Background: Anemia can be regarded as one of the oldest blood malformation known over a century. Megaloblastic anemia arises due to curtailed formation of erythrocytes, which leads to formation of a large number of underdeveloped erythrocytes. Proper nutritional supplementation may be useful in such condition. Beta vulgaris or beetroot is one of the important vegetables consumed worldwide. The aim of the present work was to evaluate anti-anemic potential of beetroot. Methods: Beetroot was extracted with ethanol. Phytochemical and phytoanalytical studies were performed on extract. Anemia was induced by phenyl-hydrazine. Animals were treated with extract throughout the study for 24 days. The red blood cell (RBC) number and hemoglobin concentration were determined every 3 days for 24 days. Results: Extract was found to be rich in folic acid, ascorbic acid, and iron. Following the induction of anemia, the number of erythrocytes and the hemoglobin concentration decreased by 62.51% and 69.64%, respectively. Administration of standard hematinic preparation and extract (200 mg/kg) resulted in signifi cant increase (P < 0.001; P < 0.01) in the number of RBCs as well as hemoglobin concentration when compared to the untreated phenyl hydrazine-induced anemic rats. Conclusion: Extract effectively raised the level of hemoglobin and erythrocyte count at dose 200 mg/kg. Vitamin and minerals found in beetroot are most likely active ingredients responsible for its hematinic effects. Still, methodical studies are obligatory to derive its effects on humans.

PurposeBotanical pesticides are now emerging as a valuable component of IPM strategies in all crops due to their efficacy to insect pests and safety to their natural enemies. The prime purpose of the study is to check the efficiency of plant extracts against the Heliothis armigera on tomato. MethodologyThe trial test was performed in randomised block design with six treatments and three replications. The infestation was evaluated and subjected to analysis of variance with LSD. Field experiments were performed to check the efficacy of chemical and botanical formulations against fruit borer, Heliothis armigera infesting tomato. The insecticides Steward, Tracer, and Proclaim (Sahito 2013), were applied four times at the interval of 15 days of second, third and fourth spray, respectively. Social ImplicationsPlants derived chemicals act as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides. Secondary metabolites from plants play a keydefensive role against the pests and act as antifeedants, oviposition deterrents and growth inhibitors. Plant extracts pose less threat to the animals, human and society. FindingsThe results showed that all three insecticides performed well in reducing the infestation in fruits by the H. armigera however, Proclaim gave best results. It shows 1.22 % of infestation after the 4th spray and 95.72% mortality. Simultaneously three plants extract Nigella sativa, Aristolochia leaf extract, Jatropha curcas(Ratnadass 2012) also applied to check their efficacy against fruit borer. Among these plants extract Nigella sativa extract perform well against H.armigera. After the application of Nigella sativa 4th spray, the percent infestation was 3.83 and 72.99% mortality while Aristolochia leaf extract and Jatrophacurcas were comparatively less potent with 48.5% and 62.64% mortality respectively. OriginalityThe study was performed at Zoology Department, A.N.D. College, Kanpur. Data collected through the randomised block design method.

Heliothis armigera is an economically important, polyphagous pest. It feeds on wide range of crops such as tobacco, tomato, cauliflower, peas, maize, brinjal, groundnut, soya bean, cotton etc. It affects the quantitative and qualitative fruit production in more than 157 plant species. Damage is caused by larval stages. Larva bores deeply in the fruit and causes severe damage. The pest Heliothis armigera feeding on five tomato varieties (Pant Bahar, Ratna, Arka Saurabh, Pusa Gaurav and Arka Abha) was analyzed for different growth parameters such as adult emergence, sex ratio and longevity. In the present study, maximum adult emergence (74.33%) was recorded in Pusa Gaurav, followed by Pant Bahar (72.65%) while minimum emergence (62.62%) was noticed in Arka Saurabh tomato variety. The maximum longevity of male Heliothis armigera was recorded on tomato variety Pant Bahar (24.33 days), followed by Pusa Gaurav (19.50 days), Ratna (20.30 days) and Arka Abha (22.65 days) while minimum in Arka Saurabh (18.55 days). The maximum female longevity (31.67 days) was recorded on Pant Bahar while minimum on Arka Saurabh (22.93 days). Observation recorded on tomato varieties indicated that sex ratio was maximum on