Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Statistical optimization of culture medium for yellow pigment production by Thermomyces sp.
Get PDFIn present study, Thermomyces sp. were able to produce high yield of yellow pigments screened. Pigment production by Thermomyces sp was optimized by employing factorial design and response surface techniques in submerged fermentation. The variables evaluated were the concentrations of, sucrose, yeast extract, ammonium sulphate, magnesium sulphate and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate having as response pigment production. One factor at-a-time method was employed for the optimization of media components. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized these nutrient parameters for maximum yellow pigment production (1387 OD units), which resulted at 35.5 g/L sucrose 5.5 g/L yeast extract, 2.5 g/L NH4SO4, 0.3 g/L MgSO4 and 1.0 g/L K2HPO4 in the medium. Response surface methodology (RSM) was further used to determine the optimum values of process variables for maximum yellow pigment production. The fit of the quadratic model was found to be significant. A significant increase in yellow pigment production was achieved using RSM
Effect of different sources of organic matter on the yield of rice and soil health in red and lateritic zone of West Bengal, India
Get PDFField experiment was conducted to study effect of different sources of organic matter on the yield of rice and soil at Rice Research Station, Bankura, West Bengal, India during kharif season of 2009, 2010 and 2011. Average of three years data revealed that inclusion of vermi-compost in the fertilizers schedule of rice cultivation [variety: Swarna (MTU 7029)] increased the grain yield (30.26%) as well as straw yield (32.70%). However higher pH was observed in treatments receiving paddy straw application and organic carbon (%) was also higher in the respective plots where vermi-compost and paddy straw was applied. Regarding available P2O5, there was an increasing trend up to 13-20 kg ha-1 in vermi-compost and green manure applied plots. In case of available K2O, there was a decrease value in all treatments were observed. So there was a positive balance of P and negative balance of K
Scanning electron microscopic studies on tongue of open-nesting honey bees Apis dorsata F. and Apis florea F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Get PDFTaste stimuli play vital role in the life of honey bees. Sensory structures observed on tongue of the honey bees with the help of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have become an important tool in analyzing honey bee biodiversity which offers an advanced diagnostic tool to study honey bee biogeography and determine adaptive variations to native flora. Tongue of honey bees present a high geographic variability in regard to the floral resources visited by the bees. The present study has determined to determine differences in the tongue ofopen-nesting bees by scanning electron microscopy of Apis dorsata and Apis florea. The two bees showed distinct morphological variations with respect to the lapping and sucking apparatus. It was observed that the ridges on the proximal region exhibited rough surface on A.dorsata whereas spinous in case of A.florea. Moreover, the arrangement of hair in the middle part of the tongue also differed in the two species. The shape of flabellum differed in the two species reason being the influence of native flora. It was observed that the shape of flabellum was oval in A.dorsata whereas in A.florea it was triangular. These differences indicated for the role of native flora and honey bee biodiversity
Growth, yield, yield attributes and economics of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by integrated nutrient management
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted at Sardarkrishinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University Sardarkrushinagar to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield attributes of summer groundnut in 2012. The soil of experimental field was loamy sand in texture, low in organic carbon (0.17 %) and available nitrogen (149 kg ha-1), medium in available P2O5 (29.3 kg ha-1) and rich in K2O (287 kg ha-1) status. Result revealed that the significantly highest pod yield (2650 kg ha-1), haulm yield (4633 kg ha-1), growth and yield parameters viz., plant height (43.9 cm), filled pods plant-1 (22.6), total pods plant-1 (31.4), pod weight plant-1 (22.3 g) and 100 kernel weight (43.9 g) were recorded under the treatment which received 125 % recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost. While in case of phosphorus application @ 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded significantly higher pod (2824 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (4655 kg