Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Bioaccumulation and Translocation of Selective Pesticides in Malabar Spinach, Basella alba: An Approach to Address Food Security

Debatri Banerjee, Sana Ahmed, Sumana Bhattacharyya, Sufia Zaman, Abhijit Mitra — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

In West Bengal, using pesticides to boost up crop production and manage pests in the agricultural field is a standard practice. Various classes of pesticides have been approved for this purpose, but most of the farmers are still using out-dated pesticides that have significant residual effects on crops and vegetables. Use of pesticide in mass scale results in the deterioration of the quality of crops and vegetables as well as causes edaphic stresses. Consumption of pesticides through food causes adverse impacts on the metabolic and physiological functions of human beings. This paper highlights the bioaccumulation and Translocation Factors (TFs) of few common pesticides in the root, stem, and leaf of Basella alba commonly known as Malabar spinach, collected from the control site (rooftop garden at Belgachia, North Kolkata) and stressed site (Gobindapur village in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal) during November, 2023. The analysis showed accumulation of pesticide residue, viz., Butachlor, Malathion, Parathion methyl, 4,4´-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Aldrin, Dieldrin and α– endosulfan in the root, stem, and leaf of the species. The sequence displayed following orders root > stem > leaf. Results of this study show the absorption and transport behavior of the selected pesticides in Basella alba and point out to the need for the safety risk assessment of vegetable consumption.

Coir Pith: Micro Reservoir of Water and Nutrient Resources for Agriculture

P. S Mukherjee, Ravi Prakash — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Coir pith or coir dust is the organic waste generated during extraction of coir fibre from coconut husk. This waste which otherwise pose problem to the fibre manufacturing units, can be converted into precious inputs for farming due to its useful properties of water holding capacity, major and micronutrient contents, high porosity, etc. It has been observed that Farm Yield Manure (FYM)can to a great extent reduce the use of chemical fertilizer NPK when coir pith is mixed with soil or with 100% coir pith for the production of tuber crops. The ‘K’ content of coir pith is efficiently used when FYM is added to the coir pith to help the growth of tuber crops. Experimental results indicated the vast potential of large scale utilization of this golden dust not only for its use as soil conditioner but also for effectiveness in soil-water conservation sustainably.

Application of Geotextiles to Improve Soil Properties and Productivity Under Maize Crop in Inceptisols

Sanjib Kumar Bauri, Susanta Kumar De, Tripti Bouri — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

At the University farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayespur, Nadia district of West Bengal, kharif maize was used as the test crop in a field experiment to examine the impact of different geotextiles management on crop productivity and soil properties, particularly on changes in soil moisture. Four treatment combinations were applied as T₁-non-woven coco coir geotextiles (5 tons + NPK=50:30:20 kg/ha), T₂ -non woven jute geotextile (5 tons + NPK=50:30:20 kg/ha), T₃- non woven vetiver root geotextiles (5 tons + NPK=50:30:20 kg/ha) and T₄- farmer’s practices (i.e., control) (NPK-50:30:20 kg/ha) in RBD design with three replications. The yield of the maize crop was recorded as 36.25 q/ha, 36.68 q/ha, 37.83 q/ha and 31.94 q/ha and 4.31 q/ha (13.49%), 3.74 q/ha (11.7%) and 5.89 q/ha (18.44%) irrespectively in non woven coco coir geo textile, non woven jute geo textile, non-woven vetiver root geo textile and control (farmer’s practice). The Moisture Use Efficiency (MUE) was highest under treatment of vetiver root geotextiles than other and recorded its response of 7.63% over control. Significantly decrease of bulk density and corresponding increase of porosity were found by the application of geotextiles. The effect of organic carbon was more prominent (50 %) under vetiver root geotextiles than control. Similar effect of vetiver root geotextiles also noted for improving nutrient availability. The current study indicate that vetiver root geotextiles were the most effective in maintaining the soil’s friable state, which in turn serves to promote nutrient and water availability and, ultimately, boost crop output.

