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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of flag leaf characteristics in relation to spike quality and corm production in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)
    (Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Ramandeep Kaur; Dr. Shalini Jhanji
    The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of flag leaf characteristics in relation to spike quality and corm production in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2022-2023. The genotypes/varieties were evaluated for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS). Significant differences among the genotypes were recorded for studied morphological and post harvest quality parameters. The cluster analysis grouped the genotypes/varieties into two major clusters which were further subdivided into two subclusters each. Cluster Ib (Punjab Pink Elegance, Punjab Lemon Delight, Punjab Glance, etc) performed best in terms of desirable morphological traits while cluster IIa (Pusa Gunjan, Pusa Kiran, Punjab Dawn, etc) was found to have performed least in terms of various morphological characters. Cluster analysis also revealed that Punjab Glance and Punjab Glad 3 lied in different clusters and differed based on flag leaf length, spike length, spike weight, corm weight, days to initiation and complete spike emergence due to which these two varieties were selected for evaluation of flag leaf characteristics in relation to spike and corm production during different spike developmental stages. With advancement in developmental stages, there was significant growth of flag leaf, spike and corm. In comparison of Punjab Glance and Punjab Glad 3, Punjab Glad 3 had comparatively greater flag leaf length, width, area, weight, total leaf weight, area, spike length, rachis length, spike weight, rachis weight, spike diameter, lamina thickness, epidermal thickness, mesophyll thickness and stomatal index but in terms of corm traits, Punjab Glance had greater number of corms, corm weight, corm diameter and number of cormels. Punjab Glad 3 had comparatively greater membrane stability (MS), relative water content (RWC), total soluble sugars (TSS), total soluble proteins (TSP), sucrose content, starch content, activity of acid invertase, neutral invertase and sucrose synthase than Punjab Glance in both flag leaf and spike while in corm Punjab Glance had greater MS, RWC, TSS, TSP, sucrose content, starch content, activity of acid invertase, neutral invertase and sucrose synthase. Punjab Glad 3 had greater flag leaf length and width which led to longer spike but less corm development as maximum assimilates were translocated to spike while in case of Punjab Glance though it had shorter spike but the corm in this case had greater sink strength which led to better corm development.
  • ThesisItemEmbargo
    Effect of container type and growing media on growth and nutrients uptake in Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. seedlings
    (Punjab Agricultural University, 2022) Ramandeep Kaur; Garg, Rakesh K.
    The present study was conducted in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources during the year 2020-21. The study comprised of two nursery experiments established in factorial complete randomized design with three replications. The first experiment comprised of fifteen treatment combinations of five container types (plastic bottles, clay pots, plastic pots, polypropylene bags and polythene bags) and three container size (500 cm³, 1000 cm³ and 2000 cm³). Second experiment comprised of twenty one treatment combinations of three soil textures (sandy loam, loamy sand and clay loam) and seven amendments (pure soil, soil: FYM 1:1, soil: FYM 2:1, soil: bio digester slurry 1:1, soil: bio digester slurry 2:1, soil: rice husk ash 1:1 and soil: rice husk ash 2:1). Seedlings raised in large size polypropylene bags attained maximum plant height (143.27cm), collar diameter (10.53mm), number of branches (24.33), number of leaves (50.33), root length (93.90cm), number of roots (34), number of nodules (22), biomass production and nutrient (N, P and K) uptake. The reusable containers viz plastic bottles, plastic pots and clay pots can be used for producing plants to reduce dependency on single-use polythene bags in nurseries. The seedlings produced in mixture of sandy loam and bio digester slurry (2:1) resulted in maximum root length (160.33 cm), number of nodules (25.33), number of leaves (46.33), biomass production and nutrients uptake at nine months of age. Seedlings raised in sandy loam:bio digester slurry (2:1) had statistically at par plant height with sandy loam:bio digester slurry (1:1) and loamy sand:bio digester slurry (2:1) at nine months of age.
  • ThesisItemEmbargo
    Synthesis and characterization of graphene and modified graphene-based polymer nanocomposites
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2023) Ramandeep Kaur; Kiran Jeet
    Synthesis of nanomaterials from chemical precursors is not only expensive but also releases carcinogenic toxic chemicals during the reaction. In this study, the graphene oxide (GO) and nanocellulose (NC) were fabricated from agri-waste. The nanomaterials synthesized from agricultural precursors were compared with the similar nanomaterials prepared from conventional precursors. Their structures and chemical composition were compared with high resolution imaging and spectroscopic tools. The study has also undertaken the production of nanocomposites of these materials. Recycling of agricultural waste due to its abundance is considered to be the biggest challenge. As burning of agri-waste causes serious environmental and health related issues. Hence, utilization of agricultural waste in synthesizing nanomaterials helps in their recycling and minimizes environmental impact with an added advantage of circular bioeconomy. Keeping this in view, GO was prepared using rice husk ash and NC was extracted from sugarcane bagasse along with their nanocomposites. The nanocomposites prepared using agricultural waste sources and conventional sources were inspected by N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, which demonstrated that the nanocomposites prepared from agri-waste sources exhibits much higher specific surface area than that of prepared from conventional precursors.
