In a pot culture (2011), aerosols of oxidized nitrogen (NaNO2) @20kgha-1yr-1 (≈200 ppm), reduced nitrogen (NH4Cl) @10kg-1hayr-1 (≈100 ppm) and distilled water (control) were sprayed (1500 cm3plant-1) weekly at different days after sowing (DAS) to study their impacts on physiology of rice varieties (Bishnuprasad, Kanaklata, Joymati, Jyotiprasad and Mulagavaru). In a field trial (2012), the simulated N-aerosols @ 20 & 40 kg ha-1y-1 of each (1000 cm3m-2) along with a control were misted to population of the rice variety, Kanaklata at four different growth stages viz., germination and tillering (0-30 DAS), maximum tillering, (30-60 DAS), panicle initiation (60-90 DAS) and reproductive development (90-120 DAS). In both pot and field experiments, the N- aerosols brought about wide differences in net photosynthesis rates, nitrate reductase activity, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), membrane permeability in the crop. The aerosols with lower doses at earlier growth stages influenced NUE and economic yield of the crop varieties. Mechanisms of altering membrane permeability either by depletion of Ca2+, or acceleration of peroxidase activity of cell in presence of the aerosols have been elucidated.
Effect of Temperature and Moisture on Degradation of Herbicide Atrazine in Ag...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Degradation rate and degraded products, deethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and atrazine-2-hydroxy (HA), of herbicide atrazine in agricultural soil were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. When treating soils for 60d at 25°C, the degradation rate of atrazine increased with the moisture from 5 to 20%. The degradation was fitted one-order kinetic equation and degradation rate constant (k) and Half-life (T1/2) were obtained. T1/2 decreased by 3–4 folds with the increasing temperature from 5 to 35°C and moisture from 5 to 20%. The species and content of the degraded products increased with the temperature and moisture. When treating soil for 60d, the sum content of three degraded products, DEA, DIA and HA is 3–6.8 times greater than atrazine residue. An updated metabolism pathway of atrazine in soil was presented.
Effect of Earthworms on Distillery Effluent Treatment through VermifiltrationIJERA Editor
Distillery is an important sub-unit of sugar production industry. Distillery wastewater generated from different
stages of sugar and ethanol production contains huge amount of pollutants that are very harmful to the
environment if released without proper treatment. The present paper describes the application of vermiculture
based wastewater technology with the primary objective of converting liquid effluent into eco-friendly safe
water. Vermifiltration of wastewater using waste eater earthworms is a newly conceived novel technology. The
BOD, COD, TSS and TDS decreased by 90%, 94%, 88% and 82% respectively through vermifiltration.
Controlled environment system and method for rapid propagation of saba banana...Innspub Net
Conventional propagation practices of banana challenge the production of disease-free planting materials. This study evaluates the use of misting system and different plant growth enhancers, Benzyl Amino Purine at 2mg/l and Napthalene Acetic Acid at 0.93g/L, on plantlet development of Saba banana (Musa balbisiana) macropropagated under glasshouse conditions. A total of 36 corms are equally distributed in three propagators. Four growth parameters are observed and analysed using factorial in Completely Randomized Design in first generation plantlets (GP1) and second generation plantlets (GP2). Results show that the use of misting system significantly increased (p<0.01) all the growth parameters tested during the first and second cycles. The growth enhancers significantly shortened the number of days to emergence (p<0.01), (GP1, GP2) and increased the number of shoots emerged (p<0.01) (GP1, GP2), shoot collar diameter (p<0.01) (GP1) (p<0.05) (GP2), and total leaf area (p<0.05) (GP1) (p<0.01) (GP2). The interaction of the two factors has significantly shortened the number of days to emergence (P ≤ 0.05), produced the most number of shoots (P ≤ 0.01) and the largest total leaf area (P ≤ 0.05) in GP2. The findings suggest that the combined use of misting system and plant growth enhancers accelerates the growth of macropropagated Saba banana.
Effect of Temperature and Moisture on Degradation of Herbicide Atrazine in Ag...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Degradation rate and degraded products, deethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and atrazine-2-hydroxy (HA), of herbicide atrazine in agricultural soil were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. When treating soils for 60d at 25°C, the degradation rate of atrazine increased with the moisture from 5 to 20%. The degradation was fitted one-order kinetic equation and degradation rate constant (k) and Half-life (T1/2) were obtained. T1/2 decreased by 3–4 folds with the increasing temperature from 5 to 35°C and moisture from 5 to 20%. The species and content of the degraded products increased with the temperature and moisture. When treating soil for 60d, the sum content of three degraded products, DEA, DIA and HA is 3–6.8 times greater than atrazine residue. An updated metabolism pathway of atrazine in soil was presented.
Effect of Earthworms on Distillery Effluent Treatment through VermifiltrationIJERA Editor
Distillery is an important sub-unit of sugar production industry. Distillery wastewater generated from different
stages of sugar and ethanol production contains huge amount of pollutants that are very harmful to the
environment if released without proper treatment. The present paper describes the application of vermiculture
based wastewater technology with the primary objective of converting liquid effluent into eco-friendly safe
water. Vermifiltration of wastewater using waste eater earthworms is a newly conceived novel technology. The
BOD, COD, TSS and TDS decreased by 90%, 94%, 88% and 82% respectively through vermifiltration.
Controlled environment system and method for rapid propagation of saba banana...Innspub Net
Conventional propagation practices of banana challenge the production of disease-free planting materials. This study evaluates the use of misting system and different plant growth enhancers, Benzyl Amino Purine at 2mg/l and Napthalene Acetic Acid at 0.93g/L, on plantlet development of Saba banana (Musa balbisiana) macropropagated under glasshouse conditions. A total of 36 corms are equally distributed in three propagators. Four growth parameters are observed and analysed using factorial in Completely Randomized Design in first generation plantlets (GP1) and second generation plantlets (GP2). Results show that the use of misting system significantly increased (p<0.01) all the growth parameters tested during the first and second cycles. The growth enhancers significantly shortened the number of days to emergence (p<0.01), (GP1, GP2) and increased the number of shoots emerged (p<0.01) (GP1, GP2), shoot collar diameter (p<0.01) (GP1) (p<0.05) (GP2), and total leaf area (p<0.05) (GP1) (p<0.01) (GP2). The interaction of the two factors has significantly shortened the number of days to emergence (P ≤ 0.05), produced the most number of shoots (P ≤ 0.01) and the largest total leaf area (P ≤ 0.05) in GP2. The findings suggest that the combined use of misting system and plant growth enhancers accelerates the growth of macropropagated Saba banana.
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of computer science and electronics. IJESI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Engineering Science and Technology, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
Photodegradation of Hexythiaz ox in Different Solvent Systems under the Influ...Dr. Sudeb Mandal
The photodegradation of the carboxamide acaricide hexythiazox in three different solvent systems (aqueous
methanolic, aqueous isopropanolic, and aqueous acetonitrilic solutions) in the presence of H2O2, KNO3, and TiO2 under ultraviolet
(UV) light (λmax g 250 nm) and sunlight (λmax g 290 nm) has been assessed in this work. The kinetics of photodecomposition of
hexythiazox and the identification of photoproducts were carried out using liquid chromatographymass spectrometry. The rate of
photodecomposition of hexythiazox in different solvents followed first-order kinetics in both UV radiation and natural sunlight, and
the degradation rates were faster under UV light than under sunlight. Hexythiazox was found to be more efficiently photodegraded
in the presence of TiO2 than in the presence of H2O2 and KNO3. Two major photoproducts were separated in pure form using
column chromatography and identified according to IR, 1H NMR, and mass spectral information as cyclohexylamine and 5-(4-
chlorophenyl)-4-methylthiazolidin-2-one. Another nine photoproducts were identified according to LC-MS/MS spectral information. The plausible photodegradation pathways of hexythiazox were proposed according to the structures of the photoproducts
Pharmacological activity of the methanolic extract of sea urchins against esc...Innspub Net
This study elucidated the pharmacological potential of sea urchins using methanol as extracting medium. The antibacterial potential was evaluated using the paper disc method and zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was measured. Antioxidant properties of sea urchins were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Three species of sea urchin randomly collected along the intertidal zone of Diguisit, Baler Aurora were identified using diagnostic keys by the National Museum of the Philippines and they were identified as follows; Echinothrix diadema, Echinometra mathaei, and Echinometra oblonga. E. diadema recorded the highest diameter zone of inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus after 24 hours of incubation with 11.03 ± 1.75mm and 13.52 ± 1.13mm respectively while E. mathaei only inhibited S. aureus with zone of inhibition of 9.27 ± 2.06mm in 24 hours of incubation as well. As the zone of inhibition prolongs, the zone of inhibition decreases as observed in 48 hours of incubation. E. oblonga did not show inhibitoy effect, however it recorded the highest radical scavenging activity with 64.46% among the three species of sea urchins. This was followed by E. mathaei (51.52%) and E. diadema (37.38%). All collected species manifested antioxidant potential. Based on the results, the collected species of sea urchins has a pharmacological potential.
ABSTRACT- The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro antioxidant activity and anti-bacterial activity of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate
and methanol extract obtained from the whole part of Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss (Asteraceae). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of these extracts
were determined as gallic acid and rutin equivalents, respectively. Total antioxidant activity, reducing power of these extract were evaluated as ascorbic
acid and gallic acid equivalents, respectively. ABTS free radical scavenging activity is expressed as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity
(TEAC). The antibacterial activity of the extract was investigated by disc diffusion method. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed moderate
activity against E. coli and S. aureus.
Key words: Jurinea dolomiaea; Total phenolic; Total flavonoid; Total antioxidant; Free radical scavenging activity; Antibacterial activity.
Screening and acclimation of efficient simultaneous nitrification and denitri...IJERA Editor
Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) bacteria can complete nitrification and denitrification processes under aerobic conditions simultaneously, which has some obvious advantages in comparison with traditional method for nitrogen removal, such as reducing energy consumption and construction cost. Three SND bacteria strains, YX3, YX4 and YX6 were isolated from a polluted river and identified as Pseudomonas spp. by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequencing. After cultivated in liquid heterotrophic ammoniation medium at 30°C by shaking at 150 rpm for 3 d, the NH4+-N removal rates of strains YX3,YX4 and YX6 were 93.50%, 91.50% and 91.00%, respectively; and the total nitrogen removal rates of YX3, YX4 and YX6 were reached 85.75%, 87.33% and 90.46%, respectively. The NO3--N removal rates of strains YX3, YX4 and YX6 were 87.24%, 89.88% and 88.73%, respectively, after cultivated in liquid denitrification medium at 30°C by shaking at 150 rpm for 3 d. These results show that all these strains were capable of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. When strains YX3, YX4 and YX6 were faced to high ammonia pharmaceutical wastewater, NH4+-N concentrations decreased from 500±78.47 to 238.14±63.77mg/L, 155.82±79.95 mg/L and 214.62±92.69 mg/L, respectively, after cultured at 150 rpm and 30°C for 3 d. After four months of acclimation, the NH4+-N remove rates were improved significantly under the same culture conditions and the NH4+-N concentrations decreased linearly from 500±81.79 to 151.9±88.70mg/L, 94.73±58.66 mg/L and 114.49±56.84 mg/L of strains YX3, YX4 and YX6, respectively. All the strains showed rather steady features in bio-denitrification of high ammonia pharmaceutical wastewater after acclimation under laboratory conditions. This suggests that all the three strains have great application potential in high ammonia nitrogen pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.
Potential of Secondary Metabolites Isolated From Clausena dentata in Endosulf...iosrjce
In recent times the usage of plant secondary metabolites for degradation of pesticide is cheaper and
safer to environment. The present paper mainly focused on isolation of secondary metabolites from Clausena
dentata and its degradation potential of endosulfan pesticide. The significant degradation was found in
saponins for both 1000 and 2000 µg/ml concentration of endosulfan with 1 and 2 ml of secondary metabolites
with corresponding P value =< 0.0001. Amongst all secondary metabolites the saponins and terpenoids are
degrade endosulfan efficiently.
Abstract— Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2014 and 2015 with curry leaf variety Suwasini to study the dissipation pattern of carbendazim 50 EC at 500 g a.i. ha-1 and cypermethrin 10 % EC @ 50 g a i/ha (550 ml/ha) 1 by giving two sprays first at vegetative stage and second 10 days later. The leaf samples collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 45th day after second spray and soil samples at 45th day for residue analysis showed initial deposits of carbendazim 16.00 mg kg-1 and Cypermetrin 13.09 mg kg-1 which ,dissipated to 0.04 mg kg -1 and 0. 28 mg kg – 1 respectively. The residues reached to Below Determination Level (BDL) at 20 and 10 days, respectively. As there were no pesticide recommendations and MRLs fixed for any of the pesticide in curry leaf, the day at which residues reached BDL can be suggested as the safe harvest period for curry leaf.
