Tirunelveli District Of Tamil Nadu Research Articles

Indigenous Technical Knowledge Practices for Managing Pests and Diseases in Agricultural Crops

Aims: This study aims to document indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) practices used by farmers in the Tirunelveli district for managing pests and diseases in agricultural crops. It focuses on understanding traditional methods and their relevance in sustainable pest and disease control. Study Design: This is a descriptive field study employing a mixed-method approach, combining a literature review and qualitative data collection from farmers. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India. The research was conducted over three months from January to March. Methodology: The research was conducted in three phases 1) Literature Review: Existing studies on indigenous pest and disease management techniques in the region were reviewed. 2) Data Collection: Interviews and focus group discussions were held with farmers to gather traditional knowledge on pest and disease control practices. 3) Data Analysis: The collected information was analysed for common practices and evaluated for effectiveness. Results: The study uncovered numerous indigenous techniques, including the use of neem leaves, cow urine, and plant-based remedies for pest control. Out of 150 farmers interviewed, 80% used traditional methods, with 60% reporting success in reducing crop damage. These practices were found to be cost-effective and eco-friendly, reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Conclusion: The research highlights the potential of ITK in sustainable agriculture particularly for pest and disease management. It underscores the importance of preserving and promoting these traditional methods as viable alternatives to modern chemical practices.

Boesenbergia kalakadensis sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from southern Western Ghats, India

Boesenbergia kalakadensis (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Kalakad‐Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India is described and illustrated. Boesenbergia kalakadensis is closely allied to B. rotunda Mansf., and B. tiliifolia (Baker) Kuntze, but differs from them in its rhizome, leaves, inflorescence, length of flowers, glabrous nature of bract and bracteoles, length of calyx and corolla tube, size and shape of the corolla lobes, size, colour and margins of lateral staminodes, broader, orbicular, flat labellum, sessile, glandular hairy, crested anther, and length of style. A key to species of Boesenbergia in Peninsular India is provided.

PATHOGENICITY OF NATIVE BEAUVERIA BASSIANA (BALSAMO-CRIVELLI) VUILLEMIN ISOLATE ON DYSDERCUS CINGULATUS (HEMIPTERA: PYRRHOCORIDAE)

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the microorganisms thatspecifically infect and often kill insects and other arthropods. EPF is themost effective biocontrol agent against insects in the natural ecosystem whichcould be an effective alternative to chemical insecticides in bio-intensivepest management. Beauveria bassiana, one of the most prevalentsoil-borne entomopathogens, has virulence on insect pests. The present study isaimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of a native isolate of the entomopathogenicfungus B. bassiana isolated from the soil samples of a cotton field(Kuthukkal) in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu against Dysdercuscingulatus. Bio-efficacy trials were carried out with six differentconcentrations viz., 4.6 × 103,1.5× 104, 5.0 × 105, 2.7 × 106, 3.2 × 107,and 2.8 x 108 (spores/mL) in all the five nymphal instars and theadults of D. cingulatus. A 100% mortality was observed in higherconcentrations 2.8 x 108 (spores/mL) at 120hrs after treatment. The resultsof the present study show that the isolate seems to be highly promising in thepest management of D. cingulatus.

Methanolic extract of Merremia emarginata (Burm. f.) Hallier f. attenuates renal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats

IntroductionMerremia emarginata (syn: Ipomoea reniformis) is used by the traditional healers of the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and Nelliampathy hills of Kerala for the treatment of diabetes. It contains important phytoconstituents like scopoletin, quercetin, and kaempferol and is reported to have pharmacological activities like antidiabetic antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, ACE inhibitory, and hypotensive. Diabetic kidney disease is a common microvascular complication seen in patients with long-term diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Merremia emarginata in attenuating diabetic kidney disease. Materials and methodsDiabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were divided into seven groups with six rats in the control group and seven each in the STZ, STZ + Standard drug Ramipril (STD), STZ + Low dose (LD) methanolic extract of Merremia emarginata (MEME), STZ + High dose (HD) MEME, STZ + STD + LD, and STZ + STD + HD groups. The renal function was assessed by estimating various parameters viz, blood glucose, serum and urine creatinine, urine albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, oxidative stress, and kidney hypertrophy. ResultsTreatment with Ramipril and HD MEME showed a decrease in blood glucose levels, urine albumin, a decrease in serum creatinine, an increase in urine creatinine, a decrease in BUN, HbA1c, kidney hypertrophy, and oxidative stress. The combination treatment of Ramipril and HD MEME showed a synergistic effect. ConclusionThe study revealed that MEME attenuates diabetic nephropathy and has the potential to be used in diabetic nephropathy either alone or as an adjuvant.

