ID: 57652
Title: A sustainable bio-resource technology for quality seedling production of Casuarina equisetifolia in tropical nursery conditions
Author: M Uma, T S Saravanan and K Rajendran
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2012
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 138, No 12, Dec 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Biofertilizers, Casuarina equisetifolia, compost, organic fertilizers, seaweed fertilizers, seedling quality
Abstract: To select the suitable organic source with biofertilizers to improve quality seedling production of Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings of 5-centimeter length were transplanted to root trainers with a potting mixture of sterilized substrate of vermiculite and inoculated individually and in various combinations with compost, seaweed fertilizer and biofertilizers. Results showed that the total seedling growth and biomass were significantly increased in all the treatments compared to control plants. Biofertilizers co-inoculated with compost and seaweeds produced the maximum growth, biomass and quality seedling. Among all the treatments, inoculation with seaweed fertilizers +biofertilizers + compost recorded maximum shoot length followed by biofertilizers + compost. These treatments recorded 7.02% and 5.1% increase over control. The total biomass is highest in seedling treated with seaweed fertilizers + biofertilizers + compost and it was recording 57.30% increase over control. It indicates that the biofertilizers act synergistically when inoculated with organic and seaweed fertilizers.
Location: Kumta Field Station
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57651
Title: Estimation of genetic diversity in bamboos through metroglyph analysis
Author: M S Bhandari, R Kaushal, S K Tewari and R L Banik
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2012
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 138, No 12, Dec 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Metroglyph analysis, Index score, Genetic diversity, biomass
Abstract: Fourteen species of bamboo were evaluated for nutritional and fodder quality parameters through metroglyph analysis. On the basis of morphological and qualitative variation in bamboo species scatter diagram was prepared. An examination of scatter diagram revealed that six groups could be distinguished on the basis of morphological variation. All the species were divided into six groups. Maximum number of species was comprised in group-II (5 species) followed by group-V (4 species) and group-IV (2). From metroglyph and index score analysis, long ragne of index score was from 16 to 22 observed which itself indicated the large amount of variation in the bamboo species studied.
Location: Kumta Field Station
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57650
Title: Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem): Reproductive studies in relation to growth regulator treatments
Author: Suhani Sabherwal and K K Dhir
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2012
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 138, No 12, Dec 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Azadirachta indica, GA3, Kinetic, neem, reproduction, spermidine
Abstract: The in vivo morpho-physiological responses to kinetic -GA3 and Kinetic - spermidine combination treatments in Neem (Azadirachta indica) were studied during annual reproductive flushes from bud development onwards to seed set. The buds and flowers per inflorescence were higher in kinetic-spermidine treated branches than kinetin-GA3. Protein, total sugars and reducing sugars measured higher following 0.5 mM kinetic /0.2 mM spermidine treatments as compared to 0.5 mM kinetin/0.5 m M spermidine. 0.5 mM kinetin/0.5 mM GA3 treatments produced poor flowering response, longer juvenility and low contents of the above biochemical analyses than 0.5 mM/0.2 mM GA3. The enzyme assay of invertase, protease, acid- and alkaline phosphatases matched the biochemical responses to the growth regulator treatments. In control, a shorter regeneration phase leads to lower productivity of floral inflorescene and fruit set. Therefore, it is suggested that the application of kinetin-spermidine combination treatment may regulate the resproductive phase resulting in improved morpho-physiological characteristics.
Location: Kumta Field Station
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57649
Title: Growth performance of twelve new clones of Populus deltoides in Punjab, India
Author: R K Luna, N S Thakur and Vijay Kumar
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2012
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 138, No 12, Dec 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Indian Forester
Keywords: Poplar clones, growth, volume, mean annual increment, Punjab
Abstract: Height, diameter growth and volume production of 12 clones of poplar were evaluated at Kharkan Research Station Hoshiarpur, Research Circle Hoshiarpur, Punjab Forest Department at the age of 3 years. The results of evaluation revealed that among the poplar clones under study, the clone WSL-39 achieved the best growth and maximum volume production, attaining diameter of 14.74 cm; height 14.42m and volume 0.1040 m3/tree at the age of 3 years. The clone WSL-39 ouperformed for growth and volume since the beginning. However, the volume production of clone Udai was at par with WSL-39 at 2 and 3 years of age. On the basis of present results WSL-39 and Udai clones can be included for plantation to broaden the genetic base and more importantly for productivity enhancement.
