Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Thesis

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • ThesisItemEmbargo
    Evaluation of morpho-physiological and metal accumulation potential of Salix alba L. and Toona ciliata M. Roemer grown on heavy metal contaminated soils
    (Punjab Agricultural University, 2022) Ravneet Kaur; Sharma, Rajni
    The present investigations were carried out to study the effect of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and their combinations (Pb+Cd) on morpho-physiological and metal accumulation potential of Salix alba and Toona ciliata during 2020 and 2021. Heavy metals induce negative effect on morphological and biomass attributes of both species, but Toona showed better survival percentage (>95%) than Salix (<55%) even at higher concentrations of Pb300 and Cd25. The accumulation of proline, total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins along with increased antioxidant enzyme activities are responsible to enhance tolerance in both species. On the basis of phytoremediation efficiency evaluation factors such as bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF), Salix alba can be categorized as excluder plant for Pb and Cd with higher metal accumulation in roots than shoots (BCF>1, TF<1), while Toona ciliata can be categorized as hyperaccumulator with more Pb and Cd accumulation in the shoots than roots (BCF>1 and TF>1). Further, heavy metal translocation and accumulation decreased in combinations as compared to single element application suggesting the antagonistic relationship among both metals. Pb and Cd negatively affect the plant nutrient content either by affecting their translocation or by decreasing nutrient availability in soils. Anatomical studies showed significant alterations in stomatal pore size, stomatal density and trichome density due to heavy metal toxicity in both Salix and Toona. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) results confirmed the Pb and Cd accumulation sites in the leaves and root tissues of plants. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that Pb and Cd accumulation in plants induced changes in carboxy, amino, hydroxyl and phosphate groups that ultimately caused alteration in physiological functioning in plants. Conclusively, both Salix alba and Toona ciliata have potential to be used as remediation species for Pb and Cd contaminated soils.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    EVALUATION OF MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL AND METAL ACCUMULATION POTENTIAL OF Salix alba L. AND Toona ciliata M. Roemer GROWN ON HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATED SOILS
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Ravneet Kaur; Sharma, Rajni
    The present investigations were carried out to study the effect of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and their combinations (Pb+Cd) on morpho-physiological and metal ccumulation potential of Salix alba and Toona ciliata during 2020 and 2021. Heavy metals induce negative effect on morphological and biomass attributes of both species, but Toona showed better survival percentage (>95%) than Salix (1, TF1 and TF>1). Further, heavy metal translocation and accumulation decreased in combinations as compared to single element application suggesting the antagonistic relationship among both metals. Pb and Cd negatively affect the plant nutrient content either by affecting their translocation or by decreasing nutrient availability in soils. Anatomical studies showed significant alterations in stomatal pore size, stomatal density and trichome density due to heavy metal toxicity in both Salix and Toona. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) results confirmed the Pb and Cd accumulation sites in the leaves and root tissues of plants. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that Pb and Cd accumulation in plants induced changes in carboxy, amino, hydroxyl and phosphate groups that ultimately caused alteration in physiological functioning in plants. Conclusively, both Salix alba and Toona ciliata have potential to be used as remediation species for Pb and Cd contaminated soils.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiological and biochemical basis of high temperature stress tolerance and its amelioration in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum)
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Tejinder Preet; Ghai, Navita
