Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Phytotoxic effect of chrome liquor on growth and chlorophyll content of Spirodela polyrrhiza L. Schleid
Get PDFThe present study assessed the tolerance of Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid (giant duckweed) exposed to different concentrations (5% -100%) of chrome liquor for 7 days. Physiological conditions of S.polyrrhizaplants were monitored daily by measuring fresh weight and chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b. Fresh biomass of Spirodela plant showed concentration and duration dependent reduction with minimum value (5.71 g) reported on 7 d at 100% tannery effluent concentration. Likewise, significant reduction in chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b content wasobserved in concentration-duration dependent manner with maximum reduction reported to be 99.8% and 99.6% respectively on 7 d at 100% effluent concentration in comparison to control
Analysis of n-alkanes in the cuticular wax of leaves of Ficus glomerata Roxb.
Get PDFLeaf cuticle was covered by epicuticular wax consisting mainly of straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbons with a variety of substituted groups. The studies of cuticular characters of leaves had played an important role in chemotaxonomy. An n-hexane extract of fresh and mature leaves of Ficus glomerata, containing a thin layer of epicuticular waxes was analyzed for the first time by Thin Layer Chromatography, Infrared Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography and Scanning Electron Microscopy using standard hydrocarbons. The leaves contained 18 identified long chain (C15–C33) n-alkanes except C23 accounting for 68.82% of the hydrocarbons, and an unknown number of unidentified branched chain alkanes. The predominant n-alkanes were C16 (5.92%), C17 (6.18%), C27 (5.11%), C29 (5.29%), C31 (5.47%), whilst C15 (4.21%), C18 (4.57%), C26 (3.88%), C28 (3.53%), C30 (3.43%) n-alkanes were moderately abundant. The C19 (2.53%), C20 (2.52%) and C22 (2.16%) homologues were present only in minor amounts. SEM views were also taken for epicuticular layers and hydrocarbons of the leaves. Qualitative and Quantitative characterization of n-alkanes present in the epicuticular wax can be used as an effective tool in chemotaxonomical work
Grazing management in temperate grassland of Kumaun Himalaya for soil water conservation
Get PDFOvergrazing by livestock has caused major changes in the productivity and composition of rangeland vegetation in India. The main problem stems from the fact that the carrying capacity of rangelands is low as a result of low vegetation cover, and is decreasing with range degradation. This has an impact on land degradation which affects the rangeland hydrology. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the physio-hydrological responses of soil to different intensities of livestock grazing and land management by comparing the effect of uncontrolled grazed land and fenced off (ungrazed) land. There is a need to understand the hydrology of rangeland so as to propose ways of improving carrying capacity of rangeland. The study site had two different treatments: fenced off to prevent grazing, and uncontrolled grazed treatments. Plant biomass was measured at the end of the season. The results showed that there is a significant difference in infiltration rate and soil moisture among the two treatments. Infiltration rates were substantially greater in summer than in winter. On day 1 the steady infiltration rate in summer was twice the winter rate. The infiltration rate in summer on day 2, which is a better measure of the steady rate, was 2.5 times the winter rate. The differences between seasons were statistically very significant (p < 0.001). The effect of treatments on soil moisture was proportional to the effect of vegetation, as well as the effect of soil type on soil moisture, thus vegetation production depends on soil moisture
Physico-chemical and phytoplanktonic characteristics of river Tons at Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India
Get PDFThe physico-chemical and phytoplankton characteristics of the Tons River were analyzed during August 2011-July 2012. The samples were collected from Garhi Cant (Site 1) and Tapkeshwar temple (Site 2) at Dehradun. The results showed that temperature, velocity, DO, nitrate and phosphate affected the phytoplanktonic diversity of river Tons. Thirty five genera of phytoplankton belonging to three families of Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Myxophyceae were also identified in the river water. The family Bacillariophyceae was dominating the river with much abundance throughout the study period. Bacillariophyceae was recorded with the maximum of 222.25±90.84 Unit/L at sampling site 1 and 239.08±125.41 Unit/L at sampling site 2. The greater number of individuals was in family Bacillariophyceae (239.08±125.41 Unit/L) followed by Chlorophyceae (183.75±112.50 Unit/L) and Myxophyceae(40.91±36.16 Unit/L) during the study period. Both the number of genera and number of individuals belonging to each genera was maximum in case of family Bacillariophyceae followed by Chlorophyceae and Myxophyceae. The present study revealed that the water quality of river Tons was fairly good for the growth and survival of phytoplankton, and as a result it sustains the higher phytoplankton diversity of Tons river
Growth promotion of rice seedlings by fungal and bacterial bioagents effective against bacterial leaf blight of rice
Get PDFIn the present investigation, fungal and bacterial bioagents which were effective against pathogen of bacterial leaf blight disease of rice (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) was tested for their effect on germination of rice seeds and growth of nursery seedlings under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Two isolates of fluorescent pseudomonas isolated from rice phylloplane (Pf 83 and FLP 88), Trichoderma species were isolated from soil of rice field (isolate 40) and Trichoderma harzianum isolated from rice phylloplane. Two commercial formulations (PBA-1 and PBA-2) were tested in the present investigation and compared with chemical treatment (0.76 g Emison + 0.18 g Streptocycline / kg seeds) and untreated check. Under laboratory conditions, chemical treatment was found most effective in increasing seed germination (43.90%) followed by Pf 83 and PBA-1 (34.15 %). Bioagent formulations were significantly effective in increase in root and shoot length as compared to check and chemical treatment. Under glasshouse conditions, maximum increase (29.42%) in seedlings emergence was exhibited by chemical treatment. Maximum increase in root length (100.15%) and shoot length (50.06%) was recorded with FLP 88 and T. harzianum, respectively. Bioagent formulations also increased fresh and dry root weight over check and chemical treatment. All bioagents formulations were effective over chemical treatment and check in increasing fresh shoot weight. Results of the present study revealed that in the absence of pathogen of bacterial leaf blight of rice, fungal and bacterial bioagents significantly enhanced germination of rice seeds and growth of nursery seedlings
