Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
Determination of genetic divergence in pointed gourd by principal component and non-hierarchical euclidean cluster analysis
Get PDFThe present investigation was carried out at Vegetable Research Centre, Pantnagar to estimate the ge-netic divergence using Mahalanobis D2 statistics for twelve characters on 35 genotypes of pointed gourd. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to identify the most discerning trait responsible for greater variability in the lines and on the basis of mean performance, genotypes were classified into different groups. Five principal components (PC) have been extracted using the mean performance of the genotypes and 83.23 per cent variation is yielded by the first five principal components, among them high mean positive value or higher weight age was obtained was obtained for days to first female flower anthesis and days to first fruit harvest among all the vectors, indicates that these traits are important component of genetic divergence in pointed gourd. Non- hierarchical Euclidean cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into seven clusters and the highest number of genotypes were found in cluster number IV i.e. eleven whereas maximum inter-cluster distance was found between the cluster III and VI i.e. 74.250, it indicates that a wide range of genetic divergence is present between the genotypes present among these two clusters. And as per contribution toward total divergence, traits like fruit yield per hectare and number of fruit per plant contributed 92.64% toward total divergence. The high diversity found in the genotypes showed its great potential for improving qualitative as well as quantitative traits in pointed gourd
In vitro studies of inhibitory activity of plant extracts and cow urine on mycelial growth of stem rot, Sclerotimoryzae of rice
Get PDFSoil borne phytopathogen Sclerotiumoryzae significantly affect rice production. To reduce load of chemical pesticides, antifungal activity of plant extracts and cow urine against mycelial growth of S.oryzaewere tested using poisoned food technique under in vitro condition. Plant extracts of 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10% concentration was prepared from Allium cepa, Azadirachtaindica, A. sativum, Ricinuscommunisand Syzygiumcumini. Inhibition of mycelial growth of S.oryzaewas recorded only in case of A. sativum and A. cepa while Azadirachtaindica, Ricinuscommunisand Syzygiumcumini did not show any inhibition of mycelial growth as compared to control. A.sativum plant extracts showed maximum inhibition of mycelia growth of 68.88% at concentration 10% followed by 32.96%, 22.96% and 18.88% at concentration 7.5%, 5.0% and 2.5% resepectively. 22.60%, 19.62%, 17.77% and 8.88% inhibition of mycelial growth as compared to control was recorded at 10%, 7.5%, 5.0% and 2.5% concentration of plant extracts of A.cepa. All the concentration of cow urine inhibited the mycelial growth of S. oryzae. Cow urine at the concentration 5, 7.5 and 10.0 per cent resulted in 100 per cent inhibition of mycelia growth of test pathogen as compared to control. Maximum inhibition of 98.14 per cent was observed at 2.5 per cent concentration followed by 1.25 per cent (63.7%) concentration. This study showed that A.sativum and A.cepa and cow urine possess antifungal activity under in vitro condition. It can also be tested for antifungal activity under in vivo condition
Ground water quality assessment for irrigation in Palwal block of Palwal district, Haryana, India
Get PDFThe present study examined the quality of groundwater for agriculture purpose in a 49785 ha region comprising Palwal block of Palwal district of Haryana state by focusing on spatial variability of electrical conductivity (EC), cationic and anionic composition of CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ of the ground water. It was found 75% of the samples showed EC values up to 4 dS/m and the maximum value of EC was found as 10.55 dS/m. Out of one hundred thirty three ground water samples 34.8 % were of good quality, 49.2 % saline and 16.0 % alkali in nature. Out of the saline water, 24.2, 1.5 and 23.5 % were marginally saline, saline and high SAR saline, respectively. In alkali group, 2.3, 2.3 and 11.4 % were marginally alkali, alkali and high alkali, respectively. Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) varied from nil to 5.50 me L-1 and 2.50 to 23.41 (m mol L-1)½, respectively. Counter map maps of EC, SAR, RSC and water quality of groundwater used for irrigation in the block were prepared through GIS to study spatial variability
Evaluation of different doses of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on the rooting, survival and vegetative growth performance of hardwood cuttings of Flordaguard peach (Prunus persica L. Batch)
