Enter records

ID: 62782
Title: VL Cherry Tomato 1: a nutritionally rich cherry tomato cultivar
Author: N.K.Hedau, Shri Dhar, G.V.chaudhari, P.K.Agarwal, Jagdish C. Bhatt, M.Tuti, K.S.Hooda, K.K.Mishra, R.S.Pal
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (1) 20-22 (2022)
Subject: VL Cherry Tomato 1: a nutritionally rich cherry tomato cultivar
Keywords: VL Cherry Tomato, cherry tomato cultivar
Abstract: VL Cherry Tomato 1 is a cultivar with high Vitamin C content released for India’s agro-ecological zones (I, III, VII) and developed by the pure line section method from the introduced Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) line, i.e., EC 461693.Its small, attractive bright red, oval, juicy and sweet fruits are well suited for consumption. Fruits with high vitamin C content (75.6 mg/100 g) help strengthen the human immune system. The cultivar gives a high fruit yield of 25-30 t ha-1 (90-120 fruits plant-1) under open field conditions, propelling its cultivation to be highly suited to vertical, terrace and urban gardening.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 62781
Title: Climate change hastens viral spread?
Author: Arjun R.Krishnan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (1) 10-10 (2022)
Subject: Climate change hastens viral spread?
Keywords: Climate change, viral spread
Abstract: Humankind has caused or exacerbated the climate change catastrophe in our biosphere. We are already witnessing the adverse impacts of changing climate, including extinction of several plant and animal species, depletion of ozone layer, increasing air pollution, rising sea level, etc. It is now well established that the climate is changing much faster in recent decades than in the past. The changing climate i now believed and shown to impact humans in a different way-increase in the frequency and variety of pandemic-like infections. There are at least 10, 000 viruses globally that may infect people, but the vast majority of them exist outside human habitations. Even as fears about the COVID-19 pandemic wane (Perhaps prematurely) across many regions of the world, an international research team from Georgetown University, US, explains the link between climate change and viral transmission. This study is the first comprehensive evaluation of how climate change would configure the global mammalian virome.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 62780
Title: Digitize types and introduce standard morphometry protocols in taxonomy
Author: Bhaskar Saikia and Bikramjit Sinha
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (1) 9-9 (2022)
Subject: Digitize types and introduce standard morphometry protocols in taxonomy
Keywords: Digitize, standard morphometry, taxonomy
Abstract: While describing a new species, it is often considered a good practice to examine and compare the types of all the congeners, which sometimes is made mandatory by reviewers. This often requires visitation to the repositories/natural history museums where the types of the congeners are deposited. Although taxonomically it is prudent to do so, practically it is not possible at times as the researcher may need to travel to many repositories which are sometimes spread across many countries. This is not easy due to the high travel cost, which might not be feasible for many researchers. Moreover, with the current COVID pandemic, such extensive travel is now, at best, avoidable. Therefore, can we think of a way to resolve this issue.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Berendsohn, W.G.and Seltmann, P., Biodivers.Inform, 2010, 7, 120-129. Short, A.E.Z., Dikow, T.and moreau, C.S., Annu.Re v.Entomol. 2018, 63, 513-530.
Literature cited 2: Wheeler, Q. Et al., Zookeys, 2012, 209,193-202. Gemeneinholzer, B. et al., Org. Divers. Evol., 2020, 20, 1-8.

