Prediction of Ripening Stage of Cameo Apple Using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, farmers determine when a crop is ready for harvest by observing sensible attributes. They inspect the color or other physical observables which their crops exhibit and make decisions based on these observations and their past experience. This research presents for the first time a mathematical method employing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to quantify the maturation or ripeness of Cameo apple based on the changes in concentrations of selected constituent components (e.g., glucose) in the apple fruit. Cameo apple fruit samples were collected from a single tree every 15 days during the last 60 days of the apple fruit maturation cycle and then analyzed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The vibrational bands from the Fourier-transform infrared spectra were assigned to specific functional group. The peak intensities of the vibrational bands corresponding to glucose molecule were normalized and plotted against the number of days remaining before the apple fruit maturity and were observed to show a linear relationship. This relationship can be used to calculate the time required for the apple fruit to reach maturity and also to calculate the concentration of constituent components at any stage of its growth cycle.     

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities of new constituents of Nepeta clarkei

Two new pentacyclic triterpenes named kirmanoic acid (1) and kurramanoic acid (2) have been isolated from the chloroform-soluble portion of the whole plant of Nepeta clarkei Hook. The structures of the two new compounds were assigned on the basis of their 1H and 13C NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR techniques such as COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments. Kirmanoic acid (1) was investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities. Interestingly kirmanoic acid (1) showed strong analgesic activity than standard drug in acetic induced writhing and formalin tests. Similarly kirmanoic acid (1) also showed strong anti-inflammatory activity than its standard drug. The gross behavioral study of kirmanoic acid (1) revealed that it exhibited mild CNS stimulant and muscle relaxant in the mice. Compound 1 showed a slight increase in Locomotor activity and possesses the antidepressant effect.     

Drainable surplus assessment in irrigated agriculture: field application of the groundwater approach

To assess the drainable surplus of an irrigated area, a methodologybased on a groundwater-balance approach was developed and appliedin Schedule I-B of the Fourth Drainage Project near Faisalabad inPakistan. To determine the seasonal net recharge in this area, anumerical groundwater model was run in inverse mode. The data inputfor the model consisted of the geometry of the aquifer system, theaquifer parameters, and historical watertable elevations. The seasonalnet recharge values, calculated from the individual recharge anddischarge components, were tuned with the results of the inversemodelling. The advantage of such an integrated approach is that allthese components are linked. The design net recharge was estimatedfrom the historical net recharge of the wettest monsoon in the studyperiod. Its rainfall recharge values were then substituted for those of adesign monsoon. In this substitution procedure, the rainfall rechargemethodology and parameters were adopted from the tuning procedure.From this design net recharge, estimates could be made of the requireddrainable surplus, with and without drainage simulation.     

Comparative efficacy and economics of insecticides against chickpea semilooper,Autographa nigrisigna Walker (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) infesting chickpea

Abstract

All fifteen insecticides tested significantly reduced pest levels. Permethrin 25 e.c. @ 150ga.i./ha proved significantly superior than other insecticides during both the years when observed 3 days after treatment but was at par with deltamethrin 2.8 e.c. and fenvalerate 20 e.c. when observed 7 and 15 days after spraying. Isofenphos was least effective, however, it did not differ significantly from phosalone during 1981–82 and fenitrothion, triazophos and phosalone during 1982–83. Maximum and the minimum cost benefit ratios of 1 : 10.6 and 1 : 4.0 were obtained in gamma BHC and fenvalerate treated plots respectively.     

Modeling analysis of potential carbon sequestration under existing agroforestry systems in three districts of Indo-gangetic plains in India

The Indo-gangetic plains (IGP) in India occupies 13 % of the total geographical area and produces 50 % of total food grain to feed 40 % population of the country. Dynamic CO2FIX model v3.1 has been used to assess the baseline (2011) carbon and to estimate the carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of agroforestry systems (AFS) for a simulation period of 30 years in three districts viz. Ludhiana (upper IGP in Punjab), Sultanpur (middle IGP in Uttar Pradesh) and Uttar Dinajpur (lower IGP in West Bengal) respectively. The estimated numbers of trees existing in farmer’s field on per hectare basis in these districts were 37.95, 6.14 and 6.20, respectively. The baseline standing biomass in the tree components varied from 2.45 to 2.88 Mg DM ha^?1 and the total biomass (tree + crop) from 11.14 to 25.97 Mg DM ha^?1 in the three districts. The soil organic carbon in the baseline ranged from 8.13 to 9.12 Mg C ha^?1 and is expected to increase from 8.63 to 24.51 Mg C ha^?1. The CSP of existing AFS (for 30 years simulation) has been estimated to the tune of 0.111, 0.126 and 0.551 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1 for Sultanpur, Dinajpur and Ludhiana districts, respectively. CSP of AFS increases with increasing tree density per hectare. Site specific climatic parameters like monthly temperature, annual precipitation and evapotranspiration also moderates the CSP of AFS. The preliminary estimates of the area under AFS’s were 2.06 % (3,256 ha), 2.08 % (6,440 ha) and 12.69 % (38,860 ha) in Sultanpur, Dinajpur and Ludhiana respectively.     

