Srikakulam District Research Articles

Environmental impact assessment of Flora and its role in offsetting carbon along National Highway-16, India.

The rapid increase in carbon and other greenhouse gases is likely to change the regional and global temperature, and planning of these gases is needed. The present study focused on National Highway-16 of the Srikakulam district, which was upgraded from 4 to 6 lane standards to facilitate traffic. This study intended to compute the carbon sequestration and storage capacity of above and belowground biomass. This helps in the comparison and impact of the road project on flora and its carbon pool, from where future tree stock changes can be prepared. A total of 1930 plots were constructed of criss-crosses of equal size (2 × 100m). All woody trees with dbh ≥ 30cm were considered and their diameters were measured. A total of 29 tree species belonging to 13 families were identified; the quantity of macrobiotic carbon sequestered as a whole, i.e., above and below ground, was 768,890.29 tC and 199,911.48 tC, respectively. The mean sequestration rate of carbon as biomass above ground was 1.19 tC/tree, and that below ground was 0.31 tC/tree. The estimated average C-Stock per tree was 1.5 tC; however, the mean C-Stock per quadrate was 250.2 tC.

Drinking water treatment through Optimising Phosphate Coagulation collected from four villages in Srikakulam, India: a Response Surface Methodology approach

ABSTRACT The drinking water quality is highly affected by industrialisation and by natural geographical features of the region. This work highlights on the quality survey and treatment of drinking water collected from four villages (Kalyanipeta, Kesavadasupuram, Arinam Akkivalasa, and Chilakapalem) near Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. Physicochemical parameters of the samples were analysed. The presence of phosphates in the samples (3.15 mg/L P) were found to be above the permissible limits (1 mg/L P) which required instant treatment by coagulation process. Various influencing factors like temperature, dosage, mixing speed, and mixing time were considered for optimization of the process. The statistical experimental design was done using central composite approach of response surface methodology to optimise phosphate removal via coagulation and flocculation technique. An optimised removal of phosphates was determined to be 79.5% and 76.06% at a temperature of 27°C and 28°C, dosage of 13.412 and 14.906 mg/L, mixing speed of 91 and 78 rpm, and mixing time of 14.25 and 11.62 min for coagulants ferric chloride and aluminium sulphate respectively. Ferric chloride was found to be a better coagulant with a removal efficiency of 79.5% and the treated water contained 0.645 mg/L of phosphate.

Exploring Self‐Care Behaviors In Rural Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Study In Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh

Exploring Self‐Care Behaviors In Rural Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Study In Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh

Management of Rice Sheath Blight with New Chemicals in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Management of Rice Sheath Blight with New Chemicals in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Field Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Strategies against Chilli Black Thrips Thrips parvispinus (Karny), in the Srikakulam District

Chilli (Capsicum annum L) is an important spice crop grown extensively in India for both domestic and export markets. Invasive black thrips Thrips parvispinus has been causing destructive damage to chilli crop in India leading to indiscriminate use of insecticidal sprays. On-farm trials were conducted during Kharif and Rabi 2022-23 & 2023-24 to evaluate Integrated Pest Management practices against black thrips with emphasis on minimal pesticidal sprays with different mode of actions so that pests may not develop resistance which will reduce the residues on the produce in the farmer’s fields of Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. IPM adopted fields i.e. seed treatment, marigold as trap crop, erection of blue sticky traps, Beauveria bassiana spray and Neem oil and Fipronil 5 SC spray at 30 DAT; Imidacloprid+Fipronil 40%WG spray at 50 DAT; have shown 40 to 85 per cent reduction in black thrips infestation over farmers practice during all the seasons of both the years. This resulted in a higher average mean yield of 57 q/ha, average net returns of Rs. 4,96,000 per hectare with cost benefit ratio of 3.29 in IPM fields over farmer’s practice depicting that the adoption of IPM practices helped in reducing the pest incidence and increase in yield, net returns.

