ID: 62545
Title: Greenhouse gas emissions from integrated nutrient management practices in pearl millet+ Melia dubia agrisilvi system
Author: P.Chandana, A.Madhavi Lata, J.V.N.S.Prasad and M.A. Aariff Khan
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 (5) 704-708 (2021)
Subject: Greenhouse gas emissions from integrated nutrient management practices in pearl millet+ Melia dubia agrisilvi system
Keywords: Agri-silvi system, carbon dioxide, global warming potential, greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide
Abstract: Climate change induced due to magnitudinal rise in proportions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the environment has emerged as an indubitable concern across the globe. Hence, the impact of various organic forms of manure on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil and global warming potential (GWP) was studied in pearl millet + Melia dubia agri-silvi system. Replacing 25 % of nitrogen with farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure and pongamia green leaf manure (PGLM) elevated CO2 emissions by 8.81%, 12.39%, 15.88% and NO emissions by 47.5%, 49.8% and 55.8% respectively, compared to full recommended dose of fertilizer through neem-coated urea treatment. Also, 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) using neem-coated urea is effective in reducing GWP of all the treatments ranged from 1029 (unfertilized) to 1807 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 sole crop without trees). The study also reported lower CO2 and N2O emissions under tree compared to sole crop without trees, which suggests that agroforestry would reduce the overall GHG emissions. Also, use of organic manure along with inorganic fertilizers showed better carbon efficiency ratio and soil fertility status in spite of increase in GWP.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: IPCC, Summary for policymakers. In climate change 2007: Synthesis report of Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2007, p.22.
Myhre,G. et al.,Anthropogenic and natural radiative forcing. In Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Inter Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2013.
Literature cited 2: Ashalatha, A., Divya, M.P., and Ajayghosh, V., Development of suitable Melia dubia based agroforestry models for higher productivity. arras Agric.J.2015, 102 (7-9) , 264-267.
Winans,K., Whalen,J.K., Cogliastro,A., Rivest,D. and Ribaudo,L., Soil carbon stocks in two hybrid poplar hay crop systems in southern Quebec, Canada. Forests, 2014, 5, 1952-1966.
ID: 62544
Title: Vegetative propagation of Ulmus villosa Brandis and Ulmus wallichiana Planchon: optimizing plant growth regulators and growing media on root formation in hardwood stem cuttings
Author: Ishrat Nazir, Vaishnu Dutt, Anup Raj, G.M.Bhat, Bilal Ahmad Bhat and Akhlaq Amin Wani
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 (5) 691-696 (2021)
Subject: Vegetative propagation of Ulmus villosa Brandis and Ulmus wallichiana Planchon: optimizing plant growth regulators and growing media on root formation in hardwood stem cuttings
Keywords: Growing media, indole-butyric acid, stem cuttings, Ulmus villosa, Ulmus wallichiana, vegetation propagation
Abstract: Ulmus villosa and Ulmus wallichiana are agroforestry tree species of the Kashmir valley, India. Low viability and less longevity of the seeds limit their propagation. The hardwood stem cuttings of both species were propagated in growing medium (soil, sand and a mixture of cocopeat: vermiculite: perlite) and treated with different indole-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations. The results showed maximum sprouting, rooting, survival, shoot length, root length, and leaf area at 2500 and 2000 ppm IBA for U.villosa and U.wallichiana respectively. Moreover, with cocopeat: vermiculite: perlite 2: 1: 1, significant results were observed in the species. The interaction between planting media and IBA concentration showed significant variance.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Pooler, M.R., and Townsend, A.M., DNA fingerprinting of clones and hybrids of American elm and other elm species with AFLP markers. J. Environ. Hortic. 2005, 23 (3), 113-117.
Thakur, S., Thakur, I.K., Singh, N.B., Sharma, J.P.and Sankanur, M., Estimation of genetic diversity in progeneies of selected genotypes of Ulmus villosa brandis using rapid markers. Indian For., 2014, 140 (12), 1221-1229.
