Enter records

ID: 60840
Title: Aerosol optical properties over marine and continental sites of India during pre-monsoon season.
Author: Piyush Patel and A.K. Shukla.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 666-676 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Angstrom exponent, AOD, MODIS, single scattering albedo.
Abstract: Ground and satellite based measurements of spectral optical properties of aerosols have been carried out at Dehradun (DDN) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and Kavaratti (KVT) at Lakshadweep in southern Arabian Sea during pre-monsoon season (March-May) 2012. The measurements illustrate distinct seasonal impact on aerosol properties with maximum dust loading during May in conjunction with anthropogenic aerosols over DDN and marine aerosols over KVT. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) values have been observed maximum in May (0.72 ? 0.03) over DDN and in April (0.77 ? 0.05) over KVT. The high AOD at DDN during May is associated with low ? and high ?, means higher loading in May is associated with coarse mode aerosols, may be dust loading as evident from SSA and volume size distribution. Similarly, high AOD at KVT during March and April are associated with high ? and low ?, may be due to anthropogenic influence as evident from BT analysis as well as SSA and volume size distribution. However, influence of marine aerosols is also noticeable over KVT during May as indicated by the lower values of ? with high turbidity coefficient ?. Comparison between sunphotometer and MODIS AOD observations indicates good statistical agreement with the minimal error.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Forster, P. et al., Changes in atmospheric constituents and in radiative forcing. In Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis-Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds Solomon, S et al )., Cambrisdge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2007, pp. 153-171. Ramanathan, V. et al., Indian Ocean Experiment: an integrated analysis of the climate forcing and effects of the great Indo-Asian haze.J.Geophys.Res., 2001, 106, 28371-28398.
Literature cited 2: Chung, C.E., Ramanathan, V., Kim, D. and Podgorny, I.A., Global anthropogenic aerosol direct forcing derived from satellite and ground-based observations.J.Geophys.Res., 2005, 110, D24207; doi10.1029/2005JD006356. Adhikary, B. et al., Characteriazation of the seasonal cycle of South Asian aerosols: A regional-scale modeling analysis.J.Geophys.Res., 2007, 112, D22S22; doi: 10.1029/2006JD008143.

ID: 60839
Title: Flyrock in surface mine blasting: understanding the basics to develop a predictive regime.
Author: Avtar K. Raina, V.M.S.R.Murthy and Abhay K. Soni.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 660-665 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Basics, blast danger zone, flyrock prediction, surface blasting.
Abstract: Flyrock is one of the most contention issues in bench blasting. Unlike ground vibrations, flyrock has the propensity to cause fatality and severe injuries. Although the kinematic equations present a basis for the estimation of flyrock distance, these suffer from the drawback of ignoring the post- release effects of trajectory motion in air. Predictive models that are based on such equations not only suffer from this anomaly, but also fail in flyrock distance prediction due to the gross approximations of initial velocity calculations and shape of the fragments. This article discusses the flyrock phenomenon, causative factors and their use in developing prediction models. Different predictive models, namely empirical and semi-empirical are reviewed and the drawbacks highlighted. The principal causative factors of flyrock namely blast-hole pressure, time of blasting impact and post- release corrections are discussed with their relevance. The study culminates in to a futuristic comprehensive flyrock distance prediction methodology to predict the blast danger zone along with the probability and risk associated with flyrock.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Hustrulid ,W., Blasting Principles for Open Pit Mining, Vol. 1, General Design Concepts, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 1999, pp.285-289. St.George, J.D. and Gibson, M.F.L., Estimation of flyrock travel distances: a probabilistic approach. In AusIMM EXPLO 2001. Conference, Hunter Valley, 2001, pp. 409-415.
Literature cited 2: Davies, P.A., Risk based approach to setting of flyrock danger zones for blasting sites. Trans.Inst.Mines.Met., May-August 1995, 96-100. Konya, C.J. and Walter, E.J., Surface Blast Design, Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey, 1990, p. 297.

