Informatics Publishing Limited

T. Sonai Rajan ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai 625104, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to assess the pathogenicity of some isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi, against different instars of Spodoptera litura (F.) under in vitro conditions. Bioassays on S. litura with N. rileyi isolates revealed that PDBC isolate was most virulent against S. litura and also had lower LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ values than DOR and local isolates of N. rileyi, indicating that it was more effective than DOR and local isolates against S. litura.

Keywords

Nomuraea rileyi, Pathogenicity and Spodoptera litura.

Full Text

   

T. Sonairajan ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, 625 104, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Evaluation of Nomuraea rileyi isolates collected from Project Directorate of Biological Control (PDBC) Bangalore, Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR) Hyderabad and a local isolate on media with different carbon sources showed that potato maltose agar was significantly superior over all other media for maximum biomass, mycelial growth and conidial production. Among the three isolates studied maximum radial growth, biomass and spore production were observed in PDBC isolates both in solid as well as liquid media.

Keywords

Biomass, Carbon Sources, Nomuraea rileyi, Radial Growth, Spore Production.

Full Text

   

P. Karuppasamy ¹, S. Kanchana ¹, G. Hemalatha ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Home Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai - 625 104, IN

Abstract

Millets are small seeded annual cereal grains. These are very hardy crops and can be grown successfully in infertility lands. These crops are less prone to diseases and pests'. Millets are particularly low in phytic acid and rich in dietary fibre, iron, calcium and B-vitamins. It also contains higher proportion of unavailable carbohydrates and release of sugar from millet is low. Kodo millet and little millet are nutritionally superior to rice and wheat and provide cheap protein, minerals, vitamins and fibre and are rightly designated as nutritious cereals.

Full Text

     

P. Karuppasamy ¹, S. Kanchana ¹, G. Hemalatha ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Home Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai – 625104, IN

Abstract

Millets are small seeded annual cereal grains. These are very hardy crops and can be grown successfully in Infertility lands. These crops are less prone to diseases and pests. It is stable cereals like wheat and rice, some of them are even better with regard to average protein, fat and mineral contents. Millets are particularly low in phytic acid and rich in dietary fibre, iron, calcium and B-vitamins. It also contains higher proportion of unavailable carbohydrates and release of sugar from millet is low. Over the past three decades cultivation and production of nutritious cereals is decreasing significantly, because of poverty, shifting consumption pattern from a balanced diet, widespread prevalence of nutritional deficiencies and also low consumption of nutritious cereals. But in the last two decades, grain based snack and convenience foods market had witnessed a very rapid growth all over the world.

Full Text

     

A. Sanjeevi Kumar ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹, P. Pavviya ¹, K. Maruthupandi ¹, V. Amsagowri ¹, G. Arulkumar ¹, S. Sekar ¹, M. P. Bharath ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at farmers' field in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India during the year August 2012-April 2013 to study the effect of new biological insecticide spinetoram 12 SC to natural enemies of pigeonpea pests. Three foliar applications were carried out at an interval of fifteen days after pod borer larvae reached economic threshold level. The result showed that the overall mean population of coccinellids was found to be more in the untreated check followed by spinetoram 12 SC 27 g a.i/ha in the first, second and third foliar application. The overall mean population of coccinellids was high in the untreated check, followed by spinetoram 12 SC 27 g a.i/ ha over the other treatments.

Keywords

Spinetoram, Pigeonpea, Coccinellids.

Full Text

     

A. Sanjeevi Kumar ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹, A. Pavviya ¹, K. Maruthupandi ¹, V. Amsagowri ¹, G. Arulkumar ¹, S. Sekar ¹, M. P. Bharath ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at farmers' field in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India during the year August 2012 - December 2012 to study the effect of new biological insecticide spinetoram 12 SC to Cryptolaemus montrouzieri of grapevine mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus. Three foliar applications were carried out at an interval of fifteen days after nymphs and adults C. montrouzieri population reached economic threshold level. The result showed that the overall mean population of C. montrouzieri was found to be more in the untreated check followed by spinetoram 12 SC 27 g a.i/ha in the first, second and third foliar application. The overall mean population of C. montrouzieri was high in the untreated check, followed by spinetoram 12 SC 30 g a.i/ ha over the other treatments.

Keywords

Spinetoram, Grapevine, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

Full Text

     

R. Ramanujam ¹, R. Raju ², N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Mechanical Engg., Sri Venkateswara College of Engg., Pennalur, Sriperumbudur, IN
2 Dept. of Industrial Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach for optimizing the machining parameters on turning Metal Matrix Composite (AI-SiC-MMC). Optimization of machining process parameters was done by an analysis called Weighted Principal Component Analysis (WPCA), which is a useful tool for optimizing multi-response problems. Based on Taguchi's L₂₇ orthogonal array, turning experiments were conducted for aluminium silicon carbide particulate reinforced metal matrix composite (A356/10/SiC_p) using polycrystalline diamond (PCD) fine grade insert. The machining process parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut are optimized by multi response considerations namely surface roughness and specific power. The optimum combination of process parameters was studied by extracting more than one principal component and integrating into multi-response performance index (MPI). Finally, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to find out the most influential parameters for multi response criteria. As a result, optimization of the complicated multiple performance characteristics can be greatly simplified through this approach.

Keywords

MMC, Machining, Multi-Response Optimization, Weighted Principal Component Analysis.

Full Text

     

N. Muthukrishnan ¹, Varun Krishnakumar ², S. Kailash ³, K. Prahlada Rao ⁴, M. Murugan ⁵

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Mech. Engg., Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, IN
2 GTRE (DRDO), Bangalore, IN
3 XLRI, Jamshedpur, IN
4 JNTU College of Engineering, Anantapur, IN
5 BSA Crescent Engineering College, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Aluminium Silicon Carbide (Al.SiC) metal matrix composite (MMC) materials have a set of mechanical and physical properties that are ideally suited for applications in aerospace, automobile industries. Despite the superior set of mechanical and physical properties, the usage of MMC's in industry is still limited owing to difficulties in machining. To overcome this barrier, this paper performs a thorough study about the machinability of Al-SiC (MMC) with PCD insert tool to establish machining guidelines.The focus of the investigation is to determine the optimum machining conditions by adjusting the spindle speeds, depth of cut and feed, and observing the corresponding behaviour of cutting force, surface imperfections, power consumed, and MRR. The worn out tool is subjected to microscopic analysis to evaluate the wear on the tool.On completion of the experimental test, an artificial neural network (ANN) is used to validate the results obtained and also to predict the behaviour of the system under any condition within the operating range.

Full Text

     

N. Muthukrishnan ¹, M. Visnupriya ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

In this experiment a new insecticide molecule, spinetoram 12 SC was taken up to evaluate its antifeedant and repellent activity in laboratory and efficacy in the field with different mode of application against termite control. Laboratory experiments were conducted in Insectary, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. Field experiments were laid out in Randomized Block Design at farmer’s field located in Mandhikanmai village, Kalayarkoil Block, Sivagangai district during 2014 – 2015 and to study the effect of sett treatment and soil drenching of spinetoram 12 SC with variety CO 86032. At the time of planting, sugarcane setts were treated with various doses of spinetoram 12 SC (90, 120, 150 and 180 g a.i./ha) and covered with soil. After planting in 35 days old sugarcane soil drenching treatment was also effected with the same dose of sett treatment. Imidacloprid 20 SL, Rynaxypyr 20 SC and chlorpyrifos 20 EC were standard checks. The cumulative mean food consumption was minimum 0.71 g, 0.78 g, 1.02 g, 1.23 g, 1.44 g and 1.56 g in various concentrations of spinetoramviz., 360, 300, 240, 180, 120 and 60 ppm, respectively. The highest mean per cent repellent action was noticed in spinetoram 360 ppm and 300 ppm (93.4 and 91.2%, respectively) at 12 HAT. Field experiments were inferred that spinetoram 12 SC 180 and 150 g a.i./ha were significantly effective in minimizing number of termite colony per plot, number of termites per colony and per cent sett damage in both sett treatment and soil drenching methods.

Keywords

Sugarcane, Spinetoram 12 SC, Antifeedant Activity, Odontotermes obesus, Sett Treatment, Soil Drenching

Full Text

     

M. Visnupriya ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) is a destructive defoliating polyphagous pest on various crops throughout India especially in vegetable crops. Experiments were undertaken to investigate the persistence of spinetoram 12 SC against larval stage of S. litura in the laboratory and to evaluate the effectiveness in the field in two seasons. The results of persistence toxicity revealed that there was continuous larval reduction upto 14 DAT under the laboratory condition in different doses of biological green insecticide spinetoram (36, 45 and 54 g a.i/ha). This reinforces the need to reapply spinetoram 10 – 14 days after the first application (peak of biological activity) for effective control. The order of relative efficacy (ORE) of the insecticides based on the persistent toxicity index (PTI) values was spinetoram 12 SC 54 g a.i./ha > spinetoram 12 SC 45 g a.i./ha > cypermethrin 25 EC 50 g a.i/ha > emamectin benzoate 5 SG 8.5 g a.i/ha > spinetoram 12 SC 36 g a.i./ha > quinalphos 25 EC 200 g a.i/ha. In field experiments spinetoram 12 SC was significantly effective at 45 and 54 g a.i./ha when sprayed thrice at 15 days interval and minimized the incidence of Spodoptera litura.