Location: Kumta Field Station
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57648
Title: Active fault beneath the Tehri dam, Garhwal Himalaya - seismological evidence
Author: Sandeep Gupta, P Mahesh, K Sivaram and S S Rai
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Active fault, earthquake, seismological evidence, Tehri dam, thrust mechanism
Abstract: We present here seismological evidence for an active fault beneath the Tehri dam based on mapping of the earthquake distribution in the Kumaon-Garhwal Himalaya using 40 broadband digital seismographs operated over a period of 39 months during 2005-2008. The earthquake distribution shows two well defined bands: (i) following the surface trace of the Munsiari Thrust and (ii) a significant EW trend in the Lower Himalaya following the Tons Thrust Fault in the west and the Ramgarh Thrust in the east. The Tehri dam is in close proximity of the south-dipping tons Thrust Fault. We also recorded over 20 earthquakes (M 1.6-2.8) in 20 km radius of the dam site. Most of these earthquakes have a thrust mechanism. The tectonic loading on this active Tons Fault due to local seismicity coupled with the reservoir loading and unloading may generate earthquake(s) and cause additional seismic risk in this critically stressed region.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57647
Title: Yttrium and rare earth element contents in seamount cobalt crusts in the Indian Ocean
Author: V Balaram, V K Banakar, K S V Subramanyam, Parijat Roy, M Satyanarayanan, M Ram Mohan and S S Sawant
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cobalt crust, rare earth elements, seamount, Yttrium
Abstract: Cobalt-rich Fe-Mn crusts occur on almost all sea-mounts and plateaus of the world oceans. Fe-Mn crusts are formed through laryer-by-layer accretion of colloidal precipitates from cold ambinet seawater onto exposed seamount rock substrates. This study reports high concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) and yttrium ranging from 1,727 to 2,511? g/g in the crust samples collected from the Afanasy Niktin Seamount (ANS) in the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean. The concentrations of REE in the ANS Fe-Mn cursts are much higher than those of the mid-pacific seamount and nodules (1,180 -1,434 ?g/g). Ce-enrichment up to 0.17% has been recorded in the present study at against ~0.1% content in global seamount Fe-Mn crusts. This enrichment is attributed to oxidative removal of Ce from seawater to the marine Fe-Mn crust. The negative ce-anomalies obtained for sea-water samples from the ANS region coupled with strong positive Ce-anomalies in Fe-Mn crusts clearly indicate that the source of Ce in ANS Fe-Mn crusts is sea-water. This investigation warrants further detailed exploration studies in order to make an estimate of these highly useful elements in the cobalt enriched Fe-Mn crusts of Indian Ocean.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57646
Title: Application of modern geomorphic concepts for understanding the spatio-temporal complexity of the large Ganga river dispersal system
Author: Vikrant Jain, S K Tandon and Rajiv Sinha
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Equilibrium, geomorphic concepts, large rivers nonlinearity, threshold
Abstract: Significant advances have been made towards understanding the dynamics of geomorphic systems through the development of new concepts. In the last two decades, these developments were partly guided by the change in the scale of geomorphic analysis from local (landform) to regional (landscape) scale and partly due to the emergence of new scientific tools and quantitative models. The process-based understanding of some geomorphic systems of the Indian subcontinent has also advanced in a significant way and a substantial dataset is now available, especially on the Ganga river system. However, conceptual advancements in geomorphic studies have not been incorporated with the available database on large river systems, especially the Ganga river basin. This article attempts to provide a brief review of geomorphic concepts, i.e scale, magnitude - frequency, equilibrium, threshold, hierarchy, sensitivity, connectivity, nonlinearity, complexity and multidisciplinarity, and their application for understanding the geomorphology of a large river system, i.e the Ganga river system. This re-evaluation and synthesis of the geomorphic data of the Ganga river - scape provides useful insights into the dynamics of this multi-scale dispersal system, and thereby also helps in the identification of gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed on a priority basis. The major gaps at longer timescales (103-105 years) include lack of understanding of connectivity in river response to external forcing, the quantification of threshold of geomorphic change, and the integration of data across scales in terms of forms and processes. At modern timescale, the major challenge is to integrate the geomorphic dataset with ecological and hydrological attributes in order to develop a holistic understanding of rivers for their management.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57645
Title: Flowering phenology on altitudinal gradient in the Himalaya
Author: D S Rawat
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57644
Title: Discussion of seismicity near Jaitapur
Author: Vinod K Gaur, Roger Bilham
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57643
Title: Urgent need for authentic (derived from type or typified material) ITS sequence database for all fungi
Author: Rahul Sharma
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57642
Title: River diversion schemes and waste water recycling for Bangalore city
Author: G V Hegde, K C Subhash Chandra
