Vibrio sp. has been implicated as one of the major bacterial pathogens of shrimp. A total of 121 isolates of Vibrio spp. were isolated from nineteen different sources of samples collected from shrimp aquaculture environment, located along the East coast of Bay of Bengal at Thulukenkulam and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), India during 2006-2007. The samples were tested for the presence of Vibrio spp. from different sources of aquaculture environments. All isolates were phenotypically characterized and the most frequently Vibrio spp. includes Vibrio harveyi, V. anguillarum, V. damsela, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. fluvialis, V. alginolyticus, V. mimicus, V. furnissi, V. cholerae and V. ordalli. The most predominant species was V. harveyi followed by V. anguillarum, V. damsela. All the isolates of Vibrio spp. were 100% resistant to ampicillin, cloxacillin, oxacillin, erythromycin, vancomycin, penicillin G and furazolidone and followed by the enduring antibiotics used.

Genetic analysis of plants relies on high yields of pure DNA samples. Here we present the optimization of DNA isolation and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions for Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of banana/plantain. The leaf of banana contains high level of polysaccharides, poly phenols and secondary metabolites. The extracted DNA from these cultivars when subjected to PCR is often problematic, especially when mature tissues are used for DNA extraction. In order to overcome these problems a protocol has been developed, availing on a high salt concentration and on the combination of Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in the extraction buffer, in order to prevent the solubilization of polysaccharides and polyphenols during the DNA extraction method. It also involves successive long term chloroform: Isoamylalcohol extractions, an long term RNAse treatment with all steps carried out at Room temperature (RT). Using this method, DNA was extracted from different banana species including young leaves, old leaves, frosted old leaves and withered old leaves. The yield of DNA ranged from 1-2 μg / μl per gram of the leaf sample / tissue and the purity ratio was between 1.6-1.7 indicating minimal levels of contaminating metabolites. The technique is ideal for isolation of DNA from different plant species / cultivars and the isolated DNA were used for RAPD analysis. The optimization of RAPD protocol was based on the use of 50 ng of template DNA, higher concentration of MgCl2 (3 mM) and lower concentration of primer (0.6μM), Taq DNA polymerase (1.5 units) and an annealing temperature of 35ºC, which resulted, optimal amplification. In all PCR reactions Reproducible amplifiable products were observed. Thus the results indicate that the optimized protocol for DNA isolation and PCR was applicable to plant species belonging to different genera and this process is suitable for further work on diversity analysis. Furthermore, here we used suitable DNA isolation protocol for RAPD analysis to study the genetic variation in the future in Musaceae species grown in Orissa.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is the most widespread micronutrient disorder in rice (Oryza sativa) The objective of this paper was to examine alternative evaluation methods and to identify the most informative traits that would provide realistic information for rice breeders and to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with tolerance The most severe symptom in the field was high plant mortality. Zinc interfered with translocation of iron from roots to above ground parts of Glycine max. (L.) Merrill var. Hawkeye. During periods in which zinc impeded iron translocation, it also suppressed the production of reductant by roots. Addition of iron, as a ferric metal chelate (iron ethylenediaminedihydroxyphenylacetic acid), to the growth medium overcame the interference of zinc. In the root epidermis, potassium ferricyanide formed a precipitate (Prussian blue) with ferrous iron derived from the previously supplied iron ethylenediaminedihydroxyphenylacetic acid. The reduction of ferric iron was suppressed by zinc. In a field experiment on silt loam calcareous soil, the direct and residual effect of zinc and zinc amended organic manures were studied on rice (Oryza sativa L.) followed by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rice respectively. Visual Zn deficiency symptoms were observed on rice in on zinc plots. Application of zinc significantly increased the crop yield. The magnitude of yield response was intensified where zinc was applied in conjunction with organic manures. The highest Zn uptake in these three crops was recorded at kg Zn amended with 10t compost /ha.

Forty two strains of Trichoderma sp. were isolated from cultivated lands around Bangalore and analyzed for their antagonistic potential against Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium ciceri. The potential of biocontrol agents ultimately lies in their capacity to control pathogens in vivo. Bioefficacy studies were hence conducted using chickpea (Cicer argentums c.v. Annigeri) as an experimental plant by the roll paper towel method. Overall the isolates T40, T35, T30 and T25 showed better antagonistic potential in addition to enhancing plant growth. The production of chitinases to break down the mycelial cell walls of fungal plant pathogens has been implicated as a major cause of biocontrol activity (Inbar and Chet, 1995). In order to study the mechanism of biocontrol, ten better performing strains were plated on media, amended with colloidal chitin and Sclerotium rolfsii cell wall extract. All the isolates showed chitinolytic activity on day three as well as day five. Production of endochitinase and exochitinase were assayed in liquid media using colloidal chitin amended broth. Strains T35 and T6 displayed maximum endochitinase and exochitinase activity. Although all strains exhibited cellulase activity, the quantum of enzyme produced was higher in T35 and T6. The results also indicate a positive correlation between enzyme production and bioefficacy.

