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ID: 65011
Title: Comparative study of pigments used in 16th–17th century CE tempera mural art from Malayadipatti and Adiyamankottai temple, Tamil Nadu, India
Author: Anjali Sharma, Manager Rajdeo Singh, S. Vinodh Kumar and Manoj Pratap Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 853-864 (2023)
Subject: Comparative study of pigments used in 16th–17th century CE tempera mural art from Malayadipatti and Adiyamankottai temple, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Art restoration, binders, mural paintings, pigments.
Abstract: Eight micro-samples from mural paintings of Malayadipatti and Adiyamankottai temples in Tamil Nadu, India were studied using binocular microscopy, thin film crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy to understand the original constituent materials of the pigments, binders and the methods of painting. Red paint had a mixture of cinnabar and hematite. The yellow colour resulted from orpiment. Orange hues were produced a mixture of orpiment and hematite. Grey colour was produced by a mixture of calcium carbonate and manganese dioxide. Black tones were prepared primarily using lamp black. The minerals used in both the temples were nearly identical. The appearance of proteinaceous materials/oils as a binding medium in all samples indicated the use of a tempera wall painting technique. These findings help improve our understanding of the methods and materials used in mural arts and serve as a guide for their future restoration.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.trawell.in/tamilnadu/tiruchirappalli/malayadipatti-rockcut-temples (accessed on 25 March 2021). Saxena, S., Malayadipatti – the hill of the holy. Puratattva, 2011; https://puratattva.in/2011/01/08/maliyadipatti-the-hill-of-the-holy-25 (accessed on 25 March 2021)
Literature cited 2: Sivaramamurti, C., South Indian Paintings, National Museum, 1968. Original from, the University of Michigan, Digitized, 1 July 2011, ISBN: 8123000529, 9788123000527. Kannan, R. and Balasubramanian, R., Tiruppudaimarudur Murals and Wood Carvings: Documentation of the Murals and Wood Carvings in the Narumpoonathaswami Temple, Tiruppudaimarudur. Bulletin of the Madras Government Museum, New series, general section, 2014.

ID: 65010
Title: Does socio-economic dynamics influence crop yield variability?
Author: Avik Mukherjee, Pinaki Roy, Debankur Sanyal , T. N. Roy and Shih-Yu (Simon) Wang
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 846-852 (2023)
Subject: Does socio-economic dynamics influence crop yield variability?
Keywords: Agricultural technologies, crop production, farmers, policies and subsidies, socio-economic factors
Abstract: The present study examines the current research on how socio-economic factors affect the decision-making process and adoption of agricultural technologies by farmers in crop production scheduling. It reviews existing literature to identify gaps in knowledge and determine the most relevant factors influencing crop production in Northwest India from 2016 to 2021. The study finds that socio-economic factors, such as education, age, awareness and financial limitations, significantly impact farmers’ decision-making when it comes to crop planning. Additionally, societal issues like politics and religion also influence crop output. The study suggests that government policies and subsidies can help improve farmers’ livelihoods, and effective communication from agricultural scientists can encourage the adoption of affordable and environmentally friendly production technologies. However, the study emphasizes the need for more primary data to address socio-economic constraints in intervention efforts.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Roy, P. and Bhattacharyya, S., Doubling farmers’ income: its necessity and possibilities in Indian context. Indian J. Agric. Sci., 2020, 90(9), 3–9. Roy, P. and Kaur, M., Status and problems of paddy straw management in West Bengal. I
Literature cited 2: Ramakrishnan, P. S., Shifting agriculture and sustainable development: an inter-disciplinary study from north-eastern India. Parthenon Publishing Group, Paris, France, 1992. Giller, K. E., Rowe, E. C., De Ridder, N. and Keulen, V. H., Resource use dynamics and interactions in the tropics; scaling up in space and time. Agric. Syst., 2006, 88, 8–27.