Literature cited 2: Melville, R. and Heybrock, H.M., The elms of the Himalayas.Kew Bull., 1971, 26 (1), 5-28.
Singh, R.V., Fodder Trees in India, Oxford & IBH Publication Co, New Delhi, India, 1982, pp.105-106.
ID: 62543
Title: Assessment of groundwater quality in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, using ionic chemistry
Author: T.sherene Jenita Rajammal, P.Blasubramaniam and M.J.Kaledhonkar
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 (5) 676-684 (2021)
Subject: Assessment of groundwater quality in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, using ionic chemistry
Keywords: Groundwater quality, ionic chemistry, irrigation, slat-tolerant crops, spatial maps
Abstract: Saline or alkali water also constitutes an important source of irrigation for agricultural production. A study was undertaken at the block level to evaluate major ion chemistry and suitability of water for irrigation purpose in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 215 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ions and the analytical data were interpreted according to established guidelines. The spatial map shows that calcium (Ca2+) is the most dominant cation with bicarbonate (HCO3-) and chloride (Cl-) as the dominant anions. The abundance of cations follows follows the order Ca>Mg>Na>K and that of anions HCO3>Cl>So4The distribution of water samples in different water quality classes based on pH, EC, residual sodium carbonate and sodium adsorption ratio reveals good-quality underground irrigation water in most of the blocks, except Tholavai. In Thucklay, 100% of the groundwater can be used, whereas 89.7% can be used in Rajakamangalam, 81.25% in Munchirai, 80.95% in Thiruvattar and 73.7% in Kuruthencode. The Thovalai block had saline water (73.68%) and marginally saline water (26.32%). Saline water was found in about 25% of the area in the district and in situ rainwater conservation for leaching of salts accumulated through saline water irrigation is an important technology. Thus, farmers need to be trained regarding these aspects. Such areas require adequate drainage and also introduction of salt-tolerant crops.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Raju, N.J., Shukla, U.K., and Ram, P., Hydrogeochemistry for the assessment of groundwater quality in Varanasi: a fast-urbanizing center in Uttar Pradesh, India .Environ. Monit Assess., 2011, 173, 279-300.
Belkhiri, L. and Mouni, L., Hydrochemical analysis and evaluation of groundwater quality in El Eulma area, Algeria.Appl.Water Sci., 2012, 2, 127-133.
Literature cited 2: Kaushik, A.K., Sharma, H.R., and Bhupinder, M., Groundwater quality of Ambala and Nilokheri cities in Haryana in relation to landuse.Environ.Ecol., 2000, 18 (3), 616-623.
Sarath Prasanth, S.V., Magesh, N.S., Jitheshlal, K.V., Chandrasekar, N. and Gangadhar, K., Evaluation of groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and agricultural use in the coastal stretch of Alappuzha District, Kerala, India. Appl. Water Sci., 2012, 2, 165-175.
ID: 62542
Title: Palynological and palynofacies assemblage from the Subathu Formation (Eocene) of Northwestern Himalaya, Nilkanth, Uttarakhand, India
Author: Rashmi Panwar, O.P. Thakur and N.N. Dogra
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 (5) 667-675 (2021)
Subject: Palynological and palynofacies assemblage from the Subathu Formation (Eocene) of Northwestern Himalaya, Nilkanth, Uttarakhand, India
Keywords: Dinoflagellate cysts, marine influences, nummulites, palynology, palynofacies analysis.
Abstract: The study reports a record of palynological and palynofacies assemblage comprising 29 genera and 34 species of acritarchs, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, fungal and dinoflagellates from the Kothar Section of Nilkanth, Uttarakhand. The lower part of the succession indicates terrestrial warm and humid conditions with intermittent marine influences. Presence of dinolagellate cysts in the middle part shows slight deepening of the shallow basin, while nummulites in the upper part indicate marine conditions. The overall assemblage of the Subathu Kothar area succession dates this formation to Early-Middle Eocene.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bera, M.K.Sarkar, A. Chakrabarty,P.P.,Loyal ,R.S., and Sanyal,P. ,Marine to continental transition in Himalayan Forel and Geol.Soc.Am.Bull.,2008, 120 (9-10), 1214-1232.
