Category Archives: Plants

Chemical Constituents, Uses and Synonyms of Gokhru

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Gokhru consists of the dried fully ripened fruits of the plant Tribulus terrestris, belonging to the family Zygophyllaceae. It is also known as Tribulus and Puncture Vine.

This drug is is a annual or biennal plant and is widely distributed in the countries like India, Sri Lanka and West Tibet. Flowering of the plant occurs during rainy seasons in the months of October and November.
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Beetroot Juice Reduces High Blood Pressure and its Other Health Benefits

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Beetroot juice is very good for the treatment of high Blood Pressure. It decreases the Blood Pressure effectively and the nitrates which are present in beetroot after mixing in blood release nitric oxide. This nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator of blood vessels and thus causes decrease in blood pressure. It is also helpful for healthy heart. About 250 mg of raw beetroot juice should be taken daily. Continue reading →

Banana (Musa Accuminata) – The Wonder Health Plant

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The Banana plant originated from Malaysia or India and it has spread to different tropical parts of the world.

Family: Musaceae.
Genus: Musa.
Species: Musa accuminata (Edible banana).
Names: English: Banana/ Plantain.
Hindi: Kela.
Telugu: Arati Pandu Continue reading →

Preparation, Properties, Standards, Synonyms, Chemical Constituents and Uses of Safflower Oil

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Safflower oil is a fixed oil obtained from the ripe and dry seeds of Carthamus tinctorius, belonging to the family Compositae.

It is one of the most ancient crops which yields dye. It is mostly cultivated in Egypt as a dye-yielding herb and as an oil seed plant in countries like USSR, India, Mexico, USA, Ethiopia and Australia. It is regarded as a substitute for sunflower.
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Chemical Constituents and Uses of Thevetia

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Thevetia consists of the dried seeds of the plants Thevetia peruviana, Merrill syn., Thevetia neriifolia belonging to the family Apocynaceae. Thevetia is also known as yellow oleander, trumpet flower and lucky nut tree.

Thevetia is found throughout the India and in other countries like West Indies, Florida, Hawaii and USA.
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Advantages of Biopesticides and Disadvantages of Chemical Pesticides and their Mode of Action

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Biopesticides

  • Biopesticides are non toxic to the plants completely.
  • They increase the chlorophyll and protein content in the plants.
  • They are eco-friendly in nature and do not cause any kind of physiological damage to the organisms.
  • They can be used in very small amount like 4 to 5 sprays per crop per season.
  • They prevent the multiplication of the insects.
  • These pesticides are bio-degradable as they are made from the natural source and hence they do not retain any residue or toxins.
  • They do not effect (are not harmful to) the useful micro organisms, pollinating insects or earthworms.
  • The biopesticides are safe to handle, safe in storage, for transport and to spray.
  • They do not affect the fertility of the soil.
  • They do not undergo any chemical reaction.
  • It can be produced in large quantities and can be stored safely.
  • These are non-toxic to the human beings and hence can be sprayed in the inhabited areas (living areas) also.
  • Biopesticides acts as insecticides, fungicides, viricides, insect repellants.
  • They also act as growth nutrients.
Chemical pesticides
  • Chemical pesticides are poisonous in nature.
  • They destroy the chlorophyll and proteins in the plants.
  • Excessive application of these chemicals cause environmental pollution.
  • They cause physiological damage and ecological imbalance.
  • These are to be sprayed in large quantities like 10-20 sprays per crop per season.
  • They cause mutations in the insects which results in the appearance of new species of insects.
  • These retain toxic substances on the plants and are harmful to the human beings.
  • These are also harmful to the pollinating insects and useful micro organisms.
  • They need to be handled carefully and care has to be taken during transport and spraying.
  • These chemicals adversely effect the soil fertility.
  • These may sometimes lead to uncontrollable toxic and harmful chemical reactions.
  • If these chemicals are sprayed in habited areas, they produce hazardous effects on human beings.
  • These pesticides are not economical as different products are necessary as insecticides, fungicides, viricides and insect repellants.
Mode of Action of some Pesticides
Effect on animals
1. Organophosphorous compounds and carbamates – Inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase
2. Chlorinated hydrocarbons and Pyrethroids – Neurotoxication
3. Nicotinoids – Inhibition of neuromuscular junction
Effect on plants
1. Carbamates, substituted ureas, triazines – Inhibition of photosynthesis
2. Carbamates – Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation
3. 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T – Hormone analogs
4. Metals like sulphur – Causes have not yet identified
5. 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole – Inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis
6. Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons – Inhibition of pantothenate synthesis

Bio-Pesticides for Crop Protection

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Biopesticides are the biological pesticides derived from the natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria and certain minerals.

Biopesticides includes naturally occuring substances which control pests and microbial organisms that control pests. These are known as microbial pesticides.
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