Alternative control of littleseed canary grass using eucalypt oil

Globally, huge amounts of synthetic herbicides are used to manage weeds in arable lands. However, their widespread use has resulted in various toxicological effects on the environment and human health, besides resulting in the emergence of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes. To overcome these problems, there is an urgent need to search for novel compounds, particularly natural plant products, with potential herbicidal activity. In this area, we studied the phytotoxic effect of volatile oil from lemon-scented eucalypt on littleseed canary grass, a noxious weed of wheat fields. Our findings show that under laboratory conditions the emergence and earlier growth of the weed decreased and completely ceased using a very low concentration of eucalypt oil (0.0714%, v/v). Treatment with eucalypt oil of the 4-week-old pot-raised weeds caused visible damage such as chlorosis and necrosis, wilting and even plant death. The effect was concentration-dependent. At low concentrations, 2.5 and 5%, v/v of eucalypt oil, plants were damaged but recovered later, whereas at concentrations higher than 5%, v/v, of eucalypt oil plants showed severe injury with little or no sign of recovery, and death. There was a severe effect on the photosynthetic and respiratory ability of treated plants 7 and 21 days after treatment. Eucalypt oil treatment caused a rapid electrolyte leakage in the P. minor leaf tissues, indicating a loss of membrane integrity. The study concludes that lemon-scented eucalypt oil offers a good option for control of littleseed canary grass and could be included as a viable component of integrated weed management under sustainable agricultural practices

Structural phase transitions in perovskite BaCeO3 with data mining and first-principles theoretical calculations

Several experiments conducted over decades have revealed that the perovskite-structured BaCeO3 goes through a series of temperature-induced structural phase transitions. However, it has been frequently observed that the number of phases and the sequence in which they appear as a function of temperature differ between experiments. Insofar as neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy experiments are concern, four structures are well characterized with three transitions: Pnma to Imma [563 K] to R-3c [673 K] to Pm-3m [1173 K]. In contrast, thermoanalytical methods showed multiple singularities corresponding to at-least three more structural transitions at around 830 K, 900 K, and 1030 K. In account of these conflicting experimental findings, we computed free energy phase diagram for BaCeO3 employing crystal structure data mining in conjunction with first principles electronic structure and phonon lattice dynamics. A total of 34 polymorphs have been predicted, the most stable of which follows the Glazer classification of the perovskite tilt system. It has been predicted that the Cmcm and P4/mbm phases surpass Pnma at 666 K and 1210 K, respectively. At any temperature, two alternate tetragonal phases (P42/nmc and I4/mcm) are also found to be 20 to 30 meV less favored than the Pnma. While the calculated stability order of the predicted polymorphs is in acceptable agreement with the results of neutron diffraction, the transitions observed in thermoanalytical studies could be ascribed to the development of four novel phases (Cmcm, P4/mbm, P42/nmc, and I4/mcm) at intermediate temperatures. However, we analyze that the R-3c phase predominantly stabilized over a broad temperature field, masking all subsequent phases up until the cubic Pm-3m. Consequently, the novel phases predicted to occur in thermoanalytical studies are only fleetingly metastable.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

An ethnomedicinal survey of traditionally used medicinal plants from Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana: an attempt towards documentation and preservation of ethnic knowledge

Medicinal plants have remained an integral source of therapeutics for primary healthcare since antiquity. The information pertaining to usage of plants is either inherited from elders or acquired through trials or the experience of others but is not documented frequently. South Haryana is one such rich storehouse of ethnomedicinal knowledge. Hence, ethnomedicinally important plants from Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana state were documented in the present study. The data was collected through field surveys and in-depth interviews organized in the fields during the years 2018-19. Factor of informant consensus was also calculated. A total of 90 ethnomedicinal plants were identified, belonging to 41 families and 79 genera. Majority of plants were herbs (47.7%), followed by trees (30%). Leguminosae (10%) represented the maximum number of plants, followed by Solanaceae (6.6% each) and Amaranthaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae (5.5% each). A total of 64 ailments were reported to be treated traditionally by ethnomedicinal plants in the area. The most commonly treated diseases were menorrhagia, skin boils, typhoid, diabetes, piles and diarrhoea. It was observed that the majority of plants were used freshly to extract juice, followed by powder and decoction and rarely as tea or oil forms. The present study provides comprehensive ethnomedicinal data including vernacular and botanical names, names of the family, mode of preparation, administration and dosage of plant drugs and diseases treated. It was concluded that this region still possesses numerous useful ethnomedicinal knowledge and may contribute to further herbal drug development programs

Genetic diversity and population structure analyses in barley (Hordeum vulgare) against corn-leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch)

Corn-leaf aphid (CLA), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious economic pest of barley worldwide. Breeding for aphid resistance in plants is considered a cost-effective and environmentally safe approach for aphid control, compared to the use of chemical pesticides. One of the challenges in breeding for aphid resistance is the identification of resistant plant genotypes, which can be achieved through the use of molecular markers. In the present study, a set of aphid specific 10 simple-sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to investigate genetic diversity and population structure analyses in 109 barley genotypes against R. maidis. Three statistical methods viz., multivariate hierarchical clustering based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and the Bayesian approach were utilized to classify the 109 barley genotypes. The analyses revealed four subpopulations i.e., SubPop1, SubPop2, SubPop3 and SubPop4 with 19, 46, 20 and 24 genotypes including admixtures, respectively and represented 17.43%, 42.2%, 18.34% and 22.01% genotypes of the total population size, respectively. The studied SSR markers produced 67 polymorphic bands, with an average of 6.7 and ranging from 3 to 12 bands. Heterozygosity (H) was found to be highest in SSR28 (0.64) and lowest in SSR27 (0.89). The observed genetic diversity index varied from 0.10 to 0.34 (with an average of 0.19). Major allele frequency varied from 74.08% to 94.80%. On an average, 87.52% of the 109 barley genotypes shared a common major allele at any locus. Based on the Aphid Infestation Index (AII), only 2 genotypes were found to be resistant against CLA. SubPop2 also had lowest mean aphid population (28.83), widest genetic similarity index (0.60-1.00) and highest genetic similarity coefficient (0.82), which highlighted its potential for inclusion in future CLA resistance breeding programs

