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ThesisItem Restricted Impacts of agricultural mechanization on avian diversity in Ludhiana district(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Harnoor Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep KaurThe present investigation was carried out to study the impacts of agricultural mechanization on avian diversity at nine selected rice-wheat fields from three locations, Sarabha (Location I), Pakhowal (Location II) and Dangon (Location III) from April 2020 to March 2021. A total of 50 avian species were recorded from the selected fields during the study period. Rock Pigeon (8.63%), Cattle Egret (8.55%), House Crow (8.50%), Common Myna (7.61%), Eurasian Collared Dove (7.17%) and Red-wattled Lapwing (6.46%) were the most abundant species found. During the Kharif season, a total of 48 bird species of 46 genera were recorded while 49 bird species belonging to 45 genera during the Rabi season. The mechanical operations like ploughing, harvesting and other post harvesting operations with disc plough harrow, plougher, combine harvester and straw baller have shown much higher avian species richness and diversity irrespective of the field type. Higher values of species richness and diversity were recorded from the organically cultivated fields and fields with agronomic practices recommended by PAU as compared to fields with conventional cultivation practices. Increase in species richness and diversity was observed during the harvesting and post-harvesting operations due to use of combine harvesters, thresher, straw baller, disc plough harrow and land leveller. As evident from the present study cultivating crops both organically and by following PAU recommended agronomic practices might help in sustaining higher avian species richness and diversity.ThesisItem Restricted Evaluation of larvicidal potential of kinnow peel extracts against Aedes aegypti Linnaeus(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Arshkamaljot Kaur; Kocher, Devinder KaurTransmission of dengue virus by Ae. aegypti mosquito is one of the major global issues. Presently plant based products are in high demand for mosquito control, as they are effective, easily available and eco-friendly. Different types of extracts viz. oil, ethanolic and aqueous were prepared from kinnow peel and tested @ 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80ppm, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25% and 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0% respectively for their larvicidal efficacy against Ae. aegypti 4th instar larvae. Results indicated 70ppm of oil, 0.20% of ethanolic and 9.0% of aqueous extracts as effective larvicidal concentrations. Certain morphological damages and abnormal behavioural activities were observed in the treated larvae. These kinnow peel extracts were found to be highly volatile in nature, as no residual activity in terms of larval mortality occurred in the left over effective concentrations of these extracts. However, residual effect in the form of delayed development (L4 to adult) was observed in all the treated sets in comparison to control and vehicle-control. All kinnow peel extracts were found to have statistically similar larvicidal potential in freshly prepared and stored (2, 4 and 6 months old) extracts, indicating no effect of storage on their larvicidal activity. Thus, the identification of kinnow like plant based oil/extracts having larvicidal properties combined with capacity to damage larvae, alter their behaviour along with delay in developmental phases is the need of hour and should be exploited in future for managing the problem of dengue transmitting vector, Ae. aegypti.ThesisItem Open Access Productivity and Nutritional Composition of Fish in Relation to Nutritional Quality of Fish Feeds in Some Commercial Fish Ponds of Shri Muktsar Sahib District of Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Lovepreet Kaur; Sehgal, G.K.The present study evaluated productivity and nutritional composition of a cultured fish species, Labeo rohita (Ham.) in relation to nutritional quality of feeds and on-farm feeding practices in six commercial fish ponds of Shri Muktsar Sahib District of Punjab. The ponds were divided into two groups (3 in each group). The productivity of the pond group 1 was 6.25 to 7.5t ha-1 year-1 and in group 2, it was 4.0 to 5.6 t ha-1 year-1. Nutritional composition of the fish varied seasonally. The moisture content was minimum in summer and maximum in monsoon. Slightly higher moisture content was noticed in the fish from pond group 2 (78.05%) than from the group 1 (77.88%). Crude protein content (CP) was lowest in winter and highest in summer. The fish from the pond group 1 had significantly higher CP content (17%) than those from the group 2 (16.1%). The crude lipid content also remained higher in the fish from pond group 1 than those from the pond group 2 in monsoon and winter (2.01% and 1.80%, respectively). Carbohydrates were highest in summer and lowest in monsoon. There were non-significant differences in carbohydrates between the two groups of ponds. Ash was maximum during summer (2.55%) and minimum in monsoon (1.13%). The fish ash content from group 1 ponds was higher than from the group 2 in summer and monsoon but in group 1 in winter. Gross energy (GE) was highest in summer and lowest in winter. The GE of the fish from the pond group 1 was higher than of those from the group 2. Nonsignificant differences in air and water temperature occurred except in water temperature in winter when it was higher in group 2. Non-significant differences between the two groups of ponds existed in Secchi disc transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, and salinity. Significantly higher dissolved phosphorus was recorded in group 2 in summer and monsoon. The total phytoplankton was higher in group 1 than in group 2 ponds. The average values were 221.31×105/L and 196.46×106/L in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were seasonal differences in zooplankton also. The total zooplankton number remained significantly higher in pond group 