Enter records

ID: 62635
Title: Influence of gibberellic acid on seedlessless in Jamun (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels)
Author: K.Raja and M.S., Aneesa Rani
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1619-1622 (2021)
Subject: Influence of gibberellic acid on seedlessless in Jamun (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels)
Keywords: Fruit production, growth hormone, gibberellic acid, jamun, seedlessness
Abstract: An experimental was conducted using jamun to assess the physiology of seedless fruit formation. Seedless jamuns have higher content of gibberellic acid (GA3) (0.876 mg g-1) than seeded fruits (0.461 mg g-1) produced in the seedless genotype. Consequently, GA3 at 100 ppm was sprayed over the jamun trees that resulted in 99.5% seedless fruit production, which was higher than the unsprayed control (72.6%). Also, the application of GA, at 300 ppm resulted in 36.4 % seedless fruit formation in the seeded genotype. In corroboration with embryo abortion by GA3, the fruits sprayed with the latter at 100 ppm were analysed for their GA3 content. The results indicated that GA3 content was highest (5.609 mg g-1) in these fruits when compared to control (0.683 mg g-1).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Singh and Srivastava, A.K., Genetic diversity in Jamun (Syzigium cumini Skeels).Indian J. Hortic, 2000, 45 (3), 11-15. Stepehen, A. Syzygium cumini (L).Skeels: a multipurpose tree, its phytotherapic and pharmacological uses.J.Phytother.Pharmacol., 2012, 1(4), 22-32.
Literature cited 2: Ayyanar, M. and Subhash-Babu, P., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels: a review of its phytochemical constituents and traditional use.Asian Pac.J.Trop.Biomed, 2012, 12, 240-246. Morton, J. Fruits of warm Climates, Miami, Julia Morton Winterville, North Carolina, USA, 1987.

ID: 62634
Title: Understanding cultural ecosystem services of multifunctional agroforestry : a study from the foothills of the Nilgiris, Western Ghats, India
Author: A.Keerthika, K.T., Parthiban and D.Suresh Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1610-1618 (2021)
Subject: Understanding cultural ecosystem services of multifunctional agroforestry: a study from the foothills of the Nilgiris, Western Ghats, India
Keywords: Aesthetic and recreation, agroforestry tourism, cultural ecosystem services, multifunctional agroforestry, willingness to pay
Abstract: Numerous studies have underlined the benefits of cultural services from different landscapes and acknowledge the non-material benefits linking society and nature. However, cultural services form agrofroestry have to been reported. Therefore, the present study was conducted in multifunctional agroforestry (MFA) comprised of 24 tree species and 8 intercrops established at the Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu, India. Four workshops were conducted and a total of 105 respondents were asked to fill two sets of questionaries regarding their perception of cultural ecosystem services in MFA. Among the selected components, education services in MFA. Among the selected components, education and scientific knowledge (.90ranked first, followed by relaxation (.86 and walking (0.84). Results from principal component analysis revealed that three components, viz. relaxation, education and scientific knowledge, and inspiration accounted for 56.60^ of the variance. Respondents willingness to pay was Rs 33/visit on an average and multiple regression analysis indicated that the MFA model was a good fit (R2=0.79) for agrofrestry tourism. The results indicate that MFA provides scope for agrofroestry tourism, which will be an additional source of income for small and marginal scale farmers.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Reild, W.V. et al., Ecosystems an human well-being Synthesis: A report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Island Press, 2005, ISBN 9781597260404-137. Kuenkel, P., Stewarding Sustainability Transformation: An Emerging Theory and Practice of SDG Implenetation, Springer, Cham, 2019, p.321, ISBN 978-3-030-03691-1.
Literature cited 2: Guo, Z. Zhang, L. and Li, Y., Increased dependence of humans on ecosystem services and biodiversity .PLoS ONE, 2020, 5 (10), 1-8. Van Noordwijk, M., Sustainable development through trees on farms: agroforestry in its fifth decade, World Agroforestry Centre (International Council for Research in Agro forestry), Bogor, Indonesia, 2019.

