Environmental Studies: Bottlenecks and Prosperities

The environmentalists of the entire world are crying by forecasting the depletion of biotic and abiotic resources at an accelerating rate which may make the survival of life on earth questionable. The main cause of this disastrous degradation is due to unmindful anthropogenic activities. The present generation is unaware of consequences of environmental degradation and the need for the conservation of species and their habitats. It is an imperative need and responsibility to inculcate the culture of loving and living with nature among the youth. The University Grants Commission as per the directions of the Honourable Supreme Court of India directed all the Universities and Colleges to include Environmental Studies course in the curriculum. Accordingly, all the institutions have introduced this course in their curriculum. Nevertheless, there are several constrains in teaching this course to all students in letter and spirit of the law. Though there are certain constrains, there is scope for the enhancement of teaching and learning efficacy. This paper briefly describes the need for the introduction of the course, challenges in teaching and possible solutions

BIOEFFICACY OF ATALANTIA MONOPHYLLA (L.) CORREA. AGAINST EARIAS VITTELLA FAB.

Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Atalantia monophylla (L.) Correa. were evaluated for their antifeedant and larvicidal activities along with their effect on pupation and adult emergence against bhendi fruit borer, Earias vittella Fab. at 5, 2.5 and 1.25% concentrations. Commercial botanical insecticide, Vijay Neem was used as positive control. Hexane extract at 5% concentration showed significant antifeedant and larvicidal activity of 70.89 and 85.33% respectively. A reduction of 16.66% in adult emergence was recorded in hexane extract followed by 25% reduction in ethyl acetate extract at 5% concentration. The results revealed that hexane extract showed significant antifeedant, and larvicidal activity and good reduction in adult emergence. This extract could be further investigated to isolate the active principles

Bioefficacy of violacein against Asian armyworm Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The aim of the study was to assess the bioefficacy of violacein isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum against Spodoptera litura, an important field pest. Antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities of violacein were evaluated for its bioefficacy against the third instar larvae of Spodoptera litura at 125, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm concentrations. After 24 h of treatment, violacein treated larvae showed maximum antifeedant activity of 72.46% at 1000 ppm concentration with LC50 of 392.25 ppm. Four days after treatment, violacein treated larvae showed a mortality of 77.10% at 1000 ppm concentration with a LC50 value of 255.06 ppm. Violacein treated larvae recorded 20–24% pupicidal activity at 125–1000 ppm concentration. The antifeedant and larvicidal activities were increased with increasing concentration. Violacein could also be considered for use in the management of pests

Ovicidal Activity of Couroupita guianensis (Aubl.) against Spodoptera litura (Fab.)

Hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts of Couroupita guianensis leaves were studied for ovicidal activity against S. litura. All the extracts showed ovicidal activity against S. litura. Maximum activity was noticed in hexane extract and it showed the least LC50 and LC90 values; the regression equation was also higher than the other extracts. All the analyzed values showed homogeneity variance. The active hexane extract was fractionated and eight fractions were isolated. The fractions were studied at different concentrations. Among the fractions, fraction 8 showed maximum ovicidal activity with least LC50 and LC90 values. Fraction 8 differed statistically from the other fractions; the regression equation value was higher than the other fractions. All the P values obtained from regression analysis were significant. The results of the present investigation clearly suggest that the active fraction could be purified to isolate active compound(s) and could be used to develop an insecticidal formulation to control economically important agricultural pests

Feeding deterrent and growth inhibitory activities of PONNEEM, a newly developed phytopesticidal formulation against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

Objective: To assess the feeding deterrent, growth inhibitory and egg hatchability effects of PONNEEM on Helicoverpa armigera (H. armigera). Methods: Five oil formulations were prepared at different ratios to assess the feeding deterrent, growth inhibitory and egg hatchability effects on H. armigera. Results: Invariably all the newly formulated phytopesticidal oil formulations showed the feeding deterrent and growth inhibitory activities against H. armigera. The maximum feeding deterrent activity of 88.44% was observed at 15 μL/L concentration of PONNEEM followed by formulation A (74.54%). PONNEEM was found to be effective in growth inhibitory activities and egg hatchability at 10 μL/L concentration. It exhibited statistically significant feeding deterrent activity and growth inhibitory activity compared with all the other treatments. Conclusions: PONNEEM was found to be effective phytopesticidal formulation to control the larval stage of H. armigera. This is the first report for the feeding deterrent activity of PONNEEM against H. armigera. This newly formulated phytopesticide was patented in India

Comparative evaluation of dahlem red and desi crosses chicken reared under intensive system of poultry management

. Comparative evaluation of dahlem red and desi crosses chicken reared under intensive system of poultry management. International Journal of Agricultural Technology 9(6):1405-1410. Abstract A study was conducted to see the production performance and mortality pattern of crosses of Dahlem Red and local Desi birds under intensive system of management. All chicks were brooded up to two months of age under deep litter system and thereafter transfer in cages and reared under similar management and environment for 72 weeks. There is significant variation in growth rate, age at sexual maturity, egg production, egg weight and mortality pattern of crosses compare to their parent birds. The crosses showed significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight, higher feed intake, better egg production rate, early sexual maturity and higher egg weight than local Desi birds under same system of management