Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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A primary study on the degradation of low-density polyethylene treated with select oxidizing agents and starch
Get PDFPolyethylene has become an integral part of our contemporary lives. The neoteric versatile nature of polyethylene is used in constructing various applications. Out of the plastic waste discarded, 60% of the plastic waste enters landfills. The polyethylene discarded in the soil and water on exposure to the environment forms macroplastics (>2.5 cm), mesoplastics (5 mm - 2.5 cm) and microplastics (<5 mm). Microplastics in the water and soil are observed to have lethal and ecotoxicological effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. They enter the food chain and permeate into the food that one eats. In order to address this impending concern, the present study aimed to treat plastics to form a degradable, safe and earthy material. The dissolved polyethylene was treated with starch and was made to react with oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid and acetic acid to lower its inert ability to withstand its degradation. The effect of starch and oxidizing agents on dissolved low density polyethylene was subsequently analysed. The analysis of treated polyethylene showed a decrease in its crystallinity percentage by 6.19 and an increase in its functional groups on reaction with solvent trichloroethylene made to react with starch and oxidizing agents. In the present research, tests were conducted to obtain the various methods that can be utilized to reverse the inert ability of polyethylene. The prevailing recycling model that uses antioxidation techniques is counterproductive since it was found that such techniques appeared to make the polyethylene more resistant to further degradation. In this study, the polyethylene was dissolved in the solvents, such as xylene and trichloroethylene, to make the polyethylene more susceptible to reactants and hence a viable model for treating polyethylene
Effectiveness of Forest statutes in the conservation of Aravalli range in Urbanized complex- A case of Gurugram District (Haryana), India
Get PDFGurugram is one of the major satellite cities of Delhi, which witnessed unprecedented growth in the past two decades. The city of Gurugram in Haryana State, India, has a fringe of Aravalli hills on either side as the western and the eastern range ridge. On the foothills of the eastern ridge, there has been a major development in the revenue estate of Behrampur to Nathupur, whereas, on the western ridge, the major development has been from the revenue estate of Manesar to Naurangpur of Urban development complex. Majority of the Revenue Estate in the areas in the foothills of Aravalli are covered under Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900. The areas in Arravali ranges covered under development plans have witnessed urbanization. In contrast, the areas which are protected by forest statute and have come under Urban development plans have been saved from urban sprawls to a great extent. The present study analyses urban plans and development in areas not protected by forest statutes to those with some umbrella of protection. The successive development plans including Gurugram Developmental Plan (GDP) 2021 of 2007, GDP 2020 of 2011, GDP 2031 of 2012, and Gwal Pahari Developmental Plan of 2010 amended in 2016 has increased the commercial value of land, exposing them to urbanization due to better economic returns. The study, however, strengthens the perception that despite being prone to development opportunity, the areas covered under forest statutes or by Hon’ble court orders have been protected from urban expansion and developmental sprawl
Different quantities of manganese oxide nanoparticles incorporated feed on the growth and haematological traits of common carp Cyprinus carpio var. communis
Get PDFIn recent times, nanoparticles have been used as raw ingredients for biofertilizers, mineral supplements in animal feed, and pharmaceuticals. Manganese plays a vital role in enhancing fish\u27s growth and biological function. The present research work aimed to analyze the various quantities of manganese oxide nanoparticles on common carp growth and its haematological traits. Synthesized manganese oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles were illustrated using UV-visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X–Ray Spectroscopy (EDAX), X–Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Six different feeds were prepared by incorporating different quantities of manganese oxide nanoparticles (Feed I (control-0mg), Feed II(3mg/100g), Feed III(6mg/100g), Feed IV(9mg/100g), Feed V(12mg/100g), and Feed VI(15mg/100g)) with common ingredients such as groundnut oil cake, fish meal, tapioca flour, and wheat flour. On the completion of 21 days, feed utilization and haematological characteristics of Common carp were assessed. The UV-Vis showed that manganese oxide nanoparticles exhibit strong adsorption peaks at 220nm. SEM image observed at the wavelength range from 9.22 nm to 9.35 nm. The size of the particles was in the 45-55 nm range. The EDAX spectrum recorded two peaks between 0.40 and 6 kev. The XRD graph shows that the diffraction peaks are indexed as 103, 004, 213, 204, 303, and 215. FT-IR spectrum measured at the wavelength range from 500-4000cm-1. Most of the growth parameters and haematological parameters were higher in feed III, containing 6mg of Manganese oxide nanoparticles. Therefore, results show that manganese oxide incorporated feed enhances the growth and haematological traits in common carp compared to control feed.
