Biological Sciences articles list

On-farm research was conducted at Gouripur sub-district under Mymensingh district of Bangladesh during the boro (mid November-June) season in 2013-14 and 2014-15 to evaluate the performance of non-puddled rice cultivation with and without crop residue retention. The rice var. BRRI dhan28 was transplanted by two tillage practices, viz., puddled conventional tillage (CT) and non-puddled strip tillage (ST) and at two levels of mustard residues, i.e., no-residue (R0) and 50% residue (R50). The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. There were no significant yield differences between tillage practices and residue levels in 2013-14. But in the following year, ST yielded 9% more grain compared to CT leading to 22% higher Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). Retention of 50% residue increased yield by 3% compared to no-residue, which contributed to 10% higher BCR. The ST combined with 50% residue retention yielded the highest grain yield (5.81 t ha-1) which contributed to fetch the highest BCR (1.06).

Svedbergopen

Saline and sodic (alkali) soils can significantly reduce the value and productivity of affected land. By estimation, slightly more than one-fourth of irrigated farmland in the United States is affected by soil salinity. Ions most commonly associated with soil salinity include the anions chloride (Cl–), sulfate (SO4=), carbonate (HCO3–), and sometimes nitrate (NO3–) and the cations sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), and sometimes potassium (K+). Crops differ in ability to tolerate salt accumulation in soils, but if levels are high enough (more than 16 mS/cm), only tolerant plants will survive. As salts accumulate in soil, the soil solution osmotic pressure increases. Reclamation of sodic soils is different; excess sodium must first be replaced by another cation and then leached. Sodic soils are treated by replacing the sodium with calcium from a soluble source.

Svedbergopen

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the association of organic farming to strengthen the sustainability of organic agriculture. Organic agriculture shows abundant benefits, as it reduces many of the environmental impacts of conventional agriculture, it can increase efficiency in small farmers’ fields, and it reduces reliance on costly external inputs, and guarantees price premiums for organic products. Organic farmers also profit from farmer cooperative and the formation of social networks, which enhances good access to instruction, credit and welfare services. This paper brings out how the function of organic farming contributes for the sustainable practices and improving environment conservation, animal welfare, and product quality.

Svedbergopen

The screening of perfect diuretics for non-clinical utility in Diabetes mellitus is a relatively novel approach which gain inssight into underlying the pathophysiological processes. This study is aims to evaluate the diuretic effect of a crude aqueous & alcoholic extract of M.charantia Linn. using Albino Wistar Rat model. In this study, the comparative observation of Diuretic activity with standard and extracted compound were shown that the estimated 24‐hour urine contains the Na+ - 3.82 g, 3.82 g, 3.92 g and K+ - 1.35 g, 1.39 g, 1.48 g wt. for Vehicle control, Standard drug, and Extracted compound respectively. Which possess the favoring result means from the spot urine were 10.7±7.0 g/24 h and 3.9±2.1 g/24 h, respectively. Coefficients were 0.035, 0.022, 0.046 at (d±2SD = 7.07 g, 4.42 g and 8.92 g) for sodium chloride and 0.068, 0.031, 0.046 at (d±2SD =4.92 g, 2.31 g, and 3.34 g) for potassium chloride. The Na+ and K+ results can be deduced by conversion (1 g NaCl=0.4 g Na+, 1 g KCl≈0.5 g K+). The present study guide formulation of non clinical trials with statistical study to further measuring the claimed efficacy of M. charantia as a natural remedy for diabetes mellitus.

Dr. Wahul Umesh B

The butanol fraction of the leaves of Castanospermum australe Cunn. & Fraser., was tested on adult Callosobruchus analis (pulse beetle) for its insecticidal activity by impregnation method at concentrations of 3, 9, 48, 240 and 354 μg / cm2. The result showed that the extract is toxic to Callosobruchus analis and the LD50 was found to be 38 µg/cm2. The insecticidal activity of the butanol fraction of Castanospermum australe leaves against adult Callosobruchus analis was determined by impregnation method in five different concentrations and the result so obtained revealed that the extract is toxic against the test insect (pulse beetle). The mortality was lowest (14 %) at 3 µg/cm2 and highest (96 %) at 354 µg/cm2 (Table). The LD50 by log-log graph was found to be 38 µg/cm2. It may be said that the saponins of this plant could be utilized as a natural insecticide that could be an effective alternative for insect pest management.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas. is used traditionally to treat hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. The high prevalence of hypertension and the side effects of antihypertensive drugs potentiate us to evaluate Melilotus officinalis. The hypotensive effect of Melilotus officinalis butanol fraction (MOBF) was investigated in anaesthetised normotensive rats. The doses of 60, 80 and 100 mg/ kg, i.v., produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood pressure. The statistically non-significant reduction in blood pressure was shown by 20 and 40 mg/ kg, i.v. These results suggest that Melilotus officinalis exhibited a hypotensive effect in normotensive rats. However, further evaluation of compound-related activity is required.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The seed flours of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. were investigated for their total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents by HPLC. The total oxalate content of Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus vulgaris were 1.24, 1.77 and 1.71 mg/ g, respectively. The % age of soluble oxalate was Macrotyloma uniflorum (19.50), Phaseolus lunatus (15.08) and Phaseolus vulgaris (15.88). The calculated soluble oxalate: calcium ratio of all tested legume flours is lesser than one and hence will not create any resistance in calcium bioavailability.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The % age elemental composition (ash, crude fat, crude protein, moisture and total carbohydrates) was determined in the Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn., legume flours. M. uniflorum contained moisture (8.9), ash (3.34), crude fat (1.30), crude protein (18.15) and total carbohydrate (68.31). Similarly, moisture (9.14), ash (3.73), crude fat (1.78), crude protein (22.64) and total carbohydrate (62.71) were estimated in P. lunatus. Meanwhile, P. vulgaris contained moisture (9.43), ash (3.61), crude fat (3.49), crude protein (19.46) and total carbohydrate (64.01). The gross, ash free, moisture and ash free calorific values were also determined. P. vulgaris showed the highest(3.91) and P. lunatus lowest (3.84), whereas M. uniflorum (3.86) caloric values (kcal/g), respectively. The elemental composition and caloric values of tested legume flours justify them as good sources of nutrition and energy.

Dr. Salman Ahmed