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Medicinal plants as green remediation agents: Nano-phytoremediation for heavy metal contaminated soil

S. Raina and J.G. Sharma

ABSTRACT

The demand for traditional herbal medicines has experienced significant growth worldwide, primarily for their use in drug formulations, cosmetics and nutraceuticals. A number of research studies on medicinal plant improvement focuses on understanding the effects of environmental stress on plant growth and development. This has led to the identification of physiological mechanisms that not only protect plants from adverse environmental conditions but also render them suitable candidates for phytoremediation, an effective method for removing pollutants from contaminated soil and water. These mechanisms play a crucial role in extracting, immobilizing or eliminating salts, metals and organic compounds from the soil and water. In medicinal plants, phytoremediation properties have the potential of precluding the safe use of the plant for human consumption while removing contaminants from soil or water. Heavy metal pollution poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment, endangering food chains and environmental sustainability. There is an urgent need to address this issue, especially considering the vulnerability of children and adult females to heavy metal contamination and its carcinogenic effects. Phytoremediation while utilizing aromatic and medicinal plants, offers a sustainable and practical solution to soil contamination without altering its biological or physical characteristics. The unique morphological characteristics and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants make them ideal candidates for effective phytoremediation of heavy metals. Nanophytoremediation, an emerging bioremediation approach utilizing biosynthesized nano-particles and plant species, has shown promising result as an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly technique for removing toxic heavy metals from the environment. Simulated nano-materials have been found to significantly mitigate the adverse effects of metal exposure on various plant species. This review aims to provide an update on recent studies focusing on the utilization of medicinal and aromatic herbs for phytoremediation of polluted soils containing heavy metals, highlighting its efficiency and sustainability compared to other methods.

Key words: Environmental stress, medicinal and aromatic plants, phytoremediation, pollutants

COVID-19 and its impact on aquaculture sector in Indian context

D. Bhatt, S.O. Khairnar and K. Singh

ABSTRACT

The global COVID-19 pandemic, which was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had profound and widespread effects. It resulted in millions of deaths worldwide and persistent health issues among survivors. Economically, it created an unprecedented shock, impacting various sectors, including agriculture, food production, private industries such as fisheries and fish processing, supply chains, and consumer behavior. The aquaculture sector, specifically, was significantly affected, and this article focused on how the pandemic impacted it and the livelihoods of those dependent on it. The article discussed measures taken to address these impacts on fish farmers, hatchery operators, aquaculture food systems, responses from aquatic food providers, and governments to counteract the negative impacts on aquatic food value chains. During the first half of 2020, governments and the private sector made numerous adjustments in response to the evolving pandemic. The article’s main objective was to provide an update on the pandemic’s impact on India’s aquaculture sector and offer recommendations for enhancing its resilience in the face of similar challenges.

Key words: COVID-19, diseases, infection, mitigation, pandemic, worldwide

The art of grafting: Elevating vegetable production to new height

B. Sahoo, S. Lenka, S. Meher, B. Satpathy, R. Munshi, N. Mishra and K.C. Sahoo

ABSTRACT

Vegetable grafting is a practice popular in Asia which is gaining worldwide popularity with the development and distribution of disease-resistant rootstocks. Watermelon, brinjal and tomato are commonly grafted vegetable crops, as well as other vegetables like cucumber and okra. Challenges include cost, labor, and lack of skill and experience in grafting, but benefits include higher yields, reduced inputs and extended harvest periods. Advancements in technology may lower the cost and increase availability of grafted seedlings. Grafted seedlings offer solutions to issues like abiotic stress, disease spread and pesticide use, particularly for organic producers.

