Int. J. Agri. Sci. & Tech. Vol. 2 (1) 2013, pp. 13-18
S. B. Yadav, H. R. Patel, P. Parmar, B.I.Karande and V. Pandey
Department of Agricultural Meteorology Anand Agricultural University Anand, Gujarat – 388 110 E-mail:
Á field experiment was conducted at B.A. College of agriculture; AAU, Anand during
the kharif season of 2009. The experiment was carried out in split plot design with two dates of sowings of two groundnut cultivars with two irrigation levels. The results of field experiments revealed that pod and haulm yields as well as test weight and shelling percentage did not differ due to date of sowing. Similarly, growth and yield attributing parameters like weight of mature and immature pod per plant, number of mature and immature pods per plant, plant height and number of branches per plant were also not differed due to date of sowing. The differences in pod yield and shelling percentage, mature pod weight per plant were found significant due to varieties. The irrigation treatment exerted non significant effect. It might be due to well distributed rainfall received during the crop season.
INTRODUCTION Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a leguminous crop having the capability of fixing the atmospheric nitrogen through its root nodules. It is the 13th most important food crop and 4th most important oilseed crop of the world. India ranks first in respect of area, China in production and USA in productivity. Gujarat is the larg-
est producer of groundnut contributing 25% of the total production in whole India. Recently decrease in groundnut production in India is due to non-availability of sufficient irrigated water, effect of pest - disease, water logging, drought etc. The multiple uses of crop make it an excellent cash crop for domestic market as well as for foreign trade.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was conducted during kharif season-2007 at the Agronomy Farm, Department of Agronomy, BACA, AAU, Anand (Gujarat), India situated at 22° 35’ N latitude and 72° 55’ E longitude and at an altitude of 45.1 m above mean sea level. The average annual rainfall of Anand is 839.6 mm. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with two dates of sowing (viz, D1: Onset of monsoon and D2:15 days after first sowing) with two ground nut cultivars (i.e. V1: Robut 33-1, V2: GG-2) and two irrigation levels (viz. I0: no irrigation, I1: irrigation at 50 % depletion of available soil moisture). The cultural operations at appropriate stages of crop were carried out. In well prepared field groundnut seeds were subsequently dibbled manually in the lines at a soil depth of 5 cm. The crop was uniformly fertilized with 12.5 + 25 + 0.0 kg NPK per ha. Need based plant protection measures were followed for termite control. More or less crop remain pest and disease free. Inter culturing by wheel hoe and two hand weeding were carried out during the crop growth period before pegging stage of the crop. Periodic plant biometric observations at 15 days interval of the 3 plants had been recorded from random process. Green leaf area was measured with the help of leaf area meter (LI-COR 3100). The green plants were uprooted randomly and green leaves were separated and their area was measured. The following equation was used for calculation of LAI (leaf area index). LAI = Total green leaf area o fof the plants (cm 2 ) Total ground area (cm 2 )
The same plants uprooted for LAI measurement were used to record total dry matter. The leaves, stem, root and pods were separated. They were then dried in oven at 72°C for 24 hours till a constant weight was obtained. Plant height was also recorded at harvesting. Based on the observations on individual plants at alternate day interval, occurrence of different phenological events viz., Emergence, flowering, pegging, podding, seed initiation and harvesting were recorded. The soil moisture content from each of the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil depths was determined by gravimetric method at weekly interval. Conversion of soil moisture into volumetric content was done using the following formula. Moisture content = [(W1-W2)/W2] x 100 x BD x ASi Where, W1=Weight of moist soil sample (gm) W2=Weight of oven dry soil sample (gm) BD=Bulk density (gm cm-3) ASi=Depth of Ith soil layer (mm). Pod yield of groundnut for each of the treatments under different replications from each of the net experimental plots was recorded by weighing the actual quantity of pods realized. This weight was subsequently converted into the weight of the pods on a hectare basis after through sun drying. After nipping the pods, the haulm was subjected to sun drying for over a period of week till constant weight was obtained. The same weight was then converted on a hectare basis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The differences in mean dry pod yield during crop growing season was found statistically non-significant for date of sowing
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might be due to the even distribution of rainfall over the whole crop growing period in both of date of sowing, but the treatment D1 (2182.84 kg ha-1) recorded the highest pod yield as compared to treatments D2 (1864.95 kg ha-1). Treatment D1 recorded 8 % more yield as compared to treatment D2 (Patel et. al., 1986). The statistical comparison of the results of pod yield revealed that differences in yield due to differences in the variety were found statistically significant. Patil et. al., (1993) Raichur (Karnataka) observed that the yields were decreased due to delay in sowing dates. The cultivar V1 (Robut 331) produced (2372.21 kg ha-1) higher yield as compare to V2 (1675.57 kg ha-1), and it was 17 % higher as compared to V2. Results of pod yield in response to both irrigation treatments showed statistically non-significant differences in yield due to because of good rainfall distribution during crop growing season. The differences in the haulm yield for dates, varieties and irrigation treatment were found nonsignificant. This might be due to well distributed rainfall received during the crop growing season. Highest mean haulm yield (5140 kg ha-1) was recorded in D1 sowing followed by D2(4840 kg ha-1), similar as Sahu et. al., (2004). The statistical comparison of the results of haulm yield found higher in V2 (5010 kg ha-1) followed by V1 (4970 kg ha-1) treatment. The statistical comparison of the test weight (gm) was found significant for date of sowing and varieties but was found non-significant for irrigation treatment. Test weight was found significantly higher in D1 (32.94 gm) followed by D2 (31.51 gm) and for V1 (33.63 gm) followed by V2 (31.51 gm). The differences in shelling percentage was found statistically
non-significant for date of sowing, but the treatment D1 (69.83 %) recorded the slightly higher shelling percentage than treatments D2 (69.71 %). The statistical comparison of the results revealed that differences in shelling percentage due to differences in the variety were found statistically significant and higher shelling percentage was observed in treatment V2 (71.23 %) as compare to treatment V1 (68.31 %). Shelling percentage in response to irrigation treatments showed statistically non-significant results but I0 treatment (70.47%) obtained slightly higher shelling percentage as compare to I1 (69.07 %). The experimental results pertaining to number of immature pods, mature pods, number of branches per plant and plant height as influenced by different dates of sowing, varieties and irrigation regimes are presented in the Table 4.2. The differences in the number of immature pods for dates, varieties and irrigation treatment were found non-significant. Highest mean number of immature pods (8.08) was recorded in D2 sowing followed by D1 (6.43). In case of varieties, number of immature pods found higher in V1 (7.94) as compared to V2 (6.56) treatment. The number of immature pods was found higher (7.30) in I0 as compared to I1 (7.20) treatment. The differences in the number of mature pods for dates, varieties and for irrigation treatment were found non-significant. Higher mean number of mature pods (15.23) was recorded in D2 sowing as compared to D1 (13.03) treatment. Higher mature pods were found in V1 (14.55) as compared to V2 (13.70) treatment. In case of irrigation treatment, I0 treatment had higher (14.43) mature pods as compare to I1 (13.83) treatment. The differences in
Int. J. Agri. Sci. & Tech. Vol. 2 (1) 2013, pp. 13-18
Int. J. Agri. Sci. & Tech. Vol. 2 (1) 2013, pp. 13-18
Int. J. Agri. Sci. & Tech. Vol. 2 (1) 2013, pp. 13-18
