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ThesisItem Open Access EFFECTS OF HEN EGG WHITE PROTEINS ON REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RED FLOUR BEETLE (Tribolium castaneum)(PAU Ludhiana, 2010) Geetu Choudhary; R.K. ParshadThe red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae) is a destructive pest of stored grains and it is renowned for adapting to various insecticides. The hen’s egg white proteins possess unique multifunctional properties including antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and anticancer. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the insecticidal potential of hen’s egg white proteins to manage red flour beetle population. Protein samples obtained through salt fractionation (PPT-I and PPT-II) including whole egg white (WEW) were lyophilized. Different concentrations (2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%) of each of the protein samples were tested separately and simultaneously by adding them to wheat flour and milk powder (75:25 w/w). The results indicated that mortality rate of the adult beetles was dependent on the type of treatment, concentration of protein samples and duration of feeding. WEW, PPT-I and PPT-II treatments delayed the emergence of developmental stages, reduced the fecundity rate, egg volume and reproductive effort of the female beetles. In multiple-choice feeding trials, beetles showed repellency towards the food containing PPT-I and PPT-II proteins. Marked abnormalities were observed in appearance and dimensions of the ovarioles and eggs which indicated that the hen’s egg white proteins caused considerable effect on the process of oogenesis. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed changes in the structure of epithelial sheath cells of ovarioles probably caused due to resorption of ova in the beetles fed on PPT-II proteins. Higher resolution of the egg surface showed the presence of wrinkles or shrivelled appearance of the chorionic layer in PPT-I and PPT-II treated eggs and these deep folds and wrinkles were more conspicuous in the beetles fed on PPT-II proteins. PPT-II proteins appeared to be most effective among WEW, PPT-I and PPT-II samples in causing mortality and reduction of fecundity in T.castaneum.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON COMBINED EFFECT OF BROMADIOLONE AND CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3) AGAINST HOUSE RAT, Rattus rattus LINNAEUS(PAU Ludhiana, 2010) Navjot Kaur; Devinder Kaur, KocherCommensal rodents, especially house rat (Rattus rattus Linnaeus) causes extensive losses by feeding and contaminating the food products and also plays a role in spreading several diseases of health importance. House rats were trapped from various commensal situations and were fed for 5 days in no-choice on standard baits of bromadiolone (0.005%) and cholecalciferol (0.075%) and their combinations having different concentrations mixed in WSO-mix bait. Male and female house rats showed 81.30% and 95.80% average acceptability of standard bait of bromadiolone over plain bait respectively. Hundred per cent mortality of male house rats was observed within 3-6 days, while all female rats died on 4th day of feeding of 0.005% bromadiolone. Both the sexes showed a significant increase in blood clotting time (sec) after 48 hours of feeding as compared to that of 0 hour. The acceptability of standard bait of cholecalciferol (0.075%) over plain bait was 40.10% and 35.30% in male and female house rats, respectively and 100% mortality was observed within 4-10 days in male and 7-14 days in female house rats. Feeding of standard bait of cholecalciferol resulted in stop feeding action in the form of significantly less consumption of this bait from 3rd day onward. Serum calcium level (mg/dL) was found to be significantly high in 0.075% cholecalciferol fed male and female rats after 48 hours of its feeding as compared to 0 hour. R. rattus when fed on four formulated baits having different concentrations of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol i.e. combination-I (0.0025% bromadiolone+0.05% cholecalciferol), combination-II (0.001% bromadiolone+0.05% cholecalciferol), combination-III (0.0025% bromadiolone+0.01% cholecalciferol) and combination-IV (0.001% bromadiolone+0.01% cholecalciferol). Out of these four tested formulated baits, combination-IV (having the lowest concentration of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol) showed efficient rodenticidal potential because of synergistic effect of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol in this combination. It was able to produce 100% mortality and showed a significant delay in blood clotting time (sec) and rise in serum calcium level and was cost effective also. R. rattus L trapped from commensal situations of Ludhiana area showed no resistance towards standard bait of bromadiolone (0.005%) as both male and female house rats (n=60) showed 100% mortality.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY (ELISA) FOR DETECTION OF MELOIDOGYNE SPP. (ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE) ANTIGENS(PAU, 2010) Mandeep Kaur; Ghai, Jyotika KapurPlant parasitic nematodes are destructive pests worldwide that cause severe losses in agriculture. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are obligate, sedentary plant endoparasites that are extremely polyphagous in nature with a wide host range. Keeping in view the huge economic losses by this parasite, it is essential to control the disease at an early stage. For any control strategy to be effective, an early and accurate diagnosis is of paramount importance. Immunoassays have the inherent advantages of sensitivity and specificity; have the potential to identify and quantify these plant-parasitic nematodes. Hence, in the present studies, ELISA has been developed for the detection of Meloidogyne spp. antigens. This is based on detection of egg antigens, for which anti-Meloidogyne antibodies were produced by immunization of rabbits with soluble proteins of the eggs. The production of antibodies was confirmed by the appearance of precipitin lines in double immunodiffusion method. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detection and titration of these antibodies. Results indicated as high as 320 K titre of the antisera. Finally competitive inhibition ELISA was developed employing these anti-Meloidogyne antibodies for detection of Meloidogyne antigens. This is based on competition between solid phase bound antigens and free antigens for limited antibodies. Sensitivity of ELISA was 10 femtograms. This sensitivity was further enhanced to 1 femtogram with an additional step of pre-incubation, in which antibodies and free antigens are allowed to react before the competition. Competitive inhibition ELISA developed in the present studies has the potential of being used as an easy, rapid, specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of Meloidogyne infection.ThesisItem Restricted STUDIES ON THE AVIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND FORAGING ECOLOGY IN RELATION TO PHENOLOGICAL CHANGES IN IMPORTANT RABI AND KHARIF CROPS OF PUNJAB(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2010) Kler, Tejdeep KaurChanging agricultural practices accompanied by deforestation and pressure of human population appears to have altered/influenced the avian fauna-farmland interactions/interrelationships and composition of bird populations. There is a dire need to understand and explore the farmland bird communities, their abundance and foraging ecology in relation to phenological stages of important Rabi crops (wheat, mustard, winter maize, sunflower and barley) and Kharif crops (rice, maize, pearl millet, cotton and groundnut). During the present study, field observations were recorded by line transect method in selected villages on birds frequenting different crop stages. The bird community was observed to comprise of 19, 22, 25 and 32 bird species in wheat crop at preparatory tillage, sowing, seedling and ripening stages respectively; in mustard crop of 15, 19, 23 and 32 bird species, in sunflower crop of 7, 7, 23 and 21 bird species at sowing, seedling, vegetative and ripening stages respectively. Bird fauna in winter maize and barley crop was represented by 12, 11 and 18 bird species and 7, 9 and 13 bird species at sowing, seeding and ripening stages respectively. Bird community characteristics in Kharif crops had revealed that the species richness in rice as 13, 16 and 29 at transplantation, vegetative and ripening stages; in maize as 17, 18 and 31, in pearl millet as 20, 25 and 30, in cotton as 11, 13 and 23, in groundnut as 7, 11 and 20 at sowing, seedling and ripening/maturing stages respectively. An increase in species diversity (H') was observed during successive phenological stages in mustard, sunflower, barley, rice, pearl millet and groundnut crops. Bird species similarity coefficient had showed highly similar bird fauna between preparatory tillage and sowing stage in wheat, between transplantation and vegetative stage of rice, between vegetative and ripening stages in sunflower, between sowing and seedling stages of winter maize, barley, maize, pearl millet, cotton and groundnut crops. The results had indicated diversity in bird community and complexity in food and foraging guilds with the successive phenological stages of studied crops. Passeriformes were noticed to increase in per cent abundance from sowing to seedling stage and then showed decreasing trend at vegetative and ripening stages in sunflower, mustard, rice, maize and pearl millet crops. Psittaciformes formed the second most abundant bird group at ripening stage of mustard, winter maize, sunflower and pearl millet crops. A total of 70 bird species were recorded at different phenological stages of the studied crops. Majority of them have beneficial role in relation to the studied agricultural crops. The information generated by the present study would help in the formulation of future perspective of agricultural ornithology in the Punjab state.ThesisItem Open Access GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF AN EPIGEIC EARTHWORM, Eisenia fetida, IN AGRICULTURAL WASTES(2010) Geeta JassalThe research problem entitled “GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF AN EPIGEIC EARTHWORM, Eisenia fetida, IN AGRICULTURAL WASTES” was carried out in the Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the period September 2008- September 2009. Growth and reproduction of E.fetida in deactivated pig slurry and corn cob