International Journal of Agricultural Science ...

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2013

June 2013

ISSN: 2319-880X

International Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology

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IJAST International Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology Volume 2, Issue 1, 2013 June- 2013

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Volume 2, 2013

International Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology June - 2013

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Issue 1, 2013

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International Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology Volume No. 2

June - 2013

Co n t e n t s

Issue No. 1, 2013

S. No. Title

Page No.

1.

Physico-chemical characteristics of calcareous soils in district Deoria and Gorakhpur of 1 Eastern Uttar Pradesh A.K.S. Parihar, Veerendra Dixit and Arvind Kumar

2.

Effect of different levels of Nitrogen and Sulphur on yield, yield attributes and quality of 9 Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) K.K. Pandey, H.P. Sharma and V.N. Pathak

3.

Effect of Date of sowing, Varieties and Irrigation Regimes on Pod Yield of Kharif Groundnut in Middle Gujarat Agro-Climatic Condition S. B. Yadav, H. R. Patel, P. Parmar, B.I.Karande and V. Pandey

13

4.

Effect of foliar spray of different sources of potassium on fruiting, yield and shelf-life of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) fruits cv. ‟ Banarasi Karaka ” Amrish Srivastava, S.P Singh and Ajayendra Kumar

19

5.

Effect Of Nitrogen Scheduling On Growth Yield And Quality Of Late Sown Wheat Asheesh Kumar, Pandey, Ghanshyam Singh, Suresh Kumar and Arvind Kumar

22

6.

Fluoride Induced Biochemical Alterations In the Gills of Stinging Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.) Sandeep Bajpai and Madhu Tripathi

28

7.

Toxic, repellent and population suppressant activities of selected spice powders towards coleopteran beetles infesting stored grains Veena P. Swami, Amrita Singh, Ashok Kumar and Tabrez Ahmad

34

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Physico-chemical characteristics of calcareous soils in district Deoria and Gorakhpur of Eastern Uttar Pradesh A.K.S. Parihar*, Veerendra Dixit * and Arvind Kumar*

*Department of Soil Science, Department of Agricultural Meteorology Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Kumarganj-Faizabad (U.P.) India e-mail: [email protected]

(Date of Receipt : 22-02-2013; Date of Acceptance for Publication : 11-05-2013)

Abstract Ʈhis paper describes certain soil properties of calcareous soils of two districts Gorakhpur and Deoria of eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Soil pH ranged from 8. 1 to 8.9 from 6.9 to 8.4, and 5.8 to 8.3 in Bhat, Bangar and Kacchar soils, respectively. On comparison, EC showed a reverse pattern with pH in these soils. Bhat soil (Type I) has sandy loam to silt loam texture, Bangar (Type II) shows silt clay & sandy loam texture. Kacchar soil Type (III) was is more similar in texture in the Bhat (Type I). available nitrogen of these soils may be placed in the ascending order: Bhat (Type I), Bangar (Type II) and Kacchar (Type III) are richer in available phosphorus than Bhat (Type I), pH had highly significant negative relationship with available N, P and K soil types I and II whereas the soil type III significant positive relationship with available N, P and K, EC had significant negative correlation with available N and P in soil type I, whereas the soil type II EC had highly significant relationship with available N, P and K. Clay content has significant positive relationship with available N, P and K in soil type I and II, while in soil type III in a negative relationship. Keywords : pH, OC, EC, CaCO3, N, P and K. Pages: 8

References: 8

INTRODUCTION Beginning with the popularisation of N some 30 years ago, at least three nutrients (N, P and K) have assumed large-scale practical importance for Indian Farmers. N in its role and function in plant production is comparable to P in terms of over all crop needs and could be equated with K in terms of per unit cost. In U.P. about 2 lakh hectares of land is calcareous distributed in Gorakhpur and Deoria districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. These soils ad-

versely affect the growth and yield of crop plants due to adverse physico-chemical properties. Calcareous soils of district Deoria and Gorakhpur are immature, having alkaline pH and huge amount of fine free calcium carbonate. Most of the plant nutrients applied through fertilizers react with calcium carbonate and form insoluble complexes and thus become unavailable to plants. Calcareous soils are also known to prone iron deficiency. This soil occur in the extreme north-eastern districts of Ut-

