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ID: 62362
Title: Sustainable management of our coasts in the era of climate change
Author: S.S.C.Shenoi
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (5) 747-748 (2021)
Subject: Sustainable management of our coasts in the era of climate change
Keywords: Sustainable management, coasts, climate change
Abstract: Anthropocene Earth has warmed by at least a degree centigrade. The IPCC 2019 Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere in a changing Climate’ underscores the necessity for limiting global warming to at least the level agreed to in the Paris accord 2015.It is estimated that oceans have absorbed 90 % of the heat added to the climate system since 1970.Melting glaciers and continental ice sheets together with the thermal expansion of sea water, are causing sea-level rise. While the sea-level has risen globally ~15 cm during 20 the century, it is known to be currently rising more rapidly at 3.6 mm/year. Sea-level could rise by 30-60 cm by 2100, even if global warming is controlled below 2°C.While contribution of glacial melting and sea water warming are the major cause for sea-level rise, contribution of terrestrial water for the rise is small (0.12 mm/year between 1993 and 2010) Wada, Y. et al., Nature Climate Change, 2016, doi: 10.1038/NCLIMATE30011).The fact is that in general sea-level has risen more than what researchers could model based on known sources.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 62361
Title: A new modified nutrient media for cultivation of Actinobacteria
Author: A.N. Ganeshamurthy, B.Saritha, T.K.Radha and P.Panneerselvam
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 718-722 (2021)
Subject: A new modified nutrient media for cultivation of Actinobacteria
Keywords: Actinobacteria, modified nutrient agar media, optical density, sodium chloride
Abstract: The growth of Actinobacteria was evaluated in a new modified nutrient agar media (MNA) supplemented with 1% sodium chloride (NaCl) and compared with the universally accepted media which are under regular use. Thirteen different Actinobacterial isolates were evaluated for their growth in both solid and liquid media in MNA along with four regularly used media isp-2, kenknight, starch casein and nutrient media. Results indicated that eight isolates (Streptomyces bulli, Streptomyces griserorubens, Streptomyces A7, Streptomyces A11, Streptomyces A12 and Streptomyces A13), out of thirteen isolates could grow significantly faster on MNA compared with other solid agar media. Similarly, growth in liquid media recorded by optical density (OD) indicated that three isolates (S.griseorubens, S.viridobrunneus and A7) showed significantly higher OD followed by ISP-2, nutrient, starch casein and ken knight broth after seven days of incubation. All the isolates except S.Viridobrunneus and Streptomyces A12 could tolerate NaCl concentration up to 6% in liquid modified nutrient broth. The present study showed that Actinobacteria can be successfully grown faster with full pigmentation at 1% NaCl concentration and they can tolerate up to 5% NaCl concentration, in the new proposed MNA media.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Basu, S., Bose, C., Das, N., Das, D., Pal, M. and Khurana, S., Evolution of bacterial and fungal growth media. Bioinformation, 2015, 11, 182-184. Wasas, A.D., et al., Use of Dorset egg medium for maintenance and transport of Neisseria menigitidis and Haemophilis influenzae type b. J.Clin.Microbiol., 1999, 37, 2045.
Literature cited 2: Widdel, F., Theory and measurement of bacterial growth. Grundpraktikum Mikrobiologie, 2020, 4, 1-11. Cappuccino, J.C. and Sherman, N., Microbiology-A Laboratory Manual, Longman, USA, 1999, 4th edn.

