Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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In situ measurement and management of soil, air, noise and water pollution in and around the Limestone mining area of Yerraguntla, YSR kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India for the sustainable development
Get PDFFor emerging countries, mining has been a vital factor in employment, economic development, infrastructure, and supply of essential raw materials for Nation’s Gross domestic product (GDP) growth. The Limestone mine industry is serving as a viable route for economic transformation in India. Limestone exploration causes major damage to the environment at Yerraguntla industrial zone, YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental Pollution parameter that causes Air, Water, Noise, and Soil pollution in and around limestone quarries started in the early 1984. The present study estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) as 76 based on the air quality sub-index approach using four pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx) for a period of 24 hrs by taking one sample per hour during the post monsoon. Water Quality Index (WQI) obtained as 303.91 from fourteen physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, fluoride, Total alkalinity etc.) measured from water samples. Soil quality was determined using four physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, WHC, Calcium and Magnesium) from the soil samples collected from ten sampling stations. The obtained pH range was (7.6 to 9.4), EC of the soil was determined as 4,140 µs/cm, the water retention capacity of the soil, ranges from (17.68 to 97.68) %, and the Calcium (Ca2+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) ranged from 74.5 to 272.75 mEq/L. Noise levels were determined as 76.64 dB in the mine’s, 58.16 dB in the cement industry, and 52.285 dB in the mine surrounding villages. This study can help mining sector management’s in developing a sustainable Environmental Management frame work to meet the world sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Antimetastatic potential of anthocyanins from Cordyline australis (G. Forst.) Endl. Red star variety on MCF onco cell lines
Get PDFBreast cancer is the second most deadly diagnosed lifestyle disease among women. Surgery and chemotherapy are the current treatments of choice; nevertheless, toxicity connected with this underscores the urgency of the demand for the human-friendly drug. 50% of current synthetic drugs available commercially today are either direct or indirect descendants extracted from herbs. Anthocyanins possess many pharmacological activities, including anticancer potential. However, no study on anticancer activity of anthocyanins from Cordyline australis has been reported. Anthocyanins were extracted from fresh leaves using ethanol as solvent. The total anthocyanin was quantified and fractionated by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography. Cytotoxicitic effect was carried on diverse cancer cell lines like MCF 7, HCT-116, Caco-2 and SW480 using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Based on MTT data, MCF 7 cells were further analyzed by LDH assay, Glutathione-S- transferase (GST), Quercetin reductase, Cytochrome P450 and Caspase 3, 8 and 9 activities. The obtained results were analyzed using ANOVA with a level of significance. Results obtained from MTT assay revealed that the anthocyanin extract carried significant toxic (p < 0.05) specificity against MCF 7 cells (65 ± 2.1 toxicity at 50 µg/ml) when compared to the other onco cells. Remarkable LDH leakage (50.2% vs 50 µg/ml), GST (3.0±0.002 U/mg protein), QR (4.4±0.054 U/mg protein), Cyt P450 activities (0.291±0.01 U/mg protein) were noticed. Caspase 3 (157%), 8 (142%) and 9 (147%) displayed profound activities. These in vitro findings of specific anticancer effects noticed on C. australis anthocyanin extract require further evaluation using animal models. Finally, the obtained findings open up the possibility of developing a lead antimetastatic anthocyanin candidate against deadly breast cancer
Weekly rainfall analysis using the Markov chain model in the Dharmapuri region of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFDuring a rainy season, dry and wet spells tend to persist and can be represented using a Markov process. Knowing the succession of dry and wet periods is necessary to plant crops and carry out agricultural operations. This study aimed to analyze the probability of dry/wet spell rainfall using the Markov chain model in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India. In estimating the chance of dry and wet spells, the model used rainfall of below 20 mm in a week as a dry calendar week and rainfall of 20 mm or more as a wet calendar week from the years 1980 to 2019. From the 1st through the 32nd Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), a continuous dry week probability was 75-100%. The likelihood of a dry week trailed by another dry week was more up to the 32nd standard week, while the chance of a dry week followed by a wet week was more up to the 31st standard week, ranging from 75 to 100%. During the 37th to 45th weeks, the conditional likelihood of a rainy week followed by another rainy week ranged from 43.8 to 68%. According to a review of consecutive dry and wet spells, two consecutive dry weeks had a 55 to 97.5% chance of occurring within the first 32 weeks of the year. In the first 32nd week of the year, the chance of three successive dry weeks ranged from 32.6 to 92.6%. Consecutive dry weeks suggest the need for additional irrigation and proper moisture management practices. In contrast, consecutive wet calendar weeks indicate an abundance of extra water available for rainwater collection and the necessity for proper soil erosion control measures