ID: 65009
Title: Rhizosphere–plant–microbial system under polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-induced stress
Author: Kavita Verma , Pooja Gokhale Sinha , Garima Sharma , Surbhi Agarwal , Anita Verma and Vartika Mathur
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The rhizosphere–plant–microbial association is a complex and intricate system susceptible to various organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Since the soil acts as a sink of PAH, their accumulation shifts the delicate rhizosphere–plant–microbe equilibrium and enters the food chain through plants. How the presence of PAH in the rhizosphere affects the rhizosphere–plant–microbial system is still unclear. This study aims to understand the effects of PAH on rhizosphere–plant–microbial interactions. It also explores the potential use of microbes to alleviate PAH-induced stress in the soil for effective and sustainable management.
Subject: Rhizosphere–plant–microbial system under polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-induced stress
Keywords: Bioaccumulation, microbe-mediated remediation, persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Abstract: The rhizosphere–plant–microbial association is a complex and intricate system susceptible to various organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Since the soil acts as a sink of PAH, their accumulation shifts the delicate rhizosphere–plant–microbe equilibrium and enters the food chain through plants. How the presence of PAH in the rhizosphere affects the rhizosphere–plant–microbial system is still unclear. This study aims to understand the effects of PAH on rhizosphere–plant–microbial interactions. It also explores the potential use of microbes to alleviate PAH-induced stress in the soil for effective and sustainable management
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chen, X. et al., Past, present, and future perspectives on the assessment of bioavailability/bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a 20-year systemic review based on scientific econometrics. Sci. Total Environ., 2021, 774, 145585. Shen, H. et al., Global atmospheric emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from 1960 to 2008 and future predictions. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2013, 47, 6415–6424.
Literature cited 2: Zhang, Y. and Tao, S., Global atmospheric emission inventory of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for 2004. Atmos. Environ., 2009, 43, 812–819. Kumar, A., Ambade, B., Sankar, T. K., Sethi, S. S. and Kurwadkar, S., Source identification and health risk assessment of atmospheric PM2. 5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Jamshedpur, India. Sustain. Cit. Soc., 2020, 52, 101801

ID: 65008
Title: National Initiative on Undergraduate Science programme in chemistry
Author: Indrani Das Sen and Savita Ladage
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 831-836 (2023)
Subject: National Initiative on Undergraduate Science programme in chemistry
Keywords: Chemistry, national initiative, nurture programmes, student camps, teacher workshops, undergraduate science education.
Abstract: The article discusses the National Initiative on Undergraduate Science (NIUS) programme in chemistry conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR), Mumbai, which was initiated in 2004. Being located in a science education research and development institution, the programme has made efforts to interact with chemistry teachers and first-year undergraduate students and, thus, is different when compared to similar programmes within the country. The article reviews the key ideas of the programme, its growth and evolution to date and likely directions for its expansion in the near future.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.jncasr.ac.in/academic/fandeprogrammes/ (accessed on January 2023). Position paper on retention of talent; http://www.psa.gov.in/sites/ default/files/file6.pdf (accessed in October 2014), but not accessible now
Literature cited 2: https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/nius-proposal-2004/ (accessed on January 2023). https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/subjects/chemistry/ (accessed on January 2023).

ID: 65007
Title: Defining the ‘urban critical zone’ for global sustainable development
Author: Arkaprabha Sarkar, Vicky Shankar, Vimal Singh*, Iain Stewart, Shashank Shekhar and Vinayak Sinha
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 824-830 (2023)
Subject: Defining the ‘urban critical zone’ for global sustainable development
Keywords: Ecosystem services, natural environments, planetary boundary layer, sustainable development, urban critical zone
Abstract: With urbanization, cities are becoming new landscapes, significantly altering the properties, processes and pathways of previous natural environments. The natural critical zones that have existed for millennia are rapidly getting modified by the superimposition of the urban components to give rise to a new critical zone system, viz. the urban critical zone. The clogging and bypassing of the natural process pathways and the increasing demands of urban populations for ecosystem services put the native critical zone and the adjoining zones under stress. To elucidate this point, we present a case study on Delhi, the capital city of India, to demonstrate how the urban critical zone is unsustainable. We exemplify the increasing demand and supply gap of basic ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, that are essential to sustain life. In doing so, we redefine the limits of the critical zone in urban areas, recognizing that significant parts of cities are beyond the presently defined critical zone.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: McPhearson, T. et al., A vision for resilient urban futures. Resilient Urban Futures, Springer Nature, Switzerland, 2021, p. 173. Steffen, W. et al., Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet under Pressure, Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin, 2006.
