Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Assessment of Anwai river water quality using the weighted arithmetic water quality index (WQI) in Delta State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe weighted arithmetic water quality index method was used to assess the water quality of anthropogenically-laden Anwai-river within the Asaba-capital territory of Delta State, Nigeria, in Stations 1(Otulu), 2(Isele- asagba) and 3(Anwai-Asaba) using pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, phosphates, nitrates, total hardness (TH) and coliforms, to determine its water quality status and its suitability for humans and aquatic biota. Aside from TDS, turbidity, and TH, other parameters such as pH (5.3-8.2), DO (2.0-2.8 mg/L), BOD (1.02-2.4 mg/L), EC (110-113 µS/cm), turbidity(2.3-5.2 NTU), TDS (8.0-16.0 mg/L), TH (30-62 mg/L), phosphates (0.13-0.28 mg/L), nitrates (0.05-0.27 mg/L) and Coliform (25.75-45.5 cfu/ml) indicated non-significant variableness (p>0.05) between Stations. Water depth, TDS, turbidity, TH, phosphate, nitrate and total coliform were significant contributors to the Anwai-river\u27s water quality by Principal component analysis (PCA). The first principal component (PC1) exhibited 94.1% variance and a 0.1860 loading factor, while the second showed 5.9% variance and 0.0117 loading factor implying depth, flooding, excessive human activities and sewage disposal as important contaminants. Although the individual physiochemical-based water qualities were below the WHO recommended drinking water values translated into poor water quality by the weighted arithmetic water quality index at the three Stations; 86.83, 75.02 and 81.27 in Station\u27s 1, 2 and 3 respectively, correspondingly poor to very poor based on Water quality index. The water of Anwai-river is a serious health threat to humans and aquatic organisms and thus, it should not be utilized untreated
Relationship between physiological traits and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under modified system of rice intensification
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted to study influence of high-density planting on physiological parameters and yield of rice during late Samba (September-January) season of 2018-19. The treatments comprised of T1 - 25 × 25 cm with 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) (SRI), T2 - 25 × 20 cm with 100% RDF, T3 - 25 × 15 cm with 100% RDF, T4 - 25 × 15 cm with 125% RDF, T5 - 20 × 20 cm with 100% RDF, T6 - 20 × 15 cm with 100% RDF, T7 - 20 × 15 cm with 125% RDF and T8 - Conventional cultivation with 100% RDF. Physiological parameters were recorded at four critical stages (active tillering, panicle initiation, flowering and maturity stages) of rice. The results revealed that photosynthetic rate (µmol CO2/m2/s), transpiration rate (mmol H2O/m2/s), stomatal conductance (mol H2O/m2/s) and chlorophyll index were increased in rice planted at a row spacing of 25 cm (T1, T2 and T3) over other treatments in all the stages. Lower rates were noted in conventional method of planting (T8) followed by T6 and T7. During 0600 hrs and 1000 hrs, closer spacing levels (T5, T6, T7 and T8) had higher leaf temperature, while during later at 1400 hrs and 1800 hrs, warmer leaf temperature (°C) was noted in wider spacing levels (T1 and T2) during all time of weekly observation. The grain yield of rice was higher with 20 × 20 cm spacing level compared to other closer and wider spacing levels with either 100% or 125% RDF. By correlation analysis, all parameter had a significant influence on yield
Development of low formaldehyde emitting particle board by nano particle reinforcement
Get PDFNanoscience and nanotechnology offer a plethora of possibilities for improving the qualities of wood composites. The present study aimed to use nanotechnology to develop low formaldehyde emitting particle board as ecologically acceptable composites. Conventional urea Formaldehyde resins were prepared by the percentage of second urea at 10%. Nano-wollastonite, silica and montomorillonite with the size range of 25-100 nm were applied at 0.5-2.0% based on the weight of resin. The nano-reinforced resins were admixed with suitable hardener and the panels were made. Formaldehyde emission reduction in wood panel products is critical and it can be partially controlled by using resin modification. The effectiveness of nanoparticle addition to reducing formaldehyde emission from wood particle board was examined by the perforator method as per IS 13745 (1993). Physical and Mechanical properties were evaluated according to IS 3087 (2005). The result indicated distinctly lower water absorption and thickness swelling of panels produced with 1.5 %, 1.5 % and 2.0 % nano silica, nano montomorillinite and nano wollastonite respectively. The results showed that static bending of the produced composite varied from 21.07 to 28.86 N/mm2 of MOR and from 2246 - 3353 N/mm2 of MOE; while internal bond strength (IB) varied from 0.35 to 0.58 N/mm2. As per IS 3087 (2005) requirements, 1.5 % nano silica and montomorillonite and 2.0 % nano wollastonite mechanically modified urea formaldehyde based agro composites gave the best results for grade II particle boards. The study concluded that nanoparticle addition reduces the formaldehyde content in the panel without affecting the strength properties
Biorational management of maize fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) enriched with chemical additives