ID: 62360
Title: Ethnic study on bastenga, a fermented bamboo shoot product of Nagaland, India
Author: Lydia Yeptho, T.Ajungla and Keviphruonuo Kuotsu
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 715-718 (2021)
Subject: Ethnic study on bastenga, a fermented bamboo shoot product of Nagaland, India
Keywords: Bamboo shoot, ethnic diversity, fermentation methods, traditional method, tribal communities.
Abstract: Bamboo shoots are a local delicacy among the Naga tribe of Nagaland, India and the art of fermentation methods marks the ethnic diversity within the region. Bastenga, a fermented bamboo shoot product of Nagaland celebrates its existence in the culinary practice of tribal homes and forms an integral part of their livelihood. Womenfolk representing various tribes from different parts of the state were interviewed through questionnaires to document the traditional methods of preparation of bastenga by the various tribes. The ethnic tradition built around bastenga involves men collecting tender shoots from the wild whereas the preparation involves women and children. The traditional knowledge is mostly passed from mothers to their daughters. The indigenous method of preparation various among the different tribes, while most methods overlap. Data on gastronomy provide cumulative information across the state. The tribal communities share a common gastronomy, which further contributes to the socio-economic and cultural ethnicity of the region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sundriyal,R.C., Upreti, T.C., and Varuni, R., Bamboo and cane resource utilization and conservation in the Apatani Plateau, Arunachal Pradesh, India: implications for management.J. Bamboo Ratan, 2002, 1(3), 205-246. Bystriakova, N., Kapos, V. and Lysenko, I., Bamboo diversity. UNEP-WCMC/INBAR, 2004.
Literature cited 2: FSI, The India state of Forest Report 2011, Forest Survey of India, 2011. Bhatt, B.P., Singha, L.B., Sachan, M.S., and Singh, K., Commercial edible bamboo species of the North-Eastern Himalayan Region, India. Part 1: Young shoot sales. J. Bamboo Rattan, 2004, 3 (4), 337-364.

ID: 62359
Title: Linnean shortfall still a major concern in India: as evident by the micromoth family Torttricidae (Lepidoptera)
Author: Santosh Naik, P.R. Shashank, N.N.Rajgopal and Naresh M.Meshram
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 712-715 (2021)
Subject: Linnean shortfall still a major concern in India: as evident by the micromoth family Torttricidae (Lepidoptera)
Keywords: Biogeographic zones, conservation, shortfalls in biodiversity, species description, tortricid moths.
Abstract: Anthropogenic activities influence rapid environmental changes on earth and the reality of climate change is a significant feature is implementing conservation action plans in many countries. The knowledge of biodiversity data is an increasingly important source of information in studies of biogeography and conservation. Presence of temporal, spatial and taxonomical gaps in biodiversity documentation is a major concern. One of the major gaps or shortfalls is the lack of taxonomical work, i.e., species descriptions called Linean shortfall. Here we evaluate patterns of species description in a major micromoth family Tortricidae from India during 1775 to 2018.We found that a total of 392 species of torticid moths have been described from the country. Among all the authors who have contributed to the species description, eight have described more than 85% of tortricid species from India. The cumulative curve of the tortricid species described showed the highest peak during 1901-1925, wherein 226 species were described from the country. Among the biogeographic zones, the Northeast Zone recorded the highest species descriptions (47.19%) followed by the Deccan Peninsula (10.71%). Our analysis shows Linnean shortfall in this group and the taxonomic expeditions are skewed towards only a few regions. Accordingly, practices to increase taxonomic expeditions, including increased funding in exploratory research and increasing species discovery rate are the need of the hour in many insect groups.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Tylianakis, J.M., Didham, R.K., Bascompte, J. and Wardle, D. A., Global change and species interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. Ecol. Lett., 2008, 11, 1351-1363. Brown, J.H. and Lomolino, M.V., Biogeography, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA, USA, 1998, 2nd edn.
Literature cited 2: Bini, L.M., Diniz-Filho, J.A., F., Ranger, T.F.L.VB., Bastos, R.P.and Plaza Pinto, M., Challenging Wallacean and Linnean shortfalls: knowledge gradients and conservation planning in a biodiversity hotspot. Divers. Distrib., 2006, 12, 475-482. Cardoso, P., Erwin, T.L., Borges, P.A. and New, T.R., The seven impediments in invertebrate conservation and how to overcome them. Biol. Conserv., 2011, 144 (11), 2647-2655.

