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Background: Dolichos bean is an important leguminous vegetable having a wide range of variation in different quantitative characters. Assessing genetic diversity among dolichos bean accessions can ensure development of suitable high-yielding and adapted varieties with suitable maturity period. Methods: Fifteen genotypes were evaluated for different characters in Dolichos bean at two locations of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University viz. Vegetable Research Farm, Pusa and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birauli, Samastipur, Bihar during the year 2018-19 and pooled data was analyzed. The genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability and genetic divergence for 14 characters. For the assessment of genetic diversity among the fifteen genotypes of dolichos bean, Mahalanobis (D2) statistic (Mahalanobis, 1936) was used, following the procedure given by Rao, 1952. Grouping of genotypes into clusters was done using Tocher’s method as described by Rao, 1952. Result: Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was slightly higher than Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for all the characters indicated that the characters were less influenced by environment. The characters having high heritability and high genetic advance include harvesting duration, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod diameter, individual pod weight, weight of seeds per pod, 100 fresh green seed weight, pod yield and percent incidence of yellow mosaic virus. Therefore, selection for above characters is highly effective. Genetic diversity analysis evaluated that all genotypes could be placed into 6 clusters. Genotypes grouped in Cluster III and I have highest mean value for all characters as well as highest inter-cluster distance.

Industrial revolution is a good indicator of economic development of a country; however, it can be a threat to the flora and fauna if the untreated effluent of an industry is discharged. The present study is aimed to assess the comparative toxicological impacts of treated and untreated industrial effluents on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Heteropneustes fossilis and Labeo rohita, the most common edible fishes having diverse characters which include differences in morphology, habitat, food and feeding, etc. The physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, free ammonia, chloride, zinc, iron, chromium and potassium of both untreated and treated effluent from the fertilizer industry were also analyzed as these parameters were not in range as per ISO guidelines. The LC50 value for untreated effluent was 2.34% (v/v) and 0.80% (v/v) for 96 h in H. fossilis and L. rohita, respectively, while no mortality was recorded in the treated effluent. The AChE activity in both fish species was found to decline in metabolically responsive organs like brain, muscle and gills through exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (1/15th, 1/10th and 1/5th of LC50 value) of the untreated effluent for 96 h. Further studies on biochemical and molecular aspects may reveal the mechanism of their action.

Recurrent application of chemical pesticides in the agricultural fields have adverse impact on flora and fauna of soil ecosystem. Earthworms immensely contribute in increasing the fertility of soil. They may act as a bioindicator for the ecotoxicological analysis of pesticide induced soil pollution. Earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae were exposed to different concentrations of pesticides chlorpyrifos (OP), cypermethrin (a pyrethroid) and their combination for 48 h by paper contact toxicity method. The LC50 for commercial grade of chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and combined pesticides were determined as 0.165, 0.066 and 0.020 μg/cm2, respectively. To assess the sub-lethal effect of these pesticides, E. eugeniae were exposed to 5% and 10% of LC50 of the pesticides for 48 h. Variation in morpho-behavioural changes such as coiling, clitellar swelling, mucus release, bleeding and body fragmentation in earthworms were observed after exposure of both pesticides and their combination. Various biochemical estimations such as specific activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione -S-transferase (GST); levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were carried out in different body segments. Significant changes in these stress markers were observed at low and high sub-acute concentration of pesticides exposed earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae. Such changes indicate potential health risk to E. eugeniae if exposed to the high concentrations of these pesticides accumulated in soil. Keywords: AChE activity, Stress markers, Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin, Chlorpyrifos + Cypermethrin, Eudrilus eugeniae

Irrational use of dye is a challenge for our environment specifically for clean water. Highly luminescent SnO2 decorated Polystyrene nanocomposites developed as an effective solution for it. The low cost chemical synthesis of highly luminescent tin oxide decorated Polystyrene (SnO2-PS) polymer nanocomposites using recyclable expended polystyrene waste has been reported. Sol gel grown tin oxide nanoparticles, thoroughly dissolved in dissolved in toluene were used with recyclable expended polystyrene waste. The composites were grown either on glass substrates or developed as flexible self sustaining layers and characterized by optical, structural & morphological characterizations. X ray diffractograms of SnO2-PS polymer nanocomposites exhibit crystalline behavior with tetragonal structure of SnO2. Accumulation of SnO2 particles on the surface with increasing concentration, in the form of spherical structures is observed in AFM micrographs. Hollow vertical chain like growth is also observed. Absorption edge shift towards higher wavelength results in decrease in band gap with increasing concentration. The Photoluminescence (PL) spectra for higher SnO2 shows a significant peak peaks in visible spectra at about 425 nm. SnO2 decorated Polystyrene nanocomposites synthesized using recyclable expended polystyrene waste opens a new scope in flexible optoelectronic applications with visible region photoluminescence.

