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Studies on avian diversity, biology and behaviour along Beas river conservation reserve
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sachin Kumar; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
River Beas was declared as conservation reserve in year 2017 under section 36A of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 but no study is available on the avian diversity along river. Therefore, present study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021along Beas conservation reserve to understand the avian diversity in various sub habitats present along the river by selecting three locations i.e. Location I (Talwara: In foot hills of Shiwaliks), Location II (Beas: near urban settlement) and Location III (Harike: near rural settlement). Each location was further divided as crop fields, riparian, shallow water, edge, island and river. Study revealed that river Beas provides shelter to 245 bird species where 228 species were recorded at Location I with 40 exclusive species, 126 at Location II and 202 at Location III with 13 exclusive species. Crop fields had avian diversity of 104 at Location I, 78 at Location II and 94 at Location III. Riparian zone of river harbours 143 at location I, 83 at location II and 117 at location III. Shallow water river zone had 110 at location I, 126 at location II and 58 at location III. During this study a total of 113 species were recorded to exploiting edge sub habitat and 85 species Island sub habitat for various activities while 126 in shallow water sub habitat of riverine system which shows that the edge and island habitats are equally important from avian conservation point of view. Both Island and edge habitat are made of relatively very small area as compare to overall river habitat zone therefore these sub habitats are easy to manage but need attention during conservation planning. Crop fields and riparian habitats support more single species roosters and single group roosters. Riverine habitats (Edge, Shallow water and Islands) supports more mix group roosters. A total of 527 nests were recorded during study period having 193 nests at Talwara, 115 at Beas and 219 at Harike. Nesting of birds was niche area specific where colony nesters were tree species specific including Baya weaver nesting was specific to Date Palm and Cattle Egret nesting was specific to Kikar. Riparian zone of Talwara was wide and had minimum anthropogenic activities therefore harbour maximum of 143 species in riparian zone while Harike had wide shallow water zone therefore maximum of 126 water dependent species as compare to other two locations. Location II had almost lowest values for all diversity indexes under study (Abundance, Richness, Shannon index, Simpson index) in comparison to Location I and III shows the effect of proximity of human habitation on avian diversity. Though the all six sub-habitats understudy were adjoining to each other still a clear distinction of niche area preference was recorded during study. The birds may enter the adjoin niche but overall abundance remains similar for preferred niche for each bird species. The study concludes that significant number of species recorded have specific niche area requirements that are completed by the river’s sub-habitats including feeding, foraging, roosting and nesting therefore conservation plans should be designed in such a way that whole area come under protection as a single unit while maintaining its sub habitat identity.
Embargo
Amphibian diversity and abundance in relation to pesticide residues in rice fields and village ponds
(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Shelly; Rajwinder Singh
Six amphibian species were recorded from transplanted rice crop fields of both Ludhiana (Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Duttaphrynus stomaticus, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Euphlyctis adolfi, Fejerverya limnocharisi and Hoplobatarachus tigerinus) and in Panchkula (Hoplobatrachus crassus in place of Euphlyctis adolfi). However, 36.03-37.93% increase in amphibian population was recorded in unsprayed as compared to sprayed transplanted rice crop fields, respectively from Ludhiana and Panchkula. Total mean population in unsprayed fields was 37.05% higher as compared to sprayed fields. Increase in body weight of males (2.96-14.21%) was more than females (3.87-11.17%) in unsprayed than sprayed fields. Villages ponds included four species with Ludhiana as 22.23% more abundant than Panchkula. On land, population was 61.86-67.80% more than water. Residential areas included three species with Panchkula 2.32% more abundant than Ludhiana. Positive correlation was found between amphibian population with atmospheric temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Pesticide residues were below the limit of quantification (0.01 mg kg-1) in soil, excretory contents and water samples without any amphibian morphological abnormality. Our findings imply that amphibian species may prefer agricultural environments, permanent ponds with good vegetation cover or crops and devoid of urbanization. Rice ecosystems helps amphibians in completing their life cycle, as rice cultivation practices provides a landscape mosaic of hydroperiods which further increases the diversity of regional species by providing habitats for a variety of species.
Embargo
Integration of Mesocyclops aspericornis and plant based products for the control of Aedes aegypti larvae
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Navkiran Kaur; Kocher, D.K.
