Enter records

ID: 63205
Title: Effects of nitrogen application and planting density on growth and yield of Sesbania pea grown in saline soil
Author: Xiaoqian Guo, Guanglong Zhu, Xiurong Jiao and Guisheng Zhou
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 (5) 758-764 (2019)
Subject: Effects of nitrogen application and planting density on growth and yield of Sesbania pea grown in saline soil
Keywords: Nitrogen application, planting density, saline soil, Sesbania pea.
Abstract: Planting density and nitrogen (N) application rate are the two major factors affecting crop productivity. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of N application rate and planting density on the growth and yield characteristics of Sesbania pea in saline soil. Two planting densities (D1: 120,000 plants ha–1 and D2: 200,000 plants ha–1) and three N application rates (N1: 0, N2: 180 and N3: 360 kg ha–1) were applied in this study. The higher planting density decreased plant height, root length, pod number per plant and seed number per pod, but increased dry weight, N uptake and total seed yield. Increasing N application rate promoted plant height, SPAD reading, dry weight, pod number per plant, seed number per pod, seed yield and N uptake, whereas further increase in nitrogen rate played only a minor role in growth and yield (except plant height and SPAD reading) at D1. Moreover, planting density and N application rate had no significant effects on 1000-seed weight. According to the present study, D1 combined with N2 is an effective strategy to increase individual growth of Sesbania pea in saline soil, whereas D2 combined with N3 is the effective strategy for total seed yield.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kumar, G. and Srivastava, N., Efficiency and effectiveness of gamma rays and sodium azide in Sesbania cannabina Poir. Cytologia, 2013, 78, 81–90. Ye, Z. H., Yang, Z. Y., Chan, G. Y. S. and Wong, M. H., Growth response of Sesbania rostrata and S. cannabina to sludgeamended lead/zinc mine tailings: a greenhouse study. Environ. Int., 2001, 26, 449–455.
Literature cited 2: Li, Y. et al., Genetic diversity and community structure of rhizobia nodulating Sesbania cannabina in saline–alkaline soils. Syst. Appl. Microbiol., 2016, 39, 195–202. Zhang, T. T., Zeng, S. L., Gao, Y., Ouyang, Z. T., Li, B., Fang, C. M. and Zhao, B., Assessing impact of land uses on land salinization in the Yellow River Delta, China using an integrated and spatial statistical model. Land Use Policy, 2011,

ID: 63204
Title: Impact of ecosystem respiration on carbon balance in a semi-evergreen forest of Northeast India
Author: Dipankar Sarma, Kushal Kumar Baruah, Supriyo Chakraborty, Anand Karipot and Rulee Baruah
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 (5) 751-757 (2019)
Subject: Impact of ecosystem respiration on carbon balance in a semi-evergreen forest of Northeast India
Keywords: Eddy covariance, gross primary productivity, net ecosystem productivity
Abstract: We have estimated in this study the annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of Kaziranga National Park by using real-time eddy covariance data. We partitioned the net CO2 flux into gross primary productivity and ecosystem respiration (Re) using standardized method. Estimated annual NEP of the ecosystem 92.93 ± 1.7 g C m–2 year–1 indicated that the forest is a moderate sink of CO2 and is reported for the first time from a forest of Northeast India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bhattacharyya, P., Neogi, S., Roy, K. S. and Rao, K. S., Gross primary production, ecosystem respiration and net ecosystem exchange in Asian rice paddy: an eddy covariance-based approach. Curr. Sci., 2013, 104(1), 67–75. Magnani, F. et al., The human footprint in the carbon cycle of temperate and boreal forests. Nature, 2007, 447, 848–850.
Literature cited 2: Beer, C. et al., Terrestrial gross carbon dioxide uptake: Global distribution and covariation with climate. Science, 2010, 329, 834–838. Pita, G., Gielen, B., Zona, D., Rodrigues, A., Rambal, S., Janssens, I. A. and Ceulemans, R., Carbon and water vapor fluxes over four forests in two contrasting climatic zones. Agric. For. Meteorol., 2013, 180, 211–224.

