Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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An overview of organic agriculture: A potential strategy for climate change mitigation
Get PDFIndian agriculture has changed considerably in the past several decades. Since post green revolution era, Indian farming basically shifted from the conventional farming system to towards the mechanized farming system and relies heavily on agricultural inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, heavy farm machineries and irrigation, which are dependent on fossil fuels. Large scale use of these inputs also contributed in emission of greenhouse gases which are mainly responsible for global warming and consequently climate change. Agriculture plays a unique role in the climate change mitigation because of its potential to lower greenhouse gases emissions through carbon sequestration. Organic agriculture is being considered as one of the appropriate farming systems that could serve the twin objectives of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Compared to conventional agriculture, organic agriculture is considered to be more energy efficient and effective both in reducing green house gases emission mainly due to the less use of chemical fertilizers and fossil fuel and enhancing the soil organic carbon. Promotion and adaptation of organic farming in developing country like India can serve as mitigation strategy of climate change
Efficacy of essential oils against Varroa destructor infesting Apis mellifera Linn. colonies and their impact on brood development
Get PDFVarroa destructor is a dangerous pest directly for beekeeping and indirectly for crops that require insect pollination. The present investigation has been carried out to study the efficacy and persistence of some essential oils and formic acid against Varroa mite in colonies of Apis mellifera Linn. at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The results revealed that highest mite mortality (77.54 %) with highest brood development (21.74 % increase) recorded in garlic oil followed by turmeric oil (75.84 %) with 15.39 per cent increases in brood development. The hives treated withT1(tulsi oil), T3 (turmeric oil), T4 (ajwin oil), T5 (cinnamon oil), T5 (clove oil) and T7 (formic acid) also showed good persistence with mite mortality ranging from 66.54 to 77.54 % and brood development -3.12 to 21.74 per cent increase after 3 weeks exposure of the treatments
Germination response of Treculia africana (Dacne) seeds in relation to moisture content, storage method and its duration
Get PDFEdible seeds of forest tree crop may be unavailable in sufficient quantity for tree planting projects and so there is need for storage. The germination response of Treculia africana seeds to storage method, duration and moisture content was investigated. Three storage methods were used namely; open basket, jute bag and air-right bottle. Moisture content over time under the storage regimes was investigated for five weeks while the storage aspect was monitored for 20 weeks. The experimental layout was completely Randomized design with threetreatments and three replications. Data was analysed using one way ANOVA at 5% level of significance. Fresh seeds had 100% germination. After first week of storage, this valued decreased to 73.3% and 83.3%, and drastically reduced to 3.3% and 13.3% for seeds stored in the open basket and jute bag respectively. The air-tight bottle maintained values of between 93.3-100% throughout the investigation period. There was statistical difference between storage method and duration. The moisture content of freshly extracted seeds was 36.95% and air-tight bottle maintained steady values were between 35.95 – 35.98%; the values for the open basket and jute bag dropped to 18.97 and 20.13% respectively within five weeks and the critical moisture content of < 24.16% was attained in three weeks after which there was no further germination. It is recommended that fresh seeds of T. africana be sown and where long term storage is needed, the air-tight bottle should be used, but resource poor farmers may employ the jute bag to store the seeds for only two weeks if seeds are meant for sowing. Further research is needed in getting appropriate storage devices for large scale storage of seeds for this important crop
Establishing monoxenic culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices through root organ culture