ID: 62779
Title: Development of sensitive and single-step PCR-based assay for detection of sandal spike phytoplasma
Author: Muthulakshmi Eswaran, Karthick Thangaraj, Balasubramanian Aiyar, Suma Arun Dev, Swathi Balakrishnan and Modhumita Ghosh Dasgupta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1454 -1458 (2022)
Subject: Development of sensitive and single-step PCR-based assay for detection of sandal spike phytoplasma
Keywords: Control measures, diagnostic markers, nested PCR, pathogen, Phytoplasma, sandal spike disease
Abstract: Santalum album commonly known as Indian Sandalwood, is extensively exploited due to its demand in the international market for essential oil. In the Indian subcontinent, the species is approaching commercial extinction due to over exploitation and sandal spike disease caused by phytoplasma. Molecular detection using PCR and RFLP is reported for disease diagnosis. In the present study, a single-step, stringent PCR-based assay was developed to detect the sandal spike phytoplasma. The titre estimation revealed that the marker-maintained detection sensitivity up to 0.8 ng of template DNA. Subsequent to validation of the marker in a larger number of symptomatic individuals, this diagnostic assay can be routinely used to detect the pathogen. It will facilitate early detection and enable plantation managers to take adequate measures to control the spread of the disease.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Rashkow, E.D. Perfumed the axe that laid it low: the endangerment of sandalwood in Southern Indian. Indian Econ.Soc.Hist.Rev. 2014, 51, 41-70. Thomas, S. Detection of sandal spike phytoplasma using immunological and molecular techniques. Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 200.
Literature cited 2: Teixeira da Silva, Jaime, A., Kher, M.M., Soner, D. and Nataraj, M., Sandalwood spike disease: a brief synthesis.Environ.Exp.Bot. 2016, 14, 199-204. Wientraub, G. and Beanland, L., Insect vectors of phytoplasmas.Annu, Rev., Entomol., 2006, 51, 91-111.

ID: 62778
Title: Scientific techniques for Melia dubia-based agroforestry systems: an emerging indigenous tree species for wood-based industries in India
Author: S.B.Chavan, A.R. Uthappa, K.B.Sridhar and Vijaysinha Kakade
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1451 -1454 (2022)
Subject: Scientific techniques for Melia dubia-based agroforestry systems: an emerging indigenous tree species for wood-based industries in India
Keywords: Agroforestry system, indigenous tree species, livelihood opportunities, Melia dubia, wood-based industries.
Abstract: Melia dubia is an indigenous, fast-growing and most favoured tree species, being promoted as an alternative to many exotic industrial tree species in India. It is amenable for pulp, pencil, packaging and plywood production. It has been widely cultivated by farmers in the southern states and to some extent in the central and North Indian states. It is the most promising agroforestry tree species suited for mixed, block and boundary plantations with biomass production of 80-250 t ha-1 from 4 to 8 years of planting. The economic profitability is Rs 24, 000-137, 500 per acre per year in different parts of the country. Under the scenario of shifting the momentum of farmers towards assured income-generating commodities like agro-forestry, M.dubia is proving highly beneficial to them in terms of monetary and other livelihood opportunities.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chavan, S. B. et al., Melia dubia: an indigenous tree species for industrial agro forestry in India. Indian Farm, 2021, 71 (6), 7-11. Chaturvedi, O.P. et al., Promising Agroforesty Tree species in India, Central Agro forestry Research Institute (CAFRI), Jhansi, and the south Asia Regional Programme of World Agro forestry (ICRAF), New Delhi, 2017.
Literature cited 2: Mohanty, S. et al., Influences of Melia dubia Cav.Spatial geometries on growth, herbage yield and essential oil constituents of Cymbopogon martini (oxb) Wats.J.Essent.Oil-Bear.Plants, 2019, 22 (3), 630-648; doi:10.1080/0972060X.2019.1642144. Parthiban, K.T., Chauhan, S.K. and Jude Sudhakar, R., Malabar Neem Melia dubia.Agronois (India), Jodhpur, 2019, p.231.

