Indian Journal of Biology

The ecological balance is a stable state between all plants and animals in an ecosystem and destabilization of this stable state is ecological imbalance that in turn exerts serious threats to widespread nature of biodiversity. The ecological balance is sustained by the cyclic flow of materials from abiotic environment to the biosphere and then back to the abiotic environment and upholding the equilibrium of interaction inside food webs. Both these processes must be maintained in the ecosystem and any interference with these cycles disrupts and affects the ecological balance. The ecological balance is currently a necessity to maintain the rich and varied diversity of animals, plants and microbial life, which is essential for mutual survival and existence of all living beings including human.

Keywords: Ecological Balance; Flora; Fauna; Biological Diversity; Ecosystem; Eco-Friendly; Survival. 

Land degradation due to application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is major impediment for sustainable agriculture. This can be prevented by the use of earthworm involving a technology called vermitechnology. Vermiculture, vermicompost, vermicast, vermibeds and vermiwash are the related terms of this technology. There is a long tradition of the awareness related to the beneficial effects of earthworms by the ancient naturalists. Earthworms have important roles in improving soil health and maintaining balance in soil ecosystem. The limitations of traditional chemical based agriculture can be overcome by the use of earthworm as a biotechnological tool. There are different ecotypes of earthworms and some are suitable for vermiculture. Method of vermicompost preparation involving vermitechnology has been described in brief and some precautionary measures needed in this case have also been mentioned. There are many experimental evidences which showed that vemicompost is highly beneficial for the soil health and growth of plants. The Problems and Prospects of vermitechnology in our country have also been discussed briefly.

Keywords: Earthworm; Vermitechnology; Vermicompost; Soil; Organic Fertilizer; Plant. 

 Pollution is, undoubtedly, the most frightening issue of concern among all recent environmental hazards. It has been established that aquatic ecosystem is mostly harmedby the impacts of pollution among all the types of ecosystems in India. Loss of aquatic diversity, to be more precise, loss of fish diversity is one of the commonest consequences of pollutionin aquatic environment. It casts serious threatto the human society mostly to those whose occupations are directlyrelatedto rivers, pond or other waterbodies eg., fishers, fish dealers etc. It has been reportedby severalauthorsthat more or less all the riversof this planet are being threatenedby gradualdegrading ecological conditions. Since, the productivity,especially fish yield, has decreased alarmingly, fishers, dependenton this riverfor long, are on the verge of alteringtheir occupationin most cases affecting the total socio-economicstructureof the riverside society. To developthe fishing industrya comprehensiveknowledgeon presentsocio economic condition of the fishermen community and their knowledge dispersal strategies should be reviewed.In orderto this, attempts have been done to preparea comprehensive review on the aforesaid topic.

Keywords: Socio Economic Structure; Fishermen Community; Knowledge Dispersal; Pollution; Diversity.

Fishery sector has high potentiality in our country. The fishery resources are very rich in West Bengal which is one of the leading fish producing states in India. Fishery cooperatives are developed in this state in the line of Indian cooperative movement. West Bengal occupies 4th rank as per the number of PFCS in India. Among the Districts of West Bengal, Murshidabad has the highest number of PFCS. A primary survey has been done in this district on the functioning of PFCS. The survey finds very grim picture about the performance of the co-operatives in the district. The suggestive measures for the improvement of PFCS in Murshidabad District have been proposed in this paper.

Keywords: Fishery; PFCS; Murshidabad. 

The objective of the present study is to find out the haematological parameters of adult captive emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) in three different seasons, i.e., winter, summer and rainy. Hematological parameters like RBC, TLC, Hb, PCV, and erythrocyte indices like, MCV, MCH, and MCHC have been recorded. The mean and significant difference are determined for each hematological parameter. The findings from our study contribute to the database for baseline values of hematological parameters of emu with respect to different seasons. The Hb percentage, RBC counts, and PCV percentage were higher (P<0.01) during the winter season than other two seasons. The average reading of TLC is recorded highest during rainy season and lowest during the winter season (P< 0.05).