Literature cited 2: National Research Council, Basic research opportunities in earth science. National Academies Press, Washington, 2011. White, T., Special focus: the US Critical Zone Observatories. International Innovation August, 2012, pp. 108–127.

ID: 65006
Title: Need to declare the Higher Himalaya an eco-sensitive zone
Author: Shubhra Sharma and Anil D. Shukla
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 822-823 (2023)
Subject: Need to declare the Higher Himalaya an eco-sensitive zone
Keywords: Need to declare, Higher Himalaya, eco-sensitive zone
Abstract: The recent disasters in Uttarakhand, India (e.g. 2013 Kedarnath, 2021 Rishi Ganga and 2023 Joshimath) and Himachal Pradesh (e.g. 2000 and 2013 Satluj–Kinnaur floods and 2023 Beas floods) have reignited the debate of anthropogenic impact on Higher Himalayan valleys and potentially increased impact of disasters in the region1 . It is feared that under the impending climate change scenario, the sustainability of the geologically fragile Higher Himalayan ecosystem would be threatened, endangering the safety of infrastructure such as habitation sites, roads and hydropower projects. The climate sensitive Higher Himalaya is not only the abode of endemic and endangered flora and fauna but also contains a large number of glaciers which sustain millions of people inhabiting the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Therefore, it is now being increasingly considered that similar to the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, the river stretches between the headwaters till the southern flank of the Main Central Thrust (MCT) covering a stretch of ~125 km should be declared as eco-sensitive zones
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Cohen, J. et al., Nature Geosci., 2014, 7(9), 627–637. Blöthe, J. H. and Korup, O., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2013, 382, 38–46
Literature cited 2: Sundriyal, Y. P. et al., Episode, 2015, 38, 179–188. Sharma, S., Shukla, A. D., Bartarya, S. K., Marh, B. S. and Juyal, N., Geomorphology, 2017, 290, 317–334.

ID: 65005
Title: Rural electrification using hybrid solar-wind energy systems
Author: S. K. Satheesh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (8) 811-812 (2023)
Subject: Rural electrification using hybrid solar-wind energy systems
Keywords: Rural electrification,hybrid solar-wind energy systems
Abstract: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports have warned us about the impact of climate change. This is highlighted by the rise in greenhouse gas concentrations over the past 50 years, which has led to an observed increase in global mean temperature. Warming of the atmosphere and oceans, diminishing amounts of snow and ice, increase in sea level, and increase in the concentrations of greenhouse gases have been observed. Observed temperature during each of the last three decades has been successively higher than previous decades. IPCC reports indicate that surface temperature change by the end of the 21st century will likely exceed 1.5 to 2°C relative to pre-industrial times. If the emissions of greenhouse gases continue, it can lead to further increase in temperature with consequent changes in most of the components of the climate system. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted many consequences. Increasingly rapid sea level rise, melting of glaciers, increase in the number of extreme weather events, adverse impacts on biodiversity are some examples. Reducing the consequences of climate change demand significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. For India, climate change is not just a science issue but involves several other factors such as economics, water-energy-food security, health, insurance, law, international policy and so on.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 65004
Title: Annual Review of Plant Biology 2021.
Author: Sabeeha S. Merchant, Wilhelm Gruissem and Donald R. Reviewed by Sudhir K Sopory
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 790-792 (2023)
Subject: Annual Review of Plant Biology 2021.
Keywords: Annual Review, Plant Biology, 2021.
