Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
Influence of pre-harvest application of gibberellin and brassinosteroid on fruit growth and quality characteristics of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai) cv. Gola
Get PDFQuality of fruit crop is an important parameter to decide the acceptability of the product. The present study consists of seventeen year old pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai) trees subjected to seven treatments viz., GA3 (50 ppm,100 ppm), BR (0.5 ppm, 1.0 ppm), and GA3 + BR (50 ppm + 0.5 ppm and 100 ppm + 1 ppm) and water as control, sprayed thrice at 15 days intervals starting from petal fall stage. Each treatment was replicated thrice with one tree served as a treatment unit. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design. The fruits treated with GA3 @ 50 ppm (T1) showed the highest fruit length (6.98 cm), breadth (6.81 cm), weight (175.9 g) and volume (171.16 cc). An improvement in terms of fruit quality was observed either alone or in combined application of GA3 and BR. The application of BR @ 1 ppm (T4) recorded the highest TSS (12.91°Brix) and lowest titrable acidity (0.42%) while the highest ascorbic acid content (6.95 mg / 100 g) and non reducing sugar (0.44%) was estimated under GA3 @ 100 ppm + BR @ 1 ppm (T6). Total sugar (7.88%) and reducing sugar (7.45%) was observed highest in GA3 @ 50 ppm + BR @ 0.5 ppm (T5). Based on this research combined application of GA3 + BR had a positive effect and therefore can be recommended for spray on pear in order to obtain higher yield and better quality
Influence of packaging material, storage condition and duration on quality attributes of osmo-cum-microwave dehydrated mushroom flakes
Get PDFThe present article investigates influence of packaging material, storage condition and duration on quality attributes of osmo-cum-microwave dehydrated Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom flakes during storage. Oyster mushrooms were dried by microwave drying technique to a moisture content of 6 % (w.b.) succeeding osmosis. The ultimate superior quality dried product obtained through optimization was stored in different packaging material for confined duration of three months at different storage conditions. Various quality attributes that assist in bestowal of overall consumer acceptability were studied during storage period. The present research study revealed that mushroom flakes were highly acceptable upto two months of storage that was packed in high density polyethylene by retaining much of the quality attributes. The outcome of the present investigation perhaps supportive for those involved in the post-harvest processing and value addition of oyster mushrooms
Assessment of nutrient ratios in the leaf of sugarcane grown in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFTo assess the impact of nutrient ratios N/P, N/K and N/S on sugarcane productivity, a survey was conducted during its grand growth stage (October, November and December) influenced by various yield levels based on soil quality zones in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India. The leaf samples were collected from cane yielding zones of the district was classified into three categories viz., low yielding (less than 75 t ha-1), medium (75 to 100 t ha-1) and high yielding (more than 100 t ha-1). Computation of nutrient ratios for sugarcane at its grand growth stage implied that the mean N/P, N/K and N/S ratios 8.31, 1.60 and 15.0 respectively in the third leaf of sugarcane in the high yielding zone resulted in maximum cane yields compared to relatively higher ratios in the top dewlap leaves from soils of low soil quality category which indicates that maintenance of high quality in sugarcane soils influences crop nutrient uptake, optimum nutrient ratios, the yield and quality of sugarcane
Study of constraints analysis in organic farming cultivation in Sonipat and Hisar district of Haryana state, India
Get PDFThe present study was undertaken in two purposively selected districts, namely Sonipat and Hisar of Haryana state and a total no. of one hundred twenty farmers were selected and interviewed to study the prospects of organic farming and to assess the constraints in adoption of organic farming. The finding regarding farmers’ per-ception about input constraints in adoption of organic farming show that lack of knowledge and demand of bio pesticides (90.8%) was ranked first, the results regarding perception about technical constraints in adopting of organic farming reveals that non- availability of improved organic production technology and Lack of knowledge about weed management practices in organic farming were ranked first (94.2 %). The finding regarding farmers perception about marketing and economic constraints in adoption of organic farming showed that no separate market for organic produces and Weak marketing network /sale point both were ranked first with highest weight mean score (360). Absolutely hundred percent of the respondents had perceived it as most serious constraint in organic farming, the results show that transfer of technology constraints in adoption of organic farming namely, Data bank not available about consumers and demand was ranked first with highest weight mean score (2.98). Moreover 98.3 percent of the farmers had perceived it as most serious constraint in organic farming and the finding regarding farmers’ perception of certification constraints in organic farming shows that complicated process of organic certification was ranked first constraint (67.5 which in tern reflects the combersome procedure that may restrict the adoption of organic cultivation