Keywords: Season; Haematology; Flightless Bird; Emu; Dromaius novaehollandiae. 

Among the various naturally occurring abiotic factors regulating plant development, light (radiations) plays an important role in photosynthesis, photoperiodism and photomorphogenesis. The present investigations aimed to study the effects of different colour of light on seed germination, hypocotyl growth, mobilization efficiency (ME), vigor index (VI), biomass production and content of photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Chl b and Carotenoids) in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Kanchan, an important annual herbaceous food legume crop. Germination rate was found comparatively high in natural light with 95% germination at 84 hours. Individually, red light showed maximum % germination (98) at 84 hours while, green light showed almost no germination even after 96 hours. Blue light and yellow light caused significant reduction in % germination to 71 and 56, respectively, at 84 hours. The seedlings grown under different lights showed variation in biomass production (fresh weight of root and shoot). Root and shoot growth were highest in red light and the order of biomass production was red > yellow > natural > blue > green. ME and VI of cowpea seedlings revealed maximum (610.41 and 4.41, respectively) in red and minimum in yellow light (163.38 and 1.49, respectively). Both, ME and VI could not be determined under green light due to absence of well-marked hypocotyl. The data on photosynthetic pigments indicates synthesis of photosynthetic pigments highly dependent on light quality. Highest content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were observed in red, yellow and natural light, respectively. The findings indicate possibility for using light quality for manipulation of germination and seedling health of crop plants in general and V. unguiculata in particular.

Keywords: Visible Light Wavelengths; Germination; Photosynthetic Pigments; Seedling Vigour; Vigna Unguiculata. 

Sharp decline of house sparrow population has been observed over the globein recent years. In Odisha this trend has accelerated after super cyclone and Philin. In rural areas the natural habitat of house sparrow are rapidly replaced by concrete houses due to implementation of concrete housing schemes by the Government. Pertaining to this ongoing phenomenon, the present study evaluates the response of house sparrow towards the scientifically designed artificial nest boxes. This short term study has got high and positive response by the house sparrows towards the artificial nest boxes with respect to nesting and roosting behavior. This quick and significant response indicatesthat sparrows are in a need of nesting site. The individual and community efforts towards the installation of artificial nest boxes in the newly made concrete houses may be a pioneer method in conservative point of view.

Keywords: Artificial Nest Box; Concrete House; Thatched House; Nesting Site. 

Studies of sibling species, bionomics, distribution, role in malaria transmission, and identification of anopheline vector are significantly important from malaria control point of view. Control of malaria depends on certain aspects such as, response to insecticides, vectorial competence, host preference and resting behaviour. So vector bionomics have been a major area of research over many years. An. minimus was identified as a vector of malaria in east central region of Odisha. Keonjhar district of Odisha State, India is afflicted with high incidence of malaria since many decades. The present study was carried out for bionomics and diversity pattern of malaria mosquito Anopheles minimus in Keonjhar district of Odisha. An. minimus were collected from different ecotopes of Keonjhar district with hand catch method from both indoor and out door resting habitats, identified morphologically and members of the Anopheles minimus species complex was further identified at molecular form by polymer chain reaction assay (PCR). Plasmodium falciparum infection was determined following the dissection of the ovaries. Immatures were also collected from nearest breeding habitat such as perennial stream, well, pond and rice field. Stream is the most preferable breeding habitat of this species followed by pond, well and paddy field. The indoor per man hour density (PMDI) of An. minimus was found to be 6.09. The man hour density was found to increase from summer (March to June) to rainy (July to October). The peak prevalence of this species was noticed during the month of August. The adult specimens prefer to rest inside the room after blood feeding. The species is highly anthropophilic, with an overall human blood index (HBI) of 0.91.