Bera, M.K., Sarkar, A., Chakrabarty, P.P., Ravikant, V., and Choudhary, A.K., Forced regressive shoreface sandstone from Himalayan foreland: implications to early Himalayan tectonic evolution. Sediment Geol., 2010, 229, 268-281
Literature cited 2: Bera, M.K. and Mandal, A., Forced regressive across the marine to continental transition in Jammu sub-basin: implication to the Oligo-miocene unconformity in Himalayan foreland. J. Asian Earth Sci., 2013, 67-68, 37-45.
Mathur, N.S., Biotratigraphical aspects of the Subathu Formation, Kumaun Himalaya.Rec.Res.Geol., 1978, 5, 96-112.
ID: 62541
Title: Rare and neglected rice landraces as a source of fatty acids for undernourished infants
Author: Sandipan Ray, Debal Deb, Amarnath Nandy, Debopriya Basu, Agnideep Aich, Sudipta Tripathi, Sugata Sen Roy and Mousumi Poddar Sarkar
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 (5) 660-666 (2021)
Subject: Rare and neglected rice landraces as a source of fatty acids for undernourished infants
Keywords: Fatty acids, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, landraces, linear discriminant analysis, rice
Abstract: This study deals with the quantitative assessment of nutritionally important fatty acids (FAs) in 94 indigenous rice (Oryza sativa ssp. Indica) landraces of India which are critically endangered, being cultivated only by a handful of marginal farmers. Three modern high-yielding varieties and one local high-yielding farmers’ variety were analysed for comparative assessment. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of FAs based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of these varieties revealed their significant contribution to daily diet. Two ‘case studies’ were considered on the basis of individual FAs and nutritionally correlated FA parameters of the rice cultivars to isolate the most promising landraces, by clustering through linear discriminant function. These folk rice landraces may add important precursors to essential FAs in the staple diet and can provide for FA requirement in normal brain development in infants. We suggest incorporation of these landraces into India’s food and agriculture policy, both for conserving the vanishing landraces and for ensuring nutritional security of the economically marginalized people.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Global Rice Science Parternership (cigar),Rice Almanac, 4th edn., International Rice Research Institute ,Los Bathos, The Philippines, 2013.
Taira, H., Lipid content and fatty acid composition of rice. Jpn. Agric .Res. Q., 1983, 16 (4), 273-280.
Literature cited 2: Zhou, Z., Blanchard, C., Helliwell, S. and Robards, K. Fatty acid composition of three rice varieties following storage. J. Cereal Sci., 2003, 37 (3), 327-335.
https://www.irri.org/safe-and-healthy-rice.
ID: 62540
Title: Kinetic and mechanistic studies of cerium (III)-catalysed oxidation of 4-oxo acids by bromated in acid medium: nonlinear Hammett plots
Author: B.Suresh Babu, P.Sunitha Mnajari and Ch.Sanjeeva Reddy
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 (5) 651-659 (2021)
Subject: Kinetic and mechanistic studies of cerium (III)-catalysed oxidation of 4-oxo acids by bromated in acid medium: nonlinear Hammett plots
Keywords: Bromate oxidation, cerium (III) catalysis, isokinetic relationships, reaction mechanism, 4-oxo acids.