ID: 62777
Title: Acceleration models for two-wheelers and cars in mixed traffic: effect of unique vehicle-following interactions and driving regimes
Author: Kavitha Madhu, Karthik K.Srinivasan and R.Sivanandan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1441 -1450 (2022)
Subject: Acceleration models for two-wheelers and cars in mixed traffic: effect of unique vehicle-following interactions and driving regimes
Keywords: Acceleration models, driving regimes, mixed traffic attributes, local alrea concentration, vehicle trajectory extraction
Abstract: Driving behaviour in mixed traffic conditions is characterized by vehicle heterogeneity and lane-less movement. In such traffic conditions, the following response of a vehicle may be discontinuous and gets triggered when certain thresholds on relative speed and spacing with the leaders are crossed. In this context, the present study segments vehicular response into driving regimes using vehicle trajectory data based on relative speed and position. Acceleration models are formulated by featuring driving regimes and their interactions with mixed traffic attributes. These models are used to study the differences in the following behaviour of two-wheelers and cars. The proposed models capture the asymmetric behaviour and account for differences across driving regimes, resulting in a significantly better fit and realistic representation of mixed traffic.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Raju N.Kumar, P., Arkatkar, S.S. and Joshi, G., Application of trajectory data for investigating vehicle behaviour in mixed traffic environment.Transp.Res.Rec., 2018, 2672 (43), 122-133. Kan, X., Ramezani, H. and Benekohal, R., Calibration of VISSIM for freeway work zones with time varying capacity. Presented at the 93 rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, USA, 2014.
Literature cited 2: Menneni, S., Sun, C.and Vortisch, P., An integrated microscopic and macroscopic calibration for psychophysical car following models. Presented at the 88th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, USA, 2009. Sarvi, M. and Ejtemai, O., Exploring heavy vehicles ‘car-following behaviour. In Proceedings of the 34th Australasian Transport Research Forum, Adelaide, Australia, 2011.

ID: 62776
Title: Study of intertidal molluscan diversity of the Dakshina Kannada coast, India using remote sensing and GIS techniques
Author: Sandhya Leeda D’Souza, H.Gangadhara Bhat and Bhasker Shenoy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1426 -1440 (2022)
Subject: Study of intertidal miolluscan diversity of the Dakshina Kannada coast, India using remote sensing and GIS techniques
Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, coastline, geomorphology, molluscs, satellite data
Abstract: The intertidal fauna of the Dakshina Kannada cast, Karnataka, India, are facing a threat due to several factors. In the present study, we delineate various changes in the selected intertidal habitats along the coastline of the Dakshina district, to correlate these changes with the diversity of molluscs in the intertidal zones. The study also aims at understanding the threat faced by molluscs due to various factors. This study was carried out from November 2016 to September 2017.Mapping of the coastline of Dakshina Kannada was done using topographical maps and Indian Remote Sensing Satellite data were processed using ERDAS IMAGINE 9.1 software and various land-use/land-cover classes were analysed using ArcGIS 10.1. The resulting coastal maps were used to estimate the geomorphological changes and shifting o the shoreline position due to erosion and accretion. Shoreline changes were correlated to diversity changes within intertidal mollusc communities. The study revealed the abundance of molluscs at the intertidal zone of Sasihithlu and species richness at Someshwar and Panambur during post-monsoon. Significant correlation was observed between water temperature and diversity of molluscs, indicating that water temperature is the important physic-chemical parameter responsible for the change in molluscan diversity of the Dakshina Kannada coast. The variation in land-use/land-cover during the study period was analysed .The coastline has been threatened by different land-use patterns such as urbanization, in- dustrialization, developmental activities, erosion and accretion. The changes occurring along the coastline during this study due to industrialization and anthropogenic factors have been discussed, which help in the implementation of conservation measures and protect the sensitive habitats of the shelled organisms.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Jaiswar, A.K. and Kulkarni, B.G., Vertical distribution of molluscs in intertidal area in and around Mumbai. India .J.Indian Fish.Asoc., 2001, 28, 93-100. Ponder, W.F. and Lindbertg, D.R., Phylogeny of the molluscs. World congress of Mallacolog, 2004 (accessed on 9 March 2009).
Literature cited 2: Green, E.P., Mumby, P.J., Edwards, A.J. and Clark, C.D.A review of remote sensing for the assessment and management of tropical coastal resources. Coastal Manage, 1996, 24, 1-40; https://doi.org/10.1080/0892759609362279. Godet, L., Fournier, F.Toupoint, N. and Olivier, F., Mapping and monitoring intertidal benthic habitats: a review of techniques and a proposal for a new visual methodology for the European coasts.Prog.Phys.Geofr, 009, 33(3), 378-402; https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133309342650.