Levels of some antioxidant molecules and lipid peroxidation during in vivo transformation of the progenetic metacercaria of Clinostomum complanatum to ovigerous adult worms

The levels of oxidative stress markers are an important indicator of the physiological state of the parasite and its host. In the present study levels of lipid peroxidation, glutathione S transferase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were determined in the Clinostomum complanatum progenetic metacercaria, obtained from the fish peritoneum (a hypoxic habitat). The in vivo transformed ovigerous adult worms were obtained from the aerobic environment of the buccopharyngeal region of experimentally infected chickens. Levels of antioxidant molecules were also determined in the blood of experimentally infected chickens. An increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation, and a significant decrease in the levels of glutathione S transferase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase was observed in the infected host as compared to the controls. In the ovigerous worms, the levels of lipid peroxidation, glutathione S transferase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase were found to be significantly less than the levels observed in the progenetic metacercaria. Since the establishment of worm in the buccal cavity of the avian host would lead to its exposure to oxygen and the haematophagous nature of the parasite also exposes it to the free radicals in the host blood, the progenetic metacercaria has evolved to produce excess free radical scavenging molecules reserved to combat the oxidative stress encountered within the microhabitat of the definitive host.     

Estimating carbon sequestration potential of existing agroforestry systems in India

India launched National Agroforestry Policy on 10th February, 2014 which has the potential to substantially reduce poverty in rural India and revive wood based industry, besides integrating food production with environmental services. The policy is not only crucial to India’s ambitious goal of achieving 33 per cent forest and tree cover but also to mitigate GHG emissions from agriculture sector. Dynamic CO2FIX-v3.1 model has been used to estimate the carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of existing agroforestry systems (AFS) for simulation period of 30 years in twenty six districts from ten selected states of India. The observed number of trees on farmers’ field in these districts varied from 1.81 to 204 per hectare with an average value of 19.44 trees per hectare. The biomass in the tree component varied from 0.58 to 48.50 Mg DM ha^?1, whereas, the total biomass (tree and crop) ranged from 4.96 to 58.96 Mg DM ha^?1. The soil organic carbon ranged from 4.28 to 24.13 Mg C ha^?1. The average estimated carbon sequestration potential of the AFS, representing varying edapho-climatic conditions, on farmers field at country level was 0.21 Mg C ha^?1yr^?1. At national level, existing AFS are estimated to mitigate 109.34 million tons CO₂ annually, which may offsets one-third (33 %) of the total GHG emissions from agriculture sector.     

Molecular epidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Bovine anaplasmosis is endemic in Pakistan where it reduces livestock productivity and leads to high mortality, especially in young animals. This study was aimed to identify the potential risk factors responsible for the occurrence and spread of anaplasmosis in cattle and buffaloes for the first time in Pakistan. A total of 900 (cattle?=?479, buffalo?=?421) blood samples were collected irrespective of age and sex from three distinct zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for the molecular detection of anaplasmosis. Data collected on a piloted questionnaire including 11 predicting variables which were analyzed using R-statistical software, and association between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using univariable analysis. Automated and manual approaches were exercised, producing comparable models. Key risk factors identified in all the approaches included species of the animal, breed of animal, sex of animal, tick infestation status, previous tick history, tick control status, and acaricides used (odds ratio?>?1). The 611 bp DNA fragment specific for 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. was produced from 165 samples. The samples were confirmed for anaplasmosis through sequencing and BLAST queries. The findings of the current study conclude that by enhancing the protective measures to control the identified risk factors can reduce the spread of anaplasmosis in Pakistan.

     

Rheological characteristics of intermediate moisture blends of pregelatinized and raw wheat starch

Rheological properties of intermediate moisture (35-45% wet basis) doughs from pregelatinized and raw wheat starch blends of various ratios were characterized using off-line capillary rheometry and online slit-die extrusion. In the case of capillary rheometer, viscosity of blends decreased by up to 50% as pregel starch concentration increased from 5 to 45%, whereas tests could not be conducted beyond 45% pregel starch concentration. For slit-die extrusion, viscosity was at a minimum at 60% pregel concentration, and it decreased by as much as 65% as pregel concentration increased from 0 to 60%. As pregel concentration increased (from 5 to 45% for the rheometer and from 0 to 60% for the extruder), the amount of water available in the system for gelatinization of existing raw starch granules decreased due to the stronger water-binding capacity of pregelatinized starch. This led to decreased additional conversion in the rheometer and extruder, which in turn caused a decrease in the volume fraction of starch and a reduction in viscosity.