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ID: 60825
Title: Seed coat architecture of four Indian species of Ephedra and its taxonomic significance.
Author: Soma Majumder, Ashalata D ' Rozario, Subir Bera
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) 1984-1987 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Seed coat, architecture, four Indian species, Ephedra, Taxonomic, Significance.
Abstract: Structural details of seed coat have proved universally useful in solving systematic problems, establishing evolutionary relationships, segregating hybrids and in the identification of scattered fragments in Paleobotanical studies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Lersten, N.R., Proc.Iowa Acad.Sci., 1979, 86, 102. Gopinathan, M.C.and Babu, C., Ann.Bot, 1985, 56,723-732.
Literature cited 2: Rejdali, M., Bot.J.Linn Soc., 1990, 103, 317-324. Pant, D.D.and Verma, B.K., Bot.J.Linn.Soc, 1974, 69, 287-308.

ID: 60824
Title: Spatio-temporal variability of snow cover in Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Yamuna sub-basins, Uttarakhand, Himalaya
Author: B.P. Rathore, S.K.Singh, I.M.Bahuguna, R.M.Brahmbhatt, A.S.Rajawat, A. Thapliyal, A.Panwar and Ajai.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1375-1380 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Ablation, AWiFS, Ganga, NDSI, snow cover
Abstract: Advance wide field sensor (AWiFS) data of RESOURCESAT-1 and 2 satellites of IRS series were used to produce snow cover products at 10-day interval from 2004 to 2012 covering October to June of consecutive years for Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Yamuna sub-basins of Ganga basin in the Himalayan region. The snow products were generated using Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) at a spatial resolution of 56 m using green (B2) and SWIR (B5) channels of AWiFS sensor. Minimum and maximum snow cover was found to be 998, 669, 141 sq.km, and 7874, 5876, 3068 sq.km for Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Yamuna sub-basins respectively. The areal extent of snow was higher than the mean during the years 2004-2005, 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 for all sub-basins. Mean of monthly fluctuations between maximum and minimum snow cover were recorded as 3105, 2305, 1235 sq.km corresponding to variation in snow line altitude of 1613, 1770, 1440 m respectively .A subtle increase in the snow cover has been observed in these three sub-basins during 2004-2012. The results matched well with the variations in temperature taken from nearby ground weather stations. Snow cover products were analysed to understand spatio-temporal variability of accumulation and ablation of snow in the three sub-basins. Monthly fluctuations in snow cover were high during accumulation period than in ablation. This work also attributes in generation of long-term database which will be useful for understanding climatic variations over Himalayan region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Foster, J.L. and Chang, A.T.C., Snow cover. In Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change (eds Gurney, R.J., Parkinson, C.L. and Foster, J.L.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1993, pp.361-370. Klein, A.G., Hall, D.K. and Nolin, A.W., Development of a prototype snow albedo algorithm for the NASA MODIS instrument. In 57th Eastern Snow Conference, Sysacuse, NY, USA, 17-19 May 2000, pp. 143-158.
Literature cited 2: Jain, S.K., Goswami, A. and Saraf, A.K., Accuracy assessment of MODIS, NOAA and IRS data in snow cover mapping under Himalayan conditions. Int.J.Remote Sensing, 2008, 29, 5863-5878. Zhao, H. and Fernandes, R., Daily snow cover estimation from advanced very high resolution radiometer polar pathfinder data over Northern Hemisphere land surfaces during 1982-2004. J. Geophys.Res., 2009, 114, 1-14.

ID: 60823
Title: Dynamical model of daily CO concentration over Delhi: assessment of forecast potential.
Author: Jurismita Baruah and Prashant Goswami.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1369-1374 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Air pollution, carbon monoxide, dynamical model, mesoscale forecast.
Abstract: Advance and accurate forecasts of air pollutant concentrations have many applications at different scales, from traffic planning to health advisories. However, such models need to incorporate local factors and must be validated against local observations for applicability. It has been shown earlier that a dynamical model successfully simulates, in forecast mode, the observed (CPCB, India) daily concentrations of SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NO2 over Delhi. The present work shows that the model skill is also significant in predicting Co. Together with our earlier results, the present work to the robustness and enhanced scope of dynamical forecast of air pollution.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: SAEFL, La signification des valeurs limite d ' immision de I ' ordonnance sur la protection de 1 ' air, Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forest and Landscape, Bern, 1992. Dommen, J., Neftel, A.and Sigg, D.J., Jacob ozone and hydrogen peroxide during summer smog episodes over the Swiss plateau: measurements and model simulations.J.Geophys.Res, 1995, 100, 8953-8966.
Literature cited 2: Mitra, A.P.and Sharma, C., Indian aerosols: present status. Chemosphere, 2002, 49, 1175-1190. Gurjar, B.R., Aardennea, J.A., Lelieveld, J. and Mohanb, M., Emission estimates and trends (1990-2000) for mega city Delhi and implications.Atmos.Environ, 2004, 38, 5663-5681.

