Ram Prakash

Bio: Ram Prakash is an academic researcher from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University. The author has contributed to research in topic(s): Sludge & Irrigation. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 8 publication(s) receiving 12 citation(s).

One-pot three component synthesis of substituted dihydropyrimidinones using fruit juices as biocatalyst and their biological studies

Abstract: New and facile one-pot three component approach for the synthesis of substituted dihydropyrimidinones derivatives (4a-4h) from reaction of equimolar substituted aldehydes (1a-1h), methyl acetoacetate (2a) and urea (3a) in presence of nature derived catalyst viz. Cocos nucifera L. juice, Solanum lycopersicum L. juice and Citrus limetta juice, commonly known as coconut juice, tomato juice and musambi juice respectively, at room temperature has been carried out. All synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro herbicidal activity against Raphanus sativus L. (Radish seeds). The compounds (4a-4h) were also screened for their antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by poisoned food techniques method. Antibacterial activity was also studied against Erwinia cartovora and Xanthomonas citri by inhibition zone method. From activity data, it was found that compounds 4g and 4d were most active against Raphanus sativus L. (root) and Raphanus sativus L. (shoot) respectively. Compounds 4f and 4c was found most active against Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus respectively at highest concentration. Compound 4g has shown maximum inhibition zone i.e. 1.00-5.50 mm against Erwinia cartovora at 2000 μg/mL concentration. Maximum Xanthomonas citrii growth was inhibited by compounds 4f showing inhibition zone 4.00-12.00 mm at highest concentration. Short reaction time, high yields, mild reaction condition and simple work-up are some merits of present methodology.

Sewage Sludge Impacts on Yields, Nutrients and Heavy Metals Contents in Pearl Millet–Wheat System Grown Under Saline Environment

Abstract: Salinity prompts heavy metals accumulation and adversely affects nutrient contents in soil and plants, thereby reducing crop yields. The assessment of domestic sewage sludge (SS) under saline conditions to boost crop productivity has become crucial. A field trial was conducted for two consecutive years (2017–2019) with three irrigation levels [canal water (0.35 dS m−1), I1; 8 dS m−1, I2; and 10 dS m−1 saline water, I3]; and five fertilization levels [control, F1; SS (5 t ha−1), F2; SS (5 t ha−1) + 50% RDF, F3; SS (5 t ha−1) + 75% RDF, F4; and RDF, F5]. The results revealed that treatment I3 (10 dS m−1) reduced the grain yield of pearl millet and wheat by an average of 31.2 and 32.6%, respectively, compared to I1 (0.35 dS m−1). However, among fertilizer treatments, F5 obtained significant highest grain and straw yields statistically at par with F4 treatment. Also, in the context of nutrients content in crops, a similar trend has been reported. In the addition, with the usage of saline irrigation (EC 8 and 10 dS m−1) and SS (5 t ha−1), the availability of heavy metals in crops and soil had increased (p = 0.05). The soluble ions in soil increased with increasing salinity levels of irrigation water. The extractability series of heavy metals were: Pb > Co > Ni > Cr > Cd. The addition of SS, however, recorded a higher concentration of DTPA-extractable metals in soil over control. The heavy metals content did not exceed toxicity levels in soil and plants. Hence, the incorporation of SS (5 t ha−1) resulted in saving 25% mineral fertilizers and, also combined use of SS with mineral fertilizers proved to be economically beneficial for crop production.

