INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

491-498

Authors: Caceres Abbegaile B DVM, Umali Dennis V DVM, PhD, Bernardo Francis Andrew Eugene M DVM, MS and Katoh Hiromitsu DVM, PhD

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) is a highly infectious, economically important, immunosuppressive viral disease of poultry. In this study, four field strains of IBD virus (IBDV) from gamefowls in selected areas in CALABARZON, Philippines were characterized. Clinical signs observed in affected chickens were inappetence, white scours, ruffled feathers, lethargy and acute increased in mortalities. Gross lesions observed were enlarged hemorrhagic cream colored bursae with yellowish exudates. Hemorrhages in the junction of the proventriculus and gizzard were also noted. Nucleotide sequencing showed that the field strains belong to serotype-1 with deduced amino acid sequences of 222A, 256I, 294I, 242I and 299S at the VP-2 gene, which indicates that the field strains were from the very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) genotype. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the field strains belong to the European-like vvIBDV subgenotype and were closely related to (97-98%) to Spanish, South African and Nigerian IBDV strains. At present, this is the first molecular characterization of IBDVs in the Philippines.

506-516

Authors: Gebretnsae Mezgebe, Solomon Gizaw, Mengistu Urge and Arvind Chavhan

The study was conducted to describe production systems and production performance of Begait cattle under small-scale and large-scale farms. Data were collected from 180 (120 small-scale and 60 large-scale) households through filed observation and direct interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Households in both production scales considered income generation, calf production, and milk production as major purpose of keeping cattle. The mean analysis of variance of livestock holdings size were; 41, 31, 22, 9 and 2 for cattle, sheep, goats, chicken, and donkey, respectively. Except sexual maturity of breeding bull, production scale had significant (P<0.05) influence on other productive and reproductive traits. Large-scale farmers had significantly higher in daily milk yield and life calf born and also recorded shorter calving interval, age at first calving and dry period of cow than small-scale farmers. Though, there is difference on the level of impact, both large-scale and small-scale farms stressed by theft, water scarcity, seasonal feed shortage, and disease prevalence. From the current result, it is conclude that the observed herd size and milk production performance of Begait cattle is high compared to the indigenous cattle breeds in Ethiopia. Thus, the current breeding practices of Begait cattle farmers’ need a designing appropriate selective breeding program to maintain this valuable genetic resource and improve their contribution to livelihoods of their keepers.

527-542

Authors: Amelework Ejeta, Thangavel Selvaraj, Alemu Lencho and Getanah W/Ab

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important grain legume crops in Ethiopia which widely grown in marginal soils and usually as rotational crops in highland and semi-highland regions of the country. Despite the large area under chickpea cultivation, total production and productivity is quite low. Ascochyta blight is one of the most important diseases of chickpea in Ethiopia that affects the quantity and quality of chickpea yield. Foliar application of fungicides with different spray frequencies are commonly recommended for Ascochyta blight management. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in Alemtena, East Showa, Ethiopia during the main cropping season of 2015 to evaluate three fungicides (Mancozeb, Mancolaxyl and Othello Top) sprays frequencies for the management of chickpea Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab.) on growth parameters, yield and yield components and yield losses of chickpea cultivar, Natoli under field conditions. The experiment was randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with three replications. It consisted of three levels of spray frequencies (spray every one week, spray every two weeks and spray every three weeks) of three fungicides and control (untreated) treatments. The analysis of variance showed significant differences among the treatments except for days to maturity. There was a significant difference in Ascochyta blight disease incidence, severity, and infected pods per plant, infected seeds and Area under Disease Progressive Curve (AUDPC) among treatments. The comparison of means showed that application of fungicides was a suitable strategy for reduction of Ascochyta blight incidence, severity and AUDPC values as well as the maximizing seeds per pod, pods per plant, plant height, hundred seed weight and seed yield. Seed yield on sprayed plots, ranged from 1793-2261.4 kg ha-1 with mean values of 2061.3 kg ha-1 while, the seed yields measured from unsprayed (control) plots were smaller than sprayed plots (1046.7 kg ha-1). Disease severities and AUDPC rates had negative correlations with seed yield and hundred seed weight in comparison to their correlations with yield. Optimum net benefits of Ethiopian Birr, 50098.5 ha-1 and 47922.2 ha-1 were obtained from Mancozeb and Othello Top fungicides sprayed every three weeks, respectively and recorded highly effective in decreasing Ascochyta blight disease symptoms in chickpea cultivar Natoli and increased yield. Therefore, Mancozeb and Othello Top fungicides sprayed every three weeks are economically beneficial compared to the other treatments. Further, the effective and feasible integrated management options need to be developed on chickpea Ascochyta blight disease in the country.