Rooting potential of mature stem cuttings of some forest tree species for vegetative propagation
Get PDFThe growing of trees could be hindered by seed dormancy problems or unavailability of sufficient quantities of seeds, hence vegetative propagation using simple propagules like stem cuttings is a valued option especially for resource poor farmers. The rooting potential of mature stem cuttings of Gambeya albida, Irvingia gabonensis, Annona muricata, Garcinia kola and Triplochiton scleroxylon was investigated in a humid tent propagator without enhancement by artificial hormones. Propagation indicative parameters were estimated using percentages. G. kola had the highest root-ability indices with cutting survival rate of 85%, callus formation (75%), leaf loss (35%), days to axial bud sprout (55 days), days to leaf loss (23 days) and number of new leaves produced (9) at termination of study. T.scleroxylon had no survivals; an axial bud sprouted at 51 days but withered off by the third day. Other species were between these two extremes. Root-ability potential categorization for the species on the basis of this investigation was: easy to root for: G.kola and A.muricata, moderately easy to root for I.gabonensis and G.albida,unable to root for T.scleroxylon.The use of artificial hormone, juvenile stem cutting and somatic embryogenesis trials has been suggested especially for the moderately easy and unable to root categories
Micro-histological analysis of faeces of Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar gray in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India
Get PDFIn vivo studies on the feeding of Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar Gray) in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand and micro-histological analysis of 104 samples of its faeces were investigated during January 2011 to December 2012, to get information on vegetative and non-vegetative diet and feeding behaviour. Plant matter constituted a major portion of the faecal content (87.73±4.31?g) and represented by 14 families. Non- vegetative matter could be recorded as 9.36±1.46?g of dry weight which represented by 8 orders of the arthropods. Fine organic matter + grits constitute was found to be 2.84%±1.17?g in faecal content. Saxifragaceae, Graminaceae, Rosaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae were found the best plant families for Chukar diet while arthropod insects order like Diptera, Dissotera, Hymenoptera and Araneae remained favorite feeds. Flowers and fruits of Rhus parviflora, leaves of Rumax, roots/ tuber of Vigna and fruits of Rubus were found important diet of Chukar partridge along with Triticum in Rabi crop and Oryza in Kharif. Flies, grasshoppers, spiders were observed the main insects diet of Chukar partridge
Antibacterial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots against certain gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains
Get PDFThe present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potency of grinded crude material (root of Glycyrrhiza glabra) against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. Two solvents (methanol and acetone) were used to extract the phytochemicals from the test material. Four different concentrations (100%, 75%, 50% and 25%) of methanolic and acetonic extract were used to investigate the inhibiting properties against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia.coli, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis strains. Among methanol and acetone extracts, later exhibited low antibacterial activity. The 100% (w/v) concentration of both extracts showed maximum inhibition against B. subtilis followed by E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus, S. typhi and V. Cholerae. Maximum activity in acetonic extract was obtained against B. cereus followed by S. typhi, E. coli, V. cholerae and S .aureus and minimum in B. subtilis. A reverse pattern of inhibition activity was found in both extacts (methanolic and acetonic) against B. subtilis. Maximum activity was found in methanolic extract against B. subtilis (18.6 mm) but it was only 14.3 mm against this strain in acetonic extract. The antibacterial activity of the crude samples corresponded to that of concentration. Hence there was positive correlation of antibacterial activity with the test material
Effect of Nymphaea meal incorporated diets on growth, feed efficiency and body composition in fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio L.
Get PDFThe effect of varying levels of Nymphaea leaf meal on the growth and survival of common carp, Cyprinus carpio was investigated. In a feeding trail of 45 days, three experimental diets containing nymphaea leaf meal at 300, 400 and 500g kg-1 level of incorporation were fed to triplicate groups of 10 fish each. The conventional feed used in India, consisting of a mixture of groundnut oil cake and rice bran in 1:1 ratio served as the control. Best growth in terms of weight gain (35.2g), specific growth rate (4.67), protein efficiency ratio (PER) (2.7), feed conversion ratio (FCR) (2.5) was obtained for the test diet with 400g kg-1 nymphaea meal inclusion level. However no statistical difference was observed between the three experimental diets. Digestive enzyme activity and digestibility studies also indicated the same pattern. Thus the results of the present study indicate that a diet of 300g kg-1 overall protein with nymphaea meal included at 400g kg-1 can elicit good growth response and survival in common carp
Longitudinal distribution of the fish fauna in the river Ganga from Gangotri to Kanpur
Get PDFFish fauna of the river Ganga from Gangotri to Kanpur consisted of 140 fish species from 9 orders and 25 families; 63 fish species from 6 orders and 12 families in the mountain section (MS), while 122 species from 9 orders and 25 families in the Plains section (PS) of Upper Ganga. Cypriniformes and Cyprinidae were most species rich order and family in both sections. Forty six fish species primarily Cypriniformes and Siluriformes are common to both sections, only 17 in MS and 76 in PS. Orders Tetradontiformes, Osteoglossiformes and Clupeiformes were present in PS only. The taxonomic richness in the MS was low compared to PS. Probably motility and physiological requirements in respect of tolerance for temperature restrict faunal elements