ID: 60838
Title: Low energy nuclear reactions.
Author: M.Srinivasan, A.Muelenberg.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 491-494 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Low, energy, nuclear, reactions.
Abstract: A quarter century has gone by since Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons, two chemistry professors from the University of Utah, USA, made a ' historic ' announcement at a press conference in Salt Lake City in March 1989, where they claimed that they had observed sporadic episodes of massive amounts of ' excess heat ' , over and above what is electrically put into the electrolytic cell. They suggested that in their experiments, the Pd rod which was deployed as cathode got heavily ' loaded ' with deuterium (D), thus forming PdD, from the LiOD electrolytic solution during electrolysis. They went on to postulate that the observed large amounts of ' excess heat ' , which is far beyond the chemical energy available, must be attributed to the occurrence of some sort of nuclear fusion reactions between the deuterons, d, embedded within the Pd metal matrix. This claimed occurrence of fusion reactions at room temperature soon came to be dubbed as ' cold fusion (CF) ' .
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60837
Title: Groundwater depletion in Central Punjab: pattern, access and adaptations.
Author: Satvir Kaur, Kamal Vatta.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 485-490 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Adaptations, centrifugal and submersible pumps, groundwater depletion, irrigation.
Abstract: Based on primary data collected from 105 farming households spread across three districts and nine villages of Central Punjab, this study examines groundwater depletion and consequent shifts of the farmers from centrifugal to submersible pumps. It also documents adaptation strategies of farmers in response to groundwater depletion. Owing to groundwater depletion, borewell deepening started in the 1980s and was witnessed on almost all the farms by the mid-1990s. The shift from centrifugal to submersible motors followed the S-shaped curve, which was usually observed in the adoption process of new technologies and practices. There was increase in investments on shifting to submersible pumps and the small farmers also opted for sharing of motors in order to reduce the burden of increasing investments. There were also some shifts towards alternative crops in the kharif season on small farms in response to declining access to irrigation water due to groundwater depletion in central Punjab. Some farmers were also resorting to water saving practices such as laser leveling and direct seeding of rice. Promotion of water saving technologies and practices may reduce groundwater depletion and improve access of the small holders to water.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Singh, K., Groundwater depletion in Punjab: measurement and countering strategies.Ind.J.Agric.Econ., 2011, 66, 583-589. Sidhu, R.S., Vatta, K. and Dhaliwal, H.S., Conservation agriculture in Punjab-economic implications of technologies and practices. Ind.J.Agric.Econ., 2010, 65, 413-427.
Literature cited 2: Sidhu, R.S. and Vatta, K., Economic implications of groundwater resources degradation and its management strategies in Punjab agriculture.J.Aric.Develop.Policy, 2006, 18, 50-59.

ID: 60836
Title: Strategic environmental assessment.
Author: Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal, Sarla Shashni, Amit Kumar, Nidhi Kanwar and Bhim Chand.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 480-481 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Strategic, environmental, assessment.
Abstract: Hydropower plays an important role in the socio-economic and overall development of any country. Majority of the Himalayan States such as Himachal Pradesh (HP), Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh have an estimated potential to generate 20,415, 20, 000, 25, 000 and 50, 328 MW respectively, of the total hydroelectric potential of 117, 139 MW in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). With a purpose to tap this available hydropower potential, various rivers and streams have been dammed to harness hydroelectricity. For example, River Sutlej is the largest river system of HP with the total catchment area of 20,398 sq.km spreading over the districts of Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur, Solan and Bilaspur.Currently, there are 37 hydroelectric projects of different categories which are constructed in the region, while a several small and large projects are either proposed or under construction stages.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60835
Title: Ayurvedic treatment and modern medicine.
Author: P.L.T.Girija, G.S. Savithri, Rama Jayasundar, G.G.Gangadharan, N.Nagashayana, S.Yashonath.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (4) 476-478 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Ayurvedic, Treatment, Modern Medicine.
Abstract: The aim of the meeting on ?Human body as a complex system? was to bring together both scientists (working in physics, chemistry and biology) and doctors, mainly Ayurvedic doctors to discuss two aspects: (a) clinical research and (b) basic research, pertaining to treatments given by Ayurvedic doctors. Another objective to this meeting was to discuss issues relating to Ayurvedic treatments such as drug standardization, treatment procedures vis-?-vis modern medicines. It also aimed at providing a platform for Ayurvedic doctors to present their results from clinical treatments or case studies, especially of those cases where present day modern medical approaches provide no possibility of treatment or offer limited treatment, or were those treatments are iatrogenic NSAIDs or require surgical intervention such as coronary artery or heart bypass surgery.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Valithan, M.S., Towards Ayurvedic biology-a decadal vision document, 2006, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, 2006. Kumar, R.V., Shirbur, G.N., Augustus, R. J., Lakotosh, J. and Jacobicz,I., In Proceedings of 14th IEEE Symposium on Computer Based Medical Systems, Bethesda, MD, 2001; http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/CBMS.2001.941695.
Literature cited 2: http://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=202-502 &p=1335759.