Get PDFThe present study was conducted on the evaluation of different doses of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on the rooting, survival and vegetative growth performance of hardwood cuttings of Flordaguard peach (Prunus persica L. Batch) during the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur. The hardwood cuttings of 10 years old Flordaguard peach plant having 15-20cm in length and 0.8-1.2cm in diameter with 6-7 buds were prepared in the first fortnight of January .The basal portion of the cuttings was dipped in different doses of IBA viz. 1000ppm, 2000ppm, 3000ppm, 4000pppm, 5000ppm and control (without IBA treatment) for 1-2 minutes and planted in an open field conditions by following the recommended cultural practices for nursery raising. It was noticed that hardwood cuttings of Flordaguard peach treated with 3000ppm of IBA for 1- 2 minutes significantly took the minimum number of days to sprouting (7.05), rooting (6.0) with highest sprouting percentage (98.45%), survival percentage (90.55%), plant height(195.45cm), plant girth(10.50cm), number of branches(13.50) ,number of leaves (260.4), leaf length (19.55cm), leaf breadth (4.12cm), leaf weight (2.0gm), per-cent rooting (94.45%), number of roots (75.83), root length (38.0cm), root girth (0.98 cm) and root weight (13.50gm).Therefore, the application of 3000 ppm IBA was found to be best in terms of rooting, survival and vegeta-tive growth of hardwood cuttings of Flordaguard peach (Prunus persicaL. Batch). The beneficial effect of present work develop protocol which can be reliably used to develop the rootstock plant of Flordaguard which is resistant to nematodes through cutting which become ready for budding/grafting in the field in one year instead of two years as raised through see
Evaluation of casing variables for cultivation of Agaricusbisporus strain U3 in Punjab, India
Get PDFCasing is an important step during cultivation of button mushroom. It promotes a shift of vegetative mycelium to form pinheads leading to mature basidiocarps. Therefore, An experiment was planned at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in which farm yard manure (FYM), biogas slurry (BS), burnt rice husk (BRH), spent compost (SC), coir pith (CP) and sandy soil (SS) were used in six combinations to evaluate their impact on yield of Agaricusbisporus strain U3. Casing mixtures were analyzed for the moisture, water holding capacity (WHC), bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and mineral analysis. The moisture content of casing mixtures ranged between 33 to 56.3% with maximum in FYM+CP (1:1) and FYM+BS (1:1) which results in more water holding capacity with 160% and 100% for FYM+CP (1:1) and FYM+BS (1:1) respectively. The bulk density of different casing mixtures ranged between 33.3 to 83.3% and maximum for FYM+BS as well as the control FYM+SS (4:1). No significant variation in pH of casing mixture was observed while EC was significantly higher in FYM+BS (1:1) with 1.7 mmhos cm-1. Microbial count of different casing mixtures was between 3.0-5.7×105 which was statistically non-significant with respect to casing mixtures. A mixture of FYM+BRH (1:1) gave maximum yield of 15.1 kg with heavy fruit bodies. Number of fruiting bodies in casing mixture FYM+BRH (1:1) were 31.4, 26.4, 148.1,31.4 and 8.1 percent higher over FYM+CP (1:1), FYM+SC (1:1), FYM+BS (1:1), FYM and FYM+SS (4:1,control), respectively. The casing mixture FYM+BRH (1:1) with higher number of fruiting bodies with maximum fruiting bodies weight was the best alternate in mushroom growing industry
Efficacy of different variants of corn flour (Zea mays) and peanut flour (Arachis hypogea) on quality characteristics of designer low sodium fish (Pangasius pangasius) balls
Get PDFThe present study was undertaken to analyze the effect of incorporation of different combinations of corn flour (Zea mays) and peanut flour (Arachis hypogea) on quality characteristics of low sodium fish (Pangasius pangasius) balls. Replacement of 50% sodium chloride by 40% KCl, 30% citric acid and 30% sucrose was optimum for preparation of low sodium fish balls. Three different levels of corn flour with peanut flour viz. 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25 were incorporated for preparation of low sodium fish balls and were compared with fish balls prepared by incorporating 10% refined wheat flour (control). On the basis of physico-chemical and sensory evaluation, emulsion stability, cooking yield and overall acceptability were significantly (p<0.05) found to be higher with incorporation @75% corn flour and 25% peanut flour for preparation of low sodium fish balls. The FFA, TBA and all microbiological profile were found to be significantly (p<0.05) increasing with increase in days of storage. The pH, cooking yield, FFA, TBA, total plate count, pychrotropic count, yeast and mould count, overall acceptability were found to be 5.74 ±0.14, 87.06 ± 0.43, 0.36 ± 0.01, 0.72 ± 0.19, 4.43 ± 0.12,3.74 ± 0.2 ,2.60 ± 0.2 ,7.09±0.09 respectively on 21st day of refrigeration storage. The prepared designer low sodium fish balls were found to be fit for human consumption till 21st day of refrigeration storage (4±1°C)
Isolation, identification of Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica and screening of tomato parental lines for buckeye rot resistance
Get PDFBuckeye rot disease of tomato which is one of the most devastating diseases of tomato crop is caused by soil born fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica. In present study, the pathogen was isolated, morphologically identified and its pathogenicity was proved on susceptible commercial variety Solan Lalima and resistant line EC-251649 of tomato. Isolation of pathogen from the infected tomato fruit was achieved on Corn Meal Agar (CMA) out of two different media viz., Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and CMA. Fungal inoculum was prepared on Corn Meal broth. Inoculation with 10 ml of inoculum was found optimum in plant parts namely, stem, leaves and fruits. Parental lines were inoculated to test their disease reaction to buckeye rot. Symptoms of infection appeared on leaves and fruits only. Solan Lalima was found to be highly susceptible to with disease severity of 92 % and 100 % disease incidence, while EC-251649 was found moderately resistant on the basis of 16 % disease severity and 10 % disease incidence to the disease. After confirmation of resistance and susceptibility, the parental lines were surveyed for polymorphism using 42 primers and 32 were recorded to be polymorphic revealing that the differences are present at DNA level also. This is the very first study which evaluated parental lines for buckeye rot disease reaction on morphological as well as molecular basis. These lines will be further used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis/gene tagging for buckeye rot and marker assisted selection to provide improved varieties to the farmers