ha-1) over PSB only and 25 kg P2O5 ha-1 which was at par with the application of phosphorus @ 25 kg ha-1 + PSB for yield attributing characters viz., filled pods plant-1, total pods plant-1, pod weight plant-1. Maximum net realization of `1,13, 056 ha-1 with CBR 4.49 was obtained under application of 125 % RDN through vermicompost with 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 (V3P4). Vermicompost and phosphorus did not exert its interaction effects during course of investigation. This concludes that the groundnut crop should be inoculated with PSB culture @ 200 g per 8 kg seeds before sowing and crop should be fertilized with 125% RDN through vermicompost and phosphorus @ 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 loamy sand soil of North Gujarat agro-climatic condition
Effect of letrozole on masculinization of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of letrozole (a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor) on masculinization of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Different doses of letrozole 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm (mg/kg feed) were incorporated into diet and fed for periods of 30, 40 or 50 days. Immersion treatment of letrozole at selected doses (250, 500, 750 and 1,000?g/l) for 3 h each on third, fifth and eighth day-post-hatching (dph) (Trial 1) and fourth, sixth and eighth dph (Trial 2) was given.The oral administration of letrozole for 30, 40 or 50 days did not have any significant effect on the sex ratio of B. splendens. The immersion treatment of letrozole induced 100% masculinization at 500 and 1000?g/l in trial 1, while it yielded only 66.66 and 90% male population at 500 and 1000 ?g/l in Trial 2. The dietary administration of letrozole for 30 and 50 days caused tail deformities and/or rudimentary and absence of dorsal fin. The progeny testing of males from letrozole treated (both oral and immersion) groups indicate that the sex ratio of progenies of each of the males tested did not differ significantly from that of control, indicating that all those males carried XY genotype. Letrozole treatments suppressed ovarian development (atretic oocytes were common). However, the testicular development was unaffected. The study revealed that immersion treatment of letrozole was more effective in inducing masculinization of B. splendens than the oral administration of letrozole
Insect cellulolytic enzymes: Novel sources for degradation of lignocellulosic biomass
Get PDFAlternative and renewable fuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass offer the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate global climate change. Cellulose is one of the major structural components in all lignocellulosic wastes and enzymatic depolymerization of cellulose by cellulases is an essential step in bio-ethanol production. Wood-degrading insects are potential source of biochemical catalysts for converting wood lignocellulose into biofuels. Cellulose digestion has been demonstrated in more than 20 insect families representing ten distinct insect orders. Termite guts been have considered as the “world’s smallest bioreactors” since they digest a significant proportion of cellulose (74-99%) and hemicellulose (65-87%) components of lignocelluloses they ingest. The lower termites harbor protistan symbionts in hindgut whereas higher termites lack these in the hind gut. Studies on cellulose digestion in termites and other insects with reference to ligno-cellulose degrading enzymes have been well focused in this review. The studies on insect cellulolytic systems can lead to the discovery of a variety of novel biocatalysts and genes that encode them, as well as associated unique mechanisms for efficient biomass conversion into biofuels
Accumulation of lead in the muscle of brackish water fish (Boleopthalmus dussumieri)
Get PDFLead is highly toxic, impairing biological functions of aquatic animals. In vitro, static test was performed to find out the accumulation of lead in the muscle of brackish water fish (Boleopthalmus dussumieri). Fish were maintained in experimental aquaria with lead nitrate solution having known lead concentration of 1.48 and 14.8 mg/l, respectively. The experiments were performed in triplicate. Two fishes from each exposed aquarium were sampled on zero hour, 96 hours and 192 hours. Muscle was removed and processed prior to analysis of lead concentration by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The amount of lead accumulated in muscle of experimental fish increased steadily with the period of exposure. The lead accumulated in fish muscle was 29.60±6.62 ?g/g at 96 hours of exposure and accumulated up to 72.48±14.18 ?g/g in 192 hours of exposure period at the highest concentration. Significant relationship between accumulation and exposure period as well as exposed concentration (p < 0.05) at the significance level of 95 % was recorded. The present study indicated that the fishes living in mudflats of brackish water bodies receiving industrial as well as anthropogenic waste water containing an assortment of heavy metals can accumulate them in considerable concentrations
