Effect of Antitranspirants on Leaf Temperature Transpiration Rate and Diffusive Resistance in Brinjal Plants

Brinjal plants ( Solanum melongena L.) grown under moisture stress conditions in glasshouse were treated with three chemicals namely, cycocel, limewash, and potassium chloride to study their effect on leaf temperature, transpiration rate and diffusive resistance. Moisture stress imposed at three stages increased leaf temperature and diffusive resistance but decreased transpiration rate. Application of antitranspirants decreased leaf temperature and transpiration but increased diffusive resistance.     

Oestrous Behaviour and Timing of Ovulation in Relation to Onset of Oestrus and LH Peak in Mithun (Bos frontalis) Cows

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the oestrus behaviour and to determine the timing of ovulation in relation to onset of oestrus and the pre-ovulatory LH surge in mithun (Bos frontalis). For this purpose, the blood samples collected at 15-min intervals for 9 h period following onset of oestrus and thereafter, at an interval of 2 h till 4 h post-ovulation for three consecutive cycles from 12 mithun cows were assayed for plasma LH and progesterone. Ovulation was confirmed by palpation of ovaries per rectum at hourly intervals. Various signs of behavioural oestrus were also recorded. The common signs of oestrus and their frequency of occurrence in mithuns were following and mounting by male mithuns (100%), standing to be mounted (100%), frequent urination (62.33%), raising of tail (65.23%), swelling of vulva (54.26%) and congestion of vulvar mucous membrane (69.87%). The pre-ovulatory LH surges consisted of several pulses (2.92 +/- 0.26 pulses/animal; range, 1-4). The mean (+/-SEM) peak level of LH for individual mithun varied from 6.99 +/- 0.44 to 12.69 +/- 2.10 ng/ml and the mean pooled LH peak concentration was 9.10 +/- 0.60 ng/ml. The highest peak (highest amplitude of LH during LH surge) was 10.83 +/- 0.76 ng/ml (range, 8.07-16.49 ng/ml). The duration of LH surge was 6.98 +/- 0.22 h (6-8 h). Onset of LH surge was at 1.23 +/- 0.17 h post-oestrus onset (range, 0.25-2.25 h). Mean plasma progesterone stayed low (<0.24 ng/ml) during the entire duration of sampling. Ovulation occurred at 26.92 +/- 0.31 (range, 26-29 h) after the onset of oestrus and 18.63 +/- 0.35 h (range, 17-20.75 h) after the end of LH surge. The occurrence of the highest LH peaks within a narrow time frame of 2- to 5-h post-oestrus onset in mithuns could have contributed to the animals ovulating within a narrow time interval. These results are very promising from a practical standpoint of potential success when AI program in this species is implemented in a big way. Furthermore, the results of the occurrence of LH pulses during pre-ovulatory LH surges, which are required for ovulation in this species of animals, is unique and species specific.     

Plant-spacing studies with ‘Kew’ pineapple

In Bangalore, India, an experiment was carried out between 1973 and 1975, to determine the optimum plant spacing and method of planting the ‘Kew’ pineapple cultivar, consisting of 7 plant spacings and 3 methods of planting. The plant populations ranged from 49 382 to 111 111 plants per hectare. A spacing of 25 cm × 60 cm × 90 cm between plants, rows and beds, respectively, based on the 2-row system and giving a plant density of 53 333/ha, produced the best results.     

Changes in plasma non-esterified fatty acids, glucose and alpha-amino nitrogen and their relationship with body weight and plasma growth hormone in growing buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

A study was undertaken to investigate the changes of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and alpha-amino nitrogen and their relationship with age, body weight (BW) and plasma growth hormone (GH) in growing buffaloes. For the purpose, six growing female Murrah buffalo calves of 6-8 months of age were selected on the basis of their BW and fed according to Kearl standard (Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, International Feedstuffs Institute, Utah State University, Utah, USA, 1982, p. 89) for growing buffaloes (target growth rate 500 g/day) to meet energy and protein requirement of the animals. Blood samples collected at fortnight intervals for 1 year were analysed for plasma NEFA, glucose, alpha-amino nitrogen and GH. The animals were also weighed at fortnight intervals. Plasma NEFA and glucose levels were found to decrease (p < 0.01) with age. Unlike plasma NEFA and glucose, plasma alpha-amino nitrogen level increased (p < 0.01) as the buffaloes become older. Plasma NEFA and glucose concentrations in growing buffaloes were found to be positively correlated with plasma GH (r = 0.379 and 0.420 respectively), but these were non-significant (p > 0.01). However, plasma NEFA and glucose showed a good correlation (p < 0.01; r = 0.780 and 0.652 respectively) with plasma GH per 100 kg live weight. Plasma alpha-amino nitrogen exhibited non-significant (p > 0.01) negative correlation (r = -0.295) with plasma GH but a negative correlation (p < 0.01; r = -0.641) with GH per 100 kg BW. So, plasma metabolites showed a definite pattern of change during growth and these have a significant (p < 0.01) correlation with plasma GH per 100 kg BW than GH.     