ID: 62775
Title: Macrofungal diversity and distribution in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, Jammu and Kashmir
Author: Y.PSharma, S.A.J.Hashmi, Roshi Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar and R.K.Manhas
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1415 -1425 (2022)
Subject: Macrofungal diversity and distribution in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, Jammu and Kashmir
Keywords: Agaricomycetes, diversity and distribution, environmental factors, macrofungal communities, National Park
Abstract: The present study was conducted at 10 sites in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park (KHANP), Jammu and Kashmir, India, with the objective to analyse the diversity and distribution of macrofungal communities. A total of 40 permanent plots (four plots in each site) were established and macofungal fruiting bodies were recorded monthly from each plot between July 2015 and October 2017.Diversity indices and canonical correspondence analysis were applied to determine the composition and environmental factors responsible for structuring the macrofungal communities in the study area. In total, 83 wild macrofungal species were identified belonging to 35 genera, 24 families and 9 orders. Humicolous fungi were the most dominant group of macrofungi contributing 71.8 % of the total dominance, followed by lignicolous fungi (11.8%). The distribution of fruiting bodies of macrofungal species was mainly in groups, i.e., aggregated pattern (75.9%). The diversity indices varied from 20 to 37 (richness), 2.04 to 3.16 (Menhinick), 4.14to 7.25 (Margalef), 0.03 to 0.06 (Simpson’s dominance), 2.91 to 3.49 (Shannon-Wiener’s diversity), 0.86 to 0.95 (evenness), 7.69 to 16.29 (Fisher’s alpha) and 0.05 to 0.12 (Berger-Parker diversity).Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that Scleroderma verrucosum, Boletus granulates and Ramaria Formosa were the most important species, and that mean temperature and rainfall were the key environmental factors responsible for the diversity and distribution of macrofungi in the present study.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Swift, M.J. Heal, O.W. and Anderson, J.M., Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems .IN Studies in Ecology, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, UK, 1979. Muthukrishnan, S., Sanjayan, K.P. and Jahir, H.K., Species composition, seasonal changes and community ordination of alkolotolerant micro fungal diversity in a natural scrub jungle ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, India. Mycosphere, 2012, 3 (2), 92-109.
Literature cited 2: Kjoller, A. and Struwe, S., Microfungi in ecosystems: fungal occurrence and activity in litter and soil.Oikos, 1982, 39, 389-422. Ambrosio, E., Lancelotti, E., Brotzu, R., Salch, H., Franceschini, A. and Zotti, M., Assessment of macrofungal diversity in a Slver Fi plantation in Sardinia (Italy) using a standardized sampling procedure. Micol. Ital., 2015, 44, 1-17.

ID: 62774
Title: Acoustic full-waveform tomography of realistic 2D synthetic seismic elastic data
Author: Damodara Nara and Kalachand Sain
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1407 -1414 (2022)
Subject: Acoustic full-waveform tomography of realistic 2D synthetic seismic elastic data
Keywords: Elastic and acoustic data, frequency domain, hydrocarbon exploration, ocean-bottom seismometer, waveform tomography
Abstract: Advanced computing facilities accelerate the research in highly computational seismic imaging techniques (full-waveform tomography (FWT) and migration) that play a vital role in hydrocarbon exploration. We have carried out a synthetic study to understand the practical intricacies of FWT for its successful application to field seismic data by choosing different strategies. The results show that he high-resolution features, which are missing from the conventional travel time tomography, are well imaged by the FWT, Further, frequency overlapping is more suitable than discrete frequencies without overlapping for FWT in obtaining reasonable results from multiscale imaging.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Lailly, P. The seismic inverse problem as a sequence of before attack migrations. In Conference on Inverse Scattering –Theory and Application (eds Bednar, J.B. et al.), Society for industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), Philadelphia, USA, 1983, pp.206-220. Trantola, A., Inversion, A., Inversion of seismic reflection data in the acoustic approximation. Geophysics, 1984, 49, 1259-1266.
Literature cited 2: Virieux, J. and Operto, S. An overview of full waveform inversion in exploration geophysics, 2009, 74, WCC127-WCC152. Bohlen, T., Interpretation of measured seismograms by means of visco-elastic finite difference modelling. Ph.D. thesis, Kiel University, Germany, 1998.