Evaluation of phenolic and antioxidant profiles of pink Guava peel (Psidium guajava L. cv Arka kiran) during fruit ripening and its in silico Anti SARS-CoV-2 property
Get PDFGuava (Psidium guajava L.) is a highly nutritious and economically important fruit. Although fruit peel is generally regarded as a waste, researchers believe that the peel of the guava is rich in bioactive constituents, even higher than the fruit\u27s flesh. The present study aimed to estimate phenolic content (total phenolic and total flavonoid) and assess antioxidant properties of guava fruit peel (pink variety, cv Arka kiran) by 2,2-di (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) assays at five different ripening stages (stage 1 to 5). The TPC and TFC assays were performed by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride (AlCl3) methods, respectively. The molecular docking experiment between the major phenolic of guava peel, Catechin and the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was performed by the Dockthor online server. Results showed that the peel had high phenolic (highest TPC and TFC, 7307.3 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight [DW] and 433.9 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW, respectively) and antioxidant values (highest DPPH, ABTS and FRAP values 4784.8, 206.6 and 2451 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g DW, respectively) throughout all stages, although there was a gradual decline in the activity at the later stages. Furthermore, it was found that catechin had a strong binding affinity (-7.591 kcal mol-1) with the spike protein, in silico when compared with the control drug ceftazidime (-7.250 kcal mol-1). The overall outcome of our experiemnts revealed that guava peel could be explored for future pharmacological applications through in vivo studies, and the ‘green mixed with the yellow’ stage of ripening is optimum for such studies.
Management of Fusarium wilt of tomato (Pusa Ruby) by plant extracts and fungicides
Get PDFFusarium wilt disease of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is one of the most important and widespread disease of the cultivated tomato.The yield loss in tomato in temperate region of India due to this disease is 10 to 90 percent. Investigation was undertaken to screen out the fungicides viz., Azoxystrobin(T1), Propineb(T2), Thiophanate Methyl (T3), Difenoconazole(T4), Mancozeb(T5), Mancozeb + Thiophanate Methyl(T6), Boscolid+Pyraclostrobin(T7) and control (T8) and plant extracts viz, onion bulb(T9), ,ginger rhizome(T10), garlic clove(T11), neem leaf (T12), ashwagandha leaf(T13), sarpgandha leaf(T14), ashok leaf(T15) and control (T16) , against wilt of tomato under in vivo and in vivo conditions. Ginger rhizome extract (T10) was found very promising as it produced 82.2 % growth inhibition of F. oxysporumf.sp. lycopersiciat @t 15 % concentration followed by garlic clove(T11) (76.1%). Two soil drenching withgarlic clove(T11), @ 15 percent showed minimum disease incidence of (16.6%) with maximum yield (435.3 q/ha) followed by ginger rhizome(T10) extract (18.4% and 428.2 q/ha). Mancozeb + Thiophanate Methyl(T6), Difenoconazole(T4) and Thiophanate Methyl(T6) completely inhibited the radial growth and sporulation of Fusarium oxysporumf.sp. lycopersici after 144 hrs of incubation. Two soil drenching of Mancozeb +Thiophanate Methyl(T6), @ 15 per cent was also found the best for managing the disease as minimum disease incidence (5.3%) and highest yield (470.9 q/ha) was recorded
Spectral signatures for iron ore deposits in Tirthamalai area, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFThe demand for iron ore has increased recently and employing geochemical and hyperspectral remote sensing techniques for discovering new ore and mineral resources have primarily been concentrated on the economic phases. The present study aimed to characterize the hyperspectral spectral signatures of iron ores of field samples to map the deposits that occurred in the Tirthamalai hill region, which lies in the parts of Harur Taluk, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu state, India The measurement and study of spectral signatures of the different samples of the deposits showed strong spectral absorptions near 500 nm, 900 nm and 2400 nm wavelength regions and were confirmed with the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy method. The spectral absorption characteristics of the samples were evaluated by the study of the physical, optical, and chemical characteristics of the samples. The study of hyperspectral and FTIR spectral signatures with petrographic and major chemical elements revealed the best absorption characteristics of the iron ore deposits of the study region and can be used elsewhere in the world. This report presents preliminary findings on the use of hyperspectral imaging to characterize iron ore. The mineralogical products produced from hyperspectral images may improve in situ grade control on an iron ore mine face. It will be extremely useful for businesses in measuring large numbers of commodities quickly and objectively
Impact of the orientation of seed placement and depth of its sowing on germination: A review
Get PDFSeed orientation and its impacts on germination and seedling establishment mainly depend on the type of germination (hypogeal (or) epigeal), seed size and shape. Higher germination per cent is noticed when seeds are sown in the horizontal position. Planting seeds in a downward position can lead to a variety of physiological, chemical and morphological changes in seedlings. Consequences are usually manifested as noticeable modifications in their development. Vigorous seeds have strong, resilient seedlings due to their well-balanced metabolism and coordinated subcellular activity, making them well-suited for tough environments. Proper plumule and radicle growth require additional hormones and energy to ensure seedling survival. Four necessary factors must be considered while deciding the sowing depth viz., soil moisture, optimum soil temperature, soil aeration and atmospheric humidity required for seed germination, emergence and seedling growth. Variations are observed in germination behaviour and seedling growth for different sowing depths. The necessary factors are very much important for efficient nursery seedlings production. This review looks at the effects of seed depth and orientation on the germination and growth of important agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural crops
