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ID: 63393
Title: Development of India’s first integrated expert urban flood forecasting system for Chennai
Author: Subimal Ghosh, Subhankar Karmakar, Anmitra Saha, Mohit Prakash Mohanty, Shees Ali,Satya Kiran Raju,Vrinda Krishnakumar, Maneesha Sebastian, Manasa Ranjan Behera, R.Ashrit, P.L.N. Murty, K.Srinivas, B.Narasimhan, Tune Usha, M.V.Ramana Murthy, P.Thiruv
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (5) 741- 745(2019)
Subject: Development of India’s first integrated expert urban flood forecasting system for Chennai
Keywords: Development, urban flood forecasting system, Chennai
Abstract: Floods are the most common and recurring natural hazards faced by humans since time immemorial. They pose a severe threat to the population, environment and economy in many places across the world, especially urban areas. Urbanization caused due to increasing migration into the floodplains has substantially increased the trend of devastation due to floods in a developing country like India. In Chennai and the surrounding suburban areas, torrential rainfall associated with low-pressure systems engulfed the city during December 2015, affecting more than 4 million people along with economic damages that cost around 3 billion USD. In view of the above-mentioned extreme event in Chennai, it was felt necessary that an expert system be designed for flood forecasting along with flood inundation maps and possible means of flood management through appropriate interventions for dealing with any such future events.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sarkar, A., Paromita Chakraborty, John P.Geoge and Rajagopal, E.N., Report, NMRF/TR/02/2016; https://www.ncmrwf.gov.in/Reports-eng/NMRF_TR2_2016.pdf. Shastri, H., Ghosh, S. and Karmakar, S., J.Geophys.Res.Atmos., 2017, 122 (3), 1617-1634
Literature cited 2: Thiruvengadam, P., Indu, J. and Ghosh, S., Adv.Water Resour., 2019, 126, 24-39. Luettich Jr.R.A.and Westerink, J.J.Int.J.Numer.Methods Fluids, 1991, 12 (10), 911-928; https:doi.org/10.1002/fld.1650121002.

ID: 63392
Title: Indian Summer Monsoon
Author: Arindam Chakraborty, J.Srinivasan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (5) 735-736 (2019)
Subject: Indian Summer Monsoon
Keywords: Summer Monsson
Abstract: Will the onset of the Indian summer monsoon change due to increased concentration of anthropogenic aerosols? What should be an ideal definition of the onset of monsoon? How will the onset of the Indian monsoon change in the future? These were some of the key questions that were discussed in a workshop held recently.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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Literature cited 2:

ID: 63391
Title: Burrow morphology of the Ocypodid crab Ocypode ceratophthalma at Chandipur Cast, Eastern India and its implications
Author: Jyotirmoy Paul, Subhronil Mondal, Rishikesh Kayal and Deepjay Sarkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 699-705 (2019)
Subject: Burrow morphology of the Ocypodid crab Ocypode ceratophthalma at Chandipur Cast, Eastern India and its implications
Keywords: Chandipur, crab burrow morphology, crab energetic, Ocypodidae
Abstract: Several burrow morphological features of crab Ocypode ceratophthalma including burrow diameter, orientation, inclination, branching and volume were studied from Chandipur, a sedimentologically and biologically diverse beach on the eastern Indian coast. Burrow morphologies (e.g. I, J.Y) were independent of their positions with respect to the coast line. In addition, no correlation between burrow morphology and burrow diameter was observed; however, diameter of burrow appeared to be a good proxy of the total amount of sediment excavated. Burrow diameters are significantly smaller in the foreshore compared to that of the backshore, suggesting that larger individuals reside along the backshore, where they excavate deeper and large-diameter burrows to minimize chances of desiccation. Smaller burrows are motre or less vertical, whereas larger burrows are inclined towards the land, probably to stabilize their domicile from tidal activities, as well as to minimize energy required to excavate sediments. All these suggest that different types of abiotic factors determine the Ocypode burrow morphology and their habitat segregation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Brown, A.C. and McLachlan, A., Ecology of Sandy Shores, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990, 2nd edn. Lucrezi, S. and Schlacher, T.A., The ecology of ghost crabs.Oceanogr.Mar.Biol:Ann.Rev, 2014, 52,201-256.
Literature cited 2: Weber, F., Nomenclator entomologicus secundum entomologiam sysematicam...Fabricii, adjectis speciebus recens detectis et varietatibus.Kiel &Hamburg, C.E., Bohn., 1795, 8, 172. De, C., Biological reworking of sediments by crabs: a use for erosion of Digha beach, West Bengal.Curr.Sci., 1998, 75, 617-620.

