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ThesisItem Open Access Contribution of different chemical pools of potassium towards wheat nutrition(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Harpreet Kaur; Gill, Roopinder SinghThe field and pot experiments were conducted to study the effect of potassium (K) application on availability of K to wheat and contribution of exchangeable and non exchangeable K towards wheat nutrition. In pot experiment, twenty bulk soil samples having a range in available K were used and K was applied @ 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30 kg K ha-1soil. Wheat (cv PBW 725) was grown as a test crop. The different potassium fractions i.e. water soluble, exchangeable, available and non exchangeable K were determined. The amount of corresponding forms ranged between 8.86 to 23.7, 66.1 to 379.8, 75.1 to 403.1 and 898.4 to 1861.3 mg kg-1 soil in these soils. The mean grain yield varied from 8.43 to 20.58 g pot-1. All the forms of K showed positive and significant correlation with grain & straw yield, K content and K uptake. The highest positive and significant correlation of wheat grain yield was found to be with water soluble K (r = 0.905*) followed by available K (r = 0.836*), exchangeable K (r = 0.831*) and non exchangeable K (0.815*). In K deficient oils, grain yield of wheat increased significantly with graded levels of applied K. However, in K sufficient soils, grain yield increased significantly up to application of 25 kg K ha-1. In both K deficient and sufficient soils, K concentration and uptake by grain and straw of wheat increased significantly with incremental levels of applied K. About 83.6 per cent variation in grain yield of wheat was due to the combined influence of water soluble and exchangeable potassium while available and non exchangeable form of potassium explained only 2.3 per cent variation in grain yield of wheat. However, in K deficient soils, contribution of non exchangeable K towards grain yield was higher as compared to K sufficient soils. The critical limit of available and non exchangeable potassium for wheat as determined by graphical method was 168 and 1338 kg K ha-1, respectively. The field experiment was conducted at two sites, at the Research Farm of Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana (medium in available potassium i.e. 228.9 kg ha-1) and at Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur (low in available potassium i.e. 125.6 kg ha-1). The K was applied @ 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg K ha-1 soil and wheat (cv PBW 725) was grown as test crop. The mean grain yield in PAU, Ludhiana and RRS, Gurdaspur soil was found 47.5 and 42.5 q ha-1, respectively. In PAU, Ludhiana soil, the significant response of wheat to applied potassium was recorded up to 25 kg K ha-1 soil, however, in RRS, Gurdaspur soil response was recorded up to 40 kg K ha-1. The water soluble, exchangeable, available and non exchangeable K were found to be 13.8, 75.9, 84.5 and 1053.6 mg kg-1 soil, respectively in PAU, Ludhiana soil and 10.1, 61.1, 70.5 and 969.7 mg kg-1 soil, respectively, in RRS, Gurdaspur soil. The kinetics of non-exchangeable K release from ten bulk soil samples having a range in available K was investigated using 0.01 M oxalic acid. The cumulative amount of K released in 200 h ranged between 86 and 253 cmol kg-1 x 10-2. The highest amount of non exchangeable K release (253 cmol kg-1 x 10-2) was found in Mansa soil (sufficient in K) and lowest amount (86 cmol kg-1 x 10-2) was recorded in Gurdaspur soil (deficient in K). Kinetics of non exchangeable K release from soils were adequately described by Elovich, first order, power function and parabolic diffusion models while zero order model was not suitable to describe K release.ThesisItem Restricted Pretreatment of paddy straw by Delftia sp. for enhancing biogas production(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Harpreet Kaur; Phutela, Urmila GuptaThe present study was aimed to study the growth profile and lignocellulolytic enzyme (laccase, endoglucanase, exoglucanase and -glucosidase) profile of Delftia sp. PP4_S3 (bacteria) which was used for pretreatment of paddy straw. The pretreated paddy straw was used for enhancing biogas production. The comparison of biogas production from bacterial (Delftia sp. PP4_S3) and fungal (Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138) pretreated paddy straw also carried out. Maximum growth of Delftia sp. PP4_S3 was obtained after 72 h with OD (600nm) value of 1.890±0.27 and cell count of 8.76×107±0.02 in paddy straw based nutrient broth. In solid state fermentation, maximum laccase, endoglucanase, exoglucanase and - glucosidase activities of 203 Ug-1, 35.7 Ug-1 , 14.2 Ug-1 and 11.3 Ug-1 respectively were obtained as compared to 11.2 Uml-1, 6.46 U/ml-1, 1.85 U/ml-1 and 2.13 U/ml in submerged conditions. The pretreatment of paddy straw with Delftia sp. PP4_S3 showed maximum reduction of 7.46% total solids, 5.67% volatile solids, 40.6%cellulose, 22.5% hemicellulose, 45.7% lignin and 17.7% silica in 5 days of pretreatment period. Highest biogas production i.e. 180 l/kg PS, 560 l/kg TS and 673.2 l/kg VS (66.1% enhanced over control) was found on 3rd day of treatment. Paddy straw pretreated with Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138 showed 44.7% increased biogas production with 153.4 l/kg PS, 561.9 l/kg TS and 689.9 l/kg VS. Pretreatment of paddy straw with Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138 showed maximum reduction of 3.71% total solids, 4.61% volatile solids, 38.6%cellulose, 14.8% hemicellulose, 42.6% lignin and 16.2% silica. Both Delftia sp. PP4_S3 and Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138 showed significant reduction in lignin and silica content which indicate that both are lignin and silica degrader. However less pretreatment period required by bacteria make it