  • ThesisItemEmbargo
    Ultrasound-assisted accelerated aging of paddy (rice): modification of structural and textural properties
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2023) Ramandeep Kaur; Bobade, Hanuman
    Rice (Oryza sativa) is a major cereal crop and a staple food for most of the world’s population. Most of the produced rice is consumed after cooking. However, the rice milled from freshly harvested paddy cooks to pasty consistency with undesirable eating qualities. Therefore, the commercial millers are compelled to store the freshly harvested paddy for at least 4-6 months of period under controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity to obtain the rice with better cooking and textural properties. This storage of paddy, which is also called aging, is cumbersome from technical as well as economic point of view. The various accelerated aging techniques have been developed but with certain limitations. The ultrasonication is one of the green, novel, non-destructive, quick, adaptable, and promising technologies being applied in the food industry. The ultrasound processing has ability to bring changes in the milling, cooking, textural, and nutritional properties of rice. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken for ultrasound assisted aging of paddy which was treated ultrasonically for 30, 60, and 90 min durations at different temperatures of 30, 40, and 50oC and the ultrasound process treatment using response surface methodology (RSM). The appropriate models were developed and used to optimize the best conditions of ultrasound treatment by running ANOVA based on the milling and cooking characteristics of rice. The head rice yield increased for increasing temperature from 30 to 50oC while decreased beyond 60 min ultrasound duration. The broken rice decreased with increasing temperature while increased with increase in ultrasound period from 60 to 90 min. Milling efficiency was increased with increase in time and temperature of ultrasound treatment. The ultrasound treatment decreased cooking time with the increase in time and temperature while increase the water uptake ratio, volume expansion ratio and cooking loss in rice with the increase in time and temperature of ultrasound treatment. The best-optimized ultrasound conditions by RSM were 60 min 50oC which increased the head rice yield, decreased the broken heads, and improved the milling efficiency and cooking qualities. The ultrasound treatment improved rice flour's functional properties (WAC, OAC, and SP). The phenolic content and antioxidant activity of rice increased significantly (p<0.05) with ultrasound time and temperature increase while decreased in rice obtained by milling of six month stored paddy. The in vitro digestibility of rice was also improved by ultrasound treatment as ultrasound treatment increased the content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS). Slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) also varied with various ultrasound conditions. Whereas, RD observed to be higher and RDS observed to be lower in six month stored paddy. Furthermore, ultrasound treatment significantly (p<0.05) improved the textural properties of rice. The pasting profile and color properties are also impacted by ultrasound treatment under various conditions. The pasting properties of rice obtained by ultrasound treatment for 60 min are similar to the rice obtained from paddy stored for six months. The structural changes in rice from ultrasound treated paddy witnessed by SEM, X-ray diffraction, and FTIR analysis. Ultrasound treatment for 60 min at 50oC temperature can be used as an alternative for the natural aging of paddy to accelerate the process.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by combination of arsenic, cadmium and lead heavy metal and its amelioration by curcumin and ascorbic acid in male albino rats
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Ramandeep Kaur; Navdeep Kaur
    The hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity 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. The histopathological studies showed changes in architecture of liver and kidney tissues of heavy metals treated rats as compared to control rats and curcumin and ascorbic acid showed a restored structure of liver and kidneys. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in proteins, lipids, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and significant increase in cholesterol, phospholipids, fatty acids and malondialdehyde level (MDA) in liver and kidneys and a significant increase in activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and AKP) as well as urea, creatinine in plasma of heavy metals treated rats at 60 and 90 days. The liver of rats treated with heavy metals, curcumin and ascorbic acids showed non-significant variation of proteins, lipids, cholesterol for 60 days only and MDA , activities of SOD, catalase in liver as well as activities of plasma enzymes such as ACP, AKP, ALT, AST for 60 and 90 days .The rats treated with heavy metals, curcumin and ascorbic acids showed non-significant variation of MDA, plasma urea for 60 days and proteins, lipids, cholesterol, phospholipid, fatty acids, activities of SOD , catalase in kidneys as well as plasma creatinine for 60 and 90 days. Thus, curcumin and ascorbic acid have the ameliorating potential against hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by mixture of heavy metals in drinking water.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of climate change on productivity of wheat and cotton in south west Punjab
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Ramandeep Kaur; Gill, K.K.