Abstract: The kinetic and mechanistic aspects of cerium (III)-catalyzed oxidation of 4-oxo acids by bromated (uncontaminated with bromine) in an acid medium have been studied. The reaction exhibited first-order each in [bromate] and [acid], fractional order each in [oxo acid] and [cerium (III)], and also showed solvent isotope effect of 0.55 (k (H20/K (D2O). The reaction did not induce polymerization and the induction period was not observed. The influence of ionic strength on the rate was negligible, while increase in reaction rate was found by lowering the dielectric constant of the medium. The reaction rate was affected by the presence of substituent in the reaction centre. Increase in the reaction rate by electron releasing substituent and decrease in the rate by the presence of electron-with-drawing substituent were observed. The Hammett plots were characterized by smooth curvature; however, linearity was observed using exalted σ values. A negative value for the reaction constant was observed. The isokinetic relationship was evaluated from the Arrhenius and Hammett plots. The formation of a ternary complex between oxidant, substrate and catalyst has been proposed in the mechanism. Based on the proposed mechansism, the rate law has been derived. The formation of a π-complex between Ce (III) and –ene of the enol form of oxo acid has been proposed. This reaction finds application in the synthesis of substituted benzoic acids and involves the phenomena of intramolecular catalysis and neighboring group participation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Fuentes, L.M., Gerald,L.and Larson,G.L., A facile synthesis of 4-oxo carboxylic acids from y-butyrolactone.Tetrahedron Lett., 1982, 23 (3) , 271-274.
Bell, R.B and Covington, D., Intra-and inter–molecular catalysis in the halogenations of some oxocarboxylic acids.J.Chem.Soc.Perkin Trans 2, 1975, 12, 1343-1348.
Literature cited 2: Bhatt, M.V., Ravindranathan, M., Somayaji, V. and Rao, G.V., Aspects of tautomerism.13. Alkaline hydrolysis of gamma, delta-and epsilon-keto esters and their deoxy analogs.Geometrical constraints on keto participation.J. Org.Chem., 1984, 49 (17), 3170-3173
Kavitha, S., Pandurangan, A. and Alphonse, I., Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of beta benzoylopropionic acids by pyridinium fluoro-chromate in aqueous acetic acid medium. Indian J.Chem.A., 2005, 44(4), 715-718.
ID: 62539
Title: Implementation of managed aquifer recharge techniques in India
Author: Shreya Ganguly and Sayantan Ganguly
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 (5) 641-650 (2021)
Subject: Implementation of managed aquifer recharge techniques in India
Keywords: Check dams, managed aquifer recharge, recharge shafts, rooftop rainwater harvesting, percolation tanks
Abstract: Rapid rise in population and urbanization have caused excessive groundwater exploitation which is a major concern. Therefore, technologies to replenish the groundwater are necessary for its conservation and sustainable development. Storage of freshwater in shallow aquifers using different techniques has become the practice worldwide to restore the depleting groundwater and improve water quality. This article addresses the implementation of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in six zones of India, viz. North, South, East, West, Central and Northeast along with a brief scenario of the geologies of these zones. The prevalence of percolation tanks, check dams, recharge shafts and rainwater harvesting methods is found to be feasible and beneficial in most parts of India due to their efficiency and easy application. The adversities of MAR like clogging of porous media are also highlighted along with their mitigation strategies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Rodell, M., Velicogna, I. And Famiglietti, J.S., Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India. Nature, 2009, 460, 999-1002.
Thomas, B.F. and Famiglietti, J.S., Identifying climate-induced groundwater depletion in GRACE Observations.Sci.Rep., 2019, 9, 4124.
Literature cited 2: Gruetzmacher, G. and Kumar, S., Introduction to managed aquifer recharge (MAR) –overview of schemes and settings worldwide. Conference on Managed Aquifer recharge: Methods, Hydrogeological Requirements, Post and pre-treatment Systems, 2012.
Modrzyrisk, J.J., Aamand,J., Wittorf, L., Badawi,N., Hubalek, V., Canelles, A., Hallin,S. and Albers, C.N., Combined removal of organic micropollutants and ammonium in reactive barriers developed for managed aquifer recharge. Water Res., AJ. Int. Water Assoc., 2020, WR 116669.
ID: 62538
Title: Dynamics of air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes and their trends in the global context
Author: K.Lekshmi, TRishikesh Bharti and Chandan Mahanta
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 (5) 626-640 (2021)
Subject: Dynamics of air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes and their trends in the global context
Keywords: Carbon dioxide fluxes, earth system, global scenario, ocean-atmosphere interface, seasonal variability.
Abstract: This article reviews the dynamics of CO2 fluxes in the global scenario. Most of the available techniques for sea-surface CO2 partial pressure estimation are regional models that depend on the key regulating parameters of partial pressures. Global –scenario of fluxes reveals a contrasting trend, indicating subpolar-and polar –waters dominated by physical forcings in winter, releasing CO2 whereas a biological drawdown of atmospheric CO2 in summer. In the tropical oceans, thermal regulation weakness biological forcing leading to influx in winter and outflux in summer. The Atlantic Ocean acts as an intense sink (-815 to -1295 mmol Cm-2yr-1); the strong source in the Pacific equatorial belt in balanced by temperate sinks. The Indian Ocean as a whole act as sink (-841x1015 mmol C yr-1) whereas the northwestern sub-basin acts as a source (2.04.04 x 1015 mmol C yr-1). The net global ocean uptake is 50x1015 mmol Cyr-1 where the physical–and biological–forcings along with seasonality play crucial roles in the flux direction.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chester, R., Marine Geochemistry, Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford, UK, 2000,2nd edn, p.506.
Velasco, E. and Roth, M., Cities as sources of CO2: review of atmospheric CO2 exchange in urban environments measured by eddy covariance technique. Geogr. Compass, 2010, 4 (9), 1238-1259; 10.1111/j.1749-8198.2010. 00384.x
Literature cited 2: Feely, R.A., Sabine, C.L., Takahashi, T. and Wanninkhof, R., Uptake and storage of carbon dioxide in the ocean: the global CO2 survey. Oceanography, 2001, 14 (4), 18-32.
Zeebe, R.E., History of sea water carbonate chemistry, atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidification. Annu .Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 2012, 40, 141-165; doi: 10.1146/annurev-earth-042711-105521.
ID: 62537
Title: Oxygen production potential of trees in urban areas: a reality check?
Author: Suresh Ramanan, S.Mohammed Osman, Arun Kumar Shankar and K.B.Sridhar
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 (5) 622-625 (2021)
Subject: Oxygen production potential of trees in urban areas: a reality check?
Keywords: Oxygen release, photosynthetic rate, trees, urban greenspaces, valuation
Abstract: Trees are referred to as lungs of the earth for their oxygen releasing potential, via photosynthesis. Air quality in urban areas has deteriorated and it is impacting the well-being of human life. The oxygen spa or artificial oxygen environment is portrayed as an alternative to air pollution. Against this backdrop, there are voices supporting to increase the tree cover in urban areas, thereby increasing oxygen availability. Increasing tree numbers to remove air pollutants is a logical argument but improving the air quality by increasing the oxygen concentration by growing more trees needs interospection. Thus, the question-How much oxygen is produced by different tree species and how to quantify it? According to atmospheric researchers the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere has not changed for quite a long time. Also, oxygen production from the terrestrial ecosystems is less compared to the marine and aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, there are numerous benefits from urban trees or urban greenspaces, so do we really need to worry about oxygen production or release from urban trees?
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Madhavan, R., Bengaluru suffers from acute oxygen deficiency .The Indian Express, 2018.
Taylor, M., UK mayors urge Boris Jhonson to commit to tougher air pollution targets. Guard, 2021; https://www.theguardina.com/environment/2021/jan/27/uk-mayors-boris-johnson-tougher-air-pollution-targets.
Literature cited 2: Press Trust of India, When pollution levels have spiked, portable oxygen cylinders are also in vogue and are being bought through e-commerce sites. Business Standard, New Delhi, 2019.
Moitra, S., Oxygen bars are surely not a solution for pollution. The Hindu, 2019.
ID: 62536
Title: Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria an Organixxgro on tissue-cultured bamboo plantlets under nursery conditions.
Author: Kishna Giri, Satyam Bordoloi, Gaurav Mishra, R.S.C.Jayaraj, Navajyoti Bora, Rupjyoti C.Baruah, Bondita Borah, Samiran Kakoti
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 (5) 615-617 (2021)
Subject: Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria an Organixxgro on tissue-cultured bamboo plantlets under nursery conditions.