Abstract: This volume contains 131 well-compiled reviews contributed by experts mainly from USA, Europe, Canada and a few from Japan, Vietnam, etc. The prefatory chapter is by Maarten Koornneef (Max Planck Institute (MPI), Germany and Wageningen University (WU), The Netherlands). Broadly, the volume has two chapters on light perception – one on phytochrome and the other on UV receptors. Following different environmental clues, plants produce various signals. There is a chapter on histidine kinases and two-component signaling. The role of ions as regulated by ion channels and salicylic acid as a signal in defence and other responses is covered in two elaborate reviews. A major portion of the book is devoted to new work that has been reported to explain various developmental responses. Accordingly, there is a chapter each on cell cycle, tuberous and tuber root development, regulation of leaf shape and epidermis, and development of male gametophyte. In addition, there is a review on pollen–pistil interactions and embryogenesis
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 65003
Title: Nutraceutical studies of Solanum torvum Swartz.
Author: Acharya Balkrishna, Rama Shankar, Rashmi A. Joshi, Monali Joshi, Uday Bhan Prajapati , Anupam Srivastava and Vedpriya Arya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 784-788 (2023)
Subject: Nutraceutical studies of Solanum torvum Swartz.
Keywords: Biochemical composition, geographical distribution, nutritional value, Solanum torvum, taxonomic study
Abstract: The present study deals with the taxonomic details, geographical distribution and nutritional aspects of Solanum torvum Swartz. used as a vegetable in the states of Northeast India as well as in several South Indian states. It is also widely distributed in Uttarakhand, though its edible uses have not been reported from this small state in North India. We conducted a study on the nutritional potential of S. torvum berries by evaluating fat, carbohydrates, proteins, energy, total ash and water content using standard methods. HPLC profiling, as well as HPTLC were performed using an in-house protocol developed at Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The presence of triterpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and tannins indicates the nutritional and medicinal importance of S. torvum. Biochemical compounds like carbohydrates (15.5% w/w), proteins (0.31%), fats (1.09% w/w), total ash (1.03% w/w) and water content (82.41%) represent its appreciable nutritional value, especially as a low-fat diet and also its contribution to fighting against nutrient deficiencies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ilodibia, C. V., Akachukwu, E. E., Chukwuma, M. U., Igboabuchi, N. A., Adimonyemma, R. N. and Okeke, N. F., Proximate, phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on Solanumm acrocarpon L. J. Adv. Biol. Biotechnol., 2016, 9(2), 1–7. Famuwagun, A. A., Taiwo, K. A., Gbadamosi, S. O., Oyedele, D. J., Aluko, R. E. and Adebooye, O. C., Extraction optimization and antioxidant properties of African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon) leaf polyphenols. J. Food Qual., 2017, 1–14; http://doi.org/10. 1155/2017/2159183
Literature cited 2: Namani, S., Paripelli, S., Chinni, S. V., Kasi, M., Subramaniam, S. and Rathinam, X., In vitro anti-oxidant assay, HPLC profiling of polyphenolic compounds, AAS and FTIR spectrum of Malaysian origin Solanum torvum fruit. Indian J. Pharm. Educ. Res., 2016, 50(2), S11–S20. Eletta, O. A. A., Orimolade, B. O., Oluwaniyi, O. O. and Dosumu, O. O., Evaluation of proximate and antioxidant activities of Ethiopian eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) and Gboma eggplant (Solanumm acrocarpon L.). J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage., 2017, 21(5), 967–972.

