Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Isolation and screening lactic acid bacteria for riboflavin production and their use for bioenrichment of curd
Get PDFAs many as 47 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from various vegetables and fruits and raita collected from local households and characterized. All of them were Gram positive and catalase negative. The isolates were screened for riboflavin production. The riboflavin production varied from 0.86 to 10.90 mg L-1. The isolate Ra1 produced the highest riboflavin (10.90 ppm). Incidentally, it also produced 5.6 per cent lactic acid and 21.4 ppm exopolysaccharide (EPS). Similarly, N2 and F2 isolates produced 10.90 and 10.20 ppm riboflavin and 21.17 and 21.24 ppm EPS, respectively. These three selected isolates were used for preparing a functional curd andevaluated. The curd produced by inoculating N2 and Ra1 were of very good quality with excellent flavor, taste and texture and smooth cutting quality. Ra1 produced a functional curd with the highest riboflavin content (13.97 ppm). N2 and RA1 resulted in very high acceptability index of 95.37 and 94.44 per cent, respectively. The betterorganoleptic parameters of the functional curd may also be due to high lactic acid and exopolysaccharide production by these isolates. Thus, by inoculating riboflavin synthesizing LAB isolates to curd, riboflavin-enriched functional curd with enhanced consumer appeal, can be produced
Effect of farm yard manure, phosphorus and sulphur on yield parameters, yield, nodulation, nutrient uptake and quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Get PDFField experiments were conducted for three years at Pulses and Oilseeds Research Station, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India during rabi 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 to study the effects of farm yard manure (FYM), phosphorus and sulphur on yield parameters, yield, nodulation, nutrient uptake and quality of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications having twelve treatment combinations viz. two levels of FYM (F0-0 t ha-1, F1 -5 t ha-1) as factor A , three levels of phosphorus (P0 -0 kg ha-1, P30 -30 kg ha-1, P60 -60 kg ha-1) as factor B and two levels of sulphur (S0 -0 kg ha-1, S20 -20 kg ha-1) as factor C. Experimental results revealed that yield attributing characters, yield and protein content of chickpea were significantly influenced by FYM, phosphorus, sulphur and interaction effects of these three factors. Significantly higher seed yield (2458.03 kg ha-1) was obtained with the application of FYM 5 t ha-1 over it’s non application. Application of 60 kg ha-1 phosphorus recorded significantly higher seed yield (2735.50 kg ha-1) of chickpea cultivar Anuradha. Application of 20 kg ha-1 sulphur recorded significantly higher seed yield (2532.32 kg ha-1) over it’s non application in a sulphur deficient soil. Among the interaction effects application of 60 kg ha-1 phosphorus and 20 kgha-1 sulphur in Farm yard manure(5 t ha-1 ) treated plot recorded highest seed yield (2979.3 kg ha-1) . Application of sulphur 20 kg ha-1 increased the nodule no. by 14.4 %. Application of 60 kg ha-1 phosphorus and 20 kg ha-1 sulphur in Farm yard manure treated plot (5 t ha-1) increased the nodule no. by 62.3%. Varying levels of phosphorus along with sulphur and FYM significantly improved the nutrient uptake by chickpea in a sulphur deficient soil. Application of 60 kg ha-1 phosphorus and 20 kg ha-1 sulphur in Farm yard manure treated plot (5 t ha-1) along with recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium proved to be the best treatment combination for increasing the productivity of chickpea and thereby increasing the pulse production of the country
Evaluation of three way cross hybrids and single cross hybrids in sunflower Helianthus annuus
Get PDFThirty-two sunflower, Helianthus annuus three way cross hybrids along with five popular single cross hybrids evaluated for yield and component traits during Kharif-2013. Out of 32 three way cross sunflower hybrids tested, none were significantly superior over single cross best check. However, two three way cross hybrids (CMS-207A X IB-104)X DOR-R3 (2066 kg/ha) and (CMS-148A X IB-101)XDOR-R3 (20132 kg/ha) recorded on-par seed yield compared to commercial single cross hybrid check RSFH-130. The three-way-cross hybrids were early for 50% flowering compared to single cross hybrids and were on-par for other quantitative characters viz., plant height, head diameter, volume weight and 100 seed weight. Looking into the advantage of reduced seed production cost and on par yield performance, identified two three-way cross hybrids needs to be tested over years and for different locations to find their suitability for commercial cultivation
Chemical weed management in Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson
Get PDFField experiments were conducted for three years at Pulses and Oilseeds Research Station, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India during rabi 2008, 2009 and 2010 to develop an efficient chemical weed management practice with newer herbicidal molecules in yellow sarson. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications having eleven treatments. Experimental results revealed that highest seed yield (1456 kg ha-1) was recorded under the treatment twice hand weeding and lowest with weedy check (910 kg ha-1). Twice hand weeding recorded 60% higher seed yield over weedy check. Application of chemical herbicides significantly improved the seed yield over W0 at 5% level of significance.. Among the chemical weed control measures, application of Pendimathalin @ 1 kg a.i./ha (PE) recorded highest seed yield (1320 kg ha-1) of yellow sarson, which was found at par with application of Pendimathalin @ 1.5 kg a.i./ha (PE), Fluchloralin @ 1.5 kg a.i/ha (PPI) and Clodinafop @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha ( 25-30 DAS). Chemical weed management practices increased the seed yield of yellow sarson by 25.3 to 45.1% over weedy check. Highest weed control efficiency (86.4%) was recorded with hand weeding twice. Significant reduction in the total weed density and total weed dry weight were found with the application of chemical herbicides at 5% level of significance. Among the chemical herbicides Pendimathalin @ 1 kg a.i./ha (PE) recorded highest weed control efficiency (81.7%). Chemical weed control measures increased the total microbial population by 26.5 to 89.4% over weedy check and 6.6 to 59.6% over twice hand weeding and thus proved to be environmentally safe and economic for managing weeds in yellow sarson
Functional fitness: A key to independent and active living in the later age
Get PDFAging is a biological process and is associated with decrease in the physical activity level. With the aim of assessing the functional fitness level of senior citizens, sample size comprised of 90 i.e. 45 males and 45 females (15 male and 15 female from each age group viz. 60-64 year 65-69 year and 70-74 year) were chosen conveniently from Haldwani Block of district Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. The Senior Fitness Test was conducted to collect experimental data. With age, lower body strength of males changes but not in case of females. The other functional parameters amongst males and females i.e. upper Body Strength, lower and Upper Body Flexibility, AerobicEndurance and Balance does not depend on the age. Out of six parameters of functional fitness, it was found that the average mean score of lower body strength (5.96), upper body strength (3.52) and aerobic endurance (4.85) of males and females are highly significant at 1% level of significant while average upper body flexibility (2.52) of males and females were significant at 5 % level of significance. With time, society has witnessed significant changes in lifestyle pattern, arising nuclear family groups, dual-earner families, competitiveness and rural-urban or cross-country immigration among young children. The scenario thus further placed need to lay emphasis onfunctional fitness of elderly population so that the older parents who are living alone can be functionally active and independent and care and rare themselves. Assessing the functional level of elderly can serve as a preventive measure prior to any functional limitations
Assessment of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentrations in few plants near Kathajodi river, Odisha, India
Get PDFThe present study was carried out mainly concentrate on assessment of heavy metal in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentration in the different plants near Kathajodi River. Soil and plant samples were collected along the Kathajodi river, Odisha, India. It was found that the dominance of heavy metals follows a decreasing order. The metal concentrations measured in soil at all location generally decreased in the order; Fe > Mn > Ni> Pb> Cu> Zn> Cd. Highest heavy metal concentration in river bank soil Cd (0.72±0.05 mgkg-1); Ni (3.85±0.15 mgkg-1); Cu (1.66±0.15 mgkg-1); Zn (1.54±0.16 mgkg-1); Pb (4.11±0.14 mgkg-1); Fe (142.0±1.16 mgkg-1); Mn (37.30±1.16 mgkg-1) at different site . Among all the grass species I. laxum has the higher affinity for the accumulation of Cd (0.85±0.05) followed by Zn, Pb and Cu. This study indicates that bio concentration of heavy metals in the study area show preferential Cd uptake in the plants followed by Zn, Pb and it may lead to accumulates in the exposed plant part posing risk along the food chain. This calls for immediate action to be implemented to carry out necessary environment mitigation measures for the river as it can be attributed the discharge of untreated domestic waste and effluents in the river
Biochemical investigations on vigour enhancement in aged seeds upon seed priming in onion