Biosorption efficiency of syzygium cumini (l.) bark for removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated waters

Abstract: Heavy metals such as chromium, mercury, lead, cadmium, etc., in wastewater are hazardous to the environment because of their toxicity and pollution effects on our ecosystem. Among the different heavy metals, chromium (VI) is a common and very toxic pollutant introduced into natural waters from a variety of industrial wastewaters. The Chromium (VI) discharged from various industries has potential to contaminate drinking water sources and is one of the most important environmental problems due to its health impacts on human. Adsorption is one of the effective techniques for chromium (VI) removal from wastewater. In the present study, adsorbent has been prepared from Syzygium cumini (L.) bark and studies are carried out for chromium (VI) removal. The parameters investigated in this study are contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature, variable initial chromium (VI) concentration and pH using Diphenyl carbazide as color developing reagent and taking the absorbance at 540 nm spectrophotometrically. The adsorption process of chromium (VI) is tested with Linear, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Application of the Langmuir isotherm to the systems yielded maximum adsorption capacity of 31.51 mg/g at a solution pH of 7 having Cr (VI) concentration 50 mg/L and biosorbent dose 1g/L. The adsorption of chromium (VI) was found to be maximum 95.63% at low pH values of 2 having Cr (VI) concentration 50 mg/L and biosorbent dose 1g/L. The contact time of 60 min resulted to the 55.28% adsorption of metal in 50mg/L solution using adsorbent dose of 1g/L and can used for removal of chromium (VI) from the polluted water as a very low cost biosorbent. The FTIR carried out shows the increase in intensity of adsorption peaks of biosorbent after hexavalent chromium adsorption.

Soil microbial and nutrient dynamics influenced by irrigation-induced salinity and sewage sludge incorporation in sandy - loam textured soil

Abstract: biomass carbon, enzyme activity INTRODUCTION The rapidly increasing human population and urbanization have led to the production of domestic and industrial waste in large amounts (Sharma and Dhaliwal, 2019). Sewage sludge is a semi-solid byproduct which is obtained from wastewater treatment plants and treated as waste in developing countries like India where it remains deposited near municipal solid waste treatment plants. It poses a great environmental threat when no management strategy is adopted for proper sludge disposal. Despite the widespread assumption that sewage sludge (SS) is a problem, its management as a valuable organic resource has become essential for sustainability. Moreover, SS is a potential source of nutrients that may be applied to agricultural lands (Bourioug et al., 2017). It may be used as an organic fertilizer that produces a favourable crop yield and it may even replace mineral fertilizers but only when it does not pose any risk to soil quality and human health (Ahmed et al., 2010). Its excessive use can also cause heavy metal toxicity in soils and plants (McGrath et al., 2000). Sewage sludge is relatively inexpensive in comparison to mineral fertilizers and has a higher amount of organic matter and plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and micronutrients (Jezierska-Tys and Frąc, 2009). It improves the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil (Aranyos et al., 2016; Meena et al., 2016). © 2020 Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Effect of different nitrogen levels and biofertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient content of Chrysanthemum

Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted in the screen-house of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2011-12 and 2012-13 to investigate the effect of different levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 g/m2) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter andAzospirillum) on growth, yield and nutrient content of Chrysanthemum. The interaction effect of different levels of nitrogen and biofertilizers on number of branches per plant was found to be non-significant during both years of experimentation. The fresh weight of plant was found to be significant during both the years. In the year 2011-12, the maximum fresh weight of plant (102.36 g) was noticed with the application of Azospirillum along with nitrogen 20 g/m2, whereas, in second year, it was maximum (103.45 g) with the application of Azospirillum in combination of nitrogen 30 g/m2. The maximum dry weight of plant (10.52 and 10.50 g) was observed in the application of Azospirillum along with nitrogen 20 g/m2, which was at par with Azospirillum along with nitrogen 30 g/m2 (10.06 and 10.40 g). The maximum flower yield per plant (59.16 and 67.22 g) was recorded with Azospirillum application alongwith nitrogen 20 g/m2. However, in second year, it was at par with Azotobacter in combination of nitrogen 20 g/m2 (61.70 g). In the year 2011-12, the maximum nitrogen content (4.79%) was recorded in Azospirillum along with nitrogen 30 g/m2, whereas, in the next year, it was recorded maximum (4.65%) in Azotobacter along with nitrogen 30 g/m2, which was at par with Azospirillum along with nitrogen 30 g/m2 (4.55 %). Interaction effect of nitrogen and biofertilizers on phosphorus and potassium content were found to be non-significant during both the years of investigation.