more suitable for biogas production.ThesisItem Open Access Chemistry and antimycotic potential of mentha based shellac coatings against penicillium digitatum of kinnow fruit(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Harpreet Kaur; Tandon, RituThe present study deals with chemistry and antimycotic potential of Mentha based shellac coatings against Penicillium digitatum of kinnow fruit. Essential oil (EO) of two species of Mentha viz. Mentha piperita and Mentha arvensis was extracted using Clevenger-type apparatus. Per cent yield of essential oil of M. arvensis (2.8%) was found higher than M. piperita (2.1%) Compositional analysis of M. piperita essential oil by GC-MS revealed presence of 51 compounds. M. piperita EO exhibited better antimycotic potential than M. arvensis EO against P. digitatum. Hence, Process of nanoemulsion (NE) development of M. piperita EO was optimized for parameters such as oil and surfactant ratio (v/v) with three sonication times (ST) with the help of probe ultrasonicator. Effect of surfactant concentration and sonication time on droplet diameter and electrical conductivity was studied. Nanoemulsion of 1:0.5 ratio of oil and surfactant with 20 min ST exhibited smallest droplet diameter as well as maximum stability at refrigerator temperature (4°C) than ambient temperature (25°C) over the storage period of 2 months. M. piperita based shellac nanoemulsions were prepared for the best.1:0.5 (v/v) oil and surfactant ratio. NE with 15 minute ST showed more effective inhibition (96.0%) against P. digitatum in comparison to other nanoemulsions as well as pure M. piperita EO (71.0%). Optical and SEM results showed morphological changes in treated fungus. Nanoshellac coating showed maximum inhibition at par with the standard Carbendazim.ThesisItem Open Access Study of durability and mechanical properties of concrete using textile mill sludge and plasticizer(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Harpreet Kaur; Jaspal SinghGrowing population and life quality, both leads to high consumption of resources. High rate of consumption of resources generates a lot of waste materials. Improper management of waste materials causes various environmental problems. Textile Industries plays an important role in economy of a nation but on the other hand it generates a lot of waste materials through various processes. Textile industries generate a large amount of solid waste and its disposal creates many problems related to human health and our environment. The production of concrete utilizing industrial waste can help in reducing these environmental problems. In the present study the textile mill sludge was used as a replacement of fine aggregates in concrete. Plasticizer was added in concrete to improve the workability of concrete. A total of 342 concrete specimens were prepared by partial replacement of fine aggregates with textile mill sludge (5%, 15%, 25%, 35%, 45% and 55%) and with plasticizer (0.5% and 1% by weight of cement). The workability of concrete was tested by compaction factor test immediately after preparing the concrete mixes whereas the mechanical properties of concrete were checked after 7,14 and 28 days. The durability of concrete was checked after 28 days. The obtained results indicates that the workability of concrete decreases from medium to low with increase in content of textile mill sludge. The addition of both textile mill sludge (25%) and plasticizer (1%) in concrete gives maximum compressive strength and shows good durability results. Use of textile mill sludge decreases the cost of concrete upto 18.73%.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of salicylic acid on antioxidant defense system on berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) against cold stress(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Harpreet Kaur; Goyal, MeenakshiThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA) pretreatment on antioxidant system in berseem under cold stress. Berseem seeds were (var. BL42 and BL-10) primed with water (control) and different concentrations of SA (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 µg/ml) for 4 hours. Soaked seeds were germinated on moist filter papers in petri plates at 25°C in two different sets. After germination of three days one set of petri plates was exposed to cold stress (5°C) for five days and other set was remained at 25°C. Physiological and biochemical parameters were observed in root and shoot samples after seven days of germination. Higher vigor index was obtained at 50 and 75 µg/ml of SA pretreatment. SA pretreatment enhanced root and shoot length, fresh weight uptill 100 µg/ml and then decreased at 125 µg/ml of SA. Pretreatment with 50 and 75 µg/ml of SA showed higher increase in antioxidant enzyme (CAT, APX, GR, GPX and SOD) activities. SA pretreatment of 50 to 100 µg/ml concentrations resulted in upregulation of non-enzymatic antioxidants under both normal and cold conditions. Biochemical metabolites such as total protein, proline and total phenol were differentially affected by different salicylic acid treatments under cold stress. SA alleviated the adverse effect of cold stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content in berseem seedlings. So SA pretreatment ameliorated the cold stress in berseem by upregulating enzymatic antioxidants, non-enzymatic antioxidants and biochemical metabolites.ThesisItem Open Access Synthesis and antifungal potential of copper fluoro carbamodithioates(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Harpreet Kaur; AnjaliNovel fluorinated carbamodithioato Cu(II) complexes were synthesized by one pot two step reaction protocol by the reaction of anilines with carbon disulfide followed by the addition of copper chloride. The synthesized Cu(II) complexes were analysed by CHN analysis, titrometric methods and spectral techniques. Their physical characterization colour and