ID: 60822
Title: Soil reinforcement capability of two legume species from plant morphological traits and mechanical properties.
Author: Mohammed Saifuddin, Normaniza Osman, M. Motior Rahman and Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1340-1347 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cellulosic components, root biomass, soil reinforcement, shear strength, tensile strength.
Abstract: Vegetation is an essential tool to reinforce soil and improve slope stability. Two legume species, lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala) and copperpod (Peltophorum pterocarpum), were tested in terms of their capacity for soil reinforcement using a modified laboratory shear box. In addition, morphological parameters of the plant and root tensile strength were measured, while root composition also was analysed. Root system significantly contributed to increase the shear strength and residual strength of soil. The soil-root matrix of both species significantly affected the cohesion but not the angle of friction. Overall effects varied with soil depth and plant species. Lead tree showed higher soil shear strength and residual strength compared to copperpod. It also exhibited higher root biomass, root length, fine roots, root tensile strength and concentration of cellulosic components in root than copperpod, indicating a higher contribution to soil-root matrix, soil shear strength and soil reinforcement. A positive correlation (r=0.99) was observed between root biomass and soil shear strength of the species studied. Likewise, root cellulosic components and soil shear strength were positively correlated. Overall, lead tree exhibited exceptional root profiles and mechanical properties and can be suited plant for soil reinforcement.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Mattia, C., Bischetti, G. and Gentile, F., Biotechnical characteristics of root systems of typical Mediterranean species. Plant Soil, 2005, 278, 23-32. Reubens, B. et al., The effect of mechanical stimulation on root and shoot development of young containerized Quercus robur and Robinia pseudoacacia trees. Trees Struct. Funct, 2009, 23, 1213-1228.
Literature cited 2: Normaniza, O., Faisal, H.A. and Barakabah, S.S., Engineering properties of Leucaena Leucocephala for prevention of slope failure.Ecol.Eng, 2008, 32, 215-221. Abdi, E. et al., Quantifying the effects of root reinforcement of Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) on slope stability; a case study: hillslope of Hyrcanian forests, northern Iran.Ecol.Eng, 2010, 36, 1409-1416.

ID: 60821
Title: Pedometric mapping of soil organic carbon loss using soil erosion maps of Tripura.
Author: P.Tiwary, T.Bhattacharyya, C.Mandal, Dipanwita Dasgupta and B.Telpande
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1326-1339 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Conservation agriculture, pedometric mapping, soil erosion, soil organic carbon.
Abstract: Importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) in maintaining soil productivity and natural productivity and natural ecosystem has been a major concern throughout the globe. SOC in the humid tropical climate becomes more important in view of undulating hilly terrain in the northeastern region of India. The major concern in such landscape is soil erosion and the necessary conservation practices. In the present study, we discuss the technique of pedometric mapping to link SOC and soil loss. The best-fit semi-variogram model for SOC was found to be exponential model (R2=0.90). The best fit semivariogram models for soil and SOC losses are spherical (R2=0.95) and exponential (R2=0.77) respectively. The spatial distribution of SOC, soil and SOC loss was found to be related with topography and different land-use types and showed moderate spatial dependence. With the help of 196 grid observations, the present study shows a threshold limit of 150 kg ha-1 year-1 SOC loss above which the areas are to be considered as susceptible demanding immediate conservation measures. Pedometric mapping using SOC and soil loss can, thus, be a tool to prioritize areas in humid tropical climate for conservation agriculture.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: McBratney, A.B., Odeh, I.O.A., Bishop, T.F.A., Dunbar, M.S.and Shatar, T.M., An overview of pedometrics techniques for use in soil survey. Geoderma, 2000, 97, 293-327. Usowicz, B.and Usowicz, J.B., Spatial and temporal variation of selected physical and chemical properties of soil. Project Report, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubin, 2004, p. 148.
Literature cited 2: Rejman, J., Turski, R. and Paluszek, J., Spatial and temporal variations in erodibility of loess soil. Soil Till, 1998, 46, 61-68. Voltz, M. and Webster, R., A comparison of krigging, cubic splines and classification for predicting soil properties from sample information. Eur. J. Soil Sci., 1990, 41, 473-490.