ID: 65002
Title: Genetic analysis of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) based on microsatellite markers
Author: Soumya Bharati Babu , Govindharaj Guru-Pirasanna-Pandi, C. Parameswaran , Jayaraj Padhi , G. Basana-Gowda , M. Annamalai, Naveenkumar Patil , Chanchala Meher , S. Sabarinathan and Prakash Chandra Rath
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 777-783 (2023)
Subject: Genetic analysis of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) based on microsatellite markers
Keywords: Brown planthopper, genetic diversity, microsatellite markers, monsoon, rice
Abstract: Brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) is one of the most destructive pests of rice in Southeast Asia. It expresses a differential reaction to resistant rice cultivars and various insecticide groups in different geographic locations. Therefore, genetic diversity among N. lugens populations must be understood for their effective management. Hence, in the present study, the genetic structure and diversity of 22 N. lugens populations collected from 22 hotspot regions of India were analysed using with genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Results revealed that the mean genetic diversity was 0.399 and polymorphic information content was 0.337 in the 30 selected SSR markers. Further, molecular variance revealed only a 2% variation among the populations and 98% within a population. In cluster and population structure analysis, all 22 populations were sub-grouped into three groups. Interestingly, the North and West Indian populations showed high genetic similarity and assembled into one cluster in cluster analysis. The East and South Indian populations were evenly segregated into the remaining two clusters. Similarly, the North and West Indian populations shared the same compartment in principal coordinate analysis. This variation might be associated with the N. lugens migration due to wind movement of the southwest monsoon in two branches, viz. Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch. The present study provides molecular evidence for genetic variation among different populations of N. lugens in India. The information could be helpful to devise an efficient management strategy against this pest in different rice ecosystems.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Pathak, H., Tripathi, R., Jambhulkar, N. N., Bisen, J. P. and Panda, B. B., Eco-regional rice farming for enhancing productivity, profitability and sustainability, NRRI Research Bulletin No. 22, ICAR National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, 2020, p. 28. Hunter, M. C., Smith, R. G., Schipanski, M. E., Atwood, L. W. and Mortensen, D. A., Agriculture in 2050: recalibrating targets for sustainable intensification. BioScience, 2017, 67(4), 386–391; https:// doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix010
Literature cited 2: Mondal, D. et al., Yield loss assessment of rice (Oryza sativa L.) due to different biotic stresses under system of rice intensification (SRI). J. Entomol. Zool. Stud., 2017, 5(4), 1974–1980. Pandi, G. G. P., Chandar, S., Pal, M. and Soumia, P. S., Impact of elevated CO2 on Oryza sativa phenology and brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) population. Curr. Sci., 2018, 114(8), 1767–1777.

ID: 65001
Title: Thermal regimes, age and sex modulate feeding attributes of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Author: Uzma Afaq, Gyanendra Kumar and Omkar Omkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 771-776 (2023)
Subject: Thermal regimes, age and sex modulate feeding attributes of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Keywords: Age, biocontrol, food, sex, temperature, Zygogramma bicolorata.
Abstract: Feeding attributes of phytophagous insects are greatly influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. Therefore, we assessed the combined effect of temperature, age and sex on food consumption and utilization efficiencies of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister. This Mexican beetle is known as one of the most promising candidates for the biocontrol of Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus, a noxious weed of barren, grazing and farming lands. Temperature, age and sex influenced food consumption, its utilization and ecological efficiencies of the beetle. Temperature between 27°C and 30°C was found optimal for 20-day-old adults of Z. bicolorata to convert and utilize the food biomass to body mass. Above and below the optimal temperature and age, the feeding attributes declined. Young females kept at 27°C consumed more food and laid more number of eggs compared to other females at different temperatures. This study reveals that females are more voracious feeders than the males regardless of temperature regimes. The present findings can be helpful to mass-multiply Z. bicolorata in the laboratory for the biocontrol of Parthenium weed in fields and agricultural farms. The results also suggest that global climate change may affect the biocontrol potential of the insect, but field investigations are needed to support the present findings.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Barros-Bellanda, H. C. H. and Zucoloto, F. S., Effects of intraspecific competition and food deprivation on the immature phase of Ascia monuste orseis (Lepidoptera, Pieridae). Iheringia – Ser. Zool., 2002, 92, 93–98. Karsai, I. and Hunt, J. H., Food quantity affects traits of offspring in a paper wasp, Polistes metricus. Environ. Entomol., 2002, 31, 99–106.
Literature cited 2: Moreau, J., Berney, B. and Thiery, D., Assessing larval food quality for phytophagous insects: are the facts as simple as they appear? Funct. Ecol., 2006, 20, 592–600. Kiggundu, A., Host–plant interactions and resistance mechanism to banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) in Ugandan Musa germplasm. M.Sc. thesis, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontain, South Africa, 2000.

