Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Delineation of groundwater potential zones in the hilly topographic region of Serchhip, Mizoram, using Geospatial and analytical hierarchy process
Get PDFGroundwater is the most important source of freshwater next to the surface water. Delineation of groundwater potential is critically essential, particularly in hilly complex topographic regions, where the surface water dries up during the dry season. The present study aimed to delineate groundwater potential areas to address the issue of water scarcity in the Serchhip district, Mizoram. The integration of different thematic layers such as lithology, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), rainfall, slope, soil texture, geomorphology, drainage density, lineament density and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), the groundwater potential zone layers was prepared by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) were classified into five: poor, fair, moderate, good, and excellent. The study revealed that the moderate-good zone occupied about 79.27 % (1126.77 km2), and the fair zone covered an area of about 9.52 % (135.3 km²), while the poor area was only 5.30 % (75.3 km²) out of the total study area (1421.5 km2). The demarcation of groundwater potential zones in Serchhip, Mizoram, served to combat water scarcity in mountainous areas. The amalgamation of geospatial data and AHP methodologies offered pivotal insights for the sustainable management of water resources, facilitating informed decision-making and conservation endeavours amidst the challenges posed by climate fluctuations and population expansion.
PM2.5 concentration prediction using Generative adversarial network: A novel approach
Get PDFOver the last few years, air pollution has become a matter of great concern. Numerous machine learning and deep learning techniques have been applied to predict PM2.5 (Particulate Matter2.5). However, deterministic models perform forecasting based on the mean of probable outputs and cannot handle the uncertainties in real-life situations. With the aim of solving the low accuracy of PM2.5 concentration prediction during uncertainties, the present study proposed an innovative probabilistic model-Prob PM2.5 which predicts one day ahead PM2.5 concentration for time series data, which is multivariate in nature. First, a comprehensive correlation analysis between the meteorological features and PM2.5 concentration is done. Finally, the Conditional GAN framework is used to train the ProbPM2.5 with the help of adversarial training. The proposed framework that transformed a deterministic model into a probabilistic model provided improved performance. Comparative analysis with conventional models, such as LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) and GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit) reveals that ProbPM2.5 outperforms during testing, showcasing resilience in the face of unforeseen events like COVID-19. Hence, the proposed method could perform improved characterization of time series characteristics of the air pollutant changes in order to obtain better accuracy of PM2.5 concentration prediction
Exploring zinc impact on rooting efficiency in guava (Psidium guajava) cuttings under shade net environment
Get PDFIn pursuing efficient guava (Psidium guajava) cultivation, clonal propagation stands out for maintaining fruit quality and genetic uniformity. However, traditional methods like air layering could be more practical for mass production. The present study aimed to address the challenge of enhancing the rooting ability of guava stem cuttings without relying on labour-intensive auxin treatments under shade net environments in North Indian conditions. The study explores the natural augmentation of auxin levels through zinc application, considering zinc\u27s pivotal role in auxin synthesis. The experiment involved foliar and basal zinc application on stem cuttings, evaluating various zinc sulphate concentrations. Notably, basal application of 75g zinc sulphate/tree significantly improved rooting and survival percentages, increasing by 52.13% and 79.92%, respectively. Root initiation was expedited to 22.25 days. Additionally, treated samples exhibited a 7.66 cm increase in average root length and a 1.52 g increase in root fresh weight compared to the control. Intriguingly, the most favourable results occurred when untreated stem cuttings were subsequently treated with IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) at 5000 ppm. These findings highlight the potential of zinc application for naturally enhancing auxin levels, providing valuable insights for optimizing guava propagation efficiency. Moreover, zinc was reported to enhance the efficiency of auxin transport within plants. Specialized carrier proteins mediate auxin transport, and zinc was shown to influence the expression and activity of these transport proteins. Zinc can distribute auxin throughout the plant by promoting auxin transport from source to sink tissues, enhancing root growth and overall development.
Optimization of integrated nutrient management for enhancing growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in sandy loam soil
Get PDFWheat (Triticum aestivum) is a globally significant cereal crop with vital roles in human civilization and the agricultural revolution. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) strategies on vegetative growth and yield parameters such as plant height, spike length, grains per spike, spike m-2, grain yield, biological yield, straw yield leaf area index, harvest index, and soil nutrient availability of wheat genotype PBW 590 (Triticum aestivum). The experiment was set up in randomised block design (RBD) with nine treatments in triplicates using different ratios of NPK, farm yard manure, vermicompost etc. The results indicated significant variations in plant height among the treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9) with the maximum (95.1 cm) in T4 (70% recommended dose of fertilizer + 2.5% Azospirillum + 2.5% phosphate solubilizing bacteria + 20% Farm yard manure + 5% Vermicompost), surpassing the recommended dose of fertilizer by 6.17%. Leaf Area Index positively responded to INM treatments, with T4 displaying the highest LAI (4.55), suggesting enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Harvest Index (HI) indicated resource allocation towards edible yield, with T4 exhibiting the highest HI (50.7%) which was 34% higher than RDF. T4 consistently showed positive effects on the parameters, such as spike length (14.1 cm) and grains per spike (33), demonstrating variations among the treatments. Nutrient availability (N, P, and K) in the soil significantly improved under INM treatments, particularly T4, showcasing the potential for nutrient management in enhancing wheat growth and improving soil health.