number of branches per plant was found statistically non-significant for date of sowing, but the treatment D2 recorded the higher (6.46) number of branches per plant as compared to treatments D1 (6.15). The result of number of branches per plant due to differences in the variety was found statistically significant. The more number of branches (6.99) was recorded in V1 as compared to V2 (5.63) treatments. The number of branches per plant in respect of irrigation treatments showed non-significant differences but I1 treatment (6.55) produced more number of branches per plant as compare to I0 (6.05). The differences in plant height were found statistically non-significant due to date of sowing, however D1 recorded (74.98 cm) higher plant height as compared to D2 (64.49 cm) treatment. The plant height due to differences in the variety were statistically found significant and maximum plant height was observed in treatment V2 (74.98 cm) as compare to V1 (64.49 cm) treatment. Irrigation treatments showed statistically non-significant results but I1 recorded (71.06 cm) slightly higher plant height as compared to I0 (68.40 cm) treatment It was mentioned earlier that the fundamental objective behind the conduct of this field experiment was to determine agro-gnomically the best combination of the treatments involving dates of sowing, varieties and irrigation regimes contributing to higher yield, all the treatments in combination being assumed to provide to the crop a specific environmental situation. Thus the task of
ascertaining the most effective combination of treatments became quite complex and the objective could not be attained on statistical basis.
CONCLUSION Hence, a more pragmatic approach had to be followed in this respect. On the basis of the results of the individual treatments on yield and yield attributes it was ascertained through visual scrutiny that the treatment combination D1V1 could be reckoned as the most effective and was accepted and adopted accordingly, but here irrigation treatment is not included because due to well distributed of rainfall and hence irrigation treatment was not found beneficial.
REFERENCES 1.
(http://dacnet.nic.in/eands).
2. Patil, M.P., Rao, M.R., Wali, B.M., Kalaghatagi, S.B. and Palled, Y.B. 1993.Response of groundnut cultivars to sowing time under rainfed conditions. Kar. J. of Agri. Sci.6 (4): 398-400. 3. Patel, M.P., Oungarani, R.A., Patel, H.C., Patel, R.G. and Patel, R.B. 1986. Response of groundnut cultivars to different dates of sowing under rainfed conditions. Indian. J. Agron. 31 (3): 285-288. 4. Sahu, D.D., Golakiya, B.A. and Patoliya, B.M., 2004. Impact of rainfall on the yield of rainfed groundnut. J. of. Agrometeorology 6(2):153-161.
Int. J. Agri. Sci. & Tech. Vol. 2 (1) 2013, pp. 19-21
Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) Amrish Srivastava1, S.P Singh2 and Ajayendra Kumar3 1 &2
Department of Horticulture, Banaras Hindu University of Agriculture and Technology Varanasi (U.P) India, 3Chaudhary Charan Singh Degree College, Bardari, Barabanki Email :
Án experiment was conducted in randomised block design with ten treatments and
three replications at Horticultural Experiment farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P) to study the effect of foliar spray of different sources of potassium on fruiting, yield and shelf-life of ber fruits. The results revealed that foliar spray of KN03 (2%) proved most effective in reducing fruit drop, increasing fruit retention and fruit yield with improved shelf-life of fruits.
nutrients absorption depend on various factors like environmental factors (temBer is an ancient and important fruit of perature, humidity, solar radiation etc), India. The area and production of ber in chemical and physical properties of the India have been estimated to the tune of nutrient spray, leaf characters etc. Consid61279 ha. and 3797606 million tonnes, ering these facts in mind, a study was carrespectively(Bose et.al., 2002). It is a hardy ried out to assess the effect of foliar spray tree which can be cultivated successfully of different sources of potassium on fruitunder the most unfavourable condition ing, yield and shelf-life of ber fruits of soil, moisture and climate. It is a good source of vitamin ‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘C’. Its fruit is MATERIALS AND METHODS richer than that of apple in protein, phosphorus, calcium, carotene and vitamin ‘C’ Twenty years old, average yielding ber contents ( Bakhshi and Singh, 1974). The trees of Banarasi Karaka were selectfoliar application of nutrients is compara- ed for the study at Horticultural Research tively more effective than soil application. Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, The beneficial effect of foliar application Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The of nutrients is based on the fact that nu- experimental soil had 0.117% nitrogen, trients reach directly to the leaves which 0.082 % phosphorus (P205), 0.541 % potare site of metabolism. However, rate of ash, 1.116 % organic carbon, 7.2 pH and
INTRODUCTION
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0.72 dsm-1 electrical conductivity. The experiment was conducted in RBD with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised: T1, control (water spray) ; T2, K2SO4(0.5 %) ; T3, K2SO4 (1.0 %); T4, K2SO4 (2.0 %); T 5, KCl (0.5 %); T6, KCl (1.0 %); T7, KCl (2 %); T8, KNO3(0.5 %); T9, KNO3(1.0 %) and T10, KNO3(2.0 %). The spraying was done twice i.e 20 November and 20 January using Teepol as a surfactant @ 0.5 ml/litre. The retention of fruit was determined by counting the number of flowers retained in form of fruit on the tagged branches all round the tree, recorded at the time of harvesting. To study the fruit drop 200 flowers were tagged in all the four directions of plant canopy at the time of flowering. Percent fruit drop was calculated with the help of following formulaFruit drop (%) = Number of flowers tagged at initial stage – Number of fruit retained on the shoot at harvesting . Number of flowers tagged at initial stage Fruit yield was worked out by summing the weight of fruits at every harvest. For determining the shelf-life of fruits 20 fruits for each treatment were packed in perforated polythene bags and replicated thrice. The bags were stored at an ambient temperature (17.6 + 2 0C) and observations were recorded at 3,6 and 9 days after storage for physiological weight loss and decay loss. The data obtained were statistically analysed according to the methods suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1985).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Data revealed that fruit retention and
fruit drop was greatly influenced by foliar spray of different sources of potassium (Table 1). Among the different sources of potassium, KNO3 (2%) was found superior for retaining the maximum number of fruits (41.54%) per branch. The fruit retention was lowest (34.17%) under control (T1). However, treatment T4 was at par with T9 in this regard. Data pertaining to fruit drop revealed that it was minimum (48.45%) under T10 KNO3 (2 %) while it was maximum (55.61 %) under T1 (control). However, treatment T2 and T6, T4 and T3, and T3 and T8 were at par in this aspect. These findings are in line with the findings of Sharma et.al., (1990) in mango. The higher fruit drop might have been due to deficiency of nutrients. Besides it, other factors like fungal diseases particularly powdery mildew (Mehta, 1950), attack of insect-pest etc. may be responsible for higher fruit drop which is directly associated with fruit retention. Data presented in Table1 clearly indicated that yield attributes and yield were affected significantly by different sources of potassium. The maximum fruit size in terms of length (4.86 cm) and breadth (3.42 cm), weight (20.23 g) and yield (37.70 Kg/tree) were observed under treatment T10 (KNO3 2%) followed by treatment T9, T8, and T4, while these were minimum in treatment T1 (control). The treatment T10 was significantly superior over all other treatments in respect of yield attributes and yield.The treatment T3 and T7, and T4 and T8 were at par in respect of fruit size and treatment T2 and T5, and T3, T6 and T7 were at par in respect of fruit yield. The involvement of nitrogen directly in growth and those of potassium indirectly through translocation of food material might be one of the rea-
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sons for increased size and weight of fruit which results in significantly increased fruit yield over control. These results are in close conformity with the findings of Singh et.al.,(1981) for yield attributes and of Singh and Singh (1975) for fruit yield.
