Water hyacinth, the devastating weed grows in water bodies either naturally or as a result of human interference, is considered as threat to environment due to its negative effects on aquatic ecosystems. To alleviate its negative impact utilization of those become as better mean in recent decades. As such, water hyacinth is known to has potential to be utilized as nutrient source via composting, all most all types of composting techniques are applicable in preparation of compost from water hyacinth. Being an organic source, water hyacinth helps build up soil organic matter, in turn play vital role in the enrichment of the soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Aggregation of soil particles, porosity, density, water holding capacity, nutrient availability, cation exchange capacity, pH, soil microorganism are the soil properties reported to improve with water hyacinth compost application. Moreover, water hyacinth compost seems to be far better than the animal manures in improvement of soil properties. As a result, water hyacinth compost shows magnificent effect of plant agronomic growth parameters such as germination percentage, number of leaves, leaf area index, plant height, length of shoot and root, root: shoot ratio, biomass content as well as yield parameters. However, utilization of water hyacinth has few challenges like difficulties in harvesting, chance for heavy metal accumulation, hardness during decomposition, less awareness. Properly managed water hyacinth compost would serve as an alternative for inorganic nutrient sources in future thus indirectly the threat caused by this aquatic weed on environmental would become minimum.
Coastal erosion is an environmental issue that has been aggravated by anthropogenic activities, leading to a worrying situation in the coastal zones of Sri Lanka in recent decades. The present study attempted to determine the community perception and awareness of coastal erosion in the South Eastern coastal region around Oluvil, Sri Lanka. 120 residents of Oluvil were selected following a random sampling method to conduct a survey using a structured questionnaire in 2020. The survey results revealed that 95% of the residents were aware of the coastal erosion while 50% were extremely concerned about it, particularly because it has worsened over the last 10 years. Awareness was significantly correlated with the level of education of the residents. About 77% of residents noted that coastal erosion in the last ten years had rapidly increased. Construction of the Oluvil fishery harbour was believed to be the major cause of coastal erosion in Oluvil, with 81% of respondents strongly agreeing in this regard. Further, 88% of residents believed that the existing conservation measures were not providing effective protection from coastal erosion. Many of the affected people had suggested permanent closure of the harbour as a measure to address coastal erosion. Knowledge and awareness about conservation measures to control coastal erosion were limited. It is suggested to provide adequate knowledge and awareness through training, workshops, and campaigns in future to protect their livelihoods and the local economy from the effects of coastal erosion. The findings of the study would be helpful to the responsible authorities and government to adopt appropriate measures to minimize the impacts of coastal erosion in Oluvil.
Purpose: Nanotechnology has evolved as an effective tool in numerous fields including agriculture, medicine and engineering. Recently it's potential as an alternative genetic transformation method has been identified. However, a comprehensive understanding over nanoparticles and their behavior in living cells is important to realize the full potential of this technology in biotechnological applications. Therefore, we review the application potential of widely employed nanoparticles in plant transformation here. Literature/Background: Development of new crop varieties with desirable traits via biotechnological applications is a solution for challenges associated with climate change and higher population growth.In such aspects, transformation of plant cells which is known as the process of changing one's genome by integration exogenous DNA, is an absolute necessity and results far better and improved stable characteristics in original. Rigid and multi layered cell wall impedes penetration of exterior biomolecules and hence causes the transformation process complicated. Even though, numerous conventional methods have been established for plant transformation, lower transformation efficiency, tissue damage and random integration of transgenes warrants the need for novel approaches. In this context, novel techniques have been explored and as a result nanoparticles have been found effective in transformation of protoplasts as well as intact plant cells. Nanoparticles internalized either via endocytosis or direct penetration release transgenes from nanoparticle-DNA complexes and result in transient or stable expression. Nanoparticles ensure higher transformation efficiency, no transgenic silencing and protection of biogenic molecules from degradation by intracellular nucleases.
Background: Functional beverages become popular in treating non-communicable diseases like diabetes which is influenced by dietary habits and life style of people nowadays. From the standpoint of safe consumption, maintenance of their quality is vital. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the storage stability of functional beverage prepared from fruits of anti-diabetic potential at ambient temperature.Methods: Three different formulations of bitter gourd: lemon: amla (8:2:3, 6:4:3 and 5:5:3) along with control formulation were prepared and subjected to storage at ambient temperature (30±2oC) and RH of 75-80% in which physico-chemical, sensory and microbial tests were performed at pre-decided intervals. Result: Analyses indicated that physico-chemical quality parameters of total soluble solids (5.2-3.7), titrable acidity (5.1- 4.5) and ascorbic acid content (45.81-30.48) were significantly decreased while pH increased from 3.5 to 4.0 among formulations during storage. Furthermore, scores for sensorial attributes got decreased and there was no microbial growth in beverage formulations up to two months of storage. Considering these results, formulation T4 prepared with 6% bitter gourd + 4% lemon + 3% amla juices was found to be more acceptable and safer beverage for consumption with minimal percentage change and better retention of quality characteristics which could be commercialized as healthy diet drink for diabetics.
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