A Comparative Physical Parameters of Sri Kurmanadha Temple Pond and Sri Maninageswara Temple Pond, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Data collected on certain physical parameters of Sri Kurmanadha, Srikurmam and Sri Maninageswar, Kallepalli, Temple Ponds, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh from May 2014 to April 2016. The seasonal variations in water quality were recorded on monthly basis for a period of two years and correlation studies were also conducted among different physical parameters of both temple ponds. Water samples were analyzed for Physical Parameters like air temperature (28.250 C, 27.40 C), water temperature (240C, 24.350 C), transparency (32.1cm., 20.35cm.), EC (621μs/cm., 513.5μs/cm.), TSS (27mg/l., 35.5mg/l.) TDS (367mg/l., 298mg/l), pH (7.35, 7.5), DO (6.75mg/l, 6.5mg/l), COD (10.63mg/l, 10.36mg/l), BOD (3.31mg/l., 2.86mg/l.) total alkalinity (132.5mg/l., 128.5mg/l.), total hardness (80mg/l., 87.5mg/l.). Inter relationship between physical parameters (Pearson’s Correlation matrix) was also recorded. In this observation temperature showed strong positive correlation with COD (r=0.91, r=0.88), BOD (r=0.96, r=0.89), and negative correlation with DO (r=-0.84, r=-0.97). EC showed significant positive correlation with TDS (r=0.85, 0.89), and negative correlation with DO (r= -0.82, r=-0..84), TDS showed positive correlation with pH (r=0.77, r=0.72), and total hardness (r=0.81, 0.78), pH showed positive correlation with COD (r=0.77, r=0.84), total alkalinity (r=0.94, r=0.86), total hardness (r=0.81, r=0.84), and negative correlation with DO (r= -0.87, r=-0.77), Dissolved Oxygen showed negative correlation with COD (r= -0.88, r=-0.93), BOD (r= -0.95, r=-0.93). Chemical Oxygen Demand showed positive correlation with BOD (r= 0.92, r=0.91) and total alkalinity (r= 0.75, r=0.79). Biological Oxygen Demand showed positive correlation with total alkalinity (r= 0.74, r=0.63). Total Alkalinity showed positive correlation with total hardness (r= 0.90, r=0.87). These observations could useful in the water quality monitoring and regulation in order to enhance the quality of water with better sustainable management of Sri Kurmanadha, Srikurmam and Srimaninageswar, Kallepalli, Temple Ponds.

Knowledge Evaluation on Weather Forecast and Agro-advisory Services to Farmers in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Weather is the major factor for crop growth and yield. Farmers were more interested on the current real time weather parameters such as rainfall, humidity in air , air temperature, direction and speed of the wind, Knowing of weather forecast is useful to reduce the yield loss and to obtain more yield with high remunerative price. The precise real time data at exact time allows the farmers to plan field management practices like choosing of correct crops, land preparation, field operations like spraying of pesticides and herbicides, irrigation, fertilizer application, harvest, drying and post harvest operations to reduce the crop damage and economic losses. The District Agromet unit (DAMU) located at KVK, Amadalavalasa is sending timely weather advisories to farmers of Srikakulam district based on the forecast issued by IMD. A total number of 1080AgroAdvisory Service (AAS) bulletins were prepared by using DSS software and disseminated to the registered farmers through whatsapp and other social media during 2022-2023. A random sample survey was conducted to study the impact of agro-advisory services to farmers based on weather forecast issued by DAMU, Srikakualm. The sample size was 60 farmers belong to different villages of Amadalavalasa and Srikakulam blocks of Srikakulam district. The study Results revealed that spotlight on illiterate farmers is much more significant and dispersal of advisories in audio or visual format is more comfortable and easy to understand. The results of the survey exposed that among the total farmers the farmers follow for sowing are 45 percent, for spraying operations are 11 percent, for harvest and drying are 62 per cent. Finally this study confirms that the farmers were more concentrate on sowing, harvest and drying related to weather forecast. Hence finally realized that farmers should follow forecast data of weather from choice of crop and its management practices to after harvest operations to get enhanced productivity and also superior net returns.

Optimality and water conservation under non-system and system tank commands of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract Indian agriculture relies on irrigation. India's net irrigated area has tripled in 60 years, although tank-irrigated regions suffered a large decline. This study examines the potential for improving tank irrigation performance through linear programming by developing individual optimal plans for two different tank irrigation systems (non-system and system tank) in the Chittoor and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The optimal plans under non-system tanks allocated less land under paddy while improving groundnut areas to optimally reorganize resources among head, middle, and tail ends. Net returns were maximized to ₹ 2.63, ₹ 2.52, and ₹ 1.92 lakhs. The system tank optimal plans advised less water-intensive crops like pulses and sesame over sugarcane with maximized net returns of ₹ 5.35, ₹ 2.61, and ₹ 1.71 lakhs. Both physical (kg/m3) and economic water productivity (₹/m3) were highest among optimal crop mix under non-system and system tank command farms. Participatory water management, adoption of less water-intensive crops, and promotion of pressurized technologies were highly recommended in the study area and similar agro-climatic conditions