ID: 63203
Title: Use of processed biomass ash as a sustainable pozzolana
Author: Vasudha D. Katare and Mangesh V. Madurwar
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 (5) 741-750 (2019)
Subject: Use of processed biomass ash as a sustainable pozzolana
Keywords: Biofuel, cement industry, sugarcane bagasse ash, sustainable pozzolana.
Abstract: The industrial waste generated from sugar production, i.e., bagasse is further used as a biofuel. This generates a huge amount (44,000 tonnes/day) of waste in the form of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA). As received boiler SCBA shows lower performance in terms of pozzolanic characteristics. In this study, the role of mechanical and thermal treatment in improving the pozzolanicity of SCBA has been examined. The preliminary characterization of SCBA was done using laser granulometry, SEM, XRF, XRD and TG analysis. The four methods were adopted to quantify the pozzolanic behaviour, viz. reactive silica determination, pozzolanic activity index, electrical conductivity drop and Chapelle activity. Further, the experimental data were analysed using ANOVA. The coefficient of regression (0.86–0.99) reflects effective and significant logarithmic models. The study concludes that the adopted processing of SCBA is highly effective in improving the pozzolanicity. Thus the processed SCBA is a sustainable solution to the cement industry.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Singh, J. and Gu, S., Biomass conversion to energy in India – a critique. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 2010, 14, 1367–1378. Rajamma, R., Ball, R. J. Tarelho, L. A. C., Allen, G. C., Labrincha, J. A. and Ferreira, V. M., Characterisation and use of biomass fly ash in cement-based materials. J. Hazard. Mater., 2009, 172, 1049–1060; doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.07.109.
Literature cited 2: Katare, V. D. and Madurwar, M. V., Experimental characterization of sugarcane biomass ash – a review. Constr. Build. Mater., 2017, 152, 1–15; doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.06.142. Potgieter, J. H., An overview of cement production: how ‘green’ and sustainable is the industry? Environ. Manage. Sustain. Dev., 2012, 1, 14.

ID: 63202
Title: Isolation of fungi from various habitats and their possible bioremediation
Author: Farazimah Yakop, Hussein Taha and Pooja Shivanand
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 (5) 733-740 (2019)
Subject: Isolation of fungi from various habitats and their possible bioremediation
Keywords: Bioremediation, fungi, habitats, hydrocarbon degradation.
Abstract: Fungi are the most diverse and adaptable group of living organisms. The literature highlights that colonization density and fungal diversity can be affected by factors such as salinity, pH, temperature, altitude and availability of nutrients. The present article discusses isolation and characterization of fungi from different ecosystems like forests, mangroves and coastal areas. Fungal interaction with ecosystems is reported to play an important role in the biodiversity, survivability, propagation and productivity of plants. Fungi have established a beneficial association with numerous hosts and have the capability to degrade environmental pollutants such as hydrocarbons and by-products. Hence, fungi and fungal products like extracellular hydrolytic and lignin-degrading enzymes, and surfactants offer eco-friendly and cost-effective strategies to address pollution, especially with respect to bioremediation of oil spills and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Simões, M. F. et al., Soil and rhizosphere associated fungi in gray mangroves (Avicennia marina) from the Red Sea – a metagenomic approach. Genomic. Proteomic. Bioinformat., 2015, 13, 310–320. Behera, B. C., Mishra, R. R. and Thatoi, H. N., Diversity of soil fungi from mangroves of Mahanadi delta, Orissa, India. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. Res., 2012, 2, 375–378.
Literature cited 2: Madavasamy, S. and Panneerselvam, A., Diversity of mycoflora in mangrove soil at Karankadu, Ramanathapuram (dt), east coast of Tamil Nadu, India. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci., 2013, 2, 50–61. Khalil, A. M. A., El-Sheikh, H. H. and Sultan, M. H., Distribution of fungi in mangrove soil of coastal areas at Nabq and Ras Mohammed protectorates. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci., 2013, 2, 264–274.