Keywords: Bionomics; Anopheles minimus; Keonjhar; Sibling Species. 

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of the year 2014 and 2015 at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, (Uttarakhand) to assess the effect of sowing times (22nd October, 1st November and 11th November) and plating geometries on the thermal requirement of Indian mustard var. RGN-73. The crop sown on 22nd October was found superior for accumulation of all the thermal indices; and among the planting geometries, the wider geometries (30 × 30 cm, 45 × 15 cm and 45 × 30 cm) accumulated more thermal units. Seed yield was found highest in case of the 22nd October sown crop (1665.3 kg/ha) followed by 1st and 11th of November while the closer geometries 30 × 10 cm (1635.2 kg/ha) and 30 × 20 cm (1650.3 kg/ha) reported more grain and seed yields. The HUE was in accordance with the seed and biological yields; therefore it could be used as a measure to decide the most favorable time of sowing to get higher yields of Indian mustard. The October 22 sown crop exhibit better vegetative growth and final yield than that of others. Closer plant sapcing resulted into more vertical growth. Closer geometries exhibited maximum yield than on the spacing. Using closer geometries with a delay in sowing would result into better yields.

Keywords: Brassica Juncea; Sowing Dates; Planting Geometries; Vegetative Growth; Seed Yield. 

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small particles and can be used across all the field of science. Recently, nano particles have been used in catalysis, electronics, optics and a number of industries including pharmaceutical and agriculture. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles is consider as simple, cost effective, biocompatible, less toxicity to cell and eco friendlytechnique. In the present study,we have adopted a technique of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extracts of a common medicinal plant i.e. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum). Theleaf extract was act as a bio-reducer for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and the absorption maximum was recorded at 651nm. The capping actionof bio moleculeson AgNPs was characterized by Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The shape and size of the AgNPs were examined with XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD analysis indicated the crystalline nature of AgNPs and the SEM photography apparent that the AgNPswerespherical in shapecoated with biomolecules. The anti-bacterial activity of AgNPs was investigated againsta Gram-negative bacterium (E. coli) and a Gram-positive bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using agar well diffusion method. The synthesized AgNPs were inhibitory effect on both the experimental bacteria. The present work can be concluded that biomolecules present in Tulsi leaf was a potential bio-reducer for synthesis of AgNPs and the synthesized AgNPshad efficacy as bactericidal activity.

Keywords: Biosynthesis; Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs); FTIR; SEM; Antimicrobialactivity. 

 A field investigation was carried put during rabi season of the year 2014 and 2015 at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre (CRC) of the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, (Uttarakhand) in split plot design (SPD) taking three dates of sowing i.e. Oct 22, Nov 01and Nov 11 in main plots and five planting geometries viz., 30 × 10 cm, 30 × 20 cm, 30 × 30 cm, 45 × 15 cm and 45 × 30 cm in sub- plots with three replications on the thermal requirement of Indian mustard var. RGN- 73 thermal indices; GDD, PTU, HTU and PTI were calculated at different phenological stages of the Indian mustard The crop sown on 22nd October was found to accumulate more thermal units; and among the planting geometries, the wider geometries (30 × 30 cm, 45 × 15 cm and 45 × 30 cm) accumulated more thermal units.

Keywords: Brassica Juncea; Sowing Dates; Planting Geometries; Thermal Indices; Yield Predictive Models.

Vigna radiata (green gram) are staple food in India. The imbibition of the seed is never correlated with germination and vigour of the seeds. In the present experiment we imbibed the seed in 100 ml sterile distilled water for 0 to 24h. The imbibed seeds were allowed to germinate and data were recorded with respect to normal and abnormal germination, fungal infection, non-germinated seed and mean plant length after 7 day of sowing. The 8h period imbibition is found to be best with respect to vigour. The water imbibed after imbibition for a period of 8h was 0.912±0.018 g/g dry weight seed. The normal germination (%), abnormal germination (%), non-germinated (%) and plant length for the same were 61.001.15, 121.15, 23.671.76, 14.30.3 cm respectively.