ID: 63390
Title: Performance of sorghum genotypes under zero tillage conditions in rice fallows with reference to stem borer Chilo partellus
Author: P.Yogeswari, C.Sandhya Rani and G.Ramachandra Rao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 692-699 (2019)
Subject: Performance of sorghum genotypes under zero tillage conditions in rice fallows with reference to stem borer Chilo partellus
Keywords: Genotypes, sorghum, stem borer, stem tunnel length, susceptible
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out on screen the sorghum genotypes against stem borer in rice fallow under zero tillage condition. Based on mean stem tunnel length, the genotypes were categorized as least susceptible (0-5 cm) , moderately susceptible (-10 cm) and highly susceptible (>10cm) .The resistant check CSH 16 (C) was found least susceptible with 4.65 cm, whereas NTJ-2 (C),NLCW-6 and N-14 were found to e highly susceptible as they recorded 10.45, 10.46 and 11.44cm mean stem tunnel length respectively. The remaining genotypes were moderately susceptible with 6.60-9.84 cm mean stem tunnel length. There was non-significant positive correlation between the number of larvae and leaf damage, dead hearts, stem tunnelling, white ears and chaffy grains respectively, but it was negative for tiller damage.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Agricultural Census. In Proceedings in ICAR workshop on Global Consultation on Millets Promotion for Health and Nutrition Security, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation ,Government of India, 23 December 2013, p.5 Agricultural Statistics at a Glance-Andhra Pradesh, 2012-2013, pp.97-99
Literature cited 2: Duale, A.H. and Nwanze, K.F., Incidence and distribution in sorghum of the spotted borer Chilo partellus and associated natural enemies in farmers ‘field s in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra states. Int. J. Pest Manage. 1999, 45 (1), 3-7. Borad, P.K. and Mittal, V.P., Assessment of losses caused by pest complex to sorghum hybrid CSH-5.Indian J.Entomol. 1983, 15, 271-78.

ID: 63389
Title: Cognitive issues observed in the adoption of guidelines for earthquake-resistant masonry construction
Author: P.P.Sivan, A. Praveen and C.Gajendran
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 690-692 (2019)
Subject: Cognitive issues observed in the adoption of guidelines for earthquake-resistant masonry construction
Keywords: Construction guidelines, cognitive vulnerability, earthquake-reisistant masonary, seismic safety
Abstract: The cognitive appreciation of seismic risk among the local population is one of the key drivers in the adoption of the guidelines issued for earthquake-resistant masonry construction. The present study gives a broader perspective on the cognitive vulnerability that exists among the local population in understanding and adopting the proposed earthquake-resistant construction guidelines based on a detailed evaluation of the prevailing practices at two regions in Kerala, India. The exercise was carried out among 197 houses located in the above region s, which included both recently built homes and those with exposure to earlier earthquakes. The study highlights the need for evolving technology-supported intelligent interactions that would help the stakeholders take appropriate decisions on various disaster-resistant practices.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bilham, R.and Hough, S., Future earthquakes in the Indian subcontinent: inevitable hazard, preventive risk. Asian J., 2006,12.Jain,S.K.and Nigam, N.C., Historical developments and current status of earthquake engineering in India.12th World Congress on Earthquake Engineering, Auckland, New Zealand, 2000.
Literature cited 2: Jain,S.K., Indian earthquakes-an overview. Indian Concr.J.1998, 72,555-561. Pinchao, L., Liuxin,J., Bingsheng,L., Changtao,C., Dongping,F., Peilun,R.and Mengchun,Z., A cognitive perspective on the safety communication actors that affect worker behaviour.J.Build.Constr.Plann.Res.,2014,2, 183-197.