ID: 62633
Title: Predicting the brown plantopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) potential distribution under climatic change scenarios in India
Author: Govindharaj Guru-Pirasanna-Pandi, Jaipal Singh Choudhary, Abel Chemura, Basana-Gowda, G., Mahendran Annamalai, Naveenkumar Patil, Tottan Adak and Prakash Chandra Rath
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1600-1609 (2021)
Subject: Predicting the brown plantopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) potential distribution under climatic change scenarios in India
Keywords: Climate change, maximum entropy modelling, Nilaparvata lugens, potential distribution, rice.
Abstract: The brown plantopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) is the most serious pest rice across the world. It is also known to transmit stundted viral disease: the insect alone are in combination with a virus causes the break-down of rice vascular system, leading to economic losses in commercial rice production. Despite its immense economic importance, information on its potential distribution and factors governing the present and future distribution patterns is limited. Thus, in the present study we used maximum entropy modelling with bioclimatic variables to predict the present and future potential distribution of N.lugens in India as an indicator of risk. The predictions were mapped for spatio-temporal variation and area was analysed under suitability ranges. Jackknife analysis indicated that N.lugens geographic distribution was mostly influenced by temperature –based variables that explain up to 68.7% of the distribution, with precipitation factors explaining the rest. Among the individual factors, the most important for distribution of N.lugens was annual mean temperature followed by precipitation of coldest quarter and precipitation seasonality. Our results highlight that the highly suitable areas under current climate conditions are 7.3%, whereas all projections show an increase under changing climatic conditions with time up to 2090, and with emission scenarios and a corresponding decrease in low-risk areas. We conclude that climate change increases the risk of N.lugens with increased temperature as it is likely to spread to the previously unsuitable areas in India, demanding adaption strategies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Lobell, D.B. and Gourdji, S.M., The influence of climate change on global crop productivity .Plant Physiol., 2012, 160 (4), 1686-1697. Liu, D., Mishra, A.K., and Ray, D.K., Sensitivity of global major crop yields to climate variables: a non-parametric elasticity analysis .Sci. Total Environ., 2020, 748, 141431.
Literature cited 2: Ceglar,A., Zampieri, M., Toreti ,A. an Dentener ,F., Observed northward migration of agro-climate zones in Europe will further accelerate under climate change. Earth Future, 2019, 7(9(, 1088-1101. Taylor, R.A., Ryan, S.J., Lippi, C.A., Hall, D.G., Narouei Khandan, H.A., Rohr, J.R., an Jhonson, L.R., Predicting the fundamental thermal niche of crop pests and diseases in a changing world: a case study on citrus greening.J.Appl.Ecol., 2019, 56 (8), 2057-2068.

ID: 62632
Title: Biomass, productivity and carbon sequestration of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea –based silvipastoral system
Author: Preeti Toppo, P.R., Oraon, Bijay Kumar Singh and Abhay Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1594-1599 (2021)
Subject: Biomass, productivity and carbon sequestration of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea –based silvipastoral system
Keywords: Biomass, carbon sequestration, forage crop, productivity, silvipastoral
Abstract: This study was conducted in 2009 at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. Jharkhand, India with Tectona grandis (teak), Gmelian arborea (gambhar) and forage crops such as Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) and Hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum glaucum x Pennisetum purpueum) which were grown under silvipastoral system. Total biomass and total productivity potential of silvipastoral system were found highest with the combination of Tectona grandis and Hybrid Napier, i.e.29.14 tonne ha-1 and 21.0 tonne ha-1 year-1 respectively, while minimum total biomass was found in sole Sudan grass (2.42 tonne ha-1) and maximum total productivity in T.grandis (2.09 tonne ha-1 year-1) .The total carbon sequestration potential under silvipastoral system was maximum in T1: teak and Hybrid Napier grass (88.64 tonne ha-1) followed by T3: gambhar+Hybrid Napier (84.72 tonne ha-1). ,T2: teak+Sudan grass (77.68 tonne ha-1) and T4: gambhar + Sudan grass (77.42 tonne ha-1).Annual contribution of total litter production was 505.16 g m-2.Leaf litter in the species accounted for 95.40 % and wood (branches and twigs) contributed 4.49% to total litter .The highest litterfall of 56.30 g m-2 was recorded in February followed by 151.72 g m-2 in January, while the latest litterfall by 4.83 g m-2 was recorded in August.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kumar ,S., Aggarwal ,R.K., Dixit, A.K., Rai, A.K.,S.K., Forage crops and their management Indian grassland and Fodder Research Institute ,Jhansi, 2012, p.60. Gupta, S.K., Raina, N.S., and Sehgal, S., Potential of silvipastoral systems in improving the forage production in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir.J.Res. KSUAST.J., 2007, 6, 149-157.
Literature cited 2: Lundgren, B.O., and Raintree, J.B., Cited in Editorial: What is agroforestry Agrofor.Syst, 1982, 1, 7-12. Toky, O.P., Poplar an economy booster and eco-friendly agroforestry tree. Agrofor. News Lett., NRC for Agroforestry, 1997, 9, 2-3.