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tar Pradesh. These calcareous soils are developed on the alluvium of the river Gandak, which flows in the north-west to south-east direction from the Himalayas in to the river Ganga. The main characters are the high content of calcium carbonate distributed throughout the depth of profiles. The texture of the soils varies from sandy loam, and pH is mainly on the alkaline side. These soils are zonal in charcter (Govindrajan and Gopala Rao, 1978). The soils of districts Deoria and Gorakhpur are rather untouched in respect to systematic scientific study and very meagre information is available about characteristics of soils, especially availability of plant nutrients in respect to physico-chemical characteristics. No information is available about mineral nutrition of plants of these soils. The present study aims to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of soils; availability of nutrients in soils and availability categories of available nutrients of soils.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In Deoria and Gorakhpur three distinct Pedological types based on the lime distribution have been recognized. These are type-I calcium soil with a large amount of lime distributed throughout the profiles, type-II leached calcium soils with a layer of calcium carbonate accumulation with in the profiles, and type-III degraded calcium soils free of carbonates and showing the signs of unsaturated exchange complex. These soils are locally known as Bhat, Bangar and Kacchar soils, respectively. The climate of districts Gorakhpur and Deoria is entirely different from those of the districts in the western part of the state. The average annual rainfall varies from 1250 to 1375 mm, and the mean annual temperature from 24 to 25 0C. To

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evaluate the physico-chemical properties and available N, P, K and correlation coefficients (r) between N, P, K content in soils of different soil types of districts Deoria and Gorakhpur and some important physico-chemical properti9es by using the formula as given by Chandel (1970). 100 surface soil samples from each soil types of districts Deoria and Gorakhpur were collected from different places. Above experiment was carried out on districts Deoria and Gorakhpur in the year of 2003-2004. Initial surface soil samples (0-15cm) were collected with the help of khurpi randomly from different places on districts Deoria and Gorakhpur. The soil samples were dried in air, ground and sieved through 2 mm sieve and kept in polythene bags for laboratory analysis. PH was measured in 1:2.5 soil water suspension by Buckman pH meter as described by Jackson (1973) and organic carbon was determined by Walkley and Black method. EC was determined with the help of conductivity bridge using 1:2.5 soil water suspension and described by Jackson (1973) and CaCO3 was determined by Bouyoucos hydrometer (Buoyoucos 1963). Available N was estimated by alkaline permagnate method (Subbiah and Asiza, 1957) and P was extracted by Olsen’s reagent (Olsen et. al., 1954) and determined calorimetrically. Available potash was estimated in the ammonium acetate extract of soil samples by flamephotometer as described by (Jackson 1973).

RESULT AND DISCUSSION Physico-chemical characteristics of different types of soils

One hundred surface soil samples were collected from different places of each soil type of district Deoria and Gorakhpur and some important physico-chemi-

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cal characteristics of these soil samples were determined. The range and average value of physico-chemical properties are presented in Table-1. pH soil ranged from 8.1 to 8.9 (average 8.5); from 6.9 to 8.4 (average 7.82); and from 5.8 to 8.3 (average 7.13) in soil of type-I (Bhat), II (Bangar), and III (Kacchar), respectively. Thus, it is obvious that on an average, soils of type I are alkaline in nature whereas the soils of type II and III are normal. EC varied from 0.30 to 0.39 (average 0.34), from 0.34 to 0.71 (average 0.49) and from 1.30 to 1.79 (average 0.51) dSM-1 in soil type I, II and III, respectively. EC values clearly indicate that there is no accumulation of soluble salts in these soils. The data presented of table 1 exhibited that the contents of organic carbon varied from 0.405 to 0.695 (with an average value of 0.669); 0.340 to 0.820 (average of 0.594); and from 0.450 to 0.820 (average of 0.665 per cent) in soil of type I, II and III, respectively. Thus, it is obvious that soils of type III are comparatively richer in organic carbon than soils I and II. The contents of CaCO3 varied from 24.15 to 39.90, 0-2.30 and from, 0-1.5 per cent with the respective average values of 30.90, 1.12 and 0.212 per cent in soils of type I, II and III, respectively. Thus it is apparent that type I soils have huge reserve of fine CaCO3. The data pertaining to mechanical components i.e. sand, silt and clay are presented in Table I. On the basis of values of these mechanical separates, it was observed that texture of type I soils varied from sandy loam to silt loam, type II soils from silty clay loam to sandy loam and type III soils from silty clay loam to loamy sand.

