Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Solubilization of phosphorus by low molecular weight organic acids and amino acids in calcareous soils: LMWOA and amino acid on P solubilization
No full textIn order for plants to perform well in nutrient-deficient calcareous soils, they have an efficient adaptive technique of root exudate secretion, which contains low molecular weight organic acids. They enhance nutrient release and thereby increase the nutrient availability in calcareous soils. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of concentration and time of incubation of low molecular weight organic acids on P solubilization from calcareous soils collected from various locations of Coimbatore district with varying levels of calcareousness. An incubation experiment was conducted with five calcareous soils with varying levels of free CaCO3 viz., (1, 7.5, 12.5, 17.5 & 21.5%) by incubating with seven different concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 & 100 mM) of four organic (citric, malic, oxalic and acetic acid) and two amino acids (glycine and lysine) for nine incubation time intervals (5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 240, 960 & 1440 mins) on a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD). Available P was analyzed to find the solubilization efficiency of various organic and amino acids. The organic acids were more efficient when compared to amino acids in P solubilization, especially citric acid followed by oxalic and malic acids, at 100 mM concentration incubated for 1440 mins. Also, the solubilization increased with increasing concentration and incubation time, irrespective of the soil calcareousness, but the magnitude of phosphorus extraction decreased with increasing soil calcareousness. Incubating the calcareous soils with 100 mM of citric acid for 1440 min solubilized more amount of phosphorus. Hence it can be concluded that addition of 100 mM citric acid will influence the phosphorus release even from highly calcareous soils
Biohydrogen: Opportunities and challenges as an alternative energy resource
Get PDFAs the energy demand is continuously rising with the increase in population, the use of fossil fuels is also increasing at the same rate. These fossil fuels release greenhouse gases (GHG) which are harmful to human health and our environmental health and these fuels are also expected to exhaust in the near future. This eventually has led to an emerging need to shift to a more reliable, sustainable, clean energy source. Biohydrogen as fuel is a potential alternative, as hydrogen has proved to be one such fuel which has the potential to replace fossil fuels. There is a need to produce it in a clean, sustainable way to compete with the fuels that are being used currently. The hydrogen which is produced biologically is known as biohydrogen. Microorganisms also play a huge role in the process of hydrogen generation by virtue of their natural mechanism. Hydrogen can be produced biologically using approaches like biophotolysis (direct and indirect), fermentation (dark and photo) and microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). Among all, dark fermentation seems to be the most efficient when compared to other procedures. The challenges currently being faced with this technology are the yield of hydrogen, the high cost of the reactor and system efficiency. This technology still needs a lot of research and improvement to replace fossil fuels entirely
Influence of nutrients and plant growth regulators on growth parameters and yield of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)
Get PDFPigeonpea is the second most important pulse crop after chickpea in India. The yield of pigeonpea is very low due to indeterminate growth habit and poor source-sink relationship. Plant growth regulators are known to influence the source-sink relationship and stimulate the translocation of photo-assimilates thereby helping in effective flower formation, fruit and seed development and ultimately enhance productivity of the crops. With this background, a field experiment was conducted with pigeonpea (CO Rg 7) under irrigated condition in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. An experiment was aimed at determining the effect of various nutrients and growth-promoting