ID: 62631
Title: Long-term monitoring of land-use/land-cover change in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, India, using EO satellite data
Author: Ajay Tiwari, Shivraj Singh Tomar, Vivek Katare, S.P. Vyas and P.S.Dhinwa
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1584-1593 (2021)
Subject: Long-term monitoring of land-use/land-cover change in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, India, using EO satellite data
Keywords: Change detection, deforestation, land use, landcover, ravines, satellite data
Abstract: Knowledge on land-use/land-cover (LULC) patterns plays an important role in the development plan of any area. In addition, the information on change in LULC is important in studying the type and magnitude of land conversion and the associated land and environment l degradation taking place in a given area. In the present study, we map and monitor the LULC change that has taken place in a given area. In the present study, we map and monitor the LULC change that has taken place in Morean district, Madhya Pradesh, Indian during the past 25 years (1994-2018).Multi-season satellite data have been analysed along with ancillary information to prepare LULC maps at 1:50,000 scale for 1994 and 2018.These maps reveal that the area under built-up land has increased from 23.19 to 57.69 sq.km, mainly due to population growth. Double-cropped area has increased from 608.05 to 2050.08 sq.km due to reclamation of ravines. Ravine are in the district has decreased by about 22 % during the above-mentioned period, indicating that the land reclamation measures taken by the people and the concerned government department have been effective forest decreased from 235.47 to 143.47 sq.km due to deforestation and forest degradation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Dhinwa, P.S. et al., Land use change analysis of Bharatpur district using GIS. J. Indian Soc. Remote Sensing, 1992, 20(4), 237-250. Turner, B.L., Meyer, W.B., and Skole, D.L., Global Land-use/land-cover change: towards an integrated study.Ambio, 1994, 23(1), 91-95.
Literature cited 2: Meyer, W.B., Past and present land use and land cover in the USA.Consequen:Nat.Implic.Environ.Change, 1995, 1(1) 25-33. Moser, S.C., A partial instructional module on global and regional land use/cover change: assessing the data and searching for general relationships. GeoJournal, 1996, 39 (3), 241-283.

ID: 62630
Title: The inter-linking or rivers and biodiversity conservation: a study of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India
Author: Talat Parveen and Orus Ilyas
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1572-1583 (2021)
Subject: The inter-linking or rivers and biodiversity conservation: a study of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India
Keywords: River linking, submerged area, tiger reserve, ungulates density, water crisis
Abstract: The Panna tiger reserve is one of the best examples of the most successful tiger re-introduction programme from zero tiger in 2009 to 54 in 2019.The Government of India has approved the proposal of interlinking of the two rivers, viz. Ken in Madhya Pradesh and Betwa in Uttar Pradesh, to provide surplus water to the local population of drought prone areas of Bundelkhand, UP. This river interlinking will be submerging around 58.03 sq.km of the Critical Tiger Habitat. Our study on vegetation and major prey species of tiger shows higher densities in submerged areas. The NITI Ayog report of 2019 provided one of the best example of the locals of Jakhani village of Banda district of Bundelkhand which managed the sever e water crisis. The sensitivity of tiger reserve that project involves need a close attention, which this essay attempts at arguing.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ramesh, K., Samuel, A.c., Mriganka, S.S., Manjari, M., Moorthy Jeyaraj, A.J., and Subharanjan, S., Multi-scale prediction of landscape resistance for tiger dispersal in central India.Lands.Ecol, 2016, 31, 1335-1368; doi: 10.1007/s10980-016-0363-0. Bhardwaj, T., Panna National Park: a gem among Madhya Pradesh Tiger Reserves. Financial Express, 8 March 2021; https://www.financial express.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/panna-national-park-a-gem-among-Madhya-Pradesh-tiger-reserves/2208426/
Literature cited 2: Anon., Comprehensive environmental impact assessment of Ken-Betwa link project, phase-1, National Water Development Agency (a Government of India Society under the Ministry of Water Resources), 2012, XX11, 2012. Anon., Ken-Ketwa River linking project: recalling an old idea whose time may have come. The Indian Express, 16 May 2016: https:indianexpress.com/article/explained/ken-netwa-river-linking-project-wildlife-clearance-panna-tiger-reserveforest-land-2797614.