Prevalence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and serotyping of Salmonella spp. in Zenata and Mansouria regions of Morocco
Get PDFDue to their immobile nature and filter-feeding habits, which enable biological particles to accumulate in their tissues, mussels are recognized as vectors of foodborne diseases. Consuming these shellfish uncooked or partly processed might result in food poisoning because of accumulated bacteria originating from the culture environment and unhygienic handling. The present study aimed to assess the presence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli as well as to biochemically and serotypically confirm Salmonella spp. in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) taken from two locations in Morocco: Zenata and Mansouria. A total of 90 mussel samples were collected from October 2022 to August 2023. Two methods were employed in this study: AFNOR NF EN ISO 6579-1 (2017) for the detection of Salmonella spp., and the most probable number method (MPN) using Norm ISO/TS 16649–3 (2017) for E. coli. The number of E. coli varied between 0.2/100 g and 1.7 x 103/100 g of mussels. The percentage of Salmonella spp. detected in mussel samples was 4,4%. Further analysis revealed the identification of two distinct Salmonella serotypes, namely S. kentucky (1 isolate) and S. Typhimurium (3 isolates). This research highlights the potential risks to public health due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria in mussels from two regions of Morocco where shellfish farming and coastal tourism are significant contributors to the local economy.
Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Alternaria perpunctulata GVKNSV7 causing leaf spot disease on Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb : A first report in India
Get PDFLeaf spot disease caused by Alternaria perpunctulata (E.G. Simmons) poses a significant threat to Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb, commonly known as alligator weed and Ceylon Spinach, contributes to persistent weed proliferation in Indian paddy fields. This study focuses on the molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of the Alternaria perpunctulata strain GVKNSV7, which is responsible for leaf spot disease on A. philoxeroides. Diseased plant leaves were collected from Kakumanu Mandal, Guntur, and local vegetable markets of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, in December 2021, revealing symptomatic samples with pink to reddish spots on A. philoxeroides leaves. Employing a comprehensive approach that included morphological assessment, pathogenicity testing, and ITS region sequencing, the isolated fungus was conclusively identified as A. perpunctulata with a high sequence similarity of 98.54%. Molecular comparison with sequences in the NCBI database further validated this identification. The resulting genetic sequence, formally catalogued as "Alternaria perpunctulata GVKNSV7," with the GenBank accession number OQ073752, has been successfully submitted to the NCBI database. This study emphasized the utility of ITS sequencing and molecular analyses for accurately identifying and documenting emerging pathogens. Such documentation provides essential insights for developing future bioherbicides and effective weed management strategies. Furthermore, it highlights the potential use of A. philoxeroides as a leafy vegetable, contributing to food security and agricultural sustainability. Overall, this research contributes to understanding Alternaria perpunctulata and its implications for crop health and management practices.
Isolation and molecular identification of polyphenol oxidase and associated enzyme production from Bacillus spp.
Get PDFPolyphenol oxidase (PPO) causes browning in food by converting phenolics to quinone, rendering unwanted organoleptic and nutritional changes. As a result, it represents a major problem in the food industry which must be addressed to reduce food waste and maximize food quality and shelf life despite PPOs importance in various industrial processes. The present study aimed to isolate Bacillus sp., evaluate their PPO production and related enzymes, and identify them through 16S rRNA sequencing. The selected strains isolated from soil were induced, and the cultures were grown OD600 of 1.0 (1x108 CFU) for evaluation. The study identified various types of Bacillus sp. as the source of PPO, tyrosinase and catecholase production. The data revealed that the strains Bacillus cereus, Bacillus albus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringenesis and Bacillus tropicus exhibited PPO, tyrosinase and catecholase enzyme production with a maximum of 104.2 IU/ml, 68.61 IU/ml and 61.59 IU/ml respectively. Enzyme activity differed between organisms and substrate activities, which must be standardized. Despite the importance of PPO and related enzymes to browning reactions and food processing, there has been limited progress in this area. Therefore, taking a different approach to provoke more concerns is probably necessary.
