Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Chemistry and insecticidal potential of bay leaf essential oil against stored grain pest of wheat
A laboratory experiment was conducted to study chemistry and insecticidal activity of bay leaf oil, its fractions and isolated compounds against stored grain pest of wheat i.e.Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Bay leaf essential oil extracted from dried and powdered bay leaves was subjected to column chromatography to have its fractions. Extensive column chromatography of polar fraction yielded Eugenol and 7, 7 Dimethyl-3-methylene bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-4-ol which were identified by spectroscopic techniques. Bay leaf oil was tested for its insecticidal activity at five different concentrations in the range 4-12 mg g-1respectively against F1 generation of red rust flour beetle adults. Maximum inhibition was observed at 12 mg g-1concentration. The activity was both time and concentration dependent. The fractions of bay leaf essential oil and the compounds isolated were tested at 4mg g-1 concentration. Polar fraction was found to be more active as compared to nonpolar fraction as 100 and 53.1% mortality was obtained on 30th day for polar and nonpolar fractions, respectively. Comparison of eugenol and 7, 7 Dimethyl-3-methylene bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-4-ol showed complete mortality on 33rd and 35thday respectively , which revealed that adults of T. castaneum were more susceptible to eugenol.The results indicated that bay leaf essential oil may have potential to control stored grain pest, T. castaneum
Field evaluation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for microbial activities and yield of maize under alluvial soil
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of AMF species with different phosphorus (P) levels for root colonization, microbial population under maize in an alluvial soil. Of all the species of mycorrhizae taken under consideration, G. mosseae along with 75% RDF of P was found to perform better in terms of root colonization, number of spores and grain yield. Application of G. mosseae @ 10 kg ha-1 + 50% P + 100% NK produced significantly higher root colonization by 177.32, 55.20, 37.75 and 101.95 per cent over the treatments 100% RDF, G. mosseae @ 10 kg ha-1 + 75% P + 100% NK, G. coronatum @ 10 kg ha-1 + 75% P + 100% NK, G. decipien @ 10 kg ha-1 + 75% P + 100% NK and control, respectively. The similar trend was observed for number of spore count. The maximum number of bacteria (40×10-5 cfu g-1 soil) was found with the inoculation of G. mosseae @ 10 kg ha-1 + 75% P + 100% NK at flowering stage. The maximum grain yield (7656.61 kg ha-1) was recorded with the application of G. mosseae @ 10 kg ha-1 + 75% P + 100% NK, which was 111.92 per cent significantly higher the control treatment. G. mosseae along with 75% RDF of phosphorus inoculation proved to be effective in modifying the soil microbe population and community structure and also in enhancing the grain yield
Evaluation of seeding rates of rice nursery on seedling vigour and its effect on crop productivity under system of rice intensification
Four seeding rates (25, 30, 35 and 40 g/m2) of rice in nursery were tested for seedling vigour recorded at 10, 17 and 24 DAS at Malan during 2013 and 2014. The seedling vigour so obtained in nursery was subsequently evaluated in field during kharif 2013. Thus twenty four treatments comprised of combinations of three seedling ages (10, 17 and 24 days) and two spacings (20 × 20 cm and 20 × 15 cm) in main plots and four seedling vigour from four seeding rates (25, 30, 35 and 40 g/m2) in sub plots were evaluated in split plot design. Seedling shoot length under all seeding rates (25-35 g/m2) was significantly higher compared to check (40 g/m2) during 2013. In the next year, shoot and root length (30-35 g/m2), tiller per seedling and leaves per seedling (25-30 g/m2) of 24 days nursery was significantly higher over check (40 g/m2). Plant height, tillers, leaves and dry matter accumulation were significantly higher when younger seedlings aged 10 and 17 days were used. The crop raised using 10 days old seedlings matured 3-5 days earlier than 24 days old seedlings. Wider spacing resulted in more plant height, tillers, leaves and dry matter accumulation. Seedlings from 25, 30 and 35 g seed/m2 resulted in significantly taller plants than 40 g/m2. The seeding rate, seedling age and plant spacing did not significantly influence rice productivity thereby permitting flexibility to the rice farmers in the adoption of these factors
An agricultural price forecasting model under nonstationarity using functional coefficient autoregression
