CONTROL OF HOUSE HOLD ANTS USING BOTANICAL EXTRACTS
Author : Vimcy Rapheal and Joshy K.Simon
Page No : 6-9
Abstract :
The present study focused on developing effective ant control from herbal plant extracts. As a group ants are most difficult house hold pests to control. Often, application of chemicals is the most commonly used control measure with harmful effect on the environments and non-target organisms. Therefore, objective of this study is to control these ants by using botanical control methods.Hence laboratory assays were carried out to evaluate the ant control property of plant extracts of six indigenous native botanicals namely Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Neem, Tulasi, and Mint against ant. The extracts were prepared by grinding with water. Solenopsis geminate, Camponotus compressus are the two species of ants used in this study. The aqueous extracts were treated against 20 ants at dose levels of 1%, 3%, 5%.standard checks ( controls were used for comparison. Observations were made at 48 hours. Highest % mortality was recorded in garlic. The minimum % mortality was shown by ginger, neem extracts. As the dose and time increases, the mortality effect also increased. The use of such plant extracts can control the different households in an eco-friendly way.
ANALYSIS OF GROUND WATER QUALITY OF IMPORTANT TOWN AREAS OF THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA
Author : Anju Therese Jose. C & Tom Cherian
Page No : 10-14
Abstract :
Water is the most fundamental, essential and abundantly available natural resource. The analysis of water quality of the aquifers of important town areas of Thrissur district was carried out during the pre-monsoon period of 2014. 42 samples are collected from 13 sites. The physico – chemical and biological parameters such as Temperature, Turbidity, EC, TDS, pH, Alkalinity, Chloride, Salinity, TH, Ca, Mg, Iron, Phosphate, Sulphate, DO, COD, Total coliform count and E.coli count were determined. All the physico-chemical parameters of the sample are above the desirable limit but below the permissible limit. In this study all the 42 samples shows, higher amount of Coliform count beyond the permissible limit and presence of E.coli.
RECENT ADVANCES IN NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING (NGS) AND ITS IMPACT IN PLANT RESEARCH
Author : Aiswariya K. S. & Geethu Elizabath Thomas
Page No : 1-6
Abstract :
With it's unprecedented through put, scalability and speed Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) enables researchers to study biological systems at a level never before. Recent advancement in NGS includes Nanopore DNA sequencing, Tunneling currents DNA sequencing, sequencing by hybridization, microscopy based techniques, micro fluidic Sanger sequencing, RNAP sequencing, in vitro virus high throughput sequencing etc. Next generation sequencing applies to genome sequencing, genome resequencing, transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq), DNA protein interactions (chip sequencing) and epigenome characterization. NGS is applied in plant research for genotyping, crop improvement and for rapid marker development in molecular plant breeding. It is used for plant transcriptomics including gene discovery, transcript quantification and marker discovery for non model plants as well as transcript annotation and quantification, small RNA discovery and transcription analysis for model plants. NGS enables the collection of genome-wide information on genetic variation, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and identification of genes of adaptive importance which will help considerably in investigating the mechanisms that are important in a conservation genetic context such as inbreeding depression and local adaptation.
EFFECTS OF SIMULATED ACID RAIN ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF AMARANTHUS DUBIUS
Author : Jishmi C. Johnson and Tessy Paul P.
Page No : 16-18
Abstract :
The experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of simulated acid rain on the germination and the growth of Amaranthusdubius Mart. ex Thell. The effect of simulated acid rain using sulphuric acid with different pH concentrations (2, 3 and 4) were determined by exposing the seeds and seedlings to them for ten consecutive days. A control (pH 6.8) was placed along with the treatments. The seed germination was found reduced at pH 2. The effect on seedlings showed remarkable reductions on the growth parameters and the chlorophyll content. A large number of reductions were noted at pH 2. The leaves were with marked irregular lesions, necrotic spots and chlorosis at pH 3 and pH 2 levels. The total phenol content showed an increasing trend as pH level reduced from 4 to 2. Thus this study points out that Amaranthusdubius Mart. ex Thell. has less tolerance to acid rain which demands new resistant varieties through breeding and other plant propagation methods.
IMPACT OF POULTRY AND AQUACULTURE POLLUTION ON THE WATER QUALITY OF VALLIVATTOM WETLAND, THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA
Author : Lakshmi T.G. and Tessy Paul P.
Page No : 19-21
Abstract :
The assessment of the impact of poultry and aquaculture pollution on the waterquality was done for the period of four months from March to June 2012 at Vallivattom village of Vellangallurgramapanchayath in Thrissur
district, Kerala.The analysis of physico- chemical parameters indicates that the water quality of wetland near the poultry farm and the prawn culture fieldshowed comparatively higher values. Thirty two phytoplankton genera under five taxonomic classes were identified during the period of study,of which eighteen were pollution indicators. The wetland near the poultry farm has the higher number of phytoplankton (organisms/litre). Naviculaand Oscillatoria were abundant in this area. Euglena was observed in both the wetlands near the poultry farm and the prawn culture field.Thirteen plant species under leven families were identified from the study area, which includes three true mangroves namely Acanthus ilicifoliusL., AvicenniaofficinalisL. and RhizophoramucronataPoir.The present study revealed that the quality of water was deteriorated in the wetland near the poultry farm and the prawn culture field. The addition of poultry wastes stimulated the luxuriant growth of algae in water and the algal blooms reduced the oxygen content in the water.
