Biomethanated distillery spentwash and pressmud biocompost as sources of plant nutrients for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of biomethanated distillery spentwash and pressmud biocompost in various proportions with inorganic fertilizers on yield attributes, yield, oil and protein content of groundnut at Research and Development Farm of M/s. Bhavani Distilleries and Chemicals Ltd., T. Pudur, Thimiri, Tamil Nadu. Results of the field experiment revealed that yield and yield attributes viz., number of matured pods, 100 kernel weight and shelling percentage of groundnut were improved by the application of biomethanated distillery spentwash and pressmud biocompost compared to recommended NPK as chemical fertilizers. One-time pre-sown application of BDS @ 100 m3ha-1 along with recommended NP in groundnut registered higher pod, grain and haulm yield of 1774, 1272 and 4668 kg ha-1, respectively and the increase was to the tune of 35.83, 43.57 and 46.01 per cent, respectively over control. Similar to yield, BDS application increased the protein and oil content of groundnut kernels significantly. The net returns and benefit cost ratio of sugarcane were also as high as Rs.19,612 ha-1 and 1.90 for the treatment that received pre-sown application of BDS @ 100 m3ha-1 along with recommended NP as compared to control of Rs.19,612 ha-1 and 1.38, respectively. This concludes that the biomethanated distillery spentwash can be conveniently used as source of plant nutrients for groundnut

Evaluation of localization of lead and nickel in plant cells of Amaranthus sp. and Brassica sp. absorbed from mine spoil waste

A detailed survey was undertaken in the sewage water contaminated areas of Coimbatore to select the natural hyper accumulators to rehabilitate the contaminated mine spoils. From this experiment the Pb and Ni accumulators, Amaranthus sp. and Brassica sp. were selected for further studies towards remediating the metal contaminated mine spoils. Microtomy of root, stem and leaf of Amaranthus sp. and Brassica sp. showed that the colour development in the plant species is evidence for accumulation of metals in different parts of plants and also tolerance mechanism employed by plant species under metal stress condition. The accumulation of heavy metals from soil to plant did not follow any particular pattern and varied with respect to metals, species and plant parts. However, the maximum Pb localization took place in root portion than in aerial parts. But the Ni accumulation was almost equal or higher in aerial parts (leaf and stem) compared to roots. This study revealed that the Amaranthus sp and Brassica sp stored lead and nickel in roots, leaves and stems. The roots showed more localization of metals followed by leaves and stems

Management of coriander wilt using biocontrol agents

A replicated field trial on biocontrol of coriander wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f., sp. coriander; was conducted in kharif season during 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 in the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore. Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride at 4 g kg-1 of seed was found to be more effective in reducing the wilt incidence to 5.3 per cent as against 28.3 per cent recorded in untreated, control plots in all the three years. The mean yield (387.5 kg ha-1) for all the three years was also significantly higher in seed treatment with T. viride as against very low yield (162 kg ha-1) obtained in untreated plots. The cost benefit ratio was also enhanced with the same treatment. &nbsp

Eco-efficiency measurement and material balance principle:an application in power plants Malmquist Luenberger Index

Incorporating Material Balance Principle (MBP) in industrial and agricultural performance measurement systems with pollutant factors has been on the rise in recent years. Many conventional methods of performance measurement have proven incompatible with the material flow conditions. This study will address the issue of eco-efficiency measurement adjusted for pollution, taking into account materials flow conditions and the MBP requirements, in order to provide ‘real’ measures of performance that can serve as guides when making policies. We develop a new approach by integrating slacks-based measure to enhance the Malmquist Luenberger Index by a material balance condition that reflects the conservation of matter. This model is compared with a similar model, which incorporates MBP using the trade-off approach to measure productivity and eco-efficiency trends of power plants. Results reveal similar findings for both models substantiating robustness and applicability of the proposed model in this paper

The effects of chronic administration of mitragynine on cortical oscillations in rats

Mitragynine is the significant alkaloid extracted from the leaves of M. speciosa (Kratom). The leaves have been extensively used to relieve pain as well as to aid in opioid withdrawal symptoms. Previous studies have recorded that drug do affect cognitive mechanisms in human yet the debate over the potential side effects of the drug which includes addiction risk and cognitive decline is still ongoing and also its underlying neural activity remains unclear. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the changes in brain spectral power and theta coherence after repeated exposure to mitragynine in freely moving rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats was implanted with electrodes on right and left frontal cortex, hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA1), subiculum and sensory cortex for wireless EEG recording. Mitragynine (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) was administered for 28 days, and EEG activity was recorded on day 7,14,21 and 28. The readings was transmitted to receiver and analyzed for different frequency range, delta (0.1-4Hz), theta (4-7Hz), alpha (7-13Hz) and beta (13-30Hz). The results have demonstrated frequency specific changes in spectral power occurring selectively in both cortical and hippocampal regions. In cortical regions, a general increase in beta power with collateral reduction in alpha power is seen as novel effects of mitragynine, while a reduction in delta power is appreciated in both cortical and hippocampal regions. Mitragynine induced reduction in theta coherance (4-7Hz) was seen as disruptions in functional connectivity between left frontal cortex and sensory cortex. It can be concluded that, these findings show mitragynine induced frequency specific changes in cortical neural oscillatory activity and suppressed theta coherence could potentially impact cognitive functioning

High rate anaerobic treatment of coffee processing wastewater using upflow anaerobic hybrid reactor

The present study is an attempt to treat the coffee processing wastewater using upflow anaerobic hybrid reactor which offers the advantage of both suspended and attached growth anaerobic reactor systems. Upflow anaerobic hybrid reactor with a volume of 19.5 L was operated at 24 h hydraulic retention time. After the startup period, the reactor was evaluated by operating at different hydraulic retention times of 24, 18, 12 and 6 h. The reactor performed better at HRT=18 h with short period of time. At 18 h retention time, reduction of chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand and total solids were 61.0, 66.0 and 58.0 per cent, respectively, with organic loading rate of 9.55 kg/m 3 /day. The maximum quantity of biogas produced were 840, 775 and 430 L/kg of TS, BOD and COD removal, respectively, with the methane content of 60.7% at HRT=18 h. The finding of the study helps to design low cost and compact onsite treatment systems with a very short retention period