Issue Papers

Occurrence and distribution of viral diseases of bittergourd (Momordica charantia L) in major cultivated areas of Kerala

Abstract

In the survey conducted at five locations in Thiruvananthapuram district , Pappanchani area recorded highest incidence of viral disease (60%) while highest Vulnerability Index (V.I) was recorded from Vellayani (56.00). In Idukki district, six major bittergourd cultivating areas were surveyed among which Rajakumary area recorded the highest disease incidence (100%) and V.I (82.00). In Palakkad district, five locations were surveyed, among which Panackatri and Thekkepotta recorded highest disease incidence of 88% and highest V.I (69.00 ) . Symptoms associated with the disease include yellow mottling, mosaic, blistering, leaf curl and reduction in leaf size. Yellow mosaic and blistering is also seen in case of severe infection finally leading to stunting of the plant, reduced flowering and fruiting and hairyness on the stem. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Dot Immunobinding Assay (DIBA) revealed the presence of three viruses belonging to Begomo, CMV and POTY group causing a mixed infection in bittergourd.

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON FARMER’S AWARENESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL AUTOMATED PRODUCTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GIPZONICS

Abstract

Respected Editor, please find the attachment of our research research paper we be happy to provide any information on the same. kindly consider for publication in your publication Thank you Good day

WATER QUALITY STUDY OF RAMKUND DOWNSTREAM AREA ON GODAVARI RIVER DURING KUMBHMELA.

Abstract

Millions of devotees visited and take bath in Godavari River during Kumbh mela period. Therefore an attempt has been made to find out the effect of mass bathing on water quality during kumbh mela period. Downstream area of Ramkund on Godavari River was selected for study purpose. Water sample collected before mass bathing and after mass bathing. Collected sample were analyzed for physicochemical parameter and obtained results compared with WHO and BIS Standards. Dissolved Oxygen decreases after mass bathing and pH, Electrical Conductivity, Chloride, Hardness level increases, which indicates changes in water quality of Godavari River after mass bathing.

LDA, An Eco-friendly Altrnative to Natural Aggregate in Structural Concrete for Engineering Construction

Abstract

ABSTRACT Low Density Aggregate (LDA) made from fly ash, a waste product from the thermal power plant was used to replace the natural aggregate which turn out to be an efficient effort for green concrete. The process of creating LDA uses above 90% fly ash as major raw material mixing with small volume additives, carbonaceous solid fuel and water. The additives are clay and the coal which contributes the carbon percentage depending on the particle size and loss of ignition in the fly ash. After agglomeration and palletisation, the green pellets are transferred to a sinter machine for sintering. The physical characteristic of LDA product is found to be a superior aggregate than the natural aggregates. In this study, at first the concrete cubes were made using cement, sand and natural aggregate by mixing water. The materials were poured inside the 100 mm cube mould for making the samples. Secondly, the same procedure was followed to replace natural aggregate with the LDA keeping cement and sand content as the same. The LDA was collected from IMFA, Choudwar of two grades, one 4mm to 8mm and another 8mm to 16mm. The two aggregates were used in proportion of 40% to 60% respectively of the total LDA percentage. After de-moulding of the concrete cubes with LDA and natural aggregate, the samples were kept in two different curing conditions. One kept for moist curing for 28 days and another kept 28days in air-curing. After 28 days, both the cases of cubes were subjected to the compression test. It was observed that the concrete cube with natural aggregates had ultimate strength of 20.36 MPa, and the cube with LDA showed the ultimate strength of 16.69 MPa under the moist curing for 28days. However, the concrete cubes in air curing showed 17.93 MPa with natural aggregate and 18.3 MPa with LDA. The LDA cubes without curing or air curing showed higher compressive strength than the LDA cube with moist curing which is a positive result for places where curing is difficult to undertake. It was also observed that the compressive strength of the LDA concrete was about 10% less compressive strength than the concrete with natural aggregates under the same cement and sand content. The compressive strength of LDA concrete can be increased by changing the grading of the LDA and adding other admixtures. Due to limitation of time, it is recommended that for future study the LDA concrete should be made with different grades of LDA, 50:50 LDA and natural aggregate replacement, and at different cement content to achieve best results out of LDA.

