Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Fusarium pallidoroseum: A potential entomopathogenic agent for the biological management of Aphis gossypii
Get PDFWith rising need of switching over to sustainable agricultural practices, utilization of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as biocontrol agents, provides better substitute against chemical pesticides- having several side-effects. Therefore, an attempt have been made to explore the potential EPF fungi that could be incorporated into IPM practices for control of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner and Aphis gossypii Glover. Regarding this, an entomopathogenic fungus, Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc, was isolated from natural population of H. armigera infesting chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and explored efficacy under in-vitro & field conditions. The findings of present investigation shows efficacy of F. pallidoroseum as potential biocontrol agent against okra aphid (A. gossypii), as it inflicted initial mortality of 43.33% nymphs on 2nd day and lead to complete annihilation (93.33%) of nymph population on 8th day of spore suspension application at 1x1010 spores/mL concentration. The observations against adult okra aphid clearly demonstrated that spraying of 1 x 1010 spores/mL of F. pallidoroseum resulted 66.67% mortality after 8th days of spraying. Increased mortality was recorded with increase in spore suspension concentrations. The LC50 & LC90 value for F. pallidoroseum against nymphs of A. gossypii was recorded 3.79 x 105 and 2.74 x 108, respectively. The findings were used to develop formulations (1 × 104 to 1 × 1010 spore suspension/mL conc), and tested at field-level. The results showed that formulation at 1 x 1010 spores/mL conc was most effective against A. gossypii, recorded 93.33% mortality of nymphs & 66.67% mortality of adults; could be used under IPM practices
India rice export and virtual water trade
Get PDFThe present study aimed to assess water footprint in the production and export of rice in India. From recent few years, the water footprint conception in full swing to inward detection around the world. The amplified attention in the water footprint has impelled the trade of commodities between countries. Water footprint in the rice field is a sign of water use that exhibits direct and indirect water usage in the rice field. Rice is an important food crop in India. It accesses the flows of water virtually between countries/regions of the world to illustrate the dependency of countries/regions on water resources with other countries/regions under diverse feasible futures. Hence, it is gaining consequence to calculate the water foot print in production as well as export of rice. The Indian rice production and export of rice was calculated by using international trade and domestic production data. The study results indicated that the global footprint of rice production was 235774 Mm3 per ton which was 53 % of green water footprint, 41 % of blue water footprint and 6 % of grey water footprint for 2018-19. The virtual water flowed in trade was 24354 Mm3/year and the percolation was 16924 Mm3/year since rice is a more water consuming crop. The share of basmati and non-basmati trade accounted was 16 % and 42 %, respectively. Virtual water trade in rice can be minimized by exporting less water demand and high-value crops, proper water harvesting structures and other agronomic practices
Evaluation of physiochemical characteristics of fresh and osmotic dehydrated fig (Ficus carica L.)
Get PDFFig (Fiscus carica L.) fruits being the rich source of phytochemicals, particularly anti-oxidants serve as a powerhouse of nutrients and has many medicinal properties. Fig promoting healthy bowel function due to the high level of fiber. Rich in vitamins A,C,E, and minerals like calcium useful to improve the health status and to balance the pH of the body. Due to its short-lived nature, it cannot be stored for longer period (2-3 days) because higher postharvest losses. The lag in processing of fig is mainly attributed to the highly perishable nature of the fig as it posses high moisture content. The objective of the work was to improve the shelf life and reduce the perishability of fig. Two varieties, namely Local and Timla (Yercud - 1) variety were selected and osmotically dehydrated with different concentration (30, 40 and 50 °brix) of sugar solution. Timla variety contained lower percentage of seeds (21%) and fibre (2.05 g/100g), higher pulp thickness (1.0 cm), maximum colour values (L - 70.30, a - 4.65 and b - 12.37), TSS (19°brix) and vitamin C (39.0 mg/100g) than the local variety. Timla variety treated with 50° brix osmotic solution was found better nutrient retention, drying characteristics and organoleptic properties. The resultant products had improved shelf life and increased concentration of nutrients, making it suitable for processing and value addition
Analysis on knowledge level of recommended plant protection technologies in areca nut (Areca catechu) cultivation in Salem district of Tamil Nadu
Get PDFAreca nut (Areca catechu) is one of the important cash crops in India. India ranks first in terms of area and production of areca nut and accounts of 54.07 per cent of its world production. The harvesting of nuts commence on the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (Mid-January to Mid-February) and spread over six months in carrying out the post-harvest practices and marketing of nuts. This study was purposively conducted in Salem district 2018-2019 and occupies first position in area (2,421 hectares) of areca nut in Tamil Nadu. The Peddanackenpalyam, Valapddy, Gengavalli and Attur blocks were selected based on the 87.28 per cent of the area under areca nut in this district with a sample size of 120 areca nut farmers selected by using a proportionate random sampling technique. Most of the respondents (80.00 per cent) had knowledge level of medium to high level of knowledge on the recommended plant protection technologies in areca nut cultivation. It was mainly due to the medium to the high level of information seeking behaviour and social participation. The study revealed that the areca nut growers differed widely in their social characteristics. Most of the respondents had a medium to a high level of knowledge on recommended technologies in areca nut cultivation. This finding stressed the importance of formulating different extension strategies for different audiences by the change agency system.