1. The average values were 402.29 No./L and 352.12 No./L in pond groups 1 and 2, respectively. Farmers of ponds 1 and 6 used de-oiled rice bran as fish feed. In ponds 2, 3, 4 and 5 formulated feeds were used. Nutritional composition of fish feeds varied seasonally. Non-significant differences in moisture occurred in monsoon and winter. In summer, it was higher in group 2. Non-significant differences in CP content occurred. Significantly higher CL occurred in group 1 ponds. Non-significant differences existed in carbohydrates. Significantly higher ash content was in group 1 ponds. Aflatoxins were detected in all the feeds given in all the six ponds. Daily ration size was 2% of body weight per day except in pond 3 where it was 3%. Feeding frequency and time of feeding was once in the morning. The feed dispensing method was broadcasting except in ponds 3 and 4 where perforated sacs/drums were used. Crude protein and crude lipid of feeds had major effect on nutritional composition of fish.ThesisItem Restricted Genotoxicity and oxidative stress in earthworms in response to pesticides under natural conditions in submountainous undulating zone of Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Jasmeen Kaur; Aulakh, R.K.The expansion of agriculture and extensive use of pesticides disturb soil ecosystem leading to soil pollution, toxicity and significant population damage to soil organisms. The current study was set out to assess the amount of pesticide residue present inside the tissues of earthworms and how oxidative stress and genotoxicity were induced in earthworms due to excess of pesticide residues in agricultural lands of Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts. Pesticide residue analysis revealed the presence of chlorpyrifos and edifenphos in soil whereas no pesticide residues were found above the limit of quantification in earthworm tissues. Genotoxicity test revealed a tail DNA% of 5.61 in case of earthworms taken from chlorpyrifos contaminated soil and a tail DNA% of 21.66 in case of earthworms taken from edifenphos contaminated soil from Hoshiarpur district and a tail DNA% of 0.01 in case of earthworms taken from chlorpyrifos contaminated soil from Gurdaspur district. Cytogenetic analysis showed no chromosomal aberrations were observed. The antioxidative enzyme activity showed a significant difference between the activity of Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione-S-Transferase and Acetylcholinesterase was observed from earthworms from Hoshiarpur district. A significant difference between the activity of Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione-S-Transferase was observed from earthworms from Gurdaspur district. It was concluded that there are less effects of pesticide residues on earthworms under field conditions as compared to the previous studies done under controlled lab conditions due to the dynamic and complex nature of the environment which cannot be stimulated in the lab.ThesisItem Open Access Potential of Bandicota bengalensis Gray and Hardwicke inhabiting commensal areas in transmitting parasitic zoonotic diseases(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Rara, Shivani; Singla, NeenaPresent study recorded the potential of Bandicota bengalensis inhabiting commensal areas in transmitting parasitic zoonotic diseases. A total of 100 rats collected from fish market and railway station at Ludhiana, Punjab from November 2020 to October 2021 were examined for the presence of ecto and endoparasites along with risk factor analysis. Parasites found were identified based on morphological features of adults and their eggs. 25.00% rats collected two locations were found infected with one species of ectoparasites i.e. Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis. Total 34 rat fleas were found in 25 rats with flea index of <1.0 indicating low risk of disease transmission. The liver and intestines of rats collected from both the locations were found infected with seven species of endoparasites, comprising two cestode species (Hymenolepis nana and Cysticercus fasciolaris) and five nematode species (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Calodium hepaticum, Syphacia muris, Trichuris muris and Heterakis spumosa). Rats were having concurrent infection of one or more parasites. 79.00% rats collected from two locations were found infected with endoparasites with mean parasite intensity and parasite index of 30.73 and 24.28, respectively indicating high risk of disease transmission. The host age, sex and season had no significant effect on parasite prevalence except that of H. nana and S. muris whose infection in rats collected from fish market was significantly affected by season. The present 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.ThesisItem Embargo Impact of organic applications on soil macro invertebrates in rice-wheat cropping system(Punjab Agricultural University, 2022) Bhatia, Muskan; Rajwinder SinghInvestigation on organic applications revealed that wheat crop was harboured by 38 species (14 within soil, 24 on soil/plant surface), rice crop by 50 species (16 within soil, 34 on soil surface) being dominated by order coleoptera. In both crops, higher value of Shannon-Wiener index, species evenness, species richness and lower value of Simpson's index were recorded within soil in farmyard manure (15 Vha) as compared to other treated plots. Macro invertebrate population within soil in farmyard manure (15 Uha), biochar (4 tha) and green manure was 2.14, 1.45, 1.52 (wheat) and 2.66, 1.54, 1.64 (rice) times more than their respective conventional plots. Higher macro invertebrate population within soil was recorded in treated rice crop (25.40-44.92%) as compared to conventional plots (6.00-16.00%) over preceding wheat crop. In wheat crop, invertebrate population was distributed from November- April (higher incidence in March), in rice crop from July-October (higher incidence in September) being highest in farmyard manure (15 Uha) plots. Higher value of Shannon- Wiener index, species evenness, species richness and lower value of Simpson's index were recorded in farmyard