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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Host-parasitoid relationship between Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) and Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) on sugarcane
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sharma, Tarun; Shera, P.S.
    The studies on the “Host-parasitoid relationship between Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) and Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) on sugarcane” were conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2019 and 2020. Among the host stages, 4th instar nymphs and adult females were more suitable for the parasitoid, F. melanoleuca in terms of higher larval survival, adult emergence, more proportion of females in the progeny and higher fecundity. The exposure of 1st instar host nymphs to the parasitoid resulted in cent per cent mortality within two days before any signs of parasitism. None of the parasitized 2nd to 4th instar nymphs survived as normal adults as all the parasitized individuals died as nymphs, nymph-adult intermediates or weak adults. However, in case of parasitized 5th instar nymphs, 18.0 per cent adults were normal. The mean longevity of nymphs parasitized in the 3rd, 4th and 5th instars was prolonged significantly; maximum prolongation was in the 4th instar. However, longevity of nymphs parasitized in the 2nd instar was even less than un-parasitized ones. When host adults were offered to the parasitoid, there were significant differences in mortality of parasitized and un-parasitized adults. Further, parasitoid-induced prolongation in the longevity of the surviving parasitized adults was observed for both the sexes. Among different agro-climatic zones, population count of P. perpusilla and F. melanoleuca as well as natural parasitism was more in Jalandhar (central plain zone) as compared to Hoshiarpur (sub-mountainous undulating zone) and Fazilka (Western zone). The parasitoid remained active in overlapping stages during the months of April to November with peak activity in September month at all the locations. It overwintered in cocoon or egg stage on sugarcane trash from December to March months. Among the selected insecticides, chlorpyriphos 20 EC, imidacloprid 17.8 SL and fipronil 5 SC were comparatively toxic to the parasitoid, while pymetrozine 50 WG, chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, flubendiamide 480 SC and flonicamid 50 WG were harmless to moderately harmful. The prolonged pupal period, reduction in adult emergence and decreased adult longevity were the sub-lethal effects in the insecticides, chlorpyriphos 20 EC, imidacloprid 17.8 SL and fipronil 5 SC. Biopesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 0.5 WP, Metarhizium anisopliae 1.0 WP and Beauveria bassiana 1.0 WP) and botanicals (azadirachtin 1500 and 50000 ppm) were safer to all the stages of F. melanoleuca.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on avian diversity, biology and behaviour along Beas river conservation reserve
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sachin Kumar; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
    River Beas was declared as conservation reserve in year 2017 under section 36A of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 but no study is available on the avian diversity along river. Therefore, present study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021along Beas conservation reserve to understand the avian diversity in various sub habitats present along the river by selecting three locations i.e. Location I (Talwara: In foot hills of Shiwaliks), Location II (Beas: near urban settlement) and Location III (Harike: near rural settlement). Each location was further divided as crop fields, riparian, shallow water, edge, island and river. Study revealed that river Beas provides shelter to 245 bird species where 228 species were recorded at Location I with 40 exclusive species, 126 at Location II and 202 at Location III with 13 exclusive species. Crop fields had avian diversity of 104 at Location I, 78 at Location II and 94 at Location III. Riparian zone of river harbours 143 at location I, 83 at location II and 117 at location III. Shallow water river zone had 110 at location I, 126 at location II and 58 at location III. During this study a total of 113 species were recorded to exploiting edge sub habitat and 85 species Island sub habitat for various activities while 126 in shallow water sub habitat of riverine system which shows that the edge and island habitats are equally important from avian conservation point of view. Both Island and edge habitat are made of relatively very small area as compare to overall river habitat zone therefore these sub habitats are easy to manage but need attention during conservation planning. Crop fields and riparian habitats support more single species roosters and single group roosters. Riverine habitats (Edge, Shallow water and Islands) supports more mix group roosters. A total of 527 nests were recorded during study period having 193 nests at Talwara, 115 at Beas and 219 at Harike. Nesting of birds was niche area specific where colony nesters were tree species specific including Baya weaver nesting was specific to Date Palm and Cattle Egret nesting was specific to Kikar. Riparian zone of Talwara was wide and had minimum anthropogenic activities therefore harbour maximum of 143 species in riparian zone while Harike had wide shallow water