Influence of thiobencarb and fluchloralin on the soil and rhizosphere microflora of potato

Summary Spray application at locally recommended rates of the herbicides thiobencarb and fluchloralin to potatoes reduced the rhizosphere and general soil microbial populations. Within 30 days the populations had generally recovered although there were some changes in the species composition of the fungal community that persisted until the final sample at harvest time.     

Molecular distinction and population structure of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Rapeseed-mustard is one of the most important oilseed crops and providing a major source of edible oil in the world besides having other economic importance...     

Aerogel based nanoporous fibrous materials for thermal insulation

In this research work, the thermo physiological properties of polyester/polyethylene nonwoven composite wraps of varying thicknesses impregnated with aerogel were studied and compared. The SEM images were also taken to compare the physical configuaration of the aerogel based fibrous composites. Specific thermal properties like thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thermal diffusivity and thermal absorptivity were measured using alambeta instrument. The air permeability of the thermal wraps was measured in air permeability tester. The relative water vapor permeability and absolute water vapor permeability was measured in Permetest. These tests were conducted to understand thermal properties, air and water vapor permeability of flexible aerogel based composites with nanoporous structure. The results of the experiments were statistically analyzed and found to be within confidence intervals.     

Impact of Tropical Ecosystem on the Migrational Behavior of K-40, Cs-137, Th-232 U-238 in Perennial Plants

A comprehensive study was conducted to determine the soil to plant transfer factor (TF_S–P) of K-40, Cs-137, Th-232 and U-238 in perennial plants from accessible areas of Mumbai, using high-resolution γ spectrometry. A total of 50 soil and 150 plants samples were collected from all over the Mumbai region where lithology is dominated by basaltic rocks. The mean concentration values for K-40, Cs-137, Th-232 and U-238 in soil was 170.06?±?65.36, 5.19?±?1.20, 25.72?±?6.262 and 10.21?±?2.82 Bq kg^?1 respectively, whereas in case of plants the mean concentration values were determined to be 181.82?±?18.50, 0.44?±?0.14, 0.84?±?0.19 and 0.79?±?0.22 Bq kg^?1 respectively. The mean activity ratio of Th-232/U-238 in plants is 1.06 while in soil the ratio is 2.5. The soil to plant transfer factor (TF_S–P) calculated for K-40, Cs-137, U-238 and Th-232 are 1.05, 0.076, 0.071 and 0.031 respectively. Higher value of TF_S–P for K-40, which is an integral part of stable potassium clearly indicates the physiological need of stable potassium, for maintaining the different biological mechanisms of perennial plants under tropical conditions.     

Temperature induced changes in wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and yield under salt affected environment of Indo-Gangetic Plains

An attempt has been made in the field conditions to evaluate the effect of atmospheric temperature rise on yield, ionic ratio (Na:K), and accumulation of antioxidative pigments in wheat in different growth stages under different soils. Five planting windows (PW) were classified, based on date of wheat sowing where the average temperature difference between a particular PW and PW-I varied from 1.33–4.24°C. Plant leaf area and root length density showed decreasing trend with increasing temperature. A low flag leaf water potential (?1.14?MPa) in sodic soil and high solute potential (?1.34?MPa) in saline-sodic soil was observed under PW-V, where high temperature difference (4.24°C) was recorded. The Na:K ratio was found to be highest in both straw and grain which were 1.802 and 1.126%, respectively, under saline-sodic conditions in PW-V. Proline and malondialdehyde concentration was highest under sodic conditions which varied between 2.82–2.95?mg?g^?1 fresh weight (FW) and 18.38–30.18 nmol g^?1 FW, respectively, under maximum temperature difference. An increase in temperature (>1°C) significantly reduced grain yield (>10%) that was negatively correlated with Na⁺ (r?=??0.78) but positively with K⁺ (r?=?+0.62) concentrations under saline-sodic conditions, however under sodic conditions, it was positively correlated with K⁺ (r?=?+0.63) concentration. Therefore, looking in to the climate change scenario, shifting planting window of wheat sowing may be helpful in mitigating the negative effects of heat and salt stress on wheat crop.     

Elemental accumulation in mango (Mangifera indica L.) as a function of maturity stage and variety

Information about the nutritional status of a plant is a basic prerequisite for its adequate nutrition and is crucial to achieve high-yield productivity. Assessing the annual amount of nutrient that a tree needs to absorb in order to successfully complete a vegetative and reproductive growth is a fundamental step for developing rational fertilization in orchards. We are unaware of any report describing macro- and micronutrient dynamics in fruit at different growth stages of mango. Seven cultivars of mango (Dashehari, Langra, Mahmood Bahar, Menka, Sabri, Sundar Langra and Zardalu) were selected for the study. Different macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium (N,P, K, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc and copper (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) were analyzed at four growth stages, namelymarble stage, prestone formation stage, stone hardening stage and harvest stage. There was a significant variation in nutrient content of fruits throughout the developmental stages irrespective of cultivars. There was no definite trend of nutrient variation among cultivars but in general, most of the nutrients like N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu were the highest at the marble stage, and Ca and Fe at the stone hardening stage.