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R. Ravikumar , G. Ananthakrishnan , S. Girija , A. Ganapathi

Abstract

In the present study, natural Bamboo growing areas in Tamil Nadu were surveyed to confirm AM fungal associations and it reveals that AM fungal has intimate association with Bamboo in natural habitat. Nineteen species of AM fungal spores have been identified from Bamboo rhizosphere in five districts of Tamil Nadu. Among the AM fungal species Glomus fasciculatum was dominant.

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R. Ravikumar ¹, R. Saravanan ², N. S. Vasanthi ¹, J. Swetha ¹, N. Akshaya ¹, M. Rajthilak ³, K. P. Kannan ¹

Affiliations
1 Deptt. of Biotechnol., Bannari Amman Instiute of Technology, Sathyamangalam- 648401, IN
2 *Coimbatore Instiute of Technology, Coimbatore- 641 006, IN
3 Deptt. of Biotechnol., Bannari Amman Instiute of Technology, Sathyamangalam- 648401

Abstract

A bioremediation method was optimized to degrade and discolour the biomethanated distillery effluent. This phytoremediaion involved a dual stage microbial treatment. During primary treatment, fungal consortium was employed using fluidized film aerobic system (FFAS) and during secondary treatment, algal biomass either in free state (powder form) or in immobilized condition (alginate beads) was employed. The analyzed effluent at the end of FFAS treatment showed a reduction of ~70% in BOD and ~63% in COD without causing any color change. However, at the end of the secondary treatment with algal biomass resulted in a reduction of ~80% in COD and effected 75% decolourization. The optimized conditions for discolouration in the packed bed column were 1.5mm size of immobilized beads, 3.5cm height of packing, 300ml/l spent wash flow rate, 20 H/D ratio of column for immobilized algae and 4cm packing height, 400ml/l spent wash flow rate and 20 H/D ratio of column for algae without immobilization. The efficiency of discolourization by algal biomass remained unaffected by immobilization. An approach of this study could be used to develop a cost effective, ecofriendly biotechnology tool for the bioremediation of spent wash.

Keywords

Biodegradation, Biomethanated Distillery Spent Wash, Industrial Effluent Treatment, Fluidized Film Aerobic System, Phytoremediation.

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B. N. Gokul , A. Chandramuki , R. Ravikumar , Neelam Khanna

Abstract

Over a period of 8 years from 1979 to 1987, 27 cases of central nervous system Salmonella infection were encountered. These included 10 cases of community acquired pyogenic meningitis, 10 cases of post operative meningitis, 5 cases of brain abscesses and 2 cases of post traumatic meningitis. S. typhimurium was the most frequently isolated serotype accounting for 77.8% of cases. S. typhi was isolated from 18.5% of cases. The only other serotype found in this study was S. enteritidis isolated from a case of pyogenic meningitis. S. typhimurium was most frequently isolated from post operative cases. There was a preponderance of these salmonella infections in males of younger age group. Antibiogram showed the majority of S. typhimurium isolated were multidrug resistant. The other serotypes showed a variable sensitivity pattern. The 3 isolates of S. typhi from brain abscess cases were resistant to chloramphenicol.

Keywords

Meningitis, Salmonella Brain Abscess, CNS Salmonella Infections, Nosocomial Infections

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H. Sathyanarayana Swamy , S. K. Shankar , A. Chandramuki , R. Ravikumar , Atul Prasad , V. Anisya

