Brassica Compestris Research Articles

Effect of Vegetable Oil Mill Effluents on Physiological Properties of Brassica compestris L. Seeds

Industrialization has made our day-to-day life easier and is also a key determinant of the economic growth of any nation. But on the dark side, industries are also known to cause almost all types of pollution including soil, air, and water pollution. Untreated industrial effluents when discharged in agricultural fields affect overall crop production. OME is believed to induce a phytotoxic effect on seed germination and overall plant growth. This paper aims to test the toxicity of soybean and mustard oil mill effluents and their impact on the Vitality Index, Seed Vigour Index, and Tolerance Index of seeds of Brassica compestris L. The study was conducted during July 2020 - June 2022. Two sets of experiments were settled, one for mustard OME and another for soybean OME. Various concentrations of OME were prepared; 0% oil mill effluent (tap water),10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% OME (not diluted). Treatment with tap water was treated as a control. A germination test with 10 seeds mounted on moist filter paper was conducted in an incubator at a temperature of 23°C. Seed vitality index, Seed vigour index, Tolerance index, and Phyto-toxicity were calculated with standard methods. Vitality index (VI) decreases to almost 1/5 with increasing OME concentration as compared to control (without OME) with both the OME. Up to 10% OME concentration in both cases there is almost no negative impact, but after that soybean OME concentration shows more negative effect on the seed vigour index. The tolerance index (TI) was reduced to almost 50% with increasing OME concentration from 0% (water) to 100% in both treatments. Toxicity is more pronounced with soybean OME during the early germination period but later it shows that toxicity increases with increasing OME concentration with both the OME. It can be concluded that higher concentrations of vegetable oil mill effluent negatively affect seed vitality, vigour and this may be due to reduced tolerance and increased toxicity with higher concentrations of OME. All these parameters under study have a significantly high correlation with the concentration of OME.

Assay on the Impact of Vegetable Oil Mill Effluent on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Brassica compestris L. and Oryza sativa L.

Industries of any country are one of the key determinants of its economic wealth. Industries not only utilize a huge amount of water but also cause soil and water pollution by disposing of untreated industrial effluents in water bodies and agricultural land. The study aimed to test the impact of mustard oil effluent on seed germination and seedling growth of Brassica compestris L. and Oryza sativa L. and to evaluate the scope of industrial effluent as irrigation water. Different parameters like germination percentage, germination index, germination rate, and mean germination time were evaluated with different concentrations of effluent to analyze the impact effluent had on plant growth. The results of the study show that industrial effluents can be used for irrigation only after appropriate dilution, increasing the concentration of effluent in irrigation water can lead to a reduction in macro and micronutrients concentration as well as heavy metal accumulation which results in the inhibition of seed germination. Thus, careful monitoring of the effects of any industrial effluent on any particular crop is a must before its application as the response of crops may vary with single effluent also.

Effect of Vegetable Oil Mill Effluents on Physiological Properties of Brassica compestris L. Seeds

Effect of Vegetable Oil Mill Effluents on Physiological Properties of Brassica compestris L. Seeds

Metabolome and transcriptome revealed genes associated with anthocyanin accumulation in purple Caitai (Brassica compestris. var. tsai-tai Hort.)

• Plant anthocyanins are secondary metabolites that result in purple coloration. • Anthocyanins are beneficial to human health, preventing many diseases. • A new variety of purple chinese cabbage has increased anthocyanin content. • Genes regulating anthocyanin formation in purple chinese cabbage are identified. Caitai ( Brassica compestris . var. tsai-tai Hort.) is a non-heading Chinese cabbage variety popular in south China. To meet with market demand, we bred novel purple and green Caitai cultivars, in which leaves, petioles, and stems appeared purple and green, respectively. To study the mechanism of color devlopment in the purple Caitai and green Caitai, the leaves, petioles, and stems from the two Caitai cultivars were harvested, for assessing metabolite levels and gene expression by metabolomics and high throughput sequencing. In total, we obtained 14 differentially accumulated flavonoids in three comparison groups (green leaves versus purple leaves, green petioles versus purple petioles, and green stems versus purple stems), including 10 anthocyanins. The contents of 10 anthocyanins were significantly higher in purple Caitai compared with green Caitai. To study the genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation, high throughput sequencing was carried out and revealed 878 up-regulated and 928 down-regulated genes between the three comparison groups. Conjoint analysis revealed that nine structural genes which encode key enzymes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, including BraCCoAOMT, BraANS1, BraFLS, BraCHS3, BraF3H1, BraF3H2, BraF3′H, BraLDOX , and BraDFR , were up-regulated in purple Caitai compared with green Caitai. Moreover, the expression of BraFLS, BraLDOX, BraF3H2 , and BraCHS2 was further confirmed by qRT-PCR which was consistent with the results from high throughput sequencing. Collectively, our study demonstrated that the up-regulated structural genes promoted anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation in purple Caitai, resulting in purple the leaves, petioles, and stems.