along with Farmyard manure (FYM) in three ratios 1:1, 1:1/2 and 1:1/4 in three seasons were studied. Data was analysed by CRD i.e. ANOVA- I way and shortest life cycle of 50 days was observed in FYM and 41 days was observed in Pig manure in rainy seasons in all the three substrates in ratio 1:1 followed by summer and winter. Further analysis revealed that life cycle duration of E. fetida was shortest of 46 days in rainy season during substrate and seasons interactions in PM: FYM (CD at 5%= 2.49) was significant while life cycle was shortest in PM: FYM in ratio 1:1/2 during substrate and treatment interaction (CD at 5%= 2.20) was significant. Mean cocoon production (worm-1day-1) ranged from 0.45 to 0.86 in all the substrates. Adoption of vermiculture as a segment of organic farming was assessed through a questionnaire based survey in District Hoshiarpur and 73.3% of the farmers indicated that vermiculture was a labourious process. Reasons for opting for vermiculture were environmentalundertaking concerns, to save soil health, to enhance income, upliftment of the social status and health consciousness. Farmers gathered knowledge of vermin-technology through Progressive farmers, KVK’s of District Hoshiarpur, Directorate of Extension Education and Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI) PAU, Ludhiana. Results indicated that E. fetida has a higher rate of reproduction in PM: FYM in ratio 1: 1/2 and PM is a favoured substrate for growth and reproduction of E.fetida and there is a need to organize farmers into organic farming association which can initiate and work to train the farmers for its complete adoption of this segment towards attaining sustainable development.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON COMBINED EFFECT OF BROMADIOLONE AND CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3) AGAINST HOUSE RAT, Rattus rattus LINNAEUS(2010)Commensal rodents, especially house rat (Rattus rattus Linnaeus) causes extensive losses by feeding and contaminating the food products and also plays a role in spreading several diseases of health importance. House rats were trapped from various commensal situations and were fed for 5 days in no-choice on standard baits of bromadiolone (0.005%) and cholecalciferol (0.075%) and their combinations having different concentrations mixed in WSO-mix bait. Male and female house rats showed 81.30% and 95.80% average acceptability of standard bait of bromadiolone over plain bait respectively. Hundred per cent mortality of male house rats was observed within 3-6 days, while all female rats died on 4th day of feeding of 0.005% bromadiolone. Both the sexes showed a significant increase in blood clotting time (sec) after 48 hours of feeding as compared to that of 0 hour. The acceptability of standard bait of cholecalciferol (0.075%) over plain bait was 40.10% and 35.30% in male and female house rats, respectively and 100% mortality was observed within 4-10 days in male and 7-14 days in female house rats. Feeding of standard bait of cholecalciferol resulted in stop feeding action in the form of significantly less consumption of this bait from 3rd day onward. Serum calcium level (mg/dL) was found to be significantly high in 0.075% cholecalciferol fed male and female rats after 48 hours of its feeding as compared to 0 hour. R. rattus when fed on four formulated baits having different concentrations of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol i.e. combination-I (0.0025% bromadiolone+0.05% cholecalciferol), combination-II (0.001% bromadiolone+0.05% cholecalciferol), combination-III (0.0025% bromadiolone+0.01% cholecalciferol) and combination-IV (0.001% bromadiolone+0.01% cholecalciferol). Out of these four tested formulated baits, combination-IV (having the lowest concentration of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol) showed efficient rodenticidal potential because of synergistic effect of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol in this combination. It was able to produce 100% mortality and showed a significant delay in blood clotting time (sec) and rise in serum calcium level and was cost effective also. R. rattus L trapped from commensal situations of Ludhiana area showed no resistance towards standard bait of bromadiolone (0.005%) as both male and female house rats (n=60) showed 100% mortality. Keywords: Bromadiolone, cholecalciferol, resistThesisItem Restricted STUDY ON COMBINED EFFECT OF BROMADIOLONE AND CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3) AGAINST HOUSE RAT, Rattus rattus LINNAEUS(2010) Navjot Kaur; Kocher, Devinder Kaurby feeding and contaminating the food products and also plays a role in spreading several diseases of health importance. House rats were trapped from various commensal situations and were fed for 5 days in no-choice on standard baits of bromadiolone (0.005%) and cholecalciferol (0.075%) and their combinations having different concentrations mixed in WSO-mix bait. Male and female house rats showed 81.30% and 95.80% average acceptability of standard bait of bromadiolone over plain bait respectively. Hundred per cent mortality of male house rats was observed within 3-6 days, while all female rats died on 4th day of feeding of 0.005% bromadiolone. Both the sexes showed a significant increase in blood clotting time (sec) after 48 hours of feeding as compared to that of 0 hour. The acceptability of standard bait of cholecalciferol (0.075%) over plain bait was 40.10% and 35.30% in male and female house rats, respectively and 100% mortality was observed within 4-10 days in male and 7-14 days in female house rats. Feeding of standard bait of cholecalciferol resulted in stop feeding action in the form of significantly less consumption of this bait from 3rd day onward. Serum calcium level (mg/dL) was found to be significantly high in 0.075% cholecalciferol fed male and female rats after 48 hours of its feeding as compared to 0 hour. R. rattus when fed on four formulated baits having different concentrations of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol i.e. combination-I (0.0025% bromadiolone+0.05% cholecalciferol), combination-II (0.001% bromadiolone+0.05% cholecalciferol), combination-III (0.0025% bromadiolone+0.01% cholecalciferol) and combination-IV (0.001% bromadiolone+0.01% cholecalciferol). Out of these four tested formulated baits, combination-IV (having the lowest concentration of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol) showed efficient rodenticidal potential because of synergistic effect of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol in this combination. It was able to produce 100% mortality and showed a significant delay in blood clotting time (sec) and rise in serum calcium level and was cost effective also. R. rattus L trapped from commensal situations of Ludhiana area showed no resistance towards standard bait of bromadiolone (0.005%) as both male and female house rats (n=60) showed 100% mortality. Keywords: Bromadiolone, cholecalciferol, resistance, synergistic effect, R. rattus ___________________________ThesisItem Restricted STUDIES ON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL PROVISIONS ON BREEDING BIOLOGY Of BIRDS IN AGROECOSYSTEM SURROUNDED BY RESIDENTIAL AREAS(2010) Islash, Shruti; Dhanju, C. K.To understand the impact of tremendous changes in agroecosystem of Punjab on many bird species, community structure and breeding biology of birds in natural nests and in artificial provisions installed in agrifields surrounded by residential areas was studied. Studies were carried out in plant nursery and agrifield near residences of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana from June 2009 - May 2010. A total of 2897 birds including 21 different species were recorded. Common Myna was found to be the dominant bird species. The number of birds was more in the evening than in the morning. Species richness was highest (15 - 19) in May - June and lowest (4 - 11) in November - December. Species diversity as well as evenness also varied throughout the year. Total twelve natural nests, one each of Spotted Owlet, Common Babbler, Blue Rock Pigeon, Common Myna, 3 of Eurasian Collared Dove and 5 cavities by Rose Ringed Parakeet were recorded on different trees at heights of 6 - 29 ft during January - April in two areas. Nesting materials included twigs, feathers, roots, grasses, leaves etc. Clutch size, incubation and raising period of young ones were normal and breeding success was 100% in all bird species. Out of three provisions, artificial boxes installed on different trees at a height of 10 - 18 ft in these areas were occupied mainly by Common Myna (85%) with a high breeding success of 89.6% which reveals that provision of artificial nest boxes enhances the breeding of Common Myna, the dominant species of agroecosystems near residential areas.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECTS OF METAL CONTAMINATED SOILS ON THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF THE EARTHWORM Eisenia fetida (Savigny) Thesis(Punjab Agricultural University, 2010) Kulwinder Kaur; Sangha, G.K.To study the effects of heavy metals on the growth and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny), four different metal contaminated soil sites (viz. Chand Cinema, Sunder Nagar, Tajpur Road and Shivpuri) were selected to collect the soil samples and one uncontaminated sample of soil was collected from PAU campus. Heavy metals i.e. lead, cadmium and nickel were present in high concentrations in all the contaminated soil samples as compared to control uncontaminated sample of soil. Juvenile and adult earthworms were exposed for 11 weeks to uncontaminated and metal contaminated soil samples. In juvenile earthworms, high mortality was observed in contaminated soil sample of Tajpur Road and reduced growth was observed in contaminated soil sample of Chand Cinema. Moreover in juveniles longer duration to reach maturity was also recorded in soil sample of Sunder Nagar, in which lead and nickel were present in high concentrations. The effects of metal contaminated soils could be attributed both to the direct toxicity of the metals and to changes in the “scope for growth” of the exposed worms. In adult earthworms, survival was reduced in soil sample of Tajpur Road and weight was reduced in soil sample of Sunder Nagar. Low cocoon production and hatchling emergence was also observed for earthworms exposed to soil sample of Tajpur road as compared to control soil. Results of the study indicated that reproduction of E. fetida was more sensitive to metal exposure.