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ThesisItem Restricted Faunal diversity in and around rural ponds of district Ludhiana(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Sekhon, Gurkirat Singh; Aulakh, Randeep KaurThe present investigation on faunal diversity was carried out on ponds from March 2019 to February 2020 in two villages namely Jhammat, Malakpur and sewage treated water pond situated in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus Ludhiana mentioned as pond A, B and C respectively.Vegetation structure of selected ponds consisted of 22 tree species, 11 weed species and 4 crops. Water quality parameters indicated all ponds had marginal quality of water for irrigation purpose which varied in different seasons. Species richness of Phylum Arthropoda was positively related to temperature and ambient temperature; negative correlated to pH, BOD, DO and vegetation area; less effect of pond area and fallow land area was found. Class Amphibia and Class Reptilia had positive relation with water temperature, ambient temperature, pond area and fallow land area; values of pH, BOD, DO and vegetation area was found negatively related to species richness.BOD was found negatively correlated with Phylum Annelida, Phylum Arthropoda and Phylum Mollusca for pond A, B and C; whereas it was having insignificant value for Class Reptilia at pond A and Class Aves at pond C. Overall diversity consisted of Phylum Annelida (one species), Phylum Arthropoda (18 species), Phylum Mollusca (2 species), Class Amphibia (2 species), Class Reptilian (4 species), Class Aves (67 species) and Class Mammalian (2 species) at selected ponds. Present work has practical application both for the sustenance of village ponds as water resources and also as biodiversity sites in intensive agricultural scenario of Punjab state.ThesisItem Restricted Seasonal prevalence of endoparasites and their impact on changes in histology, protein content and digestive enzymes of Labeo rohita(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Sharma, Srishty; Navdeep KaurThe parasitic prevalence (%) in gills and intestine and liver of Labeo rohita was studied during winter, summer, monsoon and post monsoon seasons(December, 2018-November, 2019) at two locations i.e. Fish market, Ludhiana and pond of School of Organic Farming, PAU, Ludhiana. The gill parasites recovered were Myxobolus sp., Trichodina sp. Metacercaria, Thelohanellus sp. and development stages of Helminth. The parasitic prevalence (%) of gills parasites was higher during summer, monsoon, post monsoon (10075%) and lowest in winter (75-62.5%). The intestine endoparasites recovered were Cestode Larva, Nematode larva and development stages of Helminth. The intestinal endoparasitic prevalence in fishes was high during summer and monsoon (75- 62.5%) and low during post monsoon and winter (25- 37.5%). The histopathological studies showed parasites damaged the gill by fusion, swelling and loss of gill lamellae, even parasite embedded in gill lamellae and in intestine (cestode larvae)caused villi distortion and goblet cell hyperplasia, also distorted villi with oocyst in intestinal wall. Liver showed fatty change and sinusoidal congestion with no parasite recovered. The total fishes showed non-significant difference in protein content (mg/g) of muscles of intestinal endoparasite infected and non- infected fishes at both locations. The protein content (mg/g) of intestine, activity of proteases and specific activity of ACP was observed to be significantly higher in non- infected fishes. The specific activity of ALP was significantly higher in infected fishes.ThesisItem Restricted Avian Diversity and Their Feeding Guilds in Keshopur Chhamb Community Reserve(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Shifali; Vashishat, NishaThe present study was performed to record the avian diversity and feeding guilds of birds at Keshopur Chhamb Community Reserve; district Gurdaspur in the state of Punjab, India from June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 121 species of birds belonging to 19 orders and 47 families were observed during the study period. The maximum number (38) of the species in the area belonged to order Passeriformes. 