Effects of feeding Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb.) leaves on desert lamb’s feed intake, nutrients digestibility and growth performance

This trial was designed to study the effect of intake of ailanto (Ailanthus excelsa) fodder on dry matter intake, nutrients digestibility and performance of Sudanese Desert lambs. Twelve heads of lambs, six months old and weighing (17+ 0.37) kg were divided into three groups with four heads each. They were vaccinated and dosed with broad-spectrum antihelmentics (ivermectin) for treatment against internal and external parasites and ear- tagged to facilitate identification during treatments. The Ailanthus excelsa, fodder, groundnut haulms and the natural grazing was fed to group I, II and III, respectively. Water was provided continuously and feed intake was monitored daily. The feed samples were analyzed and apparent nutrients digestibility was determined by total feces collection method. This complete randomized design data was analyzed via analysis of variance and differences among means were detected using Least Significant Difference test (LSD). Feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher for group 1 followed by the group on groundnut haulms and finally the group on the natural grazing where the amounts consumed was 865.90, 850 and 800 grams per day. Dry matter digestibility was the highest in the group on Ailanthus excelsa fodder, followed by groundnut haulms ​​and the lowest for those on natural grazing where DMD was 75.67, 67.45, and 56.45%, organic matter digestibility 78.61, 69.65 and 57.55%. Body weight changes indicated that they were higher in the Ailanthus excelsa fodder group and then in the groundnut haulms group and lower in the natural grazing group. The highest daily weight gain (60 grams) was obtained when animals fed on Ailanthus excelsa fodder compared to 45 grams and 40 grams a day for the group fed groundnut haulms and natural grazing, respectively.

Dynamic Sorption of Methylene Blue (MB) Dye in Continuous Column Using Bio-Sorbent (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb)

Industrial waste containing dye poses a threat to the ecosystem and human as well as aquatic life. Methylene blue (MB, a cationic dye) has been used in excess amounts in textile, pulp and paper, rubber, plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. MB dye released in water sources makes the water toxic in nature. So, to remove the dye from wastewater various methods (physical, chemical and biological) are adopted for treatment purposes. Among them, adsorption is found to be more economical and eco-friendlier in comparison to others. Various adsorbents reported have been the literature for the removal of MB dye such as wheat straw, rice husk, cashew nut shell, sawdust, wood, pine needles, green grass, eucalyptus bark, peanut shell, coconut shell, coir dust, etc. In this experimental study, Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. (AER) is utilised for the treatment of MB dye from the wastewater in continuous mode by varying the different parameters viz., bed height, flow rate, and the initial concentration of MB dye. Yoon-Nelson and Clark’s models have been applied to predict the break through curve and to find out the characteristic parameters of column suitable for process design. The study reported that Clark’s model was found to be fit for the breakthrough curve. The findings revealed that Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. has a high adsorption potential, and it could be used to treat dye-containing effluents.

Studies on population dynamics of major pests of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb

Aim: To study the peak period of incidence of major pest of Ailanthus excelsa. Methodology: Seasonal abundance of major insect pests of A. excelsa viz., ailanthus defoliator and ailanthus webworm were studied in 5-year-old plantation at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam from April, 2018 to March, 2019. Weekly observations were made on the abundance of major insect and pest population which were correlated with weekly weather parameters. Results: Monitoring the population dynamics of insect pests revealed that the major key pests were ailanthus defoliator and webworm. The highest number of ailanthus defoliator (38.00 larvae per tree) and webworm (33.90 larvae per tree) were recorded during 44th standard week in 5-year-old plantation. Correlation analysis revealed that maximum temperature (Tmax) was negatively correlated with ailanthus defoliator with the r value of -0.299. Regarding webworm, wind velocity and evaporation rate were negatively correlated with the r value of -0.412 and -0.361 and was found to be statistically significant at 1% level. Interpretation: Seasonal abundance of this information helps us to take decision for the management of A. excelsa pests.

Seasonal variation in larval growth of Eri silkworm (Samia ricini Boisduval) reared on two Ailanthus species

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of different seasons in larval growth of eri silkworm (Samia ricini Boisduval) reared on Ailanthus species viz., borpat (Ailanthus grandis) and borkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa). The study revealed that the larval growth parameters of eri silkworm was found better in terms of larval duration, full grown larval weight and matured larval weight on the borpat leaves as compared to the borkesseru leaves. Considering the seasons, the full grown larval weight and matured larval weight were observed significantly higher during the autumn season but the shortest larval duration was observed during the late summer season.

Gender-based Genetic Variability of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb, Populations Using, RAPD, ISSR and SCoT Markers

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. is an economically important and multipurpose dioecious tree species of India, mainly used for fodder and timber. Gender-based genetic diversity of five populations of two sites (Jodhpur, Rajasthan and Deesa, Gujarat) of A. excelsa was assessed. A total of 42 RAPD, 20 ISSR and 23 SCoT primers were screened for DNA amplification of 232 individuals. Out of which only 25 primers (13 RAPD, 6 ISSR and 6 SCoT) were found polymorphic. The SCoT markers were showed the highest value for PIC, MI, Rp value, Nei’s gene diversity and Shannon’s index, as compared with the other two markers. Female individuals in all five populations had slightly higher genetic diversity as compared with male individuals. A high level of genetic diversity (55%) was detected within the populations of male and female individuals. High gene flow (6.70) and low genetic differentiation (0.069) values were found between Jodhpur and Deesa sites. Principal component analysis for all populations were accounted for 48.7% of the genetic variation. The Mantel test showed significant correlation (R = 0.178, P = .01) between genetic and geographic distances. The present study showed that SCoT markers were best for genetic diversity assessment in A. excelsa over RAPD and ISSR markers. High gene flow and low genetic differentiation in A. excelsa indicates its poor population fragmentation despite long geographic distances.

Pharmacognostical Standardisation of Ailanthus Excelsa Leaves and Randia Dumetorum Fruit Along with Antioxidant Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Capacity of Its Fractions

The world is observing an unprecedented development in the usage of herbal product at national as well as international levels. This requires the improvement of current and aimed standards for estimating the quality, safety and efficacy of these drugs. The leaves of Ailanthus excelsa and the fruits of Randia Dumetorum are medicinal plants that are used for many diseases around the world. We then collected the flavonoids and saponin fraction extracted from the leaves of Ailanthus excelsa and the fruits of Randia dumetorum. To determine the reliability, quality and purity of these particles, we provide a crucial pharmacological profile along with the antioxidant activity. Pharmacological studies, such as morphological, physicochemical, TLC, and phytochemical analysis of all fractions containing total phenol and flavonoids, were performed according to specific methods. DPPH tests estimated the antioxidant action of all fractions, Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, and reducing power assay method. Previous phytochemical studies discovered the occurrence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and especially phenolic chemicals. All fractions have antioxidant effects, depending on the existence of a phenolic compound. The above parameters are vital to establishing pharmacological rules for the authentication of Ailanthus excelsa leaves and Randia Dumetorum fruits.