ID: 60834
Title: Monogenoidea on exotic Indian freshwater fish.3.Are Indian guidelines for importation of exotic aquarium fish useful and can they be implemented; The case of Neotropical Gussevia spiralocirra Kohn and Paperna, 1964.
Author: Amit Tripathi
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 2101-2105 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Gussevia spiralocirra, exotic aquarium fish, Pterophyllum scalare, Quarantine regulations.
Abstract: Gussevia spiralocirra, a neotropical parasitic monogenoid (Platyhelminthes), has been recorded from the type host, freshwater angelfish Pterophyllum scalare (Cichlidae), collected from the post-quarantine populations in local aquarium markets of Lucknow and Itanagar, India. The finding establishes India as a geographical distribution record for G.spiralocirra, and more importantly, reveals a potentially serious breach of quarantine regulations of the country. The present communication provides a summary assessment of existing Indian guidelines for importation of exotic aquarium fish and highlights some of its major short-comings.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Ruiz, G.M., Carlton, J.T., Grosholz, E.D. and Hines, A.H., Global invasions of marine and estuarine habitats by non-indigenous species: mechanisms, extent, and Consequences.Am.Zool, 1997, 37, 621-632. Duggan, I.C., Rixon, C.A.M.and MacIssac, H.J., Popularity and propagule pressure: determinants of introductions and establishment of aquarium fish.Biol.Invas, 2006, 8, 377-382.
Literature cited 2: Kim, J.H., Hayward, C.J., Joh, S.J.and Heo, G.J., Parasitic infections in live freshwater tropical fishes imported to Korea. Dis.Aquat.Org, 2002, 52, 169-173. Whittington, R.J.and Chong, R., Global trade in ornamental fish from an Australian perspective: the case for revised import risk analysis and management strategies.Prev.Vet.Med, 2007, 81, 92-116.

ID: 60833
Title: Effects of grassland degradation on air and soil temperature in Songnen plain of northeast China.
Author: Xiangjin Shen, Binhui Liu and Daowei Zhou.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 2098-2101 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate change, grassland degradation, Leymus chinensis, surface air temperature, soil temperature.
Abstract: Grassland degradation due to human activities is a critical problem in Songnen plain of northeast China, but the possible regional climate changes, especially air and soil temperature changes because of grassland degradation, are still not clearly known. From May to September of 2014, we simulated a Leymus chinensis degradation experiment in Songnen plain to study the effects of grassland degradation on air temperature, soil temperature and the difference between soil and air temperatures. The results demonstrated that grassland degradation will increase both the growing season surface air and soil temperature by 0.49-1.49?C and 0.6-2.27? C respectively. The difference between soil and air temperatures also increases with the reduction of L.Chinensis vegetation cover, implying that the increase in soil temperature will be much faster than air temperature with the degradation of the grassland in Songnen plain.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Jacobs, A.F.G., Heusinkveld, B.G.and Holtslag, A.A.M., Long-term record and analysis of soil temperatures and soil heat fluxes in a grassland area, T he Netherlands.Agric.For.Meteorol, 2011, 151, 774-780. Qian, B., Gregorich, E.G., Gameda, S., Hopkins, D.W. and Wang, X.L., Observed soil temperature trends associated with climate change In Canada.J.Geophys.Res., 2011, 17, 209-216.
Literature cited 2: Feddema, J.J.and Freire, S., Soil degradation, global warming and climate impacts. Climate Res., 2011, 17, 209-216 Oliver, S.A., Oliver, H.R., Wallace, J.S. and Roberts, A.M., Soil heat flux and temperature variation with vegetation, soil type and climate.Agric.Fort.Meteorol., 1987, 39, 257-269.

