Browsing by Author "Pawandeep Kaur"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
ThesisItem Open Access Characterization and testing of metakaolin based geopolymer mortar containing corn cob ash along with carbon nano tubes(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Pawandeep Kaur; Jaspal SinghGeopolymer is a new concept in the construction technology which is synthesized by mixing the alumino-silicate sources with alkaline activating solution. It is an eco-friendly technique which utilized various materials as an alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement. Metakaolin (an alumino- silicate material) used as a source material, as it is suitable for geopolymerization. In this study, effect of corn cob ash and multi walled carbon nano tubes on metakaolin based geopolymer has been investigated. Seventy five mixes of geopolymer mortar were prepared with three different molar concentrations of alkaline activator (8M, 10M and 12M) and different proportions of corn cob ash (0% to10% @2.5% increment) as well as with the addition of multi walled carbon nano tubes at proportions of 0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1%. The compressive strength of geopolymer mortar was tested after 3, 7and 28 days of curing. Scanning electron microscope test was performed on powdered sample of mixes M1, M13 & M23. The powdered samples were collected from remnants of geopolymer after 28 days of compressive strength testing. Test results depicts that the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar increases at all ages of curing when the molar concentration of alkaline activator is enhanced from 8M to 12M but the proportion of corn cob ash and multi walled carbon nano tubes increases the strength up to a certain limit. Beyond that, there was reduction in the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar. The geopolymer mortar prepared using 12M concentration of alkaline activator and 5% proportion of corn cob ash including 0.50% of multi walled carbon nano tubes is recommended for the maximum compressive strength.ThesisItem Restricted Decolorization of synthetic dyes using Pleurotus spp.spent mushroom substrate(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Pawandeep Kaur; Kapoor, ShammiFive Pleurotus spp. (P. florida, P. sajor-caju, P. ostreatus, P. sapidus and P. eryngii) were evaluated for dye decolorization potential using the lignolytic enzymes from spent mushroom substrate (SMS). All the five species showed potential to decolorize three synthetic dyes viz. Amido Black, Congo Red and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) when supplemented in solid and liquid medium. The mean decolorization of all the three dyes (@25-200 ppm) in agar medium was maximal for P.sajor-cajuand least for P. sapidusafter 10th day. In liquid culture, dye decolorization potential of Pleurotusspecies ranged from 67-78% for Amido Black, 8395% for RBBR and 67-77% for Congo Red by 8th day.Cultivation of all the Pleurotus species was carried out on wheat straw substratein polybags for the generation of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and lignin modifying enzyme production potential in SMS were tested at different growth stages i.e. 10 days interval from the day of opening of bags.Among the lignin modifying enzymes, maximum activity was obtained for laccase enzyme followed by manganese peroxidase and Lignin peroxidase.The crude enzyme extracts from SMS of three Pleurotus species (P.eryngii, P.ostreatus and P.sajor-caju) were tested for their dye decolorization potential at five different growth stages of the crop. For Amido black, maximum decolorization(94%) was observed with crude enzyme extracts of P.ostreatus (94%), and for RBBR (82%)and Congo red (88%) with P.sajor-caju. Optimization studies showed that LME medium supplemented with sucrose as C-source, ammonium oxalate as Nsource with a pH of 6.5 and incubated at 25°C resulted in maximum decolorization of 50 ppm of Amido Black dye using P. sajor-caju SMS.