Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Palcayaco watershed management through environmental zoning in Huancavelica, Peru
Get PDFThe technical and integrated participation of the population in environmental zoning and soil and water conservation techniques and management is a sustainable alternative for watershed management. The objective of the research was to develop an environmental zoning map for the Palcayaco watershed in Huancavelica, Peru (from its socioeconomic aspects to its technical recommendations). The research work was deductive, where all the necessary data were delimited, described, inventoried, recapitulated and extracted to describe the morphometric parameters, biophysical and socioeconomic situation, environmental zoning and techniques for soil and water conservation. Results: the watershed was perennial, an average slope of 29.65%, a time of concentration of 180.6 min and a balanced hypsometric curve type (B). It also had low population density, unpaved roads, scarce basic services, and poor education and health services infrastructure. The watershed presented different ecoregions, life zones, climatic classification and altitudinal sector, current land use for agricultural, livestock and silvopastoral production, steep type, forest pasture use and protection capacity. The conflict area was in good use, and economic-ecological zoning was in protection, conservation, recovery, water, productive, and urban-industrial. The environmental zoning designed for the Palcayaco watershed preserved the most important natural resources for rural communities, improving their biophysical and socioeconomic status. Through soil and water conservation techniques and management, it will prevent the degradation of the watershed for a better and sustainable future.
Estimation of soil carbon pools under major cropping systems of Mayiladuthurai district of Cauvery Delta Zone, Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFSoil organic carbon (SOC) is a potential indicator of soil quality and ecosystem sustainability. The present study aimed to evaluate SOC pools under major cropping systems of Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The composite samples were collected from two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) by stratified random sampling and were analysed for pH, EC (Electrical conductivity), C fractions, inorganic carbon and permanganate oxidisable carbon by standard procedures. The SOC content under different land use was in the order of Forestry > Rice – pulses > Rice – cotton > Sugarcane > Uncultivated. The mean SOC content of the study area was 12.58 Mg ha-1, where the majority of the area falls under low to medium rating of SOC. Hence, cultivation practices should incorporate activities that increase SOC to maintain soil quality. SOC was positively correlated with fractions of carbon – CVL (r = 0.37**), CL (r = 0.65**) and CLL (r = 0.58**), indicating changes in land use would affect the carbon dynamics of the ecosystem. The root biomass, aeration status, microbial activity, nutrient reserves and inherent soil characteristics influenced SOC to decrease with depth. The PCA analysis revealed that the variation in carbon dynamics of the study area was influenced by SOC, CLC, CLL and non-labile carbon due to differences in land management practices. Therefore, such soil management practices will be a powerful tool to sequester carbon, which supplements climate change mitigation
Physiological impact of heat stress and their alleviation measures in agriculture: A review
Get PDFAbiotic stresses are becoming more prevalent in modern agriculture as a result of shifting climate scenarios. Elevated temperature stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses to address since it has detrimental consequences for plant physiology, molecular structure, and phenology. The morphological impact occurs in the form of reduced germination, poor emergence, poor seedling vigor, abnormal seedling. Heat stress also results in the closure of stomata, reduced leaf size and consequent increase in stomatal density. One of the major physiological impacts of heat stress is on the fluidity of the membrane structure of the plant cell. Heat stress leads to increased fluidity of the thylakoid membrane and disruption of metabolic functions, which either deliver or accept electrons from PSII and, thus, cause dislodging of PSII from thylakoid membrane. The respiration generally increases in the temperature range of 0-35/ 40⁰C, reaches plateau at 40-50⁰C and decreases beyond 50⁰C due to damage to the respiratory mechanism. Elevated temperature directly impacts the cellular water content and indirectly through the increased water depletion rate from the soil. In order to design the appropriate corrective actions, it is crucial to research all the factors leading to heat stress thoroughly. The traditional agronomic and breeding interventions are crucial, but the rising food demand and the intensifying heat stress call for some cutting-edge biotechnological interventions, such as transgenics, genome editing, and CRISPR/cas9, to induce genome-level heat tolerance. The present review deals in detail with each of the previously listed aspects.
