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ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF HYBRIDS OF PLEUROTUS FLORIDA AND VOLVARIELLA VOLVACEA THROUGH PROTOPLAST FUSION(2013) Zenebe Teka MengeshaProtoplast fusion using Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electrofusion was carried out between strains of Pleurotus florida and Volvariella volvacea to develop improved hybrids. Preliminary screening was carried out based on responses to growth at different temperature regimes, colony radial growth, morphology and growth patterns of colony, hyphal size, presence or absence of clamp connections, and other unique characters like production of reddish exudates. Following the rigorous screening, eight intergeneric hybrids (Pv14, Pv19, Pv21, Pv27, Pv45, Pv66, Pv102 and Pv127) were selected and further evaluated for fruit body formation. Pv45, Pv66 and Pv102 were unable to give primordia after 25 days of growth and were considered sterile. Among those which developed fruit bodies, Pv21 and Pv127 had brownish circular caps with regular margins and central stipes. Other strains showed cap morphologies closely related to PF5. Isozyme (alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, esterase and super oxide dismutase) pattern analyses indicated presence of bands in all the strains which verified hybridization between the two parents. Besides, two bands observed neither in the parents nor in the other strains were noticed in pv27 and pv127. Amplifications of genomic DNA from all the strains using 14 arbitrary decamer RAPD primers resulted in 98 bands, with size range of 160bps to 2500bps, of which 57.14 per cent were polymorphic. The bands were obtained only from 8 primers. A combined clustering analysis of these bands using NTSYSpc software indicated that Pv127 exhibited marked divergence from the other strains in the phylogenetic clusters and had better performance. Therefore, the salient investigation of the current work was screening of a hybrid strain (Pv127) with high BE (52.71%) and low temperature tolerance compared to V. volvaceaThesisItem Restricted DEVELOPMENT OF INSTANT KHEER MIX USING EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY(2013) simta singlaExtrusion technology was used to optimize the process for preparation of precooked rice granules for making instant kheer mix. Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert made from milk, sugar and rice. It generally takes long time for cooking. With this study, process to render this product instant was optimized. Effect of moisture (16-20%), screw speed (100-300rpm) and temperature (130-170⁰C) on bulk density (BD), Water Absorption Index (WAI), Water Solubility Index (WSI) and starch conversion (SC) was studied. BD, WAI and SC increased with increasing moisture. Increase in screw speed and temperature resulted in decrease in BD and increase in WAI, WSI and SC. Interactions of any two independent variables were also studied for any significant effect on any of the dependent variables. Interaction of feed moisture and screw speed was found to significantly affect BD and WAI in a positive manner. Process was optimized for minimum BD and maximum WSI and SC. The most suitable working conditions were found to be 17.7% moisture, 285-300 rpm screw speed and 170⁰C temperature. Further ratio of extrudate, Skimmed Milk powder (SMP) and sugar was standardized. The final mix contained extrudate, SMP and sugar in ratio 45:35:20, reconstitution was done in standardized milk at 80⁰C, with mix to milk ratio of 1:3. Storage studies were conducted for a period of three months. During the storage period, the mix was analyzed for its moisture content and overall acceptability at monthly intervals. Moisture showed slight increase by end of third month. Overall acceptability on the basis of sensory evaluation decreased slightly during storage but remained within acceptable range.ThesisItem Restricted OPTIMIZATION OF CONVECTIVE-CUM-MICROWAVE DEHYDRATION OF OYSTER MUSHROOMS (Pleurotus sajor-caju)(2013) Sakti BansalInvestigations were carried out to study the effect of drying parameters viz. loading density, air velocity, power level on convective-cum-microwave dehydration of oyster mushroom. Multi layer drying of commercially grown mushroom cv. Pleurotus sajor-caju was carried out at 3 levels of loading densities (26-52 kg/m2) and air velocities, 3-5 m/s and microwave drying was carried out at 3 power levels (270-810 W). The drying parameters studied were drying rate, temperature and relative humidity of outgoing air, product temperature and heat utilization factor. Quality attributes included rehydration ratio, shrinkage ratio, texture (hardness and chewiness), colour and overall acceptability. Multi layer drying of mushroom with an initial moisture content of 91% wb was carried out at 60°C in a mechanical drier till the moisture content reached 27% wb followed by drying