ID: 62358
Title: Effectiveness of solar fence in reducing human-elephant conflicts in Manchahalli village, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
Author: G.Vibha, H.G. Lingaraju and G.V.Venkataramana
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 707-711 (2021)
Subject: Effectiveness of solar fence in reducing human-elephant conflicts in Manchahalli village, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
Keywords: Croplands, field survey, human-elephant conflict, solar fence.
Abstract: Human-elephant conflict is not a new issue in the state of Karnataka, India. Primary conflict involves loss of lives on both sides, loss of property and damage to crops. Solar fencing is considered to be the most effective way to mitigate the conflict between humans and elephants. An assessment on the effectiveness of solar-powered fencing was carried out in Manchahalli village, which is located adjacent to Bandipur National Park (BNP), Karnataka and is prone to frequent raids by elephants. Hence, this area was chosen as the study site. Field survey was conducted between March and April 2019, to estimate whether the installation of solar fencing had reduced the damage caused by elephants on the crops. During the survey, questions related to the following factors were considered: area of land owned by farmers, distance from the forest boundary to the croplands, types of crops grown, types of crops damaged, year of installation of solar fence, damage caused to the solar fence, methods used before the installation of solar fencing and the perceived effectiveness of the solar fence. Among the 30 croplands that were surveyed, majority were at less than 2 km from the forest, followed by others ranging between 1 and 1.5 km. Although solar fencing was not helpful in reducing the raids completely, it proved to be more effective than any other conventional method previously used.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Oswin Perera, B.M.A., The Human-elephant conflict: a review of current status and mitigation methods. Gajaha, 2009, 30, 41-52. Desai, A.A. and Riddle, H.S., Human Elephant Conflict in Asia, Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2015.
Literature cited 2: Chakraborty,S., Boominathan, D. and Desai, A.A., Using genetic analysis to estimate population size, sex ratio, and social organization in an Asian elephant population in conflict with humans in Alur, Southern India. Conserv. Genet., 2014, 15, 897-907. Ranjan, K.B. and Nabami, B., A comprehensive study of human-elephant conflict in the bordering areas of the three reserve forests of Lakhimpur district, Assam. Int. J. Interdiscip. Res. Sci. Soc. Cult., 2016, 2(1).

ID: 62357
Title: An empirical study on the influence of on-road static obstacles on driver behavior
Author: Bhupali Dutta and Vinod Vasudevan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 699-706 (2021)
Subject: An empirical study on the influence of on-road static obstacles on driver behaviour
Keywords: Driver behaviour, obstacle size, on-road static obstacles, lateral gap, vehicle speed.
Abstract: Understanding the influence of static obstacles on driver behaviour is important because drivers’ instinctual reactions may pose serious hazards to safety and mobility. The effects of road geometry, road-side infrastructure and static objects near the road on driver behaviour have been studied extensively. How-ever, no studies discuss the influence of two variables that are too likely to affect driver behaviour: obstacle size (width and length) and the side on which the statistic obstacle is present (driver’s side or passenger’s side).Controlled experiments were conducted using an instrumented vehicle to collect instantaneous driver behaviour data in the presence of on-road static obstacles. The results show that the side on which the obstacle is present influences the lateral gap. The results also show that obstacle size, both in terms of width and length, affects driving speed and lateral gap. The results of this study can aid in the analysis of safety and mobility issues related to partial lane closures, stopped vehicles and similar obstacles.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: DeLucia, P.R. and Warren, R., Pictorial and motion-based depth information during active control of self-motion: size-arrival effects on collision avoidance. J. Exp. Psychol: Hum. Percept. Perform., 1994, 20 (4), 783-798. DeLucia, P.R., Effects of size on collision perception and implications for perceptual theory and transportation safety. Psychol. Sci., 2013, 22 (30, 199-204.
Literature cited 2: Monograph on Traffic Flow Theory: A state-of-the-Art, 2001. Chakroborty, P., Agarwal, S. and Vasishtha, K. Microscopic modelling of driver behaviour in uninterrupted traffic flow. J. Transport Eng., 2004, 130 (4), 438-451.

