Enter records

ID: 63337
Title: The Maski Archaelogical research project (2010-18): initial results from a multi-period interdisciplinary project on the Raichur Doab, Karnataka, India
Author: Andrew M. Bauer and Peter G. Johansen
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 (1) 30-36 (2019)
Subject: The Maski Archaelogical research project (2010-18): initial results from a multi-period interdisciplinary project on the Raichur Doab, Karnataka, India
Keywords: Archaeological survey, interdisciplinary project on the Raichur Doab, Karnataka, India
Abstract: This article summarizes the results of five field seasons of the Maski Archaeological research project, an interdisciplinary project evaluating the relationships between social and political significance of prehistoric burial practices, and medieval period settlement practices and land-use activities, highlighting how archaeological materials both belie and complement epigraphic analyses of the region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Thapar, B.K. Maski 1954: a chalcolithic site of the southern Deccan. Ancient India, 1957, 13, 4-142. Asher, C.B. and Talbot, C., India before Europe, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2006, pp.163-166.
Literature cited 2: Eaton, R.M.and Wagoner, P.B., Power, Memory, Architecture, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 2014, p.242. Derrett, J.D.M., The Hoysalas, Oxford University Press, London, UK, 1957, p.59.

ID: 63336
Title: Bioliometric profile of research on antibiotics in sediments during 1958-2016
Author: Chun-Li Zheng, Yi-Fei Wang, Qian –Ling-Lin Qiu, Gang Li and Yao-Yang 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 (1) 37-45 (2019)
Subject: Bioliometric profile of research on antibiotics in sediments during 1958-2016
Keywords: Antibiotics, international collaborations, research hotspots, sediments, science categories
Abstract: Antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can be accumulated in sediments. In this study, an improved bibliometric analysis was used to evaluate publications on antibiotics in sediments from the aspects of major countries, subject categories and keywords during 1958-2016.The results indicate that USA and China dominated studies in the recent period from 2005 to 2016.The most representative journal and subject category were Applied and Environmental Microbiology and Environmental Science and Ecology respectively. ARGs and antibiotic resistance bacteria involving mechanism such as sorption, adsorption and biodegradation were the mainstream research areas.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kummerer,K., Antibiotics in the aquatic environment –a review-Part 1.Chemosphere, 2009, 75, 417-434. Zhang, C., Tang, J., Wang, L., Gao, X. And He, X., Occurrence of antibiotis in water and sediment from Zizhuyaun Lake.Pol.J.nviron.Stud., 2015, 24, 1831-1836
Literature cited 2: Hirsch, R., Ternes, T., Haberer, K.and Kratz, K.L. Occurrence of antibiotics in the aquatic environment.Sci.Total Environ., 1999, 225, 109-118. Sarmah,A.K.Meyer,M.T.and Boxall,A.B,A gloabal perspective on the use, sales, exposure pathways, occurrence, fate and effects of veterinary antibiotics (Vas) in the environment.Chemospherer, 2006, 65, 725-759.

