Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Variability analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crosses under drought stress
Get PDFClimate change in recent years has affected crop production to a greater extent. To overcome these effects, climate-resilient varieties are needed. Tomato is a versatile crop. However, its growth is hindered when it is affected by drought stress. Hence, a variability analysis of tomatoes under drought stress was carried out at Horticulture College and Research Institute, Coimbatore. Variability studies revealed that all the crosses for all parameters exhibited higher phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), indicating the influence of environmental effects. For all the crosses, viz., EC169966 × LE118, EC177824 × LE27 and Arka Ashish × LE27, high PCV and high GCV were recorded for characteristics including fruit number per plant, yield per plant, lycopene content and peroxidase activity. Characteristics such as the number of flowers per cluster, fruit number per plant, individual weight of fruit, yield per plant, relative water content, proline content, peroxidase activity and ascorbic acid content recorded higher heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM). Thus, direct selection of the above parameters improves drought-tolerant breeding programs in tomato
Suitability of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) for removal of Cr (III) from tannery effluent using floating bed and rhizofiltration systems
Get PDFVarious physico-chemical methods have been employed in remediating heavy metals from wastewater, but most of them are expensive. While phytoremediation, is one cost-effective and eco-friendly technology, proves to be an alternate amongst which Vetiver, a unique tropical plant, is recognized for its large biomass and dense root system and has been proven for various remediation studies. The current research was conducted to assess the potential for Vetiver rhizofiltration of chromium. A pilot study was conducted in rhizobox wherein Vetiver was grown using sand as a medium and samples were collected from rhizobox port 1 and rhizobox port 2. Subsequently, the study was upscaled to a floating bed experiment. In both studies, Vetiver were grown under 500 mg L-1 Cr (III) solution and tannery effluent had a chromium concentration of 379 mg L-1 and the results were compared to control. Between the samples collected from port 1 and 2, the removal of chromium in port 1 was recorded to be higher than that of port 2. Moreover, the removal of chromium ions from the tannery effluent was relatively higher than the spiked solution. In both the ports, the highest removal of chromium concentration was recorded in T5 (Sand + Vetiver + Cr (III) @ 500 mg kg-1) with a removal percent of 12.59 and 10.38% in port 1 and 2, respectively. Hence, Vetiver grass has a great potential in removing pollutants like chromium from the wastewater.
Optimization of Heat pump-assisted dehumidified air drying (HPD) temperature on phytochemicals, drying characteristics and nutrient compound retention of drumstick by GC-MS and principle component analysis
Get PDFDrumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is an incredible plant to humans because of its pharmacognostic and nutraceutical properties. M. oleifera contains vital nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals like tannins and flavonoids. The present work aims to study the optimization and quality attributes retention in drumstick through Heat Pump-assisted dehumidified air Dryer (HPD) because the conventional drying process takes more time and energy, affecting the product quality and safety. Different solvents, such as ethanol, chloroform, hexane, acetone and ethyl acetate, were used to determine the presence of phytochemicals (alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and saponins) in the drumstick. The phytochemicals were highly present in methanol and ethanol extracts from qualitative screening of drumstick. Dried drumstick powder was prepared by using fresh drumstick pieces, steam blanched for 2-5 min and then sulfated at 0.1 % for 10 min. After that, the dehydration process was performed at different temperatures (45, 55 and 65°C) in an HPD drier. HPD dried drumstick powder at 55⁰C was found to have maximum physicochemical properties, drying characteristics and higher retention of bioactive compounds with special reference to high powder recovery (97.22 %), excellent flowability and better retention of nutrients like β – carotene (174.49 mg), total antioxidant (266.02 mg), flavonoids (6.207 mg/RE), phenol (229.54 mg/GAE) and vitamin C (253.16 mg). The extract of fresh and HPD dried drumstick powder contained 50 major bioactive compounds such as 2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 3TMS derivative, Butanal 2-ethyl-3-methyl- etc., these bioactive compounds act as various nutraceuticals and therapeutic values
Antifungal effects of Zataria multiflora Boisss (Shirazi Thyme) extract against Aspergillus fumigatus Afs35 genes: crza and rpda
Get PDFAspergillus fumigatus causes a fatal infection particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Nowadays herbal and medicinal essential oils play a vital role as an alternative safe medication. Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils have antifungal activities mainly on the expression of some gene required for fungal survival. The main objective of the study was evaluation of antifungal effects of Z. multiflora Boiss extract against A. fumigatus AfS35 strain. The strain was obtained from department of biology, Baghdad University. Various concentrations (10-300mg/mL) of Z. multiflora Boiss extract were prepared and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined using micro-broth dilution method. The expression of crzA and rpdA genes was evaluated using the quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) technique. The concentrations ≥100mg/mL of extract inhibited the fungal growth which was non-toxic to normal cell line (MIC=100mg/mL and MFC=150mg/mL). The combination of 50mg/mL of extract plus each of amphotericin B (10mg/ml) and nystatin (10mg/mL) significantly decreased the MIC level (p<0.001). The concentration of 10mg/mL of the extract decreased the expression of crzA and rpdA genes 2.4 (p<0.001) and 3.6 (p<0.0001) fold, respectively. The same concentration of amphotericin B non- significantly decreased the crzA and rpdA genes expression by 0.6 (p=0.224) and 1.1 (p=0.033) fold, respectively. The study concluded that Z. multiflora Boiss extract exerted antifungal effect against A. fumigatus by inhibiting the cell wall biosynthesis (down-regulation of crzA), sustainability and virulence expression (rpdA). The combination therapy with Z. multifora Boiss is promising to eradicate A. fumigatus infections.
