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ThesisItem Open Access Dynamics of soil phosphorus in relation to carbon under different cropping systems(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Dhram Prakash; Benbi, D.K.Dynamics of phosphorus in soils were studied in relation to nutrient management and land-use practices. The nutrient management practices evaluated included source (rock phosphate and single superphosphate) and rates of P application in rice-wheat system; and integrated nutrient management (INM) and organic farming practices in basmati-wheat system in field experiments conducted at the research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The land-uses studied included ricewheat, maize-wheat, cotton-wheat and poplar based agroforestry systems at farmers’ fields in different districts of Punjab. After seven cycles of rice-wheat cropping, farmyard manure (FYM) and rock phosphate (RP) application increased available P and soil organic carbon (SOC) by 72% and 98%, respectively over control. Inorganic P constituted the largest proportion (88-92%) of total P in soil and relative abundance of different inorganic P fractions in soils followed the order Ca-Al associated > Fe associated > humic bound > water soluble P. In basmati-wheat system, application of recommended rates of NPK and adoption of INM improved available P in soil over unamended control by 75 and 100%, respectively. The comparison of three organic sources revealed that available P was the highest in soil receiving 400 kg N ha-1 through FYM followed by rice straw compost and the lowest in vermicompost-amended plots. Application of FYM significantly increased inorganic, organic and total P, SOC and labile C pools compared to INM treatments. The INM increased inorganic, organic and total P by 77, 82 and 78%, respectively over NPK. Humic-bound organic P constituted major proportion (39.5-49.5%) and water soluble organic P comprised the smallest proportion (0.83-2.5%) of organic P in soils under basmati-wheat system. Beneficial effects of different treatments on soil properties were higher in surface soil (0-7.5 cm), which decreased with soil depth. Generally, soil P fractions were positively correlated with soil C pools. Cumulative P released in 96 hours of equilibration increased with manure and fertilizer application either alone or in combination. Phosphorus release kinetics were best described by Elovich and power function equations (R2≥0.98). Results of land-use studies showed that agroforestry systems had relatively higher proportion of organic P (27%) compared to sole cropping (6-7.7%). Soil organic C was the highest (0.58%) under agroforestry and was significantly correlated with soil P fractions under sole cropping systems. Soil properties viz. clay, organic C, CaCO3 and available P content significantly influenced soil P sorption and release kinetics. Phosphorus release decreased with increase in clay and CaCO3 content. On the contrary, P release increased with increase in available P and organic C. The results suggested that P availability will be higher in coarse-textured, non-calcareous soils having higher levels of organic C and available P. Therefore, for efficient P management it is important to take into account soil texture, the existing soil P level, organic C content and calcareousness of soil. Practices that increase SOC content and ameliorate CaCO3 could lead to improved P use efficiency.ThesisItem Restricted Allele mining for phospholipase D locus to improve the rice bran quality(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Amandeep Kaur; Kuldeep SinghRice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important staple food for a large part of the world’s population. Rice bran which is a by-product after milling is rich in oil (12–23%), proteins (14–16%), vitamins and crude fiber (8–10%). Rice bran oil is typically an oleic–linoleic type fatty acid and qualifies for good quality edible oil. The primary limitation of rice bran as a source of oil is the presence of highly active lipolytic enzyme Phospholipase D alpha1 (PLDα1) that increases free fatty acids content in the oil and causes the ‘stale flavor’ in the product. The wild relatives of rice constitute a major gene pool for rice improvement. In this study, sequence based allele mining of the gene PLDα1 (6.28 kb) was taken up in wild species of rice to identify potentially novel alleles for bran quality improvement. Differences in expression patterns were also investigated for potential correlation with sequence variation. A representative subset of 86 accessions belonging to 16 wild Oryza species and eight O. sativa cultivars were selected for this purpose. Alignment of the assembled sequence contigs relative to the Nipponbare reference (Os01g0172400) gene revealed the presence of 2555 variations (SNPs and InDels). Highest polymorhism at PLDα1 locus have been detected in the O.officinalis species. Expression profiles in immature grains generated by exon-specific qRT-PCR indicate significant differences in transcript abundance within as well as between the selected accessions and different 3’and 5’ truncated PLDα1 mRNA. Cis-elements identified in the upstream sequences showed variations relative to the reference in low expressing wild species accessions. These results suggest that potential PLDα1 allelic variants are defined by differential regulation at the levels of transcription initiation and/or mRNA splicing. The wild species accessions with variations in protein structures and low expression, identified in the present study, can be further utilized in