zone therefore maximum of 126 water dependent species as compare to other two locations. Location II had almost lowest values for all diversity indexes under study (Abundance, Richness, Shannon index, Simpson index) in comparison to Location I and III shows the effect of proximity of human habitation on avian diversity. Though the all six sub-habitats understudy were adjoining to each other still a clear distinction of niche area preference was recorded during study. The birds may enter the adjoin niche but overall abundance remains similar for preferred niche for each bird species. The study concludes that significant number of species recorded have specific niche area requirements that are completed by the river’s sub-habitats including feeding, foraging, roosting and nesting therefore conservation plans should be designed in such a way that whole area come under protection as a single unit while maintaining its sub habitat identity.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impacts of agricultural mechanization on avian diversity in Ludhiana district
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Harnoor Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
    The present investigation was carried out to study the impacts of agricultural mechanization on avian diversity at nine selected rice-wheat fields from three locations, Sarabha (Location I), Pakhowal (Location II) and Dangon (Location III) from April 2020 to March 2021. A total of 50 avian species were recorded from the selected fields during the study period. Rock Pigeon (8.63%), Cattle Egret (8.55%), House Crow (8.50%), Common Myna (7.61%), Eurasian Collared Dove (7.17%) and Red-wattled Lapwing (6.46%) were the most abundant species found. During the Kharif season, a total of 48 bird species of 46 genera were recorded while 49 bird species belonging to 45 genera during the Rabi season. The mechanical operations like ploughing, harvesting and other post harvesting operations with disc plough harrow, plougher, combine harvester and straw baller have shown much higher avian species richness and diversity irrespective of the field type. Higher values of species richness and diversity were recorded from the organically cultivated fields and fields with agronomic practices recommended by PAU as compared to fields with conventional cultivation practices. Increase in species richness and diversity was observed during the harvesting and post-harvesting operations due to use of combine harvesters, thresher, straw baller, disc plough harrow and land leveller. As evident from the present study cultivating crops both organically and by following PAU recommended agronomic practices might help in sustaining higher avian species richness and diversity.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of larvicidal potential of kinnow peel extracts against Aedes aegypti Linnaeus
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Arshkamaljot Kaur; Kocher, Devinder Kaur
    Transmission of dengue virus by Ae. aegypti mosquito is one of the major global issues. Presently plant based products are in high demand for mosquito control, as they are effective, easily available and eco-friendly. Different types of extracts viz. oil, ethanolic and aqueous were prepared from kinnow peel and tested @ 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80ppm, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25% and 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0% respectively for their larvicidal efficacy against Ae. aegypti 4th instar larvae. Results indicated 70ppm of oil, 0.20% of ethanolic and 9.0% of aqueous extracts as effective larvicidal concentrations. Certain morphological damages and abnormal behavioural activities were observed in the treated larvae. These kinnow peel extracts were found to be highly volatile in nature, as no residual activity in terms of larval mortality occurred in the left over effective concentrations of these extracts. However, residual effect in the form of delayed development (L4 to adult) was observed in all the treated sets in comparison to control and vehicle-control. All kinnow peel extracts were found to have statistically similar larvicidal potential in freshly prepared and stored (2, 4 and 6 months old) extracts, indicating no effect of storage on their larvicidal activity. Thus, the identification of kinnow like plant based oil/extracts having larvicidal properties combined with capacity to damage larvae, alter their behaviour along with delay in developmental phases is the need of hour and should be exploited in future for managing the problem of dengue transmitting vector, Ae. aegypti.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of oxidative stress and genotoxicity in carps of south-western region of Punjab
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Money; Navdeep Kaur
