Jayanta Kumar Datta

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application for mosquito control

Objective To synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticles from aqueous root extract of Parthenium hysterophorus (P. hysterophorus) and also to evaluate the potentiality of synthesized silver nanoparticles as larvacidal agent against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus).

Evaluation of integrated nutrient management on boro rice in alluvial soil and its impacts upon growth, yield attributes, yield and soil nutrient status

A field trial was conducted during 2009 to 2011 to study the effect of inorganic fertilizer, vermicompost, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and Azotobacter on the yield of boro rice (winter rice) and its impacts upon soil nutrient status and grain uptake. The highest yield attributes were recorded with full recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer along with vermicompost at 2.5 t ha−1, PSB and Azotobacter, which was at par with 75% of inorganic fertilizer along with vermicompost at 2.5 t ha−1 and PSB and Azotobacter. Application of PSB and Azotobacter significantly increased available phosphorus and nitrogen in soil. Uptake of micronutrients in grain was in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Micronutrient status in soil was also significantly influenced by the different doses of inorganic, organic and biofertilizers.

Soil enzyme activities in dependence on tree litter and season of a social forest, Burdwan, India

The study was done to evaluate enzyme activities (amylase, cellulase and invertase) from the soils of different vegetation sites, with seasonal variation, of social forest, Burdwan, India. Study results showed significant lower enzymatic activities in the subsoil compared to those of the topsoil. The seasonal variations indicated that amylase, cellulase and invertase enzyme activities had reached peaks during the rainy seasons in different soil depths. Amylase activity was highest in Tectona litter containing soil in all seasons in both the soil layers. All the three enzyme activities have shown significant positive correlation with available nitrogen (p < 0.05) and available phosphorous (p < 0.05) during rainy season in both the soil depths. Correlation study revealed that soil organic carbon was positively correlated with cellulase and invertase activities except in the Anacardium vegetation site in the topsoil during rainy season. Irrespective of the seasons and the depths of soil, control site without vegetation showed much lower levels of organic carbon and enzyme activity compared to those of the experimental sites. Therefore, it is concluded that carbon transformation will be higher during rainy season in the vegetation sites of forest soil under such agroclimatic conditions.

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Properties of Old Alluvial Soil under Mustard Cropping System

Field experiments were conducted at the fields of Crop Research and Seed Multiplication Farm of Burdwan University, Burdwan, West Bengal, India during the winter seasons of 2005–2006, 2006–2007, and 2007–2008 in old alluvial soil (pH-6-7) to evaluate the influence of integrated nutrient management on soil physicochemical and biological properties under mustard (Brassica campestris cv. ‘B9’) cropping system. In the first year (2005–2006), seven varieties of mustard were cultivated under recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (100:50:50). In the second year of the experiment (2006–2007), six different doses of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer were applied. In the third year (2007–2008), six different level of compost along with a combined dose of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer (T3-3/4 Chemical fertilizer: 1/4 biofertilizer) were applied. The results indicated significant improvement in the soil quality by increasing soil porosity and water holding capacity significantly, as well as gradual build-up of soil macronutrient status after harvesting of the crop. Applications of biofertilizers have contributed significantly toward higher soil organic matter, nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The use of biofertilizers and compost have mediated higher availability of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) in soil. The use of biofertilizers and compost significantly improved soil bacterial and fungal population count in the soil, thereby increasing the soil health.

Seasonal variation of soil enzymes in areas of fluoride stress in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

Abstract Soil enzyme activities provide a unique biochemical means for assessing soil function as an indicator of soil fertility, which can be altered by a profusion of fluoride in the soil and seasonal changes. Seven sites were chosen in the fluoride-affected area of Nasipur, Birbhum District, West Bengal, India, to compare seasonal changes in enzymes (urease, amylase, cellulase and invertase), fluoride content, physicochemical characteristics and the availability of microbes in the soil with a control. The activity of all the enzymes varied with season. Urease had greater activity in the summer, followed by winter; it showed marginal differences from the control area during the winter (p < 0.002) and summer (p < 0.110) but a significant (p < 0.000) difference during the rainy season. Soil pH had a negative impact on urease activity during both winter and summer. Cellulase activity was accelerated by the organic matter and organic carbon content of the soil. Fluoride therefore had the greatest activity against urease activity during the rainy, summer and winter seasons. The microbial population of the soil also showed a negative impact of fluoride, which may in turn affect the soil enzymes and characteristics.