551-560

Authors: Kiran Kumar KM1*, Naveen Kumar M1, Rashmi Nagesh, Rajeshwari H Patil, Babu RL, S Chidananda Sharma and Manjunath K

Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal and a well-known environmental contaminant. Often water, food, soil are found to be contaminated with arsenic and occupational exposure leads to harmful health issues. Hence, in the present study human lung epithelial A549 cells were used as in vitro model system. Treatment of A549 cells with arsenic for 48 h showed reduced viability with increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase with loss of membrane damage. Arsenic significantly induces reactive oxygen species with depletion of free radical neutralizing antioxidant glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes. IC50 value of 2 µM arsenic concentration was used for mRNA expression studies. Further, pro-apoptotic Bax gene was induced and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased. Arsenic stimulates dysfunction of cell cycle progression by downregulation of Cyclin-E1and Cyclin-D1 mRNA expressions. Thus confirms the toxic nature of arsenic and clues to oxidative redox potential alteration with cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis in lung epithelial cells.

577-586

Authors: Sivakami V, Kannan S, Rajendran J and Selvaraj Pandian R

Insect species represent the largest percentage of the world’s known species. They are undoubtedly the most adaptable life forms existing on the Earth. Less than 0.5 percentage of the total number of the known insect species are considered as pests. Among these, mosquitoes pose a major threat to public health by transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya etc. Only four classes of chemical insecticides have been approved by WHO with less target sites. Indiscriminate use of these synthetic insecticides and resultant selection pressure on insect populations has caused many mosquito species remain resistant to widely used insecticides. Hence, alternative approach has been initiated to use biological agents. This biocontrol strategy is important in order to counter the evolution of resistance in target populations and possible effects on non target organisms. Unlike chemical insecticides, biocontrol agents are host specific, safer to the environment, find easy application in the field, long-lasting effect with single application and cost effective production. In this context, this paper reviews about the important mosquitocidal bacteria and their efficacy against different mosquito species.

593-598

Authors: Raut Gargi, Pimpliskar Mukesh R, Vanmali HS and Jadhav Rahul

Antiseptics and Disinfectants are widely used in hospitals and other health care centers to control the growth of microbes on both living tissues and inanimate objects. Different pathogens responded different antiseptics and disinfectants. The phenol coefficient was also done to check comparative account with antiseptic and disinfectant with reference to time of killing the pathogens. Antibacterial effects of the antiseptics and disinfectants were also concentration dependent.

606-612

Authors: Cholake JB and Aher RK

The present study deals with marine fungi from Wandoor -Andaman. The dead, decaying, intertidal and submerged mangrove wood samples were collected from Wandoor. These samples examined for colonization of marine fungi. Total 10 species of Mitosporic marine fungi (Alternaria sp., Bactrodesmium linderii, Camarosporium roumeguerii, Clavatospora bulbosa, Halenospora varia, Hydea pygmea, Periconia prolifica, Trichocladium achrasporum, Trichocladium alopallonellum and Trichocladium lignicola) were encountered. Out of these fungi Alternaria sp. is very common fungi reported from most of the wood samples in Wandoor Island.

