Physicochemical characterization of Jatropha oil seed and suitability as biodiesel feedstock

The physiocochemical properties of Jatropha curcas kernel oils were characterized as potential biodiesel, including oil yield per plant, seed oil content, kernel oil content, acid value, iodine value, saponification value and cetane number. Twenty-five accessions of Jatropha curcas were used for oil content measurement sranging from 21.14 to 40.66 %with a mean value of 32.85% and Kernels oil 48.59 to 60.45 % with a mean value of 56.28 %. The seed index ranged significantly from a seed weight of 45.45 to 64.45 g. Oil yields per plant ranged from 0.44 to 2.85 kg with a mean value of 1.70 kg per plant, respectively. To understand the properties of acid value, iodine value, saponification and cetane number, experimental physio-chemical studies were performed. Since these properties are critical for determining the current oil condition. The current study confirms that accession seeds performed higher than international saponification value, iodine value and cetane number standards may be an important source for meeting potential energy requirements.

Eight families of Bryophytes as new distributional records for Andhra Pradesh, India

Eight families (two liverworts; six mosses) of Bryophytes, with ten representative species viz., Liverworts- Cephaloziellaceae (Cephaloziella kiaeri, Cylindrocolea tagawae), Porellaceae (Porella acutifolia); Mosses- Erpodiaceae (Solmsiella biseriata), Hylocomiaceae (Leptohymenium tenue), Myuriaceae (Myurium perplexum), Pterigynandraceae (Pterigynandrum filiforme), Sematophyllaceae (Sematophyllum humile and Sematophyllum subhumile), and Trachypodaceae (Bryowijkia ambigua) are new distributional records for the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the phytochemical constituents of three wood species in Ogun state, Nigeria

Studies on the phytochemicals of the stem wood of tropical trees are scarce, despite its importance to plant protection and preservation as most researches focused on their leaves and fruits. This research work aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the phytochemicals present in the stem wood of Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Anogeissus leiocarpus. Freshly sawn timbers were collected from a local sawmill and then grounded into finely powdered wood samples. The powdered wood samples and its extracts were screened for the presence or absence of phytochemicals using standard methodologies. The qualitative screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as tannin, saponin, steroids, flavonoid, alkaoids and terpene in all the three species. The result also showed that Tectona grandis had the highest percentage of Alkaloid (7.5%), Tannin (4.95%), and Flavonoid (4.67%) while Anogeissus leiocarpus had the highest percentage of Saponin (3.06%) and Terpene (1.45%). This study established the fact that the three selected species studied have potentials in the industries for medicinal and anti-pathogenic usages.

Altitudinal variation of soil organic carbon stock in tropical forest of Courtallam hills, Southern Western Ghats of India

The climate change and carbon mitigation through forest ecosystems play an important role in the global perspective. Soil is a huge carbon reservoir and its storage capacity varied greatly with forest type and altitude. The mountain ecosystem varies in soil organic carbon stock (SOC) due to variations in soil types, climatic conditions, vegetation patterns and elevational gradients. Soil organic carbon stockswere measured at three depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm) in five different forest elevation (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 m asl) on Courtallam hills, Southern Western Ghats, India. SOC stocks increased significantly with the increase in altitude (P<0.05) at all the three layers (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm). A total of SOC stocks ranged from 42.79 mg ha-1at 0–30 cm depth were observed in lower altitude (200 m) and the highest value of 50.25 mg ha-1 at 0–30 cm depth was observed in mid-elevation 600 m, while in other elevational showed 46.45, 48.49 and 45.05 mg ha-1 in 400, 800 and 1000 m respectively. SOC ranged from 17.89 to 22.37 mg ha-1 in soil surface layer (0–10 cm), 14.00 to 16.573 mg ha-1 in middle layer (10–20 cm) and 9.08 to 11.35 mg ha-1 in the bottom layer (20–30 cm). These results would also enhance our ability to assesses the role of these forest types in soil carbon sequestration and for developing and validating the SOC models for tropical forest ecosystems.

Studies on growth and yield characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting

The growth and yield characters of chickpea varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting were evaluated through field experiment conducted for three consecutive years (2016__17 to 2018__19) during rabi season on vertisols under rainfed conditions at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. The investigation was carried out in split plot design with three replications. Two plant geometries (30.0 × 10.0 cm and 22.5 × 10.0 cm) were assigned to main plots and six chickpea varieties (viz., GBM 2, Dheera, CSJ 515, HC 5, Phule G 08108 and BRC 1) were assigned to sub plots. Pooled analysis of experimental results indicated that significantly higher number of branches per plant (8.7) and number of pods per plant (31.1) and test weight (24.3 g) were observed under 30.0 × 10.0 cm when compared to 22.5 × 10.0 cm. Higher plant height (44.8 cm), height of lowest pod bearing branch (30.0 cm), lower days to 50 % flowering (42.1 days) and higher test weight (31.2 g) were observed in Dheera. Higher number of branches per plant (9.2) and number of pods per plant (34.2) were observed in GBM 2. Higher seed yield was observed in Phule G 08108 (1708 kg ha-1) which is followed by GBM 2 (1675 kg ha-1) Dheera (1569 kg ha-1) and BRC 1 (1493 kg ha-1). Higher harvest index (56.4%) was also observed in Phule G 08108. Chickpea varieties GBM2, Dheera and BRC1 were best suitable for mechanical harvesting and higher seed yield due to their excellent morphology.