Management of powdery mildew and aphid in organically grown Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) through different oils
Get PDFAll the cultivated Brassica species exhibited powdery mildew severity with highest (43.2%) on Brassica juncea followed by B. rapa (28.0%) which is widely cultivated in India. Yield losses from 10-90 per cent with reduction in 6.47 per cent oil content have been estimated from different Brassica species. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate different oils to manage powdery mildew disease and aphids in an organically grown mustard crop. Five oils (castor, groundnut, sunflower, neem and mustard oil) and ghee were evaluated against powdery mildew (Erysiphae cruciferarum) and aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). Castor oil 50 EC, neem oil 50 EC and mustard oil 50 EC and deshi ghee 50 EC (@ 100 ml/10 litre water) were effective over untreated control in reducing powdery mildew disease severity when applied as foliar spray (@ 5 ml/litre) in the experiment carried out in organic field (plot No. B-2 at Agronomy Instruction Farm, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar). Maximum reduction in germinated conidia (66.0%) over control, disease severity (50.0%), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) values (51.8%) and maximum increase over control in 1000 seed weight (16.7%) and seed yield (10.3%) was observed with neem oil. This was followed by the application of ghee which exhibited reduced disease severity (22.9%) and AUDPC values (30.6%) and increased seed yield (8.1%) and the application of castor oil 50 EC which exhibited an increased in seed yield (8.0%) and reduced powdery mildew severity (20.8%). Shortest log phase was observed with neem oil during 10th std. week. All the oils tested (castor, groundnut, sunflower, neem and mustard oil) and deshi ghee were effective in reducing aphid population (39.5 to 65.9%) and damage index (6.1 to 25.1%). A maximum reduction in aphid population (65.9%) over control and lowest aphid damage index (3.70) was observed with neem oil 50 EC 6 days after 2nd spray. Application of neem oil, castor oil and deshi ghee resulted in increased seed yield (8.1 to 10.4%). This information could be useful in devising strategies for powdery mildew and aphid management in organic cultivation, eco-friendly management and IPM of mustard
Ice nucleation active bacteria and its mitigation on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Get PDFMicrobes play a vital role in ice nucleation, supporting bio-precipitation, and allowing plants to live in low-water environments. A field experiment was conducted during December 2018 with two phyllosphere microorganisms’ spraying viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) and under three moisture regimes (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 IW/CPE (irrigation water/ cumulative pan evaporation) ratio) on tomato (PKM 1) in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu). A laboratory experiment was conducted to confirm ice nucleation using two phyllosphere microorganisms’ P. aeruginosa and PPFM. The bioprecipitation impacts on tomatoes were assessed using a set of physiological parameters such as photosynthetic rate, average chlorophyll Index and the ice nucleation activity (INA) assessed using tube nucleation test and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the mean photosynthetic rate of PPFM sprayed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (PKM 1) plants (40.7 μmol CO2/m2/s) at 10 DAS was significantly higher than P. aeruginosa sprayed plant (38.7 μmol CO2/m2/s) under different irrigation regimes. The average chlorophyll Index value of the P. aeruginosa sprayed tomato plants (58.1) was higher than PPFM sprayed plants (56.4). The tube nucleation tests were proved that ice crystallization induced by P. aeruginosa in super-cooled buffer at - 2 to -10°C while PPFM not catalyze the buffer even after 3hours. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated the P. aeruginosa growth at the upper surface of the leaf and PPFM growth more at the lower surface of the leaf compared to without inoculation of microbes on leaves. Overall, the result revealed that P. aeruginosa may assist in ice nucleation activity that will help to make artificial rain in the near future
Biochemical assessment of renal function and its correlation with iron overloading in different variants of thalassemia
Get PDFThalassemia is a hereditary disorder characterised by changes in organ function and iron overload resulting from multiple blood transfusions, inefficient erythropoiesis, and increased gastrointestinal iron absorption. This study aimed to compare and correlate renal function tests with blood transfusion frequency, annual blood requirement, and ferritin levels in patients with Thalassemia Major, Intermedia, and Minor. Fifty blood samples were collected from each clinically diagnosed patient with thalassemia major, intermedia, and minor at MGM Hospital in Navi Mumbai for complete blood count estimates, serum ferritin, and renal function tests. The frequency of blood transfusions and the annual blood requirement was recorded. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship. SPSS Software was used to tabulate and process patient data. A p-value of less than 0.001 was regarded as significant. This study included both male (64) and female (84) participants. The major, intermedia, and minor serum ferritin levels were 2212.5 ug/L, 1643 ug/L, and 53.55 ug/L, respectively. Serum creatinine and sodium levels in thalassemia major (27.41 ± 5.31umol/L, 128.02± 4.56 mmol/L, respectively) and intermedia (36.25 ± 6.19 umol/L, 128.96± 4.39 mmol/L respectively) decreased as the frequency of transfusion and serum ferritin level increased. Uric acid levels (361.64 ± 64.83 umol/L) were higher in patients with thalassemia intermedia. Transfusion therapy, required for Major and Intermedia, increases iron overload, which harms organ function and quality of life. Early detection and genetic counselling are necessary for proper thalassemia management.