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro anti-nemathelminthic activity of selected ethnoveterinary herbal preparations used by local healers in small ruminants of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Small ruminants are of great significance to the Indian economy and provide living for two-thirds of the rural population. Gastrointestinal helminths of small ruminants pose a significant impact on small ruminant production. Inappropriate use of synthetic anthelminthics and very limited quantity of synthetic therapeutic agents favours the risk. Natural plant products are far more diverse than synthetic therapeutic agents and many of them have historically shown to be potential in traditional medicine in the treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal helminths. The present study was conducted in view of validating the anthelminthic activity of herbal preparations used by local healers and farmers of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The herbal preparations used by local healers and farmers that were previously documented, was assessed for its anthelminthic activity in the current study. In vitro egg hatch assay was conducted. The study revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of egg hatching. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis to evaluate the phytochemicals responsible for the activity. It was found that flavonoids, sterols, terpenoids, tannins and saponins might be accountable for the activity.

Chief Minister Uzhavar Pathukappu Thittam - A Need for its Retrieval

Agriculture in India was considered a strong pillar and is considered a crucial sector in India, contributing almost 18.3% to its GDP and employing 45.5% of its workforce. Especially, In Tamil Nadu, agriculture holds a special place in the state's culture and tradition and is vital in ensuring food security and reducing dependence on food imports. Despite this, the agricultural laborers who constitute the major workforce were not provided with adequate welfare measures and job security as that of the Industrial laborers. This research paper sheds light on a few reasons that made industrial laborers be treated in a highly conductive way when compared to agricultural laborers secondly, the paper mainly focuses on evaluating the impact of the only welfare scheme launched by govt of Tamil Nadu that provides cash assistance to Small/ marginal Farmers, particularly agricultural laborers and in furtherance of it the researcher conducted a micro level study on the beneficiaries of the schemes in the village named Therkupatti located in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, and suggests for the retrieval of the scheme to benefit a larger number of people.

Prevalence of haemoprotozoan diseases of cattle in and around Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu - A retrospective study

Prevalence of haemoprotozoan diseases of cattle in and around Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu - A retrospective study

Formulation of citizen science approach for monitoring Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation for an Indian city

AbstractThe United Nations acknowledges that action in one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will impact outcomes in others and that development should interact the social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Many countries have prioritized goals and targets based on their current progress and the prosperity of their people. This article focused on SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, especially the first two (6.1 and 6.2) out of eight targets. The author has considered SDG 6, a critical goal to focus on and achieve in Tirunelveli city municipal corporation. The study area is situated in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India's southernmost state. Citizen science (CS), also known as community science, has emerged as an effective method of collecting data and supporting a wide range of indicators from the SDG targets. The objective of this article is to utilize the benefit of the CS approach for monitoring the targets 6.1 and 6.2 pertained to drinking water and sanitation facilities respectively in the study area. The activities suggested for this SDG 6 CS project were framing the core question, identification of citizen scientists, data analysis, and action plan. College students, ward councilors, and community volunteers, referred to as three categories of citizen scientists, will collect household data for all 55 wards in the study area. The value of the collected data to various government agencies and monitoring organizations is also discussed.

Buffering role of positive religious coping against the helplessness of elderly people under Covid stress

PurposeThis study aims to understand the relationship between Covid stress and helplessness among the elderly people in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India, and moreover, whether positive religious coping can have any influence on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a field study approach, data were collected from 187 elderly people aged more than 60 years in different parts of the Tirunelveli district. Moderated regression analysis was carried out to examine the moderating role of positive religious coping on the relationship between Covid stress and helplessness.FindingsIn line with the formulated hypotheses, the findings reveal a significant positive contribution of Covid stress toward the helplessness of elderly people. However, despite Covid stress, the helplessness gets reduced for elderly people executing a higher level of positive religious coping.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings substantiate the conservation of resources theory and suggest the role of positive religious coping as a personal resource against the stress experienced by the elderly.Practical implicationsThe findings of the present study indicate the responsibility of government agencies, community leaders, family members as well as religious leaders in providing the scope to the elderly for religious interactions as well as practices that may facilitate positive religious coping among them.Originality/valueThe present study is one of its kind to be carried out among community-dwelling elderly under the pandemic crises. Moreover, the buffering role of positive religious coping as a personal resource to withstand the difficult situation has been examined in this study in an empirical manner.