Inter-relation between descriptors and morphine yield in Asian germplasm of opium poppy Papaver somniferum

A set of 208 Indian and two Thai germplasm accessions of opium poppy Papaver somniferum were assessed for variation in 17 morphological characters, seed yield and content and yield of morphine from capsules and peduncles. The germplasm was found to be highly variable for all the characters evaluated. In the harvested peduncles and capsules, 13% was peduncle straw, 61% seeds and the rest capsule husk. The peduncle and capsule straw yields ranged between 0.6–2.2 and 1.4–5.3 g plant^-1, respectively. Morphine content in the peduncle varied between about 0.001–0.24% and that in the capsule from 0.02 to 1.05%. On average basis morphine content in the capsule husk was more than 9-fold higher than the peduncle straw. The plant morphine yields from peduncles and capsules ranged between 1.2 and 28.6 mg plant^-1. Four accessions yielded more than 20 mg of morphine plant^-1. Among these, in one of the accessions about 13% of the morphine was contributed by the peduncle. The plants of high morphine yielding accessions were generally small in height, and bore white flowers and large sized ungrooved capsules with a small number of seeds, on a large peduncle.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Calotropis procera flowers against paracetamol-induced hepatic injury in rats

Hydro-ethanolic extract (70%) of Calotropis procera flowers was prepared and tested for its hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatitis in rats. Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin, cholesterol, HDL and tissue GSH were tested in both treated and untreated groups. Paracetamol (2 g/kg) has enhanced the SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin and cholesterol levels and reduced the serum levels of HDL and tissue level of GSH. Treatment with hydro-ethanolic extract of C. procera flowers (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) has brought back the altered levels of biochemical markers to the near normal levels in the dose dependent manner.     

Optimizing Koi Carp,Cyprinus carpio var. Koi (Linnaeus, 1758), Stocking Density and Nutrient Recycling With Spinach in an Aquaponic System

Fish waste water nutrient recycling in an aquaponic system was studied under different stocking densities of Koi Carp, Cyprinus carpio var. koi, along with spinach, Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis. Fish growth performance, plant growth, nutrient dynamics, and nutrient removal and their dependence on different stocking densities, namely 1.4, 2.1, and 2.8, were observed, of the different combinations, fish stocked at 1.4 kg/m³ had the best growth. Percent nutrient removal (NO₃–N, PO₄–P, and K) was significantly higher at 1.4 kg/m³. Thus, 1.4 kg/m³ stocking density can be suggested as optimum for Koi Carp production in spinach aquaponic systems.     

Underutilized and unexploited fruits of Indo-Burma hot spot,Meghalaya, north-east India: ethno-medicinal evaluation,socio-economic importance and conservation strategies

An attempt has been made during 2012–2014 at to enumerate the ethno-medicinal evaluation and socio-economic importance of underutilized and unexploited fruits among the Garo tribe of west Garo hills district, Meghalaya, north-east India. The study was based on extensive field surveys, sample collection and interviews with the traditional healers as well as old aged men and women and survey in rural markets regarding their market demand, price and season of availability. Altogether 66 underutilized and unexploited fruits belonging to 34 families have been enumerated in this paper. The documented fruits were mostly used by the rural people to cure a number of ailments. In addition, these fruits also have socio-economic importance in the rural life of the tribal people like use as constructional timbers, firewood, charcoal, fodder, making dye, yielding oil and a number of value added products. Although, these fruits play an important role in the social and cultural life of Garo people, but these valuable species have been vanishing at very faster rate due to lack of proper documentation. Therefore, the claimed therapeutic values of these species are to be critically studied to establish their safety and effectiveness and both in situ and ex situ conservation measures should be immediately undertaken to safeguard the valuable indigenous rural resources of the world.     

Growth Parameters,Leaf Characteristics and Nutrient Status of Banana as Influenced by Organics,Biofertilizers and Bioagents

Nutrients play an important role in improving productivity and quality of banana. It has been observed that the nutrient applied alone was less effective in improving banana production as compared to nutrients applied in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers. Keeping in view the conservation of soil health and quality production on a long-term basis, a field experiment was conducted during 2009–2011 to find out the influence of Integrated Nutrient Management of banana on leaf characteristics, growth and nutrient status of tissue cultured banana cv. ‘Grand Naine’. The study indicates that combination of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, biofertilizers and bioagents significantly increased growth parameters, leaf characteristics, and leaf nutrient status of banana. The leaf characteristics in terms of functional leaves, total number of leaves, phyllochron, leaf area, and leaf area index were significantly influenced by the combination of inorganic fertilizers with different biofertilizers and organic manures. Similarly, leaf nutrient status like nitrogen, phosphorus pentoxide_, (P₂O₅), potassium dioxide (K₂O), and leaf relative water content were also influenced greatly by different nutrients. Treatment involving combination of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) + Azospirillum+ Trichoderma harzianum showed overall superiority in most of the parameters.     

Removal of Cu and Cd from water by Bacopa monnieri L.

Copper and Cd accumulation was determined in Bacopa monnieri, a common aquatic plant. Plants showed a capability to accumulate both metals in single and mixed metal treatments. Copper accumulation was stimulated by the presence of Cd whereas uptake of Cd was inhibited by Cu. The plants showed high concentration factors for both metals. The results suggest the possibility of using this plant for mitigating Cu and Cd pollution in the aquatic environment.