ID: 63201
Title: Soilless farming – the next generation green revolution
Author: Bikram Pradhan and Bandita Deo
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 (5) 728-732 (2019)
Subject: Soilless farming – the next generation green revolution
Keywords: Hydroponics, land conservation, nutrient, soilless culture.
Abstract: In recent years, due to a rapid increase in world population, many challenges have come to limelight. One of these challenges is the reduction in per capita land available for soil-based farming, which leads to other agricultural and environmental issues. Under these critical circumstances, it became necessary to develop advanced technologies and techniques to withstand the current situation. Although several works were carried out on cultivation of plants in soil and in vitro, few of these are concentrated on soilless cultures. Soilless agriculture is a new promising method for improving cultivation of different cash crops. Besides reservation and restoration of cultivation lands, soilless farming, especially close-loop system, has various advantages: it utilizes recycled fixed amount of water, saves 85–90% of irrigation water, can be implemented in areas unfavorable for ordinary farming, almost zero environmental pollution, better yield than conventional cultivation. In the present study, various techniques of soilless farming are elaborated and a basic design of eco-friendly soilless farming unit is proposed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chaplin-Kramer, R. et al., Spatial patterns of agricultural expansion determine impacts on biodiversity and carbon storage. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2015, 112, 7402–7407. Foley, J. A. et al., Solutions for a cultivated planet. Analysis. Nature, 2011, 478, 337–342.
Literature cited 2: Killebrew, K. and Wolff, H., Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Technologies, Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington, 2014. Lambin, E. F. et al., Estimating the world’s potentially available cropland using a bottom-up approach. Glob. Environ. Change, 2013, 23, 892–901.

ID: 63200
Title: Ecosystem services approach for revitalizing agriculture in India
Author: M. Manjula, L. Venkatachalam, P. Mukhopadhyay and Lalit Kumar
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 (5) 723-727 (2019)
Subject: Ecosystem services approach for revitalizing agriculture in India
Keywords: Agro-ecosystems, evergreen revolution, payment for ecosystem services, pro-environmental agricultural production.
Abstract: Agricultural landscapes referred to as ‘agro-ecosystems’ provide both marketable and non-marketable ecosystem services. The ability of agro-ecosystems to provide ecosystem services is limited by the nature of production systems and production method. Promotion of input-intensive production systems results in short-term productivity gains along with long-term ecological and environmental losses. India’s agriculture suffers from various ecological problems such as soil pollution, overexploitation of groundwater and loss of biodiversity. Policy measures aimed at improving agriculture should shift from a purely ‘productivity enhancement’ objective towards promotion of ecologically sustainable pro-environmental agricultural production (PAP) practices to realize the goal of ‘productivity in perpetuity’. This article examines the feasibility of ‘nudges and incentives’ in payment for ecosystem services/agri-environmental schemes (PES/AES) type schemes in India which could be a possible policy solution. It could nudge farmers to PAP practices and would be fiscally feasible even for individual states to adopt in a federal system of governance.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Tilman, D. et al., Forecasting agriculturally driven global environmental change. Science, 2001, 292(5515), 281–284. Ploeg, Van der and de Groot, R. S., The TEEB Valuation Database – a Searchable Database of 1310 Estimates of Monetary Values of Ecosystem Services. Foundation for Sustainable Development, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 2010.
Literature cited 2: Power, A. G., Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. B, 2010, 365, 2959–2971. Swinton, S., Lupi, F., Robertson, G. P. and Landis, D., Ecosystem services from agriculture: looking beyond the usual suspects. Am. J. Agric. Econ., 2006, 88(5), 1160–1166.

ID: 63199
Title: Solar module installation in India: concerns, options and roadmap
Author: Amlan J. Pal
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 (5) 714-722 (2019)
Subject: Solar module installation in India: concerns, options and roadmap
Keywords: Module manufacturing, road map in the Indian context, thin-film technology, solar cell materials.
Abstract: This article discusses the concerns, choices and tentative avenues towards the success of module installation for solar power production in India. Renewable energies, especially solar modules, have played a vital role in India’s recent success in the generation of electricity. Several initiatives have accordingly been taken to implement a sustainable model of development. To achieve those targets, it is necessary to deploy the time-tested and dependable crystalline silicon solar modules initially. To attain self-reliance and economic sustainability ($/W), India should also look beyond silicon solar cell modules by setting up foundries favourable for thin-film technologies as well. With already established thin-film materials like copper indium gallium selenide and cadmium telluride, development of advanced solar energy material, such as copper zinc tin sulphide and hybrid halide perovskites is therefore of unquestionable importance. On a short-term frame, contribution from these thin-film modules may not look very significant. These non-silicon modules should now supplement silicon technology to accomplish the present requirement and gradually phase out silicon modules in the long run.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Electricity and Elections in India; http://www.thecitizen.in/index. php/NewsDetail/index/8/10114/Electricity-And-Elections-In-India Energy in India; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_India
Literature cited 2: Electricity sector in India; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_sector_in_India Power for all; http://powermin.nic.in/en/content/power-al