ID: 60820
Title: Phosphates from detergents and eutrophication of surface water ecosystem in India.
Author: S.Kundu, M.Vassanda Coumar, S. Rajendiran, Ajay and A. Subba 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 (7) 1320-1325 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Aquatic ecosystem, detergents, eutrophication, phosphate loading.
Abstract: Eutrophication, regarded as the most immediate environmental consequence of extensive phosphorus usage in contemporary societies, has received wide attention. If the current level of human-induced global environmental impacts continues, there is a chance of occurrence of nearly 2.4 -2.7 fold increase in nitrogen and phosphorus driven eutrophication of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in the near future. The main sources of phosphate in aquatic environment, is through household sewage water containing detergents and cleaning preparations, agricultural run-off containing fertilizers, as well as, industrial effluents from fertilizers, as well as, industrial effluents from fertilizer, detergent and soap industries. The consumption of synthetic detergents is increasing year-by-year due to increasing urbanization and most of them contain phosphate as a ' builder ' , which increases phosphate loading rates in water bodies. The estimated annual consumption of phosphate-containing laundry detergents for the current population in India is about 2.88 million tones and the total outflow of P is estimated to be 146 thousand tonnes per year. Therefore, a major point of concern for checking eutrophication of water bodies, particularly in sensitive areas, is how to reduce P inputs to surface waters.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Cordell, D., Neset, T.S.S., Drangert, J.O.and White, S., preffered future phosphorus scenarios: a framework for meeting longterm phosphorus needs for global food demand. International Conference on Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater Streams, Vancouver, 10-13 May 2009 (eds Mavinic, D., Ashley, K. and Koch, F.), ISBN: 9781843392323.IWA Publishing, London, UK, 2009. Smil, V., Phosphorus in the environment: natural flows and human interferences.Annu.Rev.Energ.Environ, 2000, 25, 53-88.
Literature cited 2: Gunther, F., A solution to the heap problem: the doubly balanced agriculture: integration with population.2005; http://www.holon.se/folke/kurs/Dis-tans/Ekofys/Recirk/Eng/balanced.shtml Prud ' home, M., World Phosphate Rock Flow, Losses and Uses. International Fertilizer industry Association, Phosphate 2010 International Conference, Brussels, 22-24 March 2010.

ID: 60819
Title: Enhancing phosphorus utilization for better animal production and environment sustainability.
Author: C.S.Prasad, A.B. Mandal, N.K.S.Gowda, Kusumakar Sharma, A.K. Pattanaik, P.K.Tyagi and A.V. Elangovan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1315-1319 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Animals, phosphorus, phytase, phytate, pollution.
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is a key element in farm animal productivity and has a close relationship with calcium and vitamin D. Major part of P in feeds of plant origin is in the form of phytate which is not degraded in gut of monogastric animals and excreted in faeces contributing to environmental pollution. Studies have shown that exogenous supplementation of phytase enzyme to diet will improve phytate utilization. Genetic studies have proven the efficacy of low phytate grain with high available P content. Combination of phytase enzyme supplementation with use of low phytate feed ingredients is a practical and effective method of enhancing P utilization in monogastrics. Improved manure management to effectively recycle nutrients including P, needs further efforts to minimize pollution.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: NRC, Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, National Research Council, Washington, D.C, 2001. Ravindran, V., Brydn, W.L.and Kornegay, E.T., Phytates: occurrence, bioavailability and implications in poultry nutrition.Poult.Avian Biol.Rev, 1995, 6, 125-143.
Literature cited 2: Prasad, C.S., Gowda, N.K.S. and Pal, D.T., Mineral nutrition of ruminants in tropics: problems and remedies. In Animal Nutrition Advances and Development (eds Mehra, U.R., Putan Singh and Verman, A.K.), 2012, pp. 351-372. Gill, C., Reducing phosphorus excretion. Feed Int, 1999, 9, 18-20.

ID: 60818
Title: Phosphorus dynamics, eutrophication and fisheries in the aquatic ecosystems in India.
Author: Kuldeep K. Vass, Ashwani Wangeneo, Srikanta Samanta, Subhendu Adhikari and M. Muralidhar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1306-1314 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Brackishwater, eutrophication, freshwater, phosphorus dynamics, river.
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is the most limiting nutrient element in the inland aquatic ecosystems. In Indian context also, many water bodies are deficient in the readily available form of the nutrient. The present effort was to understand the P-dynamics in relation to fish production. While feed and fertilizer are the main inputs of P for the culture systems, the element is accumulated in the bottom mud to a great extent. Fish harvests accumulate 10-20 % of P. In culture systems with water exchange, significant amount of P flows with the discharge/exchange water. The wetlands, rivers and reservoirs in the country show gradual accumulation of the element and eutrophication is becoming a serious concern mostly due to anthropogenic activities. East Kolkata wetlands are a unique example where fish is used as the bio-remediating agent. In general, mangrove plants also have good capacity to recover from adverse effects of commercial shrimp farming. There is scope to utilize advanced mathematical models to optimize the production and at the same time, conserve the resources. As a whole, there is ample scope for improvement and to understand the P-dynamics in different water resources of India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Banerjia, S.M., Water quality and soil condition o fish ponds in some states of India in relation to fish production. Indian J. Fish, 1967, 14, 115-144. Banerjee, A., Chattopadhyay, G.N.and Boyd, C.E., Determination of critical limits of soil nutrients for use in optimizing fertilizer rates for fish ponds in red, lateritic soil zones. Aquacult.Eng, 2009, 40, 144-148.
Literature cited 2: Howarth, R. and Ramakrishna, K., Nutrient management. In Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing: Policy Responses Volume 3 (eds Chopra, K. et al), Island Press, Washington, D.C, 2005, pp. 295-311. Das, S.K. and Jana, B.B., Pond fertilization through inorganic sources: an overview. Indian J. Fish., 1996, 43, 137-155.

ID: 60817
Title: Atmospheric deposition of phosphorus to the Northern Indian Ocean.
Author: Bikkina Srinivas and M.M. Sarin.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1300-1305 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Air-sea deposition, aerosol-P, atmospheric deposition, Northern Indian Ocean.
Abstract: Air-sea deposition of phosphorus is an important external source of this macronutrient for ocean primary productivity. Although global budgets have shown that atmospheric input of phosphorus is comparable to its riverine supply, studies on regional scale are rather limited. The present article summarizes sources and atmospheric pathway of phosphorus to the ocean surface as a case study of the Northern Indian Ocean. Water-soluble aerosol phosphorus (PInorg) concentrations are significantly high over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) compared to those over the Arabian Sea (ARS) .Relative increase in the supply of aerosol-P over BoB is attributed to acid-processing of mineral dust during long-range atmospheric transport in addition to its supply from anthropogenic sources. Our estimate of P-deposition to the Northern Indian Ocean (~1.2 Gmol-P year-1) is comparable to its atmospheric deposition in other oceanic regions such as the North Atlantic and is also consistent with the model-based projections for the Northern Indian Ocean. These results highlight the importance of atmospheric source in influencing the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus in the Northern Indian Ocean.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Froelich, P.N., Bender, M.L .and Luedke, N.A., The marine phosphorus cycle.Am.J.Sci, 1982, 282, 474-511. Bergametti, G., Remoudaki, E., Lonso, R., Steiner, E. and Chatenet, B., Source, transport, and deposition of atmospheric phosphorus over the northwestern Mediterranean.J.Atmos.Chem, 1992, 14, 501-513.
Literature cited 2: Duce, R., The impact of atmospheric nitrogen, phosphorus and iron species on marine biological productivity. In The Role of Air-Sea Exchange in Geochemical Cycling (ed.Buat-Menard, P.), D. Reidel, Norwell, Mass, 1986, pp. 497-529. Mahowald, N., Artaxo, P., Baker, A.R., Jickells, T., Okin, G.S., Randerson, J. and Townsend, A., Impact of biomass burning emissions and land use change on Amazonian atmospheric cycling and deposition of phosphorus.Glob.Biogeochem.Cycles, 2005, 19, GB4030; doi: 10.1029/2005GB002541.