LARVICIDAL EFFICACY OF THREE AROMATIC PLANTS AGAINST DENGUE VECTOR, AEDES AEGYPTI
Author : Sunaina Jamal K , Anju Therese jose, Tom Cherian and Misver Ali
Page No : 22-26
Abstract :
Aedes aegypti is the main carrier for viruses that cause dengue, dengue hemorrhagic and yellow fevers. Insecticide use to control this vector has led to the development of mosquito resistance, environmental pollution, and undesirable effects on non-target organisms.use of environment friendly and biodegradable natural insecticides of plant origin have received renewed attention as agents for vector control. This quality increased the demand of plant extracts. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of leaf extracts of against dengue and vector The larvicidal activity was determined against the early 4th instar larvae at concentrations of 500,1000 ppm. Larval mortality of was observed against petroleum ether, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of and after 24h and 48 h. extract in ethyl acetate and extract in petroleum ether provided highest mortality rate of 69.9% and 69.6% respectively Petroleum ether extract of shows the least variation in mortality between 500ppm and 1000ppm at 24 hr
EFFECTS OF HALOPRIMING ON PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF VIGNA RADIATA (L.) WILCZEK SUBJECTEDTO OSMOTIC STRESS
Author : Jisha, K. C., Faseela P. and Jos T. Puthur
Page No : 26-31
Abstract :
The investigation was carried out to study the effect of halopriming on photochemistry of three varieties subjected to NaCl/PEG stress. The changes in the photochemistry of seedlings were monitored by measuring the total chlorophyll content, PS I and II activities, chlorophyll fluorescence related parameters like density of active reaction centres (RC/CS), absorbtion of photons (ABS/CS), trapping of photons (TR/CS), electron transport (ET/CS) and dissipation of energy (DI/CS) per cross section of PS II. The application of stress resulted in the retardation of growth, total chlorophyll content, photosystem I and II activities and changes in the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters of the seedlings. It can be concluded that halopriming treatments of the seeds could decrease the extent of reduction in the photosynthetic efficiency of the seedlings of three varieties subjected to NaCl/PEG stress and it was evident in the NaCl tolerant variety Pusa Vishal.
EFFECTS OF LEAD AND CHROMIUM ON GROWTH OF LEMNA MINOR L.
Author : Asma. V.M.
Page No : 32-38
Abstract :
A study was conducted to know the effects of different concentration of lead and choromium on morphological, anatomical, physiological and biochemical features in Lemna minor L. The results of the experiment showed the possibility of in purifying the waste water. The favourable changes in chlorophyll content, protein content, pH and moisture content at 80ppm, 160 ppm and 240 ppm for lead showed that can with stand the heavy metal pollution such as lead up to these limits. But for chromium the results indicate that can withstand the heavy metal pollution up to a particular concentration such as 225ppm. Lemna minor L.
DOES QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INCREASE PRODUCT QUALITY? AN EMPIRICAL FINDING FROM ISO CERTIFIED FIRMS IN KERALA
Author : Shafeer P.S
Page No : 38-41
Abstract :
The major aim of this paper is to explore the impact of Quality Management System on Product Quality in ISO Certified Large-Scale manufacturing firms in Kerala. Data for this study was collected using a Pre-tested questionnaire that was distributed to 60 ISO certified Large-Scale manufacturing firms ( 24 from public sector and 36 from private sector) in Kerala selected by purposive sampling method under non-random sampling technique from the database of Kerala State Industrial Development Council, Trivandrum. Two Top level managers (GM/MD/CEO's, DGM etc.) from the each firm were the respondent of the survey. 120 top level managers are selected for the study from both sectors (48 from public sector and 72 from private sector). Correlation analysis was used to analyze the collected data with the help of SPSS Software. The study reveals that there is a positive linear relationship between quality management system and product quality in ISO certified manufacturing firms in Kerala. This paper presents new data and empirical insights related with the relationship between quality management system and product quality in ISO certified Large-Scale manufacturing firm in Kerala.
ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES ON THE ENDEMIC KADAR TRIBES OF ANAMALAI'S, WESTERN GHATS - INDIA
Author : Sabeena. C.S., K. H. Amitha Bachan, K.M. M. Nasser & P. Niyas
Page No : 42-44
Abstract :
he Kadars are one among the five Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Kerala. They are confined to the wet-evergreen forest areas of Parmbikulam, Vazhachal, Sholayar, Nelliyampathy of Kerala state and Valparai, Mannampally areas of Tamil Nadu. The ethnobotanical knowledge of the Kadars of Vazhachal forests were documented here to demonstrate their intrinsic relationship with rainforest regions of Anamalais.
A preliminary assessment of the Diversity of the genus 'Ficus' in the Vazhachal forests, Western Ghats, India
Author : Amitha Bachan K.H & Jisy E.D
Page No : 46-63
Abstract :
This preliminary study on the diversity of the genus 'Ficus' brings out 17 taxa including two endemic and two threatened species. Details morphological description with note on ecology along with taxonomic keys