Optimization of Farmyard Manure to Substitute Mineral Fertilizer for Sustainable Productivity and Higher Carbon Sequestration Potential and Profitability under Gardenpea-French Bean Cropping System in the Indian Himalayas

Carbon sequestration potential (CSP) and sustainability of gardenpea-french bean cropping system was assessed with farmyard manure (FYM) application vis-à-vis mineral fertilization as recommended NPK (NPK) and integrated nutrient management practices (INM) after six years’ cropping in Indian Himalayas. Application of 20 tons FYM ha^?1 provided highest CSP (0.527 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) in soil and sustainability index. With the help of quadratic equations, it was estimated that maximum profit (optimum yield) and turn over of invested money could be achieved with application of 20.0 and 15.6 t FYM ha^?1, respectively. Application of 5.9 and 8.9 tons FYM ha^?1 would substitute NPK and INM, respectively. Pod number plant^?1 was the most important yield-contributing attribute as found from principal component analysis. Pod yield could be modelled through multiple linear equation with help of yield attributes.     

Phosphorus dynamics and solubilizing microorganisms in acid soils under different land uses of Lesser Himalayas of India

Although chemical and some soil physical properties have been studied under different land uses of the Lesser Himalayas of India, very limited information is available on soil biochemical properties. Hence we investigated phosphorus (P) fractions [total P (TP), inorganic P (P_i), organic P (P_o), available P, microbial biomass P (MBP)], enzyme activities [dehydrogenase, phosphatases, phytase], phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and fungi (PSF), and their correlations of acid soils (0–15 and 15–30 cm depths) under different land uses (viz, organic farming, maize–wheat, apple orchard, undisturbed oak forest and uncultivated land of the Indian Himalayas). All land use systems differed significantly for the P fractions, except TP. The highest values for TP, P_i, available P and MBP were found in soils under oak forest and lowest in uncultivated land. However, P_o content was highest in apple orchard. The organic farming (organic manures field under garden pea-french bean cropping system for > 10 years) maintained highest activities of dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. The highest phytase activity and highest numbers of PSB (99 × 10³ g^?1 soil) and PSF (30 × 10³ g^?1 soil) were observed in the rhizosphere soils of oak forest. Significant relationships between soil P fractions and enzyme activities, except alkaline phosphatase, were recorded in surface soil layer. PSB and PSF population were also correlated significantly with P fractions and enzyme activities. This would lead us to understand the level of degradation of P pools due to cultivation over forest system and the suitable management practices needed for soil quality restoration.     

An analysis of the persistence and potency of film‐coated seed protectant as influenced by various storage parameters

BACKGROUND: An efficient delivery system for seed‐protectant chemicals is needed in light of several disadvantages of conventional seed treatment methods. This study evaluates the efficacy of film‐coat application in maintaining the persistence and potency of imidacloprid on Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. seeds after simultaneous storage under ambient and regulated environment in paper and aluminium packages. RESULTS: High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed 0.135 mg kg^?1 of herbage material to be the threshold value beyond which absolute control was obtained, and with film coating the latter was achieved even with half‐dosage seed treatment, irrespective of the storage condition. The technique provided early protection to the crop and also nullified the deleterious effects of ambient storage on the persistence and potency of the pesticide. CONCLUSION: Film coating enabled superior pesticide dosage as well as higher biological efficacy to be achieved. Hence, in addition to being an ecofriendly alternative, the technique would be a more economically viable option for storage of treated seeds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Total and Merchantable Volume Equations for Tectona grandis Linn. f. Plantations in Karnataka,India

Tectona grandis (teak) is one of the most important timber species worldwide and India is one of the major teak growing countries. Though some volume equations were developed in the past in India, merchantable volume equations (any top diameter or bole length) are not available. Moreover, the models developed were neither quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated nor validated with independent data sets. Hence, the objective of this study was to develop appropriate volume equations to predict total tree volume and merchantable volume for teak in Karnataka.

Linear and non-linear equations were used to model the relationship of the volume with respect to diameter at breast height (dbh) and total height. Merchantable volume equations for estimating merchantable volume to any minimum top diameter or bole length have also been constructed. The equations tested mostly fitted well to the data. Other models developed elsewhere tended to underestimate the volume, especially at dbh ≥ 23 cm. The geometric cylinder volume equation, in combination with a stem form factor of .40, is widely used for teak in Karnataka but they were found to be less precise compared to regression equations when applied to the present data set. Model validation indicated that models should be calibrated with local data for greater accuracy in the prediction.     

Identification of sex-specific DNA markers in betel vine (Piper betle L.)

The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to amplify DNA segments, with the objective of finding markers linked to sex determination in male and female plants of Piper betle L. Two bulks of DNA were made drawing one each from male and female, by pooling an equal volume of DNA samples from each group of individual contributing to the bulk analysis. Fifty different random decamer primers were screened with the two bulks to identify markers associated with sex expression of which only four primers were found to be associated with sex expression. These four primers were then tested with individual plant DNA samples where sex-associated RAPD markers were identified. A ~1,400 and ~850?bp fragment from the primer OPA04 and OPN 02 respectively was found to be present in all the male individuals and absent in all the female plants. In another primer, a ~980?bp amplification product from the primer OPC 06 was present only in the female individuals. A common primer OPA 08 showed both male and female specific markers of 650 and 1,200?bp respectively. Thus, the three male- specific RAPD markers OPA04₁₄₀₀, OPA08₆₅₀ and OPN02₈₅₀ and two female-specific markers OPA08₁₂₀₀ and OPC06₉₈₀ can reliably differentiate the male and female plants of P. betle L. Ploidy comparison also showed the differences in male and female plants.     