ID: 62629
Title: A grounded theory approach for the assessment of urban development policies in Indian cities
Author: Sanjeev Kumar and Krishna Kumar Dhote
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1561-1571 (2021)
Subject: A grounded theory approach for the assessment of urban development policies in Indian cities
Keywords: Development plans, grounded theory, million-plus cities, urban planning principles
Abstract: Urbanization in India has led to the development of new urban centres and an increase in the number of million-plus cities. The planning principles keep on evolving with time. In India, these principles are implemented through development plans. This study examines the extent to which Indian urban planning policies address contemporary urban planning principles in the perspective of rapidly evolving global urban policies. Development plans of 13 million-plus state capital cities across India have been analysed following grounded theory. The study reveals that Indian cities are not completely embracing global contemporary urban planning principles in their development plans, and the provision of these principles also differs among cities. The study proposes suggestive planning measures which might be incorporated in the urban planning process to address the challenges arising out of complexities of urbanization. The study explores how development plans endorse and implement particular urban development strategies and more generally contributes to enforcement of contemporary urban planning principles. The goal of the study is to establish a link between contemporary urban development principles articulated through the development plans.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: MoUD, Model Guidelines for Urban Land Policy, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India (GoI), 2007. Edadan, N., Structural determinants of unregulated urban growth and residential land pricing: case of Bangalore.J.Urban Plann.Develop., 2015, 141 (4), 1-9.
Literature cited 2: Turok, I., The evolution of national urban policies: a global overview. Cities Alliance, Nairobi, Kenya, 2014. Shaban, A., Kourtit, K. and Nijkamp, P., India’s urban system: sustainability and imbalance growth of cities. Sustainability, 2020, 2941 (12), 1-20.

ID: 62628
Title: Fungal degradation of cultural heritage monuments and management options
Author: Prachi Tyagi, Rajesh K.Verma and Neeraj Jain
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1553-1560 (2021)
Subject: Fungal degradation of cultural heritage monuments and management options
Keywords: Biodegradation, biocidal essential oils, cultural heritage, fungi, historical monuments
Abstract: Fungi are widely recognized as major biodeteriogens of both modern and historical buildings/monuments. Different fungal taxa have been isolated from cultural heritage monuments/structures depending on climatic conditions, humidity level and surface material for fungal colonization. Deterioration of such monuments by fungi is through assimilatory biochemical and non-assimilatory mechanisms. This article provides information on fungi infesting historical monuments/sites across the globe and their management by various biocidal compounds. This preventive methods and potency of various essential oils against fungal growth on cultural heritage materials are also critically reviewed. The available information supports the use of essential oils for surface treatment or vapour exposure to prevent mould infestation on heritage monuments. Essential oils may also function as fungicidal agents in biocidal formulations/coatings.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: George, R.P., Ramya, S., Ramachandran, D. and Kamachi Mudali, U., Studies in biodegradation of normal concrete surface by fungus Fusarium sp.Cem.Coner.Res.,2013,47, 8-13. Ligon, B.L., Penicillin: its discovery and early development.Sem.Pediatr.Infect.Dis.,2004, 5, 52-57.
Literature cited 2: Haum,C.,El-Tohamy,W.and Gruda, N., Increasing the productivity and product quality of vegetable crops using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: a review.Sci.Hortic., 2015, 187, 131-141. Shoemaker, R.C., and House, D.E., Sick building syndrome (SBS) and exposure to water-damaged buildings: time series study, clinical trial and mechansisms.Neutrotoxical.Teratol, 2006, 28, 573-588.

