ABSTRACT
Human dirofi lariasis is a rare infection caused by fi larial worms of genus Dirofi laria. Subconjunctival dirofi lariasis has been reported from Asia, Europe, Italy and Africa. In India majority cases are from Kerala, Karnataka and very few from Maharashtra. We report the rare case of subconjunctival dirofi lariasis caused by Dirofi laria repens from Maharashtra, western India.
ABSTRACT
Five promising early sugarcane clones (2006 T3, 2006 T8, 2006 T19, 2006 T23 and 2006 T36) from yield trials along with two checks (Co C 671 and Co 94008) were evaluated for identification of sugarcane clones suitable for delayed harvest and crushing” at Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, Chittoor, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, during 2011-2012. The data on different growth parameters viz., Germination per cent, Plant height, SCMR values and Leaf area index were recorded at different crop growth periods. The highest germination count was recorded with 2006 T36 followed by Co C 671 and Co 94008, whereas the lowest count was recorded with 2006 T23. Among the clones 2006 T3 and 2006 T36 recorded the highest plant height at different crop growth periods (90, 120, 240 DAP and at harvest) along with two standards (Co C 671 and Co 94008), while the clone 2006 T23 recorded the lowest plant height. The highest SCMR values and LAI was recorded with Co C 671, Co 94008 followed by 2006 T36 and 2006 T3 at different crop growth periods (60, 90, 120 and 150 days), whereas, the clone 2006 T23 recorded the lowest SCMR and LAI values. The data recorded on different yield attributes viz., cane diameter (cm), cane length (cm), number of millable canes and cane yield at harvest showed that 2006 T36 and 2006 T3 recorded the higher cane yields along with checks, while the clone 2006 T23 recorded the lowest cane yield.
ABSTRACT
Despite extensive research in understanding toxic effects of monocrotophos, some uncertainty exists. The results showed a decrease in SOD activity both in smoker and non-smoker exposed groups when compared to the control group in the present study. The mean SOD activity in non-smoker control group was 1263±7.22 and the same has decreased to 496.0±9.123 in the non-smoker exposed group. Similarly a decrease in SOD activity was observed in smoker exposed group. While SOD activity in control group is 1258.3±12.79 it has decreased to 496.0±9.12 in the smokers exposed to monocrotophos pesticide. The results showed a decrease in GPX activity both in smoker and nonsmoker exposed groups when compared to the control group. The mean GPX activity in non-smoker control group was 20.62±4.14 and the same has decreased to10.75 ±2.87 in the non-smoker exposed group.
ABSTRACT
Occupationally exposed monocrotophos pesticide sprayers revealed various health complications like hyper tension, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular problems, headache, eye irritation, cold, sinus problems, asthma, backache, fatigue, skin allergy, joint pains and acidity. There was a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity in exposed group when compared to control group. Significant increase was seen in the activity of Glutathione-Stransferase in long term exposure to monocrotophos pesticide sprayers. Present study is an attempt to explore the status of usage of monocrotophos in Ramayanpet Village of Medak district in Andhra Pradesh State of India.
ABSTRACT
The soil samples were collected from the soils of Long Term Fertilizer Experiments that have been fertilized for the last 25 years from a) control plot (receiving no fertilizer/FYM); b) plot receiving 100% NPK fertilizer application and c) Plot receiving 100% N in the form of FYM, to study the changes in nature and amount of organic matter and these were compared with a similar adjacent soil under natural vegetation. The soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm (surface) and 15-30 cm (sub surface) layers. The humic substances were fractionated by Tyurins method. The total N and available N content was determined and C/N ratio was calculated. The humic acid was isolated, purified and analyzed for oxygen containing functional groups and spectral properties. It was observed that the soil under natural vegetation had a higher total N while the soil under continuous cultivation had higher available N. The C/N ratio of soil under natural vegetation was high compared to the soil under continuous cultivation. These values were high in surface layers compare to sub surface layers. The oxygen containing functional groups in Humic acid (HA) were high in soil under natural vegetation compared to the soil under continuous cultivation. The total acidity and COOH content of surface layers was high compared to sub surface layers in soils under both situations. Phenolic OH groups of subsurface layer was high in soil under natural vegetation and continuous cultivation indicating that this group in sub surface layers and high potential for interaction with clays and metal ions. The higher contents of total acidity and –COOH groups in soil under natural vegetation could be attributed to the difference in chemical composition and molecular weight of humic substances. The E4/E6 ratios of HA’S were less than 5.0 indicating high degree of condensation of aromatic humic acid. The potentiometric titrations of humic acids with standard 0.1 N NaOH indicated a gradual increase in pH with the addition of base thus indicating a high buffering capacity of humic acid. The potentiometric titration curves were sigmoid in nature indicating an apparent mono basic character and had a single break suggesting weak acidic character of humic acids. The conduct metric titrations of humic acids showed a slow increase in the initial stage followed by a steep increase at later stages. The apparent pKa values calculated from potentiometric titration data using Henderson-Hassebalch equation varied from 5.24 to 5.68.