Optimizing nitrogen and potassium for aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) in elevated -temperature environments
Get PDFIncreasing atmospheric temperature is the consequence of global warming, which is anticipated to impact crop growth and development and decrease the productivity of crops in tropical regions. The field experiments were conducted during the summer season of 2020 and 2021 at College farm, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, to study the response of different rice varieties to elevated temperatures (2-3°C above ambient condition) during the flowering stage with different N and K levels under aerobic conditions. The experiments were laid out in Randomized Block Design consisting of eight treatments viz. V1F0 – Vaishak + 60 kg N and 30 kg K2O (Control – ambient temperature); V1F1- Vaishak+60 kg N and 30 kg K2O; V1F2- Vaishak+90 kg N and 45 kg K2O; V1F3- Vaishak+120 kg N and 60 kg K2O (under stress); V2F0- Aiswarya+60 kg N and 30 kg K2O (Control – No stress);V2F1- Aiswarya+60 kg N and 30 kg K2O; V2F2- Aiswarya+90 kg N and 45 kg K2O; V2F3- Aiswarya+120 kg N and 60 kg K2O (under stress). The tallest plant, higher number of tillers per hill, leaf area index, grain protein, grain and straw yield were observed with higher N and K levels (120: 60 kg/ha). The study revealed that the application of 90 kg N and 45 kg K2O produced comparable grain yields of Vaishak (2365 kg/ha in 2020 and 2186 kg/ha in 2021) and Aiswarya (2395 kg/ha in 2020 and 2104 kg/ha in 2021) to that of 120 kg N and 60 kg K2O/ha in both Vaishak and Aiswarya. Under elevated temperatures, the variety Aiswarya and Vaishak gave better yields to the farmers when supplied with 90 kg N and 45 kg K2O.
Active compounds of Michelia champaca bark extract against Curvularia verruculosa fungi causing leaf spot disease in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFCurvularia verruculosa fungal causes leaf spot disease in rice plants. The bark extract of Michelia champaca could inhibit the growth of the fungi. The present research aimed to know the active compound responsible for antifungal activity. Extraction was done using the Maceration method, antifungal activity was measured using the Diffusion well method, and identification of active compounds was carried out using Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The methanol extract obtained had a yield of 18.7%. It showed strong activity against C. verruculosa with an inhibition zone until 30.01 mm. The fractionation results showed that n-hexane extract (HE) was the strongest inhibiting the growth of C. verruculosa (32.45 mm), followed by chloroform extract (CE) (29.20 mm), while n-butanol extract (BE) was not active. Separating active compounds from HE extract was made using Column chromatography (CC) method with silica gel as the stationary phase and the mixture of n-hexane-acetone (3:1) as the mobile phase. This separation resulted in 5 combined fractions; HE3 and HE5 extracts showed very strong activity against C. verruculosa, with a diameter of the inhibition zone of 26.73 and 33.46 mm, respectively; HE2 extract showed strong activity with a diameter of the inhibition zone of 15.21 mm, while HE1 and HE4 extracts did not show activity. Identification using GC-MS, especially the HE3 extract, revealed that the extract contained two compounds: tributyl acetyl citrate and terephthalic acid, dodecyl-2-ethylhexyl ester. The result indicated that the bark extract of M. champaca had the potential to be a botanical fungicide.
Storing cork oak (Quercus suber) seeds under different temperatures and the effect of storage treatments on the germination and growth of stored seeds
Get PDFThe cork oak "Quercus suber L." is one of the most important forest trees in the world, especially in the Mediterranean Basin, due to its high environmental, socioeconomic, and landscape value throughout the year. In general, these trees face particular problems that affect their germination, growth, survival, and the other biotic and abiotic causes that affect natural regrowth.Thus, the most important of these problems is the annual irregularity in tree seed production. For this reason, The storage problems of this species are of concern to managers, who are using new alternative techniques to deal with the problem of the irregular annual production of oak seeds and to preserve them for as long as possible. The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of storing cork oak Quercus suber L. seeds at different temperatures and for different periods of up to 300 days on their vitality and ability to germinate. For this, the seeds were subjected to four storage parameters at four temperature levels: -0.5°C, -1°C, +4°C with thermotherapy, and +4°C without thermotherapy as a control from January 2019 to September 2019. Analysis of the obtained results showed that the treatments studied significantly affected the measured parameters. After 30 and 60 days, the results of the 4 treatments concluded that the fourth storage treatment (storage of seeds directly at +4°C) presented a good performance in terms of the length of the seedlings, which was high (52.45 cm), the production of seedlings with an average diameter of 5.28 mm, and the important germination percentage (88.57%), unlike the other treatments. After a storage period of 270 days, the fourth storage treatment, the control, stored at 4°C without thermotherapy, still showed the best growth and development. This treatment also achieved a higher germination percentage (17.14%), plant height (11.33cm), and average diameter (1.85 mm) than the other treatments.