ID: 60816
Title: An inventory on the phosphorus flux of major Indian rivers.
Author: R.Ramesh, R.S.Robin and R.Purvaja.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1294-1299 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biogeochemical processes, Indian rivers, nutrient fluxes, phosphorus, water quality.
Abstract: The biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus in rivers are intimately linked to the processes that occur in terrestrial ecosystems. Riverine networks hold a crucial role in the transfer of nutrients from the land and atmosphere to the coastal oceans and often act as pool for numerous inorganic and organic compounds. Biogeochemical transformation of elements in river network is extensively influenced by catchment alteration and anthropogenic inputs. By means of rising consciousness of human impact on the excellence of rivers, emphasis is given on rivers, as an ecosystem by itself and also on the river-coast continuum. In this study, the major forcing functions that affect the riverine composition of phosphorus have been examined, in Indian context. An attempt has been made to study and inventorize phosphorus flux from major Indian rivers. Relatively high concentrations of dissolved PO-34 (dissolved inorganic phosphorus-DIP) are observed in few of the Indian rivers, which may be due to modifications in river catchment. The flow of DIP and particulate inorganic phosphorus to the coastal ocean from Indian rivers is estimated to be about 190 x 103 tonnes year-1 and 1367 x 103 tonnes year-1 respectively. Suspended load is significant in Indian rivers and its cumulative flux is in the order of 1450 x 106 tonnes year-1. The DIP concentration in the Indian rivers is more than twice the concentration observed for the other rivers in the world. Such increased nutrient input into the riverine system reflects the imbalances and alterations in terrestrial sources. Thus, the quantity and quality of nutrient input to the rivers need to be monitored to cope with the existing and future climatic and environmental changes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Boyer, E.W., Howarth, R.W., Galloway, J.N., Dentener, F.J., Green, P.A. and Vorosmarty, C.J., Riverine nitrogen export from the continents to the coasts. Global Biogeochem.Cycles, 2006, 20, GBIS91. Downing, J.A. et al., The impact of accelerating land-use change on the N-cycle of tropical aquatic ecosystems: current conditions and projected changes. Biogeochemistry, 1999, 46, 109-148.
Literature cited 2: Smith, S.V. et al., Humans, hydrology, and the distribution of inorganic nutrient loading to the ocean.Bioscience, 2003, 53 (3), 235-245. Demount, E., Harrison, J., Kroeze, C., Bakker, E. and Seitzinger, S., Global distribution and sources of DIN export to the coastal zone: results from a spatially explicit, global model, Global Biogeochem.Cycles, 2005, 19, GB4S02.

ID: 60815
Title: Phosphorus nutrition of crops through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
Author: D.J. Bagyaraj, M.P. Sharma and D. Maiti.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1288-1293 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agricultural practices, AM fungi, P nutrition, rock phosphate.
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is one of the diffusion limited major nutrients, which is essential for plant growth. In soil, phosphorus occurs in three forms namely, soluble inorganic P, insoluble inorganic P and organic P. Uptake of P from soil solution is mediated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in addition to plant roots. AMF are ubiquitous occurring in most of the soils. They are commonly found in association with agricultural crops. It is now proved beyond doubt that AMF greatly enhance plant growth. The improved growth is mainly attributed to uptake of diffusion limited nutrients such as P, Zn, Cu, etc. from soil. The other beneficial effects are their role in the biological control of root pathogens, hormone production, greater ability to withstand water stress and synergistic interaction with beneficial microorganisms. It is believed that mycorrhizal plants absorb P only from the soluble P pools in the soil. Synergistic interactions between AMF and P-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) are present which in turn helps plant growth. This is because PSM solubilize and release H2PO4 ions from unavailable forms of P and AMF help in the uptake of H2PO4 ions from soil. Field studies have shown that inoculation with efficient AMF not only increases growth and yield of crop plants but also reduces the application of phosphatic fertilizer by nearly 50 %, especially in marginal soils deficient in nutrients. Though the rock phosphates available in India are of low grade and not fit for the manufacture of phosphatic fertilizer, they can be used with PSM plus AMF as a potential source of P for crop plants, thus bringing down the import of P fertilizers/rock phosphate in our country. Advantages of AMF have been attained through application of suitable AM fungal inoculums and augmenting native AM fungal activities in soil through manipulating agricultural practices in favour of these fungi.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Grant, C., Bittman, S., Montreal, M., Plenchette, C. and Morel, C., Soil and fertilizer phosphorus: effects on plant P supply and mycorrhizal development.Can.J.Plant Sci., 2005, 85, 3-14. Theodorou, M.E. and Plaxton, W.C., Metabolic adaptations of plant respiration to nutritional phosphate deprivation. Plant Physiol., 1993, 101, 339-344.
Literature cited 2: Schactman, D.P., Reid, R.J. and Ayling, S.M., Phosphate uptake by plants from soil to cell. Plant Physiol, 1998, 166, 447-453. Furihata, T., Suzuki, M., and Sakurai, H., Kinetic characterization of two phosphate uptake systems with different affinities in suspension-cultured Catharanthus roseus protoplasts. Plant Cell Physiol., 1992, 33, 1151-1157.

