INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

287-305

Authors: Tekle Edossa Kubure | Raghavaiah Cherukuri V | Chavhan Arvind | Ibrahim Hamza

A field experiment was conducted at Ambo University research farm with the objective to determine the optimum P rate and population densities in faba bean (Vicia faba l.) genotypes grown on vertisols. The treatments comprised three genotypes (Hachalu, Walki and Local), three spacings ( 30 cmx7.5 cm, 40 cmx5.0 cm and 60 cmx5.0 cm) and two phosphorus levels (0 kg p205/ha and 46 kg p205/ha,) which were laid out in a split- split plot design with three replications. The results showed that the improved genotype, Walki (3,407 kg/ha) was comparable with Hachalu (3,037 kg/ha) and gave substantially greater seed yield than the local cultivar (2,833 kg/ha). Seeding at 44 plants/m2 resulted in substantially higher seed and biological yields (3,815 kg/ha and 7,894 kg/ha) than 50 plants/m2 (3,074 kg/ha and 6,570 kg/ha) and 33 plants/m2 (2,388 kg/ha and 4,696 kg/ha); although the harvest index was unaltered. Fertilization of faba bean with 46 kg p205/ha resulted in substantial increase in seed (3,531 kg/ha) and biological yields (7,172 kg/ha) over no fertilizer check (2,654 kg/ha seed and 5,602 kg/ha haulm yield). The harvest index tended to improve with p nutrition (49.7) over no phosphorus (47.4). Correlations worked between yield and growth and yield components showed a significant positive relation between seed yield and plant height at different stages, leaf area/plant, leaf area index, biological yield and seed yield/plant. Biomass yield is correlated with leaf area/plant, leaf area index, and plant height. Nutrient (np) removal of genotypes both in seed and haulm has been greater in Walki and Hachalu than in the local cultivar. The n removal in seed and haulm of Walki was 107 kg/ha and 58 kg/ha; and the corresponding removal of Hachalu was 95 kg/ha and 52 kg/ha; while that of the local cultivar was 89 kg/ha and 48 kg/ha. The n uptake in seed and haulm has been greater with 44 plants/m2 (120 kg/ha and 66 kg/ha) in comparison with 50 plants/m2 (97 kg/ha and 54 kg/ha) and 33 plants/m2 (75 kg/ha and 37 kg/ha). The uptake of p in seed and haulm increased with p application (11.3 kg/ha and 3.6 kg/ha) over no p-application (8.5 kg/ha and 2.7 kg/ha). In protein yield, Walki and Hachalu were better than the local variety. Maintaining 44 plants/m2 performed better than 50 and 33plants/m2. Application of 46 kgp2o5/ha out yielded no P check. Nutrient dynamics of soil after harvest of crop showed that there was an increase in soil N status ranging from 0.00 to 0.05 percent but a sharp decline in soil P and K contents after the crop harvest due to greater removal by the crop, which ranged from 4.03 to 4.27 ppm of P and 0.15 to 0.01 meq/100g of K. Economic analysis of the genotypes showed that Walki gave the highest net returns (ETB 29,642/ha) followed by Hachalu (ETB 24,827/ha) and the local cultivar (ETB 22,178/ha). Maintaining 44 plants/m2 gave higher net return (ETB 34,938/ha) than 50 plants/m2 (ETB 25,309/ha) and 33 plants/m2 (ETB 16,401/ha). Phosphorus fertilization resulted in a net return of ETB 31,247/ha compared with ETB 21,233/ha obtained with no phosphorus.

317-324

Authors: Abidemi-Iromini AO1* and Kusemiju K2

Spent engine oil, NPK fertilizer (15:15:15) and sewage effluent pollutants on growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus catfish were investigated for 70 days. Juvenile fish of length range 7.5cm to 10.6cm; and weight range 4.00g to 8.20g were used; and fish fed 5% body weight of conventional floating feed on daily basis. Temperature (0C), pH and dissolved oxygen (mg/l), mortality and growth rate were monitored. 35% mortality was experienced in NPK media; and 15% mortality was experienced in control experimental tanks. Specimens in control and NPK tanks survived to end of experimental period (70 days) with highest mean weight control tank (51.9g) and length (9.6cm); NPK specimen had mean weight 35.0g and length 8.4cm. Condition factor ‘K’ in control tank and NPK tank were: 0.98 and 0.93. Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) of control and NPK tanks were: 2.00 and 1.51. Food Conversion Efficiency (FCE) in control and NPK tanks were: 50.11% and 66.35%. Specific growth rate (SGR) {%/day} in control water tank was 1.47% per day, and NPK was 1.29% per day. Test statistic indicated there was no significant difference in growth/survival rate within surviving specimens of NPK and control environmental tanks.

333-340

Authors: Sivakumar T | Rathimeena T Shankar | Ponmanickam P

Couroupita guianensis, Silver nanoparticles synthesis of Plant extract were confirmed by UV-vis and FTIR. Further it was tested against various pathogenic microorganism and followed by antioxidant properties. The Couropita guinanensis flower extract mediated nanoparticles showed absorbance peaks at 318--323nm region in the spectral analysis.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the silver nanoparticles showed absorption peaks of reduced silver at 1631.95 cm−1. At concentration of plant extract with silver nanoparticles. The (12 mm) clear inhibitory zone appeared around 100µl against Pseudomonas aeroginosa MTCC 2453after incubation for 24h followed by Bacillus subtilis MTCC121 (23 mm), Staphylococcus aureus MTCC96 (13 mm), Klebsiella pneumonia MTCC109 (15 mm) and E.coli MTCC 912 (20 mm).In Couroupita guianensis total antioxidant was found to increase with increase in concentration in standard, plant extract and AgNO3.