Phytochemicals characterization of nutraceutical enriched fruits and nuts spread
Get PDFThe present study aimed to formulate a nutraceutical enriched fruits and nuts spreads and analyze the presence of phytochemicals in the formulated spread. The pumpkin seeds and cucumber seeds were roasted at 150° C for 15 mins and made into powder. The seed powder was mixed to the pulp of ?-carotene rich fruits like mango, papaya and muskmelon in order to make fruits and nuts spread. Treatments like Mango with pumpkin seed powder (T1), Papaya with pumpkin seed powder (T2), Muskmelon with pumpkin seed powder (T3), Mango with cucumber seed powder (T4), Papaya with cucumber seed powder (T5) and Muskmelon with cucumber seed powder (T6). The fruits and nuts spreads were analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals ?-carotene, polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. The formulated fruits and nuts spreads were packed in polypropylene boxes, glass bottles and stored under refrigerated condition at 4°C. ?-carotene content was found to be high (634.21?g/g) in Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1), tannin content was higher (52.61 mg/g) in Papaya with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T2), flavonoid components were higher (3.25 mg/g) in Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1), and polyphenols content were found to be high (59.33 mg/g) in Papaya with Cucumber seed powder spread (T5). The antioxidant property was high in the Mango with Pumpkin seed powder spread (T1) when compared to all other treatments. Pumpkin seeds comprised of excellent amount of bioactive compounds. The pumpkin seed incorporated spread showed a high level of phytochemicals when compared to other spreads. This was ready to eat spread which had 3 months of shelf life under refrigerated condition is preferred for people of all age groups
Runoff assessment by Storm water management model (SWMM)- A new approach
Get PDFThe present study investigated the storm wise runoff collected in farm pond with the runoff estimated by Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and Soil Conservation Service (SCS-CN) models. The SWMM and SCS-CN models estimated runoff depth storm wise. The runoff depths correspond to the catchment area given the runoff volume from the catchment. The runoff depth estimated from the Storm Water Management Model and Soil Conservation Service model was compared against the depth of runoff estimated from the Water balance model. For small rainfall depths, the runoff estimated from the Storm Water Management Model was at par with the actual runoff volume stored at the pond. It is necessary to know the watershed runoff contribution to the river or streams due to rainfall in order to determine environmental risk or flood potential. In larger rainfall depth, the runoff volume estimated from the SWMM model was less than the stored runoff volume at Farm Pond. The Soil Conservation Service Model gave better results for larger rainfall depth compared to Storm Water Management Model. SWMM was able to simulate runoff depth for small rainfall depths of 2mm. The peak runoff depths were produced by rainfall depths of 35.5mm. Initial abstractions of the study area for antecedent moisture content i.e. AMC I, AMCII and AMCIII are 53.2, 23.91 and 10.43mm, respectively. The comparison showed that both SWMM and SCS-CN models gave better runoff quantification results.