Available nutrients

The range and average values are presented in Table 1. Available nitrogen

contents varied from 139 to 210.5 (average 181.10), from 179.2 to 224.4 (average 203.62) and from 190.12 to 245.1 (average 219.65) kg ha-1 in soils type I, II and III, respectively. On the basis of available nitrogen these soils may be placed in the ascending order: Type I, II and III. Available phosphorus contents varied from 11.5 to 20.2 (average 16.9), 20.1 to 49.1 (average 34.80) and 30.2, 47.8 (average 41.6) kg ha-1 in the soils of type I, II and III, respectively. Thus, it is obvious that soils type II and III are richer in available phosphorus than soil type I. Available potash contents ranged from 55.6 to 90.8 with an average value of 72.46 from 78.80 to 87.4 with an average value of 101.57; and from 91.2 to 125.6 with an average value of 113.0 kg ha-1 in soils of type I, II and III, respectively. Soil may be placed in the order type III>type II>, type I. Data show that soils of type I, II and III may be categorized cent pre cent in low range of available N, K and medium in P. On the basis of 10ppm available sulphur as critical limit (Tiwari et. al., 1983a).

Correlation coefficients

The correlation coefficients (r) values given in Table 2 to 4 show that pH had highly significant negative relationship with available N,P and K in soil types I and II, whereas the soil type III pH exhibited significant positive relationship with available N, P and K. In correlation studies, it was observed that EC had significant negative correlation with available N and P in soil type I, whereas the soil of type II EC had highly significant relationship with available, P and K in soil type I and II, whereas the soil type III pH exhibited significant positive relationship with available N, P and I. It is due to the fact of CaCo3 content is maximum in soil type I and less in soil

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type II and III. In correlation studies it was observed that EC had significant negative correlation with available N and P in soil type I, whereas the soil type II EC had highly significant relationship with available N, P and K. EC has significant positive relationship with available K in soil type III. On examination the ‘r’ values given in Tables 2 to 4, it is obvious that organic carbon exhibited highly significant negative relationships with available N, P and K in soil type I while in soil type II organic carbon did not have significant relationships with available nutrients, whereas the soil

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of type III organic carbon showed significant positive relationships with available N, P and K. It is apparent from Table 2 to 4, CaCO3 show highly significant negative relationships with available N, P and K in soil type I and II, whereas in case of soil type III CaCO3 showed non-significant relationship. The correlation coefficients (Table 2 to 4) exhibit that clay content has significant positive relationships with available N, P and K in soil type I and II, while in soil type III clay contents showed significant negative relationships with available N, P and K.

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Table 2: Regression analysis between certain soil parameters and available nitrogen

* One star denotes significant at 5% level * Two stars denotes significant at 1% level * Three stars denote significant at 0.1% level

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Table 3: Regression analysis between certain soil parameters and available phosphorus.

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Table 4: Regression analysis between certain soil parameters and available potassium.

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REFERENCES 1. Bouyoucos, G.J. 1963. Direction for making mechanical analysis of soil by hydrometer method. Soil Sci., 42: 225-228. 2. Chandel, S.R.S. 1970. A hand book of Agricultural Statistics, Achal Prakashan Mandir, 117/574 Pandunagar, Kanpur-5. 3. Govindarajan, S.V. and Gopala Rao, H.G. 1978. In “Studies on soils of India”, Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Led. New Delhi pp. 41-72. 4. Jackson, M.L. 1973. “Soil “Chemical Analysis”. Prentice Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi. 5. Olsen, S.R., Cole, C.V., Watanable, F.S. and Deen, L.A. 1954. Estimation of

available phosphorus soil by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. Cire. U.S. Deptt. Agric. 939: 19. 6. Subbaih, D.V. and Asiza, G.L. 1956. A rapid procedure for the estimation of available N in soils. Curr. Sci., 25: 259260. 7. Tiwari, K.N., Vandana, Nigam and Pathak, A.N. 1983a. Evaluation of some soils test method for diagnosing sulphur deficiency in rich in alluvial soils of Uttar Pradesh. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 31: 245-249. 8. Walkley, A. and Black, I.A. 1934. An examination of Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid filtration method. Soil Science 37, 29-38.

