Evaluation of F1 Hybrids of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir) for Yield and Quality

An investigation was carried out to study the performance of 36 hybrids of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir) through Line x Tester mating design. Observations were recorded on the traits, viz., vine length, days to first female flower appearance, node number for first female flower appearance, sex ratio, days to first harvest, fruit number per vine, fruit weight, flesh thickness and fruit yield per vine, besides quality traits such as total carbohydrate content, total carotenoid content and crude fibre content in the fruit. Among the 36 hybrids of pumpkin studied, the cross 'Kasi Harit x Avinashi Local' excelled in yield per vine, followed by the crosses 'Vadhalagundu Local x CO-2' and 'Narendra Uphar x CO-2', respectively. Thus, first generation hybrids can be well-utilized for exploiting hybrid vigour to achieve improved quality

Studies on Heterosis in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir)

An investigation was carried out to assess the extent of heterosis for fruit, yield and quality parameters in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir). The trial was conducted at Department of Vegetable Crops, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2009-2010. Hybrids developed by line x tester mating design, with twelve lines and three testers along with commercial check MPH 1 in pumpkin, were evaluated for fruit weight, fruit number per vine, fruit equatorial diameter, fruit polar diameter, flesh thickness, seed number per fruit, seed weight per fruit, fruit yield per vine and quality parameters, viz., total carbohydrate content, total carotenoid and crude fibre content in the fruit. Among the hybrids, Kasi Harit x Avinashi Local showed positive and significant heterosis for fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, seed weight per fruit, total carotenoid content and fruit yield per vine. Vadhala Gundu Local x CO 2 was the next best, as, the hybrid possessed desirable traits, viz., high fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, total carotenoid content and fruit yield per vine

IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF BIOSYNTHESIZED GOLD NANOPARTICLES FROM SHELLS OF PISTACIA VERA L

Objective: To synthesize the gold nanoparticles by a biological method using the extract obtained from the shells of Pistacia vera (P. vera) and to study its effective role in the anticancer activity.Methods: The synthesis of gold nanoparticles using the extract obtained from the shells of Pistacia vera was confirmed by the color change and substantiating the same using ultraviolet (UV) visible spectroscopy. The size and the shape of the particles were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stability of the nanoparticles was assessed by using the UV visible spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The anticancer activity of the gold nanoparticles on the cancer cell lines was studied on PA1 ovarian cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Nature of cell death was analyzed using the fluorescence microscopy.Results: The ruby red color confirmed the formation of gold nanoparticles and it was substantiated by the absorption peak at 543.2 nm in the UV visible spectroscopy. The gold nanoparticles synthesized from the Pistacia vera shell showed the spherical shape and were in the size of around 10-40 nm when analyzed with FESEM. The different functional groups were indicated in the FTIR spectra which were consisting of phenol, alcohol, alkenes and aromatics.Conclusion: The synthesis of the gold nanoparticle using the extract obtained from the shells of Pistacia vera has effective anticancer activity

High Exhaustion Sytem (HES) for leather process: Role of biocatalyst as an exhaustive aid for wet-end

Content: Application of biocatalyst becomes an imperative due to their eco-friendly advantages. Enzymes in pretanning for unhairing, fiber opening, defleshing and bating are well reported and practiced. However, the role of enzymes as a chemical aids is less explored and consider as a secondary applications. Leather enzymes are known for its hydrolytic behavior which makes it more suitable for pretanning operations. However, typical chemical exhaustive aids acts as a vehicle for the diffusion of chemicals, whereas enzymes aids in the splitting of fibers which facilitate the diffusion of chemicals and create more functional sites for the tanning and post tanning chemicals to interact. In this research, pickled pelts are treated with acid protease and subsequently tanned using chrome tanning agent. Enzymatic treated pelts resulted in better uptake of chromium as compared to conventionally processed leathers. Similarly, after neutralization, chrome tanned leathers are treated with alkaline protease to conventional post tanning has been carried out. Enzymatic treated wet blue leathers showed high uptake of post tanning chemical, uniform dyeing and reduction in the pollution load. From the preliminary research, an interesting finding has augmented that application of enzymes at an optimized concentration, temperature, pH and time would lead to better uptake of chrome which reduces the pollution and minimization pollution load in post tanning. This study, emphasize on the application of enzymes in tanning and post tanning for higher diffusion of chemicals. Take-Away: 1. Replacement of conventional exhaustive aids using biocatalyst 2. Higher exhaustion rate of tanning and post tanning chemicals 3. Futuristic technology for sustainable leather manufactur

Effect of simulation assisted training program (SATP) vs mobile app based training program on first aid (FA) and basic life support (BLS) among undergraduate nursing students of selected universities of Haryana: A pilot study report

The study’s basic aim was to assess nursing students' understanding of first aid (FA) and (BLS) procedures and to educate them about FA and BLS by doing comparative study to evaluate the effectiveness of Simulation Assisted Training Program (SATP)Vs Mobile App based training Program on First Aid and BLS. A quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Simulation Assisted Training Program (SATP) Vs Mobile app-based Training Program (MABTP) on First Aid (FA) and (BLS) on knowledge and practice among the undergraduate nursing students in selected Universities of Haryana. In SATP group; the posttests mean score of knowledge was 52.40±12.520. In MABTP group, the posttests mean score of knowledge was 49.64±8.480. The mean difference was 2.760. The t48=.913, p=.366which indicate that non-significant at 0.05 level. In SATP group; the posttests mean score of practice was 189.96±28.940. In MABTP group, the posttest mean score of practice was 166.24±38.505. The mean difference was 23.72. The t48=2.462p=.017which indicate that significant at 0.05 level.In SATP group; the posttests mean score of knowledge was 72.56±7.665. In MABTP group, the posttests mean score of knowledge was 57.72±9.298. The mean difference was 14.840. Here in dependent ttest was applied to find out statistically significant result.&nbsp