Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Determination of soil pH by using digital image processing technique
Get PDFSoil is recognized as one of the most valuable natural resource whose soil pH property used to describe the degree of acidity or basicity which affect nutrient availability and ultimately plant growth. Fifty soil samples were collected and their pH was determined by using digital image processing technique. Soil colour is visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories i.e red, green, blue and others. Soil colours are the parts of visual perceptual property where digital values of red, green and blue (RGB) provide a clue for spectral signature capture of different pH in soil. For the capturing images, digital camera was used. Transformation of the multispectral image was carried out through TNT Mips spatial software. On the basis of RGB grey values, pixels properties and their digital correlations, results showed that there was a clear cut gap in grey values of colours in the images 1, 2, 3, 4,10,11,14 and 16. Ranges of soil pH and pH index values were 7.30-7.50 and 0.0070-0.0261, respectively in deep brown colour. Similarly, soil pH range varies from 6.80-7.04 and 5.58-6.58 in light yellowish and greenish colour respectively while their corresponding pH index values were 0.0071-0.0451 and 0.0084-0.0239. Thus soil pH range varies from 7.30-7.50, 6.80-7.04 and 5.58-6.58 in deep brown colour, light yellowish colour and greenish colour respectively
Effect of bioagent application time against bacterial leaf blight of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Uyeda and Ishiyama) Dowson
Get PDFPresent investigation was carried out to test the effect of time of application on efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens formulations against bacterial leaf blight of rice, under field condition. Foliar sprays with bioagent(s) in three time sequences i.e. 7 days before, simultaneously and 7 days after inoculation of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae inoculation significantly reduced disease severity over check during Kharif 2006 and 2007. Maximum reduction in bacterial leaf blight disease was obtained with the application of T. harzianum on 7 days before inoculation of pathogen during Kharif 2006 and 2007 and maximum increase in grain yield was obtained with the application of PBA-2 seven days before inoculation of pathogen. It was revealed that prophylactic spray of bioagents one week prior to pathogen inoculation was significantly (106 cfu/g) effective in reducing disease severity of bacterial leaf blight of rice as compared to chemical treatment
Effect of three decade long application of chemical fertilizer and amendments on crop yield under maize - wheat cropping system in an acid alfisol
Get PDFThe results on the effect of three decade long term application of chemical fertilizers and amendments on the yield of continuous maize-wheat crop rotation in an acid alfisol at Palampur revealed that continuous omission of essential nutrients in a maize-wheat sequence resulted in an appreciable decline in the grain yield of maize and wheat crops. A remarkable reduction in crop yield was noticed in plots where nitrogen was applied alone. Use of recommended level of N alone through urea had deleterious effect on crop productivity. The continuous exhaustionof native pools of K in 100% NP treated plots appreciably reduced percent grain yield. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) and lime along with NPK fertilizers increased the crop yield. The integrated use of optimal dose of NPK and FYM give better and more sustainable yields
Built in refuge for the management of Pink Bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders (Gelichidae: Lepidoptera) in Bt cotton
Get PDFField experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during 2012-13 to identify and evaluate the suitable refuge strategy systems for pink bollworm resistance management in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivation. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with nine refuge systems : 0 % N-Bt (BIR), 5 % N-Bt (BIR), 10 % N-Bt (BIR), 15 % N-Bt (BIR), 20% N-Bt perimeter refuge, 100% Non Bt, 50% Non Bt, 10% structured refuge and 20% structured refuge as treatments with three replications in replacement series. Significantly lowest incidence (3.55 larvae/plant) and number of bolls with exit holes (11.22) due to pink bollworm was recorded in 0% BIR (41.25 q/ha) followed by 5 % N-Bt (BIR) with yield of 38.74 q/ha and this was on par with 10 % N-Bt (BIR) with yield of 37.79 is next best refuge systems with Bt cotton for higher production and greater economic benefits
Diversity of common bean in Jammu and Kashmir, India: a DIVAgeographic information system and cluster analysis