ID: 62773
Title: Exploration and selection of elite germplasm of Oroxylum indicum (L) Vent (Shyonak) in the forest divisions of Punjab, India
Author: B.P.Tamta, Rakesh Kumar, Sushmita Uniyal and Arun Uniyal
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1401 -1406 (2022)
Subject: Exploration and selection of elite germplasm of Oroxylum indicum (L) Vent (Shyonak) in the forest divisions of Punjab, India
Keywords: Conservation, elite germplasm, forest divisions, medicinal value, Oroxylum indicum
Abstract: Oroxylum indicum is a widely used multipurpose tree with its medicinal importance recognized by Ayurveda for centuries, as almost all parts of this tree possess medicinal value. Extracts of root and stem bark have antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties. The high demand for this medicinal plant has caused a gradual depletion of the species from its natural habitat. The present study has been carried out to assess the distribution and mapping for the selection of elite germplams on the basis of principal active constituents in different forest divisions of Punjab, India. The analysis led to the selection of three samples having a higher percentage of oroxyllin-A, baicalein and chrysin. Three screened-out germplasms are recommended for conservation and multiplication to produce quality planting stock.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gokhale, M. and Bansal, Y.K., An avowal of importance of endangered tree Oroxylum indicum (L) Vent.Nat.Prod.Radiance, 2006, 5, 112-114. Chauhan,N.S.Oroxylum indicum, descriptive profile of plants. In Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Himachal Pradesh, Indus Publishing, New Delhi,2006, 2nd edn, pp.296-298.
Literature cited 2: Sasidharan,N., Biodiversity Documentation for Kerala-Flowering Plants, Vol.6, Forest Research Insititute ,Peechi, 2004, pp.321-324. Biswas, K. P. and Ghosh, E., Bharater Bonoushodi, Calcutta University, 1994, vol.3, 2nd edn.p.858.

ID: 62772
Title: Molecular diversity of Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) from India based on internal transcribed spacer 1 gene
Author: Govindharaj Guru-Pirasannna-Pandi, Aashish Kumar Anant, Jaipal Singh Choudhary, Soumya Bharti Babu, G.Basana-Gowda, M.Annamalai, Naveenkumar Patil, Totan Adak, P.Panneerselvam and Prakash Chandra Rath
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1392 -1400 (2022)
Subject: Molecular diversity of Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) from India based on internal transcribed spacer 1 gene
Keywords: Genetic structure, haplotypes, molecular diversity, Nilaparvata lugens, rice
Abstract: Brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, is the major pest of rice in India and causes significant yield loss. It causes damage by sucking the plant sap leading to a characteristic symptom called ‘hopper burn’. The present study was undertaken to assess the genetic variability of N.lugens populations from different rice ecologies in India, to comprehend and assist in planning proper management strategies. We evaluated the molecular diversity in 17 N.lugens populations based on internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITSI) gene sequences. In all, 53 unique haplotypes were identified and their numbers varied from 1 to 10 in the sampled populations. Genetic diversity indices like nucleotide diversity, haplotype number, haplotype diversity and average number of nucleotide differences revealed low to high levels of genetic diversity among the populations. A highly significant negative relation of Fu’s F and Tajima’s D tests with insignificant sum of square deviation (SSD) values indicated possible recent expansion of N.lugens in different Indian regions with a population expansion time of 3.9 million years. A non-significant correlation in isolation pattern by distance indicated that geographic barriers present in India are inadequate to bring genetic differentiation among N.lugens from different migratory populations. In the present study, the ITSI gene sequence was used to analyse genetic structure among N.lugens in India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Pandi, G.G.P., Chander, S., Pal, M. and Pathak, H., Impact of elevated CO2 and temperature on brown planthopper population in rice ecosystem.Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.India, Sect.B, 2016, 88 (1), 57-64. Jena, M. et al., Paradigm shift of insect pests in ice ecosystem and their management strategy. Oryza, 2018, 55, 82-89.
Literature cited 2: Pandi, G.G.P., Chander, 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), 767-777. Li, S., Wang, H. and Zhoum, G.S., Synergism between southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus and Rice ragged stunt virus enhances their insect vector acquisition. Phytopathology, 2014, 104, 794-799.