    The study entitled "Impact of climate change on productivity of wheat and cotton in south west Punjab" was conducted to assess the shift, variation and deviation in climate of Punjab during 37 year (1981-2017) in Bathinda and 17 years (2001-2017) in Faridkot using correlation regression techniques and estimating the possible effects of climate and technology on the productivity of cotton (Gossypium spp.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops. Three different statistical models i.e. Basic Model (Model 1), Modified Model (Model 2) and SPSS Software (Model 3) were used. The results showed that in case of maximum temperature at Bathinda, more variation has been found in fourth decade as compared to others and at Faridkot the variation was observed more during second pentad. More variation in minimum temperature has been found in fourth decade and third pentad at Bathinda and Faridkot, respectively. In case of rainfall at Bathinda, more variation has been found in fourth decade as compared to others. At Faridkot, the variation was more during second pentad. GStat was used for the development of multiple regression equation and correlation was developed for the sensitive crop periods in model I or basic model. The basic model is then modified through inclusion of an assumed composite index while other independent variables are kept constant. SPSS software was used as a model for wheat and cotton for forecast analysis. The use of basic model (model 1) has shown that the maximum temperature during 2nd and 3rd weeks of wheat growing season had negative effect on wheat yield at Bathinda district. At Faridkot, minimum temperature during 2nd week showed negative effect on wheat yield. The three models (i.e. basic model, modified model and SPSS software) predicted wheat and cotton yield and the error per cent of all these models was remained 30 per cent for two districts (Faridkot and Bathinda) of south west Punjab. For American cotton and desi cotton grown in Bathinda and Faridkot districts, SPSS software (model 3) was best fit as R2 value was highest for American cotton by 83 % ( Bathinda district) and 97% (Faridkot district), whereas, for desi cotton it was 82 % and 96 % for Bathinda and Faridkot district, respectively. For wheat grown in Bathinda, SPSS software was best fit as R2 value was 97 % while wheat grown in Faridkot, modified model (model 2) was best fit (95 %).
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Fine mapping of QTL on chromosome 9 for drought tolerance in maize
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Ramandeep Kaur; Sharma, Priti
    Drought is considered as one of the major limiting factors in sustainable maize production all over the world as it causes yield reduction by an average of 15% to 20%. Maize is generally grown in Kharif season but spring maize is now coming up in India. However, the water requirement is very high but farmers are reluctant to see the long term effect of maize cultivation during spring season. To meet the growing demand of water during spring season, enhancement of maize yield can be achieved by developing water efficient maize hybrids. The objective of the study was to identify and to transfer QTL associated with drought tolerance into spring maize inbreds through marker assisted backcross breeding (MABB). A total of 135 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross between CM123 as the susceptible (female) parent and CM140 as the tolerant (male) parent along with parents were evaluated under control and drought stress conditions for two consecutive seasons. The QTL on chromosome 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 were identified for drought tolerance under both stress and control conditions. The present study focused on fine mapping of QTL for number of kernel per ear (qKPE) present on chromosome 9 (bnlg1401-umc1634) explaining phenotypic variance of 23.14% under stressed environment. This region was narrow down by designing 50 new SSR markers between the bracketed QTL (qKPE). Seventeen SSR markers showed the polymorphism between CM123 and CM140. These markers along-with previous mapped markers were employed on RIL population. The QTL analysis narrowed down the genetic distance to 3.8 cM from 11.5 cM and physical distance to 691 kb from earlier distance of 15 Mb flanked by two new SSR markers viz. PAU_1143 and PAU_1137. The qKPE is also introgressed through MABB into two spring maize inbreds LM23 and LM24 of hybrid PMH10 for water use efficiency. The foreground selection has been carried out in two generations i.e., BC1F1 and BC2F1. Also, Background selection has been done in BC1F1 to check the background recovery of recurrent parent. The plants carrying the QTL with highest recurrent parent background recovery were selected and again backcrossed to respective parent for generation of BC3F1 population. The BC3F1 plants have been raised during Kharif 2019. The development of drought tolerant PMH10 hybrid will lead to overcome frequent irrigations during spring season and helps to conserve ground water depletion.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of genetic potential of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes in poly-net house
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Ramandeep Kaur; Dhillon, Tarsem Singh