The biochemical correlation between the epicuticular wax of upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) and the wax of different mealybug species

The study aimed to find the possible differences, existing between the cuticular waxes of cotton and mealybug insects, using advanced analytical studies. The biochemical composition of the leaf wax of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and the cuticular wax of the different mealybug species, including Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Ferrisia virgata Cockerell, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, and Drosicha mangiferae Green were analyzed in detail by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results clearly confirmed that the cotton wax is dominated by the six-carbon alkanes, while the mealybug wax is a mixture of both the five-carbon alkanes and the six-carbon alkanes. Apart from these differences, the common hydrocarbons such as hexadecane, icosane, and heneicosane, the uncommon hydrocarbons such as ethane, cyclobutanone, decane, and cyclododecane, the species-specific compounds of mealybugs such as myristyl alcohol, quinoline, hexacosane, and pentacosane were also identified and their retention times (RT) were listed out in detail. The outcome of this study will be useful to develop pest management techniques targeting the waxy cuticle of mealybugs without obstructing the normal physiology and growth of the cotton crop.     

In situ observation of the electrochemical lithiation of a single SnO₂ nanowire electrode

We report the creation of a nanoscale electrochemical device inside a transmission electron microscope--consisting of a single tin dioxide (SnO(2)) nanowire anode, an ionic liquid electrolyte, and a bulk lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCoO(2)) cathode--and the in situ observation of the lithiation of the SnO(2) nanowire during electrochemical charging. Upon charging, a reaction front propagated progressively along the nanowire, causing the nanowire to swell, elongate, and spiral. The reaction front is a "Medusa zone" containing a high density of mobile dislocations, which are continuously nucleated and absorbed at the moving front. This dislocation cloud indicates large in-plane misfit stresses and is a structural precursor to electrochemically driven solid-state amorphization. Because lithiation-induced volume expansion, plasticity, and pulverization of electrode materials are the major mechanical effects that plague the performance and lifetime of high-capacity anodes in lithium-ion batteries, our observations provide important mechanistic insight for the design of advanced batteries.     

Haemato‐immunological response of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings fed leaf extracts and challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila

A 35 days feeding trial was conducted to assess the haemato‐immunological response of Labeo rohita fingerlings fed ethanolic leaf extracts of Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica, and infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. Six iso‐nitrogenous (354.6–361.6 g kg^?1) purified diets were prepared with graded level of leaf extracts viz., control (basal feed without any extract); TG‐5 (5 g kg^?1 guava extract); TG‐10 (10 g kg^?1 guava extract); TM‐5 (5 g kg^?1 mango extract); TM‐10 (10 g kg^?1 mango extract); and TGM (5 g kg^?1 guava extract +5 g kg^?1 mango extract). Haematological, immunological, biochemical, along with antioxidant enzyme activities were examined after a 35 day‐feeding trial and following a 7 day challenge with A. hydrophila. The haemoglobin, total leucocyte and erythrocyte counts, respiratory burst activity, lysozyme, total protein, albumin and globulin contents increased significantly (P < 0.05) in leaf extracts fed groups compared with the control in pre‐ and post‐challenge conditions. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease was observed in SOD (superoxide dismutase) and catalase activities of the treatment groups compared with the higher value in control. The trends in mortality indicated that groups of fish showing significantly elevated haemato‐immunological responses had the lowest mortality following challenge with A. hydrophila. The results showed that extracts of P. guajava and M. indica appear to be potential immunostimulant at an inclusion level of 5 g kg^?1 in the diet of rohu. But, mixing of both the extract at similar level did not show any synergistic effect, which needs to be tested at its lower level of inclusion.     

Species diversity,regeneration and dominance as influenced by canopy gaps and their characteristics in tropical evergreen forests of Western Ghats,India

Canopy gaps play a significant role in maintaining structure and composition of tropical forests. This study was carried out in tropical evergreen forests of central Western Ghats in India to understand the influence of canopy gap size and the relationship of gap regime attributes to diversity measures and regeneration. The average gap size in the study area was found to be 396 m2 and around half of gaps were 4–8 years old. Gaps created by natural single tree fall were smaller in size but significantly higher in number. Diversity and regeneration of woody species were compared with canopy gaps and intact vegetation. Species richness and diversity was higher in gaps than in intact vegetation. Macaranga peltata, a shade intolerant species dominated gaps while intact vegetation was dominated by shade tolerant Kingiodendron pinnatum.Gap size significantly influenced species diversity and regeneration. Gap area and age were significantly and negatively correlated with diversity measures but positively correlated with regeneration. Among all the attributes of gaps, regeneration was significantly positively correlated with light intensity. Gaps maintained species diversity and favored regeneration of woody species. In addition to gap size and age, other gap ecological attributes also affected species diversity and regeneration.