Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Multivariate analysis on blackgram genotypes for bruchine (Callosobruchus maculatus F.) resistance towards selection of parental lines
Get PDFBlack gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) is one of the most important pulse crops in daily diets. However, black gram production and post-harvest preservation are still tedious due to the losses caused by the storage pest bruchine, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), both quantitatively and qualitatively. Hence, the present study involves the utilization of the multivariate analysis by effectively understanding variation among the genotypes based on their level of bruchine infestation. The multivariate studies indicated that the traits viz., the total number of adult emergence (AE), seed damage % (SD) and seed weight loss % (SWL) had more variation and with more significant correlation among them. Also, these traits are the most influential principal component traits governing 88% of the variation among genotypes. The divergence analysis showed that the genotype TU 68 found in cluster II would have the potential to create the variation for bruchine infestation among the black gram genotypes involved in the study. As it has scored lesser adult emergence (AE) (7 adults), seed damage % (SD) (14 %) and seed weight loss % (SWL) (17.79 %) than the other genotypes. It shows the resistant nature of the genotype against bruchine beetles. Hence, TU 68 could be utilized in the future hybridization programme as a donor for bruchine resistance
Relationship between the monoamine oxidase gene overactivity and the other pathophysiological and behavioral parameters implicated in memory deficiency in albino Winstar rats as Alzheimer’s disease model
Get PDFThe current study aimed to assess the pathophysiology mechanisms that mediate the effect on albin winstar rats\u27 memory induced by the co -administration of fluoride and aluminum sulfate, as a model of Alzheimer\u27s disease. This was done by assessing monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) activity, antioxidant activity, H2O2 and amyloid-β concentration in the hippocampus, embedded deep into the brain\u27s temporal lobe, and level of cytokines in serum. The polymerase chain reaction approach was used to genotyping MAO-A, followed by single -stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) coupled with sequencing technique. The experimental animals were divided into two groups: control and treated groups. The uptake of heavy metals led to significantly increased MAO-A activity, amyloid -β deposition, H2O2 and cytokines levels in the treated group. However, the finding showed a significant decrease in antioxidant activity in the treated group. The results indicated that metals caused memory and learning impairments. PCR -SSCP genotyping showed many SNPs and haplotypes of the MAO-A exon 2 region, which showed the MAO-A gene polymorphism changes associated with Alzheimer\u27s disease. The overall results indicated a role of metals to induce oxidative stress stimulating pathophysiological hallmarks in the hippocampus due to an increase in the influx of monoamine oxidase expression, which has been implicated in impaired memory, this study focused on the genetic variation of the exon 2 in monoamine oxidase-A gene and its relationship to Alzheimer\u27s disease with the presence of several single nucleotide polymorphisms that may be related to Alzheimer\u27s disease model in rats
Comparative evaluation of sulphur sources on growth, yield and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.)
Get PDFSulphur is a prime nutrient in Allium crops. Garlic fertilization with ammonium-based sulphur fertilizers in low pH soils is being practiced by farmers that culminate the soil acidity, which has an adverse effect on plant growth. Hence a field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Woodhouse farm, Ooty, the Nilgris in 2021 to evaluate the appropriate sulphur sources and their levels for garlic at acidic hilly soil using four sulphur sources viz., potassium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate and ammonium phosphate sulphate and three levels viz., 0, 40, 60 kg ha-1. Garlic variety Ooty 2 was used as test crop. The results revealed that application of magnesium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1 produced the highest plant height, leaf numbers, clove numbers bulb-1, neck thickness, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, the weight of 10 cloves, fresh weight, dry weight and bulb yield (16.78 t ha-1) of garlic. Quality parameters viz., total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and total phenols of garlic bulbs were improved by the application of potassium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1. Sulphur source of Magnesium sulphate had a minimal effect of rendering acidity to soil measured in terms of pH (4.74) and exchangeable acidity (0.22 meq 100 g-1). Hence, the promising source for acidic hilly soil and garlic crop was found to be magnesium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1 followed by potassium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1. This particular investigation focuses not only on yield improvement but also on maintaining soil quality of the area
Sulphur fertilization on biochemical constituents of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata. L) in non-calcareous soil of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu
Get PDFSulphur is the fourth most important plant nutrient after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and it is becoming increasingly crucial in high-quality crop production (Bhoyar., 2019). Since limited work has been carried out regarding different sulphur sources on cabbage production in the Coimbatore district, the present study was undertaken to investigate the sulphur sources and levels on various biochemical constituents of cabbage. Hence a field experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Viraliyur village, Thondamuthur block of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu to assess the effect of sulphur fertilization on improving the biochemical constituents of cabbage hybrid Saint. There were four different S sources (Elemental sulphur, Potassium sulphate, Gypsum, Single super phosphate) applied at five levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1) and replicated thrice in a factorial randomized block design. The crop was fertilized with a Soil Test Crop Response-prescribed dose of NPK (200:125:25 kg ha-1). The crop was harvested on 90th day and cabbage heads were analysed for various biochemical constituents like ascorbic acid, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), chlorophyll content, glucosinolates (GLs), total phenol content (TPC), sulphur containing amino acid (methionine) and antioxidant enzyme activity (peroxidase). The influence of S fertilizers on biochemical constituents increased significantly with increasing levels of sulphur fertilization up to 80 kg S ha-1 excluding ascorbic acid content. The pooled data showed that gypsum applied at 80 kg ha-1 registered the maximum GLs (69.0 µmol g-1), TPC (31.9 mM 100g-1), methionine (32.3%), peroxidase activity (0.70 units min-1mg-1), TSS (7.64 0Brix), TA (0.64%), ascorbic acid (61.4 mg 100g-1) and total chlorophyll (1.21 mg g-1) in cabbage head. The lowest content of biochemical constituents viz., GLs (34.1 µmol g-1), TPC (8.10 mM 100g-1), methionine (17.6%) and peroxidase (0.31 units min-1mg-1) were observed in control applied NPK alone. There were positive and significant changes in the biochemical constituents of cabbage due to S application which confirms the improvement in the quality of cabbage head. The study concluded that gypsum was the better sulphur source for improving the quality of cabbage
Manufacturing and assessing new samplers to measure wind soil erosion
Get PDFWind soil erosion is one of the most important causes of soil degradation that impede the process of sustainable agricultural development. The first step to mitigating wind erosion hazards is to find an effective and accurate way to assess its severity. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to raise and evaluate the efficiency of the new four traps to measure eroded soil, Fixed Distance trap (FD), Fixed Point trap (FP), Rotary Distance trap (RD) and Rotary Point trap (RP). The study traps RP and FP compared with the Big Spring Number Eight trap (BSNE) (traditional trap) and the traps RD and FD compared with the Bagnold trap (traditional trap). The results indicated that the order of study traps in terms of soil collection efficiency and soil retention efficiency were RD>FD>Bagnold>RP>FP>BSNE and FP>RP>RD>FD>Bagnold>BSNE, respectively. Results proved that the best traps in collecting eroded soil were RP trap followed by FP trap, compared to BSNE trap. Also, the best traps in collecting eroded soil were RD trap, followed by FD trap, compared to the Bagnold trap. The most important results showed that the relative efficiency of RP and FP traps were 181% and 159%, respectively, compared to BSNE and the relative efficiency of RD and FD traps were 186% and 172%, respectively, compared to the Bagnold trap. The study proved high accuracy of new traps in measuring soil eroded material, separating soil particles according to their size directly inside traps and determining the direction of the wind compared to traditional traps.
Development of priming technology for enhanced planting value of seeds in kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Get PDFThe continuous rise in global population demands more food production under limited land resources accompanied by climate change. More oversupply of quality seeds to meet ever-growing food demand is a highly challenging task. Seeds with low vigour level limit the growth and yield of crops at varied field conditions. Hence, an experiment was conducted to develop a technique for the fast and homogeneous growth of kabuli chickpea seeds. The priming treatments evaluated in the present study enhanced the various seed quality parameters of kabuli chickpea significantly when compared to control. Hydro-priming for 4 hours (at 20°C) and air drying for 72 hours showed better results compared to rest of the treatments both in fresh seeds which recorded higher first count (66.38%), germination (92.50%) root length (11.85 cm), shoot length (6.16), mean seedling length (18.01), dry seedling weight (747 mg), seedling vigour index-I (1665), higher speed of emergence (0.3992) and old seeds with higher first count (61.88%), germination (74.13%) root length (8.15 cm), shoot length (5.85 cm), mean seedling length (14.00 cm), seedling dry weight (611 mg), seedling vigour index-I (1056), higher speed of emergence (0.3814). The aged seeds have recorded 29 % increase in germination percentage in contrast to 8 percent increases in fresh seeds. Kabuli chickpea seeds could be subjected to hydropriming, an affordable, alternative, and eco-friendly technique for improving seed and seedling vigour of kabuli chickpea
A modified sensitive palladium-copper oxide and multiwalled carbon nanotubes electrochemical sensor for detection of ametridione pesticide
Get PDFGlassy carbon electrode modified sensitive Pd-CuO/MWCNTs electrochemical nanosensor was used for detection of ametridione pesticide in water samples. The morphology characteristics of Pd-CuO/MWCNTs are examined by scanning electron microscopy and EDX. The ametridione pesticide under voltammetric investigation involves irreversible, 4e? electron reduction based on the protonation of the two carbonyl groups (>C=O). The voltammetric method was applied for the detection of ametridione in BR buffer solution at pH 5.0 as a supporting electrolyte. The detection limit, limit of quantification and concentration ranges of the proposed method were 0.0796 ?g?mL?1 (signal/noise=3), 0.5560 ?g?mL?1 and 0.1 to 10.0 ?g?mL?1, respectively. The electrochemical sensor was successfully applied for the detection of ametridione in tap, agricultural run-off and river water samples showing >98% mean recoveries.