ID: 62356
Title: Assessment of forecast skill of high-and coarse –resolution numerical weather prediction models in predicting visibility/fog over Delhi, India
Author: Aditi and Raghavendra Ashrit
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 676-683 (2021)
Subject: Assessment of forecast skill of high-and coarse –resolution numerical weather prediction models in predicting visibility/fog over Delhi, India
Keywords: Aerosol, forecast skill, visibility, fog, numerical weather prediction model
Abstract: Accurate forecasts of visibility are important to avoid disruption in air and highway traffic caused due to the formation of dense fog. However, accurate forecasting of visibility /fog remains a challenge as the genesis and development of fog is a result of many processes. In view of this, models have been developed in recent years to forecast visibility. The global Unified Model of the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, known as NCUM, provides direct output of visibility. As aviation is severely affected at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India, a high-resolution model was set up to forecast visibility over the airport. The present study analyses the performance of the coarse-resolution global model and high-resolution model in predicting visibility over Delhi. Visibility is categorized into three ranges-very poor (0-200 m), poor (200-1000 m) and clear conditions beyond 1 km. The accuracy of forecast in different ranges of visibility is determined using different statistical scores. Evaluation of the results shows that the performance of both high and coarse resolution model remains low in poor visibility conditions. Though the high-resolution model performs better than the coarse-resolution model in predicting a drop in visibility, it also has higher number of false alarms. None of the model is able to predict the very poor visibility conditions. The prediction of visibility from the high-resolution model can further be improved by inclusion of real-time aerosol fields in the model.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kulkarni, R.G., wintertime fog in Delhi and its effect on aviation economy. M.Sc. project Report Submitted to Svitribai Phule University, Pune, 2016. Basu, S.C., Fog over upper Assam. Indian J. Meteorol. Geophys., 1957, 8, 67-71.
Literature cited 2: Natrajan, G. and Banerji, R.C., Fog over Agartala Airfield. Indian J. Meteorol. Geophys, 1959, 10, 161-167. Gupta, R.K., On techniques of forecasting fog/status over the Dundigal airfield of Hyderabad. Mausam, 1987, 38, 401-406.

ID: 62355
Title: Repossession and recognition system: transliteration of antique Tamil Brahmi typescript
Author: S.Brindha and S.Bhuvaneswari
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 654-665 (2021)
Subject: Repossession and recognition system: transliteration of antique Tamil Brahmi typescript
Keywords: Ancient script, chi-square test, confusion matrix, feature extraction technique, neural networks
Abstract: Tamil is among the ancient languages in the world with a rich literature. Recognition of antique Tamil scripts is difficult and different from the present form of the language. The character recognition of Brahmi script poses a big challenge even today. In this paper, a new technique for extracting the features is proposed, and converting the ancient Tamil script into the present form. Initially, the system is implemented by performing the pre-processing steps. Then the characters are individually separated using the segmentation process. The processed image undergoes a new feature extraction technique, where the system applies a chi-square test to check whether all the zoning feature values of the image are independent or dependent. The characters are recognized form the extracted features using neural networks. NNTool is employed to train the featured image and the data are compared with the database to recognize the Brahmi characters. The feature extraction technique along with the neural network achieved recognition rate accuracy of 91.3 % and error rate of 8.7% using the confusion matrix. Our experiment has been simulated using MATLAB.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Selvakumar, P. and Ganesh, S.H., Tamil character recognition using canny edge detection algorithm. In Computing and Communication Technologies, 201, pp.250-254. Mahalakshmi, M. and Sharavanan Malathi, Ancient Tamil script and recognition and translation using LabVIEW. In International Conference on Communication and Signal Processing, 2013, pp.1021-1026.
Literature cited 2: Rajakumar, S. and Subbiah Bharathi, V., Century identification and recognition of ancient Tamil Character recognition .Int. J. Comput. Appl., 2011, 26 (4), 32-35. Vellingiriraj, E.K. and Balasubramanie, P., Recognition of Ancient Tamil handwritten characters in palm manuscripts using genetic algorithm.Int.J.Sci.Eng.Technol., 2016, 2 (5), 342-346.