Impact of Alternaria solani (Early blight) on cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in North-eastern region of India and identification of early blight disease resistant tomato genotypes
Get PDFThe present investigation was carried out to screen genotypes for resistance to Early blight disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) of North Eastern region of India. Field trial was conducted in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 consecutively. The disease severity of tomato genotypes was assessed by 0-5 points scale, percent Disease Incidence (PDI). Of the total materials screened, Sel-35 (TLBRH-6 X Konbilahi) and Sel-19 (TLBRH-6 X Konbilahi) were highly resistant, 7 were resistant, 14 were moderately resistant, 16 were susceptible and 6 were highly susceptible under field condition after inoculation during both years. The genotype having high yield and resistant to early blight was 10/TOLCVRES-3. The genotypes resistant to early blight but having low yield (Sel-35, Sel-19, Sel-9 and Sel-16) may be utilized in future breeding programme for improving yield through selection for higher fruit weight and fruit diameter. Alternatively, they may be used as parents in hybridization or backcrossing programme in order to transfer the gene for resistance to early blight to already adapted high yield varieties
Tree species diversity, distribution and population structure in a tropical dry deciduous forests of Chhatisgarh, India
Get PDFTree species diversity, distribution and population structure of tropical forests of Bharnawapara wildlife sanctuary was investigated. The study analyzed the structure of a tropical dry deciduous forest in Chhatisgarh at different sites i.e. closed natural forest, open natural forest and plantation forests of teak. The study was conducted by laying 30 quadrats, each 10 m × 10 m in size at different sites. In total, 246 trees belonging to 28 species of 17 families were recorded from 0.3 ha sampling area. Density ranged between 520 to 990 trees ha-1 subsequently, basal area ranged between 21.50 to 47.30 m2 ha-1. The dominant tree species was Cleistanthus collinus with an importance value index (IVI) of 57.70. Other important species were Terminalia tometosa (IVI 47.10), Lagerstroemia parviflora (36.92), Diospyros melanoxylon (28.42) and Madhuca indica(26.03). The Shannon-Wiener index (H?) ranged between 0.19 to 3.35 and Simpson’s index (C) between 0.12 to 0.95 indicating high tree species diversity of tropical dry deciduous forests. It is evident from the study that natural forest has an edge over plantation forest in terms of species diversity, dominance and richness. Tree species diversity, distribution and population structure provide baseline information for conservation and management of tropical dry deciduous forests in India. Efforts are needed to conserve the natural forest for their diversity and existence. They can also be supplemented with plantation forests to lower the biotic pressure
Nutritional assessment of mutants of Calocybe indica produced by protoplast mutagenesis
Get PDFMushrooms are rich source of protein, minerals and antioxidants. Nutritive value of mushrooms differs not only among genus but also among species. Nutritional content of mushrooms are being constantly reported. In present study, emphasis is laid on effect of mutational study on nutritional parameters of mushroom. A total of seven mutants of Calocybe indica obtained through physical and chemical mutagenic treatment were subjected to nutritional evaluation. Five mutants (CMU-5, CMN-9, CMN-11, CMN-2 and CMB-4) indicated higher protein content while ash content was also found more for all the mutants except CMN-9. Tocopherol content was also higher for all the mutants except CMN-3. ?-carotene was more from 2 mutants, CMU-2 and CMN-9. Lycopene content was better in CMU-2, CMN-9, CME-2 and CMB-4 while ascorbic acid content for CMU-2 and CMN-3 was better than that of the parent. Fat content was found to be significantly low only in mutant CMN-9 (1.24g/100g). CMN-9, mutant obtained through NTG treatment, was found better than the parent, Ci-3, not only in protein content but also in amount of vitamin A, C and E. It is indicated from the study that mutagenesis which leads to genotypic variation has effect on biochemical aspects as well. Therefore, various genetic manipulations can be exploited for nutritional enhancement aspects which need to be emphasized keeping in view the need of food quality in today’s scenario