Training needs and knowledge level of goat farmers in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Training needs and knowledge level of goat farmers in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

A case study of organic protected cultivation at Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India

Agripreneur is defined as an “entrepreneur whose main business is agriculture or agriculture-related”. The case study was conducted in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. A discussion was made with the engineer cum Organic farming who was successful in organic farming for five years. He was practicing vertical gardening, terrace garden, aquaponics, hydroponics and aquaculture in an organic manner under protected cultivation in his farm at Tirunelveli. The need for research was to identify the extraordinary and unique farmer who was leading success in the field of organic farming. The objective of this case study was to bring out and narrate the facts which had been adopted to run the successful model for modern agriculture. The case study approach was made by preparing a semi-structured interview schedule, followed by the field visit, for collecting the data about the profile, skills, work experience, knowledge of the Agripreneur in agriculture and its allied sectors were identified and noted down. Thus, the study had been given a solution to efficiently utilize space and water by means of adopting terrace garden, hydroponics and aquaponics. The focus of the study was to highlight the effectiveness, adaptability and cost for other small farmers.

Contribution of Farmer’s Profile Characteristics to the Perception of Collective Farming in Tirunelveli District, India

Collective Farming Scheme was implemented in the year 2017-2018 by the Government of Tamil Nadu, India to empower the farmers and their access to modern technologies. This study aimed to ascertain the contribution of the profile characteristics to the perception of collective farming. The study was conducted in Alangulam block of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Data were collected through a well structured interview schedule with 120 farmers selected from four villages (Vadiyoor, Melamaruthappapuram, Ayyanarkulam and Sivalarulam). Regression analysis was carried out to determine the contribution of 12 selected farmer’s profile characteristics to the perception of collective farming. Social participation, training and innovativeness were the major factors that positively and significantly contributed to the perception of collective farming. For the better perception and practice of collective farming awareness from the state department or extension officials can be provided to the farmers along with the advantages of collective farming.

Determinants of crop diversification in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Determinants of crop diversification in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Studies on leaf nutrient status and seed yield of different pruning intensity treatments in Azadirachta indica A. Juss plantation at Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India

Studies on leaf nutrient status and seed yield of different pruning intensity treatments in Azadirachta indica A. Juss plantation at Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India

Delineation of boron status in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu using GIS and GPS techniques

A study was undertaken in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu with a view to assess the Boron status of soils at block level. A sum of 1,798 geo-referenced surface soil samples from nineteen blocks of Tirunelveli district representing different soil units as per the soil map prepared on 1:50,000 scales was collected randomly at 0-15 cm depth using Global Positioning System. The soil samples were analysed for available hot water soluble boron and the hot water soluble boron content varied from 0.01to 5.52 mg kg-1 soil. Analytical results and the GPS data was used for the preparation of thematic maps showing spatial distribution of micronutrients status block wise in the district. Locations of soil sampling sites of Tirunelveli district were marked on base map on 1: 50,000 scales prepared from State Revenue Maps and digitized using Arc-info GIS. The delineation study thus clearly indicates that, the hot water soluble boron was found to be low in Pappakudi and Cheranmahadevi blocks and in rest of the blocks it exhibited medium to high status.