    The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the role of plant growth regulators viz. Salicylic acid (SA) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the physiological and biochemical parameters of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Two cultivars of bell pepper viz. hybrid Indra and variety Royal Wonder were selected for the study along with Punjab Sindhuri (hot pepper) used as a tolerant check for heat tolerance. Three concentration of each growth regulator, SA (0.10 mM, 0.20 mM and 0.50 mM) and EBR (0.05 µM, 0.10 µM and 0.20 µM) were applied in the form of foliar spray to both the cultivars at three growth stages, vegetative bud stage (30 DAT), reproductive stage (60 DAT) and post-reproductive stage (90 DAT). All the concentrations of PGRs were effective in imparting thermotolerance in terms of improved growth parameters (plant height, plant spread and leaf area), membrane thermostability, photosynthetic parameters (total chlorophyll content, carotenoid content and hill reaction activity), levels of total soluble sugars, starch, proteins, proline, enhanced antioxidant system (CAT, APX, POX, SOD and GR), fruit parameters (fruit length, fruit width, pericarp thickness and fruit chlorophyll). Application of SA and EBR resulted in reduced lipid peroxidation in leaf tissue and cellulase activity in pedicel of flowers, causing more retention of flowers, increased pollen viability and fruit set percent even at high temperature ultimately resulting in improved yield. Appearance of some new bands during SDS-PAGE of proteins in treated plants pointed towards the foundation of HSPs which helped the plants to survive under stressful conditions. Foliar spray of 0.10 µM EBR in hybrid Indra and 0.20 mM in variety Royal Wonder done at reproductive stage (60 DAT) and vegetative bud stage (30 DAT), respectively, were most effective in ameliorating the effects of high temperature stress.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterization of morpho-physiological and biochemical trait for heat tolerance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss)
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Priya; Sharma, Pushp
    The present investigation “Characterization of morpho-physiological and biochemical trait for heat tolerance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss)” was conducted in timely and late planted set of forty nine advanced breeding genotypes in two rabi seasons (2016-17 and 2017-18) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Dr. JC Bakhshi, Regional Research Station, Abohar which were further evaluated in the temperature gradient tunnels (TGT), Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana with the objective to standardize the screening techniques for heat tolerance based on morpho-physiological, biochemical and yield traits. Experiments were laid in factorial randomized block design. High temperature experienced by late planting led to reduced phenological duration at both locations while genotypes attained late maturity in TGT (13 days). Physiological traits like chlorophyll content, SPAD value, LAI and PAR (%) increased from vegetative to flowering stage followed by decline at siliquing stage whereas chlorophyll and SPAD value increased in TGT at flowering and siliquing stage. Lower CTD, decline in RWC (23.0%), LWR (12.0%) and MS (36.3%) while increase in WSD (16.8%), RSD (15.4%) and MI (18.1%) under delayed sowing. The high demand for utilizing stem reserve but lower accumulation and translocation of photoassimlates led to the imbalance between source to sink translocation in delayed planting however up regulation of antioxidative enzymes and non enzymatic antioxidative biomolecules imparted thermo tolerance. Positive association of seed yield existed at two locations with phenological durations, BY, HTI and HSI. Selection criteria of seed yield reduction (<30%), lower HSI (≤1) and higher HTI (≥1), over the years at two locations rated PCR-3, CSR-158, HLM-4113-2, ELM-38, CSR-1163, JMG-244 and CM-21-16promising. Three genotypes PCR-3, ELM-38, CSR-1163 were identified heat tolerant at two locations and in temperature gradient tunnels.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of Elymus semicostatus germplasm from lahaul valley as potential donor for wheat improvement
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Antul Kumar; Sharma, Rajni
    The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of Elymus semicostatus germplasm from Lahaul valley as potential donor for wheat improvement’’ was carried out to evaluate the in depth botanical characterization, their physiological responses in different water environments and hybridization attempts to mobilize the useful traits into wheat. The plant material was collected from Lahaul valley (Lahaul-Spiti, HP) and its adjoining regions. The field experiments were conducted at the research farm of Wheat section, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The E. semicostatus showed morphological resemblance with three other members of the genus Elymus viz: E. longiaristatus, E. repens and E. dahuricus. Forty distinguishing characters were marked for each species. The E. semicostatus showed morphological adaptation for drought tolerance such as dense pubescence, awn length and colour, leaf waxiness and pigmentation on other plant parts. The germplasm set was narrowed down to 34 accessions on the basis of their intra-specific variation during field evaluation. Selected 34 