Keywords: Rhizobacteria, Organixxgro, tissue-culture, bamboo plantlets
Abstract: Bamboos are evergreen perennial woody grasses from the Poaceae family distributed in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions of the world. As a suitable alternative to timber, bamboo was once considered as the poor man’s timber. However, owing to the extensive increase in modern applications with tremendous economic importance, bamboos have rightly been recognized as ‘greengold’ of the 21st century. In India, 136 species of bamboo belonging to 23 genera are found. The Northeastern (NE) states of India alone harbor more than 90 bamboo species, 41 of which are endemic to this region. Among the bamboos of NE India, Bambusa tulda is the most economically important species prioritized by the National Bamboo Mission for large-scale cultivation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bakshi, M., Sustainable production of bamboo for rural and tribal communities via farmer-friendly technology, 173-180.In Multipurpose forestry. In Proceedings on Managing and Enhancing Ecosystem Services and Production Function of Forests, Woodlands and Trees Outside Forests (eds Negi, S.S and Dinesh Kumar), FRI, Dehradun, 2010, p.268.
Tewari, D.N., A Monograph on Bamboo, International Book Distributors, Dehradun, 1992, p. 498.
Literature cited 2: Hore, D.K., J. Econ. Taxon. Bot., 1998, 22 (1), 173-181.
Loushambam, R.S., Singh, N.R., Taloh, A. and Mayanglambam, S., Indian J. Hill Farm, 2017, 30 (2), 181-185.
ID: 62535
Title: Nitrogen loss from plants-an Ignored aspect
Author: D.Blaise
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 (5) 613-614 (2021)
Subject: Nitrogen loss from plants-an Ignored aspect
Keywords: Nitrogen, plants, ignored aspect
Abstract: Fertilizer nitrogen (N) is universally used in crop production to attain high crop yields. However, the efficiency of fertilizer N is often reported to be in the range 30-50%. High N loss through ammonia volatilization, denitrification and surface run-off is reported as the main reason for low use efficiency. Another pathway for N loss is during the catabolism process when plants senesce. This has not been studied well and is often ignored in the calculation of the N balance sheet. Thus, considering N loss from plants will help in constructing an accurate balance sheet.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Prasad, R., Curr., Sci., 1998, 75, 677-683.
Appl, M., In Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weiheim, Germany, 2006.
Swaminathan, M.S., 50 years of Green Revolution: An Anthology of Research Papers, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, India, 2017, p. 484; doi.10.1142/10279.
Literature cited 2: Swaminathan, M.S., 50 years of Green Revolution: An Anthology of Research Papers, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundations (MSSRF), Chennai, India, 2017, p.484; doi:10.1142/10279.
NAAS, Policy Paper No.35, National Academy of Agricultural sciences, New Delhi, 2006, p.8
ID: 62534
Title: Mites: an emerging problem for bumblebees in the Indian Himalayan Region
Author: Rifat Hussain Raina, Babu Sadam, Aejaz H.Parrey, Purnima Pathak and Kailash Chandra
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 (4) 581-585 (2021)
Subject: Mites: an emerging problem for bumblebees in the Indian Himalayan Region
Keywords: Bumblebees, crop yield, high-altitude eco-system, mites, pollinators
Abstract: Bumblebees, crop yield, high-altitude eco-system, mites, pollinators to increase crop yield in the high-altitude ecosystem in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), bumblebees are highly valued insects. An unwanted mite's association with bumblebees is an example of a serious threat for the conservation of high-altitude agro-forestry ecosystem. Mites are emerging as a serious pest for bumblebees in the IHR and cause reduction in the pollinating efficiency of bumblebees, population health and in the spread of unwanted pathogens in nests. The mite Uropodina sp. (Acari:Mesostigmata) attacks on queens of Bombus simillimus, Bombus tunicatus and queens of Bombus miniatus were recorded in the present study and fitness of bumblebees attacked by the mite population was also determined. B.simillimus queens were heavily attacked and wide distribution of Uropodina sp. On the body of the bumblebees was observed in this study.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Eickwort, G.C, Evolution and life-history patterns of mites associated with bees. In Mites: Ecological and Evolutionary Analyses of Life-history Patterns (ed. Houck, M.A.,), Chapman and Hall, New York, USA, 1994, pp.218-251.