The bisphenol A diglycidyl ether-polyaminoamide (epoxy resin)–graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites have been prepared by chemical methods. The aim of this study is to produce epoxy –GO coatings on Aluminum Alloy 7075 and study the anticorrosion properties. Thin films have been characterized by scanning electron microscope – Energy Dispersive X-rays Spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectra. Raman spectra show the successful bonding of GO functional groups with epoxy. The composition of epoxy and GO is characterized by EDX. The Tafel plots were undertaken for analysis of corrosion of coating material. Therefore, the reduction of corrosion current of epoxy–GO nanocomposites coated Al alloy 7075 show its superior corrosion resistance properties. This is further confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization. The very high value of low frequency impedance modulus (i.e. 1010 Ω cm2) shows surprising anticorrosive effect on coating. The epoxy–GO spin coating in Al Alloy 7075 is significantly reduces the corrosion current density ( Icorr) and corrosion rate due to anticorrosion properties of GO.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • The pesticides have adverse effect on the health of aquatic biota including fishes. • Comparative acute toxicity of both pesticides was determined in the present study. • Both pesticides have affected the behavioural activities of C. punctatus. • Alteration of behavioural patterns may be due to strong inhibition of AChE activity. • Triazophos (organophosphate) is more neurotoxic than deltamethrin (pyrethroid)., Pesticides are applied to control the pests indoor and outdoor; however, their remarkable amount reaches to the aquatic system through various routes like run-off, leaching, spray-drift, effluent from factories. These are reported to have negative metabolic impact on different non-target aquatic organisms like fishes. Thus, present study is aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of two groups of pesticides, organophosphate and pyrethroid, namely triazophos and deltamethrin, respectively. The test was conducted for 96 h period in a freshwater teleost, Channa punctatus. The LC50 values for triazophos and deltamethrin after 96 h treatment was found to be 0.069 mg/L and 7.33 μg/L. The deltamethrin was found to be about ten times more toxic than triazophos to the fish. In treated fish, alterations in various behavioural patterns were observed with increasing concentrations of both the pesticides as compared to control. Further, tissue specific as well as dose dependent inhibition in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activity was found in brain, muscle and gills in Channa punctatus exposed to both the insecticides. However, the effect was more pronounced in triazophos treated fishes than the deltamethrin. A futuristic approach on biochemical and molecular studies may throw light on the mechanism of action of these pesticides.

Field experiment conducted at College of Agriculture, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh revealed that plant height, number of tillers/m2, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation (DMA) in plants, Crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilatory rate (NAR) were higher in plots getting hand weeding twice and with application of 125 kg N/ ha (N3) as compared to lower levels of nitrogen application and other weed management practices, whereas, application of butachlor + dhaincha (1:1) + 1hand weeding had comparatively surpassed other weed management practices. Similarly, yield attributes were significantly higher in hand weeding twice with application of butachlor + dhaincha (1:1) + 1hand weeding .Highest (1.77) net B:C ratio was captured with application of butachlor + dhaincha (1:1) + 1hand weeding and lowest (0.87) under weedy check.

The importance of the earthworms in the agricultural practices is well known. The increasing applications of pesticides and chemicals in the agricultural farms have adversely influenced the flora and fauna of the soil. Earthworms which immensely contribute in increasing the quality and fertility of agricultural soil are reported be worst hit organisms under such conditions. Recent reports have indicated growing interests among researchers to explore biochemical and molecular markers as indicators of accumulation of pollutants in the soil in general and pesticides in particular. The varying levels of several biomolecules in different parts of the earthworm have been reported which are indicative of sensitivity of the organisms to different xenobiotics. However, the existing information lacks the literature displaying stock of information regarding the impact of pesticides on the levels of some key enzymes regulating many crucial functions in the earthworm at one place. Keeping in view this issue, it was envisaged to bring out a mini review which illustrates updated information available on the impact of pesticides on the activities of certain key enzymes reported to be responsible for catalysing metabolic pathways concerning the neurotransmission system, energy metabolism, oxidative stress and amino acids metabolism in different body parts of the earthworms, a prospective bioindicators of pesticides contamination in the soil.

Field experiment were carried out during Kharif season 2016-17 to evaluate the efficacy of Flubendiamide 24 % + Thiacloprid 24% SC 200 ml/ha, Flubendiamide 39.35% SC 125 ml/ha, Thiacloprid 21.7% SC 250 ml/ha, Chlorantraniliprole18.5% SC 160 ml/ha, Flubendiamide 24 % + Thiacloprid 24% SC 250 ml/ha, Quinalphos 25% EC 1500 ml/ha, Thiomethoxam 25% WG 125 g/ha and Emamectin benzoate 5% SG 220 g/ha against the Bemisia tabaci and Aphis craccivora. Thiacloprid 21.7% SC was found significantly most effective against white fly followed by Thiomethoxam 25% WG. While, Thiomethoxam 25% WG was found significantly most effective against aphid followed by Thiacloprid 21.7% SC whereas, Flubendiamide 39.35% SC was the least effective against both the pest.

