Effects of ultra high dilution of paraquat 30 ch on growth, chlorophyll content and yield of rice crop

The application of synthetic fertilizers reduces the natural fertility of the soil and contaminates groundwater. Some photosynthesis inhibitors at ultra-high dilution (UHD) increase photosynthesis, growth, and yield of crops. A weedicide Paraquat at UHD enhanced the growth and yield of potatoes in fields. The objective is to see whether the UHD of Paraquat is also effective on rice. This weedicide was serially diluted with distilled water and manually succussed in 30 steps following the preparation of homeopathic dilutions called potencies. In this way, the 30thpotency of Paraquat called Paraquat 30 cH was prepared and preserved in 90 % ethanol. Paraquat 30 cH was diluted with water 1:1000 (v/v) and sprayed on rice plants in a field measuring 0.3125 acres. The control plot of the same area was situated 300 meters away from the test plot. Three treatments were given at an interval of 7 days. The treated plot showed increased growth, chlorophyll content, and rice yield significantlycompared to control. The UHD of the weedicide produced precisely the opposite effect of the crude material on plants. The increased growth and yield of rice by Paraquat 30 cH may be due to the enhancement of photosynthesis of treated plants. The UHD of Paraquat increased the yield of rice by 19.35% over the control.

Description of a new species of Cosmocerca Diesing, 1861 (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) in Hoplobatrachus crassus (Jerdon, 1853) (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Asansol coal-field area, West Bengal, India.

A new cosmocercid nematode species, Cosmocerca asansolensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) is described from an Indian bullfrog, Hoplobatrachus crassus (Jerdon, 1853), from Asansol town, Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India. This species is characterized by the presence of five pairs of plectanes supporting preanal papillae, absence of somatic papillae in females, and having one pair large postanal papillae, a single papilla on the upper lip of cloaca, a single papilla on the lower lip of cloaca and one pair adanal papillae in males and one pair postanal papillae in females. Spicules of the present species are equal, moderately sclerotized, knobbed and wide proximal end gradually tapering to a fine point distally. The gubernaculum is well sclerotized and Y-shaped. Cosmocerca asansolensis sp. nov. represents the 33rd species assigned to the genus, 8th from Oriental region and 6th species from India.

Efficacy of Limonia acidissima L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract on larval immatures of Culex quinquefasciatus Say 1823.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of leaf extract of Limonia acidissima L. (Rutaceae) as a biocontrol agent against the larval form of Culex quinquefasciatus, and characterization of bioactive component responsible for larvicidal activity. METHODS: Larval mortality of mosquito species was observed after 24, 48 and 72 hours of exposure to different concentrations of aqueous extract, solvent extract and subsequently bioactive compound. The bioactive compound was subjected to IR and GC-MS analysis. RESULTS: Mortality rate at 3% concentration of crude extract were highest (90%) amongst all concentrations tested and subsequently highest (95%) mortality was achieved in chloroform: methanol extract at 100 ppm concentrations. IR and GC-MS analysis of bioactive compound revealed the presence of steroid compound which may act as larvicide. CONCLUSIONS: The chloroform: methanol extract of mature leaves of Limonia acidissima was found to exhibit considerable mosquito larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus.