Leaching of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in a flooded field unplanted or planted to rice

Leaching ofα-, β-, γ- andδ-isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in a commercial formulation, sprayed to a flooded field (unplanted or planted to rice) at 1.0 kg a.i. ha ^?1 onγ-isomer basis, was studied with the help of field-installed porous moisture extraction cups. Residues of HCH-isomers in the surface field water and leachates (at 15, 30 and 60 cm) were higher in planted field than in unplanted field, probably due to less volatilization of HCH-isomers under the crop cover. HCH-isomers, with the exception ofβ-isomer, migrated to 30 cm depth;β-isomer did not move beyond 15 cm depth possibly due to lower amount of this isomer available for leaching whileα-HCH was detected even at 60 cm depth.γ-Tetrachlorocyclohexene, a predicted metabolite ofγ-HCH in anaerobic environments, was detected in the the leachate even at 60 cm depth.     

Assessment of Suitable Extractants for Predicting Plant-available Potassium in Indian Coastal Soils

The suitability of seven chemical extractants was evaluated on 24 Indian coastal soils for prediction of plant-available potassium (K) to rice (Oryza sativa L. var. NC 492) grown in modified Neubauer technique. Average amounts of soil K extracted were in descending order: 0.5 M NaHCO₃ > neutral 1 N NH₄OAc > 0.02 M CaCl₂ > Bray and Kurtz No.1 > 1 N HNO₃ > 0.1 N HNO₃ > distilled water. The highest simple correlation with plant K uptake was obtained with 0.1 N HNO₃-K (r = 0.848) and lowest with CaCl₂-K (r = 0.805). Predictive models were developed using plant K uptake as the dependent variable and extractable soil K, sand, silt, soil pH, and electrical conductivity as the independent variables. Based on the final R² and ease of measurement, distilled water, 1 N NH₄OAc, and 0.1 N HNO₃ models were the best predictors of plant-available K in coastal soils when used along with sand or soil pH.     

Toxic Effects, Oxidative Stress and Ultrastructural Changes in Moss Taxithelium Nepalense (Schwaegr.) Broth. Under Chromium and Lead Phytotoxicity

The effect of short-term Pb and Cr (0, 100 and 1000μM) stress in moss Taxithelium nepalense (Schwaegr.) Broth., the possible generation of oxidative stress, antioxidant metabolism and changes in the chloroplast and cell membrane ultrastructure were investigated. In moss cells, treatment of Pb and Cr for 12 and 24 h decreased the dry mass and total chlorophyll content with marked inhibition under Pb. Both Pb and Cr accumulated after 24 h of their treatment where highest accumulation of Pb was visible than that of Cr. The ultrastructural studies at 1000 μM of Pb and Cr showed distortion of the thylakoid, distortion of chloroplast membrane and changes in the chloroplast structure. Chloroplast distortion was highly visible under Pb than that of Cr. The distortion in the cell membrane was evident at high concentration of Pb, while under Cr, minor changes were visible as compared to controls. Both Pb and Cr significantly increased the production of ROS like H₂O₂ and O₂ ^? radical with marked production after 24 h under Pb than that of Cr. The alteration in metabolism of activated oxygen in moss cells was evidenced by the increase in the lipid peroxidation in moss cells, with pronounced effect after 24 h than that of 12 h after Pb and Cr treatment. The SOD activity showed an increasing trend followed by decrease in CAT, POX and GR activity after 12 and 24 h. Both ascorbate and glutathione showed higher accumulation under Pb followed by Cr. The results showed that at high concentration of metals, oxidative stress could be induced in moss cells characterized by the generation of ROS and initiation lipid peroxidation that inhibited the major antioxidant metabolism. Both physiological and ultrastructural studies suggested the possible induction of oxidative stress in Taxithelium nepalense (Schwaegr.) Broth. under Pb and Cr toxicity.     