ID: 63335
Title: Consortium of Industrial Agro forestry: an institutional mechanism for sustaining agroforestry in India
Author: K.T.Parthiban, R.Jude Sudhagar, C.Cinthia Fernandaz and N.Krishanakumar
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 (1) 30-36 (2019)
Subject: Consortium of Industrial Agro forestry
Keywords: Agroforestry, consortium approach, industrial wood, value chain model
Abstract: India is among the few tropical countries which have been reporting a progressive increase in forest cover over the past two decades. Our country being a major consumer of wood and wood products, the role of agroforestry as a viable land-use system is gaining significant attention owing to its contribution towards meeting domestic and industrial wood requirements. Growing demand coupled with legal issues in wood supply from Government-owned forests has resulted in a total mismatch between demand and supply of wood and wood products. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) conceived and implemented ‘ a value chain model’ and created sustainability in industrial wood generation and supply in the state by involving a wide range of stakeholders. In order to strengthen the value chain and promote agroforestry based on the objectives envisaged in the National Agroforestry Policy of 2014.TNAU established a “Consortium of Industrial Agroforestry’ (CIAF) by linking stakeholders to address the issues related to production, processing and consumption in Agroforestry. Keeping in Line with the guidelines provided in the National Agroforestry policy of 2014, CIAF has successfully established decentralized institutions for supply of quality planting materials to the farmers besides facilitating organized plantation developers, harvesting and marketing institutions. The activities of CIAF have paved the way for creating the much needed database in tree cultivation, development of price supportive mechanism for important farm-grown industrial wood species and reducing the risks faced by tree rowers through innovative approaches like tree insurance and value addition technologies. This consortium-mode value-chain model in agroforestry holds great potential for adoption and replication across India, which would help create self-reliance in raw material security besides augmenting tree cover in the country.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Parthiban, K.T., Vennila, S., Kumar, P., Saravanan, V.and Subbulakshmi, V., Industrial Agroforestry- a value chain approach in Tamil Nadu. In Industrial Agroforestry –Perspectives and Prospective (eds Parthiban, K.T., et al.,) Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur, 2014, pp.7-32. FAO, India Forestry outlook study. Working paper No. APFSOS II/WP/2009/06.Food and Agricultural Organisation, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (GoI), 2009.
Literature cited 2: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database, 2013; http://faostat.fao.org/ Knickel, K., Agricultural structural change: impact on the rural environment.J.Rural Sci., 1990, 6 (4), 383-393.

ID: 63334
Title: Evaluation of current policies on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in Indian agriculture
Author: Vijay Singh, Muthukumar Bagavathiannan, Bhagirath Singh Chuhan and Samar 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 (1) 25-29 (2019)
Subject: Evaluation of current policies on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in Indian agriculture
Keywords: DGCA, drone policy, precision agriculture, remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles
Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly called ‘drones’ have enormous potential for technological advances in many sectors including agriculture. The recent revision in UAV policy by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India, can impact the pace of research and development in Machine vision capabilities in the country. Several other countries that have framed UAV policy previously are continuously bringing changes to the existing framework to make it more user friendly. India can learn from those changes and bring out a comprehensive update to foster a broader application of these tools in agriculture. This policy review provides suggestions and solutions for increasing licensing centres, limiting UAV speed and weight for safer flights and including aerial pesticide applications in UAV permits to revolutionize the multibillion-dollar agriculture industry. This article has also examines the current UAV regulations in four other countries.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Hunt Jr. E.R., and Daughtry, C.S., What good are unmanned aircraft systems for agricultural remote sensing and precision agriculture? Int. J. Remote Sens., 2018, 39, 5345-5376. Zhang, C. And Kovacs, J.M., The application of small unmanned aerial systems for precision agriculture: a review. Precis. Agric., 2012, 13, 693-712.
Literature cited 2: Nebiker, S., Annen, A., Scherrer, M.and Oesch, D., A light-weight multispectral sensor for micro UAV –opportunities for very high resolution airborne remote sensing.Int.Arch.Photogramm.Remote Sens.Spat.Inf.Sci., 2008, 37, 1193-1199. Gao, J. Et al. Fusion of pixel and object-based features for weed mapping using unmanned aerial vehicle imagery. Int. J. Appl. Earth Obs. Geoinf., 2018, 67, 43-53.

