Characterizing the Economic Value and Impacts of Wild Pig Damage on a Rural Economy

Wild pigs are a free-ranging invasive species capable of inflicting significant damage on rural property. Wildlife management personnel may benefit from understanding the negative societal impact of wild pigs. A statewide mail survey of randomly selected landowners was conducted in rural Tennessee counties known to have wild pigs. The economic value of damage caused by wild pigs in 2015 in these counties was estimated at $26.22 million, whereas the cost incurred in control and eradication was $2.09 million. Input-output modeling of damage in these counties on the state’s economy showed $32.8 million in lost industrial output, $4.6 million in lost labor income, and 332 jobs or job equivalents affected. Findings are useful in understanding the types of damage, and the extent of these impacts on the rural economy. They could also facilitate comparing the expected benefit with the cost of control programs in Tennessee and comparable areas facing similar invasions from wild pigs.     

Effect of short term exposure of fenvalerate on biochemical and haematological responses in Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

Experiment was carried out to determine the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of fenvalerate to Labeo rohita fingerlings. After determining the LC₅₀ value of fenvalerate, a sub-lethal concentration (1/3rd of LC₅₀) of fenvalerate was exposed for 15 days. Significant alterations in SOD (P < 0.05) activity of liver and gill was observed due to fenvalerate. Catalase activity in gills of fishes was also affected significantly (P < 0.05). WBC, NBT and Hct values were reduced significantly in fenvalerate exposed fishes as compared to control group, whereas blood glucose level showed higher values in fenvalerate exposed group. Serum total protein and albumin were also reduced significantly as a result of fenvalerate exposure. Significant increase in the serum GOT, serum GPT, creatinine, triglyceride and serum ACP was noticed after 15 days of fenvalerate exposure. Results indicated that short term exposure of fenvalerate can induce biochemical and haematological alterations causing stress to L. rohita fingerlings.     

Assessment of phytochemical and genetic diversity analysis of Plumbago zeylanica L. accessions

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Selection of elite accessions is important to get the maximum quantity of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. In this study, thirteen accessions...     

Impact of the use of biofertilizers on cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) crop under irrigated agro-ecosystem

High nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing, phytohormones producing isolates of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter and Pseudomonas were used as inoculants for cotton. Important cultures were selected on the basis of their effect on root/shoot length and chemotactic behaviour. Selected bioinoculants were earlier tested for their beneficial properties like nitrogen fixation (ARA), ammonia excretion, IAA production etc. These bio-inoculants were further tested for phosphate solubilization property. Various chosen strains were tested with Desi (HD 123) and American (H 1098) cotton under field conditions (as for wheat). Plant height and boll weight were determined at the time of harvesting whereas survival rate of inoculated bacteria was determined after 30, 80 and 130 days respectively. In the year 2000–01, on the basis of boll number and boll weight plant^?1 AVK 51 (36; 76.2?g plant^?1), HT 57 (27; 56.9?g plant^?1), AC18 (33; 61.5?g plant^?1), Ala 27 (36; 61.4?g plant^?1) and Pseudomonas (34; 71.3?g plant^?1) were identified as significant both for American and desi cotton varieties. Highest survival rate was observed with Mac 68 (33.4 × 10⁵) followed by HT54 (31.5 × 10⁵) after 30 days of sowing, which decreased after 80 days and remained constant up to 130 days. This trend was observed with all the cultures. Similar results were observed in 2001–02. 25?kg ha^?1 N saving was observed with A. chroococcum (AVK51) bioinoculant for cotton crop.     

Effect of Benzyladenine on Transpiration, Water Potential and its Components in Genotypes of Wheat Contrasting in Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars of wheat, C-306 and Kalyan sona, growing under non-stressed and water-stressed conditions, were sprayed with benzyladenine (BA) at 70 days after sowing (DAS). Observations recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days after spraying revealed that BA increased the rate of transpiration (TR) in C-306 under non-stressed conditions. However, under water stress, the increase was significant only after 5 days of BA spraying. In Kalyan sona BA treatment either decreased TR or did not exhibit significant increase under non-stressed conditions, but caused significant increase in TR under water stress. The increase in TR was elicited through enhanced stomatal opening. Water potential, osmotic potential and pressure potential of both genotypes decreased on account of water stress. The effect of BA was not perceptible on restoration of leaf water potential (LWP) or its components. The effect of BA was possibly confined to stomatal behaviour and transpiration.     

‘Ladakhi tea’ <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bidens pilosa</Emphasis> L. (Asteraceae): a cultivated species in the cold desert of Ladakh Himalaya,India

Bidens pilosa L., a less-known cultivated tea species was collected from cold desert of Ladakh Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India during 2004. The freshly harvested leaves are used in preparation of ‘Ladakhi tea’ locally known as ‘Saja’ or ‘Soljaa’ in cold desert of Ladakh Himalaya, Western Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir. The local inhabitants were growing this species in their kitchen garden for this use. In the present communication, the method of preparation of this beverage is also discussed.