Effect of Weed Management Practices on Growth, Yield and Quality of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

The present investigation entitled “Effect of weed management practices on growth, yield and quality of okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)” was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during kharif season 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with seven different treatments viz. T1 = Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml /L, T2= Post emergence application of Quizalofop-ethyl @ 0.040 kg/ha ,T3 = Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 DAS , T4 = Post emergence application of Quizalofop-ethyl @ 0.040 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS + one hand weeding , T5 = Pendimethalin @ 6 ml /L as pre-emergence + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 0.040 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS , T6 = Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS , T7 = weed check control replicated thrice. The result of the study revealed that at 30 DAS maximum plant height (30.96cm) was reported in treatment T3 : Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 days of sowing whereas at 60 and 90 DAS maximum plant height (75.50 and 113.53 cm) was reported in T6 : Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Maximum number of branches per plant (4.60)at 60 DAS was found in T3 : Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 DAS and 90 DAS maximum number of branches per plant (5.86) was reported in T6 : Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Maximum number of nodes (17.83 ) at 60 days after sowing was noticed in treatment T3 = Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 DAS and 90 Days after of sowing maximum number of nodes () was in treatment T6 = Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Maximum Pod diameter( 1.74cm) , fruit weight (12.88gm ), pod length( 14.1cm) , number of pods per plant( 25.66 ) , pod yield per plant ( 304.73gm) , pod yield per hectare (16.91 t), TSS( 3.2 Brix), crude fibre (8.46%) and cholorophyll content (1.18 mg) and relative cholorophyll content (54.39) .

Response of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) Hybrids to Micro-nutrients under Protected Conditions

The field experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022 at Vegetable Research Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur to find out the response of capsicum hybrids to micronutrients under protected conditions. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design (SPD) with 15 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised three hybrids viz., Indira, Swarna and Bomby and five levels of micronutrients viz., control (no micronutrients application), soil application of Zn, Fe & B, fertigation of EDTA of Zn & Fe and solubor at 15 days interval, foliar application of vegetable special @ 5g/lit at 15 days interval and foliar application of chelated combo micronutrients @ 1g/lit at 15 days interval. Recommended package of practices for the crop were followed except treatments. Results of the experiment revealed that the hybrid Indira recorded significantly highest plant height (91.30 and 94.89 cm), number of branches (11.87 and 12.30), stem girth (4.31 and 4.60 cm), number of leaves (102.94 and 106.43), internode length (13.82 and 14.01 cm), number of flowers per plant (38.22 and 38.36), fruit set (55.10 and 55.44%), no. of fruits per plant (20.99 and 21.22), fruit weight per plant (3.69 and 3.74 kg) and fruit yield per 1000 m2 (70.36 and 71.35 q) while fruit length (11.45 and 11.71 cm), fruit diameter (10.54 and 10.66 cm), weight of placenta (18.51 and 18.71g) and average weight of fruit (193.31 and 195.90g) were significantly highest in Swarna. In case of micronutrients, foliar application of vegetable special @ 5g/at 15 day recorded significantly highest value of plant height (93.72 and 96.77cm), no. of branches (12.66 and 13.39), stem girth (4.75 and 5.12 cm), no. of leaves (105.52 and 108.68), internode length (14.75 and 15.04cm), no. of flowers per plant (41.34 and 41.95), fruit set (56.66 and 57.45%), no. fruits per plant (20.56 and 20.73), fruit length (11.85 and 12.07cm), fruit diameter (10.62 and 10.80cm), weight of placenta (18.31 and 18.46g), average fruit weight (189.03 and 191.33g), fruit weight per plant (4.12 and 4.17 kg) and fruit yield (78.64 & 79.60q/1000 m2). Hence, hybrid Indira and foliar application of vegetable special @ 5g/at 15 days may be recommended for higher productivity from capsicum crops under protected conditions.

Study of Cardiac Manifestations in Patients with HIV Infection and Their Correlation with CD4 Count in Indian Population.