620-626

Authors: Sawarkar Prafulla

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has notified Nawegaon-Nagzira as a fifth Tiger reserve of the state and 46th of the country on the date of 7 September 2013. The 655 sq km area covers the Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra. It comprises five protected areas (PA), which are Nawegaon National park (133 sq km), Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary (123 sq km), Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary (152 sq km), New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary (151 sq km) and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary (97 sq km). Present document is based on collection of traditionally consumed food resources. The data generated from shepherd, eco-guides, women’s, local teachers and villagers from Pitezari, Jambhali(Khamba), Kosamtondi, Nawegaonbadh, Pawani dhabe, Rampuri, Padhrawani, Parsodi, Chutiya, Khoba (gondi) Dhabetekadi of Nawegaon-Nagzira tiger reserve. There are mix communities living in periphery of Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger reserve, which is Kohali (Patil), Dhivar, Gond, Mana, Dhamdii, Pradhan and some other backward classes. These people are consuming near about 57 species of plants, which are seasonally available and especially tribal communities more consuming wild plants, which are Gond, Dhamdii.Wild foods are nutritious and powerful for improving the health and provide medicine, especially for pregnant women’s and children’s. Women’s describe the preparation of traditionally foods, includes, 12 tubers species, 11 climber’s species, 1aquatics plants species, 29 terrestrial plant species, 3species of mushroom and one are newly raisebamboo.

631-634

Authors: Balakrishna D, Laxmiprasad K, Suresh P and Reddy Ravinder T

In the present study we made an attempt to assess the fish diversity in polluted region and normal regions of the Nagaram lake,Warangal district, Telangana. The complete drainage water of Warangal urban area passed away from the city and entering into the Nagaram Lake from the past three decades. During the study period 28 different fish species belongs to six orders were observed in this lake. The fish dominance order is cypriniformes, siluriformes, perciformes, channiformes osteoglossiformes and antheriformes respectively. Among the 28 species Catla catla, is the dominant fish species followed by Labeo rohitha, and Cirrhinus mrigala in normal region. Clarius batracus, is dominant fish species in drainage blending region followed by Heteropneustus fossilis, Channa punctatus and Anabus.

639-643

Authors: Irwe RR, Sontakke SG, Sheikh SI and Darade MS

A survey of fifteen dust polluted plants of different families were carried out in institute campus. The dust holding capacity of leaves, pH of dust wash of leaf surface and amount of total chlorophyll content with respect to dust deposition on leaves are determined. From the surveyed plants the quantity of dust deposition was recorded from the randomly sampled leaves. The maximum dust deposition on leaf surface was recorded in Ficus benghalensis and Pongamia pinnata. Minimum dust deposition was found on Spathodea campanulata. The pH of leaf wash of dust was found maximum on dust polluted leaves as compared to the control. The minimum total chlorophyll content was recorded in dust affected leaves.

649-660

Authors: Patil Nachiket Suryakant

Kolhapur is blessed with numbers of wetlands which is productive and unique ecosystem that support number of birds. The present study focus on avifaunal diversity and population status of threatened bird species by Diversity indices at in and around the wetlands of Kolhapur from 2016-2017. Bird survey was conducted according to line transect method and standard point count method. Species Diversity indices and Simpson index were used for statistical analysis. A total of 159 species of birds belonging to 17 orders and 60 families were recorded, of those 109 species of terrestrial birds and 50 species of water birds were observed. Out of 159 birds, 93 residential, 50 residential migratory and 15 are migratory. Of those one species is vulnerable, three species near threatened were observed. Among the birds recorded in study area, about 43% were insectivores and other dominating types include mixed diet 10%, piscivores 15%, omnivores 9%, carnivores 9%, granivores 9%, fructivores 2% and nectivores 3% respectively. Diversity of threatened birds was higher in Kalamba Lake as compare to other Wetlands. Urban wetlands are rich enough to attract birds and provide abundant food and safe passage for nesting, boosting and molting purpose.

