Search

The present research work involves formulation of herbal gel containing stem bark extracts of Mesua ferrea Linn and its evaluation for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The gel formulations were prepared using ethanolic extracts along with different polymer. The physiochemical parameters of formulations like; pH, viscosity and spreadability etc. also evaluated. Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids, etc. The ethanolic extracts showed appreciable anti-inflammatory activity compared to the standard drug. Study confirmed that potential anti-inflammatory formulation can be developed from bark extract of Mesua ferrea Linn.   Keywords: Mesua ferrea Linn., Anti-inflammatory, Herbal Gel, Phytochemical, Albumin denaturation.

Investigations were carried out during two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2014 and2015 at the Experi-mental Farm of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and For-estry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India to study the spatial distribution of Brevicoryne brassicae in cabbage. One month old cabbage seedlings were planted in the field in the month of November during both the years. Distri-bution pattern of any insect population is an important aspect as it represents the interaction between individuals of the species and their habitat. Spatial distribution is useful for designing efficient sampling programmes for population estimation and development of population models. Spatial distribution is also important to understand the bioecology of the pest and to determine the sampling protocol for that species. In the present study variance to mean ratio (s2/X),mean crowding (X*), ratio of mean crowding to mean (X*/X), ‘k’ of negative binomial, Taylor’s power equation(s2 = 0.9099X1.55 during 2014 and s2 = 2.9861X1.1949 during 2015), Iwao’s patchiness regression and optimum number of samples (Nopt) required to achieve the desired precision were calculated for different densities. Cabbage aphid, B. brassicae appeared in the fourth standard week i.e last week of January( 26.2 aphids/ plant during 2014 and 0.30 aphids/ plant during 2015) and persisted upto thirteenth standard week i.e last week of April ( 18.4 aphids/ plant during 2014 and 18.2 aphids/ plant during 2015) and followed a negative binomial distribution during both years. Optimum number of samples (Nopt) required varied with mean density as well as precision level. The present study will serve as basic information to develop a sampling plan of B. Brassicae in cabbage for its monitoring and management.

An investigation was carried out during two consecutive years (2014-15 and 2015-16) at experimental farm of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan-273230 (H. P.). The experiment was conducted on effect of different organic inputs like vermicompost, FYM, Azotobactor, PSB and PGPR and transplanting dates on seed quality attributes of radish (RaphanussativusL.). The transplanting was done on three different dates during both years. There were seven treatments including control and each treatment was replicated thrice. The data was analysed in factorial randomized block design. The study revealed that all the seed quality parameters like germination % (95.08), seedling length (24.46 cm), shoot length (13.02 cm), root length (13.04 cm), seedling dry weight ( 0.110 mg), seed vigour index I (2329.07) and seed vigour index II (10419.25) were found maximum with treatment Vermicompost (@ 50 q ha-1) + Azotobacter (root dip @ 2.5 Kg/ ha-1) + PSB (root dip @ 2.5 Kg/ ha-1) + NSKE (5 %) and maximum 1000 seed weight (12.52 g) was found with treatment FYM @100 q ha-1 + Azotobacter @ 2.5 kg ha-1 (root dip) + PSB @ 2.5 kg ha-1 (root dip) + NSKE @ 5 % in 4th November transplanting. All parameters showed a decreasing trend as sowing date was delayed.

Global warming is predicted to have negative effect on plant growth due to the damaging effect of high temperature on plant development. The field experiment was conducted during 2014-15 to study effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on growth parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L.) crop in order to check the effect of climatechange on vegetable crops. Effect was studied under four conditions i.e. Open Top Chambers, T1: OTC - elevated CO2550±10 ppm; T2: OTC -elevated CO2 550±10 ppm and temperature 1°C; T3: OTC - ambient CO2 and temperature (reference) and T4: natural condition. Maximum plant height at 50 % flowering was recorded in T1 (84.29cm) at elevated CO2 which differed significantly with T2 (79.47cm) at elevated CO2 and temperature, T3 (73.60cm) at ambient CO2 and temperature and natural condition (70.73cm). Minimum days to 50 per cent flowering were recorded in plants growing under T2 (68.56 days). Maximum pollen viability was recorded in T1 (77.42%) followed by T3 (76.36%), T4 (74.65%) and T2 (69.97%). Internode length of plants grown under T1 was maximum (7.01cm) followed by T2 (6.68cm), T3 (6.00cm) and T4 (5.05cm). Elevated temperature and CO2 had significant effects on growth and development in vegetables. Overall, growth parameters of pea crop were affected positively by elevated CO2 whereas under interaction effect of elevated CO2 and temperature these positive effects of CO2 were offset by elevated temperature effect and hampered the growth of pea crop which interns can affect the yield and quality of crop under changing climate scenario.

The present investigations were carried out in the year 2014 with an objective to find out the impact of different cropping systems on nearby surface water resources in Shimla region of Himachal Pradesh. The aim of the study was to monitor the surface water bodies for pollution caused by nearby cropping systems in the Shimla area. In this study fruit, fruit + vegetable, vegetable and cereal based cropping systems were selected along with control (uncultivated land) and sampling was done during winter, summer and rainy seasons. The estimated water quality parameters revealed very less organic pollution and pH values were within the BIS prescribed limits of 6.5-8.5. Under vegetable based cropping system EC (500.23 µS cm?1), TDS (329.17 mg/l), BOD (1.48 mg/l), COD (31.09 mg/l), Cl- (25.66 mg/l), Ca (75.59 mg/l) and Mg (11.14 mg/l) were in high concentration, whereas No3- content were high under fruit + vegetable based cropping system. DO were maximum (8.61mg/l) under uncultivated land. Calcium and COD were high in some samples, which could be from anthropogenic sources, rest of the parameters were within the desirable limits prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The experimental data were statistically analysed through Analysis of variance (two way classification of data) indicated positive correlation among most of the physical and chemical parameters. Study reveals that cropping systems as well as seasonal changes has affected the water quality. The study carried out for water quality parameters, revealed the correlation of each parameter with one another under different cropping systems.

The experiment was conducted in the Department of Entomology, Himachal Pradesh, Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur during 1993-94. The cultures of wax moths namely Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) and Achroia grisella (Fabricius) were raised on artificial diet. The larvae developed on artificial diet were utilized for mass rearing of the parasitoid, Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson. The maximum number of wax moths larvae were produced when jar size of 20.32 × 16.24 cm was used and when 45 female and 15 male parasitoids were released in the above mentioned jars and 200 larvae were exposed. The economics of parasitoid production was calculated as Rs. 0.66 per 10 adults of A. galleriae.

Introduction: Relapse cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and drug resistance is increasing in National Tuberculosis Centre (NTC), National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Nepal (NTP) and the predictors of relapse PTB is multi-factorial. Initial drug resistant was found to be associated with high relapse cases, so public awareness for regularity of drug intake is highly recommended. Age, sex, occupation, smoking, alcoholism may be important risk factor for relapse. The study aims to determine the prevalence, anti-tubercular drug resistance and predictors of relapse pulmpnary tuberculosis (PTB) cases. Materials and methods: Suspected relapse PTB patients were enrolled and microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility testing were done for all culture positive cases. Result and conclusion: Prevalence of relapse PTB was 45.5% (n=127). M. tuberculosis isolates resistant to at least one anti-TB drug were 25.4% (n=31), 35.5% (n=11) were mono resistant and 64.5% (n=20) were poly resistant. Multi-drug resistance were 14% (n=17). The farmer (OR=1.96), who rest at home (OR=1.12), smokers (OR=1.48), alcoholics (OR=1.73) and those who were on irregular drugs (OR=4.10) were at high risk of relapse PTB. Almost half of patients studied had relapse PTB and drug resistance was noteworthy. Close monitoring and follow up, adherence of treatment and risk factors identified should be addressed to reduce relapses and emergence of drug resistance.

The experiment was conducted in the Department of Entomology, Himachal Pradesh, Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur during 1993-94. The cultures of wax moths namely Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) and Achroia grisella (Fabricius) were raised on artificial diet. The larvae developed on artificial diet were utilized for mass rearing of the parasitoid, Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson. The maximum number of wax moths larvae were produced when jar size of 20.32 × 16.24 cm was used and when 45 female and 15 male parasitoids were released in the above mentioned jars and 200 larvae were exposed. The economics of parasitoid production was calculated as Rs. 0.66 per 10 adults of A. galleriae.