ID: 63388
Title: Characteristics of aniline and nitrobenzene adsorption on single-walled, muti-walled and graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Author: Shuai Liu, Yifei Zha, Yuanyuan Wang, Qi Wei, Ying Zhang, Yuankai Zhang, Hongchen Wang, Lu Qi and Xianglong Xu
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 683-689 (2019)
Subject: Characteristics of aniline and nitrobenzene adsorption on single-walled, muti-walled and graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Keywords: Adsorption, aromatic organics, carbon nanotubes, relative potential
Abstract: Herein, we assess the relative potential of single-walled, multi-walled and graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the adsorptive removal of organic species using aniine and nitrobenzene as model aromatic contaminants. The obtained results reveal that the adsorption behaviour of aromatic organics is significantly affected by their functional groups (especially when functionalized CNTs are used as adsorbent), providing valuable guidance for adsorption-based removal of organic contaminants from the environment.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Xu, P., Yu, B., Li, F. L., Cai, X.F. and Ma, C.Q., Microbial degradation of sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen heterocycles. Trends Microbial., 2006, 14, 398-405. Bi, E., Schmidt, T.C., and Haderlein, S.B., Environmental factors influencing sorption of heterocyclic aromatic compounds to soil.Environ.Sci., Technol., 2007, 41, 3172-3178.
Literature cited 2: Rouquerol, J., Rouquerol, F., Llewellyn, P., Maurin, G. and Sing, K.S., Adsorption by Powders and Porous Solids: Principles, Methodology and Applications, Academic Press, 2013. Sillanpaa,M.E., Kurniawan,T.A., and Lo,W.H., Degradation of chelating agents in aqueous solution using advanced oxidation process (AOP). Chemosphere, 2011, 83, 1443-1460.

ID: 63387
Title: Changes in behaviour following a ‘rank changeover by challenge’ in the Nicobar long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus)
Author: Arijit Pal, Honnavalli N.Kumara, Avadhoot D.Velankar, Partha Sarathi Mishra and Mewa Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 672-682 (2019)
Subject: Changes in behaviour following a ‘rank changeover by challenge’ in the Nicobar long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus)
Keywords: Between-group encounters, grid use, Nicobar long-tailed macaque, rank changeover, reproductive behaviour
Abstract: A rank changeover is a sequal strategy by primate males to gain access to reproductive females. We observed one such event in the Nicobar long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) at the great Nicobar Island, India. In the three and half months of the post-rank changeover period, the home range reduced significantly while there was no change in the intensity of range use and day range length. The sleeping sites in the post-rank changeover period were confined to the centre of the home range. The overall mating rate and aggressive mating approach by males increased significantly during the post-rank changeover period. The females developed sequel swelling and started soliciting the immigrated males within two weeks after the rank changeover event. During this period no female conceived, which suggests that they used situation-dependent receptivity with deceptive swelling as a counter strategy to avoid male aggression for copulation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Clutton-Brock, T.H. and Huachard,E., Social competition and selection in males and females.Philos.Trans.R.Soc.London,Ser.B, 2013,368,20130074. Albert, S.C., Magnitude and source of variation in male reproductive performance. In the Evolution of Primate Societies (eds Mitani, J.C. et al.), University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA, 2012, pp.412-431.
Literature cited 2: Kappeler, P.M. and van Schaik, C.P., Evolution of primate social systems .Int.J.Primatol. 2002, 23, 707-740. Van Noordwijk, M.A. and van Schaik, C.P., Sexual selection and the carriers of primate males: paternity concentration, dominance acquisition tactics and transfer decision. In Sexual Selection in Primates: New and Comparative Perspectives (eds Kappeler, P.M. and van Schaik, C.P), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2004, pp.208-229.