ID: 63333
Title: Rapid sedimentation and organic matter accumulation in the Kashmir Himalayan lakes: a challenge for lake managers
Author: Aasif Mohmad Lone
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 (1) 23-24 (2019)
Subject: Rapid sedimentation and organic matter accumulation in the Kashmir Himalayan lakes: a challenge for lake managers
Keywords: Rapid sedimentation, organic matter accumulation, Kashmir Himalayan Lakes, challenge, Lake Managers
Abstract: Freshwater constitutes a little less than 3 % of the total volume of water present on the Earth’s surface. However, freshwater ecosystems have a strong bearing on the economy of a country by providing potable water, fish and fodder for the local people. They are also the most vulnerable habitats as they act as major sinks for weathered sediments, sewage and waste disposal from catchments areas. Human interferences within the lacustrine systems have significantly altered them.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sarkar, S., Prakasam, M., Upasana, S., Bhushan, R., Gaury, P.K. and Meena, N.K., Himalayan Geol., 2016, 37, 1-7. Romshoo, S.A., Altaf, S., Rashid, I. And Dar, R.A., Geomat.Nat.Hazards Risk, 2018, 9, 224-248.
Literature cited 2: Lone, A.M., Shah, R.A., Achyuthan, H. AND Fousiya, A.A.Environ.Earth Sci., 2018, 77; doi: 10.1007/s12665-018-7242-8 Shah, R.A., Achyuthan, H., Lone, A. M.and Ramanibai, R., J.Geol.Soc.India, 2017, 90; doi: 10.1007/s12594-017-0694-8.

ID: 63332
Title: High incidence of Scandium and REV in garnets from coastal sands of India
Author: Manabendra Ray Choudhary, Panna Deb, HillolJyoti Singha
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 (1) 21-23 (2019)
Subject: Seediness as an invasive trait in Mimosa diplotricha Sauvalle in tropical grassland
Keywords: Seediness, Invasive trait, Mimosa diplotricha, Tropical grassland
Abstract: For successful invasion into an ecosystem, a species always depends upon some traits such as high growth rate, successive reproduction, higher number of seeds with low mass, seed viability and seedling mortality. Among these traits, the reproductive behaviour of a plant is mainly associated with its invasiveness. Seed production and germination are the two key processes associated with the initial phase of plant establishment, which determine the fate of an invasive plant in anew region, and that is especially true for annuals reproducing exclusively by seed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Mason, R.A.B., Cooke, J., Moles, A.T. and Leishman, M.R., Flobal Ecol. Biogeogr., 2008, 17, 633-640. Rejmanek, M.and Richardson, D.M., Ecology, 1996, 77, 1655-1661.
Literature cited 2: Crawley, M.J., Harvey, P.H., and Purvis, A.N.D.A., Philis, T.R., Soc.B. 1996, 351, 1251-1259. Lakkar, B.P., Talukdar, B.K. and Sarma, P., Pachyderm, 2011, 49, 33-39.

ID: 63331
Title: High incidence of Scandium and REV in garnets from coastal sands of India
Author: A.C. Dinesh, N.V. Nisha, Rachna Pillai
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 (1) 20-21 (2019)
Subject: High incidence of Scandium and REV in garnets from coastal sands of India
Keywords: High incidence of Scandium, REV, coastal sands of India
Abstract: The economic heavy mineral suite in beach, dune and offshore sands of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh (AP), Tamil Nadu (TN) and Kerala costs in India mainly comprises ilmenite, garnet, sillimanite, rutile, monazite and zircon. The garnet collected from Kalingapatnam coast, AP reported high incidence (point Analysis by EPMA) of rare earth elements (REE) (1500-5300 ppm) especially HREE.EPMA of a few garnet grains collected off Anjengo, Kerala, also showed encouraging REE (1200-5000 ppm) values.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Panda N.K. Sahoo, P., Rao, A.Y., Ramesh Kumar, K. and Rai, A.K.J. Geosci. Res. Spec. Vol., 2017, 1, 131-138. Beena, S., Subhash, N., Gopakumar, B., Vidya, S., Anju, P.V. and Vhatkar, K.L., Report on Evaluation of Heavy Mineral Resources in Marine Sediments off Anjngo, Trivandrum District, Kerala, Unpub, Report, Geol Surv. India, 2017.
Literature cited 2: Rudnick,R.L.and Gao,S., In The Crust: Treatise on Geochemistry (ed.Rudnick,R.,L.) ,Elsevier-Pergamon,Oxford,UK,2003, 3, 1, 164. Aarbuzov, S.I., Volostnov, A.V., Mezhibor, A.M.and Rybalko, V.I.Int.J.Coal Geol., 2014, 125, 22-35.