Influence of indigenous inputs on the properties of old alluvial soil in a mustard cropping system

Field experiments were conducted at the Crop Research and Seed Multiplication Farm of Burdwan University, Burdwan, West Bengal, India, to evaluate the influence of integrated nutrient management on soil physicochemical properties in a mustard (Brassica campestris cv. ‘B9’) cropping system. The experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 in old alluvial soil (pH 6–7). Seven different doses of biofertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB)), vermicomposts, organic (cow dung), and chemical fertilizers were applied on mustard in both the experimental seasons. The results indicated an improvement in soil quality by increasing soil porosity and water holding capacity significantly, as well as gradual build-up of the soil micronutrient status after harvesting of the crop. Dual applications of biofertilizers and vermicomposts have contributed significantly to higher soil organic matter, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents as well as micronutrient availability of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) and subsequently increased the soil health.

An alternative eco-friendly approach for sustainable crop production with the use of indigenous inputs under old alluvial soil zone of Burdwan, West Bengal, India

Experiments were conducted on mustard (Brassica campestris cv.B9) in an old alluvial soil zone of Crop Research and Seed Multiplication Farm, Burdwan University, Burdwan, West Bengal, India, during the winter seasons of 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. The aim was to evaluate the use of vermicompost prepared from municipality waste and Eichhornia mixture and its efficacy on crop growth and yield. Different combined doses of vermicompost, dried cow dung and chemical fertilizer along with Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria compared to full recommended dose of chemical NPK fertilizer (100:50:50) were used to develop an alternative farming technology for sustainable crop production and conservation of natural resources. The variety B9 gave a significantly higher seed yield and oil content along with other growth and yield-contributing factors as well as being the most economically viable option against treatment T4 (i.e. 75% NPK + vermicompost at 2.5 tons per hectare) among all the treatments applied for the experiment and was found to be superior to other treatments in old alluvial soil of Burdwan, India. In both the experimental years, seed yield and oil content were found to be the best for the treatment T4 and was better than using chemical fertilizer.

Soil enzyme activity under arsenic-stressed area of Purbasthali, West Bengal, India

A study was conducted to assess the seasonal variations of soil enzymes (amylase, invertase, cellulase, and urease), and physicochemical parameters of soil in an arsenic (As)-contaminated area. Ten different sampling sites of Purbasthali, West Bengal, India, were chosen for this experiment, and the collected data were compared with that of the control area, Burdwan University Farm, Burdwan. The As concentrations were found to be high in all experimental soil samples. Only urease and amylase activities were found to vary significantly (p < 0.01) with organic carbon content during pre-monsoon season but nonsignificant (p > 0.05) relationships were recorded between soil enzyme activities and organic carbon content during the post-monsoon period. Again urease and cellulase activities were found to vary significantly (p < 0.05) with soil As content in both pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. Similar observations were recorded from cluster analysis in both the seasons. Moreover, all tested soil enzymes activities except urease in post-monsoon period have shown significant relationship (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) with soil moisture in both pre- and post-monsoon periods. Therefore, it is suggested that the study of enzymatic activities and physicochemical parameters of soil may be helpful in assessing the effects of As on the biochemical quality of soils.

Correlation between arsenic intoxication and cognitive ability of primary school children of West Bengal

Arsenic contamination of the groundwater in West Bengal is a serious problem. Chronic exposition to arsenic contaminated water can cause serious diseases like dermal pigments, skin, lung cancer and neurotoxicant that affects the peripheral nervous system[1,2]. The World Health Organization lowered the drinking guideline from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in 1993 to encourage public organizations to comfort this mass contamination. School children are very much susceptible to arsenic exposure. Approximately 90% of children below 11 years of age in affected from Bangladesh and West Bengal, India showed significant level of arsenic in hair and nail[3]. In this study, the primary objective was to find out the relationship between arsenic toxicity (through potable water and vegetables) and cognitive level of primary school children. A standardized questionnaire (Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices) was used to assess the cognitive function in the form of mental performance of school children in an arsenic contaminated area (Kalyanpur, Purbasthali) and a uncontaminated area (Biswarambha, Purbasthali). The two villages were similar to each other apart from arsenic contamination in the drinking water. Moreover, demographically two studied villages were similar to each other i.e., school children were coming from similar set of family= background (economics, land ownership, crops production and number of family member per household). The testing was administered individually to each respondent (both boys and girls of grade III and IV students) in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of the Raven’s progressive matrices manual. Along with the questionnaire, the anthropometric studies were also done for BMI and other related parameter to check whether there exist any differences between arsenic contaminated and uncontaminated areas. The results also revealed that mean scores of Kalyanpur area were significantly (P<0.05) lower than uncontaminated area (Biswarambha, Purbasthali). The mean BMI of two studied population were significantly (P<0.05) different from each other. From the present outcomes, it is highlighted that exposure to arsenic significantly affected on both cognitive function and BMI. To the best of our survey, this is the first reported study from West Bengal, India of interference of arsenic on cognitive function of school children.