Present paper describes the prominent features of forest cover and its extent and decay in the Osmanabad district. The district having geographical area of 7512.40 sq.km., consists eight tahasils and is inhabited by 14,86,586 population (as per 2001 census). The area under forest during 1991-92 was 5062.76 sq.kms. (0.48% of the total geographical area), it increased to 7982.79 kms. (0.81%) till 2001-02. The percentage of forest area in the district is registered very less than the norms set by the (22%) National Forest Policy. The district has favourable physiographic conditions for the proper growth of natural vegetation (2.64% of land area not available for cultivation). But the main obstacles in the forest development are adverse climatic condition i.e. scanty and tiny rainfall, wherever, the drought are frequent. Although 0.33% positive changes in forest area are recorded in the district (2001-02). Because various forest and soil conservation programmes are intensified by government in the Osmanabad district. The hill tracts are covered by dry deciduous forest. However, the population, which inhabited this region is increasing over the decades. The economic activity of these people is mainly concentrated around agricultural practices and livestock rearing.

An experiment was laid out with 12 treatments including control to find out the persistence of toxicity of insecticides in dust and wettable formulations at their recommended concentrations during winter season on mustard crop. The residual effectiveness was worked out in the laboratory by observing mortality on the treated apical growth parts of mustard plant of each treatment after 24 hrs, 5 and 10 days of insecticidal applications and in the field by taking observations on aphid population. Both under field and laboratory conditions, fenitrothion 0.1% spray and phenthoate 2% dust proved most effective. Carbaryl 0.1% spray proved ineffective. After 10 days of treatment all insecticides of dust and wettable formulations last their toxicity.

The composite flour containing kodo (Paspalum Scrobiculatum) and barnyard Millet (Echinochloa colona) flour, whole wheat flour and defatted soy flour of four different combinations was prepared and studied the impact of Millet flour blend incorporation on characteristics of composite flour. The Millet flour blend and composite flour were analyzed for its particle size distribution, sedimentation value, falling number, wet and dry gluten content, bulk density, water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), swelling power (SP), thermal properties, pasting properties, retrogradation properties (level of syneresis) and chemical parameters such as moisture content, total carbohydrate, crude fiber, protein, fat, starch, amylose, amylopectin and reducing sugar content using standard procedures. Results indicated that wet and dry gluten content, bulk density, WAC, SP decreased significantly (p<0.05); level of syneresis and OAC, conclusion gelatinization temperature, gelatinization range (R), protein and crude fiber content were increased significantly at p<0.05 with increased proportion of Millet flour blend. Due to lower peak viscosity of Millet flour blend, the peak viscosities of all composite flour containing Millet flour blend were low, compared to the standard composite flour. The setback viscosity was increased with increased proportion of Millet flour blend. Thus the analyzed properties of composite flour were significantly modified while increasing the level of incorporation of Millet flour blend.

The present study is an attempt carried out to explore the possibility of finding the solution to environmental problem by eco-friendly technique. Utilization of bacteria, earthworms and its compost for growing crops having much more importance in recent years, under concept of sustainable agriculture. In the present investigation tannery waste water, municipal solid waste and cow dung is being used with the help of bacteria and earthworm for manure preparation. Three different methods are used i.e. pit composting, bacterial composting and vermicomposting for manure preparation, which for vermicomposting Eisenia foetida species and for bacterial composting Azatobactor sp. were used. For preparation of compost 2:2:1 proportion of cow dung, municipal solid waste and saw dust is used respectively, followed by spraying tannery waste water. During the present study waste material were analyzed for its chemical characteristics before and after composting. The compost produced from these three different methods was mixed with fly ash generated in coal based thermal power plant and used for selected vegetable plants i.e., Trigonella fenugrecum (Methi) and Pisum sativum (Watana) to study the growth rate. The polyphenol and chlorophyll content of selected vegetable plants were studied with comprising the chemical characteristics of soil.