived and integrated with Arithmetic WQI through Inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique. Prepared thematic maps have confirmed the vulnerability of the drinking water sources and water supply systems in the study area, thus, posing a serious public health concern. Based on the WQI, water quality status of Beoli filtration plant (WQI=43.26) falls under the category of good water whereas that of Moochan filtration plant (WQI=157.41) has been classified as unfit for drinking. The geochemical evolution of the water studied using Piper’s diagram has shown mixed type of hydrochemical facies. Coefficient of correlation(r) between different parameters has indicated significant correlation between several parameters. The study urges the concerned government authorities to make provisions for providing safe drinking water to public which is free of turbidity and low in fluoride concentration
Sustainable traditional dyeing of wool by Bhotia tribe in Himalayan region: A case study
Get PDFBhotia tribe is one of the community residing in the high Himalayan region of Uttarakhand state that shares the border with Tibet. The tribe is divided into five sub-groups viz., the Jadhs , Marchas, Tolchas , Shaukas and Rung. The present study was conducted in the five villages namely Lata and Chinka from Chamoli, Darkot and Baluwakot from Pithoragarh and Dunda from Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand for exploring the information from different sub-groups of Bhotia tribe about plants used by them for extracting dyes and used for traditional textile coloration in past and during present time. The rich flora of Himalayan region in Uttarakhand has been abode to varieties of plant species. The wild plant species were used by the Bhotia tribals for dyeing their woolen products. These plant dyes were obtained from jangli palak (Rumex nepalensis), bagmaru (Eupatorium), kilmora (Berberis asiatica), akhrot (Juglans regia), dholu (Rheum aystrale), tea leaves, tantri (Rheum moorcroftianum), kaphal (Myrica esculenta), darim (Punica grantum), burans (Rhodendron araborium) and harda (Terminlia chebula). Today only Shauka and Jadh tribals are using natural dyes for dyeing woolen yarn. Reasons for the reduction in usage of natural dyes among Bhotia tribals were the extinction of plant species, change in land use, natural disasters, government restriction on plucking certain plant species, the availability of synthetic dyes and colored yarns at low cost in the market. The identification of factors that led to the non-practice of sustainable dying practice among tribals for woolen craft will help in planning and conducting interventions through public, private and government organizations
Interaction effect of irrigation scheduling, mulching and integrated nutrient management on summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yields under subtropical conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh
Get PDFThe study aimed to evaluate the interaction effect of irrigation scheduling, mulching and integrated nutrient management on yields of summer groundnut under sub-tropical conditions. An experiment of summer groundnut involving three irrigation scheduling, two mulching and four integrated nutrient management treatments was undertaken for consecutive two years at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India in a split-plot design with three replications Treatments significantly influenced pod, kernel, haulm, and biological yield of groundnut. Irrigation scheduling at 60 CPE (cumulative pan evaporation) with paddy straw mulch and 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 25% N through farmyard manure (FYM)] + 60 kg S through gypsum recorded highest pod (3611 kg ha-1), kernel (2254 kg ha-1), haulm (5185 kg ha-1), and biological yield (8743 kg ha-1). Further this treatment combination was found better for increasing summer groundnut yields under subtropical condition
Influence of two management systems on the growth performance of adult African giant land snails (Archachatina marginata)
Get PDFAfrican gaint land snails are important as means of alleviating acute protein shortage in Nigeria livestock Industries. The present study aimed to study the influence of intensive and extensive management systems on the growth Performance of adult African Giant Land Snails (Archachatina marginata) was carried out in the wildlife domestication unit of the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Ninety African giant land snails (A. marginata) of average body weight 160.31g ± 0.38g were used for the study. The snails were grouped into two- Group A and Group B. 45 snails in group A were raised in an intensive system of management while 45 snails in group B were raised in an extensive system of management. The data collected on weight gain, shell length increment and shell width increment during the experiment were subjected to student t-Test at 5% significant level. Results showed that there was a significant difference at (p<0.05) in the weight gain. The intensive management system had a higher weight gain of 128.96g with mean value of 4.96 while the extensive management system had a weight gain of 88.37g with mean value of 3.40. There was no significant difference at (p>0.05) in the shell length increment. The snails in the extensive management system had the higher shell length increment of 5.32cm with mean value of 0.20 while the snails in the intensive management system had a shell length increment of 2.43cm with mean value of 0.09. There was a significant difference at (p<0.05) in the shell width increment. The snails in the extensive management system had the higher shell width increment of 9.31cm with mean value of 0.36 while the snails in the intensive management system had a shell width increment of 4.30cm with mean value of 0.17. The snails in the intensive system had a Feed Conversion Ratio of 5.03. For better growth performance of A. marginata in terms of weight gain, snail farmers should raise their snails in an intensive system of management and formulated diet should be used in feeding the snails along side with natural feed such as leaves and fruits
The Effect of TEAT PROTECT spray and potassium permanganate teat dip in curing subclinical mastitis in crossbred cows of Villupuram district of Tamilnadu
No full textA study was undertaken to assess the incidence of subclinical mastitis in crossbred cows of Villupuram district by using direct microscopic Somatic cell count (SCC). For this purpose sixty eight crossbred cows positive for subclinical mastitis (SCM) as per IDF (International Dairy Federation) criteria were randomly allotted in to two treatment groups. The cows in T1 group were subjected to post milking teat dip with one per cent Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) solution immediately after milking. The cows in T2 group were sprayed with TEAT PROTECT sprays. Sixteen healthy cows were kept as control group and udder was washed with plain water. The treatments were carried out for 30 days. Udder health status was determined by recording the parameters viz. somatic cell count (SCC), average daily milk yield, udder colony count and teat colony count. The results revealed that TEAT PROTECT spray is superior to Potassium permanganate in curing SCM of crossbred cows
Monitoring and mapping of seasonal vegetation trend in Tamil Nadu using NDVI and NDWI imagery
Get PDFIn order to monitor vegetation growth and development over the districts and land covers of Tamil Nadu, India during the crop growing season viz., Khairf and Rabi of 2017, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) derived surface reflectance product (MOD09A1) which is available at 500 m resolution and 8-day temporal period was used to derive a time series based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) for monitoring and mapping terrestrial vegetation trend analysis which showed areas in Tamil Nadu having vegetation greening and vegetation browning. The regression slope values derived from the trend analysis was utilized and the NDVI and NDWI seasonal trend showed majority of area in Tamil Nadu falling under positive trend during the Kharif season (86.52 per cent for NDVI and 90.29 per cent for NDWI). While irrespective of land cover classes, NDVI and NDWI during Kharif season showed a greater positive trend (greening) with least negative trend (browning) for vegetation growth over the land covers whereas during Rabi season it was observed to have a mix of positive trend and negative trend over the land covers. This study was carried out to show that a systematic study can be done for understanding changes over the landscape through the use of high spatial resolution satellite dataset such as MODIS, which provides detailed spatial and temporal description at regional scale. While a trend analysis using regression slope values can be considered for demonstrating the spatial and temporal consistency on land and vegetation dynamics