    French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., 2n=2x=22) is one of the most important legume crop grown throughout the world for green tender pods and dry seeds (rajmah). The experiment was conducted to assess the genetic potential of 29 French bean genotypes collected from various sources. The crop was raised in poly-net house during winter 2016-17 and 2017-18 in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at Vegetable Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana with an objective to get high productivity and quality pods during off-season. The significant variation was observed among all the genotypes for all the traits. The green pod yield per plant was found to be high in genotypes Lakshmi (992.33 g), Star-1 (955.50 g), FBK-4 (911.17 g), AVT Var-3 (908.50 g), Kentucky Blue (856.17 g) and FBK-1 (842.67 g) which out yielded check variety Kentucky Wonder (793.33 g). Regarding quality parameters, maximum dry matter was observed in FBK-13 (13.87%), protein content in FBK-1 (9.67%), sugar content in FBK-5 (9.67%) and minimum fibre content in FBK-12 (0.69%). The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was found to be higher than their respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits which showed the influence of environment on these traits. Selection is preferred when a major proportion of variation is heritable variation. The high heritability along with high genetic advance was recorded for most of characters which showed the presence of additive gene action and selection should be performed for improvement of these characters. Path analysis study revealed that pod weight, number of pods per plant, number of pickings and harvesting span had maximum direct effect on green pod yield per plant. The above characters which had maximum positive direct effect on green pod yield were also positively correlated with yield and thus selection for these traits will be effective for improving the total green pod yield. There was an excellent plant growth, productivity and better quality pods under poly net house conditions. This off season crop can be successfully raised under Punjab conditions during winter season which fetches high price in the market and is economical to the farmers of Punjab when there is no availability of green pods from high altitude. Hence, there is a great scope of cultivation of pole type French bean under poly-net house conditions in Punjab.
  • ThesisItemRestricted
    Extraction and characterization of fibre from by-products of carrot, kinnow and pea for their utilization in food
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Ramandeep Kaur; Bhatia, Surekha
    The present investigation was undertaken to extract and characterize dietary fibre from carrot pomace, pea pod, kinnow peel and pomace. Three independent variables viz. temperature (30-90oC), time (5-15min) and s: w ratio (1:5-1:10) were selected using experimental design of software design expert and 13 different combination were formed for preparation of fibre concentrate. Optimization of fibre extraction was done using Box-Behnken design Response surface methodology. Temperature had significant effect on the total dietary fibre (TDF), ferric reducimg ability of plasma (FRAP), water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC) of fibre concentrate from carrot pomace, pea pod, kinnow peel and pomace except on the WHC of kinnow peel. Time had significant effect on TDF, FRAP, WHC and OHC of carrot pomace, pea pod and kinnow pomace fibre concentrate. However, in kinnow peel significant effect of time was observed only on FRAP activity of fibre concentrate. Sample: water (s:w) ratio had significant effect only on FRAP activity of pea pod, kinnow peel and pomace and WHC of kinnow pomace fibre concentrate. The optimum process parameters for fibre concentrate preparation from carrot pomace were: temperature 90o C, time 15 min and s:w ratio 1: 8.94 under which 73.56% TDF, 21.97 mg/g FRAP, 7.89 g/g WHC and 2.50 g/g OHC was found. The optimum process parameters for pea pod were: temperature 47.23o C, time 15 min and s:w ratio 1:9.37, under which 51.55% TDF, 25.98 mg/g FRAP, 6.25 g/g WHC and 2.00 g/g OHC was found. The optimum process parameters for kinnow peel and pomace were: temperature 73.98 and 60.52oC, time 5 and 8.33min and s:w ratio 1:5 under which 68.74 and 65.17% TDF, 42.45 and 21.55 mg/g FRAP, 7.80 and 7.01 g/g WHC and 5.88 and 3.53 g/g OHC was found. The fibre concentrate prepared under optimum conditions were dried by different methods (lyophilizer, microwave and oven drying). Methods of drying had no significant effect on TDF, crude protein, fat and functional properties, whereas, phenolic content and antioxidative activity were affected by drying. Carrot pomace fibre concentrate had highest TDF content whereas, antioxidative activity and phenolics was found highest in kinnow peel. Highest SDF/IDF ratio (1:3.75-1:4.52) was found for kinnow pomace and lowest value (1:1.95-1:2.81) for kinnow peel fibre concentrate. Maximum WHC and SWC were observed in carrot pomace and maximum OHC was in kinnow peel fibre concentrate. Packaging of fibre concentrate in AF, LDPE and PP bags and storage for 6 months under ambient and refrigerated conditions did not show any significant effect on TDF and functional properties of fibre concentrate. However, phenolic content and FRAP activity decreased during storage. Cookies at 5% replacement of refined wheat flour with carrot pomace fibre concentrate were most accebtable than other levels of replacement as well as replacement with other fibre concentrates. In conclusion, fibre concentrates from the by-products are good sources of dietary fibre with optimum SDF/IDF ratio and can be used in formulation of functional foods.