Handloom Weaving: Critical Factors influencing the Satisfaction- The Socio & Economic Context

"The miserable lives of handloom weavers are evident enough in every part of India where the handloom products are not all sustainable. There have been a lot of strategies to revoke the industry for many times in the way of schemes and interventions, but the efforts are all in vain and the livelihood of weavers is still alarming. Though there have been innumerable problems causing the decreased level of satisfaction of weavers, factors such as unorganised operations, product diversifications, credit needs, raw material, less returns and marketing issues are extracted to be critical in influencing the living conditions of weavers. The study is aimed to identify and assess the impact of certain critical factors on the increased levels of living weavers’ conditions in Srikakulam district, Andra Pradesh state. The study was carried out with a method mix of descriptive design, quantitative approach, non- probability sampling of convenience technique and cross- sectional survey method. The data collected was analysis through influencing statistics of factor analysis and multi regression analysis to extract the independent variables and explain the dependent variable respectively. Specific recommendations were offered be the research out of management implications with the interpretation. This paper explains the impact of each factor on the survival and sustainability of handloom weavers."

Dermatoglyphics of Medical Students of a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh

Dermatoglyphics of Medical Students of a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh

"Youth Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment: An Investigation of SelfEmployed Individuals in NAGAVALI INSTITUTE OF RURAL ENTERPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT" IN SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT

Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDPs) primarily emphasize the enhancement of participants' skills. These skills can be broadly categorized into two main types: Hard skills and Soft skills. Hard skills encompass technical and managerial proficiencies, while Soft skills encompass cognitive and behavioral abilities like positive thinking, creativity, communication, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and decision-making. The pivotal question revolves around the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs and their impact on enabling trainees to successfully manage their ventures. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs, particularly those offered by one of the NIREDs located in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh. These programs are part of a broader network of RSETI’S established across all the districts of the state.

Impact of Entrepreneurship Training on Youth with reference to NAGAVALI INSTITUTE OF RURAL ENTERPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (NIRED) in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh

The abstract succinctly encapsulates the core essence of the research paper. It underscores the pivotal role of Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDPs) in alleviating the widespread problem of youth unemployment in India. While government initiatives aim to promote entrepreneurship, this study underscores the necessity of effective training and support mechanisms for budding entrepreneurs. The specific focus of the study is on the socioeconomic attributes of youth participants engaged in entrepreneurship training programs and the comprehensive assessment of the impact of such programs. A notable case study conducted at the Nagavali Institute of Rural Entrepreneurship Development (NIRED) in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, is employed to ascertain the efficacy of EDPs and evaluate the role played by supporting organizations in stimulating entrepreneurship

An Annotated Check List of Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Madduvalasa Reservoir at Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

The current study identified the presence of 51 fish species, including six exotic species from 12 orders, 18 families, and 28 genera, collected four landing locations from October 2021 to September 2023 in the Madduvalasa reservoir. Order Cypriniformes was dominant with 23 species, which contributed to 45.09% of the total species, followed by Siluriformes 11 (27.77%), Channiformes 3 (7.84%), Anguilliformes, Synbranchiformes and Cichliformes each with 2 (3.92%), Osteoglossiformes, Cyprinodontiformes, Beloiniformes, Gobiiformes, Anabantiformes, and Ovalentaria each with 01 (1.96%). The fish species in the current study, the omnivores have a highest with 50.98%, followed by the carnivorous 25.49%, and the herbivorous 18.36%. The number and percentage composition of population status were represented by 41.17% were common, 33.33% were abundant, rare 17.64%, and moderate 7.84% in the total catch. According to IUCN (2023) status, 41 species contributed to 80.39% are least concern (LC), six species contributed to 11.76% are near threaten (NT).

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PEDOGENESIS OF SOILS OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FARM, NAIRA, ANDHRA PRADESH