ID: 60814
Title: Microbial mobilization of soil phosphorus and sustainable P management in agricultural soils.
Author: Tapan Kumar Adhya, Naresh Kumar, Gopal Reddy, Appa Rao Podile, Hameeda Bee and Bindiya Samantaray
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1280-1287 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Direct oxidation pathway, genomics of MPS, microbial phosphate solubilization, sustainable P management, transgenic P-solubilizers.
Abstract: Phosphorus plays a vital role in maintaining soil fertility and securing global food supply by being crucial for plant, human and animal life. Globally phosphorus is mined from geological sediments and most of the mined P is added to agricultural soils to meet the critical need of crop plants for agronomic productivity. However, recovery of P by plants is abysmally low and major amount of added P is fixed in the soil creating a need for addition of P fertilizer. Microorganisms play a fundamental role in mobilizing inorganic and organic P in the soil and the rhizosphere. Wide variety of bacteria, fungi and endophytes solubilizes insoluble P through the production of organic acids, a feature which is genetically controlled and can be suitably manipulated to produce efficient transgenic strains. Plant inoculations with phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) during field studies, however, had inconsistent effect on plant growth and crop yields due to variations in soil, crop and environmental factors affecting the survival and colonization of the rhizosphere. Increasing availability of soil P through microbial inoculation will necessitate identification of the most appropriate strains, preparation of effective formulations, and introduction of efficient agronomic managements to ensure delivery and survival of inoculants and associated improvement of P efficiency.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Simpson, R. et al., Strategies and agronomic inventions to improve the phosphorus-use efficiency of farming systems. Plant Soil, 2011, 349, 89-120. Falkowski, P. et al., The global carbon cycle: a test of our knowledge of Earth as a system. Science, 2000, 290, 291-296.
Literature cited 2: Scholz, R.W. and Wellmer, F.-W., Approaching a dynamic view on the availability of mineral resources: what we may learn from the case of phosphorus? Glob.Environ.Change, 2013, 23, 11-27. Heffer, P. and Prud ' homme, M., Fertilizer Outlook 2012-2016, International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA), Paris, France, 2012.

ID: 60813
Title: Physiological and molecular approaches for improving phosphorus uptake efficiency of crops.
Author: Rajamanickam Elanchezhian, Vengavasi Krishnapriya, Renu Pandey, Annangi Subba Rao and Yash Pal Abrol.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1271-1279 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Acid phosphatase, phosphorus starvation induced genes, phosphorus uptake efficiency, root morphology, Pi transporter.
Abstract: Intensive use of phosphorus (P) in agriculture has raised concerns about its sustainability due to potential resource scarcity and its non-judicious use which has led to serious environmental pollution. Plants possess a number of adaptive mechanisms to cope with P stress leading to changes at morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. A comprehensive understanding of these adaptive responses is required to improve P uptake efficiency, partitioning and utilization, together with other agronomic approaches, which would result in meeting the sustainability challenge of P delivery to crops. The present article briefly covers various plant responses to P stress and molecular strategies that could be used to develop plants efficient in P acquisition.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Rouached, H., Arpat, A.B. and Poirier, Y., Regulation of phosphate starvation responses in plants: signaling players and crosstalks. Mol. Plant, 2010, 3, 88-299. Ramaekers, L., Remans, R., Rao, I.M., Blair, M.W and Vander-leyden, J., Strategies for improving phosphorus acquisition efficiency of crop plants. Field Crop Res., 2010, 117, 169-176.
Literature cited 2: GPRI, Declaration on global phosphorus security. Global phosphorus Research Initiative, 2009; www.phosphorusfutures.net. Tiwari, K.N., Phosphorus needs of Indian soils and crops. Better Crops Int., 2001, 15, 6-10.