667-671

Authors: Reddy Varsha T and Naga Padma P

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring complex organic compound predominantly present as ascorbic acid in many fruits and vegetables. It cannot be synthesized by humans hence needs to be supplemented through diet in the natural form only as synthetic ascorbic acid affects the bacterial growth not differentiating between beneficial gut flora and pathogens. The Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin C is 100-200mg which can be met with consumption of fruits and vegetables. The present study was done to estimate ascorbic acid in fresh fruits, vegetables and leafy vegetables to determine the necessary dietary requirement of Vitamin C. The ascorbic acid content of some fruits like apple, pine apple, orange, sapota, lemon, pomegranate, vegetables like onion, tomato, beet root, cucumber, carrot, Indian gooseberry, raw tamarind fruit, raw mango and garlic, leafy vegetables like tamarind leaves, amaranthus green and purple, spinach, Malabar spinach, kenaf, methi, sorrel and portulaca were estimated by volumetric method using DCPIP. Ascorbic acid content was found to be highest among fruits in lemon, followed by pomegranate and orange. Among vegetables highest was in goose berry followed by raw mango and raw tamarind. Vitamin C in leafy vegetables was variable with the highest content in amaranthus green followed by purple amaranthus and methi. This study is significant as different combinations of fruits, vegetables and leafy vegetables can be recommended for consumption based on the dietary requirement of ascorbic acid to different people under various conditions.

677-682

Authors: Patil Bhimarao J and Khade Hemlata N

Allelopathy play a significant role in agro-ecosystem, and affects the growth, quality and quantity of the products by the interactions among crops and weeds. Parthenium hysterophorus L., is one of the obnoxious weed. The fresh aqueous extracts in the concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% were tested against photosynthetic pigments and biochemical constituents in Vigna aconitifolia L. The seeds soaked in above concentrations for 4 and 9 hrs. The seven days old seedlings were used for analysis of photosynthetic pigments and biochemical constituents. This study indicated that the higher concentration of leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus L. i.e. 20% was more inhibitory than control. An increased concertration of extract decreased the photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrate, and enzymes in Vigna aconitifolia L. This indicates that allelochemicals are present in the aqueous extract of Parthenium hysterophorus as it shows inhibitory effect on plant growth.

687-691

Authors: Suresh V, Swamy TN, Md. Ghani, Thirupathi K and Md. Mustafa

An effective protocol is developed for the germination of Corallocarpus epigaeus seeds. The seeds were collected from intact plants. Various reasons are promoting seed dormancy in this species. Such dormancy was broken and achieved 84% in vitro and 70% in vivo seed germination. This enhanced percentage of germination is enabled for the conservation of this critically endangered plant. This is the first report on successful in vitro and in vivo germination of Corallocarpus epigaeus seeds.

697-702

Authors: Sarah Jane Monica, Sheila John and Madhanagopal R

Hypertension is a major component of metabolic syndrome, coronary artery diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. Factors contributing to this rising trend in hypertension include urbanization along with changes in dietary habits and lack of physical activity. Working woman always bears a dual role responsibility one in family and the other at job. Teachers represent one of the most important, largest and productive sectors delivering cognitive knowledge to students. The objective of the present study was to determine the risk of hypertension among female school teachers and various lifestyle determinants contributing to it. The study was conducted in Chennai city on 200 female school teachers. Anthropometric indices such as height, body weight, body fat percent and waist circumference were measured. BMI was calculated and blood pressure was recorded. Statistical significance was accepted at (p<0.05). The prevalence rate of pre-hypertension and hypertension was found to be 20% and 12% respectively. Age, waist circumference, body fat percent and personal history of diabetes was significantly associated with hypertension (p<0.05). Health based strategies focusing on appropriate preventive measures for early diagnosis and treatment should be included for school teachers as it helps to improve their overall health.

