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20204
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Subject: Zoology × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2020 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of heavy metals toxicity on mortality, bio-molecules and antioxidative enzymes of Eudrilus eugeniae
    (CCSHAU,HiSAR, 2020) Mahima; Gupta, R.K.
    Earthworms are potentially the most important constituents of the soil biota in respect of soil formation and maintenance of structure and fertility of soil. Recent years have witnessed the contamination of soil ecosystem by heavy metals, which are considered to be one of the major environmental issues. Earthworms are terribly affected by soil pollution because of their strong interaction with soil. Heavy metals in increased concentrations have a variety of harmful effects on the viability, density, cocoon production, sexual development and growth of worms. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of heavy metals on mortality, bio-molecules and antioxidative enzymes of E. eugeniae. The results showed the acute toxicity of two heavy metals individually as well as in combination of different concentrations on earthworms in a dose dependent manner which was evaluated in terms of mortality, growth (length and weight), cocoon production, bio-molecules and antioxidative enzymes. Maximum reduction in length (4.30 cm) and weight (0.42 g) of earthworm was seen in case of soil treated with Zn-0.1 ppm as compared to control. Maximum mortality of earthworms was 30% and number of cocoons reduced upto 29.67 in case of Zn-0.1 ppm contaminated soil. The maximum reduction in bio-molecules i.e. 19.63% in crude protein 28.57% in carbohydrate and 42.41% in crude lipid concentration was seen in earthworms treated with Zn-0.1 ppm. In case of antioxidative enzymes, there was an increase in the activities of antixidative enzymes due to oxidative stress induced by heavy metals. SOD (Superoxide dismutase) and POD (peroxidise) showed a maximum increase in activity at highest concentration of Zn (0.1 ppm) which was 10.26 U/mg protein and 0.77 U/mg protein respectively. Thus the study proves that zinc is more toxic and detrimental to earthworms as compared to cobalt.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of losses due to Suidasia nesbitti (Acari: Acaridae) in pearl millet and its management
    (CCSHAU,HiSAR, 2020-06) Seema; Gulati, Rachna
    The average population of S. nesbitti increased significantly at each observation period. Pearl millet flour was found significantly better as more number of mites (364.14 mites/ 5g flour) were recorded than on pearl millet grains (277.28 mites/ 5g grain). The weight was 5.000 g at 0 day which decreased significantly to 4.875, 4.710 g in grain and flour at 180 days of infestation. Biochemical estimation of infested grains and flour revealed decrease in total soluble sugars (22.100, 21.067 mg/ g), non-reducing sugar (13.000, 12.36 mg/ g), starch (545.100, 468.100mg/g) and protein (106.133, 87.733mg/g) after 180 days of infestation, respectively as compared to 23.100, 14.440, 597 and 113.250 at 0 days. A significant negative correlation of S. nesbitti population with weight loss, total soluble sugar content, non-reducing sugars, starch, protein in grain (r= - 0.993, - 0.971, -0.991, - 0.790, -0.966) and flour (r= - 0.983, -0.999, -0.983, -0.991, -0.964) was obtained. Reducing sugars showed a significant increase from 8.660 to 9.100 mg/ g in pearl millet grains. Germination in grains decreased from 90 to 7.14 per cent after 120 days of infestation. In the last two durations (150 and 180 days), no seed was germinated in seeds having 518.66 and 662 mite population. Aqueous extracts of Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) fruits, lemon (Citrus sinensis) and orange (Citrus limon) peels were evaluated under in vitro conditions against S. nesbitti. With higher concentrations of 4 and 8 per cent of both the botanicals, Aonla fruit and lemon peel provided 100 per cent protection against S. nesbitti except lemon peel at 4 per cent (81.65% protection). Aqueous extract of orange peel provided 100 per cent protection against S. nesbitti at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 per cent concentration at 1day after treatment. Among the botanicals, orange peel extract is more toxic to S. nesbitti than the Aonla fruit and lemon peel extract.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of herbicides, organic wastes and seasonal variations on growth parameters and fecundity of E.fetida
    (CCSHAU,HiSAR, 2020-06) Anshu; Dharambir Singh
    Earthworms are major contributors to soil biodiversity; they are basic driver of abiotic and biotic soil properties,therefore also known as major ecosystem engineers in terrestrial soils due to their contribution in pedogenesis. E. fetida minimizes the pollution danger caused by organic wastes degradation and internationally used as reference animal for toxicity tests. Environmental variations in temperature and organic waste affect the respiration, metabolism, growth parameters and reproductive potential of earthworms. Use of agrochemicals like pesticides, herbicides and inorganic fertilizers on large scale to enhance agriculture production have negative effects on earthworms and they are killed as non targeted organisms. Non judicious use of agrochemicals could induce the damage at genetic level, disruption in enzyme activities, reduction in survival, reproduction and growth rate and ultimately decrease in the total earthworm biomass. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of herbicides, organic wastes and seasonal variations on survival, growth parameters, fecundity and immune system of E. fetida. Different doses of herbicides viz. Pendimethalin and Glyphosate were used individually and in combinations. Survival and fecundity were affected and minimum number of survived adult earthworm and cocoon collected were 17.6±0.33 and 19.6±0.66, respectively in worms treated with Pendimethalin+Glyphosate @1.50+2.50 μl/kg after 90th day of experiment. Similarly, minimum body weight (0.40±0.06 gram) and length gain (6.56±0.34 cm) were observed in the same treatment. Immune system was also affected and significant reduction in the total number and types of coelomocytes (65.6%), eleocytes, amoebocytes-I, amoebocytes-II, granulocytes-I and granulocytes- II was recorded in worms exposed to Pendimethalin+ Glyphosate @1.50+2.50μl/kg. Different season and substrates significantly affected the growth and survival of earthworms. Mixed substrate (Cow+ Buffalo dung) among the three was found most appropriate for rearing earthworms and maximum survived adult worms, cocoons count, length and body weight was 48, 69.6, 79 cm and 0.82gms, respectively during summer season. Buffalo dung was more suitable in summer season whereas, cow dung in winter.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of heavy metaltoxicity on biomolecules and antioxidative enzymes in earthworm, Eisenia fetida
    (CCSHAU, Hisar, 2020-06) Shweta; Gupta, R.K.
    Earthworms are most easily obtained and one of the largest component of the soil biota and these organisms are very suitable for estimating disturbance to soil ecosystems. The worms have the ability to increase the availability of nutrients to plants due to the presence and activity of micro flora in their gut. Many activities of human beings such as waste disposal and land treatment etc. have led to increase in amount of metals in soil ecosystems. These metals not only kill target species, but prove harmful to non-target organisms like earthworms and due to this reason; the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of heavy metals on biomolecules and antioxidative enzymes of earthwormE. fetida. The maximum reduction in biomolecules i.e. 17.80% in crude protein, 33.37% in total tissue carbohydrate and 37.59% in crude lipid was seen in earthworms treated with Cu + Sn (0.05 +0.05 ppm). There was a significant increase in the activity of antioxidative enzymes i.e. SOD, 23.65% and 31.77% and POD 44.44% and 28.57% in worms exposed to Cu (1.00 ppm) and Cu+Sn (0.05+0.05 ppm), respectively. Thus the study proves that copper is toxic to earthworms as compared to tin.The maximum ethanol production i.e. 5.30% was observed with 0.50% earthworm cast as compare to control in which no cast was used and ethanol production was found to be 0.83%. After the observation it can be concluded that earthworm cast, is also a rich source of nitrogen and phosphorous, may be considered as alternative of chemical fertilizers like urea and disodium hydrogen phosphate, required for the growth of yeast during fermentation.