ID: 60812
Title: Phosphorus in relation to dominant cropping sequences in India: chemistry, fertility relations and management options.
Author: S.K. Sanyal, B.S. Dwivedi, V.K. Singh, K.Majumdar, S.C. Datta, S.K.Pattanayak and K.Annapurna.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1262-1270 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cropping sequences, phosphorus dynamics, phosphorus in soils.
Abstract: Soils vary widely in their capacities to supply phosphorus (P) to crops because only a small fraction of the total P in soil is available to crops. Thus, the crop growth and yield are likely to suffer adversely unless soil is endowed with adequate native supply of plant-available P, or else the soil receives readily available (inorganic) P fertilizers. In order to rationalize fertilizer P application to support sustained high productivity on one hand and address the environmental and economic concerns on the other, an in-depth understanding of native P supplies and P dynamics in soil is inevitable. In this context, the present article takes stock of the available information on the occurrence of P in soils, chemistry of P in soil, P quantity, intensity, and buffer capacity attributes of different soils vis-?-vis the P uptake modeling, P dynamics in soil, P management in important cropping systems for enhancing its use efficiency, soil testing for plant-available P to prescribe fertilizer P application and losses of P through erosion and runoff to the water bodies leading to eutrophication.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Majumdar, K., Johnston, A.M., Dutta, S., Satyanarayana, T. and Roberts, T.L., Fertilizer best management practices: Concept, global perspectives and application.Indian.J.Fert, 2013, 9, 14-31. Foy, R.H., The return of phosphorus paradigm: agricultural phosphorus and eutrophication. In Phosphorus: Agricultural phosphorus and eutrophication. In Phosphorus: Agriculture and the Environment (eds Sims, J.T. and Sharpley, A.H.), Agronomy Monograph No.46, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, 2005, pp. 911-939.
Literature cited 2: Pattanayak, S.K., Mukhi, S.K. and Majumdar, K., Phosphate fertilizer management of hybrid rice. Better Crops-South Asia, 2008, pp. 29-31. Tomar, N.K., Dynamics of phosphorus in soils.J.Indian Soc.Soil Sci., 2000, 48, 640-672.

ID: 60811
Title: Phosphorus supply may dictate food security prospects in India.
Author: A. Subba Rao, Sanjay Srivastava and A. N. Ganeshamurty.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (7) 1253-1261 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Availability, fertility, phosphorus, rock phosphate, yield.
Abstract: Importance of phosphorus (P) in agriculture and how its availability or otherwise could influence the food security of India and the world is studied. Rock phosphate (RP) is the only economic source of P but its availability is finite and skewed. India has very limited known resource of RP which is mostly low to medium grade in quality, thus making it almost entirely dependent on imports. The low soil P fertility in large parts of the country has accentuated the problem and reinforced the importance of most scientific and judicious use of P.A large number of practical measures such as using low grade indigenous RPs, mobilization of P from RPs, some best agronomic practices to effectively and economically utilize RPs and P recovery from solid and liquid wastes are suggested in the article along with some researchable issues. These if implemented could reduce the reliance on P import as well as provide food and nutritional security.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Cordell, D., Drangert, J.O. and White, S., The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought. Global Environ. Chang, 2009, 19, 292-305. Syers, K. et al., Phosphorus and food production. In UNEP Year book 2011, UNEP, Nairobi, 2011, pp. 34-45.
Literature cited 2: Van Vuuren, D.P., Bouwman, A.F. and Beusen, A.F., Phosphorus demands for the 1970-2100 period: a scenario analysis of resource depletion. Global Environ.Chang, 2010, 20, 428-439. Pathak, H., Mohanty, S., Jain, N. and Bhatia, A., Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium budgets in Indian agriculture. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2010, 86, 287-299.