Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Rice area mapping in Palakkad district of Kerala using Sentinel-2 data and Geographic information system technique
Get PDFProper calculation of rice cultivation area well before harvest is critical for projecting rice yields and developing policies to assure food security. This research looks at how Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used to map rice fields in Palakkad district of Kerala. The area was delineated using three multi-temporal cloud free Sentinel-2 data with 10 m spatial resolution, matching to crop\u27s reproductive stage during mundakan season (September-October to December-January), 2020-21. To make classification easier, the administrative boundary of district was placed over the mosaicked image. The rice acreage estimation and land use classification of the major rice tract of Palakkad district comprising five blocks was done using Iterative Self-Organisation Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA) unsupervised classification provision in ArcGIS 10.1 software, employing False Colour Composite (FCC) including Blue (B2), Green (B3), Red (B4) and Near-infrared (B8) Bands of Sentinel-2 images. The classification accuracy was determined by locating a total of 60 validation points throughout the district, comprising 30 rice and 30 non-rice points. The total estimated area was 24742.76 ha, with an average accuracy of 88.33% and kappa coefficient 0.766 in five blocks of Palakkad district. The information generated will be helpful in assessing the anticipated production as well as the water demand of the rice fields
Impact of multi mix herbicide on growth and weed indices in irrigated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Get PDFFood and nutritional security for the country India depends on the agriculture sector. Groundnut is an important food legume cum oilseed crop and weed infestation is the major problem causing yield reduction. Therefore, the field experiment study was conducted during the winter season of 2022 at Central farm, Agriculture College and Research Institute in Madurai to evaluate the newer multi-mix herbicide combinations and find out the appropriate weed management practices for yield enhancement and weed suppression in irrigated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment consisted of twelve treatments (T1 to T12) laid out in a randomized complete block design. Among the weed flora, almost two third of the weed infestation was documented as broad-leaved weeds (51%), followed by grassy weeds (36%) and less infestation by sedges (13%) in groundnut at the experimental site. Application of pre-emergence alone and post-emergence alone does not suppress the weed infestation efficiently. For that, this study focused on using multi-mixed herbicides along with hand weeding to determine herbicide\u27s efficacy on weed control and growth parameters. Among the weed control methods, weed-free check (T12) increased the growth parameters viz., Plant height (65.3 cm), Leaf Area Index (4.34) and Dry matter accumulation (5536 kg ha-1) and higher weed control efficiency (99.2%). Among the herbicidal treatments, pre emergence application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr (ready mix) followed by hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T7) gave significantly (P=0.05) higher results in growth components of groundnut and weed suppression compared to other herbicidal treatments
Determination of metformin and triclosan in sewage sludge using Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
Get PDFPharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are generally neither totally removed by sewage treatment nor completely destroyed in the environment. Metformin (MET) and triclosan (TRI) are two compounds in PPCPs that have the potential to be environmental pollutants. This research aimed to determine MET and TRI in sewage sludge using a liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LCMS-8040) and a sewage sludge extraction method. The Milli-Q water and sewage sludge were also tested at three different MET and TRI concentrations (0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 mg L-1). As a result, the corresponding recoveries of MET and TRI in both matrixes ranged from 85.93 to 116.10 per cent and 90.50 to 116.30 per cent (n = 7, RSD < 10%). Then, the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for MET and TRI were found to be 0.005 and 0.01 mg L-1. The amounts of MET and TRI in the sewage sludge samples from the Ukkadam sewage treatment plant (USTP), Coimbatore, ranged from BDL to 0.0587 mg L-1 and 0.0719 to 0.1851 mg L-1, respectively. Consequently, the amounts of MET and TRI in the sewage sludge samples from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University sewage treatment plant (TSTP), Coimbatore, ranged from BDL to 0.0227 mg L-1 and 0.0393 to 0.1296 mg L-1, respectively. This exclusive use of the highly sensitive LCMS-8040 consumes less time than other analytical methods for measuring the amount of MET and TRI in sewage sludge by overcoming the risk of chemical degradation
Preparation of water hyacinth-based phosphocompost and its evaluation against certain phosphorus fertilizers along with phosphate solubilizing bacteria on P availability, uptake and rice productivity