Growth of MSME in Haryana

<p>This paper has been published in Peer-reviewed International Journal "Anthology The Research"</p><p>URL : https://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/new/publish-journal.php?editID=7447</p><p>Publisher : Social Research Foundation, Kanpur (SRF International)</p><p>Abstract : Haryana has contribution of 6% in overall GDP of the country in terms of MSME. There are more than one lakh MSMEs in the state in urban as well as rural areas. This sector provide employment to 10,00,000 peoples and termed as top employment generating sector of the state. Most of the MSMEs are engaged in automobile, engineering, textiles, metal sector and food & beverages. The state has large number of micro and small enterprises as well as medium – scale business units. Ambala, Panchkula, Karnal, Rohtak and Kaithal is the hub for micro and small enterprises where as Panipat, Gurugram and Faridabad for medium scale business units. The industrially advance districts of Haryana are Gurugram and Yamunanagar where as industrially backward districts are Palwal, Mewat and Mahendergarh.  Inspite of this much progress, there are various challenges and threats on the development path of MSME.</p&gt

Xanthium strumerium L.: An Ethnomedicinal and Phytochemical Review

Xanthium strumerium L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as “Cocklebur” is an annual herb of wastelands found in North America, Brazil, China, Malaysia and India. It has been traditionally used for its cooling, fattening, anthelmintic, digestive, and antipyretic activities. Different plant parts are predominantly used for curing malarial fever, asthma, rheumatism, leprosy, migraine, small pox and cancer. Leaves of the plant are used for the treatment of eczema, roots against high fever and fruits to treat conjunctivitis. It is also used to cure leucoderma, epilepsy, salivation, congestive heart diseases, nephritis, toxemia of pregnancy, hypertension, premenstrual tension and poisonous bites of insects. Seeds yields edible oil which is used in bladder infection. Based on ethnobotanical information it is found that plants used in folk medicine are rich in bioactive molecules. The review reveals that phytochemical constituents of wide variety have been isolated. Phytoconstituents like anthraquinone, cardenolide, leucoanthocyanin, simple phenolics (catechol) and triterpenoids were reported. Many phytocompounds like caffeic acid, isoxanthanol, xanthanol, xanthiazone, xanthanin, xanthatin etc. were isolated from the plant and proven to be biologically active. The need for review of the plant species was predominantly to answer the gaps between ethnomedicinal uses and phytochemical studies. Hence, the present review article explores the ethnomedicinal uses and phytochemistry of X. strumerium, which upon further research could lead to development of viable drugs for the treatment of variety of ailments. However, there is further need for toxicity and clinical trials on crude extract and isolated phytoconstituents which will help to commercialize

Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch: A Review of Its Ethnobotany, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry

Holoptelea integrifolia (Ulmaceae) is a versatile medicinal plant used in various indigenous systems of medicine for curing routine healthcare maladies. It is traditionally used in the treatment and prevention of several ailments like leprosy, inflammation, rickets, leucoderma, scabies, rheumatism, ringworm, eczema, malaria, intestinal cancer, and chronic wounds. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological investigations on crude extracts and isolated compounds showed antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, adaptogenic, anticancer, wound healing, hepatoprotective, larvicidal, antiemetic, CNS depressant, and hypolipidemic activities. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of terpenoids, sterols, saponins, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, and quinines. Numerous compounds including Holoptelin-A, Holoptelin-B, friedlin, epifriedlin, β-amyrin, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, 1, 4-napthalenedione, betulin, betulinic acid, hexacosanol, and octacosanol have been identified and isolated from the plant species. The results of several studies indicated that H. integrifolia may be used as an effective therapeutic remedy in the prevention and treatment of various ailments. However, further studies on chemical constituents and their mechanisms in exhibiting certain biological activities are needed. In addition, study on the toxicity of the crude extracts and the compounds isolated from this plant should be assessed to ensure their eligibility to be used as source of modern medicines

Studies on Biology and Morphometrics of Etiella zinckenella (Lepidoptera) on Lentil under Laboratory Conditions

Background: Etiella zinckenella (Treitschke), an important and destructive pest of lentils and peas owing to its feeding habit. Aim: The present study aims to investigate the biology and morphometrics of Etiella zinckenella (lepidoptera) on lentil under laboratory conditions. Study Design: Laboratory experiment carried out on biological parameters of Etiella zinckenella in the department of Entomology, CCSHAU and Hisar. Results: Study revealed that a single female could lay 46-65eggs (average 56.3 eggs) preferably singly on pods, flowers, calyx and leaves of lentil. Incubation period of the eggs varied from 5.18 to 5.38 days (average 5.24 days). After egg hatching, larvae passed through 5 larval instars. Total larval and pupal period was observed on an average 16.9 and 13.38 days, respectively. Adult longevity of male and female was found on an average 4.1 and 5.6 days respectively. Etiella zinckenella completed its total life cycle in 37-45 days.  Conclusion: Biology of an insect pest is a condition precedent to find out its management strategies. Hence, observation on nature and behaviour of each developmental stage of this pest can be further utilised in the effective management at its damaging stage under field conditions