351-359

Authors: Mishra IP | Sabat G | Mohanty BK

Profenofos 50% EC (Curacron 50 EC) is a hazardous pesticide commonly used in agriculture is also an important contaminant of environment. Its presence in biological system has gained importance due to bioaccumulation in food chain. The phyto-toxic effect of profenofos was assessed based on the secondary metabolites like Phenolic Compounds, Flavinoids) and Enzymes of the test species, Vigna radiata, L. The concentrations of pesticide chosen were based on EC50 and are in the range of 0.02, 0.05, 0.08, 0.1 and 0.2 % of profenofos. The changes in phenol and flavinoids enzymes (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) are not dose dependant but the catalase enzyme activity was profenophos concentration dependant.

367-374

Authors: Swamy Meena

In the present study it is observed that the histamine perse caused dose dependent significant aggregating effects in the dorsal skin melanophores of Rasbora elenga. Higher concentrations of histamine caused more sever aggregating effects of the scale melanophores.The isolated scale melanophores of fish R.elanga maintained an intermediate state in physiological solution of 0.7 % NaCl. After this, melanophores are pretreated with a specific H3 Receptor antagonist thioperamide in the concentration of 2×10-6 g/ml. They were later incubated in increasing concentrations of histamine in a logarithmic scale of 1×10-6 g/ml to 6.4×10-5 g /ml. In the lowest concentration of 1×10-6 g/ml of histamine it was observed that thioperamide blocked the melanophore aggregation effect of histamine per se. Increase in the concentration of histamine with the blocker thioperamide to 3.2×10-5 g /ml the teleost melanophores were not able to aggregate in the presence of the antagonist. After that the melanophores of R.elenga were previously bathed in 0.7% Saline in order to bring the melanophores in the neutral state, where melanophores remained in a state of neither aggregation nor dispersion. When such scale melanophores were incubated with H3 Agonist immethridine it was observed that immethridine induced physiologically significant melanophore aggregation in all concentration. The intial concentration of immethridine perse of 1×10-6 g/ml caused the melanophores to decrease in size showing aggregation. Increase in the dose concentration of immethridine perse to 6.4×10-5 g /ml, induced a complete aggregation of all the melanophores

379-386

Authors: Dassharma Kakoli | Ravnang Pratik

Stomata, the vital gate between plant and atmosphere may play a central role in plant vegetation responses to environmental conditions, which have been and are being investigated from molecular and whole plant perspectives, as well as at ecosystem and global levels. Stomatal diversity in foliar epidermis has great value in plant systematic studies. The present work deals with the anatomical investigations with respect to stomatal complex in genus Piper belonging to family Piperaceae where an attempt has been made to recognize the taxonomic value of genus Piper. Stomatal complex of eight species of genus Piper has been studied for the present work. The species are as follows: P. chaba, P. pedicellosum, P. sylvestre, P. talboti, P. boehmeriaefolium, P. lonchites, P. miniatum, P. galeatum. Three types of stomata were observed: paratetracytic, staurocytic and anisocytic. All the species show the presence of stomata on the lower epidermis only. P. galeatum was noticed with combination of two types of stomata on its epidermis. Rest all the species were found to show single type of stomata. The observations suggest the predominance of paratetracytic stomata followed by and staurocytic and anisocytic type. Detailed study of foliar trichomes in the above mentioned species showed abundance in glandular trichomes. Under glandular trichomes, types of unmodified epidermal cells and modified epidermal cells were found to be persistent. Interestingly, eglandular trichomes of type trichome apex obtuse were also noticed in two species. P. boehmeriaefolium was been observed with both glandular as well as eglandular type of trichomes.

392-394

Authors: Sundaram Sujit | Mane Sushant

The brown paper nautilus, Argonauta hians Lightfoot, 1786 was recorded for the first time from the northwest coast while investigating the biodiversity of cephalopods from Maharashtra waters. One specimen of the said species was collected as an incidental by-catch in the trawl catch off Mumbai, northwest coast of India.

399-402

Authors: Bhajbhuje MN

Impatiens balsamina L. is one of the most potent medicinal plants extensively grown worldwide including India. The seeds of this plant are reported to be heavily infested with diverse group of fungi. The fungal organisms associated with seeds are known to deteriorate the nutrient content of seeds. As the plants serve as ecofriendly and economic bio control agents, the potential of aqueous extract of three plants each of family Acanthaceae and Euphorbiaceae was determined against three species each of seed borne isolates of Curvularia and Fusarium from stored seeds of Impatiens balsamina L employing poisoned food technique. Majority of the plant extracts were reported to be toxic, leading to inhibition for the growth of the test fungi. The aqueous leaf extract Adathoda vasica was found to be most potent reducing significant level of mycelial growth of test fungi.