27 winter migratory, 3 summer migratory and 91 resident species of birds were observed during study. One vulnerable (Aythya ferina) and six near threatened species were observed (i.e. Aythya nyroca, Anhinga melanogaster, Mycteria leucocephala, Sterna aurantia, Psittacula eupatria, Threskiornis melanocephalus) as per IUCN red list. A particular pattern of arrival and departure of migratory birds was observed. The winter migrants started to appear in October when the temperature started decreasing. The abundance of birds varied significantly during different seasons. Major variation was found in some species abundance at three different sites of the same wetland. Seven major feeding guilds i.e. Carnivorous, Insectivorous, Omnivorous, Granivorous, Herbivorous, Frugivorous and Nectarivorous were found during the study. Maximum number of the species (36) found were belonging to Carnivorous guild. This study reveals that Keshopur Chhamb Community Reserve acts as a refuge site for many waterbirds including wader, waterfowl and many migratory and threatened species. Hence, it is recommended that protection of the wetland from the human disturbance is of urgent need.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Water Quality Parameters on Biochemical Composition of Labeo rohita (Ham.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Ramanjit Kaur; Babbar, B.K.The present study, “Effect of Water Quality Parameters on Biochemical Composition of Labeo rohita (Ham.)” been made to evaluate seasonal changes in biochemical composition of different body regions (head, trunk and tail) of Labeo rohita (Ham.) raised in Fish Ponds (one in Mansa(P1) and other in Ludhiana (P2) (Punjab)) and their relationship with water quality of Ponds. Water quality parameters (colour, temperature, Sechhi Disc Transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, total hardness, salinity, dissolved phosphorus and nitrates) showed variations with seasons (summer, monsoon, and winter) in both Ponds. Phytoplankton in P1 belonged to 32 genera, whereas in P2 to 27 genera of 4 families (Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae). Zooplankton in P1 belongs to 18 genera and in P2 to 15 genera of the 4 groups (Protozoa, Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copeoda). The biochemical composition of the fish (moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, carbohydrates, ash, and gross energy) varied with seasons in different body regions of fish. Moisture was highest in tail during winter but lowest in head during summer in fish from both Ponds. Crude protein, crude lipid, carbohydrates, ash and gross energy were found maximum during summer season. They all were found maximum in head region except crude protein, which was maximum in the trunk region in all the seasons. The correlation confirmed that Total dissolved phosphorus had major effect on crude protein, carbohydrate and gross energy of Labeo rohita (Ham.). The water quality parameters had significant effect on biochemical composition of Labeo rohita (Ham.) in both Ponds.ThesisItem Open Access Prevalence of Indian flying fox, Pteropus giganteus Brunnich (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and its damage in ber crop(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-, 2020) Ali, Shahid; Rajwinder Singhhe present study was conducted with the motive of collecting information about roosting preference, population fluctuation of P. giganteus from three different sites; Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh; Company Bagh, District Jalandhar and village Ayali Khurd, District Ludhiana and observe damage done by fruit bat in ber fruits along with their management using LED bulbs of different wattages which was conducted at “New Orchard” of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 2017-18 and 2018-19. In Panjab University Campus Chandigarh, during 2017-19, the mean bat population varies from 2809 to 2953 with 5.1% increase in P. giganteus bat population during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18. Interestingly, for both years, during winter season, bats preferred to roost on pinus and eucalyptus, whereas during summer and rainy seasons more bat population was recorded on mango, sterculia, jamun and silver oak. Per cent population of bats roosted on tree species was highest on pinus (35.40%), silver oak (19.63%), sterculia (13.73%) and mango (13.21%). In Company Bagh, Jalandhar Cantonment, mean bat population varies from 1754 to 1861 with 6.07% increase in bat population during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18. Interestingly, during winter season, bats preferred to roost on pinus and eucalyptus, whereas during summer and rainy seasons more bat population was recorded on mango, sterculia, jamun, ficus and silver oak. Per cent population of bats