ID: 63330
Title: Consumption rate and predatory preference of the predaceous mite, Neoseiulus californicus to Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus lewisi on strawberry in California, USA
Author: Paramjit Kaur and Frank G. Zalom
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2097-2101 (2019)
Subject: Consumption rate and predatory preference of the predaceous mite, Neoseiulus californicus to Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus lewisi on strawberry in California, USA
Keywords: Eotetranychus lewisi, Neoseiulus californicus, pest management, strawberry, Tetranychus urticae
Abstract: We studied the predatory efficiency and preference of Neoseiulus californicus to Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus lewisi on strawberry. The results indicated that N.californicus preferred to consume E. lewisi and cause more mean per cent reduction (90.00-96.66) compared to T. urticae (60.00-80.00).Although N. californicus appeared to prefer E.lewisi, its efficiency in feeding upon T.urticae makes it a useful natural enemy in an IPM programme for the control of T.urticae and E.lewisi on strawberry.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sato, M.E., Silva, M., Goncalves, L.R., Souza Filho, M.F. and Raga., Differential toxicity of pesticides to Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch Acari:Tetranychidae) on strawberry.Neotrop.Entomol., 2002, 31, 449-456. Lourencao, A.L., de Moraes, G.J. and Passos, F.A., Resistance of strawberries to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acri: Tetranychidae) .Ann. Soc. Entomol. Bras., 2000, 29, 339-346.
Literature cited 2: Oatman, E.R., Mite species on strawberry in southern California. J. Econ. Entomol. 1971, 64, 1313-1314. Oatman, E.R., Wyman, J.A., Browning, H.W. and Voth, V., Effects of releases and varying infestation levels of the two spotted spider mite on strawberry yield in southern California.J.Econ. Entomol., 1981, 74, 112-115.

ID: 63329
Title: Empirical modelling for retrieval of foliar traits in cotton crop using spatial data
Author: Ramandeep Kaur M. Malhi and G. Sandhya Kiran
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2089-2096 (2019)
Subject: Empirical modelling for retrieval of foliar traits in cotton crop using spatial data
Keywords: Cotton crop, empirical models, foliar trait, spatial data
Abstract: The present study conducted in cotton fields of Vadodara district, Gujarat, India during Kharif season of 2009-10, aimed at assessing foliar traits, in particular crop leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll content (CC) from space-borne optical LANDSAT 5 TM and IRS LISS-IV satellite data. Field measurements of these foliar traits coinciding with the dates of the satellite data for cotton were used for validation of RS-based VI-LAI and VI-CC empirical models developed in the present study. These models developed for LAI estimation in cotton crop showed good correlation with R2 varying from 0.592 to 0.805, and CC between 0.585 and 0.746 with P at 0.01 level in both cases. It has been observed that the potential of NDVI-LAI and NDVI-CC empirical models were better compared to RVI-LAI and RVI-CC models. The VI-LAI and VI-CC models derived from LISS-IV data were better estimators of LAI compared to LANDSAT.A highR2 value between ground-measured foliar traits and those predicted using empirical models complemented the validation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Asner, G.P., Biophysical and biochemical sources of variability in canopy reflectance. Remote Sensing Environ. 1998, 64, 234-253. Houborg, R., Soegaard, H. and Boegh, E., Combining vegetation index and model inversion methods for the extraction of key vegetation biophysical parameters using Terra and Aqua MODIS reflectance data. Remote Sensing Environ., 2007, 16 (1), 39-58.
Literature cited 2: Watson, D.J., Comparative physiological studies in the growth of field crops. I. Variation in net assimilation rare and leaf area between species and varieties, and within and between years. Ann. Bot., 1947, 11, 41-76. Bonan, G., Importance of leaf area index and forest type when estimating photosynthesis in boreal forests. Remote Sensing Environ. 1993, 43 (3), 303-314.