    The carps i.e. Catla (Catla catla) and Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) were collected from three different locations i.e. Ludhiana, Muktsar and Bathinda. The content of proteins, activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx,GR), level of LPO and GSH in organs (liver, kidney, gills) and muscles of carps, heavy metal content, genotoxicity and qualitative analysis of proteins in liver of carps was estimated. The protein content, activity of GR and level of GSH was found to be present in order: Ludhiana > Bathinda >Muktsar whereas, activities of antioxidant enzymes(SOD, CAT, GPx) and levels of LPO were in the order: Muktsar >Bathinda > Ludhiana in all the organs and muscles of both the carps. Heavy metals (As and Cr) were found in the liver of both carps of district Muktsar and Bathinda above the permissible limits. DNA damage determined by genotoxicity (Comet assay) was also found to be high in the liver of carps of district Muktsar followed by Bathinda and Ludhiana. Qualitative analysis of proteins (SDS-PAGE) revealed protein bands (32 KDa, 38KDa) were present in liver of Catla and Mrigal of both Muktsar and Bathinda whereas some of the protein bands (120 KDa, 150 KDa and 200 KDa) were observed only in Mrigal of Bathinda. The carps of South-western region of Punjab (Muktsar and Bathinda) are more prone to oxidative stress due to groundwater contaminants.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Population dynamics, genetic variation and evaluation of pesticide residues in Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Gagandeep Kaur; Rajwinder Singh
    The present study was conducted to estimate the population abundance and dynamics of Pteropus giganteus, its preference in roosting sites, genetic variation and evaluation of pesticide residues at Chatpat Bani (district Pathankot), village Katani Kalan (district Ludhiana) and village Longowal (district Sangrur) during 2019-20. The mean bat population on different tree species was higher at Chatpat Bani than at village Longowal. At Chatpat Bani, mean bat population was maximum during summer (3139.0) whereas maximum during winters (425.0) at Longowal. At Chatpat Bani, per cent bat population roosted on trees was highest on Indian ash tree (79.0%) and lowest on Punjab fig (2.38%) whereas it was highest on safeda (50.88%) and lowest on ber tree (3.37%) at Longowal. At Chatpat Bani, the concentration level of heavy metals was estimated in faecal pellets and among all, Cr (17.35 ppm) was highest while As (0.99 ppm) was lowest, whereas at Katani Kalan, the concentration level of Cr (24.87 ppm) was highest while Cd (0.64 ppm) was lowest and at Longowal, highest concentration levels were recorded in Cr (26.30 ppm) while lowest in Cd (1.72 ppm). In a similar trend, concentration levels of macro- and micro-elements varied in all selected locations. Contamination of pesticide residues in faecal pellets was found negligible as GLC showed values below detectable limits i.e., <0.05 ppm at selected locations. The genetic variability of P. giganteus was studied in Pathankot and Ludhiana using faecal pellet samples. The full-length nucleotide sequences of bat mtCOI gene are 702 bp in both samples.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Technologies for utilization of hull less barley for high fibre foods
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Mahamudu Mohamed Sasamalo; Amarjeet Kaur
    Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is the fourth significant cereal cultivated for human use next to wheat, rice and maize. The demands of barley production keep on increasing day to day due to its diverse utilities, nutritive value and ever-increasing demand. Keeping these in view Punjab Agricultural University has developed two hull less barley, variety PL 891 and BHS 352. These two hull less barley varieties PL 891 and BHS 352 were procured from Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and were given treatments viz. germination, pressure cooking, acid and alkali and milled into flour. Milled sample were analyzed for chemical composition, functional and rheological characteristics. Barley flour was stored and estimated for shelf life. The effect of treatments for changes in functional, nutritional and antinutritional was studied. All the treatments showed increase in protein content, crude fiber and dietary fiber ranging from 12.5912.77%, 4.06-4.52% and 17.48-23.8%, respectively. β-glucan content improved after treatments; ranging from 4.02-5.05%. Processing caused 33.7-74.3%, 24.4-81.4 %, 75.7-84.6% and 43.173.1% reduction in antinutritional factors such as tannins, saponins, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor, respectively. Notably, the mineral bioavailability as well the in-vitro protein digestibility and the antioxidant potential improved with the processing. Food products such as chapatti, flat bread and cookies were prepared by 30% incorporation level. Barley drink was prepared by using 100% roasted barley grains. Among the food products prepared, for chapatti all the treatments were accepted by the panelist with the highest overall acceptability of 8.50 from those prepared from germinated flour, for flat bread and cookies those prepared from alkali treated grains had highest overall acceptability of 8.55 and 8.50, respectively. Between hull less barley varieties, variety PL 891 was found better in preparation of high fiber chapatti, flat bread and cookies and variety BHS 352 was found better for preparation of fiber barley drink.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterization of pea processing waste for use in food products
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Bhullar, Harinderjeet Kaur; Amarjeet Kaur