Triclosan Persistence in Environment and Its Potential Toxic Effects on AlgaeAJASTJournal
Triclosan (TCS) is widely used as an antibacterial agent in various industrial products, such as textile goods, soap, shampoo, liquid toothpaste and cosmetics, and often detected in wastewater effluent. Triclosan is highly toxic to aquatic animals, and is particularly highly toxic to the algae, which was used as a test organism in this study. Algae represent the first nutritional base on the aquatic food chain due to their ability to synthesize organic molecules using sunlight and carbon dioxide. Thus, the cultivation of algae has been an integral part for the production of commercially important species on aquaculture. This has been the reason to make great efforts in order to understand effect of triclosan to natural periphyton communities (algae). However, there is a paucity of data on the toxicity of triclosan and its effects on aquatic organisms. In this study, the toxicity of triclosan to a microalga was examined. The present investigation showed that “chlorophyll a” pigment in control algae was 5.92 mg/L and it decreased, when algae was treated with different concentration of triclosan (10-50 ppm). The study revealed that, as the concentration of triclosan increased then algae growth declined. It was observed that conductivity also increased because of decreased “chlorophyll a” and decreased phytoplankton levels. This result indicates that triclosan exerts a marked influence on algae, which are important organisms being the first-step producers in the ecosystem; therefore, the possible destruction of the balance of the ecosystem is expected if triclosan is discharged into the environment at high levels. The bioaccumulation of TCS in human impregnation from foodstuff exposure (in particular fish) and likely risk for human population also.
Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions by Nitrated biomass of Cicer...IOSR Journals
Investigation of removal of methylene blue by nitrated biomass of Cicer arientinum is conducted in batch conditions. The effect of different parameters such as contact time, sorbent dose, pH and temperature has been studied. Adsorption kinetic modeling data were found out. The kinetics of biosorption results shows that sorption process is well explained by pseudo–second order model with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for sorbent under all experimental conditions. The value Kp is found to be 0.652 to 2.43 for initial and final concentrations. Thermodynamic parameter via KD, ΔG has also been calculated to determine the spontaneity of the process. The low value of activation energy indicates that sorption is an activated and physical process. The Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion model show liquid-film, mass transfer is effective sorption mechanism. Thus nitrated biomass of Cicer areintinum is a low cost and easily available efficiently used as an excellent sorbent for the removal of MB+ from wastewater. It can be safely concluded that biomass of Cicer arientinum is much economical effectual, viable and can be an alternative to more costly adsorbents.
Effect of some cover crops and their secondary metabolites on nitrous oxide (...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract—Using a Pseudomonas denitrifying bacterium, which had been isolated from Japanese Andisol corn farm as an active nitrous oxide (N2O) emitter and likely to be missing nosZ gene, we investigated denitrification-regulating activity of some cover crops or green manure plants against this N2O emitter. In the preliminary screening, root exudates from the 10 seedlings of yellow flowering leaf mustard (Brassica juncea) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) showed 50% repression of the N2O emission by an incomplete denitrifier Pseudomonas sp. 05CFM15-6D. When direct extracts of the seedling roots with MeOH were assayed, however, only the seedlings of B. juncea showed a remarkable inhibition of bacterial cell growth and N2O emission at concentration equivalent to 10 seedlings. The root extract from B. juncea equivalent to 2 to 4 seedlings maintained inhibiting activity toward N2O emission, while it did not affect bacterial cell growth. Conversely, water-soluble fraction from aboveground of European small radish (Raphanus sativus var. sativus) sprouts showed statistically significant acceleration of N2O emission (P<0.01) with slight but insignificant cell growth activation. As some secondary metabolites are uniquely contained in these cover crops, suppressing or accelerating activity of such phytochemicals in N2O emission was also investigated. Allyl isothiocyanate at 30 µM markedly inhibited N2O emission of the Pseudomonas denitrifier but not suppressed its cell growth. In contrast, methyl isothiocyanate sinigrin, cyanamide, and betanin did not affect on N2O emission of the denitrifier at 150-300 µM.
Reduction in Growth and Biological Pigments Present In Partheniumpaperpublications3
Abstract: Parthenium hysterophorus is a well-known weed with numerous harmful impacts. During the present work, aqueous leaf extract of Alstonia scholaris was found allelopathic to the seeds and seedlings of the target weed in laboratory conditions. The allelopathic leaf extract was also found effective against the biological pigments like Chlorophyll a and b followed by protein. Various biochemical tests were performed by which the presence of alcohols, aldehydes and ketones was confirmed in the aqueous allelopathic leaf extract.
Bioadsorption is a form of environmental clean-up which involves the use of plant biomass. In the present study, the seedling of Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] were treated with various concentrations of match and plate making industrial effluents (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%). Both the effluents cause stress to the plant. The effluents caused a drastic reduction in morphometric, pigment and other biochemical characters. But same effluents after seaweed treatment have bought about considerable increase in morphometric and biochemical characteristics of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. Seaweed dry powder used in this study is found to be nullifying the toxicity of the effluents. From this investigation, it is clear that the naturally occurring green macro algae possess an excellent adsorption capacity.
Article Citation:
Selvaraj K, Sevugaperumal R and Ramasubramanian V.
Bioadsorbent: To clean industrial effluents by seaweeds.
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(1): 167-176.
Full Text:
http://www.plantsciences.co.in/documents/PS0045.pdf
Some Natural Herbs in India and Their Effectiveness in Water Purificationinventy
In Ayurveda from ancient time Ocimum Sanctum, AzardirachtaIndica, TriticumAestivum, PhyllanthusEmblica, StrychnosPotatorum etc. natural herbs areproved tobe very useful medicines. Inthe present study effectiveness of these herbs in water purification because of their antibacterial activity is studied.Leaves and fruits of these herbs were dried, extracted and activity was tested by Disc Diffusion Method (Kirby-Bauer Method). In all these herbs maximum removal of E.coli was found at maximum 1% onwards.From the percentage removal of E.coli Ocimum Sanctum was found most effective. 82.15% removal of E.coli was observed for 1% and onward concentration of Ocimum Sanctum
An Experimental Investigation on Treatment of Tannery Effluent Using Azadirac...IJEAB
A preliminary investigation was carried out for the feasibile use of Azadirachta indica leafs powder as a natural coagulant to the treatment of tannery effluent. In this paper, Azadirachta indica leafs powder of 1, 2, 3 and 4mg/L dosages were used. Floc formation in coagulation process had been studied in the laboratory scale to determine the optimum dosage of natural coagulant. The above dosages were used in pre-treated tannery effluent with coagulants were considered to evaluate the percentage removal efficiency on the major pollutants of concern in in tannery effluent such as turbidity, TSS, TDS, COD and BOD. From the observed results, dosage of 3 mg/L gives better removal efficiencies with respect to turbidity, TSS, TDS, COD and BOD and appears to be suitable for tannery effluent treatment, when compared with other dosages.
Abstract— To understand the responses of various soybean (Glycine max) cultivars to ultraviolet-B, Dongnong 42, Zhonghuang 57 and Jin 36 were cultured either under UV-B radiation (10.08 kJ / m-2 UV-B) or without UV-B for 25 days. Under UV-B irradiation, significant difference were observed in plant height, nodes length, contents of soluble sugar, proline, protein, flavionoids, GSH, ASA, relative content of anthocyanins, also the emzymes activities of APX ,SOD and GR. The lowest plant height was presented in Jin 36, followed Zhonghuang 57 and Dongnong 42. The node length of plant decreased from the first node to the fourth one, and the maximal reduction was observed in Jin 36. Contents of protein, flavionoids, GSH, ASA and anthocyanins as well as emzyme activities of APX, SOD and GR significantly increased under UV-B irradiation where content of protein and activities of emzyme APX, SOD and GR were higher in Zhonghuang 57 than those in Dongnong 42 and Jin 36; higher GSH, ASA, flavonoids, as well as the anthocyanins were showed in Donghong 42. Increased proline content was observed in the three cultivars upon UV-B (p<0.05)>Dongnong 42 > Jin36; for the soluble sugar content, the order was Zhongnong 57>Jin 36>Dongnong 42 (p<0.05). Various soybean cultivars showed varied physiological responses upon UV-B.
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of computer science and electronics. IJESI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Engineering Science and Technology, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
Photodegradation of Hexythiaz ox in Different Solvent Systems under the Influ...Dr. Sudeb Mandal
The photodegradation of the carboxamide acaricide hexythiazox in three different solvent systems (aqueous
methanolic, aqueous isopropanolic, and aqueous acetonitrilic solutions) in the presence of H2O2, KNO3, and TiO2 under ultraviolet
(UV) light (λmax g 250 nm) and sunlight (λmax g 290 nm) has been assessed in this work. The kinetics of photodecomposition of
hexythiazox and the identification of photoproducts were carried out using liquid chromatographymass spectrometry. The rate of
photodecomposition of hexythiazox in different solvents followed first-order kinetics in both UV radiation and natural sunlight, and
the degradation rates were faster under UV light than under sunlight. Hexythiazox was found to be more efficiently photodegraded
in the presence of TiO2 than in the presence of H2O2 and KNO3. Two major photoproducts were separated in pure form using
column chromatography and identified according to IR, 1H NMR, and mass spectral information as cyclohexylamine and 5-(4-
chlorophenyl)-4-methylthiazolidin-2-one. Another nine photoproducts were identified according to LC-MS/MS spectral information. The plausible photodegradation pathways of hexythiazox were proposed according to the structures of the photoproducts
Pharmacological activity of the methanolic extract of sea urchins against esc...Innspub Net
This study elucidated the pharmacological potential of sea urchins using methanol as extracting medium. The antibacterial potential was evaluated using the paper disc method and zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was measured. Antioxidant properties of sea urchins were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Three species of sea urchin randomly collected along the intertidal zone of Diguisit, Baler Aurora were identified using diagnostic keys by the National Museum of the Philippines and they were identified as follows; Echinothrix diadema, Echinometra mathaei, and Echinometra oblonga. E. diadema recorded the highest diameter zone of inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus after 24 hours of incubation with 11.03 ± 1.75mm and 13.52 ± 1.13mm respectively while E. mathaei only inhibited S. aureus with zone of inhibition of 9.27 ± 2.06mm in 24 hours of incubation as well. As the zone of inhibition prolongs, the zone of inhibition decreases as observed in 48 hours of incubation. E. oblonga did not show inhibitoy effect, however it recorded the highest radical scavenging activity with 64.46% among the three species of sea urchins. This was followed by E. mathaei (51.52%) and E. diadema (37.38%). All collected species manifested antioxidant potential. Based on the results, the collected species of sea urchins has a pharmacological potential.
ABSTRACT- The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro antioxidant activity and anti-bacterial activity of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate
and methanol extract obtained from the whole part of Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss (Asteraceae). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of these extracts
were determined as gallic acid and rutin equivalents, respectively. Total antioxidant activity, reducing power of these extract were evaluated as ascorbic
acid and gallic acid equivalents, respectively. ABTS free radical scavenging activity is expressed as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity
(TEAC). The antibacterial activity of the extract was investigated by disc diffusion method. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed moderate
activity against E. coli and S. aureus.
Key words: Jurinea dolomiaea; Total phenolic; Total flavonoid; Total antioxidant; Free radical scavenging activity; Antibacterial activity.
Screening and acclimation of efficient simultaneous nitrification and denitri...IJERA Editor
Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) bacteria can complete nitrification and denitrification processes under aerobic conditions simultaneously, which has some obvious advantages in comparison with traditional method for nitrogen removal, such as reducing energy consumption and construction cost. Three SND bacteria strains, YX3, YX4 and YX6 were isolated from a polluted river and identified as Pseudomonas spp. by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequencing. After cultivated in liquid heterotrophic ammoniation medium at 30°C by shaking at 150 rpm for 3 d, the NH4+-N removal rates of strains YX3,YX4 and YX6 were 93.50%, 91.50% and 91.00%, respectively; and the total nitrogen removal rates of YX3, YX4 and YX6 were reached 85.75%, 87.33% and 90.46%, respectively. The NO3--N removal rates of strains YX3, YX4 and YX6 were 87.24%, 89.88% and 88.73%, respectively, after cultivated in liquid denitrification medium at 30°C by shaking at 150 rpm for 3 d. These results show that all these strains were capable of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. When strains YX3, YX4 and YX6 were faced to high ammonia pharmaceutical wastewater, NH4+-N concentrations decreased from 500±78.47 to 238.14±63.77mg/L, 155.82±79.95 mg/L and 214.62±92.69 mg/L, respectively, after cultured at 150 rpm and 30°C for 3 d. After four months of acclimation, the NH4+-N remove rates were improved significantly under the same culture conditions and the NH4+-N concentrations decreased linearly from 500±81.79 to 151.9±88.70mg/L, 94.73±58.66 mg/L and 114.49±56.84 mg/L of strains YX3, YX4 and YX6, respectively. All the strains showed rather steady features in bio-denitrification of high ammonia pharmaceutical wastewater after acclimation under laboratory conditions. This suggests that all the three strains have great application potential in high ammonia nitrogen pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.