ID: 62354
Title: Agroforestry practices in Tamil Nadu, India –a boon for farmers for livelihood security
Author: S.Saravanan and Nanita Berry
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 644-653 (2021)
Subject: Agroforestry practices in Tamil Nadu, India –a boon for farmers for livelihood security
Keywords: Agricultural land, agroforestry systems, farming community, economic upliftment, technological interventions
Abstract: Agroforestry systems establish a symbiosis among agriculture crops, tree species and raising livestock on the same unit of land. In other words, these are complementary and beneficial to each other. Agroforestry is the system of developing agricultural land in combination with forestry technologies. Agroforestry practices in Tamil Nadu (TN), India, have existed since time immemorial and are evidenced in all parts of the state with less or no scientific management. Agroforestry research is a new field that is getting momentum in recent times due to popularization of industrial agroforestry. In the present context, to meet the national target of forest cover (33%) and to reduce pressure on natural forests, agroforestry plays a vital role and provides additional income to the farming community. This article aims to provide an insight into agro forestry practices in TN, including reasons for opting them, problems faced, etc. It also provides information on agroclimatic zone-wise three species and agroforestry systems being practiced by farmers, central and state government initiatives towards promotion of agro forestry, new technological interventions, etc. for the welfare of the farming community.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: NAC, Conservation in a changing climate, USDA National Agro forestry Centre. Jose, S., Agroforestry for ecosystem services and environmental benefits: an overview .Agrofor. Syst., 2009, 76 (1), 1-10, doi: 10.1007/s10457-009-9229-7.
Literature cited 2: Jambulingam, R. and Fernandes, E.C.M., Multipurpose trees and shrubs on farmlands in Tamil Nadu State (India).Agrofor.Syt., 1986, 4, 17-32. FSI, India State of Forest Report, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, 2019.

ID: 62353
Title: Mycology and mycotechnology on postal stamps
Author: Vandana Ghormade, Ejaj Pathan, Jeevan Jyoti, Ajit Vartak and Mukund Deshpande
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 628-636 (2021)
Subject: Mycology and mycotechnology on postal stamps
Keywords: Mycotechnology, mycology, mycophilately, photogenic appeal, postal stamps
Abstract: Mycology, the study of fungal biology, and philately, the study of postage stamps, are rarely connected, as they are very different activities. However, philatelic mycology can raise awareness of the facets of fungi with contribute significantly to human welfare. Fungi are photogenic and exhibit physiological wonders such as luminescence. They are important in biotechnology for their secondary metabolites. So stamps depicting fungal signal the recognition of problems and prospects of prosperity posed by fungi in nutrition and health, agriculture, engineering, industry and ecology. Many countries have issued thousands of stamps on fungi. India with a rich heritage of fungal diversity lags in this respect. This article hopes to inspire action by celebrating the beauty and significance of fungi in the art of philately.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Proctor, N. Philately and geography teaching. Geogr. L., 1965, 50, 134-141. Senanayake, M.P., Paediatric philately. Arch. Dis. Childhood, 1997, 76, 287-288.
Literature cited 2: Bandopadhyay, M., Food and nutritional education through the world of philately. J. Agric. Eng. Food Technol., 2017, 4, 71-74. Zagkotas, V. and Niaoustas, G., Philately as a teaching aid through the implementation of a small-scale project in a Greek primary school. Education, 2020, 48, 3-13.