Shelf-life The foliar spray of different sources of potassium significantly minimized the physiological weight loss and decay loss over control. The lowest physiological weight loss (4.97 %) was recorded with KNO3 (2 %) while, it was highest (5.46 %) under control (T1). Treatment T4 and T9, and T3, T7 and T8 were at par in respect of physiological weight loss. Physiological weight loss increased with the increased in number of days of storage. The highest physiological weight loss was recorded after 9 day of storage whereas, it was minimum after 3 day of storage. These results are in close conformity with the results of Gupta and Mehta (1988) in ber.
mended for its commercial application at growers field.
REFERENCES 1. Bakhshi, J.C. and Singh, P. 1974. The ber a good choice for semi-arid and marginal soil. Indian hort. 19:27-30. 2. Bose, T.K.; Mitra, S.K. and Sanyal. D. 2000. Fruits Tropical and Sub-tropical. 3rd edn., 3. Gupta O.P and Mehta,N. 1988. Effect of postharvest application of chemicals on the shelf-life of ber fruits cv. Gola. Haryana J.. Hort Sci. 17(3-4) : 183-189. 4. Gupta, O.P.; Siddiquie, S. and Gupta, A.K. 1989. Effect of pre-harvest spray of various chemicals on the storage of ber fruits. Res. Dev. Reporter, 6 (1) : 35-40 5. Mehta P.R. 1950. Pt. Prot. Bull., New Delhi 2:50-51 6. Panse, V.G. and Sukhatme, P.V. 1985. Statistical methods for Agricultural Workers, 4th edn. ICAR, New Delhi pp. 59-62.
Decay loss was also significantly reduced by foliar spray of different sources of potassium over control (Table1). The minimum decay loss (5.0%) was noticed with 7. Sharma, V.P.; Raju, P.V. and Kore, V.N. T10 followed by T3 (6.67%) and T9(7.22%). 1990. Anna. Agri: Res. 11:14-20 The highest decay loss (14.99%) was recorded under control (T1) on 9th day of 8. Siddiquie, S.; Gupta, O.P. and storage. The intereaction effect of treatYamdagni,R. 1989. Effect of pre-harment was also found significant in respect vest spray of chemicals on the shelfof decay loss. These results corroborate life of ber fruits cv. Umran. Haryana the findings of Gupta et.al., (1989) and SidJ.Hort. Sci. 18(3-3: 177-178). diquie et.al., (1989) in ber. 9. Singh, H.K ; Singh, B.P. and Chauhan, Summary K.S. 1981. Effect of foliar feeding of varFoliar spray of different sources of poious chemicals on physico-chemical tassium significantly reduced fruit drop, quality of gvava fruits. J. Res., Hisar Agri increased fruit retention and yield, and Uni. 11:411-414. improved shelf life of ber fruits. However, KNO3 2% (T10) was found superior over 10. Singh, R.P. and Singh A.R. 1975. Hort: Adv. 9:7-10 all other treatments and may be recom-
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And Quality Of Late Sown Wheat Asheesh Kumar, Pandey*, R. S. Kureel**, Bhagwan Singh*, H. P. Tripathi*, Ghanshyam Singh*, Suresh Kumar*** and Arvind Kumar****
*Department of Agronomy, *Vice-Chancellor***Department of Soil Science, ****Department of Agricultural Meteorology Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) 224 229 email:
he study was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) during rabi season of 2008-09 to evaluate the nitrogen doses and nitrogen scheduling for better growth, yield, quality of wheat. The treatments were laid out in randomized block design with 4 replications on silt loam having low organic (0.30%), nitrogen (203), medium in phosphorus (15.25) and (265) kg ha-1 . All the growth and yield attributes increased significantly with increasing nitrogen doses up to 150 kgha-1. Application of every dose of nitrogen showed significant superiority over 100 N kgha-1 and control. Grain as well as straw yield increased with increase in nitrogen dose recording maximum yields of 36.13 qha-1 and 54.89 qha-1 of grain and straw yield with 150 kgha-1, respectively. The growth character like plant height was significantly maximum under ¼ basal + 45 % at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5 % at milk stage foliar being at par with T 5 , T4 and T3 and nitrogen scheduling were significantly superior over T1 and T2. The nitrogen scheduling had significant effect on nutrient uptake by nutrient uptake 119.31 kg N, 22.23 kg P and 105 kg Kha-1 crop recording significantly higher 119.31 kgNha-1 under ¼ basal + 45 % at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5 % at milk stage foliar being at par with T5 and T4 and significantly higher than rest of treatments. The yield components like effective tillers m-1 row length, spike length (cm) number of grain spike-1 , grain and straw yield of wheat qha-1 and NPK uptake by crop were maximum under T6 and at par with T5 , T4 were significantly over T3, T2 and T1. Keywords : nitrogen doses and nitrogen scheduling, randomized block design.