hormones on the growth parameters and yield of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.). The Factorial Randomised Block Design was used in the field trial and was replicated three times. At the vegetative stage, the treatments included foliar sprays of growth inhibitors such as M2-Mepiquat chloride (MC) @ 500 pp, M3-Chlormequat chloride (CC) @ 500 ppm and M1- Control. At flower initiation and 15 days later, various plant growth regulators, such as T2-SA (100 ppm), T3-BR (0.1 ppm), T4-Napthyl acetic acid (40 ppm), T5-Nutrients (ZnSO4 @ 0.5 percent + H3BO3 @ 0.3 percent, T6-Mono Ammonium Phosphate @ 2 percent, and T7-TNAU Pulse Wonder @ 1 percent), T8-Nutrient consortia I (1%) and T9-Nutrient consortia II (1%), were used. Among the treatments, the combination of Chlormequat chloride and nutrient consortia treatments (M3T8&M3T9) had better performances in growth parameters and yield of pigeonpea (CO Rg 7). Foliar application of M3T8-Chlormequat chloride and Nutrient consortia I (1%) resulted significantly (P<0.05) in the highest Total dry matter production (64.85; 82.96 g plant-1), Leaf area (1629; 1873 cm-2 plant-1), Leaf area index (1.358; 1.561), Specific leaf weight (7.29; 10.34 mg cm-2) and Seed yield (1133 kg ha-1) when compared to other treatments. The present study that the application of a combined formulation of hormones and nutrients present in the nutrient consortia at the flowering and pod formation stages influenced the growth parameters and resulted in higher seed yield
Impact of Bt cotton technology in an Indian cotton production system: A comparative econometric analysis between Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Get PDFCotton is one of India\u27s most important commercial crops, known as the "White Gold." India has the largest area under cotton production with comparatively low productivity, owing to the enormous area under rainfed agriculture with insufficient input supply, implying inefficient resource usage. The present study measures the resource use efficiency and technical efficiency of Bt cotton production in Tamil Nadu in comparison with one of the major cotton-producing states, Maharashtra. The resource use efficiency was calculated using the Cobb–Douglas production function, and the stochastic frontier approach is deployed to estimate technical efficiency. Resource use efficiency analysis indicated that the majority of resources are being used at suboptimal levels, and there is the potential to increase cotton production by reaching the most profitable level of input use. However, frontier analysis confirmed that production was inefficient, with a greater gap in which both Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, particularly small and marginal farms, need to be addressed to increase production and farm income. The results indicated that the mean technical efficiency among Bt and non-Bt farmers was 94 % and 76 % in Tamil Nadu and 97 % and 74 %, implying the potential to increase cotton production with the current level of resources and technology. This study suggested a development policy aimed at stimulating extension activity through motivation to provide rural farm households with the necessary farm management skills to boost productivity]
Nutritional and rheological properties of pumpkin seed based fruits spread
Get PDFFruit spread is prepared by combining sugar with processed fruit juice, concentrated fruit juice, or whole fruit. Pumpkin (Curcurbita maxima) seeds are commonly seen as industrial waste and discarded. Pumpkin seed was roasted and made into powder form. β-carotene rich fruits such as mango, papaya, and muskmelon were used to extract the pulp. To obtain a desired consistency of fruit spread, the fruit pulp (25%) was blended with roasted seed powder (70%) Fruits were scattered at 5° to 10° Brix and sugar was added. To extend the shelf life and improve the quality of the spreads, they were pasteurised at 60°C for 30 minutes. The spreads were packaged in two different types of packaging material food grade glass containers and polypropylene containers. They were kept in refrigerated conditions at 4°C for further analysis. After organoleptic evaluation, the fruits spreads were analysed for nutritional content, textural properties and microbial content. Pumpkin seed based