Susceptibility baselines for the invasive mealybugs Phenacoccus manihoti and Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in cassava ecosystem against selected neonicotinoid insecticides
Get PDFIn recent years, an invasive cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti has been threatening cassava cultivation alongside another invasive papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus which invaded the country more than a decade ago. In order to evaluate their responses against the commonly used neonicotinoid insecticides: thiamethoxam 25 WG and imidacloprid 17.8 SL, acute toxicity experiments to determine the susceptibility baselines in populations of two invasive mealybugs in the cassava agro-ecosystem, namely, cassava mealybug P. manihoti and papaya mealybug P. marginatus were performed upto 15 generations. A systemic uptake method was used for the bioassay. The LC50 values of thiamethoxam for F1 generation were 3.298 ppm whereas it was 1.066 ppm for F15 in cassava mealybug. The LC50 values of F1 generation were 2.014 ppm and that of F15 generation was 1.384 ppm when tested with imidacloprid. In the case of papaya mealybug, the LC50 values ranged from 6.138 ppm (F1) to 2.503 ppm (F15) for thiamethoxam and 7.457 ppm (F1) to 3.231 ppm (F15) for imidacloprid. All the susceptibility indices calculated were less than threefold. The rate of resistance development was negative in all cases showing that none of the tested populations harboured any resistance without insecticidal selection pressure. Tentative discriminating doses were fixed for both chemicals with the help of LC95 values obtained from the bioassay experiments, namely five ppm for both thiamethoxam and imidacloprid in the case of cassava mealybug and 10 ppm and 15 ppm, respectively, for thiamethoxam and imidacloprid in the case of papaya mealybug.
Multivariate analysis for assessing genetic diversity in different genotypes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) for varietal improvement
Get PDFAccurate assessment of genetic diversity facilitates the strategic identification of superior genotypes, enabling the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient cultivars and promoting effective crop improvement strategies. The present study was carried out with 48 different genotypes of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) during (Jan-April 2022) to investigate their genetic diversity. The analysis of genetic divergence using D2 statistics revealed substantial variation among genotypes for the twelve traits studied. The 48 genotypes were grouped into nine clusters, with cluster IV having the highest representation of 24 genotypes, followed by cluster II with 12 genotypes, cluster I with 4 genotypes, cluster III with 3 genotypes, and the remaining clusters with one genotype each. The intra and inter-cluster D2 values ranged from 0 to 95.29 and 103.00 to 588.71, respectively. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in Cluster III (95.29), and highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster V and IX (588.71). This range clearly demonstrated that the inter-cluster distance was greater than the intra-cluster distance indicating wide diversity across the groups. Cluster VII showed a high mean for traits plant height (112.53), peduncle length (3.14), fruit length (20.03), and number of locules (7.87). Cluster V showed the highest mean for the number of fruits (39.33) and yield per plant (1.18). The analysis of all characters\u27 relative contributions showed that the number of fruits per plant and the number of locules per fruit contributed most to genetic divergence. High heterotic effects and desired transgressive segregants are anticipated when different genotypes from clusters with the greatest inter-cluster distance are used for hybridization
Evaluation of DSSAT CROPGRO model on growth and yield of pigeonpea cultivars under different fertigation levels
Get PDFCrop modelling can make it easier for researchers to comprehend and describe experimental results and pinpoint yield disparities. In this competition, the impact of pigeonpea growth and yield under various fertigation levels was examined using the Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer 4.6 (DSSAT) and CROPGRO pigeonpea models. Under drip fertigated levels, the cultivars received various nutrient doses. The pigeonpea model developed by DSSAT-CROPGRO successfully simulated measured pigeonpea grain yield. The field trials took place in Coimbatore at the millet breeding facility of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The study ran the GLUE coefficient estimator to estimate the cultivar coefficients until it had a good match between the predicted and observed seed yield. The accuracy of the model was measured by calculating its R-squared, RMSE, NRMSE, and Agreement percentage. According to model simulation and field measurements, drip fertigation at 125% RDF via WSF + Azophosmet and foliar spray of 1% PPFM resulted in the highest seed output of 1875 kg ha-1(V1F5) over both years. The increase in seed yield with drip fertigation at 125% RDF via WSF + Azophosmet and foliar spray of 1% PPFM (V1F5) was 8.0 - 11.0% when compared to drip fertigation at 100% RDF via WSF + Azophosmet and foliar spray of 1% PPFM (V1F4)12.9 - 16.1 % compared to drip fertigation at 100% RDF through WSF; and 68.0 - 74.3 % compared to conventional fertilizer. It was indicated that the DSSAT v.4.6 can be a helpful tool for determining and forecasting pigeonpea growth yield if it is appropriately calibrated. Simulation models substantially facilitated maximizing crop growth and generating management advice.