Isolation and In Silico Characterization of Defensin Genes from Some Indigenous Plant Species of Pakistan

Aims: Damage of crop plants due to pathogenic attacks, postharvest crops spoilage and lethal effects of chemical pesticides has enforced scientists to find some potential natural alternative. Plants produce different types of antimicrobial peptides including defensins in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Defensins are small cysteine rich, cationic peptide with 40-45 amino acid residues with a variety of biological activities. Hence defensins have pharmaceutical and agricultural significance especially wide range of antifungal activities.
 Methodology: Nine plant species viz Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Conyza bonariensis, Alhagi marorum, Sonchus arvensis, Brassica compestris, Eruca sativa, Cirsium arvensis and Brassica juncea were selected for the study. Four set of primers were applied on extracted genomic DNAs and four amplified genes were isolated from different plants species by PCR. The amplified genes were cloned via pTZ57R/T in E.coli. The cloned fragments were sequenced and characterized by different bioinformatics tool such as coding length and peptide sequence, site of cell aggregation, peptide physico-chemical properties, antimicrobial properties and gene expression pattern.
 Result: The amplified products from B. napus, B. nigra, B. compestris, E. sativa and B. juncea were about 330 bp in length and showed upto 85% nucleotide homology to the reported defensins. Deduced amino acid sequence from Bn-Def, Es-Def Bj-Def and Bc- Def showed the conserved defensin domain. These sequences were also characterized for different characteristic like charged amino acids, pI value, shelflife and stability. Sonchus arvensis didn’t give any specific product by prescribed set of primers. However the products from Alhagi marorum was about 770 bp and B. napus was of 270 bp but both give homology below 30%.
 Conclusion: This study showed that in silico characterization of deduced antimicrobial peptides from different plant species has depicted these as an effective alternative to communal therapeutics. However, further work is needed to verify defensins specific activity at protein level.

Allelopathic Interference of Weeds on Brown Mustard in Pot Culture

A pot culture experiment was conducted at the Department of Botany, K.N. Government Post Graduate College Gyanpur, Uttar Pradesh coinciding with the Kharif season (July-October) of 2009. The treatments for the growth of test plant T-59 of mustard (Brassica compestris var. dichotoma.) consisted of Aqueous extracts of 4 weeds, viz., Amaranthus viridis, Eclipta alba, Parthenium hysterophorus and Phyllanthus niruri in concentration of 2% (C1 ), 4%(C2 ) and Control (C0 ). Observation on root length, shoot length, leaf area, root biomass and shoot biomass were recorded by harvesting method at an interval of 30, 60 and 90 DAT (days after treatment). Result of the pot culture experiment indicate that the leaf extracts of all the four test weed species, viz.; Amaranthus viridis, Eclipta alba, Parthenium hysterophorus and Phyllanthus niruri had a significant retarding effect on growth of mustard var. T-59 at both C1 and C2 treatment level at all sampling dates (30, 60 and 90 days after treatment). All the test parameters considered in the study, viz., root length, shoot length, total plant length, leaf area, root biomass, shoot biomass and total biomass were found to be significantly affected by weed leaf extracts and such effect was found to be concentration dependant. The net primary productivity (NPP) and relative growth rate (RGR) values were found to be affected by treatment of different concentration of weed leaf extracts of all the test weeds.