 
Molecular identification of insecticide degradation by gut bacteria isolated from Helicoverpa armigera of Cotton plants
Get PDFThe cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera occurs as a major pest in many economically important crops, including cotton, pigeon pea, chickpea, pea, cowpea, sunflower, tomato, sorghum, pearl millet and other crops. Intestinal microorganisms play important role in the degradation of diet components of insects. In order to know the role of gut bacteria in insecticide resistance five insecticides Chlorpyriphos (20% EC), Cypermethrin (25% EC), Malathion (50% EC), Quinalphos (25% EC), Triazophos (40% EC), were selected for the insecticide degradation studies. All the bacterial isolates from the gut of lab and field populations of H. armigera were identified using 16S rRNA gene-based identification and tested for their growth on minimal salt medium (MSM) along with the selected insecticides. A total of 11 bacterial isolates were tested and among them, isolate CL4 (Rhodococcus sp.) was found to grow on minimal salt medium (MSM) and with chlorpyriphos and isolate CL2 (Enterococcus casseliflavus) was able to grow in MSM with chloropyriphos (C22H19Cl2NO3) and malathion (C10H19O6PS2) and no growth was seen in MSM without insecticide (control). Gas Chromatography analysis of the positive bacterial isolate cultures in MSM showed that the isolate CL4 (Rhodococcus sp.) was able to utilize 43.9% of chlorpyriphos and isolate CL2 (E.casseliflavus) was able to utilize 26% of chlorpyriphos and 57.1% of malathion in MSM broth cultures with comparison with the respective control cultures. Findings of the current work suggested that gut bacteria in the field populations of H. armigera plays a role in insecticide resistanc
Multifactorial control of gonadotropin release for induction of oocyte maturation: Influence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, gonadotropin release-inhibiting factor and dopamine receptors in the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis
Get PDFSeveral external and internal factors contribute to the reproductive success of teleosts, which makes the reproductive process complex and unique. In the Indian freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, monsoon plays a crucial role as it fine tunes the neuroendocrine axis, culminating in oocyte maturation. Therefore, induction of oocyte maturation requires the coordinated interaction among hypothalamic, hypophyseal, and peripheral hormones. In the present investigation, dual neuroendocrine control of oocyte maturation has been demonstrated in the catfish, H. fossilis. The maturational response in gravid catfish is inhibited in the presence of dopamine but GnRH evokes the oocyte maturation and ovulation. GnRH upregulates the expression of lhb gene as well as increases plasma levels of LH significantly within 30 minutes of its administration. Destruction of the preoptic region in gravid catfish by electrolytic or chemical lesions also causes oocyte maturation and ovulation. But this response is inhibited if dopamine is injected into the nucleus preopticus periventricularis-lesioned fishes. These observations support the role of dopamine as an inhibitory factor, therefore specific receptors of dopamine have been characterized in catfish and their expression in the brain has been quantified. Dopamine receptors are upregulated in dopamine-treated fishes and downregulated if a dopamine antagonist (pimozide) is injected. The present study suggests the presence of inhibitory mechanism for LH secretion in gravid catfish. Abolition of this inhibition is necessary to release LH surge, which in turn stimulates resumption of meiosis and ovulation. Thus peptidergic as well as aminergic systems regulate oocyte maturation in H. fossilis. Neuroendocrine regulation of oocyte maturation and ovulation has major implications for inducing spawning in aquaculture
Seasonal variations of indoor aerosols (PM2.5) in urban households of Jammu (J&K), India
Get PDFIndoor pollution is more harmful as people spend more than 90% of their time indoors getting enhanced chances of penetrating aerosols (PM2.5) deeply into the lungs. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study seasonal variations of indoor aerosols (PM2.5) in urban households of Jammu(J&K). in the northern region of India. The status of indoor aerosols (PM2.5) and their seasonal variations due to temperature and humidity conditions have been studied for the first time in urban households of Jammu (J&K). The two year study period (2017-2019.) revealed that all types of households of urban areas with non-wood fuel as well as wood fuel burning practices exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher values of indoor PM 2.5 during summer season (74.36 µg/m3 and 156.46 µg/m3 ) followed by winter season (62.77 µg/m3 and 143.5µg/m3 ) and lower values during the rainy season (58.47 µg/m3 and 132.52 µg/m3 ). All these values were observed to be above the CPCB prescribed annual limit of 40 µg/m3, thereby exposing the residents to diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The data generated in the present study will act as baseline data for future studies pertaining to indoor aerosols (PM2.5) as well as suggesting mitigation measures