Effect of abiotic factors on the distribution of earthworms in different land use patterns

AbstractThe distribution of earthworms is usually diverse and their numbers fluctuate in relation to the different abiotic factors and land use patterns of the soil. The aim of the present study is to determine the biodiversity, distribution and relative abundance of earthworms under different land use pattern and its relation to abiotic factors (physico-chemical properties) of the soil. Earthworms were collected from different sites on the basis of various environment niches like agriculture fields, gardens, nurseries, along the river and road side etc. by hand sorting method. Physico-chemical analysis of the soil was also done to know the important factors affecting earthworm biodiversity and distribution. Total five species of earthworms belonging to the families Megascolecidae and Octochaetidae were identified: Metaphire posthuma, Lampito mauritti, Amynthas morissi, Eutyphoeus waltoni and Eutyphoeus incommodus. M. posthuma was the most abundant species and found in all the collection sites while other four species were abundantly found in gardens and nurseries. Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Margalef species richness and Pielou’s evenness was ranged from 0.11 to 0.37, 0 to 0.6 and 0 to 0.53 respectively. Principal component analysis also proved that the abiotic factors like pH, moisture, soil texture and OC has strong positive effect on the distribution of earthworm. Earthworm biodiversity and distribution have been found to be positively correlated with type of vegetation and moisture content at the different collection sites and also varied according to soil habitat, soil tillage and land used pattern

Environmental Influence of Soil toward Effective Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is a process by which the organic waste is converted into manure with the help of earthworms. Growth rate, onset of maturity (clitellum development), rate of reproduction (cocoon production) and population buildup of earthworm during vermicomposting have been depend upon the conditions like temperature, moisture and physico-chemical properties of the feed mixtures. Eisenia fetida was superior to other epigeic species and tolerate wide range of temperature, moisture and pH. Endogeic species produced lesser cocoon than epigeic species and cocoon production decreased at low temperature. Maintenance of temperature and moisture content is the critical step for vermicomposting. Growth and maturation of earthworms was best at 20–25°C temperature with 80–85% moisture content. Increase temperature upto 30°C accelerated growth rate of earthworms and lessened the time to sexual maturity. Earthworms can survive in the soil contaminated with heavy metals by accumulating heavy metals in their tissues

Certified Organization, Volume3, Special Issue 6

ABSTRACT: This paper illustrates the designing of microstrip patch antenna utilizing defected ground structure. The major purpose of designing such kind of antenna is to attain multiband purpose which is vital for requirement of technology nowadays. Initiation of such kind of antenna with imperfect structure of ground increases the antenna functioning. In this case the ground element of the recommended antenna is regarded as defected ground structure (DGS). Moreover the optimization of this kind of antenna is made so as to achieve a return loss of -10db. Furthermore in comparison to simple ground, the recommended design augments the bandwidth and develops the input return loss of the antenna. The antenna design parameters and performances have been studied by means of simulations. The substrate utilized behind designing is of glass with a dielectric constant of 2.2. Moreover the design invariants of antenna consist of single layer thickness of 2mm as well as operating frequency of 4 GHz. The design was optimized so that we can get the finest probable effect. To conclude the microstrip antenna without DGS effects in narrow bandwidth with high return loss. In contrast, microstrip antenna with DGS offers higher operating bandwidth with less return loss

Certified Organization, Volume3, Special Issue 6

ABSTRACT: In this paper a new mushroom like electromagnetic band gap arrangement for development in antenna parameters is represented. The represented arrangement also gives an extra degree of liberty to regulate the band gap position, which is useful to design a new reconfigurable multiband EBG construction. The major purpose behind utilizing EBG structures in Microstrip Patch Antenna is to attain enhanced gain, effectiveness and isolations amongst array elements by restraint of surface wave modes.The major concept illustrated in this paper is by drawing numerous correct shapes in the metal surface of the mushroom-like compact EBG cell so as to initiate stop band in electromagnetic band gap arrangement. EBG structures includes two chief configurations, first EBG substrate and second EBG superstrate. In first case, the patch of antenna is enclosed with EBG arrangement that restrain the propagation of surface wave and in second case, layer of EBG structure that call EBG superstrate or metamaterial superstrate set beyond the patch of antenna. Simulated consequences authenticate the development in performance of the antenna array compared to the array antenna without EBG. From the simulated effects it is observable that radiation patterns are unaffected by EBG arrangements that are on the feedline and other antenna functioning parameters are developed by utilizing antenna with EBG arrangements. Ultimately EBG Patterns insertion in Microstrip Antenna increases the bandwidth of the antenna by placing the feedline below the center of the patch.

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Parkinsonia aculeata Linn.

Butanol and hexane leaves extracts of Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Fabaceae) were assessed for its antioxidant potential by in vitro methods. Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of plant extracts were studied using different in vitro assays. UPLC analysis of extracts was carried out for the identification of chemical constituents. The total phenolic contents of the butanol and hexane leaf extract were 42 mgGAE/g and 34 mgGAE/g whereas flavonoid contents of these extracts were found to be 0.044 mgRE/g and 0.005 mgRE/g, respectively. Among both extracts, butanol extract shows maximum inhibition (%) of 93.88%, 80.02%, 52.06%, 94.68%, and 69.37% in DPPH, non-site-specific and site-specific, FTC, and TBA assays and absorbance of 0.852 and 0.522 in reducing power and CUPRAC assay at the highest concentration tested. The FRAP and TAC values of butanol extract were found to be 678 μM Fe(II)/g and 36 mgAAE/100 mg. UPLC analysis of extracts revealed the presence of various polyphenols. The tested plant extracts were found to possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity which may be due to the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols

Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant properties of methanol and aqueous extracts of Parkinsonia aculeata L

In the present study, methanol and aqueous extracts of Parkinsonia aculeata L. leaves were prepared and analyzed for phytochemical analysis and antioxidant potential in different in vitro assays. Antioxidant activity was studied using DPPH, CUPRAC, reducing power assay, deoxyribose degradation (site and nonsite specific), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), ferric thiocyanate (FTC), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and molybdate ion reduction, respectively. The total phenolic contents of the methanol and aqueous leaf extract were 39 mg GAE/g and 38 mg GAE/g, whereas flavonoid contents of these extracts were found to be 0.013 mg RE/g and 0.006 mg RE/g, respectively. From the two extracts, the methanol extract shows maximum inhibition (%) of 57.82%, 71.23%, 48.26%, 69.85%, and 52.78% in DPPH, nonsite-and site-specific, FTC, and TBA assays and absorbance of 0.669 and 0.241 in reducing power and CUPRAC assays at the highest concentration tested. UPLC analysis was done to determine the presence of various types of polyphenols present in plant extracts