Long Term Effects of Conjunctive Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Quality in Maize (Zea mays) –Mustard (Brassica compestris var. sarson) Rotation under Rainfed Hill Inceptisol Soils

ABSTRACT The decline in the yields of most of the crops grown in the hill Inceptisol soils of Jammu region of India , is largely attributed to the gradual decrease in soil quality, owing to the poor soil-nutrient management practices. The indicators and the overall indices of the soil quality can be improved to a greater extent through the conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients, instead solely depending upon the inorganic sources. Therefore, a long-term study was conducted with the prime objective to assess the long-term effect of different conjunctive nutrient management practices on soil quality indicators and indices in hill Inceptisol soils of Jammu region of India. The results of the study revealed that after 11 years the order of superiority of the treatments in terms of maize grain yield was 100% NPK (60:40:20 kg ha−1) (T2) (2186 kg ha−1) > 50% NPK + 50% N (FYM) (1961 kg ha−1) (T7) > 50% NPK + 50% N (crop residue) (1789 kg ha−1) (T6) > 50% N (FYM) (1510 kg ha−1) (T5) > 50% NPK (1436 kg ha−1) (T3) > 50% N (crop residue) (1426 kg ha−1) (T4) > control (1183 kg ha−1) (T1). In case of mustard crop, the order of superiority was T7 (1157 kg ha−1) > T5 (960 kg ha−1) > T6 (903 kg ha−1) > T2 (874 kg ha−1) > T3 (783 kg ha−1 > T4 (710 kg ha−1) > T1 (541 kg ha−1). The percent contribution of key indicators toward soil quality index was in the order of available sulfur (S) (31.9%) > microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (31.8) > dehydrogenase assay (DHA) (8.36%) > pH (8.05%) > electrical conductivity (EC) (6.01%) > organic carbon (OC) (4.87%) > available zinc (Zn) (4.56%) > available phosphorus (P) (4.45%). The relative order of performance of treatments in terms of soil quality indices was T5 (1.52) ≥ T7 (1.52) > T6 (1.46) > T2 (1.38) > T3 (1.33) > T4 (1.25) > T1 (control) (0.97). Our study has clearly indicated that after 11 years, the conjunctive use of organic sources of N such as FYM and crop residues in combination with inorganic sources (@ 50:50 on the basis of N equivalents) proved very effective in improving the soil quality indicators and indices under maize (Zea mays) - mustard (Brassica campestris var. Sarson) crop rotation in rainfed hill Inceptisol soils.

Potential health risks assessment cognate with selected heavy metals contents in some vegetables grown with four different irrigation sources near Lahore, Pakistan

Carcinogenic and health hazard causing heavy metals have been increasing in our dietary stuffs due to large amount of industrial effluents being dumped in water bodies that are ultimately used for irrigation purposes. The study was aimed to assess and compare the mean concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, As and Pb) in soil and vegetables irrigated with four different sources (Ground water, river water, domestic sewage water and industrial untreated effluents and domestic waste water receiving drains) for the estimation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk associated with them. Prepared samples were analyzed by through ICP-OES. Statistical analysis revealed that domestic sewage water and drains water usage for irrigation purposes leads to high values of Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of metals through vegetation. To assess the carcinogenic effects values daily intakes, Total hazard quotients (THQs) and Health indexes (HI), while for carcinogenic effects, Total cancer risks (TCR) were determined. The results of present study revealed that the daily intakes of these metals are far less than that of permissible levels but their bio-accumulating behavior produce high risks to human health. The HI values revealed that waste water usage is producing the vegetables of high health risks. In adults, the HI of Phaseolus vulgaris, Spinacia oleracea, Brassica compestris, Raphnus sativus, Daucus carota and Solanum tuberosum assessed as 0.81, 1.52, 1.26, 0.12, 0.22, and 0.15 (ground water irrigation), 0.046, 0.75, 0.51, 0.68, 0.90 0.064 (River Ravi water irrigation), 1.23, 3.34, 4.81, 4.23, 1.41 and 3.43 (domestic sewage irrigation) and 3.04, 5.50, 6.08, 2.50, 5.34 and 5.13 (Drain waste water irrigation), respectively. It was observed that cancer risks of As exceeded the threshold (1 × 10−4) in all i.e. ground river, domestic sewage and drain water grown vegetables, while, Cd and Pb were in permissible range.