INTRODUCTION Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops of the world that has been considered as integral component of food security. Average yield of wheat under late sown condition is poor due to less exploi-
tation of potentially of the crop. Reduction in yield is caused due to delayed emergence of seedling. Delayed emergence of crop and premature drying due to high temperature and hot desiccating winds during grain filling stage caused the
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forced maturity of late sown crop which ultimately results in heavy reduction in biomass. Among the major elements, nitrogen is most important because most of the Indian soils are deficient in this element. Nitrogen governs considerable degree to the utilization of phosphorus and potassium. The presence of optimum amount of readily available nitrogen in the soil fertility status leading to the successful crop production. The response of nitrogen depends upon not only its optimum time but also upon the proper methods of its application. The maximum benefit from the use of nitrogenous fertilizers can be obtained. If it is applied in such away that it could be made available to the plants at critical stages in sufficient quantity. In fact, to get maximum benefit and response from the fertilizers use, it should be applied i) in correct dose ii) at the right time and iii) by the proper method as timely nitrogen application is one of the technique which has helped increasing nitrogen use efficiency. Application of recommended dose of the fertilizer in two or three splits during crop period has been found more effective over single application. Nitrogen very rapidly losses in the soil due to leaching, denitrification, volatilization and surface runoff and reduces the nitrogen use. Thus the use of suitable doses with split application of nitrogen may play important role in minimizing the present gap in yield.
MATERIALS AND METHODS The filed experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and
Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) during rabi season of 2008-09. The treatments were laid out in randomized block design with 4 replications. Thirteen treatments viz. Nitrogen dose 0, 100 and 150 kgha-1 and Nitrogen Scheduling ½ Basal + ½ at Ist irrigation 1/3 basal + 1/3 at Ist irrigation + 1/3 at flowering. ¼ basal + ½ at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering. 45% basal + ½at Ist irrigation + 5% at flowering (foliar). 1/3 basal + 1/3 at Ist irrigation + 28 % flowering + 50% at milk stage (foliar) ¼ basal + 45 % at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5 % at milk stage (foliar) were comprised for nitrogen dose and scheduling along with control. The variety of wheat UP2425 was taken as test. The experimental soil was Silt loam with Bulk density 1.41 g/cc pH (1:2.5) 8.56, EC 0.21 dSm-1 , N 203, P 15.25, K 265 Kgha-1 and Zinc 0.48 ppm. An uniform dose of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 through single super phosphate and 40 Kg K2O ha-1 through muriate of potash and 25 kg zinc sulphate ha-1 was applied at the time of sowing as basal dose. The nitrogen was applied as per treatment Soil and plants were analyzed as per standard method described by Jackson, 1973.
The number of shoot running meter-1 was increased significantly by nitrogen dose. The maximum number of shoots was recorded under 150 kg Nha-1 at 90 days after sowing. This may be due to fact that sufficient supply of nitrogen increased absorption of nutrient from soil and ena-
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bled plants for profuse tillering which enhanced shoot m-1 as well as reduced mortality of tillers. At 60 DAS and 90 DAS the number of shoot running meter -1 was recorded significantly higher in T6 (1/4 basal+ 45% at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar, Which was at par with T4 and T5 but significantly better than rest of the treatments. The maximum plant height was recorded under 150 kg Nha-1, which was significantly better than 100 kg Nha-1 and control and at all the crop growth stages. Plant height was affected significantly due to nitrogen scheduling at all the stages except 30DAS. The tallest plants were recorded in T6 (1/4 basal+ 45% at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar) which was at par with T4 and T5 and significantly taller as compared to rest of the treatments. There was significant increase in all the yield attributes viz., effective tiller m-1, spike length and grain spike-1 with increase in doses from 0 to 150 kg Nha-1 recording highest values at was lesser 150 kg Nha-1. All the attributes also increased significantly with increase in nitrogen splits. Highest values of all the yield attributes were recorded under T6 (1/4 basal+ 45% at 1st irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar) which were at par with T4 and T5 where scheduling was done in four splits and all were superior 2 splits (T1). Similar results were also reported by Agrawal and Moolani , 1978. The maximum grain and straw yield was recorded under 150 kg Nha-1 which was
significantly higher over 100 kg Nha-1 and control. Grains and straw yield was significantly influenced by nitrogen scheduling. Highest grain (35.43) and straw (52.33) yield qha-1 was obtained under T6 (1/4 basal+ 45% at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar) which was at par with T5 and T4 but significantly higher than rest of the treatment. This is mainly due to better vegetative growth caused efficient assimilation and absorption nitrogen from the soil which increases the yield. The findings are in agreement with those of Ram (2005) and Kachroo and Razadan (2006). Protein content in grain was greatly influenced by nitrogen dose and its scheduling. The maximum protein content was recorded with 150 kg Nha-1 sowing its significantly superior over 100 kg Nha-1 .Similar results were also reported by Nakhtore and Kewat (1989). The nitrogen scheduling had significant effect on protein content in grain. The maximum protein content of 12.80 per cent was recorded T6 (1/4 basal+ 45% at lst irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar) which was 1.56 per cent higher than T1.Tomar (1977) and Akhun (1982) had also reported increase in protein content with splits in comparison to basal or two splits. The N, P and K uptake also influenced by higher dose of nitrogen 150 kg ha-1 and nitrogen scheduling. Significant higher uptake was recorded under T6 (1/4 basal+ 45% at lst irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar) as compared to rest of the treatment except T4 and T5. The results are in close conformity to those of
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Int. J. Agri. Sci. & Tech. Vol. 2 (1) 2013, pp. 22-27
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Dhuka
(1992).
Patel,B.S. 1992 .Effect of rate and time of N application on late sown wheat. Indian J.Agron.,37(2) 354-55.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION A dose of 150 kg Nha-1 seems to be suitable dose for better growth yield and quality of late sown wheat. Application of nitrogen in four splits i. e. (1/4 basal+ 45% at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar) is the best schedule of nitrogen application in late sown wheat. Thus, it may be concluded that for better yield and return from late sown wheat, nitrogen may be applied 150 kg Nha-1 in four splits i. e. 1/4 basal+ 45% at Ist irrigation + ¼ at flowering + 5% at milk stage foliar.
