Evaluation of coconut based high density multi-species cropping system under organic and integrated nutrient management

A field experiment on evaluation of coconut based high density multi-species cropping system under organic and integrated nutrient management was initiated during 2007 in coconut based cropping system at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod. Three treatments viz., T1: 2/3rd of recommended NPK fertilizer + recycling biomass (vermicompost), T2: 1/3rd of recommended NPK fertilizer + recycling biomass (vermicompost) + bio-fertiliser + green manuring + vermiwash and T3: Fully organic with recycling biomass (vermicompost) + bio-fertiliser + green manuring + vermiwash + husk burial + mulching coconut basin were replicated seven times in RBD. The crops involved in the system were coconut, black pepper, pineapple, banana, clove, annual crops like, turmeric, ginger and vegetable crops (brinjal, pumpkin, and elephant foot yam), sweet corn and baby corn were grown in the space available during different seasons. Irrigation was provided through sprinkler system at IW/CPE=1.0. Average of five years (2007 to 2012) data on coconut yield indicated non significant difference among the treatments and it ranged between 145 to 155 nuts palm-1year-1. Black pepper yield also did not differ significantly among the treatments and ranged from 1.7 to 1.8 kg vine-1, and banana (Njalipoovan variety) yield ranged from 6.0 to 7.2 kg bunch-1 and Grand naine variety yield also did not differ significantly among the treatments and it ranged from 13.7 kg to 15.5 kg bunch-1. The copra and oil content of coconut did not differ significantly among the treatments and it ranged from 159.5 to 164.6 g nut-1 and from 65.7 to 65.8 per cent, respectively. Economics of the system indicated higher net return in T3 treatment

Impact of intercropping on root distribution in coconut under coastal sandy soil

-------------------

Performance of different varieties/hybrids of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) as mixed crop in coconut garden

A field experiment was conducted at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod during 2001 to 2010 for studying the performance of black pepper varieties/hybrids when grown as mixed crop in 36 years old WCT coconut garden. Varieties such as Panniyur-1, Panniyur-2, Panniyur-3, Panniyur-4, Panniyur-5, Sreekara, Subhakara, Panchami, Kottanadan, OPKM, Collection 1041(Thevam) and hybrids such as HP-780, HP-105, HP-1411, HP-813 and HP-34 were grown in three replications. Among the varieties, Thevam, Panniyur- 4, Panniyur- 5, Sreekara, Subhakara and Panchami produced higher number of laterals with more spread (at five years age) compared to the other varieties. Thevam recorded significantly higher number of spikes (202.5), whereas the lowest was recorded in HP 780 (21.5). The spike length was the highest in Panniyur- 5 (15.4 cm), but was on par with varieties such as Panniyur-1, Panniyur-2, HP-1411 and OPKM. Sreekara recorded the lowest spike length of 8.7 cm. Six years mean dry spike yield indicated that, the yield was significantly higher with Thevam (1.81 kg/vine) followed by Panniyur- 5, which had recorded a yield of 1.12 kg/vine and differed significantly over other varieties. Panchami recorded higher oil (5.6 %) and oleoresin content (12.6%) and was on par with Panniyur-4, Kottanadan and OPKM. Due to the mixed cropping of black pepper in coconut garden an improvement in the coconut yield was noticed (132.2 nuts/palm/yr) during 2009-10 compared to the coconut monocrop (101.3 nuts/palm/yr) during 1999 to 2001

Estimation of gillnet and hook selectivity for Carangoides fulvoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775) captured off Kanyakumari coast of India

Selectivity and fishing powers of multi-mesh gillnets with mesh sizes of 13.5, 14, 14.5 and 15 cm and hooks No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 were studied using the experimental catch data of the carangid Carangoides fulvoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775). The selectivity curves, parameters and residual plots for different models viz., normal scale, normal location, log-normal, gamma and bi-normal models were produced applying the SELECT (Share Each Length Class Total) methodology which has been incorporated in the software GILLNET (Generalised Including Log-Linear N Estimation Technique). The models were evaluated using the statistical tools viz., model deviance, dispersion parameter and residual plots to determine the best fit of the selectivity data. The uni-normal model, normal scale was found as best fit for the gillnet catch data while bi-normal was identified as suitable model for the hook catch data. The mesh size of 14.5 cm and hook No. 5 performed better than the other modeled meshes and hooks respectively. Gillnet selectivity data did not converge into bi-normal model due to single mode of capture. However, the hook catch data converged into bi-normal model with two modes of selection curve. Over dispersion was found common in catch data obtained from both gears due to larger size of fishes caught and demonstrated lack of fit in both selection data