Total and chloroplast proteins of the leaves of cultivated, population and wild sunflower varieties cultivated under thermic stress
Get PDFSunflower (Helianthus annus L) cultivation is affected by periods of severe drought that affect the growth and yield of sunflower crops. Wild sunflower species have brought many agronomically important traits to cultivated sunflower by quickly allowing them to undergo biotic and abiotic changes in their environment. Plants have developed several mechanisms that would enable them to tolerate high temperatures related to thermotolerance at the biochemical and metabolic levels. The present study aimed to highlight the variability of total and chloroplast proteins extracted from the wild and populations of sunflower leaves grown under different thermal stresses. The total proteins extracted from controlled and thermic stress leaves, characterized by SDS page were similar except polypeptides of molecular weight (MW) 42 kDa, 35 kDa, 31 kDa and 13.5 kDa which showed variability of sunflower varieties studied. Under thermic stress, the MW of chloroplast proteins was similar in the H petiolaris fallax and H praecox runyonni varieties. The protein markers of wild sunflower species revealed in response to thermal stresses contribute to the improvement of sunflowers in the face of environmental challenges
Evaluation of some phenolic extracts against aphids (Aphis craccivora) Koch under laboratory conditions
Get PDFLocal farmers worldwide have complained in recent years that insect pests have become resistant to the majority of insecticides, owing to pesticide abuse. In addition, highly poisonous and harmful substances may cause health and environmental dangers. Friendly alternatives such as plant extracts are the main targets as substituents to synthetic pesticides. The present study aimed to extract total phenols from some plants and evaluate their efficacy on aphids, Aphis craccivora, under laboratory conditions. Four methanolic plant extracts from Punica granatum, Lantana camara, Portulaca oleracea and Ziziphus jujuba, containing phenolic components were evaluated against A. craccivora through: slide dipping, spraying, and leaf dipping techniques. Generally, positive relationships between the concentrations of the tested phenolic extracts and their mortality percentages were noticed in the case of slide dipping and spraying techniques. Conversely, no biological efficacy was found using the leaf dipping technique. The descending order of effectiveness of the tested extracts depending on their EC50 values was 0.017, 0.321, 1.142 and 16.114 ppm for Z. jujuba, P. oleraceae P. granatum and L. comara, respectively, in the case of the slide dipping technique. In contrast, P. granatum, L. camara, P. oleraceae and Z. jujuba had EC50 values of 0.0023, 0.017, 0.321 and 2.3409 ppm, respectively, in the case of the spraying technique. Additionally, a direct proportion was found between mortality percentages and treatment period for plant extracts under study with both techniques. After formulation and completion of additional essential field research, phenols isolated from the plants under study could be employed to combat A. craccivora
Assessment of compatibility of intercrops in Dalbergia sissoo based Hortisilvicultural system in Mondipatty, Manapparai block of Trichy district, Tamil Nadu
Get PDFAttention to intercropping for sustainable agriculture is increasing, and scientific studies on intercropping have also grown in recent years. Agroforestry Systems, which combine annual crops with trees, are used widely in semiarid regions to reduce wind erosion and improve the efficiency of resources such as water and nutrients. Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited Farm, Mondipatty, Tamil Nadu, to study the compatibility of intercropping systems in the Dalbergia sissoo-based Horti-silvicultural system for two years during 2016 and 2017. The experiments were conducted in a split-plot design with four replications.The main plot treatments were M1: Cassava M2:Chillies and the subplot treatments were five nutrient management packages viz., S1: Untreated control, S2: 100 % Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (Cassava: 90: 90: 240 and Chillies: 60: 80: 80),S3: 125 % Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (Cassava: 112.5: 112.5: 300 and Chillies: 75: 100: 100), S4:150 % (Cassava: 135: 135: 360 and Chillies: 90: 120: 120) Recommended Dose of Fertilizers, S5: Soil Test Crop Response studies - Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply System -based recommendation (as per soil test value). The results indicated that the Horti-Silvicultural system of growing Cassava and Chillies along with D. sissoo performed well. It was observed that statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) higher yields of 17.8 tha-1 and 1.6 tha-1 were recorded in Cassava and Chillies, respectively, in treatment S5, where the fertilizer was applied based on the Soil Test Crop Response studies - Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply System. In addition, the soil fertility status was also sustained in this plot. The fertilizers applied to the intercrops have contributed to the nutrient requirement of the tree crop and thereby reduced the cost of cultivation in the agroforestry system