ID: 63198
Title: Evidence for underwater current activity on the upper slope of the carbonate platform off western India using multibeam bathymetry
Author: B.Chakraborty, V.Purachandra Rao, Tejas Salkar, Vasudev P.Mahale and John Kurien
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 (5) 711-713 (2019)
Subject: Evidence for underwater current activity on the upper slope of the carbonate platform off western India using multibeam bathymetry
Keywords: evidence, Underwater current activity, carbonate platform, western I ndia, Multibeam bathymetry
Abstract: The carbonate platform examined in this study is on the outer continental shelf of the northwestern margin of India at water depths between 60 and 90 m It is located off the Narmada and Tapi rivers, which debouch abundant terrigenous sediments and freshwater onto the coast. Despite abundant terrigenous material expected on the platform, it comprises <10% terrigenous sediments but abundant carbonate sediments. There may be strong surface or underwater currents preventing deposition of terrigenous material but no evidence for the same has been reported.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Nair, R. R., Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. Sect. B, 1971, 73, 148–154. Nair, R. R., Indian J. Mar. Sci., 1975, 4, 25–29
Literature cited 2: Nair, R. R. and Pylee, A., Bull. Natl. Inst. Sci., India, 1968, 38, 411–420. Nair, R. R. and Hashimi, N. H., Mar. Geol., 1981, 41, 309–319.

ID: 63197
Title: DiatomBase – Principal online catalogue of diatoms
Author: Surajit Roy and Jai Prakash Keshri
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 (5) 703-703 (2019)
Subject: DiatomBase – Principal online catalogue of diatoms
Keywords: DiatomBase, catalogue of diatoms
Abstract: Diatoms are the most ubiquitous and species-rich lineages of siliceous microalgae (phylum: Bacillariophyta) that play an important role in the ecosystem by contributing about 20% of the oxygen we breathe. Due to their morphology and various uses, they have attracted the attention of researchers the world over. Efforts have been made over one and half century to catalogue diatoms. However, most of the catalogues have limited impact due to area of distribution covered. The multi-volume set of catalogues of Mills and Van Landingham are, however, a widely cited resource due to their coverage. Tempère also enlisted diatom genera in Le Diatomiste.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Trèguer, P., Nelson, D. M., van Bennekom, A. J., DeMaster, D. J., Leynaert, A. and Quèguiner, B., Science, 1995, 268, 375– 379. Habirshaw, F., Catalogue of the Diatomaceous with Reference to the Various Published Descriptions and Figures, Edison Electric pen process, New York, USA, 1877, p. 272.
Literature cited 2: Peragallo, M., Le Catalogue Géneral des Diatomées, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 1897, vol. 1, i–xviii, 1471; 1903, vol. 2, pp. 472–973. Chase, H. H., Index Diatomacearum Linden, Michigan, USA, 1907, p. 662.

