Screening of bacterial strains for pectate lyase production and detection of optimal growth conditions for enhanced enzyme activity

In the present study, the pectatelyase production by fifty two bacterial strains isolated from ramie grown soils were studied and the strain RDSM01 showed maximum pectate lyase activity. According to sequence homology of Genbank, the strain RDSM01 was identified as Bacillus subtilis (Genbank Accession No. KX035109). Maximum pectate lyase activity of the strain was observed when 1.5% (v/v) inoculum was added to the growth medium and was incubated for 48 hours at 34-370C and at pH 7.0. The relative activity of the strain was 19% higher when apple pectin was used as carbon source compared to citrus pectin. Maximum enzyme production (149.1 – 153.4 IU/ml) was recorded when ammonium chloride or ammonium sulphate at 0.4% concentration was used as nitrogen source. Thus, B. subtilis strain RDSM01 possessing high pectate lyase activity may be effectively utilized for removal of gum from ramie fibre, which is primarily made of pectin and hemicellulose

Effect of irrigation and nutrient management on growth, fibre yield and water use of ramie (Boehmeria nivea)

The experiment was conducted at Research Farm of CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata during 2006 and 2007 with two irrigation regimes (IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and 0.9) and three nutrient management schedules (100% N from ramie compost, 50% N from ramie compost + 50% N from chemical fertilizer and 100% N from chemical fertilizer based) to determine the effect of irrigation and nutrient management on growth, yield and water use of ramie. Irrigation based on 0.6 IW/CPE ratio recorded higher LAI (7.4-25%), net photosynthetic rate (4.6-9.3%), dry matter (28.5 - 42.8%), fibre yield (23 – 28% ) and water use efficiency (7-19%) of ramie compared to 0.3 IW/CPE ratio irrigation treatment. In second year (2007), the LAI, net photosynthetic rate, fibre yield as well as water use efficiency of the crop receiving INM treatment (50% N from ramie compost + 50% N from inorganic source) was statistically at par to that receiving 100% N from chemical source. The results indicated that application of irrigation to ramie based on IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and substitution of 50% of the recommended fertilizer nitrogen (15 kg/ha/cut) through integration of ramie compost in the fertilizer schedule of the crop showed better growth and fibre yield of ramie, increased the water use efficiency and economized the requirement of inorganic nitrogen by the crop and can be adopted for commercial cultivation of ramie in south Bengal condition

Effect of supplementing azolla and empty pea pod on growth performance, blood biochemical metabolites and meat quality in White Pekin ducks

Strategic dietary inclusion of low cost plant derived protein source in duck feed is critical for sustainability of the duck farm. Empty pea pod and azolla are two promising protein sources used as animal feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing dried and grounded azolla (AP) and empty pea pods (PP) on growth, blood biochemical metabolites and meat quality in white pekin ducks. A total of 90 white pekin ducklings were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (Control, T1 and T2) comprising of three replicated pens. Inside each replicate pen, a total of 10 ducklings were housed under standard management practices. AP and PP was supplemented as top up feed @ 5% of basal diet to experimental birds under T1 and T2 groups, respectively from day 0 to 56. At the end of the trial (56 day), 3 birds from each pen were sampled for serum and breast muscle. Results reveled that AP and PP has significant influence on body growth. The effect on growth was in the order of: T2>T1>Control. It was also observed that PP had hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect on ducks. However, AP and PP supplementation did not affect carcass traits, pH, cooking loss and Lipid Peroxidase Activity (TBA value) in duck meat.Thus, it could be concluded that supplementation of dried pea pods (PP) might be of great benefit to white pekin ducks as a source of cheap and unconventional protein

Not Available

Not AvailableThe experiment was conducted at Research Farm of CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata during 2006 and 2007 with two irrigation regimes (IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and 0.9) and three nutrient management schedules (100% N from ramie compost, 50% N from ramie compost + 50% N from chemical fertilizer and 100% N from chemical fertilizer based) to determine the effect of irrigation and nutrient management on growth, yield and water use of ramie. Irrigation based on 0.6 IW/CPE ratio recorded higher LAI (7.4-25%), net photosynthetic rate (4.6-9.3%), dry matter (28.5 - 42.8%), fibre yield (23 – 28% ) and water use efficiency (7-19%) of ramie compared to 0.3 IW/CPE ratio irrigation treatment. In second year (2007), the LAI, net photosynthetic rate, fibre yield as well as water use efficiency of the crop receiving INM treatment (50% N from ramie compost + 50% N from inorganic source) was statistically at par to that receiving 100% N from chemical source. The results indicated that application of irrigation to ramie based on IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and substitution of 50% of the recommended fertilizer nitrogen (15 kg/ha/cut) through integration of ramie compost in the fertilizer schedule of the crop showed better growth and fibre yield of ramie, increased the water use efficiency and economized the requirement of inorganic nitrogen by the crop and can be adopted for commercial cultivation of ramie in south Bengal condition

Not Available

Not AvailableThe interactive effect of potassium (K) and sulfur (S) fertilization on productivity and mineral nutrition of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) was evaluated in a field experiment during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons at Uttar Pradesh, India. Potassium and sulfur fertilizers increased fiber yield and nutrient uptake of sunnhemp. It was observed that an application of K and S at 40 kg ha−1 each significantly increased the total dry matter, fiber yield, and nutrient uptake of sunnhemp. The crop yield response to the added S was greater than for K and the nutrient use efficiency was also higher at lower levels of fertilizer addition. The increased levels of K and S improved the number of nodules and crude protein content of sunnhemp leaves.Not Availabl