Moisture stress induced changes in metabolites and cellular functions in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes
Get PDFThe present investigation was aimed to study influence of moisture stress in in vitro identified tolerant (GL28151, RSG963, PDG3) and sensitive (GL22044, GNG1861, PBG1) chickpea genotypes under field conditions. Moisture stress treatments included crop sown with one pre-sowing irrigation (WSVFP), irrigation withheld at flower initiation stage (WSF), irrigation withheld at pod initiation stage (WSP) and control (irrigated as and when required). Osmolytes (in seeds) viz. total soluble sugars, starch, proline, cellular functions; relative water content, membrane permeability index and lipid peroxidation (in leaves), antioxidant enzymes (at pod filling stage) viz. peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase were estimated in chickpea seeds under control and stressed conditions. WSVFP was most severely affected by moisture stress followed by WSP and WSF and emphasized on pod intuition stage as critical stage attributable to hindered transport of assimilates towards formation of pods and development of seeds under stress imposed by lack of sufficient moisture. Highest accumulation of total soluble sugars (73.33), starch (73.12), proline (2.04) in mg/g fresh weight, least percentage reduction over control in relative water content (20.3), membrane permeability index (18.8) and minimal lipid peroxidation (31.3) accompanied by significantly enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes under WSVFP rendered moisture stress tolerance in RSG963. The pronounced cellular damage, lesser alleviation in the content of osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes activity was observed in sensitive genotype GL22044 under stress treatments. High molecular weight protein bands were found either absent or of low intensity in sensitive genotypes (GL22044, GNG1861 and PBG1) under severe stress treatment (WSVFP)
Strategy for mitigating fuel wood induced forest degradation in tribal land- scape of Jharkhand, India
Get PDFThe study was conducted to examine the extent of fuel wood dependence in the forests and mitigate the pressure by evolving an eco-friendly strategy in Bundu block of Ranchi District in Jharkhand, India. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 164 tribal households from 9 villages. Well -structured pre-tested interview schedule and non-participant observations were used for data collection, which were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results revealed that the total extraction of fuel wood from different sources was 598.60 tons annum-1 @ of 0.68 tons capita-1 annum-1, of which, 308.16 tons annum-1 was secured from forests, 133.31 tons annum-1 from agriculture field, 90.45 tons annum-1 from community land and 66.68 tons annum-1 from homesteads. The fuel wood use breakup recorded 486.24 tons annum-1 for cooking, 45.79 tons annum-1 by cottage industries, 41.07 tons annum-1 for heating, 18.80 tons annum-1 for community function and 6.70 tons annum-1 for others. The forests were exposed to fuel wood pressure of 308.16 tons annum-1 (51.48%) posing ample deforestation and degradation. A strategy consisted of energy interventions viz., biogas production (85351.60 m 3 annum-1), agroforestry (36.84 tons annum-1) and energy plantation (92.10 tons annum-1) is proposed, the implementation of which can mitigate the fuel wood induced forest degradation besides fuel wood security of 846.14 tons annum-1 against the present fuel wood procurement of 598.60 tons annum-1. The strategy designed needs to be implemented to substitute the current unsustainable extraction of fuel wood, safeguard the future fuel wood predicament and eliminate the fuel wood pressure on forests
Influence of active packaging on quality attributes of dried wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) arils during storage
Get PDFWild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is the only wild fruit of foothills of Himalaya which has got commercial importance in North India because of the high acidic nature of its arils. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate best packaging material for storage of mechanical cabinet dried wild pomegranate arils. The freshlyextracted arils were pre-treated to check the browning and dried in mechanical cabinet drier at 60 + 2 oC. Dried arils packed in different packaging material with or without moisture absorbers (salt or sugar sachet) were stored under ambient conditions (18 to 28 oC) for 6 months. Although the slight changes in quality attributes of dried arils during storage were observed but the arils packed in Aluminium Laminated Pouch (ALP) containing salt (humectant) showed minimum increase in moisture (8.82 %), non enzymatic browning (0.05 OD), hydroxy methyl furfural (2.85 ppm), furfurals (20.11 ppb) and retained highest amount of titratable acidity (10.92 %), total sugars (24.20 %), ascorbic acid (11.75 mg/100g), anthocyanins (30.81 mg/100g) and phenols (112.38 mg/100g) among all packaging material. So, ALP can be used as a packaging material for the packaging of dried arils (anardana, Indian spice) on commercial scale. Putting of moisture absorber along with the arils inside the pouch as an active packaging system will be an additional advantage to retain the quality of anardana during storage