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Effect of different levels of Nitrogen and Sulphur on yield, yield attributes and quality of Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) K.K. Pandey1, H.P. Sharma2, and V.N. Pathak3

Assitt. Prof. Department of Agronomy, S.M.M. Town P.G. College, Ballia, U.P. Assoc. Prof. Department of Agronomy, S.D.J. Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, U.P. 3 Asstt. Prof. Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, S.M.M. Town P.G. College, Ballia, U.P. 1

2


Abstract

Á field study was undertaken to investigate the response of Rajmash to different levels

of nitrogen (0, 80, 120 and 160 Kg ha-1) and sulphur (0, 20, 30 and 40 Kg ha-1) regarding yield, yield attributes and quality. In this investigation, it was observed that application of 160 Kg N ha-1 alongwith 40 Kg sulphur ha-1 increased the seed yield (qha-1), yield attributes and quality of seeds as compared to other levels of nitrogen and sulphur in both the years. The lowest yield and quality was noticed under no nitrogen and sulphur application. Keywords : : Rajmash, nitrogen, sulphur, yield and quality. Pages: 4

References: 7

INTRODUCTION

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Being a shy-nodulated crop, its fertiliser requirement, particularly of nitrogen is very high. Due to poor nodulation, Rajmash responds remarkably to the external application of fertiliser nitrogen. The yield enhancement due to application of nitrogen is varies from place to place and variety to variety. Sulphur is coming up as fourth nutrient to be supplied, responding well in pulses. Sulphur is being synergistic with nitrogen. The interaction of N and S in field experiments have equally important. Keeping these points in view, the present study was undertaken response, different levels of nitrogen and sulphur on yield, yield attributes and quality of Rajmash.

The field trial was conducted at Agricultural Research farm of S.D.J. Post-Graduate College Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, U.P. in Rabi seasons of both the year. The soil of the field was clay loam in texture and slightly alkaline in nature with medium fertility. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 80, 120, 160 Kg ha-1) and four levels of sulphur (0, 20, 30 40 Kg ha-1) making 16 treatment combinations were laid-out in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The Rajmash variety PDR-14 (Uday) was grown with spacing of 30x10 cm for the study. P2O5 and K2O were applied uniformly @ 60 Kg ha-1 and 40 Kg ha-1, respectively to all the plots. The crop was irrigated three

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times at 25, 50 and 75 days after sowing during both the years.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Response to nitrogen It is evident from the Table.1 that nitrogen levels caused highly significant differences in all the yield attributes, seed yield and protein content of seeds during both the years. The highest seed yield and protein content of seeds were observed under the effect of 160 Kg N ha-1 followed by 120 Kg N ha-1 in both the years. The lowest seed yield and protein content of seeds was noticed under no nitrogen application during both the years. The highest seed yield under 160 kg N ha-1 was mainly due to the higher pod length, more number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight as compared to the remaining levels of nitrogen. Application of higher dose of nitrogen pushed up the removal of nutrients and water from the soil by the crop which might have enhanced the photosynthesis and translocation of assimilates from source to sink vis-a-vis seed yield and quality. Similar trend in seed yield and quality have also been observed by Ali and Kushwaha (1987), Kushwaha (1994), Saxena and Verma (1995) and Singh et.al., (1998).

Response to sulphur Highly significant differences in seed yield, yield attributes and quality were also observed due to different levels of sulphur application in both the years. The highest seed yield and protein content of seeds were observed under the application of 40 Kg S ha-1 as compared to the remaining levels of sulphur during both the years. The lowest seed yield and protein content were recorded under no sulphur

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application. Higher seed yield and protein content of seeds under higher dose of sulphur have also been reported by Gupta (1991) and Singh (1994).