Slip, trip and falls among women of different age groups: A case study from the northern hills of India
Get PDFSlip, trip and falls continue to be significant occupational safety concern, and causes of occupational injuries and fatalities in the workplace and daily activities. This paper shows the results of a comparative study done in the hill region of India. It explored the slip, trip and fall injuries in terms of activities leading to them and impact o f such injuries among the hill women of different age groups: young adults, middle aged and elderly. It was found that most of the slip, trip and falls were faced during the activity of carrying fodder (52.78 %), carrying firewood (49.44 %), collecting fodder (47.78 %), collecting firewood (43.89 %) and collecting dung (40.56 %). Most of the slip acci-dents were reported by elderly age group as compared to middle aged and young adults. Majority of the respond-ents got hurt their back and/or they suffered from back pain (76.67 %), faced general pain (72.22 %) and fractures (45.00 %). Most of the respondents reported the possible perceived reason for slip, trip and falls as slippery terrain (82.78 %), followed by 80.00 % of respondents who reported carrying excess load as the major reason. Other reasons reported were being rushed at work (77.77 %), awkward or unusual working posture (76.66 %).This study brings in light the dangerous working conditions of hill women, who often suffers from many injuries including slip, trip and falls even just for meeting her daily family needs such as water, fuel, fodder
Canopy temperature, excised leaf water retention, productivity and quality of wheat as affected by various nutrient sources in Pearl millet-wheat cropping system
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted during the year 2013-14 at Agronomy Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India). The experiment consisting of twelve treatments was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Grain yield of pearl millet (3012 kg/ha) was recorded highest in T6 (50 % RD-NP + 50 % N through FYM). Yield contributing characters were recorded highest in T6 (50 % RD-NP + 50 % N through FYM in pearl millet and 100 % RD-NP in wheat) in wheat crop. In wheat crop, treatment T6 recorded highest growth characters and yield contributing characters. Similarly, highest grain as well as biological yield was recorded in T6. Highest protein content, protein yield, sedimentation value and hectoliter weight was also recorded in T6. Highest grain yield of both pearl millet and wheat (5582 kg/ha) in pearl millet-wheat cropping system was obtained with the application of 50 % RD-NP + 50 % N through FYM in pearl millet and 100 % RD-NP in wheat while lowest yield of pearl millet (976 kg/ha) and wheat (1190 kg/ha) was recorded in T1 (control)
Endophytic microorganisms of tropical tuber crops: Potential and perspectives
Get PDFEndophytic microorganisms which include both bacteria and fungi colonise almost every plant species. In order to colonize the plant and compete with other microorganisms, they produce a plethora of secondary metabolites, including toxins, enzymes, antibiotics, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antifungal compounds. Endophytic fungi can have profound impacts on plant communities which include abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, increase of biomass, decrease of water consumption and alteration of resource allocation, nitrogen fixation, increased drought resistance, thermal protection, survival under osmotic stress and degradation of pollutants. Though tuber crops are the second most important group of crop plants providing food energy to humans after cereals, less attention has been paid to the these traditional crops in general. Investigations regarding the association of endophytes with the tuber crops have been sparsely studied though in some tuber crops like cassava, sweet potato and yams, presence of endophytes have been reported. Hence from the scarcely available literature, in the current review an attempt was made to put light on the various beneficial activities of endophytes on tuber crops. These reports glorified many symbiotically associated endophytes to have antagonistic properties against many plant pathogens like Rhizoctoniasolani, Pythiumaphanidermatumand Sclerotiumrolfsii. Species like Rahnellawas resilient to cold shock, UV irradiation and antibiotics. Many diazotropihic and non-diazotropihicendophytic bacteria were involved in nitrogen fixation. Actinomycetesendophytes were novel sources of industrially important thermostableamylolytic enzymes. However, inspite of all these profound beneficial effects endophytic associations are still to be studied in many tuber crops like taro, elephant foot yam, greater yam etc. So this review put forward the urge to carry out comprehensive research on these important microbes on such important crops