REFERENCES 1. Agarwal,SK.and Moolani,M.K. 1978. Effect of rates,time and method of nitrogen application on dwarf wheat.Indian J.Agro.,23 (1):53-54. 2. Akhum,Deo ,F.G. 1982.Effect of date of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield and quality of wither wheat in western zone of the Azerbaijian,S.S.R.,Field Crop Absi.,35(2):981. 3. Dhuka.A.K.; Sadaria.S.G.; Patel,J.G.and
4. Jackson,M.L.(1973).Soil Chemical analysis such edn. Prentice Hall of India.,Pvt. Ltd.,New Delhi. 5. Kachroo,D.and Razdan,R. 2006. Growth nutrient uptake and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by bio-fertilizers and nitrogen. Indian J.Agron.15(1):37-39. 6. Nakhtore,C.L.and Kewat,M.L. 1989. Response of dwarf wheat to varying fertility levels under limited and adequate irrigation conditions.Indian J.Agron.,34(4):508-509. 7. Ram,T.,Yadav,S.K.and Sheoran,R.S. 2005.Growth analysis of wheat under varying fertility levels and Azotobacter strains.Indian Journal of Agricultural research .39 (40:295-298). 8. Tomar,S.S 1977 .To study the effect of different seed and nitrogen levels on growth,yield and quality of wheat variety RR-21.Under the late sown cond. Of Gwalior.Field Crop Abst.33(11):8358.
*******
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Sandeep Bajpai and Madhu Tripathi
Aquatic Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007 (U.P.) India E-mail:
Nature gives life to everything by means of water. Natural water sources are often con-
taminated by partially treated or untreated wastes of industrial and agricultural origin containing various hazardous pollutants. Among them, fluoride (F-) has been emerged as one of the major pollutant. It is a persistent bioaccumulator that accumulates in the visceral organs of animals including fish. Elevated level of fluoride has been reported to disturb the metabolic activity that is interlinked with the structural integrity of cells and tissues and alters normal biochemical profile of the exposed organisms. In view of this, the present study has been designed to investigate the effect of fluoride on different biochemical constituents such as protein, lipid, glycogen and cholesterol in gills of Heteropneustes fossilis, a popular edible freshwater catfish of India. The fish were divided into three groups having 15 fish in each. Group I (without any treatment) maintained in dechlorinated tap water served as control, whereas group II and III were exposed to 35 mgF/L and 70 mgF/L respectively. After 60 days of exposure, the levels of biochemical constituents in gill tissue were analyzed following standard protocols. Exposure of fish to different sub-lethal concentrations revealed ‘concentration dependent’ depletion in the biochemical constituents of gills in comparison to control. The possible reasons for depletion of biochemical contents after fluoride exposure have also been discussed.
INTRODUCTION
are getting severely polluted as a result of Increasing environmental pollution is anthropogenic additions arising from inthe most burning issue of this era, affect- dustrial and municipal effluent discharges ing all living organisms and deteriorat- containing toxic substances (Beg and Ali, ing natural resources (Arner et. al., 2009). 2008). These toxicants are injurious to non The rapid industrialization and globaliza- target aquatic organisms including fishes tion is responsible to introduce wide va- being the largest and most diverse group riety of chemicals into the environment. in aquatic ecosystem. They are sensiAquatic bodies are not an exception and tive to even minute changes in the water
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quality caused by xenobiotics therefore act as perfect bioindicator for aquatic toxicity studies. Since gills are permanently exposed to the contaminated media they act as a perfect target site for toxicant absorption and accumulation (Herger et. al., 1995; Bajpai et. al., 2011). Accumulation of toxicants in tissues promotes many physiological and biochemical alterations in fishes (Nagarathnamma and Ramamurthi, 1982; Kumar et. al., 2007a; Logaswamy and Remia, 2009) influencing the normal activity of enzymes and metabolites.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Healthy specimens of H. fossilis (average size 14.09±0.20 cm and weight 12.04±0.30 gm) were procured from nearby areas of Lucknow city and were acclimated in dechlorinated and well aerated water for about 15 days in standard laboratory conditions. Twelve hours photoperiod was maintained throughout the experiment. During acclimatization, they were fed on alternate days with dried prawn pieces followed by the change of aquaria water to avoid contamination. The toxicant used was Sodium Fluoride, NaF obtained from Qualigens, Fine Chemicals Limited Mumbai, India. A stock solution was prepared by dissolving weighed amount of toxicant in double distilled water, which was further diluted according to the desired concentration with chlorine free water. The fish were divided into three groups having 15 fish (either sex) in each. Group I served as control (maintained without any treatment) whereas group II and III were exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations (35 mgF/L and 70 mgF/L) respectively for 60 days.
Among these toxicants, fluoride has been reported as a persistent bioaccumulator that accumulates in visceral organs of fish interfering with their normal functioning (Bhatnagar et. al., 2007; Kumar et. al., 2007b; Bajpai and Tripathi, 2010). Since fluoride affects visceral organs in fishes causing visceral toxicity, gills being the primary target organ might also be affected. In view of above facts, the study has been designed to investigate the effect of sub-lethal exposure of fluoride on various biochemical constituents in gills of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, a popular edible and highly cultivated freshwater At the end of exposure i.e. after 60 days, fishes from both control and experimental fish of India.
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groups were sacrificed for sampling. Gills were carefully dissected out and subjected to biochemical estimations. The biochemical contents were analyzed by following standard methods. Protein content was estimated by Folin phenol reagent method (Lowry et. al., 1951), lipid (Folch et. al., 1957), glycogen (Montgomery, 1957) and Cholesterol by the method of Rosenthal et. al., (1957). The results were replicated thrice and the data obtained was analyzed by Student’s t test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The exposure of fish to different sub-lethal concentrations of fluoride showed depletion in protein contents in the gills (-19.44 to -33.01%) after 60 days as compared to control group. The lipid contents were also decreased (-3.19 to -8.58%) during chronic fluoride exposure. Similarly concentration dependent decrease in glycogen content (-13.95 to -77.60%) was observed as a result of sub-lethal exposure. Cholesterol level was also found to be decreased (-31.69 to -67.64%) in both the concentrations after sub-lethal exposure. The results obtained in the study are shown in table and figure.1. The gill is major target organ because it remains in direct contact with the contaminated medium resulting in absorption and accumulation of the toxicant. It has been reported that aquatic pollutants damage the fish gills by causing breakdown of the gaseous exchange mechanism with consequent tissue hypotoxic conditions (Khan and Singh, 2002). Concentration dependent decrease in protein, lipid, glycogen and cholesterol in gills of H. fossilis after sub-lethal exposure to fluoride indicates adverse effects of fluoride on biochemical profile. Under
stress condition, many organisms mobilize proteins as an energy source through oxidation of amino acids. The depletion in protein level observed here may be due to its stress mediated mobilization to fulfill the increased demands for energy by fish to cope up with environmental stress after exposure (Bajpai and Tripathi, 2010). The decrease in protein level may also be due to conversion of proteins into mucoproteins secreted in the form of mucous as a protective mechanism against toxic stress. It may also be due to impairment of protein synthesis or increase in the rate of its degradation into amino acid, which may be fed to TCA cycle through enzyme aminotransferase to combat with the high energy demands. Decrease in protein content after toxicant stress has already been reported by many workers (Borah and Yadav, 1995; Susan et. al., 1999; Khare and Singh, 2002; Kumar et. al., 2007a,b). Lipids also have major role in metabolic activities of animals because they are source of energy and are involved in building of cellular components. Significant depletion in lipid after fluoride exposure in gills of the exposed fish in this study can be associated with the inhibition of lipid synthesis by fluoride or excess utilization of stored lipids for instant energy to overcome toxic stress (Vutukuru, 2003; Kumar et. al., 2007a,b). Reduction in lipid content in present study may also be due to inactivation of enzymes and hormones which regulate its synthesis on one hand and on the other, by increasing its utilization in cell repair, tissue re-organization and high energy demands during stressful situation. Similar observations have also been reported by Bajpai and Tripathi (2011) in fingerlings of H. fossilis after fluoride exposure.