the breeding programs to transfer desirable allele into elite lines through marker assisted selection.ThesisItem Restricted Development of Supplementary Foods Using Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum) Seeds to Reduce Malnutrition Among Children(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Jain, Tanu; Grover, KiranThe present study was undertaken to develop ready to eat supplementary foods using garden cress seeds to reduce malnutrition and anaemia among children. Garden cress seeds were found to be rich in energy, protein, fat, calcium, iron and zinc with good amount of lysine and linolenic acid. The quantity and quality of proteins were found to be decreased with processing. Essential fatty acids- linoleic and linolenic acids decreased with roasting and boiling while fatty acid profile remained unaffected with soaking treatment. Phytin phosphorus and oxalates decreased with processing which significantly improved in vitro digestibility of starch, protein and iron with improved per cent iron bioavailability. Roasted garden cress seeds/powder was supplemented in various ready to eat foods at the range of 5-25 per cent. The products were found to be acceptable at different levels viz. pinni, panjiri, laddu and burfi at 10 per cent, chikki at 25 per cent and biscuits at 7.5 per cent. Among all developed products, overall acceptability scores for biscuits (7.93 ± 0.32) were found to be highest. Nutritional analysis of all accepted supplementary foods was found to be high in macro and micronutrients with improved essential amino acids and fatty acids. Effectiveness of supplementation was evaluated in terms of improvement in dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical profile before and after a period of 3 months by selecting mildly underweight and anaemic school going children. The supplementation significantly (p≤0.05) increased cereal, sugar and fat intake resulting in improved daily nutrient intake of experimental group. A significant improvement was also observed in anthropometric parameters and z scores. The iron status, serum proteins and serum albumin were found to be significantly improved in experimental group. A reduction in prevalence of malnutrition (16.67 %) and anaemia (30 %) was observed with supplementation. Hence, the present study recommends the inclusion of garden cress supplemented foods in school feeding programmes to reduce malnutrition and anaemia among children.ThesisItem Open Access Identification of genomic regions associated with seed size in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Sood, Ankita; Sandhu, Surinder K.Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik subsp. culinaris) is an autogamous diploid (2n=2x=14), cool season food legume crop cultivated globally. Genomic resources in lentil are limited in comparison with other food legumes, primarily due to large genome size and lack of genetic variation. The present study was aimed to evaluate a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from L9-12 × FLIP 2004-7L under irrigated and rainfed conditions and to identify the genomic regions associated with seed size related traits in lentil. The parent L9-12 was local lentil drought tolerant cultivar with small seeds whereas; FLIP 2004-7L was an advanced breeding drought susceptible line from ICARDA with bold seeds. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the RILs for the morphological, yield and its related traits, root and shoot traits. Based on the overall mean performance, RILs viz., RIL-14, 17, 28, 33 and 71 were found to be significantly superior lines for all the studied traits. Proline content and membrane permeability index were up regulated among RILs due to stress under rainfed conditions over irrigated conditions. Out of 770 markers screened, 62 markers were found to be polymorphic between the parents. The Lens SSR markers generated more polymorphism followed by ITAP (Intron-Targeted Amplified Polymorphic Sequence) markers and markers from LcSSR (Lens culinaris SSRs) series. Of the 62 polymorphic (31 Lens SSR, 27 LcSSR and 04 ITAP) markers, 61 were mapped in three linkage groups (LGs), varying in length between 13.60 to 254.80 cM and covering 346.70 cM with an average marker spacing of 7.49 cM. Number of markers per linkage group varied from 3 to 52. The study reported assigning of 12 novel markers on the linkage map. A total of 17 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for most of the yield and its related traits under study. These identified QTLs for various traits were present in five genomic regions (GR) viz., GR-A, GRB, GR-C, GR-D and GR-E. Among these, a compact genomic region GR-C spanned by markers SSR19 and GLLC106 harbored four major QTLs for number of pods per plant, 100seed weight, seed diameter and seed yield within a map distance of 184.5-190.6 cM (6.1 cM) on LGI. This region may serve as the potential target for utilization in yield enhancement of lentil. Further research work towards the fine mapping of this key genomic region will open a window to develop molecular markers suitable for marker assisted selection and to identify the novel genes governing these traits.ThesisItem Open Access Measuring, Reporting and Inferring the Value of Intangible Assets: A study of selected Industry Groups in India(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Sharma, Sarishma; Dharni, KhushdeepKnowledge economy has driven the concept of intangible assets. Intangible assets have now become the backbone of an organisation’s performance. The present study was undertaken to explore the trend of disclosures related