ID: 62627
Title: Why are the builders and operators of dams and hydels in the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya so poorly prepared for hydroclimatic hazards
Author: Pradeep Srivastava, Han She Lim and Robert Wasson
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1549-1552 (2021)
Subject: Why are the builders and operators of dams and hydels in the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya so poorly prepared for hydroclimatic hazards
Keywords: Hindu-Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya, hydroclimatic hazards, risk assessment, monitoring
Abstract: The large and apparently increasing magnitude of losses of lives and property due to hydroclimatic hazards in the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH), exemplified by the recent February, 2021 Rishiganaga and 2013 Kedarnath floods, shows that risk assessment and planning are inadequate. In the Anthropocene, where climate change is a real and present danger, the frequency of such events is likely to increase along with the damage. Based on our present understanding of the hydroclimatic risks in the HKH, we appeal for a more comprehensive plan for improving our understanding and monitoring. The scheme suggests expansion of mapping and assessment of the factors that contribute to risk. Further development of the archives of extreme events as one of the bases for risk assessment, developing real time monitoring of hazard elements such as potential for lake outbursts and landslides is essential. Artificial intelligence (AI) should be employed to provide early warning. In India a taskforce of the earth scientists, hydrologists, historians and engineers (civil an A1) should be established to chart a course for the creation of this understanding and monitoring. Similar action may be taken up in other HKH countries.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sain, K. et al. A Perspective on Rishiganga-Dauliganga flash flood in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Garhwal Himalaya, India.J.Geol.Soc.India, 2021, 97, 335-338 Rana, N. et al., A preliminary assessment of the 7 February 2021 flash flood in lower Dhauli Ganga Valley, Central Himalaya,India.J.Earth Syst.Sci.,2021, 130,78
Literature cited 2: Bhambri,R.,Mehta,M, Singh,S.,Jayangondaperumal,R.,Gupta,A.K. and Srivastava,P.,Landslide inventory and damage assessment in the Bhagirathi Valley,Uttarakhand, during June 2013 flood. Himalayan Geol, 2017, 38 (2), 193-205. Ballesteros-Canovas, J.A., Allen, S. and Stoffel, M., The importance of robust base line data on past food events for regional risk assessment: a study case from the Indian Himalayas. Contribution paper to GAR 2019.United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2019, p.22; https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/66405.

ID: 62626
Title: Lessons not learnt even after witnessing ample disasters
Author: S.Sandilyan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1531-1532 (2021)
Subject: Lessons not learnt even after witnessing ample disasters
Keywords: Witness, ample disasters
Abstract: Recent reports from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) have clearly established the deleterious role of invasive alien species on global species extinction. Especially the invasion of alien species in the aquatic ecosystem possesses a serious threat to global aquatic diversity, in particular the exotic ornamental fishes emerging as a great challenge to the native population. Earlier studies in several parts of India reported the occurrence of 27 exotic ornamental fish species in different inland wetlands. Among them, 15 species have alarmingly established their population in the wild. The National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, has declared seven exotic ornamental fishes as invasive to Indian inland wetlands. Obviously, the sucker mouth catfish (tank cleaner) reported even in remote village ponds of India, clearly indicates the invasion potential of the exotic ornamental fishes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sandilyan, S., Curr. Sci., 2016, 110(11), 2099-2104 Sandilyan, S., Invasive Alien Species of India, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, 2018; http://nbaindia.org/uploaded/pdf/Iaslist.pdf.
Literature cited 2: www1.https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/invasive-alien-species-and-sustainable-development (accessed on 30 September 2020). Sandilyan, S., The Hindu, 2019; https://www.the hindu.com/opinion/op-ed/fish-in-troubled-waters/article30332362.ece.