Get PDFLoss in seed quality that occurs during all process, from maturation in the field to storage, leads to seed deterioration. Storage of onion seeds under ambient, hot and humid conditions is very problematic since these conditions deteriorate seed quality faster. Seed deterioration is associated with many metabolic defects that occur due to changes in enzymes and protein levels. This deterioration can be rectified to the extent possible by the technique of seed priming. The results clearly indicated that priming will restore the lost seed vigour in aged seeds due to reactivation of enzyme activity in old seeds. The germination percentage improved from 60% to 79.5% and 72.5% in GA3 and hydroprimed, respectively. Priming will also restore the lost seed vigour in aged seeds due to reactivation of proteins in old seeds and expression of these proteins in priming treatments are related to priming induced proteins in contrast to their absence in the aged seeds which are necessary for germination and longevity of seeds
Identification of bacterial pathogen associated with red stripe/top rot disease of sugarcane in Punjab, India
Get PDFThis study was aim to identify the pathogen associated with the red stripe/top rot disease. The isolates were collected from major sugarcane growing districts of Punjab. Molecular identification of the pathogen was carried out to confirm the associated organism with this disease. Of the different sets of specific PCR based molecular markers were used, primer sets SeQ1 (Aaa) and SeQ2 (Aaa) amplified the expected 550bp of ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region of the rDNA which revealed the pathogen as Acidovorax avenae pv. avenae, whereas the primer set Aaaf3 and Aaar2 are specific to strains that infect rice crop did not amplify any fragment. Our studies confirmed Acidovorax avenae pv. avenae as the causal bacterium associated with the red stripe/top rot of sugarcane in Punjab
An exploratory study on cultural and health significance of traditional tattooing practices among tribal community in Chhattisgarh state, India
Get PDFThis explorative study carried out from four districts of Chhattisgarh state namely Surajpur, Surguja, Balrampur and Jashpur. From each district, four villages were selected and from each village 25 tribal respondents were selected thus 300 respondents were selected for this study. About 65.33 percent of the tribal were between 36and 50 years of age group, more than one fourth (34.67%) of the farmers were educated up to primary school level, about half (49.00 %) of the respondents were at the income range of Rs. 25,001 to Rs. 75,000 and about 80% of the population of the state is rural and the main livelihood of the villagers is agriculture and agriculture-based small industry. Tattooing is one of the livelihood option for the tribal community in the study area. Tattooing has been practiced across the world since at least Neolithic times (7000 BCE), as confirmed by mummified preserved skin, prehistoric art, literatures, poetry, proverbs and the archaeological records. In Southern India, permanent tattoos are called pachakutharathu. In northern India, permanent tattoos are called Godna. Tattoos have been used as cultural symbols among many tribal populations, as well as the caste-based Hindu population of India. These tattoos have also been used as integral part of the tribal’s lifestyle Chhattisgarh state of India
Effects of sowing dates and irrigation regimes on grain quality of wheat grown under semi-arid condition of India
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of sowing dates and irrigation regimes on wheat grain quality. There was four sowing dates [November 1(S1), November 16 (S2), December 1(S3) and December 16 (S4)], in main plots and four irrigation regimes [25% (I1), 50% (I2) and 75% (I3) maximum allowable depletion (MAD) of available soil moisture (ASM) and I4 – four critical growth stages in sub plots. The results revealed that hectolitre weight decreased from 80.2 and 81.4 kg hl-1 in S1 treatment to 78.3 and 79.4 kg hl-1 in S4 treatment and 79.9 and 81.5 kg hl-1 in I1 treatment to 79.0 and 79.9 kg hl-1 in I3 treatment in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. Grain hardness outcome was ?75 in 2010-11 while it was <75 in 2011-12 irrespective of sowing dates and irrigation regimes. The highest percentage of flour recovery obtained in S1 treatment (68.2 and 63.2%) and I1 treatment (68.0 and 62.8%) with lowest coarse bran. On average, dry gluten content increased by 16.5 and 7.1% in S4 over S1 treatment in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. Grain protein content increased from 11.9 and 12.8% in S1 treatment to 12.6 and 13.8% in S4 treatment in respective seasons. The milling and technological properties in S2 and I2 treatment was at par with S1 and I2 treatment. Therefore, it may be inferred that optimum milling and technological properties of wheat grain can be maintained by sowing till mid-November and irrigation scheduling up to 50% depletion of ASM