ID: 63386
Title: Estimating stream piracy in the lower Ganga Plain of a Quaternary geological site in West Bengal, India applying sedimentological bank facies, log and geospatial techniques
Author: B. Bera, S. Bhattacharjee and C.Roy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 662-671 (2019)
Subject: Estimating stream piracy in the lower Ganga Plain of a Quaternary geological site in West Bengal, India applying sedimentological bank facies, log and geospatial techniques
Keywords: Bank materials, geospatial technique, interfluves, quaternary sites, stream piracy
Abstract: River Bhagirathi is a distributary channel of River Ganga, and Babla is one of its right-bank tributaries in the Ganga delta plain. The Bhagirathi flows in a meandering pattern through the New Quaternary alluvium plain, whereas the Babla flows through the Old Quaternary deposits of yellowish –brown sand, silt and clay. As the Bhagirathi is a distributary of River Ganga, it brings in million tonnes of sediments annually. Mid-channel bar formation, bar dynamics and non-cohesive nature of bank materials promote bank failure and rapid shifting of the channels in the Newer Quaternary sites. As the Bhagirathi migrates towards River Babla, the interfluves zone is being progressively engulfed by the course of the former. To estimate the stream piracy or capture, bank materials, internal organization of mid-channel bar, flow parameters (velocity, channel depth, discharge, etc.) have been taken into consideration. This study documents changes in channel morphology and hydrological parameters, dynamic morphology and hydrological regime of the fluvial system from 1852 to 2017.It predicts the actual time when the Bhagirathi will capture River Babla near village Natungram. The study also discusses why in recent years the rate o lateral migration has increased for a particular portion on the right bank of River Bhagirathi near Natungram.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Allen, J.R. A review of the origin and characteristics of recent alluvial sediments. Sedimentology, 1965, 5 (2), 89-191; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1965.tb01561.x Jain, V. and Sinha, R., Fluvial dynamics of an anabranching river system in Himalayan foreland basin, Baghmati river, north Bihar plains, India. Geomorphology, 2004, 60 (1-2), 147-170; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2003.07.008.
Literature cited 2: Jones, L.S.and Schumm, S.A.Causes of Avulsion: an overview .In Fluvial sedimentology VI, Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK, 1999, vol.28, pp.171-178; https:books.google.co.in/books?h1=en&Ir=&id=K9rsR2MmvVs&oi=%20fnd&pg=PA171&dq#v Tornqvist, T.E.and Bridge, J.S., Spatial variation of overbank aggradation rate and its influence on avulsion frequency.Sedimentology, 2002, 49 (5), 891-905; https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3091.2002.00478.x

ID: 63385
Title: Adsorption of arsenic using low cost adsorbents: guava leaf biomass, mango bark and bagasse
Author: Devendra Mohan, Markandeya, S. Dey, S.B. Dwivedi and S.P.Shukla
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 649-661 (2019)
Subject: Adsorption of arsenic using low cost adsorbents: guava leaf biomass, mango bark and bagasse
Keywords: Adsorption, arsenite ion-As (III), isotherms, kinetics, low-cost adsorbents
Abstract: Adsorbents prepared from inexpensive materials of guava leaf biomass, mango bark and bagasse were studied for As (III) removal from the aqueous solution. The effects of pH, contact time, initial As (III) concentration and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption of As (III) were studied using batch experiments. Adsorption process was also verified with Langmuir, Frendlich, Temkin and Redlich-Peterson models. Langmuir isotherm fitted best in the experimental data. Application of Langmuir isotherm to the system yielded the maximum capacities of 1.35 mg g-1, 1.25 mg g-1 and 1.05 mg g-1 for bagasse, mango bark and guava leaf biomass respectively, in the range of As (III) concentration as 10-140 mg 1-1.The dimensionless equilibrium parameter, RL, signifies favourable adsorption of As (III) on all adsorbents and was observed to be in the range of 0.029-0.294, 0.21-0.235 and 0.021-0.234, for bagasse, mango bark and guava leaf biomass respectively (0<RL<1).The adsorption process was observed to follow pseudosecond-order kinetic model.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Shukla, N.K., Markendya and Shukla, V.K., Arsenic and physic-chemical calamity in the ground water samples of Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Iranica J.Energy Environ., 2015, 6 (4), 328-333. Choong, Y.S.T.,Chuah,G.T., Robia,H.Y., Koay,L.F.G., and Azni,I., Arsenic toxicity, health hazards and removal techniques from water: an overview. Desalination, 2007, 217, 139-166.
Literature cited 2: Shevade, S. and Ford. R., Use of synthetic zeolites for arsenate removal from pollutant water. Water Res., 2004, 38, 3197-3204. Mandal, B.K. and Suzuki, K.T., Arsenic round the world: a review .Talanta, 2002, 58, 01-235.

