Browsing by Author "Rai, Ritu"

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    Indigenous Traditional Knowledge of Preparation of Marcha Starter Culture of Jaanr and Raksi by Some of the Local Tribal Communities of Kalimpong and Darjeeling Districts of West Bengal, India
    (UNIVERSITY OF NORTH BENGAL, 2023) Khawash, Pramesh; Sharma, Ujwal Bhattarai; Roy, Sapana; Gyeltshen, Sonam; Sapkota, Pramodh; Sunar, Nehal; Chhetri, Nawraj; Rai, Anushka; Gupta, Saran Kumar; Ali, Sajeed; Rai, Ritu; Bantawa, Pranay
    Present paper investigates the traditional knowledge of some of the local tribes in Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal on the preparation of starter cultures, locally known as “Marcha”, for the preparation of finger-millet based local alcoholic beverage called Jaanr or Chhyang and also Raksi. The study highlights the ethnobotanical significance, the variety of plants used, and their roles in the fermentation process. Fieldwork and interviews with tribal elders and practitioners were conducted to document this invaluable cultural heritage.
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    Polyethylene Gycol (PEG) Induced Water Stress in Four Different Genotypes of Pea Seedlings and Evaluation of The Induced Defense Mechanism
    (University of North Bengal, 2022) Bantawa, Pranay; Rai, Ritu
    Present work was undertaken on artificially induced water stress on pea seedlings under in vitro conditions in order to select the drought tolerant line. Artificial water stress was induced with PEG-6000 on 15-day old seedlings of four varieties for 4, 8 and 12 days. The activities of antioxidative enzymes like peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase were assayed in the stressed and control plants. POX activity was increased in the initial stages of stress, but its activity was decreased significantly on the 12th day in all the varieties. APOX also showed a similar trend but the maximum activity was noted in Var 3 on the 8th day. CAT activity decreased in var 1 and var 2 when compared with the control, which, however, increased significantly in var 3 and var 4. A slight increase in the GR activity was observed in var 1 and var 2 at the initial stages of the drought stress but its activity decreased significantly on the 12th day in both these varieties when compared with control plants. However, its activity also increased steadily in var 3 and var 4. Maximum SOD activities were noted on the 4th day of drought stress in all four varieties but its activities decreased steadily on the subsequent 8th and 12th days when compared with control. When antioxidative activities were compared among the four varieties, var 3 and var 4 showed maximum increase in antioxidant activity during the period of drought stress. Among the four varieties, var 3 and var 4 showed greater accumulation of H2O2 during the stress days and were maximum at 12th day. Lipid peroxidation also increased in the same varieties. Maximum proline content was noted in both the root and leaf of var 3, followed by var 4. It was further noted that the chlorophyll content decreased significantly in all four varieties in subsequent longer drought stresses. The accumulation of proline content was steadily higher with an increase in the stress length in all the four varieties. During the drought stress, all the varieties showed an increase in ascorbate content but, it was maximum in var 4 followed by var 3 and the least ascorbate was noted in var 1. The present findings indicate that water stress induces oxidative stress in all the four varieties. However, antioxidative mechanisms were found to be more pronounced in var 4 which, therefore, may be considered as the most tolerant to drought stress.
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    Preliminary Observation on The Ecological Amplitude of Hypoestes phyllostachya Baker in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Himalayas
    (University of North Bengal, 2022) Rai, Ritu; Sajeed Ali; Bantawa, Pranay
    Hypoestes phyllostachya Baker (“Polka dot Plant”) is an exotic species that is quite problematic weed of Madagascar origin in Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions of Eastern Himalayan Vegetation. Present study was carried out in 26 different localities covering a vertical distribution from an altitude of 90 msl (Teesta Bazar) to 2,478 msl (Senchal Lake) and horizontal distribution from Rimbik (27.1182° N, 88.1084° E) to Bindu (27.0977° N, 88.8713° E), which revealed its very high invasive potential and ecological amplitude. Its presence in agricultural land together with forest and open land has been a matter of concern as it is creating a threat to the local floras. It was strongly felt that its control measure has to be implemented immediately in order to restore the ecological balance in these local areas.