    Utilization of vegetable processing industrial waste remain unexplored, but their by-products have been recognized as potential source of nutrients. Thus, the present study focused on the characterization and utilization of the pea processing waste. Pea processing waste as pea peels and small peas were blanched at 80°C for 3 minutes in 5% sodium chloride solution prior to drying (60°C for 5 hours). Blanching significantly (p<0.05) reduced ascorbic acid content (22.81%), total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars by 3.44%, 4.76%, 2.28% respectively and antinutritional factors as tannins, phytates and saponins by 35.71%, 50% and 5% respectively, while enhanced the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities (8.18%, 10.02%, 4.81% and 24.34% increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and reducing power respectively). Blanched pea peel powder contained considerable amount of all essential and non-essential amino acids, micro and macro minerals and also exhibited good functional properties. Further, protein was extracted from fresh pea peel by isoelectric precipitation method at 9 solubilization pH and 4.5 precipitation pH. Protein content of extracted pea peel protein was found to be 83.25% which exhibited variety of polypeptide subunits of molecular weight between 25 and 75 kDa. The incorporation of pea peel powder into wheat flour decreases peak viscosity, final viscosity and dough stability but increases water absorption (%) and dough development time. Thermal analysis of refined wheat flour substituted with pea peel powder revealed the increase in the onset, endset and peak temperature and also rheological attributes as storage modulus (G´) and loss modulus (G´´) increased with the increase in level of incorporation in both frequency sweep and temperature sweep test. The blanched pea peel powder was further incorporated in bakery products (cookies), extruded products (noodles), fermented products (pizza base) and traditional product (chapatti). Based on the quality and sensorial attributes, incorporation level of 10%, 7.5%, 20% and 20% was found optimum in cookies, noodles, pizza base and chapatti respectively. Cookies and noodles remain acceptable beyond 4 months of storage at room temperature (30±2°C) whereas, pizza base was acceptable for 3 days at ambient conditions (25±2°C) and for 7 days at refrigeration conditions (4±2°C). Pea peel powder incorporation increased the fiber content in all prepared products (cookies, noodles, pizza base, chapatti). This study opens an avenue to boost nutritional value of food products with additional benefit of waste management and sustainable environment by utilizing pea peels.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterization and valorization of super grains
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Kataria, Ankita; Sharma, Savita
    Super grains are considered as treasure of nutrition and taste. Present research investigation was undertaken to characterize, process and evaluate the potential of super grains (quinoa, chia and teff) as ingredients for development of functional foods. The grains were subjected to thermal processing treatments (conventional heating, roasting, microwave processing and steaming) and fermentation to achieve an optimal balance of enhanced antioxidative and functional properties, and lower antinutritional factors to improve their potentiality for utilization. The effect of the aforesaid treatments was observed on the physico-chemical, functional, antinutritional and antioxidative (bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities) characteristics. Processed super grains exhibited increased crude protein and crude fat contents with reduced carbohydrate and crude fibre levels. Thermal processing and fermentation improved the hydration properties but the former significantly affected the emulsification characteristics. Phytic acid and enzymatic inhibitors reduced during thermal processing and fermentation. Saponins and tannins increased during fermentation of super grains. All the processes improved the levels of bioactive compounds, and therefore the antioxidant activities also enhanced. Microwave processing and fermentation were more effective compared to other processing techniques for obtaining the optimal balance of improved techno-biofunctionality perceived as enhancement in the antioxidant activity and improvement in the functional properties and reduction of antinutrients. These were evaluated for their morphology, rheological properties and fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra which confirmed the structural, functional and compositional changes between the raw and processed super grains. Prebiotic assessment was performed by enumerating probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus), enteric (Escherichia coli) and non-probiotic (Lactococcus spp.) organisms on the super grains and comparing their growth against glucose. Teff and chia exhibited prebiotic effect whereas quinoa exhibited a negative score but it enhanced the growth of Lactococcus. Raw and processed grains and flour were used in the preparation of traditional (pinni and bhujia), confectionary (nutri-bar), extruded (pasta) and fermented (simulated product and curd) products. Cooking quality of pasta was improved upon incorporation of the super grains. Sensory evaluation revealed the optimum substitution levels of super grains for all the products which were comparably acceptable with respect to control. Antioxidant assessment and FTIR spectra of simulated product showed that dairy protein (casein) could form stable complex with super grains which would be beneficial for preparation of fermented dairy products of high nutritional and functional characteristics. Therefore, it was concluded that raw and processed super grains could be utilized as potential ingredients for preparation of specialty foods.