Potential of Secondary Metabolites Isolated From Clausena dentata in Endosulf...iosrjce
In recent times the usage of plant secondary metabolites for degradation of pesticide is cheaper and
safer to environment. The present paper mainly focused on isolation of secondary metabolites from Clausena
dentata and its degradation potential of endosulfan pesticide. The significant degradation was found in
saponins for both 1000 and 2000 µg/ml concentration of endosulfan with 1 and 2 ml of secondary metabolites
with corresponding P value =< 0.0001. Amongst all secondary metabolites the saponins and terpenoids are
degrade endosulfan efficiently.
Abstract— Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2014 and 2015 with curry leaf variety Suwasini to study the dissipation pattern of carbendazim 50 EC at 500 g a.i. ha-1 and cypermethrin 10 % EC @ 50 g a i/ha (550 ml/ha) 1 by giving two sprays first at vegetative stage and second 10 days later. The leaf samples collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 45th day after second spray and soil samples at 45th day for residue analysis showed initial deposits of carbendazim 16.00 mg kg-1 and Cypermetrin 13.09 mg kg-1 which ,dissipated to 0.04 mg kg -1 and 0. 28 mg kg – 1 respectively. The residues reached to Below Determination Level (BDL) at 20 and 10 days, respectively. As there were no pesticide recommendations and MRLs fixed for any of the pesticide in curry leaf, the day at which residues reached BDL can be suggested as the safe harvest period for curry leaf.
Triclosan Persistence in Environment and Its Potential Toxic Effects on AlgaeAJASTJournal
Triclosan (TCS) is widely used as an antibacterial agent in various industrial products, such as textile goods, soap, shampoo, liquid toothpaste and cosmetics, and often detected in wastewater effluent. Triclosan is highly toxic to aquatic animals, and is particularly highly toxic to the algae, which was used as a test organism in this study. Algae represent the first nutritional base on the aquatic food chain due to their ability to synthesize organic molecules using sunlight and carbon dioxide. Thus, the cultivation of algae has been an integral part for the production of commercially important species on aquaculture. This has been the reason to make great efforts in order to understand effect of triclosan to natural periphyton communities (algae). However, there is a paucity of data on the toxicity of triclosan and its effects on aquatic organisms. In this study, the toxicity of triclosan to a microalga was examined. The present investigation showed that “chlorophyll a” pigment in control algae was 5.92 mg/L and it decreased, when algae was treated with different concentration of triclosan (10-50 ppm). The study revealed that, as the concentration of triclosan increased then algae growth declined. It was observed that conductivity also increased because of decreased “chlorophyll a” and decreased phytoplankton levels. This result indicates that triclosan exerts a marked influence on algae, which are important organisms being the first-step producers in the ecosystem; therefore, the possible destruction of the balance of the ecosystem is expected if triclosan is discharged into the environment at high levels. The bioaccumulation of TCS in human impregnation from foodstuff exposure (in particular fish) and likely risk for human population also.
Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions by Nitrated biomass of Cicer...IOSR Journals
Investigation of removal of methylene blue by nitrated biomass of Cicer arientinum is conducted in batch conditions. The effect of different parameters such as contact time, sorbent dose, pH and temperature has been studied. Adsorption kinetic modeling data were found out. The kinetics of biosorption results shows that sorption process is well explained by pseudo–second order model with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for sorbent under all experimental conditions. The value Kp is found to be 0.652 to 2.43 for initial and final concentrations. Thermodynamic parameter via KD, ΔG has also been calculated to determine the spontaneity of the process. The low value of activation energy indicates that sorption is an activated and physical process. The Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion model show liquid-film, mass transfer is effective sorption mechanism. Thus nitrated biomass of Cicer areintinum is a low cost and easily available efficiently used as an excellent sorbent for the removal of MB+ from wastewater. It can be safely concluded that biomass of Cicer arientinum is much economical effectual, viable and can be an alternative to more costly adsorbents.
Effect of some cover crops and their secondary metabolites on nitrous oxide (...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract—Using a Pseudomonas denitrifying bacterium, which had been isolated from Japanese Andisol corn farm as an active nitrous oxide (N2O) emitter and likely to be missing nosZ gene, we investigated denitrification-regulating activity of some cover crops or green manure plants against this N2O emitter. In the preliminary screening, root exudates from the 10 seedlings of yellow flowering leaf mustard (Brassica juncea) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) showed 50% repression of the N2O emission by an incomplete denitrifier Pseudomonas sp. 05CFM15-6D. When direct extracts of the seedling roots with MeOH were assayed, however, only the seedlings of B. juncea showed a remarkable inhibition of bacterial cell growth and N2O emission at concentration equivalent to 10 seedlings. The root extract from B. juncea equivalent to 2 to 4 seedlings maintained inhibiting activity toward N2O emission, while it did not affect bacterial cell growth. Conversely, water-soluble fraction from aboveground of European small radish (Raphanus sativus var. sativus) sprouts showed statistically significant acceleration of N2O emission (P<0.01) with slight but insignificant cell growth activation. As some secondary metabolites are uniquely contained in these cover crops, suppressing or accelerating activity of such phytochemicals in N2O emission was also investigated. Allyl isothiocyanate at 30 µM markedly inhibited N2O emission of the Pseudomonas denitrifier but not suppressed its cell growth. In contrast, methyl isothiocyanate sinigrin, cyanamide, and betanin did not affect on N2O emission of the denitrifier at 150-300 µM.
Reduction in Growth and Biological Pigments Present In Partheniumpaperpublications3
Abstract: Parthenium hysterophorus is a well-known weed with numerous harmful impacts. During the present work, aqueous leaf extract of Alstonia scholaris was found allelopathic to the seeds and seedlings of the target weed in laboratory conditions. The allelopathic leaf extract was also found effective against the biological pigments like Chlorophyll a and b followed by protein. Various biochemical tests were performed by which the presence of alcohols, aldehydes and ketones was confirmed in the aqueous allelopathic leaf extract.
Bioadsorption is a form of environmental clean-up which involves the use of plant biomass. In the present study, the seedling of Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] were treated with various concentrations of match and plate making industrial effluents (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%). Both the effluents cause stress to the plant. The effluents caused a drastic reduction in morphometric, pigment and other biochemical characters. But same effluents after seaweed treatment have bought about considerable increase in morphometric and biochemical characteristics of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. Seaweed dry powder used in this study is found to be nullifying the toxicity of the effluents. From this investigation, it is clear that the naturally occurring green macro algae possess an excellent adsorption capacity.
Article Citation:
Selvaraj K, Sevugaperumal R and Ramasubramanian V.
Bioadsorbent: To clean industrial effluents by seaweeds.
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(1): 167-176.
Full Text:
http://www.plantsciences.co.in/documents/PS0045.pdf
Some Natural Herbs in India and Their Effectiveness in Water Purificationinventy
In Ayurveda from ancient time Ocimum Sanctum, AzardirachtaIndica, TriticumAestivum, PhyllanthusEmblica, StrychnosPotatorum etc. natural herbs areproved tobe very useful medicines. Inthe present study effectiveness of these herbs in water purification because of their antibacterial activity is studied.Leaves and fruits of these herbs were dried, extracted and activity was tested by Disc Diffusion Method (Kirby-Bauer Method). In all these herbs maximum removal of E.coli was found at maximum 1% onwards.From the percentage removal of E.coli Ocimum Sanctum was found most effective. 82.15% removal of E.coli was observed for 1% and onward concentration of Ocimum Sanctum
An Experimental Investigation on Treatment of Tannery Effluent Using Azadirac...IJEAB
A preliminary investigation was carried out for the feasibile use of Azadirachta indica leafs powder as a natural coagulant to the treatment of tannery effluent. In this paper, Azadirachta indica leafs powder of 1, 2, 3 and 4mg/L dosages were used. Floc formation in coagulation process had been studied in the laboratory scale to determine the optimum dosage of natural coagulant. The above dosages were used in pre-treated tannery effluent with coagulants were considered to evaluate the percentage removal efficiency on the major pollutants of concern in in tannery effluent such as turbidity, TSS, TDS, COD and BOD. From the observed results, dosage of 3 mg/L gives better removal efficiencies with respect to turbidity, TSS, TDS, COD and BOD and appears to be suitable for tannery effluent treatment, when compared with other dosages.
Abstract— To understand the responses of various soybean (Glycine max) cultivars to ultraviolet-B, Dongnong 42, Zhonghuang 57 and Jin 36 were cultured either under UV-B radiation (10.08 kJ / m-2 UV-B) or without UV-B for 25 days. Under UV-B irradiation, significant difference were observed in plant height, nodes length, contents of soluble sugar, proline, protein, flavionoids, GSH, ASA, relative content of anthocyanins, also the emzymes activities of APX ,SOD and GR. The lowest plant height was presented in Jin 36, followed Zhonghuang 57 and Dongnong 42. The node length of plant decreased from the first node to the fourth one, and the maximal reduction was observed in Jin 36. Contents of protein, flavionoids, GSH, ASA and anthocyanins as well as emzyme activities of APX, SOD and GR significantly increased under UV-B irradiation where content of protein and activities of emzyme APX, SOD and GR were higher in Zhonghuang 57 than those in Dongnong 42 and Jin 36; higher GSH, ASA, flavonoids, as well as the anthocyanins were showed in Donghong 42. Increased proline content was observed in the three cultivars upon UV-B (p<0.05)>Dongnong 42 > Jin36; for the soluble sugar content, the order was Zhongnong 57>Jin 36>Dongnong 42 (p<0.05). Various soybean cultivars showed varied physiological responses upon UV-B.
Maintenance of market quality from quality loss is vital importance for the success of horticultural industry. After harvest, many horticultural products are susceptible to deterioration and it is necessary to cool them as quick as possible. The process of precooling is the removal of field heat which arrest the deteriorative and senescence processes so as to maintain a high level of quality that ensures customer satisfaction. Different precooling methods employed to cool down the produce includes room cooling, forced-air cooling, hydro-cooling, package icing, vacuum cooling and cryogenic cooling. These methods use different modes and media for their function. Room cooling and forced-air cooling use cold air, hydro-cooling makes use of cold water, package iced products have direct contact with ice, vacuum cooling employs the evaporation of water and cryogenic cooling involves liquid nitrogen. Fruits are normally cooled with cold air, although stone fruits benefit from hydrocooling, while vegetables and flowers may be cooled by employing any of the above-mentioned cooling methods, depending on the physiology and market requirements. So, it has been pointed out that precooling is the most important of all the operations used in the maintenance of any desirable, fresh and saleable produce.
Abstract— Pinus halepensis Mill., is a most common tree in the Mediterranean basin. In Tunisia, specifically Kroumirie, it is an excellence species. However, for several years, we assist a continual deterioration of this ecosystem type. Several factors are the origin for this degradation: insects and fungi attack, fire, aging populations, low regeneration and hardening climate. This degradation is further accentuated by installing careers around the pine forest. Our objective in this study was to identify the career dust influence on growth and productivity of Aleppo pine; through dendrochronological approach (tree rings study) and dendrometric approach (measurement of diameter, height and survival rate). Study is accomplished on two populations: a reference site ‘Charchara’ located away from mining and Oued el maaden site near a gravel extraction career. In addition, physical and chemical parameters are analysed on soil and water samples collected in the two sites. Results showed significant differences of parameters studied between stations both in dendrometric and dendrochronological parameters over time. Second, in physical and chemical parameters, a very high content on metals traces was found on soil and water in Oued el maaden site.
Abstract— The elasticities of substitution are derived from the optimal slack variables obtained from the additive models which are based on the DEA method. Measuring the substitutability of cereal production factors in the study area allows us to see the existence of substitutability between the land and other production factors as well as between mechanization and other inputs except the hands artwork. The estimated elasticities of substitution between irrigation water and other inputs allow us to conclude that the irrigation water and labor are substitutable.
