Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Dynamics of potassium by the combined use of organic manures and inorganic potassium fertilizers on available nutrients of groundnut crop (Arachis hypogea) in Madukkur soil series
A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of combined use of organic manures with inorganic Potassium (K) fertilizers on available nutrients of groundnut crop under Madukkur soil series at Tamil Nadu Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during kharif season of 2008-2009. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (factorial) with two replications. Main pot treatments comprised of three types of manures viz., control (M0), pressmud @ 5 t ha-1 (M1), vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 (M2), farmyard manure @12.5 t ha-1 ( M3 ) and sub pot treatment comprised of 4 levels of K viz., 0 (K0), 100 (K1), 75 (K2) and 50 kg of K2O ha-1 (K3) with a recommended dose of fertilizer respectively. The results revealed that the among the various levels of treatments, Among the nutrient level 100 kg K2O ha-1(K1) with pressmud @ 5 t ha-1 (M1) (K1M1) levels have recorded the highest values of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (211.77, 12.76, and 256.87 kg ha-1) while the untreated control registered the lowest values. The available calcium and magnesium content was found highest (228.83 and 123.55 ppm) when applied with 100 kg K2O ha-1with pressmud @ 5 t ha-1( K1M1 ) respectively and the lowest value recorded in the control pot
Incidence of resistant mastitis in dairy cows in Tamil Nadu, India
The incidence of resistant mastitis in dairy cows in Tamil Nadu, India was 56.l %. The predominant resistant causative pathogen was Escherichia coli (50.64 %) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (44.25 %) and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (5.11 %). Incidence of resistant mastitis was high in Holstein Friesian cross breed followed by Jersey cross breed and non descript. Highest incidence was observed in early stage of third lactation. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test revealed the E. coli, S. aureus and MRSA organisms showed more sensitivity to enrofloxacin, amoxicillin+sulbactam, gentamicin and ceftriaxone and had highest resistant to penicillin followed by amoxicillin, oxytetracycline and methicillin. The study highlights the need for preventing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics
Antioxidant potentials and quality aspects of Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) supplemented unleavened flat bread (Indian chapatti)
Enriched chapattis prepared by supplementing whole wheat flour with Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) pulp at 5, 10 and 15% were assessed for antioxidant activity and quality. Jamun pulp supplementation enhanced the bioactive composition of chapatti in terms of increased anthocyanins, total phenols and antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity increased 99.73% and 44.38%, respectively after incorporation of Jamun pulp (15%) to whole wheat flour Indian chapatti. Anthocyanins were not observed in control chapatti and in Jamunsupplemented chapatti the range was 1.41-2.64 mg/100g content for 5-15% supplementation level. Qualitative evaluation revealed non-sticky behavior of dough supplemented with Jamun at 5 and 10% level and slight stickiness at 15% level. Chapattis exhibited full puffing at all supplementation levels. Sensory scores were highest for 10% Jamun supplemented chapatti. Crude fiber content improved significantly (13.77% increase) in chapattis on supplementation of Jamun pulp. The study concluded that supplementation of wheat flour with Jamun pulp improved nutritional and antioxidant status of chapatti
Delineating soil moisture dynamics as affected by tillage in wheat, Rice and establishment methods of rice during intervening period
Intervening cropping period perhaps the most ignored period, which could be exploited for cultivating the intervening crops which further add to the soil, crop and water productivity and finally livelihood of the farmers of the region. The present investigation was carried out after rice- 2014, to monitor the residual effect of different tillage (wheat), establishment methods and tillage (rice) on the fluctuating behaviour of the soil moisture during intervening period. Our findings suggested that CTW-DSRZT (conventionally tilled wheat and zero till direct seeded rice) plots conserved more moisture than ZTW-DSRZT (zero till wheat and zero till direct seeded rice) plots an exception of CTWDSRCT plots which were almost equally effective in conserving the soil moisture. On an average, soil matric tension (SMT) was reported to be 36% higher in CTWDSRZT than CTWDSRP plots at 10cm soil surface. Further, ZTW-DSRZT plots on an average dried 8% faster than ZTW-DSRP plots. At 20cm, DSRZT plots dried 3% faster than its allied plots while at 30cm depth, in DSRP plots, SMT values increased 12% and 11% higher under CTW block and ZTW blocks, respectively than its allied plots. SMT readings in all the ZTW plots on an average increased at much more faster rates (24%) than CTW plots. The ZT plots had 1.4% higher water depths than the CT plots. Evaporation losses pragmatic to be higher (17.2% and 7.3%) in ZTW-DSRZT plots as compared to the ZTW-DSRCT and CTW-DSRCT plots which might improve declining crops and water productivity in the region
Biological and molecular evidences on host range of leaf curl begomovirus disease of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
The present study was conducted to identify the alternate hosts of new leaf curl virus disease of sunflower. In the present study several crops and weed hosts were cross inoculated with leaf curl virus of sunflower under laboratory through insect vector whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), further all inoculated samples were retested (3-4 weeks after inoculation) by molecular based Polymerse chain reaction diagnosis for the presence of virus. The results revealed that the causal virus of the disease was successfully transmitted from sunflower to sunflower (Helianthus annuus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) and weed hosts such as Acanthospermum hispidum, Amaranthus viridis and Parthenium hysterophorus in a short incubation period (2-3 weeks after inoculation), while on other hosts Chilli (Capsicum annuum L) and Datura stramonium, infection occurs in delayed incubation period. Further molecular analysis thorough polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic technique using virus specific primers also confirmed the presence of coat protein (CP) of leaf curl begomovirus invirus inoculated hosts viz., chilli, sunflower, tomato, and tobacco and weed hosts such as Acanthospermum hispidum, Amaranthus viridis, Datura stramonium and Parthenium hysterophorus. Thus, findings substantiate that the above hosts are major sources of the virus inoculum and served as potential alternate hosts of the disease during the off season
Productivity and economics of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.)