melting point were noted. All the synthesized organic complexes were screened for their in vitro antifungal potential against various phytopathogenic fungi viz. Bipolaris sorokiniana, Puccinia hordei and Puccinia striiformis by spore germination technique, using Propiconazole as positive control for comparison of the results. The complex 1a (tetraaquaphenylcarbamodithioatocopper(II) chloride) had inflicted highest fungitoxic potential against all the test fungi.ThesisItem Restricted Nonlinear wave structure in magnetized plasma using non-extensive distribution of electrons(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Harpreet Kaur; Parveen BalaOn the surface of fast rotating neutron stars and in the pulsar magnetosphere, a strong magnetic field exists, and this magnetic field has a significant impact on nonlinear wave propagation. In the present study, the nonlinear wave structures have been investigated in magnetized plasma consisting of electrons obeying nonextensive distribution and stationary ions. Using the reductive perturbation technique, the basic set of equations is reduced to Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV) equation and steady state solution of the K-dV equation is obtained. The basic characteristics of the solitary waves have been analyzed numerically and graphically for a wide range of values of the plasma parameters. The presented investigation shows that the presence of nonextensive distributed electrons causes reduction in the soliton amplitude. The magnetic field has no effect on the amplitude of solitary waves but it makes the solitons spiky. The effects of the ion to electron temperature ratio and angle of propagation in this situation are also discussed. This model may be helpful to understand the nonlinear features of localized electrostatic fluctuations in the presence of magnetic field, nonmaxwellian electrons, which is most common particularly in space plasmas such as Earth‘s magnetosphere, auroral region and heliospheric environments.ThesisItem Restricted Characterization of phosphate solublizing bacteria from potato field soil for plant growth promotion activities(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Harpreet Kaur; Gangwar, MadhuramaThe present study was undertaken with a view to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from potato field soil and evaluate their potential to produce plant growth promoting metabolites and increase the crop yield. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are frequently used as plant growth promoters and their use as inoculants increases P uptake by the plant and enhances crop yield. A total of 40 PSB isolates were obtained from the rhizospheric soil of potato. The functional potentialities of the isolates recorded were phosphate solubilization, siderophore and Indole acetic acid (IAA) production. The maximum P-solubilization and IAA production was recorded for isolate DS-20 (45.28 mg /100 ml and 80.12 µg/ml) respectively. Isolate DS-5 exhibited maximum catechol type (78.8µg/ml) and hydroxamate type (43.56 µg/ml) of siderophore production. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the tuber yield and quality characteristics in response to three phosphorus levels (0, 75 and 100 kg/ha) and two PSB cultures (DS 20 and Reference culture). The crop growth (sprout number, plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content) and yield traits (tuber yield, NPK contents of plant, tuber and soil) enhanced on PSB inoculation as well as increased P-fertilizer application. Maximum tuber yield of 375 q-1 hectare was produced by Reference culture. Therefore, PSB inoculants may act as potential P-biofertilizer for the sustainable potato cultivation system.ThesisItem Restricted GENETIC ANALYSIS OF YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN FINE GRAINED AROMATIC RICE GENOTYPES (ORYZA SATIVA L.)(2010) Harpreet KaurThe study on the genetic analysis of yield and quality traits in fine grained aromatic rice genotypes (ORYZA SATIVA L.) was undertaken at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during Kharif 2008 and 2009. Gene action and combining ability for morphological, milling and cooking quality characters were studied in a set of diallel crosses involving six parents. The genetic analysis revealed that for most of the morphological traits (days to 50 percent flowering, plant height, spikelets per panicle, spikelet sterility, grain yield and harvest index), milling traits (1000 grain weight of brown rice, 1000 grain weight of milled rice, kernel length, kernel breadth, length: breadth ratio, total rice recovery and head rice recovery) and cooking quality traits (water uptake ratio) both additive and dominance gene effects were involved with the predominance of non additive gene action. Additive gene action was more pronounced for characters like plant height, spikelet sterility, kernel length, length: breadth ratio, hulling percentage and alkali spreading value. Over dominance was observed for majority of traits except plant height, spikelet sterility, kernel length, length: breadth ratio, hulling percentage and alkali spreading value. Combining ability analysis indicated the significance of both general combing ability and specific combining ability effects. Punjab Basmati 2 was good general combiner for yield and its component traits while Pusa 1121 was good general combiner for milling and cooking quality traits. Among the crosses, Basmati 386/ Punjab Basmati 2 and Basmati 386/ Pusa 1121 were desirable for yield related traits while Punjab Basmati 2/ Pusa Basmati 1, Basmati 386/ Super Basmati, Basmati 370/ Pusa 1121 and Super Basmati/ Pusa 1121 were desirable for milling and cooking quality characters. Correlation studies revealed a negative association between yield and quality traits except for alkali spreading value. Generally, milling and cooking quality traits did not show any correlation.