Aedes aegypti is responsible for the spread of various public health diseases. Oils from neem seed kernels and eucalyptus leaves were extracted in laboratory and their larvicidal, ovicidal and pupicidal efficacy was tested. Testing different concentrations of neem oil @ 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm and eucalyptus oil nanoemulsion @ 50, 60 and 70 ppm revealed 400 ppm and 70 ppm respectively as the effective concentration against Ae. aegypti larvae (Ist and IInd instars taken collectively). Ovicidal efficacy test indicated that neem oil @ 300 ppm and eucalyptus oil nanoemulsion @ 70 ppm inhibit 100% egg emergence. Exposure to different concentrations of both plant based oils also showed significant pupal mortality irrespective of the sex. Studies of predatory potential of Mesocyclops aspericornis was conducted by using copepods and larvae in different ratios @ 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 which indicated the combination @ 1:3 was effective combination. The predatory potential of M. aspericornis was found to enhance after the integration with prepared oils like M. aspericornis: Ae. aegypti (1:2) + 200 ppm neem oil and M. aspericornis: Ae. aegypti (1:2) + 60 ppm eucalyptus oil nanoemulsion both under laboratory and simulated conditions, also it improved the predation success and predatory behaviour of M. aspericornis. Biochemical studies indicated that exposure to sub lethal combinations of M. aspericornis and extracted plant based oils significantly reduced the total soluble proteins and activity of α-amylase in the larvae of treated sets. Moreover, exposing Ae. aegypti larvae to sub lethal combinations of M. aspericornis and plant based oils increased the duration of total development period along with significant reduction in body size of both male and female as in comparison to control set. Larvicidal efficacy retention of effective combination trails i.e M. aspericornis : Ae. aegypti (1:2) + 200 ppm neem oil and M. aspericornis : Ae. aegypti (1:2) + 60 ppm eucalyptus oil nanoemulsion was effective for 19 and 12 days, respectively.
Open Access
Heavy metal reproductive toxicity and its amelioration by combination of curcumin and ascorbic acid in male albino rats
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Vatika, Kamal; Navdeep Kaur
The reproductive toxicity caused by mixture of As, Cd and Pb in drinking water and its amelioration with curcumin and ascorbic acid was studied in male albino rats.There was a significant decrease in sperm parameters(motility, viability, count); content of protein, lipid; activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase (except cauda of LDHM), testosterone and TSH in plasma and significant increase in sperm abnormality; content of cholesterol (except copus of LDHM), phospholipids, fatty acid (except cauda of LDHM) and malondialdehyde level (MDA), FSH and LH in plasma; changes in histoarchitecture in testis and caput, corpus and cauda epididymis due to treatment with combination of heavy metals in low dose(LDHM) and high dose (HDHM) for 60 and 90 days.The non-significant variation was observed in sperm abnormality, sertoli cell number in seminiferous tubules, caput epithelial height, protein and cholesterol content in caput epididymis, lipid content and activity of SOD in caput and corpus epididymis as well as TSH in plasma of LDHM+High dose Curcumin and Ascorbic acid (C+A); activity of catalase in caput and corpus epididymis in all ameliorated groups as compared to control in both 60 and 90 days of treatment. The DNA damage was higher in testicular sperm and various protein bands were absent in testicular tissue and sperms of LDHM and HDHM treated rats whereas the combination of curcumin and ascorbic acid (both low and high doses) protected the DNA damage and showed restoration of absent protein bands in 60 and 90 days of treatment. Thus, Curcumin and Ascorbic acid have the ameliorating potential against reproductive toxicity caused by mixture of heavy metals in drinking water.
Open Access
Study on antifertility effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum Linn.) on house rat, Rattus rattus (Linn.)