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Depletion in the glycogen content in gills of the exposed fish indicates its rapid utilization to meet the enhanced energy demands under fluoride toxicity. It may also due to hypoxic or anoxic conditions, which increases the glycogen utilization (Dezwaan and Zandee, 1973). During hypoxic conditions, the animal derives energy from anaerobic breakdown of glucose, which is available to the cells by increasing the process of glycogenolysis. The decline in glycogen might be due to the formation and utilization of glycoproteins and glycolipids which are essential components of cells (Vutukuru, 2005). Thus during such type of stress the glycogen reserves are used to meet energy demands. Cholesterol is regarded as the major source for steroidogenesis during maturation and spawning periods (Bhattacharya, 1981). The depletion of cholesterol in this study may be due to blockage of enzyme system for steroidogenesis. It may also be due to inhibition of cholesterol
biosynthesis or due to reduced absorption of dietary cholesterol (Kanagaraj et. al., 1993). Shakoori et. al., (1996) reported that the cholesterol depletion may be due to utilization of fatty deposits instead of glucose for energy to fight against toxic stress. Similar findings have also been reported by Remia et. al., (2008), who reported decrease in cholesterol content in the gills of Tilapia mossambica under monocrotophos stress. The present investigation revealed significant depletion in protein, lipid, glycogen and cholesterol level in gills of H. fossilis after exposure to different sub-lethal concentrations of fluoride. Thus it can be concluded that fluoride can alter the normal biochemical profile of gills which can cause impairment in its normal functioning and can be one of the major reason for economic loss during aquaculture. Since elevated level of fluoride is responsible for these alterations in fishes safe levels are recommended in order to protect them from fluoride pollution.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
nucleic acid and carbohydrate content of muscles and gills in rogor exposed freshwater fish Heteropneustes fossilis. Poll. Res., 14(1): 99-103.
The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, for providing necessary facilities to 8. De Zawaan, A. and Zandee, D.J. 1973. carry out this study. Body distribution and seasonal changes in glycogen contents of the common sea mussel, Mytilus edulis. Comp. REFERENCES Biochem. Physiol., 43: 53-55. 1. Arner, J., Vila, P. and Plautz, C.Z. 2009. 9. Folch, J., Lees, M. and Sloane-Stanely, Effects of local water contaminants G.H. 1957. A simple method for isolaon the development of aquatic organtion and purification of total lipids from isms. Sujur, 1: 12-26. animal tissues. J. Biol. Chem., 226: 497507. 2. Bajpai, S. and Tripathi, M. 2010. Effect of fluoride on growth bioindicators in 10. Herger, W., Jung, S.J. and Peter, H. stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fos1995. Acute and prolonged toxicity to silis (Bloch.). Fluoride, 43(4): 232-236. aquatic organisms of new and existing chemicals and pesticides. Chemosphere, 3. Bajpai, S. and Tripathi, M. 2011. deple31: 2707-2726. tion of growth biomolecules in fingerlings of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis 11. Kanagraj, M.K., Ramesh, M., Shiv Ku(Bloch.) after exposure to fluoride. Aqmari, K. and Manavalaramanujam, R. uacult., 12(1): 133-140. 1993. Impact of acid pollution on the serum hemolymph cholesterol of the 4. Bajpai, S., Tiwari, S. and Tripathi, M. crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromous. J. 2011. Impact of fluoride on structurEcotoxicol. Environ. Monit., 31(2): 99-102. al changes in gills of Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.) after 12. Khare, A. and Singh, S. 2002.Impact of acute exposure. Trends in Biosciences, malathion on protein content in the 4(2): 165-168. freshwater fish Clarias batrachus. J. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Monit., 12(2): 129-132. 5. Beg, K.R. and Ali, S. 2008. Chemical contaminants and toxicity of Ganga 13. Kumar, A., Tripathi, N. and Tripathi, M. river sediment from up and down 2007a. Effect of fluoride on lipid mestream area at Kanpur. Amer. J. Environ. tabolism in freshwater catfish, Clarias Sci., 4(4): 362-366. batrachus (Linn). Environ. Ecol., 25S(3): 683-686.
6. Bhatnagar, C., Bhatnagar, M. and Regar, B.C. 2007. Fluoride induced histopathological changes in gill, kidney and intestine of freshwater teleost, Labeo rohita. Fluoride, 40(1): 55-61.
14. Kumar, A., Tripathi, N. and Tripathi, M. 2007b. Fluoride-induced biochemical changes in fresh water catfish (Clarias batrachus, Linn.). Fluoride., 40(1): 37-41.