Therapeutic effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds extract against arsenic induced toxicity in Charles Foster rats
Get PDFThe prime objective of the present study was to establish fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds extract as an antidote against arsenic induced hepato-renal toxicity in rats. The male Charles Foster rats (weighing 160-180 g) were selected to make arsenic intoxicated model. The arsenic treated group of rats were orally treated with sodium arsenite at the dose of 8 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. Thereafter, the arsenic pretreated rats were further administered with fenugreek ethanolic seeds extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. After the completion of the treatment, animals of all the groups were sacrificed for the biochemical and histopathological estimation. The arsenic treated rats showed significant (p < 0.0001) alterations at the various hepatic and renal biomarker parameters and at serum MDA levels in comparison to the control rats. Significant (p < 0.0001) arsenic accumulation was also observed in the blood, liver and kidney tissues of the arsenic treated rats. However, after the administration with fenugreek seeds extract, significant (p < 0.0001) restoration was observed in the liver and kidney biomarker parameters and at haematological variables. Fenugreek seeds extract administration also significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the serum MDA levels and arsenic concentration levels in blood, liver and kidney tissues, along with considerable restorations at the cellular architecture of liver and kidney tissues. The study concluded that fenugreek seeds possessed potential hepato-renal ameliorative effect against sodium arsenite induced toxicity in rats, and can be used for its therapeutic value against arsenic poisoning
Effect of seaweed extract on rice (Oryza sativa var. ADT53) productivity and soil fertility in Cauvery delta zone of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFThe monocropping of rice in the Deltaic zone deteriorates soil health and crop productivity. Seaweeds are marine resources easily available at negligible cost and also rich in bioactive compounds. A field experiment was conducted at Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu during summer season2021 to evaluate the bio-efficacy of Seaweed extract on growth, yield, and soil properties of rice, Oryza sativa var. ADT53. The experiment was framed in RBD comprising of 12 treatments viz., soil application of Seaweed extract(SWE) @ 12.5kg/ha,25kg/ha, 37.5kg/ha , foliar spraying of SWE gel & liquid @ 0.5% twice at tillering and panicle initiation stages, a combination of soil application and foliar spray and fertilizer alone. Experimental findings revealed that the soil application of SWE @ 12.5kg/ha along with a foliar spray of seaweed liquid recorded higher plant height (121.1cm),dry matter production (11390kg/ha),yield attributes viz., number of grains per panicle (166), panicle length (21.8 cm), thousand grain weight (14.7g), number of productive tillers per m2 (275), grain yield (5612 kg/ha)and straw yield (7829 kg/ha). However, The soil application of SWE @ 25kg/ha recorded higher soil available nutrients viz.,N(260 kg/ha);P(42kg/ha); K(170kg/ha);Ca(27.7meq/100g); Mg(5.5meq/100g);S(18.2mg/kg);Zn (1.17ppm); Fe (33.82ppm); Cu(1.61ppm);Mn(18.97ppm).The study will help sustain rice productivity and soil fertility in the deltaic zone of Tamil Nadu. The soil application of seaweed extract @ 12.5kg/ha along with foliar spraying (0.5% twice) could be a promising option in the rice ecosystem
Pathogenic and morphological variability among the isolates of Fusarium udum (Butler) causing wilt of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)
Get PDFWilt is the most serious disease causing irreversible losses and lethal damage to the crop in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and the West Bengal states of Eastern India. Because of the existence of high pathogen variability, management of the disease using resistant cultivars will be a challenging task. For breeding resistant varieties, knowledge of pathogen variability in the particular crop area is essential. In present study, fifteen isolates viz., Fu-9, Fu-10, Fu-27,Fu-32, Fu-42, Fu-49, Fu-63, Fu-72, Fu-73, Fu-74,Fu-75,Fu-84, Fu-86, Fu-87, Fu-97of Fusarium udum obtained from wilt infected pigeonpea plants of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal of Eastern India were assessed for the phenotypic variation. The isolates exhibited considerable variations in cultural and morphological characters viz., radial growth, mycelial color, sporulation, size and shape of macroconidia. Pathogenic variability on soil inoculated pot grown plants of pigeonpea resulted in 12.0 to 57.1 percent wilt incidence. The isolates also exhibited significant variations in symptoms like drooping of shoots, latent period, timing of fungal invasion, vascular clogging, drooping of shoots, and wilt establishment etc. Based on the wilt incidence, the fifteen isolates were distinguished into pathogenic groups. Fu- 10, Fu-27, Fu-32 and Fu-49 were found highly pathogenic and predominantly causing the typical wilt symptoms of more than one 31% wilt incidence. The present study indicates the existence of variability among isolates of vascular wilt pathogen collected from Eastern region of India.
Phytostimulation and growth promotion activities of Trichoderma spp. on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop
Get PDFGroundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) suffers from many soil borne pathogens that deteriorate the quality of the seeds and are responsible for high yield loss. Practically Trichoderma sp. is used for seed treatment, it minimizes the seed and soil borne pathogens and supports plant growth promotion activities. In the present study, five different isolates of Trichoderma spp. were isolated from groundnut (A. hypogaea ) rhizosphere soil. All the five isolates were confirmed by morphological methods and using molecular tools through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of Trichoderma sp. and DNA gets amplified in 650 bp to 700 bp. Trichoderma spp. were molecularly identified as T(SP)-20 (Trichoderma longibrachiatum), T(AR)-10 (T. asperellum), T(VT)-3 (T. hamatum), T(BI)-16 (T. longibrachiatum), T(TK)-23 (T. citrinoviride). Phytostimulation activities of all the six isolates viz., phosphate solubilization, Ammonia production, IAA production, and Siderophore production, were evaluated. Among the six isolates, T(SP)-20, T(AR)-10, and TNAU-TA showed higher phytostimulation activities. The growth promotion of Trichoderma spp. on groundnut was assessed through the roll towel method. The isolate T(SP)-20 (T. longibrachiatum) produced the highest germination percentage of 93.33 and vigor index of 2246.2. This work developed a new isolate of T. longibrachiatum (T(SP)-20) which is a native isolate having significant phytostimulation and growth promotion activities and it could be exploited for other soil borne disease managing successfully