ID: 63384
Title: Tissue-specific activation tagging in Arabidopsis thaliana for identification and isolation of genes of agronomic importance
Author: Kushwah Neetu Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 627-637 (2019)
Subject: Tissue-specific activation tagging in Arabidopsis thaliana for identification and isolation of genes of agronomic importance
Keywords: Activation tagging, Arabidopsis thaliana, morphological variants, promoters
Abstract: Activation tagging is used to recover and clone dominant gain-of function alleles and usually employs a T-DNA vector containing four tandem copies of the CaMV35S enhancer sequence outward usually at the right border. This strategy, however, is not efficient as it could result in overexpression of multiple genes or genes far away from the insertion site. Therefore, we tested constitutive (CaMV35S) and tissue-specific (TFL1 and rbcS2B) promoters for activation tagging. From an initial screening of 400 T1 plants, we identified several morphological variants which include seedling mutants(single cotyledon, slow seedling growth, long root, short root), leaf mutants (fused leaves, excess rosettes, altered shape, hyponastic leaves, bushy rosettes, altered leaf polarity), inflorescence mutants (fascinated inflorescence , inflorescence fused with the petiole of rosette leaf) and flowering time and growth habit mutants (dwarf, tall , miniature, late flowering, sturdy stem.) Comparison of different activation tagging populations for different categories of mutants in the TFL1 promoter activation tagged population; leaf and inflorescence mutant frequencies were higher in rbcS2B promoter activation tagged population, while the flowering time and growth habit mutant frequency was higher in CaMV35S promoter activation tagged population. Flanking sequence analysis of three of the mutants showed that all the mutants carried an insertion in the intergenic region. Segregation analysis of seedlings for kanmycin resistance showed that on average each mutant carried about 1.3 copies of T-DNA.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kazama, Y., Hirano, T., Saito, H., Liu, Y., Ohb, S., Hayashi, Y.and Abe T., Characterization of highly efficient heavy-ion mutaenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.BMC Plant Biol., 2011, 11, 161. Sundaresan,V., Springer,P., Volpe,T., Harward ,S., Jones,J.D.G., Dean,C., and Martienssen ,R., Patterns of gene actions in plant development revealed by enhancer trap and gene trap transposable elements. Genes Dev., 1995, 9, 1797-1810.
Literature cited 2: Krysan, P.J., Young, J.C., and Sussman, M.R., T-DNA as an insertional mutagen in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell, 1999, 11, 2283-2290. Arabidopsis Genome Initiative, Analysis of the genome sequence of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Nature, 2000, 408, 796-815.

ID: 63383
Title: Isolation and characterization of NBS-encoding disease resistance gene analogs in watermelon against fusarim wilt.
Author: Anand C.Reddy, B.Lavanya, T.Tejaswi, E., Sreenivasa Rao and D.C. Lakshmana Reddy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 617-626 (2019)
Subject: Isolation and characterization of NBS-encoding disease resistance gene analogs in watermelon against fusarim wilt.
Keywords: Disease management, fusarium wilt, resistance genes, watermelon
Abstract: Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum) in water melon is one of the deadliest diseases around the globe, and availability of disease –resistant varieties is moderate. Diseases management utilizing resistance genes(R-genes) /resistance gene analogs (RGAs) has proven to be a promising and successful approach. In the present study, six watermelon Gas were isolated from wild, fusarium wilt resistant genotype IIHR-82 (Citrullus lanatus var.citroides ) using degenerate primers that identify nucleotide binding site-leucine –rich repeat (NBS-LRR) regions. Multiple sequence alignment of these RGAs identified the characteristic NBS-LRR motif, and BLASTp search revealed similarity of these RGAs with other pathogenesis-related proteins. Phylogeny and motif analysis revealed genetic diversity of RGAs within those isolated from watermelon and other plant R-genes. The watermelon RGAs isolated in this study contained both TIR-NBS-LRR (TNL) and non-TIR –NBS-LRR (CNL) classes of R-genes. Protein secondary structure prediction of these watermelon RGAs revealed the composition of proteins, including α-helix, ẞ-strand, disordered region and other template-related information. Watermelon RGAs identified in the present study will help in the development of RGA-based markers for resistance to fusarium wilt of watermelon.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-Statistics Division, 2016; http: //www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC (accessed on 23 March 2018) Martyn R.D. and Netzer, D., Resistance to races 0, 1, and 2 of Fusarium wilt of watermelon in Citrullus sp.PI-29631-FR.HortScience, 1991, 26 (4), 429-432.
Literature cited 2: Gusmini,G., Song,R. Wehner, T.C., New Sources of resistance to gummy stem blight in watermelon .Crop Sci., 2005, 45 (2) , 582-588. Thies, J.A. and Levi, A., Resistance of watermelon germplasm to the peanut root-knot nematode. HortScience, 2003, 38 (7), 1417-1421.