Growth, Yield and Quality of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifoliumRamat.) cv. Dolly Orange as influenced by Biofertilizers in combination with Phosphorous

Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted in the screen-house of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2011–12 and 2012–13 to investigate the potential effect of biofertilizers (PSB and mycorrhiza) and different levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 15 and 20 g/m2) on growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum. The conjunctive effect of biofertilizers and different levels of phosphorus was found to be significant for both the years. The maximum plant height (31.77 and 33.33 cm), fresh weight of plant (100.90 and 96.77 g) and dry weight of plant (10.85 and 10.15 g) were recorded with PSB + phosphorus 15 g/m2 in the year 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. The minimum number of days taken for bud initiation (61.67 and 63.33 days) and number of days to first flowering (75.00 and 75.67 days) were also obtained with PSB + phosphorus 15 g/m2 in both the years, respectively. The maximum number of buds per plant (32.33 and 32.00), number of flowers per plant (29.00 and 29.33), the longest flower stalk (6.33 and 6.33 cm) were noticed with PSB + phosphorus 15 g/m2 in the year 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. The maximum number of days taken for bud initiation (79.00 and 80.33 days) was recorded with mycorrhiza application (alone) during both the years, respectively. The interaction effect between the biofertilizers and levels of phosphorous on number of suckers per plant was found to be non-significant during both the years of experimentation.

Synthesis and biological activity of pyrimidines-containing hybrids: Focusing on pharmacological application

Abstract: Heterocyclic derivatives as a major group of organic compounds are enormously used for a wide range of pharmaceutical and industrial applications. They are known for their biological and pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antitumor, and anti-viral activities. The pyrimidine and pyrimidine containing ring have attracted much attention as they are available in the substructures of therapeutic imperative products. The potential therapeutic properties of these heterocycles have encouraged the medicinal chemists to synthesize a large number of novel chemotherapeutic agents. The current review article focuses onthe chemistry and biological activities of pyrimidine during past years.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated waters using syzygium cumini seed biosorbent

Abstract: Hazardous metals such as chromium in industrial wastewater followed by leaching to ground water are threat to the environment because of their toxicity and their impact on our ecosystem. Among the different heavy metals, chromium (VI) is a common and very toxic pollutant being introduced into natural waters from a variety of industrial wastewaters. Chromium (III) is an essential element for organisms that can disrupt the sugar metabolism and cause heart conditions, when the daily dose is too low. Chromium (VI) is mainly toxic to organisms. It can alter genetic materials and cause cancer. Adverse health effects associated with Cr (VI) exposure include occupational asthma, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, respiratory irritation, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, upper abdominal pain, nose irritation and damage, respiratory cancer, skin irritation, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth. Some workers can also develop an allergic skin reaction, called allergic contact dermatitis. The Chromium (VI) discharged from various industries has potential to contaminate drinking water sources and is one of the most important environmental problems due to its health impacts on human. Adsorption is one of the effective techniques for chromium (VI) removal from wastewater. In the present study, adsorbent has been prepared from Syzygium cumini (L.) seed and studies are carried out for chromium (VI) removal. The parameters investigated in this study are contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature, variable initial chromium (VI) concentration and pH using Diphenyl carbazide as color developing reagent and taking the absorbance at 540 nm spectrophotometrically. The adsorption process of chromium (VI) is tested with Linear, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Application of the Langmuir isotherm to the systems yielded maximum adsorption capacity of 13.15 mg/g at a solution pH of 7 having Cr (VI) concentration 50 mg/L and biosorbent dose 1g/L. The adsorption of chromium (VI) was found to be maximum 71.58 % at low pH values of 2 having Cr (VI) concentration 50 mg/L and biosorbent dose 1g/L. The contact time of 60 min resulted to the 26.96% adsorption of metal in 50mg/L solution using adsorbent dose of 1g/L and can used for removal