ID: 63196
Title: Modulation in activity profiles in insecticide-resistant population of tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)
Author: P. Sreelakshmi, Thomas Biju Mathew , K. Umamaheswaran and A. Josephrajkumar
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 (4) 664-669 (2019)
Subject: Modulation in activity profiles in insecticide-resistant population of tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)
Keywords: Detoxification enzymes, insecticide resistance, Spodoptera litura, synergists.
Abstract: Activity spectrum of detoxification enzymes was systematically assessed in tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura collected from four locations in Kerala, India, to decipher the mechanism of insecticide resistance. Using the susceptible check ICAR-NBAIR strain, specific activity profiles of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) were found to be 16.16-, 10.71- and 4.88-fold higher in the Kovilnada, Palappur and Kanjikuzhi populations respectively. Specific activities of mixed function oxidase (MFO) were also found to be 19.24-, 17.11-6.08-fold higher in the same populations respectively, indicating the predominance of AChE and MFO towards imparting resistance. Carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathion-S-transferase (GST) specific activity profiles were 3.62- and 3.37-fold higher in the Kovilnada population, followed by 2.89- and 2.98-fold higher in the Palappur population and as 2.10- and 1.15-fold higher in the Kanjikuzhi population, indicating their partial role in resistance development. Suppression of specific activities in synergism bioassays with AChE in chlorpyriphos + TPP treatment (9.32-fold), GST in chlorpyriphos + DEM (4.78-fold) and CarE in quinalphos + TPP (5.15-fold) highlighted the involvement of multiple detoxification enzymes conferring resistance to organophosphates. Reduced activity of MFO in case of lambda-cyhalothrin + PBO (5.35-fold), CarE in case of cypermethrin + TPP (7.36-fold) and 3.60-fold reduction in MFO in case of cypermethrin + PBO highlighted the role of esterases and MFOs towards resistance development against synthetic pyrethroids.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Brattsten, L. B., Potential role of plant allelochemicals in the development of insecticide resistance. In Novel Aspects of Insect Plant Interactions (eds Barbosa, P. and Letourneau, D. K.), Wiley, New York, 1986, pp. 313–348. Arthropod pesticide resistance database, 2017; http://www.pesticideresistance.com (accessed on 16 May 2017).
Literature cited 2: Dhir, B. C., Mohapatra, H. K. and Senapati, B., Assessment of crop loss in groundnut due to tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.). Indian J. Plant Prot., 1992, 20, 215–217. Qin, H., Ye, Z., Huang, S., Ding, J. and Luo, R., The correlations of the different host plant with preference level, life duration and survival rate of Spodoptera litura Fabricius. Chin. J. Eco.-Agric.,2004, 12, 40–42. (Original not seen. Cited by Ahmad, M., Sayyed, A. H., Crickmore, N. and Saleem, M. A.). Pest Manage. Sci.,2007, 63, 1002–1010).

ID: 63195
Title: Estimation of regional groundwater discharge and baseflow contribution in northern stretch of the Yamuna River system of Delhi
Author: Aryaman Jain and Shashank Shekhar
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 (4) 660-664 (2019)
Subject: Estimation of regional groundwater discharge and baseflow contribution in northern stretch of the Yamuna River system of Delhi
Keywords: Baseflow, flownets, floodplain, regional groundwater discharge, river system
Abstract: Urban agglomerations in India of late have started facing drinking and domestic water scarcity. The city state of Delhi has witnessed accelerated urbanization and an exponential growth in population. In this context, it is desired to locate sustainable groundwater resources in Delhi. This communication examines the northern stretch of the Yamuna floodplain system in Delhi with respect to source sustainability. An aquifer can sustain extensive exploitation only if it is replenished regularly. Though the river floodplain system gets recharged by monsoon flooding, the recharged water may not sustain the source aquifer until the end of summer. Thus before exploitation all floodplains have to be examined vis-à-vis regional groundwater dynamics. In this context it was found that the floodplain system in the northern stretch of River Yamuna receives considerable regional groundwater flow. Some of this also contributes to river flow. The present study has estimated regional groundwater flow in this aquifer stretch of the Yamuna river system as 10,513,460 m3 /yr (~11 MCM/yr). Besides, the yearly baseflow contribution to the Yamuna in the study area has been estimated as 518,472 m3 /yr (~0.5 MCM/yr).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Shekhar, S., An approximate projection of availability of the fresh groundwater resources in the South West district of NCT Delhi, India: a case study. Hydrogeol. J., 2006, 14(7), 1330–1338. Chatterjee, R., Gupta, B. K., Mohiddin, S. K., Singh, P. N., Shekhar, S. and Purohit, R., Dynamic groundwater resources of National Capital Territory, Delhi: assessment, development and management options. Environ. Earth Sci., 2009, 59(3), 669–686
Literature cited 2: Sarkar, A., Ali, S., Kumar, S., Shekhar, S. and Rao, S. V. N.,Groundwater environment in Delhi, India. In Groundwater Environment in Asian Cities: Concepts, Methods and Case Studies, Butterworth-Heinemann, Elsevier, B.V., 2016, pp. 77–108. Shekhar, S. and Prasad, R. K., The groundwater in Yamuna flood plain of Delhi (India) and the management options. Hydrogeol. J., 2009, 17, 1557–1560.