Get PDFAn invasive pest, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) attacks maize at every stage of development, from seedling emergence up to cob formation. Early instar larvae were seen mostly on leaves of maize with characteristics pin or shot hole symptoms. Later instar larvae were confined to deep whorls, leaving typically ragged like appearance and fed on the reproductive stage of the crop especially tassels and developing cobs resulting in quality and quantity loss of maize produce. The effect of commercially available Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki product, Dipel® against the second instar larvae of Fall Armyworm (FAW )was not promising under laboratory conditions. Hence, an effort was made to add an adjuvant along with B. thuringiensis to increase the virulence of commercially available B. thuringiensis.The Laboratory bioassays with B. thuringiensis and seven chemical additives ( T1- Bt + Boric acid, T2- Bt + Zinc oxide, T3- Bt + Sodium nitrate, T4- Bt + Peptone, T5- Bt + Urea, T6- Bt + EDTA, T7- Bt + Citric acid & T8- Bt alone T9- Control) were tested against second instar larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. The results showed that B. thuringiensis plus sodium nitrate (T3) promoted maximum mortality 82.2 per cent with a minimum LC50 value of 54.620 mg/l. Sodium nitrate boosted B. thuringiensis activity at a concentration of 0.05 per cent by 2.128-fold than B. thuringiensis alone. Overall, sodium nitrate improved the efficacy of B. thuringiensis spray at the maximum level followed by boric acid, urea, EDTA and peptone
A comparison of mutagenic potential of Aji-no-Moto with a traditional chemical mutagen on microsporogenesis in barley (Hordeum vulagre L.)
Get PDFAji-no-Moto or Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer being used extensively in South East Asian cuisine. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that MSG is safe when "eaten at customary levels" but there is still great confusion regarding its toxicity at higher concentrations. Therefore, it was decided to assess the mutagenic efficacy of MSG on a plant system and present the findings as a model for probably similar effects in the animal model. For this, a traditionally popular genus for genetic studies, Hordeum vulgare L. or winter barley, was used as the model system. The studies of microsporogenesis were done in order to see the long term effect. The sets were compared with experimental sets of plants grown from seeds treated with a traditional chemical mutagen Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS). The study revealed that MSG does not induce much genotoxic effects at lower doses and the chromosomal damages induced were very few. However, at higher doses, it almost equals the effects of EMS in terms of heritable genetic damage. The work is significant as MSG continues to be one of the most popular flavouring agents and does not face any challenge to its biosafe status. However, the clastogenic and chromotoxic effects of higher doses of MSG as observed in the study are in total contradiction to the popular belief
Desiccation-resurrection linked antioxidant machinery of a moss species Campylopus flexuosus (Hedw.) Bird.
Get PDFDehydration and rejuvenation during rehydration is the salient feature of certain plants which can withstand drought. The present study was undertaken to justify the tolerance capacity of Campylopus flexuosus, the moss of the Ponmudi belts of Thiruvananthapuram, against dehydration followed by rehydration. Fresh leafy plants of C. flexuosus were hydrated, afterwards dried, and rehydrated under in vitro environment. In the course of loss of water from cells, the relative water content of desiccated thallus was reduced after 4 h with intense inward curling. Upon rehydration, the RWC was regained 85% of its initial water content within hours. The rehydrated thallus showed the normal morphology. Photosynthetic parameters like chlorophyll b (1.01 to 1.56 μg g –1 ), and total carotenoid (0.251 to 0.514 μg g –1 ) increased remarkably in the desiccated state. Superoxide radical (O2 _) content increased (11.4 nmol/g FW), resulting in an oxidative burst during desiccation. Consequently, antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (0.369 U mg protein −1), superoxide dismutase ( 2.68 to 6.02 Units mg−1), peroxidase ( 0.12 μmol min−1 g−1 protein) and glutathione reductase ( 312 Units mg−1 protein) activities were up-regulated in the desiccated thallus to ameliorate oxidative damage. Increased malondialdehyde (1.08 nmol g−1 FW) content during desiccation substantiates membrane damage and loss of its integrity. During desiccation, the osmolytes sucrose and proline (27.6 and 2.57 μmol/g FW respectively) were enhanced to maintain cell structure integrity. After rehydration, biochemical and morphological properties were maintained similar to hydrated conditions. Thus, the study reflects the unique adaptations of the moss to tide over desiccation tolerance
Effect of organic and inorganic nutrients on rice (Oryza sativa var. CO 51) productivity and soil fertility in the Western zone of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFIn sustainable agriculture, to ensure high-quality food production, a combination of organic and inorganic nutrient sources are required. During the winter season of 2020, a field experiment was undertaken in the western zone of Tamil Nadu to assess the effects of organics and inorganics on the growth, yield, and soil properties of rice, Oryza sativa var. CO 51. The experiment was framed in Random Block Design (RBD) comprising of 8 treatments viz., Recommended dose of fertilizer Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) approach (T1), RDF 75 % + Farm yard manure @ 12.5 t ha-1 (T2), T2 + Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T3), RDF 75 % + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 (T4), T4 + Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T5), FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 + Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T6), Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1+ Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T7) and absolute control (T8) , replicated thrice. Among the integrated nutrient management practices, T5 proved its superiority over other treatments with respect to growth and physiological parameters followed by T3. This would have been because of the solubilization of phosphorus in the soil by AM organisms which is made accessible for crop growth. Utilization of biofertilizer enhanced the N availability and solubilized the inaccessible phosphorus, which thus recorded higher N accessibility and better phosphorus uptake when applied along with a recommended dose of fertilizer for rice.