Get PDFArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are soil fungi distributed worldwide, forming symbiosis with most of the vascular plants for their growth and survival, which is used for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management. This study investigated the establishment of monoxenic cultures of Glomus intraradices in association with transformed carrot hairy root. The G.intraradices spores were isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere by wet sieving and decanting technique and propagated in open pot culture. Transformation in to carrot hairy root was done using Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Surface sterilization of G.intraradices spores co-cultured with transformed carrot hairy root in Modified Strulla and Romand (MSR) medium was found the host root growth as well as for germination AM spores. After three months of incubation in dark condition, significant production of extensive hyphal growth on MSR medium and an average of 8500-9000 spores per petri dish was observed. The in vitro inoculum exhibited higher potential of root colonization due to numerous intraradices mycelium with extensive spore load. The produced monoxenic inoculum can be used in place of traditional system where it has a advantage of producing contaminant free propagulas. Thus the monoxenic culture system, a powerful tool, of AM sporulation, can be used for the mass production of monoxenic inoculum of AM fungi besides studying its biology
Yield, water use and water use efficiency of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under drip fertigation system
Get PDFField experiments were carried out during two seasons (August-February) of 2011-12 and 2012-13 at Millet Breeding Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to study the effect of drip fertigation on productivity, water use and water use efficiency of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) cv. LRG 41. The treatments included three irrigation regimes (50 %, 75 %, 100 % computed water requirement of crop) and surface irrigation along with three fertilizer levels with water soluble fertilizer (WSF) and conventional fertilizers (CF). The treatments were laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that drip irrigation at 100 % WRc with fertigation at 125 % RDF through WSF registered significantly highest grain yield of 2812 and 2586 kg ha-1 during 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively. Surface irrigation with conventional method of fertilizer application recorded lower water use efficiency of 3.70 and 3.38 kg ha-1 mm-1 whereas it was reverse with drip irrigation of 100 % WRc + 125 % RDF through WSF with a WUE of 6.97 kg ha-1 mm-1 during 2011-12 and during second season (2012-13), the highest WUE of 6.72 kg ha-1 mm-1 was recorded in drip irrigation at 50 % WRc along with fertigation at 125 % RDF through WSF. The increase in grain yield with drip irrigation at 100 % WRc + fertigation with 125 % RDF through WSF was mainly attributed by greater and consistent availability of soil moisture and nutrients which resulted in better crop growth, yield components and ultimately reflected on water use efficiency and yield of pigeonpea Cajanus cajan
Growth status and site quality of different seed production areas of teak (Tectona grandis L. f) in Karnataka, India
Get PDFIn the present study 20 SPAs of teak distributed in southern, central and northern parts of Karnataka, India are selected. Phenotypic parameters of standing trees of different SPAs were recorded. Further, seed yield was also recorded and compared with site quality and stand growth parameters. Result showed that there was a greater variation among SPAs for phenotypic growth characters as well as site quality. The overall growth of SPAs of Madikeri zone (Southern region) was found to be superior with respect to tree height, clear bole height and DBH.SPAs belonged to Dandeli (Northern region) recorded more DBH and nearly round stem. SPAs of Yallapur seed zone showed comparatively less growth over Madikeri zone. SPA of Dandeli zone recorded the more tree volume and top height, followed by SPA of Madikeri zone. Considering site quality of different SPAs, all the studied SPAs of Karnataka are growing under relatively poor site conditions. Sixteen out of twenty SPAs, nearly 80% were growing in areas with site quality classes IV and V. Interestingly, none of the studied SPAs belonged to either class I or II. Association study showed that tree height (r=0.403) and clear bole height (r=0.412) showed positive relationship with seed yield. Furthermore, site quality showed a weak positive relationship with seed yield (R2 =0.052) among SPAs indicating poor site quality could be a major factor for low seed yield. It is concluded that SPAs of Madikeri and Dandeli zones performed better in growth and stem form. Therefore, it is suggested to collect quality seeds from these seed zones
Effect of fertilizer levels on nutrient availability and yield of cotton on Vertisol at Rahuri, District Ahemadnagar, India
