Productivity ratings in relation to holding size and resource-management in Indian rubber plantation sector

The smallholdings dominate the natural rubber (NR) plantation industry in India. The holding size profile of the smallholdings shows that about 86 per cent are below 2 ha, 62 per cent of which falls within 0.5 -2.0 ha. The average unit size is above 1.0 ha in non-traditional (NT) area where NR plantation expansion is in progress. This study was taken up to analyze the relation between the holding size, resource management and productivity since resource-poor smallholders' productivity is remarkably higher than that of lager units. The productivity and the resource availability/management in smallholdings falling under three categories, viz., <0.5 ha, between 0.5 and 2.0 ha and >2.0 ha, were analyzed based on primary data collected from smallholdings having linkage with RPSs. Data from respondent estates also were analyzed. The difference in the productivity between the three categories studied was found to be significant. The larger holdings enjoyed better resource availability than smaller ones; but, the latter was better in resource-management. Highest productivity was recorded from units < 0.5 ha. Productivity and unit size were inversely proportional within the categories of smallholdings analyzed. Measures to ensure prompt adoption of productivity enhancement practices in medium/large holdings by way of effective resource management possible through group approach have to be initiated to increase the production of NR in India as they occupy a major chunk of NR plantations. Estates too can attempt to tap the potentials of group synergy through workers' SHGs. Productivity enhancement through optimum resource-use has a direct bearing on sustainability of Indian NR industry

Characterization of phytoplankton size-structure based productivity, pigment complexes (HPLC/CHEMTAX) and species composition in the Cochin estuary (Southwest coast of India): special emphasis on diatoms

Seasonal studies on size-fractionated phytoplankton productivity (biomass and primary production), marker pigments, and species composition and abundance were carried out in the Cochin estuary (CE), located on the southwest coast of India, to identify the critical environmental factors that control the consistent preponderance of diatoms. The overall results of the study showed a significant contribution of small-sized phytoplankton, specifically nanophytoplankton (2—20 μm), to the total chlorophyll a and primary production in the estuary, regardless of seasons. Diatoms constituted the major phytoplankton taxa, showed an exceptional seasonal scale increase in numerical abundance during the post-southwest monsoon. The relative increase in fucoxanthin (biomarker of diatoms) over other marker pigments substantiated the numerical dominance of diatoms throughout the sampling periods. This is the first study in the CE in which phytoplankton marker pigments have been detected and elucidated the seasonality of functional groups based on HPLC/chemotaxonomy analytical approaches. The prevalence of high DiatDP and diatom chlorophyll a equivalent (estimated by CHEMTAX), further confirmed the preponderance of diatoms in the CE, despite the intermittent dominance of cyanophytes and cryptophytes (monsoon period). The consistent increase in SPM levels (> 25 mg L—1), established at all sampling stations, indicated that the water column turbidity might be one of the significant environmental factors hindering the growth of large-sized phytoplankton (ca. >20 μm) in the CE even if the system invariably holds high inorganic nutrients, irrespective of season

Preliminary Studies on Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts from Aloe Vera Leaf, Citrus Hystrix Leaf, Zingiber Officinale and Sabah Snake Grass Against Bacillus Subtilis

Herbal plants have several potential antimicrobial activities either as antifungal or antibacterial to fight against the disease and pathogen that attack the plants. The extractions of the Aloe vera leaf, Citrus hystrix leaf, Zingiber officinale rhizome and Sabah snake grass were selected in this study to fight against Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium, rodshaped and catalase-positive that lives on decayed organic material. It is known as Gram-positive bacteria because of its thick peptidoglycan and would appear purple when subjected to Gram test. This species is commonly found in the upper layers of the soil, in meat or vegetables, in pastry, cooked meat, in bread or poultry products. The extracts of Sabah Snake Grass found to be most effective than A.vera leaf, Z. officinale, and C. hystrix against the B. subtilis

Preliminary Studies on Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts from Aloe Vera Leaf, Citrus Hystrix Leaf, Zingiber Officinale and Sabah Snake Grass Against Bacillus Subtilis

Herbal plants have several potential antimicrobial activities either as antifungal or antibacterial to fight against the disease and pathogen that attack the plants. The extractions of the Aloe vera leaf, Citrus hystrix leaf, Zingiber officinale rhizome and Sabah snake grass were selected in this study to fight against Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium, rodshaped and catalase-positive that lives on decayed organic material. It is known as Gram-positive bacteria because of its thick peptidoglycan and would appear purple when subjected to Gram test. This species is commonly found in the upper layers of the soil, in meat or vegetables, in pastry, cooked meat, in bread or poultry products. The extracts of Sabah Snake Grass found to be most effective than A.vera leaf, Z. officinale, and C. hystrix against the B. subtilis