ID: 63328
Title: Evaluation of high rate MBBR to predict optimal design parameters for higher carbon and subsequent ammoniacal nitrogen removal
Author: Sandip Magdum and V.Kalyanraman
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2083-2088 (2019)
Subject: Evaluation of high rate MBBR to predict optimal design parameters for higher carbon and subsequent ammoniacal nitrogen removal
Keywords: Graphically, HRT, MBBR, Optimized, Organic load, Wastewater
Abstract: The high rate moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) processes were designed for wastewater treatment to meet the past effluent discharge norms of biological oxygen demand (BOD) <50 mg/l. However, they are incapable of meeting current effluent discharge norms which consist of BOD <10 mg/l and total nitrogen <10mg/l. This study analyses the effect and variation of organic loading ate from 1.21 kg to 4.59 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m3day) and surface loading rate from 4.9 g to 24 g cod /m2 day) on a high rate MBBR performance. The results of COD reduction (NH3-Nred) were in the range of65.4 % to 87.8 % and 11.8 % and 11.8 % to 47.2 % respectively. The projected graphical optimization defines the design parameters for MBBR and also predicts COD red and subsequent NH3-Nred.By understanding this subsequent NH3-Nred in the MBBR system, future designs for engineering technologies will be aided.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Loukidou, M.X. and Zouboulis, A.I., Comparison of two biological treatment processes using attached –growth biomass for sanitary landfill leachate treatment .Environ. Pollut. 2011, 111, 273-281. Schmidt, T.M. and Schaechter, M., Topics in Ecological and Environmental Microbiology, Elsevier/Academic Press, Amsterdam, Boston, 2012.
Literature cited 2: Magdum, S.S. and Kalyanraman, V., Existing biological nitrogen removal processes and current scope of advancement. Res. J. Chem., Environ., 2017, 21, 43-53. Odegaard, H., Gisvold, B. and Stickland, J. The influence of carrier size and shape in the moving bed biofilm process. Water Sci., Technol., 2000, 41, 383-391.

ID: 63327
Title: Fluoride removal by novel composite material and its performance in the fixed-bed column filter
Author: Mahipal, Hasan Ahmed Faisal, Arkamitra Kar and Trishikhi Ray Choudhury
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2077-2083 (2019)
Subject: Fluoride removal b novel composite material and its performance in the fixed-bed column filter
Keywords: Activated carbon, cerium, composite material, fixed-bed column, fluoride removal
Abstract: The objectives of this study are to (i) evaluate the process controlling fluoride (F-) removal by cerium-impregnated activated carbon (AC-Ce) composite, and (ii) assess the performance of that composite in the fixed bed column as a filter. The AC-Ce composites were synthesized by collecting AC from different sources (ACDarco and ACEco).The observations from this study suggest that the homogeneous distribution of amorphous Ce within ACbarco-Ce results in high F- sorption. Formation of crystalline CeO2 and small pore size of ACEco inhibits F- sorption by ACEco-Ce. The ACDarco-CCe composite in fixed-bed filter media can treat up to 722 ml of F- contaminated water.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bhatnagar, A., Kumar, E. and Silanpaa, M., Fluoride removal from water by adsorption-a review.Chem.Eng.J.2011, 171, 811-840. Liao, X.-P and Shi, B., Adsorption of fluoride on zirconium (iv) –impregnated collagen fiber. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2005, 39, 4628-4632.
Literature cited 2: Wang, M., Yu, X., Yang, C., X., Lin, M., Guan, L. And Ge, M., Removal of fluoride from aqueous solution by Mg-Al-Zr triple –metal composite .Chem. Eng. J., 2017, 322, 246-253. Kalidindi, S., Vecha, M., Kar, A.and Raychoudhury, T., Aluminium-cerium double-metal impregnated activated carbon: a novel composite for fluoride removal from aqueous solution. Water Sci. Technol: Water Suppl, 2017, 17, 115-124.

ID: 63326
Title: Eco-geomorphic assessment of the Varanasi Turtle Sanctuary and its implication for Ganga River conservation
Author: Gaurav Kailash Sonkar, Kumar Gaurav, Niladri Dasgupt, Syed Ainul Hussain and Rajiv Sinha
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2063-2071 (2019)
Subject: Eco-geomorphic assessment of the Varanasi Turtle Sanctuary and its implication for Ganga River conservation
Keywords: Hydraulic geometry, planform morphology, river conservation, turtle sanctuary
Abstract: The eco-geomorphology of the Varanasi Turtle Sancturay (VTS) located on the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh, India was examined for its stability using hydraulic geometry of the channels, such s width, depth and discharge acquired from an acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, and the mapping of planform morphology from remote-sensing images. Planform maps were generated using Corona and Landsat satellite images for the period 1965-2018.The assessment suggests a well-defined, stable cross-section profile along this stretch of the river. It provides conclusive evidence that the geomorphology of the Ganga River within the VTS has remained stable for the past 50 years, except for some minor changes in the form of bar growth and erosion both upstream and down-stream of the sanctuary. Construction activities along the bank, movement of large vessels, sand mining in the sanctuary or dredging of the main channel may destabilize the river geomorphology that will negatively affect the integrity of the VTS as well as the ghats at Varanasi.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kumar, S., Jha, P. and Baier, K., Pollution of Ganga River due to urbanization of Varanasi: Adverse conditions faced by the slum population .Environ. Urban ASIA, 2012, 3, 343-352. MoEF, Annual Report 1989-90, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (GoI), 1990.
Literature cited 2: WII, Assessment of the Wildlife values of the Ganga River from Bijnor to Ballia including turtle wildlife sanctuary, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018. Behera, S., Areendran, G., Gautam, P. and Sagar, V., For a living Ganga, 2011.

ID: 63325
Title: Determination of an effective pollinator for the rare and endangered Urophysa rochkii and the effects of its floral organs on flower visiting by insects
Author: Pengfei Bie, Ting Tang, Jinyao Hu, Lushai Zhang and Qiuyue Zhao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2055-2062 (2019)
Subject: Determination of an effective pollinator for the rare and endangered Urophysa rochkii and the effects of its floral organs on flower visiting by insects
Keywords: Pollination biology, flower-visiting insects, floral organs, Urophysa rochkii
Abstract: Pollination is an important part of fertilization and reproduction in seed plants. Pollen movement largely restricts gene flow among individual plants and the manner of reproduction in a population, thereby affecting the genetic traits and fitness of plant offspring. For insect-pollinator-based plants, the flower-visiting characteristic, frequency and timing of the pollinating insects have decisive effects on the successful pollination of plants, whereas the colour and morphology of various floral components are important factors affecting the pollinating insects. Based on the pollination biology of plants, we studied the pollination mechanisms and links of rophysa rochkii to understand its endangered status. Using U.rochkii at the full flowering period for the study, and using methods to observe, record, and perform experimental analysis, we recorded the species, frequency and flower visiting time of these insects every 15 min and observed the effects of weather and temperature on the insects. Additionally, we captured the flower visiting insects, brought them to the laboratory, and took photographs under a dissecting electron microscope for observation and identification. U. rochkii plants were grouped under different treatments that included removal of sepals, stamens and or pistils, while untreated plants were included as control group. In summary, the effects of floral components on the pollination process were examined. The experimental results showed that he effective pollinator of U.rochkii was Apis cerana Fabricius, and that sky-blue sepal was the most important factor affecting the flower-visiting frequency of the pollinators.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Klinkhamer, P., Plant-pollinator interaction: from specialization to generalization .Ann .Bot. 206, 98, 899-900. Khors, Rosa, R. and Koptur, S., New findings on the pollination biology of Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) in Roraima, Brazil: Linking Dioecy, wind, and habitat. Am. J. Bot., 2013, 100 (3), 613-621.
Literature cited 2: La, Rosa, R.J. and Conner, J.K., Floral function: effects of traits on pollinators, a male and female pollination success, and female fitness across three species of milkweeds (Asclepias).Am. J. Bot., 2017, 104, 150-160. Ollerton, J. Winfree, R. and Tarrant, How many plants are pollinated by animals? Oikos, 2011, 120, 321-326.