Background: HIV continues to be a major global public health issue. In 2014 an estimated 36.9 million people were living with HIV, a global prevalence of 0.8 %. The clinical spectrum of HIV infection encompasses a spectrum ranging from an acute syndrome associated with primary infection to a prolonged symptomatic state to an advanced cardiac disease in HIV affected patients is becoming more prevalent as therapy and longevity improve Infection HIV is one of the causes of acquired heart disease in these patients. With advances in the management of patients living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA), not only survival has increased but manifestations of late stage HIV infection are encountered more often including cardiovascular complications. Aims and Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac manifestations in patients with HIV infection and to evaluate their correlation with CD4 count. Methods: During the period of 1 year from July 2015 to September 2016, total 100 cases of HIV/AIDS were included. The occurrence of cardiac involvement in HIV/AIDS cases was determined based on cardiac enzymes, ECG findings & 2D Echocardiography findings. An attempt was made to correlate various cardiac findings with CD4 T cell count. Results: Male to female ratio was 3:1. Common clinical symptoms were fever (68%), cough (44%) & extertional breathlessness (33%) Echocardiographic abnormalities were seen in 54.3% of patients. Reduced ejection fraction (below 50%) and fractional shortening below 30% were the most common cardiac abnormality (46.3%) followed by pericardial effusion (16.66%), pulmonary artery hypertension (11.11%), dilated cardiomyopathy (9.25%), diastolic dysfunction (9.25%), regional wall motion abnormality (1.85%) and valvular regurgitation (5.55%) respectively. Significant statistical positive correlation was observed between low CD4 count and echocardiographic abnormalities (p < 0.001). Pericardial effusion was seen more in patients with CD4 count below 200 (p < 0.05). Maximum number of echocardiographic abnormalities was seen in WHO clinical stage IV. Conclusion: Echocardiographic abnormalities are more prevalent in HIV/AIDS patients and their prevalence increases as the CD4 count falls andoccur more in advanced stage of the disease. So we should aim at starting ART early in HIV infected patients so as to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Idiopathic acquired leukonychia

A rare case of 29 years old healthy male patient with persistent progressive total whitening of all the finger and toe nails [Idiopathic acquired leukonychia] since the age of 20 years is being presented here. The nail changes were of great concern in terms of social embarrassment to the patient. Idiopathic acquiredleukonychia is a rare chromatic disorder of the nails not associated with other abnormalities and discernible etiology. To the best of our knowledge, probably it is the second case report from India after the first one reported from Mumbai earlier. Hence it is presented here for its rarity

Serum lipid response to introducing ghee as a partial replacement for mustard oil in the diet of healthy young Indians.

Ghee (clarified butter) has generally been assumed to be hypercholesterolaemic on the basis of its composition but there is hardly any study to support or refute the assumption. The present study was conducted on sixty-three healthy, young, physically active adult volunteers (52 male, 11 female). The study design was that of a randomized controlled trial with a parallel design. After a lead-in period of 2 wk, the subjects were randomly divided into two groups, Group A (n = 30; 25 male, 5 female) and Group B (n = 33; 27 male, 6 female). Group A (experimental) consumed for 8 wk a diet in which ghee provided 10% of the energy intake. The only other visible fat in the diet was mustard oil, and total energy from fats was 25% of the energy intake. Group B (control) consumed for 8 wk a similar diet except that all visible fat came from mustard oil. The serum total cholesterol level showed a significant rise in the experimental group at 4 wk; the rise persisted at 8 wk. A similar rise was also seen in HDL cholesterol. Hence the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio did not show any significant change. In the control group, there was a trend towards a fall in LDL cholesterol but the change was not significant. The study does not indicate any adverse effect of ghee on lipoprotein profile. However, more studies are needed on older subjects, hyperlipidaemic subjects, and on subjects following less healthy lifestyles before the results of this study can be extrapolated to the general population.