First record of two spotted stink bug, Perillus bioculatus (Fab.) from Meerut...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Spotted stink bug, Perillus bioculatus female bug lays 25-30 rounded black eggs. Eggs hatch in 5-6 days. The 1st instar nymph lasts for 3.33 days (ranged 3-4 days), however the second instar nymphal period is completed in 3.67 days (ranged 3-4 days), while the 3rd instar takes 4 days (ranged 4 days). The 4th and final instars nymph lasts for 4.67 days (4-5 days), however adult period lasts 6.67 days (ranged 6-7 days). The P. bioculatus was found to complete its life cycle on an average in 22.33 days (ranged 20-24 days) in the laboratory. In a laboratory experiment on feeding potential of different stages of bug showed that a single bug consumed 22.0 grubs (ranged 20-22 grubs) during its life period. This bug is recorded as a limiting factor of Z. bicolorata.
Thirty genotypes of mango screened against anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeiosporioides ) under natural field condition during 2011-12 and 2012-13, only one genotype Keitt showed resistant reaction whereas, Himsagar and Ostin showed moderate resistant. Gajiria, Kishan bhog, Malvia bhog Kent Lily and Maya showed moderate susceptible reaction. The genotypes viz., Mahmood Vikarabad, Konkan Ruchi, Arka Anmol, Mankurad, Madhukrupa, Alphonso, Ambica and Kesar showed susceptible reaction whereas, Mallika, Vellai Kolumban, Ratna, Goa Mankur,, Totapuri X Vanaraj, Arka Neelkiran, Palmer , Muvandan, Ajod Sindurio , Karel (Reva), Kensington, Bombai and Sensation exhibited highly susceptible reaction against anthracnose of mango.
The study examined the efficiency of sorghum production in Maharashtra State, India. The technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of farmers producing sorghum were analysed from 100 randomly selected sorghum farmers. The maximum likelihood estimates of the stochastic frontier production function was used for the analysis, and the result revealed that farm size, labour, fertilizer and chemicals were significantly and positively related to sorghum output. The technical efficiency (TE) scores ranged from 0.28-0.94 with a mean TE of 0.67, implying that there is a scope for increasing technical efficiency in sorghum production by 33% in the short-run. The allocative efficiency index ranged from 0.11-0.90 with a mean of 0.54, implying that the average farm has the scope of increasing allocative efficiency by 46% in the short-run. The economic efficiency index ranged from 0.09-0.75 with a mean of 0.37, indicating wide efficiency differential between average farmers and the economically efficient farmers. The result of the stochastic frontier production function analysis showed that the variance parameters that is the sigma squared (ɗ2) and the gamma (ϒ) were statistically significant at 1% level of sorghum production
Structural diversity and nutrient recycling potentials of three selected agro...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Homegardens in Kerala mimic forest ecosystems on account of the tree components included and are agroforestry systems that integrate different agricultural crops and enterprises as per the needs and interests of the farm family. Analysis of the structural diversity and nutrient recycling potentials of three agroforestry homegardens in southern Kerala revealed multi-tier cropping patterns with cropping intensities ranging from 177.18 to 187.04%. Two of the homegardens included livestock components adding to the nutritional security of the family. Diversity indices were in the order 0.92, 1.53 and 0.86. The quantum of litter fall varied with the tree canopies and species, amounting to 473.6, 425.37 and 345.11 kg adding 7.02, 7.517 and 5.165 kg NPK annually in the three homegardens. Maximum nutrient additions were recorded for nitrogen and potassium and least for phosphorus.
Effects of LED light spectra on active oxygen metabolism and expression of an...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The effects of various LEDs on active oxygen metabolism and patterns of SOD, POD and CAT isozymes in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. seedlings were investigated. After three weeks of light treatment, the MDA content was higher under blue LED compared with the control (P﹤0.05), while it decreased under white, red and yellow LEDs (P﹤0.05). The content of H2O2 was gradually increased in red, yellow, green and blue LEDs. The production rate of superoxide anion increased under yellow and blue LEDs by contrast with the control (P﹤0.05), and it decreased under white LED (P﹤0.05). LEDs altered the banding patterns of POD enzymes where the more loci of POD isozymes were observed under green and blue LEDs. The increased intensities of Fe-SOD were showed in green and blue LEDs. As for Mn-SOD and CAT enzymes, enhanced intensities appeared in all LED groups compared with the control. Our results indicated that the antioxidant system of Houttuynia cordata seedlings were more sensitive to short light wavelength than the long ones.
Studies on technological quality of sugar beets and soil parameters in relati...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The aim of the studies was to determine suitability of effluent from methane digestion of organic wastes generated during processing of sugar beets for soil application at sugar beet plantations. In the paper parameters of technological value of sugar beet roots harvested from plots with standard values (i.e. optimal values for processing) which were defined by the Institute are discussed. It was shown that effluent from digestion of sugar beet pulp can be utilized as soil amendment on sugar beet plantations without any restrictions bearing in mind content of heavy metals and harmful microorganisms. Nutrients contained in studied effluent from gasifier are available for sugar beet plants at the same level as nutrients from mineral fertilizers. Determination of heavy metals in soil samples taken before and after effluent application did not reveal accumulation of harmful elements in the soil in the result of waste utilization.
Effect of Drying Methods on Quality Characteristics of Curry (Murraya koenigi...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Different drying methods viz., Sun drying, shade drying and tray drying (temperature 45, 55 and 65 0C) were used for dehydration of curry (Murraya koenigii) leaves for optimal retention of color and its constituents. It was observed that the time required for tray drying was less (27%), when compared to sun and shade drying. Tray dried (550C) curry leaves had maintained nutritional constituents up to acceptable limit with superior green color and a more porous and uniform structure than those obtained from sun and shade drying. Dehydrated curry leaves showed good consumer acceptance as well as shelf life.
Effect of Replacement of Cement by Different Pozzolanic Materials on Heat of ...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
The paper aims to focus on the possibility of using industrial by products like SF, GGBS, FA and MK. The utilization of pozzolans is well accepted because of several improvements possible in the concrete composites. The present study reports the results of experimental study conducted to evaluate Setting Time, HOH and Compression Strength of Concrete, by partially replacing cement by various percentages of silica fume (SF), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash (FA) and metakaolin (MK) (5%, 10%, 15%, & 20%). The Heat of Hydration (HOH) and Compression Strength test are done for M30 grade concrete. The effort is made towards a specific understanding of efficiency of pozzolans in concrete considering the percentage of replacement and combinations of pozzolans. The pozzolans replacement as cementitious material is characterised by high compressive strength, low heat of hydration and increased initial and final setting time of concrete.
Concept of Agro ecosystem
Difference between manipulated Agroecology and Natural Ecology
Sustainable Agriculture
Biodiversification and Agroecology
Sustainable Agroecosystems
Agroecology and the Design of Sustainable Agroecosystems
Combining ability analysis and nature of gene action for grain yield in Maize...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— In the present investigation combining ability analysis and nature of gene action was studied for twenty lines, four testers and eighty hybrids, which were obtained from Line x tester biparental crossing scheme. The twelve characters were studied for winter maize under this experiment. Parental variance, Line variance, and line x tester variance revealed that there were significant differences in all the characters, whereas only tester variance showed three non-significant characters, namely days to 50% anthesis, days to maturity and cob length. The nature and magnitude of gene action showed that the dominance variance major reason towards hybrid performance for all characters. This means that non-additive action is important for the hybrid performance. The most promising crosses for higher yield per ha were L8 x T1 (27.63), L9 x T4 (23.44), L3 X T3 (23.41), L16 x T2 (23.03), L3 x T3 (22.81), L1 x T3 (22.51), L20 x T2 (19.48), L13 x T4 (19.47), L7 x T1 (18.22) and L17 x T4 (17.58) which have shown high SCA effects for grain yield which high parental GCA effects can be exploited for the development of SCHs because of non-additive gene action.
A Major Irrigation Project (Accelerated Mahaweli Programme) and the Chronic K...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The Mahaweli River is the longest river in Sri Lanka. In 1978, the government of Sri Lanka launched the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme, under the purview of Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, the largest irrigation program in the country. It is a multi-purpose development scheme designed for the generation of hydroelectricity, irrigation, and water for domestic consumption. Since the mid-1990s, a major, non-infectious epidemic of chronic kidney disease of multifactorial origin (CKDmfo) has been reported in Sri Lanka for which no cause has been identified. This disease predominantly affects dry zonal, agricultural regions, particularly the North Central Province (NCP). During the past two decades, thousands of people have died due to this disease. This article assesses whether there is a relationship between this environmental impact from this major irrigation project and the deadly disease of CKDmfo. Water in the Mahaweli River is known to be polluted with various compounds, including phosphates coming from the excessive use of fertiliser in the hill country. However, the levels of phosphate in the Mahaweli River and in the NCP reservoirs are less than 0.15 mg/L. Such levels can cause ecological harm but are not a threat to human health nor causes renal failure. In addition, there are large regions outside the Mahaweli-fed localities where people are affected with CKDmfo. Thus, it is unlikely that water from the Mahaweli River itself is directly related to the occurrence of CKDmfo, but its harmful environmental impact is noticeable. Nevertheless, excess phosphates can cause algae blooms and cyanobacterial growth in water bodies, which harm aquatic lives and the ecology. Thus, governments and society must take responsibility and initiate actions to minimise environmental harm, protect and preserve the watersheds, curb the overuse of agrochemicals, and preserve water quality and the environment for current and future generations.
Agroecology: Applying Ecological Principles to Agriculturecwrobel
The presentation begins with a history of agriculture and then outlines conventional practices and the associated emergent challenges. The value of applying ecological principles to conventional agriculture is discussed with supporting evidence from various studies. The application of ecological principles is explored in the context of agricultural sustainability.
Abstract— Agriculture (the agricultural exports flagship from southern Brazil) is highly dependent on temporal rainfall distribution. However, the technology used in the field has been altering this relationship. Such technology, in addition to minimizing the effects of climate variability, has increased the annual soybean yield observed in the trend analysis, which was positive in 17 of the municipalities studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the rainfall variability and soybean production in one of the areas of greatest soybean production in southern Brazil by applying the quartile, percentile, Pettitt (homogeneity - break results) and Mann-Kendall (trend) tests. The results indicate a significant relationship between annual rainfall variability (1999-2000; 2009-2010) and soybean yield (kg/ha), particularly during the growing season of 2009-2010 when the yield variation between municipalities was low. It was concluded that the statistically significant correlations indicate that the soy dependence ranges from 22% to 50% in certain municipalities.
Abstract— The aim of this study was to map comprehensively as the basis for the implementation of technologies that met the needs of dairy farmers. Specifically, the objectives were: to analyze the marketing and institutional characteristics of dairy industryy in rural farmers. The target population is dairy farmers in Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java Provinces. The numbers of samples were selected in nine dairy cooperatives, which were three cooperatives represented each province, three milk processing industries, and totally 270 farmers as respondents. Data were taken such as demographic characteristic of farmers, farmer groups, and marketing line of milk distribution from farmers to consumers. The results showed that the institutional environment of dairy industry and governance both from Cental Java, Yogyakarta and East Java need handlers more serious, it can be seen from the dependence of farmers on the institutions that exist including cooperatives and milk processing industries still high. From the aspect of livestock farming, cows in East Java showed better performance than the two other major regions, namely Central Java and Yogyakarta. Distribution and marketing of milk which is currently still depends on the institutional binding of cooperative, and dairy processing industry, and there has been no increase of participation in enhancing the value chain.
PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOSURFACTANTS PRODUCED BY Pseudomonas aer...UniversitasGadjahMada
The biosurfactants are used by several industrial sectors such as petroleum, agriculture, food production, chemistry, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Because of their hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties, they have potency to reduce surface tension, interfacial tension between water-hydrocarbon systems, and low micelle concentration. Their characteristics strongly depend on the producer strain as well as on the medium composition, such as carbon and nitrogen sources. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of different sources of carbon (n-hexadecane, glycerol and glucose) and nitrogen (urea, NH4Cl and NaNO3 ) for the production of biosurfactants by a new strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa B031 isolated from a rhizosphere of Paraserianthes falcataria L. Nielsen, a hardwood plant species at a phytoremediation field. The biosurfactant characteristics of the strain were evaluated, particularly its surface-active properties and potential to remove hydrocarbon. Glycerol was found to be the optimum carbon source, with rhamnose concentration, emulsification index, and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 718 mg/L, 37%, and 35 mN/m, respectively. Sodium nitrate (NaNO3 ) was observed as the optimum nitrogen source, with rhamnose concentration, emulsification index, and CMC of 290 mg/L, 30%, and 24 mN/m, respectively. These biosurfactants efficiently reduced surface tension of culture broth from 42 mN/m to 31 mN/m for the glycerol treatment and from 37 mN/m to 24 mN/m for the sodium nitrate treatment. The crude biosurfactants from the glycerol and sodium nitrate treatments also removed 87.5% and 84%, respectively, of crude oil from sand. These rates were higher than those of the chemical surfactants (SDS and Triton X-100). These findings indicate that the biosurfactants produced by the strain from both glycerol and NaNO3 treatments can efficiently decrease the interfacial tension of culture broth dilution and have a high emulsion index, thus hold promise in hydrocarbon bioremediation application.
The present study intended to compare the efficiency of the wetland plants Phragmites australis (cav.)
Trin. ex Steudel and Cyperus papyrus L. for the accumulation of heavy metals. Maximum accumulation
of the heavy metals Pb (132.5-175 μg/g DW), Zn (97.5-100 μg/g DW) and Cr (80.5-90 μg/g DW) was
recorded in roots of the two wetland plants C. papyrus and P. australis, respectively. Cadmium showed
the lowest metal accumulation in the tissues of both plants (0.55-5.5 μg/g DW). C. papyrus roots
accumulated higher levels of most metals than those of P. australis. Heavy metals were shown to be not
only accumulated in roots of both plants but also were translocated to the shoots and accumulated in the
harvestable plant parts. The results showed variation in the levels of the heavy metals accumulated in the
different parts of C. papyrus and P. australis, in spite of being planted at the same site and subjected to
the same conditions. The potential use of Phragmites australis and Cyperus papyrus in phytoremediation
is also discussed.
Soil is a wonderful gift of nature for living creatures. It supports crop growth. It is an important environmental factor, and has a close reciprocal relationship with the plants growing in it and the soil microbes that exist in it. The forest soil consists of high humus with variety of microbes. In this experiment forest area of Newasa was selected for evaluation of nutrient status and bacterial population. On the basis of density of grasses Iseilema prostratum L, Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult, Aristida hystrix L., Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd, Fimbriristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl. were selected. 100 soil samples from different locations from rhizosphere of these monocots were collected and analyzed for soil nutrient status and nitrogen fixing bacterial population. It was recorded that, out of five plants, the rhizosphere soil of Setaria pumila L. showed maximum bacterial population (11700540.00). Available nitrogen (320 kg/ha) and % organic carbon (0.60 %) followed by Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult the bacterial population was (2558265.00), available nitrogen (203 Kg/ha) and % Organic Carbon (0.59%). Other soil nutrients were also measured.
In-vitro antioxidant and GC-MS analysis ethanolic extract of poly herbal drugSkyfox Publishing Group
Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to human against
infections and degenerative diseases. Current research is now directed towards natural antioxidants originated from plants due to safe
therapeutics. Poly herbal drugs is used in Indian traditional medicine for a wide range of various ailments. To understand the mechanism
of pharmacological actions, antioxidant properties of the Poly herbal drugs extract were tested using standard in vitro models. The
ethanolic extract of Poly herbal drugs exhibited strong scavenging effect on superoxide, nitric oxide radical and reducing power radical
scavenging assay. The free radical scavenging effect of Poly herbal drugs extract was comparable with that of the reference antioxidants.
The data obtained in the present study suggests that the extract of Poly herbal drugs have potent Invitro antioxidant and Anti Diabetic
activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against oxidative damage.
Intercropping of maize and climbing bean: fodder yield, quality and nutrient ...Innspub Net
A study was conducted to examine fodder yield and silage quality of maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping with different planting structure. Maize was cultivated alone and intercropped with climbing bean as follows;1 row maize to 1 row climbing bean (1M1K), 1 row maize to 2 rows climbing bean (1M2K) and 2 rows maize to 1 row climbing bean (2M1K). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four treatments and three replications. The crops were harvested when the maize reached at milk stage and climbing bean at R7 stage. The results indicated significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with climbing bean fodder. However, no difference (p>0.05) was observed in ether extract (EE), and ash (%) of nutrient composition of fodder among the four treatments After 45 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analysed for pH, organic acids (lactic, acetic, and butyric), ammonia-N(NH3-N), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na) and potassium (K). All intercropped silages had higher CP values (1M1K, 12.0%; 1M2K, 12.3%; 2M1K, 11.1%) than the monocrop maize (SM, 8.9%) silage. Higher organic acids and ammonia-N (p<0.05) were produced in the 1M2K silages as compared to others silages. The study showed that among all intercropped silages the 1M2K (1 row maize to 2 rows climbing bean) was preferable according to nutrient composition than other intercropped silages.
Analysis of Herbicide Atrazine and Its Degradation Products in Agricultural S...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— A novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry (UPLC‒MS) method was developed for the determination of herbicide atrazine (ATR) and its principal metabolites namely deisopropylatrazine (DIA), deethylatrazine (DEA) and hydroxyatrazine (HA) in soils. The limit of detection ranged from 0.06 μg kg‒1 (DEA) to 0.25 μg kg‒1 (HA). Recoveries for the four target analytes at three spiked levels ranged from 73.2 to 110% with relative standard deviation of 5.1‒8.1%. In the cases of the three control soil samples spiked with ATR were treated for 60d, the sum content of the three degraded products is 3, 6.4, and 6.8 times greater than ATR residue, respectively. Analyzing 80 soil samples from four counties evaluated this method. ATR of 1.1‒125 μg kg‒1 in 80 of 80 samples, ATR of 0.5‒7.8 μg kg‒1 in 39 of 80 samples, and DIA of 0.5 and 0.6 μg kg‒1 in 2 of 80 samples were found. The proposed method can ensure the rapid and highly sensitive analysis of atrazine and its degradation products in soil, and can provide a direction for proper application of atrazine and a base for evaluating their hazards to the environment.
In order to clean up soils contaminated with hydrocarbons, the bioremediation activity of Pseudomonas putida was studied. Pseudomonas putida is a bacterium that can withstand the harshest environmental conditions. It is able to metabolize a wide range of petroleum hydrocarbons which is used as a source of carbon and energy. Given the potential of this microorganism, an experiment wasconducted on this strain.
For the isolation of this microorganism, a sample ofsoil from the Vakinankaratra region in the urban commune of Antsirabe II, Madagascar was microbiologically analysed. The bacterial identification was based on a study of the morphological, physicochemical and sequential analysis of the 16S rDNA gene.
Effect of Aloe Vera wastes on physico-chemical properties and microbiological...IJEABJ
The aim of the present study was to explore the potential for using aloe vera wastes as amendment for soil to improve its fertility. Soil was exposed to four concentrations of aloin (rich in HAP) for 0, 7, 14 and 28 days. Physico-chemical parameters were analyzed: soil Ph, organic matter (OM), nitrogen, phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The activity of seven enzymes implicated in the C, N and S cycles were measured. Microbial Biomass was determined by the method of substrate induced respiration. BiologEcoplates (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA) were used to estimate soil microbial functional diversity. Our findings suggested a decrease on phosphorus and nitrogen content and an increase on CEC after aloin addition. Also, a decrease on microbial biomass and enzymes activities was observed, except for FDA. Ecoplates results demonstrate a decrease on microbial activities depending on the incubation time. Moreover, our results indicated that bacterial communities of the tested soils have more affinity to consume substrates as Amino acids and polymers. Our results should be carefully considered in view of the agriculture waists reuse for a sustainable agriculture
Use of stable and radio isotopes to understand the plant physiological processRAHUL GOPALE
Introduction
what is isotope ?
Types of Isotopes
Isotopic Labelling
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ISOTOPIC STUDY
APPLICATIONS OF ISOTOPES IN AGRICULTURE
Principle isotopes used in plant-soil studies
Case studies
FUTURE THRUSTS OF ISOTOPIC STUDY
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
Effect of mixed industrial effluent on the growth of abelmoschus esculentusroaddistancein
Industrialization play an important role in the development process but the wastewater disposal has become a global dilemma for the industries because of generation of high volume of effluents, limited space for land based treatment & disposal and high cost of treatment technologies (Kumar & Chopra).
Plant growth promoting characterization of soil bacteria isolated from petrol...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Contaminant-degrading bacteria can be included among the plant-growth promoting bacteria; because the presence of contaminants, in general produce negatively effects on plant’s growth; thus, the elimination of the inhibiting contaminants will benefit them. Although contaminant-degrading strains have been traditionally isolated from various environments; the number of studies that reported the isolation and identification of soil bacteria with contaminant- degrading abilities have increased. The aim of this study was to characterized microbial strains isolated from petroleum contaminated soil by plant growth promotion traits to recommend them as potential bioinoculants. In this work, five of the six soil isolates were classified as Indole Acetic Acid higher producers and only one of them as lower producer. Sporosarcina aquimarina strain -Q3 and Bacillus cereus strain +F2 tested in Axonopus affinis plantlets bioassay, showed that these isolates were the most effective promoters of this plant species; therefore, these soil bacteria with possible hydrocarbon degradation ability could be considered as potential bioinoculants and can be recommended with a practical importance for the rhizoremediation of petroleum contaminated sites and plant growth promotion.
Artificial Reefs by Kuddle Life Foundation - May 2024punit537210
Situated in Pondicherry, India, Kuddle Life Foundation is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the living standards of coastal communities and simultaneously placing a strong emphasis on the protection of marine ecosystems.
One of the key areas we work in is Artificial Reefs. This presentation captures our journey so far and our learnings. We hope you get as excited about marine conservation and artificial reefs as we are.
Please visit our website: https://kuddlelife.org
Our Instagram channel:
@kuddlelifefoundation
Our Linkedin Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kuddlelifefoundation/
and write to us if you have any questions:
info@kuddlelife.org
UNDERSTANDING WHAT GREEN WASHING IS!.pdfJulietMogola
Many companies today use green washing to lure the public into thinking they are conserving the environment but in real sense they are doing more harm. There have been such several cases from very big companies here in Kenya and also globally. This ranges from various sectors from manufacturing and goes to consumer products. Educating people on greenwashing will enable people to make better choices based on their analysis and not on what they see on marketing sites.
"Understanding the Carbon Cycle: Processes, Human Impacts, and Strategies for...MMariSelvam4
The carbon cycle is a critical component of Earth's environmental system, governing the movement and transformation of carbon through various reservoirs, including the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. This complex cycle involves several key processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and carbon sequestration, each contributing to the regulation of carbon levels on the planet.
Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have significantly altered the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and driving climate change. Understanding the intricacies of the carbon cycle is essential for assessing the impacts of these changes and developing effective mitigation strategies.
By studying the carbon cycle, scientists can identify carbon sources and sinks, measure carbon fluxes, and predict future trends. This knowledge is crucial for crafting policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing carbon storage, and promoting sustainable practices. The carbon cycle's interplay with climate systems, ecosystems, and human activities underscores its importance in maintaining a stable and healthy planet.
In-depth exploration of the carbon cycle reveals the delicate balance required to sustain life and the urgent need to address anthropogenic influences. Through research, education, and policy, we can work towards restoring equilibrium in the carbon cycle and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Top 8 Strategies for Effective Sustainable Waste Management.pdfJhon Wick
Discover top strategies for effective sustainable waste management, including product removal and product destruction. Learn how to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, implement waste segregation, and explore innovative technologies for a greener future.
Climate Change All over the World .pptxsairaanwer024
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the average weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It encompasses both global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have accelerated its pace and intensity
Altered Terrain: Colonial Encroachment and Environmental Changes in Cachar, A...PriyankaKilaniya
The beginning of colonial policy in the area was signaled by the British annexation of the Cachar district in southern Assam in 1832. The region became an alluring investment opportunity for Europeans after British rule over Cachar, especially after the accidental discovery of wild tea in 1855. Within this historical context, this study explores three major stages that characterize the evolution of nature. First, it examines the distribution and growth of tea plantations, examining their size and rate of expansion. The second aspect of the study examines the consequences of land concessions, which led to the initial loss of native forests. Finally, the study investigates the increased strain on forests caused by migrant workers' demands. It also highlights the crucial role that the Forest Department plays in protecting these natural habitats from the invasion of tea planters. This study aims to analyze the intricate relationship between colonialism and the altered landscape of Cachar, Assam, by means of a thorough investigation, shedding light on the environmental, economic, and societal aspects of this historical transformation.