ID: 63194
Title: Determination of the critical span for a large-caving above a mined-out area
Author: Haiying Fengyu Ren , Yunfeng Zhao and Sitong Ren
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 (4) 654-660 (2019)
Subject: Determination of the critical span for a large-caving above a mined-out area
Keywords: Arch theory, critical span, large caving, mined out area, subsidence.
Abstract: An analytical model presented here was developed to determine the critical span for a large caving that developed above the mined-out area in Xiaowanggou Iron Mine. The model development is based on field observations measurements, examination of the characteristics of overlying rock masses, research on caving process and application of simple loading conditions in the gravitational field. Key input parameters were determined and utilized to predict the critical span for a large caving. The difference between the predicted and measured values is less than ±3%. Results from the analytical model and field measurements have demonstrated that the proposed model can be used to predict the timing and crater location of large-caving and it forms the theoretical basis for mitigation of risk associated with a large caving in a safe and economical manner.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Li, Q. W., Ren, F. Y., Hou, J. G. and Li, J., Regularity of roof-fall in the southern worked-out zone of Xishimen Iron Ore Mine. China Min. Mag., 2001, 3, 44–46. Zhou, Z. H., Ren, F. Y., Yuan, G. Q. and Ma, W. F., Application of induced caving technique in goaf treatment. Met. Mine., 2005, 12, 73–74.
Literature cited 2: Ren, F. Y., Li, H. Y., Ren, M. L., Liang, B. D. and Hu, F. Y., Technique of induced caving on adjacent mined-out areas in Shujigou Iron Mine. China Min. Mag., 2012, 1, 378–380. Ren, F. Y., Han, Z. Y., Zhao, E. P. and Wang, W. J., Induced caving technique and its application in Beiminghe Iron Mine. Min. Res. Develop., 2007, 1, 17–19.

ID: 63193
Title: Pesticides use and its effect on soil bacteria and fungal populations, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activity
Author: Sanjay Arora, Sumitra Arora, Divya Sahni, M. Sehgal , D. S. Srivastava and A. 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. 116 (4) 643-649 (2019)
Subject: Pesticides use and its effect on soil bacteria and fungal populations, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activity
Keywords: Dehydrogenase, fungal population, microbial biomass C, pesticides, soil bacteria.
Abstract: The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides disturbs the soil environment, thereby affecting flora and fauna including soil microflora, and also the physicochemical properties of the soil, viz. pH, salinity, alkalinity, leading to poor soil fertility. With the application of pesticides, possibilities exist that these chemicals may exert certain effects on non-target soil microorganisms. The soil microbial biomass plays an important role in the soil ecosystem, where they fulfill a crucial role in nutrient cycling and decomposition. A series of field experiments were conducted at farmer’s field at Sitapur, UP with different modules of integrated pest management (IPM) including use of safe formulations. The impact of application of these pesticides on the soil properties including soil microbial populations, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activity was assessed. It was observed that soil microbial biomass C content and dehydrogenase activity was influenced by IPM interventions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Srinivasan, G., Panel for reduced use of chemical pesticides. Hindu Business Line, 5 November 1997. Dhaliwal, G. S. and Pathak, M. D., Pesticides in the developing world: a boon in ban. In Pesticides: their Ecological Impact in Developing Countries (eds Dhaliwal, G. S. and Singh, B.), Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi, 1993
Literature cited 2: Sharma, M. C., Biopesticides: potential for Indian agriculture. In Biotechnological Strategies in Agro-Processing (eds Marwaha, S. S. and Arora, J. K.), Asia Tech, New Delhi, 2003, pp. 105– 112. Kalia, A. and Gosal, S. K., Effect of pesticide application on soil microorganisms. Arch. Agro. Soil Sci., 2011, 57(6), 569–596.

