In Himalayan region colored rice races are being cultivated since old age and these practices still continued. This study is focused on the nutritional value of pigmented rice land races grown in hilly regions of Uttarakhand as compare to white rice variety of tarai region. Eight local land races of pigmented rice from Thalisain (Pauri Garhwal: Elevation: 1695 meter), Ranikhet (Kumaun: Elevation: 1869 meter) and one commonly grown white rice variety Pant Dhan 14 from tarai region were taken for the present study. All these pigmented rice land races as well as white rice variety were assessed for anthocyanin, protein, dietary fiber and secondary metabolites viz, phenol, flavonoids along with antinutritional factor phytic acid. Significant amount of anthocyanin was found in pigmented rice grain (0.3 to 1.5 mg/100g) and was not found in Pant Dhan14. High albumin and globulin protein concentrations was found in all of the pigmented rice land races but two (G6 and K1) as compared to Pant Dhan14. High dietary fiber (1.5%-2%) and high phenols (10-20mg/g) and flavonoids (9-15mg/g) and low phytic acid (0.5 1.5mg/g) content was found in all pigmented rice land races of Uttarakhand as compare to Pant dhan-14(dietary fiber (0.5%), phenols(8mg/g), flavonoids (7mg/g), phytic acids(3.2mg/g)). All above studies suggest the nutritional superiority of pigmented rice local land races of Uttarakhand hilly regions as compare to white rice variety. Highlighting this superiority aims to encourage the consumption of pigmented rice for better dietary health, support its cultivation to preserve traditional practices and biodiversity, and enhance food security through diet diversification.
The present investigation deals in deciphering the biochemical analysis of two high yielding Indian mustard varieties, PDZ-1 and Kranti. The anti-nutritive and nutritive content in seeds of both these varieties was analyzed. The parameters revealing the anti-nutritive potential were deciphered as phytic acid, total glucosinolates and sinapine content. The methionine, tryptophan, β-carotene, total carbohydrate, fat, fiber, crude protein and oil were estimated as nutritive factors with proximate analysis. The results of experimentation revealed higher levels of all anti-nutritional factors in Kranti as compared to PDZ-1. Phytic acid (1.83±0.13), total glucosinolates (91.25±0.19) and sinapine content (2.38±0.16) were altogether higher in Kranti than PDZ-1 in which values were 1.02±0.08 for phytic acid, 14.22±0.21 for total glucosinolates and 1.34±0.06 for sinapine content. The nutritive contents were comparable in both the mustard varieties. However, PDZ-1 possessed higher values of oil (43.52±0.59) and crude protein (35.61±0.67) than Kranti, oil (37.29±0.78) and crude protein (29.93±0.45). An assessment of anti-oxidative potential, total phenols, ortho-dihydric phenols and total flavonoids was also done in this research investigation. Indian mustard is utilized in almost every household as oil for cooking purposes, extracted from its seeds. Besides their higher protein content, the seeds are not used in large proportions in diet due to the involvement of anti-nutritional factors. In future, more emphasis should be laid on lowering the content of the anti-nutritional factors so that the consumption of mustard seeds in diet could be enhanced for gaining the nutritional benefits
Biogas slurry (BGS), a nutrient-rich byproduct of anaerobic digestion, contains valuable enzymes like β glucosidase, essential for lignocellulosic biomass degradation. This study investigated the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of β-glucosidase extracted from BGS. The enzyme was purified through lyophilization and ammonium sulfate precipitation, resulting in an 8.3-fold increase in activity. Optimal enzyme activity was observed at 60°C and pH 7.0, with a Vmax of 4.207±0.07 mM/min, Km of 2.51±0.01 mM, and a catalytic efficiency (Kcat /Km) of 0.36±0.003 s/M. β-glucosidase exhibited high thermal and pH stability, retaining significant activity after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and varying pH levels. The activation energy (Ea) of 14.97±0.67 kJ/mol and a temperature coefficient (Q10) of 1.16±0.06, was indicating enzyme stability across a range of temperatures. These findings suggested that β-glucosidase from BGS could be a cost-effective and sustainable enzyme source for biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass and could be suitable for large-scale waste valorization.
The sugarcane crop was attacked by various insect pest mainly Pyrilla, whitefly, mealybug, ash weevil, grasshopper, early shoot borer, top shoot borer, and internode borer, attacked the sugarcane crop. Study on the population dynamics of these pests revealed that infestations began in the second fortnight of April 2022 and continued until harvesting. The second fortnight of June had the peak infestation of early shoot borer (26.67%), whereas the first fortnight of September showed the highest level of top shoot borer infestation (36.67%). The infestation of internode borer peaked (26.67%) during the second fortnight of December. The first fortnight of October and November observed the highest numbers of Pyrilla eggs, nymphs, and adults, with population densities of 3.03, 5.50, and 6.23/leaf, respectively. In the second fortnight of October, the highest number of whiteflies was observed at 2.03/three leaves. The study additionally examined at the relationship between weather parameters and insect infestations. A significant positive correlation was found between minimum temperature and early shoot borer infestations. Top shoot borer incidence was considerably positively correlated with both morning and afternoon relative humidity. The minimum and maximum temperatures were significantly negatively correlated with Pyrilla egg populations. The incidence of grasshoppers exhibited a positive correlation with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and afternoon relative humidity, while mealybug and ash weevil infestations showed a substantial positive correlation with afternoon relative humidity.
Rice sheath blight, caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1-1A, is a significant threat to rice cultivation, second only to rice blast. To evaluate its spatial distribution in Uttarakhand, a GIS-based survey was conducted across 13 districts during the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. The surveys revealed distinct spatial patterns of disease incidence (DI) and percent disease index (PDI). The lowest DI and PDI were recorded in the hilly regions of Kumaon and Garhwal, while the highest values were observed in the plains of Kumaon, followed by the plains of Garhwal and the Bhabar regions of Kumaon. Among the districts, Udham Singh Nagar exhibited the maximum DI (64.49%) and PDI (46.60%), whereas Champawat recorded the lowest DI (6.53%) and PDI (2.25%). These findings highlight the role of GIS in identifying disease hotspots and informing targeted disease management strategies