ID: 62771
Title: Mapping and economic evaluation of traditional wicker willow in the plains of Kashmir Himalaya, India
Author: K.N.Qaiser, Immad A.Shah, P.A.Khan, T.A.Rather, M.Banday and Meraj U.Din Dar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1385 -1391 (2022)
Subject: Mapping and economic evaluation of traditional wicker willow in the plains of Kashmir Himalaya, India
Keywords: Economic evaluation, handicrafts, mapping, sampling, wicker willow
Abstract: Wicker willow craft, locally known as Keani keam, is a handicraft from the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India, involving weaving using willow reeds. Willow weaving in an indigenous industry f the Valley. The speciality of this craft lies in the fact that a willow product serves both a decor and household utility item to store and carry edible items during special occasions. Considering the importance of wicket willow in the Kashmir Valley, the present study aimed to assess the plantation area under wicker willow, identify the potential wicker-growing areas, evaluate the profitability associated with wicket cultivation and analyse the factors affecting the productivity of wicker. The central zone of Kashmir Valley was selected on the basis of purposive sampling as bulk of the wicker-based industry is concentrated in the central zone of Kashmir Valley, particularly in the districts of Srinagar and Ganderbal. Similarly, the villages/districts were selected based on their dependence on the wicker industry. Data were collected using multistage sampling with 153 households randomly selected for the survey. Data were subjected to analysis, viz. descriptive statistics, Cobb-Douglas-type production function and profitability analysis. The net present value and benefit-cost-ratio were 43, 837.43 and 2.23 respectively; ensuring that investment in wicker cultivation is economically viable. The wicker cultivation was also profitable as the internal rate of return was 32.52%. The functional analysis revealed that the per kanal (20 kanal is equal to 1 ha) yield was significantly positively affected by the age of the plantation, number of plants sown/kanal and the amount of fertilizer applied.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Argus, G.W., Infrageneric classification of Salix L. (Salicacae) in the New World .Syst. Bot. Monogr., 1997, 52. Skvortsov, A.K., Willows of Russia and Adjacent Counties: Taxonomical and Geographical Revision, No.39, Faulty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Joensuu, Report Series, Joensuu, Finland,1999.
Literature cited 2: Huse, S.A., Singh, N.B., Gupta, A. and Anand, R.K., Genetic improvement of tree willows in India. In Exotics in Indian Forestry (eds Chauhan, S.K. et al.)., Agrotec Publishing Academy , Udaipur, 2008, pp.591-614. Dhat, U. and Kachroo,P., Alpine Flora of Kashmir Himalaya, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India, 1983, p.169.

ID: 62770
Title: Insects: biodiversity, threat status and conservation approaches
Author: Kerur Vishwanath Raghavendra, Thangavel Bhoopathi, Ravi Gowtham, Manikyanahalli Chandrashekara Keerthi, Sachin Suresh Suroshe, K.B.Ramesh, Shivakumara Kadanakuppe Thammayya, Subhash Shivaramu and Subhash Chander
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1374 -1384 (2022)
Subject: Insects: biodiversity, threat status and conservation approaches
Keywords: Insects, biodiversity, threat status conservation approaches
Abstract: Insects are an important component o he ecosystem and fast dwindling o its diversity is reported globally. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed a total of 77, 435 species of insects between 1996 and 2020, of which 18,180 (23.47%) species are reported to be threatened and the majority of threatened species was reported in Odonata followed by Orthoptera, Coleoptera,Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Out of 1843 species listed as critically endangered, endangered, extinct, extinct in wild and vulnerable, from the literature was found that 596 are predators,40 are pollinators, 164 are saprophagous , 620 are hervivores, 272 are omnivores, 137 are parasites and 14 re unknown. This study provides concise information on insect diversity, global threat status and major driving factors for population decline, which will be helpful in determining the priority insect groups that require conservation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Hill, D.S., The Economic Importance of Insects, Springer Science and Business Media, 2012. Scuder, G.G., The importance of insects. In Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2017, pp.9-13.
Literature cited 2: Samways, M.J., Insect conservation for the twenty-first century. In Insect Science –Diversity, Conservation and Nutrition, Intech, Open, London, 2018, P.98. Weisser, W.W. and Siemann, E., The various effects of insects on ecosystem functioning. In Insects and Ecosystem function, Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2008, pp.3-24.