fruit spreads have 15.23 to 15.64% moisture, 6.7 to 7.18 % protein, 4.53 to 4.89% fat, 5.29 to 5.69% fiber and 15.36 to 28.67% carbohydrates. The pumpkin seed based fruit spreads had 15.41 to 23.04°Brix of total soluble solids. The fruit spreads had 85.82 to 764.54 g hardness, -88.54 to-205.45 g adhesiveness, 0.87 to 0.95 springiness,0.48 to 0.74 cohesiveness, 64.78 to 344.06 gumminess and 61.53 to 311.64 chewiness. The pumpkin seed based fruits spread had viscosities of 2.21 to 3.58 centipoises. The mango based fruit spreads had the highest score values among the fruit spreads. The fruit spread encompassed enormous bioactive compounds when compared to other fruit spreads available on the market
Efficacy of talc-based formulation of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (MZ749636) against two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch
Get PDFTetranychus urticae is one of the most important and destructive mite species infesting the vegetable crops, which is very important to control because of its wide host range. The damage caused by the two spotted spider mite can be eliminated by using entomopathogenic fungi, as the acaricidal control causes various problems such as resistance, resurgence and residue problems. Therefore, the present study was carried out with a view to evaluate the efficacy of the talc-based formulation of Beauveria bassiana (MZ749636) under pot-culture conditions against two spotted spider mite (TSSM), T. urticae in potted bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus) plants, in comparison with fenazaquin 10 EC @ 1.5ml/l, azadirachtin 3000 ppm @ 2ml/l and crude formulation of B. bassiana, MZ749636 @ 1 x 108 conidia/ml. After two rounds of spraying at fortnight intervals, the talc- formulation of B. bassiana, MZ749636 resulted in 62.83 per cent cumulative reduction of TSSM over the control. However, fenazaquin 10 EC @1.5 ml/l recorded the maximum cumulative mortality of 80.07 per cent, followed by azadirachtin 3000 ppm @ 2ml/l, which recorded a cumulative mortality per cent of 71.06 per cent. Crude formulation of B. bassiana recorded 58.12 per cent reduction of TSSM over the control after two rounds of spraying. This was the first study that attempted to evaluate the efficacy of the talc formulation of the B. bassiana (MZ749636) isolate against TSSM
Prevalence of blaIMP-1 among P. aeruginosa isolated from patients with burn infections
Get PDFCarbapenems are often used as antibiotics for treating infections by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered a major cause of health care issues associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of carbapenemase gene blaIMP-1 that is produced by carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from burn infection patients. A total of 137 burn swabs were collected from burn patients in different hospitals in Babylon province from December 2021 to April 2022. All of the swabs were streaked on selective media cetrimide agar. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed for Imipenem and meropenem and polymerase chain reaction for species specific 16S rDNA gene and blaIMP-1 gene was done for all isolates. 50 isolates were confirmed by amplicon of species-specific 16S rDNA for P. aeruginosa. Results of antibiotic susceptibility for imipenem and meropenem revealed that 5/50 (10%) and 13/50(26%) of P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to imipenem and meropenem, respectively. Co-susceptibility (co-resistance or co-sensitive) for both imipenem and meropenem results showed 5/50 (10%) display resistance for both imipenem and meropenem, 8/50(16%) display resistance for only meropenem while 37/50(74%) sensitive for both and none was resistant to imipenem and sensitive for meropenem. Phenotypic detection of Metallo-β-lactamase gave inverse result while the Mean±SD of inhibition zone (mm) for imipenem disc (10μg) =29.34±7.11 and for imipenem+EDTA (10 μg+750 μg) =21.8±4.98. Investigation of blaIMP-1 gene revealed that 23/50 (46%) have blaIMP-1 while 18/50 (36%) were sensitive for imipenem and meropenem but have blaIMP-1. The current study concludes the possibility of the presence of resistance gene among phenotypically sensitive isolates pushing great threat of antibiotic misuse and leaving the infection untreated.
