Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Studies on the variation in germination and seedling growth of Abies pindrow Spach. (Royle) in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India
Get PDFAbies pindrow species is facing a problem of natural regeneration and the absence of adequate regeneration in Indian fir forests has drawn the attention of forest officers, researchers and scientists for a long time. The present study was undertaken in the state of Uttarakhand where four sites bearing A. pindrow forests were selected. The study was conducted to compare the seeds of the four sites to draw relevant conclusions. Two sites Mundali and Deoban fall under Chakrata forest division and Bhukki and Dharali sites fall under Uttarkashi forest division. The aim of the study was to determine variation in germination of seeds of A. pindrow collected from four locations in the state of Uttarakhand. A significant variation was observed in seed germination (germination percent, mean germination time, peak value, germination energy, germination value, germination speed) and seed growth parameters (seedlength, seed width and seed thickness). The seed source of Dharali site was found as the best source followed by Deoban in comparison to other two sites. Dharali site showed highest germination percentage (25%), highest germination value (2.664) and highest germination energy (25.00) from its seed source, thereby concluding to be the best seed source site. The viable and healthy seed source can be considered to be most fruitful in propagation and regeneration techniques
Interpretation of genotype x environment interaction and stability analysis for grain yield of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)
Get PDFFourteen pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) genotypes were evaluated for their yield performance at two locations during kharif season of 2009-10 and 2010-11. A significant genotypic difference for yield character was observed. Highly significant genotype–environment interaction indicated differential response of the genotypes to the environmental changes. The stability analysis showed significance of linear component of variation for grain yield. The genotypes TJT-501 (1728.667Kg/Ha) and GRG-2009-3 (1570.000 Kg/Ha) exhibited low meanperformance along with regression value nearer to unity (bi=1) and non significant deviation from regression (S2 di=0) indicating, the high stability and wider adaptability across the different environments. The genotype ICPH-2671 (3134.833 Kg/Ha) exhibited highest mean value and regression value (bi>1) and non significant deviation (S2 di < 0). But genotypes JKM-197 (3072.667 Kg/ha), GRG-2009 (29993.167 Kg/ha), TS-3R (2823.333 Kg / Ha) and ICP-8863 (2740.417 Kg/Ha) exhibited high mean performance but higher regression value (bi>1) and significant deviation (S2 di < 0) value indicating adapted for high performance environments showing these genotypes are sensitive to environments and give maximum yield when inputs are not limited
Biochemical analysis of Psophocarpus tetrgonolobus L. (Winged bean) and its role on restoration of degraded land of Raniganj and Barjora coalmine areas of West Bengal, India
Get PDFTo meet the growing demands of energy, continuous supply of coal is necessary because coal is the primary source of energy. About 70% of coal mining is being done by open cast methods which is most destructive activity and it severely damages the ecosystem. Reclamation of degraded land is therefore necessary after any mining activity. The biochemical parameters like Chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein content of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (Winged bean) studied here were considered as measure to test the suitability of Winged bean in various soil-OB dump compositions (P1 to P5). The findings revealed that biochemical property like chlorophyll and protein content of Winged bean was retained up to 1:1 soil-OB dump condition but after that it was decreased significantly whenever OB dump composition was increased. Chlorophyll content of the plant in P1 to P3 condition was 8.2, 8.17 and 8.02 mg/100 gm respectively but it was decreased significantly in P3 and P4 condition, i.e. 7.72 & 7.47 mg/100gm respectively. Carbohydrate content of the plant in P1 to P3 condition was 3.72, 3.7 and 3.61 gm/100 gm respectively but it again decreased significantly in P3 and P4 condition, i.e. 3.32 & 3.1 gm/100gm respectively. In spite of these findings, seeds of winged bean contained high protein and rest of the plant parts were also very important as food and fodder and this plant was able to grow on less water condition which made it suitable for the land restoration of degraded mining land both from ecological and socio-economic point of view
