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Thesis

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2018 - 20195
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Subject: Zoology × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2018 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of neem based formulation for management of Rattus rattus (Linn.) population
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Jasvir Kaur; Babbar, B.K.
    Six different concentrations of NSP (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12%), nine different doses from stock solution of NSAE (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 ml) and six different doses from NSO (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 ml) were tested under laboratory condition to determine the effective dose with repellent effect against R. rattus. Results revealed antifeedant/ secondary repellent effect with the all doses and there was non-significance difference in antifeedant index (AI) among doses, therefore for the further studies, two dose each of NSAE ( 0.2ml and 2ml) and NSO (0.1ml and 0.6 ml) were selected. Testing of existence of primary effect revealed that rats avoided all the treated baits four first one to four hours after exposure. After that rats developed habituation to primary/olfactory repellent effect and started eating treated baits but consumption of treated baits remained low. Rats were not habituated for secondary repellent effect with the effective doses of NSAE (2 ml) and NSO (0.6ml) upto experiment period of 30 days. Six formulation (F1 to F6) were prepared using effective doses of NSAE and NSO and were tested under simulated storage conditions and in grain stores. Result revealed potential of F3 and F4 as repellent in preventing rodent damage for considerably long time as compared to other formulations tested. For using antifertility property of neem, seven different formulations (F7 to F13) were prepared using neem seed alcoholic hexane extract (NSAHE). As consumption of F11 was maximum, therefore antifertility effect was recorded in rats fed on F11 as well as in rats given oral dose of NSAHW. Results revealed potential of neem seed alcoholic hexane extract and its F11 formulation in reducing reproductive potential of rats. However there is need to further increase the acceptance of F11 based bait.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Habitat ecology and management of Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in central plain and sub-mountainous undulating zones of Punjab
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Dar, Muzamil Hussain; Vashishat, Nisha
    Birds have a special place in human science and culture: they capture our hearts, arouse our curiosities, and inspire a sense of wonder. We may revel in the diversity and simple beauty of their forms, but birds also fuel fascinations that drive us towards deeper scientific inquiries into their varied ways of life. The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is commonly known as a parrot and belongs to the family Psittacidae and order Psittaciformes. It is considered to be the worst avian pest throughout the Indian subcontinent. The present study was carried in central plain and sub-mountainous undulating zones of Punjab, aimed at feeding and roosting behaviour, assessment of damage caused to sunflower, maize and guava, evaluation of different management methods, estimation of the pesticide residues and heavy metals in feathers and fecal pellets of Rose-ringed Parakeet. The parakeets foraged in these crops in two sessions, each separated by a period of inactivity in the afternoon. The morning-forenoon sessions on an average lasted for 157 to 175 minutes for different crop while as afternoon-evening session lasted for 155 to 175 minutes. The average number of parakeets during morning-forenoon and afternoon-evening session in the sunflower varied between 33 to 178, in maize between 3 to 195 and guava 8 to 154. The morning-forenoon session started after 40 to 50 minutes for sunflower, 41 to 51 minutes for maize and 22 to 64 minutes for guava, while as the afternoon-evening session ended 16 to 17 minutes for sunflower, 25 to 27 minutes for maize and 21 to 29 minutes for guava before the sunset. The parakeets roost on the tall and old trees (Eucalyptus, Poplar and Acacia) at both the locations. The first early morning departure was recorded to take place a few minutes to 84 minutes before sunrise. The number of departing parakeets generally declined before sunrise, past which the number of parakeets returning to the roost casually increased. The damage caused to the control sunflower crop ranged from 5.8 to 19%. The average damage caused to the sunflower fields covered with the reflective ribbons, shining plates, CDs, scare crow was 0.7 to 4.5%, 0.9 to 5.20 %, 1.20 to 9.70% and 0.60 to 8.00%. The damage caused to the control maize fields ranged from 9.5 to 29.5% while as reflective ribbon installed fields have a damage in range of 4 to 12.5%. Guava had a damage of 14.69 to 16.76 % in control fields while as reflective ribbon installed fields have a damage of 5.67 to 8.51%. Ripened fruits were more preferred and the top canopy of trees was more affected. The pesticides viz. chlorpyriphos, triazophos were found to be present in concentrations of range 0.02-1.61 ppm. 0.02-3.08 ppm respectively and ethion (2.141 ppm). The Heavy metals were in the descending concentrations in the order: Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), and Cadmium (Cd). Cr, Cu and Mn was found above the threshold level at both the locations. The results of this study will contribute to environmental management at both the locations.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of Cytotoxicity in Flesh, Gills and Liver of Fish (Labeo rohita) Reared in Untreated and Treated Sewage Water
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Bhanot, Reetu; Hundal, S.S.