ID: 62769
Title: Geological cues from frequent earth tremors in northern Karnataka, India
Author: R.Sajeev
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1371 -1373 (2022)
Subject: Geological cues from frequent earth tremors in northern Karnataka, India
Keywords: Geological cues, earth tremors, northern Karnataka, India
Abstract: The districts of northern Karnataka, India, such as Vijayapura, Kalaburgi and Bidar, have experienced frequent earth tremors and associated subterranean sounds from August to November 021.Repeated occurrence of such mild tremors has created panic among the local population, and a study has been carried out to understand the possible reasons for such frequent earth tremors in this area. The study area falls in zone-II of the seismic hazard map of India. The devastating Killari earthquake of 1993 (magnitude 6.3) is located 120 km NW of the locations where tremors have been repeated in Kalaburgi and 160 km NNE of the locations where tremors have been reported in Vijayapura.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: GSI, Seismo, Tectonic Atlas of India and Environs (Scale 1:1,000,000), Special Publication series, 59, Geological Survey of India, Bengaluru, 2001. Rajaram, M.et al., Geol., Soc., London, Spec.Publ. 2017, 445 (1), 219.
Literature cited 2: Reeves, C.J., Aftr. Earth. Sci., 2014, 94, 45-57. Powar, K.B., In Deccan Volcanism and Related Basalts Provinces in other Parts of World (eds Subha Rao, K.V., Sukheswala, R.N.) Geological Survey of India Memoir, 1981, vol.3, pp,45-77.

ID: 62768
Title: Larvae of Perixera Illepidaria (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), an emerging pest of mango, migrate to banana for pupation and to meet theis nemesis
Author: J.Poorani, A.Mohanasundaram, R.Thanigairaj
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 122 (12) 1367 -1370 (2022)
Subject: Larvae of Perixera Illepidaria (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), an emerging pest of mango, migrate to banana for pupation and to meet theis nemesis
Keywords: Larvae of Perixera Illepidaria, Lepidoptera, Geometridae, mango, banana, pupation
Abstract: Perixera illepidaria Guenee) (=Anisodes illepidaria Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is known to be a pest of mango in Guam. In recent years, it has been reported from India also as a pest of litchi and mango. It is distributed in the north-eastern Himalayas, Hong Kong, Sundaland, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Guam and Thailand. It is an alien invasive species in Guam under the common name ‘mango shoot looper’. Larvae of P.illepidaria have been reported to feed on mango flowers and foliage in Guam. It is a mango pest in the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. In India, P.illepidaria was first reported from Bihar as an outbreak pest on litchi during 2011-12.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Guenee, A.M., Histoire naturelle des insects, Species general des Lepidopteres, Roret, Paris, 1857, vol.9, p.421. Kumar, V.Reddy, P.V.R., Anal, A.K.D. and Nath, V., Fla, Entomol, 2014, 97(1), 22-29.
Literature cited 2: Soumya, B.R., Ph.D. thesis submitted to Jain University, Bengaluru, 2019, p.321. Verghese, A. and Soumya, B.R., 2021; https:/insectenvironment.com/f/threat-ogf-loopers-perixera-illepidaria (accessed on 20 March2022).