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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 Embargo Amphibian diversity and abundance in relation to pesticide residues in rice fields and village ponds(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Shelly; Rajwinder SinghSix 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.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.ThesisItem Embargo Diversity and abundance of spiders and their predatory potential against lepidopteran pests in maize crop (Zea mays)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Noorani; Rajwinder SinghPresent study was conducted with an objective to study on diversity and abundance of spiders and their predatory potential against lepidopteran pests in kharif and spring maize crop during 2021-22. About 31 different species of spiders belonged to order Araneae and seven different families Tetragnathidae, Araneidae, Oxyopidae, Lycosidae, Salticidae, Pisauridae and Phylodromidae were recorded where Lycosidae (38.70%) showed the highest dominance. In kharif and spring maize crops the number of spider species recorded were 20 and 15, respectively. The dominant genus belonged to Pardosa with account of 10 species. Functional response of four dominant spider species (Lycosa pseudoannulata, Pardosa pseudoannulata, Pardosa amenata and Pardosa milvinia) was studied against major lepidopterans (Chilo partellus) and (Spodoptera frugiperda) which showed type II functional response where larval consumption increased with increased prey density, but after reaching to the upper asymptote it started decreasing. Interestingly, this predation was recorded against 2nd instars and 3rdinstar and adult lepidopterans except 4th and 5th larval instars due to their large size. Thus, present study suggests that spider fauna in maize crop fields should be protected by judicious use of insecticide applications so as to utilize their full potential in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme which can manage the most damaging stage (3rd instar) of major lepidopteran pests i.e., fall armyworm and maize stem borer, respectively.ThesisItem Embargo Toxic and anti-reproductive effects of papaya seed extract based nanoparticles in male Bandicota bengalensis(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Arora, Payal; Singla, NeenaPresent study investigated the toxic and anti-reproductive effects of papaya seed chloroform extract-based solid lipid nanoparticles (PSCEN) in male, Bandicota bengalensis. Nanoparticles fabricated were spherical in shape with size varying from 300 to 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 rats of two treated groups varied from 21.30-29.40 g/kg body weight. There was observed significant effect of treatment histology of testis and cauda epididymis in the form of reduced number of germ cells, dissociation of seminiferous epithelial cycle and reduced number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymal lumen. The level of testosterone, FSH, LH and GnRH in plasma was found decreased significantly in the treated rats. A significant decrease was also observed in level of total soluble proteins, total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, 17β-HSD and 3β-HSD indicating anti-reproductive effects of PSCEN treatment. There was, however, observed no significant effect of treatment on the level of LDH, ACP, ALP, AST and ALT in the liver and plasma. There was also no change in the histology of liver indicating no toxic effect of nanoparticles. There was a significant increase in level of SOD, CAT, GPx and LPO and decrease in level of GR in plasma of treated rats. Overall, no significant difference was observed in these enzymes and biochemicals of control and treated rats among different days after treatment withdrawal indicating long term irreversible effects even after 105 days of treatment withdrawal. The study suggests further evaluation of PSCEN in regulating fertility of rodent pests under field conditions.