ID: 63192
Title: Predicting the invasion potential of indigenous restricted mango fruit borer, Citripestis eutraphera (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in India based on MaxEnt modelling
Author: Jaipal Singh Choudhary Santosh S. Mali , Babasaheb B. Fand and Bikash Das
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 (4) 636-642 (2019)
Subject: Predicting the invasion potential of indigenous restricted mango fruit borer, Citripestis eutraphera (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in India based on MaxEnt modelling
Keywords: Climate change, mango, invasive pest, species distribution models.
Abstract: The mango fruit borer, Citripestis eutraphera (Meyrick), originally confined to the Andaman Islands, is a recent invasion in mainland India. With changes in climatic conditions, the pest is likely to spread in other major mango-growing regions of the country and can pose serious threats to mango production. In this backdrop, the present study examines the impact of climate change to develop spatio-temporal distribution of invasive C. eutraphera in India using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modelling approach. Integration of point data on current occurrence of pest and corresponding bioclimatic variables in MaxEnt were used to define the potential distribution in India and mapped using spatial analysis tool in ArcGIS. The model framework performed well as indicated by high area under the curve (0.97) value. Jackknife test for estimating predictive power of the variables indicated that ‘isothermality’ and ‘temperature seasonality’ significantly affected C. eutraphera distribution. It was found that mango-growing pockets in the southwestern parts of Gujarat, as well as parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were moderately to highly suitable for C. eutraphera distribution in 2050 and 2070. The results of this study could be an important guide for selecting monitoring and surveillance sites and designing integrated pest management policies in the context of climate change against this invasive pest of mango.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bradley, B. A., Blumenthal, D. M., Wilcove, D. S. and Ziska, L. H., Predicting plant invasions in an era of global change. Trends Ecol. Evol., 2010, 25(5), 310–318. Pimentel, D., In Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbe Species, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, 2011, 2nd edn, p. 463.
Literature cited 2: Mack, R. N., Simberloff, D., Lonsdale, W. M., Evans, H., Clout, M. and Bazzae, F. A., Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control. Ecol. Appl., 2000, 10(10), 689–710. Soumya, B. R., Verghese, A., Kamala Jayanthi, P. D. and Jalali, S. K., Need to strengthen quarantine between Andaman and Nicobar Islands and mainland India. Curr. Sci., 2016, 111(11), 1753–1756.

ID: 63191
Title: Estimating elastic impedance from seismic inversion method: a study from Nova Scotia field, Canada
Author: S. P. Maurya
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 (4) 628-635 (2019)
Subject: Estimating elastic impedance from seismic inversion method: a study from Nova Scotia field, Canada
Keywords: Elastic impedance, gas formation, modelbased inversion, overpressure zone.
Abstract: In the present study, elastic impedance (EI) inversion is performed to estimate subsurface elastic properties in inter-well regions. These elastic properties are helpful to discriminate gas-bearing formation from gas free formation, as well as overpressure zone. Seismic reflection data from the Penobscot Scotia shelf, Canada are used for the analysis which is performed in two steps. First, the method is tested with noise-free synthetic data, as well as with addition of 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% Gaussian noise. The analysis shows that efficacy of EI inversion decreases by 3.4% with addition of 30% noise in the data compared to noise-free data. In the second step, EI inversion is applied to the real data and variation of EI is estimated for near- and far-angle stack gathers. The analysis demonstrates that the inverted results follow the well-log curve satisfactorily. The results also show higher resolution images for the far-stack data compared to the near stack data. Incidentally, it is noticed that the area of study does not contain any major gas or overpressure zones. As of now, the analysis has been performed for small datasets of the region. Robustness of the method needs to be tested with more data from other parts of the region as well.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Maurya, S. P. and Sarkar, P., Comparison of post stacks seismic inversion methods: a case study from Blackfoot Field, Canada. IJSER, 2016, 7(8), 1091–1101. Maurya, S. P. and Singh, K. H., LP and ML sparse spike inversion to characterize reservoir: a case study. In 77th EAGE Conference and Exhibition, Madrid, Spain, 2015; doi:10.3997/2214-4609. 201412822.
Literature cited 2: Maurya, S. P. and Singh, K. H., Band limited impedance inversion of Blackfoot field, Alberta, Canada. J. Geophys., 2017, 38(1), 57–61. Maurya, S. P., Singh, K. H. and Singh, N. P., Qualitative and quantitative comparison of geostatistical techniques of porosity prediction from the seismic and logging data: a case study from the Blackfoot Field, Alberta, Canada. Mar. Geophys. Res., 2018, pp. 1–21; http://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-018-9355-6.