ID: 62352
Title: Technology demonstration of a novel seabed resident event-driven profiling system
Author: Antonio Mascarenhas, Nitin Dabholkar,Jayu Narvekar,Shivananad Prabhudesai, Siddharth Ghatkar, Sadaf Ansari,Pramod Maurya,Elgar Desa,Anand Lokapure,Surekha Nagvekar,Gajanana Navelkar,R.Madhan,Fernando Vijayan,Vidish Shetye,Llewellyn Fernandes,Sanjeev
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 622-627 (2021)
Subject: Technology demonstration of a novel seabed resident event-driven profiling system
Keywords: Coastal water, profiling system, seabed unit, technology demonstration, winter convention studies.
Abstract: The seabed resident event-driven profiling system (SREP) was deployed in the northeastern Arabian Sea for winter convention studies. SREP is an autonomous profiling consisting of two parts: a stationary seabed unit and a positively buoyant tethered profiling unit (profiler). It offers a novel and optimized approach to profiling in coastal waters from close to seabed (14.63 m above seabed) to the sea surface. The seabed unit houses an underwater winch system, underwater acoustic modem, pressure sensor, low-power electronics, batteries and divinyl Cell hydraulic crush point foam for subsea applications. The profiler houses a suite of oceanographic sensors: conductivity-temperature –depth, DO, chlorophyll, PAR, underwater acoustic modem, low-power electronics, batteries and divinyl cell hydraulic rush point foam for subsea applications. The underwater winch system on the seabed unit spools out and spools in the profiler throughout the water column. Data acquisition on the profiler is done during ascending. The profiler ascends gradually in the water column at an average velocity of 20 cm/s. The seabed unit and the profiling unit communicate using a pair of underwater acoustic modems operating at 18-34 kHz. SREP was developed to obtain time-series water column measurements of coastal waters during the summer monsoon season (June-September) when the sea wave and wind conditions are extreme, thus making it difficult to deploy profiling packages from the ship. A description of SREP and observations made during the field deployment are presented in this article.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Mascarenhas, A. et al., A seabed resident event driven profiling system for use in coastal waters. Indian patent filed on 19 January 2015 (application No.158/DEL/2015).Inall, M., Meldrum, D., Provost, P.G., Mercer, D.J.L., Griffiths, C., Peppe, O.C., and Vassie, I., HOMER: early results from a novel sea-bed resident water column profiler. In OCEAN’05, IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society. Conference Proceedings, 2005, vols 1 and 2, pp.1252-1255.
Literature cited 2: Barnard,A.H. et al., The coastal autonomous profiler and boundary layer system (CAPABLE) .In OCEANS’10,IEEE Marine Technology Society, Conference Proceedings, 2010, pp.1-7. Send, U. et al., Sea Cycler: a motored open-ocean profiling for the upper ocean in extended self-contained deployments. J. Atmos. Ocean. Technol., 2013, 3 (7), 1555-1565.

ID: 62351
Title: Natural occurrence of entomopathogens on the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) in South India
Author: G.Sivakumar, M.Mohan, M.Kannan, K.Elango, P.Ram Kumar, T.Venkatesan, R.Rangeshwaran, Mahesh S.Yandigeri, O.Dhanyakumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 619-621 (2021)
Subject: Natural occurrence of entomopathogens on the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) in South India
Keywords: Natural occurrence of entomopathogens, invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera, frugiperda, South India
Abstract: Biological invasions are quite frequent in recent years due to free trade and global warming. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda which is a highly migratory polyphagous insect pest, has posed itself as a recent dreadful insect that invaded India in May 2018 on maize in Shivamogga and Davangere districts of Karnataka, India. FAW is one of the major production constraints of maize crop across the globe. Spodoptera frugiperda was reported to cause 62.5% plant damage on maize in Hassan district of Karnataka. The management of S.Frugiperda on maize and sorghum in India is currently achieved using chemical insecticides. However, biological control using entomopathogens is a viable alternative tool for its long-term sustainable management and at the same time preserving environment and human health. Infection of FAW larvae by different entomopathogens has been reported earlier in India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Saharanabasappa, D. et al., Pest Manage. Hort. Ecosyst., 2018, 24, 23-29. Shylesha, A.N. et al., J. Biol. Control, 2018, 32 (3), 145-151.
Literature cited 2: Mallapur, C.P., Naik, A.K., Hagari, S. Praveen, T., Patil, R.K.an Lingappa, S., J.Entomol.Zool.Stud., 2018, 6 (6), 1062-1067. Raghunandan, B.L., Patel, N.M., Dave, H.J. and Mehta, D.M.J. Entomol. Zool. Stud., 2019, 7(2), 1040-1043.