Interaction Effects The interaction effects due to N x S were found to be significant in influencing seed yield (q ha-1) in second year and protein content of seeds in first year. The higher seed yield and protein content of seeds were observed under N3 (160 Kg N ha-1) x S3 (40 Kg S ha-1) followed by N3 (160 Kg N ha-1) x S2 (30 Kg S ha-1). The higher rate of sulphur proved of significance in maximum seed yield and protein content of seeds (Pasricha et.al., 1999).

REFERENCES 1. Ali, M. and Kushwaha, B.L. 1987. Cultivation of Rabi Rajmash in plains. Indian Fmg., 37 : 20-23. 2. Gupta, Sunil 1991. Fertiliser management in Rabi Rajmash (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) variety HUR-15 in Eastern U.P. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Agronomy, I.A.S., B.H.U., Varanasi. 3. Kushwaha, B.L. 1994. Response of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to nitrogen application in north Indian plains. Indian J. Agron. 39 (1) : 34-37. 4. Pasricha, N.S.; Bahl; G.S.; Aulakh, M.S. and Dhillon, K.S. 1991. Fertiliser use research in oilseed and pulse crops in India. Public Inf. Div. (I.C.A.R.), New Delhi, 99. 5. Saxena, K.K., and Verma, V.S. 1995. Effect of Nitrogen, Phoshorus and Potassium on the growth and yield of French

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Table 1 : Effects of Nitrogen and Sulphur levels on yield, yield attributes and quality of Rajmash DAS = Days After Sowing


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Table 2 (a) : Interaction effects (N x S) on seed yield (q/ha) of Rajmash

S. Em ± 0.11 C.D. at 5% 0.32

bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Indian J. Agron. 40 (2) : 249-252. 6. Singh, Rajesh 1994. Effect of nitrogen and sulphur application on the growth and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) M.Sc. (Ag.) Thesis, Department of Agronomy,

I.A.S., B.H.U., Varansi. 7. Singh, M.K., Sharma, H.M. and Mishra, S.S. 1998. Effect of irrigation and fertiliser application on growth, yield and quality of Rabi Rajmash in north Bihar. Indian J. Pulses Res. 11 (1) : 109-111.

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Department of Agricultural Meteorology Anand Agricultural University Anand, Gujarat – 388 110 E-mail: [email protected]


Abstract 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.

Keywords : Dates of sowings, Irrigation Regimes, Pod Yield and Kharif Groundnut. References: 4

Pages: 6

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 )

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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

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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

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Table 1: Effect of dates of sowing, variety and irrigation levels on pod yield, haulm yield, test weight and shelling percentage on groundnut

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Table 2: Effect of dates of sowing, variety and irrigation levels on number of immature and mature pods, number of branches/plant and plant height on groundnut

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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

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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.

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Effect of foliar spray of different sources of potassium on fruiting, yield and shelf-life of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) fruits cv. ‟ Banarasi Karaka ” Amrish Srivastava1, S.P Singh2 and Ajayendra Kumar3

Department of Horticulture, Banaras Hindu University of Agriculture and Technology Varanasi (U.P) India, 3Chaudhary Charan Singh Degree College, Bardari, Barabanki

1 &2

Email : [email protected]


Abstract 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.

Keywords : Foliar spray, Potassium, Ziziphus mauritiara Lam, Ber. Pages: 3

References: 10

INTRODUCTION

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 • 19 •


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 %); T5, 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 Fruit retention and fruit drop Data revealed that fruit retention and

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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.

Yield Attributes and Yield 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.

mended for its commercial application at growers field.

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.

2. Bose, T.K.; Mitra, S.K. and Sanyal. D. 2000. Fruits Tropical and Sub-tropical. 3rd edn.,

Shelf-life

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.