ID: 65000
Title: Incubation study of kinetics and mineralization rate of nitrogen in organic sources of Ultisol
Author: Lumbini Kalita, N. J. Singh, Lala I. P. Ray and A. K. Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 765-770 (2023)
Subject: Incubation study of kinetics and mineralization rate of nitrogen in organic sources of Ultisol
Keywords: Incubation study, kinetics, nitrogen mineralization, organic sources, traditional farming practice.
Abstract: Age-old traditional farming practices are generally followed by tribal inhabitants using locally available organic sources of plant nutrients. The aim of the present study was to determine the kinetics and rate of mineralization of different local organic sources of North East region of India. An incubation study of 100 days was carried out using locally available organic sources, i.e. farmyard manure (FYM; T1), poultry manure (T2), pig manure (T3) and vermicompost (T4) at the rate of 120 kg N/ha (considering recommended dose of fertilizer of rice as 120 kg N/ha). Bulk soil sample of Typic kandihumultis at 0–15 cm was collected from the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam, Meghalaya research farm and treated with organic sources and kept in an incubator at field capacity soil moisture and 25°C temperature. Observations were taken at 10 days interval up to 100 days of incubation (DOI). A control treatment (T0) of no organic source was used for comparison. The results showed that the average nitrogen mineralization rate (Nmin) of T3 was highest (64.88%), followed by T2 (57.77%), T4 (42.98%) and T1 (35.24%). The highest Nmin rate of T3 and T2 was noted at 60 DOI as 79.37% and 76.10% respectively. At 50–60 DOI, total nitrogen, available nitrogen and nitrogen fractions (ammonical nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen) released were the highest irrespective of the organic sources. R2 (coefficient of determinate) of first-order kinetics of all organic sources was found to be: 0.91 (T3) > 0.90 (T2) > 0.89 (T4) > 0.88 (T1), while R2 of second-order kinetics was: 0.66 (T3) > 0.65 (T2) > 0.64 (T1 and T4). It has been concluded that T3 is the best organic nutrient source among the treatments considered for this study.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Murugan, A. V. and Swarnam, T. P., Nitrogen release pattern from organic manures applied to an acid soil. J. Agric. Sci., 2013, 5(6), 174–184; ISSN 1916-9752, E-ISSN 1916-9760. Grzyb, A., Wolna-Maruwka, A. and Niewiadomska, A., Environmental factors affecting the mineralization of crop residues. Agronomy, 2020, 10(12), 1951.
Literature cited 2: Risch, A. C. et al., Global impacts of fertilization and herbivore removal on soil net nitrogen mineralization are modulated by local climate and soil properties. Global Change Biol., 2020, 26(12), 7173–7185. Braos, L. B., Ruiz, J. G. C. L., Lopes, I. G., Ferreira, M. E. and da Cruz, M. C. P., Mineralization of nitrogen in soils with application of acid whey at different pH. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 2020, 20(3), 1102–1109.

ID: 64999
Title: Data envelopment anaylsis in estimating economic efficiency of farm credit for adopting good agricultural practices in mango cultivation in Tamil Nadu, India
Author: B. Kavitha , M. Uma Gowri and K. Muthulakshmi
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 758-764 (2023)
Subject: Data envelopment anaylsis in estimating economic efficiency of farm credit for adopting good agricultural practices in mango cultivation in Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Data envelopment analysis, economic efficiency, farm credit, good agricultural practices, mango cultivation
Abstract: Good agricultural practices (GAPs) in mango production are essential to enable farm produce to be internationally competitive with sufficient institutional credit. Economic efficiency of 0.45 and 0.68 respectively for conventional and GAP farms in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, India implies that there is scope to increase mango output by 55% and 32% respectively, by optimum allocation of resources. The highest return invested by GAP borrowers might be due to efficient use of resource and GAPs. The extension workers should develop strategies to increase income through adoption of GAPs, efficient use of resources and strengthening the loan delivery mechanism to enhance mango production.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: GoI, Horticulture sector can play an important role in doubling farmers’ income. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, 10 May 2021; https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1717447. Tiwari, A., Afroz, S. B. and Kumar, V., Market vulnerabilities and potential of horticulture crops in India: with special reference to top crops. Indian J. Agric. Mark., 2021. 35(3), 1–20.