In this globalized world, management of food security in the developing countries like India where agriculture is dominated needs efficient and reliable price forecasting models more than ever. Forecasts of agricultural prices are handy to the policymakers, agribusiness industries and farmers. In the present study, Functional Coefficient Autoregression (FCAR) has been applied for modeling and forecasting the monthly wholesale price of clean coffee seeds in Hyderabad coffee consuming center using the data from Jan, 2001 to Sep, 2014. FCAR (2,2) model was found suitable based on the minimum Average Prediction Error (APE) criterion. The FCAR model thus obtained was compared with the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. Since the original series was found to be nonstationary from Augmented Dickey-Fuller test (ADF statistic=-2.84, p=0.22), the differenced series (ADF statistic=-4.20, p<0.01) was used and ARIMA (12,1,0) was found suitable. The FCAR model obtained was compared with the ARIMA model with respect to forecast accuracy measures viz., Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The RMSE and MAPE for the FCAR (2,2) were found to be 17.16 and 4.41%, respectively, whereas for the ARIMA (12,1,0) models, 62.64 and 26.15%, respectively. The results indicated that the FCAR model was efficient than the ARIMA model in forecasting the future prices
A competent protocol for large scale production of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) through meristem culture
A rapid micro propagation and acclimatization response of two different varieties of sugarcane Co86032 and CoN 04131(Saccharum officinarum L.) was obtained in this study. The shoot apical meristem of different sizes wascultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of ben-zylaminopurine and kinetin either alone or in combination with each other alongwith GA3. Best shoot formation response in Co 86032 was obtained on MS medium containing 1.5mg/l BAP while in CoN 04131 the combination of 0.5 mg/l BAP with 0.25 mg/l Kinetin showed best shoot formation response from apical meristem. Meristem of 3.0 mm size proved to be the best size for micropropagation of sugarcane. Excellent multiplication response of In vitro formed shoots was obtained when the concentration of BAP was decreased to 1.0 mg/l in Co 86032and 0.25 mg/l BAP and Kin in CoN 04131 (i.e. 0.25 mg/lBAP + 0.25 mg/l Kinetin. MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l NAA and 2.0 mg/l IBA showed 100% rooting response of In vitro regenerated shoots of both the varieties of sugarcane within eight days of inoculation. Best hardening response was obtained in sand+ soil + pressmud (1:1:1) media
A linear model for leaf area measurement to screen potential leaf material for herbal drug in Adhatoda vasica L.
Leaf area is an important parameter in physiology and agronomy studies. Linear models for leaf area measurement are developed for plant species as a nondestructive method. The plant Adhatoda vasica L. (a medicinal plant) was selected and the leaves of this plant were used for development of linear model for leaf area using Leaf Area Meter (LAM) software. Planimetric parameters (length, length2, width and width2) and gravimetric (dry weight and water content) parameters are considered for the development of linear model for this plant species. Single factor ANOVA and linear correlations were worked out using these parameters and leaf area. The plant was showed significant relationship with the parameters studied. The best correlation as represented by regression coefficient (R2) was used and improved R2 is worked out. It is observed that with increase in leaf area, water content is also increased and showed best correlation with the leaf area. Thus water content can be taken as a parameter for developing linear model for leaf area is concluded
Impact of cropping systems on physico-chemical characteristics of surface water during different seasons in Shimla region of Himachal Pradesh
