Increase in Temperature Induces the Malathion Toxicity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasianodon hypophthalmus</Emphasis>: A Short Term Acute Test

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of higher temperature beyond optimum range on acute toxicity for malathion (effective concentration 50 %) in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. A 2 days renewal bioassay system for 96 h was used to determine LC₅₀ value of malathion at three different regimes of temperature that is 30, 32 and 34 °C considering as T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The physico-chemical parameters of water of different treatment groups were estimated during pre and post-exposure of test chemical, following standard methods. The result of short term acute toxicity test at 96 h LC₅₀ values through probit analysis was found to be 7.76, 6.45 and 4.46 µL L^?1 for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The 96 h LC₅₀ of malathion at 34 °C was found to be significantly (p < 0.01) lower as compared with estimated LC₅₀ for malathion at 30 and 32 °C. High temperature and free carbon dioxide coupled with low dissolved oxygen were significantly noticed in T3 group when compared to T1 and T2 groups. Lower LC₅₀ of malathion at 34 °C as compared to 30 and 32 °C showed that at a higher temperature, the toxicity of malathion increased, signifying diminished fish protective response to malathion toxicity. The current study reflects the impact of increased temperature on pesticide toxicity in the aquatic ecosystem, alarming the aqua farmers to judiciously use malathion in ponds.     

Performance of Crossbred Heifers Supplemented with Linseed Oil,Either Alone or in Combination with Myristic Acid

In order to assess the impact of supplementing linseed oil (LO) and myristic acid (MA) on intake, digestibility and growth, fifteen Karan-Fries heifers (6–12 months of age and 120.15 ± 17.5 kg average body weight) were assigned randomly into three groups of five animals each. Group T1 served as control, fed with hand-mixed basal total mixed ration (TMR) containing concentrate mixture, wheat straw and green berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) in proportion of 40, 40 and 20 %, respectively. In addition to basal TMR, animals in group T2 were supplemented with 2 % LO and group T3 with 1 % LO + 1 % MA for 120 days. Results revealed that, supplementation of fat sources in both the treatment groups (T2 and T3) did not exhibit any effect on intake of dry matter and crude protein in comparison with group T1. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients did not differ due to treatments, except that of EE, which was greater (P < 0.05) in groups T2 and T3 as compared with control. Furthermore, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were not influenced by dietary treatments. Additionally, predicted methane emission was decreased up to 20.3 and 18.3 % in groups T2 and T3, respectively than that of group T1. Based on these findings, it was concluded that supplementing either 2 % LO or 1 % LO + 1 % MA may not be a viable nutritional strategy for achieving faster growth response in tropical crossbred dairy heifers at field level.     

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Approach to Analyze Local Importance of Tree Species in North Western Himalaya: A Case Study of Ponda Watershed,J&amp;K

The present study has been carried out in the Ponda watershed of district Rajouri (J&K), northwestern Himalaya to analyze local importance of tree species by quantitative ethnobotanical approach and their status of availability in the study area. Data was analyzed using relative frequency of citation (RFC) and use value (UV) index along with Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. A total of 34 tree species were encountered represented by 31 genera and 22 families. All identified tree species were classified into 10 general use categories. As per indigenous use, 27 tree species are exploited for firewood followed by 15 for fodder, 12 each for fruits and making agriculture tools whereas very few tree species are being utilized by local people for various other uses. The UV and RFC of different tree species ranged from 0.02 to 0.12 and 0.04 to 0.80, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was found to be higher (0.60) than the Spearman’s rank correlation (0.54), which reflects high linear relationship as compared to monotonic relationship between RFC and UV. The present study showed that Pinus roxburghii was an abundant species, whereas 3 tree species, i.e. Juglans regia, Ficus religiosa and Ulmus wallichiana were observed to be rare. However, according to the IUCN conservation status of the various trees observed in the study area, Juglans regia and Ulmus wallichiana are near threatened and vulnerable species, respectively, which are also exploited for their multiple uses by the locals.     

Phosphorus Solubilization and Plant Growth Promotion Ability of Rhizobacteria of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R. communis</Emphasis> L Growing in Assam,India

Castor (Ricinus communis L) is the primary host plant of eri silkworm and its rhizosphere harbours diverse group of microbial community with biofertilizer potentiality. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) render available phosphate (P) in agricultural soil by P mineralization process through enzyme mediated reaction. In search for PSB strains, 15 castor rhizobacteria were isolated and characterized for morphological and biochemical properties. The isolates were screened in vitro for P solubilization efficiency both qualitatively and quantitatively. Isolate MAJ PSB12 produced highest soluble P concentration (322.20 µmol/l) in National Botanical Research Institute Phosphate medium after 96 h of incubation with a maximum drop in pH to 5.4 from 7.0. Among the isolates, maximum content of IAA (24.6 mg/l) and GA₃ (3.921 mg/l) was also found to be produced by the same strain. The most potential isolate was identified as Bacillus firmus MAJ PSB12 by 16S rRNA gene homology analysis and the sequence was submitted to National Centre for Biotechnology Information GenBank. Although many species belonging to the genus Bacillus are efficient P solubilizer, application of native rhizobacteria is easier for adaptation and succession during biofertilization process. B. firmus MAJ PSB12 can be utilized as potential biofertilizer to promote sustainable castor cultivation in sericulture for upliftment of rural livelihood.     

Genoprotection and Cytotoxicity of Cassia surattensis Seed Extract on Vero Cell Evaluated by Comet and Cytotoxicity Assays

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Cassia (C.) surattensis Burm. f. (Leguminosae) is a flowering plant that has been traditionally used in many...     

Screening of Nutritionally Important Gut Bacteria from the Lepidopteran Insects Through Qualitative Enzyme Assays

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Lepidopteran insects are the most dominant and diversified group among phytophagous pests and economically...     

Quantification of Antioxidant Contents in Sweet Pepper as Influenced by Planting Time and Fruit Picking Stage

The present study reports the quantification of changes in the contents of plant pigments and ascorbic acid as influenced by the planting time and fruit picking stages in sweet pepper. The crop was planted on five different dates at 10 days interval in randomized block design under open field conditions in temperate area to quantify the changes which took place in the contents of plant pigments and ascorbic acid in green and red fruits. The results showed that the planting time and fruit picking stage had significant (p ≤ 0.05) influence on plant pigments and ascorbic acid contents in sweet pepper. The last week of May was observed as the optimal planting time when fruits exhibited higher contents of lycopene, β-carotene and ascorbic acid. The red fruit picking stage had significantly higher concentration of these phytonutrients than the green picking stage. In order to pick-up fruits at right stage and time with high plant pigments and ascorbic acid contents, these results would help meet out the increasing demand of sweet pepper quality fruits.