ID: 63382
Title: Trends and insights of agroforestry practices in Madhya Pradesh, India
Author: Arvind Bijalwan, Pooja Verma, Manmohan J.R. Dobriyal, A.K.Patil, Tarun Kumar Thakur and C.M. Sharma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 597-605 (2019)
Subject: Trends and insights of agroforestry practices in Madhya Pradesh, India
Keywords: Agroforestry practices, agriculture, agro-climatic regions, horticulture
Abstract: Agroforestry practices in Madhya Pradesh (MP), India existed in the primordial times, which can be evidenced almost in every region of the state; however, the pace of scientific inclusion in agroforestry and its extension is slow. There is lack of priority and limited work has been done related to agroforestry practices, possibly due to the presence of large natural forest area in the state. In the present context, to meet the national target of forest cover and to reduce pressure on nature forest, agroforestry seems to be a viable option as it provides a source of income for farming and tribal communities along with countless environmental benefits. This article provides a review and insight of agroforestry and extent of agriculture, horticulture and agroforestry in MP. It also provides information on diverse tree species under agroforestry systems, a mosaic of tree-crop combinations and horticulture species preferred by the farmers in different agro-climatic zones of the state. The authors have also tried to enlist the efforts of various government initiatives and other agencies involved in the extension of agroforestry in the state. The roles of MP Forest Department, MP Forest Development Corporation and allied Departments of the State in agroforestry and tree planting have also been discussed. Marketing of agroforestry produce, farmers’ involvement in agroforestry practices and identification of key policy constraints of agroforestry in the state have been discussed and critically analysed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Viswanath, S., Kaushik, P.K., Pandey, D.K. and Amit, S., Effect of A.nilotica on rainfed rice crop in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh.Ann.FFor., 1998, 6 (1) , 103-109. Viswanath, S., Nair, P.K.R., Kaushik, P.K.and Prakasam, U., Acacia nilotica trees in rice fields: a traditional agriforestry system in central India.Agrofor.Syst, 2000, 50 (2), 157-177.
Literature cited 2: FSI, India State of Forest Report, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, 2015. Census 2011, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (GoI), 2011.

ID: 63381
Title: Potassium in shrink-Swell soils of India
Author: Priya P.Gaurav, S.K. Ray, P.L.Choudhari, A.O.Shirale, B.P., Meena, A.K.Biswas and A.K.Patra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 587-596 (2019)
Subject: Potassium in shrink-Swell soils of India
Keywords: Clay mineralogy, fertilizers, mineralogy, potassium availability, swellshrink soils.
Abstract: This article reviews the information regarding potassium (K) status of Indian soils based on research conducted since 1929.The patterns and lacunae regarding potassium consumption in India are also mentioned. The role of minerals in potassium availability vis-a-vis forms of potassium is discussed and elucidated with suitable clay mineralogical evidences. The article also highlights the problems of potassium availability to plants in Indian shrink-swell soils. We have pointed out the inefficiency of the universal method used for assessing plant-available K (1N NH4OAc) in Indian shrink-swell soils, as observed from extensive K response studies. The current practices of assessing only plant-available K is not adequate to detect native changes in soil potassium. This paradoxical situation necessitates revision and revalidation of the existing potassium fertilizer recommendations, which are being adopted since four decades. A holistic research envisaging soil test crop response and mineralogical studies will help in revising potassium evaluation methods in India, leading to judicious fertilizer application by the farmers.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Murthy, R.S., Bhattacharjee, J.C., Landey, R.J. and Pofali, R. M., Distribution, characteristics, and classification of vertisols. In Vertisols and ice soils of the tropics, Symposia Paper II,12th International Congress of Soil Science, Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi, 1982, pp.3-22. Bhattacharyya, T., Sarkar, D., Pal, D.K.Chandran, P., Ray, S. K. And Mandal,C., Potassium Status of Shrink-Swell Soils of India, vis-a-vis their Mineralogical Composition (eds Bhattachayya,T. Et al.)., International Symposium on Review and Refinement of Fertilizer K Recommendations in Vertisols, NBSS &LUP, Nagpur,Mahaashtra, 2010, pp.1-4.
Literature cited 2: Gaurav, P.P., Ray, S.K., Choudhari, P.L.Biswas, A.K. and Shirale, A.O., A review on soil potassium scenario in Vertisols of India.Open Access. J. Sci., 2018 (1): doi: 10.15406/oajs.2018.02.00051. Usherwood, N.R., The role of potassium in crop quality Potassium in Agriculture (ed. Munson, R.D.,) ASA/CSSA/SSSA, Madison, WI, USA, 1985, pp. 489-514.