EFFECTS OF THREE EDIBLE MUSHROOMS ON GROWTH CARACTERISTICS AND LEVEL OF SERUM PARAMETERS IN RATS

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of proteins of three edible mushrooms named Volvariella volvacea (VV), Termitomyces letestui (TL) and Psathyrella tuberculata (PT) of Côte d'Ivoire on the growth of rats. The results indicated that mushrooms treatments provoked lower growth, feed intake, and negative values of feed and protein efficiency, compared to those of fish diet. Mushroom-based diets consumption resulted in an increase of average weight of liver, kidneys, heart, and absence of abdominal fat. However, it did not affect the average weight of the spleen. Mushrooms did not modify the activity of ALAT, while increasing that of ALP. TL diet decreased the mean activity of ASAT; on the contrary, PT diet increased it. TL and PT diets increased the mean activity of γGT. These fungi had no effect on the mean value of most of serum metabolites and electrolytes. The negative effect of mushrooms on the growth of the rats is possibly due to their low energy content and the presence of polyphenols. Furthermore, Fungi are not palatable and digestible. Key words : Rats, mushrooms, growth, biometry, metabolites

AN EFFECTIVE MOVE TOWARDS USE OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL & DAIRY WASTES FOR PRODUCTION OF BIOSURFACTANTS USING BACILLUS SUBTILIS AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Abstract

From an environmental viewpoint, biosurfactants are more acceptable for the remediation process both at sea and land. Recently, the biosurfactant production has been growing up, because this substance has amphiphilic nature with high emulsifying and surface interaction. They are produced through metabolism of microorganisms and many applications are mentioned in industry (chemical, food, pharmaceutical etc.). The current study describes the biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using agroindustrial and dairy wastes containing high levels of glucose. The biosurfactant production was evaluated according to the emulsification index (using oils), surface tension analysis. The biosurfactant produced using 10% of inoculums of Bacillus subtilis showed highest surface tension reduction and emulsification index than 5% and 7% inoculum. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed biosurfactant production but the yield is very low. Hence, current research invented an alternative way to process industrial wastes and the use of natural surfactants, or biosurfactants, is among one of the most promising methods due the fact that such compounds are metabolic products of fungi, bacteria and certain strains of yeast.

Impact of NPK and organic fertilizer on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)  growth and yield under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

The study was conducted in two successive summer seasons  (2104/2015 and 2015/2016) in a cooled plastic house at Shambat Research Station, Sudan, to determine the optimum dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) and organic (Shmookh Eltabeeh)  fertilizers combination to have high tomato growth and yield under evaporative cooling system. Two tomato hybrid, were used namely; Athyla and PGT107. The experiments were carried out in a split plot arrangements based on a randomized complete block design, the two tomato hybrids as main plot and eight fertilizer treatments as sub plot with three replication. The seedlings were transplanted on one side of 80 cm ridges and 40 cm plant spacing. Different combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (T1: 13.4 g N + 5.0 g P+ 26.7 g K, T2: 26.7 g N + 10.0 g P + 53.3 g K and T3: 40.1 g N + 20.0 g P + 80.0 g K/ m2) with or without organic fertilizer (2kg/m2 Shmookh Eltabeeh), in addition to a control without fertilizer, were tested. The organic fertilizer was incorporated in soil before planting, whereas the NPK doses were added as powder weekly after two weeks from transplanting. The means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P < = 0.05.  The results showed that T2 from NPK combination with or without organic fertilizer gave significant positive effects on all parameters tested in both seasons with the two hybrids. The growth and yield values were decreased with increased fertilizer dose above T2 showing that excessive NPK fertilization (T3 with or without organic) for high tomato yield under evaporative cooling system is not recommended.

MEDICINAL ANGIOSPERMS DIVERSITY OF ROHILKHAND REGION (U.P.) TO CURE SOME COMMON HUMAN DISEASES

Abstract

Medicinal plants play an important role in human life from ancient times. Rohilkhand region is rich in the plant diversity and the plants are used for treatment of various diseases. This study showed that many people in the studied parts still continue to depend on medicinal plants at least for the treatment of primary healthcare. The investigation revealed that, the traditional healers used 104 species of angiosperms belonging to 49 families to treat various human diseases. Majority of herbs (48) were used followed by trees (22) and shrubs (20). A total of 15 species (3 trees, 3 shrubs, 7 herbs and 2 climber) have been identified for future monitoring, which are important from conservation point of view.

Phytochemical analysis and antifungal activity of Cauliflower stem (Brassica oleraceae var botrytis L.)