Assessment of groundwater quality in inland blocks of Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu

Block wise categorization of groundwater quality in Inland region of Tirunelveli district for its optimal usage to minimize the soil salinity was undertaken during November 2019. A total of 87 underground water samples representing different Inland blocks viz., Palayamkottai (5), Cheranmahadevi (5), Kalakkadu (6), Ambasamudram (8), Tenkasi (5), Shencottai (5), Kadayanallur (5), Vasudevanallur (7), Sankarankoil (6), Keezhapavur (5), Kadayam (4), Pappakudi (4), Alangulam (5), Melaneelithanallur (5), Kuruvikulam (6) and Manur (6) were collected, analyzed for quality parameter and categorized into different water quality as per the standard procedure. The investigation revealed that groundwater samples with respect to pH and EC ranged from 6.50 to 8.10 and 0.77 to 6.91 dS m-1, respectively. Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) varied from nil to 9.40 meq L-1 and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) ranged from 0.34 to 9.46. Frequency of occurrence of good quality water in the blocks surveyed were in the order of Kalakkadu and Pappakudi (100%)> Ambasamudram (87.5%)> Cheranmahadevi (80%)> Alangulam (80%)> Sankarankoil (66.6%)> Tenkasi (60%)> Shencottai (60%)> Kadayanallur (60%)> Melaneelithanallur (60%)> Kadayam (50%)> Manur (49.98%)> Vasudevanallur (42.84%)> Kuruvikulam (33.32%) based on the CSSRI, Karnal water quality classification in Inland blocks of Tirunelveli district, 20 per cent of groundwater samples were in good quality, Saline water was found in Palayamkottai. Alkali water was found in Tenkasi, Manur, Kadayam, Kuruvikulam and Ambasamudram blocks to the extent of 20, 16.6, 25, 16.6 and 12.5 per cent respectively. Among the Inland blocks of Tirunelveli districts surveyed, Keezhapavur block falls under high Alkali (40%) and lowest good quality of groundwater (20%).

Social Realism in Vannanilavan’s ‘Kamba Nathi’

The novel of Vannanilavan portrays the lifestyles and habits of the people living in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. In the novel Kampa Nathi, the author expresses the superstitions, relationship problems and birth imbalances of the rural people by the characters of the novel. He also describes the practices which are found in Tamil Nadu such as religion based job placement, collection of Dowry and Bribe, the reality of some corps and the thoughts of elders about young generation through several novel characters. Thus, this article seeks to uncover the reality found in the Tamil society by taking the lines and thoughts from Kamba Nathi novel.

Economic analysis of Bhendi cultivation in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Economic analysis of Bhendi cultivation in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Loss to follow-up after initial screening for cervical cancer: A qualitative exploration of barriers in Southern India

Background: In India, opportunistic screening is routinely conducted for cervical cancer, but systematic, community-based screening is relatively new. Hence, the uptake and follow-up for community-based screening remain poor. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore the barriers to community-based screening and suggest possible solutions for mitigating the loss to follow-up among screen-positive women from the perspectives of both, the community women (CWs) and service providers (SPs). Materials and Methods: This descriptive, qualitative study conducted at a non-governmental organization in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu between December 2017 and January 2018 included 11 CWs who completed various stages of screening and five SPs involved in community-based screening. The participants were purposively identified and interviewed face to face using a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted in Tamil, following which the transcripts were validated by the participants, translated to English, and analyzed. The reporting was based on the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Results: Unawareness and poor understanding of the screening process, fear associated with the procedures and the disease, no financial and family support, and sociocultural beliefs were identified as the barriers to follow-up. Persistent follow-up through phone calls and home visits along with increasing the awareness about the screening process and its benefits, establishing a rapport with the community, and using local community-based organizations to track the CWs are suggested as possible measures to mitigate the loss to follow-up. Conclusion: Sociocultural, economic, and psychological factors are the main barriers to follow-up after initial screening in cervical cancer screening programs. Conducting population-based systematic screening and awareness programs and keeping the local public healthcare professionals on the frontline along with incentivizing the healthcare professionals and screen-positive women are recommended to improve the adherence to follow-up.

Pattern of Crop Diversification in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Crop diversification is considered a significant component for achieving higher output growth, higher farm income, employment generation, sustainability of natural resources and poverty alleviation. Understanding the pattern of crop diversification is important for improving agricultural production and for the well being of farmers. This paper analyses the pattern of crop diversification in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. A non – experimental research design was used for this study. A sample size of 120 respondents was fixed for the study using proportionate random sampling technique. It was found that the cropping pattern of crop diversification in the district has slightly been changed and had increased in two decades. It was also found that there was only slight variation in the categories of crop diversification index among the respondents from the years of 2007-2008 to 2017-2018. Significant steps have to be taken to improve the crop diversification among the farmers.