to intangibles made by selected companies in India, to infer the value of intangibles using alternative methodologies in selected industry groups and comparison thereof and to explore the opinion of practitioners with respect to measurement and reporting of intangibles. For satisfying first three objectives, three sectors each from manufacturing and service sector were selected. Further, twenty companies were selected from each sector making a total sample of 120 companies. Secondary data was collected from the annual reports of these companies for a period of ten years i.e. 2004-2005 to 2013-2014. For fourth objective, data was collected from 164 practitioners belonging to the firms selected for the study. Trend Analysis results reveal a positive trend in general for disclosures related to intangibles with the exception of Pharmaceutical sector where Structural Capital disclosures have stagnated after hitting the peak. Significant variations were found across sectors in terms of various categories of disclosures. Results of study empirically support the fact that Intellectual Capital disclosures tend to increase with size of the organisation. Quantitative methodology and Structural Capital Quartiles methodology came out to be the most prominent methodology for inferring the value of intangible assets because valid interpretations could be drawn on the basis of these methodologies. Comparison of monthly returns indicate that significant differences were observed in case of Quantitative methodology, and Structural Capital Quartiles methodology but no significant difference was observed in case of other methodologies. Intangible Assets with legal protection were considered more important by the practitioners. In general five dimensions in measurement and reporting of intangible assets were identified and these are: Human capital dimension of Intangible Assets, Value relevance of Intangible Assets, Problems of measurement and reporting of Intangible Assets, Voluntary disclosure on Intangible Assets and Reporting benefits of Intangible Assets. It was found that human capital dimension, problems of measurement and reporting, and reporting benefits were having significant positive influence on orientation of practitioners towards intangible assets.ThesisItem Restricted Understanding Purchase Behaviour and Analyzing Marketing Mix Strategies: A study of Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) Consumers(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Amanpreet Singh; Kathuria, Lalit MohanThe present study was undertaken with the objectives: to investigate purchase behaviour of bottom of the pyramid consumers; to examine the willingness to purchase branded products; to explore the influence of social networks on purchase behaviour; to study marketing mix strategies of companies; and to recommend changes in marketing mix strategies. First three objectives were achieved by collecting primary data through a survey of 600 respondents held across two states of northern India viz. Punjab and Haryana. Findings highlighted that female members in the households play a greater role while taking purchase decisions related to food and FMCG; whereas male members were found to play a major role in purchase decisions related to durable products. The study also provided empirical evidence regarding differences in the purchase behavior of rural and urban consumers towards durable products. For example, perceived behavioral control emerged as the strongest predictor to purchase durable products among urban consumers; whereas subjective norms were found to be the most important predictor of purchase intention among rural consumers. Further, results highlighted attitude as the strongest driver of intention to purchase branded food followed by perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. Factor ‘product appearance, price and brand’ was found to be significant in the prediction of willingness to purchase branded FMCG; whereas three factors ‘familiarity and convenience’; ‘appearance and price’; and ‘quality and brand name’ emerged significant predictors of willingness to purchase branded durable products. The results highlighted trust as the strongest predictor of intention to purchase a product recommended by network members. Fourth objective of the study was achieved by interviewing 50 managers of selected companies. Findings indicated that pricing strategies emerged as the strongest predictor of company’s performance followed by promotion strategies, distribution intensity and product strategies. Based on these findings, the present study also suggested modifications in marketing mix strategies of companies serving BOP consumers.ThesisItem Restricted Impact Assessment of Selected Programmes of National Rural Health Mission in Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Pandey, Vinita; Sukhjeet KaurThe present study attempts to analyze the impact of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programme in rural Punjab. Study was conducted in three socio-cultural zones of Punjab i.e. Majha, Malwa and Doaba. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the districts from each zone. Therefore, a total of eleven districts i.e. seven from Malwa, two from Majha and two from Doaba were covered under the study. The total sample for the study was 440 and it constituted 264 beneficiaries, 66 functionaries and 110 community leaders. Four health programme of National Health Mission was selected on the recommendation of the advisory committee. A self structured interview schedule was prepared to collect the data from beneficiaries and community leaders. Knowledge test was also constructed to test the knowledge of the functionaries about selected programmes. Results revealed that majority of the beneficiaries had medium level of awareness about all the selected programmes of National Rural Health Mission except T.B. Control Programme while community leaders of all the zones were least aware about all the selected programmes of National Rural Health Mission. Most of the functionaries had high level of knowledge about all the selected programmes of National Rural Health Mission. National Rural Health Mission had a great impact on health infrastructure, maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate while after implementation of NRHM adoption of immunization practices, birth control methods and institutional deliveries has increased. Delay in medicine supply, lack of male health workers were the major problems faced by beneficiaries while functionaries’ major problems were inadequate sitting arrangement in the sub centres, incomplete medicine kit, heavy work load and insufficient incentives.ThesisItem Restricted Isolation and characterization of terpenoids from vetiver oil and their evaluation as pesticides(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Urvashi; Chahal, K. K.The dissertation incorporates the isolation of Khusinol along with two hitherto unknown cadinane sesquiterpenoids, Cadin-4(5)-ene-2β-ol and Cadin-10(14)-ene-13β-ol from vetiver oil using extensive column chromatography over silica gel/ modified silica gel. Epoxidation of Khusinol with perbenzoic acid, vanadium oxy acetyl acetonate/t-butyl hydroperoxide and N-bromosuccinimide/ sodium hydroxide revealed that epoxidation preferably occurred at exomethylenic double bond. Khusinol was also treated with mercuric acetate/ sodium borohydride, dry hydrochloric acid gas and iodine-benzene system to yield different products. Vetiver essential oil was partitioned into its non-polar and polar fractions. Vetiver oil and its fractions were subjected to various biological activities using different methods such as mortality, repellency and antifeedant assay for insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae; egg hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality test for nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita and spore germination inhibition for fungicidal activity against three fungi i.e. Alternaria triticina, Drechslera oryzae and Fusarium moniliforme. In all the bioefficacy studies, vetiver oil was found to be more effective as compared to its fractions and activity increased with increase in concentration. Among fractions, non-polar fraction was more effective for insecticidal activity whereas polar fraction for nematicidal and fungicidal activities. The results indicated that pesticidal action of vetiver oil was due to synergetic effect of non-polar and polar compounds present in vetiver oil. Khusinol was found to be most active antifungal agent as compared to all the isolated and derivatized compounds of Khusinol. Structure-activity relationship of isolated and derivatized compounds for antifungal activity was studied.ThesisItem Restricted Diversity of earthworms in sugarcane and wheat crop fields and vermicomposting of crop waste(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Panjgotra, Shilpa; Sangha, Gurinder KaurSugarcane and wheat crop fields were selected from Amritsar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Moga to explore the diversity of earthworms. At all the study sites, population density of earthworms showed their maximum number in the month of July, August in sugarcane fields and in the month of March in wheat crop fields. Seasonal density showed maximum abundance in rainy season> summer season> winter season. Earthworm count per m2 was more in sugarcane fields as compared to wheat fields and among different districts abundance was maximum in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar followed by Amritsar and Moga. Overall five species of earthworms belonging to family Megascolecidae were found and these were Metaphire posthuma, Lampito mauritii, Amynthas morrisi, Amynthas corticis and Metaphire houlleti in sugarcane and wheat fields. Metaphire posthuma and Lampito mauritii were found to be dominating species of Punjab and tested for genetic variability among isolates collected from different locations. Genetic variability was detected among isolates of Metaphire posthuma, whereas variability does not exist among isolates of Lampito mauritii. Out of the tested physico-chemical parameters, soil temperature and moisture were found to be significantly positively correlated with the earthworm population. Nutrient content like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon in earthworm casts were significantly more as compared to surrounding soil. Vermicomposting of Sugarcane trash and wheat straw agro-waste was done by using Eisenia fetida. Maximum significant results were obtained in 1:1 ratio of agrowaste:FYM (Farm Yard Manure) (sugarcane trash:FYM, wheat straw:FYM) as compared to 1:1/2 and control (Only FYM). The nutrient analysis of the vermicomposts showed a general trend of increase in the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and decrease in the levels of pH, EC, organic carbon (%). It was inferred that among the two substrates studied, vermicompost from wheat straw in 1:1 was best for its nutrient value and showed better growth and reproduction, thereby concluding that, Eisenia fetida exhibited a better efficacy in wheat straw substrate (1:1 ratio) as compared to sugarcane trash.