7. Borah, S. and Yadav, R.N.S. 1995. Alteration in the protein free amino acid,
15. Logaswamy, S. and Remia, K.M. 2009. Impact of cypermethrin and ekalux on
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respiratory and some biochemical activities of freshwater fish, Tilapia mossambica. Current Biotica., 3(1): 65-73. 16. Lowry, O.H., Rosenbrough, N.J., Farr, A.L. and Randall, R.L. 1951. Protein measurement with Folin phenol reagent. J. Biol. Chem., 193: 265-275. 17. Montgomery, R. 1957. Determination of glycogen. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 67: 378-386. 18. Nagrathnamma and Ramamurthi, R. 1982. Metabolic depression in the freshwater teleost Cyprinus carpio exposed to an organophosphate pesticide. Curr. Sci., 51(B): 668-669. 19. Rosenthal, H.L., Pfluke, M.L. and Buscaglia, S. 1957. A stable iron reagent for determination of cholesterol. J. Lab. Clin. Med., 50: 318. 20. Rosenthal, H.L., Pfluke, M.L. and Buscaglia, S. 1957. A stable iron rea-
gent for determination of cholesterol. J. Lab. Clin. Med., 50: 318. 21. Shakoori, A.R., Mughal, A.L. and Iqbal, M.J. 1996. Effects of sub-lethal doses of fenvelerate (A synthetic pyrethroid) administered continuously for four weeks on the blood, liver and muscles of freshwater fish Ctenopharyngodan idella. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 57: 487-494. 22. Susan, A.T., Veeraiah, K. and Tilak, K.S. 1999. Biochemical and enzymatic changes in the tissues of Catla catla exposed to the pyrethroid fenvelerate. J. Ecobiol., 11(2): 109-116. 23. Vutukuru, S.S. (2005): Acute effects of hexavalent chromium on survival, oxygen consumption, haematological parameters and some biochemical profiles of the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita. Inter. J. Environ. Res. Public Hlth., 2(3): 456-462.
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infesting stored grains Veena P. Swami, Amrita Singh, Ashok Kumar and Tabrez Ahmad
PG Department of Zoology BSNV PG College, Lucknow E-mail: :
[email protected]
pices are commonly used in food for flavor; fragrance and color. Some commonly used spices in Indian kitchen were evaluated for repellency, contact and fumigant toxicity, and population suppressant activities against two stored grain insects, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. The spices were used either singly or in combinations. Powders of Foeniculum vulgare fruit, Coriandrum sativum fruit and Mentha piperita leaf showed toxicity against test insects with LD50 values ranging from 17.8-20.0g/100g food in contact assay. In the space trial the leaf powder of Laurus nobilis was found to have fumigant toxicity towards adults of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae with LC50 values of 9.81 and 16.7g/lit respectively. The repellency assay revealed 100.0% repulsion towards adults of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae by fruit powder of Cuminum cyminum. Similarly powder of F. vulgare, P. nigrum and C. cyminum resulted into complete inhibition of progeny production against Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. The binary mixture of L. nobilis and C. sativum showed both contact and fumigant toxicity. Similarly binary mixtures of C. cyminum and F. vulgare showed both repellent and progeny development inhibition against Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. Keywords :Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, plant powders, toxicity, repellency, and progeny suppressant.
INTRODUCTION Damage to stored grains by insect is estimated to be about 10-40% world wide. Coleopteran beetles, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae infestation to stored grain constitutes a complex situation that reduces weight, quality, cultural value and ger-
mination of harvested grain and thereby reducing market value and making food grain unsuitable for human consumption (Marsans, 1987). The most common method to control such losses is the use of commercially available synthetic insecticides, which cause environmental and health hazards and, most importantly,
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development of resistance among the insects (Champ and Dyte, 1976; Tyler et. al., 1983; White, 1995). Thus there is a need to develop alternative, cheap and safe methods of insect-pest management under stored condition, especially from plants. Some plants such as Mentha piperita Linn. (Misra and Kumar, 1983), Piper nigrum Linn. (Su, 1977), Pongamia glabra Vent. (Sighamony et. al., 1986) and Azadirachta indica (Jilani and Malik, 1973) have been evaluated as stored grain protectants.Therefore development of botanicals to replace toxic fumigants and minimize insecticidal residual effects would be of significant social and health benefits (Ndungu et. al., 1995). Among the plant products, spices are characterized by their flavor and odours due to presence of oleoresins. Being volatile in nature, the constituents of some spices become important cues for certain behavior of insects (Jacobson, 1966) and may also act as potent source of botanical pesticides (Jilani et. al., 1988). The survey of scientific literature indicates that mostly essential oils of spices like anise and peppermint (Shaaya et. al.,1991), ginger (Prakash and Rao, 1987), cinnamon (Michael et. al., 1985) etc. have been reported for stored grain protectant activity. However, literature on biological activities of spice powders is still scanty. Rani and Lakshmi (2007) reported the stored grain protectant activity of flower extracts and steam distilled oil of the african marigold, Tagetes erecta (L.) against C.chinensis. The present study has been aimed to investigate powders of certain spices which are commonly used in Indian kitchens for coloring and flavoring of food stuffs besides various preparations of indigenous systems of medicine. The lipophilic na-
tures of monoterpenoids present in spice are significant for insecticidal activities (Naik et. al., 1993). The spices evaluated in the present investigation produce essential oils rich in molecules which were structural units. In the present paper powders of selected spices have been investigated for their toxic, repellent and population suppressant activities against two stored product coleopterans, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. Further, their synergistic combinations have also been evaluated for search of a suitable formulation product acting as stored grain protectant.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight medicinal spices listed in Table 1, were dried in shade and ground to fine powder mechanically just before the start of each set of experiments. The powders were packed in cheese cloth bags. These bags were used in all the experiments. Culture of R. dominica was reared on wheat flour mixed with brewer’s yeast and S.oryzae on whole wheat grain, in a growth cabinet at a constant temperature of 300C and 70% r.h. with a photoperiod of 12h light/12h dark. Adults of R. dominica (5-7 d old) and S.oryzae (5-7 d old) were used in all the experiments.
The spice powders contained in cheese cloth bags were kept at the bottom of the jam bottles (300 ml capacity) along with food substrates in five serial rates 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25g of ground powders/100g of sterilized food materials. Untreated food materials of respective insects served as control. Batches of 10 adult insects were
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introduced in each bottle and closed airtight with lid. Five replications were used for each dose. Mortality was recorded daily, but the analysis was based on mortality percentage after 7d of exposure periods.
in treated. PR data were analyzed using ANOVA (analysis of variance-single factor).
The plant powders were tested for fumigant toxicity in space trial test. Plant powders (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25g of each plant) were taken in a muslin cloth bag and placed at the bottom of 1 liter glass bottle. Batches of ten insects of both the species were introduced into each bottle by placing them in a separate plastic vials containing food materials of test insects. The both the ends of vial was covered with copper wire mesh and such vials were hanged in the each bottle whose cap was screwed tightly and their caps were screwed tightly. In control, no plant material was kept. Ten replicates were set up for each treatment and for control. Mortality was observed at 48h intervals until endpoint mortality, which was reached after 7d. The LC50 values were determined.