Molecular characterization of Indian species of the genus Cornudiscoides Kulkarni, 1969 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae)
Get PDFMolecular characterization and phylogenetic study based on partial sequences of 28S and 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of sixteen Indian species of the genus Cornudiscoides (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) were conducted to decode the genetic relationship between them and with other members of the family Dactylogyridae. Blastn searches disclosed the significant similarity among the species of the Cornudiscoides for large ribosomal subunits as well as for small ribosomal subunit showing genetic relatedness. The phylogenetic tree using neighbour-joining (NJ) and minimum evolution (ME) methods for 28S ribosomal subunit depicted that all Cornudiscoides species clustering in a single clade and forming sister clade with other members of the family Dactylogyridae and similar results were obtained from 18S ribosomal subunit. Thus, the present study demonstrated that both 28S and 18S ribosomal subunits are very helpful in discriminating Cornudiscoides species (intra or interspecific variation) and in the establishment of the evolutionary relationship among them
Effect of agronomic biofortification on growth, yield, uptake and quality characters of maize (Zea mays .L) through integrated management practices under North-eastern region of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFAgronomic biofortification increases the concentration of target mineral in edible portions of crops by the use of mineral fertilizers to increase dietary intake of target minerals. Among these iron and zinc deficiencies in human nutrition are noticed in countries where maize is the staple food. The objective of this study was to evaluate agronomic biofortification performance in association with Integrated Nutrient Management in maize (Zea mays .L). The study was conducted under field conditions in Chinnakandiankuppam village, Vriddhachalam Taluk, in the North-eastern region of Tamil Nadu state, India of Kharif 2020 season. Two hybrids in main plots (M1 – Non biofortified and M2 – Biofortified) were combined with six treatments in sub-plots (100 % RDF through NPK (S1), 100 % RDF through FYM (S2), 50% RDF through NPK + 50% through FYM (S3) as soil application, S1+ Zinc + Iron (S4), S2 +Zinc + Iron (S5) and S3 + Zinc + Iron (S6) as foliar application with evaluations were carried out in wet season period of the year. Application of 50 percent RDF through NPK + 50 percent RDF through FYM with Fe, Zn, foliar applications (S6) was the most efficient agronomic biofortification practice for growth attributes, yield and yield attributes, nutrient uptake, and quality parameters for the maize cropping system under the irrigated condition of the northeastern zone of Tamilnadu State, India.
An overview of E-waste, its management practices and legislations in present Indian context
Get PDFE-waste coming out from the electronic sector of the entire world is harming the world\u27s environment. There has been a pattern of a substantial increase in the production of E-waste worldwide. This is as a consequence of population increase, industrialization, urbanization and economic activity. Since the last decade, the rate of consumerism has been found to be very high due to higher economic growth, which has resulted in increased E-waste production. Almost all countries are recycling more and more E-waste, but a million tonnes of E-waste still coming out. Experts believe that the rise of E-waste is due to our rapidly changing lifestyles. We have started adopting new electronic devices coming into the market, trying to make life more convenient. In India, electronic waste is growing at 10% per annum. The trend of urbanization has played a significant role in the enhancement of E-waste generation. The population living in urban areas was 27.67% in 2000, 38.03% in 2018, and is expected to reach approximately 42% in 2025. As the population increases, the amount of E-waste will also rise to an alarming situation. This review paper provides the present scenario of E-waste and its management practices and legislation in the present Indian context. This would help all the stakeholders involved in the production of electrical equipment to gain better understanding of E-waste