Characterization and the Kinetics of drying at the drying oven and with micro...Open Access Research Paper
The objective of this work is to contribute to valorization de Nephelium lappaceum by the characterization of kinetics of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum. The seeds were dehydrated until a constant mass respectively in a drying oven and a microwawe oven. The temperatures and the powers of drying are respectively: 50, 60 and 70°C and 140, 280 and 420 W. The results show that the curves of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum do not present a phase of constant kinetics. The coefficients of diffusion vary between 2.09.10-8 to 2.98. 10-8m-2/s in the interval of 50°C at 70°C and between 4.83×10-07 at 9.04×10-07 m-8/s for the powers going of 140 W with 420 W the relation between Arrhenius and a value of energy of activation of 16.49 kJ. mol-1 expressed the effect of the temperature on effective diffusivity.
WRI’s brand new “Food Service Playbook for Promoting Sustainable Food Choices” gives food service operators the very latest strategies for creating dining environments that empower consumers to choose sustainable, plant-rich dishes. This research builds off our first guide for food service, now with industry experience and insights from nearly 350 academic trials.
1. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 1
ROLES OF OXIDISED AND REDUCED NITROGEN
AEROSOLS ON PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER RICE (Oryza
sativa L.) CROP
Bhagawan Bharali1
, Bhupendra Haloi2
, Pradip Chandra Dey3
, Jayashree Chutia4,
Sonbeer Chack5
and
Koilash Hazarika6
1,2,4,5 Department of Crop Physiology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, Assam (India).
3Regional Agricultural Research Station, Titabor, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat.
6 Instruction Cum Research Farm, AAU, Jorhat
Abstract— In a pot culture (2011), aerosols of oxidized nitrogen (NaNO2) @20kgha-1yr-1 (≈200 ppm), reduced nitrogen
(NH4Cl) @10kg-1hayr-1 (≈100 ppm) and distilled water (control) were sprayed (1500 cm3plant-1) weekly at different days
after sowing (DAS) to study their impacts on physiology of rice varieties (Bishnuprasad, Kanaklata, Joymati, Jyotiprasad
and Mulagavaru). In a field trial (2012), the simulated N-aerosols @ 20 & 40 kg ha-1y-1 of each (1000 cm3m-2) along with
a control were misted to population of the rice variety, Kanaklata at four different growth stages viz., germination and
tillering (0-30 DAS), maximum tillering, (30-60 DAS), panicle initiation (60-90 DAS) and reproductive development (90-120
DAS). In both pot and field experiments, the N- aerosols brought about wide differences in net photosynthesis rates, nitrate
reductase activity, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), membrane permeability in the crop. The aerosols with lower doses at
earlier growth stages influenced NUE and economic yield of the crop varieties. Mechanisms of altering membrane
permeability either by depletion of Ca2+, or acceleration of peroxidase activity of cell in presence of the aerosols have been
elucidated.
Keywords— atmospheric pollution, rice, aerosols, ammonia, cations, nitrite, nitrogen, photosynthesis, membrane,
permeability, peroxidase.
I. INTRODUCTION
Crop plants suffer from oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2 and N2O or NOx) and reduced ammonia (NH3 or NH4+) in rapidly
growing urban and peri-urban areas (McClean et. al. 2011, Bharali et al., 2012). Nitrogen dioxides form week acids in the
extra-cellular water and dissociate into HNO2 and HNO3 to produce nitrate, nitrite and protons (Zeevart, 1976). A
concentration of NOx >10µll-1 alter physiological processes including N assimilation (Darrall, 1989). Ammonia at
concentration >1mM in plants causes death of tissues in plants (Mehrer and Mohr, 1989).
In field, farmers apply fertilizers in nitrate and ammonium forms. These are very mobile in soil. Crop plants are able to
utilize only 30-40% of applied nitrogen (Raun and Johnson, 1999). We have discussed here the tolerance mechanism(s) of
rice to aerosols of nitrogen.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
A. Cultural practices: Rice genotypes (viz., Bishnuprasad, Kanaklata, Joymati, Jyotiprasad and Mulagavaru in pots were
grown from seeds in plastic pots. Kanaklata was selected for field studies. In both pot and field, N,P,K @ 40:20:20 ha-1
in the form of Urea, Single super phosphate and Muriate of Potash were applied as basal. The crop was irrigated during
the germination stage to avoid desiccation effects and a level of 2-3 cm water was maintained in the pots and field plots.
The experiments were laid in Randomised Block Design and replicated thrice.
B. Nitrogenous aerosols and their application: Pot plants were sprayed with solutions (1500 cm3 per stage) each of
NH4Cl and NaNO2 @ 100 and 200 ppm respectively along with a control (distilled water) at four growth stages viz.,
maximum tillering, panicle initiatiation and reproductive development. In field, plants were treated with the same N
aerosols (1000 cm3 stage wise) @ 200 ppm & 400 ppm respectively at the stages of growth. Care was taken to avoid
drifting of solutions from one plant to another at the time spraying.
C. Measurement of photosynthesis: Plants were incubated in transparent, airtight acrylic assimilation chambers
(60x60x60 cm3 for potted plants and 15x15x15cm3 for field samples). Temperature (27-31oC), Relative humidity (40-
66%) and Light intensity (12-15 K lux) prevailing inside the assimilation chambers were recorded by Hygrometer and
Light meter during measurement of net photosynthesis. The pot plants or fresh moistened leaf samples from field were
incubated in presence of normal ambient carbon dioxide concentration (380 ppm) inside the chambers during mid day
under sunlight for half an hour. Air samples (10 cm3) were collected by clinical syringe through the rubber port of the
2. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 2
chambers, and injected into the Environmental Gas Monitor (EGM-4) for measuring the carbon dioxide concentration
after incubation. The rate of net photosynthesis was expressed as ppm CO2 absorbed per gram plant dry weight per
hour as suggested by Larson and Karsaw, 1975.
D. Estimation of Nitrate reductase (NR) activity in plants.: The NR estimation was based on conversion of nitrate to
nitrite and inhibition of nitrite reduction to ammonia in anaerobic condition (Srivastava and Ormrod, 1984). Green leaf
samples (300 mg) of 10-15 mm square were put into 2.5 ml each of solutions containing 200 mM phosphate buffer (pH
7.5), 30 mM KNO3, 5 % (v/v) propanol in assay tubes. The tubes were incubated in a water bath at 30oC for 30
minutes, incubated further for 2 minutes in 1000C and allowed them to cool to room temperature. To detect nitrite in
the assay tubes, colour development reagent i.e. 1 ml each of 1% sulfanilamide in 1N HCl and 0.02% N-(1-naphthyl)-
ethylenediaminedihydrochloride were added to the solution. Mixed thoroughly and placed it in the dark at room
temperature for 15 min. To determine NR activity the absorbency readings obtained at 540 nm in spectrophotometer
were plotted on a standard curve, which was prepared from a stock of 25 n mol nitrite per ml using KNO2 in water.
E. Determination of peroxidase activity in plants: The level of lipid peroxidation was measurd in terms of
Malondialdehyde content (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation by following the method of Heath and Packer (1968).
The leaf sample of 0.5 g was homogenized in 10 ml of 0.1 per cent trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The homogenate was
centrifuged at 15,000g for 5 minutes. Two milliliters of aliquot of the supernatant and 4 ml of 0.5% thiobarbuteric acid
(TBA) in 20 per cent of TCA were mixed. The mixture was heated at 95ºC for 30 minutes and cooled in ice bath. It was
centrifuged at 10,000g for 5 minutes and the absorbance of supernatant was recorded at 532 nm. The value for non-
specific absorption at 600 nm was subtracted from the value of 532 nm. The absorption coefficient of 155 n mol per cm
was used to calculate MDA content as: MDA (n mol per g fresh weight) = (OD x 6)/0.155 x volume extract / (2 x
weight of sample)
F. Calculation of Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the crop varieties: The Kjeldhal method was used to determine total
Nitrogen content, which is based on catalytic conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonia and its subsequent
estimation by acid base titration (Yoshida et. al. 1971). NUE of rice varieties at different growth stages under treatment
were calculated as the product of per cent Nitrogen in grain and total grain yield per plant or per pot.
G. Cell membrane Stability (CMS) and estimation of cellular cations: Twenty pieces of young leaves from the treated
plants were cut into about one centimeter square and immersed them first into 20 cm3 distilled water taken in plastic
bottles (60 ml capacity). The mouth of the bottles was closed tightly to avoid leaking of the solution and checked gently
using magnetic stirrer. Thus, freely water soluble ions in intercellular spaces of leaf were removed by the three serial
washes with distilled water (each 10 min, 20 cm3). Now, to extract the cations present in the exchangeable sites of the
cellular locations, the same leaf discs were eluted by two treatments (each 1 h 20 cm3) with 25 mM Sr2Cl (Bharali and
Bates 2002). The solutions were collected into other plastic bottles. The plant samples were oven dried at 60oC to a
constant weight. The electrical conductivity readings of these solutions against the samples collected from the
experimental treatments were used to compute CMS. CMS is a measure of changes in membrane permeability due to
cellular injury caused by the external agents as suggested by Sullivan and Rose (1972). Cations (K+ & Ca2+) present in
both in intercellular and exchangeable sites as extracted by using distilled water and 25mM Sr2Cl respectively as above
were estimated using a Thermo Jarrel Ash S12 atomic absorption/emission spectrophotometer (Franklin, MA, USA)
and air-acetylene mixture. Element contents of the leaves were expressed in terms of their oven dry weight.
H. Economic yield: Grains were threshed out from the plants under respective treatments at different growth stages of the
crop and expressed as gram per plant (in case of potted plants) and quintal per hectare in field harvest.
I. Statistical analysis: Data were analysed following GLIM program of Royal Society of London (Crawley, 1993).
Significant differences between two mean values due to treatments or varieties and their interaction at a crop growth
stage were computed by comparing their significant levels at P<0.05.
III. RESULTS
A. Net photosynthesis (Pn) rates of rice crop: In the pot culture experiment (Table 1) both Ammonium chloride
(30.07%) and Sodium nitrite (22.77%) as compared to the control decreased the Pn measured at germination cum
3. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 3
tillering stage (i.e. 0-30DAS). On an average, variety Bishnuprasad showed the highest Pn followed by
Joymati>Joytiprasad>Kanaklata>Mulagavaru. At the maximum tillering stage i.e. 30-60 DAS, varieties and treatments
had significant effects on Pn. The variety Jyotiprasad had the highest Pn followed by
Mulagavaru>Kanaklata>Bishnuprasad>and>Jaymati. The treatment Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite reduced
Pn up to 54.97% and 35.74% as that of the control respectively. At the panicle initiation stage i.e. 60-90 DAS
interaction between varieties and treatments was significant in respect of Pn. The variety Mulagavaru was followed by
Jyotiprasad>Joymati>Kanaklata>and Bishnuprasad in this regard. There were 8.38% and 26.96% reductions of Pn by
Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite respectively. At the reproductive development i.e. 90-120 DAS, the treatments
exerted significant effects on Pn of the varieties. Reductions of Pn by 12.6% and 37.49% in Ammonium chloride and
Sodium nitrite treated plants were found respectively. A variation of Pn rate in varieties was found as Joytiprasad
>Bishnuprasad>Mulagavaru>>Jaymati> and Kanaklata.
TABLE 1:
RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF THE RICE VARIETIES FOLLOWING TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT DAYS AFTER SOWING (DAS)
Treatments Ppm CO2 absorbed per gm dry wt of varieties following
treatment at stage 1 (0-30 DAS)
Ppm CO2 absorbed per gm dry wt of varieties
following treatment at stage II (30-60 DAS)
Bishnuprasad Kanaklat
a
Joymati Jyotirpr
asad
Mulag-
avoru
Bishnup
rasad
Kanakla
ta
Joymati Jyotirpr
asad
Mulag-
avoru
DDW (control) 1753.7 1561.5 1627.5 2261.7 1488.3 1319.6 2054.6 572.5 2189.8 1933.0
NH4Cl (100
ppm)
1244.1 1075.7 1666.8 1231.3 864.0 778.0 532.2 705.2 853.4 629.7
NaNO2 (200
ppm)
2442.8 969.4 1362.0 1160.8 781.7 900.2 764.3 644.6 11945 1488.4
SEDiff (±) LSD
(0.05)
SEDiff
(±)
LSD
(0.05)
Variety - n.s. 516.599 1012.53
Treatment - n.s. 426..64 836.21
Variety x
treatment
- n.s. - n.s.