roosted on tree species was highest on silver oak (20.09%), eucalyptus (19.95%), pilkhan (16.95), pinus (10.70%) and ficus (10.70%). In village Ayali Khurd, mean bat population varies from 346 to 252 with 27.20% decrease in bat population during 2018-19 as compared to 201718. Per cent population of bats roosted on tree species was highest on eucalyptus (97.52%) as compared to banyan tree (2.48%). During May when there is highest atmospheric temperature (31.6 to 32.4°C) and lowest relative humidity (42.0 to 44.0%), bats migrate from their roosting site to a long distance and come back again during October-November months, due to less availability of tree species surrounding the roosting site, unlike other selected roosting sites along with human settlement. Depending upon the temperature and relative humidity (%) of the environment bats shows their seasonal shifting pattern on different tree species. Mean damaged ber fruit recorded was 10.94 kg/tree, per cent yield loss 10.49% and ber fruit loss of Rs. 383.25/tree. Interestingly, a minimum damage (0.51%) to ber fruits was recorded when LED bulbs of 30 watts were used in ber orchards. So, it is concluded that by using 16 LED bulbs of 30 watt/acre at a distance of 50×50 feet and 6 feet above tree canopy, farmers can get profit of Rs. 9386.0/acre which will help them to keep the fruit bats away from ber orchards thus reduce damage and increase farm income.ThesisItem Restricted Impact of urbanization on bird composition and breeding biology of invasive bird species in Jalandhar(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Navleen Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep KaurThe present study was carried out on bird composition and breeding biology of invasive bird species in Jalandhar city of Punjab from July 2018 to June 2019. Two transects each were selected from residential, commercial, and industrial areas of the city with different landscape features. During the study, 50 bird species were recorded comprising of two alien invasive, five native invasive, and 43 native bird species. Two alien invasive species Blue Rock Pigeon and Common Myna formed 32.63% to 90.60%, native invasive species formed 7.73% to 52.34%, and native species formed only 1.67% to 24.29% of total bird abundance in selected transects. Transects with higher vegetative diversity and green cover sustained more native bird species in comparison to densely urbanized transects. Nesting activities of 21 bird species were observed during the study period. Blue Rock Pigeon was observed to breed throughout the year while Common Myna raised two broods during its breeding season from March to September. Blue Rock Pigeon was observed to be highly dependent on grains offered by people while Common Myna mostly fed on waste or natural food sources. Roosting time of Blue Rock Pigeon was found to be correlated to sunset time while the same was noted to be related to both sunset time and temperature for Common Myna. Study results suggested that planned urbanization incorporating vegetative diversity and green cover in urban areas may help sustain the diversity and abundance of native bird species and to counter overpopulation of invasive species.ThesisItem Open Access Diversity and Relative Abundance of Spiders on Cotton Crop(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Chaudhary, Mithun; Singla, NeenaPresent study was aimed to investigate diversity and relative abundance of spiders on Bt and non-Bt cotton crops. A total of 734 spiders of 11 species representing nine genera and six families namely Araneidae (36.4%), Salticidae (9.1%), Lycosidae (27.3%), Oxyopidae (9.1%), Thomisidae (9.1%) and Pisauridae (9.1%) were recorded from Bt and non-Bt cotton crops during the study period. Insects of 15 species including 10 phytophagous, one pollinator and four predators were found which were directly or indirectly affecting spider population. Field evidence for role of spider community in limiting insect pest and predator populations was also found. Diversity indices such as species evenness (0.71-0.80) and Shannon-Weiner index (1.27-1.43) for spiders of different families found on cotton crop were almost similar in Bt and non-Bt cotton crops and indicated rich biodiversity and less equitable distribution. No significant effect of Bt cotton was observed on spider population. Spider population was reported to be highest during September and October when there was severity of insect pests. Insecticides had direct or indirect affect on spider population. Climatic