in microwave oven to a final moisture content of 6.89% wb. It was observed that drying rate, relative humidity of outgoing air and heat utilization factor decreased with drying time but opposite trend was observed for temperature of outgoing air and product. The decline in drying rate increased with increase in air velocities and power level whereas opposite trend was observed for loading densities. Increase in loading density and air velocity resulted in decrease in heat utilization factor and relative humidity however temperature of outgoing air and product showed the opposite trend. Logarithmic model showed the highest adequacy of fit for multi layer drying and two term exponential model for microwave drying. The effective moisture diffusivity increased with increase in both loading density and air velocity. The increase in loading density resulted in increase in rehydration ratio, shrinkage ratio, colour change but decrease in texture and overall acceptability. The increase in air velocity resulted in increase in rehydration ratio, hardness, colour change overall acceptability but decrease in shrinkage ratio and chewiness. The increase in power level resulted in increase in rehydration ratio, texture, colour change and decrease in shrinkage ratio and overall acceptability. The optimum conditions for convective-cum-microwave drying of mushroom were found to be 38.80 kg/m2 loading density, 3.86 m/s air velocity and 413.6 W power level. Keywords: Oyster mushroom, drying kinetics, quality, optimizationThesisItem Open Access MODELLING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN CENTRAL PUNJAB(2013) samanpreet kaurA study was planned to assess the impacts of climate change on groundwater resources in Ludhiana district under PRECIS A1B climate change scenario by linking the outputs of climate, soil-water-vegetation and groundwater models using GIS. Bias correction of climate data was done by correction functions, developed using modified difference, approach at daily time scale for rainfall and at monthly time scale for Tmax and Tmin. The methodology consists of development of simulation zones by overlaying soil, drainage, canal and landuse thematic maps in GIS and estimating water balance components using CropSyst and well defined norms. The groundwater draft for individual simulation zones was computed on the basis of landuse, irrigation requirement and rainfall conditions. The spatial distribution of recharge and groundwater draft was mapped to GIS and was provided as input to groundwater model. The results showed that temperature and rainfall would be increased by 2.4°C, 315 mm in MC (2021-2050); and 5.1°C and 465 mm in EC (2071-2098), respectively. During kharif season increase in RF would be 28.0% in MC and 52.0% in EC compared to that in PTS (1971-2010). The corresponding values during rabi would be 82.3% and 88.6%, respectively. As a consequence of increased precipitation, the irrigation requirements in MC and EC would decrease by 46% and 45% during kharif; and 21% and 34% in rabi, respectively. However, the potential groundwater recharge would be reduced by 23.1 and 4.2 per cent in kharif, and increased by 39.1 and 79.6 per cent in rabi during MC and EC, respectively. The average groundwater levels would decrease by 2.2 m in 2050 and increase by 4.8 m in 2098, compared to base year of June 2000. The results presented here should be interpreted as trends and not as accurate quantitative predictions of the hydrological changes as there are numerous sources of uncertainties associated with climate change prediction. Keywords: Climate change, Groundwater, MODFLOW, CropSyst, Geographical information systemThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF INDIAN MUSTARD (Brassica juncea L.) GENOTYPES(2013) Parminder KumarThe field experiment entitled “Effect of nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes” was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana (30o 56/ N latitude and 75o 48/ E longitude and at an altitude of 247 metres above mean sea level), during rabi 2011-12 on loamy sand, neutral in reaction, low in available N, rich in available P and K soil. The study was conducted in split plot design in three replications with four doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) in the main plots and five genotypes (RLC 1, RLC 11, RLC 12, PBR 210 and PBR 91) in the sub plots. Application of N significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception and chlorophyll content up to 100 kg/ha though such an increase, except plant height continued upto 150 kg/ha of N. Nitrogen application delayed initiation of flowering and significantly increased number of the secondary branches and siliquae per plant and, seeds per siliqua over control. Seed yield increased by 65.7 and 12.0 per cent with 100 kg/ha of N over control and 50 kg/ha of N, respectively. There was consistent reduction in seed oil