ABSTRACT
Adsorption of atrazine was studied on two Vertisols and two Alfisols varying in their physicochemical properties. Soils were equilibrated with various concentrations of atrazine using batch techniques. Adsorption affinity for atrazine was approximated by Freundlich constant (Kf), which is a measure of the strength or degree of adsorption. Kd values were calculated for atrazine despite some non-linearity in adsorption on both Vertisols and Alfisols. The Kd values are greater for Vertisols than Alfisols and increased with organic carbon content. Correlations were worked out between extent of adsorption and soil properties and were positively correlated with organic carbon (r = 0.688), clay content ( r = 0.712) and clay + organic carbon (r = 0.708). KOC values were calculated taking into account the organic carbon content for both Vertisols and Alfisols.
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted with four dates of sowing (Second fortnight of May, First fortnight of June, Second fortnight of June and First fortnight of July) and four Varieties (TMV-2, JL-24, Narayani and Abhaya). There was wide variation in the weather conditions that prevailed over the cropping periods between the two years of experimentation. During the first year (2006) a continuous dryspell of 51 days prevailed which coincided with different growth stages of groundnut under different dates of sowing. This dry spell has not favoured the growth and development of crop, instead, it has increased the crop duration of different varieties of groundnut studied under the present investigation. The crop duration was 139-146 days in early sown crop to 110-125 days in normal sown crop compared to normal duration of 105 to 120 days. However, the second year (2007) is normal with better temporal distribution of rains and the crop duration ranged from 104-120 days in early sown crop to 108-121 days under normal sown crop. The length of growth period in 2006 is due to receipt of continuous rains after dry spell of 51 days from seed development phase to physiological maturity. In 2007,the crop which received heavy rains (22 June sown crop ) from 90 DAS to harvest was adversely affected resulting poor filling and low yields. The results revealed that Sowing during July first fortnight was found to be optimum time for groundnut during drought year, while during normal year advancing the sowing date by one month may also favour good crop provided there were good rains. The performance of Abhaya cultivar was better than the Narayani, TMV-2 and JL-24 under different kinds of environments like extreme moisture stress, stress free or even under moderate stress conditions. However, in normal year TMV-2 and JL-24 performance was also good compared to drought year.
ABSTRACT
Results of the experiment conducted in sandy loam soils during 2006-07 and 2007-08 revealed that quality parameters of cane juice and jaggery were positively and significantly influenced by the application of sulphur irrespective of sources of sulphur. Application of sulphur at 100kg/ha had significantly influenced the quality of juice but it was comparable with the application of sulphur at 80kg/ha which was reflected in quality of jaggery. There is an increase of 1.27 units in juice sucrose was observed with the application of sulphur at 80kg/ha. But sources did not differ markedly on juice quality and jaggery quality parameters. As Gypsum is cheapest source compared to Elemental sulphur, it can be concluded that maximum returns can be obtained at 80 kg S/ha through Gypsum application.
ABSTRACT
Six promising sugarcane varieties were evaluated along with one check variety for yield and quality of jaggery suitable for southern zone of Andhra Pradesh. Among the varieties 97R272, 86V96 and 93A145 are classified as excellent jaggery varieties along with check Co 62175 which is known for better jaggery variety in the zone. All the quality parameters viz., sucrose %, color, reducing sugars, non reducing sugars and NRV were determined and classified the varieties. 97R272, 86V96 and 93A145 can be recommended for cultivation in jaggery area of Southern zone of Andhra Pradesh.