Spice powders found toxic towards both the test insect species were tested at lower doses to verify their effects on progeny development. Spice powders at the rate of 1, 2 and 5g /100g food were placed in cylindrical jars (25 x 10 cm). Ten adult insects of both the test insects were introduced separately in each jar and then covered. Each treatment was replicated five times. The parent adults were removed after 7 d. Observations on F1 adults emerged were made after 30 d of introduction of parent adults.
Powders of each plant were evaluated for repellency at the rate of 1.5g /50g of food. 50g of treated and untreated foods were separately placed on opposite sides of a rectangular glass arena (20 x 12 x 12 cm) with 12 cm space between the surfaces. Ten adults of each test species, starved for 48h, were then introduced at the center of the arena and replicated 10 times. After 1h, the numbers of insects found on or within a 1.5 cm radius of treated and untreated food in each chamber were counted. Percent repellency (PR) values were computed as PR = [(NC-NT)/ (NC+NT)] x 100, where, NC = No. of insects in control and NT = No. of insects
Data analysis Data from all experiments were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated by Least Square Difference (LSD test) (SAS Institute, 1988). LC50 was determined by probit analysis (Finney, 1971). Mortality data was corrected using Abbott’s formula (Abbott, 1925; SPSS, 1999).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of spice powders as contact toxicant towards R. dominica and S.oryzae is given in Table 2 and 3 respectively. Perusal of Table 2 indicates that powder of LC, TM and GN were highly toxic with LD50 values of 17.80, 19.87 and 20.05 g/100g food respectively. CM and AJ had the same level of toxicity. Same case was found with GC and CV. In combination (1:1), GC + TM
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gave toxicity followed by GC + IC. GC and TM showed better effect in combination. Surprisingly, IC was completely non-toxic but in combination with GC(LD50=23.49 g/100g food) it potentiated the effect of GC and enhanced the toxicity of the GC + IC combination(LD50=20.49g/100g food). Among all the plant powders, only GN was found to be toxic towards S. oryzae with LD50 value of 20.49 g/100g food (Table 3). In combinations, LC + GN showed slightly more toxicity than GN towards S. oryzae.
Data on fumigant toxicity (Table 2) indicates that GC and CV were quite effective towards R. dominica with LC50 values of 9.81 g/100g food for both. TM, IC, and AJ were devoid of fumigant toxicity. However in combination study GC + TM, LC + GN, GC + IC showed vapour toxicity. The LC50 of binary mixture of LC and GN was found to be 4 folds and 2 folds greater than GN and LC, respectively. Similarly AJ was not effective but in combination with CM showed enhanced toxicity of combination product (CM + AJ). Similarly TM was not toxic but enhanced the activity of GC in combination (GC + TM). Against S. oryzae GC showed toxicity. GC in combination with IC showed increased toxicity. Similarly CM + AJ combination also showed fumigant toxicity against S. oryzae (Table 3).
Powder was highly repellent towards both the test insects (Table 4) with 92.5100 % repellency. LC powder was effective only against R.dominica adults with a repellency of 98.4% .Repellency data in-
dicates that the binary mixture containing powders of LC + CV was effective against both insects but none of the binary mixtures(1:1) showed synergistic effect.
At the maximum dose of 5 g/100g food LC, CM and CV completely inhibited progeny production in both the test insects (Table 5). Among the combination products, only LC + CV inhibited progeny production completely in both test insects. The results of the present investigation indicates that powders of F.vulgare(LC) C. cyminum (CV) and L. nobilis exhibit diverse anti-insect activities like contact and fumigant toxicity, repellency and progeny development suppression. Essential oil of L. nobilis rich in 1,8-cineole has also been reported previously to have contact and fumigant toxicity against S. oryzae and Tribolium castaneum (Huang et. al., 2000). Similarly E. cardamomum has 1,8- cineole as a major constituent in its essential oil (Hussain et. al., 1988) and 1,8-cineole from Artemisia annua oil has been found to be toxic, feeding deterrent and growth disruptant against T. castaneum (Triapthi et. al., 2001). Thus the present bioactivity of L. nobilis and F. vulgare may primarily be attributed to the presence of cineole. Eugenol has been reported to protect grain against stored product insects (Obeng-ofori and Reichmuth, 1997). It may be possible that the same constituents present in C. cyminum are responsible for bioactivities reported in this paper. Apart from this, hexane extract of flower buds of S. aromaticum has been reported to cause mortality towards
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S. zeamais adults and also suppressed progeny production in T. castaneum (Ho et. al., 1994). Further, combination of L. nobilis with C. sativum resulted in best contact and fumigant toxicity. Similarly, combination of F. vulgare and C. cyminum provided considerable repellency towards the test insects. Synergistic effect of combination of essential oils of C. cyminum, M. piperita and Piper guineense in terms of population suppressant towards Callosobruchus maculatus has also been reported (Ajayi and Lale, 2000) apart from essential oil combination of Artemisia princes and Cinnamomum camphora, which showed repellent effect towards S. oryzae and Bruchus rugimanus (Liu et. al., 2006). The compound linalool, limonene and camphor in the oil of C. camphora were reported to be toxic, repellent or fumigant against insects and some of them acted synergistically (Triapthi et. al., 2000, 2003; Ahmed, 2006). Therefore, these compounds or their interaction might contribute the whole repellent and insecticidal activity of C. camphora powder against the stored product beetles. How these constituents in synergistic combination interact and result in the enhancement of insecticidal and repellent activities needs further investigation. Rhizome powder of has been found to reduce F1 progeny of Sitophilus oryzae significantly (Ahamad and Ahmed, 1991), whereas essential oil of has also been reported as ovicidal and repellent towards mosquitoes (Prajapati et. al., 2005). The data generated by the use of indi-
vidual plant powders and combinations are suggestive of increased effects of the some of the constituents of the spices. Growth disruptant effect of some spices like badi saumf, black pepper and cumin and their binary mixtures look more promising in view of total growth disruption exhibited by them. This clue may provide effective clue to optimize the economical dose coupled with short term and long term effects. Since the oil glands of the spices ruptured during processing, powders of test materials kept in bags of muslin cloth for fumigant studies, the essential oil component emitted from the powders according to their rate of volatility get diffuse in the closed chamber i.e. in storage bottle and produced this insecticidal activity. The spices used in this experiment beside their biodegradable nature have added advantage of being edible and producing good flavor to the stored grains (Korikanthimathm et. al., 2000). So, these materials can be utilized for purpose effectively without any risk of hazard. Further experiments on dose optimization at constituent level may lead to the development of a product effective as stored grain protectant.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Zoology, BSNV PG College Lucknow for providing necessary facilities and encouragement
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