Antimicrobial, Wound Healing And Antioxidant Activities Of Anthocephalus cadamba

Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq. Syn A. chinensis (Lamk) A. Rich (Rubiaceae) is ethnomedicinally widely used in the form of paste by tribe in western Ghats for treating skin diseases. In this context, antimicrobial potential of A. cadamba against a wide range of microorganisms was studied. To validate the ethnotherapeutic claims of the plant in skin diseases, wound healing activity was studied, besides antioxidant activity to understand the mechanism of wound healing. The alchoholic and aqueous extract of this plant showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activity against almost all the organisms: Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and four fungi Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum—dermatophyte fungi, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus nidulans—systemic fungi, with especially good activity against the dermatophyte (Trichophyton rubrum) and some infectious bacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus) with an MIC of 2.5 μg/disc. The results show that A. cadamba extract has potent wound healing capacity as shown from the wound contraction and increased tensile strength. The results also indicated that A. cadamba extract possesses potent antioxidant activity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. Keywords: Anthocephalus cadamba; Antimicrobial activity; Antioxidant; Wound healing;African Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Vol. 4 (4) 2007: pp. 481-48

Participation of women in post harvest fisheries sector

Women in India are traditionally involved in agriculture, dairying, animal husbandry and fisheries. The fisheries sector makes an important contribution to the national economy with a share of 2.5% of the GDP providing food and employmen

Nutritional status and socioeconomic empowerment of fisherwomen in the coastal ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India

This study was carried out in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. From these states, 13 districts and 28 villages were selected. A total of 5,744 households were covered. Cereal consumption was highest in Andhra Pradesh followed by Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Pulse consumption was high in Kerala when compared to other states. The overall energy intake of the fisherwomen was 1,827 kcal/day; protein intake was 50.6 gm/day; carbohydrate intake was 343.5 gm/day; and fat intake was 27 gm/day. The mean intake of micronutrients was less than the recommended dietary allowance. The mean body mass index was 21.3. The nutritional status of the women was: 49% normal; 17% low normal; 10.5% mildly malnourished; 4% moderately malnourished; and 2.9% severely malnourished. About 11.5% of the fisherwomen were overweight and 4.6% were obese. A subsample of 915 women was clinically observed: 34.8% were diagnosed with angular stomatitis; 31 % with cheelosis; 42.8% with bleeding gums; and 44.2% with dry skin. Some 72% of the women were anemic. An assessment ofthe socioeconomic status indicated that very few households (15.4%) maintained livestock for income generation. About 60% of the fisherwomen carried out post-harvest activities to earn income. Food expenditure comprised 60.7% of the earned income contribvting to the major share of the spending. Debt servicing was a serious problem faced by 44.9% of the respondents who had procured loans mostly from non-institutional sources

The Protein Disulfide Isomerase gene family in bread wheat (T. aestivum L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI) gene family encodes several PDI and PDI-like proteins containing thioredoxin domains and controlling diversified metabolic functions, including disulfide bond formation and isomerisation during protein folding. Genomic, cDNA and promoter sequences of the three homoeologous wheat genes encoding the "typical" PDI had been cloned and characterized in a previous work. The purpose of present research was the cloning and characterization of the complete set of genes encoding PDI and PDI like proteins in bread wheat (<it>Triticum aestivum </it>cv Chinese Spring) and the comparison of their sequence, structure and expression with homologous genes from other plant species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eight new non-homoeologous wheat genes were cloned and characterized. The nine PDI and PDI-like sequences of wheat were located in chromosome regions syntenic to those in rice and assigned to eight plant phylogenetic groups. The nine wheat genes differed in their sequences, genomic organization as well as in the domain composition and architecture of their deduced proteins; conversely each of them showed high structural conservation with genes from other plant species in the same phylogenetic group. The extensive quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the nine genes in a set of 23 wheat samples, including tissues and developmental stages, showed their constitutive, even though highly variable expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The nine wheat genes showed high diversity, while the members of each phylogenetic group were highly conserved even between taxonomically distant plant species like the moss <it>Physcomitrella patens</it>. Although constitutively expressed the nine wheat genes were characterized by different expression profiles reflecting their different genomic organization, protein domain architecture and probably promoter sequences; the high conservation among species indicated the ancient origin and diversification of the still evolving gene family. The comprehensive structural and expression characterization of the complete set of <it>PDI </it>and <it>PDI</it>-like wheat genes represents a basis for the functional characterization of this gene family in the hexaploid context of bread wheat.</p

Bench mark survey of selected villages

The research project "Studies on fisherwomen in the Coastal Ecosystems of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu" as carried out with an aim to Study the socio-economio, nutritional and health status of the fisherwomen besides imparting them raining, in alternate income generating activities to improve their standard of living. To facilitate the conduct of this project a benchmark survey was conducted and the basic information on different aspeots of the fisherwomen and general features such as physical and geographical, demographical and other related Information were collected. The Infonnation tnus collected reveal that the Andhra pradesh lies on the ess coast, Karnataka and Kerala lies on the wesl coast while Tamil Nadu covers both east and west coas