ABSTRACT
To determine the effect of inorganic N fertilizer on the incidence of yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas Walker and on grain yield, yield attributes and bio-chemical characters of local paddy cultivar Tulaipanji, a field experiment for three consecutive years (2007-2009) was carried out by randomized block design in pesticide untreated field. Treatments comprised of seven different dose of inorganic N fertilizer viz 20,40,60,80,100,120,140 kg/ha respectively. Field with no fertilizer application was considered as control. In all the cases higher the doses of inorganic N fertilizer, higher would be the incidence of adult YSB population and accordingly the extent of damage was intensified. Incidence of dead heart (DH) and white head (WH) was 175.74% and 206.72% higher than the control field when the field was fertilized by 140 kg N/ha. Yield attributing characters differed considerably among the treatments. Maximum panicle length (1.71cm), Effective tiller number/ hill (62.01), filled grain number/ panicle (66.12), tiller number/hill (11.27), leaf number/hill (48.11) and leaf width (9.11 mm) was noted when the field was fertilized with 100 kg N. But no significant improvement of yield attributing characters except the number of filled grain number/ panicle was noted when the dose of fertilizer was increased after 100 kg N/ha. Insignificant variation of grain amylose and protein content, total phenol and ortho-dihydroxy phenol (OD phenol) amount under different fertilizer treatment was noted. Plant moisture content, however, was increased as the dose of N fertilizer was improved. Field application of 100 kg N/ha is thus suggested for Tulaipanji cultivation.
ABSTRACT
Swarna makshika (chalcopyrite) bhasma (SMB) has been used for different therapeutic purposes since long in Ayurveda. The present study is conducted to evaluate the effect of conventionally prepared SMB on different bio-chemical parameters in experimental animals, for providing scientific data base for its logical use in clinical practice. The genuine SMB was prepared by following classical techniques of shodhana and marana most commonly used by different Ayurvedic drug manufacturers. Shodhana was done by roasting raw swarna makshika with lemon juice for three days and marana was performed by 11 putas. The experimental animals (rats) were divided into two groups. SMB mixed with diluted honey was administered orally in therapeutic dose to Group SMB and diluted honey only was administered to vehicle control Group, for 30 days. The blood samples were collected twice, after 15 days and after 30 days of drug administration and different biochemical investigations were done. Biochemical parameters were chosen based on references from Ayurvedic classics and contemporary medicine. It was observed that Hb% was found significantly increased and LDL and VLDL were found significantly decreased in Group SMB when compared with vehicle control group. This experimental data will help the clinician for the logical use of SMB in different disease conditions with findings like low Hb% and high LDL, VLDL levels.