Agri Nutri Garden in Nrlm Programme: Concept and Concern

Pranab Kumar Ghosh — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Proper nutrition is the primary requirement for good health of all individuals as envisaged under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The diet of an average Indian is not properly balanced having more cereals and less vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits provide proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins which are the essential constituents of a balanced diet and acts as a protective food for the life support system. According to the dietary recommendation of nutrition specialists, an adult person should have an intake of 285g vegetables consisting of leafy (75-125g), root (85g) and other vegetables (85g) in different proportions and 85g of fruits per day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended consumption of at least 400g of vegetables and fruits each day or five servicing of 80 grams each. But in India, we are able to provide only half of the required quantity. It is evident that unless the use of locally available vegetables and fruits is popularized, the poor peoples in India are bound to face health problems. In India, where majority of human population is below poverty line, modern balanced diet is beyond their reach and so it is of very much importance to popularize and adopt the supplementary available in their surroundings. Therefore, cultivation of vegetables, as well as some extent of fruit crops has got enough importance for supplementing cereals as a source of food as well as from nutrition point of view.

Utility and Crop Development Programme of ‘Rainbow Food’ with Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.): Current Status and Future Prospect

Archana Mukherjee — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is traditional food and super food for its calorie and vitamins contents as well as for easy availability among small, marginal farming communities. Sweet potato breeders of ICAR-CTCRI were working on improvement of sweet potato. The breeders have developed spectrum of coloured flesh sweet potato in orange containing beta carotene (10-16mg/100g) and purple containing anthocyanine (60-100mg/100g). Mythologically, different colours of rainbow signify power or positive energy. Among various coloured flesh sweet potato Bhu Sona and Bhu Krishna are gaining momentum in nutritional programme of the country. Besides, these varieties can perform well in hilly backward and coastal areas. Breeders also raised varied spectrum of coloured breeding lines having more nutrients and starch (>18%) with minimum weevil infestation (0-10%) for future programme. A special programme of intervention for eight tribal dominated districts, Odisha was undertaken for betterment of disadvantageous farmers through a RKVY programme. Further, ICAR-CTCRI distributed those rainbow coloured sweet potato in other backward areas of the country through various programme. Development of spectrum of coloured sweet potato satisfy disruptive innovation matrix. Those can be used primarily for wellness of disadvantageous farming communities. For their wellness, hunger-malnourished -vulnerable areas of the country need to be prioritized with holistic system based approach. These coloured flesh sweet potato can also be used for various processed products.

Enhancing Adaptability and Water Productivity in Tropical Tuber Crops: Food Security and Climate Change Perspectives

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

After cereals and pulses the tuber crops become the third important food crops which provide food and nutrition security to a vast human population numbering more than 500 million people in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Cassava and sweet potato rank among the top ten food crops of the developing countries and contribute to about 6 per cent of the global dietary calories. The tuber crops are grown in varied agro-ecological conditions and can adapt to vulnerable agro-climatic conditions. In India these tuber crops are grown in States like, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Northeastern States covering an area of about 4.5 per cent area of vegetable farming and contribute to at least 5.7 per cent of vegetable production. Rural folk in India rely on these tuber crops for stable yield and high food value. Many of these tubers are drought tolerant and can reverse soil degradation. Since water is scarce and necessary for crop cultivation this resource needs to be carefully utilized for tuber cultivation. Recent studies indicate water productivity in cassava 8.3 kg/m³, in sweet potato 3.0 kg/m³, and in elephant foot yam 2.5 kg/m³ respectively. Further, other resources like land, soil and genetic varieties need to be managed in a well coordinated manner in changing climate for tuber cultivation.