ID: 63324
Title: Does rise in temperature adversely affect soil fertility, carbon fractions, microbial biomass and enzyme activities under different land uses?
Author: Dibyendu Chatterjee, Rukuosituo Kuotsu, Merasenla Ao, Saurav Saha, Sanjay Kuma Ray and S.V.Ngachan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2044-2054 (2019)
Subject: Does rise in temperature adversely affect soil fertility, carbon fractions, microbial biomass and enzyme activities under different land uses?
Keywords: Carbon, landuse, microbial biomass, soil enzyme activity, temperature effects.
Abstract: We studied the variably dynamic response of different soil properties under the exposure of three elevated temperature treatments on six land-use systems. After one month of incubation, the associated changes were measured in terms of soil fertility, carbon, microbial biomass and soil enzymes. Our results confirmed the significant increase (P< 0.05) in soil available nitrogen content (by 1.85-49.32 %) with the subsequent rise in incubation temperature for soils collected from orchards and agriculture land uses. We observed a steady decrease in total organic carbon (TOC) levels with increase in incubation temperature varying Between 4.1 % and 31.4 % (P< 0.05) across different soil types and land-use systems, resulting in a significant rising trend for microbial biomass carbon and labile carbon: TOC ratio up to 3°c elevation from maximum temperature. Among the soil enzymes, dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolase and ẞ-glucosidase activity increased significantly with increase in incubation temperature from the ambient temperature, while acid phosphomonoesterase and arylsulphatase activity decreased. Our current research findings will provide new insights regarding temperature control and soil C dynamics and nutrient availability in terms of modified soil enzyme activity that will be useful to model the dynamics of soil organic matter and associated nutrient availability in acid soils.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chatterjee, D. And Saha, S., Response of soil properties and soil microbial communities to the projected climate change .In Advances in Crop Environment Interaction (eds Bal, S. et al.) Springer, Singapore, 2018, pp.87-136. IPCC, Summary for policy makers .In Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( eds Field, C.B. et al.) , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge ,United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA , 2014 pp.1-32.
Literature cited 2: Kumar, K.R., Kumar, K.K and Pant, G.B., Diurnal asymmetry of surface temperature trends over India. Geophys .Res. Lett. 1994, 21, 677-680. Melillo, J., Steudler, P., Aber, J., Newkirk, K., Lux, H. and Bowles, F., Soil Warming and carbon-cycle feedbacks to the climate system. Science, 2002, 298, 2173-2176.

ID: 63323
Title: A prediction model for mining subsidence in loess-covered mountainous areas of western China
Author: Fuquan Tang, Jiaxin Lu and Pengfei Li
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2019
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 116 (12) 2036-2043 (2019)
Subject: A prediction model for mining subsidence in loess-covered mountainous areas of western China
Keywords: Deformation prediction, loess layer, mining area of western China, mining subsidence, hillside slip
Abstract: Land subsidence in the loess-covered mountainous area is complex process that contemporary models could not accurately simulate. We assumed that flat-ground mining subsidence was the result of joint action of bedrock mining subsidence under equivalent load of the loess layer and the spread of bedrock surface subsidence to land surface via thick loess layers. Quantitative relationships between equivalent load of the loess layer and equivalent exploitation width, depth, and bedrock subsidence were examined. A double-medium model of flat-ground mining subsidence based on stochastic medium theory was developed to stimulate the interactions between loess layers and bedrock. Another model was established to describe the slip deformation associated with loess in hill side mining. The two models were integrated to account for mining subsidence on flat ground and hill side. The integrated model was demonstrated to be robust in land subsidence deformation prediction for loess-covered mountainous area based on field measurement s from a mining area in Western China.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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