Monthly variations in physico-chemical characteristics of water, MPN index and zooplankton of Devak stream, at Shiv temple complex, Udhampur, Jammu ( J & K), India
Get PDFWater quality characteristics, MPN index/100ml, and zooplankton of sacred Devak stream, Udhampur were analyzed during February, 2010 to January, 2011. Various water quality parameters showed a well marked seasonal variation including MPN index/100 ml which remained above 240 during all the observations. Zooplanktons comprising of 46 species showed qualitative dominance of protozoa (33 species) followed by rotifera (7 species), annelida (2 species) and insecta (1 species), water nematoda, turbellaria (1 species) and cysts. Zooplankton was qualitatively and quantitatively poor/absent during monsoon floods (June to September) and was diversified and rich during February to May. Comparison of water utility parameters and MPN count/100 ml with national and international agencies suggested that water of this stream was not fit for consumption
Impact of thymoquinone supplementation on immobilisation stress-induced changes in reproductive characteristics of male mice
Get PDFThe aim of the current study was to investigate changes in the reproductive parameters during stress and the impact of thymoquinone during the period. The effects of stress were measured through immobilisation stress on mice. Group I was administered normal saline daily via intraperitoneal injection while Groups II and III were subjected to 2 and 6 hours of immobilisation stress respectively. Groups IV and V were subjected to stress for 2 and 6 hours respectively followed by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg thymoquinone which was continued on alternate days. The level of significance was set at p<0.05 and statistical analysis showed significant difference in testicular weight of mice in groups II and III compared to the controls but no significant difference was obtained for sperm count between all groups. Sperm motility, however, was significantly different among the groups under stress for 2 and 6 hours and that of 6 hours with the treatment of thymoquinone when compared to the controls. The histology of the testes also indicated a few alterations in comparison to the controls in the germinal epithelium and spermatogenic pattern in groups III and V
Assessment of soil physical health and productivity of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (Haryana), India
Get PDFIn order to assess soil health of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (a part of western Yamuna canal irrigated region), important parameters namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture, bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil organic carbon (OC), available water retension capacity (AWRC) and non capillary pores (NCP) were measured by collecting undisturbed soil samples in nearly 66 villages. Soil physical rating index (PI) method was used to compute PI which was an indicator of soil physical health of thatregion. Results revealed that in Gohana and Kharkhoda blocks, nearly 90% area had pH <8.0 and EC>4 dS m-1, which indicated that soils were saline. Prediction maps of soil BD showed that 75% of the total area in 15-30 cm soil layer had BD above >1.6 mg m-3, which indicated the presence of hard pan in subsurface. HC data of subsurface layer also showed that 60% of the area had values<0.5 cm hr-1 which reconfirmed the presence of hard pan. For both surface as well as subsurface soil layers, mostly AWC was >10% which indicated adequate water retention capacity of these soils. However 85% of subsurface had poor soil aeration capacity as indicated NCP range < 10 %. Prediction map of PI for subsurface layer showed that majority of area had PI<0.4 which indicated that expected yield of the crop cannot be more than 70% of the potential yield even under normal or higher levels of fertilizer and water inputs
Kinetics of zinc transformation in calciorthids soils of western Rajasthan, India
Get PDFThe present study was undertaken to investigate the kinetics of transformation process of applied and native Zn as influenced by soil moisture regime, available moisture and organic matter additions in Aridisols of western Rajasthan. The incubation experiment was conducted with exact amount of the soil samples (250 g), put in a number of small containers, made of corning glass. Three levels of moisture regimes i.e. field capacity (W0), continuous submergence (W1), alternate submergence and saturation (W2) and two levels of organic matter as starch at 0 per cent (M1) and 0.5 per cent (M2) of the soil weight; and two levels of zinc i.e. native (N) and applied (A) (Zn @ 5 mg kg-1 soil as ZnSO4.7 H2O). The soils then incubated for 30, 60 and 