Assessment of Lead and Zinc Profile from Vehicle Emission in Roadside Fodder Plants

Due to increasing population and increasing number of automobiles the fodder samples were collected from Khushab District along the roadside to examine the heavy metal contamination. It was a serious issue because animals consume these contaminated fodders and then they enters the food chain where they cause toxicity. Five fodder plants Pennisetum glaucum, Trifolium alexandrinum, Saccharum officinarum, Zea mays and Brassica compestris were selected for sampling. The sampling of selected fodder plants and their soil was done during November which was the driest season of Khushab city and the dust and smoke was present on the fodder plants. The samples were air and oven dried. Then subjected to digestion. Acid digestion was done with Nitric acid (HNO3), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Hydrogen chloride (HCL). The samples become transparent and the heavy metal analysis of both soil and fodder samples was done through Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AASP). Lead and zinc heavy metals were analyzed. The pollution load index was lower than 1 which indicates that there was low concentration of metal in soil of the collected samples of the current study. It was obtained that the soil was less polluted. The daily intake of metals was lower than 1 that concluded that they were at safe limit during consumption. The present study showed the enrichment concentration of metals greater than 1 it means these metals were present in both soil and fodder samples growing near roadside.

Effect of organic manures on growth and yield of Toria (Brassica compestris)

The field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2019-20 at SMOF (SHIATS Organic Modal Farm). Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (UP). The soil of the experimental field is sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.6), the available N, P, K fertilizer is applied through organic fertilizers i.e. Cow manure, Vermicompost and Poultry manure. The treatment consisted of two varieties T-9 and Uttara and application of Vermicompost, Poultry manure and FYM viz: whose effect is observed on Toria. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 12 treatments replicated thrice. The treatment with T9 + 4t/ha of Vermicompost showing significantly higher in plant height (92.36 cm), number of branches (7.71), number of siliqua per plant (102.34), grain yield (12.30 q/ha).

Testing the effect of different insecticides on Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae) in field mustard (Brassicae campestris L.) Czern for possible consideration in an IPM strategy

Efficacy of insecticides and biological control agents in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program requires a full understanding of both these factors and their interactions. With this in mind, a study was conducted to build an IPM strategy to control Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae) in field Mustard (Brassica compestris) crops using a combination of insecticides and biological control agents. Five different insecticides (methomyl, matrine, carbosulfan, thiamethoxam, and pymetrozine) were used to test the survival of Aphidius matricariae wasps under field and laboratory conditions. Under laboratory conditions five different concentrations (1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.13% 0.06%) along with the control were made of each insecticide. Parasitoids exposed to Pymetrozine showed the highest percent emergence at 82.96%, 65.18%, 64.07%, 53.70% and 46.66% of from mummified aphids followed by thiamethoxam, carbosulfan, matrine and methomyl, whereas under field conditions none of these insecticides showed negative impacts on the emergence of A. matricariae wasps. In the presence of insecticides, no significant effect on emergence of A .matricariae wasps from mummified aphids was observed with pymetrozine showing 90.91% emergence of A. matricariae wasps, carbosulfan 81.25%, matrine 80.27%, thiamethoxam 77.29% and methomyl 75.49% emergence, respectively. In addition to observing the effect of insecticides on the emergence of A. matricariae, efficacy of these insecticides against populations of M. persicae was also studied. In order of efficacy, thiamethoxam > matrine > pymetrozine > carbosulfan > methomyl showing 91.37%, 89.61%, 72.46%, 56.6% and 54.35% reductions in aphid populations, respectively. The results of this study show that a biological control agent together with these insecticides can be used simultaneously as part of an IPM program to control M. persicae in field Mustard.

Morphological Study of Pollen Grains of Angiosperms

Pollen morphology of twelve species of angiosperms from Central Nepal was cytologically carried out in present investigation. In this investigation pollen morphology of Bignonia venusta Ker Gawl. and Jacranda mimisifolia D.Don from the family Bignoniaceae; Brassica compestris L. from Brassicaceae; Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth. from Lythraceae; Coriandrum sativum L. from Apiaceae; Crepis japonica L. and Dichrocephala integrifolia (L f.) kunzte. from Asteraceae; Delphinium ajacis L. from Ranunculaceae; Dianthus barbetus L. from Caryophyllaceae; Euphorbia Milii Des Moul. and Euphorbia pulcherima L. from Euphorbiaceae and Magnolia fuscata from Magnoliaceae were studied. Shape of the pollen grains found to be mostly spheroidal, few circular, one elliptical, one triangular and one elongated in this study. Sculpture of exine wall found to be smooth, echidnae, tected, reticulated and perforated type. Aperture of the pollen grains found to be triporate to pentaporate. The large, medium and small sized pollen grains were observed in present research. The high diversty of sculpture type in pollen grains of angiosperms has been associated to diversity in pollination systems. Smooth pollen grains are linked with wind or water pollination while sculptured pollen grains associated with biotic pollination. The morphology of pollen grain is one of the significant tools in solving some taxonomic problems such as identification, tracing phylogenetic relationship on the family, generic or specific level and in plant systematic and evolution.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(3): 354-358

