ABSTRACT
The field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2018-19 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying levels of phosphorus and inoculation with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) on nutrient content and uptake in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in a custard apple-based agri-horticultural system. The experimental design employed a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications and twelve treatments, resulting in a total of 36 plots. The treatments ranged from different levels of phosphorus and PSB inoculation, denoted as T1 to T12. The study assessed the impact of these treatments on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content in grain and straw, as well as their uptake by chickpea. Findings reveal that higher PSB levels and phosphorus applications led to increased nitrogen and phosphorus content and uptake in both grain and straw, demonstrating a significant synergistic effect. Conversely, potassium content and uptake exhibited limited response to PSB inoculation. Moreover, protein content and yield in grain and straw significantly improved with these treatments.
ABSTRACT
Plant secondary metabolites, present in the outer layers of fruits and vegetables in higher amounts, are structurally diverse and comprise different classes of phyto-constituents that have a number of health-promoting properties. Blanching is an important pre-treatment that is used to inactivate the enzymatic oxidation. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the effects of steam blanching (3, 5 and 7 min) and drying (50ºC) of custard apple (Annona squamosa) peel on the quantification of secondary metabolites and hypo-glycemic activity. Unblanched sample dried at 50ºC served as control. Quantitative tests for alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids were carried out for all samples and in vitro alpha amylase inhibition test was done to confirm the hypo-glycemic properties. All analyses were done in triplicates. Results: Quantitative results for alkaloids, tannins, saponins showed a significant reduction (p0.05). The exception was observed in the flavonoid content which showed a significant increase for 3 min and 5 min blanched samples, while the 7 min blanched sample showed a reduction in flavonoid content over the unblanched and fresh samples. Alpha amylase inhibition test similarly showed a decreasing trend for blanched samples ranging from IC50 value of 3.31 to 5.53 μg/mL compared to the unblanched with IC50 value of 4.92 μg/mL and fresh sample with IC50 value of 6.37μg/mL. Conclusion: From the study, it is inferred that steam blanching and drying have a significant impact on the quantification of secondary metabolites and subsequently on its hypo-glycemic activity. A steam blanching time of 5 min is the optimum for processing of custard apple peel.
ABSTRACT
Annona squamosa (custard apple) or also called Sugar Apple. It is native to the tropical Americas and West Indies, but the exact origin is unknown. It is now the most widely cultivated of all the species of Annona, being grown for its fruit throughout the tropics and warmer subtropics, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Taiwan; it was introduced to southern Asia before 1590. There are two varieties of custard apple which were available in the local Malaysian market. In the present study we aimed to carry out comparative antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of both custard apple fruits by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results showed that the methanolic extract of red custard apple showed better antioxidant activity than methanolic extract of green custard apple. However, the standard ascorbic acid showed better antioxidant activity than both the extracts. In conclusion, the red custard apple is good candidate for further investigation.
ABSTRACT
First report and morphological redescription of Teleonemia morio (Stål) (Hemiptera, Tingidae) in Annona squamosa L. (Annonaceae) in Brazil. This is the first report of a severe attack of Teleonemia morio (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Tingidae) on Annona squamosa L. (custard apple), causing up to 80% of losses of infested trees. In order to facilitate the identification of this insect pest, the adult female of T. morio is redescribed based on specimens collected in Palmeira dos Índios, Alagoas, Brazil.
Primeiro registro e redescrição morfológica de Teleonemia morio (Stål) (Hemiptera, Tingidae) em Annona squamosa L. (Annonaceae) no Brazil. Este é o primeiro registro de um ataque severo de Teleonemia morio (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Tingidae) em árvores de Annona squamosa L. (pinheira ou fruta-do-conde), resultando em perdas de aproximadamente 80% das plantas infestadas. Com o objetivo de facilitar a identificação deste inseto-praga, foi feita a redescrição da fêmea adulta de T. morio com base em espécimes coletados em Palmeira dos Índios, Alagoas, Brasil.