Key words: : Abiotic stress, grafting, quality, soil-borne disease, yield

Relative efficiency of bi-parental mating for genetic improvement of seed yield in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

P. Chand and T.R. Das

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was conducted to study the effects of bi-parental mating and pedigree methods on mean performance, genetic variability, transgressive segregants and shifts in correlation coefficients. The analysis of mean squares due to males, females, and interactions (male x female) were significant for almost all the characters. This implied that sufficient genetic variability existed in the parents and F1 ‘s also, indicating that parents were genetically divergent to create sufficient variability in F2 populations and provide ample scope for selection. The mean values of bi-parental progenies were higher than the pedigree progenies for all the characters. However, it was lower for days to flowering and maturity, indicating the possibility of getting early segregants. The superior mean and wider ranges of variation in bi-parental progenies may be due to releasing of hidden genetic variability. A positive significant association was observed between seeds per pod and 100-seed weight, and seeds per pod with pod length in the progenies of Chikkuduminumu X L-400, which could have otherwise been negative due to limited source and sink relationship, indicate the breakage of undesirable linkages between these traits. It can be inferred from the study that bi-parental mating in early generation followed by selection would not only effectively accumulated the favorable genes but also maintain variability for more effective selection in blackgram.

Key words: Bi-parental mating, blackgram, correlation coefficient, genetic variability, heritability

Influence of moisture content and loading rate on mechanical characteristics of maize

S. Panda, P.P. Jena, A.K. Goel, D. Behera, M.K. Mohanty and P.K. Barik

ABSTRACT

The analysis of detachment force and rupture force of maize kernels is very essential for developing any shelling equipment. Therefore, a study has been undertaken at College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India. The detachment and rupture force of three different maize varieties were determined at three levels of moisture content and loading rate by using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The detachment and rupture force of a maize kernel was measured for each variety at various moisture content levels (13-16, 16-19 and 20-23%) and at loading rates of 10, 15 and 20 mm per min. It was found that the detachment force of maize kernel was highest at lowest moisture content and lowest loading rate. The rupture force of maize kernel was highest at lowest moisture content and lowest loading rate. Hence, the detachment and rupture force decreased with increase in moisture content and loading rate.

Key words: Detachment force, loading rate, maize kernel, moisture content, rupture force

Utilization of animal power for threshing operation and comparison with conventional methods

P.P. Jena, A.K. Goel, S.K. Swain and D. Behera

ABSTRACT

The small and marginal farmers in many parts of the state of Odisha still depend on animal energy for carrying out different agricultural operations due to small and fragmented land holdings and poor socioeconomic status. A study was conducted to utilize the animal energy for paddy threshing using rotary gear system to increase the annual use of the bullocks so as to reduce the owning cost of bullocks. A study was conducted for operating a paddy thresher with the help of a rotary gear driven by bullock power. The performance evaluation was carried out and compared with power operated thresher-cumwinnower, bullock treading and hand beating method. The threshing methods were evaluated with Lalat variety and three levels of grain moisture content. It was found that that highest output capacity (160.44 kg h-1) was obtained in case of power operated thresher cum winnower at grain moisture content of 15.7% whereas the lowest (97.15 kg h-1) in case of hand beating method at grain moisture level of 13.2%. It was found that with increase in grain moisture content, the output capacity, the percentage of un-threshed grain and total grain loss increased while the percentage of grain breakage and threshing efficiency decreased for all the threshing methods used. The cost of operation in bullock operated paddy thresher in rotary mode, power operated paddy thresher cum winnower, bullock treading and hand beating was observed to be Rs.122.37, Rs.63.38, Rs.146.97 and Rs.263.24 per 100kg of threshed paddy at 13.2% of grain moisture content.

Key words: Broken grain percentage, grain moisture content, rotary gear system, threshing efficiency

Phytochemical and cytotoxicity analysis of fruits of Zanthoxylum asiaticum (L.) Appelhans, Groppo & J.Wen: A minor fruit plant of Odisha, India

N. Jena, S. Rout, R.S. Devi and S. Kumar

ABSTRACT

Qualitative phytochemical analysis and toxicity assessment to Artemia salina is carried out followed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) using extracts of fruits of Zanthoxylum asiaticum, a minor wild edible plant of Odisha. Results revealed that fruit extracts have diverse secondary metabolites and methanol extract, showed highest toxicity to A. salina. TLC analysis of acetone extract showed appearance of maximum spots. The present study revealed that the fruits of Z. asiaticum can be used as nutraceutical agent for the future medico-food component.