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 Decay loss was also significantly reduced Workers, 4th edn. ICAR, New Delhi pp. by foliar spray of different sources of po59-62. tassium 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: all other treatments and may be recom*******Adv. 9:7-10 • 21 •


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Effect Of Nitrogen Scheduling On Growth Yield 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: [email protected] (Date of Receipt : 22-02-2013; Date of Acceptance for Publication : 17-05-2013)

Abstract Ʈhe 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 T5 , 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. Pages: 6

References: 8

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.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Growth attributes 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.

Yield and yield attributes:

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

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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 et. al., (2005) and Kachroo and Razadan (2006).

Quality and Uptake

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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Table 1 Effect of nitrogen doses and scheduling on yield and yield attributes.

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Table 2. Effect of nitrogen doses and its scheduling on protein content and nutrient

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Dhuka et. al., (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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Aquatic Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007 (U.P.) India E-mail: [email protected]


Abstract 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. Keywords : Fluoride, sub-lethal toxicity, Heteropneustes fossilis, biochemical changes. References: 23

Pages: 6

INTRODUCTION Increasing environmental pollution is the most burning issue of this era, affecting all living organisms and deteriorating natural resources (Arner et. al., 2009). The rapid industrialization and globalization is responsible to introduce wide variety of chemicals into the environment. Aquatic bodies are not an exception and

are getting severely polluted as a result of anthropogenic additions arising from industrial and municipal effluent discharges containing toxic substances (Beg and Ali, 2008). These toxicants are injurious to non target aquatic organisms including fishes being the largest and most diverse group in aquatic ecosystem. They are sensitive 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.

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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. Table-1: Effect of fluoride on biochemical contents (mg/g) in gills of H. fossilis after 60 days exposure.

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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

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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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Figure-1: Effect of fluoride on biochemical contents (mg/g) in gills of H. fossilis after 60 days exposure.

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

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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 his- 14. Kumar, A., Tripathi, N. and Tripathi, M. topathological changes in gill, kidney 2007b. Fluoride-induced biochemical and intestine of freshwater teleost, Lachanges in fresh water catfish (Clarias beo rohita. Fluoride, 40(1): 55-61. batrachus, Linn.). Fluoride., 40(1): 37-41. 7. Borah, S. and Yadav, R.N.S. 1995. Al- 15. Logaswamy, S. and Remia, K.M. 2009. Impact of cypermethrin and ekalux on teration in the protein free amino acid, • 32 •


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gent for determination of cholesterol. J. Lab. Clin. Med., 50: 318.

respiratory and some biochemical activities of freshwater fish, Tilapia mossambica. Current Biotica., 3(1): 65-73.

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 17. Montgomery, R. 1957. Determination idella. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 57: of glycogen. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 487-494. 67: 378-386. 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.

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.

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.

19. Rosenthal, H.L., Pfluke, M.L. and 23. Vutukuru, S.S. (2005): Acute effects of hexavalent chromium on survival, oxyBuscaglia, S. 1957. A stable iron reagen consumption, haematological pagent for determination of cholesterol. J. rameters and some biochemical proLab. Clin. Med., 50: 318. files of the Indian major carp, Labeo 20. Rosenthal, H.L., Pfluke, M.L. and rohita. Inter. J. Environ. Res. Public Hlth., Buscaglia, S. 1957. A stable iron rea2(3): 456-462. *******

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PG Department of Zoology BSNV PG College, Lucknow E-mail: : [email protected]


Abstract Ŝpices 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. Pages: 10

References: 34

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).

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 Among the plant products, spices are Plant powder

