Allelopathic effect of aqueous leaf extracts of selected trees on germination and seedling growth of rice

Aim: The present investigation aimed to study the allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Emblica officinalis, Inga dulcis, Alstonia scholaris, Syzygiumcuminis, Madhuca indica and Azadirachta indica trees on germination and seedling growth of rice.Methodology: The studies on germination and seedling growth was conducted in a BOD incubator. The number of seeds germinated daily was counted to study speed of germination, germination energy and number of days to 50% germination. DMSO was used to extract the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments of leaves. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were estimated by measuring the optical density through UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Relative watercontent of leaves was determined by soaking of leaves in water followed by oven drying. Results: The effect of leaf extracts (5 and 10%) of Emblica officinalis, Inga dulcis, Alstonia scholaris, Syzygium cuminis, Madhuca indica and Azadirachta indica was studied on two rice cultivars viz. NK-5251 (Hybrid) and Gontra Bidhan-2 (high yielding variety). The experimental findings revealed that leaf extracts of different trees had significant effect on the germination and seedling growth of rice. The leaf extract of most of the trees, except Madhuca indica, reduced germination, chlorophyll content and RWC at higher concentration. The aqueous extracts of Madhuca indica significantly increased germination, seedling vigour, seedling dry weight,germination energy, speed of germination, chlorophyll content and RWC as compared to control. However, 5% extract of Madhuca indica recorded the highest germination percentage, seedling vigour, speed of germination, germination energy, seedling dry weight, chlorophyll content and RWC among all the treatments. Interpretation: The leaf extract of Emblica officinalis, Inga dulcis, Alstonia scholaris, Syzygium cuminis and Azadirachta indica plants at higher concentration reduced germination and early seedling growth of rice. The leaf extract of Madhuca indica plant, however, enhanced the performance. The positive allelopathic effect of Madhuca indica leaf extract may be attributed to the presence of phytohormones and biostimulants

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Rhizome Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization in Broiler Chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to discern the effect of dietary incorporation of aniseed and ginger rhizome powder on growth performance and nutrient utilization in commercial broiler chickens. A total of 120, day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 4 treatment groups with 3 replicates each i.e. 10 broiler chicks per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 42 days viz., A metabolism trial was conducted during the 6th week of feeding trial to know the nutrient utilization. During the starter phase, maximum weight gain was recorded in broiler chicks of treatment group T3 (827.70 g) fed diet incorporated with 1.0% ginger rhizome powder followed by treatment groups T1, T2 and T4, however, there was no significant difference in body weight gain amongst the different treatment groups. During finisher phase, the average body weight gain was 1313.50, 1365.32, 1308.20 and 1291.36 g in broiler chicks of treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and did not differ significantly among different groups. During entire feeding trial period (0-42 days), incorporation of aniseed and ginger rhizome powder in the basal diets non-significantly improved growth performance in terms of body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index. The average cumulative body weight gain was 2120.57, 2152.75, 2135.90 and 2064.43 g in broiler chicks of treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and did not differ significantly among different groups. There was no significant difference in nutrient utilization among different treatment groups of broiler chickens

Management of early years of simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis with pre-defined Homoeopathic medicines ­ a Prospective Observational Study with 2-Years Follow-Up

Background Simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis (SMCB) is characterized by recurrent mucoid or mucopurulent expectoration in absence of localized suppurative disease. This observational open label study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of homeopathic medicine in SMCB. Methods 1902 patients were screened from 07 centres out of which 1305 were excluded. 597 patients were enrolled as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 14 pre-defined homeopathic medicines were shortlisted for prescription after repertorizing the pathological symptoms of SMCB. Outcomes were assessed through chronic bronchitis symptom scale (CBSS) and FEV1/ FVC ratio with spirometry for over a period of two years. Appearance of any change (relief/ worse)/ status quo was immediately followed by placebo/ change in dilution/ change in remedy. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: 532 patients were analyzed based on the intention to treat principle using last observation carry forward method. Mean CBS score reduced from 29.86±4.5 at baseline to 12.33±7.6 at completion of 2 years. Repeated measures ANOVA, at time points 0 (baseline), 3, 6, 9, 12 ,15, 18, 21 and 24 months, showed significant reduction in CBS scores [Wilk's Lambda 0.104, F=564, df 524; p=00001]. The FEV1 and FEV1/FVC was maintained within normal limits. 86% prescriptions included Lycopodium, Arsenicum album, Pulsatilla, Phosphorus, Stannum metallicum, Calcarea carbonica, Silicea, Bryonia alba. Conclusion: The result suggests effectiveness of homeopathic treatment in early years of SCMB patients. Controlled trials are warranted. (AU)

Risk factors for low birth weight in Nepali infants.

A detailed information on a total of 448 consecutive Nepali births which occurred between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1994 was collected from the birth registers of the Khasi-Jaintia Presbetyrian Synod Hospital of Shillong, Meghalaya. After the exclusion of still and twin births, and the cases of missing information of birth weight, 418 single live births were considered to find out the distribution of birth weight and the risk factors of low birth weight (LBW) among the Nepali babies of this state. The incidence of LBW was 21.53%. The results of univariate analysis revealed that sex, maternal age, parity, gestation period, economic condition and maternal education were significantly related to the incidence of LBW. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that all the above mentioned factors had independent risk for LBW except the economic condition and father's education. Thus, the present results suggest conducting further studies among other ethnic groups of North-East India to understand the problem of LBW at the population level which may help to formulate an effective maternal and child health care program in this region.

Low birth weight in relation to sex of baby, maternal age and parity: a hospital based study on Tangsa tribe from Arunachal Pradesh.

Records of 151 Tangsa singleton live births over a period of 4 years at the Nampong Primary Health Centre of Nampong Circle of the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh were analysed to examine the effect of sex of baby, mother's age and parity on the incidence of low birth weight. The occurrence of low birth weight was 28.48% and only 4.64% of newborns weighed 2000 g or less. The mean birth weight was found to be 2806.95 +/- 39.32 g. Female babies had a significantly higher incidence of low birth weight than male babies. Parity was found to be significant influence on the incidence of low birth weight. An increase of low birth weight babies was noticed after 4th parity and the best outcome was also observed at this parity. The higher incidence of low birth weight was found in the 5+ parity. Young mothers (< 20 years) had also higher incidence of low birth weight and mother's age had no significant effect on the incidence of low birth weight.

Characterisation and identification of broad spectrum antibiotic producing Streptomyces hygroscopicus D 1.5.

A streptomycete strain D1.5 capable of producing broad spectrum antiobiotic was isolated from soil. The morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characters were studied, compared to known species and identified as Streptmoyces hygroscopicus. Antibiotic activity of the strain was tested against both Gram positive and negative bacteria as well as fungi. It exhibited complete resistance to beta-lactum antibiotics.