The study on elemental composition and pedogenesis of soils of Agricultural College farm, Naira of Srikakulam district was carried-out during 2021. The soils were developed from granite-gneiss parent material. Total silica (SiO2) content of soils ranged from 50.5 to 74.6 percentage. Silica content in general decreased with soil depth, while sesquioxides (R2O3), alumina (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3), CaO, K2O, Na2O, MnO were found increasing with depth. High silica/ sesquioxide ratio of soils indicated siliceous nature of soils. The aluminum oxide content of the profiles varied from 15.80% to 26.25%. Highest value was reported in lowland profile, whereas, the lowest value was recorded in rainfed upland profile. Iron oxide content varied from 5.04% to 8.50%. Iron oxide content showed slight variation within profiles. Among the other oxides, CaO > MgO > K2O > Na2O was of the order as the soils were developed under semi-arid climate, wherein, basic cations have accumulated in these soil profiles due to limited leaching. The molar concentration of silica (SiO2) ranged from 0.841 to 1.24 moles, and molar concentration of sesquioxide ranged from 0.191 to 0.313 moles. The molar ratio of SiO2 / R2O3 varied from 2.68 to 6.51 in different soil profiles. The SiO2 / Al2O3 ratio varied from 3.33 to 8.02. These wider molar ratios indicated salacious nature of parent material and due to dominance of silica among chemical fractions. Midland (P3) and lowland (P4) soil profiles showed silt/clay ratio of less than 0.45 and upland profiles showed more than 0.45 indicating relatively advanced weathering in mid and lowland profiles while it was moderate weathering in upland profiles. The Weathering Index of Parker (WIP) values of the soils of study area ranged between 2.8 and 32.4. The lower WIP values (2.8 to 8.1) were associated with rainfed uplands and higher values of 14.7- 32.4 with irrigated low lands. The PIA values ranged from 67 to 97 tend to decrease with the depth in all profiles. The profiles examined have the CIA values varied from 66 to 95 indicating high to intense weathering. The CIA values decreased with depth in all the profiles. The surface horizons of P1 and P2 soil profiles were classified as moderately weathered. On the other hand, all subsurface horizons of these two profiles were highly weathered. However, in profiles P3 and P4 the CIA values ranged between 68 to 90 indicating that these soils were highly weathered. CIW values closely followed the trend of CIA values. The bases/R2O3 values of all profiles ranged from 0.061 to 0.608 and found increased with soil depth in all the profiles. Relatively higher values of bases/R2O3 were found in P4 (low lands) indicating base rich character. Middle land and lowland black soil profiles showed silt/clay ratio of less than 0.45 and upland profiles showed morethan 0.45 indicating relatively advanced weathering in mid and lowland profiles while moderate weathering in upland profiles.

Detection of Sugarcane bacilliform virus in diseased sugarcane plants in Andhra Pradesh, India by serological and molecular methods.

Sugarcane leaf fleck incited by Sugarcane bacilliform virus is emerging as a major disease and affecting exchange of sugarcane germplasm and cultivation worldwide. Roving surveys conducted in 162 fields belonging to 81 villages spread over 14 sugarcane growing districts of Andhra Pradesh during 2021-2022 revealed 8 to 44% incidence of the disease. Mean maximum fleck disease incidence was reported in Anakapalli district (33.00%) followed by Srikakulam district (22.66%), whereas least incidence was observed in Alluri Sitharamaraju district (9.33%). The early and sensitive detection of pathogens is vital and necessary to reduce the danger of introducing new diseases or pathogen strains into sugarcane growing regions. Both serological and molecular methods were used in proposed investigation to identify the virus at the protein and nucleic acid levels. DAS-ELISA results were positive for 50 suspected SCBV infected sugarcane leaf samples out of 81, with mean absorbance (A405) values ranging from 0.50 to 2.20. Further PCR assays were performed using SCBV-specific primers targeting RT/RNase H coding region which is frequently employed as a taxonomic marker for species delineation in Badnaviruses. Out of 81 symptomatic samples collected, 61 samples gave positive results, and no amplification was observed in healthy control and negative control. Results made it evident that PCR was more sensitive than DAS-ELISA. Low virus concentration or variation in virus strains may be the reason for the low detection rate in DAS-ELISA in the current study. Extensive roving surveys conducted for the incidence of leaf fleck disease for the first time in the state of Andhra Pradesh revealed severe occurrence of leaf fleck disease under field conditions.

Real-Time Contingency Measures as a Sustainable Strategy for Managing Biotic Stress in Rice Crop