Ensuring the effects of climate warming; the sensitivity of controlling factors on soil respiration in Sub-Tropical grassland

Prevailing climate change is expected due to carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere through soil respiration and perhaps the alteration in the terrestrial carbon cycle. The measurements to establish the effect and sensitivity of soil temperature, soil water content and plant biomass on soil respiration was performed in the sub-tropical grassland located in Central Nepal. Field measurements of soil respiration was conducted by using the closed-chamber method, and soil temperature, soil water content and plant biomass were monitored in the years 2015 and 2016. The soil respiration showed positive significant exponential function which accounted for 74.6% (R2=0.746, p<0.05) of its variation with the soil temperature. The temperature sensitivity of soil respiration, Q10 value obtained was 2.68. Similarly, soil respiration showed a positive significant exponential function that accounted for 37.2% (R2=0.372, p<0.05) of its variation with the soil water content. Remarkable seasonal and monthly variations were observed in soil respiration, soil temperature and soil water content, and the plant biomass as well followed the seasonal trend in variation of the soil respiration. Average soil respiration during measurements period was observed 325.51 mg CO2 m-2 h-1 and the annual soil respiration of the grassland in the years 2015 and 2016 was estimated 592.35 g C m-2 y-1. The study confirmed that soil temperature is the most influential primary factor in controlling soil respiration along with the soil water content and plant biomass. This research indicates that through emissions under the increasing temperature and precipitation, in the changing climate, the sub-tropical grassland could be an additional source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that might spur risk for further warming.

Dhwaj sacred grove: A unique example of cultural beliefs and traditional conservation

Sacred groves are well-protected areas managed by strong spiritual beliefs by the local communities and often represent the relict climax vegetation the region. The present study was conducted in Dhwaj sacred grove from the Central region of Indian Himalayas, releasing its role in biodiversity conservation through traditional and cultural belief systems. Total 81 species belonging to 67 genera and 50 families of plants were identified; in which 40 species were flowering plants, 23 species were lichens, 7 species bryophytes, 12 species were pteridophytes and only one species was gymnosperm. Rhododendron arboreum and Quercus leuchotricophora is the most dominant tree species in the grove showing highest IVI values. Ethnobotanically, 40 species belonging to 38 genera and 27 families are used by the local communities for the treatment of various ailments. But, due to high anthropogenic pressure, this grove facing several threat of degradation, hence special attention is needed towards its conservation and motivation to promote our traditional knowledge.

Estimating soil nutrient index vis-a-vis mango orchard productivity of Lucknow region, Uttar Pradesh, India

Soil nutrient index was developed in mango orchard soils for which a sum of 88 soil samples were recently collected from the root zone depth (0–30 cm) of 22 fixed mango orchards of Lucknow region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Analysis of data indicated orchards had wider contents in nutrients in soil and foliar parts. Developed soil nutrient index concluded that mango orchard soils were categorized as low SOC, N and K, whereas P designated in medium rating. In case of available micronutrients, Zn, Fe and Mn falls under medium rating while Cu in low rating. Productivity analysis showed 4.92 to 8.68 t ha-1 with majority of the orchards had production from 6 to ≤8.0 t ha-1. Such lower productivity is linked to low to medium soil nutrients. The study showed for ensuring better productivity, proper nutrition management systems should be adopted by the growers.

Calvatia craniiformis (Schwein.) Fr. ex De Toni (Brain puffball) - New report from North-East India

The specimen was collected during the rainy season in June, 2018 from Botanical garden Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat. Morphological characters of the specimen were recorded in the field and micromorphological characters were studied in the laboratory under the optical microscope. After a thorough examination of the specimen and its spores and capillitial threads, it is confirmed that the specimen is wild edible puffball named Calvatia craniiformis belongs to family Agaricaceae. It is also ensured after consultation with available literature that Calvatia craniiformis is the first report in North-East India.

Seasonal studies on the carbohydrate content of some marine macroalgae in Gulf of Mannar coastal region, India

Carbohydrates were analysed in 40 species of marine macroalgae belonging to three classes collected at seasonal intervals between April 2018 to March 2019 from the intertidal habitats in Gulf of manner coastal regions.Among the 40 dominant seaweeds 11 species belonged to Chlorophyceae, 13 species to Phaeophyceae and the remaining 16 species to Rhodophyceae. The carbohydrate content of seaweeds varied from 4.50±0.12 to 72.25±3.15 % of DW during the summer season. The percentage of carbohydrate content was maximum in Gracilaria verrucosa (72.25±3.15 % of DW) during the summer season and minimum in Turbinaria ornata (4.50±0.12 DW) during the summer season. The carbohydrate content of seaweeds varied from 5.50±0.17 to 48.38±3.04 % of DW during the pre-monsoon season. The maximum values were observed in Gracilaria corticata var. corticata the minimum content was observed in Padina pavonica. The carbohydrate content of seaweeds varied from 4.83±0.12 to 58.18±4.56 % of DW during the monsoon season. The maximum value was observed in Gracilaria corticata var corticata and the minimum was in Padina pavonica. The carbohydrate content of seaweeds varied from 7.36±0.16 to 67.25±2.41 % of DW during the post-monsoon season. The maximum value was observed in Acanthophora spicifera and the minimum content was observed in Sargassum ilicifolium.