Effect of phosphorus activators on soil legacy phosphorus availability and its uptake by maize hybrid COH(M) 6 in calcareous soil
Get PDFContinuous application of phosphatic fertilizers in association with its low recovery results in the insoluble legacy P buildup in agricultural soils. In this study, a field experiment was conducted with maize hybrid COH(M) 6 to know the effect of different P activators (Farmyard Manure, Humic acid, Phosphorus Solubilising Bacteria, and Phytase) on increasing the legacy phosphorus (P) availability. The P activators were combined and applied along with the different doses of P fertilizer (100%, 75%, and 50% soil test dose of P fertilizer). The results showed that the application of Farmyard manure (FYM) and Humic acid (HA) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the soil available P (18.54 kg ha-1) and notably reduced the calcium P fraction (93.08 mg kg-1). The application of FYM and HA with 100% soil test dose of P showed a similar grain (9.98 kg ha-1) and stover P uptake (12.67 kg ha-1) response as that of FYM and HA with 75% soil test dose of P. The study suggested that FYM and HA application has activated the fixed calcium phosphorus in soil and increased its availability for crop utilization. The findings have illustrated that even the reduced dose of P fertilizer application can support the nutrient uptake if they are applied along with P- activators such as FYM and HA. This could promote soil health by reducing the P overload and further P loss in soil
Effect of Bio sulphur granules (BSG) as fertilizer ingredient on different fractions of sulphur in calcareous soil cultivated with blackgram (Var.VBN-8)
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the various sulphur (S) fractions in experimental pot calcareous soil treated with Bio sulphur granules (BSG) in order to assess the impact of granular sulphur fertilization in S deficient calcareous soil using blackgram (Var. VBN-8) as a test crop.Factorial randomized block design with ten treatments (T1- Absolute control;T2-Recommended dose of NPK and S (Control);T3-Soil test based NPK; T4-T3 + S as Elemental Sulphur @ 40 kg S/ha; T5-T3 + S as BSGI@ 40 kg S/ha; T6-T3 + S as BSGII@ 40 kg S/ha;T7-T3 + Vermicompost @ 4 t ha-1; T8-T4 + Vermicompost @ 4 t ha-1;T9- T5 + Vermicompost @ 4 t ha-1; T10- T6+ Vermicompost @ 4 t ha-1 ) replicated thrice and 5 pots were maintained for each replication. The results of this study revealed that there was an upward trend in all S fractions in every treatment (T1 to T10), in the following order: organic > inorganic > water soluble > exchangeable S. The pot that received vermicompost coupled with BSG II (T10) (ES@ 40 kg ha-1 and MethylobacteriumthiocyanatumVRI7-A4 as S source) was found to have the greatest S-fraction and was higher than other treatments. Therefore, using BSG II in conjunction with vermicompost is necessary to preserve the availability of S nutrients in calcareous soil and increase the solubility of nutrients through S-oxidation
Response of transplanted finger millet to weed management practices under sodic soil condition
Get PDFWeeds are the major biotic constraints in finger millet production and account for 41 to 63% yield loss. Weed management through herbicides plays a major role in increasing productivity. The field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirapalli during Kharif, 2018, to evaluate the weed management practices on the growth and yield of transplanted finger millet under sodic soil conditions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. The treatment comprised weed management practices with different herbicides and their combinations. The results revealed that the highest plant height, total number of tillers/m2, dry matter production, leaf area index and crop growth rate were registered in PE application of bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE application of bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha. The highest grain and straw yield was also registered in PE application of bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE application of bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha, and it was on par with hand weeding at 15 and 30 DAT. Hence, in transplanted finger millet under sodic soil, the application of PE bensulfuron methyl at 60 g ha-1 + pretilachlor at 600 g ha-1 fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g ha-1 was found to be the most viable option for effective weed control besides increased productivity and profitability.
Post-harvest soil nutrient prediction in hybrid castor (Ricinus communis l.) Cropping sequence using a multivariate analysis technique
Get PDFIn the era of precision agriculture, the fertilizer prescription based on the soil fertility status is much required. Analyzing the soil after each crop is necessary for fertilizer recommendation and developing an alternative technique to forecast the soil available nutrient value rather than analyzing the soil. Multiple linear regression (MLR) equation was developed using filed experiment data to predict the soil available nutrient in castor cropping sequence. The post-harvest soil available nutrient was considered as the dependent variable and the initially available soil nutrient values, fertilizer added, yield and nutrient uptake of castor as an independent variable. In general, the post-harvest soil nutrient model\u27s prediction accuracy was notable and had a coefficient of determination of less than 0.90. By calculating the RMSE (root means square error), R2 value, the ratio performance to deviation (RPD) and, RE (relative error) the performance of the MLR model was confirmed.Using the validated model, post-harvest soil available nutrients were predicted and compared with laboratory tested soil available nutreints. It turned out that the established model is more precisely effective and equally precise. Fertilizer recommendation could be made to subsequent crop after hybrid castor using the predicted soil available nutrients
Dysfunctions of liver and behavioural disorders of females rats suffering from malnutrition: Physiological and histological information as a model of animal anorexia nervosa disease
Get PDFAnorexia nervosa disease is an eating deficiency that occurs around 1 per 100 individuals. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of malnutrition (animal anorexia nervosa models) via removing certain elements from food on liver functions and behaviours of female rats. Eighteen Females of rats were divided into three groups: Control, in which food intake quantity was 25 g /day, moderately food-restricted Group, in which food intake quantity was 15 g /day, and severe food-restricted Group, in which food intake quantity was 5 g /day, for 90 days. Physiological parameters, liver histopathological analysis, and the behaviour measurement by multiple T maze tests were examined. All food-restricted groups observed a significant increase (p<0.05) in aminotransferase, Malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Antioxidant activity, acid phosphatase, hepatic protein, glycogen and serotonin levels were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in all food-restricted groups. The hyperactivity behaviour appeared as a feature of restricted rats. Histopathological examinations indicated a marked alteration in the hepatocyte with features of autophagy in the restricted Group. Food-restriction (animal anorexia nervosa model) in rats caused disorders in hepatic aminotransferase and serotonin levels and antioxidant activity in addition to hyperactivity behaviours with changes in the liver histological structure in the restricted Group. The study focused on the effect deficiency in essential nutrients needed by the body may have side effects on liver functions and behavioural activity of the animals linked with food searching was measured by multiple T maze tests
Biochemical response of earthworm, Eisenia fetida to heavy metals toxicity
Get PDFSoil heavy metal pollution is widespread and has severe adverse effects on soil organisms. Earthworms are the major soil organisms which perform several beneficial ecological functions butare vulnerable to damage from heavy metal pollution of soil. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxicity of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) on the biochemical response of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Following exposure to various sub-lethal concentrations ofAs (34, 68, 102 and 136 mg/kg) and Cr(26, 51, 77 and 102 mg/kg ) for 28 days, the levels of several biochemical markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were assessed. The results showed that both heavy metals significantly (p<0.05) impacted the antioxidant enzyme activities and MDA content during the entire exposure period. Compared with the control, SOD, CAT, POD and GST activities increased significantly (p<0.05) by (6.21-23.23, 6.32-18.6, 15.87-34.18 and 0.84-5.45% respectively) at14th day, but after prolonged exposure, these activities were significantly (p<0.05) decreased (9.58-38.13, 10.09-30.03, 19.05-53.16 and 2.26-9.36% respectively) at 28th day. The contents of MDA showed significant (p<0.05) increase (17.84-45.59%) in all exposure groups for entire exposure period. Therefore, it can be concluded that antioxidants play a direct role in the adaptive response of E. fetida for survival in heavy metal contaminated soil. This adaptive antioxidant response can be used as an important biomarker to assess the toxicity of heavy metals in the soil ecosystems
Efficiency of gamma irradiation and ethyl methane sulphonate in inducing variations in Jasminum auriculatum Vahl.
Get PDFVegetatively propagated crops like Jasminum auriculatum have a constraint in genetic variation due to a narrow genetic base that restricts the insights in any crop breeding programme. Mutation breeding is a potential tool that directs a way to create desirable variation effectively in vegetatively propagated crops. The optimum dose of mutagen is the one which produces the maximum frequency of mutation in turn the variation, with minimum killing. The aim of the present paper unveils the Lethal Dose (LD50) and the growth reduction dose (GR50) for both Gamma irradiation (GI) and Ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) for the ecotype ‘Muthu Mullai’ of Jasminum auriculatum. These parameters of GR and EMS treated cuttings were analysed by considering the GR50 values of the mortality rate (57%, 48%), survival percentage (12.479Gy, 13.268mM), shoot length (18.59Gy, 18.28mM), root length (20.39Gy, 18.17mM), number of leaves (22.29Gy, 17.47mM), number of sprouts (22.97Gy, 16.17mM), vigour index (10.43Gy, 11.05mM), leaf length (21.61Gy, 19.90mM) and leaf width (19.2Gy, 16.17mM). The LD50 value was 12.479 Gy for GI and 13.268 mM for EMS treatment. The GR50 for different growth parameters ranged from 14.93 to 22.9 Gy for GI and 1.05 to 19.9 mM for EMS treatment. The mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness were 214.96 and 89.36 for GI and 48.66 and 33.77 for EMS treatment, respectively. These doses can be used for generating considerable variation, which can be put to use in future crop improvement programmes for Jasmine