Keywords

Spinetoram 12 SC, Okra, Persistence Toxicity, Field Efficacy, Spodoptera litura.

Full Text

     

P. S. Rajisha ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹, S. Jeyarajan Nelson ¹, R. Jerlin ², P. Marimuthu ³, R. Karthikeyan ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN
4 Department of Farm Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Lifecycle, progressive growth of larval head capsule, and nutritional indices of Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) on maize (Co-H6) were studied at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, TNAU, Coimbatore during 2018-19. Incubation, total larval, and pupal periods were observed as 2-3, 13-20, and 7-11 days, respectively. The total lifecycle of male and female was 33-46 and 35-47, respectively. The head width was observed to be 0.34, 0.60, 0.89, 1.32, 1.86, and 2.36 mm from the first to the sixth instars, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship between larval instars and head capsule width (R2=0.0979); and geometric progression ratio was observed as 1.48. Nutritional indices were also studied for the third and fifth instar on the maize plants. Consumption index (CI) and approximate digestibility (AD) increased with larval age, while efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) were inversely related to age. These values for the third and fifth instar were- CI= 2.30 and 2.31; AD=35.7 and 40.29; ECI=18.33 and 12.21; ECD=51.33 and 30.3, respectively.

Keywords

Spodoptera frugiperda, maize, fecundity, egg, larval, pupal periods, lifecycle, stages, larval instars, head capsule width, Dyar’s law, nutritional indices, consumption, digestibility, conversion

Full Text

   

N. Muthukrishnan ¹, P. S. Rajisha ¹, S. Jeyarajan Nelson ¹, R. Jerlin ², R. Karthikeyan ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Department of Farm Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Population dynamics of the fall army worm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperdaon maize was carried out at the research field of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (kharif and rabi, 2018 and 2019). The results revealed that maximum FAW trap catches were obtained during 34th(7.6 moths/ trap) and 5th(7.8 moths/ trap) standard weeks (SW) of kharif and rabi seasons of 2018, respectively. During 2019, a more or less similar trend was observed with a maximum during 31st(7.2 moth/ trap) and 48th (8.2 moth/ trap) SW of kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. Correlation with weather factors indicated a significant negative correlation with evening relative humidity (RH) and significant positive correlation with morning RH during 2019-20. No significant effect of weather factors was observed during 2018-19 except for a significant positive correlation with evening RH and rainfall. The correlation between larval counts and pheromone trap catches were significantly positive with r-value of 0.55 and an R2value of 0.907 during 2018-19.

Keywords

Maize, Spodoptera frugiperda, population dynamics, trap catches, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, correlation and regression coefficients, pheromone trap, larval counts

Full Text

   

S. J. Reuolin ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ², M. Paramasivam ¹, R. P. Soundararajan ³, K. S. Subramanian ¹, N. Maragatham ¹

Affiliations
1 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, IN
2 Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vazhavachanur, Thiruvannamalai 606753, IN
3 Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Navalur Kuttapattu, Trichy 620027, IN

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.,) plants release a complex profile of volatile organic compounds. Present study investigates the differences in volatile compounds from four rice landraces viz., Karuthakar, Norungan, Thavala Kanan and Varappu Kudaichan each under four conditions like healthy, mechanically damaged, and the ones infested by the brown plant hopper Nilaparvata lugens Stal and yellow stem borer Scirpophaga incertulas (Wlk.). The volatiles were collected using air entrainment method and characterized by the GCMS. Statistical analysis tools like clustering, principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis were applied. Clear differences among the treatments were observed and certain volatile compound groups like terpenoids (squalene), unsaturated fatty acids (n-hexadecanoic, tetradecanoic and pentadecanoic acids), alkanes (heptacosane, tetracosane) were found. The statistical test of Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis was found to be satisfactory in determining the compounds responsible for variations in treatments.

Keywords

Rice landraces, Nilaparvata lugens, Scirpophaga incertulas, secondary metabolites, herbivore induced plant volatiles, terpenoids, fatty acids, esters, GCMS, Clustering analysis, multivariate analysis

Full Text