International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

i-ii

Authors: Umesh Prasad Shrivastava

No abstract

27-32

Authors: Mohan P. Panthi, Anant Gopal Singh

An attempt was made to explore, identify, and document medicinal plants used in dermatological and cosmetic disorders by the people of Arghakhanchi district of western Nepal. The study was conducted during 2006-2008 using semi-structured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews, and group discussion with traditional healers and persons of different age and occupation having knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. A total of 31 plant species belonging to 24 families were identified and documented. Arghakhanchi district has a rich repository of medicinal plants. The indigenous traditional knowledge has been transmitted orally for years is becoming extinct, with the introduction of modern and alternative facilities of treatments in the district. Hence, these traditional practices need proper documentation and this reinforces the need for screening new active compounds. These documented plant species may be used for development of new, cheep, and effective medicines in future.

42-48

Authors: Ram Nath Prasad Yadav

Several hitherto unreported cationic complexes of the general formula [Ar2SbL][Y] and [ArSbL2][Y]2 [ Where, Ar = C6H5, L = α-Picoline, Pyridine, Ph3AsO, hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA), thiourea (TU) and Y = ClO4− BF4− ] have been synthesized and characterized by solid state IR, 1H NMR, elemental analysis, conductance and molecular weight measurements. The physico-chemical data, cations [Ar2SbL]+1 and[ArSbL2]+2 are assigned a pyramidal structure.

60-62

Authors: S. Thirumala, Pradeep Nathu M., H. B. Aravinda

Air borne fungi of Hill fort region of Channagiri is studied with help of Petriplate exposure method using Pottato dextrose agar media, petriplate exposure time is 15min. Sampling is taken in the month of January 2013 total 74 fungal colonies represented 07 fungal types were observed during the present investigation period. Environmental condition plays an importance role in the distribution of the fungal spores. Out of 07 fungal species most numbers of fungi are anamorphic groups. The fungal species were Aspergillus, Pencillium, Curvilaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium Rhizopus, Alternaria species were identified. Aspergillus species (47.2%) showing maximum contribution is observed where as Rhizopus shows minimum contribution.

68-71

Authors: Pratima Pandey, Jwala Bajrachrya, S. Pokharel

Maize (Zea mays dis.L.) is one of the most important staple crops in the world. Sindhupalchok, Kavre and Nuwakot were the three districts selected for the maize CBSP groups under the respective Agriculture Development Offices identified by CDD for the present study. Altogether 2x6x3 samples for the study were collected. Seed damage as broken seeds, damages on embryo, seed quality assessments like seed moisture content, pure seed percentage, seed vigor measured by root and shoot length, seed germination, and embryo damages were carried in seed testing laboratory in Seed Science & Technology Division (SSTD) Khumaltar following the ISTA Rules, 2007. For the embryo damage test, tetrazolium salt test (TZ) was conducted following the procedures prescribed for maize seed in ISTA Rules, 2007. All the samples possessed of 99 % of pure seed. It ranged from 99.51 % in Nuwakot to 99.96 % in Kavre for samples using corn sheller. They were found within the standards for pure seed and were of acceptable range. The corn sheller was found as efficient as that of hand shelling. There was not found the effect on the quality of seed that they were within the standard values. The germination percentage decreased from initial 96 to 85 (Kavre); 94 to 87 (Sindhupalchwok) and 91 to 83 (Nuwakot). This study concludes that the corn sheller techniques offer Wooden corn sheller is a simple but traditional device made locally for shelling the maize kernels and distributed to Community based seed production (CBSP) farmers contribute to minimizing the impacts of hand sheller on agricultural systems.

75-79

Authors: Jiban Shrestha

Grain yield stability for the new maize genotypes is an important target in maize breeding programs. The main objective of this study was to identify stable high yielding quality protein maize (QPM) genotypes under various locations and years in terai region of Nepal. Six quality protein maize genotypes along with Poshilo Makai-1 (Standard Check) and Farmer’s Variety (Local Check) were tested at three different locations namely Ayodhyapuri-2, Devendrapur, Madi, Chitwan; Rajahar-8, Bartandi, Rajahar, Nawalparasi; Mangalpur-2, Rampur, Chitwan during 2011 and 2012 spring and winter seasons under rainfed condition. The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with two replications in farmer’s fields. There was considerable variation among genotypes and environments for grain yield. The analysis of variance showed that mean squares of environments (E) was highly significant and genotypes (G) and genotype x environment interaction (GEI) were non significant. The genotypes S03TLYQ-AB02 and RampurS03FQ02 respectively produced the higher mean grain yield 5422±564 kg/ha and 5274±603 kg/ha across the locations. Joint regression analysis showed that RampurS03FQ02 and S03TLYQ-AB02 with regression coefficient 1.10 and 1.22 respectively are the most stable genotypes over the tested environments. The coefficient of determination (R2) for genotypes Rampur S03FQ02 and S03TLYQ-AB02 were as high as 0.954, confirming their high predictability to stability. Further confirmation from GGE biplot analysis showed that maize genotype S03TLYQ-AB02 followed by Rampur S03FQ02 were more stable and adaptive genotypes across the tested environments. Thus these genotypes could be recommended to farmers for general cultivation.