Cont’ed.
Treatments Ppm CO2 absorbed per gm dry wt of varieties following
treatment at stage III (60-90 DAS)
ppm CO2 absorbed per gm dry wt of varieties following
treatment at stage IV (90-120 DAS)
Bishnupras
ad
Kanaklat
a
Joymati Jyotirpr
asad
Mulag-
avoru
Bishnup
rasad
Kanakla
ta
Joymati Jyotirpr
asad
Mulag-
avoru
DDW (control) 1819.2 2183.0 1954.7 1586.2 745.8 1329.9 1045.1 1359.4 2275.9 2046.6
NH4Cl (100 ppm) 1189.6 1016.2 1537.6 1908.5 941.5 1494.6 1557.6 1046.5 1631.0 1309.8
NaNO2 (200 ppm) 838.7 745.8 862.5 1076.2 2532.2 1182.9 822.9 1105.8 1314.6 606.4
SEDiff (±) LSD
(0.05)
SEDiff (±) LSD
(0.05)
Variety - n.s. - n.s.
Treatment - n.s. 3077.60 6032.097
Variety x treatment 319.182 625.60 - n.s.
4. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 4
FIG. 1 NET PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN RICE
In the field experiment (Fig.1), the rate of Pn varied significantly due the aerosol treatments at different days after
sowing of the crop. The aerosols influenced the carbon exchange rate but the values were lower due to NaNO2
(3.13%, 14.68%) than NH4Cl (21.67%, 29.42%) in 200ppm and 400ppm each of the aerosols as compared to the rate
in the control. The rates of Pn were higher in the earlier stages than the later ones. So, the highest Pn rate was found at
0-30DAS followed by 30-60DAS and the lowest rate was found at 90-120DAS of the crop.
B. Nitrate reductase activity (NR): In the pot culture experiment (Table 2), the treatments and varieties had the
significant effects on NR activity if the aerosols were sprayed at germination-tillering stage. The variety Mulagavaru
had the highest NR activity followed by Jyotiprasad>Kanaklata>Jaymati>Bishnuprasad. Both Ammonium chloride
and Sodium nitrite had reduced NR activity by 18.93% and 19.67% respectively as compared to the control. At
maximum tillering stage the varieties had significant effects on NR activity only. On an average, the variety
Jyotiprasad had the highest NR activity followed by Mulagavaru>Jaymati>Bishnuprasad>Kanaklata. In general,
ammonium chloride and sodium nitrite reduced NR activity only by 0.59% and 3.39% as compared to the control
respectively. The varieties had significant effects on NR activity of rice crop, if the aerosols were deposited at panicle
initiation stage. The variety Jaymati had the highest NR activity followed by
Kanaklata>Bishnuprasad>Mulagavaru>and Jyotiprasad. Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite increased NR by
31.22% and 3.93% at the last stage. On an average, Bishnuprasad>Jaymati>Mulagavaru>Kanaklata>and Jyotiprasad
maintained a decreasing order of NR activity in their leaves.
In the field experiment (Fig.2), Nitrate reductase activity differed significantly due to the aerosols and their time of
application. On an average, a little higher (up to 6.62%) NR activity was shown by the reduced aerosol, whereas NR
activity was lowered by the oxidised aerosols (up to 15.77%) as compared to the control. The NR activity was reduced
by the later application of the aerosols as S1 (28.15 %)>S2(30.21 %)>S4(26.76 %)>S3.
5. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 5
TABLE 2:
NITRATE REDUCTASE ACTIVITY (NM NO3-1 REDUCED G-1 H-1) OF RICE VARIETIES FOLLOWING TREATMENT AT
DIFFERENT DAYS AFTER SOWING (DAS)
Treatment
s
Nitrate reductase activity of varieties
at stage I (0-30 DAS)
Nitrate reductase activity of varieties at stage II (30-
60 DAS)
Bishnuprasad Kanakla
ta
Joymati Jyotirp
rasad
Mul
ag-
avor
u
Bishnupra
sad
Kanakl
ata
Joymati Jyotirp
rasad
Mulag-
avoru
DDW
(control)
35.83 50.00 33.33 40.00 56.6
7
61.67 46.67 53.33 60.00 58.33
NH4Cl
(100 ppm)
28.33 36.37 30.00 35.00 45.0
0
55.00 53.33 60.00 60.00 50.00
NaNO2
(200 ppm)
30.00 25.00 23.33 46.67 48.3
3
48.33 38.33 53.33 60.00 70.50
SEDiff
(±)
LSD
(0.05)
SEDiff
(±)
LSD
(0.05)
Variety 5.180 10.153 4.712 9.236
Treatment 4.006 7.851 - n.s.
Variety x
treatment
- n.s. - n.s.
Concentration Nitrate reductase activity of varieties
at stage III (60-90 DAS)
Nitrate reductase activity of varieties
at stage IV (90-120 DAS)
Bishnu
prasad
Kanakla
ta
Joymati Jyotirp
rasad
Mulag-
avoru
Bishnu
prasad
Kanakl
ata
Joymati Jyotirp
rasad
Mulag-
avoru
DDW
(control)
58.33 91.67 115.00 56.67 71.67 36.67 53.33 47.50 61.67 45.00
NH4Cl
(100 ppm)
71.67 61.67 71.67 66.67 55.00 91.67 65.00 85.00 43.33 70.00
NaNO2
(200 ppm)
57.50 75.00 76.67 53.33 54.17 62.50 45.00 50.00 43.33 53.33
SEDiff (±) LSD
(0.05)
SEDiff
(±)
LSD
(0.05)
Variety 9.98 19.567 - NS
Treatment 8.267 16.202 9.292 18.211
Variety x treatment - n.s. - n.s.
FIG.2 NR ACTIVITY IN RICE
6. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 6
C. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE): Data on Nitrogen use efficiency in rice grains from the laboratory experiment are
presented in Table 3. In the pot culture experiment, NUE varied significantly among the varieties (as
Mulagavaru>Jyotiprasad>Kanaklata>Bishnuprasad> Jaymati) at the tillering stage of the crop. NUE in grains
increased by 24.07% and 18.22% in Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite aerosol treatments respectively. The
treatments (F=25.64, p<0.05) had significant effects on grain NUE while N-aerosols were sprayed at the maximum
tillering stage. There were increases in NUE in grains of the rice varieties by 46.38% and 37.36% due to Ammonium
chloride and Sodium nitrite treatments respectively. The varieties
Bishnuprasad>Kanaklata>Jaymati>Mulagavaru>Jyotiprasad had significant differences in NUE. At panicle initiation
stage of rice crop NUE also varied significantly due to interaction between varieties and treatments. There was 4.96%
reduction of grain NUE by Ammonium chloride, while 7.09% of it was lowered by Sodium nitrite. A decreasing order
of NUE was maintained in the varieties as Bishnuprasad> Jaymati>Mulagavaru>Kanaklata>>Jyotiprasad. Nitrogen
use efficiency in rice grains of plants treated with the N-aerosols at reproductive development stage differed
significantly due to varieties. The reductions of NUEs were 24.65% and 9.26% by Ammonium chloride and Sodium
nitrite respectively. The varieties Kanaklata>Bishnuprasad>Mulagavaru>Jaymati>Jyotiprasad showed variations in
NUE among themselves.
TABLE 3
NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY (NUE) IN GRAIN OF VARIETIES FOLLOWING TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT GROWTH
STAGES (DAYS AFTER SOWING:DAS)
Treatments
NUE (%) of varieties at 0-30 DAS NUE (%) of varieties at 30-60 DAS
Bishnu-
prasad
Kanak-
lata
Joy-
mati
Jyotir-
prasad
Mula-
gavoru
Bishnu-
prasad
Kana-
klata
Joy-
mati
Jyotir-
prasad
Mulag-
avoru
DDW (control) 14.557 26.23 18.293 11.067 14.20 18.583 7.630 8.767 9.053 11.990
NH4Cl (100
ppm)
13.70 11.823 18.597 29.483 29.53 18.267 22.6 19.143 13.707 15.670
NaNO2 (200
ppm)
24.013 24.550 8.977 25.630 27.930 22.250 19.77 20.203 23.427 18.810
SEdiff(±) LSD(05) SEdiff(±) LSD(0.05)
Variety - n.s. - -
Treatment - n.s. 3.096 6.069
Variety x
treatment
5.108 10.0 2.321 4.549
(Cont’ed.)Treatments NUE (% ) of varieties at 60-90 DAS NUE ( % ) of varieties at 90-120 DAS
DDW (control) 14.950 13.09 9.617 10.507 22.310 12.113 17.570 10.18
7
11.700 8.620
NH4Cl (100
ppm)
9.640 15.45 19.237 8.697 12.410 14.537 18.243 12.05
0
6.450 15.050
NaNO2 (200
ppm)
20.320 12.39 15.363 12.153 6.710 23.770 16.873 13.02
3
13.043 13.170
SEdiff(±) LSD(05) SEdiff(±) LSD(0.05)
Variety - n.s 3.325 6.935
Treatment - n.s. 3.081 6.039
Variety x
treatment
1.609 3.155 2.505 4.909
7. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
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In the field experiment, significant differences in NUE% were found in between two treatment means, but not for
application time (Fig.3). Higher is the dose of Ammonium chloride, 16.70% more is the NUE% , but it decreased at
the 400ppm Sodium nitrite treatment by 6.68%. It might be due the negative influence of the later on NUE%.
FIG.3 NUE IN RICE
D. Cell Membrane Stability (CMS): In the pot culture experiment (Table 4), both varieties and treatment had
significant effects on CMS for foliar application of nitrogen aerosols at tillering stage of rice crop. The CMS
decreased in the varieties treated with Ammonium chloride (by 58.83%) and Sodium nitrite (by 72.78%). The
varieties Jaymati>Kanaklata>Mulagavaru>Jyotiprasad>Bishnuprasad differed in their CMS status. At maximum
tillering stage, the treatments and its interaction with varieties had significant effects on CMS of the crop. Ammonium
chloride lessened CMS (by 38.41%) and Sodium nitrite increased it (by 1.74% only) in the varieties. The varieties
Jyotiprasad>Bishnuprasad>Mulagavaru>Jaymati>Kanaklata had strong differences in their CMS. Only varieties
(Jaymati>Kanaklata>Mulagavaru>Jyotiprasad>Bishnuprasad) had significant effects on CMS of the crop treated at
panicle initiation stage of the crop. The varieties Bishnuprasad>Jaymati>Kanaklata>Mulagavaru>Jyotiprasad
exhibited significant differences in CMS at the reproductive stage. Generally, Ammonium chloride reduced CMS by
17.83% and Sodium nitrite increased it by 15.13%.
In the field experiment (Fig.4) Cell membrane stability varied significantly due to the aerosol treatments and their
time of application. The CMS was reduced by both the reduced and the oxidised aerosols at 200ppm and 400ppm as
(35.13%, 30.22%) and (40.81%, 95.85%) respectively as compared to the control. So, the oxidized aerosol caused
more injury to cell membrane than the reduced nitrogen. Higher depletion of CMS as
S1(28.34%)>S2(46.66%)>S3(76.91)>S4 was also found following their application at days after sowing. Therefore,
it’s best to apply the aerosols at the earlier stages rather than the latest one.
8. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
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TABLE 4
CELL MEMBRANE STABILITY (CMS) OF RICE VARIETIES FOLLOWING TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES
Treatments
(T)
Varieties (V)
CMS of varieties at stage I (0-30DAS) (DAS) CMS of varieties at stage II(30-60DAS)
(V1) (V2) (V3) (V4) (V5) (V1) (V2) (V3) (V4) (V5)
DDW (control) 5.82 18.05 94.41 15.23 15.27 2.32 2.26 3.25 5.95 2.53
NH4Cl (100
ppm)
38.18 1.9 0.51 -1.06 0.96 2.55 2.08 2.64 3.82 5.51
NaNO2 (200
ppm)
17.09 12.13 17.45 3.43 11.89 5.63 0.67 1.457 0.86 1.43
SEdiff(
±)
LSD
(0.05)
SEdiff
(±)
LSD
(0.05)
Variety (V) 17.23 35.94 - n.s.