manure (15 tha) plots for on surface invertebrates. In wheat crop. invertebrates had positive correlation with soil and atmospheric temperatures, negative correlation with soil moisture and relative humidity. In rice crop, invertebrates had negative correlation with soil and atmospheric temperatures, soil moisture, and positive corelation with relative humidity. Thus, addition of different organic applications for soil management practices decreases bulk density and increases organic carbon, soil macro invertebrate population which may further improves soil health.ThesisItem Open Access POTENTIAL OF PAPAYA SEED EXTRACT BASED NANOPARTICLES IN INDUCING STERILITY IN MALE Bandicota bengalensis(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Ruchika; Singla, NeenaPresent study investigated the potential of papaya seed chloroform extract-based solid lipid nanoparticles (PSCEN) as a natural antifertility agent for field rat, Bandicota bengalensis. Nanoparticles prepared were spherical in shape with size varying from 300-600nm. Mature male rats trapped from fields were fed on bait containing two different concentrations of PSCEN i.e. 5% and 10% in bi-choice condition for 15 days. Mean total ingestion of active ingredient by treated groups of rats varied from 2.13-2.94 g/100 g body weight. No adverse effect of treatment was observed on body weight of rats. The weight of testis and epididymis was significantly reduced in rats treated with 10% PSCEN but the weight of other organs such as seminal vesicles, prostate gland, liver, kidney and spleen were affected variably by the treatment. There was a significant decrease in sperm motility (%), sperm viability (%), sperm concentration (millions/ml), sperm mitochondrial activity (%), sperm nuclear chromatin decondensation (%) and hypo-osmotic swelling (%), and a significant increase in sperm abnormality (%) in rats of both the treated groups as compared to control group. Breeding success of untreated male rats paired with untreated female rats varied from 33.33 to 80% while that of male rats treated with 5% PSCEN varied from 20.00 to 66.67 %. None of the untreated female rats paired with male rats treated with 10% PSCEN delivered pups indicated nil breeding. Only 16.67% breeding was observed in females paired with male rats treated with 10% PSCEN and evaluated after 60 days of termination of treatment. Present study revealed the maximum antifertility effect of 10% concentration of PSCEN which was partially reversed or not reversed after 105 days of treatment, indicating its long-term effect.ThesisItem Embargo Habitat, feeding and breeding ecology of Shikra (Accipiter badius GMELIN)(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Kajal; Manoj KumarThe current study on the habitat, feeding and breeding ecology of Shikra (Accipiter badius GMELIN) was conducted from June 2022 to May 2023 at three selected locations i.e. location 1- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, location-2 Akalgarh village in the district of Ludhiana and location-3 Jhabkra village in the district of Gurdaspur. Location PAU was divided into two different study areas i.e. crop field area (A) and tree plantation area (B) which were further subdivided into six sites. In the present study a total of 45 bird species were recorded. The dominant species in the study area were House Crow and Rock Pigeon. Shikra had the highest annual relative abundance at location 1 (1.18%), followed by location 3 (0.98%) and location 2 (0.72%). Shikra was observed to feed on frogs, lizards, mice and squirrels. Shikra was predominantly observed to roost on Safeda trees. Vocalization of Shikra were also recorded. The breeding ecology of Shikra was studied and a total of 8 nests were recorded at location 1 out of which 4 nests each were found at study area A and B. A total of 20 young ones of Shikra were observed during the study period. Using a feed scale consumption monitor, the feeding behavior of Bandicota bengalensis was recorded in response to Shikra vocalizations during the present study. Significant differences in the observations were found between control and experimental data at 5% level of significance. Field observations of rodent burrow in relation to presence of Shikra revealed positive correlation between Shikra presence and number of rodent burrows with increase in radial distance from Shikra roosting sites.ThesisItem Restricted Toxic effects induced by Bisphenol A in male albino rats(Punjab Agricultural University, 2022) Sharma, Prachi; Vashishat, NishaBisphenol A (BPA) is a xenoestrogen which acts as an endocrine disrupting chemical, found ubiquitously in the environment. The present study was carried out to examine the toxicological effects of BPA in male albino rats by keeping in view the continuous exposure of this chemical to the living organisms. The rats were divided into four groups (n=6) with group I as control and group II, III and IV administered with BPA orally @ 0.25, 2.5 and 25 mg/Kg b.wt. of BPA, respectively for a period of 30 days. BPA treated rats did not show any change in behaviour and body weight with respect to control rats. The weight of organs i.e. kidney, testis, epididymis and liver showed significant change in group IV rats as compared to other groups. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST) in liver, kidney, testis and epididymis of albino rats decreased significantly along with simultaneous increase in MDA levels with increasing dose of BPA. The protein, lipid and phospholipid content decreased whereas cholesterol level increased significantly in different organs of group III and IV rats in a dose dependent manner. Histological slides showed damaged irregular boundaries of seminiferous tubules along with interstitium widening and sloughing off of germinal epithelium. Abnormalities and loss of circular shape of tubules were observed in cauda epididymis. Intense immunohistochemical reaction indicating comparatively high expression of ER-β receptor in the nuclei of spermatogonia, peritubular myoid cells and leydig cells of the testis and in the epithelial and stromal cells of the cauda epididymis.