Get PDFA total of 80 diverse germplasm accessions of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were collected from 31 different locations known for marginal and risk prone farming systems in remote and hilly areas of North-Western Indian Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir. The variability was observed in seed color, shape, size and 100- seed weight. Thirteen colors of bean seeds were represented in these 80 accessions with high predominance of red colored seeds. Cuboid, kidney and oval seed shapes observed were represented respectively in 61.25%, 25% and 13.75% of the accessions. There were significant variations in seed length, width and 100-seed weight being highly significant in the later case. All the three seed size classes (small, medium and large according to CIAT categorization) were represented in the collected accessions. 22.5% accessions have 100-seed weight less than 25g, 53.75% accessions have 100-seed weight between 25-40g while 100-seed weight of more than 40g was recorded in 23.75% of the accessions. Highly positive correlations were found between 100-seed weight and seed length and width and between seed length and seed width. The 80 accessions were grouped in three clusters at a coefficient level of 0.3 with largest cluster of 59 accessions followed by a medium cluster with 20 accessions and the least with a single accession. Grid maps generated through DIVA-GIS software indicated that diverse accessions of common bean in terms of seed size and weight can be sourced from the areas falling in Budgam, Shopian and Kulgam districts of the state. Conservation of this remarkable genetic diversity is recommended for future propagation, breeding and the investigation of the genetic relationships
Seasonal activity pattern of Swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii) in Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, India
Get PDFThe data on activity pattern and time budget of Swamp deer (Rucervus duvauceli duvauceli) were collected through instantaneous scan sampling from Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, India Diurnal activity pattern of Swamp deer showed marked reduction in resting in winter as compared to summer. In winter resting in adult males showed polymodal pattern with peaks occurring at different hours of the day and continued throughout the day without any break. Feeding of adult females in winter and summer seasons showed a polymodal pattern with peaks occurring at different hours of the day without break. In yearling males feeding and resting was observed to occur throughout the day during winter season with peaks occurring between 11:00 to 12:00 hours. Yearling females showed continuous feeding throughout the day with peaks in different times in both the seasons. The seasonal distribution of activity patterns of the fawns showed that feeding was slightly more in summer as compared to winter. In time budget, of the expenditure on different activities, resting accounted for 63.77% and feeding 24.70%. In both the seasons resting was the major portion of their activity. Analysis showed that in all age and sex categories of Swamp deer in the Dudhwa NP, resting dominated on all other activities. The observation on endangered Swamp deer indicates synchronization in activity only in the feeding in the morning and evening hours and resting throughout the day
A study on heavy metals accumulation and its uptake by Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] fertilized with Sugar mill effluent and DAP treatment in two cropping seasons
Get PDFA study was performed under natural environment to compare heavy metal accumulation in soil and Vigna unguiculata L. (Cowpea) irrigated with five rates of SME viz. 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations and DAP treatment (applied @100Kg/ha i.e. 0.7g / per 5 Kg) and control (Bore well water) separately in both the rainy (Kharif) and summer (Zaid) seasons for 90 days. Results revealed that among various concentration of SME and DAP treatment, irrigation with 100% SME concentration significantly (P<0.001) increased Zn (323.07-341.02 %), Cu (371.23-389.04%), Ni (3666.66-4133.33%), Cd (525.00-725.00%), Cr (1444.4-1477.77%) and Fe (224.08-244.89%) in the soil. In case of V. unguiculata irrigated with different SME concentrations, maximum range of heavy metals such as Zn (2.43-2.98 mg Kg-1), Cu (2.39-2.73 mg Kg-1), Ni (0.55-0.91 mg Kg-1), Cr (1.01-1.21 mg Kg-1), Cd (0.13- 0.17 mg Kg-1), and Fe (5.54-6.18) were observed at 100% concentration of SME than that of DAP treatment in both the cultivated seasons. However, the concentration of all the metals Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr and Fe in soil and plant were lower than toxicity threshold i.e. within the permissible limit. Enrichment factor (Ef) for soil/V. unguiculata was recorded maximum with Ni (37.66-42.33) / (24-30.33) and minimum with Fe (3.24-3.44) / (2.28-2.52) after 90 days of SME irrigation than DAP in both the cropping seasons of Kharif and Zaid. The minimum accumulation of Fe in both soil and crop showed that metals with completely filled d orbitals (d8, Fe) were least incorporated into the V. unguiculata crop