Ethnobotanical studies of the dwindling aboriginal Jarawa tribe in Andaman Islands,India

World over the traditional knowledge has always formed the foundation for development of modern medicines as a result of scientific follow up of the traditional knowledge. Andaman archipelago represents one of the greatest emporia of ethno botanical wealth in India where aboriginal native tribes of ancient culture remain in their virginity and possess abundant ethnic knowledge. The Jarawas of Andaman Island are one such primitive and dwindling community. Jarawas inhabit the Jarawa Reserve located along the western parts of the South and Middle Andamans. A brief account of anthropology of the tribe is given. Results of ethnobotanical studies of Jarawa tribe have been enumerated which revealed interesting plants which can be further prioritized for scientific evaluation and Bioprospection for product development. The species like Alpinia manii, Amomum aculeatum, belonging to Zingiberaceae and Pseuduvaria prainii, Orophea katschallica of Annonaceae are shown to have effective insect and bee repellent properties. Such leads should be subjected to further scientific scrutiny for development of global level products having mosquito and other disease causing insect repellent properties. While this achieves the human welfare aspects, at the same time boosts the economy of the region. The Jarawas possess extensive knowledge of the plants of the surrounding forests and use them in their daily life for food, medicine, shelter, fibres, ornaments, bows and arrows and for many other needs. Such plants are enumerated with correct botanical names, family, Jarawa names, plant parts used along with details of use.     

Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase in different regions of the alimentary tract of adult White Rock cockerels

1. Alkaline phosphatase [EC 3.1.3.1], acid phosphatase [EC 3.1.3.2], aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT, EC 2.6.1.1] and alanine aminotransferase [ALAT, EC 2.6.1.2] were measured in mucosal homogenates of different segments of the alimentary tract of White Rock cockerels. 2. The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were higher in the duodenum, jejenum and caecum than the anterior segments of the alimentary tract. 3. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase was higher in the oesophagus and crop than in the caudal segments of the alimentary tract. Alanine aminotransferase activity did not show any specific pattern. 4. The increased phosphatase activities in the caudal alimentary tract indicates their involvement in the nutrient transport across the mucosa. Aminotransferases were probably involved in the synthesis of amino acids and proteins in the anterior alimentary tract.     

Evaluation and impact assessment of culture‐based fisheries to enhance fish yield in small reservoirs in Odisha State,India

The present study investigates the success of stocking fingerlings of Indian major carps ‐Gibelion catla (Hamilton), Labeo rohita Hamilton and Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton – to enhance fish yield in 58 small reservoirs in Odisha State, India. Fish stocking and yield data were collected from State Fisheries Department, Odisha. The relationships between area, stocking density and fish yield of different size groups of reservoirs were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Fish yield increased significantly (p < 0.05, t‐test) from 204 kg/ha/year in 2012–13 to 323 kg/ha/year in 2013–14 due to adoption of CBF. The corresponding per capita fish production increased from 398 kg fisher^?1 year^?1 to 702 kg fisher^?1 year^?1 benefitting more than 8,000 fisher households. Reservoirs in the size group 100–500 ha showed the highest response of fish yield with respect to stocking of fingerlings. The size of fingerlings at stocking and area of the reservoir had greater impact on enhancing fish yield. Stocking had a profound positive impact on fish yield. This study forms a baseline evaluation of the impact of stocking on small tropical reservoirs in India. It also recommends management measures and discusses issues, and the way forward for sustainable fisheries enhancement in small tropical reservoirs in eastern India.     

Lactic Acid Fermentation of β-Carotene Rich Sweet Potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis> L.) into Lacto-juice

Lacto-juices processed by lactic acid fermentation bring about a change in the beverage assortment for their high nutritive value, vitamins and minerals which are beneficial to human health when consumed. Sweet potato roots (non-boiled/ fully-boiled) were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 1407 at 28 ± 2°C for 48 h to make lacto- juice. During fermentation both analytical [pH, titratable acidity, lactic acid, starch, total sugar, reducing sugar (g/kg roots), total phenol and β-carotene (mg/kg roots)] and sensory (texture, taste, aroma, flavour and after taste) analyses of sweet potato lacto-juice were evaluated. The fermented juice was subjected to panelist evaluation for acceptability. There were no significant variations in biochemical constituents (pH, 2.2–3.3; lactic acid, 1.19–1.27 g/kg root; titratable acidity, 1.23–1.46 g/kg root, etc.) of lacto-juices prepared from non-boiled and fully-boiled sweet potato roots except β-carotene concentration [130 ± 7.5 mg/kg (fully-boiled roots) and 165 ± 8.1 mg/kg (non-boiled roots)]. The panelist evaluation scores ranged from 3–4.8 (in a hedonic scale of 1–5) from moderate liking to very much liking of sweet potato lacto-juice. Principal component analyses reduced the eight original analytical variables to three independent components (factors), which accounted for 99.9% of the total variations. Similarly, five original sensory variables were reduced to two independent components, which accounted for 83.1% of the total variations.