ID: 62625
Title: Marine litter monitoring studies in India –gaps and challenges
Author: Vipin Joseph Markose and E.V.Ramasamy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1530-1530 (2021)
Subject: Marine litter monitoring studies in India–gaps and challenges
Keywords: Marine litter monitoring studies, gaps and challenges, India
Abstract: Monitoring litter in the marine environment is a challenging task for researchers all over the world. The litter accumulates all in parts of the marine environment such as beaches, Open Ocean and seafloor. Kumar and Sivakumar have emphasized the importance of marine debris monitoring along beaches, coastal waters and seabed regions of India. While analysing research articles related to marine litter monitoring in India excluding microplastics), we noted that majority (67%) of the studies had been carried out in beaches and only a few on creeks (9%), mangroves ecosystem (9%) and on shallow sea litter (15%). This indicates the gap existing in floating and deep-sea litter monitoring studies in India. Globally however, the number of research publications on seafloor litter is increasing since 2012.As limited studies have been carried out in deep-sea litter in India, priority needs to be given to locate litter accumulation on the seafloor.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kumar, A.A. and Sivakumar, R., Curr.Sci., 2016, 110 (7), 1153-1154. Canals, M. et al., Environ.Res.Lett. 2021, 16(2), 1-29.
Literature cited 2: https://www.niot.res.in/niot1/dst_intro.php Biermann, L., Clewley, D., Vicente, V.M., and Topouzelis, K., Sci. Rep., 2020, 10, 5364.

ID: 62624
Title: Wasteland or degraded land-the dilemma continues
Author: A.Arunachalam, S.Suresh Ramanan Response by K.Sreenivasa, G.Sujatha, Tarik Mitran, K.G. Janaki Rama Suresh, T.Ravishanakar, P.V.N.Rao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (12) 1522-1523 (2021)
Subject: Wasteland or degraded land-the dilemma continues
Keywords: Wasteland, degraded land
Abstract: Land degradation (LD) is one of the major concerns of the 21st century. It can be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic factors. The article by sreenivas et al is a commendable effort to envision integration of ecological services from the perspective of human sustenance. The foundation of a food-production system is good land, i.e., soil. Definition of a land according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is as follows: ‘Land is a delineable area of the earth’s terrestrial surface, encompassing all attributes of the Biosphere immediately above or below this surface, including near-surface climate, the soil and terrain forms, the surface climate, the soil and terrain forms, the surface hydrology (including shallow lakes, rivers, marshes and swamps), the near-surface sedimentary layer and associated groundwater reserve, the plant and animal populations, the human settlement pattern and physical results of past and present human activity.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 62623
Title: Alternaria laternata causes leaf and fruit blight in Makhana
Author: Santosh Kumar, Tribhuwan Kumar, Mahendra Singh, Tamoghna Saha and Mahesh Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (11) 1492-1495 (2021)
Subject: Alternaria laternata causes leaf and fruit blight in Makhana
Keywords: Alternaria alternate, Euryale ferox, leaf and fruit blight, makahana, pathogenicity test.
Abstract: Makhana (Euryale ferox) is a high-value commodity of nutritional, medicinal and ritualistic significance. North Bihar has occupied a prominent position in terms of the production and productivity of makhana not only in India, but across the globe, Leaf blight disease on makahana was noticed in April 2018, with a severity of 15-20 % in a survey of farmers’ ponds in North Bihar, Symptoms of the disease were circular, small, light-brown, necrotic, sunken lesion that later turned into a large, dark, obligated area in the leaves. Blighting of fruits was also noticed during June and July 2018.Blighted fruits were small, distorted and twisted with less seed. Alternaria alternate was identified as the pathogen causing the disease based on morphological and cultural characteristics of the culture maintained on potato dextrose agar from symptomatic leaf and fruit samples. The fungus gave rise to greyish to grey-black colonies with obclavate to obpyriform, catenulate conidia in chains. Conidia consisted of 2-5 horizontal and 0-2 vertical septa and measured 15-60 x 5-9 µm in dimension. Molecular confirmation was done by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA using ITSI and ITS4 primers. Eventually, pathogenicity test inferred that leaf and fruit blight in makahana are due to A.alternata infection.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Shankar, M.Choudhary, N. and Singh, D., A review on gorgon nut.Int.J.Pharm.Biol.Arch, 2010, 1(2, 101-107. Kumar, L., Gupta, V.K., Khan, M.A., Singh, S.S., Jee Janardan and Kumar, A., Field based makahana cultivation for improving cropping intensity of rice fields .Bihar J.Hortic.,2011,1,71-72.
Literature cited 2: Jana, B.R., Impact of water depth on growth of gorgon nut and associated weed under wetland ecosystem of North Bihar province in India. J. Crop Weed., 2017, 13, 77-82. White, T.J., Brun, T.Lee, S. and Taylor, J., Amplification and direct sequencing of fungal ribosomal genes for phylogenetics.In PCR Protocol: A Guide to Methods and Applications (eds Innis, M.A. et al). Academic Press., New York, USA, 1990, pp.315-322.