Klimov, P.B., Oconnor, B. and Knowles, L.L., Museum specimens and phylogenies elucidate ecology’s role in coevolutionary associations between mites and their bee hosts. Evolution, 2007, 61, 1368-1379.
Literature cited 2: Park, Y., -L., Kondo, V., White, J., West, T., McConnell, B. And McCutcheon, T., Nest-to-nest dispersal of Chaetodactylus krombeini (Acari, Chaetodactylidae) associated with Osmia cornifrons (Hym., Megachilidae).J.Appl.Entomol., 2009, 133, 174-180.
Sammataro, D., Gerson, U. and Needham, G.R., Parasitic mites of honeybees: life history, implications and impact. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 2000, 45, 517-546.
ID: 62533
Title: : Identification of male-specific active host plant volatiles for maize stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe
Author: Niraj Guleria, Suresh M.Nebapure, P.D.Kamala Jayanthi, S.B.Suby and P.Saravan 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 (4) 578-581 (2021)
Subject: Identification of male-specific active host plant volatiles for maize stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe
Keywords: Dynamic headspace collection, gas chromatography-electroantennogram detector, maize stem borer, male-specific active volatiles
Abstract: The present study was conducted to identify male-specific active plant volatiles from maize against Chilo partellus. The gas chromatography-electroantennogram detector evaluation of volatile extracts collected from maize plant through dynamic headspace collection revealed the presence of six electro physiologically active volatiles for male, viz toluene, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol,4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, p-isopropyl benzaldehyde (cuminaldehyde) and p-xylene. Electroantennogram analysis of selective synthetic volatiles against male moths revealed significantly higher response to geranyl acetate, cuminaldehyde, linalool and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Electroantennogram studies showed dose-dependent responses of male moths against geranyl acetate, cuminaldehyde, linalool and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol up to 50 µg, above which saturation of antennal response was noticed. These findings will help to study the synergistic activity of identified volatiles with pheromone compounds for developing more effective lure for C.partellus monitoring and mass trapping.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sethuraman, V.and Narayanam, K., Biological activity of nucleo-polyhedrovirus isolated from Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in India .Asian J.Exp.Biol.Sci, 2010, 1, 325-330.
Nesbittt, B.F., Beevor, P.S.,Hall,D.R., Lester,R., Davies,J.C., and Reddy,K.S., Components of the sex pheromone of the female spotted stalk borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidptera:Pyralidae): identification and preliminary field trials.J.Chem.Ecol.,1979, 5 (1), 153-163.
Literature cited 2: Sole, J. Sans, A., Riba, M. and Guerrero, A., Behavioural and electrophysiological responses of the European corn borer Ostrinia nubialis to host-plant volatiles and related chemicals.Physiol.Entomol., 2010, 35(4) , 354-363.
Reddy, G.V.P.Guerrero, A.Interactions of insect pheromones and plant semi chemicals. Trends Plant Sci, 2004, 9, 253-261.
ID: 62532
Title: Evaluation of probability distribution functions applied to tree diameter in a mixed uneven Kiker (Robinia pseudoacacia) stand of Kashmir Himalaya, India
Author: Tariq H.Masood, Immad A.Shah, Meraj U.Din Dar, Parvez A. Sofi and Javeed A.Mugloo
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 (4) 573-577 (2021)
Subject: Evaluation of probability distribution functions applied to tree diameter in a mixed uneven Kiker (Robinia pseudoacacia) stand of Kashmir Himalaya, India
Keywords: Diameter class, goodness-of-fit statistics, forest stands, probability distribution function, Robinia pseudoacacia
Abstract: Probability distribution is of significance to predict tree distribution and estimate productivity in different ages as well as thinning out in forest stands to ensure optimized and stable stands. Statistical probability distributions, viz. Lognormal, Weibull, exponential and gamma were used to fit tree-diameter data generated from the Manasbal forest stand of Kashmir Himalaya, India containing a heterogeneous population of trees with the objective to determine the best probability distribution of tree diameter. To estimate the parameters of the fitted distributions, the method of maximum likelihood was used. The various distributions were evaluated using different goodness of-fit tests, viz.Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Cramer-von Misses and Anderson-Darling statistics, and was ascertained. Lognormal distribution fitted the data well and could be used in modelling, planning and scheduling the forest stand in the study region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Boring, L.R. and Swank, W.T., The role of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) in forest succession.1894, 72, 749-766.