Get PDFThe field experiment on effect of fertilizer levels on nutrient availability and yield of cotton on Vertisol was conducted at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during May to September, 2008. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications and two main treatments i.e. hybrid Bt RCH-2 and Non-Bt RCH-2 and nine sub treatments with different fertilizer doses i.e. F1 - No recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF), F2 -50 % RDF, F3 - 75 % RDF, F4 - 100 % RDF, F5 -125 % RDF, F6 - 150 % RDF, F7 - 100 % RDF + 2% DAP spray, F8 -100 % RDF + 1 % MgSO4 and F9 -100 % RDF + 1% KNO3. The results revealed that the non-Bt hybrid recorded maximum nitrogen (435.67 kg ha-1) and potassium (565.45 kg ha-1) content in 100 % RDF + 1% KNO3 treatment at boll development stage as compared to Bt hybrid. However, magnesium (0.09 kg ha-1) and iron (3.66 ppm) were maximum in 100 % RDF + 1 % MgSO4 treatment in non-Bt as compared to Bt hybrid and phosphorus content (17.58 kg ha-1) was maximum in 100 % RDF + 2 % DAP treatment in Bt as compared to non-Bt hybrid at boll development stage. The application of 100 % RDF + 1 % MgSO4 sprays were recorded highest yield of Bt (33.53 q ha-1) and non-Bt cotton hybrids (31.27 q ha-1)
Impact of post biomethanated spentwash on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of soybean – wheat cropping sequence
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted on Sawargaon series of isohyperthermic family of Vertic haplustepts to study the effect of application of primary treated biomethanated spentwash (PBSW) through irrigation on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of soybean – wheat cropping sequence. The bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of soil were improved in 100% recommended dose (RD) of N through PBSW with and without P chemical fertilizer at soil depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm. The lowest soil pH, calcium carbonate and highest electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available K, exchangeable sodium (Na), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and pooled bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes populations in surface (0-15 cm) soil depth were observed in 100% RD of N through PBSW + with and without P chemical fertilizer at all three soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm) over the other treatments. The highest pooled available soil P was recorded in 50% RD of N through PBSW application through irrigation and remaining N and P through chemical fertilizers in all three soil depths. The significantly highest total NPK uptake by cropping sequence and highest mean Benefit : Cost (B:C) ratio of soybean and wheat was recorded in 25 % RD of N through PBSW + remaining N and P through chemical fertilizers over the rest of the treatments. The 25 % N-recommended dose of soybean and wheat crop can be replaced by application of PBSW through irrigation in sequence without disturbing soils by salt load
Studies on the effect of ethanolic extract of propolis in BALB/c mice
Get PDFPropolis is widely used since ages for the treatment of various ailments. Present study focussed on the toxicity profile of ethanolic extract of propolis on BALB/c mice. The effect of different concentrations of propolis (300, 500, 1000 mg/kg body weight) was analysed by studying the biochemical, haematological and histological changes in mice for 28 days. No significant difference in various parameters were observed in groups of mice treated with propolis and the normal control (p>0.05). Histological findings on liver, spleen, kidney and brain revealed normal architecture. The ethanolic extract of propolis did not produce significant toxic effect in mice and hence can be utilized for nutraceuticals formulations
BNKR-1 (Dhiren) – A newly released late duration high-yielding rice variety an alternative to Swarna (MTU 7029) for West Bengal, India
Get PDFBNKR – I (Dhiren), a new late duration high yielding rice variety developed at Rice Research Station, Bankura, West Bengal, India was released by “State Variety Release Committee” (SVRC), West Bengal in 2011 for cultivation in irrigated late areas of West Bengal, India. Before release as BNKR – I (Dhiren), this rice culture completed three years of national testing (2008-2010) in the designation of CN 1340-76-1-BNKR 23-7-1 (IET 20760) and had been recommended for release in irrigated areas of Bihar and West Bengal under transplanted condition in 46th National Group Meeting on Rice organized by Directorate of Rice Research (ICAR), Hyderabad, India during April 2011. It gave 7.65 to 12.12% yield advantage over national check in national level. Not only that this culture of rice tested extensively in the farm of Rice research Station, Bankura, West Bengal and farmer’s field. It showed 11.64% and 19.30% yield advantage during 2006 and 2007 in observational trial, 10.44 to 14.38% yield advantage in on station yield trial during 2008-2010 and 12.51 to 17.93% yield advantage in farmer’s field during 2009 and 2010 over Swarna (MTU 7029), which is the most popular rice variety of West Bengal. BNKR – I (Dhiren) is non-lodging, non-shattering and late maturing variety (seed to seed : 142 days). It is moderately resistant to leaf blast, neck blast, brown spot, sheath rot and leaf folder. It’s average yield is 5000 – 5500 kg ha-1 . Grain type is short bold. It is expected that BNKR – I (Dhiren) can be able to replace Swarna (MTU 7029), the most popular rice variety of West Bengal, India