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 11, 10 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57641
Title: New human fossils and associated finding from the Central Narmada Valley, India
Author: A R Sankhyan, L N Dewangan, Sheuli Chakraborty, Suvendu Kundu, Shashi Prabha, Rana Chakravarty and G L Badam
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 12, 25 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Human fossils, humerus, femur, lithostratigraphy
Abstract: Explorations in the Central Narmada Valley have yielded a partial hominin femur and a humerus from a new locality, Netankheri located 3 km upstream from the previous hominin localilty, Hathnora. The femur stratigraphic level that yielded calvarium at Hathnora and shares robust mosaic morphology of Homo erectus and archaic Homo sapiens. The mega mammalian fauna and large Acheulian artefacts excavated from the femur and the calvarium beds support existence of a large robust hominin at ~250 kya. The humerus was recovered from startigraphically higher and pre-YTA (~75 kya) stratum in associated with unique Upper Palaeolithic fossilized bone artefacts and attributed to a ' short and stocky ' earliest modern H. sapiens hitherto unknown in South Asia. This lineage probably evolved from a similar ' short and stocky ' mode-3 archaic hominin documented earlier by two archaic clavicles and a 9th rib at Hathnora.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57640
Title: Application of tree-ring data in development of long-term discharge of River Satluj
Author: Jayendra Singh and Ram R Yadav
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 12, 25 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cedrus deodara, ring-width chronology, Satluj River, water discharge, western Himalaya
Abstract: Variability in water discharge of the rivers originating in high Himalayan ranges affects water availability for domestic, agricultural and other socio-economic needs of local and downstream people. The observational river discharge data are limited and preclude the understanding of natural variability which is needed to evolve sustainable water resource management plans. We explore here the possibility of extending available measured Satluj River discharge data back in time using ring-width chronology of Himalayan ceda (AD 1380-2005) developed from a moisture-stressed site in the Satluj River basin. Tree-ring-width chronology showed direct relationship with monthly river discharge from October of the previous year to September of the current year. The existence of such a relationship revealed that the network of tree-ring-should be useful in developing robust reconstructions of river discharge required to understand its dynamics in the long-term perspective.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57639
Title: Shola habitats on sky islands: status of research on montane forests and grasslands in southern India
Author: V V Robin and R Nandini
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 12, 25 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Birds, conservation, grasslands, montane forest, sky islands
Abstract: The Shola habitat on the high elevation sky islands of the Western Ghats in southern India is a unique habitat. Although this habitat hosts a disproportionately high level of endemism and is threatened by anthropogenic modifications, it has received little research attention. We compiled publications of research conducted in this habitat from scientific databases and the grey literature to examine trends in publication. For a quantitative summary, all publications were classified according to the taxa of research and the broad topic of research. We identified 279 publications from 1964 and found an almost threefold increase in the number of publications and diversity of research topics studied over the last decade. Studies on flora, birds and mammals have been numerous (62% of the studies examined), but certain taxa like fish (1%) have been ignored. Most studies (65%) are descriptive, focusing on diversity, distribution trends and management suggestions, while suprisingly few have concentrated on climate change, ecological restoration and invasive species, all major threats to this landscape. We have identified some key gaps in research and conservation focus that future studies could address. We also suggest that initiatives like edited volumes and special journal sections, along with the use of creative commons licensed data-sharign portals, can be used to usher unpublished work into the public domain.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57638
Title: Structural transitions as a mode for expression and regulation of physiological functions of fibronectin
Author: M Y Khan
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, VOl 103, No 12, 25 December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Fibrillogenesis, fibronectin, regulation, structural transitions
Abstract: Protein conformations other than those representing their unique three dimensional native states are generally believed to be insignificant structural entities occurring only during their turn over. However, the conventional compact native conformation ( ' C ' state) of fibronectin has been found to be functionally inactive/less active as compared to its non-compact, extended ( ' E ' state) structure formed during expression of its functions. It has been proposed that an equilibrium, ' C<->E ' , between the two states is vital in explainig all the functional properteis of fibronectin. The equilibrium is shifted towards right when fibronectin ought to express its activities and a ' go-slow ' tag is imposed by shifting the equilibrium towards left should a need arise to that effect.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None