Community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes from Udupi district, Karnataka, India
Get PDFNematodes constitute the most significant, most numerous, and diversified set of multicellular organisms on the earth. They live in various environments and exhibit a wide range of behavioural patterns. In the soil food web, they can be found at various trophic levels as herbivores (plant parasitic nematodes), bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores, and predators. As there were fewer studies on nematode ecology in the Udupi region, the present study aims to study the community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes. Soil samples were collected following opportunistic random sampling employing a soil auger and were stored at 40C until transported to the laboratory. Nematodes were isolated from soil, killed, fixed, dehydrated, and displayed on a glass slide after isolation. The standard keys were used to identify the individual to genera level. 62 genera of soil nematodes belonging to 26 families and 7 orders were identified. Predator were the most prevalent communities. Various statistical indices for assessing nematode population ecology and nematodes specific indices were also calculated and it indicated a significant abundance of large plant parasitic nematodes. The region exhibits low levels of labile organic carbon and nutrient enrichment (Enrichment Index (EI):14.06 to 21.22). Despite this, the soil food web in the region is well-structured, indicated by Structure Index (SI) (85.51 to 89.74). Prevalence of fungal decomposition dominance and the soil appears to be minimally disturbed, as indicated by high channel index values and low Basal Index (BI) values, respectively
Understanding the harmful effects of polyethylene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: A toxicological evaluation
Get PDFMicroplastics, measuring less than 5 mm, are pervasive environmental pollutants raising concerns about their toxic effects on terrestrial ecosystems, especially earthworms.A comprehensive toxicological evaluation of polyethylene microplastics on earthworms will be beneficial for determining the detrimental impacts of these ubiquitous pollutants on soil ecosystem. Therefore, in the present study, the best representative soil organism, earthworms (Eisenia fetida), were opted for examining the toxicological effect of polyethylene microplastic. E. fetida were subjected to different concentrations of polyethylene microplastic (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg) in soil and randomly picked out on days 7 to 56. Earthworms exposed to higher concentration of polyethylene (1000 mg/kg of artificial soil) showed a significant reduction in body weight and cocoon formation after 35th days of incubation. A consistent decrease in the concentration of carbohydrates, lipids, and protein was observed when the worms were exposed to the higher concentration of polyethylene. Further, antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde were determined for antioxidant stress.Exposure of 200 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg of artificial soil caused a prominent amplification in the build-up of malonedialdehyde (a biological marker of oxidative stress) by 1.29-fold. It also considerably augmented the activity of the antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione S-transferase (1.54-fold), superoxide dismutase (1.51-fold), peroxidase (1.25-fold), and catalase (1.87-fold). The present study\u27s findings provide a new understanding of the toxic effect of microplastic on earthworm E. fetida, presenting a foundation for its risk evaluation on soil ecosystems and non-target biological toxicity.
Effect of adding sodium caseinate, whey protein concentrateand milk protein concentrate on the physical, rheological and sensory properties of yogurt produced from goat milk
Get PDFYogurt is a widespread fermented dairy product widely consumed worldwide. The present study aimed to examine the impact on the yogurt\u27s made from goat milk\u27s physicochemical, rheological, and sensory aspects by incorporating varying percentages of Sodium Caseinate (SC), whey protein concentrate (WPC), and cow milk protein concentrate (MPC) during production to produce good quality yogurt. Four different treatments weremade and assigned as control treatment C, treatment C1 (SC was added at a percentage of 1% and 2%), treatment C2 (WPC added at a percentage of 1% and 2%), and treatment C3 (MPC added at a percentage of 1% and 2%). Estimates of pH and total acidity were among the physiochemical tests performed. Rheological evaluations includedviscosity, the ability to separate whey spontaneously, and moisture retention. Texture tests included hardness, springiness, and cohesiveness. A sensory evaluation of the produced yogurt was also done. The results showed an approximation in the additional treatments\u27 total acidity and pH values immediately after manufacturing. Compared to the control treatment, the additional treatments decreased the values of spontaneous whey separation and increased the water holding capacity and viscosity. However, the product\u27s texture was enhanced due to the addition of the three protein components, which contributed to its hardness, springiness, and cohesion. There was an improvement in the sensory properties of the addition treatments compared to the control treatment and directly related to the increment in the addition percentage.The yogurt resulting from the addition of (SC, WPC, and MPC) led to the production of good-quality yogurt.
Analysis of polyphenols and anti-oxidant activity of Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L.) from Himachal Pradesh-A North-Western State of India
Get PDFBoerhavia diffusa L. (family Nyctaginaceae) is also known as Punarnava in Indian medicine and has been used as rasayana herb in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. Plant has anti-aging, rejuvenating, cell-strengthening, mind-enhancing and preventative properties. The present study aims to investigate the different plant parts of the species B. diffusa for phytochemicals and antioxidants characterization for the first time from Bilaspur (31.33 oN 76.75 oE), Himachal Pradesh of North-Western India. The methanol: water extracts (leaf, stem and root) of B. diffusa were tested for in vitro antioxidant activity by various assays such as DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS [2, 2’-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)], FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) and RP-HPLC-PDA (Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photo Diode Array Detector), which showed that B. diffusa root had the highest antioxidant activity i.e. DPPH (93.11±0.152g %), ABTS (89.70±0.207g %) and FRAP (88.67±0.251g %). This suggests that plant-derived polyphenols are good sources of natural antioxidants. Further, in the present study, three polyphenols, such as rutin, syringic acid, and epicatechin, were also determined through RP-HPLC-PDA method and found to be maximum in root extract. The results indicated that the methanolic extract of B. diffusa could be a potential herbal medicine against free radicals.