Rice is grown in 2.0 lakh ha in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. Unpredictable weather conditions, low socio-economic status of farmers and various nutritional imbalances are the factors affecting the agricultural productivity in rain-fed agriculture in North coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh. With the effects of climate change, crops are sometimes affected by floods and sometimes by drought. Under such flood conditions, biotic stress including many fungal, bacterial, viral, nematode and non-parasitic diseases and among such diseases, blast, sheath blight are major and a limiting factors for the rice production. Considering these bottlenecks, KVK, Srikakulam assessed the realtime contingency measures against the biotic stress in rice crop at Kondavalsa and Ponnam villages of Srikakulam district in 2020 and 2021. Integrated pest and Disease management practices were implemented in real time against Blast, Sheathblight and BPH. The results showed that 70-75 per cent reduction in the incidence of blast among the management measures adopted plots in both the selected locations during 2020 and 2021. But only a 50% reduction was noted in the farmers approach. Similarly, PDI of Sheath blightwas reduced 78%. Also Brown plant hopper population was brought under control by using the management practices. In 2020, the grain yield of Kondavalasa and Ponnam villagesin the demo plots were 5580 and 5690 kg/ha at, respectively, while grain yield in farmers practice were 5090 and 5210 kg/, respectively. During 2021, demo plots at Kondavalasa and Ponnam also, recorded highest grain yields of 5630 and 5850 kg/ha, respectively. The higher severity of diseases like Blast, Sheath blight and pests such as, BPH has lead to poor yields in case of farmers approach. This study clears that adoption of certain measures viz., sowing of tolerant varieties, Seed treatment, Alleyways formation, optimized Nitrozen fertilizer application which promotes the better crop growth and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. Additionally, the timely spraying of highly efficient chemicals to control biological stresses such as Blast, Sheath blight and BPH will minimize crop yields and improved grains quality and quantity.

Evaluation of Seawater Intrusion and Groundwater Quality in the Coastal Aquifers in Srikakulam District, A.P., India Using Electrical Conductivity Property

Seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers has emerged as a significant environmental threat that imperils water resources, especially groundwater resources, ecosystems, and human health. It is widely acknowledged that water plays an indispensable role in the maintenance of life. Groundwater is an important source, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where surface water and precipitation are limited. Management of a safe and renewable supply of groundwater for drinking and agricultural purposes is one of the crucial aspects of sustainable development for any Nation. But the groundwater quality faces threats from urbanization, agricultural practices, industrial activities, climate changes, and groundwater parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), fluoride, chloride, calcium, sulfate, and iron. In the present study, 13 coastal mandals viz., Ranastalam, Laveru, Etcherla, Srikakulam, Gara, Polaki, Santhabommali, Vajrapukotturu, Mandasa, Sompeta, Kanchili, Kaviti and Ichapuram in Srikakulam district, A.P., India, have been considered. The quality of the groundwater in these mandals has been assessed based on seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers considering the EC and TDS parameters which help identifying seawater intrusion. Among all the 13 coastal mandals, the Gara, Polaki, Sompeta, Santabommali, and Ichapuram mandala are much influenced by seawater intrusion. The geology, geomorphology, climate, rainfall, and soil types of the study areas have been discussed. 61 water samples from bore wells of the 13 mandals have been collected for the present study. All the water samples were analyzed to determine the groundwater quality based on the EC and TDS of the water.

Note on morphological variations and new distributional record of <i>Bonnaya tenuifolia</i> (Linderniaceae) from Andhra Pradesh, India

Bonnaya tenuifolia (Colsm.) Spreng. (Linderniaceae) collected from Srikakulam district, is reported here as a new distributional record to the flora of Andhra Pradesh state. Detailed description, distribution, and notes on morphological variations are provided along with photographs of the species for its easy identification.

Textural Characteristics of Coastal Sediments Between Bhavanapadu and Baruva Villages in Srikakulam District, East Coast of India

The texture of a rock or sediment is the size, shape, and arrangement of the grains. The microgeometry of sediments deals with intergranular relationship of grains, their size and shape. In the present study, a total of sixty surficial sediment samples were collected from the study area (foreshore-20, berm-7, backshore-13, and dunes-20) with an interval of 1 km. The geology, geomorphology, drainage pattern, climate, waves, and currents are discussed. The grain size parameters viz., mean grain size, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis are discussed extensively. Sand is the predominant component in all the sediment samples (99.82–99.93%) whereas silt and clay contents are less than 1% from the four environments. The mean grain size of the sediment samples shows that medium grained sands are followed by fine grained sands indicating a low energy environment of deposition. The standard deviation values reveal that the sediments are well to moderately sorted. The average values of skewness indicate that all the sediment samples are negatively skewed to positively skewed representing an environment of deposition of low to moderate energy conditions. Most of the kurtosis values indicate that the sediments are of platykurtic to leptokurtic in nature. The platykurtic nature of sediments indicates the sorting of tail portions of sediment populations.

Seasonal Food Habit Variation of Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in Feeding Turtle Eggs in Kasibugga Range of Srikakulam District, of Andhra Pradesh

Seasonal Food Habit Variation of Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in Feeding Turtle Eggs in Kasibugga Range of Srikakulam District, of Andhra Pradesh