Evaluation of FAOAqua Crop model for wheat under different irrigation regimes
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted at the research farm of the Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi during rabi seasons of 2010-11and 2011-12. Irrigation treatments include irrigation applied at 50% deficit (W1) and 25 % deficit (W2) and full irrigation (W3) under recommended fertilization levels with split doses of N-fertilizer. Fullirrigation treatment was based on irrigations to meet the soil moisture deficit up to the field capacity (FC) level and deficit irrigation treatments of 25% and 50% were imposed with respect to the full irrigation.The model was calibrated with experiment generated data sets of rabi 2010-11 and validated using the data set of rabi 2011-12. It was observed that the validated model performed well for grain yield prediction with absolute prediction error of 2.9%, 0.91% and 7.85% for full, 25% deficit and 50% deficit irrigation levels, respectively. Also, for prediction of biomass yield the prediction error ranged from 11.81% to 28.96% for all three irrigation treatments. Moreover, the validated model was observed to predict the water productivity with absolute prediction errors of 43.57%, 13.87% and 12.8% for full, 25% deficit and 50% deficit irrigation treatment levels, respectively. Nonetheless, it was observed from this study that the AquaCrop model can be used to simulate the grain and biomass yield for wheat crop with acceptable accuracy under different irrigation regimes in a semi-arid enviroment
Prevalence of diabetes and other health related problems across India and worldwide: An overview
Get PDFDiabetes mellitus is a major source of mortality and morbidity along with an economic menace all over the world. In 2000, prevalence of diabetes worldwide was 171,000,000 and in 2030, it will be 366,000,000, nearly one in ten people globally will have some form of diabetes by 2035. There are some 382 million people living with the disease, but that could jump 55% by 2035. The total number of people in India with diabetes to be around 50.8 million in 2010, rising to 87.0 million by 2030 and it is estimated that by 2040 the numbers will increase upto 123.5 million. It has estimated that the prevalence of diabetes in rural populations is one-quarter that of urban population for India and other Indian sub-continent countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) revealed that a lower proportion of the population is affected in states of Northern India (Chandigarh 0.12 million, Jharkhand 0.96 million) as compared to Maharashtra (9.2 million) and Tamil Nadu (4.8 million). The National Urban Survey conducted across the metropolitan cities of India reported similar trend: 11.7 per cent in Kolkata (Eastern India), 6.1 per cent in Kashmir Valley (Northern India), 11.6 per cent in New Delhi (Northern India), and 9.3 per cent in West India (Mumbai) compared with (13.5 per cent in Chennai (South India), 16.6 per cent in Hyderabad (south India), and 12.4 per cent Bangalore (South India). Strengthening of health promotion activitiesin different settings, preventive health screening package, better treatment facilities and effective implementation can cure these problems worldwide
Varieties and mulching influence on weed growth in wheat under Indo- Gangetic plain of India
Get PDFWeeds are one of the primary factors responsible for reducing wheat yield. Despite, herbicides’ being one of the important components of weed management programme in India, but it was not adopted by resource poor farmers. Keeping these facts in view, a field experiment was carried out at Agricultural research farm, Institute of Agricultural sciences, Banaras Hindu University during the rabi (winter) season of the year 2012-13 to scrutinize the influence of ‘mulching’ and ‘varieties’ on weed control potential as well as growth and yield of wheat. The treatments comprised of five wheat varieties (C-306, K-8027, K-0307, DBW-39 and HD-2888) and four mulching treatments (No-mulch, paddy straw 6t/ha, maize straw 6t/ha, and saw dust 6t/ha). Surface application of paddy straw mulch 6t/ha considerably reduced the density and biomass of broad leafed weeds and grasses and showed higher weed control efficiency over other treatments like maize straw 6t/ha, saw dust 6t/ha and no-mulch. Varieties DBW-39 and K-0307 was highly effective in smothering of the weeds and produced higher dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, number of grain/earhead, biological yield and harvest index of wheat