Abstract

Fifty-five patients with neurological complications due to Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) infection were studied. Seven (12.7%) of them presented with pyogenic meningitis, 2(3.6%) with cerebral abscess and 46(83.6%) had neurological deficits without pyogenic meningitis. The mean age was 19.24 ± 12 years. The mean duration of illness at the time of admission was 16.4 ± 13 days. Fever was the initial and most prominent symptom in 46(83.6%) and most of them had headache, vomiting, myalgia and/or loose motions. Hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly was present in 27(49%). The mean interval between the onset of fever and the development of neurological deficits was 9.5 ± 9 days. The neurological deficits included those of pyramidal, extrapyramidal, cerebellar, brain stem, spinal cord and/or peripheral nerves. One had polymyositis. Blood Widal was done in 45 cases and was positive in 43 (95%) of them. The S. typhi was isolated from blood in 21, CSF in 3, cerebral abscess pus in 2, and from other sources in 4. The phage and biotype of isolates was done in 17 patients. The antibiotic sensitivity studied in 25 cases revealed resistance to ampicillin in 5 and to chloramphenicol in 10, while all were sensitive to co-trimoxazole and gentamycin. The lumbar CSF analysis done in 47 patients, was abnormal in 14 (29.7%). The EEG done in 29, was abnormal in 19 (66%) and the abnormalities were subclinical in 1. The ENMG done in 7 patients, was abnormal in 4. The mean duration of hospital stay of 54 patients was 14.8 ± 14 days. At the end of hospital stay 46 of them (83.6%) recovered (completely or partially) and 9 of them (16.4%) died. Seven of them were autopsied. At autopsy, brains showed features of pyogenic meningitis in 3 cases, while the other four had degenerative changes involving the dentato-olivary pathway.

Keywords

Typhoid, Salmonella Typhi, Pyogenic Meningitis, Cerebral Abscess, Bacterial Encephalomyeloradiculopathy

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R. Ravikumar ¹, P. Paramasivam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore T.N., IN

Abstract

No Abstract

Keywords

Cultivable Land, Projected Demand

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R. Ravikumar ¹, S. D. Sivakumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural and Rural Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, T.N., IN

Abstract

Finance is a critical input for crop production. It has greater influence on timely availability of farm inputs and adoption modern crop production technologies at farm level. Frequent inflow and outflow of finance in crop production make farm financial management as complex one. This unique nature of farm financial management calls for farmer to act as an entrepreneur. Being an farm entrepreneur, the farmer should have enough financial literacy for effective financial management. In this context, a study was conducted to assess the financial literacy of jasmine farmers as jasmine is the crop which requires frequent cash inflow and outflow. Standardized knowledge test was employed to assess the financial literacy of farmers. For that, 100 farmers from Erode district and 100 famers from Madurai district were surveyed. It was concluded that, Erode farmers has high financial literacy than Madurai farmers as they have gained some knowledge through training programmes.

Keywords

Financial Literacy, Naip, Knowledge Test And Financial Management

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R. Ravikumar ¹, P. Paramasivam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, T.N., IN

Abstract

Land is a finite natural national resource, directly link with all economic development activities especially agricultural production highly depend upon large scale of land due to inefficiency in production. India is a land scarce country where per capita cultivated land is only around 0.15 ha (Planning Commission 2011). Agricultural land conversion is a process by which land is changed from agricultural purposes to urban and industrial uses. The study was conducted to identify the factors influence of land sale among the respondents in western zone of Tamilnadu. The findings revealed, self occupation, progeny occupation and presence of business and community organization in the locality most significant factors influence on land sales.

Keywords

Land Sale, Factors Influences, Self-occupation

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R. Ravikumar ¹, P. Paramasivam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, T.N., IN

Abstract

Land is a finite natural national resource, directly link with all economic development activities and especially agricultural production highly depends upon large scale of land due to inefficiency in production. India is a land scarce country where per capita cultivated land is only around 0.15 ha (Planning Commission 2011). Agricultural land conversion is a process by which land is changed from agricultural purposes to urban and industrial uses. The study was conducted to identify the factors influencing the willingness of conversion among the farm households in Western zone of Tamil Nadu. From the results it was observed that the market value of land positively influenced the willingness of land conversion and farm productive value and assurance of irrigation reduced the willingness of land conversion.