ID: 60832
Title: Amelioration of fluoride toxicity using amla (Emblica officinalis)
Author: Sumeet Ranjan and Shahla Yasmin
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 2094-2098 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Amla powder, Ameliorating effect, dietary supplement, fluoride toxicity.
Abstract: A study was conducted on the residents of Bhupnagar, a fluoride endemic village in Gaya district, Bihar, to assess the ameliorating effect of amla (Emblica officinalis) on fluoride-induced toxicity. Fifty-three subjects of different age groups were included in the study. Among these, 27 subjects (test group) were given amla powder as dietary supplement for 9 months and the rest of 26 subjects were kept as control (i.e. without dietary supplement). The mean urinary fluoride level in the test group was found to decline progressively during the period of supplementation. The study revealed that consumption of amla powder may play an important role in mitigating fluoride-induced toxicity.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Susheela, A.K., Dental fluorosis and its extended effects. Indian J.Pediatr, 2013, 80, 715-717. Kumar, R. and Yadav, S.S., Fluoride content in pan masala, chewing tobacco, betel nuts (supari), toothpastes and toothpowder items used and consumed in rural and urban parts of Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh.Int.J.Sci.Technol.Manage., 2014, 2, 38-47.
Literature cited 2: BIS, Drinking water-specification IS: 10500, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2012. Ranjan, S.and Yasmin, S., Assessment of fluoride intake through food chain and mapping of endemic areas of Gaya district, Bihar, India. Bull.Environ.Contam.Toxicol, 2015, 94, 220-224.

ID: 60831
Title: Comparison of performance of solar photovoltaics on dual axis tracker with fixed axis at 13? N latitude.
Author: Roshan R. Rao, H.R.Swetha, J. Srinivasan and Sheela K.Ramasesha.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11)2087-2094 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cost payback time, dual axis Sun tracker, energy conversion, solar panel.
Abstract: Tracking systems, that continually orient photovoltaic (PV) panels towards the Sun, are expected to increase the power output from the PV panels. Tremendous amount of research is being done and funds are being spent in order to increase the efficiency of PV cells to generate more power. We report the performance of two almost identical PV systems; one at a fixed latitude tilt and the other on a two-axis tracker. We observed that the fixed axis PV panels generated 336.3 kWh, and the dual-axis Sun-tracked PV panels generated 407.2 kWh during August 2012-March 2013. The tracked panels generated 21.2 % more electricity than the optimum tilt angle fixed-axis panels. The cost payback calculations indicate that the additional cost of the tracker can be recovered in 450 days.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: REN21, Renewable 2014 Global Status Report, 2014; http://www.ren21.net/REN21 Activities/Global StatusReport.aspx. Executive summary, Power Sector ,Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Government of India (GOI), November 2014; http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/executive_rep/nov 14.pdf.
Literature cited 2: Physical progress (Achievements), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Gol, December 2014; http://www.mnre.gov.in/mission-and-vision-2/achievements/ Ramachandra, T.V., Jain, R. and Krishnadas, G., Hotspots of solar potential in India. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 2011, 15, 3178-3186.

ID: 60830
Title: Ignition delay of 3-carene: single pulse shock tube study.
Author: N.Sharath, K.P.J.Reddy, P.K. Barhai and E.Arunan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11)2083-2087 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biofuel combustion, 3-carene, ignition delay, shock tube.
Abstract: Ignition delay experiments of 3-carene, a biofuel, have been carried out in single-pulse shock tube for three equivalence ratios, 0.5, 1 and 2. The temperature was varied from 1140 to 1606 K. In the above-mentioned conditions, ignition delay was found to vary from 1.180 ms to 144 ?s. The ignition delay values of 3-carene were found to be lower than those of JP-10, a kerosene-based fuel being considered for hypersonic applications.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Davidson, D.F., Horning, D.C., Oehschlaeger, M.A. and Hanson,R.K., The decomposition products of JP-10.In Proceedings of the 37 th IAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Salt Lake City, UT AIAA 01-3707. Van Devener, B. and Anderson, S.L., Breakdown and combustion of JP-10 fuel catalyzed by nanoparticle CeO2 and Fe2O3. Energy Fuels, 2006, 20, 1886-1894.
Literature cited 2: Wang, S., Gou H.-J., Fan B.-C, He Y.-Z., Zhang S.-T and Cui J.-P., Shock tube study of JP-10 ignition delay time.Chin.J.Chem.Phys, 2007, 20, 60-64. Mikolaitis, D.W., Segal, C. and Chandy, A., Ignition delays for jet propellant 10/air and jet propellant 10/high-energy density fuel/air mixtures.J.Propul.Power, 2003, 19, 601-606.