Among the rice hybrids, PRH-10 recorded significantly highest chlorophyll content, dry matter, LAI, CGR, RGR, NAR, root length, root: shoot ratio and grain yield (9.95 t/ha) over the rest of hybrids followed by NPH-567. The lowest values of these parameters were noted in IR-36. The higher straw yield was recorded (144.8 t/ha) in NPH-567. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i3.21614 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(3): 359-361, 2014 (December)

Objective: Though the adverse effects of pesticides used in agriculture may not immediately be visible in the human population however its long term exposure may cause detrimental effects by biomagnifications and bioaccumulation. Nowadays bioinformatics serves as an in silico tool not only for homology alignment but also for prediction of quaternary structures of biochemicals. The present study was aimed to compare the potential toxicities of triazophos and chlorpyrifos (organophosphates; OPs) and cypermethrin and deltamethrin (pyrethroids) and their interactions with cytochrome P 450 functioning. Methods: The authors performed the BLAST for homology alignment for cytochrome P 450 of human and Zebra fish and further proceeded for docking analysis of all the pesticides with cytochrome P 450. Results: It was noted that 99% of query cover with 32% of homology in the sequences of cytochrome P 450 between human and Zebra fish. Upon docking, the pesticide deltamethrin showed the highest interaction with cytochrome P 450 with highest binding energy and least dissociation constant for Deltamethrin which was found to be 8.233 [kcal/mol] and 922849.687 [pM]. Conclusion: Our preliminary results thus encompass/indicate that the deltamethrin is not only having detrimental effect on enzyme kinetics in general but also such similar effects be apprehended for human also.

The ability of fly ash to remove manganese from aqueous solutions by adsorption was investigated. The extent of removal was dependent on concentration, pH and temperature of the solution. The applicability of the Langmuir isotherm to the fly ash-manganese system was tested at 30°C and pH 8.0. These were the optimum conditions for maximum removal. The values of the adsorptive capacity Q0 and bonding constant b were found to be 0.20 mg g−1 and 1.25 mg−1 respectively under the above conditions. With an initial concentration of 1.0 mg l−1 and at 30°C and pH 8.0, the removal was found to be 80.0%. The time to reach equilibrium was 2 h. The process of uptake is governed by first-order rate kinetics and under optimum conditions the rate constant of the reaction was found to be 2.40·10−2 min−1. The pH dependence study revealed that at pH 8.0 the uptake was 80.0% but at pH 9.0, 99.0% removal was found. The higher uptake at pH 9.0 was attributed to adsorption coupled with hydrolysis followed by oxidation. The dibasic behaviour of fly ash also facilitated Mn(II) adsorption at higher pH owing to the low pH required for constant zeta potential.

The present experiment was carried out in a village of district Uttarkashi to assess the effect of supplementary inorganic mineral mixture on the growth performance of male goats. Fifteen non-descript local male goat (7–8 months, 9.38±0.93 kg body weight) were randomly distributed in three groups viz. T1 (control), T2 and T3 consisting of five goats each. All fifteen goats were treated with anthelmintics before the start of study and repeated at two months interval. All goats were provided ad lib basal diet. A quantity of 10 and 15 g mineral mixture was supplemented/goat/day for 120 d in T2 and T3, respectively. Body weight of each goat was measured fortnightly. Higher body weight (kg) and average daily wt. gain (g) were recorded in T3 (4.9 kg and 41.0±1.4 g) followed by T2 (4.8 kg and 39.7±1.4 g) and T1 (4.3 kg and 35.5±1.5 g). The higher daily wt. gain was observed during the period between 30 to 75 days in T3 (45.3 g/d) followed by T2 (42.4g/d). The higher body weight gain in T3 and T2 might be due to supplementing effect of mineral mixture. The results of present study indicated superior daily gains in male goat with supplementation of 15 g mineral mixture/goat/day with basal diet.

The kinetics of alkylation of benzene and toluene with propene, butene-1 and butene-2, in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst, was studied in a

An algebraic technique is proposed to obtain a simplified reliability expression of a general system. A success expression which directly gives the reliability expression, is formed and simplified by the procedure. The technique is equally efficient for simple and complex systems; yields computationally efficient reliability expressions; is routine (no decision making); yields an expression having a minimum number of product terms; and is easier than many existing techniques.