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of different osmo-protectants against water stress in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Pawandeep Kaur; Brar, Harjeet SinghThe investigation entitled “Evaluation of different osmo-protectants against water stress in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)” has been carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda and Dr. J.C. Bakhshi Regional Research Station, Abohar during kharif 2018. The experiment has been laid out in split plot design with three replications. Main plots consisted of three levels of irrigation i.e. control (irrigation as per recommendation), one irrigation at 5 weeks after sowing (WAS) and no irrigation. Sub plots consisted of eight osmoprotectants (application started from 70-80 days after sowing) i.e. control (water spray), 2 % urea (4 sprays at 7 days interval), 2% KNO3 (4 sprays at 7 days interval), 1% thiourea (single spray), salicylic acid @ 50 ppm (SA50) single spray, salicylic acid @ 100 ppm (SA100) single spray, glycine betaine @ 100 ppm (GB100) single spray, pink pigmented facultative methylotrops (PPFM) @ 1% three sprays at 10 days interval. Experiment results revealed that crop with recommended irrigation attained the maximum plant height and higher dry matter than irrigation at 5 WAS and no irrigation. CGR, RGR and NAR were significantly affected by irrigation treatments. Higher number of monopods, sympods and main stem internodes were obtained with control among the irrigation treatments. Phenological stages were also longer under recommended irrigation. Total bolls plant-1, opened bolls plant-1 and boll weight were significantly higher under recommended irrigation at both the locations. All these resulted in significantly higher seed cotton yield by margin of 26.0 and 24.6% under recommended irrigation as compared to no irrigation at Bathinda and Abohar, respectively. Quality parameters like ginning outturn (GOT), lint index, 2.5% fibre span length and fibre strength were deteriorated significantly under no irrigation as compared to recommended irrigation. Higher nutrient content of stover, seed and lint was attained by control. Among the osmoprotectants, application of 2% KNO3 resulted in maximum plant height, dry matter accumulation, sympods and main stem internodes plant-1 and also enhanced the yield attributes as indicated by significantly increased seed cotton yield (i.e. 3436 and 3286 kg ha-1 at Bathinda and Abohar, respectively) over control (i.e. 2591 and 2351 kg ha-1 at Bathinda and Abohar, respectively) followed by GB100, SA100 and SA50 as compared to water spray (control). While, 1% thiourea produced the lowest seed cotton yield at both the locations. Quality parameters like GOT, lint index, 2.5% fibre span length and fibre strength, nutrient content of stover, seed and lint and irrigation water use efficiency were increased with application of 2% KNO3, salicylic acid and glycine betaine.ThesisItem Open Access Shelf life enhancement of kinnow through active packaging(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Pawandeep Kaur; Kanojia, VarshaKinnow comes in “Mandarin” group of citrus fruits, which produced prominently in India and Pakistan and being perishable in nature. It has the shortest shelf life among all other citrus fruits. The present study was carried out to enhance the shelf life of kinnow by active packaging. RSM with BBD for 3 independent variables at 3 levels viz. dose of scavenger (35grams), fungicide concentration (3-7%) and polythene thickness (100-200guage) was used to optimize the process parameters to maintain the quality of fruit with respect to selected responses i.e., gas composition, physiological loss in weight, firmness, total soluble solids, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, color difference, microbial load and shelf life. The samples treated with fungicide was packed in LDPE wrapped carton box with O2, CO2 and C2H4 scavenger and stored in cold chamber (5-7°C and 90-95% RH) and were monitored at regular intervals. It was observed that physiochemical properties of kinnow fruit were significantly affected by active packaging (p< 0.05). Optimization was done aiming at minimize O2, CO2, physiological loss in weight, total soluble solids, color difference, microbial load and maximize firmness, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, shelf life while the process parameters should be within range. The optimized conditions for active packaging of kinnow fruit was 5 grams dose of scavenger, 6.83% fungicide concentration and 192.12 guage of polythene thickness. Corresponding to these variables, the values of O2, CO2, physiological loss in weight, firmness, total soluble solids, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, color difference, microbial load and shelf life were 12.84%, 3.75%, 7.34%, 4.44 kgf, 9.2°Brix, 1.72%, 35.28 mg/100ml, 0.55, 4.87x103 cfu/ml and 69 days respectively. The overall desirability was 0.812. Value of percentage deviation for validation was less than 5% for all the responses which indicating the precision and reliability of the study.