content and significant increase in oil yield with N application of 50 kg/ha over control. Nitrogen, protein and linoleic acid content increased with increase in N levels. Among genotypes, PBR 91 and PBR 210 exhibited significantly better growth in terms of plant height, DMA and LAI with higher PAR as compared to RLC 11 and RLC 12. Genotypes, PBR 91, PBR 210 and RLC 1 took significantly more number of days for completion of flowering than other genotypes. RLC 12 produced significant higher number of primary and secondary branches per plant, RLC 11 produced higher number of seeds per siliqua. Genotypes PBR 91, RLC 1 and PBR 210 registered significantly higher 1000-seed weight than RLC 11 and RLC 12. Differences in seed yield among genotypes were non-significant. Genotype RLC 11 registered significantly higher oil content but lowest seed protein content. Genotype RLC 12 contained significantly higher seed protein content than rest of the genotypes. Genotypes PBR 91, RLC 11 and PBR 210 produced similar but significantly higher oil yields than RLC 1. Erucic acid content was significantly lower in RLC 1 and RLC 12 while glucosinolate content was lowest in RLC 11 followed by RLC 12. Nitrogen application increased the seed yield up to 100 kg/ha in RLC 1 and RLC 12 and up to 150 kg/ha in RLC 11, PBR 210 and PBR 91. Increase in seed yield with 50 kg/ha of applied N over control was significant in all genotypes whereas further increase in N to 100 kg/ha increased the seed yield significantly in case of RLC 11, RLC 12 and PBR 210. Keywords: Indian mustard, nitrogen, genotypes, dose, growth, yield, quality, N uptakeThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE PROFILE IN Spodoptera litura (FABRICIUS) POPULATIONS THROUGH BIOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS(PAU Ludhiana, 2013) Harpreet Kaur Cheema; B. K., KANGEvaluation of insecticide resistance profile in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations was done through biological, biochemical and molecular diagnosis. Population from Sangrur was found to be the least susceptible for most of the insecticides, except for chlorpyriphos, chlorantraniliprole and novaluron which were least toxic to population from Bathinda, and pyridalyl which was least toxic to population from Ludhiana. Population from Hoshiarpur was found to be the most susceptible for all insecticides except acephate and pyridalyl to which Bathinda population was most susceptible. Thiodicarb among the conventional group of insecticides and chlorantraniliprole among the newer insecticides were found to be the most toxic against all the test populations. The synergistic effect of TPP (6.16- fold), PBO (3.72- fold) and DEM (1.73- fold) in the least susceptible population suggested the involvement of esterases and mixed function oxidases in providing resistance to various insecticides. Synergistic effect of PBO (6.21- fold) on the fenvalerate- selected population followed by TPP (5.74- fold) and DEM (1.89- fold) indicated the possible role of mixed function oxidases, esterases and to some extent glutathione S- transferases in imparting resistance to pyrethroids in S. litura. Multiple detoxification enzymes and AChE insensitivity were found to be involved in imparting resistance in S. litura towards various insecticides. Selection with fenvalerate increased the activities of MFOs, esterases and GST by 1.84, 1.73 and 1.3 times in S. litura proving their role in pyrethroid-mediated resistance. Activities of MFO, esterases and insensitivity of AChE can be used as biochemical tools for monitoring insecticide resistance in S. litura. RAPD markers established the presence of inter and intra population variations that might be related to insecticide resistance. Alignment between COI sequences of fenvalerate- selected (SGR-Sel) and susceptible types (SGR) identified existence of a single base/ nucleotide polymorphism at position 421 represented by substitution of T in SGR-Sel with C in SGR type. Based on this polymorphism, COI based specific primers were developed, tested and validated for differentiating amongst these S. litura types.ThesisItem Restricted AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FARM PRODUCE PROMOTION SOCIETY (FAPRO)-A CASE STUDY(PAU Ludhiana, 2013) Udeshna Talukdar; Kamal, VattaThe present study was conducted to examine the economics of value addition and to estimate the extent of employment generation through value addition activities of FAPRO (Farm Produce Promotion Society). The study was based on both primary and secondary data. The secondary data were collected from audit reports and accounts maintained by the organization. The primary data were also collected from 40 turmeric growers and 10 beekeepers who were the members of FAPRO. Apart from the economics of cultivation at the farm level, the data were also collected on various activities being undertaken by FAPRO. The processing of turmeric gave net profits of Rs 2838/q with the resulting benefit-cost ratio of 1:1.31. The processing of honey gave net profits of Rs 4310/q with the benefit-cost ratio of 1:1.32. The capacity utilization of FAPRO was very low at 4.67 per cent for turmeric and 3.50 per cent for honey processing. Approximately 2300 man days of employment was generated at the FAPRO premises for processing of turmeric and honey. In addition, turmeric cultivation generated the demand for 33 man days per acre for its cultivation. A colony of 100 boxes also resulted into 162 man days of labour requirement. The lack of modern machines and equipment, under-utilization of installed capacity and problems of marketing were the major constraints of FAPRO. Improvement in the quality, increased expenditure on advertisement and publicity, improved packaging and increase in capacity utilization are necessary for improving the economic performance of FAPRO in future.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL OF PUNJAB MANDI BOARD IN HANDLING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES(PAU Ludhiana, 2013) Kamala; S S, ChahalThe present study was conducted to assess the financial, managerial and organizational efficiency of Punjab Mandi Board in handling of fruits and vegetables. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select markets based on volume of market arrivals. The farmers, intermediaries and market labourer were selected randomly from each sample market. The secondary data were collected on various parameters such as market arrivals, market fee, income, expenditure, etc were collected from the headquarters of Punjab Mandi Board and the selected market committees. The primary data were collected from the sample respondents through personal interview method pertaining to facilities, problems, etc. faced by them in the disposal and handling of fruits and vegetables. The data were analysed using compound growth rate and relative changes in real term, etc. There was a significant growth in both the share of fruits and vegetables to total market arrivals and per quintal market fee. A decline was seen in both real investment of Punjab Mandi Board on developmental activities and investment at current price, though, in the case of link roads and grading, the real investment has increased over time. The financial, managerial and organization performance of the Mandi Board and sample market committees was up to mark. As far as the market committees were concerned, the large markets were working more efficiently as compared to small and medium markets. The result pertaining to adequacy of various facilities revealed that the farmers, commission agents and market labourers were not fully satisfied. So, there is need to improve the working of the market committees in respect of physical facilities to fine tune up the present marketing system.ThesisItem Restricted A STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE OF THE SELECTED STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA(PAU Ludhiana, 2013) Sayanika Borah; Kiranjot, SidhuThe study was conducted in four state agricultural universities of India viz. PAU Punjab (North); ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh (South); AAU, Assam (East) and MPAUT, Rajasthan (West) to study the variations in perceptions of the faculty and administrators regarding the importance of dimension of organizational climate along with their perception of prevailing and expected organizational climate. The data collected from the 216 faculty members and 60 administrators using a scale developed on 13 dimensions viz. communication, management of rewards, interpersonal relationships, control and supervision, orientation, decision making, leadership, policies and rules, innovation, physical facilities, team work, monetary gains and accountability/ evaluation revealed that communication followed by leadership, team work and physical facilities were the most important dimensions according to the faculty who ranked monetary gains, accountability/ evaluation, management of rewards and control and supervision as least important. Administrators ranked communication, leadership and decision making at the top and innovation, monetary gains and management of rewards at the least important. There was a good agreement between faculty and administrator of all selected SAU’s as well as between SAU’s in assigning ranks. Faculty perceived highest gap between the prevailing and expected climate with regard to orientation and monetary gains and lowest in management of rewards and interpersonal relationship, whereas administrators found it to be highest in monetary gains and lowest in decision making and communication. Age, income, job experience and training acquired were significantly related with the perception. Faculty suggested improvement in communication as one of the important ways to improve organizational climate.