The present investigations were carried out in the year 2014 with an objective to find out the impact of different cropping systems on nearby surface water resources in Shimla region of Himachal Pradesh. The aim of the study was to monitor the surface water bodies for pollution caused by nearby cropping systems in the Shimla area. In this study fruit, fruit + vegetable, vegetable and cereal based cropping systems were selected along with control (uncultivated land) and sampling was done during winter, summer and rainy seasons. The estimated water quality parameters revealed very less organic pollution and pH values were within the BIS prescribed limits of 6.5-8.5. Under vegetable based cropping system EC (500.23 µS cm?1), TDS (329.17 mg/l), BOD (1.48 mg/l), COD (31.09 mg/l), Cl- (25.66 mg/l), Ca (75.59 mg/l) and Mg (11.14 mg/l) were in high concentration, whereas No3- content were high under fruit + vegetable based cropping system. DO were maximum (8.61mg/l) under uncultivated land. Calcium and COD were high in some samples, which could be from anthropogenic sources, rest of the parameters were within the desirable limits prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The experimental data were statistically analysed through Analysis of variance (two way classification of data) indicated positive correlation among most of the physical and chemical parameters. Study reveals that cropping systems as well as seasonal changes has affected the water quality. The study carried out for water quality parameters, revealed the correlation of each parameter with one another under different cropping systems
Bioefficacy of plant extracts on stem rot, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid and Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker in jute crop
In vitro study was conducted to test mycellial growth inhibition effect of plant extracts on Macrophomina phaseolina causing stem rot of jute as well as for feeding inhibition and mortality on 3rd instar larvae of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker. The result revealed, at 2000 ppm, acetone extracts of sunnhemp and Azeratum conyzoides exhibited maximum of 34.44% and 41.85% mycellial growth inhibition respectively. Whereas, 83.32% and 66.67% spore germination inhibition of the fungus was observed respectively. At 5000 ppm, methanolic extracts of Crotolaria quinquefolia, garlic, curry leaf and turmeric oil recorded 35.55%, 44.44%, 50.00% and 70.00% mycellial growth inhibition of the fungus. Methanolic extracts of C. juncea, C. quinquefolia, curry leaf and garlic recorded above 80.00% feeding inhibition on S. obliqua and larval mortality of 20.00%-44.44%. It is clear that neem, sunnhemp, garlic and turmeric extract possess antifungal, insecticidal, antifeedant properties and may be integrated for management of stem rot as well as S. obliqua in jute crop
Response of different wheat varieties towards Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) seed inoculation
Present investigation was undertaken to utilize Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) to avail atmospheric nitrogen and soluble phosphate in soil for the wheat crop. The sonalika variety (V1) responded best towards seed inoculation by Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) for the character speed of germination which is regarded as very important indicator of seed vigour. Germination percentage for untreated control was 86.6% after one month of storage and found to be reduced to 76.67% after three month of storage but for treated Azospirillum in case of sonalika it was retained at 83.33%. V1T1, V2T1 and V3T1 recorded improved germination even after six month of storage. The seedling characters like shoot and root length was greatly improved with T1 and T2 for almost the varieties included in this programme. The character vigour index greatly enhanced in case of V1T1, V1T2, V3T1 and V3T2 after one month and six months of storage. This work reported utilization of Azospirillum and PSB as seed inoculation for wheat varieties to enhance seed storability and seedling growth parameter. It can be concluded that, Azospirillum and PSB seed inoculation can be recommended for wheat for better seedling growth storability of seed
Effect micro-nutrients and farm yard manure on soil properties and yield of maize (Zea mays l.) in lower Indo-Gangetic Plain of Uttar Pradesh
The objective of the study to find the suitable treatment combination between the combination of compaction, micronutrients and farmyard manure, which enhanced physical, chemical properties of soil and yield for alluvial soil. The maximum particle density (3.01g/cc), water holding capacity (58.23 %) and pore space (63.40 %) were observed in the treatment T3 (C3I3M3), whereas maximum bulk density (1.09 g/cc) was observed in the treatment T1 (C1I1M1). The maximum EC (0.58dS m-1), Organic carbon (0.66 %), available nitrogen (279.76 kg/ha), phosphorous (19.62 kg P2O5/ha) potash (194.90 kg K2O/ha), zinc (0.65 ppm) and sulfur (14.89 ppm) were found in treatment T3 (C3I3M3). The electrical conductivity gradually increased from control (C0I0M0-0.45) to T3 (C3I3M3-0.58) dSm-1 . The maximum dry weight, test weight and yield were found in the treatment T2 (C2I2M2) viz., 154.43, (230.33 and 50.50 qha-1 respectively for alluvial soil