factors had a variable effect on spider population in different seasons and crop stages. Spider population generally had a positive correlation with sun shine and negative correlation with mean temperature, relative humidity, rain fall and wind velocity. Present study revealed diverse spider fauna and relative abundance on cotton crop thus suggesting their conservation and utilization in regulating insect pest population as part of IPM programme.ThesisItem Restricted Eucalyptus oil based hybrid nanoemulsions as larvicidal agents against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Komalpreet Kaur; Vashishat, NishaThe growing threat of vector-borne diseases and environmental pollution has prompted the nanotechnology based investigations. The present study aimed to use one of the nanotechnological applications with larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) by preparing aqueous hybrid nanoemulsions of zinc and copper sulfide nanoparticles with non polar nanoemulsion of Eucalyptus globulosa oil by sonication. GC-MS analysis revealed presence of total 22 compounds with major composition of 1, 8-cineole (42.16%) and Pcymene (14.81%). 1:2 and 1:5 ratio of non polar oil emulsion and both nanohybrids were found to be most stable after thermodynamic stability tests. TEM studies of non polar oil nanoemulsion, CuS and ZnS based nanohybrids were found to have average size of 20-40, 80100 and 50-70 nm with spherical, globular and rectangular shapes respectively. The larvicidal activity of prepared nanoformulations were tested at different concentrations (in triplicate) and 70, 6.5 and 9.5 ppm of oil nanoemuslion, CuS and ZnS based nanohybrids were found to be the most effective concentrations as 100% mortality was observed within 24 hours. LC50 and LC90 values were calculated to be 51.95 and 64.21 ppm, 5.00 and 5.81 ppm, 7.63 and 9.22 ppm for non polar oil nanoemulsions, CuS and ZnS based nanohybrids after 24 hrs respectively. The toxicological data was assured by SEM, histological and biochemical results. Under simulated conditions, nanohybrids treatment demonstrated optimum larvicidal potency after 48 hrs of exposure. These nanohybrids did not show toxicity in Scapholebris kingi and Mesocyclops spp. Thus, the following research is a step towards safe and efficient approach against Aedes aegyptiThesisItem Open Access Diversity and risk assessment of parasitic infections harboured by commensal rodents in central zone of Punjab state(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Sukhmanpreet Kaur; Singla, NeenaPresent study on diversity and prevalence of ecto and endo-parasites of commensal rodents was conducted in Ludhiana, Punjab from November 2017 to October 2019. A total of 300 rodents belonging to three species namely Rattus rattus (201), Bandicota bengalensis (90) and Mus musculus (09) were live trapped from residences/shops, poultry farms and fish market in three seasons. Fifty eight percent of the total rodents were found infested with 724 specimens of five ectoparasite species namely Xenopsylla cheopis (249), Polyplax spinulosa (394), Ornithonyssus bacoti (32), Liponyssoides sanguineus (41) and Haemaphysalis sp. (08) with infestation rate of 61.19% and 56.67% in R. rattus and B. bengalensis. No parasite was found in M. musculus. A significant effect of host species was found on prevalence of ecto and endo-parasites, however, season, study location, sex and age had no significant effect. Oocysts/trophozoites of protozoans, Cryptosporidium murisand Giardia sp. were also recorded in faecal samples. Overall prevalence of endoparasites was 65.67% with highest rate in B. bengalensis (72.22%) followed by R. rattus (65.67%). Amongst nematodes, highest prevalence was recorded for Capillaria hepatica (59.33%) followed by Strongyloides ratti (49.00%), Trichuris muris (34.33%), Syphacia muris (26.33%), Aspiculuris tetraptera (22.67%) and Heterakis spumosa (21.33%). Amongst cestodes, Cysticercus fasciolaris (64.68%) was the most prevalent followed by Hymenolepis nana (63.00%) and H. diminuta (52.00%).One acanthocephalan species (Moniliformis moniliformis) (8.60%) was also recorded. Significant effect of parasitic infection was observed on sperm parameters, estrous cycle, hormones, and biochemical parameters. Histopathologically, necrotic changes were observed in infected liver and intestine. The study suggests that proper rodent pest and vector management should be conducted in animal and human inhabitations to avoid the spread of zoonotic diseases caused by them