Key words: Artemia salina, chromatography, nutraceutical, secondary metabolites

Impact of chelated minerals supplementation on the reproductive performance of Murrah buffalo heifers

S. Sahu, A. Arya, D.S. Bidhan, A. Sarangi and D.C. Yadav

ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of chelated mineral supplementation on the reproductive performance of growing Murrah buffalo heifers. Chelated minerals, known for their enhanced bioavailability and absorption, are administered to assess their potential to improve the reproductive outcomes. The study’s objective was to assess how supplementing Murrah buffalo heifers with chelated minerals affected them. Fifteen healthy heifers aged between 22 to 28 months were randomly selected and divided into three groups based on their body weight and age. Group T1 (control) received a standard diet which included seasonal green fodder, wheat straw, and conventional concentrate mixture with 2% mineral mixture. Groups T2 and T3 received the same diet, but the inorganic minerals in the concentrate mixture were replaced with 50% and 100% chelated minerals, respectively. The feeding trial lasted 120 days (13th March to 13th July, 2015), during which reproductive parameters including age at first heat, age at first conception, and conception rate were monitored. The results revealed that the onset of the first heat occurred earlier in group T2 (125.8±22.3 days) compared to T1 (160.4±16.6 days) and T3 (152.0±9.4 days), although the difference was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Similarly, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the days to conceive between the groups (T1: 183.2±28.4 days, T2: 198.8±56.4 days, T3: 179.0±25.6 days). While T2 (2.2±0.5) had more services per conception than T1 (1.6±0.4) and T3 (1.6±0.4), the difference was not statistically significant. Replacement of inorganic minerals with chelated minerals did not demonstrate a significant beneficial effect on the reproductive performance of Murrah buffalo heifers

Key words: Chelated mineral, heat, Murrah buffalo heifers, service

Annotated checklist of birds around Paradip, Odisha, India

S. Vijayan

ABSTRACT

A survey was conducted in February 2024 at the port city of Paradip, Odisha. A total of 38 bird species were recorded during the survey out of which 35 species were classified as least concern. Only two species i.e. Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and Mangrove pitta (Pitta meggarhyncha) were found to be threatened categories. The birds diversity belonged to 13 orders, 24 families and 34 genera. Since Paradip is a township bustling with heavy mineral-bearing trucks and container ships, it must have definitely jeopardized the habitat of the birds. To conserve them, appropriate strategies and conservation plans need to be drawn by the government authorities without further delay.

Key words: Avifauna, conservation, endangered species, least concern, migratory bird

Camera trap records of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

S.R. Mishra, R.K. Samantarai and H.K. Bisht

ABSTRACT

Effective conservation of rare carnivores requires reliable estimates of population density for prioritizing investment and assessing the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Our data indicates that camera trapping using an effective tool for assessing population sizes of cryptic and elusive carnivores such as common leopard. Monitoring tiger, co-predator and their habitat in tiger reserves and sanctuaries is not only a protocol but also intensive survey methodologies to analysis the wildlife status: mostly predator animals with relation to the prey base of the forested landscape. The tigers and leopards are wide ranging large carnivores covering a large land scape which may include forests at different administrative boundaries within or outside the state of Odisha. Survey was undertaken from January 2016 to May 2016 in Kuldiha wildlife sanctuaries through camera trap as well as rigorous field surveys on foot inside the sanctuary and also periphery forest area to track movement and study the presence of leopards, although leopards were photo-captured, no traps or traces of Royal Bengal Tiger were noticed. The result through camera trap and field surveys through indirect evidences like pug marks, scat, scrap, vocalistion etc. showed that only four numbers of leopards were captured during the exercise which include two males and two females.