    The unregulated discharge of municipal sewage water in the water bodies acts as a major threat to the aquatic ecosystem and is also known to induce detrimental effects to the inhabiting fauna. The present study was designed to examine the cytotoxicity in fingerlings of Labeo rohita after exposure to untreated and treated sewage water for different intervals. The acute toxicity test was conducted for 96 hr to determine LC50 of the untreated sewage water (UT) using five concentrations viz. 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The results of acute toxicity test depicted that 75% and 100% concentration of UT induced 100% mortality in fingerlings in less than 48 hr and 24 hr, respectively. After determining 96 hr LC50 value of UT, fingerlings were divided into four groups: control, treated, 1/10th of LC50 UT and 1/20th of LC50 UT. The fingerlings were exposed and dissected at the interval of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days and additional 60 days for recovery. The results of chronic toxicity test revealed significant decrease (p<0.05) in morphometric parameters viz. body weight, body length, weight of liver, gills and flesh of 1/10th LC50 UT and 1/20th LC50 UT groups in comparison to control and treated groups. Significant histopathological alterations were also observed in the gills and flesh of 1/10th and 1/20th LC50 UT group. The biochemical studies depicted a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the level of total proteins in flesh and liver; the total lipids in flesh, however, depicted significant increase (p<0.05) in 1/10th LC50 UT and 1/20th LC50 UT groups. The analysis of fatty acid composition of flesh of fingerlings revealed significant decrease (p<0.05) in per cent of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA’s), however, saturated fatty acids (SFA’s) indicated significant increase (p<0.05) in 1/10th LC50 UT and 1/20th LC50 UT groups. The evaluation of antioxidant profile of liver revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of LPO and specific activity of catalase, GST and GR, however, the specific activity of SOD and GPx decreased significantly (p<0.05) in both 1/10th LC50 UT and 1/20th LC50 UT groups. High frequency of micronucleated cells (MN) was observed in gill cells of 1/10th LC50 UT and 1/20th LC50 UT group. DNA damage was also observed in gills and flesh of 1/10th and 1/20th LC50 UT groups. A significant recovery (p<0.05) was observed in weight of liver and muscles, histo-architecture of gills and flesh, biochemical parameters viz. proteins in flesh, total lipids in flesh, PUFA’s, SFA’s, MUFA’s, oxidative stress parameters viz. LPO, SOD, catalase, GPx, GR, GST , frequency and number of micronucleated cells (MN) in gills cells of 1/10th LC50 UT and 1/20th LC50 UT groups. Hence, the results of the present study implied that untreated sewage water at the level of 1/10th and 1/20th LC50 has a potential to bring alterations at cellular, organ and genetic level, and after treatment the water is safe for use in fish culture.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Breeding biology of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and its management
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Sandaldeep Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
    The present investigation was carried out to study abundance of Indian Peafowl, breeding biology, reproductive success and to evaluate management strategies in different study sites in Punjab from February 2016 to September 2018. The study has shown high relative abundance of Indian Peafowl at PAU campus and village Rauni which was due to habitat structure, scrub vegetation, tree diversity and food availability. The breeding period was recorded from March to end October in studied locations. The value of annual reproductive success was found to range from 0.67 to 0.80 during three breeding season. During entire study period, nest depth, radius of nest and nest circumference ranged from 2.5 to 5.5 cm, 7.0 to 15 cm and 43.96 to 94.20 cm respectively. Egg length, egg width and egg weight varied from 70.2 mm to 74.2 mm, 52.1 mm to 57.8 and 114.6 g to 123.5 g in three breeding seasons. Incubation period varied between 23.6 days to 26.5 days during three breeding seasons. Clutch size varied between 2 to 3 eggs at all selected locations. Observed nests were having shallow scrapped depression in ground whereas nesting material used by Indian Peahen was found to vary at different nesting sites. The chicks were observed having along with 1 or 2 females in crop fields involved in foraging activities for a period of one month. Different management methods i.e. bird protection net, jute rope, reflective ribbon were evaluated in mustard crop fields at ripening stage in replicates during Rabi season 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. The importance of Indian Peafowl in agro ecosystem from present work was worked out from two different perspectives, one as National Bird whose breeding sites should be protected and other aspect its depredation on oil seeds and vegetable crops should also be dealt with.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Effect of chlorpyrifos on the reproductive system of Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant, 1868) and Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826)
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Avneet Kaur; Hundal, S.S.
    The present study was field-laboratory integrated approach to evaluate effects of pesticide on earthworms. The agricultural fields of South West (S-W) Punjab (Malout, Bathinda and Muktsar regions) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana were surveyed to monitor chlorpyrifos residues and check species and population density of earthworms. The residue level ranged from 0.014-0.044 mg/kg in Malout region, 0.018-0.116 mg/kg in Bathinda region and 0.010-0.056 mg/kg in Muktsar region of Punjab. The Metaphire posthuma was the predominant species found in S-W Punjab and PAU, Ludhiana and Lampito mauritii was also inhabiting these regions. The biochemical, histological, cytological and genotoxicity studies were also performed on former abundant species. The investigation revealed that the biological alterations were more pronounced in Kharif season than Rabi. Higher AchE activity during Rabi season and elevated GST activity during Kharif season was recorded in earthworms .The histological alterations were only observed in earthworms of S-W Punjab. Low differential, total coelomocyte count and higher DNA damage was reported in Kharif. The comparative study showed that PAU, Ludhiana is a zone with good agricultural practices. In laboratory two ecologically different earthworms i.e Metaphire Posthuma (endogeic) and Eisenia fetida (epigeic) were exposed to different doses of chlorpyrifos (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 ml/l) in an artificial soil test following OECD guidelines. The significant decrease was observed in body weight, cocoon and hatchling number of both earthworms, at higher doses of chlorpyrifos (7.5 and 10.0 ml/l). The mortality as a result of morphological alterations was observed at higher doses of chlorpyrifos in earthworms. Further, these higher doses led to inhibition of activity of AchE and GST, decrease in total, differential count of coelomocytes and high DNA damage. Histological alterations were also observed in gonads of M. posthuma and E. fetida on exposure to higher doses. The field and laboratory studies revealed that earthworms are excellent bioindicators for assessing soil contamination caused by pesticides. The species specific response was observed, M. posthuma was found to be more sensitive as compared to E. fetida so, can used as standard test species to evaluate pesticidal toxicity.