Sourdough bread preparation using selected lactic acid bacterial starter cultures
Get PDFThe lactic fermentation of cereals is known to improve the food quality through the development of flavor, enhancement of the nutritional value and shelf life, and by removing toxic or antinutritional factors of food products. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains are able to improve the shelf life of several food products. The efficiency of the LAB cultures determined in in vitro assays was confirmed in bread manufacture. The sourbread prepared using 50 per cent yeast and 50 per cent LAB starter (based on cell density) was found to be superior to the conventional bread in textural characteristics, flavor, appearance and even taste. It contained enough protein (10.15%) and the least fat value (7.68%). It scored the highest acceptability index of 81.70. These results point out the advantages of using selected LAB strains as starter cultures for sourdough fermentation
Effects of metal contaminated soils on Eisenia fetida (Savigny) at Ludhiana (Punjab), India
Get PDFThe soil in the vicinity of stream of Buddah Nullah in Ludhiana, Punjab has been found to be contaminated with heavy metals. The objective of this paper was to conduct studies with earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny) exposed to five soil samples collected from different sites around the stream of Buddah Nullah, since no such work has been done using earthworm as bio- indicator of soil pollution in that area to check the hazardous effects of heavy metals on soil organisms. Metal levels were recorded higher in contaminated soil samples than threshold concentration in soil of campus field. Adult E. fetida were exposed for a period of 80 days to evaluate the effects of elevated levels of heavy metals i.e.0.29 ppm, 4.18 ppm and 2.29 ppm for cadmium, lead and nickel respectively on survival, growth, morphology and reproduction. Significant effects were observed on survival, growth and reproduction of the tested organisms along with various morphological abnormalities such as tail shedding, body fragmentation and extrusion of coelomic fluid. But no such deformity was observed in worms reared in reference soil of university campus field. Detrimental effects on rates of cocoon production and hatchling emergence were observed and a significant delay was also recorded in production of cocoons and emergence of hatchlings. Results of the study indicated that reproductive end points were more sensitive to elevated metal levels in contaminated soil than survival or weight change
Deteriorating rural ponds : A threat to overseas migratory wetland birds in Kurukshetra suburbs, Haryana, India
Get PDFThe present study addresses the problem of ongoing destruction of traditional age old rural wetlands in Haryana in the last 10 years. It is a grave issue which stands accelerated due to anthropogenic unawareness and in deliberate destruction. In all, 59 species of wetland birds belonging to 10 orders and 17 families were recorded from Palwal rural pond in Kurukshetra district in India during 2005-2012. The presence and that too in higher numbers of Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio and Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus hints towards the over excessive growth of hyacinth and water reeds thus making it an ideal place for these birds which are the harbingers of total eutrophication of a certain water body. The other birds seen in the pond are White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus, Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus, Large Egret Ardea alba and Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia. Pond Herons Ardeola grayii were in few numbers. Black winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus were in more number thus indicating the presence of sludge in water and its shallowness. Cattle egrets were in large number indicating its negative character. The lackluster attitude of Govt. of Haryana will result in its total destruction in 5-10 years. Similar situation may be extended to nearby village ponds to worsen their condition too. Ramsar Convention (1971) pleads for preservation, protection and conservation of wetlands of all hues. Village ponds in Haryana should be revived by seeking co-operation from the Head Quarter of Ramsar Convention at Switzerland