International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

84-92

Authors: Sanjay Kumar Rai, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Arun Kumar, Apoorva

An experiment was carried out using virus-resistant papaya variety Pune Selection-3 to study the effect of different cultivation methods for enhanced production and input use efficiency at Horticultural Research Farm, RAU, Pusa during the year 2016-2019. The outcomes of raised bed cultivation (a), drip irrigation (b), fertigation (c), polyethylene mulching (d) along with micronutrient spray (e) were analyzed using different combinations of these parameters as treatments for growth, yield-related parameters, and fruit quality. Nutrient use efficiency was also assessed by examining various interactive components such as soil nutrient content, nutrient acquisition with nutrient content in the leaves, the efficiency of nutrient utilization informs of the biomass produced, fruit yield, and fruit nutritional quality. The plant height was maximum in T1 (155 cm) which was significantly higher than the plant of control treatment. The flowering time was found to be reduced in all treatments. However, total soluble sugar was higher in T3. Overall, when the B:C ratio was compared, the treatment (T1) showed a higher value along with a 2.38-fold fruit yield/plant and 0.89-fold increase in fruit yield per hectare. The nutritional quality of fruits enhanced in T1 treated plants having a 1.78-fold increment in flavonoid content, and 1.2-fold more lycopene. The phenolic content was also 1.8-fold higher than the control (T5). The result obtained in the present study demonstrates that with the implementation of a suitable fertigation system in papaya cultivation we can obtain papaya growth, fruit yield per plant, and fruit quality by targeting enhancement in cost: benefit ratio.

99-103

Authors: Adepoju Oluwarinu, Joseph Omololu-Aso

Aspilia africana (Compositae) is one of such plants considered of great importance in the pharmacopeia of traditional medicine. This study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of its leaf methanol extract. leaf samples of Aspilia africana were collected, washed, air-dried, and processed to a fine powder in the microbiology laboratory of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Crude extract of the leaf samples was done by the cold maceration technique using methanol solvents. Phytochemical analysis of the carried out using previously described technique, and in vitro antibacterial activities of concentrations 1.625-100 mg/ml and a standard antibiotic (Streptomycin) were tested on Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus stereothemophilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Serratia marcensens, Proteus mirabilis by the agar diffusion test. The radical scavenging ability of the extract was determined using the stable radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate). The phytochemical analysis of the crude extract of both plants revealed the presence of saponins, tannin, resin, phlobatannins, and phenols. The in-vitro antibacterial test of the methanol crude extract using the agar well diffusion method showed broad-spectrum activity. With a minimum bactericidal concentration of 30 and 75 mg/mL for Klebsiella pneumonia, and Bacillus subtilis respectively. In-vitro antioxidant activities using 2, 2–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay indicate that the methanol leaves extract had higher activity than 92.23 µg/mL compared to standard drugs (Ascorbic acid 1.07 mg/mL) and IC50 at 4.66. This study concluded that Aspilia africana methanol crude extract exhibits dosage-dependent antioxidant antibacterial potential.

112-123

Authors: Gyanu Thapa Magar, Sujan Chaudhary

A floristic study of an area is very crucial to determine the status of plant species of particular area or geographical region, as it reflects the whole plant diversity of that area. Our study aimed at identifying the floristic composition of Daman-Simbhanjyang area which included flowering plants, gymnosperms, pteridophytes and bryophytes at wild habitat. The present study has recorded altogether 189 plant species under 163 genera and 90 families. Out of 189 plant species (114 Dicots and 20 Monocots), 134 phanerogams were recorded under 112 genera and 55 families. Asteraceae was found to be the richest family with 14 species among dicots and Orchidaceae (8 spp.) among monocots. Moreover, 30 species of pteridophytes and 22 species of bryophytes were recorded under 28 genera from 15 families and 20 genera from 17 families respectively. However, only three species of gymnosperm were recorded under 3 genera and 3 families at wild habitat. Therefore, the present study has concluded Daman-Simbhanjyang area to be rich in plant species diversity which encompasses many high valued plant species that needs to be conserved and used in sustainable manner.

134-139

Authors: Aakash Adhikari, Bigyan G.C.

In view of suitable climatic condition in mid hill of Nepal, sweet orange is emerging as a new enterprise for farmers, for which the government of Nepal has also given priority to this crop. In the light of these facts, a case study was conducted in Pyuthan municipality of Pyuthan district to identify the problems related to sweet orange in Pyuthan municipality. All of the farmers had their own land for Sweet orange production. Majority of the respondents (80%) had the annual income below NRs. 20000. Farmers were able to increase their higher education, household expenses, health and savings from Sweet orange production. Transportation, irrigation, citrus greening disorder and green stinky bug were major problem in Sweet orange production in study area. Study suggested that concerned stakeholders should focus their program on quality seedling production, input use, and human resource management, and scientific orchard management, capacity development of farmers, insect pest management, scientific value chain management and post-harvest loss reduction for overall development of sweet orange industry in Pyuthan district.