Enhancement of growth and suppressing the root diseases of tomato plant by using organic amendment

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and mustard (Brassica compestris L.) cake used to suppress pathogenic fungi and ultimately enhanced the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plant. During field experiment tomato plant was treated alone and combine use of mustard and cotton cake with different concentration viz, 1, 3 and 5% W/V. Fusarium solani, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium samitactum was completely controlled by the combine effect of mustered and cotton cake at 1%MC+5%CC, similarly Rhizoctonia solani was completely controlled at 1%MC+1%CC, while 5%MC, 5%CC, 1%CC+5%MC also showed the significant (P< 0.05) result by reducing the percent infection of F. solani, R. solani at 11.11 each. Plant height enhanced significantly (P< 0.05) by all treatments alone and combine, while maximum plant height and weight was produced by combine effect of mustard and cotton cake at 1%MC+5%CC was 14cm and 23.41g respectively. Keywords: Cotton; Fungi; Lycopersicon esculentum; Mustard; Organic manure http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80051

Investigation of genetic diversityin Pakistan I Brassica Compestris Landraces for the selection of high yielding genotypes

Investigation of genetic diversityin Pakistan I Brassica Compestris Landraces for the selection of high yielding genotypes

Potential of biologically active plant oils for controlling of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

The insecticidal effect of six commercially available plant oils was tested against 4 th larval instars of Culex pipiens. Larvae were originally collected from Meit El-Attar, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, and then reared in the laboratory until F 1 generation. The LC50 values were 32.42, 47.17, 71.37, 83.36, 86.06, and 152.94 ppm for fenugreek ( Trigonella foenumgrecum), earth almond (Cyperus esculentus), mustard (Brassica compestris), olibanum (Boswellia serrata), rocket (Eruca sativa), and parsley (Carum ptroselinum), respectively. The tested oils altered some biological aspects of C. pipiens, for instance, developmental periods, pupation rates, and adult emergences . The lowest concentrations of olibanum and fenugreek oils caused remarkable prolongation of larval and pupal durations. Data also showed that the increase of concentrations was directly proportional to reduction in pupation rates and adult emergences. Remarkable decrease in pupation rate was achieved by mustard oil at 1000 ppm. Adult emergence was suppressed by earth almond and fenugreek oils at 25 ppm. In addition, the tested plant oils exhibited various morphological abnormalities on larvae, pupae, and adult stages. Consequently, fenugreek was the most potent oil and the major cause of malformation of both larval and pupal stages. Potency of the applied plant oils provided an excellent potential for controlling C. pipiens.

Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots from Hongcaitai for selective detection of hypochlorite and mercuric ions and cell imaging

Natural source is an effective carbon precursor to produce carbon dots (CDs) with prominent physicochemical and photoluminescent properties. To enrich the CDs’ type and widen their applications, more natural sources are desired. Herein, Hongcaitai (Brassica compestris L. var. purpurea Bailey), one of the popular and cheap vegetables in Hubei province of China, was attempted as the carbon precursor for synthesis of CDs by hydrothermal method. The obtained CDs were divided into two parts based on different solubilities in ethanol, CDs-A (ethanol soluble) and CDs-B (ethanol insoluble). Both CDs possessed multi functionalities; however, CDs-B contained sulfur element while CDs-A did not. Fluorescence quenching occured for both CDs in the presence of ClO− and Hg2+. However, CDs-A were more sensitive towards ClO−, while CDs-B were more sensitive towards Hg2+. Thus, CDs-A were successful to determine ClO− in tap water with limit of detection at 0.015 μM. CDs-B were successful to determine Hg2+ in river water with limit of detection at 0.06 μM. The results demonstrate that the sub-classfication of CDs by the subtle different properties, e.g. ethanol solubility, is necessary for better application performance of CDs. In addition, thanks to their low toxicity, both CDs were suitable for cellular labelling on HepG2 cells.