Get PDFPhosphorus (P) deficiency in soil limits crop yields and can be managed by P fertilizers. But mere applying P fertilizers alone may not be effective in justifying its bioavailability. At present global P reserves are declining in an increasing way which urges us to find out alternatives. Thus, the present work was taken to prepare phosphocompost using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as feedstock, termite, and normal soil as bulking agents cum decomposers and enriched with single super phosphate. The effect of phosphocompost on rice(var.ADT-43) productivity, P availability and uptake was evaluated by comparing various P fertilizers (single super phosphate, rock phosphate, di-ammonium phosphate, nano phosphate) combined with or without phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with seven treatments including absolute control and replicated thrice. Phosphocompost produced with water hyacinth and termite soil microbes come with superior quality and early maturity compared to normal soil. Pot culture study results revealed that rice growth, yield, P availability and uptake were significantly (p<0.05) higher with SSP + PSB, and Nano phosphate +PSB treated plants, followed by Phosphocompost + PSB. The cost of P fertilizer (Rs/ha) related to yield (kg/ha) was found to be significantly low with phosphocompost (Rs.1132/-) than SSP (Rs.1530/-) and Nano P (Rs.2518/-). Further, phosphocompost combined PSB helps in optimizing the P availability in a long run through P solubilization thus sustained the P uptake. The present investigation brings light to the valorization of water hyacinth as compost will be an effective and economically viable alternative for P fertilizers
Progress and challenges of Guinea’s national service of risk management in building climate-induced disasters’ resilience in Guinea Savanna communities
Get PDFThe increased frequency and magnitude of climate-induced disasters are a huge setback for the world’s economic growth and performance. Addressing such risks has long time motivated many governments to set up disaster-based management strategies, policies, and plans to strengthen their resilience. However, the implementation of such initiatives remains challenging in developing countries due to their specific internal development issues that require timely performance appraisals to offer suitable remedial actions. This motivated the present study to use the Risk Management Index (RMI), to measure Guinea’s risk management performance and effectiveness, focusing on its institutional progress and challenges encountered in building climate-induced disasters’ resilience in Guinea Savanna communities. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with local authorities responsible for implementing prevention measures and emergency responses to disasters in Guinea Savanna, as well as inputs from academia with activities related to disaster risk management, combined with documentary research and field observations. Analyses of the RMI showed very limited progress in risk identification (RMIRI = 0.672 – 1.00), while almost no significant progress was made in financial provision (RMIFP = 0.124 – 0.487). On the contrary, policies of disaster management (RMIDM = 0.600 – 1.934) and Risk Reduction (RMIRR = 0.791 -1.606) have shown incipient progress. While all public policies need to be improved, urgent actions are needed in financial provision and risk identification policies. Therefore, the study suggests that local authorities should be more committed to risk identification and risk financing approaches to address the priority needs for effective disaster risk management in Guinea Savanna communities
Phytoremedial effect of Asparagus racemosus on sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in Charles Foster rats
Get PDFArsenic poisoning has recently resulted in significant health problems in the exposed population. In India, the Indo-Gangetic plains are the region where the arsenic threat has increased. In Bihar, it is estimated that 10 million people are exposed to arsenic poisoning. The present study aims to develop a novel drug as an antidote against arsenic-induced toxicity in rats. In the present study, arsenic in sodium arsenite at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight per day was induced (Group-II) in Charles Foster rats at 2 or 6 months to observe chronic exposure. In the arsenic pretreated group (Group-III), Asparagus racemosus was administered at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight per day for 8 weeks. Normal control group (Group I) was taken without any treatment. After completion of the entire experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and their blood samples were obtained for hematological and biochemical evaluation. At the same time, vital tissues, such as the liver and kidney, were fixed in preservatives for the histopathological study. The study showed that the hematological levels, such as RBC, WBC, platelet counts and hemoglobin percentage, were significantly restored by administering A. racemosus (Group-III), against the arsenic-exposed group. Furthermore, biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin, urea, uric acid and creatinine were significantly recovered (p<0.05) against arsenic-induced toxicity. The histopathological study also showed remarkable restoration in hepatocytes and nephrocytes by A. racemosus against arsenic-induced toxicity. Therefore, it can be concluded from the entire study that A. racemosus has a significant antidote effect against arsenic-induced toxicity.
Documentation of gill net operation and major fish landings at Andaman Islands, India, during 2014 - 2018
Get PDFThree decades before, the gillnet was the major gear in Andaman and Nicobar Islands(ANI), India, because of the less expensive and simple method of operation with non-motorised small dinghies or without craft. Earlier, the gillnet landing was 39% of the total landings and a further report said 27%, which indicated the decrease in gillnet landings. The present study was carried out from 2014 to 2018 at four main fish landing centers (FLCs) Junglighat, Dignabad, Guptapara and Wandoor of ANI to investigate the present status of major gillnet landings. Altogether 1097 visits were carried out at all FLCs and 63.1% of visits occurred at Junglighat. The total landings of all FLCs were 3880.6 tons, of which 98.6% were recorded at Junglighat. The total gillnet landings were 330.4tons, of which Driftnet covered 82.1%, followed by bottom plastic(9.8%) and bottom nylon(8%) gillnets. Significant landings (P<0.0001) of Scombridae family were recorded through Drift gillnet (182.47tons) compared to other families. The family of Carangidae(7.71tons) and Clupeidae(16.54tons) were recorded dominantly through bottom plastic and bottom nylon gillnets, respectively. The gillnetters explored 31 fishing grounds in the South, Middle, North and Little Andamans sectors. The significant (P<0.0001) fish catch was recorded from the South Andaman sector. A total of 17 validation experiments carried out in each Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) and Non-PFZ by using PFZ advisories indicated a significant(P<0.0001) catch from PFZ(3.5:1). There was a decline of 18.5% in the landings of gillnet than earlier studies. It is suggested that the fishermen may follow the PFZ forecast for a better catch. The gillnet fishing to be promoted to under-exploited pelagic fishes of these islands will benefit the gillnetters
Modelling of wetting patterns for surface drip irrigation in dense clay soil
Get PDFThe proportion of agricultural water consumption is continuously decreasing due to increased competition for water resources by urban, industrial, and agricultural users. Drip irrigation is more efficient in terms of water and energy utilization. These considerations are critical in view of the ongoing struggle for water resources among various consumers due to water scarcity. Some of the most critical criteria in the effective design and maintenance of drip irrigation systems are the shape and size of the volume of wet soil beneath the emitter. Hence several statistical models were constructed in this research to estimate the dimensions of wetting patterns, which are critical for designing an optimal drip irrigation system. The Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), coefficient of correlation (CC), and root mean square error (RMSE) criteria were used to assess the models\u27 performance. The results showed that the Polynomial model was the most accurate for horizontal advance, with 0.94, 0.93, and 1.33 (cm) values for CC, NSE, and RMSE, respectively. For vertical advance, the logarithmic model showed 0.96, 0.96, and 0.72 (cm) values for CC, NSE, and RMSE. Thus, in the absence of a wetting pattern and under identical conditions, these models can be utilized to generate synthetic horizontal and vertical advances data.
Selection of traits for seed yield improvement through variability parameters in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes.
Get PDFSesame (Sesamum indicum L.) was renowned in the ancient ages for the stability of its healthy oil, accessibility of extraction, and drought resilience. Consequently, to produce novel varieties, the present work entails the utilization of basic metrics of variability and genetic variation. The investigation included 60 sesame genotypes and 13 quantitative characteristics. The analysis of variance revealed that genotypes were significant for all of the parameters assessed (P>0.05 and P>0.01). The average seed yield per plant was 6.93g, ranging from 4.84 to 9.17g. In all of the traits studied, the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV). The tense relationship between PCV and GCV values indicated that the environment had minimal impact on the expression of the traits under investigation. The no. of branches, no. of capsules/axil, capsules per plant, no. of seeds per capsule, and oil content suggested higher estimations of PCV and GCV. The heritability varied from 75.13% for seed width to 99.03% for no. of capsules/axil. The genetic advance (GA) percent means varied from 7.71 (seed length) to 110.93 (no. of capsules/axil) at 5% selection intensity. plant height, no. of branches, 1000 seed weight, capsule length, capsules per plant, no. of seeds per capsule, seed thickness, oil content, and seed yield per plant all showed substantial heredity and a high GA% mean. Because of this, the traits of additive genetic control and direct selection in sesame have a high potential for increasing its yield
Degree days and demography of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize at different temperatures
Get PDFThe temperature has a direct effect on the activity of insect pests and their developmental rate. The increasing temperature could profoundly influence the population dynamics, life cycle, length of reproduction, fecundity, and longevity. In the present study, the impact of different temperatures (32, 33, 34, 35 and 36°C) on the degree days and population fitness of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) was evaluated under artificial conditions. The results showed that for S. frugiperda, an average of 690.38 degree days was required to complete the total life span. The total larval developmental time, pupal duration and adult longevity required 237.38, 184.47 and 228.10 degree days, respectively. The life history data of S. frugiperda were analysed by using TWOSEX-MSChart. An increase in temperature reduced the developmental time of S. frugiperda at age x and stage j. The highest reproductive value (vx) of S. frugiperda was obtained at 34°C (600 individuals per day) and was found to be reduced at a further increase in temperature of 35°C (260 individuals per day) and 36°C (120 individuals per day). These results signify the improved fitness of S. frugiperda with increasing temperature levels, and the degree days help to predict the development pattern of S. frugiperda based on heat accumulation