ID: 60829
Title: Dynamics of well irrigation systems and CO2 emissions in different agroecosystems of South Central India.
Author: K.S.Reddy, M.Kumar, V.Muruthi, B. Umesha, Vijayalaxmi and C.V.K.Nageswar Rao.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 2063-2070 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon dioxide emission, climate change, groundwater, pressurized irrigation, tube and dug wells.
Abstract: Water application systems under wells extracting groundwater are one of the major factors influencing climate change in the agricultural sector. In the context of growing demand for adaptation of pressurized irrigation with electric pumps in South Central India, the present study was undertaken to assess the carbon dioxide emission (CO2 e) for different irrigation systems. The crop water requirements and pumpsets prevailing in the area were considered for estimation of CO2 e. The estimation includes operational energy consumption, well digging, installation and manufacturing of the irrigation system as well as the pumpsets. The irrigation systems used in major crops under wells include surface (rice, maize, groundnut, vegetables and sugarcane), sprinkler (maize, groundnut and vegetables) and drip (vegetable and sugarcane). The analysis indicated that the energy used in pumping irrigation water made the highest contribution to total CO2 e footprint, which ranged from 2.52 to 15.72 t/ha depending on the irrigation system. Sugarcane crop showed maximum energy requirement (17.27 MWh/ha) under surface irrigation system, contributing 15.72 t/ha CO2 e. Maximum reduction in energy requirement and CO2 e was recorded in the case of drip (11.52 MWh/ha; 10.48 t/ha) system followed by sprinkler (12.58 MWh/ha; 11.52 t/ha) and raingun (14.81 MWh/ha; 13.47 t/ha) under tube wells. It was observed that among all the irrigation systems, the drip system gave the lowest CO2 e indicating the maximum climate change mitigation potential in the irrigation potential in the irrigation sector of selected region under wells.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Rothausen, S.G.SA. and Conway, D., Greenhouse-gas emissions from energy use in the water sector. Nature Climate Change, advance online publication, 2011, pp. 1-10; doi: 10.1038/Nclimate 1147. MoWR, Report on third census of minor irrigation schemes (2000-2001), Minor Irrigation Division, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, 2005.
Literature cited 2: Shah, T., Climate change and groundwater: India ' s opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. Environ.Res.Lett, 2009, 4, 035005 (1-13). Jackson, T.M., Khan, S.and Hafeez, M., A comparative analysis of water application and energy consumption at the irrigated field level. Agric. Water Manage, 2010, 97 (10), pp. 1477-1485; doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2010.04.013.