Bioactive and pharmacological characterization of Chenopodium quinoa, Sorghum bicolor and Linum usitassimum: A review
Get PDFQuinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and flaxseed (Linum usitassimum L.) are grains and seeds popularly known for their nutritional values. This review aimed to discuss the nutritional profile of these grains and seeds, their bioactive compounds and how those compounds help to prevent chronic diseases. These crops were selected for this study as they are all free of gluten; they are a rich source of protein, and they all have a low glycemic index (GI) i.e. they do not spike the blood sugar level, which makes them a good choice for people with diabetes and celiac disease. During the study, it was found that some or all of the bioactive compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, tocopherol, tannins, betalains, stillbenoids, polycosanols, alpha-linoleic acid, and lignans have anti- cancerous, anti- diabetic, anti-hypertensive and cardiovasculareffects on the body. Quinoa posses’ bioactive compounds like quercetin, kaempferol, Betacyanins, betalains and tocopherol, that have biological functions such as anti-hypertensive, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, anti-thrombosis, and anti-atherosclerosis effects on the body. Sorghum contains trans-resveratrol, caffeic acid, gallic acid, campesterol, stigmasterol and gallotannins, which helps prevent lung, breast and prostate cancer, prevents type-2-diabetes, and has neuroprotective effect. Flaxseed bioactives like Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans and cyanogenic glycosides have Immunomodulatory, anti-fibrosis, anti-mutagenic and anti-obesity effects. Since the world is moving towards a healthy lifestyle, grains and seeds are a good source of nutritious foods
Antagonistic potential of Trichoderma hamatum against Alternaria porri causing purple blotch disease of onion through Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis
Get PDFAlternaria porri causing purple blotch disease of onion is a destructive phytopathogen which causes severe loss in productivity. The present study aimed to unravel the antagonistic potential and efficacy of volatile organic compounds produced by various Trichoderma spp. against A. porri causing purple blotch disease of onion through Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis. Ten isolates of Trichoderma species were isolated from the rhizospheric soil of healthy onion plants. Upon paired plate technique, the in vitro efficacy of ten Trichoderma isolates were tested against virulent isolate of Alternaria porri isolated from purple blotch disease infected onion plants. The Trichoderma isolate TIM2 showed 76.29 per cent inhibition on mycelial growth of pathogen. The effective Trichoderma isolate was identified as Trichoderma hamatum through the analysis of the rDNA of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region and it was subjected to GC-MS analysis. The result of GCMS analysis indicated the highest peak area and retention time with major antimicrobial bioactive compounds like Tetradecane, 2,6,10-trimethy (20.327), (1.22) and Dodecane, 2-cyclohexyl (20.079), (2.14), Heptadecane (21.222), (9.50), Octadecane (22.379), (3.58), Eicosane, 9-cyclohexyl (22.578), (1.84), 2-Propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester (23.400), (10.37), 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl (23.567), (10.37), Eicosane (27.311), (2.34), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (27.918), (4.43), n-Hexadecanoic acid (29.156), (3.59) and Tetrapentacontane, 1,54-dibromo (31.906), (3.33). These bioactive compounds identified through GCMS analysis from the crude extracts of Trichoderma hamatum exhibited a stronger antifungal activity against A. porri. Hence the application of T. hamatum for the management of purple blotch disease highly supress growth of the pathogen and reduce the disease incidence.
Assessment of germination percentage and growth parameters of different varieties of Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) on sodic soil of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFNapier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is a fast-growing forage crop cultivated throughout the year in tropical and subtropical regions. A phytoremediation study was undertaken at the Agricultural College and Research Institute (AC & RI), Killikulam, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India, during 2020-2021 to evaluate the performance of cumbu napier varieties on sodic and neutral soil. Four cumbu napier varieties, CO (BN) 6, CO (BN) 5, KKM 1 and CO (CN) 4, were tested in both soils. Pots were filled with 10 kg of soil. Three cuttings of cumbu napiers per pot were planted as per the treatment schedule. Germination and growth parameters were observed up to three harvests. The results of the present study revealed that the germination percentage of variety CO (BN) 6 was highest (100%) among the varieties under sodic conditions. Growth parameters such as plant height, leaf length, number of leaves, and number of clumps of this variety showed better efficiency under high sodic levels than other varieties. This variety CO (BN) 6 could tolerate and be established well under alkaline soil and produced amaximum plant height (134 cm) and a higher number of clumps (10) during the third harvest. The growth pattern of cumbu napier varieties was in the order of CO (BN) 6> CO (BN) 5 > KKM 1 > CO (CN) 4. Furthermore, the experimental results revealed that cumbu napier could be recommended as a suitable crop for sodic soil