ID: 62622
Title: Economic analysis of pesticide expenditure for managing the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E., Smith) by maize farmers in Karnataka, India
Author: Sharanabasappa S.Deshmuck, C.M. Kalleshwaraswamy, B.M. Prasanna, H.G. Sannathimmappa, B.A. Kavyashree, K.N. Sharath, Palam Pradeep and Kiran Kumar R.Patil
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (11) 1487-1492 (2021)
Subject: Economic analysis of pesticide expenditure for managing the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E., Smith) by maize farmers in Karnataka, India
Keywords: Economic analysis, fall armyworm, maize famers, pesticide expenditure, yield.
Abstract: The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) invaded India for the first time in May 2018 in Karnataka and since then has threatened maize production in the country. In this study conducted during 2017-2020, a total of 150 smallholder maize farms were randomly selected and surveyed from three major maize-growing districts in Karnataka for the pesticide usage patterns, pesticide cost and yield During 2020,FAW infestation level was recorded at 2.15 larvae per 100 plants with an overall Davis damage score of 3.80 .Maize farmers used on an average 2.12 pesticide sprays per season for FAW management in the surveyed districts in 2020.Maize yield was 4.46, 3.76,4.06 and 4.18 tonnes per hectare in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively, and the average cost on pesticides spent by farmers per 100 kg maize grain during the same years was US $ 1.39 respectively. The study highlights the effect of FAW invasion on pest management regime in the maize crops of Karnataka. Integrated pest management is the need of the hour to reduce the environmental impact of synthetic pesticides use and to protect the incomes and livelihood of the smallholders.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: FAOSTAT, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, 2021. Anon, Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmer’s Welfare, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, 2019, p.59.
Literature cited 2: Anon, Karnataka at a Glance 2019-20, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru, 2021. Luginbill, P., The fall armyworm, US Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin, 1928, vol.34, p.91.

ID: 62621
Title: Causes and consequences of Rishiganga flash flood, Nanda Devi Bioshpehere Reserve, central Himalaya, India
Author: Manish Mehta, Vinit Kumar, Kalachand Sain, Sameer K. Tiwari, Amit Kumar and Akshaya Verma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2021
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 121 (11) 1483-1487 (2021)
Subject: Causes and consequences of Rishiganga flash flood, Nanda Devi Bioshpehere Reserve, central Himalaya, India
Keywords: Flash flood, Himalaya, Nanda Devi, Ranuthi Gadera, Rishiganga
Abstract: On 7 February 2021 at 10:30am, a huge amount of slurry material flooded the Rishiganga catchment, resulting in excessive flow along the valley. The main cause of this flood was the dislocation of a huge rock mass approximately 540 m wide and 720 m long from the main rock body, which slipped down towards the Raunthi Gadera valley floor, causing massive devastation in the areas such as Raini, Tapovan, and Vishnu-prayag. This event was not expected and was the first event in history when a flash flood occurred in winter. In this study, we tried to answer two major questions which are not been explained so far that are related to this disaster. The questions are (i) why did this event occur in winters? (ii) where did so much debris and water come from? This study clearly answers these questions based on field observations.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Mehta, M.Shukla, T., Bhambri, R. Gupta, A.K. and Dobhal, D.P., Terrain changes, caused by the 15-17 June 2013 heavy rainfall in the Garhwal Himalaya,India:a case study of Alknanda and Mandakini basins. Geomorphology, 2017, 284, 53-71. Valdiya, K.S., Paul, S.K., Tara, C., Bhakuni, S.S. and Upadhyay, R.C., Tectonic and lithological characterization of Himdari (Great Himalaya) between Kali and Yamuna rivers, Central Himalaya. Himalayan Geol., 1999, 20, 1-17.
Literature cited 2: Dobhal, D.P., Gupta, A.K., Mehta, M. and Khandelwal, D.D., Kedarnath disaster: facts and plausible causes.Curr., Sci., 2013, 105 (2), 171-174. Stocker, T.F., et al., (eds), Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis, Cambridge University Press, 2013, p.1535.