Bioinformatics Approaches for Disease Diagnosis in Plants

J. Sreekumar — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

To study the interactions between plants and their disease-causing pathogens under diverse environmental conditions, wide range of tools and techniques are employed. These include traditional microbiological methods, high-throughput DNA sequencing, metagenomics, molecular biological approaches, functional genomics, metabolomics, and advanced microscopic techniques. But, tools like bioinformatics and data analysis empower the researchers to unravel the complex mechanisms of pathogen interaction and helps in precise diagnosis in plants, ultimately contributing to crop resilience and sustainable agriculture. The present review provides comprehensive approaches to the appropriate bioinformatic tools and supply clues on mechanisms of pathogen pathogenicity and plant immunity as well as strategies on the diagnosis and treatment of plant disease.

Increased Yield in Paddy Cultivation by Using an Improvised Organic Manure in Sagar Island, West Bengal - Results of a Pilot Study

Amales Misra, Mahasweta Guha — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

The use of chemical fertilizer in agriculture has increased manifolds in India for higher production. The bad effects of continued and unrestricted use of chemical fertilizers are reflected in the deteriorating soil health and production loss. The present approach is to improvise an alternative product to chemical fertilizers, and the organic product so made is named here as Improvised Organic Manure (IOM). It has been used with good results in farmers’ fields of Sagar Island, West Bengal (2021-2022). Comparative studies of Jeera rice and N Sankar rice varieties have been made with chemical fertilizers and improvised organic manure (IOM). In case of Jeera Rice using IOM, production was 1100 kg/ bigha, and with chemical fertilizers it was 1080 kg/ bigha on an average, and while using half dose of chemical and half IOM, productivity was 1110 kg/ bigha. Similarly, in case of N-Sankar paddy, using Improvised organic manure (IOM), production was 1120 kg/ bigha and using chemicals, 1090kg/ bigha on an average. From this study it is stated that organic inputs can be rationally used for paddy cultivation without hampering production level and keeping natural soil fertility rejuvenated and maintained.

Sustainable Agriculture for Zero Hunger: Combating Abiotic Stress

Supatra Sen — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

To meet the rising food and feed crisis, rigorous control of productivity and yield losses in agriculture due to environmental stress must be executed. Coupled with climate change, abiotic stress is causing havoc to crop physiology, productivity and quality of agricultural produce. With the SDG 2 target of Zero Hunger to a population of 8.5 billion by 2030, such massive loss of agricultural yield and economy poses a huge challenge. Stress mediated responses of plants are multiple and varied. Detailed research on the varied stress responses of plants and the biotechnological interventions to combat abiotic stress could usher in a new era of sustainable agriculture. A major objective in plant breeding is the development of stress resilient crops and economically important plants with the potential to combat and adapt to abiotic stress. Plant extracts, essential oils, agricultural product waste materials, plant growth promoting bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus may be suggested for a paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture.

Conflicting Issues of Agriculture in West Bengal – An Introspection

N. C. Nandi — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Agriculture includes cultivation of lands and farming in waters. It dominates in the State of West Bengal even though there are conflicts between them towards conversion of lands for aquaculture. Agri-farmers depend on cultivation of lands over the generation here. Apathy in agriculture arises in recent years due to intensive labour dependency, increasing crisis of agri-labours, remote rural farming occupation, increasing child education of agri-farmers, and general unwillingness to adopt strenuous livelihood as well as soil-mud substratum of the agri-fields. Aquaculture is relatively easier enterprise and less labour intensive. Cultivation is mechanised with the procurement of power tiller, tractor, paddle or electrical power thrashers, and highly efficient harvesters for cultivation purpose. It is not possible for poor farmers. Breaking down of joint families is another reason to add to its conflicts. Currently, there is an increasing tendency of conversion of agri-lands for human settlement as well as into water bodies for aquaculture. In aquaculture, hard labour and lengthy stretches strenuous works are not required. These conflicting issues are communicated to address and help resolve them administratively at the state and national level with appropriate legal frame work, administrative reforms and management options.