Keywords: Vigna Radiata; Imbibition; Germination; Vigour; Seed. 

The two most important macrominerals calcium and phosphorus are required for bone growth and body function of animals. The present study is designed to investigate the role of thyroid hormone i.e. triiodothyronine (T3) in regulating the levels of calcium and phosphorus in blood, muscle and bone of Indian toad, Bufo melanostictus. The response of poikilotherms to the thyroid hormones is dose dependent. The calcium and phosphorus content of three extracts of blood, muscle, bone tissues were estimated independently by the method of Kramer and Tisdall (1921) as modified by Clark and Collip (1925) and the method of Fiske and Subbarow (1925) respectively. There is an enhancement of calcium and phosphorus concentrations in blood, muscle and bone tissue at both the dose levels except for bone at higher dose T3 treatment for 7 days. Treated animals show an increased level of calcium and decreased level of phosphorus of bone. Tissue specific action showing the increase in calcium and phosphorus levels at higher dose is much more as compared to that of lower dose level in blood and muscle tissue. In contrast to young and immature animals, the adults and old animals may show certain differential response because of the interplay of other hormones such as gonadal and corticosteroids & growth hormone which appears in adult stage.

Keywords: Triiodothyronine(T3); Calcium; Phosphorus; Bufo Melanostictus. 

Ambazari Lake is a major freshwater wetland in Nagpur city. This lake has high avifauna diversity which includes Aquatic (26.70%), Waders (8.7%) and Terrestrial species (64.6%). Area consists of 161 species of birds belonging to 16 Orders, 51 Families. Out of 161 species, 105 species were Resident, 40 species were Resident Migrant and 16 Migrant. Passeriformes is the dominant order which consist of 69 species, followed by Ciconiiformes, Charaniiformes, Anseriformes. Conservation of Wetland by converting it into a Biodiversity Park has been undertaken by State Government of Maharashtra, India.

Keywords: Avifauna; Migrant; Resident; Resident Migrant; Conservation; Ambazari Lake. 

Fish, one of the most important protein sources for human, is also an important vertebrate member of aquatic medium. Fisheries sector also contributes a major amount of the total economy of India. Fish diversity, an important indicator of the ecological status of any aquatic ecosystem (both lotic and lentic), is estimated by the use of different statistical approaches. Determination of relative abundance, habitat orientation score and trophic level score of the available fish species and also use of biotic index in any aquatic system depict the ichthyofaunal status with a clear indication of the vulnerability of the ecosystem. Owing to this, a study was conducted from January, 2012 to December, 2014 on River Churni, a major source of the surface water of Nadia district of West Bengal to measure the present status of species diversity and seasonal variation of assemblage of fish fauna. Data have been collected throughout the total span of investigation from major catchment sites of different parts (i.e., up stream, mid-stream, downstream) of the river. Studies have revealed that a total of 38 species of 7 orders and 17 families of fishes are there in the river. The number of available fish species has been found to be variable according to the season and part of the river. Trophic level score has revealed that omnivore fishes (34.78%) are predominant in upper stretch of the river and are followed by carnivore (30.43%), planktivore (26.08%) and benthic feeder (8.69%). In mid-stream, the trophic level score is found to be oriented in the following manner i.e., PL (33.33%)> OM (30.55%) > CA (22.22) > BE (8.69%). Apart from this, the values of Shannon- Weiner index (2.62 3.49), Simpson’s index (0.034-0.077) have indicated the more stable condition in downstream of the river than the upper parts. As, the river has been cited to have degrading ecological condition by many authors, results from this investigation will be helpful for the implementation of conservation ideas of the fish fauna in the river.

Keywords: Fish; River Churni; Ichthyofauna; Statistical Approaches; Biotic Index.