accessions set was evaluated for drought tolerance traits under field conditions. Vernalization treatment for 4-6 weeks at 4-8˚C and 8hr photoperiod was provided to germinated seedlings in December and January for about 6-7 hours to synchronize flowering with hexaploid wheats. The drought conditions were created by withholding irrigation (rainfed), regular recommended irrigation and restricted irrigation (1-2 times after transplantation). The morpho-physiological traits such as plant height, flowering days, spike length, leaf area, tiller numbers, chlorophyll contents at different stages and relative water content were observed at anthesis. For morpho-physiological parameters, the NBPAU28 showed maximum plant height (133cm), spike length (25.67 cm), tiller number (33.17) and leaf area (30.32cm). The accessions NBPAU7, NBPAU13, NBPAU14 and NBPAU28 were best for plant height, spike length, leaf area, whereas NBPAU1, NBPAU6, NBPAU15 and NBPAU27 performed well under drought conditions. The chlorophyll content was significantly increased during anthesis in all accessions and then declined, but it maintains low chlorophyll content upto harvesting stage. In an attempt to cross the species with hexaploid wheat, embryo rescue was attempted. A total of 991 caryopses were obtained from the crosses of three consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2018. Only 20 hybrid plants could be established on account of the desiccating conditions at PAU, which probably contributed to low survival rate. The surviving hybrid plants never reached booting stage at PAU, Ludhiana. The E. semicostatus can be a potential donor for the drought tolerance traits and more detailed studies on overcoming pre and post fertilization barriers need to be done for introgressing useful traits into wheat cultivars for wheat improvement.
  • ThesisItemRestricted
    Effect of treated liquid and solid municipal waste on physiological and biochemical parameters of fast growing tree species
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Gurwinder Singh; Sharma, Rajni
    The present investigations entitled, “Effect of treated liquid and solid municipal waste on physiological and biochemical parameters of fast growing tree species” was carried out at the Punjab Agricultural University in collaboration with State Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department at Forest Nursery Baddowal, Ludhiana. The research comprised of three experiments, first experiment consisted of four treatments (main plot) i.e. sludges from different treatment plants Bhattian, Balloke and Jamalpur sludge was used to fill the polybags and irrigated with fresh water. Second experiment was on different levels of treated water, i.e. water treated with different technologies STP1 (Sequencing batch reactors technology), STP2 (Up flow anaerobic sludge blanket technology), untreated water and fresh water were taken from one source i.e. Bhattian sewage treatment plant for irrigation. Third experiment was on combined sludge and treated waste water levels, i.e. sludge from Bhattian along with water from same sewage treatment plant. Sub plot included three type of forest tree species i.e. Terminalia arjuna (arjun), Eucalyptus clone 413 (safeda) and Melia composita (dek). The performance of all the three species was recorded in the three experiments along with biochemical parameters and nutrients status of plants and soil. In first experiment, among three species growth parameters, biochemical parameters, soil nutrient and plant nutrients were found to be best in arjun, when grown on the soil mixed with Bhattian sludge followed by Balloke and Jamalpur sludge. The performance of all the species was significantly higher in sludge treatment then control (soil). In second experiment, the water from STP1 level was found to be the best for increasing the biomass and growth of the all three plant species under investigation followed by fresh water, water from STP2 level in the decreasing order. Arjun has shown the high values of the various growth and biochemical parameters along with macro and micro nutrient content, similarly as observed in the first experiment. In third experiment combined enrichment of the nutrients in the soil because of sludge + water levels, which lead to better growth. Whereas, in untreated water the values of nutrients were found to be very high and growth performance was affected. The outcome of the present study is that sludge contains high nutrients should be used to raise the tree species as it has positive impact on morphological, biochemical and nutrient characteristics of the plant. The treated waste water STP1 can be used for irrigating the plant species as it was found to be better than fresh water for growth of plants. Hence, it will help to save the fresh water for irrigating the plantations. It is also concluded that treated waste water for irrigation supplemented with sludge in the soil can go a long way to raise the healthy and better plantations.