Climate change effects on Chickpea yield and its variability in Andhra Pradesh, India
Get PDFFarmers usually do not know the precise output that is affected by climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall and are characterized by inter-annual variability, part of which is caused by global climate change. No study covers the influences of climate factors on yield and yield risk in the context of chickpea farming in Andhra Pradesh, India. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the trends in climate change variables during Rabi season (October to January, 1996-2020) and evaluated their variability on chickpea yields across different agro-climatic zones in Andhra Pradesh by employing Just and Pope production function. Four non-parametric methods-Alexandersson’s Standard Normal Homogeneity Test, Buishand’s Range Test, Pettitt’s Test and Von Neumann’s Ratio Test are applied to detect homogeneity in the data. Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope (SS) method were employed to analyze monthly rainfall trends and minimum and maximum temperature trends. Results of Just and Pope (panel data) quadratic and Cobb-Douglas methods revealed that monthly minimum temperature positively influenced the mean yield of chickpea (0.22% and 0.16%, respectively). However, rainfall (-0.41% and -0.31%) and maximum temperature (-0.08% and -0.04%) negatively influenced the mean yield of chickpea under quadratic and Cobb-Douglas models, respectively. Accordingly, rainfall (0.08% and 0.06%) and maximum temperature (0.83% and 0.72%) positively influenced the yield variability and minimum temperature (-0.77% and -0.67%) reduced yield variability of chickpea under quadratic and Cobb-Douglas models respectively. In view of these findings, it is imperative to advocate the farmers about the importance of cultivating drought-tolerant chickpea varieties, drought-proofing and mitigation strategies, micro-irrigation practices and improving their access to agro-meteorological information towards sustainable chickpea cultivation in Andhra Pradesh
Evaluation of polyhalite on growth, yield attributes and yield of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)
Get PDFPotassium is involved in a diverse range of processes within plants that are needed for their growth, yield and better quality. The polyhalite as a hydrated evaporate mineral that can be used directly as a source of potassic fertilizer. However, research on polyhalite\u27s appropriateness and effectiveness, the present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of polyhalite on growth, yield attributes, and yield of blackgram variety ADT 5 at Chinnakandiankuppam village, Vriddhachalam, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, during 2021. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design consisting of ten treatments viz., T1 (absolute control), T2 (-K), T3 (12.5 kg K2O ha-1 as muriate of potash (MOP)), T4 (25 kg K2O ha-1as MOP), T5 (37.5 kg K2O ha-1 as MOP), T6 (50 kg K2O ha-1 as MOP), T7 (12.5 kg K2O ha-1 as polyhalite), T8 (25 kg K2O ha-1 as polyhalite), T9 (37.5 kg K2O ha-1 as polyhalite), T10 (50 kg K2O ha-1 as polyhalite). The experiment revealed that the application of 37.5 kg K2O ha-1 as polyhalite (T9) significantly (5%) enhanced the growth attributes (plant height (38.7 cm), number of branches plant-1 (12.97), leaf area index (2.13), number of nodules plant-1 (18.76) and dry matter production (1972 hg ha-1), yield attributes (pod length (8.21 cm), number of pods plant-1 (20.05), number of seeds pod-1 (7.14) and test weight (3.53 g)) and grain yield (1439 kg ha-1), haulm yield (1876 kg ha-1) of blackgram. Thus the study would be helpful to farmers for yield maximization of blackgram through polyhalite as potassic fertilizer.
Spatial-temporal assessment of Norovirus contamination in mussels from Cherrat estuary, Morocco, by real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction
Get PDFMussels filter large amounts of water to extract nutrients; therefore, they can concentrate and accumulate in their tissues infectious agents, and vectors of enteric diseases. The aim of this study was to assess mussel contamination by Norovirus genogroups I and II in the Cherrat estuary to determine the public health risk linked to their consumption. Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were collected (n=52 samples; 12 mussels/sample) at four sites (S1 and S2 located on the right rocky bank / S3 and S4, located on the rocky left bank) in the Cherrat estuary (Casa-Settat region), Morocco, during 13 months, from March 2019 to March 2020. Norovirus was detected and quantified by real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Norovirus genogroups I and II were detected in 17.30% and 94.23% of mussel samples, respectively. Contamination by Norovirus (genogroups I and II) was not correlated with seasonal factors (month and rainfall), and Norovirus prevalence was comparable among the four sampling sites. Consumption of raw or undercooked mussels contaminated with Norovirus can cause gastroenteritis, which represents a potential risk to human health. The present study would be helpful to control and manage the potential risk to the public health of the Moroccan population due to the degradation of water quality continuously impacted by runoff, the urban wastewater treatment system malfunctions, and overflows from nearby sewage systems.