A field study was conducted during Kharif season of 2011 and 2012, to evaluate direct seeded rice options as compared to transplanted rice with an objective to improve farm productivity and efficiency. Labour and cost saving of 97% and 80% were observed in direct seeded rice (DSR) as compared to manual puddled transplanted rice in sowing/transplanting. Tillage and crop establishment methods had a significant effect on rice yields. Yield of manual puddled transplanted rice was significantly higher (10-12%) than DSR during both the years. DSR consumed 12-17 percent less water as compared to puddled transplanted rice during 2011, whereas, it consumed 5-9 per cent more water as compared to puddled transplanted rice during 2012. When compared to manual puddled transplanted rice, a labour saving of 7-8 percent (overall) was observed in DSR during both the years. The B: C ratio was highest in DSR in zero till condition (1.74) as compared to manual puddled transplanted rice (1.62). The study showed that the conventional practice of puddled transplanting could be replaced with zero till DSR to save water and labour
Assessment of knowledge of medicinal plants and their use in tribal region of Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh, India
The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of medicinal plants and their use in tribal region of Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh. Under the socio-economic profile, farmers of middle age (36-55 yrs) people showed the maximum percentage (78%) distribution and frequency, 50 per cent of respondents belonged to primary to middle school level of education and 63 per cent of respondents were having medium size of family (5 to 8 members). A total number of 50 medicinal plant species belonging to 29 families were recorded, in which Euphorbiaceae registered as the largest family with 4 plant species (8%). Shrub showed their maximum presence (34%) followed by tree (32%), herb (20%) and climber (14%). As per knowledge of respondents about medicinal plants Haldi and Bhui-neem is mostly use as medicinal purpose as 5.2% (n=40) followed by Harra, Munga, Karanj and Hadjod (3.9% each). This information through respondent (tribals) showed very diverse nature of medicinal flora, their usage in healing purpose with socioeconomic/ living standard upliftment. Therefore, it is needful aspect of conserving these biological resources for sustainable ecosystem
Biopesticidal effect of leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on growth parameters and diseases of tomato
This paper investigates the potential use of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) aqueous leaf extract on the growth, yield and disease control of a common vegetable plant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The neem extract increased shoot height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of buds, number of flowers and number of fruits of tomato plant over controls in different treatments. Numbers of diseases were calculated as percentage and disease/plant. The percentage of reduction of disease was calculated after the spray of neem extract on plants. Neem extract was found effectively in controlling canker (50.32%), early blight (55.12%), wilt (59.45%), leaf spot (55.48%), fruit spot (41.93%), blossom end rot (40.86%) and sun scald (25.61%) in comparison to controls under field condition. Thus, biopesticides can contribute in reducing use of chemical pesticides and subsequently minimize its hazards to the environment and human health
Economic evaluation of biorational and conventional insecticides for the control of maize stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in Zea mays
Maize borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) is the chief limiting factor for higher corn production. Field trials to assess the efficacy of different insecticides against C. partellus were carried in district Ropar, Punjab. It was observed that significantly lesser leaf injury incidence was recorded in biorational treatment T1: chlorantriniliprole 18.5 SC (3.43 & 4.23) in comparison to broad spectrum conventional insecticide treatment T3: Deltamethrin 2.8 EC (4.63& 5.36) and T4 :Farmer’s practice 4.43 and 6.93. Whereas in plots with parasitoid application (T2), the leaf injury incidence was recorded to be 6.56 & 7.86 during 2012 and 2013, respectively. Though T2 was statistically superior to control, however it was not at par with insecticide treatments. Furthermore similar trend was observed for dead hearts reduction in different treatments. It was recorded to be 3.16 and 3.90, 3.33 and 3.96, 3.53 and 3.96 in insecticide treatment plots T1, T3 and T4 respectively. The economic returns on the basis of marketable grain yield in insecticide treated plots was more in T1 followed by T3 and T4 (51.99, 49.58 and 48.51) in comparison to control (40.44) and biological control plots (46.75). Therefore experimental data revealed overall superiority of biorational pesticide in comparison to conventional insecticides for reduction in pest damage and economic returns. Hence the option of biorational for the control of maize stem borer not only justify safety to environment but also offers effective control of borer population in maize ecosystem due to its distinct chemical class and unique mode of action
Co-efficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance and variability for ricebean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) genotypes under mid hill conditions of Uttarakhand
The present investigation was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters for ten traits in ricebean genotypes. Fourteen genotypes of ricebean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) were collected from different regions of country were evaluated for yield and its components. The study revealed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits. The value of PCV and GCV was higher for seed yield/plant, 100 seed weight and number of pods/plant. Heritability values were high for all the traits except leaflet size and pod length. High genetic advance was observed for days to 50% flowering, number of pods and seeds /plant, days to maturity, suggest that scope for improvement of these characters through selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was registered for 50% flowering, number of pods and seeds /plant indicate that the genetic variance for these traits are probably owing to their high additive gene effect and thus there is better scope for improvement of these traits through direct selection. Therefore selection based on these characters will bring the desired improvement in seed yield of ricebean. With respect to mean performance of genotype, PRR-2, PRR-1 and PRR-2011- 1 was found superior among all the genotypes