Genetic variability analysis of yield and its components in Brassica compestris var. toria

The present study was carried out at the Research Farm of S.G. College of Agriculture and Research Station, Kumhrawand, Jagdalpur (C.G.), Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during Rabi 2013-14. Experimental materials comprised 30 F1 from a 6 x 6 diallel crosses was grown in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications with the objectives to estimate the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance. Analysis of variance revealed presence of sufficient variability present as per different biometrical analysis except for days to maturity and oil content (%). Relative magnitude of phenotypic co-efficient of variation was higher than the genotypic co-efficient of variation. The high GCV and PCV were observed for only two traits viz. number of branches per plant and harvest index (%). The traits plant height (cm), siliqua length (cm), number of siliquae per plant and seed yield per plant had moderate GCV and PCV. The highest heritability estimates were observed for the traits erucic acid content followed by plant height, branches per plant, seed yield per plant, siliqua length, days to 50% flowering and harvest index (%). Genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed high for the character number of siliquae per plant, followed by seed yield per plant, days to maturity and plant height.

Aerial pollen diversity in Punjab and their clinical significance in allergic diseases

The present study has been carried out to assess the allergenicity of dominant pollen types from the atmosphere of nine districts of the state of Punjab, India. During the study period (2012–2014), 30 different kinds of pollens belonging to 17 families were recorded. Antigenic extract of thirteen pollen types were selected for skin prick tests (SPT). The allergenic pollens selected for the present study belong to families: Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, Cannabaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae. Total 165 sensitized patients having diagnosed with bronchoprovocation test were selected for SPT. Diagnostic tests were performed in ENT department, Rajindra hospital Patiala, and SPT were done in the clinic of Dr. H.S. Bedi at Patiala. Antigenic reactivity (3+ to above) to various allergens varied from 2.4 to 9.09 %. Patients showed maximum allergenic sensitivity to Parthenium hystrophorus (9.09 %) followed by Morus alba (8.48 %), Amaranthus spinosus (7.87 %) and Ageratum sp. (6.06 %). Least reactivity was shown by Brassica compestris and Eucalyptus sp. (2.4 %).

Effect of Inorganic Anions on The Bioavailability of Lead to Indian Rape in A Lead Spiked Loamy Sand Soil

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of different inorganic anions on growth and lead (Pb) content of Indian rape (Brassica compestris var. Toria) in a Pb spiked loamy sand soil. Soil was artificially contaminated with four levels of Pb (0, 50, 100, 200 mg Pb kg−1 soil). Potassium salts of four anions viz. H2PO4−, Cl−, SO42-, CO32- were applied to soil at four rates viz. 0, 60, 120 and 240 mg kg−1 soil. Soil was equilibrated for 30 days and Indian rape was grown for 60 days as a potherb. The results showed a significant increase in mean DTPA-Pb with increase in Pb contamination and it increased from 0.3 in control to 92.2 mg Pb kg−1 soil in 200 mg Pb kg−1 treated soil. Addition of H2PO4− and CO32- resulted in a decrease of DTPA-Pb but addition of Cl−and SO42- resulted in an increase in the DTPA-Pb. The dry matter yield (DMY) of Indian rape at 60 days was significantly reduced by the addition of increasing amounts of Pb but the magnitude of reduction in DMY with Pb contamination decreased with the addition of H2PO4− and CO32- anions but increased with the addition of Cl−. Similarly, the Pb content of plants also increased linearly and significantly with increase in Pb contamination levels but decreased with the addition of H2PO4 and CO32-anions. The results suggested that addition of H2PO4 and CO32-anions lowered the bioavailability and increased the geochemical stability of soil Pb, indicating their potential for in situ remediation in Pb-contaminated soils.

Effect of nitrogen and weed management on weed control efficiency and yield of fodder turnip

A field experiment was conducted at Forage Research and Management Centre, NDRI, Karnal during &lt;italic&gt;rabi&lt;/italic&gt; season in 2013-14 to study the effect of nitrogen application and weed management on growth and yield of fodder turnip (&lt;italic&gt;Brassica compestris&lt;/italic&gt; var. rapa) with four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N/ha) and four weed management practices (pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha, hand weeding, isoproturon @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha and weedy check) in split plot design. Among the nitrogen treatments 150 kg nitrogen/ha gave the highest growth, yield and better quality of fodder turnip. Application of pendimethalin @1.0 kg a.i. proved better in terms of growth and yield of turnip. Weed control efficiency was 65% with 150 kg N/ha and 83.23% with pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha.