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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 MUSCLE FATTY ACID PROFILES OF SOME WILD FISH SPECIES AND ENHANCEMENT OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS THROUGH DIETARY MANIPULATION IN Cyprinus carpio (Linn.)(PAU Ludhiana, 2012) Jyotika; H.S., SehgalThe study has been conducted on i) seasonal variations in muscle total lipid content (MTLC), fatty acid profiles and proximate composition of two wild fish species, Puntius conchonius (Hamilton-Buchanan) and P. sarana (Hamilton-Buchanan), to determine their nutritional status and ii) enhancement of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), considered vital for human health, through dietary manipulation in a cultured carp species, Cyprinus carpio (Linn.). Both the wild species were found to be rich in crude protein, which varied between 15.74% to 18.18% in P. conchonius and 15.15% to 18.04% in P. sarana during different seasons. Based on their MTLC (2.36% to 4.89%), both the species could be categorized as lean or low-fat fishes. However, the MTLC was higher and the moisture, ash and carbohydrate contents of the fishes were comparable with many other freshwater fish species. The fishes had good PUFA content. Omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs were 2.78% in P. sarana and 2.21% in P. conchonius. Total n-6 PUFAs were 4.56% in P. sarana and 4.20% in P .conchonius, and the values of n-3/n-6 ratio were 0.73 and 0.60 in P. sarana and P. conchonius, respectively. Linolenic acid formed 1.64% of the total n-3 PUFAs in P. sarana and 1.02% in P. conchonius. EPA constituted 0.31% in P. conchonius and 0.24% in P. sarana and DHA 0.75% in P. sarana and 0.69% in P.conchonius. Stearic acid was the dominant saturated fatty acid (SFA) forming 28.75% of the total SFAs in P. sarana and 28.10% in P. conchonius. The MTLC and n-3 PUFAs of C. carpio (Linn.), a cultured carp species could be enhanced through dietary manipulation. The MTLC could be increased from 1.44% in fish fed traditional diet with no flaxseed oil to 2.83% in fish fed 30% flaxseed oil diet. Similarly, the total n-3 PUFAs could be enhanced from 10.38% in fishes fed 0% flaxseed oil diet for 90 days to 18.67% in fishes fed 30% flaxseed oil diet for 60 days and 30% fish oil diet for 30 days.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF EUCALYPTUS AND CITRONELLA OILS AS REPELLENTS AGAINST HOUSE RAT, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus)(PAU Ludhiana, 2012) Ramandeep Kaur; Neena, SinglaExperiments were conducted in laboratory pens, maze and store houses using two essential oils namely eucalyptus and citronella oils to study their repellency against house rat, Rattus rattus. In laboratory pens, both oils were applied as paint, as encapsulated wax blocks and as spray each further with three modes of application i.e. daily, once a week, and alternatively in a week at three concentrations 5, 10 and 20%. Repellent effect of the two oils was observed at all the concentrations tested but significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher effect of eucalyptus oil was in female rats at 20% concentration and of citronella oil in male rats at 10% concentration when applied as spray alternatively. Multichoice experiment conducted in T-maze using 5% eucalyptus and citronella oils as encapsulated wax blocks in choice with no treatment revealed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher repellent effect of eucalyptus oil compared to citronella oil in female rats. Bichoice experiment conducted in I-maze using 5% eucalyptus oil as encapsulated wax blocks in choice with no treatment showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced movements and activities of both male and female rats in treated zone compared to untreated zone. In store house experiments conducted using 5% eucalyptus and citronella oils as encapsulated wax blocks and as spray revealed more percent repellency and control success with eucalyptus oil as encapsulated wax blocks. Present studies thus reveal the efficacy of 5% eucalyptus oil encapsulated in wax blocks as repellent against R. rattus of both sexes.ThesisItem Restricted Diversity of earthworms in sugarcane and wheat crop fields and vermicomposting of crop waste(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Panjgotra, Shilpa; Sangha, Gurinder KaurSugarcane and wheat crop fields were selected from Amritsar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Moga to explore the diversity of earthworms. At all the study sites, population density of earthworms showed their maximum number in the month of July, August in sugarcane fields and in the month of March in wheat crop fields. Seasonal density showed maximum abundance in rainy season> summer season> winter season. Earthworm count per m2 was more in sugarcane fields as compared to wheat fields and among different districts abundance was maximum in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar followed by Amritsar and Moga. Overall five species of earthworms belonging to family Megascolecidae were found and these were Metaphire posthuma, Lampito mauritii, Amynthas morrisi, Amynthas corticis and Metaphire houlleti in sugarcane and wheat fields. Metaphire posthuma and Lampito mauritii were found to be dominating species of Punjab and tested for genetic variability among isolates collected from different locations. Genetic variability was detected among isolates of Metaphire posthuma, whereas variability does not exist among isolates of Lampito mauritii. Out of the tested physico-chemical parameters, soil temperature and moisture were found to be significantly positively correlated with the earthworm population. Nutrient content like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon in earthworm casts were significantly more as compared to surrounding soil. Vermicomposting of Sugarcane trash and wheat straw agro-waste was done by using Eisenia fetida. Maximum significant results were obtained in 1:1 ratio of agrowaste:FYM (Farm Yard Manure) (sugarcane trash:FYM, wheat straw:FYM) as compared to 1:1/2 and control (Only FYM). The nutrient analysis of the vermicomposts showed a general trend of increase in the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and decrease in the levels of pH, EC, organic carbon (%). It was inferred that among the two substrates studied, vermicompost from wheat straw in 1:1 was best for its nutrient value and showed better growth and reproduction, thereby concluding that, Eisenia fetida exhibited a better efficacy in wheat straw substrate (1:1 ratio) as compared to sugarcane trash.ThesisItem Open Access Bird composition in relation to management practices of orchards in Ludhiana district(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Sukhpreet Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep KaurThe present study was carried out to observe bird composition in relation to management practices of orchards in Fruit Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University campus, village Birmi and village Baranhara in Ludhiana District from March 2015 to February 2016. A total of 52, 44, 38, 49, 31and 30 bird species had been noted in the transects I, II, III and IV of Fruit Research Farm, PAU, transect V of orchard at village Birmi and transect VI of orchard at village Baranhara respectively. Order wise Passeriformes and feeding habits wise omnivorous were most dominant in all the said transects throughout the study period. In transect IV management practices (bird manual scaring) were performed and guava crop fruit damage was found to be estimated 5.5%. Data was taken on ber trees protected with manual scaring and netting. Bird damage was 11.08% in manual scaring area and nil on the netted trees. Guava fruit damage was estimated 42.50% and 23.50% at fruit ripening stage (without management practices) in transect V of village Birmi and transect VI of village Baranhara respectively. In the comparison of guava crop at different developmental stages, 22 species were in transect IV, 19 species in transect V and 25 bird species in transect VI were recorded. The implementation of management practices (netting, manual scaring) helped in reducing the bird damage in guava and ber crop. The present study suggested that mixed fruit orchard seemed to provide food to bird species of different tropic levels from frugivores to carnivores.ThesisItem Restricted Glyphosate induced alterations in Cyprinus carpio (Linn.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Bawa, Veenu; Hundal, S.S.The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of glyphosate (herbicide) to a commercially important fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linn.).Glyphosate is formulated as N- phosphonyl glycine in Roundup® which is a broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide used for inhibition of unwanted weeds and grasses in agricultural, industrial, urban, forestry and aquatic landscapes. The 96 hour median lethal concentration (LC50) and effective concentration (EC50) values of glyphosate (Roundup® 41% SL) for fish fingerlings (mean wt. 3g ±0.5 and mean length 5.5cm ±0.35) were calculated. The fingerlings were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of glyphosate i.e. 25% of LC50 (T1) and 50% of LC50 (T2) for a period of 28 days. Biochemical parameters like proteins, lipids, AST (aspartate amino transferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) in liver while proteins and lipids in muscle were estimated at weekly intervals. Histopathology of liver was also studied. The 96 hour LC50 and EC50 values were found to be 3.260 ppm and 0.509 ppm, respectively. The fish showed abnormal behaviour viz. air gulping, erratic swimming, rolling movement, restlessness, lack of balance and sudden fast movement. Proteins and lipids showed a significant (p>0.05) decline in both liver and muscle with increasing concentration and duration of exposure. However, the enzymatic activities of hepatic AST and ALT revealed a significant (p>0.05) increase with increasing concentration and period of exposure. Vacuolation of hepatocytes, fatty degeneration, pyknotic nuclei, degeneration of cytoplasm, infiltration of leukocytes, necrosis and severe vasodilation was noticed in the liver of exposed fish as compared to the control.ThesisItem Restricted Evaluation of profenofos induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in female albino rat(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Sukhmanpreet Kaur; Khera, K.S.The present study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of profenofos on female albino rats at two subchronic doses of 1/10th and 1/50th of LD50 (430.89 mg/kg b.w.) for six weeks. Commercial formulation of profenofos (Curacron 50 EC) was used for treatment. Hyperactivity was observed in rats treated with 1/10th of LD50 of profenofos. Relative weight of reproductive organs was found to be significantly decreased in treated rats. Feed intake and estrous cyclicity was found to be significant during treatment. Biochemical parameters like total proteins, lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol and phosphatases decreased significantly in ovaries of treated rats as compared to the control rats. Antioxidant activity, concentration of antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation showed alterations in treated rats. Microsomal degranulation increased at dose dependent manner which indicated that profenofos has a potential for carcinogenicity. Increase in the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes emphasised the genotoxic effect of profenofos in bone marrow cells of treated rats. Levels of estrogen and luteinising hormone increased while progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone decreased significantly in plasma of treated rats. Follicular atresia also increased in ovaries of treated rats. Histological examination of female reproductive organs in treated rats also showed significant alterations. Profenofos intoxication through hormones has resulted in biochemical and histopathological changes in reproductive parameters in treated female rats.ThesisItem Open Access Growth and breeding biology of Tatera indica in relation to its management practices(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Komalpreet Kaur; Singla, NeenaDuring present study on growth and breeding biology of Indian gerbil, Tatera indica, a gradual increase in body weight and length of different body parts was observed in gerbils of both sexes collected from crop fields. All the mature females were found cyclic with average duration of one oestrous cycle to be 3.0 days. Laboratory breeding of mature male and female gerbils resulted in 88% success with average litter size of 5.14 and gestation period of 22.45 days. Postpartum oestrous was observed immediately after parturition in female gerbils not separated from males resulting in back to back pregnancy. Observations on postnatal growth of pups of seven different age groups (30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days old) of each sex revealed significant increase in body weight, length of different body parts, weight of reproductive organs (testis, epididymis, ovary, uterus) and accessory sex glands (seminal vesicles and prostate gland), level of sex hormones (testosterone and estradiol) and specific activity of enzymes (17 β-HSD and 3β-HSD) with increasing age. In males, descending of testes to scrotum, preputial separation and presence of spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules and cauda epididymis were observed at the age of 105 days onwards. In females, ovulation leading to formation of corpus luteum was observed at the age of 90 days onwards. Present study depicts that sexual maturity in T. indica is attained at the age of 3-4 months. The control measures should therefore be planned before they become sexually mature and start producing next generation.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of water quality parameters and zooplankton diversity of Buddha Nullah, Ludhiana.(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Amritjot Kaur; Hundal, S.S.The present study was conducted to assess the water quality and zooplankton diversity of Buddha Nullah, Ludhiana. Buddha Nullah is a seasonal water stream which originates near Chamkaur Sahib and merges into the river Sutlej after crossing Ludhiana District. Zooplankton are minute, free floating animals found in aquatic ecosystem. Water and zooplankton samples were collected seasonally (April, June, July and December 2015) from five spots i.e. Machhiwara, Buddhewal, Jamalpur, Sunder Nagar and Walipur of Buddha Nullah. The analysis of water samples for physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals was done using standard methods and ICAP-AES, respectively. Heavy metals like chromium (1.576mg/l), iron (58.82mg/l), nickel (0.943mg/l) and lead (0.162mg/l) and physico-chemical parameters such as total hardness (591mg/l), free CO2 (253mg/l) and BOD (156.5mg/l) were found to be higher than the prescribed limits by WHO. Among zooplankton, pollution indicator species of rotifers (Brachionus sp.) were found during summer season but copepods (Cyclops muller) and cladocerans (Moina brachiata) were found throughout the year at nonpolluted spots (Machhiwara and Buddhewal). Occurrence of these pollution indicator species reveals higher pollution load at Jamalpur, Sunder Nagar and Walipur. Hence, the spots namely Jamalpur, Sunder Nagar and Walipur contains higher pollution load than Machhiwara and Buddhewal.