ID: 62350
Title: Space based observations on annular solar eclipse of June 2020
Author: Manu Mehta, Prakash Chauhan, Praveen Thakur, Taibanganba Watham, Ritika Srinet
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 617-619 (2021)
Subject: Space based observations on annular solar eclipse of June 2020
Keywords: Space based observations, annular solar eclipse, June 2020
Abstract: On 21 June 2020, an annular solar eclipse phenomenon took place. The path of the ‘ring of fire’ spanned across Africa and Asia. In addition to the traditional methods of observing the solar eclipse through telescope using solar filters or sing solar projectors, this phenomenon can also be captured using satellite data. The shadow cast by the moon on the surface of the Earth leads to a drop in the solar flux over the Earth’s surface, which can be recorded by space-based sensors in the visible-near-infrared spectral range. We have presented the natural colour composite images eclipse conditions from three different satellite sensors, i.e., Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) over Terra/Aqua (https://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/)and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) over NOAA-20 (https://data.nodc.noaa.gov/).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://mosdac.gov.in/data/doc/INSAT_3D_ATBD_MAY_2015.pdf (accessed on 22 June 2020). Katti, V.R., Pratap, V.R., Dave, R.K. and Mankad, K.N., In SPIE Proceedings, GEOSS and Next –Generation Sensors and Missions, November 2006, 640709; https://doi.org/10.1117/12.6978880.
Literature cited 2: Bristow, K.L and Campbell, G.S., Agric. For. Meteorol. 1984, 31, 159-166; https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1923 (84)90017-0. Watham, T. et al. Biogeochemistry, 2020, 151, 291-311; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-020-00727-x.

ID: 62349
Title: Invasive South American weed-Tradescantia fluminensis Vell.(Commelinaceae) : a threat to native flora of India
Author: Ankit Singh, Nidhan Singh, M.C.Nautiyal
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 606-606 (2021)
Subject: Invasive South American weed-Tradescantia fluminensis Vell.(Commelinaceae) : a threat to native flora of India
Keywords: Invasive South American weed, Tradescantia fluminensis, threat, native flora of India
Abstract: Some of the non-native invasive species of plants invade various habitats, thereby posing considerable threats to sustenance of native flora. These may be deliberately introduced for cultivation, but they become widespread and naturalized in due course of time. Once, established, such weeds are not easy to control. During a recent floristic survey in Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India (altitude 595m amsl, 30°13’11.64” N, 78°47`36.), the present authors came across an herb with shining white flowers. It was found in a shady place, adjacent to the road, farming dense patches in few localities nearby.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://sites.google.com/site/eflorafindia/species/a—1/cl/commelinaceae/tradescantia/tradescantia-fluminensis%20 (accessed on 25 April 2020). Gaur, R.D., Flora of the District Garhwal Northwest Himalayas (with Ethnobotanical Notes), Transmedia, Srinagar, Garhwal, 1999).
Literature cited 2: Uninayal,B.P., Sharma,J.., Chaudhery,U.and Singh,D.K.,Flowering Plants of Uttarakhand (A Checklist), Bishen singh Mahendra Pal Singh,Dehradun, 2007. Dugdale, T.M., Mclaren, D.A., and Conran, J.G., Plant Prot.Q., 2015, 30 (4), 116-125.

ID: 62348
Title: Range extension of pyrosomes in oligotrophic waters of the Indian Ocean
Author: N.Marimuthu, S.Vignesh Kandasamy and Nandini Ray Chaudhary
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 120 (4) 605-605 (2021)
Subject: Range extension of pyrosomes in oligotrophic waters of the Indian Ocean
Keywords: Range extension of pyrosomes, oligotrophic waters, Indian Ocean
Abstract: Tunicates are known to exhibit fast growth rate by consuming phytoplankton during their unusual blooming period. Hence their position in the food web is vital for the environment. During our regular faunal exploration under the ‘Fauna of Lakshadweep: Echinoderms’ survey on 5 February 2018, we have noticed a pryrosome swarm at the subtidal environment of Bangaram Island of Lakshadweep Archipelago. It was identified as the giant pyrosome, Pyrostremma spinosum (Herdman, 1888), which is found as groups of colonial organisms with thousands of Individual zooids, drifted in the sub-tidal regions at depths between 8 and 15 m.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Al-Sofyani, A.A., Marimuthu, N. and Wilson, J.J., Curr. Sci., 2013, 104 (10), 1274-1275. Gauns, M., Mochemadkar, S., Pratihary, A., Roy, R. and Naqvi, S.W.A., Zool. stud., 2015, 54, 3.
Literature cited 2: Govindaraan, A.F., Bucklin, A. and Madin, L.P., J. Plankton Res., 2011, 33 (6) , 843-853. https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/user-guides/sentinel-3-olci/coverage (accessed on 24 January 2020).