Effectiveness of Trainings imparted by a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Tamil Nadu

In an agricultural country like India, training of farmers is a laborious task and requires a heavy investment in training infrastructure to reach most of the farmers on a regular basis. Trainings are conducted in Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs) at various levels for which the programmes are designed based on the farmers problems their needs and interests. Altogether, 300 respondents were selected for the study through random sampling method to assess the effectiveness of trainings imparted by a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). Majority of the trainees were having medium level of adoption of recommended technologies followed by low level and high levels of adoption of recommended crop cultivation practices in major crops

Evaluation of F1 Hybrids of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir) for Yield and Quality

An investigation was carried out to study the performance of 36 hybrids of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir) through Line x Tester mating design. Observations were recorded on the traits, viz., vine length, days to first female flower appearance, node number for first female flower appearance, sex ratio, days to first harvest, fruit number per vine, fruit weight, flesh thickness and fruit yield per vine, besides quality traits such as total carbohydrate content, total carotenoid content and crude fibre content in the fruit. Among the 36 hybrids of pumpkin studied, the cross 'Kasi Harit x Avinashi Local' excelled in yield per vine, followed by the crosses 'Vadhalagundu Local x CO-2' and 'Narendra Uphar x CO-2', respectively. Thus, first generation hybrids can be well-utilized for exploiting hybrid vigour to achieve improved quality

Studies on Heterosis in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir)

An investigation was carried out to assess the extent of heterosis for fruit, yield and quality parameters in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir). The trial was conducted at Department of Vegetable Crops, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2009-2010. Hybrids developed by line x tester mating design, with twelve lines and three testers along with commercial check MPH 1 in pumpkin, were evaluated for fruit weight, fruit number per vine, fruit equatorial diameter, fruit polar diameter, flesh thickness, seed number per fruit, seed weight per fruit, fruit yield per vine and quality parameters, viz., total carbohydrate content, total carotenoid and crude fibre content in the fruit. Among the hybrids, Kasi Harit x Avinashi Local showed positive and significant heterosis for fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, seed weight per fruit, total carotenoid content and fruit yield per vine. Vadhala Gundu Local x CO 2 was the next best, as, the hybrid possessed desirable traits, viz., high fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, total carotenoid content and fruit yield per vine

IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF BIOSYNTHESIZED GOLD NANOPARTICLES FROM SHELLS OF PISTACIA VERA L

Objective: To synthesize the gold nanoparticles by a biological method using the extract obtained from the shells of Pistacia vera (P. vera) and to study its effective role in the anticancer activity.Methods: The synthesis of gold nanoparticles using the extract obtained from the shells of Pistacia vera was confirmed by the color change and substantiating the same using ultraviolet (UV) visible spectroscopy. The size and the shape of the particles were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stability of the nanoparticles was assessed by using the UV visible spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The anticancer activity of the gold nanoparticles on the cancer cell lines was studied on PA1 ovarian cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Nature of cell death was analyzed using the fluorescence microscopy.Results: The ruby red color confirmed the formation of gold nanoparticles and it was substantiated by the absorption peak at 543.2 nm in the UV visible spectroscopy. The gold nanoparticles synthesized from the Pistacia vera shell showed the spherical shape and were in the size of around 10-40 nm when analyzed with FESEM. The different functional groups were indicated in the FTIR spectra which were consisting of phenol, alcohol, alkenes and aromatics.Conclusion: The synthesis of the gold nanoparticle using the extract obtained from the shells of Pistacia vera has effective anticancer activity

Microencapsulation of copper enriched herbals for curative garments

532-536Curative finish has been imparted to the cotton single jersey knitted fabric using extracts of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Aloe barbadensis Mill., bitter gourd, Cuminum cyminum Linn. and ginger by microencapsulation using pad-dry-cure method. Based on the copper content, the above four plants were selected. Microcapsules are produced using herbal extracts as core and gum Acacia Willd. as wall material. The presence and the density of microcapsules are analysed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The antimicrobial efficacy has been evaluated by agar diffusion (SN 195920). It is observed that the microencapsulated herbal extracts possess a very good resistance for microbes. And the garments made from those encapsulated fabric showed better results in curing skin diseases like scabies, inflammatory skin disease, seasonal skin disease, urticaria and ecgema

Determination of thermodynamic parameters of antigen–antibody interaction from real-time kinetic studies

Real-time kinetic parameters of the interaction of iodinated human chorionic gonodotropin (IhCG) with one of its monoclonal antibodies are sought and are determined after an analysis of the dissociation profile of IhCG–MAb (monoclonal antibody) complexes in the presence of excess unlabelled hCG at various temperatures. The equilibrium association constant \(K_A\) of the epitope–paratope reaction (the first interaction) was determined from this data. $K_A$ values obtained at different temperatures were fitted to the nonlinear form of the vant Hoff equation. Values of ln $K_{A0}$, $\Delta H_0$ and $\Delta C_P$ were obtained from the fit. $\Delta G_0$ and $\Delta S_0$ were calculated using standard formulae. A change in heat capacity at constant pressure, $\Delta C_P$ of – 3300 cal/ degree/mol indicated that a large surface area is buried upon complex formation. This method can be an alternative to the micro-calorimetric determination of thermodynamic parameters of ligand–ligate interaction. Our results also raise new questions about the interpretations of micro-calorimetry results from large-molecular weight ligand–ligate interactions

Thermodynamics of hCG–monoclonal antibody interaction: an analysis of real time kinetics data obtained using radiolabeled hCG probe

A thermodynamic analysis of the interaction of $^{125}$ I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin (IhCG) with two of its monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was carried out. The dissociation profile of IhCG–MAb complex conforms to a two-step model. vant Hoff enthalpies were calculated with the $K_A$ (equilibrium constant) values obtained from dissociation at different temperatures. Free energy and entropy changes were calculated using the standard equations. $\Delta H$ values for one of the MAbs, viz. VM7 were favorable at temperatures beyond $30^oC$. Interestingly, the $\Delta S$ values were also favorable at all temperatures. In the case of MAb VM4a, however, the interaction throughout the temperature range was driven by large favorable entropic contributions, indicating the importance of hydrophobic interaction in the binding of this MAb to hCG. The energetics of the interaction of these two monoclonals with hCG is discussed