Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Monitoring of organochlorine pesticide residues from bovine milk in Patna (Bihar), INDIA
The milk has high nutritional properties and is widely used as baby food in different forms. The present study was undertaken to evaluate pesticide contamination in bovine milk samples from Patna district of Bihar. Out of 24 samples analyzed during 2012, 18 samples (75 %) were found to be contaminated with HCH residues varying from ND-0.178 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.135 mg kg-1). Seven samples (29.2 %) had HCH exceeding MRL of 0.01 mg kg-1. DDT residues were detected in 20 samples (83.3 %) and ranged from ND-0.132 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.122 mg kg-1). Five samples (20.8 %) contained DDT residues above the prescribed MRL of 0.05 mg kg-1. Out of 24 samples of bovine milk analyzed during 2013, 16 samples (66.7 %) were found to be contaminated with HCH and 15 samples (62.5%) with DDT residues. The residues of HCH varied from ND-0.154 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.053 mg kg-1) and DDT from ND-0.120 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.122 mg kg-1). The residues of HCH and DDT were above MRL in four samples (16.7 %) and three samples (12.5 %) respectively. The management practices of animals and legal punishment on using banned pesticides are the alternatives to reduce pesticide contamination incidences in milk
Assessment of change in cervical and shoulder posture due to carriage of different weight of backpack
Present experimental research was planned to measure the percentage change in angle of cervical and shoulder posture of students due to carriage of different weights of backpack. For the above purpose total 30 students (15 boys and 15 girls) from the CBSE affiliated school of Meerut were selected by using the random and purposive sampling method. All the students were from the 7th class and belonged to the age group of 10-13 years. To measure the percentage change in cervical and spinal angle in terms of extension, flexion and range of motion (ROM), six experimental conditions were planned. These experimental conditions were as (1) change in cervical and spinal region in unloaded state without backpack, (2) with backpack on right shoulder, (3) with backpack on the both shoulder, (4) with backpack of 10 % reference body weight, (5) with backpack of 15 % reference body weight and (6) with backpack of 20 % reference body weight. These experiments were conducted by using by using inclinometer (Dualar IQ). Furthermore results were analyzed by using the mean, standard deviation (SD), range and ANOVA test.In result, it was found that the value of cervical and spinal region angles in static condition was increased with increase in weight of back pack i.e. 10 %, 15 % and 20 % of reference body weight in the girls and boys. Whereas, the angle of deviation of spinal and cervical region especially flexion and extension of boys and girls in dynamic condition was found to be decreasing with increase in 10 %, 15 % and 20 % body weight of backpack. Based on current study results, a schoolbag should not be more than 5% or body weight among the girl students and 10 % of body weight among boy students. Otherwise, it will be a risk factor for postural problems either immediately or during adulthood that needs to be cured urgently
Effect of packaging material and storage conditions on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) microtuber storability
An experiment was conducted at the ICAR-Central Potato Research Station, Gwalior (MP) during 2012-13 to study best packaging material and storage conditions for short term storage of potato microtubers of important varieties. Ten Micro tubers each of three popular varieties viz Kufri Sindhuri, Kufri Lauvkar and Kufri Chandramukhi (KCM) were packed in 5 packaging materials/ storage containers viz polythene without ventilation, polythene with ventilation, conical flask with cotton plug, conical flask with plastic cap and petri plates and kept in three storage condition viz ambient temperature, refrigerator (40C) and plant growth chamber (30C). After 45 days of storage of potato microtubers, at 5 per cent level of significance both percent overall weight loss and driage/ rottage was significantly low in polythene without ventilation (13.19 and 10.37 respectively) among packaging material and among storage conditions, at 5 per cent level of significance both percent overall weight loss and driage/ rottage was signifi-cantly low in growth chamber condition of 40C (12.77 and 12.44 respectively) over other two storage conditions. Kufri Sindhuri recorded significantly lowest overall percent weight loss (17.95) and driage/ rottage (8.00) at 5 percent level of significance over KCM and Kufri Lauvkar. Kufri Sindhuri has better storability under growth chamber condition at 30C in polythene without ventilation packaging up to 45 days
Evolution in Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea Commers.) - A review
Bougainvillea is a popular ornamental, mostly valued for its multi coloured bracts. It can be used in the garden as a shrub, climber, pot plant or as a specimen plant. By keeping the view of its multiple uses there is always demand for the new coloured and forms of bracts in bougainvillea. All the present day colourful bracted bougainvilleas are developed through bud sports, mutations and inter and intra specific hybridization. There is no record of varieties evolved in bougainvillea through classical breeding in different countries. Present article will provide maximum information generated in India by different re-search institutes on classical and mutation breeding on bougainvillea
Studies on plasma treatment and priming of seeds of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
The present investigation was carried out at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan during the year 2014 -2015 to study the “Effect of cold plasma treatment and priming on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cultivar California Wonder) for seed germination and seedling vigour. The seeds were ex-posed to various durations of oxygen plasma treatment using glow discharge technique at FCIPT, Institute for Plas-ma Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Seeds were pre-treated with power of 100 W for treatment durations of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 minutes for 0, 4, 8 and 12 month durations. The changes in surface morphology of plasma treated seeds were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Contact Angle Goniometer. Along with plasma treatment, seeds were also treated with standard priming method i.e osmoprimng for comparison. Results showed that plasma treatment alone as well as in combination with osmoprimng up to 6 minutes duration had positive effects on seed germination and seedling vigour. Germination and vigour indices significantly increased by 21.75% and 90.71% respectively. Characteristics of germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling vigour index-I & II, significantly increased by 13.92%, 1.39 cm, 0.38 mg, 322.07 respectively, compared with control. And it was found that immediately after plasma exposure the germination (84.41%) and vigour (228.50) was highest and it was reduced to (73.54%) and (174.27) after 12 months of storage. These results indicated that cold plasma treatment might promote the growth and modify the speed of germination i.e. higher speed of germination was observed in seeds exposed to plasma treat-ment for 6 minutes (59.82%), whereas, lowest germination speed (40.76%) was observed in untreated control