Keywords

Agricultural Land Conversion, Influencing Factors, Socio-environment

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R. Ravikumar ¹, A. Rajesh ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management Studies, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Anna University, Sathyamangalam (T.N.), IN

Abstract

The value added services not only helps a bank to reduce costs but also helps it to retain its valuable customers. As far as customers are concerned, this facility enables the customer to bank anywhere, at any time and in any condition. Creation of Value Added Service facilities involve very huge investment; in order to improve the operational efficiency of these facilities the banks should encourage the usage of value added services among the customers. In this context a study was undertaken to understand the awareness and adoption of Value Added Service among the customers by analysing data collected from 80 sample respondents through personal interview method using Percentage analysis, RBQ, Chi-square test and Probit analysis. The results of the study revealed that majority of customers, who aware of value added services were young, graduated and most of them were self-employed. Education, monthly income and occupational status were positively influenced the awareness level of value added services. Time saving and comport in using the technology was the important factors influenced the adoption of value added services.

Keywords

Adoption, Awareness, RBQ, Value Added Services.

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R. Ravikumar ¹, A. Rajesh ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management Studies, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Anna University, SATHYAMANGALAM (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Marigold gained popularity amongst farmer and flower dealers on account of its easy culture, wide adaptability, attractive colour, shape, size and good keeping quality. Lack of technical know-how of scientific flower cultivation among the growers and high level of postharvest losses, lack of awareness on market opportunities, lack of timely and precise price information were the major missing links in the marigold value chain in India. To address all those missing links in the marigold value chain Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), proposed a project entitled 'Value chain on flowers for domestic and export markets' to the NAIP, with the aim of contributing to the promotion of the nation's floriculture industry. The project period is September 2008 to June 2012 and it is operated in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping. R. Rangasamy one of the farmer in the project area, marigold is the major source of income for his family and his livelihood depends mainly on the marigold farming. Since, he is having ten years of experience in marigold farming he says that over the year the yield marigold was reduced to 4-5 tonnes per acre due to indiscriminate use of pesticide, fungicides and fertilizer. Before NAIP intervention he received very low price (Rs. 2-3 per kg.) due to exploiting nature of market channel. After NAIP intervention the farmer undergone different training programs related to production, post-harvest and marketing aspects and adopted most of the technologies recommended by the NAIP scientist. Because of the adoption of advanced technologies he got the yield of 10-13 tonnes per acre. The farmer received daily price information through the cell phone that was disseminated by the NAIP scientists based on which he is able to get correct price from the buyer in the market. The farmer was entered into the contract farming with AVT natural Pvt. Ltd. who buys the marigold for xanthophylls extraction. Under this arrangement the farmer gets assured price of Rs. 6 per kg. of marigold, timely inputs and consultancy services from the company. Now the farmer was reaping the benefit of Rs. 2-3 per kg. as net profit from the Marigold farming due to intervention of NAIP.

Keywords

NAIP, Value Chain, Technology Adoption, Contract Farming.

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R. Ravikumar ¹, David Winster Praveenraj ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management Studies, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Anna University, SATHYAMANGALAM (T.N.), IN

Abstract

This paper explores the usage of farmyard manure (FYM) and its impact on paddy yield under different soil conditions in Tamil Nadu, using farming households' three-year rotating panel data from 1993 to 2003. Estimated yield functions reveal that, direct impact of FYM application did not exists in paddy cultivation. Meanwhile, an indirect impact through an increase in the marginal product of chemical fertilizer is observed especially under low inherent soil fertility status. Reflecting the existence of the benefit of FYM application, our factor demand estimation showed that farmers react to FYM price change actively. This means that, reduction in FYM price contributed to the productivity improvement.

Keywords

Rice, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Productivity.

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L. Sivachandran , R. Ravikumar , K. Jeyanthi

Abstract

This paper describes system identification, estimation and control of translational motion and heading angle for a cost effective open-source quadcopter — the MikroKopter. The dynamics of its built-in sensors, roll and pitch attitude controller, and system latencies are determined and used to design a computationally inexpensive multi-rate velocity estimator that fuses data from the built-in inertial sensors and a low-rate onboard laser range finder. Control is performed using a nested loop structure that is also computationally inexpensive and incorporates different sensors. Experimental results for the estimator and closed-loop positioning are presented and compared with ground truth from a motion capture system.

Keywords

UAV, QUADCOPTER, System Identification

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R. Ravikumar ¹, David Winster Praveenraj ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management Studies, Bannari Amman Institute of Technilogy (A.U.), Sathyamangalam (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Agricultural sector is the largest water user of the country, the growing challenge for agricultural development is how to grow more food for growing population with less water share for agriculture. The government also implemented subsidy schemes to encourage the farmers to adopt improved irrigation technologies. This gives greater opportunity to drip irrigation companies to market their products by improving their brand image. This study would focus on determinants of brand preference in drip irrigation system by analyzing the data collected from 100 randomly selected farmers from five blocks of Coimbatore district using percentage analysis, factor analysis, Logit regression, Garrett ranking and likert scale analysis. The study reveals that water saving and labour cost were the most influencing factor for the adoption of drip irrigation system. Immediate response by sales executives, market promotion, peer group influence, quality of materials and price were the major determinants of brand preference of farmers. The farmers were satisfied with the price, availability of spare parts and government subsidies but highly unsatisfied with after sales service provided by the marketers of drip system.

Keywords

Determinants, Brand Preference, Drip Irrigation System.

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V. Jhansipriya Marabathuni ¹, P. Dinesh ¹, R. Ravikumar ¹, P. Yamini ¹, P. Sai Kiran ¹, P. Hussain ¹, M. M. Prasada Rao ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Bellamkonda Institute of Technology and Sciences, Podili, IN
2 Department of Pharm. Chemistry, QIS College of Pharmacy, Ongole, IN

Abstract

The buccal region of the oral cavity is an attractive target for administration of the drug of choice. Sustained release formulations have been developed and are gaining in popularity and medical acceptance. To increase bioavailability and prevent first pass metabolism of drug, Amlodipine besylate was embedded in sustained released buccal patch over period of 6 hour. The objective of present work was to characterize the effect of chitosan with PVP K-30 on water soluble drug by preparing mucoadhesive buccal patch. Each formulated batch was subjected to various evaluation parameters. The swelling percentage was found to be function of solubility of drug and PVP K-30. The mucoadhesive strength, vapour transmission and in-vitro released of water soluble drug through water insoluble chitosan base matrix were found satisfactorily. The AMB shows some suitability with those polymers.

Keywords

Buccal Patch, Sustained Drug Delivery, Bioadhesion, Mucoadhesive Buccal Delivery.

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R. Ravikumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Agricultural sector is the largest water user of the country accounting 70 per cent in world water use, the growing challenge for agricultural development is how to produce more food for increasing population with less water. The estimated land area with irrigated potential in Tamil Nadu is 5.65 million hectares but only 3.19 million hectares of area are irrigated. Continuously, uncontrolled use of water resource leads to exploitation of ground water levels have gone down to uneconomic levels due to over extraction. There are different ways and means of advanced technologies to produce more food with less amount of water. One such technology is drip irrigation. The government also implemented subsidy schemes to encourage the farmers to adopt irrigation technologies. This gives a greater opportunity to drip irrigation companies to market their products by improving their brand image. Brand preference has become pivotal point of differentiation in the market. The present study would focus on determinants of brand preference in drip irrigation system among coconut farmers. Pollachi taluk of Coimbatore district was purposively selected because of coconut crop contributes two third of cultivated area. Data collected from 100 randomly selected farmers those exclusively growing coconut using pretested interview schedule. Percentage analysis, Factor analysis, Logit regression, Garrett ranking and likert scale analysis methods were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that water saving and labour cost were the most influencing factor for the adoption of drip irrigation system. Immediate response by sales executives, market promotion, peer group influence, quality of materials and price were the major determinants of brand preference of farmers. Awareness adoption ratio of subsurface drip and inline drip system was 1:0.50 and 1:0.72, respectively and none has adopted automation technology. The farmers were satisfied with the price, availability of spare parts and government subsidies but highly unsatisfied with after sales service provided by the marketers of drip system.

Keywords

Drip Irrigation System, Awareness, Adoption, Brand.

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