ID: 63380
Title: Recent progress on the water –energy –food nexus using bibliometric analysis
Author: Dan Chen, Peng Zhang, Zhaohui Luo, Di Zhang, Bo Bi and Xinchun Cao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 577-586 (2019)
Subject: Recent progress on the water –energy –food nexus using bibliometric analysis
Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, recent progress, systematic overview, water-energy-food nexus
Abstract: A systematic overview of the water-energy-food nexus studies is presented using bibliometric analysis. We have used the Web of Science Core Collection data from 2010 to 2017 for the same. The main subject categories include environmental science and water resources. Water and Environmental Science & Policy are two typical journals. USA, England and Germany are productive countries, while the main institutions are Oxford University, International Water Management Institute, and International Food Policy Research Institute. The Frequently cited papers and keywords revealed the research hotspots and trends, with the major concerns of the concept and mechanism, research dimensions and nexus methodologies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Zhang, C., Chen, X., Li, Y., Ding, W. and Fu, G., Water-energy-food nexus: concepts, questions and methodologies. J. Clean Prod., 2018, 195, 625-639. Hoff, H., Understanding the nexus. Background paper for the bonn 211 Conference: The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus, Stockholm, Sweden, 2011.
Literature cited 2: Romeorolankao, P., Mephearson, T. And Davidson.D.J, The food-energy –water nexus and urban complexity. Nature Climate Change, 2017, 7, 233-235. Liu, J. et al., Challenges in operanalizing the water-energy-food nexus.Hydrol.Sci.J.2017, 62, 1714-1720.

ID: 63379
Title: Water resources management in India-Challenges and the Way forward
Author: Sharad K.Jain
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 117 (4) 569-576 (2019)
Subject: Water resources management in India-Challenges and the Way forward
Keywords: Artificial recharge, biodiversity, climate change, water governance, water resources
Abstract: Management of water resources in Indi has been a challenge whose magnitude has risen manifolds over the past 50 years due to a variety for reasons, notably the rising demands and growing environmental degradation. Broadly, most of the challenges in water management in India can be categorized in the following groups: (a) water availability, variability and increasing withdrawals, (b) environment and quality, (c) project constructions, (d) water sharing disputes, (e) water governance and institutions, and (f) challenges induced due to climate and land-use cover changes. Here we discuss each of these challenges in detail. It is suggested that conservation of water and management of variability should be a cornerstone of water resources management in India. This note also suggests remedies to address the challenges and covers new initiatives by the Government of India (GoI).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Jain, S.K.Agarwal, P.K. and Singh, V.P., Hydrology and Water Resources of India, Springer Verlag, The Netherlands, 2007. Falkenmark, M., Lundquist, J., and Widstrand, C., Macro-scale water scarcity requires micro-scale approaches: aspects of vulnerability in semi-arid development.Nat.Resour.Forum, 198, 13 (4), 258-267.
Literature cited 2: Jain, S.K., Water resource management in India. Curr., Sci., 2017, 113 (7), 1211-112. Canter, L., and Swor, T., Handbook for Cumulative Effects of Assessment t and Management, U.S., Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., USA, 2011.