706-708

Authors: Sripriya D

Plants are used for prevention and cure of various diseases of human beings. In this article, an extensive study is reported enumerating 40 plants that have wound healing properties and are as well used traditionally in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. These are found to exhibit extensive curative properties for various ailments apart from their use as wound healers. These plants are in use for cure of various diseases; they are also used for wound heal up. Entire plants as well as parts of these plants in fresh or dry form or as plant juices are used for wound healing. The findings of this exploratory work on ethno-botany of medicinal plants of Chittoor District are detailed in this article along with other generative information.

714-721

Authors: Khole Anil M

On earth all life is critically dependent upon water – the origin and evolution of life became possible on earth because of the presence of liquid water. Animals and plants consist mostly of water. Water is only one of the several parameters that have a bearing on the industrial and agricultural productivity of a country. The quality of life of a community or family is closely linked to the quality and quantity of water available for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing, sanitation of a country. Since ancient times, man has settled along the rivers water, has moved along the river to unknown parts, and has eaten the fish caught in the rivers. This review research paper focuses on the managing the multiple uses and reuses of the natural resources optimally, sustainably through an understanding of the linkages and dynamics of interaction involving water. The attempt made by the community to protect the natural resources play important role for the future, we have to preserve natural resources and provide a pollution free environment which is not only concern with only policy makers, legislatures or the Judiciary. This work adopts an integrated socio-economic approach for water resources management.

730-741

Authors: Tamang Mahendra, Pal Krishan and Santosh Kumar Rai

Study of Wild plants which are used for medicine, food and tools is known as the study of ethnobotany (how people utilised plants). Present study is carried out in West Sikkim firstly because of it richness in ethnic and floral diversity and secondly due to the location of Kanchendzonga National Park which is a world heritage site. The study was conducted between August 2015– October 2017 to understand, explore and assess the present status of local ethno-edible plants. The prime objective of the present research work includes documentation of the ethnobatanical diversity, their distribution and the pattern of their utilisation and conservation of Wild Edible plants resources in the west Sikkim including Kanchenjunga Biosphere reserve The present research work is based on a survey conducted on Wild Edible Plants. The data which were collected through structured questionnaire and interview of 90 respondent (Both Men and Women). Then the survey was followed by a process of sample collection from entire west Sikkim which includes all the protected areas. It was then followed by a standard literature for their correct identification. The herbarium is deposited in botanical Survey of India, Gangtok, Sikkim. In the present study 124 plants species, 100 genera of 61 families had been recorded out of which there are 44 herbs, 10 Shrubs, 54 trees and 16 Climbers which are used by local people as food . It was observed that the availability of these plants is decreasing at an alarming rate. This observation also reveals that habitat destruction, over exploitation and unplanned agriculture were the reason for depletion of edible plants. Therefore, the edible plants, used as food by local people need urgent conservation.

746-748

Authors: Arsule CS and Sable KV

Medicinal plants have biologically compounds which are used for treating various human diseases and also play an important role in curing. Phytochemicals have two categories i.e., primary and secondary constituents. Primary constituents involve chlorophyll, proteins sugar and amino acids whereas secondary constituents contain terpenoids and alkaloids. Due to the presence of these secondary constituent’s medicinal plants show antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammation activities. The present study was designed to investigate the phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of Euphorbia hirta extracts. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, terpenoid, tannin and phenol in the extracts of aerial part of Euphorbia hirta.

754-757

Authors: Pawar SK

The present paper deals with the study of physico-chemical analysis of water transparency, dissolved oxygen, Alkalinity Hardness, calcium and magnesium of Vishnupuri Dam water during the year June 2015 to May 2016. The water transparency was recorded maximum during summer season while minimum during monsoon season. The result revealed that there was significant seasonal variations in some physic-chemical parameters and most of the parameters were in the normal range and indicated better quality of dam water.