90 days. Destructive sampling was done after each incubation period, and then different fractions of Zn were sequentially extracted by different extracting solutions and determined with the help of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the transformation of Zn is largely controlled by organic matter, moisture regimes and Zn application due to considerable changes in the chemical and electrochemical properties of soil and thereby influence the transformation of zinc. Organic matter application significantly increased Zn fractions due to the retention of Zn on exchange complex owing to producing organic acid by decomposition of organic matter in soil. Further, the results showed that if such condition was maintained in the field, and it increased the availability of Zn for different crops in Aridisols
Some lesser known fiber yielding weeds used by Gujjar and Bekarwal tribes of District Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir
Get PDFThe present communication pertains to some lesser known fiber yielding weeds used by Gujjar and Bekarwal tribe of district Rajouri (J&K). The study was based on extensive and intensive field surveys conducted in 6 blocks of district Rajouri i.e. Budhal, Rajouri, Thanamandi, Manjakote, Nowshera and Sunderbani. Three sites were selected in each block which was densely inhabited by Gujjar and Bekarwal tribe to document traditional knowledge on fiber yielding weeds. The botanical names of the reported weed species with family, local names and part used have been documented in the present work. During the study period a total of 17 fiber yielding weeds belonging to 2 monocot and 8 Dicot families were reported. Out of total 10 angiospermic families of fiber yielding weeds, the predominance was shown by family Malvaceae having 6 weed species followed by family Tiliaceae and Urticaceae each representing 2 fiber yielding weeds. The study would not only help in documenting the traditional knowledge, it would also help in removal and management of weed species and in promoting growth of major crops
Toxicity of some bioactive medicinal plant extracts to Asian army worm, Spodoptera litura
Get PDFComparative toxicity of Andrographis paniculata (leaves), Anethum graveolens (leaves), Azadirachta indica (fruits), Cassia fistula (seeds), Cuscuta reflexa (stem), Dendropthoe falcata (leaves), Lantana camara (leaves and fruits), Melia azedarach (leaves) and Vitex negundo ( stem) plant extracts against 2nd days (first instar) and 6th days(third instar) old larvae of Spodoptera litura was studied at 5 and 10mg/ml concentration. D. falcata leaves (98.58%) and A. indica fruits= C. reflexa (85.72%) were most effective in reducing weight gain in 2nd days old larvae at 5mg/ml and at 10mg/ml, C. reflexa (98.58) followed by C. fistula seeds and L.camara fruits(both 92.86%) were effective in retarding growth. L.camara fruit extract (99.43 and 99.93%) showed greater toxicity and reduced growth as compared to A. graveolens leaves (76.16% ) at 5mg/ml. At 10mg/ml L.camara (99.94%) and A. paniculata (89.54%) leaves exhibited reduction in weight gain over control against 6d old larvae. All the medicinal plants showed varying degree of toxicity. D.falcata, A.indica and L.camara exhibited high larval mortality as compared to the other plant extracts
Ichthyofaunal diversity in Bachan Gad and Kakda streams of the Mid-himalayan Ganga river system of Garhwal in relation to stream gradient and distance
Get PDFThe present study was carried out to investigate the comparative seasonal distribution and relative abundance of fish fauna of streams Bachan Gad of river Alaknanda and Kakda Gad of river Mandakini of Mid-himalayan Ganga river System. Total length of the Bachan Gad is 14.5 km from origin to the confluence at main river Alaknanda with an altitudinal variation from 605.94 to 1418.23m (a.s.1), whereas, total length of the Kakda Gad is 15.5 km. from origin to confluence at main river Mandakini with altitudinal variation from 984.50 to 1993.70 m (a.s.1). Total 23 species from Bachan Gad and 20 fish species were identified from Kakda Gad. The differences in the availability of fish-fauna were directly related to the nature of the profile and slope of tributaries; which affects the migration and breeding grounds of the fishes inhabited in the main river Alaknanda and Mandakini of Ganga river system. Variation in the availability of fishes has been recorded from different sites of the stream. In streams and rivers the changes take place along their length is directly related to the eco-physico-chemical nature (water depth, current, substratum etc). All these factors which change along the length of streams are also the factors which control the distribution of the various sections of the biotic fauna and flora