Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Impact of weather parameters on cotton productivity at Surat (Gujarat), India
Get PDFGlobal warming is casting its shadow in the form of climatic changes that is affecting the local weather conditions which has its bearing on crop production and water availability, the basic necessities for survival of life on the planet. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the cause of poor production of cotton in 2011-12 in Surat, Gujarat as compared to 2012-13 and 2013-14. Weather data since 2000 was analyzed and compared with the data of 2011-12 and comparison was made to find the abnormality in cotton crop productivity. It was found that during 2011-12, there was delayed monsoon, as well as during squaring and flowering stage (i.e. in August 2011) there was high rainfall (595.6 mm), maximum and minimum temperatures were above normal, during development (June-August) and flowering stage of crop (October-December) which disturbed the crop physiology indirectly affecting the yield of cotton. The combined effect of rainfall and temperature was on relative humidity that created conducive atmosphere for insect and pest attacks on crops. Due to changes in temperature and relative humidity, evaporative water demands would have further aggravated the watering needs of crop. The study concludes that erratic monsoon or delayed monsoon hampers crop physiology ultimately yield due to erratic weather conditions. Further, such changes in cotton growing areas could form the basis of planning and decisions on pricing, crop insurance, export and import policies of cotton crop
Screening of mango genetic resource for tolerance against its malformation incidence in Madhya Pradesh, India
Get PDFThe age old enigma of mango malformation control is still unresolved and eluding the scientists to develop a proper control for the malady. Strengthening of the mango genetic resource base for tolerance traits may seem to be viable criteria of research. Though, prior studies have been undertaken in mango malformation incidence, but screening of large set of germ plasm for tolerance traits in multiple years has so far been a lacuna. The current study evaluated the genetic resource comprising of 65 mango varieties for three consecutive years under natural conditions for incidence of floral malformation. The mean malformation incidence varied from 0.47 % to 60.24%. This study revealed that a group of seven varieties namely Bangalora, Baneshan, Dahiyar, Rammanna, Shakul and Safeda showed resistant type of reaction during both the years of evaluation. However, Moovandan showed highly susceptible type of reaction during both the years. Similarly, germplasm were categorized under moderately resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible category on the basis of their reaction to malformation incidence
Changes in protein profile and RNA content of Apis mellifera worker pupa on parasitization with Tropilaelaps clareae
Get PDFTropilaelaps infestation of Apis mellifera pupa caused reduction in total protein concentration of the infested pupa. This may be due to protein feeding by mite. The additional protein fractions observed by SDS-PAGE and the difference in the nature of free amino acids suggested synthesis of newer proteins perhaps related to the stress response of the host. This opinion is strengthened by the increase in concentration of RNA ( 184.580±36.987 in non-infested pupa and 293.402±50.329 in infested pups) observed in the present study which was responsible for increased transcription of genes encoding antiparasite peptides as reported by other workers
Rotifer communities of religious water bodies of Haryana (India): Biodiversity, distribution and ecology
Get PDFThe rotifer communities of eight religious water bodies of Haryana characterized by different trophic status reveal 44 species belonging to 15 genera and 12 families, represent the richest biodiversity of rotifers. Brachionus, Asplanchna and Keratella genus were found to be pollution tolerant species and common at all the selected water bodies viz., Brahmsarovar and Jyotisar at Kurukshetra; Saraswati tirth, Pehowa; Kapalmochan, Yamunanagar; Phalgu tirth, Kaithal; Banganga tirth , Dayalpur; Pandu Pindara, Jind and Kultarn Tirth, Kirmach. whereas Gastropus, Testudinella, Monostyla clasterocerca, Lecane arcula, Filina terminalis were found to be specific at Brahmsarovar (site 1); Filinia longiseta at Phalgu (site 2); Lecane ploenensis, Euchlanis dilata at Pehowa (site 3); B. budapestinensis, B. nilsoni, Asplanchna brightwelli, Asplanchna sieboldii, Polyurthera were specific to Kirmach (site 4); Monostyla decipiens, Anauraepsis nevicula at Jyotisar (site 5); Trichocera porcellus at Kapal mochan (site 7); Keratella cochlearis, Trichocera capucina were found to be specific at the BanGanga (site 8,). However, no specific species appeared at Pandu Pindara (site 6). Seasonal variations were also observed at all the sites during spring, monsoon, post monsoon and in winters. A positive correlation of rotifer abundance was observed with temperature (r = 0.356, P < 0.05), BOD (r = 0.413, P < 0.05) and Ammonia (r = 0.378, P < 0.05) whereas a negative correlation was observed with DO (r = -0.385, P < 0.05) showing that these were the main factors affecting the richness, diversity and density of rotifers. The rotifer communities of each site can be reconstructed from the tables and figures making this inventory an important benchmark for evaluating future regional environment change
Decision making ability of agri- entrepreneurs at Jammu and Kathua districts of J & K state, India
Get PDFThe concept of entrepreneurship has assumed prime importance in research and development for accelerating economic growth in developing countries. The Entrepreneurship development institution has been focusing its attention on developing programmes for entrepreneurship development and innovative training technique for trainers. The entrepreneurs are responsible for many economic decisions that rests on anticipating demand and bearing risks. The investigation on 210 agri-entrepreneurs thirty each from seven agri-enterprisesnamely vegetable growing, strawberry growing, dairy farming, mushroom growing, bee-keeping, poultry farming and flower growing, selected purposively from Jammu and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir state revealed that one-half (50.48%) of the agri-entrepreneurs were in the high category of decision making ability followed by medium (46.19%) and low (3.33%) levels. Majority (76.67%) of vegetable entrepreneurs were in the high level of decision making ability followed by poultry entrepreneurs (56.67%). Majority (61.43%) of entrepreneurs had not received any training. Only 38.57% of entrepreneurs had received training. Bee-keepers were highest (66.67%) who received training regarding their enterprise. Majority (61.72%) of entrepreneurs received training for a period of seven days followed by 23.46% of entrepreneurs who got training for fifteen days and 14.81% who attended thirty days training. The study inferred that high level of decision making ability of agri- entrepreneurs might be due to individual ownership, high achievement motivation and high risk taking capacity. The appropriate decisions with regard to finalizing different technical, financial and marketing aspects at right time, results in the progress of the enterprise
Biology and management of mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink on Jatropha curcas L.
Get PDFJatropha cultivation is gaining importance as potential source of biofuel. Recently Paracoccus marginatus has been found to cause serious damage on Jatropha. Studies on the biology and management of P. marginatus at GKVK, Bangalore revealed that the females had three nymphal instars without any pupal stage, while the male had three nymphal instars besides, pre-pupal and pupal stages. The total nymphal period for female ranged from 14 to 21 days, (mean- 17.32±1.6 days) while for male the range was 16 to 23 days, (mean- 18.9±1.3 days). Bisexual and parthenogenetic modes of reproduction were observed. The fecundity of the female mealybug ranged from 248 to 967, with an average of 618.9±19 eggs. Evaluation of insecticides revealed that during first spray and second spray, mean per cent reduction of mealy bug population was highest in profenophos 0.05% (68.05 and 79.35) followed by buprofezin 0.025% (63.61 and 72.69). Least per cent reduction of mealy bug was observed in the NSKE 5% (17.94 and 25.77) treatment
Effect of native Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens on the development of Cuscuta campestris on chickpea, Cicer arietinum
Get PDFCuscuta campestris Yuncker is a serious parasite on several leguminous crops including chickpea in India. Chickpea is an important pulse crop in India and severe incidence of Cuscuta may result in yield loss of about 85.7%. Management of Cuscuta is very difficult because of their intricate relationship with the host, wide host range and lack of resistant genes in the host. Thus induced systemic resistance (ISR) by plant growth promoting microbes (microbial elicitors) may be an effective alternative method for the management of Cuscuta. In the current study, to induce systemic resistance, native isolates of Trichoderma viride Pers. and Pseudomonas fluorescens Flügge were used as seed treatments and foliar spray on chickpea and then infested with C. campestris. Salicylic acid and thiobenzamidazole (synthetic elicitors) were used as standard inducing agents for comparison. Results indicated that fresh seeds of C. campestris germinated rapidly even without scarification and that the germination was not influenced by the proximity of the seeds to the host. Seed treatment followed by foliar sprays with the bioagents and synthetic elicitors induced at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) induced increased production of defense enzymes in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and thus delayed the development (1.8-5 days) and flowering (2.4-4.2 days) of C. campestris. Treatment with both the elicitors also resulted in the enhanced activities of scavengers of enzymes related reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus the above work would help in the integration of the application of bioagents for effective management of Cuscuta in chickpea
Greenhouse evaluation of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Aphis craccivora (Das) on Fenugreek
Get PDFThe bioassay studies were carried out to determine the LC50 and LT50 of Beauveria bassiana against Aphis craccivora on fenugreek under greenhouse conditions. The results revealed that, the cumulative corrected mortality (CCM) was 43.50% at higher concentration (1×1010 spores/ml) and it was 20.85% at lowest concentration (1×104 spores/ml) at one day after treatment (DAT). The CCM decreased with decreasing conidial spore concentration. Likewise, at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 DAT, almost same trend was observed. At 7 DAT, the CCM was 85.04% and 55.21% at 1×1010 spores/ml and 1×104 spores/ml, respectively. The LC50 value of B. bassiana against A. craccivora was 1.2×108 spores/ml. Mean lethal time (LT50) values were worked out 73, 89, 97, 112, 126, 138 and 157 hours for 1010, 109, 108, 107, 106, 105 and 104 spores/ml, respectively. By testing the field efficacy of B. bassiana against A. craccivora, this insect pathogenic fungus can be used as potential biocontrol agent for the sustainable management of aphid in fenugreek crop
A study on few biochemical parameters of clinically suspected and laboratory confirmed Leptospirosis cases
Get PDFA study on biochemical parameters in clinically suspected and laboratory- confirmed leptospirosis cases was conducted in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Out of 50 clinically suspected samples of leptospirosis, 38% were positive from both ELISA IgM and rapid card test. In the present study, liver markers such as bilirubin, Serum Glutamate Oxalo acetic Transaminase (SGOT) and Serum Glutamate Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) encountered elevation 68%, 100% and 89% respectively in leptospiosis positive patent while 89% and 48 %of positive patients showed elevation in kidney marker, creatinine and blood urea. On the basis of liver and renal functions, a hospital can develop its own clinical algorithm to suspect the case of leptospirosis
Removal of Zn2+ and Pb2+ using new isolates of Bacillus spp. PPS03 and Bacillus subtilis PPS04 from Paper mill effluents using indigenously designed Bench-top Bioreactor
Get PDFBiosorption processes have the potential to decrease environmental hazards through their factors such as initial metal ion concentration, temperature, pH and biomass concentration in the solution. In the present study biosorption process was performed using the strains of Bacillus spp. PPS 03 (KF710041) and Bacillus subtilis PPS 04 (KF710042) isolated from sediment core of Paper mill effluent (PME) for the removal of Zn2+and Pb2+ in an indigenously designed Bench-top Bioreactor. The temperature, initial pH, biomass and incubation period of PME for Zn2+ and Pb2+ reduction was standardized. The strains exhibited significant reduction in Zn2+ and Pb2+ of PME to the extent of 73.29% and 85.64% with PPS 03 and 78.15% and 87.57% respectively with PPS 04 after 120 hrs of aerobic treatment. The reduction in the metals occurred from first day of the treatment, but the maximum reduction in these metals was observed after 120 hrs. at pH (7.0±0.2), temperature (35±1.0°C) and biomass (5% v/ v) of the bacterial strains. The removal of metals with strain PPS 04 was more in comparison to the strain PPS 03. The Freundlich isotherms on the data showed that it was linearly fitted for Zn2+and Pb2+. The values of correlation coefficient (R2) of Freundlich isotherms were greater than 0.812 for Pb2+ and Zn2+. The kinetic study for the rate of removal of Pb2+ and Zn2+ by both species was found to best fit a Pseudo first order reaction. The rate constant was found to be inversely proportional to the concentration of parameters. Thus, the microbial strains were found efficient for the biosorption/removal of Pb2+ and Zn2+