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Rana, Priyanka; Rajwinder Singh
Present study was conducted to investigate anti-fertility effects of fenugreek seed alcoholic extract (FSAE) against male and female Rattus rattus at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2018-20. FSAE treated baits 1, 2 and 3 containing 30, 60 and 90% fenugreek seed powder in WSO bait were fed to rats for 15 days in bi-choice conditions. Results revealed that percent acceptance and mean active ingredient ingested varied from 15.9732.24% and 0.59-1.33 g/kg bwt in R. rattus, respectively in different treatments. Antifeedant index (%) varied from 37.40-67.85% showed development of habituation towards treated baits. Weight of reproductive organs of both sexes was significantly reduced. A significant reduction in progressive sperm motility, concentration, viability and increase in sperm morphological abnormalities in males and significant alternation in length of estrous cycle with prolonged di-estous and shortened estrous stages of females fed on treated bait 3 was recorded. There was significant reduction in number of both germ and sertoli cells in different stages (12) of seminiferous epithelial cycle (identified by haematoxylin-eosin) in male and number of ovarian follicles in ovary, endometrium thickness and diameter of uterine glands in uterus of female. Significant influence on different hormone levels was observed in R. rattus fed on treated bait 3. Reversibility was also recorded after 15 days of termination of treatment. Reduction in breeding success (50%) was recorded as compared to control. FSAE treated bait 3 was further evaluated under indoor grain stores, where active ingredient consumption was 1.18% for 21 days. Due to insufficient consumption of active ingredient, low anti-fertility effect was observed as witnessed by minimum effect in R. rattus reproductive parameters. Present study indicates significant effect of FSAE treated bait 3 (90%) in reducing reproductive potential and inducing sterility in R. rattus under laboratory conditions, but the effect was reversible after 15 days of treatment. To get the field efficacy of FSAE as antifertility agent against R. rattus, the acceptability of FSAE treated bait 3 must be enhanced. So, alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds (90%) may be used as a potential anti-fertility agent and can be used in Integrated Rodent Control programme.
Open Access
Population status, feeding behaviour and breeding biology of Baya Weaver Bird (Ploceus philippinus) in Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sukhpreet Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
The present study on population status, feeding behaviour and breeding biology of Baya Weaver Bird was conducted for the period of February 2018 to January 2020. Three villages per district namely village Baranhara (nesting colony I), Raghunath enclave (nesting colony II) and Rattan (nesting colony III) in district Ludhiana; village Fatehpur (nesting colony IV), Mukarabpur (nesting colony V) and Manjitpur (nesting colony VI) in district Rupnagar; village Haraj (nesting colony VII), Wan (nesting colony VIII) and Toot (nesting colony IX) in district Ferozepur were selected. Relative abundance of Baya Weaver Bird ranged from 11.09% to 16.07% at all the selected locations. Present study on feeding and foraging behaviour of Baya Weaver Bird revealed the feeding on different crops (rice, wheat, pearl millet, sorghum) at different stages. During breeding season they fed their youngones on termites, grasshoppers, beetles, flies, moths, bees and wasps. Breeding season of Baya Weaver Bird was found to be ranged from May to September during both years. Nesting colonies of Baya Weaver Bird was found on trees Date Palm (77.77%), Royal Palm (11.11%) and Fishtail Palm (11.11%); which were located in residential premises (44.44%), village outskirts (22.22%) in crop fields (33.33%) and water bodies (77.77%). Chronological data showed the initiation of nesting varied from 2nd week of May to 3rd week of June during the year 2018 and 2019 at all selected locations. First and second batch of fledglings of Baya Weaver Bird were observed from 4th week of July to end of September month during both the breeding seasons. Clutch size was recorded 2 to 4 eggs per nest and nestling period was ranged from 13- 23 days. Hatching success and nestling success was ranged between 75.00% - 100.00% and 50.00% to 100.00% respectively. Thirteen eggs were examined for the morphometrical analysis which showed the average weight of eggs 1.77±0.13 g; maximum mean length (21.25±0.55 mm) and maximum mean width (13.52±0.55 mm) was recorded at location II and location I respectively. Six vertebrate predators (three avian species and three reptile species) were observed damaging and predating on the nests. Abandoned nest of Baya Weaver Bird were utilised by secondary nesters namely Indian Silverbill, Scaly-breasted Munia, House Sparrow and Yellow Wasp. Pesticide analysis for 16 organophosphates had shown the presence of Chloropyriphos and Triazophos in the excreta samples. Fifteen heavy metals were analyzed, As, Pb, Cd and Cr were recorded above normal range and below toxic range. Present study implicated that plantations of palm trees are required to be undertaken in agricultural habitat would help in establishing colonies of Baya Weaver Bird and to exploit their insect biocontrol potential during their breeding season. Present study provides valuable information on habitat structure, breeding and feeding activities of Baya Weaver Bird for the formulation of its species specific conservation programme.
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Eucalyptus oil based hybrid nanoemulsions as larvicidal agents against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus)
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Komalpreet Kaur; Vashishat, Nisha
The 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 aegypti
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, Neena
Present 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
Open 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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