characterized by their flavor and odours Eight medicinal spices listed in Table 1, due to presence of oleoresins. Being vol- were dried in shade and ground to fine atile in nature, the constituents of some powder mechanically just before the start spices become important cues for certain of each set of experiments. The powders behavior of insects (Jacobson, 1966) and were packed in cheese cloth bags. These may also act as potent source of botani- bags were used in all the experiments. cal pesticides (Jilani et. al., 1988). The survey of scientific literature indicates that Insect culture mostly essential oils of spices like anise Culture of R. dominica was reared on and peppermint (Shaaya et. al.,1991), gin- wheat flour mixed with brewer’s yeast ger (Prakash and Rao, 1987), cinnamon and S.oryzae on whole wheat grain, in a (Michael et. al., 1985) etc. have been re- growth cabinet at a constant temperature ported for stored grain protectant activity. of 300C and 70% r.h. with a photoperiod However, literature on biological activities of 12h light/12h dark. Adults of R. dominica of spice powders is still scanty. Rani and (5-7 d old) and S.oryzae (5-7 d old) were Lakshmi (2007) reported the stored grain used in all the experiments. protectant activity of flower extracts and steam distilled oil of the african marigold, Contact toxicity assay Tagetes erecta (L.) against C.chinensis. The spice powders contained in cheese cloth bags were kept at the bottom of the The present study has been aimed to in- jam bottles (300 ml capacity) along with vestigate powders of certain spices which food substrates in five serial rates 5, 10, are commonly used in Indian kitchens for 15, 20 and 25g of ground powders/100g of coloring and flavoring of food stuffs be- sterilized food materials. Untreated food sides various preparations of indigenous materials of respective insects served as systems of medicine. The lipophilic na- control. Batches of 10 adult insects were • 35 •


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.

Fumigant toxicity assays

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.

Repellent assay 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

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in treated. PR data were analyzed using ANOVA (analysis of variance-single factor).

Effect of sub-lethal doses of ground plant powders on progeny development of tested insects 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.

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 Contact toxicity 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.

Fumigant toxicity 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).

Repellency 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-

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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.

Effect of sub-lethal doses of ground plant powders on progeny development of tested insects 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 Z. officinale has been found to reduce F1 progeny of Sitophilus oryzae significantly (Ahamad and Ahmed, 1991), whereas essential oil of Z. officinale has also been reported as ovicidal and repellent towards mosquitoes (Prajapati et. al., 2005). The data generated by the use of indi-

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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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Table 1. List of plants selected under study

Table 2. Response of spice powders and their combinations (1:1) towards mortality of Rhizopertha dominica in contact and fumigant toxicity assay

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Table 3. Response of spices powders and their combinations (1:1) towards mortality of Sitophilus oryzae in contact and fumigant toxicity assay

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Table 4. Mean % repellency caused by various spice powders and their binary mixtures (1:1) at the dose of 1.5 g/50g food towards Rhizopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae after 1h

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Table 5. Effect of spice powders and their combinations (1:1) on progeny development of Rhizopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae

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Khanuja SPS. 2005. Insecticidal, repel- 28. SPSS. 1999. SPSS for Windows, version 9.01. SPSS, Chicago, IL. lent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against 29. Su HCF. 1977. Insecticidal properties Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and of black pepper to rice weevils and Culex quinquefasciatus. Bioresource Tech. cowpea weevils. J. Econ. Entomol.70: 1896: 1749-1757. 21. 21. Prakash A, Rao J. 1987. Use of chemi- 30. Tripathi AK, Prajapati V, Aggarwal KK, cals as grain protectants in storage Khanuja, SPS, Kumar S. 2000. Repelecosystem and its consequences. Bull. lency and toxicity of oil from Artemisia Grain Tech. 25: 65-69. annua to certain stored product beetles.

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• 46 •

Volume No. 2, Issue No. 1, 2013

June- 2013

C o n t e n t s

Reviewed Articles 1.

Physico-chemical characteristics of calcareous soils in district Deoria and Gorakhpur of Eastern Uttar Pradesh A.K.S. Parihar, Veerendra Dixit and Arvind Kumar

1

2.

Effect of different levels of Nitrogen and Sulphur on yield, yield attributes and quality of Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) K.K. Pandey, H.P. Sharma and V.N. Pathak

9

3.


13

4.

Effect of foliar spray of different sources of potassium on fruiting, yield and shelf-life of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) fruits cv. ‟ Banarasi Karaka ” Amrish Srivastava, S.P Singh and Ajayendra Kumar

19

5.

Effect Of Nitrogen Scheduling On Growth Yield And Quality Of Late Sown Wheat Asheesh Kumar Pandey, Ghanshyam Singh, Suresh Kumar and Arvind Kumar

22

6.


28

7.


34

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