Literature cited 2: Kumar, A., Singh, D. and Kumar, P., Performance of rural credit and factors affecting the choice of credit sources. Indian J. Agric. Econ., 2010, 62(3), 297–313. Satyasai, K. J. S. and Tiwari, A., Rural credit: can we make it more inclusive? In 23rd Annual Conference of SSCA, ICAR National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad, Telangana, Special Proceedings: ISBN: 978-81-950383-0-5, 2021, pp. 143–160; https://www.nabard.org/auth/writereaddata/tender/2609- 223632can-we-make-rural-credit-inclusive.pdf

ID: 64998
Title: Effective elastic thickness of the continental lithosphere with particular reference to the India–Eurasia collision system
Author: V. H. Arjun, V. M. Tiwari and Sandeep Gupta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 748-757 (2023)
Subject: Effective elastic thickness of the continental lithosphere with particular reference to the India–Eurasia collision system
Keywords: Continental rheology, effective elastic thickness, flexural modelling, isostasy, lithosphere
Abstract: The effective elastic thickness (EET) of the lithosphere is a measure of the lithosphere’s ability to flex under long-term geological and topographic loads. It is often estimated through analyses of gravity and topographic data. The EET has a significant role in regulating the geodynamic evolution of both the continental and oceanic plates. Estimates of EET derived from geophysical data are consistent with rheological models in the oceanic regions. However, there are extensive debates on the estimates of EET and rheological models over the continental areas; differences are probably due to the complex structure and history of the continental plates. For instance, according to one model of continental rheology, popularly known as the ‘Jelly Sandwich’, the mechanical strength of the lithospheric plate is distributed in the upper crust and the lithospheric mantle. In another model, dubbed as ‘Crème Brulee’, the lithospheric mantle is weak, and the mechanical strength of the lithosphere is limited to the upper portion of the crust. These model differences have arisen because of inconsistent results obtained using different datasets, e.g. the distribution of earthquakes, EET, gravity anomaly and rheology. This article discusses the evolution of these contrasting models and the critical necessity to resolve the model differences.
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Literature cited 1: Barrell, J., The strength of the Earth’s crust – Part I. Geologic tests of the limits of strength. J. Geol., 1914, 22, 28–48. Le Pichon, X., Francheteau, J. and Bonnin, J., Plate Tectonics, Developments in
Literature cited 2: Watts, A. B., Crustal and lithosphere dynamics: an introduction and overview. In Treatise on Geophysics, Elsevier, 2015, pp. 1–48. Pratt, A. and Stokes, G. G., On the deflection of the plumb-line in India caused by the attraction of the Himalaya mountains and the elevated regions beyond, and its modification by the compensating effect of a deficiency of matter below the mountain mass. Proc. R. Soc. London, 1859, 9, 493–496

ID: 64997
Title: US News Global Ranking of Subjects 2022–23
Author: Gangan Prathap
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 125 (7) 743-747 (2023)
Subject: US News Global Ranking of Subjects 2022–23
Keywords: Engineering, global rankings, higher educational institutions, natural sciences, research performance
Abstract: The performance of Indian higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the US News 2022–23 Best Global Universities Rankings and Subject Rankings shows that engineering and natural sciences constitute most of the country’s research base. There are many areas in which no Indian school has distinguished itself.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Prathap, G., Shanghai Ranking’s global ranking of academic subjects 2018. Curr. Sci., 2019, 116(2), 232–238. Prathap, G., Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022. Curr. Sci., 20
Literature cited 2: Balaram, P., The Shanghai Rankings. Curr. Sci., 2004, 86(10), 1347– 1348. Virk, H. S., Shanghai Rankings and Indian universities. Curr. Sci., 2004, 87(4), 416.