Treatment
(T)
15.59 30.56 1.188 2.328
V xT - n.s. 0.144 0.218
(Cont’ed)
Treatments CMS at stage III (60-90DAS) CMS at stage IV (90-120 DAS)
DDW (0ppm) 2.68 5.35 19.59 7.58 8.01 7.010 7.450 10.220 4.410 1.420
NH4Cl (100
ppm)
5.92 9.88 10.41 4.71 6.8 19.270 2.680 7.410 3.10 3.49
NaNO2 (200
ppm)
3.47 14.46 11.98 1.65 5.02 3.920 7.04 2.67 2.06 9.380
SE
diff(±)
LSD
(0.05)
SE
diff(±)
LSD
(0.05)
Variety 2.424 5.057 0.326 0.678
Treatment - n.s. - n.s.
V xT - n.s. - n.s.
n.s.: non significant
Varieties (V) : V1: Bishnuprasad, V2:Kanaklata, V3:Joymati, V4:Jyotirprasad,
V5:Mulagavaru
9. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
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FIG.4 CMS IN RICE
E. Economic yield: In the pot culture experiment, economic yields of rice varieties corresponding to the treatments are
presented in Table 5. Economic yield varied significantly among the rice varieties due to treatments at the tillering
stage of the crop. Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite increased crop yield by 22.63% and 16.64% respectively.
The Varieties had differences in their economic yield as
Jyotiprasad>Kamnaklata>Bishnuprasad>Mulagavaru>>Jaymati. The treatments at the maximum tillering stage had
significant effects on grain yield. Here, Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite decreased grain yield by 18.27% and
5.47% respectively. The varieties Jaymati>Bishnuprasad>Kanaklata>Jyotiprasad>Mulagavaru also showed variations
in grain yield production under the treatments. The varieties
(Kanaklata>Bishnuprasad>Jyotiprasad>Jaymati>>Mulagavaru) had significant effects on grain yield in treatment with
N-aerosols at panicle initiation stage. Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite increased grain yield up to 6.07% and
20.31% respectively. The treatments had significant effects on economic yield of rice varieties
(Bishnuprasad>Jyotiprasad>Kanaklata>Jaymati>Mulagavaru) treated with N-aerosols at thei reproductive
development stage. Overall, there were increases in grain yield in Ammonium chloride (by 19.26%) and Sodium
nitrite (by 25.63%) treated varieties.
In field trial, economic yield did not differ significantly due to the treatments or the time of application of the
aerosols. However, a few significant interaction effects of the aerosols and the time of applications were observed
(Fig. 5). The highest and the lowest economic yields were 3.06 t/ha and 2.09 t/ha in 400 ppm Ammonium chloride
and 200 ppm Sodium nitrite treated plants at the reproductive development stage respectively.
Distribution of cations in the cellular locations: Cations (Ca2+ and K+) present in intercellular and exchangeable
sites varied significantly among the rice varieties due to the aerosol treatments (Table 6). Ammonium chloride
depleted cations from the water free spaces and exchangeable sites more than the oxidized nitrogen. Also, appreciable
quantities of the cations were estimated in the aliquots of distilled water and SrCl2 used to incubate the cells.
11. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
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Varieties (V:4, 5)→ Jyotiprasad (mMg-1
d.w.) Mulagavaru (mM g-1
d.w.)
Treatments (T:1,2,3)
→
Distilled
H2O (0ppm)
NH4Cl (100
ppm)
NaNO2
(200 ppm)
Distilled
H2O
(0ppm)
NH4Cl
(100
ppm)
NaNO2
(200 ppm)0-30 DAS
Intercellular Ca2+
28.01 5.11 22.63 42.68 37.67 4.7
at P(0.05) T2<T1 & V2<V1
Exchangeable Ca2+
51.05 5.88 57.28 55.15 66.70 5.74
Intercellular K+
3.00 0.48 2.96 4.31 4.43 0.34
Excahgeable K+
4.31 0.40 5.51 5.25 4.81 0.51
30-60 DAS
Intercellular Ca2+
28.48 36.69 36.11 43.95 43.66 35.12
at P(0.05) V2, V3, V4<V5, & V2,V3<V4 only
Exchangeable Ca2+
52.21 46.13 47.60 56.00 72.51 48.57
at P(0.05) V1, V2, V3 <V5 & V1, V2<V4 only
Intercellular K+
0.78 2.80 3.03 4.25 2.40 2.61
at P (0.05) V3<V2 only
Excahgeable K+
2.76 10.31 5.44 4.32 6.86 4.06
at P(0.05) V1,V2,V4 V5< V3& V2,V3, V4<V5 only
60-90 DAS
Intercellular Ca2+
28.14 39.52 22.83 37.04 13.47 41.58
Exchangeable Ca2+
22.01 108.89 39.39 63.74 35.15 32.38
Intercellular K+
4.21 2.84 1.26 1.52 3.05 4.20
at P (0.05) T1<T2 only
Excahgeable K+
0.97 3.38 4.26 5.15 3.58 4.97
90-120 DAS
Intercellular Ca2+
32.86 31.72 22.98 39.86 21.15 19.09
Exchangeable Ca2+
51.73 42.37 44.67 48.73 43.24 49.07
at P(0.05) V1,V2,V4, V5<V3 &V2,V4,V5<V1 only
Intercellular K+
3.14 2.39 2.86 4.99 3.12 2.45
at P(0.05) V4<V3 only
Excahgeable K+
2.70 8.20 3.16 4.77 4.12 3.99
12. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
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FIG. 6 PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY IN RICE
FIG. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS FOR RICE
13. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
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IV. DISCUSSION
The present investigation reveals the impacts of oxidized and reduced nitrogen aerosols at different growth stages of rice
(Oryza sativa L.) crop. We also sorted out the most suitable variety and its stage (s) responding positively to the N-aerosols.
The mechanism(s) of injury to the rice varieties by the aerosols are also discussed.
In laboratory pot culture, the nitrogenous aerosols were simulated and applied as Sodium nitrite and Ammonium chloride @
200ppm (20kgN/ha/yr) and 100ppm (10kgN/ha/yr) respectively at different growth stages of rice crop. We preferred the N-
aerosols for foliar feeding to plants due to lack of fumigation chambers. The rates of net photosynthesis (Pn) in rice varieties
varied significantly due to concentrations of aerosols. The Pn in crop varieties also behaved differently due to aerosols at
their growth stages. There are several previous reports on Pn depression in higher plants by nitrogenous pollutants. A
concentration of NO2 at 0.6µll-1 may cause Pn inhibition of oat (Avena sativa L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) during 90
min fumigation (Hill and Bennett, 1970). Similarly Srivastava et al. (1975) demonstrated that decrease in Pn of bean
(Phaseolus vulgaris) is related to NO2 (1-7 µll-1 over a period of 5h). Chloroplastic pH increases when the number of
protons in the chloroplast exceeds the proton required (six) for a NO2 reduction. The key enzyme of carbon assimilation
(ribulose-1-5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) is pH dependent. So such changes in pH are likely to be harmful (Heldt
et. al. 1986). Photosynthetic depression has also been related to ultrastructural changes in plants by NO2. The changes
include protrusion from the chloroplast (Lopata and Ulrich, 1975), and swelling of thylakoids (Wellburn et al. 1972). Sodium
and chloride ions might enter into cells, but they were neglected as non-physiological at relatively alkaline pH (>5.0) of the
aerosols in our work.
Nitrate reductase activity in rice was lowered in shoots by Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite at almost all stages of the
crops. The crop varieties also differed in respect of NR in their leaves. The NR which catalyses the reduction of nitrate to
nitrite, is substrate induced and hence, its levels of activity are determined by the supply of nitrate (Beevers and Hegeman
1969). Murray and Wellburn (1985) reported a significant increase in NR activity in tomato cultivar (Ailsa Craig), but not in
pepper varieties (Capsicum annum L. cvs. Rowland et al. (1989) exposed barley mutants to a concentration of 0.3µll-1 for 9d
in a nutrient culture experiment and found decreases in NR. Squash cotyledons when exposed to high levels of NO2,
induction of NR may be abolished. The inhibition is caused by accumulating larger amount of ammonium ions and certain
amino acids in squash cotyledons during fumigation (Hisamatsu et al., 1988).
In the present study, nitrogen use efficiencies in rice crops increased mostly with treatments of Ammonium chloride and
Sodium nitrite invariably at their growth stages except a few. On an average, varieties also showed remarkable differences in
their NUE in grains. However, NUE in grains decreased with the higher concentration of nitrogen aerosols applied to plants
in both pot culture and in field experiments. Vergeer et al. (2008) studied the adaptive responses of Arabidopsis lyrata
petraea accessions to nitrogen depositions reflecting the rates at the different locations. They found differences between
accessions in the response to N for physiological and phonological variables. It was pointed out that plant from low
deposition areas had higher NUE than plants from high nitrogen deposition grown at low deposition rates. The NUE
decreased in all accessions at higher experimental deposition rates. Also, plants from high deposition areas showed a limited
capacity to increase their NUE at lower deposition. Therefore, in the present study, the varieties having high NUE with lower
deposition of Nitrogen (e.g. Ammonium chloride) might have faster growth and higher turnover rates.
In the current work, nitrogen nutrition enhanced grain yield of rice varieties irrespective of their growth stages under
treatments usually. The enhancement is more prominent in Sodium nitrite than Ammonium chloride fed plants. Higher
nitrogen use efficiency with lower quantity of nitrogen from the source might improve nutritive quality of the crop varieties
(Prasad and Rao, 1980). In rice, Bishnuprasad followed by Jyotiprasad>Kanaklata>Jaymati>Mulagavaru) emerged as
commendable varieties in the current study. In these potential varieties, CMS was found to be higher irrespective of
treatments. Cell membrane permeability increased (with lower CMS) by both Ammonium chloride and Sodium nitrite as
compared to control. As Ammonium chloride treated plants had higher leakage of ions from the cells, they possessed higher
quantum of the cations in the intercellular and exchangeable sites. Similarly, Sodium nitrite treated plants had higher CMS
and lower membrane leakage than Ammonium chloride treated ones, a lower amount of the cations were recovered from the
cellular locations. In general, the rate of PO activity of rice crop treated with the oxidized aerosol was higher than the rate
shown by the reduced aerosol treatment as compared to the control. Therefore, the membrane damages caused by
Ammonium and nitrite aerosols were brought by two different mechanisms. The former depleted the cations from the
membrane directly and the later caused peroxidation of lipids present in the membrane. Hence, the membrane became leaky
14. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-1, May- 2015]
Page | 14
for the cations, and their quantum was higher in the intercellular and exchangeable sites irrespective of varieties, which were
detected in the extraction processes with water and SrCl2 solutions respectively. Although, nitrite causes swelling of
thylakoids (Wellburn et al., 1972), and changes membrane stability, direct interference of free radicals with critical enzymes
(Wellburn, 1990), may be responsible for reduction in growth and yield of crops. The oxides of nitrogen following the lipid
breakdown in membrane cause cellular plasmolysis (Pryor and Lightsey, 1981). Apart from uncoupling electron transport
chain in chloroplast (Lilley et al., 1975), ammonia reduces cations viz., Calcium, magnesium, and potassium (Boxman et al.,
1991). In plant cells, calcium is one of the integral components of plasma membrane, where it helps maintain stability (Legge
et al., 1982, Bharali and Bates 2006). Calcium ions binds with modulator proteins e.g. calmodulin (Dieter, 1984) and serves
as chemical signaling that in some cases equips the plant to resist external stresses (Bharali and Bates, 2004). These
possibilities have not been explored meticulously in the present studies.
In the study, data were reproduced from pot and fields experiments in natural environmental conditions. The plants faced
with varying in light intensity, temperature, relative humidity during their growth periods, and particularly during incubation
period for measurement of net photosynthesis. It was clear from presentation of environmental data that none but the relative
humidity varied mostly (Fig.7).. This might have some roles on physiological variations and productivity of the crop stage-
wise. Pierson and Elliott (1988) reported that there are differences between species imparting carbon dioxide fixation, and
reduction of nitrite only at low light levels and high nitrite concentration. So, the effects of irradiance and desiccation on the
pollution responses of the selected crop varieties and role of oxidative damage in these responses are being carried out in
field trial presently. All these largely indicate that the changes of the physiological parameters and productivity of the winter
rice crop may have quite different facets in context with the impacts of nitrogenous pollutants. However, scrubbing of the
nitrogenous pollutants in the form of aerosols for foliar feeding to plants at lower doses mostly at earlier growth stage is
important in addition to basal use of recommended fertilizers. It might also compensate leaching losses of nitrogen and boost
up the productivity of the cereal crop in the subtropics.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express sincere sense of gratitude to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India for financial
support for accomplishing the research work. We extend our thanks to the Authority of Assam Agricultural University,
Jorhat (Assam) for providing all kinds of facilities pertaining to the field and laboratory works under the project.
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