Luna, R.K., In Plantation Trees, International Book Distributor, Dehradun, 2005, pp.895-898.
Literature cited 2: Shukla,N.K.,Singh,K.R., and Singh, R.S., A note on the physical and mechanical properties of Robinia pseudoacacia.Fraxinus spp.and Ailanthus spp. from Srinagar (J&K).Indian For., 1986, 112 (2) , 139-151.
Singh, H.P., Pandey, C.N and Sharma, S.N., Studies on shrinkage behaviour of Robinia pseudoacacia timber. Indian For., 1990, 116 (10), 832-836.
ID: 62531
Title: Anomalous subsurface VLF electric field emissions related to Nepal earthquakes (M=7.8, M=7.3), and their generation and propagation mechanisms.
Author: Sarita Sharma, Raj Pal Singh, Birbal Singh and Devrat Pundhir
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 (4) 551-559 (2021)
Subject: Anomalous subsurface VLF electric field emissions related to Nepal earthquakes (M=7.8, M=7.3), and their generation and propagation mechanisms.
Keywords: Attenuation, earthquakes, electric field, radiating dipole, VLF emissions
Abstract: Measurement s of amplitude of vertical components of very low frequency (VLF) electric field emissions have been in progress at Chaumuhan, Mathura (27.5°N, 77.68°E) , Uttar Pradesh, India, at the frequency of 3.012 kHz using a borehole antenna since 24 March 2011.Ion the present study, we have statistically analysed the VLF data from 1 January to 31 July 2015 using the mean ( m±2σ) criterion with respect to two major earthquakes (M=7.8, 7.3) and their aftershocks that occurred on 25 April and 12 May 2015 in Khudi and Kodari regions of Nepal respectively. Results of the analysis show a spiky enhancement above the m + 2σ line in the daily variation of the normalized VLF data, 7-14 days before the onset of main shocks of these earthquakes. These anomalous enhancements in the normalized values of amplitude are examined in light of various other possible causative sources such as magnetic storms, local lightning, solar flares and solar eclipse, rainfall, wind speed, temperature and pressure of the atmosphere. It was found that the VLF amplitude anomalies are not related to these sources. Further, we have developed a theoretical model for generation and propagation mechanisms of VLF emissions associated with the said earthquakes and their aftershocks by assuming an ensemble of elementary radiators randomly oriented and distributed in space and time in the preparation zones of these earth-quakes. The computed electric field from the model is in good agreement with the observations.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: GAokhberg, M.B., Morgunov, V.A., Yoshiino, T., Tomizawa, I., Experimental measurement of electromagnetic emissions possibly related to earthquakes in Japan.J.Geophys.Res, 1982, 87 (B9), 7824-7828.
Hattori, K., Han, P., Yoshino, T., Febriani, F., Yamaguchi, H. and Kanto, Japan during 2000-2010: case studies and statistical studies. Surv. Geophys., 2013, 34 (3), 93-316.
Literature cited 2: Fujinawa, Y., Noda, Y., Takahashi, K., Kobayashi, M., Takamatsu, K. and Natsumeda, J., Field detection of microtracks to define the nucleation stage of earthquake occurrence. Int. J. Geophys., 2013 (7), 1-18.
Singh, R.P., Singh, B. Mishra, P.K. and Hayakawa, M., On the Lithosphere-atmosphere coupling of seismo-electromagnetic signals. Radio Sci., 2003, 38 (4), 1-10.