ID: 60828
Title: Characterization and crop planning of rabi fallows using remote sensing and GIS.
Author: K.K.Bandopadhyay, R.N. Sahoo, Ravender Singh, S.Pradhan, S.Singh, Gopal Krishna, S.Pargal and S.K.Mahapatra.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 2051-2062 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Crop planning, rabi fallow, remote sensing and GIS, water balance.
Abstract: Rice is the principal crop during Kharif (rainy) season in eastern India, which occupies 26.8 M ha accounting for 63.3 % of the total rice growing areas of the country. However, this area is not fully utilized for crop production in the subsequent rabi (post-rainy) season and kept fallow due to a number of biotic, abiotic and socio-economic constraints. If this rabi fallow area can be effectively utilized, it will help in improving the economy of this region, which is yet to be benefited from the green revolution. The objectives of the present study include: (i) delineation of rabi fallow areas of eastern India using remote sensing and GIS technique; (ii) characterization of soil resources of the rabi fallow regions, and (iii) suggesting site-specific crop planning for this region. It was estimated that about 12.54 M ha area in the rabi season is left fallow in eastern India. The soil properties like soil texture, soil moisture retention at field capacity and permanent wilting point, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, etc.were determined at the representative profiles distributed in different agro-ecological sub-regions (AESRs) of this region and mapped in a GIS environment. Using water balance studies, site-specific crop planning based on available residual soil moisture has been suggested. In most of the AESRs, pulses and oil-seeds like green gram, black gram, Sesamum and mustard can be grown successfully on residual soil moisture content. Crops which suffer from water deficit during maturity stages can also be grown during rabi season with one or two supplemental irrigations, wherever possible. If the site-specific constraints to crop production can be alleviated and these fallow lands can be brought under cultivation through proper crop planning a suggested, poverty in this resourceful region can be eradicated to a great extent.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Singh, R., Kundu, D.K., Ghosh, S., Chaudhari, S.K.and Kumar, A., Natural resources and social capabilities of Eastern India: Analysis of opportunities and constraints for efficient management of water.Bull.Indian Soc.Soil, 2009, 26, 1-22. Joshi, P.K., Birthal, P.S. and Bourai, V.A., Socioeconomic constraints and opportunities in rainfed rabi cropping in rice fallow areas of India. International Crops Research Institute for the SemiArid Tropics, Patancheru, 2002, p.58.
Literature cited 2: Townshend, J.R.G., Golf, T.E.and Tucker, C.J., Multispectral dimensionality of images of normalized difference vegetation index at continental scales. IEEE Trans.Geosci.RTemote Sensing, 1985, 23, 888-895. de Fries, R., Hansen, M. and Townshend, J., Global discrimination of land-cover types from metrics derived from AVHRR pathfinder data. Remote Sensing Environ, 1995, 54, 209-222.

ID: 60827
Title: Acrobotrys disolenia Haeckel from the late Miocene of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Author: Arindam Chakraborty, Amit K.Ghosh.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 1994-1998 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Acrobotrys disolenia, Haeckel, Late Miocene, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Abstract: In the present-day oceans, radiolarians are one of the most significant components of the plankton community. They utilize opaline silica to build their skeleton. They have considerable influence on the oceanic silica style. There is disputed report of this old group of protozoans in the Precambrian strata; however, there is confirmed report of radiolarians from the early Cambrian black cherts of Yangtze Platform, China. Molecular data indicate that radiolarians originated approximately 1 billion years ago, but there is no fossil evidence in support of these molecular data .Apart from their natural beauty, radiolarians are useful for biostratigraphy owing to their wide distribution, considerably high species diversity and vertical as well as latitudinal distribution.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Anderson, O.R., Radiolaria, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1983, pp. 1-363. Champbell, A.S., In Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part D Protista 3 (ed.Moore, R.C), Geology Society of America and the University of Kansas, 1954, pp. D11-D163.
Literature cited 2: Braun, A., Chen, J., Waloszek, D. and Maas, A., Geol.Soc.London Spec.Publ., 2007, 286, 143-149. Knoll, A., Science, 1992, 256, 622-627.

ID: 60826
Title: Khejri, the king of Indian Thar desert is under phenophase change.
Author: P.Ratha Krishnan, S.K.Jindal
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (11) 1987-1990 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Khejri, king, Indian Thar Desert, Phenophase, Change.
Abstract: Vegetation of Indian Thar region is ecologically important, though fragile. Any change in its composition and trait will ultimately impact the productivity and sustainability of the system and the region. This region has 682 species belonging to 352 genera and 87 families of flowering plants. Among them, Prosopis Cineraria locally called as Khejri or Jandi is an indigenous tree, which effectively stabilizes sand dunes and can withstand periodic burial. It is believed to be the best suitable agroforestry species, due to its deep taproot system, positive alleolopathy effect, soil fertility improvement and yield augmentation of understorey crops.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Gates, P.J.and Brown, K., Outlook Agric, 1998, 17, 61-64. Bhandari, M.M., Econ.Bot. 1974, 28 (1), 73.
Literature cited 2: Anon, Vision 2025: perspective plan, CAZEI, Jodhpur, 2007, p.94. Rathore, J.S., Indian J.Agric.Econ, 2009, 59 (4), 689-708.