Effect of predrying treatments on the retention of quality characteristics of green peas (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Lincoln during mechanical drying
An experiment was conducted to standardize the predrying treatments with minimum loss to physicochemical characteristics of green peas (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Lincoln during drying process. In this study, moisture content (73%), TSS (15oB), chlorophyll content (28mg/100g) and ascorbic acid (54mg/100g) were recorded in green peas. Different predrying treatments used in this study for quality preservation of peas were T0, T1 and T2. From this study, it was concluded that Na2CO3, NaCl and sugars were responsible for the preservation of green color/ chlorophyll in peas during drying. On the basis of sensory evaluation T2 was found best among all because maximum green color was retained in this treatment. Therefore, it was further selected for physico-chemical analysis After drying there was decrease in moisture content (4%), chlorophyll content (17mg/100g) and ascorbic acid content (37.6mg /100g) while increase in TSS (22oB), reducing sugars (8.3%) and total sugars (20%) of peas. A rehydration ratio of 3:1 was observed for this treatment. This is a low cost technology for preservation of quality of peas. Dried peas can further be utilized for the preparation of various value added instant products round the year
Studies on influence of modified atmospheric storage conditions on biochemical parameters in pigeonpea seeds
An experiment was conducted to study the influence of modified atmospheric storage conditions on biochemical parameters of pigeonpea seeds. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Raichur, Karnataka. The seeds are exposed to various gaseous combinationsand stored in 700 gauge polyethylene bag for ten months during July-2012 to April- 2013. The results revealed that, the seeds exposed to gaseous combination of 40% N2+00% O2+ 60% CO2 showed less reduction in dehydrogenase enzyme activity and protein content (0.276 OD (optical density) value, 19.33 % respectively) as compared to the control (0.211 OD value and 18.13 % respectively) after ten months of storage. In addition less seed leachate (2.029 dSm-1) was recorded in gaseous combination of 40% N2+00% O2+ 60% CO2 as compared to control (2.207dSm-1). It indicates the potential use of modified atmospheric storage technology for maintenance of seed viability and vigour during storage in pulses
Effect of super-optimal levels of fertilizers on soil enzymatic activities during growth stages of wheat crop on an Inceptisol
A field experiment was conducted during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to investigate the effect of optimal (100% NPK) to super-optimal doses (200% NPK) of mineral fertilizers on soil enzymes such as dehydrogenase (DHA), acid phosphatase (Ac-PA), alkaline phosphatase (Alk-PA), fluorescien diacetate hydrolysis (FDA), urease and nitrate reductase (NRA) at three physiological stages (CRI, anthesis and maturity) of wheat crop on an Inceptisol. Dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 28-37% when fertilizer application was at super-optimal dose (200% NPK), whereas, urease and NRA responded positively in the range of 43-44% and 213-231% respectively. Alk-PAwas 7.3-7.9% higher in treatments receiving 125% NPK as compared to control (100% NPK); whereas, Ac-PA declines in the plots receiving 175 and 200% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as compared to 150% NPK levels. Addition of 175% RDF increased the FDA to the tune of 46-53% as compared to 100% NPK. A significant (P?0.05) positive interaction between fertilizer treatments and physiological stages of wheat growth was observed on soil enzyme activities (except urease and NRA) being highest at the anthesis stage of wheat. Correlation matrix analysis showed that DHA was correlated with the studied enzyme activities except Ac-PA and FDA; whereas, strong correlation was observed between urease and NRA (r=0.981, P=0.01). This study provides theoretical and practical base for avoiding super optimal application of fertilisers which hinders the enzyme activities and vis-a-vis sustainable nutrient enrichment under rhizosphere
Insect growth regulatory activities from oils of camphor and clove against Spilosoma obliqua
The present study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal and growth regulatory activities of clove oil, Syzygium aromaticum and camphor oil, Cinammomum camphora against Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua. The fourth instar larvae were subjected to topical application by microapplicator syringe with doses of 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5 ?l/larva. Camphor oil was most effective at 2.5, 2.0 and 1.5?l dose causing death of larvae ranging from 76-90%. It showed a strong growth regulatory activity with no adult emergence at the highest concentration. Clove oil was effective in reducing adult moth population to 27% at highest dose of 2.5 ?l. Only this dose could cause larval mortality of about 60%. The study shows potential of these oils to be utilized as insecticides or antibiosis mechanism to suppress the population of S. obliqua
Effect of foliar application of zinc and salicylic acid on growth, flowering and chemical constitute of African marigold cv. pusa narangi gainda (Targets erecta L.)
A field experiment on African marigold (Targets erecta L.) was conducted during winter season of 2014-15to study the foliar effect of Zn and SA of 20 treatment combinations having five concentrations of zinc (0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 %) and salicylic acid (0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mM/L).The treatmentZn4SA3 (Zinc 1% + Salicylic acid 1.0 mM/L) recorded the maximum plant height (77.41 cm), number of leaves per plant (314.10),earliest first flower bud appearance (39.78 days), maximum number of flowers per plant (62.33), maximum chlorophyll content (3.83mg/g) and maximum carotene content (3.07 mg/g)as compared to control where it was recorded minimum. These results are conclusive that foliar spraying with zinc 1.0% + salicylic acid 1.0 mM/L may positively increasedthe growth and flowering parametersof marigold