Key words: Camera trap, cryptic, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, leopard

A camera trap study in northern Reserve Forest, Athmallik Forest Division, Angul, Odisha, India

S. Samantara, N.C. Palei, B.P. Rath and S.N. Acharya

ABSTRACT

The status and distribution of mammals using camera traps in Athmallik Forest Division between 25.02.2019 to 20.03.2019 was assessed. A total of 2383 independent photographs representing herbivores (31.6%), carnivores (3.1%), omnivores (7%), birds (5.4%), forest Department Staff(11.7%), department Vehicle (3.7%), private vehicle for villagers (3.4%), human (14.3%), poacher (1.1%), cattle, goat and buffalo (14.9) and free-ranging feral dog (3.7%) were recorded from 25 trap stations. Out of 2383 photographs captured, 993 photographs include18 species of mammals belonging to 13 families. Five species of bird photographs were captured in the study area. The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) was the most frequently captured species. The sloth bear represented high relative abundance (RAI =19.73) among the other carnivore species and the common palm civet (Paradoxurus hemaphroditus) were represented by a relatively low abundance ire. RAI =0.13. Frequency of various anthropogenic activities from movement of livestock, feral dogs and human traffic accounted for maximum photo capture (combined RAI = 31.89) and found to be negatively correlated with mammalian relative abundance. The current camera trap survey is expected to help in the formulation of management strategies for longterm conservation of mammals outside the protected areas in Northern Forest Division in Athmallik Forest Division.

Key words: Camera trap photo, livestock pressure, mammalian diversity, northern Reserve Forest, RAI

Successful rescue, rearing and rehabilitation of Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) in Rourkela Forest Division, Sundargarh, Odisha, India

R.K. Samantarai, J. Sethi, P. Ramasamy, A.K. Mishra and S. Nanda

ABSTRACT

At Rourkela forest division, during the course of illegal trading of Alexandrine parakeets (Psittaculaeupatria) in two different phases (1st 82 and nos. 40) within a week interval, the forest management successfully intervened the trading. The traders were caught red handed. The 1st phase baby birds of 2-5 days old with eyes yet to open and 2nd phase with approximately 2 weeks of age were seized and taken into custody. The illegal traders were arrested and cases were registered against them. Appropriate steps were taken to check further trading of baby birds at the city and its peripheries. The Divisional Forest Officer, the Wildlife Vet and his team from MVU (Mobile Veterinary Unit) taken up the challenges of rearing these baby birds with available feed, houses and infrastructure at Forest Range office, Panposh. The birds were reared under extreme care and management. From day one, the allotted forest staffs utilized their skill to undertake the hand feeding, initially by syringe, later in bolus form and boiled form. In due course, feeder, drinker and perching materials were provided. Later, the birds were transferred to a bigger chamber for better space and ventilation. Under medication, initial oral antibiotics, multi-vitamins, anti-stress drugs were given followed by glucose, immune booster and minerals supplementation. After 2 months, both batched of birds were freed from cages and cartoon boxes and were allowed to mix and reared in the same chamber together. After initial hiccup, birds of different age adjusted with each other and grew. In early days, because of inclined weather, the birds were taken to roof top to provide sun rays to combat chill weather and cold stress. During February, when environment temperature rose in day time, bulbs were put off at day time and on at night. The height of bulbs were maintained as per acceptance. During March and April, soft spraying of water as bath extended to birds to combat heat stress. From total of 122 birds, in the process of rearing, 56 birds died and 66 survived, the rate of survival being 54.1 %. On 19th April, 66 birds were released to nature at the deep thickets in the backdrop of nature camp, Tensa by the hands of forest authorities, Government of Odissa. Five numbers of birds which could not fly properly were returned back. The rest 61 birds for the first 2 weeks, came to the releasing point, where feed and water were made available by forest department with a temporary arrangement. Later birds accommodated to the forest and did not fly back for feeding. The forest authority of the state duly recognized rescue, rearing and rehabilitation of these Alexandrine parakeets a big success with the available facilities.

Key words: Alexandrine parakeet, rate of survival, rearing, rehabilitation, rescue, Rourkela Forest Division